Stand Firm!

"The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."

I recently heard from a friend, who after reading the entry regarding the 5K and Ironman World Championship, is inspired to begin training for the Half Ironman taking place in Oceanside, CA next year, tell me her husband basically said to her, "Yeah right" when she shared her excitement to compete. Let me tell you, that has motivated her that much more to do her best to train for the event. Granted, she is not expecting to win it, but she is truly motivated to get out and train for it so she can cross the finish line and tell her husband, "See, told you I'd do it."

To all of you out there getting the fire of your motivation and passion to be healthy doused by "non-believers", stand firm! There is no greater joy than succeeding in spite of the doubts of others.

~Exercise Your Passion For Life!

Say "NO" To Type-2 Diabetes!

Cardio can save your health, your life!

Doing any type of cardio-vascular exercise, such as swimming, running, biking or rollerblading, five times a week can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 45 percent.

Try cardio two to four times a week and you’ll experience a 40 percent risk reduction, and doing cardio even once a week lets you cut your chances by 25 percent. Why? This type of heart-friendly workout lowers your diabetes risk by reducing fat tissue in the body and allowing cells to be more reactive to insulin.

What are you waiting for? Get up and move!

~Exercise Your Passion For Life!

The Human Spirit – THAT Is Powerful!

(Long, yet worth reading.)

PBP Fitness is established on the premise that one ought to live their lives actively with passion because there is power in passion. Today, I have seen and felt that very premise come alive. It has been two part – my first participation in a 5K run and watching the 2006 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawai'i broadcasted on TV. Both are two very different events, yet both evoke pride and appreciation for the human body and spirit.

First, let’s look at the 5K this morning. 3.10 miles is not a long distance to run, not by the standards many active in fitness would claim. To the average American, sitting on the couch or at the computer, walking 3 miles can pose to be a challenge. For myself, I expected it to be a challenge simply for the fact that I do not run. I am either one that will walk very briskly, rollerblade or sprint short distances if called upon to run. I participated in the short distance events in Track and Field in high school and partook in the mile-run out of necessity for soccer training. When given the option, I have chosen to not run as a form of cardio-vascular training.

However, this Saturday, I decided I would run in the Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk with The Arthritis Foundation in honor of my family and friends that suffer from arthritis. I am in great cardio-vascular shape according to my last physical, however, this first 5K humbled me. I’m far from arrogant about my physical condition. As a matter of fact, there is always room for improvement. I was humbled because I had my first experience in what it was like to run for competition. The competitive runners were not hard to miss. As I was running up one side of the road, they were already coming down the other at the same pace, if not faster, than when Santa initially said, “Go!” Not only did those competitive runners humble and inspire me, so did the children, some of whom were running with their parents. Yes, children ages 5-12 from what I could see. My competitive spirit relaxed for a moment when I saw that and I smiled and thought, “That’s so great! They’re having fun and they’re active. This is what exercise is about.” This supports my opinion that a healthy and active lifestyle is learned from your parents if you are a child. When more parents take the time to do activities with their children, there will not be an obesity epidemic effecting our youth. (That is for a separate article.) There were also seniors, “overweight” people, people with their dogs, others with knee braces, a group of girls dressed as the eight reindeer attached by a ribbon pulling on Santa (who was wearing rollerblades) and FAMILIES. I loved what I saw and I finished the 5K filled with a renewal of my passion….a passion to sprint. I beat my personal expected finish time by 5 minutes. I was surprised since I felt I could have run faster and harder. Next time! Yes, there are several "next times" set up. I have not only renewed my passion, I have added a new one….to run for distance. You can quote this sprinter on that.

Then today, as I lay at home resting from the lack of sleep (nerves of anticipation for my first 5K?) and run event, I clicked on the TV to look for College Football. I forgot that we are now in Playoffs. It was just as well, I noticed that the 2006 Ironman World Championship was being shown. This event, in and of itself, is a true expression of human will, spirit, determination, perseverance and passion. These athletes (and any who silently take upon similar endurance challenges) deserve admiration and respect, whether you like exercise or not. The people that partake are not just your elite Olympic athletes; they are your firefighters, nurses, math teachers, 76 year-old nuns, accountants, disabled military officers, paralyzed, Cerebral Palsy and ALS stricken and blind. I listened to the stories more intently today because I have a new appreciation for the unshakeable will-power it takes to finish an endurance race. The Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim in the open ocean, 112 mile ride in windy conditions and 26.2 mile run in hot, humid conditions. If the distance challenge on your cardio-vascular system is not enough, the weather and environment will make sure your “Iron Will” is tested to its fullest extent.

I wish I could take the time to share all the stories of these amazing people to help inspire you to get out and do the activities that bring you joy, reward and confidence. I could, but often times, it’s much more inspirational to go out and do those very activities yourself and watch those better than you excel in that activity. I was amazed to hear the adversities they had to overcome just to be at the Ironman. Okay, the Ironman may not be your goal….neither was the 5K mine. All the same, it’s important to keep what you believe to be holding you back from attaining your goal in perspective. Often times, your mind is making it a bigger obstacle than it really is. Honestly, there was a blind man in the Ironman and several paraplegics, not to mention a 76 year-old nun that beat the clock by 60 seconds before her whole race would not have count. (Had her foot crossed that finish-line 60.999 seconds later, and it would have been as if she had never been there.) There are no excuses!

