FitSugar

Doing Cardio? Start Off Fast, Finish Nice and Easy

FitSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:00:00 PDT

Whether you're running, biking, or swimming as your form of cardio, you want to get the most out of your workouts. When some people are training, they incorporate negative splits into their routines. It involves moving faster in the second half of your workout than you did for your first half. This warms up the muscles slowly, which helps reduce your risk of injury, and it also helps you finish strong when you're racing.

You can also work out in the opposite way, where you start off fast and intense and end your workout slower and with moderate intensity. Researchers at the College of New Jersey found that after a short warmup, "cyclists who punched up the intensity during the first half of their workouts and then cruised for the second half burned about 10 percent more calories than those who started slow and finished fast." Not only will you burn more calories, but when you give it all you've got in the beginning, it feels so good to reward yourself with a more relaxed second half of your workout.

Source

12 Ways to Burn More Calories

FitSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 11:00:00 PDT

We are always looking for a few extra ways to burn a few extra calories.

Health.com is on it -- They have come up with a list of twelve ways you can burn more calories during your next workout:

Jog Through Water. It's one of the most strenuous activities you can perform, since water is about 12 to 15 times as resistant as air. Running at your hardest, you can burn about 17 calories per minute-at least twice as much as you would burn running on pavement.
Start Fast. Researchers at the College of New Jersey found that after a short warm-up, cyclists who punched up the intensity during the first half of their workouts and then cruised for the second half burned about 10 percent more calories than those who started slow and finished fast.
Warm Up Before You Lift. A short spin on a bike or jog on a treadmill (enough to get your heart rate up) warms your muscles and tendons and gets fluids flowing in the joints; this increases your muscles' elasticity, allowing you to handle heavier weights and endure a longer workout.
Sign Up For Hip-Hop. Surprising your body with a new dance or sport forces it to work harder because it's doing unfamiliar movements and using muscle groups in different ways. In the process, you'll burn more calories than you would by doing the same old routine.
Work Out in the a.m. Research has shown that people who exercise in the morning keep their metabolism elevated for hours and thus get a jump on burning calories. Studies also show that people who start each day with a workout tend to stick with their programs longer.
Fuel Up First. Grab a banana before you hit the gym, and it may actually help you slice off more calories in the long run. Shoot for 100 to 200 calories to nibble on: Yogurt, a piece of fruit, peanut butter and crackers, or half an energy bar are all excellent choices.

There's six more great ideas, so

Use the Surge Strategy. After a warm-up, push yourself a bit harder than usual for a short surge, then slow down to a more moderate pace to recover. Repeating this pattern several times in a single session will give you a higher calorie tally than you'd earn if you kept your pace steady.
Do a Triathlon at the Gym. Simply split your 30- or 45- minute workout into three segments-for example, pedal on a stationary bike, power-walk on a treadmill, and step onto an elliptical trainer for 10- or 15-minute bursts with no rest in between. You'll keep up your heart rate and increase the burn.
Take to the Sand. By walking or running on the beach, you'll use 20 to 50 percent more calories than you would going at the same pace on a hard trail or asphalt.
Don't Slouch. Propping yourself on your arms while you're using the elliptical trainer, stair-climber, or treadmill makes the routine feel easier, but it gives you a less-challenging workout. Be sure to maintain a neutral spine to protect your back, keep your abs tight, and go easy on the handrails.
Use Your Arms. To make the most of a 45-minute workout, try total-body activities such as rowing, swimming, or cross-country skiing. You can even gain a slight uptick by exaggerating your arm swing while you walk.
Tune in to Your Muscles. Concentrate on using your abdominal muscles, hips, and quadriceps to power up your walk. And when you come up during a crunch, instead of allowing your mind to wander, focus on contracting your abs and moving your ribs closer to your hip bones.

Source

Mary Katrantzou For Topshop Releases This Friday - See the Complete Lookbook

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:19:21 PST

If you're loving all of the vibrant floral prints seen so far on the Fall '12 runways, check out Mary Katrantzou's capsule collection for Topshop. The line, ranging from $80 to $700, debuts in stores and online this Friday and is sure to sell out fast. Peruse the entire lookbook now, featuring printed trousers, modern structural dresses, and tunics made in Katrantzou's signature artsy prints, and start making your shopping list for this Friday. See our favorite pieces below (plus styling tips), then get ready, set, shop.

