Author: emjhc
Research has long supported the benefits of exercise, from weight control to reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and even cancer. Regular workouts strengthen your bones and muscles, increase your flexibility, and help you stay active and mobile as you age, helping you live longer. Exercise’s effect on mental health and mood is no exception—it’s as effective in treating minor depression as therapy and prescription drugs. The mood-enhancing benefits apply for everyone. Here are 10 ways: 1. Exercise can help you think more clearly and make better decisions Exercise activates a part of your brain called…
If you’re one of the 31 million Americans suffering from an aching back, consider yoga for back pain (in addition to seeing your doc). An Archives of Internal Medicine study found that the ancient practice alleviates chronic lower-back pain. Here, my favorite poses to help ease the ouch. Buh-bye, back problems. Yoga for Back Pain: Static Back This pose uses gravity to put your hip and trunk on the same plane, which helps your lower back. Lie down on your back with your arms relaxed at your sides and the backs of your knees resting on a cushion or couch that enables…
Setting: Sunday brunch. You just finished a long run and your best friend walks towards you straight from her favorite yoga class. You are exhausted and ready for a nap, but she looks fresh and almost glowing. “Please come and do yoga with me,” she says. Your Answer? “No. I can’t do yoga. I’m not flexible.” This is a typical reaction of a reactionary runner. We can run for hours, but the thought of wasting precious time on Downward Dog can be frightening and potentially maddening. (How do you even get your heels on the ground in this pose?!)…
There comes a point in every runner’s life when “Running is fun” becomes “I wonder if I could go harder, better, faster, stronger…” And while there are many ways to get faster, run longer, and train smarter—books and the internet and run clubs, oh my—one of the best ways is to enlist a running coach to help you reach your goals. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to finding and working with a running coach. First, ask yourself what you hope to get out of working with a coach. “Before you start looking for a coach, you need…
There was a time in history when women didn’t run. (“Don’t run,” they said, “your ovaries will fall out.” Um, okay.) Things changed in 1967 when Katherine Switzer became the first woman to officially participate in the Boston Marathon. Women actually rule the world now. According to Running USA, in 2015, 57% of all road race participants were women. (In 1990 it was only 25%.) And as more women lace up their running shoes, the industry, especially the road racing industry, is responding. Women-only races such as the popular Nike Her Women’s Half Marathon Series, New York Road Runners…
You are ready to invest in your training and achieve your goals. Avoid race day mistakes that can ruin the glorious finishing moment you’ve long dreamed of. 1. Overcommitting yourself when choosing your clothing. The phrase “There’s nothing new on race day” is often repeated and for good reason. Stick to what you know! Don’t get caught up in what other people are doing. Make a plan and stick to it. Wear your trained gear, eat your usual pre-race breakfast, and run at your trained pace. 2. Forgetting to charge your electronic devices This GPS watch will be useless…
Feel like you’re in a funk? Blame it on the time of year. As many as 20 percent of Americans suffer from some form of winter blues (so nope, you’re definitely not alone). Here are five ways the gloomy weather messes with your spirits. You Feel Down. Fewer hours of sunlight means it’s entirely possible that you wake up before the sun rises and leave work when the sun has already set. Talk about a buzzkill. There’s a reason all the darkness gets you down: Light has the ability to fire up your brain’s serotonin levels, just like an antidepressant…
One minute you’re happily zooming along, delivering killer presentations at work, letting loose at girls’ night out. Heck, you’re even loving the butt-kicking new boot camp class you just started. Things are good. And then, suddenly, bam: You feel stuck. Your job is the same old same old day after day. The weekends are a laundry list of chores and obligations. You have to force yourself to do your workout, and every minute of It is a slog. Don’t despair. We’ve got the ultimate guide to busting your six biggest ruts and firing up your mojo. Read on and recharge!…
All your friends are doing it — just check out the brag shots on their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram accounts. Want in? Whether it’s a 5K, 10K, or half-marathon, we have a plan to get you through the finish line strong. We promise that you’ll soon be boasting about your medals, too. Why you should try it: Running can provide the impetus for a healthier lifestyle or help you overcome a training plateau. “Incorporating a 5K race into your calendar is a great motivational tool. He’ll see a big change in his level of fitness in just over a month,”…
The Importance of Cross-Training “A runner needs to cross train to keep their body in balance,” says Leanne Kemp, who has run two marathons and several other distance races. “I discovered my love for hiking when we moved to southern Utah. My running has improved greatly because I hike. Hiking allows your body to take a break from the pounding, and build up strength and endurance. I get the same high when I get to the top of a mountain as I do when I get to the end of a race.” Push Through It “My husband is an…