FitSugar

Get Physical: At Home Partner Circuits

FitSugar — Sun, 04 May 2008 02:30:00 PDT

Everyone has a bit more time on the weekends, so it should be easier to rope in a buddy to do alternating cardio circuits with you. Exercising with a friend can not only keep you on track, but it doubles the fun too. Here's how to create a circuit plan for you and your buddy.

Create a plan by picking a type, or types if you're so inclined, of cardio and a time limit – somewhere between two minutes and five minutes works best.
At home, I have an elliptical so we use it for our alternating cardio times (plus it acts as our timer), but you could use a wide variety of cardio elements to alternate with your strength training moves. Here are a few examples:
- Jumping rope (or pretending to if you don't have the rope).
- Running around the block, or to the corner and back.
- Step ups onto a stair, stool, or chair.
- Jumping jacks
- Climbing stairs

There's a bit more to planning, so

A Full-Body Winter Workout to Do at Home

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:44:40 PST

Being covered up in Winter sweaters and Wellies is no excuse to skip a workout. If you overindulged a little too much this holiday season, now's the time to get back on track. This full-body workout will target all your major muscle groups, and it doesn't even require you to make a trip to the gym or go outside. Make some open space in your living room, use a set of cans as your weights, and work your way toward greater strength and a fitter bod. Spring break will be here sooner than you realize . . .

Source: Thinkstock

Lil Links: The Grey's Anatomy Baby Boom Continues

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:34:43 PST

Jessica Capshaw is expecting her third child - Celebrity Baby Blog
Do little girls need a VBAC doll? - The Stir
Denise Richards talks about her modern family - Celebrity Baby Scoop
In New Hampshire, parents can opt out of the school curriculum - Motherlode
Why moms-to-be should stop and smell the roses - FitPregnancy
The modern mom's guide to lying - Parenting
How much does pregnancy really cost? - The Bump
You'll love the latest trend to hit the birthday party circuit - Momformation
Your checklist for your next at-home birthday party – Real Simple
10 amazing inventions from kids around the world - Yahoo! Shine

Emma Stone Looks Lovely in Lanvin at the Golden Globes

Katie Henry — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:56:25 PST

Emma Stone was all smiles upon her arrival at tonight's Golden Globe Awards in LA. She's hit the carpet in a purple and fuchsia Lanvin gown, which is a departure from the emerald hues she's been modeling recently. Emma wore a jewel-toned Gucci blazer to the People's Choice Awards, where she took home the prize for best film actress, and later dazzled at the Critics' Choice Awards in an elegant floor-length Jason Wu. There's a ton of fashion and beauty headed your way tonight, so be sure to vote on all of Fab and Bella's polls!

Emma's having an incredible award season run thus far, with The Help picking up numerous accolades. She's been making the award season circuit solo, but was able to catch up with her real-life love Andrew Garfield during a recent loved-up stroll through NYC. Emma and The Help cast are going for another win tonight, but they'll have to knock down The Descendants, Moneyball, Hugo, The Ides of March, and War Horse to win the title of best film.

Michelle Williams Goes With Black and White Chanel For Critics' Choice

Katie Henry — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:44:12 PST

Michelle Williams hit the Critics' Choice Awards carpet tonight wearing a chic black and white floor-length Chanel and was escorted by her best friend, Busy Philipps. It's the second night in a row the ladies are hitting the party and award show circuit following a late night out at a Weinstein party thrown in Michelle's honor. Michelle is nominated in the category of best actress for her work in My Week With Marilyn. Busy is sticking by her best friend during the 2012 award season and she even joked that she might not be invited to future award shows if Michelle doesn't take home a win tonight or at Sunday's Golden Globe ceremony. There are tons of lovely ladies arriving at the Critics' Choice Awards, so make sure to vote on all of Fab and Bella's fashion and beauty polls!

Matt Damon Meets Up With His Girls For a Family Stroll

Lauren Turner — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:55:55 PST

Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso took their girls Isabella and Gia out for a stroll in NYC today. Earlier in the day Matt walked his stepdaughter, Alexia, to school before picking up multiple drinks from Starbucks. He's going about his East Coast routine after wrapping up a busy 2011 that saw the release of three big movies, including the family comedy, We Bought a Zoo. Matt isn't slowing down in the New Year since he already has Elysium and Liberace on his plate as well as a sexy Vanity Fair cover with George Clooney and Daniel Craig. While Matt hangs near home, his pal George has been busy on the award show circuit with his latest red-carpet appearance at yesterday's National Board of Review gala.

