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Grade Your Hikes

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0800

I love hiking in the Fall because of the beautiful scenery and perfect weather - the crisp air never leaves me too hot or too cold. On the weekends I often go on all-day or multi-day hikes in Yosemite valley or the Lake Tahoe region. Some of my friends equate hiking with a leisurely stroll through the woods, but anyone who hikes regularly knows this isn't always the case. Whether it's steep, rocky, or exposed terrain, a hiking trail can be quite difficult.

One way I prepare for an all-day hike is by researching the difficulty of the trail I'm walking. I'll use guidebooks and the Internet as resources, as well as the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). The YDS is a three-part classification system that rates the difficulty of walks, hikes, and rock climbs based on categories of terrain, length, and level of danger. Not all routes are graded in each category - generally speaking, rock climbs are the only routes that use all three grading systems of the YDS.

To learn how hikes are classified, read more.

Classifying a route's terrain is what's most applicable to hiking trails, especially longer, more intense hikes such as the John Muir trail or Half Dome hike. Here's a general breakdown of the different terrain class types found in the YDS:

Class 1: Walking on a relatively flat trail with little chance of injury. Many backpackers compare a class 1 route to walking on a sidewalk.
Class 2: A simple trail that might have a slight incline. You may have to use your hands to balance while scrambling up rocks.
Class 3: You'll definitely need to use your hands and feet to find balance along parts of the trail while scrambling up rocks. There may be exposed terrain during the hike, though a fall should not prove fatal.
Class 4: This hike will involve climbing up steep terrain, and even though the route will have some natural protection, a fall could prove fatal.
Class 5+: Reserved for rock and aid climbing. Protection and gear recommended for these climbs as a fall will prove fatal.

Keep in mind that the YDS is a somewhat subjective grading system and there can definitely be some overlap and debate over a class assignment. I continue to use it as a guide because I can search for harder or easier trails depending on my mood that day. I'm also finding that more and more backpackers are using the YDS lingo when describing a trail to one another.

You can also keep a journal with details of your favorite trails and try rating them for yourself. If you do assign a class rating to a trail, the class assignment should reflect the hardest part of the hike. (For example, if you went on a hike that was mainly class 1 but had a few elements of a class 3 route, classify the hike as a class 3 route.)

Tell me, what class of hikes do you usually stick to?

8 Habits of the Super Healthy

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:00:10 -0800

If you are looking to keep colds and flu bugs at arm's length, I researched habits of healthy women. Here are eight habits that will help keep you well over the following months.

First, start by upping your vitamin C intake. While the vitamin won't prevent you from catching a cold, it will boost your immune system. And if you do happen to catch a cold, vitamin C will decrease the duration of runny nose time. Try to eat foods naturally high in the vitamin, like citrus fruits and red bell peppers.

To see the other seven habits, just start the slideshow.
Source: Getty

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Another Reason to Exercise: Boost Your Immune System

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

We're nearing the end of flu season and heading into allergy season, but that doesn't mean we should get complacent about fighting off illness. Since I am always looking for new reasons to exercise and new ways to avoid getting sick, I was excited to find this research suggesting that consistent exercise can boost your immune system.

Moderate exercise temporarily increases your body's production of macrophages, the cells designed to fend off bacteria, and allows them to travel more efficiently through the body. Though these are temporary responses to working out, new research suggests that the more often you exercise, the more permanent the health benefits become. According to Dr. David Nieman of Appalachian State University, moderate exercise on a regular basis also strengthens your immune system in the long run.

But for super-serious athletes like marathoners, exercise can actually make the body more susceptible to illness, so be sure to give yourself plenty of recovery days if you're training for a big event.

Do you exercise daily? If so, do you think it helps you avoid getting sick?

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Ask Casa: A Home Security System for My Rental? (Part 1)

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:30:02 -0800

Arielb38 wrote to me asking,

I am about to move into a new rental in a new neighborhood, very different from where I have been living for the last 15 months. I was wondering if you are aware of any places that do a comprehensive review of home security systems. My roommate wants one, and I've never had one and don't really think that it's necessary. Looking at some of the consumer complaints about both ADT and Brinks makes me cringe, and I would rather not be stuck in an expensive, manipulative contract. I know it's not really your thing, but if you have any tips, or feel inclined to pose the question to your readers, I would be grateful.

To offer some advice for Arielb38, and to hear my response, just read more

Even though I've lived in some really rough neighborhoods in the past, I've had the good fortune to never have had my home broken into (though I have been held up at gunpoint). Two of my rental homes had functioning security systems (which the landlords paid for). Our house currently has no security system besides our dog. I also know of families who don't have security systems installed, but have placed signs in their windows advertising that they have an alarm. This may work, to a degree: The Greenwich Study of Residential Security found that homes without alarms were 2.7 to 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized, and that the most effective deterrent was the alarm monitoring company’s yard sign. For more tips on home security systems, go here.

