8 Warning Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

According to the Mayo Clinic, nearly six million people in the United Stated have type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes but don't know it. Don't let yourself join that number! The sooner you learn that you have this chronic and potentially serious condition, the better your chances will be of living well and long with it. Here are the classic symptoms that could tip you off to the need for a check-up.

1. Excessive thirst Remember when we used to call this disease "the sugar diabetes"? That name came from the fact that excess glucose builds up in your blood. As a result, your kidneys go on overtime trying to absorb the extra sugar but when they can't, it's excreted along with precious fluids pulled from your tissues. That's why you're dehydrated. Many sufferers describe a truly unquenchable thirst.

2. Frequent urination As part of the same process that makes you thirsty, you'll urinate much more often than normal. The fluids that get drawn from your body as your kidneys struggle to take care of the sugar mean you'll have to make trips to the bathroom quite often. Also, you'll instinctively drink a lot of water to combat dehydration and that will add to your need to relieve yourself.  

3.Weight loss Being overweight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and unexplained weight loss can be a symptom. If you lose sugar, you shed calories as well. Also, diabetes can prevent sugar from getting to your cells where it's needed. You may be ravenous, yet your weight may drop even if you eat a lot. Your newly trim figure could bring on compliments, but don't let that distract you from the realization that something is wrong!

See Also: How To Lose Weight Easily. 

4. Blurry vision Some of the fluid you excrete gets pulled from the lenses in your eyes. You may have trouble focusing. Heed this signal immediately. Without treatment, you could end up with partial or even total vision loss.

5. Weakness and fatigue Most people say they feel as though they contracted a mild case of the flu. Dehydration and sugar loss both contribute to an overall malaise and a dip in your energy level.

6. Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet Nerve damage called neuropathy causes a burning or prickling sensation and eventually makes you lose feeling.  

7. Frequent infections that are slow to heal Research has not confirmed this indicator, but physicians and diabetics themselves often observe the phenomenon. The speculation is that diabetes weakens your immune system. Bladder and vaginal infections are the most common ones for women. Both men and women are prone to red, swollen, and tender gums.

8. Impotence Men with diabetes may experience erectile dysfunction. There can be other causes for ED but when it's teamed with any or all of the above clues, it can be a red flag.

If you heed the early alerts and start treatment right away, you'll be in a very good position to avoid the ravages that unchecked diabetes can bring. Denial isn't going to get you the help you need! Be honest with yourself and make that doctor's appointment now. Best case scenario would be that this was a false alarm. Or you'll find that your body was telling the truth, and you'll be very glad you listened!

Read more »

Pill Woes: Women Are Getting Pregnant to Avoid Gaining Weight

Source: Pill Woes: Women Are Getting Pregnant to Avoid Getting Fat

According to a new report, concern about weight gain is one of the biggest reasons women quit taking the pill. Then some of these women are getting pregnant, which is a bit counterproductive if you're trying to not pack on the pounds. But the myth that the pill causes weight gain is just that, a myth, fueled by horror stories and false information, says the lead author of the paper. Studies show that oral contraception doesn't make you gain weight, and it may even cause you to lose weight. While the warning labels on the pill's box may list weight gain as a side effect, these lists aren't always trustworthy. They list side effects anyone taking the medication in a trial believed they had, and the reasons for weight gain are difficult to pinpoint. In controlled studies there wasn't a big difference between the side effects women who took the pill had compared to those who took a placebo — spotting and bleeding in between periods are the most common. Scientists say that a major factor in women believing they'll get fat on the pill is the "nocebo effect," aka the power of suggestion. If we think we might gain weight on the pill, we will. What has your personal experience been with the pill? And has a fear of gaining weight ever prevented you from taking the contraceptive? Take our poll here.

