FitSugar

Get in Gear: Must Have Gadget for Hiking

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Seriously, sometimes I think I am MacGyver. Especially when I am out in the woods on a hike but the truth is that while I love the occasional hike in the woods (or along the coastline) I am no outdoorsy guru.

That being said, I like to feel prepared at all times, especially when playing in the great outdoors. Many day hikes may not require the AdventurePlus ($20.00), but it never hurts to be prepared, now does it? This one little gadget includes a compass, a mirror, a magnifying glass, a whistle, a thermometer, a flashlight and a tiny little compartment to keep things (like matches) dry. Buy it online from Highgear.com.

Hiking will be even more fun now that you're prepared to take on any situation so you can concentrate on getting that heart rate going. Now all you need is a good trail to explore -- Check out this listing of free trails.

View 4 Photos ›

Check Out the FitSugar Community Page

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:15:00 -0700

Leading a healthy life is always easier when you know you're not going it alone. Strong communities help build strong people. So come and check out the new FitSugar Community. It is vast and varied, offering a little something for everyone.

For all the health foodies, there's the Healthy Recipe Group for sharing and finding recipes that won't break the caloric bank.
If you're all about competition, then join the Race Day Training Group for tips and tales on racing adventures.
Share your personal reviews of fitness gear in Good Gear / Bad Gear.
If you're trying to shed a few pound, join Weight Loss Support for a community of folks facing similar daily challenges.
There's even a group for all you yogis - Yoga Stretch and Tell.

If you can't find a group that addresses your needs, please start your own. Plus there's polls and all sorts of blogs to get lost in or inspired by. Come on over and check it out.

Healthy Living, Weekend-Style

FitSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:45:00 -0700

According to the research journal Obesity, weekends mean more than two days off. People between the ages of 19 and 50 were found to consume 115 more calories on both Saturday and Sunday than any other day of the week. Maybe it is the lack of structure that leads us to eat more, but I say, use your extra weekend free time to stay healthy. Here's how:

Work out more: Schedule a long workout since you have more free time. Go for a hike with your husband or 30-mile bike ride with your gal pals. More of a gym rat? Try taking back-to-back group classes at your gym.
Shop for healthy foods: Take time to write out a list then head to the grocery store to fill your pantry and fridge with healthy foods. Make an adventure out of grocery shopping by going to your local farmers market - extra points if you bike there.
Experiment with healthy cooking: Use your free time to experiment with healthy recipes. Cooking your own food means you are in charge of the ingredients. Plus spending time in the kitchen can be very relaxing. Put on some tunes and get to chopping.

Most importantly, you need to remember your goals and stay on track. Weekends may mean you don't have to show up at the office, but you do need to stay active in your own life.

Source

You Asked: Alternative Races

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

You're asking and I'm answering.

Hi Fit,
The Olympics inspired me to get out and race, but I am looking for something more fun than just running. I would like to do some kind of obstacle race or fitness challenge. I guess I am looking for the thrill of adventure with a fitness element. Can you help me find a race?
Thanks,
- East Coast Adventure Gal

Wow! Sounds like you are looking for something that is a cross between parkour and an open water swim. The craziest race I could find was the Nettle Warrior Tough Guy race in the UK with obstacles like burning bales of hay, electric fences, and icy streams. Nettle Warrior also has the Guy Gorilla race on Feb. 1, 2009, but sounds like you want some stateside options, so read more.