We'd wear this silk printed dress over leather leggings and loafers for a fresh take on casual dressing.
These cropped floral trousers would look amazing with a chunky black turtleneck and booties for now, and later with a plain white tee and sandals.
Tuck in this silk collared top with cropped trousers and lace-up boots for a crisp office look.

Handy Everyday Gmail Tips and Tricks

GeekSugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:01:03 PST

If you've moved to Gmail recently (congratulations!), it's possible that you could get overwhelmed with all of the options, settings, and possibilities at your fingertips. We've got a ton of tips to share, but let's start with a few basic and handy tips that you could use every day. Check them out below!

Make voice calls - You can easily make voice calls in Gmail on the cheap. In the "Chat" section, just click the "Call Phone" button and enter the digits. You'll then be able to make free calls to landlines the US and Canada, and for super cheap you can call cell phones and landlines worldwide.
Search with options - If you haven't discovered the "Show Search Options" link to the right of the Gmail search bar, you're in for a treat. Clicking it reveals a host of helpful options, including the ability to search by sender, date, attachment, subject, and more. It's extremely helpful if you are less than diligent about labeling and filing emails in your inbox.
Use rich text signatures - Tired of those boring text-only signatures or canned responses coming from your Gmail account? Take note: Gmail supports rich text signatures! Add links, colors, images, or formatting to your Gmail account signature, or any other account you've set up to send from Gmail. It's super easy to set up - just head to your settings page, scroll down to the Signature section, and design away!
Use keyboard shortcuts - First, enable keyboard shortcuts in your Settings menu. Then, use these fast and easy keyboard shortcuts to navigate!

See the rest of the list after the break.

The Five Best Races For Women

espnW — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:09:19 PST

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

By Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

Sage Steele, SportsCenter anchor, is preparing to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on Feb. 26 and hoping to fall in love with running in the process. Follow Sage’s journey on espnW.com

Women's races offer a decidedly different vibe than their coed cousins': more camaraderie, a sole sister atmosphere that welcomes all runners and walkers, and lots more running skirts. Here are five of the top women's races and series in the country. Sign up then train like Sage.

Disney Tinker Bell and Princess half marathons
Sage picked a winner. Let your inner child run free through the Magic Kingdom at these festival race weekends. Tinker Bell is in Disneyland, while Princess is in Disney World, but both allow thousands of runners to mix and mingle with Disney characters on courses that wind through each park. Racers put almost as much effort into costumes - Snow White, Belle, or Minnie, anyone? - as training. Bonus: your kids will be especially psyched to cheer you on.

Sage Steele gets some training advice from Disney runMom Lori Lovell

Nike Women's Marathon
Yeah, it's tough to snag an entry, but if you can, this race is so worth it. (Psst: Go through Team in Training.) This 26.2-mile race, and its half-marathon companion, traverses San Francisco with sweeping vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean to take your mind off the killer hills in the first 10 miles of the race. Tuxedo-clad firefighters bestow each finisher with a Tiffany & Co. pendant.

Run fast by fueling up smart

Three more great races after the break.

Team Zoe's Joey Maalouf Answers Your Most Hair-Raising Questions

Jaime Richards — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:00:00 PST

You've learned how he creates Rachel Zoe's signature beachy waves, and you've likely admired his other work from afar (Jessica Alba's soft and pretty Golden Globes makeup, anyone?). And most recently, celebrity stylist Joey Maalouf has signed on as a beauty advisor for Slim Fast's Studio Wow! campaign, which he explains, is a way to help people be at their most confident for a big, upcoming life event.

"You know, there's no one big step that does it; it's a lot of little steps," Joey says. "First the tricks of dieting, then you start to think about your external look: styling, hair and makeup. I love making people feel like they can just do it at home - and they can," Joey adds. And that's why he's answering your most hair-raising questions. From keeping curls bouncy to Spring 2012's hottest trends, see Joey's expert advice on how you can wow the crowd when you read more.

4 Moves to Say Goodbye to Saddlebags

Self — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:54:13 PST

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

If you're saddled with saddlebags, you probably think you got the short end of the family gene pool stick. But, lucky for you, those pesky fat deposits surrounding your hips, thighs, and butt are far easier to banish than, say, Great Aunt Hilda or your bossy big sister. "Saddlebags are largely determined by genetics, hormones, and age, but women can still affect the shape of their bodies through nutrition and exercise," says Rebekah Rotstein, a New York-based Pilates instructor who recently released the Pilates For Buff Bones DVD.

