What name should we pick? At which hospital should the baby be delivered? Is that a stretch mark?
Pregnancy can be a tremendous, miraculous experience for mommies-to-be; however, with your focus centering on your expectant little bundle of joy, it can be easy to forget about your own well being. Here are some tips and tidbits for making your prenatal months a healthy, joyous experience.
Pregnant does not equal passive. Being fertile does not give you an excuse to stop exercising for nine months. In fact, staying active while you’re pregnant provides numerous benefits including better posture, an increase in your flow of oxygen and a decreased chance of delivery difficulties, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists at parents.com.
Nevertheless, your body will encounter manifold changes, and it is vital to be aware of these transformations in order to protect your baby and yourself.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that the ligaments in your joints become more flexible when you’re expecting, as a result of the increase in hormones. However, extra mobility can lead to extra injuries, so it is best to avoid high-impact sports. Basically, you can make your husband sprint to the grocery store at 12:45 a.m. when you’re craving chocolate covered pickles, but you must jog casually.
As the countdown to the arrival of your newest family member decreases, you will find that the number of skinny jeans you can squeeze yourself into will do likewise. Your heart has to work harder to adjust to your weight gain; as you exercise, your heart rate accelerates and the blood and oxygen in your body flow towards your exerted muscles and away from other crucial body parts, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. So, make sure you do not do more than your body can handle.
Despite these physical setbacks, there are still plenty of activities you can do while you’re pregnant to stay fit. Walking, jogging, yoga, pilates, dancing and swimming are all superb forms of prenatal physical activity - especially swimming as it creates buoyancy and relieves the weight of your baby bump, says Tara Hill of Associated Content.
Hill reports that exercising during your fertile period results in countless gains including fewer cases of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, easier shifts to your pre-pregnancy figure and an increase in stamina during labor, which your husband and you will appreciate after he passes out on the floor from your deafening screams and kung-fu hand grip. Taking exercise classes is also a great social outlet for women who are carrying, so you can all complain about your blistered feet and sore backs together.
As always, you should consult your doctor before undergoing any physical activities. Your pregnancy should be a time of excitement and anticipation. Do the right thing for your new loved one by providing him with a fit mommy who can play endless rounds of hide and seek and carry him across the monkey bars for years to come.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Food of Our People
What is it about fast food that Americans love? Is it the fact that they don’t have to cook the meals themselves when their busy schedules demand so much? Perhaps, it is the concept of having to pay less than $8 for dinner that is so appealing. Maybe, it is the little plastic toy figurines that make the experience so enticing.
Whatever the reason may be, it is unlikely that the high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity, which coincide with fast food dieting according to the Center for Young Women’s Health, play a role in the American burger and fry infatuation.
Seeing as how one in four Americans eats fast food everyday, according to HelpGuide.org, it is doubtful that this drive-in devotion will end anytime soon.
Taking note of America’s tendency to go weak in the knees by the very sound of the term “Happy Meal” or “Big-Mac,” Tracy Minkin and Brittani Renaud of Health magazine compiled a list of America’s Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants. So, the next time you’re craving a little drive through delight, try one of these eateries.
Coming in at number 10 is Taco del Mar. Minkin and Renaud praised the chain for its whole wheat tortillas, its 320 calorie burritos and the restaurant’s choice to ban lard from the beans. You can visit the website of this burrito business at tacodelmar.com and click on the “nutritional information” button to learn how to eat more efficiently at the establishment, such as by ordering fish tacos instead of beef to reduce your sodium intake.
McDonald’s receives eighth place in this restaurant ranking. While Minkin and Renaud warn customers about portion control, the two critics applaud Mickey D’s for its Happy Meal alternatives (you can now order apple dippers instead of fries and replace soft drinks with low fat milk or juice) and low cal, high-protein Snack Wraps.
