FitSugar

Favorite Excuse Not to Run: It Hurts My Back

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:00:00 PDT

For some women, running hurts their knees, shins, or chest, but another common complaint is back pain. Your back can either hurt during a run, directly afterward, or even the next day. Back pain can make it hard to sleep, walk, work, or sit at a desk, and it will definitely make you never want to run again. Here are some tips to help prevent back pain while running:

Check your posture. Make sure your shoulders aren't way forward over your toes, or way back past your heels. Your shoulders should be directly over your hips, which will help prevent back pain, and will also ensure that your lungs can expand and contract fully without any restriction. If you're not sure if you have correct running posture, have someone watch you or videotape you while you run.
Running on completely unforgiving concrete sidewalks can certainly hurt your body. Avoid the sidewalk and opt for the dirt roads, a track, or asphalt instead.

To find out what else will help,

Favorite Excuse Not to Run: It Hurts My Chest

FitSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:00:00 PDT

If you gave running a try, but you felt self-conscious about all the action in your front section, or it left your chest in too much pain to enjoy it, then you're not alone. That's why sports bras were invented in the first place - to keep the bouncing at bay. However, not all sports bras are created equal, and the one you're wearing now may not be offering you enough support. Check these out.

This is the Champion Action Sports Bra ($29.99) and it means business. Even though it looks like a real bra, underwire and all, it offers amazing support for someone with a C cup or smaller. The two padded cups support each individual breast, and the back closure allows you to adjust how tight you want it. Plus the material has wicking properties to help you stay dry.

Need a little more support? Then

I love the name of this Title 9 bra - Cuz-She-Says-So Underwire Bra ($39). The underwire offers definition, but the powermesh material and stabilization panels offer maximum support (and no bounce). It's recommended for C, D, and DD cups.

If you're not into underwire, then check out the Fiona Bra ($44) made by Moving Comfort. It's a little pricey, but totally worth it for the ladies with C, D, or DD cup sizes. We're talking intense support here, since it has adjustable straps and three rows of hook and eyes in the back, so you can get a snug fit. There are interior molded cups to support each breast individually, but it also has material across the chest to discourage your breasts from bouncing. Also, since it's so high-cut in the chest, you don't have to worry about exposing your cleavage.

Fit's Tips: If a sports bra and t-shirt aren't cutting it when it comes to support, then you may need to double up. Slip on your sports bra and layer a tank top over it (one that has a shelf-bra sewn in), and that should help keep everything in its place.

Favorite Excuse Not to Run: I Get Blisters

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:30:00 PDT

Now that Spring is really here, you probably see tons of people running outside. Maybe you tried it but ended up with awful blisters on your feet, so you threw in the towel. I am here to tell you that there are many ways to prevent blisters and keep your feet comfortable. Give these a try, and then give running another chance.

First, think about how old your sneaks are. Is it time for a new pair? If it is, choose ones that fit well. Different brands and styles cater to wide/narrow feet and high/low arches. There should be about 1/2 inch between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe. Make sure you can wiggle your toes freely, and your heel shouldn't slip when you walk. Also choose ones based on the activity you plan on doing. If you'll be running on pavement, don't buy the trail runners.
Spend some time breaking in your new pair. Go on short walks and runs, and then gradually build your time up.
Get yourself a few pairs of thin wicking socks (not cotton). When your feet sweat and stay wet, your skin will get soft and that's how blisters can form. Wear these socks when you go to pick out your new sneaks.
Keep your feet as dry as possible. Avoid running in puddles, and if you like to pour water over your head on a hot day, try leaning over so it doesn't drip into your shoes.

Want to know what else you can do to prevent blisters? Then

Favorite Excuse Not to Run: I Don't Want Bulky Thighs

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:45:00 PDT

I have a friend who's trying to lose weight, so I invited her to go for a run with me this weekend. She said, "How about we walk instead? I don't want bulky thighs."

