May 9, 2014

Friday Five; Five Fitness Truths

In trying to help myself write more regular, I've decided to try my first Friday Five link up. I'll describe more about what it is at the end, for those who haven't heard of it. For now, let's jump right into this week's topic: Five Fitness Truths.

Five Fitness Truths

I request the highest of fives.
Truth 1.

Exercise wakes you up and gives you energy.

I've noticed this countless times after starting my day with an early run before work. When I get into the office, I find myself much more awake then most other days, even on less sleep. It gives me that mental and physical boost into the day. And, the added benefit of not crawling my way to the coffee machine for the first cup to wake me up. This is also backed up by my coworker who recently started riding his bike 13 miles to work, and still feels so much more awake.

Truth 2.

Exercise can clear your mind... or ramp up the problem solving.

There are plenty of anecdotes from many people on this. Some about how going out for a run or ride clears their mind and relieves stress. Others solve problems and it allows their mind to think freely. I think the second is just due to the first clearing the mind to let it work. It's like stopping all those other programs running doing nothing useful to just run the one that needs the most processing power (sorry, my geek is showing).

Truth 3.

EVERY bit of fitness counts.

I think a good way to put this is something I've seen before, that was said about a shirt seen at a race (sorry, I can't find the post to give credit where it is due): DLF > DNF > DNS. Dead Last Finish is greater than Did Not Finish which is still greater than Did Not Start. Anything extra is a gain. Taking the stairs once a day instead of 0, taking an afternoon 10 minute walk break, going to the far water fountain for a drink. Every little bit counts.

Truth 4.

Exercise lets you eat more.

I'll start this with "it's not a free pass". I know that, you know that, we all know that. But, being someone who loves food (cooking, eating, enjoying) the truth is you can eat more when you're more active. It's a hard truth. Fitness and working out burns extra calories that you can take in. You don't want to take in too many, but you can earn extra rewards and extra healthy choices (not to mention some ice cream or cheese cake now and again).

Truth 5.

You're stronger than you think.

This is something I've encountered time and time again with myself. One example of this was when I ran the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile run this year, which came to mind after Sarah on Run Ginger Run (a blog name after my own ginger heart) posed the question of your proudest running moment. I was convinced I was going to be swept. My training wasn't often enough or fast enough. But come race day, I ran faster than I could have imagined and came in under time. It's always important to remember, on good days and bad, that you're stronger than you may actually know.

So, what is this Friday Five thing you speak of?

So the Friday Five is something put together by Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Mar at Mar on the Run. Each week they throw out a topic to write about centered on a list of 5. Some are a little more specific like this one "Five Fitness Truths" and some are more open like "Five things I love about...". In the end, they're about writing a post and helping each other out. They have a place were all the bloggers can link there posts and interconnect with each other. This will help everyone hopefully get a little more traffic and helps build a good blog community with it. For me, I like it because it will give me a regular post for each week, which is something I'm trying to get better about. I want to grow my blog, which starts with my and my writing. And frankly, I like them and their blogs, so I'm happy to join in.

Linking up

With that in mind, here are some links to other Friday Fives this week (you may need to check back as I'll update as I read some).

Eat Pray Run DC Mar on the Run
You Signed Up for What?! Confessions of Mother Runner
Run Jenny Run Eat Hard Work Hard


Image credit: celebuzz.com



20 comments:

  1. Agreed did not finish is way better than not starting at all! Important to remember. And yes we are stronger than we think. Fun linking up with you #FridayFive Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner

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    1. Its been fun linking up. Friday was a crazy day, so trying to make my rounds finally to the other blogs.

      I always work to not get too down on myself on a bad run because a bad run is better than no run.

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  2. Good ones! Glad to have you joining the linkup.

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  3. YES to #2 - I've done some of my best problem solving during long runs. Especially now that I don't run to music, I get a lot of thinking done. Thanks for linking up, John! :)

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    1. Yeah. It helps clear my mind and de stress but sometimes my mind wanders, which slows my pace.

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  4. Truth #4 stands out to me since I LOVE TO EAT!!!! I am hungry all the time now.

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    1. My love to eat pairs well with my love to cook. Sometimes it requires extra runs to pair with it. Haha

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  5. Thanks for linking up with us!! Happy to have you :) and #5 is so very, very true!

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    1. Thanks. It was fun. Took a little bit to pick a direction but enjoyed it.

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  6. One change I would like to make is to add some morning workouts/runs. And I completely agree with #2, even though this week has been tiring I made sure to schedule a run with one of my good friends - I know it will clear my head!

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    1. Yeah. Its hard to get up early (especially with my 2 year old sometimes) but I enjoy it once I get going.

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  7. Glad to meet you through the Friday 5. Remembering #3 is always important.

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    1. Yeah. I love that its a great way to find more great blogs.

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  8. I came over from the Friday Five link up. I love the one about every bit of exercise counting! I've been trying to be more active during the workday by getting up and taking little walks. And I love the NPH photo :)

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  9. These are some great fitness truths! I really like the one about being able to eat more the more active you are! But that's because I love to eat lol!

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  10. Thanks so much for linking up with us! I'm so glad you are joining in. I LOVE your five fitness truths,, these are so insightful. I especially like #3 - anything extra is a gain. I totally believe that. If I can run up and down the stairs, it's better than the old me who used to sit on the couch and eat chocolate.

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    1. Thanks. It was really fun and I look forward to doing it again this week.

      I always try to remind myself of #3 throughout my day. That helps get me to do that one or two extra little things.

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