FitSugar

Quality Over Quantity

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:00:00 PDT

One of the great concepts of Pilates is quality over quantity, and this principle applies to more than just deep ab work. When it comes to forms of cardio, like swimming and cycling, the same idea holds true.

Riding a bike and pulling your body through water are not "natural" movement patterns for humans. Especially when compared to running and walking, two actions our bodies evolved to do. Learning correct form for cycling and swimming is important, more important than pushing your intensity. Learning good form takes time, but if you focus your energies on your technique you will be rewarded with greater efficiency while decreasing your chance of injury. Pretty good pay back don't you think?

Need some help on your strokes. Check out these before you head to the pool. And here are some tips for biking too.

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How to Avoid Sports Injuries

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:30:00 PDT

I think it is safe to say that no one enjoys being sidelined by an injury. If you have ever sat on the sidelines and watched your team play, you know how sitting out can hurt almost as much as the injury. On that sad note, here are a few ideas on how to avoid those sports related injuries that put you off your fitness track.

Warm up: Take 10 minutes to bring your heart rate up to your target zone while gradually priming your muscles and connective tissue for action. Warming up improves your overall mobility and coordination.
Cool down: Cooling down works like your warm up, but in reverse. By taking 10 minutes to bring your heart rate safely back to normal, you also help your muscles flush any build up of waste products from your muscles. This helps decrease post workout stiff joints and sore muscles.
Stretch: You should definitely stretch after every workout; just include it in your cool down (see number two). Keeping flexible reduces your chances of pulling a muscle or straining a ligament.
Good Technique: There is often a reason for "technique" and it is not usually an aesthetic one. No! Good technique helps to protect the body. Form is very important when it comes to working with weights. If you find that you are lifting sloppily, stop and evaluate the weight you're lifting and your form. Using control is always a good idea when strength training.
Good Shoes: Good shoes go a long way. Most athletics shoes are highly engineered to protect your feet and your body from the impact often associated with running. Plus, sneakers are designed to handle the specific demands of different sports. Playing tennis in running shoes is practically a twisted ankle waiting to happen.

Hopefully these tips will keep you playing all season, no matter if your sport is soccer, running, or step aerobics!

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From the Archives: How to Hang Wallpaper, Part One

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:00:45 PDT

For Dress Your Walls month, I thought I'd repost some bright ideas I had earlier in the year that relate to this month's theme. It's sometimes hard to dig these up from the archives on your own, so I'm finding the best ones for you to save you the trouble. When I find any archived posts that are particularly helpful for this month's theme, I'll run them in addition to the regular posts I'm putting up each day. And since we're running the amazing ferm LIVING wallpaper giveaway this month, reviewing wallpaper-hanging techniques is a must!

Wallpaper is back in a big way, but the idea of hanging it is still pretty intimidating to most people. So, after reading some great tips in Blueprint and online at This Old House and Lowe's how-to section, I've decided to put together a Primer on how to hang wallpaper like a pro. Here's Part I on pre-hanging preparation, and tune in tomorrow for Part II: installation.

The Preparation

First, you'll need to determine how much wallpaper to buy. Just enter your room's dimensions into this handy wallpaper calculator, and get an extra roll just to be safe.
Start the prep work a day in advance. Turn off the electrical source and remove the outlet covers and switchplates for the wall you want to paper.

For more great tips,

Get rid of any old wallpaper, then spackle or sandpaper cracks and other flaws in the wall.
Clean the wall with a 1-to-4 mixture of ammonia and water, then coat the surface wallpaper primer. Allow 24 hours for drying.
Lay down a plastic painter's tarp to protect your floors.
Check to make sure that the lot numbers on all of the wallpaper rolls match, and save the packaging in case you need to buy more paper.

Now you're ready to hang! Tune in later today for the installation process, and if you have some to share, please tell me in the comments. Source

Tantric Sex Anyone?

DearSugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 08:00:00 PDT

Those very words conjure up sensuous and erotic scenes in my mind of intermingling bodies, moist skin, and silky sheets - but Tantra is not just about having mind-blowing orgasms.....

