Showing posts with label improve health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label improve health. Show all posts

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Supplements and Shakeology

With the new year upon us and LOTS of resolutions, I have recently received LOTS of questions about Shakeology and supplements...everyone wants to be healthy and fit in 2013!  So, I have included some of the questions and answers below (from the Beachbody website).  Happy reading! 

Should I continue to take ActiVit® or other multivitamins along with Shakeology®?
Because of the way Shakeology is formulated, one shake pretty much covers your body's normal daily requirement for vitamins and minerals. However, if you're following a recommended exercise routine, it's likely that your body is using up those nutrients at a faster rate. For example, if you're doing P90X® or ChaLEAN Extreme®—hard-charging routines that burn more calories along with vitamins and minerals—you may need some additional supplementation, like ActiVit. Due to the digestive enzymes in Shakeology, taking ActiVit at the same time you drink Shakeology will help your body better absorb all the nutrients.

Can I take Shakeology and P90X® Peak Health Formula Vitamins?
If you're using P90X Peak Health Formula vitamins, it's recommended that you take only 1 serving or scoop of Shakeology per day. If you're taking any other supplements in addition to Shakeology and P90X Peak Health Formula vitamins, watch your total intake to ensure that you don't exceed Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for copper, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level for copper is 10 mg/day, for magnesium 350 mg/day, for manganese 11 mg/day, and for zinc 40 mg/day.

I already have some Meal Replacement Shake. Should I throw it out and switch to Shakeology?
You don't have to throw it out. Meal Replacement is a high-quality protein shake. Shakeology offers a wide array of nutrients on top of protein. Because Meal Replacement has higher sugar content and less fiber, a good time to use it is around the time you're exercising (Results and Recovery is also good for this purpose). Shakeology is a better option for a meal that's at least 2 hours before a workout or 1 hour afterwards.

Can I take this and P90X Results and Recovery Formula™?
Yes, but not together! Results and Recovery Formula should only be taken during or after exercise, when you've been exhausting your body's blood sugar. At any other time, Shakeology would be your preferred option.

Should I still take an omega supplement?
While the flaxseed and chia seeds in Shakeology provide some omega-3 fatty acids, it is still recommended that you take the Core Omega-3™ supplement to meet your daily requirement.

How about Core Cal-Mag™?
The recommended daily allowance of calcium is 1,200 mg/day for women and 1,500 mg/day for post-menopausal women. Shakeology provides 500 mg of calcium, so it is recommended to supplement with Core Cal-Mag to meet the daily recommended allowance. Due to the digestive enzymes in Shakeology, taking Core Cal-Mag at the same time you drink Shakeology will help your body to better absorb the nutrients.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Happy Holidays!!

Happy Holidays my fitness friends!  


For something yummy & healthy...a new little Shakeology recipe that includes our (improved) Chocolate Shakeology (now available)...enjoy!!


And because I think that my cat is hilarious and he thinks he is a present...
Merry Christmas!!!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

No limits!

This is me & my cat working out...well, I'm working out.

Just when you think you can't do more with your workout, you realize that you CAN do chair dips with extra weight on your lap.  If you would have tried to put a 20 pound weight on my lap (hey, that cat of mine weighs 17 pounds!!), I would have told you 'no way'.  It's amazing what you can achieve when you don't put limitations on yourself!!  :)


Sunday, May 6, 2012

Chili Peppers!!!

In honor of the Red Hot Chili Peppers recently getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I thought I'd post an article that I found very interesting about chili peppers. :) 

Chili Peppers: A Hot Ticket for a Healthy Diet
By Kim Kash

If you're one of those obnoxious, macho types who makes a big show of snacking on hot peppers for the shock value—keep it up! It looks like chili pepper hotheads may be less susceptible to inflammation, diabetes, prostate cancer, and heart disease. Plus, all that spicy hotness chases away congestion, and it even (ironically) helps to prevent stomach ulcers.

Native to Central and South America, chili peppers were introduced to Asia in the 1500s and have been a cornerstone of cuisines in both those parts of the world ever since. In the West, the heat of chili peppers is measured using the Scoville Organoleptic Test, named after Wilbur Scoville, the chemist who devised it in the early 1900s. It sounds very fancy and technical but, in fact, the Scoville method is a subjective process involving subjects who sip diluted solutions of ground chilis and sugar water. In other words, the Scoville Method isn't much more scientific than the Pepsi Challenge®. There are now more scientific ways of measuring chili heat, but the Scoville method is still the one mostly used by the food industry.

