Health and Nutrition That Is AboveNBeyond

Wow!  What a great day for a run!  It was cool and you could feel the warmth from the sun.  With temperatures in the 60’s and sunny skies, who could pass this up!  Oh, and while I haven’t yet brought this up, a run like the one I just had is worth 6 points on the Weight Watchers Point system.  And, I don’t mean the points you take off, but, the ones you earn.  That’s right, the ones you earn so you can eat that extra food you love so much!  This was an awesome day and I took full advantage of it.  I ran a distance of 3.1 miles equal to that of a 5k race.  There was some walking involved since my running did take a dive for a while.   But for the most part, the legs are in full working order.  I did two sprints which went really well.  While running is what I love to do, the moral of the story is get out, get active doing what you love to do!  Here is the post I wrote in my fitness blog.  So, I ask you, which is better, the couch or the pavement?  I know my answer, do you?

Should you eat today, but, of course, yes you should.  Never, and I mean never starve yourself.  Continuing from Part 1 and Part 2 on this subject, I should point out that I don’t like the word DIET.  A short term, temporary effort is implied by this word.  In other words, once one would achieve a desired goal, the diet would be over.  Replace the word DIET with the word LIFESTYLE and you got a whole different picture.  Do you like the idea of being a human yo yo?  That is what a diet is all about, the ups and downs of weight.  You’d reach a point where your weight is good and then you’d quit.  Later, you’d be up again and start the process all over again.  How crazy is that?  Wouldn’t a change in lifestyle seem better?  There are parts of this way of thinking that could seem as doing the same thing, but, actually it’s not.

Diets are only good if you like the idea of flying blindly through life eating what ever you want when you want and am willing to hit the brakes to cut off some pounds until you are happy again.  But, who wants to spend life like a yo yo when as you get older, it can get harder to get the weight off.  The best solution is a lifestyle change.  You can still eat all the foods and drinks you like, it’s just that you won’t be like a human vacuum cleaner thus inhaling everything in sight.  You’d be eating in moderation.  Granted, it would be a learning process, but, a process that is worth it.

So, in concluding if you would apply the following, you would create a whole new lifestyle that would rock your world:

Portion Control +  Getting Active + Good Nutrition = NEW YOU!

This formula really does work, but, it takes time and patients.  If I can do it, you can do it.  It’ s that simple.  So, now the question could be asked, if this formula works, then is it really necessary to purchase weight loss products?  The answer is that it depends upon how fast you want to get the weight off.

Running is the  easiest and accessible sport for everyone to take advantage of today.  Unfortunately, there are many who don’t take advantage of it.  In fact, many don’t get active at all with any kind of sport.  This is a shame too.  Chronic inactivity and obesity are known to yield many diseases, which could be avoided simply by getting active.  Getting away from being inactive can lead one into a fun and exciting new reality.  If you excuse the saying, “Just because you grow up, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun anymore”.

Let the little kid in you escape.

Having a healthy diversion is good for everyone.  Getting active yields many benefits, such as, mental clarity, weight management, & muscle tone.

What’s a matter?  Are you afraid someone will see you out on the road running when you could be on the couch all comfy?  When I started running, it was right smack in the middle of when I was depressed.  Talk about being very hard to get out there, but, I did! Got sneakers? Can Run!

Now, if weight is not an issue for you, sure, you’re lucky, but, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be active.  You don’t want to fall under the realm of chronic inactivity.  Ironically, there is some truth to the saying “All work and no play, makes {you} a dull person”.

There are some videos in the video vault regarding running.

If you are not sure what you want to do, you can check out NEWU or refer to other posts on running.

Wow, this week we hit the ground running with 2 great posts on How To Start Running.  I’ve been running since April 1997 and haven’t considered quitting anytime soon.  With this being February, I thought this would be a great time to devote some articles on the sport of running.  Especially since, if one would get started now, by the time Summer would get here, the newbie runner would have some time invested in the sport and would be able to start  having a summer filled with running.

I know when I haven’t been running in a while.  My attitude changes, as well as my outlook.  Running changes everything for me and I  end up paying for it if I am not running.  Running is my outlet and there are those times where tuns of frustrations get dealt with during a good run.  I run any distances ranging from 2 miles up through and including 8 to 10 miles depending upon my motivation.  My favorite distance has to be 4 miles.  It’s just that I am the most satisfied after returning from a run after doing this distance.  If I do any distance shorter than 4 miles, than it’s like I missed something or was short changed.  Though, there are times I have no choice and don’t have the time to run longer runs.

For those who are a bit aggressive, be warned, there have been times that my focus changed to the point where running wasn’t fun, that I was only training to do races and it became like a job after a while.  So drops the motivation when this happens.  But, it’s what you want out of running that matters.

I finished a good run today, roughly 2 miles, and just wanted to share that running can be a good head clearer. It’s like pressing the reset button.

Ok, you completed your check list to get ready to start running.  You are or should be starting out slow for now.  We’ll now look at another list of things to be working on.  Remember, you are a beginner and not an elite marathoner.

1. A really good resource to make use of:
Check out Newrunner.com, a really good resource for new runners starting out.  Newrunner.com is a Runners World website for beginners.  It’s good to have the right resources at your finger tips to get the information you need as a beginner.  And remember again, you are a new runner, so, take it slow and work on building yourself up.

