"Proven Ways Fitness Improves Our Lives".

Here is another nugget in a series of short shares. "Proven Ways Fitness Improves Our Lives". 

ENERGY

Exercise delivers oxygen throughout the body. End result? More energy!

Mental energy: how to use food to feel more alert.

Want to feel more alert? To keep up your mental energy and focus, you’ve got to eat the right foods, at the right time.

A client recently complained that she suffered from ‘brain fog’. “My mental energy is shot and I can’t focus.” So she wondered…“is it something I’m eating?” Possibly. But more likely, it’s what she’s not eating that’s leaving her mental energy flagging. As a full-time student and a new mom, her eating patterns are erratic and she’s often grabbing something on the run, and relies on coffee to keep her going. Without the right foods to give her brain the fuel it needs, she can’t possibly expect to keep her mental energy in high gear.

The next time your mental energy is fading and you feel like you can’t string two sentences together, think back. When did you last eat? What did you have? Have you been drinking enough liquids? Skipped meals, unbalanced meals, and dehydration can all zap your mental energy and focus. (And don’t forget that getting adequate sleep and rest is part of the equation, too).

How what you eat affects your mental energy

What is mental energy, anyway? It’s actually got several features – including your overall mood, your motivation, as well as your attention and focus. When your mental engine is revved up, there’s a good chance your diet had something to do with it. So, here’s some “food for thought”.

What to eat to keep your mental energy up all day long

 - Carbs fuel your brain

Glucose is the only fuel that normally feeds your brain cells – and it’s derived from the carbohydrates in your diet. After they’re broken down during the digestive process, carbohydrates enter the bloodstream as glucose (your ‘blood sugar’).

Since your brain is active 24/7, it has high energy demands – higher, in fact, than any other cells in your body. And, since brain cells – the neurons – can’t store glucose, your brain needs a continuous supply. Stick with the healthy carbs – fruits, vegetables and whole grains – to give your brain the fuel it craves. These high fiber foods take time to digest, which leads to a gradual release of glucose into your system. On the other hand, a meal high in refined carbohydrates – think starchy, sugary foods – can actually backfire on you. Since these foods are digested relatively quickly, you may experience a quick rise in your blood sugar… often followed by a quick drop. And that blood sugar ‘crash’ can make you feel mentally sluggish.

 - Your brain wants fuel at regular intervals

Since your brain wants a steady source of glucose, it’s important to eat at regular intervals throughout the day to keep your mental energy from taking a nosedive. Aim for small meals and snacks every 3-4 hours.

 - Your brain wants breakfast

There’s plenty to be said about the importance of breakfast, and giving your brain a boost is just another reason to fuel up first thing. While you were sleeping, your brain was plenty busy - and it burned through lots of fuel overnight – and the tank is pretty empty by morning. Do your brain a favor and start your day with a well-balanced breakfast that includes both healthy carbohydrates and a shot of protein.

 - The best proteins for your brain

Even though your brain doesn’t use protein directly for fuel, it does use amino acids – derived from the proteins that you eat – to manufacture important brain chemicals. Tyrosine, for example, is an amino acid (found in poultry, fish, dairy products, nuts and beans) that your body uses to make a brain chemical called dopamine that promotes alertness and brain activity. Another amino acid, called tryptophan (also found in seafood, poultry, dairy products and soybeans), is needed to make another brain chemical called serotonin, which leads to feelings of calmness and contentment.

 - The best beverages for the brain

When your body is dehydrated, it can affect your mood and your energy level. Mild dehydration reduces alertness and your ability to concentrate, and by the time you feel thirsty, your mental energy has already taken a hit. Water is always a good choice, but coffee and tea in moderation are fine, too. Caffeine-containing beverages may help with focus and concentration – but be smart about it. You don’t want to ignore your diet and simply rely on caffeine to keep you going through the day. You need to hydrate properly and eat right. And, monitor your own response to the caffeine you’re taking in. If it makes you jittery or keeps you up at night, you’d be wise to cut back. Using caffeine for a brain boost during the day won’t do you much good if it interferes with a good night’s sleep.

