Peanut Butter Protein Balls

I am a huge fan of peanut butter protein balls as a recovery snack.  Take a look at a great recipe from the "Carrots 'N' Cake" blog.

More Motivation

Jeff Galloway provides some additional tips to keeping yourself motivated in running and other fitness activities.

Heading out for some travel, so taking a break from posting.

Race Running Programs

If you are preparing for a coming race, chances are there are some tools available to assist you.

I'm always amazed the resources race events make available to their participants to help them improve their experience.  This post from the "The Runner Dude's Blog" offers examples of some of the tools available to race participants. 

Most races will provide a training program for you to use, as well as "pacers" to run with to help you stay on track during the race. Check the website of your event . . . or ask race officials what is available .

Motivation For Fitness

Getting yourself motivated can often be a challenge.

Jeff Galloway offers some great strategies for keeping yourself on track in this recent post.  By playing some "mental tricks" on yourself, you can stay motivated and enthusiastic about challenging yourself in your fitness endeavors.

Running Safe

Retelling situations where runners encountered unfortunate tragedies is not meant to scare people, but to educate them about "running safe".

This post from "Shut Up + Run" offers good strategic advice toward keeping yourself safe when you run alone.

Short On Training Days For A Race?

Sometimes distractions like holidays or work issues can put you behind in training for an upcoming event.

Check out this plan from the Carrots N Cake blog to get caught up for half marathon event.

Work And Travel Snacks

Looking for some easy work and travel snacks?

The Iowa Girl Eats blog provides some great direction on a list of 50 work-related snacks.  And a bonus is these snacks are gluten and sugar free.

Running In Extremes

Why do folks run in extreme conditions?

There are all kinds of "extreme" conditions in which you can run.  Whether it's hills, trails, heat, cold or snow - running in all of these conditions feature benefits.

Read this post from Shut Up + Run blog to learn how you can increase strength in certain muscles, better your mental outlook and other make other improvements by adjusting the conditions in which you run.

Fitness Trends

This article posted earlier this year in the Des Moines Register highlights some of the more popular fitness trends in 2016.

Take a look at the technology and unique fitness classes emerging to facilitate easier participation in an active lifestyle.

Lifting Weights

There are tremendous benefits to lifting weights.

Check out this article from the Tallahassee Democrat. The article provides great reasons why we should incorporate weights into our fitness routines.  The article also includes a video on doing a "dead lift" workout.

Missing A Workout

Let's face it - life happens. You will miss a workout at times. 

There really is no specific reason why you might miss workout, but there are family and work issues that are typically the biggest culprits. 

Check out this article from www.active.com.  It offers some perspective as to how to deal with missed workouts and how to handle the mental perspective attached to missing workout activities.

Quitting Smoking

I'm not going to get into why one should quit smoking. 

I'm assuming most who read this blog really aren't in need of tips to quit smoking, but in the event you are seeking inspiration, this article from the Des Moines Register could be helpful.

This article gives constructive tips as to how to approach a comprehensive plan for quitting smoking. 

Find Purpose In Yoga

Yoga is a great physical activity, but it is meant to be as much a mental as it as a physical activity.

Check out this post from the Jess Runs blog.  She talks about how her instructor asks her participants to "set an intention" at the beginning of class.  That's such a great habit!  Learn how the author makes good use of this practice. 

Push Pull Run Workout

Here's a challenging workout.

Try this workout that combines dumbbell exercises with running. It comes from the Carrots 'N Cake blog. 

Taking Care Of Foot Pain

Having foot pain?

There's nothing worse than being a running or biking enthusiast and you develop foot pain.  Check out this post from www.sparkpeople.com.  Podiatrist Trevor Price has some tips for taking care of your foot injuries and getting you back on the road. 

If You're Serious About Triathlons

If you are really serious about triathlons, you might want to check out these items from www.active.com.

This post tells you about some equipment you can purchase to really speed up your bike time.  While these new wheels, aero bars, water systems, etc. are very cool; be warned - they are pricey too.  But check them out as they might be worth the investment.  

I'll be taking a break from blogging for a few weeks.  See you soon!

Bettering Your Walk Pace

I am not a walker, but many people are.

Not being a walker, I haven't really studied ways to increase your pace.  This post from Jeff Galloway offers some approaches to help you walk faster and increase your endurance. 

Galloway is an interesting fitness expert as he has made his walk/run approach to marathons very popular.

Viniyoga Helps Back Pain

Viniyoga can help your chronic back pain.

Learn more about how viniyoga or "gentle yoga" can help relief lower back pain.  The stretching motions are helpful to this issue according to this post from the Montgomery Advertiser.

Proteins, Carbs and Blood Sugar

I thought this dietary post about using proteins and carbs to balance blood sugar made sense.

From an overall dietary perspective, this post from the Des Moines Register is educational.

Using Meditation

Personally, I have not been a practitioner of meditation.

However, I know many people who practice yoga also practice meditation.  There are many benefits for the mind and body that come from meditation.  This post in the St. Cloud Times previews some of the positives that come from meditation.

Swimming Burns Calories

Swimming is a definite "calorie burner".

 Take a look at this post from www.active.com that outlines how many calories you can generally burn from an hour-long swimming workout.

Frozen Compared To Fresh

Consumers wandering the grocery aisles often wonder if "frozen" or "fresh" products are more healthy, particularly fruits and vegetables.

Dietitian Jenny Norgaard talks about how she gives the edge to "frozen" in this post in the Des Moines Register.  Find out why.