FitSugar

Get Motivated: Homeless Running Group

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Running is truly a metaphor for life. Anne Mahlum, founder of the homeless running program Back on My Feet believes so since there is always another mile to run, and each mile is covered one step at a time.

No stranger to early morning runs, the veteran marathoner Mahlum often found herself being cheered on by the homeless of Philly. One morning, she asked herself this question:

Why am I running past these guys? I'm moving my life forward every day – and these guys are standing in the same spot.

Her answer was to found Back On My Feet, a running group for the homeless. The requirements to join in the fun of the running group are simple, folks must live in one of the three facilities affiliated with the organization and be clean and sober for 30 days. Members receive new running gear, shoes and clothes, and the group runs three mornings a week starting around 6:00 a.m. The 54 homeless members and the 2,500 volunteers together have logged over 5,000 miles. Impressive indeed!

There's more so read more.

Mahlum hopes to expand Back On My Feet to include at least 10 Philadelphia shelters before taking the program to other cities. She's a practical woman who knows that a pair of running shoes is a far cry from a place to live, but the discipline and focus of running can definitely translate into the real world. And her running group is a support group as well; it even has a job training program as a partner.

I say, lace up and take it to the streets!

Source

What Not to Do During National Procrastination Week

GeekSugar — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:30:06 -0800

Today marks the beginning of National Procrastination Week (yes, it's real), but it also marks the beginning of our Spring coverage! Although you should be preparing yourself for some major tech Spring cleaning action, you'll want to refrain from doing any of these items on my to-do list this week while you waste time. Talk about conflicting schedules, eh? For example - who needs to update their passwords!? You were already the victim of a Twitter phishing attack, so why bother insuring that no one else can hack into your other social network accounts because of your lame password?

To see a few more examples of things you can put off till next week, just read more.

Set a password for your home WiFi network: I'm sure your neighbors are loving the free WiFi access since you haven't yet set a log-in password for your wireless network yet. What's another week of exposing yourself to the dangers of hacking? Go ahead - kick your feet up.
Clean your keyboard: Germs are already accumulating on your keyboard, so seven more days of spilled lunches and crumbs can't hurt.
Clean up your game: If your Wii controllers are out of control, you could reign them in with a controller caddy or unique media cabinet. Oh, but kick back for now. Procrastination is the name of the game.
Clear out your hard drive: If your computer is running slow, it could be an over-stuffed hard drive that's helping to slow it down. Apps like Disk Inventory X could help you see where all that space is going, but hey, it can wait till next Monday, right?
Purge your old gadgets: You could make way for all the new gadgets you'll be buying this year by recycling or donating the ones that are collecting dust. Or not.
Organize your online life: Get an RSS reader already. You're wasting time by heading to each of your favorite sites individually. Well, I guess that's the point this week, right?

Gear Review: Merrell Waterproof Hikers

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:00:27 -0800

If it takes more than a little snow or cold weather to keep you from hitting the trails, then have I got a shoe for you. Merrell sent me a pair of Siren Sport Gore-Tex XCR trail running/hiking shoes ($100), and my feet are in love. Not only are they adorable and sleek enough to wear with casual jeans (not bulky or manly looking), but these weatherproof sneaks also impressed me on the trails.

I wore these babies while walking on icy roads and hiking and running in woods with trails covered with a couple inches of snow. You can see from the photo that the soles are rugged and durable, so these shoes held up well on uneven terrain. They felt solid and safe on slippery surfaces too, but the best part - these trail runners kept me warm and dry, which is imperative when exercising in the cold. Another great feature is that these shoes have great arch support and the heel cups hugged the backs of my feet, so they felt comfortable yet sturdy.

To hear more about these shoes and find out what other colors they come in, just read more.

The tongue is attached to the actual shoe, which keeps out snow, but it was a little bulky. I'd definitely recommend wearing a sock that's slightly cushioned so you don't get unnecessary rubbing on the top of your foot. Another thing I noticed is that the laces are really thin, and I expected them to be thicker. It makes the shoe look more feminine, but I worry about them breaking down the road. Not a biggie though, since laces can always be replaced.

Even though these shoes have performed amazingly in the cold weather, I'm looking forward to wearing these for Spring and Summer hikes as well. The Gore-Tex will keep my feet dry in case I slip into a stream or while trekking through mud, but the material is also breathable, so my feet won't get super sweaty. Plus they're unbelievably lightweight, so you practically forget you're wearing them. If you're not a fan of this tan/pink combo, they also come in light gray, dark tan, light tan/orange, and dark gray/blue.