So this week, I challenge you, rather you challenge yourself. Re-evaluate that goal you think is out of your reach because you have not been training whole-heartedly or eating properly; you have been scheduling other ‘important’ appointments; you have a nagging injury (are you doing your rehab exercises?) or health problem (most likely exercise can help that); or plain laziness. If you don’t care about your goal, then tear it up, you won’t ever achieve it. If it is important to you to achieve, you will find a way to make it happen! Always, when you tap into your passion to achieve something, it will come to fruition. It’s that simple. Challenge yourself to have the "Ironman or 5K Spirit" to reach your goal, "even if they have to roll you across that finish line.” (Jon Blais - ALS sufferer)

This week, do what it is you think is impossible, yet you want the rewards too much to quit. I wanted to run today for those with arthritis that cannot enjoy activity. Who would have known I (a sprinter) would decide to start conditioning my body to run a Half Marathon? (I also plan on going to the next Ironman in Kona…to cheer on the athletes and it’s a great reason to go home.) In my pursuit to help someone else, I have discovered the activity I thought I detested for cardio-vascular activity, is an activity I have become “hooked on”. Take control of your mind so that it doesn’t get in the way of you reaching your goals!

~Exercise Your Passion For Life!

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Exercise With Arthritis

Arthritis is not a disease that is limited to the elderly. Unfortunately, it’s becoming more and more common among the very young. But don’t fall for the myth that you shouldn’t exercise if you suffer from arthritis – it’s quite the contrary.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) has 10 reasons why you should exercise if you have arthritis:

1. Flexibility training helps improve your range of motion and reduces stiffness in joints. Just think of how stiff you are in the morning.
   
2. Walking and other low-impact cardio activities help improve your overall fitness and ease the psychological and emotional pain often tied to arthritis.
   
3. Exercise makes your muscles stronger and helps with mobility, allowing you to accomplish daily tasks with greater ease. The easier it is to move around, the more likely you are to be active.
   
4. Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, increases bone mass, which helps reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis over time.
   
5. Arthritis often negatively affects balance, posture, and coordination, while fitness drastically helps to improve all three areas.
   
6. Excess weight puts a lot of unnecessary stress on your joints, making the symptoms of arthritis even more grueling. A sensible diet and a regular workout regimen are key to taking the extra load off of your joints.
   
7. Exercise reduces stress, which often worsens the symptoms of arthritis.
   
8. Because arthritis is a degenerative condition, people who have if often feel down in the dumps. Fitness helps people look at life in a more positive light.
   
9. Achy joints make sleeping difficult, if not impossible. Regular exercise helps induce deep sleep.
10. Arthritis often leads to a sedentary lifestyle, which is linked to heart disease and diabetes. Regular fitness drastically reduces your chances of both conditions.
    
    

~Exercise Your Passion For Life!

Make A Difference This Month

This month provides a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those that suffer from arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has organized an event, “Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis” which will raise money to help people with arthritis.

Chances are you or someone you know has arthritis. It causes pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling in or around joints. This can make it hard to do the movements you rely on every day for work or taking care of your family.

If you are a resident of San Diego County, I invite you to help others that have difficulty maintaining the active lifestyle we are fortunate to enjoy. I ask you be active for those that cannot be active. Either click on this “Jingle Bell” logo to register to participate as a runner/walker or to contribute in honor of someone with the disease.

If you do not live in San Diego, follow this link to find an event in your state (you are also able to contribute at this site in honor of someone that suffers from the disease):



The number of Americans with arthritis or chronic joint symptoms is staggering and requires attention:

• 1985 - 35 million
• 1990 - 37.9 million
• 1998 - nearly 43 million (1 in 6 people)
• 2006 – 46 million (nearly 1 in 5 adults)
  
• Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans over age 15.
• Arthritis is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability.
• Arthritis limits everyday activities such as walking, dressing and bathing for more than 7 million Americans.
• Arthritis results in 39 million physician visits and more than a half million hospitalizations.
• Costs to the U.S. economy totals more than $86.2 billion annually.
• Arthritis affects people in all age groups including nearly 300,000 children.
• Baby boomers are now at prime risk. More than half those affected are under age 65.
• Half of those Americans with arthritis don’t think anything can be done to help them.
• Arthritis refers to more than 100 different diseases that affect areas in or around joints.
• Arthritis strikes women more often than men.

Overall arthritis:

• Women - 24.3 million of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis
• Men - 17.1 million of the people with doctor-diagnosed arthritis
  

With this information, and this being the month in which the Arthritis Foundation is actively seeking your help by giving you the opportunity to put your enjoyment for activity to fruitful use for others, I will spend the remainder of this week providing some insight, dispelling myths and providing exercise tips for the disease called “Arthritis”.

Please share this information with those you care about.

It's Monday - Get Motivated!

The “F” Word And Exercise

“Today I will leave my stopwatch, goals, and work ethic at home and try to recapture the fun that is in exercise.”

We all forget about the fun part.

It’s understandable that fun can be the last thing on your schedule when your body fights your mind (or visa versa) to go to the gym, aerobics class or running/cycling trail when it feels drained from a long day at work, or has not quite overcome the shock of the alarm clock blaring for you to get out of bed. When the mantra of “gotta, gotta, gotta” is what gets you to move to start your workout (gotta do this, gotta lose weight, gotta build these muscles), all the fun is taken away.

Do you remember when you were a kid and you would run and jump just because you could run or jump? You didn’t think about how fast or how far you ran, you just ran because you felt like doing it. (Although, I used to tease my friends just so they would chase me because I loved to outrun them, and I did.) Yet, notice, “because you felt like doing it.” That was the way to experience the pure fun and joy of being alive. You didn’t do it because you were trying to accomplish something or you had a long-term goal in mind.

When you take the fun out of what you are doing, exercise becomes obligatory and work. If you can find the fun in your workouts, you’ll be much more likely to keep going.

Have fun today!

~Exercise Your Passion For Life!