Archive for June, 2005
Weight-loss camps usually run for three weeks, six weeks or eight week sessions, and they cost about $7,500 for the entire summer - about $1,500 more than nonspecialized camps. Campers get about 1,500 calories a day, and campers generally spend three to four hours a day doing some kind of physical activity, as well other activities like drama or arts and crafts. There are weekly weigh-ins and regular classes in nutrition and cooking. Read the entire NYT article by ABBY ELLIN.
What is Body Mass Index?
Working out your body mass index (BMI) is a quick way to figure out if your weight is healthy for your height. BMI is a mathematical formula that takes into account both a person's height and weight. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of developing health problems.
Body mass index is calculated by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in meters) squared. (BMI=kg/m2).
Karen Voight of the LAT, explains how to perform a lateral lunge. Instead of heavy weights, this variation uses light dumbbells and your own body weight to provide a challenging workout for your lower body. See the details here.
According to an AP article, caffeine can help athletes by boosting the body's absorption of carbohydrates. The article is based on a study by scientists at the University of Birmingham.
According to the study conducted by researchers at the university's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, introducing caffeine into sports drinks increases the absorption rate of carbohydrates by 26 percent.
In the study, a group of eight cyclists took part in three two-hour exercise sessions. For each of the three trials, the cyclists took one of three different sports drinks — glucose, glucose mixed with caffeine and water.
The research showed that caffeine increased the amount of carbohydrates absorbed from the sports drink.
Obesity is increasing worldwide and is becoming the world's biggest health problem. Recent reports suggest that it may soon overtake cigarette smoking as a serious health risk.
Being obese is not a cosmetic issue. It can stop us getting the best from life and put our health at serious risk. In fact, a report from the National Audit Office concluded that obesity could shave an average of nine years from our lifespan. Read more in this informative article from the BBC web page.
How do I reduce my fat intake ?1. Choose low fat dairy products e.g. low fat milk, yogurts, cheese.
2. Avoid fried foods and grill, steam, bake, barbecue or microwave instead of frying.
3. Switch to low fat polyunsaturated or monounsaturated spreads instead of margarines or butter.
4. Eat lean meat 3 times a week and poultry twice a week without the skin.
5. Include more fish in your diet particularily oily fish
6. Try tomatoes based sauces rather than high fat cream/cheese sauces.
7. Keep pastries, cakes and other desserts to a minimum choose fresh fruit instead.
8. Eat plenty fruit and vegetables - 4 or more portions of fruit and vegetables are recommended daily. Do not be tempted to add butter or mayonnaise.
Sprint interval training, which combines repeated, short bursts of intense exercise with intervals of rest, has long been the domain of professional athletes, such as swimmers and track runners. Such athletes use the method to ratchet up their training, taking advantage of short rest periods to avoid overdoing it.
But now, said Dr. Gerald Fletcher, a cardiologist with the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., “interval exercise is something we're recommending to people more and more.” New research shows it may offer out-of shape people many of the benefits of long, steady aerobic workouts — in much less time.
In short, interval training can vastly improve aerobic exercise endurance. Full article.