LilSugar

Baby Jogger's Pod Offers Plenty of Options For Avid Outdoor Adventurers

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:38:37 PDT

Lace up your running shoes and prepare to sprint! With Summer's warm weather and plush outdoor surroundings, it's time to move Mama's exercise routine outdoors, and there's no better way to do it than with a jogging stroller. When Baby Jogger told us the company was preparing to introduce a new stroller that can convert from a jogger to a four-wheel stroller to a bike trailer, we couldn't wait to get our hands on it. The eye-catching Baby Jogger Pod chasis ($500) is equipped to handle three separate kits to make the transitions: a jogging kit ($60), a stroller kit ($80), and a trailer kit ($40). The company sent us all three kits to try on a beautiful Summer weekend, and while biking wasn't in the plans, the other two kits were put to the test. Here's how they fared.

Strollin': Jogger Roundup

babysugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:57 PDT

Hopefully mothers who like to get a workout enjoyed the write-ups of the three fabulous jogging strollers I reviewed from Right Start. While there are still more on the market, some of which I hope to test in the future, I can hardly see the downside of any of these sporty options. Tell me which one you prefer?

BOB Revolution

Baby Jogger

phil and teds Dash

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': phil & teds Dash

babysugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:00:40 PDT

Some of the top-of-the-line strollers on the market today are those made by phil & teds. The New Zealand manufacturers have hit a sweet spot with their multifunctional line of duo seating buggies that serve many purposes while still looking sleek and sporty.

Great for a day out on the jogging path, the phil & teds Dash ($550) is suited to give mommy an easy outing while providing a baby (or two) a comfy cruise.

Perks mama can enjoy are an adjustable ergonomic handlebar, easy to manage rear brakes, a roomy storage basket that has pouches to stow small items, a sun canopy with a peek-a-boo window, and a long lifetime. Also, instead of having to double up on strollers, every phil & teds buggy is suited to add another seat (for an additional $100), magically turning it into a double stroller in minutes. A new feature for phil & teds, the area above the front wheel is now plastic. Why is that better you ask? The original fabric foot area design was appealing to the eye, but busy lil feet tended to wear the fabric down leaving tiny toes in danger of touching the wheel. The plastic board is an improvement to an already stellar stroller.

To keep reading about the phil & teds Dash,

For moms toting around one child, the single seat can manage children up to 55 pounds or 4 years old. When a sibling enters the picture, the second seat ups the capacity to 88 pounds. Both seats can recline into comfortable napping positions, which would be perfect for a mother craving a jam session with her iPod on the jogging trail. That's probably a pipe dream, but at least the stroller offers the ability to do so.

Also impressive is the quick breakdown of the practical pushchair. Instead of having to disassemble the whole stroller for storage, the creative designers figured out a way to collapse the jogging stroller easily - even with the double seat attached. Be ready to use your upper arm strength when storing this bad boy. Like most other strollers in the jogging category, the stroller weighs a hefty 23 pounds. But hey, that's not too shabby for two strollers in one!

New to the family, the Dash will be available in November!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Baby Jogger City Classic Single

babysugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:00:32 PDT

Mommies on the run can appreciate the ease and comfort of the Baby Jogger City Classic Single ($400). The reclining padded pushchair allows plush seating for precious cargo and the Quick-Fold Technology is one of the best collapses I've seen on any stroller. One simple pull on the back of the stroller and the chair is down in a flash. At 21 pounds, it's no easy task to lift the bugger, but it is on the lighter end of athletic strollers.

To see my other thoughts on the Baby Jogger City Classic Single,

Like the BOB, the Baby Jogger City Classic has an adapter for car seats, making it useful from an early age. A major bonus is that it can handle a child up to 75 pounds! Also similar to the BOB Revolution, it has a front swivel wheel that can lock in place should that be a requirement. The handle bar is adjustable, which is nice for parents who like to switch it up occasionally. As for amenities, there is a basket under the seat and zipped mesh pockets for stowing items and an accompanying three panel sun canopy that provides ample shielding from the sun or nasty weather for comfortable outings.

There's one major caveat that comes with this buggy though - it is NOT equipped for jogging. This left me scratching my head. It looks like a jogger and the name implies it's a jogger, but technically, it's not. Having said that many people use different "non-jogging" strollers to troll along for exercise. If you're an Iron-Man type trainer, you may want to invest in a jogger that actually lives up to its name.

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': BOB Revolution

babysugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:00:42 PDT

If running is your modus operandi, the BOB Revolution may be right up your jogging path. Although the price is a bit steep, it is comparable to those in the same category.

