FitSugar

Snow Chains For Your Shoes: STABILicers and YakTrax

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:33 PST

If you bundle up in the right gear, running in the cold can be fun and invigorating. There is the minor issue of all that snow and ice on the running path though. If you don't want to ruin a pair of sneakers by adding screws to the soles, try something less permanent like YakTrax Pros ($30) or STABILicers ($40). Think of them like snow chains for your shoes: the rubber grippers slip easily onto your existing shoes and help provide stability and traction so you won't slip while running in snow and ice. And, unlike screws, they can be taken off easily. We've tested them in Vermont, and our friends, who live in Omaha, Lake Tahoe, and Virginia, swear by them.

YakTrax have rubberized bands that allow for more flexibility in your foot, which offer more comfort and control, and they're also cheaper than STABILicers. But, YakTrax may not stay on your sneakers as well as STABILicers do. STABILicers are more like a semi-permanent cleat that fits snugly over the sole of your shoe. Just remember: whichever kind you choose, they're only meant for running on lightly snowy surfaces or where there's visible ice - these will not work on black ice. If you prefer the extra workout of running in deeper snow, attach them to waterproof trail runners or running boots instead.

Winterize Your Running: Aqua Jogger

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:00:00 PST

Winter often means moving your workouts indoors, but if you run, that doesn't mean you need to be on a treadmill. You can run in deep water and take a load off your joints while burning up calories. Wearing an aqua jogger belt around your waist keeps you buoyant so your head and chest remain above water while you run in the deep end. Although running in water is a bit slower, you still burn about the same amount of calories as running on terra firma while strengthening your muscles, too. Like most workouts, running in water is most effective if you do intervals, mixing walking, jogging, and sprinting. Aqua Joggers are not cheap - they cost between $40 and $50 - but many pools and health clubs have them on hand for folks to borrow.

For a great workout and tips on running in water, check out A Cool New Way to Run.

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Winterize Your Running: Pre-Heat Your Sneakers

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:30:00 PST

Running in cold weather can be extremely invigorating. As long as you plan ahead for icy terrain and frigid temps, you can avoid falling or getting frostbite. Your extremities are the first things to get cold, so for your hands, windproof running gloves are essential. To keep your feet warm, try this little tip.

Use your blow dryer to heat your sneakers with some hot air. Heat each shoe for 15 to 20 seconds, and immediately slip them on your feet. If you start your run with warm tootsies, they'll be more likely to stay that way once you're in cold temps. You can do this with your mittens or gloves too. Remember to use a blow dryer and not your own hot breath since it contains moisture. Once the moisture gets cold, it will freeze and so will your hands and feet.

Winterize Your Running: Studded Sneakers

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:30:00 PST

Icy roads and sidewalks are the Winter runner's nemesis. Slick surfaces translate into slips and falls, which can lead to injuries, so you need sneakers with added traction for slippery situations. Runner's World has created a cool and cheap solution: Screw Shoes. The concept is similar to studded tires for your car; the screws create little ice picks on the bottom of your running shoes. Check out the January issue of the mag, flip to page 50, and marathoner Matt Carpenter will explain how you can transform your favorite trail runners into studded sneakers in minutes with a few sheet metal screws.

Would any of you ever try making these studded sneaks?

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You Asked: My First Winter Running Outdoors

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:30:00 PST

Dear Fit,
I've been running consistently, at least three times a week for a couple years now. I live where the Winters are cold and snowy, and last year I moved all my workouts and runs into a gym, but I really didn't love it. I decided that this year, I wouldn't let the cold stop me from continuing my outdoor runs. Can you give me some advice for dealing with the cold, snow, and ice?
- Not Afraid of the Cold Carla

First of all, good for you for staying motivated to run outside, even when Winter is in full force. I'm sure many readers can relate to feeling disgruntled about ending their runs outside. To hear some tips on how to deal with the cold conditions

Winterize Your Running: Warm Up Before Heading Out

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:00:00 PST

In some places across the US, snow has fallen and temps are below the 30s. If you're still gung-ho about running outside, staying warm is a big concern. So before you head out the door, after you're all dressed, warm up inside for a few minutes. Don't do anything that will get you sweaty since that moisture will make you cold once you're outside. Just get your body temp to rise a little. Do some push-ups, jumping jacks, jog around your living room, or charge up and down the stairs. If you need some other ideas, check out this dynamic warmup that includes high-knee marching and heel walking. If you head outside and you're a little warm to begin with, your body will remain warm once it hits the cold air. Not only will you feel more like running, but warm muscles are less likely to tear.

