FitSugar

Get in Gear: Croakie

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:30:00 -0700

If you're like me, the summer weather draws you outside every chance you can get. When the powerful sun is blazing, you realize the importance of wearing sunscreen to protect your skin, and sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Sunglasses can be really expensive, but they're totally worth it, especially if the lenses are polarized (I love the crystal clear vision). Since they are so small and lightweight, they can get easily lost, and then what good would they be for your eyes?

Keep track of your sunglasses with a Croakie. It's a strap that attaches to the ends of your glasses, so when you're not wearing them, you can just let them hang from your neck. The strap is made of neoprene so it's soft, flexible, comfortable, and dries quickly if it gets wet.

A Croakie is a necessity if you are always misplacing your sunglasses. It's also great if you do fast-paced outdoor sports like biking, or water sports like water skiing and kayaking (what a crime it would be if your expensive sunglasses fell off your face and into the water!). Check out the 4 different styles:

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Safety Tips for Water Skiing

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I am so psyched for the warm weather. It's not quite time to slip on those water skis since the water temperature is still rather nippy, but it's a good time to start getting excited about it.

Water skiing is an exciting and challenging sport. All it takes is a motor boat, someone to drive the boat, an extra person in the boat to watch the skier, a life jacket, a pair of water skis, and a tow line (the rope you hold onto). It requires a love of speed and the water, tons of upper and lower body strength, and delicate balance to stay up. Once you get going, nothing compares to the exhilarating feeling of flying through the air and riding on the water. It gives new meaning to the word fast!

If you've never tried it before, I definitely recommend having a private instructor show you how, since there are a few risks involved with this sport. I have some strong suggestions for how to ski and boat safely. Want to see them? Then read more

Always have an observer in the boat - the driver doesn't count.
Always wear your life jacket, even if you know how to swim.
Always water ski in calm water - a big lake is perfect.
Stay clear of congested areas, with no other boats or swimmers around.
Never water ski in the dark - it is both dangerous AND illegal.

With all that said, don't be discouraged if it takes you a while to stand up. You've got to bend your knees into your chest, keep your arms straight, lean back slightly, let the boat pull you, and then stand up. Once you figure it all out, you'll be loving this new sport.

Hey check this out - my friend Giggle found a water skiing squirrel! Good thing that lady was there to catch little Twiggy since he wasn't wearing a life jacket!

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10 Ways to Burn More Calories This Summer

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 03:00:00 -0700

This summer, take advantage of all the great ways you can burn a few more calories. Here are ten simple ways that you can burn a few more calories in just 30 minutes this summer:

*Based on a 130 lb. person for 30 minutes of activity.*
Activity	Calories Burned
Fishing	118
Frisbee	89
Horseback Riding	118
Mountain Biking	251
Rock Climbing	236
Snorkeling	148
Softball	148
Surfing	89
Water Skiing	177
Whitewater Rafting	148

The best part? You should have fun burning those extra calories. So pull out the sunscreen and bug spray and start moving this summer.

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Ride the Wake: Wakeboarding

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Wakeboarding is like snowboarding on water. If you have experience with surfing, water skiing, snowboarding, or skateboarding, you'll have to try wakeboarding. It's one of those sports that you can really get into if you like to work on cool tricks. Why is it called "wakeboarding?" The wake is the wave that the motorboat's engine kicks up behind the boat as the boat moves forward. It's a little rockier than still lake water, and that's what makes it fun to ride.

Basically it's a lot like water skiing, where a rider gets towed behind a motorboat, but instead of facing forward, the rider is sideways. This is a little bit obvious because of its name, but another major difference is you ride on a board not a pair of skis. This makes doing flips and spins easier since both your feet are attached to the board (instead of being separated on 2 skis). People don't really do tricks on water skis unless they're using trick skis that are shorter and have no fins.

