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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title>Some Good News? Are Americans Cutting Back on Sugar Intake?</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/some-good-news-are-americans-cutting-back-on-sugar-intake/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/some-good-news-are-americans-cutting-back-on-sugar-intake/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/some-good-news-are-americans-cutting-back-on-sugar-intake/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Amanda Chan for AOL Healthy Living


	
		Corbis

Despite the increases in childhood obesity in the United States, Americans are technically consuming less sugar than they did about a decade earlier, according to a new report.

And two-thirds of this decrease is due to people drinking fewer sugar-sweetened sodas.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that the percentage of our diets that is comprised of sugar dropped from 18 percent between 1999 and 2000 to 14.6 percent between 2007 and 2008.

"We were surprised to see that there was a substantial reduction over the years," study researcher Dr. Jean Welsh, of Emory University in Atlanta, told Reuters.

Researchers analyzed data from a study of 42,316 people ages 2 and older to see how much added sugar -- that is, sugars that are not naturally included in foods, like fruit -- they consumed.

To continue reading this article, visit The Huffington Post's health and wellness destination site, Healthy Living.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/some-good-news-are-americans-cutting-back-on-sugar-intake/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20004453/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/some-good-news-are-americans-cutting-back-on-sugar-intake/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>americans sugar intake</category><category>consume less sugar</category><category>sugar intake</category><dc:creator>That\'s Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>I Ditched Dieting -- And So Should You</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/i-ditched-dieting-and-so-should-you/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/i-ditched-dieting-and-so-should-you/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/i-ditched-dieting-and-so-should-you/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Anna Guest-Jelley for Blisstree.com


	
		Corbis

I first started experimenting with intuitive eating about five years ago. When I heard "eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full," I thought "Genius!" What could be better than finally giving myself permission to eat whatever I want?!" I also thought "How stupid do you think I am? If I could do that, I wouldn't need intuitive eating!" (Clearly, I still had some internal work to do.)

Not one to be easily dissuaded, though, I decided to give this trusting-yourself-to-eat-right thing a try. And eat I did. I just never got to the intuitive part, or the satiety part, or the listening to my body part, or the -- well, you get the point. After 65 diets and about 20 years, any kind of intuition about food just wasn't in my toolbox. That was so much the case, in fact, that I didn't even realize that I didn't get it. I just did my best and fumbled along. I considered the idea of "listening to my body" to be either a) a bunch of new-age mumbo jumbo, b) a diet in disguise, c) something completely beyond the scope of possibility for me or d) workable once I put some rules in place (aka, made it a diet).

I like to keep my options open, so I played with some variation of all four of those for a while. But I'd say my favorite was option d. After all, planning a new diet is something I'm quite familiar with. It's comfy, and it always seemed to have that new-car smell: "On Monday, things are gonna change -- seriously this time!"

After a bit, I pretty much forgot about the tiny intuitive part of this that I was still hanging onto and slipped back into dieting full-time. (I this sounds like a full-time profession, it sort of was -- at least if you consider how much time and energy I put into it.) Somewhat by accident, though, (or maybe not), I ran back into these ideas. I was reading fabulous blogs about loving your body, intuitive eating and Health at Every Size, and I was starting to consider writing my own blog. I gathering information about my body like a mad curvy scientist.

Then, recently, it hit me: Intuitive eating means eating what works for my body! (Yes, I realize this is perhaps the most obvious sentence ever written.) It's not boundary-less and it's also not riddled with "rules." It's a middle way, which as someone who has lived most of her life in the black/white zone of dieting, comes as quite a relief.

What I realized is that the information my body is giving me -- via energy levels, illness, or sheer pleasure -- is what I'm supposed to be listening to. I've always known this on a surface level, but it took me much longer to feel it deep in my bones and belly and skin. For example, I'm allergic to garlic (it gives me a crazy migraine within 15 minutes), so I just don't eat it. I rarely have a desire to, either, because my body gives me immediate feedback that it's a very unwelcome house guest. Now I realize that eating the intuitive way (or for me, the "Anna way") involves looking for and listening to more feedback like this (although usually less dramatic).

Eating the [your name here] way is an ongoing process of tuning in and learning what works for you. Sometimes this changes, and that's okay. In fact, it's expected and welcome.

Who knew that intuitive eating would bring me right back to me? (Well, besides everyone.)

Anna Guest-Jelley is the Founder of Curvy Yoga, which is all about lovin' the body you have today. Through Curvy Yoga, she offers yoga designed to fit the bodies of people of all shapes, sizes and abilities as well as messages of body positivity and meeting yourself where you are-both on and off the mat. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

More from Blisstree.com:
The Body Positive: How Author Dayna Macy Got Out Of A Size 18 And Into A Healthy Relationship With Food
The Body Positive: Less-Than-Perfect Is Good Enough For Me
The Body Positive: When A Fat-Loss Expert Gets Called Fat<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/i-ditched-dieting-and-so-should-you/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20004364/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/i-ditched-dieting-and-so-should-you/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>ditching dieting</category><dc:creator>That\'s Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Kate Bosworth's Fit Routine</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/kate-bosworth-workout/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/kate-bosworth-workout/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/kate-bosworth-workout/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Jennipher Walters for Shape.com


	
		Angela Weiss / Getty Images

As reports come in that Kate Bosworth and her long-term boyfriend Alexander Skarsg&aring;rd have split, we have little doubt that some new cute guy will scoop her up. Why? Because Bosworth is such a cutie! Here's how she stays in shape for movies and just for her everyday life!

 5 Ways Kate Bosworth Stays in Shape

1. Running. One of Bosworth's favorite workouts is running. It burns calories, tones the legs and makes you feel great. She also loves to walk her dog!

2. Weight training. When it comes to staying toned and movie-ready, Bosworth knows that weight training is the way to go. It's all about building that lean muscle!

