HealthyWeek

Some people might think we're a little nutty about our kids' early bedtime. I mean, we can be flexible. This summer, our boys enjoyed many a late night since they could sleep late in the morning. But mostly, and definitely when school is in session, Joey and Danny head for bed around 8 PM. That gives them 10.5 hours of sleep before we start the day with a rousing wake-up call. Research says we're not so nutty after all, because getting too little sleep or not spending enough time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is associated with overweight tendencies among children and teens. Compared to normal-weight children, one study found that overweight kids slept about 22 minutes less per night and had lower sleep efficiency, shorter REM sleep, less eye activity during REM sleep, and a longer wait before the first REM period. One hour less of total sleep was associated with a twofold increased risk of being overweight. One hour less of REM sleep was associated with a threefold inc

Eat beans, say the smart ones at my fitness center. Just got another e-mail health tip from them, and it's all about, yep, beans. Beans are inexpensive and delicious and easy to keep stocked in your pantry. Best of all, they're packed with protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber. They're also cholesterol-free, almost fat-free, and if the health experts of the world are right, they'll even lower your cholesterol. The best when it comes to cholesterol-lowering beans: Pinto, navy, and garbanzo beans all have similar lowering effects. Researchers think it's phytochemicals, the compounds that gives plants their color, that may be responsible. Time to add beans to your soups, casseroles, salads, dips, and more. Think about making them the focal part of your next meal and see what you think.

This weekend, our family went to a Mexican Fiesta party. I gotta say, not only were the food offerings delicious -- and plentiful! -- they were also healthy. From guacamole and veggies to slow-cooked beans with cilantro, there was something to satisfy every taste, and every nutritional need. My favorite had to be the Mexican chopped salad with honey lime dressing . This salad had greens, chunks and color, color, color. Everything is fresh and the balanced ingredients are oozing nutrition. Talk about a masterpiece: romaine, black beans, corn, tomato, avocado, jicama, radishes, red pepper, and a delectable dressing, complete with fresh garlic.

Medicine cabinet is actually a terribly misleading misnomer. Contrary to popular belief, bathroom "medicine" cabinets are among the worst possible places to keep medications, which seems to call for a name change, if you ask me. Due to the regular warmth and humidity in a bathroom, many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can break down over time. That's why it's best to instead keep medicines in a cool, dry place -- preferably somewhere that is locked up and out of reach of children and pets. For more examples of some of the worst places for your health, check out this slide show from AOL Health.

In what by this point seems like a past life, I was at one time a personal trainer. And it was during those couple of years that I met some truly inspirational people, many of which had never before stepped foot in a gym. Why? Because they felt as though they were too heavy to work out. Seems almost counter-intuitive, doesn't it? Yet, when you factor in the greater difficulty and the understandable feelings of insecurity, reluctance of this kind begins to make perfect sense. So for those you remarkable folks out there who are looking to start a workout, but wonder if there are any tips a heavier person should be aware of, here are I few I feel are worth mentioning: Don't starve yourself. Heavier people tend to burn calories more quickly than skinny people, so you do not want to deny yourself the fuel you need to complete your workouts. Drink plenty of water. Bigger people tend to sweat quite a bit, which means that they are losing plenty of water. Be sure to replenish that lost

It's no secret that a traditional English breakfast isn't healthy. That's just what happens when a meal is made up of fried eggs, fried bacon, fried hash browns, fried tomatoes and--good lord--fried bread (though to be fair, the breakfast is also served with baked beans, which are hopefully not fried as well). But while proponents of the fry-up may look towards any kind of benefit in the menu -- protein! healthy egg whites! -- it's clear that the full English does more harm than good. Here's what's wrong with it: It increases your risk for bowel cancer by 63%, according to recent reports . It also significantly increases your risk of obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease and a number of other killer ailments. I'll say it again: Moderation. No one died from eating a full English fry-up once in their life, but having a meal of these proportions every day can literally kill you. Proceed with caution.

