Fad Diets vs. Lifestyle Change

I picked up the newspaper from my university with the headline "Eyes on the SIZE." I have always been intrigued with body image articles and picked up the newspaper. Several articles were discussing various aspects of body image and weight management.

One article discussed size changes (by clothing manufacturers) over the past few decades. I found it interesting that I've often heard Marilyn Monroe wore a size twelve. The truth is, she would wear a size zero in today's world of sizes. Clothes simply didn't come in a size smaller than twelve back then. Manufacturers play off of the mental satisfaction a woman gets from buying a smaller size, and thus, make smaller sizes to appeal to these women.

Another article discussed the media effects on men and women. I found it interesting that a lot of statistics were gathered about the negative effects evidenced by eating habits (i.e. skipping meals, purging, etc.)--with over 60% of college women (on this campus) admitting to currently be on a diet of some sort--yet the people with their pictures said they didn't care about what the media portrays about how their body is perceived. While many may be comfortable with their body image, I'd argue that the media has some impact on how everyone perceives and feels about their body. Collectively, society agrees upon a "healthy" look by body image. Society has been bombarded by a false norm, and as a result, individuals' perceptions have become clouded. The statistics and the individual comments in the article do not agree.

One of the most fascinating ideas to me is fad diets. Personally, I have never been on a diet. I have never told myself I could not have absolutely nothing of any particular food item. I simply love everything too much: chocolate, bread, chicken, sugar...you name it! Also, for me, if I told myself not to eat anything of one particular item, simply knowing that I'm not allowed to have it would drive an added want in me. I was shocked with the number of women who skipped meals. Obviously the media has had an impact on our perceptions of our body. When anyone feels like they need to avoid eating when hungry, the evidence is clear that external forces are influencing behavior.

I am a firm believer in being healthy. Whenever I hear about fad diets or a "quick fix" to a health-related matter, I become concerned about the individual. There is no such thing as a quick fix to your health! Don't starve your body (by starving your body of any particular nutrients or all nutrients together), take care of it. If you are serious about changing your body, recognize it take a lifestyle change. It's a matter of (...I know you've heard this before) exercise, eating right, and taking care of yourself.

COOL TOOL!
I found a helpful tool for anybody ready to train a marathon. Runner's world impresses me more and more everyday! Today I found a
personalized training schedule according to your current running abilities (duration and speed). Simply enter your information about how fast you run, how fast you'd like to run your next marathon, and when you'd like to begin to train and the computer will generate a training schedule for you...it's that simple!

Living in the Valley of Hills
I live in an area with a LOT of hills. In fact, that's the reason I postpone learning how to drive a manual car. I seem to roll backwards too often, and quite frankly, it scares me to death. Not only do hills affect driving, but also running.
Hills are good for running. I once read somewhere that it's good to throw in a hill every now and again to your run. Living where I do, that's not really a problem. I found another source of information with benefits of running hills.
After reading the article, I am motivated to really run as many hills as I can. The article mentions benefits with "training distances, anaerobic capacity, and strength." With my own experience, pushing yourself beyond a typical run (including adding hills) does a lot more than benefit you physically. The mental state to push yourself while running also adds unmeasurable benefits. It's always fun to come home from a run where you know you pushed yourself a little more than your last run and prove to yourself, one more time, you can do anything you put your mind to.

While reading "Runner's World" this morning, I was trying to find an article I saw last week about accepting your body. Needless to say, I couldn't find it. If you find it, let me know.

As I was searching around, I was amazed at the variety of information found on the site. Everything from purchasing the right mP3(something I'm currently in the market for) to eating right while training (something I need to work on). I came across an article titled "The 25 Golden Rules of Running." The article covers just about everything you can ever think of: shoes, recovery, diet, length of a run, intensity, tempo, and dress.

I found the "dress code" interesting. The article reads as follows:

Dress for runs as if it's 10 degrees warmer than the thermometer actually reads.

To put it another way, dress for how warm you'll feel at mid-run--not the first mile, when your body is still heating up. This means choosing the right apparel. "On cold days, the new soft-shell tops and tights are light, warm, and breathable," says Emily Walzer, fabrics editor for Sporting Goods Business Magazine. "On warm days, wear a lightweight performance fabric next to your skin, which will disperse sweat through evaporation."

Living in a rather cold climate, I don't get too excited about running with one long-sleeved shirt and a pair of long pants. I'm really glad it hasn't started snowing. As for now, I'll keep my two layers of clothing. I'd rather be running in warm clothes than laying in a warm bed.

Twenty-six miles and three hundred and eighty-five yards…the distance I’ll be running next spring for the first time. After finally reaching a point in my life where running has become enjoyable, even serving as my “sanctuary,” I am preparing myself to train!

