Author: Martha Edwards

Filed under: Morning Scoop

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

According to the recent issue of Self Magazine, Jessica Alba is just like the rest of us — she has cellulite and stretch marks. And she’s OK with that!

Recent studies are proving what any insomniac already knows — chronic sleep loss is really hard to deal with.

Warm up that credit card and don your most comfortable flats for the most enjoyable workout program out there — studies show that shopping burns a whopping 48,000 calorie a year!

On a more serious note, you might be passing around an STI without even knowing it. Play six degrees of HPV and find out just how common this virus is.

She’s at her slimmest size ever, so how did Kim Kardashian lose weight without losing her curves? That’s Fit uncovers her secrets.

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

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

Forget expensive diet programs — If you live in England and you’re overweight, you could get paid over $3000 to slim down.

According to a comprehensive Stats Canada study, Canadians are becoming … Read more

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Filed under: Health, Fitness, Healthy Eating

Shaped like a pear? While you’re probably not overjoyed by the fact that you have a bit of extra padding in your tush and thighs, new evidence shows that you should actually be grateful for your build. Research from Oxford University in England states that those who carry a little extra weight in their backside and thighs might be healthier than those who carry their extra weight in their gut.

The reason? Fat carried in your belly is different from the fat you carry in your butt and thighs. Stomach fat is easier to break down than than the other kind of fat, but this process results in a build-up of cytokines, which can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The fat on your backside, on the other hand, actually produces hormones that can protect against these kind of diseases. While you should still make sure you’re maintaining a healthy weight, the researchers also concluded that carrying some fat in this region is very important for your health because it gives the body a place to store essential fatty acids — and if these acids are stored in organs, it can lead to heart disease.

The bottom line? Like J-Lo, don’t be afraid to show off your shapely backside, it tells the world of your potential for a long and healthy life.

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

You know those fancy running shoes you spent a fortune on? Studies show that they might be bad for your joints … even worse than walking in stilettos!

Got skin woes? Naturopathic remedies might … Read more

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

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

Time to start wooing your spouse — studies show that having sex at least twice a week can save your life!

Were you one of the thousands who updated your Facebook status with your bra colour to … Read more

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Filed under: Health, Fitness

While many of us are aware of every single pound we gain (and, more importantly, the effect on how comfortable our best pair of jeans feel) it seems that weight awareness might not figure as prominently as the numbers on the scale exceed the healthy … Read more

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Filed under: Happiness, Fitness

Having trouble getting motivated to exercise? Blame your old gym teacher. Having a bad experience in phys ed during your school years can lead to a lifetime of inactivity, recent studies show. And while it’s generally accepted that many gym teachers … Read more

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

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

Who’s going follow in Kirstie and Valerie’s footsteps to become the new face of Jenny Craig? Why, it’s none other than pleasantly plump Jason Alexander, better known as neurotic George Costanza.

Forget the au naturel look — studies show that wearing lots of heavy eye make-up actually has health benefits.

Suspect you might be texting too much? You’re probably right — texting-related injuries are up in a big way all across the world.

Looking to lose a few? Experts have banded together to give you this pretty obvious piece of advice: Just eat less.

Got a case of the January blues? Get thee to a gym — exercise will help!

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Each morning, we dish out a few links we love. We’re a week into the new year, so how’s your resolution going? If you’re struggling a bit, here are some tips on sticking to your 2010 plans. We all know it’s bad for you, but here’s another reason … Read more

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Each morning, we dish out a few links we love. You might think your kids are burning their energy throughout the day, but be careful — you might be over-estimating the amount of activity your child is getting. Ladies, here’s a very good reason … Read more

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Each morning, we dish out a few links we love. Ladies, it’s true — you’re husband really is making you fat. Studies show that while all women tend to get heavier as they age, women who live with someone (such as a spouse) gain more weight than … Read more

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Filed under: Healthy Eating

Doing a post-holiday cleanse? You’re not the only one — the online dating site BeatifulPeople.com is doing some new-year cleaning too, by ridding themselves of thousands of members who they feel have gained too much weight over the Christmas season. In all, 5,000 members have been banned — including 533 Canadians — for letting themselves go.

The mass exodus came after members registered complaints about photos not being an accurate representation of the person’s real size. “We were getting a lot of complaints from members who were meeting with people who gained a lot of weight, or who gained weight in their photo albums,” said managing director Greg Hodge. And anyway, the self-proclaimed “largest network of attractive people in the world” has a reputation to uphold: “Letting fatties roam the site is a direct threat to our business model and the very concept for which BeautifulPeople.com was founded,” site founder Robert Hintze told the BBC.

BeautifulPeople.com boasts about 500,000 members from around the world and potential members are subject to a strict and rigorous evaluation process based, of course, on looks. They’re only allowed access to the site if fellow members vote them in.

