Categories Nutrition

Are You Nuts about Nuts!

You should be!

Nuts and seeds contain many essential nutrients, proteins, vitamins and minerals and essential fatty acids.  They can be eaten raw, roasted with seasonings, used as seasonings and toppings, in salads to add a bit of crunch, slivered, chopped, flaked, ground into meals, flours and milk. You can use the meal to coat chicken and fish, use in cakes, biscuits and slices. They are easy to carry around as a snack and you can mix them up with some organic dried fruit, use in a muesli bar mix or breakfast muesli.

Nuts contain anticancer, heart protective properties and unsaturated fats.  It is of more benefit to use a high calorie nut as a snack replacement as opposed to a chocolate bar or muffin in the afternoon as they provide more nutrients per calorie of those baked goods.  Not many other foods contain such a range of nutrients as nuts and there are such a variety of nuts to choose from it makes it easy to add them into your diet.

Nut Nutrients:

B complex vitamins

Vitamin E

Calcium

Iron

Potassium

Magnesium

Phosphorus

Copper

Pecans and peanuts – regulate insulin but they are some of the most common nuts to affect someone with a nut allergy.

Brazil nuts – contain antioxidant selenium, have a high unsaturated fat content, are high in protein and high in amino acids.

Walnuts – studies have shown that these nuts have cancer fighting elements, provide Omega 3, assist in the reduction of cholesterol, are high in protein and provide some iron.

Almonds – assist in the reduction of cholesterol; have a high mineral content, and are alkaline.

Macadamia nuts – high in calories and unsaturated fats, so do limit the amount of these ones especially the ones with chocolate!!

Due to the fat content in nuts they can become rancid so it’s best to store them in airtight containers, in the fridge.

But it’s not only nuts that are a supernutritious, seeds are too.

Pumpkin, Sesame and Sunflower seeds are all edible and rich in protein, phosphorus, calcium, iron, flouride, iodine, potassium, magnesium, zinc, B complex, vitamins A, D and E.  Unsaturated fatty acids. What more can you ask for in a snack?!

Sesame seeds are also high in calcium and contain up to 50% protein so a spread of tahini on your toast in the morning  is a really good choice instead of margarine and jam!

Sunflower seeds are nutritional power houses.  They are rich in protein about 30%, unsaturated fatty acids, phosphorus, calcium, iron, fluorine, iodine, potassium, magnesium, zinc, several B vitamins, vitamin E and D.

Sesame Seeds are high in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, niacin and vitamins A and E.

Seeds also go rancid and need to also be contained in an airtight container and the fridge.

So make sure you consider a power packed nut and seed mix as a handy snack to keep in your bag, add some seeds to your stirfry or nuts to your salad. You really can’t find a healthier and tasty option!

Categories Health Tips

Healthy Diets

It seems that everyday there is another fad diet that a celebrity is trying, is it healthy? Not always no. But the simple fact is that there are some very basic rules when it comes to maintaining or losing weight. They are, to control your portion sizes first and foremost. Think about how much food you are putting on your plate, you need mostly vegetables, then some form of protein, and carbohydrate. So ½ your plate should be filled with colourful veggies, ¼ protein, ¼ carbohydrate.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that you shouldn’t be eating carbohydrates because that simply isn’t the case. It’s all about the choice that you are making. Your body requires a whole variety of nutrients to survive, consider what it would do when you take away a vital source of energy? Remain vigilant about your carbohydrate intake but don’t take them out all together. Consuming a high protein or protein only diet can lead to some unpleasant side effects so do consider getting some advice from a nutritionist prior to making a considerable change.

Plant based foods are essential to your body so ensure you are consuming at least 5 portions of veggies per day and 2-3 pieces of fruit. Remember to reduce anything that might be processed as this is not beneficial at all. Please send me an e-mail if you would like some more specific advice regarding your diet. You can find some recipes on my facebook page. Angie

Categories Health Tips

Exercise Outdoors for Better Health

Research has shown the benefits of Vitamin D for our bone health, immune system and in the reduction of inflammation. One of the best ways to get your daily dose of Vit D is to take your exercise outdoors.

