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Monday, April 09, 2018 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

10 Tips for Preventing Your Next Asthma Attack

By Gail Mackay

 

 

Asthma is a long-term disease that affects your ability to breathe properly. The condition causes swelling of the airways that deliver oxygen to the lungs.

 

Once these airways are swollen, there are only narrow passageways for air to flow, so the sufferer can’t deliver an adequate amount of oxygen to his or her lungs.

The condition results in uncomfortable symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and tightness in the chest.

 

In Australia, about 2.5 million people suffer from asthma, more than 10 percent of the population. There are millions more around the world who suffer from asthma, too.

 

It is a condition that you can develop at any age, although it generally starts from childhood and then carries into adulthood.

People who suffer from asthma must constantly worry about having an asthma attack, which can be both painful and embarrassing if it happens in public.

 

To learn how to prevent asthma attacks, the following 10 tips might be helpful:

1. Know your triggers.

Everyone has their own unique triggers for asthma attacks.

To know your triggers, you can go to your doctor and request an allergy test of your blood and skin. This will determine which specific allergens you must watch out for.

2. Remove carpets from your home.

Carpets are known for harbouring all sorts of allergens and substances which cause allergies. These could have a detrimental impact on your asthma symptoms.

Therefore, it is best for an asthmatic to live in a home without any carpets.

3. Keep pets off furniture.

Just because you have allergies, it doesn’t mean you can’t be around pets.

But you must be careful not to let your pets get on the furniture because when they shed, their fur and dander can trigger your asthma symptoms, especially if it is everywhere on the furniture or in your bed.  

4. Eliminate mould.

Mould spores can cause a strong asthma attack if you get too close.

Mould is never something anyone should have in their home because it creates a health hazard for their respiratory system.

 

That is why you need to clean and eliminate all mould in your home and prevent it from coming back again.

Use a dehumidifier in rooms which are prone to moisture and mould growth.

 

5. Avoid smoke.

If people around you are smoking, or there is smoke coming from a nearby fire, you need to get away from this smoke because it can cause an asthma attack.

Since asthma already makes it difficult to breathe, it won’t help any if you must deal with breathing in smoke, too.

6. Consider allergy shots.

If you are aware of certain allergies that trigger your asthma attacks, consider getting allergy shots to avoid them from affecting you.

Allergens such as mould, pollen and animal dander will not disturb your asthma if you get these shots.

 

7. Vaccinate against flu.

Since the flu is an illness which affects the respiratory system, this means it affects your breathing.

Flu symptoms like a sore throat and nasal congestion will feel so much worse with your asthma symptoms in the mix.

 

By getting vaccinated against the flu, it’s one less respiratory ailment you have to worry about.

8. Avoid stress.

People who are stressed will feel anxious and develop a shortness of breath. If you mix this with the normal symptoms of asthma, it will create an asthma attack that will greatly affect your breathing.

Try to avoid stressful situations whenever possible in order to prevent an attack like this.

9. Exercise indoors.

The outdoors contains a lot of airborne allergens.

Furthermore, if the temperatures are too cold or too warm, then it could trigger your asthma as well.

Asthmatics should consider doing all exercises indoors. Do not spend long periods of time outside.

10. Use medication.

If you have already seen a doctor about your asthma, then make sure you use your inhaler and take any medications prescribed to you.

Follow the directions properly to have the best shot at successfully curbing your condition.

 

Image via Pixabay CC0 License

Monday, November 27, 2017 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

5 Pelvic Floor Training Exercises to See you Through Winter

excercise
By Gail Mackay

 

When it comes to a workout, chances are that you think of running a treadmill or perhaps pumping iron in a gym.

 

The thing about workouts is that they are not only designed for the muscles that you can see, but for the muscles that you can’t as well.

 

One area of the body that should never be overlooked is the pelvic floor. Failing to properly work on the muscles within your pelvic floor, especially if you have had children, can leave you with urinary incontinence.

 

This is where it is essential to try out pelvic floor training exercises. Used carefully, they work on the muscles that need to be strong to stop urinary incontinence.

 

Not sure where to start? We have put together five different approaches that you can take to hopefully ensure that your pelvic floor is in tip-top condition.