Read more »

How to prevent boredom at the gym

The gym doesn't have to become boring.Credit: Wikimedia Commons, www.localfitness.com.au

A gym membership always sounds like such a great idea. After all, you'll have access to all the equipment you could possibly need. Unfortunately, boredom usually begins to set in after only a few months. Before you know it, you've stopped going to the gym completely and your membership has become a complete waste of money. It doesn't have to be this way. There are a number of easy ways to keep boredom at bay when visiting the gym.

Bring a Friend

One of the easiest ways to beat boredom is to bring a friend to the gym. Some gyms even offer discounts for signing up a friend. Best of all though, when you're laughing and chatting with a good girlfriend, you don't even notice all the hard work you're putting into burning calories because you're too busy having fun. When you're busy talking about the latest bestseller or blockbuster, it's hard to become bored with your workout routine. Not to mention, that when you make plans to meet your friend at the gym, you're less likely to skip your workout.

Select a New Piece of Equipment to Try

If you're stuck going it alone, switch up your routine by trying a new piece of equipment. Instead of walking on the treadmill, try the stair stepper. If you're used to working with dumbbells, try a weight bench. Just make sure you know how to use the equipment before you get started or you could seriously hurt yourself. Many gyms have attendants that are happy to help you learn the ins and outs of different machines.

Start a New Class

Classes are one of the best things gyms have going for them. Not only are classes usually upbeat, but it's a great way to meet new people while trying a new form of exercise. Whether you want to try spinning, pole dancing or Zumba, gyms offer a wide array of classes for every fitness level. If you're really serious about exercise, you may even want to train to become a class instructor.

Update Your Play List

Listening to the same songs day in and day out can get boring. Each week make a new play list that is filled with upbeat songs that will keep you going. Determine how long you want to workout and then choose enough songs to fill that gap. By choosing songs you love to hear, you'll be more apt to keep going so you can listen to the entire play list. Also be sure to include a couple songs to help you wind down before ending your workout.

Get a Trainer

Last, but not least, try getting a trainer. Some people find that they become bored because they don't feel challenged. The proper trainer will ensure that you're not only getting a workout that challenges you, but will find ways to keep the workout interesting.

Read more »

Yoga 101: 7 Poses for Beginners

By the editors of FITNESS magazine

New to yoga? Try these basic yoga poses to get stronger and more flexible.

Related: Beat Stress, Weight Less: Calorie-Burning Yoga Workout



Mountain Pose

• Stand tall with feet together, shoulders relaxed, weight evenly distributed through your soles, arms at sides.

• Take a deep breath and raise your hands overhead, palms facing each other with arms straight. Reach up toward the sky with your fingertips.

Related: More Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Yoga Poses

Downward Dog

• Start on all fours with hands directly under shoulders, knees under hips.

• Walk hands a few inches forward and spread fingers wide, pressing palms into mat.

• Curl toes under and slowly press hips toward ceiling, bringing your body into an inverted V, pressing shoulders away from ears. Feet should be hip-width apart, knees slightly bent.

• Hold for 3 full breaths.

Related: QUIZ: Which Yoga Pose Are You?

Warrior

• Stand with legs 3 to 4 feet apart, turning right foot out 90 degrees and left foot in slightly.

• Bring your hands to your hips and relax your shoulders, then extend arms out to the sides, palms down.

• Bend right knee 90 degrees, keeping knee over ankle; gaze out over right hand. Stay for 1 minute.

• Switch sides and repeat.

Related: Blast 500+ Calories Doing Yoga (Seriously!)

Tree Pose

• Stand with arms at sides.

• Shift weight onto left leg and place sole of right foot inside left thigh, keeping hips facing forward.

• Once balanced, bring hands in front of you in prayer position, palms together.

• On an inhalation, extend arms over shoulders, palms separated and facing each another. Stay for 30 seconds.

• Lower and repeat on opposite side.

• Make it easier: Bring your right foot to the inside of your left ankle, keeping your toes on the floor for balance. As you get stronger and develop better balance, move your foot to the inside of your left calf.

Related: Find the Best Yoga Style for You

Bridge Pose

• Lie on floor with knees bent and directly over heels.

