Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• 3 Reasons to Schedule a Rest Day: “If you regularly do intense workouts, then it’s possible to burn out, but if you aren’t consistent, you won’t see results. The solution to the problem? Make sure your workout routine contains an easy rest day that incorporates stretching, massages, and, yes, rest.”
• How Full is Your Glass? “I’m trying to see my life for what it is so that I can start taking small steps to make it better. Instead of wishing things were different, I’m putting together a plan for change.”
• There’s Always Time to Exercise: “The other excuses are really a matter of fooling yourself. Regular physical activity actually improves energy levels. The best time to exercise is in the morning for three main reasons.”
• How to Deal With Allergies on a Run: “You can be excused if your excitement to finally run in good weather has been dampened by a stretch of runny noses, itchy eyes, and nonstop sneezing. Allergy discomfort can be enough to prevent anyone from wanting to skip their daily workout, so keep sneezing and sniffling at a minimum with these tips for dealing with allergies while on your outdoor runs.”
• Exercise for Depression: “A number of studies have shown exercise to be beneficial in the treatment of depression or depressive symptoms. Further, exercise has remarkable positive, and few negative effects on other disorders. From a physical standpoint, exercise engagement may improve hippocampal volume, pre-frontal cortex blood flow, and increase brain mediators such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (which may be a key marker of depression).”

Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• Water & Workouts: How Much to Drink Before, During, and After: “Not being hydrated can cause dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and cramps, as well as muscles that feel like lead. But heading into your workout well hydrated can make you feel stronger and more alert, and since your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump oxygenated blood to your muscles, you’re able to exercise longer.”
• How to Prevent Back Pain from a Desk Job: Here are some ways to prevent discomfort and tension in your spine.
• Motivated to Move: Exercise to Feel Alive: “In fact, I don’t love exercising any more than the next guy or girl. It’s hard and uncomfortable, and anyone who says otherwise is lying! There are a lot of things I’d prefer do than work out each day. I would much rather sleep in or relax on the couch with a bowl of ice cream. But the reason I stick with it is because I love how it makes me feel. I may not like the process, but I love the results. Exercise makes me feel alive!”
• 10 Tips for Running Your First Marathon: “You’ve prepared for weeks, so now’s the time to have fun. Stop thinking about the runs you had to skip because you were sick or the fact that your pace is slower than you’d like — you’re about to accomplish a major goal, so now’s the time to enjoy the hours-long journey…”
• Exercise Key to Good Health as we Age: “Exercise is a significant ingredient in our effort to maintain good health. As we age we give up many of the activities we enjoyed that were also good for us. Frequently we give up because of a growing fear of falling. Once we have taken a spill, we dread a repeat performance and we become overly cautious. Balance is the key; it erodes slowly as we age. And as we try to protect ourselves, we engage in fewer physical activities.”

Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• Which is Better, A.M. vs P.M. Workouts: Do you workout in the AM or PM? There are great benefits of working out at both times, but we’re all about making it happen whenever it fits into your busy schedule.
• How Do I Measure Exercise Intensity: Great tips on monitoring exercise intensity.
• 7 Ways Exercise Does A Brain Good: “When you hit the gym, your biceps and lats aren’t the only muscles you’re working. Mounting research shows that aerobic activity may be one of the most important factors in maintaining a sharp brain.”
• 7 Tips To Get More Out Of Your Personal Training Session: If you want to get more bang for your buck during your training session, then follow these seven simple rules. From the gym to the Pilates studio, these easy-to-follow tips will deliver results faster than expected.
• 4 Ways to Manage Your Day Better: Whenever there are things to be done, it is always smart to prioritize.

Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• Dogs Make Excellent Workout Buddy: Grumble when you have to walk the dog in the morning? Make him your best workout buddy instead: “Not only can dog walking help you shed the pounds, but it also can lower blood pressure, increase mental sharpness and lower the risk of heart disease.”
• 8 Reasons for Women to Lift Heavier Weights: 8 Reasons Why You Should Lift Heavier Weights (And no, you will not “bulk up!”)
• Weight Lifting Helps Keep the Brain Sharp: Exercise isn’t just for the young and spry. It’s also key for maintaining strength, balance and mental well-being in older folks — and it’s never too late to start.
• 4 Fitness Tips from the Women of Team USA: Four of Team USA’s finest offer tips on fitness, muscle, and mental strength.
• Strength Training as a Family Affair: On why you AND your kids should strength train: “A number of studies show that strengthening the muscles around the knee reduces the risk of A.C.L. injuries. Stronger muscles make you a better athlete, but also a safer athlete.”

Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• What’s the Best Time to Workout?: While some people are up at the crack of dawn to lace up their running shoes, others can’t fathom a workout before noon. Finding the perfect time to exercise is as much about personal preference as it is physiology.
• 25 Ways to Move More This Weekend: The weekend presents an opportunity to make up for lost time. Instead of spending your days off on the couch, here are some of our favorite ways to move more this weekend.
• The Top 6 Exercise Excuses and How to Beat Them: How can you get past the excuses and get moving? Here are six top exercise excuses along with tactics for overcoming them.
• Busy mom? 11 ways to exercise with your kids:Busy moms! We’re loving these great ways to exercise with your kids.
• Exercise Can Shield the Aging Brain: Evidence is mounting that exercise provides some protection from memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease, with three new studies showing that a variety of physical activities are associated with healthier brains in older adults.

Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• Want to Relieve Stress? Exercise!: It doesn’t matter what type of exercise, be it weightlifting or swimming, it can help reduce stress. Exercise boosts your endorphins, which are hormonal substances in the brain that create a sense of euphoria sometimes called a “runner’s high”.
• Two Super-Inspiring Female Athlete Moments from the ESPYs: These two stories will bring tears to your eyes and inspire you to get out there and be your best, no matter the circumstance.
• Lunchtime Warriors: ”What do YOU do on your lunch hour?”
• Exercise for Emotional Health: “The good news is that if your emotional health is not where you want it to be, you a can work to improve it. So why not get started today by getting up and exercising?  If you’ve got excuses, I’ve got solutions. Here are a few:”
• Stay fit while healing with an injury: “There is a silver lining to every cloud, you just have to open your eyes and look for it. New experiences in cross-training will allow your body to become more fit in ways you never would have tried.”

Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• 20 things weight lifting helps you do better: “You already know that strength training is good for tightening up the biceps and building bone density, but it also does so much more. Regular weight lifting can help improve athletic ability in a number of sports or other activities, retain cognitive function in older adults, and even help alleviate symptoms of mild depression and anxiety…among other things.”
• How Exercise Can Boost Your Self Esteem: “There’s nothing more incredible than connecting with “self” and feeling the power that the body is capable of—especially through exercise. In exercise, you push your body through something hard. It’s rewarding to know you’ve accomplished a challenge. It’s a fantastic feeling when you’ve achieved your goal. That in itself can boost your confidence.”
• Fitness with Fido: “Dogs can motivate us in ways human beings and treadmills never could and unlike people, they will never come up with an excuse not to exercise.”
• Walking Every Day to Lower Diabetes Risk: “Taking a few moments for a walk each day is enough to lower the risk of diabetes in high-risk people who don’t regularly exercise, according to the ADA.”
• Fitness & Motivation Tips from Your Favorite Olympians: “If anyone knows what it takes to push through a workout, stay calm under pressure, or fuel up for a long day, it’s an Olympic athlete. And what they’ve learned extends way beyond sports. Their lessons show you how to succeed, no matter what your goals.”

Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• Just Show Up: So how do I stick with it? I have narrowed it down to one single task: just show up. Yep, it’s really that simple. Instead of focusing on the actual task, I focus on just showing up for it. For me, that means putting on my headphones, turning on my music and walking 30 feet to the weight floor. Once I hit the black rubber floor, it’s ON.
• Moderate Exercise Can Lower Breast Cancer Risk: A just-published study shows that just a little bit of exercise is enough to decrease the risk of breast cancer.
• 5 Fitness Tools to Upgrade Your Workouts: @AmyDixonFitness shares five fitness tools that will encourage you to step off the treadmill and upgrade your fitness regimen.
• Stop Comparing Yourself to Others: It’s not about the distance, it’s not about your time. It’s about being mentally strong. It’s about being confident. It’s about the reward – finishing.
• 7 Steps to Become a Morning Exerciser: Your guide to stop snoozing and start sweating. Yes, it is possible!

Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• Kick Butt: 4 Simple Steps To Start Weightlifting: It seems almost unbelievable that this myth still persists, but women are often afraid they will get big and bulky. When I read how many months and years of extreme training it took Arnold Schwarzenegger to add so much as an inch of muscle to his thigh, I realized I would not have this problem! (And I haven’t.)
• Practicing Positive Character Traits Could Boost Well-Being: A study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies (yes! that exists!) shows that purposely focusing on positive character traits is linked with increased well-being. What are you going to be positive about today?
• Exercise: It’s a Love Thing: Count the beads of sweat that fall off your face, and smile. Be active because you can, and because feeling good is far better than just looking it.
• Exercise Really CAN Change Your Life: “The American Cancer Society – have shown that sitting itself can take years off your life. It’s not just that you’re burning fewer calories. It’s that certain bodily processes go silent – processes that do things like regulate your insulin and get the fat out of your bloodstream.“Excessive sitting,” a Mayo Clinic researcher was quoted in The New York Times as saying, “is a lethal activity.”
• Don’t Take a Vacation from Exercise While Traveling: “You may fall into the mind set of, “I’m on vacation, the last thing I want to do is exercise.” I would encourage you to think again. Vacations can and should be wonderful, but they can also be stressful. Exercising can help you cope with the stress of vacationing as well as compensate for the potential over indulgence of food and sweets.”

Each week on Facebook and Twitter, we share links to news and blog posts and articles that inspire us all to find the motivation to start with a program, stick with a program, love ourselves more, take better care of ourselves and find ways to feel better through movement.

It isn’t always easy. So we’re always on the lookout for good reads that you can turn throughout your day to find inspiration and a community  of like-minded people who are experiencing the same challenges you are facing.

Here are a few links we loved this week:

• But I don’t want to work out: What most dedicated exercisers know is that once they establish the habit and reach a certain fitness threshold, working out gets easier.
• Learning to Listen to My Body: ANYONE can be an athlete. ANYONE can experience those endorphins that ebb and flow during a workout. You don’t have to be a marathon runner to know how a ‘second wind’ feels.
• Thanks Dad for Making Me Fit: “Whether he meant to or not, Dad instilled in us a lifelong love of using our bodies and a deep appreciation for all that they can do.”
• Exercise will change your life, and here’s why: “Exercise can reduce your risk of getting, or dying from, certain cancers. It can delay or avert Type II diabetes and it can help maintain your cognitive function into old age.”
• 5 Ways to Stay Motivated When Working Out Solo: “It may be easy to go a little lighter on yourself when no one is watching, but you’re also the only person who pays the price when you don’t hit your fitness goals.”