That's Fit

My freestyle swim stroke looked good, my dad told me the other day in the pool as he observed my skills. It just wasn't very strong. My breathing was not ideal either. My kick? Not bad, but he had a tip for how I might improve it.

Here, three dad-generated tips I received on how to become a better swimmer.

• Bring arms high out of the water with each stroke, hands cupped, and reaching a bit across the body (right arm reaches to the left; left to the right) as they scoop into the water. My arms were low, I was hitting the water with the side of my head, and I was not reaching across.
• Breath on a four-count (because I need to breathe to the right only). Stroke, stroke, stroke, breath to the right. Repeat. I was breathing on a two-count, thinking it was necessary in order to get enough air. Not so.
• Kick with the hip, not below the knee.

My new stroke powers me better, my breathing allows me more speed -- not so much time spent turning my head and gulping air -- and my kick propels me with more force. I feel stronger, quicker, and more skilled. Dara Torres I will never be. But a better swimmer, I am.

When I think of Reebok, my mind immediately goes to the most fashion forward cities in the world, like Paris and Madrid. Doesn't yours? It should!

Reebok is debuting its Freestyle World Tour Collection with a campaign that began on February 21. The footwear and apparel line is inspired by the "iconic Freestyle shoe that forever changed the face of women's fitness." Back in the 1980's, when Freestyles first hit the streets, they were just as much about fashion as they were about fitness.

This time around, Reebok will incorporate a completely original campaign, basing its line on six up and coming young women from six cities around the world -- Tokyo, Paris, New Delhi, Madrid, London, and NYC. Six different versions of the Freestyle have been created based upon each of these cities. For example, Tokyo's has flashy foil, while London's shoe is a reserved mix of muted colors.

Check them out -- which shoe epitomizes your sense of fitness fashion?

It's all to easy to get stuck in a rut or hit a plateau, and let all your 'exercising charisma' fly right out the window. And then of course disappointment and frustration settle in its place, and pretty soon the weight and flab start climbing back on until everything you already gained, however small it seemed, is gone.

As important as it is to make exercise and fitness a part of your regular "routine," it's equally important to recognize when that same routine is turning sour for you and doing you more harm than good. Adding some spontaneous improvisation (safely) to your workouts can give them some "spice" and rejuvenate the whole experience. And it works for pretty much anything -- even structured methods like Yoga and Pilates have room for your own personal flair!