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Five Solutions for Serious Sweating

August 30, 2011 at 10:22 am
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Written by Theresa K. Brady, editorial intern

Don't forget to stay hydrated and wear layers you can peel of as you warm up. (Photo by Susan Pittard)

The last few days of summer are rapidly approaching, and we’re all trying to get in as many warm-weather workouts as possible. But with the rare day of scorching temperatures still popping up, outdoor exercisers can experience dehydration and excessive sweating. We spoke with experts from the International Hyperhydrosis Society to find out how to keep cool, stay dry and recognize when sweating becomes serious.

  • Hydration is key. “Drinking water helps cool the body off,” says Kelley Redbord, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Vienna, Virginia and associate professor at George Washington University. If your body isn’t hydrated it won’t produce sweat, which could lead to heat stroke, says David M. Pariser, MD, founding member and secretary of the International Hyperhidrosis Society and professor of dermatology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. Body temperature is regulated during hot weather by sweat evaporating off your skin.
  • Apply antiperspirant at night. Both Redboard and Pariser recommend using an antiperspirant (which decrease sweating, while deodorants decrease odor-causing bacteria) in the evening because your skin will, most likely, be drier. “In the morning you’re body is moving and making heat, causing your body to sweat,” says Pariser. Wet skin makes antiperspirants less effective.
  • Look for clinical strength. These antiperspirants have higher amounts of the active ingredient aluminum salt that makes them more effective than standard ones, says Pariser. They are sold over-the-counter at most local drugstores. Redboard recommends Secret Clinical Strength for women and Gilette Clinical Strength for men.
  • Apply it anywhere. Antiperspirants are not reserved for under your arms. You can apply them anywhere you find you perspire like your hands, knees, feet, back or chest. Just be aware that these areas might be more sensitive than your underarms so choose an unscented product, advises Redboard.
  • Excessive sweating may require treatment. If you find perspiration affecting your daily life, you may have a condition called hyperhydrosis. It sounds serious, but this just means you sweat more than necessary, and the condition is testable and treatable, Redboard and Pariser say. Symptoms include excessive sweating while resting, physical discomfort and sweaty palms making writing or shaking hands difficult. Consult with your doctor or dermatologist if you think you may suffer from hyperhydrosis.

You can also visit sweathelp.org to learn more about what you can do to keep your sweating under control.

More from FITNESS: Did you know that a women’s pro soccer player can sweat about three liters per match? Find more perspiration facts (and fixes) in “Don’t Sweat It.”

Skip the Salt: Healthy Alternatives to Please Your Taste Buds

August 22, 2011 at 3:56 pm
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Stick to just a pinch of salt and reap the health benefits. (Photo courtesy of Peter Ardito)

I love to cook, and thanks to my Italian mother I often use measurements like “five healthy shakes” instead of exact amounts. So when making dinner for a friend that’s on a low sodium diet this weekend, (my “five healthy shakes” would probably max out her sodium intake for the next year) I came to a realization — salt is everywhere, especially in my kitchen!

It’s no secret that a majority of Americans crave all things salty. In fact, this ABC News article reports that companies like Campbell’s are adding more salt to their Harvest Select soups after consumers complained they were too bland. With health experts telling us to avoid excess salt, and companies adding more into processed foods, what’s a girl to do?

I tested out some salt substitutes to see if I could live without my beloved salt shaker. Below, some of the things I tried and how my taste buds fared.

  • Lemon juice: I used this on almost everything I would normally salt, like pasta, chicken, and veggies. Not only did I find a new condiment I’m obsessed with, I didn’t miss my usual salty taste one bit.
  • Vinegar: A quick lesson learned, a little bit of this goes a long, long way. Add to potato salads, regular leafy salads, and raw veggies.
  • Spices: Another tasty substitute, I swapped out garlic salt for rosemary and oregano when making homemade tomato sauce. Not only did the sauce taste basically the same, I finally put my spice rack to good use!

Now tell us: What do you use to substitute salt when you cook?

