That's Fit http://www.thatsfit.com That's Fit http://www.thatsfit.com/media/feedlogo.gif That's Fit http://www.thatsfit.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Larger Serving Sizes: What They Could Mean for Dietershttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/larger-serving-sizes-what-they-could-mean-for-dieters/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/larger-serving-sizes-what-they-could-mean-for-dieters/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/larger-serving-sizes-what-they-could-mean-for-dieters/#commentsFiled under:

snack packagesFor anyone trying to stick with a weight-loss plan -- especially a stringent one -- nutritional information, as well as portion size, is essential. "The New York Times" recently reported that the FDA will start to encourage manufacturers to post nutritional info on the front of food packages, as well as explore upping the serving sizes for certain foods -- like chips, cookies, breakfast cereals and ice cream -- based on how Americans really eat.

What would these changes mean for all of us measuring out our snacks, counting calories, and, well, just trying to maintain our weight?

"This can have both a positive and negative effect on dieters' routines, portion size, and weight maintenance," said dietitian and That's Fit columnist Tanya Zuckerbrot. "Hopefully, seeing nutrition labels on the front of packages will increase awareness of the caloric content of what people are eating. In turn, this information may cause people to consume less, exercise more, and overall make better food choices."

But increasing the serving sizes could still hold some less than ideal challenges for those trying to lose weight or keep it off. "Increasing serving sizes can make weight maintenance more difficult," Zuckerbrot said. "Larger serving sizes means a greater intake of calories. People might not realize that the serving size of their favorite snacks and breakfast cereals have gotten larger or what the original calorie content and serving size was to begin with. This increase in serving sizes will end up increasing the calories in your food, too."

For some people, a larger portion may help them be more accurate about their calorie counts. But for dieters who adhere to the current serving sizes, an overhaul may throw a wrench in the mix. Registered dietitian and American Dietitic Association spokesperson Keri Gans told us, "Since once the portion is larger the calories will increase. Dieters may not want to eat a particular food at all. We don't necessarily want them to avoid foods, just watch portion size."

And while the FDA's latest move is likely to impact the millions of Americans who never turn to the nutritional information on the back of packaging, it does not help the fact that calorie counts on labels are allowed to be inaccurate by up to 20 percent.

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]]>caloriesdietersfdaincrease portion sizenutrition labelingobesityportion sizeserving sizeweight lossVanessa VoltolinaMon, 08 Feb 2010 16:00:00 ESTKourtney Kardashian Hasn't Lost Her Baby Weight, And Isn't In Any Rush Tohttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/kourtney-kardashian-hasnt-lost-her-baby-weight-and-isnt-in-an/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/kourtney-kardashian-hasnt-lost-her-baby-weight-and-isnt-in-an/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/kourtney-kardashian-hasnt-lost-her-baby-weight-and-isnt-in-an/#commentsFiled under:

Many Hollywood moms start their post-baby diets the minute they leave the delivery room. In a town where most new mommies debut hot bods mere weeks after giving birth, you'd think Kourtney Kardashian would be feeling the pressure to drop the 40 pounds she gained during her pregnancy -- fast. Instead, the eldest Kardashian sister is focusing on her 7-week old son, Mason. In the latest issue of "Life & Style," Kourtney admits, "it's been hard to find to find time to workout."

After another magazine photoshopped a post-baby picture of Kourtney to make her appear as though she'd shed all those pregnancy pounds, the reality star set the record straight and revealed she still had a way to go before she has her old body back. "Since having him, I don't care as much what I look like," Kourtney told Life & Style. "I gained weight in my booty, my stomach, my thighs and my arms. Everything got a little bigger for sure. I do want to get back to the way my body was before, but it's definitely not my biggest concern. I feel fine."

In the meantime, Kourtney shared that she's been wearing the Belly Bandit (in the photo, right), a post-pregnancy compression binder, to help her clothes fit better and flatten her stomach.

Tell us what you think: Is it refreshing to hear celebrity get real about losing weight after having a baby? How did you shed post-pregnancy pounds?

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]]>baby weightBabyWeightKardashianKourtneyKardashianpregnancyKimberly PapaMon, 08 Feb 2010 14:30:00 EST3 Meals, 2 Snacks? Not So Fast...http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/3-meals-2-snacks-not-so-fast/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/3-meals-2-snacks-not-so-fast/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/3-meals-2-snacks-not-so-fast/#commentsFiled under: ,

woman with pretzel snackFor decades now, the conventional advice from trainers and weight loss specialists has been this: "Eat three meals a day plus two snacks."

The big question is whether or not it's true.

And the answer (drum roll and envelope please) is ...

... sometimes. But not always. Many people do absolutely great on three meals a day with no snacks, and sometimes, on some days -- (gasp) -- even two.

See, the conventional advice was built upon the "truth" that "grazing" is always a better eating strategy for weight loss than eating three (or, god forbid, two) "solid" meals a day. Eating three meals and two snacks was supposed to keep your blood sugar even throughout the day, keeping cravings at bay.

Well, maybe. But the truth of the matter is that people are far more variable and individual than we often acknowledge. And there's a downside to the "five meals a day" theory, a downside which may affect some people more than others.

For one thing, eating every two hours guarantees that your insulin is going to go up five times a day instead of, say, three. For many people, that means more hunger, not less. Insulin is not only the fat storage hormone, it's also the hunger hormone. In fact, the whole "Carbohydrate Addicts Diet" got started when one of its creators, a (then) very-overweight Rachel Heller, found that she experienced a lot less hunger on one particularly busy day when she "forgot" to eat.

Three meals a day -- each with a beginning and an end -- is making a comeback as a weight-loss strategy, snacking be damned. Celebrity nutritionist JJ Virgin now advocates eating three meals a day, the first meal within an hour of waking up and the last meal at least three hours before bed. And recent research has demonstrated -- at least in rats -- that "intermittent fasting" actually has some major health benefits.

The point here is not that the old information was wrong and the new information is right. The point is that there are huge individual differences in how we respond to food, and no one strategy -- including the "five meals a day" strategy -- works for everyone. We need to stop blindly following conventional wisdom and start paying attention to our individual differences when it comes to weight loss. (In fact, that's not a bad strategy to follow for everything, but that's another column.)

Ellen Langner, the Harvard psychologist, puts it brilliantly in her book "Mindfulness," when she says that "certainty" is the enemy of mindfulness. When we blindly follow a strategy, for weight loss or for anything else, we often stop paying attention to the individual cues that tell us whether it's the right thing to do in our particular situation. "Certainty is a cruel mindset," she wrote. "It is uncertainty that we need to embrace, particularly about our health. If we do so, the payoff is that we create choices and the opportunity to exercise control over our lives."

So if three meals and two snacks per day works for you, great. Keep it up and carry on! But if it's not working, don't assume it's because there's something wrong with you. It just might be that you need to try a different strategy.

And three meals a day -- each with a beginning and an end point, and with no "snacking" in between -- might be one technique worth trying.

For more cutting edge information on health, nutrition, weight-loss and supplements, visit Dr. Jonny's Web site.

Jonny Bowden, author, nutritionist and weight loss coach cuts through all the misconceptions about diet and fitness to help you transform your body, your health and your life.