Not sure where to begin? Rotstein recommends utilizing large muscle groups rather than relying on spot training for fast results. "Pilates get results because it's a whole-body exercise program and works your muscles synergistically," she says. "Muscles aren't meant to function independently but as a team!"

Just remember to keep your expectations realistic. No workout in the world can turn you into Cameron Diaz overnight. "All women have padding at their hips, no matter how thin we are (even Diaz!)," says Rotstein. "It's what differentiates us from men and accentuates the curves you've got!"

To tone up those saddlebags fast, add these four moves to your regular workout routine. Check out the moves after the break.

Dunkin' Donuts Is Banking on All-Day Sandwiches

Susannah Chen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:15:17 PST

Looks like Starbucks and McDonald's aren't the only two chains who want a piece of breakfast between bread: starting this week, Dunkin' Donuts introduces two new sandwich offerings, to be offered at DD locations throughout the day - including breakfast, of course.

The new sandwiches will "be familiar, but with a twist," said Stan Frankenthaler, Dunkin' Brands' executive chef and head of product innovation. The Ham & Cheese Bakery Sandwich contains Black Forest ham, white cheddar, and a creamy dijon mustard sauce; Turkey, Cheddar, & Bacon is made with turkey, white cheddar, bacon, and ancho chipotle sauce. Both are made to order on a croissant, bagel, or the new baked-fresh-daily French roll.

The announcement of these all-day sandwiches arrives just as Taco Bell rolls out its First Meal menu of breakfast items. Still, Dunkin' is quick to explain what differentiates the brand's ham and bacon sandwiches from similar breakfast sandwich offerings already on the market. "We think our bakery leadership is a real differentiator in our brand," Frankenthaler told us. "Our guests already know us and love us for our fresh bagels (we're the number one retailer of bagels in the United States) and croissants."

Providing all-day options is "extremely important for Dunkin’ Donuts," he added. "Breakfast sandwiches are popular with our guests, and they like the flexibility to enjoy them throughout the day."

With first Taco Bell and now Dunkin' Donuts taking the mornings to another level, it's clear that the fast-food AM wars won't be letting up anytime soon. Will you try a new sandwich from Dunkin' Donuts?

Source

Samsung Galaxy Note Gets Price and Release Date

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:31:18 PST

The biggest smartphone (or tiniest tablet?) we've ever seen, the Samsung Galaxy Note has finally received a price and release date: it's headed to AT&T on Feb. 19 for $300. Whether you're looking for a powerful smartphone or portable tablet, the Galaxy Note has you covered. Coming with a 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED screen, 1.4GHz dual-core processor, HSPA＋ and LTE connectivity for fast upload and download speeds, an included stylus (called the S Pen), and dual cameras (8MP rear facing and 2MP forward facing), it's got everything you might need from either device.

The Galaxy Note could also be your BFF when it comes to organizing your life. Included software integrates with your calendars, to-do lists, and schedule, and the S Memo app allows you to use the stylus to write notes and draw pictures, then converts them into a memo for later use.

You can preorder the Galaxy Note starting on Feb. 5 in two colors - carbon blue and ceramic white.

Top 10 Signs It's Time For a New Personal Trainer

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:25:17 PST

If you're spending $50 or more for a session with a personal trainer, they better be awesome at motivating you to get a great workout and reach your fitness goals. But if they're not helping you hit those goals, here are some telltale signs that it's time to find a new one.

You struggle to get through 20 push-ups, and your trainer gets on the floor and says, "Watch how fast I can do 20!"
Your trainer is supposed to be helping you work your upper body by tossing the ole medicine ball, but you catch them winking at a fellow trainer as they launch the 15-pound ball at your face.
You're not sure if they forget to wear deodorant or wash their workout clothes, but every time they reach their arms up to show you a move, you get an overpowering and nauseating whiff of funk.
Your trainer doesn't talk much, but when she does, it's, "Just do what I do. I have to fit my workout in sometime."
In the middle of counting reps while doing crunches, your trainer starts throwing out what seems like random numbers. You look at him puzzled. His response? "That's my phone number. Call me."

Keep on reading for more signs that it's time for a new personal trainer.