Category Archives: Health and Wellness

Hiking Around Salzburg, Austria – A Fit and Fun Getaway

06 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by in Exercising, Health and Wellness, Healthy Getaway, Hiking

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week90aIt’s a hiker’s dream. Fields that are alive with absolutely breathtaking endless peaks and valleys in and around enchanting Salzburg, Austria. Known worldwide as once the home of the Von Trapp family and the birthplace to musically talented Mozart, Salzburg is a must visit city! You will fall in love with the charming city as much as you will fall in love with the magnificent countryside. Dreamy spires, rolling green hills, and romantic picturesque gardens, the city and its surrounding landscape is loved by all who spend time here, with millions of visitors each year from around the world.

I had to the opportunity to be one of those millions and traveled to Salzburg to visit my daughter who was studying abroad at Universität Salzburg. I was really making the trip because she was there and had little idea of what I would be seeing or experiencing other than this was where the beloved “The Sound of Music” was filmed. But as soon as my taxi driver drove into the center of town and I got a first hand look, it was love at first sight with Salzburg as well.

The fourth-largest city in Austria, Salzburg sits along the Salzach River and is a very picturesque European town dotted with renowned baroque architecture, quaint shops and boutique, hidden away restaurants, and wonderful historic attractions. The people are warm and engaging and travel mostly around time by foot, bike, or boat. All of this in addition to being right by the Alps and only a few miles from the German (Bavarian) border, which makes exploring both country’s trails and mountainsides very easy to accomplish.

While my daughter attended class during the day, I would venture out to the nearby hills and mountains to hike to my heart’s content. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails around Salzburg; too many to cover in just one trip. Many are reachable by public transportation or tour arrangements so no worries if you didn’t rent a car. Closest are the “house mountains” Untersberg and Gaisberg, both spectacular with well-groomed and well-marked trails.

If you only have one day to hike while in Salzburg, then Untersberg of the Berchtesgaden Alps is your mountain. With an elevation of 6,473 feet, it’s less than 10 miles from Salzburg and is reachable by bus. To get there, take Bus No. 25 from Hauptbanhof, Salzburg’s main railway station, to St. Leonhard. Once there, you can pick from several trails to lead you to the mountaintop or take a cable car for €21, an eight and a half minute journey. Once at the top, you will experience spectacular mountain-peak views and a wonderful birds-eye view of stunning Rositten Valley.

Gaisberg is just east of Salzburg and is part of the Limestone Alps with elevation of 4,226 feet. It’s easily identified by the massive antenna standing on the peak. Bus No. 151 from the Mirabellplatz Square will get you to the base, then catch a second bus through the district of Gnigl to reach the popular Gaisberg Trail. Follow this path to a viewing bridge where you have a clear look of the surrounding farmlands, Untersberg, and Salzburg.

And there are more hiking musts! Also close by is the Gerlospass, a mountain pass in the Alps between the Oberpinzgau region and Zillertal Valley. Once you reach the top, an elevation of 4,921 feet, you will see amazing views of parts of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The park itself has 700 square miles and home to Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner at a whopping 12,460 feet! West of Salzburg is the Salzkammergut Lake District, a hiker’s paradise that sprawls from Salzburg along the Austrian Alpine Foreland and the Northern Limestone Alps to the peaks of the Dachstein Mountains. From the village of Fuschl, hike around Lake Fuschlsee or ascend Mont Schober for most beautiful views of the Alps. And just an hour south of Salzburg and right over the German boarder, is Königssee (King’s Lake) for a wonderful hike plus the Obersalzberg uplands in Berchtesgaden National Park. Looming cliffs and soaring mountains enclose the area.

Other nearby popular destinations to hike include: Mount Kehlstien, home to the renowned Eagle’s Nest; the Hochkogel mountain in the Tennengebirge section of the Alps, home to the Eisriesenwelt Werfen, the world’s large limestone ice cave; and for the diehard hiker, the Salzburger Almenweg, a one-of-a kind 217-mile-long trek through the mountain region of Pongau rwith over 120 alpine huts to stay overnight along your journey.

The choices are endless when it comes to hiking in Salzburg. All you just need to do is get on a plane and get there to enjoy!

Getting There: Salzburg has it’s own airport, Salzburg W.A. Mozart International Airport (SZG), the second largest international airport in Austria, located only two miles from the center of town. Once you land, your best bet is to take a taxi to your hotel. Another option is the bus from the airport, which is excellent in Salzburg, but can be lengthy in time with all the stops. Another option is to fly into Munich, Germany and take the Euro Rail to the Salzburg Hauptbahnhof Train Station or rent a car and drive 89 miles to Salzburg.

Accommodations: Best Western Hotel Elefant, Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 4, Altstadt, Salzburg, Austria reception@elefant.at www.elefant.at Phone: +43 0662 84 33 97. I loved staying here! This is a very quaint, boutique-like hotel housed in a historic 700-year-old building in the heart of old Salzburg and directly off Getreidegasse, a street known for shopping and fine dining. It’s also easy walking distance to all of Salzburg’s major attractions. The non-smoking hotel offers state-of-the art accommodations, free Internet access, and a complimentary full breakfast that is simply delicious. Adjoining the hotel is one of their two restaurants in town, Restaurant Elefant, serving both Austrian and international specialties, fine wines, and the famous Salzburg Stiegl beer.

