thatsfit.ca http://www.thatsfit.ca thatsfit.ca http://www.thatsfit.ca/media/feedlogo.gif thatsfit.ca http://www.thatsfit.ca en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Think Opposites Attract? Not When Choosing Your Spousehttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/choosing-a-mate-like-ourselves/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/choosing-a-mate-like-ourselves/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/choosing-a-mate-like-ourselves/#commentsFiled under:

Opposites may attract, but when it comes to choosing your spouse, you're more likely to pick someone who has similar personality traits. That's according to a team of researchers who've determined that old married couples who seem eerily similar in their mannerisms started out that way, rather than adopting parts of their partner's personality over time.

"Existing research shows that spouses are more similar than random people," lead author Mikhila Humbad of Michigan State University said in a statement. "This could reflect spouses' influence on each other over time, or this could be what attracted them to each other in the first place." Her investigation, which analyzed data from over 1,200 couples who had been married for an average of 19.5 years, showed one clear message: amazingly, even two decades of marriage can't cause individual personality traits to shift. Rather, any similarities were there to begin with.

Continue reading Think Opposites Attract? Not When Choosing Your Spouse

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]]>aggressionchoosing a spouseChoosingASpouselovemarriagemarriedpartnerspersonalityromancesimilaritiesspouseMartha EdwardsFri, 03 Sep 2010 03:05:00 ESTRev Up Your Run, Butt Toning Tips and Morehttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/rev-your-running-butt-toning-basics-and-more/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/rev-your-running-butt-toning-basics-and-more/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/rev-your-running-butt-toning-basics-and-more/#commentsFiled under:

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Feeling a bit un-challenged by your same old running routine? Here are some affordable gadgets that will help take your jogs to the next level.

Get awesome glutes -- Shape your backside with these creative variations on the traditional lunge.

How much you weigh matters, but where you carry that weight also matters -- research suggests that people who carry a certain kind of fat will have a harder time losing it than anyone else.

Don't let achy joints keep you from working out -- As Health.com points out, a bit of sweat can really help you manage the pain.

Looking on the bright side isn't so easy -- or is it? Here are some easy tips on how to become a "glass half-full" kind of person.

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]]>arthritisbright sideBrightSidebuttfatgasgetsglutesLunaNuevaoptimismrunningweight lossWeightLossMartha EdwardsFri, 03 Sep 2010 03:00:00 ESTHow To Get That Workout Rushhttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/how-to-get-that-workout-rush/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/how-to-get-that-workout-rush/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/how-to-get-that-workout-rush/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dear Sarah,

Sometimes I have trouble getting myself to the gym after work (which truly is my only time to exercise). I spend 20-30 minutes on cardio and then do a circuit of weights. I make myself go because I think it will make me feel better, but sometimes it makes me feel worse -- grouchy and wishing I hadn't bothered. Why does this happen? I thought exercise was supposed to release endorphins or something?

Becky

Dear Becky,

Chances are at the end of a long day at the office you are tired more mentally than physically. The good news is that doing something physical can help you combat your mental fatigue. Keep in mind, you're not necessarily going to reach a runner's high (an extreme rush of endorphins, the feel-good hormones) every time you step into the gym. However, you can elevate your mood at least a couple of notches.

When endorphins are released, they increase your body's threshold for pain and improve how you feel emotionally. While it's perfectly natural to feel tired and perhaps a little grouchy due to the hunger you built up exercising just before dinner, if you truly feel worse for wear, then you most likely have not achieved your endorphin rush.

Find out how to ensure your workout rush after the jump.

