Don't Forget Your Sunscreen

I bet all of you have officially started summer already and some have already gone to a beach or two. Well, summer kicked all our asses to the curb by coming too early, well, at least the heat did. The summer heat started scorching Manila sometime February and it hasn't waned yet except for the occasional rainshowers that barely even wet the ground (just enough to make the city a lot more humid). And yes, beach season is already here and there is no turning back.

I haven't started mine yet. In fact, mine will start when summer is over. I don't think I am going to brave the beaches with this kind of heat/temperature. I am not going to put the money I spent on my skin for treatments down the drain. The most summery act I did was to get a bikini wax just in case a sudden night swimming season will spur. Oh yeah, night swimming it is (or maybe super early in the morning).

To those who are not scared to brave the blaring heat of the sun, make sure you have ample sun protection. Do not scrimp, lather it all on generously. Anyway, here are some of the best sunscreen lotions and moisturizers and lip product that I have already tried in the past.

1. Nivea Sun Refreshing Fluid Protect SPF30 - you can use this as makeup base to help control overactive oil glands. Double whammy!

2. Hawaiian Tropic Ozone Sport Sunblock Lotion SPF60 - this is developed especially for sports enthusiasts, this does not run as well so it's safe to use even on your face because it won't migrate to your eyes.

3. Coppertone Sport Sunblock Spray SPF30 - this does not clog the pores and very much recommended for prolonged exposure under the sun (don't forget to touch up though). Another plus is that this is oil-free.

4. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF55 - since this is water-based expect that this is the most convenient and easiest product to apply, even the hard to reach areas can be targeted with ease.

5. Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil - your lips need protection too

Writing this made me so excited to just take the plunge and enjoy the summer heat but reason tells me to wait and exercise a pinch of caution. But of course, an ounce of prevention is still better than a pound of cure. So, indulge in the summer madness with extreme caution and yes, don't forget the sunscreen.

Greenfield City Sunset Run 2010

I am seriously thinking of attending this event as this will be my first sunset run (except for the training runs of course).

REGISTRATION VENUES

Regular In-Store Registration: March 22 to April 11, 2010

• Planet Sports – Trinoma
• New Balance – Glorietta and Shangri-la Mall
• Athlete’s Foot – Alabang Town Center
• R.O.X. – Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
• Greenfield City Sunset Run Booth – Paseo, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Late In-Store Registration: April 12 to April 17, 2010

• R.O.X. – Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
• Greenfield City Sunset Run Booth – Paseo, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

I am not yet sure if I will join but I will try to think over it this weekend. It would be fun I guess! Is anyone joining this race?

Adidas miCoach Product Launch: Run Yourself Better

Last Saturday I attended the official product launch of Adidas miCoach (My Individual Coach) at the Bonifacio High Street (in front of Runnr). The event went great and was hosted by Rico Robles. It was fun watching the "runners" outrun each other during the treadmill challenge. I wanted to join but when I saw who else joined, I chickened out. Anyway, read further so you will get acquainted about the product too.

The Adidas miCoach is an interactive training system that guides a runner to either speed up or slow down by tracking heart rate, pace, distance, and stride rate. Every runner is different, every heart is unique. Your heart rate indicates your level of effort during exercise. miCoach helps you stay within four heart rate zones so that you get the most out of each run.

And yes, you can choose your coach. If you're a female, you can choose a male coach or if you're a male, you can choose a female coach. This option is completely within your control. How cool is that?

Adidas miCoach provides real-time feedback. As you workout, miCoach will let you know which training zone you’re in—audibly if you’re using miCoach Pacer or visually if you’re using miCoach Zone. You can sync miCoach Pacer to adidas.com/micoach to analyze your stats and get coaching feedback online.

•The miCoach Pacer - a small, lightweight device that delivers real-time audible coaching as you exercise via headphones or combined with your own MP3 player. During your run, the miCoach Pacer verbally coaches you (i.e. speed up to green zone, slow down to blue zone, etc.) to ensure that you are staying within your targeted heart rate zone and keep you running at the right personal level.

