FitSugar

5 Ways to Deal with Side Stitches

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:30:00 PDT

You're running full speed ahead and suddenly you get an excruciating pain in your side: the dreaded side stitch. Nothing kills a good workout like getting cramps and luckily there are a few things you can do to keep them at bay. Here are five easy to follow tips:

Try to avoid eating one to two hours before a workout. If you must eat then avoid fatty foods and proteins and stick to carbohydrates.
Hydrate before and during exercise; contrary to popular belief, dehydration can increase muscle cramps.
Focus on your breathing. Take a few deep breaths every once in a while to stretch your diaphragm as well as to ensure that all parts of your body are receiving the amount of oxygen they need to keep going.
Once you first experience cramping slow down your pace until the pain subsides.
Massaging or pressing on the area and bending over can help reduce the pain.

Do you have a no-fail remedy for side stitches? Share them below.

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What Do You Know About Running and Side Stitches?

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:00:53 PST

You got all geared up for a run, and five minutes into it, you get a twanging pain in your abdomen - a side stitch. They're quite common, and chances are high you have been affected by the dreaded side stitch at least once in your life. But do you know what causes them and, more important, how to prevent them? Take this quick quiz and see.

Take the Quiz

DIY: Upholstered Stools

Stylelist Home — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:00:03 PDT

We're happy to present a post from one of our favorite sites, Stylelist Home!

There's nothing a great upholstery job can't improve. Need proof? Then look no further than upholstery bootcamp instructor Shelly Leer's latest project. In less than six hours, spread over a two-day span, the Indianapolis resident transformed two Goodwill finds into a stylish Swiss Army-inspired pair of camp stools - all under $30.
The cost is impressive enough, but we're really excited by how Leer discovered an easy, professional way to create finished edges along the Swiss Army cross cutout. She turned standard applique on its head and used a "reverse" technique that involves cutting the fabulous red burlap top layer to display white fabric underneath. The process may seem a little more tedious than regular applique, but the results look more professional and refined (and it's easier than you think!).

In the end, Leer created unexpected Swiss Army-inspired accents for relatively little. With just foam ($10), two $6 fold-up stools she found at Goodwill two years ago, and sturdy and stylish burlap coverings ($8), she now has two adorable fold-up camp stools. In hindsight, she would've added handles for easier transportation. "I should've stitched handles on the side of them. That would've been fabulously clever," she says. But, handles or not, we think these stools are perfect.

Ready to learn how to do it yourself? Head over to Stylelist Home for the full DIY.

Rachel Bilson, Miley Cyrus, and More Embrace Floral Appliqué in Sexy Red-Carpet Style

Marisa Tom — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:00:00 PDT

Forget statement clutches and jawdropping jewels - the latest batch of red-carpet embellishments come by way of super intricate floral appliqué detailing. Gone (for now) are the days of patchwork and snazzy stitching, we think these gorgeous add-ons add an unexpected element of formal dressing elegance. To prove our point, we've seen Elizabeth Banks rock several versions of the trend, with a little help from Atelier Versace and Marc Jacobs; we've spotted Rachel Bilson don a pretty Chanel frock complete with metallic appliqué hem; and we've lusted after Lea Michele's sultry appliqué Marchesa bodice. It's a one-part strategic styling, one-part girlie girl chic, and we're all for the resurgence of this overtly applied technique. Click through to find out which other celebs are getting in touch with their appliqué sides - and shop your favorites!

How to Keep Your Run Pain-Free

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:54:30 PST

Sometimes, you start your run with the best intentions, only to be thwarted by recurring cramps and a headache that zaps all your energy. If you've experienced these nagging annoyances when you run, here are some tips for preventing pain and coping with it when it happens during your workout.

Headache: Often, a pounding headache that comes on during a run is due to inadequate water intake. Your body loses a lot of fluids while you're sweating it out on the treadmill, so before you even begin, make sure that you've had enough water throughout the day. During your run, sip water slowly, about five to 12 ounces every 20 minutes (or sip a sports drink with electrolytes if you are running for more than an hour), but don't drink so much that you feel all of it sloshing around in your stomach - that can lead to cramps or nausea.

More tips for pain-free running after the break.

10 Things You Do to Save Money That End Up Costing You More

Wise Bread — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:15:37 PST

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

Have you heard of the expression “penny wise, pound foolish”? It’s something I heard a lot growing up, from my parents, and it can have multiple meanings:

You are very careful with small amounts of money, but throw caution to the wind with large amounts. This is akin to someone who eats from the dollar menu every day but then blows a hundred dollars every month on a gym membership that’s never used.
You do things to save money now, only to have those savings cost you more farther down the road.

The second definition is what I’m focusing on today, because it’s a lot easier to fall into the trap of saving money only to have it bite you later on. Here then are 10 things that you may be doing to save money that could actually cost you a lot more in the weeks, months, or years to come.

