The Running Shoes

One of the most important purchases every new parent must make is a good quality stroller. One of the most popular types of strollers on the market is the jogging stroller. A good, sturdy well built jogging stroller allows mom to get some exercise while the baby gets the fresh air and sunshine he or she needs to thrive.
There are some mistakes that many new parents make when shopping for a jogging stroller. Some of the most common are listed below.

1) Not buying the best stroller you can afford – A cheap stroller is only a bargain if it is sturdy and reliable. Most of the time, paying a little more for the jogging stroller up front will help you ensure that the stroller is a good brand name, sturdy, reliable and of the highest possible quality.

2) Not buying a convertible stroller – When buying a jogging stroller, one of the best things to do is to buy a stroller which can double as a car seat and a baby carrier. Many of the best jogging strollers feature a snap in car seat and baby carrier, and this allows them to do triple duty. If you purchase a jogging stroller without this feature, you may spend more in the long run buying a separate car seat and baby carrier.

3) Buying a stroller with not enough storage capacity – It is important that a good jogging stroller have plenty of storage space on the bottom or on the handles. This will allow parents on the go to store frequently used items such as baby wipes, towels or cups and have them all within easy reach

4) Buying an off brand jogging stroller – While name brand jogging strollers can have quality defects as well, a good quality name brand jogging stroller is much more likely to be sturdy, long lasting and reliable. In addition, a good quality company will be more likely to stand behind their product should something go wrong.

5) Buying a stroller that does not meet your needs – When shopping for a jogging stroller, it is vital to take all your needs into account. For instance, if you will be traveling by car often, buying a jogging stroller that is easily collapsible for transport is very important. The same holds true for airplane travel. If you plan to travel by plane, be sure to find a stroller that is suitable for that use.

6) Getting a stroller in the wrong place – A jogging stroller is a major purchase, and it is important that the store at which you buy it be willing to stand behind the purchase in case there is a problem. Be sure to check the reputation of the online or brick and mortar store before making a purchase.

7) Choosing a stroller that cannot grow with your child – All jogging strollers will come with a rating for maximum weight and size of the child to be transported. The best jogging strollers are those that can grow and adapt with your child. Some of the best jogging strollers can do double duty as infant car seats, toddler car seats, and later even as booster seats for older children. A stroller or travel system that can grow and change with your child is the most cost effective solution for the long run.

Buying the first stroller you see – A jogging stroller is a major purchase, and buying one should not be done on impulse. Buying the first of anything you see is generally a mistake. The best way to go about choosing a quality jogging stroller is to research the various reviews and get recommendations from other parents.

9) Buying a stroller that is not collapsible – A good jogging stroller should be easily foldable and easy to carry and transport. A jogging stroller that does not fold or collapse will be very difficult to carry from place to place.

10) Buying a stroller that is poorly made – Quality and safety are the most important considerations when shopping for a jogging stroller. A stroller that is poorly made will not be able to withstand the rigors of regular use.

By: Hans Dekker

There are few areas more in need of positive affirmations than the exercise arena.

If the majority of us were honest, we would say that on a scale of one to ten, the natural desire to exercise would be at a negative 80. Yet, if we were equally as honest, we would have to admit that after we engage in exercise of any form, we feel awesome and invigorated; and, for that brief post-exercise moment, the same scale would jump to a positive 80.

So why is it that our exercise resolutions wax and wane on a constant basis? The most basic reason is that we have been bombarded with negative affirmations of how hard and “non-fun” exercise is, and that we have to endure it for the positive effects that we will gain in our health and well-being.

Endorphins are physically produced during strenuous exercise and cause you to feel an incredible sense of well-being. Yet, even with this invigorated feeling, it still hasn’t changed people’s exercise habits!

If there were an ability to remember the refreshing and amazing feelings of well-being that are experienced after exercise, we’d all be going to the gym every day. That is where positive exercise affirmations will be your most supportive workout partner. By correctly utilizing these positive exercise affirmations on a daily basis, you will exercise with enjoyable conviction.

Setting Real, Achievable Exercise Goals

To begin with, it is necessary to define the goals that you wish to achieve before you begin, ensuring your success is based on realistic and achievable milestones. Next, you need to realize that positive exercise affirmations, just like any positive affirmations, need to be tailored to who you are in order for them to be successful. In other words, an individual who puts on their t-shirt, shorts and sneakers and hits the pavement to run for an hour needs to understand their own needs, otherwise negative affirmations will swirl through their body and mind, such as: “My legs hurt! I can’t breathe! I can’t do this! Am I there yet?” Negative exercise affirmations can cause your mind to find any excuse to stop altogether.

On the other hand, the individual who puts on a wet suit and water shoes, then grabs a paddle and kayak and hits the river for two hours repeating to himself: “I love the peace and quiet of the river. I enjoy the rhythm of each stroke through the water. I can hear my heart and lungs in happy rhythm together as they get stronger!” These are positive exercise affirmations and this same individual will find other forms of “exercise” to fulfill their life.

