FitSugar

Dos and Don'ts of Stretching

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:30:00 PDT

Have you been stretching? Stretching is one part of exercising that a lot of us let slip out of our routine. The thing is that stretching is actually really, really good for injury prevention as well as calming you (and your muscles) down after a good workout.

For a great list of stretching protocols, visit RealBuzz.com. In the meantime here are some highlights on what you should and shouldn't be doing:
Do . . .

Ensure that the muscles being stretched are thoroughly warmed-up
Stretch at the end of your training session
Relax
Breathe easily
Hold each stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds
Follow an all-over body program for stretching to avoid postural imbalances
Follow correct technique – see the realbuzz.com guide ‘Exercises & Stretches - The no-nonsense guide’ for detailed stretching information and photographs
Avoid pain, stretching should NEVER be painful!

For the don'ts, just

Don’t . . .

Try and stretch cold muscles – it’s a recipe for injury
Stretch before your warm-up or workout
Bounce or rock whilst holding a stretch – you could overstretch and cause an injury
Hold a stretch for just a few seconds
Hold your breath
Focus on just leg stretches or just upper body stretches

Source

What to Expect (Beauty-Wise) When You're Expecting

Jessica Cruel — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:07:00 PDT

Moms-to-be, we salute you. Perhaps your body is changing, and you're not quite sure if your favorite beauty treatments are allowed. In honor of today's release of What to Expect When You're Expecting, we reached out to Dr. Lindsay Cruel, OB/GYN (also known as my dad) to debunk any pregnancy beauty myths. Find out your prenatal dos and don'ts when you read more.

8 Mistakes Every Bridesmaid Should Avoid

Laura Marie Given — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:30:00 PDT

It's an honor to stand up in a friend's wedding, and along with that recognition comes a range of responsibilities - but just how far do those responsibilities stretch? Where's the line between helpful and overbearing, between celebrating and insulting? When it comes to wedding dos and don'ts, the boundaries aren't always clear. If you plan to be a bridesmaid any time soon, avoid these common blunders to maintain your integrity and make sure your friend feels supported on her big day.

Tips and Workouts For a Strong and Fit Pregnancy

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:50:13 PST

If you're pregnant or planning on having children in the near future, it's good to know the facts about what's safe and appropriate when it comes to working out. Check out the posts below to ensure you stay active, fit, and strong during your pregnancy.

Momma-to-Be Strength Training Routine

Hip and Back Stretches For Mommies-to-Be

Expecting? Dos and Don'ts of Working Out

How Pregnancy Ruins Workouts (and Ways to Deal)

Running With a Bun in the Oven

Kerri Walsh's Strong Mama Pilates Routine

Make the Most of Your Lunchtime Workout

Susi May — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:10:10 PDT

The best way to combat work-related weight gain - not to mention on-the-job stress - is to work out in the middle of your workday. We know cramming a sweat session into your lunch hour often involves some serious logistics, but with a little planning, leaving your desk at noon won't create stresses of its own. Here are tips, tried and true, to help maximize your workout.

Before Heading to the Gym
Time your meals and snacks so your stomach is not growling or stuffed when you hit the gym. Between one to two hours before working out, have a carb-packed snack. Think of it like a mini second breakfast: a little granola with skim milk or some trail mix.

Save time by wearing office-appropriate workout wear to skim minutes off your preworkout locker room time. Just be sure to pack fresh clothes for heading back to office.

Power walk to the gym to jump-start your warmup and get the thought of work out of your mind. I use this time to take off my jewelry and put on my heart rate monitor watch.

Locker Room Prep
Having a well organized gym bag - we like 'em with lots of pockets - can seriously cut down on the frantic nature of a quick change. I also know exactly where to reach to find my word lock, which I consider a time-saver too. The one word combination is much easier to remember than three pairs of numbers.

Keep on reading; there are more tips after the break.

How to Be the Perfect Houseguest

LearnVest — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:15:17 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

At the beach, in the mountains or in the big city, being invited to a friend’s place not only lets us catch up with loved ones but also lets us save on hotels.

Of course, the flip side is that there’s a totally different set of expectations (read: you can’t throw your towels on the floor). If you’re not a master of houseguest etiquette, you might come off as ungrateful and inadvertently ruin your chances of visiting again next year.

We don’t want you to break a long tradition of shacking up at your aunt’s cute beach house every summer, so we’ve put together a guide to being the perfect houseguest.

Be Clear About How Long You Will Stay

Make sure you lock down your visiting dates far in advance with your hosts . . . at their invitation. Don’t ever be vague or hope to stretch out your visit after you arrive. If your BFF says she’ll be busy after Labor Day, book your return ticket to leave a full day before so she has some time to herself.

No Surprises, Please

Never show up unannounced - or, even worse, with a puppy, child, significant other or friend (even if it’s a mutual friend), unless you've cleared it with your host beforehand. You may call it spontaneous and fun . . . your cousin and her husband may call it inconvenient.

Read on to find out how to be the perfect houseguest.