FitSugar

What Workout Do You Want to Try, but Are Intimidated to Start?

Susi May — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:44:52 PST

Be it joining a gym or learning how to kick ass in kickboxing, is there a workout or a new fitness trend that holds your curiosity but also intimidates you? The New Year is still young, and there is plenty of time to overcome the obstacles, mental or physical, that prevent you from experimenting with exercise. Let us know what fitness craze holds your curiosity and the factors holding you back from diving in and trying it. We just might be able to help.

Savvy Tip: Create a Yearly Bucket List

SavvySugar — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:25:30 PST

Bucket lists are a great way to set goals and daydream about grand plans, but it's easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you hope to see and accomplish in your lifetime. To make your bucket list more manageable, divide it into parts and give it a yearly spin: "12 Things to Do in 2012." Choose one item to tackle each month and be realistic with your picks, setting aside the loftier ideas for a separate "someday" list.

Committing to just one item a month is reasonable enough, and when one fresh experience leaves you reenergized, you'll feel inspired to continue with the rest of your list. Not sure where to start? Here are 10 fun and doable bucket list ideas:

Go to a museum in your city that you've never visited.
Volunteer for a cause that means something to you.
Visit a restaurant or attempt an intimidating recipe you'd usually avoid.
Go all out and host the dinner party or birthday bash you've always imagined.
Run a challenging race that requires regular training.
Save $100 a week for four weeks and put the money toward a dream vacation.
Do the thing you're always talking about but have been too scared to try.
Take a beauty or fashion risk.
Sign up for a class - fitness, language, etc. - that interests you.
Spend a month focusing on your space and decorate in a way that inspires you.

What's on your bucket list? Share your ideas in the comments below!

5 Things Not to Bring to the Gym

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:03:10 PST

If you want to make the most of your gym time, there are certain things you shouldn't take with you. To stay healthy and centered during your workout, leave these five items at home:

Reading material. It's important to stay focused while you're at the gym, not only for safety reasons, but also to maximize the benefits of your workout. If you're focusing on the latest issue of your favorite magazine, you're probably not paying attention to your body. Read outside the gym to zero in on your training.
Energy drinks. Stick to zero-calorie water to stay hydrated. The amount of caffeine in different energy drinks varies, but you should steer clear while you're working out to avoid becoming lightheaded. Prefer something with a bit of flavor? Try adding electrolyte enhanced flavor packets to your water.
A plastic water bottle. Refilling and reusing old plastic water bottles can be dangerous to your health - and the environment. Go green and invest in a stainless steel option instead.

Keep reading for two more things to leave at home.

How to Self-Motivate in 5 Steps

SavvySugar — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:15:05 PST

Whether or not the new year means a whole new you, following these tips for self-motivation can definitely lead to a more productive you in 2012. Tackle to-dos and breeze through your schedule with these simple steps:

Plan ahead. It seems like a no-brainer, but creating a to-do list for tomorrow's chores is a crucial part of productivity. Begin by writing a detailed list of individual tasks, then outline an agenda with specific time blocks assigned to each project. Next, decide which items you need to help you complete the list: a sheet of stamps to mail those holiday cards or a packed gym bag for your trainer session, for instance. Gather the necessities ahead of time to make sure your morning runs smoothly.
Be an early operator. Finish the most frustrating projects early in the morning to put yourself in productive mode and get the main stressors out of the way. Feeling accomplished acts as a major mood-booster, and positivity plays a key role in self-motivation.
Keep yourself accountable. To avoid that "I'll just do it tomorrow" moment, set up calendar alerts on your phone or laptop to remind you of your errands. Having to face the notification will force you to think twice. Likewise, tell a friend or family member what you plan to get done. That way, you'll feel a healthy dose of guilt if you consider copping out of your responsibilities.
Fashion a reward system. Gold stars, smiley face stickers, a manicure at your favorite salon - whatever it is, choose a gift for yourself that aligns with your larger goals. If you're hoping to save money, for example, then you probably shouldn't shell out for a new dress to reward yourself. Remember that the size and nature of the reward doesn't matter - simply knowing that there is a reward will be enough to keep you chugging along.
Multitask when you can. Sometimes trying to take care of too many things at once can backfire, resulting in poor performance or half-finished assignments. Still, there are certainly instances when you can add more to your plate, so try to combine jobs - like catching up with your best friend while grocery shopping - to save time and energy.

Not Feeling It? How to Motivate Yourself For a Winter Run

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:44:22 PST

It's 20 degrees, the sky is dull and gray, and you're shivering inside just thinking about gearing up for an outdoor run. No wonder you're having a hard time motivating yourself. When a chilly Winter's day is the hurdle keeping you from going running, here are some ways to inspire a cold-weather workout.

