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Fit and Fun Engagement Parties

FitSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Weddings call for many celebrations, but all those parties don't need to be formal affairs. There are many fun ways for you to celebrate your engagement and bring guests together without having to stress about seating arrangements. Here are a few of my ideas for healthy and fun engagement parties.

Garden party: In my mind, a garden party is just a little more formal than a BBQ, but games are a featured activity nonetheless. You can play badminton and croquet. The Italian lawn game bocce ball is a fun way to engage (pun intended) guests of all ages. I also like that the Italian word for kiss, bacio, sounds a lot like bocce - it adds a romantic twist to the game.

Healthy cooking class: Many chefs, restaurants, and catering companies offer hands-on cooking classes, where every guest gets to play chef. Guests are placed into small groups to prepare different dishes. At the end of the class, you all sit down to eat the feast you created. Many of these schools allow you to participate in planning the menu, so you can opt for healthier fare.

See my third idea when you read more.

Square dance: How long has it been since you have been to a square dance? Not only does a square dance offer the perfect opportunity to wear your fave cowboy boots, but you will also burn some serious calories while you do-si-do. This is a great way for everyone to mingle.

Need more wedding inspiration? Check out all of the Sugar network’s wedding coverage here.

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Namaste For the Big Day: Yoga For Weddings

FitSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If you're planning a wedding-related party, anything from an engagement party to a bachelorette bash, why not do something a little different? Since weddings are pretty stressful, everyone will appreciate a party that'll help release some of the tension and anxiety. I'm talking about a Yoga Party, and it's sure to encourage some calmness, self-reflection, and emotional renewal, which every bride and bridesmaid need.

If you don't know of any Yoga instructors in your area, or if you happen to be traveling elsewhere for the party, why not hire someone from Yoga For Weddings? They offer special event packages so you can customize a bridal shower or bachelorette party. Currently, they have teachers in California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Oregon. It may be just the thing if you're not into a night of strippers and barhopping.

If you're looking for more Yoga in your life, you don't have to stop at just one session. Yoga For Weddings also offers packages of six or 12 classes, or six months of classes - for yourself, you and the groom, or for you and your entire bridal party. It's a great way to stay fit, healthy, and centered in the time leading up to your special day.

Head to IDoSugar for more wedding coverage.

Engagement Party: Garden Games

FitSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:00:00 -0700

There are so many parties leading up to a wedding, but they all need not be formal, sit-down affairs. I propose (pun intended!) a garden party to celebrate your upcoming marriage. This way you can play games instead of just standing around drinking glass of champagne after glass of champagne trying to make small talk with your future aunt-in-law's third husband.

These simple lawn games are a great way for guests from the different parts of both of your lives to mix and mingle.

Bocce Ball: Lawn bowling fits in perfectly at a garden party. You can hone your aim and skill as you try to hit the pallina. Here are the rules to bocce ball, so you can be prepared for your next match.
Badminton: Anyone can play badminton and it is sure to cause a bunch of belly laughs as folks hop around trying to hit the slow floating birdie.
Croquet: One thing I love about croquet is that you can easily play the game wearing a skirt. Remember Heathers? Here are the rules of croquet if you need a refresher course.
Volleyball: Kick the action up a notch or two with a volleyball game or tournament. Since volleyball is more athletic than the other games mentioned, you should definitely include information on your invites that the game will be played and the guests interested in playing should bring appropriate attire.

Do you have a favorite garden party game? Share it in the comments section below.

Head to IDoSugar for more wedding coverage.

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Engagement Party: How to Avoid (or Deal) with Your Champagne Hangover

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Parties are fun and no doubt if you are throwing one to celebrate the arrival of spring or your engagement, you might just over imbibe. Champagne the celebratory drink of the masses is just a devil. It is easy to drink, hard to say no to, and you can leave you with one hell of a hangover.

So in case you don't stick to drinking PartySugar's fruit juice mock champagne, you might end up a wee bit hungover. In fact, it is believed that women are more likely to experience hangovers than men. Here are a few tips on avoiding as well as dealing with them (hangovers - not men).

At the Party

Don't eat sweets, since champagne is already high in sugar. So the less sugar you eat, the less intense the hangover should be.
Once you have started drinking champagne, stick with champagne (or wine). Remember - Bubble before liquor, never sicker.
Eat!!!! Food in your stomach slows down the body's absorption of alcohol.
Take it slow. Try to drink one glass of champagne an hour.
Drink water throughout the party. Just fill that glass with "bubble" water and alternate with champagne.

To find out what you can do before going to bed read more

Before Bed

Drink water!!!! Dehydration is a major component of the hangover.
Take 2 ibuprofen tablets, to help diminish the headache and body aches that accompany a hangover.

The Morning After

Once again drink water and take some more pain relief.
Drink juice - fructose, such as honey or fruit juice, may help your body burn the alcohol faster.
Take a nap with your fiancé...your hangover just might be gone when you wake up (time is really the only true cure).
Physical activity (wink - wink, nudge nudge) can help your body burn through the excess alcohol by eliminating the toxins by sweating.

