BuzzSugar

Robert Redford to Take Bill Bryson's Walk in the Woods

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:30:33 PST

There's a lot of great post-Sundance news out there, but this story is really making me smile: Festival founder Robert Redford has said that his next project will be an adaptation of A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson's best-selling book about an attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail. Redford plans to play Bryson, and Barry Levinson is expected to direct the film.

I'm getting a kick out of the idea of Redford as Bryson, who was an overweight, out-of-shape man edging toward a mid-life crisis when he decided to walk the trail in 1997 (that's the real Bryson up there on the right). And apparently, so is Redford, who told the Associated Press "I don't know when I've read a book that I laughed so loud."

Redford also noted that the landscape of the country will be a big part of the film as Bryson and his hiking companion, Stephen Katz, make their way along the trail. (In the book, the two men didn't finish their hike - so do you think the movie will get a Hollywood ending?)

Other than making me want to read A Walk in the Woods again, this news makes me wonder: Who's going to play Katz? Their hilarious banter is one of the best parts of the book. Any suggestions?

Source, Source, and Source

Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Morning Workout

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:50:47 PST

If you work or go to school full time, getting your sweat on in the wee hours of the morn is probably the only time you can fit it in. Kudos to you for resisting the urge to hit the snooze button and skip out. Make setting your alarm and pulling yourself out of bed worth all the effort and avoid these morning exercise mistakes.

Not eating: It's super early, but you need to eat in order to fuel your workout. Munch on something small while you're getting ready, like half a banana or half a piece of toast with a little peanut butter. You'll not only avoid the gnawing hunger pangs, but you'll also have an extra pep in your step to exercise harder or longer than you would on an empty stomach. When you get home, you can enjoy your usual breakfast, which is always something to look forward to.
Loading up on fiber: While it's important to eat a little something, you don't want to load up on bulky fiber that can make you feel too full or upset your stomach.
Not hydrating: Aside from food, you also need water. Definitely don't down half a gallon before you hit the gym because too much water can cause cramping, but make sure you sip a short glass of H2O while enjoying your small snack.
Not laying your outfit out the night before: You don't have oodles of time in the morning, so don't take away from your exercise time by scrambling to find your missing sock. Plan your outfit before you go to bed so you can just slip it on and go.

Keep reading for more morning exercise mistakes to avoid.

The Vampire Diaries "Bringing Out the Dead": The Good, The Bad, and The Bloody

Marisa Tom — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:46:39 PST

After a week's worth of TVD reprieve, it's about time we got some answers - specifically, ones that have everything to do with our favorite Original vamp Elijah and then some. From the tragic twisted fate of Bill Forbes to the shocking discovery Elena makes at home, we're still trying to wrap our heads around everything that goes down. Meanwhile, Bonnie and her estranged mother Abby are tasked with opening the mysteriously sealed fifth coffin, and Damon and Stefan head to Klaus's sweet new pad for the ultimate dinner party showdown.

Like all things based in Mystic Falls, nothing is as it seems and nothing ever goes according to plan. Ready to review the good, the bad, and the bloody? Just keep reading.

Blake Lively Might Not Work With Steven Soderbergh After All

Allie Merriam — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:56:55 PST

Producers of Steven Soderbergh's Side Effects apparently aren't sure about casting Blake Lively - Huffington Post
Tim Gunn happily admits he hasn't had sex in 29 years - People
Celebrity house swappers - who's buying which stars' houses! - The Daily Beast
George Clooney, Melissa McCarthy, and other Oscars nominees with a TV history - BuddyTV
Taylor Swift loves a melodramatic walk - Lainey Gossip
Why did Miley Cyrus get a really racy cake for her boyfriend's birthday party? - Us Weekly
Cynthia Nixon goes bald for Broadway - TooFab
Are you pumped to see Vin Diesel in the new Riddick movie? - Rotten Tomatoes
Kim Kardashian's little sisters might not pick the college route - Wonderwall
Welcome to Twitter, Courteney Cox! - Lifeline Live
Actor Aaron Johnson welcomed a second child with Sam Taylor-Wood - Celebitchy
George Clooney defends his Nespresso ads - BuzzFeed
What new project is keeping Katy Perry busy postsplit? - Zap2It

How Celeb Trainer Gunnar Peterson Keeps Sofia Looking Hot

Leta Shy — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:49:57 PST

Modern Family star Sofia Vergara is known both on and off the red carpet for her enviable figure, and award season is definitely a time when the actress can shine. Between her glamorous gowns and camera-ready makeup, Sofia always looks the part. But the self-described gym hater also works hard to keep fit. We spoke to her trainer Gunnar Peterson (whose clients have also included Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Angelina Jolie), to learn more about how Sofia gets award-season ready. Read his tips below.