Continue reading How To Get That Workout Rush

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]]>cardioendorphinsendorphins exerciseEndorphinsExerciseexercise boredomExerciseBoredomfitnesshate exercisingHateExercisinginterval trainingIntervalTrainingmotivationweight trainingWeightTrainingworking outworkoutworkout routineworkout rutWorkoutRoutineWorkoutRutworkoutsSarah BrownFri, 03 Sep 2010 02:55:00 ESTAre You Using Your Intuition?http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/intuition-go-with-your-gut/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/intuition-go-with-your-gut/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/intuition-go-with-your-gut/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's decision time, and there's that niggling "little voice" inside that's telling you to go one way, but then you brush it off in favour of the more "rational" choice. Are you using your intuition to its full capacity or do you often ignore that feeling deep in your gut?

Trish Ottone, a certified hypnotherapist, holistic nutritionist, homeopath, and yoga and reiki instructor, offers her take on intuition and explains how she helps clients through intuitive consultations.

Q: What is intuition?

A: Intuition is an inherent language that we all have that utilizes all of our sensory elements (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) to speak to us. For example, when you get a situation that you may need to be cautious in and you have a physical experience -- like the hairs on you arm standing up or tingles or shivers -- this lets you know mentally that something is up, which emotionally signals you to be on guard. This information came from an "energy" that seemed outside yourself, yet connected to you on a deep level. You did not have any prior rational or logical details about the situation, but intuitively you knew.

Intuition is the name for that process; sometimes we just "know" things. I would go as far as saying most of the time we actually "know lots," but we have not been taught to make the most of this wonderful tool that we all have.

Q: What do we need intuition for?

Continue reading Are You Using Your Intuition?

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]]>calmcommunicationhappinesshealthintuitionintuitivemeditationmental healthMentalHealthrelationshipsself-talkSarah TreleavenFri, 03 Sep 2010 02:50:00 ESTSplit Routines: Find the Weightlifting Program That's Right For Youhttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/split-routines-weightlifting/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/split-routines-weightlifting/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/03/split-routines-weightlifting/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

People on anabolic steroids make me laugh.

One long weekend this summer I took my family to the West Edmonton Mall and we stayed in the Fantasy Land Hotel. After a hard day of water-parking, mini-golfing, Boston Pizza-eating, and pointing at expensive stuff, we were all worn out and ready for a good night's sleep.

After eight hours, as is usual, I was wide awake and, as is also usual, the rest of my family was not. I snuck out to the Gold's Gym in the mall, which is free for hotel guests. The place was fairly empty that early on a Sunday morning, but I did take note of the aforementioned chemically-enhanced bodybuilder.

Actually, considering how much noise the guy was making, it was hard not to notice him. With each repetition, he made sounds akin to an overly excited sea lion. I know this because the previous day we had watched a show at "Sea Lion's Rock," and the main attraction regularly barked out with "Ha-rooo-ahhh!" just as the bodybuilder did.

Besides the grotesquely huge muscles, the stretch marks, the back acne, and the muscle shirt that was way TMI, I noticed that during the hour I was in the gym he only worked one body part the entire time: his triceps.

If he plays tennis, I'm sure he has a killer backhand.

Find the weightlifting program that's right for you after the jump.

Continue reading Split Routines: Find the Weightlifting Program That's Right For You

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]]>AnabolicSteroidslower bodylower body workoutLowerBodyLowerBodyWorkoutsplit routinesSplitRoutinesstrengthstrength trainingstrength-trainingStrengthTrainingupper bodyupper body strengthupper body workoutUpperBodyUpperBodyStrengthUpperBodyWorkoutweightliftingWeightLiftingRoutinesweightsJames S. FellFri, 03 Sep 2010 02:48:00 ESTCan't Sleep? Five Habits That Are Sabotaging Your Slumberhttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/habits-that-sabotage-sleep/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/habits-that-sabotage-sleep/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/habits-that-sabotage-sleep/#commentsFiled under:

Natasha Turner, N.D. is a Toronto-based naturopathic doctor. She is the founder of the Clear Medicine wellness boutique and author of the bestselling book The Hormone Diet. Each week in her column for That's Fit.ca, Dr. Turner advises readers on how to remedy common health issues and improve their overall health.


Tossing, turning, staring at the clock -- sleepless nights are not only frustrating, but hazardous to our mental and physical health.

