FitSugar

It's Black Friday - Time to Start Holiday Shopping!

Molly — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

It's Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year and the best time to start your holiday gift buying! To celebrate and get you started here's a taste of our many fabulous gift guides - also check out these helpful websites and of course Sale Habit. As always check out all of our awesome holiday content on HolidaySugar, from cooking to decorating to survival tips and more! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and now it's time to get into gift-giving mode!

Make A Wishlist on ShopStyle!	Great Gadgets For Sisters	The Hipster Foodie
Woman on the Run	Fab Gifts for Mom	Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
Great Gits for a Six Month Old	Home Gifts for the Feminine Modernist	Good Stuff For Entertainment Loving Girls

How to Keep Black Friday From Making You Black and Blue

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Standing in line on the busiest shopping day of the year can really test your patience, and back, and legs, and feet . . .

Here are a few things to try to make standing in line bearable:

Keep your weight evenly balanced on both feet. Standing with all of your weight on one leg with your hip jutting out might look cool and seem like an energy saver, but it can really tweak your back, your hips, and your knees. Especially if you are carrying a heavy purse or already loaded down with bags.
Bend and straighten your knees a bit to make sure that you are not locking your knees, which decreases circulation to your lower legs and grinds the knee joints - ouch!
When you're frustrated that the sales clerk can’t seem to get the total right for the person way at the head of the line - breathe. Take a deep breath and let it go. Remember - oxygen is free.
Put all your bags down and stretch out your back by rounding your lower spine. Remember: Pulling your abs in increases the stretch. You don’t have to make this a big, conspicuous motion. Just big enough to move the spine around a bit so it doesn’t get overtaxed. (Speaking of which - I wish I lived in a state with no sales tax on clothes. But that is another can of worms.)

Happy shopping!

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Don't Shop 'til You Drop: Ergo Shopping

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Standing in line on the busiest shopping day of the year can really test your patience, and back, and legs, and feet….

Here are a few things to try to make standing in line bearable:

Keep your weight evenly balanced on both feet. Standing with all of your weight on one leg, with your hip jutting out, may look cool and seem like an energy saver, but it can really tweak your back, your hips, and your knees. Especially if you are carrying a big, heavy purse.
Do mini pliés. Bend and straighten your knees a bit to make sure that you are not locking your knees, which decreases circulation to your lower legs and grinds the knee joints – ouch.
Breathe: When you’re frustrated that the sales clerk can’t seem to get the total right for the person way up at the head of the line – breathe. Take a deep breath and let it go. Remember: oxygen is always free.
Stretch when you can. Put all your bags down and stretch out your back by rounding your lower spine. Remember pulling your abs in increases the stretch. You don’t have to make it a big motion. Just big enough to move the spine around a bit so it doesn’t get over taxed. (Speaking of which – I wish I lived in a state with no sales tax on clothes, but that is another can of worms.)
Sensible Shoes: If your feet are not happy, then you won't be happy. So wear some sensible shoes.

Happy shopping!

So tell me . . .

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Trim the Fat Friday at Gold's Gym - It's Free

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Even though we all know that the average Thanksgiving dinner is 3,000 calories, it is hard not to overindulge. Gold's Gym wants to help you get back on track after your holiday feast. The chain has even renamed Black Friday "Trim the Fat Friday" and is offering free workouts to the public. Yep, you don't have to be a member of Gold's to participate in the post-holiday exercise fun.

Starting today and continuing throughout the weekend, Gold's Gyms across the country are opening their doors to non-members to help us burn off calories from our Thanksgiving feasts. Both trainers and nutritionists will be offering advice to avoid dreaded holiday weight gain.

To find a gym near your, check out this gym locator. I would call the gym before you head over in your fitness gear. Although I have it from a good source that all Gold's Gyms are participating, the website reads "at participating locations" only. If you're shopping the day after T-day, you can still focus on fitness over the weekend.

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Food Court Survival: Healthy Fast Food Options

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:30:00 -0800

If you're braving the mall this Black Friday, chances are you're going to need to refuel at the food court as well. Although there are choices galore on the food front, many of them are high in calories and fat, so here are some healthier options to munch on. They may not be the healthiest choices on the planet, but they're better than succumbing to a Big Mac attack.

From Subway:
6" Veggie Delite: 230 calories, 1 g saturated fat
6" Turkey Breast: 280 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat
6" Oven Roasted Chicken Breast: 310 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat

Not into those choices? Then read more.