Get the perfect posture

You may not realise it, but your posture can be a huge part of your pelvic floor strength. In fact, not only this but holding a good posture can also help you to burn as many as 300 calories in a day.

 

By adopting a good posture, you are placing your pelvis at the best angle to support the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor. This means that not only will your pelvic floor be ready to go when you need it, but also helps to keep it strong.

Try the Kegels

One of the best-known ways to improve your pelvic floor is to perform kegel exercises. These are when you tighten the muscles within your pelvic floor several times and hold them as a way to keep them strong.

 

These muscles are the ones that are used to control our stream of urine, so this means that a good time to work on them is while you are sitting on the toilet.

 

The bridge

A good all round workout is to try the bridge. To do this you need to lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, a hip-width apart.

 

Whilst inhaling you need to engage your pelvic floor and lift your hips from the floor. Hold this position for 10 seconds while breathing deeply and then lower your hips back down. This should be repeated for ten reps.

Wall squat

To do this squat, you need to stand against a wall with your feet a hip-width apart. While in this position you need to breathe in deeply and engage your pelvic floor.

 

You then need to lower yourself into a squat, just as though you were going to sit on a chair. Hold this position for 10 seconds and then stand back up slowly.

 

Once fully stood up you need to release your pelvic floor and rest for 10 seconds. This should be repeated to reps of 10.

 

For an additional workout in between, try using the Pelvi Floor Training Balls. The combination will increase the muscle workout rate and is also a good cardio option.

Jumping Jacks

If you have already suffered from incontinence problems, then the idea of performing a jumping jack isn’t likely to be one that you want to try. However, they can be the ideal workout for your pelvic floor.

 

Start with your legs together and then engage those all-important pelvic muscles while you jump and separate your legs in the air.

 

As you land and your legs come back together, you can release your muscles. This should be repeated as many times as you can in 30 to 60 seconds.

 

If you are a new mum, then any exercise that you carry out should be approached with caution. Your body is still recovering from the strain that it would have been put under during pregnancy and labour.

 

This means that you need to pay attention to the risk of strains and pulled muscles, particular in the back and groin area.


Image: Pixabay CC0 License

Monday, November 13, 2017 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

Using Exercise to Boost Your Mental Health

Mental Health
By Gail Mackay


 

People seem like they’re more stressed out than ever in our modern-day society. Even in developed countries like Australia, people are working longer hours and often for lower wages than the generations before they did two decades ago.

 

Aside from the normal stress of trying to pay the bills, the long hours of working are degrading their mental health. Nobody has time to go for a walk, relax, or simply find some joy out of life. They’re too busy working and rushing around trying to accomplish their daily errands.

 

It certainly doesn’t help that more jobs today require people sit down instead of standing up and move around.

 

Some health experts say that sitting is the new smoking, regarding the damage it does to your body.

 

But what often gets left out of this equation is the damage that sitting and working does to your mind as well.

 

As human beings, we are meant to move around and get our hearts beating fast. If you go too long without doing this, you’ll feel like the most depressed human being in the world.

Regular Exercise is the Best Preventative

 

There is no magic pill or infomercial gadget that is going to boost your mental health. You need to treat this problem the natural way by getting regular exercise.

 

You might think exercise only improves your physical health, but it actually improves your mental health just as much. This goes double for anyone suffering from anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression, ADHD, or a constant bad mood.

 

Numerous scientific studies have shown that regular exercise can work just as well as an antidepressant prescription medication.

 

The only difference is that exercise won’t give you all those nasty side effects.

Beyond exercise, simply mastering some good posture, especially for those working 9-5 desk jobs can increase oxygen flow to the brain and reduce stress.

 

When you exercise and put your body under physical stress, your central nervous system produces hormones called endorphins. These hormones get released into the brain and change how your mind perceives the stress and pain that you’re experiencing

 

In other words, your mind and body begin to relax rather than feel stressed and tense.

It's a two-way street

Not only does exercise improve your mental acuity, your mental awareness and stamina also improve your athleticism. This is especially true of high-tension or extreme sport.

 

Image Courtesy of MX Store Australia.

 

Sports like Motocross and Supercross require high-level mental focus. Adventure psychologist Eric Brymer, who has studied the risk-taking aspects of extreme sports, says it takes more than "crazy" to participate in extreme sports.

