Exercise Boosts Brain Power

According to a recent story published in the Wall Street Journal, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows exercise helps memory.

The study results show that aerobic exercise may help improve memory for older people.

I can't make this up. Check out the article for yourself and learn about this new medical information and how it may benefit you.

Ways To Improve Pedaling Technique

We're all looking for ways to improve our cycling performance.

Try these tricks from Gale Bernhardt at www.active.com. Isolated pedaling exercises help us strengthen our over cycling performance.

Often, we find these exercises boring, but look at these drills as a break from the typical intervals or lactate threshold type work we normally do on our bikes.

Check Out This Diet/Weight Loss Site

Looking for a resource on diet and weight loss?

Check out this new Diet and Weight Loss blog from the publisher of the Carrots 'N' Cake blog. It's a great resource for information on a variety diets, weight loss tips and exercise advice.

Tina Haupert, the author of this blog, does a great job of keeping content up to date on her sites, so make sure to go back more than once.

Intervals, Rock Climbing And A Recipe

This MarathonMaiden's blog had some useful information.

First, there's a great interval workout. It's fast, but you get the point. This is a reminder that it's getting to be time to think about more interval and tempo workouts as part of your routine. If you're training for an event this summer, this something to be considering.

Next, she discusses rock climbing. If you're looking for a great total body workout alternative, rock climbing is a blast. Try your hand on nearby rock climbing wall. Numerous workout facilities offer rock climbing walls as an option.

Finally, this post features a pretty awesome recipe for chocolate caramel saltines. Give it a shot.

Work Around House For Fitness

Looking to stay fit? Look no further than your walls, your garage or your yard.

Based on a recent article in the Chicago Sun-Times, an American Medical Association study shows that common household chores can have the same benefit of 30 to 60 minutes of exercise.

If your walls need painting, your garage needs cleaning or your yard nees mowing; then you may have found the next source of fitness in your life.

Using Nutrition Bars

Do you enjoy consuming energy or nutrition bars? Then you should read this.

Selene Yeager of Bicycling magazine recently published this post on some of the "dos and don'ts" on these bars. I found it to be fairly informative.

Take a look at the label of the product you choose. Make sure it contains the "nutrition" you're seeking. These bars also are known to have a lot of calories - which is okay if you're burning a lot of calories.

Take a look to learn which product might best suit your needs. Remember to take the same issues into consideration with the nutritional drinks you choose as well.

How's That New Year's Resolution?

So about a third of the year is complete - how's the "New Year's Resolution" plan working for you?

Perhaps it's time to take another look at how you've progressed . . . or have not progressed. This post from the www.sparkpeople.com Daily Spark blog provides some great direction on reassessing your plan that you made several months ago.

The true fact is that sometimes we "over plan". Perhaps our dietary goals were unrealistic - you've lost weight, but perhaps not what you planned. Or maybe you're not able to run five miles yet. Perhaps you had a major life change and things just haven't worked out at all like you planned.

Now is a great time to use the tools suggested in this post to get yourself back on track. Vince Lombardi said something that's always stuck with me and it applies here - “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”

Yoga Has Many Health Applications

You have probably realized how popular the practice of yoga has become.

While yoga is often perceived to be reserved for a limited number of meditative types, it has truly grown beyond comparison. It's probably safe to say yoga is definitely considered a "mainstream" fitness activity these days.

The popularity of yoga no doubt can be attributed to the many health values it holds. Weight loss, reduced stress and increased strength are just a few of the health benefits documented in a recent HealthDay News article regarding yoga.

Check out this article to learn more about yoga's popularity and how it can help you adapt to a healthier lifestyle.

Guru Dynamic Fit

Here's something new to check out when fitting yourself for a bike.

This article from Sara Cox Landolt of Active.com shows how to use the Guru Bikes Dynamic Fit Unit. The article also highlights some rationale for proper bike fit.

This is the time of year we tend to bike shop, so make sure to get the proper fit before you buy!

Has Training "Eaten Your Marriage"?

Maybe the question in the headline is a little drastic.

However, the question merits some thought. Are you working out to a point that infringes upon your spouse and/or other family members?

I found Kevin Helliker's recent article in the Wall Street Journal very thought-provoking. Granted, most of the folks included in this article take things a bit to the extreme, I know I've been told I'm a bit extreme as well.

Success in fitness is critical, but it's important to remember the people and items that really matter in life.

Eat What You Need

Do you eat what you need or do you eat just to eat?

Eating to satisfy hunger is fine, but stop then. This is the general point of the advice offered in this post from the I Have Run blog.

Most often, we gain weight because we eat to eat and don't stop when we've eaten enough. We don't practice "portion control". Plus, we don't use healthy snacks to help us get through "hunger cravings" until the next meal.

Check out this post and learn more common-sense strategies that will help you address these issues and be more effective in your efforts to trim pounds.

Add Some Fun To Your Workouts

I know we work out to be healthy, but do you ever try to visit some "greasy spoon" or "coffee bar" after a run or bike ride?

This post from the Shut Up and Run blog helps remind us to participate in this exercise on occasion. Certainly all of us know of a great breakfast or lunch joint where literally no healthy options exist. This is the kind of place I'm talking about.

Personally, I love stopping in Adel, Iowa along the bike trail for a bit of breakfast. Heading there and back is perfect for a nice 30 to 40-mile bike ride that features breakfast in between. The biscuits and gravy cannot be beat at The Waveland in Des Moines. With locations in the city or way out west, you have two options for a hearty meal during or after a run or bike ride.

So take some time to enjoy a good meal along with your run or bike ride. You burn off quite a few carbs and calories, so why not imbibe in some afterward.

Join A Local Swim Program

Most folks considering the "triathlon plunge" have the most concern about the swim segment of the event.

This isn't surprising given most of us are comfortable running or biking, but many of us haven't spent a lot of time in the water. According to this article from Everymantri.com, a local swim training program can be the best solution for learning better technique and improving times.

By connecting with coaching and other athletes, you can learn a variety of swimming strategies that will help you improve. Swimming is a lonely sport, so regularly getting together with a coach and other athletes offers camaraderie and accountability.

You might find an event or two through a local training program that will offer you the confidence in your swimming ability you need before taking to the open water of a triathlon event.