Better Body San Diego Podcast

We've all heard of "time zones," "slow speed zones," "construction zones," "no fly zones," "school zones" and the like, but I would like to introduce you to the NO EXCUSE ZONE. As you embark on a new month and a new fall season, you have an important choice to make. Are you going to jump on the train to a healthy and fit lifestyle or opt for a layover until the New Year’s resolution season rolls around?  NOW is do or die for establishing a fitness routine before the busy holiday season arrives. Don’t miss out on this small window of opportunity to get back into the healthy habits that you may have abandoned during the past months. It’s time to bust through your excuses and establish a routine that will get you the results you want. Welcome, to the NO EXCUSE ZONE. Fitness Together Mission Hills offers personal training with qualified professionals by regular appointment in private suites. Exercise and nutritional programs are custom designed to fit your needs and abilities. Call 619-794-0014 for more informati

What does it take to be a runner? Short shorts, bright socks, $100 shoes, a GPS watch and personalized playlists? Maybe a dog, water bottles attached to your hips and joining a running gang that meets before sunrise to get mileage in?Well, in all actuality, being a runner only means putting one foot in front of the other, again and again, until the next thing you know you’ve put together enough continuous steps to run one mile, then two, three and four. It really is that simple. If you are new to running and not sure where to start, follow these 10 simple steps to make running fun, enjoyable and part of your regular fitness routine. 

http://fitnesstogether.com/missionhills - With summer temperatures on the rise, it can be hard to focus on your workouts and keep your eye on the prize. As sweat drips down your face and clothes stick in various places, it's a lot easier to throw in the towel and accept defeat, instead of sticking to your routine and beating the heat. To keep from melting away this summer, overcome the intense hot sun with a consistent fitness routine that is active, cool and fun.  Say Hello to Hydration Drinking enough water throughout the year is an important component for everyone's lifestyle. But when temperatures climb in the hot summer months and you are active outdoors, consistently drinking enough water is even more critical to maintaining your health and safety. Hydration before a workout in the heat is really important. And the more you perspire during your workout the more water you need to drink.  Drink eight to 12 ounces of water before you work out in the heat and then consistently throughout the workout. Drink

http://fitnesstogether.com/missionhills -- The total package of living a healthy lifestyle not only includes being physically fit, but also mentally strong. The same energy and attention you put into building your body's strength, endurance and flexibility should also be applied to having a positive attitude and perspective on life. It takes combining mental and physical strength with solid nutrition habits to build a body and brain that can successfully work together to accomplish your life's goals. Mind Over Matter Living a well-balanced healthy lifestyle starts with focusing on your mental, physical and nutritional health during your daily life activities. If you are not 100 percent on your nutrition, training and attitude, one or all of those is bound to suffer. Your attitude in the weight room, on the elliptical or while using the battle rope has to stay with you while you are on the construction site, taking care of the kids or sitting in your office. One of the first steps to obtaining a strong body an

http://www.fitnesstogether.com/missionhills January in July: Re-Commit to Your Resolutions this Summer  Do you make health and fitness resolutions to start out the New Year, but end up abandoning them before the first summer heat wave? Are you having a difficult time living a healthy and fit lifestyle this summer with the lure of outdoor barbecues and poolside parties? Have no fear – resolutions aren’t just for the start of the New Year any more. Now that you have hit the mid-point of the year, July is the perfect time to re-align your health and fitness goals. Close out the second half stretch strong and feeling great with the following tips to re-commit to your resolutions and incorporate fitness into your daily activities. Set Real Resolutions for Real Results One of the biggest obstacles for staying on track and achieving your resolutions is setting realistic goals that focus on long-term health and fitness results. Short-term goals of losing a certain amount of weight in only a few days or weeks is not o

http://www.fitnesstogether.com/missionhills STAY GREEN WITH AN ACTIVE FITNESS ROUTINE While tree leaves and backyard lawns are well known for appearing in shades of glorious green colors this time of year, you also can bring some green to your fitness routine as you embark on living a healthy and fit lifestyle this spring. Summer is the perfect time to focus on the Three R’s of the environment by incorporating the following green tips into your active fitness routine. Reduce:  While the common attitude in today’s culture is, “more is better,” the health and vitality of the planet relies on fewer toxins in the air for the betterment of the world and the people who live in it.  You can not only improve the health of Mother Earth but also your fitness level by focusing this spring on reducing the car exhaust and emissions that escape from your vehicle and household into the atmosphere. You can reduce your family’s carbon footprint by riding your bike to run errands, drop off/pick up your kids from school and per

