Posts tagged weight loss

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Teriyaki Noodles with Asparagus and Edamame

Jul 26th

Posted by michelle in Food

Makes: 4 servings

Time: 30 minutes

Just by adding a little extra liquid, you can turn virtually any stir-fry into an excellent sauce for tossing with noodles, rice, or other grains. Asparagus is particularly nice here because it browns beautifully, but you can use green beans or sliced broccoli as alternatives. (I peel thick asparagus, which isn’t strictly necessary, but it only takes a minute and makes it much less fibrous. Or skip the whole thing and use broccoli florets.) For a spicier sauce, add a couple dried red chiles to the skillet along with the garlic and ginger.

1 1⁄2 pounds asparagus, peeled if thick, cut into 2-inch lengths

Salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1⁄2 cup chopped scallions

1 tablespoon minced ginger

1 tablespoon minced garlic

8 ounces any rice, buckwheat (soba), or wheat noodles, preferably whole grain

2 cups shelled edamame, fresh or frozen (thaw them while you assemble the dish)

1⁄4 cup soy sauce

1⁄4 cup mirin, or 2 tablespoons honey mixed with 2 tablespoons water

1. If the asparagus is thick, parboil it, then shock it in a bowl of ice water and drain. If the spears are thin, don’t bother.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Put a large skillet over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the oil, wait a few seconds, and add the asparagus and scallions. Cook, stirring, for a minute, then stir in the ginger and garlic. Cook until the asparagus is dry, hot, and beginning to brown and get tender, 5 to 10 minutes; remove the pan from the heat.

3. Cook the noodles in the boiling water until tender but not mushy. Check them frequently: The time will vary from a minute or 2 for thin rice noodles, to 5 minutes for soba, or up to 12 minutes for wide brown rice noodles. Drain the noodles, reserving some of the cooking liquid.

4. Turn the heat under the asparagus to medium. Add the noodles, edamame, soy sauce, mirin, and about 1⁄2 cup of the reserved water to the skillet; continue to cook, stirring, until the asparagus and edamame are heated through, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Divide the noodles among 4 bowls, spooning any extra broth in the pan over all. Serve hot.

Teriyaki Noodles with Asparagus and Chicken. Omit the edamame. Before adding the asparagus and scallions to the skillet in Step 2, add 8 ounces sliced boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh meat. Stir once, then let the chicken sit for 1 minute to brown. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the asparagus and scallions to the skillet and proceed with the recipe.

Source: http://markbittman.com/teriyaki-noodles-with-asparagus-and-edamame

To Your Health!

The FITzee Team

all natural ingredients, delcious healhty meals, eating, energy, exercise, fitness, fitzee foods, health, health benefits, inspiration, mood boost, nutrition, weight loss

Guidelines: Staying Hydrated During Workouts

Jul 25th

Posted by michelle in Fitness

Source: http://fitbottomedgirls.com/2011/07/5-tips-for-staying-hydrated-in-the-heat/

With the summer sun beating down on you during your outdoor workouts, its important to stay hydrated! Here are 5 Tips for Staying Hydrated in the Heat from fit bottomed girls:

“Good gosh, it’s sweltering outside. We all know that when the temps reach a fever-pitch during the dog days of summer, it’s better to move the workout indoors, but what if you have to be outside, even for just a little bit? How do you stay hydrated during your workout? Follow these summer hydration tips from Life Fitness to avoid suffering from dehydration during your next workout.

5 Summer Hydration Tips for Workouts

1. Know the signs. How can you tell if your body is well-hydrated? If your urine is pale, and you require a restroom break at least six times a day, you are probably doing a good job.

2. Get a head start on hydration. If you are an early morning exerciser, keep in mind that your body is already in a somewhat dehydrated state when you wake up. Be sure to drink at least 8 ounces of water before you begin your workout.

3. Stay hydrated with water during moderate exercise. For a moderate hour-long workout, you should consume 4 to 6 ounces of water for every 15 minutes of exercise. If your taste buds need a change of pace every so often, seek out a low-calorie sports drink or sugar-free flavored water option—or add a slice or two of lemon or lime to your water bottle.