3. She takes on active roles. Talk about a fit career! By starring in movies like "Blue Crush," Bosworth works her fitness into her work. For the surfing movie, she gained a reported 15 pounds of calorie-burning muscle!

4. She goes on vacay. Because Bosworth works hard, she makes sure to take time out for herself when she needs it with vacations. She's been known to frequent The Hazelton Hotel in Toronto to de-stress and recharge.

 5. She eats her veggies. Like most of us know, working out is only part of the equation when it comes to being healthy and staying in shape. Bosworth sticks to a healthy diet by loading up on veggies at every meal and keeping her portion sizes in check.

More from Shape.com:
50 Diet Foods Under 50 Calories
Quick and Easy Chia Seed Recipes
The Most Common Weight-Loss Traps for Women<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/kate-bosworth-workout/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20003817/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/29/kate-bosworth-workout/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Alexander Skarsgard</category><category>Kate Bosworth</category><category>Kate Bosworth Blue Crush</category><category>Kate Bosworth breakup</category><category>Kate Bosworth workout</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Should We Fear Our Genetics?</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/should-we-fear-our-genetics/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/should-we-fear-our-genetics/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/should-we-fear-our-genetics/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Elizabeth Nolan Brown for Blisstree.com



	
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My extended family is mostly women, and a lot of us share the same body type. We are not a particularly tall people, nor of ample bosom. What we lack up top, however, we make up for in hips. Most of us also have very prominent rear-ends. It's a body type that can start out in life bringing all the boys to the yard but, without proper maintenance, it all goes south -- literally. And that, my friends, is what scares me.

In high school, all but one of my mother and her four sisters were very thin (the eldest sister was considered quite chubby in high school, we're told, though in photos she looks perfectly average-sized by today's standards). Oh, they always had booties -- in our family, it's known as the 'Bronner Butt,' after some generously derri&egrave;red great- great- somethings of ours -- and wide hips, but with tiny waists the effect becomes more narrow-hourglass than pear. There are photos of them visiting relatives in California, and I don't think my mom is wearing a shirt that covers her stomach in a single one (halters and bell-bottoms as far as the eye could see!-this was the 1970s). Marching around in sequined majorette leotards and white go-go boots, their legs look as long as their ironed-straight hair.

But the average American woman puts on the equivalent of one pound per year as she ages, and they are no exception; all have put on at least that much since high school, if not more, and it mostly shows up around their hips, thighs, and lower extremities. What's been strange -- like my own small-scale longitudinal study -- is to see this process accelerated in my generation. While my mom and aunts remained slim and trim well into their thirties, some of their children began gaining weight after high school. I hate my own body in high school photos, though I was considered thin by everyone around me. My hips and thighs look gargantuan to me now. I know this is neurotic -- at about 20 pounds heavier than I am now in those photos, the extra weight is noticeable, but hardly extreme. There are men who like my leaner body better, but there are always men who prefer a little extra -- I suppose there's no other way to say it -- junk in the trunk.

At 5-foot-6-inches I'm one of the taller of our family's 12 female grandchildren, and I've seemed to inherit more of my dad's genetic heritage than my mother's: crooked spine, curly hair and fast metabolism. I still worry sometimes about the dramatic Bronner butt transformations I've seen, but by this point in life, I've channeled my fear of metabolic fate into a positive focus on healthy living and nutrition (instead of obsessive dieting). Heredity is not destiny, or so the saying goes. And it's not as if healthy eating is a strong point in my extended family, even when they were younger (my mom says in high school she'd go all day on a Payday and a Coke). A certain amount of weight gain may be inevitable as people age, but as recent studies on long-term weight change have found, it's also heavily correlated to eating certain types of food and beverages, or engaging in certain habits or behaviors. In other words, habits trump heredity? Well, let's hope.

More from Blisstree.com:
The Body Positive: When A Fat-Loss Expert Gets Called Fat
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Genetics and Exercise: Are You a Natural Born Gym Rat?<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/should-we-fear-our-genetics/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20003282/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/should-we-fear-our-genetics/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>body image</category><category>fear genetics</category><category>genetics</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>What Nutritionists Order When Eating Out</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/what-nutritionists-order-when-eating-out/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/what-nutritionists-order-when-eating-out/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/what-nutritionists-order-when-eating-out/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[For AOL Healthy Living



	
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A new study has found that only 1 out of 6 diners pay attention to posted nutrition information on menus -- and while some is better than none, the reality is that the each meal eaten outside of the home tacks on an average of 134 calories to your day.

What's worse is that even for those who are conscious of calorie counts at restaurants, another recent report analyzing foods from 42 restaurants found that nearly 1 in 5 of those numbers may actually be incorrect.

So with conflicting messages, what is a health conscious dieter to do? To help you navigate your next menu, we asked four nutritionists to tell us how they order at various types of restaurants, from a pizza place to an ice cream parlor to a burger joint.

The experts we spoke to include registered dietitians Julie Upton and Katherine Brooking, founders of AppForHealth.com, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, Toby Smithson and registered dietitian and resident nutritionist for "The Biggest Loser," Cheryl Forberg.

Here's their guide to maximizing nutrients, cutting back on calories, taking healthy shortcuts and yes, even indulging in moderation.

Burger Joint
What Our Experts Choose:
-I look for a veggie burger and order it without mayo. I won't eat at a burger place if they do not offer a veggie burger or a salad with cheese (I eat cheese on my salad so that I can get protein at that meal).

