FitSugar

Winter Sports Tip: Go Back to School

Michele Foley — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 04:00:44 PST

The first time I went to a ski resort I never made it to the slopes because I chickened out. I ended up spending the weekend hanging out at the lodge by myself. The next trip was unsuccessful too. I went with experienced snowboarders to Lake Tahoe where I fell off of a chairlift and ended up having to slide down the mountain.

If you don't know what you're doing, skiing and snowboarding can be pretty dangerous. The equipment is tricky and not knowing how to maneuver yourself on the mountain can result in serious injury. Don't forget that you're sharing the slopes; not knowing how to stop properly is all it takes to hurt someone else. Thinking back to the day that I fell out of the chairlift, I'm lucky that no serious damage came to myself or anyone else. I made a promise to myself that the next time I went up, I'd learn the ropes.

To find out how I finally made it onto the slopes,

The upside is that if you know what you're doing Winter sports can be an awesome way to hang with friends, burn calories, and build muscle. If you are inexperienced at skiing or snowboarding, my advice is to take a lesson.

After my first two (failed) experiences, I returned to Tahoe ready to learn and eagerly enrolled in a lesson at the resort. Ski resorts offer classes for all levels that usually include equipment rental and a day pass to the resort. I spent half of a day with an experienced instructor and small group of students where I learned how to use my equipment and what the basic ski fundamentals are. We spent a good chunk of the day skiing together on a closed course where we also practiced using a chairlift. After that, we went skiing on the main mountain together where our instructor stayed with us the entire time. The rest of the weekend was a blast because I was able to trade info with another student in the class, and skied with her the next two days.

If you can't afford a lesson don't let it deter you. Ask someone with experience to spend time teaching you, and follow our tips for first time skiers and snowboarders. Also, don't be embarrassed if that means you'll be spending the day on the bunny slope. It's better to become confident with what you're doing than risk potential injury.

Winter Exercise Tip: Head Into the Wind First

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 04:00:00 PST

A lot of us run in one direction for 15 minutes then turn around and run back for the remaining 15 minutes. For those of us who live in windy places, this means that half of our runs are done into the wind and the other half are done with the wind at our back.

When it's especially cold outside you need to protect yourself from the elements, so start your outdoor jogs by heading into the wind on the first leg. You'll be less likely to get over chilled (and even frostbitten) on the way back (when you're wet from sweat) if you end your workout with the wind at your back.

Source

From the Community: Tank Top Arm Workout

Fit Community — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:45:02 PDT

Reader FitFabCities has a tank top workout for you to do at home - all you need is a pair of weights! She shared it with us in our FitSugar Community.

With Spring here and Summer around the corner, what could be better than a printable workout designed specifically to help you get tank top arms? I love this season's sleeveless tops and maxi dresses, but after a long Winter of sweaters and long-sleeve blouses, my arms could use a little toning. (Truth be told, I'm pretty self-conscious about my upper arms so I love exercises that focus on shaping my shoulders and triceps.) Add this workout into your regular cardio routine or some lower body strength work (like the Perfect 10 Lean Legs Workout). All you need is a pair of dumbbells and you'll be sporting fabulous toned arms in your favorite outfit this Spring and Summer!

Happy Workout!

You can get the printable version with exercise descriptions and tips here.

Share your own workouts, find a new one, or just get inspired in our FitSugar Community!

One Month Till Memorial Day Weekend! How to Get Bikini-Ready Now

Self — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:12:29 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

With spring in full swing, we've already said goodbye to the winter blues. But as you enjoy the milder weather and longer days, keep in mind that Memorial Day weekend is merely a month away - meaning it's almost time for bikinis and short shorts! So, is one month enough time to score your best body yet?

It sure is, says Jim White, registered dietician, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But you'd better get started now. "After all the shrieking and gasping about how 'time flies' and it's 'too soon' to be exposing that muffin top, it's time to get realistic and take action," he explains. "A month is not a tremendous amount of time to shed any accumulated winter fat, but before you break out into cold sweats, it is not unreasonable to lose 10 pounds or one dress size in that time."

To make sure you score your best bikini bod before you hit the beach, sign up for SELF's free Drop 10 plan - it'll have you slimmer and stronger than ever in only five short weeks! Then, follow White's basic rules for healthy eating. "Healthy eating is a must if you expect weight loss," he says.

Read on for the one-month plan!

3 Moves to Melt Away Your Muffin Top

Self — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:39:03 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

The snow has finally melted, but are you ready to embrace your favorite short shorts? If a newfound muffin top is making you wary of ditching your cozy Winter layers, rest assured, there are plenty of ways to whittle away those extra pounds without hitting the gym seven days a week.

"Muffin tops are a problem spot for everyone who overeats," says celebrity trainer Barry Jay, founder of Barry's Bootcamp, the bicoastal workout that's attracted everyone from Katie Holmes to Alanis Morissette to Kim Kardashian. "That part of our body catches excess easily, and it seems like it's the last to change."

To reverse the damage you did this Winter, try asking a doctor or nutritionist how many calories you should be eating for your age, height, and ideal body weight. "Cardio helps, but food is 85 percent of the results we see," says Jay.

Once your diet is back on track, add these three waist-whittling moves to your regular workout once a week to keep love handles at bay.

