Fitness Korner

Sugar has a poor reputation as being an enemy when it comes to creating a nutritious and well-balanced diet. The fact is, however, that you wouldn't be able to survive without sugar. Your body relies on small amounts of sugar to function properly. That doesn't mean that you have license to fill up on sugary foods, but it does mean that there is a place for small amounts of the right kinds of sugar in your healthy eating plan. Sugar for Energy Sugar provides energy to your muscles and acts as a source of energy for your brain and nervous system. You also need sugar because it helps metabolize fats and prevents your body from using protein as energy. Blood sugar -- called blood glucose -- gets broken down in a series of chemical reactions that create energy, which fuels your cells. A hormone called insulin is involved in the process, too -- it's released when you eat sugar and tells your cells to absorb the glucose so they can use it as a source of energy. Backu...

HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I GAVE UP SUGAR FOR A MONTH As someone who doesn’t add sugar to my coffee, rarely drinks fizzy drinks, whose breakfast hasn’t come from a box with a cartoon on it since forever and doesn’t load up their shopping basket with biscuits, cakes and chocolate – I don’t seem like the kind of person who needs to take on the challenge of quitting sugar. However, I do have a sweet tooth and I volunteered to take on the challenge to quit sugar for a month. So I did. My weaknesses for sugar are: if there’s chocolate in the office, I’ll have some. Then I find that  I keep coming back  for bits throughout the day… If there are cookies laid out at someone’s house, you can bet I’ll take one – then  a few more… If I’m offered cake, it’s unlikely I’ll say no to a slice… Basically, when I start, it’s very hard to stop. So I decided to cut myself off and see what happens. THE FIRST 2 DAYS OF THE NO-SUGAR CHALLENGE Here is an overview of t...

(Image: Mireya Acierto/DigitalVision/GettyImages) It used to be that the weight room of most gyms was filled solely with men (and the occasional brave female). But recently, women have begun to  skew that ratio  more in their favor. And with good reason! There are so many great reasons to add strength training to your fitness routine, regardless of your gender, but specifically for women. But if you're a little unsure of where to start, here's a beginners guide to strength training for women, so you can strut into the weight room with confidence. Benefits of Strength Training for Women While there are a host of  benefits of strength training  for both men and women, strength training is especially beneficial for women. 1. Improving Bone Health:  Strength training is one of your best strategies for keeping your bones healthy as you age, according to a 2009 review in  Clinical Cases in Mineral and Bone Metabolism . "Simply the pushing and pulli...

Quitting sugar could help you lose weight. You're willing to forgo the sodas and cookies for your waistline's sake, but will it make a difference? The answer is a solid maybe. Quitting refined sugars is an excellent move for your overall health, and if your total calorie intake decreases with the switch, you will lose weight. That said, if you replace your sugary snacks with potato chips and other calorie-dense foods, your won't shed a pound. Sugar and Weight Sugar is a type of carbohydrate, and contains 4 calories per gram. For the most part, a calorie is a calorie to your body no matter where it comes from. Although refined sugar does not directly cause weight gain, it can contribute to overeating. When you consume sugar, your blood glucose levels spike and then plummet, causing you to crave more food -- particularly more sugar for instant energy, perpetuating the cycle. Plus, you're more likely to over-indulge in sweet treats than healthier fare, and lar...