When, how and what you eat has the potential to either help or hinder the quality of your sleep. If you have problems falling asleep, staying asleep or wake feeling un-refreshed in the morning, check if one or more of your current nutrition habits could be disrupting your sleep:

1. Drinking coffee after lunch: Never consume coffee past lunchtime because different people metabolize caffeine at different rates. Enjoying your coffee early in the day will reduce the impact it may have on your sleep. (And don't forget, soft drinks, teas and chocolate are also caffeine sources.) When you do enjoy your caffeine dose of the day, choose a soy latte with one shot of organic espresso rather than coffee and top it off with cinnamon. One shot of espresso contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee and your bones will benefit from the soy milk.

Our ability to excrete caffeine decreases with age, so while you might have tolerated four cups of coffee a day when you were 20, you'll probably need to cut down as you get older. Always avoid caffeine if you endure anxiety, stress or depression. And if insomnia persists, consider going cold turkey.

2. Taking a pass on carbs at dinnertime: Who says you have to eat your carbs earlier in the day? Consume the right carbs in the right amount at dinner to improve your sleep. Consuming a moderate amount (about ½ cup or one fist serving size) of low GI carbohydrate such as sweet potato, brown rice, kamut pasta, legumes or quinoa with your evening meal can help to improve your sleep. Healthy carbs raise serotonin, our happy hormone, which also has beneficial effects on our sleep. Those of us with higher amounts of serotonin sleep better and longer.

More sleep-sabotaging habits after the jump.

Continue reading Can't Sleep? Five Habits That Are Sabotaging Your Slumber

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]]>caffeineCaffeineDrinkscant sleepCantFallAsleepCantSleepcarbscoffeehormone dietHormoneDietinsomniaNatasha TurnerNatashaTurnerskipping mealsSkippingMealssleepsleep deprivationSleepDeprivationtiredDr. Natasha TurnerThu, 02 Sep 2010 03:05:00 ESTGoing Green to Get Fit, What Goosebumps Can Mean and Morehttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/morning-scoop-eco-fitness-goosebumps/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/morning-scoop-eco-fitness-goosebumps/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/morning-scoop-eco-fitness-goosebumps/#commentsFiled under:

tree plantingEach morning, we dish out a few links we love.

What's good for the earth is good for you -- seriously! Divine lists a few ways that going green can help your health.

Got goosebumps? It might not be a sign of chills -- As it turns out, these tiny bumps can actually be a surprising indicator of stress.

Addicted to your job? Here are some reasons it's crucial to unplug every now and then.

Weight gain isn't just a symptom of middle age -- sometimes it happens to people in their 20s too! If this is happening to you, here are some things you can do about it.

Feeling uninspired? Take a healthy hint from Jill Hennessy -- she turns to long runs when she needs a mood, energy and creativity boost.

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]]>20sdieteco-friendlyenvironmentalismgoosebumpshealthJill HennessyJillHennessyoverworkoverworkedstressweight gainWeightGainMartha EdwardsThu, 02 Sep 2010 03:00:00 ESTStow That Sunscreen: Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Serious Illnesshttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/vitamin-d-linked-to-serious-illness/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/vitamin-d-linked-to-serious-illness/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/vitamin-d-linked-to-serious-illness/#commentsFiled under: ,

A ground-breaking new study out of Oxford University has found a link between vitamin D and the genes thought responsible for many serious illnesses like cancer and autoimmune disorders.

It's an important step forward -- while it is becoming widely recognized that a deficiency in vitamin D is associated with the risk of many chronic diseases, the mechanism by which vitamin D protects us has never been understood. Because of this, many have been skeptical of the connection.

The findings were published last week on the online version of the journal Genome Research and detail how the scientists mapped exactly where vitamin D interacts with its receptors throughout the entire human genome. Researchers from the UK and Canada mapped vitamin D binding sites, identifying more than 2,700 sites. They found an unusual concentration near genes associated with several common autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and Crohn's disease. There were also binding sites in regions associated with cancers such as leukemia and colorectal cancer.

