Checklist For Your Early Morning Run

Even though the daylight has shifted one hour , many of you may still be in the habit of running in the morning before work. If you’re having a hard time motivating because it’s a bit darker, here are some things you can do to prep for that run the night before. Eat a dinner that contains whole grains. These carbs will break down much slower than say white rice, pizza, or sugary dessert. This type of hearty dinner will give you the get-up-and go you need in the morning to feel energized for your run. Get your outfit ready and everything you need for your run, so you’re not racing around in the morning for 20 minutes trying to find the lost mate to your favorite wicking socks. Set out your running clothes, sneakers, sunglasses, tissues, iPod case, and headphones, charge your iPod, and finalize plans with your running buddy. Get the ingredients for your breakfast ready as well, making sure it’s low in fiber (to avoid digestive issues), and a good combination of protein and easily digested carbs. Nut butter on toast, granola with yogurt, and eggs are great choices. Get to bed early enough so that you can get a solid night’s sleep, at least seven or eight hours. Make sure your alarm clock is set. Tell me, do you prefer running in the morning even if it’s dark outside?

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Checklist For Your Early Morning Run

Stats on the Health of the Union

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?

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Stats on the Health of the Union

DrSugar Answers: Petroleum Products Safe Around the Eyes?

DrSugar is in the house! This week she’s answering a question about treating wrinkles. Dear DrSugar, I have noticed the fine lines around my eyes becoming not so fine. I know it is just basic aging, but I would like to slow the process down. My sister said to put petroleum jelly (she uses Aquaphor) around my eyes at night. I’ve never used an eye cream before and am not really a fan of petroleum jelly - it just doesn’t seem like a good idea to put a petroleum product on my skin, especially by my eyes. Is it safe? Will my body absorb dangerous chemicals? - Concerned About Chemicals I’m going to admit that I had to do some reconnaissance in my local drugstore to research this question. This research involved reading the labels of both regular petroleum jelly and Aquaphor (a Eucerin product). I also did the inevitable Google search for “Aquaphor” and for “fine lines and wrinkles.” As a woman in her early 30s, this question interested me a bit personally as, like the reader, I am definitely noticing some little lines and crevices on my face! To learn more about the aging process and if you should be treating it with Vaseline, keep on reading.

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DrSugar Answers: Petroleum Products Safe Around the Eyes?

Growing Up, Did Your Parents Promote Exercise?

When I was a young girl, my dad decided to buy the entire family bikes. We’d do family rides every weekend - that is until riding bikes with your parents just wasn’t the cool thing to do. When I was older, I was encouraged to take gymnastics, run track, and play a team sport in junior high and high school. My family didn’t instill a competitive edge, although my mom can be quite a boisterous fan, but they did promote getting up and getting moving. What about you? Growing Up, Did Your Parents Promote Exercise? Yes, we’d either exercise together or they’d encourage me to exercise. They tried, but I wasn’t into it then. No, exercise wasn’t a part of my parents’ vocabulary.

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Growing Up, Did Your Parents Promote Exercise?

Fill Your Calendar with Fitness and Never Worry About Working Out Again

There are plenty of people out there that dislike exercise because they don’t feel it is fun to do. Since it isn’t viewed as something fun to do, it is difficult to make time for it. The solution for people like this is to put the fun into exercise, that way it doesn’t feel like you’re working out at all. There are plenty of ways to do this and some methods will cost money and others will not. However, if you add in a little of both (paid and free) activities, you could be exercising 5 to 6 days a week and not even feel like it. Below are some ideas to fill your calendar with fun things to do that also keep you working out on a regular basis. 1. Use a calendar: I like to use Google calendar because it’s web based and I can access it easily. Plus it can send out email reminders of upcoming appointments. Whichever calendar you choose, the goal is to fill it with as many fitness activities as you can for the entire month. 2. Make a list: Are there things you have always wanted to try but never get around to? Make a list of activities that will get you physically active. Indoor rock climbing, martial arts classes, dancing, boxing classes, zumba, etc. 3. Sign up: Decide which classes or activities you like most. Find out what you can afford and search for free and low-cost sources as well. When you find what you like, schedule some classes. Now you can start filling in your calendar with fun stuff. 4. Map out trails: If you like to run, walk, or even ride a bike, map out some trails that you can use. You can find trails in your area for biking and/or walking or running. Add them to your calendar. 5. Exercise for a cause: There are plenty of causes that you can participate in by doing 3k’s, 5k’s, etc. You can walk or run. Find some in your area that you can do and plug them into your schedule. 6. Contests: Local gyms and fitness groups often hold competitions that you can train for. Stay on the lookout and find what you like. You never know, you could be winning trophies too! Continue to be on the lookout for activities that will keep you moving. Your calendar can stay consistently full and have you doing fun things that won’t feel like exercise at all. If you never thought of yourself as an active person, this is a great way to start and to meet other active people to keep you motivated. Do you stay active? What are some of your tips?

