get fit for 2010 challenge

Body-wise, running can be a high-impact sport, which can mean achy joints, irritated tendons, and other running-related injuries. Many runners use various methods to try to lessen the impact of constantly striking the ground.

For many runners, that means choosing a soft surface. But while you may think that running on soft surfaces may help lower the strain on your body, this may not always be the case. An article from The New York Times says that runners who preferred softer surfaces don't necessarily have fewer injuries than those who ran on asphalt or concrete (and may have more, since softer surfaces can lead to accident-related injuries). In fact, some studies have shown that our bodies actually adapt to different surfaces no matter how hard they are, so the type of surface that we run on may not matter as much.

While the best running surface may be a personal preference, there are still benefits and drawbacks to each type. Whether you love to run on the street or on trails, check out the pros and cons of running on these surfaces after the break.

We have made it to week 11 of our 12-week community challenge and giveaway. You've come a long way, baby — from sharing your healthy goals for 2010 to reviewing your favorite fitness DVD.

This week's challenge: write a blog post in the Get Fit group of your standout moment from all the challenges. You can also take this opportunity to play catch-up and do any of the previous challenges you have not completed.

Remember, the more entries you've made, the more chances you have to win our weekly prize — a $100 Nike gift card — and our fabulous grand prize: a $1,000 gift card from Nike; a year of personalized nutrition plans by nutritionist Alexa Fishback, plus a copy of her book; a year membership to 24 Hour Fitness for you and a friend; and two Bodybuggs. At the end of three months, we will pick a grand prize winner at random from all of the entries in all of the weekly challenges.

Here are the previous 10 challenges.

1. State your health and fitness goals
2. Assess your fitness level
3. Keep a food journal
4. Keep a fitness journal
5. Share a healthy recipe
6. Share your progress report
7. Share a workout
8. Share a motivational quote
9. Write a review of a fitness DVD
10. Share your fave healthy snack

If you're not already a member of the PopSugar Community, register here now. Click here for the official rules.

You have until 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday, March 28, to complete the 11th challenge, play catch-up, and enter to win some fun fitness goodies.

We have officially entered the second half of our Get Fit For 2010 giveaway and challenge! It is time to get off the couch and work out. This week's challenge: write a blog post in the Get Fit group sharing details of your favorite workout. You can: wax poetic about spin class, share your latest strength circuit (include photos! Think of FitSugar as your image library), review a new-to-you fitness class, or write out your most recent treadmill workout. By meeting this challenge you will not only be thinking about fitness, which can only lead to good things, but you will be entered to win our weekly prize — a $100 Nike gift card.

Sharing about your fave workout in our community group also enters you to win our fabulous grand prize: a $1,000 gift card from Nike; a year of personalized nutrition plans by nutritionist Alexa Fishback, plus a copy of her book; a year membership to 24 Hour Fitness for you and a friend; and two Bodybuggs. At the end of three months, we will pick a grand prize winner at random from all of the entries in all of the weekly challenges. The more you participate, the more chances you have to win the grand prize! A little extra motivation to help you meet your healthy goals for 2010.

If you're not already a member of the PopSugar Community, register here now. Click here for the official rules.

You have until 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, Feb. 28, to complete this seventh challenge.

It's a new year, and I want my old body back! Inspired by FitSugar's health challenge, I'll spend the next 10 months hitting the gym to burn the baby fat. If you're a mom who wants to bid your postpartum baggage good-bye too, set a goal, and join the Get Fit For 2010 community group for support!

To get see the rest of these mouthwatering pics and to get the recipe, read more

Work it out! This week Fit challenged us to journal our fitness routine and was kind enough to hook me up with some of her awesome workout downloads. I was excited to hit the gym and test them for my vlog when a couple of mom emergencies interfered. Due to scheduling conflicts and a sick child, I didn't get to work out. But life with kids is always go, go, go, so I've decided to share some tips on keeping active with your little ones rather than feel guilty for not getting to the gym.

• On your mark, get set, go! Play tag with the kids. It takes a lot of running to exhaust a child, and you'll burn calories trying.
• Let them ride! Strap on their helmets and let the kids roll down the open road on their bikes. Put a little pep in your step and keep their pace on foot.
• Use your offspring as weights. This concept is popular in mommy and me classes, and as your kiddos get bigger so will your biceps.
• Tone your arms while pushing your children on swings at the park.

It's a new year, and I want my old body back! Inspired by FitSugar's health challenge, I'll spend the next 10 months hitting the gym to burn the baby fat. If you're a mom who wants to bid your postpartum baggage goodbye too, set a goal and join the Get Fit For 2010 community group for support! Check out my updates here each week.

Last week your Get Fit For 2010 challenge was assess your fitness level with three tests then write a blog post of the results, and you received an extra entry if you also wrote a blog post of your body measurements. Now it's time to talk food.

This week's challenge: keep a food journal by writing a blog post in the Get Fit For 2010 community group of all you eat in an entire day. Don't forget to add photos of your food. To help you, we've created an easy to use printable food journal. Just download the PDF, print it out, and start tracking your food intake. Not only is this a good way to keep track of the calories you're consuming when trying to lose or maintain your weight, it is great to track your fruit and veggie intake too (one of my goals is to eat five to seven servings of produce daily). By meeting this challenge, you will be automatically entered for a chance to win our weekly prize — a $100 Nike gift card.

At the end of three months, we will pick a grand prize winner at random from all of the entries in all of the weekly challenges. The more you participate, the more chances you have to win the grand prize: a $1,000 gift card from Nike; a year of personalized nutrition plans by nutritionist Alexa Fishback, plus a copy of her book; a year membership to 24 Hour Fitness for you and a friend; and two Bodybuggs.

If you're not already a member of the PopSugar Community, register here now. Click here for the official rules.

You have until 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, Jan. 31, to complete your third challenge. Ready. Set. Start journaling!

Check out the visual food journal that FitSugar reader thatgirljj kept for this week's challenge in the Get Fit For 2010 giveaway. If you haven't blogged your food journal yet, don't worry — show us what you'll be eating this weekend!

OK, my day of food in pictures. I wasn't watching my food closely today because I'm sick and I don't want to be dieting too much while I'm trying to get better.  To be honest, I really wish I'd get over this bronchitis so I can get in a serious workout!  That's bothering me more than a few cookies here or there. Oh well, I'll do better tomorrow.

Thinking about your health goals for the new year? Join our Get Fit For 2010 community group and write a blog post about your goals. Check out this week's challenge and Get Over the Hump Day extra credit challenge to enter our contest for weekly giveaways as well as an awesome grand prize.

Here is the food journal that FitSugar user mshoema shared with us for this week's Get Fit For 2010 community challenge and giveaway.

OK, food journal time! I have never kept a food journal before so this should be good.

You happened to catch me on Tuesday, my "Biggest Loser day." I go to the gym with one of my best friends, we run or work out on the elliptical for an hour, and then go to an hour-long Zumba class. After the gym we stop at Panera Bread and pick up the "You Pick 2" meal. Tonight I'm going to choose a Caesar salad with dressing and cheese on the side and hopefully the low fat vegetable garden soup, if they have it. Once we pick up dinner we go back home and watch The Biggest Loser together.

To see what else mshoema ate, read more