Source: http://www.thefitbits.com/2016/01/when-only-run-will-do.html

It doesn’t happen the same with anything else.
When I’m swimming, I don’t suddenly feel amazing half way through. When I’m boxing I’m the most knackered I’ve ever been, but the rush doesn’t come until I’m done.

When I’m cycling it kind of happens, but it has to be a long challenging ride on some proper beautiful roads or trails. 
With running, it’s different.
It takes me about 20minutes to really warm up but once I do and if all goes to plan, there comes a point when everything just works. 

Do you know that feeling? 

———
When your body is like an engine and it just keeps turning. 
You look down at your watch and see that your ‘comfy’ pace is faster than usual. 
Your legs and breathing are in perfect sync and your mind can wander effortlessly.  
You soak up the endorphins and smile to passersby, stopping to take photo…

Source: http://greatist.com/fitness/when-am-i-too-sick-work-out?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Getting sick is a part of life. It’s gotten us out of school, ruined plans for that big party, and kept us up in the middle of the night. In fact, most adults average two or three respiratory infections per year.

But the fact remains: Sometimes you’ve got obligations that can’t wait. And if getting healthier in the New Year is one of those, it can feel like a big setback to be sidelined by a cold as soon as you’ve adopted your new health-focused groove.

In general, if you’ve got a little cold, it’s best to scale back, decreasing both the intensity and duration of the workout, says Lipi Roy, M.D., an internist at Massachusetts General Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School. But there are also instances when you should take time off completely. Here’s how to know the difference.

The Need-to-Know

Remember this easy rule: If your symptoms occur around your neck and above, it’s OK to do a light workout. If you’re sick below the neck, stay home.

We’ll provide a few more details: If you have a common cold or mild upper respiratory symptoms—like a runny or stuffed-up nose—it’s generally all right to work out. “In fact, there’s evidence that a light run followed by a lukewarm or hot shower may act…

Source: http://greatist.com/fitness/can-compression-clothing-make-me-better-athlete?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Take a look at any professional football game, basketball game, or race starting line, and you’re bound to see them: compression garments. Tight sleeves, knee-high socks, full-length leggings in neon colors that seem to be on nearly every competitor.

The claims are impressive: Manufacturers say compression garments can speed recovery, increase blood flow, and therefore, improve athletic performance. But what does the science say? And what’s the best choice for a recreational gym-goer?

The Need-to-Know

Compression clothing—most often made of a blend of spandex and nylon and engineered to be stretchable while maintaining a specific structure—has been used in the medical field for years. The garments apply pressure to the desired body part, compressing the tissue and helping to promote blood flow and prevent edema.1

“Stockings were made so there is more pressure lower [on the leg], and less farther up,” says Robert Gotlin, M.D., the director of orthopedic and sports rehabilitation at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. “They can push blood along for those with vascular disease or circulation problems.”

From there, the thinking emerged: If the garments increase blood flow, maybe they could help athletes perform better, Gotlin says. A quick anatomy lesson: Our muscles need oxygen in order to perform. They get that oxygen via our blood flow. So, in theory, increase blood flow equals increase oxygen equals better athletic performance… ri…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/fear-of-vulnerability?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Ever felt terrified to tell a boyfriend or girlfriend how much you needed their help or support? Or perhaps you’ve avoided bringing up an issue with a S.O. because you didn’t want to seem inadequate or unlovable. Maybe it was you who bounced on a partner or friend when their needs felt too overwhelming.

All of these reactions can arise when we feel vulnerable in relationships, explains Geraldine Piorkowski, Ph.D., author of Too Close for Comfort: Exploring the Risks of Intimacy. Often, she says, because we fear having our deepest desires trampled upon, rejected, or unfulfilled.

We’re not saying that letting people in—especially when you’re not used to doing so—is an easy process. But with a little bit of self-awareness and a few communication skills under your belt, you may just be able to lock down that loving, authentic, and mutually supportive relationship you’re afraid to admit that you yearn for. While this is sometimes scary, it is precisely what enables us to enrich our lives and grow.

No, You’re Not Weird

We’ve all struggled to open up to others at some point in our lives, says Jeffry Simpson, Ph.D., a social psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota. If you’ve ever balked at th…

Source: http://greatist.com/fitness/four-minute-workout-tabata-training-effective?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Most people want their workouts to be two things: fast and effective. That where high-intensity interval training techniques, like Tabata, come in handy.

The famed training protocol alternates 20-second intervals of maximal effort with 10-second rest periods. Repeat that cycle eight times for an exhaustive four-minute workout.

How It Works

Developed by Dr. Izumi Tabata for Olympic speed skaters, Tabata is a form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that’s been adopted by boot camp devotees, CrossFitters, and plenty of fitness fans who just want to spend less time in the gym.1 The 20-10 pattern has been shown to tax both aerobic and anaerobic pathways more than intense exercise with longer rest periods, meaning improved overall cardiovascular fitness.2 By taking rest periods only half the length of the intense bursts (a 2:1 work-to-rest ratio), the body is forced to perform without a full recovery. Translation: At some point between rounds six and eight, you’ll hit a point of maximum oxygen intake and be really (really) out of breath.