4. Consider drinking a sports drink. If you exercise for longer than 60 minutes at a high intensity, or you work out in extreme conditions, consider using a sports drink during and after your workout to replenish your body with the fluid, nutrients and electrolytes it requires. There is a true science behind fluid replacement during exercise, and sports drinks are formulated to meet the needs of athletes.

5. Beware of energy drinks. Popular energy drinks are very different from sports drinks. They are full of caffeine and sugar, and can be dehydrating instead of thirst-quenching.”

To Your Health!

The FITzee Team

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/19/health/nutrition/19best.html?ref=nutrition

all natural ingredients, de-stress, eating, energy, exercise, fitness, fitzee foods, health benefits, ideal meals, inspiration, mood boost, nutrition, stay hydrated, tips to stay hydrated, weight loss

Running on hard vs. soft surfaces: which one is better?

Jul 21st

Posted by michelle in Fitness

2 comments

Normally, I run on asphalt in my neighborhood since it’s free and there are hills to build leg strength. I have been told, however, that it is better for your body and joints if you run on a softer surface like dirt or grass, but is it really true? I came across this article in the New York Times today that gave a really good explanation:

For Runners, Soft Ground Can Be Hard on the Body

“Hirofumi Tanaka, an exercise physiologist at the University of Texas at Austin, bristles when he sees dirt paths carved out of the grass along paved bicycling or running routes. The paths are created by runners who think softer ground protects them from injuries.

Dr. Tanaka, a runner, once tried it himself. He was recovering from a knee injury, and an orthopedist told him to stay away from hard surfaces, like asphalt roads, and run instead on softer surfaces, like grass or dirt. So he ran on a dirt path runners had beaten into the grass along an asphalt bike path.

The result? ‘I twisted my ankle and aggravated my injury while running on the softer and irregular surface,’ he said.

In the aftermath of his accident, Dr. Tanaka said he could not find any scientific evidence that a softer surface is beneficial to runners, nor could other experts he asked. In fact, it makes just as much sense to reason that runners are more likely to get injured on soft surfaces, which often are irregular, than on smooth, hard ones, he said.

His experience makes me wonder. Is there a good reason why many runners think a soft surface is gentler on their feet and limbs? Or is this another example of a frequent error we all make, trusting what seems like common sense and never asking if the conventional wisdom is correct?

Perhaps a runner who, like me, strikes the ground with her forefoot instead of her heel, might risk more injuries on softer ground. After all, every time I push off on a soft surface, I twist my foot.

Exercise researchers say there are no rigorous gold-standard studies in which large numbers of people were assigned to run on soft or hard surfaces, then followed to compare injury rates.

There’s a good reason for that, said Stuart J. Warden, director of the Indiana Center for Translational Musculoskeletal Research at Indiana University. It’s too hard to recruit large numbers of people willing to be randomly assigned to one surface or another for their runs.

‘I think the reason people haven’t answered that question is that it is not an easy question to answer,’ Dr. Warden said.

When Dr. Willem van Mechelen, head of public and occupational health at VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, searched for published studies on running injuries and how to prevent them, he, too, concluded that there were no good studies that directly support running on softer ground. “Significantly not associated with running injuries seem age, gender, body mass index, running hills, running on hard surfaces, participation in other sports, time of the year and time of the day,” Dr. van Mechelen concluded.

So what is going on? It seems obvious that the forces on your legs and feet are different depending on whether you run on soft packed dirt or on hard concrete. Why aren’t injury rates affected?

An answer that many accept comes from studies that addressed the question indirectly. In several of them, study subjects ran on plates that measured the force with which they struck the ground. Instead of varying the hardness of the ground, the researchers varied the cushioning of the shoes. More cushioning approximated running on softer ground.

Over and over again, studies like these found that the body automatically adjusts to different surfaces — at least, as mimicked by cushioning in shoes — to keep forces constant when foot strikes plate.

That finding makes sense, Dr. Warden said. If you jump from a table to the floor, you automatically bend your knees when you land. If you jump on a trampoline, you can keep your knees stiff when you land. Something similar happens when you run on different surfaces.

‘If you run on a hard surface, your body decreases its stiffness,’ Dr. Warden said. ‘Your knees and hips flex more. On a soft surface, your legs stiffen.’ Running on a soft surface ‘is basically a different activity,’ he said.

