FitSugar

Locker Room Time Savers

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:45:00 PDT

For those of us who sneak out of the office to get in a quick workout at lunch, anything that can cut time down in the locker room is helpful.

Forget layering sports bra and shirt, instead slip into an all-in-one sports top with built in bra.
Only pack the necessities in your bag so you're not left fumbling around to find your gear. I like to put my socks inside my shoes the night before so they're already together.
Avoid spending time unraveling iPod cords by investing in a cord keeper. I like the SmarterWrap cord manager ($4.99).
Instead of using a headband, put hair in a loose ponytail. This will preserve volume and eliminate time at the blow dryer post workout.
Take a "body shower" and use dry shampoo to freshen up hair.

There are a few more time saving tips for the locker room, so

Forget about fidgeting with bottles in the shower, wash your face and bod with the cleansing cloths. I like the ones by Dove.
Keep makeup in a see through case (or even ziplock bag) so you can see what you're grabbing for and aren't left searching frantically for your eyeliner.
If possible, avoid the prime lunch rush and head to the gym a little earlier or later to avoid waiting in lines for the showers, hair dryers, etc.

Source

One Woman's Quest for the Best: The Fastest, Farthest Female Inline Skate

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:23:05 PDT

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

Over the next few months, families will travel across the U.S. via plane, train or car during summer road trips. Kacie Fischer will be covering the same distance (nearly 4,000 miles, on her route), but on inline skates. . . and in just 74 days. If she reaches her goal, Fischer will also be breaking five Guinness World Records in the process.

We caught up with Fischer, a Promax DOer, after a long day of skating to get the backstory about her fit trip which has been two years in the making.

How did you get started with inline skating?

I started skating when I was 7, but didn’t start skating longer distances until I was cross training as a college runner. I found that I could travel a lot farther and see a lot more, plus it was a lot more exhilarating-try flying down a hill at 40+ miles per hour! Inline skating is like running on steroids.

More of Kacie's interview after the break.

3 (Nearly) Effortless Ways to Get Gorgeous Hair When It's Hot

Miriam Lacey — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:32:00 PDT

Summer is about to begin, and the thermometer has already reached new highs, so why spend hours fussing with your hair? There are easy ways to keep your mane in check when it's hot out, so we turned to celebrity hairstylist Marcus Francis to find out how. Read on to see his tips.

Brides and Bacne: What to Do

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:30:19 PDT

Everything is going dreamily. You found the perfect wedding gown for the big day. You've been exercising regularly to make sure it fits just right. The problem is, all that sweating you've been doing makes you break out, and not just on your face - on your back and shoulders too.

For starters, do not stop working out. All that exercise is great for relieving stress, and there are many things you can do to prevent bacne from ruining your special day.

Always wear clean workout clothes.
Make sure to wear a sports bra and top that are made of wicking fabric to pull moisture away from your skin. Avoid clothes that don't let your skin breathe.
Take a shower immediately after exercising to wash off sweat and bacteria.
When you shower, use Cetaphil or some other antibacterial cleanser on your back since exfoliating helps unclog blocked pores and get rid of dead skin cells. Use either an exfoliating scrub or bath gloves once a week.
After showering, allow your skin to dry completely and then apply a topical cream that contains either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to treat and prevent blemishes. Be careful of bleaching your clothes if you go the benzoyl peroxide route.
If your problem persists or you have severe body acne, make an appointment with a dermatologist.

Get the Look: Reese Witherspoon on the Tennis Courts

Leta Shy — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:08:13 PDT

Inject some bright fun into your Spring tennis wardrobe by taking a cue from Reese Witherspoon, who continued her resolve to stay fit during her pregnancy with a game of tennis earlier this week. Shop a similar look below!

From top: Babolat Aeropro Plus GT Tennis Racquet ($189); Asics black racerback top ($24); Nike Victory Shape Sports Bra ($42); K-Swiss Front Pleat Skirt ($55); K-Swiss Bigshot tennis shoes ($125); Adidas Woman's Elite Hat ($20).

Our Latest Obsession - Zimmermann's Surfer-Cool Tops

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:28:59 PDT

With Spring's sporty trend in high tow, we've become completely obsessed with Shopbop and Zimmermann's cool, and somewhat genius, capsule collection of rash guard tops. When it couldn't find any fashionable rash guards in sight, Shopbop enlisted Aussie swimwear brand Zimmermann to help create this amazing capsule collection, priced from $185 to $195, featuring pretty rose prints, bold colorblocking, and artsy mixed patterns. The tops are perfect for stylish surfers, but they can easily go from the beach to city, which we predict will be the likely case with most of us. We love the idea of pairing one with a black neoprene skirt and a sleek pair of platform sandals for a sport-chic Summer ensemble, or pair it with denim cutoffs and strappy flats for an effortless day at the park. On board? See and shop the collection in the slideshow now.

