FitSugar

Relax Already: Become a Player

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

While it is true that we begin our slow mental decline as young as age 27, there is something you can do to keep your gray matter fit - playing creative games. Crossword, sudoku, and Set are great ways to stimulate your brain and create new neuron growth.

Challenging your brain is not only good for your cognitive health, but it can be a great way to de-stress at the end of a busy day. Concentrating on something other than your to-do list can really help settle a busy brain. You can play many of these creative games online, or find a good old-fashioned newspaper and have a crack at the crossword and the word jumble. It can be surprisingly relaxing to work your brain. What games do you like to play?
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Class Act: P.E. for Adults

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Remember P.E.? Playing games in the middle of the school day was always so much fun. The options were endless but Dodgeball, Floor Hockey, Red Rover, Run Alligator Run, and Capture the Flag topped my list of favorites. One thing was for sure though, I always worked up a sweat.

Now, some adults are getting in on the action by joining P.E. for grown ups. What a better way to meet people, burn calories, and have a good time? Since you'll be playing games the whole time, you'll hardly even notice the workout you're getting in. If you tend to be super competitive, much like myself, putting your husband on the opposite team does wonders for your drive and motivation. Classes like Urban Recess in Portland, OR and Old School P.E. in Newport, NH are popping up all over the country - and are booked to capacity. Check your local rec center and/or gym to find out if there are any physical education classes in your area.

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What's the Deal with Spikeball?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

I noticed a new game recently while at the beach, called Spikeball. I've never seen it before so I decided to do a little research.

Basically, Spikeball is a lot like volleyball except instead of hitting the ball over the net, you hit it onto a circular net/trampoline to volley the ball to your opponents. The game is a two-on-two match, and like volleyball you and your teammate have up to three volleys between you to return the ball on the net. The biggest (and coolest) difference is that with volleyball you must stay on your side of the net. With Spikeball once the ball has been served off the net, you can run wherever you want - there are no sides.

Not only does it make for a really fun beach (or Fourth of July barbecue) game, you'll end up running all over the place trying to get the ball, which means you're bound to burn a ton of calories. The game will run you around $50 and it's a guaranteed good time. I just ordered my set - fingers crossed it gets here by this weekend!

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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I Double Dog Dare You: Urban Dare

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Do you dream of being on The Amazing Race but CBS hasn't come a calling?

Here's your chance... well, sort of. Urban Dare is the team race that’s part photo hunt, part trivia and part dares. Teams of 2 work together to solve clues to find checkpoints throughout the city. To move on they must take photos or perform dares to earn passport stamps. Each team must determine their own route to the checkpoints. Most teams will cover about 5 to 7 miles and finish in about 3 or 4 hours. The Urban Dare challenge is to be the first team to cross the finish line after successfully completing checkpoint dares and getting required photos. Be sure to bring your digital camera as some of the checkpoints require proof that you were actually there!

Urban Dare is $90 for a two person team. Each entrant must wear their Urban Dare t-shirt during the race. The first one is on April 21st in Washington, DC and the last one is December 1st in San Antonio, TX. The find out more, to register and to see if/when an Urban Dare is going to be in your city, go to UrbanDare.com.

A New Way to Burn Calories: Speedminton

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Looking for a new way to burn calories and tone those arms all while having fun? Who isn't, right?

Try Speedminton, a cross between tennis, badminton, racquetball and squash, but requires no walls, no net and no court. It's a great way to just to have fun at the beach, park, in your backyard or driveway with friends and family. Or you can get more competitive... which you know I love. According to SpeedmintonUSA, you'll burn about 400 calories an hour. In addition to burning major calories, playing a few matches will help to sculpt arms and back, as well as tone legs.

The best part? It's totally affordable! The Speedminton Bag Set ($29.99) includes: 2 Speedracquets, 3 different aerodynamic Speeders, 8 Easy Court cones so you can set up anywhere, 4 Speedlights for up to 3 hours of night play and 1 Speedbag for carrying with you every where you go. Buy it from SportsAuthority.com.

Game Time: ProForm 20.0 CrossTrainer Elliptical

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Now I am not really a big video gamer, but combine video games and exercising and now you've got my attention.

This is why I am loving the new ProForm 20.0 CrossTrainer Elliptical ($799.00). Not only is it a great elliptical for your personal use, but the console features 2 interactive games. Using the dual game controllers on the elliptical arms, you can play the Fat Blocker game or the Calorie Destroyer game during your workout. The best part? The harder you exercise, the greater advantage you will have over the computer you're playing against! The console keeps track of the four highest scores for each game - so you and your husband can try and knock off each other's scores each time one of you works out.

Plug your iPod or other MP3 player into the console and play your music or media files through the built-in speakers. This could be the most entertaining piece of cardio equipment ever!

Not enough for you? The machine also features large, super gel grip pedals that allow you a number of different foot positions for greater comfort and stability. Trust me, anyone who has ever lost her footing on an elliptical machine can attest to how fabulous an idea that is. Buy it directly from the ProForm site.

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Fit Gift: Fitness Challenge for the Fit Wannabe Couple

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:30:00 -0800

Looking for a game that will get fitness wannabes moving?

The Fitness Challenge ($29.95) combines playing a board game with the benefits of an exercise and fitness program. Designed for two players of any age or ability to compete, The Fitness Challenge uses rewards in the form of star points along with cute coupons (make the other player organize your drawer or clean out your cat's litter box) as prizes to motivate players to exercise consistently and lose weight for eight weeks.

The best part is that you it doesn't matter what kind of shape you are in, anyone can play. The game is eight weeks long and the rules are designed to motivate you to exercise at least three days a week, every week. From walking to mountain climbing, the range of workout choices accommodates any lifestyle.

This is a great gift idea for any twosomes you have on your list. Buy it online at The Fitness Challenge site.

Working out: Something is better than Nothing

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 02:30:00 -0800

For many of us working out is a full hour to slip away from the craziness that is the holidays, but what if you just don't have the time to get away to do your full work out? Or what if you're like me and can't bear to miss out on family board game time?

Anything is better than nothing as far as working out is concerned. If you are worried about not having time to work out, make a promise to yourself that you'll do what you can when you can. This way you won't put too much pressure on yourself to get it done, but you will feel good when you do.

Fit's Tip: If you're worried about it being worth your time in terms of calories burned, work out harder faster. This means if you usually run 3 miles in 30 minutes, then try to cut time but still burn the calories. Try doing 3 miles in 20 minutes. This way your heart rate should be at a higher intensity, which means you will still be burning a high amount of calories.

Game Review: Your Shape For Wii

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:50:08 -0800

There's a new fitness game in town and it's ready to work you out and make you sweat. Your Shape ($69), a new Wii game by Ubisoft, makes Jenny McCarthy your workout coach and training buddy so you don't have to sweat it out alone.

The game comes with a camera that you perch on your TV; it captures your image and plays it on your TV so you move with a reflection of yourself, like looking in a mirror. The camera also monitors your movements, and if you slack off, Jenny will let you know - she also gives you praise when you make a correction. Who couldn't use an ego boost mid-workout?

To learn more about the game, continue reading.