Raleigh Personal Trainer Emmanuel: A little holiday humor

Raleigh Personal Trainer Emmanuel: A little holiday humor: "Tis the season of the saboteur right? Have you been sabotaged this holiday season? I have and I am almost sure you have too. This saboteur i..."

A little holiday humor

Tis the season of the saboteur right? Have you been sabotaged this holiday season? I have and I am almost sure you have too. This saboteur is all in the grocery store with the speed and precision of a race car driver wheeling their cart through the isle picking up all their supplies to sabotage you. Their kitchen is like a battle station. Instead of guns and grenades it's pot and pans. Who is this saboteur? It's all of you ladies that like to bake during the holiday season. Each and every year you get in your kitchen and you bake until you get sleepy. I actually know a lady that had the back of her whole entire SUV loaded with cookies. Here is the funny thing, this lady was also trying to lose weight. I know it's part of Christmas tradition for some of you ladies, but I think it's time start a new healthier one.

I've consulted alot of women on losing weight and alot of them complained about that special someone in their lives setting them up for failure. Well, it's like a major role reversal doing the holidays. The bottom line is do all of us health conscience people a favor and ditch the sweets and start giving out fruits and vegetables. Haha! If you need help to get rid of them, send them all to me. I will definitely get rid of them for you (one at a time Haha!). I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday!

Cravings, Cravings, Cravings!

Ok, here is the scenario. You have been on a diet for a few days, then out of no where here they come. You know exactly who I am talking about. I am talking about those dreaded cravings. From chocolate to french fries our mind tells us that we need it and we want it now! I've had my theories about why we crave stuff like that and it turns out that there is research to back up what I have thought for a long time.

Former FDA commissioner David Kessler wrote a book called "The End of Overeating". In this book he actually looked into foods that he was craving. What he found was that these foods contains high levels of salt, fat, and sugar. Studies have revealed that this combination releases dopamine into your body. Dopamine is associated with the pleasure center of the brain, so eating this combination of salt, fat and sugar gives most people pleasure and has an addictive affect. The more you consume, the more you want. According to the Journal of Neuroscience, Cocaine works the same way. It is addictive because of the increase it causes in Dopamine. Yeah, you heard me right. Cocaine and the combination of salt, sugar, and fat both have some of the same properties. They both give you pleasure and make you addicted. Not convinced?

Have you ever eaten something and couldn't control the urge to say "Ummmm this is so good", and roll your eyes back. What about driving by a restaurant that you love and just thinking about the food in there makes you want it, even if you are not hungry. That is just part of that addictive behavior that is associated with consuming foods with this combination. I have heard some people say that they are food  addicts. That may very well be true. According to Kessler, the food industry figured this out a long time ago and actually designed foods like this to keep you wanting more.

The next time you go shopping  and you start to pick up your favorite things, take the time to turn it around and read the nutrition facts. What you find may shock you. At least now you will be more conscience of what you are consuming and hopefully you won't choose those foods that are just going to feed your habit.

Winter is upon us

Wow it's cold out in North Carolina this morning. Even my dog went outside and ran back inside which is something he never does. To me that means it is an awesome time to exercise, diet, and be active. I know my readers are thinking I am crazy right now by posting that but here is the reality. Most of us are like bears when it gets cold. We like to hibernate in the winter. Lots of people just like to sit in the house where its warm and rely on comfort food to get us by. You really don't have to worry about looking your best because the type of clothing you wear has changed. You go from wearing T-shirts and shorts to wearing big heavy coats and sweaters. You can hide behind the clothing. As the weather starts to get warm again, you all of a sudden try to look better because you can't hide behind the clothes anymore. Does this sound familiar to anyone? What I am proposing is this year do something different. Instead of hibernating, start a healthy eating plan and exercise regimen. That way when the weather changes again, there will be no rush to get back into shape, because you will already look good. Now, thats a common sense approach.

Welcome!

Hello, my name is Emmanuel. I'm a Personal Trainer in Raleigh N.C. I will be posting tips and tricks about my form of training. I call it the  "Common Sense Approach To Fitness". I've tried lots of things over the years to get in shape and stay in shape. I am going to be posting things that have worked best for me. I use these same techniques and tricks with my clients and have lots of success. I hope you enjoy my posts. To learn more about me you can take a look at my website. It is http://www.fitnesstrainer4life.com/