FitSugar

Are You a Fan of Prepackaged Diet Plans?

Leta Shy — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:49:18 PDT

Consumer Reports recently came out with its latest diet ratings, and Jenny Craig is on top. The diet program took top billing in part because most people on it stay on it for a while; a recent study found that 92 percent of dieters on the plan stayed on it for two years.

Three of the top four, actually, also featured branded prepackaged meals. Rated just behind Jenny Craig was Slim Fast, which offers branded meal replacement bars and shakes to help you lose weight. The Zone's delivered meals also were rated highly, coming in fourth. And while third-place Weight Watchers doesn't require product-endorsed meals as part of the diet, it does sell optional frozen meals and includes meetings or online counseling for support.

The diets that came in last, however, were the low-carb Atkins program and Ornish, the diet that emphasizes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while limiting animal products. While there are support plans available for both diets, the main tenets of both can just be followed by buying a book.

Finding a diet that works for you can no doubt be a challenge; some people may love the convenience of knowing what and how much to eat, others may scoff at eating processed or frozen foods. Are you a fan of prepackaged diet programs like Jenny Craig and Slim Fast? What do you like about them?

Slim Fast Wedding Cake Topper Ads: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 03:47:21 PDT

Losing weight before a wedding is a big deal for a lot of brides. And judging from these ads, it's something that Slim Fast knows well. With a tagline that reads,"Need to lose a little weight before your wedding?" the three different ads show a cake topper where the bride is in an uncompromising position. In one she's gotten so heavy she's fallen through the cake, and in another we see that she's ripped the backside of her dress. While none of these situations are funny IRL, something about using cake toppers gives it a bit of humor. What do you think . . .

View 2 Photos ›

New brides, pay attention! We'll be bringing you tips on how to prepare your body for the big day, but we want to hear what you've been doing to stay in shape too. Head over to the FitSugar Community and post your wedding workout tips, or, if you're already hitched, how did you get healthy for your big day?

Fab Body Guide: Get Slim and Stylish

FabSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:00:22 PST

You may have already seen the Slim Fast commercials and print ads with Rachel Hunter and wondered what the heck she's doing endorsing a diet. The company has joined with the blonde model to motivate women to get in shape and in style.

When you sign up (for free) to Style Your Slim, you start your road to weight loss and are granted a fashionable detour with the fashion rewards program. Basically, you're eligible for an American Express card for up to $40, and a monthly fashion rewards newsletter with fashion tips, product news, and special offers. The best part is you automatically get entered into a drawing for a chance to win $1,000 toward a new wardrobe. If that's not enough motivation to slim down, then I don't know what is! As with anything, please be sure to check rules and regulations.

Rachel Hunter Partners with Slim-Fast

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:45:00 PDT

Rachel Hunter does not strike me as someone who needs to lose weight. From doing activities likehiking, biking and Pilates, she seems to be pretty on top of her health. Apparently Slim-Fast had another idea in mind when they contact her to be their newest spokes model last March.

People got the scoop from Rachel on her new gig:

"I thought, 'Wow, what's wrong with me?'" says the model, 36, with a laugh. "'Do I look fat?'" Hardly. At 5'10" and 147 lbs. (about 10 lbs. more than her peak modeling size), Hunter is most people's idea of an after picture. She felt better when the rep said they weren't looking for a Kirstie Alley-type loss, but someone for a campaign aimed at women who want to drop 5 to 20 lbs. Hunter, it turns out, is one of them. "There's no target weight, but I'll know when I get there," she says. "I want to feel sexy and hot!"

Despite appearances, Slim-Fast sees in Hunter a regular gal who "can inspire. She's not a size 2, nor does she aspire to be," says brand director Virginia BlakeWest.

"As I've gotten older, I can't eat as much as I used to," says Hunter. But while she'll slurp the 190-calorie shakes for breakfast and lunch, she'll still cook favorites like pasta and steak for kids Liam, 12, and Renee, 15. (Their dad is her ex-husband, Rod Stewart.) "The diet is not something I want to involve my daughter in – there are already too many stresses on teens. We sit down and eat dinner together."

Source

ESPN Broadcaster Jenn Brown's Wedding Workout and Dress Fitting Diet Tips

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:22:30 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

As the reporter of ESPN's College GameDay for football and basketball Jenn Brown travels almost 70 percent of the year. That might sound like a dream job, but when your dream wedding is coming up, all those late night drive-thru dinners and wonky work hours can take a toll on your shape! We caught up with Brown just days before her wedding, where she gave us her secrets to how she stayed slim on the road and prepped for her big day.

What have you been doing differently to get ready for your wedding?

I took a different approach to working out than I usually do. I am typically a cardio junkie; I’m always running on the treadmill and follow it with 45 minutes of lifting. For my wedding, I really wanted to focus on looking lean and toned. I had just come off of covering football, where I gained my usual footfall five [pounds] from eating on the road in all these towns with delicious food, so I had three months to get into shape. I started doing Pilates three to four times a week. It was weird to me that you could go and work out for an hour and not be dripping in sweat, but I’ve seen an amazing transformation because of it.

Learn how Jenn stays fit on the road after the break.

