FitSugar

Does Your Mother Exercise?

FitSugar — Sun, 11 May 2008 01:30:00 -0700

It is Mother's Day and here at FitSugar we want to know if fitness for you is a family past time with a matrilineal leaning. My mom is into walking and swimming, and she's even a Jazzercise regular. She inspires me, just as I hope to inspire my girls.

So I was wondering . . .

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World's Oldest Mom

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

A 67-year-old woman who is believed to be the world’s oldest new mother told a British Sunday newspaper she lied to a U.S. fertility clinic to get treatment.

Carmela Bousada said she was 55, which is the clinic’s cut off age for treating single women. The clinic did not ask her for identification. Damn - I hope I look like I'm in my 50s when I'm really pushing 70.

At 67, it's amazing she could even get pregnant. As we get older, it's true that you may have trouble getting pregnant, but there's more to it than that. Here are some things you should know about your fertility:

Taking birth control pills do not make it harder to get pregnant down the road. As soon as you go off the pill, you'll start ovulating within 3 months.
The quality of a woman's eggs declines as she gets older, regardless of how healthy she is. After age 35, your ovaries produce fewer viable eggs. So, if you want a baby, you might want to think about trying sooner rather than later.
If you've had an abortion (and there were no complications), it will not affect your chances of having a baby in the future.
Just because you've had a baby, doesn't mean getting pregnant again will be a cinch. Don't assume you're "Fertile Myrtle" the second time around - since you and your man are both a little older the second time around.
Eating trans fat can cause infertility.
Women who are extremely over or underweight have a decreased chance of conceiving and are more likely to have a miscarriage.

Good to know.

Get (or Give) The Gift of Sleep this Mother's Day

FitSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Did you know that only 64% of moms report getting a good night's sleep a few nights a week or less?

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) releases survey results indicating that moms nationwide are not getting the sleep they need to feel refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to go. Amen to that! Here is a list from the NSF of tips to allow Mom to sleep in an hour more on Mother's Day (and all year round):

It’s All in the Prep! Plan the menu in advance and have all ingredients ready to go. Some breakfast items like French toast, quiche and frittatas can be whipped up and refrigerated until cooking. Pre-set the breakfast tray with silverware, appropriate plates, etc – this will eliminate commotion and clanging in the kitchen. Don’t forget a vase with freshly cut flowers!
Keep the Kids Quiet… Remind the children that this is Mom’s special day and the family has made a pact to let her sleep in. Have favorite “quiet” toys (like books, coloring books and kid-friendly DVDs) easily accessible so kids can occupy themselves until Mom wakes up.
Mom Loves Sleep PJs… This Mother’s Day, NSF is offering Mom Loves Sleep PJs – a comfy, camisole and patterned cabana pants ensemble. Visit NSF’s Sleep Shop to learn more about this exclusive offer.
Get Them Dressed and Ready to Go! Lay out the next day’s clothing before the kids get into bed. Older kids can dress themselves; younger kids may need some assistance. If outfits are chosen and agreed upon the night before, children can get dressed without a fuss.
Take a Task… Each child should be assigned a specific chore to ensure that Mother’s Day morning is memorable. Create a chart and give everyone a specific duty. Make Mom proud by having the kids pitch in and help one another on her behalf.

Fit's Tip: Print this for (or email it to) your husband today so he can start planning. If he's anything like mine, he can use all the help he can get.

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Speak Up: Like Mother, Like Daughter?

FitSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:47:00 -0700

Mother's Day may be about bouquets and Hallmark cards, but this year the holiday inspired some thoughts about mothering, the things I learned from my mom, and what I hope to teach my two girls.

My love of baking comes directly from my mother. It is this love of baking that partially inspires me into motion: running, biking, swimming. When my girls were both small, I decided I wanted to teach them by example how to lead a healthy life. That fruits and veggies are delicious. We snap beans and peel veggies together. When they ask, “What fruit is for dessert” my health-conscious heart just melts. I want my daughters to see that working out is not a chore or a luxury, just a part of life. I love answering, “yes” when my little one finds me stretching postrun in the early morning and asks, “You run, mommy?" Then she helps me with what she calls “stretch-ups.” We play yoga studio together, and my eldest has mastered full lotus, an accomplishment beyond the ability of my knees. They have cheered me on at every race and I can’t wait to return the favor.

Tell me what healthy habits did you learn from your mom? What healthy habits are you trying to teach your kids?

Run Like a Mother

FitSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Mother's Day doesn't have to be about heavy brunches and lovely bouquets. Although those gifts are nice, you could celebrate the day with a run.

