FitSugar

All Sheryl Crow Wants to Do Is Get Fit

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:30:00 PDT

Here's something that running moms like Sheryl Crow should give themselves a pat on the back for . . .

Research has found that running with a stroller provides a much more intense workout than running without a stroller. What's more? Your form is not compromised by pushing the stroller, as once previously thought. So Sheryl has the right idea, and it looks like she is getting in a killer workout while her adorable son just hangs out. If you're looking to get fit with your baby, then you may want to check out StrollerFit that just happens to be offering a free class on March 15.

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FREE Stroller Fit Class

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:00:00 PDT

On Saturday March 15th the good folks over at StrollerFit - an innovative fitness company that helps moms exercise with their babies - are offering a free Family Class and lunch (classes are approximately 50 minutes including warm-up, strengthening, cardio, stretching and cool-down). All you have to do is find a location near you. Check out StrollerFit for more information, find a location, and sign up.

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How to Establish Financial Independence

Kiplinger — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:15:54 PDT

Becoming completely financially independent can be scary, but it's also very liberating. Kiplinger gives advice on how to establish your financial independence.

Not only is it difficult for us twentysomethings to wholeheartedly embrace adulthood, it's often also a challenge for our parents to let us go. Baby-boomer parents are generally known for mollycoddling their children, even after we move out of the house and into our own adult lives. Some parents have shown up for their kids' job interviews, and others have called up human resource departments at their adult kids' workplaces to complain about bad performance reviews or to negotiate salaries on behalf of their children.

They may mean well, but such extreme helicopter parents are actually hindering their children from growing into independent adults. "If a child is receiving too much help, then they have no incentive to succeed or become independent," says Erin Baehr, of the financial planning firm Baehr Family Financial, in Stroudsburg, Pa. "They may also be setting themselves up for some possible financial trouble down the road."

We certainly don't want that. At the same time, as young adults, we shouldn't be so dead set on finding our independence that we end up punishing ourselves by turning down valuable financial guidance and support from Mom and Dad.

So how about meeting in the middle? You can stay open to your parents' assistance but also set limits on how involved in your life you want them to be. For example, when it comes to parental career advice, Marty Martin, a financial psychologist at Aequus Wealth Management Resources, in Chicago, suggests you say, "Mom and Dad, I would really appreciate any advice you may have before I go to my job interview, and I will contact you after it happens. But I really need to do this on my own."

Read on for more.

3 Easy Moves to Tone Your Butt

Zelana Montminy — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:02:39 PDT

Famous for helping Heidi Klum bounce back post baby, David Kirsch also helps keep the backsides of the Victoria's Secret Angels in check. Since he authored the unambiguously titled Butt Book, we asked David to share his favorite butt-toning moves with us. Check out this video to learn three exercises that will tone your derrière without overworking your quads.

Hilary Duff Opens Up About Postpartum Exercise, Postbaby Date Nights, and What Fills Her Phone Now

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:28:45 PDT

Hilary Duff's been one busy mama since welcoming son Luca Cruz to the world 5 weeks ago. The new mama's been sharing family photos with her fans, trying to return to her prepregnancy workouts, and getting back into her daily routine. Now Hilary's about to become even busier as she joins Johnson's Baby and Save the Children for the launch of Johnson's Baby CARES, a new initiative to support the basic needs of families during natural disasters. The actress and recording star took some time to answer our questions about the campaign, as well as her initial thoughts on new motherhood.

LilSugar: What's been the most surprising thing about motherhood so far?
Hilary Duff: How much I fell in love with Luca from the moment I saw him; it's so cool to see your child changing every day.

LilSugar: And the most challenging?
HD: Getting Luca on a schedule that works for both of us, it was tough at first, but he is getting better every day.

LilSugar: Who does lil Luca look like?
HD: A lot like me when I was a baby, but he has his daddy's nose!

LilSugar: How did you come up with Luca's name?
HD: Mike [Comrie, Hilary's husband of a year and a half] and I were just bouncing names off each other and Luca just stuck. We both knew when we heard it - it was unique, but not crazy.

LilSugar: Have you and Mike gone out on a postbaby date yet?
HD: Yes, we've had a few dates since Luca's arrival. At first it was nerve-racking, but the second date went a lot better. It's important for Mom and Dad to have time together.

Keep reading for Hilary's thoughts on postpartum exercise and her decision to partner with Johnson's and Save the Children.

A Whole Lotta Lil in This Week's Links

Rebecca M Gruber — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:22:25 PDT

It was tough, but we rounded up our 60 favorite celeb maternity styles of all time.
These maternity wedding gowns are simply beautiful!
This Western-themed baby shower is beautiful!
Tight on space? These closets have all been converted into nurseries.
These handmade baby shower gifts will wow the crowd at your next baby shower.
We met the one-and-only Julie Andrews and loved her thoughts on princess play.
Would you take underwater maternity photos?
We want to invite Ellen DeGeneres to our next baby shower - check out her awesome baby gifts she's given guests.
Tracy Anderson shows off exercises for keeping your butt toned while pregnant.
Add these products to the baby registry for dad!

