Conflict of Interest??
Every once in a while I read some piece of ridiculous nonsense that I just feel the need to rant a little bit. So here it goes.
I read an article in the NY Times about the interconnection of the food industry and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. When you think about what nutritionists and dietitians do, its all about health, proper diet and nutrition. Now it seems that this trade group is accepting corporate sponsorships, and by corporate sponsorships, I really mean big time food corporations who have anything but nutrition and health on their mind. In the article, it lists ConAgra, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Kellogg’s, General Mills, Aramark, Mars and the National Dairy Council as major sponsors.
To make matters worse, these "sponsors"can become an academy partner and earn themselves a spot to educate professionals on the benefits of their products.
This is just as bad as hiring the Cheetos mascot to hand out chips at an American Heart Association Walk (link) yea that really happened. Whoever decided that was a good idea needs to smack themselves in the head.
Anyway, theses sponsors educating nutritionists is insane. Doesn't that seem a little off?
So according to this association its ok if you have Mars telling nutritionists about the benefits of eating M&M's.
Or ConAgra telling you about Slim Jims and how nutritious they are. Awesome.
Just a slight conflict of interest there. Educating the public on proper nutrition has always been a fight. On the one hand, you have the correct information trying to be put out there so that the public makes smarter decisions, and then you have the corporations stopping that at every turn. It can be traced back to the 90's when the food pyramid was first coming out. Grains were the bulk of the pyramid and you had the dairy and meat industries fighting for their placement on the pyramid.
Everyone has their own interests at heart, and never the health of the public. It seems that money takes precedent over the actual education of the public. Keep the public buying your "unhealthy crap" and you're set. If the public actually goes out and changes their lifestyle and does what is in the best interest of their own health, then they're out buying whole foods, fruits and vegetables, not processed, over salted, sugary junk.
This is a great way to influence the people that are supposed to be helping the public maintain a proper diet. Maybe not all are swayed by nonsense like this, but there's always those few that find a way to agree with the nonsense and rationalize it. Then you have Slim Jims as part of a well balanced diet.
We need to stand up and be responsible for our own health, and our own well being, because it seems the people that we were to rely on for quality information can be bought.
Stay Healthy!! Keep Moving!!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Fridays Fitness Favorites
Can't sleep, clowns will eat me. But seriously if you can't sleep or have trouble staying asleep, maybe vitamin D can help you out.
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/tabid/130/EntryId/1888/Tip-525-Sleep-Better-By-Taking-Vitamin-D-Fatigue-Sleep-Disorders-Are-Linked-to-Low-Vitamin-D.aspx
Are you making these shopping mistakes. I usually go to the store hungry and that's a terrible idea. Especially at the checkout line.
http://www.acefitness.org/blog/3085/9-grocery-store-mistakes/
Interesting article on chocolate
http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/5-ways-chocolate-boosts-your-workouts.htm
Are you making these mistakes?
http://www.thehybridathlete.com/4-hacks-for-6-pack-abs/
One last one by Charles poliquin. Post workout nutrition is important.
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/tabid/130/EntryId/1896/Tip-528-Build-More-Muscle-and-Lose-Fat-With-These-Optimal-Post-Workout-Nutrition-Tips.aspx
That's it for this week. Have some good stuff coming next week. Mondays motivation is pretty good and watching the video got me pumped up.
Enjoy the weekend and the Super Bowl.
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/tabid/130/EntryId/1888/Tip-525-Sleep-Better-By-Taking-Vitamin-D-Fatigue-Sleep-Disorders-Are-Linked-to-Low-Vitamin-D.aspx
Are you making these shopping mistakes. I usually go to the store hungry and that's a terrible idea. Especially at the checkout line.
http://www.acefitness.org/blog/3085/9-grocery-store-mistakes/
Interesting article on chocolate
http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/5-ways-chocolate-boosts-your-workouts.htm
Are you making these mistakes?
http://www.thehybridathlete.com/4-hacks-for-6-pack-abs/
One last one by Charles poliquin. Post workout nutrition is important.
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/tabid/130/EntryId/1896/Tip-528-Build-More-Muscle-and-Lose-Fat-With-These-Optimal-Post-Workout-Nutrition-Tips.aspx
That's it for this week. Have some good stuff coming next week. Mondays motivation is pretty good and watching the video got me pumped up.
Enjoy the weekend and the Super Bowl.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Motivation Monday
Today's motivation comes from "The Pursuit of Happyness"
Don't let anyone tell you that you cant do something. You can do anything you want to no matter what it is. Get out there and get after it.
