FitSugar

Gabby Reece on Getting Physical With Laird Hamilton

FitSugar — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:30:00 -0700

When it comes to fit couples, like former pro beach volleyball fitness guru Gabby Reece and her hunk of a husband pro surfer Laird Hamilton, you have to wonder if they work out together.

When posed with Sugar user Spectra's question, "What kind of activities do you do with Laird to stay fit?" Gabby quickly responded, with an almost inaudible chuckle, "Oh my gosh, I try not to train with Laird. We've been together for almost 14 years and always joke that we are both too bossy to train together trying to tell each other what to do, and he always wins. I would say Laird is far more advanced in some of the things he is able to do. I use him as an inspiration."

To learn how Laird inspired her to start biking, read more.

Laird urged Gabby to start biking suggesting that it was a great way to explore the beauty Hawaii has to offer. She also occasionally works out with the "boys" when she misses her own workout group due to scheduling conflicts. She explains that the workout,

"is really hard. I am there just barely silent holding on for dear life. But I am learning. . . You can always learn more, because it gets boring. Part of it is being around people . . . that give ideas and inspiration on how to do different things to keep it fresh."

Gabby did go on to say they do stuff in the water together as a couple and as a family, but training together happens "only once in a blue moon" and that might be what keeps them together.

My husband and I cycle together, but we had to hash out the parameters since we have different approaches to attacking hills and speeding down descents. What about you? Do work out with your husband, partner, boyfriend?

Get Physical: Rearrange the Furniture

FitSugar — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0800

It is dreary and cold outside. You want new furniture but are saving up for your dream vacation, a down payment or an addition to your house, next month's rent, or college tuition. A new living room is not in your cards. So why not rearrange it and get some strength training in too.

Moving the furniture around with your hubby, your housemates, or by yourself can give your home a little face-lift and make you feel strong to boot. I like to use a little graph paper to sketch plans of the room before I start lifting and moving. Sometimes though I like to do it on the fly.

If this is how you decide to spend your Saturday: remember to lift from your legs and not your back, and to check out CasaSugar's tips on how to make the most of your room.

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Get Physical: Go Sledding

FitSugar — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:30:00 -0800

When it comes to enjoying the snow, sledding is the way to go. You don't need an expensive lift ticket, and kids of all ages can enjoy the snowy terrain. Durable sleds are easy to find in the Winter months and they're cheap too - generally under $20.

Sledding might seem like it's all fun, but there is work involved; you need to walk up the hill to ride it. Uphill walking works your backside nicely, and since snow can be tricky to navigate, you will be working even harder than usual. Now, if you add dragging a sled containing your 35-pound 3-year-old behind you, your workout will be even more intense.

Looking for a hill in your area? Visit Sledriding.com and scroll down to the map, midway down the page. Click on your state to find fun places to sled.

Get Physical: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:00:50 -0800

This year, instead of buying a tree that's already chopped down, why not make an outing to a Christmas tree farm to cut down your own tree? Not only will you be supporting a local family-owned business, but you'll get some exercise hiking through the rows of trees to find the perfect one. Then once you find it, you'll burn some calories sawing it down by hand. Even if the whole process only takes 30 minutes, you'll still burn at least 100 calories. If you're not sure where to go in your area, check out this Christmas Tree Farm Directory. Happy decorating!

Get Physical: Pick Your Own Apples

FitSugar — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0700

When I was little, my family went apple picking every Fall. The crisp autumn weather reminds me of the inclement weather that is just around the corner, so now is the time to soak in the blue sky and sunlight and get physical outside.

Walking through the orchard, searching for trees to pick, is not unlike hiking. Climbing trees in search of the perfect apples is great work for your arms and legs. Plus it's fun! Carrying bags of apples out of the orchard works your arms. Picking your own apples is a workout with a tangible reward at the end - apples and lots of them.

Pack a lunch and you can have a romantic picnic with your honey. Picnicking and picking apples is also a great activity for children of all ages. My nimble 5-year-old is an expert at climbing trees and loves the challenge.

Check out this listing by state of orchards and farms where you can pick your own apples, fruits and veggies.

At a loss of what to do with all your apples? Check out all the apple recipes over at YumSugar.

Bonus points if you tell me in the comments section below what movie the following quote comes from: "How do you like them apples?"

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Get Physical: Playground Workout

FitSugar — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Your local playground is not just for child's play; it is a workout waiting to happen, and a fun one at that. If you happen to have kids and they drag you to the park. Don't sit idly by, try some of these moves. If you don't have a kid, just go and have fun and remember to share the monkey bars with the wee ones.

