So THIS Is Fitness | Health, Fitness, Running & Weight Loss

This is episode 108, I'm Coach Darrell, and today we're talking about why people have such a hard time changing their bodies, feeling better, and getting healthier - and how to finally succeed. And STAY succeeding.   This is episode 108, I'm Coach Darrell, and today we're talking about why people have such a hard time changing their bodies, feeling better, and getting healthier - and how to finally succeed. And STAY succeeding.   In this episode we catch up with Coach Darrell after his unexpectedly long hiatus, and learn about his Health Coach Certification. Then we expand on what exactly he learned - what "health" and "wellness" really are, and why a holistic approach is a better path to improved health.      

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.17.6"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.17.6"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.0.47" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.6"] Holidays are hard. But what if they didn't have to be? What if it wasn't SO hard to succeed in our fitness & nutrition efforts during the holidays? It CAN happen. (Disclosure – this post may contain affiliate links. Price is the same, & a portion of the sale supports this site & podcast. Yay!) For the full chat on this check out the podcast episode using the buttons below. Don’t forget to hit “subscribe”! [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.17.6"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.0.47" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_code _builder_version="3.17.6"] [/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.17.6"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.0.47" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.6"] Holidays don't have to nuke our fitness. It seems to be the case that every year, despite our best efforts, our fitness and nutrition efforts go in the crapper during the holidays. There are plenty of reasons why it happens, and it seems as a society we've accepted it as inevitable. Maybe that's why fitness and weight loss related New Year's Resolutions are so popular. But... what if it didn't have to be so hard to succeed through the holidays? Wouldn't it be nice to make it to New Year's Day having not only enjoyed the holidays (and the food)... AND having made progress toward your fitness goals?! On this episode (103) Coach Darrell shares a little bit about the coming winter weather, how it might affect your fitness, and how to adjust for it. He also shares some interesting news about a hot new fitness device and whether or not it can replace your coach. Then, he dives deep into the holiday season, sharing the ways in which it usually derails our fitness efforts. Finally - he shares a TON of guidance to help you succeed, rather than fail, this holiday season - you CAN have it all, and Coach Darrell will tell you how. [/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.6"] On This Episode: Unseasonable weather, and adjusting for snow a piece of fitness equipment... that can replace your trainer? And we talk about the coming holiday season, including how it USUALLY derails our fitness efforts and a TON of ways we can SUCCEED in fitness and nutrition this time [/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.6"] Episode Resources: FitWife Megan's "Healthy" Pumpkin Cheesecake Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! [/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.6"] Interested in working with Darrell? If you don’t live in Attleboro, or don’t have an Anytime Fitness near you… consider working with Darrell anyway! Darrell is accepting Virtual Training Clients – it’s about as close as you can get to working with him one-on-one in person without actually BEING in person. If you’re ready to make a change and have it stick, apply at www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/apply [/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.6"] Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on “So, THIS Is Fitness…” Facebook Instagram The Fitwife’s Instagram! Twitter E-mail – podcast@sothisisfitness.com [/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.6"] Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.17.6"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.0.47" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_code _builder_version="3.17.6"] [/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.17.6"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.0.47" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.6"][/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

What's it take to "go the distance"? Coach Darrell shares exactly that as he reviews the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race, and recaps his experience running 100 miles. (Disclosure – this post may contain affiliate links. Price is the same, & a portion of the sale supports this site & podcast. Yay!) For the full chat on this check out the podcast episode using the buttons below. Don’t forget to hit “subscribe”! What was Ghost Train like, anyway? By now it's no secret - I did it! I put in the time training, I showed up on race day, and I did the thing. I finished 100 miles at the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race. But what was the event itself actually like? What happened between start line and belt buckle? In this episode, Coach Darrell talks a bit about the cold weather that's set in, and his top tip for taking dealing with it. We talk briefly about setting expectations and planning for success, then we really get into it. Coach Darrell gives us a review of the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race, then follows with a recap of his experience at this year's event. Finally, he wraps up with some thoughts and pointers on how to go the distance... whether it's 100 miles, or something else. On This Episode: The cold has officially set in - how does this affect running? Being realistic, measuring expectations, and planning for success And we cover the big recap and review of the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race 100 Miler, including An overview of the event and the course And a brief history of how its grown A recap of my experience there this year And I touch on the last couple weeks of post-success recovery Finally, I move into a larger discussion on what it takes to “go the distance”, and how to redefine your “normal” Episode Resources:  AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones Ghost Train website Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Interested in working with Darrell? If you don’t live in Attleboro, or don’t have an Anytime Fitness near you… consider working with Darrell anyway! Darrell is accepting Virtual Training Clients – it’s about as close as you can get to working with him one-on-one in person without actually BEING in person. If you’re ready to make a change and have it stick, apply at www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/apply Connect with So THIS Is Fitness  Podcast Archive on “So, THIS Is Fitness…” Facebook Instagram The Fitwife’s Instagram! Twitter E-mail – podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="3.17.2"][et_pb_row _builder_version="3.17.2"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="3.17.2" parallax="off" parallax_method="on"][et_pb_text _builder_version="3.17.2"] It's called a "destination race" for a reason. Some races are so special, and their course so beautiful, it's WORTH a long trip. MDI Marathon & Half is one of them. (Disclosure – this post may contain affiliate links. Price is the same, & a portion of the sale supports this site & podcast. Yay!)       Wow. Just... wow. That was literally what went through my head as I ran the course of the Mount Desert Island Half Marathon. Being a point to point race, RD Gary Allen designed it so the 2nd half of the race IS the half-marathon course. I'll tell ya, FitFriends - running that half made me want to run the WHOLE thing just to see how amazing it looked. That weekend in Maine I learned what a "destination race" really is, and why people will travel SO out of their way to run one. Race Director & Founder Gary Allen joins Coach Darrell on this episode to talk all about the MDI Marathon and Half. They talk about the aesthetics of the course and what makes it a "destination race". They also discuss the difficulty level of the course, and what people can expect from this race. They briefly delve into the race's history and how it came about, then they touch on hot tips for the final days leading up to your big goal race. Plus, this IS Gary Allen we're talking to, so there's plenty of talk about the Millinocket Marathon. Later, Coach Darrell gives his own "final prep days" tips and has some special words for ultrarunners, specifically those preparing to take on the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race (no matter WHAT year you're running it).   On This Episode: I chat on-site at the MDI Marathon expo with RD Gary Allen His recent awards and honors We talk WAY more about the Millinocket marathon than I previously realized And we talk about the MDI Marathon & Half itself Including the course What runners can expect out of this destination race Why he created the race in the first place And what it was like getting it off the ground We also briefly touch on tips for runners in the final days before their race We talk about And afterwards, I have my own hot tips and final words as I, and many like me, prepare to take on the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race 100 mile Ultramarathon.     Episode Resources:   AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link!   Interested in working with Darrell?   If you don’t live in Attleboro, or don’t have an Anytime Fitness near you… consider working with Darrell anyway! Darrell is accepting Virtual Training Clients – it’s about as close as you can get to working with him one-on-one in person without actually BEING in person. If you’re ready to make a change and have it stick, apply at www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/apply Connect with So THIS Is Fitness   Podcast Archive on “So, THIS Is Fitness…” Facebook Instagram The Fitwife’s Instagram! Twitter E-mail – podcast@sothisisfitness.com   Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast   To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links:         See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you  Audible (by Amazon) – Start your free 30 day trial of Audible now and get a free e-book! [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

