FitSugar

Top Five US Hiking Trails

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Fall is my favorite time of year to hike not only because the air is cooler so you don't have to worry about overheating or sweaty feet causing blisters, but also because of the gorgeous Fall foliage. According to TrailsTV.com, there are at least 10 trails in the US everyone should hike. Here are the highlights of five of their recommendations, listed in no particular order.

Glacier Gorge - Estes Park Colorado
The scenery, wildflowers, waterfalls, and alpine lakes are some of the most beautiful on the planet. It’s a photographer's dream.
The Bright Angel Trail - Grand Canyon, Arizona
If you've never been hiking in the Grand Canyon before, this is the place to start. The Bright Angel Trail is one of the two superhighways of the Grand Canyon, the other being the South Kaibab Trail. Both of these trails are well maintained and offer some spectacular views of the Canyon.
The Tahoe Rim Trail - Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
The Tahoe Rim Trail is one of the world’s premier trails. It passes through two states (California and Nevada), six counties, one state park, three National Forests, and three wilderness areas.
Half Dome - Yosemite, California
This special spot was an inspiration to Ansel Adams because of its magnificent wildlife, dainty flowers, and towering trees.
Enchantment Traverse - Seattle, Washington
Considered the best hike in Washington, Enchantment offers a super diverse 30 miles. From easy wide flats to steep, rough areas, the hard fought permit is well worth the effort . . .

To check out the other five trails that make the top 10, check out TrailTV's full list.

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Backpack in the Buff: Nudist Hiking Trails Are Germany's New Attraction

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:56:20 PDT

I've heard of nude beaches and swimming holes, naked yoga classes, and naked bike rides, but nude hiking? Now that's something new. If you're traveling to Europe anytime soon and you want to really feel one with nature, check out Germany's first hiking trail for nudists, near the town of Dankerode, about 200 miles southwest of Berlin. You'll see signs posted that say, "If you don't want to run into any naked people, stop right here!"

Ever since it opened in the Spring of 2010, the trails have been a big success. Even the town's mayor says it's "the latest attraction," giving hikers the chance to experience the "bodily freedom" only nude hiking can offer. Even Switzerland may hop on the hiking-in-the-buff bandwagon, although the issue is still under legislative review.

It may not surprise you to hear that the nudists hitting the trails are mostly men. I guess hiking au naturel for the ladies wouldn't be the safest idea.

I'm not about to strip down to my hiking boots and sunglasses and hit the woodsy trails just yet. My first thought is, "Geez, I'd go through way more bottles of sunscreen!" And what about bugs, thorns, and poison ivy? I would be so worried a pesky little tick would find its way into my personal business. Not to mention, hiking is a huge sweat fest. Not wearing any clothes would surely result in some chafing. If you're carrying a backpack, it can't feel too good rubbing on your bare skin. And worse, what if you fell on your bare bum? It all sounds pretty uncomfortable to me, but nude hikers say "hiking with clothes is too constrictive and they like the freedom of going without garments."

Solo Hiking Tips I Learned Going to Half Dome and Back

Michele Foley — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:27:48 PST

Last weekend started out pretty typical: my boyfriend and I made the four-hour drive to Yosemite for a few days of climbing with friends. But what I wasn't counting on was sleeping in that first morning and missing my chance to climb. Left alone, I figured I might as well go for a hike. My original plan was to do a two-mile hike to the base of Vernal Falls - ha! Twelve hours and 17 miles later, I had endured one of the most difficult treks of my life.

I would caution anyone to face a long distance challenge with a friend - especially for safety reasons. But if you've ever stopped yourself from going on a long run, hike, or bike ride because you were alone, it's worth considering as long as you do your research and come prepared. I can't remember the last time I felt so completely gratified and accomplished. Here are the things that helped me endure the trek.

Do your research. While I wasn't expecting to go beyond Vernal Falls via the Mist Trail and then take on Half Dome, I was prepared. It's a hike I've always wanted to do so I knew what to expect. I studied it enough to know the route and trail conditions with confidence. I also had done the Mist Trail (the beginning of the hike to Half Dome) several times in my past.
Be prepared. I didn't expect to go on a epic hike, but I did expect to be away from my camp until sundown, so I packed appropriately. In my pack I had enough food and water to last me beyond a full day. I also had extra layers of clothing, a headlamp, map, sunscreen, and a compass.

