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9 Reachable Fitness Resolutions For 2009

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:00:56 -0800

If you're trying to get fit for 2009, you're certainly not alone. When setting New Year's resolutions, sometimes you'll have better luck focusing on several small goals than one major one. Sure, it's easy to say you'll be running a 5k by February, but just in case something gets in the way of your big aspiration, add some easily reachable resolutions to your list as well.

Taking some inspiration from your resolutions for 2009, I've come up with nine health and fitness goals that are totally attainable in 2009. To see what they are, read more.

Drink one extra glass of water a day
Cut out soda, diet or otherwise
Spend five minutes a day on a relaxation exercise
Take the stairs whenever possible
Floss once (or twice) a day
Work out at least three times a week
Eat an extra serving of fruits and vegetables every day
Go to bed one hour earlier
Make an effort to improve your posture

Source

Start Your Running Resolution at Midnight New Year's Eve

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:00:00 -0800

So you say you're going to get fit in 2009, eh? Why not put your resolution in motion by running to ring in the New Year? Yep, you can celebrate in the New Year by participating in a fun run or race.

If you're going to be in the NYC area to celebrate the New Year, then you may want to skip the crowds in Times Square and join the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in Central Park. This four-mile fun run features a costume parade, dancing, and fireworks. It really is more of a party than a race, so you'll burn tons of calories while ringing in 2009.

If you don't live in the big apple, there are plenty of races and fun runs to be found. Active.com has a listing that includes 137 New Year's runs around the nation. You can run in Alaska or Georgia, in Idaho or Tennessee. Some races are on New Year's Eve and some on New Year's Day, with a few races on the Sunday following all the festivities. I would sign up ahead of time to really solidify your intentions.

Source

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.

On Our Radar: Nike 2010 Running Collection

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:01 -0700

The fitness world may not have a fashion week, but this weekend I previewed some of Nike's 2010 Spring running line, shoes and jackets, at the Nike Running Summit here in San Francisco. At the event, held the day before the 6th annual Nike Women's Marathon, designers explained their two inspiration behind their latest sneakers and running gear: runners and lightweight.

The first concept is fairly self explanatory - they design their gear to complement the motion of running and what runners need. Secondly, they pared everything down to shave off weight leaving the running feeling free and unencumbered.

To learn more about the shoes coming out early next year, keep reading.

Fit Tip: Take Up a New Fitness Habit

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:00:35 -0700

January first is usually the time of year to make resolutions to live a healthy lifestyle, but why wait until then? Take up a new fitness habit right now. Here are some suggestions.

Go for a walk after dinner instead of eating dessert.
If possible, bike to work at least once a week.
Walk dogs at the shelter on your lunch break.
Do 20 push-ups right before you shower.
Sign up for a weekly dance or fitness class with a friend or your partner.
Try a new type of fitness activity that you've always wanted to try like rock climbing, water aerobics, or hooping.
Do a long workout on the weekend.
Stretch before going to sleep or while in bed.

You Asked: The Heat Has Shortened My Runs

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,

I always wanted to get into running and my New Year's resolution was to be able to run 30 minutes straight, four times a week. I've kept it up until the Summer sun and heat got the best of me. Now I can barely do 15 minutes and I'm exhausted. I tried pushing myself, thinking it'd just take some getting used to, but now during my runs I get headaches, stomach cramps, sweat uncontrollably, and a few times felt dizzy and nauseous. I don't want to give up on running outside since I'm training for a half-marathon this Fall. I also don't have access to a treadmill in an air-conditioned gym. Any tips?

-Overheated Heather

Being too hot to exercise the way you want to is so frustrating. I have some suggestions though so read more.

Summer is generally a hot time of year, but certain times of the day are hotter than others. Try to do your runs early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is out of the sky. Stick to shady places like the woods, or breezy areas such as near the ocean or a lake. Make sure you hydrate before you head out and bring water with you to drink and pour on your body to help cool you off.

Wear a heart rate monitor to keep track of your heart rate. When exercising in the heat, your heart rate will rise in order to send more of your blood supply to your skin to cool it down. A heart rate monitor will allow you to keep track of the intensity of your workouts. This means you'll probably have to run at a slower pace, or even walk, which just means your normal run will take longer. If you don't want to compromise your pace, then break up your workouts. Do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night. Or you can slowly train your body to acclimate to exercising in the heat. Gradually increase the duration of your runs until you're able to go for 30 minutes.

I must say that the most important thing to consider when running in heat and humidity is to listen to your body and not overdo it. Some of the symptoms you described above sound like they could turn into heat exhaustion, which means your runs will be doing more harm than good. In that case, think about using this time of year to cross train with cooler cardio activities such as swimming, kayaking, and water aerobics.

