How Well Do You Know Cherries?

It seems odd to me that February is National Cherry Month - the earliest I ever see cherries at my farmers market is in May. But George Washington will forever be associated with cherry trees, and since February is his b-day month, it sort of makes sense that cherries get thrown into the party. Being such a lover of all things cherry, I usually don’t wait until the Summer to indulge in this sweet treat. Besides eating dried cherries, I sometimes indulge in a little cherry juice or jam too. How well do you think you know this superfood? Take my quiz to find out. Take the quiz

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How Well Do You Know Cherries?

Does Cold Weather Trigger Your Body to Store Fat?

Ugh. Is it me, or does wintertime always translate to tighter fitting clothes? Just about everyone I know complains about Winter weight gain, but is it just inevitable? Does the cold weather trigger our bodies to hold onto fat so we don’t freeze to death? For some people who live in and are exposed to cold weather in the Winter, some doctors believe our bodies hold on to fat in order to stay warm. But let’s face it - most people aren’t roughing it outside all day and night in freezing temps. So for the rest of us, it’s not the actual cold weather that makes us fatter; it’s the cold weather that causes us to modify our lifestyles , and that is what contributes to bigger numbers on the scale. In Winter, we wear more clothes to cover our bodies up, so we’re less self-conscious about watching what we eat. Plus many of us find we’re less motivated to exercise when the temperatures drop . Not only does staying inside mean we burn fewer calories, but being cooped up can also lead to depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Symptoms include specific food cravings, loss of energy, and oversleeping, which all contribute to weight gain. In the cold months, we also crave warm, creamy comfort foods like soup, bread, pasta, and other high-fat carbs. These are much higher in calories than fresh veggies and fruit, which is another reason we end up packing on a spare tire. It doesn’t help that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day all take place during this cold season, because all those decadent foods don’t do much to help our waistlines. Don’t worry, you’re not doomed to automatically go up a dress size. Check out these tips on how to avoid Winter weight gain .

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Does Cold Weather Trigger Your Body to Store Fat?

Strap on Snowshoes and Burn More Than 400 Calories!

Winter can be brutal for sun-loving people who love to exercise outdoors. When the snow falls and the temperature drops, sunshiny forms of exercise may be tough, if not impossible. That doesn’t mean you can’t burn it up outside though - you just have to learn to love a Winter sport. One of my favorites is snowshoeing because it’s fairly inexpensive, as easy as walking, as challenging as running, and it’s a way to appreciate the beauty of Old Man Winter. In an hour of stomping around in the snow, you’ll burn 433 calories . Here’s how to get started. Rent a pair of snowshoes from a nearby gear shop, which will probably cost less than $20 a day. Bring along the Winter boots you plan on wearing, so you can get a proper fit. You may want to rent poles as well to help you navigate up and down steep terrain. When you head out, dress in layers. Wear wicking baselayers close to your skin, waterproof snowpants, a fleece midweight layer on top, and a waterproof softshell over that. Mittens, warm socks, and a hat are a must. Don’t wear too much because snowshoeing is tough work and you don’t want to overheat. If you have woods in your area or a hike you’re used to doing in the Summer, you can snowshoe there. If you don’t know where to go, ask around for good spots. You may want to go to a resort that offers cross-country trails, which are perfect for beginner snowshoers. For the rest of the tips keep reading

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Strap on Snowshoes and Burn More Than 400 Calories!

