4 Important Exercises Every High-Heel Wearer Should Do


Updated 07/12/11 9:31 PM · Posted by · 1 comment

How to Prevent High-Heel Injuries

There may be benefits to working out in heels, but those leg-lengtheners can also be bad news for your body. Constant heel wearing can lead to a host of problems, from inflamed nerves to long-term joint problems. Scary stuff, right? I'm a high-heel fan, but after listening to a long explanation (read: lecture) about the horrible effects of high heels from my trainer last week, I've been trying to Read more

Stretch It: Calves


Updated 02/24/11 11:13 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 0 comments

Stretch It: Calves

The calf muscles get worked from just about every activity, from wearing killer heels to running. It pays to know multiple ways to lengthen tight calves and here are five of my favorite stretches. Source Read more

Fab Body Guide: Stylish Boots For All Calves


Updated 06/03/09 4:45 PM · Posted by FabSugar · 27 comments

Fab Body Guide: Stylish Boots For All Calves

I have a boot problem: I've discovered that my calves are too slim to fill out the top of some boots. Yes, there are worse things in life, but when endlessly searching for a stylish pair, it can be disheartening, not to mention unflattering. Many girls have the opposite problem, where their calves are too large for boots. No matter your dilemma, Buckles and Bows, the leading experts in wide- Read more

Stretch It: Calves


Updated 07/12/11 10:36 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 6 comments

Stretch It: Calves

Tight calves can be an unwanted side effect of such opposite activities as running or wearing high heels. Many people neglect stretching their calves! Since you have two layers of calf muscles, you need to do two stretches to ensure you are reaching both. So try these stretches after your next run or after a night of dancing in your Jimmy Choos. Gastrocnemius Stretch Place your hands on a Read more

What's the Deal With: Rennet


Updated 08/01/07 8:48 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 7 comments

What's the Deal With:  Rennet

Have you seen "rennet" listed as an ingredient on the package of your favorite cheese. I thought there were different forms of rennet, but wasn't exactly sure, so I did some research. Rennet is a natural complex of enzymes produced in the stomach of mammals to help digest it's mother's milk. Inside the young animal's stomach, the rennet coagulates the milk, causing it to separate into curds Read more

Biking By Muscle


Updated 07/25/07 4:45 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 5 comments

Biking By Muscle

Biking is a great way to work your legs without taking a toll on your knees. To work the separate muscle groups in your legs it pays to pedal with clips, or straps, that secure your foot to the pedal. Emphasize the downstroke: If you push on the downstroke you will work your quads - the muscle in the front of the thigh. This is also considered the most efficient stroke. Emphasize the upstroke: Read more

WHO Is Worried About Your Legs?


Updated 07/09/07 12:41 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 6 comments

WHO Is Worried About Your Legs?

WHO is worried about your legs? The World Health Organization (WHO) that's who. Summer is the season of travel with long flights to exotic places, and long flights puts you at risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Although the danger of developing DVT — normally in the form of a blood clot in the calves — is small, it increases if people are immobile for long periods in cramped conditions. Read more

Wear Heels? Stretch These Muscles


Updated 04/27/07 11:28 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Wear Heels? Stretch These Muscles

We all know that high heeled shoes are pretty, and pretty bad for your body. Yet, we all end up wearing them sometime or another - a big meeting, a wedding, or almost everyday. Basically the height of the heel pushes the weight of the body forward which interferes with your balance. The body likes to be in equilibrium so many muscle groups work harder to maintain your balance and keep you Read more

How Can I Prevent Shin Splints?


Updated 10/31/07 3:57 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 4 comments

How Can I Prevent Shin Splints?

Chances are, if you are a runner, you've experienced the pain of shin splints. It basically refers to the condition called Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS). When you overwork the muscles in the shin, the muscles exert a great amount of force on the shin bones (tibia and fibula) to keep your foot, ankle, and lower leg stable. This excessive force can partially tear the tendons away from Read more

Portable stretch: Calves


Updated 11/16/06 8:05 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Portable stretch: Calves

Looking for inconspicuous ways to stretch when you're waiting for the bus, standing in line or riding the elevator? Well here is a "portable" stretch - a stretch you can take with you wherever you go. While standing, straighten your leg out to the front or the side, depending on where you have room. Then flex your toes, pulling them back toward your knee. Hold for 10 seconds then switch legs. Read more