FitSugar

Get Fit For 2010: Before and "So Far" Pictures

Fit Community — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:50:47 PST

Learn what FitSugar reader laellavita means by her blog post title from our Get Fit For 2010 community challenge and contest.

I don't want to say "after" because the real after will be at the end (though does that ever really come?) because right now this really is a continual work in progress. Even when I hit a physical "after," there will always be the mental stuff to battle through. Therefore, my "after" picture is a "so far," and I'm posting it to hold myself accountable to something. I'm awful at holding myself accountable to things, be it how much I'm eating or what I'm eating or ways I'm sabotaging myself, et cetera.

June 2007 - I'm in the black and white dress, when I weighed my heaviest of around 180+ pounds. I want to say it was even 200, but by then I hated taking pictures of myself, I hated weighing myself, none of my clothes really fit, and I was absolutely miserable. I'd been on diets all my life, had an eating disorder and a pretty serious case of anorexia that earned intervention and therapy starting at age 14, but then things coalesced into a type of binge eating disorder. I'd cut carbs, do ridiculous diets, and then binge when I couldn't take it anymore. I worked at Starbucks and would constantly gorge myself on the extra pastries and drinks they gave us for free. And I was terrified about going to college and gaining an extra 15 pounds, so when I got there, I started making myself hit the gym every day and I went to the salad bar instead of even the wrap line because the amount of dressing they put on those things was absolutely terrifying. But even when I made progress and got to 165, my weight always wavered and I'd still have little binge episodes, partly because I was always restricting my diet like crazy and then going overboard. One step forward and two steps back, you know, the same old story everyone has. But finally, instead of staying at the crappy little school gym that really only had two working treadmills on a good day, I joined a (really expensive) gym down the street and started working out there. I had a few training sessions here and there and learned a lot of things from my trainer. I started running in Central Park, too, and last year finally came to terms with the fact that I was terrified of bread and carbs and that was absolutely ridiculous. Who is scared of bread? So I switched to whole grain wheats, didn't deprive myself of them, but really stuck to the moderation thing and my weight's been even easier to control - I actually lost a lot more than I thought I would! Every once in a while, I have bad days when I eat too much of the good stuff - there was even an article in Shape magazine this month (with Katharine McPhee on the cover) talking about how people can be "purist" diet saboteurs, and that is me to a T. It was a wake up call to be called out on my habits, so that is my resolution. I posted before about strength training more, and my ultimate goal is to run the NYC marathon this fall (fingers crossed if I get a slot in the lottery!!), as well as cutting out a lot of processed and packaged food, but just being aware is also a goal of mine.

To see how she transformed her body, just

Enter Our Get Fit For 2010 Giveaway!

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:13:06 PST

How are your New Year's resolutions coming along? You've had over a week to live with them, and here's your chance to reassess your health and fitness goals for the new year with the Get Fit For 2010 community challenge. Since sticking to resolutions - running a marathon, losing your baby weight, or eating a more balanced diet - can be rough, we have not only started a community group for support but also created a contest so you can win prizes while working toward becoming a healthier you. For the next 12 weeks, we will be posting a challenge on FitSugar every Monday, and by meeting the challenge you will be automatically entered for a chance to win the weekly prize - a $100 Nike gift card.

This week's challenge: Write a blog post stating your fitness and health goals for the year in the Get Fit For 2010 group. I'd love to see a "before" image to go with your blog post too.

I am participating (one of my goals is to run a half marathon), and my pal LilSugar is joining the community too - she'll be video blogging her progress every Tuesday. If you're ready to join the fun and feel the community support, log in and head directly to Get Fit For 2010. Need a little help making a blog post? Then check out these tips on posting in our group.

At the end of three months, we will pick a grand prize winner at random from all of the entries in all of the weekly challenges. The more you participate, the more chances you have to win the grand prize: a $1,000 gift card from Nike; a year of personalized nutrition plans by nutritionist Alexa Fishback, plus a copy of her book; a year membership to 24 Hour Fitness for you and a friend; and two Bodybuggs.

If you're not already a member of the PopSugar Community, register here now. Click here for the official rules.

You have until 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, Jan. 17, to complete your first challenge. I can't wait to read what your goals are. Ready. Set. Blog!

Get Fit For 2010: Make a Plan and Share It

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:16 PST

Here to serve as a motivational force in your drive to get fit for 2010, I want to remind you all that good intentions need well-laid plans. Let me share with you all some examples from the blog posts FitSugar readers have been writing in the Get Fit For 2010 community group.

JanisRae has resolved to get healthier by going to the gym, eating better, and being more mentally sound. Here's her strategy for de-stressing: "Blogs, journals, prayer, deep breathing. Going back to doing things I enjoyed doing before I got a full-time job is also a priority; going back to your roots makes you smile and feel youthful! Also, keeping clutter to a minimum seems to do the trick."
LadyBomb has been through a lot, and she's not kidding herself that she's going to meet her health goals without some hard work. She writes, "I'm going to increase my exercise frequency, duration, and intensity gradually in hopes to lose the weight."
User commonsense 102 has the goal of staying on the healthy track as she overcomes an injury. She is not only focusing "on healthy eating and making smart choices about indulgences," she is also adding intervals of jogging to her walks.
FitSugar user parkercat wants to lose the last 20 pounds and her plan to do so is simple and straightforward. She wrote, "I will increase my running millage and step-board exercise."
Rebeccaelyse is turning her health around and lowering her BMI. She is starting by replacing "soda with water, white bread with wheat."

