Doctor’s Orders: Relax! Do You Need a Health Break?

February 22, 2012 at 3:46 pm
By Marianne Magno

Last week, America’s Got Talent host  (not to mention actor, radio personality, DJ, rapper, and dad — phew!) Nick Cannon announced that he was stepping down as host of “Rollin’ with Nick Cannon” at the 92.3  NOW New York radio station. Cannon was hospitalized in January for kidney failure and faced another health scare this February, this time involving blood clots near his lungs. Cannon tweeted that his doctors told him to slow down and stop working so hard.

I don’t know about you, but when I think about my fitness, the mental checklist I go through usually involves: How many times have I worked out this week? What nutritious meal can I have for dinner? Did I take my multivitamins? Am I getting a cold? Whether I’m feeling too stressed or getting quality sleep is usually last (if at all present) on that list.

But Nick’s diagnosis reminded me just how important it is to slow down and relax, too. To add a little more balance to my lifestyle, I’m promising myself at least one yoga session a week and a walk in the middle of every day as a health break. It’s no vacation on the beach, but I’ll take it!

Try these 3 simple ways you can relax whether you’re at home, work or on the go:

• Release tension while at work with these 5 easy stretches.
• Get glowing with 5 DIY relaxing beauty rituals.
• Loosen up with this 15-minute yoga-dance workout.

Photo courtesy of lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Face Off: 3 Popular Supplements Go Head-to-Head

February 22, 2012 at 2:41 pm
By Diets in Review

By Margaret Badore for DietsInReview.com

Can a concentrated dose of one of these “super” plants really help you lose weight? Our experts tend to say not likely, at least not anything long term. However, the growing popularity of raspberry ketones (since Dr. Oz’s “miracle fat burner” endorsement last week) has us looking back at some of the biggest supplement fads in recent years.

Here, we take a look at three supplements that promise weight loss: raspberry ketone, hoodia and acai.

Raspberry Ketone 

This supplement recently got major attention when Dr. Oz touted raspberry ketone as a fat-burner that can help anyone lose weight. Although scarce in nature, the synthetic raspberry ketone is relatively inexpensive. The supplement is basically a stimulant that works by increasing the body’s production of norepinepherine and adiponectin. Norepinepherine boosts metabolism by raising the body’s temperature, while adiponectin makes glucose less likely to be stored. However, there haven’t been any controlled studies on humans showing that these effects result in weight loss. “Like other diet pills that have an effect on body temperature and metabolism I would think that these products would only be effective for a short period of time and would eventually have to be discontinued,” says Dr. Sarah G. Khan, DietsInReview’s resident pharmacist.

Acai  Read more

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#140Wednesdays: What Do You Think About When You Exercise?

February 22, 2012 at 1:55 pm
By Colleen Moody

Studies have shown that exercise can strength train your brain, but sometimes it’s your brain that can strength train your workout. Picturing a place, goal weight or even a person (Gisele Bündchen abs, anyone?) while you sweat can help you kick up the intensity and navigate you out of a routine rut. Want to know what other people are thinking about every time they lace up? Read below and then share your mental mojo in the comments below.

@runbangrun: I think about how blessed I am to have a body that supports me despite the way I’ve treated it in the past. #140Wednesdays

@GettingTo120: I try to focus on how my muscles feel. Sometimes my mind strays and I think about ice cream.

@LetsDoThisTrish: I’m doing this for my health and the baby’s. Healthy, Happy Mama=Healthy, Happy Baby. #Pregnant

@cherielianne: About how awesome it’d be to be featured in your mag in a Before and After spread featuring my weight loss journey! #IDidIt

@Tricia25Bev: I think about the summer and all the outfits I would like to fit in and my friends wedding, to fit into that bridesmaids dress!

@SushGarci: To give it all you got. it’s so hard but only one hour of the day! #140Wednesdays

Read more

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Scents to Spice Up Your Workout

February 22, 2012 at 1:18 pm
By Samantha Shelton

We all know music can pump you up for a workout, but what about smells? Even though it’s one of the most important of the five senses, it’s often forgotten, says Michael Papas, Executive Perfumer at Givaudan Fragrances and creator of more than 100 scents. “Fragrance plays a huge role in the way one wants to feel,” he says. “Different smells can motivate, relax or help reboot to put you in a frame of mind that will make you want to do something healthy, like working out.”

If you’re taking exercise outside, try working out without music and focus on taking in the smells around you, like blooming flowers or freshly fallen snow, Papas suggests. If you’re gearing up for some indoor sweat, try setting these scents throughout your office or house to set you up for a day filled with happy sweating.

Yoga

Aroma is a very important aspect of yoga practice, so it’s key to tap into the part of your brain that relaxes you and relieves tension that may have built up from a stressful day, Papas says. Some scents that will having you gliding into downward dog include:

• Lavender
• Ginger
• Vanilla
• Cinnamon
• Sandalwood
• Sage
• Juniper
• Rosemary

Try Glade Expressions Lavender and Juniper for a comforting, tension-relieving effect or Glade’s Cashmere Woods for a more warm and aromatic infusion into your om-session.

