About 70% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, yet the majority of people aren't getting enough of it! Human beings, plants and animals need water for survival. It is the most important nutrient for life and it accounts for 60 to 70% of the human body (it is the base of all the fluids of the body, including blood and digestive fluids). If water is so important for good function, good health and effective exercise, it's a shame that we take it for … [Read more...]
Understanding the Paleo Diet – Part Two
The first part of the "Understanding the Paleo Diet" series provides a basic understanding of what the diet is about. How to follow the Paleo Diet is one thing ... understanding how the Paleo Diet works is another topic worth exploring. The Science Behind the Paleo Diet A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and omega 3 fatty acids improve our body’s ability to make use of food rather than storing it as fat or having it remain in the bloodstream as … [Read more...]
Exercise vs. Fast Food
Fast Food vs. Exercise from TodaysFitnessTrainer Even the most dedicated fitness enthusiasts eat fast food. Fast food restaurants understand how to make our mouths water and get us zipping through the drive thru for a quick and convenient (not-so-healthy) meal. Granted, we all need food to survive. The unfortunate reality is that healthier food "seems" to cost significantly more and requires more time and effort to prepare than a 5 minute trip through your local … [Read more...]
Understanding the Paleo Diet – Part One
When it comes to diet and nutrition it looks like what was old (actually really REALLY old) is new again. If you've read the magazine racks at your local grocery store checkout line, you're most likely familiar with the newest weight loss solution, the "Paleo Diet". It may be the newest health craze, but its roots date back to prehistoric times. Also known as the “Caveman Diet,” the Paleo way of eating is based on the belief that modern humans can achieve … [Read more...]
Exercise vs. Fast Food – McDonald’s
Exercise and fast food are two things that just don't seem to go together, especially when most of us are working hard to maintain a healthy weight. The body requires a certain number of calories to function properly and maintain optimal health. The body uses energy for basic metabolism (growing, maintaining and breaking down cells) and requires additional energy for physical activity and exercise. These calories come from the foods we eat every day. If we burn … [Read more...]
High Protein Foods and Exercise
Walk into any fitness club and you are bound to see the word "protein" on at least half of the items for sale (protein powder, protein shakes, protein bars, etc.). Protein is important for people who exercise because it is responsible for rebuilding your muscle tissues after exercise and also plays a role in producing energy under more extreme training conditions. Exercise also causes muscles to demand more protein because it causes structural damage to muscle … [Read more...]
Diet Soda and Exercise
Every human being on this planet needs water to survive. The adult human body is approximately 60 percent water (newborns and infants are upwards of 75 percent water). Although water would be the obvious choice for optimal hydration, soft drinks (including diet soda) are the number one beverage of choice for Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), about half of the population drinks at least one sugared beverage (including … [Read more...]
Nutrients and Exercise – Macronutrients
Aside from air, water and shelter, food is essential for survival. Food provides the energy our bodies need to stay alive. Macronutrients are nutrients in food that provide calories or energy. Without these substances the body would not be able to grow, metabolize or perform other crucial functions. The three (3) macronutrients are carbohydrate, protein and fat. Each macronutrient is essential for survival, in ways that go beyond providing calories for fuel. … [Read more...]
Fat Loss Fundamentals – Part Two
Whether it's one inch or twenty … fat loss is difficult for most people due to a wide variety of factors. The body is a very complex machine with eleven different systems working at the same time (circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal and urinary). The endocrine system, a system of glands that each secrete different types of hormones to specific organs and tissues, plays a significant role in … [Read more...]
Fitness, Exercise and Alcohol
In this day and age alcohol is a means of helping adults relax at the end of the day, enhancing the flavor of food, making social experiences more enjoyable and helping people loosen up and have fun. For those of us who work hard at our health and fitness (but who also like to have fun) it may be challenging to do both at the same time and still get results. Without the right information it can be hard to get the results you are looking to achieve. Many of us … [Read more...]