Furthermore, McDonald’s lists its nutritional information on the back of its tray sheets and on its website http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com, so no more excuses when you start tipping the scale after eating a Double-Quarter Pounder with Cheese – that bad boy comes to a whopping total of 740 calories according to the website.
Minkin and Renaud rank the Corner Bakery Café as number five. The two Health magazine connoisseurs commend the restaurant’s breakfast items, particularly the Farmer’s Scrambler (a 260 calorie dish, when ordered with egg whites, consisting of peppers, onions, mushrooms, potatoes and cheese). This charming café is also ranked as “One of the 10 Best Fast-Casual Restaurants in America” by Parent’s Magazine, according to the Corner Bakery’s website cornerbakerycafe.com.
Health magazine names Panera Bread as the contender of America’s healthiest fast-food chains. One of the restaurant’s most appealing features is the portion control. With Panera Bread’s half sandwich and salad deals, choosing an adequate size meal is simple. For instance, a half size Cesar salad accumulates 200 calories and 30 percent of the recommended amount of Vitamin A, according to paneranutrition.com.
Minkin and Renaud also value the fact that Panera Bread carries an array of trim and tasty sides including apples, fruit cups, baked potato chips and whole grain baguettes. With a menu as nectarous and nutritious as Panera Bread’s, it is no surprise that this soup and salad shop receives first place.
The next time you find yourself driving down the strip of fast-food chains or perusing the food court at the mall, try to choose one of these eateries for a healthier meal. Remember, these restaurants, just like any other dining establishments, have nutritious and detrimental options; it is up to you to regulate your portions and your calorie intake.
To review the complete listing of America’s Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants, visit http://living.health.com.
Whatever the reason may be, it is unlikely that the high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity, which coincide with fast food dieting according to the Center for Young Women’s Health, play a role in the American burger and fry infatuation.
Seeing as how one in four Americans eats fast food everyday, according to HelpGuide.org, it is doubtful that this drive-in devotion will end anytime soon.
Taking note of America’s tendency to go weak in the knees by the very sound of the term “Happy Meal” or “Big-Mac,” Tracy Minkin and Brittani Renaud of Health magazine compiled a list of America’s Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants. So, the next time you’re craving a little drive through delight, try one of these eateries.
Coming in at number 10 is Taco del Mar. Minkin and Renaud praised the chain for its whole wheat tortillas, its 320 calorie burritos and the restaurant’s choice to ban lard from the beans. You can visit the website of this burrito business at tacodelmar.com and click on the “nutritional information” button to learn how to eat more efficiently at the establishment, such as by ordering fish tacos instead of beef to reduce your sodium intake.
McDonald’s receives eighth place in this restaurant ranking. While Minkin and Renaud warn customers about portion control, the two critics applaud Mickey D’s for its Happy Meal alternatives (you can now order apple dippers instead of fries and replace soft drinks with low fat milk or juice) and low cal, high-protein Snack Wraps.
Furthermore, McDonald’s lists its nutritional information on the back of its tray sheets and on its website http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com, so no more excuses when you start tipping the scale after eating a Double-Quarter Pounder with Cheese – that bad boy comes to a whopping total of 740 calories according to the website.
Minkin and Renaud rank the Corner Bakery Café as number five. The two Health magazine connoisseurs commend the restaurant’s breakfast items, particularly the Farmer’s Scrambler (a 260 calorie dish, when ordered with egg whites, consisting of peppers, onions, mushrooms, potatoes and cheese). This charming café is also ranked as “One of the 10 Best Fast-Casual Restaurants in America” by Parent’s Magazine, according to the Corner Bakery’s website cornerbakerycafe.com.
Health magazine names Panera Bread as the contender of America’s healthiest fast-food chains. One of the restaurant’s most appealing features is the portion control. With Panera Bread’s half sandwich and salad deals, choosing an adequate size meal is simple. For instance, a half size Cesar salad accumulates 200 calories and 30 percent of the recommended amount of Vitamin A, according to paneranutrition.com.
