FitSugar

Weekend Functional Fitness: Winterizing Your Home and Yard

FitSugar — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:00:00 PST

Getting prepared for Winter weather, be it rain or snow, is a chore few of us look forward to. I know I don't. There really is nothing appealing about cleaning the gutters, is there? As a means of self motivation, I decided to explore these tasks on a functional fitness level. Yeah, thinking that way actually motivates me. Here are some alternative ways to view all those Fall chores for prepping your house and yard for the Winter months:

Cleaning the gutters: My personal favorite, cleaning the gutters requires ladder climbing and walking on a pitched roof. These activities will challenge your sense of balance as well as your core.
Removing A/C window units: If you haven't already stored your window unit air conditioner, this is the weekend to do it. Not only will this work your arms as your carry the heavy A/C unit to its Winter resting place, but you get to practice your excellent safe lifting technique. Remember to keep your back neutral and lift with your legs. Thank goodness you do squats regularly, right?

Three more functional Fall chores, so

Lights. Candles. Action.

Sponsor — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:00:00 PST

Winter is undoubtedly the most romantic season of the year: cold weather for snuggles and curling up by the fire. Lucky for us, Kahlúa, the world's No. 1 rum and coffee liqueur, knows how to turn a regular night at home into a romantic date night with delicious cocktails. Check out these recipes to get started on your passionate planning for a party of two.

Tips For Practicing Yoga in the Winter

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:24:08 PST

When cold, brisk air is blowing outside, I crave practicing yoga in a heated room. Walking around barefoot in a tank top and feeling the warm arm on my skin is incredibly liberating. Practicing yoga in the Winter is a little different than in the summertime, so here are some things you should keep in mind until the thaw.

Don't just head to class in your just your capris. Be sure to wear warm layers over your yoga outfit. A warm body is less prone to injury.
If you live in a very cold climate, try to get to class at least 10 minutes early to sit in the hot room to allow your muscles to warm up before diving into Downward Dog. Do some Sun Salutations on your own to warm up faster.
To avoid getting sick, ask the instructor not to assist you. They touch every other body in the room, so there's a good chance they can pass germs on to you.
If you have a cold, stay home. I know you think a hot, sweaty yoga class is just the thing you need to kick your cold and unclog your stuffy nose, but be considerate of the other yogis in the class. This is a great time to test out your home practice or use your favorite yoga DVDs.
Use your own yoga mat and never borrow studio or gym mats. It's hard to know when they were last washed or what kind of germs may be living them. Along the same lines, don't let anyone borrow your mat either.
Make sure to bring a change of warm, dry clothes. You don't want to stay in your damp yoga outfit and step outside in the cold air. Cold weather doesn't make you sick, but it sure challenges your immune system.

The Best Indoor Workout Classes (Because It's Freezing Outside!)

Self — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:35:01 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

There are lots (and I mean, lots) of reasons why my motivation to work out during the Winter plummets - from the snowy commute to freezing cold winds to the cold, dry air that hits my chest with such force that it becomes hard to breathe. (Ahem, there's a reason I sign up for races that are after September - this born-and-raised Floridian prefers to train outdoors during the Summer.)

But it is possible to sculpt, strengthen, and sweat (majorly sweat) without having to be freezing cold during the winter. So when the weather outside is frightful, head indoors for these top full-body workouts that will help ward off Winter weight:

Indoor cycling: Ruth Zukerman, cofounder of NYC's FlyWheel cycling studio, is heating things up indoors with her 45-minute, heart-racing classes. (Self favorite Jillian Michaels is even a recent investor in the company). "I wanted to be part of the most innovative and effective indoor cycling program, and that is FlyWheel. I am thrilled to join the FlyWheel team," Michaels said in a press release. What makes cycling such an effective alternative is that it's taking the fun full-body workout people love indoors, and instead of scenery, you'll stay motivated to challenge yourself thanks to encouraging instructors and a killer playlist. Flywheel has an awesome on-bike technology board that lets you compete against other riders in the class. Plus if you're looking to shape up before hitting the slopes, "indoor cycling is great preparation for all Winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding. I know from personal experience that when I hit the slopes I don't tire out easily or suffer from the kind of après-ski muscle pain that most people do, and it's because of indoor cycling," Zukerman says.

