Motivation

For the past week, I’ve had the chance to experience Nike+, which I’ve previously only seen a number of people using, especially during the huge promo earlier this year in Fitness First where Nike had free Trial Sessions for people to try out Nike+ for themselves.

If you’re wondering what Nike+ is – it’s basically the combination of the Nike Plus Sports Kit, a Nike+ pair of shoes, and of course – Apple’s iPod Nano. The sports kit consists of a receiver you connect to your iPod Nano, and a small, oval shaped sensor (a piezoelectric accelerometer) that you insert under the sockliner of your Nike Footwear. Nike+ is the unique combination of these items, working together to be your ‘workout partner’ (though I’d like to personally call it a motivator) that will give you live feedback on the progress of your run!

With the receiver plugged into your iPod – you can now keep track of your running pace, distance, and calories burned for all your previous running sessions. I’ve always been able to keep track of my weight training progress – and now, I’ve got a neat way to keep track of my runs too.

Music has always been something I simply CANNOT DO WITHOUT when I’m at the gym, and I even talked about The Mental Influence of Music at the Gym back in June 2006. Powerful workout music has always given me that extra push when I’ve needed it, especially when it comes to getting my cardio sessions over with (which is difficult for most of us unless we’re really excited about running?). So now when Nike and Apple came along with something that was DESIGNED to do exactly that… how can I NOT take notice?

My Experience with Nike+
My first run using Nike+ was one week ago. Although I covered only 1.64km, it was great fun as I didn’t know what to expect during my run. Upon completion of my run today morning, it was REALLY NEAT to hear feedback via my earphones from Lance Armstrong (seven-time Tour de France champion), saying “This is Lance Armstrong - Congratulations, that was your longest workout yet!”

I don’t think it’s cheesy – I like it and I think it’s a great idea to feature motivational feedback from real athletes – a great ending to your workout.

The COOLEST feature – Spoken Feedback!
With Nike+, my iPod Nano now becomes my running coach and personal motivator – giving me spoken feedback through my earphones every time the center button is pressed (no need for me to look down at the screen during my run). Yes, it talks to you! The spoken feedback is also heard at regular intervals depending on the type of workout I’ve chosen before I begin running- there is a choice to measure progress via distance, time, or by calories burned. Also, you get to choose between hearing from a male or female feedback voice. I did try the male voice out, hoping to hear a deep, stern, and serious voice – something really motivating… however, the voice wasn’t something I expected to hear – so I decided to stick to the female voice for now. [click to continue...]

I’ve been asked about keeping in shape after a pregnancy quite a few times lately, and I’ve come to realise that it has almost become a ‘norm’ and ‘accepted’ among us that a woman is going to lose her figure once she goes through a pregnancy - and perhaps in Asia more than anywhere else.

My sister in law gave birth to a baby boy on the 4th of July this year (Yes, I’m now an uncle! Yippieee!), AND she managed to get back into shape rather quickly - now why was that?

I also saw another friend yesterday at church, who gave birth about 2 months ago - and though she’s not exactly what she was before, I wouldn’t consider her overweight or out of shape. She maintained her figure very well.

Now how many people do you PERSONALLY know who have gone through a pregnancy, and after that got back to their former bodies? And how many do you know that have remained double their size? Sadly, I know one too many women who balloon up while being pregnant and stay as a whale for the rest of their lives. [click to continue...]

With mega gyms mushrooming all over the country and the fitness industry thriving here in Malaysia (which I believe is still very much at it’s infancy), I must say that over the past few years, I have personally noticed an increased INTEREST among the public when it comes to keeping fit. Yes, there are definitely way more gym goers now than before.

Even just last night, while I was having dinner at Finnegan’s at MidValley Megamall, this guy at the table next to me was showing off his fancy new dumbbells to his friends at his table. He was even making a fool of himself in the restaurant trying to simulate a run with his new toys, but hey.. that tells me something besides the fact that he’s had too much to drink - its the fact that he is interested to keep himself fit. It’s a good thing… really… but let’s just take a few steps back and think of the bigger picture today - are we, as a nation, really in better shape today than we were before? [click to continue...]

Why can’t I lose weight?
Why can’t I lose my tummy?
I eat right and I exercise, but I cannot lose weight
I’ve been exercising everyday.. why don’t I see results?
But I control my food …
I don’t eat rice at night
I’m on a diet.. and it’s not working.

Honestly people… I’ve grown sick and tired of those who say these things without looking at themselves in the mirror first. Don’t get me wrong.. there ARE those who genuinely don’t know.. so that’s okay - I’m not referring to you guys in this writeup.

This writeup goes out to those who do the things they do, cheat too often on their diets and yet fail to realise the obvious on why they can’t shed their bodyfat (SO obvious that I sometimes think they do it on purpose!!).
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