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DVD Review: The Wedding Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you're going to be walking down the aisle you're probably in serious planning mode. One DVD that will fit right into your frame of mind is The Wedding Workout from Women's Health. Not only does it provide a great workout, but it's one DVD that lets you plan exactly how you want to do your workouts and when.

The DVD is divided into several sections by body parts: upper body, abs and core, lower body, and cardio. You can do the workout in a prebuilt schedule, which separates parts of the body each day of the week with one rest day, or you can create your own workout. You can also decide how heavily you want to focus on the upper or lower body (i.e. strapless dress versus hip-hugging dress). I just tried the prebuilt schedule and feel like I got a good workout. I didn't realize until I finished working out that all the exercise routines are the same, and you simply repeat the same moves on different days. This means if you're doing lower body on Monday and Wednesday those workouts will be exactly the same and this might increase the boredom factor of working out with a DVD. Furthermore, all warmups and cooldowns are the same each day of the week, making this part my least favorite aspect of the DVD. But if you can mentally get over the repetition, you will get a good physical workout.

You do need a pair of light dumbbells for the upper body, core, and abs portion and an exercise mat would make the whole thing a little more comfortable. The lower-body portion is heavy in squats and lunges - my legs were literally shaking - so if you have bad knees you should be careful or opt out. And as with all DVDs, I feel like the cardio is not sufficient enough so I would supplement with jogs outside and sessions on the elliptical.

Fit's Tip: The bonus segments that teach how to walk in heels, nutrition, and stripping 101 were unnecessary - I'd skip them altogether.

Be sure to check out all our exclusive wedding coverage on IDoSugar.com!

How-To: Create Slideshows and Movies For Your Reception

GeekSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:05:10 -0700

If you haven't noticed, it's wedding season here on the Sugar Network and I've been busy telling you how to keep up with your own wedding website, pick out the perfect photographer, and manage all those photos - yours and your guests - after the big day. This week, we're moving into the wedding planning stages, and today I'm talking about slideshows. But this isn't the after-the-event, it-was-such-a-beautiful-day slideshow, this is the slideshow you play during your reception, usually packed with photos of you and your betrothed throughout your relationship together.

Although I've already given you some tips on what you should consider when putting together your slideshows, you may not know where to begin once you have all your photos chosen. If you don't have a Mac (I know I've talked your ear off about the simple joy of iPhoto), you can still make professional-looking slideshows and videos with your PC. Who woulda thought, right?

Find out what software you should consider, and what to do with those stacks of (nondigital) photos when you read more.

If not all of your photos are digital, it's OK - you can scan your photos, get them onto a CD and ready for uploading just by toting them down to your local Walgreens (or similar drug store that offers photo developing). And you're on your way to getting all your treasured pics into a slideshow.

Once you have all your photos uploaded to your computer, all you have to do is choose your software to start putting it all together. With any of these programs, you can arrange your pics, choose your (optional) background music that will play during your slideshow, and will even let you add in video clips if you want to switch things up. My first love is iPhoto, mostly for its ease of use and ability to export to not only a DVD but to your website, mobile phone, and iTunes to enjoy later.

But for you PC users out there, software like DVD Picture Show, My Memories Suite, and MediaShow 4 will get you the same great results, accommodates photos and video clips, and will export online or to a CD/DVD.

Do you have a photo program you'd like to recommend? Let us know about it in the comments below!

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Glee-ful Highlights and Video From Episode "Mash-Up"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:30:00 -0700

The Glee train is chugging right along, and I don't just mean the new episodes. This week we learned that Madonna has given the green light for the show to use her music and the first 13 episodes will be available on DVD in December. Now, on to the good stuff.

This week the tables turned on the glee club's king and queen, as Finn and Quinn learn that they're no longer safe from getting the slushie treatment. Ken tries to make the football guys choose between the team and the club as a retaliation for Will's relationship with Emma, and Sue finds love! For a minute. Oh, and Puck and Rachel team up and Mr. Schue has his own dance dance revolution, so read more.

I was happy that this week's episode is Terri-free but has tons of Emma. Emma singing! Emma dancing! Emma in a wedding dress! I still can't forgive her for agreeing to marry Ken, but she's pret-ty adorable all dolled up staring into Will's eyes. Speaking of which, the tension between them is more palpable than ever. They're almost like the new Jim and Pam.
So, Rachel and Puck? I guess it was only a matter of time, but their little love affair still feels totally random. On the other hand, I guess that's what high school is all about. When Rachel shows a bit of maturity and asks Puck to be friends, Puck pulls a typical jerk move and gives her the cold shoulder. So the real question is - how long before Puck gets Quinn and Rachel gets Finn? Between Emma/Schue and the gleeks, there's just unrequited crushing up the wazoo.
Let's talk about the performances. I know that Mr. Schue is a talented singer and dancer, but I have to admit that I was cringing during "Bust a Move" and almost couldn't watch the "Thong Song." Can't they use those pipes and moves on something a little less embarrassing? Puck's rendition of "Sweet Caroline" is, for lack of a better word, sweet, and I loved Emma's surprise performance of "I Could've Danced All Night."

