Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Running Apparel for All Seasons

Do you need some new running apparel to go with your new serious running habit? If you are still wearing that old pair of sweat pants and your favorite t-shirt, it may be time to think about getting some new running apparel. The fabrics and the styles make the new apparel even more comfortable than your old favorites, and as unbelievable as it may sound, you may actually perform better as well. Here are some things that you may find helpful when you are choosing running apparel:

Fabric choices:

One of the greatest new things about the fabric that they use to make much of the running apparel today is that it is truly breathable. Many fabrics with different names and brands use the same type of “wicking” technology to pull moisture away from the skin to help your body maintain a constant temperature. Some of these fabrics require special care and laundering while others can just be thrown in your regular laundry. Read the tags carefully.

Reflective fabric is another great innovation in running apparel. This is great for people who run outdoors at any time of the day or night. When the light hits it, it has a reflective quality that makes you visible to cars and pedestrians.

Cold weather running takes special consideration in running apparel as well. You want clothing that is not too bulky and that will allow you to maintain a constant body temperature as well. You can wear wicking underclothes and then a lightweight jacket and tights and if it is really cold, gloves to protect your hands and a headband to protect your ears.

Styling:

Running apparel can be loose or tight-fitting. It is really a personal choice, but many summer styles are loose fitting to allow the runner to cool off more easily. In winter the clothing tends to be more tight-fitting (at least the clothing next to the skin) to keep in body heat. Make sure that any running clothing that you buy does not rub or cause friction which can lead to chafing.

Undergarments:

A special note for women runners is that they need to buy a good sports bra that provides adequate support no matter what your bust size is. The straps should not dig into the shoulders and it should give good support to avoid injuries to the back and shoulders.

You can find running clothes at a department or specialty store or online.

Eriani Doyel writes articles about Health and Fitness. If you would like more information about running apparel visit runninge.com


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Archery Women

When I think of women and archery and all they have done for the sport, I cannot think of a better person who has put so much time and effort in to it other than my Mother, Beulah. Mom and Dad had devoted most of their idle time to the sport during the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s before my Dad fell sick to Parkinson’s disease. Of course Mom was devoted to my Dad and took care of him for ten hard years, till he passed on in 1990. Ever since the time of his illness, Mom has drifted away from the sport of archery, up until now. Mom is now helping me dedicate this website to Dad. Her input has been a tremendous amount of help. The articles and pictures she has saved from their past has triggered the thought in her mind once again and now she can’t help me enough.

Her archery lessons that she once taught as a young lady are now being taught to her Great Grandchildren. Her bowhunting experiences also come in very handy when teaching the true sportsmanship of hunting and shooting. Even today at 70 years of age, she can still pull her compound bow back like she was 30 years old. I really believe archery has kept her young and in good shape, and her mind as sharp as a tack.

What I am trying to say in this article is women who wish to become a master of archery can do so with a little hard work and practice. This is not just a man’s sport. It’s becoming one of the fastest growing sports for women. With their participation, families and couples just bond closer together than ever. I realize women are very busy today, but sometimes they may have a little extra time to help teach their own children the proper safety and the fun of the sport. Mom used to give archery lessons during church camp to grown ups and children. Any person can do this with just a few safety course lessons and the desire to do so. So why not give it a try?

Bowhunting, on the other hand can be a big challenge for a woman. But with a little help from a partner or a friend, it can be very rewarding. Mom had shot over twenty deer while hunting with Dad and the stories she has to tell are all exciting. There was one thing Mom refused to do and that was gut the deer. That was always a standing agreement. I cannot remember Mom and Dad being any happier than when they were on a hunting trip. They enjoyed each other very much!

Women’s archery equipment is much like men’s. Cheap is not always good and good is not always cheap. Make sure your bow fits you properly and arrows fit your bow and draw length. Making your own arrows can also be a lot of fun. I will be explaining how to do this at a later date. I understand when trying to purchase your bowhunting apparel it can be difficult at times. I will be getting to that problem later, too.

Remember the sport of Archery and Women go hand and hand with great family and friends’ fun and bonding. Stay Safe and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

My name is Ted Lake and I'm building a website in memory of my dad Deuaine Lake. This site is all about Archery and Archery Hunting. My dad started me when I was 5 years old (1956) and I've continued to teach both my boys the same respect for the sport of archery. Please feel welcome to visit my free website at http://www.complete-archery-information.com


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Self Image and the Mature Woman

Over the past few years, I’ve read articles on menopause, wherein certain agencies have published the results of surveys given to mature women in that phase of life. One of the queries always concerns whether or not the woman’s sexual desire has diminished. There is usually a short list of possible ‘physical’ side effects of menopause listed on these surveys. Side effects that may be causing her decreased interest in sexual intimacy. I have yet to see a ‘psychological’ list of reasons offered. Having spoken to a number of women fifty and over, I can state unequivocally, psychological reasons for decreased libido may well far outnumber the physical. In addition, it’s my belief that today’s society may be in great part responsible for the psychological damage from which these women suffer.

