Since childhood obesity seems to be a constant topic, I researched some different "get moving" gear that might make it easier for children to be drawn to activity & came across the Striiv Play. Geared more for children, but can be used by anyone, it's a fancy pedometer that tracks steps, stairs, and calories burned. This device syncs to the iPhone via bluetooth, but it appears that there may not be an android app for the device.
Below is the link to the website:
http://www.striiv.com/striiv-play/
I like the concept because it connects the ever constant child who is on their cell phone, to the world of exercise. There are games and daily challenges & it's relatively inexpensive. Now, it's obvious that you can get a pedometer that is significantly cheaper, but that might not hold the short attention span of a 10 year old. This device isn't exactly geared toward the type of person who takes fitness seriously, but it may help in getting some children active and moving.
Below is an article from PC magazine that reviews the device:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2416961,00.asp
I'm not against giving this device a go, but I wouldn't use it to define my fitness routine. Hence some of the hesitation for some people.
Happy Workouts!
Susan
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Tech Tuesday….
I didn't really know how to write up a blog for this entry, but I found this article w/video and thought it was interesting and helpful.
Sadly, I put up my running shoes about 8 months ago due to constant shin splints and arch pain, but I miss it terribly.
http://www.runnersworld.com/electronics/gear-tip-how-get-accurate-gps-mile-pace?cid=social29514976
Enjoy the article & I hope it's useful for all my fitness gear techies.
Susan
Sadly, I put up my running shoes about 8 months ago due to constant shin splints and arch pain, but I miss it terribly.
http://www.runnersworld.com/electronics/gear-tip-how-get-accurate-gps-mile-pace?cid=social29514976
Enjoy the article & I hope it's useful for all my fitness gear techies.
Susan
Monday, August 11, 2014
So I gave up soda…..
I did! I'm not going to say it was easy, because it wasn't. It was basically the most horrible week I have had in a long time. I had constantly told myself, "you only have one soda a day, you work out all the time, what harm is it really doing?". I kept giving myself excuses just to continue to feed into my want for the sugar and caffeine.
I started changing my mind when I watched a Netflix documentary called, Forks Over Knives. While I don't agree with everything the documentary had to say about nutrition, there were a lot of really great stone cold facts. Including just how terrible for you, sugar and high fructose is. It's not like I didn't already know this stuff, EVERYONE hears about it, I was just happy living blissfully blind. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
Below is the info on the film:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1567233/?ref_=nv_sr_1
After getting some enlightenment, I stopped drinking soda. COLD TURKEY! I didn't replace my caffeine, I didn't taper, I just quit! I am not a coffee or tea drinker, so I was quitting everything. I craved soda for 7 days straight. Literally, 7! It's all I wanted, I noticed I was a little hungrier because my body was craving the constant sugar. Not to mention the caffeine withdrawal headaches. But the head seemed like a piece of cake compared to the lack of sugar.
On the second day of "withdrawal", I crashed after work (thank goodness it was a day I didn't have clients), and I slept for 13 hours….straight! But, by the 8th day, I wasn't feeling sluggish, I didn't have the headaches, and the cravings were all gone. I even stopped bloating and my tummy slimmed down. That's what ALL women want!
I couldn't help but wonder what I was putting my body through when I was drinking soda all the time. If this is how it reacted off of soda, what could it possibly be doing to my organs. Then I read this article:
http://dailyburn.com/life/health/sugar-bad-for-you-health-effects/?partner=shape&mtype=14&utm_source=shape
Turns out, sugar acts like a drug. You eat things that taste good because it releases endorphins, therefore, you body starts to crave sugar. Sounds a little too methy for my taste.
I have switched up my routine and have started drinking fruit infused water. It really gives me the sugar in a healthier way (easier sugar to break down and burn off), and it also keeps water from being so boring all the time. The infused water helped the sugar cravings that long first 7 days. As of now, it's been one of the best decisions I've made for myself & it's a lot easier for me to train others & give advice when I'm following my own advice. Turns out, I've managed to inspire two of my clients to stop drinking soda.
BUT, if there is ever a healthy soda invented, that doesn't destroy your body with refined, processed sugars, etc. HOOK IT TO MY VEINS!
Happy Workouts!
