Blog Posts by FitSugar

Oh man, what's not to love about Beyoncé? She's a talented actress, has a curvy body we love, and has a knack for delivering some of the best music to work out to. We're excited that Beyoncé is leading the pack in Grammy nominations and can't wait to see her on the red carpet! In our last installment of Get the Bod, Grammys edition, we'll be taking a look at what Jay-Z's girl does to stay fit and healthy, and how she'll most likely be preparing for her big night out.

At the core of Beyoncé's workout regimen is trainer Marco Borges's Power Moves system. The concept is that you work several muscle groups at once, doing exercises like reverse lunge presses, dumbbell front squats, and jumping lunges. Borges revealed that to get Beyoncé in shape for her Summer tour, the singer did "interval training - 45 minutes of alternating between sprinting and running on the treadmill, followed by body-resistance work." During the tour, Beyoncé did yoga and Pilates for an hour on show days and

The benefits of exercise seem to be neverending - among other things, it helps the brain function better, reduces stress, and is important for healthy heart function. But, if you need another reason to get out there and start moving, exercise may also protect against swine flu.

I've read that exercise helps boost the body's immune system and that doing some light cardio is good during a cold, so it made sense that it could also help protect against swine flu. But given how quickly the virus has spread, coupled with a shortage of the vaccine, I think any new advice is beneficial and should be taken seriously.

While there has not been a study on the benefits of exercise in relation to swine flu specifically, there have been numerous findings that show exercise boosts the immunity system and may protect against colds and seasonal flus.

Whether you're dating or in a relationship, all that eating out and endless hours cuddling on the couch can definitely put a damper on your healthy lifestyle. That combined with eating an enormous amount of decadent food around the holidays can equal weight gain. After indulging this Thanksgiving, take some time away from the family (and the dinner table), and get some exercise with your honey. Here are some of my favorite ideas.

• Go Cycling and Sightseeing - If you don't own bikes, rent a pair for the day and check out the town you live or the place you're visiting. Ride along the water, over a bridge, through cute towns, or protected nature conservatories. It's a lot more fun than just driving through, and it's better for your health and the environment too.
• Stretch and Connect With Partner Yoga -Doing yoga with your special friend really strengthens your emotional connection, so find a class or workshop you can take together. If your local studio doesn't offer partner

While we've started looking back at 2009 to determine the best of the best, the American Council on Exercise has already offered its predictions for what the fitness trends of 2010 will be. It's clear that saving money and time will continue to be guiding forces in people's fitness choices.

• Cost-Conscious Workouts - Though the recession is over, its impact will still affect how people decide to get fit. Gyms will create and promote discount programs for budget-conscious consumers, and many individuals will opt to work out at home using portable fitness equipment.
• Group Training - Instead of doling out on personal training sessions, more people will turn to group exercise classes for guided fitness instruction. To meet this demand, gyms will expand or alter group programs.
• Time-Efficient Workouts - The constraints of time will lead people to seek out shorter but higher intensity workouts like boot camps and circuit training.
• Exergaming - Fitness video

It's that time of year again - Starbucks seasonal holiday drinks are back. If you're like me, you're probably pretty excited that the Pumpkin Spice Latte has made its return to the menu, but before you rush to place your order, take the quiz to find out how many calories your seasonal drink delivers.

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With Thanksgiving coming up, I'm sure many of you are looking forward to chowing down on some delicious foods. Most of us end up eating way more than usual, and since many of the dishes may be richer or sweeter than you're used to, it can cause some major discomfort in the tummy department. Here are some gentle stretches you can do to ease digestion.

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I need to be honest, the holiday season stresses me out a bit. Starting in November, there seems to be a shortage of time, and one item that often gets pushed to the scheduling periphery is exercise. Unfortunately, my workouts are also my stress-release valve. I learned that in the weeks leading up to the new year, it's not a matter of giving up exercise, but learning how to make gym time more efficient. Here are a few tips to help make your workout effective, while fitting it into your hectic schedule.

• Have a Plan in Hand - After using brain power to strategize your getaway from the office or duties at home, it can be mentally taxing to figure out what to do at the gym. It is most effective to have a concrete plan when working out. I like to create my workout on this fitness journal so I don't just show up with a vague plan to work my arms and my legs.
• Use Multitasking Moves - When strength training, save time and up the ante by using multitasking moves - working

Whether it's the recession or our increasing need for simplicity, sandwiches are having a moment. They're one of my favorite easy lunches and very healthy if you make them right. But it's important not to get stuck in an unhealthy or unimaginative sandwich rut. Some healthy-sandwich strategies are obvious: avoid fried foods and super-oily sauces, opt for whole-grain bread instead of sliced white. But that's only the beginning. For my seven tips on making sandwiches that are both delicious and nutritious, .

• Open it up! An open-faced sandwich made with one slice of wheat bread instead of two can save around 70 calories.
• Go green. In place of empty iceberg lettuce, opt for iron-rich greens like spinach or romaine. Try pressing a cup of raw spinach into a hot panini.
• Load up on veggies. Sneaking veggies into sandwiches is a great way to get your five a day. Think beyond tomatoes and add everything from roasted beets to cucumbers to carrots.
• And don't