Rider Fitness and Health Contest! Win a $500 Fitness and Health Makeover!

We’re giving away two $500 Fitness and Health Makeovers in the next two weeks!

What do you do to stay fit when you’re not riding? Do you have great exercise or nutrition tips? What are your fitness goals?

Post your fitness tips, goals, challenges and ideas below and you’ll automatically be entered in our draw to win a fabulous fitness package!

A $250 shopping spree at the new Omega Alpha Store, where you’ll be able to choose from the incredible world-class supplements for yourself, your horses and even your pets! Click here to check out the new store. Good luck to the winners - it will be hard to choose from so many great products!

A $125 personalized exercise plan created for you by Claire Moscone-Biafore, Osteopath and Certified Athletic Therapist. Claire works with members of Canada’s Olympic gold medal women’s hockey team and we are thrilled that she is offering her time to help our two winners.

A $125 personalized nutrition plan created for you by Patti Bartsch, M.A., Ph.D. Patti is the founder and owner of Naturally Unbridled, a holistic life and wellness coaching company specializing in equestrian women.

Patti holds a Ph.D. in Natural Health & Wellness, a master’s degree in Biology and two undergraduate degrees in Animal Science. She also holds a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University. A million thanks to Patti for providing your insights for our winners!

We’ll be doing our first draw on June 23, and the second on June 30.

We’ll be drawing from all the posts, so if you have lots of tips or fitness ideas to share, post as many times as you like. All of your posts will be included in our draws!

Good luck to all!!

*A quick thanks to Elizabeth Levitt, who intended to participate, but is unable to do so.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Jakubik-Nieves on June 16, 2011 at 7:43am

I start my day with a good Whey protein shake then I head to the pool or if Im lucky the lake for a good swim for a vigouros aerobic workout for an hour or so; then I hop in my FIR Sauna Hot House to complete my daily jump start! Juice up a fennel, ginger, carrot and apple drink to replenish my body before I;m off to the barn to see my steeds. I keep my meals lean and simple with lots of greens! Snack lightly through out the day a good hearty lunch. Then for dinner it's normally fish or chicken with a fresh salad; I always try to eat asparagus to cleasne my body.

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Permalink Reply by Laura on June 16, 2011 at 12:15pm

Oh, I should also add that in addition to the exercise, I stopped eating unhealthy snacks, and I STOPPED eating while watching tv!

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Permalink Reply by Susan on June 16, 2011 at 12:18pm

Walking is a big one for me. Especially in gorgeous summer weather. Not being 21 any more, it keeps me moving, without straining anything. Oh, and wearing a pedometer is a great way to see how far you walk every day!

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Permalink Reply by Gary Stuart on June 16, 2011 at 12:21pm

Regarding supplements, the most important one I take is 1,000 mg Vitamin D daily. My wife takes 2,000, as it has been found to help with bone density.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole Salo on June 16, 2011 at 12:46pm

I really enjoy doing pilates, I have limited space for working out so I can store all of my pilates equipment easily in a drawer since the majority of the work outs that I do involved stretchy bands. It is also something that I can do on the road in a hotel room because I can just pack the stretchy bands in my bag!

A big thing for me is making sure that I do get a work out in, so I schedule it into my daily routine. I find this helps to keep on track if I set time aside to look after myself (even if it is just 15min on a certain day).

Another thing that I like to do is take breaks from my desk often, I spend most of my day sitting down for work and school, so even just taking a short break to walk to the kitchen for another glass of water (I'm big on the water!!) can really help. Also, if I find myself stressed and having limited time to leave the computer, I'll eat my lunch standing up instead of while sitting down.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Wonson on June 16, 2011 at 1:16pm

I have been using relaxation tapes that focus on portion control, avoiding fat and "sickenly sweet foods" (as he says). And getting daily exercise. They are easy to access on i-tunes and download onto my phone and/or i-pod. Very, very, helpful. 15 lbs. worth of helpful so far.

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Permalink Reply by MagsNMe on June 16, 2011 at 3:09pm

I'm in the position of needing to lose nearly 100lbs still, since I have an 11 month old gelding that I do want to ride when he's 4! So, I ride my big mare 5 times a week to improve my riding, but it's just not enough when you have the metabolism of your average blue whale!

At our barn, we have a student who is also a Pilates instructor, so we do that once a week. Now, my trainer is WELL aware of my situation, and has had her add a cardio portion to our sessions. So, on Tuesday, it was walk a mile (no strolling, alas). Oh yeah, and EVERY time I'm at the barn, I have to do that. And since I didn't manage to ride yesterday that was a mile and a half....

I think the key to any program is sticking to it. I'm very lucky to have a really supportive bunch at the barn who help me keep motivated (well, so does little Havoc, he's so darned cute!).

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Skillings on June 16, 2011 at 10:56pm

after under-going chemotherapy and radiation treatment last year I was forced to really think about the food going into me and my own health. I started eating more whole foods - the kind you can find at your local farmers markets - and avoiding the over processed things. When I can't make it to the market to both support my local farmers AND get great value for my dollar, I shop at the grocery store. Most people will go up and down the isles first. I, on the other hand, go around the perimeter of the store as that tends to be where the whole, fresh foods are. I keep a list of the things I need from the aisles, and do my browsing/impulse buying from the perimeter of the store.
I try to eat my fibre in the morning to kick-start my metabolism and keep me full longer. I do my best to avoid sugars, but can't go without my coffee!!
My exercise is simple and it works. Walking my dog twice a day and riding tend to keep me fit. My job is very physical and involves a lot of running around, so now that I am back to work, I am hoping to shed the 15lbs I GAINED (yes, I GAINED weight during treatment! I think it is from the steroids they give you). My goal is to be back to my normal weight by the end of the summer. I'd also love to get more core/back strengthening in as I tend to have a weak lower back.

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Permalink Reply by Patti Bartsch, Ph.D. on June 17, 2011 at 10:46am

You are doing GREAT things! Keep up the good work!

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Permalink Reply by Barnmice Admin on June 17, 2011 at 9:46am

Wow, I am learning a lot from these tips and ideas. Thank you all for sharing them!

If anyone has a moment, please "Like" Omega Alpha Equine's" Facebook page. It's a little way of saying "thanks" for this super sponsorship!!

Thanks so much and I look forward to learning more from everyone!

- Barbara

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Permalink Reply by SHW on June 17, 2011 at 7:57pm

I attend an NCAA Division 1 school in the U.S. Two 6 a.m. team workouts per week with a trainer that shows no mercy and riding 4 - 5 times per week. Add on refereeing co-ed volleyball in the evenings and staying in shape is not a problem.

It's a different story during the off season - which for me is right now. I'm not competing this summer but I am grooming daily at a great "A" circuit barn and get to exercise some of the clients horses at the end of the day. That keeps me fit but doesn't give me the edge that I would like.

I have a kettle bell that I use to build strength, jog around the property once or twice a week and do an intense abs and butt workout every other day.

Even with all this I still feel like I am missing something. I would love to go back to school in the fall and really impress not only my equestrian coach but also the team trainer with how much I had improved my core muscles and overall fitness.

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Permalink Reply by Katherine on June 18, 2011 at 9:36am

A great tip for eating healthfully is to avoid the juice and go for the fruit instead. If you are thirsty, go for water, and lots of it.

Also, if you are watching your weight, don't punish yourself by never having treats. Everything is about moderation. You can have a cookie, but you don't need three cookies.