Thursday, October 25, 2007

CONGRATULATIONS

ACCORDING TO MY STATISTICS YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON TO READ THIS WHO ISN'T MY MOTHER.

Run Towards the Light

Fitness shouldn't be forceful. Fitness should be a welcomed part of your day, week, month, year. Running is a necessary part to this equation and last weekend I realized how unfit I truly was. While the weather was perfect I decided to get up and run along the boardwalk in Hoboken. Here you will find one of the most picturesque backgrounds not to mention lots of motivation. Being the weekend warrior I have become I went out and did 3 miles cold turkey. Impressive until Sunday morning when the pain kicked in. My fitness goal had been achieved. My health, in trouble. What I realized on my journey was the value and importance of where ever you decide to venture. Three miles did feel like three miles. It felt more like from my apartment to the water and back. Could you imagine running on a treadmill for three miles. I know when I did it, it was just counting down until the time I could stop. Not motivating, not invigorating, and most importantly not fun. Trails, parks and sports are great ways to disguise the running needed to stay in shape.
The only thing I have going for me is the two and a half mile walk I do everyday to and from work but this will only carry me so far. Doctor's insist ten thousand a day will keep you well within your fitness goals. Truthfully it is all about adjustment. Everyday you need to push yourself a little further and a little harder or else your body adapts to the point of no improvement. Fitness isn't easy otherwise everyone would do it and nothing easy is worth doing. Listen to some music, lace up the nikes and you will be right back where you started in just under an hour.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Looking for contributing Editors in Health and Fitness

If you have an expertise in Nutrition, Health or Fitness Gimme20.com is looking for your help in creating the internet's highest quality source for Health and Fitness information. Contributing editors will be asked to write articles and participate in various community activities. The strength of our site is the people and for you it can be a great chance to build a following, add to your resume, and expand your horizons. We look forward to hearing from you and Getting Healthy. Together.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Water, Water everywhere and thats what you should Drink

Water is without a doubt the building blocks of life. But, did you know water can be just the thing to cut those unwanted and unnecessary calories in your diet. Studies show that nearly 20% of our calorie intake per day comes from liquids. Coffees, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, etc are major culprits in people struggle against weight gain. I know for coffee drinkers this could be considered blasphemy but, cutting these drinks out can be the equivalent of a trip to the gym. Strictly on a calorie count basis. There are even more reasons to switch to water than calories.
  • Flush out toxins
  • Reduce your risk of heart attack
  • Help with joint and muscle pain
  • Boost your metabolic rate
  • Improve organ function
  • Keep you regular
  • Prevent headaches
  • Promote healthy skin
  • Regulate body temperature
  • Get energized and improve alertness
Water is not the most exciting thing in the world to drink but, adding some lemon or a dip or two of a tea bag can add some flavor without breaking the calorie bank. Studies have even begun to determine that water can keep you alert and motivated better than coffee as well. I know, I know. This thinking is revolutionary but perhaps this story may make my case. I have never had a cup of coffee. Its true. I am a working man, college graduate who has never had a cup of coffee. Even still I am able to maintain myself through the day and perform tasks just as well as everyone else. So give water a try it just may change your life.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Its Marathon Season

November in NY means the Marathon is right around the corner. November 4th to be exact. 26.4 miles are not easy to come by so here are the steps you need to take to go from weekend warrior to Marathon Maven. Please consult your doctor, or better yet see at least two.

1. Follow through. It is no secret that people often join a gym an go three times. When it comes to running a marathon get others to help keep you going.

2. A slow build up. Injury, becoming overwhelmed, and time will be your biggest challenges to overcome. Experts suggest you increase your mileage by 10% each week up to 10 miles per week than increase by 2 mile increments per week. An 8 week build up should look like this, 20-22-24-20-26-28-30-20 miles per week.

3. Run, run, run, and rest. Marathons can last4-10 hours, learning to be on your feet this long is a challenge all in itself. The other half of the equation is rest. Keep them in perfect harmony while training. 3:1 as the title suggests.

4. Pick up the pace. As you progress push yourself a little harder and make an attempt to bring your time per mile down.

5. Before a marathon, tennis, or whatever it is you are participating in eat your carbs. Your body needs them for energy and the absorption of water. Both vitaly important to any physical activity.

Lastly have fun. Most people cannot say they have run a marathon and for that reason what you will accomplish is incredible. If you plan on participating or know someone who is the NY area I would love to hear from you and perhaps train along side of you. I look forward to hearing from anyone, everyone, no one.

