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Fittingly Mad: Skinny Dressing Room Mirrors

FitSugar — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:04:00 -0700

I don't know too many people who enjoy trying on clothes in dressing rooms. Not only is it annoying that sizing varies so much from store to store, but the ginormous mirror and bright lights are utterly unforgiving. You can end up spending more time criticizing your imperfections than checking out the clothes! Store designers must know the emotional pain we endure in those tiny rooms, and that's why they designed skinny mirrors.

You know the ones I'm talking about, where you try on that skintight pair of jeans and your booty never looked so good. You think, "Wow, those squats are really working." Then when you get home and try them on again, they just don't look the same. Somehow your tiny bum has expanded in the 20 minutes it took to drive home.

I'm sure stores think we owe them a huge thank you for making our dressing room experiences more pleasant, but ultimately it's a huge disappointment. I don't need some stupid mirror making me look thinner than I really am. What do you think about them? Are you psyched with what you see, or do you think this deception is just a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money?

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Fittingly Mad: Dudes Who Drop Weights

FitSugar — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0700

We've heard that it doesn't pay to be macho when lifting weights. So why do so many people — sorry to say, it's primarily men — insist on slamming down their weights? More often than not, my gym workouts are rattled by the clanging of weight plates or the sound of someone dropping a giant barbell onto the floor. There are signs posted that specifically say "don't drop weights," since it's both rude and disruptive. Sometimes it hurts my ears so much I think I'd be better off wearing earplugs.

What really gets me is that these offenders are not only making a ruckus, they're also probably not getting the most out of their lifting. Though you should push your muscles to the point of fatigue when lifting, it's important to stop if you start to lose form. If you don't have the strength to lower the weights down gently, that's not a good sign — though I suspect that some folks do it just for dramatic effect.

The gym is a shared space, so I've considered saying something to the patrons who slam down weights. But I always chicken out. Do you think I'm overreacting or does this get under your skin, too? Have you ever said anything to anyone about it?

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Fittingly Mad: Dog Poo and Hiking Don't Mix

FitSugar — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0700

I planned a two hour family hike last weekend and everything was going well, until my little daughter stepped in dog poo. I was so thoroughly disgusted. Not by the smell, but by the irresponsible hikers that walked the trail before us. Not to be gross, but the doggy deposit was definitely fresh. As we were hiking up the mountain, I tried not to glare at every hiker we passed with a pooch.

I have no problem with dogs on the trail. We take Bonnie the dog with us all the time. I also carry a couple of bags in case she goes on the trail. I do, however, have a problem with a dog owner not picking up his or her dog's business especially when it is in the middle of the path. It's rude and disrespectful to the mountain and to the fellow hikers to not clean up a mess your pet leaves behind. I think it is a lot like littering (although it does eventually decompose, but like trash it doesn't belong on the trail). Do you have issues with this too? If you do, share them in the comments section below.

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Fittingly Mad: Unlimited Indoor Tanning Free With Gym Membership?

FitSugar — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

There's a gym near me that has tootsie rolls by the front door, and that's not all the goodies they offer. In the lobby they have a bunch of stand-up tanning beds, and one of the memberships perks is unlimited use. WTF? To me, this is the equivalent of going on a 2-hour hike, getting to the top of the mountain and lighting up a cigarette. Doesn't it strike you as an oxymoron? You join our gym to help you stay fit and live a long, healthy life, but step into this tanning booth to dramatically increase your chances for developing skin cancer. It's idiotic and it aggravates me. I guess people are responsible enough to make their own decisions, but I'm just so surprised that tanning beds are still in existence, and just mortified that they're in a place like a gym. What do you think about this?

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Fittingly Mad: Vanity Sizing on Workout Clothes

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0700

I hate trying on clothes, and the fact that sizes are all over the map doesn't help matters. Some brands run big while others run small, which means I have to take a pile of items into the dressing room. But I got really riled up while shopping for workout clothes this weekend, when I discovered what's apparently a new trend: vanity sizing on workout clothes.

I've ranted before about vanity sizing, the practice of making clothes larger but sizing them smaller, so people can wear smaller sizes and feel better about themselves. I'm normally a solid medium, but when I was shopping this weekend, I tried on several mediums that were enormous on me. I guess the clothing manufacturers want me to be happy about buying a small, but they're not fooling me with their flattery. (Also, what would a really small person wear?!)

But what really annoys me is that vanity sizing on workout clothes is totally counterproductive. To find out why,

Fittingly Mad: Must You Honk While I Run?

FitSugar — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I love to run outside. The warm breeze, wide open spaces, and gorgeous scenery are all really inspirational. I feel so much more alive and energetic running outside than I do inside on a treadmill. I'm sure you can relate. I also love running outdoors because it's more challenging with the wind resistance, hills, and obstacles you have to jump over. The last thing I need is for someone to be watching me, honking, screaming obscene comments out the window, and waving rude gestures! Am I wearing a shirt that says, "Beep if You Like Running," or "Bother Me," or "Degrade Me"? Not only is it immature, but it's so annoying. I run outside to get fresh air and some peaceful alone time, and the hooting and hollering just about ruins it for me.

Most of the time I just ignore the oglers, but part of me wants to flip them the bird. Lately I've been changing up my running routine so that I'm on less busy roads, but it upsets me that I have to avoid certain places just because of the few people that have to act like idiots.

I'm sure you've experienced this, so how do you deal with people honking while you're running outside?

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Fittingly Mad: Snotty Tissues on Gym Equipment

FitSugar — Sat, 10 May 2008 02:30:00 -0700

Spring is the time for allergies and I've seen so many people suffering. I'm feeling crappy too so I definitely feel for people, but I have to say I'm losing a little bit of my sympathy. While at the gym the past few weeks, I've been noticing men and women sneezing, blowing their noses, and then stuffing their snotty tissues into the cup holder on the machines. I even saw a guy blow his nose into his own towel and drape it over the handle of the treadmill. It's so thoroughly disgusting and inconsiderate. I don't understand why it doesn't occur to people that even though they're not sick, they can still pass germs and bacteria on to fellow gym goers through their snotty business. Is it so hard to stuff their used tissue into their pocket or in their shirt or waistband? Or how about this idea — they could get up and throw it away. What a concept?

Am I the only one out there witnessing this phenomenon? Let me know in the comments section below.

Fittingly Mad: Tootsie Rolls at My Gym!

FitSugar — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

So I just checked out a new gym in my area and saw something that really annoyed me. A bucket of Tootsie Rolls on the counter by the front door. I'm trying to do my body good by exercising, and they're tempting me with chewy chocolaty candy? What gives? I talked to one of the trainers who worked there, and she said that the gym's philosophy is unique in that they support overall health, rather than obsessions about being thin and toned. They strive for a comfortable, supportive, and friendly environment, where no one is judged, and everyone feels happy. The Tootsie Rolls, right by the exit, act as a little reward for working out and taking care of yourself. They also have free bagels one morning each month, and free pizza one night each month.

