FitSugar

Forget the Muffin Top: How to Ditch Your Pooch

Self — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 04:00:50 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

As of this past weekend, Spring is finally, officially here - along with panic about the upcoming bikini season.

When it comes to shaping up your abs, you want to combine a healthy, diet with high-intensity cardio and moves that target your deep abdominal muscles - aka the transverse abdominus. When strong, these babies work like an invisible girdle, pulling everything up and in. Result: A flat belly without the Spanx!

We asked exercise physiologist Amy Dixon, group fitness manager at Equinox in Santa Monica, CA, for some of her favorite moves to tame the lower abdominal area - or as we like to call it, the "pooch."

Stability Ball Rollout
Kneel on the floor behind a stability ball. Place your forearms on top of the ball, hands clasped to start. Contract your abs and roll the ball forward as far as possible without bending back or hunching shoulders (shown above). Hold for 2 counts, then return to start for one rep. Do 2 sets of 15 reps.

Stability Ball Jack Knives
Get in push-up position with your shins elevated on a stability ball. Your body should form a straight line from the top of your head to your heel. Brace your abs to prevent your midsection from sagging toward the floor. Slowly pull your knees toward your chest. Straighten legs to roll the ball back to start and complete the rep. Do 2 sets of 14 reps.

See how planks can help you tone your belly.

Much Ado About NKOTB, Rihanna, and Music Video Awards

PopSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:30:33 PDT

The weather was rainy in Toronto last night, but that didn't stop the stars from shining at the MuchMusic Video Awards - check out the winners here. Whitney Port, Brody Jenner, and Kristin Cavallari all left their home in The Hills long enough to check out the show and pose with Chace Crawford and The Spice Girls' Mel C. Rihanna performed in another of her crazy black costumes and she had two shiny trophies to add to her ensemble by the end of the night. The New Kids on the Block took the stage for a solid nine minutes in their matching white suits, undoubtedly feeling the love from their audience of nostalgic, screaming fans.

Lots more photos including Sum 41, Rainn Wilson, Sean Kingston, and others so just read more.

View 56 Photos ›

Images include: Whitney Port, Kristin Cavallari, New Kids on the Block, Sum 41, Rihanna, Rainn Wilson, Melanie C, Pierre Bouvier, Sean Kingston, Flo Rida, Simple Plan, Brody Jenner, Jesse McCartney, Girlicious, Chace Crawford, Jabbawockeez, Belly, Kardinal Offishall, Akon, State of Shock, Jacob Hoggard Source

Six-Pack Surgery?

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 02:30:00 PST

With the invention and creativity of cosmetic surgery, if there's something about your body that you don't like, and if you have the money and the guts to go under the knife, you can get almost anything done. Body modification isn't just about breast implants and nose jobs anymore. You can get calf implants, butt implants, and guys are even getting pectoral implants. I guess I didn't realize that men are also feeling the pressures of society's standards to look good.

I just came across a new kind of surgery that blew me away. Six-pack surgery. More professionally known as abdominal etching, this procedure will turn your pudgy belly into a washboard. It's a kind of precision liposuction, where the doctor sucks fat from your belly, revealing the abdominal muscles that lie underneath. At first, when I saw the name of this procedure, I thought they carved out or put little implants in your belly to make it look like you have a 6-pack, but that's not the case. You actually have to have the muscular definition, either naturally or from working out.

How much does it cost to get six-pack abs? To find out

read more Abdominal etching costs between $4,000 and $6,000 and is only recommended for certain patients. If you have too much or too little fat on your belly, it won't turn out as well (an inch or two of pinchable belly fat is the key here). This procedure has actually been around for decades, but it can take a really long time to get the desired look, so not many people go for it. The surgery takes only about an hour or two, but a patient can feel pain for days, and swelling can persist for weeks or even months. You may also experience complications such as bleeding, infection, or a build-up of fluid known as seroma (that can be drained with a needle). No thanks. I think I'll stick to good old-fashioned cardio to burn fat and crunches to strengthen and tone my abs. Exercising not only makes me feel good, but when I work hard for my results, I also feel proud and confident. Source

Yoga Video: Vinyasa to Cobra

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:45:00 PDT

When it comes to yoga, I'm a huge fan of the kinds that use vinyasas, like Ashtanga and Jivamukti, since the vinyasa keeps you moving. Vinyasas are movement transitions that link poses together making your practice like a continuous fluid dance.