We've been talking about "fitness" wrong. There's more to fitness than working out and eating "right". We need to look at a more complete picture, and adjust our understanding and approach. Physical health is just one part of "fitness". Whenever you hear about fitness, the only things that tend to be talked about are working out and eating right. When we talk "fitness", we only seem to comprehend it as physical fitness. THAT is a problem - big news, guys - physical fitness is only one part of it. Fitness is much more than that, and if we're really gonna do this right, we need to see the bigger picture. A big milestone brings big changes. In this episode, Coach Darrell shares the big updates, upgrades, and changes that have gone on with So THIS Is Fitness leading up to Episode 100. Chief among them, he shares that Living In Stride, his and FitWife Megan's new project, has launched! Then, he delves into a deeper conversation about what "fitness" is really all about - health, wellness, and the journey to a better life. We gain a better understanding of exactly what he means by that, and how we can leverage it to change our understanding... and our approach to fitness. It’s episode 100! We talk about what’s been going on both in my training and with STIF It’s official - Living In Stride has launched! And we crack open a meaningful conversation about what fitness really is, and what this journey we’re all on is REALLY all about. Episode Resources: AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Interested in working with Darrell? If you don't live in Attleboro, or don't have an Anytime Fitness near you... consider working with Darrell anyway! Darrell is accepting Virtual Training Clients - it's about as close as you can get to working with him one-on-one in person without actually BEING in person. If you're ready to make a change and have it stick, apply at www.SoTHISIsFitness.com/apply Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :) Audible (by Amazon) - Start your free 30 day trial of Audible now and get a free e-book!

Yes, I know. You were probably expecting this upload to be Episode 100, weren't you? Well - it's not. Instead, I'm here to tell you WHY, a hint of what's coming, and a special preview of our special something else. If you haven't heard of Living In Stride yet, it's about damn time you did :) And once Episode 100 drops, well - hopefully you'll think it was worth the wait! ;)  (Disclosure - this post may contain affiliate links. Price is the same, & a portion of the sale supports this site & podcast.Yay! All opinions are my own, never bought or sold.) On This Episode: Where's Episode 100?! What's the hold-up? A preview of Living In Stride Check out Darrell & Megan's new podcast - Living In Stride! Listen to Episode 0 and subscribe now! Find & Follow LIVING IN STRIDE! Living In Stride website Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest Ready to improve your health & fitness with Coach Darrell via Virtual Coaching? Click here! Episode Resources: AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

Life is funny sometimes. Every once in a while, our lives are affected in the most profound way. Often, the catalyst is something we never would’ve expected. (Disclosure - this post may contain affiliate links. Price is the same, & a portion of the sale supports this site & podcast.Yay! All opinions are my own, never bought or sold.) The after-effects of these moments can be huge. For Kristen Winger, this couldn't be more accurate. Before, she was a regular woman, with a regular job, living a regular life. She had problems she was dealing with, and health issues of course - but who doesn't? Then, innocently enough, running came along and slowly changed everything. In this episode Kristen Winger joins us to share the story of her lifechanging journey. We learn what life was like when this all started, and how running entered the picture. She shares how she slowly went deeper down the proverbial rabbit hole until she found herself staring down her first full marathon. We get personal, and learn how running helped her become a mother, and what exactly the thought process is that continues to propel her forward. Finally, we talk about her biggest undertaking yet - the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race 100 Miler. For show notes and the blog, click here! On This Episode: We meet long-time listener and amazing human being Kristen Winger and learn How she got into running What it did for her health The importance of a strong support system And How it all helped make motherhood possible Along the way we touch on a lot of local stuff, which will all be linked to in the show notes, including Running Around Plymouth AnneMarie Winchester & South Shore Race Management Marathon Sports and stellar staff members Steve Infascelli and Mark Hughes And a BUNCH of local races And it all leads up to Kristen’s biggest adventure coming this October - Ghost Train Rail Trail Race 100 Miler Episode Resources: South Shore Race Management Marathon Sports Marathon Sports Plymouth Facebook Running Around Plymouth Facebook Group Pineland Farms Trail Festival Ghost Train Rail Trail Race AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Ready to improve your health & fitness with Coach Darrell via Virtual Coaching? Click here! ***Coming soon*** - Check out Darrell & Megan's new podcast - Living In Stride! Official Launch 9/20/18. Listen to Episode 0 now! Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

Reaching a goal isn't as easy as "go work out". Unfortunately, most people seem to think it is. What's so bad about "working out", though? Why do I need to be "training"? (Disclosure - this post may contain affiliate links. Price is the same, & a portion of the sale supports this site & podcast.Yay! All opinions are my own, never bought or sold.) Training is the road to success. Working out is a hamster wheel. It's easy to fall into the trap of "working out" when you think you're progressing toward your goals. Most every fitness professional will tell you that we see it all the time. After listening to this episode, you, too, will likely see this everywhere you look - perhaps even in the mirror. In this episode Coach Darrell discusses "training" and "working out" in depth. He breaks down the differences between the two, including 7 crucial identifying factors. He also shares ways to further ensure your health & fitness success, including how exactly a support system can keep you afloat, and how a Coach can be your key to training success. For show notes and the blog, click here! On This Episode: A MIND-BLOWING pair of socks has changed running forever. Darrell and Megan are: Living In Stride (a new podcast coming soon!) How have Darrell's runs been different lately, and how does it affect ME? We discuss the differences between "training" and "working out". how to know which YOU'RE doing why you DEFINITELY want to be training. Yes, even YOU! How to improve your odds of success in your training efforts. Episode Resources: AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Ready to improve your health & fitness with Coach Darrell via Virtual Coaching? Click here! ***Coming soon*** - Check out Darrell & Megan's new podcast - Living In Stride! Official Launch 9/20/18. Listen to Episode 0 now! Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

Sometimes the best things happen by accident. Sometimes an idea develops into something you weren't expecting. That's what happened with this podcast episode. It's also what happened with Orange Mud and their hydration products. In chatting with Josh Sprague (Founder & CEO of Orange Mud) I learned all about his adventures, hydration on the trail, and the culture of care that's developed at Orange Mud. I love when I hear things like this. I have a habit of setting myself up for success with interviews and product reviews. What I mean by that is, I usually only ever seek out or respond to opportunities that I have a feeling I'm going to like or that will go well. I suppose that's more or less how many people tend to operate, huh? Usually, it works out the way I figure it will. Every once in a while I'm proven wrong. Sometimes, though, it goes even better than I expected. Sometimes I learn things about a person, product, or company that make me fall in love. That's what happened with NOW Foods, and it seems to be happening with Orange Mud. I have to say, after our chat, I'm all about Orange Mud. I love their gear (I'm testing out the Endurance Pack 2.0), I love their culture, and I love what they stand for. If you're looking for a new hydration pack, you should check them out. And you should DEFINITELY give a listen to episode 97 of the So THIS Is Fitness podcast so you can hear our whole chat. You'll probably dig it just as much as I did. Oh, and we're giving away his best-selling product! (check out the rafflecopter widget at the bottom of the post linked below). For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  On This Episode: We finally talk about the stellar couple of weeks I’ve been having We BRIEFLY preview the next few episodes And we get into my chat with Josh Sprague, where we talk About him, his life, and his adventures What Orange Mud is, and how it started And how he operates his business… and why. Episode Resources: Orange Mud Website AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