The researchers explained that these findings support the hypothesis that vitamin D interacts directly with genes in the initiation and progress of disease. Without vitamin D, these genes cannot function properly and serious disease can result. "Considerations of vitamin D supplementation as a preventative measure for these diseases are strongly warranted," said researcher Dr. Sreeram Ramagopalan, of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics at Oxford University.

Find out how to get more vitamin D after the jump.

Continue reading Stow That Sunscreen: Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Serious Illness

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]]>healthhealthyhealthy foodhealthy foodiehealthy foodie doug dipasqualehealthy foodieshealthy foodsHealthyFoodHealthyFoodieHealthyFoodieDougDipasqualeHealthyFoodiesHealthyFoodsholisticholistic nutritionholistic nutritionistHolisticNutritionHolisticNutritionistskin cancerSkinCancersun exposureSunExposuresunscreensunscreensvitamin dvitamin d deficiencyVitamin D intakevitamin D supplementsvitamin d3VitaminDVitaminD3VitaminDDeficiencyVitaminDIntakeVitaminDSupplementsDoug DiPasqualeThu, 02 Sep 2010 02:55:00 ESTAre You Lonely? One Woman Shares Her Experiencehttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/loneliness-book-emily-white/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/loneliness-book-emily-white/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/loneliness-book-emily-white/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Do you often find yourself feeling lonely? It's a feeling shared by many, but it's rarely openly discussed. Emily White, a Newfoundland-based lawyer-turned-writer, struggled for years with feelings of isolation. She wrote Lonely: Learning to Live with Solitude in order to share her experiences with chronic loneliness.

Q: Why did you write this book?

A: I wrote the book because it was the book I wanted to read. There was a fair bit written about loneliness in the third person, but there wasn't anything written by a lonely person using the words "me" and "I". And I wanted a first-person voice. I wanted to read someone talking about their own loneliness, just so that I wouldn't feel so alone with mine. When I realized that the book I wanted didn't exist, I decided to write it myself.

Q: What did you learn by talking to other people who have experienced loneliness?

A: I learned that the vast majority of experiences I had when lonely -- the endless daydreams, the fantasies, the paradoxical retreat from social interaction -- were in fact widely shared. Behaviours I thought were mine alone, such as unplugging the phone when feeling intensely lonely, were in fact fairly common. Talking to other lonely people really normalized what I was going through, and that was wonderful. It also felt good just to hear my experiences repeated back to me -- every story I heard made me realize I wasn't alone.

Continue reading Are You Lonely? One Woman Shares Her Experience

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]]>book about lonelinessBookAboutLonelinessdepressionemily whiteEmilyWhitefamilyfriendshappinesshappyisolationlonelinesslonelylonely: learning to live with solitudeLonely:LearningToLiveWithSolitudeloverelationshipsSarah TreleavenThu, 02 Sep 2010 02:50:00 ESTWhat To Do About Stinky, Wet Sweathttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/stinky-wet-sweat/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/stinky-wet-sweat/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/02/stinky-wet-sweat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dear Sarah,

When I do my cardio at the gym I sweat a lot under my armpits, and sometimes it's really stinky. I like to pretend that it is not me that stinks, but it is. I wear deodorant but it doesn't seem to mask the smell. Would an antiperspirant do a better job?

Jeanette

Dear Jeanette,

First let me say, sweat is good! Sweat itself has no odor. It's what happens when the sweat reaches the skin surface that creates 'the stink'.