So I love their philosophy about supporting overall health and rewarding people for working out, but Tootsie Rolls? Bagels? Pizza? These aren't exactly screaming health food. Straight up candy just isn't good for your teeth or your blood sugar levels (not exactly how you want to replace depleted glycogen levels), and contains absolutely nothing nutritious. I'm not trying to be a Sally Sourpuss here, but I can think of so many other healthy ways they could reward their gym-goers. How about bags of nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, cheese sticks, or whole grain crackers? Or free passes to the gym? OK, so those aren't as fun as candy, but they'll sure make you feel better than a handful of Tootsie Rolls (you know you can't eat just one).

Fittingly Mad: Sick People at the Gym

FitSugar — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:00:00 -0800

I go to the gym because it keeps me healthy. It strengthens my muscles, my heart, and my immune system. So I don't appreciate it when flu-infested Francine shows up and starts huffing and puffing on the treadmill next to me. I know that some people believe that exercising can help get rid of a cold faster, but there's a time and a place.

There usually isn't a whole lot of ventilation in the gym, and I don't need to be breathing in the germs you're trying to get rid of. I also don't want to touch anything you touched, and no — wiping the equipment down with your sweaty towel doesn't quite cut it. I especially don't appreciate you stuffing your used tissues in the drink holder (I seriously saw this the other day).

So do everyone a favor — if you're sick, stay away from the gym. If you're up for exercising, do a fitness DVD, some weight lifting at home, or go for a bike ride or jog outside. Then you can come back to the gym when you're germ-free.

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Fittingly Mad: Share the Mountain

FitSugar — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 02:30:00 -0800

I have written here before urging and maybe complaining about the need for both cyclists and drivers to share the road, since I have been on both sides of the situation. Now, I must tell you I feel the same way about the slopes – you've got to share the mountain, people. On busy weekends, snowy mountainsides are filled with skiers and boarders of all levels. It can feel crowded and scary. Both newbies and experienced skiers/riders need to be aware of each other. Seems simple, right?

I know that people who spend all their Winters going downhill fast (I mean that in a good way) feel really in control of their motions. But skiing quickly and closely to a downed newbie adds another layer of fear to the green skier who has lost a ski or a boarder giving his or her bum a break. So be mindful and use those skills to steer clear of those learning to love downhill sports.

On the other hand, if you are new to skiing or boarding, pay attention. Your job as a newbie is to get down the mountain in one piece, but that also involves being aware of your surroundings. Ski or board defensively. I do hope that experienced mountain folk will be on the lookout for you too.

Hopefully, we will have a long ski season so everyone will get his or her fair share of powder days — "getting some fresh-y," as I like to say.

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Fittingly Mad: thinkThin bars

FitSugar — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:30:00 -0800

I recently came across these thinkThin bars in the grocery store and was fuming about them. Think thin? I'm sorry. I didn't get the memo that being thin is the only important thing to think about in life. As if we aren't inundated enough from magazines, TV, and celebrities that thinness equals beauty. Now I have to get that message from my food?

These bars are low in carbs (only 2g) and have 20g of protein. I guess they're on the whole Atkins bandwagon, promoting foods that are low carb/high protein. Is this supposed to be a magical bar that you can eat and it will instantly melt away fat and make you thin. Oh please!

On the website, it says that thinkThin was developed as an "inner beauty food" designed for those who "think" about what they eat. Interesting philosophy. Maybe they should have been called thinkBeauty bars instead. What do you guys think about these bars?

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Fittingly Mad: Direct Marketing by American Spirit Cigarettes

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Personal mail is scarce these days (read: all my friends and family only communicate via e-mail), except during the holidays. So many cards come from afar; it warms the cockles of my holiday heart. I reached for my mail the other day — a card sized crisp white envelope was on top. Excited to see who had sent this holiday card, I flipped the envelope over and there was my name printed in a suspicious mass generated way. Upon opening the envelope, more than my cockles were warm. I was mad, and fittingly mad at that. I had been marketed to directly by American Spirit. Yep the organic cigarette maker was playing advertising hardball.

My first thought was this has to be illegal, but why would they waste their time and money if it were. The envelope was stamped with the same warnings found on cigarette packages. Still, how did they get my name and address. When I subscribe to a magazine, I add a fake middle initial to my subscription name. The fake middle initial is the first letter of the magazine title so I can track which publication sells my name, but there was no middle initial on the envelope.

This is not the first time I have been bothered by a cigarette ad. They are everywhere and always annoying. I was shocked to receive an offer for coupons for cigarettes through the mail. I find the idea of coupons for discounted smokes kind of funny, too. Isn’t the supposed allure of smoking that it is cool? Coupons must be the antithesis of cool.

Don’t even get me started on the whole “organic cigarette” thing. A cigarette is a cigarette, and organic tobacco is just as bad for you as the commercially grown stuff.

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Fittingly Mad: Decadent Food Commercials

FitSugar — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

I don't watch a ton of TV, but there are definitely a few choice shows that I hate to miss. The Biggest Loser, of course, is top on my list, but I'm also a fan of The Office. After dinner, when the kids are in bed, it's nice to relax on the couch but there's one problem.

What is the deal with the obnoxiously decadent, food commercials? Pizza, ice cream, hamburgers, all you can eat this, and stuff your face with that! I know it's stupid to get upset about this, but what are they trying to do to us? Well, I know what they're trying to do. They want to tempt us into eating more food (and hopefully theirs). It's just so annoying because I'm trying to be so good and not eat late at night after dinner, but then videos of melted, cheesy goodness flash before my eyes. It's gotten to the point where I change the channel to avoid seeing these kinds of commercials.

What do you think about this? Do these food commercials bother you too, or what? Tell me in the comment section below.

Fittingly Mad: "We Don't Have Room For Your Sneakers."

FitSugar — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Over Thanksgiving I made the trip out to Philadelphia to see family. My husband convinced me that it was going to be way too cold to work out while we were there, so after much discussion and hesitation, I ditched my sneakers. Keep in mind that I bring my sneakers almost everywhere, but I let my hubby win this battle. He reminded me that since we were staying at a relative's house, it was not like I would have the option to hit up the hotel gym. I did bring some workout clothes so I could do stretches in my room, but left the sneakers at home thinking that he was right and there was no way I was going to brave the below-zero temperatures to run for one day.

Thanksgiving day comes along and I go outside for some fresh air and it is 70 degrees outside! I almost died. I would have absolutely loved to take a jog outside, especially since all the leaves were this gorgeous shade of yellow. What's even worse? Turns out that my relatives had just purchased a brand new elliptical machine for their home that I would have loved to try out. Me, I am sneakerless — awesome.

I was really very mad at my husband for being so against me bringing my sneakers and I was bummed at myself for not going with my gut. Next time, even if my husband kicks and screams about the valuable space they are taking up, my sneakers are coming along. Even if it is predicted to be freezing cold, you never know what is going to happen.