Nearby Activities: Sightseeing! Pick up a Salzburg Card from the Tourist Information Center and hop around to numerous attractions for just one price. Public transportation is also included! Admissions include Festung Hohensalzburg (Salzburg Fortress), Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains, Marionette Museum, Mozart’s Birthplace and Residency, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Natural History and Technology, Salzach Cruise, Salzburg Zoo, plus many more attractions. Or book a day trip through Viator (coach bus) or Bob’s Special Tours (mini van). I toured with both and enjoyed both equally. There are several excursions to choose from the salt mines and Bavarian Mountains to the Sound of Music Tour and Hohenwerfen Fortress, and many more.

Special Note: After a great day of hiking, dine at L’Osteria located right in the heart of the “new town” section Salzburg. It’s also just a stone’s throw from the Bridge of Locks of Love. Hands down now one of my favorite pizza places in town. We ate there a couple times. With a setting full of energy and good music flowing, this chic must-eat-at Italian restaurant serves timeless Italian cuisine at reasonable prices. Delicious platters include oversized pizzas baked in hearth oven, homemade pasta specialties, fresh crisp salads, and Tiramisu, Panna Cotta or Crema di Fragola for dessert. Fast and professional waiters serve. Make advance reservations as it’s always packed! L’Osteria Pizza E Pasta, Dreifaltigkeitsgasse 10, Salzburg 5020, Austria. salzburg@losteria.eu http://www.losteria.de Phone: +43 0662 87 06 58 10.

If you do have the chance to travel and hike in Salzburg, or already have, please leave a note below with more recommendations for all us to learn. My trip to Salzburg was so amazing and memorable; I know I will definitely return. And with this next trip, I will try some of your suggested posts!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Why Guzzling Down Energy Drinks Isn’t Healthy

03 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by in Health and Wellness, Nutrition

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week89This past week was a tough week for me. I got up, worked out, then had to drive 160 miles round trip in just one day. Then, I had to do that every single day for five straight days in a row.

By day four of the week, I was dragging. I simply felt lifeless with no vigor and little brainpower. All I really wanted to do was to go home climb back into my warm comforting bed and sleep my exhaustion off. But I couldn’t. I had to push and power through the day and get all done that was expected of me. But how, when my energy level was at zero? The answer, as wrong as it was then and remains, is that I broke down and drank a Red Bull. The following day, on day five, I drank another. Actually two.

I gave up soda years ago. As shared in my “The Sinful Sips of Soda,” I originally drank one diet brand simply for it’s lemon lime taste and the fuzzily feel. But I soon gave it up, cold turkey, after a bad reaction one night plus learning how unhealthy the carbonated drink is with all its non-nutritious and harmful ingredients, including the high amounts caffeine most carry.

Energy drinks are no different. In fact, they are worse. But that hasn’t stopped consumers. There are over two million people per day who drink energy drinks. The most popular? Red Bull, in fact the most popular energy drink in the world with 5.2 billion cans sold in 2012 alone.

The whole marketing hoopla around energy drinks is that give the drinker a burst of magically feeling energy. No, you are not superman or superwoman, but you know have the get-up-and-go you were lacking prior to gulping down the drink.

How does that happen? The beverage contains stimulant drugs, mainly very large amounts of caffeine, but also has high levels of sugar or artificial sweeteners plus herbal extracts, B Vitamins, and amino acids. Many also contain an added mix of carbonated water, yerba mate, açaí, and taurine and perhaps ginseng, maltodextrin, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone, and ginkgo biloba depending on the brand.

To illustrate the difference in caffeine levels between soda and energy drinks, a classic Coca-Cola Classic contains 23 milligrams (mg.) of caffeine per eight ounce serving while the sugary Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar energy drinks have 75 mg., 77 mg., and 80 mg. respectively. That is three times the amount of caffeine over soda! The 5-Hour Energy drink? A whopping 207 mg. per two ounce serving. Watch out!

There are several potential health risks associated with high amounts of caffeine. Not only is caffeine a stimulant that can be habit forming, it is diuretic which causes dehydration. Caffeine decreases the calcium in your body and stimulates your central nervous system – causing stress, a racing mind, insomnia, and the jitters. And now its regular and daily use being recognized as a disorder.

Just last fall (September 2013), Steven Meredith and Roland Griffiths of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD), Laura Juliano of American University (Washington, DC), and John Hughes of the University of Vermont (Burlington) coauthored and published a study in the Journal of Caffeine Research on the consumption of high amounts of caffeine, “Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda.” The findings support caffeine is indeed a drug of widespread dependency, one that can be addictive and habit forming physically and psychologically. More than 50% of those trying to no stop their regular consumption of energy drinks may even go as far trouble not picking up a can by suffering withdrawal symptoms.

“At this time, manufacturers are not required to label caffeine amounts, and some products such as energy drinks do not have regulated limits on caffeine,” Juliano said with her conclusions. “Through our research, we have observed that people who have been unable to quit or cut back on caffeine on their own would be interested in receiving formal treatment — similar to the outside assistance people can turn to if they want to quit smoking or tobacco use.”

Recognizing the health hazards of drinking energy drinks, just this week the Los Angeles City Council is contemplating creating an age restriction of 18 and order, as reported by CBS News. When purchasing, ID will be required and a citywide campaign will be implemented, alerting the public about the health risks associated with drinking too many energy drinks with its high caffeine contents.