Susan
I started changing my mind when I watched a Netflix documentary called, Forks Over Knives. While I don't agree with everything the documentary had to say about nutrition, there were a lot of really great stone cold facts. Including just how terrible for you, sugar and high fructose is. It's not like I didn't already know this stuff, EVERYONE hears about it, I was just happy living blissfully blind. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
Below is the info on the film:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1567233/?ref_=nv_sr_1
After getting some enlightenment, I stopped drinking soda. COLD TURKEY! I didn't replace my caffeine, I didn't taper, I just quit! I am not a coffee or tea drinker, so I was quitting everything. I craved soda for 7 days straight. Literally, 7! It's all I wanted, I noticed I was a little hungrier because my body was craving the constant sugar. Not to mention the caffeine withdrawal headaches. But the head seemed like a piece of cake compared to the lack of sugar.
On the second day of "withdrawal", I crashed after work (thank goodness it was a day I didn't have clients), and I slept for 13 hours….straight! But, by the 8th day, I wasn't feeling sluggish, I didn't have the headaches, and the cravings were all gone. I even stopped bloating and my tummy slimmed down. That's what ALL women want!
I couldn't help but wonder what I was putting my body through when I was drinking soda all the time. If this is how it reacted off of soda, what could it possibly be doing to my organs. Then I read this article:
http://dailyburn.com/life/health/sugar-bad-for-you-health-effects/?partner=shape&mtype=14&utm_source=shape
Turns out, sugar acts like a drug. You eat things that taste good because it releases endorphins, therefore, you body starts to crave sugar. Sounds a little too methy for my taste.
I have switched up my routine and have started drinking fruit infused water. It really gives me the sugar in a healthier way (easier sugar to break down and burn off), and it also keeps water from being so boring all the time. The infused water helped the sugar cravings that long first 7 days. As of now, it's been one of the best decisions I've made for myself & it's a lot easier for me to train others & give advice when I'm following my own advice. Turns out, I've managed to inspire two of my clients to stop drinking soda.
BUT, if there is ever a healthy soda invented, that doesn't destroy your body with refined, processed sugars, etc. HOOK IT TO MY VEINS!
Happy Workouts!
Susan
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Tech Tuesday
Ok, so I know there are a lot of gimmicky equipment out there, and it's even possible that I use one. It would have to be the Omron Body Fat Monitor. It's not incredibly accurate, but it's pretty close. And when I use it, I use it sort of as a guide. I tell all my clients, this isn't exact and we may or may not see changes in it. That is why, when I do a consultation, I don't just measure the body fat %. I also take measurements of the body & I evaluate current physical fitness. So if the scale doesn't go down, or the numbers on the monitor don't seem right, I remind the client, BUT you have lost inches! OR remember on day one when you could only do 15 sit ups in 60 secs? Now you can do 40?
It's another way of showing results & keeps people from being so focused on numbers. I don't rely solely on the monitor, but I do use it as a tool because some people need to see numbers as part of a change.
I found this article about the exact Omron monitor that I use, from the New York Times archives. It's an article from 1998, so I'm sure that the models have gotten better with technology developments, but what I thought was great about the article was how it explained body composition and how it's even possible to use something so simple to collect body composition data.
If you are training with someone, don't let them pigeon hole you into numbers. And don't put yourself down because you think there are no results. If you are consistent, the results will show in your strength and endurance.
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/24/technology/from-many-devices-that-measure-body-fat-many-answers.html?src=pm&pagewanted=1
Enjoy the article. HAPPY WORKOUTS!!
It's another way of showing results & keeps people from being so focused on numbers. I don't rely solely on the monitor, but I do use it as a tool because some people need to see numbers as part of a change.
I found this article about the exact Omron monitor that I use, from the New York Times archives. It's an article from 1998, so I'm sure that the models have gotten better with technology developments, but what I thought was great about the article was how it explained body composition and how it's even possible to use something so simple to collect body composition data.
If you are training with someone, don't let them pigeon hole you into numbers. And don't put yourself down because you think there are no results. If you are consistent, the results will show in your strength and endurance.
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/24/technology/from-many-devices-that-measure-body-fat-many-answers.html?src=pm&pagewanted=1
Enjoy the article. HAPPY WORKOUTS!!
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