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Fitness and Health Mealtime Monday Self

Are your working out dehydrated?

I received the Brita Stream Rapids Water Filtration for free from Influenster in exchange for a Review.  The fact that I received this for free does not effect my opinion. My Full Disclosure Policy

Are you working out dehydrated and don’t even know it? If you are a sedentary person according to National Academy of Sports Medicine, you men need 3 Liters a day and women need 2.2 Liters a day. If you are trying to lose weight, you should drink 8 ounces of water for every 25 pounds that you are overweight which is a little over 3 ounces for every 3 lbs of extra weight you carry. Is that a gallon? Nope and lots of people are over consuming water with the gallon mentality. Flooding their systems and causing their organs such as the kidney and liver to become stressed from the additional work that the body doesn’t need. Start off with 2.2 liters of water if you’re women and then add 3 ounces for every 3 lbs. You are overweight. That is what you should be drinking unless you live in scorching climates than I recommend more.

Does water consumption change for active people?

Yes, those who aren’t sedentary require more water than those who are also, those who have a high protein diet causes dehydration. Protein needs “seven times the water for metabolism than carbohydrates or fat,” according to NASM. If you have dehydration of a minimum of 3%, it can cause poor performance when exercising. Three percent is very marginal and is why it is important for people who are active to consume water.

You have heard the importance of water. It is essential to our survival and makes up about 60% of the human body weight. You can be nutrient deficient for many years before the detection or affect the body adversely. You can only survive days without water. When you are drinking the adequate amount of water, you are allowing your body to function at it’s best.

Water is essential because:

  • It helps your endocrine glands operate at a better capacity.
  • It reduces and relieves fluid retention in your body. If your body has enough water, it doesn’t have to hoard the water it does have.
  • Because your body is getting proper water, your liver can function better.
  • When you have the correct amount of water, your body uses MORE fat for energy that it does when dehydrated.
  • You stop feeling thirsty all of the time
  • Your Metabolism functions betters
  • Nutrients are dispersed properly in your body
  • Your body temperature becomes more routine versus extreme hots and cold temperatures

More Water = Better Performance

I say said, “more water” not too much water. You must hydrate the body properly is very adaptable in most circumstances, but when it comes to dehydration, your body has a hard time coping. Just as little as a 20% fluid loss can offset your circulatory functions and reduce your performance. Practicing consistent daily exercise, water, and food consumption will regulate your body and allow you to gauge your hydration.

You can not rely on thirst alone as an indicator if you are dehydrated. Athletes or those who engage in regular exercise usually deplete their body up to 50% in sweat alone. Remember, I said our body is 60% water. The best way to make sure you are hydrating properly can be simple yet foreign until practiced regularly. Then it will become second nature just like your increase in water consumption.

How do I figure out how much water I should drink?

  1. Get your average daily weight
  2. When exercising make sure that you are at your average daily weight especially if you’re exercise requires endurance.
  3. Drink enough liquids, preferably water, but juice or sports drinks can be consumed during workouts to maintain your average daily weight.

Replace fluid loss post workout

How do I replace fluid loss?

  1. Sip before you sweat! NASM recommends that you, “consume 14 to 22 ounces of fluid 2 hours before exercise.
  2. Every 15 to 20 minutes you sweat drink at minimum 6 to 12 ounces of cold water. That is less than a plastic water bottle totally doable.
  3. Make sure you drink cold fluids
  4. If you are going to workout for more than an hour than drinking something that contains up to 8% carbohydrates to help hydrate you and replace glycogen being used up by your long workout. Some people recommend sports drink; I like to use Collagen Peptides and BCAAs in my water bottle while I workout. I usually only drink water, so I use my dynamic duo to replace the glycogen being used in my workouts as well as keep me hydrated.
  5. If you’re doing a quick HIIT, Circuit or less than an hour workout water is best. A sports drink won’t hurt, but it’s not necessary.
    After your workout has ended NASM recommends, “Ingest 16 to 24 ounces” of fluid for every pound of body weight lost after an exercise bout.” That is why it is key to know that daily weight average.