I've already shown you how to do a vinyasa between seated postures. Now here's a video to show you how to do a vinyasa to get from a standing pose to one where you're lying flat on your belly, as in Cobra pose.

Music: Mountain Hare Krishna by Krishna Das

Baby Whistles From The Womb

GiggleSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:30:00 PDT

We've all heard of a belly laugh, but a belly whistle? It's something you have to see to believe. (Poor kid. He's not even born yet, and his crazy parents have found a way to embarrass him already!)

What Position Do You Sleep In?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PDT

Sleep Position Gives Personality Insight?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:30:00 PDT

Everyone has a preference about the position they sleep in. Personally, I could never fall asleep on my back.

I just found out that the way you sleep may give insight into your personality (or someone else's if you sneak a peek at them snoozing).

Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the UK Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service analyzed 6 common sleeping positions among 1,000 people, and found that each is linked to personality traits.

Foetus or Fetus: This is the most common sleeping position - 41% of people sleep like this. These people are tough on the outside but sensitive at heart. They may be shy when they first meet somebody, but soon relax and open up. More than twice as many women as men tend to sleep like this.

Log: 15% of people sleep lying on their side with both arms down by their body. These sleepers are easy going, social people who like being part of the in-crowd. They may be trusting of strangers and gullible.

Want to see the others? Then

read more Yearner: 13% of people sleep on their side with both arms out in front. They are described as having an open nature, but can be suspicious and cynical. They can be indecisive, but once they have made a decision, they are unlikely ever to change it. Soldier: If you sleep on your back, you are among the 8%. People who sleep in this position are generally quiet and reserved. They don't like drama, and set high standards for themselves and others. Freefall: 7% of people sleep on their belly with their hands around a pillow, and their head turned to one side. Often friendly, warm and self-confident people, they can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath. They don't take criticism very well, and don't like extreme situations. Starfish: Sleeping on your back with both arms around a pillow is the least popular - only 5% of people choose this position. These sleepers make good friends because they are always ready to listen to others, and offer help when needed. They generally don't like to be the center of attention. Well there you have it. This info is kind of like reading your horoscope - interesting to hear, possibly true, but should be taken with a grain of salt (or possibly a teaspoon of salt). Source

"Infectobesity"- Sounds Odd Doesn't it?

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:03:14 PST

A CNN.com reported a recent study by the University of Washington's Center for Genome Sciences has found that "microbial component" appears to contribute to obesity. Basically researchers found that obese humans had a lower percentage of a family of bacteria called Bacteroidetes and more of a type of bacteria called Firmicutes in the gut.

What is still unclear is if the Firmicutes grow as a result of being obese or if being obese is a result of having more Firmicutes, however figuring this out could mean major progress in the fight against obesity in the United States and malnutrition in third world countries.

Where's the Muscle?

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 07:30:00 PST

So you've been doing tons of crunches to get rid of your gut, and you feel the difference. But you've got to press through a layer of flab to feel it. What gives?

Even if you do your ab work out every day, you're strengthening your belly, but not doing anything about the layer of fat above your washboard stomach.

The answer? To lose the fat you have to combine all those abdominal crunches with some cardio. Do 30-45 minutes at 70-80% of your maximum heart rate 3 times a week. Curious to know what your maximum heart rate is? Check out Fit's Calculator for the answer.

Burning calories, doing your crunches, and eating a sensible diet will have you seeing your fabulous abs in no time.

I Don't Think You're Ready for This Jelly

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 11:15:00 PST

And it shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly...

It used to be that this saying was endearing and brought forth warm and fuzzy memories of Old Saint Nick. The times, they are a-changing so now that belly full of jelly means that Santa's got a bit of an obesity problem on his hands and that is no laughing matter.

A survey of mall Santas in Scotland, found that the average waist size was 47 inches, which is seven inches more than is considered safe and having an especially large mid-section is associated with heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Looks like Santa needs to lay off the cookies this year.

Fit's Tip: For Women, having a waist of 35 inches or more is a key indicator of abdominal obesity if your body mass index is less than 25.

Don't know what your Body Mass Index (BMI) is? Check out Fit's Calculator to find out.