In actuality, caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world and is also found in coffee, tea, chocolate, OTC pain relievers, and more. Many digest caffeine with without issues. But it is the high levels of caffeine found in energy drinks tat can be harmful with negative effects along with physical dependence.

As for me, when I awoke early Saturday morning to head to the gym, I was still feeling exhaustion. One who can’t sleep in, I headed off my day but by mid-morning I hit a wall of fatigue. I must admit stopping at a mini-market to grab myself another Red Bull for a third day in a row definitely crossed my mind, but I nixed it not once but twice, and powered through my day. In the end, I ended up going to bed two nights early to catch up on my zzzzz’s. Moving forward, energy drinks will be a boosting drink I will avoid giving in to as a quick fix instead replaced with driving less mileage in a week (let alone a day!) and more shut eye when my body requires.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Move Over Peanut Butter; You’re Being Replaced with Almond Butter

30 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in Diet, Health and Wellness, Nutrition

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week91One of my very favorite mid-morning snacks is a granny smith apple with a smooth and creamy almond butter. The crunchy tart fruit combined with the smooth nutty butter is an A+ in my book and shields my tummy from hunger pangs for the next few hours. And often a long hike, I will treat myself to a 1/2 to 1 cup serving of Healthy Choice’s vanilla bean Greek yogurt with, again, almond butter. I simply love the taste, topping the classic peanut butter, and it’s a bit healthier for you to boot.

Almond butter has more minerals than peanut butter, more fiber, fewer carbohydrates, and about half the amount of saturated fat. It is packed with vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and phytosterols – helping to regulate your body’s blood sugar, lower your risk of a heart attack, and reduce elevated cholesterol levels.

Perhaps I was a bit spoiled or lucky as I fell in love with the very first almond butter brand I ever purchased and tasted. I must confess, I became a little obsessed with new food now a staple in my diet, stocked up in my cupboard and initially eaten a few to several times a week.

If you decide to give almond butter a chance with your own taste buds, below are the almond butters I have tasted and tried. As with any other food item, when selecting an almond butter be certain to read the label. For your healthiest option, choose one that have undergone minimal heat processing and has very little added ingredients.

Barney Butter Almond Butter Smooth
This was the very first almond butter I tasted and remains my absolute favorite. Smooth and creamy, the taste tops any peanut butter I have ever eaten. Ever. It’s typically found in the organic section of the supermarket. Ingredients: almonds, evaporated cane juice, palm Fruit oil, sea salt. For those with allergies, Barney Butter is peanut free and made in an almond only facility. Other almond butters by Barney Butter include: Almond Butter Cocoa Coconut, Almond Butter Crunchy, Almond Butter Honey Flax, Almond Butter Raw Chia, Almond Butter Vanilla Bean Espresso, and Bare Almond Butter Smooth. Nutrients per 2 Tbsp. (32g) serving size: 180 Calories, 140 Fat Calories, 15g Total Fat (1.5g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat), 6g Protein, 100mg Sodium, 8g Total Carbs (3g Dietary Fiber, 3g Sugars).

Jif Almond Butter Smooth

This is my second favorite of the almond butters. Like Barney Butter, no stirring is required and you can simply just start eating it right from the jar. But unfortunately, the Jif Almond Butter contains hydrated vegetable oils, which is an ingredient to be avoided. It’s found with the mainstream peanut butters in the supermarket. Ingredients: roasted almonds, hydrated vegetable oils (rapeseed, cottonseed and soybean), sunflower oil, contains 2% of or less of salt. For those with allergies, it contains cashew ingredients and may contain Brazil nut, hazelnut, macadamia nut and pine nut ingredients. Jif also makes Almond Butter Crunchy and two Cashew Butters, one smooth and one crunchy. Nutrients per 2 Tbsp. (33g) serving size: 190 Calories, 150 Fat Calories, 16g Total Fat (2g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat), 7g Protein, 100mg Sodium, 8g Total Carbs (3g Dietary Fiber, 3g Sugars).

Justin Almond Butter Classic

This almond butter is very nutty and a more earthy and gritty taste. Unlike the other butters, it contains palm fruit oil, which is composed of 50% saturated fat and 50% unsaturated. It’s found in the organic section of the supermarket and also comes in convenient 32 packet sizes perfect for when on the go. Ingredients: dry roasted almonds and organic palm fruit oil. For those with allergies, it may contain trace amounts of peanuts and hazelnuts. Chocolate Almond Butter, Honey Almond Butter Blend, Maple Almond Butter, and Vanilla Almond Butter also made and are available by Justin. Nutrients per 2 Tbsp. (32g) serving size: 200 Calories, 160 Fat Calories, 18 Total Fat (2g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat), 7g Protein, 100mg Sodium, 6g Total Carbs (2g Dietary Fiber, 7g Sugars).

Wegmans Organic Smooth Almond Butter Unsalted

This almond butter is also very nutty and gritty taste, needing to be stirred before using and refrigerated after opening. Of all of the almond butters, this one is my least favorite but perhaps you will feel differently as taste is, after all, a personally preference. It can be found in the organic section in Wegmans’ grocery stores. Ingredients: organic dry roasted unblanched almonds. For those with allergies, it may contain other tree nuts, peanuts and soy. Crunchy also available. Nutrients per 2 Tbsp. (30g) serving size: 190 Calories, 160 Fat Calories, 18 Total Fat (1.5g Saturated Fat, 0g Trans Fat), 5g Protein, 0mg Sodium, 6g Total Carbs (1g Dietary Fiber, 2g Sugars).