"...it takes a great deal of task knowledge; knowledge of self and capabilities; knowledge of the environment and commitment to do an extreme sport effectively and not die."

 

 

Hypnotherapy

 

As great as regular exercise is, there may be some people who are not physically able to move around all that much.

 

This can make consistent exercising extremely difficult for them to perform. If they are a stressed person, then they’ll have an increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, sleep disorders, obesity, and high blood pressure.

 

Now they have the option of taking antidepressants, but they are not 100% effective in always eliminating stress. The only way to truly eliminate stress is to mentally get your negative thinking out of your mind.

 

Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for stress. It works by helping people change their thought process so they can stop dwelling on the thoughts that are causing them stress.

 

When a person is hypnotized, they are in a state of total relaxation. The hypnotherapist will then make suggestions to the person which they have to follow.

 

These could be suggestions of peace and serenity or something that takes them away from their negative thoughts.

 

Hypnotherapy might be used in conjunction with any number of mental health resources as a long-term cure It can help a great deal with stress management as long as the person gets the therapy on a regular basis.

Better Focus

 

Whether you exercise regularly or get hypnotherapy, you will notice your attention span will get a whole lot better.

 

Exercise temporarily relieves your stress as those endorphins kick in. Since you won’t be dwelling on negative thoughts, you will be able to focus on the people and events that are taking place around you.

 

With hypnotherapy, it is even better because those sessions are all about teaching you how to focus.

 

After the hypnotherapy puts you under, you are suddenly focusing on every word and suggestion they give you. The more therapy sessions you attend, the better you’ll get at focusing and listening to others.

 

Image Pixabay CC0 License

Thursday, November 09, 2017 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

Balancing Exercise and Activity After Dental Sedation

Health
By Gail Mackay

zahnreinigung-1514693_1280.jpg

 

When exercise and activity is a part of your everyday routine, giving it up even for a short while is a pretty difficult thing to do. However, it is important to tone down physical activity after oral surgery and any application of relative analgesia sedation.

 

Thankfully, dental sedation is used only as a temporary measure, and you can go back to your fitness routine after a while. You just need to make sure you follow a proper transitionary routine.

 

To make sure you enjoy a proper transitionary period after dental work, we have listed a few things you need to consider.

Bleeding

If you have recently had a dental implant, you need to bear in mind it takes time to settle. This means that going all out with physical activity can lead to pressure on your jaw, which can lead to bleeding from the implant.

Excessive bleeding not only damages the implant, but it can also lead to other bodily issues. Let the surgery set in before you go back to the gym.

Weakness

After a dental surgery, you are restricted to eat certain foods. These restrictions prevent you from consuming your regular diet, eventually leading to the consumption of fewer daily calories. For exercise and physical activity, your body needs to be in a healthy condition.

 

Working out on improper nourishment can lead to weakness which can further be a cause of other illnesses. Our advice is to wait till you can eat a proper nutritious diet.

Acute pains

According to the NCBI, clinical recovery time after surgery  was 40 minutes after nitrous oxide-oxygen sedation, 80 minutes after midazolam sedation, and 52 minutes after propofol sedation

 

After dental surgeries, dentists recommend increased physical rest of around a week. This is a crucial time for the oral cavities to settle down.

 

While the pain is already there, if you go on to exercise even two or three days later, that already bad pain can become excruciating - something you do not want.

 

So, if you want to get back to your routine, many recommend that you to rest for a week or so to avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort. Even after that, ease into your fitness routine gradually.

What to Do?

If you have recently had oral surgery, vigorous physical activity merely is out of bound. Children with dental needs should be given additional attention.

 

Everything you do will affect your dental health. If you want to start, start light with ROM exercises.

 

The reason these exercises are preferred is they do not put much impact on the jaw. Furthermore, ROM exercises are beneficial for joints and muscles which will keep them warm up for your regular exercising routine.

 

Free photo: Best Dentist Bangalore, Health - Free Image on Pixabay ...

 

However, there are several precautions that you need to take. For starters, make sure that your dentist allows you to do these light exercises.

