8 sneaky things that may feed obesity

8 sneaky things that may feed obesity
Ask the average person what causes obesity, and you'll likely get one of these basic answers (or some version thereof):
1. "Eating too much!"
2. "Not exercising enough!"
3. "Genes!"
OK, sure. Seems logical. But while each of those answers may be accurate in its own way, there are other, more surprising, factors that have been linked to obesity, too. No one factor is responsible for obesity, and it's often difficult to prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. But these sneaky-like-a-thief things might be stealing your family's good health:  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activites --- Upper Table Rock Run
The temps were still down in the 20s and the snow was still sticking, so how could I resist another Table Rock run.....and I even had the Rock all to myself today.  The top of the Rock was above the fog and below a light layer of clouds.

Mt. McLoughlin seen from Upper Table Rock

Lower Table Rock seen from Upper Table Rock

~Feelin' Alive!~

Exercise Reduces Men's Risk Of Dementia And Chronic Disease, Study Shows

Exercise Reduces Men's Risk Of Dementia And Chronic Disease, Study Shows
Exercise now and you'll surely reap ceaseless rewards later, a new study suggests. Men with healthy habits, including regular exercise, are 60 percent less likely to suffer from dementia and cognitive decline later in life, according to findings in a Welsh study.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Heavy Bag and Elliptical
I kept my activities at home today and started with a 30 min heavy bag workout.  A little later, I spent 30 mins on the elliptical.....all in all, a couple of good workouts and a needed break from the trails and heavy lifting.

~Feelin' Alive!~

Diet Soda Doesn't Help You Lose Weight

Diet Soda Doesn't Help You Lose Weight
Sales of diet soda beverages is the only number on the decline.
Diet soda is falling out of favor. According to new research from Wells Fargo, low-calorie and zero-calorie soda sales slipped about 7% over the past year. Regular soda has fallen just over 2%.
The reason remains a mystery, but perhaps folks are realizing that the benefits of drinking diet soda are just not there. At least, if you’re trying to shed pounds.
Several studies in the past couple of years have torn holes in the theory that zero-calorie sodas mean zero weight gain. Indeed, research presented at the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Scientific Sessions in 2011 showed the opposite is true—diet sodas can actually contribute to weight gain.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Lower Table Rock Run and a Chest Workout
Due to the temps in the 20s (and below), the snow has been sticking around.  So, today I headed out to Lower Table Rock for a run in the still fresh powder  It might not have been virgin snow, but it was still fantastic!  It looked like only a couple dozen people had been up since last Friday, so the snow hadn't been packed down too much.  Once again it was a great stability, agility and core workout.
Afterward I spent some time in my near freezing gym and did a workout of BB bench presses, supersets of DB flyes and presses, and decline pushups.

~Feelin' Alive!~

Regular Exercise Could Boost Creativity

Regular Exercise Could Boost Creativity
Here's one more thing people who regularly exercise can add to their brag list: They may be more creative!
A new study in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience shows that regular exercisers do better on tests of creativity than their more sedentary peers.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Upper Table Rock Run and a Back Workout
It just doesn't get much better than this!
On Friday I had a great run on Lower Table Rock in the middle of the snow storm and today I had a fantastic run on Upper Table Rock in the fluffy powdery snow and sunshine.
The snow might have slowed me down a little bit, but the fun-factor was off the charts, and the balance, agility and core workout just couldn't be beat!
Afterward I made time for a workout of weighted chinups, single arm alternating suspension pullups, suspension rear delt flyes and bodyweight pullups.

~Feelin' Alive!~

TOPFIT Daily Activities Review

This week was lacking a little in heavy lifting, but I still had my fun.  In addition to the brisk early morning walks with clients, I also made time for:

4 Table Rock runs
1 pullup/pushup workout
1 deadlift workout
1 leg workout
2 heavy bag workouts

Did you stay on track with you health and fitness goals this past week?

~Feelin' Alive!~

Hormones That Are Increased During Exercise Could Be Good For Memory

Hormones That Are Increased During Exercise Could Be Good For Memory
Hormones that are increased when you exercise could be a boon to memory, according to a new study.
Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine found that these hormones, called growth factors, seemed to predict accuracy on a memory test.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Rest Day
I had every intention of doing some sort of workout today, but it just never happened.  My body just said no.

~Feelin' Alive!~

Exercise may be an effective treatment for some dementia patients

Exercise may be an effective treatment for some dementia patients
Exercise may prove effective at helping older people with dementia retain their ability to complete simple, everyday tasks, Counsel and Heal reported.
In a study published in the journal The Cochrane Library, researchers reviewed eight studies that assessed the ability of exercise to improve cognitive function in seniors with dementia. Overall, they concluded that exercise helped dementia patients better carry out everyday activities such as walking or standing up from a seated position.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Deadlifts and Heavy Bag
I kept things close to home today partly due to the hazardous road conditions and made time for a workout of standard and sumo deadlifts followed by 30 mins on the heavy bag.

~Feelin' Alive!~