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How Long Does it Take to Get Out of Shape?

April 15, 2016 by Leave a Comment

runners-high-1024x682If you are like me, it feels like it takes much longer to get in shape than it does to get out of it.  How accurate is this feeling?  Are we imagining it, or is it true that what we have worked so hard to build can be quickly lost? How long does it take to get out of shape?

The answer is actually not as straight forward as we might like it to be.  It depends on a few factors.  How long we have been working out, what kind of exercise we do, and even how old we are all are important factors regarding how quickly we lose our “fitness” level. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Getting Started, Motivation, Running, Spirituality, Strength Tagged With: ,

Why I Love Fall Fitness… Three of My Favorite Fall Workouts

October 14, 2015 by 1 Comment

imagesWhat is there not to like about fall? Cooler weather (it’s not hot anymore…but it’s not cold yet either).  Beautiful colors (a glorious time to be outside).  Change (something we all relate to ….the change on the outside usually reflects a change on the inside as well).  Like I said, what’s not to like about this season?

Here are three of my go-to fall workouts that are also three more reasons I love fall.

1.”Run Spot Squat Run”.  Tired of the same-old same old run?  Add some squats/push-ups/lunges smack dab in the middle of your same old-same old.  If you are going out for 5 miles, for instance, stop after the first 2.5 and do the following quick and dirty mini workout: 3X 20 squats/ 20 push ups/ 20 lunges (you can drop this to 10 if 20 is too much at first).  Take a few much needed breaths at this point and ready yourself for the second 2.5 miles of your run.  Two things I like about this workout… 1) You won’t believe how much you want to run after you’ve done the squat – push up fun, and 2) You’ll find five miles goes much faster when you break it up this way. The cooler fall climate makes this a great time to try to change up workout…

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Getting Started, Motivation, Running Tagged With: , , ,

Born to Row…the Intimate Details of My Love Affair

August 20, 2015 by Leave a Comment

rowing meFullSizeRenderI’m in love.  It’s finally time to come clean. I’ve been keeping things quiet (you can understand why).  But I don’t think there is any going back now.  The guilt has been killing me, so it’s time to confess. I’ve decided to just lay it all out here… I’m exposing the intimate details (this is hard for me too, you know). [Read more…]

Filed Under: My Favorite 9 Kid Fitness Posts, Running Tagged With: , , ,

Are You Sore? Don’t You Grab that Ibuprofen! Some Natural Remedies You Need to Try

May 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment

muscle sorenssWhether your type of fitness is of the weekend warrior type or the daily workout, you probably have suffered from soreness.  It is pretty much par for the course.  I actually like a little soreness the day after a hard workout…it reminds me that I have put in the effort. Below is an article by Alan Tyson, Physical Therapist, and owner of Architech Sports in Charlotte, NC, who has been working with athletes for his entire career. As I read it, I immediately noted that he does NOT recommend ibuprofen (admittedly a go-to remedy for me).  You might be as surprised as I was to see some of his natural sources for treating muscle soreness…. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Running, Strength, Women's Health

Nine Reasons I’m Happy I Drink Coffee (And Why it’s Great Pre-Workout)

March 5, 2015 by Leave a Comment

coffee 1imagesMost people who know me know I like coffee (ok I’ll admit it…I love it). I can usually be seen with a cup of coffee in my hand most of the morning in fact.  I like it hot so I usually have to either microwave it or pour it back into the pot and refill my cup to keep it piping.  I’m always happy to find reasons to keep drinking my Joe and so when I recently read an article touting the benefits of coffee, I was confidently re-affirmed that my coffee-drinking habit is justified (I admit I conveniently avoid reading articles suggesting otherwise).

The following are nine reasons I am a happy coffee drinker: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Nutrition, Running, Strength Tagged With: , ,

Modern Technology and Sleep Deprivation: You Might Want to READ THIS!

