Simple-related stories
Don't Quit Fitness slotMusic Player From SanDisk
It might seem like a crazy concept to some of you, but the fact is that not everyone is terribly comfortable downloading music. For some people, the frustration of downloading songs onto their computer and then uploading them to their MP3 player is more hassle than it's worth. But, still, who doesn't love to work out to music?
That's where the Don't Quit Fitness slotMusic Player from SanDisk comes in. It's the easiest MP3 player -- basically, it's just plug and play. It's designed to work with slotMusic cards (which are available at stores like Best Buy and Walmart for about $15), and more than 50 artists have slotMusic cards available, so you're not stuck with the same old song.This particular Don't Quit Fitness version (available for $35 at Best Buy, Walmart, or SanDisk.com) comes pre-loaded with a bunch of songs that have been handpicked by fitness guru, Body by Jake.
Snack Like a Skinny Person (VIDEO)
Fit Kicks Videos, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
The secret to becoming fit and trim is painfully simple, and I know you can follow these easy instructions. No diets, pills or programs necessary!
Changing your post-workout routine, tools to "un-Gumby-fy" your yoga routine, and other neat fitness training tips can be found at ...
Courteney Cox - Easy Does It On the Food and Fitness, Says This Simple Star
Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
Simple is always better. That's what I think, anyway. So does Courteney Cox.Simple meals are key for this former Friend -- grilled chicken, pasta, fresh veggies and baked potatoes are tops on her menu. Simple exercise is a priority too. Once known for logging hours and hours with yoga, pilates, and weights, the 44-year-old now combines her interests and saves time with Budokon, a blend of martial arts, yoga, meditation and holistic nutrition. I'm feeling relaxed already.
Courteney also goes simple with her make-up -- the less she wears, the better she looks, says the star -- and with decorating too.
I'm totally a fan of simple. I'm not just saying that so I can be like Courteney, although I wouldn't whine about looking like her. I prefer plain Jane meals, an easy jogging and garage workout routine, a general lack of clutter and this time of year, a few non-gawdy holiday decorations. How about you? What are your simple strategies for living well?
Obese people bring back simple pleasures through fitness
I'm training a woman right now who walked through my door several weeks ago nearing 300 pounds. I'll call her Crystal. At her morbidly obese weight, Crystal was desperate to lose about 150 pounds. One goal: To be able to sit on the floor with her kids.
Ever think your weight might spiral so completely out of control that you wouldn't be able to do something so simple? Neither did she. But it happens all the time. Here comes the great news.
Crystal found herself kickboxing with me on my heavy bag that first day. Since then, she's learned an arsenal of strikes and has been more mobile in the past three weeks than she has in the past few years. Could this be you?
Fit Beauty - Creating a fabulous fall face
If your make-up routine consists of little more than a little powder for shine and a swipe or two of mascara, you're probably not too concerned about fall make-up trends. However, by adding just a product or two, you can really update your look for the season.I've always been of the opinion that a new lipgloss is far cheaper than a new pair of trendy boots. And, most likely, that lipgloss will be of use the following season, and possibly even the following year, while trendy boots can look dated within months.
The problem is that so many people get flustered when it comes to cosmetics -- how do they know what'll work for them? I'm giving you my best tips in the gallery, so whether you are a makeup maven or just want to freshen up your face for fall, there's something for you!
What simple, everyday activity can help you live longer?
Every day, we are faced with healthy and unhealthy choices that can ultimately prolong our lives ... or shorten them. And though none of us are perfect enough to make the healthy choice every time, making just one healthy choice most of the time can make a difference: The choice between the elevator and the stairs.
According to the BBC, taking the stairs on a regular basis can reduce your risk of premature death by up to 15%. That might not seem like much, but imagine the impact it can have if everyone did it?
Here's the bottom line: The more you do for your health, the better, but if you can't, do this one thing. It's simple, it's effective and it more importantly, it's doable.
According to the BBC, taking the stairs on a regular basis can reduce your risk of premature death by up to 15%. That might not seem like much, but imagine the impact it can have if everyone did it?
Here's the bottom line: The more you do for your health, the better, but if you can't, do this one thing. It's simple, it's effective and it more importantly, it's doable.
Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Quickie Training
Healthy Aging, Healthy Habits, Healthy Home, Work/Home Balance, Womens Health, Ask Fitz!, Cellulite, Obesity, Healthy Events, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation, Alternative & Green Health, Men's Health
Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.
