Blog Posts by FitSugar

Source: Why Having a Fitness Partner in Crime Works

When it comes to healthy weight-loss and fitness goals, teaming up with a partner on a similar path is a huge help. You can't expect to lose weight if your boyfriend, roommate, or closest friend constantly suggests indulging in unhealthy foods or encourages you to head to happy hour instead of hitting the gym. Having a partner in crime when it comes to healthy living can make the whole process far less painful - maybe even enjoyable! Here are a few reason to buddy up.

• Stay accountable: Bailing on a workout or putting fitness on hold are easy traps to fall into, unless you're not the only one these actions affect. When you're working with someone on a similarly fit track, you'll be less likely to cancel healthy plans like cooking at home or hitting up a new workout class.
• Build healthy competition: While pushing each other too hard could strain your relationship, there's nothing wrong with a little competition to keep things

FitSugarSource: Creative Ways to Double Up Your Weekend Workout

Cut the time it takes to work out by squeezing more into your session by combining cardio and strength training into one. There are tons of fun ways to double up on your exercise regimen, and here are five to get you started!

• Run first, om later: Take a run and then head to yoga, or reverse the order. Yoga can balance your mind and tone your body, but it doesn't always provide the cardio that we need. If your studio is close to where you live, even better. You can run there to get your heart rate up right before class.
• Sweat from the bike straight into the pool: If you have a gym membership, there are many amenities open to you. You can spin at the gym and then swim in the pool after class. Not only will these different forms of exercise complement one another, but the refreshing pool will also feel great after sweating it out on a bike.
• Dance off the flab before you tone your abs: Zumba is a fun way to squeeze in

FitSugarSource: Your Next Workout Begins at Your Desk!

Start your workout well before you hit the gym tonight, beginning at your desk! In a matter of minutes, a few simple changes will keep you healthy, increase your productivity, and even contribute to abs of steel. Not only will these changes go into effect immediately - think instantly improved posture - but they will also contribute to your overall health for years to come. Consider these tips and make the change; this might be what your next workout needs to go from good to great.

• Keep Healthy Snacks : Instead of reaching for the vending machine or mindlessly grabbing from the candy bowl, keep healthy snacks at your desk to avoid temptation. Homemade trail mix or simple 100-calorie snacks will curb afternoon hunger without dooming your diet.
• Rearrange Your Desk : Simple changes to your desk will help you sit up straighter and avoid neck, wrist, and back strain. Sitting ergonomically, adjusting your keyboard, and repositioning

Source: 4 Tips That Turn a Morning From Stressful to Peaceful

The pace of your morning can have an enormous impact on the rest of the day. If 2013 will be the year of making your morning count, then each of these easy tips will help alleviate that dreaded a.m. struggle and allow you to rise and shine for real.

• Stop the snooze: Hitting the snooze button over and over is only putting off an inevitable start. Those last 20 minutes won't help your quality of sleep but will instead take a toll on your morning. Rushing to throw yourself together, a skipped shower, or eating a subpar breakfast are simply not worth those extra few minutes in bed.
• Take time to yourself: Whether it's a quick moment of silence, a calming cup of tea, or writing down your initial thoughts in a journal, take a little time to allow your body to get acclimated to the morning. Instead of feeling jolted to begin all your chores and obligations, just a few minutes of relaxing "me" time will help slow your

Source: The Bad Habit to Stop Now For Better Sleep Tonight

Sleep: we all do it, but more than 40 percent of us don't do it well. With that dismal record, there's a good chance you've made up your mind to sleep better in the new year. An easy way to make 2013 your most well-rested year yet? Make small changes to your prebedtime routine to prep for better Zs.

First up, turn off all those electronics at least 20 minutes before bedtime. The blue light emitting from your iPad and television, even a bright digital alarm clock, can disrupt your circadian and melatonin rhythms and make your body think it's still daytime. This can lead to a restless night of tossing and turning - exactly what you don't need when you've got a full day ahead of you. Instead, reach for a book, an ereader with e-ink, or a journal while listening to soothing music (like this 40-minute playlist to help you drift to sleep). A tech-free prebedtime routine will help you wind down and prep you for a restful night of

Source: 5 CrossFit Workouts Anyone Can Do

Want muscles like Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba, or Jessica Biel? You may want to try CrossFit. The workout has many devoted fans, not just incredibly fit celebrities, who love it not only for its scalability - workouts are tailored to your current ability, and the difficulty increases as you get better - but also for the mental challenge that comes from pushing yourself further with each workout.

So, what exactly is CrossFit? The workout uses simple exercises involving body resistance, gymnastics, aerobics, weight lifting, and other moves, which are done at a high intensity. While the exercises are simple, that doesn't mean you'll be bored - CrossFit is all about mixing up exercises and ramping up difficulty over time so you don't do the same workout twice in a row. If you've been curious about CrossFit, read on for a few workouts to try.

• Beginner's workout: CrossFit Games champ Mel Ockerby takes us through a simple workout

FitSugarSource: 7 Eating Tips to Satisfy Your Diet and Healthy Resolution

We asked and you voted on how you plan to make 2013 the best year yet. From fitting into those skinny jeans to finding new ways to manage stress, you're not alone. Tallying up the votes, we found a top priority for many FitSugar readers is to eat healthier - we want to help! Although the idea of a total kitchen revamp can seem overwhelming, making healthy choices doesn't have to feel like moving mountains. Simple adjustments here and there like eating breakfast (a must) and giving your food a spicy kick can make all the difference for the New Year and the new you.

• Go For Grains : You don't have to give up carbs to eat healthy, you just have to choose the right ones. Grains are loaded with nutrition and can be served up in a variety of ways. Use this guide to see how your favorite grains measure up to find a new favorite for dinner tonight!
• Add Veggies to Every Meal: An easy weight-loss tip is to add a

FitSugarSource: 5 Ways to Get Energized During a Lunch Break

Lunchtime can be crucial for resetting your focus to avoid that midafternoon slump. What you do around the noon hour can change the rest of your day for good - even if you skipped breakfast or showed up late to work. Try to make the most of your time with one (or all) of these helpful tips and see if it makes a difference in your work.

• Get moving: You don't need to run the stairs in your office attire to increase your heart rate. If you can't squeeze in a lunchtime workout, doing something a little less exerting like walking to your lunch spot instead of going to the deli downstairs can give you that extra kick you need. If you bring your lunch to work - well, kudos to you! Use the extra time to walk somewhere for a beverage or find a place to eat your homemade meal instead of having it at your desk, which can lead to mindless eating.
• Eat energizing foods: Instead of fats and heavy carbs that can weigh you down, look