Get Motivated to Go For That Run!

Even as the weather warms up in San Francisco after a Summer of fog, between long and hectic days at work and a growing at-home to-do list, sometimes the last thing I feel like doing after I get home is going for a run. Reader caleighashton has the same problem, posting a question in the community seeking some motivational ideas . Here’s some of your best advice (and a little of my own): “The first few seconds are rough when I get home and change into my workout gear. I make sure I’ve laid out my clothes and I don’t sit down. I immediately head out for my run. It’s part of my daily routine now.” - kittieflyn “Bring my workout clothes with me to the office and either go to the gym after work, or to run outside, change at work so I don’t even go in the house. If I make it inside, it is a lot harder to head back out for a run, so by not going in the house I save myself from the temptation to stay in.” - Jenngal24 Check out some more reader-tested advice and share your own after the break.

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Get Motivated to Go For That Run!

Fit Beauty: Quick-Fix Hair Accessories

Filed under: Fit Beauty , Fitness Athleta As we’ve mentioned before , one of the biggest hindrances to morning workouts is getting ready for work/school/life afterward. For most of us, it’s hard enough to get up an hour earlier than usual to fit in our workout, and we don’t want to add any more time than absolutely necessary for post-workout beautification! Hair can prove to be the biggest challenge of all, especially if you find yourself in between styles or with partially grown-out bangs. Making your do look done is almost impossible without a ton of time, but if you have the right accessories, it can be a snap. For a headband that works at the gym but doesn’t look out of place elsewhere, we’re loving the Pilayo braid headband ($12, Athleta). It’s super functional for workouts, but its retro vibe and gorgeous greenish hue make us want to wear it out and about as well. If your day calls for something a little more professional and polished, you can’t go wrong with Ban.do’s Heart L headband ($35, Lock & Mane). The beaded peacock feather gives it a little edge, but the colors are low key enough that you can totally sport it at the office. Plus, it works equally well with a sleek pony, a frizzy bun or loose hair. For ladies with long hair, this Tasha Chiffon flower clip ($38, Nordstrom) is a wicked-cute option. When you’ve got an accessory that’s this bold and feminine, you can get away with messy tresses tied back in a sloppy chignon and look oh-so-chic. Don’t have time to wash your hair but worried about your greasy roots showing? If you have the option to keep things casual, we can’t think of a better option than this adorable Consomme cap ($48, Anthropologie). It’s girly and sweet but totally practical; wear it with cropped jeans and a button-down or with a floaty dress and cardi. We promise it’ll work! Headbands are always a great way to pull back your bangs, and we keep coming back to this taffeta wire headwrap ($3.80, Forever 21). Subtle it is not, but we’ve always said subtle was overrated anyway. It is funky and attention getting, and it’ll get the job done. Besides, who’s going to pay attention to whether you’ve perfectly blown out the back of your hair when you’ve got something so bright and shiny going on in the front! If you’re not sure you want to go with something quite so bold but still want something feminine and funky, look for some small hair clips that suit your personal style. We’re digging these Tiger Lily hair clips ($18, ticklebean on Etsy) because they bring enough of their own pizazz that we don’t have to worry about what we’ve done with the rest of our hair. Use them to hold your bangs to the side or secure a few small braids back into a ponytail. Of course, every girl needs the basics, and a true fit beauty’s gym bag is never without bobby pins. They’re cheap ( $3.19 for 50, soap.com ), they’re easy to carry around, and they can be used in a multitude of ways. Like above, you can use them to brush bangs aside or hold back some braids, or you can get creative by using them to create a “poof” in the front or a haphazard French twist in the back. You can even use the bobby pins themselves as part of the design , as Diane Kruger did last summer. For more fun hair tips, check out this post on how to update the boring ponytail . Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Fit Beauty: Quick-Fix Hair Accessories

Fit Tip: Fix Your Desk Posture With What You Wear

It’s easy when you’re sitting at a desk all day to forget about keeping your posture in line . You’re focused on office duties and the day’s stresses, and before you know it you’re slouching again. Here’s a tip for remembering your posture: wear a tight shirt! It’s much more comfortable to sit up straight if you’re wearing a tighter shirt; slouch, and your tummy pushes out against the fabric. If you’re focused on keeping your stomach looking flat, you’ll also remember to whip your posture into shape. A loose top, however, hides your stomach and gives you an excuse to stay hunched over. (And check out how this Fit reader improved her posture !) Do you have any other tips for better posture at work?

