FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Do You Exercise With Your Significant Other?

FitSugar — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 03:06:33 -0700

I'm glad to have my husband as a workout buddy. We take yoga classes together and go for hikes and bike rides with the kids. Not only are we burning calories and working our muscles, but it's also a great time to catch up. I love that he motivates me to get moving at times when I'd rather just plop down on the couch and watch reruns of Sex and the City. What about you?Source

Do You Exercise With Your Significant Other?

Yes, all the time.

Sometimes. We don't always like to do the same things.

Never, I prefer the time alone.

I don't have a significant other.

What to Do After Your Workout

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:45:00 -0800

You might not have ever thought about this but what do you do once you've finished 30 minutes of cardio and lifted your last rep of your last set? Go home? Not quite.

Just because you've done the hard part does not mean that you should just pack up and head on home. Feel free to congratulate yourself for a job well done, but here are a few more things you should consider doing:

Hydrate. Just because you're done working out doesn't mean you're done hydrating. Chances are you've lost a good bit of water during your workout, even during Winter workouts, so be sure to keep on drinking water to keep hydrated beyond your workout.
Cool-down. A 5-10 minute cool down is necessary to bring your heart rate back down to a normal rate, lower your body temperature, as well as help prevent blood pooling, muscle soreness and cramps.

There are a few more tips so

Don't Wake and Work Out: Eat a Bit First

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

With everyone concerned about eating extra calories over the holidays, I am here to tell you that you should eat ... before you exercise first thing in the morning. It seems that many folks think that if they work out on an empty stomach, their bodies will target fat. Unfortunately, that is just not true, and this persistent myth can actually set you back if you are trying to lose weight.

After fasting all night, since you don't eat while you sleep, your glycogen (or carb) stores are low. Glycogen is the fuel the body generally burns first for energy. If your glycogen levels are low and your body is in motion, your body decides to hold on to your fat. The body is essentially paranoid and thinks a famine might be coming, so it holds on to the fat as emergency reserve and targets muscle instead. This is not good, since you are working out to lose fat, not lean muscle. You want to keep lean muscle, because it will boost your metabolism.

The good news is that you just need to eat just a small amount to let the body know that fuel is on its way and you are not entering a famine. Just a simple snack that contains 100 to 200 calories will do. Me? I eat a banana and a small handful of nuts before a run, or I eat yogurt before a weight training session.

At What Point Did You Start Working Out?

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

I can remember the first time I ever hit the gym as clear as day. I was a freshman in college looking to beat the freshman fifteen at my university's fitness center. I had no idea how to use any of the machines and was absolutely terrified of the weight area. Since everyone else seemed look like they knew what they were doing, I've always wondered when they all first started working out. I never got around to polling the entire fitness center, so I am curious about you guys: When did you first start working out?

At What Point Did You Start Working Out?

Before high school

During high school

During college

After college

5 (or more) years after college

I haven't started yet

Which is Your Goal This Summer: Toned Tush or Flat Abs?

FitSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

We've all got our goals for summer (like get over fear of sharks)... For many of us, especially if you're reading FitSugar right now, that goal is to be comfortable (and looking good) in a bikini but that can be different for everyone.So which is your goal from your workout this summer: Toned tush or flat abs?

Which is Your Goal This Summer: Toned Tush or Flat Abs?

Toned Tush

Flat Abs

Other. Tell me below!

True or False: Drinking Water Before Working Out Causes Cramps

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

True or False: Drinking water before (and during) exercise will lead to cramps.

To find out the answer,

What Do You Think About While You're Working Out?

FitSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 04:00:00 -0700

What Do You Think About While You're Working Out?

Food - what to make for dinner, how I've worked enough to enjoy a treat later

My problems - it's a great time to be alone with my thoughts and work things out

Work - I like to multi-task and brainstorm ideas for my job while I burn some calories

When I can stop - I'm all about getting it done

How strong I am - working out is empowering both mentally and physically

Things I need to get done - go to the bank, send a thank you card, call the dentist

Something else - share below...

When it Comes to Working Out, What's Your Favorite?

FitSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

SourceExercising is good for our bodies and minds - there's no debate about that. Cardio, strength training, and stretching are 3 things we should all be doing to work our whole bodies, and I'm sure one is easier and more enjoyable for you than the others. What I want to know is...

When it Comes to Working Out, What's Your Favorite?

