FitSugar

Healthy Eating Tip: Start a Lunch Club

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

When you're trying to watch what you eat, brown-bagging it at work is a huge help. But let's face it: Not everyone has time to pack a lunch every night or morning before work. So why not start a lunch club at your office? It will help you eat better and encourage your co-workers to do the same.

Recruit a few of your officemates to join the club; anywhere from two to six members is a great start. Each week, assign each person to bring an ingredient for sandwiches or a smart salad. One person brings lettuce, or someone buys a loaf of bread, another member provides cold cuts, and so on. Then, every day, you can toss up a big salad to share, or let members make their own sandwiches with the provided ingredients.

If you want to get fancier, take more of a potluck approach. Have each person bring a different dish each day - anything from pasta salad to stir-fry - that everyone can eat for lunch. That way, each person only has to worry about lunch once a week.

Do any of you do this? If so, please do share your tips in the comments.

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Gear Review: Nike Women's Gym Club Bag

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0700

I am always on the market for a new gym bag, especially since I'm not so easy on my bags and I go through them fast. I recently got my hands on the Nike Gym Club Bag ($55) and was immediately drawn to its bright colors. But this is more than just a pretty sack, it's extremely handy, too.

My favorite part about the bag is that it's large enough to fit all my gym gear (that's including my sneakers) and my lunch. Grossed out that I am mixing my sneakers with my lunch? Don't be. This bag has a drawstring shoe compartment, which keeps your smelly sneaks away from everything else you're toting around. There is also a pocket for your water bottle and a one of the internal pockets is super soft of the inside, which makes for a great place to store your jewelry while you're sweating your butt off. Another great feature is that along with the two fixed tote-bag straps, the bag comes with a detachable padded-shoulder strap so you can choose how you want to carry it.

I've been using this tote for a while now and the only drawback I can think of is that it's so roomy that I tend to over stuff it, leaving it quite heavy, but I can't really blame the bag for that now can I? Want one for yourself? Buy it from Nike.com.

Snack Attack: Inexpensive and Nutritious Snacks (and Meals)

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I've been a big Joy Bauer fan; she kind of has a tough love approach to eating. In her book, Food Cures, she gives great tips and tidbits on how to eat right, easily.

Joy has a little column/blog on Yahoo health, and her most recent entry about finding inexpensive, healthy snacks was right up my alley, particularly since I am always complaining about how expensive it is to be healthy.

Here are highlights:
Afternoon Snacks:

5 cups air-popped popcorn (2 tablespoons Jolly Time kernels) = 5 cents
1/4 cup raw almonds = 20 cents
1 Polly-O string cheese (from a large bag at a wholesale club) = 16 cents
1 apple = 50 cents
1 Nature Valley granola bar packet (from a large box at a wholesale club) = 16 cents

For some inexpensive and healthy meal ideas, just read more

Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs and English Muffin = $1.20
Two scrambled eggs cooked in nonstick spray; serve with toasted whole-grain English muffin topped with 2 teaspoons of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.

Lunch: Taco Bell = $1.98
Two "fresco style" healthy chicken or bean tacos (extra salsa)

Dinner: Pasta with Marinara Sauce and Shrimp = $1.70
2 oz dry Mueller's whole-grain penne (1 cup cooked) with ¾ cup marinara sauce and 3 ounces frozen shrimp.

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National Run @ Work Day is Tomorrow Sept. 21st

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Tomorrow September 21, 2007, the Road Runners Club of America will promote the 2nd Annual National Run @ Work Day. The goal of National Run @ Work Day is to encourage people to incorporate at least thirty-five minutes of exercise into their daily lives. This goal can be achieved by running for at least thirty-five minutes before work, during lunch, or immediately after work.

The group used to host a National Run to Work Day, but people were finding that running to work was probably not feasible for most of the working population. So bring your gear and go for a jog at some point before, during or after work tomorrow.

What's the WORST Part About Going to the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Having a gym membership can be great. There's tons of equipment you can use, a plethora of exercise classes, and some health clubs even have a sauna, a pool, or a hot tub.

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I usually try to go during my lunch hour at work so I do what I need to do, and get out of there fast. I try to go before the noon crowd hits, because I hate waiting for machines (I don't have much time). Even worse is waiting for the showers after the workout!

And for you...