Continue reading What To Do About Stinky, Wet Sweat

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]]>antiperspirantarmpitsbody odorBodyOdordeoderantdeodorantno sweatNoSweatstinkstinkinesssweatingSarah BrownThu, 02 Sep 2010 02:45:00 ESTHow To Get Healthy, Glowing Skinhttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/how-to-get-healthy-glowing-skin/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/how-to-get-healthy-glowing-skin/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/how-to-get-healthy-glowing-skin/#commentsFiled under: ,

Moisturizer, exfoliant, eye cream, sunscreen -- every day we slather our skin with substances, yet most of us know little about the ingredients in the products we use. Worried about the chemicals you're putting on your face and body? Alexandra Spurt and Siobhan O'Connor, co-authors of No More Dirty Looks: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics, offer their tips for healthy, natural skin.

Q: Which natural products are best for your skin?

Siobhan: For the book we tested and reviewed the best in natural beauty, and our hunt continues. We're discovering new clean products all the time but our favorites are those that feature proven natural ingredients -- things like aloe vera, honey (which has amazing antibacterial powers and helps reduce scarring), argan oil (which fights acne) and so on. We surveyed which naturals have real science behind them and came up with a list of 11 that we really love. Look for these and other ingredients that you can pronounce in your products.

Continue reading How To Get Healthy, Glowing Skin

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]]>antioxidantsantioxidants for skinAntioxidantsForSkinchemicalsfacehealthhydrationhydroquinonenaturalparabensskinskin discolorationskin discolourationskin hydrationskin toneskincareSkinDiscolorationSkinDiscolourationSkinHydrationSkinTonesodium laureth sulfatesodium lauryl sulphateSodiumLaurethSulfateSodiumLaurylSulphatetriclosanvitamin cVitaminCSarah TreleavenWed, 01 Sep 2010 03:05:00 ESTBooze Benefits, What Your Bad Breath Means and Morehttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/heavy-drinkers-live-longer/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/heavy-drinkers-live-longer/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/heavy-drinkers-live-longer/#commentsFiled under:

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

You're right -- a few drinks won't kill you. Research shows that heavy drinkers tend to live longer than teetotalers.

Bad breath isn't just embarrassing -- it can be a sign of serious health problems. Here are some inside clues as to what your breath means.

Just can't quit the cancer sticks? At the very least, load up on greens -- studies show that while quitting smoking is optimal, eating more produce can help reduce your health risks.

Before you send your little one back to school, make sure to ask yourself this very important question: Is his or her backpack too heavy? If it is, it can damage them for life.

Need a boost in the morning? Forget unhealthy -- and often expensive -- coffee shop muffins. Here's a recipe for vegan muffins that will hit the spot and keep you going all day.

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]]>bad breathBadBreathbakcpackdrinkinghalitosisheavykidsmuffinsMartha EdwardsWed, 01 Sep 2010 03:00:00 ESTRaw Almond Butter Recipe: A Healthy Alternative To Peanut Butterhttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/almond-butter-recipe/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/almond-butter-recipe/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/almond-butter-recipe/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you are trying to make healthier food choices, one of the first places you should look is your breakfast table.

Most clients I know are putting peanut butter daily on their morning toast, and not always the natural organic PB either. Worse, they're eating refined peanut butters that have sugar as the second ingredient. I will be the first to admit that my comfort food is PB&J, and I don't want to slam peanut butter here, but it is important to practice moderation. Eating the same foods over and over again can put you at a greater risk for developing allergies and food sensitivities.

Dr. Natasha Turner advises in her book The Hormone Diet that peanuts are very acidic and inflammatory. As a nutritionist, I certainly agree. The more acidic foods you eat, like refined carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol, red meat, the more you crave it, and the more acidic you become.

Keep in mind the following about peanut butter:
  • Peanuts are frequently contaminated in aflatoxin, a poison produced by a fungus called Aspergillus flavus.
  • Be sure to purchase organic if you do eat peanut butter from time to time. Peanuts are one of the crops most contaminated by pesticides.
  • Peanuts have a very high ratio of omega 6:3, for optimal health you want more omega 3s in your diet.
More and more people are switching from peanut butter to almond butter or seed butters like pumpkin and sunflower. Nut butters are now available at nearly every grocery store as well as health food stores. I suggest you try my almond butter recipe because it has a better ratio of good fats compared to that of peanut butter. Plus, more health benefits after the jump.

