LilSugar

How Are Your New Year's Resolutions Coming Along?

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:47:40 -0800

We are more than halfway through February, and I'm curious how your New Year's resolutions are coming along. Are your healthy goals for 2010 still intact or are they long forgotten? We're also midway through our Get Fit For 2010 community contest, where we provide a little guidance on healthy living and you have the chance to win cool prizes for participating. So vote on this poll, then write a progress report in a blog post in the Get Fit group to enter to win not only our weekly prize, a $100 gift card from Nike, but our awesome grand prize as well.

Speak Up: What Healthy Habits Are Hard For You to Stick With?

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:29 -0800

Every time I go to the dentist, the hygienist asks the million-dollar question, "Have you been flossing every day?" I know she can tell by looking at my teeth and gums that the answer is no, but I think she asks just so I feel bad enough to actually remember to do it. I know it's recommended to floss at least once a day, but for some reason, I can only remember to do it a few times a week, which is why flossing daily is one of my healthy goals for 2010. Tell me, what healthy habit to do have a hard time keeping up with?

The Detox, Day 5: 6 Pounds Down, Spirits Up

BellaSugar — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:00:00 -0800

I've just completed the final day of my five-day detox and while it wasn't always easy to control my junk food cravings, grumbly stomach, and penchant for hummus, it was all worth it in the end. As energetic and light-spirited as I feel now after all this hard work, I'm still looking forward to a celebratory cocktail (or two), along with a heaping plate of sushi, tomorrow evening. To find out what else I have to raise a glass to, as well as gripe about, just keep reading.

The Detox, Day 4: Everything's Illuminated

BellaSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:00:00 -0800

It's day four of my five-day detox, and while I have to admit that my stomach's still adjusting to consuming smaller portions, I'm not feeling nearly as hungry as I did on that awful second day. But, I do have a confession . . . I cheated. (And that's how I'm going to explain my oddly sinister expression in this photo.) You see, a tub of hummus was calling my name, and I lost all control on a midnight trip to the fridge. Minor blip in the radar aside, I do have some very positive things to report. Find out what they are when you read more.

The Detox, Day 3: Jury Duty Calls

BellaSugar — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:00:00 -0800

While eating the same thing each day on my five-day detox has proven to be rather blasé, I have found ways to add excitement to my entrées, which mainly consist of the same old protein shakes and salads. However, a simple switch in lettuce variety, along with the mind-blowing addition of ice to my morning chocolate shakes, have proved to be all I need to turn my monotonous caloric intake around. It truly is the little things that count, agreed? To find out more about the third day of my experiment, just keep reading.

Savvy Tip: Achieve Your Goals With Our Savvy Calculators

SavvySugar — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:01 -0800

Sure, we'd all love to snap our fingers and achieve our financial goals, particularly this time of year when we're riding high on resolutions. But successfully paying down credit card debt and saving money can only happen if you go in with a plan, and a realistic one at that.

Want to be debt free? Use our credit card payment calculator to determine how long it will take while paying a certain amount each month. If saving money is at the top of your list, whether it's for something fun or to build up your rainy day fund, use my savings calculator to figure out how long it will take to reach your goal.

Photo courtesy of The CW

What Is This?

YumSugar — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:00:46 -0800

Trying to stick to a resolution to make more foods on your own in 2010? This appliance - which looks like it might be in your beauty cabinet, but actually belongs in your kitchen - might be able to help. Do you know what it is?

The Detox, Day 2: I'm Tired and It Shows

BellaSugar — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:00:11 -0800

With change, there comes an adjustment period, no? And I do believe that this is what's happening to me. As I adapt to a lighter diet, free of sweets, alcohol, and excess anything (except salad), today I am feeling hungry, weary, and a bit unfocused. Thus far, the only beauty-related thing that's changed is my hair, and sadly, it's not because it's miraculously become full of luster and enviable body. I merely got a six-week trim from my stylist.

As I mentioned before, I don't expect colossal changes during my five-day detox, but I've got to believe that my energy will pick up soon, and I've got to believe that this case of delirium is just a slight bump in the road called detox. About the post-holiday jean snugness factor? Happily, and much to my surprise, I no longer feel like I've been stuffed into my favorite dungarees. Stay tuned for day three . . .

The Detox, Day 1: A Farewell to Acne

BellaSugar — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:00:11 -0800

Yesterday, I began my five-day journey to the land of detox, mostly in hopes of rejuvenating my lackluster complexion and recurring battle with chin and forehead acne. While I have realistic expectations, as I'm not anticipating perfectly flawless skin à la Reese Witherspoon in under a week, I chose the David Kirsch Wellness brand of detox just for that reason: it's a gentle detox, not a blow-through-your-system-with-fury type of cleanse.

Yesterday began with a grape-y flavored, vitamin-packed shot, a thick (almost too much so) chocolate-flavored protein shake for breakfast, and a train ride into work. Would I get shaky? Would I feel light-headed on the rails? In short, no. And by the time noon rolled around, my pre-lunch energy-boosting bubble drink, followed by a simple salad with lemon juice and four ounces of protein, was a welcome treat. I didn't even feel left wanting for more. To find out what else happened on day one of my experimental detox, just keep reading.

Try It: Run an Extra Mile This Week

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:30:32 -0800

If you were up for my 30 push-up challenge, here's another one to take on. It's for all you runners out there who hit the treadmill or road regularly (running at least 10 miles a week). This Monday, vow to add an extra mile to your total mileage for the week. Here's how:

Figure out the pace you normally run at. Let's say you run at a pretty moderate pace of 10 minutes per mile (6 mph). If you run five times a week, in order to add an extra mile to your total, just run an extra two minutes for each workout. If you run less often, say twice a week, run an extra five minutes per workout.

When you think about it, adding a few extra minutes here and there won't feel like much per run, but it can really start to add up. If you have a goal to run a half or full marathon, this is a great way to gradually increase your mileage over the course of several weeks or months. Just make sure you follow the 10 percent rule, only increasing your mileage gradually by no more than 10 percent each week. This will help prevent overuse injury and allow your body time to adjust to the new demands you're placing on it.

If you have any other tips or goals to share about running, post them in the RunningSugar community group.