FitSugar

Get Physical: Partner Yoga for the Bride and Groom

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Since wedding planning can be really hectic, why not relieve some stress by trying something new with your fiancé? When yoga poses are done with another, especially someone you care about, they can relax your mind, open your heart and deepen your connection. Yoga is great on your own, but when you practice Partner Yoga, you can achieve what you never could alone.

Interested? Check out the yoga studios in your area to see if they offer special Partner Yoga classes or workshops. It's a great way to learn partner poses from an actual instructor so you can ask questions and get help with alignment. Plus, with the two of you in the class, when you're at home practicing together, you can help each other remember how to do the poses (two memories are better than one!).

Can't find a class? Then read more

I highly recommend this amazing book called Partner Yoga: Making Contact for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Growth. You can get it through Buy.com for only $16.18.

It explains the spiritual aspect of Partner Yoga brilliantly, plus the illustrations are incredibly helpful so you can figure out exactly what you're supposed to be doing.

It explains why touch is so important to our well-being and happiness. Partner Yoga can provide a playground for contact that is intimate, but not sexual. It can nourish that need for loving and affectionate touch that so many of us are living without.

Fit's Tips: Know any new couples? This Partner Yoga Book also makes a great Engagement or Bridal Shower gift!

Source

iDo: Wedding Planning and Multi-tasking

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Planning for the big day can be really stressful. Working women/brides-to-be have so much to think about: flowers, the ceremony, bridesmaids, the cake, the honeymoon. Planning the wedding is almost a full time job!

So you don't become too overwhelmed, you're going to have to make multi-tasking a part of your planning process.

Here's a great way to kill two birds with one stone: research wedding info while working out. Download podcasts to your iPod from iTunes. Here are a few for you to try: Wedding Planning Talk Radio (8 free episodes), Queer Eye (has a 9-episode wedding series), and 4 free podcasts from Bride Magazine.

For a small bit of change, you can download individual episodes of your favorite wedding-themed TV shows, or even get an entire season of the reality TV show, Whose Wedding is This Anyway? for $18.

Listen while you tone up for your wedding, that is multi-tasking at its best.

It's Wedding Planning Mania on The Sugar Network

PopSugar — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 23:34:54 -0700

As promised, we are back again with more Wedding Season fun. A few weeks ago was all about the Engagement and now it's time for anything and everything related to actually planning the Big Day! There is sure to be something for everyone whether you are planning the wedding of your dreams or a guest with lots of summer weddings to attend. Here's an idea of what we have planned:

Tell us your planning nightmares on DearSugar
Learn about the latest fashion trends for Brides and Guests on FabSugar
Tone your Arms and Abs while trying to stay sane on FitSugar
Get tips on everything from the invitations and decor to the cake and favors on YumSugar
Relive some of TV's greatest weddings on BuzzSugar
Learn how to choose a videographer and a photographer on GeekSugar.
See some brides behaving badly on GiggleSugar

All of this and more coming this week across The Sugar Network. To see all of the wedding coverage, visit the Wedding Talk group on TeamSugar. Stay tuned all Spring for more wedding coverage including showers, flowers, honeymoons and more. Fun times.

Engaged = Stress? It Doesn't Have To

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:30:00 -0700

For most of us, we dream about the day when our favorite person, our lover, and best friend in the world will get down on one knee, profess his love, and ask for our hand in marriage. It's all dreamy and wonderful in our minds, but when it actually happens, it's a happy time but filled with stress.

The questions start flying...

"Who's going to be in your wedding party?"
"When are you getting married?"
"Did you pick out your color scheme?"
"Are the groomsmen going to wear tuxes or suits?"
"Where are you going to have the wedding?"
"Will my kids be invited?"
"What's your dress going to look like?"
"Are you going to wear your hair up or down?"
"Are you going to have roses in the bouquets because you know I'm deathly allergic?"

AHHHH!!!! Seriously. What do people think you've been doing for your entire life, planning a wedding? For most of us, we were so concerned with getting engaged, that we never thought much past that.

Just because you are engaged does NOT mean you know every last detail about your future wedding. So enjoy this extraordinary time and don't let other people's nosiness get in the way.