While the 20-10 protocol is most readily applied to traditional cardio (i.e. sprint for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds), the regimen is also suited to all manner of resistance training, bodyweight exercises, and even explosive movements. Whether performing squats, a dumbbell press, or even rowing, the trick is to find a resistance and speed that can be handled for multiple reps across multiple cycles.</…

Source: http://greatist.com/move/low-impact-hiit-workout?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

A lot of times, exercising sounds like a good idea—in theory. Then the reality of going to the gym (in freezing temps, no less!) sets in, and watching Friends re-runs on TV wins out.

But this speedy workout may be just what you need to change your mind. In 10 minutes flat, Grokker trainer Jaime Mcfadden leads you through a series of basic yet challenging low-impact moves for 45 seconds each, followed by 15 seconds of active rest that works your core. The routine strengthens all your major muscle groups—and all you need is a little space to move around. If you want more of a challenge, repeat the entire routine one more time.

To recap, perform each move for 45 seconds, followed by 15 seconds of core work or rest, if needed.

1. Reverse Lunge With Knee Tuck
2. Push-up With Reach
3. Plie Squat
4. Dips
5. Standing Crunch

Interested in more short and effective home workouts? Find them on Grokker, the one-stop online resource for wellness. Grokker sifts through thousands of videos on the web, constantly filtering and aggregating the best cooking, yoga, and fitness videos available so you don’t have to.

…

Source: http://greatist.com/eat/recipes/energy-green-juice?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Green juices are usually loaded with nutrients, but this one is a double whammy. Thanks to the ginger, you’ll get a nice energy boost and the other ingredients come with health benefits too. Cilantro has lots of vitamin A and spinach is a great source of calcium. It’s the perfect—and healthy—way to beat your afternoon drowsiness.

Directions

1. Remove the rind from the lime.
2. Push all ingredients through juicer, pour into two glasses, and stir.

This recipe was provided to Greatist exclusively by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. We only partner with a product or company that we think rocks, and we hope you agree

Ingredients2 medium-size pears1 cup spinach1/4 cucumber1 cup cilantro1 medium-size lime1/2 inch ginger…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/adult-acne-video?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

As much as we’d like to forget everything from our awkward teen years, some things (like acne) stick with us as we age. As this video from Women’s Health explains, acne is common among women in their 20s and 30s as estrogen and progesterone levels continue to shift.

Pay attention to where pimples pop up for a clue to the culprit. Acne on your chin can be linked to eating lots of carbs or sugar, and zits near your hairline probably come from your sweat session at the gym. The best way to beat adult acne? Stick to a consistent skin care routine. That means washing your face two times a day, moisturizing, using SPF, and getting your beauty sleep!

(h/t Women’s Health)

…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/crossfit-beyonce-dance-video?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Get ready to grin from ear to ear. This video of CrossFit athlete Khan Porter dancing to “Single Ladies” as he gets ready for a snatch makes us want to pop, lock, and drop it too.

But the video isn’t just eye candy. The Australian athlete has an important message to share: We’ve come a long way in how we think about masculinity. (After all, the response to his video has been overwhelmingly positive.) But guys still feel pressured to show a steely toughness, and they’re often chastised when opening up about personal struggles (see: “you’re being a pussy.”) “Just as it’s OK for blokes to dance, it’s OK for them to battle mentally and emotionally sometimes too,” Porter writes in a post on Facebook. “If a bunch of people can watch a 25-second video, surely they can also spare the time to ask one of their mates if everything is OK.”

…

Source: http://zenhabits.net/meditation-guide/

By Leo Babauta

The most important habit I’ve formed in the last 10 years of forming habits is meditation. Hands down, bar none.

Meditation has helped me to form all my other habits, it’s helped me to become more peaceful, more focused, less worried about discomfort, more appreciative and attentive to everything in my life. I’m far from perfect, but it has helped me come a long way.

Probably most importantly, it has helped me understand my own mind. Before I started meditating, I never thought about what was going on inside my head — it would just happen, and I would follow its commands like an automaton. These days, all of that still happens, but more and more, I am aware of what’s going on. I can make a choice about whether to follow the commands. I understand myself better (not completely, but better), and that has given me increased flexibility and freedom.

So … I highly recommend this habit. And while I’m not saying it’s easy, you can start small and get better and better as you practice. Don’t expect to be good at first — that’s why it’s called “practice”!

These tips aren’t aimed at helping you to become an expert … they should help you get started and keep going. You don’t have to implement them all at once — try a few, come back to this article, try one or two more.

Sit for just two minutes. This will seem ridiculously easy, to just meditate for two minutes. That’s perfect. Start with just tw…