FitSugar

Speak Up: Your Favorite Fit Engagement Stories?

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0700

I like hearing other people's engagement stories, especially when they involve fitness. Lately, a lot of people I know have gotten engaged on outdoor hikes or camping trips. Of course, there's always the sports stadium Jumbotron method, and I have one friend who asked his wife to marry him on their way home from the gym!

So, have you heard any good stories of couples getting engaged while getting physical? Or perhaps it's you who got engaged that way. Share your stories in the comments.

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P.L.O.W. - Take a Walk For Love

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

This sunny Spring weather has definitely lifted my spirits, and it's a time for many people to rekindle old romances, and find new ones as well. So take a long relaxing stroll in the sunshine with someone special, and enjoy these sentimental songs about love. This playlist is about 45 minutes long so if you walk the entire time at a moderate pace (3 mph), you'll end up burning 155 calories.

To hear the 12-song playlist read more.

Engagement Songs

Total Time: 46:31

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Engaged? Start Getting in Shape Now

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Congratulations if you've recently gotten engaged. You have so many things to think about like the bridesmaid dresses, invitations, flowers, your rings, and the honeymoon. The most important thing though is to take care of yourself, making exercise a part of your regular routine. Not only will it help you look your best, but it's great to get in the habit of living a healthy lifestyle before your wedding, so you'll have a long life to share with your partner.

Here are some things to start thinking about:

If losing weight is your goal, meet with a dietitian. They can help you come up with a safe and healthy eating plan that will be nutritious and low in calories.
In order to lose weight, you'll also want to up your cardio. Join a gym and use the cardio machines, or take advantage of the warmer weather and walk, jog, hike, or ride your bike. To see results, you want to do at least 30 minutes of heart-pumping cardio at least three times a week.

What else can you do? Find out after you read more.

If toning up is your goal, hire a personal trainer to show you exercises that will target specific areas (like the backs of your arms).
Can't afford a personal trainer? Do toning and strengthening exercises on your own. This Starter Arms video is a great routine that's sure to work every muscle in your upper body.
If you're really serious about getting in shape and don't have much time before the big day, you may want to take the bridal boot camp approach. Go on a retreat, do an online program, or get some wedding workout DVDs.
Exercise with your partner. Not only will it keep you both healthy, but it's another way you can spend time together.

The great thing about all of these ideas is that not only will exercising regularly and eating more healthy help you get in shape for the big day, but you'll have less stress and more energy to plan the wedding - a pleasant side effect of working out.

For more wedding tips, check out all of the Sugar Network’s wedding coverage here.

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Before the Big Day: Bridal Boot Camp

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

April means flowers and wedding showers, and for many newly engaged brides, it's time to start thinking about how to get in shape for the big day. Many women take a boot camp approach, using a focused fitness plan to stay on course. Thankfully, there are boot camps for every budget; here are three options to help you along.

Bridal retreats. Live in Fitness recently began offering a multiweek Bridal Retreat program, where women stay in a one-bedroom suite in Southern California and train from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with breaks for healthy meals. Not surprisingly, it'll cost you around $8,000 for two weeks.
Online programs: From Cynthia Conde's Bridal Bootcamp, which helps you create customized fitness and eating plans, to simple, downloadable regimens like Shape's Total Body Wedding Workout, there are oodles of online resources designed just for brides.
Wedding DVDs: If you prefer to work it at home, pick out a bridal-specific video, such as The Wedding Workout from Women's Health or this Wedding Boot Camp DVD.

For more wedding tips, check out all of the Sugar Network’s wedding coverage here.

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7 Days of FitSugar: Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 03:30:00 -0700

FitSugar has a lot to say about Sugar Network Engagement week.

Read this if you are confused about what setting to use on cardio equipment.

Do you like to bake? Do you like energy bars? Then read about Matisse and Jack's TrailBlaze bake-at-home energy bar mix. They are tasty!!!!

Learn the difference between moderate and high intensity training.

Are you planning your Passover meal? Or if you simply are a fan of almonds - you must try this Almond Macaroon recipe.

If you like dancing or Dancing with the Stars you need to check out this Cardio Dance Dancing with the Stars DVD.

Do you know how much caffeine is in your favorite drink? Take this caffeine quiz and test your knowledge.

If you're planning on going to Dunkin' Donuts anytime soon you should check out this breakdown of most of their menu options.

