FitSugar

5 Fitness Trends That Deserve a Do-Over

FitSugar — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:50:47 PDT

After taking a few fitness lessons from Maid Marion, I started thinking about other old school activities that are due for a comeback. Besides, everything old becomes new again at some point, right? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these activities are next in line for a rebirth. Badminton, anyone?

Get Physical: A Hilarious Game of Badminton

FitSugar — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 03:00:00 PDT

I don't know what it is about playing badminton, but that game is just so funny to me. I love the dinky racquets, the flimsy net and of course the shuttlecock (I call it a birdy) - it seems to have a mind of its own!

The game is pretty simple. All you need is 1 net, 1 birdy, 2-4 rackets, and 2-4 players. After you set the net up, you try hitting the birdy over the net, and your opponent hits it back to you.

Badminton is actually an Olympic Sport, so there are specific rules that go along with the game. I think it's more fun to see how many times we can volley back and forth before the birdy touches the ground.

This game is great for all ages since it's easy and fun, there isn't much equipment, and you don't have to worry about seriously getting injured. It does require some hand-eye coordination skills, moderate leaping, acute agility, and lightning speed to run and hit the birdy over the net. I'll tell you though - I end up working my core muscles more than anything from falling to the ground and laughing so hard, but that's just me.

Fit's Tips: You can purchase a badminton set (Amazon, $24.95) that comes with a carrying case so you can bring it along the next time you go to the beach, park, or a BBQ. That way you can fit in a little exercise in between all the eating and drinking.

Want to see a picture of the badminton set? Then

Modern Etiquette: When Should I Hold a Housewarming Party?

Elka Karl — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 05:00:14 PDT

Recently, Stacey reached out to us on our Facebook page with the following question:

"Help! We just moved into our new house. Great, right? Well, our last place was very small and our new house is very big. We don't have a lot of furniture or even artwork up. Every box is unpacked. All of our friends have asked us if we are going to have a housewarming party. We want to but I don't know what the proper etiquette is for something like this. What do you suggest?"

Stacey, the good news is that you can throw your housewarming party as quickly as you like. No need to feel as if your home is perfectly put together - there's a certain charm in introducing your friends and family to your new home before it's been completely settled into and decorated to perfection.

Since it's the Summer season, I'd encourage you take advantage of any outdoor space at your new home. Arrange a buffet table and carafes with iced tea and lemonade on your front porch, or set up games like badminton and croquet in the backyard. That way, even if you feel as if your house isn't picture-perfect, you can keep the focus on your fabulous outdoor space. For a few more tips, keep reading.

Find Out How This Brunei Prince Spent a Record $14.9 Billion

Emily Co — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:05:45 PDT

Prince Jefri Bolkiah just might be the biggest spender in the world. The prince is the brother of the sultan of Brunei and was ironically enough, the previous finance minister of their country. So how does one blow through $14.9 billion? Vanity Fair explores this in its July issue. Here's a quick breakdown of the prince's spending spree by Business Insider:

2,300 luxury cars of mostly Bentley's, Ferrari's, and Rolls-Royces.
Five boats and a yacht.
Numerous five-star hotels including the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles and the New York Palace.
$1.3 million on erotic fountain pens and $10 million on 8 watches blinged out in diamonds.
Eight private planes and a helicopter.
A rug woven with gold and gems worth $7 million
Some kinky statues depicting copulation worth $800,000.
Control of 250 companies. In comparison, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway controls 52 firms.
Paid Michael Jackson $17 million to perform at his birthday.
$1.5 million for a badminton coach.

And the extravagant list goes on. At one point, this spendthrift prince was even spending about $50 million a month! What ridiculous ways to waste money - money's never enough, even for billionaires.