In our modern society, the mature woman seems to be non-existent, as far as the visual media is concerned. Anyone watching television, viewing films, or thumbing through popular magazines, can easily verify this fact. Women over a certain age are just not represented. In the rare instances they are seen, it is usually not in the role of a feminine, desirable, woman. Most advertisers hawking products in the women-related categories of cosmetics, fashion and intimate apparel, completely ignore women past the age of thirty. It’s quite amusing to see ‘anti-aging’ beauty product ads, trumpeting ‘fantastic’ results, using models barely out of their twenties. Interestingly enough, older men are quite prominently displayed in ads, usually in the company of much younger women. We women have allowed ourselves to be brainwashed. We have been programmed, consistently, to base our self-worth, our sexuality, our ‘womanliness’, on youthful, physical looks alone. When I read of women in their late twenties, early thirties, opting for surgical cosmetic enhancements, in attempts to stave off the natural effects of the aging process, I’m appalled!

What message does the visual media send? Quite simply that mature women are neither visually attractive, nor sexually desirable. Access any online women’s magazine, and peruse its message boards. There you will find postings from women desperately seeking to halt, or alter, the aging process. Endeavoring to transform themselves into the youthful, enhanced images they are bombarded with daily, may become an obsessive quest, one that is doomed to failure. Is it any wonder that many mature women suffer from low to no, self-esteem? Is it any wonder, as well, many of these women find themselves less inclined to sexual intimacy?

‘I just don’t feel sexy’. This was a statement made to me by a fifty-year-old woman I’ll call ‘Betty’. When I asked her reasons for this statement, her reply was quite to the point. Betty told me she despises her looks. She said the image she sees in her mirror is not one she would call attractive, or desirable, based on the prevailing ‘beauty standards’ of today. As far as sexual intimacy with her partner, she told me although she enjoys sex, she finds she increasingly avoids the intimacy. She is simply too depressed over her looks, feeling totally inadequate.

Another woman I’ll call ‘Sue’ told me she had much the same opinion of herself as had Betty. She admitted the steady stream of images of young, nubile, firm, smooth-skinned women appearing on her television screen nightly, made her increasingly self-conscious about her physical appearance, with her husband. She remarked that he constantly presented her with expensive lingerie that she refused to don. The woman told me she felt ridiculous wearing it, regarding herself at the age of fifty-four as ‘too old’ for such attire. Therefore, the lovely lingerie wound up unworn and stored away. Sue added that her relationship with her husband had been strained for quite some time, and though she realized it was due to the lack of sexual intimacy between them, she was unable to get past her feelings about herself. Eventually it appeared that their twenty-five year marriage was heading for dissolution. Sue’s husband was ready to call it quits, because, as he told her, he felt she no longer loved or desired him. His pronouncement led to Sue’s being completely open and honest with her husband about her feelings concerning her own self-image.

It’s vitally important, today, for we mature women to begin realizing our very real value, and setting an example for our daughters, and granddaughters. We must chart a course for them, that they may realize that women over thirty do not fade away, and just disappear! It must be taught that youth is a convenient mask we wear for awhile, concealing the unformed ‘self’. They must realize that as we mature, and ‘self’ forms, the mask of youth fades away, revealing who we are, and what we have become, as human beings. We must demonstrate that mature women, who have developed interests, who have continually striven to enlighten and enrich themselves intellectually, and spiritually, and who possess a genuine love of life, and living, are incredibly attractive. We must prove the truth. They must come to realize that a mature woman’s confidence, insight, accumulated wisdom, and self-knowledge make her intensely desirable, and her sexuality is heightened by her ability to be an equal partner in the art of lovemaking. We must endeavor to de-program them, teaching them that what they see portrayed in the visual media as to women, is contrived illusion. It’s up to us, ladies, how our daughters and granddaughters will one day greet their maturity.

Jeannine Schenewerk is a freelance writer residing in Atlanta, Georgia. She maintains an inspirational, informative, upbeat site for mature women. Her site contains articles on positive self image, and common sense tips on make-up, skin care, diet, exercise, fashion, and more.



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