http://www.fitnesstogether.com/missionhills Four Exercise Tips to Shape Up Your Golf Game The fairways are groomed, the putting greens are smooth and the tee boxes are set. Your favorite golf course is ready for another great golf season; but is your golf game up to par?Shape up for this year’s golf season with the following exercise tips to increase your fitness level as you shoot for a season full of birdies and eagles. Tip One: Train Like An AthleteThe primary goal of training for athletes is to prevent injury, followed by improving performance. If you're injured you can’t practice, you can’t play and you can’t make your game better. That’s why Bruce Kelly, owner of the Fitness Together studio in Media, Penn., believes that the first step of an athlete’s training program should be a personalized fitness assessment that tests range of motion, strength and flexibility. If you don’t have an established baseline to work from, then you won’t have a clear direction toward accomplishing your golf fitness goals th

http://www.fitnesstogether.com/missionhills FLAT BELLY TIPS THAT REALLY WORK Why do some of us gain weight around the middle and others not? Where you tend to store body fat is related primarily to your genetic disposition. If you have an excessive amount of body fat, and heredity dictates storage around the middle, then unfortunately you will gain fat in the abdominal area. That said, many women notice abdominal weight gain when they go through menopause. This is because hormonal shifts can change the way the body breaks down and stores fat—hence a redistribution of body fat and the tendency for it to accumulate in the belly as women grow older. This tendency is particularly unhealthy, as excessive abdominal fat, especially the deep abdominal fat—called visceral fat—increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. What really works to get rid of stubborn belly fat? The good news in the battle of belly bulge is that there are three scientifically proven lifestyle changes you CAN m

http://www.fitnesstogether.com/missionhills Kick Start Your Summer Body by Focusing on a Healthy, Fit Lifestyle With the countdown to summer in full swing, it's time to start focusing on a total body health and fitness routine. Whether struggling to shed the last few winter pounds, maintaining weekend warrior fitness levels or competing as an endurance athlete, everyone can benefit from a fit, healthy lifestyle built around brain wellness, body fitness and belly health. Spring is the perfect time to start putting in the work to achieving overall health and fitness with National Public Health Week (April) and World Health Day (April) leading the way to a healthier society. As the theme for National Health Week states, "A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement!"1 It is time to put all excuses and distractions behind you, as today is the day to start moving toward a healthy lifestyle that will lead to positive mental, physical and overall well-being results. Let's get started! Brain Wellness A healthy

http://www.fitnesstogether.com/missionhills Taking Nutrition Outdoors: 5 superfoods that cook up great on the grill Juicy peaches, red ripe and sweet tomatoes, fresh picked corn-on-the-cob. Its summer, the produce stands are brimming with farm fresh fruits and vegetables—two food categories that Americans simply do not eat enough of.  So why not try grilling them to help you up your daily intake? What’s great about grilling veggies is they taste better grilled than just about any other way! Remember that marinating fruits and veggies first (such as coating quickly with a touch of olive oil and balsamic vinegar) will help them caramelize better to bring out the flavors. So, try these five superfoods that grill up perfectly, and give your summer BBQ a healthful makeover: 1. Pineapple. Most fruit is too fragile to grill. Not true for pineapple! Hearty pineapple is definitely an exception to this rule and tastes sweet and delicious after just a few minuteson the flame. Brush with a touch of extra virgin olive oi

http://fitnesstogether.com/missionhills - Around this time of the year, as opportunities arise to trade in daily workouts for work, and personal extracurricular activities, you may be tempted to skip your workout and derail your health and fitness goals.To help keep you focused on your ultimate fitness goals and ensure your workout commitments stay intact, incorporate the following techniques for continued health and fitness throughout the year. Change it Up: If your workouts are getting dull, start off fresh by trying a new workout routine or activity. Do you current routine backwards, or cut it into thirds and move the thirds around in the workout. If you’re lacking motivation and looking for a social outlet, challenge a friend, colleague or family member to pair up so you don’t have to go it solo.  Or, one-on-one personal training can keep you on track with a customized workout and nutrition plan designed to meet your specific health and fitness goals. Pen it In: Regularly scheduled workouts make exercisin

http://fitnesstogether.com/missionhills - Experts throughout the fitness community have long encouraged everyone to exercise more in order to live a healthy and fit lifestyle. Recently, the medical community has further supported the importance of encouraging adults to be more physically active, especially for individuals who have or are at high risk for life-threatening diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.1 It is more important than ever to revisit the importance of; being active and eating healthy in order to reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer, increasing fitness levels, and promoting healthy living and longevity. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), more than 572,000 Americans die of cancer each year, with 1/3 of the deaths linked to poor diet, physical inactivity and being overweight.2 The most important things you can do to help reduce cancer risk for you and your family include: Establishing and maintaining a healthy weight.Incorporating regular,

