High Intensity Interval Training and Yoga

HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) is all the rage right now and for good reason. It pushes you to work harder and to get out of your comfort zone. But for most people, one of the best benefits of HIIT training is that it saves you time as you burn off more calories, improve your cardiovascular level and lose more fat. I love HIIT and I often use this method for my clients who are capable of performing this type of training and who enjoy it. Well, enjoy is relative of course. But I also encourage my clients to balance their fitness programs with yoga and finding a style of yoga that works for them. As a HIIT advocate, when I began practicing yoga as part of my Ironman training last summer, I found it challenging to go from high impact workouts into a space of stillness and quietness. But after a few months, I discovered that my yoga practice was not just physical, it taped into my emotional and mental state of mind.

Here`s an article that explores the benefits of yoga from a weight loss perspective. However, I found that this article goes way beyond weight loss. Have a read and discover for yourself what yoga can do for you.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=you_asked_can_yoga_help_me_lose_weight

Coffee Alternatives

Coffee. It's shocking how that 6 letter word has millions of us addicted to it's aroma, it's taste and it's stimulating effect of waking us up in the morning or getting us through that afternoon slump.  I was one of those individuals until I made a conscious decision 3 years ago to reduce the amount of coffee I drank.

I used to start my day off with a large Vanilla Bean coffee from Second Cup and after 2pm, depending on how tired or foggy I felt, I would have another large Vanilla Bean coffee.  But once I realized how much sugar was in those cups of coffee, I made a commitment to stop drinking them. It was not easy! I had no idea how much buying those 2 cups of coffee (sometimes 3!) was part of my daily ritual. Not to mention how irritable I felt (and was) for not having my regular coffees and the agonizing headaches I experienced.  So I decided to slowly switch to drinking black coffee. But this was not any easier. I was addicted to sugar coffees and I craved them even more when I gave them up! 

As a personal trainer, this was truly a dilemma for me.  So I decided to look for alternatives to coffee. Here are some of those alternatives. I've tried them all except for the hot Maca. But I just bought some yesterday and plan on trying it this week!

Hot Maca

A few tablespoons of maca blended in a cup of warm almond milk, (if you have an espresso machine, use that to warm the almond milk) with a splash of raw honey and ground cinnamon is a delicious way to start the morning. Maca has adrenal boosting properties and will give you that boost without the crash of coffee.

Dandelion Herbal Coffee Blend

This is the closest to coffee flavor that you’ll get. Roasted dandelion, chicory root and maca.  I created my own version and for me, it's the next best thing to a Starbucks coffee moca!

One tea bag of Organic Roasted Dandelion Root from Traditional Medicinals steeped for 3-5 minutes with 1 tablespoon of cacoa powder. 

Matcha Green Tea

Matcha green tea has been labeled as a  superior antioxidant, detoxifier and energy booster. "Because you ingest the high-quality powder, rather than the herb infusion, the health benefits are higher than those of green tea"

Organic, Single-Origin Coffee

If you really just can't or just don't want to give up your cup of java, you can always try organic coffee.  "Poorly sourced coffee contains mycotoxins (mold) that make your coffee less healthy."  So why not experiment and visit you local coffee shops (mom and pop style) and ask your local coffee roasters about the source and quality of their beans. When you find the right coffee bean for you, limit your regular coffee to special occasions or better yet, stick with your new organic coffee! 

Lemon Water

I know this isn't coffee, but I couldn't resist adding it. The benefits of drinking hot water with fresh squeezed lemon are limitless! It's a great way to start off your day and wake up your metabolism!  More about this topic shortly! 

Stay active and anything is possible! 

* References from Mind, Body, Spirit website. 

High Intensity Interval Training

Winter provides challenges when it comes to training outdoors. But it doesn't have to stop you from training all together. There are many options you can choose from if old man winter prevents you from training outdoors and you don't even have to leave the comforts of your own home! A few weeks ago I was itching to go outside for my normal run. But due to the severe weather conditions, I chose to train indoors and perform a HIIT workout. (High Intensity Interval Training)

Here's the program I did and let me tell you. By the time I finished I felt as though I had run a fast 5km! (3 miles).

FYI: If you don't have a jump rope, that's okay. Just move your arms as if you are actually using one.

