Summertime shape up

It's been brutally humid on the East Coast, and I've been mixing up early morning workouts. The key to working out first thing in the morning is just establishing a sleep schedule and sticking to it even on the weekends. I know, sleeping in is great, but so is getting your workout out of the way.

Aside from a regular weight workout, I've been doing interval running outside. The Hudson river and the views of Manhattan make it very pleasant in the morning. So, it's been a free form run, sprinting towards stop signs and other landmarks. My whole loop takes at most 20 minutes - which I think is just about right for a busy person.

Just running can be boring, so sometimes I'll stop and hop up some stairs and jump over various urban obstacles. This livens up the terrain and forces the body to adapt to challenges.

Get outside now

It's getting hot now on the East Coast, time to shed clothing and get outside. Take long walks, go for outdoor runs, wiffleball, soccer, tennis, basketball - play tag in the park.

Returning to form

Again, it's been too long since I've posted anything. Blame the spring weather. I just feels amazing to be outside rather than sitting a keyboard. Hmm... iPad would be great for this.

Swim suit season is just around the corner and there are lots of articles about how to get ready to bare your body. My advice: Never let yourself go. It's easier said than done, but seriously, it's easier to stay in shape through the winter than trying to feverishly work out and eat "lite."

The key to staying somewhat fit: Do something at least every other day.

Also, forget about the need for high-tech winter gear. Rocky (though fictional) ran through the South Philly streets with a plain gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. That even looks a lot better than some space-aged getup that costs a lot of money. But if wearing one of those makes you want to workout in the cold, then feel free.

Another post on coffee

Coffee is one of my favorite beverages. It's pretty good for you too, except when you add milk and sugar and other things that really take away from the coffee experience. My feeling is that you should only drink coffee straight, black that is. If you don't like it that way, it's probably because you are used to drinking bad coffee.

Wiser Health champions simplicity, and here's a simple way to make the perfect cup of coffee every time. Grab some fresh beans, a conical grinder and a French press and you'll have a lifetime of delicious coffee. If you buy high-quality whole beans, you'll save money and be satisfied with just a cup or two, a key to not getting the jitters and the other negative effects of coffee.

Here's a great guide from Stumptown Coffee's website on how to make the perfect coffee every time.

In case, you need to know why coffee is good for you, check this out.

Another great benefit of enjoying coffee in its purest form, you won't suffer the embarrassment of ordering a "grande skinny vanilla soy latte" at Starbucks. It's so much cooler to say, "Give me a small coffee." Try it. Old women will start smiling at you. People will hold doors for you. Only Starbucks' marketing folks will be upset for not adhering to their asinine sizing lingo.

26.2 miles? Do you have to train?

I posed this challenge on Facebook after watching an episode of "How I Met Your Mother?" where Barney runs the NYC Marathon in a decent time without training. I know this is a sitcom, but it presented an interesting challenge for a non-distance runner.

I remember growing up watching the Philadelphia marathon and thinking that running to Center City was pretty far. Now that I'm an adult, it doesn't seem that far.

OK. I'm going to try it for the sake of just seeing how my body is going to react. My Facebook friends have suggested upcoming marathons.

Give it up for Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda was instrumental for taking exercise to the masses. The indelible image of leg warmers, leotards and head bands will forever represent getting fit in the 1980s.

The recent Sunday New York Times Magazine has a revealing interview with the fitness guru.

An ode to simplicity

One of the hallmarks of Wiser Health is the celebration of making health and fitness simple.

Thanks to one of my favorite sites The Art of Manliness for posting this classic text on "The Greatness of Simplicity."

Here is an excerpt:

"Nature, in all her revelations, seeks to teach man the greatness of simplicity. Health is but the living of a physical life in harmony with a few simple, clearly defined laws. Simple food, simple exercise, simple precautions will work wonders."