Get the moves after the break.

Not Feeling It? How to Motivate Yourself For a Winter Run

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:44:22 PST

It's 20 degrees, the sky is dull and gray, and you're shivering inside just thinking about gearing up for an outdoor run. No wonder you're having a hard time motivating yourself. When a chilly Winter's day is the hurdle keeping you from going running, here are some ways to inspire a cold-weather workout.

Warm up your clothes: Pop your sports bra, shirts, pants, and even your socks in the dryer for a couple minutes. Slipping on warm gear is sure to get rid of that chill you have when looking out your window into the cold.
Warm up yourself: Take a quick shower allowing the hot water to envelope your skin, being careful not to get your hair wet. It'll warm your body and get your muscles ready to move.
Warm up inside: Once you're dressed properly for a cold-weather workout, do your warm-up inside rather than outside. Run up and down the stairs, do jumping jacks or a round of push-ups, or whatever you need to do to get your heart rate up without getting sweaty. You'll feel warm and loosened up when you step out the door, and you can start running right away to stay warm. Here are warm-up ideas that can be done indoors (even in a small apartment space!).
Blast a tune that speaks to you: Whether it's Beyoncé, Adele, or Pitbull that lights a fire inside you, use your favorite upbeat song to get you psyched for a run. You can dance and scream lyrics as you slip on your sports bra and sneaks. This is a great technique when you're really not feeling a run because it can instantly flip a switch and help you head out the door fast. Continue the musical motivation by listening to a newly crafted running mix.

Need more inspiration? Keep reading for other ways to inspire a wintry run.

5 Indoor Cardio Workouts For Outdoorsy Types

Leta Shy — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:10:07 PST

The good news is that there are lots of Winter sports to take advantage of all the snow, but the bad news is that all the cold may force you to move your normal workout routine inside. If you absolutely loathe an indoor workout, try one of these five workouts - you'll think you're deep in the outdoors!

Cross-Country Skiing Tips For Newbies

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:51:18 PST

Downhill skiing is a blast, but if you're not in the mood to race against frigid winds or deal with crazy crowded lift lines, try cross-country skiing this Winter. It may not be speedy, but cross-country skiing will tone your upper and lower body, give you a great cardio workout, and burn almost 500 calories in one hour!

Like snowshoeing, cross-country is more social than downhill skiing since conversations aren't limited to just time riding the lift. You get to slush along snow-covered trails and gab while taking in the breathtaking scenery. Plus, there is no expensive lift ticket needed. Some find cross-country more comfortable than downhill skiing because the boots are more flexible and the skis lightweight. Ready to get started? Here are some tips for newbies.

First, find some cross-country trails. Some downhill-ski resorts have groomed trails, but also check out nature centers or parks where you hike in the Summer. You might have to pay a fee (around $15 to $30) to use the grounds. Don't be shy about asking the staff to point you toward the easier trails.
Rent boots, skis, and poles at the place where you're skiing, but if this isn't possible, rent equipment the day before from a gear store; rentals are about $15 a day.
Definitely head out with someone who has some cross-country skiing experience or take a lesson to learn the basic techniques for moving, slowing down, stopping, and getting up hills.

Keep reading for more beginner cross-country ski tips.

Get Outside! Cold-Weather Exercising Tips For Winter

Michele Foley — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:07:17 PST

Going for an outdoor run or bike ride when it's 40 degrees outside might not seem like your idea of a good time. The treadmill offers warmth, but exercising outdoors breaks up the monotony of the gym, increases calorie burn, and can also help performance increase. Follow these cold-weather tips for exercising outdoors, and you'll find that Winter workouts aren't as daunting as you think.

What to wear: Sure you'll work up a sweat, but it's important to dress warmly when exercising in cold weather. In the Winter, it's all about layers (like these cute long-sleeved tops). You also want to make sure that your bottom layer of clothing is moisture-wicking. To avoid overheating but still stay warm, dress like it's 20 degrees warmer than the true temperature outside. Here's a checklist of what to wear for cold-weather workouts.
How to warm up: It's important to warm up before any workout - outdoors or otherwise. It can be even harder to do in cold weather; muscles feel extra tight and the last thing you want to do is brave the elements. Get blood flowing and muscles loose by warming up indoors first. Here are warmup ideas that can be done indoors (even in a small apartment space!).

Keep reading to see more tips on exercising outdoors during the Winter!

4 Expert Tips For Getting Back Into a Healthy Routine

Leta Shy — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:06:00 PST

Spring is around the corner, which means warmer weather and shedding clothes. But you don't have to panic if the workout clothes you got for Christmas haven't exactly been worn out. If you've been on a Winter hiatus, start anew with these tips for getting back into a healthy routine.

It's common sense: The thing about living healthfully is that a lot of it is just common sense, says celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak (he's responsible for Rihanna's amazing Grammy body). When you can make a few healthy changes, do it. It doesn't take much thought to know that moving around more burns more calories than sitting all day, or that you can get your exercise for the day by walking to the store instead of driving.

Every little bit counts: Harley also says that remembering this can also help you make the common sense decision. Instead of thinking of exercise as a huge daunting, boring task, think of your goals in smaller increments. When you walk around, every step or healthy food choice helps you to your goal.

See more expert tips after the break!