FitSugar

Get Physical: A Hilarious Game of Badminton

FitSugar — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 03:00:00 -0700

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 read more

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Fit and Fun Engagement Parties

FitSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Weddings call for many celebrations, but all those parties don't need to be formal affairs. There are many fun ways for you to celebrate your engagement and bring guests together without having to stress about seating arrangements. Here are a few of my ideas for healthy and fun engagement parties.

Garden party: In my mind, a garden party is just a little more formal than a BBQ, but games are a featured activity nonetheless. You can play badminton and croquet. The Italian lawn game bocce ball is a fun way to engage (pun intended) guests of all ages. I also like that the Italian word for kiss, bacio, sounds a lot like bocce - it adds a romantic twist to the game.

Healthy cooking class: Many chefs, restaurants, and catering companies offer hands-on cooking classes, where every guest gets to play chef. Guests are placed into small groups to prepare different dishes. At the end of the class, you all sit down to eat the feast you created. Many of these schools allow you to participate in planning the menu, so you can opt for healthier fare.

See my third idea when you read more.

Square dance: How long has it been since you have been to a square dance? Not only does a square dance offer the perfect opportunity to wear your fave cowboy boots, but you will also burn some serious calories while you do-si-do. This is a great way for everyone to mingle.

Need more wedding inspiration? Check out all of the Sugar network’s wedding coverage here.

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Engagement Party: Garden Games

FitSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:00:00 -0700

There are so many parties leading up to a wedding, but they all need not be formal, sit-down affairs. I propose (pun intended!) a garden party to celebrate your upcoming marriage. This way you can play games instead of just standing around drinking glass of champagne after glass of champagne trying to make small talk with your future aunt-in-law's third husband.

These simple lawn games are a great way for guests from the different parts of both of your lives to mix and mingle.

Bocce Ball: Lawn bowling fits in perfectly at a garden party. You can hone your aim and skill as you try to hit the pallina. Here are the rules to bocce ball, so you can be prepared for your next match.
Badminton: Anyone can play badminton and it is sure to cause a bunch of belly laughs as folks hop around trying to hit the slow floating birdie.
Croquet: One thing I love about croquet is that you can easily play the game wearing a skirt. Remember Heathers? Here are the rules of croquet if you need a refresher course.
Volleyball: Kick the action up a notch or two with a volleyball game or tournament. Since volleyball is more athletic than the other games mentioned, you should definitely include information on your invites that the game will be played and the guests interested in playing should bring appropriate attire.

Do you have a favorite garden party game? Share it in the comments section below.

Head to IDoSugar for more wedding coverage.

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Summer Exercises Calorie by Calorie

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:15:00 -0700

If you're like me, when summer is nearing to an end, I get a little sad thinking about all the fun outdoor activities I won't be able to do once the weather cools down. So here's a little kick in the pants to motivate you to get out and enjoy (or try) these sunshiny weather workouts before it's too late.

Summer sports and activities are some of my favorites because even though you're working every inch of your body, you may not even realize it because you're having so much fun. Just be sure to take precautions so you don't get a sunburn (which can lead to skin cancer), become dehydrated, or get heat stroke.

Want to see how many calories a person burns doing 30 minutes of each? Then read more

Activity (30 min)	120 lb	135 lb	150 lb	165 lb	180 lb	195 lb
Casual Walking	108	122	136	149	163	176
Brisk Walking (12 min miles)	244	275	306	336	367	387
Jogging (10 min miles)	272	306	340	374	408	430
Running (9 min miles)	299	336	374	411	449	486
Moderate Golfing (with no cart)	109	122	136	150	163	177
Moderate Biking	163	183	204	224	244	258
Intense Swimming	217	244	272	299	326	344
Moderate Scuba Diving	191	214	238	262	286	302
Moderate Water Skiing or Wakeboarding	163	184	204	225	245	265
Moderate Canoeing, Rowing, or Kayaking	136	153	170	187	204	221
Moderate Badminton	163	184	204	225	245	265
Moderate Hiking	136	153	170	187	204	221
Heavy Backpacking	272	306	340	374	408	442
Moderate Volleyball	136	153	170	187	204	221
Moderate Tennis	163	183	204	224	244	258
Heavy Soccer	327	367	408	449	490	517
Moderate Horseback Riding (trotting)	180	202	225	247	269	292
Moderate Muscle Conditioning (Yoga, Pilates, lifting weights, strength training exercises)	136	153	170	187	204	221

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Encourage Health

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Now that you're taking such great care of yourself, and planning to live a long and healthy life, you want the same for the people you care about. What fun would it be to live till you're 99 years old without your friends and family around?

Here are some ways you can encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle:

Exercise together. Invite your loved ones to go for a walk after dinner, an early morning bike ride, a hike, or a game of badminton or Frisbee. Or pop in an exercise DVD to do together. Or take them to a yoga or salsa dance class. The possibilities are endless. Who knows, after a while, they may be motivating you to exercise.
Go grocery shopping together. Point out all the healthy foods and brands you eat like almond butter, avocado, and Stonyfield Farms yogurt. Also point out the ones that have trans fat, those that are high in saturated fat, and those with tons of sodium.
Share healthy recipes and tips. One of my favorite tips (that I learned from a fellow healthy friend) is to pack serving sizes of snacks in little ziploc baggies, instead of eating straight out of the original box or bag.

