Fitness News

Show of hands if you sport Under Armour. It’s a fantastic brand and I know I have a few pieces of tops and headbands that I adore.

Under Armour recently debuted their latest campaign, What’s Beautiful? After watching the What’s Beautiful short video, I had goose bumps…and immediately wanted to hit the gym. The women are insanely gorgeous, fit and all-out hawt!

What’s Beautiful encourages women to declare a goal that challenges their personal fitness and athletic aspirations. Gals can then post videos, photos and diary entries to share their progress.

DECLARE A GOAL. DOCUMENT YOUR JOURNEY. RISE TO THE TOP.
We’re going to show the world what beautiful really is. Are you in? The three women who push it the hardest and farthest will become the new faces of Under Armour Women and have their lives sponsored for a year with greatness, glory and gear. Step up. Declare your goal.

Under Armour will nominate ten finalists and 3 winners will be named. One by public vote! And the loot is suhweet! Three winners will be awarded a one-year ‘sponsorship’ deal with Under Armour which includes access to special events, training with UA celebrity trainers, gear for a year and nutritional support. The remaining finalists will earn an on-going spot on the Under Armour Women’s Ambassador Team and receive $1,000 worth of Under Armour gear.

I am fully behind this campaign! I love seeing strong, fit women kicking a**.

What would be your declaration? I will….

iRunner Blog – Running to Me

May 7, 2012

Fitness News, Running to Me

4 Comments

Well looks like we have some real pistachio enthusiasts among us:) Hope y’all had an amazeballs weekend.

I interrupt our regularly scheduled Monday post to let you know I’m moonlighting over at the fantastic iRunner Blog. I am a massive fan of this site, the authors, the content, and I have learned an ample amount about running and health from the team. I have the distinct honor of now being a part of the team. [blushing] No, I didn’t have to pay them to let me join, but I should have! Seriously, this is a damn cool plus-up.

So, if you don’t mind, please check out my first post at my regular column, “Running to Me.” Today we’re talking about how not to lose your running mojo. We all get that post-race lull or just get the average running blues where fatigue sets in. I’ve got a few good tips on how to keep your running smart.

What helps you break out of your running or workout funk?

Running With Pets: Taking A Cue from Nike Women

April 16, 2012

Fitness News, Running

21 Comments

I found an awesome post on the Nike Women Facebook page that was too good to not share:

Man’s best friend? More like a girl’s best running partner. After all, who else can keep up with your 7-minute mile—and still love you, no matter how sweaty you get? Who else has a dog that doubles as a workout partner?

This past week my pup Dr Indiana Jones has been on a tear. It’s like he wants me to practice my interval train or something. He has been pulling me with no slack in the leash; picture someone water skiing behind a boat. We pass people and everyone just laughs because this “puppy” is hauling a**. He’s a seven-year-old Jack Russell, but being all white he looks like he never grew out of his puppy phase.

I definitely have found the best running buddy.

Do you run with your pet? What’s your pet’s name?

What Not To Wear

April 11, 2012

Fitness News

15 Comments

On this edition of “What Not to Wear” we’ll discuss how to dress like a legit runner. Even if we’re not running like a gazelle we can sure as sugar look the part. With help from Fitsugar , here are top tips to dressing right for running.

Don’t get your panties in a bunch:
Let’s start from the bottom. Save your favorite pair of Victoria Secret or David Beckham underoos for a hot date night. Most running shorts and tights for women come with built-in support. If you are wearing undies, be sure they are NOT cotton (ick).

Stay comfortable and dry with some full coverage wicking undies.

Sock it to ‘em: Again, avoid the cotton. Your feet are doing some hard work down there and it’s best to treat your tootsies to something breathable. The last thing you want is a nasty blister.

Splurge on some thin wicking socks made specifically for workouts (Smartwool, Thorlo, Teko…) It’s better to go with styles that cover your ankle so you don’t have to worry about your socks slipping into your sneaker.

