Today I launched a new theme for my exercise log blog here at maintainfit.com.  The new theme will make the blog much nicer to read and easier to navigate.  I’m planning a lot of new content in 2010 (with a few surprises too) so I wanted to make sure that I had a “best foot” to put forward.  I hope the new theme will make the site more approachable.

Please leave a comment with your thoughts on the new layout.

I’ve been promising for a while to make some videos that would illustrate the features available in maintainfit.com.  Today I made a quick video showing you how to create graphs and charts form within your exercise log. Before I show you the video, here is a short list of some of the features:

• Line charts
• Horizontal and vertical bar charts
• Pie charts
• Custom date ranges
• Download chart as image
• Chart by any field in your log
• PDF printable reports including graphics

There’s more you can do and I’d also love to hear what you think about this feature.  Leave a comment below telling me what you think.  If you’ve used this feature, is there anything you would change?  If you’re still waiting, then login today and create a chart of your favorite exercise or log (for example, the line chart is fantastic for charting changes in weight using the weight log).

If this video is hard to follow you can download a pristine HD version using this link (right click and choose save as to download): Exercise Log Charts and Graphs [HD].

For any of you that are following my blog but haven’t seen much output lately I wanted to post a quick update about what I’ve been doing.  The exercise log is evolving and I’ve been working on a new site that will make it much easier to log your exercise and health stats.  But the easier interface isn’t the only thing coming.

I’ve been working hard to come up with more motivational and social ways of helping members succeed in fitness.  After eight years I’ve observed a lot of patterns and I think I’ve found some changes and additions that will get you to your goals faster, and help you stay there.

So, stay tuned and watch for some e-mail updates.  Hopefully we can start rolling some of the new changes out by early next year.

I’ve just finished making some changes to the site that should greatly simplify it.  I found that we weren’t using the forum or the articles sections so I’ve removed links to them.  I also plan to spend more time in the blog so that’s the only navigation link from the homepage.

I also have listed out some of the major benefits that you get from using an exercise log.  As always, leave feedback telling me what you think.

If you’ve noticed that I’m not getting many new posts up here, you might be interested to know that It’s because I’m working hard right now to discover the ultimate secret to finding the best running shoes on my new blog.

This is great, as it turns out, because it’s complimentary material to what I usually post here and the research is a lot of fun.  If you have a minute (or even if you don’t), go and checkout my latest project there and be sure to tell me what you think.  I’m especially interested to get some comments on about my posts from other runners who have a lot of experience finding the best running shoes.

One post that went sort of wrong turned out to be a little funny.  You read about it here: best running shoes in big box stores

Thanks and stay tuned.

I’ve heard that some people are having trouble viewing the videos about running speakers in my blog, so I moved the videos.  If you had trouble with either of the posts linked to below, give them another try and ENJOY!

Run with Music – Safety Speakers

Mountain Bike with music too (helmet cam)!

That’s it.  Have a great weekend.

I’ve just made several updates to the site that should help new visitors quickly understand that Maintain Fit is an online exercise log.  I’ve also included a new description on the homepage that highlights some of the benefits of keeping a regular exercise log.  Even if you’re an old member, go and check it out:

Exercise Log homepage

I think that the two principles of psychological momentum and social obligation are huge when it comes to developing a lifestyle that includes the healthy exercise that so many people want.  They overcome the biggest mental obstacles to achieving your health goals.  The great part is that both of these ideas are, in substance, accommodated using an exercise log.

So, I did my best on the my homepage to better explain what these are and start the process for someone that will enable them to life the lifestyle they want – healthy and strong.  I also added a few links that bring people to the sign up page (reminding them of course that it’s free .

So, if you’re not yet a member of Maintain Fit, go and look at the homepage and get a personal exercise log account today and start living the lifestyle that you deserve.  I also point out that I send fantastic health and exercise information to Maintain Fit members often and even have some really cool experts that provide additional content.

Exercise Log homepage

———

On a side note, if you’ve been following the running speakers videos, I’ve got more to post, but Jeremy and I are going to take the 4th of July weekend off.  So, keep you’re eyes on your inbox for some more cool videos and other stuff next week, and have a great 4th of July.  God bless America!

I’ve been swamped since my Running Shoes guest expert interview with Rich Harris last week.  I already posted the recording of the interview for those that couldn’t watch it live, but I’m trying to find time to make a sort of highlights video to post on the blog.

