by | Dec 8, 2013 | 26 comments

I could have sworn that I had mentioned my magazine habits before, but my trusty search function is not leading me to that post, so let me explain.Β  I love reading magazines, and I subscribe to many, but I am almost always behind (same with blog reading … oops).Β  Anyway, I am super-Type A about reading my magazines in order, so even if I’m 10 months behind, they’re allΒ placed in order in a basket in my office and I grab the least recent one first.Β  As I’m reading magazines (usually on the elliptical or on Thursday plane rides home from work), I fold up the bottom left corner of the page if there’s something interesting that I want to save.Β  I come home, tear out the page, and put it in a jam-packed file folder.Β  I have good intentions to share them all with you, but I always forget!Β  So for today’s 7 Tips post, here are 7 magazine tidbits that you may find interesting!

  1. Runnerbox and magazine tips 011Tweeting can keep you on track: Self Magazine (May 2013) reported on this study, which showed that overweight or obese individuals who Tweeted their progress (including workouts, weight loss, health information, etc.) ended up losing more weight than those who didn’t.Β  I’m not currently trying to lose weight, and I certainly don’t post every meal or workout on social media, but I love the motivation and inspiration that I get from posting my photos on Instagram and viewing others’ posts as well.Β  Does social media help you stay on track?
  2. Runnerbox and magazine tips 010Dirty Dozen and Clean 15: This is one I’ve been using for quite a long time, and I’ll eventually dedicate a post to how I make decisions on whether to buy organicΒ produce.Β  But for now, if you’re ever wavering between organic or conventional, you can use this as a guide.Β  If the item falls under the “Dirty Dozen,” buy organic.Β  If it falls under the “Clean 15,” organic is not necessary and may be a waste of money.Β  Of course, there are several things that are not on either list, but this is a good start!Β  I also have an iPhone app to help me remember this.Β  (Original magazine clip from Today’s Dietitian July 2013)
  3. Runnerbox and magazine tips 014Exercise can reduce risk of dementia: We’ve talked a lot about the benefits of exercise (here’s one post in particular that lists many), but I haven’t mentioned dementia.Β  This study showed that you can reduce your future risk of developing dementia by 36% if you get fit now! (Original magazine clip from Health Magazine June 2013)
  4. Runnerbox and magazine tips 015Exercises to build an injury-proof body: According to this article, the knee accounts for half of all running injuries, and these four exercises can help strengthen and stabilize your knees.Β  When I had IT band issues several years ago, my physical therapist loved having me do clam shells – they really work!Β  Here’s a link to the full article from Runner’s World so you don’t have to try to see it from my picture!
  5. don't skip meals to lose more weightAnother reason not to skip meals: A Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study (again done on overweight and obese individuals) showed that those who did NOT skip meals lost 8 MORE pounds than those who did occasionally skip meals.Β  I told you in this post (one of my first ever!) how important breakfast was, but consider this another reminder that skipping meals won’t help you in your journey to become healthier – because you’ll likely end up bingeing or over-eating later. (Unfortunately, I forgot to save the source for this magazine clipping).
  6. breakfast 2Did I mention that you shouldn’t skip breakfast? Bear with me for one more reminder!Β  This University of Minnesota study showed that those who ate breakfast were 40% less likely to develop abdominal obesity than those who did not.Β  Wow!Β  Eat up!Β  Here are some breakfast recipes that I’ve posted previously.Β  (Original clip from Fitness Magazine October 2012)
  7. Runnerbox and magazine tips 013Reduce stress by lending a hand: This clip quotes Michael Poulin, PhD, who says that “Anytime you experience compassionate feelings for others, it can decrease your stress hormones.”Β  How can you help someone out or comfort a friend today?Β  (Original clip from Health Magazine June 2013)

