Ok, so not everyone out there is like me...pregnant with twins. But all of us have unique challenges that make our problems with health and nutrition unique. The most important part of being a holistic nurse and doing holistic nutrition, is understanding that holism means mind-body-spirit, and THAT means....what ever you say it does! Many of us can get very hung up on judging others simply because they are not doing what they "ought" to. All this means is that they are not doing what YOU want them to do. Forcing someone to do something against their will simply does not work...even if your throw in guilt, risk of eternal damnation, or cookies (rewards are manipulative too). That being said, bribing yourself (or guilting yourself) also doesn't work!
Figuring it out
So what are you to do? Figure out what you want and why. When making change isn't working, really figure out why - name it. Don't be content simply saying well, I got past it and I'm back at it again. These barriers will creep back into your life if you can't see them coming, so figure it out.
For this mamma with twins on the way, my biggest barrier to eating is I simply don't feel like it. With twins I don't have a lot of room inside, so my stomach feels full quickly. Another problem is cravings: I'm convinced that these kids have opposite cravings since they change from Yum to Yuck by the time I get to the kitchen. So I know the problem. For others of you, you may want to quit smoking and "don't feel like it," or need to go to the gym but "don't feel like it." Others of you will have barriers unique to you. Perhaps you don't like certain foods, or do crave junk foods. Perhaps, you have a physical limitation or injury. Perhaps you believe that results can only occur in one way....starvation, becoming a gym rat, surgery, spending a fortune on fancy foods, clothes, and equipment, or that it's out of your hands because of what you believe about your past attempts or about what you believe your body "ought" to do (get skinny, fast or bulk up like the HULK).
Make a Plan
So you know the problem, great! Now figure out a way to over come it! Have a wall in front of you, and everyone says you have to climb over it? Why?! Find a way past it that works for you: around, under, through...dynamite, whatever. Build a new road around it, if you have to! Going back to myself as the example - I don't wanna eat and can't eat in bulk. So find the foods you do want to eat, eat them in small, but reasonable amounts, wait a while and then have more, and when you are hungry - eat! This plan can work for you too. Don't want to stop eating cookies? Eat your cookies in smaller amounts then, and when you do feel like eating well - eat! Shovel in the good choice foods, and maybe when cookie time comes...you won't feel like it!
All barriers can be overcome - patients in nursing homes or in wheelchairs can still do yoga, swim, dance, play competitive sports, etc. What is your excuse? If you need help with a limitation, I can help you! There are activities for everyone, even with back problems, sports injuries, blindness, arthritis, and even the "I don't wanna's." Don't like sweating? Go swimming (you still sweat, but don't notice it)! Don't like running? Hop on a bike, go for a hike, join a town intramural team! You get the idea.
Respecting your body
The best part about this approach, is that not only do you learn more about yourself, but you have a set of tools that you can use the next time a barrier comes up. So you find an exercise that you love, but then get injured. Now what? Find a new way to exercise, while giving the injury time to rest so you can get back into your routine. Having twins and banned from exercising? Get over the idea that you worked out until the very end with your singleton baby, and recognize that your body is changing (aren't they all) - respect your body. If it is injured, let it heal. If it is hungry, feed it. If it is making two people, rest it. If you are more tired one day, take it a little easier. That's ok, and you will feel better in the long run. If you force your body to go against what it is telling you it needs, it will rebel - and isn't that the whole point of where we started? You can't force it! But if you respect your mind, body, and spirit you will be able to work out well the next time, eat well when you can, and feel less stressed and self-critical in the process. That's good for everybody!
Be well, and respect your body!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
How mindfulness can help you reach your nutrition and exercise goals!
I have been posting for weeks on the more mundane and practical side of nutrition and exercise. It's time to add in the spiritual center of it all. Regardless of your religious beliefs, we all have a spiritual self. This concept simply refers to the part of us that is more then just our mind + our body. We are more then that! We are beautifully complex beings of experience, emotion, energy, and love. Mindfulness is a way of honoring that complexity that is within ourselves and every living thing.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is intentionally being as aware as possible, and we practice this skill on the smallest things to help us focus our concentration. For example, a traditional mindfulness exercise is to eat a raisin. Did you just pop it in your pie hole and eat it? Ok, let's try again. Use all of your sense. Look at it...appreciate its colors, its ridges and wrinkles, its shape, if there is a stem, etc. This should take a while: try for minute - the more you practice the easier (and less awkward) this is. Raisins don't usually smell like much, but smell it. Is there a subtle scent? Then put it in your mouth - but don't eat it! Move it around and feel it first. Eventually you can bite into it, and take the time to taste it. Feel the difference of the soft insides compared to the rough outside. This process takes several minutes, and the last thing you do is actually eat it.
So what? Seriously?
If you ate all your food this way you would lose weight simply from not having the time to eat enough. That's not the goal here. But being mindful of the foods you are introducing to your body, the foods that will eventually become you, means you are appreciating these once living things and welcoming them into you. Think of a basic snack of steamed broccoli. Broccoli: Give thanks that it gave its life for yours. Take the time to imagine the field it grew in, the hands that harvested it, the trucks it road in, and the general journey it took to get from its little seed self to your plate and your belly.
This process does not take more then a few seconds, but the process makes you think twice about where your food came from, and makes you want to introduce clean, healthy, whole foods to your body. Can you follow the journey of "Propylene Glycol Monoester" or "high fructose corn syrup"? I will post another day on the evils of high fructose corn syrup, but since the corn people claim it's natural (not processed) we'll imagine it is grown from a seed in a beautiful seed, picked, and then milled, filtered, then enzymes and chemicals are added to change the sugar content and balance the pH, (which is obviously totally the way nature intended it).
As for meats: Be thankful that the chicken gave its life so you could have yours. That's a good place to start. Now the energy and chemicals that were in the chicken will be yours...makes you wish the chicken had a nice life of running about eating bugs. Makes you think twice about chicken that is abused, filled with pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Ingesting a food that is combined with other chemicals or fillers (such as with nuggets or patties), and you are getting farther from that pure food.
Being mindful while you eat creates feelings of gratitude, and makes you more aware of what you are putting into your body. It slows you down and makes you think about whether THAT is the best thing you can eat since it will become you.
Didn't you say something about exercise?
Mindfulness has been a part of some exercises for centuries. Yoga and martial arts are the first to come to mind. But what about repetitive activities like walking, running, biking, or swimming? Those types of activities provide a natural opportunity to meditate, focus on a thought or goal, and to place your intention into the activity. What does that mean? Well, let's imagine that you want to de-stress, or get stronger, or maybe feel more confident. That's your intention and should be focused on throughout an activity. Just like with the raisin, focus on yourself sweating and working into a stronger, de-stressed, or more confident person. Especially when the workout gets hard - use your intention to focus all that energy to your goal!
What about other activities that require more...paying attention. Like dancing, weightlifting, or zumba? Set your intention at the beginning of the workout. When you are challenged, draw on that intention to give you strength to keep going, and give thanks at the end of the workout. Giving thanks is important. You should give thanks to your self - for having an amazing body that is getting more amazing everyday. Also give thanks to anyone who helped you workout. That may mean a trainer or a workout buddy, or it may mean a friend, partner, or babysitter that took over other responsibilities so you could have that time to exercise. Give thanks that you are able to workout, to breathe, and to sweat. Life always seems a little better after a good workout, so be sure to appreciate and enjoy that feeling!
Happy journey to you, and happy New Year!
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is intentionally being as aware as possible, and we practice this skill on the smallest things to help us focus our concentration. For example, a traditional mindfulness exercise is to eat a raisin. Did you just pop it in your pie hole and eat it? Ok, let's try again. Use all of your sense. Look at it...appreciate its colors, its ridges and wrinkles, its shape, if there is a stem, etc. This should take a while: try for minute - the more you practice the easier (and less awkward) this is. Raisins don't usually smell like much, but smell it. Is there a subtle scent? Then put it in your mouth - but don't eat it! Move it around and feel it first. Eventually you can bite into it, and take the time to taste it. Feel the difference of the soft insides compared to the rough outside. This process takes several minutes, and the last thing you do is actually eat it.
So what? Seriously?
If you ate all your food this way you would lose weight simply from not having the time to eat enough. That's not the goal here. But being mindful of the foods you are introducing to your body, the foods that will eventually become you, means you are appreciating these once living things and welcoming them into you. Think of a basic snack of steamed broccoli. Broccoli: Give thanks that it gave its life for yours. Take the time to imagine the field it grew in, the hands that harvested it, the trucks it road in, and the general journey it took to get from its little seed self to your plate and your belly.
This process does not take more then a few seconds, but the process makes you think twice about where your food came from, and makes you want to introduce clean, healthy, whole foods to your body. Can you follow the journey of "Propylene Glycol Monoester" or "high fructose corn syrup"? I will post another day on the evils of high fructose corn syrup, but since the corn people claim it's natural (not processed) we'll imagine it is grown from a seed in a beautiful seed, picked, and then milled, filtered, then enzymes and chemicals are added to change the sugar content and balance the pH, (which is obviously totally the way nature intended it).
As for meats: Be thankful that the chicken gave its life so you could have yours. That's a good place to start. Now the energy and chemicals that were in the chicken will be yours...makes you wish the chicken had a nice life of running about eating bugs. Makes you think twice about chicken that is abused, filled with pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Ingesting a food that is combined with other chemicals or fillers (such as with nuggets or patties), and you are getting farther from that pure food.
Being mindful while you eat creates feelings of gratitude, and makes you more aware of what you are putting into your body. It slows you down and makes you think about whether THAT is the best thing you can eat since it will become you.
Didn't you say something about exercise?
Mindfulness has been a part of some exercises for centuries. Yoga and martial arts are the first to come to mind. But what about repetitive activities like walking, running, biking, or swimming? Those types of activities provide a natural opportunity to meditate, focus on a thought or goal, and to place your intention into the activity. What does that mean? Well, let's imagine that you want to de-stress, or get stronger, or maybe feel more confident. That's your intention and should be focused on throughout an activity. Just like with the raisin, focus on yourself sweating and working into a stronger, de-stressed, or more confident person. Especially when the workout gets hard - use your intention to focus all that energy to your goal!
What about other activities that require more...paying attention. Like dancing, weightlifting, or zumba? Set your intention at the beginning of the workout. When you are challenged, draw on that intention to give you strength to keep going, and give thanks at the end of the workout. Giving thanks is important. You should give thanks to your self - for having an amazing body that is getting more amazing everyday. Also give thanks to anyone who helped you workout. That may mean a trainer or a workout buddy, or it may mean a friend, partner, or babysitter that took over other responsibilities so you could have that time to exercise. Give thanks that you are able to workout, to breathe, and to sweat. Life always seems a little better after a good workout, so be sure to appreciate and enjoy that feeling!
Happy journey to you, and happy New Year!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
How many Calories do you need?
This post is all about calories. Calories are the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of water 1 degree. So when your box of Popcorn says it has 120 calories, they mean that the amount of energy you'd be depositing into your body would be enough fuel to burn 120 kg of water 1 degree. Yes, food is fuel, so you also need to remember to burn it off not just store it!
So how many calories do you need? well, that's a slightly complicated question, and there are lots of calorie calculators available online. Basically the number is adjusted by weight (bigger people burn more calories), and height, and age (which sets metabolism and developmental needs), gender (which influences muscle mass and body fat - women need more body fat to maintain their periods/pregnancy), and activity level. In general, people need a lot more calories then most of us are eating. YES! You read that right. People typically need to be eating more calories - but good, happy, healthy calories. For my body and exercise level, I need to eat about 2600 calories - yikes. But since I am losing weight, I subtract 500 calories (that puts me on a course of losing a pound a week). Losing too much weight too fast is very dangerous for the body and should only be done with supervision by a healthcare provider. It's also not as sustainable to lose a lot quickly. Losing weight and getting healthy needs to be a mental and emotional change, so weight that is lost gradually has been shown to stay off! Which is why crash diets DON'T work.
How to calculate it:
If you'd rather be a calorie geek, like me, here are the formulas for men and women. Step 1:
Women: BMR = 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)
Men: BMR = 66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)
Step 2:
multiply that number by another one based on your activity level:
sedentary: 1.2, Light: 1.375, Moderate: 1.55 ,very active: 1.75
Step 3:
If you want to gain weight add 500, maintain - do nothing, lose weight then subtract 500.
That's your number of calories every day. There are also calorie counters for kids (my daughter is 1 year old, and is very active so she needs about 1400 calories a day). The calorie needs of a pregnant woman should be the same in the first trimester, and only increase by about 300 calories a day for the remainder - so basically a half of a PB and J, ....or a bagel. Nursing moms need an extra 300-500 calories.
So you know your calories, now what?
Divide this number over 5 meals. More calories AND you get to eat every few hours? Awesome. So, I'm 2100 calories so maybe 400, 400, 500, 400, 400 - A nice big lunch, and the rest are about even. You can divide them up in different ways depending on your personality. Maybe you don't like to eat a lot at breakfast, or you'd rather eat light at lunch since you work out then. Mix it up, but remember that a meal is 300-500 calories, and a snack is 100-200 calories. Therefore, don't eat an apple and call it lunch, and don't starve all day so that you can eat 1000 calories of nachos and beer with your friends that night. Your body responds to what it ate last. So if you ate great, your body responds with a jump in metabolism, reduced cravings, and steady blood sugar (so no jolt, no jitters, no crash). If you ate crap and food-like substances, your body slows down, your bowels stop working properly and you start craving more salt, fat, and sugar. Did you skip a meal? Your body knows it - it slows down the metabolism and you start getting too hungry to make good choices.
A note on EXERCISE
Adjust your caloric needs if you aren't going to exercise more then 2 days in a row. Your calorie calculations are assuming you will be consistent with exercise - and the intensity level. Also, having worked out doesn't mean you can eat whatever you want...the old, "I can eat that, I did workout today," doesn't actually work.
When to workout/eat depends on you. Some people can't workout on an empty stomach, and others can't workout on a full one. In general, try to not eat 2 hours before you exercise. If you need something in your tummy, have a banana, a sports drink/recovery drink, or a healthy snack bar (definitely only around 100 calories).
A note on fasting
There are some times when fasting can be good for you - for spiritual purposes, to give your body a chance to cleanse, and to focus the mind. But that's where this list ends. Eating less than 300 calories at a meal isn't enough to feed the body so that it feels full, so you get enough nutrients, and to keep that metabolism up. Eating less then 1000 calories a day, is a strict no-no. Want to balance the deficit on the calories in/calories out thing? Exercise. Trust me. Ultra low calorie diets may force some bodies (not all) to lose weight, but since your body is lacking nutrients it will steal them from you. That's why people with eating disorders have brittle bones and frequent fractures, their body stole the calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus from their bodies since it wasn't in the diet. Your body will steel calories from the muscles in your body - which you not only need to exercise, stand, make out, and smile - but you also need to beat your heart. Get the idea?
Yes, some diets call for periods of fasting, or a skipped meal. If that works for you, fine. If you aren't losing weight, get cranky (a sign of low blood sugar NOT lack of will power), or that it leads you to making bad food choices - don't bother. Eat! But eat well:)
Good Eats!
Ok, this is the last bit of advice: eat well! Eating healthy foods means that you get to eat more, not less! For example, a small order of french fries has 300 calories. For the same calories you can have a large baked sweet potato, 1 cup of broccoli, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, and 1 oz of chicken. That a full plate compared to a little sad paper bag of fries. Want to eat a dunkin donuts' blueberry muffin? That's 500 calories. Instead, you could have had an omelet with 1 whole egg, 2 egg white, 1 oz of shredded cheddar, mushrooms, onions, peppers, a tortilla wrap, a cup of non-fat plain yogurt, AND a cup of....you guessed it, fresh blueberries! That's a boat load of food! Still think the starvation diet is where it's at? I'd rather eat all that versus 1 muffin that will probably not even make you feel full.
Good luck, and happy eating:)
So how many calories do you need? well, that's a slightly complicated question, and there are lots of calorie calculators available online. Basically the number is adjusted by weight (bigger people burn more calories), and height, and age (which sets metabolism and developmental needs), gender (which influences muscle mass and body fat - women need more body fat to maintain their periods/pregnancy), and activity level. In general, people need a lot more calories then most of us are eating. YES! You read that right. People typically need to be eating more calories - but good, happy, healthy calories. For my body and exercise level, I need to eat about 2600 calories - yikes. But since I am losing weight, I subtract 500 calories (that puts me on a course of losing a pound a week). Losing too much weight too fast is very dangerous for the body and should only be done with supervision by a healthcare provider. It's also not as sustainable to lose a lot quickly. Losing weight and getting healthy needs to be a mental and emotional change, so weight that is lost gradually has been shown to stay off! Which is why crash diets DON'T work.
How to calculate it:
If you'd rather be a calorie geek, like me, here are the formulas for men and women. Step 1:
Women: BMR = 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)
Men: BMR = 66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)
Step 2:
multiply that number by another one based on your activity level:
sedentary: 1.2, Light: 1.375, Moderate: 1.55 ,very active: 1.75
Step 3:
If you want to gain weight add 500, maintain - do nothing, lose weight then subtract 500.
That's your number of calories every day. There are also calorie counters for kids (my daughter is 1 year old, and is very active so she needs about 1400 calories a day). The calorie needs of a pregnant woman should be the same in the first trimester, and only increase by about 300 calories a day for the remainder - so basically a half of a PB and J, ....or a bagel. Nursing moms need an extra 300-500 calories.
So you know your calories, now what?
Divide this number over 5 meals. More calories AND you get to eat every few hours? Awesome. So, I'm 2100 calories so maybe 400, 400, 500, 400, 400 - A nice big lunch, and the rest are about even. You can divide them up in different ways depending on your personality. Maybe you don't like to eat a lot at breakfast, or you'd rather eat light at lunch since you work out then. Mix it up, but remember that a meal is 300-500 calories, and a snack is 100-200 calories. Therefore, don't eat an apple and call it lunch, and don't starve all day so that you can eat 1000 calories of nachos and beer with your friends that night. Your body responds to what it ate last. So if you ate great, your body responds with a jump in metabolism, reduced cravings, and steady blood sugar (so no jolt, no jitters, no crash). If you ate crap and food-like substances, your body slows down, your bowels stop working properly and you start craving more salt, fat, and sugar. Did you skip a meal? Your body knows it - it slows down the metabolism and you start getting too hungry to make good choices.
A note on EXERCISE
Adjust your caloric needs if you aren't going to exercise more then 2 days in a row. Your calorie calculations are assuming you will be consistent with exercise - and the intensity level. Also, having worked out doesn't mean you can eat whatever you want...the old, "I can eat that, I did workout today," doesn't actually work.
When to workout/eat depends on you. Some people can't workout on an empty stomach, and others can't workout on a full one. In general, try to not eat 2 hours before you exercise. If you need something in your tummy, have a banana, a sports drink/recovery drink, or a healthy snack bar (definitely only around 100 calories).
A note on fasting
There are some times when fasting can be good for you - for spiritual purposes, to give your body a chance to cleanse, and to focus the mind. But that's where this list ends. Eating less than 300 calories at a meal isn't enough to feed the body so that it feels full, so you get enough nutrients, and to keep that metabolism up. Eating less then 1000 calories a day, is a strict no-no. Want to balance the deficit on the calories in/calories out thing? Exercise. Trust me. Ultra low calorie diets may force some bodies (not all) to lose weight, but since your body is lacking nutrients it will steal them from you. That's why people with eating disorders have brittle bones and frequent fractures, their body stole the calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus from their bodies since it wasn't in the diet. Your body will steel calories from the muscles in your body - which you not only need to exercise, stand, make out, and smile - but you also need to beat your heart. Get the idea?
Yes, some diets call for periods of fasting, or a skipped meal. If that works for you, fine. If you aren't losing weight, get cranky (a sign of low blood sugar NOT lack of will power), or that it leads you to making bad food choices - don't bother. Eat! But eat well:)
Good Eats!
Ok, this is the last bit of advice: eat well! Eating healthy foods means that you get to eat more, not less! For example, a small order of french fries has 300 calories. For the same calories you can have a large baked sweet potato, 1 cup of broccoli, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, and 1 oz of chicken. That a full plate compared to a little sad paper bag of fries. Want to eat a dunkin donuts' blueberry muffin? That's 500 calories. Instead, you could have had an omelet with 1 whole egg, 2 egg white, 1 oz of shredded cheddar, mushrooms, onions, peppers, a tortilla wrap, a cup of non-fat plain yogurt, AND a cup of....you guessed it, fresh blueberries! That's a boat load of food! Still think the starvation diet is where it's at? I'd rather eat all that versus 1 muffin that will probably not even make you feel full.
Good luck, and happy eating:)
Friday, December 9, 2011
How to Choose the Exercises that are Best for You!
The key to choosing the right kind of exercises is to know your body and to know your goals. When I coach new clients or help my patients, I always ask them to tell me about the types of exercises they have done before, what went wrong, and of any injuries/health issues they have. The only people who truly cannot do a workout are those in a coma - and even with them we do stretches and range of motion (moving the joints around) several times a day! I will discuss a few of the body barriers to working out, and explore a few different options here.
Age
Ok, so the biggest whine (you know who you are) is that "I'm too old." Well, that excuse may be, but you are NOT. Have you ever heard of the octogenarian olympics? It is an international competition for the 80 and older! And no, they aren't doing walker dual fighting - They are doing the 100 yard dash in 19 seconds! Women in their 80's are clearing 8 feet on the pole vault! Most have learned how to adapt to their health issues, despite that almost all have osteoporosis or arthritis. Even my patients who are recovering from open heart surgery go to the hospital based heart-gym to get their heart back into shape on treadmills, stationary bikes, and by lifting weights. Is your excuse that you aren't able to work out because you have kids? Kids love to work out, and doing it with their parents only reinforces those good health behaviors. Babies love to go in the jogging stroller, and toddlers/preschoolers love to try and jump, run, climb stairs, and ride on the back of the bike. My one year old is really good at copying me when I am doing my P90X workout. She marches while I jog in place, she tries to do push ups with me, and in general loves to watch me hop around - so we make a game of it. Early school aged kids can do a work out with you (modifying of course), including the Kids Fit Club - a workout just for them. Middle schoolers and up can do everything you can do - and would LOVE to beat you at it too. That adds to their self-esteem, keeps them healthy, and gives you and your kids some time together.
Body type
Are you super weak, with little bitty girl arms? Can't lift your own body weight or do a push-up? Are you a stocky person with a barrel chest, and a thick frame? Do you have funny joints that don't like certain movements like swimming or pedaling? Do you have bad feet or a bad back and have written off all kinds of activities - or worse, push through it? Knowing your body is a key aspect of finding your soul mate work out. There are activities for everyone and every body type - walking is a great activity. So is weightlifting, which helps build muscles, increase metabolism, stabilizes joints, and strengthens bones. Just start with low weights, and do more reps. This will allow you to keep your joints and body under control, and not injure yourself. Are you a bigger person, with more weight to move? The water is a great place. Easy on joints too. Learning to swim comfortably (so you don't feel like you are drowning, you aren't hitting yourself, and you are making forward progress) takes practice. Luckily, you will be swimming lots of laps, so you can practice. You should be breathing at a comfortable rate, so match your swimming to that. Most people swim really hard and need to breath heavily, resulting in sputtering, near drowning and frustration. Pace yourself, and work on speed after you get the hang of it.
Sex
This means are you a boy or a girl - and what kind of cock-a-mamy things have you been told about what kind of exercises people with certain "parts" should do. Girls can do any kind of workout that boys can do. Girls tend to weigh less, so they don't have to be as strong to pull up or push up their bodies, just modify at first with a chair to assist with pull ups or starting on your knees with pushups. Girls can lift weights - in fact they should. It increases bone density to do any weight baring exercises, and given the rates of osteoporosis, arthritis, and hip fractures among women - why wouldn't you do it? If you are a mamma like me, lifting weights helps tone your body, and makes it easier to do the crazy things you do like carry the baby, all the groceries, and the mail! Be careful though if you have any kind of pelvic floor weakness (do you pee when you sneeze?). Be sure to lift carefully, of a modest weight, and do exercises to strengthen the core and kegels to strengthen those muscles. Men...guys do yoga too, and should. Increasing your flexibility improves balance, endurance, and your ability to manage pain. Improving flexibility will prevent injuries. Also, Just as women are less likely to be able to lift higher weights, men are less likely to have good endurance and pain control. Remember that women are designed to give birth so our pain thresholds are higher, and our body's ability to use oxygen efficiently need to be good.
Health problems
This is a big one, and yet is easy to over come if you have the right support. Diabetics should work out since it improves sugar metabolism and controls weight, but they do need to monitor their sugar/insulin needs during and after a workout. A trained profession (such as myself) can help you learn to manage that. Heart problems? Watching your level of exertion, and knowing how to strengthen the cardiovascular system safely is key AND possible. Cancer patient? Moderate exercise improves symptoms of nausea, insomnia, and fatique. Be sure to know how to avoid infection at the gym, and to modify for any surgeries/procedures that may limit your movements. Kidney, lymphatic, or liver issues? Movement helps the body to cleanse itself of impurities better - just be sure to stay hydrated!! Digestive or urinary problems, movement helps both diarrhea and constipation. If you have "urgency" issues, just be sure to workout somewhere where a bathroom is accessible and close. Bed ridden? 20 asanas for your pajamas is a video for doing yoga from your bed! I recommend it to my patients all the time:) Have Alzheimer's, dementia, amnesia, or brain injury? Work out with a buddy, always tell someone where you are going, and have a routine so you always know what to do next. Paraplegic, hemiplegic, or an amputee...if we can have para-olympians who swim, run, play sports, and are probably in better shape then most Americans, then you can find solutions too!
If you have a physical limitation that I haven't mentioned here, let me know and I can help you find a way to modify that will keep you strong and as healthy as possible. Just remember, you have a body that is just right for you and learning how to make it healthy and happy can be a joyful journey! Happy exercising:)
Age
Ok, so the biggest whine (you know who you are) is that "I'm too old." Well, that excuse may be, but you are NOT. Have you ever heard of the octogenarian olympics? It is an international competition for the 80 and older! And no, they aren't doing walker dual fighting - They are doing the 100 yard dash in 19 seconds! Women in their 80's are clearing 8 feet on the pole vault! Most have learned how to adapt to their health issues, despite that almost all have osteoporosis or arthritis. Even my patients who are recovering from open heart surgery go to the hospital based heart-gym to get their heart back into shape on treadmills, stationary bikes, and by lifting weights. Is your excuse that you aren't able to work out because you have kids? Kids love to work out, and doing it with their parents only reinforces those good health behaviors. Babies love to go in the jogging stroller, and toddlers/preschoolers love to try and jump, run, climb stairs, and ride on the back of the bike. My one year old is really good at copying me when I am doing my P90X workout. She marches while I jog in place, she tries to do push ups with me, and in general loves to watch me hop around - so we make a game of it. Early school aged kids can do a work out with you (modifying of course), including the Kids Fit Club - a workout just for them. Middle schoolers and up can do everything you can do - and would LOVE to beat you at it too. That adds to their self-esteem, keeps them healthy, and gives you and your kids some time together.
Body type
Are you super weak, with little bitty girl arms? Can't lift your own body weight or do a push-up? Are you a stocky person with a barrel chest, and a thick frame? Do you have funny joints that don't like certain movements like swimming or pedaling? Do you have bad feet or a bad back and have written off all kinds of activities - or worse, push through it? Knowing your body is a key aspect of finding your soul mate work out. There are activities for everyone and every body type - walking is a great activity. So is weightlifting, which helps build muscles, increase metabolism, stabilizes joints, and strengthens bones. Just start with low weights, and do more reps. This will allow you to keep your joints and body under control, and not injure yourself. Are you a bigger person, with more weight to move? The water is a great place. Easy on joints too. Learning to swim comfortably (so you don't feel like you are drowning, you aren't hitting yourself, and you are making forward progress) takes practice. Luckily, you will be swimming lots of laps, so you can practice. You should be breathing at a comfortable rate, so match your swimming to that. Most people swim really hard and need to breath heavily, resulting in sputtering, near drowning and frustration. Pace yourself, and work on speed after you get the hang of it.
Sex
This means are you a boy or a girl - and what kind of cock-a-mamy things have you been told about what kind of exercises people with certain "parts" should do. Girls can do any kind of workout that boys can do. Girls tend to weigh less, so they don't have to be as strong to pull up or push up their bodies, just modify at first with a chair to assist with pull ups or starting on your knees with pushups. Girls can lift weights - in fact they should. It increases bone density to do any weight baring exercises, and given the rates of osteoporosis, arthritis, and hip fractures among women - why wouldn't you do it? If you are a mamma like me, lifting weights helps tone your body, and makes it easier to do the crazy things you do like carry the baby, all the groceries, and the mail! Be careful though if you have any kind of pelvic floor weakness (do you pee when you sneeze?). Be sure to lift carefully, of a modest weight, and do exercises to strengthen the core and kegels to strengthen those muscles. Men...guys do yoga too, and should. Increasing your flexibility improves balance, endurance, and your ability to manage pain. Improving flexibility will prevent injuries. Also, Just as women are less likely to be able to lift higher weights, men are less likely to have good endurance and pain control. Remember that women are designed to give birth so our pain thresholds are higher, and our body's ability to use oxygen efficiently need to be good.
Health problems
This is a big one, and yet is easy to over come if you have the right support. Diabetics should work out since it improves sugar metabolism and controls weight, but they do need to monitor their sugar/insulin needs during and after a workout. A trained profession (such as myself) can help you learn to manage that. Heart problems? Watching your level of exertion, and knowing how to strengthen the cardiovascular system safely is key AND possible. Cancer patient? Moderate exercise improves symptoms of nausea, insomnia, and fatique. Be sure to know how to avoid infection at the gym, and to modify for any surgeries/procedures that may limit your movements. Kidney, lymphatic, or liver issues? Movement helps the body to cleanse itself of impurities better - just be sure to stay hydrated!! Digestive or urinary problems, movement helps both diarrhea and constipation. If you have "urgency" issues, just be sure to workout somewhere where a bathroom is accessible and close. Bed ridden? 20 asanas for your pajamas is a video for doing yoga from your bed! I recommend it to my patients all the time:) Have Alzheimer's, dementia, amnesia, or brain injury? Work out with a buddy, always tell someone where you are going, and have a routine so you always know what to do next. Paraplegic, hemiplegic, or an amputee...if we can have para-olympians who swim, run, play sports, and are probably in better shape then most Americans, then you can find solutions too!
If you have a physical limitation that I haven't mentioned here, let me know and I can help you find a way to modify that will keep you strong and as healthy as possible. Just remember, you have a body that is just right for you and learning how to make it healthy and happy can be a joyful journey! Happy exercising:)
Monday, December 5, 2011
Water and Weightloss (and so much more), and Why Soda is Just not a Substitute
Water is a great healer of the human body, and also the easiest thing we can do to improve our health...but don't. The benefits of water are simple and keeping your body hydrated is just the beginning. I know that I personally hate drinking water, resist it at all cost, and usually begrudgingly down a glass simply because I know I'll die if I don't do that occasionally. Luckily getting sweaty during my workouts usually encourages me to drink, and when I teach a class to my college students all that talking makes me take sips all day. Here I will discuss the health benefits, some of which will surprise you. Then I will offer some tips on how to increase your ability to drink water.
Water and weightloss
Weightloss - definitely. For one, we often confuse thirst for hunger, so drinking may actually help get rid of your desire to snack. It also helps you feel more full, by taking up space in your stomach. People tend to consume fewer calories per meal when they increase their water intake, and over time that means loosing weight. It also helps with preventing constipation and stored waste (a nice way of saying poop) adds to feelings of sluggishness, decreased ability to absorb nutrients, and, well...the stuff is just heavy. Water also increases your metabolism, and best of all prevents you from drinking other beverages that have calories. Americans now drink 300 calories a day. That may not seem like much but given that 3500 calories makes a pound -over the course of a year (365 days) that's 31 extra pounds!
Water and overall health
Sheesh, what DOESN'T water help with? Well for starters it helps control blood sugars, reduces the impact of high salt consumption on blood pressure, improves the poop problems (see above), keeps your skin healthy which not only makes you look amazing but keeps away infections, regulates metabolism, lubricates joints, helps you maintain your body's ability to regulate temperature, and best of all it flushes out the system. Now, this one is very unappreciated. Hydration flushes out toxins from the lymphatic system through increased blood volume, encourages good kidney function - which means all kinds of flushing of toxins, keeps the immune system working well (and that system removes all kinds of unmentionable things from the body), and generally keeps things running smoothly. Water also helps flush out lactic acid - the thing that makes muscles ache more after a work out. So drink more, feel better!
How much water should you drink?
So we've all heard that 8 glasses a day is the answer, but is that really true? Probably not. The number also includes water that is gained from foods. There is a lot moisture in fruits, veggies, and even some in breads and dairy. Not to mention that every body is different, so we all have a different need. So figure out your set point. Start with an empty milk jug - that's about 16 8oz cups. Pour in 1 cup at a time and mark the height on the outside of the jug. Then start drinking as you normally would in a given day. So you only drank 4 glasses fine. Using the same jug, increase you water intake the next day to 6 and see how you feel. Try 8 or 10. At some point you will look at the jug and think "I just can't drink anymore." See where that point is, and now you can use that jug (or a smaller container) to fill up every day to your set point. Then all you have to do is drink the container and not have to worry about counting or measuring.
Why we don't notice dehydration well
We are actually very bad at this simple task, and depending on where you live it may be even more challenging. If you live in a place where hot summers mean high humidity and lots of sweating, you'll think "gee, I should go drink something." If you live in a place with that pesky "dry heat" (or if you live in a cold climate the drying weather comes from more inside time, more heating appliances and fireplaces also means drier air) then you can easily become the victim of "imperceptible water loss." What does this cool phrase mean? It means that your body loses water through evaporation. That's why I get so thirsty when I'm teaching too! All that talking dries out the moisture in the mouth...imperceptible water loss! So, be sure to check in with that water jug if you notice signs of dehyration or just make a habit of it at the change of seasons!
Signs of mild dehydration
-Lightheadedness
-Dry mouth
-Constipation or irregular bowels
-Sore muscles and joints
-Unclear thinking (just a 2% water loss can impair memory and basic math skills)
-Dry skin
-If you stop sweating or get chills during a work out or on a hot day
-Darker (yellower) urine
-Heart palpitations (racing heart)
Why soda sucks
Now the occasional treat is fine, but I know many of you are soda addicts - drinking one or more a day. If the 31 calories a year wasn't enough to make you want to stop, consider this: soda contains 3 tablespoons of sugar - and totally useless calories. It also gets its sugar solely from high fructose corn syrup, which is NOT the same as sugar. For one it is completely processed, and 33% of products have been found to contain mercury (which is used in this processing). The body metabolizes it differently from sugar as well. For example it produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which are linked to aging and complications of diabetes. Fructose is more rapidly broken down in the liver then sucrose or glucose so it increases fat storage, fatty-liver, higher triglyceride production, and increased calorie consumption since you will feel hungry sooner. Another problem with soda is the caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee. Increased urination, means it is not a hydrating fluid. Now for those of you who say, but I drink sugar free or caffeine free, studies show that your brain still interacts with it like it has sugar and caffeine. It also still has artificial sweeteners, sodium, and additives. All of which are not nearly as good for your body as water.
So what else can you drink?
Water, water, and water are all good choices. Juice (which usually also contains high fructose corn syrup) is not a good option. You don't get the same nutritional benefits of drinking an apple or orange as you do eating it. Also, sugary beverages
actually encourage your body to urinate more (like soda) -so not a hydrating fluid. Any of the powders you add to water also add all those odd things, and sometimes calories or dyes. But if you hate water as much as I do there are a few things you can do: add a piece of cucumber or citrus fruit to the water. I personally really like to make cold herbal teas (so no caffeine). I love the fruit teas like blueberry, raspberry, and lemon. Another option is to figure out when you naturally drink fluids the most and increase it at those times. As I said, for me I try to drink the most during workout and when I am at work, but I have also learned that if there is water at the table I am more likely to drink it. I also know that temperature matters to me. I don't like very cold water, so I like the water jug out to be room temperature. If you like it ice cold - try getting a water bottle with a freezable center or keeping filled containers in the fridge so you can grab-and-go, and it saves money and waste from buying bottled water. Happy Hydrating!
Water and weightloss
Weightloss - definitely. For one, we often confuse thirst for hunger, so drinking may actually help get rid of your desire to snack. It also helps you feel more full, by taking up space in your stomach. People tend to consume fewer calories per meal when they increase their water intake, and over time that means loosing weight. It also helps with preventing constipation and stored waste (a nice way of saying poop) adds to feelings of sluggishness, decreased ability to absorb nutrients, and, well...the stuff is just heavy. Water also increases your metabolism, and best of all prevents you from drinking other beverages that have calories. Americans now drink 300 calories a day. That may not seem like much but given that 3500 calories makes a pound -over the course of a year (365 days) that's 31 extra pounds!
Water and overall health
Sheesh, what DOESN'T water help with? Well for starters it helps control blood sugars, reduces the impact of high salt consumption on blood pressure, improves the poop problems (see above), keeps your skin healthy which not only makes you look amazing but keeps away infections, regulates metabolism, lubricates joints, helps you maintain your body's ability to regulate temperature, and best of all it flushes out the system. Now, this one is very unappreciated. Hydration flushes out toxins from the lymphatic system through increased blood volume, encourages good kidney function - which means all kinds of flushing of toxins, keeps the immune system working well (and that system removes all kinds of unmentionable things from the body), and generally keeps things running smoothly. Water also helps flush out lactic acid - the thing that makes muscles ache more after a work out. So drink more, feel better!
How much water should you drink?
So we've all heard that 8 glasses a day is the answer, but is that really true? Probably not. The number also includes water that is gained from foods. There is a lot moisture in fruits, veggies, and even some in breads and dairy. Not to mention that every body is different, so we all have a different need. So figure out your set point. Start with an empty milk jug - that's about 16 8oz cups. Pour in 1 cup at a time and mark the height on the outside of the jug. Then start drinking as you normally would in a given day. So you only drank 4 glasses fine. Using the same jug, increase you water intake the next day to 6 and see how you feel. Try 8 or 10. At some point you will look at the jug and think "I just can't drink anymore." See where that point is, and now you can use that jug (or a smaller container) to fill up every day to your set point. Then all you have to do is drink the container and not have to worry about counting or measuring.
Why we don't notice dehydration well
We are actually very bad at this simple task, and depending on where you live it may be even more challenging. If you live in a place where hot summers mean high humidity and lots of sweating, you'll think "gee, I should go drink something." If you live in a place with that pesky "dry heat" (or if you live in a cold climate the drying weather comes from more inside time, more heating appliances and fireplaces also means drier air) then you can easily become the victim of "imperceptible water loss." What does this cool phrase mean? It means that your body loses water through evaporation. That's why I get so thirsty when I'm teaching too! All that talking dries out the moisture in the mouth...imperceptible water loss! So, be sure to check in with that water jug if you notice signs of dehyration or just make a habit of it at the change of seasons!
Signs of mild dehydration
-Lightheadedness
-Dry mouth
-Constipation or irregular bowels
-Sore muscles and joints
-Unclear thinking (just a 2% water loss can impair memory and basic math skills)
-Dry skin
-If you stop sweating or get chills during a work out or on a hot day
-Darker (yellower) urine
-Heart palpitations (racing heart)
Why soda sucks
Now the occasional treat is fine, but I know many of you are soda addicts - drinking one or more a day. If the 31 calories a year wasn't enough to make you want to stop, consider this: soda contains 3 tablespoons of sugar - and totally useless calories. It also gets its sugar solely from high fructose corn syrup, which is NOT the same as sugar. For one it is completely processed, and 33% of products have been found to contain mercury (which is used in this processing). The body metabolizes it differently from sugar as well. For example it produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which are linked to aging and complications of diabetes. Fructose is more rapidly broken down in the liver then sucrose or glucose so it increases fat storage, fatty-liver, higher triglyceride production, and increased calorie consumption since you will feel hungry sooner. Another problem with soda is the caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee. Increased urination, means it is not a hydrating fluid. Now for those of you who say, but I drink sugar free or caffeine free, studies show that your brain still interacts with it like it has sugar and caffeine. It also still has artificial sweeteners, sodium, and additives. All of which are not nearly as good for your body as water.
So what else can you drink?
Water, water, and water are all good choices. Juice (which usually also contains high fructose corn syrup) is not a good option. You don't get the same nutritional benefits of drinking an apple or orange as you do eating it. Also, sugary beverages
actually encourage your body to urinate more (like soda) -so not a hydrating fluid. Any of the powders you add to water also add all those odd things, and sometimes calories or dyes. But if you hate water as much as I do there are a few things you can do: add a piece of cucumber or citrus fruit to the water. I personally really like to make cold herbal teas (so no caffeine). I love the fruit teas like blueberry, raspberry, and lemon. Another option is to figure out when you naturally drink fluids the most and increase it at those times. As I said, for me I try to drink the most during workout and when I am at work, but I have also learned that if there is water at the table I am more likely to drink it. I also know that temperature matters to me. I don't like very cold water, so I like the water jug out to be room temperature. If you like it ice cold - try getting a water bottle with a freezable center or keeping filled containers in the fridge so you can grab-and-go, and it saves money and waste from buying bottled water. Happy Hydrating!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Exercising -when the excuses run out, you need to make it work!
Excerise.
Yup, people will go to great lengths to avoid moving their bodies. People hate dieting, but they'd rather starve then move their bodies - What with all the sweating, soreness, and...moving.
Research has shown that exercise is a better controller of cholesterol levels then dieting is, and improves your immune functions, your sleep, your overall positive disposition (you know how work out people always seem annoyingly happy?), balances hormones, lessens symptoms of PMS/pregnancy/post-partum depression, improves glucose tolerance (so your body uses blood sugar better), helps cardiovascular function, prevents dementia, improves digestion, etc....but, people would rather take a pill or eat a "magic food" or complain and be sad then move their bodies. Confession: from time to time, I'm one of those people.
I recently started doing P90X again, a workout program that I do at home with weights (no not the bulk you up, but the tone you up). I dragged myself to starting it, with a very whiny "I Don't wanna go work out." I had been working out regularly - 6 days a week kind of regular, but then got very sick over a month ago, and just couldn't do it for a while. I gave myself time to recover, and now it's time to get back into it! Yes, I get sweaty, and yes, I get sore - but it does get better and here are some of my tips for getting yourself over the hump, and into a regular exercise routine:
Slow and Steady
Most people are so ready to work out, and so despise it, that they go at 100% in their first workout. Then they are too sore, or really injured to continue. They limp around with a general feeling of "See, I told you this sucked." So slow it down. Going at 80% will probably make you feel like you're being a slacker, but it is far more realistic. Do what you can ACTUALLY do, not what you want your body to be able to do...that takes work, and time. After a week or two, you'll find you are able to do more and can up your endurance, weights, or intensity.
Isolate the Right Muscles
Ok, so this is another example of how people can injure themselves. If you are intending to workout a particular area, say for example, your biceps (the "make a muscle" muscle), you will probably do curls. But you need to have good form, and the right weight. If you begin to curl your arm, by swinging your body to get the arm up - no good. That means that you aren't lifting the weight with your bicep, but with other parts of your body. At this point, you should slow down, lower the weight you are lifting, or perhaps you have hit your max on this exercise. Also, don't collapse. If you are doing leg lifts, don't lift with all your might and then drop your legs to the ground. Don't lift a weight up high, only to let it swing down to a rest position. Control the body, up and down. This will prevent injury, strengthen your core, and isolate the muscles you are really targeting.
Stop Making Excuses
We all give a million reasons why we can't do something, but at some point we need to accept that these reasons are just excuses. No money? Working out is FREE. Sure you could join a gym, or do awesome workouts like P90X. You could go to a yoga class, or buy weights to use at home. These are all wonderful, structured tools to enhance your workouts - but they are not the end. You can workout in your neighborhood, take walks/jogs, go hiking, hop on a bike path. You can get free videos from the library, or simply increase your movement by taking the stairs, walking to the store, or doing sit ups or jumping jacks instead of laying on the couch while watching TV. No time? The funny thing about committing to a workout routine is that there is always time. Walk on your lunch break, or after dinner with the kids, put your laptop on a stationary bike and multitask, get up a little earlier in the morning, or look at exercise programs like Slim in 6 (minutes) or 10 minute trainer. For more information about these programs go to www.beachbodycoach.com/kasha42 Too tired or have an injury? There are always exercises that can be done despite any injury. I'm a nurse, so I know that if people with spinal cord injuries work out every day, or my cancer patients still find the energy, that this is really just an excuse. Work with a professional to find activities that work for you. Try swimming or yoga if you have joint issues, etc. About being too tired, the truth is that exercise increases your stamina and makes you feel energized. Is there an excuse you keep repeating to yourself? Submit it here and I'll help you find a solution!
Be My Buddy
Getting in to a regular routine takes habit, but sticking to that habit requires support and structure. Don't just say "I'm going to work out again," make a schedule that says I will do THIS today. I like p90X because it tells me exactly what I am doing every day for 90 days. Today I worked on my chest/back muscles, and tomorrow I'll be doing yoga! If you don't know how to make a schedule, work with a coach or a trainer. Get a buddy: have a friend who can hold you accountable, and be a support. Work out together, or just connect with people (online or in person) who will encourage you to work out today. Research shows that when people have a buddy, they stick to their schedules better, and are more likely to reach their goals.
So find a buddy and get started. Watch your form, and prevent injuries by listening to your body and not trying to get years of not exercising into one workout! Develop a plan, an work through your excuses. If you need help with that, there are plenty of people out there willing to help. Some for free like a church group, or at a community center, or at your work, and some are professional services, like coaches, trainers, and professionals like at www.lavabodywellness.com who offer workshops or one on one support. Good luck!
Yup, people will go to great lengths to avoid moving their bodies. People hate dieting, but they'd rather starve then move their bodies - What with all the sweating, soreness, and...moving.
Research has shown that exercise is a better controller of cholesterol levels then dieting is, and improves your immune functions, your sleep, your overall positive disposition (you know how work out people always seem annoyingly happy?), balances hormones, lessens symptoms of PMS/pregnancy/post-partum depression, improves glucose tolerance (so your body uses blood sugar better), helps cardiovascular function, prevents dementia, improves digestion, etc....but, people would rather take a pill or eat a "magic food" or complain and be sad then move their bodies. Confession: from time to time, I'm one of those people.
I recently started doing P90X again, a workout program that I do at home with weights (no not the bulk you up, but the tone you up). I dragged myself to starting it, with a very whiny "I Don't wanna go work out." I had been working out regularly - 6 days a week kind of regular, but then got very sick over a month ago, and just couldn't do it for a while. I gave myself time to recover, and now it's time to get back into it! Yes, I get sweaty, and yes, I get sore - but it does get better and here are some of my tips for getting yourself over the hump, and into a regular exercise routine:
Slow and Steady
Most people are so ready to work out, and so despise it, that they go at 100% in their first workout. Then they are too sore, or really injured to continue. They limp around with a general feeling of "See, I told you this sucked." So slow it down. Going at 80% will probably make you feel like you're being a slacker, but it is far more realistic. Do what you can ACTUALLY do, not what you want your body to be able to do...that takes work, and time. After a week or two, you'll find you are able to do more and can up your endurance, weights, or intensity.
Isolate the Right Muscles
Ok, so this is another example of how people can injure themselves. If you are intending to workout a particular area, say for example, your biceps (the "make a muscle" muscle), you will probably do curls. But you need to have good form, and the right weight. If you begin to curl your arm, by swinging your body to get the arm up - no good. That means that you aren't lifting the weight with your bicep, but with other parts of your body. At this point, you should slow down, lower the weight you are lifting, or perhaps you have hit your max on this exercise. Also, don't collapse. If you are doing leg lifts, don't lift with all your might and then drop your legs to the ground. Don't lift a weight up high, only to let it swing down to a rest position. Control the body, up and down. This will prevent injury, strengthen your core, and isolate the muscles you are really targeting.
Stop Making Excuses
We all give a million reasons why we can't do something, but at some point we need to accept that these reasons are just excuses. No money? Working out is FREE. Sure you could join a gym, or do awesome workouts like P90X. You could go to a yoga class, or buy weights to use at home. These are all wonderful, structured tools to enhance your workouts - but they are not the end. You can workout in your neighborhood, take walks/jogs, go hiking, hop on a bike path. You can get free videos from the library, or simply increase your movement by taking the stairs, walking to the store, or doing sit ups or jumping jacks instead of laying on the couch while watching TV. No time? The funny thing about committing to a workout routine is that there is always time. Walk on your lunch break, or after dinner with the kids, put your laptop on a stationary bike and multitask, get up a little earlier in the morning, or look at exercise programs like Slim in 6 (minutes) or 10 minute trainer. For more information about these programs go to www.beachbodycoach.com/kasha42 Too tired or have an injury? There are always exercises that can be done despite any injury. I'm a nurse, so I know that if people with spinal cord injuries work out every day, or my cancer patients still find the energy, that this is really just an excuse. Work with a professional to find activities that work for you. Try swimming or yoga if you have joint issues, etc. About being too tired, the truth is that exercise increases your stamina and makes you feel energized. Is there an excuse you keep repeating to yourself? Submit it here and I'll help you find a solution!
Be My Buddy
Getting in to a regular routine takes habit, but sticking to that habit requires support and structure. Don't just say "I'm going to work out again," make a schedule that says I will do THIS today. I like p90X because it tells me exactly what I am doing every day for 90 days. Today I worked on my chest/back muscles, and tomorrow I'll be doing yoga! If you don't know how to make a schedule, work with a coach or a trainer. Get a buddy: have a friend who can hold you accountable, and be a support. Work out together, or just connect with people (online or in person) who will encourage you to work out today. Research shows that when people have a buddy, they stick to their schedules better, and are more likely to reach their goals.
So find a buddy and get started. Watch your form, and prevent injuries by listening to your body and not trying to get years of not exercising into one workout! Develop a plan, an work through your excuses. If you need help with that, there are plenty of people out there willing to help. Some for free like a church group, or at a community center, or at your work, and some are professional services, like coaches, trainers, and professionals like at www.lavabodywellness.com who offer workshops or one on one support. Good luck!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Making a lot of healthy food when time and money are both on a BUDGET!
Now, you want to cook a healthy meal for you and your family, but your time and money are both on a budget. Our grandparents knew how to stretch a meal, but as we got busier, worked longer hours, and convenience foods became more...convenient we forgot this information. Here are some tips, refreshers, and suggestions!
Adding Veggies
Ironically, most of us are wondering how to get more vegetables into our diets, and yet adding veggies to meals is a great way to get food to stretch. Nothing wastes money like throwing out food that's about to go bad, and usually because you don't know what to do with it. Chop the veggies up and add them to soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, homemade pizza, eggs for a nice veggie omelets, or on top of rice or pasta as a stir "fry" or pasta primavera.
Crockpot Cooking
Throwing a bunch of stuff into a crock pot is another great way to not only make a delicious, healthy meal, but also to throw it together in the morning and have dinner already ready for you at night! There are free crockpot recipes online, including low fat recipes, low sodium meals, diabetic recipes, vegetarian meals, and even crockpot cooking for 2 people (when you don't want a lot of left overs). It is also a healthy way to cook, and slow cooking keeps the vitamins and antioxidants happy and full of power! Also, if you think crock pots are for soups and stews only, think again. I make breads, sauces, desserts, meatloaf, and pot "pies." Try it!
Cheaper Meats
Another way to stretch food is to buy meats still on the bones. Now, while it DOES take time to get it off the bone, that just means that you should use this time wisely. I spent $4.99 on chicken breast on the bone with skins (4 large pieces). I took the skins off since that is where most of the saturated fats are (bad fats), and cut the meat off the bones into nice pieces. I then massaged them with yogurt butter (half the calories of regular butter, but just as tasty)...and who doesn't like a massage? Then I sprinkled on salt, pepper, and paprika, and baked them. While that was cooking I boiled up some water and tossed in the bones with the scrap meat on them. Unless you are a professional chef, you're not going to get that close to the bones so there is always a little meat still on it. When that was cooked, I removed them from the water and added some carrots that were getting soft, celery, a left over onion, garlic and seasoning for a few minutes. While it cooks you remove all the left over bits of chicken from the bones - it's more then you think. I got a little more than a cup. You add the chicken to the broth and throw in any left over little half bags of frozen veggies in your freezer. You can add rice or pasta (I used 1 cup of whole wheat elbows). Lastly, don't forget to remove the chicken from the oven and serve with rice and salad or cooked veggies! So for about 7 bucks I have dinner for my family, left over chicken for sandwiches, or on top of a salad or potato, AND enough soup for the next few days - oh, and I didn't waste my money by throwing out all the veggies in the fridge! Also, because I cooked two meals at once, I definitely saved time:) You can also freeze some and have a healthy pre-cooked meal to make on some crazy-busy day later on.
Beans!
Last tip: add a can of beans! These lovely little legumes (fancy word for things in the bean family) add color, protein, are low in fat, high in nutrients, and fill up tummies for about $1. They are great in soups, salads, rice, pasta dishes, and can be added to ground beef to make it stretch in all kinds of dishes like tacos, lasagna, stuffed peppers, burgers, or casseroles. You can also use them for one of your meatless meals! Happy eating:)
Adding Veggies
Ironically, most of us are wondering how to get more vegetables into our diets, and yet adding veggies to meals is a great way to get food to stretch. Nothing wastes money like throwing out food that's about to go bad, and usually because you don't know what to do with it. Chop the veggies up and add them to soups, stews, spaghetti sauce, homemade pizza, eggs for a nice veggie omelets, or on top of rice or pasta as a stir "fry" or pasta primavera.
Crockpot Cooking
Throwing a bunch of stuff into a crock pot is another great way to not only make a delicious, healthy meal, but also to throw it together in the morning and have dinner already ready for you at night! There are free crockpot recipes online, including low fat recipes, low sodium meals, diabetic recipes, vegetarian meals, and even crockpot cooking for 2 people (when you don't want a lot of left overs). It is also a healthy way to cook, and slow cooking keeps the vitamins and antioxidants happy and full of power! Also, if you think crock pots are for soups and stews only, think again. I make breads, sauces, desserts, meatloaf, and pot "pies." Try it!
Cheaper Meats
Another way to stretch food is to buy meats still on the bones. Now, while it DOES take time to get it off the bone, that just means that you should use this time wisely. I spent $4.99 on chicken breast on the bone with skins (4 large pieces). I took the skins off since that is where most of the saturated fats are (bad fats), and cut the meat off the bones into nice pieces. I then massaged them with yogurt butter (half the calories of regular butter, but just as tasty)...and who doesn't like a massage? Then I sprinkled on salt, pepper, and paprika, and baked them. While that was cooking I boiled up some water and tossed in the bones with the scrap meat on them. Unless you are a professional chef, you're not going to get that close to the bones so there is always a little meat still on it. When that was cooked, I removed them from the water and added some carrots that were getting soft, celery, a left over onion, garlic and seasoning for a few minutes. While it cooks you remove all the left over bits of chicken from the bones - it's more then you think. I got a little more than a cup. You add the chicken to the broth and throw in any left over little half bags of frozen veggies in your freezer. You can add rice or pasta (I used 1 cup of whole wheat elbows). Lastly, don't forget to remove the chicken from the oven and serve with rice and salad or cooked veggies! So for about 7 bucks I have dinner for my family, left over chicken for sandwiches, or on top of a salad or potato, AND enough soup for the next few days - oh, and I didn't waste my money by throwing out all the veggies in the fridge! Also, because I cooked two meals at once, I definitely saved time:) You can also freeze some and have a healthy pre-cooked meal to make on some crazy-busy day later on.
Beans!
Last tip: add a can of beans! These lovely little legumes (fancy word for things in the bean family) add color, protein, are low in fat, high in nutrients, and fill up tummies for about $1. They are great in soups, salads, rice, pasta dishes, and can be added to ground beef to make it stretch in all kinds of dishes like tacos, lasagna, stuffed peppers, burgers, or casseroles. You can also use them for one of your meatless meals! Happy eating:)
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