Free Positive Affirmations Examples

Some more free positive affirmations to help you achieve your goal for exercise balance are as follows:

• I enjoy listening to the sound of my beating heart in exercise. With each beat, it strengths.
• I love the feel of the pavement beneath my running shoes. I feel strong and in control.
• I enjoy listening to the beautiful sounds of nature as I walk around the block.
• I love the wind against my face as I jog around my neighborhood.
• I cherish the time I spend making my body stronger for life.

By: Ronnie Nijmeh

Jogging is a great classic cardio exercise, popular not just for its health benefits but also because you do it almost anywhere. But for most people, jogging can lose its charm after a while. So how do you make this exercise more interesting?

By taking it off road. Most places in the U.S. have hiking trails nearby, and the dirt paths, rocky roads, and beautiful scenery and just what the doctor ordered to make your jog more stimulating. But jogging off the beaten path comes with its own set of concerns and issues. Here’s what you need to know to jog safely and effectively.

The first time you take your run down a dirt road, don’t go as fast as you would on a flat, paved road. The uneven surfaces and rocks make a tumble not just more likely, but more dangerous as well.

Make note of landmarks and areas that seem particularly dangerous or difficult. Over time, as you familiarize yourself with the trail, you can build up speed, eventually going full tilt.
As in regular running, make sure to keep good posture.

The unfamiliar territory or low hanging tree branches may make you feel like hunching over, but if you do you deprive your lungs of a bit of oxygen. This will make the run more difficult and the exercise less efficient than it could be.

Another major advantage of off road jogging is that you can do certain cardio activities that impossible on flat roads. Jogging uphill will work your legs and build your stamina. Try and find trails that offer uphill challenges for a well-rounded workout.

Of course, what goes up must come down, so you should make certain to keep your balance on those downhill slopes. You don’t necessarily have to slow down while jogging downhill, but you should use you arms to maintain your center of gravity to keep from tumbling over.

You may have to invest in a new pair of running shoes if you want to do your running on rougher terrain. Usually when you buy shoes, you are only looking for one thing: comfort. But the shoes you take off road have to be more durable than your average set of sneakers, plus hopefully easier to clean. It also helps if they are extra snug on your foot to prevent pebbles or burs from hurting you.

Once you know a particular trail like the back of your hand, you might try making it even more interesting by running at night. Get a nice windbreaker and a headlamp and see how different your night running time is from you daytime. Be careful though, since you can’t see as far ahead of you as you can during the daylight hours, you are more likely to stumble over an unseen dirt mound or sapling.

Remember, exercise can and should be fun. If you are getting bored with your routine, ask your personal trainer on ways to make it more interesting to you.

By: Chris

In February, you gained 2 pounds from gobbling down chocolates during Valentine’s Day. No big deal, you think. Then June comes and surrounds you with all-you-can-eat ice cream sundaes. You gain 3.5 pounds, take a deep breath, and forget about your weight.

Next, in November, you celebrate a certain holiday with family, where you can’t resist Mom’s buttery mashed potatoes and Grandma’s cherry pie. Oh no! The scale shows you’ve gained a total of 10 pounds this year. Your eyes widen— how did you get here?

Thinking back, you realize that you hadn’t made any effort to lose the extra weight in February. Since you did not use healthier eating habits or exercise, the pounds kept increasing until you got 10 pounds overweight.

So you decide to lose weight immediately, using better eating habits and regular exercise. One great form of exercise is jogging, “Isn’t jogging boring and old-fashioned?” you wonder.

Actually, jogging has almost always been a great form of exercise. Perhaps you’ve waited at a red light in your car, while a jogger waits to cross the street. Did you notice that the trim and fit jogger wasted no time by running in place, until the traffic light changed to green? Now you can become this determined person.

This activity has another advantage: you can jog with others, like a friend, a group of buddies or a dog. You get each other’s company, making jogging even more enjoyable. Plus, your friends can encourage you to stick to this activity, when you’d rather give up.

Jogging also strengthens your cardiovascular system. With regular exercise, your health improves and you reduce your chance of a heart attack. You also get more energy, so you can go from one activity to the next with less rest in between.

Another reason to jog has to do with its intensity. Because jogging classifies as a high-intensity exercise, this exercise burns a good number of calories. As you may know, burning calories helps you reach your goal of losing 10 pounds.

Besides burning calories, jogging gives you a fun way to exercise. You can wave “hello” to neighbors, whose sincere smiles provide encouragement. And who can forget the scenery you see while jogging- like a rabbit lurching in the bushes or sunflowers towering upwards. You can take deep breaths and relax while jogging.

You may know that jogging is good exercise, but did you know that jogging is one of the cheapest ways to exercise? Basically, you spend money on running shoes and you’re set. You don’t need special equipment, videos, or membership to a club. But you do need the stamina and the drive to go forward to be a good jogger.

