pic
The last post in my series about eating healthy and finding deals on health food addresses a question many of us have had at one time or another: What does it mean to "go organic," and, "why buy organic?" Once again, Victoria has an awesome and informative post that addresses these questions, then finishes with mouth-watering recipe chock full of organic food.  Thank you for sharing your passion with us Victoria! Making the choice to purchase and consume organic food is a personal one. However, it is a choice that you should feel very good about making. By purchasing organic foods, you are ch......
pic
In part 3 of our series, Healthy Eating on the Cheap, financial blogger Victoria, happens to also be a health food nut who is passionate about organic eating. She has some great tips for buying organic foods if you are buying on a budget.  Thank you for blogging for me today Victoria! Buying Organics on a Budget Perhaps you have decided that purchasing organic foods is going to be a priority for your family. Although your budget may not have much wiggle room, there are ways to make this lifestyle work. Fortunately with more and more interest in organically grown food, there are many options a......
pic
We stump, stoop, slouch…so much so that the quality of our everyday lives can be directly affected from these posture problems.  I thought of this while sitting at the computer working, and had to stretch to relieve that nagging tightness between my shoulder blades. At the same time, I noticed a whole slew of other bad habits I was committing, and quickly set about practicing what I preach. Why good posture is important: Practicing good posture can improve your breathing, decrease your risk of injury, help you move more easily through the tasks of daily living, and also improve your sports ......
pic
Not long ago, if your neighbor had told you she was training for a triathlon, you might have looked at her crossed-eyed and with one eyebrow raised. Once thought of as an endurance sport for athletes who had both an unnatural pain threshold, and oodles of time on their hands, triathlon has in recent years become a sport for anyone who likes variety, has a few hours each week to dedicate toward training, and enjoys challenges small and large. No longer a sport just for the guys, the proliferation of female participants in triathlon events proves its growing popularity: in the late 1990s, women ......
pic
Did you give yoga a shot once upon a time, only to walk out mid-class, scratching your head and wondering, what was I thinking? It is possible the style you tried didn't match your personality, athletic ability, or just moved at a pace geared more toward advanced yogis than beginners. It isn't uncommon to feel lost during your first several classes, but there is a way to ensure you don't feel too out of place: pick the right style of yoga first. Before you write off yoga for good, try a class that is a better match for your personal style. I've compiled a short list of the most common yoga sty......
Feb

07

It is the little things you do every day, like taking the stairs rather than the elevator at work, hoisting up your toddler and doing 10 squats, walking lunges while you talk on the phone. I know, it seems kind of hokey, but seriously, every little effort, done consistently, will bring results. Think about the caterpillar, which undergoes lots of little changes before finally turning into a beautiful butterfly.

I think the reason a lot of us have a hard time tackling a big goal, like losing a large amount of weight, or training for an intense event, such as a 10K, is that the end result looks like Mt Everest. How ever do you scale that thing? But broken down into manageable chunks, the process is much less daunting – down right achievable! (Pssst …I attack fitness this way a lot. It really does work.)

I know, you’ve heard this or read it in self-help books a gazillion times. So have I, but having tackled several big goals by breaking down the tasks into little, bite-size morsels, I was able to achieve them. It wasn’t so bad, honest (or I wouldn’t be suggesting it here.)

Try this…

When you’re faced with 4 cardio workouts and 2 strength training sessions in one week, break them down like this: 8-10 “mini” cardio sessions of 10-15 minutes each. Spread across 7 days, that doesn’t seem so bad. Likewise with strength training: 8-12 exercises per session can be broken down into 2-3 exercises, again, spread across 7 days per week. This approach is FAR better in the long run than doing 4 cardio sessions and 2 ST sessions, as planned, only once per month. Better to break it down into manageable chunks and get credit consistently, than to get credit only occasionally.

Plus, “occasional” effort isn’t really effort at all – it just a random act of activity. ;-)



Apr

20

Some walk for the basic enjoyment of being outdoors, to unwind after a busy day, or as a way to catch up with a friend and combine the social time with a bit of exercise. Some walk to lose weight, to build endurance for charity races, or as a base-building exercise that segues into jogging, or even running.
Whatever the reason, you must begin somewhere, and as the old saying goes, a journey of a thousand steps begins with the first step.

Step 1
: Pick the right shoes.  Don’t skimp here! Every foot is different, every gait is different, every stride length…you get the picture. Take the shoes you regularly exercise in (or walk in) to a reputable running store and ask them to analyze the wear pattern, analyze your gait and recommend a shoe that suits you. Expect to pay $80 and up. It is worth it. And remember to replace your shoes about every 300-500 miles.

beach running girl

Step 2: Decide up front what you hope to achieve from your walking/jogging/running program. Do you want to begin a regular walking program for general health? Do you hope to rekindle your love for running? Or are you using the activity as a weight loss tool? Knowing what you want to reap from your hard work will help you stay motivated.

Step 3: Create a plan. However you decide to use walking/jogging/running, start with a goal in mind, then develop a plan from there. Start slow if you are returning to jogging or running from a long hiatus or starting from scratch. Build slowly using the 2-5% rule: each week, increase your distance by 2-5%. After initial base-building (8-12 weeks), begin to increase intensity (speed, hills, etc.) by 2-5% per week.

A simple formula for progression: Walk, jog, run

If you walk, start with walking. Add 1-2 min jogs, then recover with 1-2 mins of walking. Keep increasing the time spent jogging, decreasing time spent walking, until you can jog a specific distance. When that becomes comfortable, either increase the distance, or increase the speed. Refer to 2-5% rule.

Remember, runners aren’t made overnight. It may take many months before you feel comfortable jogging or running, but the key to success is to maintain consistent effort, and soon you’ll be able to traverse any landscape on foot, and improve your health too.



* Note: Blue Sky Gym and the author disclaim any liability for any injury, physical or emotional, suffered during or as a result of exercise or activities recommended. As always, you should use common sense and consult your health professional before beginning any exercise routine or program.

Archives

© Copyright 2010 - Diane Raymond's Blue Sky Blog | Made by AppChain.com