Tag: Run

You’ll only regret the workouts you don’t do!

You’ll only regret the workouts you don’t do!

We all have days when we feel unmotivated, don’t want to workout, feel lazy, want to take a nap, or just want to do other things, but on those days it is important to still do some type of workout, whether it be a short one or long one, cardio or yoga, or a quick run.  Sometimes thinking about my favorite person who inspires me such as an athlete is enough to motivate me!  If you are having one of those days, think twice before you skip your workout and remember all the positives of a great workout, including the reasons below!

     100 Reasons to Exercise Now (Courtesy of Pinterest)

  1. Because it makes you feel confident
  2. Because it helps you get stronger
  3. Because exercise helps combat depression
  4. Because you’ll feel proud of yourself
  5. Because you have goals you want to reach
  6. Because you’ll feel bad if you don’t
  7. Because you want to move forward, not backward
  8. Because it burns more calories than not working out
  9. Because it improves your heart health
  10. Because you want a great butt
  11. Because it prevents diabetes
  12. Because you want to be a good example to your kids
  13. Because you want to feel good in your clothes
  14. Because it reduces your risk of cancer
  15. Because your body was made to move
  16. Because you want to be an athlete
  17. Because you want to look better
  18. Because it lifts your mood
  19. Because you want to stand taller
  20. Because it reduces back pain
  21. Because it feels good
  22. Because it makes you feel accomplished
  23. Because you spend most of your day on your butt
  24. Because swimsuit season is always coming
  25. Because strong is the new skinny
  26. Because dieting only works so much
  27. Because it strengthens your bones, too
  28. Because it helps you lose weight
  29. Because it allows you to eat more food
  30. Because it’s the best way to spend “me” time
  31. Because it helps you de-stress
  32. Because it’s cheaper than therapy
  33. Because you want a strong core
  34. Because you want to take care for yourself
  35. Because you take pride in your body
  36. Because it strengthens your legs
  37. Because it helps your clothes fit better
  38. Because you want to push yourself
  39. Because you are capable of more than you ever imagined
  40. Because moving your body feels good
  41. Because it keeps your mind sharp
  42. Because it helps you beat belly bloat
  43. Because it helps you sleep better at night
  44. Because it gives you energy
  45. Because you want to stay healthy as you age
  46. Because you want to look younger
  47. Because you want toned arms
  48. Because it improves your balance
  49. Because it burns off last night’s dessert
  50. Because it boosts your immune system
  51. Because sweat is sexy
  52. Because you want to live longer
  53. Because you want to get better at your game
  54. Because you want to catch someone’s eye
  55. Because exercisers earn more money
  56. Because you’re more likely to eat better when you exercise
  57. Because you want to shave time off your running pace
  58. Because you want to breathe easier
  59. Because you want to see the scale drop
  60. Because exercise improves your sex life
  61. Because you are worth it
  62. Because being fit makes everything in life better
  63. Because you promised yourself that you would
  64. Because you deserve a better life
  65. Because it’ll help you drink more water
  66. Because you want to do real push-ups
  67. Because it reduces your health care costs
  68. Because you’ll miss fewer days of work
  69. Because you want to create a new future for yourself
  70. Because it’ll help you like what you see in the mirror
  71. Because it makes clothing shopping more fun
  72. Because you want to look and feel incredible
  73. Because exercising can be fun
  74. Because it’ll give your skin a glow
  75. Because it’s a good way to spend time with your friends
  76. Because it’ll help you prevent the middle-age spread
  77. Because it reduces your blood pressure
  78. Because you don’t want to let yourself go
  79. Because you don’t want to squeeze into an airplane or rollercoaster seat
  80. Because it strengthens your spirit
  81. Because it’s a cheap way to entertain yourself
  82. Because you’ll be able to reward yourself
  83. Because you need a reason to wear those new workout clothes
  84. Because you’re tired of being tired
  85. Because not working out is not going to get you very far
  86. Because it’s a great way to spend time outside
  87. Because you made a commitment to yourself
  88. Because you’re tired of starting over
  89. Because there will always be another wedding, vacation or reunion
  90. Because you’re not a quitter
  91. Because it improves your cholesterol
  92. Because it boosts your metabolism
  93. Because it prevents age-related muscle loss
  94. Because if you can do this, you can do anything
  95. Because a fit body is a healthy body
  96. Because it beats sitting on the couch
  97. Because  everyone has at least 10 minutes to spare
  98. Because you want to be stronger than your excuses
  99. Because not working out isn’t working out for you
  100. Because the only workout you ever regret is the one you skip

Now, GO WORKOUT!  You will feel much better once you do!

~jj

Music, rhythm, and workout inspiration!

Music, rhythm, and workout inspiration!

