Check out our Diet Reviews on AOL Health!

list-related stories

Yoga Teachers' Pet Peeves

Fitness

seated meditation poseWe all have pet peeves -- even super mellow yoga instructors. They might seem like nothing bothers them, but rest assured, even they have buttons that can be pushed.

You might not have given it much thought, but they have. And, over at Whole Living, they've compiled a list of the Top 10 Yoga Teacher Pet Peeves. I'm willing to bet that, even if you're not guilty of one of them, you'll know someone in your class who is.

Check out some of the more surprising ones in the gallery, or go to the article for all 10. And now that you know, there's no excuse -- don't be the one your yoga teacher has to vent about!

Yoga Teachers Have Pet Peeves, Too(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Loose clothing and no undiesLeaving your cell phone onWithholding medical infoChewing gumFlirting

Source

Motivation - Finding the Drive to Lose Weight

Diet & Weight Loss

Many people can tell you how to lose weight. But success comes from your own motivation.

Source

Lists - Why You Really Must Make Them

Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Santa does it -- now maybe it's your turn to make a list and check it twice. We're not talking kids and gifts here. Food lists are the way to go, according to this article from Science Daily. To be more specific, women who referred to healthy food lists when choosing what to eat doubled the amount of fruits and veggies they consumed. Which, as we all know, can lead to weight loss and overall better health in the long run.

So what should be on your list of foods to stock up on? The Mediterranean Diet is a good guide -- load your kitchen with plenty of fruits and veggies, healthy fats like olive oil, seafood, nuts, legumes and whole grains to do your heart, and your waistline, a favour.

(Via CalorieLab)

Hallmarks of the Mediterranean diet(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Plant foodsProtein from plant sourcesHealthy fatsWhole grainsSkip the beef

Source

Fit Gadgets - Top 5 of 2008

Reviews & Products


Choosing my top five Fit Gadgets posts from the past year was a really difficult job. Some gadgets were so completely over-the-top, while others were incredibly simple (and affordable). Some I've used and loved, while others I desperately want. How am I supposed to choose the best?

Well, I had to leave out quite a few, but I narrowed it down to the five that I loved best. Did I miss any of your favorites? Or are there any you'd like to see me take a look at in 2009? Leave a comment and let me know!

Top 5 Fit Gadgets of 2008(click thumbnails to view gallery)

MOTOROKRYankzSwissBike Folding BikeVibram FiveFingers FootwearSX 4000 Pro

Fit Beauty's Top 5 of 2008

Reviews & Products


I love bringing you tips and tricks each week for looking fabulous and hiding your flaws -- and I really love it when you guys weigh in with your favorites! With 2009 right around the corner, I took a look back through my Fit Beauty collection of posts from this past year and chose five of my faves. Check them out in the gallery, and be sure to tell me in the comments if there's something you'd like me to cover in the new year!

Fit Beauty - The Top 5 of 2008(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Running in a SkirtMuffin Tops Disappear with Yummie Tummie Tanks3 Steps to Your Best BreastsNatural Sparkle for the HolidaysSpring Styles to Suit Your Body

The Best of 2008

Motivation

2008 countdown
Day in and day out, your That's Fit bloggers are in search of fitness and nutrition news, the latest fitness products and the skinny on healthy (or unhealthy) celebrity lifestyles. Some of our scoop is helpful -- stuff you can take action on right away. Some is inspirational -- people and events who can motivate you to become more fit. Some of it is just plain odd, because we all need a laugh from time to time.

Now here we are in the last days of 2008. So, inspired by Health.com's America's Healthiest lists, we've decided to comb through That's Fit's Best Tips of 2008. Check back each morning at 10 AM between now and the New Year for a new "Best of..." list. And, just for the fun of it, we might throw in a "Worst of..." list or two for good measure.

Source

List It - Write Down 'Free' Foods and Stock up on Them

Daily Fit Tip

If you're trying to lose weight, know which foods you can eat plenty of -- and keep them around.

Eat healthy with this time-saving menu

Nutrition & Supplements

dinner plateWhen you're crunched for time, you many find it difficult to prepare creative, healthful meals. I know that I resort to my old stand-by meals when I'm really busy. They're stand-by meals because they're quick, healthful, and tasty but after a while, they get a bit boring.

One of my favorite tricks for cutting down on meal preparation time is to cook ahead. For example, if I'm going to be baking some chicken for dinner, I bake an extra piece or two for a different meal later in the week. Self magazine has a great sample menu that uses that same time-saving tip -- and the recipes are healthful, balanced, and sound positively yummy. Give it a try!

Source

Casual dining best bets? You'd better do your homework!

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements

Health.com recently published an article titled "America's Healthiest Restaurants: Our List of the Best Casual Dining Spots," and boy, did it get some people talking. And it's no surprise -- some of the restaurants on the list have also been on recent "Least Healthy" lists. So what gives?

The article makes it clear that each of these restaurants offers healthy options -- you can go to Bob Evans and order grilled chicken tenders for your kids, or hit Uno Chicago Grill and chow down on antibiotic-free chicken and brown rice. However, if you decide to go with one of the less healthy options, you've pretty much blown your calorie allotment for that day and the next.

I think the moral of the story is that, if you make the effort, you can find a healthy choice at just about any restaurant. Looking for some tips and tricks for going out to eat without bailing on your diet? We've got you covered!

