FitSugar

Fitness Date Ideas For Couples

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:35:51 PST

Whether you're dating or in a relationship, all that eating out and hours of cuddling on the couch can put a damper on a healthy lifestyle. Instead of choosing dates that revolve around decadent food, too many cocktails, or periods of inactivity, get some exercise with your honey. Here are some of our favorite fit and healthy date ideas.

Healthy Snack: Vegan Cucumber Tofu Rolls

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:07:05 PST

Tofu usually shows up as part of a full meal, but it also makes a delicious and satisfying snack. Prepare tofu ahead of time and store it in the fridge to whip up these protein-packed vegan cucumber tofu rolls in a matter of minutes. If you've never cooked with tofu, this is a great no-fail recipe to try out.

Keep reading to learn how to make this savory tofu recipe.

The Workouts That Keep Gisele Bundchen Healthy and Fit

Michele Foley — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:18:14 PST

Whether it's walking down the Victoria's Secret catwalk or cheering from the Super Bowl sidelines, Gisele Bundchen always has a healthy glow. While she probably has a few supermodel genes on her side, Gisele leads an active lifestyle that includes a varied fitness routine. Of the dozens to choose from, find out which workouts really get Gisele excited!

Source: INFDaily.com, WENN.com, Vogue

Manage and Organize Your Bills For Free!

Sponsor — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:00:00 PST

Destiny's Child said it best: bills, bills, bills! And since no one has offered to pay our Saks, Macy's, or Nordy bills, it's high time we got our finances in order. Isn't that what the New Year is all about?

Let us introduce Manilla, which is a free online bill organizer all about helping you keep your finances in order (and a steady flow of shoes into your closet). How? Manilla gathers all of the information you need to manage your bills and accounts and puts them into one easy, organized overview available 24/7. Manilla also keeps you in the know about upcoming payments with automatic reminders (aka lifesavers).

Signing up is super easy and piece of mind is priceless, so get your Manilla before the next billing cycle!

Gear Review: Lululemon No Limit Top

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:07:07 PST

I don't usually get very fancy with my yoga clothes. A fitted tank with a built-in sports bra is my usual go-to top. It keeps my girls covered and in place, and the fitted body stays put when I go upside down. But some days ~~you ate too many cookies~~ you just don't feel like wearing something tight. You could sport a loose shirt but it doesn't offer the most flattering look, and as soon as you start moving, it can end up exposing your belly even more than a tight tank. Enter the Lululemon No Limit Tank ($64). Sexy is the first word I thought when I saw it, but when I tried it in a yoga class, functional was the second.

Keep reading to hear more details about this unique Lululemon tank.

Gym Mishaps: Would These Make You Skip Your Workout?

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:41:08 PST

Unfortunately, every sweat session can't be perfect. There are bound to be some bad days thrown into the mix. We've rounded up a few common gym mishaps that can keep you from getting your sweat on. Read through and let us know if these issues are deal breakers that would make you skip your workout, or if you'd suck it up and power through.

Source: Thinkstock

Naomi Campbell Feels Carbs Are a Treat

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:07:03 PST

With the birth of the Atkins diet, carbs immediately got a bad reputation. It seems like everyone I know has gone on a carb-free diet at least once in their lives to lose weight, and even Naomi Campbell is no stranger to forgoing carbs. In the March issue of Harper's Bazaar, the 41-year-old model admits that she's blessed with a high metabolism, but she also exercises and watches her diet. Naomi works hard to maintain her famous model figure and says, "For me, carbs are a treat now."

I can see ditching refined carbs - foods made with white flour, like bagels, cookies, cakes, and pasta - since they have very little nutritional value. But whole grain bread and cereals, whole wheat pasta, and whole grains like quinoa and barley are super nutritious. These complex carbs contain protein to sustain energy levels and filling fiber to curb hunger, both of which can help you lose weight. However, there is definitely some validity to cutting carbs and losing weight. A recent study showed that cutting carbs twice a week was more effective than eating a low-calorie diet, so I can see why some women may choose to limit their carb intake in the name of weight loss. How do you feel about carbs?

Source: Karim Sadli for Harper’s Bazaar

Watch Out For These Top 10 Saltiest Foods

Leta Shy — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:46:08 PST

Collectively, we really love our salt. We eat so much more than we should, often because of high levels of sodium hiding in many of our favorite foods. A new report released by the Centers For Disease Control identifies the top 10 saltiest foods, and some may surprise you.

Paying attention to the amount of salt hidden in your food is important because too much sodium in your diet can lead to diseases like hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. The recommended daily intake of salt is 1,500 milligrams to 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon), depending on your risk factors. But most Americans (about 90 percent of us) eat more than 3,300 milligrams a day. Want to know which foods are the worst to eat if you're watching your salt intake? Read the list below.

The 10 saltiest foods are:

Snacks like potato chips, popcorn, and pretzels
Meatloaf and other "meat-mixed" dishes
Pasta dishes
Cheese
Cheeseburgers and sandwiches

Read on for the top five saltiest foods.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Karl Lagerfeld Calls Adele Fat

Michele Foley — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:47:47 PST

Karl Lagerfeld stirs the pot, calls Adele "a little too fat" - Fit Celeb
10 ways to make February fit and fantastic - The Fitnessista
Shoulders, arms, and more: a complete upper body workout - Peanut Butter Fingers
How to become stronger without putting on extra weight - Bicycling
Make this: vegan pumpkin seed guacamole - Healthy Happy Life
How to turn yourself into a morning person - Daily Spark
An in-depth review of the Adidas Adipure minimalist shoe - Fit Bottomed Girls
Learn how to resist a junk food craving once and for all - Self

Love Your Lower Half: Your Go-To Wardrobe and Workout

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:15:16 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

We've been thinking a lot about our backsides the past few months here at Fitness, as our team put together part one of our "Body Lab" to help you get a butt that defies gravity (see the February issue for more!).

While we work hard in the gym to sculpt a better behind, we don't complain when we get a little help from a particularly flattering pair of pants. The minute we slipped on the GapFit gFast Color Binding Leggings ($60, gap.com), we fell in love with their comfy fit and cute colors. And after testing them out in a strength class at David Barton Gym to celebrate GapFit's new line, we knew they would be mainstays in our workout wardrobes. The fabric is just thick enough for cool morning runs, but doesn't feel too heavy for the gym.

If you're feeling a bit timid about rocking these leggings, add these three moves from David Barton Gym trainer Meka to your workout three times each week, and soon you'll be loving your rear view! Get the details on these booty-toning exercises after the break.