Archive for November, 2007

Do you drink enough water?

Monday, November 26th, 2007

Many people do not drink enough water. I’ve always encouraged everyone including my clients to drink a minimum of 6-8 glasses/day.

Water is essential for proper organ function. That includes your liver, kidneys and skin. Enough water will maximize your immune system, body temperature, digestion, cellular respiration, and the repair + lubrication of joints and tissues. The water we drink should also be clean because we need it to transport nutrients to cells and excrete waste out of the body. Clean water is essential to life and vitality.

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Physical activity while working outdoors

Wednesday, November 21st, 2007

Written by Lars:Click to read profile

For years I’ve worked at a horse farm, haying, cutting grass, raking leaves, digging fence posts etc. Getting outside, and into the fresh air while, trimming hedges, planting a garden, are all great ways to burn a few calories and get some great exercise too. While it may not be most peoples idea of exercise, it can definitely get you in shape. Some of the most fit people I know are farmers who spend their days throwing bales of hay, doing tree work, and working with their hands. Not only does it give your muscles a workout, it can help with flexibility, core strength, and in some cases be an aerobic workout for your lungs.

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Does body-weight really matter?

Friday, November 16th, 2007

Posted by: Poul

What is with our obsession with the scale?

I have never completely understood peoples’ obsession with the scale and their weight, when it is inches and body fat that really matter. Unless considered obese and at a health risk, I encourage people not to worry about what the scale says. I have trained dozens of people who have dropped dress and pant sizes without losing significant amounts of bodyweight. You’ve heard it before and it’s true — muscle weighs a lot more than fat.

And muscles burn a lot more calories than fat does, even if you are inactive. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, if you just sat in a chair all day an extra 12lbs of well distributed muscle can metabolize an additional 720 calories/week. That means by gaining that muscle and eating the same, you can burn an extra pound of fat in about a month! On the other hand, if you’re highly active and careful about what you eat, you can burn a lot more!!

Bottom line: Don’t be fearful of gaining muscle — or weight — when exercising. It can be a good thing!

body weight and the scale