On the swing: Instead of using your legs to pump, hold your legs straight out in front of you. Not only will this target your abs, but you'll use the muscles in your arms and back to keep up your swinging momentum.
On a bench: Do tricep dips.
On the monkey bars: You may be too tall, so hold onto the first bar and use your abs and quads to bend your knees and lift them up off the ground. Then one at a time, move your hands across the bars to get to the other end. This is a killer upper body workout.

For more ideas read more

On a swing: Stand in front of the swing (with your back towards it) and place your palms on the ground. Now rest the front of your ankles on the swing and walk your hands out so your body is in one straight line. Now do push-ups, bending your elbows and lowering your chest to the ground. Do as many as you can. If there's no swing, place your feet on a step instead.
On the monkey bars: You can also hold onto the bar overhead and then lift both your legs up and hook your knees around one bar. Allow your torso to hang upside down. Then work your abs by crossing your arms over your chest, and then lift your shoulders up towards your thighs. Do as many as you can.
On the balance bar: Practice balancing yoga poses like Tree and Dancer.
On the stairs: Stretch your hamstrings by placing your right heel about three to five steps up, straighten your right leg, and then fold your torso forward. Then do the other leg. You can stretch your hip flexors too by stepping your right foot flat about three to five steps up, bend your right knee, and lean your torso forward. Do this on the other side too.

If you have any other ideas for using the playground to work your body, share them in the comment section below.

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Get Physical: Go Pedal Boating

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Pedaling for exercise isn't limited to just biking. You can pedal around a lake with your boo in a rented pedal boat. The two of you can work your legs and burn some calories, too. It is a fun workout and being out on the water is sure to have a calming effect on both of you. It's just as easy as pedaling a bike, but you sit side by side so you both have a nice view (unlike a tandem bike).The seating arrangement is more conversational as well. If your workout makes you sweat, you can just jump into a the lake to cool off. You'll still be burning calories and toning your muscles while swimming and treading water. If you live near a lake or are visiting one this Summer, renting a pedal boat is fairly inexpensive (less than $40 for three hours), but it's totally worth it. Just make sure you have enough energy to pedal back to shore!

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Get Physical: Pick Your Own Berries

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:30:00 -0700

Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries – these tasty fruits are one of my favorite things about Summer. For a weekend adventure that is fun for the entire family, I like to go berry picking. Not only do I feel that it's important for my girls to see where food actually comes from, it is also a fun and physical activity. In fact, a 130 pound woman will burn 118 calories in an hour picking berries with moderate effort. Plus it tires out the kids, ensuring long weekend naps – every parent's dream.

To find a farm near you that lets you harvest your own fruit, visit the Pick Your Own website. The easiest search method is to click on your state and scroll down the page to the state map. Then just click on the county you live in to find a local farm.

For a few tips on berry picking read more.

Arrive early because many farms can be picked clean by noon. Plus it is cooler in the morning and more pleasant.
Bring your own containers. I like to bring wide and shallow pieces of tupperware. If you stack too many berries on top of one another, they bruise. So don't spoil all your hard work by making heaping piles of fruit.
Don't forget the sunscreen.
Don't forget water and snacks.

When you get home, you can make a tasty fruit salad or just eat the fruit plain. It will be so fresh, ripe, and delicious. Yum has some berry tasty recipes for you try. Sorry, I couldn't resist!!!

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Get Physical: Go Out For a Night of Dancing

FitSugar — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Who says your workouts have to be at the gym or when the sun is shining? You can exercise into the night too. Since we all tend to stay up late on the weekends anyway, grab a friend or your partner and go out for a night of dancing. I'm not saying you have to go clubbing till 3 a.m., but it's a great way to spend your time for an hour or two after dinner (it sure beats sitting on the couch). You'll work your entire body, especially your hips, quads, and booty. Not only that, but one hour of dancing burns 266 calories. What a fun way to burn off that late night slice of pizza.

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Get Physical: Time to Hit the Driving Range

FitSugar — Sun, 18 May 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Whether you're into playing a round of 18 holes or not, hitting some golf balls at the driving range can be fun for anyone. It's a great activity to do on the weekend with your partner, since it doesn't require a big investment of time or money. It is a great way to enjoy the fresh air and hit something with all your might.

Most golf courses have a separate driving range where you can perfect your swing, and often you don't need to be a member of the club to use it. A jumbo basket of balls only costs about $10; talk about a cheap date. If you don't own your own set of clubs, most courses have loaner sets.

If you've never played golf in your life, the driving range is a great place to start – it is the gateway drug to the game. I love practicing my swing because it's a great upper body workout. It is quite satisfying to see how far you can hit the ball. Fore!