Its in the Mail as they Say

Who is they, they is (I know its not proper grammar) AbeBooks. Enroute to purchasing the book for class I used the website AbeBooks. I discovered them the way it seems most people discover anything on the web, Google. Sponsored link specifically. Since this is a comparrison to Amazon.com I would give the experience and less than Amazon, mark. The site is built similar and so is the navagation but this is where the similarities ended. I found it difficult to find the book even though I knew exaclty what I was looking for. The purchasing of the book was easy enough. It uses paypal for which I have an account but I still had to register to be an AbeBooks member. Something I despise doing if I don't have to. I know why they are making me register, information is valuable. I do get it but why force me when I am only making a one time purchase. I would rate the experience much higher if not for this.

Then the waiting game began. Immediately after my purchase I received verification of my purchase and even a verification that it had shipped. Great! 12 days ago I got that message, 12 days. When I called I heard the words I knew I would, "It's in the mail". It was inevitable and bad service. Perhaps they orderd from Amazon before sending it to me. Either way its been 12 days and no book for me. Stay tuned for more, I know I will be.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Who do you encounter at the Gym?

We all have different reasons for going to the gym. You may want to get bigger, smaller, healthier but popular? What ever the reason for going, great. Over the years I have noticed a lot of interesting things and even more interesting people. When you think about it we all must be crazy to pay to do work. Below you will find my categories of people, but feel free to add your own.

Socialites: Hmm how do we spot these people. The best part is that there is no need they will find you. Typically these people attend regularly and get the least amount done. I remember one guy in particular would hover around one piece of equipment from the time I got there until the time I left, stopping everyone asking how the family, job, neighbor was. A great job for this group would be a cruise director. Although they are an integral part of feeling comfortable.

Meat Heads: These tremendously big people are the epitome of physical health in many regards and by far the most intimidating. When they want a piece of equipment at the gym they can part a sea of regular joes (see below). These often former athletes, body builders, and guys who had the name OX in high school will frequent the gym and have the IPod blaring.

Tough Guys: How would I characterize this group, as being tough of course. Often you can here these fellows talking loudly about how much they can bench or how their sex life is. These people are often not in the condition or shape of Meat Heads but they wear the least amount of clothing allowable to show off what they do offer.

The Obssesed: This is the group who must be escorted out of the gym. At a gym I used to belong to one woman was asked to leave after 3 hours on the treadmill. If the legend is true, she then went to the gym next door to continue her quest to reach the carrot at the end of the string. Sad, yes but, it could be worse drugs, alcohol, purses. This person can be a case study in to much fitness can be a bad thing.

New Years Resolution: They came, they saw, we never saw them again. Often found between january 1 and january 1.25

Regular Joe: This group goes regularly maybe 3 days a week and is conscious but not obsessed. This group makes up majority. Moderation can be the key to success and they do abide by it.

These groups create a perfect mix ina society where they can be considered outcasts for caring at all. Find your gym, find friends, and achieve success. No one should have to do it alone.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Even My Grandmother can beat you on the Wii, Seriously

A couple months ago my grandmother could not turn on a computer. Times are changing for the gaming industry and everyone is in its path. You must be asking why is he writing about gaming systems on a fitness blog, well settle down I will tell you.

Fitness comes in many shapes and sizes, there is no right answer. With a strong push from Nintendo with their Wii-Fit and the adaptation to the elderly it appears to be a formidable choice. Earlier in the year Nintendo released games using their unique wand and motion sensitive controllers to increase hand eye coordination, heart rate and physical activity. There is no questions sometime outside is beneficial but for some it may be a great alternative to getting larger on the couch. For years Dance Dance Revolution has been the staple of this progression. The game allows users to dance their way to a high score and for anyone who has ever played it works up quite a sweat. Certified Personal Trainer of the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) have agreed the Wii can be a great tool for keeping in shape.

The question is why not, we simulate running on a treadmill or steps on a stair master. Is taking tennis lessons on your entertainment system or increasing your metabolism and increase your intent to do physical activity just that far fetched. I mean after all my grandmother can pretty much destroy me in the Wii tennis game and I must say it has improved her driving, as long as shes the passenger.

The next stage of Wii-Fit will include yoga and pilates. Brilliant strategy, great marketing, and I beginning to believe it will make a difference in the largest nation, physically. Long story short get out and enjoy the sunshine before your virtual world becomes a nicer place.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

The not so great fast food debate

Since Ray Kroc turned the McDonalds brothers invention into one of the most well known corporations on earth. Fast food has become part of the fabric of not just America but our idealogoy as well. We are all so busy, look at us on cell phones texting, checking stock quotes. Americans need a meal that works with them.

