FitSugar

Get PetFit With Gunnar and Molly

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:30:00 PST

Trainer to the stars, Gunnar Peterson along with the help of Molly Sims, is looking to get people active with their pets in the PetFit Challenge. This nationwide challenge aims to get pets and their owners on track for an active, healthy, and happy life together. I love the idea so I'll be signing up my dog and myself, as we can both always use the extra push to get moving - let's hope she likes lunges as much as I do.

For more pics of Molly exercising with her Yorkies and for some fun exercises you can do with your dog just

Power Dog Walks With Intervals: Take your dog for a walk on a leash. Throughout the walk, mix in some intervals of jogging, running, or high stepping to help increase your heart rate and burn calories for both you and your dog.
Fetch Races: A twist on an old favorite. Grab your dog’s favorite toy and toss it at your local dog park or in your backyard . . . except this time, race your dog to retrieve it! For owners who don’t have access to a dog park or backyard, this can be done in the hallway of your home with a soft toy.
Fetch Tease For Abs: Another twist on classic fetch. Grab your dog’s favorite toy and pretend to toss it as you reach the top of your sit-up. Try to get in as many reps as you can until your dog becomes wise that you still have his toy. This is perfect for your backyard, your local dog park or even inside your home.
Dog Squat Tease: Stand with your legs spread shoulder width in preparation to do a leg squat. As you descend, tap your dog with his favorite toy. As you rise, lift the toy above your head to encourage your dog to jump after it. This can be done in your home and outside as well.

If you are a cat owner, you are not out of luck. Check out the Curious Cat Curls on PetSugar.

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Bauer-Griffin

Savory Snacks 100 Calorie Quiz

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:00:00 PST

Not only is it OK to have a snack attack every once in a while, but it's also healthy. Eating 100-calorie snacks between small meals can help regulate your metabolism. To test your low-calorie savory snacks knowledge, take my little quiz.

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Take the Quiz

You Don't Have to Give Up M&M's in '08!

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 10:00:00 PST

It's the New Year again, and you know what that means: time for New Year's resolutions. Here at FitSugar, we are going to be helping you out with all kinds of advice for sticking to those healthy promises, which is why I am so excited to tell you about M&M's® 100 Calorie Packs. Thanks to our friends at M&M's®, you can have real enjoyment with less guilt. M&M's® 100 Calorie Packs allow you to indulge in the candy-covered chocolate treats you love without breaking your resolutions. Available in the candy aisle, these products are identical in ingredients to their full sized counterparts. The trick is that they come in perfect portions that are just 100 calories per serving. So you really don't need to give up chocolate in order to stick to those resolutions. Pretty awesome, right?

Thank you to M&Ms® 100 Calorie Packs for sponsoring this post.

Interview With an Ultramarathoner: What It Takes to Run More Than a Marathon

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 01:26:41 PDT

I run a few times a week, about 10 to 12 miles total, but I wouldn't consider myself a runner, especially not after interviewing Deanna Stoppler, an ultramarathoner. At 32 she has completed dozens of marathons and a handful of ultras - races that are longer than the typical 26.2 marathon distance. If you ever wondered what it takes to run such extreme distances, or why a person ~~in their right mind~~ would ever want to do it in the first place, check out this amazing interview.

FitSugar: How many miles long were the ultras you've completed and how long does it typically take a woman to complete?
Deanna Stoppler: I have completed ultras from 40 and 50 miles to 100 km (62.14 miles). I have not completed a 100-miler yet. It really depends on the course, weather, and fitness level, but I'd say plan to be out anywhere from six to 24 hours (100-miler) or more.

FS: How did you get into this type of racing?
DS: I started out as a marathoner. When I read Dean Karnazes book Ultramarathon Man, I knew that trying an ultra was the next step for me. He started completely out of shape and has gone on to complete extraordinary feats.

FS: How do you train for this type of race? What other types of exercise or cross training do you do to complement your running?
DS: The main thing is to run back to back long runs, usually on a Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday schedule, increasing distance over time and tapering a couple of weeks before the race. I avoid running on pavement as much as possible. I do sit-ups and push-ups every night, and when I have time, I try to do core exercises with an exercise ball. I used to stretch but I don't do that anymore. It seemed to make me more sore the next day. I also use a Tiger Tail roll bar when certain muscles get tight.

FS: How do you keep going for that long? What techniques do you have when you feel like you want to stop?
DS: I try to start out slow because everyone runs like bats out of hell at first. I stay near the back and slowly work my way up. I don't sprint in ultras, although, in one race I did run faster for the last three miles because I didn't have a flashlight and didn't want to get caught in the dark. I continue to ingest calories even when my body says not too (digestion slows when you exert that much energy). I do math in my head for hours on end! Mostly it's math about the next time that I need to take a GU shot, ingest S-caps (electrolyte tabs), and fill my water. I try to think about how awesome it is that I'm doing this and that it's only one day out of my entire life.

Continue reading to find out what ultramarathoners do about going to the bathroom.