Archive for the ‘Diet’ Category

Turkey Trot held Thanksgiving Day

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Turkey Trot held Thanksgiving Day in Redding, CA.

What is the Turkey Trot?

An annual race scheduled the day of Thanksgiving in Redding, CA.

If we want to participate in the race, what’s the first thing we need to do?

Set your goal. Do you want to register for the 6-mile race or the 2-mile fun run/walk?

How do we go about accomplishing that?

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The Training Progression…

Follow the progression 2-months before Thanksgiving Day. Every other week the program is modified to enhance your performance, speed, and strength (evaluate the dates below). It’s your responsibility to practice over the 2-month span. Refer to this page every 2-weeks for your modified personal workout.

The practice is done in intervals. Interval training is especially healthy before races. It helps you utilize stamina and strength when you need it most. Also, it aids in recovery.

We’ve divided the trainings into groups, so look to see what group you’d best fit in depending on your current fitness level.

Each practice should include at least a 5-minute warm-up, 5-6 cycles of the interval ratios shown below, a 5-minute cool down, and final stretches. The practice should last between 20 and 30 minutes performed 3x a week.

October 10th

Level 1 1 min: 30 sec ratio (Walk to Squat)

Level 2 1 min: 15 sec ratio (Walk to Jog)

Level 3 1min: 30 sec (Jog to Sprint)

October 24th

Level 1 1 min: 30 sec (Walk to Power Walk)

Level 2 1min : 30 sec (Walk to Jog)

Level 3 1min : 45 sec (Jog to Sprint)

November 7th

Level 1 1 min: 45 sec (Walk to Power Walk)

Level 2 1 min : 45 sec (Walk to Jog)

Level 3 1 min : 1 min (Jog to Sprint/Quick Run)

Using supplements for weight loss won’t work

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Using supplements for weight loss won’t work

We are inundated with print and TV ads for dietary supplements to boost our metabolism or to suppress appetite. From exotic herbs to SmashingCalehoodia and gender-specific weight loss pills, Americans are dropping loads of coin on supplements. And, getting nothing in return but more weight on the scale and empty pocket books.

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WHY DON’T THEY WORK?

Most people suffering from depression due to poor body image, increasing amounts of body fat, and dissatisfaction with body composition need to learn to stoke metabolism. Remember that you are not a victim of your metabolism, you are the CREATOR of it!

Avoiding food is not the answer! Whether it’s the result of will power or the outcome of the use of some pill you will ultimately lose muscle, alter thyroid activity, and reset your metabolism (slowing it down!)

Suppressing appetite and losing water are the short term strategies for dropping pounds, but the long term ramifications make those short term reliances on the scale detrimental both metabolically and emotionally.

You CANNOT attain healthful fat loss by taking a pill. Think about it, if their were a magic bottle, we wouldn’t have an obsesity issue today.

Poor Sleep and Your Weight

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Poor Sleep & Your Weight

Can poor sleep affect your weight?

People may not know this, but studies show people who sleep too little are more likely to raid the refrigerator.

poorsleep1When someone is running on restricted sleep, and they’re keeping their calories constant throughout the day, and keeping the same level of activity as they normally would if they slept deeply, their body, communicated by the fat cells, will think it needs to have more food. Not only will they want to eat more, but they’ll crave the wrong foods.

Sleep restriction is also associated with metabolic changes that can lead to obesity.

Our body will interpret lack of sleep as a state of stress, an unhealthy one, causing imbalance in hormone levels, because the cortisol is running high. Not to mention the adverse effects on glucose levels which can lead to diabetes and obesity.

When you sleep well, at least 7 hours, you’re renewed, you feel better, and you’ll feel more likely to head outside or off to the gym to exercise. It’s a sign of a balanced lifestyle.