FitSugar

Fittingly Mad: Cyclists Not Wearing Helmets!

FitSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:30:00 -0700

When I see images of cyclists riding in past Tours de France, they look odd to me. I recognize the riders, but they aren't wearing helmets. But over the course of the last decade, helmets became mandatory in the most prestigious bike race in the world.

Wearing a helmet is the simplest safety precaution you can take to protect your most important body part: your brain. Even though most casual cyclists are not barreling down hills and mountainsides at the speed of professional racers, wearing a helmet is a no brainer! Yet more than half the riders I see on the street are not wearing helmets. I just don't get it. I know helmets are not the most stylish of biking accessories, but is there really anything flattering about cycling gear? If messed up hair is keeping riders from wearing helmets, I would respond that a serious head injury is considerably worse than a bad hair day. We spend so much time taking care of our bodies and feeding our brains with knowledge, we really should protect our brains when biking.

Some helmetless riders argue that they're skilled cyclists so they don't need a helmet since they're not going to fall. Think of the helmet like the seat belt; it's there to protect you from crazy drivers or large potholes or, in the case of Matt Lauer of the Today Show, a deer. Without a helmet, Lauer would have suffered injuries far greater than a separated shoulder. Same goes for Lance Armstrong's collar bone-breaking crash a couple of months ago. Without a helmet his fate might have been much worse. If you're cruising around town or barreling down a dirt path on your mountain bike, wear a helmet. Please!

Fittingly Mad: Kardashians to Release Quick Trim Diet Product

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:00:20 -0700

After months of establishing herself as a curve-loving fitness convert with her own line of videos, Kim Kardashian is taking her body business to another level. And I don't like where it's headed. Kim's sister Khloe told US magazine that the two will share more than a reality show - they'll soon be launching a diet product together called Quicktrim.

There's not much information about this product just yet, but Kim is starting to spread the word on her Twitter and wrote, "Our Quicktrim cleanse will be massive! Khloe has already lost so much weight! I'm so proud of her." I'm all for sisterly support, but anything that contains the words quick, trim, and cleanse makes me see a whole lot of red flags. Healthy, lasting weight loss can't be achieved through a quick fix.

It really gets my goat that these ladies are out there discussing how hard they've been working at losing weight through diet and exercise alone, but if I'm taking Kim's tweet to heart, they're not being completely honest. There seems to be quite a bit of hypocrisy in the Kardashians' newest undertaking - what do you think?

Fittingly Mad: Runners Who Pooh-Pooh Walkers

FitSugar — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

A few times a month, I run with a running group near me. For the most part, everyone is really supportive and there just to meet fellow fit people, learn some tips, and get in a good run. Recently though I overheard some runners badmouthing walkers. As they jogged passed them, one of the runners smirked under their breath, "Walking is for people who don't have the guts to run," and their two pals giggled. I was shocked. What gives that guy the right to pass judgment on someone else? It's like speedism - discriminating against someone because of how fast they move. It really made me angry since I feel all active people should encourage each other. All exercise should be applauded, and I wanted to breeze right by them and yell, "If you're too busy worrying about what other people are doing, then you're obviously not working hard enough yourself!" But I didn't want to perpetuate that kind of negativity. Tell me, have you ever experienced runners who pooh-pooh walkers?

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Fittingly Mad: Increased Membership Prices at the Gym

FitSugar — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I don't have to tell you that economically speaking, times are tough. Many stores and companies are actually cutting prices to help lure customers to their businesses, but not my gym. Oh no. They've actually raised membership prices by $10 a month! That's no small amount, especially because my hubby belongs too, so that adds an extra $240 a year. It really bothers me that they can take advantage of people who feel so strongly about their health, since they know most gym goers won't end their memberships - they'll just suck it up and pay. Since my gym does offer unique fitness opportunities I can't get at other less expensive gyms, such as state-of-the-art cardio equipment, group classes, and of course, the pool, I guess I'll have to be one of those people who agrees to shell out the big bucks. It doesn't mean I won't complain about it though. What about you? Have your gym membership prices increased recently too?

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Fittingly Mad: Skinny Dressing Room Mirrors

FitSugar — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:04:00 -0700

I don't know too many people who enjoy trying on clothes in dressing rooms. Not only is it annoying that sizing varies so much from store to store, but the ginormous mirror and bright lights are utterly unforgiving. You can end up spending more time criticizing your imperfections than checking out the clothes! Store designers must know the emotional pain we endure in those tiny rooms, and that's why they designed skinny mirrors.

You know the ones I'm talking about, where you try on that skintight pair of jeans and your booty never looked so good. You think, "Wow, those squats are really working." Then when you get home and try them on again, they just don't look the same. Somehow your tiny bum has expanded in the 20 minutes it took to drive home.

I'm sure stores think we owe them a huge thank you for making our dressing room experiences more pleasant, but ultimately it's a huge disappointment. I don't need some stupid mirror making me look thinner than I really am. What do you think about them? Are you psyched with what you see, or do you think this deception is just a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money?

