FitSugar

Strike a Yoga Pose: Compass

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:00 PDT

All you runners and bikers out there, I know you're always in need of a good hamstring stretch. Here's one that allows you to concentrate on one leg at a time, and will also open your hips and shoulders.

Sanskrit Name: Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana
English Translation: Revolved Compass Pose
Also Called: Compass

To learn how to do this pose

Get in Gear: Must Have Gadget for Hiking

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PDT

Seriously, sometimes I think I am MacGyver. Especially when I am out in the woods on a hike but the truth is that while I love the occasional hike in the woods (or along the coastline) I am no outdoorsy guru.

That being said, I like to feel prepared at all times, especially when playing in the great outdoors. Many day hikes may not require the AdventurePlus ($20.00), but it never hurts to be prepared, now does it? This one little gadget includes a compass, a mirror, a magnifying glass, a whistle, a thermometer, a flashlight and a tiny little compartment to keep things (like matches) dry. Buy it online from Highgear.com.

Hiking will be even more fun now that you're prepared to take on any situation so you can concentrate on getting that heart rate going. Now all you need is a good trail to explore -- Check out this listing of free trails.

View 4 Photos ›

What's the Deal with Rogaining?

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Recently I have been hearing a lot about people who are really into rogaining. I am relatively unfamiliar with this sport so I thought I'd look into it and you know what? It sounds like fun, especially since I dream about being on The Amazing Race!

Rogaining, once a sport practiced only in Austrailia, is gaining popularity worldwide. Basically rogaining is for teams (2-5 members) to go running or hiking cross-country, who have to navigate to controlled locations using only a map, compass and a watch. Most rogaines are 24-hour events (though some can be less) where the object is to score points by finding checkpoints located in the rogaine area within the race time. If you're wondering why people would want to do such a game? Well teamwork, endurance, competition and an appreciation of the natural environment are to be gained from rogaining. Plus it's generally open to all levels, so families can do it together. Since rogaining does not require specialized equipment, and the navigation is not particularly tricky, even novices can do well enough to feel proud of themselves at the end of the day.

To find a rogaining event near you, and for more information on the sport, visit the American Bushwhacking Club online.

Get in Gear: Trekking Poles

FitSugar — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 03:00:00 PST

When you're hiking up or down a steep trail, it would be nice to have "Go Go Gadget Extendo-Arms." Try this on for size.
Trekking Poles or Walking Sticks will help keep your balance, help you maneuver through tricky trails, and reduce stress on your back, knees, legs, and feet. Plus, your poles can serve other purposes like pushing aside spider webs and brush - very important to me.

Trekking poles now come in combinations with other cool gadgets. The Kaito hiking pole is not only light weight but comes with a compass and a thermometer attached, for the low price of $24.95.

Or if you like finding your own natural wooden walking stick on the trail, you can attach this Gorillapod to it and voilà- instant tripod for your digital camera. They attach to anything so you can get a sweet shot anywhere you want.

See you on the trail.

Stop Beating Yourself Up!

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:00:45 PDT

Here's a post from OnSugar blog My DISFunkshion.

Do you treat yourself as well as you treat your friends and family? A growing area of psychological research called self-compassion suggests that giving our selves a break and accepting our imperfections can lead to better health and can help beat depression and anxiety. It turns out, people who find it easy to be supportive and understanding of others tend to score quite low on self-compassion tests, putting themselves down for their own perceived failures like being over weight and not exercising.

Self-compassion is not to be confused with self-indulgence, notes Kristin Neff, a pioneer in the field. It may seem obvious to be kind to yourself, but Neff, an associate professor of human development at the University of Texas at Austin, told The New York Times, “[People] believe self-criticism is what keeps them in line. Most people have gotten it wrong because our culture says being hard on yourself is the way to be.” She uses the example of a parent whose child is doing poorly in school. Most parents would offer support, such as a tutor. But when adults find themselves in a similar situation - struggling at work or eating too much junk food--they fall into a cycle of negativity and self-criticism. “The problem is that it’s hard to unlearn habits of a lifetime,” Neff said. “People have to actively and consciously develop the habit of self-compassion.”

Could self-compassion lead to life-satisfaction? Try turning around your thinking of self-deprecation and deprivation and imagine how you would treat a small child who loved very much. How would you support them and help them feel better and be healthier? How can you be kind to yourself in this moment?

Want to see more? Start following My DISFunkshion or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be posted here on TrèsSugar!

War Horse: Spielberg's Perfectly Pleasing Horse Tale

Shannon Vestal — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 03:05:00 PST

Leave it to Steven Spielberg to make an engaging, epic, and poignant movie with a horse as the main character. The legendary director is behind War Horse, a World War I-set drama that follows a horse named Joey as he's raised in Britain and trained by his doting owner, Albert (Jeremy Irvine). Due to financial circumstances, Albert's family is forced to sell Joey to the war effort, and as the horse is involved in various battles and trades, he's passed from different owners and opposing sides all over Europe.

As Joey enters the life of each temporary caretaker, we experience a snapshot of these characters' lives and how the war has affected them. Though the movie is a long and sprawling tale, Spielberg makes each vignette compelling and touching enough that you want to ride along with Joey on his journey. To find out where else War Horse succeeds, just keep reading.

