Have a happy New Year, everyone! Have fun and be safe.
Is health and fitness in your list of New Year's resolutions? Understanding what foods you'd be better off without is crucial to staying fit and healthy. After all, your results are mostly attributed to diet! Get over the temptations of junk food and its marketing by understanding how the business works. Business Insider shares the top industry-changing innovations by fast food chains in 2013.
Have you eaten any of these this year? Will you be eating any of them next year? It's up to you!
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Monday, December 30, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Low Calorie Alcohol
Going for drinks this weekend? Keep it fitness friendly by knowing what you're ingesting. Get Drunk Not Fat knows how to drink when keeping up a diet.
"Pure alcohol is very high in calories. For instance Everclear has 226 calories per 1.5 oz and is 190 proof (95%) alcohol, the rest basically is water. Technically Everclear is the lowest calorie alcohol if you compare it to the alcohol percentage. Calories vary from drink to drink but they key to getting the most bang for your buck is picking drinks with the best Calorie from Alcohol ratio. Here are some examples..."
- Get Drunk Not Fat
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Friday, October 18, 2013
Friday, October 4, 2013
Exercise for Better School Performance
Want your child to boost their grades? Make sure they're living an active enough lifestyle! Having a strong, healthy body supports a strong, healthy mind.
NYTimes discusses how physical fitness boosts school performance.
NYTimes discusses how physical fitness boosts school performance.
"Children who are physically fit absorb and retain new information more effectively than children who are out of shape, a new study finds, raising timely questions about the wisdom of slashing physical education programs at schools."http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/18/how-physical-fitness-may-promote-school-success/?_r=0
Friday, September 20, 2013
Exercise Hard to Eat Less
Have a strong appetite? Getting a good workout can help regulate hunger and cravings.
"Strenuous exercise seems to dull the urge to eat afterward better than gentler workouts, several new studies show, adding to a growing body of science suggesting that intense exercise may have unique benefits."Read more: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/11/how-exercise-can-help-us-eat-less/
Friday, June 14, 2013
Dance to Fitness with Zumba
Ashlee Tomsche danced away 123 pounds with Zumba Fitness. Sound like a fun way to get fit? Our zumba instructors can get you started!
Read Ashlee's story on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/05/health/zumba-weight-loss-irpt
Read Ashlee's story on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/05/health/zumba-weight-loss-irpt
Labels:
ashlee tomsche,
cnn,
dancing,
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fun,
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zumba
Friday, April 5, 2013
Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training
When it comes to fitness, quality over quantity holds especially true!
High-intensity interval training has so many benefits you should know about, and that's why Forbes wrote about it for us.
Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidtao/2013/04/05/how-short-and-intense-workouts-changed-fitness-for-everyone/
High-intensity interval training has so many benefits you should know about, and that's why Forbes wrote about it for us.
"Fitness is tough. So when someone claims they’ve found a “scientifically proven” shortcut to bigger biceps, better endurance, and a sexier core, we’re usually right to be skeptical. Conventional workout wisdom says that if you want to dominate a marathon, you better get ready to run far and often.But methods bucking this conventional take are gaining serious mainstream traction — with the scientific evidence to support some counter-intuitive conclusions. Long, slow runs are pretty good at building endurance for long, slow runs. It’s becoming increasingly clear, though, that shorter, more intense bouts boost both short term and long-term exercise capacity, resulting in more efficient workouts that take a fraction of the time..."
Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidtao/2013/04/05/how-short-and-intense-workouts-changed-fitness-for-everyone/
Friday, March 1, 2013
Why is Junk Food Addictive?
What is it about junk food that makes it so addictive? The New York Times delves into its extraordinary science.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html?_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html?_r=0
Labels:
addiction,
addictive,
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element fitness,
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junk food,
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the new york times,
unhealthy,
weight,
why
Friday, February 22, 2013
8 Cardio Myths
Many people swear by cardio for weight loss, but thinking that cardio is truly the most efficient way to burn fat is a mistake! Don't make that mistake. Make sure you're making the most of your time and effort by learning the facts about cardio and weight loss on SHAPE Magazine!
http://www.shape.com/ fitness/workouts/ 8-cardio-myths-are-making-y ou-fat
http://www.shape.com/
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element fitness,
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fitness,
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running,
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Friday, February 8, 2013
6 Things Trainers Need You to Know
Element Fitness's mission as an organization of personal trainers is to guide and assist you in achieving your fitness goals! In order to do that, there are a few things they absolutely need to know in order to gauge your progress and decide how to alter their training routines. I stumbled across an article recently that highlighted a few key concerns that most trainers struggle with, and thought they would be great things to know! Here they are, brought to us by SparkPeople:
Read the original article here: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1639
"Withholding Health InformationAre you on any medications? Did your recent bone scan reveal thinning bones? Did you injure your knee or have back surgery five years ago? Even if your health care provider has cleared you to exercise, your trainer needs to know these important health facts to keep you safe. Medications can affect your heart rate; doing certain moves when you have osteoporosis can make your condition worse; and prior injuries or surgeries can also affect your workout prescription. Even if your trainer hasn't asked, it's up to you to fess up and tell-all when it comes to your health. Don't worry: Like health care providers, trainers must abide by codes of conduct and keep your health status confidential.
