As we have finished up the Christmas holiday and move toward New Year’s day, I must say that I feel pretty good having not given way to sweets and treats over the Holiday season. Now, I’m not saying that brag, nor am I seeking a “good job” from those reading this. But, as I stepped on my scale today and weighed 2 pounds less than I did the week before Christmas, I thought about some of the things I have heard in-person and posts I have read online over the past couple of weeks.
Having variety in a weightlifting regimen is definitely something a lot of people neglect (or don’t do very well). Often times we hear of people hitting a plateau in their weight loss, toning, or muscle-building routine; they are putting in the effort, but not seeing the results. By changing up a routine you can get far better results compared to doing the same or similar exercises over and over. Mixing it up also makes for more interesting, less monotonous workout sessions. Let’s take a look at how we can mix up workout routines to see maximum results. Read more…
How do most people view the word “diet”? Most people have this view of a diet as something that we do temporarily. “I’m going on a diet”, for instance, is a phrase many of us use when we plan to re-shape the way we eat for a certain period of time. Another way we look at dieting is a restriction from something we are accustomed to doing. We’ll take a brief break from the amount of calories, carbs, fats, or whatever the particular diet plan we set out to follow suggests.
When it comes to fitness there is another temporary practice that is common among us today. We see this every January as people fill up health clubs after the New Year hoping that “this year will be different”. Anyone that has ever had a gym membership knows what I am talking about. January seems to be International Take Action Month in the world of fitness. Some continue to take action Read more…
We often discuss exercise concerning adults, but what about our kids? As obesity rates have risen in recent decades, adults are not the only ones affected. The Center for Disease Control estimates that the amount of children that are overweight or obese is about 25% of the kids age 2 to 18. Exercise is a key part of controling weight in children.
Exercise is more than just for improving athletic ability or obtaining a desired physique. In addition to controling weight, exercise has many benefits including the following: Read more…
Buckwheat is a pseudo-grain food that can be used in a variety of ways. It is technically not a grain because it comes from a plant and not a grass. Despite its name, buckwheat is a wheat-free product. One way I use buckwheat is as a cereal in an oatmeal-like fashion. The recipe below is one that I came up with that is delicious, a good source of protein, a good source of fiber, and vegan.
One question that I get asked often is: Is it normal to gain weight while doing P90X, Insanity, Turbo Fire, or (insert workout program here)? Weight loss is never a perfect journey and you may see some ups and downs along the way. Often what we expect is not what happens – that’s not to say that the results won’t come, it just might not be perfect. One thing to keep in mind is that a scale is not the almighty indicator of progress with fitness. Be sure to use other means of measurement such as body fat calipers, measuring tape, and before & after pictures. There are other informal ways of measuring success with a fitness program too, like loose fitting clothes and comments from friends or relatives.
What we expect and what we actually see with weight loss might be two different things. Read more…
I’m biting. The bait and hook that is “intermittent fasting” has been put in front of me and I’m officially reeled in (sort of). I am going to start a new diet that consists of fasting, and eating whole foods – eating whole foods is nothing new, the daily fasting regimen is. I have done fasts in the past, but never of the intermittent variety in day-to-day life. I have done vegan diet plans, high-protein/low-carb plans, and balanced meal plans as well. This will be something new for me.
If you are reading this and do not know what a GMO is, I will explain it in a nutshell. Biotechnology companies have come up with food crops that are genetically modified. GMO = Genetically Modified Organism. These crops are resistant to pesticides and some even produce their own pesticide. Yep, the pesticide actually grows within the vegetable. When insects feed on it, they die. When fed to rats and mice, the GMOs have caused tumors, weight gain, digestive isssues, and premature death. We do not know the exact effect that these products have on humans because they were never tested on people before introduced to the food supply in the 1990′s. This leaves many of us wondering, “What the heck happens to us as we eat this stuff?” If eating pesticides sounds like something you might want to avoid, and I know some people love their pesticides (not really), then I have some tips to help you stay away from GMOs.
Tip 1 – Avoid non-organic soy and corn products – These are the most widely distributed GMO products. Most of the corn in the United States is genetically modified, as is soy. Products that contain these ingredients may include: Read more…
Do you need to step up your fitness routine? Starting on this Friday at approximately 9 a.m. Pacific/12 p.m. Eastern Beachbody has announced that some of its most popular fitness programs will be a part of a Black Friday sale that can help people lose weight over the holidays. Remember, there are limitted quantities, so do not hesitate to save on the best fitness solutions in the industry! The sale goes on until Monday, or until supplies run out! Read more…
Normally I am posting something about health, nutrition, fitness, Beachbody, health for kids, or something related. Today I want to take a break from that and give “Thanks” to someone special; it is Thanksgiving after all. And actually, being “healthy” involves much more than just physical health. So this post is for someone that keeps my heart healthy. Read more…