Foodie Friday Link Time: No-Fast Weekend Detox

Susi May — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:09:56 PDT

Eat your way clean with this weekend detox. No fasting required - Vegetarian Times
A dozen recipes for healthier muffins. Get baking! - Fitness
Oranges are great, but these foods are even higher in vitamin C - HuffPost Healthy Living
In praise of the dinner table: families that eat together stay slim together - LearnVest
Going out for dinner? What not to order when dining out - Prevention
Cool down with a coconut water strawberry slushie - Healthy Happy Life
Is there really a connection between eating red meat and cancer - Daily Spark

Emma Stone's Amazing Ab Workout

Self — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 04:13:44 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

She played a frumpy reporter in The Help, but in real life, Emma Stone is the epitome of young Hollywood glamour. The 24-year-old made the transition from child actor to leading lady look effortless, but Stone puts plenty of hard work into every project she tackles, including her Pilates workout. "There's not much to chisel away at on her body, but she enjoys the feeling of flexibility and well-being," says LA-based Pilates instructor Mari Winsor, who has worked with Stone for the past year. "Whenever she's in town, she tries to come in every day."

During their hour-long sessions, the actress likes to focus her energy on firming her thighs and glutes and especially her core. "She was excited about the little lines that were created in her abs," says Winsor. "Pilates is great for creating long, sexy muscles, and we all want to feel sexy!"

Incorporate these three moves into your regular routine to get sculpted abs like Emma Stone. (Note: Oscar nomination not included!)

Get the moves after the break.

11 Ways to Print Instagram Photos

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:09:01 PDT

Instagram is the easy way of creating dreamy iPhone photos in a flash. The filters work their magic so well that nearly every picture comes out looking like a keepsake. Making those memories permanent can be just as easy with these tools for turning Instagram photos into a lasting work of art.

PostalPix - Use this iPhone app to print four-inch squares from your Instagram library for only 30 cents each. Fast shipping, matte finish, professional quality resolution, and the convenience of mobile shopping make this our first stop for Instagram prints. They even sell just-right square 4-inch wooden frames.
CanvasPop - Those filtered photos are worthy of an at-home gallery. Create a high-resolution 12-inch square or 20-inch square stretched canvas print for the temporary price of $30 and $60, respectively. Buy multiple canvases for an artful wall vignette.
Printstagram - The company offers multiple ways to print Instagram photos, but the 20-by-40-inch posters will make the most stunning addition to a living room wall. Between 50-400 photos are arranged in a clean grid on thick, archival paper for $25.
Blurb - Haven't looked at a photo album in a while? Blurb brings back what now seems like an antiquated way of sharing photos with a modern, Instagram twist. Softcover books with 20 pages of Instagram photos runs $11 and a hardcover is $22. Christmas present, perhaps?
Postagram - A fun way to show people you're thinking of them, Postagram mails a postcard with popout Instagram photo and message to friends for 99 cents each. A thoughtful alternative to a birthday e-card!

Three more ways to print Instagram beauties after the break.

5 Tips to Feel Slimmer by Tomorrow

Laura Marie Given — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:19:29 PDT

Sometimes - especially during bikini season - plans come up at the last minute, and you wish you could feel thinner in a snap. While there aren't any instant fixes, there are definitely a few ways to feel leaner fast. If you're hoping to get slim quickly, follow these five steps to feel better by tomorrow:

Skip the salt: Avoid that puffy, bloated feeling by steering clear of the saltshaker. Feel like you're retaining water? Try these tips to cut down on salt and choose seasonal Spring foods that naturally detox. That swollen sensation will be gone in no time.
Catch plenty of z's: If you're tired and dragging, you won't have the drive to exercise. Sleep deprivation also stimulates the appetite - ever noticed that you eat more when you're worn out? Avoid an unnecessary binge and stay energized by crawling into bed a bit earlier and getting a good night's rest. To help you have a restful night, check out these tips for getting quality sleep.
Get moving: A good sweat session can definitely help your body detox, but on top of the physical benefits, there's the immediate post-workout confidence boost. Whether it's a quick walk or long jog, fitting in some exercise is a surefire way to feel leaner.
Sip some H2O: Water does wonders to beat belly bloat, so swap out sodas and sports drinks for a tall glass of H20. Looking for some extra flavor? Toss in some sliced fruit or fresh mint to give your slim-down drink better taste without too many calories.
Cook at home: When you dine out, it's tough to know exactly what's on your plate - not to mention the heaping portion sizes. Do your body a favor by stepping into your kitchen for a home-cooked meal. That way, you're sure of which ingredients are used, and it's easier to stick to smaller portions.

Joey Maalouf: The Easiest Way to Get Trendy, Matte Waves

Jaime Richards — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:03:25 PDT

Ultrashiny flat-ironed hair looks luxuriously chic and expensive (and is easier to achieve than you might expect). But on the flip side, shiny, wavy hair can sometimes fall a little flat. "I love a matte wave," says celebrity stylist and beauty adviser for Slim Fast's Studio Wow! campaign, Joey Maalouf. "I feel like a shiny wave just looks like you have greasy, undone hair, but a matte wave looks like sexy volume." Your hair mantra? "I just got out of bed and am the sexiest person alive."

We've seen the matte, wavy hair trend all over red carpets as of late. And of course, Joey's friend and muse, Rachel Zoe, practically revived the après-beach look. The key to getting strands that are more fantastic than frazzled, however, is the timing of product application. "For a wave, I tend to like a dry pomade, and I put in most of my products after I use any heat on the hair," says Joey. And for a no-heat method for getting sexy waves, try a nighttime braid. "Do it the night before and sleep on it; when you wake up, your braid will be perfectly messy."