Make life better one choice at a time
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There are many arguments for getting active vs not getting active and a lot of them pertain to running. I’ve heard many argue against running mainly for high impact reasons. Some turn to biking to avoid the impact issue. But, regardless of what activity one chooses, there are a good many who remain inactive for various reasons. Let’s first look at some reasons why some choose to be inactive:
1. Time – To much to do, work, taking care of kids, other responsibilities.
2. Money – As the saying would go, No Mun, No Fun.
3. Medical Reasons – A good excuse for some, but, not all.
4. Solo – Don’t like going at it alone.
The above four show some basic reasons that keep people from soaring into an activity. Each one is a valid excuse, however, even if it may seam hard or impossible, there is still that gaping whole or crack that one could slip through to get active. Let’s look at reason #3 above which is probably the most valid reason there could be for not getting active. The starting point for someone being “controlled” by this issue is that they should see their doctor for any recommendations to take part in any activity. Now, I’m not insane here and do realize that there are those who simply cannot do it. But, you would be surprised on the many who hide behind this one.
We often overlook great sources of hydration that can be of value to us and add to our efforts to keep well hydrated. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables offers a hidden water supply for us to tap into. 
In fact, fruits have the highest water content of any food available.
It is recommended to have at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep well hydrated. If you are very active, consider adding sports drinks to replace electrolytes.
Most men are not getting at least 8 glasses of water a day, this is a problem that can lead to having less energy, harder to burn fat, and can also increase your changes for risk of some diseases.
The body is made up of 65% water, so it’s no wonder that we need to continue to stay well hydrated. Lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes are almost 90% water.
Here are some foods that are Packed with water:
1. 1 cup canned pumpkin – 8 oz water
2. 2 cups watermelon – 9 oz water
3. 1 cucumber – 10 oz water
4. 1 head iceberg lettuce – 18 oz water
While eating foods packed with water is not the end answer for those who are heavily active, they can surely help in the process.
During workouts of any kind, we all need to rehydrate from time to time. While water is what we can rely on usually, it falls short of what is needed during strenuous exercise, and/or intense physical efforts such as hard training and racing. These types of hard endurance can take a tool on the body and keeping well hydrated is essential for top running performance.
Water does not replenish to body of what it needs in the line of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and others) and therefore we need to rely on sports drinks to get properly hydrated. Getting pre-hydrated before your workouts can go along way to extending performance especially during the warmer months.
Without using sports drinks with electrolytes, the sodium in the body could get low enough for where a serious medical condition known as hyponatremia could happen. This is where the concentration of sodium in the blood gets too low. Granted, this is in rare cases, but, even so, dehydration is hard enough on the body as it is.
I’ve been using sports drinks (Poweraide) on a regular basis, however, this year, I started making sure that there is a constant supply of it here. I also started the idea of pre-hydrating before intense workouts. Along with this choice, I have stopped keeping a supply of soda on hand and only have it as a treat (as it should be).
In some ways, our bodies are no different than our cars, for, we too can have heat related issues. We need to have ways to avoid them and build endurance. Here are a few tips to consider:
1. While our bodies are made up of about 65% water, that still doesn’t mean we can’t over heat and dehydrate. We need to work on being well hydrated during the warmer months. This can be a real challenge during the summer. Being well hydrated helps in a variety of ways such as decreases muscle cramping, regulates core body temperature and makes way for faster recovery. Keep plenty of your favorite hydration / recovery drink on hand such as Gatoraide or Poweraide so you can keep your engine cooled.
2. Both cooling down after and warming up before exercising is important in that it can help prevent injuries. By gradually slowing down the body, it helps the heart rate and breathing return to a normal level.
3. Be careful not to overload, pack efficiently for summer activities to avoid carrying any unnecessary weight. Start with low-weight / high-weight workout for toning and building muscles. Your form will be better as well as control and strength.
4. Wear appropriate apparel for warm weather. Keeping the body cool is essential and this is one way to help here.
5. During intense workouts / races , you should be careful not to over-hydrate with water, instead you should be using a hydration drink as mentioned above. This is for sessions that are at least an hour or more. Though, it doesn’t hurt to use these drinks for shorter sessions.
We all got only one back and it’s really the only back you gotta watch. While when you are young, you can have the sense or feeling of being invincible, but, in truth, none of us are at any age. Granted, the back is younger and sometimes stronger, but that doesn’t mean problems can’t arise. 
Unfortunately, our back can’t watch us and brace for what we do. Like the lady carrying the big box in the picture. You never know.
If you have back pain, short term back pain can be treated at home and most can be over it in as little as 4 weeks.
The symptoms include:
What you can do at home to care for the pain:
For the first few days, you can start by doing the following:
As you notice your pain to decrease, you can apply heat to soothe the remaining pain and then slowly or gradually return to normal activity.
As your back heals, use good back habits to help prevent back injuries and get rest, stretch and strengthen your back.