Happy Monday!!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Friday Favorites
Enjoy the articles for this week
Nutrition is always super important
http://www.girlsgonestrong.com/fueling-your-body-strategies-for-peri-workout-nutrition/
Great tips for health
http://www.thehybridathlete.com/27-mind-blowing-tips-for-health-happiness-and-hustling-hard/
Are you burnt out? Lacking that energy to do anything and always fatigued? Maybe you are overdoing it. It is ok to not workout everyday.
http://www.girlsgonestrong.com/better-is-better/
interesting take on portion control. Maybe a little extreme, but hey sometimes you have to go to extreme lengths
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-gadget-life-size-20130119,0,1967162.story
For all my office workers who sit at a desk all day long. Low back tightness sucks. Some stretches to help thanks to gold medal bodies
http://www.goldmedalbodies.com/low-back-tightness/
Nutrition is always super important
http://www.girlsgonestrong.com/fueling-your-body-strategies-for-peri-workout-nutrition/
Great tips for health
http://www.thehybridathlete.com/27-mind-blowing-tips-for-health-happiness-and-hustling-hard/
Are you burnt out? Lacking that energy to do anything and always fatigued? Maybe you are overdoing it. It is ok to not workout everyday.
http://www.girlsgonestrong.com/better-is-better/
interesting take on portion control. Maybe a little extreme, but hey sometimes you have to go to extreme lengths
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-gadget-life-size-20130119,0,1967162.story
For all my office workers who sit at a desk all day long. Low back tightness sucks. Some stretches to help thanks to gold medal bodies
http://www.goldmedalbodies.com/low-back-tightness/
Monday, January 21, 2013
The Crunch Marathon
How many crunches do you think it would take to burn 1 pound of fat?
The answer may surprise you and I'll reveal it at the end of this post.
What I really want to talk about is how crunches are literally a pain in the neck...and the back. There are some schools of thought that the spine has a finite number of times it can go into flexion. Whether or not its true, the abdominal muscles and "core" muscles are meant to stabilize the torso, not necessarily flex the spine.
Now what should you do, since I'm telling you to take crunches out of your program? There a tons of things to do that can help activate and make your "core" stronger. Planks and side planks are a great place to start. While they may be boring, they are a great way to develop stability throughout the body. Think about it, picking up something off the ground, your core muscles must contract to keep the body in one straight line. Try it.
Now if those exercises get too easy for you, try adding movement to them. The body doesn't really work while being stationary, so adding movement translates well into real life. Planks while moving the arms or legs, reaching with the arms in multiple directions, adding rotation, crawling, pulling or pushing objects, and even using a Swiss ball can all add an additional challenge while trying to stabilize the body.
Want one of the best core exercises out there? Try a Turkish get-up. Super amounts of stabilization necessary, not only from the core muscles, but from the shoulders as well.
Ok so now for the answer to the question from the beginning of the post. It takes 22,000 crunches to burn that 1 pound. Don't take that as a challenge, do something else.
The answer may surprise you and I'll reveal it at the end of this post.
What I really want to talk about is how crunches are literally a pain in the neck...and the back. There are some schools of thought that the spine has a finite number of times it can go into flexion. Whether or not its true, the abdominal muscles and "core" muscles are meant to stabilize the torso, not necessarily flex the spine.
Now what should you do, since I'm telling you to take crunches out of your program? There a tons of things to do that can help activate and make your "core" stronger. Planks and side planks are a great place to start. While they may be boring, they are a great way to develop stability throughout the body. Think about it, picking up something off the ground, your core muscles must contract to keep the body in one straight line. Try it.
Now if those exercises get too easy for you, try adding movement to them. The body doesn't really work while being stationary, so adding movement translates well into real life. Planks while moving the arms or legs, reaching with the arms in multiple directions, adding rotation, crawling, pulling or pushing objects, and even using a Swiss ball can all add an additional challenge while trying to stabilize the body.
Want one of the best core exercises out there? Try a Turkish get-up. Super amounts of stabilization necessary, not only from the core muscles, but from the shoulders as well.
Ok so now for the answer to the question from the beginning of the post. It takes 22,000 crunches to burn that 1 pound. Don't take that as a challenge, do something else.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Motivation Monday
For Ray Lewis and the Ravens win over the Patriots, cause, well I hate the Patriots and Ray is always good for an awesome quote or two, or 10. Its a long video, but its damn good.
Get after it this week.
Greatness is a lot of small things done well, stacked up on each other
And in honor of Martin Luther King Day
"We must use time creatively."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
There are 86,400 seconds in a day, are you making the most of them?
