How Alcoholic Beverages are Detrimental to your Health

October 15, 2012 Category :Fitness training 0


Habitual alcohol use has been linked to a number of health risks. Self-perpetuating use, brain damage and lowered judgment can result from even social use of alcohol. Those who choose to consume alcohol responsibly must first be responsible for the proper understanding of alcohol detriments. Drinking in moderation or quitting drinking all together can reduce or stop these detrimental effects on your health.

Alcohol’s Effects on the Brain

Falling prey to alcoholism is the result of a slow, insidious dependence on alcohol. A social drink with friends can often lead to an urge to go out more often. More frequent use can quickly lead to dependence, which is marked by improved functionality following alcohol consumption. Once dependence has settled, continual use leads to an increased tolerance. This step usually leads to self-realization, which is typically followed by attempts at sobriety. Withdrawal occurs following sobriety, leaving alcoholics in a vicious cycle of addiction.

Those who have moderate to severe imbalance in neurotransmitter production are genetically predisposed to alcoholism. This genetic basis of addiction results from those who suffer from GABA imbalances. GABA is a neurotransmitter in the brain that controls the inhibition of brain cells. Alcohol creates a unique, positive response in GABA-deficient individuals, which increases their predisposition towards habitual use.

The above neurochemistry foreshadows alcohol’s effects on GABA production. Those who frequently consume alcohol find that failing to drink will give them shakes or even seizures. These withdrawal symptoms occur because GABA, which normally reduces excitability of brain cells, is no longer produced at rates that it should be. The brain no longer feels the need to produce GABA because alcohol has taken its place. The result is uncontrolled nervous-system excitation.

Alcohol and brain damage are also inextricably linked. Those who regularly consume alcohol show reduced brain mass when their brains are examined under an MRI. This reduction is closely related to the reduction in mental faculties associated with alcohol use. Lowered intellectual ability, judgment impairment and reduced sensory-response times are highly correlated with alcohol use.

Dementia rates associated with drinking are also high. Almost 20% of dementia cases can be linked to excessive drinking. Alcoholic women have an increased risk of developing dementia. Alcoholism creates a deficiency in B1, which is associated with dementia development. The reduced female consumption of B1 is believed to account for their increased dementia risk.

Alcohol’s Effects on Metabolism

Consumption of alcohol has a pronounced effect on liver toxicity. The liver is responsible for removing all manner of toxins. The liver is also responsible for free-fatty-acid, or FFA, oxidation, which is the “burning” of blood-suspended fats for fuel. Consumption of alcohol effectively stops the liver in its tracks. The liver ceases all FFA oxidation, suspends further toxin removal and proceeds to focus on the removal of alcohol.

With all things considered equal, this liver process would not increase fat accumulation. However, those who consume alcohol often do so while simultaneously consuming high fat, high carbohydrate food. The body is quite able to increase its fat stores during alcohol metabolism. Unfortunately, the suspension of fat oxidation combines with an increase in fat storage to create unfavorable body compositions and poor health.

Health Benefits of a Standing Desk

September 26, 2012 Category :furniture 0

Most people who work in an office, or at any job where they have to use a desk, suffer from the same three issues. Back problems, poor leg circulation, and neck strain are all caused by the somewhat awkward position that using a standard desk forces you to use. The issues are only exacerbated when we go home and enjoy our leather recliner chairs back at home. Granted, there are a few products out there that can minimize how badly you’re affected by these issues. No matter how good the product is, however, they don’t fix the root of the problem itself. Namely, the fact that you’re forced to sit for hours on end, something people weren’t really made for. Luckily, there is a solution that’s proven very effective. Simply replacing your normal desk with a standing desk cuts down on all of these problems almost immediately.