Cardio

Fruity, citrus scents help wake you up and give the senses a shot of energy to power up for an intense Spinning class or running workout. For a very invigorating effect, reach for candles, incense sticks or other items with these notes:

• Pineapple
• Mango
• Tangerine
• Grapefruit
• Melon
• Pear

We’re fans of the Glade Expressions Pineapple Mangosteen to put us in a sweat-tastic state of mind.

Strength Training

When it’s time to lift weights, energy-boosting scents are your best bet to get the juices flowing. Try these vibrant notes to give you a fresh experience with scents of power, says Papas:

• Orange
• Lemon
• Lime
• Peppermint

Give Glade’s Peppermint Crush or Lemon Zest a try, or even snack on an orange pre-workout.

More from FITNESS:

 QUIZ: Find Scents to Satisfy Your Soul

Scent-Sational: 8 Fresh, Portable Fragrances

Scents & Sensibility: Fragrances to Match Your Personality

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Conquering the Half-Marathon: Amanda Casgar, Newbie Runner

February 22, 2012 at 10:11 am
By Samantha Shelton

In our March issue, you’ll find four inspiring half-marathon stories from readers who went from couch to 13.1, from jogger to racer and more. For the remaining Wednesdays in February here on The Fit Stop, we’re sharing more personal stories from women who tested our half-marathon training plan.

Written by Brittany Vickers, editorial intern

Amanda Casgar, 32, has attended just about every fitness studio in New York City known to (wo)man: Physique 57, CrossFit, FlyBarre, SoulCycle, even a Trapeze class, just to name a few.  But she’s never been able to convince herself she’s a “runner.”  But before she knew it, Amanda went from being the queen of classes to the girl who flies solo to get her sweat on. After following our beginner half-marathon training plan, she crossed the finish line of the MORE/FITNESS half at 2:47.20 time with a huge smile on her face.

We caught up with the new runner to find out what her biggest obstacles were and how she pushed past her fears to cross the line successfully.

Think Positive
Keeping a positive mindset while you’re pounding the pavement can make all the difference. On her first run, Amanda was consumed with thoughts like, “My knees hurt. My hips hurt. I’m only a mile in?” To counteract all the negativity, she sent an email to her running co-workers to find out what they think about for such long stretches of time.  As a result, she put her brain to work by picturing each body part she was using and how running benefits it.  With this new mental ammo, Amanda hit the treadmill repeating “rock hard core” in her head to make time fly by.

Discover Your Passion
Run for you! Running may not always seem like something you can be enthusiastic about, but it can benefit your true “fit” passions.  Amanda’s new “runner” habits improved her favorite fit activity, yoga. “I have super open hips and loose joints that make me born to practice yoga, but I always needed to tighten up and pull my hips backward,” she says. “Running has helped me get fit in all the right places to bring my practice right into the sweet spot.” Try different activities, like Spinning or bootcamp, to break up all the miles logged and keep you mentally in the game.

Stay Social
Amanda’s biggest obstacle was getting out of her own way and ditching the insecurities. She had never been brave enough to head out on a lone run and doubted she could push herself striding solo.  How’d she get through it? “I mentally prepared for my long runs by sharing my plans with as many people as possible,” she says. “Brunch with family and friends was planned with time to push hard and fit in all those miles beforehand.  I’ve never felt more deserving of that first beer!” Incorporating the people around you in your new fit plans will help you stay motivated, and once you hit a new milestone, celebrate with them!

Accessorize!
Having the right equipment can make a huge difference come race day. Make sure you stock up on the basics: A good pair of personally fitted running shoes, energy foods to snack on while on the road and tools for stretching are all must-haves for the serious runner. “Now that I believe I’m a runner, I’ve started accessorizing like one,” Amanda says.  She is now the proud owner of the “The Stick,” a great tool for rubbing out sore legs. “My IT bands never hurt so good!”

Be Proud
No matter what your finish time, you’ve accomplished something many only dream of! Amanda was worried about her pride getting the best of her, but she was also afraid she wouldn’t be able to finish the entire 13.1 running.  “I got great advice about pacing my run with walking intervals,” she says. “The competitor in me wants to run until I can’t anymore, but I wanted to just finish the race even more.”  Amanda’s racing strategy created possibilities for her she’d never expected, like experiencing the city in a whole new way and finishing faster than she ever thought possible. Set goals for race day, but remember to embrace the experience and soak in all of the positive energy from such a major accomplishment.

Now you tell us: What’s your favorite race and why?

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Mariah Carey Teams Up with the American Heart Association

February 21, 2012 at 5:12 pm
By Colleen Moody

Before you go off and celebrate Fat Tuesday, you might want to read these shocking stats first. According to the American Heart Association someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds, with 1 in 3 women being at risk for heart disease.

That’s why Jenny Craig celebrity brand ambassador Mariah Carey is partnering up with the AHA in its healthy living initiative, My Heart. My Life. They’ve set a goal to reduce Americans’ risk for cardiovascular disease by 20 percent by 2020. To help, Jenny will be launching My Heart. My Life. My Jenny, which will help educate the public on weight-related diseases including cardiovascular issues and stroke. Check out the first PSA with Mariah below and then then get moving! You can sign up for one of 350 AHA walks around the country in 2012, get training plans, heart-healthy tips and more at jennycraig.com.

