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Speak Up: What's Your Proudest Moment?

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:30:00 -0700

Recently when I was writing about Matt Damon and his triathlon, I reminisced about my own completion of a triathlon - though I did the whole thing on my own! I'm very proud of a lot of my fitness accomplishments, the triathlon being among my proudest moments, but I would have to say that my favorite achievement was just simply becoming a runner.

Years ago, I refused to run. I despised it because my endurance was not up to par and I could only run a few minutes before getting totally winded and I just hated it. After much practice and patience, I am now able to run miles on end and it feels great. Have you had a proud fitness moment? It could be as big as completing a marathon or something small such as joining a gym. Speak up and share your proudest health and/or fitness moment and maybe you'll motivate someone to reach their goal, too!

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Brandi Chastain and Her Bra: a Great Moment in Women's Sports?

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:06:40 -0700

When the US women's soccer team won the Word Cup in 1999, it was thanks to Brandi Chastain. She scored the winning goal on a penalty kick and promptly ripped off her shirt to celebrate. The moment has been nicknamed "the bra heard 'round the world." The photos of her are infamous, and she became a household name, her moment in the spotlight eclipsing an amazing win for US women's soccer.

Her dark sports bra was part of the memorabilia installed at the Sports Museum of America in New York City. But when the museum went bankrupt and all the sporting souvenirs placed in probate, Brandi's bra was held for a ransom of $250, plus shipping. After many e-mails and phone calls, her bra is back in her hands to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her famous penalty kick win - an oddly sweet and sentimental tale.

Her disrobing on the field, to me, was a consoling gesture. When my husband sees me wearing a sports bra with no shirt, he always calls me Brandi. Kind of funny but also kind of sad that this is what she is remembered for since she is also a tremendous athlete. What do you think? Was this a great moment in women's sports? Can you name any other infamous sporty gal moments that have captured the nation's attention? Are there moments in sports where our nation's female athletes made you proud to be an American?

Lifting Tip: Embrace the Burn

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:00:00 -0800

If losing weight is on your list for 2009, cardio will help burn calories, but you also need to strength train to achieve muscle definition and prevent injury. Lifting weights can be difficult for people who aren't used to the intense sensations of fatigue and burning that arise in their muscles, but these feelings are completely normal and necessary if you want to strengthen and tone. So instead of stopping the moment you begin to feel uncomfortable, keep going for another one to five repetitions. Embrace the physical sensations, focus on breathing deeply, and push yourself a little bit further. Afterward, you'll feel proud that you stuck it through, and soon will notice your body is stronger and more lean - two rewards in one.

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Biggest Loser Families Recap: Live Weigh-In Finale

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:00:00 -0800

After watching all the contestants sweat and cry almost every week this Fall on The Biggest Loser Families, we finally got to meet the biggest loser. The live finale show began with an exciting reveal, the host Alison Sweeny is pregnant, something my husband and I began wondering in the last couple of episodes. She was glowing, as were all the contestants.

The contestants all looked skinny (a few maybe too skinny) and fashionable. The first big "reveal" of the night was that America voted Heba out of the final three, even with Ed's pleas to keep his wife active in the contest. He's a likable dude and his entrance was definitely the most rock-n-roll - two thumbs up punch through the image of him from the show's first episode. Ed's got some style.

I am very proud of Jerry, the sickest contestant to ever join the game. He lost 30 percent of his weight and looked so alive. Amy P. beat her husband Phillip by a pound, but unfortunately lost the at-home prize to Heba. Heba won $100,000 for all her at-home hard work.

To see who won the title of the biggest loser as well as before and after shots off all the contestants, read more.

The energy of the crowd was infectious and the three finalists looked amazing. It was amazing to hear Vicky admit that advice from her once nemesis Phillip (remember how she cackled when he was voted of the show) helped her push through. On a group conference call, he reminded her to live in the moment, which I believe is sound advice for us all. Michelle, the youngest of the finalists, lost 110 pounds to win (when she only needed to lose 100) the biggest loser title and a quarter million dollars. She looked fabulous. Not only did she have age on her side (the younger you are the easier it is to lose weight), it appeared that her only job was to work out. We saw shots of both Ed and Vicky working and none of Michelle.

I am really happy she won. Are you? What did you think of the finale? Are you excited for the upcoming season of the Biggest Loser Couples?

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