Hi!
My name is Nitin Chhoda, the author of 'Total Activation - The New 5 Step Fitness Mantra' I look forward to serving your health and fitness needs and will keep you updated with the latest fitness news and cutting edge information on exercise and nutrition. This newsletter talks about the importance of functional fitness - an important component of day to day life in the 21st century.
Yours in total activation,
Nitin Chhoda,
Total Activation
March 15, 2008
Are You Functionally Fit?
Everyone thinks about fitness and weight loss, but have you ever thought of 'functional fitness'?
Do you grimace at the thought of bending down to pick up a bucket of paint…and then lifting it to a high shelf? Does your lower back punish you after a day of yard work? How about your golf swing—could it use a little more power behind your stroke? If are nodding your head then functional training may be just what you need to improve the quality of your daily life.
What is functional training? Functional training uses exercises that utilize multiple muscles and joints simultaneously in a way that mimics everyday movements. These exercises follow three main movements—rotational, front-to-back and side-to-side—to involve large groups of muscles and to develop strength and coordination.
These are skills that can be applied to real life…
Most of your daily activities involve complex movements rather than fixed movements. This simply means that when you are holding a squirming child, reaching for a book on the top shelf or helping your friend move his couch your body is recruiting many muscles to work in a coordinated effort. Functional training seeks to condition your body to function with more agility and power while you execute these activities.
What are the benefits of functional training? Functional training puts emphasis on your core stabilizers—your abdominals and lower back—which helps improve both your balance and ability to transfer power from lower body to upper body. In practical terms this means that lifting heavy items or maneuvering uneven terrain becomes easier, and at the same time you become less vulnerable for injury.
Suddenly that paint bucket isn’t so intimidating…
For all you weekend warriors, functional training can also improve your game! The key is to perform exercises that put your body through the movement of your sport while placing your muscles under resistance. This is a great way to maximize the power and speed of your athletic performance.
The key to your fitness success is consistency. Whether or not functional training makes its way into your exercise regimen, the key is that you are moving your body, burning calories, strengthening your muscles and improving your flexibility. When you consistently make an effort to live a more active lifestyle your fitness and weight loss goals will come within your reach.
Do you need more information on how functional training can improve the quality of your life? Did you know that the solution to your fitness goal is right before your eyes? Contact me to learn how functional training can put a spring into your step!
The Most Important Meal of the Day
Repeat after me: I will never ever skip breakfast! If your mom told you that breakfast was the most important meal of the day—guess what? She was right! Breakfast literally ‘breaks’ the ‘fast’ that your body goes into while you sleep at night. This jump starts your metabolism and gets your body primed and ready to burn calories all day long.
Whole Wheat Pita Chicken Sandwich
This is quite possibly the perfect summer sandwich. Made with healthy chicken and bursting with the mingled flavors of mint and oregano this sandwich will give your taste buds a refreshing treat! Yields 6 servings
- 1.25 lbs of skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cucumber, sliced and quartered
- 1 small sweet onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced
- 2 teaspoons mint, minced
- Dash of salt
- 3 whole wheat pita breads, halved
- 6 lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Cook the chicken in a large skillet, coated with nonstick cooking spray, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and allow the chicken to cool slightly.
- Combine chicken, tomato, cucumber and onion in a bowl.
- In another bowl combine vinegar, oil, oregano, mint and salt until fully incorporated. Pour over the chicken mixture and toss.
- Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
- Place a lettuce leaf in each pita half and then fill with the chicken mixture.
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