Instead of going to a gym with another 50 people sweating all of their bacteria out on the machines, try a workout outdoors in the fresh air, away from lots of people while taking in some sunlight.

One of the main reasons people get sick during the winter months is that people spend more time indoors. So what are you waiting for, get out there and exercise! Have a look at the programmes section for an outdoor, no equipment necessary workout. Angie

Categories Exercise tips

Need some motivation to get out and exercise?

Need some motivation to get out and exercise? How about those puppy eyes?

We are always looking for the motivation on a cold morning to get out and do something. Everyday my dogs sit outside my window and look in with their big puppy dog eyes until they hear those words ‘WALK’. How can I resist?

Dogs are a great way to keep you out walking no matter the weather. They need a walk at least once a day if not more and they also need your attention and company. Now I don’t mean driving your dog to the park, letting them off the lead and catching up with your friends, I mean actually walking with your dog, if you do go to the park then run laps with them, throw the ball and play with them. It’s a great way of getting your daily exercise without it actually feeling like a chore.

So next time you are unmotivated to get outside and do your daily exercise, have a look into your dogs eyes! If you don’t have a furry friend then check out winterpaws for information on adopting a malamute or husky and the RSPCA to find all animals available for adoption, you could end up saving each other.

Categories Personal Training

A Healthy Life is Never Complete without Exercise Programs

All of us live with hectic schedules both around the house and at work. This means that most of the time, we do not have time to exercise. Most of the jobs are sedentary thus we find ourselves being less active. It’s all fine, until the moment we start to put on weight. Losing weight is not an easy task and this leads to various diseases.

Without proper exercise programs, people lose out on their confidence whilst others are unhappy and lazy. To avoid these, exercise programs are a must. It not only eradicates the fatigue-ness and laziness, but also reduces the risk of diseases.

Studies have proved that people who exercise on a routinely basis are in a positive mood than those who do not. Physical activity eradicates depression. It’s said that at least one third of the world population suffer from chronic disease. Exercises are seen as a way of preventing such diseases.

Routinely exercises prevent obesity. If you are looking at ways to reduce weight, now’s the time. Take time from sitting on your couch to do some activities such as walking. With technology, people often find themselves less flexible and as we get older, most of the body functions do not work properly. It’s time to stick to a strict workout regime which ensures that you stay slim but also healthy.

It is important to engage in exercises for the reasons other than losing weight. Exercise regimes help us to lead a healthy and a safe lifestyle.

Categories Personal Training

Adios to Fatigue; Welcome to Personal Training

Do you sometimes feel so tired after a work-out that you just want to crash on the couch? Or do you sometimes feel that exercising is just not for you, because it makes you feel so worn out? Well, that could be because you are following a generalized exercise routine that is not created with your individual requirements in mind. And this is where personal training becomes especially effective; as such programs are formulated to suit your very needs and lifestyle.

Unrelenting fatigue can sometimes be due to serious medical conditions. For instance, certain ailments relating to the heart, lung problems, cancer, hormonal imbalances and anaemia, can cause feelings of extreme fatigue, which would intensify after rigorous physical training.

There are numerous less serious causes that leave people feeling tired after exercising, too.  Exercise intolerance (yes, there actually is a condition like that!), chronic fatigue syndrome, overtraining and certain metabolic conditions are thought to be the most common causative factors that leave people feeling unusually tired after a work-out. Here, the advantages of personal training comes to the fore; as an experienced personal trainer (working together with a medical professional, perhaps) can identify the underlying cause for excessive fatigue after exercise, and help eliminate it, in a systematic manner.

