FitSugar

Speak Up: Crazy Commuting

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I am a big fan of biking to work. Commuting via bike can seem perilous on busy city streets, but new research show that the more people ride bicycles on city streets, the less likely they are to be injured in traffic accidents. It seems that motorist drive more safely in the presence of cyclists and pedestrians as well. Yay!

This increase in road safety did not help Jim Litz, of Missoula, MT. Biking to work, he "T-boned" a black bear as he crested a hill going 25 mph. Luckily, Litz escaped with minor injuries - a cracked helmet, a bear scratch, and a few bruises. Talk about a crazy commute.

It seems that as the length of the average workday increases, the commute pulls double duty and has transformed into a workout for some of us. Even the folks at Runner's World are promoting the notion of running to work. I would like to hear your stories about your commute and how you pack in exercise as you go to and from your job: bike, run, skate, or walk. Do you stand on the subway to work your core? Any other bear accidents out there? Tell me in the comments section below.

Bike to Work Day

FitSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

The merry month of May offers so many wonderful things. Aside from bringing you flowers, May is National Bike Month. I love my bike and I love a chance to be public about this love.

To celebrate National Bike Month many cities and metro regions sponsor Bike to Work Day, in an effort to make pedaling to work a more visible and viable option. As gas prices climb and waistlines increase, biking to work can solve many problems simultaneously. Biking to work can turn your commute into exercise, and quite pleasant exercise at that.

The dates of Bike to Work Days vary from city to city, but are generally toward the end of the week – Thursday (5/15) or Friday (5/16). To find out more about pro bike events in your area check out this comprehensive map of events.

Are you planning on biking to work? Tell me in the comments section below because I am truly curious. Don't forget your helmet!

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Bike to Work Week

FitSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Today is the first day of Bike to Work Week, culminating in Bike to Work Day on this Friday, May 18th. So if you didn't bike today, no worries you still have 4 more days. Well, you really have the rest of your commuting life to bike to work if you subscribe to the "Today is the first day of the rest of your biking life." Plus, the entire month of May is National Bike Month - you have the whole month.

The League of American Bicyclists has a listing on their website of Bike Week events happening around the country. Thirty-five states have listings of events and I look forward to the day that all 50 states promote biking as a means of transportation. Hopefully there will be some infra-structure improvements to make it easier to get around on a bike.

Now, I know for some of you it is impossible to bike to work...so why not bike to a friend's house this week. Or if you are going out for dinner, bike to the restaurant. If you are biking at night don't forget to use your bike lights (that is plural because you want to have one in the back as well as one in the front), and your helmet of course!!!

Bike somewhere, so you can answer a resounding YES to the above question.

Do you have a bike?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 May 2007 12:30:00 -0700

I love my bike. It's orange, so what's not to love. I love biking around town to run errands and I wish I could commute via bike. One of the reasons I love spring so much is I get to ride more. This got me wondering how many of you have bikes. So do you?

Dealing with a Stressful Commute

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:30:00 -0800

Forbes reported recently that Americans drive an average of 25 minutes to get work. Commutes can be brutal so they also offered some tips to make those long commutes less stressful.

Take mass transit. Since you are not driving you can read a book, the newspaper, or knit - any activity to help you decompress after your work day. Another plus to mass transit, is that the commute time becomes much more predictable.
Car pool if you can. Not only will you have some company for your commute, but you can share the burden of driving and the cost of gas money.
If you must drive alone, make sure you have maps in your car and alternative routes planned out if you hit a huge traffic jam. If you can navigate around a section of the freeway that has turned into a parking lot, you will hopefully feel more empowered and therefore less frustrated.
Talk to your boss and see if you can work flexible hours to avoid commuting during peak traffic times. Or better yet, see if you can telecommute one or two days a week to lessen your drive time.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, be Zen about it. Admit that you are stuck and just go with the flow. Beeping your horn and yelling at the stopped cars will not get you to your destination any faster, and chances are it will rile you up which is so not necessary.

Me...I always make sure I have a bottle of water on hand for my commute, there is nothing worse than feeling stuck and dehydrated.

Rowbike: This Looks Like Fun

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:00:17 -0800

The Rowbike is an exercise machine that provides the total body conditioning of rowing with the speed and excitement of being on a bicycle.