Want to know how to ditch the stress? Then read more

Politely tell people that you haven't made any decisions yet, that you and your fiancé (awww, you can call him that now) are just enjoying the incredible feeling of being in love. When people start handing you advice, you can always be the nice sweet bride and say "Thanks for your suggestion. I'll think about that when we start planning."
To relax, instead of doing something like a gentle yoga class, choose an hour of pumped up cardio instead. It'll distract you from wedding thoughts.
Get advice from other recent brides. Learn from their mistakes and get tips from someone who knows what you're going through.
Sick of the unsolicited and crazy advice from everyone? Just say "Interesting. I'll have to think about that." It is polite and wonderfully non committal. You committed to your finacé, so you can blow off those silly suggestions that keep coming your way.
Take a trip to the bookstore. Pick up some bride magazines and books about planning a wedding so you'll feel more prepared about making decisions.
Definitely celebrate, but at the same time continue taking care of yourself. As tempting as it is to go out every night toasting your joy with oodles of champagne and brownie sundaes, you still want to eat healthy and stay active. Remember to celebrate in moderation.
When you are ready to start making some decisions about the big day, check out Dear's Wedding Time Line.

Push-Ups: A Bride-to-be's Best Friend

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:00:00 -0700

When I say push-ups, I am not talking about the bra. Nope. I am talking about the classic exercise, as in "Drop and give me 50." Now nobody is saying you need to start your day out with 50 push-ups just because you are now engaged, or because it is tank top season. Let's face it every bride and every tank top wearer wants toned arms and to get them the push-up is your best friend.

When I taught Pilates, I trained many a bride-to-be and doing the Method, lifting weights or taking a yoga class once a week is not going to give you the arms you want. So on your days off from your bootcamp you need to add some push-ups into your daily routine every other day. Just knowing that push-ups work five major muscle groups at once might just be motivation enough.

Here are a few tips to ensure that you and push-ups become fast friends:

Spread your fingers wide and spread the weight evenly between your finger tips and your palms. This helps keep the strain out of your wrists.
Inhale as you bend your elbows, and exhale as you straighten your elbows.
Let your core help you. Pull your navel to your spine and imagine the action is helping you push the floor away.
Imagine you are one long board, from your heels to the crown of your head. Don't stick your booty in the air (breaking at your hip crease) and don't sag in your low back that will hurt your spine.
You will work your triceps more if your hands are right under your shoulders keeping your elbows close to your sides as they bend.
To work your pecs more, place your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. When you bend your arms your elbows should move directly out to the sides.

Now if doing a "classic" push-up seems completely out of the question, there are some variations for you to try as you work your way up to the full press. To see them read more

Try push ups on your knees. Still keep a long line from your knees to the top of your head.
The next, easiest variation is on all fours, keeping the knees directly under the hips and bending the elbows in this position.
You can alway begin your push up quest at the wall. The closer your body is to the wall to begin the easier the push-up will be.

Begin with the goal of doing 10 push-ups. Increase the number of repetitions by 2 every week. Change variations when you can do 20 easily in the position you are working in.

If you're engaged, just looking at the ring every time you bend your elbows to lower yourself down should motivate you to push yourself back up.

It's Wedding Season On The Sugar Network!

Community Manager — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:26:18 -0700

Spring has sprung, which means that Wedding Season is around the corner. We get tons of emails asking for advice so we at The Sugar Network are ready to share wedding related stories, advice and fun. This week we are kicking things off with everything involving the Engagement.

Tell us your favorite engagement stories on DearSugar
Learn about great Engagement gifts on FabSugar
Get toned up for the big day on FitSugar
Learn how to plan an Engagement Party on YumSugar
Relive some of TV's greatest engagement moments on BuzzSugar
Learn How To Make a Wedding Website on GeekSugar.
See some hilarious proposals gone wrong on GiggleSugar

All of this and more coming this week across the Sugar sites. To see all of the wedding coverage by us and by all of you, visit the Wedding Talk group on TeamSugar. Stay tuned all Spring for more wedding coverage including showers, flowers, honeymoons and more. Fun times.