Minkin and Renaud also value the fact that Panera Bread carries an array of trim and tasty sides including apples, fruit cups, baked potato chips and whole grain baguettes. With a menu as nectarous and nutritious as Panera Bread’s, it is no surprise that this soup and salad shop receives first place.
The next time you find yourself driving down the strip of fast-food chains or perusing the food court at the mall, try to choose one of these eateries for a healthier meal. Remember, these restaurants, just like any other dining establishments, have nutritious and detrimental options; it is up to you to regulate your portions and your calorie intake.
To review the complete listing of America’s Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants, visit http://living.health.com.
No More Excuses, Just Results with Home Fitness
The babysitter cancelled. I’m too tired to drive out to the gym. The price of gas is outrageous. I don’t want everyone to see me.
This is just a sampling of the most popular excuses people use as to why they do not go to the gym or utilize their memberships.
Former health club owners Steve and Trisha Phaklides took these reasons to heart and decided to revolutionize the typical workout experience in order to overcome these conflicts and insecurities. Their answer? Home Fitness: a mobile personal fitness training company that brings the gym to you.
Home Fitness personal fitness trainers take the “work” out of “workout” when it comes to establishing your new, personalized fitness plan. A trainer will drive to your residence and bring an array of exercising equipment to create a comfortable and encouraging fitness facility in your very own home!
Want to shed a few pounds without shedding a lot of green? Home Fitness has designed a wide assortment of personal training packages that cost as little as $16.25 per session per person. Also, Home Fitness’s exercise programs are designed for two, so you can workout with a friend – because studies show that you are 80 percent more likely to have successful weight loss when you have a dependable support system. Plus, the more friends you sign up with, the more you save!
To learn more about Home Fitness, or to embark on your own weight loss journey, visit www.wemakefitnessfit.com or email the founders of Home Fitness at phaklides@sbcglobal.net.
With its mobile tactics and low-rate fitness packages, Home Fitness makes it easy to save your time, save your wallet and save your skinny jeans.
This is just a sampling of the most popular excuses people use as to why they do not go to the gym or utilize their memberships.
Former health club owners Steve and Trisha Phaklides took these reasons to heart and decided to revolutionize the typical workout experience in order to overcome these conflicts and insecurities. Their answer? Home Fitness: a mobile personal fitness training company that brings the gym to you.
Home Fitness personal fitness trainers take the “work” out of “workout” when it comes to establishing your new, personalized fitness plan. A trainer will drive to your residence and bring an array of exercising equipment to create a comfortable and encouraging fitness facility in your very own home!
Want to shed a few pounds without shedding a lot of green? Home Fitness has designed a wide assortment of personal training packages that cost as little as $16.25 per session per person. Also, Home Fitness’s exercise programs are designed for two, so you can workout with a friend – because studies show that you are 80 percent more likely to have successful weight loss when you have a dependable support system. Plus, the more friends you sign up with, the more you save!
To learn more about Home Fitness, or to embark on your own weight loss journey, visit www.wemakefitnessfit.com or email the founders of Home Fitness at phaklides@sbcglobal.net.
With its mobile tactics and low-rate fitness packages, Home Fitness makes it easy to save your time, save your wallet and save your skinny jeans.
Obesity in the Office
“This is what I’m going to do. I’m going to randomly select three names, and these three people will get liposuction. Ughhh. Stanley, Phyllis, Kevin. And you will be responsible for your own medical bills.”
This hilarious quote originates from Rainn Wilson’s character, Dwight Schrute, from the knee-slapping, popular NBC comedy series, The Office. While there is humor behind Dwight’s statement – particularly because he chooses the three most overweight employees to receive liposuction – there is some truth behind obese workers costing their employers extra money.
According to a CFO Daily News article by Jennifer Azara, employees who are overweight cost companies an average of $1,834 in additional medical and absenteeism expenditures.