Anyone who saw the documentary "Super Size Me" can atest that doctors recommend you eat fast food no more than twice a month. On a side note because of that documentary I have not eaten fast food myself in roughly 4 years. The health ramifications of a fast food diet have been tied to Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity, and the list goes on. A friend of mine is the head cardiologist at a top, top hospital in the US. He told me that doctors in his group have a term for bypass surgery, its called "The Golden Arches." The reasoning is when they open the arteries it forms an "M" shape and inside is the solidified golden fats and waste. Disturbing, right?

Studies at the University of Minnesota have shown that over a 15 year period people who eat fast food more than twice a week gained 10 pounds per year compared to their counterparts who did not eat fast food at all. The idea here is to be careful what you consume. Did you know that high fructose corn syrup that is used in dozens of products including soda is illegal in Japan for being to dangerous. A substance that we consume pounds of per year.

If you must eat at a fast food restaurant stick with the smaller portions, ask for the sandwiches without things like mayo and although the salads might be tasteless after the dressing has been added it may contain more calories than a "Big Mac." There really isn't much of a great fast food debate.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Fitness, Irony

People often can not see just two feet in front of their face. When it comes to health and fitness it only gets worse. It took a very lovely couple on a plane to L.A. (which makes sense) to realize it. While they were playing healthy food fact or fiction the flight attendant came by with our meals. I also was surprised the airline still served, and at such great quality. The plate contained a sandwich, fruit, yogurt and a couple other items. The couple glanced over the plate and began to debate each item with meticulous detail. This until they collaboratively decided which each could have. Personally it was kind of a pleasure to see how much each cared about the food they consume.

It wasn't until the plane landed I began to see the fault in peoples thinking. Your health must be with in your top three priorities for any change to occur. A fact this couple clearly understood. The thing was they didn't apply it to each situation, when walking through the airport to the baggage claim they used the people mover, when stairs were an option they chose the escalator. Keeping a healthy lifestyle is not as difficult as this couple believed it would be but the small things in life can add up.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Fast Food. Value at what cost?

I don't feel that this article will break ground in suggesting that fast food restaurants are not healthy. I myself have not eaten any fast food in nearly five years. Compared to my prior consumption of McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, and Taco Bell a couple times a week, it is an impressive feat. Since I became aware of the troubles that fast food has caused I have heard an anecdote that made me cringe and I am ecstatic to share it with you now.

Fast Food is filled with preservatives:
When visiting Vancouver a couple months ago I had the pleasure of tacking a ride in Sanji's taxi to the airport. While on the way we passed a sign for the Shrek, McDonalds promotion. As usual I made an off the cuff comment about how fitting it was an Ogre would eat their product. Sanji laughed and then proceeded to tell me this story about one of his recent passengers.

Bob was visiting Canada for the first time in this winter and found McDonalds and fast food to be a novelty of sorts. After purchasing two burgers off the dollar menu he ate one and put the second in his pocket, for later on. Well as it turns out later on became a year. As the seasons began to change he went back and put on his coat finding the second burger in his pocket. As he slowly opened the wrapper expecting the worse, worse than he expected actually happened. The burger wasn't moldy or infested, it was in perfect condition. The meat, the pickles, the ketchup, the bun, everything.

If it takes that long to decompose I can only imagine how long it takes your body to break it down. If only there was some sort of Food or even Drug Administration to regulate the fast food industry. Well then things would really be great.



Zack
Co-Owner
Http://www.gimme20.com

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Why the Atkins Diet is not for you

How could I know the Atkins diet is not right for you if we have never met. I know this because you are human. Despite its enormous popularity and founder (Dr. Robert Atkins was 255lbs at his death) it has some terrible side effects on the human body.

The idea of the Atkins diet is simple, eat high protein foods and reduce or eliminate the intake of carbohydrates found in breads, pastas, cookies, rice, etc. What this will do is force your body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates as well as reducing your appetite. While in theory this sounds great there is a reason the food pyramid suggests you have six to eleven servings of carbohydrates per day. The Atkins diet claims you can lose ten pounds in two weeks a very aggressive claim considering physicians recommend safe weight loss should occur at two to three pounds per week. Interestingly after the first two weeks the Atkins diet only claims a loss of one pound per week.

