Blog Posts by FitSugar

FitSugarSource: 10 Celebrities Who Can't Wait to Get to the Gym

Staying in shape is almost a part-time job for celebs - it's no wonder so many of Hollywood's starlets hate working out. But even with the demands of their career and the pressure to look good, there are some celebs who love to exercise. Keep reading to see which famous faces can't go a day without a little time spent on the treadmill, Reformer, or yoga mat.

• Minka Kelly :

  "Exercise is like meditation for me. And I'm giving myself that time . . . I cannot live without it now. When you have such a good workout, it clears everything up mentally, physically, and you just have a better day."

  - Minka Kelly told Self that working out with celeb trainer Gunnar Peterson has been life-changing.

• Christina Ricci: "I do a lot of walking on my treadmill because I injured myself once jogging. Now I just walk on an incline . . . I really try to do something physically active every day."

Source: Know Your Basics: How to Do a Lunge

Lunges are a quintessential exercise; you can do them anywhere and the effects can be seen in no time, in the form of shapely, toned legs and backside (just in time for bikini season!). If you're planning on incorporating lunges into your routine, however, make sure you're not doing more harm than good. Find out how to do lunges correctly below.

The basics: It's important to do lunges properly so you don't put unwanted strain on your joints. Here's how to perfect your form:

• Keep your upper body straight, with your shoulders back and relaxed and chin up (pick a point to stare at in front of you so you don't keep looking down). Always engage your core.
• Step forward with one leg, lowering your hips until both knees are bent at about a 90-degree angle. Make sure your front knee is directly above your ankle, not pushed out too far, and make sure your other knee doesn't touch the floor. Keep the weight in your heels as you push back up to

Source: Not So Fast! 3 Tips For Reading Food Labels

Eating a healthy diet often means spending time reading food labels at the grocery store. The next time you hit the market, follow these important tips to ensure you're not missing something.

• Look at more than calories: When it comes to losing weight, you've probably grown accustomed to checking the calorie counts, but remember that this number isn't everything. Many healthy foods (like quinoa) tend to be higher in calories; likewise, a food that's low in calories may contain a lot of sodium or saturated fat. Read through every part of the label to get the full picture, and then make the decision if you're going to eat it.
• Compare apples to apples: You have two boxes of crackers in your hands and quickly see that one contains 220 calories per serving, while the other is only 140. Before you choose the box with fewer calories, double-check to make sure you're comparing equal serving sizes. Also take a look to see how

Source: 3 Reasons to Work Your Back in Time For Summer

When it comes to looking your best on the beach, it's not all about how to build a six-pack or which exercises make your backside look the best in a bikini. In fact, having a healthy and strong back can make you feel your best on the beach in more ways than one. Here are some essential back exercises and why they will help you rock a swimsuit with confidence.

Stand tall and slim: Wanna look five or 10 pounds lighter without dropping a number on the scale? Stand correctly! Having bad posture pushes out your belly and rounds out your shoulders, making you look shorter and fatter in an instant, so it's important to add posture-building workouts to your bikini-ready routine. Stand tall with this standing reverse fly exercise and these eight back and shoulder exercises and stretches to combat any workday slouching.


More from FitSugar: From Total Body to High Intensity: Elliptical Workouts For All


Help banish the muffin top: While

Source: Dispel These Common Complaints and Start a Love Affair With Running

You want to love running, you do, but every time you head out for a run, you end up hating it even more. Check out some of the most common complaints below, and find out how you can turn your relationship with running around for the better.

"My Knee, My Back, My Feet - Everything Hurts" Pounding the pavement is not easy on the body, and one reason for aches and pains is poor running form. Here's a body checklist to make sure you're running properly and efficiently. Sneakers that are old or unsupportive can also lead to joint pain, so here are tips to help you find the perfect pair of running shoes. Be sure to replace shoes every few hundred miles or every few months (whichever comes first). Also, don't run every day - including other types of exercise is a must in preventing repetitive stress injuries.

"It's Boring" Running is the definition of repetition, so if you're on a treadmill, make it more exciting

Source: Off the Court With Beach Volleyball Olympian Misty May-Treanor

The daughter of an Olympian and wife of a Major League Baseball player, professional beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor knows a thing or two about competing. She even tangoed her way across the stage in Dancing With the Stars a few seasons ago. After winning back-to-back Olympic gold with teammate Kerri Walsh in Athens and Bejing, the duo is hoping for top honors again this Summer in London. While on the Nike campus in Beaverton, OR, I caught up with Misty, where she let me in on a few pregame rituals and what the scene is really like at the Olympic Village.

Misty, 34, is looking forward to competing and isn't letting her nerves get the best of her - the mark of a seasoned athlete. "I know when things are going to get me a little nervous, because nervous to me feels good." Asked about pregame rituals, Misty says she and Kerri make a habit of jumping over the sideline to enter the court together, which is

FitSugarSource: 26.2 Miles Later: 7 Women Share Their Tips For Marathon Success

Running a marathon may be on your bucket list of things to do. However, since finishing 26.2 miles still seems daunting, you've put off registering for a race. To help inspire you, we talked to seven everyday - but in no way, ordinary - women who were running in this year's Boston Marathon. From a first-timer to a woman who has completed a whopping 24 marathons, keep reading to see how each of these fit females train, what they eat on race day, and their tips for marathon-day success. Also, make sure to check out our one-stop training destination for everything from a 5K to a marathon.

• Jules Fick, 20:
  FitSugar: How many marathons have you been in?
  Jules Fick: This is my first marathon! I'm running through Boston College, so we're charity running as bandits.
  FS: What did your training entail for the Boston Marathon?
  JF: Well, I went on a regimen in January, but I've been consciously running

Source: Don't Drink Bacteria: How to Disinfect Your Reusable Bottle

The beauty of the reusable water bottle is that it's just that - reusable. You can repeatedly head to the water cooler or faucet to fill 'er up, but when your bottle continually stays wet, you know what that means? Yep, bacteria loves a moist, dark environment. Along with your dinner dishes, it's good to get in the habit of cleaning your bottle every night, or at least every few days. Here are some ways you can get rid of the germies and grime.

Throw it in the dishwasher: Some bottles are dishwasher-safe, so check the bottom of your bottle or the brand's website to make sure. Kleen Kanteen Classic stainless steel bottles are dishwasher safe, as well as some products from Nalgene, although it's recommended to clean SIGG water bottles by hand.

Wash it with warm soapy water: Pour out any leftover liquid, add a few drops of dishwashing soap and some warm water, screw on the top and shake for a minute or so. It's smart