Cardio - I love to get my heart pumping and burn calories too

Strength Training - It makes me feel and look so much stronger

Stretching - It's relaxing and prevents injury

Get the Bod: Jenna Fischer

FitSugar — Wed, 02 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

OK, so Jenna Fischer (Pam from The Office) doesn't exactly flaunt off her sexy, smokin' bod like Evangeline Lilly, but she did appear "nude" on the cover of WIRED magazine.

That is not all, Jenna also posed nude for the children's charity, Clothes Off Our Backs. She said that at age 32, she realized that she was in tip top shape and chances of her body looking better were small, so she wanted to document it.

I love that she's a regular person - sweet, shy, funny, and totally adorable. So how does she get that cute?

She told Women's Health that she used to workout all the time, with a trainer 3 times a week (she was all muscles). Then when she started working full time on The Office, she was already getting up at 4:30am, so when was she going to workout? Sounds reasonable to me, but I don't think I could ever not workout though - I'm addicted! So now Jenna just focuses on eating well. It just goes to show you how much a healthy diet can affect your body.

If you can't get enough of her on The Office, check her out in the movie Blades of Glory as the girlfriend of Jon Heder (ya know, from Napoleon Dynamite).

Want to see her "nude" shot on the cover of WIRED magazine? Then

When it Comes to Staying in Shape, Which is Harder For You?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Losing weight and then maintaining it is tough because for most of us, it's a lifetime battle. There is no cure-all diet that we can go on for a week to lose weight and then miraculously go back to eating donuts and Doritos. We'd all be on it if we could. In order to lose weight and keep it off, you've got to eat a healthy diet and exercise consistently. So which is harder for you?

When it Comes to Staying in Shape, Which is Harder For You?

Working Out - they don't call it "work" for nothing

Eating Right - I crave everything bad for me

What's the Best Time to Workout?

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Like most health and fitness related topics, there is not a one size fits all answer to what time is best to workout? Finding the best time to exercise is a personal thing because it depends on your own body clock and schedule.

MSNBC talked to some experts to see when they think it's best to hit the gym and here are the results:

Working out in the PM:

WHAT: Doing high impact activities (kick boxing, cycling, etc) and building muscle mass.
WHO: People who don't like to wake up when it's still dark out and those who like not having to spend as much time stretching (your heart and muscles are more prepared for the stress of exercise in the afternoon).
WHY: Your body's temperature tends to rise by a few degrees in the afternoon, warming the muscles and connective tissues and resulting in a slight improvement in your performance capabilities. Also, there may not be enough glycogen in your muscles to support an effective workout in the morning.

To find out if working out in the AM or being a weekend warrior is better for you, then

Jennifer Hudson Believes in the Power of Exercise

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:40:17 -0800

Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson!!!! The power of her voice practically blew me down through the television last night. What struck me even more was her exercise routine. Since she had to put 20 pounds on to play her Oscar winning role of plus-size Effie, she's been hard at work at working out.

Her trainer, LaFonza Alston created a diet and exercise plan to help Jennifer drop the weight. He told her every portion of food should only be the size of her hand - good note for us all to live by - portion control is ever so helpful when eating healthy. The diet sounds rather bland - salads, grilled chicken, nuts, and cranberry juice. Her workout plan includes a 4 am run followed by 4 sets of squats, push-ups and sit-ups. On the red carpet I heard her tell Ryan Seacrest that she went back to the gym at 1pm for more. Dang!!!! She did lose 25 pounds over the course of 3 months and has got to be in terrific shape.

Source

Gym Pet Peeves: Don't Be That Person

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 03:00:00 -0800

I tend to think of myself as relatively flexible when it comes to others but when it comes to gym behaviors, ugh, I have some serious pet peeves. The thing is, the gym is a communal place, which means we all are sharing and one a-hole talking loudly on his phone about his wild night can really ruin the experience for everyone.

To avoid being that guy/girl, keep in mind a few gym etiquette tips:

Wiping off your sweat from equipment -- Good if you already do it, gross if you don't.
Returning equipment to its original place -- Your mother is not picking up after you here and it's not fair for the next person looking for the 15 lbs weights to have to search for them.
Keep noise to a minimum -- We're all working out hard here, so major disturbances like grunting and slamming weights together are really not necessary.
Cutting in Line -- How old are we here? Cutting in line is rude and childish. Wait your turn and think about asking if you can work-in with someone else's sets.
Mind how much space you're taking up -- Don't talk on your cell phone loud (or at all really) and pace back and forth. Don't use equipment as a place to keep your things, someone may be waiting to use that bench your crap is sitting on.

Basically, as cheesy as it sounds, the Golden Rule applies even when you're at the gym: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Working Out: What Time of Day is Best?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 03:30:00 -0800

According to research on circadian rhythms, body temperature, and muscle strength, it's best to workout in the late afternoon.

