FitSugar

Gifts For Active Snow Bunnies

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:32 -0800

Although snow may not be falling in your neck of the woods just yet, it's never too early to start thinking about all the people in your life who love playing in that fluffy white stuff.

If you have a friend or family member who's big into hitting the mountain, here are some gift ideas that are sure to keep her warm and happy. Although picking out ski or snowboard equipment is best left up to her, these items are sure to make wintertime even better.

Get Mountain Ready With Ashtanga Yoga

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:30:00 -0800

Now that Winter is in full force, I'm sure many of you spend your weekends skiing or snowboarding. Nothing beats the excitement and anticipation of standing at the top of a white mountain and looking down the slope. However, an exhilarating day on the mountain can leave you very sore and achy the next day.

If you take the time to lengthen and strengthen your legs and core before heading to the slopes, you can seriously decrease the delayed onset muscle (DOMS) you experience the day after boarding or skiing. Let me tell you, Ashtanga Yoga can help get you mountain ready, especially the Primary Series. This sequence of set postures, involves tons of poses that stretch and strengthen your quads, hamstrings, hips, shoulders, and lower back. These are the areas skiers and boarders need to focus on, and stretching and strengthening them can prevent injury, as well as make you stronger and more in control when you hit the mountain.

In the Primary Series, you practice both Sun Salutation A and B, which are great for warming up heading up the lift. Other great poses in the Primary Series are: Warrior 1 and 2, Seated Straddle, and Head to Knee. These poses help increase your flexibility and build endurance. Ashtanga is perfect for inflexible athletes who like to sweat and work every muscle.

Fit's Tips: Check out your local yoga studio to see if the offer Primary Series classes or beginners workshops. If they don't, check out this awesome Primary Series DVD. Also check out my videos of Sun Salutation A and Sun Salutation B.

Fit Gift Guide: Skiers and Riders

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0800

The snow's a fallin' in parts of the world, and that means skiers and riders are gearing up for some adventurous time in the snow. If there's a gal in your life who's big into hitting the mountain, here are some gift ideas that are sure to keep her warm and protected.

Salomon Ladies Temptress Jacket: The best part about this coat is that it has tons of zippered pockets to hold your wallet, keys, phone, tissues, and snacks. It's lightly insulated so once you start cruising, you won't overheat. There's also a goggle wipe and a holder for your ski pass. Since this is last year's model, it's cheaper, so you'll save some dough.
Smith Women's Anthem Goggles: Goggles are a must to protect your eyes from snow, ice, rain, tree branches, and the sun. These from Smith are made for a woman's facial features, and they're helmet compatible.
Burton Headphone Beanie: Whether you're zooming down the mountain on skis or a board, some people can't live without their tunes. This hat from Burton has speakers built in. Just plug the wire into your iPod and you're good to go.

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Are You a Skier or Rider?

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 03:30:00 -0800

The weekend is a great time to hit the mountain. Skiing and snowboarding are both kick-ass workouts, but tell me, which one are you?

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Gwen Stefani is One Healthy Diva

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Ever since her No Doubt days, I have been a fan of Gwen Stefani. I always thought she got her smokin' bod from all that dancing she does on stage, but I had no idea she was a health-nut too. Be it health-nut diva who has a thing for the color white, a health-nut nonetheless.

Along with at least 30 bottles of assorted water (Fiji, Vitamin Water, Fruit Water), TMZ reported that she also has a rather long list of organic vegetables, fruits and other healthy items on her tour rider -- the list of "artist demands" for their backstage dressing room.

