Monthly Archives: August 2014

Listen to your trainer…it’s a good thing to eat before bed

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It used to be that eating before bed was considered to be a big no-no for weight-loss. This is no longer the case. In fact, if you’re working out on a regular basis and eating considerately throughout the day, a bedtime snack is ideal for weight-loss and muscle gain. However, this doesn’t mean that bags of chips and ice cream are on the menu. Instead, choose wisely so that your snack fuels your body and assists with important repair processes. We like sugar-free options…

HomeBodyFit before bed snack examples:

  • 1 cup of 0% cottage cheese with a tablespoon of unsweetened peanut or almond butter
  • Unsweetened 0% Greek yogurt with cinnamon
  • Baked chicken breast with steamed broccoli

However, if you absolutely need something sweet, Cellucor athlete and WBFF Fitness ProJen Jewell (BodyBuilding.com) offers this protein treat which pleases both your taste buds and body.

Protein Cookie Delight

Protein Cookie Delight

Protein Cookie Delight 

Ingredients
• 3/4 cup frozen or fresh berries
• 3/4 cup raw old-fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup light/unsweetened almond milk
• 2 scoops Cellucor Red Velvet flavored whey protein powder
• Chocolate or rainbow sprinkles (optional, but great when not cutting)
• Honey to taste

Directions
1. Place berries in a bowl and microwave for 45 seconds. Once finished, mash with a fork.
2. Add remaining ingredients to create the batter. Make sure to stir thoroughly so all ingredients are evenly mixed.
3. Place 2-3 tablespoons of batter onto a plate to form each cookie, then place in microwave for 45-60 seconds.
4. Remove, let cool for a minute or two and enjoy.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 serving
Recipe Yields: 2 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 262
Total Fat 2.5g
Total Carbs 29g
Protein 31g

Ask us about our online meal and fitness plans!

 

How to Get Through Hump Day…and Burn Upwards of 1000 Calories!

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How to Get Through Hump Day

How to get through hump day!

Let’s face it, Wednesday is pretty tough to take some weeks. One way to combat the dread that comes with getting up on any given “Hump Day” is to incorporate something positive into your day…something to look forward to…something just for you and your body.

Join us for a Wednesday night drop-In Burlington Body Camp workout ($15). Not only will you leave feeling invigorated, you’ll have burned upwards of 1000 calories in one hour (and the calories keep on burning even after your workout)!

All you need to do is bring the motivation, a yoga mat and two 3-10 pound weights…and we’ll provide you with a: fast-paced, head-to-toe, body-weight, high-intensity, interval training session that will scorch calories.

Register here for 7pm or 8pm.

Open to men and women. We hope to see you tonight!

 

Coconut Oil: The Fat-Burning Fat

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What if there were an amazing fat source that tasted, well, like fat, but also helped you burn other fat? There is. It’s virgin coconut oil, a rising star in the nutritional world.

by Brad Chase, BodyBuilding.com

What comes to mind when you see the word “thermogenic?” Heat, probably, since the word itself means “heat generating.” Or maybe you think of a stimulant supplement like caffeine which is known to speed up your metabolism and increase energy expenditure. Maybe you’re taking one of these right now, in the hopes of slimming down. One thing you probably don’t think of is a coconut €”and especially the oil extracted from its flesh. Not that long ago, coconut oil ruled alongside partially hydrogenated soybean oil as the worst of the “bad fats.” Maybe you know them by their other name: trans fatty acids. These were the fats that were shown in repeated studies to increase the risk for heart disease and obesity, in addition to being linked to everything from depression to infertility. They’re the reason you stopped buying movie-theater popcorn!

Given that reputation, it’s OK if you’re skeptical about what I’m going to say next: Coconut oil is shaping up to be one of the world’s premier natural thermogenic agents. But before you go running to the Cineplex, there’s a catch: The processed coconut oil of the past has about as much in common with the healthy virgin coconut oil as Chief Wiggum does with Robocop.

Intrigued? You should be. Let’s crack open the coconut for a closer look.

Spending long hours hunched over your desk? This exercise can help!

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Superman Exercise

How to do a Superman stretch

Supermans are a fantastic stretch exercise and one our clients look forward to, as they provide a nice “active rest” exercise during circuits. Supermans strengthen your posterior chain, which includes:

  • lower back
  • glutes
  • hamstrings

How to do Supermans:

  1. Lay on your stomach, reaching your arms forward (like you’re Superman/flying).
  2. While looking forward and keeping your head straight, simultaneously (and gently) raise your legs and upper body off the floor.
  3. Hold for three seconds and repeat.

At HomeBodyFit, we use this move to help all our clients strengthening the posterior chain, which is particularly beneficial to clients who spend long hours working at a desk.

Learn more about our at-home and online fitness programs.

