Becoming a Better Athlete

So how many of you out there are looking to win a Gold Medal in the next Olympics? I doubt anyone reading this has this goal in mind. But, you never know.

So how do athletes seem to never gain weight and while others just gain by looking a piece of dessert? A lot of things determine this. First thing is, how many overweight athletes do you see? Personally, I've haven't seen many.

Second thing is, muscle burns more calories than you think. Adding one pound of muscle will burn approximately 50 Calories. Not much but say you bulk up about 15 pounds. That extra 15 pounds will now be burning an extra 750 Calories!! Based on a 2000 Calorie diet, thats a lot!

Lastly, athletes tend to move more often. Most likely those sitting around waiting to shed some weight aren't getting it done. It hard enough trying to lose weight without expecting it to just fall out. Our bodies are not designed to warm seats all day; we need to moving around frequently.

Athletes aren't always those people we see on TV. Ironically, we are wishing our bodies more closely resembled their's while we are sitting down and watching them. They are on TV not necessarily because of skill but because of drive. Their discipline is paying off big time for them!

Some of us may never be able to slam dunk a basketball, hit a grand slam home run during the World Series or catch that game-winning touchdown with 5 seconds left on the clock. In fact, its close to improbable that we will ever see that situation much less be the one in the event.

However, there are other ways that we can lead fulfilling lives without that type of pressure. What you feel is most beneficial to you (emotionally) is the driving force in us all. We yearn to help others achieve their goals. After all, isn't that what athletes do...help their TEAM?

Sure the idea of being in those situations are exciting but they're not for everyone. But everyone one of those athletes we see on TV or in person have one thing in common...a willingness to be better. Their focus is very keen to becoming better in all aspects of their goals. The key word in there is "better" not "perfect."

In conclusion, learn to focus on becoming better in certain aspects of your life. Adding a few pounds of muscle will burn more Calories than you might realize, which will all you go join that church league you've been thinking about!

Today and your health

Recently there was a surprising statistic discussed the other day. It seems that people in America are twice as likely to become diabetic or develop Diabetes than they used to. Nothing new there. The surprising part came when it was announced that this was just over the past decade! A recent study showed that in Canada alone, the level of people diagnosed in 2005 with Diabetes surpassed projections that weren't expected until 2030.

There are several risk factors in developing this disease:

• age
• race
  
• being overweight
  
• lack of exercise

The question seems to be why is Diabetes so prevalent? Well, since McDonald's, KFC and other fast food chains make things so convenient-its no wonder. It's not their fault they make it really easy to get something on the fly. However, this convenience causes excess weight gain. And being overweight is a BIG factor in developing the disease. But most people don't want to do some diet plan to reduce or maintain weight. There is an answer!

There is emerging research that shows the Glycemic Index is becoming more and more accepted. All the Glycemic Index does is break down how fast our food breaks down and releases sugar into the body. By understanding how quickly food breaks down, it becomes easier to maintain a healthy weight. Much like some diets, the Index uses a point system (0-100+) to help decipher this, the lower the better.

But back to the "taste" of healthy food. Not all healthy foods are stale tasting and require a small loan to pay for. Contrary to popular belief the perception of living healthier doesn't need to take up a lot of time, either.

Since we are all busy with other things, you need convenient options. So how do you get great tasting foods that fill you up without slowing you down? Click here to find out.

Diabetes is quickly becoming an epidemic everywhere. Even if you have the disease, you don't have to suffer from it. Changing a couple little habits can go a long way. After all, no one wants to become a statistic.