Health and Nutrition That Is AboveNBeyond

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!

Adding an active life can be as simple or as advanced as you want. Start out small and grow from there. Just 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week is enough to get you started until you build yourself up. Get up 30 minutes earlier on the days you choose to “get active”. After a while, you’ll start to know the difference. Once you find your focus, you’ll open a door that will rock your world. As for me, you know, I’m a runner and cannot live without it! There is an activity out there for everyone, find it, do it and you’ll see the difference. For those who say “Well, Tim, I don’t have the time!” I say, “20 minutes, and a DVD player and you can have a workout. There are plenty of workout videos available on DVD out there now and that’s just for starters. If something is important to you, you’ll make the time for it. Don’t wait until you reach the point where you wish you did do something, do it now! Even if you have to do a series of exercises in the morning just to get started. What ever it takes for you to get started and explore the world of fitness. If you still feel you don’t have time, perhaps there are those things you are doing that you should replace with fitness? How much time do you spend just watching TV?

Check out our section called NEWU, it may be what can help you get started.

One of the greatest benefits I get from running is the feeling of being refreshed after a good run. My favorite distance is 4 miles for the reason that after about a mile or so, I am warmed up and really starting to get into the run. Then not quite half way, I’m revved and really getting into it. With a good run, I’m burning calories, building endurance, combating stress, staying in shape, getting refreshed all at the same time. I love running, not only for the above reasons, but also, I can run anywhere at anytime even indoors and best of all it costs nothing to run. So, all my fitness efforts tend to gravitate toward running. I also have a Shwinn Letour Ten Speed bicycle that I have had since I was 19 and it is still pretty much in top notch shape. Unfortunately for it, my feet gets more of the pavement then it does. I may at some point get it back in action again. You see, if running isn’t up your alley, then something else could be right there waiting for you to focus on it. I have always had an interest in running even since high school. Though, back then, I really never pursued it an wished I did.

Having an active life is about 1/3rd part of the pie that helps with weight management to burn calories as well as to help with other areas such as stress and fitness. If you take the active slice out of the pie, and only concentrate nutrition and weight management, loosing weight an be more of a challenge. I know, who has time to be active right? Well, you make time for what is important to you. Believe me, if you want it, you’ll do it.

Let’s say that you are making a real hard effort in eating right including planning your meals accordingly, ensuring proper nutrition and striving to manage your weight for what ever your goals are. Wouldn’t you like to take advantage of anything at your disposal to achieve your goals? This is why if you add “getting active” to your agenda, it will help you in your efforts and you may just enjoy it like I do. If you are not sure what you want to do, then why not check out a new resource available right here on AboveNbeyond4u.com called NEWU. It’s a section to get you motivated into embracing the new you.

Did you ever wonder why no matter how hard you try, you don’t seem to loose much weight or achieve your goals? Week after week, try as you might, you barely get anywhere. There is a reason for this. Fortunately, the reason has a lot to do with you. It’s fortunate, because this means you can do something about it. You have to figure out what is causing you not to meet your goals. Get to the root of your problem. Until you deal with what ever the issue is, you’ll be at a wall. Walls are made to be broken and not a permanent barrier. If your goal is to loose weight and you are barely getting anywhere, you need to look at what is going on to causing you not to meet your goals here.

Ask these questions to start with:

1. Are you over eating?
2. How active are you?
3. Is there any stresses in your life other than your weight loss goals?

Until you discover the root cause of what is influencing your actions, you will be at a wall. You need to find and deal with what ever is causing your problem in order to bet over the wall.

The same can be applied to just about anything including finances. Like, what is causing your overspending? What stress is influencing your actions?

It comes down to you and what you are dealing with subconsciously. Once you get to this point, you can start making choices or taking proper actions to make these issues less prevalent in your life.

In the last two posts, I’ve touched on how important nutrition is to the body and how fitness and nutrition can build a strong foundation for the immune system. If you don’t have a good immune system, then all your other efforts are a waste of time unless your immune system has been weakened for other reasons. I recently found an interesting article on the Immune System. Here is a brief excerpt on the article: You can read the full article – Diet, Stress and the Immune System This article is from the Cleveland Clinic website.

Under normal circumstances, the immune system is highly efficient, providing multiple defenses against the onslaught of outside invaders. These defenses include physical barriers (such as skin); the non-specific inflammatory response, which is brought about by changes in blood flow that bring chemical substances to the injured area; and specific immune responses, in which the body learns to recognize specific invaders and destroy them after subsequent exposures.

Ways to Boost your Immune System:

Two products (from Herbalife) called Roseguard and Best Defense, both of which provides immune system support. Roseguard aids in the defense of environmental toxins, and Best Defense helps boosts the immune system. Other ways to boost your immune system are:

1. Regular exercise
2. Get more Antioxidants
3. Adequate sleep, rest and/or relaxation
4. Be careful that you are not the problem – see below
5. Combat any developing ailments right away (cough, cold symptoms, soar throat etc)
6. Smile

Immune System negatives:

1. Lack of exercise
2. Overweight
3. Eating foods high in sugar
4. Eating foods high in fat
5. Experiencing lots of STRESS
6. Social Isolation – being lonely is not a good thing.

Being stuck in a rut, can happen to anyone. I’ve been there too…..

Have you considered intervals? Intervals can be a way to spice up your workouts to get you motivated and get you in shape. It’s a good way to burn calories, increase endurance and strengthen your heart.
Men and women can vary their workouts with intervals and you don’t have to be a runner to do this. Weight Lifting or Strength Training is another way. By making use of intervals, you are challenging your body and mind to push harder. Workouts will become easier until you up the ante on your goals.

One way I found myself running faster was by using intervals. I would run, then walk a little, than run more and faster. Eventually, I found myself building speed.

Work out or run with a friend, or change scenery while running are other ways to make fitness fun. Fitness does not have to be boring. If you are a runner, consider getting involved in local 5k and 10k races. That will get you going.

Ok, if you are thinking “Tim, I’m not into running!” Well, whether it be weight lifting, yoga, aerobics, whatever, how about joining a local gym. You can meet people, make friends etc. I was a member of a local gym for 9 years and found it to be rewarding.

Think of Fitness as Fun Intense Times Nurturing Energy Smashing Stress. Oh, yeah, some would argue this. But, you get the point. It’s a good way to make sense if Fitness.