FitSugar

Hop On and vRide Through San Francisco

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:30:00 -0800

Sometimes when I am using the stationary bike at the gym, I get extremely bored. I often like to join a cycling class where the instruction guides me through the ride, because it makes the whole experience far less boring, but the class schedule does not always fit into my schedule.

Accelerade, the sports drink phenom, has created vRide, a virtual 18-mile bike ride through San Francisco (w00t, w00t), up and down the hills and through the winding streets. I am particularly partial to this podcast because I live in the area, but it's great for anyone who likes to visualize more than just the gym walls when cycling at the gym. As you climb the hills, you can add resistance and as you glide down them, you can reduce the resistance. The whole ride is a little over an hour and a half and a great guided cycling podcast. I highly recommend anyone who typically enjoys cycling (or spinning) to check it out. Download the free podcast here.

Fee on Soft Drinks: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 03:30:00 -0800

One of the healthiest cities for women, San Francisco, is looking to take healthy to a whole new level.

Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco, has proposed charging big stores a fee when they sell any soft drinks with high-fructose corn syrup. The fee is still to be determined however, if the bill were approved, money generated from the fee would go toward a city program that emphasizes exercise, diet and other preventative health measures. So what do you think . . .

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San Francisco Yoga Journal Conference

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:45:00 -0700

Attention newbie and experienced yogis! It's time to register for the 2008 San Francisco Yoga Journal Conference. It's January 18-21 so mark your calendars. If you register by November 16, you'll get the early bird discount price.

You can sign up to do all four days, or you can pick which days you want to do. I love that you can do all-day intensives on Friday and Monday, and shorter workshops on the weekend. Sessions are led by well-known Yogis including Baron Baptiste, Ana Forrest, Sharon Gannon and David Life (founders of Jivamukti Yoga), Tias Little, Dharma Mittra, Shiva Rea, Rod Stryker, Seane Corn, and Rodney Yee. I don't know about you, but my moola bandha is excited just thinking about this conference.

Click here to get more details on the San Francisco Yoga Journal Conference, and to see a brochure (which includes all the prices). The full price for all four days is $750 (if you sign up before Nov 16). If you're only interested in attending classes Friday through Sunday, the cost is $425. If participating just for the weekend is more your speed, the cost will only be $279. Once you have decided, you can register here.

Fit's Tips: Yoga conferences aren't just for people who have been practicing yoga for many years. If you're new to yoga, conferences are a great way to try out many different styles of yoga to see which one you like better. Plus after a long weekend of Yoga, you're bound to feel relaxed and replenished.

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Acro Yoga: Do it With a Friend

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I haven't been this excited about something in a long time. Acro Yoga blends the spiritual wisdom of Yoga, the loving kindness of Thai massage, and the energy and bliss of acrobatics. I can tell you, it's the most fun you can have with another person without the risk of getting pregnant.

Acro Yoga is based on those three ancient practices, and form the foundation of a new practice that cultivates trust, connection, and playfulness. The aim is to bring people into a state of union with themselves, with others, and with the divine.

They are based in San Francisco, and offer ongoing classes in the Bay Area. Fortunately, they also travel internationally to share this practice. Check out their website for a complete schedule of classes and retreats.

This is an amazing video from the 2007 San Francisco Yoga Journal Conference. There are some incredible tricks by regular folks who practice Acro Yoga. It starts off slow, but once it gets going, the creativity will completely floor you.

Want to see another incredible video and some pictures, then read more

(This one freezes in the beginning, so you may have to click to fast forward through the glitch.)

View 7 Photos ›

"ACT"ivism: AIDS Walk

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

If you're interested in walking to benefit AIDS and HIV programs and organizations, why not sign up for the AIDS walk nearest you?

You can register online on each city's website:

Ft. Lauderdale: April 27, 2007 (better sign up for this one soon since it's coming up)

New York: May 20, 2007 (this one is right around the corner too)

San Francisco: July 15, 2007

Los Angeles: October 15, 2007

The walk is 10 km (6.2 miles), and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. You can become a walker and raise money, but if you don't want to actually walk, you can also sponsor a walker, volunteer to help out with the walk, or donate money.

It's a great way to get a lot of people together to bring awareness towards this horrible epidemic, and to raise money to help the people living with it. Plus, it's also great exercise.

Fits Tips: Get a bunch of your friends and/or co-workers together and make a team. You can motivate each other and have a little competition amongst yourselves to see who can raise the most money. There is no minimum amount of money you are required to raise, but if you set a fundraising goal, you can encourage one another to meet it together.

