There have been a few articles, videos and such that I have come across along my perusal of the Internets... In the name of research, of course. Most of these have helped me immensely with their little tid-bits of knowledge, and most have been on a list of things I have been holding my breath to share. Finally, that day has come. Get ready and hunker down, there are quite a few things on this list, all of which I am super happy to have found!
Running
I found this article back when I was doing my massive running shoes research (like that has ended, ha!) . This guy has so much information, I had to bookmark it and save it for future sharing. It really has nothing to do with running shoes, so I could not reasonably link it in any of those articles, but it does talk quite a bit about running your first marathon. If you, like me, are realizing that you will be running a half or whole marathon sometime in the near future, you will benefit from this article. It has inspiration and tips for all aspects of the race.
The article is over on the Running Shoes Guru website and was a little golden internet nugget when I found it. I still refer back to it at times when a little extra running comfort is needed.
Grain Wisely
I should first say that I love NutritionElla's blog. She is super sweet and has lots of great info on nutrition, not to mention all of her super-cute pictures... She even shows design updates of her new San Francisco apartment. Score-sees! This article is a bit more numbers driven than most others, and I love it. It is all about healthy wheat and how to get them in good quantities. The article is short and sweet with simple math that is easy to remember. I cannot count the number of times this bit of knowledge has been helpful, especially when grocery shopping.
Ella also refers back to the scientific study this post is based on. If you really want an interesting, hunker down and read article, this is it. I would suggest reading the study's abstract alone, if for no other reason than to better understand whole grains. It is interesting, promise.
If you look at the date this article was published, you will realize that I am an internet hoarder. There, it has been admitted.
Body Weight Exercise
If you follow me on Pinterest, then you may have already seen this earlier in the week. Otherwise, it is new! I was looking at some of the online workouts of at Women's Health Magazine and found something that is straight up this fitness enthusiast's ally- a body weight workout. We travel a ton and when I am at home I like my closet space to be for cute shoes and to-die-for tops more than random fitness equipment. That makes body weight workouts a must for me.
A body weight workout is a workout that uses your body weight instead of exercise weights, bands, or anything else. This workout has different exercises that will work different parts of the body. Everything is also broken down into reps, sets, and breaks. Just the way I like it!
Safe Cycling
This is another post from a blog I love. Twenty-Six and Then Some is a blog created by Page, an incredible triathlete. Her blog is great for inspiration and little fitness tips along the way. I also love, love, love hearing about her training days and the little updates on how training for triathlons effects her life.
When we were in San Francisco, we got a crash course in cycling rules. Since then, we have rented bicycles during a few of our vacations. The rules we learned in San Francisco have made such a difference in any cycling outing. I would highly recommend checking out this post if you are a) renting a bike on a summer vacation or, b) looking into or are a beginner cyclist. Page has tons of great tips and goes beyond the usual rules on proper right and left hand turns.
This post is pretty recent. See, my hoarding is getting better! Also, this pic has nothing to do with cycling other than the bicycle, I just though it was pretty. Enjoy!
Weight Loss Yoga
Let's end with a workout video. Although I have quite a few more internet finds to share, I think ending before heads explode is wise. Maybe we will have a part II readin round-up next week for a few others in my archive.
If you have read more than five posts on this blog, you have probably figured out that I am obsessed with most any Jillian Michaels' workout. All her workouts are great and this Yoga Meltdown is no exception. These moves are pretty common yoga poses, but they have a little extra in the cardio field. The extra cardio makes this 30 minute workout great for toning and for fat burning. I was dripping sweat by minute 15, dripping sweat.
Try this guy out for a great home-based power yoga workout. It is heaven for abs, backs, and arms. Plus, Jillian has three different levels of experience so everyone from the newbie yogi's to the experts can get something from this workout.