But those studies did not actually measure forces inside the body, Dr. van Mechelen noted. Instead, they used biomechanical modeling to estimate those forces.

‘It is models, so God knows whether it is true,’ Dr. van Mechelen said. ‘But to me it doesn’t seem far-fetched.’

Dr. Warden said some people adapt quicker than others to running surfaces, and he advised that anyone wanting to change from a soft to a hard surface, or vice versa, play it safe and make the change gradually.

Changing your running surface, Dr. Warden said, ‘is much like increasing your mileage, changing your shoes or some other aspect of your training program.’ Abrupt changes can be risky.

But with no evidence that softer surfaces prevent injuries, there is no reason to run on softer ground unless you like to, Dr. Warden and other experts said. Dr. van Mechelen tells runners to get a pair of comfortable shoes and run on whatever surface they prefer.

Dr. van Mechelen, a runner himself, says his favorite surface is asphalt. Mine is too.

My coach, Tom Fleming, never suggested soft surfaces and never thought they prevented injuries. And, he said, there’s a good reason to run on asphalt, at least if you want to compete.

‘Most road races are on hard roadways,’ he told me. ‘So let’s get used to them.’”

We all have a running ground preferences, so stick to what suits you or experiement on the other side and keep running!

To Your Health!

The FITzee Team

all natural ingredients, de-stress, fitness, health benefits, nutrition, weight loss, workout

7 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Diet

Jul 19th

Posted by michelle in Food

Source: http://www.mohrresults.com/nutrition/7-simple-ways-to-upgrade-your-diet/

Check out one of FITzee Foods Expert Nutritionists, Dr. Chris Mohr from MohrResults.com article on 7 Simple ways to upgrade your Diet!

Anytime a person thinks about losing fat, it’s always about everything they have to “give up.”

I’m losing fat, so pizza is out the window. So is cake, cookies, candy, ice cream, carbs, fat, cereal, alcohol, and so on.

Truth is — let’s look at everything you CAN keep up versus focusing on the negative.

And, better yet, how about 7 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Diet.

It’s not only about calories. Yes, calories matter. But they’re not the ONLY thing!

Check out these 7 Simple Ways to Upgrade Your Diet

Add cinnamon to your yogurt, oats, smoothie, cottage cheese, or whatever else you eat. It adds zero calories, is loaded with antioxidants, and may actually help control blood sugar…what a bonus!
Switch to 100% grass fed beef. If you eat meat, this is the way to go. Cattle should eat grass and grass only. Not grains. The ratio of healthier fats — like CLA and omega-3′s — are much better than traditional grain fed beef, which has more omega-6′s because of their feed. You can usually find this at most Farmer’s Markets
Eat quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) instead of rice. It’s a great source of fiber, higher in protein, and adds a unique flavor to the standard rice that so many are used to.
Switch from Iceberg or Romaine Lettuce to Spinach. This dark leafy green is a much better based for salads. You can also add it to pesto (buy prepared pesto and blend in 2-3 cups of fresh spinach) or simply saute it quickly and easily with garlic, pepper and pinch of Kosher salt.
Go Wild! Wild fish are better options than their farm raised counterparts. Choose these whenever you can for more omega-3′s and less contaminants.
Choose nuts over chips. Nuts are an incredible snack — high in fiber, protein, and omega-3′s. Eating 1-2 handfuls daily can boost weight loss.
Swap out portabello mushrooms for buns or pizza crusts. You save on calories, get more hard to get nutrients like selenium and magnesium, and you also get more flavor! Give it a try

Mohr Results Bottom Line: Improving your diet doesn’t mean an entire overhall of your lifestyle. Simple upgrades like those above will go a long way in terms of boosting fat loss and improving your health.

To Your Health!