Tantra is a Sanskrit word meaning "weaving," or " expansion." Tantrism is a philosophy and way of life that's all about completely awakening the senses, like a form of meditation. Tantrists see sex as a sacred way to awaken the energy inside them, so that they reach spiritual enlightenment and ecstasy. You don't necessarily have to see it like that, but you can learn from these ancient sexual techniques to improve your own sex life.

Tantric Sex is like a dance with no beginning or end. There is no goal, only the present moment and the spiritual connection you are making -- it isn't just about having an orgasm as quickly as possible. Instead you focus on being completely intimate and connected to your partner -- just being in the moment, together. You harmonize your breath, gaze into each other's eyes, anything that turns you on in preparation for lovemaking so you can communicate on a deeply physical and emotional level.

I'm just getting started so

read more Once you have established that deep connection, then you can slip into actual lovemaking. Tantric Sex encourages you to move slowly and change up your positions. In order for the male to be able to have continuous sex for an extended period of time, the guy has to learn how to have orgasms without ejaculating. This is how you can both reach multiple orgasms. "Practice makes perfect" is the key factor here! Well, that's as much detail as I can give you!! If I've piqued your curiosity and you want to know more about the specific techniques, I'd check out one of the many books about Tantric Sex like this one called The Art of Tantric Sex. Have fun and enjoy!!

Do You Like Working Out in Front of a Mirror?

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:30:00 PDT

I have to say that sometimes I LOVE doing yoga or lifting weights in front of a mirror - it's a great way to check for proper technique and alignment.

Mirrors can also be a way for women to obsess about how they look (or how they don't look), so I feel like it adds to issues of low self-esteem and poor body image.

What do you think?

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Stealing Tips From the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Star Lounge

Angela Swinderman Elias — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:00:34 PST

Inspired by Pucci's geometric patterns and Chanel's florals, interior designer Wesley Cadle returns for a second time to create another memorable lounge for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Custom details include hand-paint fabrics commissioned by artists from Porter Teleo Studio that cover the upholstery, walls, and ceiling. The result is a watercolor wonderland that mimics the beauty of a delicate silk scarf. Click through the gallery for tips on how to incorporate modern art techniques with hints of feminine romance to re-create the feel of Cadle's fashionable Spring enclave.

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.

Know Your Techniques: Large Dice

Camilla Salem — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:13:58 PST

A large dice is a relatively straightforward knife cut. Measuring at about 3/4-inch on each side, this cut may not seem as complicated as a julienne or a chiffonade, but with the right technique, you can really speed up your prepping process.

This cut's ideal for large vegetables, like tubers. A peeled potato is an easy example.

Cut the potato into 3/4-inch planks.

Keep reading to find out how to finish this simple cut.

Nicholas K Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:00:33 PST

Nancy Sinatra's epic "Bang Bang," set the mood for Nicholas Kunz's Fall Nicholas K collection. Inspired by the Taos artists in the '20s and '30s, Kunz imagined a line bursting with Western influence - we loved all of the cool Stetson-inspired hats - and a dash of deco. Fringe was heavily prevalent, making its way onto geometric leather jackets, sheer crochet dresses, and for a vintage touch, metallic fringed flapper dresses. For eveningwear, Kunz showed off her signature draping technique on a variety of gorgeous sexy bias-cut dresses and fluid tops. The outerwear category also shined: parka jackets came complete with inner straps (so the coat can hang just off the shoulders), structured leather jackets highlighted by luxe fur collars, and the closing look featured an undeniably slick black asymmetric leather and canvas zippered coat. More details below.

Trends: Western influence, fringe, parka jackets, crochet detailing.
Colors: Desert sand, gray, black, army green, sienna.
Key Piece: We loved the simple yet sexy sheer asymmetric and draped dresses; outerwear showed amazing structural pieces.
Accessories: Wedge platform boots, knee-high boots, leather harness vests, Western-inspired hats, turtle shell necklaces.
Who Would Wear It: Girls who like the utilitarian look with slight, modern edge.

Anthropologie Rings In Spring With Abstract Color

Angela Swinderman Elias — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:41:11 PST

Anthropologie's Spring window displays are popping up everywhere. An ode to abstract impressionism, the installations are drenched in colorful paint. Aside from showcasing painted pieces on every surface available, the brand cleverly incorporates everyday painting tools. Keep reading to check out a gallery of dazzling window displays plus the creative techniques used to achieve the looks!

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