You don't have to have an elaborate gym or a destination to get a quality workout. There are plenty of moves you can do quickly, and effectively that will shake things up and reinvigorate the day. You simply need desire, your own body weight and perhaps a dash of creativity. These 4 moves in combination make for a great short burst energy boosting heart pumping mini circuit that won't take a lot of time to execute or get results from. Start easy and try to do each exercise in 10 to 15 repetition blocks. Executing these one after another in successions done several times in sequence will AMP IT UP, tighten you up, and perk you up. The Sit to Stand: Take that chair you're sitting in for example. On the one hand functional, perhaps ergonomic, and if it's in your home, stylish I'm sure. Let's use it for a couple of easy moves to elevate your heart rate. First, simple sit to stands will get us going. Position your hips near the edge of the chair. Lean your upper body forward slightly, to avoid creating momentum by

http://fitnesstogether.com/missionhills/blog - Can’t remember where you parked the car or if you unplugged the coffee pot? Worried that as you age, your memory and cognitive skills will deteriorate? Never fear—a regular exercise routine will strengthen your brain as well as your muscles! New research shows that even older adults who are physically active have a reduced risk of developing many forms of dementia. So suggests a study in the January 9, 2013 Archives of Neurology. No doubt about it, a program of regular exercise and healthy eating has immense benefits for the mind. What’s the best type of fitness program for promoting brain health?Different types of exercise positively affect the brain in different ways. What you eat also affects your brain health. Here are three scientifically proven lifestyle changes you can make that when combined together are the best way to sharpen those brain cells and protect against dementia. Eat a nutritious, antioxidant-filled diet. Now is the time to change those unhea

http://www.fitnesstogether.com/missionhills - For the most part when we eat, we don't think of our food as fuel. Yet what we eat provides the energy we need for our day's work and play. However, most of us lose sight of the grade of fuel we consume, or we are swayed by convenience to settle for less than Premium, which is what our bodies need and deserve. A good "Food As Fuel" plan answers three key questions:1. What is it exactly that I am eating? 2. How it is prepared? and 3. How is it ultimately providing the energy I need?Note the word “plan." It confirms action. We “set the table” for a fuel deficiency when we make our food choices for reasons such as: boredom, convenience, loneliness, comfort, depression, socialization, for the crunch, for the taste, and for the pure enjoyment of the decadence of it. Instead, we would benefit from a conscious examination of our eating motivations and what we chow down on as a result. Our body is a complex machine that requires the right combinations of foods to keep it

http://fitnesstogether.com/missionhills - Most of us look at each new year as fresh start opportunity. That's why New Year's resolutions are so popular. They give us the definitive chance to hit the reset button or commit to new goals we've maybe been lax about. Unfortunately, the resolution fail rate is high and there are a number of reasons why. First, winter is a naturally dormant time of year, so starting something new goes a bit against our biological grain. You have to be really committed and focused to launch a new program and stay the course.Second, the holidays are followed immediately by back to work and back to school frenzies and for many it feels like our busy lifestyles are especially busy this time of year.Third, inertia rules. Newton's first law of physics could be the personal motto for many of us: A body at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted upon by another force—in this case, an inner force called resoluteness.So what's the prescription for success in the face of these odds? The first

Happy New Year...or is it, given that your entire holiday jam-packed, "do more," day timer event over load has led you to a New Year's cold?? Just couldn't say no, eh? Took on too much, did you? Probably ate erratically; had a bit more sugar than usual; a few more glasses of wine than you should have, and now what? Sniffles, sneezes, can't taste, don't want to eat, can't smell, can't breathe, can't sleep. Oh, what a New Year it is! Now, I can't cure the cold you have today, but if you want to avoid one next time listen up, you of great cheer. A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reminds us that exercise revs up the immune system and can prevent what you are coping with now as you lay watery eyed, tissue in hand. For the study, researchers collected data on 1,002 men and women from ages 18 to 85. Over 12 weeks in the Autumn and Winter of 2008, the researchers tracked the number of upper respiratory tract infections the participants suffered. The study accounted for a variety of fa

When you think about it, the holidays really boil down to just three days: Thanksgiving, Christmas (or Chanukah), and New Year’s. If you gorge only on those three days, you probably wouldn’t cause too much damage. However, many of us take on that holiday mentality of six weeks of nonstop feasting and putting our regular exercise routine on the back burner. Plus, let’s face it, this time of year is very hectic and stress filled—many commitments compete for our precious time. So start now to strategize how you’ll move yourself to the top of your Christmas gift list by making you and your fitness and healthy eating habits a priority.  http://fitnesstogether.com/missionhills - Fitness Together Mission Hills offers personal training with qualified professionals by regular appointment in private suites. Exercise and nutritional programs are custom designed to fit your needs and abilities. Call 619-794-0014 for more information or to schedule a free assessment session.