The Fit Stop

Run to Fund Boston on National Running Day (And Win A TIMEX Watch!)

Written on June 4, 2013 at 3:00 pm , by FITNESS Intern

Written by Chloe Metzger, editorial intern

If you’re like many of us over here at FITNESS, you probably don’t need to be poked or prodded to lace up your running shoes and hit the pavement. Running is what gets many of us up in the morning to sweat; the thing that keeps us (relatively) sane during our hectic weeks. We do it because we want to—and on Wednesday, June 5th, we’ll celebrate National Running Day as we do most days: with running.

The running community is a tight-knit one (how else could anyone stay motivated to finish a 26.2-mile marathon?), but we’re not the only ones who are excited about tomorrow—Timex is in on the fun, too. The watch company launched its “I Am A Runner” campaign last month to celebrate runners of all levels and to provide a place for people to share their most inspirational and motivational reasons for why they run.

To get in on the conversation, tweet your tale or Instagram a picture with the campaign’s #IMARUNNER hashtag by June 5th. Your story will show up on Timex’s Facebook page, and they’ll donate $5 to One Fund Boston, a relief fund for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. Bonus: You’ll also be automatically entered for a chance to win one of the 60 Timex Ironman watches the company is giving away!

To find out more about the “I Am A Runner” campaign, or to directly submit your photo or story, check out the Timex Sports Facebook page. We’ll be reading through the stories for an extra dose of inspiration ourselves, so start tagging those posts!

Now you tell us: How will you celebrate the sporty holiday?

Prepare to Be a Hero During National CPR Week

Written on June 4, 2013 at 12:44 pm , by Karla Walsh

Did you know…

• Nearly 360,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States, accounting for 80 percent of total cardiac arrest cases.
• About 90 percent of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die because they don’t receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene.
• Only 41 percent of people who experience a cardiac arrest get the immediate help that they need before emergency help arrives.

For these reasons and more, the American Heart Association wants you to brush up on your skills now during National CPR Week (June 1-7). According to the AHA, CPR can double, and perhaps even triple, the likelihood of survival of someone whose heart has stopped. Think about it: if you do nothing, nothing has a chance to improve!

If you’re turned off by the traditional idea of CPR including mouth-to-mouth, fear not. Updated recommendations promote a hands-only method, which has only two steps:

1. Call 9-1-1.
2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the disco song “Stayin’ Alive.”

Are you CPR-certified? If so, post the AHA’s hand image above on your social media accounts or share pictures of your own hands in the #CPRReady position. If not, stop sitting on the sidelines and find a course near you!

More from FITNESS:

• Keep on Ticking: Your Essential Guide to Heart Health
• Are You at Risk for a Heart Attack?
• How to Eat for a Healthier Heart

Relive the 2012 London Olympics with a “FIRST” of Its Kind Sports Documentary

Written on June 3, 2013 at 2:15 pm , by Christie Griffin

If you thought the buzz about the London Olympics ended last summer, we have news for you: There’s a brand-new sports documentary that chronicles the journey of 12 first-time Olympians, including Americans Missy Franklin and John Orozco. Aptly titled “FIRST: The Official Film of the London 2012 Olympics” the two-hour film is a real treat for anyone who enjoys the emotional personal stories, montages set to killer soundtracks, and gripping recaps that accompany the Olympics. Last Thursday, select theaters screened the film, but you can watch it on NBC on July 27 or buy the DVD here.

During the Olympic Games in London, Caroline Rowland—the film’s director and the Executive Creative Director of New Moon—was granted special access to exclusive areas by the International Olympic Committee. Here she shares some behind-the-scenes insights into her behind-the-scenes film.

Why do this film now, instead of four or eight years ago? What makes this the right time to film and release FIRST?

CR: Throughout the history of the modern Olympic Games, each Games has been immortalized on film. But the London 2012 Olympic Games made a specific commitment to inspiring a generation—so it’s fitting that FIRST focuses on young people and their transition into adulthood through their experience of being an elite athlete at their first Olympic Games.

What were some of the biggest challenges in creating/filming FIRST?