The Spring Runway Trend That Was Meant to Ruffle Feathers

Brittney Stephens — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:53:51 PDT

The feathers were most definitely flying on the runways for Spring, and designers made it abundantly clear that a little touch of plumage can go a long way. At Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs showed an innocent young debutante, flitting about in frothy feather-trim dresses and candy-colored pencil skirts, while Ralph Lauren's runway spotlighted full-blown Great Gatsby-era opulence, giving way to beaded gowns and marabou toppers. Not only were feathers a huge runway trend, but they've been taking off on the red carpet too - just recently at the 2012 Met Gala, style stars like Diane Kruger, Kate Bosworth, and Beyoncé all sported gorgeous gowns fitted with the fluffy stuff, proving that feathers can look fun, flirty, and ultimately glamorous. The best news of all? A feathered dress, skirt, or a bit of feather trim on a top can be incredibly wearable for day or night. We're giving you a head start on trying the trend by rounding up 10 of our favorite feathered pieces for Spring. Click through to see and shop them all now.

Five New Sunglasses Styles You Need to Try Now

FabSugar — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:20:05 PDT

The sun is starting to peek out, which means it's time to get your hands on some shiny new eyewear. From Olsen-worthy circular sunglasses to Katy Perry-inspired printed frames, and a clear pair that are a favorite of Kristen Stewart's, we have the top five styles you need to scoop up now. Watch our video to see them all and let us know which pair you'll be sporting for Spring.

From the Community: Tank Top Arm Workout

Fit Community — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:45:02 PDT

Reader FitFabCities has a tank top workout for you to do at home - all you need is a pair of weights! She shared it with us in our FitSugar Community.

With Spring here and Summer around the corner, what could be better than a printable workout designed specifically to help you get tank top arms? I love this season's sleeveless tops and maxi dresses, but after a long Winter of sweaters and long-sleeve blouses, my arms could use a little toning. (Truth be told, I'm pretty self-conscious about my upper arms so I love exercises that focus on shaping my shoulders and triceps.) Add this workout into your regular cardio routine or some lower body strength work (like the Perfect 10 Lean Legs Workout). All you need is a pair of dumbbells and you'll be sporting fabulous toned arms in your favorite outfit this Spring and Summer!

Happy Workout!

You can get the printable version with exercise descriptions and tips here.

Share your own workouts, find a new one, or just get inspired in our FitSugar Community!

Swimmer Dara Torres on the Quest For Her Sixth Olympic Games

espnW — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:12:32 PDT

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

By Luke Cyphers

Dara Torres once wrote a book called Age Is Just a Number. Nowadays, though, the feel-good story of the 2008 Olympics admits to, well, feeling her age. Torres won two silver medals as a 41-year-old mother and swimmer in Beijing, but she harbors no illusions about repeating the feat four years later. "You have to be realistic," Torres said. "I am 45 years old. I'm that much closer to being 50, and my body just can't recover the way it used to."

Her goal was gold in 2008. In 2012? "I don't feel like I have anything else to prove going into these Olympic Games," said the 12-time medalist. "It's not about medals. I have enough."

So why does she put herself through grueling training five days a week in the hopes of making her sixth - and she swears last - U.S. Olympic team? Because, at her best, she's still one of the fastest sprinters in the world. She placed second in the 50-meter freestyle (25.24 seconds) at the winter nationals. Last month, she swam a solid 25.36 seconds in the prelims of the Indianapolis Grand Prix, but faded to 25.47 in the final to finish sixth. She'll need to place within the top two at the Olympic trials in Omaha in June to make it to London.

Kim Rhode is not your typical Olympian

Dara Torres says it is harder for her body to recover compared to when she competed in the 2008 Olympics. "If I had to just swim the race once, I don't think it would even be an issue making the team," she said. "But I have to swim it three times, and having my body recover for those three races is my issue."

Torres embraces the actuarial challenge of capping an Olympic career 28 years after it began in 1984, even as her world has changed and her body has creaked. Her longtime coach, Michael Lohberg, died of a rare blood disorder in 2011. One of Lohberg's assistants, Bruno Darzi, now coaches her. Her daughter Tessa is now 6. And her left knee required surgery and more than a year to rehab. Through it all, "I still have a passion for the sport of swimming," she said.

But there's also a sense of obligation to the public following she has built through her success and frequent television appearances. (The former telecommunications major and frequent morning-show guest announced her comeback on "Live with Regis & Kelly.") "I have so many people come up to me and say I'm inspiring them to do things that they thought they couldn't do because they were too old, or that they put off because they couldn't find a balance in their life to do it," Torres said.

Keep reading for more on Dara Torres' Olympic past and present.