FitSugar

Cold Hands, Warm Heart?

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 03:27:56 PST

We all know that you can't "catch a cold from being cold," but feeling cold will affect your immune system, making it less able to protect itself from germs.

So whenever you're going to be in cold weather - make sure you're dressed right with long underwear, a warm coat, a hat, and mittens.

Check out these down mittens from Sierra Designs. They come in 6 different colors, and are filled with toasty warm insulating down. And for $25, they'll keep your fingers warm whether you're out snowshoeing or running to get the mail.

If you love those, you'll love these down slippers. Great for keeping your tootsies warm when hanging out at home.

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How a Determined Desiree Davila Won a Spot on the US Olympic Marathon Team

espnW — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:25:02 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar! This week's is an inspiring story about marathoner Desiree Davila, who will be representing the US in the Olympics for her first time. The following is an excerpt; read the entire story here.

By Bonnie D. Ford

At last January's Olympic trials in Houston, Texas, four top women had distanced themselves from the field: Desiree Davila, fellow favorites Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher, and Amy Hastings. Davila increased her tempo. Hastings dropped back. Davila forged on with Flanagan and Goucher, her five-foot-two, 98-pound frame dwarfed by her taller rivals. Then, with two miles to go, Flanagan kicked into a higher gear, and Davila was faced with another decision: should she try to match the surge and bid for the win, taking the chance that her cramping calves would betray her, or maintain her pace and protect her spot on the team?

Davila weighed the situation and decided not to risk it. Flanagan soloed to the line, and Davila secured her Olympic spot by finishing second, 17 seconds back, in 2:25:55. It was a tough, savvy race, and the latest evidence that Davila's gradual climb to the top is peaking at an ideal juncture.

After a largely anonymous high school and college career in the arid heat of Southern California and Arizona, she migrated to Michigan to join the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project in 2005. The elite training environment in a harsher climate helped her transform herself into "a contender, not just someone who's on the line and might have a good day," as she put it.

The Lesson Learned From Second Place

Davila debuted at the marathon distance in Boston in 2007 and ran 2:44.56 in a raging northeaster. A year later on the same course, Davila thought she had progressed enough to make the Olympic team. At mile 21, running fourth, it looked as if she'd been right. But Davila, who hadn't hydrated and eaten enough before the race, ran out of gas and faded to 13th.

She was devastated. Fellow marathoner and friend Amy Hastings was there to comfort her, and so was sister Natalie Davila. "If I'm investing my money in someone right now, it's you," the older sister said. "You're going in the right direction - you're going up."

Read on for more of Desiree Davila's road to the Olympics after the break.

In Defense of the Chronically Late Mom

BabyCenter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:11 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Betsy Shaw about being late for school.

If I were to wear a scarlet letter it would be T.

T for tardy. T for turd ball. T for totally inept mother.

We are late for school with such alarming regularity it’s embarrassing. The last time we were on time, after a mini snowstorm that excited my children enough to urge them into their snowsuits and outside at 6:30 a.m., we got to school five minutes early to find it dark and empty. Delayed opening. I was apparently the only mother who didn’t get the memo.

Calling Charlie Brown…

Being late for school brings up a vicious brew of conflicting emotion in me. On the one hand I just don’t care. Life is short. Far too short to risk traumatizing your children with a bullwhip and terrorizing morning walkers and squirrels, not to mention my own white-knuckled children, speeding our way to school like Toad on a motorcar bender each weekday morning.

On the other hand I am ashamed, deeply embarrassed, to be “that mom.” All the other moms can do it, even the single ones. Why. Can’t. I? What’s wrong with me?

I complained about this once to a woman from South Carolina who I met on my Guatemala trip and she told me her school started at 7:30. She also made it clear her kids were never late.

Never late.

Keep reading for more of Betsy's reasoning for being late.

7 Ways to Organize and Beautify Your Entryway This Weekend

Elka Karl — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:28 PST

Winter is often the most challenging season for your entryway or mudroom. Boots, heavy jackets, umbrellas, hats, and mittens are a few of the items that may grace this area during the Winter months, depending on your climate. Chances are inclement weather forces you to store more of these items at close reach - and your floors and rugs may suffer from salt stains or muddy bootprints. Frustrated? Here are seven ways to get this area shipshape over the next few days.

