FitSugar

Get Physical: Salsa Dance Lessons

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 03:30:00 -0700

Looking for a fun way to exercise and connect with your friend or lover? Why not sign up for Salsa Dance lessons? I recently took a lesson with my hubby, and I swear it was the most fun I've had in a long time. Plus it's always so exciting to learn something new. Salsa dancing makes you feel beautiful and sexy, and the next morning my hips were sorer than when I do a 3-hour hike!

Depending on the studio, classes are offered during the day, in the evenings, during the week and on the weekends. You can sign up for private or group Salsa lessons. Private lessons are a little bit more expensive, but you'll get some major one on one time. You'll be able to go at your own pace, which means you'll probably perfect your moves faster. If you feel self-conscious or nervous, a group lesson might work better for you, so you can blend in with the crowd. Plus the energy of the group can be very inspirational.

In your first lesson, you'll most likely learn basic front, back and side steps. You'll learn these alone and with a partner. You'll also learn how to do turns and maybe some other fancier steps.

Some places offer a Salsa dance package where you pay a fee for a bunch of lessons. This is a great deal, since it motivates you to go once a week consistently. That way you're guaranteed to have a special date with your favorite person, and it's a great way to get you both moving.

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Get Physical: Salsa

FitSugar — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 12:30:00 -0800

Looking for something fun to do with your honey? Not just counting crunches together at the gym, but something HOT? Have you tried Salsa? Not the dip - salsa DANCING. You can burn calories together while tripping the light fantastic.

Most Salsa Clubs start the night off with a short lesson or offer lessons on particular nights. It feels like a date, but it will also get your heart rate up. You can check out the Salsa Crazy website - they sell instructional DVDs and you can get free downloads of mini lessons.

See you on the dance floor.

Natalie Coughlin: From the Olympics to DWTS

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:50:41 -0700

Last season on Dancing With the Stars, we saw gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson win gold, and this year we're watching Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin compete on land.

She made it through the first week, dancing a salsa with Alec Mazo and wowed us last night with her quick step. Although busy dancing and rehearsing, Natalie took time out of her day to answer a few questions on topics ranging from Pilates to her opinion on the ban on high-tech swimsuits.

To learn what Natalie has to say, just read more.

FitSugar: I have read that you do Pilates. How does this method of exercise help your swimming? Since it is somewhat dance-based, do you think it will help you on DWTS?
Natalie Coughlin: Pilates is an awesome cross-training exercise for any sport because it focuses on functional movement. It relies on strength along with flexibility, which is perfect for both swimming and dance. My two favorite pieces of equipment are the Balanced Body Exo Chair and Pilates Arc. I personally own both, and they make a nice addition to my home gym.

FS: I loved your "I'm a runner" piece in Runner's World. Do you still run regularly? Do you ever participate in road races? Were you able to run before your wedding ceremony?
NC: My first and only road race was the H2O Audio Surf Monkey last month, which was a 5K run on a mixture of sand, cobbled rock, and pier. It was so much fun, although I had no idea how to run on sand or cobbled rock! A few days before my wedding, I got a little overzealous with my running and ended up straining my right obliques, which forced me to take a bit of a break. Oops! I still love running, but I'm currently spending five to six-plus hours dancing every day, so I'm taking a break. I don't think it would be a good idea to add any unnecessary stress to my feet or legs.

FS:Your swimming career has spanned two Olympics, and you're planning to compete in 2012 - how do you maintain focus in training over those four-year periods?
NC: My focus is constantly evolving. I took three months off immediately following the Athens Games and returned to competition with a series of two-day meets throughout the world. The short format of the meets along with the world travel kept me motivated and interested in swimming. After Beijing, I needed a much longer break both mentally and physically because I have been competing for 21 years now! Dancing With the Stars is providing me with an amazing competitive outlet in something so different than my sport.

FSWhat's your favorite core exercise?
NC: I use the TRX suspension system for strength training and I absolutely love the atomic push-up because it's a killer exercise that works your entire core and upper body.

FS: Is your running playlist different from your swimming playlist? If so, how?
NC: Nope! They're usually the same, but it changes depending on my mood. It can be anything from pop, rock, alternative, to hip-hop . . . and H2O Audio's new Interval lets me listen to multiple playlists in the water or while I'm out on a run.

FS: Swimming can be hard on the skin and hair. What are your go-to beauty products postswim?
NC: Oh dear! I love products . . . Pureology for my hair, Kinesys sunscreen for my face/body preswimming, Palmer's Cocoa Butter for my body post-swimming, and Oil of Olay SPF 15 for my face.

