FitSugar

Fit Gift Guide: Camper

FitSugar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

The gift-giving holidays are just around the corner and to spare you some of the last-minute shopping stress the Sugar sites are creating ever-helpful gift guides.

Here are some essentials for the camper in your life. Great gear is so important when out in the woods in order to stay safe and comfortable, and these gift ideas are sure to be loved by anyone who loves the outdoors.

Petzl Tikka Plus LED Headlamp: This super-strong flashlight is worn on your head, so you can see in the dark and have both hands free. Use it when walking, cooking, going to the bathroom, or looking for firewood.

Marmot Angel Fire +15 Sleeping Bag: This goose down sleeping bag is designed to fit a woman's body. It's wider at the hips and narrower at the shoulders, and has a hood so you'll stay cozy warm even in frigid weather. I love the heater pocket near the feet that can hold heat packets so your tootsies won't freeze. This sleeping bag is great for temperatures 15°F or higher.

REI Mountain 3 Tent: This tent can sleep three people, but would be really comfy for two campers (it's big enough to hold a full-size blowout mattress). The tent is simple to set up with only five poles, and has two doors so you can get in and out easily. It can be used through all four seasons, is waterproof, leak proof, and weighs under 10 lbs. when packed up.

Petzl Tikka Plus LED Headlamp ($34.95)

Marmot Angel Fire +15 Sleeping Bag ($199)

REI Mountain 3 Tent ($349)

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How to Pack For a Camping Trip

FitSugar — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 03:00:00 -0700

If you haven't had the chance to get away for a weekend of camping, now is your chance. Most campgrounds require that you call ahead to reserve a campsite, so make your reservations now. Ask friends where they've camped to get recommendations. I love to get sites that are right on the water, so when you wake up in the morning you can take a quick dip.

Planning ahead for your trip will ensure that you don't forget anything. Make a list and be sure to get all your gear ahead of time. Pack for all kinds of weather, not just the weather you're hoping for. Also remember that you're in the woods, which means it may be a bit colder and much buggier, so don't forget the jeans, sweatshirt and bug spray. Also, don't forget the ingredients to make S'mores!

Here's what I like to pack:

Get in Gear: REI Lightweight Sleeping Bag

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I have a lot of wonderful memories of camping with my family as a kid. There was nothing like the feeling of snuggling into your sleeping bag inside your tent after a night of roasting marshmallows by the campfire. Back then I had this huge, thick sleeping bag made out of flannel and a whole lot of stuffing - it was like a comforter with a zipper.

Camping gear has come a long way since then, and that huge, puffball sleeping bag just wouldn't cut it on a backpacking trip. Check out the REI Kilo Flash +35 Sleeping Bag. It only weighs 1 lb 4 oz, and it's less than 1 foot long once it's rolled up and snug in its stuff sack. It's made of goose down, so it'll keep you warm in up to 35°F weather - perfect for those chilly summer nights in the mountains.

This sleeping bag is designed for women. It has a narrower cut at the shoulders, and extra insulation in the footbox and torso areas where it's needed most. Plus it has a hood at the top with adjustable draw cords so you can tighten it to your face and keep the cold out. It's like one big tube of cozy warmth.

Want to know why this sleeping bag is my favorite? Then read more

Another cool feature (and why I love this sleeping bag so much) are the sleeping pad loops underneath. They allow you to keep your sleeping pad attached to the sleeping bag so it shifts and moves when you do. Nothing's worse than waking up on the cold rocky ground next to your sleeping pad.

You can order it from REI.com for $179. Not a bad deal for a lightweight sleeping bag with such great features.

Fit's Tips: This sleeping bag will fit a woman who is 5 ft 6 in tall or shorter. If you are taller, you'll want to order this sleeping bag in the LONG version.

Backpacking: The Essentials

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:15:00 -0700

If you love to camp, you'll love backpacking. Basically instead of packing all your stuff in your car and driving to your campsite, and enjoying nature with people all around you, you pack all your gear into a backpack and hike to a remote and way more private location. No neighboring campers playing acoustic versions of their favorite Metallica tunes until the wee hours of the morning.

I would start off slowly and just do an overnight trip. There is a lot less food and water to pack if you are only going for an overnight. I tell you though, chances are high you are going to love it and start planning longer and longer trips. Serious backpackers go for weeks at a time.

Before heading out, it's a good idea to get a book on the basics of backpacking like Backpacking: One Step at a Time ($18.05). It'll give you life-saving tips on how to enjoy yourself in the wilderness, and how to have the least impact on the environment.

Having good gear is essential and you'll need lightweight hiking boots (sneakers are not sturdy enough when you're carrying extra weight on your back), and a good sized backpack. Since you're carrying all your stuff, you want to carry only what you NEED, and you want to get lightweight versions of everything. You'll need a lightweight tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. You'll also need enough food for your trip as well as layers of clothes - warm stuff because it can get cold at night.

Want to see what I pack? Then read more

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Get Physical: Winter Camping

FitSugar — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 07:17:03 -0800

If you love the outdoors and have someone who loves it equally as much, why not plan an overnight excursion? I know it's February, and it's cold out, but winter camping is a huge sport. What's so great about it? No bugs!