Try this move: If you're riding an exercise bike at home or the gym, try some interval training. One thing we often do at Flywheel is a "Sprint Chorus," meaning we increase our RPMs to a sprint during the song's chorus and then revert to a cadence on the beat of the music as the chorus ends.

More best indoor workouts after the break.

Your Winter Workout Woes - Answered!

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:09:05 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Baby, it's cold outside! But for those of us training, sans gym membership, or just yearning for some fresh air, we can't let the chilly weather keep us from an outdoor workout. If you find your morning runs too cold, have achy joints, or just want to make it through a run without wiping out, we hear you! That's why we asked Dr. Scott Weiss, clinical director and owner of Bodhizone Physical Therapy, your burning cold-weather workout questions. Read on below to see how you can have a successful workout no matter what the weather.

The cold weather makes my joints hurt! What stretches can I do before a workout to stop constantly feeling sore?

If cold weather is making you sore, the worst thing to do is go and stretch since you're more likely to pull a muscle or tear some cartilage. In the cold weather, the key is total body warmth. Spend a little more time warming up, by adding 5 to 10 minutes to your normal warm-up routine. Stretching while your joints are warm will then enhance flexibility and range of motion while also reducing your chance of injury.

Sometimes when I go for a run in the Winter, my toes lose feeling. Why is this happening and how can I fix it?

Most of the time numb toes are a minor circulatory or footwear issue. Try making a fist with your toes, or do some calf raises to get the blood pumping. Once you get home, be sure to elevate your feet to relieve the pressure. If tingling persists, it could be something more serious (like frostbite), and you should contact a physician.

I'm terrified of black ice. What are some tips to avoid it?

Make sure you stay focused on the heel contact portion of the running cycle in icy conditions. Oftentimes, we don't think about how we are landing our feet, and if even slightly unbalanced while landing on ice, you risk falling. If you live in an especially icy area, consider trail shoes, which have a better grip.

Read on for more Winter workout solutions from Dr. Weiss.

More from FITNESS:

• Oops-Proof Your Workout

• Immunity-Boosting Tips to Stay Cold-Free This Winter

• Get the 2012 Best Body Ever Plan

House of Marley's Block Party Livens Up Your Beach Escapades

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:13:53 PST

The House of Marley booth was one of our favorites from last year, and it was definitely the most jammin' at CES Unveiled - an event where we get to check out what's to come at the big show before the expo opens - last night, too. Something new for 2012 is this Block Party Audio System ($250), which comes packed with Bluetooth wireless connectivity so you can stream your tunes without docking your phone or iPod. Super portable, the Block Party comes enclosed in a canvas exterior, and unzips to reveal two powerful 3.5-inch subwoofers and 1-inch tweeters to produce impressive sound on the go.

You can keep the Block Party running via a power supply when at home and juiced by the built-in rechargeable battery when you're at the beach, lake, or wherever warm weather beckons. Expect to see Marley's Block Party on virtual shelves soon.

7 Ways to Organize and Beautify Your Entryway This Weekend

Elka Karl — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:28 PST

Winter is often the most challenging season for your entryway or mudroom. Boots, heavy jackets, umbrellas, hats, and mittens are a few of the items that may grace this area during the Winter months, depending on your climate. Chances are inclement weather forces you to store more of these items at close reach - and your floors and rugs may suffer from salt stains or muddy bootprints. Frustrated? Here are seven ways to get this area shipshape over the next few days.

