FitSugar

Starter Arms: Exercise Video

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:00:00 PST

Here is the third installment of the Test Case series: Starter Arms. This video is all about toning the upper arms to get you ready for springtime tank tops.

You will need a set of 5 to 8 pound dumbbells. If you don't have weights experiment with soup cans or full water bottles. Try to do this every other day for 2 weeks and see if your arm tone changes. Consider it an experiment or a challenge.

Some of the exercises are done with just one weight, but experiment and see if you can handle using both. Feel free to repeat the series once or twice.

Why not print this chart out to take these moves to the gym.

How's Your Short, Sweet and Complete Abs Test Case Going?

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:00:00 PST

Hey all -

How's it going with the 4 minute ab workout? I've been questioning folks here to see what they think and they have noticed a couple of things.

First - The exercises have gotten a little bit easier.

Second - They do feel like their belly's are getting more toned.

Third - A couple of test case volunteers really hate the hip ups, but I love them so so all I can say is learn to love them too.

Please write in and tell me what you think and how your body feels.

Stay tuned for a video workout for toning your love handles just in time for Valentine's Day.

Here's the video if you haven't tried it already.

Short, Sweet and Complete Abdominal Workout Video

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 14:35:00 PST

How about those abs? If you are bored with your ab routine, or if you neglect your middle, here's a workout for you to try.

This video is made for you to play while you do the exercise. Think of it as a quick little workout with a voice leading you along and a counter in the lower lefthand corner counting down your reps.

So don't just watch. Watch and do. Then be sure to work your abs at three days a week. Your belly will thank you for all the attention.

For a few tips, just

You want to make sure you are working your deep abs the entire time. So focus on pulling your navel to your spine.
To keep tension out of your neck when doing crunches, think of holding an orange between your chin and your chest. Don't juice the orange, but don't drop it either.
When performing toe taps and heel taps, keep the torso and pelvis totally still. Use your abs to do this.
Have fun with the Hip Ups, but remember to control the motion and really scoop out your low belly.
When twisting to work your obliques, isolate the movement to just the rib cage. Don't move your low back.

8 Myths About Sex Differences

The Good Men Project — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:00:49 PDT

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Today, Agustín Fuentes points out that when it comes to men and women, what "everyone knows" isn’t what science shows.

Everyone knows that men and women are really different. We think differently and act differently because we are wired differently. I mean look at our brains and genitals: they are just plain different. Right?

Wrong.

What if many of the things we assume about the biology of difference are not so different at all? What if it is not our “wiring” but the ways in which our bodies and minds develop and play out in society that makes us seem so unalike? Could it be that men and women are more similar than we think?

I Dumped the Love of My Life and Now She Doesn’t Trust Me

Yes, women give birth and lactate and men do not. And yes, men are, on average, slightly larger than women and usually have greater upper body strength. There are these basic biological differences between the sexes and they are important . . . but why always focus on the differences and not the biological, and behavioral, similarities? Ahh, that would be because of gender.

Gender is a powerful reality; it is the perception and expectation of differences between males and females and it shapes both our bodies and our society. Gender differences are real and important, but they are not hard wired or even static. There is no biological or evolutionary mandate that only women really care for babies and show emotions, or that males are the best at economics and politics and prefer beers and skirt-chasing to domestic bliss. These are patterns of gender roles and expectations that shape the ways we look at our biology and behavior. They influence the way we expect the world to be. It is the strength of the societal myths about sex that fool us into thinking that men and women are so different by nature.

So let’s bust some of those myths.

Gender and sex are the same thing.

Sex and gender are interconnected, but not the same thing. Sex is a biological state that is measured via what chromosomes you have (XX or XY, usually) and aspects of your body and physiology. Gender includes the roles, expectations and perceptions that a given society has for the sexes. Most societies have two genders on a masculinity-femininity continuum. Some have more. We are born with a biological sex, but acquire gender. There is a ton of individual diversity within societies and sexes in regards to how sex and gender play out in behavior and personality.

There is an extensive body of data demonstrating this, but people interested only in specific differences between men and women choose to ignore it.

Male and female genitals are totally different.

Most people think that male and female genitals are about as different as can be: penis=male and vagina=female. But even this basic dichotomy is not quite correct: the genitals emerge from the same mass of embryonic tissue. For the first six weeks of life the tissue masses develop identically. At about 6-7 weeks, depending on whether the fetus has XX or XY chromosomes (usually), the tissues to start to differentiate. One part of the tissues begins to form the clitoris or penis and another forms the labia or scrotum. Another area begins to form into either the testes or the ovaries. This means that physiologically, male and female genitals are made of the same stuff and work in similar ways.