The FITzee Team

all natural ingredients, de-stress, eating, energy, fitness, fitzee foods, health benefits, inspiration, mood boost, nutrition, weight loss

Buying Healthy and Organic: Tips to Save Your Money

Jul 19th

Posted by michelle in Fitness

1 comment

As something we’ve spoken about before, we know that buying foods organic isn’t exactly the thrifty option, but there are ways to buy organic without breaking the bank. From coupons to tips from your local grocery store, there are plenty of resources out there to save some of that paycheck for other things. Here are some ways to save from FitSugar.com:

Clip Coupons

Many organic food brands post coupons on their websites you can print out; all you have to do is check the savings or coupons section of the company’s site. You may need to install a program, sign up for a newsletter, or answer a short survey, but if you’re looking to save some dough, it’s worth the time and effort. Here’s a list of online coupons for organic food that are available now, which include savings on cereal, bread, dairy products, and more. Also check the websites of your favorite health grocers; very often markets and grocery stores will have in-store coupons available on their site (or in their stores). Never underestimate the power of double coupon day or the amount of money you can save by joining a store’s membership rewards program.

Use Social Media

Following your local grocery store on Twitter or Facebook is an easy way to learn about weekly and daily specials. In addition to the smaller health and grocery stores in my area, I also follow larger chains like Whole Foods and Safeway on Twitter, all of which alert customers to sales, price drops, and other specials and events taking place in its stores. Recently I bought five pints of organic blueberries from Whole Foods that were priced at 99 cents per basket; I learned about this sale thanks to the Whole Foods Twitter stream.

DIY

The more things you can make from scratch, the better it is for your wallet. Purchase seasonal produce in bulk and you can, pickle, or freeze fruits and veggies to use later. Go a step further by making homemade preserves, marinades, and cooking sauces. Instead of buying pre-made dry mixes, which are often full of preservatives, stock up on different types of flour and grains to create your own. Make your own spice mixes, trail mixes, and soup stock, and try making your own granola, muesli, and cereal. And when it comes to lunch, roast your own sandwich meat and skip bagged salad mixes by chopping up lettuce instead. The possibilities are endless.

For more tips, check it out at the source: http://www.fitsugar.com/Ways-Save-Money-When-Buying-Healthy-Organic-Food-18302538

To Your Health!

The FITzee Team

all natural ingredients, eating, energy, fitness, fitzee foods, health, health benefits, ideal meals, low calorie, nutrition, organic, weight loss

SHARP: Simple Strategies to BOOST Your BRAINPOWER

Jul 16th

Posted by michelle in Health and Nutrition

Since our Nutrition Expert, Heidi Hanna will be joining us at FITzee Foods( 2445 Truxtun Road San Diego,CA 92126) tomorrow for her books signing at 11AM, I thought I would give you sneak peak of what’s in her new book: SHARP: Simple Strategies to Boost Your Brain Power

Check out Dr. Hanna’s blog below:

Considering the release of my new book is just days away, I thought it would be fun to give you a chance to see how you’re currently doing with your brain health and fitness. I created the following assessment to help identify areas that you’re doing well on already, and those where you might want to focus some time and energy to boost your brainpower.

Click Here to download the SHARP Brain Health Assessment

#1 Nutrition – Food is Fuel

___ I eat something every 3-4 hours during the day

___ I eat balanced meals and snacks (approximately 25% protein, 25% whole grains, and 50% fruits & veggies at meals, with healthy snacks as needed)

___ I do not drink more than 2 servings of alcohol on any given day (not an average)

___ I very seldom consume portions that are larger than what would make me feel physically satisfied

___ I regularly consume foods with high nutritional value (fruits and vegetables, fish and other lean protein, nuts, seeds and other healthy fats, and whole grains)

