Lead a Fit and Healthy Life
Archive for February, 2011
Genetically altered foods a major part of our diets
011 months ago
by Stephy
in Health/Nutrition
Genetically altered foods a major part of our diets
Ok am i the only one who didn’t realize this? That much of our food is from genetically modified seeds? This scares me — changing anything from the way nature intended is taking an unnecessary risk — I don’t care how small it is — the fact that I didn’t know about this until now annoys me. I have the right to make informed decisions for my family –
WASHINGTON — Genetically modified plants grown from seeds engineered in laboratories now provide much of the food Americans eat. Most corn, soybean and cotton crops grown in the United States have been genetically modified to resist pesticides or insects, and corn and soy are common food ingredients.
The Agriculture Department has approved three more genetically engineered crops in the past month, and the Food and Drug Administration could approve fast-growing genetically modified salmon for human consumption this year.
‘Guinea pigs’
Agribusiness and the seed companies say their products help boost crop production, lower prices at the grocery store and feed the world, particularly in developing countries. The FDA and USDA say the engineered foods they have approved are safe — so safe, they do not even need to be labeled as such — and cannot be significantly distinguished from conventional varieties.Organic food companies, chefs and consumer groups have stepped up their efforts — so far, unsuccessfully — to get the government to exercise more oversight of engineered foods, arguing the seeds are floating from field to field and contaminating pure crops. The groups have been bolstered by a growing network of consumers who are wary of processed and modified foods.
Teens should be banned from tanning booths, doctors say
011 months ago
CNN) — When Samantha Hessel heard about the risks associated with tanning beds, she ignored them. When her mom cautioned her not to tan so much, Hessel shrugged it off.
Her friends and peers were doing the same thing. What was the harm of lying in a tanning bed three to four times a week?
It’s an activity the nation’s pediatricians say is dangerous. Laws should ban minors from going to tanning parlors, the American Academy of Pediatrics announced Monday. This echoes positions of the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Dermatology.
via Teens should be banned from tanning booths, doctors say – CNN.com.
Clean Squats are Hard!
111 months ago
I can feel spring in the air. The birds are chirping and let me break out in song —-
Today’s workout was one of the ladies: Elizabeth and at first glance, seems pretty reasonable. Of course all of these ladies seem ok on paper! Then you meet them and you realize, there is a lot more behind their name!
CrossFit Impavidus WOD
Warmupx2
10 burpees
10 Pass Thrus
10 OH Squats
5 Handstands
Skill
Clean Squats
21, 15, 9
clean squats (135lb,95lb)
Ring Dips
Time: 9:29
I’m getting more confident with handstands once I really commit — I started off rough but Colleen, a 6a partner in crime, realized I wasn’t leading with my leg — once we fixed that and got close to the wall — I had them no problem!
I started with 75lb for the cleans but halfway into the first set of clean squats, I decided to scale. I couldn’t keep going — so I dropped to 65lbs and continued on with the workout – which was still hard as heck. Cleans don’t look so tough –but they take the wind right out of you!
Heads Up: Local Northern VA Races
011 months ago
Today was a beautiful spring like day in Northern Virginia! Man — I can taste spring and can’t wait. It is my rest day and I am forcing myself to take it easy –I keep hearing about over training and burn out. I love it so much and am so excited to try new things and practice the new stuff I have learned that it’s hard for me to keep away.
This is the time of the year when info about local races is starting to hit. It seems to me this year that there are more than ever — or maybe I am just on too many email lists. Here are a few to note in the local No VA/DC area:
Brambleton 5k/10k April 9, 2011
http://www.brambletonribbonrun.com/
AOL Sunday, May 15, 2011 @ 8:30 AM.
http://www.active.com/running/dulles-va/aol-2nd-annual-spring-into-summer-5k-and-fun-run-2011
Ashburn Village 10K, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. Sunday, May 22, 2011
http://www.active.com/running/ashburn-va/ashburn-village-10k-5k-and-1-mile-fun-run-2011
North Face Endurance Challenge June 4-5, 2011
http://www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge/races/2011/dc/index.html
Spartan Race June 18 2011
http://www.spartanrace.com/
RARE CrossFit 5 Mile Trail Run (RCX5TR) II
Website
Sunday, July 17, 2011 9:00 AM
Virginia Outdoor Center
Fredericksburg, VA
Saturday at CrossFit Impavidus
111 months ago
Saturdays are Free at CrossFit Impavidus. I like that new people come and check out CrossFit. It gives a new atmosphere every week —
Warmup x2
1m Stations
Box Jumps
Burpee
Pull Ups
Air Squats
Rest
WOD
1m
10m runs
This WOD was different for me but totally fun. You run 10m and each round it doubles but you still only get 1m and 1m rest — so first round 10m, 2nd 20m, 3rd 30m — until the last person is standing. If you don’t make the round, you are out — I made it to almost 15rounds but came up short with 20m to go! Now talk about a agility workout –Yowsa!
