Blog Posts by FitSugar

You don't have to go drastic with your diet choices to up the health factor. There are ways to swap out ingredients in your favorite dishes without sacrificing them altogether. I've listed some of these ingredient substitutions below. Have any to add? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments!

• Agave nectar for sugar: While it should still be used sparingly, agave nectar is sweeter than sugar, so you'll be using less, plus it won't cause a spike in blood sugar levels like sugar.
• Avocado for butter: When baking, sub out half the butter with avocado for less calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
• Ground flaxseeds for eggs: Who knew flaxseeds could replace eggs in your baking recipes? One teaspoon of ground flaxseeds and 1/4 cup of water replaces a single egg.
• Parsnips for potatoes: Parsnips are just one kind out of many healthy veggies that can replace potatoes in a French fry recipe.
• Greek yogurt for whipped cream: Mixing in Greek

It's never too late to sculpt sexy shoulders, so here's a routine devoted especially to that area. Grab a set of dumbbells and go through this sequence once. Be sure to rest between exercises if you need to give your shoulder muscles a break. Check out our gallery below to see the routine.

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I'm having a case of the Mondays today. Everything just feels a little off, and my smile seems a bit forced. In times like these I like to read through inspirational quotes - especially ones about what it means to be a healthy woman. Lucky for me I can always turn to Healthy Bites - the healthiest, most body confident celeb quotes around. Check out the gallery below to hear what Jessica, Courteney, Bridget, Ashley, and Rihanna have to say about what it means to be a healthy (and happy!) woman.

Being a woman, I feel like we are prone to our fair share of "fat days." You know, those days when your pants don't seem to fit quite right, you feel bloated, or you stand in front of the mirror and look softer than usual. Our fluctuations in hormones definitely contribute to water weight gain, so we can always point the finger at our old Aunt Flow. But I also know that when I overindulge on treats, it's my love affair with Ben & Jerry that's to blame.
Whatever the reason, tell me . . .

Take our poll on FitSugar!

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For many people, kicking back and relaxing means kicking back with a cold one. There are tons of beers to choose from ranging in calories from about 70 to 300. If you go for a Budweiser, Corona, or Stella Artois, a regular 12-ounce bottle contains about 150 calories. If you're worried about what that beer will do to your waistline, here are some Summery ways to work it off. All calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.

1. Jog for 22 minutes.
2. Swim laps for 19 minutes.
3. Play golf for 28 minutes, just be sure to carry your own clubs and walk the course.
4. Go on a 44-minute canoe ride.
5. Bike for 19 minutes.
6. Go on a hike for 26 minutes.
7. Catch some waves surfing for 51 minutes.
8. Play 22 minutes of tennis.
9. Go for a casual 44-minute walk.
10. Join a volleyball game for 51 minutes.

I was surprised to read about the recent study that claims exercising isn't enough if you have major couch potato tendencies during the other hours of your day. I tend to think that if I take the time to hit the gym or participate in other athletic activities, I'm entitled to some couch time. But with this new food for thought, and Fall TV shows around the corner, I need to take a good look at how healthy - or unhealthy - my tube-watching habits are. I've rounded up some easy ways to keep your TV time in check, and let me know in the comments if you have any more ideas!

• Bring the gym home. From a big time investment piece like an elliptical machine, to something smaller like a portable Stairmaster, at-home cardio equipment lets you burn calories while you catch up on your favorite shows.
• Break a sweat during commercial breaks. Utilize commercials by doing a few minutes of exercise like jogging in place, crunches, or jumping jacks. Those minutes will add up!

I'm all about sharing tips on how to pick up healthy habits such as ways to eat more fiber, tips on getting more zzzs, and how to fit in more exercise. You may not realize though that some common everyday choices you make could be contributing to weight gain or poor health, so here are some eating habits you want to avoid.

• A bad breakfast: You know you're not supposed to skip breakfast, but did you know that what you eat in the morning sets the tone for your meals throughout the day? Skip the pastries, energy bars, and sugary juices and enjoy a breakfast that's full of protein, fiber, and healthy carbs such as fruit or whole grain bread.
• Eating on the run: With your busy lifestyle, sometimes you need to grab food when you can. But mindlessly gobbling down food makes our brains feel gypped and unsatisfied, so we end up reaching for more food. Make a point to sit down and enjoy your meals.
• Using a dinner-sized plate for dinner. Traditionally bigger plates are

Welcome to August, the last official month of Summer. Hopefully, you've spent some time at the beach, did a little grilling, and even managed to go on a vacation. But mostly, I hope that you've found ways to beat this Summer heat! My must haves this month are going to keep you cool, encourage healthy eating habits, and have you walking better than you ever have before. Enjoy!

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