Most Americans Are Overweight But Don't Know It

Most Americans Are Overweight But Don't Know It
About 67 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, yet only 36 percent of them report being overweight. That means that about a third of us are overweight and don’t know it.
The reluctance for Americans to acknowledge their weight problems may come at a high cost to their health.
The idea that America is a nation of people constantly striving to be thinner and healthier is a myth. Most people don’t eat healthy diets, don’t get enough exercise and think they are fine just the way they are.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Kettlebells
After taking care of business for the day and getting some yard/garden work done, I spent some time in my gym doing KB swings, snatches, and clean & presses.  Always a good time!

~Feelin' Alive!~

6 Snack Habits for Healthy Weight Loss

6 Snack Habits for Healthy Weight Loss
Snacks, finger foods, tapas, amuse-bouche—however you term them, there’s something endlessly satisfying about munching on little hand-held bites of heaven. Problem is, America’s favorite snacks aren’t little; nor are they heavenly.
In fact, a recent study in the journal Hepatology found that 27 percent of kids’ diets come from high-fat, high-sugar snacks, and the frequent grazing is directly linked to belly fat accumulation. Fortunately, there’s also research to suggest we can snack smartly—and slim down.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Upper Table Rock Run and Heavy Bag
Today was an active day.  In between taking care of business chores and errands, I made time for a great Upper Table Rock run and a 30 min heavy bag workout.  Plus I finally got around to mowing the lawn.

Tuesday's Table Rock Trail Companion

~Feelin' Alive!~

Exercise halts 'dementia gene' from being expressed, keeps your brain healthy

Exercise halts 'dementia gene' from being expressed, keeps your brain healthy
Dementia is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. today, and experts say the next generation could see twice as many people suffering from it, particularly in old age. But avoiding the brain-deteriorating disease could be as simple as remembering to exercise just a few times a week, according to a new study, which appears to inhibit the expression of the "dementia gene."  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Punisher and Bandersnatch Run plus a Delt/Bi/Tri Workout
Today I was lured in by the Sirens of the Punisher, and as usual (actually worse than usual it seemed), they had their way with me and left me for dead in a puddle of my own sweat at the top.  But, I recovered quickly and had a good run back down to the park via the Bandersnatch trail.
Later, I got a shot of energy and spent some time in my gym doing circuits of DB shoulder presses, DB curls, and cable pressdowns, followed by supersets of DB rear delt flyes and DB lateral raises.

~Feelin' Alive!~

TOPFIT Daily Activities Review

It's been another week of higher volume and intensity.  In addition to some yard/garden work and active time with the grandkids, I also made time for:

3 heavy bag workouts
2 heavy resistance training workouts
1 high intensity bodyweight circuit workout
4 trail runs

What did you do to stay active this past week?

~No Challenge, No Change~

Recent study links prolonged sitting to heart failure

Recent study links prolonged sitting to heart failure
Recent research has shown that people who spend most of their time sitting could be endangering their lives. Prolonged sitting increases the risk of heart failure among many people, especially men.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Heavy Bag and a Little More
After a couple of active hours with Mason and Hailey this morning, I made time for a 30 min heavy bag workout.  Later, in the evening, I spent some time doing pushups and planks (standard and side planks).

~Feelin' Alive!~

7 Ways to Make Healthy Eating More Exciting

7 Ways to Make Healthy Eating More Exciting
Let's face it. Sometimes, eating the same healthy foods, day in and day out, can get a little boring after a while. However, eating healthy does not have to be so lackluster. Let's look at a few ways to make healthy eating more fun.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Deadlifts
After taking care of business earlier in the day, I made time for an afternoon workout of sumo and standard deadlifts.

~Feelin' Allive!~

Don't roll back child nutrition standards

Don't roll back child nutrition standards
Accordingly, Congress must stand strong against any effort to roll back the nutrition standards in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Because of these standards, passed in 2010 as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, children are eating more fruits and vegetables, most schools are successfully meeting the standards, school lunch revenue is up and food waste has not increased in schools.  read more

TOPFIT says: In fact, the standards should be stricter and parents need to be educated about the damage they're doing to their kids when they don't insist on proper nutrition.

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Jacksonville Forest Park Run and Heavy Bag
Earlier in the day, with a cool breeze blowing and a light rain occasionally falling, I had a really great run on the J-Ville Forest Park trails.  In the evening I made time for a 30 min heavy bag workout.

If you know how these flowers grow, you know just how low I had to get to look up at them.

~Feelin' Alive!~