Source

What to pack in your pantry

Nutrition & Supplements


Here's what your pantry should look like, says the American Cancer Society in an attempt to get people eating in the healthiest manner possible. A clean, nutritious diet can help prevent cancer, after all.

  • Line your shelves with beans, rice, and dried, whole-wheat pasta.
  • Devote a shelf to canned vegetables and soups, (not the creamy kind), broths, and dried fruit, like raisins.
  • Throw in some canned tuna, salmon, and chicken -- a fast way to add protein to your meals.
  • Add healthy oils and vinegar to add a zip to your dishes.

Want more ideas? Check out this shopping list, featuring the basic ingredients for a healthy cupboard, refrigerator, and freezer.

Source

Fitness Magazine's best snacks

Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements

When you reach for a snack, fresh fruits and veggies are always a wonderful option, packing loads of nutrients without packing on the pounds. However, most of us have occasions where an apple just isn't going to cut it. For those occasions, check out FitnessMagazine.com's 2008 Healthy Food Awards: The Best Snacks.

We're not just talking granola bars (although they do list their favorite) -- you'll find cereals, puddings, canned fruits, energy bars, cookies and more.

Keep in mind, even the best cookies aren't going to provide the same nutrition as a piece of fruit, but if you're going to splurge, some items are better than others. I was pleasantly surprised to find some of my favorites on the list -- does it contain any of yours?

To learn more about healthy eating habits, check out AOL Body's America Takes It Off Summer Quick Fix.

Source

Stress Less: Tipping the scales on top stressors

Motivation

We've all seen those lists of top stressors. And it's always struck me that the lists include events that are both happy and horrible. Moving, divorce and marriage are always on them. But putting these in context is important.

Take my friend's recent separation from her spouse. The 10-year relationship was far more stressful than filing the paperwork and finding a new apartment. And speaking of finding a new apartment, moving is always on those top lists. But, let me tell you, I've never seen my friend so happy as when we were moving her new red leather sofa into her bachelorette pad. As for marriage, I'm one of the fortunate ones who can say that promising to be with my husband forever was one of the least stressful things I've ever done. And 10 years later, I feel the same way.

My point is this: there is plenty of joy to be found is these supposedly high-stress events. And from my experience, it can offset most of the negative elements involved in planning a wedding, moving a big piece of furniture or facing life alone. I think this guy's got the right idea. There are fates far worse than moving.

Source

Las Vegas is nation's fattest city

Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is hating this news: His city has been named the fattest city in the nation.

Men's Fitness magazine has bestowed the honor of America's Fattest City on Las Vegas for the second year in a row. Basing its decision on at least 24 different factors -- sports participation rates, time spent working out, number of parks, average commute time, television viewing rates, legislative health initiatives -- this list, which shows Texas as a pretty porky state too, is meant to encourage cities to be healthier.

Mayor Goodman calls the magazine's study irresponsible journalism. Rather than taking offense, says editor in chief Roy Johnson, Goodman should use Sin City's placement on the list as motivation.

"Instead of shooting the messenger, go out for a run," Johnson says. "We use a lot of data, and we're very rigorous about this."

Maybe Goodman should shape up his city, like Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett did after placing 15th on last year's list. Cornett issued a city-wide plan to lose a collective one million pounds. This year, his city ranks 8th.

Cities that turned up pretty healthy include Colorado Springs, Minneapolis, Albuquerque, Denver, and Portland, Oregon. Why are these locations so fit? Minneapolis has more basketball courts and gyms per capita than any other city, Albuquerque has 57 percent fewer drinking establishments per capita than the national average, Denver tops participation rates in running, biking, and walking, and Portland folks reportedly eat lots of fruits and veggies.

Source

Put these on your life list

Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation

Men's Journal in January listed all sorts of life list ideas. Compiling all the things you ought to do before you die, these editors spotlight some pretty good picks, 45 of them to be exact. A man with a plan gets more done, they say. Here are some of the plans they've chosen for you.

  • Go winter camping
  • Raft the Grand Canyon
  • Touch an elephant
  • See the sunset from Key West
  • Hike the Appalachian Trail, or at least some of it
  • Learn a language
  • Hug a tree
  • Rescue a dog
  • Forgive your parents
  • Volunteer
  • Teach a kid to ski, ride, or swim
  • Learn to cook a meal other than breakfast
  • Go vegetarian for a month
  • Try yoga for a week
  • Build your own house
  • Scuba dive
  • Work for what you believe in
  • Make your child's life list your own

Some pretty healthy stuff, don't you think? Want to add anything to the list?

Source

A SO-simple shopping list

Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

If keeping junk food out of your cupboards prevents you from eating poorly, it makes sense that keeping those cupboards stocked with healthy fare would almost force you to consume only what's good for you. Time to shop then, but only for the most nutritious foods you can get your hands on.

SELF magazine offers this S0-simple shopping list. Take it to the supermarket and load up your cart. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to stay slim and satisfied, say the SELF experts. These healthy and filling choices -- like 100 percent whole wheat bread, low-fat cottage cheese, and even a few sweet indulgences -- will satisfy your taste buds, balance your meals, and fuel your body.

Pop on over here for the mighty list. And happy shopping!

Source

Featured Writers
Bob GreeneReggie Casagrande
Bob Greene
Jonny BowdenJohn GanonJonny Bowden

Tanya ZuckerbrotFadil BerishaTanya Zuckerbrot
Liz Neporent Liz Neporent