2- 3 Packs Silk "Very Vanilla" Soy Milk Individual Serving Sides
1- Hot Tea set up to include, Tea Kettle, Organic Honey, Spoons, Fresh Lemons, 1 Box Twinnings English Breakfast Tea - Decaffeinated, 1 Box Organic Peppermint Tea, and 1 Box Organic Chamomile Tea...
1- Organic selection of whole vegetables to include: 3 cucumbers, 1 bunch beets, 1 bunch organic carrots, 1 bag pre-washed spinach, 1 bunch flat leaf Italian parsley, 1 bunch celery (all must be organic)
1- Bowl of organic grown whole cashews
1- Bowl of organic grown whole almonds
1- Organic veggie tray with organic ranch dressing/dip
1- Organic fresh fruit tray - to include seasonal berries, melons, fruits, a tropical assortment also welcome
1- Organic fruit bowl - to include organic bananas, plums, apples and pears

It looks like while the rest of us may not be eating enough fruits and veggies daily, Gwen sure is. To see her full tour rider check out TMZ.com.

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Pearl Izumi Gets Technical

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:30:06 -0700

Pearl Izumi ruffled some feathers with its ad campaign pitting runner against joggers, but regardless they make amazing biking gear. Recently, the company released clothing made with four technical fabrics designed to reduce drag, regulate body temperature, and address the problems of moisture. They sent me a few items to check out, which meant a couple of bike rides and a spin class over the course of a few days - any excuse to hop on my bike.

The fabric used to construct P.R.O. Octane Shorts ($225) feels more luxurious than anything I have ever worn for a workout. These lightweight shorts feel great on as well. The technical fabric used in their construction is designed to keep a rider cool during a hot competition. In the hot spin I took wearing them, they did just that. Honestly, the price of these shorts indicates they are truly made for elite high mileage riders or serious competitors. I hope to wear them soon for a distance ride, but don't think I would ever drop that much dough on shorts.

To read about the other two more affordable items, just read more.

The W's Transfer Short Sleeve Baselayer ($50) worked well on a cold, yet sweaty ride. My core stayed warm and dry as I powered up hills and sped down the descents. It's made with Pearl Izumi trademarked Minerale fabric, a polyester fortified with carbon based minerals to improve wicking and keep the stink out of the shirt. After a three hour, sweaty ride the smelled only a little bit and the small amount of smell washed out easily. A short sleeve base layer for Autumn biking worked well for me. This shirt is seriously lightweight and tailored to fit the female form.

My favorite piece is the P.R.O. Barrier Lite Jacket ($95.00). A solid windbreaker can save you on a cold and blustery ride, and this windbreaker did just that. Should the sun come out and the wind dies down, this jacket packs down small to easily fit in a the back pocket of a biking jersey. I am impressed with how thin the material was yet how much wind protection it offered. This jacket might be pricey, but as long as it is not raining I think I can wear it all year long. I would wear it to run too.

All three items are available at the Pearl Izumi website. Look for them at your local bike shop too.

Fittingly Mad: Cyclists Not Wearing Helmets!

FitSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 03:30:00 -0700

When I see images of cyclists riding in past Tours de France, they look odd to me. I recognize the riders, but they aren't wearing helmets. But over the course of the last decade, helmets became mandatory in the most prestigious bike race in the world.

Wearing a helmet is the simplest safety precaution you can take to protect your most important body part: your brain. Even though most casual cyclists are not barreling down hills and mountainsides at the speed of professional racers, wearing a helmet is a no brainer! Yet more than half the riders I see on the street are not wearing helmets. I just don't get it. I know helmets are not the most stylish of biking accessories, but is there really anything flattering about cycling gear? If messed up hair is keeping riders from wearing helmets, I would respond that a serious head injury is considerably worse than a bad hair day. We spend so much time taking care of our bodies and feeding our brains with knowledge, we really should protect our brains when biking.

Some helmetless riders argue that they're skilled cyclists so they don't need a helmet since they're not going to fall. Think of the helmet like the seat belt; it's there to protect you from crazy drivers or large potholes or, in the case of Matt Lauer of the Today Show, a deer. Without a helmet, Lauer would have suffered injuries far greater than a separated shoulder. Same goes for Lance Armstrong's collar bone-breaking crash a couple of months ago. Without a helmet his fate might have been much worse. If you're cruising around town or barreling down a dirt path on your mountain bike, wear a helmet. Please!

