FitSugar

Fit Gift Guide: Healthy Toddler

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -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.

Now, if you happen to be looking for a gift for a toddler, I have three suggestions that not only get the toddler moving but also gives her mom a few moments to breathe when the child is occupied. Here are three great ways to help a mommy out by encouraging health and fitness in her child, which we all know can be tough with a stubborn toddler ruling the household.

What a better way to get your toddler moving than the YogaKids 2: ABC by Gaiam. The DVD provides a nice introduction to yoga philosophy. It is a wonderful and physical way to hang out with your kids.
Hullabaloo gets kids thinking fast while bouncing, twisting, spinning, high-fiving, and even dancing. The Hullabaloo DVD Game celebrates animals from all over the world and provides hours and hours of play-along fun.
The Smart Cycle is a stationary bike, a learning center, and an arcade game system - all rolled into one! As your toddler pedals, her favorite character friends guide her through learning discoveries, games, and even exciting races.

Gaiam YogaKids 2: ABC's ($11)

Hullabaloo DVD Superpack ($25)

Smart Cycle ($100)

Source

Exergaming: Fisher Price Smart Cycle

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 13:30:00 -0700

The latest trend in gaming is exergaming, which is a combo of exercise and gaming. Think Dance, Dance Revolution and Wii. Fisher Price saw an opening in the market and went for it.

The Smart Cycle is a stationary bike, a learning center and an arcade game system for kids 3-6 years old. The Smart Cycle plugs into your TV, kids hop on and as they pedal, animated characters guide them through learning discoveries, games and even exciting races. It's not available just yet, so I am not sure how much it will cost, but you know I am loving this idea. It's hard to keep kids away from the video games, so this way they can still have their video games, but get active while playing. Do I think a better option is to get kids outside on actual bikes, well of course, but sometimes that is not always an option, so this is a great backup.

To check it out, visit Fisher Price online. This is a great way to get your kids moving earlier, and maybe you'll even end up with a little Lance Armstrong on your hands. To see more pics of this great toy for the kiddies, read more

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Yoga With Biggest Loser Trainer Bob Harper

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:47:23 -0700

I gaze out past the middle finger of my left hand into the Hollywood Hills as my right quad quivers holding Warrior 2. This is when Bob Harper, trainer from The Biggest Loser, says, "You might be feeling a bit of heat in your thigh right about now." He's teaching a yoga class to a few bloggers and ladies of the press, and we all laugh as our legs burn.

You can hear Bob's charming smile even in his calm instructions leading us from pose to pose. He's a thoughtful teacher, with smart sensitive hands that gently mold you into correct positions. I've had a bit of a TV crush on him for years, and now after meeting him in person, I'm smitten. This yoga class and round table discussion were produced by Go With the Grain, and although carbs did come up (as well as protein, which Bob thinks is overrated), we mostly talked about the show, yoga, and a dash of musical theater. He mentioned the contestant Shay more than a few times; she was clearly on his mind. Having lived through each moment during filming, Bob doesn't watch the show but checks the ratings the following morning. He's also learned to avoid the online community boards: "They're so mean." He addresses the recent criticism about all the screaming on the show and shakes his head in dismay and bemusement about the clip of a tirade used on the Emmys.

Bob said there is so much of the action at the ranch that ends on the cutting room floor because it doesn't make for good TV. Which brings us to yoga. Quiet, slow yoga. He actually does a fair bit with his contestants because it's meditative. "It helps them own their bodies," he explains. Working with people that weigh over 300 pounds, Bob gets creative with props, using benches to help support Shay in Chaturanga. Ten minutes of sun salutations is often part of the exercise homework he gives his team.

To see if Bob and Jillian, his rival trainer on the show, are buddies, just read more.

Bob still teaches a Saturday spin class at a Crunch in LA and has participated in the SF to LA AIDS ride, so I asked him if he rides a road bike much. "I spin four to five days a week and get my cycle time there. Mostly, I like to ride my motorcycle." Who taught him to ride? Jillian. They hang out all the time. Cute.

As a personal trainer, we know Bob is into fitness, but food is a major part of the health picture. Growing up on a cattle farm, with "two coffin freezers full of meat," Bob is not into animal protein and believes in a plant-based diet. He feels too much emphasis has been placed on protein. He really wants people to focus on fruits and veggies, and of course grains. On the show, he tell contestants that life on the ranch is the little picture. It's extreme. Going forward with their lives after The Biggest Loser they're going to need to find balance. Which is what we all need, especially when doing the standing splits to end a series of standing poses he taught in his class.

Obviously, I am big fan of Bob's - are you? How was your last yoga class? Ever taken one with a celebrity yogi? Share the details in my Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

A Week In Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 04:00:00 -0700

In case you missed it, here's what we've been talking about...

Here's Alicia Silverstone in a controversial PETA ad -- What do you think?

Since you're voicing your opinion, do you bring your lunch to work? Also, are there sidewalks in your neighborhood? Which do you like better: Football or baseball?

Here's a great free podcast that helps you workout at home.

Looking for a new way to get your heart rate up? Try this swimming program.

Felicity Huffman does a triathlon before the Emmy Awards. You go girl!

Here's an idea: Cycle your workouts. While you're at it, turn fall activities into mini workouts.

A user is worried about only being able to run a few minutes without stopping, here's my advice for her.

Easy ways to visualize and measure portion sizes.

Beans, beans the musical fruit. Why oh why do they make me toot?

Here's a cool yoga pose called Beginner's Gate. And if you're into yoga, you've got to check out my Vinyasa to Cobra video.

Fall is coming, so check out this great Nike Core Warmer Tee.

Also, you may want to check out these super cute ruffle foldover pants, because they're cool and because Cameron Diaz wears them.

It's still Handwashing Week, so test your handwashing smarts.