FitSugar

5 Easy Hamstring Stretches

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:42:43 PST

Are the backs of your legs tight? It's important for the health of your back, hips, and knees to keep your hamstrings flexible so do these five easy stretches to target this commonly tight area. Try them at the end of your next workout, when your muscles are warm.

Source: Thinkstock

Fiber-Rich Foods For a Gluten-Free Diet

Michele Foley — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 03:05:14 PDT

For people sensitive to gluten eating enough fiber can be tough, which does not make a body happy. A diet lacking in fiber can spell problems for the digestive system since it relies on fiber to "stay regular." That's not all: fiber reduces your risk of breast cancer, treats belly bloat, and helps you feel fuller, longer. Being gluten-free might make foods like whole wheat, rye, and barley off-limits, but it doesn't mean you can't get fiber the natural way. Keep reading to learn about some of the best gluten-free sources available and how to cook with them.

5 Reasons Your Diet May Be Failing You

Michele Bell — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 04:00:00 PST

Having trouble losing those five pounds you've been swearing off since the start of the new year? While you may be working tirelessly to rid yourself of that last pesky weight, you may be duping your own body into failure without even knowing it. Come check out these five reasons why you may not be meeting your weight loss goal.

Your H20 level: Are you drinking enough water? You may not be getting enough to keep your body burning the calories and fat you've been trying to get rid of. Keeping hydrated will help you to keep your metabolism going and the calories burning.
Don't forget breakfast: While you don't need to load up on flapjacks and sausage, you should eat a healthy breakfast to get your day started. If you get going without any fuel in the tank, your tummy may trick you into snacking on the wrong things or eating an over-sized lunch.
Empty calorie sips: Check the nutritional data on your coffee or sodas to make sure you're not taking down too many empty calories. An easy fix? Switch to plain old water. See point number one!

Ready to see points four and five? Just

5 Things We Learned From Jack LaLanne

Self — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 05:00:17 PST

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

The "Godfather of Fitness," the adorable and inspiring Jack LaLanne, passed away on Sunday at the age of 96.

Check out this video of LaLanne talking about his book, "Live Young Forever." Our favorite quote: "I can't afford to die, I'd wreck my image." It's impossible to wreck your image, Jack. You are an American icon and will be missed!

Here are 5 things we learned from the man who started a fitness revolution:

Strength Training Is Essential: Jack came onto the fitness scene when lifting weights was reserved for body builders, like the Governator. But through his fitness clubs and TV show, he helped Americans realize that strength training isn't just about baby oil and bulging biceps. It's about stabilizing joints, jacking up our metabolisms, burning more fat and allowing us to live more active, longer lives.
Eat a High-Fiber Diet: And make it mostly fruits and veggies. As LaLanne once said: "How do you build your your bank account? By putting something in it every day. Your health account is no different. What I do today, I am wearing tomorrow. If I put inferior foods in my body today, I'm going to be inferior tomorrow, it's that simple." Inspired? Order his juicer! We're big fans.

Learn what Jack had to say about scales and more!

5 Foods Packed With Potassium

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:00:10 PDT

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then a banana a day may keep the leg cramps away. When people hear the word potassium, they often think immediately of bananas. While the yellow fruit may be a decent source of the essential nutrient, it doesn't pack the most punch. Why, you may ask, do we need a good dose of potassium? In addition to the mineral potentially helping to reduce hypertension, it can also help with bone growth and muscle cramping. So all you long distance runners or those with fragile bones should check out these five foods that are chock full of the good stuff.

Learn to Love Squats: 5 Places to Squeeze 'Em

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:50:38 PDT

I once had a trainer who couldn't help himself from chanting, "An idle minute is a minute wasted." Given, his job is to keep bodies in motion and lifting weights, but he's got a point. When I'm at home sitting on the couch, I can hear his voice as I urge myself to do squats or other exercises during commercial breaks. While those moments in front of the tube are priceless, there are plenty of other unusual places you can squat it out, too. Come check them out!

5 Treadmill Gripes - and 5 Solutions

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:00:22 PDT

I'll admit that I'm kind of annoyed that the extremely hot and humid weather has forced me to move my runs inside. I prefer jogging in the fresh air, and there are many reasons I hate the treadmill. I'm sure you can relate, so here are five easy ways to make your treadmill time more fun and enjoyable.

