Tag Archives: sports

5 Reasons to run

Posted in Fitness, Motivation & Happiness by

1. Runners don’t judge.

All runners have respect for other runners, regardless of ability. We all remember a time when jogging for a consecutive mile seemed so daunting. We all remember the roadblocks we have hit in our running careers. I don’t judge anyone I see walking, jogging or running down the street, and I know that they are not judging me.

However, I can’t lie… in the beginning, I was very concerned about being judged. My first run down a popular bikeway was a little intimidating. Everyone was biking, sprinting or speed-walking past me as I began to step on the path. But once I started moving and looking at the faces of the people around me, I noticed that everyone had this look of determination, struggle and even satisfaction on their faces.

Like my yoga instructor said the other day, “It’s rewarding, motivating and humbling to see the people around you struggle in their practice as you struggle through yours.”

We are all in this “being active” thing together. Don’t let nerves and self-consciousness get to you.

2. It hurts.

A friend told me once that she is addicted to the pain of running. It’s like how people are addicted to the pain of getting tattoos or addicted the heart ache that comes with watching your favorite tear-jerker. But you can’t stop getting tattoos, you can’t stop watching the movie even though you know how sad it is when the main character dies and you can’t stop running because, for some crazy reason, the pain feels so good.

Running, for me, hurts in a number of ways. It’s a physical and mental struggle as I fight with my legs to push through and argue with my mind, convincing myself that I can reach my goal. Then when I finally reach that goal the pain was worth it — it was rewarding. Bringing us to…

3. You set your own goals… and reach them. 

Running is one of those activities that has no end goal — in fact, there is no end. Your accomplishments are measured on goals you set yourself… no one sets them for you. In the beginning, those goals are small. I started with, “Run a consecutive mile.” After reaching that goal I moved onto, “Run for 20 minutes without stopping.” My current goal is, “RACE!”

I have dabbled with training for a 10k or half-marathon, but truth is, it is more realistic to start with couple small races before I tackle the big guns. I am hoping to make it out to Amherst for the UMass Revolution Run Homecoming 5K. If that doesn’t work out for some reason, there are 5Ks every weekend in my area. In December, I am participating in the Somerville Jingle Bell Run – yes, my friends and I will most likely be dressed as elves. Move over, Santa.

4. It clears your head. 

My best and most successful runs are the ones that I have to force myself to go on… the ones where I am stressed and I know that I need it… the runs when I am contemplating just cuddling up with a movie and some ice cream.

While running can be a social activity, it is also an opportunity for you to be alone in your own head. My mind is often racing as I pound the pavement, thinking about one million things at once. Then, before I know it, my run is over and my mind is clear and at peace. It’s like magic.

5. You can run any time, any where, in any amount of time. 

You can always run, no matter where you are. You don’t need to renew your gym membership to run. You don’t need to set aside an hour of your day to spend on a cardio machine to run. Running is an activity that you can fit anywhere into your day. Whether you have 20 minutes or a few hours, getting your heart pumping for any amount of time does your body and mind wonders.

For example, the other day I only had 30 minutes to get in a quick workout after work. After jogging for 15 minutes, I felt exponentially better than I did after wrapping up work — that’s all it took. I also use running as an excuse to explore (as long as I have my iPhone with me to direct me home afterwards). With that said, I have come across some beautiful discoveries.

Stay healthy, happy and go run.

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Let’s Talk Ta-Tas

Posted in Fashion, Fitness by

By Lauren Duffy

This is a shout-out to all of my fellow fitness freaks with big boobs. Let me begin by saying: I feel your pain. 

Sure, with the right shirt and the perfect bra, showing off some cleavage can be kind of fun, but the moment you try to do any kind of jumpy exercise, your fun is all over. In the fitness world, big boobs are nothing but a big curse.

Too much of a ta-ta bounce can frankly be uncomfortable, unsightly, and sometimes painful. You want to be comfortable when you’re exercising; that’s why we spend so much money on Nike and lululemon gear. So sometimes you need to invest in your comfort and buy a sports bra that will successfully strap down problem A and problem B. With the wrong sports bra, your workout can be a nightmare; but with the right sports bra, you won’t have a care in the world.

So what are the best brands and best tricks to contain your cleavage?

First thing’s first.. What NOT to wear. (Where’s Stacy and Clinton when you need them?) Do NOT get a sports bra that has little to no elasticity to it. Those silly loose fabric ones that Target sells are the best example of what not to buy if you’re looking for support; they’re just not resilient. When trying on a sports bra (yes, you must try on sports bras) jump around the dressing room to test it out and make sure it doesn’t stretch out or allow too much of a bounce. If you feel like you’re wearing next to nothing, put it back.. even if it’s pretty, put it back.