2.  What do you want out of running?
Do you just want to run for the fun or fitness of it?  Or, do you want something more out of the sport?  It’s all up to you.  You don’t have to decide right now.  You may discover something about it later.  For those who want to be more aggressive, why not a 5k race.  But, do this after you’ve been running for a short while.  This is something you want to prepare for.  Check out this article about preparing for your first 5k race training tips.

3.  Don’t copy, be happy
Don’t worry about what others are wearing and doing.  Rely on reliable resources for the information you need.  Do what works for you based on what you read and learn about.  Someone maybe doing something that may look good, but, it may be something that you are not quite yet ready for.

4. Find your way.
Just like starting out slow, find your way.  This is about you and not someone else.  If racing isn’t for you, then so be it!  Everyone gets something different from the sport.  It’s what you want that matters.  Once you discover your way, you’ll begin to rock! I found my way, you can find yours!

5.  Age is a number and nothing more.
As long as you are healthy enough and your doctor doesn’t mind, age is only a number and if you want to lace up your sneakers and hit the road, go for it!  Don’t let the thief in your mind rob you of something you want and can do.  If you can and want to, the road awaits.

Remember, Runners World is a very good resource for runners and anything about running can be found there.  Good luck with your efforts and enjoy the sport!

In recent articles, I talked about the importance of getting active. Ok, now I am going to put you on the spot here.
Are you one that goes to work every day, come home, watch TV and/or go out with the guys/girls now and then? Is that kind of what describes your week? You can still do that, but, why not change your activity? Getting active can be even more intense if you do it with a group of people. There is more to activity than just the hand and elbow coordination at your local bar or where ever. I’m not suggesting to stop certain activities, though that would be a bonus.

Regardless what you are doing each week, there are many ways to get active and have a great time. Wouldn’t it be neat to find an activity that you have fun doing and burn calories at the same time especially if it is with a group of friends? Not to say that you can’t do something by yourself, but with some friends it only magnifies it’s effectiveness. This is one of the reasons why I like running in races. I run with lots of people and it’s competitive too.

If you are able to get active with friends, you are even more likely to continue getting active then if you are doing it alone. Though, that never stopped me. Think of the calories you’ll burn off during your activities.

So, regardless of your activity, doing it solo or with friends, getting active can really aide in loosing those pounds thus helping with weight management. Best of all, some activities don’t cost a thing to do. It doesn’t cost me anything to go for a run except the time it takes to do it.

So, what’s your next move?

A lot of the times when I am running, I am also training for my next race. So, if you feel that your activity is lacking something, perhaps, you should consider kicking it up a notch and add racing to your activity. Racing an be advantageous in many ways. You can make new friends, help with your fitness goals and more. You don’t have to be a runner, to take part in racing. Biking and kayaking are other ways to get involved in racing. Not sure what to do, just google it. By adding racing to your sport or activity, you make it more fun and worthwhile to do. It then becomes more of your life than just doing it for the sense of fitness. There is also Trail Running & Racing to add even more of a spice to racing. This adds more challenges to more than just running on the pavement. Now, you don’t have to jump right into marathons or huge races. Start small, like 5k’s for running or other small courses and then build yourself up. When I started racing, I only did 5k’s for a while until I got brave to advance to 10k’s.

If you’ve never raced before and in this case, for runners, after paying your entry free, you’ll get a FREE T-Shirt or other item as suggested by the event of your choice. Usually, those who placed by age group get an award for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place finishers. Some events even have door prizes. Some races have food and refreshments at the end of the race (usually water, fruit’s & bagels).

Racing adds competitiveness to your sport and makes it a fun and exciting workout to take part in. Who said fitness had to be boring? Oh, and by the way, how old is to old to race? I was in my mid 30’s when I was a newbie to running in races.

When it comes to being active, Winter is kind of like a weekend for some. Lots of people slow down this time of year. While the weather can really interfere with outdoor events and activities, if you can’t be out, stay in! There are ways to continue to staying active. Treadmills, and other machines plus weights and other accessories. I don’t get out and run as much, but, I still get out when I can and when I can’t I stay in for my workouts. This can be a good time of year to begin building up for the rest of the year. What a better way to beat the winter blues. You don’t have to be a runner to get active this time of year, indoors or out. For indoors, you can weight lift, exercise, use an Ab-Lounger, Treadmill, jump rope etc. There are many options. You can find other ideas on such sites like Runners World and Men’s Health / Women’s Fitness.

This time of year at least for me is the slowest.  I have went from no activity this time of year (Winter) to whatever I can fit in even if I have to use the Treadmill.  I prefer the road to the machine.  The neat thing about Winter is that this time of year can be the build up for the rest of the year.  As a runner, I am one who refuses to race during the cold months.  I just can’t see myself as a block of Ice with sneakers crossing the finish line.  This is probably my downfall, but, even I see more people get active as the warmer months get nearer.  Regardless if you are an avid runner or one just starting down that track, keep in mind the following:

1. Get plenty of rest
2. Stay properly hydrated
3. Don’t over do it with your mileage / build up
4. Wear appropriate apparel depending on the season.

Some run all year round regardless of the season, and that is ok, but, some basics should be considered as mentioned above. Another thing to consider is that unexpected and sometimes unseen patch of black ice on the road that you are running on. I at one time talked to someone who stopped running outside during the winter months due to falling and braking his nose. Remember, it’s not the fall that hurts, but that sudden stop!

If you are embarking on a running plan or program, now is the right time to get started because, by the time you finish the plan, it will start getting warmer. You can find such plans on just about any running related websites including Runner’s World.