Watch out for any extra add-ons that will increase the fat and saturated fat of the meal, like mayonnaise or special cream sauces. Also watch the high-fat sides like french fries. Ordering a salad with the dressing on the side as a side dish helps you meet the recommendations of filling half of your plate with vegetables!
-- Toby Smithson, RD

-I usually get a burger -- but protein-style, without fries but with lots of veggies! Luckily I love mustard, which unlike ketchup, has no sugar. Occasionally I'll have cheese or avocado on my burger as well. To drink, opt for water or iced tea.
--Cheryl Forberg, RD

Ice Cream Parlor
What Our Experts Choose:
-I'll usually just take a few tastes with the tasting spoons that they usually have. If I want something more, I'll try to have all-fruit sorbet or frozen yogurt. Once in a great while, I'll indulge and have a scoop of rich, chocolate ice cream!
--Cheryl Forberg, RD

-Just go for a kid size or one-scoop serving of a more traditional flavor like vanilla, chocolate or strawberry. If you go really exotic -- fudgy, chunky, nutty -- that just means more calories. Opt for a cone -- less ice cream can fit into a cone than a cup -- and cones have hardly any calories.
--Julie Upton, RD

-Because I have diabetes, I look for a "sugar free" ice cream or frozen yogurt. Just because it says sugar free doesn't mean I can eat as much as I want, but it does offer less carbohydrates. --Toby Smithson, RD

-Well, if I find myself at the ice cream parlor, I am definitely going to enjoy some ice cream! Try not to have an ice cream treat more than once every couple of weeks ... even less if you are aiming to lose weight. When you do go, stick with one scoop in a regular-sized cone. And make sure you savor the experience! Skip the sundaes and heavy toppings. My favorite: Mint Choco Chip!!
--Katherine Brooking, RD

To keep reading this article, visit The Huffington Post's health and wellness destination site, Healthy Living. <p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/what-nutritionists-order-when-eating-out/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20003303/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/what-nutritionists-order-when-eating-out/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>healthy eating out</category><category>huffpost healthy living</category><category>huffpost promo</category><category>nutritionists eating out</category><dc:creator>Emma Gray</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Ready for 2012 Already?</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/london-2012-athletes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/london-2012-athletes/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/london-2012-athletes/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[

	
		Darryl Dyck / AP

Are you getting pumped for the Olympic Games in London already? Never fear, NBCUniversal introduces you to some of the athletes who will be competing. Get a head start on the excitement!

<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/london-2012-athletes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20002315/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/28/london-2012-athletes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>london 2012</category><category>olympics</category><category>olympics london</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Why We Indulge in Emotional Eating</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/why-we-indulge-in-emotional-eating/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/why-we-indulge-in-emotional-eating/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/why-we-indulge-in-emotional-eating/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[For AOL Healthy Living


	
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Anyone who's sought solace in pizza or a pint of ice cream knows that food can be comforting. But experts still don't know exactly why we gravitate toward fatty or sugary foods when we're feeling down, or how those foods affect our emotions.

Taste and the pleasant memories associated with junk foods surely play a role, but that may be only part of the story. According to a small new study, hormones in our stomachs appear to communicate directly with our brains, independent of any feelings we have about a particular food.

Most research on food and emotion has looked at the overall experience of eating -- the tastes, smells, and textures, in addition to nutrients. In this study, however, the researchers took that subjective experience off the table by "feeding" the volunteers through an unmarked stomach tube.

To read this article in full, visit The Huffington Post's health and wellness destination site, Healthy Living. 

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25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/why-we-indulge-in-emotional-eating/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20002137/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/why-we-indulge-in-emotional-eating/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>binge eating</category><category>emotional eating</category><dc:creator>Health.com</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Jessica Biel's Favorite Ways to Work Out</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/jessica-biel-workout/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/jessica-biel-workout/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/jessica-biel-workout/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Jennipher Walters for Shape.com


	
		Gregory Bull / AP

Jessica Biel knows that when it comes to staying fit (and man, oh, man does she look fit!), it's all about making workouts fun, challenging and never boring. Because of this, Biel loves doing a variety of workouts and is always trying new things. Read on for the Jessica Biel workout!

The Workout Routine Jessica Biel Loves

1. Circuit strength training. Those toned arms don't come without some heavy lifting! Biel makes the most of her time in the gym and with her trainer by doing a series of back-to-back moves that build muscle and burn calories!

2. Running. When it comes to cardio, Biel is a running fan. No matter where she is filming, she can always squeeze in a quick jog or some sprinting intervals for a workout on the road.

3. Sports. One to always keep things fresh, Biel likes to play just about any sport, including football with friends and volleyball on the beach.

4. Hiking with her pups. For a fun and refreshing outdoor workout, Biel enjoys taking her pups out for hikes on the trails in Los Angeles. A fun workout outside of the gym that also keeps her pets fit!

5. Plyometrics. Plyometrics like jump-squats and jumping lunges aren't easy, but they do wonders for boosting fitness, which is why Biel does them. The results of these workouts certainly speak for themselves! Biel looks great and so fit and toned!

More from Shape.com:
Top New Fitness Classes You've Got to Try
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7 Ways to Save Money on Summer Travel<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/jessica-biel-workout/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20001295/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/jessica-biel-workout/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Jessica biel</category><category>Jessica Biel Workout</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Body Image: Why "Perfection" Isn't Necessary</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/body-image-perfection/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/body-image-perfection/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/body-image-perfection/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Deborah Dunham for Blisstree.com



	
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As I stood in the check-out line the other day, I couldn't help but notice the headlines of all the magazines around me: "Slim Down This Summer;" "Lose 10 Pounds;" "Get Stronger, Leaner, Faster;" "Tone Your Thighs;" "Kiss Cellulite Goodbye." Screw that, I thought. What's wrong with the way I am?

As women, we're constantly bombarded with these you-need-to-improve messages, making us feel like we're not good enough. Like there's something fundamentally wrong with the way we are. It's become a cultural norm to inundate us with bullshit messages that equate happiness and femininity with losing weight and having a "perfect" body. And for those of us who are athletes, we're constantly challenged with the messages that we must do more, work harder ... all so we can get better. Some of the advice is fine if you indeed want to change. But what if you don't?

