Dear JD Perry,
http://www.formspring.com/forms/?761215-G4xCl1hxl2
I’ve always liked anonymous Q&A’s. It provides an opportunity to understand myself better with the responses I conjure up.
Be gentle.
Processed Foods
It is a no-brainer that eating a diet based around processed and fried foods is not the healthiest lifestyle. Not only does it cause fat-gain it also causes oxidants to be released within your digestive system which are taxing on the liver. The term “anti-oxidant” has been engraved into our brains thanks to the recent health-conscious movement and it definitely should not be overlooked. However, consuming anti-oxidant rich foods just to combat the intake of oxidant-rich foods is not the proper approach to the situation. The solution should be to eliminate any food that actually contains oxidants. But what if a person has a fast metabolism and doesn’t gain fat from eating said foods? Whether or not food makes you fat is not a valid argument of a person being in good health. The internal damage that these foods produce can lead to diseases, cancers, and plenty of other illness.
See the article below for an in-depth discussion on consuming processed and fried foods.
There’s a simple, inexpensive dietary intervention that could control weight even without changing caloric intake and help make people healthier in a host of ways. The key? Stop eating processed and fried foods.http://www.naturalnews.com/027589_processed_foods_health.html
The Great Cardio Debate
Studies show that the most effective way to burn calories, trim fat, and boost your metabolism is by sprinting; sprint-intervals or high intensity interval training (HIIT) to be exact. I see so many people jogging for hours on the side of the road or treadmill. While that is a sufficient work out it is not the best way to burn fat. Slow-paced running require your slow-twitch (type I) muscle fibers to be utilized rather than the fast-twitch (type II) fibers. Fast-twitch muscle fibers kick in when a great (and quick) amount of energy must be exerted to accomplish a movement. Slow-twitch fibers do not fatigue as easily and are more efficient for longer periods of training. Longer runs are catabolic on the muscles. A great example of how long runs do not build muscle, rather use it for energy, is to take a look at a marathon running. While they are muscular from the constant hours of training they show no evidence of muscle growth.
Exercises that incorporate the fast-twitch fibers burn calories more efficiently. By that I mean it takes a shorter amount of time to accomplish the same calorie-output as a slow-twitch workout. Think of it this way: I can sprint a mile in 6 minutes or I can jog one in 12 minutes. Both have the same calorie output but sprinting cuts half the time and incorporates fibers that use fat more efficiently as fuel.
I suggest incorporating both types of running into a workout to get the full health benefits. Long runs will build stamina and endurance. Sprints build strength and acceleration. Both do wonders for the cardiovascular system, specifically the heart; it is a muscle that gets overlooked sometimes. While it may seem like I don’t need to do this because my job doesn’t really require me to run… at all… the health benefits are through the roof. If I’m not healthy then I will not be able to live or do my job to my full potential.
A sprint workout suggestion:
20 -Minute Sprints
5-minute warm-up jog
30-second sprint at 90% max/30-second walk/jog - repeat 10x
5-minute cool-down jog
Stretch after
Each week increase your intensity, sprint time, or sets. The goal is to improve and push oneself. I am only as good as how far I take myself.
