FitSugar

Partner Yoga Pose: Backpack

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

Got a tight back? Here's a fun way to open your spine and stretch your hamstrings too. I call this Backpack.

Music: "Lazy Days" by Enya

Stand back to back with your partner. Lock elbows and Partner #1 bends her knees and places her bum under Partner #2's bum.
Then Partner #1 slowly folds forward, lifting Partner #2 off the ground and onto her back. Stay like this until either partner is ready to come down. To release, Partner #1 slowly stands back up and then you can switch roles.
After you both have a turn, take a step apart and fold forward. Reach for each other's hands or legs and hang here for a few deep breaths, releasing your lower back and stretching through the backs of the legs. Stand up when you're ready.

Don't Overstuff That Backpack

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 02:00:00 -0700

It is back to school time for many of us or our kids. While backpacks are much more ergonomic than over the shoulder bags, you shouldn't carry around an overstuffed bag.

Last year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 7,300 injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms due to excessively packed backpacks. Sprains and strains being the most common complaints, which are considered "over use" injuries.

Symptoms of these injuries include: soreness, pain when wearing the backpack, tingling or numbness, red marks on the shoulders or back, as well as struggling to take off or put on the backpack. The American Occupational Therapy Association recommends that children carry no more than 15 percent of their body weight on their back. So if a child only weighs 100-pounds his or her backpack should only weigh 15 pounds. I think adults should consider following this prescription as well.

To avoid overuse injuries consider suggestions offered by CNN :

Consider using a rolling bag, especially if you or your child have a narrow frame.
Find backpacks with wider straps since they more evenly distribute the force over the shoulders.
Thin out the contents of the backpack to only carry the essentials.

Looking for a new, ergonomic backpack? Check out this one by Kata, part of my must haves for September.

Get in Gear: Kelty Day Pack

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Hiking is one of those outdoor sports that's great for late summer and early fall, when warm weather begins to cool. When you go for a hike, it's a great idea to go with someone who has trekked the trail or mountain you're planning to hike. You need some durable hiking boots and some wicking socks to go with them.

You're also going to need a comfortable pack to hold your water and gear. Check out this Kelty Range Daypack. Like the name suggests, this pack has a whole range of uses. There's a roomy, padded main compartment that features an interior sleeve that can be used to carry a hydration reservoir (like one from Platypus), a journal or laptop.

Want to hear more? Then read more

There's also a pocket for your iPod or MP3 player with an exit hole for your headphone cords, if you like to hike and listen to tunes. There's also a front zippered pocket you can use to hold your cellphone, camera, snacks, a long sleeve shirt, a lightweight raincoat, a first-aid kit, or whatever. You can also use the 2 mesh side pockets to hold stuff for easy access.

If you're carrying a heavy load, there's a removable waistbelt and adjustable sternum strap to cinch the pack to your body for added comfort and stability. I know when I'm hiking up a mountain, I get really hot, and this pack features air-mesh padded shoulder straps and a padded no-sweat backpanel with venting channels to help keep your back dry.

You can order this versatile Kelty Day Pack from REI.com for $70. It comes in denim/navy (as shown) and caramel/brown. It's the perfect size for any day outing.

Get in Gear: The Sugar Pack

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:00:00 -0800

If you are into doing anything outdoors, you've got to have a Camelbak. It's an easy way to make sure you've always got your water with you.

Sometimes when you're out for the day, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or whatever, it's annoying to have to stop all the time to get your water bottle out of your backpack.

Using the Camelbak keeps your water much more accessible so you are apt to drink as much water as you need.

It's a pack that has a reservoir pouch that holds the water. And there's a little tube that goes from there all the way up to your shoulder. To get the water out, you bite down on the end and suck - it's like a big straw - it's so easy.

But won't my water freeze? Nope. Camelbak makes insulated packs like this one so your water is protected from the cold. It's called the Sugar pack. You know I love that!!!

For $70, it holds 70 oz of water and has extra storage space for important things like snacks, a camera, your cell phone, and extra layers. What a brilliant idea.

Backpacking: The Essentials

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:15:00 -0700

If you love to camp, you'll love backpacking. Basically instead of packing all your stuff in your car and driving to your campsite, and enjoying nature with people all around you, you pack all your gear into a backpack and hike to a remote and way more private location. No neighboring campers playing acoustic versions of their favorite Metallica tunes until the wee hours of the morning.

I would start off slowly and just do an overnight trip. There is a lot less food and water to pack if you are only going for an overnight. I tell you though, chances are high you are going to love it and start planning longer and longer trips. Serious backpackers go for weeks at a time.

Before heading out, it's a good idea to get a book on the basics of backpacking like Backpacking: One Step at a Time ($18.05). It'll give you life-saving tips on how to enjoy yourself in the wilderness, and how to have the least impact on the environment.

Having good gear is essential and you'll need lightweight hiking boots (sneakers are not sturdy enough when you're carrying extra weight on your back), and a good sized backpack. Since you're carrying all your stuff, you want to carry only what you NEED, and you want to get lightweight versions of everything. You'll need a lightweight tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. You'll also need enough food for your trip as well as layers of clothes - warm stuff because it can get cold at night.

Want to see what I pack? Then read more

Source

Get in Gear: Computer Backpack by Kara B Metro

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Is your back killing you? Or maybe just your shoulder on the side where you carry your computer bag, your purse and your gym bag? Well, I'm here to tell you there are other options out there, and one of them is a backpack for your laptop.

Not all computer backpacks are black and frumpy. KaraB makes some super cute bags for lugging your laptop around, but the best one for your body is the Metro Backpack.