Gripe	Solution
It's way too boring.	Staying in one place can have its downfalls, so make it fun by listening to a book on tape, learning a language, watching a movie or TV show, perusing a magazine, or listening to a great running mix.
It's too loud.	You can't stop the noise, but you can prevent yourself from hearing it (especially that annoying guy trying to pick you up) by wearing a set of good noise-blocking headphones.

To see the rest

10 Ways to Snack on 5 Grams of Fiber

FitSugar — Mon, 17 May 2010 03:00:48 PDT

It's unfortunate but true: most women don't eat the 25 to 30 grams recommended daily for fiber. Not only does getting your fill of fiber keep you regular, which flattens your belly, it also satiates your hunger helping to curb overeating. Most importantly, eating the recommended daily intake of fiber also helps lower your cholesterol, prevents heart disease, and reduces your risk for breast cancer.

If all those healthy reasons and a flatter belly have you questioning how to meet this quota, check out my list of 10 snacks to add to your fiber intake.

1 medium pear: 5 g
1/4 cup dried blueberries: 5 g
3/4 cup Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal: 6 g
3 figs: 10.5 g
Almond & Apricot KIND bar: 5 g

To see the other five snacks

5 Ways to Amp Up Your Ab Exercises

FitSugar — Mon, 03 May 2010 05:50:08 PDT

Whether you're thinking about bikini season or getting ready for your wedding day, abdominal exercises are a great way to strengthen your core, improve your posture, and put you on the path to fabulous shape. And the more you focus, the more effective your ab work will be.

Check out some of my favorite crunchless ab exercises, then add some oomph with these five tips below.

Pull your navel to your spine. This classic Pilates refrain reminds you to engage your abs and focus your efforts on those muscles. For the lower abs, picture an imaginary line about two to three inches below your belly button, and pull that line toward your spine too.
Add a light weight. To increase the challenge, hold a light dumbbell or medicine ball in front of your chest.
Bring your legs together. When doing ab work on a stability ball, bringing your legs closer together will make it tougher to balance, thereby making your core work harder.
Don't rest between reps. Keep your muscles engaged by not allowing your head or shoulder blades to touch as you come down from each move.
Avoid using momentum. To ensure that your abs are working as hard as possible, control your movements and avoid using momentum. It's even OK to pause between reps (just don't put your head down!) if you keep your abs tight through the range of motion.

5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Without Much Sacrifice

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 05:50:50 PDT

Earth Day is turning 40 this year, which is a great excuse to make your healthy lifestyle even healthier. And while I know most of you are already doing your part by recycling and wearing eco-friendly clothes, there's always more that we can do to green our fitness. Here are five healthy (and simple) ways to celebrate Earth Day this week.

Bike to work. Not only is riding a bike good for your health, it's great for the environment too. Pedaling everywhere helps you conserve the planet's resources and reduce the amount of pollutants going into the air. Compared to a car, it also takes way less energy and parts to manufacture and ship a bike to consumers. If biking just isn't an option for you, take public transportation or try carpooling instead.
Use less energy. Reducing how many things you turn on and switch off is a no-brainer, but use Earth Day as an excuse to really unplug. Reducing energy has its health benefits too: taking the stairs is a great way to burn calories, and turning off your computer or TV is a great way to de-stress and increase social interaction.

To find out how else I'll be celebrating Earth Day,

Solution
It's too repetitive on my body.	The great thing about treadmills is that you're in control of the speed and the incline. So mix it up to feel different effects on your body - try lunges too. If you don't want to futz with the buttons, many newer treadmills offer built-in interval workouts. Select a workout from the list and it'll make you feel more like you're running outside than just running on a hamster wheel.
I don't believe the readout.	When using your own treadmill or one at the gym, you get accurate readings of the time, distance, and how fast you're moving, since these are simple functions the machine can figure out by using the clock and the speed of the belt. When it comes to calories burned, if there's a place you can enter in your weight, then the calorie readout should also be fairly accurate. To be sure, you may want to get a heart rate monitor or the Nike+ Sports Kit.
There's no place for my water bottle or magazine.	If your treadmill doesn't have a rack or water bottle holder, you can buy these separately. A drink holder ($17) can easily keep track of your water. You can also purchase a reading rack ($25). It's made of clear plastic and fits over the treadmill display so you can read your book and also peek at how long you've been walking.