I happened upon an interesting article on calcium depletion while thumbing through this month's edition of Healthy Awards magazine. In it, the author discusses the problem we have absorbing calcium and, making this process even more difficult, how certain foods can actually rob us of calcium we consume. According to the article, if you ... ... drink more than two cups of coffee, tea, or soda per day, aim to take in an extra 200 to 300 mg of calcium, as caffeinated beverages increases calcium excretion. ... eat more than six ounces of meat daily, try to consume an extra 300 to 500 mg of calcium each day. This will help prevent the calcium absorption interference, which can occur when your diet consists of phosphorus-rich foods -- such as meat. ... get the majority of your calcium from vegetables, supplement with at least 300 mg of calcium per day. Because veggies naturally contain xylates and phytates -- substances that decrease calcium absorption -- supplementation will help replac

Deep, vibrant colors are best when it come to plant-based foods. They indicate high levels of antioxidants -- the stuff that protects our hearts, minimizes inflammation, and cuts the risk of cancer. If you have a choice, you should swap white grapefruit for pink, take dark greens over pale lettuce, and opt for the following black foods whenever you can. Black Rice. Along with red and purple varieties, this grain is gaining popularity in the United States, probably because it's long been consumed in Asia due to its health benefits. Supplement your diet with black rice, says one study, and your risk of heart disease will drop. So will your chance for inflammation. Black Beans. Much better than light-colored beans, these high-fiber treats might halt the growth of cancer in the colon, liver, and breast. Black Tea. Drinking several cups of flavonoid-rich black tea a day may provide heart-health benefits, sheild you against neurological decline as you age, and arm you with anti-cancer pr

Gold medal phenomenon Michael Phelps never stumbled at the 2008 Olympic Games, but what was he thinking when he signed the Kellogg's Frosted Flakes sponsorship agreement ? A cereal high in sugar, low in fiber, made with mostly refined grains. One of the last meals I'd feed my kids for breakfast. At least the deal also includes Kellogg's Corn Flakes, a better option. We've never bought a box of the Tiger's frosted cereal. Significantly lower in sugar, Cheerios and Rice Krispies are my kids' favorites. I've taught my eldest to consider 'grams of sugar per serving' as he peruses the toy-filled cereal aisle. "No, honey" isn't sliding off my lips so often in Aisle 2 - Cereal anymore. As a parent trying to teach my children solid nutritional habits, I'd rather see Phelps' inspirational butterfly stroke from the back of a box of Cheerios. At this point, maybe Phelps can scratch out Kellogg's Frosted Flakes on the contract and writ

It's summertime. We all want to be outside as much as we can, because before you know it, the days will be short and the ground will be covered with snow. While getting about 20 minutes of sun each day is important for our vitamin D levels, too much sun can lead to painful burns and risks of skin cancer. One simple -- and fashionable -- way to protect yourself is by wearing a hat. Healthy Hats is a great place to start shopping for the perfect sun protection. Besides offering lifeguard hats and adventurer hats (think safari), they've got sun smart tips to help you enjoy the sun safely.

I was watching the Olympics the other day and saw a piece where a reporter went and received acupuncture treatments. It was interesting to hear about this particular practitioner who was influential in acupuncture's acceptance into Western culture. After the piece, the reporter mentioned that Nastia Liukin, gold medalist in the women's all-around gymnastics competition, has weekly acupuncture treatments . She's not alone. Acupuncture is widely used as a method to aid and speed healing from sports-related injuries . Though the thought of multiple metal needles being inserted into your body is daunting, to say the least, proponents of the traditional form of medicine sing its praises. In addition to aiding in healing, acupuncture is said to help athletes by boosting energy, improving circulation, and ensuring the body gets the most out of nutrients. In addition, acupuncture is said to help improve the quality of sleep and boost immunity.

My freestyle swim stroke looked good, my dad told me the other day in the pool as he observed my skills. It just wasn't very strong. My breathing was not ideal either. My kick? Not bad, but he had a tip for how I might improve it. Here, three dad-generated tips I received on how to become a better swimmer. Bring arms high out of the water with each stroke, hands cupped, and reaching a bit across the body (right arm reaches to the left; left to the right) as they scoop into the water. My arms were low, I was hitting the water with the side of my head, and I was not reaching across. Breath on a four-count (because I need to breathe to the right only). Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath to the right. Repeat. I was breathing on a two-count, thinking it was necessary in order to get enough air. Not so. Kick with the hip, not below the knee. My new stroke powers me better, my breathing allows me more speed -- not so much time spent turning my head and gulping air -- and my kick propels me wi

There's been all kinds of stories circulating around lately on what a ridiculously huge amount of calories Olympic athlete Michael Phelps consumes every day while still managing to be totally ripped and toned. Talk about efficient calorie-burning! But you don't have to be on a crazy athletic training schedule and headed for the Olympics to learn how to burn calories better (although that certainly helps, I'm sure!), just try these 5 tips: Eat breakfast Tune in to your body's hunger cues Drink plenty of water Encourage healthy bacteria (take probiotics, eat yogurt) Go heavy on the spices (cayenne pepper, paprika, chili peppers)