To me, being able to fit in a workout when I can is worth having to take only one scarf rather than two. Guess what is on my Christmas list from my hubby? Well Reebok Travel Trainers, of course!

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Fittingly Mad: Pedestrians Get No Respect

FitSugar — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

I live in a state where pedestrians legally have the right-of-way, meaning cars are supposed to yield to people getting around on foot. Let me tell you though, this does not always happen.

Today, while crossing the street on a green light I was almost run over by a man driving a Jaguar. I am not sure why he couldn't wait for all the pedestrians to cross the street and then make his right turn. I guess waiting 20 seconds for the foot traffic to safely pass might make him too late. Chances are high though, as he motors about, he is going to reach his destination before all us pedestrians.

Walking is a great form of exercise. Walking is a great way to decrease our carbon footprint. Walking is a double win here: good for the health of people and the planet. And come on, walking is a necessity, especially in an urban environment, and that is why it should feel safe. Safe walking paths, and biking trails while we are at it, need to factored into community development plans and urban planning. Drivers need to pay attention to foot traffic too. Just like it is nice to give a stranger a compliment, if you're driving let the pedestrian go first. Give 'em a little wave-on-through motion and smile. If you are on foot or bike walk and ride defensively. You have to assume that cars don't see you, but if they happen to give you the right-of-way acknowledge it! Give that driver a nod, a wave, or a smile. Maybe with a little positive encouragement that driver will keep on sharing the road.

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Fittingly Mad: No Nutrition Labels on Grandma's Apple Pie

FitSugar — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Thanksgiving is an awesome time, so don't think I'm being a Debbie Downer here. Sitting down to that enormous dinner on Thursday night just got me thinking about family meals and how hard it is to know what you're eating. Who knows how many calories are in a slice of grandma's famous apple pie, or how much saturated fat is in the scoop of ice cream on top? Too bad we can't just turn the plate around and see the nutritional info.

If you're a label reader like me, it could drive you crazy not knowing what ingredients are in the food you're eating, or what the calorie, carb, or sugar content is. Since most people aren't as health-conscious as I am, they don't necessarily care that they're serving crackers loaded with trans fat, or that they could have used non-fat plain yogurt in their potato leek soup instead of heavy cream.

So you're going to have to use common sense and your best judgment when you sit down to eat home-cooked meals. I'm not saying you to skip out on any part (especially that amazing apple pie), but remember these three easy tips, and you should be good to go.

To see the tips

Fittingly Mad: The 10-Minute Workout

FitSugar — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Every week I have a stack of fitness DVDs on my desk waiting to be tested. More than half of them have "10 minutes" or "five minutes" written boldly on the cover, implying that this is the length of the workout. Since I've done many fitness DVDs in my time, I know that while the DVD claims "10 minutes to a toner you," that is simply not the case.

We think, "10 minutes? Well shoot, I've got 10 minutes to get in a workout." However, once you pop in the video, you find that there are actually several 10 minute portions to the workout that could add up to more than an hour. Sure you don't have to do them all, but I have a hard time putting in a DVD and simply doing the 10 minute warm-up and feeling good about my workout. I've even seen one minute workout videos — one minute! What is not made clear is that the video is actually made up of 127 one-minute segments, which is over two hours! Here we were thinking we were going to be done in one minute!

Sure, a few minutes is definitely better than nothing. However, I am mad that these companies are trying to draw us in with claims of getting in an entire workout in just 10, eight, six, five minutes, or even one. Why can't they just be forthright? I want to know what I am getting myself into and I don't appreciate bold misleading claims. Be wary of DVDs with such claims. I am not saying you won't get in a good workout, just don't expect it to be in 10 minutes or less.

On a side note, did anyone ever seen There's Something About Mary? Every time I see a video that promises results in 10 minutes or less, I think about the hitchhiker.

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Fittingly Mad: Don’t Drip on Me

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0800

The other day, I was waiting my turn for counter help at a fabric store (getting some detailing for Halloween costumes). I was behind an older gentleman, and I had to stand there and watch his nose drip directly onto the counter. And not just once, mind you. I was a little stunned he just let it drip out and onto a public surface. He made no attempt to wipe his nose. He pulled out no tissues. I am teaching my little girls these hygiene habits, and I thought a man 20 years my senior would have these healthy habits down.

The woman behind the counter did not offer him a tissue either; but when he walked away, she did produce a spray bottle and wiped the counter down. We were both annoyed by the drips, but why did it get to this place anyway. If you have a cold accompanied by a drippy nose you should carry some tissues so you can wipe your nose on a regular basis. Of course, after wiping or blowing your nose you should wash your hands, but most importantly don’t drip on me!

I would love to see tissues on every counter. Until then I will be keeping them in my own pocket! Along with some hand sanitizer, since I know I am a serious germaphobe, but I find it pays to stay vigilant to stay healthy!

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Fittingly Mad: "You Lost Weight—You Look So Good."

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I have a friend from high school who was always on the heavier side. She wasn't extremely overweight, but she wasn't a skinny-minny either. For the past year, she's been working really hard, eating healthier, and getting in shape, and she's lost a lot of weight.

Last weekend we went to a mutual high school friend's engagement party, and when we got there, all I could hear was, "Oh you lost weight—you look so good." Of course, it made her feel ecstatic to have all those compliments and attention, but it really pissed me off.

Want to know why? Then

Fittingly Mad: Are Serving Sizes Correct?

FitSugar — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 02:30:00 -0700

If you've been reading FitSugar, then you know by know that I am an avid serving size watcher. What do I mean by this? Well I always check the nutritional label on foods, and the first thing I look at is the serving size.

Recently, I've been noticing a discrepancy between what the label says and what I measure out myself. No, I am not that anal but when you're cooking you tend to notice these types of things. For example, last night I was measuring out canned chickpeas for a recipe I was making and the can said serving size one cup, but it also said that there were 3.5 servings per can. All I needed was one cup; however, I noticed that there was absolutely no way that there was 2.5 cups left in that can. I measured it out, and the remains hardly filled one cup! I was pretty blown away. I would have gone and measured everything in my pantry, but my husband felt that was taking it a bit too far.

Granted I know that chickpeas are no reason for great alarm since they are not high in calories or fat, but ever since my chickpea incident I've been thinking about how nutritional labels are so sneaky. This is just another reason for me to not trust the information I am getting (and relying on) from them. Keeping track of and watching what you put in your body is hard enough as it is, I don't need to now find out that I've been calculating all wrong because I am not getting the right info.

Oh, and don't even get me started on the fact that an item can have zero trans fats on the label when in reality it does have trans fats. Does anyone else agree that someone (or some organization) needs to take a good look at this nutritional labeling situation?

