Teen’s Need Exercise Too

Teen’s Need Exercise Too

So get ‘em off the couch, pull the cell phone out of their hands, and send them to the field and the gym.

Image by saird via Flickr

Remember the good old days, when the only video game available was a pinball machine down at the local soda shop? Well, those days are long gone. Today’s teens have access to more video games and other technology that keeps them away from the great outdoors and off the basketball court. Instead of moving their growing bodies, they spend countless hours pushing buttons, texting friends and playing video games.

But if exercise isn’t a regular part of your teen’s life, big trouble could be right down the road. Why should your teen get into the exercise routine, and how can you make it happen?

Why Exercise Matters
Take a look around at teens. They have countless social media tools that are supposed to help them be more connected with others than ever. Unfortunately, these social sites can cause teens to forget how to socialize with real people in real life. Get these kids to the gym and encourage them to exercise with other teens, and you give them an instant lesson in socialization.

But exercise is about more than being socially adept. It’s about good health. And in case you’ve not picked up a newspaper or magazine in the last 10 years, you should know that there is an obesity epidemic currently taking place. It’s affected plenty of adults, but it is now affecting teens as well – especially as they spend less time exercising and more time sitting around watching television, playing video games, texting, and chatting online. Get your teen exercising today, and you’ll help them obtain and maintain a healthy weight and develop lifelong healthy habits.

How to Get Them Moving
Sometimes, getting a teenager to do something is as easy as teaching a rhinoceros to fetch. Don’t let their attitude get you down. Remember your own attitude problems as a teenager, take a deep breath, and prepare to put up a fight. When you’re going into battle with your teen, try these tips out.

Make It Fun. Remember when your teen was a toddler? Exercise wasn’t something you forced him or her to do. It just happened, via hide-and-seek, tag, or just running all day long. Find what physical activities interest your teens, and encourage him or her to get out and do it.

Up the Chores. Is your teen lazing around the house doing nothing, while you’re working frantically to keep everything in order? Flip your teen’s world upside down by having him or her take over some of the more physically demanding chores. Have your teen rake leaves, plant flowers, scrub toilets, and take out the garbage. It may not be the same as lifting weights, but it’ll get your teen’s body on the move!

Do It Together. If your child isn’t motivated to get in the gym on his or her own, offer to do it together. Whether you lift weights, ride bikes, swim, or hike, doing it as a family makes it easier to keep your teen on an exercise schedule.

Take It Easy. Your teen needs to exercise. There is no question about it. Just don’t let this need override your parenting know-how. Ever tried to force your teen to do something he or she didn’t want to do? Didn’t work so well, did it? Remember this when working with your teen, and encourage your teen gently. You may be surprised at the end result.

How Much? While medical experts normally recommend adults get 30 minutes of exercise five or more days a week, the same doesn’t hold true for teenagers. Instead, try to get your teen to exercise for at least 60 minutes most days of the week. It doesn’t have to be incredibly vigorous. A light jog, a game of kickball, or riding bikes will do the trick.

If you want to expedite you and your teen’s results then consider working with me on a fitness plan that will turn you both into fat burning machines.

Call or email today – I look forward to hearing from you.

Here is a protein packed snack that the whole family will love. It’s important to enjoy snacks that are low in carbohydrates and sugar, and high in protein in order to shed body fat and develop healthy muscles. This recipe delivers on all fronts, without sacrificing flavor.
Servings: 1

Here’s what you need…

• 6 oz Greek Yogurt, plain, fat free
• 1 scoop high quality chocolate protein powder
• Sprinkle of unsweetened cocoa powder

1. In a small bowl use a whisk to combine the yogurt and protein powder. Mix until all lumps have disappeared.
2. Garnish with a sprinkle of unsweetened cocoa powder.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 220 calories, 0g fat, 445mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, and 42g protein.

Staying on the Health Train through the Holidays

Staying on the Health Train through the Holidays

What you can do to avoid getting derailed when the temptation of holiday sugar and spice is around every corner.

Living a healthy lifestyle is no easy task – especially when the holidays roll around. Everywhere you look, extra calories and delicious but fattening foods beg to be consumed.

And it seems the hosts to every party will not take “No” for an answer. So how do you stay strong in the face of culinary temptation?

It’s not easy, but with a few steps it can be done.

