FitSugar

Fit Tip: Feeling Chilly? Do Some Push-Ups

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:57:12 PST

I know for some of you the weather outside is snowy and cold, so your homes and offices may be on the chilly side. Instead of turning up the heat on your thermostat, warm up your body from the inside out. My favorite way is to get on the floor and do 20 push-ups, but you can choose any strength training move: squats, tricep dips, crunches, or lunges. Do enough to start feeling that lovely warm feeling. Not only will it warm you up, but it'll save you some money on your heat and give your brain a boost of energy as well.

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Rag & Bone Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:13:07 PST

Rag & Bone's Fall runway show took place on a chilly evening at Pier 57, but everyone seemed to forget the brisk draft once David Neville and Marcus Wainwright started the show. "Think about a country house and all the things you might find in it," said Wainwright when describing the collection. Layering was key in the duo's vision; ikat printed dresses, wool jodhpurs, tapestry floral suiting, fur vests, and blanket striped wraps were smartly piled on top of one another, creating a luxe, textured feel without going overboard. Meanwhile, sharp tailored coats, blazers, precision-cut suit sets, and a continuous theme of leather touches tempered the varied mix, injecting a sharp, modern feel across the board. For accessories, Neville and Wainwright created more covetable must haves, supplying die-hard fans with a lineup of lace-up boots and stacked platform loafers. The closer? House of Pain's "Jump Around," which pretty much sums up the evening's exciting showing.

Trends: Blanket stripes, asymmetric wrap skirts, jodhpurs, suiting.
Colors: Copper, gray, blue, burgundy, black, red.
Key Piece: The multicolored blanket striped blazers and wraps sit high on our lust list.
Accessories: Lace-up and tweed ankle boots, stacked platform loafers, leather gloves, classic brown leather belts, satchel bags.
Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave texture and modernity like Taylor Tomasi Hill and Hanneli Mustaparta.

February Must Reads

Tara Sharp — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:31:16 PST

Ready or not, February has arrived! And with Valentine's Day around the corner, we're feeling the love. This month brings the holiday for lovers along with a diverse selection of book releases - from heartbreaking memoirs to fictional love stories to beautiful odes to cities and icons. So set the mood with some of the sexiest and romantic books out this month, or simply take advantage of the chilly weather by cozying up to one of our riveting recommendations. Dive in to the most promising books of February now!

Source: Getty

5 Reasons Not to Skip Winter Farmers Markets

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:24:23 PST

I know, it's really cold outside. But the shift in weather is no excuse to shift your diet away from local, sustainable, fresh food! You may not get to wear shorts and a tank, but making a trip to a farmers market is just as productive an excursion in the cooler months as it is in the hot Summer sun. Are you picking up what I'm putting down? Here are five reasons you shouldn't skip farmers markets in the Winter.

A little green goes a long way. While the chilly weather and lack of sunshine is bound to affect your mood, you'll be feeling recharged after you head to a farmers market, in all of its colorful Winter splendor. As I've said to myself: a little green goes a long way amid all the gray.
Try out new fruits and veggies. Even if the farmers market doesn't have what I'm looking for, it always proves to be a great experience: you're forced to think outside your typical box and pull for fruits and vegetables you might not have been exposed to before. If you've moved to a new city or are living in a different climate, getting to a farmers market is an awesome way to see what your new region has to offer your taste buds. Who knows? Maybe you'll find your new favorite nosh.

Keep reading for three more reasons why you shouldn't skip Winter markets.

10 Warm Ways to Beat the Single Blues This Winter

Anna Monette Roberts — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:56:47 PST

Winter can be a cold and lonely time for those who are single - but not anymore! We've got 10 snuggling substitutions that will keep you warm and comfy until the chilly weather relents, and you're hit with a case of Spring fever. Bubble baths, blazing fireplaces, and lots of hot chocolate are just a few ways to feel safe and snug. Click through to see what ways you can warm up.

Change Up Your Routine to Beat the Winter Blahs

SavvySugar — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:30:05 PST

I don’t know about you, but this is the time of year when I really start to fizzle out at work. The holidays are over, we still have two more chilly, wet months of Winter, and the days are still feeling much shorter than I’d like. But, when the post-holiday blahs set in, I know it’s time to switch up my routine. If yours could use a shake-up too, read on for a few ideas.

The Best Indoor Workout Classes (Because It's Freezing Outside!)

Self — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:35:01 PST

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

There are lots (and I mean, lots) of reasons why my motivation to work out during the Winter plummets - from the snowy commute to freezing cold winds to the cold, dry air that hits my chest with such force that it becomes hard to breathe. (Ahem, there's a reason I sign up for races that are after September - this born-and-raised Floridian prefers to train outdoors during the Summer.)

