FitSugar

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.

Enter Our Super Giveaway to Get Fit For 2009!

FitSugar — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 12:59:27 -0800

I'm a big believer in starting fresh in the New Year, but those resolutions aren't always easy to keep. So to help you out, we're giving away a super-duper Get Fit For 2009 prize package worth more than $3,000. Seriously?! Yes, seriously.

One lucky winner will receive a year of personalized nutrition plans by nutritionist Alexa L. Fishback, plus a copy of her book; a $1,000 Nike gift card; and two annual memberships to Bally Total Fitness along with some great Bally's gear. To enter to win, just log in and take the quiz below by 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, Feb. 8. Your eligibility isn't based on getting the questions right, just on completing the quiz once you are logged in. See the complete rules here.

Question 1 of 10

T/F: It's proper gym etiquette to wipe down any equipment you used in your workout, especially if it was a particularly sweaty one.

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.

Get Beach-Ready: Hip, Thighs, and Tush Workout

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

If you've been working your abs and toning your backside to get ready for bikini season, here are some more exercises you can rotate into your strength-training sessions. This series of exercises from ACE (American Council on Exercise) will target your hips, thighs, and booty.

View Slideshow ›

Natalie Coughlin: From the Olympics to DWTS

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:50:41 -0700

Last season on Dancing With the Stars, we saw gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson win gold, and this year we're watching Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin compete on land.

She made it through the first week, dancing a salsa with Alec Mazo and wowed us last night with her quick step. Although busy dancing and rehearsing, Natalie took time out of her day to answer a few questions on topics ranging from Pilates to her opinion on the ban on high-tech swimsuits.

To learn what Natalie has to say, just read more.

FitSugar: I have read that you do Pilates. How does this method of exercise help your swimming? Since it is somewhat dance-based, do you think it will help you on DWTS?
Natalie Coughlin: Pilates is an awesome cross-training exercise for any sport because it focuses on functional movement. It relies on strength along with flexibility, which is perfect for both swimming and dance. My two favorite pieces of equipment are the Balanced Body Exo Chair and Pilates Arc. I personally own both, and they make a nice addition to my home gym.

FS: I loved your "I'm a runner" piece in Runner's World. Do you still run regularly? Do you ever participate in road races? Were you able to run before your wedding ceremony?
NC: My first and only road race was the H2O Audio Surf Monkey last month, which was a 5K run on a mixture of sand, cobbled rock, and pier. It was so much fun, although I had no idea how to run on sand or cobbled rock! A few days before my wedding, I got a little overzealous with my running and ended up straining my right obliques, which forced me to take a bit of a break. Oops! I still love running, but I'm currently spending five to six-plus hours dancing every day, so I'm taking a break. I don't think it would be a good idea to add any unnecessary stress to my feet or legs.

FS:Your swimming career has spanned two Olympics, and you're planning to compete in 2012 - how do you maintain focus in training over those four-year periods?
NC: My focus is constantly evolving. I took three months off immediately following the Athens Games and returned to competition with a series of two-day meets throughout the world. The short format of the meets along with the world travel kept me motivated and interested in swimming. After Beijing, I needed a much longer break both mentally and physically because I have been competing for 21 years now! Dancing With the Stars is providing me with an amazing competitive outlet in something so different than my sport.

FSWhat's your favorite core exercise?
NC: I use the TRX suspension system for strength training and I absolutely love the atomic push-up because it's a killer exercise that works your entire core and upper body.

FS: Is your running playlist different from your swimming playlist? If so, how?
NC: Nope! They're usually the same, but it changes depending on my mood. It can be anything from pop, rock, alternative, to hip-hop . . . and H2O Audio's new Interval lets me listen to multiple playlists in the water or while I'm out on a run.

FS: Swimming can be hard on the skin and hair. What are your go-to beauty products postswim?
NC: Oh dear! I love products . . . Pureology for my hair, Kinesys sunscreen for my face/body preswimming, Palmer's Cocoa Butter for my body post-swimming, and Oil of Olay SPF 15 for my face.

FS: How do you feel about the ban on high-tech swimsuits?
NC: I think it's a good idea because our sport can now get back to the swimming and eliminate the distraction of "who are you wearing?" Eliminating zippers and legs is strange because both have been a part of many of the suits for over a decade. Either way, I'm happy.

Getting Fit Could Cost Less in 2009

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Most of us are sweating over money these days, and gyms are absorbing this worried perspiration by offering additional deals to existing members and new ones. Because the economy has hit the gyms with decreased memberships, they want to do their best to bring in and retain as many people as they can. According to the Los Angeles Times, independent gyms and national chains are playing the discount game, so be sure to speak with a manager about what can be done to reduce your fees. Here are some examples of deals the Times discovered.

Curves: One month free, then 50 percent off the monthly membership fee through March 6.
Gold's Gym: No enrollment fee.
Sports Club LA: Former members were invited to return without the one-time initiation fee and no membership dues for two month.

Before you sign any contract, ask if you can sign up month-to-month and get the details about cancellation policies. Also, it never hurts to ask your gym to waive the enrollment fee.

Source

You Asked: Will Running Cause Bulky Thighs?

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
I've been trying to lose weight for a while now, and only have about 30 minutes to work out each day. Walking hasn't really affected the scale as much as I'd like, so a friend suggested I start running instead. Do I have to worry about getting huge, muscular, and bulky thighs?
- Looking to Lose

I think it is great that you're kicking it up a notch when it comes to fitness. Your concern is a common one since running mostly works the lower body. To find out if you need to worry about your thighs, just read more.