Run with your mom. Run for your mom. Run pushing your jogging stroller. There are runs all over the country celebrating Mother's Day, from the Mominator 5k in Colorado Springs, CO to the Moms on the Run 5k in Dover, NH, with many races in between. Many of these fun runs are family affairs, and kids as well as fathers are encouraged to join in the fun. Check out this list of featured races on Active.com. Will you be running like a mother this Sunday?

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See Mommy Run: Mother's Day Runs!

FitSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Before you sit down to your Mother's Day brunch, go for a run with your children or mother. A mimosa tastes much better after running a 5k. I think it is important to run intergenerationally so your kids can see that you are physically active and strong. These fun runs are a great way to introduce your sedentary mother to walking/jogging/running. If you have a wee one, strap him or her into your jog stroller and hit the road.

Active.com has a great listing of Mother's Day races, making it easy to find a race or fun run near you. Join the fun and see mommy run!

Healthy Gift Ideas: Mother's Day

FitSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Mother's Day is only a few days away and there are plenty of healthy ways to show your mom you love her, aside from the traditional breakfast in bed or brunch out on the town. Show your mom you love her in ways that help her take care of herself, heaven knows moms generally put themselves on the bottom of the totem pole. Here are a few ideas to inspire a healthy lifestyle, so you can share many more Mother's Days together.

Gift certificate for a massage
A few sessions with a personal trainer
Gift card to a local gear store so she can pick up some new sneakers or yoga capris
Plan a hike or bike ride together - get her a lumbar pack and fill it with healthy snacks
A subscription to a food, health, or fitness magazine
Some home fitness equipment like a gym ball, resistance band or tube, dumbbells, or a weighted hula hoop - get her a DVD to go along with it
Sign the two of you up for a fitness or wellness retreat

What else? To find out read more.

Go to a yoga, Pilates, step aerobics, or other fitness class together
Spend the morning at a farmers' market and then make lunch together
Send her some organic flowers or a potted houseplant
Make her a mix of your favorite workout or relaxation music
Have her over for a healthy homemade dinner.

Do you have any other ideas? Share them in the comment section below.

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Amanda Peet: So in Love

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:17 -0800

Amanda Peet is undoubtedly feeling great. She's starring in the number one film in the country, and in the December issue of Self the actress shares that nothing brings her more joy than hanging at home with her hubby and baby girl. In fact, the actress credits her husband, screenwriter David Benioff, as being her healthiest habit. Oh, true love!

The 37-year-old actress is not without her envies, though - she wants "boobs, a gentle six-pack, and a perky butt." And when it comes down to it, she secretly wishes for a bod like Gisele Bündchen's or Jennifer Aniston's. Outside of a little admiration, especially since Peet strives to live a life full of balance and a lot of laughs.

To hear Peet's take on health, read more.

Amanda is a big fan of moderation:

"To me, staying healthy means doing everything in moderation. Eat a lot of greens, but in moderation. Exercise, but in moderation. Drink wine, but in moderation. Sleep as much as you can. And have people around you who are very funny."

At the end of the day it all comes back to love for Peet, who says that her 2-year-old daughter is the reason why she stays healthy.

"I do feel like it's important for her to have me be as healthy as I can be. So, you know, I don't want her to have horrible eating habits. I don't want her to never exercise. But obviously I'd much rather have her play a sport than have a gym membership before she's 20. I mean there are kids in LA who go to the gym and they have a trainer. I'm like, Play a sport!"

Check out more shots of the hot mama and visit lilsugar to read more about Amanda on mothering. Also, see lots more photos, quotes on Self.com.

View 5 Photos ›

Happy Mother's Day!!!

FitSugar — Sun, 13 May 2007 03:45:00 -0700

It is not often you hear your wishes, your desires, your life explained by a poem you hear being read on the radio. I heard this poem written by Beverly Rollwagen and read by Garrison Keillor on the Writer's Almanac one morning as I rushed to work, feeling quite overwhelmed by the constancy of mothering. The poem stuck with me and I had to share it with you.

understudy

She just wants an understudy, a body
double for the days when she does
not feel like appearing in any of the roles
she has assumed and/or been assigned.
She places an ad in the paper. Wanted:
one wife, mother, daughter, neighbor,
friend. Live-in OK. Own car necessary.
No lines to memorize; everything ad-
libbed. No days off.

You can buy Rollwagen book What She Wants at AbeBooks.com for $10.36.

P.L.O.W - Mother's Day

FitSugar — Sun, 13 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

We all know how much we appreciate our moms. They've been there for us as listeners, teachers, role models, therapists, caregivers, and friends. We feel comfortable enough to cry with them one minute, and laugh with them the next. They inspire us to be strong women, and their love and support is what makes it happen.

This play list is for all the wonderful mothers in our lives - we wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. To hear it, press the white arrow after you read more

Total Time: 35:46

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