FitSugar

10 Ways to Burn 100 Calories Indoors

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

The weather is beginning to cool off, so you may not be as motivated to slip on your sneaks and exercise outside. That's OK because you can get a great workout at home. For a 130-pound woman, these indoor activities burn about 100 calories.

Run up and down the stairs for 11 minutes: Burns 102 calories
Lift weights for 33 minutes: Burns 102 calories
Pop in a cardio DVD for 24 minutes: Burns 103 calories
Paint a room in your home for 33 minutes: Burns 102 calories
Turn up the tunes and dance for 21 minutes: Burns 104 calories

To see the other five activities read more.

Walk at a moderate pace on a treadmill while watching TV for 30 minutes: Burns 102 calories
Pedal on a stationary bike for 14 minutes: Burns 101 calories
Unroll your mat and do Pilates or yoga for 20 minutes: Burns 101 calories
Clean the house for 33 minutes: Burns 102 calories
Do step aerobics on a six-inch step for 12 minutes: Burns 105 calories

Source

10 Positive Things to Say To Yourself

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:00:00 -0700

Often times we, as women, tend to focus on the negative especially when it comes to our bodies. We can talk ourselves down with negative self-talk - ohh those little internal demons are so critical. In an effort to help end this movement and help women start talking nicer to themselves, Glamour.com has created a cute list of ten things you should definitely say to yourself more often:

Less is not more, baby.
I will love my flaws, if not for me, then for my extremely impressionable daughter/little sister/niece.
Walk away slowly so everyone can enjoy the view.
It’s clothes’ job to fit my body, not the other way around.
Don’t turn down chocolate! It’s full of those anti-oxi-thingies.
He loves that, and those, and especially these. Lucky dog.
Machu Picchu/intermediate pole dancing/20 stairs with a stroller…whatever-these thighs can handle it.
Hungry? Eat something. Makes sense, right?
There’s nothing wrong here that a great pair of jeans can’t fix.
Well done.

What are the 10 things you should never say to your body? To find out, visit Glamour.com.

Weigh In: Flirtatious Guy at the Gym

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:00:02 -0800

This FitSugar reader needs some advice about an overly friendly guy at her gym.

Dear Fit,
I joined a gym last Winter because my New Year's resolution was to lose 40 pounds. I'm halfway to my goal, and am really proud of myself. I definitely notice a big change when I try on clothes or look in the mirror, and it seems there's a guy at my gym who has noticed too. I've been heading to the gym after work three times a week for the past 10 months, and recently this guy I've seen ever since I joined has been approaching me. He compliments me, saying things like, "looking good today," or "your arms look really ripped in that tank top." Don't get me wrong - the attention is actually really nice since I never had anything like that when I was heavier, but it's a little creepy. I'm not attracted to this guy at all, and it kind of pisses me off that as soon as I lose weight, I'm worth the friendly smiles and sweet words. Really, I'm at the gym for one purpose only, so how can I get this guy off my back without seeming like a total bitch?
-Annoyed Annie

If you have any experience with this or any suggestions, please share them below.

Celebs Like to Shake It

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:50:58 -0700

At first, the Power Plate seems like another gimmicky weight-loss product, but its website features endorsements from fit celebs like Madonna, Courteney Cox, and Hilary Swank. On top of that, it's used by over 60 college and pro sports teams, and the Police brought one with them on their reunion tour. That's some serious ~~celeb~~ street cred.

The secret behind the Power Plate is its vibrating plates. The manufacturer claims that if you stand on it for 10 minutes a day, three times a week, you'll lose weight, tone your body, and improve bone density. To really maximize the benefits of the machine, it's encouraged that you do the same exercises you would do on the floor - sit-ups, for example - on the Power Plate.

Cougar Town actress Cox says the Power Plate was essential in shaping her up for her new role: "The Power Plate machine has dramatically changed my workout. I know that every muscle in my body is being ignited in ways that you can't do with traditional training."

To see a video of Cox's trainer Michelle Lovett demonstrating the Power Plate, read more.

They call the technology behind the machine Acceleration Training: the vibrations transmit energy waves to the body that are able to contract muscles 25 to 50 times per second. This is suppose to help stimulate blood flow, work the muscles harder than ever before, and increase strength and flexibility.

Vibration training is not a new thing in the fitness world (remember the black rubber belts that used to go around the waist to shake off fat?), but it's been picking up steam especially as it garners more backing from the medical community and health professionals.

Studies done on the effects of vibration training show that if used properly, it's more beneficial at building lean muscle mass, improving weight loss, and increasing strength and speed than exercise regimens without vibration training. Researchers warn that the machines should not be used for more than 30 minutes a day due to health concerns about engaging the body in high-amplitude vibrations like back pain or blurred vision.

I remain a little skeptical, mostly because I can't get the Shake Weights infomercial out of my head, but my curiosity is piqued. My gym doesn't have a Power Plate yet, does yours? I'd love to hear what you think of this new workout.

5 Things For Safe Outdoor Workouts

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:00:31 -0700

Even though cold temps are moving in, some of you may still love sweating it out in the outdoors. Exercising outside is a great way to lift your spirits, is usually free, and prevents boredom, but you need to be especially aware of your safety. So here are some things you'll need for outdoor workouts.

