Tag: strong

What causes leg cramps?

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With a lot of talk about LeBron James cramping up in the 4th quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, thought I’d share why this happens.

First off, when you run on treadmill versus running outside; outside whether it’s hot or cold it’s harder on your body because you are dealing with the elements. Playing summer basketball or playing inside during winter, the temperature and conditions of the air have an effect on how the body reacts and recovers.

Every other game played this season was played in an air conditioned building. With the A.C. breaking in the At&t center the temperature on the court soared to over 90 degrees. Since players weren’t acclimated to the heat their bodies responded in different ways.

When playing a sport your body uses electrolytes to fuel your muscles. Your body sweats to cool off trying to keep your body temperature close to it’s normal level. Sweat contains sodium, calcium, and potassium which is essential for your body and muscles to functions.

So any other game James’ body has no problem keeping cool and staying hydrated with the air temperature in the 70s. The hot air temperature of the At&t Center caused him to use up -sweat out – all his electrolytes. When stressed the body uses the “reserves” for the heart and organs so the muscles don’t get any of the fuel they need to function properly – so muscles cramp.

It’s also important to note that because of James’ size and low body fat he needs even more electrolytes and hydration. Having lower body makes any athlete more liking to cramp because once you burn the fuel you’re body goes to the burn fat since most professional athletes are very low on body fat they need to keep hydrating and refuelling.

Think of it like James’ is a Tahoe with the gas tank the size of a corolla, big car that needs to refuel because there gas tank can empty quickly since a big body is using up the fuel at a rapid rate.

There’s no way anyone could have planned for the air conditioning to malfunction. Tony Parker said he was used to playing overseas in similar conditions so his body had been acclimated to it over time.

I have no doubt if the A.C. hadn’t stopped working James’ body would have been able to stay cool enough for him too refuel.

Point is: It’s important be aware of the elements and air conditions and to stay properly hydrated! Always keep your body fueled with the right stuff when playing sports or exercising.

Reference: http://www.slate.com

Tuesday Technique: Bulgarian Lunge

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Often referred to as the Bulgarian split squat or rear foot elevated split squat.

This effective move trains each leg independently making it a unilateral leg exercise.

The Benefits

  1. Like squatting, this move can produce noticeable muscle and strength gains
  2. Less weights on joints than squatting but allows you to see similar muscular results.
  3. Increases flexibility of the hip flexors and improves overall lower body mobility
  4. Improves both core strength and balance
  5. Helps with agility
  6. Adds variety and targets both legs differently helping to even out the legs unlike squats where one side can compensate for the other.

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Add this to your leg workout and see the difference!

 

Reference: http://www.myweightlifting.com

Eating Right at Restaurants

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I like to believe that many people struggle with this and it’s not just me! I go out for lunch or dinner, absentmindedly eat the bread and butter or the chips and salsa and open my menu and think “hmmm what do I want to order?”
Then I get shot with guilt and limit myself to the “Lighter Fare” portions of the menu that more and more places seem to have.  Most people are aware some salads can be just as bad for you as a burger so sometimes it’s hard to narrow down a meal that works with your lifestyle and diet choices. This is what I do and I’m not a licensed nutritionist but I like to think I know enough about what I’m putting into my body.

So what to order: I almost always stick with fish and grilled chicken. I LOVE salmon and scallops so those are personal favorites and I also throw in some Ahi tuna if I’m feeling adventurous. I ALWAYS order the seasonal vegetables instead of the fries, potatoes or rice that comes with the meal. This makes a HUGE difference. If it’s not on your plate you won’t eat it  – plain and simple. If you are feeling really strong and want to go for it, you can even ask for them to not use butter on your vegetables – it’s a game changer for sure. You can always add some yourself if you want to or just eat the butterless veggies and keep it moving! (I’ve done this at Outback and the broccoli was still really good!)

Now this next tip is something I have tried and every time I do it I am so happy I did. I order my meal with vegetables on the side and then politely ask the server – “Is there any way you could bring out half the meal and box up the other half?”

9 out of 10 times they say yes. Some restaurants like their food to be presented in a certain way and dont like to change it up with halving a meal. In those cases I have the server bring a box out with the meal and I box up half before I start eating.

It helps me from over eating and absentmindedly cleaning my plate and having to deal with the fullness that hits about 10 minutes later. I promise sometimes it doesn’t look like much food but it’s better to eat half at dinner and then okay an hour or so later have a little something extra and not overeat without thinking about it!

So next time you head out to a date night, birthday dinner or whatever the case my be; whatever you order – ask for the restaurant to box half before you even get the food and I hope you are a happy as I am when after I eat. I’m full and content  with what I had. A little will power goes a long way!

Another major BONUS you get ANOTHER portioned meal for the next day!

Focus Friday: BOOTY

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Focus Friday: BOOTY

Click here for the video!

Two moves:
Curtsy lunge
Bridge with kick

Your butt is your largest and strongest muscle in your body so it’s important to work all of the tiny muscles in there!

These moves fire up your abductors, your outer thighs.

On the curtsy lunge keep your, planted leg with the the weight in the heel and spread your toes for support – ALWAYS keeping your knee over your ankle. Angle your lunge behind the planted leg and curtsy – adding the kick is COMPLETELY optional! That adds another degree of difficultly! Once you master the curtsy lunge try adding the kick!

On the bridge with kick – bridge up and keep your core tight and glutes engaged. Bring one leg under and out and it will really fire up your abductors!

Try doing 4 sets of 12 of these using just your body weight!

Your “inner thigh” and “outer thigh” muscles  are the adductor and abductor. The inner thighs are called adductors, – to remember this, think you move you leg back toward your body – you’re ADDing it back. The abductors are the outer thigh muscles that bring the leg away from the body.

It important to strengthen these muscles because they keep your hips even. Having weak adductors and abductors can result in compromised stride length  and in turn the walking/running gait is hindered and increases the risk of injury.

As we age, it is important to keep the adbuctors and adductors strong to prevent falling and lessen the risk of hip and other lower body injuries.

Tuesday Technique: Lunges

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Form is very important! Here are the basics to doing a proper lunge.
– Knee over ankle
– Back straight (dont lean forward)
– Core tight
– Weight in heels
– Squeeze your glutes on the up and tuck hips under
– Exhale on the way down, Inhale on the way up

Help yourself succeed

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This quote is applicable in many facets of life and we can easily correlate it to the fitness world. If you surround yourself with people that have similar attitudes and views on healthy and active living you are more likely to succeed in achieving your fitness goals. If you prioritize spending time with people who aren’t committed to the gym, eat fast food, and regularly invite you to happy hour then your progress will remain limited.  It is much easier to live an active lifestyle with people that call you up for that morning run or have found a new quinoa recipe that they want to try with you.

Help yourself succeed by preventing the outside temptations and replacing them with positive ones!

 

 

There’s always time!

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Hi Everyone! My name is Jessica and I am a Cooper’s Fitness Certified Personal Trainer. I truly believe if you want to make a healthy lifestyle a priority you’ll find a way to get it done. With anything, sometimes we all need a little push in the right direction – and that’s why I’m here! I can make personalize workouts that will fit in with your life and the best part – help you get results! Whether you are a college student, a mother of three or a workaholic there is time in your 24 for an effective and efficient workout!

I have a YouTube page with workouts, an Instagram with workouts, tips, recipes and advice and a twitter with loads of information that can help get everyone living healthy and active lives!