All you need is a big open lake, a motorboat, a life jacket, a tow line (the rope you hold onto), a wakeboard, a driver, and someone else in the boat to watch the rider. This person's job is very important - they let the driver know if the rider has let go of the tow line, and point out where they are floating in the water (sometimes it's tough to see the bobbing person).

You don't have to have any water skiing experience in order to wakeboard, just like you don't have to ski before you snowboard. I definitely recommend taking a lesson so you can learn some basic skills, like getting up since this can be the hardest part. Like with everything, practice is the key.

You've got to check out this video of a woman using a trampoline to practice her wakeboard tricks, so

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Get in Gear: The Sugar Pack

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:00:00 -0800

If you are into doing anything outdoors, you've got to have a Camelbak. It's an easy way to make sure you've always got your water with you.

Sometimes when you're out for the day, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or whatever, it's annoying to have to stop all the time to get your water bottle out of your backpack.

Using the Camelbak keeps your water much more accessible so you are apt to drink as much water as you need.

It's a pack that has a reservoir pouch that holds the water. And there's a little tube that goes from there all the way up to your shoulder. To get the water out, you bite down on the end and suck - it's like a big straw - it's so easy.

But won't my water freeze? Nope. Camelbak makes insulated packs like this one so your water is protected from the cold. It's called the Sugar pack. You know I love that!!!

For $70, it holds 70 oz of water and has extra storage space for important things like snacks, a camera, your cell phone, and extra layers. What a brilliant idea.

New Moon Star Nikki Reed Says Relationship Keeps Her Slim

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:49 -0800

If Kristen Stewart needs any help kicking her nicotine habit, she can look to her New Moon costar Nikki Reed for advice. In the last few months, Reed has given herself a bit of a lifestyle makeover, thanks in large part, as she told People, to her relationship with Greek shipping heir (and Paris Hilton ex) Paris Latsis.

Reed and Latsis have officially been out as a couple since Summer, which was the perfect time for Latsis to introduce Reed to all the outdoor sports he loves. The pair spent the season hiking, windsurfing, and water skiing, and as a result, Reed says, the pounds started dropping.

Besides having tons of fun, Reed was so inspired by her boyfriend's love of the outdoors that she became motivated to get into better shape. First things first, she quit smoking. Now Reed hits the gym for two hours a day and says that being active has made her "much happier."

Last week I shared with you some ways that your relationship might be making you fat, but keep in mind that as with Reed, relationships can have positive effects on health. I personally am healthier now that I'm with a partner who likes being active as much as I do. He and I love riding bikes, climbing, and going on long hikes together. Do any of you credit your relationship for making you healthier?

Gear Review: Radiance Jacket by Mountain Hardwear

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:33 -0700

If you are looking forward to Winter but not the cold that accompanies it, Mountain Hardwear has constructed a jacket for you. The Radiance Jacket ($230) is pre-wired for the Ardica Moshi Power System ($145).

When fully charged, the battery powered energy pack will keep you warm for a little over eight and a half hours when set on the low setting and three hours when set for high. The heater fits into an internal pocket in the back of the jacket that sits between your scapula with extra heating coils in the front just above the pockets. Simply pressing the black button on the top of the jacket turns on the heater. The contrast between the lightweight jacket and the stiff battery is quite noticeable though. Known for their lightweight yet warm jackets (I ski in an older version of the company's Flip Jacket), the power system makes the jacket heavy.

I sat in my cold house (why houses in Northern California aren't well insulated is beyond me) and cranked the jacket to the high setting and was quite toasty. I was sweating in minutes. I have no doubt it would keep me warm on the slopes or sitting at a snowy football game, I am not sure I want to pay $375 to stay warm. Think of all the hot chocolate you could buy, even overpriced ski lodge cocoa, with that kind of dough.

If you're an electronics junkie, the jacket will charge them. To learn how read more.

The left pocket of the jacket houses a USB cable, they come with a variety of adapters making it useful for charging your iPhone, iPod, camera, or BlackBerry. The Ardica System takes more than a few hours to fully charge, but it can fully charge your phone multiple times once it's charged.