Your brain follows a delicate schedule known as circadian rhythm. It's like an internal clock, and it controls your body temperature. By the afternoon, your body temperature is 2 degrees warmer than in the morning. And because of that, your muscles are more supple and warmed up, so you're decreasing your chance of pulling a muscle or getting injured.

Exercising in the late afternoon gives your body a chance to wake up, and you'll have already eaten 2 meals, so you'll be fueled up and have more energy.

Another thing, if you exercise in the late afternoon or early evening, you'll have a chance to get your work done. Your mind will feel more settled and calm, and your afternoon workout will be something to look forward to, a way to release.

But some experts say that working out in the morning jump-starts your metabolism. They say that morning exercise promotes more fat burning, but the difference is so small, it doesn't really matter.

Exercising before you start your day might be the only time you can be sure to fit it in, because once your day starts going, it's hard to break away from work and family commitments.

Fit's Tips: The bottom line is - you've got to find a way to realistically work exercise into your life. It has got to be compatible with your personality and your schedule. Whether it's at 5am or 5pm, set aside at least 3 times during the week that you can exercise.

Unitards: A Comeback You're Following?

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Recently I have noticed a rather interesting trend at my gym: The Unitard. Yup, just like the days when Jane Fonda's Workout was queen, I have seen several unitards (being worn by some brave souls I may add) making their way onto the cardio equipment. If you're loving the unitard look (pictured above), check out the one that American Apparel sells for $32.00.What do you guys think -- Would you workout in a unitard?

Unitards: A Comeback You're Following?

Yes!

No Way!

Other. Tell us below!

Media While Working Out, A Good Distraction?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:15:00 -0800

Most of us need some sort of distraction while working out. Be it an iPod, tv or newspaper, whatever as long as it takes the focus off the actual working out process.

A recent report on CNN found that these distractions are great, as long as you're not training for a race or some athletic competition. The reason is that if you are training, you really need to be extremely in tune with your body (and your breathing) and being in tune with your iPod could prevent that. A lot of marathons do not allow runners to use music, so if you're planning on running a marathon anytime soon, you may want to ween off the music.

How Do You Reward Yourself?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 09:15:00 -0800

We set goals for ourselves constantly, but to keep going we definitely need to reward ourselves for a job well done. So what do you reward yourself with for staying on track?

How Do You Reward Yourself?

A shopping spree -- Mama needs a new pair of jeans!

A day off working out -- Now that is the ultimate reward!

A day off eating healthy -- Fast food here I come!

A Saturday on the couch, watching cheesy movies/crappy tv -- Lifetime anyone?

A bottle of fine wine -- One bottle serves one, right?

A spa treatment -- A pedi, mani or facial never felt so good!

A special treat -- Beautiful flowers or a 3 hour call with your best friend.

Other -- Tell us below!

Coffee Helps Ease Muscle Pain

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 04:20:00 -0800

MSNBC is reporting that a recent small study from the University of Georgia found that moderate doses of caffeine, the equivalent of about two cups of coffee, can cut post-gym muscle pain.

Maybe don't request that your gym serves coffee just yet because too much caffeine can cause jitteriness, heart palpitations and sleep disturbances. Also, the results might not apply to regular coffee drinkers, who are most likely desensitized to caffeine’s effects. Furthermore, the researchers studied only women, so men could respond differently.

Still, the study shows that caffeine appears to give more relief than found with conventional pain and soreness relievers. So, if you're feeling sore post workout, why not have a cup of joe?

Get in Gear: Finis SwimP3 Player

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:04:17 -0800

Here is one for ya: What is the most musically inclined fish?

...a tuneafish!

I had to do the joke because this product made me think of it. The Finis SwiMP3 256MB ($199) is a new MP3 player for underwater use. The SwiMP3 relies on bone conduction of sound and when the device is placed on any bones of the skull (i.e. the cheek bones) it leads to vibration of the fluid in the inner ear. Basically, it's a really high tech way to get clear sound underwater. How cool is that? Swimming to tunes could really make laps more enjoyable -- In staying with the theme, Download Modest Mouse's Float On for your play list. With four hours of rechargeable battery life, we're going to need someone to invent a way to prevent our skin from pruning.

Buy a SwiMP3 on Finis's site.

Best Hotel Gyms

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:02:29 -0800

A lot of us are (and have been) traveling this holiday season but the fact is that many of us travel a lot period, not just during the holidays. If you're constantly on the road, maybe your resolution was to work out when traveling.

