FitSugar

Hannah Teter Goes Off the Grid

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:00:06 PST

One thing that may have catapulted snowboarder Hannah Teter onto the Olympic podium for the second time in her career is her diet. Hannah - who scored a silver in the women's halfpipe - tells People that she credits turning vegetarian for making her a better athlete: "I started that [a vegetarian diet] last year and feel stronger mentally and physically, and springier."

Even though Teter has given up meat, she still gets plenty of protein. For breakfast, the snowboarding star has a power smoothie; dinner is often a veggie stir-fry with a side of quinoa. Quinoa is a great replacement for white rice and a staple among many vegetarians I know because it's exploding with protein and fiber. Though not a raw foodie, Hannah does admit to not cooking her food too long,"because you lose what's good in the food."

Besides a responsible diet, Hannah is also doing her part to live eco-consciously. And while I do my best to recycle, reuse, and reclaim, Hannah's taking it a step further by moving into a yurt on a parent's property in Vermont. (A yurt is sort of like a tent, except stronger and more weatherproof. It's portable and doesn't rely on a ton of materials for its construction.) Living green is not foreign to Hannah - her dad produces maple syrup on the family's property, and her mother keeps a huge garden and also tends fruit trees. If all goes as planned, Hannah hopes to be living off the grid by relying only on solar and wind power.

Fit Gift Guide: Snowboarder

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 03:00:00 PST

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.

Do you have a snowboarder in your life? Here are some gift ideas they're sure to be able to use on the mountain.

DaKine Lock Leash: This pre-set three-digit combination lock discourages other riders from "borrowing" your board while you're taking a hot chocolate break in the lodge. It features a durable, plastic coated, 38-inch steel wire coiled cable. I'd rather spend $12 on a lock instead of $500 on a new board.
Boeri Siren Helmet: This helmet not only protects your head from injury, but the vents on top allow heat to escape so you don't get too sweaty. You can also close off those vents on really cold days. The chin strap is fleece-lined for added comfort, and this helmet comes in five sizes so you can get the perfect fit.
Burton 2L Gore-Tex Jacket: Made with Gore-Tex 2L material, this jacket is waterproof and windproof. It has fully taped seams so it's durable enough to withstand the harshest of cold and wet weather conditions on the mountain. It'll keep you warm on 5° F days, and it has a hood to keep your head protected from snow and wind. It comes in sassafras (shown), true black, and rock salt (white camo).

DaKine Lock Leash ($12)

Boeri Siren Helmet (49.93)

Burton Women's 2L Gore-Tex Jacket ($289.95)

Source

Snowboarding Exercises Straight From Pros Gretchen Bleiler, Hannah Teter, and Kelly Clark

Michele Foley — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:59:03 PST

When it comes to snowboarding, strength, balance, agility, and endurance are all key; and with the season's kick-off just around the corner, it's not too late to start your off-hill training. To get your body in tip-top shape before reaching the mountain, see the exercises that Olympic snowboarders Gretchen Bleiler, Hannah Teter, and Kelly Clark do when they hit the gym. These exercises will keep your core and legs strong, your speed quick, and your balance intact!

Birds of a Feather Shred Together

Sara Yoo — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:00:00 PST

Whee!! Forget flying. With a jar lid, a sloped roof, and a light dusting of snow, this bird has found the next big thing in extreme sports: crowboarding! No word on whether the IOC has added this event to the next Winter Olympics.

Get Closer to a Hoth Getaway on Star Wars Snowboards

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:37:25 PST

Have your kids hit the slopes this Winter in Star Wars style with a limited-edition line of Burton Snowboards gear based on the movies. The kids-size Chopper Star Wars snowboard ($190) is available in eight image variations, from a noble Yoda to the scene of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker locked in a lightsaber battle. The boards come in a variety of sizes from 30 inches to 51 inches long. To complete the Hoth-ready look is the youth-size R2D2 helmet ($100) that adjusts to any head size and helps to keep goggles in place.

Sadly, there's no word whether the line will ever be available in grown-up sizes. Check out all the offerings in the Star Wars Burton gear line in the gallery.

