FitSugar

Have You Ever Played A Team Sport?

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:30:00 -0700

I played a variety of sports when I was growing up, both on school teams and in different leagues. Title IX passed in 1972 and required federally funded schools to provide girls and women with an equal opportunity to compete in sports.

According to studies, playing sports has an immensely positive affect on girls. The results of the studies show:

Girls who participate in sports are more likely to experience academic success and graduate from high school than those that do not play sports.
Half of all girls that participate in some kind of sports experience higher levels of self-esteem and less depression.
Teenage female athletes are less likely to use drugs than teenage female non-athletes.

Pretty inspiring - I can't wait to introduce sports to my girls. In fact I think I should go kick that pink soccer ball around with them right now.

But enough about me, Title IX and pink soccer ball, I want to know about you and...

It's Ultimate Frisbee Time

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Warmer weather always makes we want to go for a nice long walk in the park. I always see college kids, running around barefoot, and tossing around a frisbee.

Some ladies are causal frisbee tossers, and others take the game much more seriously. Ultimate Frisbee has taken this carefree pastime to a whole other competitive level.

It's like a whole bunch of sports rolled into one. You play on a field similar to one used for football. It requires the athletic endurance of soccer, and the quick thinking and passing of basketball. It's played by 2 teams of 7 players.

In order to score a point, you need to catch the frisbee in the other team's end zone (kind of like football). You can run around unless you have control of the frisbee, then you need to stay put until you pass it.

If you want to play, you can always get a bunch of your buddies together for a friendly game, but you could also join a club, team, or game in your area.

Want to see the 10 rules of Ultimate Frisbee? Then read more

Here are the rules:

The field is rectangular, with endzones at each end. A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards, with endzones 25 yards deep.
Each point begins with both teams lining up on the front of their respective endzone line. The defense throws ("pulls") the frisbee to the offense.
Each time the offense completes a pass in the defense's endzone, the offense scores a point. Play is initiated after each score.
The disc may be advanced in any direction by completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the frisbee. The person with the disc ("thrower") has ten seconds to throw the frisbee. The defender guarding the thrower ("marker") counts out the stall count.

When a pass in not completed (e.g. out of bounds, drop, block, interception), the defense immediately takes possession of the frisbee and becomes the offense.
Players not in the game may replace players in the game after a score and during an injury timeout.
No physical contact is allowed between players. Picks and screens are also prohibited. A foul occurs when contact is made.
When a player initiates contact on another player a foul occurs. When a foul disrupts possession, the play resumes as if the possession was retained. If the player committing the foul disagrees with the foul call, the play is redone.
Players are responsible for their own foul and line calls. Players resolve their own disputes )there are no referees).
Ultimate Frisbee stresses sportsmanship and fair play. Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect between players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of play.

Get Motivated: Join a Team

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I am always looking for motivation. Be it a 73 year old completing a 50 mile race or turning off the TV and putting on some rockin' tunes or wearing your hot new gear, there are always great ways to keep yourself motivated in your fitness goals.

Another way to keep motivated? Join a team. Having a group that you are accountable for will really motivate you to get active even if you don't want to be. Most recreational teams (or leagues) are a group of people brought together by a common goal. To keep the team alive, everyone needs to give it her all and most importantly, everyone needs to show up. Joining the office softball team will motivate you in more ways than one, especially if your boss is on the team. Besides, I am sure you'd love to bring the ole' soccer skills, the ones that won your high school the state championship, back to the table. Be it soccer, Frisbee, basketball, track or even badminton, there are adult teams all over the country that will be a great motivator for you (also a great way to meet people). Don't know of a team near you? Check out Yahoo Groups to search for a team in your area.

ACTivism: Team In Training

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:15:00 -0800

Do you want to run a marathon and don't want to train alone? Are you are interested in participating in a triathlon and want some outside motivation? Then Team In Training (TNT) might just be for you.

With TNT you raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society so you are training for a cause. Plus, you join a team that is training (hence the name) for endurance events just like you. Once you join the team in your area, you receive personalized fitness training by certified coaches for a four to five month period, access to training clinics, your own Web site for online fundraising, and lodging and airfare to your event. All that and you are going to make a lot of new friends as you train with your team.

Interested? Just enter your zip code on the entry page of the Team In Training to find out what events folks are training for in your area.

The Biggest Loser Recap: Black Team Faces Elimination

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:04:03 -0700

Last night during The Biggest Loser I am happy to report that I did not shed a tear.

Last night the campus was closed down and the teams were forced to go to Jamaica to work out - those poor things. However, Jamaica did prove to be a challenge since there were constant temptations (booze, relaxing and not working out, etc.) so it was interesting to see the struggle as well as be assured that you can be disciplined on vacation and still have a good time. The Black Team lost the weigh in and had to face elimination. The game got dirty, as it always does, and Jim (one of the twins) was voted off. Jim looked absolutely amazing at his check-in and I can't wait to see him at the finale. To see his parting words, check out iVillage. Curious what last week's cast off is up to? Patty had lunch with Sunny from Body By Glamour.

