Healthy Lifestyle

  • I Tried Barefoot Running Shoes – Here Is What I Found

    Have you seen the athletic shoes that look like gloves?

    110513 Barefoot Running

    They started showing up at the gym I go to … then someone in the office wore them when we worked-out together.  Part of me thought it was "pretentious", and another part thought it was "silly"; turns out … they are worth trying.

    Here's a confession; I'm now of an age where it made sense to judge a workout by how much my feet and ankles swell.  The well-cushioned athletic shoes that I have been wearing, do such a good job of masking impact that I wasn't noticing how my running form was hurting my body. Instead, I just thought the damage was simply a result of getting older.

    Apparently, I just forgot how to run.  A few weeks in those silly looking barefoot running shoes has made a huge difference. 

    Here is a video showing how barefoot running effects stride, bio-mechanics, and the stress you put on your joints.

     

     

    Studies show that barefoot running prevents injury, and can even enhance performance!  A professor at Harvard led a research team that looked at the "impact collision force" (when the foot hits the ground) of runners in shoes compared to barefoot runners.  The impact was actually reduced by two-thirds by running in bare feet.  Basically the difference is in how the foot lands on the ground.  Barefoot runners land each step more on the ball, or the middle of the foot, which is more gentle to the foot. 

    In contrast, runners in traditional athletic shoes tend to land more on the heel.  As a result, our thickly-cushioned modern running shoes may actually be causing stress on our joints and feet because we're not landing the way we were meant to do while running. 

    If you decide to try out this age-old running style, it's best to gradually transition yourself for a few weeks.  Listen to the signals from your body.  Otherwise, you may feel sore while you get "back on your feet" – and start using muscles you probably forgot you had.

    Certainly worth trying.

    Resources:

     

    Related articles
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • I Tried Barefoot Running Shoes – Here Is What I Found

    Have you seen the athletic shoes that look like gloves?

    110513 Barefoot Running

    They started showing up at the gym I go to … then someone in the office wore them when we worked-out together.  Part of me thought it was "pretentious", and another part thought it was "silly"; turns out … they are worth trying.

    Here's a confession; I'm now of an age where it made sense to judge a workout by how much my feet and ankles swell.  The well-cushioned athletic shoes that I have been wearing, do such a good job of masking impact that I wasn't noticing how my running form was hurting my body. Instead, I just thought the damage was simply a result of getting older.

    Apparently, I just forgot how to run.  A few weeks in those silly looking barefoot running shoes has made a huge difference. 

    Here is a video showing how barefoot running effects stride, bio-mechanics, and the stress you put on your joints.

     

     

    Studies show that barefoot running prevents injury, and can even enhance performance!  A professor at Harvard led a research team that looked at the "impact collision force" (when the foot hits the ground) of runners in shoes compared to barefoot runners.  The impact was actually reduced by two-thirds by running in bare feet.  Basically the difference is in how the foot lands on the ground.  Barefoot runners land each step more on the ball, or the middle of the foot, which is more gentle to the foot. 

    In contrast, runners in traditional athletic shoes tend to land more on the heel.  As a result, our thickly-cushioned modern running shoes may actually be causing stress on our joints and feet because we're not landing the way we were meant to do while running. 

    If you decide to try out this age-old running style, it's best to gradually transition yourself for a few weeks.  Listen to the signals from your body.  Otherwise, you may feel sore while you get "back on your feet" – and start using muscles you probably forgot you had.

    Certainly worth trying.

    Resources:

     

    Related articles
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Snake-Oil? The Scientific Evidence for Various Health Supplements

    Trying to lead a healthier lifestyle?  This data visualization can help you filter-out the marketing hype to help you find the vitamins, minerals and herbs that deliver tangible benefits … versus those that serve only as a "Guaranteed Genuine Placebo".

    This is an updated interactive model of the most current research data.

    It is interesting because of the health research itself … and also because models, like this, have far-reaching applications.  It comes from the site Information is Beautiful.

    Click on the picture to play with the interactive version.

     

    110512 Snake Oil

    Kind of cool. 

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Snake-Oil? The Scientific Evidence for Various Health Supplements

    Trying to lead a healthier lifestyle?  This data visualization can help you filter-out the marketing hype to help you find the vitamins, minerals and herbs that deliver tangible benefits … versus those that serve only as a "Guaranteed Genuine Placebo".

    This is an updated interactive model of the most current research data.

    It is interesting because of the health research itself … and also because models, like this, have far-reaching applications.  It comes from the site Information is Beautiful.