If your back pain doesn’t go away, or if you have any other symptoms call your doctor.
Source: KRAMES
Consider this, even though this may not be you…..
You just ran down a street on the first leg of your run passing a couple of people. Then as you go, you pass others. Who knows how many people you’ll pass either as they walk or drive by. Of those you pass, how many will be inspired or moved by you to get active? You are your own active advertisement to be fit and healthy. A very small percentage of people will “get it” when they see you do what you do. Of those who “get it” an even smaller percentage will “do it”. Sad, but, true.
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Inspiration is like the fire that burns and moves others to set and achieve goals. So which category do you fit in? a) Active or b) Inactive c) in between
If no one you know is into fitness, why should that stop you? Oh, is it because you have no one to run, walk or bike with? I run by myself all the time, so there’s no excuse. If the little voice inside you is screaming at you to get active, listen to it for a change and go for it! Who knows, you may just have fun for a change!
Well, today, as humid and buggy as it was, Jobe took me for a run. Not bad, and yes, I kept up. He may be a Dobe, but,
I can at least while on leash, keep up. Just went around the block, then I went on for almost a 2 miler, making for a total distance of about 2.5 miles. I can tell Jobe is getting better since he wasn’t even crashing when returning to the house.
It makes for a good workout when he comes along. What a good way to start the run. It never hurts to have a running partner.
You see them all the time, on TV, in magazines and sometimes outdoors when you are out and about, but, now and then you may think, why can’t that be me? Or, I’ll never look like that, right? Well, Wrong! With the right attitude, determination and commitment, you can take on a whole new you and rock the world you are in. Is it easy, well in theory it is, but in reality it takes work. As long as you are physically able, age shouldn’t matter when it comes to changing your healthy direction. Here are some valuable suggestions to get you rolling down that road:
1. Sacrifices – If you want to achieve that star stunning image, then you got to make some sacrifices such as cutting back on certain foods and drinks to cut the calories.
2. More Sacrifices – You have to be willing to change your daily routine and add what is needed to make a healthy lifestyle happen
3. Habits – You need to change up your habits and loose what don’t work and add new things to help bring about the new you. Cut the beer, cigarettes, fatty foods, & greasy foods.
4. It’s About You – You have to realize that this is about you and not those that influence you or those that you associate with. You only have one body, one life, and you need to put the right stuff in your body to turn your self from an old clunker along side of the road to a Mercede’s Benz.
5. Crystal Ball – No one can see the future, but, you can lesson your chances of poor health by making positive choices today. It’s no laughing matter.
6. Fitness – Get active and get going, for tomorrow, you’ll meet yourself at the front door looking at a new you.
7. Patients – Lifestyles are forged not forced, you have to work on it on a day by day basis and results come with time. Get determined, Be determined and Stay determined and you’ll get there.
How bad do you want that Mercede’s Benz in your life? If you want it bad enough, it will happen. Remember, if it’s important to you, you’ll do it. Your future results will show the proof of how important this is to you. But, remember, it takes time. Loosing just 4 pounds in a month is fantastic and should not be taken lightly! The above 7 items are a good start in creating a mindset that will help in creating that rock the world lifestyle.
Today around 1:00pm EST, I decided to go for a run and wasn’t sure if I’d make 5 miles today or not. The desire was there, the fire was not. At the point of no return, I chose to turn off and finish with 3.5 miles. Not sure if it was the humidity or me and my legs. I felt fine otherwise. Can’t complain since the run may not of happened. Restart has happened. Back at it from a mini-break. First it got real HUMID then it rained, and during the process, I stopped. Today’s run felt good and I was glad to be out there. Breaks are good for ya and I didn’t complain at all. Though, for me not to complain about missing a run is a news flash. I recently read that one should embrace the days when we can’t run for the break does us good for the next run. Though we are having head problems over not being out pounding the pavement. So here’s to the next run!!!
You never know who you influence and they could be right within your household too! I’ve been an avid runner since 1997 and during the last few years, I have really improved with my running abilities. Yesterday, I noticed that my oldest son Jakob returned to the house and was in his room. I went to say “Hi” to him and he was so wet, that you would swear he got dumped on. As it turns out, he just returned from his very first run! I had no idea that we went for a run or even why. I said to him that he looks like was splashed all over with water and he said “no actually, I just went for a run” or something like that. 
I was so surprised that I asked him why he went for a run and he said that he was bored and it was too nice of a day to stay indoors so he grabbed his mp3 player and sneakers and went for it. He didn’t go that far, but for his first run was not bad. Afterwords, he said he was tired from it. I gave him 2 high fives for his efforts. He told me that he said he is not at my level, and I said that I wasn’t either when I first started running.
So, you see, while it doesn’t have to be about running, you never know who you influence with your day to day routines. Be ware of the eyeballs in your midst. For, they are watching.
