FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

You Asked: Why Do I Get Bit by Mosquitos More?

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0700

You're asking and I'm answering . . .

"Hey Fit. I've noticed that mosquitoes are really attracted to me. If I go hiking with my friends, they'll walk out of the woods itch free and I'll wind up with at least 10 mosquito bites. I just assumed I had sweet blood, but there's got to be something more. Any ideas?"
—Sweet Sara

I feel your pain, or rather itch. The same thing happens to me, almost to the point that bug spray doesn't even seem to detract the pesky bites. I did a little research on WebMD so

Turn Off the Treadmill and Head Outdoors

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you've been spending a lot of time on the treadmill these days and want to take it outdoors, there are a few things you can do to ease the transition. Prevention has a few simple tips for taking your indoor walk outdoors. They are:

Protect yourself. Wear well-cushioned walking shoes, a hat with a protective visor, and sunscreen. Choose sweat-wicking clothes to keep you dry on brisk days.
Start slowly, progress gradually. Substitute 1 outdoor day for an indoor day each week. The first week, walk 1 day outside and 4 days on the treadmill. The second week, walk 2 days outside.
Give your body extra respect. Expect outdoor walking to feel a bit awkward at first. You may take longer strides and use more of your lower leg muscles on uneven surfaces and for push-off. Avoid injury and muscle soreness by walking at a slower pace for 5 minutes before your workout and by stretching after every walk.
Soak up your surroundings. Notice the sky, clouds, and flowers. Say hi to your neighbors. Keep your eyes focused several feet in front of you so that you can anticipate terrain and traffic.
Be your own computer. If you like the feedback treadmills give about pace and distance, try timing yourself on an outdoor walking track. Most tracks are 1/4 mile. If you walk four laps in 15 minutes, your pace is 4 mph.

While these tips are primarily for walking, I think they'd also be good to use for taking any kind of exercise outdoors as well.

Source

Summer Fit Tip: Start Slow

FitSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

If you're more accustomed to running indoors on a treadmill but have decided to take advantage of the weather by running outdoors then you may want to take it slow at first. Running on a treadmill inside and running on the sidewalk outside are very different. One is not necessarily better than the other, but each requires different things from your body. Simple differences like wind and uneven running surfaces can make outdoor running a bit tougher, especially if you factor in heat.

The best way to make the transition from indoor running to outdoor running is to take it slow — don't expect to run five miles with ease outside if you're used to doing so on the treadmill. You may be ready aerobically, but it's good to give yourself a few weeks to get your body used to the added impact on your joints.

Source

Register For Your Wedding the Healthy Way

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0700

It's never too early to get in shape for your wedding, but you also can't be blamed for thinking about the wedding gifts right off the bat. You can go the traditional route and register for home and kitchen items, or you can mix it up with some fitness-related finds, from tandem bikes to gym memberships.

I was actually surprised to find a number of online retailers that let you register for fitness-related gifts. Even if you're already married or not getting hitched anytime soon, these make great gift ideas for any fit newlyweds on your list. To see what I've come up with,

What Spring Activity Are You Most Looking Forward To?

FitSugar — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Spring is in the air. Birds are chirping, bugs are buzzing, and the air smells of fresh flowers. I'm so looking forward to being outside without having to bundle up. Hiking is one of my favorite things to do when the weather warms up, because I love being out in nature and noticing all the signs of Spring. Not to mention, going uphill is a great workout for my buns and thighs. So tell me . . .Source

Get It Up, Your Heart Rate That Is: Outdoor Run With Sprints

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Since the majority of you said that you prefer to exercise outdoors, I thought that this week's Get It Up (cardio workout) should take you outside and get you running.

Time	Activity	RPE
00:00-05:00	Warm up with a brisk walk/slow jog	2-3
05:00-08:00	Jog/run	6-7
08:00-08:30	Sprint	8-9
08:30-30:00	Repeat the previous two steps six times	6-9
30:00-35:00	Cool down with a brisk walk/slow jog	2-3

Gym goers can also use this program on the treadmill, just adjust the speed accordingly. Also, if you liked this workout then be sure to check out all my great cardio workouts.

