Category Archives: Sports

Jun17

Summer Skating

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Summer Skating

Greetings! This past year, I have enjoyed firing up my old passion of figure skating by learning how to ice dance. Every other week, I drive up to Lakewood to work with one of my old coaches, who I consider one of the best of the best. He truly is an extraordinaire in all things figure skating and it has been such a pleasure to have him teach me again.

Unfortunately, with summer upon us, all of the hockey camps are in full swing and it drastically changes the times when us figure skaters can do our thing. There were literally no times that I could skate in Lakewood with my coach, Chris, without rearranging my work schedule dramatically, which I really didn’t want to do.

So, I had to come up with Plan B and contacted the coach, whose name is also Sarah, and who taught me literally everything to see if she could squeeze me in. Thankfully, we arranged an early morning ice time for a skate sesh and I worked with her for the first time in close to a decade this past week. And, did I mention that it was at the rink in Kent where I learned how to skate? Talk about nostalgia!

I enjoyed my skate time so much by being at my old rink with my former coach and it felt just like the good old days. I even worked on a few jumps instead of just strictly ice dancing, which I wasn’t expecting, but I’m glad I did! I had such a blast and felt so good afterwards that I just had to call my parents and thank them for all of the years that they supported my sport.

All of the lessons, dresses and skates, and competitions were not cheap. But, they gave me something that I will be able to work hard at and that gives me so much joy for many years to come and I am so thankful for that. It hit me so hard after being at the rink where they would take me for all of those years and I am looking forward to spending my summer ice time there. Thanks again, mom and dad! ❤

What sport did you play when you were younger? Are you still active in it now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May14

How To Avoid Running Related Injuries

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How To Avoid Running Related Injuries

From warding off depression to getting you in cardiovascular shape, exercise is amazing. Aside from the myriad of health reasons a sport like running gives you, it also offers you some much-needed alone time. Great for your mental and physical health, exercise in general is vital for improving our health and well being. But, there are times when we can expose ourselves to injury and in this blog we take a look at how runners can keep themselves safer and injury-free:

Common running injuries:

From runner’s knee to plantar fasciitis, runners can find themselves facing a host of injuries and there are several key steps that they can take to help prevent them, starting with the right shoes. Sure, you just want to throw on a pair of trainers and head out the door, but it’s essential to make sure you’re wearing the right shoes. Everyone’s a bit different and if you have a tendency to walk with a slight rolling in of the foot or a slight rolling out, then you need to have shoes that support your style.

The best thing you can do is get a gait analysis done by a professional at a running store. They’ll assess your individual style and advise you on a shoe that will support you best. So many of the more common aches and pains can be addressed with something as simple as the right footwear.

Get a check up:

Whether you’re a regular runner or you mix it up a bit, make sure that you get any aches and pains addressed. Find a sports therapy practitioner that can see you regularly and advise you on how to stay injury free.

Complement your sport:

Finally, no matter what you do for cardiovascular activity, find some complementary exercises that will support your body. Think about improving your core strength with planking or some leg weight exercises that are going to strengthen the muscles surrounding your knees to support them better. Stretch it out with some yoga or go for a swim for weightless, low impact exercise.

Give yourself some variety for greater efficiency and think about your body as a whole. When it comes to looking great, first you have to feel great, so allow exercise to give you a mental as well as a physical lift. Find some time to stretch and breathe deeply, whether you just carve out a few minutes of your day for a moment of calmness or whether you go for a more structured approach like mindfulness or meditation.

Your body and mind are unique, so stay in great shape mentally and physically and look after yourself.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Sep15

Do You For You

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Do You For You

Hello everyone and happy weekend! As many of you probably know, I figure skated competitively for close to ten years. I still love to hit the rink every now and then to get my skate on, but, I haven’t had a real lesson in about eight years. And, this past week, that changed! After running into one of my old coaches while I was at work, I decided that I would like to try my hand at ice dancing. And, try my hand at ice dancing I did!

I had the absolute best time being back on the ice and actually learning something new. Ice dancing is completely foreign to me, but the old girl can’t jump like she used to so I figured that dancing would be the best way to go. I had a half hour lesson with my coach, Chris, who is really the end all be all in my neck of the woods when it comes to all aspects of skating. Then, I got to practice on my own for a half hour.

By the end of my time on the ice, I was beat! But, boy, did it feel good. As I consider continuing to learn ice dancing, I find myself leaning towards not doing it, because it’s rather expensive. And, then, I find myself thinking that I do so much for others and that maybe I should do something for me, for once. Having a lesson every other week is definitely not as desirable as weekly skate time. But, it’s the best I can do and it sure would make me happy.

It feels so good to have something that I’m genuinely excited about. I’m twenty-four, which, for all intents and purposes, is over the hill in the skating world. But, I came back on the ice strong, I tried hard, and I can’t wait to do it again.

Doing you for you is so important, because if you don’t take that extra time for yourself, it’s so easy to become burnt out. I was definitely getting to that point and just one hour on the ice made me feel totally rejuvenated. And, you just can’t put a price on that. 🙂

Then and now! ❤

How do you do you for you? What is a hobby that you did when you were younger that you would like to get back into? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun28

Pacer Progress (Or Lack Thereof)

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Pacer Progress (Or Lack Thereof)

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! This past month has been a total and complete shit show and, needless to say, my activity level has been pretty low. All of my motivation to make big gains on my pedometer app has essentially flown out the window, and I’ve been having a hard time peeling my depressed self off of the couch. So, my stats for the month are definitely not the best. 😦

  • Total Steps: 959,262
  • Calories Burned: 23,591
  • Hours Walked: 148
  • Miles Walked: 315

And, to make matters worse, my activity level dropped from being ninety percent more active than the people using Pacer to a whopping forty-three percent. Whomp freaking whomp.

Now that I realize how low I let my movement get during my depression stupor, I am SO ready to get back on the horse and keep going until I start making good progress again. It’s going to be difficult, because I’ve been feeling so sluggish lately. But, once I get started, it will go back to being easier to get my 10,000 steps in no time. So, here we go!

How do you get yourself back on the horse after a stint with depression? What motivates you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun16

More Pacer Progress

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More Pacer Progress

Hello everyone and happy weekend! My last Pacer pedometer update was written on May 19th with a step total around 600,000. That’s a pretty big number, so I wasn’t expecting a huge amount of progress to be made in twenty-four days. So, imagine my surprise when I checked my stats for this post and ended up adding an extra 275,000 to my step count! I couldn’t believe it either, but I’m so happy about it! Here are the rest of the stats for this month’s update:

  • Steps Taken: 874,580
  • Calories Burned: 21,546
  • Hours Active: 135
  • Miles Walked: 287

After seeing such great results, I found myself wondering just what I was doing to get myself there. And, it has a lot to do with the wonderful Metro Parks that Ohio has to offer. For the past few weeks, I have gone on nice, long hikes at least twice a week if the weather allows it. Dogsitting for my neighbor and walking her pups twice a day for a week didn’t hurt, either!

For the most part, I have been exceeding my goal of 10,000 steps per day and I’m really proud of that. It feels good being more active, and completing my goals almost daily like it’s nothing now makes me feel such a huge sense of accomplishment. I had no idea that downloading one simple app would work such wonders on my self esteem, but I am so thankful for it and am looking forward to reaching my goal of 1,000,000 steps soon. 😀

If a pedometer app isn’t for you and you prefer your Apple Watch, be sure to check out Mobile Mob for the best accessories to keep you stepping in style!

Who else uses a pedometer? How many steps do you walk or run per day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr4

How Sports Parents Can Empower Their Kids

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How Sports Parents Can Empower Their Kids

Whether you had a childhood love of sports that your kids are picking up or you simply want to see them succeed and grow in all that they do, it’s easy for parents to get emotionally involved in their kids’ teams and competitions. Parents have an important role in helping their child do the best they can, too. You just need to know the right ways to empower them:

Get Involved:

If you want your child to feel your support, then actually get involved in supporting the team. There’s usually a whole troop of parents helping with the organization and administration of school sports teams, from arranging trips to helping design uniforms. Volunteer your time, show up early to practice, and attend every game. If you’re net savvy, you can even offer to run a social media page for the team or, otherwise, share their posts and contribute feedback. Let your child feel the support for the whole team, not just the pressure on themselves.

