FitSugar

Ways to Pep Up a Boring Walk

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:45:00 PST

Walking is a great form of exercise because it's free, easy, low impact so you're less likely to get injured and can burn calories and tone your lower body at the same time. It's not the most exciting form of exercise though, so here are some ways to pep it up.

Trade iPods with a friend and listen to her music instead. It's bound to be different and might be just the thing to inspire you to walk faster.
If you don't have a buddy to walk with, talk on the phone while you walk. Catching up with a friend is a great way to pass the time.
Change your technique. Take big steps, walk sideways, walk diagonally, do walking lunges, walk backwards, or skip. This is great for the treadmill, too.
If you're outside, play a game with yourself. Like every time you see a red car, you walk as fast as you can until you see another red car.
If you're walking on a treadmill, keep a little notebook and a pencil close by so you can jot down ideas for your job or make a to-do list. If you're outside, it would be safer to use a portable tape recorder instead.
You can also read a book or magazine while walking on the treadmill (I wouldn't do this outside though).
Walk in a new place. Sometimes a change of environment is great inspiration. You can walk on a busy street that has lots of stores so you can window shop, or you can walk in the park or a mall and people watch.
Borrow someone's dog and take him for a walk. You'll appreciate the company and he'll appreciate the fresh air.

Do you have any other ideas? If so, please share them in the comments section below.

Source

Get it Up, Your Heart Rate That Is: Treadmill Series

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 07:30:00 PDT

Looking for something new to do on the treadmill that will get your heart rate up but not leave you feeling so bored? Try this fun interval walk/run workout the next time you're at the gym.

00:00-05:00 Warm-up, Walk 3.0 mph, Incline 1
05:00-10:00 Run 5.0 mph, Incline 1
10:00-15:00 Walk 3.5 mph, Incline 12
15:00-20:00 Run 5.5 mph, Incline 1
20:00-25:00 Walk 3.5 mph, Incline 12
25:00-30:00 Run 6.0 mph, Incline 1
30:00-35:00 Walk 3.5 mph, Incline 12
35:00-40:00 Cool-down, Walk 3.0 mph, Incline 1

Let me know what you think. The incline walking is a sure way for working that booty, which is always good. Does the above workout look too hard for your fitness level? Then for a slightly more beginner version, just

read more 00:00-05:00 Warm-up, Walk 2.0 mph, Incline 1 05:00-10:00 Run 5.0 mph, Incline 1 10:00-15:00 Walk 2.5 mph, Incline 9 15:00-20:00 Run 5.0 mph, Incline 1 20:00-25:00 Walk 2.5 mph, Incline 9 25:00-30:00 Run 5.0 mph, Incline 1 30:00-35:00 Walk 2.5 mph, Incline 9 35:00-40:00 Cool-down, Walk 2.0 mph, Incline 1 Want to see other cardio workout ideas? Check out all my heart pumping routines here. Source

OmniDirectional Treadmill

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:45:00 PDT

When the weather is bad, or you don't feel safe running or walking outside, treadmills are great. The only thing that's bad is that you are doing the same repetition of motions over and over again. You use all the same muscles, which is very unlike moving on actual terrain outdoors (and very boring too).

Check out this omnidirectional treadmill. A clever little Michigan-based company called Virtual Space Devices, Inc., has been working on this since 1996. It's a self-contained unit that allows you to walk or run in any direction you choose, without actually going anywhere. It will allow you to move with freedom, and say goodbye to the repetition of basic treadmills.

This could also be used for virtual video games, so kids (and adults) can get off the couch and be part of the game (while burning calories too). I'm not sure this will be hitting gyms or living rooms anytime soon, but just the thought of it is exciting. Check out the video - it's truly amazing.

Favorite Excuse for Not Working Out: It's TOO Hot!

FitSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:30:00 PDT

Summer is here and man is it hot out! The heat can dehydrate your body and drain your energy. This combined with feeling uncomfortably sticky and sweaty can make you want to skip the workout and head for your air-conditioned living room.

There are plenty of things you can do to work your body without overheating. Here are some ideas:

Swim! If you hit the pool for 30 minutes, you can burn up to 270 calories.
Take up a water sport like kayaking or water skiing. It works your upper body and if you get hot, you can just jump in.
Take a bike ride. When the wind's blowing through your hair and over your body, it feels cooler than if you were going for a run.
Don't do as much. If you are used to playing tennis for an hour, cut it down to 30 minutes or less.
Workout in an air-conditioned gym.
Keep ice water close by while you work out and drink as often as you feel you need to. If you are doing high intensity cardio, try to sip small amounts - drinking too much could give you a bellyache.
Walk the mall. That's right. It's not hot in there so you can walk back and forth staying cool and totally entertained (don't you just love people watching and window shopping?).

Source

You Asked: How to Survive Finals

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:30:00 PDT

It is finals season and surviving the crazy and rigorous study and exam schedule can be beyond difficult.

Here are a few suggestions and tips for you as you enter survival / study mode.