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Fit Tip: Fix Your Desk Posture With What You Wear

Tips and Tricks for Beating the Post-Workout Stink

Filed under: Fit Beauty , Fitness , Reviews & Products fresh-wave.com Fact: If you work out frequently, you’re going to have to deal with stinky clothes . If you go straight home after exercising and do laundry frequently, this might not be much of a problem: You simply take off the sweaty, smelly shirt and get it washed in short order. But if you have to stick those clothes in a bag and haul them to work, it can be a bit of an issue. Maybe you don’t think so, but you might want to check with the gal who shares your office. Folks deal with offending odors in different ways. Sprinkling baby powder in your smelly sneakers is a tried-and-true fix used by some of us here at That’s Fit. Dina Caperhart of West Palm Beach, Fla., recommends placing scrunched-up newspaper in your shoes to absorb the odor. Helene Byrne of Oakland, Calif., relies on baby wipes, saying, “Not only are they great for a quick body wipe-down after exercise, [but] I use them to wipe out the inside of my workout shoes. They kill the germs that cause odors, and shoes dry out fast too. If you have a place to hang your clothes, you might take a tip from Jeremy Litchfield of Brunswick, Maine. As founder of Atayne , he’s interested in both odor control and the impact of clothing on the environment and said, “[C]onsumer care (washing and drying) accounts for about 80 percent of a garment’s total impact on the environment.” His suggestion? “We tell people that after a workout, they should take their clothing with them in the shower, rinse and ring it out. This will rinse a lot of the sweat and bacteria out. Depending on your individual body chemistry (vegetarians like myself tend to have less odor), you can go several days without needing to wash your clothing. I typically go a week or more, rinsing, ringing out and hanging to dry.” There are a variety of products on the market to deal with this issue. Recently, we tried out a few items from Fresh Wave . The brand offers an odor-eliminating spray to take care of items like shoes that don’t fit well in the machine, and there’s also an additive to use in the wash (or on your carpet or in your gym bag) to really get the smell out. Our favorite item, however, had to be the Pearl Packs. They’re small, portable and really work. The fact that all of the products are natural and nontoxic doesn’t hurt, either. The one thing we beg you not to do, however, is to cover up the stink. Spritzing a strong-smelling body spray all over your clothes and shoes doesn’t mask the odor; it just adds another layer and might even aggravate your office mate’s allergies. Looking for more all-natural ways to get gorgeous? Check out this guide to green beauty . Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Tips and Tricks for Beating the Post-Workout Stink

David Kirsch: Maximize Your Training Sessions!

Filed under: Fitness David Kirsch In this economy, if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford a personal trainer , you want every moment of that hour to count. But even the most committed sweat vets can unknowingly waste precious toning and burning time. That’s Fit spoke with celebrity trainer David Kirsch to learn how he advises clients like Heidi Klum , Liv Tyler and Faith Hill . That’s Fit: What if I feel intimidated by my trainer? David Kirsch: At your initial meeting with a potential trainer, you need to feel like you can establish a relationship with this person. If not, then she’s not right for you. You may be paying a trainer to push you, but there has to be a comfortable line of communication and trust so you can talk openly about what you may be feeling both physically or emotionally on any given day. Once a trainer gets to know you, she should be able to know whether you’re just dogging it or not. That’s Fit : What do you see as the most common form of self-sabotage? DK: This might seem obvious, but first you have to want to be there, and not all clients do. Just because you show up at a gym doesn’t mean you’ll see results. It takes hard work, and you need to be mentally focused and motivated. When a client is constantly asking how much time is left, I know they really aren’t into it and then neither am I. If you’re not motivated, your trainer’s not motivated. Before heading to the gym, take a good hard look at yourself in the bathroom mirror, preferably without clothes on. Do you like what you see? That should serve as a pretty good motivator. That’s Fit: What are some preparation tips? DK : Show up 30 minutes early and leave phones and PDAs in the locker. I don’t allow either in my gym. Before you arrive, tidy up loose ends with work and family so you’re not distracted. While you’re training, that’s all your mind and body are meant to be doing. If you’re multitasking, you won’t accomplish as much. That’s Fit: What’s a widespread client trip-up a personal trainer might not catch? DK : Often a client will leave the gym after an effective workout and then they’ll have a couple of doughnuts when they get to the office. Being healthy and reaching your goals — whatever they are — takes commitment 24/7, not just during that one hour. So your trainer should be talking to you about a comprehensive plan that includes an entire wellness strategy . Want more? David Kirsch shows you how to correct workout mistakes. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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David Kirsch: Maximize Your Training Sessions!

