FitSugar

Fit Tip: Put Down the Reading Materials

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:00:27 -0700

Time on a cardio machine can be mundane, so many of us will grab a book or magazine to pass the time. I personally can't read while working out, but I know many people can't work out without reading.

If you are a reader, consider putting down your reading materials for a few workouts each week and instead really focus on what your body is doing. After a few sessions, you'll probably find that you're able to get results faster because a focused workout is typically a better workout. One of the best ways to do this but still keep your brain interested is by adding intervals to your cardio session. I have found that it's really hard to focus on anything other than making it to the recovery period during interval training, so it's likely that you won't even miss your tabloid magazine.

Side note: If you simply cannot step on a cardio machine without reading, then by all means, read - I don't want you to get completely discouraged! Just try to find ways to focus your exercise after the cardio is done.

Source

Healthy Read: The Doctor's Complete College Girls' Health Guide

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:15:00 -0700

The worst part about college for me was the ~~classes~~ ~~dorm food~~ fact that whenever something went wrong with my health I didn't have my mom, who is a nurse, to tend to my every need. The slightest drip of my nose sent me in a crying frenzy.

Since there truly are so many things that can go on with a girl who's off to college for the first time (or seventh year), it never hurts to educate yourself (if you're that girl) or anyone else (if she's your daughter, sister, niece, etc.) on the health of a young woman. For this reason, I definitely wish I had The Doctor's Complete College Girls' Health Guide: From Sex to Drugs to the Freshman Fifteen ($11.25) when I was in school because it covers everything from dealing with the common cold, to navigating the college health center, to getting a tattoo.

While the book is definitely written for college girls, it would be a handy addition to the bookshelves of anyone from high-school girls to mothers- even fathers who want to know what the heck is going on with their daughters.

Do You Read at The Gym?

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Whenever I am at the gym, about one third of the people there are reading as they workout. Me, I've never been able to get in a good workout while trying to read a novel, newspaper or magazine, but others claim to need the distraction.

What about you -- Do you read at the gym?

Media While Working Out, A Good Distraction?

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 15:15:00 -0800

Most of us need some sort of distraction while working out. Be it an iPod, tv or newspaper, whatever as long as it takes the focus off the actual working out process.

A recent report on CNN found that these distractions are great, as long as you're not training for a race or some athletic competition. The reason is that if you are training, you really need to be extremely in tune with your body (and your breathing) and being in tune with your iPod could prevent that. A lot of marathons do not allow runners to use music, so if you're planning on running a marathon anytime soon, you may want to ween off the music.

What's the Diff: Omega-3s vs. Omega-6s

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:10 -0800

Omegas are all the buzz right now, and it seems like everywhere you turn, new foods are being enhanced with this essential fatty acid, or labeled as an excellent source. What people don't know is that there are different types of omegas, and eating too much of one kind can actually be harmful to your body.

Omega-3s are found in flax seeds, walnuts, cod liver oil, and fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, albacore tuna, and salmon. Fish are the best sources because they are high in two particular fatty acids that are crucial to good health, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

Then there are omega-6s. These fats are found in eggs, nuts, chicken, and vegetable oils such as corn, soy, safflower, and sunflower oil. Omega-6s are high in LA (linoleic acid), which is converted by the body into GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), and then further broken down to AA (arachidonic acid).

Do you know which type of omega fatty acid we should be eating more of? To find out, keep reading

Beyonce's Trainer Reveals 5-Minute Preparty "Body Blast"

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:50:29 -0800

When I'm totally wrapped up in Thanksgiving cooking, prepping, organizing, shopping (need I go on?), there's hardly a fighting chance that I'll make it to the gym for a full-on workout. Usually, I'll try to squeeze in a set of push-ups while prepping dinner preparation, or an early morning yoga session, if I can. So, I was excited to see Marco Borges, the trainer credited with whipping Beyonce, husband Jay-Z, and Gwen Stefani into tip-top shape, sharing an easy and no-equipment-needed workout with US Weekly. Here are the five moves he suggests to give yourself an all-over body-blasting workout (even if you only have five minutes to spare before your guests arrive):

Jumping Plies: I call these jumping squats, but it doesn't matter what you call them as long as you do them. Here's how: stand with your feet just a bit wider than shoulder-width apart, abs pulled in tight, and bend your knees, lowering your body till your thighs are parallel to the floor and jump straight into the air. Return to starting position and repeat for one minute.