If you haven't heard by now, researchers have found that women who take birth control pills may be choosing or staying with the wrong mate due to their influence upon sense of smell . Humans typically, as part of the survival of the species, naturally are attracted to those of the opposite sex who genetically have a different make up. Our sense of smell guides us towards choosing our ideal mate for procreation. I don't know about you but the way someone smells can make or break my moving forward in a relationship. I love the way my boyfriend smells and I have to admit, even more when he gets back from the gym! Is that TMI? We've been together almost two years and I have always had a sense that our genes would make great babies, not that more kiddos from my body are in my future! Anyway, oral contraceptives are not on my daily menu so I feel pretty good that I can trust my sense of smell in telling me that genetically he is a great match for me. The study was conducted by a

There's something to be said for not allowing your age to slow you down. After all, if you've been alive for 60 years, but still feel like a 30-year-old, you should act the way you feel. However, Madonna is taking things a step further -- for her 50th birthday celebration, her guests are under strict instructions to not mention the number 50 in any way, shape, or form, because the singer believes her "spiritual age" to be 36 . The high priests of Kabbalah have calculated Madge's spiritual age to be 14 years younger than her actual age by channeling her energy. And, truth be told, she certainly has the energy and, dare I say, the aura of someone much younger. So if she feels like she's 36, that's great. But, I have a problem this refusal to acknowledge 50. By doing this, Madonna is sending a message to women everywhere that it's not acceptable to turn 50, when we know that's far from the truth, especially these days. Instead of being a fitness inspi

British celebrity chef and TV presenter, Antony Worrall Thompson, discussed organic salads in a recent magazine article. Sounds great, right? It would be, if one of the ingredients he recommended wasn't toxic. Worrall Thompson has a passion for organic foods and meant to recommend using fat hen, a vitamin-C rich, edible weed that is plentiful in the UK. Fat hen would be a fine addition to salads, though it is quite high in nitrates . Instead of the relatively harmless fat hen, Worrall Thompson mistakenly recommended henbane -- a toxic plant that can cause vomiting, hallucinations, convulsions, and (in extreme cases) death. Oops! Sounds like a salad you definitely DON'T want to eat. The magazine, Healthy & Organic Living, printed a warning to its readers. Worrall Thompson apologized for his error.

Not only will the combined competitors, coaches, and staff at the Summer Games be consuming 800,000 eggs, they'll also be throwing down more than one million apples, 936,000 bananas, 312,000 oranges, and 684,000 carrots. Courtesy of the Olympic food provider Aramark , here's what else the group dining at the Beijing Athletic Village will be ingesting. * 93,000 pounds of seafood * 260,000 pounds of meat * 38,000 pounds of pasta (dry) * 134,000 pounds of rice (dry) * 70,000 gallons of milk * 400,000 boxes of cereal In total, 28,000 Olympic folks will eat 3.5 million meals. Now, that's a lot of food. Fortunately, most of the crew will be burning their fair share of calories.

Substantial enough to substitute for meat in a meal, eggplant is chock-full of phytonutrients as well as being rich in many vitamins and minerals. Other than in pasta dishes, I haven't cooked much with eggplant in the past. I don't know why... I think it's wonderfully tasty. Baby eggplants are in season right now, so it's the perfect time to try out some new recipes. Shape Magazine shares a few ideas for trying out this tasty and nutritious food. I love their idea for sauteeing diced baby eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes in olive oil and then baking in the eggplant skin. I think I'll substitute the tomatoes for summer squash. (I'm not a tomato fan... which is too bad because they're so rich in lycopene.) How about you? Do you have any favorite eggplant recipes to share?

No, organic soda is not the way to go. The only way to go when it comes to soda is to skip it altogether. Organic soda, like all soda, contains zero nutrients -- and a bigger price tag. A six-pack of the organic stuff will cost you about $5, and yes, it's made without high fructose syrup (clearly, a bonus) but each can contains 120 calories -- that's 20 more than a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola Classic. Cutting back on nutritionally-void foods and drinks is the best way to go, says Prevention magazine. So ditch the soda and any other organic junk food that temps your taste buds. These items might be better for the planet, but they aren't any better for you.

