A Few Good Things

by Cameron Diaz

I hope these past weeks have been filled with things like sand between your toes, sunsets, mint lemonade, and ice cold watermelon.  Our family has been surviving the heat by leaving the hot oven known as Arizona, for cooler temps in California and the beautiful mountains of Park City, Utah.  

During my travels, I have discovered some treasures and tips I thought I'd pass along to you!

1.  The Body Book by Cameron Diaz

If you judge a book by a cover, you'd give this book a 10.  But there's so much more to this read than the model shot of the nearly naked Cameron Diaz on it's cover.  This book has so much great information on nutrition, health and how to take care of one's body.  What I like about this book, is that Diaz confesses that despite being thin her entire life, she was not always the model of healthy living.  She was a drive-thru junkie and ate fast-food daily.  When she did change her nutrition, her skin began to glow and her overall well-being improved.  She writes like she was talking to you as a friend.  It's important to be strong, to eat a variety and fruits and vegetables, to drink lots of water, and to get those endorphins that come from exercise and sweat!  Kudos, Cameron, your book is spot on!

2.  Knowledge: Nutritionist versus Licensed Dietician

As an associate coach at Sigma Human Performance, I am able provide coaching packages that include personalized training plans that can be paired with nutritional food plans.  Katie Rhodes is on staff at Sigma as the Licensed Dietician.  Katie recently explained to our staff that she IS NOT a nutritionist, and we should not confuse the two.  While Licensed Dieticians have a degree from a university, anyone who is interested or has looked into nutrition can call themselves a nutritionist.   If you want solid advice from a credentialed authority, you should consult the expertise from a LD, not someone who likes recipes and shares tips and

ideas which may or may not be accurate.  Good to know, Katie, and thanks for clearing that up.

3.  Small Town Races

Spudman fun, it's a tradition 

Over the past month, I've participated in three races that were set in small town locations.  First, the American Fork Half Marathon, which winds through AF Canyon and finishes at the local high school. This race was absolutely beautiful with the canyon as it's backdrop.  The weather was perfect and they offered Kneader's french toast at the finish line!  Delicious.  

Second, was the Deseret News Half Marathon.  While not quite so small town, this race followed a course down a canyon and through a parade route for the state's Pioneer Day festivities.  I love a parade!   It was nice to finish in a big tree-lined park with Utah Creamies (another state treasure) at the finish line.  Utah in the summer is devine.

And finally, the Spudman Triathlon in Burley, Idaho.  The thing about this race is it is all about family, friends and fun.  Those triathletes with TT bikes and aero helmets are out of place here.  This is a perfect race for first timers, or those with a fear of swimming.  A current in the river allows for non-swimmers to float on their back to T1 and still get out of the water in about 35 minutes.  

The local Lions Club has hosted this race for 28 years.  Everyone gets a Idaho spud in their swag bags as well as at the pre-race meal.  The course travels through bucolic farmlands with neighbors aiming their hose and sprinklers onto the streets for a little cool refreshment.  An occasional buzz from the crop dusters above is the only sound you'll hear on this quiet, happy course.  I'm sure most of the entrants would never stop in Burley, Idaho.  But this town should be proud of the event they host.  They do it right and I'm sure most entrants plan a yearly trek to this small town just for this race.