But it is possible to sculpt, strengthen, and sweat (majorly sweat) without having to be freezing cold during the winter. So when the weather outside is frightful, head indoors for these top full-body workouts that will help ward off Winter weight:

Indoor cycling: Ruth Zukerman, cofounder of NYC's FlyWheel cycling studio, is heating things up indoors with her 45-minute, heart-racing classes. (Self favorite Jillian Michaels is even a recent investor in the company). "I wanted to be part of the most innovative and effective indoor cycling program, and that is FlyWheel. I am thrilled to join the FlyWheel team," Michaels said in a press release. What makes cycling such an effective alternative is that it's taking the fun full-body workout people love indoors, and instead of scenery, you'll stay motivated to challenge yourself thanks to encouraging instructors and a killer playlist. Flywheel has an awesome on-bike technology board that lets you compete against other riders in the class. Plus if you're looking to shape up before hitting the slopes, "indoor cycling is great preparation for all Winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding. I know from personal experience that when I hit the slopes I don't tire out easily or suffer from the kind of après-ski muscle pain that most people do, and it's because of indoor cycling," Zukerman says.

Try this move: If you're riding an exercise bike at home or the gym, try some interval training. One thing we often do at Flywheel is a "Sprint Chorus," meaning we increase our RPMs to a sprint during the song's chorus and then revert to a cadence on the beat of the music as the chorus ends.

More best indoor workouts after the break.

Trying Out Thomas Lee Sheets

Angela Swinderman Elias — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:00:12 PST

After receiving my first set of Thomas Lee PerfectCale sheets over a month ago, they're the only sheets my mattress has seen since. Tightly woven with 500 threads per square inch of 100 percent Pima cotton, they have the softness of some of the cotton blend linens I've tried, but breathe so much better.

The extra deep corner pockets are ideal for my whopping 18-inch mattress, which can make sheet shopping difficult. By paying attention to the laundering instructions, I've noticed that the sheets are feeling a bit smoother after each cycle and haven't begun to pill, which is always a nuisance. While slipping cozy flannels into the rotation can be nice for extra chilly nights, I have a feeling these will be my go-to, year-round sheets.

Keep reading for a couple of tips on how to choose quality sheets you won't regret splurging on!

Your Winter Workout Woes - Answered!

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:09:05 PST

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

Baby, it's cold outside! But for those of us training, sans gym membership, or just yearning for some fresh air, we can't let the chilly weather keep us from an outdoor workout. If you find your morning runs too cold, have achy joints, or just want to make it through a run without wiping out, we hear you! That's why we asked Dr. Scott Weiss, clinical director and owner of Bodhizone Physical Therapy, your burning cold-weather workout questions. Read on below to see how you can have a successful workout no matter what the weather.

The cold weather makes my joints hurt! What stretches can I do before a workout to stop constantly feeling sore?

If cold weather is making you sore, the worst thing to do is go and stretch since you're more likely to pull a muscle or tear some cartilage. In the cold weather, the key is total body warmth. Spend a little more time warming up, by adding 5 to 10 minutes to your normal warm-up routine. Stretching while your joints are warm will then enhance flexibility and range of motion while also reducing your chance of injury.

Sometimes when I go for a run in the Winter, my toes lose feeling. Why is this happening and how can I fix it?

Most of the time numb toes are a minor circulatory or footwear issue. Try making a fist with your toes, or do some calf raises to get the blood pumping. Once you get home, be sure to elevate your feet to relieve the pressure. If tingling persists, it could be something more serious (like frostbite), and you should contact a physician.

I'm terrified of black ice. What are some tips to avoid it?

Make sure you stay focused on the heel contact portion of the running cycle in icy conditions. Oftentimes, we don't think about how we are landing our feet, and if even slightly unbalanced while landing on ice, you risk falling. If you live in an especially icy area, consider trail shoes, which have a better grip.

Read on for more Winter workout solutions from Dr. Weiss.

More from FITNESS:

• Oops-Proof Your Workout

• Immunity-Boosting Tips to Stay Cold-Free This Winter

• Get the 2012 Best Body Ever Plan

Turkey Pot Pie

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:19:10 PST

Turkey pot pie is a necessary indulgence in the world of dieting and salads we all seem to be living in. Yoo Eatz gives us a straightforward, weeknight-friendly recipe for a comforting pot pie.

This holiday season came and went like the whirlwind it always is, and I sit here in the aftermath realizing that I have plenty of recipes to catch up on. So let's take a mini jaunt down memory lane to Thanksgiving, shall we?

Being the lucky recipient of my family's turkey carcass, I ended up with about 6 quarts of homemade stock, most of which sits in the freezer waiting for a chilly night when turkey noodle soup is a quick solution to the question "What's for dinner?" Unfortunately for the stock but quite happily for the rest of us San Franciscans, warm weather has taken up temporary residence in these parts, so soup has been on the back burner, so to speak. But back in late November when temps were still brisk in the low 50s (here, my East Coast friends may shout whatever expletives come to mind), comfort foods were definitely on the brain.

Purists will say that a pot pie must be just that: a pie complete with buttery, flaky crust on the top and the bottom. I get it (admission: I love Marie Calendar's frozen chicken pot pies dumped on a pile of hot white rice), but (1) who has time to whip up pie dough on a weeknight?, and (2) it's hardly a light meal. So I substituted store-bought puff pastry for the crust and focused on a rich, hearty filling for my turkey pot pie. For the recipe, read on.