Is sexy back, or is being sexy hurting your back?
For all of you women who feel that you have to wear high heels to look sexy--listen up. High heels may cause you to look and feel powerful, confident, sexy and beautiful right now; but they are also causing pediatric problems. These problems can cause you to be an unsexy, unattractive cripple.
I know that there are numerous other reasons that you wear high heels. They make you appear taller and thinner. They make your legs look skinnier and longer. They make your butt look more lifted, and the swaying of your hips makes you feel more sexy, seductive and attractive to men. Boy you've got that right-- we are visual creatures!! But, how often are you wearing them and do you know the long term effects these high heels are having on your body?
They can injure tendons in your feet when worn over long periods of time. They cause muscular imbalances and postural problems. They shorten your calves making you vunerable to athritis and knee problems. When your hips become misaligned it causes back problems along with many others. Whenever imbalances occur in your body and you are compensating to alleviate pain, your entire body is open to injury.
Many women think that the statement they make by wearing high heels outweight the risk. Here are some options for those of you who don't want to be in a wheelchair or using a walker years from know saying "girl, I used to be a sexy thing a few years ago, now I can barely walk"......
There are plenty of pointy flats or ballerina flats that would look sexy with jeans or dresses. A small stacked heel with foot and arch support would be another choice. The main thing that I would suggest doing is to counter wearing the high heels with flats and laceup tennis shoes and wear the high heels like dessert-- only on special occasions!! If you feel that you have to wear high heels to dinner, wear tennis shoes the next day and stretch your calves alot. If you need to wear high heels to work, take them off as much as you can after you get there. Remember, now a days, women are excelling in the world based on their brains and skills. Men like that about women too.
I guess now you have a choice to make. How long do you want to be sexy?
Monday, May 28, 2007
The Fountain of Youth
So many times I have had older people say to me "isn't it too late for me to build muscle?" My answer has always been no, it is not too late. Strength training will actually reverse or slow down the aging process-- it's the fountain of youth. I actually have a few clients who are older than 70 years old and they have excellent strength and good definition. I even have one who is over 80. For all of you who think that I only train good looking women, these clients that I'm referring to are "STUDS"!
Research not only shows that resistance training increases muscle strength and function, but it also affects the gene expression of older muscles--essentially turning back the clock on muscle aging. Genes hold the instructions for which the body manufactures fats, proteins and enzymes. Most older muscle tissue reported to have impaired functioning in mitochondria-- structures within cells that produce energy for cells through respiration.
The studies showed that this impairment in these older muscles was reversible after months of strength training. The gene expression profile in their muscles showed a more youthful appearance.
Therefore, all of you young "whipper snappers" better get to lifting!!
BA
Research not only shows that resistance training increases muscle strength and function, but it also affects the gene expression of older muscles--essentially turning back the clock on muscle aging. Genes hold the instructions for which the body manufactures fats, proteins and enzymes. Most older muscle tissue reported to have impaired functioning in mitochondria-- structures within cells that produce energy for cells through respiration.
The studies showed that this impairment in these older muscles was reversible after months of strength training. The gene expression profile in their muscles showed a more youthful appearance.
Therefore, all of you young "whipper snappers" better get to lifting!!
BA
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Pre/Post Natal Workouts
It's me again. Today I will be talking to you about Pre/Post Natal Workouts. I have trained numerous clients during and after their pregnancies. They know that working out prior to delivery will make their delivery easier, while it will also make their recovery back to their pre-pregnancy body happen much faster. Although, there are some precautions that must be taken when working out while pregnant because a woman's body goes through numerous changes during this time.
As the womans womb grows, her abdominal muscles are stretched and seperated. This process changes a womans gait, center of gravity and normal movement patterns. Her heart rate increases as well as her body temperature, so she should avoid working out in extremely hot weather. The relaxin levels within her body may increase up to 10 times causing laxity in the connective tissues. This reduces joint stability and strength in the lumbar spine. She should never exercise to the point of exhaustion or breathlessness because this is a sign that she nor her baby can get the oxygen that they need. She should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids. The list goes on, and sometimes their are more restriction depending on the individual.
