FitSugar

Book Review: TravelFit London

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:00:00 PDT

Vacations and honeymoons are a great time to sit back and relax, but that does not mean you have to let all your healthy efforts go to waste. If you and your new spouse are heading to London for your honeymoon then you'll definitely want to bring along TravelFit London ($15).

This handy, little travel guidebook gives you the ins and outs on how to keep off holiday weight gain in a city that treasures its fish 'n' chips. From finding bike tours to health clubs that offer day passes, to health-food stores, to walking tours, you'll be sure to keep up with your health while still be able to take in the sights. I love that it's small enough to fit in your purse so you can take it on all your outings. After all, Ben may be big, but you don't have to be.

If the City of Lights is your destination, be sure to check out TravelFit Paris.

Sightseeing + Running = City Running Tours

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:15:00 PDT

I am all about multi-tasking and amazed at the new strategies folks create to combine fitness with other activities. When I first learned about running tours in Rome, I was so excited by the concept that I almost bought a ticket to Italy. Thanks to City Running Tours I can stay stateside and jog to see the sights of New York, Chicago and D.C., with Austin and Denver coming soon.

This concept is great for the business traveler bored with the hotel treadmill, the vacationer in training for an upcoming race, or the recreational runner who wants to explore the sights and exercise at the same time. City Running Tours offers set tours, as well as customized runs to accommodate any athletic ability, style, training regimen or specific landmarks. Pricing is $50 per person for the first 6 miles and $4 per person for each mile after that. In the Big Apple prices are a little higher - $60 per person for the first six miles and $6 per person for each additional mile.

Buy your tickets online and hit the streets, see new sights, and get your heart rate up all at the same time.

Lightweight, Compact Gym Essentials For Any Travel Workout

Leta Shy — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 17:59:56 PDT

Travel is no excuse to upend your healthy routine, but sometimes it can be tough to feel like you can get a good workout while on the road. And while there are many ways to exercise without any equipment at all when you travel, having the right essentials can help out a lot. But no need to take up valuable suitcase space just for your workout! Check out these lightweight, compact gym essentials for the road!

Too Cold to Run? Burn 250 Calories With This 30-Minute Circuit

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:37:13 PST

When it's too chilly to even imagine donning all the layers needed to run outside, you need a simple indoor workout to fall back on that will get your heart rate soaring and work your entire bod.

Here's a five-minute circuit workout you can do at home using set of stairs, a jump rope, and an exercise ball. If your house or apartment is only one floor, just use a sturdy low bench in place of the stairs. No jump rope on hand? Use your imagination and pretend; just jump in place without it. Using the exercise ball for push-ups and crunches makes these two moves more challenging, but if your home gym doesn't have one, just do those exercises on the floor. Crank up your favorite workout tunes and keep an eye on the clock, repeating this circuit one time through:

One minute walking up and down the stairs: 8 calories burned
One minute strength training (30 seconds push-ups, 30 seconds crunches): 5 calories burned
One minute jumping rope: 11 calories burned
One minute skipping around your house: 10 calories burned
One minute fast-paced jumping jacks: 8 calories burned

Total calories burned per round: 42

Repeat this five-minute circuit five more times for a total of six rounds and you'll burn 252 calories. This indoor circuit can be done at home, in a hotel room when traveling, or even at the gym (if you don't feel silly skipping in public!).

Stay Fit (and Sane) All Holiday Season With Alison Sweeney

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:03:51 PST

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

She has two kids, two jobs, one lofty fitness goal and a crazy holiday schedule ahead . . . how does Alison Sweeney do it? The host of The Biggest Loser and star of Days of Our Lives, who is currently training for the L.A. Marathon in March, has a few tricks to keep her life organized, manageable and healthy all at the same time. We recently spoke with Sweeney to snag some secrets and learn more about her relationship with Bob, Jillian, and this season's two new trainers, Dolvett Quince and Anna Kournikova.

