FitSugar

Home Spa Treatment: Heal Dry Hands With Heated Socks

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:16 -0800

Colder weather means dry skin, and for me, my hands and cuticles are the worst since I'm constantly washing my hands. Here's a soothing and inexpensive remedy you can treat yourself to at home. If you suffer from dry skin on your feet, you can use this treatment on your tootsies too.

To learn how to heal your dry skin keep reading

Gear Review: Teko Socks

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

I feel a little like a gear geek, but I have to admit wearing wicking socks makes me excited to work out. If my feet are happy, the rest of me tends to be happy too. This is important for Winter running as well as indoor workouts. I have started wearing Teko Poly MiniCrew ($12) for spin class. Not only are these socks made entirely out of recycled polyester, which makes them super green, they keep your feet super dry. Spin class can get pretty hot and sweaty, but my feet stay cool in these socks.

I have been running in the Teko merino wool Ultralight Micro ($14). My favorite feature of this sock, aside from wicking away all the sweat and being made out of organic wool, is that the sock is just a bit higher in the back. Many sports shoes are cut high right on the Achilles tendon and if your socks are low all the way around the ankle your shoes rub on the tendon, and voila, a blister.

These socks make it through the wash just fine, but I like to air dry them to help them keep their shape and wicking properties. I think if you are trying to decrease your carbon footprint, you can't go wrong with Teko socks. They are great for the planet and great for your feet too.

If you want to slip your feet into a pair of Teko socks, you can buy them online directly from Teko or find a store near you using their handy store locator.

Teko Socks: Best Socks On and For the Planet

FitSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:00:00 -0800

If you're into Winter sports, you've got to wear socks that wick moisture away from your feet since wet toes mean cold toes. In my opinion, socks made of merino wool are the best, but since they can tend to be a little itchy some people can't wear them. If your skin is sensitive to wool, you've got to try these ski socks made by Teko ($18.95). Made with a wool/poly/nylon/lycra blend, they're super soft.

Not only are they kind to your toes, these socks are kind to the planet. They are made with EcoWool that comes from one sheep farm that uses environmentally sound practices. This wool is also shrink-resistant and dyed with non-toxic dyes. These socks are also made with EcoPoly (recycled polyester), which makes them super soft and durable.

Not only do I love that they keep my tootsies dry when skiing or snowshoeing, but the extra cushioning under the ball of my foot and heel made these sock feel comfy in my shoes. One of the best parts is that the little bit of lycra in them kept these socks from becoming loose and falling down in my boots – I hate that. If you're in the market for some new Winter socks, look for Teko socks at your favorite gear store or you can buy them online from Teko. Not only does the company make great high performance socks, but you can feel good knowing they're made with the least amount of impact on the environment.

Wicking Socks All Active Women Need

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Your feet take a lot of abuse from all the pounding, stomping, kicking and leaping you do. It is a fact that if you are on the move, your feet are too. This means they get hot. This means they get sweaty. All that extra moisture can cause some nasty blisters. Cotton socks stay wet, so you need socks made out of merino wool, which wicks. The wool pulls moisture away from your skin, keeping your feet dry and comfy.

Here are some of my favorites made by Darn Tough and Smartwool. You can choose the amount of thickness and cushion you need, and the height of sock. All the pairs come in some wonderful colors too, many more than the ones shown here.

Darn Tough No-Show Sock	SmartWool Running Ultralight Micro Socks
Darn Tough Hiking Sock	SmartWool Saturn Socks
SmartWool Light Hiking Socks	Darn Tough Socks On-Mountain Socks

Get Your Butt in Gear: Running Socks by Zip It

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:30:00 -0700

Remember when you were a kid and you never carried a purse, or even had a wallet. When you were headed out on the town (like to the ice cream shop on your bike), you put your money in your sock. The change or bills would slip down and you'd be walking on your money! These days that process just sounds a little, well, gross. That is why I am loving these running socks by Zip It.

You can still carry your cash, or ID, around in your sock but now it will stay tucked up in a little zippered compartment and stay away from the sweaty sole of your foot. The ankle-high socks are just tall enough so that items in the zippered pocket won’t dip down and interfere with the performance of your shoe. Plus the sock has been engineered to provide extra shock absorption, to wick away sweat and control the growth of bacteria and fungi.

These scientifically engineered socks with wallet compartment will only set you back $14.99 - buy them directly from Zip It. They're available in blue, white or pink, which is, of course, of my fave!

What to Pack for a Day Hike

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:01:18 -0700

I love to get an early start in the morning when I am planning an all day hike up and down a mountain. The air is cooler in the morning and there are less people on the trail. Since I plan to be out for at least 4 hours, maybe even 8 hours if I am feeling really ambitious, I need more than just water in my day pack.

