FitSugar

Fit Tip: Don't Let One Skipped Day Turn Into a Month

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:30:00 PST

It's easy to neglect one day of working out - one day is nothing to be concerned about. The problem is when one day turns into two days, two days turn into a week, then a week turns into a month and so on. In order to get yourself motivated and back in the swing of things, don't aim for a full day at the gym. Try and do a short 10 minute run outside or session on the elliptical. Chances are that after the 10 minutes you'll be in the groove and want to keep going.

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Holiday Fit Tip: Short Bursts Are OK

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:30:00 PST

Most of us think that in order to reap all the benefits of exercise, we need to spend hours in the gym. Lucky for us this is just not the case.

Always keep in mind, but especially during this holiday season, that short bursts of exercise are good too. In fact, a study earlier this year found that anyone who is currently overweight, obese, or sedentary will benefit from just 10 minutes of cardio a day. So while you are trying to figure out a way to fit in a workout during the holidays, don't obsess over how long you are working out, just focus on actually being able to get your body moving - a 10 minute stretch while waiting for water to boil or a 10 minute power walk after dinner will do wonders for your health and your holidays.

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Fittingly Mad: The 10-Minute Workout

FitSugar — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 02:30:00 PST

Every week I have a stack of fitness DVDs on my desk waiting to be tested. More than half of them have "10 minutes" or "five minutes" written boldly on the cover, implying that this is the length of the workout. Since I've done many fitness DVDs in my time, I know that while the DVD claims "10 minutes to a toner you," that is simply not the case.

We think, "10 minutes? Well shoot, I've got 10 minutes to get in a workout." However, once you pop in the video, you find that there are actually several 10 minute portions to the workout that could add up to more than an hour. Sure you don't have to do them all, but I have a hard time putting in a DVD and simply doing the 10 minute warm-up and feeling good about my workout. I've even seen one minute workout videos - one minute! What is not made clear is that the video is actually made up of 127 one-minute segments, which is over two hours! Here we were thinking we were going to be done in one minute!

Sure, a few minutes is definitely better than nothing. However, I am mad that these companies are trying to draw us in with claims of getting in an entire workout in just 10, eight, six, five minutes, or even one. Why can't they just be forthright? I want to know what I am getting myself into and I don't appreciate bold misleading claims. Be wary of DVDs with such claims. I am not saying you won't get in a good workout, just don't expect it to be in 10 minutes or less.

On a side note, did anyone ever seen There's Something About Mary? Every time I see a video that promises results in 10 minutes or less, I think about the hitchhiker.

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Just Ten Minutes Will Do

FitSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 07:30:00 PDT

A new study has found that, if you're currently overweight, obese or sedentary, just 10 minutes a day can improve your cardiovascular fitness.

This is great news for anyone who thinks they don't have enough time in the day to exercise because it's so easy to squeeze in ten minutes. Once you start getting used to ten minutes, you can then up the time until you are able to fit in at least 30 minutes on most days.

Fit's Tip: I know what you're thinking, but if you're not currently sedentary (or overweight) then don't use this post as an excuse to cut your workout time to ten minutes.

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An At Home Workout Anyone Can Do in 10 Minutes

FitSugar — Thu, 10 May 2007 08:45:00 PDT

Unfortunately not all of us have the luxury of going to the gym or stepping outside into beautiful weather all the time (ain't that right Seattle?).

MSNBC's Fit List this week is all about how to get in a 10 minute (maybe more like 15) workout at home. The best part is that you'll be using stuff you already have lying around the house.

Start with your kitchen chair to warm up. Sit down and stand back up. Do this for one minute.
Go to the stairs and start climbing up one step at a time. Go up and down 8 to 10 times. If you don't have stairs, use a small step stool. Position it next to a wall so you can place your hand on the wall for balance. Step up and down on the stool (up with the right foot and then up with the left foot, down with the right and then down with the left) for one minute.
Go to a wall and place your back against it. Your feet should be about one foot away from the wall. Now, slide down the wall until the hips are parallel to the knees. The knees should be directly over the ankles. Keep your back pressed against the wall and place your hands comfortably on the thighs. Hold this position for one minute using an egg timer. If you can't make the full minute, hold as long as you can.
Sit in the kitchen chair and hold detergent bottles, one in each hand. Curl them up toward your shoulders to work the biceps. Do three sets of 12 with a rest in between sets. Drink some water while you rest.
Place a three-foot strip of masking tape on the floor in front of you. Stand on one side of the tape and with both feet hop over the tape. Go back and forth for one minute on the egg timer. If you can't jump with both feet, hop one foot to the other foot. Once you get the hang of it you will progress to hopping with both feet. This is great for getting your heart rate up, burning calories, strengthening your bones and improving balance.

