SavvySugar

Turn It Off and Get Outside: National Day of Unplugging

FitSugar — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:00:12 -0700

I'm not going to lie to you. I'm a huge fan of technology because it not only makes my life easier, but it supports my healthy lifestyle. I'm grateful for my treadmill on rainy days, my iPod's tunes and healthy apps to motivate me to get moving, and my heart rate monitor that tells me how hard I'm working. I do realize that technology is often overused and abused, and many people would rather sit on the couch watching endless hours of TV or playing video games, rather than taking a walk in the park.

The nonprofit group Reboot realizes this as well and is launching a new project called Sabbath Manifesto, "designed to get overworked and overstressed young techies to rediscover the novel Biblical concept of a day of rest."

This Saturday, March 20, marks this first National Day of Unplugging, which means no cell phones, computers, TVs, Twitter, or Facebook. Besides avoiding technology, the other nine principles associated with this day of rest include connecting with loved ones, nurturing your health, getting outside, avoiding commerce, lighting candles, drinking wine, eating bread, finding silence, and giving back.

As you're reading this post, you've already broken the first principle of avoiding technology, but it's not too late to grab your favorite person and go for a walk outside to nurture your health and take a break from being plugged in. Tell me, are you into this idea of setting aside one day each week to ditch your laptop and iPhone and get back to the important things in life, or do you think it's a silly idea?

Give Those Balding Boys a Second Look - They're Healthy!

TresSugar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:00:04 -0700

Here's the thing about bald men: they live longer (but with less hair). That's according to a new study that found men who go bald by 30 appear less likely to develop prostate cancer. Young men go bald thanks to a high level of testosterone - but the manly hormone also wards off tumors.

When it comes to turnoffs, most of you agree that wearing pink is a no no and that being rude to the waitstaff on a first date is a deal breaker. But what about baldness? Do you prefer a man with a full-head of hair, or is baldness, and the newfound health benefits that come with it, a turn on for you?

What Kind of Metabolism Do You Have?

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:47:49 -0700

I have girlfriends who can regularly devour three slices of pizza, a Caesar salad, and a slice of cheesecake and not worry about gaining a single ounce. Then some of my other friends can't eat more than a piece of grilled fish with steamed broccoli, or they'll end up going up a dress size. Our metabolism determines how our bodies break down the food we eat into energy; for some of us it's fast, and for some of us it's slow. Tell me . . .

Kraft Announces Plans to Slash Sodium by 10 Percent

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:40:35 -0700

Kraft, the largest food maker in the US, has announced plans to cut sodium levels in its North American products by 10 percent over the next two years. The move, which will affect over 1,000 products, will eliminate more than 10 million pounds of salt from some of the country's most recognizable foods, like Oscar Mayer Bologna, Velveeta, and Easy Mac. Kraft's attempt to reach health-conscious consumers follows a plea that First Lady Michelle Obama gave Tuesday to corporate food giants, urging them to produce more healthful food. It's hot on the heels of other food makers, like Campbell's Soup, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Dr Pepper, that have pledged to slash sugar and salt. This is a timely move as Americans grow increasingly concerned about sugar and salt intake. Yet, I can't help but think about how food titans should've done this many years earlier, and by much more than 10 percent. Are you worried about your sugar and salt intake?

Source: Flickr User Clean Wal-Mart

Speak Up: Preventing Weight Gain When Dating

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:05:19 -0700

When you first start dating someone it's an exciting time where you're spending a lot of time together. The problem is, those times together include going out to eat, catching coffee and dessert, and sharing bottles of wine. You're also more likely to skip out on your regular workouts in exchange for hours of cuddling on the couch. All this can translate to numbers going up on the scale, so tell me, what are your tips on avoiding weight gain when dating?

Spring Danger: First Exposure to Sun

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:30:01 -0700

I'm definitely feeling Spring fever now that the snow around me is melting and the temperatures are reaching in the 50s. It's inspiring me to exercise outdoors and take walks on my lunch break. If Spring is calling you outside as well, I need to act like a mom here for a sec and tell you to be careful of the sun's rays. In the Winter months, most of us have our skin covered by coats and mittens, and our face is probably the only thing exposed. Hopefully, you've already been wearing a daily moisturizer that contains SPF protection, but when you step out into the Spring sunshine for the first time in less clothing, your skin isn't used to the sun's strong rays. That can spell danger for anyone, especially those with pale or sensitive skin. Sunburn isn't the only thing you need to worry about, so keep reading

Good News For Oreo and Velveeta Lovers: Kraft Cutting Sodium

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:30:30 -0700

All you Oreo, Velveeta, Philadelphia cream cheese, and Oscar Mayer bologna lovers out there will be pleased to know that Kraft, the maker of all those foods, plans to cut sodium levels in its North American brands by about 10 percent. The reduction will take place over the next two years, which isn't exactly soon, but at least a change is in the air. It's the latest company trying to address health concerns since high blood pressure and other conditions associated with a high sodium diet are so prevalent now. Kraft's president of health and wellness said, "A growing number of consumers are concerned about their sodium intake and we want to help them translate their intentions into actions."

I know many of these products might not be on your weekly grocery list, but tell me, will the decrease in sodium make you think about buying them?

