FabSugar

Get Outside and Ride!

LilSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:14:44 PDT

Ready, set, ride! Even if your kids aren't quite ready for two-wheelers just yet, you can still enjoy family bike rides all Spring long. Check out the comfiest, safest ways for your little ones to cruise in style this season.

Fab Finding Follow-Up: Cruisin' on the Boulevard

FabSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:00:22 PDT

Me and my banana seat cruiser had a nice long ride on the Boulevard last weekend. Wardrobe malfunctions are one of the imminent dangers of bike riding so I needed your help in finding an equally fashionable and functional outfit.

I started you off with this sporty Versace Small Darling Convertible Tote ($3,330) because the shoulder straps can be buckled at the base for backpack wear. That will definitely keep my hands where they're supposed to be - on the handles!

Let's see what you all came up with!

Look #1, created by maria212134 is cool and functional. The twill fedora lends a Parisian vibe and I love the denim trouser shorts.

dVb Style Sunglasses Translucent Sunglasses - shopbop.com	UrbanOutfitters.com > Amulet Glass Necklace
UrbanOutfitters.com > Twill Fedora	Forever21.com - Feather Hoop Earrings
Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Shoes Dinah Flat Gladiator Sandal - shopbop.com	Splendid Very Light Jersey V Neck Tee - shopbop.com
J Brand Trouser Short - shopbop.com	Versace Small Darling Convertible Tote ($3,330)

To see the rest,

Look #2, created by Ashley2007 is perfectly preppy; the grey-and-white color combo is chic and effortless.

Versace Small Darling Convertible Tote ($3,330)	Divine
Vince Lantern Sleeve Cardigan	Lace Trimmed Racerback Tank
Linen Slub Short	Cole Haan - Paisy Air Flats - Saks.com

Look #3, created by hil34 made me want to sing Bohemian Rhapsody. The hippie-inspired smocked tunic is retro rad and the jeans are a good choice in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

Forever21.com - Product C6	Ray-Ban - Original Aviator Sunglasses
Andy Warhol 15 Watch Collection Swish Collection ($154) - Zappos.com	Annabelle Locket Necklace
UrbanOutfitters.com > Lux Idyllwild Cardigan	Jimmy Choo - Morse Liquid Patent Leather Flats - Saks.com
NOLITA New Bahamas Jean in Denim at Revolve Clothing - Free Shipping!	Smocked Tunic Top - by Wet Seal	Versace Small Darling Convertible Tote ($3,330)

Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey Reconnect in Cannes

Katie Henry — Sat, 26 May 2012 08:57:53 PDT

Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey were all smiles posing side by side today at their Cannes photocall for Mud. During a press conference earlier today, Reese talked about her supporting role in Mud, saying, "I grew up with my brother in a creek, riding dirt bikes, dirt fishing, everything you see the boys in the movie doing. When I read Jeff's script, it felt like home. It's a beautiful story about the place I'm from." Reese and Matthew are expected at tonight's red-carpet premiere, but until then, you can catch up on all the hot photos you may have missed from Cannes!

From the Fit Community: The Best Cardio Machine For Your Body

Fit Community — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:53:42 PDT

Which cardio machine is right for you? FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV asks an expert for the answers. She shared what she found in our 10 Pounds Down! community group.

The stair master, the stationary bike, and the elliptical - we all have our favorite cardio machine at the gym, but which one is the best one for your body? We asked Dr. Yoav Suprun, DPT, a McKenzie physical therapist at Canyon Ranch in Miami Beach to weigh in on the pros and cons of some of your favorite gym staples.

The Stationary Bike
Pros: Low impact, easy on the joints, offers a wide range of intensity options
Cons: The riding position can bring on back pain, or aggravate sciatica for some. “We flex our spine all day and sit for hours - why sit for a cardio session?” asks Dr. Suprun.

The Elliptical
Pros: Low impact, upright position of the body, also easy on the joints and offers a wide range of intensity options
Cons: If you have a small structure or small frame, using an elliptical with handles would be pulling your body out of alignment. “People suffer from holding the handles as it pulls on the lower back and neck once the handle is moved forward,” explains Dr. Suprun.

Keep reading for more pros and cons of your favorite cardio machines.

Daily Tech: The Wealthiest Crew in Facebook

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:17:44 PDT

So . . . who actually made money on Facebook today, and um, may we ask how much? - FWD
Watch Mark Zuckerberg's wealth change minute by minute - Geekosytem
The important thoughts of video game background characters - Cracked
Steve Jobs worked on the next iPhone's design - SlashGear
Take a ride on a DeLorean bike - Tecca
The official time line of the Marvel cinematic universe - SlashFilm

5 Solutions to Beginner Bike Commuting Problems

Leta Shy — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:41:55 PDT

That fact that it's National Bike Month and the warmer Spring days may mean you have cycling on the brain. Whether you're participating in your city's Bike to Work program or you're starting a commuting routine, here are some solutions to your newbie concerns.

