FitSugar

Which Fall Activity Burns More Calories?

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:30:05 -0800

Even though the days are shorter, there are still a lot of ways to burn calories in the crisp Fall air. But do you know which activities burn the most? Take my quiz to find out. All calorie calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.

Take the quiz

Another Reason to Trail Run: Increased Calorie Burn

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I'm a huge fan of trail running for so many reasons. It's peaceful in the woods, all those hills are great for toning your quads and booty, the shade is cooler and protects you from UV rays, and the soft dirt is easier on your joints than pavement. I also love that unlike the gym, I don't have to wait in line or be tied to time limits, so I can run whenever I want for as long as my feet will carry me. Running in the woods also means I can bring my pooch along.

As if I needed another reason to love trail running, research shows that choosing the trail over the treadmill or pavement burns 10 percent more calories. That's because the terrain tends to be uneven, there are hills to conquer, and also obstacles to jump over. So if you've been loving the treadmill because you're trying to avoid the Summer heat, now is the perfect time to make the switch and hit the trails.

5 Things to Remember When Hitting the Trails

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:28:50 -0700

Trail running in the woods is one of my favorite ways to work out for so many reasons. It's peaceful, all those hills are great for my quads and booty, the shade is cooler and protects me from UV rays, and the soft dirt is easy on my joints. If you love trail running, too, here are some things to think about:

Harder to spot than curbs, tree roots and rocks are a natural part of the trail. Keep your eyes peeled and focused forward, constantly scanning the trail for obstacles.
Wearing bug spray is a great idea since mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies love to buzz around in damp places.
Avoid mud and puddles. Not only is it slippery and dirty, but if your feet get wet, you're more likely to develop blisters.

What else should you keep in mind when hitting the trail? To find out keep reading

Reasons to Start Trail Running

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Forest trails are finally completely free of snow and ice (and hopefully mud), so it's the perfect time to start trail running. If you've never given any consideration to running in the woods, here are some reasons you should.

The soil and leaf surface is much softer and more forgiving than pavement or a treadmill belt, so it's easier on knees and other sensitive joints.
The trees offer protection from the sun's harmful rays, so your risk for sun exposure and sunburn is reduced.

To see why else you should start trail running, read more.

The temperature is usually cooler in the woods, so you'll sweat less, and reduce your risk for overheating. Since it's also easier to run in cooler temps, you'll be able to run longer than you would if the temps were higher.
It's quiet in the woods and virtually people-free, so running in a forest can offer you much-needed alone time.
Unlike the gym, there's no waiting for a cardio machine in the woods, so you can run whenever you have time, for as long as you want.
The rocks, hills, uneven terrain, and fallen tree limbs make a great obstacle course, so not only is running on trails more exciting, it's also more challenging.
You can bring your dog (if you have one), and not only will they offer company, but they'll also motivate you to pick up your pace a little since they tend to run faster.

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Watch Out For: Ticks

FitSugar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Exercising in the woods is perfect in the Summer because the challenging terrain offers you a tough workout, but the trees provide shade to prevent overheating. When on the trail you need not only to watch out for poison ivy, but be on the lookout for ticks as well. These little buggers are small, but their bites have the ability to transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, Lyme disease, and other tick-borne illnesses. Blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), lone star ticks, and American dog ticks are all on the list of things you don't want touching your body.

To prevent ticks from landing on you and attaching to your skin, wear long sleeves, pants, and tall socks that cover your shins. Lighter colored clothing will make it easier to spot these dark bugs so you can flick them off. If it's too hot for all those clothes, then spray yourself with bug repellent. Also avoid walking in tall grassy areas. Be especially cautious in May, June, and July when ticks are most active. After an excursion in an area that's known for ticks, check yourself or have someone else check your skin - don't forget your armpits, scalp, and groin.

To find out what you should do if you see a tick stuck to your body read more.

Remove the tick from your skin by using tweezers. Don't smother the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly, and don't use a hot match. You want to avoid crushing the tick to ensure that the disease-causing bacterium stays inside the tick's body. Pull the tick out and if the mouthparts are still in your skin, pull those out too. Wash the area with soapy warm water. If a tick has latched on to you and it's been less than 24 hours, your risk of contracting a disease is fairly low. Monitor the bitten area as well as your overall symptoms over the next few weeks, just to be sure.

Is it just me, or does anyone else get itchy just looking at the images of ticks?

Source

Watch Out For: Poison Ivy

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Unknowingly tromping through a patch of poison ivy can turn a pleasurable hike or run in the woods into a nightmare. If you touch the plant or something that has touched it (like your dog), then the oils can get on your skin and cause a nasty, itchy, blistery rash that lasts for up to three weeks.