Jump rope (lifting both feet) 1 minute
High knees: 30 seconds
(This means running in place while lifting your knees up toward
your chest making sure the knees are at least the height of
your hips)
Jump rope (alternating lifting your feet just like you are running
in place) 1 minute
High knees: 30 seconds
Jump rope (jumping side to side) 1 minute
High knees: 30 seconds
Jump rope (jumping forward and backward) 1 minute
High knees: 30 seconds
Jump rope: (hopping on one foot) 1 minute
High knees: 30 seconds
Jump rope: (hopping on opposite foot) 1 minute
High knees: 30 seconds
Jump rope: (scissor kicks: alternating moving legs forward and
backwards) 1 minute
High knees: 30 seconds

(Total time for one set is 10 minute 30 seconds)

Rest 2 minutes and repeat for 3-5 sets with a 2 minute rest in between each set

Stay active and anything is possible!

Healthy Practice Tip #6

I don't know about you, but during the holidays, I definitely find myself eating more sweets and other delicious foods. Therefore, taking care of my teeth becomes an even higher priority! Which leads to healthy tip #6! 

6. Brush and floss.

Your teeth (and gums) reflect your overall health, so take care of them! You probably have the brushing down, but get that flossing going too, every time! See your dentist every six months, and brush and floss after every meal! 

My comments: During one of my annual visits to my dentist, I informed my dentist that one of new health goals was to  brush my teeth after every meal (including snacks) rather than my usual morning and evening routine. I was surprised when she said that if I was rushed for time, she'd rather me floss my teeth rather than brush! Of course I asked her why and her response made sense. Flossing helps remove food bits and plaque from the tight spaces between the teeth and under the gums whereas brushing simply cleans the tops and outer surfaces of the teeth and gums.  By removing plaque when it is in it's early form (soft and pliable) you hinder plaque from hardening and turning into tartar.  But what I learned next was even more interesting. Flossing not only prohibits discolored teeth and bad breath it can prevent other diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illness!  I was so intrigued by this information that I dug around for some other benefits of flossing and was astonished at how such a simple activity that takes a few minutes can make such an impact on your overall health! Here are a few links that I came across that list even more benefits of flossing! 

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/products/5-reasons-flossing-is-important.htm

http://www.activebeat.co/your-health/8-ways-flossing-benefits-more-than-oral-health/?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=adwords&utm_medium=cpc&utm_keyword=benefits%20of%20flossing%20teeth

So why not start today and pull out that dental floss sitting in the back of your medicine cabinet and start flossing! 

Stay active and anything is possible! 

Healthy Tip #5 That You Already Know-But Probably Aren't Doing!

It's been a few days since my last post. Are you ready for Healthy Tip number 5?  Here it is!  (from www.mindbodygreen.com) 

5. Wear sunscreen

You’ll like the crow’s feet you have from all the smiles, but the scars from the “suspicious moles” removed? Not so much. Save yourself the trouble and slop on that sunscreen.

My comments: We all know that wearing sunscreen is very important, but must of us never apply it, especially in the winter! I will be the first to admit that I hardly ever apply sunscreen as soon as the weather gets cold.  It's hard to think of  the possibility of getting a sun burn when old man winter comes for a visit and the sun sets by 4:30 pm! But regardless of the temperature or the season, the sun still emits ultraviolet or UV rays, which is a type of radiation that can damage our skin and lead to premature aging, ie. the infamous crow's eyes, or even more devastating, cancer.    

Here are some interesting facts for you regarding UV rays in the winter and why wearing sunscreen is important! 

a. Snow can reflect up to 80% of UV rays 
b. Altitude can also increase the UV strength by 10-12%
c. Even on a cloudy winter day, up to 80% of UV rays reach the ground 
d. Sunscreen has been proven to protect us from the sun's UV rays and therefore, help prevent premature aging! 
e. Sunscreen can also reduce the likelihood of developing skin cancer! 

So whether or not you are a winter sports enthusiasts, wearing sunscreen in the winter is worth it! But choosing the right products is also very important. Here is a link that provides a quick guide to effective,  year round, sun protection products: 

http://www.dermalinstitute.com/us/news/?p=690

Oh, one more thing. Don't forget to protect your lips! They need protection from the sun just as much as your skin does! 