There are more tips. To hear them, read more

Buy inspirational magazines and books about health and fitness, and leave them on the coffee table, in the bathroom (great place to read), or on their nightstand. If they don't live in the same house as you, pass on the mags you've finished, or loan out your books.
Tell them about new healthy snacks you've discovered, or alternatives to the foods they love, like Gardenburgers instead of hamburgers.
Cook and bake for them. Invite them over for lunch, or bring over a healthy dish to share. Once they see how delicious and satisfying healthy eating is, they'll be more inspired to learn how to cook healthier for themselves.

Do you have any other ways that you encourage others to be healthy? Share your ideas below - I'd love to hear them.

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Games For A Backyard BBQ

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Have you been to a BBQ where folks just sit around drinking beer and talking about beer and drinking more beer? So boring and so sedentary!!! My response to this is to dust off some of those old games from your youth and get up and play! I am not saying these games are huge calorie burners, like these ideas from Get Moving This 4th Of July, but they will keep you from becoming glued to a lawn chair and drinking too much beer. Plus they are fun!

Here are some games I will be playing with my kids and party guests. Yes, these games are not just for kids.

Potato Sack Races - Since potato sacks are hard to come by these days you can use old pillow cases for little kids, or old sleeping bags for adults.
Wheel barrow races - Remember this one? I rocked it as a kid and I am hoping to win today. It is like a supported plank in motion. You might want to warm up a little before this one!
Water balloon toss - This one requires no explanation, but what fun on a hot day!!!
Egg Spoon Relay Race - Balance hard boiled eggs on a soup spoon (or a wooden spoon to make it easier) and race to the line to gently hand off the egg to your relay team partners . All unbroken eggs can be used to whip up some Not So Devilish Eggs
Simon Says - Always popular with the kids, but getting adults to act like a chicken - priceless.

Don't forget the horseshoe toss, badminton (it IS an Olympic sport after all), or all the fun to be had passing around a Ball Ice Cream Maker.

Are you going to play some games at your BBQ? Let me know your faves in the comments section below.

Get Moving This 4th of July...

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:15:00 -0700

To many of us, the Fourth of July means stuffing our faces at a barbecue with family and friends. No major harm done since it only rolls around once a year.

However, take a few pointers from seriously toned Matthew McConaughey (and his party pals Jeremy Piven and Woody Harrelson) and offset all those extra calories (think beer and s'mores) you're taking in with a few fun activities for everyone to do.

Activity	Calories Burned in 30 Mins (*Based on an 130 pound person.)
Billiards	74
Frisbee	90
Volleyball	101
Badminton	133
Soccer (casual)	207
Basketball (1/2 court)	242
Football (touch)	257
Handball	355
Playing with Kids	117

I couldn't find that stats for how many calories you could burn during a mean game of water balloon toss, but you can bet I'll be organizing a game or two. There's more pics of hot Matt playing frisbee and football so read more

View 13 Photos ›

Flynet

A New Way to Burn Calories: Speedminton

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Looking for a new way to burn calories and tone those arms all while having fun? Who isn't, right?

Try Speedminton, a cross between tennis, badminton, racquetball and squash, but requires no walls, no net and no court. It's a great way to just to have fun at the beach, park, in your backyard or driveway with friends and family. Or you can get more competitive... which you know I love. According to SpeedmintonUSA, you'll burn about 400 calories an hour. In addition to burning major calories, playing a few matches will help to sculpt arms and back, as well as tone legs.

The best part? It's totally affordable! The Speedminton Bag Set ($29.99) includes: 2 Speedracquets, 3 different aerodynamic Speeders, 8 Easy Court cones so you can set up anywhere, 4 Speedlights for up to 3 hours of night play and 1 Speedbag for carrying with you every where you go. Buy it from SportsAuthority.com.

Get Motivated: Join a Team

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I am always looking for motivation. Be it a 73 year old completing a 50 mile race or turning off the TV and putting on some rockin' tunes or wearing your hot new gear, there are always great ways to keep yourself motivated in your fitness goals.

Another way to keep motivated? Join a team. Having a group that you are accountable for will really motivate you to get active even if you don't want to be. Most recreational teams (or leagues) are a group of people brought together by a common goal. To keep the team alive, everyone needs to give it her all and most importantly, everyone needs to show up. Joining the office softball team will motivate you in more ways than one, especially if your boss is on the team. Besides, I am sure you'd love to bring the ole' soccer skills, the ones that won your high school the state championship, back to the table. Be it soccer, Frisbee, basketball, track or even badminton, there are adult teams all over the country that will be a great motivator for you (also a great way to meet people). Don't know of a team near you? Check out Yahoo Groups to search for a team in your area.

Playground for the Elderly

FitSugar — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:10:00 -0800

Germany has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe and they are planning for the following decades, where the elderly, are the future. So, what's a city with a unstoppable growing population of elderly people to do?

Well, build a new playground of course -- but probably not the type of playground you're thinking.

The city of Nuremberg, Germany is proposing to build an adult playground for the elderly. Not thinking grandma will be too keen on swinging from the monkey bars? Neither are they. The proposed playground is aimed at helping the elderly people keep fit and it will have giant chess boards, card-playing spots and, for the especially agile elderly, a running track and even a badminton court.

What a change it would be to see grandma whooping little Johnny's ass in dodgeball.