Fight Fatigue, Liquid Lowdown, and Creamy Conundrums

Exercise fights exhaustion, liquid sugar sabotages weight loss, and experts tackle sports creams.

Wake Up!

I know, I know. When you’re sleepy and struggling to stay awake, the last thing you want to do is go for a jog or do some push-ups. For me, taking a “quick snooze” turns into a too-long nap and an extremely groggy feeling in the head, but taking a quick walk makes me feel better immediately. But exercise isn’t just a quick fix. Turns out that “chronic exercise” can also combat chronic fatigue. Researchers have found that sedentary healthy adults who worked out just 20 minutes at a low to moderate intensity for three days a week reported feeling less fatigued and more energized. So if you’re one of the 1 in 4 people who suffer from fatigue for no known medical reason, maybe a brisk walk will perk you right up.

Work out to wake up.

Credit: Bert K

H20 Is Your Friend

You know that 64-oz. colas aren’t exactly a healthy diet’s best friend. But it turns out that sugary drinks can seriously sabotage your weight-loss efforts. A study of more than 800 people showed that a reduction in liquid calorie intake had a stronger effect on weight loss than a reduction in solid calorie intake. So if your weight loss is at a standstill but you’re still sipping on Slurpees or massive full-fat super mochas, try to limit your calories that come from drinks. Plus, isn’t it more satisfying to crunch into your food anyway?

Don’t drink your meals.

Sports Creams a Scam?

I’ve been known to dabble in the Bengay after particularly “straining” workouts. My husband swears sports cream helps him, whether it’s a sore back or aching fingers after a particularly rockin’ session of Guitar Hero (not even kidding). But do sports creams actually do anything? Some people swear by them, some swear at them (they do have an odor)—but they continue to sell. Experts have said that they don’t cause any physiological change where they’re applied, so any effect of relief may simply be placebo—or maybe from the warming sensation of some of the products. So, no, topical treatments aren’t going to heal injuries quicker. But hey: If that Icy Hot will make me feel better, whether it’s a mind trick or not, I say, why not? (Just don’t overdo it over a long period of time.)

The rub.