FitSugar

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.

Quiz: Thanksgiving Pie

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:30:28 -0800

Who eats any other dessert other than pie on Thanksgiving? Here is a quiz celebrating the traditional dessert of T-day from calorie counts to celebs' attitudes about the crusty dish. Take it and see if you know about pie.

Take the quiz

Speak Up: What's Your Trouble Area?

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0800

Carrie Underwood boldly shared in Us Weekly that her trouble area is her tummy. She said, "It may take me the rest of my life, but if I'm 80 and I have abs, I'll be happy."

Now it's your turn to share which part of your body you work the hardest to tone up, shrink down, and sculpt. Tell me, what's your trouble area?

Amanda Peet: So in Love

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:17 -0800

Amanda Peet is undoubtedly feeling great. She's starring in the number one film in the country, and in the December issue of Self the actress shares that nothing brings her more joy than hanging at home with her hubby and baby girl. In fact, the actress credits her husband, screenwriter David Benioff, as being her healthiest habit. Oh, true love!

The 37-year-old actress is not without her envies, though - she wants "boobs, a gentle six-pack, and a perky butt." And when it comes down to it, she secretly wishes for a bod like Gisele Bündchen's or Jennifer Aniston's. Outside of a little admiration, especially since Peet strives to live a life full of balance and a lot of laughs.

To hear Peet's take on health, read more.

Amanda is a big fan of moderation:

"To me, staying healthy means doing everything in moderation. Eat a lot of greens, but in moderation. Exercise, but in moderation. Drink wine, but in moderation. Sleep as much as you can. And have people around you who are very funny."

At the end of the day it all comes back to love for Peet, who says that her 2-year-old daughter is the reason why she stays healthy.

"I do feel like it's important for her to have me be as healthy as I can be. So, you know, I don't want her to have horrible eating habits. I don't want her to never exercise. But obviously I'd much rather have her play a sport than have a gym membership before she's 20. I mean there are kids in LA who go to the gym and they have a trainer. I'm like, Play a sport!"

Check out more shots of the hot mama and visit lilsugar to read more about Amanda on mothering. Also, see lots more photos, quotes on Self.com.

View 5 Photos ›

Heidi Klum's Got a Good Take on Her Post-Baby Bod

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:30:38 -0800

Thanks to a healthy attitude - and a little encouragement from hubby Seal - Heidi Klum is working to get her body back in shape after baby number four. Still, if you're expecting the supermodel to take a turn in the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, you might be surprised to learn that she won't be walking the runway this year, but playing hostess duty instead.

In an interview with US Weekly, it seems this mom is a little more realistic when it comes to shaping up her body after giving birth. Heidi told the magazine:

"I wouldn't say I'm back in the shape yet. But I don't know. Everything changes when you get older. It was different when I was 31 with the first one. Now, being 36 with the fourth one, it's different."

It seems to me the mom is setting a realistic expectation for getting back in shape and going about it the right way. She knows that it takes some work to get the bod you want, saying that, "For me, it always works to get back into it immediately. I think that if you wait too long, it kind of sticks on and it stays there forever. I have to be motivated." Still, she's not gym-crazed or diet-obsessed, adding that she's not exercising too much for now: "I walk on the treadmill a little bit. I walk on the driveway. I'm very active with the children." Sure, she's blessed with some supermodel genes (and possibly a very long driveway), but even still, Heidi's take on weight loss seems surprisingly down-to-earth to me - do you agree?

Celebrity Trainers Who Tweet

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:50:09 -0700

More and more celebrity trainers are using Twitter to broadcast healthy eating tips, motivational words, and exercise advice. The trainers also reply to questions directed at them via Twitter, which help make users feel like personal clients.

Start following these trainers to feel red-carpet-ready every day - minus the hefty price tag. And don't forget to follow FitSugar on Twitter, too!