Source

Destress On Your Big Day: Yoga for Weddings

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:00:00 -0800

For all you bride-to be's out there, I just came upon this great website called Yoga For Weddings. Basically, it's a service that offers private yoga classes for brides, grooms, and their families, focusing on de-stressing and making strong connections.

Real teachers will come to you, and give classes for the months leading up to your wedding, such as a Bride Class, Groom Class, Bride & Groom Class, Parent Class, In-Law Class, Bachelorette/Bachelor Party Class (definitely not your traditional party), Bridal Party Class, Sibling Class, Groom & Dad Class, Bride & Mom Class, Bride & Sibling Class, Groom & Mom Class, or Family Combo Class.

They offer private classes for the day or week of your wedding, and classes for after the wedding, like for your Anniversary (aww).

I love this idea. Currently, they have teachers based in New York, London, Seattle, and Miami, but they'll work with you through their network of yoga instructors, depending on where you need them. Just e-mail or call Yoga For Weddings - schedule one class or a class package, and they'll come to you, offering you peace and relaxation on your special day.

iDo

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Are you going to be a June bride? Planning for the big day can be really stressful. Working women/brides-to-be have so much to think about: flowers, the ceremony, the cake, to honeymoon. Planning the wedding could easily become a full time job unto itself.

So you don't become too overwhelmed you are going to make multi-tasking a part of your planning process. So reach for your iPod and download podcasts to your iPod from iTunes. Here's a few for you to try: Wedding Planning Talk Radio (8 free episodes), Queer Eye (has a 9-episode wedding series), and 4 free podcasts from Bride Magazine.

For a small bit of change, you can download individual episodes of your favorite wedding-themed TV shows, or even get an entire season of the reality TV show, Whose Wedding is This Anyway? for $18.

Now busy brides can do 2 things at once - research wedding info while working out. That is truly great multi-tasking since you'll be listening to something while on the treadmill, make it an informative podcast.

Brides and Bacne: What to Do

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:30:00 -0700

The long haul to getting ready for your wedding can be complicated (or swimsuit season, for that matter). You're working out to look hot for your big day, but all the sweat is making you break out all over your body. To make matters worse you have a backless wedding dress. Yikes!!! What are you going to do?

For starters do not stop working out. All that exercise is great for relieving stress. Make sure to wear a sports bra and top that are made of wicking fabric and to take a shower immediately after exercising.

When you shower, use use Cetaphil or some other antibacterial cleanser on your back. Sugar user karebear recommends Murad Clarifying Spray, and user suzanne likes Zaperella's Bionic Blast by Benefit. TeamSugar just told me about the Body Squad Treatment by Avon.

If your problem persists, visiting a dermatologist might prove helpful. Ask your doc about Clindareach, a topical antibiotic designed with a special applicator for those hard to reach spots. This product does require a prescription.

Another way to fight the good fight against bacne, is a back facial (should this be called a "bacial?"). Many spas now offer this treatment and you can often buy a package of treatments for a discounted rate. Sorry to say, I think more than one treatment might be in order to really get the acne under control.

Source

Bikini-Clad Country Stars Discuss Diet and Self-Esteem

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Not one, not two, but three country music stars are showing off their bikini bodies on the cover of the July issue of Shape magazine. LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, and Julianne Hough look smokin' in their metallic suits. The ladies admit it takes work to look so trim and tell Shape that, as role models, it's important for their fans (and Martina's daughters) to know they take a healthy approach.

The singers chat about how frustrating it can be to watch their husbands scarf down anything they want to eat and confide that being in the spotlight isn't always peachy. All three women take responsibility for promoting a healthy way of life, especially eating a well-balanced diet, and emphasize that beauty isn't just a physical attribute. Julianne won me over with this statement:

There are a lot of teenagers out there who look at me and say, "Well, she's 21, I want to look like her." But I want everyone to know - especially young girls - I eat. I am not starving myself. I'm concerned about young women and their self-esteem being based on what they see on TV or in magazines. It's not about being beautiful on the outside, it's about loving yourself and who you are.

It's encouraging to see a young star reach out with a positive message. Keep it coming!