•The miCoach Heart Rate Monitor - provides accurate feedback about your workout performance. It relays your workout information to the miCoach Pacer or miCoach Zone which then ensures you're not pushing yourself too hard or little on your run.

According to Adidas: "The new miCoach interactive training platform completes the adidas sports performance promise of engaging and enabling all athletes to achieve their Impossible. Not only do we provide you with the most innovative footwear and apparel to perform in, we now offer personal coaching services so that you can get fitter, run faster and simply be better in 2010."

Run Yourself Better. Choose from plans created by the pro trainers and coaches:

Learn to Run

Be Fit

Run A Race

De-Stress

Lose Weight

Finish Faster

•The miCoach Zone – an easy to read color-code LED display on a wristband device provides accurate, real-time coaching making it easy for you to train at the right intensity with the help of a heart rate monitor.

The complete miCoach Pacer system is sold atP6,995 while the miCoach Zone is available at P3,695. Both products are exclusively available at adidas Sports Performance Concept stores Greenbelt, Trinoma, Rockwell, Glorietta, as well as RUNNR Fort Bonifacio. It is also good to note that each part is sold separately.

Do you want to get your own miCoach for free? If yes, then join the Run Yourself Better promo! All you have to do is buy any Adidas Running product/gear that will entitle you to get a pledge card that declares your commitment to run better. Drop your pledge card in designated promo boxes and get the chance to win one of 100 adidas miCoach Pacers. Yes, 100 miCoach Pacers will be given away.

No minimum purchase required! Deadline of entries is on April 15, 2010 while the grand draw is on April 29, 2010. For more details, join the adidas fan page in Facebook (Search for Adidas Philippines). Promo period is from March 8 to April 15, 2010.

Cheap Eat, Full Happy Tummy

I have found a new love in Century Corned Tuna and Skyflakes crackers. They are just an amazing combo to eat and it was a eureka moment for me when I discovered this what seemed to me as the perfect pair if you are too lazy to whip up a decent meal using the best kitchen ware and table ware that you own. Of course, when I say best, those are the kind you keep inside your cupboard (ahhh, typical Filipino household). Kidding aside, you may be wondering how I discovered this "cheap eat" to give a full happy tummy.

I was on my rest day and all the flat wares at home are on the sink waiting to be washed by the diligent soul in me, but I digress. The lazy has overpowered me and wanted to indulge so I would rather go online and scour through websites offering same day delivery for flat wares (which is remotely impossible). Fail! So, hungry as I am, I used the only pot available and the wooden spoon (the big one) to reheat the tuna and be my food. Ah and I feel I should tell you this, I actually do not like using the can opener when opening up canned products. I would much rather prefer to use the purple knife. It's just one of my skills to open a can with utmost precision and control with a knife (thanks to Girl Scout camping and cookouts). And so after reheating the tuna, I flopped myself in the couch, powered the TV on and munched on the crackers to my content. It was so flavorful (I couldn't possibly name the spices that were used, I am no spice connoisseur). Even then, I have a whole army of spice containers at home (sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano among others).

After eating the whole bowl of tuna and two packs of crackers, I suddenly had the conviction to clean my mess; kitchen ware and flatware and pots and pans. Maybe that's what a happy tummy can do to you. It could give you a sudden jolt to act like a grown-up and look after yourself. Maybe then I would try to whip this combo up when I am feeling lazy and see if it will make me do household chores yet again...

In the meantime, I have another wish...a free five year supply of spices! How does that sound to you?

NatGeo Earth Day Run

I caught the running bug...officially!

I have just recently joined my 4th 5K (Century Tuna Superbods Run) and I could not wait for the other races I have signed up for.