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Hayden Panettiere Says "Save the Whales"

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:00:41 -0800

When I think of healthy, fit, and strong celebrities, Hayden Panettiere is one famous lady who comes to mind. How does she stay in shape? The Heroes actress lifts weights twice a week and runs 30 minutes or longer at least three days a week. But she doesn't do it to look and feel good. She does stay fit in order to stay strong and build endurance for diving. Yep, Hayden loves to free dive in the ocean (without scuba gear) and she told Self,

"I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life after a dive. Swimming works all your muscles - your core, glutes, quads, even the ones you didn't know you had, like the little ones in your feet and hands!"

Free diving sounds like a blast! Read what Hayden has to say about the state of cellulite and her body when you read more.

"When I exercise, I just feel good. I'm not a 6-foot-tall skinny model, and yes, I have cellulite, but I'm not going to apologize for my body. If you love your body, it will love you back. Confidence is beautiful."

Staying fit allows Hayden to be strong enough to swim with dolphins because she says, "You have to swim fast to keep up!" Not only does Hayden love to swim with the ocean's creatures, but she also swims for them. She's a spokeswoman for The Whaleman Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting marine life, which she feels very strongly about.

Even though you probably know Hayden as Claire, the invincible cheerleader on Heroes, you can also see her in another fearless role in the documentary The Cove, where she joins a protest to prevent the capture and slaughter of whales and dolphins.

Check out this video clip of Hayden free diving with dolphins.

Just to warn you, parts of this video shows extremely graphic footage of animal brutality from The Cove.

Clive Owen Brings His Hotness Back Out in London

PopSugar — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:30:32 -0800

Clive Owen suited up in London last night for a special screening of The Boys Are Back with his costar Natasha Little and their director Simon Carr. The film hit theaters here in America last November, but it's about to debut on the big screen in England this Friday. In the run-up to its release, Clive has been doing another round of press discussing what it's like playing a father while being one in real life. He recently opened up again about how his two daughters, Hannah and Eve, are unimpressed with his star status. Clive said, "If anything they're very disdainful. Hannah's favourite phrase at the moment is 'If only they could see what you're really like.' . . . They think I'm a joke. A friend of my 12-year-old showed her some magazine and went, 'Your Dad's on this list, and that's weird.' And I agreed with her." Hannah and Eve seem to keep their dad's feet on the ground, which is no easy feat since he's one of Britain's biggest stars of the decade.

To see more of Clive, just read more.

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Gear Review: Sanita Professional Clogs

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:00:32 -0800

When you think clogs, chances are high the term "fitness gear" doesn't spring to mind. However, I couldn't have made it teaching Pilates for all those years without wearing my trusty clogs - slip them off, demo an exercise, slip them on. The company Sanita Clogs, which bills itself as "The original Danish clog," recently sent me a pair of holiday clogs to test out - the Holly Red Professional clog ($135).

I wore these clogs in the kitchen for all my holiday cooking. To see how they fared read more.

Standing over a stove for hours, my body can take a beating and the Sanita clogs saved my back and my feet. I felt like my professional chef friends who cook in similar clogs. The clogs provide tremendous arch support, exactly what my pronating feet need. Although the sole is stiff, it still has a nice shock absorbing quality. Although I enjoyed holiday shopping in my holiday clogs, they can be difficult to run in when dodging traffic and chasing small children because they don't have a lot of lateral support. But, these clogs are great for walking and the sole is designed to rock a bit and help propel you forward. The toe box is quite roomy so you can spread your toes out wide and are great if you have bunions. The Sanita clogs feel a bit more narrow than the Dankso clogs that I have worn, so if you have narrow feet you should try these clogs.

I found these clogs super comfy and supportive. Happy feet when not running, make for happier feet when training. The Sanita clogs are accepted by American Podiatric Medical Association, which is why you see plenty of nurses, doctors, and chefs sporting clogs. Try a pair on at a store near you, or pick up a pair from an online retailer.

Have you ever worn Sanita clogs? Tell me your experience below. Be sure to post a review of your gear in the Good Gear / Bad Gear group.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Big Toe Standing Forward Bend

FitSugar — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:00:58 -0800

Chances are high if you have taken a yoga class, you have done a forward bend. This variation of the pose is a wonderful stretch for the hamstrings and spine - I love to do it in the shower (I just hold my nose) after a long run. It looks simple enough, but if the backs of your legs are tight, this pose will be quite challenging. And of course, if you find the pose challenging that is the very reason you need to do it.

