What are the latest and greatest health-related products? How can I spice up my ho-hum workout? Are the new nutritious food products and health-focused restaurants worth my money? If you're asking any of these questions you've found the right spot!Note: While I'm a journalist with a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology and am a Certified Health Education Specialist, I don't replace the guidance/counseling that comes from a good chat with your doctor or dietitian. For more information, feel free to contact me at karlaswalsh@gmail.com!
Healthful Bites
1. Push yourself for a longer lasting calorie burn. In a small study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, scientists found that an individual’s calorie burn level remains elevated for more than 14 hours after a vigorous exercise session! The participants burned, on average, 520 calories during an intense 45-minute biking workout. Then, in the following 14 hours, their burn rate continued to chug along even while sedentary, resulting in nearly 200 additional calories torched, compared to if they were sedentary the hours before. The study authors say that, due to these findings, two to three high-intensity workouts per week could have a fairly substantial influence on overall calorie expenditure (if exercisers also keep an eye on their food intake).
(Image from Cathe)
Step up your routine to give your calorie burn a major boost.
2. Nosh on winter’s most nutritious foods. Artichokes, blackberries, brussels sprouts, lima beans, mangoes, spinach and winter squash are all top shelf, seasonal foods available in the chilliest season. Get them while they’re hot (ha!) and whip up one of these simple recipes from Runner’s World. If you cook ‘em right, even brussels sprouts can be tasty! Here’s a meal packed with those ingredients:
- Oh My Squash! Pot Stickers (Hungry Girl)
- Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach (Food Network/Ellie Krieger)
- Healthy Blackberry Crisp (SparkPeople Recipes)
3. Sound off on “touchy” yoga instructors. There’s a large “gray” area when it comes to touchy yoga teachers, The New York Times reports. In fact, certain injury-inducing or uncomfortable adjustments by instructors have led to lawsuits (no joke!). In that case, I think the one source is wise to briefly ask his students before pushing them further into the stretch or tweaking their form.
So what do you think: Should group fitness instructors maintain a “hands off” policy or use any means necessary to help students achieve perfect form?