So the next time your picking up groceries, pick up a jar of almond butter and give it go as it’s all about finding healthy guilt-free options. A tablespoon tastes delish on whole-wheat toast, is a great kick in your morning oatmeal, adds boost to shakes and smoothies, and of course is yummy when filled in celery and topped on bananas. Enjoy!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Yes, Women Can Bulk Up through Exercise

23 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in Exercising, Health and Wellness, Muscles, Running, Swimming

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“You won’t bulk up.” How many times have we heard this? For those of us who are convinced we can bulk up with certain exercises, but hear countless times that it’s not possible, well the later are wrong. We can. And I am one of them.

Despite having lower testosterone than men and regardless of watching what we eat, women with certain genetic makeups – especially those with small body frames – can build muscle easily and quickly, particularly in their thighs and buttock where fast twitch muscle is also often found. The muscle build up is often accomplished with resistance training, which is ANY form of exercise that causes a muscle to contract AGAINST an external resistance, creating a burn and a pump then a build in muscle. Not only is this with accomplished weights, but with popular cardio equipment including the treadmill, elliptical, and bicycle.

So what is a girl to do if that is the look she isn’t going for? What if she just wants to be tone and not overly muscular? Train for leanness and endurance.

We all know weight-training tones your muscles and can build muscle size. Increasing the weights used and the speed of reps can result in building muscle. So for muscles responding quickly to resistance, do the opposite. Perform more repetitions (15) with lighter weights completed within 90 seconds. Rest time should only be between 15 to 30 seconds for a cardio burn.

You may continue with your indoor cardio – running on a treadmill, pumping on an elliptical, and spinning a bike – but lower your tension on the equipment and limit your time to no more than 30 minutes a day.

If you can run outside versus on a treadmill, then do so. A treadmill forces your run through it’s push and pull resistance while a run outside is powered by 100% of you. You can also increase your cardio to longer than 30 minutes with the mechanical resistance now gone and up your days to five week since the movement of outdoor running will only make you leaner with amount of calories burned.

Also, incorporate exercises into your daily routine that helps to elongate your muscles, such as stretching, yoga, Pilates, swimming, walking, hiking, skating, and cross-country skiing. Sign up for a recreational soccer or basketball league. Join a running club. Play tennis, racquetball, or pickleball. Walk the course when playing golf.

Undoubtedly, you will need to do trial and error with your muscle-strengthening exercises before determining which workouts work best for you and your personal genetic makeup. Once discovered, set your limits and stick within those boundaries. Your goal is within reach.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

15 Easy Diet Changes that Make a Big Difference

20 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in Diet, Health and Wellness, Metabolism, Nutrition, Setting Goals

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week86Sometimes it’s the little things in life that counts and adds up to make a difference. Or another way to look at it, baby steps people! I’m referring to making small subtle changes to your daily diet to get you started to eating healthier. It’s how I started many years, and what I suggest to those who inquire how I reached my healthy eating levels of today.

Below are 15 simply changes you can do to your diet today that matter and will make a positive difference with your health and well-being.

#1. Eat within one hour of waking up in the mornings. While sleeping, your metabolism slows down, your body temp lowers, and your blood sugar level drops to conserve energy. To restart your engine and lower your risk for weight gain and obesity, eat a balance meal of lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats within an hour of waking.

#2. Chew your food 30-50 times per mouthful. Chewing food thoroughly has several benefits, such as improving your digestion, eliminating bad breath, preventing excessive gas, and strengthening the immune system. It also takes up to 20 minutes for your brain to get the signal that your stomach is full. So between bites, place your utensil down and savor the moment.

#3. Avoid the whites: flour, sugar, salt, rice, potatoes and mayonnaise. Yes, don’t pass the salt, skip the sugar, and avoid white flour and mayonnaise. Yes, this means white pasta, white bread, and baked goodies made with white substances. All of these foods are absorbed quickly and cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar, which can result in weight gain plus is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

#4. Eat protein with every meal. Protein satisfies hunger and boosts metabolism. If you don’t eat enough, your body breakdowns and burns muscle to compensate which you want to avoid. For each meal, consume enough protein fitting the size of your palm; a total daily intake of ~46g for women and ~56g for men depending on your age, situation, and activity level.

#5. Stop eating processed food. Skip the convenience and forget the delish taste. Eating processed food is not worth you ingesting, doing more harm than good, loaded with preservatives, unnecessary carbohydrates, trans fats, extremely high levels of sodium, and often high fructose. Processed meats come full of synthetic chemicals, many of which are potentially carcinogenic. Need more be said?

#6. Pack your lunch. Not only will it save on your wallet, but your body will thank you. If you typically grab fast food or sit down at a restaurant with coworkers or clients, you are most likely eating more fat and calories than you need or realize. Instead, pack your lunch and know exactly what you are eating. It may take extra time in the mornings, but it’s well worth it in the long run.

#7. Don’t eat lunchmeat or hot dogs. Sorry ballpark hot dog fans, this is one treat to avoid. Any meat that is salted, cured, smoked, or preserved with nitrate is considered processed. This includes bacon and sausage. As mentioned in tip #5 above, they are full of synthetic chemicals and are possibly carcinogenic. They are also usually high in fats and salt, which means they are not heart-friendly, either.