Continue reading Raw Almond Butter Recipe: A Healthy Alternative To Peanut Butter

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]]>almond butterAlmondButterbreakfast foodBreakfastFoodhealthy eatinghealthy recipesHealthyEatingHealthyRecipesnut buttersNutButtersomega-3peanut butterPeanutButterJoy McCarthyWed, 01 Sep 2010 02:55:00 ESTTreating Yourself Is Harmless, Right? Think Againhttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/binge-eating-causes-weight-gain/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/binge-eating-causes-weight-gain/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/binge-eating-causes-weight-gain/#commentsFiled under:

We've all been there -- after a stressful period at work, a fight with a friend or a bad break-up, we reach for the Oreos and ice cream and deep dish pizza, all while promising to eat better once we're feeling normal again. If we work out and eat healthy foods after a few weeks of bingeing, it's OK, right?

Wrong. A new study shows that what goes into our lips really does stay a lifetime on our hips. When it comes to unhealthy eating, "even short-term behavioural changes may have prolonged effects on health," Asa Ernersson, the key author on the study, told the BBC. Ouch.

The research, done at Sweden's Linkoping University, showed that people who binged on fast food for four to six weeks gained an average of 14 pounds and kept it on for over two years. During the study, the 18 adult participants were limited to 5,000 steps or less per day while increasing their consumption of energy-dense foods by 70 percent. So it's not surprising that they gained the weight.

Continue reading Treating Yourself Is Harmless, Right? Think Again

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]]>bingeingcomfort foodComfortFoodhealthy eatingHealthyEatingjunk foodJunkFoodstress eatingStressEatingweight gainweight lossWeightGainWeightLossMartha EdwardsWed, 01 Sep 2010 02:50:00 ESTDepression Solutions: Complex Carbs and Lean Proteinhttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/depression-solutions-complex-carbs-and-lean-protein/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/depression-solutions-complex-carbs-and-lean-protein/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/09/01/depression-solutions-complex-carbs-and-lean-protein/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Each week, holistic nutritionist Joy McCarthy tells us about a common health problem she's seen in her practice and how she came to a solution.

This Week's Client: Lisa, 28, personal trainer, business owner

The Problem: Lack of concentration, low energy and though not diagnosed with depression, she felt sad and down more days than she felt happy.

Lisa was suffering from the most common type of depression: chronic low-grade sadness that comes and goes. As in Lisa's case, it's not necessarily debilitating and most people can function and lead normal lives without anyone else ever noticing. She had considered taking anti-depressants to help boost her mood, but wanted to try a natural route first.

Depression can be a rather complicated disorder to treat because there are often many different causes, including nutritional deficiency, food allergies, adrenal fatigue, stress, traumatic events, a neurotransmitter imbalance, lack of exercise and over-consumption of sugar. There are as many causes as there are solutions and numerous studies to back up every plausible solution. This is why a custom-tailored approach is required, unique to each individual.

As a nutritionist, diet is always the first place I start with my clients, along with lifestyle recommendations. I focused on helping Lisa clean up her diet first and she committed 100% to my recommendations for three months.

Solutions after the jump.

Continue reading Depression Solutions: Complex Carbs and Lean Protein

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]]>amino acidsAminoAcidsanti-depressantAnti-depressantsdairydepresseddepressiondepression drugsdepression medicationDepressionDrugsDepressionMedicationDHAfood sensitivitiesfood sensitivityFoodSensitivitiesFoodSensitivityglutenlow-grade depressionLow-gradeDepressionnutritional deficienciesnutritional deficiencyNutritionalDeficienciesNutritionalDeficiencyprocessed foodsProcessedFoodssadnessstresssugaryogaJoy McCarthyWed, 01 Sep 2010 02:45:00 ESTMagnesium Deficiency Could be Causing Your Stress and Depressionhttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/magnesium-deficiency-stress-depression/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/magnesium-deficiency-stress-depression/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/magnesium-deficiency-stress-depression/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Feeling stressed? Moody? Depressed? While you may think it's your life that needs changing, your real problem might be what's missing from your diet: magnesium.