Asian countries don't use the Scoville method; instead, they rely on the general rule of thumb that the smaller a chili is, the hotter it is. Again, not so much with the science, but it makes sense when you consider this: the hottest part of a chili pepper actually is not the seeds, but the white membrane where the seed attaches inside the pepper. Larger peppers have proportionately less of this membrane than smaller ones, so they are generally milder. We probably all think the seeds pack the punch in hot peppers because they sit in such close proximity to the membrane and absorb its heat, and then they often remain whole in pepper sauces and condiments.

The fiery goodness of chili peppers comes from capsaicin, which has been found to inhibit substance P, associated with the inflammatory process. The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains. Researchers are looking at capsaicin as a treatment for arthritis, psoriasis, and diabetic neuropathy. It seems counterintuitive that chili peppers would inhibit the inflammatory process, since handling them in the kitchen can irritate your fingers, and too many of them in the salsa can make your head feel like it's on fire, but there you have it.

Some veteran travelers to countries where the freshness of food can be questionable make it a point to eat food as spicy as they possibly can—that spice invariably coming from fresh or dried chilis—in order to ward off illness and boost immunity. Chili peppers have lots of beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin C, and they kill bacteria you may have ingested.

The capsaicin in chili peppers is also a thermogenic: it causes heat production and heat production burns calories. Even sweet red peppers increase the body's heat production for several minutes after they are consumed. Certainly there are more efficient ways to lose weight than stuffing your face with hot chili peppers! But isn't it nice to know that adding more salsa might help you burn that burrito off slightly faster?

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Why Strength Train?

Okay, so I keep getting questions about whether or not women will "bulk up" if they start strength training.  The answer to that is no (because we're women - bulkiness is basically testosterone-related). YOU MUST STRENGTH TRAIN (yep, I said MUST) and the article below tells you exactly why.  I couldn't put it in better words, so I thought I would just copy the article "as is".


************************
Why Strength Train?
By Kathy Smith


Still not convinced you should strength train? Here's a good reason. After the age of 30, we all lose a quarter pound of muscle mass each year. Yikes! With less muscle, our metabolism slows down and we gain fat—averaging about 15 pounds a decade. While muscle is metabolically active (each pound of muscle burns approximately 35 to 50 calories per day), stored fat is not, burning far fewer calories. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn throughout the day, whether you're walking, vacuuming . . . even sleeping! What's more, while aerobic activity burns fat during exercise, weight training utilizes fat hours after exercising, so your metabolism stays slightly elevated for a longer period of time following a strength-training session than following an aerobic workout.

Monday, April 2, 2012

The reason to drink Shakeology every day, IMO...


This article did it for me.  It explains why I need these nutrients --- EVERY day. Please read on...

**********************************************

The Hunting of Shakeology Ingredients!
By Darin Olien

OK, how did the over 70 ingredients end up in this fantastic blend of potent nutrition and yumminess? Like I mentioned in a previous article I started with some questions. I asked myself, "What do most bodies require in this day and age?" "What is not being delivered in food today (and even good, organic food)?" "What are the gaps in nutrition that need to be filled for the majority of people?"

But the first question was, "Why do we even need a shake with that much nutrition anyway? What's wrong with the food we eat anyway?"
The fact is, these days, our food is lacking nutrients. The nutrient density of our food has continued to plummet as the value of money has trumped the value of quality. It is insane, but true!
The facts are well documented. Pushing farm production has depleted soils. Crops of non-nutritive foods have replaced nutrition-dense foods. And pesticides and genetic modification are wreaking havoc with the chemical and genetic markers that have evolved over the centuries. That means we're putting more food into the pipeline that has less of what we need and more of what we don't need. On a biological level, your body hardly recognizes the food we are swallowing.
Ask yourself…how do you expect your body to live tirelessly, vibrantly, with the power to defend itself from disease if what is being fed into it is like putting dirty gas in the tank of a Ferrari? What a waste of a beautiful sports car!
If we want our health to improve, we need to be aware so we can choose differently, and in this case, we chose to create something to fulfill the deep desire of EVERYbody's need to be fed more nutrition. So we started by filling in those gaps, giving the body what it really wants and requires!
The result is 70-plus ingredients, feeding the body the equivalent of a supercharged multivitamin and protein-rich health smoothie. As important as the ingredients are, what drove their inclusion was the body's need for these vital ingredients, the cornerstones of Shakeology's creation:

1.      Whole foods. So many supplements on the market are just fragmentations of the complete matrix of real food. Think of it like taking the most popular scene from a two-hour movie and calling THAT the movie. It's incomplete without the character development, plot, and nuance that make it a holistic experience. The same goes with food. On a biological level, your body needs the whole "movie" to get the complete benefit of the vitamin or mineral that is the star. You just cannot replace or reengineer the incredible balance and creation of whole foods. So we selected high-quality, potent foods, herbs, grasses, and ingredients and then processed them minimally to preserve the integrity, phytochemicals, natural vitamins, minerals, alkaloids, phytosterols, etc. This was a huge aspect of Shakeology getting the whole, deliverable nutrition in bio-available ways.