Why is there such a sharp drop off in results? The reason is water weight. The average person is 65% water. Water is found in bones, muscles, and it is stored in carbohydrates. With some simple math we can deduce that a 175 pound man would be roughly 105 pounds of water. Since there is a lack of carbohydrates in your system water escapes at a very fast pace. You may notice this when you are working out an need to drink twice as much water than normal. The side effects of this can be devastating. People who stick with the Atkins diet for an extensive period of time will often have tooth decay, bad breath as a result of Ketosis, weak bones, insomnia, dizziness, and reduced muscle mass. There are some irreversible drawbacks that can be found in a high protein diet which has a lot more fat than a diet of carbohydrates, they include increased cholesterol, risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and kidney failure.

So what does your body do to cope? Actually as a result it creates more fat to keep the water in your system and because water is used to regulate your body temperature the fat acts as insulation in its absence. Is the get thin quick regiment starting to look less attractive. I hope so.

There is only one diet that works and that is burn more calories than you take in. Stick to about 2500 to 3000 calories a day with a balanced diet and exercise regularly, just like your parents told you. See they can be right.

Zack
Co-Owner
http://www.gimme20.com

Thursday, September 27, 2007

America, Your not eating enough.

A very audacious claim, no? Considering we are the largest nation in the world what possible reasoning could I have for saying this. How many people reading this eat breakfast every morning? A study done by the National Weight Control Registry found that 80% of people who eat breakfast daily are able to keep their weight controlled for a year and beyond. Many were able to lose 30 pounds over the course of that year.

So why is breakfast so instrumental in weight control? It has to do with early activation of your metabolism. If you eat a large breakfast early in the day it will give your body the most amount of time to burn it off, while providing a greater amount of energy and concentration to your activites. Next the need for snacking throughout the day will be decreased. We tend to have our largest meal prior to doing the least activity, in the evening. The final reason is breakfast supports a healthier lifestyle and mindset. If fitness and health is not in your top three priorities then nothing will be accomplished.

The things included in such a breakfast are nothing out of the ordinary, eggs and ham or perhaps cereal and some fruit. Stay away from things like donuts and fast food, which should go without saying. Eat a healthy breakfast and it will reward you everyday. I look forward to hearing your comments.


Zack
http://www.gimme20.com

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Picking the Right Gym

What is involved in picking the right gym? Companies like NYSC and Gold's have made a fortune running them but, what makes us choose one gym over the other. In this case I am really looking for your feedback. One factor must involve location. Getting people off the couch even on a beautiful Saturday is no easy task, let alone keeping a new years resolution one makes every year. So a gym that is close in proximity will reduce the number of excuses one can make about going. Factor two, the facilities. No one wants to use grungy, dirty, or dilapidated equipment. Its both dangerous and gross. Factor three, the price. Money is the great divider between what we have and what we want. Many gyms these days ask for a down payment. This must be the only industry that can charge you for you to do all the work and this will surely excite those who are not serious. Fee's can range from $25 a month to several hundred. Factor 4, people. Are your friends there, is it always crowded, is there people my age. The people around can be great motivators either by example or with the follow through. The last and final factor, five. The staff. Trainers, spin classes, yoga, what a gym offers and the people who support it can make all the difference. These people are paid to take an interest in you achieving your goals and you should use that to your advantage. Its no coincidence they often look how we would we want to. So reach out and tell me which one helps you pick the right gym.

Zack
Co-owner
http://www.gimme20.com

Sunday, September 23, 2007

My opening statement

Welcome,
I will pre-apologize for this post as it may read more like a resume than a blog. I figure before I start placing these blogs on the sites that I own I may as well tell you something about me. Where would I like to visit most you ask. If I could visit anywhere in the world it would probably be Greece. I am not greek myself but I do like the history behind it.

Since I graduated Towson University in May 06(on time) with a degree in Sports Management and Kinisiology, I have genuinely made an attempt to branch out into as many things as possible. If your not failing your not trying. Which brings me to my current line of work as an Internet marketing Consultant. Prior to graduation I never knew there was more to the internet than AIM and espn.com. Since that time I have spent the last two years as the head of business development for start up and now a member of the consumer sponsorship marketing team at WebMD. I have also started my own consulting web property management firm called WeKnowThe.com. Yes, now what does that mean? Without being to salesy we will manage your website, as opposed to build it and leave you hanging or market it and tell you what to fix.

I have included a link below if your interested enough in seeing one of my clients. Look forward to working with all of you and as David said helping each other out. Comments and critics are always welcome.

http://www.gimme20.com (another place these blogs will appear for now on)