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]]>carbohydrate addicts dietdietfull mealjonny-bowdenjonnys-takemindfulnesssnackingweight lossweight-lossJonny BowdenMon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:00 ESTHigh Altitudes May Help Obese Slim Downhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/high-altitudes-help-obese-slim-down/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/high-altitudes-help-obese-slim-down/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/high-altitudes-help-obese-slim-down/#commentsFiled under:

mountains

Most of us wish there was an easy way to increase our metabolism without having to exert any extra effort. And according to recent research, maybe there is -- getting up into the mountains. And you don't even have to take up hiking or skiing -- A study published recently in the medical journal Obesity suggest that simply being at a high altitude can help obese people slim down.

Here's how they tested it -- Dr. Florian J. Lippl and his team at Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany selected 20 obese men and monitored their regular eating and exercise activities for week while in Munich, which is at an elevation that's on par with sea level. Then they sent them to an air-conditioned facility in the mountains that was at an elevation of over 8,000 feet above sea level. Once there, the men could eat whatever and didn't increase their exercise. Then they were brought back down and monitored for an additional four weeks.

As it happens, the participants lost an average of 3.3 pounds when they were at a high altitude, mostly from eating less. That doesn't seem like much but statistically speaking, it's a fairly significant amount when compared to their weight loss at sea level. The study was small, so it might not work for everyone. Dr. David Heber, director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition told MSNBC that even though these men saw some benefits, if they stayed in the mountains they would likely adjust to their surroundings, but their habits would stay the same.

There's more to weight loss then just a change of scenery. Read about how one couple finally stopped dieting and lost weight together.

Continue reading High Altitudes May Help Obese Slim Down

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]]>appetitehunger hormoneHungerHormoneleptinmetabolismmountainsobesityoxygenskiingsnowboardingweight lossMartha EdwardsMon, 08 Feb 2010 13:00:00 ESTJillian Michaels Cleanse and Burn: Does It Work?http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/jillian-michaels-cleanse-and-burn-we-tried-it/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/jillian-michaels-cleanse-and-burn-we-tried-it/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/jillian-michaels-cleanse-and-burn-we-tried-it/#commentsFiled under:

So, 14 days, multiple tweets and many, many little capsules later, I'm done with the Jillian Michaels cleanse and burn program. First impressions? Not bad. Of course, let me explain in a little more detail.

As I mentioned, the first seven days of the Jillian Michaels cleanse are the actual 'cleanse' part, also known as the detoxing stage. It sounds a bit rough, but in fact all I had to do was take a couple of capsules twice a day. According to the PR reps for the product, there's no need to follow any kind eating plan ("that's one of the selling points of the product ... no special diet is required," they say.) I, however, don't see the point in re-toxing while I'm de-toxing, so I loaded my fridge with plenty of fresh produce and made a plan to avoid sugar, salt, gluten, alcohol and most dairy.

Days one and two on the cleanse we're pretty normal, as in, nothing happened aside from me feeling a bit hungry. I even felt a bit bloated from all the water I was drinking. Then days three and four happened, and the part I call "flushing of the gut" started. Let's just say there was a definite case of the good old-fashioned runs. It wasn't painful or uncomfortable, rather it felt natural, and I didn't have any 'oh my god' moments where I felt like I needed the bathroom right this second.

And after that? Well, there's not much more to tell. The diet and pills continued, but the flushing seemed to mostly stop. It was actually a bit disappointing. Maybe I was all cleaned out?

At the start, I had been a bit worried about my energy levels during the cleansing portion, but as it happens I didn't need to be. I still went to the gym four times that week, and even spent a day snowboarding, an activity that requires large amounts of energy. I did have one afternoon on day three when I felt sluggish, and I was in a horrible mood on day four, but other than that, my life was business as usual.

Then it was on to phase two: The fat-burning phase. This phase involved taking a daily 'probiotic replenishment' for my gut, plus two daily doses of the fat-burning pills. Make no mistake, these so-called 'fat-burners' are no miracle concoction -- they're caffeine pills with a few herbs mixed in. I was a little worried about them after Charity at Social Workout admitted they made her feel "jittery and sleepless and hungry." Dr. Brent Bauer, the director of complementary and integrative medicine at the Mayo Clinic, who I spoke to before the cleanse, eased my fears a bit. "People respond quite well to caffeine," he said, but also pointed out that a cup of green tea would undoubtedly be a healthier way to get my fix.

After my first does of the pills, I understood what Charity was talking about. I did feel jittery, and that feeling lasted right up until my next dose at lunch. But after the second round, the jitters were much less noticeable, and seven days later they barely register (which is a bit scary in itself). I'm sleeping fine and am no more or less productive during the day. That said, the product recommends that you take the pills once with breakfast and once with your main meal, lunch or dinner (for me, that's lunch.) For the record, there is no way I would take these with dinner, because they're not exactly conducive to sleep. If you're thinking of taking them, I'd recommend you do the same -- avoid these at night time, even if it means adjusting your eating schedule a bit.

The final verdict? All in all, my experience was pretty good. I never felt uncomfortable on the program, I felt cleaner and less bloated and I managed to lose three pounds in all. I'm not sure if these results are typical -- keep in mind that I did follow a very healthy eating plan for the cleanse part -- but having my jeans a bit looser is definitely a great feeling. Yes, I know it's mostly water weight, but it's helped motivate me to keep up with the health kick.

However, I'm not sure I'd do it again. I'd consider giving the cleanse part a go but even though I've adapted fairly well to the fat burning pills, I'm still a little wary of them. Like Dr. Bauer said, I'd rather get my caffeine from a cup of green tea or coffee than an expensive little red bottle adorned with Jillian Michaels and her accusatory stare. Plus, I don't think they help -- I lost four pounds when I was on the cleanse and actually gained one back during the fat burning phase.

Have you tried it? Would you? I'm curious to know.

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]]>caffeinecleansecleansingdetoxfat burningjillian michaelsjillian michaels cleanse and burnwe tried itwe-tried-itMartha EdwardsMon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESTYoga Pose of The Week: Locusthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/yoga-pose-of-the-week-locust/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/yoga-pose-of-the-week-locust/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/yoga-pose-of-the-week-locust/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Locust is a great move to help improve your posture. It strengthens the muscles of spine, butt, arms, legs, shoulders, chest, belly and thighs. Try this pose, courtesy of YogaWorks, and stand tall.



For more beneficial yoga poses, check out our Yoga Center.

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]]>locust poseLocustPoseyogayoga pose of the weekYogaPoseOfTheWeekYogaWorksThat's Fit EditorsMon, 08 Feb 2010 11:30:00 ESTMy Gym Trainer: Win Your Own!http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/my-gym-trainer-win-your-own/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/my-gym-trainer-win-your-own/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/my-gym-trainer-win-your-own/#commentsFiled under: ,

my gym trainer
If the hardest thing about going to the gym is getting there, the second hardest thing has to be planning the workout. Once you have a plan, doing it is usually the easiest part! And that's what "My Gym Trainer" so darn cool.

"My Gym Trainer" is a book (well, three books if you want to get technical: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) that contains detailed daily workouts put together by personal trainer (and author and fitness model) Jill Coleman. Each book consists of 24 removable two-side workout cards with both cardio and strength exercises for a four-to eight-week challenging workout cycle. Not only are the moves explained in detail, but Coleman also explains the "why" behind some of the workouts; like, why interval workouts are so effective.