#8. Carry and drink fresh H2O. Pass on the sodas and fruit drinks. Instead swig half your body water in water in ounces of water everyday. Not only is water is one of the best tools for weight loss, it flushes out toxins and waste products, reduces the risk of a heart attack and colon cancer in addition to keeping you hydrated, nourishes your skin, and facilitates your athletic activities among other numerous benefits.

#9. Pass on unhealthy trans fats. These are the bad guys, primarily found in foods containing margarine or vegetable shortening, such as fried foods, baked goods, packaged snacks, fast foods, full-fat cheeses, and lard. These man-made fats raise LDL cholesterol levels while lowering HDL cholesterol, increasing your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and possibly type two diabetes. Instead, choose foods with monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, including olive and canola oils, almonds and other nuts, seeds, avocados, and fatty fish, such as salmon.

#10. Eliminate red meat, now. Numerous studies year after year show a direct line with red meat consumption to diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other life-threatening conditions. This includes beef, pork, and lamb meats, which are all high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Most are filled with nitrates and have dangerous chemicals when cooked at high temps. Substitute your servings with fish and poultry.

#11. Eat every couple hours. Your body is like a clock. Eating every 2-3 hours will keep your metabolism high and your insulin levels stable, which in return keeps your energy up and your hunger under control. Going long periods without food can result in a breakdown and loss of muscle tissue, resulting in a slower metabolism, and a gorge out on your next meal.

#12. Pack a snack. Ever find yourself hungry when on the go? When this happens and you have nothing on hand, making a quick stop to grab a healthy snack can be challenging as you drive by fast food eateries or are tempted by the aroma of sweet treats when in a shopping mall. So before heading out, take along your favorite protein bar, a small bag of nuts, or grab an apple, pear, or banana to keep your metabolism going and ward off hunger.

#13. Eat fish 3 or more times per week or take a daily fish oil supplement. Protein packed, vitamin rich and low in saturated fat, fish is also great brain food. Most fish, such as salmon, tuna, and trout, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which keep arteries free of blockage, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and aid in brain development and memory. The omega-3s will also decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.

#14. When your hunger stops, stop eating. No, you do not have to finish all the food on your plate and not after that feel so full you could burst feeling. Goodness knows that many restaurants today super-size their servings. Once your hunger is satisfied, it’s time to put down the fork and ask for a container to take the balance home.

#15. Don’t eat past 7:00 pm. A good rule of thumb to follow is to stop eating 3-4 hours before retiring to bed. After eating, it takes about 6-8 hours or more for food to pass through your stomach and small intestine, depending upon the type. Only a couple of hours after dinner, your body naturally begins preparing for sleep with a reduced metabolism and storage of fat recently consumed. The only calories you body needs are the basics to keep your heart beating, your lungs breathing, and your eyes moving in REM sleep overnight.

I can easily give you another 15 changes to make to your diet, but let’s start with these. Add in daily exercise to the above and you are off to a good starting plan you can follow and build on for the rest of your life.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Owning Up to Having a Vice

07 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Health and Wellness, New Year's Resolutions, Setting Goals

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week83The other day when I stopped at a mini market food convenience store, there was an elderly woman in front of me in the checkout line. Small and frail looking, she was bundled up on this cold wintery day but unable to hide her wrinkling skin and long yellow fingernails. (I am a people watcher, so I am guilty of seeing such features in a person.)

When it became her turn, she gently asked the cashier for two packs of cigarettes to go along with her pack of gum. As a lifelong non-smoker, I became quickly curious as to how much one pack of cancer sticks costs so I spoke up and inquired. My mouth dropped open in my mind when the cashier quoted me the various prices.

Without making any eye contact, the elderly woman quickly said, “Well, I’m going to quit this year, but this is my only vice.”

The day was January 2.

“Not that I’m justifying it,” she continued. “Everybody has something and this is mine.”

I said nothing more as the woman who looked shamed grabbed her cigarettes and gum and left the store. By her defensive reaction, it was obvious she felt some guilt by smoking the life-threatening habit, padded by future self promises of quitting.

Two days later, I was in a lab waiting for blood work. One of the only two technicians grabbed his winter coat and said, literally, that he ‘needed to fulfill his bad habit.’ Out the door he went, very well knowing what he about to do wasn’t good for him.

Upon his return, I sat across from him as I checked in with my health insurance and script. I jokingly teased him by saying, “What happened to your New Year’s resolution to stop smoking?”

He chuckled and wittingly responded without hesitation and without any eye contact, “My mother did not raise a quitter.” Then added, “It’s my only vice.”

Vice. Only vice. Why do some people think they are justified to having one when it affects one’s health and well-being? Allowed? Entitled? It is interesting. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of vice is a “bad or immoral behavior or habit.” Hmm. That doesn’t look it should be permitted or accepted  to me. Perhaps vices are better classified as addictions?

In a flip about, I have a vice, err addiction, to working out and eating healthy. It is the plague I am guilty of carrying and trying to spread. Goodness knows many have called me on it. But it brings me inner peace and rewards my inner being. If most people do have some type of self-proclaimed vice, then why not a healthy one? How about, ‘My vice is running’ which releases those high-catching endorphins. What about, ‘My vice is reading,’ a mental escape to sharpen the brain, increase knowledge, and flourish the imagination. Or ‘My vice is traveling,’ as it relaxes, soothes, and re-energizes. All of these are good.

