FitSugar

IT IS THIGH TIME: Inner Thigh Work

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:15:00 PST

Here is another IT IS THIGH TIME video. To slim down muscular thighs you need to strengthen the inner thigh after releasing your quads and IT band. This exercise series might remind you of Jane Fonda's work out videos from the 80's, but they've been staples of the Pilates mat repertoire for many decades.

Make sure you are lying on something soft like a thick rug or exercise mat to cushion your hips.

Stayed tuned for more It is Thigh Time exercise videos.

6 Beach Workouts For a Sunny Memorial Day Weekend

Leta Shy — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:52:50 PDT

Hopefully this weekend will involve some fun in the sun, but that doesn't have to be limited to sipping a frozen cocktail on a deck chair. To get you inspired for an outdoor sweat session, we've rounded up some fun fitness routines for the beach - check off your daily workout for the day while enjoying the sun!

Fit and fast: Got 12 minutes? Do this simple CrossFit circuit workout as hard as you can. Bonus: after the intense session, all you have to do is take a dip in the sea!
Leg up: Want to tone legs and thighs? This leg workout from a FitSugar reader helps save your knees from too many squats - and you can do the moves while laying out in the sun.
On the ball: If you happen to have an exercise ball handy, this Kerri Walsh-approved full-body workout will get you in pro-athlete shape.

More beach workouts to inspire you after the break!

Yogini Kristin McGee Dishes on Bethenny Frankel's Fave Pose and Getting Ready For Beach Season

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:36:21 PDT

I was lucky enough to take a class taught by Manhattan-based yoga teacher Kristin McGee right here in San Francisco! Although one busy lady, Kristin traveled across the country to teach Vinyasa Vibes (a new offering at The Sports Club/LA), a flow-based, powerful yoga sequence enhanced by music. The most musical part of the practice? During Savasana, the class culminated in a live sax solo by Grammy-nominated musician Dave Koz. After class, Kristin and I chatted about her yoga journey, getting ready for bikini season, and what it's like working with one of her famous clients, Bethenny Frankel.

FitSugar: Some of the moves in Vinyasa Vibes are Ashtanga-influenced. Is that what your yoga teacher training background was in?
Kristin McGee: My original background was really eclectic because I started in the early '90s. I started taking [yoga] at NYU; some of my very early teachers were Jivamukti teachers who did study Ashtanga. Then I did study with Richard Freedman for a while, who is pure Ashtanga, and Cyndi Lee at OM Yoga. I wanted to get deeper into Iyengar classes and get into the alignment and the detail. Now in my practice I want to get more into Pranayama, more of the breathing, and maybe take some more Kundalini classes. I just feel like it constantly evolves.

FS: The Vinyasa Vibes class has live music during final relaxation. Can you elaborate on the experience of live music and yoga combined?
KM: In yoga practice, it’s a very intimate, immediate place. It's almost like live theater or live music where it brings you right into the moment. Music is a universal language, just like our breath is a universal breath. I think the second we're in this surrounding, in this environment with that live music and the intimacy of a live class, it brings it all together in one beautiful experience.

FS: You’ve collaborated with Bethenny Frankel on some projects. What's her favorite pose?
KM: Bethenny’s all-time favorite pose is Straddle Forward Bend because she says it feels like the weight of the world is falling off of her shoulders. Someone like Bethenny Frankel has a million things going on, and I don’t know how she does it! But I think you also noticed it in the practice tonight. Right when we finally got to that Straddle Forward Hang, it was kind of just like, "Ugh! Such a release!" You feel like you could stay there for quite a while.

Keep reading for Kristin's favorite snack before class and how to get your body ready for Summer.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Fierce

FitSugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:28:00 PDT

After learning Ashtanga Yoga's Sun Salutation A, it's time to learn the poses in Sun Salutation B. It begins with a pose called Fierce, which may look easy but is a killer move for your thighs and glutes when done correctly. It also strengthens your core and stretches your calves, so it's an essential move for runners and high-heel wearers alike.

Sanskrit Name: Utkatasana
English Translation: Fierce Pose
Also Called: Chair Pose

Stand with your feet together in Mountain Pose. Bend your knees and lower your hips as you raise your arms overhead.
Focus on sitting back into your heels to relieve pressure from your knees and to target the thighs and glutes. Tuck your tailbone in and engage your abs, keeping your spine straight. Roll your shoulder blades back and down away from your ears to release any tension in the neck or upper body, and gaze up toward the ceiling.
Stay like this for five breaths.

Freida and Eva Show Off Two Completely Different Looks in One Night - Which Do You Prefer?

