FitSugar

Get Physical: A Hilarious Game of Badminton

FitSugar — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 03:00:00 PDT

I don't know what it is about playing badminton, but that game is just so funny to me. I love the dinky racquets, the flimsy net and of course the shuttlecock (I call it a birdy) - it seems to have a mind of its own!

The game is pretty simple. All you need is 1 net, 1 birdy, 2-4 rackets, and 2-4 players. After you set the net up, you try hitting the birdy over the net, and your opponent hits it back to you.

Badminton is actually an Olympic Sport, so there are specific rules that go along with the game. I think it's more fun to see how many times we can volley back and forth before the birdy touches the ground.

This game is great for all ages since it's easy and fun, there isn't much equipment, and you don't have to worry about seriously getting injured. It does require some hand-eye coordination skills, moderate leaping, acute agility, and lightning speed to run and hit the birdy over the net. I'll tell you though - I end up working my core muscles more than anything from falling to the ground and laughing so hard, but that's just me.

Fit's Tips: You can purchase a badminton set (Amazon, $24.95) that comes with a carrying case so you can bring it along the next time you go to the beach, park, or a BBQ. That way you can fit in a little exercise in between all the eating and drinking.

Want to see a picture of the badminton set? Then

5 Ways Spending Less Will Create More Happiness

LearnVest — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:15:49 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Recently, New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote an op-ed piece about the “Haimish Line.” The Haimish Line is an invisible line sometimes crossed when you go from spending less to spending more - in doing so, Brooks contends, you often sacrifice warmth and connection to attain luxury and space. According to Brooks, “haimish” is a Yiddish word that suggests “warmth, domesticity and unpretentious conviviality.”

An exclusive, white-tablecloth, four-star restaurant where servers disappear and diners are on their Blackberries would be north of the Haimish Line. A small, casual diner on the corner bustling with loud conversations from neighborhood folks talking over each other would be south of the Haimish Line. A new dorm building with a shiny, new, unused lounge would be north of the Haimish Line; the well-worn lounge of ratty furniture that students veer toward would be staunchly planted south of the Haimish Line. The Haimish Line even slices across neighborhoods: densely packed urban neighborhoods where kids run home from school and and people have stoop conversations versus spread-out suburbs of isolated living in separate homes and cars.

Brooks advises that we learn to spend our money well and stay south of the Haimish Line.

I found this essay so compelling because money often buys privacy, space, exclusivity and “luxury”-all of which are the very opposite of “unpretentious conviviality.” In America, the picture of success is a bigger house (where the family is more spread out), moving to the suburbs (with more distance between neighbors), a nicer car (to be more vigilant about spills in), and flying first class (ok, so some things are not worth getting all concerned about “the Haimish Line” over).

Read on for ways to spend less and create happiness.

Maria Sharapova Talks Tennis, Travel, and Her Sweet Tooth

Self — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:45:09 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

It's official, NYC has tennis fever! The courtside champs have been spotted around the Big Apple as they're in town for this week's US Open Tennis Championship.

Selfers mingled with tennis greats at the 12th Annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis including James Blake, Rafael Nadal, Mardy Fish, and Vera Zvonareva were also in the house.

I caught up with Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic at HEAD's Head-to-Head event (say that 10 times fast) to help kick off their new campaigns, including one where number-one ranked Djokovic does his best courtside Sharapova impersonation.

Sharapova, a self-proclaimed bag lover, recently designed a few stellar tennis bags (pictured after the break) for the premium sports equipment company HEAD. Her favorite part is that they don't automatically scream "I'm a tennis bag;" they'd also work as a cute weekend (or overnight bag the way I pack!).

She sat down to share some of what keeps her going during tournament season.

Read on for Self's interview with tennis star Maria Sharapova.

Trendsetting Cruiser Bikes For Spring

Heather Dale — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:08:10 PDT

As the days grow longer and we eagerly await the arrival of warm Summer nights, many of you will be embracing this season by moving your workouts outside. For some that means taking your runs from the treadmill to the streets, or getting out your outdoor activity gear - which may include tennis rackets, rollerblades, or bicycles. Biking is a great way to burn calories, enjoy the outdoors, and feel like a kid again. Here are some tips for buying a new bike, and here are some irresistible cruising bikes that will make you fall in love with biking all over again!

Exercise With the Fam Like Matt Damon

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 01:25:00 PDT

Holy cuteness! Now I love Matt Damon even more for showing his loved ones how important it is to stay active by heading out for a family bike ride in Vancouver. When you get moving together, not only do your children learn that exercise in an important part of life, but it also encourages the grown-ups to fit exercise into their busy schedules.

Aside from renting bikes and touring around a new place, there are so many other ways you and your family can get out together and burn some calories.

If your kids are too young to walk, plop them in a jogging stroller, bike trailer, or backpack carrier and head out for a walk, run, ride, or hike. They'll feel calm watching the scenery whiz by, and you'll get in your workout.
Rent kayaks or canoes and paddle along a calm lake or river. It's a great way to avoid the, "Mom, I'm soooo hot," comments. If you get overheated, just jump in.
Put up a net in the backyard and keep volleyballs and a set of badminton rackets and birdies on hand. After dinner, head out for an impromptu game.

Keep reading for more fun family fitness ideas.

Spring Clean Your Closet to Jump-Start Your Workout Routine

Heather Dale — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:25:19 PDT

I take pride in the overall aesthetic and organization of my closet. After my relaxing morning ritual, I continue to keep stress levels to a minimum when opening my clean closet - clean being the operative word here. A messy closet can add unnecessary stress to your life and waste precious minutes of your day. And not only that, but sprucing up your closet can do wonders for your mind and body. Here's why . . .

Give away clothes that don't fit or don't make you feel good to Goodwill. By putting your closet through a mini detox session, you'll feel like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Oprah says that your home should rise up to meet you, and I feel that this extends to the closet zone as well. If your closet is stuffed to the brim with outdated shirts or dresses you know you'll never wear again - it's time to say so long. Once your closet is more airy, you'll have easy access to your wardrobe and you'll discover chic pieces you didn't even know you had! Trust me, you'll feel like a million bucks, which will translate to saying yes instead of no when your friend asks you if you want to join her in spin class.

Here are some more reasons why you should get your closet clean on.