FitSugar

Sitting 101: Desk Ergonomics

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700

I consider myself an active person and am definitely happier strolling about than sitting, but I sit for a large portion of the day. I blog – how could I avoid a chair? Like most things, there's a technique to sitting. A well-designed workstation can help keep you pain free while you toil away during the day.

Here are a few things to consider about how and where you sit:

Adjust the height of your chair so your hips are between 90 and 120 degrees. If adjusting your chair means your feet no longer rest comfortably on the floor, use a foot rest.
Your keyboard should be in line or lower than your elbow joint. The open angle of the elbow will help reduce elbow, wrist, and shoulder pain.

I have a few more suggestions, so read more.

Keep your wrists straight and never bend them up to type. I find a good wrist rest to be invaluable for maintaining correct wrist alignment. Check out these stretches for your wrists – they will help, too.
The top of your monitor should be at eye level. If it is too low you could be setting yourself up for neck pain. Put a book or two under the screen to raise it adequately.
You should sit with your back straight. Use a pillow if you need low back support. Do not lean forward because that will close you hip joint down and stress your low back and neck.

Don't forget to move around as much as you can during the day. Adding little walks throughout your workday is an effective way to relieve pressure you might feel on your bum and spine.

Off to Market Recap: Kitchen Island

partysugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:50:03 -0800

As you all know, I just moved. In my new kitchen, there's a large space between the fridge and cabinets. If I leave it empty, it will be wasted space, but if I get a portable work station, it will be more counter space! I asked you to help me search the Internet for the best kitchen islands. When you found an island, you bookmarked it in the Off to Market group in the YumSugar Community. Since there's only one drawer in my kitchen, I'm looking for an island that doubles as a storage unit. I'm absolutely in love with this island from Bed Bath & Beyond.

It has two drawers, a cupboard, and cabinet meaning I can store kitchen utensils, pots, and baking pans - and at $249, it's not too expensive. Check out all the islands below.

Interested in learning more about bookmarking? Read the complete instructions here.

Off to Market: Kitchen Island

partysugar — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:50:52 -0800

OK readers, I'm moving into my new kitchen this week, and I need your help finding the perfect kitchen island. There's a large space between the fridge and cabinets. If I leave it empty, it will be wasted space, but if I get a portable work station, it will be more counter space! Can you help me search the Internet for kitchen islands? Although I would love something with a chopping block on top, go ahead and bookmark everything you find. Save the islands in the Off to Market group in the YumSugar community - that way I can share them with everyone.

I appreciate your assistance and can't wait to check out your discoveries. Interested in learning more about bookmarking? Read the complete instructions here. Need shopping inspiration? See a list of my favorite online stores after the break.

House Rundown, "5 to 9"

BuzzSugar — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:02:50 -0800

This week's House is all about Cuddy! The show follows the harried single mom through a particularly stressful day at Princeton Plainsboro, and as such, we see the entire series of events from her perspective for a change a la the "Wilson" episode. My verdict: the woman is majorly ruthless. I knew it took big brass ones to deal with House, but she uses that same tenacity to negotiate with an insurance company and a thieving employee.

Not only did I enjoy the switch from the usual patient diagnosis formula, but it also raises a few interesting thoughts. Let's go over some key highlights when you read more.

I had no idea that Cuddy did so much work! We usually see her putting out fires with House, but this time around, we realize that she's having to keep the peace with everyone. I don't know how she does her job and puts up with House's juvenile antics. Did this episode give you a new appreciation for her?
What did you think about the single, multitasking mom angle? Props to the show for depicting a woman trying to "have it all," but somehow it seems borderline cliche - especially when she's taking care of her sick child in a ridiculously low-cut shirt.
I didn't believe for one second that Cuddy was actually going to quit the teaching hospital, did you? Still, it makes you wonder if they are trying to set her up for a spinoff.
Favorite House line of the night: "Ever notice how many porn sites have 'Mom' in the main domain name?" Oh, House, is your mind ever not in the gutter? Another great moment, courtesy of the doc: the massage station.
I would've loved to have seen more from the pharmacy tech Gail who stole $50,000 worth of drugs. What a nutjob!
Lucas kind of got on my nerves this week. He tells House about their sex life (!), he shows up for a quickie with Cuddy even though she's been running around all morning, and he can't even remember to turn the phone back on after a nap. She's just too mature for him (though he did come in handy for that flower microphone). Do you agree, or do you still like them together?
Did we really need that overly dramatized "yes!" scream after Cuddy got her 12 percent? I'm happy for her (come on, we knew she would succeed), but that was over the top.