Find out what other tips helped me on my trek, and share your own stories with me when you

Practice safety. Luckily, in Yosemite you can get cell phone reception. I made a point to send text messages to my ggroup letting them know where I was going and when to expect me back. I always keep my ID on me, and when hiking or climbing, I carry a whistle and blinking headlamp. It's a surefire way to get the attention of people from a distance in case you need help.
Know your limits. I saw many people of the trail struggling who had to turn back. Don't push yourself beyond your limit of safety, and make sure to rest. I definitely took time to let my body regain strength before trekking up another difficult push. On the other hand, don't give up if you know you can make it. Enduring a long distance hike or ride alone can be challenging and lonely - I made a point to motivate myself with little mantras throughout the day.
Talk to people. On the trail I tried to speak to people and it paid off in multiple ways. It helped combat the solitude, and I was able to pick up on some knowledge from those more familiar than I was.

Again, I want to stress that if I could have done this with a partner, I would have. While I definitely don't recommend doing the hike to Half Dome alone to everyone, I think it is very liberating to try and meet some physical challenge on your own.

Are You Trying a New Outdoor Activity This Summer?

Leta Shy — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:12:32 PDT

Spring is a time for new beginnings, and that can be especially true if you're gearing up to take advantage of the warm Summer days. Even better about being able to spend as much time outside as you want? It can spur you on to try a new sport or activity. There's so much to do if you want to burn calories, tone, and get your heart rate up while having fun, from hiking the trails to dusting off your old bike to taking scuba-diving lessons.

Does the advent of Summer have you excited to try out a new outdoor sport? Take our poll and tell us what it is below!

Get Ready For Your Summer Hike With These Exercises

Leta Shy — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:24:26 PDT

Memorial Day is approaching, and we've got warm weather on the brain, but it's not just about getting in shape for the beach. Hiking is a great cardio and muscle-building workout - and you can burn 180 calories in just 30 minutes. Hiking trails vary in difficulty, yet no matter where you go it's a common sight: once-enthusiastic hikers having to stop halfway through, too exhausted and out of shape to finish the trail.

When you're on the trails, don't quit before you want to - if you're looking forward to a hike this season, start with these exercises.

Endurance: Spend some time working on your endurance before a long hike, and it'll all be worth it once you reach the hilltop. Increase the incline the next time your walk, jog, or run on the treadmill, and spend some time on a slower-paced, longer run during the week. Read more on how to increase your endurance here.
Core: Carrying a backpack while making your way up an incline requires engaged, strong abs; strengthen your core with these seven ab workouts.
Lower body: Strong legs make for impressive ascents, so go ahead, do some more squats (and then some). Here's a list of our favorite lower leg exercises to strengthen your glutes, hamstrings, and quads.

6 Fun and Frugal Activities to Do With Mom on Mother's Day

Emily Co — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:54:00 PDT

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday and if you're thinking of spending the day with her but want to do something more intimate and personal, here are a few fun and frugal ideas:

Movie Marathon. Kick back and relax with Mom by indulging in a movie marathon. Pick movies with a mother-daughter theme or her favorite classics. Make some homemade popcorn or mix a few margaritas for the both of you.
Hit the Trails. There's nothing like a walk to clear the mind and enjoy a breath of fresh air. Make plans to take a walk in a park or go to hiking trails nearby. Your mom will definitely appreciate the natural surroundings and the fresh air.
Sporting Activity. Is Mom fond of a game of tennis or a round of golf? If your mom favors a particular sport, try to set it up so both of you can participate in it this weekend.
Re-Create a Favorite Restaurant Meal. Eating in restaurants can be pricey and if you need to give your wallet a break, re-create your mom's favorite restaurant meal instead of taking her to it. She'll appreciate the effort and creativity.
Game Night. Get your whole family together and organize game night on Saturday or Sunday. Play games like Mafia or whatever board game you own at home. Poker is another option as well if your mom enjoys playing it.
Go to the Museum. If Mom enjoys art, science, or history, you can take her to one of the museums in town on Sunday. It's a nice way to spend the day with her and you can get to know each others taste and thoughts on a deeper level as you analyze each exhibit.

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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!