Back problems and neck strain are the most obvious problems that are fixed by switching to a standing desk. Since using one lets you put everything at the perfect height for you to see properly, you don’t have to worry about getting neck strain from bending down to get a better look at your screen. Back problems are also much less of an issue for most people. If you need a special chair to deal with a spinal problem, then a standing desk may not be for you. Otherwise, you’ll find that standing up at your full height, instead of sitting in an office chair the whole day, will keep your spine straight and unhurt while you work. It does take a bit of getting used to, admittedly, but almost everyone who’s switched from a regular to a standing desk tends to notice a decrease in back pain within the first couple of days.Slightly less well known, but no less important, is the problem with leg circulation. Sitting in a chair for hours at a time can cause a severe lack of proper circulation to your legs. In the short term, this isn’t too big of an issue. However, over the years the slight circulation problems can add up to a major health hazard. Some people like to take a walk to get the blood flow going again, if they use a normal desk, but that’s completely unnecessary with a standing desk. Standing up means you don’t have to worry about your chair pressing into the back of your legs and limiting bloodflow.

Overall, it’s pretty easy to see why a standing desk is preferred by many people. Most doctors even recommend you use one, if you can. Aside from the physical benefits, you’ll also quickly find that the added space is a huge bonus to using a standing desk. Really, what else is there to say? With all of the benefits to getting a standing desk to replace your sit-down desk, why wouldn’t you make the switch as soon as possible?

Why yoga should be incorporated into your workout

June 10, 2012 Category :Fitness training 0

Yoga, originally an ancient Indian cultural heritage involves a series of assumed postures of the body, mixed with breathing and mind control exercises. In yoga, an individual assumes a yoga pose and holds it for a short period of time, usually three to five minutes. Together, they are said to contribute to control of the body and mind. In recent decades yoga has grown in popularity and this trend shows no sign of stopping. Furthermore, the trend of combining yoga with a regular workout routine has taken hold and many people are benefitting from the dual approach to their well-being.

There are many reasons why yoga should be incorporated into your workout, each of genuine value. Yoga increases oxygen in the blood and consequently boosts both the immune system and energy levels. It also eases muscles that may be sore from your regular workout. The breathing exercises increase lung capacity and lessen any existing respiratory problems while lowering the possibility of developing new ones. The improved posture that results from the regular practice of yoga improves posture and balance. Maintaining a pose for a period of time can also strengthen muscles. For example specific postures can increase the mass of abdominal muscles. There is also an increase in the ability to focus and concentrate. Better focus can mean less careless injuries.

Perhaps the most significant benefit yoga can have for your workout routine involves flexibility. The bones of the body are held together by soft tissues, and these tissues can develop tightness. The postures in yoga gently stretch these tissues over time and ease tension. Less tension equals increased flexibility. If you adopt and practice a yoga routine faithfully, in less than two months your flexibility will show visible improvement. With increased flexibility there is a smaller chance of sports and workout related injuries.

Yoga is an ancient form of meditative exercise that has earned the respect of many of today’s top athletes. When paired with a traditional workout regime, it benefits both the body and the mind.

Top 10 most scenic running spots across the U.S

May 16, 2012 Category :Fitness training| Marathons 0

Are you looking for some great spots to go running within the US? Well, the good news is that there is a wide variety of different trails that you can run on.

Here is a list of the top 10 most scenic running spots across the US:

  1.   Breakneck Ridge: This wonderful running location is located in Hudson Highlands State Park. There is a beautifully rugged ascent. Breakneck Ridge is located in Beacon, NY. The trail is 9 miles long.
  2.   Glacier Gorge: This is boasted to be the most beautiful spot in the Rocky Mountains. You have stunning waterfalls, wildflowers and alpine lakes. It is located in Estes Park, CO. The trail is 9.4 miles long.
  3.   Appalachian Trail – The Pinnacle: This trail offers a beautiful view of Hawk mountain. It is located in Hamburg, PA. The running trail is 8.6 miles long.
  4.   Mount Whitney: This is the highest peak in the US. That does not include Alaska or Hawaii. It is located in Lone Pine, CA and the trail is 22 miles long.
  5.   Conundrum Hot Springs: This location boasts a secluded collection of various small bodies of water. It is undeveloped wilderness located in Aspen, CO.
  6.   Bear Mountain Loop: Here you have steep wooded terrain. You can find is in Highland Falls, NY. The trail is 9.7 miles long.
  7. Deep Creek: This location has a variety of cluster hot springs. It is located in an isolated canyon that will blow your mind. If you are looking to go nude, this location has been favorite of the nudists. It is 12 miles long and located in Hesperia, CA.
  8. Big Creek Falls: This location is less than an hour from Seattle which makes it a favorite amongst the city goers from there. It is a 10 mile trail and located in Northbend, WA.
  9.   Half Dome: This location is the symbol of Yosemite. It is the goal of many runners to get to the summit. You can find it in Vernal Fall, CA. It is approximately 16 miles long.
  10. Mount Marcy – New York High Point: This location is a beautiful trail for any runner. It is located in Lake Placid, NY. It is 14.7 miles long.
  11. These are some of the best running locations in the US. The reason is because they also offer beautiful scenery as you run. If you are looking to have a fun time, then be sure to check out some of these locations.