This under-appreciated and vastly under-consumed mineral is the hidden cause of many mood disorders, and boosting your magnesium levels could be the key to improving your emotional health.

Statistics show that we simply do not have enough magnesium in our diets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) claims that 60 per cent of Americans aren't getting their daily magnesium requirements. And according to psychologist/MD/medical researcher Dr. Mark Sircus, who has written extensively on the topic, that number just scratches the surface of the problem -- "What they don't tell us is that this 60% is based on minimum daily estimates set by the Department of Agriculture [which] are set terribly low, so actually the number is much higher." A common culprit is processed foods, which are depleted of many essential minerals, including magnesium. On top of this, soil that has been depleted of minerals also lacks the all-important magnesium, so even our fresh produce tends to be lacking.


Find out how to get more magnesium after the jump.

Continue reading Magnesium Deficiency Could be Causing Your Stress and Depression

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]]>apprehensioncancerconfusiondepressiondietary magnesiumDietaryMagnesiumdiseaseDr. Mark SircusDr. SircusDr.MarkSircusDr.Sircusepsom saltsEpsomSaltsillnessinsomniairritabilitymagnesiummagnesium bathmagnesium chloridemagnesium deficiencymagnesium oilMagnesiumBathMagnesiumChlorideMagnesiumDeficiencyMagnesiumOilmental depressionMentalDepressionnervousnessprocessed foodsProcessedFoodsreduce stressReduceStresssensitivity to noiseSensitivityToNoisestresssupplementtransdermaltransdermal magnesiumTransdermalMagnesiumtremblingtwitchingDoug DiPasqualeTue, 31 Aug 2010 03:15:00 ESTTry a Medicine Ball For a Great Workout With Your Matehttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/try-a-medicine-ball-for-a-great-workout-with-your-mate/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/try-a-medicine-ball-for-a-great-workout-with-your-mate/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/try-a-medicine-ball-for-a-great-workout-with-your-mate/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dear Sarah,

I like to exercise outdoors, and my husband I and used to go jogging every day. But since having three kids, we are lucky if we get out once a month. What would be the best way for us to work out together without leaving the house (we have a big yard)?

Maura

Dear Maura,

A great way to work out together in your backyard is with a medicine ball. One of the most ancient tools for muscle conditioning, medicine balls were originally made out of animal skins and filled with sand. Today, a medicine ball is approximately 14 inches in diameter, made of out vinyl or nylon, and comes in weights ranging from 2-25 pounds. You can purchase medicine balls at most sporting good stores, or make your own by filling an old basketball with sand.

There are a wide variety of exercises that can be done with a medicine ball, from simple ab crunches to twisting catches with a partner that not only work your abs, but target your glutes, quads, hamstrings, shoulder, back, and arms. It's a great whole body workout, and if you play hard, it will also get your heart rate up.

Check out Sarah's medicine ball workout after the jump.

Continue reading Try a Medicine Ball For a Great Workout With Your Mate

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]]>Couples workoutcouples workoutsCouplesWorkoutCouplesWorkoutsmedicine ballmedicine ball workoutmedicine ball workoutsmedicine ballsMedicineBallMedicineBallsMedicineBallWorkoutMedicineBallWorkoutsoutdoor fitnessoutdoor workoutoutdoor workoutsOutdoorFitnessOutdoorWorkoutOutdoorWorkoutsSarah BrownTue, 31 Aug 2010 03:10:00 ESTColicky Baby? Try Probioticshttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/colicky-baby-try-probiotics/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/colicky-baby-try-probiotics/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/colicky-baby-try-probiotics/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There's nothing that makes new parents feel more frustrated and helpless than dealing with a colicky baby. Colic is defined as periods of intense and unexplained crying or fussing in a healthy baby, lasting more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week for more than 3 weeks. The worst part is that nothing seems to soothe the infant. He or she will just keep crying, as if in pain from some unknown source. The babies can't communicate what's wrong, so they just cry.

