Fitness

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It’s Like Butter!

October 25, 2016

inDebra, diets, Fitness, Food, Health, Nutrition, Recipes, Relaxation, stress

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Want to know the best diet, best keep coffee secret, fat zappers and surprising health facts? You’ve come to the right place. As part of the health and nutrition industry, I am consistently being introduced to new products, tidbits and procedures. As always, I will continue to share these ideas to my devout co-fitness/nutrition comrades. Good-Fats-Vs-Bad-Fats

Food delivery. Ok, the food the delivery market has expanded tremendously since my husband first worked for Plated, one of the only 2 initial players in the market. Now there are dozens. And have I found a treat. Responsibly sourced, organic, delicious, healthy meals with pre-measured ingredients, delivered to your door step every week with step-by step instructions on cooking gourmet recipes in under 30 minutes. Whew! No brainer. Did I mention organic? For four free meals click here: http://greenchef.com/invite/nqzrd4

Butter coffee. Most of you have probably heard about Bulletproof® (grass-fed) butter coffee. But did you know the benefits of drinking it and that you can make your own??

Grass fed organic ghee butter has:

The good fats that regulate cholesterol and have the best ratio of omega-6 to omega 3 fatty acids (translation: reduces body fat)
Is a good source of Vit K (reduces heart disease)
Is a healthy fat source for your brain and body and increases energy while being anti-inflammatory
Drinking it in the morning prepares your body to burn fat all day
“They” say it can be a meal replacement in the early morning (essential fats and calories provide higher performance than carb)

How to make it: Start with organic brewed coffee, organic grass-fed ghee butter, and if desired, Brain Octane or XCT oil (I do not use this but great benefits!). I simply add a ½ tsp of the butter to my coffee in the am. For more details, Google “home-made butter coffee”.

Endermologie treatment – I just had my first at Just Be Smooth in Millburn, NJ. It is a sub-dermal approach to treating and reducing cellulite, love handles/saddlebags, muscle soreness or aches, toning/smoothing your skin, improving circulation and reshaping your body. It’s non-invasive, safe and completely natural.

You slip into spanks-like full body tights and the machine vacuums each part of your body. It was extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. Although I only did 1 session (it typically takes approx. 14 sessions to reap the benefits), I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I have a few discounted coupons for anyone that would like to try it. Just email me: info@heelstolaces.com

Eat more fat. I recently found myself very sluggish and fatigued – all the time. I eat very healthy and pure (minus weekend indulgences) and could not figure out the culprit. One of the trainers I work with at YB suggested I needed to up my fat/protein intake and further reduce my carbs/sugars/dairy. So, I tried it. It wasn’t hard or too deviant from what I have already been doing. The result? A big surge in energy and big decrease in inflammation. Some things I have added/increased: butter coffee, nuts, seeds, oils, avocados, eggs (the whole egg), pure lean meats/fishes.

Walking. Most of you know, I teach HIIT (high intensity interval training). I am a huge believer in its steadfast results and efficiency. However, recently I have been adding walking to my weekly routine. Walking is how I initially lost my baby fat, very quickly. Why walking? I was looking for a way to get more centered…contemplating yoga or even barre. Quickly remembered I am too ADD for those classes. I now use walking to:

Decompress
As a form of quiet meditation
For a boost of energy if I am tired
To destress
To build long, lean muscles
For added stretching and flexibility
To breathe fresh air

A brisk, quick walk will also prevent or manage heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, strengthens your bones and muscles, improve your mood and adds balance and coordination. Try it. You’ll see what I mean.

Protein Cookies. Received this amazing recipe from K2 Fitness and altered it a bit. Super easy – takes 15 minutes to make (including cooking time) and is full protein snack. My kids love it!:

Mash 2 bananas…add 1 cup quick oats, ½ c vanilla protein powder (I used pure Whey protein, unflavored), ¼ cup almond, peanut OR soy nut butter (for those with allergies), 1 tsp vanilla extract, ¼ cup dark choc chips (use as many organic ingredients as possible). Scoop balls of dough onto lined cookie sheet – bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Wa-lah!

The Rapid Egg Cooker. Life changer. Thank you, BFF. The Dash Rapid Egg Cooker cooks hard boiled eggs in about 6 minutes. No more old school boiling water. And, they peel perfectly. Great, quick meal or snack. Done and done. Find it here or at Home Goods/TJ Maxx.

The SKIMM. I have talked about this before and I will continue to tout what an incredible edition this has been to my life. I-am-so-informed. Cheeky, quick daily review of the biggest news topics in an easy to read, easy to understand, hilarious format. Why is this part of health and nutrition? Because it makes me feel so much smarter and well informed, which triggers positive endorphins and knowledgeable conversations . It’s how I start my day with my morning coffee: Sign up here.

That’s this month’s version of “Healthy Finds”. Until next time…

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Rump Shaker

October 7, 2015

inDebra, Exercise, Fitness, Health, Strength, Weight Training, Workouts

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“All I want to do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom, and a poom-poom, just shake ya rump.” this-is-why-we-squat

What do we want more than almost anything? To have a nice rear. It’s on the top of the list for most fitness enthusiasts. Hell, we all wanna look good walkin’ away.

There’s more to having a perfect bum than you realize.