CR: It’s always challenging to film at major sporting events, but the challenges of creating a feature film—using the technology and approach that would typically be used in a more controlled environment— certainly kept the entire production team on their toes!  Between 26 sports, 10,500 athletes, hundreds of thousands of spectators, and unpredictable outcomes…it was all challenging.  But at the heart of it were 12 superstars who kept us all immersed in the experience and we were able to confront everything that was thrown at us.

What were your favorite parts in creating/filming FIRST?

CR: Having the opportunity to be at the London 2012 Olympic Games for 17 days, 17 hours a day, at the heart of the action was unforgettable.  I fell a little in love with every one of the athletes featured in FIRST. Getting to know them ahead of their events meant that I had a very special interest in their performances.

What do you think this film means for the athletes in it, as well as other Olympians?

CR: Several of the athletes in the film have commented on how the film has given them a prism through which to see their own Olympic experience, after they emerged from the most heady and defining experience of their young lives.  FIRST is the sort of story that any athlete—amateur or professional—can relate to. It is about triumph and adversity and the very human experience of being vulnerable in the face of unseen forces.

What’s the one takeaway you hope the audience will get, upon watching the film?

CR: I hope that FIRST is an uplifting, inspirational film that reaffirms all the things that make it incredible to be human—and specifically, an athlete.

FITNESS had a chance to screen the film and we loved it! So make sure to tune in on July 27…and in the meantime, we’re going to try and hunt down some of the songs from the fab soundtrack! For more info, like /OlympicsFilm on Facebook.

Music Monday: Rock + Country Collide with Sheryl Crow

Written on June 3, 2013 at 12:13 pm , by Samantha Shelton

Ever since we chatted with Sheryl Crow, we can’t stop listening to her rockin’ tunes. So why keep the music sharing to ourselves? We put together a playlist of Crow’s top hits, including her latest single, “Easy.” Plug into her current songs with a healthy dose of the classics, and get ready for a totally blissed-out Monday.

Really Good Read: “Boston Billy” Is Back in Marathon Man

Written on May 30, 2013 at 2:23 pm , by Lauren Cardarelli

Long before the time of Gatorade, GU or GPS watches, Bill Rodgers set a 2:09:55 American record at the Boston Marathon. There were no clocks or traffic control for his 1975 victory and medals were awarded only to the top three runners.

“You didn’t see lots of couples or families showing up to races,” the legendary long-distance runner reminisced in his new book-meets-memoir, Marathon Man, which he co-authored with Matthew Shepatin. “I didn’t know any running couples, and to see a woman runner was shocking. Some would think: Oh, good grief, there’s a woman runner. My attitude was: Good going!”

Running as both a sport and culture has made drastic strides over the past few decades—something I rarely considered before reading the 26.2-mile journey of the infamous “Boston Billy.” The book’s chapters alternate between play-by-plays from his first big victory and life prior to the momentous moment in history, as he falls in, out and back in love with running.

The pavement-pounding passion that burns within so many of us used to be quite the enigma “for freaks and fairies,” although seemingly simpler. Perhaps that ease was just the spirit Bill conveyed despite his quick pace. With each turning page, I craved the same sweat and pain that comes with training territory, but it was Bill’s natural, liberating take and mindset—something no gadget could ever provide—that I found truly moving.

“Running wasn’t an escape from life; rather it was an embrace of it,” Bill explained. “As I bounded along the park trail, I wasn’t sailing around in chaos. I was charging forward with purpose.” For Bill, rising to the top of the running world wasn’t about the fame or a collection of tech tees (well, those didn’t even exist yet!). It was a sense of freedom he couldn’t experience anywhere else.

Road races before the late 70s running boom were nuts and bolts affairs, a morale-boosting medicine that wasn’t so much about the time, but a hunt for the win. Bill sported ensembles from dumpster dives (stiff jeans in the colder months—yikes!) and hydrated with an old shampoo bottle. He ran the same way he did as a kid catching butterflies in the fields of Connecticut, even stopping to tie his shoes with six miles to go before winning the Holy Grail of marathons.