• Place arms at sides, palms down. Exhale, then press feet into floor as you lift hips.

• Clasp hands under lower back and press arms down, lifting hips until thighs are parallel to floor, bringing chest toward chin. Hold for 1 minute.

• Make it easier: Place a stack of pillows underneath your tailbone.

Related: 5-Minute Quickie: The Great Sex Yoga Workout

Triangle Pose

• Extend arms out to sides, then bend over your right leg.

• Stand with feet about 3 feet apart, toes on your right foot turned out to 90 degrees, left foot to 45 degrees.

• Allow your right hand to touch the floor or rest on your right leg below or above the knee, and extend the fingertips of your left hand toward the ceiling.

• Turn your gaze toward the ceiling, and hold for 5 breaths.

• Stand and repeat on opposite side.

Related: Best Yoga Mats for Every Type of Yogi

Crow Pose

• Get into downward dog position (palms pressed into mat, feet hip-width apart) and walk feet forward until knees touch your arms.

• Bend your elbows, lift heels off floor, and rest knees against the outside of your upper arms. Keep toes on floor, abs engaged and legs pressed against arms. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths.

Related: Take the Crow Pose to the Next Level

Read more »

Would You Run Barefoot?

I'm a big fan of running (jogging, really, but I like the way running sounds). I run with my friend Vivian and my dog, so I get to chat and catch up on gossip while working out and giving my crazy pooch some much-needed exercise. As for my gear, I've been wearing the same kind of running shoes for five-plus years, and I get a new pair every six months when my knees start to get a little achy. But recently, I've been very tempted to try a pair of the new "barefoot" shoes. Have you seen these crazy things!? They look like a cross between water shoes and toe socks. Every time I'm out running in NYC, I see dozens of people (literally) rocking this wonky-looking footwear. Despite the popularity, the jury is still out on whether they're actually any better for you—and they could potentially be worse. So when I heard about the Brooks PureConnect shoes— which feel barefoot-ish but aren't as hardcore—I had to give them a try.

By Dawn Davis

The shoes are super light-weight so you can feel the ground, but they give you enough support that you can just throw them on and go. (Unlike the barefoot shoes, which you have to get used to gradually.) I tossed on my new Brooks this morning, went out and jogged my standard five miles and I felt fantastic. Different—but great. I was sore in new places (like a part of my calf muscle I didn't know existed) and I loved the nothing-on-my-feet feeling (these things weigh less than a hairbrush). Plus, I can alternate between these and my regular shoes, depending on what kind of experience I want on a particular morning (Beautiful-weather-loving-life kind of run? Brooks. Workout-and-be-done-with-it kind of run? Regular shoes.) So if you're the kind of exerciser who gets bored easily, or if you've been hesitant to try the funny-looking sock-shoes, this may be the perfect way to mix things up...while still tiring out the dog.

What's your favorite way to workout? Have you tried barefoot running?

Read more »

How To Avoid Late-Summer Colds

Just around the time the days start getting shorter and the evenings cooler, end of season colds catch up with us. But if you're prepared, you can avoid the worst of it. 

Why now? Well, schools open around this time and viruses spread among children in close contact. Then they hop over to us. And the viruses that give us colds tend to flourish in warm or hot weather.

So what can you do to avoid catching an late-summer or early autumn cold? 

GET MOVING Activity keeps your blood circulating and your body strong so that it has energy to stand up to infections. Regular exercise also makes you thirsty and causes you to drink more water. When you exercise and drink the recommended amount of water, toxins are easily flushed out of the body and the immune system grows stronger. 

WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY  Cold and flu viruses are most commonly spread by direct contact, such as touching a telephone, remote control or key board that was just showered by a sneeze. Try this trick when washing your hands. Rub them together hard, and sing a simple song twice. "Happy Birthday" or "Summer Time" should do the trick. Rubbing them with soap and water breaks up the germs and singing provides the right amount of time needed for the washing action to do its job.