Getting Rapid Hydration

Working out dehydrated an easy way to throw your body out of whack. Making sure you are sipping on water is the easiest way to avoid some adverse health effects and thwart all your hard work with poor performance. I recently received the New Brita Stream from Influenster. It has made drinking purified water faster than ever.

The New Brita Stream design is a vast improvement on the common pitcher water purifier. No longer do you have to wait for the white pitcher to drain so that you can pour more tap water to be purified. It’s so quick and easy now there is no excuse for an empty water pitcher any longer.

The new model is great you open the lid, pour the water, grab a glass and pour. Yep, no longer do you have to wait to fill your glass and rehydrate yourself. There is a filter that is smaller and now attached to the spout of the pitcher. When you pour the tap water filters through and pours directly into your cup. Clean and refreshing. There is also an Electronic Filter Indicator button that alerts you when it’s time to replace your filter. No more calendar tracking or remembering, “when did we change the filter.” It also comes in great colors too.

I think the improvements are great on the New Brita Stream the only thing it needs is an alarm when your kids leave it in the refrigerator nearly empty. Other than that the New Brita Stream is great to make sure that you are getting the proper amount of water for your body to operate at it’s best using filtered, crisp and clean water.

Do you workout dehydrated? Do you take steps to stay hydrated? What are they?

Undefined, U. U. (2014). NASM essentials of personal fitness training (pp. 490-492) (M. Clark, B. G. Sutton, & S. Lucett, Authors). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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Fitness Fitness and Health Self

7 Natural Alternative to Relieve Muscle Soreness

I received a $50 gift card t shop at Swanson’s Health Products in exchange for a blog review post. I have also received free products from Tp Therapy and Dirty Bird Energy. Although I received these items for free, they do not affect my opinion. My Full Disclosure Policy

I don’t know if it’s my age or the fact that I am active every day, but I don’t remember having muscle soreness on a daily basis.  I tell people if I don’t wake up sore something is wrong. Muscle soreness is a part of my life and just like anything that makes you uncomfortable you want to find a better way.

I was in Las Vegas this summer at the IDEA World Convention. During my first day, I spent 9 hours of getting certified for STRONG by Zumba, at which, I believe six of those hours were exercise. (At least it felt like it; I may be being dramatic so maybe 4.5) But it was more than an hours worth of group fitness.  At the end of the day, I was whooped and sore. I had a nagging issue in my pec that radiates to my shoulder; now I know its bicep tendinitis, but at the time I had no idea what was wrong. It’s not an injury or strain just the fact that I am 35 years old and I do push-ups and pull-ups almost every day could probably be the problem.

Regardless, by the third day of IDEA, my usual nag had become a scream. I was in tears because of the pain.

I have a high tolerance for pain and yep, pulling the natural birth Mom card. “I had my babies naturally!” So, for it to bring me to tears meant it was pretty painful.  I hate taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen. My stomach is really that sensitive.

My roommate offered me two things that I had never heard of before.  5 Arnica 30c tablets and a Salspas patch. Can I say Magic?  I placed the Arnica 30c under my tongue, slapped that patch on my shoulder and next thing you know I was waking up. The pain must have subsided and allowed me to go to sleep.

When I got home, I had to get this fantastic homeopathic remedy, so I checked out Swanson Health Products which is my go-to for affordable Natural and Homeopathic needs and was able to stock up on everything Arnica.

Being the nerd that I am of course, I had to see why many people didn’t know that this natural pain reliever existed. terrific  I have sent many to Swanson’s to get their own, and it’s in quite a few of their gym bags.

