Articles from ClarkBartram.com

Spring Cleaning
How to Live a Detoxifying Lifestyle

With Spring in the near future and swimsuit season just after that it may be time for a little “Spring cleaning”. Maybe you are still feeling a little sluggish and puffy from the holidays and need a kick start in the right direction. You have probably heard the buzz about detox diets and their plethora of supposed benefits. Maybe you have even considered doing one yourself. Before jumping on the bandwagon of crazy concoctions or week long fasting, there are a few things you should know about detoxing.

What is a detox anyways?

Program One…Psychologically Phit!

Anxiety. Worrying. Fear. Doubt. In a time where mental health is running rampant in our society, no time is better than now to stop and take a look at our own inner soul. Sure, most of us reading this article do not suffer from mental “illness”, but honestly, don’t we all have some mental habits that could really stand to being addressed…allowing us to live our lives more freely…and happily?

Savage Skin!
By: Natalie Lynn Lichtenbert
www.natalielynn.net

Ah! What I wouldn’t give to be lying on a beach with a drink in my hand, the hot sun warming my bones, and my soul. And just how great am I going to look at dinner tonight? Freshly showered with sun-kissed glowing skin!

We always look sexier with a great tan, right?

Staying Focused During the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

TRIFECTA FITNESS
By Rachel E. Murray

Whether you’re just starting a fitness program for the first time, or you’re a veteran gym junkie, there are three simple aspects everyone should keep in their routine.

This trifecta of basics, and I’m talking general ‘take-care-of-your-body’ rules, consist of cardiovascular conditioning, resistance training, and flexibility training. Each equally important separately, but together they are essential in building a foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle.

A recent survey before running the Chicago Half Marathon on September 13, 2009 revealed the majority of runners who participated prefer to eat a banana after a race. Does that mean you should throw out your protein bars and feed your post race trail mix to the squirrels? Of course not! When training for a race, competing in a race, or after you cross the finish line, it is important to remember the fact that one must find what source of energy works best for them.

A fortune cookie once said, “Imitation is the best form of flattery” and in a world of fad diets, endless meal plans and health clubs on every corner, imitation is all around. People waste time and energy working towards achieving something they are not. People get so caught up with imitating someone else’s diets, workout regiment and eating habits that so often people fail to realize there is not one answer which works for everyone.

Running is so much more than what meets the human eye. For some, the runner you see pounding the pavement on a brisk Chicago morning is just another person trying to stay in shape, lose weight, or fit into those trendy skinny jeans. They must be crazy all bundled up running at wee hours in the morning as people drive by staring out the windows of their heated car drinking coffee to get that morning rush of energy.

Runner’s high is not a statement; it is not a definition but a feeling that is so extraordinary that the only way to describe it is to experience it. There are thousands of reasons people run yet running is so often labeled first as a form of exercise to lose weight. Running to lose weight is last on my list.

FIT-ING IN YOUR WINTER WORKOUTS
Fitness Tips for a Healthier Holiday Season

No matter how long your holiday wish list is this year, I am pretty sure gaining five pounds is not on it. At this time of year when pumpkin pies are abound, cocktail parties rule your agenda, and last minute holiday shopping resides over your kick-boxing class at the gym… it can be very difficult to keep up with your health and fitness. Here are a few tips to help you improve your body through these weeks of temptation and kick start you into the New Year.