You've undoubtedly heard plenty about the benefits of eating locally. It's good for the environment, you support your local community, the food is fresher, and you have more say in how your food is grown because you can talk to the people who grew it. Fitness Magazine's Eat Green, Be Healthy section offered three ways to buy locally and eat fresh : Take advantage of farmers' markets. If you're not sure whether there's a farmers' market near you, check your local paper, or head over to this website where you can find out which fruits and veggies are in season near you and find a farmers' market in your area. Become a member of a Co-op. You might have to put in a large sum to begin with, but your resources will be pooled with other co-op members and you'll get farm fresh produce at a reduced rate. Find one near you by selecting "Grocery/Co-op" and filling in your zip here. Connect directly with local farmers. This website allows you to see

We all want to save money when grocery shopping -- who wouldn't? But, as Maggie mentioned last month, bargain foods, while light on the wallet, can be heavy on your waistline and hard on your health. An article in Shape magazine says that research has shown less expensive items often have more trans fats than those that are slightly more expensive . Trans fats, as you may know, have been shown to raise your bad cholesterol, and can show up in the ingredient list as partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oil and shortening -- not stuff you want in your snacks, no matter how great the price is. The University of Minnesota researchers Shape refers to found that 24 percent of the products they examined still contained trans fats -- the amounts might have been reduced from previous versions, but the products were not trans fat-free. Be choosy when buying snacks -- don't let a bargain get in the way of your health! To see some surprising foods that have trans fats, check out this sli

Working with SportsHealthExercise.Org (a company built on real advice from real experts in various areas of health and fitness), I was able to film a ton of great Fit Kicks , including this one here. Fit Kicks are smart, energetic and quick Kick Butt tips to help get you in the best shape of your life!

The debate over whether energy drinks have health implications usually centers around heart-related issues. But, a new study published in the journal General Dentistry reveals yet another compelling reason for oral argument. Citing the General Dentistry study, Women's Health reports that drinks like Red Bull and Amp have the same acidic effect on our teeth as sodas. The article states that these power-up drinks restrict our saliva's natural ability to neutralize acids-which thereby allows this acid to take up temporary residence in our mouths, where it is then able to penetrate our gums. To fight back against these tooth-tarnishing energy drink villains, the folks at Women's Health suggest using straws (aim your drink toward the back of the mouth), rinsing with water to dilute acids, and not brushing your pearlies for 30 minutes after downing energy drinks, for the scrubbing can remove enamel ­weakened by acidity.

When winter is in full force, you almost expect to catch a few colds. But, with August temperatures reaching the upper 80s on an almost daily basis, a sniffle in the summer seems altogether unusual -- not to mention unfair. Nevertheless, as evidenced by a pretty nasty three-day man cold I got hammered with back in early July, it's abundantly clear colds -- though more prevalent during colder months -- are a sickness for all seasons. Fortunately, there are some dietary steps we can take target-harden ourselves against illness. Here are just a few I felt were worth mentioning. Yogurt - A study showed that people who ate three-quarters of a cup of yogurt daily for a year had 25 percent fewer colds than those who didn't. Because it contains probiotics, yogurt helps strengthen the immune system. Red Bell Pepper - With 130mg more vitamin C than an orange, red bell pepper is a great source for this cold-fighting nutrient. Eggs - High in B vitamins, zinc, and amino acids, eggs boost wh

Following a balanced diet improves your overall health. Proper nutrition not only helps you feel good, though -- it also helps you look good! According to the Mayo Clinic, a diet rich in antioxidants has a protective effect on skin . And, the good news is that these foods that are good for your skin are also good for you in general! Conversely, certain foods actually seem to be related to skin damage. The Mayo Clinic says that a diet high in meat and full-fat milk can increase your risk of skin wrinkling.

Study shows recurrence after five-year mark, but numbers aren't as high as some might suspect, study says The risk of relapse can linger for some breast cancer survivors even after completing five years of what doctors call systemic therapy, a new study found. But, as gloomy as that news sounds, there is a relative bright spot: the risk may not be as dire as many women fear. "I would like to think these numbers are smaller than women think they are," the study's lead author, Dr. Abenaa Brewster, a medical oncologist at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said. Most women, she added, "remain terrified they are going to relapse. I think the message for women is, the risk may not be as large as they think." Brewster's team evaluated 2,838 breast cancer patients whose disease ranged from stage I to III. All had been treated with some form of adjuvant systemic therapy between 1985 and 2001 and had remained disease-free for five yea