TAKE DAILY VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS  If you know you don't eat all the fresh fruits and vegetables you need for optimal nutrition and a healthy immune system, take a daily multivitamin to make up for it.

PROTECT YOUR EYES  The eyes easily absorb viral particles. If someone with a cold or flu sneezes in your face, it's more likely than not you will catch it. Glasses (prescription or sun glasses) can reduce the contagion.

And what if, despite your good efforts, you do catch a cold? Experts say treat it symptomatically. For example, if you have a runny nose, get cold and flu pills for those symptoms or nasal inhalers. And make sure you get plenty of rest. 

Read more »

The Kind of Gross Thing You Should Do in The Bathroom for Better Health

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

Alright, here's something that health experts say we should be doing in the bathroom, but most people have never done it:

Related: 21 Flirty Little Date Outfit Ideas

No, there's nothing gross about flossing. But it's what you're notdoing with your floss that may raise some eyebrows. Let me explain: I was chatting with some friends a few months ago, and somehow we got on the subject of flossing (a bunch of party animals, we are), and one of the gals said her dentist told her that she should be smelling what comes out of the floss (you know the little bits of food on the floss).

Related: 12 Secret Signs He's Into You

Yes, the advice was to put your nose up to the floss to see what it smells like. A gross, rotten smell indicates an overgrowth of bacteria between your teeth, which signals decay and means you should be doing a better job flossing (morning and night, for example). A normal, non-offensive scent means you're doing a good job. 

Before this advice, I have to admit, I'd never took a whiff of my floss. Now I have to know: Do you?

P.S. Guess what could be growing in your pillow. And, this is just gross news: pools are icky.

Read more »

Nature As Your Own Gym

Has your workout routine left you in need of some fresh air? Try stepping outside! Read on to learn how to turn any outdoor space into your very own personal gym – open 24 hours and free of charge. All it requires is a touch of imagination, a sprinkle of will power, a dose of desire and a pinch of knowledge.

Let's break down the key elements involved in creating a safe and effective outdoor workout. The first thing to do before creating your outdoor workout is to choose your workout "goal". The goal of your workout will then help drive the design of the elements you include. Some possible goals for your workout might be

a) to burn fat – work aerobically
b) to train for power and speed – a sports specific workout
c) to reduce stress – a more meditative – stretch oriented workout
d) overall fitness – a bit of each of the above goals.

Once you have decided on your workout goal it is then important to assess what you have to work with in your given environment. A few general assumptions can always be applied no matter what your geography.

Fixed objects (defined for our purposes here as objects that will not come loose when pressure is applied) - such as trees, sturdy fences, telephone poles, picnic benches, lifeguard stations etc. can always serve as a fixed "anchor" for looping ropes, tying ropes and resistance bands etc. This will allow you to create a sort of cable, pulley type of exercise station. This will be the area where you can do exercises like cable rows, bicep curls, chest presses, wood chop and golf swing drills. Flat and wide open non-cement surfaces - such as grass, sand, dirt. These surfaces are perfect for jogging, sprint drills, sports drills, plyometrics and lunging.

Flat hard surface – such as pavement, tennis court, cement area. This is a great surface for jumping rope, doing medicine ball drills and footwork drills.

Raised (at least 6" and not more than 18") and fixed objects – such as benches, steps, picnic tables. Excellent for doing step ups, push ups – incline or decline, abdominal knee-ins, tricep dips.

A staggered line of repeated objects – such as light poles, trash cans, fence posts etc. Excellent to use for doing repeats of an exercise such as sprints, running drills, line drills and more. Two poles or trees in a line can be used to tie off a rope between the length that can be used for over/under drills – common in boxing training, sports training and more.

After you have assessed your area and made decisions about how you will use what you see, it is time to come up with the workout design. Here are the basic guidelines to use to create an effective and "out of the box" type workout. I find that a hybrid workout of the goals I mentioned at the beginning of this article creates the most effective routine. With that in mind, here are some ideas about what to combine for the most complete workout.