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Fittingly Mad: Super Bugs Are Super Scary

FitSugar — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 02:30:00 -0700

A super bug with a super long name is getting a lot of press lately. Necessary press too, I think. I am not talking about a six legged creature that crawls on your skin. No, I am talking about a strain of staph bacteria that are incredibly resistant to antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (that is the super long name), but referred to as MRSA, has caused more deaths each year in the US than AIDS.

MRSA was believed to be prevalent only in hospitals and nursing homes, but after a high school football player recently contracted the deadly strain of bacteria, investigations have found it at day care centers, gyms, and lockers rooms. The major culprit behind the spread of the MRSA is hygiene! The bacteria are easily thwarted by hand washing and proper hygiene. Although this strain of staph does not respond to penicillin or related antibiotics (it can be treated with other drugs), when on the surface of the skin or in the nose it is fairly harmless. It is when the bacteria enters the blood stream through an open wound that the infection can become deadly.

Since MRSA is actually fairly common, high school athletes are being told to wash their uniforms regularly, not to share uniforms and to shower. These measures should help prevent the bacteria spreading from athlete to athlete.

Over 85% of MRSA infections occur in medical settings, and hand washing standards will need to be increased to help keep the bacteria contained. I still think that 15% of the infections coming from outside medical facilities is way too high. I also think that 19,000 annual deaths are way too many. Hopefully, some new antibiotics will be coming our way soon to deal with these ever evolving super bugs!

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Fittingly Mad: Camel Ads in GLAMOUR?!

FitSugar — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 02:30:00 -0700

In case there were still a few souls left on the planet who haven't yet heard that smoking cigarettes causes lung cancer and other serious health risks, Glamour magazine is reaching out to them with Camel cigarette ads. Yup. I found one in the November issue. WTF?!

I wanted to give Glamour the benefit of the doubt, so I perused through previous issues. I was pissed to find another Camel ad in the September issue and an ad for Pall Mall cigarettes in the July issue! I thought maybe it was a fashion mag thing, because I found them in Nylon too, but I didn't find any in Cosmo or Allure.

I know these mags gets oodles of money for ads, but they should really get their message straight. On one page they're encouraging you to treat depression with exercise, and then a couple of pages later, they're saying to light up a ciggie.

I'm so glad that cigarette ads are banned from TV, and I'm looking forward to the day when they are ditched altogether. At least mags are required to plaster the Surgeon General's warning that says, "Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health." Duh. I wish it would say something more like, "Smoking kills, so don't start."

What do you guys think about cigarette ads? Have you seen many of them? Do they tick you off or do you think people are smart enough to know the dangers of smoking, so the ads don't matter?

Fittingly Mad: A Band-Aid in the Shower at the Gym

FitSugar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 02:30:00 -0700

One reason I picked the gym I go to is because I felt it was clean. Cleanliness, when it comes to the gym, especially in the locker room, is pretty important to me. Well, I think that I may have been duped by my gym. Here's why:

At the gym I use the same shower each time because it has the best water pressure, weird that I know that, but I do. In the past month or so I have noticed that there is a used band-aid wedged into the corner of the shower and it's always there.

Two things about this annoy me. First of all, who doesn't have the common courtesy to throw their used band-aid out rather than sticking it in the cracks of the shower? Who does that? Second of all, why has my gym not removed the band-aid yet? I feel bad because I've been tracking it, rather than being the bigger person and actually doing something about it myself. I know I could pick it up on my own, but I am so grossed out by it that I don't think I could physically do it without throwing up. Here's the thing - I'm going to tell someone at some point, but I was just waiting to see how long it would go. Plus, I am thinking about using it as evidence for when I call them out on not cleaning the locker rooms thoroughly.

All I ask is a clean place to clean myself, is that too much? People (aka, me) pay good money to use that gym and a clean shower is something that I think we can all expect.

So I'm torn, but most of all, I am annoyed. What would you guys do about the gross band-aid that's been in the gym shower for at least a month? Pick it up? Tell someone? Take time lapsed pictures? Quit the gym? Please help!

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Fittingly Mad: The Myth of Work/Life Balance

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I have a full time job. I have two young daughters. I have a husband who I actually enjoy hanging out with, not that I see him much one-on-one. I have hobbies — well, "hobbies" might be a slight exaggeration. There are many activities I enjoy: running, pushing my girls on the swing at the park, baking cakes and pies, studying Spanish, learning how to dance salsa, learning how to sew...but I am finding it increasingly difficult to find the time to fulfill all my obligations and do the things I want to do. I just can't seem to find the elusive balance between life and work.

Magazine covers are filled with the promise that I can have it all: career, family and "me" time. I can be sexy, successful and maternal all with the blink of an eye, or the flip of a glossy page. For me though, there is no equilibrium, and I feel like I am falling short on all fronts. I always think the problem, the chronic feelings of dissatisfaction and failure, is me. The reason I feel unbalanced is that I haven't tried hard enough to figure it all out.

After trying to find balance for years, I have decided to give up the chase. First off, this idea of perfect balance is a myth. There really is no "balance," although there may be tipping points — but I digress. There really are too many things to do than there are hours in the day. I can make lists and strategize and then beat myself up for not meeting my expectations, but that really seems the opposite of balance.

In all honesty, I have been wasting time searching for the mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. There is no gold and there is no perfect balance between life and work. All the details of my life ebb and flow, I am going to try and ride the waves of activity that run through my life. I am going to give up the eternal search for balance. Yep, I am going to take stock in what I have and what is going on. It is a 360 degree perspective, not a this-or-that.

Am I the only one out here that feels this? I'd love to hear about your battle with the life / work balance. Tell me all about it in the comments section below.

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Fittingly Mad: The Gym is NOT a Bar

FitSugar — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I'm annoyed. No, I'm pissed actually. I go to the gym to workout. I go during my lunch break, and I don't have a ton of time to dilly dally or lolly gag. When I go to the gym, I mean business, so excuse me if I don't have time to chit chat.

Well it's not that I don't want to make conversation or be social, I just cannot stand guys that try to pick girls up at the gym. I have been a "victim" a few times, and I have to say I'm slightly flattered, but mostly ticked off. Some guys are just such idiots. They see a woman in spandex, and they immediately think the woman wants to go on a date. News flash sweaty guys at the gym -- not all women want to be picked up. I may be wearing a sports bra, but last time I checked it didn't say "Please hit on me."

It actually makes me not that psyched to go to the gym, which is not cool at all. Exercising is such a huge part of my life. I need it for so many reasons, and I shouldn't be discouraged from going because of a few obnoxious guys. I don't want to seem like a b*tch when all I really want to do is workout and get out of there. Can any of you ladies relate?

There is something that makes me feel a little better. To find out what it is

Do You Enjoy the "Fittingly Mad" Feature?

