If you cut calories will you live longer?

Dr. Roth from the Institute of Aging states, “Calorie restriction is the only dietary habit known in mammals to improve both the average and maximal life spans.” Have you ever wondered why your health improves and you feel more energetic when you cut back on your consumption of food?  Dr. Roth may have the answer.  He believes that our bodies have evolved and adapted to periods of famine not necessarily to extend lifespan but to enable humans to reproduce.  This is an ironic statement as my wife became pregnant while dieting for a photoshoot!  His research has also shown that many of the health ailments that plague us today such as cancer and heart disease are decreased substantially when calories are reduced by 30%.  For many of us, a cut of 30% calories only means skipping the evening snack routine.  Thirty percent calorie cuts could buy you a lifetime!

 

Inspire to Aspire

Kristopher Simpson

Fruits are high in sugar, should I eliminate them from my diet?‏

Fruits or vegetables? What is the wiser choice?  Well, they both contain fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants – BUT – let’s look at an apple vs. a tomato.  An apple has approximately 80 calories while the same size of tomato only has 20 calories.  That means you would have to eat 4 tomatoes to consume the equivalent calories that you would find in an apple.  With calories being of the essence these days, choose a water-based vegetable over fruit any day!

 Inspire to Aspire

Kristopher Simpson

Personal Training Tip – Modified Hamstring Curl

Bodies by Design Fitness Tips

 

Cassandra performs a modified hamstring curl, an exercise that works the hamstrings.

To execute this modified hamstring curl, you’ll need a pole about chest height. Walk over to a universal machine and place your knees on a seated pad, while tucking your heels under a knee pad. Beginner exercisers should hold the pole upright a few feet away. With your hands on the top of the pole, lower your hips, torso and chest all at once. Slowly pull yourself back into an upright position using your hamstrings (the large muscles on the back of your legs). Don’t use your hands to lift yourself up, they’re just there for stability. To make this move more challenging, pull the pole closer to you.

Personal Training Tip: Side Lunge

Bodies by Design Fitness Tips

 

Dan performs a side lunge, an exercise that targets the inner and outer thighs, often utilized at Bodies By Design Personal Training Studios in Woodbridge.

To perform a side lunge, take a wide stance, then place your left foot slightly ahead of your right foot. Lean towards your left side, trying to get your left thigh parallel to the ground. Your right leg will straighten during this motion. Make sure to keep an upright posture, and be light on your toes. Dont let the knee go past the toes on the lead foot. Do all of your reps on your left side, then repeat with the right leg. This move targets the muscles on the inside and outside of your thighs.