FitSugar

iDo: Wedding Planning and Multi-tasking

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Planning for the big day can be really stressful. Working women/brides-to-be have so much to think about: flowers, the ceremony, bridesmaids, the cake, the honeymoon. Planning the wedding is almost a full time job!

So you don't become too overwhelmed, you're going to have to make multi-tasking a part of your planning process.

Here's a great way to kill two birds with one stone: research wedding info while working out. Download podcasts to your iPod from iTunes. Here are a few for you to try: Wedding Planning Talk Radio (8 free episodes), Queer Eye (has a 9-episode wedding series), and 4 free podcasts from Bride Magazine.

For a small bit of change, you can download individual episodes of your favorite wedding-themed TV shows, or even get an entire season of the reality TV show, Whose Wedding is This Anyway? for $18.

Listen while you tone up for your wedding, that is multi-tasking at its best.

iDo

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Are you going to be a June bride? Planning for the big day can be really stressful. Working women/brides-to-be have so much to think about: flowers, the ceremony, the cake, to honeymoon. Planning the wedding could easily become a full time job unto itself.

So you don't become too overwhelmed you are going to make multi-tasking a part of your planning process. So reach for your iPod and download podcasts to your iPod from iTunes. Here's a few for you to try: Wedding Planning Talk Radio (8 free episodes), Queer Eye (has a 9-episode wedding series), and 4 free podcasts from Bride Magazine.

For a small bit of change, you can download individual episodes of your favorite wedding-themed TV shows, or even get an entire season of the reality TV show, Whose Wedding is This Anyway? for $18.

Now busy brides can do 2 things at once - research wedding info while working out. That is truly great multi-tasking since you'll be listening to something while on the treadmill, make it an informative podcast.

iDo: iPod – Wedding Podcasts for Your Workouts

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:30:00 -0700

Planning for the big day can be really stressful. Working women/brides-to-be have so much to think about: flowers, the ceremony, invitations, bridesmaids, the cake, and the honeymoon. Planning the wedding is almost a full time job!

So you don't become too overwhelmed, you're going to have to make multitasking a part of your planning process. Here's a great way to kill two birds with one stone - research wedding info while working out. Download wedding podcasts from iTunes to your iPod and work out while you listen to your research. Here are a few for you to try:

Wedding Planning Talk Radio (52 free episodes)
Queer Eye (has a 9-episode wedding series)
4 free podcasts from Bride Magazine
Subscribe to the Wedding Planning Talk Radio podcasts (94 free episodes).
If you don't mind paying, you can download an entire season of the reality TV show, Whose Wedding Is This Anyway? for $18.

Is there a wedding planning podcast that you love? Tell me about it in the comments section below.

To see all of our wedding season coverage, check out IDoSugar.

How to Deal With the Buffet at a Wedding Reception

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

It is June and wedding season in is in full bloom. Weddings are fun-filled events, but beware of the buffet. It is all too easy to pile the calories onto one little plate. Here are a few suggestions on how to survive with the buffet table.

Survey the Table: Don't start at the beginning of the table and take one of everything the buffet has to offer. Give the table a once over and pick out the healthiest options. Put those options on your plate.
Easy on the Drinks: Alcoholic drinks are surprisingly high in calories. Plus they diminish your willpower, making it harder for you to make wise decisions.
Drink Plenty of Water: By all means toast with a glass of bubbly, but stick to water for the rest of the evening. It is refreshing, zero calories, and might just make you feel more full.
Walk the Line Once: Don't go back for seconds. Just don't. You want to save room for cake, right?
Avoid Hors d'oeuvre: Starters tend to be high in calories. It seems like food eaten off a napkin doesn't really count; but it does. Go for the crudités – feel no need to limit your consumption of these raw veggies. For dipping sauce, on the other hand, keep a light tough.
Stop When You're Full: Sometimes we all need to be reminded for the obvious. When you are full, stop eating. That is the best way to not over indulge. Just think how light you will feel on the dance floor.

How do you deal with the buffet table at any event? Share your advice in the comments section below.

Don't forget top check out all the wedding fun on IDoSugar.

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Wedding Workout from Exercise TV

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Brides-to-be are always looking to tone up. From my experience they want to work their arms and abs to look stunning for their big day. Here is a great video workout from the folks at ExerciseTV designed for brides. It combines arm work, ab work and easy to do at home cardio moves.

Even if you are not walking down the aisle this summer, these workout suggestions are great for getting you beach ready as well.

Be sure to check out IDoSugar for even more wedding ideas.

Namaste For the Big Day: Yoga For Weddings

FitSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If you're planning a wedding-related party, anything from an engagement party to a bachelorette bash, why not do something a little different? Since weddings are pretty stressful, everyone will appreciate a party that'll help release some of the tension and anxiety. I'm talking about a Yoga Party, and it's sure to encourage some calmness, self-reflection, and emotional renewal, which every bride and bridesmaid need.