FitSugar — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Today, instead of doing my usual rant appropriately called Fittingly Mad, which is full of musings about things I find silly in the fitness and health world, I thought I'd try a poll on it instead. The feature is not meant to be mean, but a funny way to allow us all to joke around about pet peeves that most of us share surrounding health and fitness. Being that I've gotten some negative feedback, I thought it would be a good idea to get your opinion on this weekend feature since I want to keep the site focus on motivation and fun, but certainly not offensive.So check out all the past Fittingly Mad posts and let me know what you think!Source

Do You Enjoy the "Fittingly Mad" Feature?

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Other -- Tell us Below

Fittingly Mad: Sore Losers

FitSugar — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

She has been railed on by the sports media. They have called her "classless" and "graceless," "sullen" and "sulking." Yep, I am talking about one of my fave tennis stars, Serena Williams and her sorry press conference after losing her quarterfinal match at the US Open.

If you have played competitive sports, or even a wicked game of backgammon, and lost (which inevitably happens if you play games), then you know it is hard to lose. You give it your all, you play the best you can and some days it just isn't enough. Losing with grace, though, is still part of the game. Serena even told reporters:

I really don't feel like talking about it [the match]. It's like I don't want to get fined. That's the only reason I came [to the press conference]. I can't afford to pay the fines because I keep losing.

Not really a stellar postmortem on the match, would you say? Serena lost the match to Justine Henin who just so happens to be ranked #1 in women's tennis right now. So when you lose, and lose to the best, you just need to admit you played your best and your opponent unfortunately played even better. Fans forgive losses quickly, but bad attitudes linger. We love players that show their emotions and get fired up on the court or field, but bad sportsmanship just has a bad aftertaste.

It doesn't matter if you win or lose. It is how you played the game...and how you act afterward!

Source

Fittingly Mad: Leg Magic???

FitSugar — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Right before I go to bed, I like to check out the news. When I was flipping channels last night, I saw yet another (of the many) stupid fitness infomercials. This one was called Leg Magic.

If you sit through this absurd commercial, at the end you'll hear someone say, "I have no time for exercise. I have time for the leg magic." Did I hear right? How can working your butt for 5 short minutes replace heart-pumping real exercise that keeps you healthy and strong?

This reminds me of the Ab Lounge and the Thigh Master - all of these pieces of fitness equipment just work to isolate certain muscle groups. I'm sure if you use them daily, you will strengthen those muscles, but these commercials claim to reshape your body completely, and help you lose tons of weight, in just minutes a day.

It's a total scam! These companies prey on people who don't realize that you need to do cardio in order to burn calories and lose weight. If you are 30 pounds overweight, and you tone your ab muscles, guess what? You'll have a toned middle under a huge tire of fat.

Check out this funny spoof video. This teenage girl is totally making fun of the Leg Magic. It made me laugh out loud. To see it

Fittingly Mad: Stomping on the Treadmill, Come on Now.

FitSugar — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Look, I know everyone has their own technique for running. From barefoot running to chi running to eco-running, I'm supportive of trying out different styles. What am I not supportive of? Stomping running.

It seems as if every day when I am at the gym there is a stomper present. Stompers seem to have the same technique as if Bigfoot were on the treadmill next to you. I'm sure you've seen and heard this person before. They run with a lead foot, and every step makes you turn around to make sure the roof isn't caving in somewhere. In fact the stomping is so loud that you can't even pay attention to The Hills rerun that you were psyched to see on at the gym.

Yup, I'm talking to you Mr. Stomper. Yes, maybe that is just, "how you run," but man, you should really work on your form. Not only are you disturbing everyone else around you, but I can't even begin to imagine the damage you're doing to your lower back, knees and ankles. Ever heard of being light on your feet? Maybe you should think about applying this to your runs. Seriously, if you drag your feet anymore, you're probably going to trip and fall. Or here's an idea, how about slowing the pace down so you can actually keep up? No one is measuring your manhood by how fast your treadmill belt is going, I promise.

Oh, and the burping while running, that has got to stop too. That's just nasty.

Source

Fittingly Mad: BodyLift Weight Reducing Cream

FitSugar — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

There really is no magic pill or no miracle cream for weight loss. Yet, products in this fairy tale genre continue to be produced and marketed, and women (maybe men too?) who are desperate to meet the crazy cellulite-fat-free-ideal buy them.

For instance, BodyLift Weight Reducing Cream made by University Medical (love how that name of the manufacturer sounds so official as if the product has been tested and researched at a university, then tested at medical facilities). This cream supposedly "Controls your appetite and increases your metabolism, while firming and flattening your flesh." All that for only $10.99 - quite a deal.

Hopefully, that sounds as preposterous to you as it does to me. If you are tempted, I am here to say products like this DO NOT work. To lose weight you need to burn more calories than you are consuming. To firm up you need to exercise using a nice mix of cardio and strength training. Needless to say there are two consumer reviews of this cream (meaning at least two anonymous shoppers bought this cream) telling the truth - that this weight reducing cream did nothing for them. Interestingly enough, these two negative reviews are followed by a review that sounds bogus, as if it was written by the honest (can you hear the sarcasm?) folks at University Medical themselves!

Don't be fooled ladies! There is no magic pill. There is no magic cream! If you have tried a product like this, you're not alone. Even Bella tried some cellulite cream, that didn't work.

Looking to lose weight? Check out these diet tips. Need motivation to exercise? Maybe these words will move you.

Fittingly Mad: Bikers NOT Following the Rules

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I was driving to the post office the other day and a bunch of bikers (riding bicycles - not motorcycles) were totally ditching every road rule in the book. They were riding on the left side of the road and cutting in front of cars. I don't care so much that they weren't using their arm signals when turning, but they weren't even checking for cars before hanging a right. Don't even get me started on how they were running red lights and busting through stop signs... I also saw them go from riding all over the road, to racing through the sidewalk, almost knocking over this poor woman and her two kids.

This makes me so mad because riders like them are giving us responsible and road-worthy bikers a bad reputation. Not to mention it's completely unsafe and a great way to get yourself hit by a car.

If you're a biker and you're going to share the road, you've got to follow the rules -- It's that simple. Just because you're on a bicycle doesn't mean you don't have to follow the rules of the road, in fact you should be more vigilant.

Let's do what we can to keep everyone sharing the road safe because the safer we all feel, the more people that will get out and ride their bikes. The more bikes, the less cars, and less cars means less pollution in the air for us and future generations.

Source

Fittingly Mad: Must You Bring your iPhone to the Gym?

FitSugar — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:30:00 -0700

So after seeing the results of the poll on whether or not you talk on the phone while exercising, I got a little fired up. Here's why...

I was at the gym the day following the poll and I was particularly sensitive to anyone talking on the phone, so you can imagine my disgust when not one, but three people were flashing their cell phones around the gym. They weren't just any cell phone users mind you, but only the most annoying of all phone users right now... They were iPhone users. I'm thinking, "Not only are you being rude by talking on the phone while others are just trying to workout in peace, but now I've got to deal with you flashing your phone around."

