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In part 3 of our series, Healthy Eating on the Cheap, financial blogger Victoria, happens to also be a health food nut who is passionate about organic eating. She has some great tips for buying organic foods if you are buying on a budget.  Thank you for blogging for me today Victoria! Buying Organics on a Budget Perhaps you have decided that purchasing organic foods is going to be a priority for your family. Although your budget may not have much wiggle room, there are ways to make this lifestyle work. Fortunately with more and more interest in organically grown food, there are many options a......
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We stump, stoop, slouch…so much so that the quality of our everyday lives can be directly affected from these posture problems.  I thought of this while sitting at the computer working, and had to stretch to relieve that nagging tightness between my shoulder blades. At the same time, I noticed a whole slew of other bad habits I was committing, and quickly set about practicing what I preach. Why good posture is important: Practicing good posture can improve your breathing, decrease your risk of injury, help you move more easily through the tasks of daily living, and also improve your sports ......
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Not long ago, if your neighbor had told you she was training for a triathlon, you might have looked at her crossed-eyed and with one eyebrow raised. Once thought of as an endurance sport for athletes who had both an unnatural pain threshold, and oodles of time on their hands, triathlon has in recent years become a sport for anyone who likes variety, has a few hours each week to dedicate toward training, and enjoys challenges small and large. No longer a sport just for the guys, the proliferation of female participants in triathlon events proves its growing popularity: in the late 1990s, women ......
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Did you give yoga a shot once upon a time, only to walk out mid-class, scratching your head and wondering, what was I thinking? It is possible the style you tried didn't match your personality, athletic ability, or just moved at a pace geared more toward advanced yogis than beginners. It isn't uncommon to feel lost during your first several classes, but there is a way to ensure you don't feel too out of place: pick the right style of yoga first. Before you write off yoga for good, try a class that is a better match for your personal style. I've compiled a short list of the most common yoga sty......
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I just read that Weight Watchers in New Zealand will have some menu items at McDonald's - Full Story . Say wha? Both companies are touting this as an "enjoyable way to lose weight." The deal between the two companies will go something like this: McD's will put the Weight Watchers logo on its menu, and in turn, Weight Watchers will promote McD's to its following of dieters. I'm not loving this idea. Not one bit. First, there is NOTHING on the McDs menu that is healthy. I repeat - nothing. Maybe water, but that's it. While I understand that "dieting" means taking in fewer calories than you burn,......
Mar

05

I just read that Weight Watchers in New Zealand will have some menu items at McDonald’s -Full Story. Say wha?

Both companies are touting this as an “enjoyable way to lose weight.” The deal between the two companies will go something like this: McD’s will put the Weight Watchers logo on its menu, and in turn, Weight Watchers will promote McD’s to its following of dieters.

I’m not loving this idea. Not one bit. First, there is NOTHING on the McDs menu that is healthy. I repeat – nothing. Maybe water, but that’s it. While I understand that “dieting” means taking in fewer calories than you burn, and any combination of foods that equate to around 1200 calories on a consistent basis will likely cause weight loss, even if those calories are from Twinkies…eating at McDonald’s does not promote healthy eating.

Luckily, according to the story on MSNBC, nutritionists and obesity experts are not on board with this idea either.

What are your thoughts? Yay, nor Nay? Please share…

Mar

01

May I complain about the Ohio weather a second longer? It’s the pits. But this cool tool from Virtual Active could have us “winter haters” running in prettier settings, like Yosemite, sooner than later. Say wha?

Check this out…with Virtual Active, you can preview a library of fun, scenic places to run (bike, hike) that have been filmed live. Beginning today (March 1), you can download a free, 30 min sample on iTunes! Grab the freebie while you can…prices are regularly $9.95.

How fun would it be to fake run through Yosemite while you’re on the hamster wheel? Apparently the technology they use to film these real-life adventures makes the video experience very smooth and realistic.

If any of you try it out before I do, let me know what you think!

Feb

23

I just finished reading a really interesting article in the WSJ about type-1 diabetics and participation in high intensity sports. I know – it seems risky, but even as a trainer, I’ve known that such feats were possible with the right training and medical support. In fact, Kris Freeman, an Olympic cross-country skier at the games in Vancouver, was doing a great job while competing – until his sugar plummeted. Still, to see that someone with type-1 diabetes can compete at this level is truly amazing, and inspiring. Obviously, athletes of this caliber train very, very hard, which makes it all the more important to monitor insulin levels while training. Check out the article for the whole story if you wish.

    Below I’ve listed some tips for diabetics engaging in physical activity. Obviously, if you choose to train at higher intensities, it is important to get clearance from your physician, and to also work closely with a conditioning coach who has experience working with athletes who have diabetes.

  1. Immediately before exercising, test your glucose levels, then again during exercise (especially if you are just beginning a new program). You should re-check immediately after your session as well.
  2. If your blood glucose level drops to less than 70 mg/dl or is higher than 250 mg/dl, and you know you have ketones in your urine, do not exercise. If blood glucose is 300 mg/dl or higher (regardless of the presence of ketones),  you should not exercise.
  3. If you suffer from diabetes-related foot problems, make sure you were well-cushioned shoes and dry-wicking socks that keep moisture away from your feet.
  4. Be aware that certain conditions associated with diabetes, such as autonomic neuropathy, neuropathy, or retinopathy, it is a good idea to seek your physician’s approval before beginning an exercise program. If you have one of these conditions and your physician gives you the go ahead to exercise, it is important that your trainer or exercise physiologist works closely with your physician, as there will likely me restrictions as to what activities you may participate in.
  5. Know the warning signs of hypoglycemia; trembling or shaking, rapid heart rate, increased sweating, excessive hunger, headache, irritability and mood changes, impaired concentration, mental confusion, and drowsiness. Stop exercising if you experience any symptoms of low blood sugar and test blood glucose to confirm hypoglycemia.
  6. If you are suffering from low blood glucose, eat or drink 10-15 g of simple sugar immediately to restore glucose levels. It is a good idea to keep foods such as raisins, hard candy, crackers, or boxed juice in your gym bag where it can be accessed easily, just in case you need it.
  7. After replenishing your glucose, rest for 10-15 minutes before resuming any activity. This will allow the intestines time to absorb the glucose.
  8. Continue to monitor blood glucose, preferably within 30-40 minutes of resuming exercise, if possible.
  9. After exercise, replenish glucose immediately with complex carbohydrates.

[Sources:

ACSM’s Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 4th ed, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001.

Exercise Physiology, 5th ed, McArdle, Katch, and Katch, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001

IDEA Fitness Journal, Peggy Kraus, MA,  “Working with Diabetic Clients,” Nov-Dec 2007]

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