Make it fun: How does Gunnar keep his celebrity clients sticking to their routine? "I try to keep it fun. I try and put a little bit of levity in it, but at the same time, I don’t sacrifice the work. We may goof around and stuff, but we’re definitely going to goof around while we’re working." A boring workout is one you won't want to stick to, so read our tips on how to keep a workout fun.

Whole-body workout: Gunnar doesn't like to waste time with isolated moves. Burn more calories and work more of your body at the same time instead. "I don’t do that many isolation movements, like single joint stuff," Gunnar says. "I do bigger movements. If we’re going to do a lunge, we’re probably going to add an upper body component to it, like a lunge with a wood chop, a side lunge with a wood chop, or a rear lunge with a lateral raise, or a forward lunge with a front raise." Try it yourself: incorporate this medicine ball wood chop the next time you do lunges, and check out Gunnar's cutting-edge double-duty gym equipment here.

Read on for more tips from celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson.

iPad Gets an Old-School Makeover

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:31:09 PST

Geeks nostalgic for the all-in-one look of vintage Apple products can now add a dash of retro to their gadget with the iStation, a docking device reminiscent of an Apple I desktop. What set Apple apart in the early days of personal computers was the bundle design that integrated the keyboard, speakers, and monitor within one shell. Even those not wistful for technology designs of yore can appreciate the prospect of occasionally using an iPad more as a desktop.

Available in a faux wood-grain finish with a white keyboard or white glossy finish and white keyboard, the iStation is compatible with both the iPad and iPad 2, as well as iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Each unit comes with an iStation in your color of choice, Bluetooth wireless keyboard, USB charging cable for the keyboard, 3.5mm mini-stereo cable, built-in stereo speakers, and an AC power adapter; and for $86, it's a fairly affordable tech frill. Check out a

How to Run a Faster 5K

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:23:54 PST

You've been running regularly for some time and have completed a few 5K fun runs. But now it's time to step it up and take this distance seriously. Here are some tips to help you beat your personal record when running 3.1 miles.

During Training

Add speedwork: If you want to run a faster 5K, you have to practice running faster. Coach Andrew Kastor recommends adding 80-meter sprints into your training schedule, and here's his plan for running a faster 5K in four weeks. Remember: sprinting can be hard on the body, so make sure to start off with shorter sprints and build up to the full 80 meters, especially if you're new to speed work.
Add short uphills: Hills require strength and endurance, so if you practice them during your training, you'll develop speed and muscle power, and just as with plyometrics (jump exercises), hill sprints will increase flexibility in your muscles and tendons, which reduces your risk of injury. In your training, tackle shorter steep hills (about six to 10 percent incline). Sprint up for 10 seconds, then walk downhill backwards to avoid pressure on the knees. Repeat, eventually building up to eight 10-second sprints. It's a surefire way to stronger, faster legs.
Incorporate strength training moves that target your shins, calves, quads, glutes, and core: Running alone won't increase your speed. You need to strengthen the muscles that make you move so your actions will be more powerful and more efficient. Incorporate variations of squats, lunges, step-ups, calf raises, bent over rows, and these three booty moves from celebrity trainer David Kirsch.
Become familiar with the route: Obtain a map of the 5K course, and if the route is open (like in a neighborhood or wooded trail), practice running it to familiarize yourself with the hills, curves, and mile markers. Knowing the course in advance will give you confidence and an added advantage over runners who are running it for the first time.

Keep reading to find out what to do on race day to run a faster 5K.

Weekend Warrior Workout Ideas That Burn Mega Calories

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:06:00 PDT

When my nine-to-fiver isn't calling my name on the weekends, it means I can steal time away to exercise for more than my usual hour. Getting out for a longer workout is an awesome way to spend a Saturday morning, but it also burns a crazy amount of calories. Here are some ideas for longer workouts you can do this weekend.

