If you want to lose weight, get fit, stay healthy and feel great then you need to listen to science. Every year thousands of “new” schemes are launched that claim to miraculously transfer you from the overweight, tired, sickly old-you to the miraculous new you. Yet most of these schemes, besides draining more fat from your wallet than your waist, are not supported by science. They are normally supported by the glowing testimonials of other “big losers”. Yet what they fail to show is how these glowing, smiling, slim, healthy-looking people appear 6 months or 1 year later…when the hype is over and the ad revenue all spent. The bottom line is that any successful approach to weight loss has to be a “lifestyle approach”.
If the approach is not natural, like gyrating your body on a special machine, it will eventually fail.
If the approach is not easy, like having to go to a gym every day, it will eventually fail.
If the approach is not fun, like spending hours indoors on a stationary bike, it will eventually fail.
A lifestyle approach to losing weight, getting fit, staying healthy, and feeling great must be natural, easy and fun. Additionally it should also be scientifically proven. Is it possible to find such an approach? Yes!
Running is the most tried-and-tested and effective approach to enabling people to lose weight, stay healthy, look good and feel great of all time. While other fads come and go, since the dawn of civilization, running has been used. Humans are designed to run – yet sadly the approach that worked for thousands of years has been lost. It’s been lost in competition, “trying harder”, “no pain no gain” distortions. The result is that the secret of the most effective, most time-tested approach has been lost. Yet an overwhelming amount of scientific research is proving that the lost art of Running Easy is the ultimate approach to a healthy, energized and long life.
We'll let science prove it. Watch this spot as we share the science of the art of running. It will change your life.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Running in South Africa - You gotta love it
There's a faint pink hue in the sky but otherwise it's still dark. Yet in this inky darkness a coalescing stream of cars flows with purpose. Soon orange spotlights and the bubbling chatter of nearly 2000 runners crowds out the darkness - a fusion of age, race, gender, social status and skill. They talk easily, merrily as the announcer’s instructions roll over the crowd explaining the course. Moments later the somewhat uncertain sound of South Africa's gift to music - the vuvuzela, heralds the start of the 32km race.
The huddle of runners, without pausing its conversation, flows forward like a living river eager to run its course. The rich smell of curry wafts tantalizingly in the slightly humid morning air, as the runners make their way past high-rise apartments and old 1950 houses complete with stoep, out-house and corrugated iron roof.
The jovial tide of runners suddenly swirls about as it reaches the first water table and the runner's 3 step dance ensues. Grab dangling water sachet with grateful grunt. Rip, spit, squeeze and savour plastic flavoured liquid. Toss disgorged water sachet in general direction of bin. And then the flow resumes as the bubbling river of runners flows over hills and plummets through valleys.
The friendly spirit sees Marshall being thanked hundreds of times, as he smilingly guides the flowing mass. Soon the front runners, those works of art in motion, are seen returning - a trickle of brilliance that alters not for hill or vale. The bubbling spirit of the flowing group continues even as the warm arms of Africa's sun begin to press upon it.
Black, white, male, female, old, young - strangers on a shared journey - one people. "It's quite a tough run", the stranger says as we share a common pace, a common space for a few moments. I nod sagely, in that way only a fellow runner can do. "Ja, but it's a good training run," he says as the tide and topography separate us. "I'm doing the Postnet marathon", says another runner to his companion. "Ja that's good. I'm gonna also run Two Oceans as part of my peak week training for Comrades", he replies as they too merge into the river of runners.
"Aah, I think to myself, where else would you hear talk like this? Where else would a 32km, a marathon, an ultra marathon, be a training run? Where else does the vuvuzela start a race? Where else do so many races, so many faces smile and talk and journey together?
The unrelenting passion of the announcers voice heralds the end. A welcome, warming, wonderful sound. I collect my spot-the-shirt-beneath-the-adverts t-shirt as I let the laughter, the chatter, the camaraderie of my fellow runners wash over me. Aah, running in South Africa, you gotta love it!
Yours in running easy
Craig Blewett
(after running the SparkPort 32km Challenge on Sunday)
REMEMBER to get your FREE marathon book @ http://ping.fm/sdqVA
(c) Copyright, www.runningeasy.com
The huddle of runners, without pausing its conversation, flows forward like a living river eager to run its course. The rich smell of curry wafts tantalizingly in the slightly humid morning air, as the runners make their way past high-rise apartments and old 1950 houses complete with stoep, out-house and corrugated iron roof.