Prego and on the Run: Round Ligament Pain

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:14:36 PDT

If you used to run regularly before there was a little bundle of joy growing inside you, doctors think it's safe to continue with your running routine while pregnant. You should def get the OK from your OB though, and once you do, you may find it helps with some common pregnancy symptoms such as constipation, leg cramps, lower back pain, and fatigue. Yeah, being with child is fun!

Running with a bun in the oven is much harder than running solo. You get winded more easily, your muscles tire quicker, and since your body is changing so much, you may experience some aches and pains. In my fifth month of pregnancy with a "popped" belly, I experienced aching in my lower belly that felt like the muscles were overstretching. This pain is known as round ligament pain and it's really common for pregos in their second trimester.

Keep reading to find out if it's harmful to your baby or if it means you should give up running.

Yoga No-Nos For Pregos

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:33:23 PDT

Fun issues like nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and the need to hit the ladies' room - three different times during a workout! - makes it difficult to keep up with a regular exercise routine when pregnant. If you're expecting, taking up yoga (or continuing to go) is wonderful because not only does it alleviate some of these annoying discomforts, your body will stay strong and flexible. No prenatal yoga class offered in your area? Take a regular class, but be sure to avoid the following during your practice.

Deep forward bends: Folding forward can compress blood vessels and nerves that connect to your uterus. Keep things flowing by separating your legs like in this Wide-Legged Forward Bend to make space at the top of the thighs.
Deep twists: This can also decrease circulation, so always twist in an open position as in this pose, not deeply across the knee.
Lying on your back: Once you hit the second trimester, avoid lying on your back for extended periods of time (as in Savasana). The increased weight of your uterus interferes with the flow of blood and nutrients to your developing baby. It can also aggravate lower back pain, heartburn, and elevate blood pressure. Use blocks and bolsters to prop your torso up instead of lying flat, and whenever possible find ways to stretch the same muscles while you're standing, sitting, on your hands and knees, or when lying on your side.
Poses that work your abs: As your belly expands, it's difficult to support the weight with your rectus abdominus (the muscles you see when someone has a six-pack), so you use your obliques (ab muscles on the side of your belly). Overly-strong obliques can pull your abdominal muscles apart, causing a condition known as diastasis. Avoid risk by skipping poses that target your core, especially your obliques - worry about getting your abs back in shape after the baby arrives.

Keep reading for more prenatal yoga no-nos.

10 Post-Workout Snacks Under 150 Calories

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:40:22 PDT

Just as important as it is to fuel up before you exercise, don't forget to eat a little something once your workout is complete. (Your body needs a combo of protein and carbs to build and repair muscle and quickly recharge lost energy.) Don't go overboard and consume so many calories that it cancels out the ones you burned while sweating it out. Here are some ideas for post-workout snacks, all under 150 calories.

4 oz. lowfat cottage cheese (81 calories) mixed with half a cup of diced fresh pineapple (41 calories): 122 calories
One extra small apple (53 calories) with one tablespoon peanut butter (94 calories): 147 calories
15 baby carrots (53 calories) with two tablespoons of hummus (70 calories): 123 calories
One Horizon organic mozzarella cheese stick (80 calories) and 15 grapes (51 calories): 131 calories
6 oz. container of Peach Chobani Greek yogurt: 140 calories

Keep reading for more

New Mom Hilary Duff Hits the Gym 1.5 Weeks After Giving Birth

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:18:03 PDT

Hilary Duff gave birth to Luca Cruz less than two weeks ago, but is already exercising to get her prepregnancy body back. She hit the gym Saturday and tweeted, "20 minutes on the elliptical seems like an eternity!!! What the hell…"

Though many obstetricians recommend holding off on exercise until six weeks postpartum (longer for a C-section), every woman is different. Here are some workout tips for brand-new moms.

Check with your doctor before exercising: How ready you are depends on how well you're healing. Most doctors recommend avoiding exercise until the bleeding stops, but may give the green light for low-intensity workouts, such as short walks or stretching.
Start off slow: Don't expect your body to run 30 minutes straight like it did before you were pregnant. Aside from the stress of the actual birth, lack of sleep and low energy levels associated with nursing offer new moms little get-up-and-go. Start with low-impact exercise like walking, yoga, or swimming. A 10-minute walk around the block every day for a week (or longer) will feel like plenty. Gradually increase the intensity and length of your workouts as your strength and stamina increases.
Invest in some baby gear: If you find it emotionally difficult to leave your baby, exercise with them. There are hundreds of baby carriers out there to enable you to walk with your baby. I'm a huge fan of the Moby Wrap, since it feels the most supportive on a new mom's often-sore back. If you're not into wearing your baby, or a C-section won't allow for it while you're healing, buy a jogging stroller (walk at first and run when you're doctor gives the OK). Postnatal fitness classes are another great option, not only for exercise, but as a way to connect with other new moms.

Keep reading for more workout tips for brand-new moms.