Cannes Mini Review: Restless

Molly Goodson — Sun, 15 May 2011 03:05:00 PDT

Gus Van Sant's new movie Restless debuted this week at the Cannes Film Festival and while it may not elicit the same visceral reaction from critics as We Need To Talk About Kevin, the sweet indie movie is a treat of its own. The film follows the relationship of Enoch Brae (Henry Hopper), a death-obsessed teen with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze fighter as his best friend, and Annabel "Annie" Cotton (Mia Wasikowska), a young woman with brain cancer and three months to live. They meet at a funeral he's crashing, which is a hobby of his, and the two quickly fall for each other, quirks and all. She's a naturalist obsessed with water birds, he plays battleship with his ghost friend. The film is set in Portland, and at points veers a bit far into the "twee" category. One montage includes scenes of Annie and Enoch playing badminton and riding fixed gear bikes in old timey clothes and they have a running bit about a xylophone, for example.

It's also a veritable celebrity kids party between Henry Hopper, son of Dennis, and costar Schuyler Fisk, daughter of Sissy Spacek, as well as producer Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of Ron. Fisk will always have a place in my heart from the movie Orange County, but she's grown up a lot since then and is touching as Annabel's protective older sister. Also, Hollywood may have a new cute indie heartthrob in the form of Hopper; Restless is the first starring role for the 20-year-old actor, and I could barely take my eyes off his moody looks and perfectly tousled blond hair. Bottom line: it's not a perfect movie by any stretch, but the dialogue is good, Wasikowska and Hooper give wonderful performances, and thankfully the inevitable ending doesn't become an emotionally overwrought mess.

Kate Hudson I'm a Huge Fan: Stripping Lessons and Badminton Before Kate!

PopSugar — Fri, 06 May 2011 05:58:00 PDT

Meet our latest I'm a Huge Fan winner, who is embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interview her favorite star, Kate Hudson! Kyla is so shocked to hear she's the lucky viewer who gets to sit down with the gorgeous Something Borrowed actress, but first she has to get in the spirit of Kate and the movie with the help of FitSugarTV's Zelana. Kyla and her friend fly all the way from home in New Jersey to LA in style, thanks to Virgin America. Next, Kyla takes on the Sheila Kelley S-Factor workout - yes, on the stripper pole! - which Kate helped make famous. Plus, she has to prove her badminton skills like Kate's character in Something Borrowed in order to earn more questions with the star during their interview. Watch part one now and check back for the next installments on PopSugar!

Sugar Shout Out: See Summer's Hottest Must-Have Bags!

PopSugar — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:55:00 PDT

Exercise With the Fam Like Matt Damon

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:25:00 PDT

Holy cuteness! Now I love Matt Damon even more for showing his loved ones how important it is to stay active by heading out for a family bike ride in Vancouver. When you get moving together, not only do your children learn that exercise in an important part of life, but it also encourages the grown-ups to fit exercise into their busy schedules.

Aside from renting bikes and touring around a new place, there are so many other ways you and your family can get out together and burn some calories.

If your kids are too young to walk, plop them in a jogging stroller, bike trailer, or backpack carrier and head out for a walk, run, ride, or hike. They'll feel calm watching the scenery whiz by, and you'll get in your workout.
Rent kayaks or canoes and paddle along a calm lake or river. It's a great way to avoid the, "Mom, I'm soooo hot," comments. If you get overheated, just jump in.
Put up a net in the backyard and keep volleyballs and a set of badminton rackets and birdies on hand. After dinner, head out for an impromptu game.

Keep reading for more fun family fitness ideas.

Kerri Walsh: Survival Tips For a Party Weekend

Guest Writer — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:00:28 PDT

The following post was written by Olympic athlete and mom Kerri Walsh, two-time gold medalist in beach volleyball.

July 4th weekend means fun in the sun and barbecues galore. It's pretty much impossible to resist burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill or an ice cold soda just out of the cooler, so I've put together a few easy-to-remember and satisfying tips that always help me stay healthy over the holiday.

Downsize: Place your food on a dessert plate instead of a large-sized dinner plate. It will keep you from overdoing on the potato salad and if you're still hungry, you can always go back for more.
Eat Like an American: Red, white, and blue foods like strawberries, blueberries, and grilled chicken are packed with nutrients, taste great and will keep your waistline trim.

For more easy to put to practice tips, keep on reading.