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When exercising regularly, you must pay special attention to the hydration needs of your body. Depending on the length and frequency of your workouts, your body will require specific fluids to effectively hydrate your cells and internal organs. However, not all fluids are capable of replenishing your body properly. Some fluids successfully meet your body’s hydration needs, while others actually hinder it, resulting in dehydration.
Considered the best fluid replenisher by the American Council on Exercise, water keeps your body’s temperature normal, cushions your joints, protects your spinal cord and rids your body of wastes. Your body can lose more than a quart of water for every hour of exercise performed. If your body is not properly hydrated and cooling itself off, not only are you in danger of dehydration, but you also put yourself at risk for joint injuries. Physical activity requires more than the daily recommended amounts of 91 oz. for women and 125 oz. for men. Focus on drinking water before, during and after you exercise to ensure your body is sufficiently hydrated.
When your workouts exceed 45 to 60 minutes, or you find yourself sweating substantially, your fluids should contain electrolytes to replace those lost during exercise. It’s imperative that you drink before you start to feel thirsty, as thirst is a sign of dehydration. Choose drinks containing sodium and potassium. Sports drinks and coconut water are acceptable options.
The more vigorous the workout, the more you should drink. A general rule of thumb is to drink 17 to 28 oz. within a three-hour period before the workout, 7 to 10 oz. every 10 to 20 minutes during exercise and 8 oz. or more upon completion of the workout.
Avoid fluids that pull water from the body and promote dehydration. Beverages containing alcohol and caffeine are not recommended as quality options for proper hydration. Also avoid fluids with high sugar content, such as fruit juices and soda. Beverages high in sugar typically contain more calories than other beverages and can negate the benefits of regular exercise.
When it comes to training your abdominal muscles, it’s good to introduce new moves into your routine so you continue to “surprise” your muscles. Otherwise there’s a tendency for them to go on autopilot and you won’t get the maximum benefit of your efforts.
Sit upright on a flat, padded surface or mat with a small inflatable ball or firm pillow behind your waist. Place your feet hip-width apart with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. To begin, place your left hand behind your head and your right hand behind your right thigh. On an exhalation, push your lower back against the ball and raise your right leg. Pause with your shin parallel to the ceiling.
Inhale as you roll back and extend your right leg. Remember to keep your abs contracted by pressing firmly against the ball or pillow. At first, just roll back halfway, and you don’t need to fully straighten your leg. Pause for 2 seconds, then exhale and roll back up to the start position. As you get stronger, place both hands behind your head and roll back a little more. Do 12 to 16 repetitions, then switch sides and repeat.
delicous!
Is it possible to eat beef on a regular basis and not get beefy in the process? Absolutely, says an article that appeared in a supplement to the October 2005 issue of Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter. The trick is to select the right cut of beef and to exercise portion control.
Here’s a look at 10 of the leanest cuts, which, according to the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, contain on average only 1 more gram (g) of saturated fat than a skinless chicken breast per 3-ounce serving:
1. eye round (1.4 g saturated fat, 4 g total fat)
2. top round steak (1.6 g saturated fat, 4.6 g total fat)
3. chuck mock tender steak (1.6 g saturated fat, 4.7 g total fat)
4. bottom round (1.7 g saturated fat, 4.9 g total fat)
5. top sirloin (1.9 g saturated fat, 4.9 g total fat)
6. round tip (1.8 g saturated fat, 5.0 g total fat)
7. 95% lean ground beef (2.4 g saturated fat, 5.0 g total fat)
8. brisket (flat half) (1.9 g saturated fat, 5.1 g total fat)
9. shank crosscuts (1.9 g saturated fat, 5.4 g total fat)
10. chuck shoulder roast (1.8 g saturated fat, 5.7 g total fat)
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original article from IDEA Fitness
image courtesy from bannerhealth.com
For people at risk for hypertension, reducing fat intake may be key to protecting the heart. According to a study published in the American Heart Association’s journal Hypertension, a low-fat diet is more effective than a low-carbohydrate diet in reducing the risk of developing hypertension, a precursor to cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis.
When the two types of diets were compared in apparently healthy participants, the low-fat diet was the winner at improving blood pressure markers, such as blood flow in the arteries. This led the researchers to conclude that low-fat diets “may confer greater cardiovascular protection” than low-carb diets.
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source: IDEA Fitness
Hot Salsa!
Did you know that salsa has surpassed ketchup as America’s favorite condiment? Salsa can spice up all kinds of bland meals. Stir in a jar of your favorite salsa to add some zing to a pot of kidney, white, pinto, red or black beans; then top with a dollop of sour cream for a unique, high-fiber side dish.
People who struggle with their weight are often prone to “emotional eating”, consuming food as a response to mental triggers rather than physical hunger. Often, dieters fail to lose weight not because their diet plan itself is flawed, but because they are knocked off course by feeling stressed, tired, upset or bored.
The last of these is an especially common cue for many people to eat. For some, it’s a habit learned in childhood (“I’m bored, mum!” – “Run down to the shop and buy yourself a candy bar, then.”) For others, it’s a reaction to the dull parts of adult life: munching on biscuits while rocking the baby to sleep, or getting yet another handful of chocolates because the afternoon is really dragging at work.
When you find yourself thinking, “I’m bored, maybe I’ll have a cookie,” then get straight out of that mindset:
Keep a food diary for a couple of weeks, and write down not only what you ate and when, but why you ate. (Hunger, because friends were eating, because it was lunch-time, boredom, stress..?)
When are you most likely to eat from boredom? Maybe it’s when you have to hang around at home, waiting for a delivery. Or perhaps it’s when you get in from work and you’re waiting for your partner to come home. Once you’ve figured out the pattern, work out how to change it!
What are your tips for avoiding boredom-induced snacking?
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Article courtesy of: diet-blog
Image courtesy from: Tony Jalicea
Wow, this is great!
Fuel Up!
This one simple step alone will not only lengthen your workout, but it will also increase your performance, which is the key when training and exercising. That step? Fill ‘er up! If you don’t eat before exercise, you will likely feel light-headed, fatigue and nausea. Your body is then forced to turn to muscle protein for fuel because it doesn’t have enough carbohydrates to perform.
By starting your workout well-fueled, your body will burn a combination of the carbohydrates and stored fat. So fill ‘er up…and here are the food and beverage tips from your coach Max: Eat 1 hour before a workout or event. Choose a high carbohydrate, low fat, moderate protein meal or snack. And don’t forget to hydrate. Drink at least 10 ounces of water to help offset perspiration loss during your workout.
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