FitSugar

Fit Tip: Walk Barefoot in the Sand

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

The next time you're at the beach, take a break from relaxing in the sun and get up and move around. Resist walking on the flat sand right at the water's edge and go for the dry sand. Ditch your shoes so you can really use your toes to grip the ground. Walking barefoot in the sand is not only great for the muscles in your feet and your calves, but because it's so much harder than walking on a flat surface, you'll burn more calories. If your feet get hot, you can always cool off by walking on the wet sand, which is great for exfoliating the dead skin cells from your heels.

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Fit Tip: Beach Running

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Summer is approaching and the warm weather often means vacations and more time on the beach. If you're lucky enough to live close to a beach, or if you're lucky enough to vacation close to one, take advantage of the opportunity to get in a little beach jogging. It's not as easy as it looks though, so take these tips from Health for a few simple ways to make your beach run more fun:

Choose your shoes: You don’t need a specific type for beach running, but try to dedicate one pair of running shoes for beach runs so you don’t have to attempt the nearly impossible task of removing all the sand after your workout.
Start on wet sand: Do your first beach run on the wet, firm sand near the water. Gradually progress to running on the softer sand for 1- to 2-minute intervals, then walking on the hard, wet sand for 3 to 5 minutes to recover. Stick with short runs totaling 15 or 20 minutes until you adapt to the soft sand.
Finish barefoot: Postrun, take off your shoes and cool down by walking barefoot on the beach for a few minutes to strengthen your feet and ankles. Sand is a great exfoliator, too, so it’s like you’re getting a natural pedicure.

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Is Your Beach Clean?

FitSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Beach time is fast approaching. Yay! Unfortunately not all beaches are clean all the time. I am not talking about the sand; I am talking about the water.

Polluted water from roads and streets drains into pipes and eventually makes it to the ocean, and that is nothing you want to be swimming in. Luckily, I have found a site to check on the water quality of the your beach hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is easy to use; you can search by state or by beach name. Without leaving your desk, you can learn if your favorite beach has been closed recently due to health precautions.

Click here for the beach advisory closing website. The site doesn't include beaches on lakes or rivers, just ocean beaches.

Fit's Tip: If you like to swim in natural waters such as lakes, rivers, and oceans, avoid swimming after heavy rains, since many storm drains empty into these waters, increasing the pollution directly after a storm.

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A Week In Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Madonna's commitment to fitness continues to impress me. She has been running for over 20 years.

Looking for a new way to workout? You should try the Treadwall.

Do you remember when Reeboks were all the rage? Vote and tell me if you think the retro Reeboks are cool or not.

Let me help you master vinyasa the 5 moves that link poses is in the Ashtanga primary series.

If food labels confuse you then read: Food Labels Revealed to decipher the ingredients.

If you are in your twenties you should read Food for Thought: 20 somethings. It'll help you figure out what you should be eating.

Do you know which is better for you: pork spare ribs or pulled pork? Take the quiz and see.

Check out the "red flag" diet tip and see if you agree with it.

Curious if dog people or cat people are healthier. Read and see which side of the line Hilary Duff falls on.

Have you heard of Joggling?

If you need to get back to the basics, here's a breakdown of 5 sports for you.

Did you know that the beach is a workout waiting to happen.

Fear not the Hyperextension Bench when you go to the gym. It's a great piece of equipment.

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The Beach Is a Workout Waiting to Happen

FitSugar — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Who doesn't love spending time at the beach? Cameron is one starlet that takes advantage of all the beach has to offer. I love that she doesn't just lounge on the sand, but plays in the water practically non-stop. Which is great since I believe the beach is a workout waiting to happen.

If you are lucky enough to live near the ocean or will be vacationing soon by the shore, you too should take advantage of all the beach has to offer. If you want a hard core workout try the Beach Body Workout on the beach. But let me tell you, there are more casual and playful ways to burn some extra calories while hanging out at the shore.

Here are some ideas:

Walking in the Sand: Sand provides way less traction than concrete sidewalk or asphalt roads. So take advantage of your disadvantage and walk the beach. Do walk in both wet and dry sand to challenge your body in different ways. There will be good people watching to entertain you too. Who knows maybe you will even see some wildlife.

Walking in the Surf: Just walking in ankle deep water is a great challenge. Add the ebb and flow of the tide and you have yourself a great lower body workout.

Playing in the Waves: Jumping up and down in the surf is great fun and a challenge to your entire body. Diving under waves and swimming against the tide is a great way to workout with the ocean providing extra resistance.

There's more to do at the beach, and there are more photos of Cameron frolicking in the waves. So just read more
Swimming: Swim out past the break and try some laps in the ocean. The current creates a natural challenge. Make sure you stay in sight range of the lifeguard. Remember: If you can't see the guards, they can't see you.

Body Surfing: Riding the waves without a board is a fun way to experience the ocean. You don't need any gear, although fins do help. eHow tips on body surfing are very helpful - check them out.

