Swimming Workouts that will Help Build Strength

      I grew up in the water in California – a lot of homes had backyard pools there, plus I was on a swim team, and I spent a lot of time at the lake. But once I moved away from home and to a new (colder) state, it seemed like my swimming days were over.

Fast forward to my 30’s: I over-trained and earned myself a stress fracture. The doctor prescribed swimming and pool running. I did it a few times, and then even a few more times once my leg healed.

But to be honest, I had a rough time in the pool in the past. For one, I don’t really like sharing a lane, and in a public pool, that can Read more

Oatmeal and Fruit Combinations that Will Make You Look Forward to Mornings

Getting my morning started right

I eat breakfast. Do you? I mean real breakfast. Not coffee and…more coffee, and that’s it. Actual food.

I think we’ve all heard of the studies that show eating breakfast every day can help you lose weight and keep it off. But what you eat matters, too. Ever had a doughnut for breakfast? Read more

The Right Running Socks Can Save Your Soles

I was pretty excited Christmas morning when I saw that Santa put three new pairs of running socks in my stocking. Oh all right. I actually helped Santa out by purchasing them myself and stuffing them in. But if Santa had known how important socks are to a runner, then he totally would have done it himself, I’m sure. Read more

Tips to Keep Your New Running Routine Moving Forward

Did you make it a New Year’s Resolution to become a runner? How are you doing?

Now that it’s been a couple weeks, the enthusiasm you had on January 1st might be wearing off. It happens. Studies show it takes 21 days to make something new a habit. But that depends on how you define a habit. I actually think it takes much longer than that. Even after my first year of running, it was still challenging for me to get out there and do it. Now, after 2-1/2 years of running, running has become a part of my life. I don’t have to think about my next run and plan as carefully as I once did.

Starting a new routine can be rough – a lot of it is mental. Here are a few tricks to help you stick with your goal through 21 days and beyond:

• Plan your workouts ahead of time. Decide what you are going to do for the week. A race and a training plan can really help with this. The Couch to 5k plan is a great way to break into running.
• Sign up for a 5k so you have something “tangible” to aim for. Better yet, get a friend to sign up with you and hold each other accountable during training.
• Don’t think about your upcoming run too much throughout the day or the night before. Get used to the idea that it’s just something you do and don’t overthink it.
• If you tend to dwell on the physical discomfort of running, try to imagine the way you feel after the workout. Running is difficult, but you feel great afterward. Jillian Michaels says in one of her workout videos, “Get used to the idea of being uncomfortable.” Of course, if something goes beyond a normal level of discomfort and into real pain, then you should stop and see a doctor.
• Don’t expect to change overnight. Be in it for the long haul.
• You can even take the pressure off yourself by keeping your goals private.

Sometimes, it helps to be inspired. Saturday is the 2012 U.S Olympic Team Trials for the marathon in Houston, Texas. We’ll find out the three men and three women who will be running for the United States at the Olympic Games in London this summer. Whether or not you are aspiring to run one mile or 26.2 (or more), it’s inspiring to watch elite athletes. Tune in to NBC from 3-5 p.m. (ET) to watch and get inspired!

For more on the Olympic marathon trials, visit the USA Track & Field website at http://www.usatf.org/.

Do We Really Need a Study to Tell Us that Exercise Will Help Kids Do Better in School?

“Think physical activity is just good for the body? Turns out exercise can help youngsters do better in school too,” declares a headline on Time.com’s Healthland about a recent study published by the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.

Well, duh. Read more