Blog Posts by FitSugar

Source: Dos and Don'ts of Pre-Workout Snacks

While preparing a luscious fruit salad for a friend's potluck, I noshed on a bunch of diced melon and then decided to go for a run. Five minutes into my workout, I experienced one of the worst cramps in my belly. I tried everything to make it go away: massaging it, slowing down my pace, and raising my arms in the air, but walking was the only thing that helped. I cursed that stupid cantaloupe and watermelon for ruining my run. Learn from my mistakes, and choose an appropriate pre-workout snack.

• Fiber is not your friend: All that bulk that gets things moving in your system is bound to prevent you from moving when you exercise, since it can cause gas pains and may even necessitate a trip to the ladies' room.
• Go for a combo of protein and carbs: Carbs rather than protein offer your body fuel, so make sure your snack has an emphasis on carbs. Simple carbs are best, since they digest more easily than complex ones.
• Avoid

Source: Spring Clean Your System: 9 Quick Tips to Detox This Weekend

Imagine heading into Monday morning refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle a tough week. You might not be able to commit to a full weekend cleanse to reboot your system, but it's easy to incorporate a few of these tips before Monday morning hits. Offer your body detox power it deserves.

• Drink lots of water: Staying hydrated is essential to keep your body functioning at its highest potential. Take things up a notch and spike your water with some fresh produce known for their detoxing powers. Lemon, cucumber, mint, or ginger can all do wonders.
• Try some chia: Chock-full of omega-3s and fiber, tiny superfood chia seeds have been revered since ancient Aztec times. Celebrity trainer Valerie Waters swears by her chia seed drink that helps clients debloat.
• Cook at home: Every meal out on the town might sound like your idea of a great weekend, but try to cook healthy, fiber-fueled meals at home.

Source: What Helps (and What Doesn't) in the Quest For a Faster Metabolism

There are things you can't help about your own metabolism, like aging and genetics, but these don't have the final say in how revved up it can be. If you feel like your metabolism could use a boost, check out what works (and what doesn't) below.

• Start or amp up your strength training: If you're a cardio girl through and through, you've probably heard people telling you that you should add weight training to your routine. That's because muscles burn calories at a higher rate than fat, so your metabolism will be getting a bigger boost the more muscle mass you have. Already incorporating strength training without seeing any more results? Try amping up your routine, switching the type of workout, or adding a yoga or Pilates class to your routine.
• Get working on those intervals: There are many benefits to interval training, like better endurance, stamina, and speed, not to mention increased fat

Source: Got a Minute? 25 Ways to a Healthier You in 60 Seconds!

What if we told you all it takes is one minute to get healthy? No, this is not an infomercial, and yes, all you need is 60 seconds. When it comes to your schedule, time is of the essence, but it's the little things that help keep you on track. Consider these 25 simple acts that will quickly improve your health and wellness with or without stepping foot in the gym!

• Floss: You've heard it time and time again, but flossing your pearly whites really does make a difference - it may even prevent a heart attack.
• Stretch: A quick stretch no matter where you are will quickly ease tension. The next time you're standing in line or watching a commercial, give it a try.
• Pack a healthy snack: Rather than waiting for hunger to strike or buying a sugary treat at the coffee shop, grab a healthy snack like nuts or an apple before you head out the door.
• Take the stairs: Instead of waiting for the elevator or taking the

Source: How to Work Out Smarter at Home

Working out at home is convenient, but if you're not careful, it's easy to phone it in. After all, the only person holding you accountable while you exercise in your living room is yourself! Don't fall into that trap - read our tips on what you should do to work out smarter at home.

• Snack early: Exercising on an empty stomach can make you want to stop before you start, while sweating it out on a full one can also dampen workout goals. Eat something with simple carbs and a little protein before you change into your workout clothes so your stomach will have a few minutes to digest before you begin. We like these pre-workout snack ideas for the morning.
• Know what you're going to do: Don't waste precious time deliberating about your workout for the day. Queue up the DVD, bookmark the website, or plan out your circuit before the morning so you don't have to spend minutes you could be exercising trying to figure out how to do it. You should

POPSUGAR FitnessSource: 20 Secrets to Flat Abs

It may not be a secret that the best way to a six-pack is a healthy diet (even if it's no diet at all) and regular exercise, but there's a right way and wrong way to a flat belly. Read on for the ultimate guide to getting flat abs.

• Know the Formula: Getting flat abs in time for Summer isn't about starving yourself or living at the gym. Reducing belly fat involves a mix of smart eating and effective exercise. Make sure you eat enough food to keep your body from experiencing hormone imbalances; eating too little (fewer than 1200 calories a day) reduces the amount of the fat-burning hormone leptin in your body, which will slow down weight loss. And if you're just exercising without changing your diet, you'll spend a lot of time at the gym with little result. Read more about the dieting and exercising formula for reducing belly fat here.
• Posture Makes Perfect: Doing regular posture-building exercises pack a double punch when it comes to

POPSUGAR FitnessSource: 6 Mistakes to Avoid at the Gym

Squeezing in a gym session can be tricky, so you want to make your time there worthwhile. In order to strengthen your muscles effectively and prevent injury, make sure to avoid these six common workout mistakes.

• Not Warming Up or Cooling Down: Be sure to take at least five minutes before and after your workout to warm up and cool down. Ten additional minutes can help prevent those frustrating keep-you-out-of-the-gym injures.
• Showing Up on an Empty Stomach: Your car won't run without fuel, so why should you? About 30 to 90 minutes before hitting the gym, make sure to eat an easily digestible snack that's 40 to 100 grams of carbs with a low amount of fat. It's a good idea to keep the fiber content to a minimum, since high-fiber foods can be difficult to digest. Toast with nut butter, a banana, cheese with a couple crackers, or yogurt are great pre-workout choices. Definitely don't chow down immediately before your workout, as that

POPSUGAR FoodSource: 8 Recipes That Celebrate Pear Season

During Fall and Winter, it seems like there's a different variety of pear to enjoy every day of the week. With warmer weather peeking around the corner, now's the time to celebrate the plump fruit, which is packed with antioxidants, minerals, and fiber to help aid in digestion, boost your immune system, and strengthen bones. Read on for eight versatile pear recipes to make now!

• Banana Pear Bread: Don't throw out those over-ripe pears; throw them into your latest batch of banana bread instead! This pear banana bread recipe uses walnuts as well for a delicious grab-and-go breakfast treat for chilly mornings.
• Kale, Carrot, and Ginger Smoothie: Adding a ripe pear to this kale, ginger, carrot smoothie adds a slight sweetness as well as a good dose of fiber to help keep you full.
• Pear and Edamame Crostini: Whether your hosting a get-together or just need a tasty new snack idea, keep this pear and edamame crostini recipe