Reading List Volume 20

The Essential Holiday Gift Guide for Fitness Buffs via Greatist because shopping for loved ones can be really tough and there’s a bunch of ideas here. Or, you can gift yourself this holiday season. They’ve released guides for tech lovers and foodies as well.

In honor of the holidays, Greatist selected 35 fitness-inspired gifts we’d love to unwrap this festive season. Some of these come with a pretty high price tag, but they’re worth it — and if nothing else, they’re fun to drool over.

Support Bloggers Through Holiday Gifting via Then Heather Said because it’s like shopping locally (which I love), but for the Internets.

This year I’ve decided to support bloggers and HLB community members with my holiday gift giving as often as possible. It’s clear that this here blogging community means an awful lot to my heart and soul, and I want to put my money where with my mouth (and keyboard) is. I also love to share about the brands and businesses I believe in with my friends and loved ones, so being able to do so in my gift giving has a special bonus element worth celebrating.

The 20 Most Inspirational Runners in the U.S. via DailyBurn because if this doesn’t make me want to go run, nothing will.

When Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast, Staten Island resident Jen Correa lost her house and all of her possessions in the wake of the storm, not to mention her running shoes. The marathoner and mom of two had planned on running the New York City Marathon in 2012 before it was canceled. Like many, she ran it this year instead, “putting it all behind me, as a sign of resilience,” she told Runner’s World. She takes inspiration from a cartoon fish; her mantra is “Just keep swimming.”

All the Times Peeta Mellark Messes Up in Catching Fire via Vulture because there were some literally LOL moments while I read through it. Fair warning to anyone hardcore #TeamPeeta, you may not find it as entertaining as I did.

As the 75th annual Hunger Games begin, Katniss and the other contenders dive off their watery perches, swim for their lives, climb onto some narrow catwalks, and sprint for the weapons cache at the Cornucopia. After they grab their items of choice and engage in some deadly Tribute-on-Tribute action, Katniss looks around and thinks to ask, “Where’s Peeta?” Turns out, Peeta didn’t even make it to the Cornucopia, because another Tribute is drowning him. Already.

Forming a Gratitude Habit via Jess Lively because we shouldn’t need a holiday as a reminder to be grateful (an easy think to forget as we head into what’s become a highly consumerism-driven season).

In order to strengthen my gratitude for all that I have, I am adopting Jeff Goins’ philosophy of gratitude as a discipline. Like a muscle that needs exercise, our gratitude can grow stronger simply by choosing to think about things we’re grateful for each day.

100 Notable Books of 2013 via New York Times because I’m a definite bibliophile and this list is evidence I didn’t do nearly enough reading this year. NPR and Goodreads released their lists as well. It’s interesting to see the overlaps. Now, if you’ll please excuse me while I go read amazing things for the next six months.

The year’s notable fiction, poetry and nonfiction, selected by the editors of The New York Times Book Review..

Why I Hate the Elf on the Shelf via BlogHer because I think that is one creepy ass little elf, and I’m glad to know I’m not the only one on this bandwagon.

It’s one thing to park your elf on the mantle for the season, and maybe move him or her around a couple of times, but that’s not enough. Your elf is supposed to be naughty. Make messes (that YOU make and then clean up). break things, move stuff around. WTF, elf?

NASM Personal Training Study Guide via Fitnessista because it’s a certification I’m considering at some point in the next couple of years, and it’s a great overview about how to prepare.

At first, the text was extremely daunting, even though it’s a topic I’m passionate about and have been working in the fitness environment. A large portion was repeats of things I’ve already studied and utilized while training clients (movement assessments, progressions, regressions) and some of it was entirely new information. It was a lot of memorization, which was tricky for me, since it had been a thousand years since my last big exam of any type (the GMAT, quite a few years ago).

8 reasons I don’t own a cell phone via Converge because in a time when so many people are addicted to their smartphones, it’s a refreshing perspective. While I’m not ready to part ways with my iPhone, I did put it in my bag after reading this. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Have you seen that new YouTube video that’s oddly named “I Forgot My Phone?” I can’t do that to my poor wife. It drives her crazy when she’s chatting with a friend and they say, “I’m listening” while they check their Twitter feed. She usually walks out of the room to see if they even notice. It’s not that I mind, personally — when the whole room goes silent as everyone checks their Facebook messages, it gives me the opportunity to nab some extra guacamole.

10 Things Stopping You From Being Spectacularly Successful via Your Super Awesome Life because dreaming big is awesome, and it seems we are usually the ones getting in our own way.

Undefined purpose. The number one way to NOT be successful? Don’t have a purpose. Your purpose could be as simple as “make people happy” or as big as “start a self-love revolution.” However, without the clarity of a definite goal in mind, you’ll struggle to stay inspired and make it happen..

10 Ways to Do Adulthood Well via RELEVANT because I love a good post about life lessons and how to be a better version of me.

If anything, adulthood is a daily and gradual process of choosing maturity over immaturity. It doesn’t happen in one big moment, but over years of wise decisions. Adulthood is a sculpture carved over time. It’s a process of a person casting away their childishness and taking the shape of Godly maturity in their thoughts, words and actions.

10 Things I Want My Daughter to Know About Working Out via Wellfesto because all of us need these reminders about why we strive towards health and fitness.

Strength equals self-sufficiency. Being strong – particularly as a woman – is empowering. It will feel good someday to be able to carry your own luggage down the stairs if the airport escalator is broken, and it will be important to have a solid shot at outrunning a stranger should you meet one a dark alley.

Thanks for stopping by JustaOneGirlRevolution.com!

Mindy