Importance of logging your workout

'Why do I log my workout on Daily Mile?' 'What is the purpose of having an account on DM and publishing how did you exercise today?' Most of the people who are not on DM have such questions, but I think most of the people on DM know the reason behind "logging your miles". Why? Keeps a track of your progress, when did you do what in the month probably? You see your realistic fitness goal for the month/year or something...it basically helps you...

Logging your exercise also motivates you. Not because others comment on your workout, but just seeing your past weeks miles makes you feel good about yourself. After becoming a part of DM, you can monitor yourself, what did you do which day, where did you go, which route you took to run last weekend etc. 

Logs are a part of an athlete's or a performer's life. If this athlete or performer is new to the field, logging helps a lot more. For instance, when I started running outdoor, logging my miles helped my gain some confidence in my outdoor jogs/runs because I myself could see some marked improvement. It is the best way to keep yourself motivated. Self-monitoring is much more rewarding than external motivation from peers or coaches because you can trust yourself! Yeah, but for this you have to be very true to yourself. Logging in correct miles at the correct time will help you become a better athlete. 

Similarly, preparing a PDP or a Personal Development Plan for your daily routine helps you as a person reflect on achieved goals for the day, or why some goals where not achieved. Even small things like diet can change if you prepare a small excel sheet planner for your daily diet. Keeping an account of food consumed and reflecting back in a week's time helps you monitor your sweet intake as well ;)

I can see changes in my own approach towards fitness and life because of logs. Many think it is a waste of time, but I feel it helps. But, one should understand only logging will not help, reflecting back on the logs and finding ways to improve the perceived flawed area or under achieved goals will certainly help you improve in you fitness and help you become a better athlete and a better person! 

Don't see DM as a way of showing off your daily workout, take the opportunity to get inspired by others, and also by yourself by seeing an improved you at the end of each week or month :)

Happy Exercising!

Cheers :)

The Joys of Running Outdoors

The title sounds like some essay topic does'nt it? Probably it will turn out to be an essay given the fact I am writing make research essays in the last few weeks :P  So yes, back to what I actually want to write.. Running- one benefit of being in a sport university, you will either get into some kind of physical activity or start learning a new one if you are already into sports.

I exercise regularly but indoors. I started running outdoors very recently. Though I dont run outdoors daily, I try to go atleast 2-3 times a week, rest spending in the gym. I had never even tried running on the road in Mumbai- traffic, mom not allowing fearing the worst etc. And there was the TM in the gym so I did not even give it a thought! It is difficult to make the transition- TM to roads. TM is straight, no hilly roads, no trees, no signals, no avoiding things; its just straight and simple. The only thing you can do is give a little gradient say of 1.5%. But does it equal to outdoor running? I dont think so. When I read what I just wrote, the difference when running outdoors and on the TM, I feel running on the TM is pretty boring! I know my pace on the TM is much better compared what I run outdoors that is because I am a new runner. But the joy you get after running or jogging on the hilly road and reaching the plateau is something you dont experience on a TM! thats where I start the joys of running outdoors.

As I said before, the environment makes a lot of difference. You see people running everywhere in Loughborough- In the university, outside on the road and at anytime- early morning, afternoon, late at 12 in the night-yes. You do not need any excuse- no time, lot of work- blah! just put on your trainers and run! So, yes watching so many people running did contribute to my "running outdoors" mission. Also, due credit to my uni friend who runs and runs and runs- Sandeep, you are an inspiration! Thank you!!
So, thus started my journey of running outdoors. But its been just 2 months I think and people may wonder, why am I writing so much even though I have just 2 months of experience of running outdoors? Well, that joy which it brings to you cannot be contained, you have to let it go somewhere, blogging is the best! :P
So what does running outdoor give me that TM cannot? 1. Continuous motion, I am not stuck in one place. 2. See new places. 3. Discover new roads (check GM and then go for that run!). 4. Make new ring circuit routes. 5. Satisfaction of doing something new. 6. A high what TM running may not give!

These are only a few things what came to my mind now. But, running outdoors does have its own charm. People say it weakens your knees and all. Seriously? I dont think so. One of the myths or excuses to not wear your shoes and run.
So if you are there somewhere in the world, and not exercising, just take your shoes and run- gives a lot of satisfaction to your mind and body :)

Another motivating factor in my running life is DM , DailyMile. A social logging site which helps you log your miles and you can track your improvement. Also, you have DMers who you can add as friends and motivate yourself by seeing their awesome miles log! You can send motivations to others and help them get back on track :) Research backs the fact that logging your daily exercise/ running miles/kms helps improve you as a runner/athlete (trust a sport/exercise psychology student :P). www.dailymile.com

So dont wait much- experience some joys of outdoor running, share it- maybe you will experience some more joy and other feelings which I am yet to experience!

Happy Running! n Keep Running :)

Jam Jam Jammy: Will miss your presence in cricket

     As a small little girl, I used to always run to see the Kisan Jam ad "jam jam jammy" when Indian cricketer, Rahul Dravid would light up the small screen with his presence. Well, I did not care much about cricket then, but knew who Dravid was! When I cared about cricket, Dravid was the only Indian cricketer who I respected since the beginning. Classy cricketer who had cricketing intelligence, who gave his best when on the field and most important- respected his opponents. Michael Slater incident happened, but that happens in cricket: what is you cricket life if you had no drama in your career even once ;)
      It is difficult to sustain a reputation in international cricket especially when you are living in the same era as the so called "GOD" of cricket (I do not believe in God, so not for me) and above that, being in the same team. No doubt Dravid was very well recognised for whatever he gave cricket, but the reality was hiding somewhere. He had the potential to be a great captain, but somewhere things went wrong and he failed to give a good first impression. I may be wrong, but as an outsider and a cricket fan, it did look that even though he had an excellent cricketing brain, it was not enough to have power in today's murky dirty world of cricket. For me, he was not given a fair chance to prove his captaincy.
    My best memory of Dravid's batting (and many would agree) was the 2001 India-Australia test series in India. That partnership at Eden gardens with Laxman was the most epic partnership I have ever seen, and what more, it was a comeback match for India! Dravid-Laxman partnership have some amazing records especially against Australia. Not to forget the 2003-2004 series in Australia :)
   Another best thing about him: only cricketer who has scored a century against every cricket playing nations. Now that is something!

        Besides being an awesome cricket, he appeared to be a very humble, down-to-earth guy who just focused on his game and nothing else. Maybe every girl from my generation had a crush on him at some point in her life- whether she loved cricket or did not understand it.
        It is a sad 2012 till now- will not see much of my two favourites, Dravid and Ponting. He may be "The Wall" for many, but for me he is the same old Jammy.

Will miss your presence in cricket. Thank you for a brilliant 16 years :)
To end this, that awesome ad!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-dhgXJlCaY
  
Have fun!
Cheers :)