Well, I must confess, I have not watched a single episode of the TV show called "The Biggest Loser" since it has been on the air. But, based on what I have heard from different people and read about the show, the following source from "Truth-It" sums up how I feel.
“The truth behind all of this of course is that this is our government at work America. Yes, even with shows such as the Biggest Loser. Especially in shows such as this that use emotion and inspiration to lead America to action.
Emotion is a powerful tool when it comes to brainwashing one person or a body of people, and the Biggest Loser does just that. Triumph and victory over the loss of hundreds of pounds for one person IS emotional, and America falls right into it.
But at the end of the day, this emotion that you are displaying will suck you in week after week until your focus is not on actual reality, but on the scenes you watch play out season after season.
The sooner you can psychologically shift your intellect to actual reality, instead of reality television, the easier it will be to control you, your actions, and your freedoms.”
In Good Health!
Jim Cleveland, CSCS
Owner
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Joint Help
The following is for informational purposes only and is not a prescription administered by me.
Joint health is a big concern for many people and I have been hearing a lot about a particular substance through radio advertising (courtesy of Purity Products) and below are two sources of information that have a common thread…
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in the human body. People take hyaluronic acid for various joint disorders, including osteoarthritis. It can be taken by mouth or injected into the affected joint by a healthcare professional. Hyaluronic acid works by acting as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues. In addition, it might affect the way the body responds to injury. Information Source – Web MD
Hyaluronic Acid is the crucial space-filling, hydrating, cushioning substance found in our connective tissues.* This important gel-like substance, which plays an important role in supporting joint health, often diminishes in one’s body as a result of normal aging.* Information Source – Purity Products
If you have any concerns or questions about this substance please consult with your doctor.
Joint health is a big concern for many people and I have been hearing a lot about a particular substance through radio advertising (courtesy of Purity Products) and below are two sources of information that have a common thread…
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in the human body. People take hyaluronic acid for various joint disorders, including osteoarthritis. It can be taken by mouth or injected into the affected joint by a healthcare professional. Hyaluronic acid works by acting as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues. In addition, it might affect the way the body responds to injury. Information Source – Web MD
Hyaluronic Acid is the crucial space-filling, hydrating, cushioning substance found in our connective tissues.* This important gel-like substance, which plays an important role in supporting joint health, often diminishes in one’s body as a result of normal aging.* Information Source – Purity Products
If you have any concerns or questions about this substance please consult with your doctor.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Lag Time...
Is your energy level lagging? Perhaps you are training too frequently and the duration of your workouts are too long. Overtraining or overtraining syndrome is characterized by depression, fatigue, plateaus in results of any kind, and decrease in strength. Try to keep your workouts short and intense by keeping them to no more than an hour at a time!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Follow The Yellow Brick Road...
So, Dorothy turns to the Tin Man and asks, "Are you alright?” The Tin Man replies, "I'm afraid I'm a little rusty yet!" So, as it goes he needed some oil for his joints in order to travel down the yellow brick road. What are you doing for your joints?
You should establish a mental checklist and work from your shoulders to your ankles. What is the range of motion for each joint? Do you have any past or current injuries? How is it affecting your current exercise routine? What is your level of pain? Perhaps you should see your doctor if your in pain, before you agitate the joint(s) in question.
To get better joint flexibility you need to exercise. Know that stretching is not the only option. If all one does is stretch it becomes tedious and boring. This is one reason why there are so many people with stiff joints, they get bored and quit.
Understand that warming up and stretching is not one and the same. You warm up BEFORE stretches to prevent injury. Warming up means getting body temperature up with exercises like cycling, walking, jogging etc. Depending on fitness level 5-15 minutes is sufficient.
Another option is to do isometric exercise for better joint flexibility. Isometric exercise increases strength in the joint. Isometrics reach muscle fibers that are not often used. You simply contract the muscle and hold for 5-10 seconds release and repeat. Sometimes this method of exercise is called dynamic tension.
Resistance training can also be used to improve flexibility as long as you do full range of motion. In other words, make sure you get a full contraction and stretch. For added benefit you can implement isometrics at the end and hold the tension.
You might want to consider adding exercise that focuses on flexibility such as yoga or pilates. A concentrated workout of 20-30 minutes, 3-5 days a week will keep joints flexible.
Vary workouts to alleviate boredom, so that you don't quit altogether. A combination of strength, cardio and flexibility is best. Choose activity that you enjoy and recruit friends or family to join you for support and motivation.
Know that stretches are important before, during and after exercise routines. Stretch before exercise to prepare muscles and joints. Stretch between sets for more flexibility. Stretch afterward to help prevent muscle soreness and keep muscles, tendons and joints limber. It should be the last thing you do.
Finally, lose weight if you are overweight as this places undue stress on joints and can cause irreversible damage. A person of normal weight has a better chance of healthy joint flexibility than one who is overweight.
Now put down that oil can, join your friends and follow the yellow brick road!
You should establish a mental checklist and work from your shoulders to your ankles. What is the range of motion for each joint? Do you have any past or current injuries? How is it affecting your current exercise routine? What is your level of pain? Perhaps you should see your doctor if your in pain, before you agitate the joint(s) in question.
To get better joint flexibility you need to exercise. Know that stretching is not the only option. If all one does is stretch it becomes tedious and boring. This is one reason why there are so many people with stiff joints, they get bored and quit.
Understand that warming up and stretching is not one and the same. You warm up BEFORE stretches to prevent injury. Warming up means getting body temperature up with exercises like cycling, walking, jogging etc. Depending on fitness level 5-15 minutes is sufficient.