Get after it this week.
Greatness is a lot of small things done well, stacked up on each other
And in honor of Martin Luther King Day
"We must use time creatively."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
There are 86,400 seconds in a day, are you making the most of them?
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
How are you January goals going?
So we're halfway through January, and if you remember, I posted about making a list of things to get done in January as a goal setting exercise.
Do you have your list? Have you crossed anything off it?
At the halfway point of January, I've accomplished quite a few things off my list.
My biggest thing for January was getting to bed before 11pm so that I would be more rested and not up as late. So far Ive been able to accomplish this at least 3 times each week, which is a lot better than where I was before then. I have an addiction to the Daily Show, but Ive learned to DVR it, or just watch it the next day when it repeats.
I did visit my friend in CT, which was awesome. Sometimes you forget how much fun it is to just hang out and spend time with the people that are most important to you. And as always it was great to watch our sons interact with each other, even though they are only 7 months old. I definitely want to make a point of going more often.
Filing papers is always such a hassle. I used to be really good at this with pay stubs and bills. I was very organized. Somewhere along the way I became disorganized. I'm really trying to get into better habits.
Thanks to my rumble roller, I've been foam rolling more often. At least 3 days a week. This is sure to keep me loose and moving well without a lot of aches and pains.
This goes hand in hand with my goal of working out 16 times this month. I'm a little off my pace for that, but I'm going to try my best to get there. And if i don't, i wont be discouraged, I wont see it as a fail, but as an opportunity to do better in February. Gotta stay positive.
One of my most important goals was to be present. Not screwing around on my phone or on the computer when I'm home. Unless of course I have serious work to do, and I have a few projects that I'm working on, and as important as those are, family time is more important. I always work and I have time to work on those projects in between clients. Ive started to keep a little note pad with me to jot down ideas from time to time, or Ill type it on my iphone really quick too.
Those are just some of the things Ive gotten done this month. I have a bunch of others that I am still working on, that i hope to get done before the month is over.
How are you doing with your goals this month?
Do you have your list? Have you crossed anything off it?
At the halfway point of January, I've accomplished quite a few things off my list.
My biggest thing for January was getting to bed before 11pm so that I would be more rested and not up as late. So far Ive been able to accomplish this at least 3 times each week, which is a lot better than where I was before then. I have an addiction to the Daily Show, but Ive learned to DVR it, or just watch it the next day when it repeats.
I did visit my friend in CT, which was awesome. Sometimes you forget how much fun it is to just hang out and spend time with the people that are most important to you. And as always it was great to watch our sons interact with each other, even though they are only 7 months old. I definitely want to make a point of going more often.
Filing papers is always such a hassle. I used to be really good at this with pay stubs and bills. I was very organized. Somewhere along the way I became disorganized. I'm really trying to get into better habits.
Thanks to my rumble roller, I've been foam rolling more often. At least 3 days a week. This is sure to keep me loose and moving well without a lot of aches and pains.
This goes hand in hand with my goal of working out 16 times this month. I'm a little off my pace for that, but I'm going to try my best to get there. And if i don't, i wont be discouraged, I wont see it as a fail, but as an opportunity to do better in February. Gotta stay positive.
One of my most important goals was to be present. Not screwing around on my phone or on the computer when I'm home. Unless of course I have serious work to do, and I have a few projects that I'm working on, and as important as those are, family time is more important. I always work and I have time to work on those projects in between clients. Ive started to keep a little note pad with me to jot down ideas from time to time, or Ill type it on my iphone really quick too.
Those are just some of the things Ive gotten done this month. I have a bunch of others that I am still working on, that i hope to get done before the month is over.
How are you doing with your goals this month?
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Motivation Monday
It really is amazing to wake up one day and realize that all your hard work has paid off and that you are so much better than you used to be. You could have lost weight, you could be stronger, or you could just be able to move better than you did before. Either way results are results and you should be extremely proud of every accomplishment no matter how small.
Keep kicking butt!!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
RIDICULOUS
I will be the first to admit that I am a bit of a "certification snob." I am proud of the time and work I put into my education and I am proud to be certified by the NSCA. I am proud to be a personal trainer even with the stereotypical view that all trainers are big muscle bound guys or girls in sports bras and short shorts. Many know that this is not the case, but public perception is everything.
Now when it comes to certifications, I always lean towards the best as in NSCA, NASM, ACSM, and ACE. However doing a quick Google search, there are pages and pages of "certifications." Some that you only need to take an online course and be ready to train people in a number of hours.