The workout should contain a warm up and cool down, five to ten minutes of each – followed by thirty to forty five minutes of your main workout.

Include some resistance exercises for strength and toning – rowing, push ups, bicep curls, tricep dips.

Include some aerobic activity in the workout, i.e., jump rope for three minutes in between a set of rows and push ups. Sprint one direction to a tree and then light jog back to starting point. Repeat several times.

Include some agility and leg/glute work, such as sprint repeats on a flight of outdoor stairs or take two stairs at a time all the way to the top. Walk back down – then repeat.

Include some power work using a hard surface for medicine ball "throw downs" or plyometric drills. Include a stretching and flexibility element by adding some yoga poses. This can easily lead into your cool down.

Put all that together and you will have created a well rounded, fun and challenging "environmentally" based workout.

rebeccakordecki_thumbnail Rebecca Kordecki, aka the "Booty Guru", is a fitness and lifestyle expert, media personality and creator of the hottest, new core and lower body workout, Booty Slide®. Rebecca and Booty Slide® have been featured on "The Today Show", "EXTRA", Channel 11 News and have been written up in such high end periodicals as Vogue, InStyle, Shape, TimeOut NY and Daily Candy amongst others. Recently named "The Best Personal Trainer" in the Hamptons for 2009, a much coveted and hard to come by title, Rebecca has had a career in fitness for over 17 years. From the East coast to the West coast she has worked with celebrities, high profile executives, professional athletes and others from all walks of life. Her client roster includes such celebrities as Raquel Welch, Hunter Tylo ("The Bold and The Beautiful"), Oliver Stone, Elijah Wood, Rick Fox, Scott Wolf (ABC's V and Party of Five), Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Kevin Bright (Executive Producer of "Friends") and Fortune 500 Company CEO's and Executives. The Blackwatch Polo team including world famous polo player and the face of Ralph Lauren's Polo, Nacho Figueras, have hired Rebecca for two seasons in a row. Due to her strong athletic background, Rebecca's knowledge and understanding of athletic conditioning and strengthening has been a tremendous asset. Rebecca's clients think of her as their coach, confidant and have often referred to her as an inspiration. Rebecca continues to train clients one on one, as a personal trainer, and while customizing her workout to suit each individual's needs, she believes in providing a refined and targeted approach for the best results. On a group fitness level, Rebecca's newest creation, Booty Slide® originated out of her desire to create a quick total body workout for her celeb and VIP clients' demanding schedules. Booty Slide® can be done almost anywhere and anytime without cumbersome equipment. Weighing under two ounces and fitting in your back pocket is the secret to the most effective, mobile workout in the world, Booty Slide® patented booties and the Booty Slide system! An intense, total body training "system" that focuses on building core strength, increasing cardiovascular fitness all while targeting problem areas; hips, buns and thighs. Ms. Galaxy Title holder and Tri-Fitness finalist, Rebecca has been active in the industry as a fitness trainer, health & fitness Company Ambassador, commercial actress (national commercials), fitness model and spokesperson. Pro Athletes, Celebs, high profile clients all have one thing in common and that is a trainer who provides discipline, results and a focused strategy for achieving their goals. There is a reason, Rebecca was awarded "The Best of The Best" personal trainer for 2009 in the Hamptons. Rebecca has certifications from ACE, ACSM and AFAA.

Read more »

Is Weight-Loss Surgery Right for You?

by Winnie Yu

If your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 40—for example, if you're 5'4" and weigh over 235 pounds—then you're a potential candidate. People with a BMI over 30 are also eligible if they have a weight-related condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

But just because you qualify doesn't mean you should do it. First, surgery is expensive—anywhere from $11,500 to $26,000—but your insurance may cover part or all of it (check with your provider). And while weight-loss surgery is life-changing and can even be lifesaving by reducing the odds of dying from cancer, diabetes or heart disease, it does have risks, both during the operation and afterward. So it's crucial to try losing weight through diet and exercise first. Photo: Thinkstock

Meet eight men and women who blogged the weight off.