I'm sure a lot of people think that, since running does focus mostly on using your lower body. Don't worry though - it in no way will bulk up your quads into huge masses of muscle. Since running is a great way to burn calories (which is what you need to do if you're trying to lose weight), it'll actually help you lose fat from all over, including from your thighs and bum. So on the contrary, it'll help your thighs look slimmer, not bulkier. Running will also tone your booty, quads, hamstrings, calves, and shins, so once you start shedding pounds, it'll reveal sculpted and shapely muscles.

Fit's Tip: The same goes for biking and hiking. These cardio activities will burn calories and tone beautifully without adding bulk.

Source

6 Ways to Be Alone During the Holidays

Mandy Harris — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:35:23 PST

Spending time with family can be the best - and worst - part of the holidays. Cramped quarters, conflicting personalities, and childhood baggage mean tensions can run high, especially when you don't have any time to yourself. But with a little creativity, you can find ways to squeeze in alone time, and avoid a yuletide meltdown. Here are a few:

Offer to be the errand-runner: If you're craving a little time to yourself, speak up when your mom mentions she's out of sugar. Even a few minutes in the car blasting music (or just sitting in silence) can be enough to pull you back from the brink.
Go for a walk: Can't take another second of togetherness around the fire? Suggest a brisk after-dinner walk. True, you usually can't get away with doing this one all by yourself, but even the most grating of family members can be more palatable outdoors in the crisp air. And if all else fails, walk fast.
Put on your dishwashin' gloves: Offering to take on clean-up duty is a double whammy. You'll earn brownie points for pitching in, and since only so many helpful hands can tackle a sink of dishes, you'll get a little QT with just you and the suds.

Need more ideas? Keep reading.

Not Feeling It? How to Motivate Yourself For a Winter Run

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:44:22 PST

It's 20 degrees, the sky is dull and gray, and you're shivering inside just thinking about gearing up for an outdoor run. No wonder you're having a hard time motivating yourself. When a chilly Winter's day is the hurdle keeping you from going running, here are some ways to inspire a cold-weather workout.

Warm up your clothes: Pop your sports bra, shirts, pants, and even your socks in the dryer for a couple minutes. Slipping on warm gear is sure to get rid of that chill you have when looking out your window into the cold.
Warm up yourself: Take a quick shower allowing the hot water to envelope your skin, being careful not to get your hair wet. It'll warm your body and get your muscles ready to move.
Warm up inside: Once you're dressed properly for a cold-weather workout, do your warm-up inside rather than outside. Run up and down the stairs, do jumping jacks or a round of push-ups, or whatever you need to do to get your heart rate up without getting sweaty. You'll feel warm and loosened up when you step out the door, and you can start running right away to stay warm. Here are warm-up ideas that can be done indoors (even in a small apartment space!).
Blast a tune that speaks to you: Whether it's Beyoncé, Adele, or Pitbull that lights a fire inside you, use your favorite upbeat song to get you psyched for a run. You can dance and scream lyrics as you slip on your sports bra and sneaks. This is a great technique when you're really not feeling a run because it can instantly flip a switch and help you head out the door fast. Continue the musical motivation by listening to a newly crafted running mix.

Need more inspiration? Keep reading for other ways to inspire a wintry run.

Best of 2011: Our Favorite Motivational Tips From the Year

Leta Shy — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:10:31 PST

Sticking to a workout is a constant balance of schedules, moods, and energy levels. And since we know that sometimes it can be hard to meet your fitness goals, we like to share tips and tricks that keep us motivated to work out. This year, we shared with you several ways we stay motivated to exercise; here our some of our favorites from the year!

Make it social: Having a hard time convincing yourself that an evening run should be what you're doing instead of spending time on the couch? It may be time to phone a friend. We love how much friends can help when it's time to exercise, not only by holding us accountable for showing up to exercise dates, but also by swapping exercise ideas, DVDs, and tips. And, when your friend is in a rut, we shared tips for helping a lazy friend out as well.