ComplainingNo one likes a complainer and, if you're a personal trainer, you really dislike complainers. You see, to a personal trainer, complaining doesn't make sense. If you're paying someone to work you out and push you, then you have to expect to be worked out pretty hard. And why would you want to complain and impede your progress? In fact, complaining takes up precious time that a trainer can use for explaining proper form for an exercise or for general dietary advice. You wouldn't want to miss that important information, would you?
Making ExcusesMany people are busy and have trouble fitting in exercise. But once you commit to working out with a trainer, refrain from making excuses for missing a workout or overeating. Be honest as to why you missed a workout or what drove you to overeat. If a trainer doesn't know the full scope of your situation, then how can he or she help you? And, for most of us, let's be honest—excuses are what has kept us from reaching our full potential. It's really in your best interest to fess up as to why you did or didn't do something. It's all part of the learning process.
LyingThis point is closely related to "making excuses" except instead of saying that your dog ate your workout plan, you fib that you skipped a third glass of wine after dinner or you really did squeeze in that circuit workout—when you didn't. Personal trainers get it. No one wants to look bad or let down their trainer, but it's essential to tell the truth.
A good trainer is constantly modifying your workout plan to fit you. And if you're not telling the truth about your workout or eating plan, then a trainer isn't going to be able to adapt your fitness plan accordingly. And at the end of the day, you're paying a trainer to help you reach your goals, so by lying, you're the one you have to face at the end of the day.
Talking Too Much (Or Not Enough)A trainer can only design your workout based on the information you give them. If you're as closed as a clam in chilly waters, then it's darn near impossible for a trainer to help you set goals that really matter to you. On the flip side, if you're a total chatty Cathy or gossipy Glen, then you really need to make sure that your conversations with your personal trainer stay on track and are about fitness, your goals and your health. A session with a personal trainer doesn't come cheap, and you need to make sure your time is being spent discussing your weight loss—not the neighbors down the street.
And, for the record, trainers can get frustrated when they have to keep redirecting you to the task at hand (read: working out).
Not Following Your PlanPersonal trainers create a workout plan for you for a reason. It may seem random, but they have a method to their cardio and strength routines. Trainers are not expecting you to do more than your plan calls for—or less. If you work out more than called for or eat less, it can really mess with your results. And, if you do too little, then you can't expect full results. Simply put, if you believed in a trainer enough to purchase their services, then believe in them enough to follow their advice!
Wearing Overly Baggy ClothesThis may seem like an odd point to make, but it's an important one. To properly correct form when lifting weights, a personal trainer must see the angles of your body. In a lunge, they need to make sure that your knee isn't going over your toes, and, if you're doing a triceps extension, they need to know that your chin is level. However, if you have on big, baggy sweatpants or a hooded sweatshirt, then they won't be able to tell if your form is as it should be. I know that you want to be comfortable at the gym, but for your safety, a personal trainer really appreciates when you have clothes that show your full form. Spandex isn't necessary, but a big oversize T-shirt isn't helping you—or your trainer!"
Read the original article here: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1639
Friday, December 7, 2012
8 "Healthy" Mistakes
Remember, moderation is key! Just because it's healthy doesn't mean it's alright to overdo it.
Prevention Magazine shares 8 "healthy" mistakes might just be holding back your progress.
1. You went gluten-free "just because"
2. You swore off sweets
3. You cut out carbs to speed up weight loss
4. You seriously upped your fiber intake
5. You eat micro-portions all day long
6. You nosh before and after workouts
7. You still eat low-fat foods
8. You always go for the salad
Read more: http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/8-reasons-youre-not-losing-weight/1-you-went-gluten-free--just-because#ixzz2EOoB6FSy
Prevention Magazine shares 8 "healthy" mistakes might just be holding back your progress.
Read more: http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/8-reasons-youre-not-losing-weight/1-you-went-gluten-free--just-because#ixzz2EOoB6FSy
Labels:
diet,
fitness,
health,
mistakes,
prevention magazine
Friday, November 16, 2012
Live 5 Years Longer
A little bit of exercise goes a long way. Here's an amazing fact to prove the point: Only 10 minutes of physical activity each day can add 5 years to your lifespan.