Need to watch Schue's "Thong Song" serenade again? Check it out!

Emma isn't the only one getting dance lessons, though. Sue swing dancing with Schue is genius. It's by far my favorite moment of the episode, particularly that Sue plays the guy, literally sweeping Will off his feet in the end. Sue finally shows that she's got a mushy side when she falls for the news anchor, but obviously it doesn't last long. However, her lovestruck episode does deliver some memorable moments, like that zoot suit.

Check out a cute behind-the-scenes video of Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch practicing their dance number:

The episode isn't without a few cheesy after-school special moments, too. Poor Kurt shows Finn the true meaning of friendship, taking a slushie to the face "for the team." Then Finn answers back when he returns to glee with high hopes to pave the way for all the singing, dancing, football players of the future. The week's winning mushy moment goes to the kids happily giving Mr. Schue a slushie facial of his very own.

What'd you think? Should Finn and Quinn just break up already? Will Sue get another shot at love? Did you miss crazy Terri? Don't forget to join the Glee Club in the Buzz Community to keep the conversation going!

Photos courtesy of Fox

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:30:19 -0700

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. Check out this week's picks!

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
I admittedly wasn't a fan of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past when it came out in theaters, but it may be worth considering if you're in the mood for a romantic comedy that doesn't make you think too much. The premise: When playboy Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) attends his brother's wedding, he runs into his first love Jenny (Jennifer Garner), setting off a Christmas Carol-like chain of events, complete with ghosts. Yes, the plot's contrived and Connor is incredibly smarmy, but I enjoyed the supporting cast of characters, especially Emma Stone as an 80's ghost with a bad perm and Michael Douglas as Connor's Lothario uncle.

27%

Two more up next, so read more.

Observe and Report
Observe and Report follows a self-important, semi-delusional mall security cop (Seth Rogen) who flips out when he realizes he may not become a police officer - or win over the makeup counter girl of his dreams (Anna Faris). When I first reviewed it, I was surprised by how dark the film turned out to be for a Rogen and Faris comedy. Still, it does have a few laugh-worthy moments, and Rogen fans will probably want to add this to their must-see list.

51%

Lymelife
Set in the 1970s, Lymelife is an ensemble drama that follows two families in a Long Island neighborhood dealing with a Lyme disease scare. It boasts a decent ensemble cast, including Cynthia Nixon, Alec Baldwin, and Timothy Hutton, but Rory Culkin (yes, Macaulay's brother) is the heart of the film as a 15-year-old struggling in the midst of messed-up chaos. (Emma Roberts also turns in a memorable performance as his crush.) The reviews were mixed when the film released in theaters, but if twisted suburbia is your thing (i.e., American Beauty or The Ice Storm), then Lymelife is worth checking out. Bonus material includes an alternate ending.

54%

DVD Review: Dance and Be Fit - Abs Burn

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:00:41 -0700

The last DVD of the Dance and Be Fit video series, Abs Burn ($15), targets your middle without a single crunch in the entire 50-minute running time of the video.

The five-minute warm-up is followed by two 20-minute core-sculpting workouts. The first focuses on floor and standing exercises that strengthen and tone your abs and back muscles. Some exercises are pretty basic, like elbow plank, but the instructor builds up to some very unique fluid dance moves like hip pops and turns to add a little variety. All the moves isolate the core muscles, but you also end up working your shoulders, legs, and booty. The moves are a little repetitive, so I found myself looking at the clock, wondering when we'd get to the second section - not a good sign.

The second 20-minute workout begins with some more floor exercises that were very Pilates-like, but there weren't enough repetitions, so I found myself straying from the video and doing my own thing - another bad sign. Overall, I felt like other ab videos I've done have been more effective, such as Body Target - Abs and Shiva Rea - Creative Core Abs.

Feel free to make your own decision though. To see a video clip of this DVD, just read more.

Before the Big Day: Bridal Boot Camp

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:00:00 -0700

April means flowers and wedding showers, and for many newly engaged brides, it's time to start thinking about how to get in shape for the big day. Many women take a boot camp approach, using a focused fitness plan to stay on course. Thankfully, there are boot camps for every budget; here are three options to help you along.