Fighting Words from Anderson Cooper: Are Stay-at-Home Moms Lazy?

Natasha Dantzig — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:20:40 PST

Oh, Anderson. Generally a bastion of solid journalism and insightful commentary, Anderson Cooper seems to have taken a cue from the talk show circuit with one of his recent shows, pitting stay-at-home moms against their work-outside-the-home counterparts.

The show's clearly-for-ratings title - "Are Stay-at-Home Moms Lazy?" - is drawn from the outburst of one of the guest moms, who declares that women who stay at home with their kids use it as "almost an excuse to be lazy." Anderson follows up this evolved comment with an insightful, "You're saying that stay-at-home moms are lazy?!"

The whole point of the show was to discuss a controversial new study claiming that moms who work outside the home are happier than those who stay at home with their lil ones. Surprise, surprise, the guests weren't able to come to any sort of consensus. Understandably, people aren't pleased with the show's topic and especially not with its producers' choice of title, and they are blogging up a storm about it - which is probably exactly the point. Well played, Mr. Cooper. Welcome to daytime TV.

Is it me, or does this whole argument feel a bit dated? Aren't moms over-judging each other like this?

George Clooney Temporarily Joins the Good Morning America Gang

Allie Merriam — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:27:30 PST

George Clooney was up early to stop by the Good Morning America studios in NYC today. The star of both The Descendants and The Ides of March broke from his busy award season circuit to share the anchor desk with hosts George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts. After declining to do a teaser for Celebrity Wife Swap, George Clooney spoke about his amazing 2011 and multiple nominations. He said, "It's been a fun year, yeah. Now I have to go back to work. I need to get another job!" George is in the Big Apple for this evening's National Board of Review Awards, where he'll pick up a best actor statue. Then it's back to LA for Thursday's Critics' Choice Awards. George will see if The Descendants wins any of its seven nominations, or if Ides takes home best acting ensemble. George will also present Sean Penn with the Joel Siegel Award.

5 Things Not to Bring to the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:03:10 PST

If you want to make the most of your gym time, there are certain things you shouldn't take with you. To stay healthy and centered during your workout, leave these five items at home:

Reading material. It's important to stay focused while you're at the gym, not only for safety reasons, but also to maximize the benefits of your workout. If you're focusing on the latest issue of your favorite magazine, you're probably not paying attention to your body. Read outside the gym to zero in on your training.
Energy drinks. Stick to zero-calorie water to stay hydrated. The amount of caffeine in different energy drinks varies, but you should steer clear while you're working out to avoid becoming lightheaded. Prefer something with a bit of flavor? Try adding electrolyte enhanced flavor packets to your water.
A plastic water bottle. Refilling and reusing old plastic water bottles can be dangerous to your health - and the environment. Go green and invest in a stainless steel option instead.

Keep reading for two more things to leave at home.

Too Cold to Run? Burn 250 Calories With This 30-Minute Circuit

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:37:13 PST

When it's too chilly to even imagine donning all the layers needed to run outside, you need a simple indoor workout to fall back on that will get your heart rate soaring and work your entire bod.

Here's a five-minute circuit workout you can do at home using set of stairs, a jump rope, and an exercise ball. If your house or apartment is only one floor, just use a sturdy low bench in place of the stairs. No jump rope on hand? Use your imagination and pretend; just jump in place without it. Using the exercise ball for push-ups and crunches makes these two moves more challenging, but if your home gym doesn't have one, just do those exercises on the floor. Crank up your favorite workout tunes and keep an eye on the clock, repeating this circuit one time through:

One minute walking up and down the stairs: 8 calories burned
One minute strength training (30 seconds push-ups, 30 seconds crunches): 5 calories burned
One minute jumping rope: 11 calories burned
One minute skipping around your house: 10 calories burned
One minute fast-paced jumping jacks: 8 calories burned

Total calories burned per round: 42

Repeat this five-minute circuit five more times for a total of six rounds and you'll burn 252 calories. This indoor circuit can be done at home, in a hotel room when traveling, or even at the gym (if you don't feel silly skipping in public!).