YOU GAIN STRENGTH, COURAGE, AND CONFIDENCE BY EVERY EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU STOP TO LOOK FEAR IN THE FACE. YOU MUST DO THE THING YOU THINK YOU CANNOT DO.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Your Action Plan To Nutrition Part 3


You must start your journey to overall health by listening to your body. Your body is the key to everything...it is your temple. It is important that we take a deeper look at what is happening...we must find solutions to heal and to grow into healthy individuals. It is through the concept of wholeness and remembering that everything is connected. It is time to take responsibility for what we put in our mouths each and every day...so we can create and maintain a strong foundation in our bodies. Instead of listening to gimmicks or philosophies on nutrition...listen to your body and your mind.

In Part 1 and Part 2, I discussed the importance to being mentally present and motivated when starting your nutrition action plan. Also, I discussed the understanding of portion sizes and how you must choose a nutrition plan that applies to you as an individual and applies to your fitness goals. Make sure you read Part 1 and Part 2 before you continue on to Action Plan Part 3.

I now want to discuss the food groups that must be present in your nutrition plan. Most of the foods we eat contain a combination of three energy-producing nutrients, also known as macro nutrients- protein, carbohydrates, and fat. These nutrients are responsible for providing the energy necessary for you body's engine to run well, and very essential to your health. Along with these nutrients, your body also needs vitamins, minerals, and water...which will be discussed later.

The first food group I want to discuss is the most versatile player on the nutrient team, PROTEIN...the building blocks for muscle tissue. Its purpose is to build, repair, and maintain your body's tissues, including muscles, skin, and internal organs. Protein helps you digest food and tells the body whether to store food as energy versus fat. It helps you burn calories, keeps you feeling full, and helps your body build muscle and burn fat. It is an interesting path on how the body operates, but know that the body burns more calories digesting protein than it does to process carbohydrates and fat.

Protein is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and one more element none of the other nutrients have-nitrogen. Proteins take much longer to digest and are broken down into their smallest components, amino acids. Understand that in order for your body to use the protein you ingest for muscle-building, all necessary amino acids must be present. The body can only produce only some of these amino acids. Amino acids, for the most part, do not stimulate insulin secretion like a simple carbohydrate (piece of fruit or candy bar) would. The others, which are also known as your essential amino acids, must be from the foods we eat.

Protein is supplied by both animal and plant foods, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, nuts, and grain products. It is important that you concentrate on the proteins that best helps build your muscles. Research has shown that animal protein builds muscle better than soy or vegetable protein does. For example, choose poultry, fish, and lean cuts of beef or pork over tofu and other soy-based products.

It is important that you get enough protein in your daily food intake. A great starting point/average protein intake is about 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day- that is about the amount of protein your body can use every day. For example, a 130-pound woman will take in 130 grams of protein in her day. You must understand that exercise frequency and intensity also would play a role in the amount of protein you want to take in. Also, if you are getting ready for a sport event or a fitness/figure/bodybuilding competition you would consume more protein. The average is around 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day, but you can increase to 1.5 grams of protein if needed. Special circumstances and situations will allow for an individual to increase to even 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight.

It is also very important to have a well-balanced eating plan and to have a little protein with each meal. When a carbohydrate is eaten in COMBINATION WITH a protein (well-balance), it becomes a new source of energy on a molecular level. This combination allows less glucose to enter the bloodstream, and it is released over a longer duration of time. This then lowers your insulin level so your body can burn the carbohydrate as FUEL as opposed to storing them as fat. Also, by eating a little protein at every meal, you will reduce your cravings for certain foods.

It is crucial that you understand how certain foods work in your body. When you eat sugar or a carbohydrate alone, it raises/spikes your insulin levels, BUT WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN! So when your insulin level drops, it creates a craving for more sugar or carbohydrates for immediate energy because now you are feeling tired and lethargic. But the solution is when you eat a little protein with each meal, it forces the secretion of glucagon (the hormone that stimulates insulin secretion), your insulin level balances out so your body doesn't go through the insulin roller-coaster ride. The END RESULT is a sustained, well-balanced energy level throughout your day.