___ I eat fatty fish at least 2 times per week or take a fish oil supplement

Total for section #1 = _____

#2 Physical Activity – Activity is Activating

___ I never sit for longer than 90 minutes at one time

___ I get at least 60 minutes of general activity each day

___ I am able to get outside for fresh air/sunshine on a daily basis

___ I get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity cardiovascular activity a minimum of 3x a week

___ I do full body strength training exercises a minimum of 2x a week

___ I stretch regularly after exercise

Total for section #2 = _____

#3 Stress Management – Balanced Stress is Balanced Life

___ I feel as though I balance my stress levels in a healthy way (not relying on substances like alcohol to calm down)

___ I regularly practice relaxation strategies (meditation, yoga, massage, etc)

___ I very seldom feel frustrated, angry, or irritable

___ I usually feel positive and see challenges as opportunities, rather than pessimistic or in “survival mode”

___ I enjoy challenges at work and do not feel threatened by failure

___ When work is over I am able to turn it off and focus on other things

Total for section #3 = _____

#4 Sleep – Resting is Working

___ I sleep at least 7 hours each night

___ I wake up feeling rested in the morning

___ I do not feel sleepy or lethargic during the day

___ I wake up in the morning when I want, without setting an alarm clock

___ I fall asleep within 30 minutes of going to bed

___ I sleep soundly throughout the night

Total for section #4 _____

#5 Social Connection – A Social Life is Life Support

___ I have enough friends to feel well connected socially

___ I seldom feel lonely

___ I maintain intimate emotional connection with others

___ I find time to participate in hobbies I enjoy just for fun

___ I have social interactions outside of work or family

___ I laugh often and experience joy throughout the day

Total for section #5 = _____

# 6 Brain Training – Cognitive Fitness

___ I seldom find myself multitasking

___ I maintain focus during the day

___ I feel mentally challenged on a regular basis

___ I have recently learned a new skill (language, art, etc)

___ I actively seek out challenging conversations with others

___ I have a strong sense of purpose in my life that I connect with frequently during the day

Total for section #6 = _____

Interpreting Your Results

It is important to note that there are no “good” or “bad” scores for this assessment. I designed this tool to help identify where to focus your time and energy if you want to see the most significant changes as you start your training program. If you find yourself running out of ink or needing to sharpen your pencil after making so many check marks, congratulations! On the other hand, if you didn’t need to pick up your pen or pencil at all, do not panic. You are not alone. Although these concepts are simple in theory, being able to do all of them in the midst of a busy schedule is incredibly difficult. For all of us. The key to becoming SHARP is to take this process one small step at a time. Each new practice that you incorporate into your daily routine will make a big difference, and over time, you will find yourself moving on to more advanced strategies that fully unleash the potential of your brain.

What next?

Stay tuned for more information on how to improve the health of your brain, and enhance your brain fitness through simple strategies that can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. And visit www.synergyprograms.com for more information on the book release.

To Your Health!

The FITzee Team

all natural ingredients, de-stress, energy, exercise, fitness, health, health benefits, heidi hanna, ideal meals, inspiration, mood boost, nutrition, organic, sharp, weight loss

Going Beyond the Beige

Jul 13th

Posted by michelle in Fitness

Here in the US, we are surrounded by processed foods with added fats, sugars, and salts to make them taste better along with other unnatural preservatives to give the food a longer shelf life. These foods tend to be fairly cheap and budget friendly to those of us watching what we spend in this economy. Eating these foods, however, is not necessarily the best idea and not exactly the best for our bodies. Our bodies need more than beige-y colored foods! The colors of fruits and vegetables are evidences of the nutrients and phytochemicals within them naturally. Colorful produce is a necessity for a healthy diet, here’s a bit of a break down from an article from Today’s Dietician:

“Blue/Purple
Behind the color: The blue/purple hues in foods are due primarily to their anthocyanin content. Guide clients toward darker selections, as the darker the blue hue, the higher the phytochemical concentration. “In our book, we called these foods red/purple because many of the foods that are rich in anthocyanins also have a red or pink hue,” says Bowerman. Anthocyanins are antioxidants that Bowerman says are particularly heart healthy and may help support healthy blood pressure.

Gloria Tsang, RD, editor-in-chief of HealthCastle.com, says, “The anthocyanins that give these fruits their distinctive colors may help ward off heart disease by preventing clot formation. They may also help lower risk of cancer.”

And the color’s richness is actually one sign that the food is ripe and ready to eat, notes Kasik-Miller, adding that blueberries are considered to have the highest antioxidant activity of all foods.

Examples: Eggplant (especially the skin), blueberries, blackberries, prunes, plums, pomegranates

Green
Behind the color: The natural plant pigment chlorophyll colors green fruits and vegetables. “In our system, the green foods represented those foods rich in isothiocyanates, which induce enzymes in the liver that assist the body in removing potentially carcinogenic compounds,” says Bowerman. According to information from the PBH, cruciferous veggies such as broccoli and cabbage contain the phytochemicals indoles and isothiocyanates, which may have anticancer properties.

