Should you be eating pasta?

pasta (Photo credit: flavorrelish)

I have to admit that I love pasta. But, as a gut-fearing personal trainer, I definitely have to choose the lower GI, nutrient dense whole-wheat variety. During training phases that require or allow for higher carbohydrate intake (higher volume training) I'll eat one whole-wheat pasta meal per day. During other phases (like where I'm trying to lose fat), the pasta stays on the shelf in favor of a higher lean protein, good fat, and fruit and veggie intake.

Is Your Ab Workout Effective?

Abdominal Crunch with Oblique Twist 2 (Photo credit: Scott & White Healthcare)

When doing abdominal exercises be sure to concentrate on using just those specific muscles. And, think about pulling your belly button to your spine, which will make the exercise more effective.

Are You Ready For Your Race?

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It's common for people to purchase new running shoes just before a race or event. However, it's best to wear shoes that aren't brand new. It's best to break-in shoes about a month before an event. New shoes can cause discomfort from blisters or just not fit right. It's best to find that out BEFORE race day.

Are You Lifting Correctly?

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When strength training be sure to use full range of motion. This means that for each exercise you should move your joint through its maximum extension (just be sure not to "lock-out" a joint -- for example when doing a bicep curl don't lock-out your elbow as this could cause an injury). Your muscle should always bear the weight workload, not your joint. If you don't use full range of motion, then your muscle won't work as hard and consequently won't get as strong as it could.

Try Mixing It Up

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To challenge your body and also help prevent overuse injuries caused by doing the same exact action over and over, occasionally try a totally new and different workout. For example, if you always jog or walk give rollerblading a try. You'll find that the new exercise may be a lot more challenging and therefore burn more calories in the same amount of time.