Have you blogged about your goals for the new year yet? If yes, did you write how you plan to meet them? If not, please share your plan since writing goals helps you figure out how to meet them. Each blog post you write in the Get Fit For 2010 group increases your chances to win the weekly prize - $100 gift card from Nike. You have until Sunday Jan. 17 11:59 p.m. (PST) to meet this challenge. And since we know change takes more than a week, out Get Fit For 2010 is three months long with a new challenge every week to stay on track.

Enter Our Get Fit For 2010 Giveaway!

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:45:38 PST

If you're not already a member of the PopSugar Community, register here now. Click here for the official rules.

You have until 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, Jan. 17, to complete your first challenge. I can't wait to read what your goals are. Ready. Set. Blog!

Strike A Pose! Challenge 1 Winner!

FabSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:30:33 PDT

Congratulations to Fab reader twiggychic3, winner of Strike A Pose! Challenge 1! This petite fashionista stepped right up to the plate and gave the challenging pose a shot. And as you can see, she nailed it! To thank her for bending backwards for us, she'll be receiving a Fab tee to pose everyday in.

All you other aspiring models, stay tuned for another Strike A Pose! challenge soon...

Strike A Pose! Challenge 1 Reminder!

FabSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:45:22 PDT

Many of you expressed interest in our new Strike A Pose! challenge, yet I don't see any of your imitations in the Strike A Pose! group. C'mon ladies - get those cameras ready and strike a post like there's nothing to it...

As a reminder, I will always start you off by imitating a difficult pose and then I want to see you try. Subscribe and then post your photos in the Strike A Pose! group and for this week's pose tag it with "Strike A Pose Challenge 1." I will select the best attempts and feature them on Fab! And the winning post will receive a FabSugar tee to pose away in 24/7.

The Vampire Diaries "Dangerous Liaisons": The Good, The Bad, and The Bloody

Shannon Vestal — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:57:03 PST

The original vampire family hosts a ball on this week's episode of The Vampire Diaries, and the whole town puts on their finest formal wear for the event of the supernatural season. Elena has two dates to the event, but it's her date to meet the original witch that gives us insight into what's in store for Klaus and his siblings.

Speaking of Klaus, we get some developments between him and Caroline that are sweet and promising (even if she's a bit cautious to date him because of his cruelty in the past and general bloodlust). There's also a hot hookup that I didn't see coming, so there's lots to talk about this week. To get to the good, the bad, and the bloody, just keep reading.

Reese, Tom, and Chris Team Up to Show This Means War in LA

Allie Merriam — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:23:46 PST

Reese Witherspoon joined her This Means War leading men on the red carpet at their LA premiere last night. She was decked out in a strapless dress from Miu Miu to sign autographs for fans and pose for pictures with "Piney" and Tom, who brought along his British actress fiancée Charlotte Riley. Reese, Chris, and Tom were together last weekend for their junket as well. We caught up with the trio there, and Reese joked about the challenges of choosing one of the two guys, Chris or Tom, in the movie. Yesterday, Reese talked about having more kids. She said, "I would love that!"

Chelsea Handler, who plays Reese's BFF, didn't pose with her costars. Instead, she made her way solo down the press line, and joked with us about her relationships with Reese, Chris, and Tom. When asked which actor, Chris or Tom, she would pick if given the choice, Chelsea went with Mr. Hardy since she's a big fan of muscles. We will likely see more of the foursome before the film hits theaters next Tuesday, Feb. 14, on Valentine's Day. Stay tuned for more from the event later today on PopSugar Rush.

Our "Roadway to My Heart" Downloadable Valentine Is Perfect For School!

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:24 PST

Who needs hearts, kisses, and all that pink? If your home is filled with lil ones who'd rather play with cars, trucks, and things that go than add some glitter to a valentine he'll hand out at school, we've got just the card for you! We were challenged by the editors at Martha Stewart's Living in the Family Room blog to create a boy-friendly valentine that would get tots excited about more than the candy associated with Feb. 14.

The result: "Roadway to My Heart," an interactive card that combines a downloadable valentine and Matchbox cars.

Keep reading for the free download and step-by-step instructions for creating the card at home.

What to TiVo: Wednesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:59:00 PST

8:00 The Middle (new)
8:30 Suburgatory (new)
9:00 Modern Family (new)
9:30 Happy Endings (new)
10:00 Revenge (new)
12:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live (new, with guests Josh Hutcherson and Nathan Fillion)

8:00 Person to Person (new, with guest George Clooney)
9:00 Criminal Minds (new)
10:00 CSI (new)
11:35 Late Show With David Letterman (new, with guests Ryan Reynolds and Ellie Kemper)
12:37 Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson (new, with guests Christina Applegate and Brad Goreski)

8:00 American Idol (new)
9:00 Mobbed (new)

8:00 Whitney (new)
8:30 Are You There, Chelsea? (new)
9:00 Rock Center With Brian Williams (new)
10:00 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (new)
11:35 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (new, with guests Chris Pine and Lisa Lampanelli)
12:35 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (new, with guests Vanessa Hudgens and Of Montreal)

8:00 One Tree Hill (new)
9:00 Remodeled (new)