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Fill Your Calendar with Fitness and Never Worry About Working Out Again

Smarter Eats: Give Yourself a Meat Budget

Whatever your reason, eating no less meat is a good thing. Beef recalls , environmental woes, and ethical concerns are enough to turn even the most Neanderthal-esque carnivore into a sprout-lovin’ vegan. But for those of us that can’t resist the lure of a juicy burger, luscious pork belly, or the satisfying saltiness of bacon, it’s becoming harder to reconcile what we want with what’s best. As much as I want to believe that going grass fed is the solution to my problem, I know it isn’t. The fact is that most of the meat in the world is factory farmed. I do my best to be a responsible eater but sometimes I hit up the local taco truck, try out a new restaurant, or go over to my BFF’s house for the best ribs ever. And even though the meat I buy at home is from small farms and grass fed, I guarantee you that 75 percent of the meals I get out are made with factory-farmed meat. Yours probably are too. To see what I’m doing to be a better meat eater, read more. Barring becoming a vegetarian, one of the best ways to handle the whole being-a-responsible-meat-eater thing is to give yourself a weekly meat budget. Years ago I read an incredibly eye-opening piece by cookbook author Mark Bittman about the dramatic effects that cutting down on our meat consumption can have. “If Americans were to reduce meat consumption by 20 percent it would be as if we all switched from a standard sedan - a Camry, say - to the ultra-efficient Prius.” That kind of environmental impact is a huge deal. Beyond the environment, cutting back on meat is good for your health too. I was reminded of the above article when a friend told me that he gives himself a meat budget, a strict one. He eats meat once a week, saying that it’s “quality over quantity.” Btitman’s suggestion is to reduce our meat consumption to under a pound a week, essentially becoming flexitarians . Even though I don’t eat a lot of meat to begin with, I’m taking on this challenge of having a meat budget and I encourage you to do the same. Unlike my friend, I think I’ll sprinkle my meat portion over the course of an entire week, rather than give myself one big meal to relish. I’ll throw some small pieces of pancetta into a pasta or veggie dish, turn my meat serving into more of a side dish, and go full-blown vegetarian for some meals. I’m also going to try my best to always eat meat that comes from small farms. Given that I am eating way less of it, I should be able to afford the best of the best. How about you - are you up for the challenge?

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Smarter Eats: Give Yourself a Meat Budget

2010 Resolution

Here’s what FitSugar user andarms wrote about her goals in our Get Fit For 2010 community challenge and contest . Before: About a year and a half ago, at 5′6″, I weighed in at 198 lbs. There were no excuses: I hadn’t been pregnant, I had already been in college way past “the freshman 15.” I had just been overweight my whole life. However, at that point, I had met and become engaged to the man I am now happily married to. We both quickly bonded over a love of the outdoors and we began hiking, almost religiously. I was doing activity that was so rewarding it didn’t feel like exercise, and I started noticing my jeans loosening up. I also started eating healthier, which I had learned about from Weight Watchers (which had helped me lose some weight before, from being 213 lbs at age 12 to 200 lbs, but had trouble maintaining). At the beginning of the 2009 New Year, I had gone down to 190 lbs. Today, at the beginning of the 2010 New Year, after much more additional hiking and good food choices, I am at 160 lbs. Still overweight for my height, but I’ve never felt prouder of myself. At 22 years old, I feel like I’ve been reborn. I’m still working hard. FitSugar is one of my daily reads. I have found priceless information to incorporate into my new fit lifestyle. My ultimate goal for 2010 is to do what I could never do: I have signed up to run the 8.15 mile Great Aloha Run in Honolulu, HI. I used to think I was going to die a couple of years ago when I had to run a mile for my high school P.E. test! I also have smaller goals for this year: try different physical activities to combat boredom and improve maintenance ability, and to start a fitness trend in my local community, so others don’t feel stuck in the position I felt trapped in for the majority of my life. I am looking forward to a year of challenging myself! To see how she looks now, just read more. Today: Thinking about your New Year’s resolutions? Join our Get Fit For 2010 community group and write a blog post about your goals to enter our contest for weekly giveaways as well as a great grand prize .

