Author Archives: Leanne Rose

February 17, 2020

IS SWEATING A SIGN OF A GOOD WORKOUT?

It’s the age old question, but one we’re still confused about.

A lot of people equate sweat to how hard they’re working. However it’s not an accurate representation of the effort you’re putting into an exercise session.

Sweat is the body’s super-effective cooling system, and we naturally perspire a litre of water on a rest day. And, besides, some people’s genetics mean they sweat more easily than others.

It just means how hot your body is. So if you’re jumping on the spot in a hot room, you’re going to start sweating. If you’re working harder in a cold room, you might not sweat but you’ve still put in more effort.

February 3, 2020

ESSENTIAL MINERALS YOUR DIET MUST INCLUDE.

When it comes to nutritional benefits, vitamins have long stood front and centre. But what about those equally important essential mineral workhorses that labour undercover with no recognition?

I’m talking trace minerals, compounds needed – albeit in microscopic quantities – to keep your body running as nature intended. Unlike vitamins, there are no non-essential minerals, meaning you have to get them all via your diet.

Although trace minerals are, typically, harder to be lacking in, certain current food trends – swerving dairy, for example – could put you at risk of deficiency, symptoms of which include chronic fatigue, cognitive decline and depression.

Here are some of the key essential minerals to get yourself acquainted with:

1. Iodine: The Thyroid Manager
Not only is iodine crucial for neurological development, it also plays a major role in healthy thyroid function. Without it, your active thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine, wouldn’t exist.

Which food is it in?
White fish and dairy products.

2. Copper: The Fat Burner
Research has shown that copper is essential for metabolising fat. It’s also proven as a brain booster; deficiency has been linked to Alzheimer’s.

Which food is it in?
Sunflower seeds, cashew nuts, green olives and shellfish.

3. Selenium: The Immune System Helper
Selenium boosts immune system function and is a key player in egg formation and fertilisation.

Which food is it in?
Brazil nuts and eggs.

4. Molybdenum: The Liver Lover
Molybdenum supports an enzyme called sulphate oxidase, which is integral to the conversion of toxic sulphites into more inert sulphates, which the body can then excrete in the urine. 

Which food is it in?
Foods that grow above ground are higher in molybdenum than those that grow below. Think cauliflower, beans and oats.

5. Manganese: The Bone Booster
This one is essential for bone growth and can help to reverse bone mineral density loss when taken as part of a calcium, copper and zinc supplement. Manganese activates glycosyl transferases, an enzyme need for the formation of proteoglycan molecules present in cartilage. 

Which food is it in?
Tea is probably the simplest source for most people. Not a tea person? Try porridge with cinnamon or cloves instead.

January 17, 2020

ARE SORE MUSCLES A GOOD SIGN?

Pain in your muscles following a workout is known as DOMS – or delayed onset muscle soreness. It is triggered by small-scale damage to your muscles from strenuous or unaccustomed exercise.

Using this as a barometer isn’t sustainable. As you workout more, you’ll stop getting that soreness. Great news!

January 3, 2020

HOW TO MAKE ANY WORKOUT FEEL EASIER.

How you feel during training is not always a reflection of how fit you are. If you know just how to manage it and use a variety of mental tricks you don’t just get to feel better than you would otherwise, you will be performing better, doing more and working out harder.

Fitness is, mostly, inside your head. It’s first of all a mental battle to win in order to make yourself train, make yourself train at the level you need to, and then to continue doing it time and time again. Here are a few tricks you can use to make the whole process easier on yourself:

Don’t think about how hard it is
The more you think about yourself not being able to cope, the harder it will feel. Keep telling yourself that what you are doing is no big deal and you’ll find that you are capable of achieving much more.

Take yourself elsewhere for a few seconds
If where you are is less than comfortable, imagine where you would like to be right now and take yourself there in your head. It will help you reset your brain and take its attention away from thinking about the tough training session.

Lie
Tell yourself that you will never do this again or will take a long break…after this time. The lie works because it re-programmes your brain to stop complaining and simply focus on the time training will end.

Work out with music
Evidence shows that listening to music during your workout, due to its calming effect, can lead to reduced muscle tension and more efficient oxygenation. We are not just able to do more and feel less exhausted, but the exercise itself feels less taxing.