Read more on Prevention: http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/how-10-minutes-exercise-makes-you-live-longer?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-Prevention-_-pvnnews-blog-_-live5yearslonger
"No need to sign yourself up for a marathon in your quest to live longer (but if you want to, great! Here’s how.). All it takes is a few minutes of leisurely exercise every day, finds new research from the National Institutes of Health.The National Cancer Institute—a branch of the NIH—tracked the exercise habits and health outcomes of roughly 650,000 adults, most of whom were over the age of 40. Here’s what the researchers figured out: Those who completed 2.5 hours of moderate exercise every week—or half that amount of vigorous exercise—upped their life expectancy by up to 4.5 years. "
Friday, November 9, 2012
The Fittest President
Who was the fittest man to be the president of the United States? This fantastic infographic on Greatist illustrates it for us! For better resolution, go to their website:
http://greatist.com/fitness/presidential-election-infographic/
http://greatist.com/fitness/presidential-election-infographic/
Labels:
election,
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fittest president,
greatist,
president,
united states,
usa
Friday, October 5, 2012
Strong Body for a Long Life
A strong body has an easier time recovering illnesses and injuries. Keep your body fit and properly fueled to stay resistant against harm! Dr Oz. has 10 tips for you on Shape.com.
Read them here: http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/dr-ozs-top-10-health-and-fitness-tips-all-time
Read them here: http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/dr-ozs-top-10-health-and-fitness-tips-all-time
"Illness or injury may often be the instigator, but frailty is what kills us, says Dr. Mehmet Oz, cardiothoracic surgeon, author, and host of The Dr. Oz Show. Our bodies can't recover as well if we're not strong, which is why he recommends a balanced workout plan that includes strength, cardio, and flexibility training...."
Friday, August 24, 2012
8 Signs You're Overtraining
If there's a goal you're driven to achieve you might do whatever it takes to get it. When it comes to fitness, that motivation just might lead you to push your body a little too far. While frequently training to exhaustion might make you feel accomplished, the effects of overtraining will actually be working against your goals. Take care of yourself and listen to your body's warning signs.
Mark's Daily Apple has a list of 8 symptoms of overtraining that you should be taking seriously. It's important to leave your body enough energy to protect and maintain itself.
Read the rest here: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/overtraining/#ixzz24UcLu0qZ
Remember, your health and well-being should always come first. That's what fitness is all about, after all. Happy training!
Mark's Daily Apple has a list of 8 symptoms of overtraining that you should be taking seriously. It's important to leave your body enough energy to protect and maintain itself.
"When you spend some time among the ever-growing circle of evolutionary-based health writers, thinkers, bloggers, and doctors, you notice a curious thing happening. Conventional Wisdom is becoming turned on its head. Saturated fat is generally healthy and excessive endurance training is generally unhealthy become the presiding narratives. Grains are either unnecessary or have the tendency to attack the gut lining, even guts with “clinically undetectable levels of sensitivity.” You don’t need six square meals a day to keep your metabolism up and running, after all; one or two a day will do just fine.Less is more – as far as exercise goes – is becoming another accepted truth, especially when you understand that 80% of your body composition is determined by how you eat..."
Read the rest here: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/overtraining/#ixzz24UcLu0qZ
Remember, your health and well-being should always come first. That's what fitness is all about, after all. Happy training!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Eat This Before You Run
Do you know what snacks are the best to eat before you go for a run? FitSugar has a chart of the foods you should and shouldn't consider as well as when to eat it!
Read more here: http://www.fitsugar.com/What-Eat-Before-Run-24108225
Read more here: http://www.fitsugar.com/What-Eat-Before-Run-24108225
| Time | Food Ideas | Foods to Avoid |
| 2 hours before | 300- to 400-calorie meal containing carbs, protein, and healthy fats:
| Tons of fibrous veggies:
High-fat foods that are hard to digest:
|
Keep reading to find out what to eat (and what to avoid) an hour or 15 minutes before a run.
| Time | Food Ideas | Foods to Avoid |
| 1 hour before | 150-calorie snack containing easily digestible carbs and a little protein:
| Gas-producing fruits:
|
| 15 to 30 minutes before | Small serving of easily digestible carbs:
| Large serving of protein and carbs, and high-saturated fat and high-fiber foods:
|
Friday, July 20, 2012
Mixing Weight Training and Aerobics
Do weight training and aerobics interfere with one another? Many athletes dodge this questions by doing each exercise on separate days. Is the phenomenon of “muscle interference” or “exercise antagonism” actually true? A study shows that there is no interference and that mixed training can actually bring extra benefits to your workout. See it on The New York Times.
