That's Fit

There's something about cell phones that make medical alarm bells ring. Do you remember the reports of cell phones causing cancer? How about the dangers of exploding cell phone batteries? Now there's a new risk factor -- researchers are saying that cell phone usage during pregnancy can cause hyperactivity and emotional or behavioral issues in children.

Over 13,000 mothers in Denmark were surveyed -- some didn't use a cell phone at all, others used one sporadically, and a third group used their cells often during pregnancy. Their results indicate that using a cell phone as little as two to three times a day during pregnancy can cause health issues -- hyperactivity, conduct issues, emotional issues, or difficult with relationships -- for the children. What's more, if the children used cell phones themselves before age 7 they were 80% more likely to have behavioral issues.

Moms: Pat yourselves on the back this Mother's Day for your ability to influence your kids in the healthiest of ways. Did you know you have the power to nurture your kids in a manner that might change their nature? You can also boost your little ones' IQs, conquer their stress, and ensure they get sick less often? You are a force to be reckoned with. Scientifically speaking anyway.

It's the strong mom-and-baby bond science is linking to smarter, healthier, happier children. Consider this: Nurturing mommy mice can actually change their pups' genes for the better with a whole lot of nurturing. Chances are human moms can do the same thing. Dads play a part too, but it's mom who generally has a more lifelong effect on kids, Mice studies also tell us that nurtured babies outsmart babes who are neglected by their moms, and pups who are snuggled by momma grow into less anxious, more self-assured adults.

Studies of moms and babies conclude that kids of very attentive mothers make friends more easily and get sick much less often.

I often ask moms of happy, well-behaved teenagers for advice. I figure if I stock up on strategies for the next few years, by the time my boys tumble in teen-hood, I'll know just what to do. Most moms feed me the same line: They love their kids unconditionally, they say, and they spend as much time with them as possible. Seems like a solid plan to me. I'm glad science agrees.

A few weeks ago, I went to a movie by myself for the first time ever. I was feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, exhausted. I needed a few minutes of not being needed, and there was no babysitter in sight for a date night. So my husband took over and I took off. Thirty minutes into the film -- 27 Dresses at the $2 theater, if you're curious -- I realized that I was really enjoying myself.

As moms, we make time with our kids a priority, as we should. We also carve out couple time for our partners -- again, important. But far too often, there's little left over for ourselves ... and that's just not good for anyone.

CNN reminds us this Mother's Day that taking time for yourself is just as important as taking time for every other member in your family. When you don't have time to relax and unwind, you create stress on your emotional and physical health. So don't let this Mother's Day be the only day this year that you take time to rest and relax -- make it a regular occurrence. I'm already planning my next solo trip to the movies, but even a bubble bath or an hour alone to read a book in peace may be enough to help you refuel.

I'm forever leaving my house unprepared for the snack demands my little boys make when we're on the road. My intention is to always have a healthy snack and water in the car when we head out on errands, but more often than not, I forget to plan ahead. Not anymore. I'm borrowing some of these ideas from Family Circle magazine and from now on, I'm going to be the mom who can whip out a nutritious snack with a moment's notice. Here's some of what I plan to prepare.

Soy Crisps: We don't do potato chips in our household but we might try soy chips. A huge 140-calorie portion contains only two grams of fat and nearly 10 grams of healthy soy protein.

String Cheese: We are fans of string cheese and really like the Sargento Lite brand. To keep this calcium-filled snack chilled on road trips longer than a few hours, I'll pack it in a mini cooler bag with a mini ice block.

It's spring and in my Northern Virginia neighborhood that means kids and parents are hitting the playgrounds again. Kids are flocking to swings and slides while parents, mostly moms, sit on benches and gossip, read or do some crafty thing with their hands. Well, here's a novel idea. Get up and get moving with your kids because it's a good chance to get some exercise.

My daughter often yells, "Your turn, Mommy!" after her spins on the slides. Climbing the steps and going down the slide over and over has got to be worth something. Then she runs over to the swings and I run after her. Then I push her hard because she wants to go "super high." At one of the bigger, more elaborate playgrounds there's a zip cord. And it's a big hit. My little one isn't quite big enough or strong enough to do it herself, so I prop her up on one arm and run back and forth with her holding on. Believe me, it's a workout.

So put away the phone, reading material and knitting and shut your trap and get moving next time you take a trip to the playground with your kids. You'll be the "cool mom" in your kids' eyes and your body will thank you.

I picked up a copy of Curves' diane magazine while waiting to get my mammogram last Thursday. To pass the time before having my own curves examined, I read this enlightening bit about how having kids makes us fat.

It seems having kids predisposes moms and dads to gain weight. One study reveals that adults living with kids eat 4.9 more grams of fat daily. And 1.7 of those grams are saturated. Yikes. Hey, no one ever said having kids was easy.

Apparently, it's all the kiddie convenience foods -- pizza, burgers, chips, and whole milk -- that cause the damage. Have no fear, though, say nutrition experts. Just cut out the fatty snacks, skip the beef and take up turkey burgers, and trade whole milk for the low-fat variety and you'll be on your way to trimming that waistline. Oh, and don't forget to work in some exercise, a task that often slips off the radar once kids come barreling into our lives.