Leg-Strengthening Yoga Sequence For Skiers and Riders

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:47:25 PST

Whether you click into skis or a snowboard, a strong yet flexible lower body will allow you to cruise down the mountain with control, helping you stay balanced rather than wiping out. This eight-posture lower body sequence focuses on strengthening the core, quads, and glutes, while opening the hamstrings and hips.

Photos taken at Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga Studio, Burlington, VT

The Best Indoor Workout Classes (Because It's Freezing Outside!)

Self — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:35:01 PST

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

There are lots (and I mean, lots) of reasons why my motivation to work out during the Winter plummets - from the snowy commute to freezing cold winds to the cold, dry air that hits my chest with such force that it becomes hard to breathe. (Ahem, there's a reason I sign up for races that are after September - this born-and-raised Floridian prefers to train outdoors during the Summer.)

But it is possible to sculpt, strengthen, and sweat (majorly sweat) without having to be freezing cold during the winter. So when the weather outside is frightful, head indoors for these top full-body workouts that will help ward off Winter weight:

Indoor cycling: Ruth Zukerman, cofounder of NYC's FlyWheel cycling studio, is heating things up indoors with her 45-minute, heart-racing classes. (Self favorite Jillian Michaels is even a recent investor in the company). "I wanted to be part of the most innovative and effective indoor cycling program, and that is FlyWheel. I am thrilled to join the FlyWheel team," Michaels said in a press release. What makes cycling such an effective alternative is that it's taking the fun full-body workout people love indoors, and instead of scenery, you'll stay motivated to challenge yourself thanks to encouraging instructors and a killer playlist. Flywheel has an awesome on-bike technology board that lets you compete against other riders in the class. Plus if you're looking to shape up before hitting the slopes, "indoor cycling is great preparation for all Winter sports, especially skiing and snowboarding. I know from personal experience that when I hit the slopes I don't tire out easily or suffer from the kind of après-ski muscle pain that most people do, and it's because of indoor cycling," Zukerman says.

Try this move: If you're riding an exercise bike at home or the gym, try some interval training. One thing we often do at Flywheel is a "Sprint Chorus," meaning we increase our RPMs to a sprint during the song's chorus and then revert to a cadence on the beat of the music as the chorus ends.

More best indoor workouts after the break.

Hit the Slopes With These Celebrity Snow Bunnies

Michele Foley — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:45:25 PST

Whether it's Vail, Aspen, Park City, or the French Alps, celebrities love hanging at ski resorts. While some opt to sit by the fire sipping champagne and cocoa, we especially love the ones that keep fit by hitting the slopes. Check out our slideshow to see which celebs you're likely to see catching air this Winter.

End-of-Season Snow Gear Deals For Your Snowbunny Wardrobe

Leta Shy — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 02:00:13 PDT

Did you make it up the mountain this year? If you have a newfound love of all things Winter sports, the winding down of snow season is a great time to stock up on essentials. Everything from jackets to boots go on sale, and previous years' models can be a deep discount (which is great news since gear can get expensive). Check out a few options below to get you started!

Clockwise from left: Adidas by Stella McCartney Winter Sport Ski Coat ($176; originally $220); Madewell Ski Lodge Beanie ($10; originally $30); Giro Ember Ski Helmet ($70; originally $100); Athleta Schuss Ski Pant ($100; originally $188); Athleta Stretch Panel Sweater ($70; originally $90); Spyder Opal Bamboo Ski Gloves ($61; originally $160); Ride Sage Boa Snowboard Boots ($100; originally $170).

Heidi Klum, Seal, and Family Hit the Slopes in Aspen

Molly Goodson — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:04:00 PST

Heidi Klum pulled along her daughter Lou in a sled during an family outing in Aspen on Monday. Heidi and Seal brought the kids to Colorado for Christmas, and the whole crew was spotted enjoying the Winter wonderland. Heidi also tweeted a sweet photo of her slopeside PDA with Seal during a break from snowboarding. Leni tried out her hand at skiing as well. The Klum-Samuels are just some of the famous faces who picked Aspen this holiday season. Mariah Carey stepped out in a full spandex ski suit over the weekend and Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell hosted their annual getaway with kids Kate, Oliver, and their families.