February 20, 2015 by Leave a Comment

sleepslSleep. It’s a beautiful thing.  Yet it is also a source of frustration for many.  It has recently come to my attention that a few of my children are having trouble sleeping.  I thought it might be situational. Our oldest son is in flight school, training to fly the F-18 Super Hornet.  Over the last few years he has spent a lot of late nights in the simulator or studying so I am not that surprised that his sleep routine has been altered.  However #6 (Grace), who is a freshman in high school, also often has trouble sleeping.  She is a VERY active 14 year-old.  If I was doing what she is doing (in terms of physical activity), I would crash every time my head hit the pillow.  Then #3 (Thomas), when he was home for Christmas, told me he has trouble with sleep as well.  A Division 1 athlete, Thomas has a daily afternoon practice of 2-3 hours and attends morning practice 2-3 days a week around 5 am. So why is he having trouble with sleep? I can’t imagine making it to 10 pm without falling asleep on my feet with the physical schedule Thomas keeps. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Family Life, Running Tagged With: , ,

This Too Shall Pass….Unfortunately: Fitting in Exercise When Children are Young

January 26, 2015 by 2 Comments

mom and baby strollerimagesThe other day I took a break from homeschooling #7, #8, and #9 (John, C.C., and Sam) and went to a barre class at noon (#6 who is 14 was home).  Although it’s been awhile since I was really unable to steal away, it still feels a little strange when I do.  For so many years my only chance at exercise during the week was early in the morning or while the kids were napping (thank God for my lifecycle). It’s a question I’m often asked, “How did you fit it in when your kids were all young?” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Motivation, My Favorite 9 Kid Fitness Posts, Running, Women's Health Tagged With: , , ,

Top Ten Fitness Trends Predicted for 2015!

December 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Happy-New-Year-2015-9If you’re doing “body weight” exercises such as push ups, lunges, and squats, then you are already part of a growing trend.  Results recently released in the article, “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2015: What’s Driving the Market”,  might surprise you.  Here are The American College of Sports Medicine predictions (and I can’t help myself…I add my two cents in italics after their comments).

1. Body Weight Training: 

  • Uses minimal equipment
  • Allows us to get back to basics
  • More affordable
  • Body weight training also happens to be one of the most effective type of fitness for us if we are consistent about it.  If you incorporate push ups, lunges, and squats into your daily exercise routine, I promise you will see results. I love barre classes for body weight training. For ultimate body weight fitness, watch American Ninja Warrior…you’ll be amazed.

2. HIIT (High Intensive Interval Training) [Read more…]

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: , ,

Hoka One One: The Newest Running Shoe Bandwagon?

December 7, 2014 by Leave a Comment

hoka one oneimagesI first heard the name Hoka One One when my husband showed me an article about the new running shoes.  He asked me how I thought you pronounced it, “Hoka 1..1.., of course”.  Actually, no.  It’s pronounced Hoka One (oh-nay) One (oh-nay).  I read the article, and I couldn’t help thinking about the plight of butter (butter good….no, butter bad…no, butter good).  Or maybe just the fickleness of us humans.

We love a bandwagon.  Especially when it’s backed up by sound research and personal experience.  I am not saying, necessarily that the new Hoka One One shoes are the newest wagon to hop onto. It’s simply an observation.  Just like my observation at the running shoe store that my daughter (#5) works for.  I noticed a few months ago when she first started working and I came in to pick her up, not one “Five Finger” shoe could be found.  Hmmm, interesting. [Read more…]

Filed Under: My Favorite 9 Kid Fitness Posts, Running Tagged With: , , ,

Why I am Thankful for “The Run”…and Why I Regret Never Telling my Dad

November 25, 2014 by 8 Comments

running womanI was going to call this post, “9 Reasons I am Thankful for ‘The Run'”.  As I pulled up my chair to my computer and began to type, I realized that it would not be a post I could whip out in 9 neat reasons.  My first reason was more profound than I thought upon initial reflection.  So I bagged the title.  And I just started to write…

I was running the other day on a trail nearby with #7 (John).  John is 11.  He will be fast one day.  So I realize I won’t always be able to keep up with him.  I love running with John because he talks the whole time.  Which means I don’t have to.  It was a fun run.  Six miles.  As we were beginning the last mile, John had run out of things to talk about (or he was too tired), so I started to talk.  I try not to philosophize too much with my kids while we run but it was a particularly beautiful fall day and I couldn’t help but to tell John to look around and to be grateful for “the run”.  “Be grateful for your legs and offer your run for those who can’t” (we know a young man who is paralyzed and cannot use his), “be grateful for your ability”  (many kids John’s age can’t run one mile, let alone six), “be grateful for the desire” (he was happy to run that morning), “be grateful for the trail” (we are lucky to have such a great place to run nearby). “John, don’t ever forget to be grateful for running.  It just might get you through a lot one day”. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Family Life, My Favorite 9 Kid Fitness Posts, Running, Spirituality Tagged With: , , ,
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