Warm up your clothes: Pop your sports bra, shirts, pants, and even your socks in the dryer for a couple minutes. Slipping on warm gear is sure to get rid of that chill you have when looking out your window into the cold.
Warm up yourself: Take a quick shower allowing the hot water to envelope your skin, being careful not to get your hair wet. It'll warm your body and get your muscles ready to move.
Warm up inside: Once you're dressed properly for a cold-weather workout, do your warm-up inside rather than outside. Run up and down the stairs, do jumping jacks or a round of push-ups, or whatever you need to do to get your heart rate up without getting sweaty. You'll feel warm and loosened up when you step out the door, and you can start running right away to stay warm. Here are warm-up ideas that can be done indoors (even in a small apartment space!).
Blast a tune that speaks to you: Whether it's Beyoncé, Adele, or Pitbull that lights a fire inside you, use your favorite upbeat song to get you psyched for a run. You can dance and scream lyrics as you slip on your sports bra and sneaks. This is a great technique when you're really not feeling a run because it can instantly flip a switch and help you head out the door fast. Continue the musical motivation by listening to a newly crafted running mix.

Need more inspiration? Keep reading for other ways to inspire a wintry run.

Top 100 Workout Songs

FitSugar — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:30:47 PST

I'm one of those people who has to listen to music when working out. The snappy fast beats inspire me to push harder, especially up hills or in the last five minutes of my workout. If you can't get through a cardio session without tunes, and your playlists are feeling a little blah, check out this list of the Top 100 Workout Songs compiled by Fitness magazine. You're sure to find some new songs to add to your iPod.

Keep reading to hear which tunes made it to the top of the list.

Don't Hate Running: 7 Ways to Beat Boredom

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:30:45 PDT

You have a love/hate relationship with running, but lately it's more on the hate side - repetition is breeding some serious ennui. If boredom is standing between you and a good run, here are some ways to spice up the affair so you're psyched to lace up your sneaks.

Save your beloved tunes: You know how pumped you get when listening to a new song or your favorite CD? That's the kind of excitement you want on your runs, so have a list of favorite tunes or new ones that you reserve strictly for running playlists. The only way you can listen to them is if your feet are a-runnin'.
Run a new route each time: If you're an outdoorsy runner, finding the perfect three-mile loop can be tough, so when you do, it's tempting to stick to it. Looking at the same houses and trees all the time is boring? Mix up your routes each time you run, or run your route backwards.
Download an audiobook: Keep your attention with a captivating plot or saucy characters by listening to a novel while pounding the pavement. You'll be so distracted with who's zooming who, you won't want to stop running.

Keep reading for more tips on how to beat boredom when running.

Lotta Weight to Lose? Tips to Keep You Going

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:56:14 PDT

Whether you recently had a baby or the scale has slowly been creeping up over the years, if you have 50, 100, or more pounds to lose, the task can seem so daunting, you're tempted to give up before you even try. Here are some things to keep in mind to help you stay motivated on your big weight loss journey.

Keep in mind results won't happen overnight: When you're watching your calorie intake and exercising regularly, it's safe to lose about two pounds a week. That may not seem like much, but over time, those little bits of weight loss will add up. You didn't gain all that weight overnight, so don't expect to lose it that quickly either.
Set small, realistic goals and then celebrate them: Sure, your ultimate goal might be to fit into the jeans you wore in college, but in order to stay motivated, you need to set mini goals along your weight loss journey. Every Sunday night decide what your goal will be - to work out three times that week, eat greens every day, or meet with a personal trainer. Then when you reach your goal at the end of the week, reward yourself in a healthy way with a new water bottle, fitness mag, or some new songs on iTunes to add to your cardio playlist.

Keep reading for more tips to keep you motivated if you have a lot of weight to lose.

Don't Let Comments Like These Lead to Weight Gain

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:02:36 PDT

Eating right and exercising regularly are tough on their own, but in the era of super sizing, staying on track has become an even greater challenge. We've devised a few simple strategies for handling everyday comments and questions that can add to the problem. These tips should help you stay off the slippery slope in many situations, from the diner to the office.

"You want fries with that?" Um yeah, obviously - who wants to pass up those delicious bites of salty goodness? Even though your entree comes with fries, ask if you can substitute a side salad or steamed veggies instead.
"It's my birthday and I made cupcakes!" You don't want to rain on the birthday girl's parade, but just because she's gained a year doesn't mean you need to gain a pound. Politely turn her down by saying your belly hurts, or if you feel bad fibbing, take one and give it away to another co-worker.
"Cookies are buy one get one free." You only intended to grab one cookie for yourself, but it's so hard to pass up a deal! You may be saving money by buying more, but you're definitely not saving calories.

Read on for more comments that can lead to weight gain.

What's Your Fall Fitness Goal?

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:06:35 PDT

As Summer winds down, now's the time to start thinking of switching up our routines. Whether it's joining a gym or trying a new fitness class, from the changing of the weather to the back-to-school vibe of the season, Fall is all about fresh starts.

Have you thought about how you'll be switching up your workout? Take our poll and share your new fitness goals below!