Routine: Stick to your normal sleeping, eating and exercising schedule as much as possible. This means don't suddenly up your caffeine intake, since it can interfere with your ability to sleep.
Take Breaks: Put your study materials down every two hours and relax. Let your eyes, brain and body take a rest. This will help you study for longer - I swear.
Exercise: Partake in some mellow form of exercise daily. Take a walk or a bike ride and let your mind wander, you might figure out a new argument to that 50 point essay question.
Eat Well: Eat balanced meals every day, and healthy snacks too. Don't short change yourself nutritionally, you are under serious stress and your body and brain need nutritious foods - not bags of Doritos balanced out by a cup of green tea.
Avoid the Munchies: If you are staying up way past your usual bedtime, chances are you will crave sugary, carbohydrate snacks since your brain needs carbs to function. Avoid the powdered sugar donuts from the vending machine and eat some complex carbs that you have prepared ahead of time (brown rice, quinoa) or eat some healthy whole grain cereal like Kashi. Who doesn't love a bowl of cereal at 1 a.m.?
Attitude: Keep a positive attitude. You are almost done and summer is almost here, and avoid the "nervous nellies" since anxiety can be contagious.

Good luck!!!!

"ACT"ivisim: LIVESTRONG Challenge

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:45:00 PDT

The 2007 LIVESTRONG Challenge is the Lance Armstrong Foundation's signature fundraising event, inspired by one of the toughest cancer patients on the planet. This annual series of cycling, running and walking events takes place in the following cities this year:

Philadelphia, PA - August 25-26
Portland, OR - September 29-30
Austin, TX - October 12-14

These events allow anyone to walk, run, ride, or volunteer to support people affected by cancer. To join the race, you must pay a registration fee of $50. In addition, you must also raise a minimum of $250 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. You can sign up in a team, join an existing team, or go as an individual.

If you can't make it to one of these events, you can always show your support by purchasing LIVESTRONG gear - all the proceeds go to support cancer programs. Whether you just want to help out of the kindness of your heart, you know someone who has had cancer, or you yourself have, you can also donate money directly to the Lance Armstrong foundation.

Listen to the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Manifesto and there's no way you won't be able to join the fight against cancer.

MoonWalk - Uniting Against Breast Cancer

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:00:00 PST

Walk the Walk is a charity committed to raising money and awareness for breast cancer research and cancer care. They are also passionate about encouraging women and men to become healthier, fitter, and to take charge of their own well being.

One of their fundraisers is called the MoonWalk. It's taking place on June 16, 2007, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Not only are the men and women power walking throughout the entire night, they are doing it wearing decorated bras to raise awareness for breast cancer.

You can go to their website to register.

Fit's Tips: If you won't be in Scotland for the MoonWalk, you can still help raise money for breast cancer. Host your own fundraiser event and donate all the proceeds to the Breast Cancer Fund.

Want to see a video about "The Moonlight Walk to Kingsley Vale." Then

read more They're not in their bras, but they are walking through the night to raise money for diagnostic equipment for breast cancer.

Picking Out Snowshoes

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:00:00 PST

If you've ever rented a pair of snowshoes, you'll probably agree that it was really fun and fairly easy to get started.

But you can't rent forever. Here are some tips when buying your own snowshoes:

Know that they can be pretty expensive, depending on what you want. They range in price from $100 - $250.
Deciding what kind to buy depends on where you'll be tromping. You can get snowshoes for easy flat trails, steep and icy inclines, backcountry, and ones to run in.

Snowshoes are also made with different materials. Most are made with light-weight aluminum, but you can also get traditional ones made out of wood and rawhide.
There are also different bindings. There are ones that are made with durable fabric straps that adjust easily to any boot size. There are also bindings made out of plastic, that mold to your toes and heel for even more of a custom fit. Some have buckles and some have cinches for easy entrance and exit.
Snowshoe size is based on your total weight (you and your stuff).
Whatever snowshoes you choose, make sure you have really supportive and warm boots to wear with them. Bring those boots to the store and try on all types of snowshoes so you can get a feel for what you like.

I'm a big fan of Tubbs, so you might want to check those out. They'll even help you choose the right snowshoe for your needs.

You can look at their models online and then visit a dealer near you to try them on.

You'll be happy once you have your own pair, so you'll be ready to go snowshoeing as soon as the snow falls.

Holiday Binge

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 12:30:00 PST

Christmas is a day loaded with special high caloric, rich in fat foods you wouldn't normally eat, at least not at one sitting. I just want to let you know that a little health help is on the way.

A recent study suggests that after a large meal high in fat, the best thing to do for your arteries is to go for a 45-minute walk. So while you may not have your healthy weight in mind, do it for your arteries. Try inviting others spending the day with you to walk too and bring the dog. I'm sure Fido is dying to get out of the house anyway.

Fit's Tip: While Fit suggests this method for potentially unavoidable high fattening meals like the Christmas goose, Fit highly suggests against making the binge-and-walk method a regular pattern.

Miranda and Orlando Have a Family Lunch With Flynn

Katie Henry — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:59:18 PST

Miranda Kerr dined with her mom, Therese, and her two guys, Flynn and Orlando Bloom, at Potts Point in Sydney earlier today. The foursome smiled as they left the restaurant, and Flynn even got a lift from grandma. Flynn celebrated his first birthday last month, and at the time Miranda said he was just on the cusp of walking. Now, Flynn is starting to strut his stuff like his supermodel mom.

Miranda won't hit the catwalk at New York's Fashion Week, but she will meet with fans in Australia tomorrow to share skincare secrets and suggest Valentine's Day gift ideas. Miranda and Orlando got a jump on the holiday when they lounged poolside with Flynn, sipping champagne and sharing sweet kisses, last week. If you're still searching for the right gift for your loved ones, check out our Valentine's Day coverage!