LIFT

Couples: We could all learn a few things from triathletes

2008-05-15T12:39:48Z

Apparently, spandex, neoprene, and goggles can help your love life. A small study has found that couples who compete in triathlons are compatible and supportive of each other. Researchers interviewed six married couples, who competed in the Ironman world championships and found traits that we mere mortals could aspire to. For starters, long hours of training cause the triathlete couples to hold a gender-neutral view of household chores. Basically, it's a 'whoever gets home first after a workout fixes dinner or feeds the dog' type of relationship. The athletes tend to work out at the same time, though not necessarily together, increasing the time they have to relax together. And how to spend money (new bikes!) and what to eat (more pasta!) are rarely points of friction between them.

The moral: It seems that shared priorities and passions, can lead to agreeable relationships.

Not to mention fun postworkout showers!

Ahhh! The object of my confection

2008-05-15T12:00:00Z

Stop right there, missy! Are you seriously going to eat that?

Of course you are... we've all got to feed our sweet tooth from time to time. Just don’t come crying to me when your trainer slams you with extra sets of squats.

Instead, enjoy yourself and go all out with a designer cake. I was surfing the web, only to find that a cake I had designed was put front and center on Confetti Cakes' website. (Sometimes it's good to have an name that sounds like an animal when you're having a birthday party for two young boys!). Yes, that little blue rhino is mine ... take a closer look.

Of course such handiwork doesn't come cheap... but hey, if you're going to go out and ruin your diet, it better be worth it. So induldge!

Owner Elisa Strauss, an Institute of Culinary Education grad, got her start designing textiles for Polo. (When Ralph got word of her culinary talents, he commissioned a birthday cake in the form of his beloved Bugatti.) Check out some of her work, as you won't believe your eyes (or your mouth for that matter). These cakes don't just look good, they are good!

So next time the occasion calls for something sweet, call Elisa and then call your trainer to make an extra appointment that week!

Near Death on the High Seas: True stories of disaster and survival

2008-05-14T16:10:00Z

As William F. Buckley Jr. writes in the foreword, humans' capacity for exposing themselves to loneliness and fear "makes possible great adventures of the human spirit."

In this volume, Cecil Kuhne has gathered some of the most gripping adventure stories ever written, focusing on sailors' love affairs and battles with the sea. Steven Callahan's harrowing log of being lost for 76 days near the Canary Islands opens the volume with "viciously cold waves and strange creatures lurking below the churning surface." Other takes include Thor Heyerdahl's "Kon-Tiki" and John Rousmanier's "Fastnet, Force 10." After reading these stories, you'll understand why people risk all to experience the indifferent terror -- and beauty -- of one of Earth's most powerful forces. (Vintage Books, $14.95)

Joggling: A total mind-body workout

2008-05-14T13:23:43Z

Before we talk about how boring your cardio routine is ... let's talk about adding an element of fun (of course, that depends on your description of fun.) Next time you're on the treadmill or heading out for a run, you might want to give joggling a try.

Joggling (as noted by Wikipedia) describes juggling while jogging. Jogglers say the rhythm of juggling with three objects corresponds perfectly with the action and pace of running, and call joggling a fun and effective full-body workout. Not to mention, juggling will help to improve hand-eye co-ordination and according to a university study may also boost your brain power.

While it's not for everyone (especially those who are not coordinated), the act of joggling has built a strong following from competitive multi-taskers. In my opinion, juggling is a difficult task on its own (so is cardio for that matter.) Combine the two and you've got yourself a sport in which only a rare breed of athletes can succeed.

On the other hand, it's a very accessible sport ... requiring only a pair of sneakers and, of course, a set of balls!

The best bag for all you adventure / techno-geek types

2008-05-13T13:04:51Z

If you're traveling with your camera gear this summer and don't want to look like you're carrying around your DSLR body, lenses, and even your laptop, then you might just want to check out Crumpler.

Crumpler, renown for excellent camera bags, has a few bags that just happen to kill two birds with one stone. Comfortable and stylish, looking more like a parachute pack instead of a camera carrier, their backpacks are water-resistant and fully-padded so you won't have to worry about bad weather on your next adventure.

Kona Kampachi: Not just another fish in the sea

2008-05-13T02:55:00Z

Cod's out, tuna's out and Atlantic salmon's off the menu - mercury and PCB's have made most of us order the chicken instead.

We all know we should eat plenty of fish, but what is there left to buy?

Enter: Kona Kampachi, a designer yellowtail bred in Kona, Hawaii. Fortune Magazine even goes so far as to dub it "the wonder fish" and it seems that chefs from around the world will agree that there isn't a better fish in the sea. It has twice a much omega-3 fatty acids as Atlantic salmon and has undetectable levels of mercury. This mild, versatile fish is raised sustainably on farms off the Kona coast and is also called Hawaiian yellowtail.

Already popular in the culinary world, it's been seen on the menus of top restaurants from San Francisco to New York.

