TRX + Kettlebells = Great Workout!

Those of you who read my blog or train at NPPT know that we believe in using multiple tools in our programs. Two of our favorites are the TRX and the Kettlebell.

Pavel and Chris have created an awesome program with their new collaboration- Iron Circuit Conditioning.

Get yours HERE.

Toning shoes don't work- Shocker!

Based on the fact the you are smart enough to read this blog, I am assuming that you know this already ;)

C'mon guys. Really? How many possible ways can we make nothing seem like something? I have a novel idea. How about just exercising for health and fitness?

Enough ranting. Here is an article with the evidence:

Toning Shoes

What I learned from 1 month on a motorcycle

I'm back! I covered over 3,000 miles in less than 30 days and had pretty good luck with the weather, traffic and navigation.

Spending that long on the bike gives you plenty of time to just, well, think.

Here a few things I "discovered" from 1 month on the bike:

- Take the back roads more often. Not just on the road, but in life. I rode all 3,000 miles without ever getting on the expressway. I would have missed so many opportunities to experience new things had I just rushed from one place to another. Slow down a little and enjoy the journey. There is a lot more to see than you can imagine!

- You can stay fit with minimal equipment. I packed my TRX and my Gym Boss, neither of which takes up hardly any space. This allowed me to train in hotel rooms, in nature or whatever environment I chose. One of my favorites- 15/15 for 15 minutes. 15 seconds of work followed by 15 seconds of rest using the Gym Boss as timer. The circuit included body weight rows on the TRX, push-ups (all variations) and burpees. I got some resistance training and a great heart response from the pace.

- Eating is overrated. On my longer riding days I fasted for most of the day. Ride all day and then eat dinner. Some of the food choices in the small towns were not appetizing and most days I just wanted to get riding. It's very liberating to know that I don't have to eat every 3 hours to maintain my metabolism or lean tissue. Once you get your head around this concept, food becomes food and you can just relax about the whole feeding process.

- People in the south drive fast! I know now why Nascar was invented in the south. Folks down here just haul ass. One of the great things about riding a motorcycle is the agility that it provides. You can pass anyone without much fuss. On the back roads this means waiting for the appropriate time and then simply twisting the throttle. In the north, people would wave and move over slightly to give me some space to pass. On the other hand, in the southern states, folks would speed up and try to run me off of the road. Seriously? Why do people care if I pass them? What would prompt a granny in an 80's model Buick to "punch it" and race me at 80 mph on a narrow country road? I'm pretty sure that there is a Nascar gene that is only passed down south of the Mason Dixon line.

- Amish people use tools! I spent several miles in western NY on a road labeled the NY Amish Trail. I took the opportunity to pull over and watch several guys working on farm. To my surprise, they were using power tools. WTF? I saw the movie Witness and I don't remember this being part of the culture. My Father-in-Law later informed me that they will use tools powered by diesel fuel, but not electricity. Hmm. What's next- zippers?

- Bugs and rain hurt at 70 mph. No explanation needed.

- Sitting sucks. I've written about this subject before and now I finally know what it feels like to sit down for 10-12 hours a day. It sucks! You want to feel like you aged 20 years in 1 day? Sit on your butt for 8 straight hours. I really feel for anyone who spends all day at the computer and I'm pretty sure I couldn't do it.

- I am thankful. When people ask me what I think about while I'm riding, I usually respond with, "Nothing, I just ride." No music, no cell phones. Just the hum of the engine and the steady sound of the wind. There are those times when you reach an isolated stretch of road and your mind starts to wonder. I think these moments were described perfectly in Forest Gump. When Forest is describing to Jenny all of the things he saw when running from coast to coast. Beautiful sunrises, amazing sunsets, mountains and valleys- all times to reflect on life. My thoughts always come back to how thankful that I am for all that I have. Thankful for my family, friends, clients and just the freedom afforded me to be able to experience these moments.



I'm sure there's more, but it will have to wait for another post.

RM

Sodium: Friend or Foe

Who doesn't like some good ol' turkey bacon every now and then? What about deli meat cut fresh from the meat counter? These foods can fit in anyone's diet but must be considered with folks trying to limit their sodium intake. The American Heart Association encourages most people to limit sodium intake to around 1500mg or less a day. It may seem like a lot; however it is only 3/4 of a teaspoon.

Sodium has many functions in our food supply. Various forms of sodium, including sodium chloride or salt, are used as preservatives to inhibit the growth of food-borne pathogens (especially in luncheon meats, fermented foods, salad dressings, and cheese products). Sodium is also an essential nutrient used to modify flavor, plus it binds ingredients, enhances color, and serves as a stabilizer.

Ever wonder why the scale says you gained a good 3 pounds over night? Keep in mind that this could very well be associated with your sodium intake the night before...pizza, chips, cheese and sauces are usually loaded with it. The weight gain you experience is fluid gain caused by excess sodium in your diet so it is important to drink plenty of water to flush out the excess.

Here are some ways you can cut back on sodium (your heart and the scale will thank you):

*Choose fresh, frozen or canned food items without added salts
*Limit processed foods like deli meat, hot dog and sausages
*Select unsalted nuts or seeds, beans and peas
*Limit salty snacks like chips and pretzels
*Use spices and herbs to enhance the taste of your food
*Add fresh lemon juice instead of salt to fish and vegetables
*Take the salt shaker off your table!

Natalie

You're eating what?

Over the past few years I've really made it a point to eliminate (or reduce down) the processed foods that I buy...not saying that my kids don't ever get any Goldfish or bread for sandwiches but I do try to reduce our intake at home. In looking at the processed food products that I will purchase, less is more in my book! If I can find some bread that was made with just a few ingredients (that my kids will eat), I'm sold!

Go down the cereal or cracker aisle of your grocery store and check out the ingredients on the nutrition label- can you pronounce all of them? Do you know what they are? Yes, modern day science is nice and it is great that some foods can last for infinity on the shelves, or is it? What are all these ingredients doing to our health?

What ever happened to veggies and fruits being a snack? I do have a picky eater and she could live on crackers all day so I've got to be creative in what snacks she will eat. Veggies with dip, trail mixes, dried fruit are a hit and give them so much nutrition without the artificial ingredients or preservatives.

I challenge you to go through your pantry/fridge and check out your food labels...if you can't pronounce the words, more than likely it has been processed and nutritionally not as good for you. Next time you're in the grocery store, try to stay on the outside of the aisles where the fresh stuff is kept --fruits, veggies and lean proteins, yum!

Natalie