I don't know my route: Finding a bike-friendly route is especially crucial if you're a cycling newbie, so before your actual commute, find out how the cyclists in your area do it, plan or map your route and test-ride it when the roads are not so busy. Keep in mind, the best (and safest) cycling route is not always the same way you get there when driving or on the bus. Read more about how to plan and prepare for your bike commute here.
I don't know what gear I need: Commuting by bike demands that attention is paid to what you're wearing and carrying. Stretchy, comfortable office attire is key, for example, and you're gonna have to ditch that purse for an all-weather cycling bag or backpack (or at least buy a basket to dump your stuff into). There's more; find out exactly which five essentials you need if you're bike commuting here.

See more tips on bike commuting after the break!

Sugar Shout Out: Get Inspired to Ride Your Bike This Summer!

Meghan Rooney — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:55:47 PDT

Fit Tip: Need to Remember Something? Go For a Run

Leta Shy — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:36:10 PDT

Have a pregraduation final or an upcoming important presentation to nail? It may help to take a step back from your notes and go for a run or a bike ride. A new lab study, reported in The New York Times has found that exercise can improve your memory and learning skills.

In the study, scientists fed a group of mice certain drugs that mimic muscle changes from exercise and compared them to sedentary mice. The mice who "exercised" ended up performing much better on memory and learning.

Previous studies have already found that exercise can make you smarter, but investigators in this lab test say that it could shed light on exactly how exercising affects your brain; they think that exercise releases an enzyme into your blood that travels to your brain, where it has an effect on learning and memory.

The researchers note that sustained aerobic exercise is most effective if you're trying to improve your smarts, since endurance cardio increases blood flow (although they also say that a good strength training session may be effective as well, but wasn't tested). Want more ideas to make you smarter in time for your big brain-testing event? Read our tips on what to eat to be smarter here.

Dealing With the Descent: Tips For Riding Downhill

Susi May — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:35:31 PDT

While many people love the thrill of biking fast downhill, I am not one of them. I love biking uphill. Call me crazy, but I crave the burn in my lungs and legs. But once you've climbed a hill - and in my neck of the woods, hills can be miles long - you have to get yourself down the other side. Aside from just getting out there and riding, having a few tricks up your sleeve can help. Here are three tips on downhill cycling former pro cyclist Alison Dunlap shared at the Luna Chix summit, a female-focused weekend of training workshops and clinics put on by Luna Bar.

Move to your drops: It might seem counterintuitive, but you have more control over your bike with your hands placed on the drops (the curved, lower part of the traditional road bike handlebar). "Using the drops means you're lower, giving you a lower center of gravity, making you more stable," explains Alison. "Stability is important not only when moving fast, but when taking the twists and turns of a hilly descent." Before riding downhill, practice moving your hands from the top of your handle bars to the drops to build confidence. Also, make sure you can comfortably reach the brakes while in your drops.

Feather your brakes: You never want to hit your brakes hard or abruptly, especially when rolling down a big hill. Use the feathering technique instead: applying the brakes gently and slowly increasing the pressure, then releasing the pressure a bit, and repeating until you have slowed to a speed you feel comfortable with. It's important to apply both brakes simultaneously so you don't fishtail or flip over the handlebars.

Be your own shock absorber: It's natural to tense up when you're nervous, but stiff arms will amplify all the bumps in the road, making you feel even more unstable. Alison recommends "keeping your elbows bent, shoulders soft, and arms generally relaxed as you go down a hill." If you hit a large bump, your upper body will absorb some of the shock, making your descent less jarring.

What do you prefer? Biking uphill or down?

Wee! A Total-Body Playground Circuit Workout

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:58:20 PDT

Playgrounds aren't just for the kiddos. Why not use the equipment to do a little strength training after you run or bike ride through the park, or while your children are playing (might as well tone your tush rather than just sitting on it)? Check out this five-minute circuit workout to target your entire body from head to toe. For a full workout, repeat the circuit six times through for a total of 30 minutes. Note that some cities have rules about adults using playground equipment, so double check before doing this workout.

Triceps dips on a bench: Sit on a bench and place the heels of your palms next to your hips. Walk your feet away from you about six or so inches and hop your tush off so you're hovering in front of the bench. Slowly bend at your elbows and lower your upper body down toward the floor until your arms are at about a 90 degree angle. Be sure to keep your back close to the bench. Once you reach the bottom of the movement, slowly push yourself straight back up to the starting position. Repeat for one minute.
Push-ups with both feet on a swing: Stand two feet in front of a swing and place your hands on the ground. Step onto the swing so the tops of both ankles are resting on the middle of the swing. Walk your hands out as needed so your body is in the top of a push-up position. Slowly bend your elbows, lowering your chest toward the ground, and then straighten them, coming to the starting position. Do as many push-ups as you can for one minute (it's OK to do them slowly).

Keep reading for the rest of moves in this circuit workout.