Blog Posts by FitSugar

I'm not a huge football fan, but I've hosted my share of Super Bowl parties over the years. Let's face it, this Sunday is about more than just a big game. There's half-time shenanigans, million dollar commercials, and of course, the food.

Super Bowl Sunday is generally big on grazing little nibbles that can be eaten without the use of a plate. Chips, buffalo wings, layered dips, and sliders are pretty standard. Read: not so good for the waistline. I try to give my Super Bowl parties a healthy twist by offering up snacks that don't skimp on taste, but are good for you too. In addition to the classics, I lay out grilled veggie kebabs, a Mediterranean platter, some chilled crab legs, vegan mac-n-cheese, and turkey chili. I also encourage friends who are watching what they eat to bring a healthy dish to share with the crowd.

Besides offering up some healthy eats, I keep the food in the kitchen and out of the living room. It dramatically cuts down on my couch and rug being

On mornings when I need a quick, filling breakfast, I go for the always-satisfying bowl of cereal. With so many different kinds to choose from, I never get bored. To increase the nutritional value in your bowl, try these five suggestions.



Start With Fiber: Start your day with a cereal that contains at least eight grams of fiber. We all could use a little extra fiber in our diets, since it's recommended that women eat between 25 and 30 grams a day. Not only does fiber keep you regular, but it can also help lower your cholesterol and prevent heart disease and certain cancers. To top it off, fiber keeps you fuller longer, so breakfast is a wonderful time to fill up on fiber-rich foods - you're sure to stay satisfied until lunch.

Add Milk and Greek Yogurt: For a creamier tasting cereal without the added fat that comes from whole milk, add nonfat Greek yogurt to your milk and cereal. Mixing in the entire 5.3 oz. container of Oikos Vanilla adds an extra 15 grams of protein to your

I've never been one for a "my country is better than your country" attitude but I love me some Olympics. I always find the games to be an amazing display of athleticism, team spirit, and the potential of the human body. Beyond that, it's astonishing to consider the mental stress these competitors are under.

I'd like to celebrate the women of Team USA with a little meet and greet. If your favorite athlete wasn't highlighted, don't worry! I'll be showcasing more women as we lead into the big event - that's February 12th for those not in the know.

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I recently was able to join a couple of bloggers on a three-way phone chat with Bob Harper, one of the trainers on The Biggest Loser. While the interview's focus was on tips for meeting our fitness and weight loss goals for 2010, I found out a few things about Bob that I wanted to share with you all.

1. Before working on The Biggest Loser, Bob had never worked with obese clients. He explains that before the show aired, "I was working with Selma Blair and Ellen (DeGeneres) and you know, I was working with Gwyneth Paltrow. These are like thin, thin women . . . The day that I met my first team on season one, I really thought I had my work cut out for me because I was going to have to use everything that I learned and knew I was going to be put to the test because I had never worked with people of that size."
2. Bob's favorite form of cardio is running and he has run three marathons, but feels no need to run 26.2 miles again. When logging miles on a treadmill he tries to not listen to

I'll admit that I'm not a morning person, but I've discovered some ways to help me feel more alert and energetic in the morning. Give these techniques a try and I'm sure you'll have more pep in your step!



Wake Up at the Same Time Every Day of the Week: I know weekends are a time when sleeping in is a real treat, but it can really screw up your energy levels for the rest of the week. Pick a time to wake up all seven days and stick to it. You may feel tired when the alarm goes off, but you'll quickly gain energy as soon as you start moving around.

Forget the Snooze: I used to do it. I'd set my alarm way early, knowing that I'd hit the snooze button three times. Somehow I felt like it made getting up easier, but those extra nine, 18, or 27 minutes you snooze won't offer you deep, restful sleep. You're better off setting your alarm for the time you want to wake up. Allowing yourself to sleep until then will help you feel less tired once you do step out of bed.

Gulp Down a Glass of Water

If you're ready to add variation to your core routine, here are five new moves to strengthen your mid-section courtesy of Core Performance Women. These exercises target the back and glutes as well as the abs and the inner thighs. Add two to three of these exercises to your strength training sessions and you will notice a more toned middle and stronger workouts all around.
Photos courtesy of Core Performance Women (Penguin)



Y's on the Floor: Level: Beginner

• Lie face down with your arms above your head with hands wider than your shoulders, making the shape of a Y with your torso. Your thumbs are up.
• Pulling your abs toward your spine (without changing the shape of your spine), slide your shoulder blades toward your spine and lift your arms three to five inches off the ground. Hold for two seconds, then lower your arms to starting position. This completes one rep.
• Do two sets of six reps.

I always thought putting on a little "Winter padding" was expected each time the cold weather blew in, but if you can prevent gaining those few extra pounds, you won't have to worry about losing them come Spring. Here are seven ways to avoid an expanding waistline in the Winter.



Don't Overdo It With Warm Comfort Foods: When there's a chill in the air, I crave warm, decadent comfort foods like mac 'n' cheese, and mashed potatoes. Although these hearty foods are sure to warm you up and fill your belly, just don't overdo it since they tend to be high in calories.

Remember to Eat Your Veggies: If you can't fathom eating raw veggies because they're cold, too pricey, or not in season, then eat cooked veggies. The fiber in them will keep hunger at bay so you're less likely to snack on unhealthy foods, and the vitamins and minerals will strengthen your immune system to prevent you from getting sick. Roast up a whole bunch on Sunday so you can eat them throughout the week.

Sip Hot Tea Instead

At this year's Golden Globe Awards, Sandra Bullock was looking lovely in a purple evening gown and glowing from her win for Best Actress for The Blind Side. When I saw the red carpet pics of Sandra that night I was impressed by how toned her arms and upper body look - her fitness routine must be paying off!

To stay in shape, it's all about variety for Sandra, and though she also tries to work out every day, she doesn't beat herself up if she misses a few weeks. Besides running and biking, the star incorporates Pilates, plyometrics, weights, and kickboxing into her fitness routine - phew! Sandra must know that changing up your workout is a great way to stay motivated and not get bored with a fitness regimen. If you're not familiar with plyometrics, or jump training, I encourage you to give it a try. You can easily add it into a walking routine or when strength training. By including jumping exercises like jump roping or jumping squats into an existing workout, you use new muscle