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Winterize Your Running: Wicking Clothes Are a Must

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:00:00 PST

Don't let the cold weather keep you from running. You just need the right gear to stay warm. And that gear should be made of wicking fabrics that pull sweat away from your skin. They help keep you dry and warm. Start the slideshow to see some of my faves.

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In Defense of the Chronically Late Mom

BabyCenter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:11 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Betsy Shaw about being late for school.

If I were to wear a scarlet letter it would be T.

T for tardy. T for turd ball. T for totally inept mother.

We are late for school with such alarming regularity it’s embarrassing. The last time we were on time, after a mini snowstorm that excited my children enough to urge them into their snowsuits and outside at 6:30 a.m., we got to school five minutes early to find it dark and empty. Delayed opening. I was apparently the only mother who didn’t get the memo.

Calling Charlie Brown…

Being late for school brings up a vicious brew of conflicting emotion in me. On the one hand I just don’t care. Life is short. Far too short to risk traumatizing your children with a bullwhip and terrorizing morning walkers and squirrels, not to mention my own white-knuckled children, speeding our way to school like Toad on a motorcar bender each weekday morning.

On the other hand I am ashamed, deeply embarrassed, to be “that mom.” All the other moms can do it, even the single ones. Why. Can’t. I? What’s wrong with me?

I complained about this once to a woman from South Carolina who I met on my Guatemala trip and she told me her school started at 7:30. She also made it clear her kids were never late.

Never late.

Keep reading for more of Betsy's reasoning for being late.

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being a Sports Fan

Prevention — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:19:15 PST

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

By Cristina Goyanes, Prevention

It’s no wonder your friends aren’t available to hang out on Sundays in the Fall and Winter - according to a 2005 Gallup Poll, 64 percent of Americans claim to be professional football fans, and as of 2010, women make up 44 percent of the NFL fan base.

Being a sports fan doesn’t mean you’re expected to know all the players and stats of your hometown teams and destined for a beer gut - it’s about coming together in the name of good times as part of a community.

“Bonding over sports - the highs and lows of the game - strengthens ties, helps us feel supported, and makes it easier for you to open up about personal things,” says Renee Clauselle, PsyD, who runs a private psychology practice in Long Island, NY.

Seventeen Unexpected Side Effects of Exercise

Rooting for the same team creates an immediate sense of family, says Daniel Wann, PhD, a Murray State University professor who has been studying the psychology of sports fans for over 20 years. “If you identify with a local team, you build an instant connection to others around you,” he says.

Beyond the bonding aspects, watching sports can motivate you to pump up your own workouts - and even burn a few extra calories when you jump, cheer, and clap during the highlights of the game. Find out more ways being a sports fan is a winning situation for your health.

Keep reading to learn how being a sports fan benefits your health.

How to Kick a Nighttime Cough Naturally

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:05:23 PST

Whether it's because of a cold or allergies, coughing at night is not only annoying, it prevents you from getting the sleep you need to stay healthy. Before you down cough medicine (which often just masks the cough), you might want to relieve your nighttime cough with one of these natural remedies.

Steam up: Before hitting the hay, create a steam room in the bathroom. Shut the door, don't turn on the fan, and take a hot shower. Let the water gently run on your face, or if that's too intense, place a warm washcloth on your sinuses, allowing the heat and steam to help relieve sinus congestion. You can even use a neti pot in the shower - just be sure to fill it with warm distilled or sterilized water, not the shower water. Using a neti pot after you've breathed in steam can make it more effective.
Get moist: Since dry air can often cause a dry cough (especially in the Winter months when we crank up the heat), moisten the air you breathe by running a cool-mist humidifier on low throughout the night (I'm a fan of this humidifier from Crane). In the morning, be sure to wipe down your windows and windowsills as condensation tends to form, and you don't want this moisture to encourage mold growth, which can also aggravate a cough. Follow the directions that came with your humidifier when it comes to cleaning it, and disinfect it thoroughly at least once a week to avoid mold growth.

Keep reading for more natural ways to beat your nighttime cough.