BuzzSugar

Get "Damaged" With FX's Saturday Marathon

BuzzSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:30:00 PDT

FX's thriller-mystery series Damages, starring Glenn Close, was one of the best entertainment-related things to come out of 2007, period. It's dark, edgy, and so well written, it succeeded in becoming another one of FX's shows (along with Nip/Tuck and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) that brings the cable channel into a whole different league. These shows have way more in common with stuff you'd see on HBO or Showtime than say, USA. In fact, as Broadcasting & Cable points out, "Damages, along with AMC’s Mad Men, became the first basic-cable drama series ever nominated in the Golden Globes Outstanding Series category."

The show won't pick up again with new episodes until 2009, but if you missed the first season last Summer, FX is reairing the entire season tomorrow, Saturday Aug. 9, starting at 7:00 a.m. To find out what I love so much about this show,

read more. Glenn Close plays ruthless litigator Patty Hewes and Rose Byrne is Ellen Parsons, Patty's young, doe-eyed employee. Together with senior associate Tom Shayes (Tate Donovan), the team is embroiled in a class-action suit against billionaire CEO Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson). Yet when murders start occurring - including the murder of someone close to Ellen - Ellen realizes the stakes are way higher than she'd originally perceived. Intricately-woven mysteries, red herrings, and crazy plot twists (like even more shocking murders) abound. It's most fascinating to watch the dynamics of Rose Byrnes and Glenn Close's hero-villain dichotomy, partly because it's refreshing to see two female leads in a legal/crime drama. In particular, Close engages the audience in a constant push-pull; just when we think of Patty as the most evil, amoral snake imaginable, she somehow gains our sympathy - for just a moment. But that moment is enough to keep us riveted. Photo courtesy of FX

Heart Health and Marathons

Susi May — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:00:37 PDT

Marathon season may be winding down - the results are in for the Marine Corps Marathon, and NYC hosts its annual marathon next weekend - but many race participants hearts are just beginning to heal.

New research has found that distance running takes a toll on the heart. Although the damage is temporary and reversible, up to 50 percent of the myocardium, the muscular middle layer of the heart, was found to be damaged in 20 runners immediately after finishing 26.2 miles. And when comparing post-race data to measurements taken six to eight weeks prior to racing, the researcher found symptoms in the marathoners' hearts similar to those in heart attack victims. Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, the cardiac damage was more pronounced in the marathoners who were less fit.

The good new is that three months after racing, the marathon-induced damage had healed and the racers' hearts were once again functioning normally. This study also illustrated the importance of training for races and maintaining cardiovascular fitness. Physical fitness is important but so is knowing your limits - when to push yourself and when to back off.

Have you run a marathon? How did your heart fare?

A Pedicure Just For Runners?!

Real Beauty — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 05:00:00 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

A New York City salon is taking pity on the worn-out heels and arches of runners and crafting a pedicure that'll take into consideration their unique needs. Eve Salon in NYC's West Village neighborhood is offering its "Runner's Pedicure" just in time for Sunday's ING New York City Marathon. The speciality pedi keeps nails cut short to to avoid damage during high-intensity pavement-hitting and spends extra time on softening, but not removing, calluses (they're there for protection!). Runners can sneak a little massage into the salon chair, too: Each session comes equipped with a seven minute calf and foot rub.

Read More: 11 Treats for Feet

We thought stilettos were rough on our tootsies, but compared to 26.2 miles, it sounds like a bit of a cake walk. Sporty ladies, would you prep for the big day with an indulgent spa treatment or are you saving it for after the race is run?

How to Cross the Marathon Finish Line With a Smile on Your Face

Susi May — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:46:28 PDT

Trainer Paul Vincent has helped many actresses prepare to kick ass on the big screen at his Santa Monica gym, Training Adventures, but he's also into fitness for life. A seasoned Ironman triathlete, Paul has also paced more than a few starlets in their inaugural marathons. And these gals have been smiling as they glided across the finish line - a noble goal for any first timer.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves - let's start at the beginning. Paul recommends being comfortable running 15 miles weekly before embarking on your marathon training. Not wanting to deter any running enthusiast, he adds that starting with a base mileage of zero means "you will need a little bit longer to build up that first phase" of whatever program you choose to follow. Be smart and don't jump into high-mileage weeks quickly!

