Running Sucks ...

But here are some ways to make it suck less.

Buy proper fitting shoes. Running causes your feet to swell, so you'll need a shoe that's about 1 size bigger than normal. I'd recommend going to a specialty running shoe store, where they'll examine your gait and take several measurements of your feet. Sure, you'll be paying for this service in the cost of the shoe, but your feet will thank you. Also, if you have flat feet--like myself--look into purchasing some nice orthotics.

Buy the right socks. Your everyday socks just won't cut it. Cotton does not wick moisture, so when your feet sweat or you step in a puddle, they'll stay wet. This will cause blisters. Lots of blisters. Look for socks that have a large amount of polyester or acrylic. If your feet are particularly prone to blistering, buy double layer socks. One layer will hug your feet, and the other layer hugs your shoes.

Keep the route fresh. Nothing will cause you to tire of running like seeing the same scenery day after day. Go one street over, or run the route in reverse, just change it up on a regular basis.

Run where the other runners run. Search out places with a large amount of other runners. You may meet some new people, or you may be motivated to run harder (or longer) if you're a competitive type. At the very least, you're bound to see some cuties which will take your mind off how much running sucks.

If you follow these rules, running will probably still suck, but it should suck a little less.

The moral benefits of Fiber

One of the stabbing attacks I used when fighting my natural urge to gorge on anything remotely edible was to add a lot of fiber to my diet.

Check out the health benefits:

• Weight Control
• Digestive Fun!
• Heart Healthy

We are supposedly supposed to be getting 20-30 grams a day, so I did the manly thing and set my goal at 35 grams. I wanted to balance out my caloric intake while adding fiber, meaning I didn't want to just eat four cups of almonds and call it a day, when I could be chewin' on some broccoli, which has the highest fiber-to-calorie ratio.

Here is a chart I created to help find foods that are high in fiber relative to their calorie content. Notice the tasty stuff at both ends of the spectrum; just pick a few from the upper and bottom halves everyday, and you'll be stuffed full of fiber. And they said it was like eating cardboard... please.

I did leave cardboard off the list, but I think the average shoe box is 20 grams of fiber and 2 calories. Give it a try.

Two caveats: the beans were black, and the whole wheat bread was high fiber. Look at the label, you know the drill.

Supplemental Vacuity = Supple mental acuity

Check out this chart which offers a breakdown of popular supplements and the scientific validity of respective claims on their health benefits. 

Some positive highlights:

• Vitamin D - Cancer Prevention
• Green Tea - Cholesterol
• Fish Oil - High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
• Cinnamon - Type II Diabetes

Don't waste your money on these recently popular items:

• Goji Juice
• Acai Berries
• Ginko Biloba

The health supplement industry has some of the best marketers in the world, and if you are in the habit of throwing cash into a vacuum, it could be the start of a great relationship for the two of you. I am a strong supporter of budgeting money toward maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but the last thing I want to do is waste money on uncredible and tasteless pills. It's like buying bumper stickers when all you own is roller blades.

And the hardest part about roller-blading? Telling your parents that you listen to Coldplay.