Fly-Fishing, Even with SportsBaby!

I wanted to share a wonderful blog one of our retail partner's (www.outdoorbabystore.com) posted about SportsBaby. Not only did she post a great write-up, she also included a fabulous picture of herself fly-fishing "with" her little guy in his very own SportsBaby carrier...

See, yet another perfect outdoor family activity you can do with your little one, thanks to SportsBaby!

http://blog.outdoorbabystore.com/2011/11/14/fly-fishing-mama.aspx

Take a few minutes to read Kati's blog in the link above. See SportsBaby in action as a must-have for yet another fun-filled, outdoor family activity - this time peaceful fly-fishing.

I took the photo of my son here this past summer fly-fishing, one of his favorite, most enjoyable outdoor activities. It's a sport you can do throughout your life. Not only does it take focus, skill and technique, but a true love for the outdoors and of course...lots of fish!

Let's add fly-fishing to our growing list of can-do's and must-do's with your SportsBaby...so much fun together. Keep on moving!

Fall Running, Marathons and the Like

This weekend I have followed the fantastic New York City Marathon closely. I've also been going down my own Memory Lane of good marathon times gone by. The weather in NYC today was spectacular; a perfect Fall day for a 26.2 mile run through every part of the Big Apple. I was wishing I was a part of this great event today.

I've mentioned before that the first marathon I trained for and ran was with my Mom and Dad; quite a cherished experience. Our weekday runs would start at 4:45am, so our small group would finish well before 6:30am. I loved our early morning runs, being finished with training before my work/school day had even begun.

Benefits of running are:

1. Increased energy

2. Endorphins putting me in a great, positive mood

3. Blood circulating well

4. Muscles and bones strengthened

5. Cardiovascular system strengthened

6. Having time to think and clear my head, etc.

We completed the St. George Marathon together, holding hands across the finish line. I even have the picture. It was a very special moment.

The next marathon I trained for and completed was the Chicago Marathon, three years later. I lived in Chicago at the time. It was a very different experience training and running this time around. I would either run very early in the morning with two of my good friends, or during the day pushing my toddler in his jogger stroller.

Once I was in my last month of training I ran alone. My friends were not running the marathon with me, so they did not need or wish to be running 12,16, 20, 22 miles. When marathon day came, I ran it alone, on my own. Let me just say that if you have a choice to run it with someone or run it alone, choose the later.

There is much to be said for cheering each other on, giving each other that extra boost of "you can do this," especially when you "hit the wall." Yes, everyone does "hit the wall" by mile 21-22..You then have to push through the last 4 miles or so to cross that line. I finished the Chicago Marathon alone, and appreciated the cheers from hundreds of strangers all along the way. My little family and neighbor friends were there to greet me as I came in, as well.

My third marathon was in San Diego, California. It was a beautiful winter day, and I loved running along the ocean and quaint beach town communities. This time I trained and ran it with a good friend, which was great. However, we did lose each other at mile 17, so we were not able to cheer each other on through our "hitting the wall" phase.

I must say the St. George Marathon is dear to my heart, because it's the one I ran and completed with my Mom and Dad. The scenery of the red rock canyons was completely magnificent. As far as cultural diversity and being able to run through every part of a great city, Chicago was phenomenal. San Diego was simply beautiful, aesthetically speaking. It doesn't get any better than running along side the ocean and small beach towns with perfect weather in the dead of winter.

As you can see, each location has it's highlights. This makes running a marathon adventurous and fun. Seeing new places that you may never have been before, meeting people from all walks of life, and testing your mental, physical, emotional strength is all a part of the Marathon experience. I highly recommend it.

Come on and join me in 2012 for a Marathon experience of a lifetime! I still have the dream and goal of running and completing the New York City Marathon, which was held today. I have 1 year to train. It is my fitness goal for this coming year. I intend to do all I can physically and mentally to prepare for it and be ready come November 7, 2012. Let's just say that it's on my Bucket List.

Let's keep sharing our love for fitness, healthy lifestyles with the world around us, our families and friends.

Fall Fitness and SportsBaby

Fall is upon us, and it is one of my favorite times of the year to workout outside. The Fall colors are brilliant, a breath-taking sight to see and be a part of as you run, walk, bike ride, hike among its beauty.