Source

Need a Boost? Skip the Treadmill, Hit the Pavement

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:00:00 -0800

If you've been feeling a little down then you may want to forgo your treadmill run for an outdoor run. This is because past research found that those of us who run outdoors can be less depressed, anxious, hostile, and fatigued. Not to mention, outdoor runners feel more invigorated after than before the run. While a treadmill run is still great for your physical health, mentally, it may not do as much.

This is really interesting to me as I can totally relate. Granted I usually feel really good after a run on the treadmill; I do feel really good and pretty darn pleased with myself after a run outside along the water. What about you guys?

Source

Winter Exercise Tip: Start Your Outdoor Workout Indoors

FitSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:15:00 -0800

I love running outside but when it's chilly, those first 10 minutes warming up can be brutal before your blood really gets pumping.

Next time, try starting your workout indoors before heading outside. Jog in place or do some light jumping jacks to get your heart rate up, your blood circulating, and oxygen to your muscles. Then take it outside. Once you get out, start by walking slowly and then increase your speed until you reach your desired intensity.

Source

Spring Running Tip: Pepper Spray

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Woman have to be careful when running alone outside. It's an unfortunate fact of life. Now that the weather is beginning to warm up, you might have that motivating itch to run outside.

Of course running with a friend is always a safer choice than running by yourself, but if you're like me, you can't always coordinate with your friend. Exercising is also a time for me to be alone with my thoughts, so running with someone would defeat the whole purpose.

Some women feel safer running with some protection. Check out this pepper spray for active women. It has a velcro strap so you can attach it to your clothes. Or, you can even wrap it around your palm in case you need to make a quick response.

Pepper spray is non-toxic, so it won't cause any permanent damage, but it is hot. It's made from cayenne peppers and contains 15% of capsaicin, the heat creating substance found in the peppers. It can fire up to a distance of 18 feet, and the effects can last up to an hour. Each holder can spray about 20-25 1-second bursts.

Fit's Tips: You can order one for $10.50 or 3 for $29.25. It's a small price to pay for your peace of mind.

Get Your Butt in Gear: Isotope Jacket

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Spring is approaching fast and that means so are the April showers (ugh), which means my outdoor runs are about to get a little messier.

I've been on the hunt for a jacket that I can keep in my desk at work so I can continue my lunch break runs, even if it starts raining unexpectedly. I am happy I've found The Isotope ($89.95), a fully waterproof and breathable jacket. It's made from a featherweight Nanolite material that's fully seam-taped for a ton of protection. What's more? A medium weighs a mere 4.8 ounces! Stow it in your gym bag, purse or even in your desk and the four fun colors (Sun, Spa Blue, Hibiscus and Citron) are perfect for spring. I especially love that the Isotope has two zippered hand pockets, one of which you can stuff the entire jacket into. How cool is that? Visit SierraDesigns.com for more information on where you can buy it.

Get in Your Butt in Gear: IllumiNITE Track Pants

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 14:10:00 -0800

Now that the days are longer many of us who work full time jobs have to run in the dark (before work or after). A great pant to have on hand (or leg) is the IllumiNITE Olympic Trac Pant ($39.99). These pants are so great because they have highly reflective parts that can been seen easily by motorists. They are also breathable, which is not always the case for reflective gear. Don't always run outdoors? Not a problem because you can't even tell they are reflective in regular light so you wont go to the gym looking like you're part of the cast from Saturday Night Fever. Buy them on illumiNITE's website. The website is cool because you can see what they look like in day and night -- Check it out.

I've Been Working on the Rail Road

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 02:01:00 -0800

Taking your workout outside is a great way to diversify things this fall but many people have no idea where (literally and figuratively) to begin.

Rail-to-Trails is a non-profit organization that is committed to taking unused rail corridors and converting them into useful trails available for the public to use - How cool is that? One of the great things about the organization is that they provide a free detailed list of trails, right down to the type of trail surface and to where it takes you, for anyone to use when taking to the outside.

Fit's Tip: If you're like me and not so great with directions then you may want to invest in a personal GPS system. Hitting the trails with friends and/or family increases your fun and safety.

A Horse is NOT Just a Horse

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 14:37:00 -0800

Feeling unbalanced and disconnected from your inner self? Who doesn't feel that way these days? Kate Boswoth seems to make time for the horses, but should you?

If going to the derby doesn't sound like your idea of a relaxing trip but you would like to pack your bags for a unique, life-changing experience, then