Fall Into Vegetable Performance Boosters

Fall Into Vegetable Performance Boosters Contributed by: Amanda Albiar, NSCF-CPT This is the season for cooler weather and an abundance of fall fruits and vegetables. Your workouts might change with the reduction of daylight, but don’t let that dampen your training. Boost your performance within-season vegetables such as winter squash, beets and pumpkins. These vegetables are …

Tips to Deal with Stress and Anxiety

Contributed by: Ciara Floyd, M.S., NSCF-CPT, NSCA-CSCS   Many people deal with stress and anxiety on a daily basis.  The cause of stress or anxiety can stem from things you have control over, such as your family or your health choices, or from matters outside of your control such as a co-worker.  No matter the source, a …

8 GREAT Reasons to Eat Cucumbers!

8 GREAT Reasons to Eat Cucumbers! Contributed by: Carol Kline I’ve been reading a lot about the surprising health benefits of cucumbers. Not only are cucumbers great in salads, but sliced and eaten as a substitute for chips, this cool, crisp vegetable is great for dipping in hummus or any yogurt-based dip! Not to mention …

Breathing

Contributed by: Laurel Dierking, M.Ed., NFPT, 200YT Breathing Most individuals breathe incorrectly, either by breathing in the mouth, breathing shallow breaths, or utilizing only the upper chest. The nose is the primary organ responsible for delivering filtered oxygen to your body. There are numerous benefits to breathing through the nose which help your body to …

Foods to Help You Erase a Day of Unhealthy Eating

Foods to Help You Erase a Day of Unhealthy Eating Contributed by: Amanda Albiar, NCSF-CPT Uh-oh…..you were too busy to get up from your desk, or your boss had you on a 2 hour conference call right from the start of your day. You skipped breakfast and it’s just about that time…..to grab a snack.  …

What are Your Habits Saying About You?

What are Your Habits Saying About You? Contributed by: Michael Devon, NASM-CPT Learning how to stay dedicated when obstacles present themselves on your journey for success can be the key to a successful anything; weight loss, rehabilitation, building a business, improving yourself, or graduating from school. Whatever your reason or goal, you must develop a …

Summer Vegetable Tian

Contributed by: Michaela Scroggins, M.S., NSCA-CPT PREP TIME: 15 mins COOK TIME: 45 mins Serves: 6 INGREDIENTS 1 medium yellow onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 cup shredded Italian cheese 1 medium zucchini 1 medium yellow squash 1 medium potato 1 medium tomato 1 tsp dried thyme salt & pepper to taste …

The Benefits of Self-Myofascial Release

The Benefits of Self-Myofascial Release Contributed by: Shellie Billingsley, NASM-CPT, NPTI You may have seen people laying on long cylinder-shaped pieces of foam and wondered, “What in the world are they doing on them?” These dense pieces of equipment are called foam-rollers and are very beneficial for almost everyone. It is a great tool to …

Cortisol: The Stress Hormone

Contributed by Laurel Dierking, M.Ed., NFPT, 200YT Most have heard of the infamous ‘cortisol’, and there may be some negative associations with the stress hormone. However, cortisol does have many beneficial responsibilities. Healthy and regulated levels of cortisol production are initiated during acute stress situations in which the body responds chemically and adapts to a …

Sweet Potatoes

Contributed by: Carol Kline Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet AND they help improve regulation of blood sugar. If you’re trying to cut down on sugar, the sweetness of a sweet potato may fool you into believing it’s bad for your pancreas; however, sweet potatoes can help improve blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, …