Posts by Bev Sklar at That's Fit

The Scale - Friend Or Foe to an Overweight Teen?

Posted: Nov 22nd 2008 2:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Diet and Weight Loss, Healthy Kids

I weigh myself three to four times a week. No matter what, I step on the scale for a reality check. If I'm up a pound, I drink more water, make sure I don't skip the workout, reach for more fruits 'n veggies. Unfortunately I also have a habit of celebrating that pound down, too. Regardless, regular self-weighing keeps me honest and aware of any fluctuations.

A new study indicates overweight teens might want to consider regularly stepping on the scale instead of waiting around for their annual school physical. Of 130 overweight teens in the study, 43 percent were frequent friends of the scale, while 57 percent self-weighed infrequently. Frequent self-weighers had a lower average weight and were more likely to have shed 10 pounds in the past two years. The study also suggests they ate fewer calories and less junk.

While there's fear a focus on the scale could put teens at risk for eating disorders or other unhealthy behaviors to control weight, this was not an issue in this study. Staring down at those numbers several times a week helps me, but I wish I were as loyal to a daily food diary. That has been the most effective tool I've ever used to keep my caloric intake in check.

Nike Start - New Running Shoe For Tenderfoots

Posted: Nov 21st 2008 4:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Fitness, Healthy Products

If your New Year's resolution involves running, keep an eye out for the Nike Start, a new running shoe targeted for beginners available in February 2009.

Check out the Runner's World video for a sneak peek overview of the Start's unique features. Namely:

Nike applied their flywire technology to the Start, adding a kevlar band connecting laces to the midsole for good outside support.
A dedicated panel connects the laces to the arch, keeping the arch secure.
The stylish Women's Start is more flexible and the heel is articulated to aid a woman's stride. I love the subtle pink colors.
Don't worry guys, there will be a Men's Start for you, too.

A That's Fit congratulations if you plan on training for your very first 5 or 10K next year. The Nike Start ($88.00) could land you squarely in stride toward your 2009 fitness goals.

Get In Shape With Bald Tires

Posted: Nov 21st 2008 1:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Fitness

If you're like me and Discovery Channel gives you goosebumps and you snap to attention whenever the phrase 'adventure of historic proportions' is spoken, John Huston's story is for you.

The 32-year-old Huston is training hard in Chicago to become one of the first Americans to ski unsupported to Santa's pad, The North Pole. His secret training weapon? Forty-five pound SUV tires. Like a sled dog, Huston clips tires to his waist harness and drags 'em along the lakefront grass or sandy beaches. He adds or takes away rubber depending on whether he's targeting strength or endurance. That old set of bald tires is good for your health.

This March, Huston and friend, Tyler Fish, 35, will embark from northern Canada and head to the North Pole, hauling all their supplies along the way. No food drops, no taxi rides, just nature and a giant sheet of ice. Beyond the adventure, the duo will partake in scientific experiments and participate in a study of extreme human performance. Hope Discovery is filming.

Greener Neighborhoods, Thinner Kids

Posted: Nov 20th 2008 10:00AM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Healthy Kids

Plant a tree against obesity. How about that for a tagline? According to a newly published study at the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, there's some truth in it.

A new study of more than 3,800 inner-city children revealed higher neighborhood "greenness" was associated (not causal, here) with slower increases in body mass index (BMI) over time -- regardless of age, race or sex. Study participants aged 3 to 18 years lived in the same residence for more than 24 consecutive months.

Maybe shady streets invite kids out to play. Maybe that green park around the corner instead of the trash-littered empty lot makes all the difference. One thing I do know is it's extremely difficult to lose weight once you've put it on. Overweight or obese children are at risk for a lifetime of obesity and all of its associated health problems. Maybe neighborhood green space is more important to your child's health than that extra half bath.

Biggest Loser Families - Back In Time to the 1980s

Posted: Nov 20th 2008 7:30AM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: FitTV

The Biggest Losers Families went back 20-plus years this week, outfitting slimmer contestants in '80s fitness gear with all the scary trimmings -- big hair, leg warmers, boom boxes. I graduated from high school in 1985, so I recall spending hours leg-lifting with Jane Fonda in P.E. class. A hater of headbands, leg warmers and ankle-high, white leather aerobics shoes, I did adore Flashdance, Footloose and slapping on my new Sony Walkman orange headphones to jog along with Let's Hear It For The Boy. Kevin Bacon, hot. Patrick Swayze, hotter. Have any '80s fitness memories? Send 'em our way in a comment. Back to the show.

