- We've got the low-down on gluten-free diets.
 
All Entries From Nancy HowardNancy is known on SparkPeople.com as SP_COACH_NANCYNancy Howard has a degree in nursing and was a member of SparkPeople before joining the staff as a community moderator in 2008. 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 65 races since 2006. 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. Mastering the Art of Imperfection: How I Am Learning to Let Go of My Perfectionism
I was born a perfectionist and it is something I have fought with for the better part of my life. I believe my need to be perfect has kept me from going out and truly embracing everything that life has to offer. I have often wondered why I expected more from myself than I would ever expect from my friends and family. For me, anything short of what I deemed was perfect was like a Scarlet Letter I wore for everyone else to see.  Go Red for Women on Friday, February 5th
I've never really thought of myself as having heart disease until early last year when I wrote a blog about the Go Red for Women campaign. A few months earlier my doctor mentioned how proud she was of me that I had been able to keep my heart disease in check. What--me, Nancy Howard have heart disease even with all the changes I have made?  Poll: Have You Suffered from the Terrible Toos?
With the holidays well behind us, many of us are motivated to finally do something that we haven’t done in a while and that is to get to the gym or hit the road to get fit in the quickest time possible. There is nothing wrong with getting back on the wagon, but the problem comes when we try to pack so much in so little time that we end up injured or burned out; therefore, we end up abandoning our program and find ourselves deflated at not meeting our goals we set only a few weeks earlier.  Coping with a Loved One’s Diagnosis
A few months ago I wrote a blog on how to cope when caring for aging parents; little did I know then that this was just the beginning of a new set of challenges. Last month my mother-in-law called me on a Tuesday morning complaining of a mass in her abdomen. She was not experiencing any pain, discomfort or any other symptoms, but as a former Registered Nurse, this was something we could not ignore.  Hand-washing Is Still the Best Way to Prevent Illness
With the recent outbreak of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus and now with seasonal flu just beginning to appear, hand-washing is still considered to be one of the most effective means of preventing the spread of disease. Strangely enough, how a simple act of washing our hands for 20 seconds with good ol’ soap and water can do wonders to keep us all healthy.  Poll: Should Slow Runners Be Allowed to Run Marathons, Too?
A few months ago a college cross-country track coach from New Rochelle College in New York sent shock waves through the running community when she was quoted in a New York Times article stating anyone finishing a marathon in 6 hours or more was taking away the pride from those completing such a prestigious event in a much shorter time frame.  My 2010 Goals: What Are Yours?
It's hard to believe we are almost 2 weeks into 2010. This blog is coming a little late since we have been undergoing quite an ordeal in the Howard Household. My Mother-in-law was diagnosed with liver cancer only 3 days before Christmas, so for the past 3 weeks we have been working frantically to set her up with hospice while making sure all her affairs are in order.  The Changes I Made in 2009
I am not one to make New Year's resolutions, however that does not mean I don't like to set goals for myself. In fact, when you read Chris Downie's book, "The Spark", you will gain a deeper understanding as to the importance goal-setting has in our lives--not just in losing weight and getting fit, but changing how we live and who we are meant to be. In other words, when we accomplish success in one area of our lives, many times it pervades in other areas of our lives, he calls this The Crisscross Effect. How cool is that?  Conquering Life's Mountain
Now that Christmas and Chanukah are behind us, many of us are starting to focus on the new year just a few short days away. This is a time of year when we all vow to purge unhealthy habits and replace them with healthier ones. There is something about having the opportunity to have a fresh start--to leave the past behind us and move onto the future.  Prolonged Sitting May Increase Your Risk for Premature Death and Disease
Many of us have jobs that require us to sit for countless hours every day at our desk working on the computer or doing other paperwork. And sitting usually does not stop there. We sit in the car on the drive home from work, eating our meals, and of course who doesn't come home from a busy day only to plop down on the sofa to relax, read and watch T.V. In a article published in the November 2009 issue of Women's Health Magazine, the average American spends 56 hours per week sitting--the equivalent of 2 full days per week and then some.  It Is in Giving That We Receive Happiness
For many of us this time of year brings the opportunity to help others. I am a true believer that when we give our time, talent or treasure to others we truly receive one of the greatest blessings in life. Giving back or helping those in need is what connects us to others and makes us happy and studies are proving this to be the case. It is truly what living is meant to be.  Confessions of a Former Diet Coke Addict
There were lots of foods and drinks that came quite easy for me to give up when I started this journey, with one exception--DIET COKE. I had always been a big fan of diet drinks from way back in the days when TAB and Fresca were considered the quintessential diet drinks. But that all changed in July 1982 when Diet Coke hit the stores shelves-- from that point on, I was hooked.  To Stretch or Not to Stretch, the Debate Continues
As a runner I have always had a stretching routine, however only after I am done with my runs, but not always. I have never stretched before my runs. I always start my runs with a brisk walk or nice slow jog for 5-10 minutes before I get into the meat of my run. This is a practice I have adhered to since I took up running almost 4 years ago and something that I do not plan on changing anytime soon.  Obesity Squelches Life Expectancy Gains from Declining Smoking Rates
For many years now we have all been educated regarding the harmful effects smoking has on our health and it appears people have finally taken heed to the dangers. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on December 3rd, "in the past 15 years, smoking rates have declined by 20 percent." However, as the smoking rate has gone down, the same cannot be said about the U.S. obesity rate. And because of this trend, life expectancy gains from those no longer smoking is being offset by the increase in the size of the American waistband.  Pre Race Warm-ups: An Essential Part of Every Runner's Routine
When I started running almost 4 years ago one of the cardinal rules of racing my running coach taught me was, "The shorter the race, the longer the warm-up." It is something that has been ingrained in me all these years and something I still practice to this day.  |
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