Yesterday I was at the pool putting in laps for my morning mile. When I stopped to adjust my goggles, the girl next to me (let's call her an acquaintance and often athletic rival), asked why I was swimming so much lately. (Normally, I'm a twice-a-week swimmer, but given my unrelenting Achilles injury, I've had to drop all running and cycling from my repertoire for the time being, which puts me at the pool every morning for cardio.) After I explained my situation, she said, "Well, maybe you'll get better and faster now." WTF? What if I don't necessarily want to get better and faster? I already consider myself a decent swimmer (good, but not great); I can do 1.2-mile open water swims for a half-Ironman (and beat this girl's butt at most of them). So what's wrong with the way I swim now? I wanted to ask. Instead, I pulled my goggles back down and swam away. But I kept stewing over the question all day, which made me realize this is probably a much bigger issue.

Every day, we women are told we're not good enough. Don't believe me? Watch any commercial, read any magazine, look at any billboard. You'll see ads promising to help you "get happier, richer, thinner NOW." They're all trying to capitalize on the fact that women need help, when in fact, many times we don't. We're perfectly fine just the way we are, thank you very much. Maybe we should stop letting these people dictate how we feel about ourselves. Maybe we should stop letting others try to tell us we aren't slim enough, toned enough, strong enough or fast enough.

This is not to say that we don't have room for improvement. I know I do, and given the fact that 25 percent of the American population is considered obese, others do too. The point is that all of this pressure to become better all the time leaves us no room to just "be." It's no wonder that 50 percent of adults walk around stressed out all the time. (Which, incidentally, doesn't help at all with self-improvement of any kind.)

Our parents' generation wasn't labeled as "broken" in the mid-1900s. For the most part, they held the same jobs for much of their lives, drove the same car, lived in the same house and kept the same friends. They didn't walk around stressed out; many of them were happy and satisfied, despite the lack of a quest for something new, different, or better.

In her book, "Bodies," psychoanalyst Susie Orbach claims we now see our bodies as projects -- not places to live, as she explained to The New York Times:

What I am seeing is franticness about having to get a body. I wish we could treat our bodies as the place we live from, rather than regard it as a place to be worked on, as though it were a disagreeable old kitchen in need of renovation and update.

She says we are at war with ourselves and our lives. I think she's right. And I think outside influences are to blame.

So, to all the media and people (including the girl at the pool) out there trying to improve us: SHUT UP. We don't always have to be better. Being good is sometimes good enough.

More from Blisstree.com:
The Body Positive: When A Fat-Loss Expert Gets Called Fat
Running and Body Image: What Is a "Runner's Body" Anyway?
Body Image: Do Ads Make You Feel Better or Worse?<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/body-image-perfection/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20001274/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/27/body-image-perfection/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>body image</category><category>body image issues</category><category>body issues</category><category>media and body image</category><category>perfect body image</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy Meals Are Getting Healthier</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/happy-meals-are-getting-healthier/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/happy-meals-are-getting-healthier/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/happy-meals-are-getting-healthier/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Amanda Chan for AOL Healthy Living


	
		AFP/Getty Images

We all know what's always included in a McDonald's Happy Meal: a burger or chicken nuggets, french fries, a toy, a soft drink. And fruit?

McDonald's announced today (June 26) that it will automatically include both produce AND french fries in every Happy Meal, meaning parents and kids no longer have to opt for either fries or fruit.

And because produce will be included in all Happy Meals, french fry-holder sizes will get smaller -- from 2.4 to 1.1 ounces, ABC News reported.

The revamped Happy Meals will be introduced in September 2011, and will be available in all 14,000 McDonald's restaurants by spring 2012.

While apples will be the main produce option, some McDonald's restaurants may offer carrots, pineapple slices, raisins or mandarin oranges depending on the region and time of the year, according to ABC News. Customers can also request two bags of apple slices instead of apple slices and french fries.

In addition to the Happy Meal changes, McDonald's also plans to reduce sodium in all of its menu items by 15 percent by 2015.

To continue reading this article, visit The Huffington Post's health and wellness destination site, Healthy Living.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/happy-meals-are-getting-healthier/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20000864/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/happy-meals-are-getting-healthier/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>mcdonalds</category><category>mcdonalds happy meal</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Is Training Just a Time Suck?</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/is-training-just-a-time-suck/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/is-training-just-a-time-suck/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/is-training-just-a-time-suck/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Hailey Eber for Blisstree.com



	
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Marathon training ... it takes time. A lot of time. No really, it does. This, of course, should be fairly obvious. Running 20- or 30-some miles a week will cut into the time you might have previously used to see friends, watch "Twin Peaks" on Netflix, get a manicure or call your mother. It somehow requires quite a different amount of time than putting in 15 or 20 miles a week. And, it's not just the running that's a time suck.

Take this past Tuesday, for example. I awoke 90 minutes earlier than usual to get to an early pre-work chiropractic appointment while still having enough time to take the puppy to the dog park. By the time we'd had a good wrestle at the park and I'd packed a healthy breakfast, lunch, pre-run snack, running clothes and multiple water bottles, I was -- of course -- running late. I rolled into the chiro in that dangerous 15- to 20-minute late zone, where your doctor/hairdresser/old college friend is pretty annoyed but hasn't yet assumed you're dead.

I tried to make some charming joke about being "the worst patient ever," then ripped off my clothes and changed into the sexy chiropractic gym shorts and hospital gown in record time. 25 minutes and several deep breaths later, I'd been adjusted. "You should come at least once a week," my tall, handsome chiropractor said. Really dude, I thought to myself. Is this where we're at? Are you being that chiropractor?