RELATED: The Case For Expensive Shoes

1. Avoiding Regular Checkups With the Doctor, Dentist, or Optician

It’s something I did in college when money was tight. “Aah, who needs to pay money to a dentist to have him tell me I should floss more?” Well, after leaving the dentist alone for a few years, I paid the price. Avoiding the regular cleanings and checkups left me facing a hefty bill later on when I needed a bunch of costly fillings. I was lucky that I didn’t need root canals or replacement teeth. Now I have a dental plan that covers free checkups twice a year, but even if you don’t, get to the dentist and doctor for health checks. It’s a lot better to pay a co-pay now than pay for major surgery later on. And worse still, it could even cost you your life, especially as so many conditions can be treated if they’re caught early enough.

Read on for more.

How to Prevent a Bad Running Day

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:56:02 PST

Some days I slip on my sports bra and sneaks and I feel so light and strong - like I could keep going and going. Other days it seems like my legs are trudging through mud. What gives? We can't prevent bad running days entirely, but here are a few things you can do in order to have more good days than bad.

Get enough sleep the night before. Hit the hay early enough so you get seven to nine hours of shut-eye.
Make sure you're hydrated. Not drinking the appropriate amount of water before and during your workout can lead to dizziness, headaches, decreased energy and performance, dry mouth, and cramps. A few hours before running, drink about 15 to 20 ounces. Drink another eight to 10 ounces 10 to 15 minutes before heading out.
Eat before your run. Remember that food is fuel. If you're not working out for five or so hours, enjoy a meal that contains protein, fat, and carbs. Several hours before a run, eat a meal that's under 500 calories. Thirty to 90 minutes before you head out, enjoy a carb-loaded low-fat snack. If you're working out first thing in the a.m., fuel up with easily digestible carbs that are low in fiber. Getting too much fiber can cause major cramps during your run.
Hit the ladies room. There's no need to carry unnecessary weight with you, so if you can relieve yourself before your run, you'll feel much lighter and will be less likely to experience belly aches.

See more tips after the break!

Mistakes Runners Make on Race Day

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:38:43 PDT

Whether you're signed up for your town's Turkey Trot 5K or a much longer distance (like this weekend's NYC Marathon!), you don't want to do anything on the big day that might cause discomfort while running - or worse, an injury. To ensure your best race, here are mistakes to avoid on race day.

Wearing Something New
Train in your race-day outfit during the weeks leading up to the race. I'm talking everything from your undies to your sports bra and your wicking socks to your hat. You want to make sure that what you're wearing is comfortable, breathable, and won't cause any irritation. Be sure to practice longer training runs in this outfit; sneakers that feel great after three miles might cause painful blisters by mile 12.

Eating Too Much or Not Enough
Your nerves might have your stomach in knots, but don't skip out on your prerace fuel. A few hours before the race, eat a meal of familiar foods that are easily digestible. Avoid a meal that is laden in fat and sugar - it won't give you sustained energy and may also cause stomach cramps. Like your outfit, food is something you can play around with during training. Find a meal that works for you by testing it out before going on a big training run. Hydration is key too. Drink 14 to 20 ounces of fluid two to three hours before you run rather than chugging an entire Nalgene 10 minutes before. Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the race, too.

Continue reading for more tips on what not to do on race day.

How to Treat and Prevent Cramps While You Exercise

Leta Shy — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:24:47 PDT

Cramps throughout the body can, at their least painful, distract you from your workout and at their worst can keep you from finishing a workout. While they are normally associated with vigorous exercise, they are common in every type of exercise because you may be twisting your body or otherwise overexerting yourself. I recently learned that the hard way, after spending a lot more time than I should have in Child's Pose during yoga class when my toes wouldn't stop cramping! Whether they happen in your feet or on your side, here are some tips on how to prevent and deal with those annoying cramps.

Side stitch
Cause: Many experts believe that side cramps are caused by the pulling of the ligament that attaches your liver to your diaphragm. This can happen when you breath too vigorously while you run. Runners who exhale when their right foot hits the ground, for example, are more likely to experience muscle cramps than those who don't. Experts also believe that shallow breathing can lead to a higher frequency of side cramps.
Prevention: Warming up is key to preventing these painful cramps, so start with walking or slow jogging before you start any intensive cardio. Also, try not to run while full since that may also pull the ligament that is attached to your diaphragm. If you get a stitch on your side, a side stretch using an exercise ball may give you enough support and stretch to the area to make you feel better.

Toe or foot cramps
Cause: Foot cramps may be caused from too-constricting shoes, depletion of nutrients like electrolytes or water in your body, or just the position that you're putting your toes into while you exercise.
Prevention. Massaging the bottoms of your feet every few days by rolling them on top of a tennis ball will help keep your muscles and ligaments stretched. Also, remember to drink plenty of fluids regularly. If you get a cramp while exercising, stopping and massaging your feet or moving into a position that stretches them (like Downward Dog) can help alleviate pain.