Now for what you should wear: The most trustworthy trick is to wear two or maybe even three sports bras under your tank top with a build-in shelf. Yeah, it’s a bit much… but it works. One of my coworkers told me that she will even wear one bra that is one size too small to hold them down a bit more. I’ve yet to try this, but I’m definitely going to.

My personal go-to brand is the Nike Dry-Fit. The material Nike uses for these doesn’t allow the bra to ride up or bunch, instead it stays in place and keeps the boobs in place. I only have to wear one of these bras for full strap-down-support.. they’re truly miracle bras! Better yet, I’ve bought all of mind at TJMaxx for very cheap!

Champion is a brand that can go either way. Some Champion bras are wonderful; you usually have to wear one of them with a second bra for backup. (Whenever I need to wear two bras, I like to wear a tight wire-less and pad-less cup bra that can hide underneath your sports bra with a Strap Perfect.) But some Champion bras have the tightest elastic band that goes around the rib cage– it will either cut your circulation off or curl up under your boobs causing you to have to pull it down every time you jump. They’re win-or-lose bras, so they definitely require a dressing room test.

It’s official… I’m now a huge lululemon fan thanks to Emily. I am currently counting the minutes until I can get to a store to buy a lululemon bra called the Ta Ta Tamer II. (I already love the product just for its perfect name.) From what I’ve read, it seems very similar to the Nike Dry-FIT bras that I love so much, so I’m positive that I’ll love the Tamer as well. My boss who exercises all the time swears by them, and she knows the dos and don’ts of fitness clothes like no other.

What makes the Dry Fit and Ta Ta Tamer II so special? They both have hook and eye closures on the back of them so that you can adjust the size around your ribcage. If you can buy any kind of sports bra like this, I highly suggest you do so. Many bras have a stretchy upper part with a thick elastic ribcage band. These bands can often flip under the boobs and increase the boob bounce. But the hooks on some bras prevent the ribcage band from over stretching or riding up, therefore preventing any extra unwanted boob bounce. I even have a random no-name sports bra with the hooks on the back and I swear by it.

Many women have told me that they gravitate towards sports bras with built-in wires. I’ve found that these bras push ‘em up instead of suck ‘em down, and sometimes the wire will dig into me under the armpit. They also give a you a good amount of cleavage; but as an instructor, I’m not trying to flash my class. Personally I’m not a fan of these; however, if you don’t like the strapped-down feeling, wire sports bras could be the kind for you.

Finding the perfect sports bra that fits you and fits your ta-ta needs takes a lot of time and a lot of trial and error. But once you know what suits you best, you’ll find that you can focus on your workout without the two biggest distractions in the world flopping around. Good luck showing those boobs who’s boss!

Be positive in the winter

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Remember #Snowtober?

By Emily McLaughlin

The winter is synonymous with frigid temperatures, snowstorms and bad attitudes. Don’t let the cold months get you down. Instead, put a positive spin on everything winter to start your semester off right.

So… it’s cold. Who cares! This is the perfect excuse to bundle up in cozy sweaters, fashionable boots and cute scarves. Work hard the first few weeks of school and reward yourself with a trip to H&M or Forever21. Pick up some cute scarves, with matching gloves to make you feel stylish when trekking through a snowy UMass campus.

Another thing synonymous with winter is our desire to sleep, sleep and sleep some more. We are programmed to sleep when it is dark and wake up when the sunlight streams through the window. In the winter, the days are shorter and our bodies naturally want more rest. Why? When darkness falls, so do our serotonin levels. Serotonin contributes to our moods and energy levels. To keep yourself awake and energized, take advantage of the natural sunlight during the day. When the sun sets, keep your lights bright and notice a change in your energy.

Lastly, there are a few good things that come from snow and snowstorms. The first thing that comes to mind is… SNOW DAYS!

Second, there are a number of fun winter sports to try. Take a trip to the mountain one of these weekends and try something new with your friends (i.e. tubing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking).

If you aren’t in for hitting the slopes, and are bummed about not being about to go for your usual run outside, stay warm in the Rec Center! I know that it is a little crazy there now with everyone adhering to their New Year’s resolutions, but exercise is important to our mental and physical well-being. When we workout or are physically active, our brain sends signals, discharging feel-good endorphins. With the release we get a rush of newfound energy and a sense of overall well-being. Don’t stop moving just because it’s snowy.

Stay positive this winter with cute clothes, a little Vitamin-D and some exercise.

*View this article on HerCampus.com/UMassAmherst!