So get out there! Play in the waves - it is a great way to help maintain your beach body. Plus, it won't feel like a workout, it will just feel like fun.

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Windsurfing: It's All About Balance

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:30:00 -0700

A great way to enjoy the summer weather is to take advantage of lakes and oceans. The air is usually much cooler near the water and there are so many fun things you can do to work your body besides swimming.

Windsurfing is fun and feels adventurous. You can rent a board, thats what you stand on, and a rig - the sail, a mast and the boom (the bar you hold onto). The board and the rig together are sometimes referred to as a "kit." There is the uphaul, a rope attached to the boom and the bottom of the mast that you use to pull the sail up.

I'd highly recommend getting a lesson from an experience instructor. They can give you pointers on how to position your board in regards to the wind, how to pull the sail up without getting knocked over, how to stand and stay balanced on the board, as well as the simple but important skill of how to steer.

If you want to know more about getting started, then read more

It's a good idea to first start out on land. You've got to learn how to control the sail first without worrying about staying balanced on your board. You can do this by sticking the base of the mast (it has the sail attached) into the sand or ground. Practice holding the mast (sometimes it has a little handle on it) with one hand, and pulling the boom closer to you with your backhand - this is how you catch the wind and start moving.

When you get a handle on that, venture into some shallow water with just the board. Practice standing on it to get a feel for its movements. Then you can stick the mast into the center of your board and let the mast and sail float in the water (it can swivel down). Learning to pull your sail up by pulling on the uphaul rope is a little tricky so don't get frustrated if you fall off a million times. Remember laughing is a workout too.

Once you get the hang of staying up and slowly pulling the boom towards you to catch the wind, you'll be cruising along in no time. It's a great upper and lower body workout because you use all your muscles to try and stay balanced. Since it's challenging, it's a lot of fun, and once you get the hang of it, you'll feel so proud of yourself.

Here's a video explaining how to get your board ready, how to get on it, and how to do some basic windsurfing moves.

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Is your next vacation all about R&R, sightseeing or adventure?

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

I hope you are planning a summer vacation!!! It is always great to have something to look forward to.

If you are taking a vacation I am wondering if it will be all about rest and relaxation - massages and margaritas on the beach. Or is it all about adventure like rock climbing in Yosemite or canoeing in the boundary waters. Possibly, you are going sightseeing - Mt. Vernon and the Smithsonian, or even more exotic the Louvre and Versailles.

Freaky Statistic: Sand vs. Shark

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:45:00 -0700

According to a new report by father - son doctors accidents involving sand holes have caused more deaths than shark attacks.

Between 1990 and 2006, there were 16 deaths in the U.S. involving sand holes or tunnels and only 12 fatalities due to shark attacks. I know this is morbid stuff, but how many of us come face to face with sand holes compared to sharks? Sand holes and tunnels can collapse horrifyingly fast, often leaving no trace of the victim. So play it safe - only let your children play in a hole no deeper than their waist and please fill that hole in before you leave the beach!!! Someone could accidentally trip in the hole while playing paddle ball, football or Frisbee.

For more information and background on the study visit CNN. The article will inspire you to fill in every sand hole you see, and I don't think that is just the mom in me talking.

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Sunburn or Jellyfish Sting: Which is Worse?

FitSugar — Sat, 26 May 2007 03:00:00 -0700

For a lot of people, Memorial Day is all about heading to the beach for some relaxation in the sun. So I want to know...

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Bikini Boot Camp in Mexico: Amansala

FitSugar — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 04:00:00 -0800

Amansala, a super fabulous Mexican eco-resort and spa, offers a six-night Bikini Boot Camp program that is limited to 25 men and women, held on the beautiful, remote beach of Tulum, Mexico. Could there be a better place to get bikini ready? Possibly not.

While doing the Bikini Boot Camp, your days start with a beach or jungle power walk followed by a combination of body sculpting, power ab sessions or Pilates and end with yoga and meditation. When you're not doing that, there are excursions to the nearby jungle for swimming and snorkeling in fresh water swimming holes, visits to Mayan ruins and pampering with beach side massages, Mayan Clay Treatments and plenty of sunshine. Yes please.

It's not all about exercise at Bikini Boot Camp, the low fat diet consists of all local chemical free food such as fresh caught grilled fish, mangos, jicima salads and other delicious low calorie selections. Yum.

To see some beautiful pics of what you'll be seeing while you're there, read more

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The relaxing, beautiful setting, along with the healthy meals, and activity filled days make for a perfect way to get your body bikini ready. It definitely doesn't hurt that you'll be in a beautiful part of Mexico as well as surrounded by people with the same goals in mind.

Six night programs are held year round. Three & four night programs available upon request. 6 nights will run you $1,842 per person but it is all inclusive, so it could be worse. For more information and to make a reservation, please visit Amansala online.