Reasons Not To Exercise

Reasons not to exercise?

I'm not usually talking against working out. And I'm not going to start. However, this piece from the EverymanTRI.com makes some arguments against fitness . . . in a playful way.

Check it out . . . some great information about the benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Variety In Your Workouts

Vincent Morris has an interesting way to determine what exercise he will do each day.

Inspired by his days of playing Dungeons and Dragons, he rolls a 20-sided die with 20different exercises labeled on it to determine what form of workout he will do each day.

According to recent article by Jen Murphy in the Wall Street Journal, Morris says it forces him to have variety in his routine and makes the die "the bad guy."

He leads a life of fairly sedentary work in his role as communications director for the Senate Commerce Committee.

Using this form of fitness activity selection forces him to have variety in his routine and do things he enjoys.

Purchasing A Bike

As we get closer to fall, you might be looking for some deals on a new bike.

It's a good time to look for a new bike as retailers are trying to get rid of old inventory to make room for the new.

Many dealers ar doing just that -- offering deals. So take advantage of that by taking a look at what's out there on the shelf.

Take a look at these tips from the Triathlon Training Notes blog for some pointers on how you can take advantage of a deal when you make your next bike purchase.

Just What You Wanted - Hill Repeat Workouts

Hills make you stronger.

I don't run hills as often and enthusiastically as I used to, but I still do them. They make you run stronger on a flat surface and help your core muscles.

Here are three hill-repeat workouts you can incorporate into your training from triathlete.com. Check them out - they are not for the faint-hearted.

If You Skip The Gym

We all lead busy lives, so missing a day's work at the gym I suspect is not an uncommon occurrence.

A post on the That's Fit blog offers some ideas for a quick workout you can do without the tools you generally seek at the gym.

Try these exercises, particularly if you're looking for some lower body and core fitness.

Building Mental Toughness

Successful participation in an endurance event requires as much mental training as physical training.

Ask anyone who's competed in marathons and they will confirm this advice. Additionally, today's winning athletes are beginning to understand that overcoming obstacles they face is simply a matter of adjusting their attitudes.

Creating a "mental strategy" with your training plan is important - do you have a mantra, like-minded training partners and other mental aids to help you in this process? Check out this post from the Frayed Laces blog and learn more about strategies you can use to help you develop your mental toughness.

A recent article in Newsweek also poses the benefits of honing your mental game in fitness endeavors.

Can't Decide On A Race

It's less than five weeks until the Des Moines Marathon.

I guess I'd better get my act together and decide if I'm going to run this race. Don't kid yourself . . . I'm not going to do the marathon, but the half-marathon is a definite possibility. I have certainly put enough miles in.

Have you ever faced the dilemma as to whether or not you think you should participate in an event or not? Quite honestly, there isn't any reason for me to turn down this race. I'm feeling good following my main goal of the year -- completion of the Hy-Vee Triathlon.

My feeling is if you can't find a good reason not to do an event, then why not?

Post your comments. I'm interested to know the decision making process people use to determine whether or not to do an event.