Category Archives: Staying Fit

Sleep Disorders, Stereotypes and Fitness

Posted on March 29, 2011 | 1 Comment

From Joe: Can your own stereotypes cause you to misunderstand your weight and fitness issues?

When the causal network of a medical disorder is poorly understood, social stereotypes readily come into action. Recently, for example, some Chicago sports commentators fretted that Bulls star Derrick Rose’s ulcers signaled that he had become too emotionally intense. The ulcers-are-caused-by-stress stereotype had gone into high gear. It took a few days for the relationship between ulcers and bacteria to make its way to the public.

Lifehacker Whitson Gordon reminds us that sleep deprivation – and, by implication, insomnia – can lead to heavier eating:

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Is your fitness regimen a pilgrimage?

Posted on March 24, 2011 | Comments Off

From Joe:  It’s possible to define a marathon as a bunch of people in their underwear running as fast as possible for 26 miles without giving proper attention to the bad things that can happen to them along the way. This way of looking at a marathon, taking the event literally, makes the runners look foolish. It makes the spectators too look foolish: They roar with primal excitement as the runners leave the start. Many of the spectators choke with emotion. Some are moved to tears. Same thing happens at Bulls and Bears games. Why the emotion?

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The only exercise equipment you’ll ever need

Posted on March 21, 2011 | 1 Comment

From Joe: What equipment is absolutely indispensable to you when starting a new diet or fitness regimen? Do you need free weights? Special apps for the phone so you can count calories? A heart rate monitor? A treadmill? Elaborate progressive resistance machines? Or, that perennial favorite, a fancy new set of gym clothes?

 All that stuff is nice. But indispensable? Maybe not.

 For most of my adult life, I’ve spent 7 to 10 hours a week in gyms. All kinds of training fads and equipment fetishes came and went. Throughout it all, one apparatus remained perpetually useful.

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Need more exercise? Get a dog!

Posted on March 16, 2011 | 1 Comment

From Eileen:  Full discloser here …  I am a cat owner and proud of it. Still, it should come as no surprise that a new study shows dog owners are 35 percent more likely to get the exercise they need. Of course, they may be getting it at 4 a.m., but let’s not quibble.  Hmmmm, I wonder how my cat would feel about taking a stroll with me. Here’s the full article: http://ti.me/hP7bLp

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Working out at work

Posted on March 15, 2011 | Comments Off

From Eileen: Not sure what my boss would say if I tossed him a 12-pound medicine ball during a meeting, but the idea of exercising while working intrigues me. 1.) I wouldn’t have to get up early. 2.) I love the idea of multi-tasking. 3.) It would leave my evenings completely free (hello, couch!) I have often thought about how many calories I would burn if my computer was attached to a treadmill, but, alas, here I sit. In any case, here are some suggestions for exercising in the office, courtesy of Mayo Clinic. http://bit.ly/hUjXun

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The difference between men and women

Posted on March 11, 2011 | 1 Comment

From Eileen:  Whenever it’s a choice between weights and cardio, I will always choose the cardio. Even though I know I can get my heart rate up when I do weights (and, therefore, kill two birds with one stone, so to speak), I will always go cardio. It appears it’s a “girl” thing.  There’s a great article in the Washington Post about studies that are being done by the folks at Weight Watchers that show women go for dieting and cardio … and men hit the weight room. Is that true for you, as well?  http://wapo.st/dUNVEl

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What color are you?

Posted on March 9, 2011 | 1 Comment

From Eileen: A favorite fitness book of mine is called “The 8 Colors of Fitness.” Written by Suzanne Brue, the book helps you match your  personality type with your fitness program. For example, I’m considered a “silver,” which means I need lots of variety … which explains my forays into kick boxing, belly dancing, circus fitness and  Nordic walking.  Check out this quiz  to see what activities fit your type. I’d be interested, all you Fittest Losers, to see what colors you are!

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