I'm going out on a good 1-2 hour bike ride later today, and I cannot wait! My exercise time is my most favorite time of day. It is my time to take care of myself, be good to myself, feed my soul with exercise, clearing my mind and taking time to look around me at the exquisite beauty I live in.

I am sure I will pass many on foot and on bikes. I also know that many will be pushing their jogging strollers, including their little ones in the pleasure of exercising outdoors together. I'll pass others on bikes with their bike trailers connected behind, again including their little ones in the experience of moving fast along the dirt and paved mountain paths, exercising with Mom or Dad.

I love to see Moms and Dads walking with their little ones in their SportsBaby, the best baby carrier on the market to exercise and take along on all your outdoor adventures, be it land or water. I've even seen a Dad mowing the lawn with his little one. Boy was his little guy happy!

I may see wildlife, birds, even harmless snakes; all a part of the beauty around me. I cannot wait to see the bright-colored leaves of gold, red, pink, yellow. I will hear the slow streams of water, cross over them and listen (much different than springtime). The mountains are majestic, no matter what time of the year. However, they are never more beautiful than right now with the painted colors of Fall stroked among them.

As I make my way back home at the end of my bike ride, my play time outside, I will again give thanks for this beautiful world, and it's majesty. I will also give thanks for being able to move, to exercise, to be healthier and stronger while in the presence of such beauty and peacefulness.

I hope you will also join in the outdoor beauty all around, move and include your children! Be healthier, stronger and filled with gratitude for being able to play and move outdoors together! See you out there!

Survival of the Fitness!

Dear Fitness Friends,

I just read this motivational piece in Utah's Deseret News online, and felt that it deserved to be reposted here!

In short, fitness is work, but fitness is worth it!! Your body is the engine of your life. Fill it up with the right fuel, give it daily tune-ups in the form of exercise (any level, any activity!) and you'll be humming along every day for years to come!

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705390808/Survival-of-the-fitness.html

Survival of the fitness

By Teri Harman

For the Deseret News

Published: Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 4:35 p.m. MDT

Since the human race first walked, many have been looking for the easy way out. If there is a short cut, we turn down it. If there is a faster means, we employ it. If it's convenient, we will pay for it.

Charles Darwin said, "In the struggle for survival, the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment."

The same can easily be said about the struggle for a healthy and fit body. Those of us who realize that there is only one true, safe and lasting path to health will succeed. Those of us who constantly seek out the downhill route of quick fixes and fads will always loose out. Those of us who push past all the nonsense and crazy ideas will be the fittest and the healthiest. Those who experiment with too much weirdness will find themselves worse off than when they started.

So what is the correct path in this quest for healthy survival? How do we adapt in a world bent on giving us the next best quick fix? It's nothing new or revolutionary, it is good old fashioned physical activity, also known as exercise.

The Centers for Disease Control stresses that physical activity is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Physical activity helps control weight, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, strengthens bones and muscles, improves mental health and mood and increases chances of living longer. Sounds like a formula for survival to me.

So why do so many of us fight it, seek for the downhill path? Because it is work. It's much, much easier to sit down on the couch in front of the TV instead of going for a walk or popping in an exercise DVD. It's all too easy to close our eyes and gulp down the latest miracle pill and hope it will burn fat and build muscle overnight. It's much easier to turn a blind eye to the future consequences and only think about what we want right now.

Health requires effort, planning and self-discipline. To survive and thrive, we must sweat, we must move. Just accept it now: There is no easy way out, no short cut. The downhill path is far too bumpy and hazardous. Do not let laziness be the cause of fitness extinction in your life. Commit to adapting to the environment that is best for the body: a lifestyle that includes regular, if not daily, physical activity.

Survival of the fitness is the key to a happy and healthy life. Stand up on your own two feet, take the uphill path and evolve beyond the laziness.

Teri Harman has a bachelor's degree in exercise science and more than 10 years of fitness experience. She also writes a weekly column, Book Matters, for ksl.com and blogs at book-matters.com

Tips for Parents: Health and Wellness at Work!