Many theories about the source of colic have to do with food sensitivities and abnormal gut function. In one new study, published recently in the journal Pediatrics, researchers attempted to find out if supplementation with probiotic bacteria, the health-promoting bacteria which inhabit the human digestive tract and help with digestive function, would help ease infant colic.

The researchers took 50 exclusively breastfed infants who had been diagnosed with colic and assigned them randomly to either receive probiotic drops or a placebo for 21 days. The study was double-blind, which means neither the subjects nor the experimenters knew which children were getting the probiotic drops. Infants received five drops of probiotic liquid or placebo once per day, 30 minutes before feeding. The study relied on parental diaries for recording how much the babies cried during the trials. They also took stool samples to see if the probiotics had an altered effect on the gut flora.

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]]>abnormal gut functionAbnormalGutFunctionbabiesbabycoliccolickycolicky babyColickyBabycryingfood sensitivityFoodSensitivityhealthhealthy foodhealthy foodiehealthy foodie doug dipasqualeHealthyFoodieHealthyFoodieDougDipasqualeholisticholistic healthholistic nutritionholistic nutritionistHolisticHealthHolisticNutritionHolisticNutritionistinfantinfantsprobioticprobiotic bacteriaprobiotic supplementationprobiotic supplementation of infantsProbioticBacteriaprobioticsProbioticSupplementationProbioticSupplementationOfInfantssooth colicSoothColicDoug DiPasqualeTue, 31 Aug 2010 03:05:00 ESTWhat Side of the Road Should You Run On?http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/running-road-facing-traffic/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/running-road-facing-traffic/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/running-road-facing-traffic/#commentsFiled under: , ,

When I was a kid in school there was a public service campaign squeezed in between the ones about not talking to strangers and not eating paste about what side of the road you are supposed to ride your bike on versus what side to walk/run on.

If there is a sidewalk, you walk on that (Duh). If there is no sidewalk, you walk/run on the left side, facing traffic. However, if you're on a bicycle, you're supposed to go in the same direction as traffic. I thought everyone knew this.

Apparently, "everyone" is not the all-encompassing term I once believed it to be.

I recently received an angry email from someone who read that I advocate running facing traffic. It was a profanity-laced rant about how I was on the wrong side of the road. He told me he's a cyclist and that if he is riding with traffic and I'm running against traffic, it forces him out into the road where he can be hit by a car, and that if he saw me coming towards him he would ride right at me to force me off the [expletive deleted] road.

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]]>run facing trafficRunFacingTrafficrunningrunning safetyRunningSafetyJames S. FellTue, 31 Aug 2010 03:00:00 ESTBeer Fear: Your Favourite Brew Could Cause Psoriasishttp://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/beer-could-cause-psoriasis/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/beer-could-cause-psoriasis/http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/08/31/beer-could-cause-psoriasis/#commentsFiled under:

Each morning, we dish out a few links we love.

Love beer? What kind you drink matters -- here's how your choice of brew can put you at risk for a painful skin condition.

Vitamins may be important, but don't be fooled into thinking that all supplements are safe. Watch out for these 12 most dangerous supplements.

Some people are born to be runners, but if you're not, don't panic. Fit Bottomed Girls lists easy ways anyone can become a runner ... and love it.

If you're looking for a natural treatment for depression, look no further than your local yoga studio -- studies show that a few downward dogs can prevent depression.

Want to protect your children from obesity? It's easy -- make them walk to school, if you can.

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]]>beerdepressionkidspsoriasisrunningsupplementsvitaminswalking to schoolWalkingToSchoolyogaMartha EdwardsTue, 31 Aug 2010 02:55:00 EST