We had a chance to check out "My Gym Trainer" -- in a cocky state of mind, we requested the Advanced version -- and, well, it was pretty awesome! Pushing yourself to the limit is never easy, but when you have a trainer (even if it is just a book) telling you what to do, it's harder to give up than it is to do your best.

This week, we're excited to give one of these bad boys away to a lucky (and soon to be super-fit) That's Fit reader!

  • To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what part of hitting the gym you find most challenging.
  • The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, February 12, 2010.
  • You may enter only once.
  • One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
  • One winner will receive a "My Gym Trainer" book in his or her choice of Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced (valued at $50).
  • Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
  • Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so make sure to check next week to find out if you've won!

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]]>bookcontestfitnessgiveawaymy gym trainerpersonal trainertrainerworkout bookKristen SeymourMon, 08 Feb 2010 11:00:00 ESTLovebirds Lori and Tony Lost Weight Togetherhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/lovebirds-lori-and-tony-lost-weight-together/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/lovebirds-lori-and-tony-lost-weight-together/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/08/lovebirds-lori-and-tony-lost-weight-together/#commentsFiled under:

Names: Lori and Tony Mendola

Ages: Lori, 52 and Tony, 56.

Heights: Lori is 5 feet, 4 inches; Tony is 5 feet, 6 inches.

Before Weights: Lori was 185.8 pounds and Tony was 318 pounds.

How We Gained It: (In Lori's words) We gained weight because we overate most of the time. In fact, we usually wouldn't leave the table until we felt really full. We never considered portion size.

I had been battling weight issues for quite some time and had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis all of my life. We had both made attempts to "diet" multiple times in the past with little success. The two of us became very frustrated and clueless as to why we could not lose weight and keep it off.

Breaking Point: My weight loss journey was first sparked by the love of my life -- my husband. I thought Tony was headed towards a heart attack, as he was carrying around 318 pounds and was huffing and puffing with every step. My husband is truly my soul mate and I felt his health was now in my hands.

We'd heard from a few friends about Weight Watchers and their philosophy on portion size and eating the right foods. Though we had tried numerous diets before, I was not ready to give up our mission to lose weight, as I knew my husband's life and our enjoyment of life together literally depended on it. We decided to give it one more try and joined Weight Watchers together. Little did we know that this was the beginning of a transformation of our minds, bodies and souls.

How We Lost It: Since joining Weight Watchers, my husband and I have learned that dieting does not work. Instead, we learned the importance of portion size and the proper way to eat. We eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, and avoid anything fatty or sugary. I love to bake and have learned to do it in a healthier way -- it still tastes great! Tony is my biggest fan -- he says he feels like he eats in a five star restaurant every night.

Along with my goal to help my husband lose weight , the benefits of my own weight loss has been incredible -- at 38 pounds lighter, my large joints no longer ached as much. Tony has lost 93 pounds and his blood pressure and cholesterol levels are all now at normal levels. He works out at the gym regularly and walks three to four miles a day.

Our marriage has improved too -- our son Jonathan is mortified to admit that we act like high school sweethearts again.

After Weights: Lori weighs 139 pounds and Tony weighs 199 pounds.

It took Lori and Tony 17 months to slim down. They reached their goal weights in November 2009 -- together.

Lori and Tony aren't the only ones with great success stories -- check out how another Tony managed to lose 100 pounds.

Are you inspired by our That's Fit Success Stories? Motivate others by submitting your own! Share how you've transformed your body through diet and exercise by clicking here.

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]]>lori and tony mendolalori mendolasuccess-storiestony mendolaweight watchersMartha EdwardsMon, 08 Feb 2010 10:00:00 ESTBiggest Loser Danny Cahill To Go Under the Knifehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/biggest-loser-danny-cahill-to-go-under-the-knife/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/biggest-loser-danny-cahill-to-go-under-the-knife/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/biggest-loser-danny-cahill-to-go-under-the-knife/#commentsFiled under: ,

"The Doctors" have offered "The Biggest Loser's" latest champ, Danny Cahill, a free tummy and chest tuck to remove all the extra skin he has been left with after dropping 239 pounds.

Cahill revealed his chest on CBS's daytime show this week, and the hanging skin is definitely more than man spanx can handle. Cahill's Biggest Loser journey began at 430 pounds and ended at 191. From the looks of it, he's dodged any significant weight creep since the confetti-laced celebration.

But take a deep breath, Danny. While the Biggest Loser celebrity circuit is thrilling, and an offer of free plastic surgery is the cherry on top, it hasn't even been two months since the final Biggest Loser pounds were shed. Maintaining the loss for 60 days doesn't exactly count as stable weight maintenance.

Remember Season 3 champ Erik Chopin? One full body-lift and 360-degree scar later, he had 12 pounds of extra skin cut off at a discount, and is now in the midst of a yo-yo fight to lose again after gaining much of the weight back. Chopin's plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Aboolian recommends that before plastic surgery, a patient should be at or near their weight goal and at a realistic weight with stable exercise and diet habits, as reported in OH Magazine.

"As a general rule, the longer the better," said Dr. Al Aly, plastic surgeon and spokesperson for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. "You don't want to operate on people where there's a greater potential they can regain their own weight. We say anywhere from three to six months minimum weight stabilization, and preferably a year."

However, it's a judgment call. "It depends on how they lost the weight, their personality and a whole of range of things. Sometimes, for certain individuals, you might break the rules because they really seem like they have changed their lifestyle and will not go back," he said.

Cahill has accepted "The Doctors" surgical offer, but hopefully there's no expiration date. Quick-fix plastic surgery is no small decision. Mastering weight maintenance for years, not days, is the real goal.

Click on the video below to see Cahill's reveal on "The Doctors."



Check in with That's Fit for each week's best diet and fitness tips at "The Biggest Loser."

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]]>Andre Aboolianchest tuckDanny CahillDanny Cahills plastic surgeryErik ChopinThe Biggest LoserThe Doctorstummy tuckBev SklarFri, 05 Feb 2010 16:00:00 ESTDwight Freeney's Superhuman Super Bowl Diethttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/dwight-freeneys-superhuman-super-bowl-diet/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/dwight-freeneys-superhuman-super-bowl-diet/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/dwight-freeneys-superhuman-super-bowl-diet/#commentsFiled under: ,

dwight freeneyMost elite athletes follow a fairly strict diet -- after all, fueling their bodies properly is an important part of the job. But is it possible to take it too far?

Dwight Freeney of the Super Bowl-bound Indianapolis Colts was recently profiled by "Sports Illustrated," and writer Lee Jenkins holds nothing back when describing some of Freeney's unorthodox practices. In addition to the hyperbaric chamber in his bedroom and the laser beams in his basement (used to treat sore muscles), Freeney follows a diet that, as Jenkins puts it, "makes supermodels look indulgent."

The diet is called Sari Mellman's Dietary Progression, and it's based on blood, which is drawn every couple of months and analyzed to determine what foods will work best for your body, and which foods your body is likely to reject. For example, Freeney had suffered from head to toe cramping, and his coaches kept telling him to eat bananas. After having his blood analyzed, it was determined that bananas were actually part of the problem, according to "Sports Illustrated."

