Wednesday, April 02, 2008

The Best New Sneakers

I decided to expand upon Shelah’s post and help you all find the best new sneakers!  Now some of us are lucky enough to be able to be custom fitted for sneakers, but some of us are on a significant budget and are unable to do so.  For those of you who are like me, here are some of the greatest sneakers for 2008.  Prices are actually dropping, and if you are even luckier, you may live near a sneaker outlet store, or you can find great sales.  So even though they may say that they are around $100 or so, you can find them significantly lower through the internet and store only sales.  So here goes:

Best Walking Sneaker - Saucony Grid Instep RT Saucony - only around $60!  Good for walkers of all speeds becaue they are lightweight and not clunky like other sneakers.  They are so comfortable that in a poll by people who wore them they almost “forgot” they had them on.  Sounds like a sneaker for me!

Best For Distance - Saucony ProGrid Guide - $90 - Great for runners training for a 10K or in our case a couch to 5K run.  Feels supportive but doesn’t weight you down

Best for Stability - Asics GT-2130 - $95 - Asics America - These are great for runners whose feet roll in too much, or any runner who likes extra support. 

Best for Cushioning - Adidas Supernova Cushion 7 - $90 - Shop Adidas - Great for runners with a neutral stride.  Stays cushy even after several runs

Best for Speed - Mizuno Wave Elixir 3 - $100 - Mizuno USA - Also great for runners whose feet roll in a little too much, or those with a neutral stride.  This shoe seems to mold to the food creating a feeling as if you are running barefoot.  It weighs 2 ounces less than other running shoes. 

Best for Crosstraining - Asics Gel-Kayano Trainer - $80 - Great for working in a gym, lifting weights, getting on the treadmill, and then using other cardio machines. 

Best for Fitness Classes - Nike Shox Electro - $105 - Nike Store - Great for those looking to punish themselves with high energy fitness classes or highly choreographed workouts.  It is very flexible and moves with you. 

Hope this narrows down the kind of sneakers that may be best for you!!  *These top sneakers are brought to you by Shape Magazine where they were researched thoroughly out of many many sneakers*

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

*Insert whining here*

I hate whining. I really do. But in this case, I just can’t help it. WAAHHHH!

I have been working from an updated version of the couch 2 5k workout. Updated by me because I was bored stiff by the original. I run/walk 4 times per week on my treadmill while I watch The View. I have been doing great. My run portions of the workout were going very well. I felt great. Sweat my ass off but still able to function etc. By my workout on Wednesday, I was flying.

Saturday morning, I woke up to a beautiful blue sky. Light breeze blowing. It was a picture perfect day. So, I decided to take my workout outside. I put on my shoes, my comfiest clothing, grabbed the mp3 player and my pedometer.  I knew when I walked, when I ran in my workout, but I didn’t know how far it was around my block. That was the only thing that I would need to figure out during my workout.

I step outside. I stretch. I kick on the tunes and proceed with the warm up walk. This puts me on the back side of my block. I am feeling great. Song one over, ready for the first part of my run. Turnthe first corner and whammo, not a beautiful breeze but WIND. Ohhh didn’t account for that. I also didn’t account for the humid air that weighs 500 pounds or the sun baking down on my body while I worked. By run section #2, I was in serious trouble. Breathing hard, leg cramps, sweat pouring down my face.

I am no quitter though. I just adjusted. Cut my runs down a bit. Did them more frequent though. I had a goal. By the time I reached my driveway for my finish, I could barely breathe. I was huffing and puffing so hard that my hub was worried about me. I paced my pool deck while cooling down. Drank some water. Caught my breath. WOW. I felt tired in the end but very happy that I completed my entire workout despite the conditions.

As I type this entry, it’s Monday. (Yes, I know when you read it, it will be Tuesday) I still can barely walk. Both of my legs from ankle to hip hurt like a bitch. I think I may possibly be experiencing shin splints. It’s not joint pain. I have decided that. It’s muscle. So, I am popping Motrin like they are candy in an effort to function. I skipped my workout today and feel guilty as hell about it but I hurt so damn bad. *insert more whining here*

I can tell all of you who may be treadmill running, when you make the adjustment to the great outdoors, its a HUGE transition. Not the same at all. Start slowly. Don’t expect miracles and for god sake, stock up on Motrin. I am going to use my time that I have grounded myself to my desk chair to heal to figure out why this is so different. Post to follow. Right now, please pray for me, do voodoo over my crown, send me some love...do whatever you can to help make my legs function again. Please, I beg of you. Thank you in advance. Ciao.

Monday, March 31, 2008

7 Days To a Brand New You

I wish I could take credit for this article… but alas, I do not write for .  But I totally had to share it with you.  This is for the beginners who need to get on the right track - or for those of us who have gotten off the track and need to get back on

You look in the mirror one day and everything is wrong. Your hair, your teeth, your skin, your shape. Especially your shape.

So you write a long list, and you make a pact with yourself that tomorrow you’ll start a new whiz-bang weight-loss and life-changing plan. According to your calculations, you will be trim, taut and irresistible in three months.

Three weeks down the road, things are worse. What went wrong? Basically, you fell victim to the “END” (Everything Now Dilemma).

With END you have so much on your mind at once that you get confused, you forget a thing or two, you get rattled and then you give up. When you take one thing at a time, your chances for success get much better. Here’s a seven-step plan that will help you to take it day by day.

This is as simple as the days of the week because that’s how it works: seven days, seven steps. Each day you add one thing, so that by the end of the week you are juggling seven balls without dropping one. Here’s how:

Monday
Back to work or school. Resolve that all you will do differently today will be to make sure to eat two or more pieces of fresh fruit. Any time, any way.

Tuesday
Today you will set some goals. Plan where you would like to be by the end of the month, then the end of the year—both in your private and personal lives. Write these goals in your diary or stick them where you’ll see them.

Wednesday
Water day. Eat that fruit, keep your goals in mind and drink six or more glasses of water. Add variety with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Or sip on herbal tea if you prefer.

Thursday
Add in some exercise. Go for a (20- to 30-minute) walk. Walk in the park, around your neighborhood or head for the mall and do some fast-paced window shopping...but don’t forget the fruit, the water and to review your goals.

Friday
Fruit, walk, water, goals ... it’s getting easier. So this is the day you give your diet a spring cleaning. Eliminate foods that are not helping you stay trim and healthy. You know what they are.

Saturday
Pay day. Well done! You’re still drinking plenty of water, including fresh fruit in your diet, exercising, eating well and generally staying on track with your life. Spoil yourself with a special treat. Go on, you deserve it. Have some frozen yogurt for dessert, take in that new movie, or plan a weekend away.

Sunday
Traditionally a day of rest. And you can rest, too, since relaxation is key to maintaining control over your new healthy regimen. Take time to lie in a hammock and gaze at the clouds. Put on a facial mask, take a long, luxurious bubble bath, read a book or play with your pet.

Now that wasn’t so hard, was it? By the end of just one week you are happier, brighter, healthier and ready to keep going—because you know it takes just three weeks to create a habit. Except you will have created seven by then.

See why I love ?  They have the best articles as well as a great and healthy weight loss plan!