Being happily married doesn't just mean you and your spouse can go out to dinner without arguing about the most asinine issues you can think of, it also means being the recipients of better health. Brigham Young University researchers discovered that happily married couples, on average, experience lower blood pressure than singles with supportive social networks. The study involved the 24-hour evaluation of 204 married couples and 99 single adults, all of whom wore portable blood pressure monitors at all times for the duration of the study. Evaluation of the monitors' results revealed that the blood pressure of happily married adults lowered more during sleep than that of single people. And, since high blood pressure at night is a sign of increased risk of cardiovascular problems, this finding was particular important. The full results of the study were published in the March 2008 edition of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

Recent research shows that people who are newly diagnosed with type II diabetes can gain better control over their health if they lose weight. While that isn't terribly surprising, what is surprising is that the benefits seem to last even if the patient gains back some of the weight . Losing some excess pounds helps people with type II diabetes better control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. In the study, more than 2,000 people recently diagnosed with type II diabetes were followed for four years. 12% of those patients lost a mean of 25 pounds. Other groups either gained weight or their weight remained stable. Within 36 months almost all of the patients who had lost weight had regained it. Surprisingly, those patients continued to have better blood sugar and blood pressure control at the end of the four-year study -- even though their weight had been regained. Obviously, this isn't an argument for losing and regaining weight. Researchers don't know how long the

After weeks and weeks of successful weight loss , the needle on the scale seems to freeze at a certain number. And then, worse yet, you notice it begins turning clockwise again. Fear not, there are things you can do to stop that needle and soon get it turning in the healthier direction once again. Here are five ways to help make that happen: Amp-up the Exercise. If you haven't changed your workout in four to six weeks, you're probably starting to plateau. In addition to mixing the reps, number of sets, rest time, distance on treadmill etc., for maximum results, you should also increase your intensity level. Eat Slowly. Sit back, relax, and savor the food you're eating. Research shows that people consume around 67 fewer calories per meal when they take their time. Make Half Sandwiches. Skipping the top slice of bread will save you around 70 calories. If you eat a sandwich a day for lunch, you'll save yourself 490 calories a week. Eat Protein. Try to consume more protein

Of all the healthy foods I've posted about here on That's Fit, I'd have to say the one I mention most frequently is green tea. Whether it's highlighting its protective effects against Alzheimer's and certain types of cancer, or its ability to improve cardiovascular health, the green stuff continues to earn its place in a healthy diet . To help solidify its standing, green tea has added a new benefit to its already impressive resume: fighting physical and mental fatigue. Muscle & Body magazine , citing a recent Japanese study, reports that an active ingredient in green tea -- known as epigallocatechin gallate -- reduced markers of fatigue and oxidative stress. What if you don't like the taste of green tea? Good question. Thankfully, the answer is not to block your nose and chug it. Instead, try one of the many flavored varieties that are available.

Does your child have a sandbox? If so, do you worry much about what's in it? You know, aside from making sure the cat didn't use it for a litterbox, of course. Even if there's only sand in there, you might want to look into what kind of sand it is. According to a recent post at Green Daily , many sandboxes are filled with quarried quartz rocks and contains silica, all of which can give off dangerous dust. The State of California even requires a label on any sand that contains crystalline silica because it can cause lung problems. There are sources for safe sand, however, like the cleverly titled Safe Sand Company. Their feldspathic sand is safety approved by ASTM (USA), Corporate and Consumer Affairs Canada and EN-71 (Europe), and is supposed to be great for building sandcastles.

Summertime, and the livin' is easy... the kids are home, and the snackin' is high.... I know in my house, all of the outdoor activity promotes an insatiable hunger in my skinny three-year-old, and I want him to get the fuel he needs so he can enjoy riding his bike and playing in the sprinkler. Junk foods just aren't going to cut it. CBS News shares some healthy and fun snack ideas as seen on the Today Show. Frozen orange pops, turkey sliders, and peanut butter banana bites are just a sampling of the recipes you'll find. I like the idea of serving mini meals as snacks, since most kids are too busy to eat a complete meal much of the time. I know my little guy won't sit still for a well-rounded dinner! This sneaky snack trick ensures that your kids will get the nutrition they need by the end of the day. One criticism I have of the presented snacks, though, is that most of them take some prep time, so they aren't going to be snacks served by you every day. Some easi

Pollution is a big deal for Olympians this year, mainly because there's just too much of it in Beijing. Athletes will need to worry about the effects of air quality on their performance, but not just in the way you think. Hockey players are concerned that the smog and haze will inhibit their ability to see the puck clearly. And so Britain's women's team is trying out an interesting technique -- red contact lenses. The red lenses work like sunglasses and will help the women's eyes cut through the glare and focus more clearly. They'll also limit the amount of time the players spend squinting or frowning, which will help prevent headaches and tiring. But I think these contacts will have another effect on hockey -- intimidation. Can you imagine going face-to-face with an opponent whose eyes look like this ? Creepy!