Among other things Rich shared a really great story about running in a race with a Gold Medal olympic athlete where at the end of the race this great runner came over and gave him a compliment.  I think you can imagine how that would feel, and it was a fantastic high point for him in his career.  While it didn’t specifically talk about the running shoes, it was really motivational.

And I think we all know that no matter how great your running shoes are, if you don’t get out the door and push yourself, then you just don’t reach your goals.

I also wanted to post a link to Rich’s website for his specialty running store, Bandanna Running.  I’ve had a few people say that they were planning to make the four hour drive from Utah up to his store just to make sure that their next pair of shoes is right for them (and I can’t blame them).  After talking to Rich and making the video that we did in his store, I’m weary of trying to buy shoes any place other than a specialty running store.

While I’m not sure that every store is as competent as Bandanna Running, you’re probably a lot more likely to find experienced runners and the shoes you really need at a specialty running store.

So, the next time you think that you’re too old to run because you come home complaining about your knees or ankles, do yourself a favor and go find a specialty running store in your city and ask someone who really knows something about running shoes, which brand and type will work best for your feet.

And keep an eye out for the highlights video that I plan to put together from out Running Shoe web conference.

What brand of running shoes do you run in?

The first morning of my life that I ran over a mile, all I had to run in was an old pair of Adidas cross trainers.  Shortly after that first run I found a running partner and we quickly built up some miles.

Well, after a couple months of running, I had developed awful shin splints.  They were so bad in fact that I thought I would have to quit running.  I went to a massage therapist and a tried a few other things, but nothing seemed to work.

One day I finally told my running partner that I would have to stop running.  I explained that I had horrible shin splints and that they were just getting worse with each run.

As you can guess I was extremely disappointed.  I had really come to enjoy running and how I felt each time I went running.

I didn’t want to quit running forever!

My running partner told me to go and buy up a pair of real running shoes and give them a try before I gave up running.  I asked him if he really thought that a pair of shoes could make that big of a difference and he said “absolutely”.

So I went to the mall and picked up the cheapest pair of Nike running shoes I could find.  I think they were $50 or so. I met him that evening for a quick 3 1/2 mile run, and you won’t believe what happened.

After those 3 1/2 miles my shin splints were gone! GONE!

So motivated by that experience I tracked down and expert in running shoes and convinced him to do a teleconference for Maintain Fit.  But it gets even better than that.

You see he actually ran professionally for the Nike team for a number of years all over the world and now he owns an uptown specialty running store in Boise ID.  His name is Rich Harris.

When I mentioned to him that I wanted to do a teleconference he agreed pretty quick.  So I pushed my luck and asked him if he would be willing to let me come to his store and make a video about running shoes.

And…

He let me come to his store and make the video.  It turned out to be 27 minutes and we cover a ton of stuff.  We talked about how you can choose the shoe that’s best for you, and how many miles you can expect to get out of a shoe. There’s a lot more in there too.

To see the full video and be invited to join the teleconference go to this URL between Friday, May 30th at 9:00 PM EST and Monday evening, June 2nd.   The first 15 people to register will actually get a high quality DVD mailed to their home address.

Running Shoe Video and Teleconference with Rich Harris

Here are a few excerpts from the triathlon teleconference with guest expert Jim Mishler.  Jim has run over 170 triathlons over a span of 18 years.  He’s acted as race director for the Seahorse triathlon in Kalamazoo for about five years.  He really has a lot to offer and he even answered questions submitted by Maintain Fit members.

I’ve included some clips in this mp3 about how Jim went from having surgery that removed part of one of his lungs, to running in triathlons.  A little bit of the discussion about how to transition in a triathlon between disciplines and how to develop worthwhile relationships with local bike and running stores.

The original call has over an hour of great content.  This sample contains almost 15 minutes of highlights from the call.  Click play on the player below or even download the mp3.

In fact, there’s a little teaser for the next expert call.  I’m working out the final arrangements with our next guest expert who has been a world class runner and now owns a running store.  He’ll be telling us about running shoes, equipment and answering user questions.  Keep checking back at the blog and open up e-mail from me for an update on the next teleconference.

If you still have any questions about triathlons be sure to post to the forum and get Jim to answer you directly.  And thanks again to Jim Mishler for doing a fantastic, content filled, expert call for Maintain Fit!