Stay active and anything is possible! 
Donna 

#3 and #4 Healthy Tips You Already Know- But Are You Doing Them?

I missed a few days from writing due to some internet glitches with our service. So here are not 1 but 2 healthy tips that we all know but are probably not doing!  (FYI. Just a reminder that these tips are from a great website www.mindbodygreen.com. I am posting their 15 healthy tips over a span of 2 weeks!)

3. Get your rest

You need it. Turn off the television and smartphone and light up a candle. Take a bath or some deep breaths. Starting the rhythm of peaceful quietude at the end of your day is something that will change your entire state of being. Trust me, if the older version of you with two young kids and a full time career can figure out how to make it happen, so can you. And doing it now will help her a lot.

My comments:  Most people think of rest as sleeping. Well, I'd like to talk about rest in another way. Here is one of definition of rest: "Cessation of work, exertion or activity." I like this definition because it's what most of us rarely do! We are constantly on the go and our minds and bodies are pushed to do more! How much better would we feel, think and behave if we gave our bodies and our minds a chance to "rest?" One can only imagine!  But I'd like to think that we would feel happier, have more clarity and better focus, and we would definitely have more energy! So with all of these amazing benefits, why do we not give ourselves time to rest?  Here's my challenge to you. Today, take 5 minutes away from your phone, computer, or radio and sit in chair and close your eyes. Turn your attention to your breath and just listen. That's all! Just listen to your own breath for only 5 minutes. Then notice how you feel afterwards. 

4. Drink water

There are three main ways for toxins to leave your body: through urine, poop, and sweat. Drinking lots of water helps them on their way (and if you didn’t pick up on it yet, plants and moving daily will too). In addition having a hydrated body is a happy body, so fill up that water glass and throw away the soda

My comments: Ah, water. The very basis for all life. I am blessed to live in a country where water is plentiful. I have the ability to live everyday without having to worry about water for survival. But in most North American and European countries, we rarely drink enough water for our bodies and MIND to function properly.  Here are a few examples of how water impacts our bodies. Maybe one of them will stick out in your mind and motivate you to have at least 1 litre of water (in total) for the day! 

1. It's a lubricant: Without water, our joints would become stiff and unable to move! 
2. It's a transporter: Water transports nutrients and oxygen to our cells throughout our whole body and it carries away toxins and waste products our bodies don't need. 
3. It helps our brains function! Our brain is over 70% water and if we are dehydrated, our brain does not function properly. It becomes sluggish and slow. We can't afford that if we are constantly working with very little rest! 

Stay active and anything is possible! 

#2 of 15 Healthy Practices You Already Know-(But are you doing it?)

2. Eat more plants.

Your body craves nourishment in every calorie. Why do you think you can't stop eating that junk food!? Save yourself the trouble of discovering your metabolism can no longer handle all the crap you eat, and fill your plate with greens and veggies.

My comments: At dinner, I sometimes hear my mother's voice or even my grandmother's voice say over and over again, EAT YOUR VEGETABLES! In today's society, with fast foods becoming the main stream,we rarely see or eat anything green on our plates or in our to go containers! If we do, it's loaded with salt and butter, aka FAT!

As you may have read from my blog regarding my 21 Day Adventure Cleanse, one of the primary goals of the cleanse was to eat more plant based foods.  Yes, this meant I had to put more thought into my meals let alone more preparation. But what I discovered was that it wasn't that hard to add more greens into my diet. Eating them raw was the easiest way and to make it more interesting (and sometimes more tasty), I added hummus. Cucumbers, broccoli, and celery either alone or in a salad became my best friends for lunch. At dinner, I steamed my vegetables (ie. spinach, bok choy, brussel sprouts, kale, swiss chard, rapine, dandeline, kohlrabi)  or as a last resort, I boiled them. (keep in mind that if you boil vegetables, you lose a lot of the nutrients if you boil them for too long)

The idea here is to make an effort, even the smallest effort such as eating a vegetable for a snack instead of a bag of chips or a super sized cookie. Once you start here, you can work your way up to adding more green vegetables into one meal a day, 2 meals a day, etc.

If you'd like your taste buds to explore new greens, here's a website that lists over 20 different green plant vegetables!

http://www.vegetarian-diet-tips.com/list-of-vegetables.html


Stay active and anything is possible!