I also carry the cream and one day I have hit my shin on the grocery cart (have you ever done that “OH MY GOODNESS”) put the cream on my shin and it stopped throbbing in about 2 minutes and didn’t leave a bruise for once. I now swear by it like Windex, and my girls are always asking for the Arnica Oil at home for their “Boo boo’s” well actually that’s just Mimi my older ones just get it themselves.  I am grateful my Roomie shared her homeopathic goodness, and now as always, I feel obligated to share too.

Why not Tylenol?

Other than being really conscious of what I put in my body (that whole honor your temple conviction thing I got going) I am one of those people who hate taking pills. It’s not that I can’t I just don’t want to and if I can get relief by letting little candy-like pellets dissolve or rubbing cream; sign me up, for pain relief. Other than that I will suck it up and deal with it. There are also many adverse side effects associated with prolonged Acetimophrin consumption.

According to Dr. Dennis Lee, “Even though Tylenol most likely does not cause serious liver damage in recommended doses, it can cause elevations of liver enzymes in the blood suggesting injury to the liver. In a study of 145 healthy subjects who were randomized to receive placebo or 4 grams of Tylenol daily for two weeks, subjects in the placebo group experienced no elevations of ALT, a liver enzyme, but 33%-44% of the subjects in the Tylenol group had ALT elevations greater than three times the upper limits of normal. The highest ALT elevation was greater than 500 which is approximately 10 times the upper limit of normal. All enzyme elevations returned to normal after stopping Tylenol. Thus, recommended doses of Tylenol given to healthy subjects for two weeks can cause mild to moderate reversible liver injury. Tylenol, like all other medications, should be used cautiously under a doctor’s supervision with monitoring of liver enzyme levels.”

If you take Tylenol too long it will elevate the liver enzymes in your blood once you stop; it reduces. How about avoiding that in general?  Some things are necessary for Acetaminophen and muscle soreness is not one of them.  There are so many ways to either avoid or treat your aches and pains without popping a pill. It also takes so long to give you the relief  I have a suggestion of some alternatives reliefs to muscle soreness.

7 Things you must have to Relieve Muscle Soreness

7. Arnica Montana

Arnica 30c is amazing it works almost instantly, and it is a safer alternative to reduce your pain relieve from muscle soreness, joint swelling, and bruising.  It is non-drowsy and doesn’t react any other drugs because it’s homeopathic. It comes in a Pellets, Gel, Cream, and Oil. In concentrated form, the herb is toxic if eaten but the pellets are highly diluted making it edible and pure Arnica has been classified by the FDA as an unsafe herb.  I only recommend getting homeopathic diluted tablets and not using the herb itself orally.  It has been used since the 1500s it’s a yellow flower that grows in Europe and the US also known as Leopard Bane, and it will be your new best friend.

6. Foam Rolling

Self-Myofascial release (SMR) is something that I hope you have heard of and if you haven’t you need too. SMR is a corrective measure for muscle imbalances and helps to reduce trigger points which are those tender muscle soreness you get those extra sore spots.  It is best to do SMR before and after workouts along with stretching.

Foam Rollers come in many shapes and sizes and is necessary for anyone who exercises period whether its regularly or sporadically you should Foam Roll before and after every workout can help prepare you for your next work out.  I am a Trigger Point Ambassador, and I use a variety of their products. I love their products because they have created great tools to make foam rolling simple and straightforward. My personal favorite is the Grid Stick it’s a hand-held foam roller that works wonders on my traps, neck, arms, and back. I can use it by myself or with one of my mini assistance.

I am also in over with their massage balls put your lacrosse balls to the side and try the MB1 or MB5 Massage ball. It is entirely unbelievable on my shoulders, pecs, and hips.  It’s layered, and each color is a different density it’s like a deep tissue massage in all the right places. I use it pretty much daily. The MB1 is a half the size of the MB5 measuring at 2.6 inches in diameter the MB5 is 5 inches both are great investments if you plan on being active.