“Green vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin K, folic acid, potassium, as well as carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids,” adds Kasik-Miller. “Folic acid is needed to prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy, and vitamin K is essential in blood clot formation. Diets high in potassium are associated with lowering blood pressure, and there is an inverse relationship between cruciferous vegetables and cancer, especially colon and bladder cancers.”

“In addition, sulforaphane, a phytochemical present in cruciferous vegetables, was found to detoxify cancer-causing chemicals before they do damage to the body,” says Tsang.

Examples: Broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, Brussels sprouts

Yellow/Green
Behind the color: A variation of the green color category, these foods exhibit a richness in lutein, says Bowerman. “Lutein is particularly beneficial for eye health,” she says. “There are lutein receptors in the macula of the eye, and lutein helps protect against age-related macular degeneration.” For a somewhat surprising source, have clients check out pistachio nuts—there is lutein in the green skin around the nut.

Another reason to grab some yellow/green kiwifruit at the grocery store, says Kasik-Miller, is its high amount of vitamin C.

Examples: Avocado, kiwifruit, spinach and other leafy greens, pistachios

Red
Behind the color: Lycopene is the predominant pigment in reddish fruits and veggies, according to Bowerman. A carotenoid, lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that has been associated with a reduced risk of some cancers, especially prostate cancer, and protection against heart attacks. Look for tomato-based products for the most concentrated source of this phytochemical.

“Tomatoes help support the health of prostate and breast tissue,” adds Bowerman.

And although some nutrients, such as vitamin C, are diminished with the introduction of heat, Hoy says, “The benefits of eating produce are not dependent on eating raw foods. In fact, cooking enhances the activity of some phytochemicals, such as lycopene. Obtaining optimal benefit from the nutrients in food, especially produce, depends on proper selection, storage, and cooking of the produce.”

Cooked tomato sauces are associated with greater health benefits compared with the uncooked version because the heating process allows all carotenoids, including lycopene, to be more easily absorbed by the body, according to information from the PBH.

“In addition to vitamin C and folate, red fruits and vegetables are also sources of flavonoids, which reduce inflammation and have antioxidant properties. Cranberries, another red fruit [whose color is due to anthocyanins, not lycopene], are also a good source of tannins, which prevent bacteria from attaching to cells,” says Kasik-Miller of more reasons to relish red.

Examples: Tomatoes and tomato products, watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava, cranberries

Yellow/Orange
Behind the color: “We had an orange/yellow group representing beta-cryptoxanthin and vitamin C,” says Bowerman. “Our orange group foods are also rich in beta-carotene, which are particularly good antioxidants.”

Beta-cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene, and alpha-carotene are all orange-friendly carotenoids and can be converted in the body to vitamin A, a nutrient integral for vision and immune function, as well as skin and bone health, according to information from the PBH.

“These foods are commonly considered the eyesight foods because they contain vitamin A. Beta-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A, is a component of these foods as well. In addition, they may have high levels of vitamin C, and some contain omega-3 fatty acids,” says Kasik-Miller.

Since eyesight is dependent on the presence of vitamin A, Kasik-Miller notes that it is considered the “vision vitamin.” “Other [phyto]chemicals typically found in yellow/orange fruits and vegetables protect our eyes from cataracts and have anti-inflammatory properties. They also help with blood sugar regulation,” she adds.

Tsang notes that the beta-carotenes in some orange fruits and vegetables may also play a part in preventing cancer, particularly of the lung, esophagus, and stomach. “They may also reduce the risk of heart disease and improve immune function,” she says.

Examples: Carrots, mangos, cantaloupe, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, apricots”

So spice up your diet with as many colors as you can! To learn more, find the rest of the article here: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/110308p34.shtml

To Your Health!

The FITzee Team

all natural ingredients, de-stress, eating, energy, exercise, fitzee foods, health, health benefits, ideal meals, inspiration, nutrition, organic, weight loss, workout

How to Exercise When You’re Sore

Jul 12th

Posted by michelle in Fitness

This weekend, we had a FITzee event with Core Power Training at Massage Envy in Chula Vista. The workout was great and pushed me to do my best, but now I am sore! I was wondering about the best way to workout even with soreness when I came across this article FitSugar.com. It explains what’s going on in your body that makes you sore and what to do when you are working out when you’re sore.