The prized fish's only blemish: It's pricey — almost $20 for a pound — but the benefits might outweigh the costs.

Ropeless Jump-Roping: Exercise for those who can't actually jump rope

2008-05-09T18:18:03Z

You gave up jumping rope ages ago - mostly because "the bigger they are, the harder they fall" came into play for those of you with two left feet.

Solution: A ropeless jump-rope. Yes, you read right a jump-rope that lacks what many would consider a critical feature: the rope.

Jump ropes have obviously come a long way and they aren't just for recess anymore. They have always provided a simple and effective workout on the go, but now JumpSnap loses the rope, leaving two handles with electronic chips and an LCD screen that estimate calories burned, while providing a timer and audible workout summary. It even makes a snapping sound with each rotation so you don't feel entirely silly - and btw jumping rope isn't for wimps, think boxing regimen. While you might not find Sugar Ray jumping without a rope, you will find him endorsing the benefits of it! Jumping rope (also referred to as rope skipping) is a staple in a boxer’s conditioning program. And, it is the cheapest fat-burning workout around—and the best as it obliterates calories--up to 600 an hour--and rocks your heart rate on par with running, but without the joint-jarring impact. It does wonders for your agility, posture, balance, reflexes and coordination, it blasts your calves, tones your delts and arms, and fires your abs.

Need a jet? Richard knows people

2008-05-08T14:00:04Z

Oh, the joys of flying commercial. Dashing down concourses A through D. Lugging luggage to and fro. White-knuckling it cross-country. Starving, because you arrived at the airport two-hours early (as requested), only to receive an airline snack the size of a postage stamp. There’s nothing ever glamorous about flying the friendly skies.

Unless, of course, you take a private jet.

Enter: Virgin Charter. They are the first online travel aggregator for private jets (yes, you've got another reason to love Richard Branson). Once a luxury service for the uber rich, the new site and service makes booking a cinch. And, after last year's adventure trip (I'm in pink) from Teterboro to Bar Harbor, Maine ... well, my children have no interest in flying commercial again. Ever! While accommodating them may be difficult, this service actually makes it more possible than ever before.

And yes, private jets are still expensive. But now it’s at least accessible (and less expensive if you're willing to take an 'empty-leg'). Just enter your information (passengers, departure, destination, and dates) and, since you’re flying private, feel free to get nitty-gritty with details like crew requirements, number of tolerable fuel stops, whether or not you’re bringing your kids, your grandma or like us you simply need your favorite bottle of wine on board. Virgin Charter then sends your requirements to their roster of participants who in turn send you bids. You compare plane types, amenities, safety, quality ratings, and price. Voila!

The best part: On a private jet, snacks are free and unlimited, so go ahead and ask for seconds.

Suck this down: Rocket Gel

2008-05-07T14:47:37Z

From the editors of Women's Health Magazine.
Gels with carbs and protein boost endurance and protect muscles better than carb-only gels, reports a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning. After downing a gel with 40 grams of carbs and 10 grams of protein, research subjects cycled nearly 14 minutes longer than they did after having one with 40 grams of carbs and no protein. Plus, scientists found fewer post-exercise enzymes (an abundance of which would indicate muscle damage) in cyclists' blood after the combo shot. The amino acids in protein may help protect and repair muscle, but it's unclear how protein increases endurance, says co-author Michael J. Saunders, Ph.D. Try Accel Gel; for sustained workouts where it's tough to talk, suck down half a packet every 15 minutes.

Tip: Check out Ride Here, Right Now. Three destinations for on- or off-road cycling. And, to build coordination, strength and speed ... check out Amy Dixon's Agility Workout.

Could portable oxygen be the next bottled water?

2008-05-06T17:09:00Z

Ever since you were born, you’ve been breathing oxygen for free, right? Well the masters of mundane marketing agree that it is time for you to adjust your thinking. Yes, you can breathe air for free; but how lame would that be? Naturally occurring oxygen is just so 10,000 years ago. It’s time for you to begin breathing more pure, more refreshing oxygen.

Yes,the world's most essential element is making a fashionable comeback. This time, in a can.

And Oxygen Plus, a new company, is leading the way by providing 95% pure oxygen-enriched air that is portable, safe, natural and easy to use anywhere, anytime.

My husband (pictured) and I recently tried O+ and felt the immediate effects; but not for long. It won't make you light headed, but it won't make you run faster either. Somewhere in the middle ground between those two extremes lies the benefit gained from the oxygen in Oxygen Plus. In fact, the benefits of a few blasts of O+ may actually be more psychological than genuinely physical, but there's no doubting that several gulps of oxygen certainly feel as if they can cut through the fur and filth of a hangover or the smog in a heavily polluted city. Even without the pollution or the pleasure of a heavy night's antics, I must admit that a distinct feeling of well-being does wash over you.

For those of you who don't drink coffee, this could be your natural alternative to caffeine.

