Stroller Jogging: Losing the Baby Weight

After having a child many women want to lose their baby weight so they look for activities that they can do to shed some pounds but still spend time with their little bundles of joy. Jogging strollers are a great option that allows just this.

Whether you are new to stroller jogging or if you have been doing this for years there are a few things that you need to keep in mind in order to keep your body out of harm’s way. First, it is important to remember that even if you are an experienced runner, starting to exercise with a jogging stroller is an entirely different experience. You are no longer pumping your arms to help propel you forward. This means more power must be derived from your legs and feet, thus putting more pressure on them as well.

Secondly, your posture is going to change because when you are pushing the stroller your back hunches slightly. If you are not used to this position, then expect to be sore the first couple of times you start stroller jogging.

Third, expect different muscles and areas of your body to ache more than they normally would in your pre-baby running days. When running with a stroller you are positioning your body differently and adding an extra pushing motion which will cause different muscles to be worked. Also, if you have put on some extra weight then you must keep in mind that you are putting more weight onto your feet which may cause them to hurt more then usual. I would recommend buying a new pair of running shoes when you first start out. Using old running shoes from before baby, when you were running ten to twenty pounds lighter than now, causes the pressure points to shift causing your feet to blister.

Getting back into shape is an important step for any mother to take after she has a child. The better shape you are in, the easier you will find being able to keep up with your children. Just remember to start out slow when you first begin to exercise again. Take in to consideration all the things your body has been through recently and don't get frustrated if you get tired quickly, this is to be expected for the first couple of weeks when beginning a workout routine.

National Running Day is June 3, 2009

Running is one of the most popular means of exercise around. The reason is, it's easy and accessible! We have our feet, there's road outside our door...all you need to do is step outside. National Running Day is a national initiative whereby many of the major organizations within the running industry are joining forces in an unprecedented unified effort to nationally and locally promote running.

There will be cities around the country hosting organized runs for all ages and levels. Houston, TX is definitely a participant and the Chevron Houston Marathon is a sponsor. If you do not live in or near a participating city, that's no problem! Just go outside and run!

Don't run alone either!! Run with your husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend, fraternity or sorority. Run with your kids or run with your parents. Run with your dog (dog's love to run with you.) Run around your block, go to a park and run, or run on a high school track. It doesn't matter where...it doesn't matter with who...just get out and go!

For more information, visit http://www.runningday.org

Here Comes Summer...Runners Beware!

As the Houston summer quickly approaches, so do those long summer days with the scorching hot sun and humid conditions. If you are a runner this means that you are going to have to prepare yourself to bear the heat if you want to keep up the pace during the summer months. One of the most important aspects of running, no matter what time of year it is, is staying hydrated. I can still remember my high school cross country coach telling the team that training doesn’t end when you leave practice but continues with everything you put in your body because this will affect your run tomorrow and the next day. He would say that you can tell if you are drinking enough water if you are urinating clear. Back in those years I thought this was a silly analogy to be teaching high school students but thinking back on it now it was actually a very clever way to tell if I was truly drinking enough fluids to keep up with the toll I was taking on my body with each run.

There are many other ways to make sure you stay fully hydrated during hot and humid runs. Many runners choose to wear camelbacks, because they are relatively lightweight and don’t require you to stop if you want a sip of water. There are also many fuel belts on the market that allow runner to wear a belt that holds containers for water or juices.

It is important to consider that sometimes water is not the best choice in hot circumstances because you are not merely losing water when you run but also essential electrolytes. Alternatives such as Gatorade, Vitamin Water, and PowerAid are great products that help to keep you hydrated and replenish your electrolytes.

When you run in the heat you also sweat more. Make sure you wear socks that are made out of a material that can wick the increased perspiration away from your feet. If you wear cheap cotton socks you will have a greater risk of developing blisters.

However you choose to help quench your thirst and dodge the heat while running in the summer months always keep in mind that you must be especially in tuned with your body during this time. Don’t push yourself to hard. If you start feeling heat cramps, dizziness, or lightheadedness coming on stop immediately and seek shade and water.

Fergie is Running To the Altar

One of the first things a woman thinks after she gets engaged is what she wants to look like on her wedding day. Many women realize that they need to start exercising and dieting in order to achieve the look they want for there special day. Some women even go so far as buying their wedding dresses in smaller dress sizes so that they have to lose weight to fit into it!

Many women, such as the celebrity singer Fergie, try to lose weight for the wedding by taking up running or walking. Many celebrities are seen dropping ten or even twenty pounds in weeks but the thing that many people don’t think about is that these people have personal trainers spending countless hours with them to ensure they are exercising properly and getting the correct nutrition so that they can lose weight without hurting themselves in the process.

For all of us who cannot afford to have a personal trainer wake us up every morning to whip us into shape, here are some hints on how to start an exercise regime that won’t leave you limping after a week.

1. Don’t do too much too fast

It is important to gradually ease your body into an exercise program. If you are working off of a base in which you don’t work out at all then start off with running 3 times a week for 20 minutes.

2. Get the right equipment

If you don’t exercise much to begin with then it is probably time for you to invest in a new pair of running shoes. It is important to have one pair of shoes that are dedicated to running and one pair that you use for other everyday activities.

3. Take care of your feet

Make sure you are wearing the correct footwear when exercising. If you are wearing shoes that are too tight, or that don’t give you the right support then you can get a number of foot aliments that will prohibit you from continuing your “race to the altar”.

Everyone wants to look good on their wedding day. Running is a great exercise to shed a few pounds, as long as you ease yourself into it and take care of your feet and body.

Chevron Houston Marathon Increases 2010 Field by 4,000 runners

As the Chevron Houston Marathon has increased in popularity, it has been tougher to secure a position. In fact, the 2009 marathon sold out 6 months before the race! This made it tough for people who joined training programs, such as Kenyan Way or Houston Fit, to enter the marathon. Lots of disappointment.

This year, the field will increase from 18,000 to 22,000 runners. Another change made is that the fields will be equally split between the full marathon and the Aramco Half-Marathon. Last year, there ended up being more entries for the half marathon then for the full distance.

If you're planning on running the Houston Marathon or Half-Marathon this year on January 17, 2010, be sure to register early!! Registration opens on July 17, 2009!