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2010 Resolution

Get a Cheap Treadmill to Start Working Out Again

Now that the new year has begun (happy new year by the way!) many people will begin their fitness resolutions by figuring out a way to exercise again. When I found myself in that same position years ago, I started working out again using a treadmill. I didn’t spend a fortune on one. You can find a good cheap treadmill in your local paper, Penny Saver, Craigslist, garage sales, etc. Fortunately, not only is it a good cardio machine, it is probably also one of the least used after people purchase them so they end up selling them just to make space. That makes it a bargain for you because you can find good deals on a cheap treadmill instead of buying them brand new at a sporting goods store. I no longer have a treadmill anymore because I eventually joined a gym and used their machines. However, I still feel having one is a benefit if you want to get back into fitness. Benefits of Owning a Treadmill Convenience - You can jump on any time of day and get a workout. Put on your headphones or position one in front of a television and you can walk or run for 45 minutes without even noticing the time pass. Walking is good - You don’t have to necessarily use a treadmill to run on. Walking is a very good way to get exercise in. It’s low impact and it’s a natural movement. You can walk fast or slow by setting the pace on the machine. Low risk of injury - If you walk at your own pace, there is a very low risk of actually injuring yourself while you’re exercising. Saves time and is efficient - You can walk for 30 minutes or try an interval workout (walking/sprinting) and get a great cardio workout in a small amount of time. Having a treadmill got me back into fitness. First I started out using it at home but then I wanted to use more equipment so I joined a gym. From there I made exercise a part of my routine. Even though I no longer own one, I wouldn’t mind finding another cheap treadmill to have it as a convenient option at home. Book Holder- FlipKlip Cool Little BookHolders Sale Price: $8.95 Average Rating:

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Get a Cheap Treadmill to Start Working Out Again

Keep an Exercise Routine, Even When Visiting the In-laws

When you’re away from home, it can be hard to stick to a normal fitness routine, but that doesn’t have to mean giving it up altogether. When traveling this holiday season, use these helpful tips to ensure you’ll be active well into the new year. Pack your gym bag . If you pack your workout gear in your suitcase, you’ll have no excuse not to exercise, and you’ll be ready to work out regardless of where you’re staying. Traveling with workout clothing also acts as a visual reminder to stay fit even when away from home. Carry a workout on you . Depending on where you’re staying, it may be hard to find a gym, and depending on the weather, exercising outdoors may not be an option. Always bring a workout that you can do indoors. Good options that are easy to pack are a jump rope , fitness DVD , or one of our printable home circuit workouts - I always pack resistance bands . If you forget, hit up the local library or video store and borrow a fitness DVD instead. I have couple more suggestions, so keep reading.

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Keep an Exercise Routine, Even When Visiting the In-laws

McDonald’s Robber Caught With a Paper Cup

Rotten Tomatoes Between CSI, Law & Order, and The Wire, you’d think people would know better. If you have to commit a crime be, uh, smart about it. In Carey, North Carolina, some dumb-dumb wanted a job–err, wanted to rob–the local McDonald’s, at least the gun in his pants said so. And he would have gotten away with it too, if it hadn’t been for that meddling complimentary cup of water, he ordered. Continue reading…

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McDonald’s Robber Caught With a Paper Cup

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