support-related stories
All In This Together
The Good, The Fat and The Hungry, Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
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| Karla Carrington (right) and sister, Dr. Janice Chambers (left) |
A few weeks ago, a reader expressed her excitement over the wonderful content offered here at That's Fit, but she felt that we hadn't stressed enough the significance of family support in the struggle to lose weight. Well, as luck would have it, I have a little story about that. Like to hear it? Here goes:
My older sister Janice is my best friend. I have a younger sister, Willette, and we're very close, but she is not my best friend because I have to pay her back money that I borrow. Janice's loans do not require payback. If Willette reconsiders the whole re-payment thing, her status might be upgraded, but until then, Janice is my best friend. Janice and I vacation together, we talk almost every day, and we even beat up old ladies together for Black Friday discounts. Janice is a woman of few words, and if she says it, she does it. She's one of the few people I look up to and even listen to.
Gaiam Giveaway Reminder
Maybe your knees feel a little creaky when you get up from your chair, or maybe it's your back that's giving you some trouble. Either way, this week's Gaiam giveaway is perfect for you -- two winners will have their choice of a back support or a knee support!They're high quality and even help promote healing, so if you're feeling any pain, there's no reason not to enter. Head on over to the original giveaway post and leave a comment to get entered today. You only have until Friday at 5 p.m. to enter, so hurry!
Walking the Walk - Day 1
Day 1: I call up my neighbor, Christine, and explain to her what I'm doing, then ask her if she wants to help.
"Yeah," she says enthusiastically, "Sounds like fun!"
"Great," I say, then sheepishly, "Only I don't have time to start today."
"Sister," she replies, "I think I'm exactly what you need."
Fifteen minutes later, our four-year-olds are strapped into jog strollers, and we're out for a 30-minute power walk.
Lessons learned today: 1) Don't ask for help unless you're ready to accept it, and 2) If you think you don't have time for a workout, think again. Even a short workout is better than none at all.
Fitz's Cool Tools: Adidas Supernova Glide
Fashion and Beauty, Fitness, Reviews & Products
I've been testing out the new adidas Supernova Glide running shoes (top image for women, lower image for men) and have great news for those of you desperate for more support. These shoes have lots of it. My initial response as I first put my feet into these shoes was, "Wow! They're so soft and comfy!" And after many uses, I still feel the same way; they kind of make me feel like I'm running on pillows.
l have, however, felt like it would be totally lame to describe them to you as "soft and comfy." That description seemed almost too simple. But last week, while I was working out at a gym in a beautiful Sandals Resort in Jamaica, I noticed the man next to me on the stepper wearing a pair. So I asked Kevin from Canada what he thought of his new Supernova Glides, and do you know what he told me? "They're soft and comfortable!"
Throughout both my career as a fitness professional and as a competitive athlete, my feet have taken quite a beating. Proper footwear is about the only thing keeping me going at this point. It is said that every step a runner takes places three times the amount of their body weight worth of impact down on each foot. Ouch! The right shoe has the ability to dramatically decrease the amount of trauma each foot will endure.
Danskin's New Flex Sports Bra Gives Support AND Curves!
I'm serious about fitness, but I'm also serious about looking my best. Admittedly, I don't always look so great at the gym -- I don't wear much makeup, and my clothes don't always match. However, there are times when I wouldn't mind looking like, you know, a girl.Danskin knows that being serious about fitness and wanting to look good aren't mutually exclusive -- far from it. And they've designed a sports bra that allows you to merge the two. One of their new sports bras, the Women's X-Training New Aerosilver Flex Sports Bra, combines form, function, and comfort. I'm loving it -- I can run and jump in comfort, but still look cute in my little yoga tank top!
That's not the only sports bra Danskin is offering, either. The aforementioned Flex is great for high impact workouts, as is their Aerosilver Glide Sports Bra (which has a bit of V cut to the front, which is great if you want to show just a hint of cleavage). Additionally, they have the High Performance Curve Sports Bra, which is better for your moderate intensity workouts (and it comes in a bunch of cool colors!).
Blast Your Fat - Enlist Your Man
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Check out this video for the skinny on partnering with your guy. You'll learn how to get him on board, coax him into compliments and appreciate him for a job well done.
Peer Pressure - How to Deal When Losing Weight
Weight Loss - Do You Trust Your Diet Buddy?
Weight loss isn't easy. So when you're trying to lose those stubborn pounds, it helps to have someone you can confide in and someone you can count on to bolster your resolve when it weakens. In turn, you can do the same for your pal.But ZoneDiet.com conducted a survey that shows there's a little distrust among diet buddies. Here are just a few of the things they uncovered:
- Two-thirds of those surveyed believe their diet buddy is lying about what they're eating.
