Losing weight, one mile at a time
There was a one-credit course I was required to take during my senior year in college -- "Personal Fitness" -- and as part of our final test at the end of the semester we were required to run one mile around the indoor track in the campus' recreation center. The humiliation of that day is seared … [Read more...]
If you want to ensure that you never reach your goals, do exactly what I've been doing: let your life be taken over by excuses. On July 4, I ran the local Firecracker 4-Miler race in my hometown for the second year. Despite the fact that last year's event was my very first race ever, and that it … [Read more...]
I ran my first 5K of the season this weekend, and shortly after I passed the first mile marker, I found myself falling victim to one of my old behavior patterns: negative self-talk. Or, in my case, mentally bashing myself. I started the race strong: I shot out in front of most of the racers, and … [Read more...]
When you're trying to adopt healthy living habits, I truly believe that success can boil down to just one factor: The ability to make a commitment, and actually stick to it. Now, this is not something for which I'm traditionally known. I'm shamelessly of the "I'll finish it later" variety who … [Read more...]
First, I want to wish everyone a happy new year, and apologize for the brief hiatus I've taken from my blog. I'd like to brush off my absence with a simple "oops, I've been busy," which is certainly true, but the good news is that I have been preoccupied making some much-needed overhauls to my … [Read more...]
As the summer months officially come to an end, I decided it was finally time to step back on the scale. And, unsurprisingly, I was greeted by an additional five pounds. It's what I was expecting, given my week-long jaunts in Vegas, Atlantic City, and Orlando, the endless string of barbecues and … [Read more...]
When it comes to our diets, there are a few hard and fast rules that will help just about everyone drop a dress size. You know, like eat more celery and less Cheetos. But when it comes to the day-to-day decision to break a sweat -- because, let's face it, there is no lasting weight loss without … [Read more...]
I did it again! After running my first four-miler on the Fourth of July -- and proving to myself that I didn't die or, worse, come in dead last -- I finally had the courage to run my first 5K. And, appropriately, it just so happened to be the 10th Annual Downtown Westfield 5k and Pizza … [Read more...]
After two years of running, I finally summoned the courage to run my first race! The race was held in a neighboring town, which just so happens to be home to the park where I usually run. I figured I'd start somewhere I'm comfortable, because despite my oh-so-cool, "it's no big deal" facade, … [Read more...]
Anyone who has ever carried around more than, say, five or 10 extra pounds knows that years of hiding behind excess weight can take a huge toll on your psyche. Tune in for just one episode of The Biggest Loser and it becomes abundantly clear that there's a reason why these folks have ballooned to … [Read more...]
I'm Jen, thanks for checking out my blog! After a lifetime of struggling with my weight, I managed to lose 90 pounds in 2007... and, for the first time in my life, actually kept them off. In my efforts to lose "the final 40," I became a runner and martial artist (Taekwondo and Muay Thai). A NJ-based freelance journalist, when I'm not writing about the latest health and fitness trends, I'm actually living them! Visit my website at www.jenniferlnelson.com