Don’t go sneakin’ around: I’m talking to the guy at my gym who wears Toms Shoes on the treadmill. Hand to the sky, true story. Save the cute sneakers for bumming around. If you’re serious about running, get serious about wearing the right kicks.

Professionals at running stores will be able to suggest shoes based on the width of your foot, pronation, how much you run, the surface you run on, and where your foot strikes. A perfect fitting sneaker can help prevent shin splints, knee pain, and blisters.

You might end up paying more up-front to equip yourself with the right running gear, but in the long run (pun intended) you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much you are saving, from both an injury and economical standpoint. I have a closet full of Nike and Lululemon gear and yea it’s pricey, but it’s worth every penny. The right gear lasts longer than some of the cheaper stuff you’ll buy.

What was the first piece of legit running clothing you purchased?

Happy Easter – Peep This

April 6, 2012

Fitness News

7 Comments

Does anyone else still get an Easter basket from the Easter Bunny? No? Just me?

~~My parents~~ The Easter Bunny is one hoppening dude.

I hope everyone has a lovely Easter holiday weekend with friends and family.

If you do happen to receive some nomnom treats from Mr Easter Bunny, be prepared to hop, run, walk off some of those sweets.

FitSugar shows us “What 100 Calories of Easter Candy Looks Like” and it’s small, sad and depressing.

I can’t leave you like this…peep it out:

Plans for the Easter weekend? Favorite Easter candy??

From Bras to Balls – When To Replace Your Workout Stuff

April 4, 2012

Fitness News

11 Comments

Seems a few of you enjoyed the “spring cleaning include your running shoes” tip. Fitness Magazine has a few more bits of advice on when you should replace your favorite workout gear to make sure that you are in tip-top training shape:

Activewear: Be sure to check your labels on how to care for your garments to extend their lifespan. Fabric softener diminishes the breathability, water repellency, and wicking ability of performance fabrics — so those items will lose their power within months if you don’t care for them properly.

Sport Bras: In the advertising words of Anna Kournikova, “Only the ball should bounce.” The more you wash and wear your bra, the more you’ll weaken its elasticity. Line-dry your sports bra to preserve the elastic.

Stability Balls: Key word is stability. Some stability ball life spans are just 12 months, and even shorter if you deflate-and-inflate your ball repeatedly…consult the manufacturer’s information.

Yoga Mat: Don’t let your mat lose it’s zen. Little holes, slippery areas, or an odor that refuses to be washed out are the biggest signs that a mat should be trashed.

Read more helpful tips from Fitness Magazine “When to Replace Your Exercise Essentials.”

What’s once piece of workout gear you’d like to upgrade?

82Go Water – Got It On The Go

March 28, 2012

Fitness News, Training Gear

10 Comments

Do I have something that will wet your whistle! The fine people over at 82Go Water graciously sent me a fabulous package of their water bods.

Remember me bragging about these hot bods after seeing a review of the NYC Marathon?

82Go Water Bods are 8oz of essential, purified hydration in a breakthrough portable package.

Bods are perfect for keeping active people hydrated and refreshed, while being very friendly to the environment. Each Bod has less plastic than an average bottle cap, and once used, over 5000 bods can be recycled in a 32 gallon trash can.

The 82Go Water Bods are absolutely perfect for use during a race. No more missing your mouth or dousing yourself in water from a cup. By simply the pinching the corner open on the bod you are ready to drink.

My first reaction when actually picking up a pouch was thinking they would be great to pack for hiking or biking. Small, lightweight, portable. They weren’t exactly pocket friendly for a run, but Norak and I are troopers! Thanks to the warm weather, Norak and I decided to do a test run with the bods, pun intended. I froze a few bods and packed a cooler of these for our road trip to Florida.

The bods were quiet handy during the run, and since we were hot we almost had a mini water balloon fight. They were the perfect amount of water.