So, what can he eat? Well, what he can eat and what he does eat are two very different things. Freeney's body does better with tomatoes than with lettuce, and prefers pork to chicken. But the defensive end is stricter than that.

For example, Freeney ate nothing but beef and pinto beans from Wednesday morning until the Sunday afternoon kickoff against the Jets. He knows exactly what weight he wants to be -- 262 pounds against a passing team, and 267 against a running team -- and he won't let anything stand in his way of achieving that weight. Even if he goes out to a restaurant for dinner, Jenkins wrote, "he brings his ingredients with him and instructs the chef on how he wants it prepared -- no oil, no pepper, no garlic, no garnish, no powder and certainly no pan spray." Even snacking on a sprig of parsley makes him feel guilty.

Before you start feeling too sorry for him, though, know this: Freeney does allow two cheat days, during which he can gain up to five pounds (which, of course, he loses by Thursday).

His teammates call him a lab rat because so many of the things he relies on to stay at the top of his game have yet to be scientifically proven. But, looking at his stats, it's clear that something is working for him.

Do you think this extreme type of diet is dangerous, or just part of the job for a professional athlete?

Freeney is far from the only big name with questionable diet and exercise habits. Madonna recently defended her gym habits to the media.

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]]>blood testcoltsdefensive enddietdwight freeneyfootbalsari mellmansari mellmans dietary progressionsuper bowlSuperBowlKristen SeymourFri, 05 Feb 2010 15:00:00 ESTFit Links: Best NFL Butts, Marry Him!http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/fit-nfl-butts-marry-him/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/fit-nfl-butts-marry-him/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/fit-nfl-butts-marry-him/#commentsMarry Him: A Look at the Book that Urges You to Settle
Just in time for Valentine's Day, the world has found its anti-Cupid: Lori Gottlieb, a 42-year-old single mom. So why is the blogosphere calling for her head?!

She just wrote a book called "Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough," advising you to give the online date with bad breath a second chance and not ix-nay a guy over his unfortunate taste in denim.

She's urging women to settle, so as not to wind up alone like she did. And when Lemondrop's Carrie Sloan finished the book, the newly wed said: This is the smartest relationship book I've read in years. Keep reading...

They're All Tight Ends to Us: Best Butts in the NFL
We'll never understand women who don't watch football, which mainly consists of a bunch of muscle-bound, incredibly macho guys running around in skin-tight pants. What's not to like?

There are plenty of reasons for women to watch Sunday's Super Bowl, and here are 10 of them. May we present, the 10 top tushes in professional football. Keep reading...

We Asked a Real Guy: What's the Best Online Dating Profile Picture?
OkCupid.com says the "MySpace Pose," you peering into the camera like a barely-legal sex kitten, is the best way to make yourself attractive to guys.

The runners up are, in order of popularity: "In Bed," "Outdoors," "Travel Photo," "Having Fun with Friends," "Doing Something Interesting," "Drinking Alcohol" and -- dead last -- "Posing with an Animal."

You'd think common sense would dictate that in a profile picture you'd 1) smile; 2) take pictures with a real camera instead of a phone; 3) keep your clothes on; and 4) make sure you show your face. Turns out the opposite's true. That's why Lemondrop asked Asylum's Ryan McGee to weigh in. Keep reading...

Is Saying 'We' The Key to a Happy Marriage? We Hope Not
You know the types: We love sushi. We hate "30 Rock." We always vacation at Sandals.

It's annoying, sure. But new research suggests that couples who refer to themselves using pronouns like "we" and "our" apparently are not only better at making us very annoyed -- they also resolve conflict more successfully.

It turns out the couples' success comes from having a sense of unity with their partner that helps them grow closer and behave more positively toward each other. Keep reading...








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]]>datingfit-linkslemondropsexsuper bowlAmber GreviskesFri, 05 Feb 2010 14:30:00 ESTWeight Loss After 40: Why It's So Hard -- and What Workshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/lose-weight-after-40-why-its-so-hard-and-what-works/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/lose-weight-after-40-why-its-so-hard-and-what-works/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/lose-weight-after-40-why-its-so-hard-and-what-works/#commentsFiled under:

woman over 40 on scaleBy Melanie Haiken, Senior Editor, Caring.com

Every year, it seems, it's harder to lose weight. You cut back on portion size; you say, "No, thank you," to dessert; you sign up for fitness class -- and yet you gain weight and your energy level goes down. What's going on?

Starting in our early 40s, our bodies go through a series of changes that affect the very core of our being. Thanks to hormonal and other changes, the very growth rate of our cells slows down. Some of these changes are the result of the natural aging process. It's just something we have to learn to work around.

Sometimes, though, something's gotten off track, and your metabolism isn't working like it should, and there's an underlying medical issue that needs to be dealt with before the usual weight-loss measures will have any effect. Here's a ten-step plan for understanding the challenges that prevent weight loss over 40, and for learning how to overcome them.

1. Get to know your body's new biological rhythms -- and adjust to them. In long-ago times, older didn't necessarily mean plumper. Think of those icons of the American prairie, the sinewy pitchfork-wielding farm couple pictured in American Gothic. But today, those of us over 40 face a twofold challenge: We're living longer, and we're no longer out there pitching hay to the cows at 5 a.m.

When it comes to burning calories, it's a fairly simple equation. What goes in must be burned off, or it sticks to our ribs. Acquiring weight is absurdly easy -- eating just 100 extra calories a day (100 more than what your body burns) will lead to a nine- to 10-pound weight gain over the course of a year, experts say. How much is 100 calories? Not a lot: A can of Coke contains 155 calories, a chocolate bar more than 200. Of course, that cola or chocolate chip cookie is no problem if we're walking or running it off. But after 40, our activity level tends to decline, too. So the challenge is to bring the two into balance.

Look back over the past year, and think about when your weight seemed to be holding steady and when it seemed to be trending slowly upward. What were you doing during the good weeks? What sabotaged you the other times? Make a list of what works for you, and what throws you off. Your own healthy habits in the past are the ones most likely to work for you now.

2. Eliminate underlying metabolic conditions. Would it surprise you to know that thyroid problems strike as many as one out of five adults over age 40? The most common of these is hypothyroidism -- an underactive thyroid -- and hypothyroidism is one of the primary reasons many people over 40 can't lose weight. The thyroid is a tiny gland that produces hormones that regulate metabolism, and when it's underactive, so is everything else. Think of low thyroid as having your internal thermostat set too low. Symptoms include feeling cold all the time, poor circulation in the hands and feet, clammy hands, tiredness and lethargy, hair loss (including eyebrows and eyelashes), and weight gain -- despite real attempts to exercise and eat well.

If you suspect an underactive thyroid may be undermining your metabolism, the first step is to call the doctor and ask for a thyroid test. But beware: The first-line thyroid blood test, known as the TSH, is notoriously unreliable. And doctors are busy arguing about what's "normal" anyway. As of 2003, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists began recommending that the cutoff for normal TSH should be 3.0 versus the older standard of 5.5, but this news hasn't reached many labs or doctors. And lots of endocrinologists think having a TSH between 1 and 2 is ideal for maintaining normal body weight and function.