Hi, this is Kim, the CEO of OnBoard Outfitters, and I’m guest-blogging for Lisa’s Fitness Tips today! I recently attended a workshop sponsored by the Stanford Health Promotion Network, on how to incorporate health and wellness into your company or workplace. It was full of fantastic ideas that I want to share with you.

As you know, our mission at OnBoard Outfitters is to inspire parents to exercise with their kids, and to design products that will help you do that (e.g. the SportsBaby carrier.) But of course, before parents can be motivated to exercise with their children, they have to first be converted to a healthy lifestyle themselves!

Unfortunately, many parents who work full-time, or even part-time, struggle with having a daily fitness routine, or maintaining healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Juggling work and family leaves little time for exercise or cooking at home.

On the other hand, employers are always concerned about meeting timelines, employee work hours, budgets, and doing more with less. So spending time and money on employee fitness is not typically on the agenda.

The problem this presents is that healthy workers equal PRODUCTIVE and HAPPY workers! So it makes a lot of sense for employers to find ways to help their workers – many of whom are stressed-out parents – find ways to be healthy during the day, who will then TEACH those healthy habits to their kids at home. It’s a “win-win” for everyone!

The following are just a few things that companies are starting to do to incorporate health and wellness into their employees’ workday routine. Hopefully some of these tips and ideas will inspire you to try these out at your own place of work.

Be the LEADER in getting your co-workers fit and healthy, because those attitudes influence and set the example for their kids!

1. Find ways to limit distractions so employees can be more productive – at their desk, in meetings, etc. If they can maximize their time to get work done, they’ll have a little extra time for some fitness or wellness time at work.

2. Don’t emphasize “healthy eating” or “fitness” too much, as those words sometimes scare people off (e.g. “healthy food” equals “bland food.”) Find other words and other ways to promote health and fitness in terms that will encourage and motivate employees.

3. Post friendly reminders around the office to drink lots of water, stretch, take their eyes off the computer every 15 minutes, take a 10 minute walking break (no more smoking breaks!) and any other motivational thoughts.

4. Provide eco-friendly water bottles that employees can refill, and check off how many ounces they drink each day.

5. Provide fresh vegetables and a chopping station in the kitchen area (employees can chip in for the cost, if needed.) Schedule time when employees can sign up to chop vegetables and bag them so all employees can take them home and quickly prepare a healthy dinner for their kids. Think of it as a “veggie water cooler” -- a time when co-workers can get together to chat and form friendships, while preparing healthy food for the team. (And fixing dinner at home is less expensive than eating out!)

6. Host weekly cooking session in the kitchen area or outside on the patio (be mindful of the office fire codes.) During the lunch or afternoon snack break, teach employees how to prepare a new healthy meal and provide the recipe. Let employees volunteer to cook and learn new skills. Sometimes parents don’t provide healthy dinners for their kids simply because they don’t feel comfortable with their cooking skills.

7. Ask employees to take pictures at home of their families eating healthy dinners made from the chopped vegetable bags, or a new recipe demonstrated at work, and post the photos in a dedicated “Wellness Wall.” Let employees see how much fun families have when they are preparing and eating healthy dinners together.

8. Put healthy snacks in bowls next to the candy bowls that are scattered around the office. You’d be surprised at how many people will choose to nibble on grapes instead of M&Ms when given the option!

9. Find other ways to motivate employees to “move more, eat less.” Organize a monthly Office Olympics or other types of rewards for biking to work, walking to work, walking X number of miles each week, etc. Have a monthly drawing to win a one-year membership to a gym. Find ways to make taking the stairs more fun, such as adding fun graphics on each step that tell a story as you climb the stairs.

10. And finally, give encouragement and acknowledgement to each employee who makes even the smallest change or effort to improve health and fitness. Remember, the point of this isn’t to be the fastest, strongest, thinnest, etc. It’s just about helping employees find time during their busy day for physical exercise and healthy eating, and educating them on healthy habits that they will then teach to their kids at home.

Why Kids Love Yoga

Fact: Children will exercise if adults, teachers and other role models encourage them to participate in an active, healthy lifestyle (including exercising with them). My blog this week is about why kids love to do yoga, and the broad range of benefits (some you may not have considered). I'll list many of them here for you.