2.      Vitamins and minerals. We included quality nutrition from potent and varying whole-food sources ("nutrition, right off the vine" as I like to call it). And then we backed that up by adding in a well-balanced vitamin and mineral profile since whole foods fluctuate from crop to crop.

3.      Enzymes. Enzymes are critical for optimal health. But since enzymes flood the food only in the last days of ripening before harvest, enzyme supplementation is critical for the majority of people. Even if you eat all raw foods, the enzymes are still low. And cooked food has ZERO active enzymes.
A very quick note . . . why enzymes? They have been called "The Fountain of Life!" They are behind EVERY single process in the body! Yes, EVERYTHING requires enzymes! The labor force of the body that digests, absorbs, allows for signals to be sent, creates new blood cells, etc. is all governed by enzymes. You would be shocked at how starved your body has been for enzyme support. That's why the addition of these vital forces to Shakeology was so critical!

4.      Prebiotics and Probiotics. We've all heard about foods with additive probiotics, like yogurts for instance. Did you know that your body can actually manifest its own probiotics if you feed it prebiotics? With the way people eat today they have created a thriving environment for UNHEALTHY BACTERIA in the body. That has created all sorts of debilitating breakdowns of the body: candida, fibromyalgia, even the foundation for mental and emotional fatigue…and on and on. The prebiotics of the amazing yacon root (which I will get into in future posts) is food for the "healthy" bacteria, and in turn creates an environment for healthy probiotics to flourish. By getting our internal "ecosystem" in balance, you have the potential for a vibrant, thriving body and life! It's complex, and even difficult to fathom an ecosystem inside your own body, but it cannot be underestimated. You need prebiotics to help you foster probiotics!

5.      MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane). MSM is a naturally occurring sulfur compound found in FRESH, RAW fruits and vegetables, milk, fish, and grains. But within hours of harvest, MSM changes and is virtually gone. That's why it is very difficult to get MSM naturally, because where ancient man ate what he picked almost instantly, today it is picked, processed, packaged, and palleted for months before it hits the table. MSM is long gone. But why is it important? MSM is critical to the connective tissue and the fluidity (or space) between cells! MSM gives them "room to breathe." When the body becomes very rigid, tight, painful and stiff, oftentimes MSM is at very low quantities in the body. Since we are not eating our own foods immediately after harvesting we MUST supplement this vital component or the body has a hard time staying healthy and flexible on a cellular level, which translates throughout the body on a biomechanical level as well.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Minty Shamrock Protein Shake

Since we are rapidly approaching St. Patrick's Day - here's a new recipe for you!


Minty Shamrock Protein Shake
If you're not using Greenberry Shakeology, you don't need to add the peanut butter.  Greenberry is LOADED with veggies & nutrient-dense ingredients.  For some reason, the peanut butter completely "cuts" that "green" aftertaste.  The PB is not needed if you will be making your shake with regular vanilla protein powder.

-1 scoop of Greenberry Shakeology (or a vanilla protein powder of your choice)
-2 heaping tablespoons PB2 powdered peanut butter (or 1 teaspoon peanut butter)
-2 tablespoons fat-free, sugar-free cheesecake-flavored instant pudding mix (this makes it creamy like ice cream)
-couple of drops of mint extract (play with the amount - too much will clear your sinuses & too little makes the shake blah.)
-2 cups of ice
-Truvia or Stevia sweetener, to taste

Toss the protein powder, peanut butter, pudding mix, mint, ice, and sweetener into a blender.  Blend from medium speed to high, adding water as needed until the shake has your preferred consistency.

Pour into a glass and enjoy!