Stats on the Health of the Union

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:00:29 -0700

The National Center For Health Statistics, a branch of the Centers For Disease Control, released its latest batch of numbers on the behavior of American adults, and in my opinion, the numbers don't paint a pretty picture. After surveying over 79,000 Americans age 18 or older, the center compiled some interesting stats on the state of our healthy and not-so-healthy habits.

Six out of 10 adults drink alcohol, while nearly 25 percent responded that they were lifetime abstainers. Men are more likely to list themselves as current drinkers than women.
Around 20 percent of US adults answered that they smoke, and 42 percent of them tried to quit unsuccessfully in the past year. Under 20 percent of the current smokers average 17 cigarettes a day.
Only around 30 percent of adults responded that they exercise regularly, but close to 60 percent say they engage in at least some physical activity during their leisure time.
Forty percent of adults maintain a healthy weight, but 60 percent are considered overweight or obese.

The information for this report was gathered between 2005 and 2007. Do any of the numbers surprise you?

Avoid These Bad Habits For Your Chompers

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:59 -0700

I know dental care isn't the most exciting topic, but healthy teeth are important and make for a lovely smile. Speaking of lovely smiles, remember the scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts announces that "you shouldn't neglect your gums"? With that said, let's review some common bad dental habits that can lead to health issues like gingivitis. And since nobody likes getting that disappointing look from her dentist, make the doctor proud by avoiding these habits.

Brushing too hard or using a firm-bristled toothbrush. We all want to get that plaque off our teeth, but jamming your toothbrush back and forth with extreme intensity can permanently (as in forever) wear away the protective enamel on your teeth. It could also lead to increased tooth sensitivity and receding gums, the latter of which could require surgery. Ouch!
Brushing side to side. I was a big horizontal brusher for years, and it was hard work to break this habit, but circular motions are the best way to clean your teeth gently yet effectively.
Not brushing long enough. Two to three minutes is recommended.
Not flossing daily or ever. Sorry to say, but a toothbrush only cleans the surfaces of your teeth. Using floss is the only way to clean in between your teeth, so if you don't do it daily, plaque can form and cause cavities.
Using your teeth as tools. While your sharp incisors can help you rip open a package of trail mix, you're asking for trouble. This is a sure way to chip or crack your teeth or damage fillings.

What other bad habits are ruining your teeth and gums? To find out read more.

Not using a fluoride rinse. Clinical studies show that by using both a fluoride mouthwash and a fluoride toothpaste, you can provide extra protection against tooth decay more than if you use fluoride toothpaste on its own.
Not seeing the dentist regularly. OK, so going to the dentist isn't as fun as going out for ice cream, but if you don't get your teeth cleaned and checked professionally twice a year, you're bound to end up with some serious and painful dental problems, like a root canal, that could have you sitting in the chair for hours.
Choosing white wine. While red wine can lead to staining, the acidity in white wine wears away tooth enamel.

It's time to vent. What unhealthy habits are you guilty of when it comes to your teeth?

You Asked: Running and Shin Splints?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:07 -0700

Hi Fit,
I recently switched to running on the road because the weather has gotten so nice where I live and frankly I was bored of treadmill. I'm loving the warm sun and fresh air, but I'm suffering from slight pain in the fronts of my lower legs. I'm pretty sure it's shin splints because I've had this before when I was a kid, but I'm wondering, is it bad to keep running? It's not that painful, and when it does hurt, I just stop, walk a little, and then start running again. I don't want to do anything to injure myself, but I also don't want to take a break from running because I'm training for a half marathon.
- Pained Jane

It seems like for many, Spring running and shin splints go hand in hand. I too have suffered from the shooting, aching pains of shin splints, and they sure can throw a wrench into a training plan. To find out if it's OK to run through the pain, read more.

Let's take a step back and discuss why you're experiencing the pain in the first place. Shin splints are small tears in the area where the lower leg muscle attaches to the tibia, aka the shin bone. The tears are caused from overuse, especially after periods of inactivity. Since running on pavement taxes your muscles more, you're definitely working harder than if you were on a treadmill. In runners, shin splints often occur because the calf muscle becomes stronger than the tibialis anterior, the muscle on the outside of the shin. Even though your shin splints may not hurt too much, it's still a minor injury, and if you continue to push yourself and run through the pain, you could end up up with more severe tears, and an injury that will have you sitting out that planned marathon.

My advice is to take some time off from running and let those shins heal. That doesn't mean you have to stop all physical activity; just think of this as a good time to cross-train. Bike, swim, hike, walk, do yoga, and strength train to keep up with your cardio, to strengthen other muscles, and to maintain your flexibility. Doing certain exercises like heel walks around your house, toe lifts, and this seated shin strengthening exercise using a dumbbell will strengthen this area and prevent the dreaded shin splints once you start running again. Do also stretch your calves, even on days you don't exercise, and gentle shin stretches will help too. If resting doesn't help, make an appointment with your doctor to make sure it's not something more serious like a stress fracture.

When your shins feel up to running again, ease into it. Keep the pace slow, the distance short, and avoid hills in the beginning since running and even walking downhill can irritate the area. Also, running with a heavy heel strike can irritate the shin. So it might be worth it to experiment with your gait and try striking with your mid-foot. Let your legs gradually acclimate to running outside rather than on the treadmill, and you'll soon have happy legs ready to conquer that 13.1 miles.