Read more about the study here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/mixing-weight-training-and-aerobics/?ref=nutrition
"Is it wise to practice weight training and aerobic exercise on the same day?That issue is surprisingly contentious in the sports world. Many competitive athletes, their coaches and athletic trainers have come to believe that aerobic exercise, if practiced in close proximity to strength training, reduces the ability of muscles to strengthen and grow. Conversely, many contend that weight training performed on the same day as aerobic exercise blunts the endurance training response.This phenomenon, known variously as “muscle interference” or “exercise antagonism,” is a frequent topic on fitness-related chat boards. But to date, most of the discussions have been based on anecdotal evidence or simple conjecture. There has been little science supporting or challenging the existence of interference.
So, independently, groups of researchers at McMaster University in Ontario and the Karolinska Institute and other institutions in Sweden recently recruited volunteers to test the idea that you get more physiological benefit from performing only one type of exercise on any given day..."
Read more about the study here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/mixing-weight-training-and-aerobics/?ref=nutrition
Friday, July 13, 2012
Benefits of Running Barefoot
Do you prefer to run barefoot or with sneakers on? If you're considering running barefoot or already do, here are a few reasons to want to start. Zest Magazine lists a few benefits to running barefoot here: http://www.zest.co.uk/running/5-benefits-of-barefoot-running/2646.html
1) Barefoot running gives you increased running efficiencyResearch suggests that running barefoot increases efficiency by 4%. This is likely to be due to the fact the foot can function more effectively without the restriction of supportive footwear.
2) Less chance of injuryRunning in a barefoot shoe like Vibram FiveFingers® means you have a greater awareness of your foot position on the ground and increased leverage making you less likely to suffer an ankle sprain.
When running barefoot on hard surfaces, you automatically compensate for the lack of cushioning underfoot by plantar-flexing your foot at contact, thus giving a softer landing. This helps to prevent shin splints.
3) Running barefoot strengthens foot musclesWhen you support a broken limb with a plaster, the muscles weaken. Likewise, when you support the foot within a conventional running shoe, it results in a weakening of soome muscles. Weak muscles can mean greater injury risk, greater dependency on shoes, and impaired performance.
4) It decreases your risk of bunionsBecause the traditional shape of feet does not match the shape of our shoes, the big toe is often pushed towards the middle of the foot and the same is true of the little toe. This, along with the heel of the shoe pushing the big toe even further, results in a deviation of the big toe which can lead to bunions.
5) Barefoot running maximises biomechanical performanceCounter to popular belief that the arches are there to absorb shock, they are in fact designed to store energy and return that energy to the gait cycle on the next step. Wearing shoes that 'support' the arch, prevent the arches from performing their function. Being barefoot ensures that the arches are working as they are designed to.
Labels:
barefoot,
efficiency,
fitness,
heath,
injury,
muscles,
running,
strength,
zest magazine
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Reason Why Dieting Hurts
Do you ever wonder why dieting is just so hard to keep up with? A little hormone called leptin is the culprit. It plays a key role in energy expenditure and intake, meaning it's behind your feelings of hunger and hinders with your ability to lose weight. Your body automatically responds to your attempts to eat less and lose weight with the perfect counter of making you crave the amount of food you used to eat and slowing down your metabolism to in an attempt to maintain your original weight. It works against all of your efforts with this vicious cycle, but it doesn't have to work this way. There are ways around it!
In fact, cheating on your diet every once in a while is a great way to get your metabolism revving and to keep leptin levels normal, making it possible to continue losing weight while not completely depriving yourself of the high-energy foods that you love! Carbs are actually your best friend for this. You can read about why this is on Laurens Fitness.
"OK, so I mentioned above that leptin levels drop dramatically when you diet, causing all sorts of problems that you don’t want. Basically making it near impossible for you to lose the pounds. The good news is, this is reversed really really quickly. It takes less than a day for leptin to get back to normal levels. With a fair increase in calories, your body will increase your leptin levels, thus your metabolism will go up and appetite will be suppressed. Great I hear you say, but then I am eating more calories and will just reverse all the good work I already did. Well, not if you are strategic about it.If you cheat on your diet once a week (when we know that leptin can be at its lowest after dieting), you give your leptin and your metabolism a boost, setting and priming your body up for fat loss once you resume your diet. You can eat what you want for a day, try not to binge…it’s just not a good habit. Up your energy intake that day, get your metabolism firing. When you go back to dieting, you will be in a much better state than if you had simply let your leptin levels and metabolism hit rock bottom. It’s almost impossible to lose weight at this stage.The best thing to eat is stuff that is full of carbs. There is a relationship between leptin, carbs and insulin. There has been research suggesting that upping your energy intake alone won’t really help. If you stuff yourself full of protein and fats, it won’t raise your metabolism and up your leptin levels as effectively as carbs will. So on you cheat day, concentrate on carbs."
Labels:
body weight,
carbohydrates,
diet,
element fitness,
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leptin,
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