Planned Parenthood’s Dancing Birth Control

August 10, 2011 at 1:26 pm
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Anything that's free (especially co-pays!) makes us want to dance a little bit too. (Photo courtesy of Blaine Moats)

Now that we’ve got your attention, let us explain. As you may have heard, The Department of Health and Human Services has ruled that as of August 12, 2012 new guidelines under the Affordable Care Act will require health insurance plans to cover women’s preventative services. This includes annual trips to your gynecologist, domestic violence screenings and counseling, and FDA-approved contraception methods that you would get a prescription for. The bottom line? No more co-pays for your birth control!

Clearly, this is something to get excited about  for those who have been paying high co-pays for years or aren’t on the pill because they can’t afford to pay one at all. Planned Parenthood launched this attention-grabbing video to celebrate the new ruling. Check it out below and go to healthcare.gov for more information on the Affordable Care Act.

Now tell us: What’s your reaction to this video? Harmless fun or is it a little too much?

More from FITNESS: The Facts About Birth Control

Fashionable Livesavers: Hope Paige Medical Alert ID Bracelets

August 2, 2011 at 4:37 pm
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We're too busy admiring the beads to notice this is a medical bracelet! (Photo courtesy of Hope Paige Designs)

Written by Danielle Paquette, Editorial Intern

Don’t sacrifice chic to stay safe. Medical professionals recommend that anyone who suffers from a range of conditions—from asthma and diabetes, to drug, food and insect allergies—wear ID bracelets in case  she requires emergency medical care and cannot explain her needs. Until recently, these ID bands were only available in clunky and boring styles. To remedy this, Shelly Hope Fisher designed cute medical alert bracelets for Hope Paige Designs, which Crystal Bowsersox rocked on American Idol, to please fashionistas at any age.

Fisher put a fresh twist on the classic medical ID bands to boost confidence among wearers. “People don’t want to feel defined by their ailment,” she said. “These bracelets let you express yourself while staying safe.”

Go to hopepaige.com to customize your own band or stop by your local grocery store, pharmacy or doctor’s office to pick up one of these stylish and functional bracelets.

More from FITNESS: This bracelet reminds us that it’s important to be prepared for any situation that arises. So after you get your ID, check out these tips to build an emergency survival kit.

Would You Let Your 10-Year-Old Be a Bodybuilder?

July 19, 2011 at 4:49 pm
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It's OK, we didn't know we had this many ab muscles either. (Photo courtesy of WorkOutKid.com)

Meet C.J. Senters. Pretty buff, right? He’s also pretty young—10 years old to be exact.

I stumbled across Senters after one of the editors here at FITNESS sent this article over on the next child fitness prodigy. Senters started working out five years ago after his football coach told the team to go home over the weekend and get some exercise (youthful ears really do listen well!). He started with some push-ups and crunches and just kept going. He’s tried P90X, and has even started making his own routines, teaching kids at a gym near his home.

Senters isn’t the only one starting early on his physique. This Today Show segment talks about the increase in the amount of young boys, from 6 to 13 years old, strength training and getting involved in bodybuilding competitions.

With the rise in childhood obesity it’s nice to see the other side of the spectrum, with kids taking their health and fitness into their own hands (both cases here started with the child’s interest, not from the provoking of parents). But now child psychologists say such an obsession with fitness at a young age could also be problematic, even leading to an Adonis Complex and obsessing over their bodies.

So tell us: What do you think about kids bodybuilding and getting super fit? Is it healthy, or way too much too soon?

Fast Food Chains Giving Kids Healthy Options

July 18, 2011 at 3:02 pm
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Now you can go to the drive-thru without a guilty conscience. (Photo courtesy of Peter Ardito)

I remember being a little girl counting down the days to Friday, when my dad would pick me up to stay with him for the weekend. Yes, it was great spending time with Dad, but the real excitement came from getting the chance to hit the Wendy’s drive-thru for dinner, something Mom would never allow (with good reason).

Sure, the occasional splurge is fine (yes Michelle Obama, you are allowed to have Shake Shack once in awhile), but with the increasing rate of childhood obesity, it’s clear that some serious action needs to be taken with menu options.

That’s why it’s great to see that 19 fast food chains, including Burger King, Friendly’s, and more, are taking a proactive approach, pledging to offer more healthy options for kids’ meals.