If your TSH result is above 3.0, make sure your doctor knows about the new recommendation. And ask for further testing; there a number of additional tests that many experts believe give more accurate readings of thyroid function.

3. Adjust your eating habits for maximum energy. Your goal at this stage in your life is to keep yourself feeling full without succumbing to the temptation to eat like you could at age 20. One strategy recommended by internist Dr. Julie Taw of Englewood, New Jersey, is to eat more frequently but to consume less at each sitting. An added benefit of eating this way is that it's easier to keep your blood sugar steady, so you don't have the peaks and valleys that contribute to fatigue.

Here's the rule: Try eating five to six small meals a day, and don't go more than three or four hours without eating. For example, you might eat a healthy breakfast before you leave for work, then have a nonfat yogurt in the late morning. Then instead of eating a big pasta lunch and spending the afternoon in a stupor, eat a light lunch and spend the rest of your lunch break taking a brisk walk. An afternoon snack of trail mix and an apple keeps you from needing the 4 p.m. sweet treat and makes it easier to avoid overeating at dinner.

Your goal is the opposite of the starvation approach to dieting -- you want to trick your body into feeling satisfied and well-fed at all times, though the total amount you're eating is less.

4. Time your eating to take advantage of your body's natural rhythms. Experts are sure of one thing: Snack (or eat dinner) after 9 p.m., and whatever you eat goes straight to your hips and stomach. Happily, the opposite is also true; what you eat in the mornings, when your metabolism is revved up to its optimum operating speed, is much more likely to be expended efficiently. Don't like to eat breakfast? Sorry, but there's no way around this one; eating a good breakfast is one of the key habits experts have identified that keeps thin people thin. When members of the National Weight Control Registry (people who have maintained a weight loss of 30 pounds for between one and six years) were surveyed, 78 percent reported eating breakfast every day and almost 90 percent reported eating breakfast at least five days a week. This was one of the only factors researchers identified that those in the registry had in common!

5. Trick your metabolism with fat-fighting foods. I know you've heard it before, but it's true: It's really not just about how much you eat, but how much of which foods. There are plenty of healthy foods you can eat all you want of -- and no, that doesn't mean stuffing your fridge with celery sticks, 1970s-style. Instead, make a few simple tweaks to your diet, incorporating foods that actually fight fat instead of those that trigger it. Then eat other foods in moderation, and you should be OK.

6. Make muscles an ally in your weight-loss campaign. There's one thing the exercise gurus have gotten right: The more muscle mass you have, the more effectively your metabolism burns calories. But sad to say, a natural tendency of aging is to lose muscle, gradually replacing it with fat. So in order to enlist the calorie-burning abilities of muscle, we do have to work at it.

A common misconception, though, is to mix up muscle-building with aerobic exercise. Both are good, but the aerobic part -- though it does burn calories -- isn't what we're talking about here. What you really need to focus on for long-term benefit is basic strength training. Buy some hand weights, a bar, and some stretch bands, and channel your high school gym teacher. Make it as pleasant as possible; work out while you watch the evening news or your favorite sit-com. Slowly and gradually build up those biceps, abs, deltoids, and glutes, and you'll have some key allies in your fight to prevent age-related weight gain.

7. Get more sleep to burn more calories. As any perimenopausal woman or hardworking man over 35 can tell you, sleep gets ever more elusive as you age. It's not just that we're busier and more stressed. We also have multiple physical issues, from back pain to snoring to night sweats, any of which can interfere with getting a good night's sleep.

Yet, paradoxically, getting a good night's sleep is one of the keys to losing weight, says neurologist David Simon of the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, Calif. In recent years, significant research has shown that lack of sleep is directly connected to weight gain because of the actions of two hormones, leptin and ghrelin, that control hunger and satiety, or feeling full. When you're sleep deprived, your ghrelin levels increase at the same time that your leptin levels decrease. The result is more craving, less feeling full. Add to that the fact that sleep-deprived people often crave "energy" foods, which tend to be sweet or salty, and you can see how small changes in your routine can add up to big weight gain.

Lastly, there are tantalizing new studies demonstrating that our bodies are most metabolically active while we sleep. So the longer we sleep, the more we rev up our inner fat-burning engines. (You still shouldn't snack late at night, though. Researchers also believe that calories eaten late in the evening are processed less efficiently than those consumed during the day, no matter how active our nighttime metabolism.)

Add these all together and you can see a pattern emerging: The older we are, the harder it is to get a good night's sleep -- and the less we sleep, the more likely it is we'll gain weight. What to do? Take steps to combat sleep problems and your waistline will benefit, too.

8. Strike up a healthy relationship with your sweet tooth. If you're dying for a sweet treat, give it to yourself, savoring it slowly so it registers fully with your brain's pleasure sensors. A trick that many experts recommend: Cut the treat in half before you start eating, carefully wrapping the second half up to "save for later." You may or may not want it -- sometimes if you eat the first half slowly and consciously enough, you'll feel satisfied. But knowing it's there if you do plays a nice trick on your brain, which tends to crave things it perceives as being in short supply.

Also, don't try to substitute artificially flavored sweets. Researchers have recently discovered that artificial sweeteners fail to trigger the body's natural satisfaction response. So eating that 100-calorie artificially sweetened cookie only adds to your problems; you'll keep on wanting the real cookie, so the 100 calories you just ate were in vain.

9. Forget dieting. Instead, focus on your fuel-to-energy ratio. If, like most 40-somethings, you're packing some extra pounds, you've probably made plenty of resolutions to go on a diet. You've also probably figured out by this point in your life that diets rarely work, and neither does suddenly embarking on a strenuous new exercise regimen. There's a good reason that sudden, drastic changes don't lead to long-term weight loss, and may even lead to a rebound. Have you noticed that your weight tends to stay fairly constant week to week, even if one day you go on a junk food binge and the next day you're fairly good? Nature designed us with optimum abilities to maintain a steady metabolic rate, because it helps us weather food shortages and sudden demands on our energies.

Unfortunately, this means that when you've gradually gained weight over time, your body has adapted to the new weight and now does its best to hold onto it. So here's what you do: You make slow, gradual adjustments to each end of the equation. And you -- and only you -- decide which end of the fuel-in, energy-out equation to emphasize and when.

10. Make slow, realistic changes in tune with your lifestyle. Let's say you want to lose ten pounds. To do so right now, you'd have to eat nothing at all for about 2 weeks, or jog for 51 hours, or walk for 126 hours. Not only would it be impossible, attempts like those would send your body into starvation-mode metabolic slowdown, sabotaging your efforts.

But you could also, much more effectively, set out to lose one to two pounds a week for the next five to ten weeks. Remind yourself that you are the only one in charge of tuning up your metabolic engine. Decide whether you prefer to focus your energies on cutting down the number of calories you're consuming, or on upping the number you're burning. Most likely, you'll strike a balance between the two that suits you. If adding three half-hour walks a week is relatively painless for you, that's a good choice. If winter workouts are unappealing and you wouldn't be caught dead in a gym, then focus on dietary changes instead.

Your primary goal should be making small, gradual lifestyle changes that you can incorporate into your daily routine and stick with over time. That's the ultimate secret to combating over-40 weight gain.

