Water: The Cure for Everything

If you've ever seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding you know the family cure to many ailments is Windex... I have a similar Magic Cure... Water!!

Water helps to:

• Improve your Immune System...
• Speed up Repair Muscles...
• Flush out Pesky Toxins...
• Facilitate Mineral Transport...
• Increase your Metabolism...
• Lower Blood Pressure...
• BURN FAT!! Trust me...

So what's the problem?

• If you're tired? Drink Water...
• If you're hungry? Drink Water...
• Headache? Drink Water..
• Hungover? Drink Water...
• Grumpy? Drink Bubble Water...
• Suffer from Asthma? Drink Water...
• Chapped Lips, Dry Skin? Drink Water...
• Seasick? Drink Water with Ginger...
• Kidney Stone? UTI? Drink Water with Parsley...
• Cold, Flu, Scurvy? Yep, Drink Water with Lemon...

Add Lemon in your Water to:

• Add natural flavor...
• Sooth a Sore Throat...
• Reduce Sugar Absorption...
• Relieve Heartburn...
• Raise Potassium Levels...
• Assist with Joint Pain by Dissolving Uric Acid...
• Increase Enzymes to Help Liver Function...
• Create a Natural Antibiotic by adding Honey...

How much water should you be drinking per day you ask? Simple rule: take your weight in pounds and divide by 2 = ounces of water to drink per day!

PS. I am addicted to Soda Water aka Bubble Water or "With Gas" if you're in Europe!

Enjoy... and stay hydrated!

Coconut Water

As I mentioned in my Last Blog, we just returned from sun-filled-holiday in the Maldives!! But what I failed to mention is both L & I have Northern European skin ie Pale with Freckles so the UV Rays seam to go out of its way to find us?!

We were OK for the first and second day bathing in sunscreen before we went out however the third day was a shocker!! A morning lather followed by a Quick Swim then a walk from island to island, topped off with an afternoon of snorkeling... needless to say our back and legs were a little beat up. Luckily for us though the Beach Guru showed up at our back porch offering Fresh Coconuts... We got 2!! The water was refreshing and the meat was addictive!!

Livestong says the best cure for a sunburn is Aloe Vera but personally I prefer Simple & Excessive Hydration!! This will naturally lubricate skin and help Prevent Pealing. Furthermore, Coconut Water hydrates much better than water as it contains Electrolytes just like Gatorade but without the added sugar.

Other great health benefits of Coconut Water: the High Potassium / Low Sodium Content helps Lower Blood Pressure, Raises Metabolism, it's a Natural Detox, Heightens Immune System, plus Many More...

So if you see the Beach Guru; just ask for a Fresh Chopped Coconut with a Natural Spoon!!

A Healthy Salt

First off I want to make it clear that Salt is Essential. It is a key ingredient to a Healthy Metabolism and maintains balance in your body. As you exercise your body emits salt through sweat and it is highly recommended to replenish before your blood-sodium level drops hence why gatorade has fairly high sodium levels.

Recommended levels of sodium is Less Than 2300mg per day for an average young adult even though the national average is around 3400mg. A Big Mac has 1020mg alone.

Too much salt can cause an array of Health Problems!! Everything from Hypertension & High Blood Pressure to Osteoporosis & Stomach Cancer. The biggest offenders for high sodium foods are the processed foods, canned soups, fast foods and so many more. 

White table salt essentially is nothing but sodium chloride mixed with Iodine which is added to support the Thyroid Gland. It is normally chemically processed and bleached which can make it Toxic! But worst of all... its Addictive!!

THP Fit Tip #7: Avoid Processed Food & Use Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt When Cooking!!

This naturally occurring salt has been mined from the Khewra Salt Mines in Pakistan for last 700 years and contains 84 Minerals including Iron, Copper, Fluoride, Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium and of course Iodine!! In addition this Magic Salt helps Maintain Blood Sugar Levels, Regulates Blood Pressure, Prevents Cellulite and Reduces Risk of Dehydration compared to Table Salt.

I think the taste is much better too... 

The Science Behind Muscle Repair

I've been experimenting with Fascia Stretch Training for about a month now and really notice results!! Chest, legs, biceps, etc. Basically on your last lift you stretch the focus muscle between sets then flex. I'll explain why this helps so keep reading...

Ok backing up a little bit... When you workout, your muscles fatigue and tear like tiny rips in a piece of paper. Your body then goes into a process called Muscle Protein Synthesis where amino acids repair the muscle. This is where your diet is so important; having Protein Rich Meals after workout will provide vital nutrients to promote fast and healthy muscle repair as well as facilitate muscle growth.

I can imagine the wheels turning. The reason for the stretching is to amplify the muscle tear like gently tugging on the already fractured piece of paper. Flexing then helps Promote Blood Flow which transport these crucial amino acids. Combined with a nice big steak or fish and you just hit the trifecta!!

Personally, I really enjoy a meal after working out. A reward for my effort which makes me appreciate food... Having large meals if I haven't worked out just seams like a waste of energy. However any protein that your body doesn't use just passes through your body unlike carbs that are stored as glucose then fat if not Burned Off.

THP Tip #4: Replace carbohydrates with lean protein...

Swap Pasta with Quinoa, Potatoes with Broccoli, Bagels with Scambled Eggs! The list goes on...

But the best part is the Muscle Protein Synthesis doesn't stop after your workout... Muscle Repair keeps burning calories up to 48 hours after your workout making lifting weights ideal not only for muscle growth but also for fat loss. Happy Muscle Recovery!!

The Elixir of Life

Woke up this morning with a fuzzy head and chalky taste in my mouth after Laura and I polished off two bottles of red wine last night and a naked pizza... Brushed my teeth and ventured into the Dubai summer heat for a quick run around the marina. I normally try not to complain but, good grief, was it hot!! Temperature according to Google is 43°C, only just under 110°F, with 28% humidity. 

Definitely not the worst it's been but needless to say I didn't see any other runners out. I planned to run 5k but ended up taking the first bridge and only made it 3. Oh well, my head was starting to feel like a balloon so I went into the gym to meet Laura. Dreading the upcoming ab workout I grabbed a cup of water at the cooler and BAM!! immediately refreshed and ready for more. 

Growing up I was kind of a nerd and loved The Legend of Zelda!! You know the one: BanalumtalaLa DaNantDaNantDaNantDaNant. I felt like I drank that blue potion that gives you all your hearts back so you can shoot lasers out of the sword. Anyways, water just seems to have magical energizing properties, especially in the gym so...

HP Tip #1: Drink water, wherever and whenever possible!!

There are multiple ways to gauge your water intake and thousands of benefits aside from adding energy to your life; avoids hangovers from the alcohol replacing water in your blood stream, helps prevents diabetes and kidney stones, muscles recover from workouts faster, increases metabolism, helps the liver process fats instead of sugars and chemicals if you replace soda and processed juice with water, suppresses hunger, acts a natural detox, prevent illness by improving your immune system, reduces headaches, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, moisturizes joints for those with knee pain, prevents acne, brightens eyes, reduces wrinkles, improves overall skin quality and will ultimately puts me in a better, happy mood!!

If you're still skeptical or please read the Risk of Dehydration published by the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, if you will be working outside, hiking, or running long distances make sure to drink gatorade or add extra salt to your meal as sweating decreases your sodium levels which can be fatal. Stay healthy, keep hydrated!!