How do you stay fit during the holidays?

It's really important to find a workout that you can do with no excuses (Get Sweeney's routine here!) And I keep track of my nutrition. With so many treats around, it's really easy to just pop brownies without thinking about it! You may not even be hungry. I also eat before going to parties so I'm less tempted when I get there and am satisfied with a smaller amount of the treats.

Do you and your family have any seasonal traditions?

We shop for gifts and pick out a tree together. When I was young, my parents always took me skiing in the Winter, which was really festive since I grew up in LA. It was so fun and exhausting - you're basically burning calories all day long! Now, when I'm skiing with my family, I take a picture at the top of the mountain and email it to my dad. I thank him daily for instilling this love of activity at an early age.

So you mentioned that you shop and travel - as a busy working mom of two, how do you stay connected and keep track of your to-buy lists and events this month?

There are so many distractions during the holidays, so I try to use technology to keep my family together. I use my Windows phone, which syncs with my computer, to keep track of my calendar and get photos texted to me. It's really family-oriented and you don't need a manual to understand it!

To learn about Sweeney's 2012 resolutions and get the scoop about the future of The Biggest Loser, keep reading.

More from FITNESS Magazine:

• Reality TV Workouts – Tested!

• You Can Do It! The Get Your Best Body Ever Plan

• Our Top 10 Thigh Exercises

Reader Holiday Gift Guide: For the Fitness Fan on Your List (or You!)

Fit Community — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:19:31 PST

Need a fitness-related gift for fit-minded friends or relative? FitFabCities has you covered. She's rounded up her favorite gifts from foam rollers to iPads.

Okay, I’m willing to admit I might be a little weird. Every year for Christmas I ask for some sort of fitness thing. One year it was a BOSU ball, then next it was boxing gloves and last year it was kettlebells, and every December 26th I bring my new haul to the gym where I can’t wait to try it out. (Needless to say last year the 35 lb. kettlebell proved a little tricky. I think the holidays are a great time to ask for a few fitness things you’ve been eying but your practical side won’t let you buy for yourself. I’ve compiled a few of my holiday must haves that are sure to make your workouts more fun and give you an edge when it comes time for those New Year’s resolutions.

Valslides $30: Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel’s trainer Valerie Waters uses these to whip her clients into shape for big movie roles. I am obsessed with using Valsides for killer core exercises and sliding lunges that totally tighten up your butt and thighs. Plus you can use them in your living room or pack them and take them anywhere!

GymBoss Trainer $19.95: This is totally on my list this year. The Gymboss lets you set a repeating interval timer perfect for circuit training, intervals or running workouts (think 30 seconds on, one minute off). You don’t have to struggle to set your watch or look at it throughout your workout since Gymboss is small and clips onto your shirt.

Foam Roller $34: If you’ve ever had sore muscles you have to get one of these. It will open up your back and make those miles on your legs melt away. Simply a must for runners or, let’s be honest, anyone who uses a computer.

TRX Training System $199: Oh I LOVE this thing!!! BTW so do Jennifer Lopez, Gisele Bundchen and Superbowl MVP Drew Brees. This is a complete gym in a bag. You can do thousands of exercises, take it anywhere (all you need it a doorway or high place to anchor it), plus it’s only two pounds so you can totally pack it in your bag for business travel and vacations. This thing rocks. I can’t say enough good things about it so I think I’ll just have to devote a later post and video to my TRX devotion so you can get the full effect. Bottom line…if you’re OK spending a little more money you must get this thing. (Good news is you could probably give up your gym membership).

Lululemon Triumphant Tote $118: Not only is this bag waterproof but it’s also made of material that won’t cause your Lulu pants to pill when it rubs against them. Plus I think carrying a cute bag would totally be motivation to hit the gym, right? This bag even has a laptop pocket so it’s business and pleasure!

iPad 2 $499: All right, this is a big ticket item but if you’re thinking of one for Christmas I’ll tell you it is my workout secret. I load my favorite TV shows and movies onto the iPad and I actually look forward to my cardio sessions. Consider it a health care cost.