Here's what I learned from The Biggest Loser this week:

When traveling, get your workout done first thing in the morning because this way it's done. Especially since chances are that once you get your day going, you're not going to want to hit the gym.
You don't have to use the gym at the hotel to get a workout. Use the pool, the beach, and the ocean to get in a workout that allows you to enjoy your surroundings while working out.
If you have an all inclusive package, be especially careful when choosing your food items from buffets. Also, drink alcohol in moderation or avoid it altogether.
When flying, don't get stuck being so hungry that you stop at the first fast food place in the airport. Take along some 100 calorie packs on the plane for when you get hungry.

Kim gave us a great tip for working our butts, thighs and glutes. To find out what it is, just read more

"Hips, things and glutes are common problem areas for many women. This simple combo exercise can help you tone all three at one time: First do a simple squat. Then lift one leg to the side. Nows squat again. Finally lift the same leg to the back. Alternate legs for a great butt, hip and thigh workout."

Source

Want to Run a Marathon? Team in Training Can Help

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Have you always wanted to run, cycle, or walk to help fight or raise awareness about a deadly disease? Not only is it a powerful feeling to cross the finish line, but it makes it even more worthwhile if you know your efforts are going to support a cause. Your accomplishments will give you the sense that you did something more important than just get in good shape.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program will help you get there. They offer training from certified coaches for four to five months, training clinics, your own website for fundraising, lodging and airfare to the event, and they'll connect you with a patient so you know who all your hard work is going to benefit.

In exchange for their training and support, the money you raise will go towards finding cures to help beat blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

To get started, all you have to do is type in your zip code here. You can train with the largest endurance sports training program that's been saving lives for 20 years, and has raised over $700 million. It's a great way to help make a difference.

"ACT"ivism: Team In Training

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 10:30:00 -0800

Did you know that every five minutes, someone in the United States learns that he or she has leukemia, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma and that every ten minutes, someone dies of a blood cancer?

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training is one of the world's largest endurance sports training programs. Basically thousands of runners, walkers, cyclists and triathletes have participated in the world's major marathons, half marathons, centuries and triathlons this year on behalf of the Society. What happens is in exchange for training and support, you help raise money towards cures for blood cancers like lymphoma, myeloma and leukemia -- the No. 1 disease killer of children.

By helping to raise funds for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research and patient services, you'll get:

Personalized fitness training by certified coaches for a period of four to five months
Your own personal Web site for online fundraising
A supportive group of teammates
Lodging and airfare to more than 60 accredited events in the United States and abroad

What's a better reason to train for that 5k? To find a chapter near you, go here.

When Did You First Start Working Out?

FitSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:30:03 -0800

A little workout nostalgia - I was just thinking back to when I first started exercising, thanks in large part to my dad. Outside of required gym class or a sports team, I was trying to remember when fitness became important to me, and landed right at about eighth grade.

Around the end of middle school, beginning of high school, I started to pay attention to other girls and the way my own body was shaping up. At the same time, I was being exposed to new ways to work out. During high school, I was offered the choice of a regular P.E. class, or a semester of yoga and Pilates. I chose the latter and have been hooked ever since. Additionally, my dad used to ask me along to his training sessions at the gym, where working with his trainer helped to give me a better understanding of fitness and what I could do on my own to stay healthy.

Since then, I've made a conscious decision to keep myself fit - a lifestyle choice that I attribute to such a great introduction to working out during my early high school years. Obviously fitness is important at any age, but I'm curious, when did you first get into a fitness routine?

Lessons From the White House Chef

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:07 -0800

Part of Michelle Obama's master plan to reform eating habits in this country includes the directive of a young chef named Sam Kass. Kass has been the Obamas' personal chef for several years now, and when the Obamas packed up and moved to the White House, he did too.

Kass, 29, plays more than cook at his current post: he is the first White House chef to have an actual desk in the East Wing and works alongside the rest of Ms. Obama's policy team with the title of "food initiative coordinator," meaning he's given the daunting task of getting the entire country to eat better.

To hear how Kass is trying to making the country healthier, read more.

How does one man do that in a country where the golden arches rule? In the latest editions of People and the Chicago Sun Times, Kass shares that moving past the obstacles won't be easy but "it's an unbelievable opportunity" that he couldn't turn his back on. In the last year, the chef has gotten closer to his goal by helping plant a garden on the White House lawn and educating children about the benefits of healthy eating. He's also discussing legislation with the Agriculture Department that would reform school lunch on a national level.

When it comes to feeding the first family, Kass and White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford serve up classic fare like burgers and tacos, but make healthy food swaps and use lean beef and low-sugar ketchup instead. As for dessert, it's a special treat served only on the weekends, and that order comes directly from Michelle herself.

Inspired by the Slow Food movement, Kass looks to the White House garden to inspire his menu, pushing forth the idea of eating local and by season. Right now, he's got his eyes on a bevy of sweet potato dishes and fresh salads, which should come in handy for the Obamas' first state dinner later this month.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup Linked to High Blood Pressure

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0800

No matter how much the Corn Refiners Association tries to convince us that high-fructose corn syrup is healthy, I'm not buying it. Now I have another reason to avoid it: new findings have linked high-fructose corn syrup to high blood pressure, aka hypertension.

In the past 20 years alone, Americans have increased fructose intake by 30 percent, and that increase tracks closely to the rise in obesity. But it may also be contributing to high blood pressure. A team of doctors at the University of Colorado Denver studied more than 4,500 adults with no prior history of hypertension and tracked their fructose intake with a dietary survey. The results are pretty persuasive, so read all about it.