Yes, we now know a lot more in respect to the athletic do’s and don’ts, something we here at FITNESS love to keep you all up on. But if this invaluable book taught me anything, it’s to lace up my sneaks without much of a thought and simply enjoy the ride. Who knows, maybe I’ll leave my pop playlist behind, turning to the birds and sound of my own breath to pace my stride. This book is more than a good read. It’s my new Bible. Pages are folded, quotes are highlighted and it will be a go-to gift for my fellow running pals. You learn through Bill’s mistakes, defeats and triumphs, cheering him along as if the historical race is live. I won’t be fueling up on ketchup-smeared brownies anytime soon—sorry, Bill, that’s a little much—but I will pour myself full force into what Bill often referred to as his “channel.” His perseverance sparked a fire under my tread that lead to a race-filled summer. Who knows, maybe I’ll even go for the full 26.2 soon, too.

Now you tell us: Where do you find your run-spiration?

New York Liberty Basketball Star Essence Carson Opens Up About Her Sport and Passion for Music

Written on May 29, 2013 at 1:38 pm , by Samantha Shelton

WNBA player Essence Carson knows what it’s like to put in hard work. The young basketball star has been playing since she was six, honing her skill until she was eventually drafted in 2008. But don’t think that’s the only thing the 26-year-old is great at: Carson also indulges her second passion by producing and performing music. After a tough day of training, we chatted with the multitalented athlete to find out what a day in the life is like when a new season is kicking into gear.

First, how did you get involved in basketball? What made you want to pursue a career in it?

It was just something a lot of the kids in the neighborhood played when I was younger. My dad was into basketball and it was just a common interest for all of us. And then my dad really loved basketball. I played in the neighborhood maybe when I was like 6 or 7. But I didn’t start playing organized until I was 11. I just had a love for the game and wanted to be the best at it. When I got drafted I was like, “Wow, this is really happening.”

You have a lot of accolades attached to your name. Any standout moments or favorite memories for you?

When I was in college, making it to the national championship game was a standout moment. Getting drafted was major for me, obviously, as well as making the all-star team in 2011.

I read that you also have a big passion for music. What are some songs we can find on your playlist?

You’ll find some Jay Z and Miguel. I love Miguel. You’ll find of my own music, too. I listen to a lot of different stuff.

If you weren’t a basketball player, would you be doing music?

Yes. I’ve been playing music since I was nine years old, and my first performance is something I’ll never forget. I play the piano, the sax, the electric bass and a little bit of drums here and there. Right now, I produce and perform when I’m not playing basketball, so I’ve gotten good at managing my time. But yeah, if I wasn’t a basketball player, I would pursue music full-time.

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‘The Biggest Loser’ Trainer Dolvett Quince Knows How To Make Us Sweat

Written on May 28, 2013 at 10:04 am , by Samantha Shelton

If you’re looking for a charismatic personal trainer who knows how to turn into a drill sergeant the second it’s time to work, look no further than Dolvett Quince. He makes up one-third of the trainer team on hit reality show The Biggest Loser, and now that we’ve met the man, we see why so many of the contestants love him. In NYC to promote Dr. Scholl’s Active Series Insoles, Quince put us through a quickie circuit full of step-ups, squats and burpees, convincing us to keep pushing with his mega-watt smile shining after every set. We chatted with him in between gulps of water afterward to find out his favorite part of being on Loser.

Why did you choose the moves that you did for us in this workout?

Everything that I do is a combination movement. I love combinations. Why? Because I don’t have a lot of time. Most people that I train don’t have a lot of time. So what can I do to work the glutes, the legs, the shoulders and the core all at the same time? Do more than one movement in more than one way.

Do you like to do a lot of workouts just using body weight?

I love weights personally. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t have them in their homes or offices. I like to show people they don’t need a gym or weights to get in a great workout. You can still do amazing things using just your body weight.

What are some of your favorite workouts personally?

The combination movements. I’m a huge fan of squats, lunges, core stuff, chest. I love doing both cardio and strength training every time I workout. Commit the same time frame – 10 minutes here, 8 minutes there – to maximize my time; maximize my results.

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Salads That Boost Your Energy

Written on May 27, 2013 at 12:30 pm , by Guest Blogger

By Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD

You’ve just eaten lunch and BAM—the desire to take a nap hits you like a ton of bricks. If your mid-day meals are dragging you down, swap in one of these energizing salads instead of your usual fare.