Male and female brains are different.

If there were really deep seated differences between male and female human behavior and biology they should show up in the brain. The genitals start in the same place and end up looking different, the brain does not. Our brains are pretty much the same. Male brains are a bit bigger than females’ (like their bodies) and females’ brains stop growing earlier than males (as with their bodies). However, whatever one may believe about other organs, in the case of healthy brains, size really does NOT matter one iota. There also might be a few differences in a small part of the brain called the straight gyrus (need more testing in this one). Other than these minor aspects there are no consistent and replicated reliable differences in male and female brains; it is a human brain . . . but how we use it is another matter.

Hormones make the difference.

Everyone thinks that males and females have different hormones . . . testosterone for men and estrogen for women. Nope, all the actual hormones in males and females are the same: there are no male-only or female-only hormones. Both men and women can get a flood of testosterone when they get into a fight or take part in an exhilarating sports match. Both men and women can get a flood of oxytocin and prolactin when they pick up a newborn baby. There can be differences in the levels, patterns, and impacts of some of these hormones in male and female bodies, but individual variation is often more important than the variation between the sexes.

Keep reading for the rest.

Do You Avoid Eating Late at Night to Prevent Weight Gain?

Leta Shy — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:18:46 PDT

On one hand, knowing how to eat right can be simple - eat when you're hungry, and stick to nutritious foods that fill you up and keep you satisfied. But another component of playing the weight loss game is when you eat, and that's when things can get complicated.

While studies have proven that eating late at night doesn't automatically lead to your body storing more fat, a new study in mice has found a link between when you eat and weight gain. Researchers looked at two groups of mice, both of which were fed the same amount of a high-fat diet, and found that the mice who were only allowed to eat during an eight-hour period during the day ended up gaining less weight than the mice that were allowed to eat the same amount of food any time during the day and night.

Researchers believe that the difference in weight gain is due to the fact that the body's organs operate at peak efficiency at different times, so everything from your liver to your muscles may be burning more calories and working harder depending on the time of day or night. Frequent eating throughout the day and night, they say, may throw off your body's metabolic cycles, so you may be more successful with weight loss if you stop eating at a certain point during your day (even if you are eating the same amount of food).

This newest study is just one more piece of information in the late-night eating debate, but the theory hasn't been tested on humans yet. And it's important to note that this study doesn't prove the myth that you shouldn't eat past a certain time to avoid your food turning into fat - the study is just saying that restricting when you eat to a certain time period may help regulate your metabolic cycles. In any case, what's your take on the issue: do you avoid eating late at night to prevent gaining weight?

18 Spring Activities to Get Your Geek on

Laura Marie Given — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:42:00 PDT

Whether you prefer to be in the kitchen or on the road, we've come up with several creative ideas to keep you busy this Spring. Looking for some new pastimes? From DIYs to nerdy day trips, we've got 18 fun, geeky ideas to get you through the season.

Have a documentary marathon: Not sure where to start? Check out Frozen Planet, a seven-part series from the team behind Planet Earth, to learn more about climate changes (and adorable animals!) in the Poles.
Become an amateur astronomer: Pick an especially clear night and look at the stars with the 5 Stars Astronomy Guide App. It's simple: hold your phone to the sky and you'll learn all about the constellation in front of you.
Host a Comic-Con party: Get your pals to dress up as their favorite comic book characters and go for bold, bright decorations. Keep your favorite comic-inspired flicks playing in the background and serve drinks in these Vintage DC Comic Tumblers ($125 for 6).
Try a coding class: Do a bit of research to find local coding classes at a community college. Sign up solo or invite your Internet-obsessed pals to join so that you can help each other learn the HTML ropes.

Keep reading for more geeky things to do.

3 Tips For Germ-Free Travel

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:17:50 PDT

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

Whether you're going by boat, plane, train, or automobile, travel bugs are bound to greet you. Here, some cringe-worthy stats on germs and traveling - and tips on how you can take a trip unscathed.

Stay Hydrated

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the air inside planes has anywhere from 10 to 20 percent humidity, which can dry out mucous membranes and make people more susceptible to germs. Staying hydrated throughout the trip can prevent nasal passages from being irritated, so load up on water and skip the carbonated beverages and booze. "Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks should be followed with water or fruit juice to rehydrate because they are diuretics and can cause water loss," advise Ray Fillmore Garman, MD, MPH, and Susan Spengler, MD, both associate professors with the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Sipping on water assists with immune function - and in some cases even helps with jet lag. For longer, international trips pack electrolyte-friendly snacks like GU Energy Chomps, a banana, nuts, or a small bag of fortified cereal to keep drowsiness at bay.

