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

Hervé Léger by Max Azria Fall 2012

Hannah Weil — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:32:03 PST

Taking us beyond the label's bandage dress, Max Azria delivered his signature sexy with rich equestrian details and a new sense of strength for Fall. For every curve-conscious silhouette, the strapped bodices and gladiator-inspired footwear counter with militant, almost dominatrix-feeling toughness. If it takes a confident woman to pull off Léger's more typical body-con wear, for this season's offerings - complete with leather harnesses and fur detailing - only the fiercest of fashion enthusiasts need apply.

Trends: Fetish, harnesses, leather, fur.
Colors: Black, white, nude, burgundy.
Key Piece: The white maxi paired with the fur-trimmed black leather harness.
Accessories: Slick mirrored clutches, gladiator-style knee-high boots with shin guards, open-toe ankle boots.
Who Would Wear It: Hervé's fans; the risk-taker with a taste for sexier fare.

VPL by Victoria Bartlett Fall 2012

Brittney Stephens — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:17:48 PST

Victoria Bartlett has cornered the knit market with her on-trend, sexy spin on the classic sweater, and the VPL by Victoria Bartlett Fall '12 collection gave us many more iterations to love. Known for her body-conscious silhouettes and athletic aesthetic, the designer offered up avant-garde, futuristic chic with ornate spiderweb-inspired cable-knit pieces, drapey cowl-neck tops and dresses, and bright pops of color and metallic sheen. Models also wore tight, solid leggings layered with strong-shoulder sweaters, shin guards, and of course VPL's signature colorblock underpinnings - looking almost ready for a battle. Get the full breakdown below.

Trends: Cutouts, spiderweb-esque knitting, paper bag details, asymmetrical sleeves.
Colors: Cream, charcoal gray, mauve, yellow, tan, aubergine.
Key Piece: The one-piece gray cable-knit jumpsuit is amazing - like après-ski for the Jetsons.
Accessories: Jersey shin guards, loose leather ankle boots, space-age collar necklaces.
Who Would Wear It: Risk-taking style stars like Gwen Stefani and Rihanna.

Grammy Awards: Hits and Misses

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:01:11 PST

Musicians are some of the most adventurous performers around, so the Grammys are always a great time for fashion watchers. Not every risk yields a win, though, and no one is immune from a beauty mistake every once in a while. Check out the greatest (and not-so-greatest) moments from recent Grammys.

How To: Get Your iPad Ready For Resale

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:48:28 PST

If the rumors are true, the iPad 3 should be announced in March. If you're ready to upgrade from your first-gen iPad or iPad 2, now's the time to start thinking about selling. But before you post a listing on Craigslist or eBay, get all your ducks in a row first. Here's a few tips on how to prep your gadget for resale, and get top dollar for your efforts.

Back up your data and do a clean sweep - First thing's first - make sure you connect your iPad to iTunes and back up all of your data. You'll be able to sync it with your new iPad after you bring it home. And just like a computer, before you sell your old tablet, you'll want to wipe it clean of any sensitive information, apps, and contact lists. Erasing all of your content and settings (go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) is great, but go ahead and perform a full restore in iTunes as well.
Polish the exterior - Cleaning your old iPad is kind of like cleaning your LCD monitor - you don't want to use any harsh chemicals or, even more damaging, water. Using a tried-and-tested cleaner like iKlear ($30) will ensure you won't damage your iPad's sensitive bits. Use the included microfiber cloth (or one of your own) and shine that baby up.

To see the rest of my list, including tips on how to get your gadget sold quickly online, just keep reading.

Fat-Proof Your Life

Health — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:06:06 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Maridel Reyes

It's true that there are certain times in your life when extra poundage seems to appear out of nowhere . . . and settle on you. In fact, experts have honed in on the exact moments when you're most vulnerable to weight gain.

"Life transitions, having a baby, and going through menopause cause many women to pile on pounds," says Susan Albers, PsyD, author of But I Deserve This Chocolate!: The 50 Most Common Diet-Derailing Excuses and How to Outwit Them. "But with planning and prep, you can stay thin."

We asked top experts for their strategies to help you ward off weight creep - and even shed pounds - at these tricky stages. Solutions ahead.

Getting married

Heavier ever after? It can be the flip side of wedded bliss: "Six out of 10 of my clients come back heavier after the honeymoon," says celebrity fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch.

Health.com: 25 Diet-Busting Foods You Should Never Eat

Young newlyweds pack on an extra six to nine pounds in the five years after getting hitched compared to singletons, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. And most of that gain happens in the first year of marriage.

"Couples start to mirror each other's eating habits," explains Albers. "You might be matching him calorie for calorie without realizing it."

Learn how to keep the pounds down postmarriage and in the mommy years, after the break.

From the Fit Community: Leave Your Phone at Home When You Work Out

Fit Community — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:25:08 PST

FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV wants you to know: you're hurting your workout when you bring your cell phone into the equation. She shared her three reasons you should stay cell phone-free at the gym in our 10 Pounds Down! community group.

1. It’s hurting your workout (and could cause you to get hurt)

If you can text or talk on the phone during any part of your workout, you aren’t working hard enough. Exercise requires a mind/body connection (yes, even the time you spend on the treadmill) and your cell phone seriously disrupts the communication signals between your mind and your body.

Even if you think you are the most talented texter, or multitasker to ever walk the earth, don’t kid yourself - many studies have shown cell phone distraction as even worse than being drunk – so if you wouldn’t run that mile, take that spin class or do Pilates totally wasted, then your phone shouldn’t be out during your workout. Not paying attention during exercise is dangerous and can cause you to hurt yourself - in a big way. Not to mention, it slows you down! Even if you stop to text in between exercises, you are slowing down your flow - and your heart rate. Not a good way to get results.

Read more reasons for keeping your cell phone at home after the break.

In Defense of the Chronically Late Mom

BabyCenter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:11 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Betsy Shaw about being late for school.

If I were to wear a scarlet letter it would be T.

T for tardy. T for turd ball. T for totally inept mother.

We are late for school with such alarming regularity it’s embarrassing. The last time we were on time, after a mini snowstorm that excited my children enough to urge them into their snowsuits and outside at 6:30 a.m., we got to school five minutes early to find it dark and empty. Delayed opening. I was apparently the only mother who didn’t get the memo.

Calling Charlie Brown…

Being late for school brings up a vicious brew of conflicting emotion in me. On the one hand I just don’t care. Life is short. Far too short to risk traumatizing your children with a bullwhip and terrorizing morning walkers and squirrels, not to mention my own white-knuckled children, speeding our way to school like Toad on a motorcar bender each weekday morning.

On the other hand I am ashamed, deeply embarrassed, to be “that mom.” All the other moms can do it, even the single ones. Why. Can’t. I? What’s wrong with me?

I complained about this once to a woman from South Carolina who I met on my Guatemala trip and she told me her school started at 7:30. She also made it clear her kids were never late.

Never late.

Keep reading for more of Betsy's reasoning for being late.