Look, it's there! Women's Health finally managed to surface from the pile of bridal magazines and was even able to divert my attention from wedding planning for a couple minutes ;) So here you go, your FilthyFit Tidbits to kick off your summer, 2012!
*"Make a set of stair rules. For example, promise yourself you won't take the elevator fewer than six floors unless you're carrying a heavy load." -Sharonee N. Hays, M.D.
*Go vegetarian just one day a week as it may make you healthier.
*Make your muscles appear longer and leaner by strength training, cardio, stretching and Pilates.
*The FDA limits the amount of radiation that microwaves produce, therefore posing no real risk to standing next to the microwave.
*When you have a craving, tell yourself you can have it later. Research shows that when volunteers postponed having a snack, they ate less than the volunteers that indulged immediately.
*Making eye contact with others makes you feel more socially connected and is a simple way to boost your self-esteem.
*There is a 243% increase in the risk for depression for those that work 11 or more hours a day compared to those who work 7-8 hours.
*Making it known that you hit the gym makes a good first impression - those that lead a healthy lifestyle are rated more positively and even rated as five years younger.
*Women that have a high risk for breast cancer lowered their risk by 24% by exercising 45 minutes a day.
*Using lip gloss on your eye lids gives a watery effect, which is less dramatic than adding shimmer. I'm definitely trying this trick this summer!
*Beets are the newest super food as reports say they may reduce high blood pressure and the risk for cardiovascular disease.
*As if we all didn't already know this, combining exercise and eating right is the best form of weight loss. Research shows that weight-loss supplements are no more effective than placebos. Duh.
*Opaque pastels are summer's hottest pedicure colors - peach and yellow look best on golden or olive skin and light blue or lavender looks best on fair skin.
*According to Jillian Michaels, the 4 tummy troublers are stress, too much dairy, bad ab equipment and alcohol.
*The cardio equipment at the gym can be pretty inaccurate. Next time you're doing your cardio, increase your goal by 30%.
*Meditation can be the heath booster that changes your body and your brain for the better: may beef up the grey matter in your brain; increases positive thoughts and emotions; decreases blood pressure; decrease anxiety; lowers blood sugar levels and may cut salty food cravings; increases your body's ability to fight off infections. Hummmmmmmm...
*Women have PMS while some men may have irritable male syndrome - a man cycles on a 24 hour testosterone swing with the hormone dropping at night and spiking in the morning.
*Boxed wine is in. High-end wineries are putting the same wine in bottles and boxes, so you can save a little money. Boxed wine will also last longer once opened: 6 weeks as opposed to three days for a bottle.
*A diet high in vitamin D can speed up weight loss by 70%.
*Step in place during commercials and burn 67 more calories per hour than your fellow couch potato.
*62% of people throw on sweatpants within half a second of getting home. Yup, I'm in that percentage.