Running will in no way bulk up your quads into huge masses of muscle. Since running is a great way to burn calories (which is what you need to do if you're trying to lose weight), it'll actually help you lose fat from all over, including from your thighs and bum. So on the contrary, it'll help your thighs look slimmer, not bulkier. Think about photos you've seen of marathoners like this one from the 2009 Boston Marathon. Do any of them have thick thighs?

Running will also tone your booty, quads, hamstrings, calves, and shins, so once you start shedding pounds, it'll reveal sculpted and shapely muscles. The same goes for biking and hiking. These cardio activities will burn calories and tone beautifully without adding bulk. I would suggest you look into ChiRunning. This technique helps you run more efficiently, which helps you avoid overworking your quads.

Source

10 Tips From a Bally Fitness Director

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:30:00 -0800

You can get fit in 2009 and we are giving away an incredible package of goodies to help you on your way. Along with a year's worth of nutrition plans by Alexa Fishback and a $1,000 Nike gift card, we are giving away two annual memberships to Bally Total Fitness along with some great Bally's gear. Amie Harwick, a fitness director at a Bally's in the LA area, has some tips to help you get back to basics and fulfill your 2009 fitness goals.

They are:

Doing 100 crunches won't get you that flat stomach that you want for the Summer. Instead, focus on full body exercises to maximize your calories burned.
Want to maximize your results and utilize your time better at the gym? Then do active rest between sets of exercises. The easiest options are jumping jacks, running laps, or jumping rope.
Work out with a partner, or even better, a personal trainer! Someone holding you accountable will make the difference between you making excuses and you seeing results.
Creating accountability also works with your diet. Write everything that you eat and send it to a friend daily. Have her send hers to you as well. Writing down your food works well when there is someone that will reinforce your good and bad choices.
Exercise shouldn't just be at the gym! Surround yourself with healthy friends and go for walks, hikes, kayaking, and choose other activities that make you move your body.

For five more tips, just read more.

Don't underestimate the power of sleep. A normal healthy adult needs seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Too little sleep can cause drops in metabolism and heightened stress, increasing the likelihood of avoiding needed exercises. Get those Zzzz's!
Confused about what to eat for breakfast before a workout? Basically, anything is better than nothing, but to be top notch, choose foods that are high in complex carbs to give you energy that you need. High fiber cereal with skim milk and yogurt with granola are great choices.
Commit yourself to a run or an active event that will motivate you to train. Even if it's a 5K charity walk, knowing that's coming up will push you to prepare.
Stay away from sports drinks or energy drinks. The best way to stay hydrated is just water.
One easy thing that you can buy is a pedometer. If you can't make it to the gym, go for a walk/run. A mile burns roughly 100 calories. Use the pedometer to track your distance when walking your local neighborhood or park.

Keep it basic. Keep it simple. Stay active. Eat healthy, often, and in small portions. Most importantly, stay positive! And don't forget to enter the Get Fit for 2009 Giveaway!

Source

Jillian Michaels Gets Wii Fit

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Jillian Michaels is a tough cookie when it comes to training, and I love her hardcore attitude. The Biggest Loser trainer teamed up with Nintendo to create her workout for Wii Fit called Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 ($37), and the final product looks like a fun way to get fit.

She visited ABC News to discuss the game and explained that she "got fat" as a kid playing video games, and hopes the Fitness Ultimatum will be an effective solution for combating childhood obesity. She's targeting kids by making the game fun and interactive, complete with cool graphics, but it's something the whole family can use. Jillian says eventually you can burn 300 to 400 calories an hour doing things like kickboxing, running, and squats.

To see a video of Jillian demonstrating with the Wii Fit, read more.

Healthy Habit: Make Exercise a Priority

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0800

I love when nutritionists stress the importance of daily exercise, and that is exactly what nutritionist Alexa Fishback, author of The Daily Fix, does. Making exercise a priority is one of her twelve healthy habits that we should all adopt as we work toward our goal of healthy living for 2009. Along with sharing many of her healthy habits, Alexa will be creating a personalized nutrition plan for the lucky winner of our Get Fit For 2009 giveaway, which includes many other amazing goodies like a $1000 gift card for Nike gear.

Here's how Alexa suggests fitting exercise into your hectic life:
Fitting exercise into our busy lives can be a challenge, but you should walk at least 30 minutes almost everyday and workout at least four times a week at a higher intensity for at least 20 minutes. My advice on how to do this is twofold:

First: Build-in habitual walking to your life, such as a daily walk to work, can be a crucial way to maintain your weight. Thirty minutes a day can mean either a straight 30-minute power walk or it can be a 10-minute walk to work, a 10 minute walk around the corner for mid-morning coffee, and a 10 minute dog walk at night. However you attain it - 30 minutes of walking everyday is key to healthy living.

To learn the second half of her advice, read more.

Secondly: Plan ahead for more intense exercise, as if it were a mandatory meeting on your schedule, four to five days a week. This means you don't skip your workout if something else comes up; exercise needs to be a priority. Take it a step further and make plans to meet a friend for yoga or a trainer for a workout. Not only will you be letting yourself down if you bail, you will also be letting someone else down.

How do you fit exercise into your daily life? Tell me in the comments section below.

Source