FitSugar

What Do You Work More, Your Arms or Your Legs?

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:47:21 -0700

When I work out on my own, I am all about lunges and squats - anything to work my legs. I might throw in a few biceps curls or some push-ups, too. When working with Hannah, my trainer at Equinox, we do a lot of upper body work - I feel like she has taught me every kind of push-up variation imaginable. My arms and back are becoming a lot stronger using the cable pulley machine and some kettle bells. What about you . . .

You Asked: Issue With Inversions

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:11:08 -0700

Hi Fit, I have been practicing yoga on my own for years, and I love it all . . . sun salutations, backbends, forward bends, you name it . . . except for the inverted poses. Despite my best efforts, I have never been able to get into them! Can you recommend any exercises to strengthen my upper body so that I will be able to do them, or do you have any other tips to help me take my practice to the next level? Should I have someone help me? Any advice you can offer will be much appreciated! Thanks, secrethoughts
In my yoga classes, inversions are the poses most people have problems with, so you're not alone. They require balance, strength, and most of all the guts to be upside down. I believe it's possible for all healthy people to do them, so to hear my tips on how to get yourself there,read more.
Strengthening your upper body is a great way to feel stronger when inverted. I recommend regularly doing all variations of push-ups, the challenging Walking Elbow Plank exercise, and Dolphin Dive. I also recommend practicing Crow pose since it will also work your balance.
Flexible hamstrings are also helpful, since they allow you to walk into the inversion. This is much better than jumping into it, which makes you more likely to lose your balance and not be able to hold the pose. So also incorporate Tipover Tuck and Seated Straddle into your stretching routine.
When you're ready to go upside down, start off with the easiest inversion, Tripod Headstand. It's normal to feel nervous that you'll fall, so practice in front of a wall (with your head about eight inches from the wall). Place your head and hands on the mat, straighten your legs, and walk them in as close as you can toward your head. This is considered an inversion even though your feet aren't in the air. If you're feeling ready, rest your knees on your triceps, coming into Tripod Balance. From here, you can work on lifting one leg at a time into the air. If you're in front of a wall, you can easily place your feet on it for support. As you feel more brave you can lift your feet away from the wall and try balancing on your own.
My best advice is to keep practicing and don't give up. As you become stronger and more confident, Tripod Headstand will become easier for you. Once you master that variation, you can move on to other inversions including headstand variations, forearm stand, and handstand. And if you have access to a yoga studio, taking classes and getting one-on-one help from the instructor will help you master inversions even faster.

FCG: Week 6 Exercise Challenge: Killer Pushup

mymaria — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 06:59:42 -0700

Oh yes, it's time for another exercise challenge! I hope you all have been enjoying them. It's been great for me to add a new move every week to my regular routine, like adding new tricks to my bank of moves in the gym or at home. My recent thing has been to do some moves at random while I'm not even exercising, mainly while watching TV, or as a break while I'm reading, or waiting for something to cook in the kitchen. Any way we can sqeeze in a few more reps/burn more calories!

Ok, so now that it is officially bathing suit/tank top season, I thought it would be good to have a chest/shoulder/arm move in here. It's from that self.com routine (when will I ever get over how much I liked it?) Jump Away the Jiggle:

Killer push-up
Killer Push Up illustrated from self.com
Works chest, shoulders, arms, abs Start in push-up position on knees. Bend elbows and lower torso until chest is about 6 inches above floor. Contract abs and forcefully push off palms, propelling body off floor as high as you can (as shown). Drop gently back onto hands and continue pushing up and down for one minute.

Make sure when you are done with these to really really stretch out your chest. The first time I did these I totally spaced and really felt sorry for myself the day after. If these aren't really your thing, I have posted a few variations on the basic push-up below to try instead, or in addition to it:

These are from an article in Men's Fitness, Nov 2003

2| Incline: Now place your hands on a bench that is 18 to 28 inches high (2a). Perform another set of push-ups, lowering your chest only to the level where it is even with your hands (2b). This position emphasizes your lower chest.

* Variation: Balance your hands on a stability ball instead of a bench. This balancing effort will recruit more muscle fibers in your upper body and will also challenge the core muscles of your abdomen and lower back.

3| Decline: Turn around and place your feet on the bench and your hands on the floor (3a). Lower your chest until it almost touches the floor (3b). This position emphasizes your upper chest and the front of your shoulders.

* Variation: Balance your feet on a stability ball so your core muscles work to keep your body in line.

Alrighty, that's it for now! Keep your workout logs coming. I have picked up some great moves from them and ideas. And Minnie, thanks for sharing that yogalates move last week. I LOVED doing it this week and will keep it in my rotation for sure

Stay happy and stay fit!

Ebay Spring Trend - Artsy Fartsy

Danz — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:41:54 -0700

One of the hottest current trends to have hit the runways is abstract art prints. If you have the burning desire to look like a walking canvas, check out these three great pieces on ebay right now! Two of them are vintage at bargain prices and the last one is more expensive but completely adorable; so if you can buy it, do so!

#1 - Op ART STRIPE Electro 70s Vintage Black Disco Dress S M
Item no. 160216325264 http://cgi.ebay.com/Op-ART-STRIPE-Electro-70s-Vintage-Black-Disco-Dress-...

