FitSugar

Multitasking Move: Balancing and Brushing Teeth

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0800

We all know that improving your balance can improve your life. As can good dental hygiene, so how about combining the two? You all know I love to multitask so recently when I am brushing my teeth, I balance on one leg for a minute and then on the other leg for another minute. This way I am getting in my two minute brush time, but I am also working on my balance as well. It's easy to do so try it out, and let me know what you think.

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Fit Tip: Move While You Wait

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Yesterday I went through my day and payed attention to all the times I am waiting. I waited in line at the grocery store, 5 minutes. I waited for the super-duper slow elevator here at Sugar HQ, 5 minutes. I waited for the bus in the morning, 10 minutes. I waited for my dog to find the absolutely perfect spot to relieve himself, 10 minutes (he's old and picky). I waited on hold with my hotel that screwed up a reservation, 10 minutes. That alone is 40 minutes of time that I spend waiting on any given day.

What I have decided is in the time I spend waiting, I could do little exercises. So for example, this morning while I waited for my dog to relieve himself, I did squats. When I was waiting for the elevator, and no one was there, I did more squats. I am not saying that you should drop and do 10 push ups in the middle of a crowded grocery store line, unless you don't embarrass easily, but just look at your day and really see where you spend time waiting and see how you can fit a little movement into it. Chances are you'll find pockets of 5 or 10 minutes where you can multitask and get fit while you wait.

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Get in Gear: Massage Gym Ball

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 14:30:00 -0700

I always see the most interesting gym accessories and one of the most interesting finds that I've recently come across is a Massage Gym Ball ($8.99).

Basically it is just like any other stability/exercise ball, except that it’s covered in little nubs -- My guess is that some people use it to get a mini-massage while doing their exercises on the ball. While I am all for multitasking, I have yet to find the need for this in my own home gym, but I find them interesting to use at the gym. If getting a mini massage while working your core sounds like a great idea, then buy the ball from Amazon.com.

iDo

FitSugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 02:30:00 -0800

Are you going to be a June bride? Planning for the big day can be really stressful. Working women/brides-to-be have so much to think about: flowers, the ceremony, the cake, to honeymoon. Planning the wedding could easily become a full time job unto itself.

So you don't become too overwhelmed you are going to make multi-tasking a part of your planning process. So reach for your iPod and download podcasts to your iPod from iTunes. Here's a few for you to try: Wedding Planning Talk Radio (8 free episodes), Queer Eye (has a 9-episode wedding series), and 4 free podcasts from Bride Magazine.

For a small bit of change, you can download individual episodes of your favorite wedding-themed TV shows, or even get an entire season of the reality TV show, Whose Wedding is This Anyway? for $18.

Now busy brides can do 2 things at once - research wedding info while working out. That is truly great multi-tasking since you'll be listening to something while on the treadmill, make it an informative podcast.

Multitasking Moves For Your Bikini Body

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:00:00 -0700

If you're working extra hard to get in shape for bikini season, why not try some time-saving moves that will work your core alongside other major muscles? In addition to my hardcore all-abs workout, I've compiled five multitasking moves that will tighten your abs plus other areas you're daring to bare: booty, shoulders, back, and thighs. Here's how to do them.

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Multitasking Move: Side Lunge to Leg Lift

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

I love strength training moves that work different areas of the body at once, and if you feel the same, this multitasking move has your name on it. It'll strengthen your quads, tone your outer thighs and bum, and work your upper body and back. Not only that, but this dynamic move will also get your heart rate up.

To see the details, just read more.

Hold a five- to 10-pound medicine ball in both hands. If you don't have one, use a kettlebell or five-pound dumbbells.
Come into the starting position by standing with your legs wide. Lunge to the right, bending your right knee with your back flat, and hold the medicine ball in front of your right shin.
As you inhale, push off your right foot and come to stand, balancing on your left foot. At the same time, lift your arms overhead as you kick your right leg out to the side, engaging your outer thigh. Arch your torso slightly to the right to feel a nice stretch on the left side of your body.
Then slowly lower your right foot down, coming back to the starting position.
Do two sets of 12 to 15 reps on this side, and then switch and do two sets with the left knee bent.

