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If He Can Exercise, So Can You

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:30:00 -0800

You know exercising is good for you, but some days it's hard to motivate. The next time you feel like skipping out just because you don't feel like it, think of Jeffrey.

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I love how when he goes to the gym, everyone there is so supportive and nonjudgmental. Did you see how they all greet him with such happiness? It must be really encouraging for him to feel connected to the people there and know they're rooting him on. He even teaches water-aerobics classes. I tell you it's really changed my mind about having an overweight trainer. What an inspiration.

Oprah's Weight Loss Show

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:00:00 -0800

I am not sure if any of you saw Oprah's show this week about weight loss, but it was inspiring — to say the least. Guests on the show had lost a significant amount of weight without the help of pills or surgery. One female guest (pictured here) even lost a whooping 530 pounds. The best part? She credited the Internet as being a major player in her decision to lose weight.

There were a few common threads behind all their unhealthy habits they shared before losing the weight, such as: drinking a lot of soda, binging late at night, sugar addictions, major lack of exercise, and eating way too much fast food.

Each person had their own reasons and methods for losing weight. However, again, I saw a few common threads in their methods, such as: cutting back on refined carbohydrates, cutting out junk food altogether, starting an exercise program, strength training, and eating five to six times per day.

Losing 10, 20 or even 50 pounds pales in comparison with the hundreds of pounds these folks lost. All you have to do is start with baby steps and before you know it you'll be jogging strides. If they can do it, so can you.

To see the full set of the before and after pictures from the show

A Week in Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:00:00 -0800

In cased you missed it, here is what we've been talking about.

Check out the latest in the Sugar sites, LilSugar!

Take the quiz to win a $100 gift card to Whole Foods!

A mommy wins the NYC marathon for the ladies while Katie Holmes and Lance Armstrong finish a bit later.

Speaking of marathons, do you think Oprah ruined the marathon's reputation?

If you're not into running, here is a great workout on the elliptical.

Julia Roberts knows the importance of good humor and good genes.

Eva Longoria paired up with Bebe Sport, but how sporty is it really?

When you're running, here is a great video for tying your shoes properly.

If you're thinking about Italian food anytime soon, you might want to check out this Romano's Macaroni Grill Breakdown.

And while we're at it, here is the breakdown of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Snowboarding season is coming soon, start training for it with these great exercises.

I'm curious, how often do you use fitness DVDs? Also, which snow sport are you most excited for? Finally, which cardio machine is your favorite?

Here are some ways to curb your nighttime snacking.

What does a serving size look like anyway?

And the healthiest state in the nation is...

Speak Up: Has the Marathon Lost Its Status?

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:29:35 -0800

I recently read a rather interesting article on Salon.com that blames Oprah for lowering the bar for excellence in the sport of marathon running. The article goes on to say that the idea of the marathon being an actual race is entirely lost, and instead of being an incredible test of physical endurance and speed, it is now merely a self-improvement exercise. People no longer run races to win, but rather to check off a box on their lifelong to do lists.

I personally think it's fabulous that people such as Oprah have inspired the less fit and overweight folks to get off their couches and into races. Anyone who inspires anyone else to get moving is OK in my book. Those who want to finish the race in two hours flat can still do so, even while there are less speedy folks bringing it home in the back of the pack. In the New York Marathon, Lance Armstrong finished in about 2:50, while Katie Holmes finished in 5:30, and the person who finished absolute last (38,554th place) did it in 9:51. Everyone, in my opinion, upheld the integrity of the sport just as much as Paula Radcliffe (who won it for the ladies).

What do you think about all of it — should the marathon be only for serious racers, or should anyone with a will and a way be able to participate? Speak up and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

(Let's do our best to keep comments respectable, so everyone will feel comfortable leaving their opinions.)

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Tips From Celebrity Trainers

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0700

One way that celebrities get to look the way they do is with personal trainers who have earned a bit of a celebrity title themselves. The back of their heads (i.e. Harley Pasternak training Sophia Bush pictured below) are always seen on PopSugar, so it's no wonder they are making a name for themselves based on the big names they work with.

