It was the summer before sixth grade. I had just moved from Mississippi to Maine and we were staying with friends until we found a place. Like most lazy summer days, my friends and I were inside watching TV. But we weren't watching cartoons or game shows, we were watching the Summer Olympics. I don't think it was my choice to watch and I don't remember anything else about the events except one ... Joan Benoit Samuelson's marathon victory. The memory is vivid. The memory was and still is inspirational!   As a young kid, I didn't even know the length or time of a marathon, but I knew she had …

As you shed extra weight and inches you also shed things like blood pressure medication, type 2 diabetes, depression and all the inhibitions that have kept you from living life to the fullest both mentally and physically. Over coming your fears is so important. If you don’t overcome them, you’ll just bring them about in a different way.  Push past the unknown and push yourself towards the healthiest you possible. Remember, it's important to keep your blood glucose level consistent.  Why?  If you wait until you're too hungry, your blood glucose will have dropped and caused your body to store …

Here's a list of healthy food choices to take with you on your next trip to the grocery store. Very Lean Proteins (7g of protein per ounce, 0-1g of fat per ounce) Poultry – chicken breast, turkey breast Fish – flounder, halibut, trout, tuna, shellfish Skim milk, cottage cheese, fat-free cheese, egg whites Legumes – lentils, peas, dried beans Lean Proteins (7g of protein per ounce, 1-3g of fat per ounce) Beef – lean cuts – flank, round, sirloin, tenderloin Pork – lean cuts – tenderloin or center cut chop Lamb – lean cuts - roast, chop, leg Chicken and turkey – dark meat – leg and thigh Fish – …

When your heart doesn't properly circulate blood throughout the body while transporting nutrients and oxygen, the result can be an impaired lifestyle or a shortened life span.  We've all heard these words before, but have you really stopped to comprehend what these words mean? How can we do anything but what is required to maintain a healthy heart?  The  American Heart Association claims that 36 percent of all Americans suffer from cardiovascular disease.  Meaning 36 percent live with medical conditions that can cause damage to the heart and also to the blood vessel system.   Think about this…

Want to know how to lose inches without sacrificing performance or being perpetually hungry? Let's start with some numbers: Calories: The Harris Benedict Equation allows you to get an estimate of your resting calorie needs or basal metabolic rate: Women: 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) – (4.7 x age in years) = BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)Men: 666 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches) – (6.8 x age in years) = BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)Now, add in your activity factor: BMR x 1.55 if you exercise 3-5 days a week.BMR x 1.75 if you exercise 6-7 days a …

Wanna Run? As a runner, I've been asked many questions by friends and family.  The one that stands out the most is "Isn't running bad for your knees?" Tricky question! There is really no definitive answer, but one thing I'm certain of is, running does not cause injury or knee pain.  After asking a few questions of my own, the answer I've come up with (for this common misinterpretation of running) is that the people asking the question have never run properly. I love it when someone gets the "bug" for running.  It's exciting!  To me, there is nothing else like the freedom of a good, sweaty run…

Instead of rushing through the drive thru and grabbing dinner on the go, why not have dinner waiting for you at home when you walk through the door? If you're like me, juggling your work week, staying active and eating right might be a little hard to do....especially when you add friend's, spouse's and/or children's busy schedules into the mix! Why not bring dinner back to the table?  It just takes a little pre-planning.  In the end, not only will you save on extra calories, but you'll save what's in your wallet as well!   Have a meal waiting for you when you walk through the door at the end …