FabSugar

15 Weapons to Ward Off Foot Blisters

FabSugar — Fri, 14 May 2010 06:50:22 PDT

We've all been there - stoked for our new shoes, we wear them as soon as they arrive, walk around for a few hours, then bam, blister city. It happened again with my brand new pair of gorgeous leopard flats - blisters so painful they made me second-guess my purchase. Don't you hate that? But I've learned: The solution isn't necessarily to ship back the shoes, it's to nip those blisters in the bud. Click on to get armed with 15 foot-blister weapons. You're going down, suckers!

Style for Style: A Foot's Best Friend

FabSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 13:25:44 PDT

I have scars on my feet. I'm sure we all have some scars on our feet. Our feet are our tools for experiencing life, really. They take us through our day-to-day and beyond. They are important, they are precious. We should take good care of them! So the next time you're not sure if you can afford a pedicure, consider this your pep talk.

Many of us also have a shoe fetish and will sometimes splurge on a killer pair that we pray will not pinch and blister our precious feetsies. Alas, it happens. And when it does, it's good to always have a certain something on your person.

To meet a foot's best friend,

Moleskin, $5, is the best! The reason it rocks is because it is soft and nude colored and has adhesive on the other side. You can cut it to the size you need to protect either the back of your heel, side of your foot or wherever. You can also stick it to the sole of the shoe to prevent slippage. Overall, it's super handy and better than a band aid to prevent stingy blisters!

Source

An Everyday Athlete Is Still an Athlete

espnW — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:59:39 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Risa Isard

On June 23, 1972, Title IX was signed into law, leveling the playing field for female athletes. To mark the 40th anniversary, espnW explore the impact of this landmark legislation.

You might not know me, but chances are you know someone like me. I'm that girl who grew up playing hoops in the driveway with my dad and brother every night after dinner. The one who played rec soccer for 10 years, starting out on a boys team. The one who persuaded her middle-school gym teacher to let her run the monthly timed mile against boys, then wrote her target time on her arm - in permanent marker. The one who took field day just a little too seriously.

The one who is thankful every day for Title IX.

Counting down the best of the past 40 years

Growing up, I wasn't an elite athlete, but I had passion to spare. I ran, jumped, threw, and kicked on a daily basis and eventually I found my calling in high school track and cross country. I was good (I earned seven varsity letters), but not good enough for the next level.

So when I arrived at Duke nearly four years ago, I found myself wondering something that had never crossed my mind before: was I still an athlete?

Answering that question was no easy task. As I read about various elite athletes, I recognized our shared pasts. Like gymnast Jordyn Wieber, I used to pull old cushions into the middle of the family room and do cartwheels, somersaults, and front handsprings. Like many WNBA stars, I was the only girl in neighborhood basketball games. I lacked their natural ability, but I came to realize that we are connected through dreams and experiences. We all began by thinking of ourselves as athletes and scheduling our lives around sports at a young age. That doesn't just go away.

Read on for more.

Defeat Poison Ivy With Tea Tree Oil

FitSugar — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:40:56 PDT

You went for a gorgeous two-hour hike in the woods, brought back some great photos and uh-oh - you also brought back some poison ivy. When you accidentally brush up against this plant, the uroshiol oil rubs onto your skin, and can instantly create redness, raised bumps, blisters, and an insatiable itch. First and foremost, get out of the clothes you were wearing on the hike and wash the oil off your skin using soap and cold water (warm water opens your pores) to prevent the rash from spreading.

Unfortunately, now you're left with an itchy, bubbly rash. Topical creams like Calamine lotion and hydro-cortizone can keep the itchiness at bay, but when it comes to poison ivy, the quicker it heals, the better. Reach for the remedy, pure tea tree oil. It's all natural, not that expensive, and easy to find at most health food stores. Thoroughly wash and dry the affected areas. Sprinkle a few drops of the tea tree oil directly on the rash and use a Q-tip or cotton ball to spread it around. Apply a few times a day, and you should see the blisters disappearing and the rash clearing up.

Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antifungal, and drying properties, which is why it's so effective against the dreaded poison ivy. This natural remedy can also be used to treat acne, minor cuts and scrapes, athlete's foot, and yeast infections so it's great to keep a bottle in your medicine cabinet.

Source: Flickr User frotzed2

Dispel These Common Complaints and Start a Love Affair With Running

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:27:29 PDT

You want to love running, you do, but every time you head out for a run, you end up hating it even more. Check out some of the most common complaints below, and find out how you can turn your relationship with running around for the better.

"My Knee, My Back, My Feet - Everything Hurts"
Pounding the pavement is not easy on the body, and one reason for aches and pains is poor running form. Here's a body checklist to make sure you're running properly and efficiently. Sneakers that are old or unsupportive can also lead to joint pain, so here are tips to help you find the perfect pair of running shoes. Be sure to replace shoes every few hundred miles or every few months (whichever comes first). Also, don't run every day - including other types of exercise is a must in preventing repetitive stress injuries.

"It's Boring"
Running is the definition of repetition, so if you're on a treadmill, make it more exciting by watching your favorite TV show, listening to a new audiobook or CD, running next to a chatty friend (just make sure to keep your gaze forward), or "racing" an unknowing treadmill runner. If none of that seems appealing, bring your runs outdoors. The beach or the woods are full of natural obstacles to keep you on your toes, and the fresh air and scenery are sure to lift your spirits. Choose a different location every time to keep workouts exciting, and bring your dog along. It's also fun to track your workouts using a heart rate monitor, GPS watch, or an inexpensive running app like one of these.

