FitSugar

What's More Important to You: Flat Belly or Toned Tush?

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:30:00 PDT

We all eat right and work out to feel energetic, and to prevent ourselves from getting sick, but let's face it - many of us are conscientious about diet and exercise because we love how it makes us look. Who doesn't want a slim and toned body, right? There's nothing wrong with being proud of your appearance.

With that said, everyone has certain parts of their body they love to work on so I'm wondering . . .

Source

Move It: Full Sit Up with Bridge

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:30:00 PDT

In a recent poll, I asked you all if your summer fitness goal is to have flat abs or a toned tush. Now, while the majority voted for flat abs I thought I'd share this exercise with you all that works both areas of concern. It's a full sit-up/bridge combo and it works your backs side and your torso splendidly.

Start with a basic bridge.
On an exhale, push your pelvis up. Keep your back straight and in neutral spine - imagine your abs and back muscles sandwiching your spine.

You will feel your hamstrings and glutes work.
If you want to work your inner thighs a bit, place something between your knees (like a pillow) and hold it there for the duration of the series.
Lower your pelvis down to the ground as you inhale. As your pelvis lowers, bring your arms up.

Next, do a full sit up.

Exhale and roll all the way up to sitting with your hands behind your head. You put your hands behind so you can't jerk yourself up by swinging your arms up.

Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground.
Focus on pulling your deep abs to your spine as your roll up. Work the abs not the hip flexors.

Roll down and onto your back.
Inhale generously into your back as you roll down, keeping the navel pulled to the spine.

Focus on hollowing out your abs even though you are moving quickly, move with control.
Get ready to bring your hands to your sides as bridge up again.

That completes one set.

Aim to to do 20 reps, but remember quality is more important than quality and speed. Do not fling your self up and down, use your abs and focus on control.

Fit's tip: If I were my trainer, I would definitely stick a small pillow between my knees. Work to keep your legs truly parallel through out this exercise, it is much better form.

Which is Your Goal This Summer: Toned Tush or Flat Abs?

FitSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 07:30:00 PDT

We've all got our goals for summer (like get over fear of sharks)... For many of us, especially if you're reading FitSugar right now, that goal is to be comfortable (and looking good) in a bikini but that can be different for everyone.

So which is your goal from your workout this summer: Toned tush or flat abs?

Run Strong: How to Tone Your Butt and Thighs Even More

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:27:24 PDT

Running is not only an awesome form of calorie-burning, heart-pumping cardio, it also doubles as a strength training workout for your lower body. Run and you'll quickly see how it can tone your tush without bulking up your booty. Want to get even more out of your runs? Incorporate these strength training techniques and you're sure to notice a difference when you slip on your bikini bottoms.

Source: Thinkstock

Common Treadmill Woe: How to Avoid a Stiff Neck While Running

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:13:23 PDT

Many people prefer hitting the treadmill to running outdoors, but if you're not careful, along with that toned tush you might end up with a stiff neck, resulting in a nagging headache. Follow these tips the next time you hop on the treadmill to prevent this common running woe.

Keep Your Gaze Forward
One gym perk is its televisions, which allow you to catch up on the news or your favorite TV show. It becomes a problem, however, if your gym mounts its TVs on the wall instead of using individual screens on each machine - if you're looking up and to the right for 30 minutes straight, it's no secret why your neck hurts! Avoid cranking your head upward or all the way to one side by choosing a treadmill directly in front of the TV you're watching. Or better yet, bring in your iPad and place it on the magazine rack of your machine to keep your head directly over your spine. The same goes for chatting with your running buddy on the treadmill next to you - keep the conversation going while looking straight ahead.

Keep reading for more tips on preventing neck pain on the treadmill.

Why Running Isn't Helping You Lose Weight

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:30:56 PDT

You started running months ago, yet every time you hop on the scale, you're let down by the results. What gives? While running does burn mega calories, here are some reasons you may not be seeing the weight-loss results you're after.

Postrun Pig-Outs
Burning tons of calories can cause a famished feeling afterward, but it's important to fuel wisely. Choose junk food as your recovery food and not only are you overdoing it on the calorie front, you'll be hungry again in the next hour. Although a postrun snack is essential, make sure it's packed with protein and filling carbs, and do not exceed 150 calories. If you exercised before a meal, enjoy a sensibly portioned plate, and don't go overboard as a way to reward your efforts. If you still find you're utterly famished after a workout, it probably means you need to fuel up before you exercise, so enjoy one of these pre-workout snacks before heading out for a run.

You Don't Run Enough
If you're running and not seeing results, take a look at your calendar. Doing one 45-minute run once a week, or a couple 20-minute runs won't burn enough calories to lose weight. In order to lose a pound a week, you'll need to ditch 500 calories each day, through a combination of diet and exercise. If losing weight is your goal, run three to four times per week and incorporate other forms of calorie-burning cardio on the other days.

Keep reading to find out why running isn't helping you lose weight.

Get Your Bum Bikini-Ready With These Yoga Poses

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:06:35 PDT

Summer is here, which means showing a bit more skin. Our tushes can never be too toned, so here's an intermediate yoga sequence that will strengthen your seat and make you feel proud prancing around in your bikini bottoms. After going through all eight poses with the right leg, repeat this sequence again on the left side.

Source: Thinkstock

Wee! A Total-Body Playground Circuit Workout

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:58:20 PDT

Playgrounds aren't just for the kiddos. Why not use the equipment to do a little strength training after you run or bike ride through the park, or while your children are playing (might as well tone your tush rather than just sitting on it)? Check out this five-minute circuit workout to target your entire body from head to toe. For a full workout, repeat the circuit six times through for a total of 30 minutes. Note that some cities have rules about adults using playground equipment, so double check before doing this workout.

Triceps dips on a bench: Sit on a bench and place the heels of your palms next to your hips. Walk your feet away from you about six or so inches and hop your tush off so you're hovering in front of the bench. Slowly bend at your elbows and lower your upper body down toward the floor until your arms are at about a 90 degree angle. Be sure to keep your back close to the bench. Once you reach the bottom of the movement, slowly push yourself straight back up to the starting position. Repeat for one minute.
Push-ups with both feet on a swing: Stand two feet in front of a swing and place your hands on the ground. Step onto the swing so the tops of both ankles are resting on the middle of the swing. Walk your hands out as needed so your body is in the top of a push-up position. Slowly bend your elbows, lowering your chest toward the ground, and then straighten them, coming to the starting position. Do as many push-ups as you can for one minute (it's OK to do them slowly).

Keep reading for the rest of moves in this circuit workout.

Weekend Workout: Arms, Abs, and Booty on the Ball

FitSugar — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:05:46 PDT

If you're pressed for time and can't fit in a long workout, you can still effectively tone your upper body, core, and tush. Grab an exercise ball and do 20 reps of each exercise, and cycle through the routine three times.

Push-Ups With Tuck Crunch

Crunches on an Exercise Ball

Plank Booty Leg Lifts

Itching for more short workouts? Check out these Weekend Workouts to learn how to tone other areas of your body.

Yoga Sequence to Build Your Best Bikini Body

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:29:15 PDT

On days when you're so stressed out, you don't know if you feel like screaming or crying, yoga is great for settling your nerves and calming your mind. Aside from making you feel happy and relaxed, yoga can also give you a strong and sexy body.

Here are 12 challenging yoga poses that will tone your tush, thighs, abs, and upper body, so you feel confident parading around the beach in a teeny bikini. Follow this sequence through on the right side and then repeat on the left.

Source: Thinkstock