I made this widget - it's a list of day hike essentials. Check it out.

You can create your own Fit List and then Build Your Own Widget to share on TeamSugar.

Fit's Tips: I always pack my lunch and snacks in a plastic grocery bag and when I'm done, I use the bag for my trash and any I find on the trail.

Fit Find Faves: Great Gear

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:45:00 -0700

I was checking out the recent Fit Finds and Sugar readers have bookmarked all sorts of cool wearable gear to help you become a healthy, happy you.

Looking for a little support? asco00 bookmarked a great sports bra, and andieself found some cute capris. Bonus: They are on sale!!!

I am always on the hunt for running socks, the pair bookmarked by who says they are the best. Play tennis in style wearing this classy dress found by montaglookalike. Or run in style wearing Nike shorts bookmarked by SU3.

Check out what other Sugar users are bookmarking as Fit Finds. Chances are high you will find something to satisfy the happy, healthy you. If you want to lean more about bookmarking in the Sugar pages, read my buddy geeksugar's excellent tutorial.

If you find anything out there on the web that helps you stay happy and healthy, do bookmark it and share it with us.

Ditch the Cotton Socks

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 11:45:00 -0700

Nothing beats the feeling of running or biking outdoors - the fresh air, soft breezes, and beautiful scenery make you feel so energized and alive. Now that the air temperature is heating up, you're going to find that as soon as you step outside, you're going to begin to sweat.

I'm sure you're sporting a wicking sports bra, underwear, and tank top, so what about your feet? They're stuck inside your sneaks, and they probably get more hot and sweaty than the rest of your body. You need a good pair of socks that will wick moisture away from your feet, so you can stay dry and prevent blisters.

When you're active, cotton socks just don't belong on your feet. There are plenty of options that are just as soft but the material will keep your feet more comfortable when they get hot.

These are one of my favorites made by Darn Tough called the Back Road Series. They're made with 71% merino wool so they wick sweat away from your skin and into the wool fibers. The heel and toe are reinforced where you need it, and there is elastic support around the arch. I also love the mesh knitting on top of the foot to keep your tootsies even cooler.

Fit's Tip: You can order them from backcountry.com for $12.95. They're more expensive than your basic cotton sock, but they'll last longer and keep your feet cool and blister-free.

Spring Running Tip: Prevent Blisters

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Running or jogging can be tough on your tootsies - especially if you run outside. Here are some tips to keep your feet happy:

Make sure your shoes fit properly - not too tight and not too loose. Different brands and styles cater to wide/narrow feet and high/low arches. There should be about 1/2 inch between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe. Make sure you can wiggle your toes freely, and your heel shouldn't slip when you walk.

Go to a sneaker store that has a treadmill so you can try them before you buy them. No treadmill in the store? - then run around inside. You'll feel a little silly, but when you go for that first run in your new shoes, you'll be glad you tried them out.
Keep your feet as dry as possible. Avoid running in puddles and if you like to pour water over your head on a hot day, try leaning over so it doesn't drip into your shoes.
Get yourself a few pairs of wicking socks (not cotton) - these will pull moisture away from your skin when your feet sweat. They also make blister-proof socks. Check out these made by Thorlo.
To prevent blisters, sprinkle talcum or foot powder on your bare feet before putting on your socks.

Want to know what else you can do to prevent blisters? Then read more

Another blister prevention method is to spray antiperspirant on your bare feet.
If a certain part of your foot is prone to getting blisters, tape it up with sport tape, or use mole skin.
To help prevent and heal blisters, check out Blister Block - it's like thick, rubbery, extra skin that you can apply anywhere. It cushions and protects your feet, especially on long runs.

Source

Wool Socks - These are Darn Tough

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:00:00 -0800

Merino wool really is the way to go when it comes to active wear, and socks are no exception. I just found this sock company named Darn Tough. They're a small company - they make all of their socks in their mill in Northfield, VT.

Their socks are made with a combination of warm and breathable merino wool, and soft and strong Coolmax fibers. They insulate to keep you warm, and the wool is great at wicking moisture away from your foot when you sweat.

Plus, they're on-mountain socks to cover your entire calf and shin, keeping them warm and cushioned from the pressure of your ski boots.

These socks, although made from wool, aren't the slightest bit itchy. They also make shorter socks for running and hiking.

I'm a huge fan of Darn Tough (as are a ton of other people) mostly because they make one awesome, comfy and durable sock, but also because I like to support smaller companies. Find a pair nearest you and I'm sure you'll agree.