Riding the Rowbike will strengthen your arms, shoulders, upper back, and core muscles. It's a great cardio workout if you're used to running or regular biking, but it's much easier on your lower back, hips, knees, and feet.

It's a fun way to lose weight, tone up, lower your blood pressure, and relieve stress. It's also great for stretching your back, abs, and hamstrings.

Starting at $775, it's about as much as a regular high performance bike. Use it for exercise or a way to commute to work. You can enjoy the fresh air, and work your heart and muscles, and feel good knowing you're NOT contributing to air pollution.

iDo

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Are you going to be a June bride? Planning for the big day can be really stressful. Working women/brides-to-be have so much to think about: flowers, the ceremony, the cake, to honeymoon. Planning the wedding could easily become a full time job unto itself.

So you don't become too overwhelmed you are going to make multi-tasking a part of your planning process. So reach for your iPod and download podcasts to your iPod from iTunes. Here's a few for you to try: Wedding Planning Talk Radio (8 free episodes), Queer Eye (has a 9-episode wedding series), and 4 free podcasts from Bride Magazine.

For a small bit of change, you can download individual episodes of your favorite wedding-themed TV shows, or even get an entire season of the reality TV show, Whose Wedding is This Anyway? for $18.

Now busy brides can do 2 things at once - research wedding info while working out. That is truly great multi-tasking since you'll be listening to something while on the treadmill, make it an informative podcast.

On the Move: Commuter Workout

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:50:49 -0700

Do you feel like your commute is interfering with your gym time? Add some simple strength-training moves to your bus or train time. Michael Martin, a personal trainer at Equinox, developed a simple routine for you to take advantage of your commute. Check out the moves.

Strap-Hanger Pull-Ups: Didn’t get a seat? No problem. Work your biceps while you wait by holding onto the strap to engage your bicep. Keep your neck and shoulders relaxed while holding the bicep contraction for eight to 10 seconds and release. Repeat the move eight to 12 times or until muscle fatigue. Casually change arms and repeat on the other side. Another option: Try briefcase curls while waiting on the platform or stuck in line waiting for a train ticket.
Commuter Seated Calve Raises: Start with your feet hip-width apart and flat on the floor. Come up onto the balls of your feet and contract your calf muscles. Since you’re working without weights, squeeze the contraction tightly and hold it for eight to 10 seconds breathing normally, then slowly lower the feet to the floor using your own resistance. Lay your briefcase or backpack across your lap for added challenge and weight.

There are plenty more moves, so keep on reading.

Dealing With a Stressful Commute

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:15:00 -0700

Americans drive an average of 25 minutes to get work. Commutes can be brutal, especially on Friday evenings when everyone on the road is anxious to start their weekend. Here are a few tips to help decrease the stress of your upcoming commute.

Take mass transit if you can. Since you are not driving you can read a book or newspaper or knit. These activities can help you decompress after your work day. Another plus to mass transit, is that the commute time becomes much more predictable.
Carpool if you can. Not only will you have some company for your commute, but you can share the burden of driving and the cost of gas money. One less car on the road helps the environment, too.
If you must drive alone, make sure you have maps in your car and alternative routes planned out if you hit a huge traffic jam. If you can navigate around a section of the freeway that has turned into a parking lot, you will hopefully feel more empowered and less frustrated.

I have a few other idea, so read more.

Talk to your boss and see if you can work flexible hours to avoid commuting during peak traffic times. Or better yet, see if you can telecommute one or two days a week to lessen your drive time.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, be Zen about it. Admit that you are stuck and just go with the flow, or the nonflow as the case may be. Honking your horn and yelling at the stopped cars will not get you to your destination any faster, and chances are it will rile you up, which is so not necessary.
Travel with water and snacks. There is nothing worse than feeling stuck, dehydrated, and hungry.

How do you deal with your commute? Share in the comments section below.

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Commuter Check: Car Windows

FitSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Commuting to work can not only drain you, but it can be bad for your health - specifically your lungs. Researchers from the University of Southern California found that car commuters in high-traffic cities are exposed to up to almost half the air pollutants they encounter in one day during their drive to work, which only takes up six percent of their day. Because of this, it is recommended if you commute via car that you keep your windows rolled up and use the recirculating air feature. This will help minimize your exposure to pollution. A better solution would be to take mass transit (a train is better than a bus) or bike to work on streets with less traffic. How do you get to work?

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