FitSugar

Save Your Money: The Chin Gym

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 03:30:00 PST

I was watching some old Ellen (I know, I am obsessed with her) videos the other day and came across her mom, Betty, trying out "As Seen on TV" fitness contraptions. One product, the Chin Gym, caught my eye as I thought there was no way this product existed but I was wrong, it does exist.

The Chin Gym ($39.95) is basically a really complicated looking contraption that promises to reduce the double chin and define the jaw line by trimming, toning, strengthening and removing wrinkles from chin, neck and jaw line muscles. Here is the deal, the only thing really able to rewind the effects of aging and gravity is plastic surgery if you are willing to go that far. If you're looking to remove excess fat from your facial area, unfortunately there is no real way to spot reduce target areas like your chin or your back. I know I may sound like a broken record, but it is true: Exercise and eating a healthy blanced diet are the only real ways to get rid of fat (without going under the knife) including your chin and back. If, despite my attempts to talk you out of spending your money on this contraption, you still want to try it out, diyhut.com.

Want to laugh at Ellen's mom trying it out? Then,

Double Chin Trouble

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 03:17:58 PST

Are worries over a double chin bringing you down?

I wish more than anything that I could tell you there is a simple work out to tone up your chin but unfortunately fat is fat (no matter where it is). The only way to get rid of fat is with a total-body weight-loss program (eating healthy and working out), which can help you lose some fat in your neck and face.

More than fat, the bigger threats to a firm, youthful chin are gravity, sun exposure, smoking, genetics and the passage of time.

Trust me, if there were such a work out, I'd be spreading the info like wildfire but there's not. I hate to sound like a broken record, but the best way to have a toned chin for now is: Don't smoke, wear sunscreen and try to maintain a healthy weight.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot: Valentine's Day Camera Phone Tips

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:02:10 PST

Amore is in the air, and if you plan on spending Feb. 14 with your current flame, you'll of course want to capture all the best moments as they happen. The good news is, with camera phones being as handy (and powerful) as they are, you probably don't need to tote around a full-featured digital in order to post an album's worth of mushy kissy-face pics on your various social networks.

Keep up your high photo standards no matter what the situation with these camera phone tips straight from professional photographer Perry Reichanadter. Have any of your own to add? Leave them in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Get close to your subject - Your camera phone probably won't have a macro setting, so be sure to get up close and personal with your beloved so he isn't drowned out by the surrounding action.
Clear the background - There's nothing worse than snapping a great pic of your BF, only to have something in the background distracting from his face. Make sure you steer clear of any street signs, bright lights, or "loud" objects, and keep your honey in focus.

See the rest of the tips after the jump.

Gear Review: DoD Fitness Tools

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:36:06 PDT

Tightness in the wrists, a kink in the neck, and discomfort in the knees - these pains can disrupt a great workout, interfering with the benefits of toning exercises or yoga poses. DoD Fitness (the acronym stands for Do or Die) created a line of foamy products to help reduce discomfort in the wrists, neck, and knees during poses that typically strain these areas. We tried the Set of All Three ($45), which included Wrist Wedges, Knee Donuts, and a Neck Circle. DoD Fitness Tools are made out of a super light foamy material, so they can be transported easily. No need to deal with towels, because the products are sweat-proof and waterproof too. The line was tested by experts in biomechanics, kinesiology, and chiropractics to ensure that they aid in correct alignment while achieving better comfort.

Find out what we thought of DoD Fitness Tools.

Stretch It: Cat and Cow

FitSugar — Thu, 06 May 2010 05:50:03 PDT

If you woke up with an achy back, have a stiff back from sitting for an extended period of time, or have tense shoulders and a tight neck from a day in the office - well then I have a simple cure for what pains you. The Cat and Cow stretch is an oldie but goodie that doubles as a great warmup for your spine before just about any activity.

The photo above only shows half of this stretch, so to learn how to do the entire move,

Begin with your hands and knees on the floor. Make sure your knees are under your hips, and your wrists are under your shoulders. Begin in a neutral spine position, with your back flat and your abs engaged.
As you inhale, let your belly soften, arch your back, and lift your head and tailbone. This part of the stretch is called cow.
With an exhale, round your spine up to the ceiling pulling your abs toward your spine, and simultaneously tuck your tailbone in (don't clench your tush) and tuck your chin toward your chest. This part is known as cat (think Halloween cat).
Continue flowing back and forth from cat to cow, breathing deeply so as not to rush each movement.
Repeat for a minute or so and then press your hips back toward your heels, coming into Child's Pose with your arms extended in front of you.

Partner Yoga Pose: Double Sandwich

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:30:00 PDT

Seated forward bends feel amazing on your hamstrings and lower back. Doing this pose with a partner, called Double Sandwich, can add some some weight to your torso and help you elongate your spine even further. It also gives you an even deeper stretch than you could ever do on your own.

Continue reading to find out how to do this pose.