One guy, and I'm not kidding here, was talking on his iPhone while on a stationary recumbent bike. Guess what his entire 17 minute conversation was about? He talked about how he was at the gym on his iPhone and how cool it was and blah, blah, blah. I know this, because I was on the bike right next to him, fuming at his every word.

I'm happy for everyone that got an iPhone, I really am. In fact, I think they're pretty cool but they're not iGyms or iExercise or even iWorkout, which in my book means they're not meant for the gym and iThink you should leave it in your iLocker so iDon't throw it out the iWindow.

iThank you for listening!

Fittingly Mad: Diet Coke Plus?

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Tons, and I mean tons, of people drink Diet Coke. The zero calories concept seems to sway a lot of people, I guess, but I prefer not to rot my teeth - it is the chemicals not the sugar that etch away at the enamel of your teeth.

It seems a little like a scam to me, people drinking this cola and thinking it is good for them since it contains no calories but I call it “chemical water.” Now Coca Cola has created - Diet Coke Plus.

Plus what, you may ask? They mix 15% of your Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for niacin, B6, B12, and 10% of your daily zinc and magnesium into every 8 oz serving of artificial sugar.

I should be happy, right, that Diet Coke is somehow trying to encourage its faithful drinkers to be a little healthier, but I am not buying it (literally too!). This is just another way for them to make money since vitamin water is so popular. And people are going to fall for it. They'll forget all about the artificial sugar and the caffeine, and think "Hmmm, that's neat. Now I can get my Diet Coke and my vitamins and minerals. Yay!"

Too bad drinking sodas regularly, like Diet Coke, are connected to low bone density mass. That means drinking soda 5 times a week can put you at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease that approximately 55% of Americans are at risk of developing.

I have an idea. How about we ditch the soda and drink water instead. If you're eating a healthy diet full of lots of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains, then I'm sure you're getting more than enough vitamins and minerals. You don't need help from Diet Coke Plus to get you there - it's doing more harm than good.

Source

Fittingly Mad: Why Is It So Expensive to Be So Healthy?

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Ever since I read about the recent talks on adding a fat tax to unhealthy foods in London, I can't get my mind off the fact that I already feel like there is a health tax on healthy foods (or anything health related really).

If I were to go to the grocery store and buy processed, prepackaged unhealthy foods, my bill would be significantly lower than if I were to buy fresh, organic healthy foods. This nation is apparently in such a health crisis with obesity and disease skyrocketing, you'd think that there would be some effort to make it less expensive to be healthy.

From my gym membership, to my pomegranate juice, to my probiotics, to my fresh (and wild) Alaskan salmon, my checking account definitely pays for it (no pun intended). For example, I recently converted my husband from Wheat Thins to Kashi Thins, which are about 2 dollars more a box at my local store. I always cringe when people call Whole Foods, whole paycheck, but it's true. What's more? It's nearly impossible to get coupons for healthy foods too! I never see them in the paper and I almost feel like it is frowned upon to try and use coupons at a health food store.

I understand there is way more that goes behind it than the price tags I am seeing, but something needs to be done. Being healthy should not be so taxing on our finances, it really shouldn't. Am I alone here?

Fittingly Mad: Cool Whip Free

FitSugar — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 02:30:00 -0700

It was a hot day and I found myself grocery shopping. When I am with my girls, even when they are behaving themselves, I employ the "get in, get out" strategy: Take a grocery list, shop the perimeter, placate with a bagel when necessary, pay for the food and get out of the store. It was a hot day, so the three of us lingered, a little too long, in the frozen food section. We needed waffles, and I noticed some Cool Whip Free. Imagining I could use it to concoct some kind of healthy, low fat frozen dessert, I tossed some into my shopping cart.

When I got home and read the ingredients, I had to ask the question "Cool Whip Free? Free of what?" Cool Whip Free may be low in carbs and low in calories, but it is not free of a few things I try to avoid. The top four ingredients are: water, corn syrup, hydrogenated vegetable (coconut and palm kernel oils), and high fructose corn syrup.

The first ingredient is water. Fine. I have no problem with water. It only makes sense that a "lite" dessert topping would be made from something with no calories, but let us not forget that water really has no flavor. It is the next three ingredients added to the water that make me shudder. I love the fact that regular corn syrup is not enough to sweeten this dessert topping, that high fructose corn syrup was needed as well.

My favorite touch, however, is the asterisks Kraft added to the right of the ingredient "partially hydrogenated oil." The asterisk leads me to a little informational gem of a footnote that reads, "Adds a negligible amount of fat." Thanks, Kraft I feel so much better about the fact that you can use partially hydrogenated oil, keep the amount per serving to below 0.5 gram, and still claim your product is trans fat free.

Needless to say, once I read the ingredients of Cool Whip Free, I made myself free of it. I tossed it without even opening it. That night, for dessert we had fresh berries for dessert. Just berries, free of any high fructose corn syrup and trans fats. They were delicious!!!!

Fittingly Mad: Serving Sizes are TOO Small

FitSugar — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Alright so I know portion sizes at restaurants have gotten out of control, but what about serving sizes on packages? Is it me or are companies totally duping us into thinking their products aren't so bad for us, when really their tiny serving sizes aren't even close to what a person would actually eat.

Take Vitamin Water for example. When I first looked at the label I thought, "50 calories - that's not so bad." When I took a closer look, I realized that that little bottle of flavored water actually contains 2.5 servings. That means that it really has 125 calories per bottle. How very sneaky because everyone knows I'm going to down that entire bottle in less than 5 minutes.

OK, well 125 calories - that's not so bad, but what about the Alternative Baking Company? I took a peak at their cookie's nutritional info and felt a little guilty eating a cookie with 250 calories and 10g of fat. Then I felt mortified and slightly betrayed when I realized that there were actually 2 servings per cookie! How could I ever eat just half the cookie? The other half would be calling my name and I wouldn't be able to resist. These cookies were tasty but definitely NOT worth 500 calories a pop. I'd rather have 1/2 a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia for that many calories!

I also love those blue corn chips from Garden of Eatin'. They are so tasty and they better be, since there are 7g of fat per serving. Guess how many chips equals 1 serving? Yup, just 7 chips. What's that? Each chip has 1g of fat? Now that's just wrong!

My point is that I wish companies would come up with real serving sizes that people would actually sit down and eat. Don't try to trick me into thinking your food is healthy for me. Just give it to me straight up!

Source

Fittingly Mad: Towels at the Gym

FitSugar — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Let me ask you a question: Do the complimentary towels at your gym feel more like a joke than a luxury? When signing up for a membership they always say, "Oh and we offer complimentary towel service for all our members," as if this club was the first to offer such a valuable commodity.

Why then, are they so dang hard? I understand that gyms need to practice good hygiene and use bleach, which can severely damage the fibers in the towels, but can't they figure out a system to make them just a little tiny bit softer? I am paying a pretty penny for this gym membership and all its amenities (i.e. free towels) and it would be nice if I could actually use them for once.