I think the concept of a warming jacket that helps you stay wired (or at least charged) is cool, but I am not completely sold on the technology. While the jacket is cute and streamlined - it would fit well under a shell to keep for added wind and water protection - but if it is so cold that I need a heater to keep me warm riding up a mountain, I might just opt for a lodge day. What about you? What do you think of the Radiance Jacket?

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Hike the Hill: Preventing Knee Pain

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:28 -0700

Fall is the perfect time to hike. There's a cool breeze, the fallen leaves make the trail even softer, and once you reach the pinnacle, you'll be amazed at the gorgeous foliage across the horizon. I love to try out new mountain trails, but find that the steep inclines and declines can be really hard on my knees. If this sounds familiar, don't let achy knees keep you off the trail. Here are some ways you can prevent pain to these joints.

Make sure your footwear is supportive. Sneakers provide cushioning, but they won't stabilize your ankles, which can also help to prevent your knees from turning out. So wear trail runners or hiking shoes that go over your ankle.
Invest in a pair of trekking poles. They look like ski poles, and when you use them to help you ascend and descend, they take some of the weight and work out of your lower body, and share it with your arms and back. So not only will you get more of a total body workout, but it's less demanding on your knees.
Go easy on the gear. Even though a little pack may not add a ton of extra weight, downward force on your knees can reach eight times the weight applied, so even five extra pounds can add 40 pounds of pressure to your knee joints. For a day hike all you need is water, some food, an extra layer, and your cell phone. If you have to bring along more, ask a helpful friend to carry it in their pack.

For more great tips, keep reading

Is Running While Pregnant Safe?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:52 -0700

It's not every day that you see a pregnant woman going for a run, like Miss Kourtney Kardashian here. On her hour-long jog, I'm sure she got some stares and whispers. Not just because she's famous, but because she's got a big bun in the oven. They're probably wondering, is this safe for her baby, and safe for mom?

Regular exercise is encouraged by doctors for those expecting, because it can help a woman stay healthy, and alleviate some of the discomforts like stiffness, back pain, leg cramping, or constipation. Working out can also prevent unnecessary weight gain, relieve stress, and get a woman ready to endure the physical challenges of labor.

With that said, there are some guidelines a pregnant woman should follow when working out.

Don't make any big changes to your exercise program once you become pregnant. If you were running regularly before you conceived, then it's safe to keep it up, as long as it feels good and you don't overdo it. If you want to start a new type of exercise, talk to your doc first.
Be OK with modifying your routine, especially as your pregnancy progresses. If you used to run four miles a day, you may find that you'll need to cut down in the beginning of your pregnancy. And once you're in the end of your second trimester, or third, walking may be best.
Don't do any types of exercise that put you or the baby at risk, like extreme sports that require balance, speed, or could result in you falling. Your doctor will probably recommend you save the surfing, skiing, horseback riding, biking outdoors, and rock climbing for after delivery.

For the rest keep reading

Julia Roberts Doesn't Just Swim in the Pool

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Swimming laps is one of my favorite cardio workouts since it gets your heart rate up, burns calories (236 per 30 minutes), and strengthens your muscles. It puts less pressure on your joints too, so it's a great alternative to running or biking.

Laps aren't the only thing you can use a pool for, though. According to InStyle, actress Julia Roberts got in shape for her new movie Duplicity by using the pool in different ways. Her trainer Kathy Kaehler had Julia doing a mix of running, cross-country ski movements, and arm exercises while in deep water. Kathy says, "Swimming and water exercises are great ways to build up endurance and stay fit."

So after warming up with a few laps, put on a flotation belt such as the Aqua Jogger ($51) or a Hydro-Tone Belt ($50). Do intervals, alternating between running moderately for one minute, and sprinting for one minute. Then do other types of movements in the water that mimic riding a bicycle, cross-country skiing, jumping rope, or jumping jacks. The water adds resistance to your body, so regular movements will challenge your muscles more effectively.

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