 

In addition, since the surgery is recent, the filling, or cap, or stitches, may not be adequately settled. In other words, impatience to exercise can lead to extreme bleeding among other problems, requiring you another visit to your dentist.

 

To keep on the safer side, it is advised you wait around four to five days to restart exercise. Then begin with ROM exercises and gradually over a period of 10 to 12 days, transition your way to your regular exercising routines.

 

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The above article should not be construed as medical advice. Where after surgery problems exist you should always seek professional medical attention.

 

Image: Pixabay CC0 License

Source: https://pixabay.com/en/best-dentist-bangalore-health-694654/

 
Monday, September 25, 2017 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

Gadgets to Help You Get Fit

By Gail Mackay

Staying physically fit is among the most important aspects of your life.

 

Not only does it keep you safe from contracting certain harmful diseases, but being fit also assists in enjoying sound mental health.

 

There are various traditional ways of getting fit.

The most common ones include cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and high-intensity interval training, etc.

 

While the activities tend to remain more or less the same, the incorporation of gadgets has made them more fun. From Ninja Stress relieving fidget spinners to deep sea heart monitors and Fitbit charge 2 replacement bands and accessories, fitness is as much about the gadget as it is about your health.

 

Here are five of the most commonly used fitness devices that you can use while exercising today.

Finis Neptune

It is always those last minute moments of exercise that you deem the most productive, but it is also those very moments where your mind and body have given up.

 

You need some adrenaline rush to run that extra mile. Music helps you do that.

 

Finis Neptune is a device that allows you to swim that extra lap. It is a waterproof music playing gadget with an attached set of goggles.

 

Finis Neptune comes with an in-built 4B storage where you can put a large list of uplifting music. So, get it, and swim that extra lap!

QardioBase

This is one of the coolest fitness gadgets. It allows you to record some things, so you have a better idea where you stand after a workout.

 

With QardioBase, you will be able to register the water percentage of your body, your heart rate, bone mass and muscle, body fat, body mass index. And of course, your weight.

 

The best part of using this smart scale is that it everyone at your place can use them. The gadget can determine different people based on their data.

Sportiiis

Sportiiiis is among the most practical fitness gadgets that you can use while cycling.

 

You don’t have to take your cell out every few minutes to check the stats.

 

This gadget allows you to track everything and have it dictated. Sportiiis keeps you informed of your cadence, heart rate, and speed, etc.

In short, it is the perfect assisting gadget for cyclists.

Omron Evolv

The last thing you would want while exercising is to have a low blood pressure.

 

Omron Evolv makes sure you are aware of your condition. It is a wireless BP monitor that allows you to gather your blood pressure data.

 

You can even share it with your friends, family, and doctors using an application.  Omron Evolv is compatible with both Android and Ios devices.

Smart Sock

Yes, it is a sock! A Sensor smart sock read feedback from your ankles.

This is a pressure point that sends signals to the sock while the person is running.

 

This gadget reads where your feet feel most pressure and can even suggest different ways you can adapt to enhance your performance.

 

Want to know the best part? Despite all the sensors, it is highly comfortable and washable as well.

 

Getting fit doing physical exercises is fun. You can make these workouts even more enticing by using the fitness mentioned above gadgets.


Image: Pixabay CC0 License

Friday, September 15, 2017 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

What Athletes and Entrepreneurs can Learn from Each Other

By Gail Mackay

 

 

The similarities between the world of business and the World of Sport have been well documented in the past.

 

Entrepreneurs learnt a long time ago, to put into practice the discipline and commitment they saw occurring in the world of athletics and fitness.

 

And in the world of athletics, there has been an increasing emphasis on the necessity of doing good business, especially for elite athletes.

 

Whether you are an elite athlete or just somebody who wants to remain fit and strong;, or conversely, if you're an entrepreneur and you want to survive the rigours of the business world -  here are some crossover skills that are worth adopting and incorporating into your own daily life.

Understand Your Temperament

To begin with, there are some observable similarities between the temperament of successful athletes and sports men and women and their entrepreneurial and business counterparts.

 

Both are marked by tenacity. We can all appear Tenacious when business is going well, and the doors are open wide. The test comes however whether you are an athlete or an entrepreneur with the obstacles appear. How do you keep working even when the Road becomes rough?