For serious fitness competition, there is the Navy Seal Fitness Challenge. The event combines a 500-yard swim, calisthenics (read: pull-ups and more!), plus a 1.5-mile run. You can participate in Chicago, San Antonio, LA, and Dearborn, MI.
The Urban Dare is part photo treasure hunt, part trivia, and part dares. The dares are mental or physical challenges such as climbing a wall, shooting a few baskets, solving a riddle, or eating something, but nothing slimy like you see on Fear Factor.
Urbanathlon is sponsored by Men's Health in Chicago on Oct. 18 as well as NYC on Sept. 27 (but this date is already sold out), and it is not just for the dudes. The entrance fee is $90, but you get a month's free membership to Crunch gym for training. This race is an urban obstacle course that uses features of the city to create challenges.
Rat Races are urban adventure challenges that take place all over the UK. Participants run, mountain bike, and kayak as they navigate a course revealed hours before the race begins. These could be an excuse to travel to the other side of the Atlantic without having to endure the downright craziness of the the Tough Guy races I mentioned above.
City Chase is an urban adventure laced with challenges designed to test not only your physical abilities, but your mental and spiritual ones as well. It is part obstacle course, and part scavenger hunt.

Hope you can fit one of these races into your schedule. If any of you have an "alternative race" to recommend, please share the details in the comments section below.

Source

Get Physical: Pick Your Own Berries

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:30:00 -0700

Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries – these tasty fruits are one of my favorite things about Summer. For a weekend adventure that is fun for the entire family, I like to go berry picking. Not only do I feel that it's important for my girls to see where food actually comes from, it is also a fun and physical activity. In fact, a 130 pound woman will burn 118 calories in an hour picking berries with moderate effort. Plus it tires out the kids, ensuring long weekend naps – every parent's dream.

To find a farm near you that lets you harvest your own fruit, visit the Pick Your Own website. The easiest search method is to click on your state and scroll down the page to the state map. Then just click on the county you live in to find a local farm.

For a few tips on berry picking read more.

Arrive early because many farms can be picked clean by noon. Plus it is cooler in the morning and more pleasant.
Bring your own containers. I like to bring wide and shallow pieces of tupperware. If you stack too many berries on top of one another, they bruise. So don't spoil all your hard work by making heaping piles of fruit.
Don't forget the sunscreen.
Don't forget water and snacks.

When you get home, you can make a tasty fruit salad or just eat the fruit plain. It will be so fresh, ripe, and delicious. Yum has some berry tasty recipes for you try. Sorry, I couldn't resist!!!

Source

Get Physical: Urban Hiking

FitSugar — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 03:30:00 -0700

When you're traveling in a foreign city you typically explore it by walking. You stumble onto some hidden gems down narrow side streets, and you burn a considerable amount of calories while you are at it. Why not be a tourist in your own town and head out for an adventure on foot and do some urban hiking?

Instead of driving out of town to find a trail, keep your carbon footprint small for the day and head out your own front door for a hike. I would still pack all the hiking essentials: water, snacks, and layers depending on the weather. When hiking about town, sometimes I like to just wander with no particular destination in mind. I just head out in a certain direction and allow myself to be drawn from point of interest to point of interest. Other times, I have a specific destination, like a restaurant, park or museum and I make the journey part of the adventure.

Urban hiking is perfect for holding hands with your honey, since sidewalks are wider than most trails. Plus, when you return home you can map your walk online and see how many miles you walked. I did a lot of urban hiking before having children, but this is definitely something that works well as a couple or with the entire family.

So if you can't get out of Dodge, you can still hike with your honey.

Source

Get Physical: Wander Around a Museum

FitSugar — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

The unpredictable rain showers of April can disrupt well laid plans for all sorts of physical activities. One great way to get out and have an adventure during inclement weather is wander around a museum. Any kind of museum will do – art, history, science, or even an aquarium.

Walking around a museum is not the most strenuous of activity, but it will get you off the couch and out into the world. It is a great way to spend time with your honey, or with your entire family. Plus, chasing a wild child through the halls of a museum will certainly get your heart rate up; this I know from experience. Strolling for a couple of hours is good for your system and skip the elevator at the museum and take the stairs for a little extra fitness kick. Don't forget to wear your pedometer so you can see how many steps you added to your day. I also advise you to bring your own water and snacks. The restaurants at many museums offer many tempting treats, but stick to a handful of nuts to re-energize yourself before tackling the Impressionist collection or the exhibit on the Civil War.

