The Reality of Health and Weight Loss

Your shoes lose cushioning, shock absorption, and stability over time. Prevent injuries and know when you need to replace your running shoes!

Loss of cushioning in the midsole usually leads to an increase in joint pain and shin splints. The midsole is responsible for cushioning and stability, and it breaks down before the treads of the sneakers.

If you run several times a week but don’t count miles, try and replace them around every six months.

5 Steps from Couch Potato to Runner

photo by puuikibeach via Flicker Creative Commons

grumblegrumbleallonsy asked

Hi, so I recently started running and trying to make healthier choices. I'm thinking about trying to cut out meat for a day or two each week to start with and ultimately maybe building up to being a vegetarian full time. I also set a goal to complete the Color Run 5k in September. If I start now and run 3-4 times each week with some being endurance and some being interval runs, do you think that's a realistic time frame for the 5k? Your blog is so inspiring and helpful! XOXO J

You will absolutely be able to run the 5k and September with that workout plan. Interval and endurance runs are the way to go, and you’re doing everything right!

If you’re looking for additional training help, I’d suggest giving the Easy 5k LoLo Fitness App a try. It adjusts the beats of your music to your pace, and helps structure your interval runs on or off a treadmill.

I’ve been using LoLo apps for the past few years (notably Beat Burn Treadmill Trainer!) and they’re positively fantastic!

Also, if you want to become a vegetarian, I would recommend this website and this guide on Becoming a Vegetarian in Five Days.

Good luck! :)

3 Ways to Set Good Fitness Goals:

1. Fitness takes time. Keep your goals realistic! You can’t run a half marathon in the space of a month. Know where you want to be, and plan timely milestones to keep you on track!

2. Understand that everyone is different. Don’t compare your goals with others. Set the right milestones for you, not for someone else.

3. Know your body. Do you really need to lose weight? Or do you need to gain muscle and tone up? Understand what’s the healthy weight for your height, and know that weight loss won’t solve all your problems. Shooting for general fitness is usually the better goal!

photo by lululemon athletica

The Key to A Successful Workout (Guest Post)

This post is by my brother. He was like, ‘hey Amy! I think your followers are the coolest, most beautiful/inspiring/wonderful people on the planet. Can I write a post for them?’ Spoiler alert: I said yes.

You can find his Tumblr here. I know if you followed him and/or left him a message, he’d probably explode with happiness.

Q: What’s the secret to an awesome workout?
A: Music!

Everything works better with music: driving, homework, showers, awkward moments, movie montages, but especially working out. I’m a big runner, like my lovely sister. I use apps like lolo treadmill that speeds up my music to match the pace of my workout.

The big guys at The New York Times did a study regarding music’s effect on workouts. When uptempo music played, it motivated the participants to push harder and enjoy the burn.

There are only two species that respond to music at a physical level: Humans and songbirds. Our bodies want to line up our legs and arms to the beat of the music which can easily be manipulated by today’s software.

So what does this mean for you? Customizing playlists with your favorite up-tempo music may add the extra boost you need to push through your next plateau! Unleash your inner song bird!
-DJ

Zombies, Run! App

***Edit: Because you guys love this so much, I’m giving out a free copy through the itunes store! Enter to win on RealityofYou.com!

Giveaway has ended! Stay tuned for more free stuff.

My inner nerdiness resurfaces whenever zombies and/or new iPhone apps are involved. And now my new personal heroes are combining zombies and the iPhone and running? My god. Mind = blown.

Actual conversation I plan on having:

Friends: Oh, hey, do you want to grab some froyo later today?

Me: I can’t! I have to run away from zombies in this post-apocalyptic world I’m a hero of! MY BASE CANNOT SURVIVE ITS IMPENDING DOOM WITHOUT MY MAD RUNNING SKILLS! I MUST SAVE WHAT’S LEFT OF THE HUMAN RACE!!

Friends: You do that, Amy.

…

Yeah. I’m so cool.

But really, running away from zombies with this app is probably the most exciting workout ever. It’s incredibly immersive, and the stoyline feels like a novel. Last workout, my helicopter crash landed outside of the base because a *mysterious force* shot it down with an RPG, and I was out in the middle of the desert with all these flesh eating zombies, and then this radio tower guy (with a REALLY attractive voice) contacted me and made me run through a hospital, where his old flame turned out to be…

…haha no. I refuse to spoil the storyline. It’s too amazing. Also, everyone has British accents! I secretly bought the game for that reason alone. The zombies were a bonus.

Go grab the app here!

Submitted by: getfitandloveit

Forget this, I’m going running.

Bad day at work? Falling off the healthy-lifestyle wagon? Your long standing almost-boyfriend decides he’s better off with a 100lb blond, self-absorbed model than you, even though you’ve always been there for him through everything and your chemistry undeniable?

Yeah. Shit happens.

Solution: Go running.

Instant mood buster
You’ll be too busy to think about that no-good rotten idiot who broke your heart
Awesome calorie burn (not that you’re trying to lose weight to make him jealous. You’re doing this for you, no one else. But if he gets jealous in the process, no big deal, right?)
Running builds bone density
Runners get instant street cred
Running returns you to your natural badass mo-fo state of being.

Weather heartbreak and stress by lacing up your sneakers, not reaching for the ice cream.

Because one day, I’m going to find somebody who will pick me over the airheaded swimsuit model.