 

The entrepreneur and the athlete know how to face adversity and stick to the vision they have set.

 

Passion marks Their tenacity. Successful athletes, whether professional or those simply wanted to remain fit, are passionate about their health in the same way that a business man is passionate about his career.

 

 

Another temperamental mark is the self-confidence of an entrepreneur and someone committed to their health and fitness.

 

The only people who ever ran a mile are those who believed they could do it. So two in business, those who succeed in their chosen profession are those who sincerely believe that success is attainable.

 

If you are going to succeed in your health and fitness goals, you're going to need to have this kind of temperament. One that will face adversity with courage, one that is confident that the goals are attainable and an attitude or temperament that is marked by passion.

 

A brief history of both sport and business shows us also that a fair amount of rule-breaking is involved in reaching new heights.

 

Of course, there are some rules such as diet, discipline and the rules of the game itself that form the boundaries. But, those boundaries a wide and there is plenty of room for risk-taking.

The innovative coaching of Nadia Comaneci, the first female to ever score a perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics, come to mind.

 

She wasn't coached by the typical gymnastic coaches of the day. She was coached by a former boxer who was willing to take some risks and create a new paradigm for female gymnastic athletes.

 

Rule-breaking is an essential part of entering new territory. For some, it has to do with convention and established wisdom, while for others it has to do with basic medical or social presuppositions.

 

When the doctor says you'll never walk again, the determined entrepreneur or athlete, like Forrest Gump, finds a way to run.

Putting Your Passion into to Action

If you have the temperament outlined above, then your next step is to put your passion into action.

 

Putting it all together requires discipline and flexibility.

 

Let's start with flexibility. The Dental marketing Guy, Justin Morgan points out in his Dr John Nosti interview that real life and the classroom are not always the same thing.

 

You can work on all the moves in training, but taking it to the field or the ring in a live match up is a different thing altogether.

 

 

In a live game or event, you need to be able to adjust rapidly to the particular conditions: Conditions that include the environment, your opponents disposition at that moment and your state of mind, physical strength and physical awareness.

 

For both the world of business and the world of physical fitness and sport, being able to adapt quickly to real life circumstances is critical to success. You need to be able to make snap decisions. You need to be able to make the right decision.

 

What do you do when the business deal takes a turn for the worse? What do you do when your opposition makes a move you were not expecting? What do you do when your limitations stare you in the face and tell you you cannot continue on this path?

 

The successful entrepreneur and a successful athlete know how to remain flexible within the rules of the game. They always have another trick up their sleeve.

 

But those tricks do not come as a result of spontaneity. They come as a result of discipline. So, as important as your temperament and your ability to be flexible are credit, these are useless without discipline.

 

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment", says Jim Rohn.

 

The world is full of talented athletes and talented business men and businesswomen who never made it. They had the passion; they had the tenacity - they had all the right gifts. What they lacked was discipline.

 

Discipline is the mastering of very specific skills. Discipline is being able to use correctly every tool in the shed. It is only when you have mastered these tools through practice and disciplined training that you can step into the arena and master both the expected and the unexpected.

 

And the world of business, that may need knowing how to negotiate or knowing how to communicate to bring about the goals of your organisation.

 

In health and fitness that discipline they involve a regime of diet, exercise and study.

 

Having the disciplined disposition to master each of the tools of your area of expertise and passion is what will set you apart as an athlete or an entrepreneur and will also be the thing you have in common with all of those who succeed in life.

 
Wednesday, August 30, 2017 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

The Importance of Physical Fitness in Golf

By Gail Mackay

golfer-1960998_1280.jpg

 

If you watch a game, it's fun. If you play it, it's recreation. If you work at it, it's golf. – Bob Hope

 

Most of the golfers agree with the above quote that golf needs a lot of work which involves high flexibility, mental coordination, and physical endurance.

 

Nowadays, physical fitness and endurance are generally associated with a person’s appearance. However, scientifically, physical fitness is not defined by one’s appearance.

 

Physical fitness, in its actual sense, involves improved blood circulation, muscular endurance, physical strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, maximum body fat percentage, etc.

 

All these components of physical fitness contribute to the overall mental and physical well-being of a person, which is necessarily required to perform daily activities, all types of sports, and functional tasks adequately.

