FitSugar

Back to Basics: Tricep Dips

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:45:00 -0800

Toning your triceps - the muscles that run on the backside of your upper arm from your shoulder to your elbow - is one way to really help prep your arms for tank tops. Tricep Dips are a great, basic exercise for working your triceps. What's more? They're pretty easy to do and don't require much equipment.

Here's how you do them:

Position your hands shoulder width apart on a secured bench or stable chair.
Move your booty in front of the bench with your legs bent and feet placed about hip width apart on the floor.
Straighten out your arms and keep a little bend in your elbows in order to always keep tension on your triceps and off your elbow joints.
Now slowly bend at your elbows and lower your upper body down towards the floor until your arms are at about a 90 degree angle. Be sure to keep your back close to the bench.
Once you reach the bottom of the movement, slowly press off with your hands, and push yourself straight back up to the starting position.

Fit's Tip: Don't allow your neck to sink and your ears to fall close to your shoulders. Also, straighten your legs as you get stronger, this will make the exercise harder.

Snack Attack: Nonfat Yogurt Dill Dip and Veggies

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Celebrate all the delicious veggies being harvested with this creamy and refreshing yogurt dill dip. It's made with nonfat Greek yogurt so it's low in calories, high in protein, and has a tangy flavor that complements veggies beautifully.

For my recipe read more.

Recipe for Nonfat Yogurt Dill Dip
my own creation

Ingredients

6 ounces of nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Serve with chopped veggies or crackers.

Print recipe with images | without images

Gym Equipment Explained: Dip/Leg Raise Machine

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Dip/Leg Raise Machine
Area of Body it Works:
Dips: Entire chest, bicep, and triceps
Leg Raises: Abdominals and hip flexors
Why: A good alternative to bench dips (dips) and sit-ups (leg raises).
How: While there are many dip and leg raise variations, here are the two most basic.
To do dips: Face the machine and grasp the two parallel bars. Raise yourself up so your arms are extended and supporting the entire weight of your body. Next, lower yourself to where your elbows are bent and your shoulders are mildly stretched. Then use your arms to push yourself upwards to the starting position. You can either bend and cross your legs or you can keep your legs straight while performing dips, just don't forget to keep your body straight.

To learn how to do leg raises, just read more

To do straight leg raises: Put your back against the pad and support yourself on the machine by using your own arms rested on the arms on the machine -- Hold the grips as well. Hold your torso tight and keep your back straight. Let your legs hang with feet directly below you. Now, raise your legs up so they become parallel with the floor, then lower your legs to the start position (legs hanging). Be sure to use your abs and hip flexors, do not swing your legs.

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Healthy Eating Tip: Skip the Dip

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:45:00 -0800

If you're thinking of dipping into that ranch dip the next time you're at a party, you may want to reconsider.

New research has found that double dipping does in fact spread bacteria from person to person. Here's why: The New York Times reports that on average, three to six double dips can transfer about 10,000 bacteria from the eater’s mouth to the remaining dip. Gross, right? So skip the dip and just munch on the veggies instead. Not only will you be saving yourself from others' germs, but you'll also be saving yourself from, in many cases, a lot of unnecessary calories.

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Snack Attack: Creamy Peanut Butter Dip and Fruit Slices

FitSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0700

One of my favorite go-to snacks is apples and peanut butter, or ants on a log, but a serving of peanut butter (two tablespoons) contains 180 calories. So if you're watching your calorie intake, here's a way to enjoy that creamy, nutty taste without all the calories. It's made with nonfat Greek yogurt so it's creamy, low in fat, full of protein, and I swear it tastes like peanut butter ice cream!

To find out how to make this creamy peanut butter dip read more.

Take one 5.3-ounce container of nonfat Oikos Greek Vanilla yogurt.
Mix in two tbsp. peanut butter (I prefer crunchy), 1/2 tbsp. honey, and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon.
Serve with slices of apple, banana, and pear. Store unused portion in the fridge.

Makes four, two-tbsp. servings. Each serving contains 80.5 calories, 3.75 grams of fat, .5 grams of saturated fat, .75 grams of fiber, and 5.5 grams of protein.

Triceps Dips vs. Lunges

FitSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

We all have exercises we love and exercises we work hard to avoid. I have heard complaints about both triceps and lunges. These two exercises are workout staples for me. Each exercise has so many variations and you can make them both walk.

Actually crab walks and walking lunges sound like a great pair of full body exercises, and I think I will do them at my next workout. So obviously, I love them both. In the battle for your heart, which exercise do you love more?

Beyonce's Trainer Reveals 5-Minute Preparty "Body Blast"

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:50:29 -0800

When I'm totally wrapped up in Thanksgiving cooking, prepping, organizing, shopping (need I go on?), there's hardly a fighting chance that I'll make it to the gym for a full-on workout. Usually, I'll try to squeeze in a set of push-ups while prepping dinner preparation, or an early morning yoga session, if I can. So, I was excited to see Marco Borges, the trainer credited with whipping Beyonce, husband Jay-Z, and Gwen Stefani into tip-top shape, sharing an easy and no-equipment-needed workout with US Weekly. Here are the five moves he suggests to give yourself an all-over body-blasting workout (even if you only have five minutes to spare before your guests arrive):

Jumping Plies: I call these jumping squats, but it doesn't matter what you call them as long as you do them. Here's how: stand with your feet just a bit wider than shoulder-width apart, abs pulled in tight, and bend your knees, lowering your body till your thighs are parallel to the floor and jump straight into the air. Return to starting position and repeat for one minute.

