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When Did You First Start Working Out?

FitSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:30:03 -0800

A little workout nostalgia - I was just thinking back to when I first started exercising, thanks in large part to my dad. Outside of required gym class or a sports team, I was trying to remember when fitness became important to me, and landed right at about eighth grade.

Around the end of middle school, beginning of high school, I started to pay attention to other girls and the way my own body was shaping up. At the same time, I was being exposed to new ways to work out. During high school, I was offered the choice of a regular P.E. class, or a semester of yoga and Pilates. I chose the latter and have been hooked ever since. Additionally, my dad used to ask me along to his training sessions at the gym, where working with his trainer helped to give me a better understanding of fitness and what I could do on my own to stay healthy.

Since then, I've made a conscious decision to keep myself fit - a lifestyle choice that I attribute to such a great introduction to working out during my early high school years. Obviously fitness is important at any age, but I'm curious, when did you first get into a fitness routine?

Don't Let Traveling Get You in a Bind

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:30:31 -0800

The stress of traveling and being away from home can really mess with your bathroom schedule. Changing times zones, eating foods you're not used to, and skipping out on exercise doesn't help either. To prevent tummy issues, here are some tips on how to stay regular when traveling.

Drink water whenever you can as your choice of beverage. Not only will it keep you hydrated, but it'll also keep things moving.
When traveling, bring your own snacks that are high in fiber. Nibble on carrot sticks, apples (with the peel), trail mix with dried fruit and nuts, granola bars, and high fiber cereal. Having healthy snacks on hand will prevent you from eating processed foods that can tie the digestive system in knots.

For more helpful tips keep reading.

Beyonce's Trainer Reveals 5-Minute Preparty "Body Blast"

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:50:29 -0800

When I'm totally wrapped up in Thanksgiving cooking, prepping, organizing, shopping (need I go on?), there's hardly a fighting chance that I'll make it to the gym for a full-on workout. Usually, I'll try to squeeze in a set of push-ups while prepping dinner preparation, or an early morning yoga session, if I can. So, I was excited to see Marco Borges, the trainer credited with whipping Beyonce, husband Jay-Z, and Gwen Stefani into tip-top shape, sharing an easy and no-equipment-needed workout with US Weekly. Here are the five moves he suggests to give yourself an all-over body-blasting workout (even if you only have five minutes to spare before your guests arrive):

Jumping Plies: I call these jumping squats, but it doesn't matter what you call them as long as you do them. Here's how: stand with your feet just a bit wider than shoulder-width apart, abs pulled in tight, and bend your knees, lowering your body till your thighs are parallel to the floor and jump straight into the air. Return to starting position and repeat for one minute.

Reverse Lunges: Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, step back into a lunge and repeat on the opposite side, alternating for one minute. Be sure that abs remain tight throughout, working your core and maintaining your balance and posture.

Push-Ups: According to Marco, "The push-up is quite possibly one of the simplest and best body weight movements targeting the muscles of the chest, arms, shoulders and core." Do as many classic push-ups, or moderated position push-ups from your knees, as you can for a full one minute, making sure to maintain proper form and bring your chest as close to the floor as you can before pushing back to starting plank position.

For the rest of Marco's workout, keep reading

When Winter Rolls In, Don't Give Up on Working Out

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:52 -0800

It isn't hard to explain why our workouts get a little lackadaisical when Winter rolls in - 'cause, baby, it's cold outside - and it's pretty understandable that a lot of us lose our motivation to get outdoors for a run or a bike ride. So, how actually do people who work out through the Winter do it? An article from The New York Times reveals exactly that - and how some people manage to get up "the high activation energy" required to stay committed to fitness during the bitter Winter months.

Turns out, if you're new to fitness, you're more likely to give into a little workout hiatus when it gets colder and darker out. According to Janet Buckworth, an exercise physiologist at Ohio State University, it's the opposite for exercise veterans. “If you are beyond the point that you are learning how to exercise, you can’t imagine not running in bad weather,” she says. In fact, some exercise enthusiasts relish the challenge of an outdoor workout in Winter, even going on "epic" bike rides during snow storms and blizzards.

