July 24, 2015

Marisol Rivera: Marisol works in The Dimock Health Center, and has tried many diets but ultimately realized she is a food lover like most of us. She works hard on adapting a lifestyle where she eats her food in moderation but also increases her workout routine. She starts by waking up at the crack of dawn and mixing in a 45 minute workout on the elliptical. Marisol says this is “a way to start my day with a fresh burst of energy. After I get out of work, I have an even longer workout, mixing up my exercises to avoid it being repetitive and becoming tedious”. Every time she loses five pounds she will reward herself with buying something new. “I am aware of the fact that people with little kids may not have the time or energy to exercise, but even so you must try to fit some workout plan into your tight schedule. You owe it to your family to live a long, healthy life”.

Strength in Numbers: The Benefits of Group Exercise

July 23, 2015

Making the decision to go out and exercise by yourself can be daunting and make fitness seem like a drag, but when you aren’t alone there are immeasurable benefits that will make your workout more sustainable and enjoyable. The Road to Wellness 5k was created with 2 main intentions in mind: 1) to inspire health through activity and 2) to celebrating community. For this reason we think group exercise is the best kind of exercise.

The accountability of working out with others is likely to make the frequency with which you work out more consistent, at least at the beginning of your fitness journey. This type of positive peer pressure can serve as motivation to go workout after a long day because you know your workout buddy will be there and is counting on you.

Additionally, fitness groups provide an outlet for social interaction. By participating in group fitness you have the opportunity to meet new people. It’s the same idea as being on an athletic team in high school; while becoming healthy you are simultaneously forming friendships.

The friends that you make through group fitness will serve not only as companions but also as a support system. Because of this camaraderie, those who you exercise with are not your competitors but instead your biggest fans. Group fitness is all about celebrating growth and improvement, and the encouragement provided by workout partners can enable you to keep pushing past your limits and believing in yourself.

This summer there are many different outlets where you can participate in group fitness and find the type of workout that best suits you. For starters, you can come to Road to Wellness 5k training days every other Saturday including this upcoming Saturday July 25th at Playstead Park in Franklin Park. Additionally, the Boston Parks Fitness Series is offering a wide selection of outdoor group fitness classes throughout the community including Zumba, Yoga, and Boot Camp among others. You can find the full list here.

5 Foods to Fuel Your Run

July 22, 2015

In order to be fueled up for a run you first have to fuel your body. Having enough food in your body before going out and exercising is a critical part of allowing you to stay healthy and reach your full potential. However, eating certain foods right before working out can be inhibiting. So what does a good pre-workout meal look like? It may be hard to believe, but protein bars, broccoli, and apples are actually snacks that you should avoid before hitting the road. Although foods that are high in fiber and protein are great for post-run recovery, they are heavy and can weight you down during the run itself. Instead, opt for easily digestible carbs which will give you that energy boost you need. Try one of these 5 foods for your next pre-run snack.

1. Oranges
Jam-packed with all the Vitamin-C you will need for the day and only 62 calories, oranges will give you an energy boost to get through your run while also satisfying your sweet-tooth.

2. Greek Yogurt
Greek Yogurt combines the perfect amount of sugar and carbs to kick start your run. Just make sure not to eat too much as an overload of dairy could upset your stomach.

3. Sweet Potatoes
These high-carb super foods will give you the energy you need to power through the last stretch of your workout and they also contain 230% of your daily serving of Vitamin A to promote skin, nail and hair health as an added bonus.

4. Bananas
There is nothing worse than hitting your stride and then having your muscles cramp up. With the potassium in bananas you can stay strong and dodge this obstacle.

5. Oatmeal
Oatmeal will satisfy your hunger and fill you up without sending you into a food coma. Oatmeal is comprised almost entirely of carbohydrates and can be made fun by adding brown sugar, honey, or dried fruit.

July 17, 2015

Aggie Rieger: I grew up with unhealthy foods and habits. The result was general lethargy, illness and, in my immediate family, premature death. I started jogging in high school after my dad passed away from a heart attack – most likely a result of not always taking the best care of himself. When I began college, I wanted to be adventurous and do ridiculous things I never thought I’d do. For me, that meant doing a push-up. I became an athlete! I found an incredible support system! I began to think of my body as cool and worthwhile! Today, being active means being adventurous, having fun, finding connections, and loving myself and my body. At the end of the day, being active also means respecting my dad’s memory.