So did you enjoy the deviation from the usual House episode? Has Cuddy proven herself worthy of her own show? Share your thoughts in the comments, or head over to the House! group to talk more.

Photos courtesy of Fox

2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Helen Mirren

BellaSugar — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:04:46 -0800

At 64, Helen Mirren is looking better than ever, her signature gray locks styled into a classic updo this evening. Note how she pairs her red-stained lip with a soft gold shadow which lends a subtle contrast to her porcelain skin. This silver fox is up for an award tonight for her work in The Last Station, but what I want to know is this: Does she garner the coveted "love it" win from you?

Vote on all of my Screen Actors Guild Awards polls here!

Musical iPhone Keyboard: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:45:25 -0800

I've been on the fence about the the iDiscover Keyboard since I first saw it last week in a CES roundup, so I figured I'd pose the question here. The keyboard acts as a docking station for your iPhone, transforming it into a 25-key piano. The keyboard comes equipped with a custom-sound app that works with the keyboard to create and share music.

I'm interested to learn more details (including how much this will cost), but I'm not sure how I feel about the gadget. It looks like it could be fun, but what happens if I decide to switch from my iPhone?

Daily Tech: WiTricity Shows Off Wireless Power on an HDTV

GeekSugar — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:15:29 -0800

World's first wirelessly powered TV is unveiled at CES - Dvice
Target offering $99 video game console setup service - Kotaku
PlayStation Network updated its video store with a ton of new content - PS Blog
A new Apple prototype store is in the works - MacRumors
Submit your Cool Captures for your chance to win a CanvasPop print - GeekSugar

Do You Play Games on Your Cell Phone?

GeekSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:41:35 -0700

Love your PSP but resent carrying around an extra device? Sony might be resolving this little problem with its rumored development of a "PlayStation phone," a gaming/cell phone hybrid.

I've been all for all-in-one devices ever since I've known the bliss of having my iPod, cell phone, and mini media center combined on my iPhone. But the real question is, will people shell out for a new cell phone to have integrate a gaming system on it?

I play a lot of gaming apps to pass the time, and it seems like cell phone gaming is pretty low-key, albeit popular (take the president, who famously plays BrickBreaker on his BlackBerry). Do you play games on your cell phone?

How Much Did You Spend on Gas in 2009?

SavvySugar — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:00:57 -0800

Sure, we've seen worse days when it came to gas prices this year, but regardless, filling up the tank in 2009 still took a toll on our wallets. It seemed a lot more commuters were back to driving this year when we enjoyed some of the lowest gas prices we'd seen in a while, but once we saw prices rise again, public transportation was jam-packed. Being huddled up in a crowded bus isn't exactly my ideal for getting to work, but with gas prices creeping back up, cramming in seemed a better option than forking over some major cash at the gas station. These roller coaster pump prices were hard to keep up with, but we couldn't finish up our Best of 2009 coverage without your feedback - we want to know, how much did you spend on gas this year?

Elin Leaves Her Ring at Home For a Gas Run, Child Protective Services Visit, and All the Latest Tiger Woods News

PopSugar — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:46:45 -0800

Elin Nordegren was spotted over the weekend for the first time after news broke around Thanksgiving about Tiger Woods's car accident and the resulting infidelity revelations. She was in buckled black boots for a stop at a gas station near her Orlando home, though one thing she wasn't wearing was her wedding ring. It was another headline-filled few days for the Woods family, as Tiger released a statement announcing his indefinite hiatus from golf. He also lost two sponsorships - the global consulting firm Accenture is cutting ties with Tiger, as he's "no longer the right representative." Likewise, Gillette is set to phase him out of its ads. Nike, however, still remains committed to working with him.

Tiger and Elin's home was also recently visited by Florida's Department of Children and Families after receiving a complaint, which is a customary course of action. As more women come forward to share their stories about Tiger, a full transcript of his text messages with Jaimee Grubbs was also released. A few quotes from Tiger's last prescandal interview were just leaked, in which he opened up to Sky New Zealand to say family was his number one priority - they're set to release the full text tomorrow. In one spot of good news, Playgirl says it won't publish nude photos allegedly of Tiger because they can't verify it's actually him. While Elin remains close to their home in Orlando, Tiger is supposedly hiding out in West Palm Beach after missing his best friend's wedding in South Carolina. Coincidentally, Rachel Uchitel is in the same area due to a previously planned visit with her family.

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