This won't appeal to someone who is just wanting to just maintain their current fitness level, but if you are wanting to lose some weight, a GREAT idea is to only drink water. Look at a can of soda or a serving of juice (which is always a ton smaller than what you actually pour for yourself). You could drink 200-500 calories a day on beverages alone. It's ridiculous. Just drink water. It is an easy win and something that is easy to stay conscious of.
Calories
100-150 One serving of juice in the morning (Breakfast)
150-250 Soda (Lunch)
150-250 Soda (Snack)
100-300 Beer/Wine (Dinner)
500-950 Potential caloric intake from ONLY beverages
Taking a Mt Dew can out of my hand is nothing I was eager to dive into, but it makes a serious difference. Give it a whirl. If you are interested in calorie reduction, START with beverages. (another benefit to your best friend and mine, water)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Captain Obvious strikes again
Stretch. When was the last time you just stretched? Middle School gym?
Stretch. Lower back, hamstrings, hips, quads, hamstrings, calves, groin, shoulders, chest, upper back. There are tons of reasons to do it. I don't want to list reasons...yes, I do.
Stretching...
- Increases muscle flexibilitiy, which helps guard against injury during workouts, particularly sports. For example, if you are playing basketball and arm gets tangled with an opponent and pulled back, if your body is more equipped to stretch back more, you are less inclined to strain a muscle.
- Increases blood flow in the body.
- helps speed the recovery process up for sore muscles.
- Energizes.
- Warms up muscles for better muscle performance during exercise/workouts.
Stretch more! Do it!
Stretch. Lower back, hamstrings, hips, quads, hamstrings, calves, groin, shoulders, chest, upper back. There are tons of reasons to do it. I don't want to list reasons...yes, I do.
Stretching...
- Increases muscle flexibilitiy, which helps guard against injury during workouts, particularly sports. For example, if you are playing basketball and arm gets tangled with an opponent and pulled back, if your body is more equipped to stretch back more, you are less inclined to strain a muscle.
- Increases blood flow in the body.
- helps speed the recovery process up for sore muscles.
- Energizes.
- Warms up muscles for better muscle performance during exercise/workouts.
Stretch more! Do it!
Poop! Very literally.
My apologies for the title for the vulgarity and pun usage. But doodying helps. Hear me out. When you are constipated, you are stomach area obviously swells more because of it. You also feel more bloated. However much excess weight that is, you are carrying it around all day and, more importantly, affects your workout in that not only do you feel more weighed down but you are actually dragging around an additional 2-5 lbs (possibly more). Imagine how annoying that is if you are going for a 2 mile run or a 5 mile bike ride.
Well, Garth, what are you proposing I do to poop more frequently? I am not encouraging procedures or meds or anything extreme. As usual, I am suggesting some very easy and within your power. Drink a ton of water and eat plenty of fiber. I have read all over the place that water is great for the digestive system. It makes a lot of sense. Think high school chemistry class; water dilutes what you eat. It makes things easier for your digestive track to digest. And fiber is very well documented to assist your digestive system. Make sure it is apart of your regular diet. Easy way? Eat an apple. Raisin bran has a good amount of fiber, too. They also have fiber bars that are a good snack. And green vegetables, specifically green beans, are a very good source as well.
Drink water - more than you currently do now
Eat more apples
Eat green veges
Doody.
Well, Garth, what are you proposing I do to poop more frequently? I am not encouraging procedures or meds or anything extreme. As usual, I am suggesting some very easy and within your power. Drink a ton of water and eat plenty of fiber. I have read all over the place that water is great for the digestive system. It makes a lot of sense. Think high school chemistry class; water dilutes what you eat. It makes things easier for your digestive track to digest. And fiber is very well documented to assist your digestive system. Make sure it is apart of your regular diet. Easy way? Eat an apple. Raisin bran has a good amount of fiber, too. They also have fiber bars that are a good snack. And green vegetables, specifically green beans, are a very good source as well.
Drink water - more than you currently do now
Eat more apples
Eat green veges
Doody.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Protect your feet
Two summers ago, I went to a running shop that watched you run and looked at the shape of your feet and then provided options for you to try on and run a little in. GREAT service. I had NO idea what to shop for before I went to a place like this. Putting a lot of pounding on your feet for a few mile run can be very hard on your knees, hips, back as well as your feet. Getting a good pair of shoes for walking/running is a really good idea. I strongly recommend finding a place like this and picking up a pair if you do anywhere close to moderate running. It will definitely pay dividends in the form of fewer/no blisters, less soreness in legs/hips, protecting your feet and knees for your future.
Your feet are worth it.
Your feet are worth it.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Why own a scale?
I do not own a scale. From time to time, I may be drug to Bed, Bath, and Beyond with the girlfriend and think to myself, "You know, maybe I should get a scale..." I eventually get back to a simple question. Why? Can someone tell me why anyone should own a scale? What is the difference between 185 and 188 lbs? It could be a ton of things.
Use a mirror. It is much more telling of results. It can show immediate results; it can show toning. It is a better picture.
If you are using a scale, you are very likely using it WAY to frequently, which I think is damaging. So if you have just eaten or need to have a BM, the scale will not indicate that when you have actually been good lately.
If you have a scale, hop on once every two weeks or month or something. Do not base your diet or exercise routine off of it.
Use a mirror. It is much more telling of results. It can show immediate results; it can show toning. It is a better picture.
If you are using a scale, you are very likely using it WAY to frequently, which I think is damaging. So if you have just eaten or need to have a BM, the scale will not indicate that when you have actually been good lately.
If you have a scale, hop on once every two weeks or month or something. Do not base your diet or exercise routine off of it.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
It's a bird, it's a plane. No, it's Captain Obvious
Drink more water. What ever amount you are drinking now, drink more. When you are exercising, your body needs more. You need to replenish the fluids from actual sweat. You need water to help flush your bloodstream of toxins that are released by your muscles from working out. You also need water to help with recovery.
There are dozens of other benefits to drinking a lot of water that I do not need to list off, but this one is my favorite. Water helps to dilute what you eat, therefore it is super helpful for digestion. Digestive problems is a big reason for feeling bloated and also your gut sticking out.
Captain Obvious says drink more water.
There are dozens of other benefits to drinking a lot of water that I do not need to list off, but this one is my favorite. Water helps to dilute what you eat, therefore it is super helpful for digestion. Digestive problems is a big reason for feeling bloated and also your gut sticking out.
Captain Obvious says drink more water.
Quit saving the best for last...
It is the muscle group we probably care most about but probably always save to the end of the workout - abs, baby!
Quit doing that!!!
I have read several articles that agree with me here. When you execute your ab exercises at the end of the workout, you are ultimately saying it is an afterthought. If you are like me, you may even bargain with yourself to cut it short. I don't do that anymore. Of course, I always start out my workout with a large muscle group (chest, back, buns, or quads) and I get after the gut next. I am MUCH more likely to complete all sets and even come up with additional workouts for my abs. By moving your abs to the middle of your workout, you are very outwardly making them a bigger importance in your workout - not to mention, you end up having more energy to focus on these sets.
Abs in the middle,baby (excuse the pun)
Quit doing that!!!
I have read several articles that agree with me here. When you execute your ab exercises at the end of the workout, you are ultimately saying it is an afterthought. If you are like me, you may even bargain with yourself to cut it short. I don't do that anymore. Of course, I always start out my workout with a large muscle group (chest, back, buns, or quads) and I get after the gut next. I am MUCH more likely to complete all sets and even come up with additional workouts for my abs. By moving your abs to the middle of your workout, you are very outwardly making them a bigger importance in your workout - not to mention, you end up having more energy to focus on these sets.
Abs in the middle,baby (excuse the pun)
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