5. Oils and Soaps- Or in Soap

“When I was at Rugged maniacs this summer cheering some of my clients on I got to try Dirty Bird Energy Soap sample.  They also gave me the Recover Soap that comes in their resealable container.  I am in love this soap is fantastic and junk free made with all natural ingredients. “No Parabens, No Sulfates, Only the Good Stuff!”

It is a fantastic exfoliate which is what helps you absorb the muscle relieving ingredients. It contains Arnica, Eucalyptus and Rosemary extract which is the ultimate combination of body repair oil treatments.  It helps to reduce the bruising and inflammation, and it is invigorating coming out of the shower. I also love the case because it makes it easy to travel in my gym bag and keep it away from the lil divas!

4.  Diet

I can’t stress enough that we have to honor our temple. How we fuel our temples affects every aspect of how it functions if you want to be your best you have to treat it that way.  There have been studies that show that people who ate a whole based nutrient dense diet that has little to no processed food recovered at a faster rate than those who don’t.

3. Water

A study in the Journal of Athletic Training concluded that if you are dehydrated, you can increase the “severity” of DOMs or delayed onset muscle soreness which occurs within 12 to 48 hours after exercise. It is the soreness from your muscle repairing themselves and growing. It is critical to muscle injuries and tears from strength training. When your body cells don’t have enough water that can delay the protein synthesis used to repair your muscles. Dehydration can also cause the breakdown of muscle tissue which is defeating your workouts.   Drinking water before and after exercise will help reduce muscle soreness and promote growth. Water is a naturally powerful way to ease your pain.

2. Massage and Stretching 

Massages and Stretching are essential for muscle soreness and workout recovery. I know you have heard it before but it so true. I really didn’t realize the value of Self-Myofascial and Stretching until attending school and practicing it myself. I am guilty of wanting to jump into the workout and get it done. I have found when I foam roll and stretch first I can challenge myself greater in the workout and the recovery isn’t as painful.  Starting the habit of warm-up and cooldown can be helpful in decreasing muscle soreness.

1.Heating Pad and Ice Pack

Old school remedy that is effective and can work I would use this for ongoing aches, pains, and injury. I think we always want an instant fix but applying all of these suggestions and taking 20-40 minutes to REST can be really effective in reducing muscle soreness. Alternating heat and ice can help with blood flow and help reduce inflammation resulting in pain relief. Some inexpensive ways to create a “Cryo pack” or ice pack. Take a water bottle about half full and freeze it wrap it in a towel and apply or you can create an amazing heat pack with a cup of rice in a sock. Tie it up and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds and get a fantastic adaptable heating pad to relieve your soreness.
You don’t have to suffer in pain or need to take pain relievers to cope.  I hope that with these suggestions you can stay out the pharmacy and live your best life pain-free.
What is your go-to for pain relief?
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Fitness Fitness and Health

What’s Bible and Bootcamps?

Have you ever looked back at where you’ve been and it all of a sudden make sense? That’s has been the last few months for me.  A few years ago, I was lost (Spiritually and Mentally), depressed, anxious, creeping up the scale and desperate for a way out.  It wasn’t until I completely surrendered all aspects of my life and sought God’s counsel that I found a direction to take.  Then a year ago almost to the day I had a “God idea.” I was scrolling through Facebook and an add for my current college popped up. I never thought of going back to school but as if I was forcefully pushed I pressed “Send me more info.” Within minutes I got a phone call that has literally changed this lost girl to having a clear vision that gets even more high definition by the day. Honestly, if I list the blessings that God has given my family and I in the last year it is nothing short of amazing and all God’s glory.  Well, here I am two years later with a degree in Fitness and Exercise Science.  Two NASM certifications and amazing opportunities to lead people to God’s kingdom through fitness.

Taking HUGE Risk

I believe so much in this vision God has given me to build a community of women that glorify God by honoring their temple and need to be fueled by faith.  After  prayers of “How”, “Why” and “Who.” God led me to an amazing team to get all of these floods of ideas into an amazing program that can help women:

  1. Increase their dependence on God through their weight loss journey
  2. Lose weight efficiently and effectively while learning lifestyle habits to help them honor their temple.
  3. Increase energy so they can be the best soldiers for God’s army and gaining confidence to lead people to Christ.