Athletic-Minded Traveler has put over 3,000 hotels nationwide to the test and come up with a list of The Best Hotel Gyms in the U.S. The selection criteria included facility size, equipment quantities, multi-sport options (e.g., lap pool, sport court, etc.) and overall ambiance. To be considered as a hotel gym, the facility must be located on hotel property or within an adjacent building.

To see the list,

Eating and Working out... What's best?

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:00:00 -0800

Do you wonder if it is better to eat before or after a work out? I did, so here is some info to help you decide.

If you can hold off then you may want to eat afterwards because a full stomach can lead to cramping and discomfort while working out and a very uncomfortable work out. In short, this happens because your body uses blood to digest your food but it uses more blood to keep your muscles going, so our bodies prioritize and digestion takes a back seat to fueling the muscles and so the food just sits in your belly.

When you're done, eat something balanced in carbohydrates and protein -- your muscles will appreciate the added nutrients after working so hard.

Fit's Tip: If you're hungry before working out then definitely eat something (but make it light and easy to digest - like yogurt) because exercising while hungry can lead to feeling weak and a less than optimal work out.

Be Gone Damn Spot

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 04:00:00 -0800

Getting active can wreak havoc on your clear complexion (on your face and elsewhere), but why? Well as you heat up your glands produce more oil and the oil can (and for most of us, usually does) clog your pores. How do you still work out but keep clear skin?

After cardio be sure to wash your face and body as soon as possible. If you like to stretch and/or lift weights post cardio then just rinse your face really quick and, if you're prone to "backne," then change into a fresh top and sports bra before continuing your work out. After you have finally washed your face and body, follow up with an astringent to close up pores. Try Murad's Clarifying Body Spray ($32) for a quick and easy way to close all your post work out pores. Buy it here.

Give your Immune System a Boost

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:00:00 -0800

I am paranoid about the flu, I'll admit it. So I'm putting my paranoia to good use and figuring out simple ways to boost my immune system and I would like to share them with you.

One of the easiest ways is to sleep at least 7 - 9 hours a night. For me, this might mean going to bed a little early since I am not always in control of my wake up time. My 20 month old daughter IS my alarm clock.

Or course exericise is beneficial too - it is my answer for all the ills of the world. Working out helps to strengthen your immune system and increases the body’s natural virus-killing cells. This is why if you have a little cold it is good to do a light work out.

Eating nuts and sunflower seeds also gives your immune system a little boost since they are high in Vitamin E. Vitamin C might get all the press, but Vitamin E is the unsung hero of your immune system since it helps stimulate the production of natural killer cells that seek out and destroy germs. It helps you fight the good fight.

I'm going to chomp on some seeds right now.

That's What Friends are For

fitgirl — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 12:00:00 -0800

Sheryl and Gabby partnered up, maybe you should too! Problem is maybe your friends are not ready to start working out or you know that they will back out on a workout from time to time. Want to run a marathon but can't get any one you know to do it with you? Maybe when it comes to getting active, you need to branch out a little.

ExerciseFriends.com is an online community where you can find someone who is looking for a workout partner as well. You start by searching the activity you are interested in (from aerobics to base jumping to ping ping) and your zip code. Then you get a whole list of people (along with pictures) that are interested in the same thing. And it's all free!

Fit's Tip: While most members seem to be legitimately looking for a training buddy (and the site boldly states it is not a dating site), if all you're looking for is a workout partner, you may want to be little cautious of suspicious profiles (long walks in the park at sunset, etc).

FITSUGAR SNEAK PEEK: Look Like a Star!

fitgirl — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 07:06:04 -0700

We just can't get enough of this blogging thing so we are branching out yet again. Get excited because FitSugar is coming soon! See below for a sneak peek:

We all know Kate loves to work out - especially doing a lot of lunges. Kate knows they are a great way to sculpt your legs but do you? Most people shy away from them because lunges can become tedious and, like everything else, your muscles can get used to the motions if you don't add some variation to your lunge every once in a while.

Here is a fun way to update the lunge:

Lunging in different directions enables you to use new (and more) muscles in your legs. So rather than the typical forward and reverse lunges, imagine you are standing in the middle of a star and lunge forward (and reverse for all the points behind you) to all the points of the star to complete one set. Do 3-4 sets.

Want to have Kate Beckinsale's body but don't know how to get it? Need to learn how to de-stress the healthy way? Itching to discuss whether eating organic is worth it or totally over-hyped? Read about all of this and more on our next site, FitSugar!

FitSugar is coming soon. Sign up to receive an email notification as soon as we launch!

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