FitSugar

Curb Smoking Cravings in Just Five Minutes...

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:45:00 PDT

Still having problems kicking that nasty little smoking habit?

Well, recent research published in the Addiction journal has found that even just five minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, significantly reduces the intensity of smokers' nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

While this may seem rather impractical at times, maybe you want to consider it for your smoking breaks at work. So next time you feel the need to take a smoking break, maybe go for a short walk or do exercises at your desk. Not only will you be curbing your cravings to smoke, you'll be burning calories too!

Tips for Staying Smoke Free: Dealing with the Cravings

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 02:30:00 PDT

For all of you out there that have recently quit smoking (like Sugar user smarler) - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Although life without nicotine might seem challenging; you are on your way to better health for life. But how to deal with those incessant cravings? Here are some tips to help:

Exercise: C'mon this is FitSugar; you had to know I'd be writing that one first. It is true though, exercising for at least 5 minutes can curb the craving. So take a vigorous walk around the block instead of picking up the lighter. Or why not try some push-ups? I think exercising is a great way to deal with the cravings and breathing hard will help remind you of why you quit and you will start to see that exercising becomes easier the farther you get from your quit date.
Deep Breathing: Nothing clears the mind and celebrates your healing lungs as much as a deep breath. It will calm and relax you. While breathing think of all the reasons you quit - a little reaffirmation.
Healthy Snacking: Surround yourself with healthy snacks. Carrot sticks and celery. Apples or cherries. Sunflower seeds or pistachios still in their shells are a lot of work. The act of shelling them will take your mind off your craving and satisfy your oral fixation.
Drink Water: You know I love water, but staying hydrated can really help with the cravings. Drinking water will help flush the toxins out of your body.
Break your Routine: A lot of cravings are associated with your daily patterns, routines and rituals. To avoid these triggers mix up your day a bit.
Keep your Hands Busy: Idle hands like to pick up cigarettes. Try knitting, starting a jigsaw puzzle or teaching yourself some card tricks.

I sure do hope these help.

Our Ultimate Swimsuit Guide - Get the Best Fit For Your Body

Hannah Weil — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:22:49 PDT

Finding the perfect Summer suit can seem like an impossible task, especially when you don't know quite what you're looking for. We're putting an end to all that with our ultimate guide to getting the right fit for your body. With the help of swimwear fit and style expert Audrey Jimenez over at Everything But Water, we're breaking down the best fit tips for every body type and the best styles to shop for your figure all right here. From curvier frames to athletic body types, we're helping to make sense of the endless swimwear options out there and narrowing down all of our favorite options that were made to fit and flatter your frame. Want to know what you should be looking for? Get the expert's quick-hit dos and don'ts, then click on to find your perfect suit - and resolve to never hate swimsuit shopping again.

Dos

Do try on lots of different suits. Swim styles change all the time, so look outside of your comfort zone and you may find your new favorite silhouette.
Do go with a smaller size if you are not sure. Swimsuits expand when wet.
Do use ties and adjustable straps to fit the suit to your body. Go tighter than you think. Once tied, lean forward and adjust until your bust is covered and stays put.

Don'ts

Don't choose a trendy silhouette if it doesn't fit you well. Great style begins with a great fit, so it's more important to find the silhouette that best flatters your figure.
Don't assume a size larger or more fabric will give you more flattering coverage. Many women purchase suits that are too large, and as a result, the fabric gaps and the suits don't support properly. If you want more coverage, find a style that offers more coverage.

Model Liya Kebede Talks Minimal Makeup in Cannes

Allie Merriam — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:25:43 PDT

For model Liya Kebede, Cannes feels like magic. "It gets into you the minute you arrive here," she said this morning. "It's very glamorous, and I like that it's very international as well. You see all these different people from all over the world coming with their films, which is great." It's been a big year for Liya, who was named a L'Oréal Paris brand ambassador last June and is making forays into the film world. She's currently working on The Best Offer from Cinema Paradiso director Giuseppe Tornatore.

There's more to Liya than her stunning looks, though. She won a BellaSugar beauty award thanks to her philanthropic efforts. Her eponymous foundation is dedicated to improving maternal health, and she's created a clothing line, Lemlem, which helps support craftswomen in her native Ethiopia. Today, the supermodel talked about her various work endeavors and shared her best tips on beauty, the inside scoop on her own makeup routine, and more.

BellaSugar: It's pretty surreal here. Have you ever had an incredible Cannes moment?
Liya Kebede: I think you get it every time you get here. Last time, I ran into Woody Allen in the lobby. You can't believe it - it's just insane. There's so many of these great people and stars. At some point, you don't even react anymore. You get overstimulated. Every corner is some incredible person, or you go to a party and it's full of everybody. It's amazing. You just go, "I'm in Cannes!"

BellaSugar: And part of Cannes, is of course, getting made up and looking great, which you're quite familiar with, I'm sure. What's the best tip you've learned from the pros?
Liya Kebede: Less is more. If you're going do an eye thing, then don't do a lip thing. Try to find a balance about what you do. Also, nothing is necessarily specific - using a lip thing on your eye or cheeks is fine, and it works, and it's light. Play around! Nothing is so fixed.

For the rest of our chat with Liya, just read more

9 Ways to Earn Extra Cash When Money Is Tight

Wise Bread — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:51:58 PDT

I'm sure everyone can do with a little more cash in their wallets. Here are some great suggestions by Wise Bread for you to make extra money.

Even though I'm self-employed full-time, I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to make more money.

Earlier this year, I wrote a Wise Bread post on websites that can help you earn extra cash. More recently, I came across a blog post on Zaarly titled, "10 Ways to Make Money Without a Job." After reviewing the latter post, I thought it was time to revisit the topic and let you in on a few more ways to get paid.

