health

Run to Health

Nick Miller and I went to high school together. Since then we have found each other on Facebook, and he has been such an inspiration to me. I’ve been debating whether or not to run the Hartford Half Marathon based on how I feel. And then I read this article on Nick and once again he inspired me. I have no excuse.

I was interested in what Nick said at the end of the article in the New London Day about change and challenge. At first I was stunned because I spend a good portion of my life trying to convince people that starting small is worth it. I’ve even tried to convince people to start smaller because sometimes if you take on too much at once you can get injured or it will be so overwhelming you won’t stick with it. Small steps really can make a big difference. And if you go from doing nothing to walking even 20-minutes a day, you will start to lose weight, assuming you don’t change anything […]

Run to HealthMaggie Downie2017-10-25T14:30:14-04:00

Workout Schedule

If you’re finding it tough to fit in your workouts, maybe you should consider creating a schedule. You can do this for each week, so you know what’s coming. Sometimes planning for a month is a lot to take in. One week at a time is something we can all commit to. Think of making time to work out as important as a meeting you have planned. If you only have twenty minutes one day that is okay. Use that time to walk or do a few stretches.

Here are a few tips to help you stick to your schedule:

• Pick a type of movement you like, even if you wouldn’t normally think of it as exercise.
• Have variety in your workout.
• Schedule it at time that will work for you. If you aren’t an early riser maybe it’s better for you to plan workouts at the end of your day.
• Ask a friend to join you for two or three of your workouts. Working out with groups helps the time go […]

Workout ScheduleMaggie Downie2017-10-25T15:49:55-04:00

Pilates Style Lessons

I’m behind in reading my magazines. I just read Pilates Style January/Febuary 2010, but it listed what they thought were some of the best, new (now semi-new) health research for the year. And I figured I’d share:

1) Interval Training is more effective than long periods of aerobic exercise.

I for one am not going to stop running long distances. It’s too good for my mind, but this is why our new Interval Cardio class is so important. Intervals are all the range right now for increase calorie burn and heart health.

2) Low Fat Diets Aren’t Good

Research is showing that low fat diets are less healthy than moderate fat diets. Experts even claimed that opting for carbs over saturated fats might increase your risk of heart disease.

3) Cholesterol May Not Matter

I actually read about this research study while on the vegan diet and became very discouraged, but it turns out half the people with elevated cholesterol have normal hearts and half the people with heart disease have normal cholesterol. Our good cholesterol and bad cholesterol may not matter as much as the type of bad cholesterol we have. Turns […]

Pilates Style LessonsMaggie Downie2014-08-04T18:02:42-04:00

The China Study

On vacation I read The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. It links nutrition and disease, and claims that if we cut out almost all animal proteins (meat, fish, dairy, eggs) we could reduce our chances of getting multiple diseases and greatly lower our cholesterol and have far healthier hearts.

So my boyfriend, who could eat pizza every day of his life, has suggested we try to cut out all animal proteins and go completely vegan for one month. I am not looking forward to being a vegetarian again, but today we start a month-long plan of no animal products. I can’t believe we are doing this in the middle of summer when ice cream is at its best. This means I will have to go another year without trying the sunflower ice cream available for two weeks at Buttonwood Farm in Griswold. Bummer.

We had blood work drawn last week so we can compare now and then. Stay tuned to hear how it’s going. I for one anticipate […]

The China StudyMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:51-04:00

Best Shape of My Life Challenge: Warrior Dash

So, I’m on this healthy lifestyle, right? I have a goal to get in the best shape of my life this year. The challenge started March 27th, and so far I’ve been sick about half the time. So what’s the lesson here? It’s a lesson, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to hear. It’s a lesson that created a debate in my house all last week.

This was the debate:

Matt: I don’t think we should go the Pennsylvania to do the Warrior Dash. You’ve been really run down and I don’t want to see you get sick again, especially two weeks before we leave for Switzerland.

Maggie’s Mind: Damn, he’s right, but it totally sucks.

Maggie Aloud: What do you want me to do, never work out again? I am feeling better. And, I really want to do the Warrior Dash. And I really want to see the friends we were going to see down there.

Matt: Me too, but is it worth it?

Maggie’s Mind: No, I don’t want to get pharyngitis again, but come on…this totally sucks!

Maggie Aloud: Let’s think on it and decide Friday.

(Note: this […]

Best Shape of My Life Challenge: Warrior DashMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:53-04:00