RIDICULOUS
Now today, I get word from a client that there was a freaking Groupon discounting an online personal trainer certification. Insane
That is a giant slap in the face to me, to any trainer that has ever put time into their education. No reputable certification would discount their education like this. This is where the industry fails in my opinion. If you can have "online certs" or groupons for certs, then we as an industry have failed to fight that stereotype of big dumb trainers.
And yes I know certifications are only as good as the paper they are printed on, which is why more comprehensive educational courses need to be designed.
I'm not even mad at this point, I'm extremely disappointed that this is happening. Currently I am working on a presentation on health care that I am super excited about, and the lack of personal training standards is one of the biggest aspects of that presentation. Call me a cert snob, but if we are to be taken seriously in the world of health care, we need to step up to the plate and claim our spot. Fighting nonsense like this and setting standards is a great place to start.
Now when it comes to certifications, I always lean towards the best as in NSCA, NASM, ACSM, and ACE. However doing a quick Google search, there are pages and pages of "certifications." Some that you only need to take an online course and be ready to train people in a number of hours.
RIDICULOUS
Now today, I get word from a client that there was a freaking Groupon discounting an online personal trainer certification. Insane
That is a giant slap in the face to me, to any trainer that has ever put time into their education. No reputable certification would discount their education like this. This is where the industry fails in my opinion. If you can have "online certs" or groupons for certs, then we as an industry have failed to fight that stereotype of big dumb trainers.
And yes I know certifications are only as good as the paper they are printed on, which is why more comprehensive educational courses need to be designed.
I'm not even mad at this point, I'm extremely disappointed that this is happening. Currently I am working on a presentation on health care that I am super excited about, and the lack of personal training standards is one of the biggest aspects of that presentation. Call me a cert snob, but if we are to be taken seriously in the world of health care, we need to step up to the plate and claim our spot. Fighting nonsense like this and setting standards is a great place to start.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Motivation Monday
One of the most important keys to success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do, even when you dont feel like doing it.” - Unknown
How many times have you woken up and said "meh I don't feel like going to the gym" or "I don't feel like cooking tonite?"
I know I have. It happens all the time. We go for what is always easiest, but usually it's the wrong choice. Sometimes we need to suck it up and do it. We need to push to get to the gym, to do that workout. We need to make sure we eat healthy and are fueling our body.
Thats what today's quote is all about. Even when you feel like taking a break or being lazy, you need to stay on track and stick with it to reach your goals
How many times have you woken up and said "meh I don't feel like going to the gym" or "I don't feel like cooking tonite?"
I know I have. It happens all the time. We go for what is always easiest, but usually it's the wrong choice. Sometimes we need to suck it up and do it. We need to push to get to the gym, to do that workout. We need to make sure we eat healthy and are fueling our body.
Thats what today's quote is all about. Even when you feel like taking a break or being lazy, you need to stay on track and stick with it to reach your goals
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Friday favorites
Here are some great things Ive read this week. Most have to do with new years resolutions and goal setting. Hope you enjoy these articles.
Live a positive life! I'm trying to incorporate more of these. Especially #18. I do that too often and end up putting myself down.
http://roglawfitness.com/20-ways-to-live-a-more-positive-fulfilling-and-happy-life/
Dangers of HFCS. More high fructose corns syrup consumption = increase risk of diabetes
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2012/11/27/global-high-fructose-corn-syrup-use-may-be-fueling-diabetes-increase/
How to get motivated in 2013. More goal setting!!
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/Article/958/How_to_Get_Motivated_in_the_New_Year.aspx
Free weights over machines. Better results, better movement. Haven't I said this before?
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/tabid/130/EntryId/1830/Tip-507-Favor-Free-Weights-Over-Machines-For-Greater-Strength-and-Testosterone-Response.aspx
A little nutrition challenge for the month of January
http://www.girlsgonestrong.com/girls-gone-strong-30-day-nutrition-challenge/
Todd Durkin is awesome and here are ways you can make your year awesome.
http://www.todddurkin.com/103-ways-to-make-2013-your-best-year-yet/
Live a positive life! I'm trying to incorporate more of these. Especially #18. I do that too often and end up putting myself down.
http://roglawfitness.com/20-ways-to-live-a-more-positive-fulfilling-and-happy-life/
Dangers of HFCS. More high fructose corns syrup consumption = increase risk of diabetes
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2012/11/27/global-high-fructose-corn-syrup-use-may-be-fueling-diabetes-increase/
How to get motivated in 2013. More goal setting!!
