FitSugar

Cell Phone Holders for Runners

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 02:15:00 -0800

There are holders for your iPod when you're running, but it's also a good idea to have your cell phone with you too. But where's a girl to put it? Nope, sorry, in the cleavage is NOT a good answer.

Check out this cell phone holder. It's ironically called Hold-a-Phone. You can wear it on your arm, ankle, or wrist, and the band is adjustable so you can really secure it in place.

If you're planning to wear it around a jacket, you can get the 9 inch extension piece.

To use, just slide your open cell phone into the plastic pocket that has a clear plastic face (so you can still see and press the numbers). There's a piece that stretches over the antenna to keep your phone from sliding out. Then you just close your flip phone and secure the safety strap across the front.

For only $19.95 it is definitely worth the price. Keeping your cell phone on you while running, skiing, snowshoeing, or whatever, is not only a smart idea - it's a necessity.

Want to see the holders for other types of phones and PDAs such as Razrs, Blackberrys, Blackberry Pearls, and Treos? Then read more

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Diet Tip: Stock Your Kitchen With Healthy Convenience Foods

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If you're watching your waistline, you're probably watching what you eat, too, not to mention exercising regularly as well. Yay for you and your healthy and possibly new habits, but in truth they can sometimes leave you hungry. Set yourself up for success by loading your cupboards and fridge with healthy convenience foods. Stock your kitchen with ready-to-eat snacks that are healthy, delicious, and packed with fiber. These will satisfy your cravings and keep you feeling full longer, so you're less likely to return to the kitchen for more snacks. Here are some ideas:

Fresh fruits like bananas, apples, pears, and berries
Real fruit and veggie juices
Frozen edamame
Tomatoes (slice one and sprinkle a little cheese on top)
Hummus and whole grain crackers

What else makes for delicious and quick snacking ideas? To find out read more.

Containers of low-fat or drinkable yogurt
Granola bars
Dried fruit and nuts
Whole grain bread and real nut butter (peanut or almond)
Mini carrots
Cans of soup
Cooked brown rice (store it in the fridge)

What else do you keep in your kitchen for healthy snacking in a pinch?

Source

What Time Do You Like to Train?

Fit Community — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:47:21 -0800

Jennsteria wants to know what time of day you choose to train, and posted this poll to our RunningSugar community group:

I used to be a hardcore 5am up and at 'em runner. It was most convenient for my work schedule at the time and when my training runs got longer, I was able to fit them in during the day and still lead a normal life. Nowadays I've been favoring the end of day runs along the beach to catch the sunset (also the time change/weather have played a part in this). I've been trying to get back to my early morning training . . . it's a work in progress. Do you label yourself a morning or late night runner? Or are you all over the map like I am right now?

Have any questions or stories about running that you want to share? Join our Running community group and join the conversation! If you're not a runner, be sure to take a look at our other community groups - there's something for everyone.

Padma Cooks at Home to Stay Fit

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Thanks to a full season of Top Chef's indulgent cuisine, the reality hostess admits she's likely to go up a couple dress sizes during filming. Still, Padma Lakshmi doesn't let the extra pounds take a toll on her healthy fitness perspective, and shares with Glamour how a positive attitude and a realistic take on eating help her shed the weight.

For one, Padma reveals that when Top Chef contestants aren't whipping up something decadent for her to taste, she's likely to be cooking something healthy at home. Padma knows that cooking in her own kitchen can be a healthy way to control her caloric intake, and while takeout can seem a more convenient alternative, Padma reminds us that, "it can actually take longer to order delivery or go pick up takeout than it does to cook." In addition, the foodie loves the physicality of cooking, noting that "[instead] of watching TV, waiting for your food to come, you’re actually moving [when you cook]. My aunt had the best arms in the world, and she never stepped inside a gym.”

Check out Glamour to get the rest of Padma's realistic weight loss and healthy eating tips.

Speak Up: Your Healthy Go-To Convenience Store Snack

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:00:03 -0700

July strikes me as the month for Summer travel. Hitting the road is a great way to see the country, but finding healthy food in the middle of nowhere can be a challenge. One of my must haves for this month is healthy and informed car snacking, and I have also told you about ways to keep the calorie count under 300 when fast food joints are your only option and you're watching your waistline. The convenience store has so much to offer, but you have to steer clear of the Doritos and Chips Ahoy. What's your healthy go-to convenience store snack?

What kind of eater are you?

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 09:15:00 -0800

What kind of "eater" are you? Want to find out? Then take this quiz. Knowing how you eat can influence what you eat so you can make sure you're getting your RDA's of fiber, vitamins, calcium and Omega 3s.

You are

generally chewing on something - chips or gum.

always picking up food on the go and take out is your BFF.

into planning menus and sit down dinners.

Last night, for dinner you

picked up a burger or a burrito on your way home from work.

roasted a chicken a la Julia Childs with 1 stick of butter.

ate some nuts right after work, some cheese and crackers later, then you made some pasta while watching Top Chef.

You prefer to eat

3 square meals a day.

on and off throughout the day, chewing helps you think.

meals that someone else has prepared.