Looking to add push-ups to your workout routine? Read this post on push-ups to help get you started.

Tell me your favorite thing about the arrival of SPRING!!!!

Looking to get Hollywood Momma Arms?

Here are some tips on how to order when dining out on a diet.

Looking for cute gym shorts? Well, I've got many a pair for you to peruse.

Do you know how much water you should be drinking? This beverage guidance system will...guide you.

Get Your Hands Diamond Ring Ready

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Have you recently gotten engaged and you are dying to show off your ring? It's time to get your hands, not just your arms, in shape. Here are some tips:

The winter does a number on your hands - you're constantly washing them to prevent colds and flu, and the dry air can leave you skin and nails brittle and cracked. Find a moisturizing hand soap to use that'll kill the germs, but won't dry out your skin.
It may sound silly, but buy a hand salve like the one from Burt's Bees. Take all your rings off (I know you don't want to, but you don't want your beautiful ring getting all gunked up). Rub the salve all over your hands and cuticles after you get all tucked under the covers. Slip some old cotton socks on your hands, and let the natural oils nourish your hands while you sleep.
If you get a hang nail, cut it off with nail clippers. Biting it off might cause it to bleed, which won't look very pretty next to your sparkly ring.
On a similar note, if one of your nails gets a little break, even it off with nail clippers and a nail file - they're more precise than your teeth.
If you were stressed because you were nervous about when your significant other was going to propose, your nails may have suffered the consequences. Nail biting is common, but now that you are engaged, it has to stop so you won't be embarrassed to show off your ring.

If nail biting is a hard habit to break for you, then read more

Nail biting can be a way to deal with stress, so find a healthier way to cope. Get a massage, make some soothing Chamomile tea, take a hot bath, exercise, take a walk, take a yoga class, or meditate. Do what you need to relax your thoughts so you'll be less likely to nibble.

This may sound extreme, but you may want to purchase something like Control-it. It's a cream made with cayenne pepper so if you bite your nails, it bites you back. It also contains aloe vera, sunflower oil, Omega-3 extract, and vitamins A and E to nourish your nails and cuticles. It even works for deterring little ones to stop sucking their thumbs.

Fit's Tips: Since you're engaged now, why not celebrate with a manicure? It's a great way to relax plus they'll trim down your cuticles and get rid of hang nails (which are one thing nail biters love to bite). Chances are, if you spent all that money to get your nails looking fabulous, you'll be less likely to ruin them with your choppers.

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Yes Sir, I Do! Basic Training for Brides

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:30:00 -0700

So you're engaged! Yipeee! Congratulations. Now comes the hard part (along with everything else you have to do): finding the time to get in shape for your big day. Recently a lot of brides have been taking the guess work out of getting fit for their big day by enrolling in Basic Training for Brides.

Doug Rice of FittobeWedLive.com has an option for bridal fitness training online if you don't live in the LA area.
The super cool gym in NYC also offers a complete Bride to Be Program for a pretty penny.
Lisa Reed Fitness in Arlington, VA offers Bride to be Fit personal training sessions. Visit the site for pricing and to set up appointments.
Yvette Goree-Harris a personal trainer out of Houston, TX offers her own one on one Bridal Fitness Classes as well.
Look for Bridal Fitness group classes, programs or personal trainers offering special rates for brides near you -- Prices and programs will vary.

Fit's Tip: Sign up for bridal basic training (or start any fitness program) at least 4-6 weeks before your planned date.

It's Wedding Season On The Sugar Network!

Community Manager — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:26:18 -0700

Spring has sprung, which means that Wedding Season is around the corner. We get tons of emails asking for advice so we at The Sugar Network are ready to share wedding related stories, advice and fun. This week we are kicking things off with everything involving the Engagement.

Tell us your favorite engagement stories on DearSugar
Learn about great Engagement gifts on FabSugar
Get toned up for the big day on FitSugar
Learn how to plan an Engagement Party on YumSugar
Relive some of TV's greatest engagement moments on BuzzSugar
Learn How To Make a Wedding Website on GeekSugar.
See some hilarious proposals gone wrong on GiggleSugar

All of this and more coming this week across the Sugar sites. To see all of the wedding coverage by us and by all of you, visit the Wedding Talk group on TeamSugar. Stay tuned all Spring for more wedding coverage including showers, flowers, honeymoons and more. Fun times.

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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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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.