I'm typically a reluctant "only if I haven't been to yoga for a month and can hardly walk" sort of chiropractic patient. But when I told my guy I was training for the marathon, he was like "I like to see my marathoners once a week." I imagined a squad of stringy 40-something men clad in spandex, regularly biking over to see him. I wasn't one of those marathoners. But, I was a chick who had already met her health insurance deductible for the year, had minor scoliosis and a minor leg length discrepancy and some funkiness in my hip, so I figured why the hell not.

Now, I can tell you why not: It's just another thing to cram into the day.

I rushed out of the office and landed at my desk in the pretty-much-on-time-but-certainly-not-the-first-worker-bee time zone that I regularly inhabit. Tragically, there was no time to stop for my iced Americano.

At 12:15 p.m., I slithered out of the office for an early lunch carrying a dirty old pair of running shoes that I'd been using to break in my latest orthotics. At 12:34, I squeaked into the podiatrist in the nearly totally on-time zone. I imagined it'd be a quick, 10-minute appointment for minor adjustments and maybe a short, annoying lecture about how I needed to stretch my calves more or do some special ankle exercises. Instead, it was a 40-minute appointment that seemed to unravel in slow motion. "I don't like what he did here," my podiatrist said, thumbing my new orthotics and referring to some unknown, far-off him. Who was he? I imagined an evil orthotics-making elf in a far-off land, living in luxury, slapping together random bits of foam and plastic that he claims are specially made for my feet, cackling as he cashes my check.

"I'm gonna take new molds and send these back to him," she said. Awesome. I appreciated her attention to detail, but the additional office visits and slaughtered lunch hours that it would require instantly flashed before my eyes. I'm sure full-blown lunch hours are still commonplace in some far-off happy land (maybe where the orthotics elf lives) -- where everyone also has health insurance and gets eight hours of sleep per night -- but it is not the land that I live in. Or the office that I work at.

Tuesday is typically the day I attempt to leave work at six p.m. on the dot and rush to running class on the Upper East Side. This involves a taking a train from Grand Central Station at rush hour, an act that even on the best of days can lead to a solipsistic evaluation of life and why I've chosen to live in a city dependent on sardine-can transport when I could be spending hours each day commuting in a happy, gas-sipping, Japanese-auto bubble, air-conditioned to perfection, soundtrack-ed with all my favorite tunes from my college years.

This past week, as I was rushing off to make class on time, or at least manage to throw on my workout clothes and meet up with the group after they'd stretched (which is usually how I work it), I realized I just couldn't do it. The summer heat had reached a sweltering peak. After a day filled with rushing and juggling, speeding uptown to run in Central Park suddenly seemed torturous; impossible. The heat. The angry bicyclists. The broken water fountains. It would be a treadmill day. I grabbed the first train back to Brooklyn. (Well, the first train I was able to shove myself onto in the muggy subway station, which was actually the third train.)

I've always had a troubled relationship with time... and sleep. I regularly run 10 to 15 minutes late for everything. There are never enough hours in the day, so why not try surviving on five hours of sleep (or less, but that's the vaguely acceptable, not too horrific number I'm going to throw out here)? I never speak to my mother, or anyone, for a long period of time on the phone without simultaneously doing something else...usually my dishes. I went through a long period from pre-9/11 to 2008, when I liked to get to the airport a few minutes late, just to add a little excitement to the travel process. (Nothing says adventure like sweat trickling down the back of your neck in the ticketing line, or trying to charm your fellow passengers into letting you cut at security.) That period came to an abrupt and tragic end when I wasn't allowed on an international flight that I was just a few minutes too late for.

Running, however, calls bullshit on my cram-as-much-as-you-can-into a day style. A six-mile "easy" training run at the "easy" pace of 10:30 per mile will take not less than one hour and three minutes, plus at least a couple of minutes of dynamic stretching before, and a few more minutes of stretching afterward. It will essentially kill an entire weekday night. It is not a three or four mile run done at a quick pace that can be crammed in before work or a dinner with friends; it is a fairly long, slow run that gobbles up an extra 45 minutes. A long, 14-mile training run will kill much of Saturday, by the time one has run said 14 miles, stretched (no really, it's important after 14 miles), gulped done some recovery vittles, and sat on the couch wallowing in exhaustion. Oh, and sleep. You actually need to get that proverbial "healthy night of sleep" not the "somehow I stayed up watching mediocre late night TV and then I had to get up early" sleep. And then there are the multiple appointments with healthcare professionals to prevent injuries/fund their kids' college education (see above).

Last night, I came home from said six-mile run at the gym and cooked a gourmet dinner consisting of whole wheat bread, olive oil, almonds, olives and some lettuce -- Julie and Julia would be so proud. I peeled off my sweaty clothes and hopped in the shower. A chafed spot on my upper arm ignited as soon as the water hit it, as did several sharp, thin lines of irritated skin on my sternum. Clearly, it's time for some new sports bras. If only I had the time ...

Training Week One Summary

Miles logged: 22

Longest run: 10.5 miles (admission, this week's planned 14 mile long run was broken into two parts, see above notes on time, hellish weather)

Long run fuel: Sport Jelly Beans, fruit punch flavor. I dreamed of Swedish fish, but alas, didn't make it to the candy store.

Post-run recovery food: Banana+strawberry+raspberry+almond butter smoothie -- again

New equipment purchased: Nothing, I'm sad to report ...

 More from Blisstree.com:
30 Years Down 8 Weeks to Go
Running for a Cause But Not Without Headphones
I'm Just Not That Into My Podiatrist<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/is-training-just-a-time-suck/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/20000006/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/is-training-just-a-time-suck/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>marathan training</category><category>marathon woman</category><category>time for training</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Sophia Bush Talks (Healthy) Food</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/sophia-bush-talks-healthy-food/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/sophia-bush-talks-healthy-food/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/sophia-bush-talks-healthy-food/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Alanna Nunez for Shape.com



	
		Jason Merritt / Getty Images for Montblanc

What's in Sophia Bush's fridge? "Right now nothing!" the "One Tree Hill" star says. Bush, who is currently living in North Carolina, is well-known as an animal rights activist and environmentalist within the Hollywood sphere and says that she tries to ensure the food she eats comes from local farms where animals are raised and treated humanely.