Once the baby is born, the mother tends to be fatigued and have a variety of emotional moods due to the pregnancy and the long days. I'm not sure how this is any different than other times because some of my clients act like this without recently having a baby. Alot of mothers freakout about gaining on too much weight during pregnancy, but weight gain is normal and healthy. Plus, the primary focus should not be on her weight, it should be on making sure that she is getting in enough good nutritional foods for her and her baby.
The time period for when a post natal mom can return to exercise varies with each individual. Eventhough relaxin production ceases towards the end of the pregnancy, its effects can still be seen for up to five months after birth. With regard to breast feeding, studies have reported that babies have been refusing milk right after workouts. Therefore it would seem logical to breastfeed right before a workout.
Due to the postural changes and musclar imbalances that have occured, the focus of the workouts should be on core stablization and working the transversus abdominis. See you next time!!!
As the womans womb grows, her abdominal muscles are stretched and seperated. This process changes a womans gait, center of gravity and normal movement patterns. Her heart rate increases as well as her body temperature, so she should avoid working out in extremely hot weather. The relaxin levels within her body may increase up to 10 times causing laxity in the connective tissues. This reduces joint stability and strength in the lumbar spine. She should never exercise to the point of exhaustion or breathlessness because this is a sign that she nor her baby can get the oxygen that they need. She should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of fluids. The list goes on, and sometimes their are more restriction depending on the individual.
Once the baby is born, the mother tends to be fatigued and have a variety of emotional moods due to the pregnancy and the long days. I'm not sure how this is any different than other times because some of my clients act like this without recently having a baby. Alot of mothers freakout about gaining on too much weight during pregnancy, but weight gain is normal and healthy. Plus, the primary focus should not be on her weight, it should be on making sure that she is getting in enough good nutritional foods for her and her baby.
The time period for when a post natal mom can return to exercise varies with each individual. Eventhough relaxin production ceases towards the end of the pregnancy, its effects can still be seen for up to five months after birth. With regard to breast feeding, studies have reported that babies have been refusing milk right after workouts. Therefore it would seem logical to breastfeed right before a workout.
Due to the postural changes and musclar imbalances that have occured, the focus of the workouts should be on core stablization and working the transversus abdominis. See you next time!!!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Skinny People vs. Fat People
We've all heard the sayings "you are what you eat" and "it's what's on the inside that counts". Well, listen to this. Fat (active people) may be healthier than their skinny (inactive) colleagues.
I am a TOP PERSONAL TRAINER in ATLANTA and have had skinny clients whose bodyfat I have tested that were obese. These people thought that just because they looked skinny that they were healthy and fit. They were eating and drinking whatever they wanted to and did not exercise because they looked skinny. They thought that the numbers on their scale were a good indicator or their health. Needless to say, they were in shock. Sedentary people are at much higher risk of mortality and heart problems than obese active people.
Some doctors believe that internal fat surrounding vital organs like the heart, pancreas and liver could be more dangerous than the visible fat seen near the surface of people's skin.
Therefore my friends, don't rely on how skinny you look or what the scale says to be the sole indicator in determining how healthy you are. Try to eat healthy, exercise consistently and have your bodyfat tested frequently to get a better indication of your health.
Are you healthy? Take the time to find out. Contact me at brett@brettthebodyarchitect.com
Brett
I am a TOP PERSONAL TRAINER in ATLANTA and have had skinny clients whose bodyfat I have tested that were obese. These people thought that just because they looked skinny that they were healthy and fit. They were eating and drinking whatever they wanted to and did not exercise because they looked skinny. They thought that the numbers on their scale were a good indicator or their health. Needless to say, they were in shock. Sedentary people are at much higher risk of mortality and heart problems than obese active people.
Some doctors believe that internal fat surrounding vital organs like the heart, pancreas and liver could be more dangerous than the visible fat seen near the surface of people's skin.
Therefore my friends, don't rely on how skinny you look or what the scale says to be the sole indicator in determining how healthy you are. Try to eat healthy, exercise consistently and have your bodyfat tested frequently to get a better indication of your health.
Are you healthy? Take the time to find out. Contact me at brett@brettthebodyarchitect.com
Brett
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