For $390, I can hardly find a better jogging deal than the BOB Revolution. There are so many things to love about it. First off, the air-filled tires provide an ultra smooth ride, as it is ready to handle all-terrain. Additionally, the front swivel wheel provides easy maneuvering, which is a huge plus when you're navigating a jogging trail that twists and turns. If you are on a straight path and prefer a locked wheel, just snap a latch down to keep the wheel locked forward facing.

To learn more about the BOB Revolution,

Keeping stroller purchases to a minimum, parents will like being able to use the BOB soon after their child's birth (6 - 8 weeks of age is recommended age). Adapters are available to make it compatible with various car seats (Graco Infant Snugride and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio are just two) though it is advised not to run with a baby under six or eight-months-old as their necks may not be fully developed. As the tot ages, he can relax in the spacious five-point-harness reclined seat as mommy pushes her way through a sweaty routine. And, with all of the pouches, the toddler can organize his juice and snacks beside him keeping the stop-and-gos to a minimum.

When the jog is over and you've got to store this bad boy, get ready to work out your biceps. While it folds very easily with a quick two-motion breakdown, it's no easy feat to lift the 22.6 pound buggy. But for those of you ready to work off the baby weight, you may not mind the two second arm workout after a 30 minute run.

Other perks of the BOB are: a padded handle bar that is easy to push while running, a peek hole sun canopy that looks more like a sunroof for the tiny passenger, a spacious basket for storage, netted storage on the back of the seat, and a brake system that works like a charm, which is especially important when going at a faster pace.

From where I stand, the only major drawbacks to this stroller are that you have to wait about six weeks before using it, the weight and the price. If you can be flexible on those three items, I think the BOB is a winner. After all, it seems to provide much of the same as the $900 options, but you can get a workout as well! Apparently I'm not alone - just ask meandtheo.

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Strollin': Baby Joggers

babysugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:00:18 PDT

If there's one thing that new mommies are usually ready to get rid of, it's baby weight. Some are lucky as it falls off instantly without much effort while others claim breastfeeding does the trick. Still, some new mamas have to work hard to drop those pesky pounds. If running is your key to success, a jogging stroller may be what mama should order.

After reviewing some travel systems and lightweight strollers, I'll be giving you my thoughts on a few athletic strollers this week. Stay tuned!

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

New Mom Hilary Duff Hits the Gym 1.5 Weeks After Giving Birth

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:18:03 PDT

Hilary Duff gave birth to Luca Cruz less than two weeks ago, but is already exercising to get her prepregnancy body back. She hit the gym Saturday and tweeted, "20 minutes on the elliptical seems like an eternity!!! What the hell…"

Though many obstetricians recommend holding off on exercise until six weeks postpartum (longer for a C-section), every woman is different. Here are some workout tips for brand-new moms.

Check with your doctor before exercising: How ready you are depends on how well you're healing. Most doctors recommend avoiding exercise until the bleeding stops, but may give the green light for low-intensity workouts, such as short walks or stretching.
Start off slow: Don't expect your body to run 30 minutes straight like it did before you were pregnant. Aside from the stress of the actual birth, lack of sleep and low energy levels associated with nursing offer new moms little get-up-and-go. Start with low-impact exercise like walking, yoga, or swimming. A 10-minute walk around the block every day for a week (or longer) will feel like plenty. Gradually increase the intensity and length of your workouts as your strength and stamina increases.
Invest in some baby gear: If you find it emotionally difficult to leave your baby, exercise with them. There are hundreds of baby carriers out there to enable you to walk with your baby. I'm a huge fan of the Moby Wrap, since it feels the most supportive on a new mom's often-sore back. If you're not into wearing your baby, or a C-section won't allow for it while you're healing, buy a jogging stroller (walk at first and run when you're doctor gives the OK). Postnatal fitness classes are another great option, not only for exercise, but as a way to connect with other new moms.

Keep reading for more workout tips for brand-new moms.

Tori Spelling Shares Time Management Tips For Moms

Tori Spelling — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:31:05 PST

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling! Every other week we're bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle advice from ediTORIal by Tori Spelling, which is Tori's daily blog about everything from food and fashion to parenting and relationships. Having just given birth to her third child, Tori recently shared her tips for trying to make the most of the hours in the day.