    Click on the picture to play with the interactive version.

     

    110512 Snake Oil

    Kind of cool. 

    Related articles by Zemanta
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Great Video – “The Race” is an Uplifting Reminder of What’s Possible

    Worth watching.
     
    Heather Dorniden, from the University of Minnesota, races the 600m at the Big 10 Indoor Track Championships. What happens reminds what a race really is about … and, perhaps, what life is really about.
     
    Here is the video.
     

     

    We will fall. We can rise.  It is a choice.

    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Great Video – “The Race” is an Uplifting Reminder of What’s Possible

    Worth watching.
     
    Heather Dorniden, from the University of Minnesota, races the 600m at the Big 10 Indoor Track Championships. What happens reminds what a race really is about … and, perhaps, what life is really about.
     
    Here is the video.
     

     

    We will fall. We can rise.  It is a choice.

    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Here a Few Links for Your Weekend Reading Enjoyment

    Looking for something to read?  Here are some ideas.

    Business Posts Moving the Markets that I Found Interesting Recently:

    • Man vs. Machine on Wall Street – How Computers Beat the Market. (Atlantic)
    • 5 Lies That Economists Are Feeding Us. (Money)
    • If Regulation Didn't Kill IPOs … What Did?  (Fortune)
    • Don’t Believe the Chart – Is the US Dollar Dropping Like a Stone? (ZeroHedge)
    • NSA Investigating Nasdaq Hack. Was a Nation-State Involved?  (Wired)
    • More Posts Moving the Markets.

    Lighter Ideas and Fun Links that I Found Interesting Recently:

  • Here a Few Links for Your Weekend Reading Enjoyment

    Looking for something to read?  Here are some ideas.

    Business Posts Moving the Markets that I Found Interesting Recently:

    • Man vs. Machine on Wall Street – How Computers Beat the Market. (Atlantic)
    • 5 Lies That Economists Are Feeding Us. (Money)
    • If Regulation Didn't Kill IPOs … What Did?  (Fortune)
    • Don’t Believe the Chart – Is the US Dollar Dropping Like a Stone? (ZeroHedge)
    • NSA Investigating Nasdaq Hack. Was a Nation-State Involved?  (Wired)
    • More Posts Moving the Markets.

    Lighter Ideas and Fun Links that I Found Interesting Recently:

  • Some Thoughts for the New Year

    101230 YDTW-ebook-sm-complete-jpg You never know where a spark of inspiration will come from.  Sometimes you get it from a quote or a story; other times it might come from a question …

    The truth is that sources of inspiration are always there for you.  The question is whether you are looking for them or notice them when they show up.

    Here's a source that I value for its practical wisdom and insights. 

    "Today Is Your Day to Win" is a series of 99 daily lessons, delivered by e-mail. On more than a few occasions, it brought me a message right when I needed it.

    It is written by Mike Brescia of Think Right Now, and it doesn't cost a cent.  Of course, to get the benefit, you will have to invest some time and mental cycles to consider the content.

    Here is a sample from one of the messages.

    Good Things Will Come To Me When I  …

    ——————————
     Today's Empowering Quote
    ——————————

    "The best preparation for good work tomorrow is good work today."
         –Elbert Hubbard

    ——————————
     Today's Empowering Question
    ——————————     

     "What can I do now that will prepare me for tomorrow?"

    ——————————  
     Today's Fast Session 
    ——————————

    Often the most frustrating thing that any of us feel on a regular basis is to want something really bad, and not be able to get it right away.

    Yes, it's frustrating.  But it's usually not realistic, is it? …

    It's getting so that it's increasingly rare to find people who are truly willing to put in the requisite time necessary to get the traits or items they want.  Our world today is trying to teach us that we must get what we want immediately; that it's our right.  And that's why so many of us are jealous, smoke or drink, are overweight, use drugs, etc. …

    Life is NOT like school.

    101231-CrammingIn school, you can trick yourself into thinking you're doing great if you cram for exams and get decent scores. It is possible to get fairly good grades for a while that way.

    But you don't learn it.  You're likely to just remember it until the exam is over… maybe.

    That's why new college graduates often find it difficult to find a decent paying job.  Companies like successful work experience.  In college, you can fool the system and yourself.  In the professional world and in most other areas of life, it's a lot tougher.  Almost impossible.

    Real life is truly like a farm.

