Spring/summer is a great time to fall in love with running. Running is an incredibly amazing exercise.  It trims and tightens, leads to a very healthy heart, and is great for working out stress.  Not to mention that it is just so simple; throw on shorts, a tank, running shoes, and head out the door. Despite all of the benefits it can seem like the most boring activity ever. Right!?

I used to really dislike running.  As in if I ran …

There’s a little film out right now called “Black Swan,” with Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. You miiiiiiiiiight have heard of it. It’s getting some well-deserved (in my opinion!) attention right now.

Saw the movie. Loved it. It scared the crap out of me. But that’s beside the point, as this post is not a movie review. The movie itself is based on the ballet world, which is awesome, because ballet hasn’t gotten this attention since Center Stage came out over …

So I know I’m not the only one out there with a lifelong aversion to exercise… right?

I’m often asked how I manage to stay healthy with all of the baking and cooking I do. To be honest, I haven’t managed very well at all. Like many, weight has always been a big source of insecurity for me, and coupled with the fact that I have never been able to find a way to exercise that I enjoyed, I’ve been feeling …

We finally went and did it.  We purchased a Wii.  And Dance Dance Revolution.

I hate to work out.  However, there is documented evidence, embarrassing though it may be, that I like playing Dance Dance Revolution.

{me on the left, circa 2004 – notice ugly jeans}

So, in the hopes that I will get off of the couch each day and move (and, by the way, the game assures me that NO ONE moves better than I do), I began the Dance Dance …

Just about 11 months ago now, I made the decision to come out of the fat kid closet* and own up to having lost a massive amount of weight. It was a major move for me. I found incredible strength and support in sharing my journey with an incredibly loving online community and, in turn, great motivation to keep moving forward toward my weight and fitness goals as I approached our July wedding. To this day, I think opening up …

In the 14 months that I’ve been married, I’ve gained approximately ten pounds–and no, I am not pregnant. I attribute the weight to eating poorly for the five months that my husband was deployed. He is the primary cook in our household, and when he was away I survived (quite happily) on cereal, peanut butter and honey on toast and pints of Ben & Jerry’s. I blame the gain on my laziness in the kitchen combined with my tendency towards …

First came Part 1: attire, then came Part 2: timing and tunes, and now for the final installation of this newbie runner’s toolbox. Nutrition and training programs. Ugh-the not-so-fun stuff.

My other posts would be helpful for newbie runners tackling any distance [the 5k, 10k, half and full marathons] since everyone can use fun new clothes/shoes, tunes, and a timing system. But this one is going to be more for the longer distances: 13.1 and 26.2 milers require focused nutrition before, …

Part one found here.

Part two = Tunes and Timing

A. Tunes

One of the most intense debates in the running world is whether or not to run with music. I know the prospect of running without an MP3 player to those of you who can’t leave home without it might seem awful. The problem is that most half and full marathons forbid the use of music because they believe it can distract the runner, and potentially lead to an accident if you …

I recently read an article on MSN Health which discussed the best time of day to eat, sleep, exercise, and even have surgery.

It can be found here: The Best Time of Day to Exercise, Take Vitamins,and More Health Moves

The article discusses our natural body rhythms and how we can use them to our advantage. I found it very interesting because I certainly notice ups and downs throughout my day. I am not generally a morning coffee drinker because I am …

{source}

Yesterday at the gym I saw a woman wearing Crocs and cargo pants on the treadmill. I am slightly more, um, traditional when it comes to workout apparel–though perhaps no less passionate than my Crocs-loving friend. So I thought I’d share some of my essentials!

Countless hours logged on the elliptical and in the spinning studio have me hooked on Lululemon Athletica. I’ve been wearing their stuff for about eight years, and I have pieces that old that still look as …