Makes 1 serving
Per serving:  210 calories, 20 g protein, 33 g carbohydrates, 2 g total fat, 5 g dietary fiber, 513 mg sodium

From Chalene Johnson's book "PUSH"

Friday, February 3, 2012

Shakeology - article in Businessweek

This is a fascinating article about Shakeology in "Businessweek".  I loved the stuff before and now I really love it.  :)  So, I need (I said "need") to share it with you:


http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/the-adventures-of-superfood-man-01262012.html


Read it...it's worth 5 minutes of your day!! :)


THEN --- when you want more information about it (I said "when"), go to my site to do your research:  http://www.shakeituptoday.com.


Saturday, December 31, 2011

choices

Happy New Year!!! 
I learned a few things this year...life is really super-short and that so much in life happens because of my own CHOICES.  So, what choices will you make in the new year to make your life healthier?  Remember that when you are healthier your relationships with your family/friends are better and you feel better about all aspects of your life - which means that you will be happier!  Unfortunately, nobody is going to do this for you - so, take a second, think about it, write it down, and then DO it...because you owe it to yourself. :)
Now bring on 2012!!!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Les Mills PUMP is in the HOUSE (literally)

It's official all of my gym rat friends (and I use that term endearingly)...  :)

Les Mills PUMP is available for purchase at www.mycoachforfitness.com - just click on the word SHOP and you'll find it.  Do some browsing while you're there --- why not?

So, this program is based on the ever-so-popular Body Pump that we all do at the gym.  So, when you're snowed in and can't get to the gym or maybe you feel like doing your own thing for a while, you can do it at home ---just press play on that DVD player--- SWEET!!!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Friday, November 11, 2011

My newest app

I'm so stupidly excited!  I just downloaded a new app for P90X and it's so cool, like for real so cool!  Since I'm starting a new program for it -tomorrow- this is going to be super-handy.  I haven't been this excited for working out in a LONG time.  I mean, I enjoy working out and everything, but I literally can't wait to workout tomorrow - LOL!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

It's time - let's get started!

I know the holidays are upon us - but aren't you ready to do this?  I don't plan on putting on weight this holiday season and hopefully you don't plan it either (why start out the year on a bad foot?).  So, let's do the BeachBody challenge!  Here's a video about it:  
So, if you're ready to join me:
1. Go to this link http://www.teambeachbody.com/connect/beachbody-challenge?referringRepId=50511 
2. Scroll down and click TAKE THE CHALLENGE!
3. You will fill out the Beachbody Challenge Pledge and be all signed up for the BIG BEACHBODY CHALLENGE
4. THEN you will be able to choose your Challenge Pack!!!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Shakeology and Vitamins

With regard to drinking Shakeology, here's one of the MOST common questions that I get: 


Should I continue to take ActiVit® or other multivitamins along with Shakeology?


From www.shakeituptoday.com:
Because of the way Shakeology is formulated, one shake pretty much covers your body's normal daily requirement for vitamins and minerals. However, if you're following a recommended exercise routine, your body is likely to be using up those nutrients at a faster rate. For example, if you're doing P90X® or INSANITY®-hard-charging routines that burn more calories, along with vitamins and minerals-you may need some additional supplementation, like ActiVit. Due to the digestive enzymes in Shakeology, taking ActiVit at the same time you drink Shakeology will help your body to better absorb all the nutrients.


Also, I ALWAYS get people who request to see the nutrition labels, so here ya go, happy reading!



Monday, November 15, 2010

Get your D!

I'm not one to go out of the house without sunscreen on, and I'm indoors quite a bit, so, when I went to my Endocrinologist about 4 months ago, he decided that he wanted to check my Vitamin D levels.  The results came back and I am in the "deficient" range with regard to this vitamin (shocker!).  He told me to take 2000 IU per day.  So, I am. 

I have to admit that I didn't expect to really "feel" different but I can't believe how much better I am sleeping!  It's unreal!!  In addition to better sleep, studies are showing that the right amount of Vitamin D can help with:  weight loss, joint pain, sleep, depression, Parkinson's, heart disease, colon cancer, breast cancer, and osteoporosis.  I have a feeling there are more that I could list, but there are GREAT stats reported in these specific areas in the video found at the link at the bottom of this post. 

Now, next time you see your doctor, have your Vitamin D levels checked and discuss proper dosage for you.  You may end up doing yourself a HUGE FAVOR!

http://www.fox2now.com/videobeta/db5f1c05-55f6-424b-9fc0-d012f680a4fc/News/STLMoms-Vitamin-D%22%3Ehttp://www.fox2now.com/videobeta/db5f1c05-55f6-424b-9fc0-d012f680a4fc/News/STLMoms-Vitamin-D