 

 

Hiring the Right Personal Trainer

April 23, 2012 Category :Fitness training 0

If you need a personal trainer, for whatever reason, it is important that you pick the right one. As the name suggests, you have to get personal with a personal trainer. Thus, you should look around for one that you get along with before making a final decision on who to hire. There are many ways you can go about looking for a personal trainer and some ways may work better for some than others.The most obvious way to find a personal trainer to hire is to go and visit a gym. Odds are there many gyms in your area so don’t visit just one unless you believe that you have found the personal trainer there who is right for you. Visiting a gym and simply asking to speak with their personal trainers is the most straightforward way to check out your options. If you have friends who have used personal trainers in the past you can also ask them who they hired and how well that experience went. Remember, if you hire a personal trainer at a gym you will most likely be doing your exercise at that location. Make sure that you like the gym before hiring a personal trainer who works at that location!

One way to find a personal trainer that is uncommon but viable is to look on the internet. This can be done by performing a search or visiting a website created simply for finding personal trainers. Some of the links that you find will direct you towards gyms or businesses that will provide you with a trainer. Be sure to do your research and only hire a personal trainer from a website that looks legitimate – you don’t want to get paired with someone who is unqualified and potentially dangerous!

Another option is to be your own personal trainer. There are many resources online for you to utilize within your own workouts. In fact, there are personal trainers that can guide you through videos and various readings. If you know you are capable of taking your own workouts into your own hands, you should look into programs like p90x and Romanfitnesssystems.com.

Hiring a trainer is a great way to stay in great shape. Although it is not necessary to hire one to stay fit it is certainly helpful and most of the time more efficient than working out by yourself. Studies show that you are more likely to work out harder and get into shape faster if you are working out with somebody! If you take your time and go through of all the necessary steps you should end up with not only a personal trainer, but a good and helpful friend as well!

Finding The Right iPhone and Android Apps To Boost Your Fitness Productivity

March 7, 2012 Category :Application| Fitness training 0

Health and wellness are two things that have been quite a hot topic as of late. With the expansion of portable technology, it has never been easier to find fitness assistance, even while you are on the go. Chances are if you employ some of these apps you might find yourself in a little better shape before too long. To categorize things and have them make a little more sense, you should appreciate the various kinds of apps out there to assist you. You have apps that are designed to help you track what you eat and the calories that you input into your system. There are applications that can give you step by step workout routines to keep you active and burning the calories. There are even applications that can help you stay in touch with supportive people working through the same situations.

There are quite literally over one hundred calorie counting apps, which will allow you the opportunity to input what you eat and calculate the amount of calories you are taking in. When you fill out the information regarding weight you would like to lose or maintain, the calorie limit for the day will change accordingly. Some examples are: MyFitnessPal and Calorie Counter by LiveStrong.

There are also innumerable amounts of type specific exercise applications. These will give you detailed instructions about specific routines that are often geared towards certain parts of the body. For example, there are programs to work specifically on your thighs and butt, for your abs, or for toning arms. Some actual applications to check out would be: FitnessClass and iPump & Fitness Builder.

However, staying motivated and not getting discouraged are among the hardest obstacles that those getting into shape will face. That is why there are specific downloadable applications to connect people working through this hard time together and become a connected support group for one another.