So, if you are one of those people who feel really tired after exercising, you don’t need to suffer in silence anymore. Simply, consult a physician to ascertain that a serious medical condition is not the underlying cause for those feelings of extreme fatigue, and then join a personal training program, where you can work-out under the guidance of an experienced professional.

Categories Personal Training

Are the Exercise Programs for Losing Weight Only?

Exercises not only relieve the body, but also the mind. Exercises are aimed at not only for younger people, but for the elders too. It’s said that exercises increase the number of years that a person is expected to live besides the physical fitness bringing a great deal of confidence and independence to one’s self. The usual belief is that exercises are aimed at only people who wish to lose their weight. That’s not the entire truth. Exercise programs can be seen as a preventive strategy for diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular syndrome, certain types of diabetes, and cancer.

Regular forms of exercise will increase mental fitness, reduce the levels of stress, improve blood flow, strengthen muscles and joints, controls appetite levels, and burns calories.  Exercises provide all of the benefits thus it’s hard to restrict only for weight loss. According to medics, exercises are known to reduce depression and bring in positive energy to the person.

Exercise are of 3 types; flexibility, strengthening, and cardiovascular exercises.  Although many find it difficult to stick to exercise plans, you could try it as an activity which can be fun. Physical fitness will prevent heart diseases to a larger extent. Current researches show that there can be a link between moods and exercises. This simply means that a person who regularly exercises will be in a relatively positive mood compared to a person who does not exercise.

So, if you were under the impression that exercise is only for weight losers, now you know better! Exercises are a vital activity in everyone’s daily schedule. So it’s time to allocate some time for your physical fitness.

Categories Personal Training

Be Competent in Deciding on the Best Exercise Programs

It’s hard to say which exercise programs are competent over the rest. When it comes to choosing the best exercise program to lose weight or to be healthy, there are number of factors that need to be considered.

It’s a common perception that aerobic exercises burn fat and it is true for a higher extent. You will find two types of exercises; aerobic and anaerobic. With aerobic exercises it’s regarded as a low intense exercise workout which increases your heart rate thus leading the fat to be burnt.

Anaerobic exercise is a high intensity training exercise regime, where the rate of fat burned in this type is relatively lower. One must never totally on high intensive training, instead, must be able to combine both high and low intensive training together to get optimum results. The best types of aerobic exercises can be walking and swimming as these increase the heart rate and improve the breathing function. Whilst strength training such as push-ups will improve your muscle build up.

It’s important that these types of exercises are carried out under the supervision of a personal trainer. Daily chores around the house too will act as an exercise program. You do not necessarily have to spend huge amounts on membership fee. Personal trainers will be able to give more information as to the types of exercise programs that suit your body.

Besides the types of workout that are available, one must commit and track progress with the exercise programs. Less progressive exercise programs are waste of time and money.

Categories Personal Training

Become ‘The Super Fit You’ with Commitment to Exercise Classes

Exercise classes bring out the true meaning behind this saying ‘’together we are stronger’’. If you are bored to bits by exercising on your own and not being able to make it effective, then exercise class is the ideal solution.  Exercise classes are being conducted by personal trainers either indoors or outdoors.

With exercise classes, you end up investing a little amount of your income towards the welfare of your body. You can ask your friends to join so that you do not end up being shy or left out with the others. Exercise classes can be found in different levels to suit your strengths. Before joining an exercise class, you need to speak to the personal trainer first. Personal trainers will be able to give more information about the suitability of the exercise programs.

Most people dread about the idea of having to go to an exercise class and having to do the activities in front of others. This lack of confidence restricts from attending the exercise classes on a regular basis. You need to remember some in the exercise class may be flexible while others are not. The personal trainer will help you if you are not able to do a particular type of exercise or offer you an alternative one.

By attending an exercise class, you will see a whole new you and this will be worth the pain! Exercise classes aim at reducing the risks of chronic heart diseases, obesity, and help you to lose weight in a safer way. Exercise classes revitalize your energy and bring out a fresh new you.