FitSugar

Spring Running Tip: Prevent Blisters

FitSugar — Wed, 12 May 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Spring inspires many people to lace up their sneaks and hit the open road for their runs, but one thing you'll need to know is how to prevent blisters, and unwanted side-effect to running. Here are some tips to keep your feet happy and blister-free:

Make sure your shoes fit properly - not too tight and not too loose. Different brands and styles cater to wide/narrow feet and high/low arches. There should be about 1/2 inch between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe. Make sure you can wiggle your toes freely, and your heel shouldn't slip when you walk.
Keep your feet as dry as possible. Avoid running in puddles and if you like to pour water over your head on a hot day, try leaning over so it doesn't drip into your shoes. I think I have to re-learn this tip once every Summer.
Get yourself a few pairs of wicking socks (not cotton). These will pull moisture away from your skin when your feet sweat. I like ones made by Teko and Darn Tough.
If your feet tend to sweat easily, sprinkle talcum or foot powder on your bare feet before putting on your socks.

Want to know what else you can do to prevent blisters? Then

Blister Prevention Tips From FitSugar Readers

FitSugar — Wed, 26 May 2010 07:00:57 PDT

Blisters can be a real pain in your heel. They can certainly put a damper on your fitness routine. Many of you recently shared some great tips for avoiding this painful side effect of running and I wanted to pass them along. Check out these tips:

"I find proper socks and the right pair of trainers makes all the difference." - mandiesoh
"I use Body Glide. It comes in a deodorant-like stick. It is clear, odorless and works like a charm. It also works for under arm chafing or sports bra chafing. I use it for my running shoes and my cute shoes. It is great to put on your usual 'hot spots' when you get a new pair of heels to break in. I keep a mini one in my purse just in case my shoes start to bother me during the day." - econinsf
"I have had the worst time with blisters, but recently I found seamless running socks online that wick away moisture and are seam-free. I haven't had a blister since I started wearing them!" - res54682

There are tons more great tips, so keep reading.

Be Your Best at Every Workout With the Right Prep

Leta Shy — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:49:17 PST

When it comes to exercising, the more you do it, the better you get at it - as in, you become stronger, faster, or more flexible, and not only that, you are able to exercise longer (and losing inches isn't anything to sneeze at either). But no matter how long you've been committed to fitness, make sure you know how to prep to be your best at every workout.

A plan: You've suited up, stuffed your bag in your gym locker, and made your way to the floor only to think, "I wonder what I should do today?" Don't waste your time with an ineffectual workout or halfhearted commitment. Figure out an exercise plan before you start with our tips on how to build a workout routine.

A happy belly: Cramping or a grumbling stomach can make a workout a complete misery. Keep your stomach happy by fueling up with a small snack before you exercise or by giving yourself a few hours to digest a big meal before working out. Find out which foods you should be eating (and when) before you work out.

Read on for more ways to be your best at every workout.

5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Started Running

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:07:23 PST

When I first started running, I hated it. I suffered from blisters, unsupported bosoms, and irritated skin from seams, and it seemed insanely hard. I wish someone had sat me down and told me these basic tips and tricks to help smooth my transition from non-runner to runner. If you're just starting out on your own journey pounding the pavement or treadmill belt, here are things you should know about running.

It Gets Easier
As with most things, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. To strengthen your muscles, acclimate your heart and lungs, and increase your endurance, run at least three times a week. Start off with a doable distance such as two miles. Once that distance feels good, gradually increase your mileage. The key is to move at a comfortable pace for a reasonable amount of time. If you do too much too soon, you could end up with an injury or a deep hatred for the sport.

You Don't Have to Wear Two Sports Bras
If you're well-endowed, running can be painful. I wore two sports bras for the longest time because I couldn't find one that prevented the uncomfortable bounce. A cheap cotton sports bra from Target just won't do. You might have to spend $50 or more, but it's worth it when you only have to wear one bra you trust. Here are some sports bras to choose from.

Keep reading to find out other running tips for beginners.

Running Tip: Tie Your Shoes Properly!

Kristen Hawley — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:00:06 PDT

You wouldn't buy a pair of running shoes that didn't fit quite right - whether slightly too snug or just a little too loose, ill-fitting shoes can cause painful blisters. Thing is, so can running in shoes that fit, but aren't tied properly. Tying your shoes in what Runners World refers to as a "granny knot" can actually change the fit of the shoe, leaving your feet open to blisters.

