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Don’t Let the Cold Weather Derail Your Fitness Routine

We are in the middle of a major winter storm. When all is said in done we will be buried under 10-12 inches of snow. That’s on top of the 7 inches we were socked with last week. Then, there’s the bitterly cold tempeatures (we didn’t get above 20 degrees last week) and the dangerously frigid wind chills. It’s a wonder how gyms in Wisconsin sustain themselves during the winter months. I could easily ditch my exercise routine and chock it up to Old Man Winter, but I have that darn marathon I committed to running, so I don’t have … Continue reading →

How to Make Workouts a Priority During the Holiday Season

If the season’s ho, ho, ho and mistletoe has thrown off your fitness routine you are not alone. Millions of gym goers take a break from exercising during the holidays, much to the chagrin of health experts who maintain that fitness should be a priority regardless of how busy you are. Fitness gurus say we should all be making time in our day for exercise, especially during the hectic holiday period. Experts say maintaining a workout schedule is even more important this time of year because most of us tend to eat more than usual. As such, doctors recommend not … Continue reading →

Don’t Let the Holidays Ruin Your Fitness Routine

With less than three weeks until Christmas you have two choices: A.) Give up on your regular exercise routine or B.) Stay the course and enter 2009 ahead of your New Year’s resolutions. You’re busy, you’re stressed, and it’s freezing outside… so why not go with B and take a break from your exercise routine until after New Year’s Day? Two words: Unwanted POUNDS. While it’s easy to put your fitness regime on the back burner during the holiday season, by slacking off now you’ll find it will be harder to get back on track once 2009 rolls around. Think … Continue reading →

Finding Time to Workout During the Holiday Season

It may be the happiest time of the year, but the holiday season is also one of the busiest. With a Christmas shopping list a mile long, not to mention menu planning, party hopping, and gift wrapping, it’s easy to skip regular exercise sessions. Ironically, finding time to squeeze in a workout can actually help you better cope with the stress of the season. The key is time management and making fitness a priority. Here are some tips to help you stay fit during the holiday madness: Make It a Family Affair. Most kids begin winter recess by mid-December. Get … Continue reading →

How Your Cellphone Can Improve Your Fitness Routine

Good news for cellphone addicts, according to researchers at the University of Washington, your mobile device may soon be able to help you maintain your exercise routine. Scientists at the University of Washington have teamed up with designers from Intel to create a new cellphone application, dubbed UbiFit. The new program automatically tracks workouts by displaying motivational pictures on the phone’s background screen that change the more you exercise. At the beginning of the week UbiFit displays an empty lawn, but as the week progresses and the user works out flowers grow and the display becomes more elaborate. Different kinds … Continue reading →

Keeping a Workout Journal

When I first started a workout routine that included weightlifting and running (nearly 20 years ago) I kept a journal to keep track of what exercises I was supposed to do on a particular day. After a while my routine became second nature and I stopped journaling. Recently, though, I’ve been hearing more and more trainers recommend that athletes continue keeping a workout diary regardless of whether or not they have memorized a set routine. The reason: Keeping a journal helps you recognize improvements. For example, if you started a training program that includes running you would track the number … Continue reading →

Creating a Fitness Routine that Works for You

Fall is fast approaching. You can tell by the slight nip in the air, the myriad of school buses on city streets and the huge banners flying high outside of practically every gym in town offering huge discounts to new members. Along with January (can you say New Year’s resolution?) September is the month gym owners say they see the most visitors. With summer coming to a close and the new school year beginning many people are motivated to jump start or return to a regular fitness routine. If you have been holding off on starting a new exercise program … Continue reading →

Creating a Challenging Workout Routine

Now that I am training for another marathon I am back to running 30-36 miles per week. However, I could (and should) be running more miles per day in less time. That’s my challenge for the fall and winter (the marathon is next spring). The author of the training guide that I followed for my previous marathons is quick to point out that challenging yourself is extremely motivating. He’s right. After all, anyone who exercises on a regular basis knows when a routine is too easy. The challenge comes in pushing yourself to the next level instead of being satisfied … Continue reading →

Swimming Lessons Day 1

We just finished our first week of swimming lessons. at the Rockwall YMCA. We opted to go every day for two weeks. Classes are Monday through Thursday. It takes a lot of planning to take two small children through different activities that last all day long. On Monday I thought I really had everything together because I packed most of it the night before. We left the house a little later than I wanted, which happens all too often. I had never seen that many cars in the parking lot before. I was lucky to find a place to park. … Continue reading →

Getting Fit by Playing Tennis

Who says a challenging fitness routine has to be all work and no play? If you are looking to trim down and tone up, then consider grabbing a tennis racket and hitting the courts. The popular sport is back in the spotlight, now that the summer season is fast approaching. Tennis requires endurance and agility, and does wonders for a person’s physique. In addition, it is a fantastic way to spend time with a pal or fitness partner of either sex. FAT BURNER It’s hard to be effective on the court when you are toting around a spare tire. By … Continue reading →