Healthy happy you.
If you used to run regularly before there was a little bundle of joy growing inside you, doctors think it's safe to continue with your running routine while pregnant. You should def get the OK from your OB though, and once you do, you may find it helps with some common pregnancy symptoms such as constipation, leg cramps, lower back pain, and fatigue. Yeah, being with child is fun! Running with a Read more
Valerian Root may smell like disgustingly stinky feet, but it's great for relaxing the body and the muscles. It has been used for centuries in Europe and Asia as a sedative, and is believed to help you fall asleep faster, and improve the quality of your sleep. The Greeks also used valerian root to treat digestive problems. It's a hardy perennial flowering plant with heads of sweetly scented Read more
MSNBC is reporting that a recent small study from the University of Georgia found that moderate doses of caffeine, the equivalent of about two cups of coffee, can cut post-gym muscle pain. Maybe don't request that your gym serves coffee just yet because too much caffeine can cause jitteriness, heart palpitations and sleep disturbances. Also, the results might not apply to regular coffee Read more
You know the feeling: sore muscles after your workout. If you want to feel better fast, help speed the process along by doing these two things soon after your workout. Feed them right: Eating or drinking protein soon after your workout will help repair spent muscles. The best postworkout foods are a mix of protein and carbs for energy and repair (a ratio of 4:1 carbs to protein, since carbs help Read more
We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar! If you're anything like me, Zumba has always held a certain allure, but the very idea of dancing in front of a roomful of people sounds about as appealing as doing my taxes or making a spur-of-the-moment appointment at the DMV. I'm not just painfully shy about busting a move but hopelessly uncoordinated in the Read more
Kettlebell fans love the heavy round-shaped weights for a reason — kettlebell exercises combine cardio and strength training together for a time-saving calorie burn. The amount of calories you can burn using kettlebells can be amazingly high: a study by the American Council on Exercise found that the average person burns 272 calories in 20 minutes when doing kettlebell exercises. More research Read more
We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar! You don’t have to go on a deprivation diet or spend hours exercising to ward off disease and be your healthiest self! Instead, try these supersimple tips By the editors of Prevention Staying healthy can feel like so much, well, work (think: logging hours at the gym and whipping up nutritious meals from scratch). Read more
Sipping on a hot cup of coffee in the morning is one of my simple pleasures. Not only does it offer some "me time," but I love the rich flavor, and the fact that it gives me an extra pep in my step. Millions of people drink coffee for the exact same reasons, but what they may not know is that drinking joe helps relieve muscle pain as well as improves memory and that it may help prevent skin Read more
Doing Full Backbend, also known as Wheel pose, isn't exactly on the list of beginner moves. It's demanding both from a flexibility as well as a strength standpoint, so it's best to stick to Half Wheel, Camel, and other easier variations before trying your hand at Full Backbend. When you are ready, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure you're doing this heart-opening pose safely and Read more
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 Read more