Spill It Sunday

thebigmansworld

Because it’s Sunday and I had fun linking up last week, I’ll give you a little tidbit about myself for Arman’s “Spill It Sundays.”Β  This week’s theme is travel, and asks about the best or worst place bloggers have ever visited.Β  I have to say that my very favorite place to visit has been St. Lucia.Β  Kevin and I got engaged there (at the absolutely breathtaking Ladera resort), and we also returned there as the first stop on our honeymoon.Β  Speaking of our honeymoon, that was probably my favorite vacation overall.Β  Did you know I kept mini-blogs during our honeymoon AND during our trip to Asia and Australia last summer?Β  Both of those times, I knew I wanted to start a health and wellness blog, so I was just experimenting a little bit!Β  If you think I’m wordy now … whew!Β  Let’s just say my family are all troopers for reading all of that!Β  Head on over to Arman’s blog if you’d like to hear of other bloggers’ travel experiences!Β  And here’s a picture from our hike in St. Lucia, the day after we got engaged! engagement trip

**Today is the last day to enter my ENERGYbits giveaway, and there aren’t many entries, so you have a great chance!Β  Giveaway ends tonight at 11:59pm CT and I’ll announce the winner by Wednesday.**

So tell me in the comments … which magazine clipping was your favorite?Β  What was your favorite vacation?

26 Comments

    • Megan Lyons

      Looking forward to seeing your magazine ideas, Jill! That’s one of my projects for today – actually create a blog calendar, which I’ve been meaning to do for SO long!

      Reply
  1. Caitlin

    This is a fun post and I am the same way about magazines! I hoard them and have to read them in order. The other day I read an October 2013 of Fitness then realized I hadn’t read the September 2013 yet. Boy it bothered me haha – OCD much?
    I take everything I read in mags with a grain of huge giant salt and that means that I can still read them and enjoy their fun little tidbits! I always like the facts about not skipping meals because I choose to pay attention to those and hoard them in my brain to fight my mind later when it might tell me to skip breakfast. I totally almost skipped it this morning but the comments I’ve seen in many mags about keeping a revved up metabolism helped me to fight that urge and eat!

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Haha, Caitlin, reading the October 2013 before the September 2013 would have bothered me, too :). I agree with your attitude on reading these magazines – if I believed every single thing I read and tried to implement it in my life, I’d be a mess, but I love reading them and storing away the tidbits that are applicable and helpful to me.

      Reply
  2. Amy @ Long Drive Journey

    Ok this post is awesome! So creative! I loved reading all of the studies that you posted (research nerd like Davida). You sound like me when you say that you have to read your magazines in order. That is totally something that I would do too haha!

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Yep, it’s hard to hide the Type-A ;).

      Reply
  3. Michael Anderson

    Couple other thoughts:
    – Social media I use … but only on occasion. Last year on my running streak I did a Facebook entry every day, and that was an amazingly motivational tool!

    – I had to laugh seeing Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, having watched the show in the late 7’s. It is funny that the character is now very much a super-hero, yet at the time was more associated with 6 Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman, much like Bill Bixby’s Hulk show.

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Wow, I didn’t know you did a running streak, Michael! Was it a whole year? I think the idea of that is SO intriguing, and something I’d totally get into, but something about the idea of slogging through a single lousy mile when you KNOW you need a rest day and then starting to dread the run because you “have to” do it just … kind of makes me question. Did you enjoy it?

      Reply
      • Michael Anderson

        Did I enjoy the streak? In some ways I did, but I think looking back it was just a really important thing for me – because it essentially FORCED me out into the elements every single day regardless … and because I was posting on Facebook it every day it added accountability.

        I became a different running in 2012 than I ever had been … and I really feel that the 65-day, 450+ mile streak from mid-November through late January really had an impact on cementing my running habits.

        So it was IMPORTANT … but certainly not always fun πŸ™‚

        Reply
        • Megan Lyons

          Really great perspective – I never thought about the fact that a streak may be very helpful in transitioning mentally into a “real” or “cemented” runner. I still think it’s not for me, at least not at the moment, but I love hearing your perspective!

          Reply
  4. Jessie

    Fun post! I too am addicted to magazines. I cannot tell you how many I have. I swear I could have one to read every day of the year. Yes, I’m a hoarder of them. Ha Ha

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      I’m so with you, Jessie. I like keeping my magazines in this large basket in my office – that way, I know when I am getting “overboard” and need to get rid of some. I’d hoard them all if I could :).

