What are the latest and greatest health-related products? How can I spice up my ho-hum workout? Are the new nutritious food products and health-focused restaurants worth my money? If you're asking any of these questions you've found the right spot!Note: While I'm a journalist with a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology and am a Certified Health Education Specialist, I don't replace the guidance/counseling that comes from a good chat with your doctor or dietitian. For more information, feel free to contact me at karlaswalsh@gmail.com!
Healthful Bites
The right apparel can be awesome motivation to get your sweat on—who wouldn’t want to slip on a cute new top and show it off at the gym? That’s why making a few smart investments can be well worth it. But how do you sort through all of the capris, shorts, tanks and tops to know which are best? Well I haven’t been able to try them all, but these items are among my favorites this summer and are certainly Healthful Bites-approved!
- I challenge you to find another top with this many details at such an amazing price! Duo Dry stretchy fabric, a fancy (yet subtle) pattern and a unique strap layout make the C9 by Champion Seamless Mosaic Tank hard to beat. ($19.99)
- Strategic venting in the NUX Breathe Y-Tank helps you keep your cool during even the most heated workouts. And the strategic seaming slims your torso. ($47)
- Under Armour’s UA Great Escape Short is flattering and comes in awesome color combos. The super-comfy wide waistband keeps your tummy covered. The only thing that would make them better? Losing the slightly baggy brief that running shorts often come with. ($29.99)
- When shorts don’t cover you, but standard capris or pants are too toasty, the lightweight New Balance Go 2 Capri are just the ticket. Reflective details keep you seen during early morning and late night workouts and a small rear pocket can hide your house key or iPod. ($29.74)
- The ASICS Kayano Classic Low Cut Sock is cut just high enough on the ankle so your achilles area is protected but your legs still appear nice and long. Plus, the colors are bright and cheery! ($14)
For more of my favorite fashion finds, check out my earlier post, which includes a few pieces that are ideal for cooler days (coming quicker than I can believe!).
From today’s goodies, I’d pair the NUX tank and New Balance capris for a sweaty spin, and the Under Armour shorts with the C9 tank for treadmill session or cardio class. During a recent non-scientific poll (completed through Twitter) I found that the majority of ladies out there agree with my philosophy: capris and shorts have very distinct uses. When asked capris or shorts…
- “Totally depends on the activity. Shorts for running or bootcamp, capris for yoga or spinning.”—heathercRD
- “Capris for running, shorts for step and other group ex!” —theCHASEproject
- “Cute capris, unless it’s reallly hot.”—katdoesdiets
So interesting! Now it’s your turn to sound off. What kinds of bottoms do you prefer? Does it depend on the exercise method?
Inspired by Jenn’s recent first fashion-related blog, I decided to do mine as well. (And thanks to Maddie for the great post idea!)
As anyone who knows me can attest, I’m not a huge fashion plate, since my favorite attire is a nice exercise outfit. Not only is it the comfiest—for me at least—but the proper clothing can also make working out more enjoyable. Doesn’t thinking about donning your fantastic new top on the treadmill motivate you to hit the gym? Or if you don’t have your favorite piece of workout wear yet, it’s an ideal treat once you meet a health goal.
So in this slideshow, I have included four of Healthful Bites-tested and approved pieces, as well as two of my current objects of my desire. Here’s a key to the images, with shopping info in case you dig them too:
- The Helly Hanson W Pace Singlet is just right for a spinning class, with it’s slightly longer back for the leaning over posture. And I’m a sucker for the neat detailing higher up near the nape of the neck! ($40)
- Fitted Adidas pants are my weekend dress code, and the Marathon M10 Track Pants are one of the best of the bunch! The wide waistband insures that you’re covered. ($75)
- Another fun back and a calming, pretty color make the LA Marathon X-Back Tank a perfect yoga class pick. ($48)
- Ideal for a run, spin or a cross training class, the Ambition Running Tight surprised me with how flattering they are for leggings. You’ll be able to tell that these aren’t your ordinary running tights the minute you slip them on. One word: comfy! ($92)
- The bright print drew me in to the Escape Woven 3 1/2 Short first, and the drawstring, small internal pocket and wide waistband make these a wish list shoe-in. ($29.99)
- I love the thumb holes, flattering cut and v-neck of the Cold-Weather Pullover Hoodie…Not to mention the price! A truly affordable wish list item. ($19.99)
Hooray for three adorable outfits! What’s your go-to gym wear? Or what’s on your apparel wish list?