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/Article/958/How_to_Get_Motivated_in_the_New_Year.aspx
Free weights over machines. Better results, better movement. Haven't I said this before?
http://www.charlespoliquin.com/Blog/tabid/130/EntryId/1830/Tip-507-Favor-Free-Weights-Over-Machines-For-Greater-Strength-and-Testosterone-Response.aspx
A little nutrition challenge for the month of January
http://www.girlsgonestrong.com/girls-gone-strong-30-day-nutrition-challenge/
Todd Durkin is awesome and here are ways you can make your year awesome.
http://www.todddurkin.com/103-ways-to-make-2013-your-best-year-yet/
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
New Year, New You
Happy 2013 everyone. It's January 2nd so that means everyone is 2 days into their "resolutions"
The most common is to diet and exercise more. That's pretty vague though. How about narrowing it down to be more specific. What exactly are you planing to do? How are you going to get there? More importantly, why do you want it?
Maybe instead of "exercising more," you make it a goal to get in 16 quality workouts each month. See, more specific.
Maybe you decide to cut back on liquid calories and switch to water. Make that a specific goal too. Opt for water instead of juice or soda. Start slow and eventually it will become a habit to reach for water instead of useless liquid calories.
Make your goals measurable and attainable!
SMART goals!
Specific- Write down exactly what you want to accomplish, not something vague like "exercise more"
Measurable- Something quantitative. Weight, inches, # of workouts, etc
Attainable- Can you reach it? and how can you get there.
Relevant- Why? Emotion drives results, especially when it comes to weight loss. There has to be a reason why you are venturing out on a journey towards your goal. What is it?
Time- How long is it going to take you? There needs to be a deadline for your goals. A goal is just a wish with a deadline.
One of my goals this month is to get to bed earlier than 11pm. Now this probably won't happen every night, and I'm ok with that. However, I can aim to get to bed by 11pm 16 nights out of 31 this month. Not too hard and it's a quantitative goal to measure. The why behind it, is that getting less sleep is unhealthy in so many ways, and I want to rest more so that I am energetic for the next day. I don't want to "survive" my day by drinking several cups of coffee.( although I've switched to tea more)
Another goal of mine is to use my new foam roller and again I'll make it a quantitative goal by saying 3 times a week I will foam roll all of my tight areas which are usually my hips/IT band, my back, and my hamstrings. Seems like am easy goal to meet. Why? This will keep my muscles loose, and keep my body functioning at a high level. My IT band and hips tend to get tight, and when that happens i feel it all the way down my leg and into my knee. No fun at all. I'd rather avoid the knee pain associated with that. Besides, who doesn't love a good back crack when you roll your back :-)
Looking forward to a great start to 2013!! What are some of your goals for this month/year?
The most common is to diet and exercise more. That's pretty vague though. How about narrowing it down to be more specific. What exactly are you planing to do? How are you going to get there? More importantly, why do you want it?
Maybe instead of "exercising more," you make it a goal to get in 16 quality workouts each month. See, more specific.
Maybe you decide to cut back on liquid calories and switch to water. Make that a specific goal too. Opt for water instead of juice or soda. Start slow and eventually it will become a habit to reach for water instead of useless liquid calories.
Make your goals measurable and attainable!
SMART goals!
Specific- Write down exactly what you want to accomplish, not something vague like "exercise more"
Measurable- Something quantitative. Weight, inches, # of workouts, etc
Attainable- Can you reach it? and how can you get there.
Relevant- Why? Emotion drives results, especially when it comes to weight loss. There has to be a reason why you are venturing out on a journey towards your goal. What is it?
Time- How long is it going to take you? There needs to be a deadline for your goals. A goal is just a wish with a deadline.
One of my goals this month is to get to bed earlier than 11pm. Now this probably won't happen every night, and I'm ok with that. However, I can aim to get to bed by 11pm 16 nights out of 31 this month. Not too hard and it's a quantitative goal to measure. The why behind it, is that getting less sleep is unhealthy in so many ways, and I want to rest more so that I am energetic for the next day. I don't want to "survive" my day by drinking several cups of coffee.( although I've switched to tea more)
Another goal of mine is to use my new foam roller and again I'll make it a quantitative goal by saying 3 times a week I will foam roll all of my tight areas which are usually my hips/IT band, my back, and my hamstrings. Seems like am easy goal to meet. Why? This will keep my muscles loose, and keep my body functioning at a high level. My IT band and hips tend to get tight, and when that happens i feel it all the way down my leg and into my knee. No fun at all. I'd rather avoid the knee pain associated with that. Besides, who doesn't love a good back crack when you roll your back :-)
Looking forward to a great start to 2013!! What are some of your goals for this month/year?
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