FitSugar

Fittingly Mad: Can't a Girl Go For a Run? Geez

FitSugar — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 08:30:00 PST

Here's the deal. This actually happened. No joke. I was out running the other day and some guy yelled from his porch, "Hey baby. Why are you running away? Why don't you run over here?" I wanted to run a mac truck over him.

It was as if my baggy sweatshirt, said "Rude comments welcome?" Why do guys feel like they can hoot and holler at anyone with boobs? Do they think they are being funny? Sexy? Motivating? My response was run even faster to get away from the idiot.

Now I'm not saying all guys are to blame. But it's that one sleazy guy who can ruin a run and running alone in general. Don't let him ruin it for you though.

Fit's Tip: If you run alone keep the volume low on your iPod so you can still hear what's going on around you. If you run in the dark, use well lit streets. Or call up your best friend and run together in a girl pack.

Lil Links: Tips For Handling That Most Unpleasant Childhood Sickness

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:32:21 PST

How to handle a stomach virus in your home - Parenting
7 tips for a healthy pregnancy with diabetes – Health
13 ways to keep your kid entertained in a rear-facing seat - The Stir
Facebook's COO has figured out how to balance career, family, and life - Business Insider
Julie Bowen takes lil Oliver on a breakfast run - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Katherine Heigl wants three or four kids - Celebrity Baby Blog
Safe ways to moisturize pregnant skin during dry months - FitPregnancy
Why do childless people hate kids so much? - Momformation
Study shows babies like to judge - Yahoo! Shine

3 Easy Tips For Soft, Kissable Lips

Michelle Phan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 PST

We're excited to continue our partnership with YouTube star and beauty guru Michelle Phan! Every other week, we'll be bringing you the best from her website, MichellePhan.com. This week, Michelle has the lowdown on making your lips kissable just in time for that holiday party:

Hi everyone,

Mistletoe is tricky. You can’t really avoid it, since you never know when it will reveal itself. You also can’t run to the bathroom and freshen up when it finally does, because that would ruin the moment, and it’s really more of an on-the-spot kind of thing.

The ultimate bubble bath is within reach

Your best defense is to just be prepared for the possibility at all times. Here are some tips to keep your lips mistletoe-ready all season long, no matter what the weather or circumstance. Check them out now.

How to Buy the Right Running Shoe

Leta Shy — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:43:06 PST

Buying the right running shoe takes time. Finding a shoe that works with your running style and foot usually means an in-store visit to a running specialty store for expert advice.

A good running shoe store will look at your foot type, normal running distance, past or current injuries, pronation, foot length, and instep height, along with other parameters, says Lori Shannon, owner of women's running shoe store See Jane Run. And while there are several things you can ignore when shopping for a running shoe, there are still many things that matter for keeping your runs safe and injury-free. Nothing beats a personal consultation for finding the perfect fit, but we asked Lori for guidance anyone can use when looking for a running shoe. Here are more of her tips to consider.

Pay attention to fit: Every shoe (and foot) is different, but there are a few specifics that you should look for before the cashier rings up your pair. "The overall feel and fit is often overlooked but is extremely important. Some companies will insist that you are in a certain category - [like] stability, motion control, or cushioning - but those shoes may not feel good to you," Lori says. "This is an art, not a science. If you don’t like how they feel, then they are wrong for you."

One way to help ensure a good fit? Pick the right time to visit a shoe store. "If you run in the morning, get fitted in the morning," Lori says. And try to go to the store after your normal daily run. "Your feet change size during the day and how long your run, [so] if you do long runs, you should try on shoes after a long run. This will give you a better fit and help you keep your toenails."

Read on for more tips on buying the right running shoe.

Black Friday Shopping Tips

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:21:47 PST

Thanksgiving is next week, but is quickly followed by the biggest shopping day of the year: Black Friday. Whether you've got your eye on a big screen TV, a laptop, or a new smartphone, follow these tips that will help make your early morning shopping rush a breeze rather than a hailstorm of stress.

Make a list - Just because there's a sale doesn't mean you should buy. Make a list of the items you need and steer clear of those you don't. Black Friday may be great for a discount, but buying gadgets you don't need (or won't use) won't help your credit in the long run.
Plan it out - Before you set your alarm clock, scour all the ads to get an idea of what's on sale and compare prices. Once you've decided where to go for the best deals, map out all your stops for an efficient shopping route based on store hours. You can DIY, or use a site like FindTheBestRoute to cut down on planning time.
Check return policies - Many stores implement special holiday return policies on tech items and usually have year-round restocking fees for big-ticket items like TVs, DSLRs. Know and understand what you're getting into before you buy, so that if by chance you have to return it, you know what to expect.
Use one credit card - Designate one credit card for all of your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping. Alert your credit provider ahead of time to let them know you'll be shopping up a storm next week, so you don't end up denied at the register. Not only will this help you from overspending (especially if you have a low limit), but it will help keep your risk of fraudulent charges at a minimum since you'll know exactly which credit bill to pull up if there's any questionable activity. Leave your debit cards in your wallet, too; they aren't as safe to use online since they feed directly from your checking account. If there are any disputes (depending on the bank), you might not get your money back right away.
Utilize apps while shopping - If you happen to find an item you weren't planning on buying, use the Amazon Price Checker app or ShopSavvy to compare prices and confirm you're getting the best deal possible.
Keep in contact - If you're shopping in teams (this is a competitive sport, isn't it?), use free apps like iMessage, Facebook Messenger, Google Voice, or Twitter (why not make your own family shopping hashtag to follow?) to keep tabs on each other's whereabouts without racking up the SMS fees.

