The Magic of Muscles

Resistance and flexibility training are important to a well-rounded exercise program, but they’re often overlooked.

I’ve seen people frustrated because they’re putting the time in on the treadmill but still don’t look or feel strong and toned. Many of my clients have purposely neglected weight training because they felt they would “get too big.” Without a resistance training program, you really are shortchanging your body and yourself. I’ll explain why.

Have you ever noticed a husband and wife trying to lose weight together? Chances are he’s dropping weight like crazy and she’s struggling each week to lose a small amount. Assuming they’ve both changed their eating behaviors, one of the greatest differences in why he is losing weight at a quicker pace is that she doesn’t have the same amount of muscle mass that he does.

Muscle burns calories just by being there while fat burns very little. You see, the fat we have on our bellies, butts and thighs takes up a lot of space, it’s very content to stay put and it doesn’t need us to fire up our metabolism to keep it in its place. Muscle works very differently. Each pound of muscle burns many calories per hour just to keep it there!

Besides looking more toned and sculpted, muscle is one of the key ways to fire up your metabolism. How can you build some muscle? I’d love to know, comment and share!

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Is Your Workout Working?

Welcome to my private gym where my clients train. Is YOUR workout working? Watch the video to learn more.

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Happy Heart Month: 10 Tips for a Healthy Heart

You may think cancer is the leading cause of death in America, but you would be mistaken. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day.

February is American Heart Month, and unfortunately, most of us know someone who has had heart disease or stroke. Follow these 10 tips for a stronger, healthier heart:

1. Monitor your blood pressure

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack by up to 25% and stroke by up to 40%. So it’s important to monitor your blood pressure level.

High blood pressure is defined as a reading above 140/90, measured on multiple occasions. A single high reading does not necessarily mean a blood pressure problem. Additional readings will likely be monitored before high blood pressure is clinically diagnosed. Check your blood pressure at the same time every day for a more accurate reading. Continue reading “Happy Heart Month: 10 Tips for a Healthy Heart”

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Exercise Leads to Better Night’s Sleep

If you struggle with getting a good night’s sleep, you may want to add some exercise to your daily routine. We all know that a good night’s sleep is important for overall health. But trying to get some good quality zzz’s remains elusive for many.

There are many drugs and supplements that promise a restful night, and for many these help…but a recent study in  the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity was able to show a direct link between regular physical activity and quality of sleep. Researchers found that mental alertness during the day was also improved.

The study looked at 2,600 men and women, and those that were active at least 150 minutes per week had a 65% decrease in feelings of being sleepy during the day, a 68% reduced likelihood of having leg cramps while sleeping, and a 45% decrease in having difficulty concentrating when tired.

So if you are having a hard time winding down, try incorporating 20 to 30 minutes of walking, running, aerobics or whatever you like, into your day. Sweet dreams!

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Fast Food Delivery: Maybe Not Such a Great Idea

I guess drive-thru at fast food joints wasn’t convenient enough; Burger King is now offering delivery service right in our neck of the woods. Burger King is testing 10 locations in the DC area and offering to bring your Whopper to your door for a $2 fee.

New York University nutritionist Marion Nestle, author of “What to Eat,” expressed my sentiments exactly:

“Oh, how convenient of them to do this. So thoughtful. This is just so American. It takes a few calories to get into a car, drive the car, get out of a car – this will save all that annoying activity, and now the only activity you will have is to get off the couch and pay.”

Are Americans really asking for this? Is Burger King just giving us what we want in our increasingly busy lives? Are we just going to keep getting fatter and less healthy?

Well, BK only delivers if you buy $8 to $10 worth of food…so if you normally would only get a burger, fries and drink (about $6), you would have to add to the order in order to meet the minimum for delivery. So adding a dessert (like the Hershey’s apple pie, will add another 310 calories to your 1370 calorie medium value meal (40% of those calorie come from 58 grams of fat) and exceed your daily sodium intake…but you will probably meet the requirement for delivery. Oh, and did I mention that it will probably add to your waistline too? Continue reading “Fast Food Delivery: Maybe Not Such a Great Idea”

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Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
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  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
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  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
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  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
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  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
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  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
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  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
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  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
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  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
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