There are a few things about music that I absolutely LOVE:  1) It makes my workout go faster.  1, 2, 3 and you’re done in a flash!  2) It provides a great beat to ensure I keep up with my workout pace. 3) It helps me accomplish my goals through motivation.  These are 3 things that will help you throughout your workout.  Think of it as you + the music vs. your workout! 😉

Think of the world without music.  Now, think of your workout without music.  That would be something that is hard to consider for many of us because we use music to push us through our workout.  The music almost becomes one with us because we want something to focus on besides our actual workout.  Something that helps us become distracted and makes the workout go faster.

Another great thing about music is the beat it provides.  I love this because it helps me stay on pace and go faster even when I am getting tired.  It pushes me and challenges me so that I get through my entire workout and for that reason alone I think music is a perfect combination for working out.  I have noticed that I try to stay with the beat of the music during my workout.  Not that I actually “dance” throughout my interval training workout, but that I rhythmically do the exercises, staying in tune with the music.  It helps me keep pace, stay focused, and makes my workout more fun!  This is what makes music inspiration because it motivates and engages me during my workouts.

Music is a great way to make you happy, change your mood, and can help you accomplish your goals during your workout.  With music, you can train your mind and body to move with the rhythm of the music, making your workout more challenging and fun!  Further, music is a great way to help you accomplish your goals.  Remember that it is important to be happy with whatever you accomplish because that along with music will help you to keep pushing forward!  Music often makes you train harder so that you can pass your fitness and wellness goals.

If music isn’t your thing, try reading a book where you read 10 pages then run for 5 minutes, or some variation that works for you.  The same can work for those who watch tv while they workout. You can run during commercials and walk during the program.  Both options provide great interval training and that’s something that is great for your body.  Interval training has actually been shown to be more beneficial than strictly running or walking.

So, next time you head to the gym, go outside for a run, or start your workout, you may just want to throw your earphones in as well!  Happy skipping, moving, and working out to the music! 🙂

~jj

Slow, steady, and consistent wins the race ;-)

Slow, steady, and consistent wins the race ;-)

I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to write about today, but as I drove my boyfriend to work he brought up his half marathon that I “spectated” over the weekend…if you can even call it that!  It was more like I got to see him start and finish the race, which honestly was a pleasure and while the 5:30am alarm was not what I would call pleasant, it was an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.  After all, it was his first half marathon and, well supporting him is what it’s all about, right?

I was people watching, talking, and kind of doing my own thing as I passed the time until my boyfriend would come running across the finish line.  I began to believe and probably even realize that these half marathoners and full marathoners might be considered half crazy or completely crazy.  (No disrespect to those who train, love, and compete in them, but I got this feeling the more I talked and overheard competitors discuss the race…most said race day would come and they would wake up feeling crazy!)  Sure, I can get my butt out of bed to do interval training early in the morning because it’s fast paced, interval exercises that go quickly and are ever changing, but running?  Really, are you kidding me?  Get up at 5:30a and be ready and willing to run at 7am seems nuts!  I hand it to any and all runners who choose to get up and run 13.1 or 26.2 miles before the sun has even begun to come up, but I will stick to my interval training that keeps me on my toes and my eyes wide open!  That’s why a 5k would need to be fun or adventurous for me to take part.  Maybe even a triathlon at some point…that would at least be more similar to high intensity interval training…kind of, right?!

So, you might be asking yourself what’s the point of this post?  Talking about half and full marathon runners along with high intensity, fast paced interval training is like comparing apples to oranges…or is it?!  This is where the important stuff comes in. 😉  Both are very different exercises and both fit different people’s lifestyles, interests, and personalities, but one thing is that both are workouts.   And with workouts, especially running and long, cardio interval training is that the best way to maintain your workout is to go at a slow, steady, and consistent speed to maintain pace throughout your entire workout.

Whether it is running, interval training, yoga, or some other type of workout, it is best to build yourself up as you go through your workout.  The best way to go about your workout without getting tired too soon is to realize that going at a slow, steady, and consistent speed will allow you to keep pace.  Don’t challenge yourself or go fast too early in your workout.  You should think of the beginning of your run or interval training as your “warm-up” so that you get your muscles moving, ready, and prepared for the middle part which should be the most challenging part of your workout. The middle part should push you to your limits.  This is the part of your workout where you can increase your speed, increase the number of reps and sets, and set your goals higher than the beginning or end.

The moral of the story?  We may all be different shapes and different sizes with different personalities, hobbies, interests, and even different fitness goals, but in the end we are all working out to stay healthy.  So whether you are running, walking, doing interval training, or yoga you should still realize that we are all in it together when it comes to working out.  This means we all need to maintain a slow, steady, ad consistent speed in order to get the most out of our workouts.  After all, while being fast may seem to pump you up and get you going, it is slow, steady, and consistent that wins the race!

Happy running, training, and working out! 🙂

~jj

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

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

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

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