1. Yoga assists in relaxation, which children are especially in need of these days.

2. It increases their awareness of their bodies, helps develop flexibility, self-control and coordination.

3. Yoga decreases hyperactivity and poor concentration skills.

4. It redirects and channels impulses for movement and sense motivation.

5. Yoga inspires balance, calmness and confidence for our children.

6. It's fun to teach children different yoga poses. They love to do poses including stretching like animals; such as, the frog, lion and the cat stretch.

7. Children enjoy these animal poses, and find themselves laughing and smiling (healthy practice).

8. They enjoy the breathing techniques, but children do not like keeping their eyes closed for certain poses.

9. Children love lying on their backs at the end of their yoga time, listening to the music.

10. They are very visual, and can easily imagine themselves walking on a beach, or being somewhere they love during the end of their calming yoga time.

11. Yoga allows children to relax, and takes the load and pressures many of them carry off their shoulders.

12. Children love to sing, so it's fun to include music and some singing, chanting during their yoga time. It gives them a chance to express themselves through music.

13. Include some small group yoga moments where children can interact, improving their social skills, teamwork skills and cooperation with one another.

14. Additional benefits of kids doing yoga include improving their ability to focus, concentrate and do better in their schoolwork and homework. Test-taking skills are improved, their stress levels are managed more efficiently and their behavior is improved.

After all the above benefits that come from giving our kids a chance to do yoga, it's clear that yoga is definitely a good thing for them.

If you are teaching kids yoga, remember to throw in some fun animal poses, musical chanting and singing, and give them a chance to do some peaceful visualizations. Your kids will love it! Remember, these yoga experiences will encourage good habits, positive attitudes and a lot of fun for our children.

Youth Fitness - Key

Our company is focused on encouraging parents to exercise and play together with their children. We believe that growing up active, participating in exercise and outdoor activities TOGETHER will lead to living a healthy, active lifestyle throughout one's life. It's pretty simple; we are creatures of habit. Now for the good facts on why youth fitness is so important:

1. Physical activity is a very important factor in our childrens growth and development.

2. Research shows that the theory of physical activity established and practiced early in life does indeed continue into adulthood and throughout life.

3. Schools play a critical role in providing our children with physical education programs, teaching and leading our youth in active, physical fitness exercises and routines.

4. Youth fitness programs enhance the following components of fitness: flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, agility, balance, coordination, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition and meditation.

5. Introducing our youth to physical fitness and an active lifestyle early in life is shown to forestall future chronic illnesses (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, increased body fat, heart disease, to name a few).

6. Participating in physical fitness activities early in life increases performance levels of both fitness and motor skills.

7. It is proven that many health and performance characteristics can be improved through physical activity and exercise.

8. Results of starting children in exercise programs early in life show:
a. Improved ability to meet the demands of physical activities.
b. Improved physical performance tests.
c. Fewer chronic health conditions.
d. Reduced injuries.
e. Increased energy levels.
f. Increased ability to concentrate and stay on task.
g. Decreased anxiety and stress levels.

With summer around the corner, I hope we encourage our youth to get out and play, participate in exercises to promote their fitness levels, improving their healthy lifestyles. Let's get onboard and exercise with them, TOGETHER - that is KEY!

YOGA WORKS

It's almost April! Time for all of us to get outside and play, finally! Yoga is instrumental in helping all of us avoid and deal with unnecessary aches and pains, sore, tight muscles we get with our active lifestyles. Yoga is the balance we all need to keep ourselves healthy and well.

Here are 10 facts about why Yoga Works:

1. Main purpose of Yoga is to help us find and achieve balance.

2. A big misconception about Yoga is that it is only about becoming flexible - not so.

3. Yoga strengthens our muscles, increases our balance, elongates our muscles, improves our flexibility and breathing, helps us feel at peace within, decreases stress and is both physically and mentally therapeutic (assisting in healing from injuries).

4. Our well-being is increased from practicing yoga, because it can transform reactions to stress. Result - we then respond to difficult situations with more grace and patience.

5. Yoga helps decrease insomnia, improving sleep, increasing relaxation.

6. Meditating has been proven to restructure the brain, so you concentrate better, feel more compassion, and work through stress in a much calmer way. This is an important part of Yoga.