How to Start: Cross-Country Skiing

I’ve had fun downhill skiing, but lately, I’m not in the mood to go zooming down crowded slopes. If moving at a moderate pace sounds more appealing to you as well, then you’ve got to try cross-country skiing this Winter. Even though you’re not moving as fast, you’re using your muscles more so you’ll end up toning your upper and lower body, getting a great workout for your cardiovascular system, and you’ll also end up burning almost 500 calories in one hour ! I also like that you can slush along snow-covered trails with a friend and are able to have a conversation while taking in the breathtaking scenery - that’s much harder to do when downhill skiing. Plus you don’t have to pay for an expensive lift ticket and the boots you wear are flexible, and the skis are lightweight, so you might find it more comfortable than regular skiing. Here are some tips for getting started. Find a place near you that has cross-country trails. Some downhill-ski resorts have them, but you can also check out nature centers or parks where you hike in the Summer. You may have to pay a fee (around $15 for half a day) to use the grounds. These places are great for beginners since the staff can point out the easier trails. Rent boots, skis, and poles at the place where you’re skiing, but if they don’t rent out equipment, rent it the morning before from a gear store. Rentals are about $15 a day. Definitely go with someone who has cross-country skied before. If you don’t know anyone experienced, take a lesson so you can learn the basic techniques for moving, slowing down, stopping, and how to get up hills. Want to hear the rest? Then read more Make sure you dress appropriately. You don’t want to wear too many layers since cross-country skiing is a lot like snowshoeing or running in the Winter . Once you get moving, you’ll warm up and you don’t want to get too sweaty. Slip on warm wool socks, base-layer pants, and a long-sleeve shirt. Then put waterproof pants, a fleece pullover, and a softshell or lightweight jacket over that. Wear a hat and mittens and you should be good to go. I like to wear a small lumbar pack, so I can bring along some water, a snack, some lightweight gloves, a camera, and my cell phone. Go at your own pace. It takes a little while to figure out the rhythm of how to move your arms and legs, so start off slow. Choose a short trail that will only take about an hour, and the next time you go you can increase the distance. Try to go on a day after it’s just snowed. Fluffy snow is much easier to ski on compared to an icy trail.

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How to Start: Cross-Country Skiing

How to Prevent Chapped Lips

I’ve definitely been turning up the heat since the weather has been so chilly, but it’s drying out my skin, especially my lips. Since the skin on this part of your body doesn’t secrete any oils, it’s more susceptible to drying out. Here are some ways to prevent this sensitive skin from cracking. Avoid licking your lips. Saliva will momentarily add moisture but it will evaporate, making your lips even drier. Also, your saliva contains some digestive enzymes, which will irritate sore lips even more. Keep your lips moisturized with lip balm. Ones with beeswax, such as Burt’s Bees Lip Balm , are soothing and long lasting. If you’re outside a lot, use tinted lip balms with SPF to keep your lips protected from sun exposure, which can also dry them out. Add moisture to the air you breathe with a humidifier . Keep it running in your bedroom while you sleep, since a heated home can cause you to wake up with dry lips that will crack when you yawn. Youch! To find out what other ways you can prevent dry, cracked lips read more. Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. We tend to forget to hydrate properly since it’s cold out, but it’s just as important as getting enough water in the Summer. Use Fit’s Calculator to figure out how much water you should be drinking each day, and keep a water bottle with you while you work to help you remember. Limit the amount of alcohol and caffeine you consume, since these can dehydrate your skin.

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How to Prevent Chapped Lips

Holiday Donation Idea: Blood

Over the Summer I read about a surprising side affect of the recession: blood drive donations were down. Fewer employees hiding out in cubicles translated to fewer arms available to give blood. Blood banks around the nation suffered a second blow this Fall due to swine flu outbreaks , when many blood drives at schools as well as businesses were canceled due to a high volume of absenteeism credited to the H1N1 virus. In light of the dwindling blood supply, why not give a charitable gift this year that truly keeps on giving. You can donate blood . Think of it as an altruistic twist on the vampire phenomenon sweeping the nation. Not sure what to expect? Here are a few details on giving blood for the first time .

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Holiday Donation Idea: Blood

You Asked: Does Running With Weights Burn More Calories?