Reverse Lunges: Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, step back into a lunge and repeat on the opposite side, alternating for one minute. Be sure that abs remain tight throughout, working your core and maintaining your balance and posture.

Push-Ups: According to Marco, "The push-up is quite possibly one of the simplest and best body weight movements targeting the muscles of the chest, arms, shoulders and core." Do as many classic push-ups, or moderated position push-ups from your knees, as you can for a full one minute, making sure to maintain proper form and bring your chest as close to the floor as you can before pushing back to starting plank position.

For the rest of Marco's workout, keep reading

Your Healthy Food Swaps

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:27 -0800

Since decadent foods like ice cream, baked treats, and fried foods tend to be high in the calorie department, it's good to have a few healthy food swap ideas up your sleeve. Here are some shared by fellow FitSugar readers.

"Avocado instead of mayo . . . sure it may have fat in it but it's healthy fat and tastes delicious. Hummus instead of cream in sauces and soups . . . adds a ton of flavor and protein." - mamasitamalita
"I use balsamic vinegar (not vinaigrette) on my salads without any oil. It gives the same powerful flavor kick but for a lot less calories." - laellavita
"Replace ranch dressing on my salad with cottage cheese." - genipher85

For more great ideas, keep reading

Radiological ionic contrast media (Injection)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:09:03 -0700

Overview

Introduction
Brand Name(s)
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used
How to Use This Medicine
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Warnings While Using This Medicine
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Introduction

Makes parts of your body show up better during an imaging test, such as a CT scan. Contrast media (dye) can be used for making images of many different body parts, including your kidneys, head, heart, or blood vessels.

Brand Name(s)

Hypaque-76, Renocal-76, Hypaque Meglumine, Reno-60, Cystografin-Dilute, Cystografin, Hypaque-Cysto, Reno-Dip, Reno-30, Sinografin, Hypaque Sodium, Multihance, Feridex IV, Glofil-125, Renografin-60

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

Make sure your doctor and the person who gives you this medicine know if you have had an allergic reaction to any contrast dye.

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine can be given different ways, depending on what part of your body the doctor needs to see. This medicine may be given through a needle or catheter (plastic tube) placed in one of your veins.
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
You might also receive other medicine before you are given the contrast dye.
Tell your caregiver right away if any of this medicine gets on your skin. A caregiver might need to take your blood pressure, temperature, or pulse during the test.
You might need to stay for awhile after the test is done.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using. Different contrast dyes have different drug and food concerns. Some other things that affect other drugs and foods are what kind of test is being done and what part of your body is being tested.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have severe kidney problems or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you have just had a liver transplant or if you are going to have a transplant. The use of a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) during an MRI should be avoided in patients with severe kidney problems, patients with severe kidney problems due to a severe liver disorder (hepato-renal syndrome), or patients with severe kidney problems before, during, or after a liver transplant. The risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a very serious disease affecting the skin, muscle, and internal organs, may be increased. Your doctor may do some tests before your MRI to make sure your kidneys are working properly. Even if you have kidney problems or liver disease, your doctor may decide that it is still important to use the contrast dye. If you are on hemodialysis and treated with this contrast dye, your doctor may perform hemodialysis immediately after you receive the contrast agent.
Tell your doctor and the person who does the test if you are allergic to iodine, or if you have asthma or any type of allergy. This includes hay fever and food allergy.
Make sure your health caregiver knows if you have diabetes, sickle cell disease, thyroid problems, or pheochromocytoma (a tumor on the adrenal gland). Tell your caregiver if you have cancer, especially if you have multiple myeloma. Make sure your doctor knows if you have high blood pressure, blood circulation problems, or heart disease.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
The specific test you are having might have its own side effects or risks. Talk with you health caregiver about the test and what you should expect during and after the test.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Chest pain.
Fever.
Light-headedness or fainting.
Muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness.
Seizure.
Severe pain while the dye is being injected, or stomach or back pain afterwards.
Shakiness, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing.
Skin swelling, hardness, tightness, burning, itching, or red or dark patches.
Stiff joints or trouble moving, deep bone pain.
Sudden or severe headache.
Yellow spots on your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Mild skin tingling, burning, or pain where the needle is placed.
Nausea, vomiting.
Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest.

Review Date: 8/4/2008

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Lifting Tip: Start at the Bottom and Work Your Way Up

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:00:10 -0700

When strength training, there are so many exercises, and so many muscles to work, how do you know where to begin? Start from the bottom of your body and work your way up.

Since your legs are your largest muscle group, these moves require more work than exercises that target your upper body. Take advantage of your high energy at the beginning of your workout and tackle exercises like squats, lunges, and leg lifts that tone your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. The next part of the body to work is your core, doing moves like crunches, planks, and Superman Lifts. Then you're ready to work your arms and upper back with moves like push-ups, tricep dips, and upright rows. Following this order ensures that you won't miss working any part of your body, and you'll have the stamina to get through everything.