How to Tie Your Shoes

12 08 2010

Courtesy of Runner's World Magazine

I had no idea I wastying my shoes the wrong way all these years.   There are two common knots that most people use to tie their shoes: the granny knot and the reef knot.   The granny knot is the one pictured on the left above looks a little sloppy and has a tendency to loosen with activity.  The reef knot on the left is much neater and will actually tighten with activity.  No more untied shoes.

If you are using a granny knot now it is very easy to switch to a reef knot.  You just need to change one step of your shoe tying routine.  The good people at Runner’s World provided step by step instructions and a video to show you how!


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Categories : Equipment, Just for Fun

Exercise Your Brain

21 05 2010

I’ve always enjoyed reading and I’m always looking for new books about exercise, nutrition, etc.  Check out this post for some of my most recent reads.  I also listen to tons of audio books during my commute to and from work.  My ride can take from 20 minutes up to 1 hour each way.  I use this time to listen to books since I don’t have enough time in a day to do everything I have to plus read the books I want to.

The book I am listening to now takes a fascinating look at how exercise affects the brain:

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey is an interesting look at how exercise can improve mental health, sometimes as much as medicine.  The author explains how running helps students to focus more and do better on tests.  He tells stories of his patients and how exercise improves stress, anxiety and depression levels as well as other mental health problems.  The book is a refreshing look at treating mental health with exercise in a time of pharmacological dominance.

For those of you who currently exercise, you already know the feelings described in the book.  For those of you who aren’t exercising, this book may give you a reason to start.  Get moving, feel better… simple enough.


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Categories : Behavior Change, Exercises

Why Ban the Gym?

3 03 2010

First off, no, I am not against gyms.  I have worked at the same  gym for ten years and that pays my bills. However, I know a gym is not necessary for someone to become a healthier, happier person.  I know that changes made at home are going to have a bigger impact on lifestyle than any amount of time in a gym.  I’ve seen it time and time again with myself and my clients.

Maybe I’ve spent too much time in gyms and that is my problem.  But I’ve seen too many people come to the gym and do the same exercises everyday and not get any results.   I’d like to ask them how healthy their eating habits are.  I’d like ask them how active they are outside of the gym.  These are the things that will make the most difference in one’s lifestyle not the 3-5 hours a week spent at the gym.

So, I started this blog with the intention helping people be healthier outside the gym.  I’ll be discussing home exercise, nutrition, fitness products, stress reduction, athletics, and yes maybe even a little bit of what you can do at the gym (blasphemy!)  I hope you will join me on this  journey and improve your lifestyle along the way.


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Categories : Equipment, Exercises, Just for Fun, Nutrition


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