Jul 16, 2012

5 Great Reasons to Kick Your Diet Soda Habit!

Luckily, I can honestly say that I have never been an 'addict' to soda but I will admit...I occasionally look forward to treating myself to a cold, fizzy diet coke with lime (with lots of pebble ice!)... but here's another article convincing me that I should make that treat few and far between...
Here's 5 reasons to kick that soda habit:
1.  Weight Gain- Diet soda drinking correlates with both increased waist circumference and a heightened body mass index.
2.  Higher Sugar Consumption- Artificially sweetened drinks activate our sweetness response, but don't completely satisfy it, leaving you craving more of the real thing. 
3.  Kidney Problems- Researchers show an association between drinking two or more servings of diet soda per day and faster kidney function decline.
4.  Increased Diabetes Risk-“If you're a consumer of diet soda, you have a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome than a non-consumer,” says Lyn Steffen, Ph.D., R.D,
5.  Stroke-A January 2012 study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that people who guzzle diet soda daily have a 43 percent higher risk of vascular events—such as stroke and heart attack
For more info read the entire article at http://caloriecount.about.com/blog


Jul 12, 2012

Healthy Lifestyles 5k!

It's time to sign up for this this 5k!
This year we're having an Olympic theme with fun games, decorations, food, prizes and more!
You don't want to miss it!
Sign up today at uchealthylifestyles5k.pbworks.com

Jun 25, 2012

Summer workout tips

As the summer heat sets in, you may find yourself feeling a little sluggish. Keep in mind it takes time for your body to adjust to the heat, but there are a few things you can do right away to help you survive these hotter summer months.

1.  Get Up Earlier. Go to bed early, so you can get up earlier and get a work-out in before the heat of the day hits. Invest in a good alarm clock and put it on the other side of the room if you're prone to hitting the snooze button in those early morning hours. 
 
2.  Hydrate! Make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Carry a water bottle with you or keep it in a visible place as a constant reminder to keep drinking. Track how many ounces you are drinking…you may be surprised to find out initially how few you may be consuming.  Your body weight divided by 2 is how many ounces you should be drinking each day.

3.    Use Sunscreen. If you do like to work-out in the sun, make sure to apply sunscreen. Nothing hurts worse than working-out with a horrible sun burn.

4.  Work-out in Shaded Areas.  Try a nearby trail, parkway, park, or any other area that has trees to increase the amount of time you spend in the shade.

5.  Water Stops. Map out courses with options to stop for frequent drinks or carry your own water so you have the option to hydrate consistently throughout your work-out.

6.  Avoid the Hot Hours. Most sources say the hottest part of the day is between 2-5 pm. If possible, avoid working out outside during those times of the day.

Enjoy your summer!
utahrunning.com

Jun 14, 2012

HL tee-shirt winners!

Congratulations to our HL tee-shirt winers from our June 12th wear your shirt day!
Janalee Cary won a $50 cash cash and Tamara Gerjets won't a $25 cash card!  Our next wear your shirt day will be in August or September!

Jun 7, 2012

Did you know.....

Health and Exercise Sleep Facts

  • A minimum of 7.5 hours of quality sleep per night is important to keep your immune system strong to prevent your body from getting colds and the flu.
  • Sleeping on a newer mattress that is one to four years old can reduce lower back pain by 62.8 percent.
  • Poor sleep is linked to hormone secretions which can cause obesity.
  • Inadequate sleep weakens the body's ability to use insulin and can lead to diabetes.  
  • Insomnia early in life can be linked to clinical depression and other disorders.
  • Those who get at least nine hours of sleep per night are more likely to participate in high intensity exercises such as biking or running.  
  • Those who exercise in the morning and at least four hours a week have less difficulty falling asleep.
  • Jun 4, 2012

    Congratulations to all our Circuit Training finishers!

    That was no easy task....next challenge....the 3rd Annual Healthy Lifestyles 5k!  Mark your calendars and gather your loved ones for our 5k on August 11th at 8am! 
    In honor of the 2012 Olympics we'll be hosting our own Olympic themed 5k event! 
    Choose your training schedule at http://uchealthylifestyles5k.pbworks.com and start training today!

    May 21, 2012

    Circuit Training Week 4!!!

    You've made it to week 4! The end is in sight!  Just one more week of circuit training and you're in the running for some great prizes! And everyone that finishes will get a prize so keep pushing through!
    You can do it!

    May 10, 2012

    Whole Grains

    A diet rich in whole grains will help give you the energy you need to get through your busy days!
    Remember just because it's brown doesn't mean it's whole grain...look for the words 'whole grain, whole (name of grain), and whole wheat'. 
    Popcorn, oatmeal, and brown rice are always whole grains!
    The word enriched doesn not mean it is a whole grain.  It is, in fact, refined!

    Try this recipie!

    Baked Barley with Mushrooms
    1/2 pound sliced mushrooms
    1 medium sized sliced carrot
    1 small diced onion
    1 cup chicken bouillon
    4 cups water
    3/4 cup barley
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1/2 teaspoon salt

    In a 2 quart casserole dish, mix all ingredients and cover.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 2 hours, stirring occisionally.  Enjoy!

    May 7, 2012

    Week 2 of the circuit training challenge!

    You survived week 1! Are your quads sore...hamstrings...? I consider sore muscles a good thing (as long as you didn't forget to stretch!) It means you had a killer workout and are hopefully eager to start week 2!
    How are you creatively fitting in exercise? Sit-ups while watching your favorite show... side bends? Lunges down the hallway? hopscotch on the way to pick up your papers from the printer? Don't be afraid to skip down the hallway and ALWAYS take the stairs:)
    Good luck on week 2!