The Perks of Low Impact Exercise

 

One thing that I have learned from my collegiate soccer career, is the benefit of low impact exercise. That sounds kind of crazy right?!? Let me explain. Low impact exercise refers to any kind workout that does NOT require the impact of any joints on a concrete surface.  One foot remains on the ground at a given time. As an athlete I always wanted to push my body to become stronger and faster.  I didn't give much thought as to HOW doing this would affect me post career and into my older age.  I love to run and do basically any kind of high impact activities however it is not a secret that as healthy as these activities are for you, they do take a certain toll on your body.  Overtime, the repetitive impact trama on your joints can lead to arthritis, osteopenia and other joint problems. Our joints take the brunt of our workouts and it's important to not discount what they do for you.  So what can we do to protect our joints and make positive steps to workout out in a way that is not only healthy for us now but also in the future?

ANSWER:

 
Low Impact Machines                           Low Impact Activities
                Biking                                                                                          Pilates
             Swimming                                                                               Rock wall Climbing
               Rowing                                                                                           Yoga
            Stair master                                                                              Abdominal Exercises
              Elliptical                                                                                         Walking
          Weight lifting                                                                                  Rollerblading

Low impact exercise is a great option particularly for people who suffer or have suffered from knee, ankle, back, wrist or hip injuries.  By choosing a low impact exercise you are giving your injury more time to heal but still challenging your cardiovascular system and staying fit.  Minimizing the pounding on your joints is not only going to help you maintain strong, healthy joints but it will also protect your ability to be active for life. :)

Athletes who are engaged in high impact exercise their whole life may be very fit but also can be causing some long term damage on their joints.  That is why it is important to cross train in a way that relieves some of the pressure on your joints while still challenging yourself every training session.  Not only will you be protecting your body post career, but you will be lengthening the amount of your life that you can engage in high intensity exercise.

Everyone can benefit from incorporating low impact exercises into their weekly workout or training regimen!  Low impact is not only safe but if done correctly it can be a high calorie burning, strenuous & challenging workout !!

How to Make the MOST of your Workout

Getting the MOST Out of Your Workout

You promised yourself that 2015 was going to be "THE YEAR".  So you did what thousands of other ambitious fitness hopefuls did, you bought a gym membership.  You have completed what is arguably the most important step to reaching your fitness goal.  You put down some decent money, maybe bought some shiny new kicks and a flashy sports bra. AWESOME. You find yourself fairly comfortable with the gym equipment/atmosphere.  You are successfully completing 3 workouts a week at an hour long session, BUT you're still not seeing improvement towards your fitness goals.  You have made great sacrifices in your life (financial, social, physical) to put time towards reaching your goals so, understandably, you're upset.  You are frustrated and feel like abandoning this stupid fitness idea because you just can't give more than those 3 hours a week. WAIT.  

**** 3 times a week/1hr IS enough time in the gym to see physical improvement within 1-3 months.

So What's the problem?????

If you are eating healthy and you are maintaining a similar gym routine,  it may be time to double check HOW you are spending that hour in the gym.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Am I working out casually or working out with the intensity necessary to achieve your goal?  Am I breaking a sweat during my workout? Do I breathe heavy at times during the workout? Am I using my time to the fullest? Am I sore following my workouts? When was the last time I increased my repetitions or weights?

**If you're hesitating to answer some of these questions then maybe you already know what you need to do to improve.  If not, check my...

 Five Best Ways to Maximize Your Gym Time

** Don't rest excessively between workouts**

When you are constantly resting between sets, you are lowering your heart rate, therefore, burning less calories and wasting valuable time.  By jumping from one exercise to the next you are increasing your heart rate and challenging your cardiovascular system. You are now working your heart and blood vessels simultaneously with you muscles.

**Use Free weights instead of machines**

If you consider yourself an intermediate gym bug I recommend that you choose to use free weights over machines. WHY?  When you use free weights you are more likely to stand than sit which not only engages more stabilizing muscles but it also just gets you off your butt :)  Using free weights also allows your body a free range of motion and gives you a variety of ways to tone and sculpt.

**Stop playing with technology**

Every time you stop your workout to do something that is, well, irrelevant, you are cheating yourself of a quality workout.  If you are using a device to play music, great.  I recommend you make your workout list before hand and then LEAVE IT ALONE while you're at the gym.  Finishing one set does not award you 5 minutes of sitting looking for the next best song to pump you up. Unneccessary.  Also, unless you're using your phone for music, leave it in the lockerroom.  It's ONE hour, you will survive.  Lastly, if there is a TV on and in front of you only watch it if you know you can maintain enough concentration so your workout is not inhibited. This will not only help you get the most out of your time in the gym, but it will also help you build and maintain focus on your workout.