Regardless of your training schedule, enjoying the experience is the most important thing you can do for a successful finish. "This may sound silly but for first timers, it is easy to get lost in counting miles, researching routes, preparing training day snacks, and everything else that goes into training," says Paul. "Sometimes you need to sit back to really understand what you have taken on and how incredible that is." He adds that the training is part of the journey, so enjoy the solitude of your long runs and the order training to tackle such a long distance can bring to your life.

Learn Paul's three main tips and advice on injury prevention when you keep on reading.

You Crossed the Finish Line! Here's What to Do Next

Heather Dale — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:06:39 PDT

The moments after a race are just important as the training leading up to the race and the miles logged during. Marathons are extremely demanding physically, which is why the first few hours after a marathon are crucial for muscle recovery and repair. Proper pre-marathon training is also key, as it will help prepare your body for the marathon, and help it to recover faster. Now that you've set your sights on a specific marathon, here are some tips to help you during the moments after crossing the finish line.

Walk it out. Right after a marathon, you should continue to move to help reduce any stiffness. If you were in a full (not half) marathon, walking for at least a mile should be sufficient - even if that means walking back to your car. Walking keeps your blood circulating to help repair damaged muscle tissue.

Here are some more tips.

6 Weekend Weight-Loss Tips to Slim Down

Shape — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:44:06 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

After a week of spartan lunches, rigorous workouts, and sleep-depriving presentations, it's easy to feel you've earned a happy hour margarita and a plate of cheesy nachos. But topping off a tough week in this way can undo all your hard work and even pack on the pounds. According to a study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, women consume about 115 more calories on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday than they do on weekdays. "Those extra 300 to 400 calories can leave you nine pounds heavier by the year's end," says Barry Popkin, Ph.D., the study's lead author. Fortunately, when armed with the right advice, it's possible to avoid the most common dietary traps while savoring that delicious downtime. And you may even wake up on Monday a little slimmer. Not a bad way to start the week!

FRIDAY

Overdoing It at Happy Hour
Alcohol isn't only high in calories, it also diminishes resolve - making it harder to keep your hands out of the pretzel bowl.

Keep reading to see the solution to this and many more weekend dilemmas!

Study: Too Much TV Could Shorten Your Life

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:15:55 PDT

Not only is TV one of the biggest killers of productivity, it could also be shortening your lifespan. According to a new study, every hour you spend watching TV decreases your lifespan by 22 minutes after the age of 25. Now, the boob tube may not actually be killing you faster, but researchers did find a correlation between lots of TV watching and shorter lifespans - for example, people who watched six hours of TV a day lived five years less than people who don't watch TV.

This could have something to do with a sedentary lifestyle (if you're watching six hours of TV a day, you're probably not exercising), and/or the probability that people who watch a lot of TV are isolated, lonely, and depressed. Treat your marathon TV sessions like you would your epic gaming matches - take breaks to stretch, exercise, and tap into your social side. It could help you live longer!

Take breaks more often - Whether you're coding, blogging, gaming, or watching TV, you should make a habit of taking breaks often. Even better, do some sit-ups and/or push-ups during commercials, which not only keeps your muscles active, but it can burn more calories than just sitting alone, and prevent . . . other, more embarrassing conditions.
Enforce a time limit - Decide how long you'll watch before you tune in, and stick to your time limit. You can always DVR your favorite shows, and come back to pick up where you left off previously. Once your time is up, go take a walk, meet some friends at the arcade, or take your dog outside for some quality park playtime.
Stretch - Every 15 minutes or so, get up and stretch your muscles. This will not only help to prevent cramps, but it will get your blood moving and stave off clots.
Skip the junk food - Don't mindlessly nosh on chips and candy while watching TV. If you must snack, choose a healthy alternative like fruit. You're already sitting instead of exercising, why do more damage by eating bad food on top of it?!
Drink water - Skip the soda and down some water during commercials. Not only will this hydrate your body, but it's likely you'll have to take more bathroom breaks (which helps to accomplish tip number one!).
Exercise - You could always pop in a game like DDR or Your Shape: Fitness Evolved if you're not fond of the gym, but taking a walk around your 'hood or riding a bike to work instead of driving is a good way to kick off healthy workout habits.

