FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

What's the Deal With Hypnotherapy?

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Let's face it: It's not easy to lose weight, or quit smoking, or get your stress under control. But if you've ever struggled with any of these health concerns, you know that the best solution is simply the one that works for you! So, why not give hypnotherapy a try?

We've heard that Lily Allen used it for weight loss, and I know several other people who have lost weight through hypnosis. Though it may sound a little new age-y, the method really makes a lot of sense, since it gets to the root of your self-control.

When used for health-related matters like dieting and smoking cessation, hypnosis is usually referred to as suggestion therapy. The therapist uses guided relaxation to put the subject into a sort of trance wherein she is susceptible to suggestion. Far from mind control, the trancelike state simply makes you more responsive to ideas — like the fact that you can live without cigarettes or a second piece of pie— that you might normally reject. To hear more about it,

How Much Exercise Do You Really Need?

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If finding the time to head to the gym is stressing you out then this roundup of studies from WebMD will please you. See, the thing is, it's not always quantity that matters, but the qualitity. And in the case of exercise the old adage is true, "something is better than nothing." Here are highlights:

A study published by the American Journal of Sports Medicine in 2006 showed that short walks after dinner were more effective than long exercise sessions in reducing the amount of fat and triglyceride levels in the bloodstream after a hearty meal.
Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health showed that short bouts of exercise helped lower blood pressure as well as shave inches off the hips and waistline.

There's more so

Quitting Smoking? Timing Might Be Key

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700

For women, the ebb and flow of monthly hormones impacts so many seemingly unrelated things, quitting smoking among them. New research from the University of Minnesota suggests that successfully quitting smoking might be related to the menstrual cycle. Research found that women who stop smoking during the second half of their cycle, after ovulating, were more likely to stick to their guns and not relapse back into smoking. The researchers do not know why women's resolve seems stronger post ovulation but guess the hormone differences during two menstrual phases might affect the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms felt by the quitters.

Looking to quit? Here are some tips to help you quit.

Source

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Sleep

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:00:00 -0800

If you're still smoking and looking for more reasons to quit . . .

New research has found that smokers are four times more likely to feel tired when they wake up and they spend less time in deep sleep than nonsmokers do. Why you ask? Well researches think smokers experience nicotine withdrawal each night, which disturbs the smoker's sleep. I don't know about you, but I value my sleep far too much. So take this as just another friendly reminder to try to quit smoking if you haven't already started.

Source

Today Is the Great American Smoke Out

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Today is The Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS). So if you are looking to quit smoking, today is the day!

There are amazing health benefits to giving up the smokes. Here are highlights of the health improvement from the first 365 days of being smoke free.

20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
1 year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.

The ACS knows that quitting is difficult and they have created some great widgets for your computer desk top to help. You can also find helpful resources at the Smokeout website.

If you need even more motivation to quit check out these reasons to quit smoking and here are some tips to help you quit.

Source

Quit Tip: Pick a Day to Quit Smoking

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

One thing I can wholeheartedly recommend to improve your health is quitting smoking. It decreases your chance of getting and dying from cancer, heart disease, and stroke. I am not saying you should quit today cold turkey, but if you did I would be so glad. What I am saying is that you should pick a date to quit and begin publicly counting down until that day arrives.

The American Cancer Society wants to help you count down to your momentous quit day, and they have even designed a couple little desktop helpers. One is a countdown calendar to help you rev up to quit day. Just pick a date, any date, but make sure it is within the next 30 days — you can’t put it off forever. The clock lives on your computer desktop and counts down the days until your chosen day to go smoke free.

Their other helpful widget is the Craving Stopper, a little distracting memory game that lasts about two minutes, the amount of time it take for a craving to subside. Just preoccupy yourself with the game and let the need for a smoke subside naturally. Unfortunately, these widgets only work with Windows OS. Sorry Mac folks.

Hey. I have a great idea . . . make this Thursday, November 15, your quit date, since it is the Great American Smokeout!

Would You Vote for a Smoker for President?

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

I have been following Barack Obama's quest to quit smoking and so far, so good (apparently Nicorette is working for him). While I am sure his decision to quit had a lot to do with his health, I am also sure there was a good portion of the decision that came from wanting to improve his image for the elections in 2008.This got me to thinking—would you vote for a smoker for President?Source

Would You Vote for a Smoker for President?

Yes

Other—tell us below

Another Reason To Stop Smoking: Acne

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Aside from the countless health reasons to quit smoking, there are vanity reasons as well. Smoking doesn't just cause wrinkles, it has been connected with a type of acne. A recent Italian study found a connection between smoking and non-inflammatory acne (NIA), characterized by many types of blemishes we try to avoid: blocked pores, large white heads and small cysts.

In a study of 1,000 women, 40% of those who smoked had non-inflammatory acne, compared to only 10% of the non-smoking women who participated. While the authors of the study do admit there are other factors involved like stress and hormonal fluctuation, there still seems to be enough evidence connecting smoking and NIA.

If you are looking to quit smoking, check out these tips from the American Cancer Society. Giving up cigarettes is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body and face!

