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Staying Fit in Space

Have you seen the movie “Space Buddies?” The Disney flick follows five puppies as they wander onto a space shuttle and are “accidentally” shot into orbit. After the dogs blast off they hook up with a Russian cosmonaut who has been in space for a very long time. He doesn’t say exactly how long he’s been in orbit, but from the looks of his long beard, unruly hair and skinny body, it’s been a while. I thought about the movie’s cosmonaut while reading a new NASA-sponsored study, which suggests that changes are needed to improve the in-flight exercise regimen of … Continue reading →

Weight Loss: What Is Your BMI?

I had not heard of BMI or body mass index until about 10 or so years ago. Before that I just went by the height/weight charts that the doctor used. Now, not only do we have to worry about our numbers in weight, clothing size numbers, and the measuring tape reality, we also have to contend with falling into a healthy BMI range. BMI, or body mass index, is the measurement that gauges the relation of your height to your weight. This measurement will determine your “fatness” factor and let you know if you are in a healthy range. This … Continue reading →

Optimal Metabolism

To help you lose weight you need to rev up your metabolism and give it that extra heave-ho. You have tried to consume fewer calories and exercise more and those are both great things to do and highly essential in the weight loss battle, but you feel like you are missing the mark somehow. As you get older your metabolism slows down, especially around the mid to late 30s mark. Losing weight becomes tougher. To help you in the weight loss adventure there are some great metabolism boosters to keep in mind that will help you to get those pounds … Continue reading →

Getting Fit: Anyone Can Do It!

It is Never Impossible Does getting physically fit seem like an insurmountable task to you? Never say never. It can be done no matter how out of shape you are or how old you are. It takes hard work and a strong will to accomplish, but you have that don’t you? Of course, the more out of shape you are the harder and longer you will have to work on it, but it is possible at any age. Meet Morjorie Newlin (1920-2008) Amazing, absolutely amazing! That was my first reaction when I came across the story of this strong-willed great-grandmother … Continue reading →

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 →

The Best Part of Marathon Training: Tapering

With just over a week to go until the Honolulu Marathon, several of my close friends are entering my favorite part of marathon training—-tapering. In just a few short days my childhood friends will join about 25,000 other runners from around the world to participate in one of the largest marathons in the universe. To prepare for the 26.2-mile trek my friends have been diligently training for months and today marks the last of their major workouts. Let the tapering begin. Studies show that it is now too late for any of them to build up more endurance or speed. … Continue reading →

Looking for a Treadmill this Christmas?

If so, then you know it’s not as easy as banging out a letter to Santa and waking up to a PaceMaster Platinum Pro VR under the Christmas tree. Unless you are getting the exact replica of the treadmill you run on at the gym everyday, then you really need to do your homework. Treadmills come in a variety of sizes and feature a wide range of price tags. In a previous blog I listed some of Consumer Reports top picks for fold-up treadmills. If you have the space to accommodate a traditional nonfolding treadmill, fitness experts recommend you consider … Continue reading →