With the help of The Dole Taste of Spain Salads,  I have posted 31 salad recipes throughout May. Below are the final 5 delicious salads, each focused on giving you a shot of natural energy to get the most out of your day.

Sherry Vinaigrette Salad w/ Serrano Ham Breadsticks & Roasted Red Peppers

ENERGY BOOST: Red Peppers. The vitamin C in red peppers helps absorb iron in greens for healthy red blood cells – which carry energizing oxygen throughout the body.

INGREDIENTS

Music Monday: CBS Anchor Norah O’Donnell Plays “Would You Rather” + Shares Her Fave Playlist!

Written on May 27, 2013 at 10:33 am , by Samantha Shelton

As a cohost of CBS This Morning, it’s safe to say Norah O’Donnell spends her fair share of time on the go. Between waking up at the crack of dawn to head to work, taking care of her kids, reporting from major news events (check out Instagram for her coverage on the tragic Oklahoma tornado) and squeezing in her own sweat sessions, we think she’s a bit like superwoman. To help bring her back down to our human level, and let you get to know the woman behind the anchor’s desk, we decided to play a little game. So Norah, would you rather…

Workout in the morning or at night?

Afternoon. I can’t really do it in the morning because I have to be here at 4:30am and it’s hard enough getting here on time! So usually it will be sometime in the afternoon after I’ve left the office. I don’t like exercising at night because it totally revs me up and I would have trouble falling asleep.

Run or Spin?

Run. I run and do P90X, but I don’t do it every day like you’re supposed to. I’ll do it like two times a week and then I try to run 2 or 3 times a week. And then my kids do swim time three times a week and while they do that I’ll work out in the gym that’s right next door.

Run a 5K or a marathon?

5K. I’ve never run a marathon before; I greatly admire people who run marathons. I mean 26.2 miles – that .2 matters! – it’s not easy. It requires incredible dedication and endurance, and I think it can be really tough on the body. For me, the shorter distances are what I favor.

Run alone or with friends/family?

I like to run by myself. It’s kind of my only alone time during the day. When I leave work, I go and be with my kids or do some kind of work or social-related event. So for me, running is kind of my private time. But I do run regularly with my husband, who runs much faster than I do. So that is certainly a workout. And I have girlfriends that I run with when I’m in DC.

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Sheryl Crow Teams Up To Feed America + Chats About Her Upcoming Album

Written on May 24, 2013 at 9:08 am , by Samantha Shelton

You’ve heard her name for years, listened to her hit songs and likely watched her as a mentor on season 4 of The Voice. But when she’s not in the public eye, Sheryl Crow is volunteering at local food banks to help the 50 million Americans trying to make ends meet. For the second year, Crow teamed up with Feeding America and One A Day’s Nutrition Mission to fight hunger. We caught up with the busy star to find out how she eats healthy herself (while feeding her kids!) and how you can score a trip to NYC to hang with the music star.

You’ve teamed up again with One A Day for the Nutrition Mission. What keeps you coming back?

I just think it’s such a good program and the last I heard, there are nearly 50 million people in America challenged by food insecurity. With this mission, everyone gets meals three times a day. It seems like the work is never done, and this is just a great, easy way to be a part of helping your community. You just buy a multivatimin, which many people already take, and two meals are donated with each purchase. And if you have a story about volunteering at a local food bank, you can share it at nutritionmission.com for the chance to win a grant for your area, plus a trip to NYC to come hang out with me.

So do you have any fave spots in NYC you might take the winner to then?

When my kids are with me we almost always go to the Museum of Natural History. And Central Park, of course.

So how else can people get involved with the Nutrition Mission?

I think that volunteering at a local food bank is always helpful and very eye-opening. It leaves its mark when you see the kinds of people that come in. It’s not necessarily just homeless people. Oftentimes it’s a mom who has three or four kids, and she works but just can’t make ends meet. One of the problems that we see with food insecurity is that people don’t talk about it; they’re embarrassed. One day I went to school with my little boy, who’s in Pre-K, and we had to go do a morning program. By 9am I was like, “Where’s the snack?” These kids who are affected by food insecurity walk in and haven’t had a good morning meal and by 9 or 10 they really need something. And out of the 50 million people who are affected, 16 million are kids. It’s a problem we can all help with.

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