If you've been eating (or feeding your kids) oatmeal for breakfast with the understanding that it's one of the healthiest choices you can make, you need to rethink your strategy . While oatmeal can provide good nutrients, a recent study showed that kids who only ate instant oatmeal for breakfast experienced increased appetites and calorie consumption throughout the day. In fact, when compared to having a vegetable omelet and fruit, oatmeal increased appetite and calorie consumption by more than 80%. Steel-cut oats didn't have as drastic an effect as instant oatmeal, however. The researchers attributed their findings to fluctuations in blood sugar resulting from a meal of processed grain products. Adding some protein at breakfast is essential in keeping blood sugar (and appetites) from fluctuating wildly throughout the day.

Vacation is a time for sitting on the beach with a blended drink in hand, right? But if you're sick of being out of shape and overweight, that choice is likely one more reason you're averting your eyes from the scale. Why not take those two weeks or more of vacation time to shake up those bad habits and develop good ones instead? I just returned from a week in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park . Yes, I'm a backpacker and rock climber at heart, but two young kids have dampened my energy and time for outdoor pursuits. After hanging with the kids all summer, I nearly begged my husband to make our first no-kid vacation in eight years complete with a beach ... and cabana boy. Nope, he wanted backcountry camping and mountain ascents. Deep down, I knew I wanted them, too. But you don't need to be a backcountry guru to reap the benefits of hiking hours a day amongst beautiful mountain lakes, winding trails and stunning overlooks. Rocky Mountain National Park offers an

Recent photos of Britney Spears in a bikini in Mexico show that the starlet is doing well with her healthy makeover -- she looked trim and healthy, and, most importantly, happy. However, getting to that point came with a hefty price tag. Britney has reportedly spent $22,000 a month to get back in shape! So what does this $22,000 go toward each month? Britney is paying a nutritionist, buying diet supplements, and has a personal trainer and private dance choreographer on call. One thing she's not spending her cash on: Red Bull. She has switched it out for a much more healthful option, and now drinks lots of water. Additionally, she's sticking to a 1400 calorie per day diet, though she allows herself one "cheat day," and snacks on edamame beans. Her meals are made of fresh foods, and she's only eating two-thirds of what's on her plate. It sounds like she's got a very healthy system in place, and while most of us couldn't afford her "people," al

Those interested in the lives of the stars will recall that mega celeb Nicole Kidman gave birth a few weeks ago to daughter Sunday Rose, who is no doubt cute as a button. But recent photos of the actress getting into her car for yoga class are raising some eyebrows -- not because motherhood has changed her but because she looks, well, the same as she did before she got pregnant: Thin. Check out these photos -- from the looks of it, I would bet she is back in her pre-baby jeans already, and the baby isn't even three weeks old. Granted, Nicole has always been thin and she maintained her svelte figure throughout the pregnancy, but do you think this is a little extreme? Or are all the naysayers just raising a fuss because they're jealous? Whatever the case, it takes dedication to look that good, don't you think?

When emotions run high, a lot of people run for the fridge. Emotional eating is a complex habit. For many people, it's a habit that they've practiced for years and years -- maybe even since their childhood. Many people who eat due to emotions such as sadness, anger, depression, boredom, stressed, or loneliness, are fully aware that they are emotional eaters. Even though they're cognizant of their eating habits, in the heat of the moment it's sometimes hard to tell the difference between real hunger and emotional triggers. But knowing your body and finding healthier outlets for your emotions is important for health. Everyday Health shares some tips on determining real, physical hunger from emotion-based hunger : Physical hunger builds gradually, causes your stomach to growl, isn't accompanied by a sense of compulsion, occurs hours after you last ate, and goes away after eating. Emotional hunger develops suddenly, is a more mental craving (when you "get a taste&q

When you really get down to it, one of the main objectives of life is to stay alive for as long as we can. On average, we occupy a place on this planet for about 75 years. Some of us hang around for a little longer, while others take an earlier ferry. Still, barring any unfortunate accident or contraction of a terminal illness at a younger age, 75 seems to be the norm. Keeping your stay on this wonderful world of ours from being cut short sometimes requires a good amount of work (regular exercise, adequate amounts of sleep, stressing less, etc.). However, there are also some easy ways to prevent early departure, many of which involve nothing more than a revised grocery shopping list. For the next eight days, we'll offer one death-defying food choice each day to help keep you healthy and happy for many more years to come. Death-Defying Food #4: Greek Yogurt Build a body of a goddess with this perfectly balanced treat and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes . A University of Tennesse