- Over 60 percent would be unhappy if their diet buddy lost more weight than they did, but 70 percent say it would also make them unhappy if their buddy didn't lose any weight. (So we're OK if they lose some weight, but not if they beat us at our own game. Nice.)
Plantar Fasciitis - How to Stay Active When Your Feet are Killing You
I overpronate, so my workout shoes wear out rather quickly. Recently, I made the cardinal sin of fitness buffs and tried to wear my shoes long after they needed to be replaced. Six months later, I'm paying the price. While I'm not 100 percent positive that I have plantar fasciitis, the symptoms certainly point to it. For example, the morning after a long workout, I feel like someone is jabbing knives up my feet. A new pair of shoes and a trip to the doctor are in my near future. Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports the arch of your foot. While it's painful, plantar fasciitis doesn't need to put you on the sidelines. Some tips:
- Buy good shoes. Shoes are not something to skimp on. Look for shoes with good arch support or consider motion control shoes if you overpronate.
- Stretch. Do calf stretches and towel stretches several times a day.
- Avoid hard surfaces. If you're a runner or a walker, try moving your workout to an indoor track. Cement and other hard surfaces may aggravate your pain.
- Try new exercises. Swimming won't aggravate plantar fasciitis and other activities -- such as biking -- may be easier for you.
World's heaviest man dishes out diet tips
Jose Luis Garza isn't the world's heaviest man, but he was fast approaching that record. Doctors estimate that Garza, who is bedridden, weighs about 990 pounds. Garza states that his obesity is due to eating junk food and greasy tacos. But his weight really spiraled out of control after both of his parents died; after their deaths Garza was depressed and started binge-eating.
Recently Garza pleaded for help and he soon got a phone call ... from Manuel Uribe, the man who, at one time, weighed 1,230 pounds. Uribe has since shed 550 pounds -- not an easy feat when your bedridden. Uribe called Garza to give him support, hope, and advice. Soon after, Uribe's girlfriend visited Garza with a gift of kiwis, grapefruit, pears, and a protein supplement Uribe's doctors had recommended.
While Garza and Uribe are certainly on the extreme end of obesity, the support they've shown each other is a lesson for us all. If you're trying to lose weight, finding like-minded people will be a key to your success. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
9 ways to help your overweight child
Martha recently posted about whether or not parents should be notified if their children are overweight. A recent user question on Momtourage shows that some doctors are doing just that. ... and I think it's a good thing. The parent asking the question is wondering if they should even be concerned that their child is overweight because they feel that their child is active and happy. Some children are clearly, unmistakably overweight. But for other kids, it isn't always easy to tell. After all, kids go through growth spurts and they grow at different rates. But if a medical professional expresses that your child is indeed overweight, it's time to take action.
As parents, there are many things you can do to help your child live a healthy lifestyle and maintain an appropriate weight.
Daily Fit Tip: Don't be a nag
Does your loved one dig your diet -- or not?
A study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that when people change their eating habits, spouses and partners often experience skepticism, guilt over their own unhealthy habits, even anger. We're creatures of habit. When one person alters the routine, it can throw things off balance. SHAPE magazine offers these three tips for easing the transition.
Prepare your loved one for changes Share your plans a few days in advance and communicate your reasons for making adjustments.
The science of bouncing boobs
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products
Get this: The very first sports bra was two jockstraps sewn together. Thank goodness for progress, huh?Actually, there's not been so much progress over the past 31 sports-bra years because many women still complain they don't get enough support. What exactly is failing them? Science, that's what.
Until recently, no one had ever really examined how it is that boobs bounce. In a three-year study, though, British scientists discovered that breasts don't just swing up and down. They also move in and out and left to right. They form a figure-eight pattern, believe it or not, and most sports bras only stop up and down motion. Ever felt breast pain while exercising? This is probably why.
What's the right sports bra for you?
Fashion and Beauty, Diet & Weight Loss, Reviews & Products
Choosing the right sports bra requires attention to a number of factors. First and foremost is your bust size. Obviously, the big busted woman is going to require a different type of support than a woman with small-bust needs.
Second, take into account what you need it for. Playing basketball or jumping rope requires a different level of support than going for a walk, and it really is important that, if you plan to do some jumping activities, you find a bra that keeps you from bouncing.
SheFinds.com came up with a comprehensive list of the Best Sports Bras using the editors' expertise as well as input from readers. There are bras for busts large and small made for all different activities. Check them out in the gallery and be sure to leave a comment sharing your favorite sports bra!
