Month: July 2012

Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for You





There are a lot of  things to look at when looking for the best running shoes. Running puts a lot of stress on the feet and for this reason runners should choose a pair of running shoes that is comfortable and provides the best support for their feet. When choosing the best running shoes its important to keep in mind that there are different types of feet and different types of shoes. Some people over-pronate when running or walking while others under-pronate. There are people with high arches while others have flat feet. All of these things need to be considered when looking for shoes that will give you the cushioning and support that you need.

Best Running Shoes – Stability

If you are an over-pronator, the best running shoes for you are stability shoes. Over-pronation is when your ankle rolls inward too much when walking or running. It can strain your ankles and lead to injuries. Stability shoes provide extra support to prevent or minimize over-pronation. Among the best stability shoes are Nike Zoom Structure Triax 15, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12, Mizuno Wave Inspire 8, and Asics GT-2170.

Best Running Shoes – Motion Control

Best Running Shoes

Best Running Shoes

Motion control shoes are stability shoes specially designed for severe overpronators. They have a special sole unit and upper construction that help lock your foot in position. Flat-footed runners will benefit from motion control running shoes like the Brooks Trance 10, Asics Evolution 6, and New Balance 1226.

 Best Running Shoes for Neutral Cushioning

Cushioned running shoes are designed for “efficient” runners, or runners with normal pronation as well as those with high arches and mild under-pronation or supination. This type of running shoe provides cushioning to distribute the body weight over the entire length and width of the feet. The midsole is typically soft and flexible, providing medium support under the arch. Neutral-cushioned shoes are usually lighter than other types of running shoes and are great for long distance runs.
Some of the best cushioned running shoes include Mizuno Wave Precision 12, New Balance The 890, and Asics GEL Nimbus 12.

Minimalist Running Shoes

Minimalist models represent the latest trend in running shoes. This type of running shoe is extremely lightweight (less than 10.5 ounces) and typically have a flat out-sole, no visible arch depression, and no mid-foot structure. A growing number of runners have embraced minimalist or barefoot running because it is said to improve your running form.

Among the most popular minimalist running shoes are Merrell Trail Glove Barefoot Running Shoes and Vibram Five Fingers.

Know Your Shoe Type

Keep in mind that the best running shoe is different for every person. Find out what type of running shoe is suitable for your feet. That is the best running shoes for you.

Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Tips for Healthy Travel





Healthy travel seems like a crazy and oppressive way to not have fun when on the road and that is that last thing I want to tell someone to do. Travel is a time for changing lifestyle and exploring what you haven’t seen. I find myself that the trouble with all of this is at we also have a problem staying in shape and staying healthy.

It all comes with our priorities and how we plan.

When you travel the planning needs to happen before you leave home and will finish when you get home so here are 10 tips to help you stay in shape and arrive home in even better shape then you left

Eating tips for Healthy Travel

1. Pack snacks for the road – whether I am traveling in a car or in a plane I am never sure where my next snack will come from so I always pack my backpack with some fruit. I have always worried about this when going through security at the airport but fact is I have never been stopped so it seems to be ok to bring some fruit.

Healthy Travel Tips

Healthy Travel Tips

2. Water not Soda – It is very easy to drink some soda or juice and I know that this will happen when I travel so I always stop at a grocery store in my destination and buy bottles of water. I don’t tend to pack water before as it is not allowed past airport security but it is always handy to have a bottle or two in the car for healthy travel outside of airports.

3. Eat local food – One of the great things about travel is the fact that you get a chance to eat locally grown produce as well as the local cuisine from an area. The sooner that you can eat fresh fruits and veggies after they are picked the better they are for you, so try to find out what grows locally and eat away!

4. Morning and Night Water – Because schedules are such a mess when traveling it is really hard to keep to a normal plan, and you probably don’t want to anyway. What I do is as soon as I wake up in the morning I drink a big glass or two of water or if in a sketchy area just a big bottle of water and again at night when back to the hotel I do the same.

Elevations, different temperatures and lots of different exercise and eating plans will mess you up so try to have a good hydration plan starting and finishing with water to be sure.