Q. Hi Fitz, I'm 26 years old and have never been happy with my upper body. My arms are lanky and my chest is soft. I have a demanding job as an attorney, and simply don't have the time nor the know how to get involved in a complicated training regiment. I know I have to "earn" a good body, so I was hoping you could dumb things down for me. A simple routine I can do in a hurry. P.S. I love your fit tip videos! Thanks. Tim
A. Hello Mr. Tim! Training for a guy with "no time" huh? That' my specialty! Glad you asked. Look pal, I wish I could pull off the persona as a rocket scientist, because I'm on top of this stuff ... but I can't. Fitness is painfully simple, and you can achieve your goals without much complexity.
Working in the Workouts: Kids can count your reps
My daughter loves to count. She can get beyond 20 these days. "Helping" is another thing she adores. "Mommy, I help you cook." "Mommy, I help you fix that." And on, and on.So I was delighted to come across a great tip today that makes use of both of these favorite activities. It comes from a special section of Workouts for You devoted to exercising with kids. Most of the ideas on the list are actually things I've written about in this series already. But here's the new one: involve your kids while you strength train at home by letting them count your reps out loud for you and/or clock your rest time in-between sets. You can incorporate the task into doing a few push-ups or sit-ups or while using dumb bells. Squats or leg lifts too.
Sometimes our old brains forget the simple things kids find fun. And it's a big bonus when that fun truly translates to "Mommy, I help you work out!" And it's the truth!
11 in-season fruits and veggies
At my house this summer, we are enjoying the greatest fruit salads. Our typical heaping bowls of fruit include watermelon, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, kiwi, peaches, cherries, banana, grapes, and sometimes pineapple. My mouth waters at the thought of these in-season fruits. My heart sinks when I think of the day they are not so plentiful, when dare I say, they are not in season. It happens every year. And somehow we manage. We just aren't as hyped up about our off-season salads.Fortunately, there are a lot of great in-season foods available right now. Real Simple magazine lists 11 of them. Check them out, and enjoy them while you can.
- Argula
- Basil
- Beets
- Bell Peppers
- Berries
- Chard
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Stone Fruits (plums, peaches, and nectarines)
- Summer Squash
Stress Less: The simplest solution
Time. Our greatest resource. I'll debate it with anyone. And I'll win.
Lack of it is responsible for most of what stresses us out. And taking it back is what makes us feel better. The idea of taking a few minutes to relax at the end of the day is possibly the most commonly given advice for recovering from a stressful day. Such a simple solution and so satisfying. But how often do you actually do it? Seems I witness more time spent complaining about now having time than taking time to shut up and relax.
And it makes a world of difference. However, those few minutes would not be quite as decadent for me if not for adding a glass of wine to the equation. Also pretty common, I know. Again, when's the last time? And it's not such a bad idea. In moderation, wine can actually be a good thing. It can even have an antioxidant effect. For some adding chocolate makes for the ultimate de-stress recipe.
So stop fretting that you don't have time or can't afford the calories and sit down with a bite or sip of something nice. For five minutes. OK, two. Whatever. The point is this: ridding ourselves of a day's stress isn't about large quantities of time, wine, chocolate or anything else. It's about coming up with your perfect recipe, whatever that may be. Just so long as it's small and simple.
Lack of it is responsible for most of what stresses us out. And taking it back is what makes us feel better. The idea of taking a few minutes to relax at the end of the day is possibly the most commonly given advice for recovering from a stressful day. Such a simple solution and so satisfying. But how often do you actually do it? Seems I witness more time spent complaining about now having time than taking time to shut up and relax.
And it makes a world of difference. However, those few minutes would not be quite as decadent for me if not for adding a glass of wine to the equation. Also pretty common, I know. Again, when's the last time? And it's not such a bad idea. In moderation, wine can actually be a good thing. It can even have an antioxidant effect. For some adding chocolate makes for the ultimate de-stress recipe.
So stop fretting that you don't have time or can't afford the calories and sit down with a bite or sip of something nice. For five minutes. OK, two. Whatever. The point is this: ridding ourselves of a day's stress isn't about large quantities of time, wine, chocolate or anything else. It's about coming up with your perfect recipe, whatever that may be. Just so long as it's small and simple.
