Fast Twitch Muscles

I am a firm believer that the world would be a better place if everyone was able to admit when they are Wrong!! After some research, one of my first posts on The Multidisciplinary Workout, which focused on Ab Workouts, was not necissarily the best advice...

I recommended 4 different Ab Exercises to be repeat once maybe twice; I will now admit this is not the most efficient workout because Abs are Fast Twitch Muscles ie they fire strong and will get exhausted fast. Therefore for Fast Twitch Muscles it is more efficient to perform aggressive exercises than multiple sets at a lighter weight. 

Back to Abs the best practice is subjective, especially when using your self weight but note that 100s of sloppy sit ups will not get you 6 pack abs. Personally I still stick to my core core lift of Super Crunches, squeezing at the top to emphasize the resistance. I also found a great new exercise, Side Plank with a Knee Tuck. No more than 20 slow reps and repeat... but maybe repeat the next day :)

It's hard to confirm exactly which muscles are Fast Twitch vs Slow Twitch as everyone is different. Sprinters will typically have a higher percentage of Fast Twitch Muscles compared to Distance Runners. If you want Size & Power check out these Tips for you body to develop Fast Twitch Muscles. If you're like me, a non specific athlete, and just want to be as efficient as possible in the gym heres one rule of thumb: Fast Twitch Muscle are likely pull muscles ie Biceps, Lats, & Hamstrings therefore respond better to less reps with heavier weight.

For the athlete seeking Muscle Tone & Endurance; check out guide to Slow Twitch Muscles!

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!!

Adam's Peak

A 1000 apologies to my 10 The Healthy Press Subscribers that I took February off from Blogging... L & I went on a relaxing holiday to the Maldives & Sri Lanka. Relaxing at least until the last day when we hiked one of Sri Lanka's tallest mountains: Adam's Peak!!

A pilgrimage for Buddhists & Christians alike who believe this hill to be the location of man's first step. An opportunity, for me, not to be missed. So we awoke at 2am in attempt to reach the peak before sunrise... 5200 steps in 3 hours later we were at the top making a nominal donation to the monks at the top in exchange for 2 white bracelets signifying With God!!

We started the decent watching the sunrise over the surrounding hills and lakes!! I understand why the locals make this annual pilgrimage... The experience was Truly Spiritual!!

In standard THP Fashion of course I wore my heart rate monitor. From the accent to the peak it took 2 hours & 25 minutes with an average heart rate 125 bpm. Inserting my Magical Conversion the hike was aerobically equivalent to running a Half Marathon!! I burned 1400 calories...

 THP Fit Tip #9: Take a Hike!! 

I lived in Colorado & Arizona both of which have beautiful mountains which I miss greatly. Hiking is an amazing and healthy way to spend a day surrounded by nature. So if you live in the foothills; lucky you!! If you live in the city... 2 words; Road Trip!!

Check Out National Geographic Top 10 World Hikes!! I've done 3 :)

NY Resolution Fail

I am ashamed to admit but after a month of my New Year Resolution I am giving up... Not because I can't handle it or too busy or one of the other thousands of excuses. I am giving up on my goal to run 1000k in 2012 because I lost 6 pounds in a month: Yep 164 pounds to 158... 

Now some of the weight was fat, more was muscle which was is not my goal... L says I look too skinny but the tipping point for me is my arms look small!!

I do enjoy the Cardiovascular component to running however prefer to focus on maintaining muscle mass so Sunday I got back to my normal Chest routine. The new Polar Heart Rate Monitor I got for my birthday :) beeped at 165bpm after my first set. Then it hit me... I can keep my Heart Rate in the Cardio Zone while Lifting!!

My New New Year's Resolution: Log an equivalent amount of time in the Cardio Zone as I would by running 1000k... Swimming, lifting, biking, playing soccer, abs... the skys the limit!!

With some simple Algebra I extrapolated a constant from my past runs I refer to as The Multiplier. A ratio of pace over my average heart rate. The beauty of this is I can now compare ANY workout taking my average heart rate and time to equate the equivalent distance!! Example:

Using this same multiplier and working backwards from 1000k I would have to log 93 hours of exercise keeping my heart rate at 140bpm.

Let the games begin!! I've already logged 6:45...

Healthy Seared Salmon

A thousand apologies to my 10 followers that I haven't posted a recipe in a while but the long wait is now over! I present to you: Healthy Seared Salmon with Roasted Vegetables...

• 2 Healthy Salmon Steaks: Nuval Score 87

                                       with

• 3 Small Broccoli Bundles: Nuval Score 100

                                         or 

• 1 Large Asparagus Stalk: Nuval Score 100

Sprinkle the Fish with Pink Himalayan Salt, Fresh Ground Pepper, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder & the ever crucial Smoked Paprika... Sear in a pan brushed with Olive Oil & Pressed Garlic!!

Now the key to these delicious roasted vegetables is to preheat the oven to 425 °F and place veggies on foil over a cookie sheet or something... But before they start cooking roll them around in some Olive Oil with a dash of Pink Himalayan Salt, Fresh Ground Pepper, & Fresh Garlic.

We like to switch between the Broccoli & Asparagus to mix it up a bit but, as you can tell from the Nuval Scores, they are both amazingly healthy side dishes; tasty too!!

Not only is Salmon super tasty and high in protein but it also has a multitude of health benefits... The Omego-3 helps lower bad cholesterol, raises good cholesterol, sparks brain activity, speeds up your metabolism, lowers blood sugar, etc etc etc...

It's easier than swimming up stream. Enjoy!! Many compliments to Chef L...

The Grapefruit Catalyst

I don't want to sound like your mother but its true... Breakfast is the Most Important Meal!! Imagine starting a log fire without any fuel, it will work eventually but would be much easier if you just added a dash of lighter fluid to speed up the process. Well your body works the same way.

During sleep your metabolism slows to solely Maintain Body Functions however when you wake this decreased metabolic rate will be prolonged unless you inject fuel into the equation ie Food!! If this source of fuel is not received your blood sugar levels will eventually drop putting your body in a state of Hypoglycemia... 

Obviously this is in extreme conditions however lack of food is the main reason people are tired in the morning. Many people counteract this fatigue with nature's caffeine ie Coffee!! This will only provide a temporary jolt and leave you dehydrated.

THP Fit Tip #8: Drink Grapefruit Juice instead of Coffee...

Grapefruit Juice on the other hand provides much needed Vitamin C which kick starts your Metabolism better than any other citrus fruits as well as contains much needed Fiber & naturally reduces insulin levels...

Now I enjoy a cup a coffee just as much as the rest however recently I replaced my fix with a large glass of Grapefruit Juice complimented with 2 Hardboiled Eggs & Greek Yogurt. This quick breakfast consisting of about 350 Calories usually keeps me Awake & Satisfied until a late lunch.

Try it, you have nothing to lose but sleep...

The Resolution

New Year... New Opportunities!!

Last year my goal was to get in the best shape of my life and I did it: 1 Marathon, 1 Half, a 10k & countless hours in the gym destressing from the long work weeks. But as the memory of 2011 slowly permeates in the back of my mind the outlook for 2012 is optimistic!!

I thought this year I would choose something a little more tangible... 1000k over 365 days!! An idea stolen from L which I adopted because I like the concept as well as to offer support.

I am definitely faster than her; trying to get 5k down to 22 min, however L is the Slow&Steady type with the persistence of a Turtle, I just need to be sure not to fall asleep under a tree!!

January:       E - 5k & L - 6k