LilSugar

Can Motherhood Make Us Better Athletes?

LilSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:00:42 -0700

Forget Couch to 5K, maybe it should be Delivery Room to Marathon. While many postpartum mamas complain of the toll their pregnancies took on their bodies, doctors claim that the experience may make them more powerful than they were before conceiving a child. Researchers from Michigan State University and John Moores University in Liverpool have found that increases in blood volume and hormones that occur during pregnancy can improve the body's muscle strength, allowing women to excel at athletic activities.

The recent successes of mother-athletes like tennis ace Kim Clijsters, swimmer Dara Torres, distance runner Paula Radcliffe and golfer Catriona Matthew have the researchers looking at the psychological side of birth and athletics. Professor Greg Whyte, from John Moores University, speculates that the birthing process increases women's pain threshold, making female athletes even stronger than before:

"Women re-evaluate where they can anchor pain and many psychologists believe that woman’s pain threshold is effectively reset so that when she resumes or takes up training again, nothing ever seems as uncomfortable."

Did you find yourself stronger after giving birth?

What Classes and Activities Are Your Children Enrolled In?

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Put me in coach! With the school year back in swing for most children, a new season of extra-curricular activities is under way. From athletic teams to the more creative hobbies, after-school programs offer children a chance to burn off some energy, make new friends and learn skills.

Though camps saw a downturn in enrollment this Summer due to the economy, 59 percent of LilSugar readers said they were maintaining their kids' schedule of activities. Heidi Klum was recently spotted picking up Henry from karate class in LA, and we've seen a number of celebrity tots participating in sports. What classes will your kiddos be taking this Fall?

9-Year-Old Athlete Kicked Off Team For Being Too Good?

LilSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:00:45 -0700

If Michael Phelps had been pulled from the pool, would he have gone on to be the winningest Olympian? It's ridiculous to think that a child could be punished for being too good an athlete, but that's what is happening to Jericho Scott, a 9-year-old little leaguer in Connecticut who has an arm that can throw a fast one. While the pitcher tops off at 40 mph and has never beamed another child during a game, batters have a hard time hitting his pitches, and some parents were concerned when their sluggers went up to bat. As a result, the league has banned Jericho's team. Do you think this is fair?

The Pleasures of Placenta Keep Expanding

babysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:32 -0800

Often called the "tree of life," placentas are known to have special healing powers for postpartum moms and some even believe they have a way with spirits. Taye Diggs's wife Irina had hers turned into pills while Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey had plans to plant theirs under a tree. Some, like myself, told the doctors to take it to a place never to be seen again. Perhaps I should have saved mine and sold it as they seem to be a hot commodity among the elite these days. Hollywood's hotshots are partaking in placenta beauty treatments and famous athletes are turning to the often trashed organ for healing powers. Soccer star Robin Van Persie is hoping that a horse's placenta will work magic on his ankle ligament injury. Physiotherapist Mariana Kovacevic is known for her mystical techniques, one which will have her massaging liquid from a horse's placenta into the player's affected area.

It seems the placenta is the wonder organ that keeps on giving. Would you partake in any of these special treatments?

Kidmazing: Seven-Year-Old Played Hoops With Michael Jordan

LilSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:00:59 -0700

Anthony Iglesia wants to be like Mike. The seven-year-old baller was in Santa Barbara attending Michael Jordan's basketball camp when the iconic athlete tapped him to play a game of two-on-two against another camper and San Antonio Spurs player, Tony Parker. The former duo beat the latter with young Anthony scoring the winning basket and just as many points as Jordan. The child's proud mama and pop rooted him on.

10 Hot Athletic Dads

babysugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Mothers who aren't fond of sports may not care about the players, but they might appreciate their looks. The NFL, NBA, and MLB all provide muscular eye candy and they aren't the only places where good lookin' pops can be found. Think tennis, golf and surfing for some more quality finds! Check out which dads made our top 10 hot athletic dads' list.

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Rachel Zoe Puts Pedialyte on Ice to Get Through Fashion Week

LilSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:07:06 -0700

It turns out stylist Rachel Zoe doesn't just know how to dress a pregnant woman, she also knows how to use kid products to heal an aching adult body. The style maven put a photo on twitpic of Pedialyte on ice from Fashion Week, which got me thinking about grown-ups using goodies formulated for kids.

Pedialyte is an electrolyte drink that was "specifically designed to replace fluids and minerals (electrolytes) that are lost when a child has diarrhea with or without vomiting," but many adults - especially athletes - use it to replenish their bodies after times of stress, sickness and electrolyte loss. I've been known to snack on the Cliff Kid Z Bar instead of the jumbo-sized meal replacement Cliff bar, but I can't say I've used Pedialyte as a remedy.

While food and medicine made for little bodies don't offer us adults the full nutrition we need, I know many parents who pop a Children's Tylenol every now and again or steal beauty products from their kids. Do you ever use products intended for tots?

Kim Clijsters Wins One For Working Mothers Everywhere

LilSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:30:17 -0700

Serve one up for all of the mothers out there. The decision to return to work after the birth of a baby can be hard. For professional athletes, the preparation requires more than just emotional strength but physical preparation.

Once ranked the number-one tennis player in the world, Kim Clijsters retired from the sport in May 2007 with the intent to marry her boyfriend and start a family. In February 2008, she gave birth to daughter Jada Ellie before announcing her intention to return to the tennis the following year.

This afternoon, Clijsters topped Li Na to move on to the U.S. Open's semi-final round for the first time since 2005. After Clijsters's recent win over third-ranked Venus Williams, CBS Sports' Mary Jo Fernandez asked the mother, 26, about returning to work with a child in tow.

Check out what the athletic mama had to say:

On how hard it was to return. I've been working really hard the last 7-8 months, and I'm enjoying it. I think that's really something important for myself as well, as long as I can focus on tennis, but on the outside have fun as well. Tennis is a great sport, but I'm just happy that we can have a family and I can balance both.
On how she balances work and family. We have help, so that's great, but it's fun. . . . To your daughter, it doesn't matter if you win or lose, she's just happy to see me and that's great.
On how she prepared to re-enter the game: I have to admit that I only just started watching tennis at the start of this year, because I didn't really have that much time. With the baby running around, I was just happy to sleep when she was sleeping as well.

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LilSugar Weekly Recap Quiz

babysugar — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 06:00:29 -0700

The stork dropped off some babies this week and announced news of others to come! Also included in this week's LilSugar news were shocking statements made by Jon Gosselin and a slideshow of super hot athletic pops. Take my quiz to see if you've been taking your daily dose of LilSugar.

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Nepotism Makes For Famous Stars

babysugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:00:37 -0700

There's no business like show business when it comes to nepotism. If mom is an actress or dad is a rock star, chances are the kiddos will want to test the spotlight out for themselves. Models, athletes, actors, and politicians who have left their legacies in films, trophies, and legislation have also passed on their genetics to these famous celebrity children. Check out the slideshow to see if you know their well-known parents.

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