Clean Boots Club Invest in a boot scraper or coir doormat that guests and residents can use to scrape mud and snow off of their boots.
Rug Replacements Switch out a valuable wool rug for a durable indoor-outdoor rug. I'm a fan of this Thom Filicia Hutshsen Rug, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. These rugs are easy to clean and can be switched out once the weather gets a bit sunnier.
Closet Rehab If, like me, you have a hallway closet that's a major disaster area, take the time this weekend to organize it. You won't believe the space that might open up after a thorough cleaning and purging. Then, install hooks and baskets on the inside of the door to stash items like dog leashes, scarves, hats, and mittens.
Be Seated Every entryway needs a place to sit down and slip on a pair of boots or lace up shoes. If you have the room, a bench - especially one with storage capacity - is a great bet. Otherwise, add a funky chair or stool to the space.
Everything in its Place Find a storage system that you like and stick with it. This could be as simple as wheeled crates tucked under a bench or as elaborate as a built-in unit that can house everything you might possibly need. The ability to tuck away items that aren't always in use will keep your entryway looking both tidy and chic.
Be Artful The entryway serves as one of your guests' first impressions of your home. Don't forget to add artful touches to the space. Wall art is often the best bet, as it avoids the clutter that can result from too many knickknacks on tabletops or shelves.
Purge Do you really need four Winter jackets? Seven wool hats? Would it really hurt to cut your collection down by a third or even in half? Fewer items means fewer messes to clean up and organize. Sounds like good trade-off, doesn't it?

Are you organizing your entryway this month? What have you found to be essential in this space?

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Cross-Country Skiing Tips For Newbies

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:51:18 PST

Downhill skiing is a blast, but if you're not in the mood to race against frigid winds or deal with crazy crowded lift lines, try cross-country skiing this Winter. It may not be speedy, but cross-country skiing will tone your upper and lower body, give you a great cardio workout, and burn almost 500 calories in one hour!

Like snowshoeing, cross-country is more social than downhill skiing since conversations aren't limited to just time riding the lift. You get to slush along snow-covered trails and gab while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Plus, there is no expensive lift ticket needed. Some find cross-country more comfortable than downhill skiing because the boots are more flexible and the skis lightweight. Ready to get started? Here are some tips for newbies.

First, find some cross-country trails. Some downhill-ski resorts have groomed trails, but also check out nature centers or parks where you hike in the Summer. You might have to pay a fee (around $15 to $30) to use the grounds. Don't be shy about asking the staff to point you toward the easier trails.
Rent boots, skis, and poles at the place where you're skiing, but if this isn't possible, rent equipment the day before from a gear store; rentals are about $15 a day.
Definitely head out with someone who has some cross-country skiing experience or take a lesson to learn the basic techniques for moving, slowing down, stopping, and getting up hills.

Keep reading for more beginner cross-country ski tips.

Hit the Slopes in Style: Adorable Ski Apparel For Kids

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:29:43 PST

The holiday ski season is in full swing, so it's time to gear up the kiddies for a day in the snow. Keep it basic with the pants and mittens, so they can be worn again next year or handed down to little siblings. Bold hats and jackets will help mama distinguish her kids on the mountain. If ski weekends are filling your Winter calendar, it may make sense to invest in some junior skis with your tot's favorite cartoon.

For Paul Frank fanatics: The Junior Julius AKO Wave Ski ($205) is geared toward novice to intermediate skiers and is designed to make skiing a light and fun feat.

For the cool kid on the slopes: Gordini's Little G2 Goggle ($15) have all of the safety features of the grown-up version, but sized down for lil ones.

For a basic staple: Brooks Brothers Ski Bib Pants ($148) have adjustable straps, so your kids can grow into them for several years. The black color is gender neutral – that way all younger siblings can receive this hand-me-down.

For the bold and silly: Gymboree Lion Sweater Hat ($18) is a bright and distinguishable hat, so you can find your kid amid the crowded slopes.

For the très chic daughter: London Fog Tweens Hooded Ski Jacket ($135) has a hot pink fleece lining, yet the white exterior will deflect sunlight, so she won't become too hot while skiing.

For a basic but stylish look: Greendog Kids Basic Ski Mittens ($11) are cute, but durable and machine-washable, so you can easily keep them clean.