Supporting the whole team is what being a sports parent is all about and can create a more positive experience for every player. Be the parent who brings snacks and a cooler full of sports drinks. Be the parent who is happy to carpool to practice. Be the support during a difficult loss and the one who gets the party started after a big win. Designing banners with a company like Milestone Banners (or a similar one in your local area) could be an awesome way to kick start a banquet or championship party. You could even raffle it off at the end of the season as a keepsake for a lucky team member or MVP.

Talk About It:

Knowing how your child actually feels about the sport and their own performance is just as important. It’s not uncommon for parents to fall into the trap of encouraging a child to succeed in a sport that they might not necessarily be into. Ask your child how they feel about practice, the team, and the responsibilities that come with a sport. Give them somewhere safe to vent their frustrations and share their concerns. Look at Active for Life for ideas on topics to broach if they’re having trouble opening up. Even if they love the game, they could use someone to talk to if they have suffered a loss or a roadblock during practice.

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 Lace up!

Invest If They’re Invested:

Mental attitude and physical training aren’t all that can influence a game. If your child is serious about their sport, it helps if you are, too. Not just by supporting them, but by investing in the gear that can help them succeed. If they’re a goalkeeper, browse Renegade GK for more information on how the right gloves can improve their game. If they’re a member of a youth baseball league, make sure you’re looking for the best regulation bats on the market. The right equipment doesn’t just make changes to how they play the game. It’s an effective way of showing your support and belief in your child.

Don’t Push Too Hard:

Know when to step back and take a breath. When a member of the team makes a mistake or when a referee misses a call, it can be easy to feel your cool being tested. But by pushing too hard, you might only end up embarrassing your child and even prompting them to lose their love of the game. Support them, but don’t try and be their advocate every second during practice and matches. Talk to the coach if you have some thoughts, but don’t push and put too much pressure on them.

Being a sports parent is all about knowing your boundaries and knowing what you can do within them. Support, advise, and help, but be aware that you’re not the coach, the referee, or the player. Try to always keep things positive and constructive, and watch your athlete succeed.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar28

10 K A Day With Pacer

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10 K A Day With Pacer

Hi everyone! On March 17th, I downloaded the pedometer app on my iPod called Pacer. I have been completely obsessed with it, and have tried to complete at least ten thousand steps every day. By walking my dogs and increasing my steps per day whether that be through marching in place or walking around the house, I have been motivated to hit my goal of the ten K mark daily.

In just about a week and a half, I can tell how much my stamina has increased from walking close to four miles every day. I’m also really looking forward to when it gets warm enough so that I can start running outside and really put the app to the test! For someone who has a pretty sedentary job, I am so pleased with walking ten K steps and over each day. Beach body, here I come!!

How do you motivate yourself to work out? Do you use a pedometer app, too? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Lollipuff

Feb19

An Ode To The Olympics

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An Ode To The Olympics

Hi everyone and happy Monday! If you are anything like me, then I am sure that you revel in every chance that you can get to sit down and enjoy the Winter Olympic games in Pyeongchang. I have been loving taking some time out of my evenings to watch the different events with any of my family members that feel like joining me. And it’s so wonderful to think that in households literally all over the world, families just like mine are doing the exact same thing. If that doesn’t get you in the Olympic spirit, then I really don’t know what will.

Aside from a few choice sports in the summer games, I have always been fond of the Winter Olympics. No, not just because I love watching figure skating, as a former competitive skater myself! But that is a big part of it! Alas, there is something about the Winter Games that is so exhilarating. Perhaps it’s the briskness in the mountain air as you watch the downhill skiers whirl down at seventy miles per hour. Or maybe it’s when the snowboarders do magnificent tricks on the half pipe and your heart catches in your throat. Whatever it may be, the Winter Games have always been magical to me.

All Olympic sports and athletes are amazing. Every single one. But during the Winter Games, I always seem to be exclaiming “How do they do that?!” during every event. Not to downplay the Summer Games, but we all know what those events look like. During the Winter Games, there is so much variety and events where anything goes and it’s so special.

You watch the Skeleton event where it looks like the athletes could fly off the edge of the track at any second. Or maybe you’re checking the ice skaters out as they hurl themselves in the air and revolving four times. And each event, you see something that makes you think to yourself, “they must be crazy”. And maybe they are. But if crazy gets you to the Winter Olympics all the way in Pyeongchang to give you the opportunity to represent your country, then I want to be crazy too.

