When we think of a product with the "diet" descriptor attached to it, we naturally assume that it would be a healthier choice for us than its non-diet counterpart. This is not always the case, however. In some cases, a "diet" option is not a healthier choice, and so must be avoided altogether.
With a rise in processed food consumption in general, there has also been an increase in sugar consumption that leads to obesity and various obesity-related diseases. Most people are pretty familiar with this concept. An example of this would be a marked rise in regular soda consumption, which greatly increases our sugar intake, and leads to obesity and other diseases such as Diabetes. In following with this example, we don't often realize that diet soda can have similar effects on the body as regular soda. What we sometimes don't understand is that the "diet" attached to a soda product name is actually a misnomer.
There have been some studies showing that increasing the amount of artificial sweeteners you consume increases your desire for sugar. Eating or drinking large amounts of sugar does lead to obesity and obesity-related disorders. In addition, it has been noted that consuming significant amounts of aspartame produces a similar effect in the body that consuming sugar does by increasing sugar and insulin levels. Sudden and rapid increases in insulin actually conditions your body to not respond to its increase, which is a symptom of the obesity-related disorder, Type II Diabetes.
Whether or not people who drink diet drinks regularly have an increased risk of Type II Diabetes across the board is still under investigation; however, it has been shown that this group of people is more susceptible to metabolic disorders which are often a precursor to Type II Diabetes. The bottom line is that diet sodas can still be a risk.
Perhaps this is a good time to begin cutting sodas and diet drinks out of your diet and replacing them with low-to-no sugar options? There is not time like the present! Remember that changing your health habits is up to you!
If you are interested in reading more about this subject, the following article will be helpful:
The truth about diet soda and diabetes: Diet soda increases the risk of diabetes
Friday, February 22, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Assessing Your Workout
We are now into the month of February, can you believe it? We are well in to 2013, and I have one question for you - have you kept up with your workout goals that you created as part of your New Year's Resolution? Statistically speaking, the majority of people who create new goals for themselves in January have abandoned them by March. I would love for you to have the tools to to assess your workouts so that you can be as effective as possible in reaching your goals.
As you think about your goals, are they realistic?
1. Do you have a time frame for meeting your goal? If you don't have a time frame for finishing, then your goal is probably not a realistic; open-ended goals are rarely accomplished.
2. Is it something you can accomplish on your own, or do you need to hire a personal trainer to help you? Don't be intimidated, if you need a trainer, it is always worth the money and time spent because he or she will make sure you have realistic goals based on your current fitness level, and help you reach them more quickly than if you remain on your own.
3. Are they based on your current fitness level, prior workout history, prior injuries or illnesses, and current medical conditions? These are important things to take note of in order to be truly successful. Your new exercise routine must be tailored to where you are personally.
As you think about your exercise routine, have you included all components of fitness?
1. Have you included flexibility training? This is important for injury prevention, increased blood flow to the muscles, and total body flexibility.
2. Have you included strength training? Strength training is a "must" for any training regimen. It is important for gaining functional strength, avoiding injury, and increasing weight loss.
3. Have you included cardiovascular training? This is going to keep your heart and circulatory system healthy and happy, and help with weight loss.
4. Have you included balance training? This significantly lowers risk of falling in older adulthood.
These are some basic questions to assess where you are in the process of reaching your goals. If you have "fallen off the wagon," or realize that maybe your goals aren't specific enough or reachable on your own, don't lose heart! Talk to a professional in the fitness industry who can help you be successful. If you do hire a personal trainer, remember that it is always okay to ask about what certifications they have, their training experience, and what populations they specialize in training. Take whatever steps you need to in order to have lasting change for 2013!
As you think about your goals, are they realistic?
1. Do you have a time frame for meeting your goal? If you don't have a time frame for finishing, then your goal is probably not a realistic; open-ended goals are rarely accomplished.
2. Is it something you can accomplish on your own, or do you need to hire a personal trainer to help you? Don't be intimidated, if you need a trainer, it is always worth the money and time spent because he or she will make sure you have realistic goals based on your current fitness level, and help you reach them more quickly than if you remain on your own.
3. Are they based on your current fitness level, prior workout history, prior injuries or illnesses, and current medical conditions? These are important things to take note of in order to be truly successful. Your new exercise routine must be tailored to where you are personally.
As you think about your exercise routine, have you included all components of fitness?
1. Have you included flexibility training? This is important for injury prevention, increased blood flow to the muscles, and total body flexibility.
2. Have you included strength training? Strength training is a "must" for any training regimen. It is important for gaining functional strength, avoiding injury, and increasing weight loss.
3. Have you included cardiovascular training? This is going to keep your heart and circulatory system healthy and happy, and help with weight loss.
4. Have you included balance training? This significantly lowers risk of falling in older adulthood.
These are some basic questions to assess where you are in the process of reaching your goals. If you have "fallen off the wagon," or realize that maybe your goals aren't specific enough or reachable on your own, don't lose heart! Talk to a professional in the fitness industry who can help you be successful. If you do hire a personal trainer, remember that it is always okay to ask about what certifications they have, their training experience, and what populations they specialize in training. Take whatever steps you need to in order to have lasting change for 2013!
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