There's a great how-to video on the Runners World site, but essentially the way you wrap your shoelace in the last phase of shoe-tying is the most important. Crazy to think about, right? So, for example, I start tying by crossing the right lace over the left. I then make a loop with the right side first. So it follows that in the next step of shoe-tying, I need to make sure and wrap the lace around the front of the loop. Wrapping around the back would make the laces off-balance, causing them to twist and potentially loosen. Depending how you start your knot dictates which direction you'll need to wrap, so take a look at this helpful chart to determine your style.

I promise, you'll never think so much about tying your shoes ever again!

4 Ways to Prevent Frightful Beauty Mishaps on Halloween

Jaime Richards — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:05:13 PDT

Growing up, your loved ones probably told you to check the apples for razors and beware of strangers while trick-or-treating. Now that you're an adult, there are a whole other set of Halloween-related mishaps just waiting to happen. Sure, you have to be careful with the amount of mulled cider consumed in an evening, but there are beauty hazards to be cognizant of as well. From irritated skin to sore feet, find out how you can prevent Halloween horrors when you read more.

Don't Let Blisters, Achy Muscles, or Bruises Halt Your Workout Routine

Heather Dale — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:55:29 PDT

You give all you've got to your workout, pushing yourself right up until the very end, and what does your workout do for you? It leaves you with bruises, sore muscles, and a couple of bad-looking blisters - thanks, workout! But don't let that bubble of skin interfere with your next sweat session! Keep reading for tips about how to cope with common workout wear and tear annoyances.

Geek Tips For Using Google+

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:21:33 PDT

Google + is still fairly new to the social networking masses, and if you're dabbling in the fresh waters, then you could probably use a little guidance. Here, a few tips to help make your experience easy, seamless, and fun.

Beginners guide to Google+ - Before you get too excited, flip through this step-by-step guide that teaches you all the basics about the social network.
Google+ for iPhone - Go mobile with this Google+ iPhone app that lets you access your circles, stream, and sparks all on your iOS device.
Disable Instant Upload - In case you didn't know, the default Google+ application settings on an Android phone will automatically upload new photos and videos to a Google+ album, but the photos and the album itself will remain private until you sign into Google+ and specify which images you want to share with select circles. If you still don't want your pics auto uploaded to the cloud, this tip will show you how to switch off the feature.
Publish Sync for Chrome - If you're a Chrome user, there's a new extension called PublishSync that will allow you to sync your Google+ updates with other social network accounts like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and others, letting you publish one update to multiple accounts.
Quickly scroll to the top of the page - Want to jump back up to the top of the page after scrolling down through lots of Google+ updates? Just click on the black nav bar to jump to the top of your profile page. It's sure to be an awesome time-saver for you and might also prevent you from getting blisters on your scrolling finger.
Get Gmail notifications in Google+ - The Chrome extension Native Gmail For Google+ allows you to get a second notification box (alongside your Google+ notification box) to see when you have incoming Gmails in your inbox. Sweet!

How-To: Quickly Scroll to the Top of Google+ With One Click

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:21:50 PDT

Did you know you can quickly scroll to the top of your Google+ stream just by clicking on the black nav bar that resides above your profile? iPhone users should already be familiar with this handy feature that pops them back to the top of a web page, app, email inbox, and more, but Google has added the same feature into its Google+ profiles. Obviously, it's simple to use - just click on the black nav bar to jump to the top of your profile page. It's sure to be an awesome time-saver for you and might also prevent you from getting blisters on your scrolling finger.

10 Ways to Keep Your Running - and Your Motivation - Strong

Shape — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:34:03 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Sign Up for a Race - Nothing gets you motivated like a deadline. Some favorite races: Skirt Chasers, in which women get a 3-minute head start before the men are let loose; New York's Fun Run and Happy Hour, which features post-race drink specials; and the Zooma Half Marathon & 10K series, which includes post-race shopping, massages, and wine. Check out active.com for races near you.
Hit the Bars - Pre-run: Grab an energy bar (we've picked the tastiest) so you have the fuel to run your best. Post-run: Toss back a beer. Research conducted at Granada University in Spain shows that a pint of beer, post-workout, rehydrates the body better than water. The carbs replace lost calories and researchers believe the sugars and salts may help the body absorb fluids more quickly.
Get Your Perfect Training Plan (Free!) - The right training plan helps you feel ready at the start and lets you finish strong. Go the distance - happily - with our 12-week, 5K training plan for beginners.
Ease Your Knees - Runners have a decreased risk of osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, according to a National Health and Nutrition Examination survey. Running increases oxygen flow and flushes out toxins resulting in healthier cartilage and stronger ligaments around the knee. Already have knee pain? Find out how to nix it with these three moves.

See more tips after the break!