Home Fitness has devised a personal training program that targets individuals’ fitness needs in order to create full communal results. Corporate Wellness, the name of this exercise enterprise, steers employees down the road of personal health by first offering one-on-one fitness evaluations to each employee and by constructing personal workout programs. Home Fitness creates these specialized fitness routines to give employees a simple workout plan to follow at home.
Along with the individual assessments, Home Fitness provides onsite fitness training and hosts seminars in group settings. Seminar topics include: nutritional success, homeopathy and “We Dream in Chinese.” If you would like Home Fitness to visit your company, check out www.wemakefitnessfit.com or send an email to the owners of Home Fitness, Trisha and Steve Phaklides, at phaklides@sbcglobal.net
This hilarious quote originates from Rainn Wilson’s character, Dwight Schrute, from the knee-slapping, popular NBC comedy series, The Office. While there is humor behind Dwight’s statement – particularly because he chooses the three most overweight employees to receive liposuction – there is some truth behind obese workers costing their employers extra money.
According to a CFO Daily News article by Jennifer Azara, employees who are overweight cost companies an average of $1,834 in additional medical and absenteeism expenditures.
Home Fitness has devised a personal training program that targets individuals’ fitness needs in order to create full communal results. Corporate Wellness, the name of this exercise enterprise, steers employees down the road of personal health by first offering one-on-one fitness evaluations to each employee and by constructing personal workout programs. Home Fitness creates these specialized fitness routines to give employees a simple workout plan to follow at home.
Along with the individual assessments, Home Fitness provides onsite fitness training and hosts seminars in group settings. Seminar topics include: nutritional success, homeopathy and “We Dream in Chinese.” If you would like Home Fitness to visit your company, check out www.wemakefitnessfit.com or send an email to the owners of Home Fitness, Trisha and Steve Phaklides, at phaklides@sbcglobal.net
Nutrition 101
Over 300,000 deaths per year are due to poor nutrition and an inadequate amount of physical activity, according to a 2008 publishing of Express Press Release.
Home Fitness recognizes that nutrition, along with exercise, is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle. Keeping the importance of a balanced diet in mind, the owners of Home Fitness, Trisha and Steve Phaklides, organized the Home Fitness Nutritional Success Class.
With the Home Fitness Nutritional Success Class, you and up to seven of your best pals will be treated to an array of tasty, trim treats. Through the sampling of this cleansing cuisine, you and your guests will learn how to create a personalized meal plan that will fit your daily lives – and help you fit into that dress you’ve been dying to buy.
The class cost of $149 covers the expenses of food and education for everyone who attends. Home Fitness will provide all the food and will handle all the work.
Since 80 percent of your body’s well being is determined by the food you eat, it is crucial to understand how to maintain a healthy diet. So, grab your friends and family and show them how much their health means to you! Visit www.wemakefitnessfit.com to learn more.
Home Fitness recognizes that nutrition, along with exercise, is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle. Keeping the importance of a balanced diet in mind, the owners of Home Fitness, Trisha and Steve Phaklides, organized the Home Fitness Nutritional Success Class.
With the Home Fitness Nutritional Success Class, you and up to seven of your best pals will be treated to an array of tasty, trim treats. Through the sampling of this cleansing cuisine, you and your guests will learn how to create a personalized meal plan that will fit your daily lives – and help you fit into that dress you’ve been dying to buy.
The class cost of $149 covers the expenses of food and education for everyone who attends. Home Fitness will provide all the food and will handle all the work.
Since 80 percent of your body’s well being is determined by the food you eat, it is crucial to understand how to maintain a healthy diet. So, grab your friends and family and show them how much their health means to you! Visit www.wemakefitnessfit.com to learn more.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Four Flavorful Fantasies to Fathom…
By Elyse Dupre:
Merriam-Webster OnLine defines nutrition as “the act or process of nourishing or being nourished.” The only problem is that there are so few of us who know how to foster our bodies properly.
Tall-tales regarding all banana diets and meals consisting solely of cotton balls (I swear, it’s a real diet) have been passed down for years on end, making the act of creating a healthy regimen a sour task.