    On the farm, you must move the rocks, buy seeds and all the other stuff, plant the seeds, buy and maintain the equipment, pull weeds, keep the pests away, water the crops, buy and sell the animals, feed them, nurse the sick ones back to health, fertilize, etc.  And you need to keep up with it all everyday…
    101231-Farmer

    Or you won't have a crop at the end of the season.

    Life is like this, too.  Just like a farm, you can't "cram" in life.  Don't be fooled.  Don't believe the lies that others want you to believe.  You want to believe it. I know you do.  But think.

    The people who have the things you want earned them.  And don't believe they just got lucky.  Luck takes work. 

    Put the effort in today and you'll get luckier and luckier.  Will it be immediately?  Probably not.  Beat this into your head… Anything worth having takes time to get it.

    When I'm tempted to believe that I should have something (before I've earned it), I think of my grandparents.

    They owned a farm.

    And I realize that life can be long and that I can't put tomorrow before today.

    Then I look at my goal, put my shoulder down and keep going…

    With a smile on my face.

    ——————————
    Today's Winning Beliefs
    ——————————

    — I'm at peace with my responsibilities.
    — I'm preparing myself for tomorrow today.

    Here is a link to the complete archive of lessons.

    Let me know if you found other sources of inspiration worth sharing.

    Related articles
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • Some Thoughts for the New Year

    101230 YDTW-ebook-sm-complete-jpg You never know where a spark of inspiration will come from.  Sometimes you get it from a quote or a story; other times it might come from a question …

    The truth is that sources of inspiration are always there for you.  The question is whether you are looking for them or notice them when they show up.

    Here's a source that I value for its practical wisdom and insights. 

    "Today Is Your Day to Win" is a series of 99 daily lessons, delivered by e-mail. On more than a few occasions, it brought me a message right when I needed it.

    It is written by Mike Brescia of Think Right Now, and it doesn't cost a cent.  Of course, to get the benefit, you will have to invest some time and mental cycles to consider the content.

    Here is a sample from one of the messages.

    Good Things Will Come To Me When I  …

    ——————————
     Today's Empowering Quote
    ——————————

    "The best preparation for good work tomorrow is good work today."
         –Elbert Hubbard

    ——————————
     Today's Empowering Question
    ——————————     

     "What can I do now that will prepare me for tomorrow?"

    ——————————  
     Today's Fast Session 
    ——————————

    Often the most frustrating thing that any of us feel on a regular basis is to want something really bad, and not be able to get it right away.

    Yes, it's frustrating.  But it's usually not realistic, is it? …

    It's getting so that it's increasingly rare to find people who are truly willing to put in the requisite time necessary to get the traits or items they want.  Our world today is trying to teach us that we must get what we want immediately; that it's our right.  And that's why so many of us are jealous, smoke or drink, are overweight, use drugs, etc. …

    Life is NOT like school.

    101231-CrammingIn school, you can trick yourself into thinking you're doing great if you cram for exams and get decent scores. It is possible to get fairly good grades for a while that way.

    But you don't learn it.  You're likely to just remember it until the exam is over… maybe.

    That's why new college graduates often find it difficult to find a decent paying job.  Companies like successful work experience.  In college, you can fool the system and yourself.  In the professional world and in most other areas of life, it's a lot tougher.  Almost impossible.

    Real life is truly like a farm.

    On the farm, you must move the rocks, buy seeds and all the other stuff, plant the seeds, buy and maintain the equipment, pull weeds, keep the pests away, water the crops, buy and sell the animals, feed them, nurse the sick ones back to health, fertilize, etc.  And you need to keep up with it all everyday…
    101231-Farmer

    Or you won't have a crop at the end of the season.

    Life is like this, too.  Just like a farm, you can't "cram" in life.  Don't be fooled.  Don't believe the lies that others want you to believe.  You want to believe it. I know you do.  But think.

    The people who have the things you want earned them.  And don't believe they just got lucky.  Luck takes work. 

    Put the effort in today and you'll get luckier and luckier.  Will it be immediately?  Probably not.  Beat this into your head… Anything worth having takes time to get it.

    When I'm tempted to believe that I should have something (before I've earned it), I think of my grandparents.

    They owned a farm.

    And I realize that life can be long and that I can't put tomorrow before today.

    Then I look at my goal, put my shoulder down and keep going…

    With a smile on my face.

    ——————————
    Today's Winning Beliefs
    ——————————

    — I'm at peace with my responsibilities.
    — I'm preparing myself for tomorrow today.

    Here is a link to the complete archive of lessons.

    Let me know if you found other sources of inspiration worth sharing.

    Related articles
    Enhanced by Zemanta