Another tragedy we didn't need. Some news hit yesterday that rocked a small town, and runners everywhere, to their core. Who is Mollie Tibbetts, what happened, and how do we move forward... and stay safe? There are few things worse than a life cut short. Mollie Tibbetts was by all accounts a wonderful person. She was 20 years old, enjoying summer break before Junior year at U of Iowa, and staying healthy. She had big dreams, a great attitude, and was well-liked - kind of what you hope your own daughter would be like. And then, one evening run changed everything. The scary part is - it could be any of us. Unfortunately, Mollie's story is not the first one like it, and will probably not be the last. The best thing we can do is be as prepared, safe, and aware as possible as we go about our day and our running. It's sad that we have to think this way, and sad that I feel compelled to say it, but here we are. So who IS Mollie Tibbetts? What happened? And how do we move forward - what do we do now? For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  We talk about Mollie Tibbets, including: Who she is What happened Thoughts on this tragedy Tips for increased runner safety And some thoughts on "what now?" Episode Resources: AfterShokz Trekz Air Bone Conduction Headphones Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

There's "hot", and there's "dangerous hot". Sure - you understand how to deal with "hot" weather with your outdoor activity. How do you know, though, when it's TOO hot? What does humidity do to things? How do you read the signs, and how do you stay safe? We do this dance every summer. Just about every fitness blog out there writes a "summer fitness tips" blog post of some sort. Honestly, it's all always the same stuff. It's not even hard... it's stuff we all know. It's obvious. Things like "wear sunscreen", "hydrate", "dress/gear up appropriately" - like I said... it's obvious. But we fitness bloggers always write it - because you'll read it. And you always read it - because, I don't know, maybe you're thinking one of us bloggers is finally going to impart some kind of magical new advice to you. I have some bad news for you - that's not going to happen. There's good news, though. I've got real information for you today. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  Figuring it out, catching up, and finding “normal” Oppressive heat and humidity Things to look for Things to know And how to stay safe Episode Resources: 7 Hot Tips For Summer Fitness Success Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

Nobody said it was going to be easy. Whatever you're after, it's going to have its challenges. They say "if you want it bad enough you'll find a way". What happens, though, when you find you haven't been wanting it as bad as you thought? My priorities have been off. See - I was one of those people that THOUGHT he knew how bad he wanted a thing, and I thought I was prioritizing my life appropriately. But after falling behind in my running and overall fitness for quite some time, and finally going 4 weeks without posting a new podcast episode, well - I realized where I was really at. And where I found myself... was a place that was ALMOST right. While I wasn't nailing it with health & fitness, I was giving attention to the other areas of my life that had been neglected in pursuit of my goals. And now, seeing where things have gone, I think I understand what needs to be done. I think I see how to make it ALL work. And maybe I can help YOU figure it out too. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  We talk about where I’ve been, why the hiatus, and what comes next Enjoying life and getting the most out of things And the age-old saying - if you want it bad enough… you’ll find a way. Episode Resources: Time Management blog on "So THIS Is Fitness..." Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

We aren't doing enough. What is heart disease, is "cardio" really treadmills and bikes, and how does it all work together? The answer may surprise you. "Cardio" isn't what you think... We have this idea that "cardio" is running and cycling. That it's treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals. When we think of fitness we think "cardio" and "weights". Good news is... your idea of "cardio" is a bit off, and so is your idea of how to approach fitness in general. But that's not today's topic. Today we're talking about your heart, heart health, and how to keep your ticker strong and healthy. I'm taking time to shatter your idea of "cardio" because, well, I kind of have to get through that to get to the good stuff. Heart disease is a (solvable) problem. Heart disease, in its many forms, is the number one killer in the USA. The bad news is, we're not doing enough to stop it. With the way everyone in this country seems to be up in arms about gun control, you'd think they'd be even CRAZIER about stopping an even BIGGER killer. There are a number of factors that put you at risk for heart disease. Easiest way to protect from heart disease? Eliminate how many risk factors apply to you! So what are those risk factors, and how do you protect against them? Welcome to episode 93 :)  For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  My new favorite podcasting spot How we’re payin’ the bills And we talk about heart health and heart disease - including: What IS “cardio”, really What heart disease is and how to fight it And how to keep your heart strong and healthy Episode Resources: Support us on Patreon! Follow This Link! Support Ben Manning in the Great Cycle Challenge!  Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

Free and cheap isn't always good. Free and cheap fitness is always an attractive option, but there's a major downside to it that most people don't often consider. What have you got to lose? We have, somehow, been conditioned to look for the cheapest thing when we're embarking on a fitness journey. The more stuff you'll give us, the bigger the gym, and the lower the price tag - the more we like it. We judge a gym's value on how much we get and how little we can pay. And if you want to "lock us in" to a contract? Forget it. And we find a gym that fits the bill and we think we're up and running! Really, we've set ourselves up for failure... For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  We talk about how I went against my own advice (and paid the price) How to know you’re an adult Things to come for the podcast And we have a tough talk about the carrot and the stick, and the problem with free, cheap, and no commitment fitness options. Episode Resources: Episode 83 - Fighting Your Body - What Is "Set-Point Theory"? Support Ben Manning in the Great Cycle Challenge!  Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

The list of obstacles never shrinks. If it's not one thing, it's another. Now, it seems, our own brains are working against us in our health & fitness efforts. But how, exactly? And how do we fight back? No, friend - you are mistaken. Health and fitness is always, it seems, harder than it has to be. If it's not one thing working against us, so we believe, it's another. Often times this is merely our perception and not, in fact, the truth. More often than not, the universe is not working against us - we simply feel that it is. We feel that we have an impossibly tall mountain to climb in order to get where we want to be. We feel that despite our best efforts there is simply too much in the way and though we WANT to, we simply cannot achieve our goals. I am here to tell you, friend - you are mistaken. This is simply how we feel, but in the usual course of things it is not a concrete fact. The universe is not working against you - it just feels that way. The stresses and pressures of life can often SEEM insurmountable, but I'm here to tell you, that you can, in fact, overcome it. You're not ENTIRELY wrong, though. While the Universe itself (with a capital "U") is not working against you, there are certain elements that are - and they're much closer to home than the grand idea of the "Universe". Your own brain and body, as a matter of fact, may be working against you in regard to your health and fitness. We discussed this in terms of your body when we talked about "Set-Point Theory" in episode 83 of the podcast. Recently I discovered that your brain does something eerily similar, albeit in a different fashion. It's just trying to help. The human brain is a truly incredible thing. It's incredibly powerful and is capable of so many things - it can even physically influence the body! That said, despite it's many marvels, there is simply a LOT of information to process each and every day. In order to be able to deal with it all and have you and I able to be functioning members of the world, it's developed ways - shortcuts, really - to help it process information. Your brain uses these "shortcuts" to help you make decisions and judgements. This, FitFriends, is where we begin to get into trouble. This is just the tip of the iceberg. This is a very long, involved conversation that requires much more of a deep dive than a blog post is going to be able to go. This topic is one of the many reasons I'm glad I have a podcast - I can discuss in 40 minutes what I can't necessarily blog about. So, please do give a listen to episode 91 of the podcast (linked below) where we do more of a deep dive on these mental shortcuts and how they get us into trouble. We're establishing a base here so we can have further, more specific conversations later. It's all very relevant to your health & fitness efforts, and I hope you'll find yourself able to deal with, and ultimately save yourself from, falling into some of these traps that we don't even realize we're stepping into. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  We talk procrastination and National Running Day How things have been going lately Friend of the show Ben’s ride in the Great Cycle Challenge And we have a rather in-depth conversation about heuristics, cognitive bias, and how our brain may be inadvertently sabotaging our fitness efforts. Episode Resources: Episode 83 - Fighting Your Body - What Is "Set-Point Theory"? Support Ben Manning in the Great Cycle Challenge!  Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