"There are a couple of farms here in North Carolina that I like," she says. "And you know the farmers, and know that the animals weren't living in cages and that they were treated humanely."
Still, the star says that when she gets busy, she tends to eat out a lot and that instead of home cooking, her fridge is often stocked with to-go boxes.

When the actress is at home, here are three foods she can't live without:

1. Oatmeal. Bush says she tries to keep a lot of healthy, whole grains in the house, including oatmeal. And why not? Oatmeal is nutritious, versatile and makes for a satisfying breakfast (not to mention it's a superfood for better sex)! What's not to like?

2. Brown rice. This whole grain is another smart choice. A half cup of brown rice has almost 2 grams of fiber, while its counterpart, white rice, has none. And not only can you cook brown rice with basically anything, but it's full of manganese -- which is an anti-aging property -- and antioxidants.

3. Kilwin's ice cream. Ok, so the ice cream itself isn't really that healthy. But it is healthy to indulge once in a while. "When I'm in North Carolina, I can't get enough of it," Bush says. "I'm like a bloodhound; I can pick up the scent a mile away." It's all about balance -- it is important to maintain a healthy diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, but it's also important to enjoy yourself once in a while, and sometimes that means letting yourself give in to your cravings -- whatever they may be.

More from Shape.com:
Why Men Lose Weight Faster Than Women
Photos: Are These Celebs Too Thin?
20 Tricks to Get Toned Abs Faster<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/sophia-bush-talks-healthy-food/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/19999996/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/26/sophia-bush-talks-healthy-food/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>healthy eating sophia bush</category><category>one tree hill</category><category>sophia Bush</category><category>sophia bush diet</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>GIVEAWAY REMINDER: Manduka Yoga Gear</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/giveaway-reminder-manduka-yoga-gear/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/giveaway-reminder-manduka-yoga-gear/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/giveaway-reminder-manduka-yoga-gear/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[

	
		Manduka

We run a lot of yoga-related giveaways on That's Fit. The reason? Not only do they seem to induce a lot of excitement from our readers, but yoga totally embodies the message behind That's Fit: awareness of one's body, enjoyment of exercise and a focus on health.

Manduka is a company that fits perfectly into this mantra -- and one that caters to yoga novices and experts alike.

This week, one lucky That's Fit reader will win a "Beginners Luck Package" (which includes a yoga mat, yoga mat bag and yoga strap) from Manduka -- totally free. All you have to do is enter our giveaway below for your chance to win.

To enter, check out our original giveaway!<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/giveaway-reminder-manduka-yoga-gear/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/19999955/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/giveaway-reminder-manduka-yoga-gear/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><dc:creator>That\'s Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>America's Most (and Least) Walkable Cities</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/americas-most-and-least-walkable-cities/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/americas-most-and-least-walkable-cities/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/americas-most-and-least-walkable-cities/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Laura Schocker for AOL Healthy Living



	
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Can you walk to your local grocery store, restaurants and other amenities? Or does each trip require a car ride?

The answer may have an impact on your health. According to one study, people of average height who live in walkable neighborhoods weigh eight pounds less (10 pounds for men, six pounds for women) than their car-bound counterparts. And now Walk Score, a Seattle-based company that evaluates the walkability and transportation of cities all across the country, has released its rankings of the most -- and least -- walkable cities in the U.S. Using new census data and advanced algorithms, Walk Score's latest ratings rank the 50 largest cities based on whether various amenities are within walking distance, assigning each a walkability score between 0 and 100 (from "car-dependent" to "walker's paradise," respectively).

Taking the crown this year was New York City, ousting the previous winner, San Francisco. According to Walk Score CTO Matt Lerner, the change is a result of the 2010 census data -- formerly industrialized neighborhoods in areas like Brooklyn, for instance, have become more livable over the past 10 years since the 2000 census.

Take a look at Walk Score's results -- their heat maps of each city reflect the walkability by neighborhood (red is bad, green is good). And, as Lerner points out, "Even un-walkable cities have some very walkable neighborhoods."

Don't live in one of these cities? You can search your Walk Score for any U.S. address (and see the full rankings of thousands of cities) on their website.

To read the rest of this article and find out which cities are the 10 most walkable -- and which cities are the least walkable -- visit The Huffington Post's health and wellness destination site, Healthy Living. <p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/americas-most-and-least-walkable-cities/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/19999676/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/americas-most-and-least-walkable-cities/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>10 most walkable cities</category><category>least walkable cities</category><category>most walkable cities</category><category>Walk Score</category><category>walkable cities</category><category>walking exercise</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>How (and Why) to Kick Your Sugar Addiction</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/sugar-addiction/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/sugar-addiction/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/sugar-addiction/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Dr. Natasha Turner for Blisstree.com



	
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Just think how our eating habits have evolved with our busy lifestyle. We shovel in a fast bite at our desk and inhale dinner while standing over the kitchen counter, so we can spend more time on work and errands. We also eat late at night in front of the TV, or even skip meals altogether. Then, think about our food choices: Packaged, processed convenience foods loaded with hidden salt, fat and sugar. (And in the dog days of summer, you may have even opted for a dinner of popsicles or ice cream.) These foods not only do a number on our waistline; they wreak havoc on our hormones.

Energy Highs and Lows

When we consume foods high in sugar (glucose), the glucose enters the bloodstream, quickly causing blood sugars to rise. The pancreas responds by secreting insulin which then causes a surge of sugars to enter the cells to either be used as energy or stored as fat for later use. Blood sugars then fall to normal or possibly just below normal levels. While this is happening, we experience a "sugar rush" of hyperactivity (all too commonly seen in kids) only to be followed by the "crash"-fatigue, drowsiness and poor concentration. Naturally, as blood sugars fall, the body works to maintain balance by causing a craving-most likely for more sugar-and the whole process starts all over again.

