AmazingMFitness.com

Image by Betabrand

Forget the phrase “You are what you eat.” Now it’s “You are how much you eat.”

At least that’s the message given by the new Gluttony Pants, designed (with a sick sense of humor) by San Francisco-based chef and former Iron Chef contestant Chris Cosentino for Betabrand. Gluttony Pants are made with three buttons on the waist to allow for more, how shall I say, wiggle room in your eating experience.

In other words: How piggy are you feeling today?

Each button has an embroidered label for the level of how much “pigging out” you’re in the mood for.

If you’re just planning a minor binge, use the “Piglet” button. Wanting to reject any sense of a diet? Go for the “Sow” button, or worse, the “Boar.” The trousers come with a coordinating burgundy napkin in case things get messy.

As a gag gift or a good conversation piece, these adjustable-waist pants can’t go wrong (though the $100 price tag makes them a bit pricey for white elephant gift exchanges).

But if you’re contemplating the practicality of the one-size-fits-all-appetites pants, you may want to stay far away from this gluttonous garb — and consider your state of mind before next stepping up to the feeding trough.

With this weekend expected to bring the first wave of 90-degree temperatures this year, fitness enthusiasts shouldmake sure to take precautions. After all, no matter how gooda shape a person is in, he or she likely will fight a losing batter againstMother Natureand what she has in store for us.

Here are some suggestions for exercising during those hot days that Florida has in store for us:

1. Avoid exercising during the hottest part of the day. This sounds so simple, but I am sure we all have seen someone getting in a run or long bike ride during the early to mid-afternoon when the mercury is hitting 90 degrees and above. We admire their dedication but wonder: Is the early morning an option? What about the early evening when the temperatures have cooled down a bit? Sometimes that is not an option, but I can tell you as an early-morning runner (now) who used to run in the late morning (then), I can complete my workouts now at a faster pace than I could when it felt like I was running into an oven.

2. No water restrictions. We’ve all seen the restrictions about watering our lawns and totally support the need to conserve water and not be wasteful. But for fitness enthusiasts, we say: Drink away. When you are going to be gone from your home or any place where water is available for a long period, take water with you. Believe us: Your body will thank you.

3. SPF alert. People tend to be more bummed when they forget their iPod at home than when they forget water or putting on sunscreen when they are exercising in extreme heat. The sun is wonderful for a lot of things, but its effects can pose a danger. If you know anyone with skin cancer, you know what we are talking about. Protect yourself, even on those days when it is not oppressively hot.

4. What about working out indoors? There is no rule that says you have to work out outside, although that is preferrable for a lot of us (including me). Can you run on a treadmill instead of on the streets of your favorite neighborhood? Can you swim at the indoor pool at the Y instead of outside? What about trying a spinning class instead of going for that long bike ride? Life’s all about options.

5. Incorporate more breaks into your workout. Give yourself more time to rest (in a shady spot, of course), and listen to your body when it is trying to tell you it can’t go any further. The great thing about fitness enthusiasts is that there is some part of all of us that wants to push the limits to see what we can do physically. That’s great, as long as we are safe about it. There is no harm done in giving yourself a break during a workout when the conditions become unbearable.

Howdo you protect yourself when working out in the heat?

We hope this helps you. Take care and be safe when working out.