Written by Susan Bowerman, MS, RD, CSSD.

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19 Awesome Reasons to Exercise Today

I know it's summer and you have exciting places to go and things to do. But wait! Did you forget about your workout? Again?

Lots of people fall off the exercise wagon during summer months due to vacations, taking care of kids home for the summer months, and other warm weather distractions. I get it, I really do, but what about all the amazing perks that you're missing out on?

Just in case you needed a little reminder that will motivate you to lace those shoes back up and get your workout back on, here are 19 Awesome Reasons to Exercise Today!

1. Exercise makes your clothes fit better: Consistent exercise will tone and tighten your body, and this means that your clothes will not only fit better they will also look nicer. But don't get too attached to your current clothes. Exercise ensures that soon you'll be trading those current clothes in for smaller sizes.
2. Exercise reduces your stress: Let's face it, you have enough stress in your life—so take a break. A challenging workout invigorates your muscles and leaves you relaxed and less stressed.
3. Exercise boosts your energy: Research routinely concludes that exercise increases energy levels in sedentary people. So when you're feeling fatigued, fight it with the most powerful tool available: exercise.
4. Exercise makes you stronger: Who doesn't want to be stronger? You rely on your body's muscle strength and endurance throughout each day. With consistent, challenging exercise, your body will naturally become stronger.
5. Exercise burns calories: Extra calories end up stored on your body as fat. Fight back by eliminating loads of calories with fat-blasting workouts.
6. Exercise gives you confidence: Healthy confidence is a wonderful thing to have. By exercising consistently you're able to increase your natural confidence.
7. Exercise can be fun: Don't laugh, I'm serious on this one. Whether you believe it or not, exercise can be really enjoyable. Remember how fun it was to run and jump as a child? Tap into your inner child as you find enjoyment in moving your body through exercise.

8. Exercise reduces your blood pressure: Exercise is so powerful that it has been proven more effective than medication in reducing high blood pressure. A single workout has even been shown to reduce blood pressure for the day, and consistent exercise reduces overall blood pressure.
9. Exercise tightens your problem areas: With exercise you can reduce flab on your arms, legs and waistline. So wave goodbye to the jiggles with a consistent, challenging exercise program.
10. Exercise increases your insulin sensitivity: Research continues to prove that exercise dramatically improves insulin sensitivity. Peak after-meal insulin levels have been shown to drop by more than 20 percent after as little as 3 weeks of consistent exercise.
11. Exercise improves your sleep: Exercise is your most powerful sleep aid. Tired muscles encourage your body to quickly fall asleep in order to get overnight repair work done.
12. Exercise lowers your risk of heart disease: Exercise strengthens your heart and protects it against disease. A non-active lifestyle is a huge risk factor for heart disease, so use consistent exercise as your ally against disease.
13. Exercise makes you feel amazing: Challenging exercise releases natural endorphins (happy hormones) into your bloodstream that dissolve pain and anxiety. You've probably heard of the ‘runner's high', this can be achieved by any great workout.
14. Exercise lowers your risk of diabetes: Research has shown that exercising as little as half an hour each day can dramatically reduce your risk of diabetes. If you are at risk of diabetes, or already have diabetes, use regular exercise as treatment for reversing the disease.
15. Exercise is an opportunity to meet new people: Gyms, bootcamps, workout centers and even jogging trails are all great places to connect with fun new friends. So lace up and put your self out there!
16. Exercise improves your BMI: Maintaining a healthy BMI is key in disease prevention, and exercise is the best way to keep your BMI under control.
17. Exercise increases your endurance: Don't ever get out of breath from walking up stairs or through the mall again. Your regular exercise builds up endurance for everyday activities.
18. Exercise improves your overall health: Does your doctor give you the lecture about losing weight and exercising more? Once you start exercising regularly you and your MD will see an overall improvement in your health.
19. Exercise makes you look amazing: Are you excited about the current shape and size of your body? If not, no worries. Regular, challenging exercise will work wonders on your physique. Within just a few weeks you'll start to see shape and tone in all the right places.