Why also, I ask you, must they only be large enough to cover about one square inch of my body? Unfortunately I am not one of those ladies who can walk around the locker room totally butt-naked. If you're one of those ladies, more power to you -- But me, I like to cover myself up. Problem is that covering myself up means taking three or four of those little towels and strategically placing them all over my body so it looks like I am gearing up for a toga party.

All I am asking for is a complimentary towel that I actually can use, because for once I would love to stop bringing my own towels, ones that don't feel like sandpaper and look like something my one year old niece would use, from home. If that is not going to happen can I get that $10 a month (that I am assuming is tacked on to the monthly charge) credited back to my account if I promise not to use a towel?

Thanks.

Fittingly Mad: We ALL Need to Share the Road

FitSugar — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I lived without a car for years. I biked to work. I biked to parties. I biked to the grocery store. I biked everywhere. After almost getting door-ed (when the person in the driver’s seat of a parked car opens his/her door just as a biker is coming to pass) repeatedly I became a very defensive biker.

The best way to protect myself was to be super aware of my surrounding as I rode the busy city streets. I used my voice a lot, even screamed so drivers would notice me. I took bike routes whenever possible and avoided traffic heavy streets whenever possible, which I found relatively easy to do. I thought the public service announcements that read “Start Seeing Bicycles” were great and I still love them. Drivers need to deal with the fact that cyclist are around and share the road, use their turn signals, hang up their phones, pay attention to the road and look for bikers before opening their car doors. I definitely got a little hot under the helmet when cars didn’t give me the right of way at four way stops…hello driver you will get to wherever you are going faster than I will reach my destination since I am just pedaling and you are merely pressing the gas pedal.

Now, I own a car but live in a bike friendly town, with lot of “Bicycle Boulevards.” Streets full of pretty purple signs guide cyclists through the town on different routes. These signs are cheerful reminders for drivers to share the road. The streets are painted with an image of a biker (wearing a helmet of course) just to remind those in cars to share the road. These dedicated streets are plentiful. Yet, I still see cyclists on streets with heavy traffic, biking at night, in dark clothes with no light, on a street without a bike lane, when a street with a bike lane, a more quiet street is one block away. I want to yell at them SAFETY is one block away!!! Wear a helmet? Where’s your light?

My driver self knows I need to share the road, and stay calm and keep my crazy mother voice to myself. But the cyclist in me wants these bikers to share the road too, to bike defensively, to use the roads dedicated for biking. I think cars and bikes can get along. We all just need to stay aware of one another. We all need to share the road.

Fittingly Mad: Trash on the Trail

FitSugar — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

The other day I went for a hike with my girls on a gorgeous sunny day. Everything was green, the birds were singing, and we even got to see a woodpecker. That's not all we saw though. One of my girls said, "Mommy, what's that?" Eww, there was trash on the trail. What is up with that?

On our 2 hour hike we saw energy bar wrappers, empty water bottles, dirty tissues, cigarette butts, a Diet Coke can, and we even saw a sock. This made me so angry, to see people just trashing the trail like it was a garbage dump.

I happened to have a plastic bag in my lumbar pack that held our snacks. So we spent our entire hike picking up after people who were too lazy and inconsiderate to hold onto their litter and dispose of it properly!

Come on people. It's bad enough that we trash our streets and highways, but just because there's no trash can on the trail, (and nobody around to remind you) doesn't give you the right to ditch your junk wherever you please.

I'm sure you've all seen this before too. It just gives me this awful feeling inside to go to a beautiful place and see garbage. It's disrespectful, knowing these preserved places are slowly dwindling away. We really need to work hard at preserving what little natural areas we have left, and cleaning up after ourselves really isn't asking too much.

When it comes to litter bugs, what do you think?

Source

Fittingly Mad: MultiGrain vs. Restaurant Style Tostitos

FitSugar — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I made an interesting discovery at the grocery store the other day. Chips and salsa are something I like to have on occasion and I typically buy some au natural chips. My husband, however, prefers Tostitos, and is relentless about voicing his preference.

This time I gave into him, but then I noticed Tostitos is now making a Multigrain variety made with whole oat, whole wheat and buckwheat flours - this was written in a nice font on the front of the bag. So, my hubby got his Restaurant Style, I got my Multigrain - both of us satisfied that we got our way.

The problem happened when I got home and actually read the label -- Not only is the main ingredient of these chips still corn, but the Multigrain chips actually have more calories, fat, sodium and sugar (10 more calories, 1 g fat, 15 mg sodium and 1 g sugar per ounce) than the Restaurant Style chips. I realized that while the Restaurant Style chips are probably more healthy, better tasting and cheaper, Tostitos is marketing toward people who, like me, are easily drawn (like a moth to a flame really) to labels like 'Multigrain' even if it is not in fact healthier. Sure, there is a bit more fiber (1 gram) in the Multigrain chips, but let's be honest; I am NOT eating tortilla chips for their fiber content. What's even worse? Now my husband thinks he is the authority on eating light. Twist the knife even more....

I have decided to take this incident, as I did my tequila to wash down all those chips, with a grain of salt. I should have known better, but I have learned once again to always read the label. And that when I want tortilla chips, I will just stick to the regular tortilla chips from here on out and eat them in moderation.

Fittingly Mad: Crap in the Snack Machine

FitSugar — Sat, 19 May 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Doritos, Fritos, Oreos, gummy bears, Lays potato chips, Snickers, M&Ms, Butterfingers, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey Bars, Lifesavers, Twizzlers! I know this sounds like a PMS wish list, but this is the "food" in the snack vending machine where I work. You call that crap a snack?!

I'm usually one to bring my lunch and snacks from home, and this is a major reason why - It's hard to find healthy food in a pinch. It's really becoming annoying! I mean, what kind of message is this sending to kids (and adults) when everywhere they turn is sugar, partially hydrogenated oil and trans fat!

I wish we could replace all those crappy snacks with healthy, energy-giving munchies that are made of actual food. Here's what I'd put in my healthy vending machine:

granola bars like ones made by Kashi and
Whole grain crackers like TLC crackers
Tiny tubs of real peanut butter (just peanuts - no sugar or corn syrup)
LARABARS
Packages of mixed nuts
Packages of dried fruit
Bear Naked Trail Mix
Nature's choice cereal bars
Newman's Own Organic pretzels
Gardin of Eatin' Tortilla chips (I love Pico de Gallo)
Endangered Species Chocolate bars

Fit's Tips: Until YoNaturals, the San Diego based company with the healthy vending machine idea gets its machines into the world, be your own vending machine. I always keep granola bars and ziploc baggies of trail mix in my purse and gym bag just in case.

Source

Fittingly Mad: I Want Out of This Relationship...

FitSugar — Sat, 12 May 2007 03:00:00 -0700

...my relationship with my old gym, that is.