Pinay In Action - March 13

Globe Run For Home - March 21

Mizuno Infinity Run - April 11

And here comes, NatGeo Earth Day Run which is slated on April 18 at the SM Mall of Asia. I am still thinking if I should progress to 10K or to meet my goal at 5K first. I have plenty of time to decide about this. :-)The run will be presented by National Geographic. Themed "Inspiring the People to Care about the Planet", this fun run is open to all interested runners who are willing to participate in the 3k, 5k and 10k races.

Registration fees are Php 500 for 3K, Php 600 for 5k and Php 700 for 10k run. This includes a free limited edition NatGeo Earth Day Run technical shirt. Proceeds will support Design Against the Elements Competition in bringing innovative solutions to climate vulnerable communities in developing countries.

There are two ways to register:

1. Online Registration is from March 8 to April 4 at www.natgeorun.com. Courier charges for race kits apply to online registrants.

2. Cash Registration is from March 8 to April 11 at Nike Outlet in Bonifacio High Street and Timex Outlet in SM North Edsa and SM Mall of Asia

By the way, there will be two Earth Day Runs to celebrate Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary. The other one will be in Fort Bonifacio.

What Is My Fitness Goal?

Well, mine is simple: "to lose 30 pounds this year". If I would achieve that then I would be at my ideal weight.

My goal is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound. SMART eh?

How about yours?

Weight Loss Wonders

Here are some simple, no-brainer things you can do to lose some excess baggage my comments after every entry:

By Liz Vaccariello, Editor-in-Chief, Prevention

There's nothing like a weight loss strategy that takes almost no time or effort--but still works like a charm! Here are 10 successful strategies to cut calories and burn fat that literally take 60 seconds or less.

1. Mix a juice spritzer

Combine your favorite juice (half of your usual amount) with plain or sparkling water. You can cut up to 85 calories per glass--and lose 5 pounds or more a year. - I love doing this with lemon slices and water. It makes water less boring and juice less sweet.

2. Walk while you talk

Burn calories while you talk on the phone: Do the laundry (68 calories), set the table (85), or water plants (102). - Ahhhh the magic of walking...

3. Study the wrapper

At a quick glance, that candy bar appears to contain 220 calories. But a closer look may reveal that it (or a bottle of juice, bag of crackers, or bag of nuts) provides two or more servings--which more than doubles those calories. - Yes, you really should not lose that keen eye and investigate before popping that little candy inside your mouth.

4. Sip green tea before a walk

The caffeine frees fatty acids so that you burn fat more easily. And the polyphenols (antioxidant compounds) in green tea appear to work with caffeine to increase calorie burn. (If you have high blood pressure, skip this tip.) This I should and will do.

5. Pack a lunch

Dining out more than 5 times a week may make you eat more--nearly 300 calories a day--than if you dine out less frequently. - I need to pack lunch as well but my schedule all screws up the plans. I should try to get over any excuses I have and do this plus I'm sure I'll save a few hundred pesos at the end of the day.

6. Dip your bread

Use olive oil in place of butter. It's healthier and may also help you eat less. In a recent study, dippers ate a total of 52 fewer calories, on average, than those who used butter. - That's why Italian restaurants do this. You can add a few sliced basil to make your dip more interesting.

7. Sprinkle flax on cereal

High-fiber ground flaxseed can help curb your appetite and eliminate calories. Add it to yogurt or muffin and bread mixes--it's available in health food stores. - My oatmeal has this so I think I am on the safe zone.

8. Schedule a blood test

About 1 in every 12 women (most of whom don't know it) has an underactive thyroid, which can slow down her metabolism. - I have this penciled in.

9. Supersize your H2O

Buy the big bottle when it comes to good-for-you stuff such as water: You'll drink more. - I make it a point that I drink at least a liter of water at work and then 2 glasses as soon as I wake and before I go to bed.

10. Eat a chunky salad

Chop carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, zucchini, or other veggies instead of shredding or slicing. It takes more effort to munch bigger pieces; you'll do more chewing and eat less during the main course. - Yeah, chew, chew and chew.