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New Moon Star Nikki Reed Says Relationship Keeps Her Slim

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:49 -0800

If Kristen Stewart needs any help kicking her nicotine habit, she can look to her New Moon costar Nikki Reed for advice. In the last few months, Reed has given herself a bit of a lifestyle makeover, thanks in large part, as she told People, to her relationship with Greek shipping heir (and Paris Hilton ex) Paris Latsis.

Reed and Latsis have officially been out as a couple since Summer, which was the perfect time for Latsis to introduce Reed to all the outdoor sports he loves. The pair spent the season hiking, windsurfing, and water skiing, and as a result, Reed says, the pounds started dropping.

Besides having tons of fun, Reed was so inspired by her boyfriend's love of the outdoors that she became motivated to get into better shape. First things first, she quit smoking. Now Reed hits the gym for two hours a day and says that being active has made her "much happier."

Last week I shared with you some ways that your relationship might be making you fat, but keep in mind that as with Reed, relationships can have positive effects on health. I personally am healthier now that I'm with a partner who likes being active as much as I do. He and I love riding bikes, climbing, and going on long hikes together. Do any of you credit your relationship for making you healthier?

Do You Know Your Celebrity Marathoners?

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:30:59 -0700

The New York City marathon has a knack for attracting celebrity runners. Famous or not, it takes some real strength to get through the 26.2 mile long course - past participants include David Letterman, Katie Holmes, and Lance Armstrong. Do you know your stats when it comes to the celebs that have faced the challenge? Take my quiz and find out!

Question 1 of 5

T/F: Actress Katie Holmes, who ran the NYC in 2007, followed it up by running the Boston Marathon in 2008.

Test Your Knowledge of Fad Diets

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:08 -0800

It seems like every day a new diet makes the news. Some of these fads can sound promising because they're veiled in medical and health jargon or carry the backing of a celebrity or doctor. But reading between the lines reveals that regardless of the details, these diets are generally not healthy because they lack balance and are very restrictive.

Many of them are just plain kooky too - it's as if they're trying to outweird one another. How well do you know your trendy diets? Take my quiz and find out.

Take the quiz

Reality Check: Ashlee Isn't a No Carbs Kind of Girl

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:02 -0800

Even though she lives the So Cal lifestyle, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz told Women's Health that she doesn't starve herself for a Hollywood figure; she simply loves food, and one of her favorite feasts features Mexican fare. Once a week Ashlee and her hubby, Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, invite family and friends over for taco night. Ashlee told the mag that she's not afraid of cheese, eats cheeseburgers with ranch dressing, and indulges in French fries. But don't spread the rumor that she's eating for two, because she's not, and Ashlee shares that she's even slimmer than ever.

She boasts about devouring whatever she wants, doesn't deprive herself of the foods she craves, and still has such a great figure. To find out what she asys is her secret, read more.

Ashlee's secret weapon is Bronx Pilates! Her 1-year-old son is in her arms all day, and carrying around that extra weight has helped to really tone her arms.

Before she gave birth, Ashlee had gained 50 pounds, and her breasts were up to a size E when she was nursing. So once baby Bronx was two weeks old, she was ready to start losing the extra pounds. A home-delivery meal plan didn't work since she's a big eater. She says, "If I want a grilled cheese sandwich, I'll eat a grilled cheese sandwich." So she turned to exercise, and with the help of a personal trainer, the new mama set up a home gym and started circuit training. Four weeks later, Ashlee had lost half her baby weight. Her diligent workouts have definitely paid off. Of course, this young actress also has her youth and genes to thank. Though she looks amazing now, Ashlee dispels the notion that her bod was a result of Hollywood stress. She says, "I wasn't in a rush to get back to this body for anyone else. It was more like, 'I wanna look good [for me]? I wanna feel good.'"

Ashlee is feeling great and very appreciative of her family and all life has blessed her with. On top of a great career and a healthy son, her hubby is a great source of comfort and support. "Pete isn't worried about stretch marks, " she says, "He always makes me feel sexy."

The way she explains it, she doesn't really do anything currently to maintain her figure. Do you believe it?