Who else is an avid fan of the Winter Olympics? What is your favorite event? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Brit+Co

Jan22

Getting Healthier By Playing Sports

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Getting Healthier By Playing Sports

Surely everyone wants to be healthier. Or maybe, you’re growing tired of looking at your stomach and thinking that it resembles a big lump of strawberry jelly. Either way, it doesn’t matter whether you want to lose weight or whether you just want to try and be healthier, because sports are a brilliant way for you to do both:

Focusing the mind and body:

The best benefit that you get when you play sports is that it can boost your level of physical fitness. It can also help your mind to stay much healthier, as well. Exercise helps to keep the mind sharp and it can even help you to feel more connected to the body in general. If you don’t quite know which sport is right for you, why not consider joining the FCB Canada soccer academy? This is one of the best ways for you to stay fit while also meeting plenty of new friends.

Future success:

Participating in sports can actually help you with your work and your school life. Sports can show you that if you practice something for long enough, then there is a high chance that you will go on to succeed, and this is a brilliant way for you to see the world differently. Sports can also be an outlet for any stress that you are experiencing right now, as well, and by letting go of this stress, you can then begin to focus more on the job that you do and the situation at hand. Of course, if you have never participated in a sport before, then there has never been a better time to start and you may even find that there are plenty of starter courses available for you to look at. This could include beginner football classes, hockey lessons, and more.

If you are worried about taking part in a sport where everyone is better than you, then this is one of the best ways for you to put an end to that. If you are shy, anxious, or unconfident, then sports can really help to bring you out of your shell. You can even play with your family, and the benefits are great and truly endless!

teamm

Swishhhh!

A better social life:

A lot of sports require you to work either as part of a team or as a unit. Even sports that have individual scores, such as running, still have some elements of teamwork involved. For example, if you were to travel to another city, then you may need to car-share or even train with one another. When you are a member of a team, you can then go on to develop higher cooperation skills, as well. By having these skills, you’ll have more focus, commitment, and dedication which can help you out a lot when it comes to your relationships and work life.

Sports are not only great for getting in shape, but they are wonderful for your mental health. Gather your friends, start a team, and watch as your mind and body reap the benefits.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan16

Getting The Gear: For Outdoor Adventures

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Getting The Gear: For Outdoor Adventures

Nature enthusiasts, outdoor junkies, and those that just love a good hike in the woods rejoice, as spring is just lurking around the corner. Outdoor excursions in the snow can be fun and all, but the sunshine sure is nice! Anyone who enjoys an afternoon in the great outdoors knows that the company they spend it with (or their solitude) is essential in a pleasant day. But the gear that you choose is also important in making your time outside all the better. Let’s discuss further:

Trekking Poles:

I think everyone can admit to grabbing a huge stick off of the ground and going full Gandolf from Lord Of The Rings during a nature walk. Who doesn’t love yielding a great big stick and trudging through the terrain? It sure makes me feel majestic, anyways. But if you want the best of the best in trekking poles (AKA nothing that you found off of the ground.), then you might want to consider a few things. Can it fold? Is it lightweight? Will it help you get from Point A to Point B with some sweet relief on your joints? Find your best fit, and hit the trails!

Knee Sleeves:

Hiking the paths is no walk in the park, especially if you deal with pain from arthritis, injury, or occasional soreness. Although knee sleeves don’t protect your knees from injury, they do offer compression and support. They might be just the extra boost that you need to climb the highest mountain.

Dry Bags:

During water activities like kayaking or rafting or even if a random downpour drenches you during a trek, keeping your goods dry is a major concern. You can’t take pictures of the gorgeous scenery with a waterlogged phone or camera, after all. Dry bags offer airtight protection to keep water, water everywhere out and your possessions dry as a bone. Need to take a breather? Dry bags are also inflatable! Hello, cat nap pillow.

Rest And Relaxation:

After a long day outside, a relaxing sit down at sunset is a must. Grab a cold lemonade, kick off your shoes, and take a seat on a sturdy, wooden porch swing. First of all, they’re just pure fun and they add the sweetest hint of Southern charm to any home. Let the cool breeze blow your hair as you rock back and forth and congratulate yourself for a job well done on the trails.

Take full advantage of experiencing the great outdoors with the most helpful gear as you trek around Mother Earth. Of course, it won’t turn your next excursion into a walk in the park, but where’s the adventurous fun in that?!

Featured Image By: XPATMATT