Tour de France Ends on Sunday

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:12 -0700

I have been watching le Tour, catching up with the race early in the morning, café crème in hand. My breakfast TV benders will be ending this Sunday, when the final stage of the race enters Paris.

Lance Armstrong's Astana team member, Spaniard Alberto Contador, still wears the yellow jersey of the leading rider. Contador is 4 minutes and 11 seconds ahead of Luxembourg's Andy Schleck after the 19th stage - 178 kilometer ride (110 miles) on flat terrain considered a sprint. Brit Mark Cavendish won the stage, his fifth.

Learn what place Lance is in, when you read more.

Already planning his strategy for next year and creating a team sponsored by RadioShack, Lance Armstrong holds onto third place but is five minutes and 21 seconds behind Contador. It is not surprising that there has been some friction between teammates Contador and Armstrong. In an interview Lance said, ". . . my ambition is to get on the podium, so I have to try to be happy with that." If he rides well tomorrow, in the 20th stage, 167 km (103 miles) of mountainous terrain that ends with a serious climb, chances are high he will capture third place.

I, for one, will be watching on Saturday and Sunday. Will you?

You Asked: New to Biking - What Do I Need to Know?

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:30:00 -0800

Dear Fit,
Due to a chronic ankle injury, I have been forced to give up running. So I am looking to start cycling, which I have never really done for fitness. I am just looking for a few pointers and/or things you think I should know, and just basically looking for some inspiration. Thanks!
- Cycling Newbie

Sorry to hear about the ankle, that is a bummer, but great that you're looking to biking for exercise. While both forms of exercise work your legs, biking tends to build the quads while running works the hamstrings more. Biking is not considered weight-bearing the way running is, so you should add walking or weight lifting to your fitness routine to make sure your bones are getting stimulated so they stay strong and dense. While nothing makes me feel more free than riding my bike, it can be a gear-heavy sport. To see what I mean, read more.

First of all, you need a bike, and good road bikes can cost a pretty penny. If you live in a major metropolitan area, chances are quite high you can find yourself a great used bike. With the economy the way it is, folks are selling off gear they don't use regularly. Before you start shopping, you should go to a bike store and get sized so you know what size bike you're looking for. A pair of padded shorts will make your ride more comfy. Add to those shorts a set of clipless pedals and cleats (shoes that attach to pedals), which make you much more efficient at pedaling and work all the muscles in your legs more evenly. It is one sport where I have found that good and appropriate gear really make a difference in my enjoyment. I hope I don't even need to say this, but always wear a helmet, and if you're biking at night wear lights. Be conspicuous on the road!

Find a cycling club (here is a directory of clubs) in your area; riding is so much fun in a group and you can learn so much from experienced riders. A great way to meet other cyclists is spinning class. Many serious riders move their workouts indoors for Winter, plus these classes will help you get comfy in the saddle as well as provide a place to work on maximizing your pedal stroke.

I could go on and on, and now I really want to hop on my bike. If you have any tips for a cycling newbie, leave them in the comments section below.

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Get Mountain Ready: Add Decline to Your Treadmill

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:00:04 -0800

The snow's a-flowing where some of you live, and that makes skiers, riders, and snowshoers very happy. To prepare your legs for the excessive stress on your quads, knees, and shins, it's best to condition yourself for the downhill. There are a few commercial treadmills available that offer a decline option, but instead of springing for a brand new piece of equipment, you can just raise the back of the one you have.

To do this, place one or two two-by-fours under the back of the treadmill. It'll offer a slight decline, but it's enough to allow you to work your legs. It's best to do it before you hit the slopes, since you don't want to realize you should have trained more while cruising down the hill.

Of course, you can also train downhill outside if you don't have a treadmill. Run downhill, or if that bothers your knees, walk instead. I recommend doing intervals of flat, incline, flat, decline, etc. Training downhill will not only strengthen your muscles and joints, but it can also prevent injury or extreme soreness from a day on the slopes. When you head into snow with your skis, board, or snowshoes, all this training will allow you to spend more time on the mountain and less time resting at the lodge.

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