All Quiet On The Blue Front -- Of course Vicky's livid her beloved Brady was voted off by swing-vote Amy. In retaliation, a mean-spirited silent treatment ensued. It was fun to witness Vicky eat crow, but she didn't lose enough weight on that diet and was nearly voted off. Trainer Bob tried to dually break the ice and shore up Amy in her quest for the title. The way Amy consistently loses poundage, she's got a real chance.

You Heard It Here - I Predict The Winner Will Be - While many might disagree with Amy's decision not to vote Vicky off at the end of this week's weigh-in, I think it was a smart move. Vicky can't shed weight fast, top-loser Amy will have another crack at her. While Coleen's demise was painful for viewers, her departure sets Amy up for the title if challenge stars align right. Watch out for wild card Ed, he's losing big.

Continue reading Biggest Loser Families - Back In Time to the 1980s

Yoga Men - Are You There?

Posted: Nov 19th 2008 6:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Emotional Health, Fitness, Men's Health

Most Mondays you'll find me in Bodyflow class (a Tai Chi/Pilates/Yoga combo) with a bunch of ... women. In all the weeks I've been attending, never a guy. All the testosterone sits below in the free weight room. I have one question for fitness guys everywhere -- why aren't you there? My husband can't be the only one in town willing to commit to a Triangle Pose.

According to this article in Yoga Journal, 77 percent of U.S. yoga practitioners are female. Seems the number should be higher based on my personal observation over the years, coupled with the fact that only one in 10 Yoga Journal subscribers is a dude. The author offers a few reasons why men and yoga don't date in this country, here are three I found interesting:

Yoga is simply foreign territory -- It takes a brave man to enter that room full of calm women, likely led by a woman or if the instructor is a man, not likely the towel-snapping-let's-go-for-a-beer-after-the-game type of guy's guy.
Yoga hurts -- Scientists don't know why, but men are less flexible, with boys losing flexibility faster than girls by adolescence. Weight-training tends to take priority over flexibility-training in male sports programs.
It's a brain thing -- namely, mirror neurons. These brain cells receive signals from another person and trigger similar reactions in the observer. Mirror neurons are firing when you're watching and imitating a yoga instructor. It's unknown if women have more of these cells or they're simply more active, but women definitely mimic better than men. Guys, don't lose hope. Your mirror neurons will improve if you keep returning to the yoga mat.

OK, guys. Have you tried yoga? Will you try yoga? Let us know in the poll below. The world needs more than a few good Yoga Men.

Gallery: Body by yoga

One-Third Agree Smaller Packaging Could Shrink Your Waist

Posted: Nov 19th 2008 11:00AM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, Diet and Weight Loss

Picked up your peanut butter jar lately? Chances are it has a big indent on the bottom -- all part of the shrinking food packaging strategy manufacturers have been using to keep prices steady.

Could the Recession Diet deliver a 32" waist? Last week I asked That's Fit readers "Will shrinking food packaging shrink your waist?" Here's the lowdown on responses:

Interestingly 33.3 percent (19 votes) said Yes, I can't afford to buy more. This surprised me. Are people really eating less?
28 percent (16 votes) said, No, I'll just buy more.
Nearly 32 percent (18 votes) said, No, I won't buy more, but I'll reach for calories elsewhere. I incorrectly hypothesized this answer would garner the greatest response.
7 percent voted Other. Wonder what they're thinking?

During the height of the gas crunch, I carefully combined errands, stayed away from longer trips (when possible) and definitely drove less overall. Whether it's shrinking food packages or higher food costs, maybe there really is a reduced-calorie element to this recession.

Holiday Home Gym Shopping - Be Smart

Posted: Nov 18th 2008 3:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Fitness, Healthy Products

Your dad taught you how to buy a car. You had a couple 'How To Buy Your Dream Home' books on your nightstand when it was time to purchase your first piece of property. But when it comes to home gyms, most of us head into the treadmill store total amateurs.

If you're hoping the tree will be trimmed with a new piece of cardio and some weights this Christmas, pass along these don't-miss-home-gym-buying-tips to your Santa in disguise:

Research machines and space -- Treadmill Doctor has reliable feedback on cardio equipment and the American Council on Exercise offers home gym points to ponder.
Check Craiglist, eBay, even local classifieds for house sales -- dusty treadmill steals are out there.
Test drive before buying -- bring your gym clothes along while shopping. Give it a true work out, then you'll know if you really like it.
Cardio equipment is like a piano -- be prepared to pay for delivery if you're buying used, as that behemoth probably won't fit in that gas-guzzling SUV you've been trying to sell in this nightmare economy.

May your home gym dreams come true this holiday season.