Here are some stats on the bag:

It fts up to a 15 1/4" laptop and the computer compartment is well padded
It has a separate outside pocket for files, papers, etc.
It has an inside key ring and cell phone pocket (these help so much with everyday organizational problems - like finding your keys and your phone)
The straps are not only reinforced with rivets, they are adjustable too

The bag comes in almost every color under the sun, and some of them have contrast linings for extra flair. My favorite, however is the striped one pictured here.

Buy one online for $89 directly from KaraB.

Camping Can Do: Make Coffee Anywhere

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:47 -0700

A few weeks ago Starbucks sent us a sample of VIA, its new instant coffee. Being a bit of a coffee snob I was kind of grossed out but decided to try it on my upcoming climbing trip anyway.

The best thing VIA has going for it is its size - it's small. Normally when I pack for camping I bring the works: coffee beans, portable grinder, and a french press. I was so happy to have more space in my pack and I definitely noticed a lighter load on my back. Score one for VIA! Was it as good as the Blue Bottle coffee I normally bring with me? Uh, no. Not even close, but I didn't expect it to be.

I think the point of VIA is convenience - you can have a OK cup of coffee anywhere and it'll be easy. It's definitely the best instant coffee I've ever tried and it even tasted better than some drip coffee I've had. Although the Colombian blend I tried was a bit bitter at the end, it had a nice, mellow flavor too. For a touch of sweetness, I added another camping shortcut to the mix -shelf stable Horizon organic vanilla milk. My companion, who is no coffee snob, said it was the best cup of coffee he's ever had while camping.

Though I won't be using VIA at home, I think it's a good choice for backpacking, camping, or for traveling anywhere you need coffee quickly. From now on, I'll be bringing it with me on all of my climbing trips.

Grade Your Hikes

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

I love hiking in the Fall because of the beautiful scenery and perfect weather - the crisp air never leaves me too hot or too cold. On the weekends I often go on all-day or multi-day hikes in Yosemite valley or the Lake Tahoe region. Some of my friends equate hiking with a leisurely stroll through the woods, but anyone who hikes regularly knows this isn't always the case. Whether it's steep, rocky, or exposed terrain, a hiking trail can be quite difficult.

One way I prepare for an all-day hike is by researching the difficulty of the trail I'm walking. I'll use guidebooks and the Internet as resources, as well as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). The YDS is a three-part classification system that rates the difficulty of walks, hikes, and rock climbs based on categories of terrain, length, and level of danger. Not all routes are graded in each category - generally speaking, rock climbs are the only routes that use all three grading systems of the YDS.

To learn how hikes are classified, read more.

Classifying a route's terrain is what's most applicable to hiking trails, especially longer, more intense hikes such as the John Muir trail or Half Dome hike. Here's a general breakdown of the different terrain class types found in the YDS:

Class 1: Walking on a relatively flat trail with little chance of injury. Many backpackers compare a class 1 route to walking on a sidewalk.
Class 2: A simple trail that might have a slight incline. You may have to use your hands to balance while scrambling up rocks.
Class 3: You'll definitely need to use your hands and feet to find balance along parts of the trail while scrambling up rocks. There may be exposed terrain during the hike, though a fall should not prove fatal.
Class 4: This hike will involve climbing up steep terrain, and even though the route will have some natural protection, a fall could prove fatal.
Class 5+: Reserved for rock and aid climbing. Protection and gear recommended for these climbs as a fall will prove fatal.

Keep in mind that the YDS is a somewhat subjective grading system and there can definitely be some overlap and debate over a class assignment. I continue to use it as a guide because I can search for harder or easier trails depending on my mood that day. I'm also finding that more and more backpackers are using the YDS lingo when describing a trail to one another.

You can also keep a journal with details of your favorite trails and try rating them for yourself. If you do assign a class rating to a trail, the class assignment should reflect the hardest part of the hike. (For example, if you went on a hike that was mainly class 1 but had a few elements of a class 3 route, classify the hike as a class 3 route.)

Tell me, what class of hikes do you usually stick to?

Gifts For the Camper

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:54 -0800

Here at Sugar, holiday season is already in full swing - have you started your gift list? To make holiday shopping a breeze for you, we'll be offering up a bevy of gift ideas in the coming weeks for all the special fit folk in your life.

Everybody loves camping - mom, dad, even the kids. Whether your special someone is a car camper or a backpacker, we've got gear picked out especially for them. Start shopping to enjoy the outdoors together!

View Slideshow ›

Fit For September: Must Haves

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:00:00 -0700

"Thirty days has September" and with items like these you can make the most of those thirty days! Fall is beginning and it's back to school time! Even if you are not headed to class these five buys will help you be fit in and for September.

To read about these must haves just read more

What better way to head back to school than on a bike! Jorg and Olif have just introduced their latest city bike - the Scout ($495). Cruise around town in style on the limited edition red bike.
When tooling about town on your retro bicycle, you are going to want to protect your laptop as well as your back, by carrying all your gear in the Kata Ergo-Tech Sensitivity V backpack ($85) by Kata. Not only does it look like something James Bond would carry, but this pack will not double cross your shoulders or back since its ergonomic design is body friendly.
Because it is (or will be by the end of the month hopefully) getting cooler outside, you're going to need a hoodie and I am loving the Practice Hoodie ($69) by Athleta. The feminine pattern combined with the three quarter sleeves give it a girly, yet sporty look.
Fall just wouldn't be fall without an apple for your teacher, but this September I would go with apple juice instead, and the cloudier the better. Recent studies indicate the cloudier the apple juice the more antioxidants it contains. So drink up!
You should also start thinking about moving some of your workouts inside and if you are a cardio junkie you need to also start thinking about adding weight training into your routine. I say this because the new exercise guidelines suggest adding 2 days of strength training a week. Look for circuit training group classes where you can get your heart rate up while you build some muscle. Or create you own!