Source

Another Reason Not to Smoke: Dementia

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:00:00 -0700

There are so many reasons to quit smoking and now here's a new one to add to the mountain of evidence urging you to kick the habit in the butt (sorry, but I had to give in to that pun).

A recent study concluded that smokers are putting themselves at risk for dementia. Participants who were smokers during the study were 50 percent more likely to develop dementia than people who had never smoked or were former smokers (that means giving up tobacco right now can significantly reduce your chances of developing dementia).

Dementia is linked to cerebrovascular disease and guess what? Smoking contributes to the risk of developing cerebrovascular disease. Another way smoking can contribute to dementia is by oxidative stress, which by damaging blood vessel cells can lead to hardening of the arteries. Smokers have higher rates of greater oxidative stress when compared to nonsmokers, and increased oxidative stress has been linked to developing Alzheimer's.

Looking to quit (I hope you are)? Then here are some tips on quitting and staying smoke free!

Source

Curb Smoking Cravings in Just Five Minutes...

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Still having problems kicking that nasty little smoking habit?

Well, recent research published in the Addiction journal has found that even just five minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, significantly reduces the intensity of smokers' nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

While this may seem rather impractical at times, maybe you want to consider it for your smoking breaks at work. So next time you feel the need to take a smoking break, maybe go for a short walk or do exercises at your desk. Not only will you be curbing your cravings to smoke, you'll be burning calories too!

Tips to Quit Smoking

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

England's recent public smoking ban reminded me there are regular smokers out there still needing to quit. Quitting smoking is one of the healthiest things you can do and I want to be supportive.

So if you're one of them, or if you know someone who needs to quit, here are a few tips from the British Dietetic Association on making quitting a little easier:

Chew it over: Some people find that chewing a nicotine gum can help when quitting smoking. But did you know that a recent study showed that chewing sugar-free gum actually suppressed appetite, and specifically the desire for sweets and snacks? Some people also find that cleaning their teeth after a meal or having minty gum helps to stop the craving.
Leave a bad taste: Research from the USA has shown that whereas some foods seem to enhance the 'taste' of cigarettes, others make them taste really bad, and could help you to give up. Go for low fat dairy products, fruit, vegetables, water and fruit juice for the best effects.
C yourself right: Smokers tend to have lower levels of vitamin C in their blood than non-smokers. Give yourself a boost of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables - take advantage of seasonal vegetables and summer berries, salads and smoothies - all of these will help to achieve your 5 A DAY as well. There's no need for supplements - fruits and vegetables provide sufficient vitamin C.
Out and about: With the lungs beginning to clear of the mucus caused by smoking within as little as 24-hours after the last cigarette, now is the time to get out and enjoy some summer outdoor activities - even a short brisk walk on a light evening is a great start. Start gently, but aim to build up to 10,000 steps a day for real benefits and to help prevent weight gain - and because you've stopped smoking, you'll soon start to find exercise easier. Use a pedometer to 'quantify' your exercise.

Today Is International NO Tobacco Day

FitSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Today is International NO Tobacco Day, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). The theme this year is Smoke Free Environments.

Here is what WHO has to day about tobacco and second hand smoke.

Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is well known that half the people who smoke regularly today – about 650 million people – will eventually be killed by tobacco. Equally alarming is the fact that hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year from diseases caused by breathing second-hand tobacco smoke.

In attempts to protect non-smokers WHO is making strong recommendations that all indoor public places and workplaces become 100% smoke-free as soon as possible. Since there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, let's hope every country takes these recommendations seriously and acts now.

Fit's Tip: If you are considering quitting tobacco I think today is the perfect day to start. Check out these tips from the
American Cancer Society - they will definitely help the process!!!

Another Reason to Quit Smoking: Depression

FitSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

There are so many horrible things that can come from smoking cigarettes that it is really insane that cigarettes are still around.

Yet another study, this one from The University of Helsinki, has found another negative side effect of smoking cigarettes. Finnish researchers found that smokers may have a higher risk of depression than those who have never smoked. As if cancer, wrinkles, heart disease, breathing problems, stained teeth, etc... weren't reason enough to give it up, now you can add depression to the list.

Smoking is gross and dangerous to everyone. So if you still smoke, do yourself and those who love you, a favor and quit already.

Light Cigarettes: Still Really BAD for You

FitSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 14:30:00 -0700

I have heard the query recently - "Are light cigarettes better for me?" Interesting question, but I'm fairly certain we all know the answer to that one.

NO - "Light" or "Low-tar" cigarettes are NOT better for you because they are still cigarettes, and they still contain nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, and other toxic chemicals. Inhaling these poisonous toxins causes emphysema, and many kinds of cancer including lung, bladder, kidney, cervix, throat, mouth, esophagus, pancreas and stomach and some types of leukemia (cancer of the blood). Smoking also causes wrinkles, makes your breath stink, stains your teeth and causes asthma and other respiratory problems. "Light" cigarettes are no different.

Here's the proof: A recent study performed in Turkey tested 62 adults in their 20s - 20 who smoked regular cigarettes, 20 who used light cigarettes and 22 who’d never smoked.

