Running on Empty

As usual, I was trying to fit it all in.
Church service and meetings, grocery shopping, writing, and playing with my kids.   I was running from the minute I woke up, which is sad for a Sunday, the day once known as the day of rest.  Still, I refused to give up my workout.  I [...]

Keep Your Workout Simple! Real Tips from Real Runners (Runner’s World)

Sticking to any exercise regimen can be stressful.   For me, running is such a head game.  If I think too much about it, I worry – stressing about the very activity that is supposed to relieve tension and anxiety.    In addition to working through my own mindset, I struggle to schedule my workouts [...]

Train for your First 5K (About.com Guide Christine Luff)

Thank goodness for Google.  Last year when I got serious about running, I was a total beginner.  I had no idea where to go for training plans, advice on gear, or friendly support.  I googled “train 5k beginner” or something to that effect, and this plan popped up.  I followed it religiously and completed my [...]

Get Smart (Active.com)

Ever heard of Mommy-brain?  That total lack of memory and concentration caused by constant multi-tasking and interruptions? Want to do something about it?  Get moving and take back your mind!
Check out this interesting article discussing a scientific research study that proves exercise can make us smarter.
Get Smart (Active.com)

Stress Prevention & Relief: The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise (FindCounseling.com)

“Many people exercise to boost confidence along with reducing anxiety and stress, all of which contribute to psychological health and well-being.  So, exercise can be viewed as a preventative or wellness activity that may actually help prevent physical and emotional conditions.  By the way, even short bursts of activity help individuals feel better, which means [...]

Too Young to Run? (Ask Coach Jenny: Runner’s World)

If you’ve participated in a few road races, you may have noticed some of them offer a “Fun Run” for kids.  I have personally wondered how old a child should be before running for anything but the ice cream truck.  This is a very insightful Q&A initiated by a mom with concern for her 2-year-old’s [...]

Fitness Tips for Families (Active.com)

The family that plays together stays together!  This brief video gives some good ideas for families, especially those with older kids.  Fitness Tips for Families (Active.com)

Stay Fit through the Winter (MapMyRun.com)

It’s not easy to stick to a fitness routine if you like the great outdoors.  I love to run, hike and walk outside, but when the snow and ice start flying in November and stick around through March, I struggle to stay motivated.   Check out this article for some great advice on sticking to [...]

“Be Well” Mom’s Nutrition Seminars coming in March!

Attention Seacoast area Moms!  I’m happy to announce The PranaMama will be hosting a nutritional seminar series in March.  Tracey Miller, of Tracey Miller Wellness, will provide four 90-minute seminars for group discussion and education.  Come to learn, share ideas and questions, and meet other wellness-minded Moms.
“Be Well” Mom’s Nutrition Seminars (Group Classes)
Are you confused [...]

Off the Mat Moms-Lesson 4: Tapas (Discipline)

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to get down to business.  Although I try to avoid thinking about the holidays until after the four-day weekend is over, I admit, in recent days I’ve made mental gift lists, touched base with relatives to plan get-togethers, volunteered for the school’s Christmas craft fair and attended [...]

Baby’s Day Out

This week, I’ve got babies on the brain.  Two good friends are due any day now, and another just told me she is expecting in 2010.  Every celebrity magazine on the newsstand is showcasing Hollywood moms and moms-to-be, as I walked in downtown Portsmouth NH yesterday, soaking in the warm November sun, it seemed every [...]

Eating Local Tips for Busy Moms on a Budget

I recently asked Tracey Miller, of Tracey Miller Wellness, what a busy mom on a budget can do when she wants to eat locally and minimize packaged foods.  Tracey, a holistic health counselor, health and wellness educator, cooking instructor,  and a freelance journalist, not to mention a busy mom herself, had some great ideas to share, [...]

Race to the Top

Motherhood brings many surprises.  It seems no matter how well you think you have packed for a day trip, how easily your baby accepts new foods or how unbelievably tired you are, something will inevitably surprise you.  Your child may go through all of the packed snacks in the first half hour of the ride, [...]

The Power of Positive Thinking

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.”
-Helen Keller
It was a great run.  Although I stayed within my normal pace range, tonight I felt freer and faster than my last several workouts.  As my sneakers pounded the pavement in perfect rhythm, old injuries were suddenly relieved, my lungs pushed me forward [...]

Running is Child’s Play!

It was late afternoon, around 4:30…that magical time of day when I can look back at the day’s events with a sense of accomplishment (as my dad used to say, “made another one!”) as my kids have had adequate learning, playing, resting, social and alone time, have been fed two square meals and one or [...]

I’ve Lost that Loving Feeling…

Last spring I began a new relationship.   After many years of sheepishly admiring from afar, something in me made me try one more time, and I charged ahead in hot pursuit.  To my complete surprise, my affection was returned, and I found myself head-over-heels in love with a strange, yet familiar, being.
Now, I know [...]

And Miles to Go Before We Sleep…

Ahhhhhh.  I am sitting down for what could honestly be the first time in three days.  It’s been one of those non-stop social weeks, the kind that makes for great memories but can totally wipe you out.   This has been the first stretch of sunny summer weather we’ve had all season, so naturally, we [...]

A Fitness Challenge boosts Physical and Mental Health

For busy moms, it’s hard to make time for exercise.  We are exhausted by our daily routines and caregiving, and if anyone has a toddler, you know you get your heart rate up several times per day without even trying!  But physical exercise, especially when done by yourself or with friends, is not only beneficial [...]

Social Networking: What’s Your Emotional “Status?”

Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc….social networking is all the rage these days. Yes, it’s hard to avoid them. You are either coerced into joining by distant friends or relatives, you want to look up an old college roommate and see what she is up to at age 35, or it could be a marketing [...]

Morning Madness

Today I had one of those mornings.  I stayed up too late last night enjoying the quiet of my house, and I was paying for it at 6:30.  I woke up to my toddler shouting my name from his crib.  I grumbled, open my eyes and groggily walked towards his room, only to be met [...]