PopSugar

Sugar Bits – Trinny & Susannah Head Stateside

PopSugarUK — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:01:00 -0700

Trinny & Susannah are heading to the US – they've signed a deal with Disney and are flying across the pond to make a pilot. – The Sun
Britney Spears' father is to retain control of her assets until the end of the year. Britney is also not seeking to extend the restraining order she has against her ex-manager Osama Lufti. – BBC
The Reading Festival will have it's own bridge across the Thames for those travelling between their tents and seeing bands. The temporary bridge will connect a campsite to the main site. – NME
Shane Richie will star in a remake of 80s cop show Minder for Five. The show will focus on the nephew of Arthur Daley (played by Shane) and his protector. – Daily Mail
Prince William will begin Special Forces training in a continuation of his military service, although his posting will be nonoperational. – AFP
Hollyoaks will help launch an online soap Runners, a comedy-drama. The characters on the Channel 4 series will be seen discussing it and watching clips, the show will be available in three-minute episodes online. – BBC

Do You Have a Floor Runner?

CasaSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

A floor runner is never the first item on a home decor shopping list, but it can be a smart addition. If you have the right space for it, that extra sliver of texture can instantly warm up a room, and the dose of pattern can add a bit of visual interest or tie colors together. Do you have one?
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Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 -0800

Chalkcloth Runner: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:00:45 -0800

When I first saw this chalkcloth runner ($24-38) in the latest NapaStyle catalog, I immediately wanted one. I made the mistake of thinking it was actual chalkboard and was disappointed when, upon further examination, I realized it was just cloth. Still, it's perfect for a cheese display or chili cook-off and would make a great gift for the hostess who has everything. What do you think?

How-To: Create Bold, Beautiful Stair Runners

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:12 -0700

Tired of your boring, old stair runner? Improving on the old standard may be as easy as breaking out a quart of paint. Don't stop there, though. Textiles, tiles, wallpaper, and other techniques and materials can add unique charm to your staircase.

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Runner's High Is as Addictive as Opiates

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:00:17 -0700

If you're a runner, you're probably familiar with runner's high. You know - that energetic, overwhelmingly awesome feeling you experience after a workout that makes you feel like the happiest person alive. The feel-good sensations come when endorphins are released from your brain, and new research shows that a runner's high mimics the same sense of euphoria as drug use. So scientists at Tufts University set out to test whether the feeling a runner gets could be considered an addiction.

Instead of testing actual runners, the scientists tested rats. The 84 rodents were divided into two types of cages, ones with wheels and ones without. Over a week, the rats that had access to the wheel naturally increased how much they ran. On day nine, about half the group was only given access to food for one hour per day, while the others continued to have food all the time. The food-restricted rats began exercising even more, and also started to lose weight. All the rats were then given the drug Naloxone, a chemical compound that is often used to help drug abusers recover from addiction and immediately causes withdrawal symptoms. The biggest "gym rats" showed the greatest degree of withdrawal symptoms, while rats that couldn't exercise displayed fewer withdrawal symptoms.

The scientists concluded that the release of chemicals during exercise mimics the sensations morphine and heroin users feel. If a runner's high is similar to a high brought on by drugs, the researchers propose that exercise could be used as a replacement "drug" to help drug addicts recover. What do you think?

Fittingly Mad: Runners Who Pooh-Pooh Walkers

FitSugar — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

A few times a month, I run with a running group near me. For the most part, everyone is really supportive and there just to meet fellow fit people, learn some tips, and get in a good run. Recently though I overheard some runners badmouthing walkers. As they jogged passed them, one of the runners smirked under their breath, "Walking is for people who don't have the guts to run," and their two pals giggled. I was shocked. What gives that guy the right to pass judgment on someone else? It's like speedism - discriminating against someone because of how fast they move. It really made me angry since I feel all active people should encourage each other. All exercise should be applauded, and I wanted to breeze right by them and yell, "If you're too busy worrying about what other people are doing, then you're obviously not working hard enough yourself!" But I didn't want to perpetuate that kind of negativity. Tell me, have you ever experienced runners who pooh-pooh walkers?

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50 Ways to Tell If You're a Runner

FitSugar — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:33:00 -0700

I'm not sure if it's a person's go-get-it personality that draws one to running, or if it's the act of running itself that makes a person tougher and more extreme. Either way, runners tend to be a different breed of person. Here are some ways to tell if you are a runner.

While my toenails aren't a freak of nature and I definitely don't relieve myself outside as often as my dog, I will admit that I own spandex in more than one color and religiously pay attention to the weather channel to see when it's safe to run outside. So what's your score?

Running Tip: Strengthen Quads With Wall Squats

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

If you're a runner and you want to increase your speed, build your endurance, and have the ability to tackle hills with a breeze, you need to have strong quads. Strengthening your thighs can also prevent injuries such as runner's knee. This common injury, which often happens to new runners, is tied to a combination of weak quads and tight hamstrings and calves. Wall squats (also called wall sits) are the perfect exercise to strengthen your upper legs.

To find out how to do this essential move for runners, read more.

Stand with your back against a wall, placing your feet about two feet out in front of you. Feet should be hip-distance apart.
Bending your knees, slide your back down the wall until your knees are at 90 degree angles. Your knee joints should be over your ankle joints, so you may need to inch your feet further from the wall to create proper alignment. Your thighs should remain parallel.
Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, and then stand up. Repeat for a total of three reps.
To make this move more challenging, alternate between lifting your left heel for a few seconds and then your right. This helps to target your calves.

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Want to Get High? Go For a Run

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Chalk this up as another reason to exercise, German scientists recently proved that "runner's high" is real. Recent advances in brain scan technology allowed researchers to map runners' brains before and after a two hour run. The post run scan showed increased endorphins, the natural feel good drug for the brain, in the areas of the brain that are active during extremely positive emotions - like love.

While the runners involved in the experiment were experienced runners, new research involving subjects with more casual relationships with running is ongoing. I hope they research the effects of running for shorter time periods. I cannot say I feel euphoric when I finish a run or long bike ride, but I am certainly more at ease. And you? Have you experienced a runner's high? Inspire me in the comments section below.

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