Time, there's always too little of it! As moms, we are especially time-strapped. And if we're working, time is at even more of a premium. Given all the demands placed on us, it can be easy to feel like we're just going through the motions, fulfilling our responsibilities without truly enjoying them. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are a few tips for balancing your needs with those of your family and your job:

Batch tasks – This is a great tip for increasing productivity in your work life as well as your personal life. For example, if you find that checking email distracts you while you're working, spend an hour each morning cleaning out your inbox, then turn off your email notifications for a few hours and concentrate on the task at hand. If you have a bunch of errands to run, do them all at once. Spend a Sunday afternoon cooking a bunch of dishes to eat throughout the week.
Overestimate – When planning a complicated day with multiple drop-offs, pick-ups, and to-do items, it's best to overestimate how long each item will take. Take everything into account, from traffic to how long it takes your little tyke to pick out socks.

Delegate – Guys hate asking for directions; we hate asking for help. But you can't be in two places at once, so when your calendar gets insane, make sure to get help from your husband or your close family or friends. Remind yourself that it's okay to give control to someone else you trust.
Quality Time All the Time – Even the most mundane tasks can become "quality time." Try to make your daily tasks fun for your kids by allowing them to participate. For example, when you go grocery shopping, let them take an active role in picking out groceries. Cook dinner together and catch up in the car on the way to school. These little moments are the things your kids will remember when they get older. What are your most cherished childhood memories? Chances are they're simple, everyday activities.
Take Care of Yourself – You don't have to book an expensive massage to take care of yourself, although that's a nice treat every now and then. Taking care of yourself is more about allocating time to do things that make you feel good: putting on your makeup in the morning, going for a jog in the evening (bonus points if you're also pushing a stroller), or painting your toenails before the polish completely chips away.
It's also about making healthy choices that are best for you. For example, going to bed early instead of staying up to answer emails will make you a much more productive person the next day. As they get older, your children will admire that their mother is someone who takes care of herself – after all, you are modeling behavior that you want them to emulate someday!
Remember to Breathe – As busy, multitasking women and moms, sometimes we overlook the simplest way to get through our day: taking a moment to breathe. Pausing to focus on your breath can help you to quell nerves and stress or simply clear your mind. Simple, but effective!

How do you balance it all? Share your time management tips in the comments below.

More great stories from ToriSpelling.com:
'Til Death Do Us Part: Elderly couple dies holding hands
Happy Halloween!
Ask me anything!

5 Ways Being a Mom Makes You Healthier

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:41:37 PDT

Just because you had a baby (or two, or three), it doesn't mean your health and body automatically get pushed aside. There are many ways being a mother can actually improve how you take care of yourself, and here are just a few.

While prego, you change how you think about eating. It's no longer just about taste but about nourishing your growing baby. You think twice about skipping meals or eating cold pizza for breakfast. And if you're nursing, you want to eat healthy because whatever you eat passes into your breast milk.
After the baby is born, you exercise regularly to lose the baby weight, but all that working out also strengthens your muscles and immune system, makes your heart healthy, and helps you sleep better.
As a mom, you want to set a good example for your kids to live a healthy lifestyle. If they see you eating your broccoli and heading out for bike rides, they're more likely to grow up embracing the same healthy ways. Although the main reason you strive to be a positive role model is for the benefit of your kiddos, it ultimately helps you become healthier, too.
Outdoor time is essential for your kids, not only for the fresh air, but also for the change of scenery and the opportunity to get all their energy out. It encourages you to get outside, too, to go for walks, to pop them in their jogging stroller, to take family bike rides, or to just run around and play with them.
You love being a mom and watching your kids grow up. Since you want to be strong, healthy, and have enough energy to care for your children in the best way possible - and you also want to be around until they have kids of their own- you're inspired to take better care of yourself. Becoming a mom might help you quit smoking, get serious about losing weight, have your cholesterol checked, or even start training for a marathon.

How has being a mom made you a healthier person?

Strollin': Doll Strollers to Suit Every Play Parent's Needs (and Budget)

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 05:25:52 PDT

Imaginations at work! Pretend play gives tots the opportunity to express their creativity and develop stronger concentration skills. It also allows them to mimic Mom and Dad as they go about their daily routines. Given all of the extraordinary toys and trips Suri Cruise experiences, it was fun to see her pushing her baby doll while joining her mom on a shopping trip this week. The tot's plastic and fabric play stroller looks just like the versions found in many lil one's playrooms. From high-end to inexpensive, eco-friendly wood versions to simple plastics, here are six versions to suit ever child's needs.

Clockwise from top left: Badger Basket Toys Three Wheel Doll Jogging Stroller ($40), Maclaren Junior Quest Baby Doll Stroller ($38), Castle Toy Umbrella Doll Stroller ($16), Badger Basket Triple Doll Stroller ($49), Sirch Troll Doll Stroller ($290), Pottery Barn Kids Navy Doll Pram ($80).