Keep reading to find out how to deal with other running complaints.

How to Avoid Foot Pain Caused by Running

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 09:30:00 PDT

According to the website Cool Running your feet pound the ground some 800 times when running just a mile. That's a lot of pounding!!! So you want to be sure to take care of your feet, especially if you are new to running. Rookies tend to experience more shin splints, blisters ankle sprains and other injuries than veteran runners (but those veterans had to start somewhere, right?).

Here are some ways to help you protect your feet and ankles that will hopefully help you stay injury and blister free.

Warm up: A few Sun Salutations will get your blood flowing before a run. Or try walking briskly or running slowly for 5 minutes, followed by gently stretching your leg muscles.
Buy good running shoes: Look for good shock absorption and construction that will provide stability and cushioning to the foot. Buy shoes at the end of the day when the foot is the largest. Here's a list of running sneaks that podiatrists recommend.
Keep your feet friction free: To avoid blisters, make sure your shoes fit well and try Thorlo's "blister-proof" socks. Give these socks a try, and in general keep in mind that nylon socks tend to be more abrasive than cotton. Try lubricating the friction prone spots with vaseline, and if that just sounds too icky try powder.

There's more, so

Strengthen your ankles: Weak ankles make you unstable on uneven surfaces, like trail running, and more prone to sprains. Try writing the ankle alphabet daily 3 to 5 times. This movement will strengthen your ankle joint through a wide range of motion.
Stretch your calves: Tight calves can really disrupt the foot's ability to function properly. Make sure to stretch your calves out after you run. I love holding the downward facing dog pose for 10 slow breaths to get this done.
Listen to your body: If you are experiencing pain in your feet, ankles or knees, slow it down a bit or take a couple of days off. Remember, ice can be your friend in these occasions and can help decrease inflammation and promote healing.

Hope these tips help keep your feet happy, because if your feet aren't happy you're going to be miserable.

Shoe Review: Fila Skele-Toes Voltage

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:18:41 PST

Sneakers with articulated toes have been all the rage since barefoot running came onto the scene. It wasn't until Fila sent me a pair of Skele-Toes Voltage sneakers ($75) that I finally tried them out for myself. Like most minimalist running shoes, they're extremely lightweight (6 oz.), but unlike shoes designed with barefoot running in mind, these have a thick, hard sole. Intriguing design, no?

Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of these Fila sneaks.

Shoe Review: Mizuno Wave Prophecy

Leta Shy — Fri, 06 May 2011 04:04:15 PDT

I've been a fan of Mizuno's running shoes since my first pair of Alchemy shoes, so I was excited when I heard I'd be able to test out the newest offering from the company, the Mizuno Wave Prophecy ($200).

The Wave Prophecy is the result of over seven years of research to improve the company's signature Wave technology. This model debuts the full-length Infinity Wave Plate, which runs along the entire length of the sole. The Wave Prophecy uses the two stacked plates to provide runners with performance-enhancing technology like optimal energy disbursement and what Mizuno calls a "dynamic feel" for your whole foot.

The new technology sounded enticing, but since the Wave Prophecy isn't a stabilizing shoe like my Alchemy faves, I was curious to see how they'd feel on my overpronating feet. I tried them out on the treadmill and outside on hills and in the park. Want to know what I thought? Read my review after the break.

3D Couture: Shoes Printed For Your Feet

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 01:02:03 PST

I'm inspired by fashion in general, but when you add a geeky twist, I get really excited. My latest obsession? 3D printed shoes. You know 3D printing - it's where you "print" an actual object layer by layer. You can make furniture, household items, nearly anything with a 3D printer.

Now, designer Naim Josefi has created a pair of sustainable 3D-printed shoes that fit the wearer perfectly. How does it work? A scanner analyzes your foot, then the dimensions are sent to a 3D printer to craft your 3D "couture" kicks. It seems you'll need some strong ankles to prevent from pulling a Gaga in these heels, but it's a pretty impressive process that allows you to enjoy the perfect fit (no more band-aids or blisters!), while you save the planet at the same time - the shoes are made from sustainable materials.

Still wondering how the heck these shoes are made? Check out the demo video after the break.

Gear Review: Nike+ SportWatch GPS

Susi May — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:05:35 PDT

It was only a matter of time before Nike created a GPS sports watch. The company introduced the Nike+ system five years ago, so adding a new component to the system seemed the right way to celebrate the half decade mark. And following its tradition of innovative design, this watch is good looking. Much more stylin' than other GPS watches out there with a relatively slim profile and easy-to-read face.

The company sent me a Nike+ SportWatch GPS ($200), and I've been testing it out. New gear always helps me step up my workouts. Yep, I've been running a bit more these days. The watch comes with a Nike+ foot pod and charging cable, which you will likely never use since the watch has a USB plug integrated into the band. Meaning you can plug the watch directly into your laptop to upload your workout data to the Nike web page while charging the battery of the watch, too. This is super convenient and the coolest feature of the watch, in my opinion.

The Nike+ SportWatch has the most simple user interface of any GPS watch or heart-rate monitor I have ever used. It only has three buttons. One to scroll up. One to scroll down. And one to press enter. You use the Nike website, which opens up automatically after you plug in the watch to your computer, to program your personal data: age, weight, etc., as well as preferences (sound off/on, splits, create interval workouts).

Keep on reading for more details about this watch.