FitSugar

Fit Tip: Put Waiting Time to Good Use

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Today at the gym I realized that like almost every other day, a crowd of people gather around one of the fitness rooms before group exercise classes. Several people start waiting a good 10-15 minutes before the class starts and I can't help but think what a waste of time that is.

If you find yourself waiting around for a class or machine, make use of that time. Jump on a treadmill and get five minutes of walking in. Do squats, crunches, or lunges. Do anything really. I don't know about you, but getting to the gym can be a difficult task at times so maximize that time to get the most out of your workout. Five minutes getting warmed up is not going to hurt you, in fact it'll just prepare you for the exercise you are about to begin and you'll burn more calories in the end.

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Fit Tip: Move While You Wait

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Yesterday I went through my day and payed attention to all the times I am waiting. I waited in line at the grocery store, 5 minutes. I waited for the super-duper slow elevator here at Sugar HQ, 5 minutes. I waited for the bus in the morning, 10 minutes. I waited for my dog to find the absolutely perfect spot to relieve himself, 10 minutes (he's old and picky). I waited on hold with my hotel that screwed up a reservation, 10 minutes. That alone is 40 minutes of time that I spend waiting on any given day.

What I have decided is in the time I spend waiting, I could do little exercises. So for example, this morning while I waited for my dog to relieve himself, I did squats. When I was waiting for the elevator, and no one was there, I did more squats. I am not saying that you should drop and do 10 push ups in the middle of a crowded grocery store line, unless you don't embarrass easily, but just look at your day and really see where you spend time waiting and see how you can fit a little movement into it. Chances are you'll find pockets of 5 or 10 minutes where you can multitask and get fit while you wait.

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Speak Up: How Long Have You Waited in the ER?

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:45:00 -0800

A study shows that waiting times in emergency rooms are long, and dangerously long at that.
Harvard Medical School reviewed data from over 92,000 emergency room visits, and found that in 2004, about a quarter of heart attack victims waited 50 minutes before receiving care. The average wait for a heart attack victim clocked in at about 20 minutes in 2004, up from eight minutes in 1997. Overall, the time of emergency room waits for all types of injuries grew 36 percent between 1996 and 2004.

Harvard's Dr. David Hammerstein, who participated in the study said, "One contributor to ED (Emergency Department) crowding is Americans' poor access to primary and preventive care, which could address medical issues before they become emergencies." No wonder all the 2008 presidential candidates are scrambling to create plans for updating our health care system.

Have you ever been to the ER for yourself or with a friend, loved one, or child? How was your experience? How long was your wait? Speak up and tell me all about it in the comments section below.

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Don't Wait to Be Inspired, Start Now

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I can not tell you how many times I encounter people who say, "I'm happy with the way I am right now, but I am sure I'll need to start working out eventually." While I am all for enjoying life while you can, I will say that it is A LOT easier to integrate an exercise regime into your life when you're happy with how you look and feel, rather than when you're doing it because you need to lose the weight (health and/or aesthetic reasons).

Exercising can only better your life, no matter when you start it. Since most people wait for a reason to exercise such as: Suddenly realizing they're overweight, having the doc tell them they have to for health reasons, wanting to lose 15 pounds to fit into that bikini. I won't even go into the bad reasons I've heard. Ask anyone who's had to hit the gym because their doctor told them it was that or Type II Diabetes -- Not so fun. This pressure makes getting active stressful rather than enjoyable. However, if you start now and make it part of your life, you may actually start to enjoy it. Gasp, I know, but it's been known to happen. Start small by adding a weekly walk (or jog), yoga class or even a trip to the gym, you won't regret it.

So even if you're happy with the way you look and feel, why not hit the gym? It can only make you feel even happier and better.

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Heidi Klum's Got a Good Take on Her Post-Baby Bod

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:30:38 -0800

Thanks to a healthy attitude - and a little encouragement from hubby Seal - Heidi Klum is working to get her body back in shape after baby number four. Still, if you're expecting the supermodel to take a turn in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, you might be surprised to learn that she won't be walking the runway this year, but playing hostess duty instead.

In an interview with US Weekly, it seems this mom is a little more realistic when it comes to shaping up her body after giving birth. Heidi told the magazine:

"I wouldn't say I'm back in the shape yet. But I don't know. Everything changes when you get older. It was different when I was 31 with the first one. Now, being 36 with the fourth one, it's different."

It seems to me the mom is setting a realistic expectation for getting back in shape and going about it the right way. She knows that it takes some work to get the bod you want, saying that, "For me, it always works to get back into it immediately. I think that if you wait too long, it kind of sticks on and it stays there forever. I have to be motivated." Still, she's not gym-crazed or diet-obsessed, adding that she's not exercising too much for now: "I walk on the treadmill a little bit. I walk on the driveway. I'm very active with the children." Sure, she's blessed with some supermodel genes (and possibly a very long driveway), but even still, Heidi's take on weight loss seems surprisingly down-to-earth to me - do you agree?

Thinking of Getting Inked?

