TresSugar

Are You a Risk Taker?

TresSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:00:00 PDT

Earlier this week, 181 women jumped from nine planes to set the word record for most women jumping in skydiving formation. The jumpers, from more than 26 different countries, came together to raise money for breast cancer research, as October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They included breast cancer survivors, their families, and friends. In total, the jump raised almost $1 million.

While I really admire these women for jumping for an important cause (and setting a world record to boot!), I don't know if I could bring myself to jump out of a plane. Are you a scaredy cat like me, or do you like the rush that comes with taking risks?

Year-End Poll Results: Worries and Risks

DearSugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:00:00 PST

Worrying is an inevitable part of life; the important thing is not letting those relationship, work, and money worries hamper our enjoyment of life. Worrying too much can prevent us from ever trying new things. So as part of our best of 2007 coverage, I posed two poignant questions: How many risks did you take in 2007, and what was your biggest worry?

Not surprisingly, 40 percent of readers named money as their biggest worry in 2007, while love life was a distant second with 19 percent of the votes. Fortunately, you guys aren't letting those worries get in the way of taking risks: 64 percent of you took anywhere from one to five big risks in 2007, and 10 percent of you said you've taken well more than 15 risks in order to push yourself and grow. Way to go!

Source

5 Risks Associated with Fad Dieting

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:30:00 PDT

I know in a time crunch, fad diets can seem like an easy way to drop a few extra pounds. The thing is, fad diets are not always safe, so here are five risks associated with fad dieting:

Nutritional deficiencies caused by a lack of a balanced diet.
Lack of physical activity from emphasis on diet only can increase the risk of heart disease.
Lack of variety in foods can cause boredom and frustration, and make it difficult to maintain the diet for more than a brief period.
Severe restrictions on the foods you can eat may make it difficult to establish and maintain a healthy diet in the future.
Many quick weight-loss diets are based on unfounded claims that may do more harm than good.

Source

Did You Engage in Any of These Risky Pregnancy Procedures?

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:41:03 PDT

After nine (almost 10) months of pregnancy, some mamas will do almost anything to get their babies out. And while many expectant women enter the hospital with a birth plan in place, once they know the end is in sight, they're often willing to try it all. Consumer Reports recently compiled a list of 10 overused birthing procedures that can put both Mom and her tot at risk during delivery. Take a look at the list and tell us if you have engaged in any of them!

Inversion Issues: How to Remedy Common Shoulderstand Complaints

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:14:27 PDT

You're loving your yoga class from Half Moon to Pigeon Pose, but as soon as you get to Shoulderstand, you're less than psyched. Although a basic - challenging, but basic - pose, Shoulderstand can put you at risk of strain and injury when done incorrectly. Turn this pose into your favorite by checking out these common complaints and ways to remedy them.

"I Can't Breathe"
If you're well endowed or carry extra weight in your belly, then gravity causes added pressure on the lungs and throat, making it tough to take in a deep breath. A supportive bra and fitted top can help, but if you still have trouble breathing, then changing how you do the pose will make a huge improvement. Instead of stacking your pelvis and feet directly over your shoulders, hinge at your hips slightly, pressing them away from your face so your feet extend slightly behind your head.

Still can't breathe? Try the Legs Up the Wall variation; rest your lower back on your mat or, to give your hips a little lift, rest your lower back on a folded-up blanket or flat bolster.

Continue reading to learn how to alleviate neck pain and feelings of imbalance while in Shoulderstand.

Meet Kirbie: BellaSugarTV Host and Volunteer

PopSugar — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:00 PDT

Get to know Kirbie, host and reporter for BellaSugarTV. This bighearted Texan knows beauty better than anyone, and she knows that it all starts from the inside. Kirbie aspires to inspire, taking risks to pursue her dreams and helping others do the same thing. Check out Kirbie's video to learn more about her own inspirations - and to get a few encouraging tips on the way.

Want to live out your dream? Enter our Stand Out & Win contest - you could win $5,000 to fuel your passion and a chance to star in your very own profile on PopSugarTV.

Be sure to check out our other editor profiles and get to know PopSugar Editors Nancy and Allie.

Stay Cool on the Run: Hydrate Your Head

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:15:06 PDT

Strong sun and heat can make outdoor runs more challenging, and a big concern is the risk of heat exhaustion. To stay cool while running on a hot day, make sure to hydrate your head. Sound silly? Keep reading for this fail-proof tip.

