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Tag Archives: smoothie
Don’t Give Up Now!
So we are now almost half way through February. Winter is almost all over and we’re thinking about spring and the warmer weather. Many of you are thinking about going south in March. Those of you heading south are probably doing well with the healthy eating and exercise. I’m not saying you’re necessarily enjoying it, but the thought of being in a bathing suit is enough to keep you from any sugary snack. However most of you are hitting that plateau and considering giving up!
For god sakes don’t give up!! This is when it all counts. You’ve been doing so well for almost two months. Your digestive system is thrilled and your body on the inside is thanking you. If you have made good lifestyle changes, then you have had some weight loss. More importantly, that loss has come from your body fat. I’m sure you have worked some exercise into the schedule and for that you have been rewarded with some new lean muscle and a more effective metabolism. This has added a few years to your life and started to lower many of those levels your doctor told you to work on (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose etc). Your resting heart rate is now a bit lower and things are working a bit easier on the inside of that machine! All is looking amazing!
Then out of nowhere comes that damn devil on your other shoulder that starts to ask why the hell are you doing all of this? Come on you want that bag of chips, grab that can of soda! Don’t listen to that angel looking dude on your other shoulder, what does he know? Well that dude knows how your body really works! He/she knows that all of that crap that you want to eat does two things. First, it starts to break down that amazing machine that is designed to work efficiently for over 100 years and it makes a bunch of people rich!! Who, you ask? All the people in upper management at the companies that manufacture all of that crap! They don’t eat what they make because they want to live longer to enjoy the money you’re giving them!!!
Since we are on the subject of money let’s talk about that gym membership. You joined up in January and this time you said you will keep going. No matter what, you will make time in the day to get to that damn place. You will walk in the doors where there are many just like you and also regulars that can’t wait until February when most of you give up and it stops being busy!! That’s right ,many people that start in January will be done before March. Do you know how much money this makes fitness centres? Part of their budget is based on how many people will join only to give up and keep paying. They decide that they don’t need a bigger gym as 1,000’s will join and only 100’s will come regularly. What a great money maker! Each and every year they can bank on this happening, and I mean BANK on it. What if people stuck with it? What if the majority said I am not going to give up! My body is worth the work and the energy. I feel so much better after working out then sitting on my ass after work and watching Dr Oz tell me to do this.
I’ll tell you what would happen if people stuck with it. The obesity rate would drop! Childhood obesity would drop because we now teach our kids how to eat and be active. Taxes would go down because all the money going to the budget to cover medical expenses for preventative diseases would plummet. Grocery stores would carry more real food and less processed. More people eating healthy creates a demand for more farmers. This will create jobs and lower the price of healthy foods. I think you get the idea! I love how this sounds. People living longer, and enjoying their age not giving into it. Who says you can’t look 30 at 50!! You’re only as old as you feel.
FOR GOD SAKES, THIS YEAR, DON’T GIVE UP!
Drink more water.
Look next to you, do you have a glass of water close by? If not you should.
A few months ago I was talking to a few friends about drinking water and a good friend of mine said she was trying to drink more water, as drinking water is not something she enjoys. She told me she used to drink 1 large coffee in the morning and often would not drink anything else until her coffee the following morning. The idea of this is crazy to me as I drink lots of water; I actually crave water when I don’t have it around me.
I’ve never loved juice or soda and I’ve never been someone to drink much milk. Glenn and I drink 1 coffee in the mornings and the rest of the day it’s water, unless it’s the occasional fountain pop at the movie theatre or when travelling. We never drink pop or juice, In fact we rarely have any of it in the house.
If I feel like a fruity drink, I much rather throw a few pieces of fruit in the blender and make a smoothie like drink, this way I get way more nutrients and much less sugar then the store bought juices. There are 3 things that stand out in my mind when I think of my love for water.
1. When I was 12 years old I heard on the television that dark pop attacks our nervous system and white pop is a better choice….yes they actually used the word “attack” and I remember thinking “I’m never drinking pop again”. Funny how things stay with you when you are young. Till this day if I do choose to drink pop (which is rare) I choose clear soda.
2. My High School volley ball coach used to tell us that water cures all. Of course I know that water does not cure all, but I still hear his voice in my head saying “drink water”, after I complain about and ache or pain.
3. My grade 9 Biology teacher told us that he drinks a large glass of water after he showers because by showering he cleans the outside of his body and by drinking water he cleans the inside. Since that day I always drink a large glass of water after I shower.
Every day we lose water through breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. For our body’s to function properly, we must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water. There is some disagreement over how much water is necessary but a good rule of thumb is to drink eight to twelve 8-ounce glasses per day. If you are active and exercise a lot, you may need more due to fluid loss through sweating.
