GET FIT: Fitness tips of the week

Use Your Head

If you plan on eating something, read the label, know the ingredients, you should know exactly what it is.

• Instead of fixating on the five extra pounds you want to lose, celebrate the five you already lost.

• Progress, not perfection. Don't get upset or be insecure or feel threatened about women who are thinner or more fit than you. Be happy for them, smile a lot and give compliments whenever you can.

Soon people will notice the new you, because you will be happier and healthier. Share with people what you learned, and how you feel.

• Live life to the fullest, fear nothing, try everything. You'll never get yesterday back, but today is yours for the taking.

• Remember, you still need to move, exercise, take a class, go for walks, ride a bike.

• Most importantly stick with your new lifestyle. Eat healthy foods rich in fiber, protein and grains.

• Buy organic whenever possible. Keep processed foods away from your reach.

We spend countless dollars on clothes, jewelry, manicures, magazines, rent, mortgages and other stuff. Surely our health and bodies (we only get one body) are more important than anything else in our lives.

Even if you are spending more on organic foods, you'll save money in the long run if you are preparing meals at home. Eating out is so much more expensive and not always easy to eat healthy.

• Stay busy, read up on health, look at vegetarian cookbooks for meal ideas. When you eat right and exercise, you feel strong and healthy and confident.

• Start loving your body.

- Submitted by Jeanne Whited, The Wild Bean, healthy catering. Contact her at thewildbean@gmail.com.

Fit Tip of the Week

Running is more than running: Although it is very important to have a strong core and strong hips, runners should aim for a total body strength training approach as part of their cross-training

regimen.

This helps keep you going longer, stronger and faster.

You need:

• Arm strength to push you along

• Core/thoracic strength to carry you when you become fatigued

• Upper leg strength for climbing hills and going faster

• Lower leg and foot strength to push off on each stride.

- Submitted by Nicole Johnston, Sierra Race and Running, sierraraceand running.com.龠