FS: How do you feel about the ban on high-tech swimsuits?
NC: I think it's a good idea because our sport can now get back to the swimming and eliminate the distraction of "who are you wearing?" Eliminating zippers and legs is strange because both have been a part of many of the suits for over a decade. Either way, I'm happy.

DVD Review: Zumba Total Body Transformation System

FitSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:00:33 -0700

If your home fitness routine is feeling a little dull, you can seriously spice up your workouts by having a Zumba party in front of your DVD player. Zumba is a dance workout that doubles as a tasting tour of popular Latin dances, from salsa to samba. You can experiment with shaking your hips and hone your shoulder shimmy with no one watching but your dog with the Zumba Total Body Transformation System ($60).

This six-DVD set includes a basic workout, which is a 60-minute tutorial of the "basic" dance moves used in Zumba; a 20-minute express workout; two 50-minute dance workouts; a toning workout; and an abs workout. The set also includes two fitness toning sticks - lightweight dumbbells that double as maracas to help you get your rhythm on.

See what I thought of the workout.

Need a Little Exercise Motivation? Try These 8 Techniques

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0700

There are a million excuses you can come up with not to work out - you're too tired, you don't have time, you forgot your sneakers at home, or you have your period and would much rather eat chocolate. We've all been there so here are some fail-proof ways to motivate you to follow through with your workout dates.

Plan ahead. Get out your calendar and jot down exercise appointments before anything else comes up. Call personal trainers to set up sessions, sign up for salsa dance lessons with your partner, or mail your deposit in for that flying trapeze workshop you've had your eye on. It only takes a short amount of time to organize your exercise commitments, but once they're set up, you'll be more likely to stick with them.
Get into a routine. Either work out at the same time every day, or if that's not possible, get into a routine of working out the same days each week such as Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. It will be tough to get going at first, but soon it will become as habitual as brushing your teeth.

To see the other six ways read more

Keep a fitness journal. It allows you to keep track of every aspect of your workouts so you can see your progress, and also forces you to be accountable to the commitment you made to exercise.
Set a goal. Maybe you want to reach a certain weight, fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans, or train for a race. Having a goal you want to reach by a certain amount of time can give you the push you need to exercise regularly.
Be creative. If you do the same workout every day, in the same place, you're bound to get bored. So run or bike a new route, use different weight equipment, take a new fitness class, or follow a brand new exercise DVD. Your body will become stronger and is at less risk for injury when you challenge it with different activities, and it'll also keep your mind stimulated.
Be flexible. If you always work out at noon, but today a surprise meeting came up for work, don't let that ruin your plans. Figure out another time to fit in exercise that day.
Do it with other people. Humans are social creatures and exercising with one or more people not only makes you keep your fitness dates, but it's also more enjoyable.
Reward yourself. The physical and emotional benefits of exercise may not be enough to push you to stick with it, especially when you're just starting out, so try a tangible reward. Once you reach mini goals, such as losing a pound or being able to do 10 push-ups without your knees on the ground, buy yourself a new exercise shirt, a CD of music to work out to, or a chocolate truffle. When you reach bigger goals, get larger rewards such as a massage or pedicure. The rewards should be something you'll really appreciate, but make sure it doesn't undo all the good you've done.

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How to Avoid Gaining Weight While Dating

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Being in a relationship is so exciting, but when you spend so much time together, your healthy lifestyle can fly out the window. You may even adopt some of your partner's unhealthy habits. That can add up to some extra pounds on the scale, so here are some tips to prevent weight gain while dating.

Remember that eating an extra 500 calories a day will make you gain a pound in one week, so be conscious of how much you're eating. Just because your guy has three slices of pizza, that doesn't mean you should too. Guys need more calories, so remember to eat healthy portions, even when dining together.
You don't have to eat just because your partner is. Guys tend to inhale their meal, and then an hour later they're eating again. It can be tempting to join in if food is in front of you, but don't eat unless you're truly hungry.

To hear the rest, read more.

Keep up with your regular exercise schedule. When you're in a relationship, you don't want to sacrifice the things that are important to your own well-being, so make time for your 20 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. Get up early before work or steal away during lunchtime so you don't feel like it's taking away from time spent with your loved one.
Or better yet, exercise together. Meet at the gym after work, play tennis or racquetball, take salsa dance lessons or a kickboxing class, or join a dodgeball team.
Spend more time being active together instead of sitting on the couch. You don't have to be really athletic, but you can tour a museum, take a walk in the park, hike in the woods, or go skiing.
Sign up for a healthy cooking class together so you can both learn new ways to make delicious dishes that are full of nutrients but not full of saturated fat, cholesterol, and empty calories.

