John Is Fit

My 3 Favorite US Cities To Go For A Run
Conair Bathroom Scale Review
Enjoy the regime: Losing weight in no time

Posted: 27 Aug 2011 05:57 AM PDT

This is a guest post by Jacquie.

The everyday stress and hubbub on the streets of our nation's biggest cities is expected. But does it surprise you that, even in the busiest cities like New York City, places like Central Park are havens for early morning runners looking relieve some stress in the picturesque setting? You might think you know everything there is to know about the city you live in, but taking a jog at sunrise or sunset might give you a fresh outlook on the city you already love.

Also, if you're travelling, setting aside time for a run can boost your energy after a flight and even get your endorphins going, which will help you be a great mood to get all you can from your trip. A jogging stint will also help you adjust to your new surroundings by having time to leisurely take in the sights. You might even notice some local dining or activities to want to return to visit.

City one: New York City

If you're in New York City there's no better place for runners than Central Park. It's the original home to the New York City Marathon, which says something about its appealing landscape for runners. Whether you call NYC home, or you're just in town for the weekend, Central Park is the perfect escape from the hectic city streets and subways.

Maps are posted at the entrance to the park that will help you navigate the trails and determine which route you want to try. If you're a veteran runner, or you just want to add a challenge in your workout, the Upper Loop stretches about 6 miles around the park. If you're a novice runner, or you just want a leisurely path to relieve stress, the Lower Loop is a good starting point and is much shorter, reaching about 1.5 miles.

City two: Minneapolis

If you're in Minneapolis and looking for a place to hit the trail, you're in luck. Minneapolis is one of the greatest cities for runners. So, throw on your running socks and sneakers and take advantage of the chance to see this great city in the best light possible. Between running options along the river, lakes and at local parks, you'll find a trail that's perfect for you. There are several routes near Cedar Lake, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet. There are also trails along the Mississippi River in the city and along Minnehaha Creek.

One place I recommend to break a sweat is The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. It has several options of trails through beautiful scenery. Its paths also include markers along the route, which will help you keep track of where you are and how far you've come in your run.

City three: Charlotte

Charlotte offers many wonderful streetscape views that are perfect for an early morning jog. If you live in Charlotte, there's nothing like the city streets early in the morning. It's great to get in a workout, check out new places and get in a little people watching. Of course, there are also several options for hitting a more off-beaten path if you're looking to get out in nature. McAlpine Park boasts a 5-mile dirt trail with picturesque gazebos, wooden bridges and a fishing pond along the route. You'll also find markers alongside the trail so you can track your progress.

One of the best places to run in Charlotte is the U.S. Whitewater Center. It has a variety of trails and beautiful scenery. If you're looking to get a quick escape from the city, the trails here can make you feel like you're out in the country. It does cost $5 to park, but it's well worth it if you want to take in some scenic, quiet views of nature while you get in a run.

As you can see, tons of running hotspots are available to try if you want to get some exercise and try out a new city. Indeed, if you're lucky enough to live in New York City, Minneapolis or Charlotte, then you are lucky to have these trail networks available in your backyard. You could even get out and jog the streets and take in the city views.

Running is about healthy living, achieving goals and getting stronger by pushing yourself. Many cities host annual marathons and half-marathons to get involved in. You can even check out local running clubs and hit the trails with fellow runners who share your passion.

Jacquie is an avid runner who loves to challenge herself when she exercises. She is always ready to enhance her workouts with something new and strives to reach new levels in her fitness routines. Jacquie also loves to write about running and invites you to visit Online Running Gear where you can find informative articles and detailed product reviews on products such as the jeep overland limited stroller or the fuel belt helium.

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Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog

My 3 Favorite US Cities To Go For A Run

Conair Bathroom Scale Review

Posted: 27 Aug 2011 05:23 AM PDT

Disclaimer: Conair sent me this bathroom scale to review, however I am under no obligation to do so nor to make the review positive. This review reflects my personal opinion about this product.

I watched the movie Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead last night and this morning (it was available for streaming on Netflix) and it inspired me to try something new. Juicing. Later today I'm going to go out a buy a Breville juicer, if I can find one, and then I'm going to buy a bunch of fruit and vegetables and see what kind of concoctions I can mix up.

Thinking about starting something new caused me to look at the box Conair recently sent me that I had been avoiding – time to open up the new scale! I've done a few bathroom scale reviews before and could very well be the world's foremost expert on bathroom scales. But that's not a good thing! Frankly I wish I didn't need a scale at all.

The scale I'm reviewing today is the Weight Watchers by Conair Glass Body Analysis Scale Model WW52 (wow is that a mouthful!).

Here are the technical details of the scale:

Extra-large 1.9 in. 2-line LCD display with blue backlight
Measures body fat, body water, bone mass and BMI
4-user memory
400 lb. capacity
0.1 lb. resolution
Sleek, streamlined design
Impact-resistant tempered safety glass platform
Long-life batteries included
Limited ten-year warranty

Overall pretty standard for the higher end scale that do more than measure weight. I'll point out a couple of features that I really like from that list.