My first word of advice is to find out the crime statistics in your new neighborhood. You can easily access this information through your city's police department website. After that, if you still think you need a security system, talk to your landlord about having him or her install a system and possibly increasing your rent slightly to offset the cost. Your landlord can reset the code for new tenants after you move out.

To see more tips, tune in later today for the rest of my home security advice.
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The Best Gadget Accessories For Your Trip

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:30:30 -0800

Planning to travel this weekend? You're not alone - long-distance trips increase 54 percent over the Thanksgiving travel season. Traveling is stressful, but just because you're away from home doesn't mean you have to be without your high-tech conveniences. Here's a roundup of my favorite gadget accessories for traveling.

Source:Getty

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Glitterati: Nervous System

FabSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:00:22 -0700

I love the science and complexity of Nervous System's art works. Using their knowledge of algorithmic and physical tools, creative duo Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg created a collection of modern and innovative adornments that goes beyond classic jewelry.

Neck pieces, bracelets, and earrings are inspired from natural phenomena such as coral aggregations and interference patterns - say what?! OK, so it might be a too complex for the scientifically impaired but the collection is original and awesome. Even better, for those who are scientifically inclined, Nervous System allows you to design your own jewelry and they will make it for you - Fab!

For more Nervous System, read more.

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Ask Casa: A Home Security System for My Rental? (Part 2)

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:00:22 -0800

Recently Arielb38 wrote to me asking about whether or not a home security system was necessary for her new rental home. You can read the first half of my response here.

To see the rest of my tips, just read more

Are all of your window and door locks in working order? When you move into a rental unit, the landlord should be willing to either change the locks or have the tumblers replaced. If he or she is not, invest the money and do it yourself. Many communities now require rental properties to have deadbolts that can only be opened with a key. Check your local and state rental laws and request that your landlord meet these standards.
Additionally, if you live in a sketchy neighborhood, you may want to request that your home has bars installed on ground-floor windows. Though not the prettiest to look at, they do deter theft.
Make friends with your neighbors - they are your best allies in keeping your neighborhood safe. Join or consider founding a neighborhood watch organization in your building or on your block.
Buy renters insurance! It's cheap (as little as $150 a year) and is a small price to pay if you lose your belongings due to theft or natural disasters, such as a fire or earthquake. Most major insurance companies underwrite renters policies, and many online insurers specialize in providing coverage to renters.
If you still need a security system, and your landlord won't work with you to provide one, look into the company Protect America, which recently began offering its wireless GE home security systems with an innovative program that allows renters to take the system and the monitoring service with them when they move.

Good luck with your move, and be safe!
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Strollin': Travel System Strollers Worth Taking for a Spin

babysugar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 06:00:59 -0700

One of the toughest baby gear decisions a mother-to-be has to make is which stroller to buy. With all the options available, it's near impossible to test drive every ride. So, I am reviewing a vast assortment of buggies for all of you mommies in a stroller quandary. This past week I explored a small army of travel systems, which you can see below. Tune in all this month for reviews of singles, doubles and jogger systems!

Peg Perego Skate Review	Quinny Buzz Review	Stokke Xplory Review
Orbit Baby Review	Bugaboo Cameleon Review	Review Overview

Give your Immune System a Boost

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:00:00 -0800

I am paranoid about the flu, I'll admit it. So I'm putting my paranoia to good use and figuring out simple ways to boost my immune system and I would like to share them with you.

One of the easiest ways is to sleep at least 7 - 9 hours a night. For me, this might mean going to bed a little early since I am not always in control of my wake up time. My 20 month old daughter IS my alarm clock.

Or course exericise is beneficial too - it is my answer for all the ills of the world. Working out helps to strengthen your immune system and increases the body’s natural virus-killing cells. This is why if you have a little cold it is good to do a light work out.

Eating nuts and sunflower seeds also gives your immune system a little boost since they are high in Vitamin E. Vitamin C might get all the press, but Vitamin E is the unsung hero of your immune system since it helps stimulate the production of natural killer cells that seek out and destroy germs. It helps you fight the good fight.

I'm going to chomp on some seeds right now.

Win a NuMetrex Heart Monitoring System!

FitSugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 04:20:00 -0700

Looking for a new fitness gadget to keep you motivated during your workouts?

This super cool NuMetrex Heart Monitoring System ($99) - which includes a watch, transmitter, and sports bra - should do the trick. The coolest thing about the system is that the sports bra features textile heart monitoring sensors that are knit directly into the fabric. The high-tech sensing fabric picks up the heart's pulse and sends it to the compatible watch or cardio machine. That's right girls - you only have to wear a sports bra, no chest strap!

Want to win one for all your workouts? To enter the contest, just take this short quiz below by 1:00 p.m. PDT on May 28, and three winners will be selected at random. Your eligibility is not based on answering the questions correctly, just on taking the quiz after you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member to enter. So if you're not already one, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Prizes can be shipped to US destinations only.

Remember: You must be logged in to TeamSugar for your quiz to count. For the complete rules, click here. Good luck!

Take the quiz