I wasn’t sure how that was going to look but slowly and methodically just as God has ordained and with a lot of inspiration my team and I have been drafting up an amazing program for women to use everywhere.

I wanted to make sure that my program addressed all fitness levels and spiritual needs.  My six-week transformation program has become a customized program that is designed uniquely for each women’s strengths and weaknesses.  Giving you all the tools that you need to make the transformation in your life.

Bibles and Bootcamps will be a Six Week Transformation Program. We will walk daily for Forty-two days in the Word and increase our dependence on Christ on our fitness journey.

Bibles and Bootcamp is an intense, unique, six-week transformation to boost your potential to get dramatic results inside and out. Bibles and Bootcamp has a three-step approach.

  1. Spiritually and Mentally we will help you change your thought patterns, increase your dependence on God and enhance your self-confidence and get rid of beliefs that have you held you back before.
  2. Nutritionally we are going to show you what to eat that really fuels you.  Educating you and on healthy eating guidelines and providing a Biblically based meal plan that will help support you in your goals.
  3. Physically we are going to apply the spiritual discipline and living sacrifice into a customizable workout program that increases your strength, flexibility, core, and endurance.

Bibles and Bootcamps will also be delivering some invaluable tools with our six-week program.

  • 6 week program
  • Grocery list of approved foods
  • Healthy Eating guidance, recipes, and accountability
  • Customizable workouts delivered on any device or in print
  • Daily tips and training
  • Group Q&A

I have pulled every tool out for this to be an amazing program. Utilizing my knowledge in Fitness Exercise Science.  Several groups Beta testing and tweaking. Also, teaming up with some amazing Christian Women authors.  Our series will tackle Food Fixation, Dependence on God and Nutrient Based Eating.

I’ve researched and spent countless hours exploring what Christian women need to stop sabotaging their efforts and start thriving.  What I have found that a key factor is your Spiritual relationship with God and a proven workout.  My Beta testers’ are also seeing some pretty amazing results.

“De is amazing I can tell you! She is a precious woman of God and she knows her stuff…she got me started on my fitness journey earlier this year and I lost some serious pounds (over 40) under her direction.” -Ammie B.

 

 

 

“Bibles and bootcamp has been an amazing experience. This is my first time putting my faith and Fitness together in one and the feeling is amazing. I have already starting see results after only 3 weeks and I’m excited for what left to come.”

— Dana

“I love it all. The nutrition is simplified. The workouts are fun, yet challenging and De is an awesome coach & spiritual support. ”

— V.T.
 

I cannot wait to see what this program does for you in your life.  I am honored and privileged to get to cheer you on the entire way.  If you’re looking to find a way to Honor God’s temple at it’s best and tired of the on again off again plans and looking for something that is going to sustain you inside and out than you must join us for our First program! If you are looking for more information check out some frequently asked questions www.BiblesAndBootcamps.com

Have you ever used your faith to fuel your workouts?

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Breakfast Dessert Gluten Free Recipes

Apple Crisp for 1, please

 

Yep, It’s that time of year! Apple Picking! It brings back so much nostalgia and memories and a tradition that I happily keep each year with my girls.  It’s been especially fun the last two years apple picking with a curious toddler.  The older girls make it fun too but those little eyes of amazement and little hands stuffing apples in a bag melts this Mama’s heart.

I know everyone has gone Pumpkin crazy but we can’t forget about, good ole American apple pie.  I am a huge fan of both Pumpkin and apple so this recipe actually works for both! It takes 2-5 minutes and you will be in that fall-warmth-comfort-food-bliss in less than 10 minutes and it is so much better for you!

applecrispfor1

There are so many to both as a snack!