How to Exercise When You’re Sore

“Even if you exercise regularly, you’ve felt it: the aching, can’t-sit-down-or-lift-my-arm muscle soreness the next day after a workout. That soreness you feel a day or two after an intense workout is known as DOMS, or delayed onset muscle soreness, and is caused by muscle microtearing, which helps build muscle fiber and make them stronger. I’m always a little pleased to feel sore after a workout, but even so, like many I’ve been guilty of using it as an excuse to skip out on a workout.

Last week, I was introduced to a few little-used muscles during a leg-focused strength-training session with my trainer at Crunch. Those subsequent days of dreading any stairs that popped up in my path led me to ask him how he deals with muscle soreness, and whether he recommends his clients power through the pain. Trainer Tim’s response? Muscle soreness is rarely a good excuse to bypass the gym.

Don’t premedicate. “Don’t mask what your body is telling you,” Tim says. He advises clients to not take painkillers before a workout so they can understand how their body reacts to a workout. Taking Advil before your workout could, for example, cause you to push yourself farther than you should go, or mask an injury until it’s too late. If you’re experiencing DOMS after a workout, however, an NSAID or other anti-inflammatory OTC painkiller and icing where you hurt can help.
Assess the pain. It’s one thing to have DOMS, which is a good thing. But if you finish a workout and feel like you are uncharacteristically sore, or that you’ve injured yourself, pushing through the pain may not be the best thing. Make sure you pay attention the difference between an injury pain and normal muscle soreness, and rest if you feel like you’ve strained something.
Eat protein. Muscles are made out of protein, so to shorten the time it takes muscles to heal, try to eat some sort of protein right after you exercise. Studies have found that recovery drinks that contain protein help decrease muscle soreness compared to normal carbohydrate-based sports drinks.
Alternate workouts. Being too sore to workout may be a popular excuse, but it’s not always a good one. If you’re too sore from a rigorous hike, spend the next day working on your abs or arms. Or try another aerobic exercise or yoga — cardio and stretching can both help soothe your muscles.

No matter how you deal with muscle soreness, it shouldn’t last forever. Go see a doctor if you find that your soreness isn’t getting any better.”

Source: http://www.fitsugar.com/Should-You-Exercise-When-You-Sore-18180506

To Your Health!

The FITzee Team

all natural ingredients, eating, energy, exercise, fitness, FITzee, fitzee foods, health, health benefits, ideal meals, innovative, inspiration, mood boost, nutrition, weight loss, workout

Food is Fuel

Jul 8th

Posted by michelle in Fitness

http://www.fitzeefoods.com/wordpress1/

Here are some great tips from our nutrition expert Heidi Hanna, We invite you to join us at FITzee Foods ( 2445 Truxtun Road San Diego,CA 92126) on July 16, 2011 from 11AM- 12:30PM, for Heidi’s book signing for the newly published, Sharp: Simple Strategies to Boost Your Brain Power

100% of the proceeds go towards the San Diego Chapter: Alzheimer’s Association . Also, with the purchase of SHARP the book, you will also receive a gift card from FITzee Foods! We hope you can join us!

In order to have optimal energy throughout the day, there are three fundamental strategies that must be used consistently – eat light and often, eat balanced, and eat energizing foods.

Eat light and often – the glucose in our blood fuels our physical energy system. In order to maintain adequate energy throughout the day it is essential that we eat something every 3 – 4 hours.
Eat balanced – when we eat, it is important that the type of fuel we consume is balanced enough to provide stable glucose levels. For example, if we just eat carbohydrate we will end up with an immediate rush of glucose for energy, but because our bodies are designed to store or use this energy within a short period of time, we often end up stockpiling calories as fat, and our energy drops quickly. On the other hand, if we eat just protein it takes longer to get the energy we need, and we can find ourselves feeling sluggish and less mentally sharp. A combination of nutrients that blend healthy carbohydrates, protein and fat provides us the right quality of fuel to keep us feeling energized and performing at our best.
Eat energizing foods – while there is no reason to eat perfectly all of the time, choosing foods that are high in nutrient value without contributing too many calories at one time will optimize our energy levels and provide us with the most health benefits.

Source: http://synergyprograms.com/nutrition-2/

To Your Health!

The FITzee Team