How to Splurge This Weekend Without Gaining a Pound

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:49:28 PDT

For many who have stuck to their healthy ways all week long, the weekend is a time to loosen up the reigns a little, ignore weight-loss rules, and indulge in some high-calorie Cinco de Mayo goodness. If you're not careful though, an entire weekend of living it up could make you gain the pounds you've worked so hard to keep off all week. Here are some ways to splurge a little this weekend and not feel guilty on Monday morning.

Sip on this: If you're starting the Cinco de Mayo festivities a little early tonight, pass on the margaritas made with premade sugary mix and go for a glass made with real lime juice and a splash of simple syrup to save calories (opt for no salt on the rim). Or you can skip the margarita altogether and whip up a batch of this low-cal sangria-inspired cocktail made with heart-healthy red wine, unfiltered cranberry juice, and fresh strawberry puree.
Skip this calorie-loaded app: Ordering an enormous plate of nachos topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, seasoned ground beef, and avocado means devouring a huge amount of calories before your entrée even arrives. Start with a small taco salad instead made with fresh greens, peppers, tomatoes, corn, black beans, a few crushed tortilla chips, and sprinkled with an avocado vinaigrette.

Keep reading for more calorie-saving tips.

8 Frugal Summer Vacation Ideas

Wise Bread — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:15:37 PDT

If you're thinking of forgoing your usual Summer travel plans due to high prices, you should consider these frugal trip ideas from Wise Bread.

The sky is brighter, the air is warming up, and the layers of clothes are getting peeled off. That can only mean one thing - summer is near.

One of the things that I love most about going on vacation is the chance to break out of my everyday routine, eat crappy foods guilt-free, and stay up blissfully late watching as much trashy reality TV as I please. Setting aside daily responsibilities, trying new things, being in a different space, and having carefree fun is refreshing. But while it’d be nice to go to Fiji or another distant tropical paradise, that just isn't reality for a lot of us.

So what do you do when money is tight, you don’t want to get further into debt, and you really need a vacation? You still take a vacation, but just a frugal one. One that your budget will love. Here are eight frugal summer vacation ideas to get you going.

1. The All-American, Almighty Road-Trip Vacation

About 10 years ago, my husband was able to travel through 30 different states in the span of a month and a half with a friend in a $400 1982 Chevy Sprint. It’s an experience he’ll never forget, and while gas prices do get high in the summer, the road trip is still one of the cheapest options for frugal vacations. Grab a map, pack a large cooler, stop at grocery stores along the way, sing cheesy songs, tell stories you’ve never told before, watch the sun rise and set, and make yourself some memories. (This can be combined with the “I Had No Idea There Were Over 400 National Parks” vacation below, if you’re feeling adventurous.)

2. The Infamous Staycation Vacation

Set a time frame. If you can only get two to three days off from work (or less), that’s OK! This is how you do it - turn off the phones, put an auto reply on your email, turn off the computer (and really keep it off), don’t check your usual social media feeds, and really allow yourself a break from everyday life and the technology that comes along with it. Then go to the grocery store and get sundae supplies: ice cream, candy toppings, hot fudge, caramel, and whipped cream, and why not throw in some cherries too? You are on vacation after all! Rent those guilty-pleasure movies you’ve been wanting to see, and settle in for a movie marathon. Those books and magazines that have been stacking up? This is the time to read them! Those museum exhibits you’ve been dying to see but just don’t have the time for? Go check ‘em out! Hanging with friends on a patio on a random Tuesday night? Go for it! The point is to have fun, indulge in some pleasures you normally don’t get to, and get out of your normal routine.

Read on for more ideas.

How to Deal With Spring Running and Shin Splints

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:57:26 PDT

When Spring weather hits, many runners can't wait to wave goodbye to the treadmill and head to the open road. All that fresh air and gorgeous scenery gives the sense of freedom, but it can also cause a painful sensation in the front of the lower legs. Shin splints are a common ailment for runners switching from the treadmill to the road, and if a runner doesn't take certain precautions, that pain can really put a wrench in their training routine.

Shin splints are small tears in the area where the lower leg muscle attaches to the tibia, aka the shin bone. The tears result from overuse, and since running on pavement taxes your muscles more than a treadmill, many runners complain of shin pain when they first begin outdoor runs. Shin splints often occur because the calf muscle becomes stronger than the tibialis anterior, the muscle on the outside of the shin. Even if the ache isn't that bad, it's still a minor injury. Pushing through the pain could result in more severe tears - an injury that could sideline your running routine altogether.

Keep reading to learn how to prevent shin splints.