Also, it has been proven that reducing your carbohydrate intake to a minimum and earthing a high-protein eating plan is too extreme and unrealistic in the long term. So why is the fad of high-protein diets in every fitness magazine and every other commercial? Studies have shown that high-protein diets elicit a certain hormonal response that facilitates rapid weight loss by putting the body into a state of ketosis. Ketosis is an abnormal increase of acidic biochemicals in the blood and urine and a sign that the metabolism is impaired. These acidic biochemicals are produced when there isn't enough glucose in the bloodstream. High levels of ketones make blood abnormally acidic. I don't think any of you would agree that this is a very healthy way of life!

The reason high-protein diets have been so successful is because INITIALLY (key word) many people see rapid weight loss due to the body being shocked into doing this, but they EVENTUALLY (next key word) will hit a plateau. It is important to note that people on high-protein diets cannot sustain this way of eating for longer than three to six months. So then what happens next. The sad thing I have seen is that all the effort they put into a high-protein diet ends up backfiring on them. Most people will go back to their old way of eating, many will end up where they started, while others will take a turn for the worse and put on more weight then they started with.

There are three important factors you must take into consideration with high-protein diets. First, they are hard to maintain. Second, they are typically high in saturated fat, which will EVENTUALLY (same key word) contribute to clogged arteries and an increased risk of heart attacks. And last but not least, there is not enough long-term studies to prove that eating a high-protein diet is safe for you. You must fully understand that a HIGHER-PROTEIN DIET is different from a HIGH-PROTEIN DIET (one that dramatically reduces carbohydrates)- due to long-term studies showing that they have a greater success rate in reducing body fat and maintaining weight loss in the long term.

Through my experience with my own body and as a personal trainer, I believe that a HIGHER-PROTEIN diet works very well for approximately 75% of the population for weight reduction and weight management. It is also important to note that by including a higher-protein in our daily eating plan we feel fuller faster so we ingest less calories per meal. In Part 4 of this Action Plan to Nutrition, I will begin the blog entry by listing and describing the proteins that you want to include in your daily intake, along with the vitamins and nutrients attached to these proteins.

"You need to listen to your body, because your body is listening to you."- Philip C. McGraw
George, M. Body Express. ppgs. 41-43.

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Abdominal Challenge #1

  • NO REST Between Exercises/Keep hands on your head at ALL TIMES when you perform each Sit-up/Keep your legs bent on all Sit-ups/Watch your form and make sure you engage your belly button AT ALL TIMES/Control your motion and DO NOT USE MOMENTUM!
  • Unassisted Sit-ups- 10x/Hold #10 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
  • Core Plank- 30 seconds
  • Unassisted Sit-ups- 15x/Hold #15 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
  • Core Plank- 1 minute
  • Unassisted Sit-ups- 20x/Hold #20 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
  • Core Plank- 1 minute 30 sec
  • Unassisted Sit-ups- 25x/Hold #25 at the Halfway Mark for 20sec
  • Core Plank- 2 minutes

Abdominal Challenge #2

  • DO NOT REST BETWEEN EXERCISES UNLESS IT IS STATED/USE THE SAME RULES FOR ABDOMINAL CHALLENGE #1/Substitute One Crunch + One Sit-up Twist/Twist for Plate Stand-ups if needed/Substitute Roman Chair Leg Raises for Hanging Leg Raises if needed
  • Medicine Ball Sit-ups (Unassisted)- 25 times/Explosive on the UP- 10 second count on the DOWN/Keep M.B. on your chest AT ALL TIMES
  • Hanging Bent Leg Raises- 3x15/Rest 10 seconds between sets/DO NOT SWING
  • Plate Standups/25 times/DO NOT MOVE YOUR FEET/Tempo- Moderate Pace/The lighter the plate the harder the exercise...CHALLENGE/PUSH!
  • Side Core Plank- Hold 30 seconds/25 Ups and Downs/Do one side at a time
  • Hanging Straight Leg Raises- 3x15/Rest 10 seconds between sets/DO NOT SWING
  • Plate Stand-ups + Sit-ups/(2=1) 35 times/DO NOT MOVE YOUR FEET/Tempo- Moderate Pace/The lighter the plate the harder the exercise...CHALLENGE YOURSELF
  • Side Core Plank- Hold 1 minute/35 Ups and Downs/Do one side at a time