Tania Put Herself First And Trimmed Down 65 Pounds

Filed under: Motivation , Success Stories Tania Before Name: Tania Green Height: 5 feet, 3 inches Before Weight: 190 pounds How I Gained It: I was always a little chubby as a child. I grew up in a typical middle-class family. My family is originally from Jamaica, but for the most part, I grew up culturally American. I ate fast food on the weekends and home-cooked meals during the week. Although my mother did instill in me an appreciation for home-cooked meals, my portion sizes were always out of control. After I left home and went to college I began to lose weight . I became very involved in sports, ate less fast food and I kept my portions small. I lost 20 pounds and was finally in great shape. Unfortunately, after I graduated I quickly landed my first job and began to re-gain the weight that I lost in college — plus a whole lot more. I was living by myself and clocking in long hours at the office. I wasn’t working out and I was constantly stressed , so I ended up eating whatever fast food was around. Although I went grocery shopping all the time, I rarely had the chance to cook — I was always on the go. This “lifestyle” went on for a while until one day, I looked up and two years had passed. I was tired and depressed and my life was spinning out of control — I knew I needed a change. So I decided to go to graduate school. Breaking Point: Not long after I quit my job and was preparing to go to school, I saw a reflection of myself in a mirror. For the first time in a long while, I stopped and took a long hard look at myself. At that point, I really had a chance to see the result of what two years of putting myself last had done to my spirit and my body. I looked stressed out, overworked and overweight. Looking back, I realize I was on a fast track for health problems — high blood pressure and diabetes — which run in my family. How I Lost It: I knew I needed to put myself first and take control of my health and well-being, so as I left for graduate school in California, I decided I was also on my way to start a new life; I wanted to find the me that was buried below a long list of “to do’s.” When I landed in Los Angeles, I could feel my body instantly beginning a healing process. Tania Now As I began to give myself permission to be first on my list, I realized my spirit and self-worth was shattered . I think I cried and laughed simultaneously for at least two months straight every day when I first got to LA. I now know that I was doing this because I was spiritually and physically letting go of the stressful life that I had in New York and embracing the new “me-focused” life. I also realized that I had to let go of the mental weight before I could even face the physical weight. I started taking walks in the morning before class — they were my time to mediate and to heal my body and mind. And since the LA weather is always perfect, I also began doing some other activities too — biking , skiing , swimming , you name it, I did it. It was a blast! I became active for fun, not to lose weight, and now I enjoy going to the gym. Doing activities that I enjoyed also helped me let go of my “mental weight.” Within a few months of arriving in California, I decided it was time to start focusing on weight loss. I often became impatient about the process; I wanted to lose all the weight now. My sister’s support helped me move pass this point.and changed how I approached the process of losing weight. She would always tell me, “it took you a long time to gain all this weight, so it will take you time to lose it.” This realization, however simple the logic, was critical to my success. I never aimed to be skinny — rather, I just wanted to get healthy, so I decided to start learning about food. I eliminated simple carbs and focused on eating things like veggies, fish, chicken, salads, fruits and nuts. I also drank tons of water. I allowed myself one cheat meal on the weekend, and I never ate later than 8 p.m. I did not pay attention to portion sizes or counting calories — eating healthy already cut so many calories from my regular diet. Slowly, the weight started coming off. I couldn’t see it at first though, it took a while to get rid of the mental fat image I had of myself. It took me 18 months to earn my MBA in marketing, and I managed to shed 65 pounds before graduation. During my journey, I have found my true passion in life; I am currently pursuing a career as a health and wellness professional . I’ve traveled a long, winding and difficult road to get to this place in my life but it was so worth it. After Weight: 125 pounds Tania has maintained her weight loss for over seven years and now focuses her attention on helping others get healthy. Tania may have bulked up on vegetables, but check out how Sean shed an amazing 258 pounds without a single salad . Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Tania Put Herself First And Trimmed Down 65 Pounds