"Oh wow - that's crazy!" When we do things that aren't "normal", people don't know what to make of it. But... why is "normal"... normal? We understand how the world works. Every day we go about our lives with a certain understanding of how things are. We know what to expect. How things are typically going to go. What we can and can't do - should and shouldn't do. We know what to expect of our peers, too - all the same! Things that fall in the realm of the ordinary. So when someone does something out of the ordinary - we question them. We ridicule them. We call them (or the thing they're doing) "crazy". But why? After all - who decided what "normal" is, and thus, what "crazy" is? I challenge you to question your idea of "normal", and join me for a talk about how, exactly, to do that - in episode 90 of the podcast. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  We talk about The GiddyUp Trail Running Festival at Pineland Farms, giving both a rundown of how the festival weekend works and a race recap of my running of the 50K this year We also have a talk about what’s “normal”, and what’s really “crazy” Episode Resources: Support Ben Manning in the Great Cycle Challenge! Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

The warm weather has finally arrived! Now that it actually FEELS like late spring and the beginnings of summer, we're gonna wanna get out there and enjoy it! But do you know what to watch out for when you're out there in the hot hot heat? "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" Yeah, I know, that's a pretty heavy quote for a fun "summer workout tips" blog post, right? But if you think about it, summer is both one of the most fun times you can have with your fitness, and it can also be one of the most dangerous. There's SO many things you can get out there and do in the summer - running, biking, hiking, kayaking... that's just a small sampling! But while you're out there enjoying all that warm weather outdoor fun, you also need to be careful and make sure you protect yourself - both inside AND out. So here we are, talking about it. I've got 7 pretty easy-to-follow tips for you that should help you keep yourself safe and help you get the most out of all your warm weather fitness adventures. Wanna know what they are? OF COURSE YOU DO. Well, you're gonna have to get with the times and listen to episode 89 of the So THIS Is Fitness podcast to hear it :) (links are below!).  For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  The warm weather has arrived! Darrell talks about Pineland Farms Trail Festival, and finally runs a race distance he kinda skipped over And we share 7 hot tips for how to get the most out of YOUR warm weather summer days. Episode Resources: How To Find The Motivation To Do It Suck It Up, Buttercup - How Bad Do You Want It? Always Work Hard, Never Give In. Nothing Is Guaranteed. Going It Alone - What To Consider To Ensure Success Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

"There can be only one Highlander" In a way, your fitness journey is kind of like the paradox of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. Only one can win - which is it gonna be? Let's talk philosophy for a second. I've been thinking a lot about our fitness journey - more specifically, all the excuses, reasons, and other things people all too often claim are preventing them from reaching their goals. As a personal trainer and fitness coach, I get to know people in the context of both their goals and these things... and I hear a lot of commonalities. There are certainly some real, legitimate toughies people face, but by and large one truth reveals itself to be absolute time and time again - If you want it bad enough you will find a way. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  Getting ready for the next big thing to come Another review hits iTunes And we talk about the unstoppable force, the immovable object, and some things to think about in your fitness journey. Episode Resources: How To Find The Motivation To Do It Suck It Up, Buttercup - How Bad Do You Want It? Always Work Hard, Never Give In. Nothing Is Guaranteed. Going It Alone - What To Consider To Ensure Success Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

Complacency is the enemy. Sometimes we get a little too comfortable in our fitness. When that happens, we start getting complacent and taking things for granted. That was me... until this past weekend. My 10th marathon finish was... something... The 2018 Providence Marathon was my 3rd time at Providence, and my 10th marathon finish. It was, overall, a good day - it was not, however, what I was expecting. I had grand visions of setting a PR at my 10th full marathon and having this amazing landmark day. Instead, it was an average performance and not all that remarkable aside from it being my 10th marathon. While I may not have had a new PR and all kinds of fanfare, I DID walk away with some very valuable lessons. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode:  It's finally warm! Like, all the time! Darrell's recent nutrition efforts Providence Marathon 2018 how it went and lessons learned fight complacency and find your fire! Episode Resources: Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

Are you a lone wolf? Not everyone has a workout buddy or coach, and that's ok! There are, though, some things you should consider if you plan to take this on alone. Taking on the world - solo. I have to start by saying, there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking on your fitness journey solo. Many people have done it, are doing it, and will do it in the future - with great success! I find, though, that most people flying solo in the gym don't necessarily start off that way on purpose. Sometimes you just get going and you haven't thought to bring anyone along for the ride. What I'm saying is - think about it. Before you dive face first into your fitness journey give a little thought to whether you WANT to do it alone... or if you'd maybe like someone to share in the fun and excitement. You might find the process will be more enjoyable and, ultimately, productive if you've got someone to help push you, keep you accountable, and even just talk to. "Nah, I'm good. Me, Myself, and I - that's it." Ok - so you DO actually want do to do it alone. That's totally fine! There ARE a few things I'd like to ask you to consider before you get up and running alone, though. Humor me here, k? For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: Technology hates me I subscribe to WAY too many podcasts Food tracking and a wake-up call And a conversation about going it alone… both in podcasting… and fitness. Episode Resources: Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

JOIN NOW! - NO COMMITMENT!!! Every time I see or hear these words in a gym ad I get so upset. You see, FitFriends... we're approaching "commitment" all wrong... Why are we afraid of commitment? I find it mindblowing that so many gyms out there use "no commitment" as a major selling point. With that said, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that the 12, 18, or 24 month commitment term is the biggest hangup people have when considering joining my gym. What are we so afraid of? Being on the hook for a monthly payment for that same period? Well, the only reason THAT should be a problem is if you're not using it and paying for nothing. I submit to you... that that situation is what we should REALLY be afraid of, not the fact that if it happens we're left holding the bag financially. What - or who - are we really committing to, anyway? Most people stop at the first level here - you're signing on the dotted line and committing to pay $xx.xx each month for the next however-many-months. That, however, is not the only thing you're committing to... and the gym isn't the one you're making this other commitment to... So let's get in-depth here and chat about what's REALLY so scary about commitment. In episode 85 of the So THIS Is Fitness podcast. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: What’s been going on recently Change being in the air Dinosaurs catching up with 2018 Commitment - what’s so scary about it and, maybe… why it shouldn’t be. Episode Resources: Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

What's REALLY Stopping you? If your fitness journey isn't producing the results you were hoping for... you may have to reassess your attitude, your priorities, and honestly ask yourself - how bad do you want it? You could call it "failure to launch". I'll cut right to the chase - FitWife Megan and I are having a particularly rough go of it lately. We're 3 and a half months in and we're not nearly as far along as we expected we'd be. Needless to say - we're not getting the results we'd hoped for. If we're being honest with ourselves... we know why. Nobody said it'd be easy. We, of course, knew going into this that it wouldn't be "easy", after all - we've done this before! With great success, I might add. This time, for many reasons, has just been so much harder. Part of that difficulty has been our own fault. We've made excuses, we drag our feet on a regular basis, and we just generally aren't approaching this with anything you could call "enthusiasm" or "drive". "Suck it up, Buttercup." Frankly, we need to get our sh*t together and quit whining. We know what we need to do (mostly), we know we have the time necessary to get it done, and whatever pieces we're missing or in need of fine-tuning... we have the knowledge necessary to make it happen. So, really, what we need to ask ourselves is this - "How bad do you want it?" And THAT, all of that, is exactly the conversation we have on this week's episode. We do sort of a post-mortem on the last 3 and a half months of the journey (mostly FitWife Megan's) and determine how to move forward. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: Stretching and foam rolling Don’t leave food unattended near darrell Vegans, Protein, and a big fat steak We talk about the journey, how it’s going, and how to adjust when it seems like things just aren’t going your way. Episode Resources: Foam Rollers and Recovery at ProSource Fitness Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

What if you ARE doing everything right? If you feel like you're doing everything right in your weight loss quest... maybe you are. Maybe your body is fighting you and you don't even know it. Maybe you're NOT crazy! We all "know" what we need to do to lose weight and get healthy. The basics, anyway - right? We need to get active, burn more calories than we consume, and make better food choices. Unfortunately, even when we're SURE we're getting it right... we might still not be seeing the results we expect. "WHAT GIVES?!" You may find yourself screaming into the heavens. This is the part where you usually start questioning what you're doing. We naturally assume we MUST be doing something wrong, and we look to make a change or we seek out one of those mythical "magic pills" or quick fix solutions or programs everyone peddles on the internet and TV. But what if you're NOT doing something wrong? What if I told you there might ACTUALLY be something deeper at play here? That despite the lack of results you see on the scale and in the mirror... you're not entirely off-base with how you're approaching your fitness and nutrition efforts? Now, before we go any further, I need to be clear that I am NOT saying this is for-sure the cause of any one person's problem. What I'm doing here is highlighting a theory in the fitness world that may hold some answers for some people (including me). We're talking about "Set-Point Theory". "Set-Point Theory" posits that much like our bodies fight to maintain our body temperature at a "set-point" of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, so too does our body fight to maintain us at a "set-point" weight. While the body temperature set-point is much the same for every human being on the planet, the set-point weight varies from person to person and depends on many factors. The body fights to maintain this "set-point" in two main ways, and the short version here is... it's doing it for a VERY good, but slightly out-dated reason. As for how, why, and how to deal with this? That's exactly what we discuss in Episode 83 of the So THIS Is Fitness podcast. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: An unexpected break, and the curveballs life throws at you Lack of running, no lack of positivity A brand new sponsor! And we talk about Set-Point Theory - the biggest and oldest thing screwing with your weight loss efforts that nobody is talking about. Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors!  

Just a little boost... Sometimes, even though we're motivated, we need a little kick-start - a boost - to help fitness happen. So we seek out a pre-workout, an energy drink, coffee, or some other caffeine source. But should we? I WANT to... but I'm so tired... I am all about fitness - it's just a thing I do. It's who I am. I run, I lift, I do fitness. I help others do fitness. And I absolutely, positively, LOVE it. That said... I don't just spring out of bed at 4 am in workout clothes ready to conquer the day. My love of the game isn't enough... so sometimes (read: every day) I seek out a little something extra. A boost. Our good friend caffeine. People the world over do this at all times of day and for many reasons. We seek out coffee, energy drinks, even caffineated products like gum or straight-up caffeine pills. When you gotta do it... you gotta do it, right? We do this in the fitness world, too. When the product is for fitness, though, it's not just a caffeinated beverage... it's a pre-workout. Granted, these pre-workouts are, indeed, a bit of a different animal - they have more and varied ingredients and achieve effects above and beyond simply waking us up. We do, however, have to be very conscious of what, exactly those ingredients are and how they'll affect us. This is something we should be very conscious of in general. We've all seen the headlines and news stories telling us energy drinks are bad for our health. Honestly, the news reports aren't wrong, but I'm pleased to report it's not the caffeine that's the devil in that detail. And further good news - there's ways to have your cake and eat it too, so to speak, with the "energy drink" thing. So, let's take some time today to talk about that boost we need, how we get it, and how we should get it. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: An epic comeback Alcohol and fitness Enjoying your workout vs dealing with a chore caffeine, coffee, preworkouts and energy drinks in fitness and life including An overview of how they work, what they’re for, why people use them, and why maybe you shouldn’t. Episode Resources: Bang Energy Drink variety pack on Amazon Bang Energy Drink - Peach Mango 12 pk on Amazon Bamg Energy Drink - Power Punch 12 pk on Amazon Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)  

"Motivate me!" I've been seeing a lot of posts online where people ask others to motivate them. I don't think they truly understand where health and fitness motivation realy comes from... Motivation - it's what moves us. I'm truly baffled by these posts I've been seeing on the many Facebook groups I'm a part of. People go on there, say they're not feeling it and can't get their rear in gear, and ask others to "motivate" them to get it done and go work out. I simply can't understand this. When they ask their post is, of course, flooded with positive comments encouraging to go tend to their fitness needs and desires - but is that enough? Does that, in and of itself, truly get these people up and out the door to put in a solid session at the gym? Is that really all it takes? It makes me wonder... "why?". Honestly, when we're talking about motivation in a fitness context, we have to think about the "why". "Why" are you doing this? "Why" are you working on health and fitness, and what are your goals? I say this because to truly understand how to motivate someone to do a thing, you have to understand what motivation really is. And once you understand THAT, you can begin to understand where it comes from. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: A progress update on my (and FitWife Megan's) renewed fitness journey A little clarification on how to eat enough... and how NOT to eat too little We get a little personal talking about where to find the motivation to "do it". Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)  

"Keep It Simple, Stupid." We tend to overcomplicate things and make life hard - like with nutrition! Good news is - it's as easy as figuring out calories, macros, and making good choices. Less isn't always more. We make this "fitness and nutrition" thing way harder than it has to be. We go half-cocked with information we sort of think we understand but didn't fully research, and then get upset when it's not working. One of the most common things I see, for example, is people under-eating. Yes, under-eating, not over-eating. But I'm supposed to be at a calorie deficit for weight loss, right?! Well, yes, but that's only part of it. See, we stop listening when we hear that part. What we don't hear, as a result, is that while we need to be at a deficit to lose weight, there IS, beyond that, such a thing as eating too little. And then there's the matter of macros. What's a macro? Is that like Keto? And now you see how we land in a problem, right? So maybe it's time we keep things simple and bring it all back to basics. I realized it's been quite some time since I've talked about nutrition on the blog and podcast. I feel like this is a topic that bears repeating, so here we are having the conversation. Let's talk about how much to eat (calories), what it should be composed of (macros) and what kind of choices to and not to make for it to all work. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: How the journey is going, and falling back in love with running A quick word on trusting opinions Thoughts on coffee, sugar, and sweeteners And we try to make a big complicated discussion a little simpler - calories, macros, nutrition, and how to eat right. Episode Resources: NOW Foods Better Stevia on Amazon Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)  

Sweat means nothing. Well, it doesn't mean NOTHING, but we seem to think it has a much larger role than it really does. For SOME reason we think sweat is a clear indicator of fat burn. It's time we had a talk about sweat, fat burn, and how it all REALLY works. Have you had a good "sweat session" lately? Let's get right to the point here - there's this idea out there that the more you sweat, the more fat you burn. People are FIERCELY defensive of this idea - that sweat is somehow an indicator of the efficacy of a workout.  This idea is dead wrong... For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: We talk about life, and how some things never change My current progress, and the progress of someone else, too… A little unsolicited advice about muscle soreness and artificial sweeteners And we have a BIG, rather educational discussion about sweating, fat burn, how they each work, and the relationship between the two. Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)  

