Sweat the Small Stuff
I’m feeling the need to dispel any myth that might be conjured about me at the mention of “fitness” or “fitness industry” in the same breath as my name. Why? Because I imagine I’m not too different from many other 36-year-old married fathers of four who work an unhealthy number of hours (mostly in the seated position). I cannot bench or squat a Ford F150, and I am probably never going to win (or even enter) a marathon, decathlon, triathlon, or Ironman competition. I am never going to be on the cover of a fitness magazine. Chances are, you will never see me in a fitness video- even if we produce it. My blood pressure is slightly elevated – “prehypertensive” – and I rarely count my carbs. Shockingly, I have no desire to achieve 3% body fat. In order to do my workouts, I frequently have to move the laundry out of the way, because I work out in my garage. My biggest fitness claims to fame are that 1) for my height, I am considered overweight due to my muscle mass, and 2) I still wear the same pants size I wore in high school. I am much closer to being an everyman than I am to being an elite athlete. That aside, I usually know what I am doing. › Continue reading
‘Tis the Season
The spring is my nemesis. As surely as the weather warms and the windows open to the “fresh” air, I find myself overcome by scratchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, nasal/sinus congestion, occasional sneezing fits, and symptoms that mimic those of the common cold. After three springs of experiencing what I thought was just a prolonged cold, it finally dawned on me that maybe I had been so fortunate as to pick up some allergies. Being the smart guy that I am, I instituted a policy of taking over-the-counter allergy meds (Claritin or Zyrtec) automatically at the end of March even before symptoms started, and that seemed to help… in the past. For whatever reason, despite my best efforts, allergies are kicking my butt again this year. So the question is: why are allergies so bad in 2010? Is it just me, or is there something to this? › Continue reading
Anti-Inflammatories and You: Consider This
I’ve had to face facts that I’m not as young as I used to be. At the age of 36, I have aches and pains that I did not have to deal with at the age of 18… or 25… or 30. When I exercise, I know it’s not going to feel good two days later. I can count on there being some tightness, soreness, stiffness, and “tenderness” that goes beyond what I used to experience. The great thing at my age is that even when I don’t exercise, I can be reasonably certain that something is going to be aching or sore anyway. I’ve decided that if I’m going to be achy with or without exercise and physical activity, it might as well be because I’m getting after it. Since I’m refusing to concede much (or anything) to the aging process, I have embraced the occasional use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, otherwise known as NSAIDs, as a means to take the edge off. It wouldn’t be a Wednesday without a dose or two of ibuprofen. Okay, occasionally I’ll opt for acetaminophen or naproxen sodium instead. Rest assured, one of those will be in my system on Wednesday… and a few other times during the week. The question is: is this a good thing? › Continue reading
Lessons Learned from Middle-Aged Women
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that middle-aged women need at least an hour of moderate activity everyday in order to avoid gaining weight without eating less. (Contrary to popular belief, “middle age” does not begin at age 35.) Actually, that’s the good news specifically for women who are at a healthy weight. For those middle-aged women who are already overweight, lovingly referred to as “other,” even more exercise is necessary to maintain weight. Understand the distinction being made. This isn’t exercise to fit into the latest fashions; this is exercise just to hold the fort. Also understand that this study contains practical lessons and perspective for people of ALL ages. › Continue reading
Magnesium and You
How much magnesium have you had today? Probably not enough considering an estimated 68% of Americans fall short of the daily recommended intake. Who can blame you? “Magnesium” doesn’t sound particularly tasty. Unfortunately, this unappetizing-sounding mineral is used in more than 300 bodily functions. It assists in energy production, maintains healthy bone density, helps the electrical conduction of the heart, and aids in nerve function. It acts as a relaxant, significantly improving cramps and relieving asthma symptoms. It turns out that anyone suffering from fatigue, headaches, constipation, or even fibromyalgia should consider magnesium to alleviate or eliminate symptoms. Who knew that magnesium helps regulate the bowels, relax muscles (both internally and topically), and prevent tooth decay? › Continue reading
Cocoa Moo is Good for You?
Recently I learned that a runner friend of mine had started drinking chocolate milk post-run for recovery. The prospect of consuming chocolate milk after jogging eight miles did not seem right to me. I found myself wondering if this was like my grandma’s belief that Diet Pepsi (specifically) cures hangovers or my superstition that all barbell plates must always face inward towards me to ensure a decent workout. (Nothing will derail a personal record attempt like having plates going different directions…) I decided to do some research on the cocoa moo. › Continue reading
Magic Pill on the Horizon?
For years, people have wished upon a star for a magic pill that can melt away body fat and shed their excess weight. Hell, there’s been a huge, thriving industry playing to those hopes and dreams for years. A good chunk of the fitness industry is based on the premise of delivering elusive weight loss and slimming down. (Haven’t YOU had the latest Thinadrine product??) There are supposed metabolism energizers and appetite suppressors. There are alleged fat blockers and fat burners. Does any of it work?? They sure don’t seem to. If one did, wouldn’t the others go out of business?? Wouldn’t obesity have gone the way of the dodo bird two or three years ago? “Pshaw. Obesity is so 2009…” All jokes and indignation aside, there really appears to be a glimmer of that magic pill becoming a reality. › Continue reading
Have You Heard the One about Vitamin D?
Prior to the last 10-15 years, vitamin D wasn’t discussed much. You might have heard about the importance of vitamins C or E, or vitamins in general, but I certainly don’t remember hearing about D specifically on a regular basis. Why? Because so much of life took place outside! Vitamin D is largely the vitamin of the sun. It wasn’t until we found ourselves playing more Tiger Woods PGA Tour and Madden Football than actually hitting the links and tossing the pigskin around that it really became a problem. Our virtual world proficiencies have devolved into real world health issues extending beyond the obvious. › Continue reading
Core Training for Life Change
Maybe "a goal"... but not "THE goal."
Typically, whenever you hear a person say they are working out to slim down, sit-ups or crunches are part of the routine. Of course, this by itself is the equivalent of walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes three times a week to lose weight. You will end up sorely disappointed! The truth is that you can basically have the six-pack without ever doing a single sit-up, crunch, leg lift, or plank. All you have to do is get your percentage of body fat down low enough. You will not have strong abs, but you will be cut. Easier said than done, but it is the truth. The question is then, “Why do sit-ups or crunches if that is the case?” › Continue reading
What about Supplements?
When it comes to exercise, there are usually three general motivations fueling the desire: to get bigger and stronger, to get thinner and leaner, and to get healthier and feel better. The desire to get thinner and leaner is frequently expressed in code as the desire to “lose weight.” Truth be told, weight has little to do with it. It’s simply our society’s thinness currency. Few people have the time to take waist measurements, few people want to spend the money on devices that can measure body-mass percentages, and even fewer people can escape the stigmas associated with being of a certain poundage. Ultimately, whether defined by weight or the ability to get into a certain outfit, the goal is to see something nicer in the mirror when getting dressed. If this is you, you are not alone. You are the favorite demographic of the fitness industry. › Continue reading