Health and Fitness Tips from Steven Dean

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...

Are you going gluten-free? If so, you are in good company. Many Americans are reducing the gluten in their diets. Some are doing this because they have a confirmed diagnosis of Celiac disease, some are gluten sensitive, and others are finding that reducing gluten aids them in weight loss. What is gluten? Gluten is a protein found in certain grains such as wheat, barley, rye,, spelt and semolina. It not only gives baked goods their characteristic texture and chewiness, but it is also used in the processing of many other foods to add thickness, flavor and added protein. If someone has Celiac disease, they have a condition in which the body experiences an immune reaction when gluten is eaten. The result is damage to the inside of the small intestine, which impairs absorption of nutrients. Gluten sensitivity is different in that the reaction to gluten is less severe and less damaging to the small intestine, but physical symptoms are still present, such a nutritional deficiencies, gas...

Plenty, it turns out, and it has everything to do with what you're eating this summer. Even though summer brings with it an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, making it easier to eat healthily, it also brings added risks. What could taste better during the lazy, hazy days of summer that fruity cocktails and rich ice cream? Unfortunately, these are the foods that can spell danger for your blood sugar level. The few minutes of pleasure that you derive from those cold, sugary treats can pave the way for decades of chronic illness. BLOOD SUGAR BASICS When you eat sugary treats, your blood sugar levels rise. Your blood sugar level is a measure of how much sugar or glucose is circulating in your bloodstream. Too much glucose in your blood is dangerous, so your body works hard to lower the levels. It does this by releasing insulin, a hormone which enables your cells to absorb the excess glucose. The danger comes when you continue eating too much sugar, because your body res...

“ 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...

Have you noticed? The days are getting a little shorter, store aisles are full of school supplies and you may have seen a school bus or two making practice runs in your neighborhood. All this can mean one thing: it's back to school time! If you are like most people, you are not quite ready to say good bye to the relaxing days of summer. Late nights and lightly-scheduled days are a welcome break after a year of early mornings and homework deadlines. Those slow days of summer are such a welcome break! But with the approach of the new school year comes the necessity to ease back into a routine that helps your children succeed. Changing routines can be tough under any circumstances. But when our routines change from 'fun and relaxing' to 'less fun and somewhat stressful,' it can be even tougher to pull off! The best way to lessen the shock of a new school year is to ease your children into their school routine before school starts. Getting a jump start on a new sch...