Regardless, you don't have to be an extremist to keep up a Winter workout routine. The key? Just get into something you could really stick with long-term. Choose a form of exercise that you're excited to do, and can keep up when Winter arrives. Group classes are great, and Buckworth recommends finding something you can do indoors, getting a friend to go with you, and even something as simple as updating your playlist with music you love to keep exercise fun and help you stay committed to your fitness regime.

Get on the Ball: Circling Plank

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:47:57 -0800

Plank is one of my favorite exercises because it really targets your upper body and core. Plus there are so many challenging variations such as plank jumping jacks and walking elbow plank, so you mix up your routine and never get bored. Here's another variation that will really work your lower abs, so grab an exercise ball and give it a try.

Music: "Faith I Do Believe" by Rusted Root

For detailed instructions on this move, keep reading

ExerciseTV: Two Must Do Moves

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:30:00 -0800

I know that during the busy holiday season it can be difficult to find time to workout, but adding these two simple moves to your fitness routine might just help keep you going. I found them over at ExerciseTV, I knew I wanted to share them with you. The folks at ExerciseTV were generous enough to share this video with me and to sponsor this post. So get ready to jump start your fitness with fun with the reverse plank and the jumping squat.

Do You Own a Pair of "Fat Jeans"?

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:36 -0800

It's common for a woman's weight to fluctuate depending on her cycle, her indulgences, and her exercise routine. So I definitely have pairs of jeans that fit me when I'm at my fittest, and a pair I wear when I'm a larger version of myself. What about you?

ExerciseTV: Jump Rope Jam

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:24:55 -0800

Jumping rope is all the rage these days and a great element to add to your circuit training. Here is a short jump rope routine I found over on ExerciseTV. They were generous enough to share this video with me and to sponsor this post.

So what are you waiting for? Get your heart rate up with this short jump rope jam. You don't even need to use a jump rope; as long as you are jumping along you still benefit from the exercise without having to worry about getting all tangled up!

You should definitely check out the extensive video library at ExerciseTV. There is no reason to ever be bored with your workout again!

From Zero to a Mile: Swimming for Exercise

FitSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

When starting a new form of exercise it is always great to have a plan. It is more than beneficial to have a little guidance to give your workouts structure.

Swimming, like running, takes some time to build up the endurance needed for lengthy workouts. With running, the first benchmark is a 5k, and with swimming it is a mile - which is 1650 yards, not 1760 yards.

I found this wonderful program created by Ruth Kazez. Her 0 - 1650: A mile in 6 Weeks plan is totally doable, all it needs is you.

Here's an example of the workout for the first week.

WEEK one (Three Days):
100 yards...rest for 12 breaths...repeat 3 times.
50 yards...rest for 8 breaths...repeat 3 times.
25 yards...rest for 4 breaths...repeat 3 times.
Total: 700 yards

Doable, right?

Her site is also filled with great swimming tips and workouts. Check it out and start swimming!!!

See you at the pool.

Source

Get it Up - Your Heart Rate, That is: Swimming

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:27:12 -0800

Snow and sleet are upon us, so head to your nearest indoor pool for a swim work out. Not only is swimming a great way to cross train, it's also easy on the joints and an excellent way to start exercising - if that happens to be your new year's resolution.

Warm up:
100 yrds Freestyle - easy
100 yrds kick Freestyle
100 yrds pull Freestyle
100 yrds kick Backstroke

The Main Event:
100 yrds Freestyle
50 yrds Freestyle - Sprint
(rest :30)
100 yrds Backstroke
50 yrds Freestyle - Sprint
(rest :30)
200 yrds Medley of strokes - your choice, mix it up

Cool down:
100 kick Breaststroke
100 Free Style - easy

Total is 1,100 yards, which equals a little more than 0.63 miles. If you want a longer work out repeat the Main Event for an extra 500 yards, totaling 1600 yards or 0.91 of a mile.