      Reply
  5. Davida @ The Healthy Maven

    Great facts! You know the researcher in me loves the study stats πŸ˜‰ And I’m going to hint to Curt to take me to St. Lucia. No ring required. I’d be happy with the trip haha

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Haha! I hope you convince Curt to go to St. Lucia! It’s stunning!!!

      Reply
  6. Arman @ thebigmansworldman

    Ahh I loved your holiday recaps- not wordy at all! It actually was like reading a book than a blog post πŸ˜‰

    I enjoy reading magazines on cardio equipment..its my motivation :p Those are some interesting facts- also great to see US weekly and OK magazine weren’t referenced!

    St. Lucia looks beautiful- Definitely on my prospective bucket list!

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      I hope you make it to St. Lucia, Arman! It’s so beautiful! Magazines can have some ridiculous sensationalist articles (as you point out on your blog!), but there can be some good stuff in there, too. And, like you, I like reading them on cardio machines sometimes!

      Reply
  7. Michael Anderson

    We talked before about breakfast, and I totally agree. In fact, when I read this post earlier I was eating ‘second breakfast’ – I had a greek yogurt with Lisa before she headed to work and then fruit and peanut butter toast after my run. πŸ™‚

    I love that you read magazines in order, but I don’t think I am really surprised! πŸ˜€ … I am so type-A in so many ways, but at some point I let go of reading most magazines in order. I used to have my collection of saved magazines sorted by title and date … um, yeah.

    I really am not a huge fan of print magazines, but surprisingly enough my boys DO like all of those things – print mags, physical books, CDs and vinyl. And I thought since I was the old man I was supposed to be nostalgic about this stuff – but I have been digital since the moment I could!

    And can I just say I *love* the pic from St. Lucia and your story. We honeymooned on Antigua, and definitely want to get back at some point.

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      I love that your boys like the physical media rather than the digital! I’m a combination – for magazines, I have to have the physical, and while I read most of my news online, I love grabbing a physical newspaper once in a while – it feels more relaxing. For music, I’m 100% digital. I have no desire for CDs or anything like that. And for books (my favorite!), I love both – the portability of the Kindle is amazing, but I often still love holding a “real” book. I hope you and Lisa get back to Antigua sometime soon!

      Reply
  8. Tonya@Healthy, Fit, and Frugal

    I LOVE breakfast! That’s one meal I never, ever skip. I look forward to my oatmeal in the morning! I’ve never been to St. Lucia but it looks so pretty. My favorite trip was New Zealand, and I’m going to Iceland in March!

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Oh wow, Tonya! My husband and I always talk about wanting to go to New Zealand! Iceland sounds amazing, too – I’ve heard it’s not at all what you’d expect but is green and lush! I hope you have a wonderful trip!

      Reply
  9. Dave Bartlett

    As you know, I am such a fan of posting my runs on social media! I know there are a number of people tho think it is obnoxious, but I think the motivation it gives me and others is worth it!

    Dave
    Twitter: @davbart

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      It is SO not obnoxious, Mr. 7-miles!! I’m so impressed with your improvements, and hey – if you can motivate yourself and others to continue improving, who cares if a few people here and there roll their eyes :).

      Reply
  10. Danielle @ LabelsAreForTinCans

    What a fun idea for sharing! I am impressed by your magazine reading dedication. It would be hard to pick a favourite vacation but my sister and I went to Paris together last year and that was pretty awesome!

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      Oh WOW, going to Paris with your sister sounds amazing, Danielle! Glad you got to experience that!

      Reply
  11. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun

    Love breakfast it is one of my favorite meals of the day! I can tell a big difference in my body when I eat breakfast as opposed to when I don’t! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Megan Lyons

      I agree, Sara! Hope you get some yummy breakfasts this week πŸ™‚

      Reply

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Megan Lyons Headshot

Hi! I'm Megan Lyons,

the voice behind The Lyons’ Share. I love all things health, wellness, and fitness-related, and I hope to share some of my passion with you. Thanks for stopping by!
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