I believe there are bad, negative vices as there are good, positive vices. One is supported by weakness and dependency while the other by discipline and dedication.

Breaking and ending a physical addiction and a psychological habit can be difficult, but it is achievable. Here are five suggested steps to help you override.

  1. Background. Do some soul searching and understand why and when you partake in your vice. What made you start and why it’s time to stop? Identify your triggers and associations. Remove any temptations from your home, car, and work. Find positive replacements and surround yourself with positive influences.
  2. Goal. Set a quit date within the next two weeks and get mentally prepared for your next chapter.
  3. Strategy. Create a plan of action with benchmarks and achievable goals. A good strategy will address the short–term challenge of quitting smoking and the long–term challenge of preventing a relapse.
  4. Alliances. Let your friends and family in on your plan and ask them for their support and encouragement to break your negative habit. Look for a “quit buddy” who wants to stop the same habit as well. You can help each other get through the rough times. If you believe it will help your journey, talk to your physician. He or she can prescribe medication to help with withdrawal and suggest other alternatives.
  5. Journey. Document your daily journey of struggles and wins. This will also help zero in on additional vice patterns while tracking your highs and lows. When you have a craving, include the intensity on a scale of 1-10 and what you did to overcome, such as types of distractions, embarking on a new hobby, or reminding yourself why you quit.

Quitting a bad habit is no walk in the park, but it is one of the best things anyone can do – replacing it with a positive healthy one. Then the next time when someone asks about your (new) healthier habit, you can look them in the eye and proudly say with a smile of accomplishment, “It’s my vice.”

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Fitness Apps Worth a Download and a Whirl!

03 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by in Diet, Exercising, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, Personal Trainer, Running, Sleep, Top 10 Lists, Training, Yoga

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week80Yes, like there is for just about everything else these days, there are apps for fitness. Several. Probably hundreds if I dig far enough. So which one to use? Which ones are the best? Well, as 2014 is off and rolling with many new health and fitness resolutions in sight, there is no better time than now to download one or two of these popular fitness apps to help you stay in shape, on track and on goal. Below are just 10 of them for Apple wireless devices since that is what I use to test and use them!

Fitness Buddy (Buy) – With 1700+ unique exercises, 1000+ HD videos, and a workout journal at your fingertips, it’s no wonder this popular app has received accolades from Gizmodo, ESPN Magazine and even Jay Leno. This app will help revolutionize and revitalize your gym regimen with comprehensive exercises for all major equipment, including barbell, EZ curl bar, dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and stability balls. By Azumio, Inc. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Optimized for iPhone 5.

HealthyOut (Free) – I saw this app promoted on GMA and had to immediately go download it and give it a go. Of course, due to the TV appearance, the app crashed with all of the requests. Once in, pre-select your diet style – such as gluten free, high protein, low calorie, vegan, Paleo and even Weight Watchers, Atkins, and more  – then the app will locate area restaurants for eat-in or take-out that meet your nutrition preferences. By HealthyOut. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Optimized for iPhone 5.

iMuscle (Buy) – If you’re looking to improve or change up your workouts, check out this app which will guide you through 450 different lifts and stretches to create a customized balanced workout without having to hire a physical trainer. There are great illustrations and written instructions for those already familiar with most exercises. By 3D4Medical.com, LL. Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPad 2 and newer.

Lose it! (Free) – This is one of the first health and fitness apps I downloaded to my iPhone. Keep tracking of what you eat, how much of it, and all if it’s nutrient values (including calories) can not be in the palm of your hand. There are a number of name-brand food items or you can add your own. It also takes your daily exercise into account. By FitNow, Inc. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

MyFitnessPal (Free) – This award-winning app has won accolades for many reasons, including hosting the largest food database of any iPhone calorie counter with over 3,000,000 foods! It is hands-down is one of the best all-in-one calorie counter and exercise trackers with its enormous catalog of foods, meals, and recipes. It even includes barcode scanner for finding packaged foods’ nutritional information. By MyFitnessPal.com. Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Optimized for iPhone 5.

Runkeeper (Free) – Are you a runner or a cyclist? How about a hiker or walker? If so, downloading this GPS app is a must! Filled with motivational cues and an opportunity to connect with workout buddies, this is a great little app to track your cardio. See detailed stats around your pace, distance, and time plus get notified when you hit new personal bests and milestones. By FitnessKepper, Inc. Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Optimized for iPhone 5.

ShopWell – Healthy Diet & Grocery Food Scanner (Free) – Want quick assistance reading food labels to find healthier foods and achieve your nutrition goals? Consistently ranked as one of the top health and fitness apps, with ShopWell all you need to do is scan the bar code and it will reveal nutrition facts panels, calorie count, and ingredients to help you match foods meeting your dietary needs. Scan foods in booth supermarket and at home. By YottaMark, Inc. Requires iOS 4.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Optimized for iPhone 5.

Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock (Buy) – If you are thinking, “No, I don’t need another alarm,” then you are mistaken. This “intelligent” clock not only wakes you in the lightest sleep, but analyzes your sleep. Getting enough sound sleep is just as crucial to being healthy as a healthy diet and regular exercise. This app uses the accelerometer in your iPhone to monitor your sleep movements in addition to providing metrics about how well you slept. By Maciek Drejak Labs. Requires iOS 5.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Optimized for iPhone 5.