Some lessons shouldn't be learned the hard way. There's always fads that come and go, and it's usually ok to let people learn from their mistakes. Some mistakes, though... are too harmful for trial and error... I care. Sometimes, too much. There are a lot of different diet fads and fitness fads that fly around from time to time. Everyone is always looking for the quick fix... the magic button... the easy answer. Most of them, honestly, are relatively harmless. The worst thing that'll happen as a result of trial and error, in most cases, is bouncing back and regaining the weight you lost. Well, that and a modest sum of wasted time and money. Sometimes, though, more is on the line. While most fitness and diet fads are relatively harmless, some can land you in real hot water. Not everything is safe to try at home, by yourself, unsupervised and unguided. Oftentimes people simply don't realize the damage they can do to their own body. Unfortunately, one of today's popular fitness trends is a failed experiment of the past brought back to life. Waist Training is a thing again. And it needs to die. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: We talk about the new digs and recent happenings How the fitness journey is going so far A brief bit of unsolicited advice on heart rate training And a serious conversation about a hot fitness trend out there - waist training. Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)  

I keep tellin ya: it IS possible! I feel like a broken record sometimes but really, we all have it in us to do the “impossible”. Each and every one us has that potential in us. We just need to figure out how to become the best in the world. Simple, right? Well… my guest on podcast #55 is here to share how SHE did it. Caroline Boller started like so many of us. She got into running as a casual recreational activity. An escape… a release from the stresses, pressures, and demands of “real life”. She was able to embrace the outdoors, soak up nature, and just be. Then one day… she saw something that changed things. “…I wonder if I can do that, too….” It started just like that – a curiosity. Caroline Boller, Average Jane American, witnessed the finish line of a 50 mile ultramarathon. And what she saw surprised her. She saw that it looked like any other race finish line. As she saw runners finishing, some totally wiped out and some totally fine... the thought struck her. This looks just like any half-marathon finish line… but it’s 50 miles! Hey… maybe I can do it, too… What happened next was… well… extraordinary. And it's what we get into this episode. For the full blog post / show notes click here!   What's in this episode: Caroline Boller chats with us about going from Average Jane to world record ultra runner... and HOW any one of us could do it. Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter Email - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

There's so much information out there. With the wealth of health, fitness, and nutrition information available to us today, it's a wonder we're able to keep it all straight. Not all of it is right, though. Let's bust 4 of the most common fitness myths. I've said this before -  Great thing about the internet is - anyone can put their thoughts, ideas, and assertions out there. Terrible thing about the internet is... you get the idea. So with all this mis-information out there presented as fact, it can be tough to distinguish the real from the fake. That, friends, is where I come in. We're gonna bust 4 myths. I realize I can't take down ALL the falsehoods in the fitness world in one fell swoop. After all - how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. So I'm gonna slowly hack away at this - we'll knock out about 4 myths at a time. Prepare to (maybe) have your fitness world SHATTERED! Honestly... I hope not. I bet you guys are smarter than that :) For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: Life, moving, and a well timed sickness Our current progress, and a conversation at the gym A little unsolicited advice And we explain and bust 4 commonly believed health and fitness myths keeping you from your best results. Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)  

Some things are better left unsaid. There are things your coach would love for you to know... but they'll never tell you. Why? Well... like I said - some things are better left unsaid... There's so many things... There are so many thoughts that go through my head I wish I could share. Internal monologues I'd love to say out loud, feelings I'd love to share with the people in the gym - both those I do and don't work with. There's so many things about this job that people just don't know, and don't realize. Every day... when certain situations come up... I wish I could just tell people how I feel. How it really is. Break the myths they hold as truth and shed a little light on how it really is. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: 75 episodes - wow! A progress update A little unsolicited advice And things personal trainers wish you knew… but might not say out loud... Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)  

We're talking about the missing link, people! We talk a lot about how hard it is to start a fitness routine, and it's always countered with how great it is to BE on the other side. What we DON'T talk about... is that feeling when you turn the tide of battle. The feeling... when you start winning... and you know it. It's arguably better than winning itself. Think about it - everybody whines about the difficulties in getting started in sticking with it. We talk about all the road blocks and hurdles and challenges we face that keep us from our ultimate goal. Those people get countered by those who have reached the other side, like me, and can't stop going on about how great it is over here. We preach how "worth it" it is and how great it feels. I, however, want to draw attention to something I feel is more important. It happens on the journey. Often you'll hear people talking about how the journey is more important than the destination - I have to say, I wholeheartedly agree. A finish line is simply the starting line of the next journey. There's a really cool moment that happens while you're on your journey. For some people it takes quite a while to reach, and for others it takes hardly any time at all. It's that moment where you feel a shift. One day you wake up, or you do a thing - maybe you've just finished a workout, and all of a sudden you have a realization. You realize... you're starting to win. It's starting to happen. It's not as hard anymore. For me, this time around- I realized getting myself out of bed and off to the gym wasn't as much of a challenge anymore. I realized it was beginning to be a regular part of my routine again. And that feeling when I realized the tide was turning in my favor was amazing. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: Milestones and what’s coming Addressing some questions and needs from the internet That feeling when you turn the tide of battle Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)  

We're not perfect. With that in mind, it's no surprise that, sometimes... ok- often... we go looking for love in all the wrong places. Of course, I mean that in the context of our health & fitness... and where, exactly, we seek answers... We're just doing what we've been taught, really. This is really quite simple, when you think about it - we have problems, and we're seeking solutions in the "best", most efficient way we know how! That's not so bad... is it? I may be calling it "looking for love in all the wrong places"... but it's really crowdsourcing. There's a problem, though... Not everything should be crowdsourced. From important surgeries to unfortunate, unforeseen emergencies... we're not afraid to crowdsource things we can't handle ourselves. Unfortunately, it seems "solutions to our health and fitness problems" are also one of those things. When we have a potential injury or health issue, we look not to a doctor or trained professional... but to the internet. We turn to random strangers we've never met. Not only do we not know these people... we certainly don't know their qualifications relative to our issues. This is, most certainly, a problem... when you consider the potential ramifications of acting on bad advice. Might we get lucky and be ok? Yeah, maybe - but what if we're not so lucky? Maybe we should have a chat about why looking to the faceless masses on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is not the best plan of action for our nutrition, fitness, health, and injury-fixing needs... For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: We talk about how things have been going lately Some new ventures I’m looking at And how we’re looking for love in all the wrong places… by asking questions we need answers to in places where Rwe might get the WRONG answers Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :) Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)

We're getting to the hard part. This is the time of year where the fun and excitement wears off, fitness gets hard, and we have to figure out how to stay on track. It's gonna be hard... but it CAN be done. It's not "New Year's" anymore... It's mid-January - the excitement and thrill of the "new year, new me" fitness thing is going to start wearing off soon. When that happens, people start realizing just how hard taking care of your health, fitness, and nutrition can be. Welcome to the reason so many "resolutioners" fall off the fitness wagon. There are gonna be a lot of things that can start creeping up to knock you off-track, but you CAN beat them, and you CAN stay on track with your health, fitness, and nutrition endeavors! You've just got to have a little faith, a little grit, and a lot of determination. How? Give a listen to Episode 72 of the podcast and find out :) For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: CAFFEINE and early mornings How the new year new fitness journey is going so far for me And how YOU can stay on track and win the war that is your fitness journey Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)

This sucks. Plain and simple truth is... starting from scratch when you know where you USED to be is super frustrating. So, yes - we're starting over... and it's not the end of the world. It doesn't have to be for you, either. It's going to be tough. I won't sugar-coat it, FitFriends... starting over is going to be tough. It doesn't have to defeat you, though! I've got some quick tips to keep you not just surviving, but THRIVING, during this go-'round - For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: Snowpocalypse has come to New England! Why starting over isn't the end of the world What we're doing to make this a success! Episode Resources Podcast #17 - 2017, Goalsetting, and Getting Uncomfortable America The Fat Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)

