Not a fan of the gym? Be bold and try running!

PGX'ers! Get outdoors and enjoy those fall colours! Let's talk running form!

"Go running? Me? Are you kidding?! I can't run for my life! That's okay, I'll pass on that outdoor jog. I'll just find some other, less painful fitness routine to follow."

Does that quote sound familiar to you? I know those sentiments very well. In fact, I've expressed them myself when I've talked about running before. But now, I'm starting to change my tune. My cousin has recently discovered her love of running and has dedicated time for a run around Madrid everyday! She should be commended; she has inspired me to consider running... outside.

Before I strap on my shoes and start jogging, I want to make sure I avoid the novice mistakes that can lead to injuries! Check out this great infographic on running form (see below for infographic source)! But don't worry if you can't follow these tips perfectly. Running is about practice and the more you run, the better you become. Each person has their own personal ideal running form and quite often, make unconscious changes to their movements for a more efficient and comfortable run. You can learn more about Finding Your Ideal Running Form in this New York Times article.

Enjoy, stay fit, go beyond your comfort zone and happy running!

Infographic source: SuperSkinnyMe.com article How to Run: Perfect Running Form

Hey PGX'ers! Jump because it's the weekend!

Check out these fun and fascinating links from around the web!

Hello fabulous people! Last night I was watching Audrey Hepburn in the classic film, Funny Face, and I always enjoy the endearingly awkward but wonderful dance scene when she let's loose in a Parisian cafe. Well, I can tell you right now that as the Friday work day winds down and the freedom of the long weekend looms closer, I'm jumping around on the inside!

So instead of just one awesome topic for today's post, I've been combing through the internet to find you articles and tidbits that are fabulous, funny, interesting, informative, useful, edifiying... you get the idea! So, without further adjectives, here are the links to wind up your week!

Planning to start a vegetabe garden? Here are 6 Easy-to-grow Vegetables to get you started!

Want fresh orange juice? I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any fresher than with a Citra Sipper!

Ladies, do you want to go biking and get exercise without the helmet head? Here are 5 Bike-Friendly Hairstyles!

Here's the perfect fresh and healthy snack for summertime: Murray's Mango and Mozzarella! The photo is mouthwatering!

Do you have a bad habit (I can't resist Starbucks ginger molasses cookies!) that you want to break? New York Times writer, Charles Duhigg, shares a fun video about how to break habits!

Cheese-lovers! Culture Magazine can teach you how to Wholly Smoke: Use your backyard grill to make your own wood-smoked cheese!

Enjoying the summer sun? Don't forget your sunscreen! And here is a convincing photo of why it's an essential summer accessory.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

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Image source: We Heart It

PGX Investigates: The Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

Can owning dog really make a difference to your health? Yes!

You may be surprised to learn that owning a pet is actually connected to better health! There are plenty of reasons why people have pets and now improved health can be one of them!

Studies have shown that people who own pets are less likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness. Depending on what kind of animal you keep, having pets can also increase your opportunity to get outdoors, exercise and socialize!

A study conducted in 2007 by Queen's University Belfast found that dog owners especially are more likely to live a longer life and experience healthy weight maintenance, improved cardiovascular fitness and superior self esteem, as well as reduced blood pressure adn cholesterol!

According to the British Journal of Health Psychology, daily walks with your dog (a great way to get out and exercise) are only part of the equation. Dogs can be great stress "buffers" and have been a great source of companionship to people with injuries or disabilities. Incredibly, dogs have also been able to detect an oncoming seizure!

So even though walking is only a part of the healthy equation of pet ownership, the next time your dog comes to you with the leash in his mouth, lace up those sneakers and go for a walk!

Want to read more about the health benefits of pets? Check out these great articles...

Health Benefits of Pets, CDC

Dog-owners 'lead healthier lives' BBC News

Live Like Royalty: The Many Health Benefits of Dogs, Man's Best Friends, The Atlantic

PGX and Eva Redpath want you to keep moving!

Leave the machines behind and take your workout home!

Happy Friday PGX'ers! Do you want that same muscle burn you get from pumping iron at the gym without actually going to the gym? Fitness expert Eva Redpath shared her expertise on how you can bring your workout home and see the results you want to see.

Remember: a healthy, happy you is the result of good nutrition and exercise and it can be fun! Have a fabulous Friday and an awesome, healthy weekend! 

Video clip courtesy of Eva Redpath YouTube, originally aired on Oh So Cosmo.

Dance your way to better fitness with PGX and Zumba!

PGX checks out the world wide fitness trend of Zumba...

Along with a balanced diet and your daily fiber, exercise is the key to any weight loss goal. Not a fan of going to the gym? Dance, jump, swing in your kitchen, or try a Zumba class! 

So what is Zumba? Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness program that gets you working all your muscles to international rhythms such as cumbia, merengue and salsa. Since the day fouder Alberto "Beto" Perez forgot his regular aerobics music and had to improvise a class for an hour (the first Zumba class), it has grown into a world wide fitness party! After all the chatter I heard about it, I finally decided to try it.

Zumba sessions are typically an hour long. I decided to go all in and participated in a two hour Zumbathon! It was non-stop movement: jumping, fist-pumping, cumbia dancing, forwards, backwards, sideways salsa stepping, turning, hip popping, ab clenching!

My verdict: it's worth jumping on the Zumba train. It's a workout that really makes you sweat and gets your heart pumping! The best part about it? It's fun and you don't need to be born with those Latino dancing genes to enjoy it!

Check out Zumba Fitness to learn more.

Have fun and remember to get your daily fibre!

Image source: myzumbafitness.com