Before I begin, I think it's only fair for me to admit that I'm not a big gamer. I don't mind some of the racing video games, but for the most part, they could all disappear and I would be happy as a clam. My husband, on the other hand is the exact opposite -- he could sit and play a game for hours. Fortunately, he's in great health and good shape and still manages to come to the gym with me occasionally, so this habit doesn't really hurt him. But it drives me nuts to think about the people who surely miss workouts because they're so involved with their games -- has that ever happened to you, or a loved one? Today's Fit Gadget provides a solution -- the PCGamerBike requires the player to pedal in order to make his character move. The character could be a person, an airplane, a car, or anything else, and pedaling forward acts as the up arrow while pedaling backward acts as the down arrow.

Could the movement of your breasts within your sports bra create enough energy to power a small device, like an iPod? The short answer is yes, it certainly could. But there's more to it than just bouncing them around enough to create energy -- that energy then has to be harnessed. Slate recently had an article on what would need to occur in order to harness the power of our swaying breasts (I mean actual energy power -- not the power to stop men in their tracks or knock over a small child), and believe it or not, there's some serious technology already at work regarding this. However, each possibility has its problems. For example, one researcher has fabric made of nanowires that could easily be used to create a bra. However, it couldn't be washed -- ew! And then, there's the Lightning Pack technology that's already at work in backpacks for serious hikers and the military, and while this technology could be used on the bra strap, there's a generator and a pist

Trivial Pursuit Question: What's the most important meal of the day for athletes? If you answered 'breakfast,' then off to your nutrition tutor, you just flunked. According to Dr. Jose Antonio , the most important 'meal' of the day is what you consume before, during, and after exercise! Dr. Antonio gave a seminar to a packed house at the National Strength and Conditioning Association Conference at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas this week. He showed proof that if you consume a combination of protein and carbohydrate during the pre-, during, and post-workout period, you'll put on lean body mass better and lose body fat. Breakfast doesn't do that my friend. Dr. Antonio calls this the science of nutrient timing. So when you re-take that quiz, make sure you answer Before, During, and After exercise! Then you get to go to the head of the class To learn more about Nutrient Timing click here .

Recently I came down with my first case of poison ivy. And it's a doozy. A trip to the doctor last Monday has me on medication that's clearing it up quickly, though. I'll be happy to see it go away completely! Since this was my first case of the scratchy stuff, I did a little research online and discovered that a lot of the things I thought were facts about poison ivy turn out to be nothing but myths . Scratching will cause the rash to spread. Technically, this isn't true. The rash is caused by contact with urushiol oil from the poison ivy plant. If your skin still has traces of the oil and you scratch, you could transfer the oil to another part of your body. But, once the oil is gone, scratching will not spread the rash. However, take it from my personal experience, you don't want to scratch. I'm on a heavy-duty antibiotic to clear up the infection I have as a result of scratching. Poison ivy is contagious. Again, only contact with urushiol oil will cause the r

When you really get down to it, one of the main objectives of life is to stay alive for as long as we can. On average, we occupy a place on this planet for about 75 years. Some of us hang around for a little longer, while others take an earlier ferry. Still, barring any unfortunate accident or contraction of a terminal illness at a younger age, 75 seems to be the norm. Keeping your stay on this wonderful world of ours from being cut short sometimes requires a good amount of work (regular exercise, adequate amounts of sleep, stressing less, etc.). However, there are also some easy ways to prevent early departure, many of which involve nothing more than a revised grocery shopping list. For the next eight days, we'll offer one death-defying food choice each day to help keep you healthy and happy for many more years to come. Death-Defying Food #2: Oranges Having higher levels of vitamin C in your bloodstream can greatly reduce your risk of stroke, according to an article recently publi

When you really get down to it, one of the main objectives of life is to stay alive for as long as we can. On average, we occupy a place on this planet for about 75 years. Some of us hang around for a little longer, while others take an earlier ferry. Still, barring any unfortunate accident or contraction of a terminal illness at a younger age, 75 seems to be the norm. Keeping your stay on this wonderful world of ours from being cut short sometimes requires a good amount of work (regular exercise, adequate amounts of sleep, stressing less, etc.). However, there are also some easy ways to prevent early departure, many of which involve nothing more than a revised grocery shopping list. For the next eight days, we'll offer one death-defying food choice each day to help keep you healthy and happy for many more years to come. Death-Defying Food #1: Broccoli Along with cauliflower, this cruciferous vegetable may prevent polyps that lead to colon cancer. Lab studies on mice, conducted at