We've been here before. With the New Year looming we're sitting here doing two things - fondly (or not-so-fondly) looking back on the past year... and planning the next. We know what happens next though - things don't go as planned. If they did... we wouldn't be making "New Year's Resolutions"... would we? So how about this time... we do the new year right? There's a few things to fix, here... I'm sorry to say, it's not just the usual "things fall apart" situation that we need to address if we're going to "do the New Year right". We have the potential for a truly amazing year... but only if we really take a good hard look at the usual course of things. So, rather than my usual long, preachy New Year's blog post... I'm simply going to make a few requests (and expand on this in the podcast)... For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: We talk cold, the holidays coming to an end, and the New Year! We talk about what a “new year’s resolution really is” How we’ve been doin some people wrong And things to think about as we move into the new year Episode Resources Podcast #17 - 2017, Goalsetting, and Getting Uncomfortable America The Fat Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)

"A pebble in the pond..." We don't always think of ourselves as particularly "powerful", but maybe we should. Each and every one of us has the power to throw even just a pebble in the pond. The pebble may not make a big splash, but the ripple effect is not to be underestimated... Yes, the "gift" you give matters! Even a simple action can have immense consequences and effects. Simply put, it is ALWAYS worth giving your best effort to have a positive impact in the world. Even if you think you're just throwing a pebble in the pond, FitFriends, don't underestimate the power of the ripples you can create. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: The holiday season and getting back on the horse Recognizing Reviews! The unexpected revival of a thing And thoughts about gifts, giving, the ripples we make and the power we really have. Episode Resources Podcast Episode #68 - Be Kind, Do Good - The Power Of The Millinocket Marathon Podcast Episode #16 - Millinocket & The Golden Road Millinocket Marathon Website Millinocket Live Podcast Facebook Event Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! See how much Health IQ can save YOU on life insurance, you healthy person, you :)

Sometimes... an event is... more... Every so often in the course of human existence... something truly beautiful happens. It's not always obvious and you don't always know it's happening. Sometimes, people can pass right through it and be none the wiser. But those who catch a glimpse... and realize what's going on... know they're witnessing, or perhaps understand that they're a part of... something truly special. That, FitFriends, is what has been happening in the small Northern Maine town of Millinocket... "Be kind, do good" When we're little we're taught a lot of very simple rules to live by. Brush your teeth before bed. Don't push, hit, or hurt people. Say please and thank you. So many things, all just like that, which essentially boil down to "be kind, do good". It's simple, core values like this that seem to have taken root in what has fast become a truly impressive, rather transformative weekend each December in sleepy little Millinocket, Maine. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: We chronicle our trip to Millinocket, Maine for the 3rd annual Millinocket Marathon & Half We catch part of our drive into town and what we’re excited about We chat with Jen and Trish from the Moose Drop In Have a live podcast with race director Gary Allen And recap our experience afterwards If you were there or you’re thinking about going, you won’t wanna miss this! Episode Resources Podcast Episode #16 - Millinocket & The Golden Road Millinocket Marathon Website Millinocket Live Podcast Facebook Event Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

It's just SHOES... why is this so complicated? You would think buying a pair of running shoes is as easy as finding your size, making sure you like how they look, and paying for them... right? Well, sadly, that has not been my experience. On Episode 67 of the podcast, though... I chat with a man who wants to make it nice and easy to find the shoe that's best for you... and make it easy to buy it, too!  For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. Jens Jakob Andersen is a man on a mission. Jens created RunRepeat.com with a simple mission - make it easy to find your next running shoe. To do this, he's created a pretty solid one-stop-shop for running shoes. On his site you can find boatloads of reviews on shoes, you can find each shoe boiled down to pros and cons given by numerous expert and "normal people" reviews, and you can even buy the shoe via their "deal links". I have to admit... I was pretty impressed not just by the sheer volume of information on RunRepeat... but also by how non-threatening and easy-to-consume it all was. The man has really done it, FitFriends. If you're looking for your next running shoe... you really should check it out. He provides all the info you could need, broken down in helpful, easy-to-understand ways and sorted to show you what is, arguably, the best shoes out there. That said, though... there's one important question left to answer that I HOPE you're asking: How do I know the shoe that's best... for ME? This is the question I posed to him... and while Jens and I may differ on some points... we can both definitely agree on one. Give a listen to our chat to hear the full discussion, and check below to see what, exactly, is in this episode! What's in this episode: Being sick is no fun Millinocket is finally here! A chat with Jens Jakob Andersen of RunRepeat.com Who he is What RunRepeat.com is What YOU need to know about buying running shoes And more Episode Resources Podcast Episode #16 - Millinocket & The Golden Road Millinocket Marathon Website Millinocket Live Podcast Facebook Event Jens Jakob Andersen on Facebook RunRepeat on Facebook Find RunRepeat.com online! Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

Cold weather running is rough. You know it, I know it... we all know it. Running outdoors in the cold is roughhhhh. It doesn't have to be, though. What if there were some ways to make it... slightly less painful? Wouldn't that be nice? For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. Let's keep this simple, shall we? This doesn't have to be a complicated endeavor... this winter running thing. It can be just as simple as warm weather jaunts. In the spirit of that... we've covered this topic in a FitBite episode today - a short, bite-sized episode with a short, bite-sized topic. We've got 7 ways for you to win this winter with your cold weather runs - see "what's in this episode" for more. See? Nice and simple, FitFriends.   What's in this episode: It's Winter! Prepping for our trip, the Q & A with Gary Allen... and the COLD! 7 Tips to crush your winter runs The 20 Degree Rule - How To Dress visibility Creative Warm-Up Ground Conditions, and how to approach your run Hydration Dread Not The Treadmill Acceptance "Buy Stuff" Links Nathan Speedmax Plus 22oz Handheld Bottle Nathan VaporKrar 12L Hydration Vest Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

So, you wanna run a marathon, huh? There's a lot of questions to answer when you're getting ready to take on your first marathon or half-marathon. Fortunately, many people have come before you and had the same questions you undoubtedly now are asking. Well, friends - no need to reinvent the wheel here - let's answer some of those questions and get you ready for your next big achievement! For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here.   Some of you are ready, some of you are not. I primarily mean that in terms of attitude, but I suppose it also applies in terms of skill and ability. If you're not sure that you're ready to take on your first marathon or half... THAT'S OK! There's probably a lot of pros and cons you're weighing in your efforts to make the decision. I'm hoping that the questions and answers in this episode will help. For those of you who are totally ready to take the plunge, well, you're gonna need some info and some prep, friend. After all, you don't just run into battle in your undies, right? NO! Of course not! You suit up, get battle ready, and charge into the fray with a plan. So, here we are, in the planning stages. What you'll hear in this episode is a recording of a q & a session I held at Anytime Fitness Attleboro (the club I coach out of). The people who are attending submitted the questions asked and asked some more during the recording. All of these people are regular Joe's and Jane's just like you. And like you... they're either considering or already committed to running their first full or half marathon.  Yes, they are bravely ready to dive in. They'll be taking on the Providence Marathon & Half with me on May 6th, 2018... and I couldn't be prouder or more excited for them! They're going to learn a lot about themselves and what they're really capable of both throughout the process and when it's all said and done. So, like them, I encourage you to be brave, get prepared, and take on YOUR next challenge. I hope this episode helps... and if you've got questions I didn't answer in this episode... email them to me! Podcast@SoTHISIsFitness.com What's in this episode: Recording of a Q & A at Anytime Fitness Attleboro Topics covered -  Distance, Progression, Training Plan & Technique Injury Prevention, Pain & Soreness Running, Fat Loss, & Muscle Gain Race Day Gear, Hydratino & Fuel "Buy Stuff" Links Nathan Speedmax Plus 22oz Handheld Bottle Nathan VaporKrar 12L Hydration Vest Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