Marisa Tom — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:47:22 PDT

Just when we thought we couldn't be more impressed (or in love) with Freida Pinto's pink Michael Angel perfection and Eva Longoria's gauzy Marchesa gown at the Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony, the dazzling duo pulled an outfit-change fast one on us. For the ceremony dinner, both had slipped into something much darker, slinkier, and altogether sexier. Freida chose a striking black sequin Versace number with a sheer neckline, sheer sleeves, and a thigh-high slit, while Eva channeled her sultry side in a black Alberta Ferretti gown, complete with body-con nude slip, lace piping, and delicate tulle overlay. It really comes down to a stylish battle of the ultrafeminine dresses vs. the more gothic gowns - and we want to know which set of looks you like best. Time to weigh in: are you partial to Eva and Freida's girlier red-carpet picks or their darker dinnertime wares?

The Downsides to Meeting Your Goal Weight

Shape — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:32:50 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

When I started losing weight, I often looked at women who were thinner than I was and thought, "Wow, her life must be so easy." I knew that once I got to my goal weight, I'd feel awesome, and healthy living would be just as easy for me as it was for all the "I can eat whatever I want and not gain weight" women around me.

11 Ways to Rev Up Your Metabolism

Now that I've lost 75 pounds, I can say that I do feel awesome . . . but I can't say that a healthy lifestyle comes easy. Weight maintenance isn't as simple as I expected. While being at my goal weight has its perks, I have to admit: I failed to appreciate some of the great benefits I enjoyed along the way. If I did it all over again, then here's what I'd do differently:

See how you can enjoy the weight-loss journey after the break!

Torch Calories and Tone With This Circuit Workout

Susi May — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:40:46 PDT

What's not to love about circuit training? Combining heart-pumping elements of cardio with strength-training moves means you torch calories while toning muscles. It's just so efficient.

Here's a fun yet challenging circuit workout I did recently with my Equinox trainer Lauren. The workout has you performing each exercise for a minute, which means you need to keep a stopwatch handy, but you have the luxury of not needing to count.

Get the details of this circuit after the break.

Challenge Your Run: 4 Training Techniques Every Runner Needs

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:16:04 PDT

Whether you're a beginner or have a few marathons under your belt, every runner can benefit from a little extra training. Here are four techniques to incorporate into weekly workouts that will make you stronger, faster, and more efficient on your feet.

Intervals
Running at a consistent pace is great for longer training runs, but make workouts more intense by doing intervals. By alternating between running a few minutes at a moderate pace and throwing in bursts at a quicker pace (or even sprinting), you'll burn more calories, build endurance, and become a faster, stronger runner. Not to mention, intervals have also been proven to fight belly fat. Here's a 30-minute treadmill interval workout for you to try.

Hills
Doing hill work on inclines targets your thighs, calves, and booty, so aside from giving you the tight tush you always wanted, your stronger lower body will make you a faster, more efficient runner. Doing hill work also burns more calories and strengthens the calves which is one way you can help prevent the dreaded shin splints. Here are tips for incorporating hills into your run.

Keep reading to find out two other techniques all runners should incorporate into their workouts.

The Office, "Turf War": Best Lines of the Night

Lizzie Fuhr — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:55:21 PDT

In this week's episode of The Office, Robert California is hung over and trying to put together the events of the evening - namely, that he closed the Syracuse branch of Dunder-Mifflin while blacked out. And of course, Andy is still being awkward and hanging out around the office, hoping that it's all just been a bad dream. I was happy to see Chris Bauer (Andy Bellefleur!) from True Blood make an appearance as the Syracuse branch manager who is upset that Scranton is stealing his clients.

We learn that Nellie has been having a hard time and actually has a heart; when Pam warms up to her, she's elated. Andy scores a big deal under the alias Big Red Paper Company to get his job back, but when Robert doesn't bite, he heads over to our old friend David Wallace, who seems interested. While I was happy to see Andy get his groove back, to be honest, the high point of the episode is the cold open, where Jim sets up a thigh curl contest between Gabe and Dwight. There are a few funny lines that held things together, so to see my favorites, just keep reading.

Enhance Your Body in All the Right Places With These 3 Bronzing Tips

Jessica Cruel — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:28:00 PDT

Bronzing lotions and self-tanners are fantastic for getting a sun-kissed glow without spending hours in the sun's scorching rays. But you can also use these products to create the illusion of chiseled skin (no workout required). There are ways to contour the face with makeup, and similar techniques can be done all over your body, as well.

1. Décolletage depth: As strapless dresses and halter tops make their way to the front of your wardrobe, it's time to let your chest area shine. Applying bronzer above and below the collarbone will bring a chiseled appearance to your cleavage. Don't have the right shade? Try using a darker shade of foundation instead.

2. Glowing gams: Swipe a bronzing stick down the center of your thighs and shins to create a sleek, long-leg look. Adding tanner is also a great way to disguise stretch marks and veins.

3. The fake bake: Most darker-skinned women avoid the self-tanner section in the drugstore. Even though these products usually won't help you achieve a darker look, they can even out skin tone and provide a subtle shimmer.