Ideal temperatures for everyday matters
The American Cancer Society tells us that the hot dogs, burgers, and chicken we take on our picnics should be kept at 140 degrees F or higher and that our cold food should stay chilled at 41 degrees F or colder. Real Simple magazine weighs in on a few temperature matters too.There are the basics: Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees F, water boils at 212 degrees, and it freezes at 32 degrees. But what's the ideal temperature for wine? Well, 45-50 degrees F for white wine and 60-65 for red. What about that relaxing bath that's calling your name? Water temp should be 96-104 degrees. Make it any hotter and you may break down your skin's protective barrier, which guards against pollution, germs, and bacteria. Who knew?
Did you know your fridge should be set between 32 and 40 degrees and your freezer should register at a big fat 0? Food will spoil faster in warmer temps, and the quality of food will change if it's too cold. What about green tea? Your water should reach 170 degrees. This is lower than what you need for black tea because green leaves burn more easily. An omelet? You want an internal temperature of 160 degrees. And when your day is coming a close and it's time for a little shut-eye, snuggle in at a nice 68 degrees. A good sleep requires your body temperature to drop by losing heat into the environment. Sticking your arms and legs outside the covers and removing your bedtime socks will help the heat escape.
3 unexpected headache triggers
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
I always blame my headaches on food -- not enough food or too much of a certain food usually. Sugar definitely brings them on for me -- it's the reason I gave up sweets more than a year ago -- and sometimes, a snack full of protein helps them fade away. I've never given much thought to these three headache triggers, however. Real Simple magazine thinks they're worthy of a warning, though, so here they are.- Ice Cream. Yep, I guess this makes sense. I just haven't ever had this type of headache last for very long. That's because it only lasts for about one minute, say the Real Simple folks. "Brain freeze" is caused when cold food touches the roof of your mouth and alters the blood flow in the brain or causes pain on a major nerve.
- Sex. It's not very common, but it's possible that sexual activity can trigger severe head pain. Usually nothing to worry about, you should see a doctor if the pain recurs.
- Secondary headaches. Also rare, these headaches are caused by a tumor or aneurysm. If your headaches worsen over time, see a doctor.
How healthy are these 8 juices?
Reviews & Products, Nutrition & Supplements
I'm not a juice girl. Never have been. Don't plan to become one. It comes down to sugar for me. Natural or not, I don't like how much comes packed into juice drinks.Despite my own personal aversion to juice, it can be a nutritious beverage. Here, Real Simple magazine takes a look at eight different juices and reveals how they stack up healthwise.
- Apple Juice
- Cranberry Juice
- Grape Juice (red)
- Grapefruit Juice
- Orange Juice
- Pineapple Juice
- Pomegranate Juice
- Tomato Juice
When to pick pizza, pretzels, popcorn
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Hungry at the ball game? Wave down that snack vendor and order peanuts in the shell. It's your healthiest option. The worst? Nachos with cheese. Tummy grumbling while you're stuck in the airport? Pizza, no pepperoni, is your best bet. There's protein in the cheese, and the tomato in the sauce counts as a veggie serving.According to the Today Show and Real Simple magazine, a small bag of plain pretzels or whole wheat crackers with peanut butter from a vending machine are tops compared to any variety of chips or candy bars. Headed to the movies? Pick a child's size popcorn -- no butter -- and if you must have a sweet something, Junior Mints have less fat than most other sugary options. Two more tips: Avoid all "Jumbo" choices, and definitely don't opt for Milk Duds. A whole box will fill you with more than 500 calories.
Is a stop at a mall food court in your future? How about the mini-mart? Before you head to these locations, be sure to check out this article.
Save in the supermarket
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Buy your cheese in the dairy aisle and not the deli and you could save up to 30 percent since you're not paying someone to slice it for you. Buy your oranges, onions, and potatoes in the bag and not individually and you'll pay half the price.Real Simple magazine lists some other supermarket-saving tips in their May 2008 issue. Like this: Purchase your seafood frozen, not fresh, and you'll be 20 to 40 percent richer. Remember this: Most "fresh" fish has been frozen for transport so essentially, both options are very similar.
Buy ground beef and chicken in bulk or in family portion sizes. You'll save about 20 percent on beef and 50 percent on chicken by going this route. And don't buy non-grocery items in a supermarket. Pick up your health and beauty items, for example, at Target or other mass marketers. They're cheaper at these locations.
For a quick lesson in smarter shopping, healthier eating, and better living, visit supermarketguru.com.
