News: Mind Over Matter

You know you are what you eat, but did you realize the same holds true for what you think? That’s the message delivered by a recent Harvard University Department of Psychology study: After a group of housekeepers learned the number of calories burned while cleaning they began to shed pounds and gain muscle faster than fellow workers who were unaware of the fitness gains. All of this came without a change in routine, just attitude.

Finally, a reason to rejoice over that growing list of household chores!

From dusting to gardening to rearranging furniture, any type of housework, home repair, yard work, or cleaning can help you reach your fitness and weight goals. For example, in an hour the average 150-pound woman can burn up to 292 calories by raking leaves; up to 238 calories by vacuuming; or up to 170 calories while lightly cleaning. Do your shutters need re-painting? Put in a solid 60 minutes, and you’ll walk away 304 calories lighter and with another home improvement project checked off the list. Just remember, for maximum results it’s important to view the activities as exercise, not just housework.

News: Jeremy Wright North American Snowshoe Championships

I’ve always thought of snowshoeing as a nice leisurely hike through the woods, so imagine my surprise upon arriving at the Jeremy Wright North American Snowshoe Championships, held in McCoy Park among the slopes of Beaver Creek, and realizing that a number of my fellow competitors were planning to run the entire race. The race, which is held as a tribute to a local competitor and soldier lost in Afganistan, begins with all the entrants departing as a pack then then quickly splinters into a 5k run/walk or a 10k endurance challenge.

I chose to walk most of the 5k (with a few surprisingly simple sprints along the way, thanks to the Atlas "Run" snowshoes I was wearing) but it was so inspiring to be passed by a number of athletes, red-faced from the cold, as they raced their way to the finish line. As graceful as the competitors appeared, the race and unusual conditions weren’t without a few minor snafus. The first- and second-place winners in the men’s division entered into a bit of folly on the way to the finish line, falling/colliding on the final sprint and eventually ending with Greg Krause coming in first (with a time of 49 minutes and 51 seconds) with Josiah Middaugh right on his heels.

March 2nd will usher in the next such event at Beaver Creek, named the Snowshoe Shuffle. The race, which is expected to attract up to 1,000 snowshoers, is held to benefit and raise awareness for breast cancer. The course, which is again split into 5k and 10k sections, draws a number of survivors and their loved ones, and event sponsors hope this year's challenge will be the largest snowshoe race on record.

(At right, me in race mode with my "coach," Nate Goldberg, of the Beaver Creek Nordic Sports Center.)

News: The Quicksilver Natural Selection: All-Mountain Freestyle Invitational at Jackson Hole

I’m on day three of my stay in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where the snow has been falling almost non-stop, much to the delight of the 17 freestyle riders gathered here for the first-annual Quicksilver Natural Selection competition. The snowboarders, hand selected by pro-rider 25-year-old Travis Rice, who’s a resident here in Jackson, represent the best of the best in the freestyle circuit. Two steep courses have been set up, allowing riders to really show their stuff on the mountains, not just do a series of tricks on a half-pipe. None of the guys are allowed to test out the runs before the competition, adding an element of surprise to each ride. The four-person team of judges, headed by “the father of big air” Tom Burt, will watch from the sidelines and with the help of high-tech camera crews befitting of an action film. When the competition will take place is anyone’s guess: The weather will be the determinant—good visibility is clearly a must—but sources say tomorrow, Saturday, may be day one of two. In the meantime, the whole mix of snowboarders, gear experts, judges and media are amassed here in a whirlwind of fun and mountain air. Just last night we witnessed phase one of the competition, a mechanical bull riding competition at the Jackson Hole Playhouse, where the riders rode a different kind of beast in hopes of getting the best time, and therefore a choice of competition lineup positioning. The winner? Mark Carter, a stocky snowboarder from nearby Ten Sleep, Wyoming, population 770. (Photo of Travis Rice, on the bull)

News: Thai Massage for Movers

I've often hear Thai massage likened to a yoga class, and while I loved my first taste (performed in Thailand, no less) exercise didn't necessary come to mind. Last week I went in for my second-ever Thai massage at Thai Privilege, an ornate day spa in Manhattan's Soho ready to make a comparison. I know what you're thinking: Yes, it really is hard work blogging about fitness.

So was this massage reminiscent of a yoga session? Well, some form of decadent, zero-calorie burning yoga, I suppose. You wear a loose fitting pajama-type outfit for the oil-free massage, mainly for modesty so the practitioner can bend and stretch you while deeply kneading your muscles. It sounds strange, I know, especially for traditional massage junkies. But I'm a convert. For me, this hits the spot better than any sports massage I've experienced, and I would recommend all athletes give it a try. Instead of simply walking out relaxed and loose, after a Thai massage you actually feel taller, more aligned and energized.
*Insider Tip: Book this massage (or one at tons of other spas) through LifeBooker for a discount on your next treatment.

Gear: Women’s Health Total Workout in Ten!

One recent day in December it was too cold outside for comfort, so I decided to bag my typical jog around the park in favor of a fitness video. Truth be told, I was also feeling a little sluggish, and I figured this living room workout would give me a rest from my typical training routine. I mean, when’s the last time anyone broke a sweat following along to a on-screen exercise routine?

Well, several days after I slipped the Women's Health Total Workout in Ten! DVD my arms, legs and butt were still sore. This video—which is broken into 10-minute sections for cardio, upper body, lower body, and abs/stability—worked all the major muscle groups, had a challenging tempo, and workout creator Amy Dixon had the right amount of pep to keep me going without being too cheerleader-y. I really liked the short sequence format, too. Ten-minute workout clips aren’t at all daunting, and while I had planned to do only one or two sections, I wound up getting hooked and did the whole workout. Some exercises call for 3-lb dumbbells, but a few full bottles of water can stand in, too.