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Another Reason to Exercise: Enhance Your Love Life

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:30:00 -0800

As if you needed yet another great reason to get moving, it is well known that exercise can lead to a more satisfying love life. In fact, certain types of exercise are more likely to get you in the mood.

The following exercises have fewer calories and could do more for getting you in the mood than chocolate and a bottle of wine:

Pilates increases blood flow to the pelvic region.
Taking walks together and talking can do wonders for the emotional aspects of a relationship.
Strength training builds and stretches your love-life muscles and boosts confidence.
Belly dancing loosens your hips and pelvis.
Yoga increases flexibility.
Doubles tennis builds teamwork - as long as one of you isn't too competitive.
Salsa, tango, or swing dance lessons offer a reason to hold each other close - and set off at least a few sparks!

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Need Motivation? Challenge Yourself to Something

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:15:00 -0800

In 2008 I've decided that (at some point this year) I am going to be able to run a seven minute mile, like I could in high school - yikes. Challenging myself to new things is one way that keeps things exciting for me because I am always so proud of myself after I've reached my goal. Once I accomplish it, I'll move onto something else. So, if you're having a hard time motivating yourself, then how about challenging yourself physically? Challenge yourself to run a race, learn how to snowboard, or even master salsa dancing. It really doesn't matter what your challenge is, just try to make it something attainable and go for it.

I would love to hear how you are going to challenge yourself. Tell me about it in the comments section below.

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Maria Sharapova is in Shape

FitSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I'm following Maria Sharapova religiously right now for the US Open, so I was thrilled to see her on the cover of Shape.

The debate's still up on whether or not we're loving Maria's bright red tennis dress, but here's what she had to say on dieting and working out:

Banish the word “diet” from your vocabulary: To say Maria enjoys eating is like saying she’s a pretty good tennis player. “Nothing makes me happier than having an amazing meal,” she says. “But I never diet because I need to be strong.” Maria eats three big meals a day, always making sure to have a balance of both carbs and proteins, and she snacks on fresh fruit along with a slice of ham or some other protein. And she never denies herself a sweet if she wants it. “The moment someone says I can’t have something, forget it. I want it even more,” she says. “If I crave a cookie, I eat it.”
Shake up your exercise routine: Playing tennis nearly every day can get boring, so Maria makes it a point to switch up her activities whenever she can. “I bike and do yoga. But my new favorite thing is a salsa dance class called Video-sync,” she says. The program, developed by J. Marcos at Sports Club/LA in Miami, combines dance and fitness with a focus on core work to build strong abs. The classes aren’t highly choreographed, so Maria can let loose without stressing about getting the steps right. “I love it,” she says. “It’s so energetic and fun!”

And does Maria ever give her body an exercise break? To find out, just read more

Know when to give your body a break: “I’m usually go-go-go, but when I hit the wall, that’s it - I’m done,” says Maria. Earlier this year, she injured her shoulder, which forced her to take 10 weeks off from competing. “I try to be smart about it,” she says.

“If my body is tired or injured, I’ll let it rest.” Her favorite ways to de-stress include going to spas (she loves massages) and relaxing on the beach. Shopping also helps her unwind: “I love to shop for clothes and jewelry, especially vintage stuff,” she says.

There is a lot more in the interview, so check out the September 2007 issue of Shape on newsstands now.

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Working on Your Partner to Work Out

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:00:00 -0800

I have been asked repeatedly for ways to motivate husbands, boyfriends, partner, lovers to get interested in fitness. If you're reading FitSugar, chances are high fitness is a priority for you, but here are some tactics to get your significant other to work out.

Join a gym together. Tell them you really want to stay fit, and that you need their support to do it. Most gyms offer a deal if you join with a friend.
They may need a little push to get them to the gym, so ask if they can meet you there after work. Tell them you're doing weight training and you really need a spotter.
If you have a dog work the K9 training angle and tell them that all the dog training books recommend that you walk your dog for at least an hour everyday.
Do something active together that's fun, so it doesn't seem like exercise. Go hiking, play tennis, go swimming in the gym pool, or plan a weekend ski trip. Try to do a fun physical activity together at least once a week.

Want to see the other ideas? Then read more

Surprise them and sign both of you up for a Partner Yoga retreat, salsa dance class, or dodgeball team.
Treat them to a session with a personal trainer.
Convince them to go to a doctor. If they're told that their high blood pressure and extra weight are putting them at risk for a heart attack, it may be just the thing to kick them in the butt and get them moving.
If all else fails, cry. Telling them how much you love them and want to live a long life together is sure to be emotional for both of you. Perhaps a tug on the old heart strings will inspire them to get on the healthy boat. I would use this one as a last resort.

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