According to this article, Burger King will swap fries and a soda in its kids’ meals with milk and sliced apples, with other chains are taking a similar approach as part of the Kids LiveWell campaign.  Any restaurant that participates in the campaign must offer one kids’ meal under 600 calories, no soft drinks, and at least two items that are either a fruit, vegetable, whole grain, lean protein, or low-fat dairy.

One small step for the food industry, but hopefully a big step towards lowering the childhood obesity rates. Besides, if there’s a toy involved, do you think they’ll notice that their fries have been swapped for an apple?

Now tell us: What else should we be doing to help lower childhood obesity?

The Most Stressed Out Women in the World (Literally!)

July 13, 2011 at 2:15 pm
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Is it 5 p.m. yet?

Before I even read this CNN article, I thought I knew the answer (it’s me, but of course!). Apparently not, according to a study released by the Nielsen Company. It turns out that women in India are the most stressed out in the world. That’s quite a claim.

The study, done by Women of Tomorrow, followed 6,500 women across 21 different nations from February through April 2011. An overwhelming 87 percent of Indian women said they felt stressed most of the time, with 82 percent claiming they had no time to relax.

So it turns out that I’m not as stressed as I thought I was, and the same might be true for you. The United States ranked #11 out of the study, with 53 percent feeling constantly stressed.  Coming in to the runner up spots were Mexico (74 percent) and Russia (69 percent).

Both Sweden and Malaysia tied for the least stressed countries at 44 percent. Not surprising, white sandy beaches and Swedish meatballs leave me with a smile on my face too!

Tell us: Does this study surprise you?

Scary Stat: Eating Out Boosts Obesity

July 8, 2011 at 1:20 pm
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Can you believe 16 years ago no state in the U.S. had an obesity rate over 20 percent? According to this report from Trust for America’s Health, now all but one does. So why do we keep getting bigger? Obesity experts say the link could be tied to how much you eat out.

According to this article, the U.S. Department of Agriculture claims a third of the calories Americans eat come from restaurants, almost double what it was 30 years ago. The study showed that more than half of adults eat out three times or more a week, with 12 percent eating out seven times a week – that’s every day! Plus, with the added strain of financial woes, it’s not surprising to see that more people are eating cheaper, which means a rise in fast-food consumption.

This isn’t to say you should never eat out, but you should definitely be wary of what you’re eating when you go. A plate of salmon might seem healthy on the menu, but when you don’t know how much olive oil, butter, and other fatty ingredients it’s being cooked in counting calories starts to get a little tricky. Another tip? Keep in mind portion control. I was shocked to find out that a bagel 20 years ago was only three inches in diameter with 140 calories and today, are six inches with 350 calories. Just because you get a larger portion, doesn’t mean you have to eat the whole thing if you’re full.

Tell us: How many times do you eat out a week?

Nexcare’s Give Program Aims to Inspire Blood Donors

June 14, 2011 at 10:10 am
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(Photo courtesy of Nexcare)

Heal in style! (Photo courtesy of Nexcare)

Did you know that fewer than 10 percent of those who are eligible to donate blood actually do so on a yearly basis? And during the summer months, many blood centers experiences shortages, as people go on vacation or are distracted by fun activities like spending time poolside! So there’s no better time than the present to help save three lives with your one donation.

Need some extra motivation? Check out these fast facts about giving blood, from the American Red Cross:

  • A car accident victim may need up to 100 pints of blood
  • Every two seconds, another American will need blood
  • One person can donate whole blood six times each year

World Blood Donor Day, which is honored today, celebrates donors and aims to inspire others to give as well. The bandage company Nexcare is getting involved this year by teaming up with the American Red Cross for their third annual give program. Throughout this week, America’s Blood Centers and the Red Cross will hand out stylin’ give bandages (see above).

Nexcare has also launched a Facebook page to help potential donors find their nearest place to give blood. Another neat feature? You can share why you donate and sign a pledge to do so again. Then tell your friends to support your pledge—the company will make a charitable donation in the name of the top five vote-getters!

Now tell us: Are you a blood donor? If so, what motivates you to do so?

Fit Links: Electronics Overload and Meatless Meals

June 10, 2011 at 3:47 pm
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Photo by Peter Tak

The scale: Love it or hate it? (Photo by Peter Tak)

This week’s fit links from around the web:

Now tell us: Would you be willing to shell out a few extra dollars for a more nutritious restaurant meal?

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