Category Archives: Nutrition

If you are planning on losing weight for your New Years Resolution here are some things to consider to make it a successful resolution.

New Year Start!

New Year New You!

You can’t outrun the wrong diet! Well maybe when you were younger you could! However that all changes as we age. If we continue to eat the kind of food and amounts that we did when younger our bodies start to show it. Are you finding that you are gaining weight and still exercising? Have you extended your workout yet you’re still gaining weight? Are you at the point where you feel you should just accept it as part of getting older or do you want to do something about it?

If you have decided to do something about it realize this. You can lose weight on any diet. Truth be told and you know that it’s true. We’ve all probably done it at some point in our lives. So what happened? Why couldn’t you maintain what you got to?  It’s not really your fault. The fact is in most programs the weight loss usually involves muscle loss more than fat loss thus slowing your metabolism. The result is often quick weight loss followed by swift and significant weight gain. So what type of program would be the most beneficial to you?

A program that is about nourishing the body, as opposed to caloric restriction. Caloric restriction is how most diets work which is why we fail to keep the weight off. We need to fuel our bodies to maintain the energy needed for us to lead a healthy life. You don’t want to be counting calories. You don’t want a one-size-fits-all program that stops people from eating the foods they love. Instead you want to focus on how to become healthier and create a new life.

A program that emphasizes a low-glycemic approach to eating. Finding new favorite foods, and helping keep blood sugar levels where they need to be to become a fat-burning machine. When blood sugar is high it’s nearly impossible for the body to burn fat: a low-glycemic diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, beans, lean proteins, dairy and healthy fats helps maintain normal blood sugar levels, leading not only to fast and consistent weight loss, but increased energy, decreased cravings, and improved mood. It’s about eating right, not eating less.

A program that you follow in order to retrain your minds and bodies to think healthier, so you can live healthier. After all that should be your main focus. You want to be healthier and weight management is key to living the quality of life we desire. Like any discipline you want to learn, you want a program that offers experienced  coaching on the idea of a personal trainer to keep you focused on track with what you are striving to excel in. You can buy a book on a discipline; however you don’t really learn it unless you work with a trainer or instructor who knows how to get to where you want.

It is sustainable. So it’s not just a slimmed down you, but a healthier you. With time and dedication (like any discipline) your lifestyle and eating habits become second nature. That is a big must when choosing a program. Is it realistic, healthy, and sustainable?

 

You Can’t Outrun The Wrong Diet

Outrun Your Diet

Outrun Your Diet

Well maybe when you were younger you could! However that all changes as we age. If we continue to eat the kind of food and amounts that we did when younger our bodies start to show it. Look at many retired athletes. How about the local athletes as they have aged? Or even look at yourself! Are finding that you are gaining weight and still exercising? Have you extended your workout yet you’re still gaining weight?

Well you are not alone. I started gaining weight as I aged which lead to me working out harder and longer to keep from buying a new wardrobe. I failed and had to start buying the next size up in clothes. I must say though it wasn’t from developing a gut. It was just an overall broadening of my body which I eventually realized was a natural occurrence as we age, or so I was lead to believe.

I started dieting and had some results but it was hard to stay with it since it involved caloric restriction. I came about my program by accident, I wasn’t really looking since I accepted weight gain as normal part of aging. However when I learned about glycemic impact eating and that it was not based on counting calories I decided to give it a try. As it turned out I needed another wardrobe change, because I was back down to about the same size I was 20 years ago. It is now 3 years later and I feel great. This program is about creating a nourishing and sustainable lifestyle, not a diet. I eat more than I used to and enjoy what I am eating.

I recently read an article in Men’s Journal about how the Lakers were utilizing a food program similar to what I am doing. That’s because Tim DiFrancesco the head strength and conditioning coach learned of the program and realized “We’ve been fueling athletes wrong for years.” The team is leaner and meaner now.

In closing I want to tell you the story of a client of mine. She had great success with the program and it changed not only her body but how she looks at food. With time she learned to enjoy more foods than ever and felt nourished and healthy. She was doing all the right things. Due to a job change she had to give up her workouts. However she didn’t change her new eating habits. It’s been about a year and she has maintained her weight throughout. We were recently talking about that and how pleased she is with herself. She is also looking forward to getting back to her workouts.

Once you realize how you should eat and actually do it you will find you don’t need to compete against your diet.

A weight management program fit for athletes!

1274280503Let’s face it. You can lose weight on any diet. So why is the program I use just what an athlete needs?

It is about nourishing the body, not caloric restriction. Caloric restriction is how most diets work. As athletes we need to fuel our bodies to maintain the energy needed for our routines. With the program I use we don’t count calories. We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all program that stops people from eating the foods they love. Instead we focus on how to become healthier and create a new life.

The program emphasizes a low-glycemic approach to eating, finding new favorite foods, and helping keep blood sugar levels where they need to be to become a fat-burning machine. When blood sugar is high it’s nearly impossible for the body to burn fat: a low-glycemic diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, beans, lean proteins, dairy and healthy fats helps maintain normal blood sugar levels, leading not only to fast and consistent weight loss, but increased energy, decreased cravings, and improved mood. It’s about eating right, not eating less.

It’s a program that you follow in order to retrain your minds and bodies to think healthier, so you can live healthier. After all that’s a main focus of athletes at any age. We want to be healthier and weight management is key to living the quality of life we desire. Like any discipline you want to learn, this program offers coaching on the idea of a personal trainer to keep you focused on track with what you are striving to excel in. You can buy a book on a discipline; however you don’t really learn it unless you work with a trainer or instructor who knows how to get to where you want.

It is sustainable. So it’s not just a slimmed down you, but a healthier you. With time and dedication (like any discipline) your lifestyle and eating habits become second nature. Like I said in my opening. You can lose weight on any diet. What happens when you get to your desired weight? You can’t keep on cutting calories, so the weight comes back on.

When I decided to lose some weight and to implement the program in my life I made the conscious decision to follow it. It has been about three years now and I don’t really think about it much. Well actually since I coach the program I have to think about it for my clients. However the change in your life is worth it.

 

I Can’t Believe it’s……..BUTTER???

Have you been eating a lot of carbs for stick-of-butter-salted-600x400fuel?  That’s what we were told to do. Pasta before a marathon or other endurance activities. I know that’s what I used to do. Well there have been some interesting studies and articles out there that are saying hold back on the carbs and bring on some fat.

“Much of what we were told about fat over the decades is a fully saturated MYTH!” That’s according to Dr. Deedra Mason. “A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, says that cutting out on carbs, not fat, can lead to more weight loss. Taking in to consideration how numerous studies also support the benefits of fat, including naturally saturated fat for heart health and you have a double Whammy on the fight against obesity!”
In the November issue of Men’s Journal there is an article Less Carbs, More Fat. It also talks about studies that suggest that the old rules about diets and how we should eat are wrong. A diet that reduces carbohydrates in favor of fat, including the saturated fat in meat and butter, improves nearly every health measurement, from reducing our waistlines to keeping our arteries clear, more than the low-fat diets that have been recommended for generations.

TLS the program I use for myself and coach aging athletes on emphasizes a low-glycemic diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, beans, lean proteins, dairy, and healthy fats.

So what should you do?

Cut the carbs! That doesn’t mean completely. However it would be good to learn about complex (you want a lot) carbs vs simple (cut back on)carbs.

For instance I used to eat a lot of pasta for the carbs and would compliment it with veggies and protein.  Now I eat a lot of veggies and protein and compliment it with a bit of pasta.

You can read about it in more detail in the November 2014 Issue of Men’s Journal.

Dr Deedra Mason, ND. Dir. of Clinical Ed. & Research – Learn about Dr Mason at: http://www.nutrametrix.org/faculty-speakers/

 

alttxt

What is an Aging Athlete?

Do you consider yourself an athlete? Wikepedia defines an athlete as: a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.  I like to add to that: a person who is focused, dedicated, and disciplined.

Are you aging? Of course, we all are. Wikepedia says: advanced years.

I like these definitions because it allows for each of us to define for ourselves that we are an aging athlete.  We like a sport or physical activity and continue to train at some level as we grow older. Also we didn’t have to be young high school athletes to start.

So, What is an aging athlete blog?   It is a place to share much of what I have learned over the years with others with a similar mindset.  I like talking with other aging athletes to learn more about what they do and why they continue to train as they age.  Continue reading →