I sure do hope these help and I sure do hope you had some fun.

Dos and Don'ts of Healthy Wedding Planning

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Let's face it: planning a wedding is stressful. Depending on how big your wedding is, it could be one of the most stressful projects you've ever taken on. So amid all the excitement, it's important to keep yourself fit, healthy, centered, and sane. Here's what do to (and what not to do) when planning a wedding the fit and healthy way.

Do make a plan. It sounds basic, but start by planning out your timeline, then go down the list one by one. Otherwise, you'll easily feel overwhelmed.
Don't be shy about accepting help. People have gotten married many times before, so why start from scratch? Registry checklists, like our downloadable registry, will save you serious time. You'll also have people offering to help you left and right, so let them!
Do come up with a fitness plan. If part of your plan includes getting fit for the big day, map out a workout schedule - with the help of online programs or a trainer - to keep yourself on track.

For a few other ideas for how to stay sane while planning your wedding, read more.

Don't overdo it. Getting in shape shouldn't mean setting unrealistic goals that require crash-dieting and unsafe lifestyle changes. Losing a maximum of two pounds a week is considered reasonable.
Do make time for yourself. You'll be bombarded by people and questions right through the wedding day, so set aside some alone time for yoga, massages, walks - whatever.
Don't neglect your workouts. Make sure your exercise routine doesn't get lost in the shuffle. Put workouts on your calendar, alongside all your wedding appointments. If you want, recruit a special wedding workout buddy.
Do control your party-food intake. You're likely to attend some engagement and bachelorette parties before the big day, but if you're trying to stay slim, keep your indulging in check. Have a bite of something you're craving, then move on.

Any of you recent brides out there have anything to add? If so, share them in the comments!
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Stick to Healthy Eating, Even at Your Bridal Shower

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Now that you're engaged you're going to be attending a lot of parties in your honor: Engagement parties, showers, bachelorette parties, etc. Nothing can kill healthy eating like a wedding shower complete with a plate full of potato salad and cake.

To make sure you don't overindulge this wedding season, here are a few tips to keep you from stressing over eating at parties:

Don't show up on an empty stomach. Have a little something healthy at home, this way you won't feel the need to stuff your face upon your first sighting of the buffet table.
Have a say. Chances are the person planning the party may ask what kinds of foods you'd like to have there. Ask for healthy options as well as typical party fare.
Make sure you eat. I know this one seems obvious, but everyone wants to talk to the bride and sometimes it's hard to get a bite in. Chances are your body is already running on low fuel as it is and the last thing you want is to get sick because you're not getting enough nutrients. Can't break away from Auntie Emily telling you about her bunions? Ask a good friend or mom to fill a plate for you with lots of healthy (and yummy) stuff.
Drinking can be your worst enemy. I'm not saying don't drink, but drink in moderation at these parties. A drunk bride can be a little unsightly, not to mention the added calories you'll be getting from that 4th vodka tonic.
Party games anyone? Parties do not have to only consist of drinking and eating. Ask the planner to plan activities that get everyone moving and burning off a little of that ganache. Pin the veil on the bride anyone?
Don't be too hard on yourself. This one is important! These parties are meant to be fun. If you splurge and have a few extra pieces of cake, it's OK...besides you didn't want to be rude, now did you? Just promise yourself you'll hit the gym for an extra 5 minutes the next day.

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Fittingly Mad: "You Lost Weight-You Look So Good."

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0700

I have a friend from high school who was always on the heavier side. She wasn't extremely overweight, but she wasn't a skinny-minny either. For the past year, she's been working really hard, eating healthier, and getting in shape, and she's lost a lot of weight.

Last weekend we went to a mutual high school friend's engagement party, and when we got there, all I could hear was, "Oh you lost weight-you look so good." Of course, it made her feel ecstatic to have all those compliments and attention, but it really pissed me off.

Want to know why? Then read more

I know my friends meant well, but what kind of message is that? Losing weight and being thin equals looking good? So does that mean if you gain weight or you're overweight, then you don't look good? Why does there have to be so much emphasis on how we look and on being thin?

We all know keeping your weight down and exercising makes us healthy, but for most of us, that's not the main reason we diet and work our butts off. As women, we are bombarded with magazines, movies, and what we see on TV that tells us "thin equals beautiful," and we are so brainwashed that we even send that message to our fellow female friends.

Women need to support each other, and recognize the beauty that comes from within. We need to make an effort to send out a more positive message. Instead of focusing on weight and appearance, we can say things like, "You lost weight-you look really strong," or "You lost weight-you must have so much energy now." I agree that it's important to acknowledge the hard work a woman has done to get fit, but we need to encourage that kind of healthy lifestyle for the right reasons, and not just because it makes us look good.