Ellen Warren

Study shows you're more likely to overeat when you are sleepy.

Sleepy? Study shows you're more likely to overeat

Here's a new spin on the saying, "If you snooze you lose."

What if the "lose" part applied to your weight? No, it's not as simple as going to sleep and waking up slimmer. Alas.

But a recent Harvard study does suggest that people who get a good night's rest find it easier to resist overeating -- especially when it comes to gorging on high-calorie foods like ice cream, cheeseburgers or French fries.

We all know the temptation: You're drowsy during the day, get hungry and head to the snacks aisle or a vending machine for junk food or a candy bar.

Pepperminta solution to obesity?

Of course smell is important when it comes to eating. When we walk into a movie theater, our sense of smell is why we're instantly dying for some popcorn.

It's why Cinnabons are so hard to resist as their seductive scent wafts through malls and airports.

If glorious smells make us want to eat, is there a scent that could have the opposite effect?

Yes, there is, says psychologist Bryan Raudenbush, a professor at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia.

It's peppermint.

A fitness rookie? Easy does it

A fitness rookie? Easy does it

By ELLEN WARREN

Chicago Tribune

2222"I'm a strength specialist who hates to exercise," Maynard said, when I called her to ask if she could recommend some at-home starting points for the vast majority of us who are exercise-phobes.

It turned out that Maynard, 54, is one of us.

Sure, she exercises -- she makes her living at it -- but it doesn't mean she likes it. She likes the effects -- the way it makes her feel. She works out because it gives her energy.

"I got tired of being tired," she explained.

Lead yourself not into temptation

You're at the takeout or Starbucks hankering for a tasty snack.

That double chocolate brownie sure looks good (410 calories; 24 grams fat), but you know you should chose the apple (52 calories, .4 gram of fat).

Here's a suggestion: Make a fist before picking your dessert.

Frugal shopper hits luxury stores for $150 or less

The one-word names are the very epitome of luxury. Retail palaces filled with lust-worthy delights. Gucci, Cartier, Tiffany, Vuitton, Chanel.

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