Keep reading for two more healthy travel tips after the break.

A Cancer Survivor's Goal: 50 Triathlons by Her 50th Birthday

espnW — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:26:06 PDT

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

By Julia Savacool

It's a good thing Jenn Sommermann discovered triathlons when she did. "I was turning 40 years old, and my friend and I were looking for a way to commemorate the occasion," Sommermann said. "We decided to train for a triathlon." Because Sommermann was on the East Coast and her friend was on the West, the two trained together virtually, exchanging workout notes and messages of encouragement. Several months later, they competed in the Danskin Women's Tri in Seattle.

"That was it, I was in love with triathlons," Sommermann said. Little did she know, two years later the fitness she gained through the sport would help her win a battle against ovarian cancer.

It was December 2006 when Sommermann received her diagnosis. She'd been feeling out of sorts for months, but had been reluctant to see her doctor.

The symptoms for ovarian cancer are subtle: Bloating, weight gain, fatigue and indigestion are all indicators for the disease, but they are also common symptoms for many women during their monthly cycle. The main difference with ovarian cancer, explained Sommermann, is the symptoms don't go away.

It was by chance she discovered the cancer - she was pressing on her stomach one night and came across a hard lump. "I called my husband over, and he felt it, too," she said. "I knew this wasn't good." She went to see her physician immediately, and an ultrasound revealed a tumor about the size of an eggplant. "I had Stage 3 ovarian cancer," said Sommermann. "I was in shock. The disease is 94 percent curable if you catch it by Stage 2. But after that, the numbers are not in your favor."

Surfing gets Anastasia Ashley through tough times

Read more about Jen's inspiring story after the break.

5 Ways to Live Stream a Wedding

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:34:02 PDT

When a loved one can't attend your wedding, consider live streaming any part of the ceremony or festivities so far away guests can still celebrate practically in person. From video calling to live video channels, these five services enable you to live stream a wedding:

Skype: One of the most well-known video-calling services, Skype is a great free option if you are just trying to include one person. To include more people, sign up for Skype Premium ($9.99 per month), which allows group chats with up to 10 people.
Ustream: The video website enables you to broadcast live video content. It even developed a UStream Broadcaster app, so you can easily stream live HD video from your mobile phone.
iPhone FaceTime: Via FaceTime, you can quickly call a friend who has an iPhone, iPad 2, iPod touch, or even a Mac computer. Since the iPhone 4S is equipped with a front and back camera, simply tap the camera swap button on the bottom right hand side of the screen to share the ceremony.
YouTube Live Stream: With an on-site webcam and WiFi, you can schedule and stream the event live on YouTube. Google offers simple and clear instructions on how to set up, test, and manage your live stream so everything runs smoothly.
I Do Stream: The company provides all the equipment you need (camcorder, tripod, etc.) to seamlessly broadcast your wedding ceremony online. You can even rent a laptop with built-in broadband wireless in case the ceremony grounds don't have an Internet connection.

What Grocery Stores Aren't Telling You About Generic Goods

Emily Co — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:15:11 PDT

Although many taste tests say that generic items measure up to brand-name goods, there may be some products you're not willing to go generic for because you think the generic's quality is poor. Redditor LincolnSt, who said he has worked at grocery stores his entire life, says that the producers of the brand-name goods are actually repackaging the generic items at the same factory, which means that the quality of the product is about the same (even though they may have different ingredients). Here's how to find out which store-brand goods are the same quality as their brand-name counterparts:

Here is a picture of a package of Johnsonville Brats. Do you see the small circle above "Previously handled frozen for your protection. Refreeze or refrigerate"? That is the serial number for the factory or slaughterhouse where the meat was packaged (in this case, 34225).

Even the biggest names only have a handful of places that will package their product and (usually) only one that will handle the grocery chains in your region. That location will also handle or package the store-brand items.

So match the serial number on a name-brand meat product that you know to be of good quality with the store-brand meat product of a similar type. If they are the same, you have found out who actually makes the store-brand item. It takes a little while to find out exactly who is making what, but it will save you money if you are looking for quality along with low prices.

If this seems like too much of a hassle for a few dollars, just remember that you only have to do it once, and then you'll know which store-brand goods to buy going forward.