For all of you who are tired of these food fantasies, here are the truths behind four mouthwatering myths.
Myth number one: all adults should drink eight glasses of water a day.
Truth: adults who live fit lifestyles can remain healthy by simply drinking water when they are thirsty, according to the May 22, 2008 episode of The Early Show entitled “Debunking Nutrition Myths.”
Generally, adults who are well ingest an adequate amount of fluid by eating food and by quenching their thirst. However, those who live in humid climates, exercise excessively or have certain medical conditions should consult their doctors.
Myth number two: brown eggs are healthier than white eggs.
Truth: In a May 11, 2009 article from CBC News entitled “10 Nutrition Myths: Balanced Eating Tips,” an egg’s color is determined by the type of hen that laid it. White eggs are released from white chickens, such as the White Leghorn; brown eggs are products of chickens that are brown or red, including the Rhode Island Red. No matter the color, both eggs contain 70 calories, 5 grams of fat – 1.5 grams of saturated fat – and 190 milligrams of cholesterol. So, don’t let these tasty breakfast treats egg you on.
Myth number three: You should only eat when you are hungry.
Truth: The same article as above states that adults should eat small meals and nutritious snacks (not those potato chips in your cupboard) about every three hours. By eating small portions periodically, you are continuing to fuel your body – which results in high energy levels –, prevent overeating and regulate your blood sugar.
Myth number four: Sodium is only found in salt.
Truth: Tomato sauce, processed meat, condiments, canned soup and, everyone’s favorite, cheese all contain more sodium than a tiny pinch of salt, says the June 2, 2009 newsday.com article entitled “Nutrition Myths Exposed.”
Nevertheless, the article continues to say how just one teaspoon of salt contains 2,300 mg of sodium, while the average adult is advised to consume no more than 1,200 mg of sodium. So, watch how much how much salt is piled onto your popcorn at the movie theatre (they just want to trick you into buying more soda anyway, which equals more calories – the nerve!)
There you have it: four fruitful fables gobbled up, with only the truth for the leftovers. What a refreshing change of taste!
Merriam-Webster OnLine defines nutrition as “the act or process of nourishing or being nourished.” The only problem is that there are so few of us who know how to foster our bodies properly.
Tall-tales regarding all banana diets and meals consisting solely of cotton balls (I swear, it’s a real diet) have been passed down for years on end, making the act of creating a healthy regimen a sour task.
For all of you who are tired of these food fantasies, here are the truths behind four mouthwatering myths.
Myth number one: all adults should drink eight glasses of water a day.
Truth: adults who live fit lifestyles can remain healthy by simply drinking water when they are thirsty, according to the May 22, 2008 episode of The Early Show entitled “Debunking Nutrition Myths.”
Generally, adults who are well ingest an adequate amount of fluid by eating food and by quenching their thirst. However, those who live in humid climates, exercise excessively or have certain medical conditions should consult their doctors.
Myth number two: brown eggs are healthier than white eggs.
Truth: In a May 11, 2009 article from CBC News entitled “10 Nutrition Myths: Balanced Eating Tips,” an egg’s color is determined by the type of hen that laid it. White eggs are released from white chickens, such as the White Leghorn; brown eggs are products of chickens that are brown or red, including the Rhode Island Red. No matter the color, both eggs contain 70 calories, 5 grams of fat – 1.5 grams of saturated fat – and 190 milligrams of cholesterol. So, don’t let these tasty breakfast treats egg you on.
Myth number three: You should only eat when you are hungry.
Truth: The same article as above states that adults should eat small meals and nutritious snacks (not those potato chips in your cupboard) about every three hours. By eating small portions periodically, you are continuing to fuel your body – which results in high energy levels –, prevent overeating and regulate your blood sugar.
Myth number four: Sodium is only found in salt.
