Regular Guy Reads of the Week: May 15th

Sorry I've been off the case this week. In what I can only look at as irony, almost immediately after publishing the Inertia piece, I came down with a respiratory infection that has kept me from exercising for 10 days now. This two-week compendium of links is a total hodgepodge, but there's some good stuff.

10 Exercise Cheats That Blow Your Calorie Burn: This one's from People. Make sure you're getting the most out of your workouts. Don't hang onto the handrails. Don't use momentum while lifting. Stuff like that.

The Truth Behind Five Food Myths: I expected the usual anti-carb rant here, but this is actually good info. For example, what do you really know about HFCS?

How Many Calories to Lose Weight? The Banana Effect: The author would probably resist this description, but this is a really good complement to a calories-in-calories-out/if-it-fits-your-macros approach.

The Caloric Deficit Cheat Sheet: Good ole common-sense tips on how to keep an eye on the calories-in half of the equation. You should really check this one out.

Clean Eating Vs. Healthy Eating: Shopping at Whole Foods and never touching Twinkies isn't a guarantee of anything.

How Caffeine Affects Athletic Performance: For all you Regular Guy coffee lovers out there: Your morning cuppa is good for you!

Finally, A Clear and Useful Definition of What "Good Form" Means: If you read nothing else this week, read this. It's not a bunch of rules on exactly how to position your feet, legs, arms, hands, etc. It's about understanding how to exercise safely and effectively while leaving wiggle room for the quirks of your own body.

Is There an Ideal Running Form? This is a more expert analysis of my blog post from a few weeks ago. The conclusion is fairly similar, though. 

Heart of the Matter: Exercise reduces your risk of cardiovascular problems, but it doesn't make you immune.

Protein, Supplements and Building Muscles: A good overview from Hal Higdon's website. As we've discussed, your protein/carb ratio should reflect both your starting point and your goals.

Four Types of Running Workouts (And Why You Should Be Doing Them All): Nothing new here for experienced runners, but this is a good overview of a program that can help you improve.

Cyclists Are 40 Percent Less Stressed Than Other Commuters: The title pretty much says it all. 

Keeping a Running Log: From Big Man Sas. Keeping some kind of diary helps you track your progress, and studies show that you'll push yourself more when it's in writing.