The Magic of Nature

Ever wonder why beautiful scenery makes you feel so warm and fuzzy inside? I know I do. I'm not even quite sure why beauty grips us the way that it does; but I do know that it is quite therapeutic.

When people like me go exercise, we don't do it in the gym unless we really have to...why? Because...it's not that pretty; unless you count the muscular people as being something nice to look at. But seriously...why go running on a treadmill or riding on a stationary bicycle, staring at a wall, yourself, or out a window, when you could be out on a trail or on some scenic route that makes your workout a much more pleasant and enjoyable one? Why settle for boring when you can go on an adventure??

My experiences while running have been most amazing, I must say. I encounter lots of harmless animals (and some maybe harmful animals...you just have to know how to react) and I get to see natural occurances most often. Today, I got to see a partial lunar eclipse happen. I was going on a long trail run, when I looked up and saw in the sky that the moon's glow was shrinking...It was a magnificent show as I ran through the valley of the Tucson Mountain Park.

The way I see it, if you run or walk or ride outside in the open fresh air, not only will your body love you for it, but your heart and soul will love you for it too. What better therapy than to train under an early morning sky, under the stars, in the rain, on a beach, in the mountains, on a trail, etc? I can't think of any better way to stay happy, healthy, and fit than this. It truly is remarkable whence you finally can experience the magic of nature.

Be well,

Ashley

Run Down?

If you are like most people in this country, you may be suffering from what seems like endless bouts of fatigue and stress. This, we know cannot be good on the human body. When we become tense and stressed out, our bodies go into lethargy mode...or so to speak. This in turn causes us to not want to take the time out of our 'already hectic' day to fit in some good ol' fashioned exercise...we become detached from loved ones and from the world around us...and resulting from this, as well as the poor diet that seems to always come along with fatigue and detachment, we see an unsightly product start to form around our waste lines.

I felt this way when I first began my freshman year in college. I never seemed to have the energy to exercise, to cook myself a healthy meal, or let alone to study well. What I didn't realize was that my lack of exercise had begun to affect my mental and physical health as well as my performance in school.

Sooner or later, I found myself craving daily exercise. Near the end of the first semester, I made a deal with myself that I would start a regimen and stick with it. I did many things. I cycled, I walked, I lifted weights, and I ran. Little by little I started to build up endurance and strength as well as confidence and wellness which helped me do well in all aspects of my life. School got a lot easier, and I couldn't believe how easy it was to find time to get in my exercise. Morning, noon, or night, I had to do SOMETHING.

It wasn't until the near end of the second semester that a friend and I had been at the gym together, and we had been on the treadmill for about an hour. Afterwards, we talked about our workouts. I told him I ran 5 miles. "5 miles?! Why aren't you training for a marathon??" So, guess what I decided to get myself in to...

On December 12, 2010, I, Ashley G. am dedicating myself to running a full marathon--the Holualoa Tucson Annual--at 7:30 am sharp.

Running has become a love and passion of mine since I began my training. Little by little, I've worked up my strength, stamina, and endurance to be fit and well enough to run such a distance. I am not quite to that point of running a full marathon just yet, but I am surely enjoying all the wonderful benefits that running brings to my life.

Running is a great form of exercise, whether you are looking for something to relieve stress or something to help you lose weight. It increases aerobic/cardiorespiratory fitness as well as muscular endurance. Your body actually begins to learn to use energy more efficiently and to burn more fat while at rest. When done correctly, it can relieve joint pain and other types of pain while it also improves blood circulation as a result of strengthening your life pump:the heart.
Risks of running usually occur in individuals who are already injured in one or more areas of their body or in those who over train or do not run with correct alignment and posture. Sometimes it is just runners luck as to who runs away uninjured or not. Risks include runners' knee, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and other joint related, muscle related, and bone related disorders.

Ever since I have begun my training, I've felt myself become a much calmer, more collected person. Stress is at an all time low for me, and I have become more able to deal with high stress situations. While running, it seems like I spend a lot of that time planning my life and resolving issues inside my head; that way, all the work is done so that I can spend the rest of my time doing more important things without all the clutter in my brain. It seems that my new hobby is here to stay, and I am glad to have it around. The endurance of running has taught me that I can go anywhere and do anything my heart desires...that the sky is my limit...but even the sky isn't a limit in these times. There are no limits to running. There are only the boundaries you set for yourself.

May peace be with you,

Ashley

Let's Talk Health - Welcome

We are living in an age where nutrition, weight, exercise, and everything in between are the center of daily conversation. Why more so now than before?

...Easy

3 out of every 4 Americans are classified as obese or overweight. Obesity is becoming known to being more of a threat than smoking, drinking, and poverty combined. Heart disease has risen to an all time high, and so have cancers of many different types. The health of the American people has dramatically declined so low that if we keep it up at this rate, within the next 2 decades we are likely to start seeing the average age of death occur between the late thirties and early fifties.

So, what do we do?

...once again, Easy.

We start eating better, exercising more, and finding ways to ease stress and anxiety brought on by our daily routines.

Where do you want your bloodline to be in the next two decades? Would you rather them loaf on the couch, cranky, with a bag-o-potato chips or would you like to see them outside, enjoying the life of the great outdoors, and living cheerful and full of life?

You can't decide how the future people will live, but you can help. Studies show that a child who grows up in a physically active family is likely to sustain that activity and pass it on to their children, and so on. Sadly, those who grow up in a sedentary household will likely do the same for their children.

Our generation must make a change now. We are in a gluttonous, slothful, and greedy world. There are some things that we cannot change, but there are always things that we CAN change. This widespread obesity epidemic can be slowed and reversed. All we have to do is play our part in passing on healthy habits that will be beneficial in living lives full of energy, confidence, kindness, peacefulness, and happiness.

So...what can you do to make a change?

Check back periodically for helpful advice and tips including nutrition, physical activity, stress relieving techniques, and more!

Thanks, and have a beautiful day.

Always the Best,

Ashley