If you plan ahead and pack the right gear, you'll beat the cold and have a ton of fun. Here's what you'll need:

Waterproof Tent and a tarp to lay underneath it
Warm mummy style sleeping bags for each of you, preferably made of down like this one from The North Face
Always use a sleeping pad under your sleeping bag so you're not resting on the cold earth
Warm clothing - pack wool base layers to help keep you warm, extra pairs of wool socks, a warm hat and mittens, a waterproof coat and pants, and waterproof boots.
Enough water for the both of you. Keep your water bottles from freezing by placing them in a wool sock or insulated bottle cover.

Want to see what else you need? Then read more

A camera to hold onto the memories
Cell phones just in case
A pocket knife
Plenty of snacks and food to cook. Remember to bring pots, plates, can opener, and utensils - everything you'll need in order to eat. Canned foods or one pot meals work best. My favorite camping meal is macaroni and cheese.
Waterproof matches or a lighter and plenty of firewood to start a campfire. (You may as well pack some marshmallows to toast as well)
Bring snowshoes or cross-country skis to use during the day
If you're hiking to your camp site, pack all your stuff in a comfortable back pack or pull it along in a sled.

Fit's Tips: Very important: Make sure you plan your trip and tell family and friends exactly when and where you're going. It's a scary reality that something could happen, so this way, people will know where to look for you.

Selk'Bag: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Bringing a whole new meaning to the term "body bag," the Selk'Bag is a sleepwear system. Yep, it is a sleeping bag/jumpsuit that makes camping, or just lounging on your couch with your heat off, more comfortable. Haven't you always wanted to be more mobile when stuffed in your sack? Making morning coffee by the campfire or before the heat in your apartment kicks in can now be super cozy.

Available in the UK and online, the pajama sleeping bag, as I like to call it, comes with different temperature ratings, like all good sleeping bags do. The one pictured, which is also available in white (in case you really want to look like Frosty the snowman), red, and brown, is rated as comfortable to about 50º F (9.7º Celsius) and costs around $170 (not including shipping from the UK).

While I think the idea of these bags are cool, I don't think I would ever actually buy one. What do you think?

Prep For Your Workout the Night Before

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:00:12 -0700

Once the girls are asleep, one thing on my to-do list before going to sleep is to get ready for the next day's workout. It's such a relief to avoid the stress of running around trying to find my favorite sports bra in the morning, and once it's all planned out the night before, it's more likely to happen. Here are some things you can do the night before to get ready for your workouts.

Do laundry to wash stinky gym clothes, towels, etc.
Lay your exercise clothes out or pack your gym bag, complete with sneakers, sports bra, and dry outfit to change into.
Pop a video in the DVD player, and get your mat, weights, or other equipment ready.
Make your pre and post-workout snacks.
Charge your iPod and other fitness gadgets.
Fill your water bottle and stick it in the fridge.
Iron out details with workout buddies or personal trainer, including time and place you're meeting.

FitSugar Total Body Yoga Flow Sequence

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:48:19 -0700

Practicing yoga makes your muscles lean, limber, and strong, but that's not the only benefit. You're bound to feel calmer, have more energy, sleep better, and reduce your stress if you practice regularly. We don't always have time to make it to the studio for a class, so here's a fluid sequence you can try on your own. These nine poses will tone and strengthen every part of your body, so hop on your mat and keep reading. If you love this sequence, print out a copy to keep in your gym bag.

View Slideshow ›

Got Achy Feet? Try This

FitSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Everyone has suffered from sore or painful feet. Whether you've been standing all day working, or you're feeling it after a long run, here are some ways to get relief.

Soak your feet. Fill a big bucket with hot water, sit in your favorite chair, relax with a good book, and let the heat ease your pain.
Massage. Rub your feet, shins, and calves with moisturizing lotion. This will bring nourishing blood to the achy area, which helps ease pain. Or place a tennis ball under the arch of your foot. Move your foot up and down as you apply gentle downward pressure. As the ball rolls, it'll massage your feet for you.
Use arnica. It's a homeopathic remedy that can greatly reduce pain and inflammation. It comes in a topical cream, so rub it on your feet to relieve soreness and discomfort.
Stretch your feet. Do this foot stretch to stretch the soles of your feet, and do Kneeling Shin Stretch or Sleeping Hero to stretch the tops.
Ice and elevate them. If your feet are swollen or in pain, place a bag of ice or cold pack in a big sock and then slip the sock on. Ice for no more than 20 minutes.

If you have any other remedies for sore or achy feet, please share them below.

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5 More Reasons to Exercise

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Yesterday I gave you five reasons to exercise. Aside from boosting brain power, melting away stress, and enhancing your love life, here are five more reasons to make exercise a daily habit.

Regular exercise reduces your risk of health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, breast cancer, hypertension, and high cholesterol. It also boosts your immune system, so making time for your morning jog can help prevent getting sick.
Exercise strengthens your heart, which is the most important muscle in your body.
Working out allows you to eat more and indulge. If you burn 300 calories at the gym, you'll feel better about splurging on some ice cream after dinner. Also, one pound of muscle burns 50 calories a day, as compared to one pound of fat which burns only two calories.

To see the last two reasons read more.

Exercise helps you sleep. Moderate cardio exercise has a calming affect on anxiety and improves sleep quality, both in the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and total sleep time.
Exercise boosts your overall performance. Being fit and strong will help you with everyday activities like running to catch a bus, carrying heavy bags of groceries, and bending down to tie your shoes. It will also make fun, active things easier like playing beach volleyball with friends or going for a hike.

There really are a lot of reasons to work out out, so tell me, what's your number one reason?

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