More from Caring.com:

Seven Foods That Help You Lose Weight
The 10 Biggest Sleep Problems and How to Fix Them
6 Simple Diet Game-Changers

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]]>agingmetabolismover 40Over40weight lossWeightLossThat's Fit EditorsFri, 05 Feb 2010 14:00:00 ESTStylish Snow Pants: They DO Exist!http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/stylish-snow-pants-they-do-exist/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/stylish-snow-pants-they-do-exist/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/stylish-snow-pants-they-do-exist/#commentsFiled under: ,

women's snow pants

Who here remembers their childhood snowpants? As a child of the '80s, I had a pair in pastel pink and in lavender (you know, to match my "My Little Pony" moon boots), and they were hugely bulky. Well, women's technical outerwear has come a long way, baby, and if you're hoping to ski or snowboard in style this season, you've got loads of options.

Marmot makes a great snow pant, and fit beauties will adore their Women's Voltage Insulated Pant ($185), particularly in the Deep Blue. The ombré shading is hot, but it's the tech behind the fabric and internal gaiters that will keep you toasty warm (especially if you pair it with the Cody Bowl Jacket!).

If your style leans more toward sophisticated, you're going to be all over the Columbia Bacall Pant in Black Stripe ($150). They're sleek, or at least as sleek as snow pants are ever going to get, and while the stripes add some subtle funkiness to the design, you can still pair them with a simple jacket and keep the look low-key.

Because I'm still not over purple (Hey, who is? Purple is hot this year!), I'm loving the loose-fitting Oakley Profile Light Pant in Helio Purple ($200). As part of the Gretchen Bleiler Collection, you know they have to perform -- she's not going to put her name on anything sub-par. Though, I'll be truthful -- the faux pockets and GB lion at the lower leg are the details that have me sold.

For a pattern with a bit of punch, try The North Face Women's Freedom Insulated LRBC Print Pant ($169). I'm digging the Snow White, but have to admit that the Weimaraner Brown is pretty rad, too. This company has long been known for quality winter apparel, and with this style, you not only get textile technology that keeps you warm at 13,000 feet, but also handy cargo pockets and a superb athletic fit.

And, because sometimes, a girl just wants to stand out, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the Arc'teryx Scarabee Pant in Volcano ($399). The GOR-TEX fabric will keep you warm and dry while the bold red color is sure to draw the eye of that sexy ski instructor while you're shredding the snow.

Winter sports aren't only about the gear. Find out how yoga can help you compete in the snow!

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]]>arcteryxcolumbiafit-beautymarmotoakelyski pantsskiingsnow gearsnow pantssnow sportssnowboardingsnowboarding pantsthe north faceKristen SeymourFri, 05 Feb 2010 13:00:00 ESTSimple Super Bowl Swapshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/simple-super-bowl-swaps/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/simple-super-bowl-swaps/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/simple-super-bowl-swaps/#commentsFiled under: ,

baked tortilla chipsAppetizers are often the theme for Super Bowl parties, but a variety of these popular nibbles add up over the course of the afternoon. During the three-hour game, the average person could pack in enough calories to replace a full day of meals! When snacking over a long period of time like this, it's important to consider portion sizes so you don't experience a calorie overload. These bite-size swaps are perfect for portion control and they focus on increasing fiber while reducing calories so that you can try a little of everything without feeling guilty.

Bruschetta
Skip ordering out for pizza and make bruschettas. These tasty Italian appetizers are easy to make and simply delicious! Top whole wheat baguette slices with a mixture of chopped tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and a pinch of shredded parmesan cheese. Bake an a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until toasted. This is a great way to control portion size and add fiber.

Jalapeno Poppers
In order to add something a little spicy to the mix, try my jalapeno poppers. These little pockets are baked, not fried, and contain just enough fire to encourage drinking water between servings. I make them by mixing an 8-ounce package of fat-free cream cheese with 1/2 cup chopped pickled jalapenos. Place about 1 tablespoon of this mixture in the middle of a 4-inch square wonton wrapper (usually found in the produce section of your grocery store near the refrigerated tofu) and fold over to make a triangle. Wet the seal with a little water in order to keep them from coming open. Place on a non-stick cookie sheet (or spray with non-stick spray) and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Turn them over and bake an additional 5 minutes more until the outsides are crisp. Serve with salsa for dipping.

Nutrition Content (per piece): 39 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 6 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 3 g protein, 144 mg sodium

Baked Tortilla Chips
I like to control the sodium in my chips and use more whole grains by making my own. Cut whole wheat or corn tortillas into triangles and bake them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. For some added flavor, spray with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle a little cayenne pepper or garlic powder on them before baking.

Black Bean Dip
Swap out those high calorie creamy dips with lower calorie salsa, hummus, or my try my black bean dip for more nutrition, lower calories, and extra fiber. Serve with my homemade baked tortilla chips, sliced veggie sticks, or whole wheat crackers for a well rounded snack.

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon jalapeno, minced (optional)
  • 1 can (14 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

1. Sauté onions in olive oil until translucent. Add garlic and jalapeno. Cook until tender.

2. Combine with the rest of the ingredients in a food processor. Process until smooth.

Serves: 8


Nutrition Content (per 1/4 cup serving): 90 calories, 2 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 13 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 5 g protein, 5 mg sodium

For more appetizer rehabs, check out earlier posts for turkey chili, nachos, meatballs, or spinach artichoke dip.

Readers, I would love to hear from you! Please send me your most favorite fattening recipes that need a RECIPE REHAB! Everything from your mom's meatloaf to your kid's favorite dessert -- let me lighten it up.

Celebrity dietitian and motivational life coach Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of www.ffactordiet.com and founder of www.skinnyandthecity.come, has helped thousands of people lose weight and keep it off with her program. Her philosophy? Tanya believes you should never sacrifice taste, even when you're eating healthy foods. Have a recipe in need of rehab? Send us an e-mail at reciperehab [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.

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]]>appetizerblack beanbruschettadipsingredientsitalianjalapeno poppersportion controlsuper bowlsuperbowltanya-zuckerbrotwontonTanya ZuckerbrotFri, 05 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESTOlympians Tips for Staying Fit On the Roadhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/olympians-tips-for-staying-fit-on-the-road/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/olympians-tips-for-staying-fit-on-the-road/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/olympians-tips-for-staying-fit-on-the-road/#commentsFiled under: ,


Ever wonder how Olympic athletes stay healthy and fit on the road, especially given their grueling travel schedules? That's Fit recently chatted with six Olympians who will be competing in Vancouver to ask them just that. Here's what they had to say:

Drink Up
"Whether you're on a long flight or a puddle jumper, the most important thing is to stay hydrated. It's a bummer you have to buy a bottle of water in the airport but completely worth it." -- Lindsey Vonn, alpine skiing

Kick the Cobwebs
"I like to go for a 20- to 30-minute run after a long day traveling (10 minutes slow, 10 minutes at a faster pace, then six sprints to wake my body up and blow out the cobwebs). I also travel with the Flow Bar for the perfect 10-minute workout. You can hang it from any door and do a number of exercises. My routine is eight pull-ups, dips, lay back rows, one leg squats facing the door, one leg squats parallel to the door (like lateral ski dip) and then push-ups. Do that two or three round and it's over in 10 to 12 minutes for a full-body workout." -- Daron Rahlves, ski cross