For more information on My Heart. My Life visit myheartmylife.org.

 

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Exclusive for Fitness Readers: Early Access to Wellness Week!

February 21, 2012 at 11:25 am
By Christie Griffin

We all love a good deal…except when we trampled by the mad rush and miss out on the goodies, right?! That’s why we’re psyched to have secured early access to SpaFinder’s “Wellness Week” deals! (Which means YOU get in, too! Yesss.)

The deets: You have until next Tuesday (2/28) to enjoy early access booking for appointments during SpaFinder’s Wellness Week, which is March 19-25. (Woohoo, something to look forward to!) It’s your chance to look and feel your best with exclusive spa treatments, private training sessions, and more–all at either $50 prices or 50% discounts. Mariel Hemingway, Wellness Week’s spokesperson, is leading the charge to helping women discover how they can take charge of their health without sacrificing their budgets. (Bonus: There are even some free events across the U.S.)

To sign up for your exclusive early booking, visit spafinder.com/fitnessmag.

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4 Expert Tips For Getting Back Into a Healthy Routine

February 21, 2012 at 7:00 am
By fitsugar

Spring is around the corner, which means warmer weather and shedding clothes. But you don’t have to panic if the workout clothes you got for Christmas haven’t exactly been worn out. If you’ve been on a Winter hiatus, start anew with these tips for getting back into a healthy routine.

It’s common sense: The thing about living healthfully is that a lot of it is just common sense, says celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak (he’s responsible for Rihanna’s amazing Grammy body). When you can make a few healthy changes, do it. It doesn’t take much thought to know that moving around more burns more calories than sitting all day, or that you can get your exercise for the day by walking to the store instead of driving.

Every little bit counts: Harley also says that remembering this can also help you make the common sense decision. Instead of thinking of exercise as a huge daunting, boring task, think of your goals in smaller increments. When you walk around, every step or healthy food choice helps you to your goal.

Don’t overdo it: Going all out for it after not exercising for awhile can take its toll on your mind as well as your body. To prevent injury and a discouraged feeling, start small and work your way up slowly when you’re ready. “Take it slowly, bite off sizable aspects of your fitness routine that you can complete, don’t underdo but don’t overdo,” celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson recently told us. “Overdoing it is going to kill it. You can’t overhaul your entire fitness and health regimen in one day.”

Read on for more ways to get back into your workout routine.

More from FitSugar:

4 Ways to Substitute Cooking Fats With Greek Yogurt

5 Ways to Make Your Home a Safe Haven From Colds and Flu

7 Health Benefits of Having Sex

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Music Monday: An Upbeat Treadmill-Ready Mix

February 20, 2012 at 10:37 am
By Karla Walsh

When our playlists are feeling a bit stale, we turn to Deekron, also known as The Fitness DJ, to help us switch things up. He’s been a friend of FITNESS for years, but word is getting out—he was recently nominated for a Shorty Award (which honors the best in social media) and his recent Treadmill Coach workout album climbed to #3 on the iTunes charts in the Fitness and Workout category!

We challenged Deekron to put together a fun, 30-minute playlist of uptempo songs from different genres. And he delivered! His ”Run Around” mix, which he created exclusively for FITNESS readers, would be the ideal soundtrack for your next run, gym trip or dance session.

• “Sun Is Up,” Inna
• “Off to the Races,” Lana Del Rey
• “I Remember,” The Roots
• “Work Out,” J Cole
• “Paradise,” Coldplay
• “Concrete Wall (RAC Remix),” Zee Avi
• “Heartbeat,” The Fray
• “Run Right Back,” The Black Keys
• “Bullethead,” Van Halen

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

More from FITNESS:

• Olympic Runner Kara Goucher’s Workout Playlist
• You Do Have Time to Work Out!
• Sweat Like a Celebrity: Trainer Gunnar Peterson’s Playlist

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Fit Links: Tricks to Cure Cravings and Ace Race Day Photos

February 17, 2012 at 2:43 pm
By Karla Walsh

This week’s fit links from around the web:

• Out of control cravings? Here’s how one woman discovers when she’s actually hungry and when it’s better to just say no. — Best Body Fitness
• Speaking of cravings, if you feel like your stomach is always grumbling, here are 50 tasty and nutritious options that will satisfy you for hours. — iVillage
• If you’re spending hours each day in the gym, your body needs a breather. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing! — Fit Bottomed Girls
• Whether it’s a 5K or a marathon, documenting your running event is a great way to remember your achievements, but it can be challenging. Check out these six tips to take great photos during a race. — Meals and Miles
• These unique gyms will make fitting in a workout feel like a treat. A cooldown in the lazy river? Yes, please! — Greatist
• Chocolate doesn’t have to be off limits. Try one of these healthy indulges for a sweet treat this weekend. — Chocolate-Covered Katie

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