If you don't know of any Yoga instructors in your area, or if you happen to be traveling elsewhere for the party, why not hire someone from Yoga For Weddings? They offer special event packages so you can customize a bridal shower or bachelorette party. Currently, they have teachers in California, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Oregon. It may be just the thing if you're not into a night of strippers and barhopping.

If you're looking for more Yoga in your life, you don't have to stop at just one session. Yoga For Weddings also offers packages of six or 12 classes, or six months of classes - for yourself, you and the groom, or for you and your entire bridal party. It's a great way to stay fit, healthy, and centered in the time leading up to your special day.

Head to IDoSugar for more wedding coverage.

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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Get Your Back Ready To Bare: Skin Edition

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Plunging necklines are giving way to backless dresses. Spring and Summer both promise many backless fashions for showing off your toned back, and wedding dresses are not excluded from this trend.

If you are working out vigorously to get a toned back for you wedding, I say more power to you! Don't be dissuaded from sweating by the unfortunate side effect of working out – breaking out in places you would never think of and rarely see yourself. I am talking about the back. There are ways to avoid this dreadful side effect of shaping up.

Here are my suggestions:

Make sure your bra and your shirt are made of fabric that wicks the sweat away from your body. Cotton, in this instance, is not your friend. I like the Trilogy Bra by Title Nine Sports.
If your routine includes cardio followed by strength training, change your shirt and bra in between. This might seem like a pain, but can seriously help prevent blemishes. Wipe or rinse (much more complicated mid workout) your back before putting on your fresh clothes.

There are a few other things you can do so just read more.

Shower post workout and use Cetaphil or some other antibacterial cleanser. Use a back scrubber so you can reach all parts of your back. Do not scrub aggressively as that will only irritate the area even more.
Try over the counter acne medication. The skin on your back is tougher than the skin on your face. After showering try glycolic or alpha hydroxy lotion of about 8 or 10 percent strength. Or try 10 percent benzoyl peroxide. Remember, benzoyl peroxide will bleach your clothes.
Stop carrying a heavy backpack, especially if you are applying acne medication to your back. Backpacks can irritate the skin on your back and promote sweating.
If you're really at a loss, make an appointment with a dermatologist and hopefully they will clear things up for you (literally and figuratively). Also many spas offer facials for the back and this treatment might help. Be sure to try this weeks, not days before your wedding.

Fit's Tip: Don't stop working out to avoid working out. You need it as a stress release because planning a wedding is no piece of cake. Just take precautions and your back will look lovely on your big day.

Be sure to check out all our exclusive wedding coverage on IDoSugar.com!

Stay tuned for the Get Your Back Ready To Bare: Exercise Edition – it's coming soon.

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DVD Review: The Wedding Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you're going to be walking down the aisle you're probably in serious planning mode. One DVD that will fit right into your frame of mind is The Wedding Workout from Women's Health. Not only does it provide a great workout, but it's one DVD that lets you plan exactly how you want to do your workouts and when.

The DVD is divided into several sections by body parts: upper body, abs and core, lower body, and cardio. You can do the workout in a prebuilt schedule, which separates parts of the body each day of the week with one rest day, or you can create your own workout. You can also decide how heavily you want to focus on the upper or lower body (i.e. strapless dress versus hip-hugging dress). I just tried the prebuilt schedule and feel like I got a good workout. I didn't realize until I finished working out that all the exercise routines are the same, and you simply repeat the same moves on different days. This means if you're doing lower body on Monday and Wednesday those workouts will be exactly the same and this might increase the boredom factor of working out with a DVD. Furthermore, all warmups and cooldowns are the same each day of the week, making this part my least favorite aspect of the DVD. But if you can mentally get over the repetition, you will get a good physical workout.

You do need a pair of light dumbbells for the upper body, core, and abs portion and an exercise mat would make the whole thing a little more comfortable. The lower-body portion is heavy in squats and lunges - my legs were literally shaking - so if you have bad knees you should be careful or opt out. And as with all DVDs, I feel like the cardio is not sufficient enough so I would supplement with jogs outside and sessions on the elliptical.

Fit's Tip: The bonus segments that teach how to walk in heels, nutrition, and stripping 101 were unnecessary - I'd skip them altogether.

Be sure to check out all our exclusive wedding coverage on IDoSugar.com!

Happily Married, Happily Healthy

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

If you're looking to lower your blood pressure then you just may want to tie the knot. Just make sure, though, that he's the right one.

Overall, research has found that happily married people scored four points lower on the blood pressure readings than single adults. The study also found that blood pressure among married people - especially those in happy marriages - dipped more during sleep than in single people. Here's the kicker though. The study also found that unhappily married adults have higher blood pressure than both happily married and single adults.

So if you're walking down the aisle in the near future (or if you're already married), keep your marriage healthy by encouraging eating a healthy diet and having regular doctors visits for you and your spouse.

For more wedding planning fun, check out IDoSugar.

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