Eat, Move and Have Fun
"I always travel with almonds for a healthy, filling snack since airports generally lack these kinds of foods. I go for a walk and stretch immediately upon arrival. Exercise is often the last thing I feel like doing, but it wakes me up and makes my muscles feel refreshed. Plus, it sets the tone for activity for the remainder of the trip. If on vacation, I stay active using the opportunity to mix up my workouts. If I'm near a beach, the sand provides excellent resistance for running, and it's easier on my joints. I like to play tennis but rarely have time when I'm training for skiing so I take the opportunity to work on my skills when I'm on vacation." -- Hannah Kearney, freestyle moguls

Break the Fast
"To keep my diet on track while I'm traveling, I start my day off with a good, healthy breakfast. This helps give me enough energy to perform at my best for a fully day of training and competitions." -- J.R. Celski, short track speedskating

Plan It
"A good way to stay healthy while traveling is to plan ahead. Make sure you pack something to eat that's healthy and filling so you don't have to buy that gross, expensive airport food." -- Shauna Rohbock, bobsledding

Choose Wisely
"It's tough when you're traveling because some places have good food, others don't, and you end up not eating the way you should. You just have to make the best choices you can, avoiding empty calories as much as possible. Then when you get home, get back on track." -- Patrick Deneen, freestyle skiing

Be Flexible, Order Up
"When I arrive someplace, I check into the hotel, find the best restaurant and basically settle into my new living quarters. I usually travel very long distances to perform and compete so I usually wake up first thing the next morning, find a ballet room or in some cases a vacant hallway and stretch, walk through my programs, do some mat Pilates exercises and then get ready for my on-ice practices. I also always find the best steakhouse in town and eat filet mignon and green salad, as my nutrition is something I take seriously, relying on one major meal a day and some snacks in between, and the food quality is a bit suspect at competitions." -- Johnny Weir, men's figure skating

For more Olympic info, including photos, videos, and a full schedule of the 2010 Olympic Games, log onto NBC Olympics or TeamUSA.

What do you think about yoga being an Olympic sport? Check out the buzz on this new idea.

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]]>2010 Olympic GamesDaron Rahlvesfit-travelJohnny WeirLindsey VonnOlympicsPatrick DeneeShauna RohbockTravel like an OlympianVancouverKaren AspFri, 05 Feb 2010 11:00:00 ESTSave on Workout DVDs, Stretch out the Soreness and More: Twitter Findshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/save-on-workout-dvds-stretch-out-the-soreness-and-more-twitter/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/save-on-workout-dvds-stretch-out-the-soreness-and-more-twitter/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/05/save-on-workout-dvds-stretch-out-the-soreness-and-more-twitter/#commentsFiled under:

Real_Simple
Real_Simple
Save money on workout DVDs by adding them to your Netflix queue or stream them on your PC. #simpletip

LucilaFit
LucilaFit
RT@ dlsHealthWorks: Stretching is a great way to encourage blood flow to the muscles, which removes toxins & reduces soreness. #LiveSmashFit

eworkouts
eworkouts
Eat the low-cal items first. Start with salads, veggies, broth soups, and eat meats and starches last. You'll be fuller, eat less high cal

FitnessStyle
FitnessStyle
10 Foods You Should Always Eat After Your Workout http://cli.gs/u6uRR

Overwhelmed by all of the "Follow Friday" recommendations on Twitter? Each week AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit search the Twittersphere for the greatest diet and fitness Twitterers, and each week, we'll highlight the best-of their best tweets (no Twits here). Got any great advice for our Fit Follow Friday post? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!

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]]>ease sorenessexercisefit-followlose weightlow-calsave moneystay fitstretchingworkout DVDAmanda YoungerFri, 05 Feb 2010 10:00:00 ESTWhat You Eat After Exercise Mattershttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/what-you-eat-after-exercise-matters/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/what-you-eat-after-exercise-matters/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/what-you-eat-after-exercise-matters/#commentsFiled under:

woman eating celery
Grabbing a stick of celery or another very low-calorie snack after a workout is not the best way to enhance the health benefits of exercise. Also, insulin sensitivity gets a boost from your most recent aerobic exercise session, according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

"Many of the improvements in metabolic health associated with exercise stem largely from the most recent session of exercise, rather than from an increase in 'fitness' per se," said the study's senior author, Jeffrey F. Horowitz.

University of Michigan researchers, including Horowitz and his student, Sean A. Newsom, honed in on the effects of insulin sensitivity -- how easily body tissues like muscle absorb sugar from the blood stream -- after a 90-minute workout. After each cardio session, subjects ate either a meal low in calories, low in carbohydrates or a meal that balanced carbohydrates, fat and protein.

Eating low-carb meals after exercise produced the most improvement in insulin sensitivity, which is important for insulin-resistant people who are pre-diabetic. However, participants who consumed low-calorie meals did not show more of an enhancement compared to those who ate enough to match their calorie expenditure.

If losing weight isn't a concern for you, this research suggests that you can still glean the same health benefits after exercise even if you eat the amount of calories you just burned off.

"We know that each session of exercise can benefit blood sugar control, and what you eat is really important to truly understanding the gestalt of diet and exercise," Horowitz said.

Horowitz and his team of researchers are currently studying what the minimum amount of exercise an obese, pre-diabetic person needs to perform in order to increase blood sugar control. "Each session of exercise is important, but how long does it have to be? How hard do you have to go?" asked Horowitz. "What is it about these doses of exercise that are healthful?"

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]]>insulin resistanceinsulin sensitivityjournal of applied physiologymeal after exercisemetabolic syndromeprediabetesprediabeticwhat you eat after exerciseAshley NegliaThu, 04 Feb 2010 15:00:00 ESTTwitter Tips: Which Causes Have You Moving?http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/twitter-tips-which-causes-have-you-moving/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/twitter-tips-which-causes-have-you-moving/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/twitter-tips-which-causes-have-you-moving/#commentsFiled under: ,

Keep track of the latest in diet and fitness Twitter trends and opinions with this weekly post. Not only will AOL Health's Twitter alias Healthpop and That's_Fit ask fitness-related questions and share the best responses with you, we'll scour the Twittersphere for the latest buzz on everything from good eats to exercise routines gone bad.
What better motivation is there to get up and get active than to support your favorite charitable organization? Whether you're walking to support breast cancer research or lacing up those running shoes to raise money for Haiti earthquake relief, there are a number of great ways that you can combine giving back with getting in shape. We turned to the folks on Twitter to find out how they mesh together supporting worthy causes with being more active and staying fit.

kipperson
kipperson@HealthPop Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. And the American Cancer Society's Dogswalk Against Cancer w/my pup :)

proteincookies
proteincookies@Thats_Fit I try to do the Heart & Stroke foundation bike on the DVP every year!

Krystalizing
Krystalizing@Thats_Fit Breast Cancer, autism, leukemia, heart health!! Love walking/running for causes :)


mattmo00
mattmo00 Nike+ is donating money to relief work in Haiti for every mile run by their users. I feel inspired to run like Forrest Gump today!



Read any good Tweets? Give us a shout on Twitter and let us know all about it!