**Get CARDIO IN**

If you are going to the gym 2-3 times a week I highly recommend that you fit in a minimum of 15-20 minutes of cardio into your workout.  I can't stress the importance of balancing both weight lifting and cardiovascular workout.  If you are only doing one in the gym you are holding yourself back from not only physical gains but total body fitness.   Even if you are sore from your last workout it's still a good idea to do even a light bike workout will help break down that lactic acid and loosen you up.  You will also increase your calories burned at the end of your workout by making sure you don't skip the cardio. There are so many different cardio machines at the gym these days so it's a matter of picking one that is right for you! Work that heart and get that sweat rolling!

**Try Super Setting**

Super setting is a great way to maximize your time in the gym.  Super setting is doing two different workouts that are back to back without taking a break.  For example, you can do wall sits combined with plank holds.  You won't feel the need to take a rest as much because you are working two different muscle groups (quads & hamstrings vs. abs & back). Super setting also helps create additional lactic acid which, without getting in too much detail, helps boost fat loss hormones. Super setting is a great way to maximize time and stay focused on going after your fitness goal.

**You may think, "Ok, I just got a great one hour work out in", but in reality you only moved and challenged your body for a good 30 minutes or less.  I hope to challenge my readers to honestly think about how they are using their time in the gym and how they can make changes to reach their MAXIMIUM potential, even at 3 days a week!

IT'S All ABOUT THOSE ABS!

Let's Talk Abdominals!

I'm absolutely loving all the feed back I'm getting from my viewers and I'm super interested in what you all are eager to learn about.  An overwhelming amount of you all have said you want to know more about ABS.  So let's start at the beginning.  What muscles make up this sexilicious body part:

The Tranverse Abdominals

Internal Obliques

External Obliques

Rectus Abdomins

**All of these muscles are responsible for facilitating specific body movements which means, YES, it is ideal to do AB workouts that challenge ALL of them.  To get the overall strength and physical beauty that you want out of your ABS, this is key.  To find great workouts that work all of these muscles, just type it into Google and you will discover at least a couple thousand :)

MY TOP 3 TIPS:

#1.  Abdominals are born and become exceedingly beautiful in the KITCHEN.

AKA. Eating a CLEAN diet.

#2.  Consuming a lot of HIGH Sodium beverages or food will help you retain unneeded water.

AKA. Making you look bloated.

#3.When you do AB workouts mix up the pace.

AKA. This activates the muscle and challenges them in different ways.

Let me go back to #1 and what I believe is not only the most important key to shining AB muscles, but it's also the most overlooked.  I can't begin to stress the importance of eating clean, at least most the time.  If you truly want to have a visable six pack, it starts in the kitchen.  You can do AB workouts everyday, but my friends, IF YOU ARE INTAKING UNNECESSARY FATS AND CARBS YOUR 6 PACK WILL NOT SHOW.  You have a layer of intramuscular fat within your abs and if that layer is more pronounced than your AB muscles, you simply will not see your hard work from the gym.

* My Story *

I used to do soooo many AB workouts in college where I played soccer at the lovely Cleveland State University.  I never had as good of ABS as I have now and that is simply because I didn't understand how getting toned ABS was a result of not just doing the workouts, but eating clean. We all have AB muscles in us somewhere, some just have more intramuscular fat on top of them then others.  I personally don't have time to always go to the gym but if I'm doing the right stuff in the kitchen I can still see improvement.  This little tidbit is something I really didn't realize until I stopped being a super competitive athlete.  I realized that I can have great ABS without being a gym junkie too!!

I hope this helps you tackle any obstacles to obtaining those toned, solid ABS!!

*Look forward to another blog focusing on my TOP AB Exercises!*

It's the LITTLE Things

+How the Little Things Add UP +

So you're trying to do all the right things for your health.  You are working out consistently and eating fairly well.  Great!  Let me help you stay on track :) We all know that calories in must equal calories out or we will gain weight.  So let's take a look at some little ways that we can keep the number of unneeded calories down.  One big intake we sometimes overlook is DRINKS.  Sugary drinks filled with high fructose corn syrup can be the devil and for many reasons!

