Yoga, according to WebMD or the Mayo Clinic … yes, the Mayo Clinic, is a form of exercise (aka “discipline”) involving various poses, postures, breathing and meditation techniques that results in a number of health benefits. They can range from:
Are you a sports drink junky? You know, consuming such drinks like All Sport, Propel, Powerade, and of course, Gatorade before and after a workout. All those fit athletes drink them, so why not for the ordinary, weekend warrior sweating it out on a rigorous hike, right? Well for one thing, most, if not all sports drinks contain a significant amount of sugar, and for those endurance athletes, it’s a welcome form of nourishment since they train intensely for hours. But again, for the ordinary folks, sports drinks may not be the drink of choice … that is, for weekend warriors, and even perhaps for kiddies and mommies!
Read More...
Last week I discussed about the recently passed ObamaCare on a post titled “What Are The Pros And Cons Of ObamaCare?“, presenting an economist’s and a medical doctor’s point of view on it. The economist presented a neutral position, whereas the doctor was totally against it, expressing concern for the future of medical care as ObamaCare goes full force in 2014.
Read More...
Okay, I know those who hate to move their bodies and exercise may hope so, however, that’s really not the case. Sorry about that! As the old adage says, it’s more quality than quantity. In a recent WebMD article titled “Can Too Much Exercise Be Harmful?“, the article discusses the dangers of “high-endurance exercise, done chronically …” and that it “may come with a price.” The article went on to say that …
Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
“Exercisers who train chronically to compete in marathons, triathlons, and other long-distance events may be hurting their heart health, according to a new report.
Read More...
The way you think about exercise, or the mindset you have towards exercise plays a significant role in exercise. Moreover, if your view of exercise is positive, and that you know that it will benefit your body, then you will reap positive effects from exercise. The following articles expand on this idea.
” … The biggest shift I made was not in some new cardio exercise machine or ab crunch, but in the way I think about exercise. Today, I have a completely different mindset for working out, and it even has a new name! Now, instead of working out, I call it “Funning Out”. This change in my mindset and how I think about exercise was the first big shift in my thinking and it continues to motivate me today”. Click “I Love To Exercise” Mindset to continue reading the article.
Read More...Previously, I introduced the book Convict Conditioning in a post titled “What Is Convict Conditioning“. In a nutshell, the book outlined a training program that focuses on building strength using your own bodyweight and without the use of free weights. It is written by Paul Wade, who spent 20 years in prison and used that time to develop “supreme survival strength”. Survival was the underlying theme because he was in prison, and he had to build his strength using the only resistance available … his own bodyweight. Free weights were not allowed in the prisons he was an inmate of. Now out of prison, leaving his past life in the past, Paul Wade is sharing his knowledge of bodyweight exercise routines that will help build strength and get you into great shape.
Read More...
On a previous post titled “Wellness Tips: 8 Power Foods To The Rescue (Part 1)“, I discussed the health benefits of nuts in general, such as pistachio nuts and almonds being a good source of healthy fats, fiber, minerals and vitamins. Today I would like to focus on one nut, the pistachio, and its potential as a healthy and yummy snack to help fight belly fat.
Not only are pistachio nuts tasty, they are loaded with healthy stuff for your body. According to Mike Geary, of the Truth About Abs fame and a renowned nutrition specialist and personal trainer, “… a one-ounce serving of pistachios will give you over 30 vitamins, minerals and other super nutrients.” And thus, it is considered “one of the most nutritious of all nuts.”
Okay, it’s not some kind of antacid for your heart burn and according to Wikipedia, Peptide YY or PYY for short, is a type of protein (aka “protein hormone”) that the body releases when you eat food. It is known to enhance the process of digestion and the absorption of nutrients after a meal. So in a nutshell, Peptide YY helps you from overeating and curbs your appetite. Pretty nifty protein, right?
Mike Geary of the Truth About Abs fame, a personal trainer and certified nutrition specialist, mentioned that Peptide YY controls our appetite, and even went on record to say that it was shown to increase leptin sensitivity, which is responsible for putting your metabolism in “high gear”.
Read More...
Yesterday was our Christmas Eve rounds. First stop, my uncle and aunt. As we visited, we talked a bit, and my aunt mentioned that she was getting forgetful lately, and got it checked out by her doctor. The doctor performed a brain scan, probably an MRI scan, and told my aunt that she would inevitably get Alzheimer’s disease. My aunt sighed, and lamented, that’s why she’s getting forgetful lately. I was floored by what my aunt told me. And more so, I could not get over the callousness and the smug attitude of her doctor. This is just a diagnosis, and I don’t think my aunt has full blown Alzheimer’s. And to hear the doctor say that to my aunt is a bit irresponsible. The power of suggestion is powerful. He could have provided my aunt a little more support rather than tell her that she will eventually have Alzheimer’s.
Okay, if I said it was strength derived from functional strength training will you laugh? 
Well, it is true. Functional strength training consists of exercises that help you in your every day life. Okay, I’m not talking about lifting someone with one hand, that is, on the palm of your hand while eating a strawberry in the other hand. No, not quite that. It’s all about being able to walk the streets with no pain or trouble, bending down and picking up something you dropped, transporting grocery bags to your car, helping a friend move … etc.