The jovial tide of runners suddenly swirls about as it reaches the first water table and the runner's 3 step dance ensues. Grab dangling water sachet with grateful grunt. Rip, spit, squeeze and savour plastic flavoured liquid. Toss disgorged water sachet in general direction of bin. And then the flow resumes as the bubbling river of runners flows over hills and plummets through valleys.
The friendly spirit sees Marshall being thanked hundreds of times, as he smilingly guides the flowing mass. Soon the front runners, those works of art in motion, are seen returning - a trickle of brilliance that alters not for hill or vale. The bubbling spirit of the flowing group continues even as the warm arms of Africa's sun begin to press upon it.
Black, white, male, female, old, young - strangers on a shared journey - one people. "It's quite a tough run", the stranger says as we share a common pace, a common space for a few moments. I nod sagely, in that way only a fellow runner can do. "Ja, but it's a good training run," he says as the tide and topography separate us. "I'm doing the Postnet marathon", says another runner to his companion. "Ja that's good. I'm gonna also run Two Oceans as part of my peak week training for Comrades", he replies as they too merge into the river of runners.
"Aah, I think to myself, where else would you hear talk like this? Where else would a 32km, a marathon, an ultra marathon, be a training run? Where else does the vuvuzela start a race? Where else do so many races, so many faces smile and talk and journey together?
The unrelenting passion of the announcers voice heralds the end. A welcome, warming, wonderful sound. I collect my spot-the-shirt-beneath-the-adverts t-shirt as I let the laughter, the chatter, the camaraderie of my fellow runners wash over me. Aah, running in South Africa, you gotta love it!
Yours in running easy
Craig Blewett
(after running the SparkPort 32km Challenge on Sunday)
REMEMBER to get your FREE marathon book @ http://ping.fm/sdqVA
(c) Copyright, www.runningeasy.com
Monday, February 1, 2010
Wow - as predicted - the final Comrades spaces were gone in just 4 minutes. Some of our Running Easy members tried to get a place but sadly missed out, even though they were 4th in the line. Oh, well there are loads of other great races in SA - especially the 56km Two Oceans Marathon.
So the Comrades Marathon is now officially (again) closed. There are now about 22,000 runners registered with thousands more disappointed.
Whether running or not 2010 is off to an exciting start. We got to enjoy an awesome 32km run yesterday morning. It was a double lap but the course meandered up and down giving a great blend of experiences. Thankfully we were done before the 30+ sun really started making its presence felt.
You just gotta love this time of year...
Yours in running easy
Craig
So the Comrades Marathon is now officially (again) closed. There are now about 22,000 runners registered with thousands more disappointed.
Whether running or not 2010 is off to an exciting start. We got to enjoy an awesome 32km run yesterday morning. It was a double lap but the course meandered up and down giving a great blend of experiences. Thankfully we were done before the 30+ sun really started making its presence felt.
You just gotta love this time of year...
Yours in running easy
Craig
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
2010 runs off quickly...
Hey Everyone,
Well 2010 is off to a running start with lots of running already happening. There is a great group of Running Easy members training for the Canberra marathon (see http://ping.fm/7K9D9) and here in South Africa the excitement for Comrades 2010 is big.
2010 is a big year in SA with the soccer world cup in June, but most runners are already getting well into their Comrades training.
We're spoilt for races to run as there is a marathon or half marathon nearly every single weekend within a few kms of where we stay in Durban. We'll be putting out our Comrades program soon for those who want to join us.
REMINDER - If you did not get into Comrades 2010 remember that there is one more opportunity to snap up one of the final 2000 spaces. Here's the official notice of what to do -
The CMA Board has decided to reopen entries for a limited number of 2,000 additional entries only. Entries will open on Saturday, 30 January 2010 and will ONLY be accepted at Mr Price Stores countrywide. Entries will close as soon as 2,000 entries have been received.
In order to work on a fair “first come first serve” basis, NO FAX, POSTAL OR ONLINE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Entries will also not be taken at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg. The CMA therefore appeals to those runners who still wish to enter for the 2010 Comrades Marathon, to make sure that they are at a Mr Price early on Saturday, 30 January 2010.
So it's getting close - put it in your diary and get to your local Mr Price (if you live in SA) and be their early as I'm predicting they will all be gone within 15 minutes!