Money Scare: What to Do When You've Been Robbed

Emily Co — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:45:24 PDT

Since Halloween is coming up in just a few days, it seems fitting to talk about the various scary money situations that people find themselves in. I recently addressed tips for bankruptcy and what to do when you're laid off, but today I'm going to talk about what to do when something (or things) is stolen from you. Even if this hasn't happened to you, it's a good idea to know what to do when the time comes so you don't freeze up and act out of panic.

When your home is robbed: Once you find your house has been broken into, immediately leave your home and call 911. Stay in a safe place while you're waiting for the police to come, because you don't want to run the risk of bumping into the criminal. Wait until the police come before you take further action, which means you shouldn't search your home or touch anything before the cops come or you'll be tampering with evidence. Then, walk through your house and create a list of things that you notice missing from your home. If you have not taken photos of the items before the theft, make sure you write a detailed description of them. You will need to submit this list to the police and your homeowner's insurance. When you're reporting the crime and claiming insurance, start working on ways to make your home safer. For example, you can do things like get a good alarm system, lock up your valuables, and secure your windows and sliding doors.

When your identity is stolen: If you've been monitoring your credit report and all of a sudden you see strange activity like new credit cards being opened or if you're seeing weird charges on your credit card bills, someone may have stolen your identity. First decide whether you want to place a fraud alert or a credit freeze. With a fraud alert, the creditor will be more cautious when giving credit in your name and all you need to do is place the alert with one credit bureau, which will then notify the others. A credit freeze is the more secure option - you can't be considered for new credit until you've disabled the freeze. The latter option provides more protection, but it's also more of a hassle and you have to pay a fee. You'll have to individually freeze your credit with all three agencies.

Read on for more tips.

Money Tip: Stay Alert to Avoid Identity Theft

SavvySugar — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:00:05 PDT

Unfortunately, my sister's been hit - someone got a hold of her bank account information and opened a couple new store charge accounts, racking up quite a sum in fraudulent charges. She's not completely negligent with her personal financial information, so I was pretty surprised they got their hands on all of these sensitive stats, but in the digital age, keeping track of your finances means there's no room for carelessness. Stay up to date with your bills and financial statements and follow these tips so you're always on top of it:

Don't carry around your social security card, ever! - It's simple, I know, but nonetheless important to remember. There's no reason to have this card on you while you're out running errands. Store it safely at home, always.
Read your financial statements carefully - Read all of your bills and statements. If your accounts are online, sign on regularly and be sure you're monitoring the account's activity. If something seems off, don't hesitate to call your bank or credit card company to find out what's going on. This also means staying on top of your credit report and knowing your credit score. Sites TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian are each required by law to provide you one free credit report a year, so take advantage. If ever something seems amiss, it's always better to be overly cautious than to be sorry later.

To get the rest of my tips read on.

Lotta Weight to Lose? Tips to Keep You Going

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:56:14 PDT

Whether you recently had a baby or the scale has slowly been creeping up over the years, if you have 50, 100, or more pounds to lose, the task can seem so daunting, you're tempted to give up before you even try. Here are some things to keep in mind to help you stay motivated on your big weight loss journey.

Keep in mind results won't happen overnight: When you're watching your calorie intake and exercising regularly, it's safe to lose about two pounds a week. That may not seem like much, but over time, those little bits of weight loss will add up. You didn't gain all that weight overnight, so don't expect to lose it that quickly either.
Set small, realistic goals and then celebrate them: Sure, your ultimate goal might be to fit into the jeans you wore in college, but in order to stay motivated, you need to set mini goals along your weight loss journey. Every Sunday night decide what your goal will be - to work out three times that week, eat greens every day, or meet with a personal trainer. Then when you reach your goal at the end of the week, reward yourself in a healthy way with a new water bottle, fitness mag, or some new songs on iTunes to add to your cardio playlist.

Keep reading for more tips to keep you motivated if you have a lot of weight to lose.

10 Things New Parents Don't Need

Kiplinger — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:15:21 PDT

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

I'm expecting my third child, and as I sat in the doctor's office this morning, I thumbed through pregnancy and parenting magazines. I got a good laugh (as an experienced mom and personal finance writer) at the nursery necessities, diaper bag must-haves and ultimate registry guide I found on the pages of those magazines.

A $20 diaper purse to hold diapers within a diaper bag. A $48 sleep sack for baby. A $99 changing pad. A $450 toy storage unit for the baby's room. A $1,500 crib. There was even a six-page spread in one of the magazines with tips on organizing every room in the house (including closet and mudroom) to prepare for baby's arrival and what you need to buy to do so.

As crazy as the prices (and some of the products) may seem, it can be so tempting for first-time parents to purchase all the cute baby things they see in magazines or stores. But the last thing new moms and dads should do is rack up debt buying stuff their baby really doesn't need. Instead, parents should focus on buying things they really need, such as life insurance, and funding a college-savings plan for their child. See also: What New Parents Really Need and Smart Ways to Save for College.

So what items are a waste of money? It is a matter of opinion (and, trust me, people have strong opinions about this - as I discovered the last time I wrote about this topic). But here's a list I came up with based on my experience and the advice of many other parents I know.

1. A designer nursery. By this, I mean a room full of high-priced furnishings and décor. Your baby will not care whether his monogram is on everything, if the crib came from Target or Pottery Barn, or if the lamp, curtains and area rug coordinate. And visitors won't even notice the nursery theme when they see the main attraction of the room: your adorable baby.

Read on for more things new parents don't need.

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!