Do you own a medicine ball? If not, this exercise might be the reason to get one.

Lifting Tip: Multitask

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:15:00 -0700

When you are pressed for time at the gym, to ensure that you work all your muscles you pick moves that work more than one body part. I call them multi-tasking moves, and you might just hear them called multi-joint exercises. No matter what they are called, they are certainly efficient.

Instead of standing still doing bicep curls, you should incorporate your bicep curls into your lunges. You can add lateral raises or front rows to your squats. Add a one arm reverse row to your plank. With these three combinations you will be working more than one muscle group. Plus when you challenge your torso to stabilize while doing two separate motions, you should be working your core.

Tell me about your favorite multi-tasking move in the comments section below! I like to add in new exercises to my routine to keep it fresh.

Multitasking Move: Arms and Abs

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:45:00 -0700

I love multitasking, about this I cannot lie. I really love a multitasking exercise. Arms and abs are often what brides want to work in their pre-wedding Pilates sessions. Well, here are 2 types of elbow planks to get the job done, and they are not just for brides. Planks are a great way to get your body bikini ready.

Elbow Plank

Hold for 30 seconds

Pull your abs up toward the ceiling, but do not break at your hips
Really press through your elbows so you don't collapse between your shoulder bladesReach through your heels to activate the back of your legs and your booty (similar to weighting your heels when you do a squat)

Side Elbow Plank

Keep your waist lifted away from the floor, work those obliques
Press down with your elbow to keep your shoulder away from your ear
Reach through your top hand, this will make you feel lighter

Both exercises are fine to do if you have wrist problems since the weight is on your elbow, not your hands.

Try holding each plank for 30 seconds, and work up to holding them for a minute. These are great to do during commercial breaks while watching TV. Just put something under your elbows to cushion them.

Multitasking Move: Narrow Squat With Overhead Press

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0800

No exercise beats squats for toning up your lower half. It is easy to create many variations and turn this versatile move into a multitasking one. Changing the leg position of your squat is a great way to mix up your routine. Narrowing your stance works your inner thighs more as well as challenges your balance. Adding an overhead press to your squat makes this a full body exercise. This is also a great exercise for prepping your legs for downhill skiing.

Details on how to perform this squat variation when you read more

Begin standing with your legs together, arms raised to shoulder height with elbows bent, holding weights by your ears.
Squat toward the floor by bending your knees and reaching your bum back, as if you were sitting in a chair. Keep your legs squeezing together. Focus your weight into your heels. While squatting, raise your arms overhead into a parallel position.
Return to starting positions by pressing through your heels while bending your elbows to lower the weights back to shoulder level.
Repeat ten times, for two to three sets.

I like to use five to eight pound dumbbells for this exercise, but you should use whatever weight feels appropriate for you. Don't have a set of dumbbells? You can use full water bottles or soup cans to provide some extra weight.

Multitasking Move: Booty Lift Chest Press

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Multitasking moves are a fave of mine. They are not only extra challenging, but they're time savers as well. I like this one because not only do you get to lie down (another reason I like ab work), but it strengthens the shoulders, triceps, abs, and booty. You can't top that.

Holding dumbbells, lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor by your hips.
Lift your right foot off the ground, and place your right ankle in front of your left knee.
Bring your hands right over your chest, keeping your elbows next to the sides of your body.
Now press into your left foot to lift your hips up while you straighten your arms above you, turning your wrists so your palms are aimed towards your feet.
Then lower your hands to your chest while lowering your hips, but stop an inch above the floor.
Repeat this move about 12 to 15 times. Then release your right foot to the ground and switch sides, placing your left ankle in front of your right knee.
Do two sets on each leg.