Not everything is as "legit" as it seems. The internet is an amazing place. Think about it - anything you want to know... you can find it on the internet! Everyone's got a voice on the internet - if you've got an opinion, you can share it with the world! It's a blessing and a curse, though... What if you're trying to figure something out? Do a little research to better yourself or solve a problem? How do you know what information to trust? I've got 10 ways... tips, maybe... to help you tell the difference between the gold and the garbage. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here.   What's in this episode: Thanksgiving is here! We talk about the OVERabundance of information you can find online and how to weed through it to find the stuff you can actually… mostly… trust. Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

The "holiday season" can be tough. On any normal day... life is hard enough as it is. Factor in everything that comes with the holidays... and it can be enough to derail anyone. It can be tough to juggle family, food, and travel. The easy option is to give up and stop trying to make nutrition and fitness work. I submit to you: there is a better way. This is my now-yearly pitch... I call it "The Holiday Survival Guide". For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. I get it. Really, I do. Like I said - life is busy as it is. The holidays crank that up to 11. So much shopping, organizing, cooking, cleaning, and coordinating to do it can make your head spin. Work usually gets more difficult, which interferes with home and personal life. Then there's the holidays themselves and all the travel involved... plus the food is a nightmare. How am I supposed to stick to "the plan" with 82 holiday meals? Nobody said it was going to be easy. Do-able doesn't mean simple or easy. It's going to be hard work, just like fitness and nutrition, in general, are hard work. But at the end of the day... It's worth it. How great will it feel to make it to January 1st and to know... "I did it. I made it through and didn't screw it all up". There's a certain sense of victory at stake here, not to mention that whole "your health" thing. I've got some thoughts on how you can do this thing. So, give a listen to Episode 64 and find out what's in The Holiday Survival Guide. What's in this episode: How life has been for me lately What’s coming down the pipeline And how to avoid the cascading failures that tend to come with the holiday season Including keeping your physical fitness and nutrition in line Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

Waiting doesn't have to be boring. We've answered the question of "now what?"... but that's not the end. "What's next" might not actually START right away. It could be a training plan that starts in a month. It could be any number of scenarios, really. So the question now becomes... what do I do with myself until then? How do I live... exist... in this awkward space between places? For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: What’s been going on with me lately Thoughts on how to live in the awkward space between places And a quick review of some of my new and favorite gear and things from this year Essential Oils and Aromatherapy NOW Foods & MONQ Nathan Speedmax Plus (hydration handheld) Nathan VaporKrar (hydration vest) Bib Belt Liquid Calories Nuun Episode Resources Episode 53 - Essential Oils 101 (blog/web player) (iTunes/Apple Podcasts link) Buy NOW Foods Diffusers on Amazon My Favorite - Black Metal Touch Diffuser Buy NOW Foods Essential Oil kits on Amazon My first one - Put Some Pep In Your Step Buy NOW Foods Essential Oil blends on Amazon Buy Black Diamond Distance-Z Trekking Poles Buy Nathan Speedmax Plus Buy Nathan VaporKrar Vest Buy FuelBelt Race Number Belt Liquid Calories: Buy Gu Roctane Energy Mix Buy NOW Foods Electro Endurance Buy Nuun Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Podcast Archive on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Reviews on "So, THIS Is Fitness..." Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter E-mail - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

When it's all done... what do we do?  We spend months and months working towards a big goal race. Even more than that - we spend all year running, training, enjoying the weather and our sport. We cross the finish lines and make great achievements. When it's all said and done, though... now what? When we're left with no more races, and no more good running weather... until SPRING... what do we do? How do we deal with the fallout and aftermath of running season and our goal races? For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: Baby steps toward positive change It’s almost time to go to almost canada And we talk about how to deal with the “aftermath” of race season including Post-race blues Injury What got left by the wayside And answering the question of “now what?” Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter Email - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

We must keep moving forward. There are so many contexts in which that statement is relevant. I've been saying it a lot lately in the gym, too - If you're not moving forward, you're going backward. This past weekend I learned, definitively, that despite what I thought... I was not moving forward. Despite running, jogging, walking and physically moving forward for 60 miles over the course of 18 hours... I was not moving forward. And in that... I learned something. It took me a few days to get it... but it did hit me. I learned the true gift the Ultramarathon gives to the worthy. For the full blog post and show notes visit the blog here. What's in this episode: We recap the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race Ultramarathon Talking about the lead-up The race day experience itself And the lessons learned afterward… Including - where do we go from here? Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter Email - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.

The "impossible" is done all the time. People say a thing is "impossible" for many reasons. Often it's because they simply don't fully understand it, can't fathom it, and thus dismiss it. Little do they know... the "impossible" is accomplished all the time. This weekend, I and many like me will go out to do exactly that - the "impossible". To finish a marathon is an incredible thing. For most people out there, a marathon represents a feat of incredible athletic ability. Many people set it as a goal event for themselves, and typically, their friends call them crazy for doing it. Running a marathon is, truly, something remarkable. To train properly for a marathon requires you to work out according to a very serious schedule. You must eat properly to fuel yourself through the runs and workouts. You need to procure the appropriate gear for the task. It takes early mornings, late nights, dedication, and an understanding circle of friends and family. Crossing the finish line of a marathon is a monumental thing. And yet... for some people... this is not enough. There exists a feat BEYOND the marathon. Unbeknownst to most people, there are organized endurance running events longer than a marathon. Those events are called Ultramarathons... and they are not for the faint of heart. Whatever a marathon requires of you, an ultramarathon demands it ten-fold. This is not to say those who complete a marathon are not "good enough" in some way... I simply mean to say that as hard as they worked to rise above the "common runner"... there is a whole level of achievement still waiting for those people. And once again, I'll be taking on this task. This weekend I, and many people like me, will take on the Ghost Train Rail Trail Race. Ghost Train is an ultramarathon which gives you 30 hours to complete as many 15 mile loops of the course as you can. Many come to this event hoping to claim a 100 mile finish, and the prize of a rail spike to commemorate their stunning victory. That's what I took home last year, and it's what I intend to bring home this year as well. But what does it take to run an ultra? Many people find out these incredible, impossible feats exist... and wonder "how?". How exactly does one break the limits of the "common man" and rise up to conquer such a feat? That is exactly what we discuss in Episode 60 of the podcast. What's in this episode: We talk about the busy week I’ve been having Ultramarathons, what they are, and why you’d do one The Ghost Train Rail Trail Race in particular And we get into things YOU need to know to be better prepared including Things to pack Clothing, gear, and fueling considerations A bit about pacers and crew Strategy, risk management And some final thoughts about what this is gonna be like including an answer to the question: Are you ready?  Connect with So THIS Is Fitness Facebook Instagram The Fitwife's Instagram! Twitter Email - podcast@sothisisfitness.com Listen to the So THIS Is Fitness Podcast To listen, you can either use the player below OR browse the following links: iPhone / iTunes - Subscribe Android devices - Subscribe Subscribe via RSS Support the show by supporting our sponsors! Get $100 off your new Leesa Mattress! Sleep better, recover better.