That's Fit

As winter finally gives way to spring, I'm guessing the urge to spend your weekends on patios with friends is winning out over the winter tendency to curl up on the couch with a DVD.

Having drinks with friends is a great way to spend the evening, but recent research says you should stop after one to truly have a great night. Why? Apparently, one drink releases feel-good endorphins into your bloodstream, but more than that reverses the effect.

There's another reason to stop after one: Calories. A pint of beer can have upwards of 200 calories, and a margarita can run you around 300. Yeesh. That's not all -- drinking relaxes your inhibitions, meaning you're much more likely to see that 2 a.m. chili cheese dog as a good idea. Plus, who works out when they're feeling hungover?

By all means, do have fun -- just do your best to limit your 'fun' to a waistline-friendly amount.

Liz Neporent is a diet and fitness expert and author of 12 fitness bestsellers. She regularly appears on national TV programs and is the president of Wellness 360, a New-York based wellness provider.

Before I start this post I just want to say: I do not condone excessive drinking. I am not recommending drinking as a health strategy. And I am certainly not telling you to use drinking as a weight loss strategy. I mention the body of research below just to demonstrate, once again, what a complex issue obesity really is.

Some recent studies have been finding some interesting associations between alcohol consumption and body weight. For example, researchers at the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that Body Mass Index (BMI) was associated with the number of drinks individuals consumed on the days they drank. In the study, men and women who drank the smallest quantity of alcohol -- one drink per drinking day -- with the greatest frequency -- three to seven days per week -- had the lowest BMI's, while those who infrequently consumed the greatest quantity had the highest BMIs. The authors suggested several possible reasons for the observed associations of both quantity and frequency of alcohol use with BMI.

Trying to shed pounds? You're probably making a few sacrifices -- you know, cutting out ice cream and chips and trying to make up for them with fresh fruit and grilled veggies. Stuff like that. But one thing you shouldn't have to sacrifice is your social life. You still want to go out with your friends and have a few drinks, but you don't want to do too much damage to your diet.

So pints of beer are out. So are sugary cocktails. Wine is a good choice, but it might not be your thing. What's left? A gin and tonic is generally a standby drink for the low-cal lush. But how low-cal is it?

Back in 2000, Nick Carter made People's Most Beautiful list. And the blonde, youthful Backstreet Boy certainly was a looker. But, in the years since, hard partying and unhealthy habits took their toll on Nick Carter.

He got a DUI, got into a bar brawl, topped the scales at 224, even -- ack! -- dated Paris Hilton. None of it was a wake-up call. Recently, however, the singer was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Finally, Carter had his wake-up call.

"Eating was just something I had to get under control," said Carter. He also quit drinking which was harming his health in more ways than one. Nick Carter lost 57 pounds and is in great shape again. (Just check out his six-pack right here ... yowza!) Carter said, "I feel really good and I feel really blessed in my life to have a second chance."

Watch this People video to see Carter discuss how he ditched the bad habits to improve his health.

When it comes to weight loss, alcohol is usually a no-no. Learn how to drink smart with these tips.

Everyone's favorite train wreck celebrity Amy Winehouse seemed to be getting it all together. A short while ago, she jetted off to the Caribbean for some much-needed R and R and soon after touching down admitted that she was off drugs and loving life. Then, in one of the most shocking celebrity new stories this year, photos were snapped of her doing something fitness-y when she participated in a grueling gymnastics session. Could this be the beginning of a newer, fitter, healthier Winehouse?

Not so fast -- first, her boyfriend went back home to England, then -- not surprisingly -- her husband filed for divorce and next thing we knew, she was snapped crawling on the ground begging people to give her cocktails after getting cut off at the bar. Now, if that's not class with a capital 'C', I don't know what is.

Is there any hope for Amy? I don't know about you, but I certainly have my doubts.

Nearly 44 million people in the U.S. are living with osteoporosis. The disease, which causes bones to be thin and brittle, strikes women more often than men. It's never too early to make the lifestyle changes that will help develop strong bones:

• Weight-bearing activity. Exercises such as walking, jumping rope, and jogging help build bone. Strength training is also important for bone health.
  
