Do Vitamin B12 shots work for weight loss?

Unless you suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, there’s no reason you should receive the shots. The truth is that it’s rare to suffer from such a deficiency because the human body stores several years’ worth of vitamin B12. So where does the confusion come from? Simply, patients that received vitamin B12 shots for chronic fatigue reported another amazing effect of the shots … they lost weight! The word spread and as so often happens with weight loss fads, vitamin B12 was tagged “the next weight loss cure.” While many doctors prescribe it for weight loss, perhaps it’s the pseudo effect – if they tell you it’s going to help you lose weight, chances are you’ll believe them. But the truth is your weight loss is a result of the diet you’re following.

Inspire to Aspire

Kristopher Simpson

Do hot peppers cause hemorrhoids or ulcers?

Absolutely not!  Capsaicinoids (the substances that give peppers their intensity) are broken down in the mouth and not in the remainder of the digestive system.  What hot peppers can cause is an increase in metabolic rate and also a release of endorphins.  Case and point: You won’t feel the heat in the toilet but you will feel it in your mouth!

Inspire to Aspire,

Kristopher Simpson

www.bodiesbydesign.ca

What’s the best way to predict your risk of heart attack?

The best tests to predict your risk for having a heart attack is your Recovery Heart Rate.  Recovery heart rate is a measure of fitness and a slow recovery from exercise means that you’re out of shape. To measure recovery heart rate, exercise on a treadmill until you breathe hard, record your heart rate, and hold that pace for at least a minute. Then cool down and measure your pulse rate exactly one minute after stopping. If your heart does not slow down at least 30 beats in the first minute, you’re in poor shape and at increased risk for a heart attack. If your heart rate slows down more than 50 beats in the first minute, you’re in excellent shape.  Keep your pumper pumpin’ and try this test today! 

 

Inspire to Aspire

Kristopher Simpson

www.bodiesbydesign.ca

What’s your BMI?

If you’ve been to the doctor lately, you may have found out that your BMI (Body Mass Index) is higher than 30 and you’re obese. This form of body fat measurement calculates a score based on your height and weight. I find it to be inaccurate, especially for athletes with a lot of muscle and older people who have lost muscle. It also doesn’t take into account your body type, which can also skew your score. For example, my BMI measurement while competing for Mr. Drug Free Canada was in the “overweight” category. I weighed 190 pounds at 6 feet tall with 5 % body fat — not exactly what you would call overweight. One easy way of determining a desirable weight for you is to look back at your weight history. History can determine your future.
 
Inspire to Aspire,

Kristopher Simpson

Should I be taking a daily Multi-Vitamin?

Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that are essential to life. Studies show 80-91% of people don’t achieve the recommended daily intake levels for all the vitamin and minerals from food, and recent figures highlight the fact that supplemental levels of certain vitamins and minerals are linked to the prevention of many degenerative diseases and a slowing of the aging process. A multi-vitamin is like an insurance plan – take one every day and it will provide the nutrients your body needs when your diet isn’t providing them.

So how do you choose the right one for you? Look for one that’s enriched with antioxidants and a full B-Complex ranging from 25 mg to 50 mg. Also ensure there’s no added food colouring or preservatives, and the cost should range between $1.00 and $1.25 per day. The brand that my family and I use is called “Progressive.” They make a daily men’s, women’s and 50+ tablet, and are available at Bodies By Design.

Inspire to Aspire,

Kristopher Simpson

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

A Resolution Prayer

Dear Bodies By Design,

Help me stick to this meal plan no matter how tempted I am to cheat.
Grant me the strength to refuse second helpings,
the patience to count calories,
and the courage to step on scales.
May the refrigerator contain nothing fattening in the middle of the night when my will is weak and my hunger is strong.
Lead me not into temptation of chocolate and chips.
Bless me with good health and a positive outlook to take this meal plan one day at a time.
I ask you help in all of these things so that I can become the person that
I know I was meant to be.

Amen
 
Inspire to Aspire,
Kristopher Simpson

Should you take a fish oil supplement?

If you are like me and have limited amounts of fish in your diet, take a fish oil supplement, which is normally a combination of salmon, anchovies, and sardines.  These are available in gel caps and the recommended dosage, according to Dr. Barry Sears author of The Zone, is 2.5 grams or 2–3 1000 mg. gel caps per day.  Pharmaceutical fish oil is recommended over the generic brands.  How will you know the difference between pharmaceutical grade and generic grade?  Dr. Barry Sears suggests breaking open a gel capsule and placing it in the freezer.  If the oil does not freeze after 5 hours, then the oil is pharmaceutical grade.  The benefits of fish oil or Omega 3 fatty acids are enormous so I guess some mothers had it right when they force-fed cod liver oil to their children!

Inspire to Aspire

Kristopher Simpson

Is weight lifting the best way to boost your sex drive?

Studies have shown that regular exercisers report a higher sex drive. This may be related to surges of testosterone that can occur immediately after resistance training like lifting weights, or right after high intensity cardio like running.

Although there may be increased levels in men and women that can be detected immediately following certain workouts, overall levels may be decreased after other types of exercise, such as regular endurance training.

Case and point: hit the weights and keep strong in the bedroom!

Inspire to Aspire,
Kristopher Simpson

What is the Fitness Fear or Anger theory?

Over the last 20 years of being in this business I have learned that there are two things that motivate people to exercise: fear or anger.

People’s fear of getting older, fear of poor health, fear of not being desirable, and fear of not being around for their children or not being a good role model for them. People also become angry with themselves when they gain weight, can’t fit into their clothes and just feel uncomfortable in their own skin. These are the sparks that start the fire.

Find out what motivates you, if it is fear, or if you are quite simply getting fed up! Hold onto this and you will have yourself a bomb-fire.

See you at the gym.

Inspire to Aspire,
Kristopher Simpson

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