Truth: Tomato sauce, processed meat, condiments, canned soup and, everyone’s favorite, cheese all contain more sodium than a tiny pinch of salt, says the June 2, 2009 newsday.com article entitled “Nutrition Myths Exposed.”
Nevertheless, the article continues to say how just one teaspoon of salt contains 2,300 mg of sodium, while the average adult is advised to consume no more than 1,200 mg of sodium. So, watch how much how much salt is piled onto your popcorn at the movie theatre (they just want to trick you into buying more soda anyway, which equals more calories – the nerve!)
There you have it: four fruitful fables gobbled up, with only the truth for the leftovers. What a refreshing change of taste!
Turn up the tunes, boys!
What’s better than pumping up your favorite tunes while pumping some iron? Here’s a ranking of the Top Five Workout Tunes for Men. This playlist consists of songs that have been listed as crowd-pleasing choices among Fitness Magazine, Men’s Health Magazine and an AOL Australia Men article entitled, “Top 5 Songs to Boost Your Workout.”
1) Eye of the Tiger from the Rocky soundtrack. This bad boy is listed as a popular tune among Men’s Health Magazine readers and is ranked in the top 5 under the “Real McCoy to Stevie Wonder” category in Fitness Magazine’s selections. Slide your headphones on and you’ll be throwing air punches and wanting to go the distance in no time.
2) Lose Yourself by Eminem. This jam, featured in 8 Mile, not only won an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song in 2003, according to imbd.com, but the song also gained a spot on Erin Hobday’s, a Senior Reporter for Men’s Health Magazine, playlist for most motivating running tunes. The song was featured among Fitness Magazine’s best workout songs as well.
3) Dancing Queen by Abba. Surprisingly, this classic Mamma Mia hit is named as one of the beloved exercise numbers of Men’s Health Magazine readers and AOL Australia Men voters. So remember, boys, “You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life!”
4) Numb/Encore by Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Both Fitness Magazine and Associate Fitness Editor Scott Quill from Men’s Health Magazine condemn Jay-Z and Linkin Park’s album Collision Course. Quill notes that the song is particularly rousing for lifting.
5) Mr. Brightside by The Killers. This 2006 Grammy nominee, according to Baltimore Sun, secures the final spot in the top five playlist, as it is well-liked by Fitness Magazine and Men’s Health Magazine’s Senior Reporter Erin Hobday.
So, the next time you are with your buddies at the gym, try blasting one of these Top Five Tunes in order to produce a more motivating, inspiring and fun workout.
1) Eye of the Tiger from the Rocky soundtrack. This bad boy is listed as a popular tune among Men’s Health Magazine readers and is ranked in the top 5 under the “Real McCoy to Stevie Wonder” category in Fitness Magazine’s selections. Slide your headphones on and you’ll be throwing air punches and wanting to go the distance in no time.
2) Lose Yourself by Eminem. This jam, featured in 8 Mile, not only won an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song in 2003, according to imbd.com, but the song also gained a spot on Erin Hobday’s, a Senior Reporter for Men’s Health Magazine, playlist for most motivating running tunes. The song was featured among Fitness Magazine’s best workout songs as well.
3) Dancing Queen by Abba. Surprisingly, this classic Mamma Mia hit is named as one of the beloved exercise numbers of Men’s Health Magazine readers and AOL Australia Men voters. So remember, boys, “You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life!”
4) Numb/Encore by Jay-Z and Linkin Park. Both Fitness Magazine and Associate Fitness Editor Scott Quill from Men’s Health Magazine condemn Jay-Z and Linkin Park’s album Collision Course. Quill notes that the song is particularly rousing for lifting.
5) Mr. Brightside by The Killers. This 2006 Grammy nominee, according to Baltimore Sun, secures the final spot in the top five playlist, as it is well-liked by Fitness Magazine and Men’s Health Magazine’s Senior Reporter Erin Hobday.
So, the next time you are with your buddies at the gym, try blasting one of these Top Five Tunes in order to produce a more motivating, inspiring and fun workout.
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