What helps me drink allot of water is my water cooler at home. I love my water cooler; I always have cold water ready to go. Glenn and I have water bottles that we keep with us and re-fill them when they are empty, by always having water next to us we are more likely to drink it, it’s become habit for me to have my water bottle at my work desk and always go fill it up when it gets empty, by getting up to go re-fill my bottle is also helps me stretch my legs. I always keep my water bottle next to the couch as I watch TV at night and I get up to refill when it’s empty. By having water next to me from dinner time to about 9pm I can easily drink up to 1L. By stopping at 9pm I have an hour or so before bedtime so im not up all night using the washroom.
Whether you’re a healthy living advocate,
or a couch potato, you need water. If you don’t like plain water, try adding a few drops of fresh lemon, lime juice or fresh cranberries to make it taste better. The problem may also be the kind of water you’re drinking. If you don’t drink tap water because it tastes bad, try bottled water. If you don’t like the taste of your bottled water, try another brand., you’ll be surprised how different bottled water can taste.
Now that you have a few tips to help you drink more water here are a few reasons why you should, the first one is my favorite.
Look younger – drinking water hydrates your skin – When the skin is properly hydrated, it looks plump and more radiant
Drinking water can reduce hunger – Experts say that hunger pangs are often misinterpreted cravings for water
Combat ailments by drinking more water – In many cases, fatigue, headaches and back pain may be caused by dehydration. If you suffer from an afternoon nod off, try drinking more water at lunch. If you or your children complain of frequent headaches, the amount of water you’re drinking could be responsible. And, muscle spasms are also caused by not being adequately hydrated.
Regulates body temperature – On a hot day or after a good workout drink a big glass of water it will help you cool off faster.
You can find water bottles of all shapes and sizes, some fashionable one’s, funky looking one’s and some that clip onto your bag. There is no excuse not to carry a water bottle around with you, and make sure when you fill up that bottle with water, you drink it.
Our bodies are 60-75% water, not 60-75% soda.
Does that stuff really work?
So the other day my cousin texted me that he was in a store that had creatine on sale for 50% off the regular price. It was a big box store and not a specialty supplement store so the 50% off was real and not just a sales gimmick. It had been a while since I had put creatine into my training plan and figured that this would be a good time to put it back in the mix as well as build a new program to test the results!
However this post is not about me or my training. Something happened at the store when I went by to purchase the creatine that made me think it was time to talk about supplements again. Specifically, young people taking supplements for a desired result.
I was going through the cash with the creatine and there was a young dude working the register. I would guess he was about 17 years old, 5’ 8” and pretty thin. He reminded me a lot of myself at that age. He picked up the container to ring it through, and as he did he read the label to see what it was. Then he looked at me and asked “Does this stuff really work?” I gave him the same answer that I gave my son when he started getting interested in training and supplementing.
Yes it works however you have to look at it for what is! It is a supplement that when used properly can increase your muscular output. But there are two things that have to be in place for this to work and for you to get positive results! Number one is your nutrition! You have to eat a clean diet with a good balance of proteins, carbs and fats (I would always lean more on the protein side when weight training). You also have to make sure that you are getting enough calories to fuel your workouts and to let your body grow. The second is work ethic! You have to train hard in order to get the results that you want and for the food and supplements to be a benefit. Gaining muscle is not easy; it takes a lot of dedication and consistency in the gym and in the kitchen. If it was as easy as the magazines and books lead you to believe we would have way more fit bodies and less obesity!
Every time that I am asked about over the counter muscle building supplements I make one thing very clear! You do not get to look like the guy or girl in the supplement ad by just taking the supplement! These models work amazingly hard to get the bodies that they have. They have dedicated their lives to always taking their body’s to new limits, to always push to get better. It is their determination and commitment that is the key! That is when supplements work to their true potential, when you are working to yours!
Before I end I will let you know how I am using creatine in my program. I am taking 3 grams in water or Gatorade about 1 hour before I train. Basically this will allow my muscles to fill with creatine and also I will have creatine in my blood stream. So when I get to the gym and start lifting and my muscles start to deplete their creatine stores they will draw on the creatine in my blood stream. Then after my workout I have a shake with another 3 grams of creatine mixed in with my protein powder and water. This replenishes the much needed nutrients that my muscles need to recover and grow. There are many thoughts on taking creatine, I like the science behind this method and will let you know how it works when I am done this program.
The key to success in any part of your life is your work ethic and your determination. No matter what your dreams are, they are all possible if you want them bad enough. Find what you are passionate about and go after it. Dream big, believe and do!