No more excuses this summer. You have 19 great reasons for getting back to your workouts. I'd like nothing more than to see you attain all of the above 19 benefits of exercise!

Provided by John Hall Studios

Get in shape for Summer, it's right around the corner!

Get in the summer spirit with the refreshing taste of Formula 1 Orange Cream. Available for a limited time only, this delicious shake is a nutritious and guilt-free meal that will help you meet your weight-management goals this season. https://mygreatshapetoday.com/ians-health-store

Avoiding the Afternoon Energy Dip

The middle of the afternoon is when energy levels start to dip, you may feel irritable, or your thoughts begin to grow fuzzy. That's because your body's screaming for sugar. The best defense against the afternoon slump, is a good offense with a balanced lunch. Check out what Susan Bowerman a registered dietician and nutrition consultant has to say about a good offense.
http://video.herbalife.com/ajax/download.php?filename=Avoiding-the-afternoon-energy-dip&type=video&file=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia2.ms.kitd.com%2Fmm%2Fflvmedia%2F3870%2Fm%2FF%2F1%2FmF_1208002A-us-en-Healthy-Living-Energy-Dip-1436545.m4v2FF%2F1%2FmF_1208002A-us-en-Healthy-Living-Energy-Dip-1436545.m4v

Why we need to eat well

 

Eating healthy food not only makes you feel good, but it also boosts your energy and improves your memory. Additionally, getting important nutrients in your diet helps ward off heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, and other health conditions, says Sarah Krieger, MPH, RD, LD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. A good diet also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which is critical to feeling good and preventing illnesses. Formula 1 Shake Mix from Herbalife provides you with all the nutrients you need for a balanced diet. Check what Dr. Liugi Gratton MPH had to say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxkT8Oc8FSs&feature=related

Get yours today at http://myfigure.greatshapetoday.com

Herbal Tea Concentrate

At this past training in Chicago endulged in some Herbal Tea Concentrate each morning before the training. I was really surprised at the energy I felt after drinking the tea. I have been a coffee drinker for years and have used it as my wake me up crutch, but by the time I got to work I felt like I needed another cup to keep me going. With the Herbal Tea I felt like my energy level increased after drinking it and staid consistent longer into the day. As an added bonus the tea helps you loose fat, boosts your metabolism and burns 80 calories per cup. For more info check out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj6NJc8jHrA

Core Products

The Core Products of Herbalife are a winning combination. The Formula 1 Shake Mix, Formula 2 Multivitamin and Formula 3 Cell Activator have made a difference in my life. 


Almost three years ago I had spinal cord surgery that left me paralyzed from the chest down. My doctors didn't know if I would regain feeling, or the use of anything below my chest. With a lot of hard work and physical therapy I've come a long way surprising my doctors and surpassing their expectations. I hit a platoe in my recovery and was unable to find a way to advance my rehab. Traditional medicine and pharmecuticals had taken me as far as they were going to take me. I was looking for something to give me a boost to break through that wall and continue to excel in my rehab. I found Herbalife and wow, has it's products made a difference. The third day I was on the core products I  felt more energy. I was able to do more exercises, I felt like my strength increased and I had less fatigue between exersies. Eventhough I still have deficiences from my surgery I still lead an active, healthy life style and usually have sufficient energy. I was truly surprised at how these core products were able to give me the boost I needed to get back on track with my rehabilitation efforts and improve the way I feel on a day to day basis.



See what Dr. Luigi Gratton , Vice President of Nutrition Education at Herbalife has to say about these products.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bup4yiIlmy4