Has this ever happened to you? You join a gym and at the end of the term of your agreed contract, you decide to cancel your membership and try another gym. Simple, right? WRONG.

Turns out that when you sign the papers to join some gyms, you are signing your life away. I am not going to name names ~~Gold's Gym~~ ~~Crunch~~ ~~Liberty~~, but I have found that the process of canceling my gym membership is one of the hardest things to do, ever.

Here is how it went down. When I called to cancel, they told me I needed to cancel it in person. When I showed up in person, they told me I needed to send a certified letter (who sends certified letters anymore?). When I sent the certified letter my credit card still got charged for a good 6 months after canceling the membership. It came to the point where I had to just cancel the card that was being charged. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they were still trying to charge my card to this day.

I've heard many other stories just like my own and it just does not make sense to me. Why do gyms make it so ridiculously hard to cancel your membership? Did I miss something here? Gym memberships should not be this binding. I would really appreciate it if gyms could just take a cancellation for what it is, a simple cancellation, and leave the hard feelings at the door.

Bonus points if you can name the television show (no longer taping) that had an episode on this very same problem where one character can not get out of his gym membership so he brings along a friend to help.

Fittingly Mad: I Wish I Could Trust Horizon's Label !!!

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

In light of my recent post about Horizon Dairy Products, I'd like to say that it makes me so mad that companies can say whatever they want on their labels, but behind closed doors, they just do whatever they want.

I really hadn't heard about Horizon Dairy's methods before my wonderful readers had brought it to my attention (or else I never would have praised it so much). Thank you to Amused Bystander and KerryG for those great links on the truth about Horizon's big business practices. Here's what I found out...

Since there has been such a high demand for organic milk, Horizon decided to produce more milk and label it organic, when it really doesn't deserve that prestigious label whatsoever.

In order to be considered organic, dairy cows need to have access to pastures for fresh air, exercise, and to graze on fresh grass. Horizon's dairy cows are let out rarely, at nighttime, or coincidentally when a tour group comes by. It's awful, but they are mostly stuck in barns, chowing on energy-rich food that increases their milk production. So when they're not eating, they're hooked up to milking machines. What kind of life is that?

When I think of organic milk, I picture happy cows (much like the leaping cartoon on Horizon's label), grazing freely on a lush hillside, able to come and go as they please. Horizon has shattered that image for me, and it looks like Aurora "Organic" Milk is more of the same.

Fit's Tips: You can do your part by boycotting big dairy companies like Horizon and Aurora. Buy from smaller, local, truly ORGANIC farms instead, so you know that the cows are treated more humanely. Or you could choose not to eat any dairy products at all, like vegan Alicia Silverstone. I, for one, can' really imagine a world without cheese, but my world will definitely be free of Horizon products.

Fittingly Mad: Vogue Shape Issue

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 01:55:00 -0700

We already know that fashion mags make us feel bad. But every year Vogue publishes a shape issue every April and every year I buy it, hoping that it will illustrate some sort of enlightenment happening in the fashion world or that it will positively change my own view of myself. This year was not quite as disappointing as years past, but it left a lot to be desired.

First off, it seemed like every time a woman was noted as thin, the statement was followed by how much she loved and ate food. It just felt a little conspicuous.

I guess I just want to flip through a fashion mag, whose self proclaimed theme is the diversity of the female form, and see well, some diversity. All the women except the one beautiful plus size model seem quite thin too me. And somehow in the pages of Vogue even Scarlett Johansson looks less curvaceous. How did they do that? We learn from the pages of Vogue that even former super model Paulina Porizkova hates a part of her body - her knees. Please...Another lithe lady complains that low waisted jeans do not suit her. Great to know. But, that doesn't feel like she is sharing some burden with the reader, more like she is saying, "Don't hate me because I am beautiful. Where is the every woman? I have never been able to identify with the women of the glossy mags, but I always hope that in the shape issue I will. This year, once again, I did not.

Source

Fittingly Mad: Food Moths in the Bulk Foods Section

FitSugar — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 02:00:00 -0700

At my local health food store, I feel at home. I love the array of beautifully colored produce, the familiar healthy brands names like Kashi, Cascadian Farms, Stonyfield Farms, and Garden of Eatin'.

I love all the natural beauty products like Nature's Gate and Natracare tampons.

I especially love the hot and cold food bar, salad bar, and the deli.

I used to - and I stress USED TO - love the bulk foods section. There was a time in the recent past when I bought everything in bulk: popcorn kernels, brown rice, whole wheat flour, chocolate chips, granola, quinoa, split peas, dried cherries, dried mango, herbs, spices - If it was in bulk, I bought it.

I felt good about getting the foods I loved for cheaper, in the quantities I needed, and without all that unnecessary packaging.

Yeah, I felt great about it until a few days ago. I went to get a little baggie full of salted cashews (my fave), and as I opened the clear plastic lid, something flew out. YES!!! Something flew out of the cashews.

Want to know what I did? Then

Fittingly Mad: Wear a Shirt at the Gym Ladies

FitSugar — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I don't know if this bothers you, but there is something I need to get off my chest (pun intended)...

Ladies, I love that you are proud of your body and all, but please put on a shirt at the gym. A sports bra, bra being the key word here, is not an acceptable shirt at the gym. I am not just being a picky prude here, but a shirt is a way to keep sweat at bay. Nothing grosses me out more than the ladies who are at the gym for hours, mind you, sweating up a storm and rubbing on everything in their reach. Most weight machines require some type of upper body contact, not to mention the gross factor a sweaty, shirtless gym goer can add to the floor mats while doing abs. No one ever wipes down those mats either... but don't even get me started on that.

If you're proud of your figure, then more power to you. I am all for prancing around in your sports bra on an outside jog (with sunscreen, of course), just don't do it at the gym.

Thanks.

Fittingly Mad: Wear a Helmet Already

FitSugar — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 02:00:00 -0700

As the weather improves I see more and more folks out riding their bicycles. Enjoying the sunshine and feeling the wind blow their hair about...Wait...HOLD ON...If their hair is blowing all about it means they are not wearing a helmet. Not wearing a helmet???!!!??? You need to protect your noggins people.

Now I will readily admit bike helmets are not very attractive. Bike helmets might even feel dorkier than they look. But I spent a lot of money and time filling my brain with knowledge, both important and trivial. I love knowing that there are 26 bones in a foot, and that relámpago means "lightning" in Spanish. I would hate to lose that valuable information because while cruising on my bike my head accidentally came into contact with the car of an errant driver, or the pavement, or a light pole. You don't wear helmets because you are a crazy cyclist, you wear them because sometime cars don't stop when there's a red light, and because occasionally off leash dogs wander into the street, or because some pot holes are practically invisible.

So enjoy your bike and protect your brain. And why you are at it - get a bike light. Biking on a warm night is such a pleasure, but make sure you can be seen.

Please, please - pretty please.