SparkPeople Member and Certified Running Coach
Nancy Howard has a degree in nursing. Her mission is to help others learn the process of living a healthy lifestyle and to let them know it is never too late to start. An avid runner, Nancy has competed in more than 100 road races since 2006, including 12 half marathons and Hood to Coast Relay--the largest in North America. She has lost 80 pounds--and kept it off--since joining SparkPeople in 2005. In 2009, she achieved two amazing goals: She became a Runners Club of America Certified Running Coach and ran the Chicago Marathon. She wants to inspire the world and let everyone know you don’t have to be an Olympian to run.
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Memorable dailySpark Comments from our Members
When I was a kid it seemed as though it took forever between New Year's and the end of the year. However, now that I am edging ever so closer to the big 5-0--only 2 years away--I have a better understanding as to all the comments the adults in my life used to make when I was a kid about time flying by. But we all know that time moves no more slowly for kids than it does for adults--it all comes down to a matter of perspective.
August marks two special anniversaries. One is my first anniversary working for SparkPeople and the second is the first anniversary of the dailySpark. Speaking for myself, this has been such an incredible year which has totally transformed my life. To think that a former member is now writing blogs is truly surreal. While I may not be the most articulate blogger, I do my best to offer my perspective on life and this journey we call healthy living.
One thing I have learned this past year is, as much as you learn from us, we learn just as much from you, our members. Trust me your comments on the blogs are always well received and we do take time to read through them. Even before I was asked to write a blog for this special event, I had been keeping a log of comments many of you shared on many of the blogs, not just mine, but everyone's. What I discovered is our members are articulate, funny, inspiring, courageous, and thought provoking.
Posted 8/19/2009 5:02:06 PM By: : 63 comments 14,695 views
Touching My Toes: What Goal Have You Achieved?
For the past 4 1/2 years I have spent the better part of my exercise routine on the elliptical, treadmill, walking outside, running, and doing some strength training to boot, but I spent very little time on flexibility. I have managed to exceed my cardio and strength training exercise expectations well beyond my dreams, but the one thing I have not done in many, many years is to bend over and touch my toes.
I am not kidding when I say that I lacked the flexibility to do what seems so natural to so many. Just look at little kids--they think nothing about touching their toes, but for me this was a feat that I have not been able to do for ages--that was until I took up Pilates 12 weeks ago. And last week I achieved what I never imagined and that was to bend over and touch my toes!
Posted 8/12/2009 5:53:11 PM By: : 83 comments 28,706 views
Getting the Best Fit
This is part 2 in a series about choosing the best shoe for your selected activity. As mentioned in my earlier blog, If the Shoe Fits, the best shoe for you may not be the shoe your best friend wears or even the same shoe you have worn for years.
Shoe manufactures are well-known for releasing new models each year, therefore discontinuing previous shoe models. Most manufacturers do so in December, while others wait until the spring. But know that when a new shoe is released many times there is a slight modification to the shoe's construction that can cause a shift in the way the shoe fits for you. So don't assume just because you have worn the same shoe that these changes will not affect your running or walking gait. This is why most experts recommend a yearly refitting.
Posted 8/8/2009 6:00:58 AM By: : 105 comments 29,733 views
If the Shoe Fits
Over the past 30-35 years there has been a huge revolution in the world of athletic footwear. There are literally hundreds of shoes on the market today for every sport one can think of. But, it is very important to wear the proper shoe for the activity you will be participating in so that your foot receives the proper support and stability.
As a runner, I have had many people ask me over the years what shoes they should get if they want to start running. More times than not, it is not the answer they want to hear. Shoes are the only real equipment a runner needs, but unfortunately one that many people do not want to take the time to go get fitted for. I have been told, "but I am not really a runner yet, so why can't I just buy what you wear?"
Posted 8/1/2009 5:44:56 AM By: : 163 comments 34,302 views
The Shame and Pain of Regaining
This past Monday I had the rare opportunity to sit in front of the television for a few minutes before my husband came home from work. While channel surfing, I came across The Oprah Winfrey Show featuring a much heavier Kirstie Alley. I had not seen the original air date of the show, so I was quite fascinated to hear how she regained the weight she worked so hard to lose. Her story was followed by a segment featuring Michael Hebranko, once touted by the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the world's greatest dieters. In the early 1990's, this man had lost 700 pounds in 19 months, only to regain the weight he had worked so hard to lose.
What struck me while watching Kirstie chat with Oprah was her humility and candor about regaining all the weight she had lost. I can only imagine how hard that must have been. While there were lots of jokes and jabs made about her downfall, it was as though you could sense her pain and disgust at having put the weight back on. She was honest in saying that she knew exactly why she regained her weight. Like many of us know all too well, she stopped weighing herself, working out and being mindful of the foods she was eating.
Posted 7/30/2009 6:04:48 AM By: : 396 comments 41,158 views
Eating Disorders Can Strike at Any Age
Last week Coach Nicole emailed me a link to an article published in the New York Times regarding midlife eating disorders. While I was quite aware of anorexia, bulimia and binging being diagnosed in young women, I was unaware of the rise of these disorders in women of my generation--women in their 30's, 40's, 50's and beyond.
So is this a new trend or could it be that women my age are finally seeking treatment for issues they have had for years?
I know for me, poor body image issues started when I was entering adolescence. I embarked on my first diet at the tender age of 12 after overhearing a conversation regarding my thighs. It was probably just a nonchalant comment made between adults, but sadly one that I took to heart and lived with for well over 32 years. These were years I spent either on a diet or off a diet but never really embracing healthy living.
Posted 7/22/2009 6:30:26 PM By: : 106 comments 30,127 views
Create Your Luck
“See a penny pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck.”