Not sure what you are interested in viewing, check out this list of museums by state.

Source

Relax Already: Holiday Stress Busters

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:30:00 -0800

It is not even December and my kids are already sweating me for a Christmas tree. It seems the stress of the holidays starts earlier and earlier each year. Since that is the case, it pays to figure out ways to keep the stress in check in attempts to enjoy the holiday season.

Here are a few ways that might help you manage your stress during the "most wonderful time of the year."

Make a list and prioritize the important tasks. This will help you not to worry that you're forgetting something. Plus, when you complete a task you get to scratch it off the list and don't underestimate the satisfaction of that.
Be realistic, there is only so much you can do. So look at that list you just made and check it twice. Go ahead and cross off the crazy extraneous tasks, like turning your car into a movable nativity scene.
Try something new. Be adventurous and try celebrating the holidays in a new way. You might just surprise yourself and start a new tradition.

I have a few more tips that might help you so read more

If the holidays leave you feeling lonely or the holidays themselves feel emotionally empty to you, try volunteering and helping others in need.
Make time for exercise, every little bit will help reduce your stress. Even if you can't find the time for your usual fitness routine, don't give up on workouts altogether.
Breathe! I am always amazed at how calming a few deep breaths can be.

I sure do hope these help. What do you do to keep holiday stress at bay? Tell me in the comments section below.

Source

Tips to Slim Down Your Pizza

FitSugar — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Barbecue season has basically come to an end and pizza is taking over now. While we may be tempted to order a meat lover's pizza with extra cheese (this is NOT on the Atkins Diet by the way), we should rethink our topping choices so we can still have our pizza and enjoy it too! Plus, besides pizza being yummy, it can also be really good for you (think lycopene in the tomato sauce and veggies galore).

Here are some fabulous ideas from MSN for keeping your pizza healthy and tasty:

Vegetables are by far the best topping for a pizza and offer a wide range of options. Experiment with different varieties such as green and red peppers, zucchini, broccoli, or be adventurous and pick a fruity topping like pineapple or mango.
Cheese belongs to the Milk and Alternatives food group and is an excellent source of calcium and protein. Keep the fat content to a reasonable amount by ordering regular cheese, rather than "double." (I personally like to order "light" cheese, most pizza guys will know what you mean.)
Meat is a source of protein - and fat. Leaner choices are chicken and ham. Typically, pepperoni is leaner than beef and sausage. Multi-meat pizzas contain high levels of fat, calories and salt.
Crusts made from whole wheat or multi grain are more nutritious. They deliver a boost of fiber and fewer calories than traditional dough crusts.

Source

Get Your Butt in Gear: Atalanta Athleticwear Commitment Skirt

FitSugar — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:30:00 -0700

There are so many reasons I love Atalanta Athleticwear, and one of them is the question posed on the home page of their web site - "Does this skirt make by butt look fast?" It just makes me chuckle.

The second reason to love this women owned and operated business is they named their business after my favorite character on the positive message laden Free to Be You and Me album I overplayed when I was little. Atalanta is a goddess of the hunt, travel and adventure, and was a legend for her athletic prowess.

The true reason I love this company is they make a kick ass running skirt they have named the Commitment ($54). Not only does this skirt make my butt look faster, it also provided full coverage, and then some, of my bum. The under shorts are just a tad bit shorter than the skirt, and I appreciate all the thigh coverage I can get. Made from dry moisture wicking, fast-drying fabric you know that you can run fast and stay chafe free. Plus there are two great pockets in the back of the skirt perfect for carrying your iPod, keys, or some pocket change - which is important since you can easily wear this running skirt about town for some pre or post-run erranding.

The skirt comes in black or gray with contrast stitching that matches the under short color of red, turquoise or orange. Buy one directly from Atalanta Athleticwear and run like a goddess.