7. Yoga will increase range of motion and improve the body's alignment, which helps to avoid injuries.

8. Yoga improves breathing through deep-breathing exercises, which greatly counters stress and assists in stretching, becoming more flexible, less prone to injury.

9. Yoga plays an important role in treating numerous aches, pains and conditions. For instance, when you treat foot problems with Yoga, you end up treating back pain, hip pain, and many other structural body problems; all connected.

10. Yoga is the exercise we should be including in our fitness routines in order to become healthier, improve fitness and achieve real balance.

One more thing about Yoga ---- The best news is --- it's not just for adults! It's for all ages (they even have fun Mommy and Me yoga classes). Yoga truly is for every age group, so let's get the word out -- Let's Do Yoga, Yoga Works!

10 Reasons to Get in Shape and Stay in Shape

It's springtime (almost), and we can all use great motivation to get moving and playing outside!I know I sure can. I am always grateful for my family's commitment to fitness and exercise!

Example: I've talked with them this week about their basketball games, flag football games, long-distance road bike trainings and racing, triathlon trainings, golfing with wild boars (scary, I know), baseball etc.

Need I say more about my family's active lifestyle? Love it, grateful for it! Now for my topic this week:

Here are the top 10 reasons we all need to get in shape and stay in shape, as my research shows:

1. Exercise Improves Mood:

a. Endorphin chemicals are released, improving mood and energy.

b. Releases stress, decreases depression and anxiety.

2. Improves Cardiovascular System:

a. Pumps blood more efficiently. A fit heart rate = 40 bpm.

b. Good blood pressure = 120/80.

c. Healthy lifestyle cuts heart disease down by 50%!!!!

3. Stronger Muscles and Bones:

a. Exercise builds and preserves muscle mass.

b. Keeps you leaner, because muscles burn calories.

c. Both your skeletal system and your cardiovascular system

are strengthened through exercise, stronger bones and muscles

4. Strengthens Lung Health:

a. Our lung health is genetically determined

b. It is important to exercise regularly, keeping our lungs as healthy

as they possibly can be.

5. Strengthens Skeletal System:

a. Our bones are living organisms.

b. Weight-bearing exercises are best for our strengthening our bones.

6. Weight Control:

a. We burn many more calories when we exercise than when we try to lose

weight by dieting only.

b. Healthy Balance = Exercise + Nutrition

7. Exercise Improves Sleep:

a. Exercising improves our REM sleep.

b. Leads to a better night's sleep, more energy and better health.

8. Improves Total Health:

a. Exercise promotes healthy cell division in our bodies.

b. Helps to control our sugar levels, etc.

9. Promotes Faster, Better Recovery from Illnesses:

a. Exercise assists in strengthening our immune system = less sickness

10. In Summary: Our choice to live a healthy lifestyle of exercise and nutrition = healthier, happier, longer life for us!

Get fit and have fun living your healthier, happier, longer life.....see you next week!!

Running in the Rain, Even With Your Little Ones

It's a rainy day, and I can't wait to get out and run! Yes, I have always loved running in the rain. Something about it is calming, cozy and freeing to me. Many of my best memories of long runs in days gone by have been on those rainy days.

You active parents with little ones can still go running in the rain, too! With your all-weather jogging strollers, your little ones will love their rainy jogs as much you parents do. They get to stay all cozy and warm and rain-free in their stroller, while going on a calming, fun, outdoor jog with you. What could be better?

Here are a few tips for parents with little ones when running in less than perfect weather (like rain):

1. Have your jogging stroller ready to go, every needful thing present. Include rain/weather shield, appropriate clothing, jacket, hat, water-repellant blanket, of course your water-repellant jogging stroller, etc. in order for your little guy or gal to stay warm and dry.

2. Wear water-repellant running gear/clothing yourself to stay as dry as you can while having fun running in the rain.

3. Make sure your little one has enough fresh air circulating, so he or she does not become stuffy in the stroller. I know it's raining, but you still need fresh air to breathe in and out =)

4. Choose a location to jog with your little one where there is not much traffic. A jogging path is the most ideal choice, if available. You don't want cars going by spraying you both with water.

5. Monitor the distance/time you run, based on the temperature outside and the severity of the rainstorm. You and your little one want to have fun in the rain, that's your main focus.