Your prized kitchen tool is

a can opener.

my juicer, my kitchen aid, my cuisinart - I can't decide. I love them all!!!!

chip clip - keep those snacks fresh.

When you see some bananas on the counter you think

that's the main ingredient in banana bread - i will make some when they get ripe enough.

great!!!! just peel and eat.

I'll eat half and leave the rest for later.

Camping Can Do: Make Coffee Anywhere

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00:47 -0700

A few weeks ago Starbucks sent us a sample of VIA, its new instant coffee. Being a bit of a coffee snob I was kind of grossed out but decided to try it on my upcoming climbing trip anyway.

The best thing VIA has going for it is its size - it's small. Normally when I pack for camping I bring the works: coffee beans, portable grinder, and a french press. I was so happy to have more space in my pack and I definitely noticed a lighter load on my back. Score one for VIA! Was it as good as the Blue Bottle coffee I normally bring with me? Uh, no. Not even close, but I didn't expect it to be.

I think the point of VIA is convenience - you can have a OK cup of coffee anywhere and it'll be easy. It's definitely the best instant coffee I've ever tried and it even tasted better than some drip coffee I've had. Although the Colombian blend I tried was a bit bitter at the end, it had a nice, mellow flavor too. For a touch of sweetness, I added another camping shortcut to the mix -shelf stable Horizon organic vanilla milk. My companion, who is no coffee snob, said it was the best cup of coffee he's ever had while camping.

Though I won't be using VIA at home, I think it's a good choice for backpacking, camping, or for traveling anywhere you need coffee quickly. From now on, I'll be bringing it with me on all of my climbing trips.

Healthy Eating Tip: Join a CSA

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:10 -0700

With local and organic food having such a high price tag, it can be hard to eat in a sustainable way. One way I've gotten around the high costs is by joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). The idea of a CSA is pretty simple - consumers pay farmers directly for a portion of their crop. It's a huge benefit to my health, and my money goes directly to a small, family-owned farm.

To give you an idea of how a CSA works, I'll use mine as an example. I pay $23 each week for enough produce to feed two people. My last box contained four Braeburn apples, four oranges, two pounds of heirloom tomatoes, one bunch of broccoli, two pounds of red potatoes, one pound of zucchini, one pound of green beans, one bunch of basil, and one head of red lettuce. All of the produce was grown on an organic farm located 90 miles from my home in San Francisco. For an additional fee I can also request organic dairy products, grass-fed meat, and Fair Trade coffee.

For tips on choosing a CSA, read more.

Although the basic idea of a CSA is the same no matter which you choose, details vary among farms. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a CSA.

Decide how you want your produce box delivered. Many CSAs offer home delivery, while other CSAs leave boxes at convenient pick-up points in your town or city.
Membership is either calculated by the season or on a month-to-month basis. You'll save even more money if you can pay for the entire season at once.
Most CSAs choose what produce they deliver each week. Don't be alarmed -recipes are usually included and you can expect the best the season has to offer, as well as staple items. There are some CSAs that will let you pick and choose specifically what you'd like in your box that week based on their crop.
CSAs are beginning to offer much more than produce. If you are interested in meat, dairy, baked goods, and other eatables, shop around.

Visit the Local Harvest website to find a CSA near you.

Source: Flickr User 427

Sports Energy Products Explained: Bars

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:30:25 -0700

If you're a fan of longer workouts, or are in training for a big race, you can't exercise without refueling your energy. Sport drinks offer energy plus hydration, and gels and chews offer bite-sized energy in convenient packages. There are also energy bars. You can eat them before, during, or after your lengthy workouts, and they're better than sport drinks or gels because not only do they contain carbs for energy, but they satisfy your hunger too.

Many companies make energy bars these days including Clif, PowerBar, and Balance. If you're confused about how to choose one keep reading

Confused About Floss - Which Type Is Best?

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:00:40 -0700

Brushing your teeth removes food particles and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth, but we need floss to clean in between your teeth. "You cannot effectively vacuum a house with only one attachment," says American Dental Association spokesman Richard H. Price, DMD. "You need other attachments to get into the nooks and crannies. That's what floss does.”

When picking up floss at the store, it's astounding how many varieties there are. If you're confused about which one works best or is right for your teeth, read more.

Unwaxed: This floss is perfect for teeth that aren't too tight together.
Waxed: If the spaces between your teeth are tight, waxed floss will glide easier.
Tape: This ribbon-like floss is meant for those who have wider spaces between their teeth.
Ultra floss: If the spaces between your teeth vary, this floss is right for you. This yarn-like floss stretches thin to fit between tight teeth but also springs back to be slightly thicker for teeth that have wider spaces.
Flossing picks: If it's tough to reach your back teeth or it hurts your fingers to wrap the floss around, these picks have convenient handles to make flossing easier.

The bottom line is that it really doesn't matter which type of floss you use - as long as you use it. Choose one you like that doesn't damage your gums and use it at least once a day. Flossing not only removes leftover spinach and pesky poppy seeds from in between your chompers, but it's also essential for healthy gums. So the next time you go to the dentist, ask for some samples of different kinds so you can try them out and see which you like best.