The sport of running continues to grow rapidly. As many as half the participants in major marathons in the U.S. consider themselves new runners or even non-runners. This large segment of the running population is full of questions about training, gear, injury prevention and treatment and, yes, nutrition. Now there is a nutrition book written especially for new runners, and who should its author be but Nancy Clark, MS, RD, one of the most familiar names in running nutrition for a long time. Published by Meyer & Meyer Sport, Nancy Clark’s Food Guide for New Runners steers clear of intimidating readers with an inviting format featuring glossy pages, lots of full-color photos, and small chunks of text. It is divided into four sections: “Day-to-Day Eating–The Right Way”, “Carbs, Proteins, Fats, and Fluids–The Right Balance”, “Sports Nutrition–The Right Foods at the Right Time”, and “Weight and Runners–The Right Diet”.

In all four sections, Clark’s guidelines are sensible, credible and clearly presented. For example, in her section on “Five Keys to Successful Weight Reduction”, Clark’s first key is “Eat just a little bit less. Don’t get too hungry or you’ll blow your diet.”

Researchers from the University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business, the University of San Diego, and James Madison University have collaborated on a study that provides evidence that people will make healthier food choices if restaurants provide nutrition information about menu items. They found that the provision of nutrition information influenced eaters’ subsequent decisions regarding menu item selection, particularly when nutrition information failed to conform to eaters’ expectations. For example, when nutrition information revealed that items perceived as low-calorie were in fact high in calories, eaters were less likely to order the same items again. However, nutrition information had no effect on eaters’ decisions to choose menu items that were perceived to be great-tasting. This is a problem, because evidence from other research suggests that most eaters are not concerned about the healthiness of restaurant foods when they dine out.

Following is the abstract of a study bt researchers at the University of Alberta, Canada, and published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology:

“The purpose of this research was to examine whether exercisers and nonexercisers are rated similarly on a variety of characteristics by a sample of randomly selected regular exercisers, nonexercisers who intend to exercise, and nonexercisers with no intention to exercise. Previous research by Martin Ginis et al. (2003) has demonstrated an exerciser stereotype that advantages exercisers. It is unknown, however, the extent to which an exerciser stereotype is shared by nonexercisers, particularly nonintenders. Following an item-generation procedure, a sample of 470 (n = 218 men; n = 252 women) people selected using random digit dialing responded to a questionnaire assessing the extent to which they agreed that exercisers and nonexercisers possessed 24 characteristics, such as “happy,” “fit,” “fat,” and “lazy.” The results strongly support a positive exerciser bias, with exercisers rated more favorably on 22 of the 24 items. The degree of bias was equivalent in all groups of respondents. Examination of the demographic characteristics revealed no differences among the three groups on age, work status, or child-care responsibilities, suggesting that there is a pervasive positive exerciser bias.”

Although the word “bias” is used here, most of the associations comprising this bias are true. For example, exercisers typically are happier than nonexercisers. The fact that even nonexercisers with no intention to exercise recognize these facts begs the question, Why would anyone have no intention to exercise? The simplest answer is that humans are genetically hardwired to have an aversion for “unnecessary” exertion that is difficult for many people to overcome.

Today, March 23, is the official launch day of Forze GPS. It’s been a long time in coming, and we’re extremely excited about this milestone. After all, Forze GPS is not just a new product. It represents a whole new product category: one we might call “appetite management foods for athletes”. This product category simply did not exist before today, but we have a feeling that Forze GPS will eventually be widely imitated (if never duplicated).

We created Forze GPS to address a real and widespread need. Optimization of body weight and body composition is critical to endurance sports performance. According to scientific surveys, a majority of endurance athletes struggle to reach and maintain their optimal racing weight. One thing that would help them is finding ways to better manage their appetite so that they could eat fewer calories without going hungry. That’s where Forze GPS comes in. Forze GPS bars and drinks contain natural ingredients that are proven to have a powerful satiating effect without a lot of calories. Thus, a single Forze GPS bar with 160 calories or a single Forze GPS drink with 50 calories reduces hunger as much as a substantially larger snack.

Like many good ideas, the concept of Forze GPS is in a way so obvious that it was overlooked for a long, long time. While Forze GPS is not technically a diet product, it could be loosely classified as one; and while not all endurance athletes are skinny, they could be loosely lumped together as skinny people. So Forze GPS could loosely be classified as the first diet product for skinny people. When you look at it that way, you can see why it was overlooked for so long!

But the fact of the matter is that endurance athletes are just as likely if not more likely than sedentay dieters to actively control their diet for the sake of getting leaner, because they know that by getting leaner they will go faster. Yet endurance athletes cannot pursue fat loss by all-too-popular means such as crash dieting, because such measures would sabotage their training. They need to reduce their caloric intake in a way that does not compromise their training performance and post-workout recovery. Forze GPS is designed specifically to help endurance athletes get leaner in this way.

We are very pleased to announce that chocolate peanut butter and cranberry nut flavor Forze GPS nutrition bars and vanilla flavor Forze GPS drinks are in production and on their way to a retailer near you. The official launch date of the product is Monday, March 23–just one week from today!

For up-to-date information on where to get Forze GPS, check back here or click the “how to get it” button on the Forze GPS homepage. Don’t wait until Forze GPS is the next big trend in endurance sports nutrition before you try it! Get it now and take credit later for helping to start the trend. You won’t regret it. All of the sponsored athletes and other lucky insiders who have tried the product report that the taste is fantastic. And more importantly, they all agree that Forze GPS works. Check out these sample testimonials:

I love the flavor, texture, and consistency of Forze. It is more substantial than other drinks and makes me feel satisfied. It really tides over my hunger between meals and keeps me from snacking on things I try to avoid. The packaging is so convenient that I can take it anywhere. I always have Forze in my car, so I’m never tempted to resort to a fast-food drive-thru!

Leanda Cave
Australian National Triathlon Champion

I wish Forze had been around when I was racing. It’s a very effective tool that quells appetite and makes it easier to maintain an optimal power-to-weight ratio for racing performance. I am very in tune with my body, and I know how the things I eat and drink affect me. And I know Forze works. Plus it tastes fantastic!

Dave Scott
Six-time Hawaii Ironman World Champion

Getting down to and maintaining a race weight that is optimal for performance is not always easy. Despite long and hard training hours I have to be mindful of what and how much I am eating and this can lead to periods of hunger which are not always pleasant! Forze really helps me by taking off that edge. With it I feel more satisfied on less quantity, and because Forze actually tastes good I don’t feel deprived of anything else I might be craving. I consider Forze an essential training tool that I use in my preparation towards fast racing.

Pip Taylor
3rd Place, Wildflower Triathlon 2008

One of my goals is to be efficient in every aspect of my sport, including nutrition. Forze helps me fuel my body more efficiently by satisfying my appetite with fewer calories. I am very selective about what I put in my body, and Forze passes every test, for taste, healthiness and effectiveness.

Laura Bennett
U.S. Olympic Triathlete

With Forze I now have a product that allows me to have a tasty snack between meals that gives me the satisfaction I am after and doesn’t trouble my stomach during training. It’s amazing how such a light product can keep my hunger at bay for hours.

Greg Bennett
2008 Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series Champion

Forze bars are by far the best-tasting nutritional bars I have ever tasted. I am amazed that a product this effect can taste so good!

Brooke Davison
Elite Age-Group Triathlete and Mom