Fun Run in the Bay City: Presidio 10

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:00:00 -0800

I keep encouraging you all who are interested in competitive running to get started with a 5K but you also may want to try a fun run.

The Presidio 10 is a great fun run in the Bay Area that benefits The Guardsmen and The Ashyln Dyer Foundation. This family oriented run will take place on April 1, 2007 in the Presidio of San Francisco. You can choose to either run a 10 mile course or a 10 kilometer (6.2 miles) course. Both of the courses are incredibly scenic and will start and finish at Crissy Field and go over and back on the Golden Gate Bridge. Like any competitive race there will be aid stations, awards for age divisions and even a band providing entertainment at the finish line.

This is a great way to get your feet wet with running courses. I encourage you to run as much as you possibly can and when you get tired, there is no shame in walking. This race is the perfect way to test your limits and start preparing for the racing year -- Who knows, maybe you'll run the 6.2 miles without stopping! For more information and to register, visit the Presidio 10 site.

2007 San Francisco Yoga Conference

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:30:00 -0800

Yoga Journal is hosting the 4th annual San Francisco Yoga Conference, January 18-21, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency.

Here's a taste of some of the workshops and classes being offered:

Karma Flow: Seane Corn

Transformation of Body, Transformation of Mind: David Life (co-founder of Jivamukti)

Riding the Vinyasa Wave: Shiva Rea

For all 4 days, the price is $900.(Wow. That's a lot of dough.) If you are just interested in taking a couple of classes, check out the website for more info on pricing.

If you've never gone to a conference before,(and you have money to spend) this one is totally worth checking out because you'll get to work with some really amazing and well-known yoga instructors. Register online now or by phone (800-561-9398) to save your spot.

Now Is the Time to Get Ready For the Slopes

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:41 -0800

Even though we're in the middle of Fall and I've yet to see any real signs of snow, experts say now is the time to get your butt in gear for Winter sports. Days on the slopes can be long and require a good amount of endurance, especially if you're the type who likes to visit the mountains for an extended weekend or even longer.

Veteran Winter Olympic athletes like ski racer Daron Rahlves and snowboarder Elena Hight recommend doing specific training for Winter sports six to eight weeks before the season starts. They say the key to lasting all day, weekend, or week on the slopes is to work on flexibility, strength, and cardio. A good mix of this will ensure you can snowboard from sunup to sundown. Being in tip-top shape will also help cut down on injuries.

An article in the San Francisco Chronicle asked a group of Winter Olympians and trainers their advice on getting in shape for Winter sports. Here's some of their advice.

Stretch for 15-20 minutes every day or do 10 minutes of sun salutations. Skiers should focus on their lower bodies, while snowboarders should focus on their upper and lower areas.
Two to three times a week, focus on strength training with emphasis on your quads, hamstrings, and core muscles. Keeping your legs and core strong helps with balance and endurance, and helps cut down on ACL injuries. If you can, use kettlebells and also make sure to do tons of squats, leg curls, and lunges.
Do some sort of aerobic activity for at least 15 minutes every day, keeping your heart rate elevated the entire time.

Sounds doable to me. Who's hungry for powder?

Healthy Penises on the Streets of San Francisco

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 02:21:12 -0800

It is being reported that a recent advertising campaign done by San Francisco's Department of Health featuring cartoon characters shaped like male genitalia has actually encouraged more men to go get tested for syphilis. Since the campaign got started, infection rates have declined in San Francisco.

The campaigns ran on billboards and bus shelters and its recent success has inspired Seattle, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Palm Springs to use similar ads.

To see more of the actual campaign ads, read more

View 12 Photos ›

To learn more about the campaign, visit HealthyPenis.org.

Powderwh*re "Flakes" Gets You Psyched For Snow

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:30:06 -0700

I know it is still the middle of Fall, but here's a video that will make you wish it were Winter. Powderwh*re brings you their latest backcountry skiing video appropriately titled Flakes. Last Winter the production company filmed some of the best telemark skiers in the world, with the goal to "capture the joy and freedom that is powder skiing." There are no ski lifts, crowds of people, or impeccably groomed trails here, folks. These hardcore skiers hike up untouched powder-filled mountains, and then ski down the steepest, fluffiest, most gorgeous terrain you could imagine. This movie is touring the country right now, so here's a sneak peek to get you drooling with amazement.

If you're interested in seeing Flakes, grab your fellow ski bums and check out the tour dates. For my fellow Bay Area dwellers, it's playing in San Francisco this Friday!

Still aching for more? The Freeheel Life is another skiing movie touring the country. To check out that movie trailer read more.

Are you looking forward to hitting the slopes? I know I sure am.