R & R with Rachel (Rants and Raves with Rachel): Let's Get Appy

Recently, I bought a smartphone. While I consider myself technologically savvy I never really had a need for one. Even now, a month later, I don't use it very often. One of the features I do like about the phone however, is that a running app can replace my ancient Garmin Forerunner 201 GPS which was big and bulky on my arm and lost its signal if it was cloudy or if I was running in an area where there were a lot of trees blocking the sky.

Now comes the hard part, picking the running app that is the best for me. I admit, I am a little obsessed with how far I run, walk or bike on each outing so obviously telling me that information is important. I also like to know how fast (or in my case how slow) I have ran that distance. The interface needs to be a large enough font so that my aging eyes can read it. Being able to save the information on my various runs would also be helpful though not imperative, and it would be great if I could transmit those stats wirelessly to my computer.

With all these requirements in mind, I started my research. I never imagined just how many running apps existed! I compiled a long list of apps that were given good reviews in various articles and plan on reviewing and critiquing each one on the basis of my needs. To whittle down the list a little I did start with the criteria of the following: the app had to be available for an ios device, it did not need any other paraphernalia to operate and the basic service had to be free. Here is the list of fourteen apps I plan on testing: Adidas Mi-Coach, Endonmondo, GPS Pro: Garmin Connect Mobile, Map My Run, Nike+ Running, Pear Training, Pumatrac, RunKeeper, Runmeter Pro, Runtastic, Strava, Up, Walkmeter, Wahoo Fitness.

I'll keep you posted! Meanwhile feel free to try some of these apps out yourself and let me know!

Good Advice from Charlie Brown:

Remember change doesn't happen overnight. It's better to start slowly and stick with your exercise program then not to start at all!

R & R with Rachel (Rants and Raves with Rachel): Chef & Chauffeur INCLUDED

Anyone who knows me has heard me say, " I am going to be the most buff retired person ever" (when I actually retire that is). I say this because I will then have endless hours to devote to exercise.

I just found out however, all that is standing in my way of being a buff person right now is $38,000,000. If I had $38,000,000 my partner and I could purchase a home that is currently for sale in Sands Point, NY.

Why would that make me a buff person you ask? Well because the amenities include an indoor basketball court, racketball court, indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa, sauna, steam room, and private beach. There is also a concrete path that circles the home and replicates a quarter-mile track.

We would need to learn to play golf because included is a tee box on the roof, putting green and a golf simulator (that doubles as a home theatre).

Sadly, the property is missing a batting cage, softball field and bowling alley. If we don't find a place to add those items that could end up being a deal breaker for us.

Now, all we need to do is find about 72 of our closest friends to invest in the property with us. Anyone interested?

Click on this link if you would like to see some pictures of the home:

http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/real-estate/38-million-in-sands-point-1.9822585#20

We're Back!

Hi Everyone!

Many of our dedicated readers have been asking us if our blog will ever return.   It made us feel happy that we were missed and apparently needed!   We apologize for our long absence.  Sometimes our hectic lifestyles interfered with publishing to our blog.   Although we might not have been posting regularly we were still making exercise a priority.   Hopefully you have all been referring to our previous posts and continuing to exercise faithfully.  Going forward we will try our best to post twice a month.

To get started we are bringing back an old favorite. It is a reminder of a safe way to shovel, something we will seemingly be doing a lot of shoveling this winter.  Boo hoo!

Here is the direct link:     Shoveling Snow Counts as Exercise Too!

See you in the Fall!

To Our Dedicated Readers:

You may have noticed that we haven't posted anything in a few weeks. We have decided to take the summer off from blogging. Summer is the time to get outside as much as possible and enjoy the long days and beautiful weather. That translates to less computer and blogging time.

Walking, swimming, biking and stand up paddleboarding are just a few things we will be doing for exercise during the summer. What are you doing to keep fit? Please post a comment at the end of this page and let us know.

Walk on my friends, walk on!

Did You Know? No Gym Membership? No Problem!

by Amy

Bodyweight exercises are an excellent way to build muscle, burn fat and increase cardiovascular endurance without the need for equipment. Read on for some motivating reasons for getting into better shape today.

1. They are efficient. Bodyweight exercises combine cardiovascular and strength training in the same exercise. Push-ups are a one example of this type of exercise. Try doing 20 good push-ups to see the effects of bodyweight exercises on your heart rate.

a. Before you begin take a 10 second pulse
b. Start the push-up with straight arms (on your knees or with straight legs)
c. Keep your body straight and your abdominals engaged
d. Slowly bend your arms so your nose is almost to the floor
e. Slowly return to starting position
f. Repeat 20 times
g. Take another 10 second pulse

Did your heart rate increase? If not, congratulations, you are in great shape. Do another 20 and check your pulse again.

2. They are convenient. Bodyweight exercises can be done in most places indoors or outside.

3. They are a great workout. Most bodyweight exercises allow you to exercise more than one muscle group with the same exercise. Here is a list of a few compound movement exercises and the muscles that are used.

Bodyweight Exercise	Muscles Used
Mountain Climbers	Abdominals, Deltoids, Gluts, Hip Flexors, Quadriceps, Triceps
Squats	Adductors, Calves, Gluts, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Walking Lunges	Gluts, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Push-ups	Abdominals, Deltoids, Pectoralis, Triceps

4. They are dirt cheap! No need to run out and buy anything. Save money by using the weight you already own and maybe lose some of it in the process.

There are many websites on the Internet with examples of bodyweight exercises, but it is very important to do them correctly. You will find demonstrations for all of the exercises listed above, and many more that do not require equipment, at ACE Fitness* exercise library.

*ACE Fitness is a nationally recognized certifying organization for fitness professionals.

R & R with Rachel (Rants and Raves with Rachel): My Addiction to Power Greens

There is a lot of buzz out in the world about the benefits of eating kale, collard greens etc.. Let me tell you, I am seriously addicted! I have always enjoyed eating spinach but decided to try some of the other greens based on all the hype. I started by purchasing a triple washed package by NewStar that contained spinach, baby bok choy and baby red & green chard.

I prepare it in a variety of easy ways -- sauteing with olive oil and garlic on the stove, spraying with olive oil and putting it in an aluminum foil package and grilling (if we are barbecuing anyway), or simply just placing a big pile in a bowl in the microwave for about 1 minute. Months ago when I starting eating these greens nothing else had changing in my diet nor in my exercise routine yet I lost 5 pounds! Since that time, I have become VERY superstitious about these greens and MUST have some every day! According to the season and what we receive from our weekly CSA vegetable delivery, I also add different varieties of kale and other greens to the mixture. Besides my own belief that they are a calorie burner, there of course are great vitamins in these super foods. Below is a link to a pdf from the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. It is entitled: The Health Benefits of Dark Green Leafy Vegetables and contains information about the greens as well as how to select and store them. It also includes a recipe on how to prepare a spring harvest salad. Have a look: www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/FCS3/FCS3567/FCS3567.pdf
.

So, the next time you are out for a walk, pass by a grocery store and pick up some power greens to try - just make sure that if you live in Port Washington you leave some for me when you do!

Walk on my friends, walk on!