Before heading outside, head to the bathroom and soak your hair by sticking your head under the faucet. Squeeze out some of the excess water, but leave it pretty wet, and then wrap your hair into a bun. If you have supershort hair, soak your head and a bandana, and wrap the wet cloth around your head. As you run, the cool breeze on your wet head will not only feel refreshing, but it will also help prevent overheating. On really hot days, carry a water bottle and periodically pour some water on top of your head to rewet your hair.

Kristen, Kirsten, Garrett, and Their On the Road Gang Hit the Grand Palais at Cannes

Allie Merriam — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:16:53 PDT

Kristen Stewart hit the red carpet for her Cannes premiere of On the Road this evening. She had the company of costars Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Tom Sturridge, and Kirsten Dunst. Kirsten wore pink Dior, and Kristen was in Balenciaga. The gang spent the whole day together, having attended a press conference and photocall earlier. The movie debuted at the film festival this morning - check out our movie review of On the Road. The picture is based on the classic 1957 Jack Kerouac novel, and in it Kristen plays Marylou, the object of affection for the two main characters, played by Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund. It was a big risk for Kristen, who has actually been attached to the project since producers saw her in 2007's Into the Wild, because it involves more nudity than her Twilight movies.

At today's press conference, Kristen spoke about her character. She said, "I love Marylou. The character is so vivid, she jumps right off the page and slaps you in the face . . . If I had to choose one character who really, truly embodied the spirit of this book, it was her. She really is this amazing link between the two boys. It's a grand statement to make, but it might not have happened without her."

Tom Sturridge didn't bring along his pregnant partner Sienna Miller, but there were plenty of other celeb couples in attendance. Robert Pattinson turned up to support Kristen ahead of his own Cosmopolis debuting at Cannes this weekend. Sam Riley had wife Alexandra Maria Lara on his arm, and costars Garrett Hedlund and Kirsten Dunst were able to mix romance and work on the carpet.

5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Paying For College

LearnVest — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:15:23 PDT

Paying for college is such a complex issue. LearnVest helps simplify it by answering some key questions in regard to paying tuition.

If you believe everything you read, then you might think you need to be a Rockefeller to have kids.

That, of course, isn't the case.

Yes, kids are expensive, and thinking about paying for a college education can be scary and frustrating . . . but that's where we come in.

As with everything else in life, figuring out what to do about your kid's college savings is all about the planning, says Stephany Kirkpatrick, CFP, LearnVest's director of financial planning. Depending on where you are in life right now and how old your kids are, you may have questions about how to set up a 529 plan (which is an education savings plan designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs), what to look for, and when to start saving.

If you're pregnant or have a newborn and are starting to think about this, then good for you! The earlier you get started socking away cash for their college, the easier it will be. You'll learn a lot in this article, but you should also check out our Baby on Board Bootcamp, which will tell you everything you need to know - financially - to be ready for a baby. It includes 529 advice, as well as financial tips on everything from putting together a will and picking out a life insurance policy to buying nursery basics.
If your kid is slightly older and you’ve done your research but haven’t yet started saving in a 529 plan, then first read the four mistakes to avoid when choosing a 529 plan, and then check out the different college savings plans available to you.
If this is the first you’re thinking about it, no matter your kid's ageI, then don't worry about it. You have to start somewhere!

Read on for more.

Healthy Tip: Wait 30 Minutes After a Meal to Brush Your Teeth

Leta Shy — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:25:09 PDT

A healthy lifestyle means taking care of your teeth - after all, excess plaque has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, and too much icky bacteria in your mouth can lead to gum disease and cavities. But if you're an après-lunch brusher, take note: you should wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth after a meal, according to a report in The New York Times.

The directive is based on a study that followed people for three weeks, looking at the impact of postmeal brushing after they drank diet soda. The researchers found that those who brushed their teeth within 20 minutes of finishing their sodas had increased loss of dentin, the tissue found underneath your teeth's enamel. That's because, researchers say, brushing too soon after an acidic meal pushes the acid further into your teeth, causing erosion of tooth enamel and dentin.

So the next time you are eating a particularly acidic or sugary meal, wait at least 30-60 minutes before you brush your teeth. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with water or a solution of eight parts water to one part baking soda to get rid of the acid in your mouth, researchers recommend. Chewing gum afterward can also help.

Do you brush your teeth immediately after meals?