New moms have it rough. No doubt about it. Everything from the physical recovery of giving birth to sleepless nights and zombie-like days can drain the best of us. It's hard to imagine good nutrition and exercise ever fitting into the hectic days with wee ones. The experts at parenting.com say it's possible, though. Here are some of their ideas for sneaking in some good-for-you nutrition and fitness.

• Start the day off right with a healthy breakfast, a quick workout, and some tunes. Breakfast quick picks include whole-grain cereal with skim milk, low-fat cottage cheese with fresh fruit, or two hard-boiled eggs with wheat toast or crackers. Workouts can be as short as 15 minutes. Try some squats, lunges, push-ups, and crunches to get the day started. Then belt out some of your favorite lyrics -- singing burns 59 calories per hour.
  
  
• Drink water throughout the day to keep your body properly hydrated.
  

Most soon-to-be mothers are great about adhering to the many rules and regulations that are necessary to ensure as healthy a pregnancy and baby as possible. No smoking, fish only once a week and definitely cut down on any pre-pregnancy drinking.

I was actually under the impression that a drink or two a week wasn't actually harmful (I've even heard that the occasional pint of iron-rich Guinness is good for pregnant moms) but then I came across this article from the UK that states some British doctors are recommending that women adhere to a no alcohol policy when pregnant or trying to conceive. The article states that while the Royal College of Obstetricians still asserts that a unit or two of alcohol once or twice a week is safe, many women don't know exactly how much that is and end up exceeding the limit. As a result, Government doctors are urging pregnant women not to drink at all.

I'm a 70s baby , as are the majority of my friends, and while I know that my mother was a teetotaler, I'm sure I've got a friend or relative whose mom smoke or drank a little during pregnancy and they all turned out fine. But I suppose that where the health of a new baby is concerned, it's better to be safe than sorry.

What do you think about the occasional drink during pregnancy?

Often when we hear about the many risks associate with obesity the focus is on the increased danger of developing potentially life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Less-discussed is the fact that obese women have a much harder time conceiving, and now, a recent study reports that those who do, run a higher risk of giving birth to babies with birth defects.

A report by the University of Texas at Houston found that babies born to women who were obese before pregnancy were twice as likely to have spina bifida and there was also an increased risk of heart, anus, penis, limb, diaphragm and naval defects. There were also higher risks for kids born to overweight women, but instances weren't nearly as high as for those born to obese mothers.

The article discussing the study points out that it is always a good idea for obese women hoping to become moms to try to lose some weight before getting pregnant. For severely overweight women who are already pregnant, it is important not to try to diet but rather to discuss with your doctor what is an appropriate amount of weight to gain, as well as how to stay as healthy as possible during and after your pregnancy.

When celebrities have babies and seem to almost instantly snap back into beautiful celebrity shape, do you find it inspiring or depressing? Or maybe frustrating is a better word for it, since it seems like they're somehow achieving the impossible.

If you're experiencing frustration in getting your pre-pregnancy figure back, like maybe progress is slower than you'd like, then take a look at this article from WebMD. It's full of great advice on how to be successful (patience and diligence is key) and gives a little dose of reality when it comes to just why and how celebrities are able to do what they do -- saying it's really not even all that healthy sometimes.

And also be sure to check out our own Jennifer Jordan's journey in our weekly That's Fit feature Fit Mama!

Being a mom is an exhausting, time consuming, all-inclusive 24/7 job, so finding time to take care of yourself and make room for fitness is a daunting challenge. But one thing about women and challenges: when they come together amazing solutions are created!

"Power Strolling" is one of those creations. Available under different names across the country, the principle is the same: parents getting together to be healthy and get physical, with strollers and infants in tow. Walking, jogging, stretching, ab work...you name it they do it. And all with the support and understanding of each other: nobody understands the challenges of being a mom more than other moms!

For more information, or to find a Power Strolling group near you, check out strollerstrides.com. And another great resource is SeeMommyRun.com, where women can find a walking or jogging partner in their area!

Giving anyone a fitness-related gift is always a little risky. It could mean, "I care about you, and therefore want you to be in good health." Or, it could also mean, "I think you look awful and could lose some weight."

Thus, with Mother's Day coming up this Sunday, it's something you might want to consider. Fortunately, your friends at FitSugar give us some helpful reminders on what -- and what not -- to buy mom on her special day.

Unless an interest has been stated, giving exercise equipment is worse than giving a mom a toaster ... Now, if your mom has mentioned in passing that she would like a TreadMill and you have the dough to buy her one, go for it ... If your mom has expressed interest in trying yoga, Pilates, or a personal trainer, by all means give her a gift certificate for some classes or private sessions.

Ok, so are we all clear? If you know, for certain, that you mom is in the market for something fitness-related, you're probably in the clear. But if she doesn't seem bothered about her weight/body mass index/etc, then you shouldn't be either. Besides the fact that you're likely to offend her, the chances of her using a piece of equipment or a set of classes she wasn't interested in are slim.

If she wants chocolates, get off your high horse and buy her chocolates -- it's Mother's Day, after all.