"Out-Of-The-Box" Exercise

Do you sometimes find yourself struggling for new exercise ideas?

You can check out this area of the www.sparkpeople.com website for inspiration and ideas. This area of the Sparkpeople community offers great new exercises to add to your routine. You can review exercises based on the areas of your body you want to work on.

The site includes demonstration videos as well. Give it a look.

Managing Potty Stops

Don't we all want less potty stops before our next event!

Well, take a look at this post from Gale Bernhardt on www.active.com.

This article offers several strategies to decrease the number of potty stops before and during an event. It also offers some helpful direction as to why we often urinate more frequently prior to a race event than normal.

Running A Marathon While Pregnant

Running a marathon while you're pregnant. Most women wouldn't make this connection. But Leah Newman would.

Leah is a good friend mine - as well as a dedicated mother and runner. After qualifying for Boston twice and not making the trip due to pregnancy -- twice. On the third time she qualified -- and was pregnant -- she decided to swing for the fences.

This article by Bryce Miller of the Des Moines Register profiles Leah's story.

Of course, this stirs quite a debate. Should you run a long distance while pregnant? Should you run a marathon while pregnant? Many women do. However, this is a very subjective decision. Most health experts agree you can run while pregnant without much risk IF you've been prior to your pregnancy.

You can take a look at these two posts and draw some of your own conclusions. This first one is from Jean Marie Butler at www.howtobefit.com.

The other is from www.pregnancy.org.

Either way, I'm proud of my friend Leah for pursuing her dream. I also know that she wouldn't have pursued it had she thought there was any risk involved.

Try A Tri Camp

Is it time for a "tri camp"?

This may be more for some of my more advanced readers as these camps are expensive. However, if this is something that may interest you, check out this post from www.active.com that lists a number of tri camps throughout the country.

I share this post for another reason, as you may want to research tri training programs that are more in your area. Numerous health clubs and YMCAs offer training and instruction for the triathlon event from experienced coaches. If you're thinking seriously about doing a triathlon event, it's well worth the investment to participate in one of these programs.

If nothing else, I promise that you will make some training friends for life!

Stairmaster Is Great Machine

Using a Stairmaster is a great cardio exercise.

I've found this to be a wonderful alternative to exercise that might be harder on your body like running.

There are a few forms of these type of products, but you can use the more traditional machine that actually features stairs or the machine with "up-and-down" movement of the legs. Start slow with speed and resistance. This can be a surprisingly difficult cardio exercise, so don't go out too fast!

Check out these posts for more information on using a Stairmaster machine from the Vancouver Province and www.ehow.com.

Food Addiction Tough To Kick

Food addiction is taken for granted.

While it can be tough to beat, there isn't often the stigma attached to this form of addiction as there would be drugs, alcohol or smoking. Therefore, it is more often ignored as a risk to personal health. However, I'm here to tell you that with the onset of the new health care program, I have a feeling more attention will be drawn to how unhealthy obesity is.

First Lady Michelle Obama will soon be dedicating herself toward fighting youth obesity. As a result, there may soon be the same stigma attached to food addiction.

Check out this post from Jonny Bowden at www.thatsfit.com about fighting food addiction -- http://ow.ly/1CR9U. It's an interesting read and has some very common-sense strategies to help folks with this problem.

Even people who aren't necessarily addicted to eating, but are looking for ways to curb their eating habits will benefit from this post.

Common Food Myths

Here are some common food myths debunked.

Most of them you may already know, but it's never a bad idea to be reminded of the truth as it relates to these myths.

Check this www.sparkpeople.com post from Nicole Nichols to get the facts straight.

Kicking It Up With Kosama

One of my good workout friends was telling me about a new form of exercise that's sweeping the countryside. It's called Kosama.

My friend was so enamored with this program that combines yoga, core strengthening and kick boxing, she applied for a job to manage one of the new facilities opening in our community.

Check out this article from Patt Johnson of the Des Moines Register to learn more about this exciting new workout.

A variety of these types of fitness programs are creeping up everywhere. These are some great ways to get into shape. Use caution, however. Starting out in one of these intense programs without having prepared is an invitation to injury. Media hype, like that seen in "Biggest Loser" have led to these programs becoming very popular, so it's important not to allow yourself to go overboard.

Try The Rowing Machine

Looking for a different aerobic activity? Give the rowing machine a try.

Sometimes it's a little too warm or humid for our tastes to enjoy a run outdoors. There are times when you only have 30 to 45 minutes to get a quick aerobic workout accomplished. These present perfect opportunities to give the rowing machine a shot.

It's a solid upper and lower body workout with as vigorous of a level of aerobic output as you wish. It's also pretty low impact, but be careful if you're recovering from a knee injury. The consistent bend in on the exercise can push the knees a bit.

Check out this post from www.buzzle.com on the benefits of rowing machine workouts . This post from www.essortment.com offers some tips to help you get started with a workout on the rowing machine.

Rowing can be a great exercise.

The Six Grossest Things About Running

We take ourselves pretty seriously.

Yes, many of us who are committed to a healthy lifestyle are pretty serious about that -- sometimes TOO serious. With that in mind, I try to share a bit of humor from time to time. This take from Sasha Brown-Worsham was originally posted at Fit Pregnancy, but was also posted here at www.active.com.

"Snotty noses", "Runners' trots", etc. It's all here - read about it and laugh a little!

Have You Tried An Elliptical?

The elliptical trainer is a GREAT tool for fitness.

You need to check it out. An elliptical trainer is ideal for folks just getting started on a cardiovascular program. It’s also perfect for runners who are recovering from injury.

While the weather is nice, maybe the elliptical trainer isn’t the best option for everyone. However, having struggled with knee injuries, it can be a great alternative exercise to running.

Most of them have set programs you can run, so they are easy to use. Check it out the next time you visit the gym.

Tuning Up Your Bike

Chances are you have already taken your bike into the local bike shop to get your annual "spring tune-up".

I know I always take my bike in to ensure against any problems. However, I caught this post on www.sparkpeople.com that highlights seven steps to keeping your bike in tip-top riding condition. Check out this post from certified trainer Glenn Kent, Ph.D.

While some of the common-sense "check the brakes", "check the cables"-type tips are suggested here, it's a good checklist for maintaining a safe ride throughout the season.

Additionally, even though you may have recently had your bike into the shop for its yearly tune-up, keep this checklist handy. You may find it very helpful to refer back to in advance of your next major riding event.

Introduction To Tai Chi

I recently ran across an article about Tai Chi and thought it might be worth sharing information with you about this practice.

This article from www.motherearthnews.com offers a pretty detailed explanation of the origin, practices and benefits of Tai Chi.

If you are a fan of yoga, this is a great form of exercise with its low-impact moves and links to spirituality. There are a variety of other benefits, including improved balance, circulation and breathing. It can also provide for a tremendous release of stress and negative energy.

Check it out!

Health Tips For Serious Runners

This information came a bit out of the blue to me, but I thought it was worth passing along.

The post comes from Suzane Smith and her X-Ray Technicians Schools blog. A bit of an odd location for serious running tips, but check it out -- http://ow.ly/1tnH1.

Some of these tips will seem overly obvious or even a bit odd to many serious runners, but there are several valid pieces of information here. The post also features links to the source for each tip, which leads you to some really interesing places.

Want To Sleep Smarter?

We take sleep for granted so often. You can't underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep.

Check out this post from www.sparkpeople.com. There is a video, a quiz and links to other articles geared toward making you a smarter sleeper.

Take note, a good night's sleep is just as important as any workout you'll ever do!