The ideas that Zaarly presents are perfect for the unemployed or those who just want to pad their pockets a little more. In addition, there are moonlighting jobs that I do that I thought you should know about. Thus, if you're without a steady paycheck or you just want to build up a rainy-day stash, here are some of your options.

1. Offer Experiences to Strangers

I recently learned about a new site called Vayable, which allows people with specialized knowledge and talents, local info, and time on their hands to create experiences that others can purchase. It's basically a touring and activity company without the company. Anyone can join the site and set up an experience. For instance, the Kan Brothers offer motorcycle tours of San Francisco - which include helmet rental, a drink at a local hot spot, and a city map - for two to four people at $75 per person. In New York City, Kim G. is offering a personalized painting lesson for groups of two to six for a flat rate of $300; the experience includes acrylic paints; canvas board and supplies; studio space; wine, cheese, and crackers; and Kim’s undivided attention. Consider this tip if you're interested in joining Vayable: Browse the site to see what other people in your area are offering. By creating a unique experience that no one else has established, you have a better chance of getting booked.

Read on for more.

Biggest Travel Bargains to Consider This Summer

Emily Co — Thu, 24 May 2012 10:16:50 PDT

If you're planning a Summer trip this year and the high prices are getting you down, don't fret, there are a couple of travel bargains you can take advantage of. SavvySugar talked to travel expert, AirFare Watchdog's Founder George Hobica, for the scoop on the best airfare deals to find this Summer.

Berlin

If you're jonesing to go to Europe but are holding back because of the inflated prices, Berlin would be an ideal getaway. The new Berlin airport (code BER) has been having a lot of great fares, according to Hobica. One reason being lower airport fees and taxes in addition to the airport being a brand-new one. Peak Summer round-trip fares from New York to Berlin are about $650 including taxes, a bargain compared with round trip prices for up to $1600 or $1800 for other European destinations. "Consumers should realize that even if Berlin isn't in their travel plans, easyJet flies between Berlin and, say, Paris for 64 euros round-trip including tax. So one could fly to Berlin, spend a couple of days exploring the city, and then head off to other European destinations cheaply," says the airfare expert.

Spain

If Berlin isn't for you, flights to Spain are generally cheaper compared to the other European countries, says the travel expert. That's partly due to the lower airport fees and taxes.

Read on for more.

Tori Spelling Shares 6 Ways to Preserve Your Children's Artwork

Tori Spelling — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:06:21 PDT

We're happy to share a new post from ediTORIal by Tori Spelling, Tori's daily blog about everything from food and fashion to parenting and relationships. This week, Tori shares some tips on displaying kids' artwork.

Over the years, Dean and I have curated quite the collection of artwork from our kids, and I know all my fellow momistas have many of your own minimasterpieces to exhibit. With the school year around the corner, it's a safe bet that lots of little ones will be adding to their portfolios, and while they might not be ready for the Getty (yet), that's no reason not to display your kids' art with style and creativity. Here are a few ideas on how!

More great reads from Tori Spelling:
Liam's thoughts on a future career
Marital bliss: A guide to anniversary presents
Foodista: 5 tasty brunch recipes
Pattern mixing 101: How to jump on this season's hot trend
tuTORIal: Spray-painting thrift-store finds

Lil Links: Baby Names For Twins That Really Work Together

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:32:18 PDT

One hundred and fifty of the best baby names for twins - The Stir
The details on Kristin Cavallari's baby shower - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Alanis Morissette isn't ready to give up breastfeeding quite yet - Celebrity Baby Blog
Tips for keeping cool while pregnant this Summer - FitPregnancy
Famous dads sound off on parenthood - Parenting
Ten tips for getting better sleep while pregnant - The Bump
Are any of these kids shows banned in your home? - BabyCenter Blog
Sometimes the best parents are the ones with the screaming kid - Circle of Moms
Is your kid's food as healthy as you think it is? - LearnVest
Twelve baby names that really confuse parents - HuffPost Parents
How to have a great family photo session - Momtastic

Source: Flickr user Ruth L

Stop Biting Your Nails Without Exercising Crazy Willpower

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:04:36 PDT

The majority of people have, at one time or another, bitten their nails. And as anyone who's gotten caught in a cycle of biting can tell you, it can be painfully difficult to stop. Like food cravings or a nervous tic, the longer you hold off, the more anxious and distracted you get. It takes time to develop an alternate outlet for your nervous energy, and in the interim, going cold turkey rarely works. So what's a dyed-in-the-wool biter to do? Just keep reading.

Countdown to the Big Day: How to Hire a Personal Trainer

Leta Shy — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:50:46 PDT

You're hiring a caterer, florist, and wedding planner, so why not also enlist the expertise of a personal trainer? If you're trying to lose weight for your wedding, having a trainer can be one of the best ways to help you reach your goals. But since you're on a timeline, it's important to ensure you're getting what you need from your training sessions. Here's how to hire the right personal trainer before you walk down the aisle.

Start early: Personal trainers can help you get results fast, but they're not miracle workers. Waiting too late to lose the weight can add unwanted pressure, which can make workouts stressful and ineffective. To ensure you have enough time to lose weight the healthy way, celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson recommends that future brides start shopping for a trainer at the beginning stages of their wedding planning (like when you start looking for the venue).
Know your goals: Your personal-training package will start with an initial assessment of your fitness level, but you should have an idea before you begin your trainer search of what you want to get out of your sessions. Are you already a pro on the elliptical but want to know how to get your arms in strapless-wedding-gown shape? Do you need your trainer to recommend a healthy eating plan to complement your time in the gym? Knowing what you want in a trainer helps you both ask the right questions before designing your fitness regimen.

Read on for three more tips for picking a personal trainer.