Increase weight gain

Sugar decays teeth

Increases your risk for a # of diseases

High sugar causes dehydration

  If at all possible it is best to substitute these sugary drinks with water.  If you still feel like you need a little taste to your drink try adding fruit or vegetables! I love adding watermelon, berries, lemon, lime, cucumber, apple, orange and the list goes on! Not only is this simple trick low calories, it has added benefits. :)

Drinking soda is even worse than drinking sugar filled juices but that doesn't mean that drinking DIET is much better.  Diet drinks contain Aspartame which is possibly one of the most dangerous substances added to foods/drinks.  Drinking a 330 ml can of soda translates to more than 1lb of weight gain every month... thats 12 lbs a year!

The last thing I want to talk about is COOFFFFEEEEE!  It's what wakes us up in the morning and carries us through a rough day.  We love it! But it doesn't have to destroy us and our beautiful goals we've set! It actually pains me to see what some people order at coffee shops.  Just to think that its 9:00am and they have already consumed 300 calories, and that's not counting their actual breakfast. If you are a coffee person and you do purchase coffee mixes, I challenge you to go online, find the Starbucks calculator, and find out its nutrition facts.  Below is a typical drink ordered:

Caffe Mocha made with 2% milk, no whip cream

Nutrition Facts Per Serving (16 fl oz)

Calories 290	Calories from Fat 70
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g	12%
Saturated Fat 5g	25%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 25mg	8%
Sodium 140mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate 42g	14%
Dietary Fiber 4g	16%
Sugars 34g
Protein 13g
Vitamin A 10% Vitamin C 2% Calcium 35% Iron 25%
Caffeine 175mg**
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
**Each caffeine value is an approximate value.

Now, I'm not telling you not to have your daily fix.  I'm just encouraging you to do it in a smart way. :)  

Here are some of my tips:

Try Skim, Almond or Soy Milk

No Whip Cream added

Use natural alternative sweeter

I use this stuff and I love it! It is made from a Stevia plant so it is all natural and it has Zeroooo calories.  You can buy it at your local grocery store and it is sold in two ways.  You can purchase it in individual packs so you can take it with you or straight.  I personally have both so I have it at the house and on the go! 

So DRINK IT UP, in a HEALTHY way :)

Say YES to Cardio!

Gotta Get That CARDIO In!

I know you may not want to hear this... but if you want a healthy body, heart and mind, you are going to need to implement cardiovascular exercise into your daily routine.  The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that adults ages 18 to 64 should engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise 3 to 5 days a week. Confused on what MODERATE exercise is?? If you need some help identifying your intensity, it would be great to invest in a heart monitor.  When you are exercising at moderate intensity your heart rate should be at (40-60% HRR).  Another more simple way to tell if you're in the right zone is to use the TALK TEST.  This test is a generally effective way to measure your exercise intensity and its FREEEE! While doing your cardio workout next time, try talking.  If you find yourself breathless you are most likely working at a higher threshold, moderate to high intensity.  Vice versa, if you are able to hold a conversation smoothly you are in the low-moderate pace. Easy enough?

 If you follow the minimum guidelines of the ACSM you are already reducing your chance of major health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.  Every time you engage in aerobic exercise you are pushing your heart lungs and blood vessels to do a better job at what they do... and that's a good thing!

DESPISE CARDIO??

 Well, get over it ;) Your body NEEDS it! The key here is to find the type of cardio that works for you and your lifestyle.  For example, if you have a dog, this is a great opportunity to help yourself and your pup. Even getting a 30 minute walk/run/bike/swim in a day can reduce your risk of disease greatly.  If a walk or run is hard on your knees, try biking or swimming.  Whatever you do, move your body, everyday!

Tips for getting through a cardio workout:

Put some awesome music on your iPod

Download a podcast or book you've been wanting to listen to

Cover up your watch or timer so your not staring at the clock

Watch a movie or tv show

Talk on the phone (if possible)

Workout with a friend

GET MOVING !

Shake it UP!

SHAKE it UP!

Let me tell you about one of my favorite healthy lifestyle ideas that keeps me not only FIT but feeling great.  I LOVE integrating veggie/fruit shakes into my everyday diet.  I find that it's a great way to make sure I'm getting all my fruits and veggies in for the day.  Having a smoothie is also a perfect way to substitute a breakfast, lunch or dinner.  This may come in handy after you had a long night or drinking alcohol or eating foods that aren't the most nutritious! My awesome mom and dad gave my husband and I the Health Master blender for Christmas a couple years ago and it's been a go to meal maker in our house ever since.  I found that this machine is great and you can make anything from shakes to dip or even soup in it :)  However, it can be a little pricey which is why I want to acknowledge that you can make a shake in a regular $40 blender too! ... it just may not last as long!

