Consumer Reports article on Protein Supplements

If you haven’t seen the Consumer Reports article on protein supplements, feel free to review it: http://ht.ly/1Wjyy and the specific link to the Consumer Reports protein product chart test results: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/july/food/protein-drinks/whats-in-your-protein-drink/index.htm .

As is the case with everything, there are 2 sides to every story. Take a look at the responses from others in the industry at: http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/blogs/jerrybrainum/?p=253  and http://www.optimumnutrition.com/news.php?article=874 (specifically like the food charts listing the amount of lead, arsenic and cadmium in specific foods).

Bottom line: you have to make your own decisions on what is going to be best for you, your nutrition and health.

7 Days, 7 Breakfasts… the healthy, quick & easy way

Here is a great article regarding breakfast for every day of the week – the healthy, quick and easy way!

Healthy Breakfasts Every Day

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Fat doesn’t make you fat. Calories make you fat.

That’s right. Before you reach for those “low fat dips” and “reduced fat cookies”, keep it mind it’s all about the numbers. Calories in, calories out. And, good, quality calories. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats such as chicken, fish and turkey.

Need to know how many calories you’re taking in or how many you need? Use a calorie counter, such as the one found at Anytime Health . It’s free to Anytime Fitness members and it serves as your electronic checkbook of calories. All you have to do is type in what you ate and then it’ll automatically populate your calories, carb grams, fat grams, etc.  Plus, it’s based on science from the Mayo Clinic so this isn’t lip service… it really works! It’s helped me reduce my body fat % another 3%. Good stuff!

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Sugar, Sugar… What’s the Scoop?

There’s so much information about sugar, high fructose corn syrup and so forth. But, really, it’s not that complicated! Here are articles that make it simple: “5 Simple Rules for Eating Sugar” and “6 Foods with Hidden Sugar.” Bon appétit!

http://www.beachbody.com/product/p90x-online/newsletters/p90xnl_025.do#offer

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Too Many Supplements, Too Little Time: Basics of Nitric Oxide

Looking at supplements to help with your health lifestyle? Or, just curious if the marketing claims are all they’re cracked up to be? There are so many supplements to choose from and how in the heck does one know which is what, especially since it seems you need to be a chemist to pronounce and understand them.

Truth be told, most supplements are just blends of herbs or extras already produced by your body. Who knew? But, you do have to be careful as different people have different body chemistries. As a result, the same supplement may affect people differently. Probably one of the main reasons why, in general, no one knows for sure on them and very little long term human studies have been done to find out.

Every week, I’ll choose a different supplement to focus on, share some basics and what I’ve learned thus far. As with everything, information is power so take this as just that (I’m not prescribing anything or recommending one thing over another). Do your own research, find out what affects you personally, positively and negatively. And, then, make your own decision based on that information.

NITRIC OXIDE “NO”

Initially, I thought I would say No to “NO”, but realized it, too, is a chemical already produced by the body. In general, it helps control blood circulation. As with everything, be careful and listen to your own body. I tried this in the “Shotgun” brand supplement recently and I believed it caused me to have a bloody nose (I’m also slightly anemic so the combination of my body checmicals, dry humidity/weather change and the blend in Shotgun may have created the perfect storm for that effect).

“Shotgun” also has 3 different forms of Creatine (which will be discussed in later weeks) and, as with so many supplements, its own proprietary blend. The proprietary blend means its a schmorgesborg of a little of this and a little of that (like adding a pinch of salt to a meal, but you don’t know exactly how much you really added). I know for others Shotgun has been perfectly fine for, mainly males (I don’t know any other females trying it).

Another supplement with Nitric Oxide in that another person mentioned is more recommended for women is called “Explode” that I will be looking into.

Interestingly, NO has also been shown to help with blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, fertility in women and easing women’s labor.

More explanation on NO here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/13824-nitric-oxide/

Tests Show Junk Food is as Addicting As Drugs

It’s confirmed – scientific studies show that eating junk food can be as addicting as drugs. http://news.health.com/2010/03/29/food-addiction/ How to combat this? Head off junk food eating at the pass by not bringing it into your home.

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Need Motivation? Watch this video

When you think you can’t go any farther, when life seems to have gotten you down, when you think there’s no time for anything else…. take a look at this quick video from the 2006 movie “Facing the Giants.” Remember, make sure to give it your best, then push a little harder. You’ll be surprised to find what you can do.

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How Doctor’s Practice What They Preach with Diet and Exercise

Isn’t it harder to listen to a physician or nurse prescribe exercise or healthy eating if they don’t lead by example?

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=334867192403

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Resolution Revolution Party Pics

Thanks to all that came out for the Resolution Revolution party last Tuesday, Jan. 12. It was great engaging with existing and potential new members of the Anytime Fitness family. If you didn’t get a chance to try some of the yummy “Running Man” soup from The Uncanny Soup Company, feel free to stop by their place for other homemade healthy soup choices. Jay’s soups are great (the non-cream-based ones, of course!).

If you missed the party, take a few glimpses of the party pics.

Make a NEW New Year’s Resolution: Eat MORE, Exercise Less

That’s right… this isn’t a typo. Eat More, Exercise Less. But, that doesn’t sound right… how can this possibly be?

What is meant by this is that too many times, people make unrealistic New Year’s Health and Fitness Resolutions. They eat galore during the holidays with little – if any – exercise and lots of stress. Then, they resolve to change it all in January – starving themselves and exercising much more. This never works. Not only is it unrealistic for people to keep up these “diets” (it is a 4 letter word for a reason!) and regimes, but also it’s harmful and unhealthy for the body.

Sure, initially people lose weight, but then their bodies go into a dangerous area where they harm their metabolism and destroy their body. The body doesn’t have enough fuel (and typically, the right type of fuel) to feed them through their workouts and increased activity, ultimately, decreasing the metabolism.

A better alternative is to eat smaller, more quality nutritious meals (app. 300 or so calories), more often (every 3 or so hours), to keep your metabolism moving. Then, set realistic exercise goals – for instance, working out 30 min. every other day where it’s close, convenient and easy to get your activity in (shameless plug for Anytime Fitness Cudahy ). Make sure to incorporate strength training, too… even if just 2 times a week.

Here’s more details in this video by WMAQ reporter Nesita Kwan.