You’d be amazed at what eating a coconut can do to help you lose weight.

Coconuts contain Medium Chain saturated Fatty Acids (MCFAs), which are digested and handled by the body differently than other fats.  MCFAs do not circulate in the bloodstream and are instead immediately converted into energy, meaning they are burned instead of being stored as body fat.

An additional benefit of MCFAs are that they speed up the body’s metabolism (up to a 50% boost!), allowing you to burn more calories, resist weight gain and even shed some unwanted pounds.

Lastly, MCFAs burn longer and more steadily than other foods so there are no spikes or slumps in the blood sugar levels, which helps fight off two driving factors behind weight gain: cravings and bingeing.

So if you’re looking for a smarter snack between meals, crack open a coconut.

- Debra Santelli

Share on Facebook

I woke up with a toothache a few months ago and decided it was best to ignore it and surely it would just go away. I did a fantastic job of not dealing with it until a couple days ago when I woke up in such pain I couldn’t move my entire right side. After wishing it away, downing Advil and getting a massage, I decided it was time to face the dentist. Indeed, what ensued was an emergency root canal.

As I was laying there with way too many items in my mouth, I began to think about how fortunate I have been to be healthy. Just the thought of this darn root canal posing an obstacle to my work, workout schedule and daily activities was upsetting. How do people cope with chronic pain? It must be challenging not only physically, but mentally as well. To think that the majority of us worry about those last 5 or 10 pounds our whole lives when there are people who struggle to function on a daily basis seems ridiculous.

So, besides the root canal curing my pain, and my endodontist being cute, it delivered a few other lessons:

1. Don’t take your health for granted.
2. Be empathetic to those who are in pain.
3. Enjoy your athleticism and abilities and don’t be so hard on yourself.
4. Sweeping things under the rug never works- they always come out and usually larger than when you did the initial sweep!

- Carrie Rezabek

Share on Facebook

My sons were playing hard the other day, they were running, jumping and dancing around the house. The shirts are off and one says, “we are really sweating mom.” I began to wonder, “when did playing hard become working out?”

For the past 9 years, I have been fortunate to train clients in Pilates and teach group yoga classes. It always amazes me to see the transformation in the students’ posture, face and energy in just a few moments of conscious motion.  Could this really be play? Everyone always seems to feel better after shifting the shape of the body from being still to dynamic. Just remember how great a simple twist feels after a long car ride.

I decided to include this lesson/message into my next group yoga class and with private clients.  As we sat in meditation I invited the students to recall a time when they were having fun in space, letting go and freeing their bodies.  Immediately, I observed a shift in the majority of the faces.  They quickly softened, relaxed and some smiled.

The entire class focused on a strong flow with reiteration of each new asana, pose, as a new part of playing on the mat.  The questioned I posed for the students was, “are you playing hard or working out?”  How does one feel? Rejuvenated, depleted, excited, energized or exhausted?

My final words were, “perhaps we most often think of exercise as a workout.  Is it possible to remember, we really might just be playing?”  Several students came directly up to me with enthusiasm and said, “I feel amazing.  Wow, my body feels great.  Moving is wonderful.”

Before your next, “workout” I really encourage you to remember, is it possible that you are just making time for PLAYing hard.

- Rebecca “Bex” Urban

Share on Facebook

Summertime is here! Summer weddings, weekend barbeques, pool parties and afternoon picnics are all filling up your schedule.  What are you going to wear is the question; sleeveless tops, backless dresses and shorts are the top styles in clothing.  However, many of us don’t feel as comfortable in these cute fashions as we should. With a party or an event just a few weeks away, here is some basic moves to tone your arms, lift that core and tighten your legs….all in the comfort of your own home.

Problem: Best Friends Wedding is 2 weeks away.
Solution: Strength workout 4 times a week 20 minutes a day

• Jumping Jacks 40 jumps
• Push ups 10-15 Reps (drop to your knees if you need to)
• Plank Hold on your forearms 45 seconds
• Bicycle Crunches…performed slowly 1min
• Standing Squats 25 Reps (making sure your butt is out and your knees do not go over your toes)
• Reverse Lunges with a leg lift 20 reps (alternate legs)
• Tricep Dips off of a bench or chair 15 reps
• Repeat for a total of 3 sets

Problem: BBQ Party a week away…have to wear a bathing-suit.
Solution: Time for cardio…interval training done on a Bike or a Treadmill 45 minutes days per week.

• Alternate between hills and sprints…cranking up the resistance for one-two minutes…with an equal recovery time on flat or no resistance
• Continue with strength training routine, and don’t forget to drink your water!

Problem: Date…tonight!!!
Solution: Wall/counter push ups One minute reps.

• Lead with your chest….pull your core in tight…and alternate tempo speed on push ups.
• 4 sets

- Christina Malizia

Share on Facebook