December 16, 2019

5 WAYS TO FIT FITNESS INTO A REALLY BUSY SCHEDULE.

Here are 5 must-dos for staying motivated and on track when time isn’t on your side.

1. Work out why
Understanding what drives you to work out and what you want to achieve will help keep you focused on your goal.

2. Map the way
Struggling to make regular runs or training session? Giving yourself a goal will really help. Work out what you need to achieve and by when, and make a training plan that helps you get there.

3. Have a laugh
If you’re somebody who lacks motivation, training with a group or a friend means you’re more likely to look forward to sessions than dread them. When you enjoy it, working out becomes more of a hobby, and sometimes the accountability means you don’t allow yourself to miss the session.

4. Prep, prep, prep
Plan your week in advance and review it each Sunday night. Always put in one more session than you need – if you plan four sessions and only do three, then you’re still winning. Get your kick ready and packed each evening instead of rushing around in the morning.

5. Be realistic
Start small when it comes to goals and ensure they are actually achievable – you’re less likely to fail that way. Progress takes time and it’s unrealistic to expect huge changes immediately.

December 2, 2019

SQUATS: SIGNS YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG.

1. Your knees fall inwards. This can put pressure on the ligaments in the knee and lead to injury. Upping the strength of your inner and outer thighs will help – try llateral walks with a resistance band around your ankles.

2. Your lower back hurts. Adjust the distribution of your weight until you feel the tension in your legs and glutes instead of your back. If your lower back aches, brace your abs to keep it neutral.

3. Your heels rise. Keeping your heels planted firmly on the floor will help you push back up to the starting position effectively. If they come off the floor, it will knock your centre of gravity off-kilter and prevent you from recruiting your hamstrings and glutes properly.

November 15, 2019

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO TREAT POST-WORKOUT ACHING MUSCLES AND SPEED RECOVERY?

Lactic acid build-up is often blamed for post-workout muscle soreness, but lactic acid isn’t the problem; it breaks down quickly and is no longer present when the muscle soreness hits.

Why muscle soreness occurs is still a grey area, but anti-inflammatory herbs and spices can help: ginger, oregano and rosemary in food as a tincture or in essential-oil massage. 

Turmeric is great to have daily with a little black pepper to enhance absorption. Aim for a teaspoon of turmeric per day. 

Tart cherry juice has been shown to lessen pain and improve strength recovery in athletes at 2 cups per day; it also helps you sleep which is important for muscle repair. 

Beta-glucan-rich medicinal mushrooms, cordyceps and chaga help mitigate oxidative stress, support community, and assist in muscle recovery.

November 1, 2019

THE TRUTH ABOUT NITRATES.

Why are nitrates in beetroot good for you, but those in bacon bad?

Nitrates are processed by the body in different ways, depending on their source. All nitrates we consume are converted to nitrates in the stomach, where they can be made into two other components.

The nitrates derived from vegetables such as beetroot, spinach and rocket tend to become nitric oxide, which protects cells, regulates heart rhythm and widens blood vessels.

The nitrates derived from processed meats are much more likely to convert into cancer-promoting nitrosamines before or after consumption. Nitrosamines form due to reactions with proteins and iron also found in the meat.

Drinking a small glass of orange juice with your occasional bacon sarnie can help, as vitamin C reduces the formation of nitrosamines.

October 14, 2019

MINERAL MIRACLE.

New evidence suggests that magnesium can help your body to regulate vitamin D levels. Previous studies have shown vitamin D tends to be low when the body’s magnesium supplies are depleted.

Latest research found that the presence of magnesium in the body regulates higher levels of vitamin D (a moderate vitamin D level has been linked to the lower risk of cardiovascular disease).

It is recommended getting magnesium from food sources rather than supplements – try dark leafy greens, whole grains, dark chocolate, nuts, bananas and avocado.

October 4, 2019

THE STRESS EFFECT.

It’s no secret that stress is bad for your health. Long-term exposure to anxiety is linked to increased risk of heart attack, stroke and other conditions.

But new research shows negative emotions may alter your bodies immune response, leading to increased inflammation.

The results showed that those who experienced negative moods several times a day, for extended periods of time, tended to have higher levels of inflammation in their blood. 

It is hoped that further research may lead to psychosocial interventions to break the cycle that can lead to chronic inflammation and disease.

Meanwhile, hit that yoga class or meditation session.