Healthy happy you.
DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions. Dear DrSugar, I think I strained my hamstring sprinting at the end of a run. I don’t think I pulled or tore it — there was no bruising. I guess I am not as in shape as I used to be. I iced it when it started feeling weird, about an hour to two after my workout, but when do I start heat? How long should I wait to Read more
Tight hamstrings are a complaint of many athletes since they're often overworked and under stretched. Here's some things you may not have known about your hammys: Your hamstring is actually made up of 3 different muscles. They run from your booty (sits bones) to the backs of your knees. Tight hamstrings can be responsible for postural problems and back pain, because they tend to pull the hips Read more
We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar! Angelina Jolie, Jessica Biel, Cameron Diaz . . . Who hasn't watched their favorite movie stars walk the red carpet and grown a little envious of their mile-long legs? Granted, most leading ladies are blessed with superior DNA, but that doesn't mean you can't score long, lean gams too! "What is possible for others is Read more
Many a runner has been sidelined by knee pain caused by the iliotibial band (aka the ITB). But knowing how to deal with this long band of fascia, which runs down the outside of the thigh from the pelvis to just below the shin, can help keep an injury at bay. Knowledge is power, and we want to help keep you on the road. First off, fascia is a stiff connective tissue (like tendons and ligaments) Read more
We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar! Do you still fantasize about your 15-year-old butt? If things have gone south (literally!) since high school, you can rest assured there's an easier way to reclaim your perky backside than wrestling that old cheerleader uniform out of storage. So put down your pom-poms, pull on your favorite pair of sneakers, and get Read more
The elliptical is a mainstay in the gym for good reason: it's easy on the joints and provides a great cardio and total-body workout. But the elliptical can also get pretty boring and repetitive. Instead of spending a mindless 30 minutes on the elliptical machine, maximize your time by doing one of these eight workouts. Whether you're a beginner, looking for a high-intensity interval workout, or Read more
Yoga is associated with feeling joyful, open, and calm, but as with all types of movement, there are risks involved that make you go from "om" to "ow" in the blink of your third eye. Here are three common dangers you're at risk for when taking a yoga class and how to prevent them from happening. Slipping Depending on their type of material, some yoga mats may be extremely slippery when wet. Read more
If the deadlift isn't part of your regular routine, it should be. While the move's name may conjure images of meaty bodybuilders, the exercise is an amazingly effective move for your lower body, especially your glutes, hamstrings, and quads. Not only that, it's great for your core muscles, too. "The act of keeping the core tight while the load is trying to pull you forward is extremely Read more
Love it or hate it, a major plus to sweating it out on the elliptical is that you can work your body in a variety of ways using this machine. Pedaling forward works your quads while going backward targets the hamstrings and booty. Focus on pushing the handles gets your chest, and pulling them focuses the work in your upper back. And letting go of the handles while keeping your pace steady Read more
Cardio is great for burning calories, but it can also help give you a shapely tush. Don't miss out on the potential to pull double duty in your workout. Running: Hills are a great for building cardio endurance and toning your backside. Running on an incline targets the glutes and the hamstrings, so be sure to add hills to your outdoor runs. If you're more the treadmill type, use our Read more