Dear Fit, I’m trying to lose 15 pounds before my wedding this Summer. I don’t have a lot of time to work out each day, only about 30 minutes, so I was trying to think of ways to burn more calories per workout. What do you think about running with dumbbells? I figured I could burn more calories and tone my arms at the same time. Is this the best way to slim down before the Big Day? -Bride-to-Be First of all, congrats on your engagement. How exciting! A woman wants to look her best on her wedding day, and you’re not alone in trying to lose weight and tone up. I’m very against running while holding hand weights, though. To find out why and learn ways to maximize your gym time read more. Running or walking with dumbbells seems like a brilliant way to kill two birds with one stone - burn calories while toning your upper body - but it’s a bad idea. Swinging that extra weight will most likely cause you to tear a muscle or injure your shoulder joint. The same goes for ankle weights. If you wear them while walking or running, you might as well sign yourself up for a knee injury. Besides, for every 10 pounds you add to your body while moving, you only burn about five to eight extra calories per mile. If you want to get the most out of your cardio workouts, instead of picking up weights, pick up the pace. Moving even a little faster will burn more calories. So even though you only have 30 minutes, running at a pace of 6 mph (10-minute miles) will burn 292 calories. If you run a little faster at a pace of 6.5 mph (9:14 minutes per mile), you’ll burn 309 calories. While that may not seem like a huge difference, after five days of running, you’ll end up burning 85 extra calories. Intervals offer more caloric burning bang for your cardio buck. Play with speed and try this interval running workout to start. Find other times to strength train. Either use the 30 minutes you have each day to do weights a couple times a week, or fit in exercises here and there. Do triceps dips on your chair at work, do bicep curls while chatting on the phone, or do 20 push-ups before bed. Since working out alone won’t help you lose weight , also make sure you’re eating a balanced diet that includes lean protein, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and veggies. Watch your portions by measuring out your serving sizes and keeping a food journal . Remember that slow and steady wins the race, and if you continue with regular exercise and a healthy diet, you’ll gradually melt the pounds and will more likely be able to keep them off after you say “I do.”

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You Asked: Does Running With Weights Burn More Calories?

Ride the Waves Gift Guide

If you have a special someone in your life who loves to surf, then you know that riding waves is a lifestyle, not a hobby. Here are a few picks that will show your surf Betty that you really get her. Warning: these items will have her running away from you and straight to the ocean.   Soleo Organics Sunscreen SPF 30 ($20). Finally an all-natural, organic sunscreen that can hold up even against the weight of the ocean. Unscented and made with nurturing grape seed oil, green tea, and chamomile. Surfing: Women of the Waves ($20). Beautiful photos that will inspire newbies and pros alike to get out there and catch waves. Featuring women of all sizes, styles, and levels hanging ten all over the world. Billabong Wylie Rashguard ($28). Though sporting a bikini might look stylish, paddling all day on a surfboard can really hurt the skin. Eliminate skin irritation and extreme sun exposure with this stylish rashguard from Billabong. Tide Clock ($55) Knowing what the tide is doing is a close second to breathing for a surfer. This clock will help her know when it’s high or low tide, which makes planning her day that much easier.

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Ride the Waves Gift Guide

New Moon Star Nikki Reed Says Relationship Keeps Her Slim

If Kristen Stewart needs any help kicking her nicotine habit , she can look to her New Moon costar Nikki Reed for advice. In the last few months, Reed has given herself a bit of a lifestyle makeover, thanks in large part, as she told People , to her relationship with Greek shipping heir (and Paris Hilton ex) Paris Latsis. Reed and Latsis have officially been out as a couple since Summer, which was the perfect time for Latsis to introduce Reed to all the outdoor sports he loves. The pair spent the season hiking, windsurfing, and water skiing, and as a result, Reed says, the pounds started dropping. Besides having tons of fun, Reed was so inspired by her boyfriend’s love of the outdoors that she became motivated to get into better shape. First things first, she quit smoking. Now Reed hits the gym for two hours a day and says that being active has made her “much happier.” Last week I shared with you some ways that your relationship might be making you fat , but keep in mind that as with Reed, relationships can have positive effects on health. I personally am healthier now that I’m with a partner who likes being active as much as I do. He and I love riding bikes, climbing, and going on long hikes together. Do any of you credit your relationship for making you healthier?  

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New Moon Star Nikki Reed Says Relationship Keeps Her Slim

Get Lifted: Water Pump

Just because Summer is over, doesn’t mean you can neglect sculpting your shoulders. Here’s a strength training move that will tone your deltoid, triceps, and biceps. So grab a pair of dumbbells and read more. Stand with your feet hip distance apart, arms by your sides, with a dumbbell in each hand. Engage your abs to create a stable base. Take a breath in and as you exhale, do reach your right arm out to the side doing a lateral side raise until your arm is parallel to the floor, keeping a slight bend in your elbow. Simultaneously, bring your left hand toward your armpit by bending your left elbow out to the side. Inhale to return back to the starting position. This counts as one rep. Complete three sets of 12 to 15 reps on each side.

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Get Lifted: Water Pump

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