Today, I’m happy to share with you a guest post from someone with a bit of a different perspective than I do about the wellness world! My dad Bob, a mechanical engineer and avid golfer, recently made his foray into structured gym exercise. Since I’m not nearby to hear the day-to-day stories about his gym time, I wanted to learn more about how he felt about the experience and asked him to share his story here on Healthful Bites. FYI: I interjected a few comments, noted in italic font.
Take it away Dad!
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About six months ago I bit the bullet and signed up for a gym membership. It was long overdue. My weight had been creeping up for years, and figured that hitting the gym during the winter months would be a great way to keep in shape for golf season, while hopefully dropping some pounds. The initial goal? Lose 28 pounds in six months.
Part of the new gym membership was a personal training session. At the time, I swore the trainer was trying to make me throw up! Well, not really, but he overestimated how fit I was. We worked out for about 30 minutes. Looking back now, the workout it was no big deal. We did three rotations of:
- 15 BOSU ball push-ups
- 15 squats with a kettlebell
- 1-minute planks on the BOSU ball.
That workout would be too easy now, but at the time it was more than I could handle. It may have worked out better that I was so pooped though, because when he started his sales pitch on training sessions I had to leave. I didn’t spill my cookies, but I stood over the porcelain throne for a good five minutes. When I came out he felt sorry for me and skipped the sales pitch.
Don’t worry, things start to turn around! Keep reading by clicking below.
I was losing weight at a good pace for a month, but then I started to plateau. I got some good advice from Nikki Stephens, a marketing person at my gym, which really made a difference. She told me to include some interval work, try to work in some running and change my workout every few weeks. Good advice, Nikki!
Over the holidays, I basically maintained, which in itself is a small victory considering all of those cookies lying around! As 2011 began, my weight loss picked back up again.
Now I’m incorporating a different strength training routine five days a week:
- Sunday: Kettlebell
- Monday: Gym weight machines
- Wednesday: BOSU ball
- Thursday: Medicine ball
- Saturday: Planks (Bob’s note: My daughter, and your blogger, is a plank psycho. She designed this day for me because I wanted to do more ab work. I also wanted to be able to move the next day so I had to do some modifications.) Psycho is a strong word; I’d say love (See Exhibit A, B and C for evidence supporting these claims.) :)
I do six days of cardio a week. I run four days and do the elliptical machine two days. These days, I’m running 14 miles each week. Well mostly running…OK, running and walking. I’ve slowly been increasing the speed and duration of my runs. Some of my recent accomplishments:
- Yesterday I ran a mile straight and completed my first sub 10-minute mile in 20 years.
- On Fridays, I’m finishing five miles. Last week, I averaged 11:30 per mile.
I also walk two miles at lunch on workdays, but I have to admit that habit is more about stress relief than it is about exercise!
I am not going to meet my goal of 28 pounds. But I have lost 18 pounds in five months. When I started, I figured that doing anything would allow me to drop 2 pounds a week. However, I didn’t take into account that I was hungry more often because I was exercising much more. I also fell into the trap thinking that I was exercising more that I did not have to watch what I ate as much. But now I’m wiser!
I still plan on losing the 28 pounds, but it won’t happen within six months. When I get there, I plan on staying there and working more on flexibility and strength.
Image from Overstock
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Way to go, Dad! You’ve done an awesome job, and I know you can keep it up. I’m glad to hear you rewarded yourself with some new sneakers—a nice workout outfit or pair of shoes is the perfect treat for an exercise job well done :)
Now tell me: What was your first trip to the gym like?