5. Watch the Restaurant Meals – I am a big fan of going out for meals but recognize that what I eat is not always that good for me. When we travel as a family we always get a kitchenette in the hotel room so that we can make the majority of our meals with food we know and then have one meal out a day.

6. Order Responsibly – One of the biggest problems we all run into besides scheduling eating times when we are on the road is the bad ways that we order. Healthy travel in a restaurant starts with ordering with discernment and making sure your choices are good.

When you are ordering at a restaurant watch how they cook your meal. In most places, just like at home the chef will cook for taste not for nutrition. Stay away from sauces and deep fried food and instead get grilled meat and salad or veggies instead of fries

Exercise Tips for Healthy Travel

1. Book Hotels with Amenities – when booking a hotel for your travels make sure there is some kind of gym, google the hotel if need be. the fact is that a little exercise will make your travel more comfortable and give you the energy to make the most of your days and if you don’t set yourself up for success you will fail to exercise.

2. Plan your exercise and activities – even though you probably do not know when you are going where on your travels everyone seems to plan the next day at least. In the evening before decide how much exercise you will be getting, a hike maybe? Surfing all day? Sitting by the pool? And plan your exercise around that. If you will be out sightseeing all day then plan to go to the gym for a weight workout in the morning. If you are just by the pool then start the day with cardio. If you do cardio and then walk around all day you might run out of gas before the day is done so plan ahead!

3. Plan Active Activities – Now when travelling on vacation this is easy enough to do but when you are travelling on business it is a lot more difficult. You can perhaps go out in the evening and walk the town, like many people plan a jog around the new city you are in (be careful of unknown neighbourhoods) or even just rent a bike to travel around instead of always taking a car, this gets you active and you also get to meet more people and see more in your journeys.

So there are nine things you can do. This week in my travels across the west I had some trouble keeping all of these intact and ended up suffering. At home there is a fridge and a schedule but on the road that schedule and access to healthy travel was only as good as the way I made it, and sometimes I did not do so well

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Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

What is Chi Running?





What happens when you combine running with the practice of T’ai Chi? The answer: chi running. When people first hear about it, they often ask, “What is chi running?”. Chirunning, as it is also called, is a relatively new way of running that focuses on form and keeps you relaxed and meditative while running. Danny Dreyer, who popularized chi running, claims that it will result in less pain and fewer injuries.

What is the Chi Running Approach?

Chi running is mindful running that focuses on every single movement of the body. Its approach is based on the principles of T’ai Chi, yoga and Pilates. Chirunning works with the core muscles and harnesses the mind for more effortless running.

Chi Running as a Running Technique

As a running technique, it teaches runners to move in a more natural and efficient way. The traditional way of running focuses on power and strength for faster running. Chi running, on the other hand, focuses on efficiency with the use of a midfoot strike rather than the heel strike in traditional running technique. A midfoot strike is believed to more biomechanically efficient, resulting in faster running speed with less effort.

Chi Running as a Philosophy

Chi running is more than a running technique. It is also a philosophy of running. It is about running in a relaxed and meditative way. Like T’ai Chi and yoga, chi running provides a spiritual experience and integrates mind and body.

What is Involved in Chi Running?

In chi running, mindfulness means being aware of your body while you run. You pay attention to everything including how your feet strike the ground, your posture, how you breathe, etc. Chirunning requires deep, full breathing so that your body works more efficiently and is relaxed with adequate oxygen.

It’s important to maintain a good posture and remain relaxed while running. Normally people tense their muscles when they exert effort to run faster. This is completely against the principles of chi running. Keeping an upright and natural posture with your muscles relaxed lowers the risk of injury. Good posture allows your body’s chi or natural energy to flow smoothly while poor posture diminishes chi and tires you out.

Does Chi Running Work?

According to the proponents of chi running, this technique minimizes pain and lowers the risk of injury while running. There are no scientific studies to substantiate these claims, although harnessing the mind and body to improve your running technique could enable you to run faster and longer.

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