FitSugar

Get Physical: Go For a Jog Together

FitSugar — Sun, 20 May 2007 02:30:00 PDT

I know this one seems relatively basic, but one of the best ways to get out and about with your partner-in-crime (husband, best friend, mom, etc) is by going for a good ol' jog. My husband loves running outside and so do I, but sometimes neither of us feel like going at it alone, especially on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon.

This weekend you and a partner should dust off the old running shoes and go for jog. This gives you the opportunity to chat about everything you missed in each other's lives during the week (plus then you can use the talk test to make sure you're keeping good pace). I like to make it a friendly competition with my husband. For example, the first person that wants to take a break and walk has to do the dishes after dinner for a whole week. Jogging is a fabulous calorie burner (130 lb woman can burn 590 calories/hour and 190 lb man can burn about 863 calories/hour) for everyone involved, not to mention a great way to check out your neighborhood. You'll both feel great that you've accomplished the run together, which makes it a great bonding activity too!

Fit's Tip: Bring the dog along to give everyone some much needed exercise. Is the jogging partner you want miles away? Well, there's always the option to jog virtually.

3 Sexy Valentine's Day Dates to Keep You Healthy and Fit

Michele Foley — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:32:16 PST

Valentine's Day is always a good excuse to heat things up, and there's always a healthy, fun, and sexy way to celebrate the love-filled day, whether you're spending the holiday with friends or that special someone!

Girls Night Out: Pole Dancing Class
A pole dancing class is a frisky way for friends to celebrate Valentine's Day together. It's a little intimidating to swing around a pole while also letting out your sexier side, but when doing it with a group of your favorite girlfriends, it becomes easier. Besides being a great excuse to get together, this dance-inspired workout will help you tap into your sensual side while also helping tone muscles, firm the body, and increase flexibility. Once class is over, head out together for a glass of heart-healthy wine.

Group Date: Salsa Dancing
If a perfect date night for you involves getting together with other couples, charge things up by going salsa dancing. Besides being an easy way to burn calories, salsa is like flirting on the dance floor. From the rhythmic Latin beats to all that hip shaking, things are guaranteed to get hot. Don't be afraid to switch things up during the night. It's almost expected that you'll dance with different partners while out for a night of salsa dancing.

For You and Him: Couples Massage . . .
If you're going the traditional route and spending Valentine's Day with that special someone, indulge by getting a couple's massage. It will help you both relax, offer relief from stress, and ease muscle soreness that comes from exercise or the demands of the day. From there, cook a healthy dinner together and don't forget to get physical - and not at the gym! Valentine's Day is a good excuse to be intimate with your partner, especially given all the health benefits of having sex.

Christy Turlington Brings Sexy Back

Real Beauty — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:05:03 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

Christy Turlington is a mother, wife, supermodel, student, and humanitarian (whew!). She's also the face of Avon's new scent, Step into Sexy.

Inspired by her famously stilettoed life, we spoke to the all-American beauty about, what else? How to look and feel sexier. This is what she said.

Social Dieting: The Best Way to Slim

Self — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:09:48 PDT

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

This just in! Mice who socialize with their "friends" in an active environment are slimmer and have flatter bellies than their lonely, lazy counterparts. So can humans learn a thing or two from sexy, skinny rodents?

To find out how being more "socially active" can help you shed pounds, we spoke to Tom Holland, owner of Tom Holland's Athletic Club in New Canaan, CT, and author of Beat the Gym: Personal Trainer Secrets Without the Personal Trainer Price Tag.

HealthySELF: The study from researcher Matthew During, a professor of neuroscience at Ohio State University Medical Center, found that mice given cages with running wheels, mazes, toys and unlimited high-fat food and water - along with 15 to 20 cagemates - saw some of their white fat cells, which store energy, take on characteristics of brown fat, which burns calories. They lost 50 percent more of their abdominal fat and gained 29 percent less weight than the control mice.

When mice were given just running wheels but no pals to play with, they didn't lose as much weight as the control mice, which seems to be very telling. Obviously, humans are not mice. But could this be evidence that being more social can help people lose weight?

Holland: It very well could be. Much of the exercise-based research begins with mice, and strong connections with humans have been found over the years. I believe a big component in all this may be the connection between social ties and depression. The less "connected" people are, the more prone to depression they become, which can lead to overeating and lack of exercise. A 2009 study by the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center showed that staying busy and having a sense of purpose helps people live longer.

Find out more about how being social helps you shed pounds after the break.

Move It or Lose It! How to Motivate a Lazy Friend to Exercise

Michele Foley — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:50:23 PDT

You've found yourself a workout buddy; maybe you even joined a fitness meet-up group. The problem is your workout partner would rather lift a pint of ice cream than a set of dumbbells. Before you give up on her completely, try these tips to help spur her into action. After all, one of the biggest selling points of having an exercise buddy is to keep each other motivated!

A compliment goes a long way: Keep a friend motivated by acknowledging the hard work she's putting into her fitness regimen. Let her know that she rocked it in class that evening; if she's losing weight or has more energy in her step, make sure to tell her that she looks great; if she's sticking to a new diet regimen, acknowledge that you're proud that she's sticking to her goals. These small compliments make a world of difference and can be the extra little step that keeps her from throwing in the towel.
Create an incentive program: All work and no play can be a real drag, so make sure to reward each other for your hard work. Together, set goals with your friend; once you meet them, make sure to celebrate in some small way. Your goal can be about weight loss, hitting the gym for a certain amount of days in a month, or being able to run an 8-minute mile for 30 minutes. Whether it's celebrating with a healthy happy hour, pedicure, or those new pair of lululemon capris, give yourself an end prize for hitting the mark!

