Retiring Exercise Shoes

Last week I had to dispose my favourite winter DRI-FIT  leggings. The wear and tear it had been subjugated to was embarrassing. I'm known for holding on to my fitness apparels until they are shreds and pieces. This was the case with this leggings, which eventually gave up in the middle of my bike session in the gym.

The same applies to my running shoes.

I have a hard time letting go because we've shared too many great memories.

From the personal record races to the emotional long day runs. 

Or the misadventures on an unfamiliar running trail. 

Running into deers. 

Finding a cool lake in the middle of nowhere. 

Running with no destination is mind because I wanted to think?

 Staying warm in my waterproof sleeve on a run that started with extreme sunshine and ended with torential down pours.

Running in 4 degree weather and the whole time questioning my sanity

Falling.

Getting compliments from fellow conquerors of the road.

And etc etc..

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With that said, I still recognize the importance of letting go of an old pair and getting a new one.

Factors that affect running shoes Life expectancy

1. Runner's size and running technique
2. Terrain and weather conditions under which runs take place
3. Force of foot strike

Injury prevention. An old shoe looses cushioning and its ability to absorb shock over time. This will affect your joints (ankle and knees) who end up receiving the shock of your strides resulting in injury.

The general rule of thumb is to change your running shoes after 400 - 500 miles. However, depending on the factors I listed above, you may need to do it earlier or later than those figures.

Did the Biggest Loser Go too Far? From one Extreme to Another

The winner of the Biggest Loser this year is 5'4 , 24 years old Rachel Frederickson.

Rachel, who started the show at 260 pounds lost about 60% of her body weight (155lbs) bringing her down to  105 lbs.

Many people think the show went too far and she is at an unhealthy weight for her age and height.

Here is what I think.....For now, yes she is a little bit on the unhealthy skinny side.

However, this is a result of a show that puts its contestants through crazy rigorous boot camps that are impossible to infuse as a lifestyle.

The show helps the contestants loose excess weight during a short period of time. After that weight loss comes the "maintenance" phase.

I will like to think that post "biggest loser", when she is not going through such crazy workouts but still making healthy lifestyle choices, her weight will go back up to a healthy level that she can manage.

Remember there are lots of biggest loser contestants and winners who lost the weight but gained it all back after the show.

Also you have to take into account that at the end of the day its a show. Perhaps Rachel pushed to the extreme to win the money but doesnt intend to stay in that size. Kind of like how some celebrities lose a lot of weight for a movie.

I know that the show has physical therapists, medical doctors and other health care providers on site providing their expertise.

Friday Night Yoga

If you follow my blog then you're no stranger to the name, Humble Beginnings Yoga. She does tutorials and breaks down a whole sequence into 30 days photo a day instagram challenges.

I'd been feeling sore from the 30mins Abs workout class I did yesterday. I figured doing Day 1 - 10 of her latest 30 days sequence will be a great way to end the night.

Check her out on Facebook and instagram. She does both advance and beginner poses with detailed explanations about proper form.

Tomorrow I'l be doing my 90 Burpees to keep up with the 1000 Burpees to spring break challenge. Follow me on instagram(@laurettaashu) or twitter(@mapetiteniche if you're doing any fitness challenges so we can check-in on each other.

Bonne Weekend