First and foremost, the 400 lb. capacity for a glass scale is very good. Luckily I don't need that much and hopefully never will. But if you need it, it's there.

Second, the blue LCD screen is pretty and very easy to read. The only time I had a problem with it was during setup when I had to choose my gender. They used these very small icons to depict male or female and I actually had to get on my knees to see which was which.

Finally, the .1 lb resolution. My current Tanita scale, which is being replaced by this Conair scale, has a .2 lb resolution. Now I normally round down anyway so it's not that big of a deal for me now, but I've never liked the inaccuracy of a .2 lb resolution so I'm glad to move to where I think it needs to be.

The scale is easy to use – just tap to wake up and then step on to see your weight. If you want the more detailed information like body fat, body water, bone mass and BMI then you need to tap the user button to indicate which of the 4 possible users you are, and then step on the scale. As long as you are in bare feet and place each foot on the metallic sensor on the sides of the scale you will get accurate readings. I found the measurements almost exactly the same as my old scale.

So overall I'm happy enough to replace my old Tanita scale with this Weight Watchers by Conair Model WW52 bathroom scale.

Stay tuned for a potential givaway where you could win your very own Conair bathroom scale! Hoping to confirm soon.

Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog

Conair Bathroom Scale Review

Enjoy the regime: Losing weight in no time

Posted: 27 Aug 2011 04:37 AM PDT

This is a guest post by Amanda Kidd.

Losing weight can be easy and fun, provided you make a determination and follow a sensible strategy. In order to win, you must first have a clear idea of what you intend to achieve, not just in terms of how much weight you want to lose, but why, and the changes that you foresee after you have lost weight. Remember that there is an ideal weight for every person, and gross deviation from it may actually be a liability rather than an asset. It is advisable to be realistic and practical in your approach of losing weight, both with why you want to lose weight, and the amount of weight loss that is healthy for a person of your age and height. Check with your physician before you embark on any weight loss or exercise program if you are unsure of your fitness levels.

Be Watchful:

Watch what you eat: Avoid fried foods, high cholesterol foods, sugary foods and drinks, and alcohol. Ensure that you get plenty of fiber in your diet. Try to include leafy green vegetables. Adopt healthier low calorie snacking habits. Cook your own food rather than order in or eat out.

Watch your activities: Begin a thrice weekly regimen of moderate exercise. Start out with 30 minutes of it and slowly work it up to an hour three times a week. Include a walk in your daily schedule. Avoid sedentary pastimes like watching TV and surfing the internet and replace them with something that gets you moving like gardening or bowling or even dancing.

Watch your thoughts: Anxiety and depression typically lead to seeking comfort in food or drink. Have a clear idea of your weight loss goal and continuously reinforce the benefits of becoming healthier.

Be Consistent:

Exercise consistently: Many people start out with great plans to exercise, only to discover that they stopped it five days back without realizing it. Set yourself a realistic target to start with and then work upwards. Pip any desire to skip one day right in the bud. You might end up giving it a miss once, but commit to yourself not to miss out a second time. Get back to your regimen at a level you are comfortable with and work your way up again.

Diet consistently: Keep in mind that you need to enjoy what you eat. Plan your meals ahead so that you don't end up compromising with junk food at the last minute because you didn't have a healthy meal planned. Resist the urge to indulge in the common dangers of ice cream, beers, buttered popcorn and the like.

Think consistently: Remember that your mind is your greatest tool in losing weight. It is your mind that tells you to eat more than you need to, and it is the same mind that tells you that you need to lose weight when you actually might not. Avoid diets and exercise that you will look upon as a punishment. If you do that, it is a matter of time before your mind tells you that you are better off not punishing yourself. Find activities and diets that you will enjoy. You may want to consider exercise that involves dancing, walking routes in areas that you find interesting and satisfying, or a competitive sport. For diets, you may want to look up healthier alternatives to your favorite diet.

Achieving your ideal body weight is a key ingredient for good health. The secret of effective weight loss is to adopt diet and exercise alternatives that fit into your lifestyle easily and joyfully. The two keywords of success in losing weight are watchfulness and consistency. Watch what you eat, watch your activities, and watch out for what triggers weight gain patterns. Be consistent in your exercise, choosing a practical and enjoyable regimen. Be consistent in your diet, avoiding bingeing and comfort eating. Be consistent in your attitude, choosing weight loss as a step towards physical and mental health, and following a regimen that you feel good about following, not one that you beat yourself with.

Amanda Kidd is a blogger who is a health freak. She never misses on her workout schedule and is very conscious about her health and fitness. She believes that regular sessions of yoga are the best way to prevent ailments, even including prevention of stretch marks and back pain during pregnancy.

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