I would love to take this opportunity to share with you a story about my love affair with running.

Sadly, I cannot. As many of you know, despite my most sincere and enduring efforts, I am often winded just by leisurely strolling around the block.

However! I am pleased to present this inspiring guest post by my fellow blogger Daniela Payne of CanadianLiving.com's super-fab Green Living blog. It is no small feat that she makes me feel like I am really missing out on something by not running around all the time. Read and enjoy. And then pick up your pace.

Disclaimer: This is not an actual photo of Daniela running. She, um, usually runs around with a giant *blue* scarf, you see.

Running changed my life. I know it sounds dramatic, but it couldn't be more true. I was very active in my high school days, and like everyone else, once I was out of the routine of soccer and field hockey practice, the pounds started to pack on. When I decided to take up running I thought it would be easy, but boy was I mistaken. My first run turned into more of a fast walk, but I refused to feel discouraged. Seeing 30, 40 and 50-year-old, fit women running in the sun, rain and snow – smiling from ear to ear – seriously motivated me. If they could look so fit and happy, so could I. And with practice and determination, I became one of them.

The camaraderie I experience when out for a run is elating. It's the encouragement from other women runners in my area and local park that pushes me to add another kilometre on my run, or to push myself up that darned hill one more time.

I was thrilled this year to learn about the Look Good Feel Better Running Series, a series of women-only runs with a variety of distances and terrain. Look Good Feel Better is the only cancer charity in Canada which focuses on teaching women how to take control of their appearance and morale during cancer treatment. The running series raises funds and awareness about this worthy cause.

This past weekend I participated in the series' Toronto Island Women's Half Marathon, and the experience was great. I had constant encouragement from fabulous women, and watching the first place runner blow by sure lit up a spark of determination to continue to train to better my time in next year's half marathon.

Find out how you can get into running here!

Can you still fit into your high school clothes? Your answer probably depends on your age. If you graduated just a few years ago, you can probably wear your high school garb no problem.

But if you're approaching middle age, it's probably a much tighter fit. And whether you're willing to sport your high school styles again or not, the issue goes beyond retaining your youthful figure and the accompanying bragging rights.

Your waist size is an important indicator of your health. The 6-Week Cure for the Middle-Aged Middle: The simple plan to flatten your belly fast, by Mary Dan Eades, M.D. and Michael R. Eades, M.D., provides a plan for eliminating the unhealthy fat that can accumulate around the organs which they say is the true cause for the middle-aged bulge.

The good news is that with the right diet, this fat can be quickly reduced, enhancing both your appearance and your health.

For a chance to WIN a copy of The 6-Week Cure for the Middle-Aged Middle, just Subscribe To This Blog and post a reply telling us what you hope to accomplish in the next six weeks. What job, goal, nagging chore or delightful activity do you hope to have done by November 2?

You have until Monday, October 12 to let us know. I'll announce the winner here on Tuesday, October 13.

As promised, here are a few of my fave high-protein Canadian Living recipes:

Pilaf-Stuffed Rack of Pork
(46 grams of protein per serving)

Seared Rib Eye Steaks with Roquefort Butter
(50 grams of protein per serving)

Lamb Stew with Squash and Mint
(43 grams of protein per serving)

Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie
(45 grams of protein per serving)

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
(43 grams of protein per serving)

Congratulations to Karen, who has won our August 27 contest by telling us about her favourite high-protein food.

Karen says:
"eggs give me a lot of energy for a long period of time"

Karen has won a copy of Lori Incledon's book Strength Training for Women: Tailored programs and exercises for optimal results.

I'm crazy about eggs and I find they give me an energy boost, too. I hard boil six at a time and keep them handy in the fridge. Plus, did you know that a large egg has six grams of protein and only 90 calories?

I'm packed with protein now, thanks to all your suggestions on my August 27 post. Keep your protein tips coming - you have until this Thursday to enter to win a copy of Strength Training for Women.

I also noticed that many of you opt for a meat-free protein boost, so with you in mind, here are a few of my fave high-protein Tested Till Perfect vegetarian recipes:

Potato Pesto Pizza
(18 grams of protein per serving)

Japanese Vegetarian Buckwheat Noodles
(17 grams of protein per serving)

Spinach and Rice Phyllo Pie
(19 grams of protein per serving)

Rotini with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil
(17 grams of protein per serving)

Easy-Stir Corn and Pepper Risotto
(16 grams of protein per serving)

Congratulations to Jeri-Ann, who has won our August 19 contest by telling us about how she sneaks more fibre into her diet.

Jeri-Ann says:

"I am trying to add more fibre into my diet, so all these tips are great. I love chili,  that is the only way right now I can get hubby to eat beans. we use whole wheat pasta and multigrain bread (that one was a struggle for the hubby). I have been told I need to eat between 25 and 35 grams per day due to diverticulosis, so this book would be a godsend for me."

Jeri-Ann has won a copy of The Fiber 35 Diet, by Brenda Watson.

Have you entered our August 27 contest yet?