FitSugar

Lose Pounds and Gain Shoes: The Shoe Diet

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:00:00 PDT

Do you love shoes? I sure do. It's a strange phenom really, women and their shoes. What else do women love (well love to hate, really)? Dieting. So, isn't it then a great idea to combine dieting and shoes?

This is just what Isabelle Shaw, author of The Shoe Diet ($12.95) has done. Unfortunately this diet is not about a special pair of shoes that curb your hunger (though I am sure we'll be seeing that in the future), it is based on the power of reward. What's a better reward than shoes? The diet is built upon a series of steps that you must take in order to earn your rewards, shoes. The first one being that you must start a food journal and begin your shoe rating system. For example, think of everything you eat just like a hotel star system, with one shoe corresponding to "not really worth it" and five shoes meaning "it was so worth it!" Soon you'll be eliminating your one shoe foods from your diet, all while keeping your eye on the ball: Your first new pair of kicks for a job well done.

I love that Dr. Shaw has realized that while we may not be willing to finally step up and eat right for our health, we will do it for a pair of hot shoes. Kind of reminds me of click it or ticket, we won't buckle up for our safety, but we'll do it to save 50 bucks. This is a diet that I think FabSugar (not that she needs to go on a diet) will enjoy. Buy the book on Amazon.com.

13 Health Gimmicks You Can Stop Wasting Money On

Business Insider — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:15:21 PDT

Consumers have a tendency of falling for the next big health gimmick. Save your money on health duds with these Business Insider tips.

No matter how many times we're told otherwise, Americans' obsession with get-healthy-quick schemes will likely never die. Too bad most of these fads aren't worth their weight in salt - or your hard-earned dollars. We've put together a list of some of the worst budget-sucking health trends that still persist today.

Coconut Water

Coconut water may be nature's version of Gatorade but some brands have already caught fire for over-hyping its nutrient content. Vita Coco agreed to settle a $10 million class action lawsuit over an independent study that showed the drinks didn't pack near as many electrolytes as advertisements implied. Some coconut waters are also loaded with added sugar, which will do nothing to help your waistline.

Alternative: Pick up your own young green coconuts on the cheap from an Asian produce market. Just crack them open with a cleaver and pop in a straw.

"All-Natural" Foods

30 percent of Americans bought more natural foods in 2011, according to a Rodale study. But what are we really paying more for? There's no clear cut regulation on what makes food "natural," which means just about any company can slap that label on its packages, add a fancy green theme and jack up the price.

Says Andrew Schrage of MoneyCrashers: "Before buying any food that is touted as being 'all natural,' take a look at the ingredient list before you check out. Keep in mind that butter and salt are indeed natural ingredients. So stocking up on natural foods may not achieve anything other than increasing your grocery bill."

Read on for more.

Link Time: Meet Mad Men's Jessica Paré, Elizabeth Olsen Models Chanel's Little Black Jacket, and More

FabSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:16:10 PDT

Get to know Mad Men's new Mrs. Draper, Jessica Paré - Stylelist
Coolest mom ever? Beyoncé totes Blue Ivy around in a gray fur sling, of course - Styleite
Dolce & Gabbana sues gift shop named Dolce & Banana - HuffPost Style
Feeling creative? Try these 15 DIY scarf tricks - The Fashion Spot
Kate Winslet on her nude scenes in Titanic 3D: "I'm not going to look" - The Cut
A closer look at the "7-year-old on a diet" Vogue article controversy - The Daily Beast
7 trendy jewelry pieces for Spring - Real Simple
This season's top ladylike crossbody bags - Bag Snob
Someone paid $57,000 for a pair of Marie Antoinette's shoes - Jezebel
Photographer Juergen Teller reveals why he works with no assistant, and more - Style.com
See Anna Wintour, Elizabeth Olsen, and more model Chanel's little black jacket - Fashionista

Photo courtesy of AMC

Sugar Shout Out: Personalize Your Save the Date Photos

Katie Henry — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:55:04 PST

8 Life Lessons Learned From CES 2012

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:31:59 PST

This year's CES didn't just teach us about gadget trends and the future of the industry - it also taught us a few things that we'll remember in our everyday lives as well. Here, we offer up a few tips to take with you on your next journey to a big tech conference, or to keep in the back of your mind for life. Trust me: our pain is your gain!

Get plenty of sleep. Between long hours on the show floor and various industry parties (and afterparties), there's a good reason we'd love to see siesta lounges at CES. But if you can't nap during the day, be sure to get enough shut eye at night. This is true even for the real world, where you've got emails, shows, and news to catch up on. Put away the laptop at a decent hour and get your beauty rest. You'll wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day's to-do list.
Carry water. Downing coffee, cocktails, and Diet Cokes, coupled with the dry weather in the desert, and filtered air in the hotels and casinos can cause dehydration fast. Keep a bottle of water on you at all times. This not only keeps your skin fresh, lips hydrated, and head clear, but it'll keep you from overheating due to thirst.
Wear good shoes. Did I mention how much we walked at CES? Seriously, the biggest expo I've ever seen, it spans the Las Vegas Convention Center and surrounding hotels. It's not hard to walk six miles in a single day. Multiply that by three or four days, and you've got yourself a good workout. Dress your feet appropriately for CES, and everyday life, since it can save your back later down the road.
Get in the lunch line early. Hungry bloggers line up to get their lunches far before the 11:30 a.m. call time. Although we never saw a shortage of food, who wants to wait in another line when you're tired and hungry? This is another way to say "eat your lunch." Skipping meals can lead to headaches and crankiness, symptoms you don't want to experience when you're in a fast-paced and crowded space or in your office.