Build up willpower: Exercising is all about consistency, for both seeing results and for making it a habitual part of your day. Fight the urge to skip out on a workout by using these tips for building your willpower to exercise. By bribing yourself with little rewards or choosing exercises that you actually enjoy doing, you may be more apt to sticking to your goals.

Read more motivational tips after the break.

13 Signs You’re Too Busy

LearnVest — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:15:38 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

There’s busy.

Then there’s too busy.

Busy is running from one appointment to the next. Too busy is running over someone on your way to the next appointment (physically, vehicularly, whatever). Busy is leaving your cell phone behind at the grocery store. Too busy is leaving your kid behind at the grocery store.

And then there’s the biggest of all ironies-we want to cut back, but frankly, we just don’t have the time to figure out how to do it.

Sound familiar? Well, we’re here to do an intervention-a time intervention. Today, we’ll help you figure out if your life is starting to burst at the seams when it comes to your time. If it is, you need a wake-up call to reset priorities, because there is no shakier foundation for healthy, balanced living (and healthy, balanced money management) than not having the space and breathing room that time provides in our lives.

If you’ve crossed over the line into too busy, you’ll need to reset your foundation: Maybe it means taking a day off from work to reassess your life priorities. Maybe it means evaluating what your time is worth and outsourcing chores like housekeeping or laundry. Maybe it means taking a break from social engagements for a little while to focus on building the right foundation.

Here are 13 signs that you might need a time overhaul in your life-and easy tips on how to get started, today.

You Spend a Good Amount of Time Worrying About Your Time

If your time is preoccupied with, well, your time, you might be: endlessly cycling through your to-do list in your head, spending a lot of time arranging and rearranging your schedule, or wishing throughout the day that you had more time.

If you've worried about your schedule or wished you had more time more than three times a day, you need a break from time itself as a stressor in your life.

Try this: Take a mental break. Remove one thing from your schedule for today that is the least important-it might be putting off doing the laundry or postponing a work call. Spend that time instead totally luxuriating in something in the present moment (like eating a macaron or listening to your favorite song) and not thinking about your schedule, or future plans, at all.

Read on for more.

Christy Turlington Brings Sexy Back

Real Beauty — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 03:05:03 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

Christy Turlington is a mother, wife, supermodel, student, and humanitarian (whew!). She's also the face of Avon's new scent, Step into Sexy.

Inspired by her famously stilettoed life, we spoke to the all-American beauty about, what else? How to look and feel sexier. This is what she said.

6 Reasons to Work Out With Your Furry Friend

Health — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:22:18 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Tina Haupert

On the days when I am dragging, my dog, Murphy, reminds me that exercise should be fun. Murphy’s energy is contagious, so it makes me look forward to our time together. He gets so excited before we go outside for a walk. Imagine if we all felt that excited before exercise! Here are six reasons why you should work out with your fury friend.

Health.com: Fun Ways to Get Fit Without a Gym

It’s Fun
Dogs love to run and play, so it’s no surprise how much Murphy and I enjoy being active together. On the days when I’m just not in the mood to exercise, the thought of playing outside with my favorite pug always gets me out of the house. A game of fetch or an “adventure walk” in the woods always leaves us both with smiles on our faces - and it burns calories!

You Can’t Make Excuses
When Murphy is itching to get outside, it’s hard to say no to that adorable pug face. He doesn’t accept my excuses for missing a workout, so there’s rarely a day that I don’t do some sort of activity.

Health.com: 9 Easy Ways to Sneak in More Exercise

The Stats Aren’t Important
During my workouts, I used to worry about how many calories I burned or the distance I ran. But the calories and miles mean nothing to Murphy. He focuses only on the fun stuff - the sights, sounds, and smells of our exercise. Murphy reminds me that the best workouts are the ones during which we don’t worry about the stats.

Keep reading for more reasons to get fit with Fido.