Happy shopping!!!

If you need some other gift ideas for those on your holiday list, check out these gift guides:

Women on the Run

Healthy Gifts That Won't Offend

Two-Wheelin' Friends

For the Active Man in Your Life

Gifts For the Outdoor Enthusiast

Have You Ever Gone on a Fitness Retreat?

Michele Foley — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:45:15 PDT

In a few days, I'm heading to my first fitness retreat - a "wellness weekend" packed with fitness classes, spa treatments, and wine tasting. All this, and the hotel is situated on the Lake Tahoe shore. While there will be time to relax, there's also a lot of fitness happening in those three days. From 8 a.m. Vinyasa yoga classes to ballet-inspired workouts and a Friday kickoff that involves a Pilates mat workout, it will definitely be an active weekend that promises to work my body. And while I've done my share of random yoga classes while on vacation, this is the first time that I've gone on a trip that is centered on fitness.

Have any of you ever planned a fitness vacation? What did you think?

Tired, Bloated, and Puffy? How to Survive the Post-Trip Hangover

Michele Foley — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:06:47 PST

Whether it's for fun, business, or to see the family, traveling can be a major disruption to a daily routine. Sleep schedules get screwed up, exercise routines are thrown off, and a healthy homemade meal is out of the question. Once you return home, it can be hard to get back to a healthy routine. Before letting yourself completely go, follow these small tips for easing your way back.

Give Your Body a Mini-Detox
I'm not suggesting a juice cleanse, but give your body a break by eating as clean as possible. Choose whole, natural foods, and try to stay away from alcohol, fatty foods, refined sugar, and simple carbs. After this mini-detox, you'll find that you're feeling better and all of those unhealthy cravings you developed on vacation are a thing of the past. Here are 10 healthy foods with natural cleansing properties to include in your next meal. Also make sure to drink plenty of water since it will ward off fatigue, headaches, and irritability.

See more tips for surviving a post-trip hangover after the break!

Carrie Underwood Reveals Her Beauty Essentials

Annie Tomlin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:02:22 PST

Carrie Underwood is one busy woman. Along with recently cohosting the Country Music Association Awards, she's Olay's first brand ambassador - and she's got a pretty stellar set of pipes, if you haven't heard. We caught up with Carrie to find out how she prepares for an awards show, what she's learned about beauty, and whether new music is in the works. Read on for our Q&A with Carrie Underwood, plus see behind-the-scenes photos from her Olay campaign.

Don't Spend a Dime: Free Ways to Exercise When Traveling

Michele Foley — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:55:26 PDT

With the threat of credit card rates rising and the US dollar at record lows, for many, having the luxury to travel means adhering to a strict budget. If keeping a regular exercise routine is important to you but the extra expense of paying for classes or a gym while traveling is not in your budget, here are a few ways to stay fit when you're away from home without it costing you a thing.

Borrow Fitness DVDs - Before you leave for your trip, visit the local library. Public libraries keep a wide variety of fitness DVDs, which are perfect for borrowing while traveling. If there isn't a DVD player where you're going, remember to pack your laptop or portable DVD player. I recommend choosing a fitness DVD that incorporates both cardio and strength into a single workout and alternating that with a yoga DVD. If you don't want to borrow DVDs, sites like Exercise TV and Hulu stream free fitness videos.
No Weights? No Problem! - Get creative and use regular household items in place of weights. Laundry detergent bottles and soup cans are favorites of mine. There are also a ton of strength training moves like squats and lunges that don't require the use of dumbbells. Check out our recommendations for do-anywhere exercises that require no equipment and a hotel room workout video that only requires a towel and phone book to do. If you do own your own fitness equipment, consider packing a resistance band, small dumbbells, or a jump rope.

Learn how to get free gym memberships and more after the break!