You want?? Currently, the bods are available for purchase in the South Florida area, and will be rolling out in other markets in the coming months. Or be on the lookout for them at local races as well.

Have you seen the 82Go Water bods? What makes you work up a thirst?

Reader Mail: How Can I Stop Walking While Running?

March 7, 2012

Fitness News

14 Comments

Received an interesting question from a reader over the weekend. She asks, “I’ve been running for some time now but can’t seem to get over my urge to walk at times during a run. Any tips to how I can stop walking while running?”

Here are a few pointers that might help out:
Make a slow go at it: While it is incredibly tempting to want to stop and walk, try to slow down your running to a jogging pace, or jogging to speed walking. The point is to keep moving. Once you start walking in a run you’ll find you are more likely to keep starting and stopping throughout.

Shorten your distance: If you’re struggling to run 3 miles, make sure you have a solid 1 mile run down before you add on mileage. Quality miles over quantity.

Mind over matter: Sometimes it’s the brain muscle you need to retrain. If you’re focused and worried about walking it will be distracting. Make a new playlist and tune out to your head and focus on pushing your body.

Pick YOUR pace: If you are accustom to taking a walk break, you may not have found a suitable pace for you. Find a pace that you’re comfortable running at and can sustain for a reasonable distance, and then you can work on increasing your distance and building your ‘base pace.’

Most of all give yourself a break and give it time before you find your running comfort zone. The important thing is you’re DOING IT!

Check out Runner’s World for a few additional tips on Becoming A Better Runner.

Any other tips you can offer up on how you became a stronger runner?

You Are What You Eat – I’m Chocolate & Marshmallow

March 5, 2012

Fitness News

13 Comments

I think it was my third day eating a Nature Valley’s granola bar for breakfast when I realized what a major slacker I had become. Quick fixes can leave me feeling more guilty than satisfied. It was time to step away….step away slowly from the packaged foods.

I’ve decided to give my weekly routine a boost of some natural, organic, and – most-important – healthy treats.

Here’s my gameplan:
- Plan ahead: I’ve marked out not just my dinners, but breakfast and lunch. No more falling back on an old faithful routine.

- Be fruit-ful: I adore fruits and it’s time to considering picking up a ripe banana or clementine when I want to reach for a quick snack, sorry pre-made bars.

- Check the label: I am going to try and cook everything as fresh as possible. When I can’t, I am going to make sure to look at labels to make sure I’m not getting too much sugar, sat fat, sodium or carbs.

Since this whole planning a menu thing is new to me, does anybody plan out their week?

Monday Motivation: Positive Affirmations

February 27, 2012

Fitness News

4 Comments

I overheard friends this weekend talking about an incredible book that had a profound impact on their lives. “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne; the book came out a few years ago, sorry if I’m late to the party but at least I showed up! I immediately researched the book.

It was so good that Oprah got her hands on it: “…The Secret, was created by Australian Rhonda Byrne, and she says that if you follow its philosophy, you can create the life you want—whether that means getting out of debt, finding a more fulfilling job or even falling in love.”

“The Secret” is based on the law of attraction, that we attract the things we want in our lives based on thinking positively about what it is we want. I understand that there are definitely some things that could raise eyebrows about this. It’s not like rubbing a Genie and asking for a load of cash, but it’s about saying you want to be more financially successful thus putting your thoughts around all the good things you can do to save and earn more money. Being positively conscious about your decisions.

Let’s kick off the week by keeping our affirmations positive! Focus on your desired outcome.

Start by knowing what it is you want: Something that excites you — relationship, experience, etc.

Say what it is you want: Scream it out loud, whisper to yourself, write it down, visualize it. Just get it out!

Relax and wait it out: Be patient and keep yourself busy living in the moment while you wait for things to naturally come to you. It’s like when you order food at a restaurant and it always come once someone gets up to go to the bathroom.

I am going to be picking up a copy of the book, but wanted to know if anyone out there has already read it? Are you thinking about making a positive affirmation?