Healthful Bites

    7 Feb 2012

    Go-To Blogs For Running Inspiration!

    Besides a doable training plan, a solid pair of sneakers and a motivating playlist, I’ve found that gathering inspiration and tips from those who have run before me has been helpful. One of the most abundant sources for “runspiration?” Fellow bloggers!

    There are plenty of half-marathoners among the amazing individuals I previously featured in my blogroll posts (shout-out to Jenn, Madison, Caitlin, Tina, Ashley and Carla!) but I thought I’d highlight a few more motivational athletes whose blogs I turn to on a regular basis for helpful hints. These long-distance ladies also provide a kick in the pants—if they can make 26.2 look like a blast, I can surely knock out 13.1 in a couple months!

    Fit Chick In The City

    • Synopsis: Jess, who went to school for exercise science and is a personal trainer, reviews workout classes, shares playlists and provides exercise tips.
    • Why I love it: Beyond being a general fitness all-star, Jess is an avid racer who is back in training after taking time for injury recovery. Her weekly “Say It, Do It” posts, which encourage reader interaction, are fantastic for accountability.
    • Sample post: The Moment You Felt Like a Real Runner

    Ali On The Run

    • Synopsis: Ali shares her training plans, tips from her awesome running coach and her favorite foods that fuel all of her workouts (she ran more than 160 miles in January alone)!
    • Why I love it: This marathoner is very candid about her runs—including both the good and the bad—and serves it all up with a hefty dose of humor. Plus, her “I Heart Sweat” motto is just plain awesome. I dare you to read more than one of Ali’s posts and not be inspired to lace up your shoes!
    • Sample post: The Things I’m Doing To Become a Better, Stronger, Faster Runner

    Meals and Miles

    • Synopsis: Meghann “can’t imagine a life without running” since she lost 25 pounds a few years ago. A finisher of mud runs, triathlons and everything up to ultramarathons, she is one tough cookie. The habit is all in the family too—Meghann has a super-fit siblings who often make appearances during training and events.
    • Why I love it: Any running blog round-up would not be complete without Meghann, who just got engaged during the Ragnar Relay (an overnight 200-mile team race). So now we get to tag along during her workouts and her wedding planning!
    • Sample post: A New Race Book

    Losing Weight In The City

    • Synopsis: After losing 50 pounds,  Theodora fell in love with running and now shares awesome race recaps along with her general reflections about staying fit and keeping the weight off.
    • Why I love it: It’s a blast to follow along as Theodora breaks PR after PR and rocks her long training runs (which often wrap up at a bagel shop. A carb fan—my kind of girl!).
    • Sample post: 7 Tips To Stay Healthy Even When You’re Busy

    I know I’m missing plenty of fantastic running blogs, so please share your favorites in the comments—especially if it’s yours!

    Quote to consider this week:

    “If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for 20 years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.” —John Bingham

    26 Mar 2011

    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?

    21 Jan 2010

    Hit the Willpower Wall?

    Yes WE Can

    Now is the time that many New Year’s resolutions (if you made one) hit a stumbling block. The novelty has worn off, the effort seems to hit home and it seems all-around simpler to revert back to the old ways of doing things. So what’s the solution?

    Hang out with your most self controlled pals, University of Georgia researchers say. A strong will, or the absence of a strong will, can rub off on those around you. Heck, you don’t even have to be near the stubborn person—you just have to think about them. This makes sense: if your significant other wants to order the fried ravioli appetizer at dinner, you’re much more likely to eat some than if you didn’t have the spicy, meaty aroma wafting towards your nose. And if your roommate buys a new yoga DVD, it’s much easier to join her than to travel to the gym; plus you may feel a bit guilty watching her stretch and tone from the comfort of a couch.

    Before this series of studies, scientists knew that negative behaviors spread across populations (smoking, for example), but this has proven that positive conduct can be passed along as quickly as H1N1.

    Do you feel that your pals and family members share their habits with you after spending some time together? Or do you do more of the “rubbing” and influence your peers?

    (Image from Pandavas)

    It’s All About the Frames

    If you’re seeking to boost your motivation on your own, new research published in the Journal of Personality and Psychology says it may be time to mentally reframe your task. First, it’s important to determine whether you are motivated by achievement/excellence or pleasure/happiness. Then, you can tell yourself that the task you need to complete will provide those feelings or sensations for you.

    This means that two people can find the same to-do item drastically different—like how some think of exercise as a chore while others revel in the mood boost sweating gives them.

    Personally, I know that I would much rather win at something, get an “A” or make my parents proud by getting an award than do that same thing for enjoyment. It must be the competitor in me :) But I do find that other tasks, such as working out, I do grab some endorphins and feel more positive about my body. Maybe I’m a bit of both?

    Do you fall into either one of these motivational categories? What do you say to yourself to stay on the healthy living track?

    (Image from 100 Musical Footsteps)


    Water cooler conversation starter:     One woman published in The New York Times thinks that food plays too large of a role in children’s lives…what with the post-game ice cream sandwiches, birthday treat candy bars and classroom donut celebrations. Do you think that society has changed recently to make food a larger player in young lives? And is this only a youth issue, or an issue for society as a whole?