Bridal retreats. Live in Fitness recently began offering a multiweek Bridal Retreat program, where women stay in a one-bedroom suite in Southern California and train from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with breaks for healthy meals. Not surprisingly, it'll cost you around $8,000 for two weeks.
Online programs: From Cynthia Conde's Bridal Bootcamp, which helps you create customized fitness and eating plans, to simple, downloadable regimens like Shape's Total Body Wedding Workout, there are oodles of online resources designed just for brides.
Wedding DVDs: If you prefer to work it at home, pick out a bridal-specific video, such as The Wedding Workout from Women's Health or this Wedding Boot Camp DVD.

For more wedding tips, check out all of the Sugar Network’s wedding coverage here.

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Kate Hudson Glows With Sweet PopSugar 100 Success

PopSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:30:00 -0700

Kate Hudson continued showing off her cute Spring wardrobe yesterday in NYC after a trip to the gym in her exercise clothes. We saw lots of Kate in the city when she filmed Bride Wars, which is out on DVD - right in time for wedding season. Also while Kate's in the city, her directorial debut Cutlass is at the Tribeca Film Festival and online now so you can check out Kate showing off yet another of her skills. She already impressed some of you - she knocked out number one seed Britney Spears in the PopSugar 100, but she needs your help in her latest matchup with Jennifer Garner.

To see more Kate just read more.

View 10 Photos ›

WENN.com and Flynet

Pop A DVD In: Mamma Mia!

PopSugarUK — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:00:00 -0800

It's starting to get really cold now, so thank goodness for the DVD release of Mamma Mia! this week. One of the massive box office hits of the summer, the film based on the stage musical will bring some welcome sunshine and laughter into your living room.

Meryl Streep is on wonderful all-singing all-dancing form as Donna, a single mum with a run-down hotel on an idyllic Greek island. Amanda Seyfried shows off her awesome singing voice as Donna's daughter, Sophie, who wants her father to be at her wedding to Sky (played by a gorgeous, and topless, Dominic Cooper). The hitch is Sophie doesn't know who her dad is, so she invites all three (Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Stellan Skarsgård).

Throw in lots of ABBA songs and you've got yourself a fun, silly, charming film. The all-star cast are one of the biggest draws (alongside the gorgeous Sporades setting), with Julie Walters and Christine Baranski on brilliant form as Donna's best friends. The film pretty much manages to pull off a bizarre blend of knowing irony and heartfelt sincerity, but it is a strange mix that won't appeal to everyone.

I got to meet the male and female stars of the film, and it was clear how much they enjoyed making the movie when they told me all about the singing and dancing. Check out my review of the cinema release to find out more and see movie stills.

To read more about the film's record breaking, and watch a deleted scene plus a behind the scenes featurette, just read more.

Mamma Mia! is breaking records left, right and centre: having become the biggest grossing British film of all time at the UK box office, it has now become the UK's fastest-selling DVD, with 1.669 million copies sold on the first day of sale on Monday. I'd recommend you join the millions of viewers who've already enjoyed the ride, and grab a slice of summery silliness to brighten up these cold winter days.

DVD extras are ample (bumping up my original star rating!) and include: director's commentary, Making Of, outtakes, sing-a-long option, behind-the-scenes features, music video and deleted scenes. See below for a couple of goodies.

A Look Inside

DVD Extra Deleted Musical Scene

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Interview with Imagination Movers: Disney's Amazing Dad Band

LilSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:00:27 -0800

Disney's hottest dad act, the Imagination Movers encourage friendship, creativity, and thinking while they get kids up off the couch. You may assume this is just another example of the Mouse's Midas touch, but it's more. The four friends (three of which are fathers to a combined nine children) have a back story beginning in New Orleans that will have parents pushing their tots in front of the television as the band's message is genuine. Rich Collins (Mover Rich) explained, "We weren't four guys that went and auditioned and got put on a show. There's history that makes us what we are." I had the opportunity to sit down with the foursome (Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche, and Scott "Smitty" Smith) recently in San Francisco. To see how Hurricane Katrina altered their lives and led them to become male role models on the Disney channel, read more.

lilsugar: How did you guys go from being an architect, a firefighter, a teacher and a journalist to having a kid's band?
Dave: We wanted to make quality music for kids because we had children who were steeped in the whole world of entertainment and a lot of what we saw was cartoons and puppets. We brought it back to what we had grown up with - Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo. Mr. Rogers had just passed away and we thought there was a void and decided to take a shot at doing something about it. So we got together - four goofy dads who had an idea and here we are years later and it's turned into something that is of value.
Scott: Actually, the initial idea was local in New Orleans and then low and behold what we created resonated with people and we were tenacious about its development and were fortunate that Disney came and saw us at Jazz Fest. We played our set and started talking about doing a show together and had this concept and that's how it was born.