Sanskrit Name: Padangusthasana
English Translation: Foot Big Toe Pose
Also Called: Big Toe Standing Forward Bend or Standing Forward Bend

If you can't quite reach your toes, don't worry. Learn some variations when you read more.

Begin standing at the front of your mat. Step your feet hip distance apart.
Take a deep breath in extending through your spine, and as you exhale, hinge at your hips, reaching your head out as you fold down. Keep your legs and back completely straight, and rest your hands as low as you can, either on your knees, shins, ankles, or if you can, clasp the big toes with your first two fingers and thumb. Bend your elbows out to the sides.
Wherever your hands are, continue to lengthen the spine. If you can, tuck your chin in, relaxing the back of your neck, and releasing your shoulders away from your ears. Draw the top of your head toward the floor and your torso toward your legs by using your ab muscles.
Hold here for five deep breaths. Inhale to straighten your arms, and exhale to come up to standing.

Have any burning questions about yoga? Then post them to the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Be Body Wise on Black Friday

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:30:55 -0800

Shopping maven Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City famously said "Shopping is my cardio." These days heading to the stores on Black Friday is more like a contact sport. As retail stores kick off the holiday season with crazy sales, I have a few tips on keeping your body happy while shopping.

Be kind to your feet. Wear the comfiest shoes you own. You may not be the type to wear your running shoes when not exercising, but channel Carrie B. and think of this as exercise.
When standing in line, don't lock your knees. Keep this joint slightly bent. Also avoid shifting your weight from one leg to the other and jutting your hip out, as this can throw your back out of alignment and cause you pain.
When your load becomes too heavy to bear, walk your bags to your car and then resume shopping.
If your back bothers you while standing in line, take a moment to casually squat down and stretch your low back. It feels great.
I would also set a time limit on shopping, and to do so, plan on attending a yoga class to stretch out and de-stress after surviving the busiest shopping day of the year.

Prevent Shin Splints With Toe Lifts

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:30:05 -0800

Since the weather is getting chillier, many of you might be moving your runs indoors. From my experience, switching running surfaces always takes some time to get used to, and shin splint pain has often been a symptom of adjustment. To prevent soreness in the front of your lower leg, here's an exercise recommended by Runner's World you can do any time you're sitting to strengthen your shins and increase flexibility.

The photo just demonstrates one exercise so to see a variation of the toe lift read more.

Sit tall in a chair with knees bent 90 degrees, and your feet flat on the floor.
Keep your right heel on the ground, and gently raise your right forefoot up. Lift it back toward your shin as far as you can, and then lower it back to the ground. Repeat 10 times with each foot.
Here's another variation. From the same position, lift your right forefoot up and trace the letter "J" in the air with your foot. Return it back to the ground. Complete 10 lifts with each foot.

Running Form Checklist

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:50:11 -0700

My relationship with running has evolved over the years. Sometimes, running and I are in a loving cycle, but we also spend a lot of time working out our differences. One thing that helps me in those rocky times is technique. When out for a run, I go through this simple list to check my form. It makes me a mindful runner, which helps not only avoid injury but helps me find my stride once again.

Here's my form checklist, starting with the feet.

Land mid-foot not on the heel. Striking the pavement with your heel naturally puts on the brakes, which slows you down, and leaves you prone to injury since it's jarring.
Keep your ankles relaxed and pick up your feet rather than pushing the ground away, which will cause muscles to fatigue more quickly.
Shorten your stride. It's nicer for your knees.
Lean slightly forward from your ankles, not your waist.

To see what you should be doing with your upper body while running, just read more.

Keep your low abs engaged. Feel your deep abs, about two inches below your navel, pulling toward your spine.
Lift your ribcage up and forward. This helps create support for your torso, rather than having your upper body sitting inactive on your pelvis and legs, which are working to move you forward.
Keep your hands relaxed. Imagine you're holding an egg.
Swing your arms forward and back - none of this arms swinging across the body action. Your hands shouldn't cross the mid line of your body. Also keep your elbows bent to 90 degrees.
Keep your shoulders relaxed and down. A nice deep exhale will help them fall away from your ears.
Look straight ahead, not at the ground. Looking down closes your throat making it harder to breathe, and when running isn't breathing hard enough already?

If just reading that list inspires you to go for a run, join the RunningSugar group. No matter your pace, this group is a place to discuss gear, training techniques, and your love of running.