How to use an app to track overtraining and state of health

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How to get better results from your fitness training by incorporating adequate recovery

Like many of you, I have over-exercised by running too many miles and instructing unhealthy numbers of exercise classes each week; none of which resolved my body image/ weight issues and largely contributed to my mental and physical ill health. Yes I know, it is commonly prescribed to exercise more and to eat a lot less, but does it work? Does it make you feel good, is it sustainable long term, will it change your body shape permanently? Well – no, generally it does not. There is a limit to what your body can cope with in the long run. If you keep doing several intense classes at the gym or running many miles each week you will eventually experience symptoms of over training see the list

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How to stay healthy while traveling, my natural first aid travel kit

Are you planning a long haul trip this year? Worried about your health? Today I will share what I did to stay healthy and well on my recent trip from the UK to Tokyo. How I managed my Ankylosing Spondylitis pain during the long plane journey, how I avoided ear ache and dvt as well as catching a travellers cold, getting affected by gluten exposure, food poisoning and parasite infections.

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Video interview and transcript about my experience with Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) for Ankylosing Spondylitis

It was so exciting to find LDN medication for Ankylosing Spodylitis. When I found it, it took me about 2, 3 weeks to make my mind up to actually try to get the prescription because I was scared that it might be a false hope. I took it on the Thursday night – when I woke up in the morning I felt like I was never ill. I was straight (my posture), and the day before I was curled up, it was amazing! Anyone with AS should try it, you have got nothing to lose.

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Part 2 -How to find the ultimate pre-workout snack that works for you

Let’s look at how to compose the perfect snack that does not leave you with an energy low soon after. Every meal and snack must contain, protein, fat and carbohydrates in the ratios that work best for your metabolic type….why we need to eat fat, meat and a researched-backed reason why carbs are kind of unnecessary. Do you know if you are deficient in any vital nutrients, vitamins or minerals? If you observe your body closely you can quickly learn when you may be missing something. For example it is common for vegetarians to be deficient in Vit B12.

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Part 1 -How to find the ultimate pre-workout snack that works for you

The pre-workout snack does not fuel the workout. Every meal, every day is about fuelling your workouts. It takes many hours to refill your muscle and liver glycogen stores, so until a meal has been processed your body has to rely on existing fat and glycogen reserves to power the workout. If you eat proteins, healthy natural fats and good carbohydrates such as vegetables and some fruits and the occasional white rice or sweet potato you will have plenty of muscle glycogen to fuel your activities. Run your own experiment…

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How the wrong shoe can cost you power, stability and increase risk of injury

You have probably seen and heard of minimalist trainers or barefoot shoes. They have been around for a while now. I’d like to explain to you why wearing barefoot shoes is not just a trend or fad but something that you should explore yourself if you care for the health of your feet and anything that lives above them i.e. ankles, knees, hips and spine. All of us have made some bad shoe choices at some point in our life. For some it has grater repercussions than just brief foot pain and blisters. Let’s get to the point looking at the different factors that need to be considered when choosing shoes for activity and fitness in particular although this post should give you enough food for thought to also re-think how you treat your feet outside the gym.

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5 benefits of stress management and reasons to do tai chi before you draw your pension

You know you lead a stressful life in Leeds, you have been thinking about adopting a mindfulness practice to manage your stress but you are not sure what method would suit you? Your friends are recommending yoga but you feel bending into strange shapes it is not for you after trying it? You feel intimidated by the idea of sitting meditation because you think you are not allowed to have thoughts or feel you need more movement in your life? Have you thought about trying a form of Tai Chi Qigong?

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Movement is more important than exercise. -Revelation!

Did you know Movement is essential to keeping your body healthy? Pumping of body fluids aids in removal of waste and delivery of nutrients to all tissues, including organs and glands. With lack of movement the body becomes stagnant and toxic. Although you would hope going to the gym after work would keep you healthy, research has shown that taking an exercise class once a day does not suffice in keeping your systems pumping and your body healthy.

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Why I do not teach crunches in my class

Sometimes I am asked why I do not include crunches in my FAB ABS group fitness classes. I have done considerable research on the best and safest ways to strengthen your core and this post should explain my reasons for omitting them and exactly what my class is designed to achieve. So are crunches bad for you? Crunches aren’t necessarily bad; they’re just terribly overused. Doing some crunches is fine when done on a Swiss ball that supports going through the full range of movement, letting the rectus abdominus (six pack) stretch on extension. The main job of your abs is not to look good, but to switch on at the right time to support the spine in complex daily movement or sports and protect it from injury.

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