competition

Boys will be boys, but girls will be mean. That's a cultural stereotype, but now research has pinpointed what causes that amorphous and unpleasant dynamic to flourish so well in estrogen-laden grounds. It's competitive and judgmental, it aims right for the self-conscious, and it's very powerful. But it's not mean; well, not mean-spirited anyway.

Joyce Benenson of Emmanuel College and Harvard University found that women and men socialize in completely different ways. Women prefer close, one-on-one relationships, while men prefer groups. It's why women are far more likely to have best friends than men.

But when conflict arises, men fare better. Because they socialize in groups, they're less likely to be devastated by someone leaving or coming, while women are biologically programmed to feel threatened. Because they're used to having fewer, more intimate relationships, the ousting of a former friend or the coming of a new one causes them to fear exclusion. This, according to Benenson, is what causes females to round up the troops, build a fortress of friends, and get cliquey.

I can say with absolute certainty I've seen this cliquey behavior in men, but I can also say I've seen it even more in women. Whatever. Biology can't sit with us at lunch today!

The following post was written by Olympic athlete and mom Kerri Walsh, two-time gold medalist in pairs beach volleyball.

It was a little intense and overwhelming being back on the court, which is scary 'cause it was fours. When I get back to my real job it will probably be that intense times 10. Right now though, I am just trying to take the right steps to getting back to competing. The night before a game I try to relax and hydrate. I drink a lot of water and I have a good balanced dinner. It is also important to try to get as much sleep as possible. I have a foam roller at home, so the night before I try to roll out all my tension. It is also a good way to get ride of any lactic acid buildup in your muscles. It is the simple things that help me get ready the night before for a game.

Be sure to catch up and read all of Kerri’s great posts on FitSugar!

In the age of helicopter parenting, everyone seems to think their method tops the rest when it comes to raising children. From a family gathering, to the playground, to the airplane, new parents (and even those toting around three and four children) find themselves the subject of judgment and criticism from discerning onlookers. Critical stares can quickly turn into opposing opinions and even the warm fuzzies from the holidays can't keep the zingers at bay. We're all doing our best as parents, but no one is safe from having his or her parenting skills the subject of criticism at some point during parenthood. Do tell — what was the worst thing anyone's ever said about your parenting?

Watching TV, listening to music, and perusing magazines are all great ways to pass the time when you're on a cardio machine, but even those can get boring. They also require a bit of attention, compromising a good workout — you can't turn pages while doing sprint intervals. When you need a little motivation, utilize your fellow gym-goers and compete with a stranger. While on the treadmill, look for someone near you who is clearly working it, and try to run a little faster or stay on the machine a little longer than that unsuspecting runner. When they end their run and you're still going, get ready for the sweet taste of victory. This works on a bike, elliptical, or in the pool. While it's helpful to use someone else's drive to push yourself, just make sure you also listen to your body and don't exceed your personal limits.