The researchers tested the participants coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), a measure of how well blood flow speeds up to aid the heart when it’s under increased demands. CFVR reflects the overall functioning of the network of small blood vessels that feed the heart.

Even before the test began, the researchers found that smokers already have poorer CFVR levels than non-smokers. After smoking a few cigarettes, their CFVR levels decreased even more.

What was the study's conclusion? The decrease in CFVR was virtually the same whether the cigarettes were "Light" or "Regular."

Fit's Tips: If you smoke and you're looking to quit, here are some tips for dealing with the cravings. You can also call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or go to www.smokefree.gov for more info on how to quit. Quitting smoking is way too hard to do alone, so you my want to think about joining a support group.

Source

Tips for Staying Smoke Free: Dealing with the Cravings

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

For all of you out there that have recently quit smoking (like Sugar user smarler) - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Although life without nicotine might seem challenging; you are on your way to better health for life. But how to deal with those incessant cravings? Here are some tips to help:

Exercise: C'mon this is FitSugar; you had to know I'd be writing that one first. It is true though, exercising for at least 5 minutes can curb the craving. So take a vigorous walk around the block instead of picking up the lighter. Or why not try some push-ups? I think exercising is a great way to deal with the cravings and breathing hard will help remind you of why you quit and you will start to see that exercising becomes easier the farther you get from your quit date.
Deep Breathing: Nothing clears the mind and celebrates your healing lungs as much as a deep breath. It will calm and relax you. While breathing think of all the reasons you quit - a little reaffirmation.
Healthy Snacking: Surround yourself with healthy snacks. Carrot sticks and celery. Apples or cherries. Sunflower seeds or pistachios still in their shells are a lot of work. The act of shelling them will take your mind off your craving and satisfy your oral fixation.
Drink Water: You know I love water, but staying hydrated can really help with the cravings. Drinking water will help flush the toxins out of your body.
Break your Routine: A lot of cravings are associated with your daily patterns, routines and rituals. To avoid these triggers mix up your day a bit.
Keep your Hands Busy: Idle hands like to pick up cigarettes. Try knitting, starting a jigsaw puzzle or teaching yourself some card tricks.

I sure do hope these help.

Another Reason to Stop Smoking and Something to Help the CRAVINGS

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 16:52:04 -0700

You all know that I am anti-smoking - not much of a shocker. People are motivated to quit for a variety of reasons, with health and beauty topping the list. If you smoke and are looking for reasons to quit this new study on smoking might just be the motivation you are looking for.

The Archives of Dermatology just released a
a study on smoking, the skin and aging. Not only does smoke create wrinkles on the face, it affects the skin all over the body, even skin protected from the sun. WOW. Smokers had an increased number of fine wrinkles on their inner arms than non-smokers. It seems that smoking can also damage the connective tissue that supports both the skin and the internal organs.

Participants in the study were in their 40's and older, so if you smoke and you care about your skin you should stop now. And guess what? New research indicates that exercise, as little as five minutes, seems to help curb cravings for a cigarette. Of course I think that is so great that exercise can help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Researchers found that exercise was just as effective as the patch. How great is that? Exercise helps you quit smoking and quitting smoking helps you exercise. So if you are quitting, a brisk walk around the block could be just the thing to get you past that craving.

If are considering quitting check out these tips from the American Cancer Society.

Another Great Reason to Quit Smoking

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

As if we weren't inundated with enough reasons and pure scientific evidence to quit smoking, here's one more...

Take Care of Your Heart

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:04:17 -0800

Today is a day filled with cupids, arrows and love, so I would like to take a moment to talk about issues of the heart - literally. It is Heart Health Month after all.

Since heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., let's talk some about preventative measures we all can take to show some love to our hearts.

Smoking doubles your chance of developing heart disease. Quitting right now will significantly reduce your chances of having a heart attack.
Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. Your heart is a muscle and it likes to be worked and challenged. This will make it stronger.
Eat less cholesterol and saturated fats. Read labels to help avoid foods high in these two artery clogging substances. Eating more lean meats, as opposed to fatty meats like hamburger, is an easy way to do this.
Learn how to deal with stress, or rather how to relieve it. Stress wreaks havoc on your body and the hormones that regulate how your body processes fat. Exercise and meditation are great ways to do this.

So how do you take care of your heart?

What Do You Think of This Commercial About Second-Hand Smoke?

FitSugar — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 13:43:48 -0800

What Do You Think of This Commercial About Second-Hand Smoke?

Way too disturbing to make anyone quit - it's hard to watch the whole thing through.

It gets its point across brilliantly.

Other - Tell me below.

Get Your Lungs Back

FitSugar — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:24:17 -0800

Well, we've all heard by now what damage smoking can cause to your lungs. If you quit smoking, you'll allow your lungs to heal. This commercial agrees with me.

What's Your New Year's Resolution?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 09:02:27 -0800

I'm happy to see that many of you shouted out your New Year's Resolutions for all to hear in Declare IT: The New Year's Resolution Group. It's not too late - you can still post your resolutions.For those of you who may be too shy to tell the world, we'd still like to know what healthy changes you're planning on making.