FitSugar

Burn More Calories at Your Next Workout

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:05:07 PST

Make the most out of the little time that you can devote to working out with these easy tips. These tips will not only help you burn more calories the next time you sweat it out, but you can also expect to tone your muscles more efficiently.

Cardio Rules: Another Reason to Let Go

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:00:49 PDT

I am a fan of cardio workouts and cardio machines, but the handles on those machines - not so much. When you're stair-stepping and walking on the treadmill, holding on is not only bad for your posture and body mechanics - folks tend to slouch when they use the handles - but hanging onto the rails actually reduces the total number of calories burned by 40 to 50 percent. Talk about taking the ~~wind out of your sails~~ win out of your workout. When not supporting yourself using the handles, you force your body to expend more energy and burn more calories. Going hands-free also kicks your core into action.

So let go! Or at least alternate every minute or two while you become accustomed to not holding the rails. If you feel a little unsteady read this post: Why Feel The "Y": Core Concepts. It will help you connect to your center and sense of balance while you move.

Celebrate Summer Lovin': 10 Healthy Date Activities

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:50:00 PDT

Uh-oh! Like it or not, the final days of Summer are driftin' away. If you're looking to take a vacation from your usual workouts, take advantage of the season and carve out some time with your favorite cutie or health-minded pal for a calorie-burning date. Tell me more, tell me more, you say? Here are a few of my favorites activities to cool you off, heat things up, and keep you moving.

Burn More Calories on the Treadmill

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:50:38 PDT

Whether the hot humid weather has made running outside impossible, or you're a gym rat by nature, running on a treadmill is a great way to burn calories, keep your heart healthy, and tone up your lower body. If you want more from your workouts, try these tips the next time you hop on the moving belt.
Source: Thinkstock

Burn a Few More Calories: Take a Self Defense Class

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 09:30:00 PDT

Some of my favorite kinds of workouts are the ones that kill two birds with one stone. For example, I love getting in 30 minutes of cardio while watching the last episode of TopChef (yes, I watch that show too). I also love doing pull-ups and dips on the monkey bars while I am at the park with my kids.

Another way to get fit and accomplish something (aside from plain ol' getting healthy) while you're exercising is to take a self-defense class. Here's why: Your first defense in self-defense is to run (run Forest, run...), and we all know how good running is at burning calories. Your next defense in self-defense is to try to fight off a possible attacker, which means you'll be learning how to protect yourself with specialized moves. Perfecting moves such as the Hammer Fist and Elbow Shots is an excellent method for burning calories as well as empowering yourself too. Check around for self-defense classes near you. A lot of local YMCAs offer them as well as community centers, and even gyms, nationwide.

10 Ways to Burn More Calories This Summer

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 03:00:00 PDT

This summer, take advantage of all the great ways you can burn a few more calories. Here are ten simple ways that you can burn a few more calories in just 30 minutes this summer:

*Based on a 130 lb. person for 30 minutes of activity.*
Activity	Calories Burned
Fishing	118
Frisbee	89
Horseback Riding	118
Mountain Biking	251
Rock Climbing	236
Snorkeling	148
Softball	148
Surfing	89
Water Skiing	177
Whitewater Rafting	148

The best part? You should have fun burning those extra calories. So pull out the sunscreen and bug spray and start moving this summer.

Source

Burn More Calories This Week: Walk to Work

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 02:35:00 PST

There are so many simple things you can do to burn more calories in one day, especially if you live and work in a city.

Instead of taking the subway, bus or cab to work. Walk. I am not saying do it everyday (especially if you're running really late), but try briskly walking to or from work at least once this week. If you like it, next week try doing it at least twice. Slowly build up to doing it all of the time.

Live too far to possibly walk and still make it on time? Well then you can still take the subway, but get off a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way. You could burn upwards of 69* calories for every 15 minutes of briskly walking. You'll burn more if you're carrying a load, like your laptop and purse.

*Based on a 140 pound woman.

Up and at 'Em! Calorie Burners For Memorial Day

Michele Foley — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:14:24 PDT

Memorial Day is more than just good barbecue! Why not throw in some fun activities so those treats don't expand your waistline? Here are a handful of ways to burn at least 200 calories this holiday. The best part is that they are all fun group activities, so it won't feel like you are working out at all!

Calories burned based on a 130-pound woman. Calculate a more accurate burn stat for your weight and height with our Calorie Burn tool.

Insanity's Shaun T's Last-Minute Diet and Exercise Tips

Leta Shy — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:34:46 PDT

Shaun T, the personal trainer who's motivated millions with his at-home workouts, knows how to get people in shape in a short amount of time. After all, his Insanity workout program promises incredible results in just 60 days of sweating and jumping in front of your TV.

With Summer a mere few weeks away, we spoke with Shaun about how to get in shape for anything - whether it's a beach holiday, wedding, or event - when you've only got a little time. Find out his recommendations below!

Watch your drink calories: "Don't drink your calories. That's the number one rule of thumb: not to drink your calories. It will eliminate so many calories in your body. Everybody knows that sugar that's not burnt off eventually turns into fat," says Shaun, who's also holding live workouts nationwide to promote his partnership with Powerade Zero. Shaun recommends portion control and cutting the amount of sugars and carbs in your diet in half, but "still ensure you have enough energy during the day," he says.

Kick it up a notch: "If you're a person who works out at the gym, try to take [fewer] breaks," Shaun recommends. "If you're a weight lifter, while you're not doing weights, try to do some different cardio exercise in between to try to ramp up the calorie burn."

Keep reading for more of Shaun T's last-minute diet and exercise advice!

4 Time-Saving Tips For a Healthy Lifestyle

Leta Shy — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:18:40 PDT

Summers can be incredibly busy - between shuttling kids to and from activities to planning and going on vacation, all the activities that come along with the season can leave you pressed for time. Luckily, we've got a few suggestions for how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, even if you've only got minutes to spare.

Total-body in 20: Breaking up your workout in just 10- or 20-minute increments ensures that you'll break a sweat and burn calories without having to devote too much time out of your day. Even more efficient is making sure that your workouts target all areas of your body. For short workouts that you can do anywhere, check out our fast full-body workouts.

Home cooking: It's easier to cook healthily if you've already done the legwork. Shop for produce and other groceries at the beginning of the week so you can plan every night's dinners - check out one of our healthy dinner plans for the week here. You can also store individual servings of smoothies or sauces (using an ice-cube tray!) in your freezer to have at hand while whipping up a meal.

Read on for more time-saving tips!