lilsugar: Did you guys quit your day jobs as touring and doing a show must take up the majority of your time?
Dave: When we started it was a hobby. We'd put the kids to bed and meet. At first, it was in my built out attic room and we'd be there from like nine at night until 12 or one in the morning a few days a week and brainstorm and work. Then, the music took on a life of its own. We made three independent CDs and a DVD and started playing shows. The business needed attention so Rich was the first one to quit and make the full time leap. Then, three years ago Katrina came. Once that happened we lost three of our four homes and Smitty was a firefighter.
Smitty: I still am a New Orleans firefighter, I'm just on leave of absence.

lilsugar: When you lost your homes, did you go stay with family and then reconnect later?
Rich: So the flood came and the three of us lived in one neighborhood (Smitty lived in a drier part of town) so our houses got completely flooded and were under eight feet of water for weeks and our office, Mover stuff and instruments - it was all gone. So we were all in our cars with the kids and the cat and the computer and a few pieces of clothing and a couple of pictures you saved and we were literally refugees, but it's funny. It's not funny really, but there was a day or two after when we were all holed up in different cities and hotels and things and we started communicating via text because we had a show booked that next Saturday in Dallas. And, so I was like - can you get there? Can we do this show?
Dave: I was sitting on the steps of a hotel in Houston, my kids were in bed and I'm exhausted outside with my wife and we're texting because that's the only way you can communicate. I looked at my phone and it was Tuesday or Wednesday and he's like so are we still playing Dallas Saturday? Saturday, I was in Dallas. We realized what else are we gonna do? We will have a hotel room there. I don't know if I have a job, I don't know where anybody is, and there's a small fee out there and I've got an obligation. Not knowing where anything was or where money was gonna come from, we went. People loaned us instruments.
Rich: Scott bought some replacement suits - I was wearing my old glasses. We were like refugee performers - so a bad thing happened and that's kind of a symbol for what happened in the bigger picture. We were totally thrown off of our routines, but quickly realized that there was this huge community of Movers fans in New Orleans and around the south who reached out to us to ask if we were okay. And to let us know, "your music was in the car and kept our kids feeling safe and please keep doing what you're doing". It was this outpouring of support. Doing the Movers gave us this safe harbor and in a bigger sense, it is what allowed us to pull ourselves up out of the storm. This is maybe getting a little too grand, but we managed to get the deal with Disney and bring the production of the show to the city. It was the lifeline for us and for our families to get the show going, but we're now employing more than one hundred people for seven months at a time when we do the show. It's a huge boost for the local film community.

lilsugar: No matter what happens, you're staying in New Orleans?
Smitty: New Orleans is a small town, we grew this thing from nothing. People would tell us that this was their sense of normalcy and for us this became the thing we rallied around to lift ourselves up.
Scott: The one guy who didn't lose his home, Smitty, penned the lyrics to the song, We Got Each Other which was probably the first recorded song in New Orleans after Katrina and was on our Eight Feet album.
Dave: You might lose your tangible things, but you've still got your family and friends and support.
Smitty: I didn't lose my house and none of my family died or anything, but as a fireman, for two weeks straight we banded together and relied on one another for our lives. That was part of that song too. It was pretty tough, but I think out of all that, here comes this good thing.
Scott: Our lives turn on a dime. We were professionals working jobs and then we were standing in line for welfare or to get food stamps. It was just a real experience.

Courtesy of Disney

Get Wedding Dress Ready: Pre-Wedding Workouts

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:30:00 -0700

If you're looking to get fit for your big day then you might want to enlist some help. There are a lot of ways to do your pre-wedding training with programs designed with brides in mind. Just keep in mind, it's best to start any fitness training at least 4-6 weeks before the big day. So here are a few of my ideas:

The Wedding Boot Camp DVD ($109). This package of three workout DVDs, a Spri Exertube, a Spri Lex Loop, 12 months access to UNICUS Online, and the Wedding Boot Camp Nutritional Manual. Each DVD contains a different workout that should be done a different day of the week.
If you've already spent more than you'd like on your wedding and are looking for something free then check out current fitness magazines. I personally like Shape magazine's Total Body Wedding Workout that can be found online and printed out.

I've got a few more ideas so read more.

Call your gym or a local gym. Most are offering bridal workout programs and specials this time of year. Keep in mind that just because it doesn't say "bridal," or "wedding," doesn't mean it won't whip you into shape. A lot of full body programs and boot camps would do the trick, inquire at your gym or just look for regular boot camp programs near you. Just be sure to sign up with enough time to complete the program.
The Wedding Podcast Network has some Wedding Workout specific podcasts that give great tips from good personal trainers on getting wedding dress ready. Download them and listen to them on your way to the gym or before you start a workout to get motivated.
You can also use my own boot camp video. It's free. It's fun. And it's brought to you be me!

To see all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.com!