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Fittingly Mad: Dudes Who Drop Weights

FitSugar — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0700

We've heard that it doesn't pay to be macho when lifting weights. So why do so many people - sorry to say, it's primarily men - insist on slamming down their weights? More often than not, my gym workouts are rattled by the clanging of weight plates or the sound of someone dropping a giant barbell onto the floor. There are signs posted that specifically say "don't drop weights," since it's both rude and disruptive. Sometimes it hurts my ears so much I think I'd be better off wearing earplugs.

What really gets me is that these offenders are not only making a ruckus, they're also probably not getting the most out of their lifting. Though you should push your muscles to the point of fatigue when lifting, it's important to stop if you start to lose form. If you don't have the strength to lower the weights down gently, that's not a good sign - though I suspect that some folks do it just for dramatic effect.

The gym is a shared space, so I've considered saying something to the patrons who slam down weights. But I always chicken out. Do you think I'm overreacting or does this get under your skin, too? Have you ever said anything to anyone about it?

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Fittingly Mad: Dog Poo and Hiking Don't Mix

FitSugar — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0700

I planned a two hour family hike last weekend and everything was going well, until my little daughter stepped in dog poo. I was so thoroughly disgusted. Not by the smell, but by the irresponsible hikers that walked the trail before us. Not to be gross, but the doggy deposit was definitely fresh. As we were hiking up the mountain, I tried not to glare at every hiker we passed with a pooch.

I have no problem with dogs on the trail. We take Bonnie the dog with us all the time. I also carry a couple of bags in case she goes on the trail. I do, however, have a problem with a dog owner not picking up his or her dog's business especially when it is in the middle of the path. It's rude and disrespectful to the mountain and to the fellow hikers to not clean up a mess your pet leaves behind. I think it is a lot like littering (although it does eventually decompose, but like trash it doesn't belong on the trail). Do you have issues with this too? If you do, share them in the comments section below.

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Fittingly Mad: Unlimited Indoor Tanning Free With Gym Membership?

FitSugar — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

There's a gym near me that has tootsie rolls by the front door, and that's not all the goodies they offer. In the lobby they have a bunch of stand-up tanning beds, and one of the memberships perks is unlimited use. WTF? To me, this is the equivalent of going on a 2-hour hike, getting to the top of the mountain and lighting up a cigarette. Doesn't it strike you as an oxymoron? You join our gym to help you stay fit and live a long, healthy life, but step into this tanning booth to dramatically increase your chances for developing skin cancer. It's idiotic and it aggravates me. I guess people are responsible enough to make their own decisions, but I'm just so surprised that tanning beds are still in existence, and just mortified that they're in a place like a gym. What do you think about this?

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Fittingly Mad: Vanity Sizing on Workout Clothes

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0700

I hate trying on clothes, and the fact that sizes are all over the map doesn't help matters. Some brands run big while others run small, which means I have to take a pile of items into the dressing room. But I got really riled up while shopping for workout clothes this weekend, when I discovered what's apparently a new trend: vanity sizing on workout clothes.

I've ranted before about vanity sizing, the practice of making clothes larger but sizing them smaller, so people can wear smaller sizes and feel better about themselves. I'm normally a solid medium, but when I was shopping this weekend, I tried on several mediums that were enormous on me. I guess the clothing manufacturers want me to be happy about buying a small, but they're not fooling me with their flattery. (Also, what would a really small person wear?!)

But what really annoys me is that vanity sizing on workout clothes is totally counterproductive. To find out why, read more.

If you are working out and trying to slim down, shouldn't you wear clothes that are an accurate representation of your size? Wouldn't you rather know that you've actually dropped a size, or that you are maintaining your happy size, rather than being tricked into thinking you've changed? Exercise helps us feel better about our bodies, and that's way more real than a vanity size that tries to do the same thing.

What do you guys think? Am I overreacting, or do you also find vanity sizing in workout clothes fittingly mad?

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Fittingly Mad: Must You Honk While I Run?

FitSugar — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I love to run outside. The warm breeze, wide open spaces, and gorgeous scenery are all really inspirational. I feel so much more alive and energetic running outside than I do inside on a treadmill. I'm sure you can relate. I also love running outdoors because it's more challenging with the wind resistance, hills, and obstacles you have to jump over. The last thing I need is for someone to be watching me, honking, screaming obscene comments out the window, and waving rude gestures! Am I wearing a shirt that says, "Beep if You Like Running," or "Bother Me," or "Degrade Me"? Not only is it immature, but it's so annoying. I run outside to get fresh air and some peaceful alone time, and the hooting and hollering just about ruins it for me.

Most of the time I just ignore the oglers, but part of me wants to flip them the bird. Lately I've been changing up my running routine so that I'm on less busy roads, but it upsets me that I have to avoid certain places just because of the few people that have to act like idiots.

I'm sure you've experienced this, so how do you deal with people honking while you're running outside?

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