This sweet saying was something my dear Grandmother would tell me whenever she saw a coin on the ground. Keep in mind this was at a time when a penny could still buy something even if it was just piece of bubble gum at the local convenience store.
In August 2007 I was out for a run with my running group when I looked down and saw a penny. I couldn’t help but run back and pick up the tarnished and hardly recognizable coin. I joked with my pals that I was going to put this in a jar and see how much money I could find. They all laughed and yet, for the year we ran together it turned into a game as to how much money I would bring in. There was never a day I didn't find at least one coin.
When the group disbanded because of busy lives and family commitments, I continued the trend that began August 24, 2007 and in 23 months since that time I have collected close to $25 dollars, all in the form of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and yes, even one half-dollar.
So many people have told me I must be one of luckiest people in the world because of the money I have found. This got me to thinking, which I do a lot of when I am running. Why is it that I found these coins when no else has? Was it really luck?
What I have discovered is I am no more fortunate in finding a penny, or any other coin for that matter, than anyone else. The difference between me and someone else is I look for them. I actually scan the road in front of me searching.
Posted 7/18/2009 5:13:15 AM By: : 196 comments 28,436 views
The Heat is On: Taking Precautions When Exercising Outdoors
As many of you already know, I live deep in the heart of Texas. And while I would like to believe that it doesn’t get that hot, try telling me that this past Saturday when I had to get out well before sunrise to get my long run done. The reality is, when summer temperatures start to rise, my motivation to get out the door falls dramatically, especially when it is already 85 degrees at 5:30 in the morning.
But how does one manage to do fall marathon training, or for that matter any outdoor exercise, once the temps start moving up the thermostat.
Most running experts state the ideal temperature for long distance running is between 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. However, here in Texas, that is only a small portion of our year. Once the temps start edging above these levels, performance levels start to decline. It has been shown for every 5 degrees above this range there is a 2% degradation in performance and this does not account for any other environmental factors such as humidity and ozone levels.
Posted 7/11/2009 10:09:35 AM By: : 98 comments 40,754 views
There is No Magic Potion, for Real?
I recently had lunch with a friend whom I haven’t seen in years. While we have kept in contact via the annual Christmas card, our lives were just too busy to get together before last week. When we met at the restaurant she was shocked to see how much weight I had lost, even though she knew I was running and working for SparkPeople. She immediately asked what I did to lose the weight, as if I had lost it overnight. Keep in mind it had been a good four years since we last saw one another, so I could understand her curiosity. She wanted to know what supplement, food replacement drink, commercial food or program I used.
When I told her about SparkPeople.com and all the hard work and sheer determination I had spent the better part of 4 ½ years doing, it was as if I had burst her bubble. She told me how she had tried Slim-fast, other commercial programs, and even the diet pill Meridia, none of which she actively pursued for more than a few months. She did lose weight, but she did not keep it off. She proceeded to say she was so tired of wasting money and time dieting and was feeling hopeless that being overweight was her destiny.
Posted 7/8/2009 6:56:10 PM By: : 211 comments 29,757 views
My Bill of Rights to Healthy Living
We have all learned many important lessons on this journey. One of the most important lessons I have learned during my 53-month journey is finally letting go of the constraints of things I cannot control. Therefore, today I am re-declaring my independence from dieting. Hopefully, this endeavor will allow me the freedom to take life by the horns and to continue to move onto greener pastures.
Posted 7/4/2009 5:30:42 AM By: : 102 comments 24,101 views
Being Realistic in Your Goal Setting
This past weekend I took the next step in my fitness career by taking the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Coaching Certification Class. This was a very intense two day course covering all aspects on becoming a certified running coach. Let me tell you, I learned so much in those 16 hours that my head is still spinning. Now I have to study so that I can take my exam in the next few weeks. I do have my work cut out for me, but I have confidence in due time I will be a coach.
Posted 7/1/2009 5:12:24 PM By: : 81 comments 20,302 views
Do You Possess the Courage to Change?
"You gain strength, confidence, and courage by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." Eleanor Roosevelt
When I was a kid growing up in the pre-cable generation, the one movie that ushered in the spring was The Wizard of Oz. Each March my friends and I would anxiously wait for the time when we could sit in front of the TV reliving the fabulous adventures of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and of course the unforgettable Cowardly Lion.
Posted 6/27/2009 5:17:52 AM By: : 135 comments 18,546 views
My Top 10 Weight Loss Mistakes: What are Yours?
What I have learned in my 47 years on this planet is that it isn’t from our perfection that we learn the most about who we are, but when we make mistakes and learn from them that we find our true essence.
Below are my top 10 weight loss mistakes. I can tell you this wasn’t too difficult to configure because I certainly could come up with at least 10 more. Feel free to add to my list so that maybe others can learn from our mistakes.
Posted 6/20/2009 10:00:47 AM By: : 209 comments 24,888 views
New Year’s Resolutions: Have You Kept Yours?
I don’t know about you, but this year is flying by. It’s hard to believe in less than 2 weeks half the year will be well behind us with only 6 more months left to go until we begin 2010. This had me thinking it was time to re-evaluate my goals that I made 6 short months ago.
While I have never been one to make New Year’s Resolutions, I do like to set goals for myself to strive for each year. I believe goals are the fundamental driving force that keeps us on this path to healthy living.
Posted 6/17/2009 6:00:26 PM By: : 76 comments 10,625 views
The Power of One: Do You Have What it Takes?
Last weekend most of us here in Texas, much less the rest of the country, have never heard of the small hill country town of Rochelle, Texas. What put this tiny community on the map was a young lady by the name of Bonnie Richardson. She accomplished what no other person has ever done in the history of the Texas University Interscholastic League State Championships and that was to win back-to-back high school Class A state championships in track and field all by herself.
Posted 6/13/2009 7:55:20 AM By: : 78 comments 7,786 views
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