If you know you've gotten into some poison ivy, you want to rinse with cold water within an hour of exposure. A hot shower is the worst idea because it will open your pores and let the oils in. If you wash the oils off immediately, hopefully you'll avoid a rash altogether. If you do develop the rash, don't pop the blisters. The liquid inside won't cause the rash to spread, but you could get an infection. Use a topical anti-itch cream to relieve your symptoms and speed up the healing process.

If you learned the rule, "Leaves of three, let it be," you can throw that out the window. While poison ivy does grow in clusters of three leaves, it can also grow up to nine leaves in a group. To hear what else you should you watch out for and see some photos of this treacherous plant read more.

This plant needs light to grow, so often you'll find it lurking on the edge of woods, roads, parking lots, and fields.
Poison ivy generally grows in a cluster of low weed-like plants, but it can also be a vine that climbs up trees.
Many plants look like poison ivy, but you'll know it's something to avoid if the base of the leaves are slightly wide. Also, the edges of the leaves have tiny "teeth."
The leaves aren't always green. They are reddish in the spring, green in the summer, and yellow or orange in the fall.
The berries are typically white.

Check out these photos from the poison-ivy.org website, so you know exactly which plants to avoid and which are harmless.

Source

5 Things For Trail Running

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Running in the woods is one of my favorite ways to work out because it's peaceful, all those hills are great for my quads and booty, and the soft dirt is easy on my joints. If you love trail running, too, here are some things to think about:

Harder to spot than curbs, tree roots and rocks are a natural part of the trail. Keep your eyes peeled and focused forward, scanning the trail for obstacles.
Bug spray is a great idea since mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies love to buzz around in damp places.
Avoid mud and puddles. Not only is it slippery and dirty, but if your feet get wet, you're more likely to develop blisters.
Like always, it is important to shower immediately after your run because you might have come into contact with poison ivy or poison oak. Scrubbing your legs with soap and water will help get rid of the oils that cause the rash.
Check yourself for ticks after a run, too. You can use a mirror or ask a friend to check the parts you have a hard time seeing. Don't forget your head - ticks like to hide.

Source

P.L.O.W. - Tunes For Trail Running

FitSugar — Sun, 25 May 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Trail running can be so much more entertaining than running on a treadmill or track. When you're in the woods, all the hills, rocks, and fallen tree limbs can be really challenging, so here are some pumping tunes to inspire you to keep moving.

This play list has 35 minutes of upbeat music, and a few minutes of calm cool down tunes. To hear it read more.

Total Time: 42:40

Source

Get in Gear: New Balance Waterproof Sneakers

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Now that the weather is warming up, I bet a lot of you are getting psyched to walk and run outside. The problem is most of the country is dealing with melting snow, so it's still pretty wet outside. It's no fun to run outside and get soggy feet, so if you're looking for a pair of waterproof sneaks, check out these from New Balance ($120).

To hear more about them

I think these are super cute, but what tops their good looks is they are made from Gore-Tex so they're completely waterproof. Your feet will stay dry and if you happen to get them covered in mud, they'll clean up easily. Plus, Gore-Tex breathes. And check out the soles. They're perfect for running around on uneven terrain. Plus the midsole is made out of shock absorbing material, so if you're into trail running, these will protect your feet from sharp rocks and sticks. In case you were wondering, the New Balance 1110 only come in the blue and gray color that's shown.

What You Need for Fall Trail Running

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Some runners are ecstatic when the summer heat waves goodbye and the crisp autumn air moves in. It's like free air-conditioning, because you bundle yourself up in lightweight layers for your run, and when you start to warm up, you just peel them off and the fall breeze cools you down.

Trail running is one of my favorite things to do in the fall. Since the air is so cold, you don't have to worry about voracious mosquitoes attacking you (that's why I don't trail run on hot days). You do need to watch the ground carefully though, since leaves may be covering hidden ditches, rocks and twigs. That always adds to the excitement though, and because there's so much to be aware of, there's no time to get bored.

Here are a few pieces of gear to make your fall trail running more enjoyable:

Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx	Double Dry Seamless Full Support Underwire Sports Bra by Champion
be present Bamboo Tank	Patagonia Women's Wool 2 Zip-Neck
Patagonia Women's R3 Fleece Jacket	Brooks Women's Vapor Dry Tight
Darn Tough Socks	The North Face Ultra 103 Trail Running Shoe
Ultimate Direction Hip Bag	REI Performance Liner Gloves