FitSugar

Just 4 Things 4 Your Health

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:45:00 PDT

There are 4 simple things that have been proven to significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

They are:

Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day
Exercising at least 30 minutes every day
Maintaining a healthy weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9)
Not smoking

These four things are basic components of having a healthy lifestyle and are easy to do. In fact, starting these habits at any time can help improve your overall health. To hear more on this topic I highly recommend you listen to the Fitness Rocks podcast of an interview between Dr. Monte, the host of Fitness Rocks and Dr. Dana King. Dr. King authored a long-term study on the benefits of getting healthy in the middle years. But there is no reason to wait for the middle years to get healthy.

A Week of the Happy Healthy You

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 09:30:00 PST

Soon it will be spring, bringing warmer weather and capped sleeves. So check out the Starter Arms workout video. You can also print out this sheet to take with you to the gym.

If you get cramps when you are running, you should read this post on how to get rid of the stitch in your side.

Happy mom, Jennifer Garner loves cheese more than exercise.

While checking out iTunes this weekend, look for The Fitness Rocks pod cast by Dr. Monte. It is one of my favorites.

Here is a great yoga pose for you to try: 4 limbed staff pose. It is the weekend right? So you have some time to experiment with yoga.

Here are 5 things about caffeine for you to read before you vote on whether or not you consider caffeine a drug.

Interested in finding a new exercise class to take? Well Capoeira will kick your butt.

Do you know how much fiber you are supposed to eat in a day? Test your knowledge with this fiber quiz.

Inversion Issues: How to Remedy Common Shoulderstand Complaints

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:14:27 PDT

You're loving your yoga class from Half Moon to Pigeon Pose, but as soon as you get to Shoulderstand, you're less than psyched. Although a basic - challenging, but basic - pose, Shoulderstand can put you at risk of strain and injury when done incorrectly. Turn this pose into your favorite by checking out these common complaints and ways to remedy them.

"I Can't Breathe"
If you're well endowed or carry extra weight in your belly, then gravity causes added pressure on the lungs and throat, making it tough to take in a deep breath. A supportive bra and fitted top can help, but if you still have trouble breathing, then changing how you do the pose will make a huge improvement. Instead of stacking your pelvis and feet directly over your shoulders, hinge at your hips slightly, pressing them away from your face so your feet extend slightly behind your head.

Still can't breathe? Try the Legs Up the Wall variation; rest your lower back on your mat or, to give your hips a little lift, rest your lower back on a folded-up blanket or flat bolster.

Continue reading to learn how to alleviate neck pain and feelings of imbalance while in Shoulderstand.

Lil Links: Liz Lange Celebrates 10 Years at Target

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:32:05 PDT

Molly Sims and Soleil Moon Frye celebrate Liz Lange's 10th anniversary at Target - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Gwyneth Paltrow's kids rock out at the Jay-Z/Kanye West concert - Celebrity Baby Blog
When motherhood is embarrassing - BabyCenter Blog
14 things to stop doing if you want to be a happy mom - The Stir
Time-tested tips for soothing crying babies - Parenting
Baby names inspired by TV shows - The Bump
Molly Sims opens up about lessons from her own mom - FitPregnancy
5 pizza toppings kids will devour - Yahoo! Shine
Tweets about life with kids that moms will love - Circle of Moms
10 money pitfalls for moms - LearnVest
What one mom misses most since having kids - HuffPost Parents
How to write a birth plan - Momtastic

Get Brooklyn Decker's Bikini Bod With Yoga

Zelana Montminy — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:59:22 PDT

Brooklyn Decker knows how to rock a bikini, and yoga plays a big part in her fitness routine. Tara Stiles, Brooklyn's yoga go-to, shared two poses that helped the blond bombshell get into swimsuit shape. Learn how to do the poses when you watch the video.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Miranda Kerr Talks Healthy Snacks and Going Organic

Michele Foley — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:26:39 PDT

Working out, organic baby food, and more: get the dish on Miranda Kerr - Fit Celeb
A rock-climbing gym in your house? You betcha! - Houzz
Learn how a little stretch can improve your life - Real Simple
Mice get slimmer and sexier from eating yogurt. What about humans? - Self
How Smash's Katharine McPhee stays in Broadway-worthy shape - Fitness
The lunch bell is calling! 10 sandwiches all under 300 calories - Shape
7 things to do now, which help prevent Alzheimer's in the future - HuffPost Healthy Living

Get Cameron Diaz's Lean Legs With This 10-Minute Workout

Zelana Montminy — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:06:00 PDT

Rock your bikini bottoms with this 10-minute workout created exclusively for us by Teddy Bass, Cameron Diaz's longtime trainer. Add this workout, full of lunges and leg lifts, to your weekly fitness routine, and you'll have a toned derrière by beach season.

Summer Music Festivals That Offer Fun Ways to Stay Fit

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:32:49 PDT

Summer music festival season is in full swing, and we can't wait to get in on all the action. While all these adventures are certainly a fun way to head to a big party, sometimes the whole thing can become a little too much. After all, if you're taking your vacation time to head to one of these events, don't you want to come back at least a little revived and rejuvenated?

The Wanderlust Festival set the precedent, but lots of other festivals have taken notice of the close-knit relationship that can exist between music and fitness. You're going to be burning some serious calories by shaking your thing as your favorite musicians perform, but if you want to get more fitness into your festival experience, here are some of our favorite festivals that offer options to complement the whole experience.

Hangout Music Festival

When: May 18 - May 20, 2012
Where: Gulf Shores, AL
What They Offer: This year The Hangout is offering a series of mellow morning yoga classes taught by Kelly Morris. Live music from double bassist Garth Stevenson will accompany the Rock Your Body yoga experience that welcomes yogis and yoginis of all levels. Did I mention this whole thing is situated on a beautiful beach?

DelFest

When: May 24 - May 27, 2012
Where: Cumberland, MD
What They Offer: DelFest is a festival that understands the connection between mind, body, and spirit. They hold activities coined movement playshops open to all festival attendees. Yoga and hula-hooping are the stars of the fitness show at DelFest.

Lightning in a Bottle

When: May 24 - May 28, 2012
Where: Silverado, CA
What They Offer: Lightning in a Bottle created a special environment called the Lucent Temple of Consciousness dedicated to workshops, speakers, and lots of yoga classes. We also love that at LIB you can take a workshop and learn how to grow your own spirulina!

Keep reading for three more festivals that offer fun ways to stay fit.

The Best Hiking Pants to Hit the Trail In This Spring

Michele Foley — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:52:11 PDT

A pair of basic black fitness capris will perform OK on a casual hike, but you're going to need something more specific when hitting the trail for a serious trek. Lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics with built-in sun protection are something to scout out, as are stretchy materials that won't rip if you find yourself sliding down some rocks. While Earth tones are the default color of choice, there is still a lot of variety to be had amongst hiking bottoms - keep reading to check out a few of the options!

10-Minute Workout For Tank Top Arms

Zelana Montminy — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:36:16 PDT

Get ready for tank top season with this 10-minute workout from celeb trainer Holly Perkins. The exercises target the upper arms and shoulders so you can rock the sleeveless fashions of Summer. Grab a set of dumbbells, press play, and follow Holly as she leads you through the moves.

Craving a longer workout? Be sure to check out all of our Class FitSugar 10-minute workouts. Combine workouts from different celebrity trainers to work your entire body, all in the comfort of your own living room.