Another option is to do isometric exercise for better joint flexibility. Isometric exercise increases strength in the joint. Isometrics reach muscle fibers that are not often used. You simply contract the muscle and hold for 5-10 seconds release and repeat. Sometimes this method of exercise is called dynamic tension.
Resistance training can also be used to improve flexibility as long as you do full range of motion. In other words, make sure you get a full contraction and stretch. For added benefit you can implement isometrics at the end and hold the tension.
You might want to consider adding exercise that focuses on flexibility such as yoga or pilates. A concentrated workout of 20-30 minutes, 3-5 days a week will keep joints flexible.
Vary workouts to alleviate boredom, so that you don't quit altogether. A combination of strength, cardio and flexibility is best. Choose activity that you enjoy and recruit friends or family to join you for support and motivation.
Know that stretches are important before, during and after exercise routines. Stretch before exercise to prepare muscles and joints. Stretch between sets for more flexibility. Stretch afterward to help prevent muscle soreness and keep muscles, tendons and joints limber. It should be the last thing you do.
Finally, lose weight if you are overweight as this places undue stress on joints and can cause irreversible damage. A person of normal weight has a better chance of healthy joint flexibility than one who is overweight.
Now put down that oil can, join your friends and follow the yellow brick road!
Monday, May 17, 2010
High Anxiety!
Dry mouth…dilated pupils…rising blood pressure…rapid heartbeat…shallow breathing…tense muscles…these are symptoms of ANXIETY!
Here are some counter measures:
Take a deep breath and exhale out slowly, this will help reduce blood pressure.
Get up from where you are and s-t-r-e-t-c-h, this helps increase the circulation in your body and helps dissipate stress!
VENT – yes, talk to someone (preferably not yourself) and let it go, this helps you clear your mind and regain a better perspective on the issue at hand.
Catch up on your zzzzz’s, this helps replenish your well of energy.
Skip the java, sometimes too much stimulation can bring on a certain level of stress.
Watch funny videos, this helps produce endorphins which in turn elevates your mood. (Be careful, if you laugh too hard you might tie your abs up in knots, which could produce another bout of anxiety.)
Be realistic, your issues might not go away quickly, but you will be on the right road to feeling better!
Here are some counter measures:
Take a deep breath and exhale out slowly, this will help reduce blood pressure.
Get up from where you are and s-t-r-e-t-c-h, this helps increase the circulation in your body and helps dissipate stress!
VENT – yes, talk to someone (preferably not yourself) and let it go, this helps you clear your mind and regain a better perspective on the issue at hand.
Catch up on your zzzzz’s, this helps replenish your well of energy.
Skip the java, sometimes too much stimulation can bring on a certain level of stress.
Watch funny videos, this helps produce endorphins which in turn elevates your mood. (Be careful, if you laugh too hard you might tie your abs up in knots, which could produce another bout of anxiety.)
Be realistic, your issues might not go away quickly, but you will be on the right road to feeling better!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Be careful with this gift from nature…
Eighty percent of what makes up honey is sugar, and a tablespoon contains about 64 calories. Table sugar has about 48 calories in a tablespoon -- that's 33% less! Both spike insulin and blood sugar at about the same rate, so drizzling (or sprinkling) with abandon can lead to health risks including weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.
Too much sugar of any type -- honey, corn syrup, table sugar -- can also raise your risk of pancreatic cancer by 70%, since your pancreas has to go into overdrive producing insulin, and that leaves the organ vulnerable.
Now, the upside: Honey is rich in compounds that can help fight aging and disease, especially if you choose the darker variety known as honeydew honey, which is derived from tree sap, not plant nectar, and richer in amino acids and compounds that protect your cells. Just remember to keep honey under control, and gradually eliminate other simple sugars and artificial sweeteners from your daily consumption.
Too much sugar of any type -- honey, corn syrup, table sugar -- can also raise your risk of pancreatic cancer by 70%, since your pancreas has to go into overdrive producing insulin, and that leaves the organ vulnerable.
Now, the upside: Honey is rich in compounds that can help fight aging and disease, especially if you choose the darker variety known as honeydew honey, which is derived from tree sap, not plant nectar, and richer in amino acids and compounds that protect your cells. Just remember to keep honey under control, and gradually eliminate other simple sugars and artificial sweeteners from your daily consumption.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Food...Glorious Food!
Keep your food portion sizes in check, because eating too much can lead to weight gain, even when the food is healthy!
The portions we tend to choose are much larger than what the government recommends. In addition, they are larger than the portions people ate 20 years ago.
It's smart to check nutritional facts on labels and menus. But if you need to guess, here are some visual cues to help estimate portion sizes:
•3 ounces meat or poultry = a deck of cards
•3 ounces fish = a checkbook
•1 ounce cheese = 4 dice
•1 cup pasta or veggies = a tennis ball
•1/4 cup dried fruit = a golf ball
•1 tsp butter or margarine = tip of your thumb
•2 tbsp mayonnaise, oil, or dip = a ping-pong ball
The portions we tend to choose are much larger than what the government recommends. In addition, they are larger than the portions people ate 20 years ago.
It's smart to check nutritional facts on labels and menus. But if you need to guess, here are some visual cues to help estimate portion sizes:
•3 ounces meat or poultry = a deck of cards
•3 ounces fish = a checkbook
•1 ounce cheese = 4 dice
•1 cup pasta or veggies = a tennis ball
•1/4 cup dried fruit = a golf ball
•1 tsp butter or margarine = tip of your thumb
•2 tbsp mayonnaise, oil, or dip = a ping-pong ball
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