CNN recently spoke with five celebrity trainers and they gave their own insights along with tips for us non-celebrity folk. So here are highlights I thought you would enjoy:

Valerie Waters
Worked With: Kate Beckinsale and Cindy Crawford
Tip: "Don't be afraid of weights. They're the quickest way to change your body"

Gunnar Peterson
Worked With: Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie and Matthew McConaughey
Tip: "Get on a regular routine. Exercise should be a cornerstone of your life, like brushing your teeth. It's not even an option to blow it off."

For tips from trainers who've worked with Christina Aguilera and Reese Witherspoon just

Get Your Butt in Gear: NiteSweatz Workout Thong

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I grew up hearing that thongs are not good for, ahem, down there. I don't really want to get into details but it has something to do with a lethal combo of yeast, and moisture. This meant sleeping and working out in a thong were a big no-no.

NiteSweatz ($16.00) thong is for anyone who has feared the thong while working out. The silky blend of fabrics coupled with moisture wicking and anti-microbial properties, make these undies pretty fashionable while still being totally functional. This means you can still be pantyline free, even at the gym. Buy one (or three) today from NiteSweatz.com.

Cascadian Farms - Organic and Easy

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:00:03 -0800

Cascadian Farms started off as a small farm in 1972, farming organically on a few acres in the Upper Skagit Valley of Washington's North Cascade Mountains - hence the name.

And now, they've expanded to become the leading grower, manufacturer, and distributor of a wide range of delicious organic products.

Walk into any health food store and you can't miss them. Their name is on anything from granola bars, to breakfast cereals, to frozen blueberries, to pickles. That about covers all the basic food groups. It is reliable and convenient organic produce and food.

My favorite products are a staple for a weekend breakfast: frozen blueberries for pancakes and frozen Country Style Potatoes - they make hash-browns so much easier.

And what else is great? Cascadian Farms are on Bob Greene's list for The Best Life Diet as seen on Oprah.

Fit's Tips: Keep a couple of bags each of frozen peas and corn - they're great to have on hand for soups and stir-frys.

Don't Lie to Yourself

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 16:30:17 -0800

I am not sure if you caught Oprah and Bob Greene talking about Best Life Diet Challenge but it was very interesting to listen to Bob talk about the possible setbacks people may have when getting fit. The one set back that really resonated with me is: Lying to yourself.

Basically, when you embark on a new journey, like losing weight by dieting and exercising, it is extremely important that you don't lie to yourself about getting healthy. If you say you are going to workout, then do it. Just like you can lose trust in another person who doesn't keep your word, you can lose trust in yourself. Stick to your word and you will eventually learn to trust yourself more which will help you along the process of getting healthy.

This makes total sense to me. If you tell yourself you're going to the gym, do it. If you tell yourself you're going to eat healthy starting tomorrow, do it. If you tell yourself you're going to quit smoking today, do it. Taking the step to Stop lying to yourself should be your first goal.

As you can tell, day one and I am already way into the Challenge. There are six contestants who are going to be doing this for nine months! I can't wait to see and hear about their transformations but to see the contestants on day one,

The Best Life Diet Challenge Starts

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:30:00 -0800

Bob Greene, Oprah's trainer and author of The Best Life Diet is getting several lucky people in shape for The Best Life Weight Loss Challenge and you can follow along and get in shape too!

Before you get started, Bob wants you to ask yourself these questions:

Why am I overweight?
Rather than "I don't have time to make healthy food" or "I have to eat out a lot," recognize the feelings that lead you to overeat. For example, you're really anxious about work and ice cream calms you down. Or, your husband is emotionally distant and eating fills the void.

Why do I want to lose weight?
If you say, "To look better," push further to ask, "Why?" Maybe you're afraid your significant other will leave you for someone prettier. But what does that mean about your relationship? Maybe you're trying to meet someone. Fine, but are there other changes you should be thinking about? After all, it's not only thin women who have partners. When people think that getting thinner will make them happy only to find it doesn't, it almost always leads to the misuse of food and a return to being overweight.

Why have I been unable to maintain weight loss in the past?
Think back to the trigger that turned you from staying on a healthy program to eating out of control. Was the diet too rigorous? Did your spouse think you would fail? Many people have a core belief that they're not meant to be happy and so they continually find ways to sabotage themselves. Figuring out what drives you to relapse is the beginning of success.

Watch Oprah tomorrow, February 22nd, to learn more about the participants, the Best Life and the challenge.