From McDonald's:
Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken: 320 calories, 3 g saturated fat
Premium Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken: 300 calories, 1 g saturated fat
Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken: 220 calories, 3 g saturated fat
Snack Size Fruit & Walnut Salad: 210 calories, 1.5 g of saturated fat

Opt for no dressing or choose from these two:

Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette: 40 calories, 0 g saturated fat
Newman's Own Low Fat Family Recipe Italian Dressing: 60 calories, 0 g saturated fat

From Wendy's:
Chicken Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken Fillet: 490 calories, 7 g saturated fat
Broccoli and Cheese Potato: 320 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat
Grilled Chicken Go Wrap: 260 calories, 3.5 g saturated fat
Ultimate Chicken Grill: 320 calories, 1.5 g saturated fat
Premium Fish Fillet Sandwich: 450 calories, 3.5 g saturated fat
Side of Mandarin Oranges: 80 calories, 0 g saturated fat

From Taco Bell:
Fresco Bean Burrito: 330 calories, 2.5 g saturated fat
Regular Style Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco: 270 calories, 4 g saturated fat
Regular Style Spicy Chicken Soft Taco: 170 calories, 2 g saturated fat
Fresco Style Spicy Chicken Burrito: 340 calories, 3 g saturated fat
Fresco Style Fiesta Burrito - Beef: 350 calories, 4 g saturated fat
Fresco Style Chalupa Supreme - Chicken: 300 calories, 2 g saturated fat

From Dunkin' Donuts:
Multigrain bagel w/ reduced fat vegetable cream cheese: 520 calories, 8 g saturated fat
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich: 510 calories, 6 g saturated fat
Garden Salad: 240 calories, 5 g saturated fat
Chicken Noodle Soup: 140 calories, 1 g saturated fat
Reduced Fat Blueberry Muffin: 400 calories, 2 g saturated fat

From Sbarro:

Slice of thin-crust cheese pizza: 460 calories, 3.5 g saturated fat

Fit's Tip: Another great option is to pack your own healthy snacks or sandwiches. You'll know it's low in calories and fat, will save you money, and you won't have to wait in those long lines.

How Many Glasses of Champagne Did You Drink Last Night?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:00:00 -0800

The day after Halloween I asked you how many pieces of candy you had eaten. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, I asked you how many pieces of pie you ate throughout that feasting day. So, in keeping with the tradition, there is a question I must ask: I want to know about your champagne consumption on New Year's Eve.

So, tell me . . .

Source

Treadmill RECALL!

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:30:00 -0700

A voluntary recall of Cybex or Trotter Treadmills has recently been announced. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed, details of the recall are below.

Units: 4,700 (33,719 units were recalled on October 8, 2003)

Manufacturer: Cybex International, Inc., of Medway, Mass.

Hazard: During repairs associated with the October 8, 2003 recall, wire nuts were installed improperly, causing the treadmills to overheat and posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Description: This recall involves the treadmills "Cybex 400T," "Cybex 410T," "Trotter 510," "Trotter 525", "Trotter 535", and "CXT+" that were recalled on October 8, 2003 and later repaired. The treadmills are black with gray coloring, have rectangular uprights, and measure 69 inches long and 30 inches wide. The brands and models are written on the display panel. The “CXT+” model does not bear the brand Cybex or Trotter.

Remedy: Consumers whose treadmills were included in the 2003 recall and were repaired should immediately unplug and stop using the treadmills. Consumers with recalled units will be notified directly by Cybex. Consumers should call Cybex directly to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact: Call Cybex toll-free at (888) 678-3846 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at cybexintl.com.

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Stressed Out? Avoid the Manic Mondays

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Recently, I told you all that I like to clean my desk every Friday before I head home. It gives me peace of mind, so I can start my weekend with a clean slate. Here's another thing I like to do before leaving the office - I make a list of the 5 most important things I need to get done by the end of the day Monday. This way all the details of next week are on a piece of paper (or in my BlackBerry) so they don't need to be roaming around my head distracting me from my weekend. This way my thoughts are free to run rampant in a weekend, space-out kind of way.

Try it...it really helps.

Let Pilates Move You: Reverse Plank

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 10:15:00 -0800

Since it is Thanksgiving week and everything is a little topsy turvy (a 3 day work week, lots of food, Black Friday) I thought I would show you a plank flipped over and reversed.

Sit with your legs out straight in front of you and place your hands behind you with finger tips toward your bum. Your shoulders will no longer be over your pelvis. Inhale to prepare and...

Exhale squeezing your inner thighs together and engaging your booty, pull your deep abs toward your spine and press your hands (all the way to the tips of your fingers) into the ground and lift your pelvis UP. Allow your neck to lengthen back.

Hold the plank for 2 rounds of breath, then slowly lower your pelvis to the ground. Repeat 3 more times.

Fit's tip: Make sure to circle the wrists to warm up the joints before bearing weight on your hands. It's also a good idea to release your wrists after this exercise by pulling your fingers back toward your inner wrist.