ERA:-LATER 1970's

FABRIC:-LIGHT-WEIGHT POLY

COLORS:-BLACK + TEAK, PURPLE, MAGENTA AND TURQUOISE

HIGHLIGHTS:-STUNNING PRINT! Dons Mock Sarong Bodice, FINE CRYSTAL PLEATED SKIRTING, Elastic Waist with Matching Tie and Blouson sleeving (full-length...I have them pushed up in the pics)

CONDITION: -EXCELLENT VINTAGE. NO HOLES, PILLING, STAINS OR FADING.

SIZING AND/OR MEASUREMENTS: WOULD BEST FIT A SMALL TO MEDIUM:

*IDEAL BUST: 34" - 36" / WAIST: 20" - 37" / BODICE(shoulder to waist): 16" / SKIRTING: 25" / HIPS: Up To 39"*

STARTING BID: US$12.50

AUCTION END: MARCH 15, 2008 19:45:00 PDT (2 days 2 hours)

________________________________________________________________________________________

#2 - Vintage 50s Pink Gold & Black Halter Sun Dress & Bolero
Item no: 300205226600
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-50s-Pink-Gold-Black-Halter-Sun-Dress-Bolero_...

Just beautiful vintage 50s white cotton hand painted halter sundress & matching bolero jacket! Comes with the matching belt.

Dress measures 34/36" at bust, 26" at waist, full at hips, and waist to hem is 28.

Dress closes at the back with a metal zipper, has a fully boned bodice, and is tagged Alix of Miami.

Fabric is a swirled pink, black & brown abstract design with gold accents.

Halter closes behind the neck with two buttons one of which is missing a rhinestone and dress has a built in white tulle netting slip.

In overall great condition with no rips or tears. Does need a good soak or trip to the cleaners to brighten it up. There is a spot on the skirt shown in the last photo that may lift with proper cleaning.

CURRENT BID: US $44.00

AUCTION END: Mar-15-08 12:45:00 PDT (1 day 19 hours)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

#3: $555 ISSA LONDON SILK MULTICOLOR ABSTRACT PRINT DRESS 6
Item no. 290213350245
http://cgi.ebay.com/555-ISSA-LONDON-SILK-MULTICOLOR-ABSTRACT-PRINT-DRESS...

AMAZINGLY gorgeous ISSA LONDON silk faux-wrap dress!!!

The size tag was removed but this is a US size 6 (of course, pls. see measurements to be sure of fit).

Purchased from Neiman Marcus for $555.00 (it's so current that it's still on NM's web-site at full-price). If you've been eyeing this dress online or in store, here's your chance to snag it for so much less than retail!!! We're always SO excited to list Issa London items because there's always SOOO much to say about them! They're like pieces of wearable art, the silk material always flows and fits beautifully and the prints are so vibrant. SOOO obviously ISSA LONDON and SOOO obviously expensive, no one can miss that! =) We loooove the cap sleeves, v-neck, sash and gorrrrgeous print! Even the little "Issas" here and there are darling! Truly such a beautiful spring into summer dress!!! LOOOOOOVE ISSA LONDON! =)

Zipper in the back.

In EXCELLENT, gently worn condition. This amazing dress comes to us from a woman that buys A LOT every month and barely (if at all) wears her items. Lucky her! Now lucky you! =)

Measures approx. 16.5 inches from underarm to underarm and 37.25 inches from top of shoulder to bottom of dress.

note: actual material/print may vary a little if one compares it directly to the first picture but Issa designs generally have some slight variation and do not match exactly in terms of where the print is situated.

STARTING BID: US $339.99

BUY IT NOW PRICE: US $349.99

AUCTION END: Mar-16-08 19:52:26 PDT (3 days 2 hours)

FCG: Week 5 Fitness Challenge: Ball Toss

mymaria — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 05:38:24 -0700

Hello everyone!

Hope you all had a great weekend. Time is flying by this summer already. We are even already on Week 5 of the Fitness Challenge! I have really enjoyed everyone's posts and comments and have learned a lot from everyone, thank you for sharing. I hope it has been a positive group for you all as well.

This week's fitness challenge is a Ball Toss. Got the idea from Arthur. There are two variations we'll post. The first is directly from Arthur. You will need a partner, a medicine ball, and two big balls - click here for a picture. Sit on your knees while balanced on the balls and toss the medicine ball.

If you don't have a partner but still have a medicine ball, try the Tricept Toss. Grab a medicine ball and lie down on your back, knees bent. Grab the medicine ball to your chest. Toss the ball into the air, keeping your elbows tucked close to yoru body. Toss and catch for 30 seconds, working you way up to 90 seconds if you can.

Lastly, if there's no medicine ball to be found wherever you are, here's a great move from the Jump Away the Jiggle routine I have been doing that works the same muscle groups (chest, shoulders, arms, abs). Start in a push-up position on your knees. Bend your elbows and lower body until you are about 6 inches from the floor. From that position, push off from your palms and push your body off the floor as high as you can. Drop gently back to the floor into start position and repeat. Continue for a minute.

If you get into these, remember to stretch, stretch, stretch afterwards. I'm going out of town Wed for a few days and will try and post the stretch blog before I head out.

Good luck everyone. Stay positive and stay fit! Please remember to feel free to share you exercise log blogs with us. It's really great motivation for us (and for yourself).