Your glutes are the biggest and most important muscle you have – they are the cornerstone of our bodies. The harder you work your glutes and the more you build them, the more it will benefit your body. Your glutes help keep your hips and entire body in alignment and allow good posture.

Your glutes are instrumental in rotating your hips and legs while supporting your pelvis during everyday movements and exercise. If your glutes aren’t strong enough, your spine has to over-compensate (hence the back pain). In addition, weak glutes cause weaknesses in your knees – causing them to turn inward when landing on the ground and placing additional pressure on your kneecaps. This can also affect your IT band – the ligament that runs outside of the thigh from the hip to the shin.

The dilemma is in the modern day scenario, we are often sitting so much on our rears we are not activating them enough and they lose strength. Without active, strong glutes, we experience an imbalance in the front vs. back side of our body. This leaves the hip flexors overactive and tight and pulls your pelvis forward.

What to do, what to do….

Work ‘em. Added bonus – since your glute muscles are so large, working them (as with working other large muscle groups) raises your metabolic rate.

Excellent glute strengthening exercises include:

Lunges – do repetitive lunges on one leg, then switch
Squats – load up on the weight so your body works harder and go deep for a full extension!
Squeezing your glutes when you work out – keep the contraction tight at all times (when you lift up from that squat)
Contracting your glutes when you are standing (all those soccer games will pay off exponentially if you work your rear while watching)
One-leg exercises (one-leg squats and lunges will work your muscle 1/3 as hard)
Bridges – lie on your back and perform double and single leg bridges (squeezing your glutes the entire time you lower and raise)
One-leg step-ups onto an elevated surface (step/bench, etc) – squeeze at the top of your raise
Bulgarian split squats – put your back toward a weight bench and lift one foot onto the bench behind you and squat
Kettlebell swings (again, squeezing tight at the top of the movement)
Side walking squats (with a band around your legs) – squat low!

Try these exercises as frequently as possible to help improve the activation of your glute muscles and in turn, see the difference in your post rump shakin’. You’re welcome 😉

To leave a comment on this article or any other blog entry, please fill in the “Leave a Comment” box under each blog entry on our site: Heels to Laces.

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Keepin’ It Real

September 16, 2015

inDebra, Exercise, Fitness, Health, Things to Avoid, Weight Training, Workouts

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If you are reading this, chances are you are a fellow gym enthusiast. Whether it is at a boutique gym or big box, following are myths debunked for everyday gym situations:

You try to a new boot camp class and within 3 minutes you realize you bit off more than you can chew. You should leave now.
False.
Keep calm and carry on. Try not to be intimidated – you can handle most any class, you might just need to make modifications. Make eye contact with your instructor and ask them for alternate moves.

If I wait to get the equipment I need for a class until the class starts, I’ll be fine.
Not so much.
Try to prep your gear prior to when a class starts. Not only is it a bit disruptive to your workout to try to grab your apparatuses (weights, bands, gliders) when the exercises begin, you may get behind and a little lost and it will cut your workout short. It’s OK to ask the instructor what you will need prior to class starting.

I can get sick from using sweaty equipment someone used before me.
True.
There are lots of bodily fluids exposed at the gym… and yes, you can catch a sickness. Not to mention we are headin’ into the sick season. Try not to assume someone else will wipe the equipment when you’re done. Just as if you would want it cleaned before you use it, wipe it clean after you’re done. Better yet, wipe it before and after you use it. Most every facility has wipes or spray bottles close by.

Stretching is not important.
False.
At the end of a class or session, it is very important to stay for the stretching. Your body is all fired up and your muscles will coil up like a slinky on a staircase if you don’t properly stretch. This is the optimal time to stretch and elongate your muscles and keep some of the next day ache away. In addition, when someone from class leaves during the stretching (relaxing) portion of the class it can disrupt the vibe.

Chatting during class is fine. It’s a social atmosphere, isn’t it?
False.
Total no-no. No one wants to hear someone having a conversation in a class – whether it’s on the phone or in person, especially when the instructor is giving instructions. Plus, it’s pretty indicative your not working hard enough. Be mindful. Save it for before or after class.

Always mute or turn off your cell phone during a gym session.
True.
Turn-it-off or put your phone on silence. For you and others around you. This is your time.

It’s ok to show off all my assets when working out. After all, I look hot.
Uh, False.
Keep it tucked in – pick a workout outfit that holds it all in tight (read: bras). It will help with your performance. Last thing you want is someone gawking at your goodies while you are working out.

Gum is dangerous to chew when working out.
True.
There is really no good reason to chew gum while working out. Most likely, it will end up being swallowed and you can choke or lose your breath during your strenuous sessions. It actually can affect your breathing pattern. Plus, no one wants to hear someone crack-a-lackin’ away during their workout.

Flying through my workout can actually have adverse effects.
True.
Slow it down. Moving as quickly as possible during exercises can be detrimental – not only to your workout but to your form (aka injury). You are MUCH better off contracting and focusing on each movement then racing through. You will see definition much quicker.

Exercising is so much more important than how well I eat.
False.
Diet is 80% of the equation. Working out is extremely important for cardiovascular, muscular and emotional health, but eating can make or break your results. Try to keep your diet as clean as possible. It will double your efforts and you will see a much faster, more noticeable impact on your body.

To leave a comment on this article or any other blog entry, please fill in the “Leave a Comment” box under each blog entry on our site: Heels to Laces.

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