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]]>autismbreast cancerbreast cancer researchcharitiesheart healthleukemiaNikestroketwitter-tipsAmanda YoungerThu, 04 Feb 2010 14:00:00 ESTSuper Bowl Recipe Rehab: Buffalo Chicken Wings, Potato Skins and Blue Cheese Diphttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/super-bowl-recipe-rehab-buffalo-chicken-wings-potato-skins/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/super-bowl-recipe-rehab-buffalo-chicken-wings-potato-skins/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/super-bowl-recipe-rehab-buffalo-chicken-wings-potato-skins/#commentsFiled under: ,

buffalo chicken wings, celeryHalf the fun of Super Bowl is the Super Bowl party. Whether you're entertaining for the big game or headed to a friend's house, chances are there's going to be some game time decisions about food.

Instead of just grabbing processed, high-fat foods from a store, you can make Super Bowl favorites with all the flavor, but far less calories. When you have control of the ingredients, it's easier to direct the fat and sodium content of your favorite dishes. Instead of ordering out this year, try my rehab of some of these Super Bowl classics.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Buffalo chicken wings are a favorite appetizer for Super Bowl parties -- so much so that last year they were worried the supermarkets would run out of chicken wings because of such high demand. Since the wings of the chicken contain a minimal amount of meat and are mostly skin and bones, I will replace them with chicken breast strips threaded on skewers and baked in a spicy buffalo sauce to keep them finger friendly while maximizing the protein and nutrition.


Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
  • 3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions:

1. Pour all the ingredients but the chicken in a small pot and heat on the stove top until thickened.

2. Tenderize the chicken with a fork in order for the sauce to sink further into the meat. Then thread the chicken onto skewers (if using wooden skewers make sure to soak them in water first, so they will not burn).

3. Brush the chicken with the thickened buffalo sauce. Place in a casserole dish and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. Brush the hot chicken with the remaining sauce. Turn and bake for another 5 - 10 minutes until the chicken is done.

Serves: 8

Nutrition Content (per serving): 194 calories, 4 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 2 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 35 g protein, 217 mg sodium


Potato Skins

Since the skin of the potatoes is where most of the fiber is, the basis of this dish is very healthy. It's the addition of bacon, cheese, and sour cream dip that packs on the calories and turns this dish into something to avoid. By changing the toppings, it doesn't have to be this way. Simply spray the skins with a little olive oil, season them with cayenne pepper and a dash of salt and bake them until they are brown. Instead of bacon, I will use smoked salmon to add a little more flavor. Serve with my creamy blue cheese dip to complete the dish.

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium potatoes, baked
  • Olive oil spray
  • Dash cayenne pepper
  • Dash salt
  • 4 ounces smoked salmon

Instructions:
1. Scrub potatoes, prick with a fork and bake at 400 degrees F for 40-45 minutes until tender.
2. When cool, slice each potato in half lengthwise and scoop out the inside leaving about a quarter-inch inch shell left.
3. Spray the inside of the potatoes with olive oil and then sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
4. Chop the salmon and top the potatoes with it.
5. Bake about 10 minutes more until the potato begins to brown.

Serves: 6

Nutrition Content (per serving): 81 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 13 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein, 249 mg sodium

Blue Cheese Dip
This is a great dip pared with the buffalo chicken wings or potato skins listed above. Blue cheese is a good strong flavored cheese where a little goes a long way. It's the creamy sauce of traditional blue cheese dips that is high in calories and saturated fat. I will make this dip with Greek yogurt, blue cheese crumbles, broccoli, and chives to lighten it up.

Ingredients:
1 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
2 oz. blue cheese crumbled (about a quarter cup)
1 clove crushed garlic
4 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1/2 cup chopped broccoli florets
1/4 tsp celery salt

Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix together and serve!

Serves: 6

Nutrition Content (per 1/4 cup serving): 56 calories, 3 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 2 g carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 6 g protein, 243 mg sodium

Readers, I would love to hear from you! Please send me your most favorite fattening recipes that need a RECIPE REHAB! Everything from your mom's meatloaf to your kid's favorite dessert -- let me lighten it up.

Celebrity dietitian and motivational life coach Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of www.ffactordiet.com and founder of www.skinnyandthecity.com, has helped thousands of people lose weight and keep it off with her program. Her philosophy? Tanya believes you should never sacrifice taste, even when you're eating healthy foods. Have a recipe in need of rehab? Send us an e-mail at reciperehab [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com.

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]]>appetizerblue cheesebuffalo chicken wingschicken wingsdipingredientspotato skinsrecipeskewerssuper bowlSuperBowltanya-zuckerbrotTanya ZuckerbrotThu, 04 Feb 2010 13:00:00 ESTAmanda Shed Over 70 Pounds with Weight Watchershttp://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/weight-watchers-helps-woman-lose-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/weight-watchers-helps-woman-lose-weight/http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/02/04/weight-watchers-helps-woman-lose-weight/#commentsFiled under:

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight-loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger is Amanda from Another Prior Fat Girl.

Name: Amanda Bartschenfeld

Age: 25

Start weight: 219.2

Current weight: 147.8

Goal weight: 139

My weight loss approach: I joined Weight Watchers in May 2008 because I knew I needed a lifestyle change -- not just a lose-weight-quick fad diet. Now I pay attention to portion sizes and eating healthfully most of the time. I've learned that I love fruits and vegetables, and I try to incorporate them into every meal. My Weight Watchers leader often says, "you crave what you eat," and I couldn't agree more. I never thought I would literally crave a big salad or fresh fruit, but now I do! I've also noticed a lot of positive changes in my health since becoming a lacto-ovo vegetarian one year ago. Eating better food helped me lose weight, but, more importantly, I feel wonderful and healthy.

Being active has also been instrumental in my weight loss. I work out about three days a week. I ran my first 5K last September and really enjoyed running and walking outside while I was training for it. However, I'm not a die-hard runner, and the Minnesota winter is keeping me inside these days. I recently started kickboxing at a kung-fu studio and am loving it! I get a good mix of cardiovascular conditioning and strength training in a fun, energetic class. No matter the exercise, my body feels so much better now that I'm dedicated to moving more.

Why I wanted to blog about it: Blogging holds me accountable. Don't get me wrong, I still have unhealthy meals and happy hours here and there! Only now in the back of my head I'm thinking, "Oh geez, am I going to have to fess up to this on the blog now?" We're all human, and I like people to know that you can lose weight without starving and while still having a life.

The best part of blogging is: The comments people leave are truly encouraging and motivating. I've never been in it for the cheering section, but it sure doesn't hurt!

Best comment I've received: I can't think of a particular comment that sticks out above the rest, but in general I think it's amazing when someone says I inspire them. I never would have guessed that my body and lifestyle would inspire anyone!

What's next for my blog: I want to keep on motivating others (and myself!) while I work hard to lose these last 10ish pounds. It's going to be a struggle, but I'm comforted in knowing that my readers and I are in this together.

She looks great! Head over to Amanda's blog to find out more about her amazing journey.

Feeling inspired? Check out how Amanda's blogging partner, Jennifer of Prior Fat Girl, also beat the bulge.

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]]>5KAmanda Bartschenfeldanother prior fat girlblogging-downdietexercisekickboxinglacto-ovoweight watchersweight-lossMartha EdwardsThu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST