Monday, May 30, 2011

Get Off the Bandwagon

I’m always excited when people decide on their own to make a healthy change. Whether that is starting to get more exercise, watching what they eat, or making other healthy decision for their life. What I don’t get excited about is when people talk about going on a diet. Because they usually don’t work. And it’s just one of those bandwagons you want to miss.

Weight loss is something that should be taken seriously, mostly because of the serious health benefits that come from losing just a little weight. Diabetes, cancer, GERD, sleep apnea, high cholesterol…they are all dangers of being over weight. But just because you take it seriously doesn’t mean it has to be depriving.

So how do you makes some changes without feeling like the act of eating has lost all it’s pleasure? Here are some tips:

- keep a food journal: know what you are eating and when, and how it makes you feel. this allows you to figure out when and how to make necessary changes

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- eat breakfast: it helps you lose weight, if you eat the right things. But it is important that you do to jump start your metabolism!

- set short and long term goals: they can have rewards too, just not food related!

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- sit down when you eat and write down what you eat

- get enough sleep

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- allow a treat (in a small proportion) every once in a while. It is okay to accept some cravings, just don’t let it take over and don’t do it every day

- talk to someone that can help monitor your progress and create goals, whether that be a friend, family member, personal trainer, or other individual

Bettering your health is an exciting thing, and you should feel empowered as you learn more about your body and are able to make changes. That is cool! And it will always be worth it.

Looking for similar posts?: Tricks for Eating Less, Eat Your Age, Losing Weight By Body Type, Combat Childhood Obesity

**This last weekend I taught another conditioning class for athletes. We played a little game where I had a list of strength exercises on one paper and a list of cardio exercises on another. They would pick two numbers randomly, and then we would do those two exercises (one from each list) twice in a circuit. It was fun and kept them guessing!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Park Workout

Last week I taught a conditioning class for some athletes as a break from their normal coaching workouts. We did it all outside at a park with nothing but our shoes and some grass. So basically, anyone can do it! Now if only Utah would decide to bring summer, then we could really go do it outside without getting wet. I thought I’d share it with you:

Warm-Up: Started with a jog, then we rotated stretching certain muscles with a spurt of cardio to keep our muscles warm and heart rate up
  • jog laps for 10 minutes
  • stretch
  • jump rope in place
  • stretch
  • jumping jacks
  • stretch
  • high knees
  • stretch
Set #1: We did this set 2 times
Set #2: do this set 2 times
  • 15 body weight squats
  • 10 standing long jumps
  • plank jacks for 1 minute
  • tricep dips (we did these on a park bench)
Set #3: again, this set 2 times!
Then we did one lap to cool down with some stretching. Give it a try!

Also, check out this cool interview with running legend Dean Karnazes. My favorite thing he said was “My message is that you don’t have to run three-thousand miles across the country. Just be the best you that you can be and live up to your own expectations–it’s fulfilling.”

Friday, May 13, 2011

Friday’s Favorites

Hey, people! Here’s a list of more of my favorite links I’ve checked out recently. Have a stellar weekend!
~ Speed workouts? They don’t have to only be done on a track!
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~Nothing is wrong with celebrating Cinco de Mayo every day right? Bring on the Mexican food!
~Do you ever miss running? Even if you don’t…this will make you!
~Homemade crackers? Don’t mind if I do.
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~What do cayenne pepper and pureed veggies have in common?
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~I love skillets and I love eggs. Yum!
Do you have any other favorite links from this week you’d like to share? Comment away!
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