It’s only a snippet of a song and a really short video, but it feels like running to me. Thanks for such a great video, Verdi!

Visit his website and read the whole story here: Embryonic – Michael Verdi

This has been an ongoing problem since the beginning of Nike+. Their insistence on using a clunky Flash interface has truly been their downfall. I can’t wait until RunKeeper has the ability to challenge your friends to races. When they do, there will be no need for Nike+ anymore.

Every night, Mike and I have been taking quick walks to the lake right before the sun goes down. We chose this neighborhood BECAUSE of the lake, so we might as well take advantage of it. It doesn’t hurt that they built a gelato shop next to the lake, of course.

It COULD hurt, actually, but I’ve been ordering the herbal tea with Splenda for my dessert. The paper cup warms my hands as we walk in the chilly autumn weather.

They say a quiet walk an evening helps to keep weight down, but I’ve been enjoying it for what it is: blissful relaxation.

They measured the number of people who took the escalator versus the stairs before and then created the piano stairs. When they remeasured, 66% more people chose the stairs over the escalator.

The next time your workout feels like drudgery, choose something FUN instead. Play a game with friends, workout with the Wii, or play DDR. Your exercise routine doesn’t have to be boring. It can be as fun as climbing piano stairs.

Video via: Hate Climbing Stairs? These People Don’t

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that salad is useless. In fact, this plate is a great mental image of what your dinner plate SHOULD look like.

With half of your plate filled with veggies of some kind, you’ll eat healthier and maybe even lose weight.

Via: Four n Twenty Pie on Magic Salad Plate

Unfortunately, they ALWAYS forget.

The server forgets to bring my to-go box, so I ask for one and just sit there and wait for five minutes while they get around to bringing me one. It happens EVERY time and I end up eating a cold meal and hating my server in the end.

Two weeks ago, however, I did something a little different. Sure, I asked for the to-go box with my entree, but I also saved my salad plate. I put it on the far side of the table and when the server tried to take it away I stopped him. When he inevitably forgot my to-go box, I just cut my meal in half and put it on the salad plate instead.

Because the second half of the food was on the salad plate, it felt like it had been contaminated by the salad dressing, so I wasn’t even tempted to pick at it.

In the end, that inept waiter never did bring my to-go box, but this time, I left the restaurant perfectly happy.

Dinner setting via: Lisa Strachan – Handbuilt Porcelain Dinnerware

The November/December cover, however, looks strangely out of place. It’s WINTER, folks! Show a trim and beautiful girl in a snowsuit. Those sun-kissed locks and swimming trunks just feel wrong when we are feeling the winter chill. Working out in the snow is just as photogenic. I KNOW you folks understand cold and snow. You’re stationed in New York, for heaven’s sake!

Cover art aside, this month’s issue seemed to be all about shopping. I know Christmas is coming, so it’s nice to have lots of present ideas at your fingertips, but I’m just not that much of a shopper, so over a dozen pages were lost on me. They just looked like huge chunks of advertising.

The GOOD stuff, however, was really good! They tested the Skineez Thigh Slimming products and gave us their verdict. Did they help her lose inches on her thighs?

“Nope, after six weeks, my thighs are the same size, but I have to admit that they look smoother.”

I talked about Skineez back in January when they won the Slim Chance Award for Fraud and Quackery.

• Starling Fitness » Slim Chance Awards 2008: Skineez

It’s good to see that Fitness Magazine was independently able to determine that it’s not worth your money to buy Skineez.

I absolutely loved this quick little article about hiking. Mount Hood is one of my favorite spots for hiking and getting away from everything. It was there that I got the inspiration for Merriton and my Wildwood Walking DVD was filmed in that area. The long walks clear my head and make writing easy again. It’s a workout for my body and my mind.

This article about losing weight during the holiday season was wonderful advice. There were tips to keep away from the food court at the mall and some instant motivation to choose a “nice” treat instead of a “naughty” one.

I wrote a similar group of entries. You can read them here:

• Starling Fitness » Surviving Christmas Shopping

• Starling Fitness » Christmas Shopping: The Workout

• Starling Fitness » How To Survive Christmas in the Office

• Starling Fitness » How To Handle Neighbor Treats

Pick up the Nov/Dec 2009 Fitness Magazine and check out what they have to offer. If your motivation is flagging in response to the holiday season, it’s the perfect pick-me-up to keep you on track for the next couple of months.