FitSugar

Celebrity Marathoners

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Who says you can't be fit and famous? Take this quiz and see if you know what celebrity has run a marathon.

The Last Workout You'll Ever Need

FitSugar — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Forget about buying an expensive treadmill or elliptical machine to get in shape. Bioflex is all you need. Watch and see.

BioFlex - video powered by Metacafe

They say laughter is good for your immune system. Hopefully we just helped boost yours.

Alanis Morissette Marathoning For Eating Disorders

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Many celebs have laced up their sneaks and finished marathons, including Will Ferrell, Mario Lopez, Oprah, David Lee Roth, and Katie Holmes. Now you can add Alanis Morissette to that list. She's planning on running this Sunday, Oct. 11, in the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon, in Lassen National Forest in northern California.

Alanis is running to raise money for the National Eating Disorders Association, since she knows firsthand what it feels like to struggle with anorexia and bulimia. Alanis began running about a year ago after seeing her assistant Leah running "like a gazelle" while on tour. This singer-songwriter feels that running this marathon is allowing her to use her body as an instrument and raise awareness about an important and personal issue. She knew she couldn't get through the many hours of grueling training unless there was a higher purpose and explains, "I wanted to offer this run to anyone who has had a fraught relationship with their food, their body and their heart and soul."

To find out if training triggered unhealthy eating disorder behaviors, read more.

Alanis said that marathon training did trigger some eating disorder type behaviors, but she knew there was no way she could undereat and maintain the high level of energy needed in order to run. So training for this marathon actually helped her find balance in how she fueled herself. This amazing singer was also aware of not exercising obsessively. She has an order of priorities now: Sleep first. Food second. Run third. Alanis said, "I don't have the first two nailed, I can't run. So it incentivized me to nurture the first two. When I run healthfully I feel empowered and kind. When I run obsessively I feel nervous, stressed out and disassociated."

Have any of you ever walked, biked, or run for a cause? Tell me about it in the comment section below.

The Best Sunscreens For This Summer

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Will Ferrell's new line of charitable sunscreen (featuring Sun Stroke, Sexy Hot Tan, and Forbidden Fruit varieties) might get you some laughs on the beach and prevent a not-so-sexy burn, but they're not the ultimate in sun protection. In its quest to find the best sunscreens for your Summer, Consumer Reports rounded up 10 sunscreens and compared their effectiveness in protecting against ultraviolet A and B radiation.

The magazine chose three CR Best Buys based on the lab test results and reminds us that we shouldn't base our purchases on brand alone - previous tests showed quality variances within the same brand. To see what sunscreens performed the best and are worth your money, read more.

CR Best Buys

Walgreens Continuous Spray Sport SPF 50
Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50 (lotion)
Target (now called Up & Up) Sport Continuous Spray SPF 30

Worst Performers

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch With Helioplex SPF 70 (lotion)
Banana Boat Kids Tear Free SPF 50 (lotion)

Do you have a go-to sunscreen?

Source

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:05:00 -0700

Recipes to help you find the joy of cooking with soy - Shape
You knew it was coming, the Wondershirt is Spanx for men - That's Fit
Get spicy: culinary travel with ethnic meals in a box - Vital Juice Daily
Would you trust Will Ferrell's sunscreen to protect your skin? - Fit Celeb
The new RX for back pain is exercise - Vitamin G
Take your down dog for a walk to warm up before running - Fresh Fitness Tips
Question about fish oil? Check out this definitive guide - Mark's Daily Apple
Suitcase friendly fitness gear - Daily Spark

DVD Review: Tracy Effinger's Squeeze Lower Body Challenge

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:30:00 -0800

I love feeling a good burn in my lower body, and I know most of you do, too. Celebrity trainer Tracy Effinger - she's trained Renée Zellweger, Eve, and Will Ferrell - put together an effective workout that focuses on our lower half, and her Squeeze Lower Body Challenge (~~$20~~ $15) only takes 30 minutes from start to finish. I popped this in first thing in the morning for an energizing way to start my day, but it would be a great complement to a cardio workout.

Tracy keeps you moving through a combination of exercises you'd do in the gym, like lunges, and dance-based exercises that remind me of The Bar Method lower body moves. While the gym-style exercises demand large movements, the dance-based moves are much smaller and involve isometric squeezing. Tracy guides you through the easy-to-follow exercises using high repetitions and clues about what muscles you're working.

My heart rate noticeably increased about 10 minutes into the video, when Tracy takes you through three rounds of 20 step-back lunges involving progressions with weights and knee raises. The "around the world" series that followed worked my thighs from every angle, including the often-forgotten hamstrings. My favorite variation in the DVD was a split lunge on tip toes that I will be incorporating into my workouts.

To see a video of Tracy demonstrating some of the exercises in her lower body challenge, read more.

In Case You Missed It: Funny Fitness Videos

FitSugar — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Throughout 2007, I've posted a bunch of hilarious videos that I came across that totally poke fun of fitness. Check out my favorite ones - even if you've seen them before, they're bound to make you smile again.

Amazing Glutes: These Glutes Were Made for Walking: These women can do things with their glutes that I can only dream of.
Laughing Burns More Calories Than This: Body Fusion This SNL skit starring Drew Barrymore is too hysterical for words. It's totally 80s.
"I'm Not a Runner" Commercial by Nike: This guy is NOT into running. He thinks it sucks, but can you guess what sucks even more?
Maintain Focus - No Matter What: This yogi brings concentration to a whole other level.
Fitness Made Difficult: If the original Fitness Made Simple commercial wasn't funny enough, you've got to check out this spoof.
Not a Good Reason to Do Cobra Pose: Who said cake and yoga don't mix?
Extreme Stretching: I guess with practice it is possible to get both legs behind your back with ease. I'll keep working on that.
The Last Workout You'll Ever Need: Forget about spending thousands of dollars on gym memberships and cardio equipment. Will Ferrell shows you that Bioflex is all you need.

Healthy Dose Link Time!!!!!!!

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 12:05:55 -0800

Here's a few tips and news items I though you all might find helpful, interesting and healthful. Yep, another healthy dose of the web.

NetSweat explains how you can get a tax write off to lose weight.

Healthbolt gives you tips on how to avoid late night snacking.

vitabeat explains that veggies and fruit grown in adverse conditions might contain more antioxidants.

diet-blog reveals that sad movies make you eat more buttered popcorn than comedies. Another reason to watch more Will Ferrell movies.

Complete Running offers great tips for to avoid plantar fasciitis. Let me tell you - it is something to avoid.

Renee Gets Fit shares with us why the workout is more important than the shoes.

Starling Fitness shows you another way to keep your ears warm and listen to your tunes.

fitPod has a new free, hour long music mix for your next workout.

fitness fixation lists 5 exercises that she hopes don't follow the Dutch trend of naked day at the gym. And you all thought Naked Yoga was gross.

Back in Skinny Jeans reports that a kid is suing TrimSpa, Anna Nicole Smith's diet pill.

About: Pilates dispels the myth that Pilates is just like Yoga.

Fitness-Offline has some healthy weight loss tricks. Caution: Many involve exercise!!!!