FitSugar

Learn From the Game: Mia Hamm

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:15:00 PDT

After a long week, I was searching for a little inspiration and I found this gem:

"Failure happens all the time. It happens every day in practice. What makes you better is how you react to it." - Mia Hamm

I think Mia Hamm is awesome, she is six months pregnant with twins in this photo and she still has time to kick it around with kids at a Soccer Clinic for Recovering Cancer Patients and Marrow Donor Drive. Go Mia...she delivered twin girls in March and I bet they are adorable.

Source

5 Tips From a Pro: How to Create a Beautiful Bronzed Glow

Real Beauty — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:07:27 PST

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

When trying to create a natural, sunless tan on your body, mistakes are expected and accepted. If things go too awry, you can just opt to wear pants until the color wears off.

Bronzer or self tanner: which is right for you?

But a botched fake tan on your face? Completely out of the question. Here, five foolproof tips on how to get gorgeous bronzed skin.

How Stacy Keibler Gets Red-Carpet Ready

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:37:17 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Awards season is in full swing, and we can't help but wonder how these celebs manage to look so good. And what's a girl without access to expensive Hollywood trainers and stylists to do? We caught up with actress, model, and former wrestler Stacy Keibler (who looked stunning on the arm of boyfriend George Clooney at the SAG Awards!) to learn about the new game she uses at home to keep her svelte figure looking fabulous for the red carpet.

First of all, you look great! How often do you work out each week?

I always try to fit in some type of activity every day, but just like everyone else's schedules, some days are busier than others. I'm a big believer in being active no matter what, so even if I only have a few minutes to squeeze some moves in, it's better than nothing.

What are your go-to moves for those busy days?

I love lunges, especially because you don't need any equipment to do them. So no matter where you are, you have those to fall back on.

Keep reading more about Stacy's relationship to home workouts and George.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Handling a Mistake at Work

SavvySugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:15:49 PST

The occasional mistake at work is inevitable - what really matters is how you handle it. Deciding how to navigate the aftermath of a misstep gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your integrity, so take the time to manage your mistakes carefully. Follow these four steps to properly solve any work dilemma:

Assess the damage. Take the time to step back and recognize where you may have miscalculated. Target the specific issue, identify who was affected, and find out if your blunder impacted any future projects.
Communicate the problem. Be honest with yourself, your collaborators, and your boss. It's better that your manager hears about the mistake from you rather than someone else, so speak up and take responsibility for your actions.
Ask for help. Once your misstep is out in the open, ask your manager for any suggestions. How might you have avoided the problem? Do they have any advice for tackling the issue? Your manager will appreciate the constructive dialogue and the fact that you value their opinion.
Take precautions for next time. After the issue has been settled, pinpoint different techniques to avoid repeating your mistake. Did you miscalculate a key transaction? Vow to slow down and be more thorough. Forget to check in with a major client? Establish a calendar system that reminds you of important follow-ups.

Bottom line: everyone makes mistakes, so let go of the guilt and resolve to move forward. Consider the lesson learned from each misstep and see it as a chance to improve your working style and boost your professional development.

Mistakes You're Making on the Pilates Mat

Susi May — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:51:53 PST

Mat classes are the most affordable way to reap the benefits of Pilates. Taught across the country at gyms and private studios, group classes mean you don't have an instructor cuing and correcting your every move. Make the most of your time on the mat and be mindful of these common mistakes I've seen in classes over the years.

Not Going Deep
There are many benefits to Pilates, but getting in touch with the deep abs, aka the transverse abdominals, is, to me, the most important. If the deep abs are working, then all four layers of ab muscles will be working right along with it, making for a very stable torso. In class, use every exhale as opportunity to reengage your abs and pull them into your spine with a little lift up. If the abs are pooching outward, you're only working the top layer of the abs and training them to pull away from the spine - the opposite effect of what you want.

Momentum Is Not Your Friend
Deliberate pauses are built into the choreography of many Pilates exercises to prevent momentum from taking over the motion. The Pilates method was originally named Contrology (the study of control) to emphasize this very concept. Going slowly is key. Jayme Boyle, the group fitness coordinator and Pillates mat instructor at the SF Equinox, explains the importance of forgoing momentum like this: "Slower pace means you’re turning on stabilizing muscles and you’re creating more isometric contractions." And I have to agree. Pilates is not a race.

Keep reading for more common Pilates mat class mistakes.

What Cardio Crimes Do You Commit?

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:53:12 PST

Exercise mistakes are more common than you think, and although some will prevent you from getting a good workout, others can put you at risk for pain or injury. Learn about these common cardio mistakes and share whether you're guilty of committing them.

Source: Thinkstock

Top 10 Mistakes You Make on the Elliptical Trainer

Prevention — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:08:59 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

By Lisa Hoehn, Prevention

As the weather drops, more and more people head straight to one machine in their gym - the elliptical trainer. According to a 2008 report from the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association, the number of users of elliptical trainers in health clubs grew sevenfold from 1997 to 2007. And while you may be proud of yourself for making it to the gym and squeezing in some cardio, taking a lackadaisical approach to your elliptical workout and casually spinning your legs while reading a magazine or watching TV isn't going to blast away those holiday cookies. Here, 10 mistakes you frequently make on the elliptical and how to fix them so you maximize calorie burn while adding fun to your ho-hum routine.