See more tips to keep your friend motivated after the break!

6 Reasons to Row Your Way to Fit While Burning 800 Calories

Self — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:08:43 PDT

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

Once upon a time, rowing was considered a man's sport, beloved by preppy Ivy League boys and lake fishermen. Times have changed. Here's what happened: we ladies found out it was fun. You know what else is fun? Being toned. And, contrary to popular belief, rowing accomplishes that for more than just your upper body.

Just ask ultra-endurance athlete and World Rowing Champion, Josh Crosby, who created the now internationally practiced Indo-Row workout with partner and fitness developer Jay Blahnik. (They even collaborated with WaterRower on a special Indo-Row Machine that uses actual water.) Though the first classes began in 2005, Indo-Row went global in the last three years and is now offered at over 50 clubs from Equinox and Sports Club LA to The Mayo Clinic's Wellness Center. And, as with any growing trend and especially ones that start in California, Hollywood has caught on. Though the Indo-Row team is hush-hush about A-list clientele, a few names have leaked out like Nicole Kidman, Estella Warren, Kevin Bacon, and Jason Patric.

In the creator's own words, "Indo-Row was designed to bring the benefits of rowing to the masses." See Crosby's top six reasons to row after the break!

Wedding Prep: Couples That Work Out Together, Stay Together

Heather Dale — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 04:12:58 PDT

Planning fun fitness outings with your spouse-to-be makes it that much easier to get in shape for your upcoming wedding. The fact that your partner is crime is joining you in your workout endeavors, means you can be adventurous by planning weekend hiking dates, kick up your heels on a Friday night, or maybe even take the sweat session to the beach like Olympic athlete Kerri Walsh and her hubby. But what else can you and your Mr. Lova Lova do that will help you keep fit and provide ample amounts of fun? Here are some options.

Mwa! Health Benefits of Smooching

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:27:22 PDT

Whether you're making out with a new Summer fling or smacking lips with your partner of 10 years, kissing isn't just for fun, it's also good for your health. Here are some reasons you should spend a little more time smooching.

Getting into a serious French kissing session increases saliva production, which helps to wash away bacteria. This means kissing can help prevent tooth decay and cavities.
Smooching is a major stress reliever, because in a way, it's kind of like meditation. It replaces negative feelings with an intensely happy buzz that can help you (briefly) forget about work deadlines, the fight you had with your sister, or the missing muffler on your car.
Locking lips is a workout for your facial muscles, which can keep that area taut, making you look younger.
Kissing burns calories, which translates to weight loss. A 20-minute make-out session on your couch burns 40 calories, and it's way more fun than hitting the treadmill.
Kissing boosts your immunity. All that swapping spit exchanges germs, too, which forces your body to produce antibodies to prevent you from getting sick. It's like getting a vaccination, so keep the kisses coming in order to keep you healthy.
You can kiss allergies goodbye, too. A Japanese study showed that 30 minutes of kissing reduced blood levels of IgE, an allergy antibody. I'd much rather kiss than pop allergy pills!

Burn Calories Doing the Heart-Pumping Lindy Hop Dance

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:13:34 PDT

Lindy Hop is a type of swing dance that was popularized in Harlem during the '20s and '30s to syncopated rhythms from musicians like Lionel Hampton or Glenn Miller. It's a cross between the Charleston and jazz dance and includes fast spins and flexed foot steps. If you've never done partner dancing, Lindy Hop is a great genre to learn because the steps are fairly easy, even for the least coordinated person.

The triplet steps will tone your calves, and the fast pace will set your heart racing. Lindy Hop is so invigorating, you will spend hours dancing without noticing that you're burning hundreds of calories. If you're lucky, you'll find a studio that turns into a social dance at the end of the night, featuring a live band, so you can practice you're newly acquired dance skills with more experienced dancers. No need to feel self-conscious; here are some important things to know before you start taking Lindy Hop lessons.

See our Lindy Hop tips.

FITSUGAR SNEAK PEEK: I once was lost but now...

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 09:48:05 PDT

Hey guys: Get excited, because FitSugar is coming soon! See below for a sneak peek:

...I have found The Garmin Forerunner! If you're like me and have zero sense of direction but love to take scenic jogs and hikes, you'll want one.

Garmin, the GPS company that keeps you on course in your car, has come up with a way to keep you on course (literally and figuratively) in your workout. The Forerunner is a running partner and personal trainer. It will continuously monitor your speed, distance, pace and calories burned so you can train smarter and more effectively by tracking your every move with a super-sensitive GPS that works even on tree-covered trails and near tall buildings. All you analysts out there can then download your stats to your PC and analyze away.

I prefer the Forerunner 305 ($273.89, Available here) over the Forerunner 205 ($208.69, Available here) because it has a heart rate monitor built-in. They both have the Virtual Partner™ which lets you train against a digital person at specified time, distance or pace goals. Finally a personal trainer you can wrap around your bicep.

Want to learn how to fit into those skinny jeans? Need to find a totally fab pair of running shoes that you can actually run in? Dying to know if dipping into your clothing budget in order to eat organically is worth it? Read about all of this and more on our next site, FitSugar!

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