There's five more moves, so

Go back to the chair and hold the detergent bottles again, this time extending your arms out to the sides. Raise them up until they are at shoulder level. Then return them back down to your sides. This exercise works your shoulders. If the weight is too much, pour out some water, but make sure you keep the same amount in each bottle.
Walk to the bath tub (or you can use the kitchen chair) and sit on the edge. Place your hands on the edge of the tub with your fingers hanging over the front edge. Pull yourself off the edge so you are supporting yourself with your arms. Lower yourself down and up by bending your elbows. Do three sets of 12. This exercise is for the back of the arms, the triceps.
Finish up the workout by getting on the floor near your coffee table (or ottoman). Place your feet on the table and lift your hips up off the floor and squeeze the hips and buttocks. Lower back down. You will feel this in the back of your legs. Do three sets of 10 lifts.
Keep yourself in the same position and place your hands behind your head. Lift your shoulders up off the floor and exhale as you lift. This is for your abs. Do three sets of 15.
Lie flat on the floor, arms stretched out and legs extended. Breathe in and out while you relax.

One thing is for sure: I, for one, will definitely be doing dips using the side of my bathtub tonight. I love this idea!

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High Blood Pressure? Take a Short Walk

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 04:23:55 PST

Researchers at the University of Indiana have found that short bursts of exercise, rather than long durations, will help lower blood pressure. While the study found that both forms of exercise (short and long) lowered blood pressure by the same amount, the effect lasted for 11 hours with 10-minute walks compared to seven hours for 40 minutes of walking.

What do the numbers mean? Depending on your age and heart history, a healthy blood pressure is anywhere from 120/80-140/80. Systolic (high number) measures when the heart contracts and pumps blood out. Diastolic (low number) measures between the beats, as your heart fills with blood again.

Fit's Tip: It is much easier to find the time for 10 minute walks -- So if you're looking to lower your blood pressure then go for a walk during your lunch hour. If you're doing a lot of traveling, take a short walk through the terminal during your layovers.

Jackie Warner's Calorie-Blasting Power Pyramid Workout

Zelana Montminy — Sat, 26 May 2012 14:53:57 PDT

Work your entire body pyramid-style with celeb trainer Jackie Warner in just 10 minutes. Each time-saving exercise combines two moves, making the workout efficient and effective. To build strength and torch calories, you'll work your muscles to exhaustion. Grab some dumbbells and get ready to work out with Jackie.

Looking for more? Tone your upper body in 10 with this workout for sexy sculpted arms, then stretch out and cool down for 10 minutes with our yoga flow workout. Put all three videos together for a 30-minute full-body workout!

Expert Shares 3 Ways to Make Your Inbox Less Overwhelming

Emily Co — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:05:36 PDT

It's good to get rid of all the clutter in your life - at home, at work, and even on your computer. Dealing with too many emails can make you overwhelmed and less productive, because weeding through a mess of messages can feel like a herculean task. Organization expert Peter Walsh shared some great tips for better managing your emails:

Archive all your emails: "Bite the bullet: archive-don't delete-archive all of those emails or all of those emails from more than a month ago, and start from scratch today." You can set up an automatic filtering system that will immediately shuttle your emails to the appropriate category. Most email systems have the option, and Walsh favors Hotmail for that function.

Keep your inbox clean: The organizing expert says he's "never had more than 10 or 15 emails in my inbox at any one time." He's able to answer every email he receives by having them automatically categorized.

Set aside time for email: Set up a schedule for your emails. Walsh avoids looking at emails the first hour of his morning and does whatever needs to get done "first up in the day." He then sets aside 90 minutes of uninterrupted time to handle email. "I don’t try to multitask; I think multitasking is a huge myth. Trying to do more than one thing at once, you end up doing nothing well," he says.

4 Time-Saving Tips For a Healthy Lifestyle

Leta Shy — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:18:40 PDT

Summers can be incredibly busy - between shuttling kids to and from activities to planning and going on vacation, all the activities that come along with the season can leave you pressed for time. Luckily, we've got a few suggestions for how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even if you've only got minutes to spare.

Total-body in 20: Breaking up your workout in just 10- or 20-minute increments ensures that you'll break a sweat and burn calories without having to devote too much time out of your day. Even more efficient is making sure that your workouts target all areas of your body. For short workouts that you can do anywhere, check out our fast full-body workouts.

Home cooking: It's easier to cook healthily if you've already done the legwork. Shop for produce and other groceries at the beginning of the week so you can plan every night's dinners - check out one of our healthy dinner plans for the week here. You can also store individual servings of smoothies or sauces (using an ice-cube tray!) in your freezer to have at hand while whipping up a meal.

Read on for more time-saving tips!

What We're Sweet On: Radiance and Clarity, All in 10 Minutes

Jaime Richards — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:09:00 PDT

If you're one who doesn't like to fuss with a lot of products, then you'll love Murad's Intensive - C Radiance Peel ($50), from the brand's new Environmental Shield line. Use it just once or twice a week (at 10 minutes each application), and skin is left with just about every adjective you want it to be: bright, smooth, luminous, and supple.

The reasons? Glycolic acid helps to exfoliate, while vitamin C and Indian fig free help protect the complexion from free radicals. And thanks to the addition of collagen-boosting myrtle extract, skin gets a surge of rejuvenation. The peel smells amazing, too, like an orange and grapefruit stand on a warm, sunny day. Don't be frightened by the tingling sensation that occurs almost immediately after application, though. It's just the ingredients doing what they're supposed to be doing. How's that for a little clarity?