Top Workout Ideas For When the Gym Is Too Crowded

1. You’re too lazy to enter your information.
Most machines are calibrated for a 150-pound person - but personalizing your stats will help you get a more accurate calorie read. Aim to burn around 100 calories per 10 minutes, says Jennifer Cassetty, an exercise physiologist.

2. Your resistance is zero.
You might feel like a million bucks spinning at a mile a minute, but without resistance, you’re not going to see results, says Röbynn Europe, a personal trainer at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Make sure that you’re using enough resistance to push and pull through the stride. Then continue at a moderate pace until you feel like you’ve done all you can do. "You shouldn’t feel like you have even five minutes left in you when you step off," she says.

3. You're a sloucher.
Standing up straight helps to lengthen your abs, giving you a chance to engage your core and even work your upper body muscles, Cassetty says. Certified personal trainer Neal I. Pire, MA, CSCS, president of Inspire Training Systems in New Jersey, recommends hopping on a machine with an upper body component so you can engage even more muscles - and blast more fat. Can't find a machine that lets you pump your arms? Let go: some research suggests that leaning on machine armrests during exercise reduces calorie burning.

How to Buy a Cardio Machine

4. Your machine sounds like it’s going to take off.
If you can hear the purr of the machine while you’re exercising, it means that you’re going too fast without enough resistance - which means you're not getting the most calorie burn out of your time, Cassetty says. Keeping a steady, moderate pace at a resistance that forces you to use your muscles will get, and keep, your heart rate up.

Learn four more fitness mistakes after the break.

What the Rise in IRS Audits Means For You

LearnVest — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:30:24 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

It’s the word that strikes fear into people everywhere: audit.

And audits are up . . . well, at least for some prominent groups of people.

In 2011, one in eight of the country’s millionaires were audited, a rate not seen since 2004. Similarly, audits were up for those making $200,000 a year or more - one in 25 of whom were audited in 2011. According to CNN Money, it was the third year in a row the IRS increased its efforts to uncover tax fraud.

As you might guess, the chances that the IRS will audit someone making less than $200,000 is a lot lower.

Audits Get a Bad Rap

Before we go any further, we should clarify for those less familiar with the workings of the tax system that a tax audit isn’t a condemnation. It just means that the IRS conducts an official investigation into the finances of a business or individual in order to detect any foul play or accidental oversights in their taxes.

Audits are dreaded by honest folk (not to mention those deliberately operating outside the law) because of the hassle involved in dredging up past paperwork and because of the fear that the IRS will uncover a mistake that necessitates immediate payment to the government.

Why Now?

What with the perspective induced by the realization that Americans make up an entire half of the global one percent, "millionaire" holds even more weight. But it's nothing compared to "offshore accounts," which set our imaginations aflame.

We mention it because the IRS is taking particular in interest in offshore accounts, which are disproportionately held by wealthy people looking for tax shelters. This new focus might contribute to the increase in millionaires being investigated. In fact, the IRS is being rather generous in that it's offering reduced penalties and no jail time to taxpayers who confess to having offshore accounts. (The offer stands for a limited time only.)

But if one in eight millionaires were audited last year, should nonmillionaires start gathering their files? Perhaps not: in 2011, only one in 98 taxpayers earning less than $200,000 per year was audited.

More From LearnVest

Less is . . . less. Lackluster spending at the end of 2011 indicates a similar pattern for 2012.
We have a simple tool to change your spending habits. Get it for free.
Moms mother for 1,150 hours per year. Find out how to get some free time.

Fresh Start Resolution: Cut Yourself Some Slack

SavvySugar — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:23:53 PST

It's a New Year and a new you! We're offering 12 tips to start off the year right. We've already given you advice on mastering time management and improving your public speaking, so here's another way to start afresh in 2012.

Make this the year that you finally give yourself a break. It's easy to get caught up in stress and to be hard on yourself when it comes to work, finance, and relationships, but the best way to stay happy and healthy is to lighten up a little bit. Here are four ways to cut yourself some slack in the upcoming year:

Schedule time for yourself. In between work commitments and everyday errands, it can be tough to find time for the things that fulfill you. Still, it's crucial to step back and let yourself indulge. Whether it's exercise, spa treatments, lunch dates, or just 10 minutes to sit and breathe, give yourself the gift of leisure. Even tiny moments of joy will have an impact on your mind-set.
Use your vacation days. Companies want eager, enthusiastic employees, so take advantage of your benefits package and schedule a vacation early in the year. With a trip to look forward to, you'll find yourself energized and more satisfied with your workplace. After your break, you'll return to the office with a calmer spirit and the drive to do better - especially since greater success usually means extra days off.

Read on for more stay-sane tips

10 Lessons From Single Women in Movies

Tara Sharp — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 08:41:06 PST

Yes, there are some great movie couples out there, but what about the other female characters who don't get the guy? The ones who aren't perpetuating rom-com myths, but instead are paving the way for single ladies everywhere to be happy, adventurous, and honest? Liz Gilbert, played by Julia Roberts, in Eat Pray Love, is one such lady, but there are other characters from both old and new flicks worthy of mention. (Including another Julia Roberts classic!)

During the holidays when you might be asked slightly inappropriate questions about your single status, I raise a glass to these fearless gals and share with you the lessons I've learned from both their triumphs and mistakes.