You may be on to something with that Gluten thing you talk about…
011 months ago
My mom called me yesterday and said –and I quote — ‘you know, Stephanie, there may be something to that gluten thing you have been talking about’ and she went on to tell me how she has eliminated wheat and other gluten rich foods for about a week or so and then had a muffin about 2 days ago –sure enough, she started to feel super fatigued, got a very bad headache and had to lie down…then came the stomach issues and she still doesn’t feel right. Ya think I may be on to something!! Oy! I guess sometimes it takes finding it out on your own to believe it.
And anyone can do that — try going gluten free for a week or 2 and see how you feel? 14 days in the grand scheme of things isn’t really that long if you think about it –and the payoff could be huge!
I recently found out one of my co-workers had also changed her life due to an illness and began a ‘paleo’ like eating approach and now is entering into the realm of wellness coaching. I gotta tell you — I have known her for about 4 years, not closely but we had talked. I had no idea what she was going thru but recently noticed how great she looked and younger! Like me, she had also put in the work to transform her life — Taking a look at what you eat and how you live your life really is the magical fountain of youth that people talk about and talking with her felt like talking to me — it felt like ‘home’ if that makes sense. She wrote a really good blog post about Gluten that I want to share:
Gluten seems to be everywhere these days. From our food to our news sources to our celebrities (Thanks Gwyneth and Chelsea), gluten is everywhere. So what’s the deal with gluten? And should you kick the habit?
Flip For FREE Pancakes March 1. 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
011 months ago
TUES 3/1 Flip For FREE Pancakes March 1. 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Visit your local IHOP on March 1st to receive one complimentary short stack. In return for the free flapjacks, they are asking for a donation that will go towards the Children’s MiracleNetworkHospitals and other designated local charities. This year’s goal is set at $2.3 million. For more information, visit ihoppancakeday.com
Climbing up the rope
011 months ago
Today was another good day at CrossFit Impavidus. We had rope climbs during the WOD and I finally got up that rope using the scissor grip. That is SUCCESS! I have been challenged by that rope for a long time and once again, its all technique! And I got halfway up the ROPE!! YAHOOOOOOO!
Warmupx2
Row 250m
Pass Thrus
50ft Walking Lunges
Skill
Rope Climb
WOD
15m
2 Assents (rope climb)
15 push ups
15 Air Squats
15 butterfly sit ups (+10 more each round as I waited on the rope)
7 Rounds completed
I have an issue- I guess some would call me ‘hard core’ in my workouts and although I like to have fun during them, I don’t have patience for people who come to the workout who aren’t serious. The ladies I have worked out with for years are the same way. We have been trained to show up and work! Chatting time is before or after — workout time is workout time.
The people that show up late, and we have to wait for them to catch up and then they continue to chat away during the workout frustrate me. Usually, I can block them out but when the workout is timed and you are sharing equipment or order of workout — I get frustrated. There is only so many extra reps I can do while I am waiting on them — and quite frankly, if we are timed – then everyone should be going full steam.
It’s also the Coach — Part of their job to keep us all focused and on task. I’m used to having everyone focused during the workout. It’s also not the time to practice moves over and over again. That’s what the skill practice is for and before and afterwards.
These workouts are hard and if you are working your butt off — then you shouldn’t be even able to talk.
Any have advice about how to handle? I don’t want to be that one person who is known as the beeyotch, but if really bothered me this AM. Am I being too sensitive and ‘hard core’? This is CrossFit after all —
An Unexpected Rest Day
011 months ago
It’s been quite a busy day. I woke up all raring to go workout when I realized I couldn’t turn my head to the right. I was dressed and thought oh I will go — then I stopped and said nope, not going to push it! So I went back to bed — so Thursday is officially my rest day. I will go tomorrow morning and of course on Saturday.
I’ve been under a lot of stress at work –it’s good busy stress but a lot of it nonetheless. It’s times like this when you need to make sure you are taking the time to relax and create some sort of order in your life so the stress doesn’t just start taking over and you may make the wrong decisions.
I’m not sure if my neck strain is due to the stress or if it was all that shoulder work yesterday — but in the end it doesnt matter, it is what it is.
A Shoulder Workout
011 months ago
Today was strength day for the workout –
Warmupx2
Jumping Jacks
10 Air Squats
5 Push Ups
Dynamic Stretching
Skill
Push Jerk
WODx5
Shoulder Press max weight 85lbs (1-1-1-1-1)
Push Press max weight 90lbs (3-3-3-3-3)
Push Jerk max weight 75lb but dropped down to 65lb for final 2 rounds (5-5-5-5-5)
Push Jerks are tough mostly because of the technique. You have to get under the bar at the same time you are pushing it up — almost like racing to see which gets to their designated point first! I seem to need a lot of practice —-