Winter Cyclists Microwave Their Gloves and More

Posted: Nov 18th 2008 11:00AM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Fitness, Healthy Products

The clouds are thick and gray, frost covers the morning grass and flurries are whipping about -- winter cycling season is here (at least in Chicago).

From the right snot rag to sandwich bags over your feet, here are a few tips to keep you warm, safe and cycling all winter long:

Don't be one of those gross people who holds one nostril and blows a wad of goo out the other, while riding, of course. Keep a paper towel folded up your sleeve and de-snot at the red lights. Better yet, try the high-tech Snot Spot shown in the gallery below.
Layer wicking clothes on your torso and legs. No cotton allowed. Wet, cold cotton kills. Don't wear it.
Cover that noggin' with a balaclava, but make sure you find one that doesn't muffle your hearing. You need all five senses on alert to cycle safely.
Lobster gloves (two fingers and a thumb) over a silk glove keep you warm, or any glove/mitten combo. For wet gloves, one Bicycling Magazine reader suggests you toss 'em into a convenient store microwave for 30 seconds. This is a selfish move -- just think of the construction worker behind you unknowingly walking out with a microwaved-double cheeseburger a la sweaty glove.

Gallery: Winter Cycling Gear

Thanksgiving Casseroles - Dare You

Posted: Nov 17th 2008 6:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, Diet and Weight Loss

Fitness fans are constantly trying to do an end run around that calorie-laden Thanksgiving dinner, whether it's a 1,000 calorie workout turkey day morning or careful starvation three days following the food feast. I know I purchase way too much sour cream, butter and shredded cheese for our treasured family casserole recipes.

How about facing Thanksgiving's cardiac casserole defensive line with an offensive move right up the middle? This Thanksgiving, I dare you to replace one of your fat-filled casseroles with a healthy vegetable. Just one. Here are three ideas from the gourmet Martha Stewart:

Skip the sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top for Apple, Leek and Butternut Squash Gratin.
Bypass the green bean casserole with fried onions for Green Beans with Golden Raisins (pictured from wholeliving.com).
Swap the creamy mashed potatoes and serve a bowl of colorful roasted vegetables instead.

Since I've laid down this dare, I'm now making roasted butternut squash instead of sweet potato casserole with mini-marshallows, and I'll definitely be working out hard Thanksgiving morning.

Rowbike - Cool or Weird?

Posted: Nov 17th 2008 4:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Fitness, Healthy Products

Imagine rowing off into the sunset on two wheels. You can do it with the Rowbike. This cool/weird contraption was invented by a guy named Scott Olson, more famous for sticking rollerskate wheels on his hockey boots in 1979 to spark the rollerblade craze. In the mid-1990s, Olsen came up with Act II -- the Rowbike.

This recumbent rower on wheels is not like riding a bike. According to Outside magazine's Lab Rat's Nick Heil, it's a good workout if you can survive the weird stares. Rising above the odd-factor, rowbiking delivers a killer ab workout and burns more calories than jogging, without the joint stress. Rowbike's popular 720 Sport (pictured) sells for $1,190. If you can't ride a bike, no excuses -- try the 4-Wheel Crewzer ($1,999).

Check out the Lab Rat's 2:00 video on the rowbike, and learn more about the product here. About 6,000 have been sold over the years, but I've never seen one. What do you think -- cool, weird or both?

81-Year-Old Knocks Off 21st Consecutive Marathon

Posted: Nov 16th 2008 2:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Fitness, Healthy Aging

You're never too old to start a fitness program. That's one lesson learned from Joy Johnson, an 81-year-old Californian who recently finished her 21st consecutive NYC Marathon in slightly over six hours. What shocks me is Johnson started a fitness program after retiring at the age of 56.

Her retirement walking program metamorphosed into jogging, running a 10K, then racing marathons -- all 50 of them. Johnson loves the energy running imparts. She can also eat whatever she wants, sleeps like a baby at night and confounded researchers at Stanford once with surprisingly good results on a bone density test. They thought the machine had busted.

If you've always been on the sidelines of fitness and your 40th birthday is a distant memory, it's not too late to start an exercise program. Preventive fitness programs are popular. In this article, USA Today highlights the benefits of senior fitness -- not only is the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program exploding nationwide, certifications for senior personal trainers are in demand, and one 2008 study found senior fitness lowered long-term health care costs.

Mommy Abs - Rescue Exercises After Baby

Posted: Nov 15th 2008 2:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Fitness, Women's Health

Abdominal crunches may be one of the worst choices for mommys looking to get their pre-mommy body back. The reason: Diastasis recti -- a separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy, which affects two-thirds of moms. Two out of three moms? I had no idea.