Are you drinking fruit juice because you think it's a healthy alternative to soda? Think again. A recent study has linked the consumption of sweetened fruit juice to type 2 diabetes . Women in the study who drank two or more servings of sweetened fruit juice per day had a 31% increased risk of developing diabetes than those who drank less than one per month. Researchers who are trying to zero in on type 2 diabetes say that "calories trump everything," and that drinking or eating heavily sweetened foods are an easy way to overdo it on the calories. My dentist has always given me and my kids the rule "4 oz. per day and after that, it's liquid candy." Orange juice and grapefruit juice are exempt from this study, both because they are naturally sweetened and because they are more likely to be eaten with a meal, which means they'd likely have a reduced effect on blood sugar. Stick to water to stay hydrated in a healthy way between meals, flavoring it naturall

As green as so many of us try to be, we still inadvertently make eco-unfriendly decisions with some products we purchase. For example, who knew that most yoga mats contain PVC? I sure as heck know that I didn't; that is, until I came across Greenzer.com. The site only offers green products from online retailers that sell eco-friendly items, such as Patagonia, Zappos, eBags, GAIAM, etc. There are more than 10,000 products currently on the site, and they run across all categories that people are shopping for, including health and fitness! For a product to be posted on the site, it must meet a minimum green requirement (such as an approved PVC/chlorine/latex-free yoga mat ), and select products list a "Greenzer score" number. This number determines a product's "greenness" and give select products a "greenness number" from zero to ten. Make your next retail purchase one that comes with an extended warranty -- for the environment. Go green at Greenzer b

Too tired to exercise? Well, one of the best ways to muster up enough energy to start exercising is to start exercising. A bit of a Catch-22, I realize that, but it's not all too difficult to get around it, either. Self magazine , citing a journal article published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, reports that when persistently tired sedentary people casually biked for 30 minutes three times a week for six weeks, they experienced a marked increase (65 percent) in their energy levels. To overcome your initial exhaustion, do what the people involved in the study did: start off easy. Then, as your energy levels climb, increase the intensity gradually over time. Before long, you'll find that you have plenty of gas left in the tank at the end of each day for a solid workout. Read more .

There's looking young and then there's feeling young. Sometimes the two work in tandem, but if you were to ask Joan Rivers -- or almost any other cosmetically-enhanced older person -- I'm sure they'd tell you this isn't always the case. Creams, ointments, and surgery aside, there is a way to keep your body 12 years younger, say researchers from the University of Toronto. Biologically speaking, regular cardio exercise can increase oxygen intake by 25 percent, thereby keeping your body looking and feeling years younger than it actually is. For some easy-to-follow and effective exercise tips, visit our sister site AOL Health by clicking here .

If you aren't much into calorie restriction in your pursuit of a long life, there are other practices you can adopt. Mark Liponis, M.D., says in his book Ultralongevity that the best way to live a long and healthy life is to have a healthy immune system. Translation: You want a quiet, peaceful immune system, not an overactive one. In the spirit of longevity, then, here are seven steps for soothing your system. Breathe . Yes, if you're reading this, you are in fact breathing. But are you doing it right? The goal is to calm your breathing to two breaths per minute or less. Learn how to master this step here . Eat . Eating is stressful to our immune systems. Germs, parasites, toxins, poisons, and other dangerous stuff gain access to our bodies when we eat. Grazing on healthy foods is the preferred eating pattern. More here . Sleep . Chances are, you're not getting enough sleep. Bad news, because any lack of quality sleep robs the immune system. Time to learn how to sleep eff

Joey took his first stab at indoor rock climbing the other day. He's seven. I tried the same feat when I was, oh, twenty-something, and I came barreling down from great heights (there was a rope involved, don't worry) as tears spilled from my eyes. It wasn't fear that started my water works. It was physical exhaustion and frustration. I kept trying to use my arms to pull me up, you see, unaware at the time that my legs harnessed the power to propel me upward. Joey figured this out in no time. I'm the slow one. I told Joey as he tackled the wall that he's stronger than me. "You're just saying that so I won't quit," he said. He's also smarter than me. He can detect psychological maneuvering in a second. Really, Joey is stronger than me. I'm not so weak now, at the advanced age of 38, but it took me quite some time to believe I possess the physical know-how to master major challenges -- like ropes courses, whitewater rafting, snow-skiing, para