Your workout can be affected by your mood, what you ate during the day, and your energy levels, among other factors. But there are also simple, unexpected ways you can ensure you're at your best before, during, and after your exercise. Find out what they are below! Before: You know that coffee energizes you, so it may not seem so odd that this beverage can help you when you're working out. But Read more

Whether you ran too hard, tried out your first TRX class, or woke up feeling unusually achy after a gym session, muscle soreness after working out is commonplace. While sore muscles are a sign that you're challenging your body, they can also put a damper on fitness goals. Here are seven ways to treat and prevent everyday soreness associated with working out. Massage: If you're looking to relax Read more

You might think that only athletes, runners, and cyclists train strenuously enough to refuel on protein-, carb-, and electrolyte-rich snacks before, during, and after a workout, but dancers need nutritious ammunition as well. Most dance halls that teach genres like salsa, lindy hop, or ballroom will have a social dance after the lessons so you can practice your newly obtained moves in a safe and Read more

You know the feeling: sore muscles after your workout. If you want to feel better fast, help speed the process along by doing these two things soon after your workout. Feed them right: Eating or drinking protein soon after your workout will help repair spent muscles. The best postworkout foods are a mix of protein and carbs for energy and repair (a ratio of 4:1 carbs to protein, since carbs help Read more

"No pain, no gain" may be a common mantra in the fitness world, but it shouldn't always be that way. Sure, delayed muscle soreness (DOMS) means that you're building muscles that you may not be using regularly (a good thing), but it's not always ideal to feel sore after a workout. Read on for reasons why. It could be an injury: While you may be used to that dull ache after an intense workout, Read more

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar! In her latest book, Today Show contributor Joy Bauer, R.D., explains that if you make the right diet choices, you can boost your mood, improve your memory and even see healthier skin, hair, and teeth (not to mention drop a few pounds)! Bauer gives you her eating prescription in Food Cures, a book that follows Read more

Some ailments need the power of the medicine cabinet, but other times when you're not feeling that hot all you need to do is look toward the spice rack. Whether you're in a bad mood, can't stop coughing, nursing a hangover, or have post-workout soreness, here are four spices that can help you feel better —  no medicine required! What: Peppers When to use: When you're feeling down. Why: The Read more

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar. If your New Year's resolution to get in shape stalled out fast, you might be panicking right about now since bikini season is right around the bend. Making up for lost time with an aggressive workout routine will likely leave you sore, but begging for more once you see your thighs trim down and take form. That burn you Read more

You give all you've got to your workout, pushing yourself right up until the very end, and what does your workout do for you? It leaves you with bruises, sore muscles, and a couple of bad-looking blisters — thanks, workout! But don't let that bubble of skin interfere with your next sweat session! Keep reading for tips about how to cope with common workout wear and tear annoyances. Read more