City Walking Tours: the Perfect Fitness Staycation

The office building that houses Sugar HQ is a bit of a historical and architectural landmark. Built in 1926, it’s an example of French Romanesque architecture and is also the location of Sam Spade’s fictional office in the Maltese Falcon . About once every few weeks, it’s a stop along a San Francisco architecture walking tour . A group of tourists squeeze into the building’s lobby to learn about its history and take pictures of its painted ceiling and marbled floors. In total, the tour takes two hours and keeps everyone moving up and down San Francisco’s famed hills. Inspired by what I saw happening in my office building, I decided to sign up for Gold Rush City , one of 90 free walking tours offered by San Francisco City Guides . It was nothing short of amazing - an engaging mini history lesson that also kept me outside and active. I’ve since gone on three more, with plans to keep going until I mark all the tours off of the list. This weekend, grab a friend, partner, or go alone on a walking tour of your own city. Most urban areas host them for free, which you can find by doing a simple Internet search. Or you can design your own - start by picking a theme or neighborhood and go from there. Research buildings and events that might be points of interest, or check online to see if there are any guides that you can download. If your city has a historical society, they may also be able to help when it comes to designing a fun walking tour for you. Walking tours are a really great way to keep active on the weekend, and it’s always fun to be a tourist in your own city! Source

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Step Up Your TV Routine

Watching television is just one of the many reasons people exercise less and eat more. And with so many great shows on TV, it’s an easy routine to get caught up in. I already told you about my friend that jogs in place during commercial breaks to burn calories, but she’s upped the ante even more by exercising during entire shows. Like Buzz, my friend enjoys guilty pleasures like the Real Housewives of New York and Gossip Girl , but now she only watches them if she is being aerobic at the same time. After weeks of jogging in place, my friend’s challenge started to get a little stale. To remedy this, she went out and bought herself a small stair climber ($79). The machine is portable, light, and fits right under her couch. And whenever one of her guilty pleasure shows comes on, she hops right onto it and gets to work! Besides giving her legs a great workout, the machine also has resistance bands attached to it that you can use to work your arms. If you’re looking for an easy way to fit some more exercise into your life while at home or in the office, investing in a small piece of cardio equipment might be the answer. The one my friend bought is under $100, and lately she is more motivated to work out than I’ve ever seen her before. Best of all, there’s no reason for her to feel guilty about watching her shows now!

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Dr. Oz’s B.E.A.C.H. Diet

Filed under: America Takes It Off David M. Russell, Harpo, Inc. Earlier this month, That’s Fit talked with three working moms from Detroit who’d been challenged by ” The Dr. Oz Show ” host Dr. Mehmet Oz to get “beach body ready” using his B.E.A.C.H. diet and fitness plan. Four months later, when the ladies returned to “The Dr. Oz Show” on May 18, they’d lost between 30 and 60 pounds apiece. Impressive, huh? Here’s a more detailed look at how the B.E.A.C.H plan can help you get ready to make some waves. Eat B reakfast The “B” in B.E.A.C.H. stands for breakfast , which you should ideally have shortly after you wake up each day. “In study after study, people who eat a healthy breakfast lose more weight than those who don’t,” said Dr. Oz. “Eating soon after you wake up in the morning gives you the calories and energy you need for the day and kicks your metabolism into gear.” Choose breakfast foods that contain protein and fiber , like scrambled eggs on whole wheat toast or a bowl of whole grain cereal. “Whole grain cereal is one of your best weight loss allies because the fiber in the cereal helps fight hunger all day long,” said Dr. Oz. This yummy oatmeal recipe from Dr. Oz’s “YOU: On A Diet” (co-authored by Dr. Michael Roizen) kick starts your day with four grams of fiber! Banana Steel-Cut Oatmeal With Cinnamon Makes 3 servings, 200 calories per serving 2 1/3 cups fat-free milk 2/3 cup steel-cut oats 1/8 tsp salt 1 large banana, thinly sliced 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon In a medium saucepan, over high heat, bring 2 cups of the milk to a gentle simmer. Stir in the oats and salt. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring frequently until most of the milk is absorbed and the oats are tender, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in banana and cinnamon. Pour into two cereal bowls and serve with remaining 1/3 cup milk. E liminate the Simple Carbs The “E” in B.E.A.C.H. stands for eliminating foods that contain simple carbohydrates — white rice, white potatoes and any breads, pastas, cereals cookies, cakes, crackers, pastries, muffins and so forth that are made with refined white flour and sugar. And don’t overlook cutting out these liquid sources of simple carbs (often called wet carbs): Soda, fruit drinks, juices sports/energy drinks and alcohol . The simple carbs in these kinds of foods and drinks are dieting Kryptonite. They’re digested very quickly, causing wide swings in blood sugar that make you feel hungry again not long after you’ve eaten. To keep your appetite in check, opt for foods with complex carbohydrates, like fruits, vegetables and breads, cereals and pastas made with 100 percent whole grains. It takes longer to digest complex carbohydrates, so your blood sugar stays steady and you can go longer without feeling hungry. E xercise (Almost) Every Day The “E” also stands for exercise — something the three healthy housewives of Detroit did six days a week. Cardio exercise ( biking , treadmill , kick boxing , dance ) will burn off calories, while strength-training with weights or core workouts like yoga and Pilates build and tone muscle, which will help you burn more calories overall, even when you’re not exercising. “Muscle burns several times more calories than fat,” explained Dr. Oz. “More importantly, you burn more calories between muscle-burning workouts than the actual workout, which is the opposite of what happens when you just walk or run .” Still, burning even a few more calories than you eat each day will add up, so when you don’t have time for a full workout, look for opportunities to organically work exercise into your daily activities. On your break, go for a walk instead of sitting and reading a magazine. Park at the far end of the lot, and then walk to the mall or market. Take the dog for a hike. Play tag or Frisbee or kick the ball around with your children on the playground. Use the restroom that’s two floors down from your office and take the stairs to get there instead of the elevator or escalator. Track your progress with a pedometer and work up to 10,000 steps a day. Every two pounds you lose trims an inch off your waistline, Dr. Oz said. Add A ntioxidants to Your Plate Fresh summer produce is one of the go-to sources for the “good” carbohydrates that control hunger, and, provided that you don’t drown them in rich sauces and dressings, are also so low in calories you can go back for seconds and thirds without feeling like you’re “cheating.” But the fruits and vegetables in season now (and throughout the year) have one more thing going for them: They’re chock-full of antioxidants — the “A” in B.E.A.C.H. The compounds that give fruits and vegetables their bright colors also help reduce inflammation in the body, which indirectly helps with weight loss. “Inflammation contributes to chronic stress in the body, which activates certain receptors in the brain that lead us to overeat — the same receptors that give people the ‘munchies’ after smoking pot,” said Dr. Oz. Less stress equals less rampant snacking, which equals more weight loss. Indulge in Dark C hocolate Yes you can! Every diet needs a little splurge, and the B.E.A.C.H. plan builds it right in with dark chocolate — the “C” in B.E.A.C.H. — so it’s not cheating! (As long as you don’t have too much, said Dr. Oz.) A nibble of dark chocolate (look for brands with 70 percent cacoa) will satisfy a sweets craving when you’re in the mood to excavate a gallon of ice cream. And savor this morsel: Dark chocolate is another gold mine of the same kinds of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables that work behind the scenes to help you lose weight by reducing inflammation. And, yes, it has to be dark — milk chocolate contains far fewer antioxidants than dark, and white chocolate none at all. H ydrate Yourself The “H” in B.E.A.C.H. stands for hydration , which is especially important in summertime because you can lose a lot of fluids through sweat. But staying hydrated also plays a big role in your weight loss efforts, said Dr. Oz, because we often mistake thirst for hunger and grab a snack when what we really need is something to drink. “You can really shed pounds by taking a drink when you feel hungry because chances are, some of the time, you’ll really be thirsty,” he said. But, again, skip the soda, beer, juice or sports drinks because those things are loaded with calories and sugar. Your best bet on a warm summer day? Water. Drink it unadorned, or, if that’s just too blah, try a no-calorie flavored water or mix seltzer with a splash of fruit juice. Following the B.E.A.C.H. diet will certainly get you on the right track to a great summer body. Also check out another one of our favorite Dr. Oz countdowns — the six worst meals in America. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Does the Company You Work For Encourage Exercise?

A close friend of mine was raving last night about her new job. Not about the fun people she works with, or the exciting work she’s accomplishing. Oh no. She was going crazy for all the ways her company encourages its workers to be healthy. Get this - they have a gym in her office building complete with treadmills, ellipticals, free weights, and a flat-screen TV to watch the news. And there is also a room next door called the Zen Den, where the company brings in fitness instructors for yoga and Pilates. There are even showers there, so people can clean up after getting all sweaty. I’m totally jealous! What about your company? Does it encourage you to work out regularly by offering space in your building, free gym memberships, or flexible hours so you can leave work to exercise? Does the Company You Work For Encourage Exercise? Yes, and it helps me stay healthy. No, unfortunately they don’t encourage exercise.

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