jog – Jenna Jamieson, Author

A walk, jog, walk/jog kind of day with a 5k finish!

By Jenna Jamieson | July 7, 2014 | Comments 0 Comment

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to post about this week because I hadn’t given it too much thought, but after doing several walks and jogs with my boyfriend over the weekend I thought I would do an entry inspired by him. He does more running than me because truthfully I don’t really like running unless it is on outdoor trails in nature in the middle of nowhere where I can clear my mind and soak up the sun in the woods! I guess I get that side from being an outdoor enthusiast and lover. Call me crazy, but something about being in nature on your own running provides some major freedom and relaxation. (For me, anyway!) Anyway, back to this week’s blog. We often go on walks together throughout the weekend, but we don’t typically do runs (because I don’t like them) and because we usually do our own workouts during the week and do less strenuous workouts during the weekend.

This weekend we were pressed for time, but still wanted to fit in some fitness, so we set out on our usual walking path and decided in order to meet our walking goal and finish by the time we needed to be done we would have to run at least part of it. I think it may have actually been my idea! I know that’s shocking since I just said I don’t like running! 😉 Maybe I hate running, but I just love fitness! That was on Saturday, but we set out for another walk on Sunday afternoon. Not nearly as cool as the Saturday evening walk/jog and basically no breeze to counteract the heat so we decided we better run at least part of it again. We started out walking, but he suggested we run to beat the heat to get back to the house faster. It was his idea this time to run, which was fine. It didn’t seem so bad since we had just done it the night before. This time not only did we run much more than the previous night, but we also managed to run almost the entire time. We weren’t really trying to run the entire time, but it was pretty warm and then I had to go pee, so I wanted to get back. You’re probably thinking what’s the point of telling you all this, right?! Well, the point is that someone that is as much of a wellness, nutrition, and fitness enthusiast as myself still doesn’t find much pleasure in running because I consider myself a cross trainer and much prefer cross training and interval exercising. I think this could become a trend for us because we actually enjoyed it and while it wasn’t my “typical” crossing training, it did have a cross training like feel because we walked and jogged. Walking and jogging in intervals has actually been proven in many studies to be as good and in some cases better than just running or jogging.

I think this is a great example where starting something new that may not seem that appealing (like running, in my mind) may turn out to be a new hobby or a fresh start to a small workout that can be enjoyable and quick. You might start off hating running (like me) and then gradually decide it’s not so bad. In my case, I am sure it didn’t hurt having my boyfriend beside me since I know he enjoys running so it is something I can do with him to enjoy time together. He loves 5ks and is much better than I would be at them because I don’t find pleasure in running nor do I enjoy competitions against others. I LOVE competing against myself, but with others in a crowded atmosphere on roads or in cities has no appeal to me at all.

The flipside to 5k competition runs is this: My boyfriend and I eventually plan on doing a “fun” 5k together such as a color or graffiti run, glow run, zombie run, warrior dash, mud run, cupcake run, or something of the sort. I would like to do a graffiti run, but obstacle course and fun 5k runs are perfect mergers for beginner runners, those who don’t love to run, or even cross trainers because they often are “stop and go” runs meaning you run for a short period and then stop to do the obstacle or color/graffiti at stations along the way.

Happy walking, jogging, and walking/jogging. Remember a 5k can be a fun finish or a fun goal to work towards even if you don’t run the entire thing. After all, life is about having fun AND making a few healthy choices that are fitness, nutrition, and wellness related! 🙂

~jj

Extra steps…make the most of your day!

By Jenna Jamieson | June 3, 2014 | Comments 0 Comment

I was visiting Chicago over the weekend and one thing I love about being in the city is all the walking that it allows. I also learned that they have a new bike program in which the city has biking stations all over the city. For example, you can pick up a bike at Navy Pier and ride it for a half hour and get to where you need to go and then turn it in and hop on another bike for your ride to the bus station or wherever your next stop may be. For a relatively cheap membership, you can utilize this biking program. Point being, that the city helps make biking and walking two great forms of exercise! So, consider biking or walking to work or when you have errands to run (if this is an option that might work for you)! I know that many of us are not fortunate enough to do either as we live too far outside of town or it is unsafe to do so, but if by chance you can bike or walk to work, try it! It doesn’t mean you have to do it everyday, start with once or twice a week and see how you like it! It’s a great way to get in your workout since schedules tend to be busy and time seems to be scarce during the week!

Another great way that my boyfriend and I get extra steps when we are vacationing is to use the stairs when we are in hotels. Rather than using the elevators, we use the stairs to get extra steps into our day. I suggest you do the same. You can also use the stairs at work and any other stairs you encounter throughout your day. Other quick ways to get your steps in that may seem out of the ordinary are walking to the mailbox to get your mail rather than pulling up to it in your car, jogging in place or doing some type of exercise when you are pumping gas, and not parking close to the store doors so you can walk farther.

While I realize that exercise and vacation don’t tend to be two things we associate together or two things we like to put in the same sentence, I am not suggesting that you hop on the treadmill or do a run, but that you allow yourself to utilize the quick and easy exercises that might be at your fingertips. Often times vacationing means extra calories because we eat foods with higher calories, splurge and have dessert, or even just eat more than we might usually. Meals tend to be less structured as lend to less healthy choices. Hence, it is important to consider quick steps you can get during the day to help counteract the extra calories being consumed. While I realize that a break from working out is a great way to refresh and revitalize your body and mood, exercising on the beach such as beach yoga and beach jogs can also be rejuvenating and relaxing. Next time you think about your day – vacation or at home – think about the things you can do to make the most of your routine and day! You may be surprised at how many extra steps and exercises you can fit into your day without much thought or change.

~jj