I Ran PF Changs Half Marathon in the Kangoo Jumps!!!

You are probably thinking to yourself, what the heck are Kangoo Jumps? They look like rollerblades with circular like springs on the bottom. Now...I'm sure you are wondering why on earth would someone want to RUN a Half Marathon in them??
1) Because we can.
2) They take 80% of the shock off the joints.
3) Burn an additional 25% more calories to your workout.
4) It's a great CORE workout!
5) Make exercising FUN!
6) Help improve muscle recovery time.
7) and at least 26.2 other benefits!!!

Some of us are a little CRAZY and like to experiment with different training modalities to see how we can maximize our workout time and burn the most calories with the least amount of impact on our body.
As runners, we all know that the liklihood of getting some sort of injury running can be very high. That is one of the big reasons why I love running in the Kangoo Jumps so much!
Several months ago, I had a knee injury and was told by the physical therapist to stay away from any impact sports and only workout on the eliptical machine. I slowly started introducing the Kangoo Jumps and was amazed at how quickly my body recovered from the injury. I'm finding more and more people that have always wanted to run but never did because of how jarring it can be on the body. Many of these individuals are now able to run with the Kangoo Jumps absorbing 80% of the shock off of the body! Also, people that use to be runners that are now suffering from injuries,hip and knee pain and some are now able to run again without the additional impact on the body!!
I'm honestly not sure how many people around the world have attempted to run full or half marathons in the Kangoo Jumps.
Then, to add another twist, having type 1 Diabetes.
It was a lot easier then I thought...however, my other teammates may beg to differ.
Pick your poison, 7.8 pounds heavier and 80% of the shock off of the joints.
I say, take the shock off the joints and burn an extra 25% more calories!!

What a WORKOUT!!!

There was 1 minor thing to be aware of when running in the Kangoo Jumps;
Make sure to wear tall socks with sufficient padding and be aware of any previous history of pronation or supination. As when you are getting started, the body will take a little time to get readjusted to a new kind of footwear!

For more information on running,other exercise in the Kangoo Jumps, or to purchase, you may contact me at info@kangooclubaz.com

Have FUN, Getting Fit!

Kyna
Kangoo Club AZ

Keeping a Food Budget

Keeping a Food Budget

Keeping a Food Budget
I'm sure most of you have checking accounts and hopefully balance them. When you go shopping do you keep a budget??? A food budget is very similar. Give yourself a calorie budget each day. Now, it's up to you how you want to spend those calories that day.You could have 2 huge bagels for the day OR you can spread out your calories with a variety of foods such as big leafy green salads, other vegetables, lean meats for protein such as chichen, turkey, tuna, salmon, baked , grilled, or broiled. Eggs and/or egg whites, nuts such as raw almonds or walnuts are also a good form of protein as well. And of course making sure you are limiting your carbohydrate intake is essential. Keeping a food budget is all about not depriving yourself and making sure you include an occasional treat into your calorie budget. Just be careful not to go into "Cookie Over draft."

12 Tips for Eating for More Energy Less Stress

12 Tips for Eating for More Energy Less Stress

As many of you already know, there is an incredible impact on your body on the type of FUEL you put into your body....Some foods will trigger stress in the body and others can actually help manage stress levels.
Think of your body like a car...the only difference is once your body breaks down you can't trade it in like you can with a car. So you want to make sure you are putting all the right fuels into your body to help it run more efficiently and at it's PEAK PERFORMANCE LEVEL. Here are a few tips to help you run on more energy, efficiently, and with less STRESS.

1) Stay hydrated- Ideally drinking approximately 1/2 of your body weight in oz per day will help with weight loss, flushing out toxins,improve your ability to think more clearly among many other benefits!

2)Eat Small Meals-By eating small meals throughout the the day, you are giving your body the opportunity to metabolize the fuel more efficiently. Think of your body like puting honey in a straw...If you put too much honey into the straw the body won't be able to breakdown the food as efficiently and will just store to fat.

3)Eat Leafy Green Salads-Good form of roughage and will give you more energy and help eliminate waste.

4)Choose High Anti-Oxidant Fruits- Fruits that are high in anti-oxidants will again help flush out toxins and give you more energy. Some examples would be many from the berry family...such as goji berries, blue berries, strawberries, and blackberries to name a few.

5)Make sure to start your day with a good breakfast that includes a combination of carbs. protein, and fat.

6)Take your multi vitamins- Many of us are not getting enough nutrients for our bodies just from the food alone we eat. It is imperative that we get the sufficient vitamins and minerals in order for our bodies to run more efficiently.

7)Avoid/ Reduce processed sugars, caffeine, alcohol,soft drinks,high fat foods and heavily processed. These items can act as a false stimulant and also act as a depressant.

8)Log your food-Be aware of what you are putting into your body. Sometimes we don't realize what exactly we are eating until we write it down. As the saying goes, we can't manage what we don't measure.

9)Eating foods that are high in Omega-3's. Salmon and fish oil are a great source of omega 3's which greatly impacts stress levels in the body.

10) Eating foods that are high in Vitamin C - Helps manage cortisol levels better and also helps with the absorbancy of other nutrients to the body.

11)Consuming "Clean Foods"- Foods containing high nutrients and less processed fats.

12)Incorporate protein and complex carbohydrates- The body uses more protein and complex carbohydrates when under stress.

*** Lastly, don't forget to BREATHE.........!!!!