But it’s not all bad news — former members are welcome to re-apply for the site once they’ve worked off those extra pounds. But whether they’ll want to re-join a dating site that kicked them off for too much eggnog is another story altogether…

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

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

Addicted to sugar? Megan Fox is too and she swears that doing shots of vinegar will help undo the damage.

Who says alcohol isn’t good for you? Vitamin-enhanced cocktails could get you buzzed while … Read more

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What does the word ‘gym’ mean to you? Torture? Pain? Sweat? Hard work? Energizing? Results? All of the above? For most of us, it’s a mixture of these things, but while few would admit to absolutely loving an intense sweat session, most of us would … Read more

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

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

Now that your new year’s diet is in full swing (hopefully!), here are 10 easy ways to up your everyday calorie burn.

Speaking of new year’s diets, sometimes even animals need them. In fact, this … Read more

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Filed under: Happiness, Fitness

Now that the new year is in full swing, what’s the top priority for most women? Nope, it ain’t career, money or relationships — fitting into those skinny jeans is at the top of our to-do lists for 2010. Recent survey by Special K have found that a third of the 2,200 women polled spend more time fantasizing about squeezing into some old denim than they do thinking about George Clooney or any other celebrity dreamboat. And 29 percent admitted that fitting into skinny jeans was better than sex. Wow, those are some powerful pants.

Here are some other skinny jean findings for you to chew on:

• 35 percent of women admit to keeping an old pair of ‘trophy’ skinny jeans.
• 28.9 percent said fitting into said jeans would be better than getting a promotion.
• 20.6 percent said they’d choose the jeans over a lottery win
• 11.1 percent said getting into those jeans would be better than a marriage proposal
• Finally, 10 percent say the jeans have outlasted their longest relationships

Everybody loves a good pair of jeans, but is this skinny jeans craze turning into an unhealthy obsession? What do you think?

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

Each morning, we dish out some links we love.

It’s January 1st, time to start those promised resolutions. But instead of making grand plans, try taking smaller steps with these modest resolutions.

Here’s a resolution that could make a big difference: Stop sabotaging your diet with binge eating.

Sticking to salads in January? Make sure you know your salad dos and don’ts.

What medical breakthroughs can we expect in 2010? It’s shaping up to be a pretty promising year.

Catching up on sleep after the blur of Christmas? Make sure your bedroom is shut-eye friendly.

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

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

Happy New Year’s Eve! Before you head out on the party circuit, make sure you have these hangover cures handy.

Make sure the snow doesn’t slow you down — have your winter driving checklist ready before you hit the road.

Feeling bad about all those Christmas cookies you ate? You’ll feel better once you check out this list of the worst celebrity diet slip-ups from the past year.

From hot dogs to bacon to raising your own chickens, here’s what made food headlines in 2009. (‘Twas a good year.)

Formulating your list of new year’s resolutions? Here are 10 to make that will keep you healthy and alive.

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Filed under: Healthy Eating

Determined to shed some weight in 2010? Your sense of smell could be a powerful weapon in the battle against the bulge, according to recent research. And it might not just be effective in helping people lose a pound or two of holiday indulgences — scientists are suggesting that anti-hunger smells could put an end to the obesity epidemic. Now that’s a lofty goal.

But since the smell of food usually makes people feel ravenous and is more conducive to stuffing one’s face than practicing careful moderation, can an odour actually help people watch what they eat? Food technologist Rianne Ruijschop and his colleagues from NIZO Food Research in Ede in The Netherlands answer that question with a resounding yes, because they’ve discovered that certain aromas can help people feel full. And if this aroma could be released during the chewing process, it could lead people to eat less food. Complex odours are most effective at filling people up because they lead the brain to think that a large meal with plenty of variety was being consumed.

But now for the catch: Just like any ineffective, get-slim-quick trick, this one alone won’t make you svelte enough to slide effortlessly into your skinny jeans. “[These aromas] are not really the solution by itself,” Ruijschop said. “It’s also very much about changes in lifestyle.” Meaning you’ve still gotta work at it, so don’t give up that gym membership just yet.

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Filed under: Morning Scoop

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

One diet you should definitely skip come time for your new year’s resolutions to kick in? The Taco Bell Diet won’t do anything for your shape, but it will empty your wallet.

Should you exercise before bedtime? Does losing sleep make you fat? Here’s the skinny on your sleep-weight connection.

Trying to boost your brain power? Sorry — studies show that ginkgo definitely won’t help.

Think you know your antioxidants? Test your knowledge with this healthy quiz.

Trying to cut down on sugar in 2010? Here are some alternatives to the white stuff that will still satisfy your sweet tooth.

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