• Calcium. Eat a diet rich in calcium and be sure to get appropriate amounts of vitamin D (through sun exposure and fortified foods -- supplements are also available).
  
• Salt. Limit salt intake as it causes your bones to excrete more calcium.
  
• Break bad habits. Smoking can be bad for bone health as can drinking alcohol and drinking soda.

Check out the gallery for age-specific bone health recommendations.

Used to that guilty feeling you get when you head straight to the bar after work on Fridays? Don't beat yourself up -- apparently, a healthy happy hour habit is actually good for your health.

No, really. According to this article from Women's Health, drinking can lower your risk of heart disease by 25 to 50 percent, it can help improve your memory and it can help you lose weight (if you choose the right drink.)

But, bear in mind, this is moderate drinking we're talking about. Chugging a litre of tequila is not going to help your memory or your waistline (the opposite, in fact, as you might already know), so try to take it easy next time you hit up your local drinking establishment.

Thought peer pressure was just for junior high kids? Dieters face it, too.

Prominent New York nutritionist Esther Blum thinks you should rely on fatty foods and alcohol to slim down in the new year. You're probably checking the calendar right now but I can assure you it's not April 1st, and Miss Blum is serious. In fact, Teri Hatcher is a follower of her unconventional plan.

According to this article from the Daily Mail, Esther Blum's diet is kind of like Atkin's, except you're allowed carbs and alcohol. However, you need to watch that you're sticking to healthy fats and not over-indulging in carbs. As far as alcohol goes, stick to straight shooters to avoid sugary mixers.

Some folks head out for dinner on Christmas Eve. You one of them? If so, watch your drink, say the nutrition experts at Good Housekeeping magazine. Yep, gotta pay attention, because your bartender might slip more alcohol in your glass than you really want. Well, maybe you do want it. It is a tough economy, after all, and it's nice to occasionally get a little more bang for your buck. But do you want more calories, too?

Research says that when you order a cocktail, wine or draft beer by the glass, bartenders usually pour 22 to 43 percent more than a standard serving. Why? Because if a drink seems abundant, customers are less likely to be put off by the high cost. Wait. If they're pouring more, isn't it costing them more? Is there really any benefit to padding a high-cost drink with more alcohol? Hmmm. Doesn't matter. It's the calories, man. You don't need them.

Do this: Have just one drink. It'll do your waistline good. Your pocketbook too.

Is weight loss on your list of New Year's resolutions? Try one of these three foods to tip the scales in your favor.

Another season of The Biggest Loser is over. Bev has the wrap-up.

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Ditch the egg whites once and for all and eat the whole egg. Why? Jonny has a few good reasons.

Here's one more reason to include those healthy carbs in your diet ... low-carb diets cause memory loss.

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Fitz has a two-pound rule when it comes to gaining weight, but she wants to know: What's your weight-gain breaking point?

Looking forward to an upcoming holiday party? Bev shows you how to order drinks that are more nice than naughty.

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Happy holidays, everyone!

During the holidays, the wine flows freely at my house. Wine's the best of the alcohols, right? That's what we tell ourselves anyway. But one has to wonder, considering recent reports that the metals in wine are linked to Parkinson's and cancer. Plus, apparently, wine drinkers are most likely to drink too much. Egads.

And yet, it's still true that wine is healthy for your heart. What's a wine lover to believe?

I, for one, believe in moderation -- living healthfully 90 percent of the time and giving myself a break that other 10 precent. I also believe that if we abide by every study on every food that causes whatever disease or condition, we're not really enjoying ourselves. I believe in enjoying the good things in life, all at once -- good food and libations with good family and friends. I believe in making up for indulgences with an extra long run on Monday.

What's your take?

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. 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, We're half way through December and I've already gained four pounds. How do I stop this? Colin

A. Happy Holidays, Colin! Thanks for writing. I've got some pretty clear advice for you, which is the same advice I'd give if you showed up for a personal training session with me. Get a grip! Put a moratorium on the indulgences and focus on fighting that new fat.