If you were to employ all of these potential helpful apps to your current goals, it might not make them seem so difficult to obtain. In fact, you might be even more inspired to reach your goals when you can support others through their progress, and get helpful insight and ideas you might not have been able to come up with on your own.

List of the Most Popular Marathons across America

February 17, 2012 Category :Fitness training| Marathons 0

Long distance running is quickly becoming an American past time. An increased national focus on fitness and health has drawn many citizens to the physical and mental challenges of marathons. Multiple cities in America now host marathons, and below you will find a sample of the most popular races.

The New York City Marathon:
With 47,438 runners lining up near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on Staten Island, the 2011 New York City Marathon boasted more entrants than any other race in the states. Broadway is well known for doing things big and their 26.2 miler is no exception.

The Chicago Marathon:
Fittingly, the Second City finished second to New York in number of 2011 entrants with 45,000 participating. The flat layout of the Chicago course has contributed to its reputation as one of the fastest marathons in all of America.

The Marine Corps Marathon:
Not only for jarheads, the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon saw 30,000 runners compete in the nation’s capital. In addition to an emphasis on fitness, the MCM is also about remembrance. The final leg of the race takes runners past Arlington National Cemetery and to the finish at the Marine Corps Memorial.

The Honolulu Marathon:
Hawaii is internationally known as for its lush vegetation, beautiful coastlines and marathons? That’s right, the 2011 Honolulu Marathon saw nearly 28,000 runners test their endurance in the Aloha State. The race is particularly popular among servicemen and women stationed in the state as well as Japanese runners.

The Boston Marathon:
The 2012 Boston Marathon brought 26,655 runners to the course of America’s most famous race. Debuting in 1897 after the first Olympic Marathon, the Boston version of the race is the oldest in the world. Along with the New York and Chicago, the Boston Marathon rounds out the the World Marathon Majors taking place on American soil.

The Los Angeles Marathon:
Capped at nearly 25,000 entrants in 2012, the Los Angeles Marathon is perhaps the glitziest of them all. Boasting a route that winds past the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, this race is tailored for glamor runners.

As the number of runners grow in America and abroad, so will the interest in marathons and the number of them. This list provides an overview of the most popular in the country, but there are many more to suit the requirements of any athlete.

Olympian Athletes Have Their Own Little Training Secrets

February 10, 2012 Category :Fitness training 0

The summer Olympics, to be held in London, are less than two months away before opening. The participating athletes are training for their individual sport like never before. They all have the same goal and that is to take home the Gold Medal. Some of the athletes have their own workout secrets they use while they train for the summer games.

Most Olympic athletes will tell you that they have a team of advisors and experts. This alone offers some top strategies we would never know about. Another of their important secrets is to prevent injuries and to remain in outstanding condition. Finally, another of the basics is to learn how to stay strong during the late stages of the competition, be it on the track or in the swimming pool.

One of the secrets of the Olympic stars is to practice what they know works for them. This is important because what works for one might not work for another. Some track stars actually have a big steak before a race while others would look at them in scorn because they feel a steak would make them too full thereby slowing them down. Some athletes eat chia seeds, which are full of antioxidants and omega 3 oils that help heal and repair. Other athletes have a different secret whereby they have put away their pizza and beer and exchanged this for vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Other stars reveal their secret of eating protein right after a major workout or race. This might range from fish to cottage cheese. They claim this heps to replenish their energy and repair any damaged muscles.

Some of the individual stars have their own personal secrets. Eight hundred meters star Nick Symmonds, for example, says he has a burger every Tuesday night followed by pizza on the weekend. On Saturdays he enjoys three or four beers. Marathon runner Ryan Hall claims he goes to a bakery looking for warm bread. Once he finds it he eats a whole loaf. The 5000/10,000 meter star, Kara Goucher claims the Coldstone Creamery has the answer for her body. She insists that some of the brands, such as Cookie Doughn’t You Want Some? offers her all kinds of goodness. She also insists that her secret of training in a sauna suit is a great idea as it makes a person sweat so much.

All of us, Olympians, or not, have our own secrets we use for different things in our life. It is no wonder that these stars train and often use their secrets in an attempt to go one up on their competition.