Health and Fitness Tips from Steven Dean

No matter how committed we are to getting in the recommended five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits every day, sometimes we come up short. It may be that we are busy and barely have time to eat at all, or perhaps we find ourselves in eating situations that don't include many fresh vegetables choices. Or maybe we just don't like them (I know the feeling). On days that you find it hard to eat enough vegetables and fruits, a green drink is the perfect answer. It is a great way to boost your health and even detox your system. Green drinks are just that-- green, because they contain the juice of fresh vegetables and other vegetables and fruits. There are many reasons to consider adding green drinks to your diet.  WHY DRINK GREEN JUICE  Vegetables and fruits are full of essential vitamins, minerals and enzymes that your body thrives on. And because you are consuming it in liquid form, your body can digest it quickly. This is especially helpful if you have di...

There's a reason why celebrities and other highly successful people use coaches and trainers: IT WORKS. And that is why so many people are turning to personal trainers to help them move from mediocre to excellence in their pursuit of health, fitness and weight loss. THE REALITY More than 91% of people who start an exercise program quit early--- even before their new routine becomes a habit, and 61% will give up within the very first week! (1) WHY? Because changing your lifestyle is hard. In spite of all the infomercials and ads claiming that you can lose weight and transform your body in thirty days (or six weeks at the longest), the truth is, getting fit requires a lifestyle makeover that takes -Time -Determination -Support If any of these components is missing, the odds of success plummet. THE FIX The good news is that one component virtually guarantees the continued presence of the other two, and that is support--  and support is the heart of what a goo...

Chances are that you have heard of adrenal fatigue, but you may not be quite sure what it is. Understanding this condition is important however, because some experts suggest that 80% of the Western world will be affected by adrenal fatigue at some point in their lives. The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys and are responsible for secreting more than 50 different hormones that are essential for life. Among these are adrenaline, cortisol, progesterone and testosterone. Because they regulate so many important hormones, their proper function is critical for many functions essential to life such as producing energy, balancing electrolytes and storing fat. These glands also help you deal with stress. When you are under stress, the adrenal glands engage many different responses in your body to make it easier for you to handle that stress. But during periods of intense, prolonged stress or chronic illness, the adrenal glands begin functioning below the level needed to maintain h...

If you have ever tried to ignore a box of doughnuts at work, you know how hard it is to keep your hands to yourself and walk on by. And once you walk on by, the battle isn't over. Even if you are in a different room and down the hall, you can’t stop thinking about those doughnuts. Why is it so hard to resist something as small and seemingly innocent as a doughnuts? It has to do with habits- and mind set.  HARDWIRED HABITS  The draw you feel from the doughnut goes way beyond just a mild interest:  you are wired to want it, and resistance is hard.  In his book,  The End of Overeating,  Dr. David Kessler MD explains the breakdown: When you taste foods that are highly palatable (such as foods containing excess sugar, fat and salt), your brain releases opioids into your blood stream. Opioids are brain chemicals that cause you to have intense feelings of rewards and pleasure, as well as relieving pain and stress. The pleasurable effect is similar to the feelings th...

There are a few things as exciting as new gym members eager to make serious lifestyle changes and make up for lost time in their quest to get fit and healthy. Their motivation and passion are contagious, and watching transformations is one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a trainer. But in their excitement, many gym members make a common mistake - overtraining. The thinki9ng goes like this: "If 20 push-ups are good, then 30 must be better," or "If 35 pounds challenges my muscles, then I'll get ripped if I do 50!" In other words,  more is better and leads to faster results. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and taken to the extreme can lead to getting hurt and MISSING workouts. As with most things in life, moderation and consistency in fitness are the keys to success.  Too much of anything can be a bad thing, and there is no need to do more than the minimum needed for maximum results. For example, consider medication. If 200 milligrams o...

“ Demand more from yourself than anyone else could ever expect”. –Tony Robbins   Since being a young child, athletics have always been a part of my life; so much so that my life-long dream was to become a professional football player.   It has never been a hesitation for me to push my body to its limits as the adrenaline from competition is the driving force.   I understand not everyone has the drive and discipline to change their physique for better or to push their bodies to the limit.    So, when choosing a profession, I decided to use my skills to help motivate others develop the drive and discipline that has helped me reach a higher potential.     Presently I have a background in physical therapy, I am a certified personal trainer with emphasis in corrective exercise, and a certification in nutrition.   It is my mission to reach as many people as possible to help in the understanding of making a lifestyle change.   As a per...