Sugar's Long-Term Effects Aren't Sweet

Most foods containing sugar, especially refined white sugar, have very little nutritional value and are often referred to as "empty" calories. Beyond this, insulin is also secreted in proportion to the amount of sugar consumed. Since insulin is the only hormone that instructs the body to store energy as fat, it's a nemesis if it becomes too high. Repeatedly eating sugar throughout the day eventually leads to chronically high insulin and ultimately to insulin resistance.

Let me explain. Imagine insulin as a truck that carries sugar into cells and enters the cell upon arrival by using the garage door opener. Think of insulin resistance as the insulin truck arriving at the cell, but the garage door opener won't work until six insulin trucks are waiting, rather than just one. Soon, we will have a traffic jam of insulin trucks throughout the body, or chronically high insulin. At this juncture, weight loss becomes very difficult and there is often an increase in blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, abdominal fat, breast and prostate cancer risk and more. Need a few more reasons to avoid sugar? Here are some of the hormonal and health consequences of having a sweet tooth:



	
		Blisstree.com


Your Best Sweetener Options

For optimal health (and insulin levels) I recommend that you cut out or reduce your sugar intake. Sugar comes in a variety of forms and faces, including: table sugar (sucrose), rice syrup, maple syrup, honey, agave syrup, foods/drinks containing high fructose corn syrup, packaged foods, candies, soda, juice, etc., as well as sucralose, aspartame, saccharin and all other forms of artificial sweeteners. Instead reach for natural alternatives such as date paste, raisins, honey, apple sauce, coconut sap, erythritol and stevia. Spices such as cinnamon, vanilla or cocoa can also add flavor and sweetness to recipes.

 More from Blisstree.com:
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10 Foods You Didn't Know Contained (So Much) Sugar<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/sugar-addiction/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/19998560/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/sugar-addiction/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>addicted to sugar</category><category>beating sugar addiction</category><category>kicking sugar addiction</category><category>sugar addiction</category><category>sugar bad for you</category><category>sugar health effects</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Jenna Fischer Talks Fitness</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/jenna-fischer/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/jenna-fischer/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/jenna-fischer/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Jennipher Walters for Shape.com



	
		Michael Caulfield / WireImage

Based on her shy yet hilarious character Pam on "The Office," you wouldn't think that Jenna Fischer had such a bikini-ready body under those khakis, but clearly she does! In fact, in real life, Fischer has quite the healthy attitude. Here are the top things we can learn from her about fitness!

Top 3 Fitness Lessons From Jenna Fischer

1. Fitness for two. Fischer may be pregnant, but that's not stopping her from hitting the gym. As a mom-to-be, she's keeping her body fit and in shape!

 2. She laughs about her imperfections. All women -- even the seemingly perfect ones -- have things they'd like to change about themselves, Fischer told SHAPE back in November 2009. Instead of focusing on the negatives, this funny girl laughs them off!

3. She pays attention to her diet. Fischer knows that when it comes to getting results, eating a healthy diet -- in addition to workouts -- is essential. Even when she's too busy to get to the gym for a few days, she makes sure her diet is super clean to stay healthy and trim.

More from Shape.com:
How Mila Kunis Got Fit for Friends with Benefits
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Does More Sweat Mean You Burn More Calories?<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/jenna-fischer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/19998554/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/25/jenna-fischer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>celebrity fitness</category><category>jenn fischer</category><category>jenna fischer</category><category>jenna fischer fitness</category><category>jenna fischer pregnant</category><category>kirk</category><category>the office</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Does Your Personality Determine Your Weight?</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/does-your-personality-determine-your-weight/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/does-your-personality-determine-your-weight/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/does-your-personality-determine-your-weight/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Riddhi Shah for AOL Healthy Living



	
		Getty

How spontaneous or neurotic you are could dictate how much you weigh, says a new study.

Yes, that's right -- type A personalities are more likely to have a higher BMI and impulse shoppers are more likely to go through cycles of losing and gaining weight, according to research recently published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

In the first study of its kind, three researchers from the Department of Health and Human Services followed nearly 2,000 subjects over a 50-year life span. They found that those scoring high on the impulsivity scale were likely to be 11 kilograms (about 24 pounds) heavier than those on the lower end of that scale.

Which personality types are likely to be thin?

The researchers found those who scored high on the conscientiousness scale were likely to be leaner. They also found that those low on agreeableness "predicted a greater increase in the Body Mass Index across the adult life span."

Essentially, the meaner you are, the likelier you are to gain weight as you age.

To read the rest of this article, visit The Huffington Post's health and wellness destination site, Healthy Living. <p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/does-your-personality-determine-your-weight/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/19998048/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/does-your-personality-determine-your-weight/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>personality and weight</category><category>weight gain</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>RECIPE: Eggplant-Shallot Stew and Whole-Wheat Couscous</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/recipe-eggplant-shallot-stew-and-whole-wheat-couscous/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/recipe-eggplant-shallot-stew-and-whole-wheat-couscous/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/recipe-eggplant-shallot-stew-and-whole-wheat-couscous/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Elizabeth Nolan Brown for Blisstree.com



	
		Getty

This week, I picked up both eggplant and shallots at the farmer's market. While searching for ways to cook the eggplant (I'm very bad at eggplant), I came a recipe for eggplant and shallot stew, which sounded so good I wanted to make it immediately. Of course, I was missing almost all ingredients aside from shallots and eggplant, for the recipe (from Eating Well magazine), so here is my own riff on it (&agrave; la raisins, cashews and whole-wheat couscous, and minus what sound like complicated spice-grinding and mustard-seed-popping processes).