Check out the rest of the list when you read more.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Quotes About Weight Loss

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:13:02 PDT

I'm all for motivational quotes when it comes to staying fit and healthy, but there are a few popular ones that send a bad message about dieting and weight loss. Here are a few that make me shake my head in disappointment, but a few more that make it OK.

"A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips."
"No pain, no gain."
"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."
"Don't dig your own grave with your own knife and fork."
"If you put it in your mouth, it will just go South."
"Supermodels always go to bed hungry."
If you indulge, you bulge."
"Unless you want to look like a porky, come on missy, put down the forky."

These sayings are unproductive on so many levels. They either scare you into thinking anything you eat will make you fat, that losing weight is a painful process, or that being skinny is what's important in life. Thankfully there are also positive, uplifting sayings that motivate you to move and be healthy. Keep reading for eight inspirational weight loss and fitness quotes.

Straight From the Mouth of a Zumba Instructor: Tips For Class Newbies

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:02:39 PDT

Want to know why Zumba is all the rage? Or are you already hooked on Zumba and want to know what it takes to teach a class? Our interview with Michele Schmidt, a certified Zumba instructor, answers all of your burning questions.

FitSugar: What is Zumba?
Michele Schmidt: Zumba is a fusion of Latin and international music combined with a heart-pumping cardio workout that's easy to follow and fun to do. It was founded in the '90s by Alberto "Beto" Perez, a fitness instructor from Columbia, when he forgot his music and improvised a traditional aerobics class with Latin music and moves that he grew up dancing to.

FS: What makes it such a great workout? Will it help a person lose weight?
MS: Zumba is an intense cardio workout, so it can help a person lose weight! Typically an hour long, classes include interval training and strengthening movements (like squats and lunges) to maximize your calorie and fat burn, as well as to improve overall body tone. Proper diet and nutrition is also an important part of any weight loss program - many Zumba teachers have said that "you can't out dance a bad diet!"

Learn beginner tips for your first Zumba class and how to become a Zumba instructor after the break!

Healthy Dose Link Time: Healthy Berry Crisp and Lady Gaga's Workout!

FitSugar — Tue, 17 May 2011 11:08:44 PDT

'Tis the berry season! Make the most of it with this raw berry crisp - Oh She Glows
Dragonfruit: the superfood you've never heard of - Diet-Blog
Pick up those weights and get ready for Lady Gaga's fitness routine - Fitness
A how-to on buying the right salmon - Health
Yoga shoes are given a test run; see how they performed - Vitamin G

How to Treat and Prevent Cramps While You Exercise

Leta Shy — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:24:47 PDT

Cramps throughout the body can, at their least painful, distract you from your workout and at their worst can keep you from finishing a workout. While they are normally associated with vigorous exercise, they are common in every type of exercise because you may be twisting your body or otherwise overexerting yourself. I recently learned that the hard way, after spending a lot more time than I should have in Child's Pose during yoga class when my toes wouldn't stop cramping! Whether they happen in your feet or on your side, here are some tips on how to prevent and deal with those annoying cramps.

Side stitch
Cause: Many experts believe that side cramps are caused by the pulling of the ligament that attaches your liver to your diaphragm. This can happen when you breath too vigorously while you run. Runners who exhale when their right foot hits the ground, for example, are more likely to experience muscle cramps than those who don't. Experts also believe that shallow breathing can lead to a higher frequency of side cramps.
Prevention: Warming up is key to preventing these painful cramps, so start with walking or slow jogging before you start any intensive cardio. Also, try not to run while full since that may also pull the ligament that is attached to your diaphragm. If you get a stitch on your side, a side stretch using an exercise ball may give you enough support and stretch to the area to make you feel better.

Toe or foot cramps
Cause: Foot cramps may be caused from too-constricting shoes, depletion of nutrients like electrolytes or water in your body, or just the position that you're putting your toes into while you exercise.
Prevention. Massaging the bottoms of your feet every few days by rolling them on top of a tennis ball will help keep your muscles and ligaments stretched. Also, remember to drink plenty of fluids regularly. If you get a cramp while exercising, stopping and massaging your feet or moving into a position that stretches them (like Downward Dog) can help alleviate pain.

Fit's Hits: From Greek Yogurt to JLo's Legs

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:00:28 PDT

So many ways to enjoy Greek yogurt, so little time. Start with the chocolate frosting!
Scarlett Johansson runs in Vibram Five Finger shoes - do you?
Popular with celebs and royalty, here's the lowdown on the Dukan diet.
Work your asana to tone your backside with these seven yoga poses.
Don't skip breakfast! It really is the most important meal of the day.
Find out if you're more like Gwyneth Paltrow or Megan Fox when it comes to germs.
Looking for a career that'll keep you fit? These jobs kept our readers in shape.
Get Jennifer Lopez's legs with these two Tracy Anderson moves.

Source: Flickr User thepinkpeppercorn