6. When you return from your fun rainy day jog, take your little one out of his/her stroller first. Take off blanket, coat, hat, etc. and make sure he/she is still dry and happy.

7. Once you've made sure your little one is a happy camper, it's your turn.

8. Go inside and do your after-workout stretching, and even sit-ups, push-ups, good pilate/core moves to round out your great rainy day workout.

9. Your little one will be as happy as can be to sit by you as you keep setting a great example of how to live your healthy family lifestyle.

10. When your little one is a toddler, he or she will start imitating you, trying to do your stretches, do a push-up, a sit-up, etc. It's really wonderful, and will have a lifelong, positive affect on your children. I know from experience, both my boys did the same thing.

11. After your adventurous, outdoor, rainy day run with your little one, you are ready for a big glass of water, and probably your next healthy meal -- enjoy with your little one!

12. Check out one of our favorite online retailer's website: www.totsonthego.com for their most fantastic jogging strollers and outdoor baby gear. You'll be sure to find the jogging stroller and gear you're looking for. And, while you're at it, check out our SportsBaby carrier on their site (they love our carrier)!!!

12. Get outside and have fun with your little ones, even in the rain (or snow, or sun, etc.). These are memories you will share together that will last a lifetime, and will have a lifelong, positive affect on your children. They will also live the active, outdoor lifestyle. It's what they know and love!

See you next week,

Lisa

Keeping Fitness Fresh and Fun-Favorite Workout

I promised I would report on my training/daily exercise. Let's just say I've had a few roadblocks placed in my way (that's life)...here's my report:

1.The evening I was planning to attend my Zumba Class....phone calls, work calls.

2.I didn't let it stop me from working out/exercising. I accomodated by running, lifting weights, stretching and working my core.

3.It felt so good to workout after a long day of teaching and unexpected interruptions..

4.What a great stress release! Proven fact - exercise relieves stress!

5.I'm happy to report I got right back on track, staying with workouts (until I got the flu).

6.Working out with my brother and sister-in-law (both year-round, competitive athletes) was my highlight - family activity and fun together:

a. I did 50 minutes of Cardio on the lifecycle bike, listening to my favorite music (I highly recommend listening to your favorite music, moving to the beat).

b. Weights: Upper and lower body, doing 2 sets of 12 on each, with enough resistance to challenge me (yet not overdoing it (which I've been known to do in the past).

c. Yoga room: Using the Exercise Ball, Rick and Jo showed me excellent exercises that work the core and stretch the back. It is extremely important to build your core muscles, including abdominal muscles. They support your back. Balance is key.

d. Last, a favorite part of a good workout...ending it with a good steam and sauna (love it)!

7.To wrap up a great workout with great company, I ate a heart-healthy meal with my brother and sis-in-law consisting of: salad, soup, salmon, a bit of pasta and great conversation!

Thanks Rick and Jo! (Family fun working out, being active together)

Keeping Fitness Fresh and Fun

Keeping fitness fresh and fun is key to staying committed to an active lifestyle for all ages. I've learned this through my own experience, a lifetime lover of fitness and fun.

There are far too many choices when it comes to choosing what exercises, cardiovascular workouts to do. I highly recommend choosing 3-4 to start with, mixing them up throughout the week.

That's what I've decided to do for these next 4 months, as I train for a fun Triathlon. Here is a little insight of how I'll keep my own workouts fresh and fun:

1. I have a goal - training for my upcoming Triathlon (biking, running, swimming race).

2. Having been an avid 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Triathlon participant throughout my life helps, no doubt.

3. I love having a training program, which includes a lot of cross-training workouts (mixing it up). These workouts are a mixture of the triathlon events I will be competing in AND workouts that I love to do.

4. Here are the workouts I will be doing these next 4 months as I train: running, biking, swimming, Zumba dance, yoga, weight lifting, spinning group exercise classes, core work.

5. My Cross-Training routines will keep my workouts fresh and fun; that is the goal- to enjoy it!

I'll be updating you on how my first week of cross-training goes, which workouts I enjoyed the most and why.

Let's all get moving! I encourage you to set a goal, participate in a race, do it with your spouse, children, family, friends. You can do it!