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:09 -0800

I have never gotten a tattoo unless you count the temporary henna kind, but it looks like I might be in the minority. About 25 percent of 18- to 30-year-olds have been inked, and 65 percent of them are women. If you've always wanted to get your fave butterfly etched onto your ankle, here are some things WebMD wants you to know before anyone puts a needle to your skin.

Pay the money and go to a shop that has licensed tattoo artists. Since getting a tattoo involves breaking the skin with a metal object and coming into contact with blood, you want to make sure the studio is clean, so there's the lowest risk possible for infection.
There are serious risks involved, such as contracting life-threatening HIV or hepatitis C from unclean equipment. You could also get other infections including impetigo, MRSA, or cellulitis. It's OK if you don't know what these are, just know you don't want them.
It's also possible to have an allergic reaction to the tattoo ink, so before getting an enormous fairy imprinted across your back, you probably want to do a small patch test on your skin first.

To find out what else you should know, read more.

Also note that your skin will look a lot different at age 25 than it will at 65, so keep that in mind when choosing the design, size of tattoo, and area of your body.
The artist should thoroughly wash his or her hands before they begin, and wear gloves to prevent the spread of infection.
Be sure all needles are removed from a sterile, single-use package, and all equipment is sterilized after each use.
Make sure you don't drink alcohol or take drugs (including aspirin) the night before or while getting a tattoo.
If you're sick, wait until you're healthy to get your tattoo, since you'll need energy to heal.
Follow the after-care instructions so your skin heals quickly and without any complications.
After you've had a tattoo, you can change your mind and have it removed by a doctor, but know that your skin most likely won't look like it did pre-tattoo. The procedure tends to require a series of visits, it's expensive, and often the tattoo can't be completely removed.

Do you have a tattoo? Did you have any complications? Tell me in the comments section below.

Source: Flickr User geishaboy500

Padma Cooks at Home to Stay Fit

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Thanks to a full season of Top Chef's indulgent cuisine, the reality hostess admits she's likely to go up a couple dress sizes during filming. Still, Padma Lakshmi doesn't let the extra pounds take a toll on her healthy fitness perspective, and shares with Glamour how a positive attitude and a realistic take on eating help her shed the weight.

For one, Padma reveals that when Top Chef contestants aren't whipping up something decadent for her to taste, she's likely to be cooking something healthy at home. Padma knows that cooking in her own kitchen can be a healthy way to control her caloric intake, and while takeout can seem a more convenient alternative, Padma reminds us that, "it can actually take longer to order delivery or go pick up takeout than it does to cook." In addition, the foodie loves the physicality of cooking, noting that "[instead] of watching TV, waiting for your food to come, you’re actually moving [when you cook]. My aunt had the best arms in the world, and she never stepped inside a gym.”

Check out Glamour to get the rest of Padma's realistic weight loss and healthy eating tips.

Join the FitSugar Women That Rock (Climb) Group

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:30:41 -0800

Are you looking for a place to talk to other women who climb or who are involved in mountaineering sports? Are you thinking about giving climbing a try and want to learn more about the sport? Even if you just like hanging out at an indoor climbing gym, FitSugar has created a group just for you - Women That Rock (Climb).

Swap stories, share advice on training and technique, talk about your favorite climbing spots, and give gear advice. It's your place to share all of your thoughts and stories about climbing with other women who get it. Join Women That Rock (Climb) and be a part of the ongoing conversation.

I can't wait to see what you ladies post - some of your most inspiring stories and sound advice may just find its way onto the FitSugar homepage!

Speak Up: What Are Your Gym Pet Peeves?

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:00:20 -0800

There are so many things I love about the gym. It's always perfect weather inside, there are so many challenging fitness classes to choose from, and of course, the pool is a huge plus. There are also some things I don't love, number one being that I can't stand it when impatient gym-goers stand near you like vultures, waiting for you to be done with equipment. How rude.

The complain department is open for business, so tell me, what things annoy you about the gym?

Operation Jack

Fit Community — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:00:26 -0800

This bit of training inspiration comes from jennsteria, part of RunningSugar.

Operation Jack

I remember one of my friends calling me crazy for my whopping 3 marathon (so far) schedule for next year. How about 60 marathons in 2010? Well, that's not something I think I am anywhere close to being able to do, but Sam Felsenfeld sure is. He'll be ending 2009 with four Boston qualifying marathons under his belt while ramping up for next year - crazy right?! His 60 marathons in 2010 plan (with seven marathons in January) is an attempt to raise awareness for a great cause, Train 4 Autism. This is a cause that is near and dear to Sam and his family. The plan is simple: they are basically looking for people to sign up for any of the races that Sam will be running under the running team "Operation Jack." That's it. You can fundraise if you want, but what they're really aiming for is participation. I've already joined the Operation Jack team for three races next year (looking to add at least three more). If you want, I suggest taking a look at Sam's schedule and joining too. Who doesn't love running for a great cause?

What inspires you to run? Join the conversation at RunningSugar. Have a post you want to see featured on FitSugar? Private message me here to pitch your ideas. I can't wait to hear them.