Running and Jumping and Looking at the Flowers

Yesterday was beautiful...75 degrees in Manhattan and I had a break of a few hours.  I got motivated and got into my running shoes and took to the park.  It was the first time I've run since my running buddy, Sooki, passed on to Doggie Heaven, so the run was a bit lonely, a bit sad, indeed.  Thinking about how she'd always set the pace to 'fast', I was lumbering along slowly; trying to get my breathing into rhythym, and just trying to focus.  Because I wasn't looking for anything the dog would have swept up into her mouth if we had been together, I started to look around me.  I realized it's finally Spring.  There were crocuses of all colors, mountain heather and baby bells jumping up all around me-as if they were waving hello and welcoming me back after such a long absence of 9 months.  My sadness began to dissipate; Sooki's off to other adventures and it's up to me to find the joy of running in the park again.  The run wasn't completely successful - run, walk, run, walk....but that's o.k. after such a long time off.  Returning home, my doormen encouraged me to jump rope (something I always did after running with my dog).  They said 'just try it'...something I always tell my patients.  So, I got my rope and jumped and jumped and jumped.  Some neighbors and people who work on the street stopped to say it was good to see me jumping again.  Sooki would be glad I didn't give it all up and got back into the game again.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Whatever it is in life, if it's something you love...don't give up!  Keep trying. We all experience obstacles in life; whether physical, emotional, or social.  Like a trainer once told me, "winners don't quit; quitters don't win...losers never try".  I'm glad I had a little push of encouragement today; it wasn't perfect, so tomorrow can be nothing but better!

Stamina and Longevity

Last night, I went to see a corporate 'fight night' event.  This is an event where, white collar (men and women) train to box at their gym and then get into the ring for 3 two minute rounds of boxing bouts.
There is dignity in just having the guts to get into the ring...no one is a loser here.  The training that goes into fighting is grueling, rigorous and demands the highest standards of cardiovascular training.  2 minutes in the ring can be the longest 2 minutes of your life.  The bell rings and your opponent comes out of his or her corner, ready to beat your brains out...and they don't even know you.   It's nothing personal; you're just 'IT'.  The heart rate soars during those 2 minutes and can go up to as much as 170bpm.  You'd better be in really good cardio condition for this sport. 
Did you know that the resting heart rate of a conditioned athlete is approximately 48bpm?  This is because they are heart healthy.  Your heart is the most important muscle in your entire body.  Forget the quads and biceps that most think are the target muscles to hit at the gym.  Your heart rules:  the better cardio-conditioned you are, the better your heart will pump that oxygenated red blood cell supply to your organs, muscles and bones...oh yeah - and the brain.   In the long run, you'll be smarter, stronger, faster and you'll most likely live longer.
And if you think you've got what it takes to go into the ring....you'll have more stamina.  You'll have your 'day in the sun'.
Here's Your Tip of the Day:  try jumping rope...it's great stuff for the heart.  Start off with a consecutive 2 minute round.  Take a 60 sec break and then get back to it.  Next round, jump for 5 minutes, then take another 60 sec break.  Keep increasing the length of time you can jump without resting.  Breathe naturally and think about dancing.  Rope jumping is like dance...it's rhythym and fun.
And when you think you can jump for at least 20 minutes straight, give me a call and you can come jump with me!
Have a great weekend!

Running and Jumping

Wow!  It was about 90 degrees and sunny yesterday in Manhattan.  Taking full advantage of the warm weather and an afternoon break between client appointments, I went for my first outdoor run in well over a year.  I took it slow and in the end, I ran a bit over a mile.  Not much, you might be thinking....but 2 months after knee surgery and almost 2 years of not being able to run at all, I didn't think it was so bad at all.  I had to make a few stops - not because my knee was bothering me, but because I just wasn't used to the exercise and needed to stretch and walk out my peroneal muscles a bit.
After the run, I thought I'd have some fun!  So I fetched the trusty dog and my jumpropes and jumped rope for about 20 minutes.  It felt great!
Here's Your Tip of the Day:  when you're commencing an exercise or sport you have participated in for a while, take your time and listen to your body.  Stop and rest, stretch, or know when you've had enough.  We all want to play again tomorrow, so a little bit of 'smarts' today can go a very long way!