Golden Opportunity: Ready, Get Set ... Go

2008-05-05T16:10:20Z

The sprint for Beijing gold is on, but those just now considering an Olympic run still have a shot at great seats: Roadtrips offers a 12-day China trip (from $21,970) that includes tickets to track and field, gymnastics, and the men's gold-medal volleyball match, along with three days in Shanghai and privately guided outings to the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an. Premiere Sports Travel's five-day stay in Beijing (from $9,625) welcomes fans with seats at four competitions of their choosing, as well as guided tours of host-city highlights and a night at the opera.

5 Great Fitness Gifts for Mother's Day

2008-05-05T14:40:00Z

Mothers. So damn needy aren't we?

Of course, now’s not really the time to complain. Rather, it’s the time to fulfill those needs to the best of your ability. And, for those of you keeping track, it's next Sunday. Remember... Mom taught you absolutely everything you know. So this year, give her a gift that proves you’ve finally, after all that back-talk and sass, absorbed her lessons about living healthy and staying fit -- try not to give her another box of chocolates.

1. Hire a trainer or life coach to help mom reach her goals.
2. Pick up a pair of cool sneakers and some new sportswear to look great in. You always feel good in new clothes and are excited to show them off -- whether at the gym or when going for a walk.
3. Treat her feet. Consider getting your mom a foot massage, foot reflexology, or a relaxing pedicure. People pay so little attention to their feet and they are always cramped in shoes.
4. Deal a meal. Whether she's trying to shed weight from a pregnancy or just trying to get rid of her "menopot" -- the abdominal fat around her middle, many moms can use a diet overhaul or at the very least, some weight loss tips. Subscribe her to a light cooking magazine like Cooking Light, Eating Well, or the new magazine Clean Eating.
5. Get her a bike (this is the one I want - the Trek Lime). All forms of regular exercise are of benefit to the body but cycling is especially good for anyone at any age.

P.S. Don't forget to call!

Fore Sight: Gold Medal Golf

2008-05-03T18:55:06Z

Golf may not be an Olympic sport, but TaylorMade gamely salutes fans heading to the 2008 games with a limited-edition set of clubs featuring the Olympic logo and golden shafts and irons. The set comes with a white Adidas Golf tour bag accented with gold, black, and the Beijing 2008 and Olympic logos. Available only in China, they make an exclusive souvenir for the fairways back home. $10,000, Taylormadegolf for retailers.

Fit Tip: Daily Cardio Plan

2008-05-02T11:00:00Z

Tis the season to show some skin, so we're here to help with some fitness tips that you can incorporate (over the next five weeks) into your fitness plan. Week one starts with basic cardio tips from fitness expert Jim Ryno and a menu (to come) that averages about 1,200 calories a day. Be on the lookout: Over the next few weeks, LIFT will be helping to buff up different parts of the body.

Find a steady pace
Start with a 45-minute treadmill run that maintains your optimal training heart-rate zone for 35 minutes. To find that zone, first find your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. Your training heart-rate zone is the range between 65 percent and 85 percent of your maximum heart rate.

Break a sweat
Amp it up, don't be afraid to do an hour-long session (including a 5-minute warm-up, 45 minutes in the training heart-rate zone and a 10-minute cooldown).

Vary Intensity
Ryno recommends interval training (alternating high-energy exercise with periods of rest) twice a week to burn extra calories in half the time. Alternate walking and running laps during a 30-minute treadmill workout.

Mix It Up!
Get the heart pumping with 20 minutes on a stair-climber or step mill, followed by 10 minutes of jumping rope.

Stay In The Zone
Keep it up! If you want sun, substitute skating, hiking or swimming for machines!

Bazi: Replenish your body

2008-04-30T15:08:58Z

Miracle cures: magic bullets or fool’s gold?

Don’t ask me. I'm a total sucker for the stuff. Drinks that make you thin, soups that banish under-eye circles, vacations where you actually lose weight.

How about a little liquid vitamins that purport to hold the mystic fruit jujube (pronounced joo-joob). So rich in nutrients, high priests called it the "Fruit of Immortality?" Hell, yeah!

Not only that, but this nutrient dense liquid combines all eight "super fruits" in one vitamin and mineral-enriched formula, making it the only drink of it's kind. Think blueberry, pomegranate, goji berry, mangosteen, raspberry, acai berry and seabuckthorn berry!

With a single one-once shot in the morning, Bazi gives you more fruits and antioxidants than most people consume all week -- and over 350 top professional athletes are on the stuff -- so it must be doing something right. Actually, after trying it for about a month, I like the stuff (I've always been a fan of liquid vitamins).

Could Bazi (by XELR8) hold the secret your body has been crying for? That's hard to say, but I'm sold and so is my husband.

The downside: It's mainly offered through an MLM Business Plan (something I'm not a fan of).

The upside: I feel a difference and I'm a sucker for packaging. Not only does this bottle look good, but it comes with a very cool shot glass! Is there any question? I say go for it.