Reverse Lunges: Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, step back into a lunge and repeat on the opposite side, alternating for one minute. Be sure that abs remain tight throughout, working your core and maintaining your balance and posture.

Push-Ups: According to Marco, "The push-up is quite possibly one of the simplest and best body weight movements targeting the muscles of the chest, arms, shoulders and core." Do as many classic push-ups, or moderated position push-ups from your knees, as you can for a full one minute, making sure to maintain proper form and bring your chest as close to the floor as you can before pushing back to starting plank position.

For the rest of Marco's workout, keep reading

Test Your Knowledge of Fad Diets

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:08 -0800

It seems like every day a new diet makes the news. Some of these fads can sound promising because they're veiled in medical and health jargon or carry the backing of a celebrity or doctor. But reading between the lines reveals that regardless of the details, these diets are generally not healthy because they lack balance and are very restrictive.

Many of them are just plain kooky too - it's as if they're trying to outweird one another. How well do you know your trendy diets? Take my quiz and find out.

Take the quiz

Amanda Peet: So in Love

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:17 -0800

Amanda Peet is undoubtedly feeling great. She's starring in the number one film in the country, and in the December issue of Self the actress shares that nothing brings her more joy than hanging at home with her hubby and baby girl. In fact, the actress credits her husband, screenwriter David Benioff, as being her healthiest habit. Oh, true love!

The 37-year-old actress is not without her envies, though - she wants "boobs, a gentle six-pack, and a perky butt." And when it comes down to it, she secretly wishes for a bod like Gisele Bündchen's or Jennifer Aniston's. Outside of a little admiration, especially since Peet strives to live a life full of balance and a lot of laughs.

To hear Peet's take on health, read more.

Amanda is a big fan of moderation:

"To me, staying healthy means doing everything in moderation. Eat a lot of greens, but in moderation. Exercise, but in moderation. Drink wine, but in moderation. Sleep as much as you can. And have people around you who are very funny."

At the end of the day it all comes back to love for Peet, who says that her 2-year-old daughter is the reason why she stays healthy.

"I do feel like it's important for her to have me be as healthy as I can be. So, you know, I don't want her to have horrible eating habits. I don't want her to never exercise. But obviously I'd much rather have her play a sport than have a gym membership before she's 20. I mean there are kids in LA who go to the gym and they have a trainer. I'm like, Play a sport!"

Check out more shots of the hot mama and visit lilsugar to read more about Amanda on mothering. Also, see lots more photos, quotes on Self.com.

View 5 Photos ›

You Asked: Burning Lungs From Running in the Cold

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:50:49 -0800

Hi Fit,
I recently started running outdoors and am really enjoying it. It's started to cool off, and breathing in the cold air really burns my throat and lungs when I jog. Is there anything that can be done to prevent this?
- Winter Runner

Ahhh, the cold weather is moving in, and I give you credit for continuing your outdoor runs even though the temps have dropped. Running in the crisp air can be so exhilarating to your body and your mind, but your lungs are another story. I have some ideas about how to make your respiratory system happier, though, so continue reading

Weekend Reading: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

FitSugar — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Reading about running inspires me to lace up my sneakers and hit the pavement. However, when I am curled around a book late at night in my PJs, a run isn't really a viable option. Setting my alarm, putting my running clothes out, and planning my route for the following morning - these are things I can do at 11 p.m. Reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, by one of my favorite novelists Haruki Murakami, definitely had me picking out sports bras and socks by the light of my bedside reading lamp. The tone of the book is considerably more contemplative than Dean Karnazes' book 50/50, but it still makes you want to get out and run.

Murakami is a solitary guy who began experimenting with running around the same time he began writing novels and explains how those separate activities influenced each other. He explains that he is not naturally a runner or a writer, but you can feel his pride at committing to both activities for years. I fully appreciate that he blows the hard drinking, cigarette smoking stereotype of novelists out of the water. He has run a marathon every year and has even started competing in triathlons. He explains that running keeps him healthy so he can keep writing. To him the endurance required to run 26.2 miles is not that much different from writing a novel. Murakami really enjoys running, even on the days he has to beat his leg muscles to start moving and you can feel his quiet love of running on each page.

I also appreciated that I could pick up this book, flip to any page, and find myself absorbed by Murakami's thoughts on running. He is a regular dude who runs. He just also happens to write really great novels too. This book would make a great gift for the runner your life, and you can put it on your wish list too.

Find it online or at your local bookstore. Enjoy the read, but keep your sneakers close!