CONDITIONING DRILL #1

  • PERFORM 5 SETS/NO REST BETWEEN EXERCISES/REST 30 SECONDS BETWEEN EACH CIRCUIT
  • Burpees x 30 seconds
  • Mountain Climbers x 30 seconds
  • Split Squat Jumps x 30 seconds
  • Mountain Climbers x 30 seconds
  • Split Squat Jumps x 30 seconds
  • Burpees x 30 seconds

CONDITIONING DRILL #2

  • PERFORM 5 SETS/NO REST BETWEEN EXERCISES/REST 3O SECONDS BETWEEN EACH CIRCUIT
  • Wall Sit with Medicine Ball Between Knees x 30 sec
  • DB Split Squat Jumps x 30 seconds
  • Mountain Climbers On Forearms x 30 seconds
  • DB Burpees x 30 seconds
  • Diamond Shape Push-ups On Medicine Ball x 30 seconds
  • Medicine Ball Squat Jump Toss x 30 seconds

CONDITIONING DRILL #3

  • PERFORM 4 SETS/NO REST BETWEEN EXERCISES/REST 30-45 SECONDS BETWEEN EACH CIRCUIT
  • Traveling Forward Burpee- 10x
  • Traveling Forward Burp + Burpee- (2=1)- 10 x
  • Traveling Backward Burpee- 10x
  • Traveling Backward Burp + Burpee- (2=1)- 10x

CONDITIONING DRILL #4

In order to MASTER this conditioning drill, each exercise must be performed with perfect form and without STOPPING!

**Be sure that the BURPEES are ALL EXPLOSIVE...JUMP AS HIGH AS YOU CAN AT THE START/LAND IN A LOW PUSH-UP POSITION/EXPLODE BACK UP, LEADING WITH YOUR LEGS

**Make sure that the SQUAT HOLDS ARE LOW (THINK OF AN L-SHAPE/DO NOT LET YOUR BUTT FALL TOO CLOSE TO THE FLOOR)...SIT BACK ON YOUR HEELS AND ALWAYS KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT

1) BURPEES- 15 TIMES
2)LOW SQUAT HOLD (15TH BURPEE)- 10 SECONDS
3) BURPEES- 12 TIMES
4) LOW SQUAT HOLD (12TH BURPEE)- 10 SECONDS
5) BURPEES- 10 TIMES
6) LOW SQUAT HOLD (10TH BURPEE)- 15 SECONDS
7) BURPEES- 8 TIMES
8) LOW SQUAT HOLD (8TH BURPEE)- 15 SECONDS
9) BURPEES- 6 TIMES
10) LOW SQUAT HOLD (6TH BURPEE)- 20 SECONDS
11) BURPEES- 4 TIMES
12) LOW SQUAT HOLD (4TH BURPEE)- 20 SECONDS
13) BURPEE- 2 TIMES
14) LOW SQUAT HOLD (2ND BURPEE)- 20 SECONDS