THE NEW 2011 JEEP® COMPASS: THE BOLD NEW LOOK OF ADVENTURE

Sponsor — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:00:00 PDT

A great bloodline is one thing. But if you’re a new Jeep_® vehicle and want to claim the spotlight, you have to take that DNA places no one has seen before. That’s why the new 2011 Jeep Compass is genetically engineered with legendary capability and iconic beauty, but with a size, shape, and red-blooded attitude all its own.

The Jeep Compass 4x2 also gives you up to 29 MPG highway, over 30 available safety and security features, and a starting price of just $19,295.* It makes adventure more affordable and longer lasting than ever.

The 2011 Jeep Compass is the evolution of a legendary bloodline.

*Starting at price refers to Sport 4x2 model with 2.0L engine and five-speed manual transmission offering 23 city / 29 hwy EPA estimated mpg. $19,295 MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Jeep is a registered trademark of Chrysler Group LLC.

5 Tips to Set Healthy Boundaries at Thanksgiving

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:00:14 PST

Thanksgiving can be one beautiful holiday, but depending on your situation, it can also be a lot of condensed family-filled time. Since your family is obviously interested in your life and what you've been up to, lots of questions are bound to pop up. Some will be easy to answer, but others you may not be comfortable with. In order to make your Thanksgiving as smooth and painless as possible, read through these five easy tips to help you set healthy boundaries before you set the table.

Tune into your feelings. Start getting comfortable with tuning into yourself and what makes you tick. If someone says something or is acting in a way that makes you feel uneasy, that's a cue that they're crossing a boundary.
Give yourself permission. This seems pretty straightforward, but for many this is the hardest tip to master. In order to set boundaries with your family or friends, you've got to know that you and your emotions are worth the extra effort. Maybe you've been brushing things off for years, but once you give yourself permission (even though it might not be the easiest thing to do) you can start setting healthy boundaries for the future.
Be direct. Don't circle it. If there's a question or topic of conversation coming up that makes you uncomfortable, be direct about how you feel. Even if your mom always has a comment about your weight, or it seems like your dad will never approve of your man, be cautious to not turn your concern into a snarky comment or attack. That will only propel the situation to another stratosphere. If you handle the issue as a mature adult, and don't revert to your childhood self, your family is in a position to respect your wishes.
Choose your battles. Don't sweat the small stuff. If you're spending a few days with the fam, lots of little things will come up. If it's not that big of a deal for you to sleep in a separate bedroom than your boyfriend, and you know it would mean a lot to your family, just grin and bear it. If you choose your battles wisely, it will make such a difference when a real issue rears its head.
Have compassion. Recognize that you should be giving thanks for your family that loves you! If you're going through a transitional time like starting a brand-new gig or moving across the country, chances are, they just want to feel connected to your new world. The only reason they're asking so many questions or offering tidbits of advice is because they're concerned about your well being. Coming to this realization will make only make you feel more grateful this Thanksgiving.

Any other tips for setting healthy boundaries this Thanksgiving? Chime in below.

It's Official - Demi Moore Is Divorcing Ashton Kutcher

Allie Merriam — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:54:25 PST

Demi Moore is divorcing Ashton Kutcher, she announced today. In a statement, Demi seemed to allude to her and Ashton's recent troubles. She said:

"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton. As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life. This is a trying time for me and my family, and so I would ask for the same compassion and privacy that you would give to anyone going through a similar situation."

Ashton, in turn, responded on Twitter. He wrote, "Marriage is one of the most difficult things in the world and unfortunately sometimes they fail."

Tell us - are you surprised that Demi and Ashton have decided to officially call it quits?

Soleil Moon Frye Shares Her Favorite Birthday Party Tips

Guest Writer — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:33:02 PDT

Editor's note: The following is a guest post written by Soleil Moon Frye, Target's mommy ambassador, author of Happy Chaos, and mom to Poet, 6, and Jagger, 3. This week Soleil shares her tips on bringing her kids into the kitchen.

I'm a huge holiday person, and birthday celebrations are especially important to me. It's not about the presents - my favorite memories from childhood birthdays are of my mom showering me with attention, filling the day with my favorite foods, and making me feel special and loved.

I'm not sure anything will ever top Johnny Depp crashing my 12th birthday (a special surprise from a mutual friend), but I'm determined to create similarly unforgettable birthday experiences for my girls.

For Poet’s fifth birthday, we had a Grease-themed party and went for a full-out, '50s-style event. It’s possible to be elaborate without being expensive - for the Grease party I found discounted Halloween costumes and spandex pants online, then scooped up festive and affordable party supply essentials at Target. My friends set up a makeup station and sprayed the girls' hair into wild Grease-era styles. If you’re willing to play DJ on your iPod, a dance party is free!

Here are some other fun, budget-friendly ideas:

DIY goodie bags: Fill large mason jars with candy and let kids decorate brown paper to-go sacks with stamps and stickers.
Treasure hunt: Scatter little toys and treats around the yard or park, and send the kids to go find them. Works every time!
Crafts: Buy a bunch of inexpensive picture frames and let the kids decorate them with paint, stickers, and glitter. If you’re a fan of Polaroid cameras like I am, snap photos of each guest with the birthday boy or girl to go in frames as a memory of the day.
Philanthropy: It's never too early to introduce kids to the concept of giving back and instill a sense of compassion and awareness. Have guests bring toys for kids in need or donate the crafts made at the party to a local children’s hospital.

Keep reading for Soleil's tips for ensuring smooth sailing at your party!