Apples have many benefits to your diet four benefits:

  1. It’s good for you I know you’re like “Duh, an apple a day…” but they are a great source of soluble fiber which is needed in your diet for healthy protection, diabetes prevention, and weightloss and one medium apple is half of your daily 2 cup of fruit goal based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Apples also provide 14% of the daily value of Vitamin C requirements.
  2. It’s helps you with weight loss. How? You say? Apples are a great hunger crusher and for fewer calories than most small meals or snacks.  There has also been studies that daily diet of apples will lower your cholesterol and heart disease.
  3. It’s great for your Heart health. Numerous studies has connected apples to lower risk of death due to heart diseases and cardiovascular disease.  It is believed there are mutiple factors that contribute to this such as:
    • antioxidants found in apples
    • Helps prevent LDL cholesterol and lower cholesterol
    • Inhibits inflammation
    • Soluable fiber
  4.  It helps prevent and protect you against metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is symptoms that causes the body to function improperly increasing the risk for heart disease and diabetes. A study found that apple eaters has 27% less chance to have metabolic syndrom symptoms.
  5. Give you a boost. Apples contain an antioxidant called querctin, which helps make more oxygen for your lungs helping with endurance.  So, it’s a great preworkout snack.

This recipe has no refined sugar and is a great treat for this fall.  What is your favorite fall dessert?

 

Check out my Chai Spice Recipe!

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Recipes

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake

Let the pumpkin madness begin. MM MM sooo yummy!

image

Serves 12
Prep time 30 minutes
Cook time1 hour
Total time1 hour, 30 minutes
Adapted from :The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook, 2001-2010

Ingredients
1 1/2 cup Coconut palm sugar
3/4 cups cake flour-I used Swan’s Down
1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or Chinese Five-Spice Powder
1/2 teaspoon of Korinjte Cinnamon (because I am a Cinnamon snob you can use regular ground Cinnamon)
(I used Alchemy Spice Wake & Bake Sweet Spice Blend)
12 Large egg whites (room temperature)
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon table salt (or 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt)
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cups pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)

Note

*****A tube pan is essential to making this cake.  Any other pan will not allow the cake to “climb” and reach the height that an angel food cake should reach, resulting in a squat, dense cake.  You can buy an inexpensive tube pan at any store that sells home goods.  It’s worth the investment.*****

I made these in heart mini cakes for proper serving portions. (I can can eat can eat way can eat way to much cake,when left to left to my own slicing).

Directions
Step 1)Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. (IA do the dishes at my house so I use this for all of my baking) Whisk 3/4 cup of the sugar and the pumpkin pie spice or Chinese five-spice powder and cinnamon (fanvy or regular) with the cake flour in a medium bowl.

Step 2) Whip the egg whites and the cream of tartar together over medium-low speed in a stand mixer for about a minute, until foamy. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip until puffy, about a minute, then add the salt and the remaining sugar a tablespoon at a time. Whip until soft peaks are reached.

Step 3)Remove from the stand mixer and gently whisk in the lemon juice by hand. Sift the flour/sugar mixture over the egg whites 1/4 cup and a time, gently but thoroughly folding in with a spatula after each addition. Now, add the pumpkin puree 1/4 cup at a time, taking great care not to deflate the egg whites as you are folding. You will end up with a few pockets of pumpkin throughout the batter-that’s okay.

Step 4)Carefully scrape the batter into the prepared tube pan. Tap the bottom of the pan against the counter a few times to settle it. Place in the oven for 50-60 minutes, until golden brown and springy.

Step 5)Remove the cake from the oven and immediately invert. Most tube pans have “feet” or the center portion is taller than the edges allowing the pan to stand off of the counter, but if yours does not place the center of the pan over a sturdy bottle. Cool like this for at least three hours before removing from the pan. This step keeps the cake from deflating as it cools.(grandma tip…she taught me this one)

Step 6)Run a thin knife or spatula around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake, then (assuming your pan has a removable bottom) under the Serve at room temperature

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