Reasons to Train for a Triathlon

If you’re looking to lose weight, tone up, or just plain maintain your fitness level, training for a triathlon can provide multiple benefits.

It’ll Give You Motivation to Work Out

The beauty of signing up for a triathlon is it will give you set goals in three areas of training. You’ll be motivated to master three types of fitness training, which gives you variety in your workouts and will give you set lengths of time or distances to cover.

It’ll Force You to Cross Train

It’s easy to get into a fitness rut, which can wear out certain parts of your body. Some exercise (such as running) is especially hard on your joints, so it’s good to mix up your routine. Training for a triathlon is perfect because:

• Running is hard on your body, but is a fabulous calorie burner, tones your legs and core, and helps build bone density (which will prevent osteoporosis)
• Swimming is easy on your joints, but is a good calorie burner and works your upper body, which is neglected by a lot of sports
• Biking is easy on your joints, but is great cardio-vascular workout and tones your legs

It’ll Deliver an Extraordinary Sense of Accomplishment

If you’ve never competed in a race before, you don’t know what an amazing experience it is to participate in a challenging sport with a large group of like-minded individuals. You’ll find yourself propelled by the collective energy of the group, cheered on by strangers, and inspired by the people of various ages and body shapes who are doing the same race you are. When you cross the finish line, you’ll celebrate the knowledge that you set a goal and met it.

Choosing a Triathlon You Can Handle

Before you get intimidated, take a look at the many different levels of triathlons available. You’ll find just about every fitness level possible, from sprint triathlons to Ironmen. Triathlons aimed at novices usually feature a 250-meter swim, a 10-mile bike ride, and anywhere from a 2-mile to 5K run.

Talk to a personal trainer to determine which length triathlon will stretch you reasonably, and get training today! Your body will thank you for it!

Bio:
Erinn Stam is the Managing Editor for an online nursing school website. She attends Wake Technical Community College and is learning about nursing schools in FL. She lives in Durham, NC with her lovely 4-year-old daughter and exuberant husband.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

This is Incredible - A Little Motivation

Here's some interesting Toronto news:

I ran this race last year (the wimpy half marathon, that is!) and this 100 year old athlete, Fauja Singh did the complete marathon distance in 8 hours! Kind of makes me feel like a couch potato!

Read more about The Turbaned Tornado here...

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Have a Positive Attitude

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."
-Buddha

"It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect It's successful outcome."
-William James

"To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you?re not, pretend you are."
-Muhammad Ali

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
-Martha Washington

"The state of your life is nothing more than a reflection of your state of mind."
-Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

The Listen to your Body Diet

I get asked a lot, "How many times a day should I eat?" and "How much should I eat?"

The thing is, everyone is so different that it's challenging to tell anyone what to eat with a guarantee that it will work for their body. For anybody wondering how much and how often they should be taking meals, try this:

The Listen to your Body Diet

This is a simple concept that I have been following without realizing that I may have come up with the best strategy for my goals, activity levels and body.

Eat when you are hungry (but not starving!)

It's not as simple as it sounds. I used to eat based on time, not how my body felt. Sometimes I would eat when I wasn't hungry simply because it was, "lunch time" or I'd be starving at dinner because I was waiting to eat. Just remember that sometimes thirst is mistaken for hunger. If you only ate one hour ago and feel hungry, drink a glass of water, wait 30 minutes and re-assess the need for food.

Stick to Smaller Meals

The question, "how much should I eat" as mentioned, is hard to ballpark. If you eat meals that are between 2-4oo calories you will feel content. If you're finding it's not enough or you're hungry again in an hour, raise the food intake by 100 calories until the adjustment works for you.

Eat Healthy

Stick to food that is not processed, fried, frozen or high in saturated fat. Instead, eat whole grains, dairy, lean meats, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and healthy fats.

Try this strategy and in combination with regular exercise, you will see results.

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner