An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away

You’ve heard the saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Well, throw in physical activity and sleep with that apple and you’ve got a winning combination. Although the findings are not exactly new to those in the Health and Wellness fields, it’s great to know that we remain on the right track in advising the public on the overall health benefits of fitness besides just the desired goal of “weight loss”. Time and again, research continues to show that regular exercise, rest and a proper diet strengthen the immune system and stave off illnesses such as the common cold and flu. In many cases, if illness does occur, the duration time is shortened and the symptoms are much less severe than those who don’t live a healthy lifestyle. So give your doctor a break this season by staying well. ;-)


Highlights to the most recent study:
 • The average adult can expect to catch a cold 2-4 times a year while the average child can expect to catch a cold 6 – 10 times each year.


• On November 1st, the British Journal of Sports Medicine posted results of a recent study that followed 1000 women and men from ages 18 to 85 over a 12 week period during the fall and winter of 2008. The researchers tracked the number of upper respiratory tract infections suffered by the participants as well as their physical activity, dietary habits, levels of stress and overall lifestyle.

•  The researchers noted that those who exercised at least 5 times a week experienced colds up to 46% less than those who either didn’t exercise or worked out only once a week.
• The researchers also tracked that for those who exercised frequently and did catch colds, the duration of their colds was actually 41% lower than those who did not exercise
• In addition to a shorter duration, the symptoms experienced were 32% - 41% less severe than for those who were sedentary.

Check out the full article for more information on this research.

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY - Defeat Doesn't Exist In The Minds of Winners

"We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat; they do not exist." ~ Queen Victoria.

When faced with challenges and new adventures, many times we focus on the "What ifs?" The problem with the “what if factor” is that it creates worries and images of defeat before we've even begun. I remember the first time I took YOGA some of the postures were a little difficult for me to get into or hold. Thoughts ran through my head like “Is someone looking at me struggle?” or “This is so difficult I’ll never be able to do this correctly.” Fortunately the instructor noticed my “discomfort” and coached me to focus on my breath only and to not focus on the external influences like what other people thought of me in the class. All of these concerns - external concerns - created a sort of worry movie in my head which kept me from performing well. When I began to shift my thinking to what success looked like in my head, my thoughts then moved to how I could take the appropriate steps to get to that level. Eventually, not only did I master the postures, but I can now teach them to others.

So think about this today, what could you achieve if the possibilities of defeat did not exist? What does success look like to you? Focus on the image of success as an end-point and move toward that. You'll soon see that the images of failure and defeat are mere illusions that will soon fade away.

Body Beautiful Playlist – Week of November 3rd, 2010

It’s PLAYLIST WEDNESDAY!  Wow, the week goes by so fast.  It’s time to lift your hands & get your praise on while getting your workout on. Having taught Gospel Aerobics I know how motivating it can be to have music that speaks to your heart & spirit. So this week we’re going Christian/Gospel. From rock to hip-hop & traditional gospel we’ve got a blend of sounds to help you praise GOD while you work it out.  Enjoy!    ;-)

Body Beautiful Playlist – Week of November 3rd, 2010

Christian / Gospel

1. Looking For You – Kirk Franklin
2. I Am Not Forgotten – Israel & The New Breed
3. Back II Eden – Donald Lawrence
4. Keys To The Kingdom – Group 1 Crew (song not on playlist.com)  listen here:   http://p.rhap.com/Tra.22856217
5. So Amazing - Tye Tribbett & G.A.
6. You Don’t Know – Kiki Sheard
7. How Great Is Our GOD – Chris Tomlin
8. Friend of GOD – Israel & The New Breed
9. Glorious – Martha Munizzi
10. The Presence of The Lord is Here – Byron Cage
11. Revelation Song – Phillips, Craig & Dean
12. And Again I Say Rejoice – Israel Houghton

Body Beautiful Playlist – Week of October 27th, 2010 - "Studio 54 – Disco Nights"

Hey friends!  It’s the middle of the week so you know what that means.  It’s Playlist Wednesday!  We’re bringing back the night lights & the boogie & taking it back to the 70’s with Disco Nights.  Remember Farrah Fawcett winged bangs, afros, platform shoes, Halston dresses and leisure suits? Studio 54 is in full force with this playlist. So get ready to download & shake your groove thang while working it out!  ;-)

Body Beautiful Playlist – Week of October 27th, 2010

Studio 54 – Disco Nights

1. Boogie Wonderland – Earth, Wind & Fire
2. Stayin’ Alive – The BeeGees
3. Upside Down – Diana Ross
4. You Make Me Feel Mighty Real – Sylvester
5. There But for the Grace of God – Machine
6. Hot Shot – Karen Young
7. Disco Inferno – Trammps
8. Le Freak – Chic
9. Born 2 Be Alive – Patrick Hernandez
10. Funkytown – Lipps Inc.
11. BONUS TRACK: Car Wash – Rose Royce

 

Body Beautiful Playlist – Week of October 20th, 2010

It’s PLAYLIST WEDNESDAY and we had a great time putting this one together.  This week "we’re gettin’ down & goin’ to town" with a little Boot Scootin’ Boogie.  This playlist was inspired by Body Beautiful friend Jen Vasek who gets her workout on to the tunes of Tim McGraw & Brooks & Dunn.  This is also for one of my students who, according to her pedometer, travels roughly 5 miles during her country line dancing class. What a workout!  We’ve got a mix of tempos for you listed here to help keep you motivated during your workout or, just download the songs and add to your playlist for general listening fun.  Check it out and enjoy!   ;-)

Body Beautiful Playlist – Week of October 20th, 2010

1. Jason Aldean – She’s Country
2. Jessica Harp – Boy Like Me
3. The Shake – Neal McCoy
4. Sugarland – Stuck Like Glue
5. I Like It I Love It – Tim McGraw
6. Martina McBride – Wrong Baby Wrong Baby
7. Boot Scootin’ Boogie – Brooks & Dunn
8. She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy – Kenny Chesney
9. Undo It – Carrie Underwood
10. Best Days of Your Life – Kellie Pickler
11. All Summer Long – Kid Rock
12. * BONUS: Reba McEntire – Pink Guitar http://iLike.com/s/9dUUR

 

Body Beautiful Playlist – Week of October 13th, 2010

Hey, hey, hey Body Beautiful friends!  Another week has passed and another playlist is in full effect.  It’s PLAYLIST WEDNESDAY and this week we’re giving the ladies their proper due! Today’s theme: “Hip-Hop Divas”. Within this list are ladies who paved the way for many in the genre by standing strong, going bold & being fearless in their craft without over sexualizing themselves while delivering songs of empowerment to cool beats that we can groove to. Because of their music styles, and their personal strength, these ladies have become more than just pop trends and fads; they have become sustainable figures whose music will last.  Check it out & enjoy. Heads up! Next week we’re going Country. ;-)

Body Beautiful Playlist – Week of October 13th, 2010

Hip Hop Divas

1. Queen Latifah & Moni Love – Ladies First
2. Eve – Tambourine
3. Salt n Pepa –Push It
4. Mc Lyte – Paper Thin
5. Lauryn Hill – That Thing
6. Moni Love - Moni In the Middle
7. Queen Latifah – U.N.I.T.Y.
8. Roxanne Shante – Def Fresh Crew f/ Biz Markie
9. *Queen YoNasDa – Your Hood f/ Cappadonna (track available on itunes)
10. Missy Elliott – Get UR Freak On f/ Nelly Furtado
11. Bonus Track: Lauryn Hill – Everything is Everything

 

 

Body Beautiful Playlist - Week of October 5th, 2010

This week’s playlist was inspired by Body Beautiful friend Karla Smith who recommended “Cool Weirdoes” as a theme.  What are cool weirdoes you ask?  They are artists whose creativity is expressed in their personal styles and music which equally break the mold.  Some are nerdy, some are kooky, some are avant-garde and others.... well, they’re just in a whole different stratosphere.  But whatever the case, we appreciate their creativity as it allows them to provide us with great tunes to either dance or chill to.  That said we’ve got a mix of styles, tempos and genres this week.  We've even reached back a couple of decades to bring back some fun tunes.  So let the downloading begin.  And if you can think of any other “cool weirdoes” to add to the list, please share; the more the merrier!  Enjoy!  ;-)

Body Beautiful Playlist - Week of October 5th, 2010

1. RuPaul - Covergirl
2. Macy Gray - Beauty In The World (Remix)
3. Erykah Badu - Window Seat
4. Cyndi Lauper - She Bop
5. Lady Gaga - Telephone
6. Weird Al - White & Nerdy (Parody of "Ridin" by Chamillionaire)
7. Andre 3000 of Outkast - Hey Ya
8. Devo - Whip It
9. Shock G performing as "Humpty Hump" w/ Digital Underground - Humpty Dance
10. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Benny Banassi Remix)
11. *Bonus Track:  PRINCE - Chelsea Rodgers