Hike from 8 to noon (with a 30-minute break for lunch): 1,355 calories burned
Three-hour yoga workshop (vinyasa, ashtanga, or fast-paced yoga): 806 calories burned
Two-hour Zumbathon: 648 calories burned
Bike ride during the kids' afternoon nap (moderate pace of 14 mph for two hours): 1,080 calories burned
Mini triathlon at the gym (30-minute swim doing the crawl stroke at a moderate pace: 270 calories, 30-minute bike ride at 15 mph: 270 calories, 30-minute run at 10 mph: 297 calories) = 837 total calories burned
Leisurely 90-minute run in the woods or along the beach: 810 calories burned
Brisk two-and-a-half-hour walk with an old friend: 608 calories burned

*All calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.

Finding "The One": 10 Tips For Safe, Savvy, and Successful Furniture Shopping on Craigslist

Elka Karl — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 06:00:27 PDT

See this little desk? It's the desk of my dreams. Granted, it may not be the desk of your dreams, but it's "the one" for me. This little oak arts and crafts-era slant-top desk is in nearly perfect condition and is petite and perfect for our bedroom - which means I officially have an office space to decorate after our toddler kicked me out of my old office. I couldn't be more pleased.

However, this little gem didn't just land in my lap. I spent a month combing the pages of Craigslist to find it and actually rejected half a dozen desks in person on my journey to find it. Although, I've shopped on Craigslist before, this time really taught me some great lessons that I thought were worth sharing. I also asked Twitter and Facebook friends to share some of their tips as well, which I've included in the post.

Don't be afraid to walk away. Even if it took you a half-hour to drive to the location of an item you're interested in or three subway changes. If it's not your ideal find, don't buy it. You will find that beloved object, but it may not be until after several more attempts.
Try shopping locally. For me, this meant limiting my searches to neighborhoods that were within 10 minutes driving range. I instituted this rule after two fruitless journeys that took me an hour round trip.
Try a variety of search terms. I used "secretary," "antique desk," "solid wood desk," "slant top desk," "wooden desk," and a few other terms, too. Sometimes people list items under odd search terms, so it helps to try to get creative!
If you're going to look at an item by yourself, tell a friend. Leave the address you're at and the time you should be leaving that location. If you don't text or call your friend by that time, have her call you, and if she can't get ahold of you, call the authorities. This is very, very cautious behavior in my book, but as women going solo into a stranger's home, it's better to be safe than sorry. There's rarely an incident with a potential seller, but I'm always more cautious than need be when dealing with a transaction with a stranger. And if you don't feel safe going by yourself, by all means bring a friend!
Be realistic about how much effort you're willing to put into a secondhand piece. I fell in total love with an arts and crafts-era secretary I saw a month ago and desperately wanted to buy it. The price was right, but the desk needed a leg repair and had a crack along one side. These were definitely doable repairs, but I knew myself well enough to know that I wouldn't get these repairs finished in a timely manner and I let the desk go.

Find more Craigslist shopping tips from fellow readers

6 Reasons to Work Out With Your Furry Friend

Health — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:22:18 PDT

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

By Tina Haupert

On the days when I am dragging, my dog, Murphy, reminds me that exercise should be fun. Murphy’s energy is contagious, so it makes me look forward to our time together. He gets so excited before we go outside for a walk. Imagine if we all felt that excited before exercise! Here are six reasons why you should work out with your fury friend.

Health.com: Fun Ways to Get Fit Without a Gym

It’s Fun
Dogs love to run and play, so it’s no surprise how much Murphy and I enjoy being active together. On the days when I’m just not in the mood to exercise, the thought of playing outside with my favorite pug always gets me out of the house. A game of fetch or an “adventure walk” in the woods always leaves us both with smiles on our faces - and it burns calories!

You Can’t Make Excuses
When Murphy is itching to get outside, it’s hard to say no to that adorable pug face. He doesn’t accept my excuses for missing a workout, so there’s rarely a day that I don’t do some sort of activity.

Health.com: 9 Easy Ways to Sneak in More Exercise

The Stats Aren’t Important
During my workouts, I used to worry about how many calories I burned or the distance I ran. But the calories and miles mean nothing to Murphy. He focuses only on the fun stuff - the sights, sounds, and smells of our exercise. Murphy reminds me that the best workouts are the ones during which we don’t worry about the stats.

Keep reading for more reasons to get fit with Fido.