Finally a reminder of the special for all our Running Easy readers - You can get the Complete Running Easy Marathon Course, and 400 pg Running Easy Marathon book for free here. Get it here NOW - http://bit.ly/FREEbook
We look forward to an awesome 2010, and hope you enjoy your running easy!
Craig & Nicky
Well 2010 is off to a running start with lots of running already happening. There is a great group of Running Easy members training for the Canberra marathon (see http://ping.fm/7K9D9) and here in South Africa the excitement for Comrades 2010 is big.
2010 is a big year in SA with the soccer world cup in June, but most runners are already getting well into their Comrades training.
We're spoilt for races to run as there is a marathon or half marathon nearly every single weekend within a few kms of where we stay in Durban. We'll be putting out our Comrades program soon for those who want to join us.
REMINDER - If you did not get into Comrades 2010 remember that there is one more opportunity to snap up one of the final 2000 spaces. Here's the official notice of what to do -
The CMA Board has decided to reopen entries for a limited number of 2,000 additional entries only. Entries will open on Saturday, 30 January 2010 and will ONLY be accepted at Mr Price Stores countrywide. Entries will close as soon as 2,000 entries have been received.
In order to work on a fair “first come first serve” basis, NO FAX, POSTAL OR ONLINE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Entries will also not be taken at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg. The CMA therefore appeals to those runners who still wish to enter for the 2010 Comrades Marathon, to make sure that they are at a Mr Price early on Saturday, 30 January 2010.
So it's getting close - put it in your diary and get to your local Mr Price (if you live in SA) and be their early as I'm predicting they will all be gone within 15 minutes!
Finally a reminder of the special for all our Running Easy readers - You can get the Complete Running Easy Marathon Course, and 400 pg Running Easy Marathon book for free here. Get it here NOW - http://bit.ly/FREEbook
We look forward to an awesome 2010, and hope you enjoy your running easy!
Craig & Nicky
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Hot...very hot
The weather this summer has been very un-summery. We have had weeks and weeks of rain on the east coast of South Africa. Normally at this time of the year, as we near Christmas, we are sweltering in our tropical climate. We'd normally recline under a tree waiting for a gentle but balmy wind to re-align the sweat beads adorning our bodies. But this year has been positively British! Rain...and more rain.
However betwixt all of this, the odd memory of summer emerges - and we are all of a sudden treated to a sticky, humid 30C+ day. Today was one of those days.
The deep blue African sky is presided over by a glowing hot sun that seems to have awakened the earth below. Birds sing, butterflies dance on the warm thermals, and the iconic summer holiday "Christmas beetles" screech their song of joy.
And in this - we decide to go for a run. Now the first lesson is that if you are going to run on a hot day - do it early...Yeah, but it's holidays and sleeping in is part of the reward. So we finally hit the road at about 8:30am.
By this time the sun is well on its way to making its presence felt, and the heat is beginning to rise from the hot road surfaces. It's like be slowly roasted in a convection oven. But, nonetheless, in our eagerness to stem the broadening tide of the Christmas Girth, we set out.
The first 50 meters were not too bad - but by then we were hot - very hot. And then it was time for lessons. We have just completed, only about 4 weeks ago a marathon - so fitness should be no problem - but heat is.
As we set out with noble intentions of running 15kms - we soon discovered the wisdom of the Running Easy approach...an approach that enables us to run whenever and however we want. Our 15kms became 11kms and our normal 6:15 min/km became 7 min/km.
We needed this reminder - it's all about "Try Easier". The marvel of following an approach that says - "run within yourself", "run how you feel", "try easier not harder" - means you can adjust. You can run on hot days or cold days. You can run long distances or shorter distances. You can run fast or slow. It's because you are listening to your body.
So we walked the hills we'd normally run - we shortened the distance we'd planned- we ran slower than we normally would...just because we can.
And so even although it was so hot, we still had a great time - we still returned having loved our run.
So always remember - listen to your body - it knows what is best. Run so you love it, and you'll find that you love to run!
Yours in running easy
Craig
Get your free Running Easy book at http://bit.ly/FREEcourse
However betwixt all of this, the odd memory of summer emerges - and we are all of a sudden treated to a sticky, humid 30C+ day. Today was one of those days.
The deep blue African sky is presided over by a glowing hot sun that seems to have awakened the earth below. Birds sing, butterflies dance on the warm thermals, and the iconic summer holiday "Christmas beetles" screech their song of joy.