Eggplant and Shallot Stew with Whole Wheat Couscous
Servings: About 3 // Time: Less than &amp;frac12; hour

Ingredients:
1 medium-sized eggplant, peeled and cut into small cubes
3/4 cup diced shallots
grapeseed oil
2 serrano peppers*
&amp;frac12; cup raisins
&amp;frac12; cup raw cashews (pinenuts would probably be good, too)
1 cup water
2 cloves peeled garlic
5 fresh basil leaves,* chopped
1 teaspoon fennel seed
dashes of tumeric, cumin and ground black pepper
grated parmesan (if you want)

(* because I also had them from the same farmer's market haul)

Preparation:
In medium saucepan, heat a tablespoon or so of grapeseed oil. Add chopped peppers, letting them toast a little before adding other ingredients.

Add eggplant, shallots, raisins, cashews, water, garlic, basil, fennel seed, spices and pepper. Stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and let simmer (at least until eggplant is fork-tender, 3-5 minutes, but I let mine go about 15 minutes, so make everything really soft and the flavors all blended).

Begin couscous-for whole-wheat, medium-pearled couscous, it's 1 cup couscous to 1 &amp;frac14; cups water, + a teaspoon or so of olive oil. Bring to a boil, then cover and remove from heat. Fluff/stir after about 5 minutes.

Coarsely mash the eggplant shallot mixture.

Sprinkle couscous with pepper and grated parmesan. Serve stew with or on top of couscous.

More from Blisstree.com:
Summer Seasonables: Tabbouleh Salad Recipe
Summer Seasonables: Lentil, Strawberry and Cucumber Salad Recipe
Summer Seasonables: Raw, Vegan Berry Muesli Recipe<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/recipe-eggplant-shallot-stew-and-whole-wheat-couscous/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/19997390/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/recipe-eggplant-shallot-stew-and-whole-wheat-couscous/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>egglplant shallot stew</category><category>recpies</category><category>summer recipe</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>10 Best Workout Songs for Summer</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/10-best-workout-songs-for-summer/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/10-best-workout-songs-for-summer/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/10-best-workout-songs-for-summer/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[For Shape.com



	
		Marc Piasecki / FilmMagic

It's a big month for dance music -- with even Maroon 5 borrowing heavily from the genre. The only person to appear twice on this month's list of the top 10 workout songs is Dutch musician, DJ, and producer Tiesto. He turns up with a track from his new mix album and an update of his single C'mon, which now features a vocal by Busta Rhymes.

Here's the full list, according to votes placed at RunHundred.com, the web's most popular workout music website.

"Moves Like Jagger," Maroon 5 &amp; Christina Aguilera, 128 BPM

"C'mon (Catch 'Em By Surprise)," Tiesto, Diplo &amp; Busta Rhymes, 130 BPM

"Judas (R3HAB Remix)," Lady GaGa, 128 BPM

"I Wanna Go," Britney Spears, 131 BPM

"Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," Katy Perry, 127 BPM

"Barbra Streisand," Duck Sauce,128 BPM

"International Love," Pitbull &amp; Chris Brown, 121 BPM

"Don't Ditch," Tiesto &amp; Marcel Woods, 129 BPM

"Don't Wanna Go Home," Jason Derulo, 122 BPM

"Lights," Ellie Goulding, 121 BPM

More from Shape.com:
Eat Healthy Like Bethenny Frankel
25 Fat-Burning Workouts to Get You In Shape This Summer
The Truth Behind 8 Common Running Myths<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/10-best-workout-songs-for-summer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/19997387/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/22/10-best-workout-songs-for-summer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>workout playlist</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>3 Things You NEED to Know About 7-Eleven Slurpees</title><link>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/21/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-7-eleven-slurpees/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/21/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-7-eleven-slurpees/</guid><comments>http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/21/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-7-eleven-slurpees/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[By Abby Lerner for Shape.com



	
		Tim Sloan, AFP/Getty Images

Forget cake and presents. When 7-Eleven Inc. celebrates its birthday, the convenience store gives away free Slurpees to customers! 7-Eleven turrned 84 a week and a half ago (7/11/11), and while the company has been giving away Slurpees annually since 2002, this year's event was anticipated to be larger than ever.

A free, ice cold Slurpee can be tough to resist in the summer heat. So to help you decide if the icy drink is worth it, we pulled together a few fast facts on Slurpees.

3 Things You Should Know About Slurpee Drinks Before Your First Sip

1. Consider your Slurpee a summer indulgence, not just another drink. In an average 11-oz slurpee (the size 7-Eleven is giving away on July 11th), depending on flavor, you'll get around 175 calories, 48 grams of carbohydrates (more than the average person should be consuming in a day) and a boatload of harmful chemicals. (Have you ever seen an electric blue fruit at the farmer's market?)

2. While "diet slurpees" may have fewer calories, according to some scientific studies, they're even worse for you than the full-sugar flavors. Here's why: To make up for the lack of real sugar, diet flavors contain aspartame. As aspartame is extremely toxic to many people, the addition of this can be detrimental to your health.

3. Don't be fooled by Crystal Light flavors. Just because the Crystal Light packets you dump in your water bottle contain zero calories, zero sugar and zero carbs, it doesn't mean the Slurpee version is the same. A 16 oz cup comes in at 80 calories. This is still a fine low-cal treat, but we just want you to be aware that it's not calorie free.

 More from Shape.com:
50 Seemingly Healthy Foods That Are Bad for You
What's the Real Deal on Detox Diets?
3 Butt and Thigh Moves Celeb Trainers Swear By<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/21/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-7-eleven-slurpees/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/forward/19997041/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/07/21/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-7-eleven-slurpees/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>7-11</category><category>7-eleven</category><category>7-eleven 84th birthday</category><category>free slurpees</category><category>slurpees</category><dc:creator>That's Fit Editors</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
