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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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lynda on June 30, 2011 at 10:10am

O.k well this is coming from a rider who has been out of the saddle and out of shape for too long . Losing a good 20 pounds would be wonderful.

All of your postings are great and give me ideas.

At this moment I am trying to eat three meals a day, and not do my usual of not eating Breakfast and lunch ,and finally eat at 8pm.

drinking lots of water

my exercise is walking every morning with the dogs soon I will add a more cardio walk

I clean houses sooo even there I am getting used to running up and down people stairs , I will have to find a way to step that up. Just because my body has gotten use to that workout.

I just added chia seeds and greens to help with energy.getting rid of the bad stuff.

My problem is a go all guns blazing to lose weight and get in shape and than when I even out and no more weight lost , I tend to stop.

It would be wonderful to win this package but if some of you could be a cheering team to push when I feel ughhhh that would be wonderful.

I feel everyone needs a team with them to help in all the areas.

hardleyabeam@gmail.com

Lynda

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Permalink Reply by Katherine on June 30, 2011 at 10:10am

The best nutritional advice I've received is to ALWAYS read the packaging and check for fat, sodium and calories. My biggest fat and sodium shock? Instant noodles!

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Permalink Reply by Susan on June 30, 2011 at 10:15am

My husband has discovered running and it's something that I am thinking about getting into. He started with a running group and I think that's a super way to keep motivated. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else out there is in a running group and, if so, how is it working for you?

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Permalink Reply by Cat Peare on July 1, 2011 at 3:23pm

After unintentionally beginning my running in the arena, running around with beginner riders I was instructing. I joined a small ladie's group, running with them just a few times. They taught me the 'talk test': run while chatting; when you are unable to talk, then walk; when you are able to talk again, run. Swimming lengths at the pool also helped. Additionally, the lesson learned about breathing in Biology 12 was very helpful. You breathe by negative pressure. Focus on emptying your lungs, then just relax and allow the created vacuum in your lungs to draw the air in again. Experiment with different breathing patterns (e.g. exhaling in 2 puffs before inhaling), and exhaling with footfalls helps - try to empty the bottom of your lungs. If you begin to suffer knee pain, my own opinion is that you are probably not using your joints correctly. I rectified my own knee situation by running more quietly. I found that when I ran with quieter footfalls, I used my joints better, and my knee soreness disappeared - I regularly ran on the road too. The bonus I received with in these early days was that my mild asthma disappeared, along with my allergies to cats, dogs and horses!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara F. on June 30, 2011 at 10:20am

Posting here outside of the contest, but I did want to take this opportunity to share what has worked for me. Almost eight years ago, I was dragged to a karate class by my husband. We have both been training in karate and mixed martial arts ever since! It has made a huge difference to my strength, timing and balance and confidence.

If anyone here is even toying with the idea of trying it, I highly recommend that you give it a go! It has improved my riding and made me a different person - and I started in my 40s!

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Permalink Reply by Barnmice Admin on July 1, 2011 at 5:01pm

Hi All, the contest is now closed and we'll announce the winner as soon as we hear back that she has received our message. Thank you for contributing some fabulous ideas about fitness and nutrition! We look forward to having more contests with lots more great prizes!