VigorWay (Free) – This is the first social network designed to give active health and fitness enthusiasts a place to share their journeys and connect with others. Surround yourself in an online world with those who eat, sleep, breath, and believe in your healthy lifestyle! Use the active categories and Geo-Tag system to see the most trending and motivational pictures across the world and get the latest news and articles from the most reputable resources. By Vigor Health & Fitness, LLC. Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Optimized for iPhone 5.

Yoga Studio (Buy) – Voted runner-up in “Best App Ever” Awards 2012 and recommended by MacLife, Fox, MSN, The Guardian, Huffington Post and others, this ultimate yoga app allows users to play, customize, and schedule easy-to-follow HD video yoga classes. Easily create unique HD video classes or participate in one of 30 ready-made yoga classes with HD videos. 20 ready-made pose blocks readily available plus library of over 280 poses with detailed advice and instructions. By Modern Lotus. Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Optimized for iPhone 5.

Remember in the end, all apps are personal choices that best fit you, your fitness lifestyle, and ultimate goals. Select apps that have features, an interface, graphics, and support that meet or exceed your expectations. You may have to try a few before determining which your prefer. If you find others you would like to add to this list, please post!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Vitamin E for Hot Flashes

24 Monday Jun 2013

Posted by in Anti-Aging, Diet, Health and Wellness, Vitamins

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week71My cousin Patricia is 10 years older than me and is experiencing hot flashes. I have heard stories from other relatives and co-workers who say they can come on at any moment and that they are dreadful. They can arrive in the middle of the night while sleeping – causing the kick off of covers – or right in the middle of first meeting with a new important client.

Patricia suggested I should ask my own mother at what age she first experienced the change of life and how were her hot flashes. Did she get them frequently or just occasionally?

Hot flashes, or hot flushes, are a sudden and quickly passing sensation of heat often is accompanied by a red, flushed face and sweating. It is a symptom of menopause and perimenopause and is caused by circulation changes. More than two-thirds women experience hot flashes during perimenopause and almost all women during menopause.

So I called my dear mom, who is still a whipper snapper in a lot of ways. When I posed the question to her, she said she was 50 when her menstrual cycle stopped for good, but for hot flashes, she never had any. Nada. Zip.

“But why not” I immediately asked?

“I took vitamin E. Just 400 daily,” she point blank responded.

Mom is so still on it, even at 88 years young. She then told me the story of her co-worker in a library where she volunteered while I was in elementary school. The head librarian complained often of the hot flashes and how unbearable they had become. Listening to her, my mother suggested that she take 400 international units (IUs) of vitamin E every night before bed. Not too long after, the librarian was thanking my mother for curing her flashes and gave her the honorary title of Dr. Falco.

Sure enough, Mom is right – again. As backed up by clinical studies published in “Journal of the International Menopause Society” and “Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy,” taking vitamin E daily at mealtime can help significantly reduce menopausal hot flashes as it acts as an estrogen substitute. It also replenishes electrolytes lost through perspiration and provides cellular protection from oxidative stress.

Some natural dietary sources of digesting vitamin E include wheat germ, safflower oil, olive oil, whole grains, peanuts, pecans, walnuts and almonds.

Other remedies to help ward off hot flashes include exercising at least for 30 minutes daily, keeping your room cool, wearing light layers of clothes, and trying deep slow abdominal breathing of six to eight breaths per minute – 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes in the evening and at the onset of hot flashes. You may also try taking a vitamin B complex and Ibuprofen. Moreover, try to eliminate or avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, cigarette smoke and stress.

Since vitamin E is fat soluble and can become toxic from overdose, consult a physician before starting supplementation. Your primary physician can also recommend the right daily dosage. Not it may be two to six weeks before the effects are felt.

Good luck, ladies!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

Book Review: “The Fat Flush Plan” by Ann Louise Gittleman

04 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by in Book Review, Diet, Health and Wellness, Metabolism

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I love to read. Give me a good book and I will be lost in it until I finish reading it. Then for days afterward, I may relish in the storyline if it’s fiction, reflect on what I have gained if it’s non-fiction.

There are different types of books I tend to read. I have well over 200 cookbooks, dozens of fitness and health books, business reads, self-help books, travel guides, pictorial coffee-table books, my children’s storybooks, and a ton of literature. All of Tess Gerritsen’s works. Numerous Danielle Steele, Mary Higgins Clark and John Grisham novels. J. K. Rowling, V. C. Andrews and E. L. James. I can’t leave out Nicholas Sparks, Dan Brown and James Patterson. And one of my very first authors I adored, Agatha Christie. All stored in my floor-to-ceiling bookcase that graces one complete wall in my family room and categorized by genre.

One of my favorite healthy eating books is the international best-seller “The Fat Flush Plan” by Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S. I remember distinctly one I first learned of this author, American nutritionist and detox proponent who is named one of the top 10 nutritionists by Self Magazine and author of over 30 books. I was coming home from skiing in Mont Tremblant, Canada and chatting away with a fellow skier, Sue Simms. She was sharing with the wonderful results she had while on diet of the “The Fat Flush Plan.” Since I am the forever learner who is always tinkering around with my diet to find out what works best with me, I was eager to pick up this book and give it a read.

