FitSugar

Back on Track: Check Your Sneaks

FitSugar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:30:00 PDT

After a three-day weekend, possibly full of splurges, you want to get back on track, and let's start from the bottom up. How are your sneakers treating your feet? You should replace your running shoes every 350 to 500 miles, and you might be due. Tally up your weekly miles, multiply them by the number of weeks you have had your shoes. If you tend to forget the purchase date of your shoes, and really who has space in their brain for details like that, remember to write the purchase date on the inside of the tongue next time you buy new sneakers.

Also, take a moment and try the twist test to determine if your sneakers are shot or if they are still absorbing shock for you. If you can easily twist your shoe, their mid soles are worn out and it is time for new ones.

If your shoes failed the twist test, visit ShopStyle and start checking out some new styles.

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Twist Test: Are Your Running Shoes Dead

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:44:08 PST

My friends at geeksugar just posted about StrideKick a groovy little device that tells you how many miles you have run in your shoes so you know when to get new running sneaks. You should get new shoes every 350-550 miles depending on your running style, body weight, and the surface on which you run.

But alas, the StrideKick is still in the prototype phase and won't be on the streets for awhile. So how do you know when you should get new shoes? Here are a couple of simple tips:

Write the date of purchase with indelible ink on the inside tongue of the shoe. This way you will know when you started using them and do some general math based on your weekly mileage.
Try the twist test. If you can easily twist your shoe your mid soles are worn out and it is time for new shoes.

Fit's Tip: Listen to your body, if your feet, knees or shins are hurting after a run you should probably get some new running sneaks.

5 Foods That Boost Your Memory

Prevention — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:17:12 PDT

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

By Mandy Oaklander, Prevention

Leave it to scientists to burst our bubble. For years, studies have told us that chewing gum can boost memory recall, and as such, we’d pop Chiclets during noggin-twisting times: exams, high school reunions, Jeopardy. Did it ever work for us? Honestly, we can’t remember - and there might be reason for that.

A study out of Cardiff University in the UK found that not only does chewing gum not help your short-term memory, but it also impairs it. Though there are certain activities that surprisingly boost brain health, gum chewing isn’t one of them.

In a series of three experiments, 97 university students were asked to recall either a short sequence of letters or identify the missing item in a list. They performed significantly worse when chewing gum, no matter how vigorously or how lazily they chomped. Researchers speculate that the tongue, mouth, and jaw movements of gum chewing disrupt short-term memory (For a fun way to refresh your mind, try these seven brain games).

Nine Surprising Reasons You Can’t Concentrate

You can still fight short-term memory loss, hand to mouth, with these five tricks!

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "Let the Bad Times Roll"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 04 May 2012 07:11:07 PDT

The boards may have happened on last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy, but this week we get to go inside each of the testing rooms to see what went down. Everyone essentially flips out in their own way: Meredith can't stop puking, Karev misses his first session, April can't stop sweating profusely, and Jackson is distracted by his mother's little tryst with Webber. Cristina's the only one who keeps her cool, but her overconfidence threatens to be her demise. As we learn in the first few minutes of the episode, one of the doctors doesn't pass.

Back in Seattle, Arizona has an upsetting visit from one of her childhood friends, and there's still tension between Teddy and Owen. However, the real excitement comes from a pivotal moment between Lexie and Mark that we've been waiting forever for. Let's break down all the biggest moments when you

In Meredith's room, it's all she can do not to stop throwing up long enough to answer the administrator's questions. She gets an extra boost from a phone call to Derek during one of the test breaks, as he cryptically tells her that the test is a "mirror." The administrators try to get Meredith to abandon ship, but she forges on through - and passes! As if there was any doubt that the Torres method would fail her.
After a hectic cab ride over the Golden Gate Bridge, Karev busts through the doors of his test exam. The only problem is that he's missed his first session, which means there's no room for failure on the second two. The proctors push him to a breaking point about being late, and he ultimately storms out of the room, and in true Karev style, slams his bag to the floor. His outburst doesn't cost him the test though, and he passes.
Cristina's exam consists of her being interrogated by Mr. Feeny, who isn't a fan of her confidence. I was convinced that she would be the one to fail the exam, since it would be an interesting twist on how Cristina's always excelled over the years. I was proved wrong, though: she passes and gets to celebrate with the rest of the crew in the clear.
Jackson's got a double whammy of distractions, since he took April's virginity and caught his mother and Webber in the same hotel room. His mommy issues are the major problem at first; he confronts his mother with some harsh words about her behavior, and later gets irritated when he can hear her administrating a test in the next room. He manages to hold it together well enough though, and has reason to make his mother proud when he learns that he passed.
That leaves April as the last woman standing. Not only does she get all sweaty during her test, but she can't stop hyperventilating and babbling on end. Things get a bit scandalous for her though: she confronts Jackson about their night together, ranting again about her vow to Jesus. But when she starts going over the events of the night before, she and Jackson get hot and bothered and do it right there in the bathroom. The sexual encounter seems to calm both of them down, but April tells the administrators about her sexual awakening and troubled relationship with Jesus instead of answering their questions. Apparently the examiners aren't impressed with her epiphany, and she ultimately fails. I'm hoping this doesn't mean April will be written off the show; though she's a bit annoying, I'm digging her relationship with Jackson.
My favorite moment of the episode is Lexie's adorable love confession to Mark, but let's back up for a second. Over breakfast, Julia casually mentions to Mark that she thinks they should have a kid - and even hints that they don't have much time to mull it over. You'd think Mark would be totally freaked out, but he actually thinks it's a genius idea, and even tells Derek about it. Derek has vacillated when it comes to meddling in Lexie and Mark's relationship, but he goes into big brother mode and tells Lexie straight up what's going on. Lexie panics, but eventually musters the courage to confront Mark and blurt out everything she's been feeling all at once. The moment ends in a Grey's signature standoff when Julia interrupts the situation and Mark is left to choose between them. This has to be a no-brainer, though: as far as I'm concerned, Julia's already out of the picture.

With only two episodes left, we're counting down to what I'm hoping will be another epic season finale. What'd you think of this week's episode?

Link Time: Spring Centerpieces, Eco Art, and Store Openings

Angela Swinderman Elias — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:42:00 PDT

Make a high-impact arrangement with just a handful of blooms. - Stylelist Home
A new twist on classic subway tiles. - Bob Vila
Get inspired with eco-conscious art that goes beyond the canvas. - Eco Salon
Six alarm clocks that won't cramp your nightstand's style. - Real Simple
Modern and vintage mix seamlessly in this new Bainbridge Island shop. - Elle Decor
Painting a room? Consider one of these designer-tested paint colors. - House Beautiful
Tour an industrial minihouse in Seattle. - Houzz

From the Community: Everything You Need to Know About CrossFit

Fit Community — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:22:23 PDT

FitSugar reader meetcasey interviewed CrossFit expert Robert Sax, owner of the CrossFit Amped Gym, and posted the Q&A in our Get Fit For 2012 community group. Check out what Robert had to say about this rising fitness trend!

Meet the Expert: Robert Sax

Can you begin by telling us a little about yourself?

I am 27 years old and a Capricorn (yes, that’s the goat). I’m originally from Portland, ME (the first Portland), and I currently live in Bellevue, WA. I graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts with a BS in exercise science. I own CrossFit Amped, coach during the day, fight crime at night, and occasionally put down an entire jar of fresh-grind almond butter. Mmmmmm, fat!

What is CrossFit?

Textbook definition: it is constantly varied functional movements executed at a high intensity. CliffsNotes version: constantly changing workouts that involve body weight movements, gymnastics, aerobic and anaerobic training, Olympic lifting, power lifting, strongman movements, and anything else my twisted mind can conjure up! It is a universally scalable platform for exercise that allows any man or woman of any age and ability level to participate. I have worked with every walk of life and haven’t been stumped yet. In fact, I am currently coaching two men who are deaf, which was a challenge at first because of the amount of detail needed to comprehend and apply to certain movement patterns. Now it is no problem. In fact, I’ve learned some sign language because of it!

Learn more about what a CrossFit workout is and how it can change your body after the break

5 Fresh Menswear-Inspired Outfits to Try Out Now

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:30:45 PDT

Ladylike looks might be the big Spring trend, but when the thought of pulling on a pencil skirt seems unbearable, flip the switch and opt for a more masculine feel. These days, menswear-inspired pieces, like blazers and trousers, have become a closet staple and we're looking for new ways to emote the trend for the new season. Try out a pair of candy colored oxfords for a new twist, or take a risk in a tuxedo jumpsuit. Need a visual? We created five new masculine-tinged outfits for you to test out, starting with this sleek take on a tuxedo dress. Just click the slideshow to see all the outfits and why we love them.

3 Ways to Be a Better Brainstormer

LearnVest — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:15:12 PDT

Learn how to be a better contributor to your office brainstorming sessions with these tips from LearnVest.

When was the last time you brainstormed?

Was it over a group assignment in high school? Maybe over a particularly challenging DIY project? Or was it this week, at work?

Brainstorming is a tried-and-true way many managers encourage their employees to generate ideas.

The goal is to get people in a room with a whiteboard - and snacks, hopefully - and let the fantastic, creative ideas fly.

Here’s the twist: we may have been going about it all wrong. The New Yorker reports that research consistently proves that traditional brainstorming - the type you’ve likely been doing your whole life - is less productive than sending people off to think by themselves. (Although there is a type of brainstorming researchers recommend . . . We’ll get to that.)

This could be good news when you’re privately brainstorming ways to ace your employee review, but it could cause some problems in the office. Namely, you can’t just opt out the next time your boss herds you into the conference room. (Plus, you might miss the snacks.)

We talked to a brainstorming expert - yes, there is such a thing - to find out why this is, and how you can be a better brainstormer in three easy steps.

This Will Make You More Creative

The New Yorker writes that a key principle of most brainstorming is the absence of negative criticism. That’s supposed to encourage people to speak up, since no one wants to volunteer ideas that get shot down. But research shows that it’s not brainstorming that’s ineffective so much as brainstorming without any criticism. This is because criticism encourages us to “engage more fully with the work of others and to reassess our viewpoints.”

Read on for more.

In the Trenches: 15 Spring-Ready Trench Coats to Shop Now

Hannah Weil — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 03:30:45 PDT

Some things stand the test of seasons and trends - the trench coat is one such piece. Every season, this classic resurfaces with updates, crafted in new fits, hues, and shapes. While the staple trench is a piece of fashion iconography, we admittedly look forward to the fresh iterations. This Spring we're seeing soft leather versions, edgier moto-silhouettes, and an utterly feminine twist on the wardrobe must-have (thanks to Valentino!). Inside, we've culled 15 of the best on the market for every girl and every price. Click on to shop your perfect Spring trench.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - Haven't We Already Played This Game?

Shannon Vestal — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:30:00 PST

Giving the people more of what they want is usually the principle behind sequels, and it definitely holds true for Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, but a good sequel takes what works and makes it better. Though this follow-up to the 2009 hit retains the chemistry of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, it disappoints by failing to add anything to the franchise. This time, Holmes is as intelligent, stubborn, and incorrigible as ever, but Watson is trying to evolve by getting married. Unfortunately, Watson's marital status is just about the only development for either of the main characters.

This time, we follow Holmes and Watson as they trace a series of crimes to Holmes's infamous nemesis Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), who has been leaving clues around Europe that he's laying the groundwork for war. Holmes is hot on his trail, while a batch of assassins are hot on Holmes and Watson's trail, leading to a game of cat and mouse that could be fun to watch, if the story was told in an engaging way. Unfortunately, plot points are withheld until the last moment, and the twists are so convoluted that you're lost along the way. It's a shame, because the film could have been a satisfying sequel, but instead it feels like a half-baked shadow of its predecessor. To find out what I mean, just keep reading.