Showing posts with label fat loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fat loss. Show all posts

Friday, 18 April 2014

Simple Nutrition and Healthy Weight Loss Advice.


Simple Nutrition and Healthy Weight Loss Advice.

Long time no blog I know, but I have been busy studying and doing work to prepare for my Nutrition and Weight Loss Specialist Certification exam. I thought I would take some time and share some things I have learned and tips that I will share with my clients.

This is 4 liters of water. Start drinking.
Water Is the Most Important Nutrient for Your Body.
Water will not only curb your appetite, but is required for every important task your body does. You will not be able to digest your food, get nutrients form your food or grow muscle without water. Depending on activity you could consume 3 to even 6 liters of water a day!  Also, I would suggest you don’t get on the bandwagon of using additives or sports drinks in water.  Ideally, you should replenish electrolytes and carbohydrates via food. Replenishing these is only critical after an hour of vigorous exercise and even then, will only benefit performance after 20 minutes. So save that for your half marathon or marathon. Drink water and have a balanced meal after your workout. One of the things I do is put elastic bands around my water bottle. Each time I empty the bottle I move an elastic band down. So my bottle holds 600 ml, 5 bands start at the top, at the end of the day I should have 5 elastic bands at the bottom for 3 liters.


Fat is not bad, in fact you need it.

Some of your nutrients are fat-soluble. So that means they can only be used in the presence of fat.  Omega 3, 6, and 9 are important. Saturated fats are not all evil, but look at lightly processed or unprocessed fats. Coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and fats from avocado and fish should be included in your pans and plates. If you would like to find out more about healthy dietary fat, check in next week. I will be writing all about the good, bad and ugly of fat.

Lastly, Unprocessed, Whole, Raw.
My training and my personal style encourage clients to enjoy raw, unprocessed and whole foods. It is very important to avoid things in cellophane bags, vending machines, laden with heavy preservatives. This is not as boring as you may think, and not dreadfully difficult. I am not asking you to cut out your treats, just re-think them. My process involves working with my clients and finding the negotiations and small changes in diet that have the biggest impact. Replace preprocessed candies and bars with dates and nuts with little bits of dark chocolate.  If you enjoy meat, eat the least processed as possible. Cut out sausage, hotdogs, even hamburgers and go for cuts of meat. Watch this space for more suggestions and tips on this to come.  
Don't like cooking. Try eating raw veggies with a little hummus. No cooking!

Saturday, 14 December 2013

Inexpensive Gifts for the Fitness Freak on your list!




Got a fitness freak that on your list and don’t have a lot of cash? Here are some of my favorite stocking stuffers. It would be a great idea to give gifts (or ask for gifts) that promote your health and get that New Year’s resolution off on the right foot.


Small business and local folks!


Smoothie E-book. $10




My friend Natalie Duhamel wrote this. She studied nutrition through Institute of Integrative Nutrition, so she is not just some lady with a blender. Her e-book recipes focus on raw vegetables. They taste great and are easy to make.  I have been using this book for a while now making smoothies. I set the blender to go and have a supply for the week. Sometimes I supplement meals with them, use them as meal replacements, or a quick snack before the gym when I cant eat anything heavier. You get the book in PDF form. Great gift for a friend, couple, or yourself to start getting some more veg in!

Downtown Nutrition: Sydney, Nova Scotia






390 Charlotte Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 1E2

You will find me at this place quite often. Some stuff I like (hint):

-Gift Cards, $30 $50 $75 or $100.
-PB2, it is a “new peanut butter”  with 85% less fat calories in regular and chocolate flavors.
-They also have Garcinia, Green Coffee Bean, and Raspberry Ketones for weight loss.
-Plenty of high quality fitness clothing. The only place I get my shirts for they gym.
-Maca. This stuff is supposed give you energy and can even replace your cup of coffee. They sell it right now for under $20 too!

-They have a great variety of pre workout, protein powder and post workout supplements that any fitness nut goes through frequently. The knowledgeable staff can let you know the best supplements for you gym rat.

As stocking stuffers these are great, way better than candy bars! Their facebook page touts.
- Quest Bars! With over 20g of protein per bars and an assortment of flavors: Strawberry Cheesecake, Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, White Chocolate Raspberry, Vanilla Almond, Mixed Berry, Apple Pie, and Peanut Butter Supreme , Quest Bars will make anyone happy for the Holidays!

Charlene's Nutrition Centre

254 Kings Road, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1S 1A6



There is so much available here. Great place for special dietary needs, organic food and natural herbal remedies.

-Vitamin B natural factors for $12.99 great for energy and stress
-Vitamin D $10.99 sunshine vitamin.
-Vega snack packs $3.99 for energy.
-Macca chocolate bars $3.99 Again, great for energy!
-Vitamin C natural factors $13.99 for immune health.
-Cacao powder - great for smoothies under$20.00
-Emergency singles $1.00 I love these. Great for fighting off the cold season. 

Why would you go to a big box store for junk food when you can get healthy treats!

Stuff you have to wait for the mail for.


Acupressure Balls or Lacrosse balls. $3-$4







You lay on these and give yourself a massage.  You can also use these to massage sore muscles so your hands don’t get tired. Use on the bottom of your feet quads, back or other problem spots. Nice little stocking stuffer.

Reaction Balls $7





This helps with speed and agility. You toss the ball and chase it. It goes in different directions and you get a workout trying to keep up.  It is like playing catch with a jerk! Remember that scene in “Rocky” where Micky made rock chase the chicken…. You catch this ball you will be fast as grease lighting, but without all the feather mess!

Pedometer $8



If someone is starting a new fitness regime in the New Year counting steps and walking more is a great start!

 

Resistance Bands $14





These are fun, don’t take up much room and provide a great resistance. Nice introduction to weight training and versatility will keep your interest for a while.



Foam Roller $15




 I use a foam roller before my workout and after. It is basally like getting a little massage. Read more about it in the description, it improves the overall health of your muscles and prevents injuries. I have a client that gets so much benefit from this I am concerned she has fallen in love with it...









Let’s talk about doing stuff with a $20 and another bill……

Stability Ball $23

 

I use these for everything. I do my dumbbell bench press on them, ab crunches, and stretching. In a pinch make a great chair. No house should be without one.












The Grid, a different type of roller $29



This is an upgrade from the other foam roller, this is hollow so it can fit in the strap of your gym bag.  Grate release and rugged.










 

Pilates kit. $43

 






Pilates requires training and instruction, but this kit is nice and can be a thoughtful gift to someone thinking about hiring a personal trainer.


YFITT at the YMCA




YFITT is a great opportunity to have a personal training session with highly qualified trainers in a small group setting. The best part about this is if you can not afford or are not ready for a personal trainer, this can give you a nice kick start! I do these sessions in between my regular workouts. It is the extra intensity I need for my fitness goals. 


THE BEST GIFT OF ALL




A session with me.  Hire me as your personal trainer to get on the right track this year! I promise fun effective workouts!

Now doesn't all that sound better than fruit cake?!


Wednesday, 27 November 2013

GREAT SCOTT: ANOTHER KILLER WORKOUT


Here is another great, client tested, interval workout. This is a tough one, not for the beginners. Featuring hex dumbbells, BOSU and KETTLE BELLS.



ROUND 1: do this 3 times

MAN MAKERS:                        70 SEC
Rest                                                30 SEC
BOSU ROCK AND ROLLER:             70 SEC

Rest                                                30 SEC
LUNGES ONTO BOSU
            WITH DUMBBELL
            OVERHEAD PRESS            70 SEC
Rest                                                30 SEC

ROUND 2:  do this 4 times

KETTLE BELL SWINGS            35 SEC
Rest                                                12 SEC
JUMP OVER BOSU                        35 SEC


Rest                                                12 SEC
BOSU TRIPLE STEP                        35 SEC



Rest                                                12 SEC
BOSU TRIPLE STEP                        35 SEC           
Rest                                                12 SEC

ROUND 3: do this 4 times

BOSU AND STABILITY
BALL TUCK-INS
OR PIKE                        40 SEC



Rest                                                13 SEC
RUSSIAN TWIST                        40 SEC
Rest                                                13 SEC
FULL SIT UP                                    40 SEC
Rest                                                13 SEC
DOUBLE SIT UP                        40 SEC
Rest                                                13 SEC