Why physical and mental fitness matters in golf

As Bob Hope said, golf is hard work, and hard work demands fitness of both the mind and the body.

 

Below, we have discussed a few reasons why this becomes even more crucial for those who play golf:

 

Firstly, a large degree of rotation of the shoulders, hips, and spine is required to swing like a pro, which means that one needs to have greater flexibility.

 

Secondly, lean body composition is necessary to avoid excess strain on the muscles and joints during the game.

 

Thirdly, muscle strength and endurance are necessary for a golfer to be able to hit the ball with adequate power and to sustain their energy for a longer period.

 

Moreover, skill-related components of physical fitness are essential to winning the game. For instance, playing golf might require swinging of the hands with high speed or maintaining one’s balance in different postures.

 

Lastly, winning the game is impossible without coordination and quick reaction time.

 

All these features of physical fitness enable golfers to play like a professional without undue fatigue.

Kinds of exercises that will help golfers

Improved physical fitness is mainly the result of proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, and adequate rest.

 

Golfers do not require bodybuilding training or intense workouts. However, they need muscle conditioning and cardio health in order to manage anxiety and repetitive stress issues.

 

Comfortable and appropriate equipment, golf shoes, putting grips, etc, are vital, but they are only a first step.

 

In order to play golf, one simply needs to have good cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and coordination which can be attained by:

 

•    15-minutes running/jogging

•    45-minutes brisk walking

•    Simple stretching

•    Foam rolling

•    Yoga

•    Dexterity exercises for improved mental health

Kind of diet that will help golfers

 

A healthy balanced diet is necessary to provide your body with essential nutrients and calories for it to function adequately.

 

Golf enthusiasts must focus more towards a low-fat diet that includes more of carbohydrates and proteins.

 

Both of these nutrients help to build and repair muscles and provide sufficient energy to the body for a good cardio workout, as well as maintaining their stamina during the game.

 

Avoiding junk food and focusing more on fresh and raw vegetables and fruits can lead to improved physical as well as mental well-being.

 

A recent study reveals that consuming more fruits and vegetables elevates mental health in just two weeks.

 

The importance of sleep for physical health

 

People who play golf professionally, work hard to win. From diet to exercise, they do it all, but they often overlook the simplest but most important thing, getting adequate rest.

 

Physical fitness is not possible without getting enough sleep.

 

According to a 2014 study, it is recommended to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night if you are an adult.

 

Moreover, according to Felicia Stoler, RD, a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and an expert consultant in New Jersey, “Sleep is the time when your body repairs itself”.

 

She further adds that if one doesn’t get sufficient sleep, they cannot perform well in their daily lives.

Image: Pixabay CC0 License

Sunday, August 13, 2017 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

Protein: What it is, and Why it’s Essential to Good Nutrition?

By Gail Mackay

In this article, we shall look at the importance of protein in the diet of an athlete or sportsperson and discover why protein isolates and concentrates are the worst possible way to obtain your daily dietary intake of protein.

 

Proteins can be regarded as the building blocks of our body. Proteins build cells and tissues, skin, bone, heart, bodily organs.Pretty much every part of the body requires protein to grow and develop.

 

Protein is therefore critically important for situations where growth is rapid. This holds true for unborn children, growing children, adolescents, and athletes.

 

In exercise regimes, athletes actually destroy muscle cells in exertion. There is no way around this process. It is quite normal. But the muscles, in particular, require repair and replacement and this where protein comes into play.

 

But protein has a more subtle building task apart from muscles repair - and that it to create enzymes which are used for digesting food, hormones which regulate our entire metabolism and antibodies which are intrinsic to our immune system and ability resist infection and disease.

 

Without protein, all these subtle bodily mechanisms do not perform correctly.

 

So, without sufficient protein, every part of our body begins to become depleted. A protein deficiency is a heavy hitter against good health, stamina, and endurance.

“Arguably protein is the most important aspect of our nutrition”

 

What food groups are the richest sources of protein?

 

Meat, fish, Eggs, Milk, liver, and legumes are the richest source of proteins. Sadly the crucial role of organ meats is not understood in Western society and they are generally shunned. In primitive societies, organ meats were always prized

 

The surprising feature of legumes is that they can have up to twice the protein of steak, so legumes are the much-overlooked nutrient dense source of protein.