Surgery isn't a magic bullet; you don't just have it and see the pounds effortlessly come off. "It can help a lot, but you still have to do the work," says Robin Blackstone, MD, president of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery and medical director at Scottsdale Healthcare Bariatric Center in Arizona. "You must exercise and change the way you eat." Otherwise, you run the risk of not losing or regaining the weight.

If you've reached the point where you're seriously considering surgery, you'll most likely be deciding between the two most popular options: gastric bypass, which is what Brooke and Jackie had, and gastric banding (such as Lap-Band). This chart tells you what you should know about both of them.

Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass)

How It Works

A surgeon closes off part of your stomach, shrinking it. The smaller section gets attached to the middle part of your small intestine (jejunum), allowing food to bypass the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). This triggers changes in hormones that control hunger and metabolism, as well as physically restricting the amount of food you can eat.

Who's Eligible

People with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 or a BMI over 35 with one obesity-related condition (such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea).

Why Choose It

You'll probably lose weight faster. In one year, bypass patients shed an average of 85 percent of excess body weight; banding patients lose an average of 48 percent, according to research from the University of Wisconsin. Bypass may also be better for people with diabetes, since the procedure seems to immediately affect hormones that impact this condition.

The Downsides

You'll probably be hospitalized for 48 hours after surgery; there's a 1 in 1,000 risk of mortality during the procedure. After, patients may develop hair loss, vitamin deficiencies, and dumping syndrome (undigested food gets dumped into the small intestine too rapidly, causing nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea and profuse sweating).

Check out 15 chicken recipes under 300 calories.

Gastric Banding (laparoscopic gastric adjustable banding; brands: Lap-Band and Realize)

How It Works

A surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a silicone band around the upper part of your stomach, creating a small pouch that restricts how much you can eat. A plastic tube connects the band to a device just under your skin (the band stays in forever unless the surgery needs to be reversed or redone). After surgery, patients return to the doctor periodically so he can inject or remove saline solution from the device (through a port in the skin) to make the band tighter or looser as needed.

Who's Eligible

People with a BMI greater than 40 or a BMI higher than 30 with one weight-related medical condition (such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea).


Why Choose It

This is a less complicated procedure than bypass surgery because there's no resectioning of the intestines or stomach. You'll probably go home from the hospital the same day, and complications are less likely than with bypass (1 in 2,000 mortality rate).

The Downsides

Twenty percent of patients don't lose enough to reverse a medical condition. Five to 10 percent need to have a repeat procedure to correct a problem, such as slippage of the band. If you have diabetes, the condition won't reverse until you shed significant weight. Side effects include heartburn and difficulty swallowing.

Read more »

Sunless Tanning: When It's Not So Healthy

By Sarah Jio, Glamour magazine

Raise your hand if you love self tanner? I have a love-hate relationship with the stuff. I gave up tanning in college (thank goodness), but I do find slathering self tanner on my bod to be a real pain. But, it's the safer route. Or is it? New warnings...

Related: 12 Secret Signs He's Into You

Yes, sunless tanners are the ultimate healthy alternative to indoor tanning beds or baking on a lounge chair by the pool sans sunscreen, but many studies over the year indicate that people who use self-tanners may still be unhealthy about skin protection.

Related: 21 Flirty Little Date Outfit Ideas

According to a recent LA Times article, experts worry that self tanners may significantly undermine how people view the dangers of tanning. In other words, when their skin gets a little brown from self-tanner, they may be more apt to go outside without sunscreen.

Since self-tanners don't provide any sun protection, this is a big problem. In fact, in a major study conducted by the Archives of Dermatology, researchers found that those who used sunless tanning products were more likely to also frequent tanning salons. In other words, tanning breeds more tanning--of all kinds, healthy or not.

I'm curious: Do you use self-tanners and tanning beds? What are your thoughts on self-tanners?

Read more »