Road ID ($20): This colorful fabric bracelet ID can be personalized with up to seven lines of text. Wear it on your wrist or attach it to your sneaker or jacket, and in case of an emergency, someone will know your name, where you live, and who to call.
Cell phone case: Whether I'm biking far away from home, or just running in my neighborhood, I always carry my cell phone in case I get hurt and need to call for help.

What else should you have on your outdoor workouts? To find out read more.

Airdrive Earphones ($60): I'm a big fan of listening to music while I work out, but it's not exactly safe to blast Fergie so loud you can't hear anything around you. These headphones sit just outside the opening of your ear, so you can hear your tunes, and also be aware of outside noises.
Reflective gear ($60) or lights ($15): Since the days are shorter, you may be exercising before the sun rises or after it has set, so you need gear that makes you more visible to drivers. They make all sorts of wearable reflective gear now, but when it's really dark, you may also want to sport a headlamp so not only can others see you, but you'll be able to see where you're going too.
Pepper spray ($10.50): If you work out in an unsafe neighborhood, or are in the woods and worried about animals attacking you, then pepper spray could save your life. This one has a handle so you can carry it easily, and it's ready to use instantly.

Jenna Fischer Is the Office Hottie

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I'm a huge fan of The Office, mostly because I've loved following the romance between the adorable receptionist Pam and her co-worker, now husband, Jim Halpert. Check out the cover of the November issue of Shape to see that Jenna Fischer, who plays the down-to-earth Pam, is smokin' hot once she takes off her cardigan and pearls. This wasn't always the case though.

After a horrible accident two years ago, falling down a flight of stairs and breaking her back in four places, Jenna became depressed and felt a little sorry for herself. So she drowned her sorrows with cheeseburgers and doughnuts, which led to some weight gain - 10 pounds. But once she fully recovered, Jenna started hiking with friends, cutting back on the high fat indulgences, and lost a few pounds this way. Although her life was growing hectic and she wanted to lose a few more pounds, she ditched her trainer and worked out on her own at home or hit the gym five days a week. This busy actress continues this routine to stay in shape. Jenna says, "I’m lucky because my fiancé will work out with me, and we keep each other motivated." Now she's thrilled to be back in size 26 jeans.

Proving that she is as down to earth as the character she portrays weekly, Jenna offers some simple wisdom on body image: "If I could tell women one thing, it would be that everyone worries about their bodies and what they look like in their clothes . . . But rather than complain about it, we should be laughing at our imperfections to make ourselves feel better."

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:00:56 -0700

Fitness DVDs to inspire your inner ballerina - Fit Bottomed Girls
Fitness programs for cancer survivors - Shape
Diet ads get a FTC smackdown - That's Fit
Perfect for snacking: Lowell's Multi-Grain Yogurt - Vital Juice
A handful of things to add to your healthy to-do list - Vitamin G
New iPod alternative that's pre-loaded with workout music - Fresh Fitness Tips
Strong feet make for strong legs. Strength train your tootsies - Mark's Daily Apple
Understanding the connection with obesity, alcohol, depression - Healthy Bites
Shopping for a diet? These 10 were found to be the best - Health

Ten Things Your Gym Won't Tell You

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:30:00 -0700

While I frequent my gym, I do feel that despite my friendliness with all the staffers, in the end I am still just a paying customer. So when I came across a rather humorous article on the ten things your gym won't tell you, I just had to share.

Here they are (in no particular order):

"If you're still here in April, it'll be a miracle."
"Don't touch anything -- this place is crawling with bacteria."
"We're not equipped to handle health emergencies."
"Our trainers don't know what they're doing."
"We won't let you quit."
"Be sure to read the fine print on our contract."
"Our equipment can be downright dangerous."
"Everything is negotiable."
"Go ahead and sue; you'll never win."

The full article offers more explanation, so check it out at msn.com.

Source

Lunafest Film Festival Supports Breast Cancer Fund

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:30:36 -0700

Luna, maker of the sports bar for women's nutritional needs and super stylin' biking gear, also dabbles in the arts. Every October to coordinate with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, for the past nine years Luna has put on Lunafest, a festival of short films, by, for, and about women; the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Fund.

Last night I was lucky enough to attend the premiere here in San Francisco. It was inspirational - both creatively and health-wise. The Breast Cancer Fund's mission is cancer prevention through educating women on environmental factors, including household cleaners and beauty products, that might play a part in the disease, as well as how healthy living - diet and exercise - help prevent it.

The cool thing is, you can host a Lunafest event, too, to raise money for the Breast Cancer Fund as well as a local nonprofit - more details on that later this month. There are already 110 screenings of the festival planned across the nation. Here's the calendar of events so you can find when the festival will be coming to a theater near you. One of the 10 films features Laura Dern (it's nice to see her again) in Courteney Cox's directorial debut, the charming 19-minute film Monday Before Thanksgiving.

I highly recommend this evening of films. How often do you get to raise funds for a good cause while sitting in the dark eating popcorn?

Take a Hike and Take These 10 Things

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:00:34 -0700

Hiking is not only a fun way to spend time with friends and family in the Summer, but you'll burn 355 calories each hour. Before you head out on the trail, you'll need some gear, so check out these hiking essentials.

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