Eat healthy foods, cleanse your liver and lose weight was the underlining message of Gittleman’s book which has sold millions of copies and is on the The New Times’ bestseller list. Not that I want to lose weight, but I am always interested in learning ways to eat even healthier and was interested in “revolutionary diet” claims that eating a certain way will also reduce and/or eliminate cellulite. Not that I have much, but what little I do have I wish was gone! So I thought I’d put the words of this book into action and try the tips that supposed helps to melt fat from hips, waist, and thighs in only two weeks plus will help to reshape your body while detoxifying.

The book starts out discussing the basics of what are the five hidden weight gain factors that prevent weight loss followed by an overview of actual plan itself which has the goal of increasing your metabolism with nutritional supplements, flushing out bloat and speeding up fat loss while also helping you to kick the caffeine habit if you have one. The diet is based on the belief that essential fats are absolutely necessary for rapid weight loss, longevity and good health. The diet relies on a unique combination of 40% healthy essential fats, 30% balanced proteins, and 30% low-glycemic carbohydrates from fat flushing fruits and vegetables to provide the weight loss results you want. The Plan also heavily relies on its liver cleansers – cranwater, “Long Life Cocktails” to start and end your days, hot cups of water and lemon juice plus an array of fat burning, water regulating, and insulin controlling herbs and spices.

Next, the three phases of The Plan are shared. Phase One includes a two week, “cleaning out,” fat flush strategy, requiring the elimination of wheat, dairy and sugar and a diet of only 1,100 to 1,200 calorie per day. This stage is the jumpstart to your weight loss. And surprising whatever fat you do have starts to melt away and bloating disappears. You can stay on this phase of the program for longer if you have more fat to lose.

Phase Two is for people with more weight to lose and allows the person to have a variety of food choices a more diverse diet which even includes carbs. Daily intake is now 1,200 to 1,500 calories. You can stay on this stage until you hit your desired weight. The book also includes meal plans and recipes and tips for eating out.

The “Lifestyle Eating Plan” is for to sustaining and maintaining your desired weight is discussed in Phase Three. This is the maintenance stage of The Fat Flush Plan and allows you to eat 1,500 or more calories per day. Certain carbs, grains and dairy products are now allowed.

Does this detox diet plan work? For me, yes. I personally dropped 14 pounds following this plan, an amount too much for my body build so I gained back five. And what little cellulite I had diminished. To this day, the “Lifestyle Eating Plan” is the basis of my diet. I still drink the cranwater and have added the Fat Flush Plan smoothies. I eat very little carbs and never any white ones. I incorporate lots of fresh vegetables and fruits plus nuts and daily servings of fish or poultry. And flaxseed is now part of my daily diet.

“The Fat Flush Plan” is as groundbreaking as it claims. By going on The Plan and committing yourself to its guidelines, you will submit yourself to one of the most complete processes of weight loss and detox you’ll ever experience. There are also several subsequent books by Gittleman, including: “Fat Flush for Life,” “The Fast Track Detox Diet,” “The Flat Flush Cookbook” and “The Fat Flush Foods” among others.

Gittleman’s “The Fat Flush Plan” is worth the read. And if you up to the challenge, go for the diet!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

The Meaningful Benefits of Meditation and Exercising

05 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by in Exercising, Health and Wellness

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Yesterday while I was running on the treadmill, there is was nothing too exciting on TV. When I run on a treadmill, a must for me is my iPhone with my favorite blood-pumping tunes playing semi-loudly in my head and ideally a television to help change the scenery as I literally go nowhere during my mileage goal of the day.

But yesterday I missed out with the visuals. So instead I changed my tunes to a mix of the Jimmy Buffet and the Beach Boys. I closed my eyes, submerged myself into the lyrics and melodies – transporting my mind to a memory of running on the beach in Hunington Beach California. All of a sudden, I was running across the bridge over the Pacific Coast Highway, linking the Hyatt Regency to the serene and tranquil beach. I then continued my run on the paved path along the sand with the sun and ocean to my left and people all about biking, sunning and just enjoying the beautiful weather.

I was no longer on a treadmill in a gym on a gloomy overcast day in Pennsylvania. Instead, I was in a place that just spikes one’s adrenaline due to sheer setting. I felt even more energized and happier with my run. I was in the zone. And the plotted mileage flew by.

This is not the first time I transported myself while exercising. I often meditate while running outside and especially while swimming laps indoors. Many meditate with yoga, but when I’m doing yoga I’m focusing on getting the pose just right. Most prefer to meditate where it’s quiet as it helps with the transporting. For me, music adds to the feeling and I can arrive quicker. Other popular mediation exercises include walking, cycling and working out on an elliptical.

Meditation helps more than the ticking away of the clock, getting through a monotonous exercise, or powering through a difficult regimen. It lessens stress and anxiety, helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and can provide more energy while releasing the feel good endorphins. Meditation also benefits those suffering from eating disorders, allergies, and depression as well as chronic health conditions, such as pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and AIDS. It can help with resistance and channeling for those trying to kick a drug addiction in addition those changing their diets to lose unwanted weight.

Having a strong body and a strong mind is a powerful combination. One fights off weakness, illnesses and injuries while the other wards off worry, despair, stress and poor health. Both the American Heart Association and National Institutes of Health recommend meditation and for at least 15 to 20 minutes a day. This may be challenging at first, so at least try for 5 minutes and build for there.

So make the time to meditate. Make yourself immune all the way around.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana