Archive for April 2010
What type of exercise do you do? Has this changed since you’ve been a personal trainer?
Nothing has changed my exercise routine more than having kids. The days of playing on three softball teams, going on 2-hour training runs, working out 6 days a week and racing twice a month have been replaced with family bike rides at the Jersey shore, leisure hikes along the Palisades and chasing a toddler around the playground.
Read MoreWatermelon Salad With Pickled Onions and Feta Cheese
Here’s a quick salad with different flavors that will explode in your mouth:
the sweetness of the watermelon is a perfect balance for the sharpness of
the pickled onions and feta cheese.
1 cup vertically sliced red onion
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon (tsp) kosher salt
11/2 tablespoons (tbs) white
balsamic vinegar
1 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Is it true that taking B vitamins can help “cure” a hangover?
answer: Our bodies definitely pay the price after drinking too much alcohol, and the sobering fact is that there is no real cure for a hangover. While B vitamins are essential for the metabolism of food and normal functioning of the nervous system, there is no good scientific evidence to suggest that popping a vitamin is an effective remedy for a hangover.
Read Moreblueberries gone wild
It isn’t always easy to find fresh blueberries when you need them without paying a princely sum. But don’t worry: frozen blueberries are actually more nourishing than fresh, so long as they are wild. Research has shown that sweet wild blueberries, which are smaller than the fresh fruit, contain the highest level of antioxidants.ask the RD
Read Morehealthy & tasty salt substitutes
Most Americans get far too much salt in their daily diet, thanks to our nation’s high consumption of processed foods. While no one wants to eat bland food, there are ways to enhance dishes without resorting
to salt. Here are some tips to cut your family’s sodium levels without
sacrificing flavor.
Herbs, dried or fresh, can accent a host of recipes. Use dried herbs for sauces, soups and chili, but remember to first crush the herbs
between your fingers to release their flavorful
aromatic oils.
water-dense foods for rehydrating
According to the September/October issue of Nutrition Today, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III reveal that individuals get approximately 19% of their total daily fluid intake from foods; other studies have estimated this number may be as high as 25%. Here’s a look at the water content of some commonly consumed foods that can help you stay properly hydrated throughout the day:
Read Morea cherry on top
Next month is the start of cherry season, which extends to August. This stone fruit, a relative of apricots, peaches and plums, comes in two species: sweet cherries and sour (also called tart or pie cherries).
Read MorePE classes in low-income areas
According to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (November 2009), physical education (PE) classes can make a real difference in the weight status of teens who live in low-income areas. The study examined physical activity opportunities linked to fitness and weight status among adolescents enrolled in 19 public schools participating in the California Endowment’s Healthy Eating, Active Communities program.
Read Moredelaying solid foods can cause allergies
It seems that more kids are being diagnosed with allergies these days, and this may be the result of how old the children were when they were introduced to solid foods, according to a recent study published in the January issue of Pediatrics.
Read Morestop gobbling your grub!
People who eat greedily and quickly should slow down if they want to keep off the pounds, says a study published in the online version of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism on October 29, 2009. Although previous research has suggested that the rate at which people eat may contribute to obesity, this study was the first to measure how appetite and hormonal
responses after meals affect weight gain.
diet is linked to depression
Looks like healthy meals make for happy lives. This adage appears to be in keeping with the findings of a study published in the November 2009 issue of The British Journal of Psychiatry.
Read Morefeed clients the information they are craving
According to the results of a recent study conducted by the American Dietetic Association (ADA), consumers are hungry for accurate nutrition information. The ADA researchers determined that while nearly 8 in 10 of the people surveyed are interested in locating reliable online sources of nutrition information, more than 60% have trouble finding what they need on the Internet.
Read MoreFast, Furious and Functional: Three Trends Shaping Today’s Fitness Landscape
So how do we keep members coming back and entice others to join? Jade Teta, ND, co-owner of Metabolic Effect in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, suggests that it’s time to change the way we exercise. “The average person doesn’t have a lot of time or money to devote to fitness,” he says. “People are looking for high-quality training, but without the cost. They also want programs that are exciting and challenge the mind and body.”
Read MoreSample Class: Dance Boogie Blend
Today, the realm of dance exercise is broader than ever. But how do you keep class fresh without spending hours on choreography (or becoming a professional choreographer)? Using two simple methods for creating choreography—both of which feed directly into how you teach—you maximize your music, serve up new routines and cut preparation time to a…
Read MoreEquipment, education and enthusiasm elevate German fitness.
Germans seem to embrace equipment wholeheartedly. According to Drums Alive® founder Carrie Ekins, MA, of Kutzenhausen, the most popular classes in Germany use training equipment. “Typical equipment that has been on the market for years is still the most popular. This includes Redondo® balls (small 22-centimeter inflatable balls), large stability balls, tubes, bands, dumbbells and barbells.
Read MoreLessons From the Blue Zones
Is there a formula for longevity? Researchers are looking for clues in the “blue zones,” locations around the globe where people live measurably longer than in the rest of the world. Dan Buettner, explorer and author of the best-selling book The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest (National Geographic 2008), believes that the blue zones have much to teach us about how to live longer, better lives.
Read MoreCardiovascular Health Goals
Lloyd-Jones, D.M., et al., on behalf of the American Heart Association Strategic Planning Task Force and Statistics Committee. 2010. Defining and setting national goals for cardiovascular health promotion and disease reduction: The American Heart Association’s Strategic Impact Goal through 2020 and beyond. Circulation, 121, 586–613.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recently issued its proactive agenda for the next decade by releasing a strategic plan for measuring, monitoring and improving the cardiovascular health of Americans.
Burning Fat: Myths and Facts
A popular myth is that there is a specific range of heart rates in which you must exercise to burn fat. Even many cardio machines display a “fat-burning zone” on their panels, encouraging people to exercise in a specific heart rate range. Have you ever wondered if you really have to exercise in a specific heart rate zone to lose fat? And what happens if you venture out of that zone? Jason R.
Read MoreStand Up for Flexibility
The last few minutes of your group fitness class is the appropriate time to gradually cool the body down and stretch for improved muscular balance, body awareness and flexibility. Take advantage of warmer core temperatures, lubricated joints and the body’s preparedness for larger ranges of motion to lead a combination of static and dynamic stretches. If you encourage participants to remain standing, you can also work on balance skills.
Read MoreThe Truth About Bioidentical Hormones
Many of your Baby Boomer female clients or class members may be taking—or thinking about taking—bioidentical hormones. Fantastic claims are often made about these supposedly “natural” hormones. Not only are they said to relieve the symptoms of menopause, but they are often purported to cure a host of diseases and even to increase longevity (Boothby & Doering 2008).
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