Blog Posts by FitSugar

Source: Stick With It: Staying Motivated to Work Out When the Days Are Shorter

The good news: you may be feeling relief from the oppressive heat, meaning you can actually enjoy the warm outdoors instead of hide from it. The bad news: the days are getting shorter, so it can be harder to get out of bed in the morning or fit in a workout in the evening. Here's how to motivate yourself to work out when the days get shorter.

• Make prep easy: This is especially true if you work out in the morning, but rushing to exercise after work can make this an important point as well. Pack your gym bag the night before or lay out your gear, including a few snacks like a granola bar or fruit, along with water.
• Exercise at home: You may be more motivated to get your workout done with if you know it doesn't involve a commute or a run in the dark. Cue up your favorite workout videos (like our 10-minute Class FitSugar workout videos) and keep your workout DVDs and home gym supplies organized

Source: Healthy Women 101: How to Handle a UTI

When a urinary tract infection (UTI) strikes, it's hard to think about anything else. If you haven't experienced your own UTI, then consider yourself a very lucky lady. But if you've dealt with them in the past and you're still not sure why they happen, then it's time to educate yourself on the causes of these pesky infections, and learn how to promote better practices for the future.

Use common sense: Practicing good hygiene may be your best defense against UTIs. After using the bathroom, always be sure to wipe front to back to avoid passing bacteria to places it shouldn't be.
Pick better undies: Loose-fitting cotton underwear is not very sexy, but it does a much better job of keeping you clear of UTIs and other infections than tight nylon undies do.
Don't hold it: Holding a full bladder for too long may make you more prone to developing recurrent UTIs. When you wait too long to relieve yourself, it can cause the muscle to overstretch,

Source: Tennis 101: How to Score

Serena Williams is on a roll! After winning Wimbledon and Olympic gold, she's showing us how it's done at the US Open. As the tournament heads toward the finals, here is a primer on scoring so you can keep up with the matches. Tennis scoring can seem complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it you'll feel like a seasoned fan. Here's what you need to know to get started scoring in singles.

The Framework

• Each tennis match is made up of two to three sets. To win a set, you must win at least six games.
• The games are scored starting at "love" (or zero) and go up to 40, but that's actually just four points. From love, the first point is 15, then 30, then 40, then game point, which wins the game.

• To determine who serves first, you flip a coin or (more likely) spin a racket. Whoever wins the toss gets to decide one of four things: that she wants to serve first, that she wants to receive first, which side of the court she

Source: 4 Ways to Start a Healthy Routine For Fall

Now that Summer's unofficially over, it's time to enjoy the still-warm weather and prep for the transitional season. If hectic back-to-school schedules have caught up with you, here are four ways to set up a healthy routine to stick with.

• Go outside: The oppressive heat of Summer is slowly dissipating, so now's the time to enjoy the outdoors before it gets too cold. Taking a normal gym routine outside helps challenge muscles and endurance, making you better at your workout.
• Make your lunch: Besides saving money, you'll save calories as well. And with a little planning, making lunch for the week doesn't have to take a lot of time. Do your prep all at once to make it easier, and get in a habit of making enough for dinner so you can revamp leftovers the next day. Keep your brown bag lunch healthy and easy to make with these lessons for a healthy lunch.
• Don't skip breakfast: With new schedules and obligations, it

Source: Where You Eat Can Help You Lose Weight

What and how much you eat is extremely important when it comes to losing weight, but did you know where you eat can also be key? Eating in the wrong places can actually make you consume more or encourage you to snack on things you normally wouldn't. When you enjoy meals and snacks, make sure it's in one of these places.

• In public: When people eat alone, they tend to let go and may end up eating three times more than they normally would. If weight loss is your goal, try to eat in front of at least one other person. Even if you're alone, go out to eat at places such as at an Internet café, on a park bench, or at a coffee shop where other people are around. When you eat in public, it makes you conscious and accountable for what you put in your mouth, so you're less likely to overeat or eat foods you normally wouldn't.
• At the kitchen table: We've all been there - standing in front of an open fridge or cupboard, inhaling

Source: Ways to Slim Down Your BBQ

Doing a little grilling this weekend? With the tons of burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and beer, you don't want to go overboard on the calories. To avoid packing on the pounds this weekend, here are some ways to add a healthy spin to your barbecue.

• Go for homemade guacamole instead of creamy dips: Avocados offer the healthy fats your body needs, which is a much better option than the saturated fats found in dairy-based dips. If you're worried about calories, whip up some homemade low-cal salsa, and throw in some fresh pineapple and mango for added vitamins.
• Grill up some veggies: Use a grill basket, corn holders, or skewers and choose a variety of veggies to grill alongside your meat dishes. Load up your plate to fill you up and help prevent overeating high-calorie dishes.

• Don't always choose beef: Veggie burgers made with whole grains, legumes, and vegetables and

Source: Practice Makes Perfect: Sticking to a Yoga Routine at Home

Building a home yoga practice can be a beautiful gift, but making it stick can be a little overwhelming. For beginners, getting hands-on attention from a teacher is your best bet for a strong foundation, but if you're strapped for cash, there's no need to cut down on your yoga. Both seasoned students and newbies can benefit from these tips to create a sustainable home practice.

• Start slow: There's no need to dive into a 45-minute sequence from the get-go. Start with just 15 or 20 minutes when creating your home practice. You'll be more likely to stay committed to your new routine if the length of your practice doesn't seem so daunting. Start with our 20-minute total-body yoga sequence.
• Timing's everything: Every day, do your best to hit your mat at the same time. Whether you go for first thing in the morning or once you're home from work, starting a stable routine will train your mind to crave yoga time.

Source: 3 Terrifically Tasty Ways to Snack on Tomatoes

Juicy and sweet, tomatoes are full of antioxidants such as lycopene and beta-carotene. They're also still in season, making now the time to use up the last fruits in your garden, or find them pretty cheap at the grocery store or farmers market. Aside from enjoying them alone, here are some healthy snack ideas using delicious Summer tomatoes.

• Gluten-Free Quinoa Pizza Bites:If you're a pizza-holic, try these gluten-free quinoa bites, which are packed with fiber and protein. This savory recipe is made with cherry tomatoes and makes a delicious snack or appetizer.
• Easy Bruschetta:Made with tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, this satisfying recipe for bruschetta is a cinch to whip up. Top it on sliced pieces of toasted baguette, and you'll feel like you're taking a bite right out of Summer.
• Cheesy Vegan Stuffed Tomatoes: You'll never guess that these gorgeous-looking roasted