DEFINITION OF EXERCISES/LANGUAGE IN EXERCISE

1) Straight-legged to Heels-to-Butt Sit-ups- lie flat on the ground with your legs straight and your hands on your head. As you start to do a sit-up bring your heels in to your butt and tap the floor (*the closer the heels come to the butt the harder). As you come out of your sit-up and begin to roll-down straighten out your legs and make sure the heels touch the floor. It should be a smooth, contolled one motion.
2) Burpee In Place-start by jumping straight in the air and then landing in a squat position with hands on the ground. Kick your feet back into the downward position of a push-up. Thrust the feet up and push up with the arms simultaneously.
3) Traveling Forward Burpee- the same concept as the Burpee In Place the only difference is jump forward instead of straight up.
4) Traveling Backward Burpee- the same concept as the Burpee In Place the only difference is jump backward instead of jumping straight up.
5) Burp- also known as a stripped down burpee. Start low and tucked toward the floor. Kick feet out to the bottom portion of a pushup. Then, push with your hands, while thrusting the feet back to the beginnning position (which is low and tucked toward the floor). It is only a half way motion minus without the jump in the air.
6) M.B. or Plate Stand-Ups- lie flat on the ground with your feet planted on the ground. Beginners should use two dumbbells and place on feet. Hold a m.b. or plate over your head (*the heavier the db/plate the easier...the lighter the db/plate or no weight the harder). Quickly move your arms forward and start to sit up. It is very important that you use your arms for momentum and engage your abdominals. Once your arms pass your knees, quickly push forward with your legs, moving into a standing position.
7) Mountain Climbers- start with your body in a push-up plank position. With the hands stationary, alternate the feet back and forth. One leg should be tucked with the knee coming close to your chest and the opposite leg extended. Make sure to place your weight on the balls of the feet.
8) Grasshoppers- your body will begin in the same position you used for mountain climbers. The movement starts by bringing your left foot underneath the body until it touches your right hand. After touching your hand, return the left foot to the starting position and repeat the movement by bringing your right foot across the body to your left hand. You will be on the balls of your feet but when you bring your foot toward your hand you will land on the side of your foot.
9) Wall Sit- place yourself up against a wall and squat down until the thighs are parallel to the floor. Think about forming an L with the bottom portion of your body. Your back is supported against the wall. Hold this position for time. Do not place your hands on your thighs because this takes off the pressure in your legs. Absolutely no movement with this exercise.
10) Bridge- a great exercise that will develop strength and flexibility. It is a static hold that helps improve lower back strength. Start by lying down on the floor with your knees bent and your hands on the floor close to your ears. Lift yourself up with your abdomen pointing upward and with only the hands and the feet on the floor. Your body should create an arched position and you will maintain the upright position for time.
11) Aerobic exercise- means with oxygen. An activity in which demands of muscle for oxygen are met by circulation of oxygen in blood. Distance running, cross-country, skiing, distance cycling are all examples of aerobic activities.
12) Anaerobic Exercise- means without oxygen. Activity in which oxygen demands of muscles are so high that they rely upon an internal metabolic process for oxygen. Short burts of "all-out" activities such as sprinting or weightlifting are examples of anerobic exercises.
13) Burn- also known as "going for the burn." For instance, in endurance exercise, working muscles until lactic acid buildup causes a burning sensation.
14) Concentric- when muscles contract or shorten.
15) Delts- an abbreviation for deltoids, the large triangular muscles of the shoulder which raise the arm away from the body and perform other functions.
16) Eccentric- when muscles lengthen while maintaining tension.
17) Fast-Twitch- refers to muscle cells that fire quickly and are utilized in anaerobic activites like sprinting and powerlifting.
18) Glycogen- can be referred to as a full tank full of stored carbohydrates. Some of it is stored in the liver and some of it is stored in the muscles themselves.
19) Hybrid Lift- is two or more exercise done in one single movement. It is the inverse of a combo lift. For istance, performing a bicep curl while lunging.
20) Interval Training- is a short, high-intensity cardio exercise alternated with longer periods of lower-intensity cardio. It allows you to burn more calories, increase your speed, improve your power, and much more. It is more effective at burning fat while maintaining muscle mass. Combine this type of training with intensity will also increase your metabolic rate to amazing levels. This is because the work you do utilizes a greater percent of the body's muscles.



If You Want To Be Tough, You Are The Only One That Can Get You There!

If You Want To Be Tough, You Are The Only One That Can Get You There!

POWER THOUGHT OF THE DAY

TRADE AFFIRMATION FOR ACCOMPLISHMENT: Accolades fade quickly, but your accomplishments have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

TRADE IMMEDIATE PLEASURE FOR PERSONAL GROWTH: It takes an oak tree decades to grow, but it takes a squash only weeks. Which do you want to be?

TRADE EXPLORATION FOR FOCUS:  The younger you are, the more experimenting you should do. But once you have found what you were created to do, STICK WITH IT!

TRADE QUANTITY OF LIFE FOR QUALITY OF LIFE: Your life is not a dress rehearsal. Give it your best because you won't get another chance.

POWER THOUGHT OF THE DAY

NEVER GIVE UP IN WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

POWER THOUGHT OF THE DAY

"I CHOOSE TO LOVE MY LIFE

Find a balance between your creativity and your responsibility to the world. Share your innovative ideas and inspire others.

POWER THOUGHT OF THE DAY

"When change seems frightening, remember that it's the mother of new life, the one story line that we can count on to bring us home to our essential nature and our interconnectedness with the wholeness of life."

Borysenko, J. Saying Yes to Change. Pg. 173.

DOFITNESS TRAINING STATION

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