Most Popular Fitness Trends

Most Popular Fitness Trends
Workout programs such as CrossFit and Tabata have surged in popularity in recent years as Americans look for new and engaging ways to lose weight, get in shape, and build muscle. Here are this year’s most popular fitness trends:  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Lower Table Rock Run
I certainly didn't get out before the heat set in, but I still had a fantastic run on Lower Table Rock.  Afterward, I finally mowed my shaggy lawn.

~Feelin' Alive!~

TOPFIT Daily Activities Review

It's certainly been an active week!  In addition to yard work and active time with grandkids, I made time for:

3 heavy bag workouts
2 Table Rock runs
1 Jacksonville Forest Park run
1 Wagner Butte hike
1 squat workout
1 chest workout
1 back workout
1 Tabata workout

Are you giving your body the activity it demands to stay healthy?

~No Challenge, No Change~

How the Sweetener Industry Sugar-Coats Science

How the Sweetener Industry Sugar-Coats Science
Food companies have spent billions of dollars to cover up the link between sugar consumption and health problems.
The industry's tactics—similar to those used by Big Tobacco in downplaying the adverse health effects of smoking—  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Heavy Bag
After a week filled with plenty of exercise volume and intensity, I kind of took it easy today.  Other than a few active hours with grandkids, I only made time for a 30 min heavy bag workout.

~Feelin' Alive!~

Fruits, Veggies Not a Magic Bullet for Weight Loss, Study Finds

Fruits, Veggies Not a Magic Bullet for Weight Loss, Study Finds
If you don't reduce your calorie intake, you won't slim down, researcher warns
Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is often recommended as a way to lose weight, but doing so may not help you shed excess pounds, according to researchers.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Wagner Butte
It was the perfect day to get out of the valley heat and enjoy the view from Wagner Butte, 5500+ feet above the valley floor.

~Feelin' Alive!~

Portion Distortion

Portion Distortion
To see if you know how today's portions compare to the portions available 20 years ago, quiz yourself on Portion Distortion I (2003) and Portion Distortion II (2004). You will also learn about the amount of physical activity required to burn off the extra calories provided by today's portions.  take the quizzes

TOPFIT says: Although the quizzes are 10 years old, the points they make are still valid....and things are probably even worse today.

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Tabatas and Heavy Bag
I took a break from the trails again today, but that doesn't mean I was sedentary.  I started with a workout of Tabata style chinups, pushups, SB oblique crunches and squats, and followed that a little later with a 30 minute heavy bag workout.

~Feelin' Alive!~

These Are the Most Unhealthy Foods in the World

These Are the Most Unhealthy Foods in the World
Unhealthy foods are not limited to the United States. Many countries you visit will offer up their fair share of fried foods, sweets and other delicious indulgences. Here is a list of the worst offenders in the world.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Squats
I took a break from the trails today, but I still made time for a BB back squat workout......nothin' but squats....light weight, heavy weight, high reps, low reps.....I have the feeling it's gonna leave a mark.

~Feelin' Alive!~

Obesity Is Undercounted in Children, Study Finds

Obesity Is Undercounted in Children, Study Finds
Childhood obesity might be a bigger problem than we thought. A new study finds that the commonly used body-mass-index measure may fail to identify as many as 25% of children, age 4 to 18 years, who have excess body fat. The meta-analysis, scheduled for publication online in the journal Pediatric Obesity on Tuesday, reviewed 37 separate studies involving a combined 53,521 participants.  read more

TOPFIT Daily Activities --- Jacksonville Forest Park Run and Heavy Bag
The weather cooperated perfectly today to help comemorate my 100th trail run (and/or hike) of 2014.  A cool, steady rain on the Jacksonville Forest Park trails was the perfect setting for some interval training.  Sprints and power hiking interspersed with berry foraging breaks made for a fantastic workout and biophilia experience!
Later, I spent 30 mins on the heavy bag.

~Feelin' Alive!~