Resistance training exercise, or weightlifting, is crucial to decreasing risk on injury, increase your strength, and attaining your goals with a balanced body. Those of us who need to lose weight this offseason will appreciate that research has shown a combination of weight training and cardio to sheds more pound and boost the metabolism higher than cardio alone.

Well I have to admit I have a sweet tooth, and a pretty strong one at that. Since eating a bunch of sweets isn’t a good way to fuel your body for health, nor for optimum training and recovery, I have a few alternatives to indulge any sugar cravings. Here are four quick, easy and nutritious - and sweet - dessert ideas: 1. Pineapple Raspberry Parfait

One of the most important aspects of training for triathlon that is either neglected or approached incorrectly is planning your season. A diligent, focused triathlete who spends hundreds of hours pounding the pavement each year will certainly expect real returns. No one begins the season saying, “This year I want to be slower than ever before!” We all want to advance to the “next step”.

With the weather getting cooler and many of us having completed our A-priority race for the season, it’s time to take stock of our accomplishments and begin the transition into thinking about our winter training and what we would like to accomplish next season.

Year after year more and more people really want to make it to the Hawaiian Ironman in Kona, the granddaddy of all Ironmans, the Ironman World Championships. Competition is fierce to secure one of the 1800 coveted spots to the Big Island and the qualification times seem to get faster and faster.

So let's say that you already know that carbohydrate loading might give you an added advantage, perhaps a little more "oomph" on race day, and maybe even a good excuse to eat more Italian...but how the heck do you do it without a calculator and ultra-accurate kitchen scale? Here are my super simple guidelines for a race week carbohydrate loading meal plan.

There as been a lot of debate about the appropriate cycling cadence for triathletes. In general, we recommend riding at a cadence between 80-90 RPM at a minimum, preferably over 90 RPM.

What works for elite triathletes isn’t necessarily the fastest option for a first-timer or beginner – often you may even go slower if you pick a piece of equipment that was designed to go extremely fast.

Updated: Just reposting to get us psyched for the race on Saturday. Unfortunately I won't be there this year so watching on the Internet. Enjoy the photos, and good luck to all racing!

Iron is a key component of your body's oxygen carrying and distribution pathways. But for many females, endurance athletes, or individuals predisposed to anemia, it can be difficult to practically consume enough iron.