Do the Hosting

The easiest way to control what temptations you’ll face is to bring the holiday festivities to your house. There, you can plan the menu and know every pinch of every ingredient in every dish. Don’t want to take a stand against pecan pie topped with whipped topping? No problem. It’s your house, your menu, your rules. Simply don’t make it, and you’ll never have to worry about it.

If you have other people bringing foods, let them handle a dish that is difficult to turn into a fattening temptation. Dole out responsibilities for salad, vegetables, and bread. This allows friends and family to contribute something besides double-chocolate bars filled with chocolate and topped with chocolate syrup.

Fill and Chill

Not able to throw a holiday shindig at your place? Then you’ll probably want to do a little eating before you leave your house. Eat a good-sized snack consisting of healthy foods, such as carrot sticks and peanut butter crackers. These will help you feel full faster and prevent you from overeating at the party.
Once you’re at the party, begin your meal by downing a glass of water. Then instead of diving face first into your plate, sit back and relax for a few minutes.

The holiday season is about being with family and friends, so instead of turning the focus on food, enjoy the people around you. As you eat, take time to sit back and enjoy every bite. After all, many holiday foods aren’t served year round and you rarely get together with such great loved ones, so make the most of it without consuming the most possible calories.

Prepare Mentally

Regardless of what you do to avoid overeating and fight the urge to fall for holiday temptation time and again, you’ll not get through the holidays unscathed if you’re not mentally prepared for the temptations that will come your way. Well before the holidays descend, you should come up with a game plan.

What will you say when offered a tasty, yet unhealthy treat? How often will you let yourself indulge in holiday cheer, via cookies, cakes, and pies? What will you do to ensure you don’t overdo it? How will you react if you do overdo it?

Who will help you stay accountable throughout the holiday season? Having answers to these questions will give you the upper hand when holiday treats are trying to get to you. Being mentally prepared for the holiday temptations sure to come your way will give you the strength necessary to hang tight to your healthy lifestyle, regardless of what obstacles may come your way.

New Year New You, Body Transformation Challenge!

We are getting ready to crank it up for 2012! Announcing the 4-week “New Year New You, Body Transformation Challenge!”

The 4-week challenge will start January 2nd and will run until January 28th.
Each participant will be judged on 4 criteria:
1.    % of fat loss
2.    % of weight loss
3.    % of circumference loss
4.    Before and After Pics

Prizes will awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners who make the most progress.
1st Prize = 1 Free Month of Maplewood Boot Camp + Foam Roll + A Set of 3 Athletic Resistance Bands (a $ 259 value)
2nd Prize = A Set of 3 Athletic Resistance Bands + Foam Roll (a $62 value)
3rd Prize = A Set Of 3 Athletic Resistance Bands (a $47 value)

How To Get Started:
1. You must be enrolled in our regular 2 or 3-day a week or unlimited Maplewood Boot Camp program that begins on Monday, January 2nd
2. Go to http://budurl.com/newbod to register ($20 Fee)
3. Schedule your weekly body composition analysis (includes body fat, circumference, body weight measurements and pics.)

Follow the 3 steps above and you will be ready to start transforming your body!

It’s your choice, will it be the leftover holiday candy, chips, and soda?

Here is the perfect snack to enjoy guilt-free. Each muffin is packed with protein that will fuel your day and support muscle growth. Make a bunch of these and save them in the fridge for snacks-on-the-go.
Servings: 6

Here’s what you need…

• 6 omega-3, organic, free range eggs
• 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/8 cup of organic shredded cheese
• sprinkle of salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line muffin tins with paper liners or grease lightly.
3. Mix up the eggs, add bell pepper, cheese and seasonings. Fill 6 muffin tins.
4. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the egg is fully set.

Nutritional Analysis: One muffin equals: 89 calories, 6g fat, 120mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate, .16g fiber, and 7.5g protein.

Free Boot Camp Helps a Hungry Child

Moving forward, to show our support for what you support, each month we will select a charity that a camper is involved with and hold a fundraising boot camp to benefit that charity. This month our fellow camper Giocanda Gallo suggested “Share Our Strength,” an organization dedicated to making sure than no child goes hungry. On Saturday 9am, December 17th, for every friend or family member who you bring with you to camp, Maplewood Boot Camp will donate $5 to Share Our Strength. The more people you bring, the more we can donate to this worthy charity. And if you have a charity in mind for future fundraising, please send me the information and we can get them on the calendar for next year.

See you at camp!