Clean Boots Club Invest in a boot scraper or coir doormat that guests and residents can use to scrape mud and snow off of their boots.
Rug Replacements Switch out a valuable wool rug for a durable indoor-outdoor rug. I'm a fan of this Thom Filicia Hutshsen Rug, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. These rugs are easy to clean and can be switched out once the weather gets a bit sunnier.
Closet Rehab If, like me, you have a hallway closet that's a major disaster area, take the time this weekend to organize it. You won't believe the space that might open up after a thorough cleaning and purging. Then, install hooks and baskets on the inside of the door to stash items like dog leashes, scarves, hats, and mittens.
Be Seated Every entryway needs a place to sit down and slip on a pair of boots or lace up shoes. If you have the room, a bench - especially one with storage capacity - is a great bet. Otherwise, add a funky chair or stool to the space.
Everything in its Place Find a storage system that you like and stick with it. This could be as simple as wheeled crates tucked under a bench or as elaborate as a built-in unit that can house everything you might possibly need. The ability to tuck away items that aren't always in use will keep your entryway looking both tidy and chic.
Be Artful The entryway serves as one of your guests' first impressions of your home. Don't forget to add artful touches to the space. Wall art is often the best bet, as it avoids the clutter that can result from too many knickknacks on tabletops or shelves.
Purge Do you really need four Winter jackets? Seven wool hats? Would it really hurt to cut your collection down by a third or even in half? Fewer items means fewer messes to clean up and organize. Sounds like good trade-off, doesn't it?

Are you organizing your entryway this month? What have you found to be essential in this space?

Source

Sprout Home Inspiration of the Week: White Bouquets

Stylelist Home — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:30:41 PST

I'm excited to present a post from one of my favorite sites, Stylelist Home.

One thing that I find beautiful about Winter is the calm that comes over me when I look at the fresh white snow blanketing the city, so regal, pure, and somewhat innocent. It changes the color palette of the world around you for a couple of months, which is bound to affect how you see things. Just like the seasonal weather change, my floral cravings can change accordingly. I get excited when an opportunity presents itself to create floral for a Winter wedding or a holiday arrangement where the juxtaposition of Winter whites can be explored and manipulated. I do not see it as a limited palette but instead a of study of form and texture with tonal contrast. You do not need an abundance of color to make a statement, sometimes less (color) is more. When you are creating your own floral piece or need to verbalize to a florist about what you are looking for, know that there are various shades of white. Remember the last time you painted something "white" and you were in awe of how many options there were for white? Some color chips might be completely void of pigment, but most have a hint of color, which can point to any direction in the color wheel. Selecting floral for your white bouquet can be a lot like selecting from those white paint chips. Keep in mind these hue differences when setting the tone for your arrangement.
Keep reading for more tips and gorgeous images of white bouquets!

Rihanna's Bikini Body Is on Display During a Playful Barbados Beach Day

Lauren Turner — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:01:51 PST

Rihanna hit the beach in her home country of Barbados this afternoon. She splashed around in the water and soaked up the rays, but Rihanna's bright day didn't last since she tweeted "the sun just went hiding somewhere, and I'm still not dark yet!!!" The weather didn't stop Rihanna from flaunting her fit physique, which landed among the hottest bikini bodies of the year.

She's been relaxing in a two-piece since arriving in the Caribbean on Christmas Eve, though she took a break from the sand to celebrate the holidays with her family. The getaway is a relaxing end to a busy 2011 for the singer, who toured the world, teamed up with Emporio Armani to design a capsule collection, and released her sixth album. Talk That Talk was one of your favorite pop albums and fans are still waiting to see which single she chooses next.

Get the Look: A Sexy, Wavy Blowout

Real Beauty — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:05:13 PST

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

Kattia Solano, the mastermind behind NYC's Butterfly Studio, says she's done with the froufrou Kim Kardashian look (we're kind of over the whole wedding spectacle, too). This much-loved hair guru is digging softer, more textured waves, like the ones seen on Jessica Biel.

But looking like you didn't try too hard isn't as simple as it sounds. Luckily, Solano broke down the steps for scoring beachy waves, so you can easily attain this piece-y, bohemian hairdo at home. Check out the details below.