 

How much protein do I need?

 

Sports people involved in non-endurance events and who exercise daily for between 45–60 minutes need around 1gm per 1kg of body weight per day.

 

For those Athletes engaging in endurance events, this figure can be up to 70% higher to ensure sufficient muscle repair and recovery from tissue damage.

 

But it is easy to overdo it with protein. Even for an athlete, protein should constitute no more than 12-15% of their total diet.There are very real dangers associated with overconsumption primarily related to Vitamin A depletion, which in turn can create severe liver damage and eye dysfunction

 

What is artificial protein and how is it made?

 

Artificial proteins ( or protein isolates and concentrates) are made in factories. The powders are generally made from the waste products of another food processor.

 

For example, soy protein isolate is made from the sludge obtained after the oil extraction process from soy is completed. Whey is the leftover product from cheesemaking. Protein powders can be derived from soy, pea, whey or casein.

 

Protein is isolated through industrial processes such as flash evaporation, high-temperature sterilization, and extreme pressure homogenization. The filtration process is applied and then finally the product is spray-dried.

 

During the whole process, it is not uncommon that the food is boiled in alkaline solutions and then treated with acids or hydrocarbon solvents.

“Does that sound like a real food to you?”

 

So what specifically is wrong here?

 

The natural aspects of the food are destroyed. The proteins are isolated, denatured and transformed. The protein is therefore not interpreted correctly by the body as food.

 

The body may mount an immune response from the body or simply  improperly digest the protein thus defeating the objective of taking it in the first place.

 

With such concentrated protein, it is also possible to overdose the body resulting in severe Vitamin A deficiency.

 

“The fact is that food cannot be disassembled and reassembled”

 

Food is more than any isolated or single ingredient. Food is a complex mix of many different things.  Natural or organic proteins contain a rich symphony of ingredients. Taking just one part of the food and destroying the other parts of the food is vandalism.

 

So when protein appears in the body without all the other vitamins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates associated with real food, then the body robs these nutrients from other body parts and organs to compensate.

 

Well if protein powders are so damaging, why do so many high profile bodybuilders and sports people endorse them?

 

Maybe in ignorance or simply to make money.

 

Many so called ‘health’ businesses main income stream is from protein powders. Encouraging consumption of them means that a lot of people make a lot of money.

 

Food is designed for our bodies. Food cannot be improved upon. It is the pinnacle of human vanity to think that they can take real food and create something better. This is pure folly.

 

Our advice is if you are offered a protein powder, then run a country mile!  Steer well clear of this health industry sick joke.

Monday, July 17, 2017 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

The Surprising Health Benefits of Five Ordinary Foods

By Gail Mackay

With the increasing need to eat healthily, we fail to notice the health benefits of some common foods and drinks around us. There’s no reason to go running to an organic food store as long as you have these foods lying around.

 

Here are five ordinary foods and drinks that have excellent health benefits.

Chocolate

Most people who have a sweet tooth love chocolate and why shouldn’t they? Not only does it taste heavenly, it also has a plethora of benefits that can do your body good.

Here are some of those benefits.

 

  •   Weight loss

  •   Protects skin

  •   Reduces stress

  •   Sharpens vision

  •   Boosts heart health

  •   Perks up your mood

  •   Improves blood flow

Oolong Tea

With a taste between black and green tea, Oolong tea is one of the most popular teas in Taiwan and China. With 0 gram of fat and 100% Vitamin C, Oolong tea comes with many benefits including;

 

  • Weight loss

  • Lowers cholesterol level

  • Anti-aging tool

  • Improves digestion

  • Increases metabolism

  • Prevents tooth decay

Potatoes

It’s hard to believe that there was a time when potatoes were actually thought to be poisonous. It’s lucky for us that they found out the truth, though potatoes are still misjudged in this era of healthy eating.

 

The high starch vegetable is cut out of most diets due to its starchy makeup, but there are significant health perks to this nutrient filled tuber.