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Do you know the six rules of junk food? - Shape
When's the last time you thought about your New Year's resolutions - Daily Spark
Make your triathlon swim your best ever - That's Fit
Pick your diet by your personality type - Vital Juice Daily
Britney treats herself to some British Mickey D's - FitCeleb
Alison Sweeney used EA Wii Sports to work off baby weight - Shape Up
Michael Jackson is working out with the Hulk - Social Workout
Down under they like their ladies with some meat on their bones - Vitamin G
Grill your veggies for a tasty Summer Dessert - Healthy Bites

Get Fit For 2009 Giveaway Ends Sunday

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:30:00 -0800

Here at FitSugar we take New Year's resolutions seriously. Whether you call them goals or resolutions, we want you to succeed. We created a super-duper giveaway to help one lucky winner get fit and healthy in 2009. The prizes include all the tools you need to take care of yourself.

Here's the lowdown on the prizes:

A personalized nutrition plan by nutritionist Alexa Fishback: Alexa wrote the helpful book The Daily Fix, which is full of great tips for busy ladies. This month she shared her 12 healthy habits with us - just another way to help us all get on and stay on the healthy side of the street.
A $1,000 Nike gift card: Think of all the cool gear you could get on that shopping spree. If I won $1,000 from Nike I would pick up their new gym bag and some Zoom Sister One+ training shoes. One Sugar user said she would stock up on some Tempo track shorts, and that sounds like a good idea.
Two annual memberships to Bally Total Fitness: Working out is half the equation in living a healthy lifestyle. Bally understands that, and they also understand that you are more likely to work out if you don't have to sweat it out alone. That is why we are giving away two memberships. If you are ready to start that healthy living right now, here are 10 tips from a Bally Fitness Director to help you get fit for 2009.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on Feb. 8. That is this Sunday. To enter just take this fun quiz once you are logged in. Just do it! And good luck.

Celebrity Trainer Gunnar Peterson Says Get More Sleep

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:30:00 -0800

Celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson is no stranger to pet projects. Not only did he help Jennifer Lopez train for her triathlon last Fall, he also teamed up with Molly Sims to help the canine set get some more exercise with the PetFit Challenge. These days he is teaming up with Gatorade to spread the fitness word, which he did at the G Gym during the Sundance Film Festival. Recently, I was able to do a brief interview with him - he is a busy man. More a man of action than words, I went right to the heart of the matter and asked about core work.

FitSugar: Let's get down to business - what is your favorite core exercise?
Gunnar Peterson: I’m a big fan of the wood chop, whether it’s standing with a medicine ball, kneeling with a cable, or on a stability ball with a dumbbell.

FS: If I only have time for one strength training move at the gym, what multitasking move should I do?
GP: Squat with bicep curl and overhead dumbbell press, all in one.

FS: What do you recommend for a post-workout snack, after a 60-minute training session of cardio and strength training?
GP: This is what I would consider perfect eating after a workout: salmon, a yam, broccoli and Gatorade.

FS: Speaking of Gatorade, what is your favorite flavor, and when do you think sports drinks come in handy?
GP: I am a lemon lime lover! The original G (Gatorade) for the original G (Gunnar)! You should drink Gatorade during a vigorous workout and post vigorous workout, sports drinks are best.

To hear what Gunnar has to say about training celebs, read more.

FS: Tell us one thing we don’t know about celeb fitness. What is your typical day like? When do you work out?
GP: My typical day starts at 4 a.m. I train before my clients, and I work with seven to nine people between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. While that may not sound like a great day to some, it’s a great day to me. Celebrities work out a lot harder and a lot more consistently than they’re given credit for. They do what they do as well as they do it in peak condition under a microscope. That’s a tall order to fill.

FS: If we could change one thing to live fitter/healthier lives, what would it be?
GP: Get more sleep.

FS: What do you think of reality weight loss TV shows, like the Biggest Loser? What about Jackie Warner’s Workout?
GP: Any show that motivates people to do more for health and fitness than they’re currently doing is a success in my book.

FS: Any advice for folks making New Year’s resolutions to lose weight?
GP: Don’t make a big deal out of the resolution. Of the three “D’s” involved - decide, discuss, and do - eliminate “discuss.”

Look Who's Getting Fit For 2009!

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

With the new year came many fitness and health resolutions. That's why we decided to give away an amazing package of prizes - double gym membership to Bally's, a $1,000 Nike gift card, and a personalized nutrition plan created by Alexa Fishback, author of the Daily Fix - to one lucky winner. Help me in congratulating the winning TeamSugar member, eswan512. She is well on her way to getting fit for 2009 with her slew of prizes. Have a blast at the gym!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest! Don't fret if you didn't win, because you can still get fit for 2009 and win a heart rate monitor to help motivate your fitness life. Enter to win a Polar FT40 by taking this short quiz after logging into TeamSugar. Stay tuned! Next week, we will be giving away a Polar FT60 heart rate monitor with GPS.