Doing sit-ups with separated abs makes your intestines bulge up, says one pelvic floor expert over at Julie's Health Club. Two exercises to consider are traditional kegels and "tucking in" methods engaging the transversus abdominis (TVA) and oblique muscles. To tuck in, lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on floor. Pull in your belly button toward your spine, making your stomach cave in. It's a great place to hangout, I always feel skinnier in this position. Relax and breathe while holding the tuck for a minute or two. Do two sets of 10.

Be-FitMom also offers a thorough description of the condition and the Bounce Back Fast! Post Natal Core Conditioning DVD can help you get rid of that pooch.

Will Shrinking Packaging Shrink Your Waist?

Posted: Nov 14th 2008 5:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, Diet and Weight Loss

Ice cream half-gallons are no longer, candy bars are dropping ounces, and so are bags of chips and peanut butter jars -- just a few victims of the subtle, but undeniably shrinking package designs being passed onto the consumer by food manufacturers. Even toilet paper width is in jeopardy. That's a clear foul -- no one should ever mess with toilet paper.

Food companies are facing higher prices to make that peanut butter, and one way to keep the price of Skippy steady is to raise its price per ounce via a bigger indent on the bottom of the jar.

OK, here a That's Fit question for you. If an eight-ounce Hershey's chocolate bar is now six-and-a-half ounces and that half-gallon of moose tracks ice cream has slimmed to 48 ounces, could our waistlines shrink, too? Call it the Food Manufacturing Diet, the I Can't Afford Another Jar Diet, the Recession Diet, whatever, but do give us your thoughts in the poll below:

Philly Cheesesteak Falls Prey to Menu-Label Law

Posted: Nov 14th 2008 1:00PM by Bev Sklar
Filed under: Food and Nutrition, Diet and Weight Loss

Hide your eyes Philly, you're about to find out that cheesesteak with onions really does have 800 calories. Starting this January, The Great Cheesesteak Metropolis is instituting a new law requiring big chain restaurants to list calories, fat, sodium and carbs on menus.

Lemondrop's Erin Donnelly wrote a great post on the story, which includes the resulting backlash. Here's what the naysayers have to say, plus my yaysay response:

PA's Restaurant Association wants a veto from the Mayor because labeling is too expensive -- new chains will run away from Philly. Waa, waa, waa, I don't buy it. Restaurants can afford the ink and paper to list calories. They're regularly printing updated menus anyway to feature that new Avocado Biggie Burger to fuel your seasonal shopping.
Eating disorder activists say people suffering from the condition can be triggered by calorie counts. While I do feel bad for this population, there are too many others knocking on the door of obesity. Harvard Dining Services is in the middle of this argument right now, read here and here.
Some claim menu-labeling is a wasted effort, incapable of stopping you from ordering that double bacon cheeseburger with curly fries. I disagree. They say education starts in the home, and Home Sweet Home America is serving fast food. Fighting obesity will require a multi-pronged effort --nutrition education through restaurants bolsters one spoke in the wheel.

There's real promise this nation can change its eating habits like it stopped smoking. I just hope we don't have to wait until the young children of today start seeing heart disease in their 20s and 30s. Any menu-labeling naysayers or yaysayers out there?

Next Page >

That's Fit Features

RESOURCES

Daily Fit Tip

Barbell, dumbbell. Dumbell, barbell. What's the difference, really?...

Featured Galleries

Upside Down Training with Anthony Field and Fitz

Marion Jones speaks out after her release from prison

That's Fit bloggers (30 days)

#	Blogger	Posts	Cmts
1	Jacki Donaldson	94	0
2	Martha Edwards	89	0
3	Maggie Vink	78	6
4	Kristen Seymour	56	0
5	Bev Sklar	46	0
6	Bethany Sanders	36	3
7	Fitz K.	28	0
8	Karla Carrington	7	0
9	AOL Health Editors	3	0
10	Kristi Anderson	1	0
11	Jonny Bowden	1	0
12	Karen Walrond	1	0

Aches, pains? Find out what your symptoms mean:

Symptom Checker

Sites We Love

FitSugar

	Japanese Whaling Season About to Begin and Austrailia Fights Back The Rare Socorro Dove May Soon Return to the Wild China starts to clean up the melamine mess--for real
Obamas Choose Sidwell Friends for Malia and Sasha Hot Wheels Have Heart Viagra Helps Toddler Survive	Coming to you live from Virgin America flight VX8001 at 30,398 feet! The most fun I have ever had waiting for a flight! Finland is building the world's longest cruise liner
	GM not sending any bailout money to Brazilian operation VIDEO: Supercars make charity toy run in L.A. Luxe Redux: Renault gives Clio RS the premium touch...again

That's Fit