 

  •   Manages weight

  •   Increases metabolism

  •   Reduces inflammation

  •   Improves bone health

  •   Contributes to heart health

  •   Maintains a healthy blood pressure

  •   Smoothes wrinkles and skin texture

 

Bread

With an increase in the emphasis of a healthy diet, people have started looking for healthier and more natural options. It’s hard to keep track of all the different kinds of bread available in the market these days.

But it’s comparatively easier to list down all the benefits of including bread in your diet. Different types of bread offer various advantages and you should go for the one that best suits your daily nutritional needs.

 

  •   Aids digestion

  •   Prevents weight gain

  •   Improves mental health

  •   Rich in Iron and Calcium

  •   Reduces risk of heart diseases

Honey

This centuries’ old food has been a favourite for many people. It not only adds nutrition to your life but provides you with a sweet taste unbeatable by processed sugar.

 

With all the efforts that bees make to produce it, it’s no wonder that honey comes out tasting so heavenly. This natural food comes with many benefits that’ll get you want to include honey in your daily diet.

Here are some of them.

 

  •   Soothes coughs

  •   Reduces allergies

  •   Soothes Acid Reflux

  •   Fights sleeplessness

  •   Get rids of dandruff

  •   Aids healing process

  •   Improves immune system

  •   Boosts energy and memory

 

There you have it. Five ordinary foods that have extraordinary power to create and sustain health. Why not try and include them in your diet on a regular basis and watch for any benefit they appear to bring.

 
Image: Pixabay CC0 License
Monday, June 12, 2017 • Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319, AU

Health and Fitness for 55+

By Gail Mackay

 

Health and fitness are important at any age, but especially as we age. After 50, our bodies don’t remain agile, and with time, you will begin to notice some significant changes.

So, before any of the adverse changes occur, you better get your body ready to fight against them

Importance of a healthy diet

For people over 55, a well balanced and nutritious diet could make all the difference.

Healthy eating will improve the quality of life and ultimately helps you in avoiding diseases that can result due to ageing.

It’s important that you keep a balance of healthy fruits and vegetables in your diet. Give up fizzy drinks and replace them with water, much water.

You need to make some much-needed changes in your eating regime, but before you do so, make sure you consult your doctor.       

Here are five kinds of exercise that people over 55 should do to stay healthy.

Go for a walk

You can start off with about 30 minutes of walking, at least four days a week. Some people might find it hard to maintain this routine, but once you start, you’ll easily get accustomed to it.

If you live in a retirement village on the Central Coast, or anywhere on the north of Sydney, you will have plenty of good weather for walking

The purpose is not to get you all sweaty or burn of any fat; it’s only to keep you moving. The more active you are, the better for your health. You can take your dog for a walk and enjoy the company while staying active. Avoid elevators; let those stairs give you a hard time.   

Get Flexibility Training

Staying flexible will not only help improve your posture, but it will also prevent injuries. The flexibility regime must be followed twice a week and should focus on your legs, pelvis, hip, spine, neck, and shoulders.

Include Exercise in Your Daily Life

Why email when you can easily walk up to your neighbour's house? Waiting for your meal to heat up? It’s the perfect time to go some sit-ups. It’s the little things that will bring about change in your life.

Of course, the type and amount of exercise you do will depend on many factors. Some regimes that suit women, may not be suitable - or enjoyable - for men.

Even a small amount can have health benefits. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine will make you more flexible and will help you recover quickly when you fall ill.

Don’t Give Up On Your Hobbies

As you age, you might feel like giving up on your hobbies and taking on some senior-only activities. Though wise, this is not always the only option.

You can still work on your hobbies if they don’t pose any real threat to you. It’s true, you’ll have to take certain precautions but that doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself in any way.

Start a Weight Lifting Regime

Yes, though it has to be carefully monitored by a qualified weight instructor, gym fitness and weights for people over 55 is not only possible but can be very beneficial.

A weight lifting regime would is great to strengthen maintain muscle tissue. This way you can condition your cardio-respiratory system.

Increasing the intensity of the regime will allow you to cut down on the amount of exercise required. As long as you take precautions and consult your doctor before starting, the regime will surely work for you.

Image: CC0 License Pexels

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Gail lives with her family of five in Port Stephens Australia. Gail has a background in professional sport in the United Kingdom and can be found online at unbeatable Fitness.
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