Although jogging can give you a great workout, remember that this weight loss technique puts pressure on your feet and joints. Do yourself a favor and start out with a short distance, like 15-20 minutes around the park. Gradually increase the time you spend on jogging, until you reach an effective distance for your stamina.

Following this gradual method will let your body adjust to jogging, your ticket to losing 10 pounds. And better yet, after you lose the weight, jogging can help you maintain your healthy weight.

By: Ryan Cote

Performing regular jogging gives better physical condition and other health benefits. Jogging also gives physical and mental pleasure.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF JOGGING

Jogging on a regular basis give a distinct good effect upon the general health, provided it is not over-done. The effects are:

* Jogging makes the heart stronger. It increases the capacity of the blood circulation and of the respiratory system.
* It speeds up the digestive system and helps you get rid of digestive trouble.
* It counteracts depression.
* It increases the capacity to work and lead an active life.
* Jogging makes you burn fat and thereby helps against over-weight.
* If you suffer from poor appetite, jogging will improve your appetite.
* Jogging will strengthens the muscles of your legs, hips and back. However you will not get very big muscles from jogging.
* Jogging makes you sleep better.

THE PLEASURE OF JOGGING

Jogging gives you physical and mental joy, provided you do not exhaust yourself. When jogging is done correctly, you will actually feel less tired when you have finished a tour than before you began. You get nice feelings in your muscles during the jogging and afterwards.

You will feel the wind blowing around your body. You will hear the birds singing, the music of running water in the streams, or the sound of waves dashing towards the seashore. During the jogging you will also get a euphoric mental feeling after some time.

CLOTHES AND SHOES

The type of clothes you were must be suited to the weather conditions. In warm weather, shorts and a t-shirt is enough. However, it may be useful to carry along an extra piece of clothe in a light back-pack if you run out on a long route, in case the weather aggravates. In colder weather you must add more layers of clothes. In either case, the requirements for the clothes are:

You should use light and soft clothes without any sharp sutures, hard edges or massive folds. They should sit fairly close to your body, but not so close that you feel squeezed, trapped, or so that your movements are hindered.

The clothes should give good ventilation for moisture and sweat and perspiration through the fabric. The fabric should ideally hold water totally out from the outside, but this requirement is difficult to achieve together with the requirement of good ventilation.

You should use fairly soft shoes, but with a good shape fitting the anatomical shape of your feet. The soles should easily bend during the normal movements of your feet, but support well against the ground. The underside of the sole should give friction against any type of grounds, so that you do not slide during jogging. The soles should buffer well against each impact from the ground.

JOGGING ROUTES AND SESSIONS

Jogging may be performed in a lot of ways:

* Long distance jogging 6-20 km in a moderate speed on even roads or paths.
* Short distance jogging 3-6 km in a high speed.
* Jogging upwards in a steep terrain 3-4 km, in a speed adjusted to the steepness
* Jogging in a hilly terrain with paths going both up an down 4-8 km

It is advisable to vary the type of jogging from day to day. Then the jogging gets funnier and you get a variable type of training.

HOW TO PERFORM A JOGGING SESSION

You should move slowly with little efforts the first few hundred meters to warm up your muscles. Then you gradually increase your muscular work and speed. When you have done half the route, you can take a speedy spurt using most of your capacity. If the route is long enough, you can take two or three spurts using nearly full capacity.The last hundred meters you gradually slow down again.

STRETCHING YOUR BODY BEFORE AND AFTER EACH SESSION

It is advisable to stretch out both before and after each jogging session, and not only the muscles in your feet, but your whole body 2 minutes before and 3-4 minutes after the session. When stretching out do the following movements:

* Bend forward and touch your toes.
* Kneel down on one of your feet, and stretch the other out backwards.
* Bend your body to both sides.
* Stretch out an arm, grab something, and turn your body round so that your arm is bent backwards.
* Shoot your abdomen foreword, so that your spinal column is stretched into a bow.
* Place your hands behind your neck and stretch your arms backwards. Then twist your body to left and right, also bend to each side.

After the jogging it is sometimes best to wait for some minutes before you stretch out, so that the worst tiredness has gone away first.

WHEN AND HOW OFTEN

If jogging is the only sport activity done, a jogging session every second day is ideal. This is enough to give all the health benefits and increase your condition and endurance gradually, but without wearing yourself out. If you combine jogging by other types of sport activities, 2 times a week may be enough.

You should not be too hungry before jogging, but it is not advisable to take a jogging session straight after a big meal. The time of the day does not matter, but your jogging should not be the first thing you do in the morning.

HOW TO BEGIN

If you are not accustomed to physical activity before you start jogging, it is advisable to consult a doctor before you start. You may have health issues that is not compatible with jogging activities, or that you must consider when doing your jogging.

The first times, you should only jog on plain ground and only for 10 minutes. Then you can increase the time, distance and speed, and choose steeper and more difficult paths.

By: Knut Holt