Tips For Staying Healthy During Your Next Epic Gaming Marathon

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:54:29 PDT

You already knew that OD'ing on video games could lead to Nintendo Thumb, but did you know that it could also have fatal results? Recently, a young British gamer died of complications from deep vein thrombosis, which stemmed from 12-hour long sessions on his Xbox.

Though playing your Xbox isn't lethal in and of itself, sitting for long periods of time can be dangerous for your heart, muscles, and waistline. Next time you're taking part in an epic Halo battle or putting in overtime at your desk, be sure to take these healthy tips into consideration to prevent geek-related health problems.

Take breaks more often - Whether you're coding, blogging, or gaming, you should make a habit of taking breaks often. Even better, stand up during your gameplay sessions, which not only keeps your muscles active, but it can burn more calories than just sitting alone, and prevent . . . other, more embarrassing conditions.
Enforce a time limit - Decide how long you'll play before you log in, and stick to your time limit. You can always come back to pick up where you left off previously. Once your time is up, go take a walk, meet some friends at the arcade, or take your dog outside for some quality park playtime.
Stretch - Every 15 minutes or so, get up and stretch your muscles. This will not only help to prevent cramps, but it will get your blood moving and stave off clots.

See the rest of our healthy gaming tips after the jump.

Hardcore Runners Remove Their Toenails, Permanently

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:01 PDT

For marathoners, crossing the finish line comes with battle scars - sore muscles, sunburn, sore nipples, and the impressive yet painful bruised toenails. Even though their feet are protected by socks and cushioned sneaks, the repetitive banging against the front of a runner's shoe causes bleeding under the nails, and can sometimes cause nails to just fall off. When these damaged nails do grow back, they don't adhere as well to the skin, becoming an ongoing problem for serial marathoners. To see a photo of what I am talking about visit the RuningSugar group.

To solve this tender problem, about five percent of hardcore long-distance runners have their toenails surgically removed by a podiatrist. If the procedure sounds agonizing to you, it's actually much worse than you imagine. Either acid is poured over the nail bed to melt the nail, or the nail is pulled off the toe. Yikes! For those interested, Dr. Lisa Bliss, winner of the 2007 Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135-mile race in Death Valley, documented her surgery so runners would know what to expect. Warning - it's not for those who faint easily at the sight of blood or needles.

To see what podiatrists have to say about this procedure, just keep reading.

Don't Run Yourself Into a Stress Fracture

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:00:29 PDT

Over training happens. You love what you do. You do it too much. Your body starts to break down. Your bones begin to crack. An over use injury you definitely want to avoid is a stress fracture.

Common in professional sports that intensely work the lower body like running and basketball - hoops star Yao Ming has been suffering from one in his foot for two years now and marathoner Paula Radcliffe has battled one in her femur.

A fracture, aka broken bone, is caused by a sudden trauma like a fall. A stress fracture occurs when a bone can't hold up against repeated stress overtime. Cells known as osteoblasts make bones and attempt to keep the bone strong and rebuild them while under strain, while osteoclasts are cells that remove damaged bone tissue. The repeated stress weakens the bones, and ultimately the osteoclast cells win creating a microscopic fracture on the surface of the bone. This small crack can create lots of pain. X-rays usually cannot detect the fracture, but an MRI or bone scan if deemed necessary can diagnose a stress fracture. Often a stress fracture can be diagnosed based on your history, since over use injuries often run a specific course.

Learn how to avoid a stress fracture.