How do you do that? For those of you interested in running, I have compiled some valuable resources to help you (and me), whether or not you are training for a marathon.

Hal Higdon is a master marathon runner. After running 111 marathons, I’ll take his word for it. Not only does Hal actively participate in running, but he also has 34 published books, many of which include books about running.

Another source of good information comes from Runner’s World. A lot of information is available for just about everyone, whether or not you are a runner. Do you need equipment? What about information about health and nutrition? Do you lack motivation? Runner’s World is the place for you to visit.

I have really enjoyed a monthly newsletter sent directly to my inbox from Active.com. Good information about nutrition and health-related matters have helped me learn about what I should (or shouldn’t) be eating.

Finally, blogging with others about running has offered a new world of information.
• http://completerunning.com
• http://runningandhealth101.blogspot.com
I’ll add more as I find them.

Hopefully, by compiling a lot of information and researching all I can, I’ll be ready in the spring of 2007 to run my first marathon!

Health Claims...A Common Pattern
I don't know about you, but I hear a LOT of health claims about a variety of food. Personally, I've always been a fan of the Food Guide Pyramid. I've never been on a diet, nor have I ever told myself that I can't have absolulutely nothing of any particular food item (i.e. chocolate, sugar, ice cream). That being said, I'm pretty health conscious. I pay attention to what I eat, but I don't think I go overboard about it.

I came across an article titled "Improve your mood with these foods" from the Today Show. I've read my fair share of articles about what is good to eat, what isn't, etc. But I see a common thread. I don't understand why we have so much "new" information about what seems to be a well-known fact about what constitues a "good" diet.

Whole grains, eating in smaller portions more frequently, fruits and veggies, low-fat dairy...the list goes on. Anything new? Nothing I've haven't heard of before.

Calling ALL Runners!
While taking my run this morning, I thought about how little I really know about running. In my last post I mentioned I am a "self-proclaimed runner." The "self-proclaimed" serves as a justification for my title of "runner." The truth is I have never had any real training for running. I hated running in high school so much that when our volleyball team received letters from the track coach to join the track team, I laughed. I avoided running like a plague.

So, I'm calling all runners for any tips or advice you may have. More specifically, I want any advice you may have about long runs (8+ miles). When I first started running, I thought, "How hard can this be?" So I don't know the "right" way to run (if there is a right way to run), the correct way to stretch, or the best diet for the day before a long run.

Maybe you can help. If you know yourself, let me know any info you may have. If you have read any good, helpful books, let me know. If you know of any reliable websites for info, let me know.

I would like to compile a list of the top ten things any runner should know about running. Give me your ideas and I'll put something together!

I love running! This hasn’t always been the case. In fact, I quit playing basketball after my freshman year of high school because I hated all the running. After turning to volleyball, I discovered my passion for staying active and working hard physically to feel good about myself.

After playing volleyball my senior year, I was no longer in training for the next upcoming volleyball season and had less physical activity than I had in a long time. I ran every now and again, but didn’t enjoy it.

My freshman year of college, I ran off and on with a desire to have regularly-scheduled physical activity, but lacked transforming the desire into action. When I moved into my new apartment my sophomore year, I met a roommate who loved to run. One of our first conversations revolved around running and I was excited to have a running buddy.

That’s when it began. I learned about her marathons and began running more regularly. This is when I developed my passion for running.

As a proclaimed “runner,” I have yet to run a marathon but am planning to run one next spring. I have a regular schedule and enjoy my “long runs” every Saturday.

Digital Marathon Running
While sitting in class, I came across the "New York Times" with an article on “Running the Digital Marathon.” Apparently I’m a little behind the times. I usually run with my Discman in hand while I run past everyone and their iPods.

Not only are runners using iPods and MP3s, but are also turning to digital devices to track their running. Look out XBox and old school Nintendo…global positioning systems allow runners to maintain a constant pace. Runners can use a GPS system to make sure he or she is keeping pace with an imaginary rabbit. It’s gaming at its best!

Another technological advancement in marathon racing is the use cell phones. While many marathoners enjoy the upbeat music to remain motivated, others enjoy keeping in contact with friends to receive support and encouragement. Cell phones are also used as tracking devices. Subscribing to a GPS system through your cell phone allows marathoners to call friends who track their distance and speed via computer.

While new technological advances are being embraced by some, others don’t like the idea. The distraction and glitches may deter from the marathon and take away from the traditional marathon experience.

While the only technology competitive marathon runners can use is a stopwatch, non-competitive marathon runners have a variety of ways to keep themselves on pace and occupied while running.

No matter how you like to run, the important thing is that you are enjoying your time.