And in this - we decide to go for a run. Now the first lesson is that if you are going to run on a hot day - do it early...Yeah, but it's holidays and sleeping in is part of the reward. So we finally hit the road at about 8:30am.
By this time the sun is well on its way to making its presence felt, and the heat is beginning to rise from the hot road surfaces. It's like be slowly roasted in a convection oven. But, nonetheless, in our eagerness to stem the broadening tide of the Christmas Girth, we set out.
The first 50 meters were not too bad - but by then we were hot - very hot. And then it was time for lessons. We have just completed, only about 4 weeks ago a marathon - so fitness should be no problem - but heat is.
As we set out with noble intentions of running 15kms - we soon discovered the wisdom of the Running Easy approach...an approach that enables us to run whenever and however we want. Our 15kms became 11kms and our normal 6:15 min/km became 7 min/km.
We needed this reminder - it's all about "Try Easier". The marvel of following an approach that says - "run within yourself", "run how you feel", "try easier not harder" - means you can adjust. You can run on hot days or cold days. You can run long distances or shorter distances. You can run fast or slow. It's because you are listening to your body.
So we walked the hills we'd normally run - we shortened the distance we'd planned- we ran slower than we normally would...just because we can.
And so even although it was so hot, we still had a great time - we still returned having loved our run.
So always remember - listen to your body - it knows what is best. Run so you love it, and you'll find that you love to run!
Yours in running easy
Craig
Get your free Running Easy book at http://bit.ly/FREEcourse
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Have to...Love to
Nicky and I have just returned from an exhilarating 5km run in the rain. And while we were out there it struck me that we just love to run....
There are two key reasons people do things in life - have to or love to. This applies to everything from religion to sport.
When it comes to exercise, many people do it because they have to. The doctor has told them they only have 53.5 days to live unless they get fitter. Or their jeans have just split again courtesy of the over-ample waist. Whatever the reason, many people decide to take up running because they have to.
However, the problem with this approach is that it is not sustainable. Or if it is sustained it is with much anguish, determination and gritted teeth. Typically the slightest excuse is enough to abandon the running and revert to the old, more "pleasant" sedentary ways.
But when people are engaged in something they Love to do, it's totally different. You do not need to be encouraged to go out and watch a movie if you love to do it. There is no teeth gritting to go out and enjoy a sumptuous meal if you love your food. It's easy - because you love it.
So when it comes to running the most important thing is that you love to do it! But sadly many people approach it from the wrong way. I have to lose weight. I have to run faster. I have to get a Personal Best. I have to sweat more...no you don't!
The joy of the Running Easy approach is that you run because you love to. And why is it a joy? Because its not about trying harder - but trying easier. It's not about gritted teeth its about relaxed flow. Its not about your Personal Best time its about your best personal time.
So change your approach - learn to run easy and you'll find that you love to run. And if you love to run, you'll reach all your dreams and goals.
You have to love to!
For a Free 400pg book and Course on Running see http://bit.ly/FREEcourse
There are two key reasons people do things in life - have to or love to. This applies to everything from religion to sport.
When it comes to exercise, many people do it because they have to. The doctor has told them they only have 53.5 days to live unless they get fitter. Or their jeans have just split again courtesy of the over-ample waist. Whatever the reason, many people decide to take up running because they have to.
However, the problem with this approach is that it is not sustainable. Or if it is sustained it is with much anguish, determination and gritted teeth. Typically the slightest excuse is enough to abandon the running and revert to the old, more "pleasant" sedentary ways.
But when people are engaged in something they Love to do, it's totally different. You do not need to be encouraged to go out and watch a movie if you love to do it. There is no teeth gritting to go out and enjoy a sumptuous meal if you love your food. It's easy - because you love it.
So when it comes to running the most important thing is that you love to do it! But sadly many people approach it from the wrong way. I have to lose weight. I have to run faster. I have to get a Personal Best. I have to sweat more...no you don't!
The joy of the Running Easy approach is that you run because you love to. And why is it a joy? Because its not about trying harder - but trying easier. It's not about gritted teeth its about relaxed flow. Its not about your Personal Best time its about your best personal time.
So change your approach - learn to run easy and you'll find that you love to run. And if you love to run, you'll reach all your dreams and goals.
You have to love to!
For a Free 400pg book and Course on Running see http://bit.ly/FREEcourse
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