Below is the link to the blender I use :

http://www.myhealthmaster.com

I also love to add Blenditup Protein+ Smoothie Mix to my shakes.  Its 100%vegan and it uses protein from organic vegetables such as Soybean Quinoa to fuel your drink.  With just 2 scoops your smoothie is stocked up with 14 g of protein.  It also supplies you with a healthy does of Amino Acids and Vitamins.  Oh and its gluten free ! 

Check it out for yourself https://blenditup.com

Tips with making smoothies:

Keep it super healthy by putting more vegetables in it than fruits! 

Check out this website for A-Z help on making some super invigorating smoothies :)

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/2013/08/protips-smoothies-without-recipes-better-texture-ingredients-equipment-advice.html

Energy IN and Energy Out!

CONFUSED WHERE TO START!?!?!

Soooo... now that we have made the commitment to a healthy lifestyle... HOW DO WE START!?!

Ok.. don't freak out, I got you covered. Of course there are a number of needs that must be fulfilled in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle such as your spiritual and emotional need, today I am going to focus on physical needs.  To break that down more, I am going to talk about what you eat (energy you take in) and daily exercise routines (energy you put out).

Energy IN

The first step to managing your weight and feeling good is putting the right nutrients and calories into your body.  I believe it was my mom who once said to me, "You have to put the right kind of fuel in the tank to get where you want to go." She's a smart lady.  So when you go to the grocery store here is a fantastic tip that I truly believe can make an immediate impact.

**Spend most of your time at the grocery store in the perimeter. **

This small tip will immediately help you to minimize the amounts of high sodium high fat, basically fake foods.  You will find all your fresh produce, cold refrigerated foods on the lovely perimeter. Anything that you can eat that is freshly grown will benefit you in the long run.  If you don't have a bunch of read-to-eat food in your cabinets, you will be forced to cook something fresh!

  Soo... TRY THIS!

Energy OUT

When you starting intaking the foods saturated with the nutrients your body craves you will inherently feel you have more energy to give.  

Quick Tip:

**If your energy IN is outweighing the energy OUT, you will gain weight.** 

If for instance, you know that you aren't going to have time to work out or do your daily walk, recognize that it would be smart to eat accordingly.  We don't always have time to go to the gym or get a 45 minute work out in at home... that DOESN'T mean that we have to GAIN weight.  Again, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a learning process.  Take note of your body's desires and 

make the changes you need.

**Put these two tips into action and we are already on our way to our very BEST self!

LETS BEGIN!

One thing that I want to help give my readers is a consistent healthy lifestyle.  I wish for them a vocabulary free of words like diets and revolving trending fad brands. Research shows that 50% of goals set are lost within 6 months of setting them on New Years day.  Why is this?? ... Because no matter what kind of "diet" you are on the moment you stop it and revert back to your previous lifestyle you will gain the weight right back.  A diet is a temporary solution to look and feel better.  Committing to a healthy lifestyle will not only help you manage your weight but feel good because you are finally receiving all the nutrients your body is craving.

So to fresh up on what your plate should look like:

 

PLLLEAASSEEE do not think that for ONE second that by committing to a healthy lifestyle you can not eat cake, ice cream, chips, fries, chocolate etc. If you believe that, then you will never sustain the weight you desire.  Understand this one tip and remind yourself of this consistently: I CAN EAT SNACK FOODS, JUST NOT ALL THE TIME! Sometimes when people diet they think they can't eat anything with sugar, fat or carbs and that is such an easy way to break down.  I will help teach you how to build a personal strategy.  For example if you are going out to dinner with your friends at night, make it a point to eat a healthy breakfast and lunch. Throughout this blog you will learn about yourself, your desires, your strengths and weaknesses.  This will help you predict your eating pattern and how to strategize your meal plan and workout accordingly.  I know this sounds like a lot of time and energy but once you know yourself it will be no harder than breathing.

 SOOOOOO........

My NEW YEARS RESOLUTION for YOU Is: To truly learn about yourself as a consumer of foods/producer of energy and create and sustain a strategy for a healthy lifestyle that works for you.

ARE YOU ON BOARD ??? Make the commitment for life!

Take On 2015 With Alexa Lee!

Bring on 2015!!!

This year I have decided to take on a new challenge! BLOGGING! I am super excited to share my love and knowledge of fitness and a healthy lifestyle with my viewers :)  I am a former division one soccer player (Cleveland State University) and current Wilhelmina Model in NYC where I specialize in fitness modeling.  I believe that with a combination of my background working as a personal trainer, nutritional adviser, athlete and model I can deliver some insight to my viewers that can truly bring you closer to total body health.

More posts, videos, and updates to come!!