HomeBodyFit Free Gift on $75 orders with BodyBuilding.com

Make your own protein bars! Here’s a foolproof (and fast) recipe

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by Rosanna van Dijk, BodyBuilding.com

This recipe is super versatile, and you can eat it as part of a protein-heavy breakfast or a filling afternoon snack—whatever you need! You can also use any flavor of whey and variety of nut butter you like. Not sure where to start? Try the classic flavor combination of peanut butter with Optimum Nutrition Double Rich Chocolate Gold Standard whey.

Homemade Protein Bars

Easy Homemade Protein Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Oats
• 1/2 cup Unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup Nut butter
• 2-3 scoops Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey

Directions

1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and then pour the mixture into a small lined tray.
2. Pop this into the fridge or freezer to set, and then chop up into slices.
PRO TIP
Add in some chopped nuts for an extra crunch.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 large piece
Recipe yields: 9 pieces
Amount per serving:
Calories 166
Total Fat 8.7g
Total Carbs 12.3g
Protein 12g

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey

HomeBodyFit Free Gift on $75 orders with BodyBuilding.com

 

Send your core strength through the roof!

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At HomeBodyFit, our clients are used to seeing planks and plank circuits incorporated into their workouts. Why? Because they work! They may be difficult to start with, but once you feel and see the benefits, you’ll begin to crave the burn that comes with doing challenging plank circuits.

The physical and aesthetic benefits of planking are:

  • Improves strength and flexibility throughout the body
  • Requires focus and mental stamina
  • Improves posture, tightens your core and streamlines that waistline!

Here’s how to properly do a Full and Side Plank.

How to do a Full Plank

How to do a full plank

How to do a full plank

  • On a yoga matt, start in a push-up position and lower your forearms to the floor; your elbows and fists are flat to the ground (your hands are either straight out in front of you – palms down or in a fist, or clasped, whichever is more comfortable for you).
  • With your toes curled under, keep your back straight, your buttocks down.
  • Engage your abs (imagine pulling your belly button towards your spine)
  • You’ll feel a burning. Continue to keep your buttocks down.

How to do a Side Plank

How to do a side plank

How to do a side plank

  • Lie with the whole side (starting on the left or right) of your body on your yoga matt.
  • Use your floor-side elbow to prop up your body, keeping your body up on your elbow – aligning your elbow directly underneath your shoulder – and your feet together.
  • Your forearm (lying perpendicular to your body), elbow and floor-side foot should be supporting your body.
  • Rest your opposite arm along your body or extent it straight up to the ceiling.
  • Engage your abs (feel the burn) and hold the pose.

Note: If this is too challenging at first, you can bring your knees down to the floor to help support your weight. To make this exercise more challenging, balance on on just your floor-side hand and foot (pictured above).

Interested in learning more about the HomeBodyFit Plank Circuit (Advanced)? Contact us for a FREE consultation today!

Free Optimum Optimen with the purchase of Muscle Building Whey Protein Powder*

If she can do it, so can I!

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Did you know that just hearing that others “can do it” can greatly influence your fitness performance?  According to the journal of Psychology of Sport and Exercise, motivation from others can have a very powerful effect on one’s exercise duration and intensity.

Fitness plank and motivation

If she can do it, so can I!

The study went like this:

A group of 68 participants were split into two groups and asked to hold a plank for as long as possible. After finishing, the first group was told that a similar group had held their planks for 20 percent longer. The second group was given no feedback.

Following this, the two groups were asked to perform a second plank, again for as long as possible. The researchers found that the first group (who had received the feedback) rated their confidence at 45 percent before the first plank and nearly 60 percent before the second plank, holding their planks for 5 percent longer; whereas the second group’s hold time dropped 18 percent.

Essentially, the study found that if you learn or observe that your peers are doing well, you’re more likely to believe you can too.

So seek out influential stories, talk to friends and family about their fitness efforts and workout in pairs and groups. These can all help boost your confidence and enhance your performance…and don’t forget to let others know about your accomplishments!

Learn more about our couples and group fitness programs including Burlington Body Camp (drop-in tonight for only $15)

HomeBodyFit Free Gift on $75 orders with BodyBuilding.com

 

Get 10% Off The Entire MET-Rx line at Bodybuilding.com!

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Exclusive Offer! Get 10% Off The Entire MET-Rx line at Bodybuilding.com! Use Promo Code METRX10 Today and Save!

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The art of delaying gratification

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Let’s face it…instant gratification feels great and as a society we’re used to wanting (and often getting) the things we desire right away. We like promises and we buy into them all the time…and this phenomenon also applies to fitness. Often people will start new fitness programs with enthusiasm, only to lose their momentum when they don’t start seeing results after a week or two. This disappointment often leads to quitting.

Eating chips

The art of delaying gratification

Being personal trainers we’re here to break it to you that when it comes to becoming super fit, you have to leave instant gratification at the door. In fact, you have to forget about the short term altogether and continually focus on the long term benefits of sticking to your fitness and eating plan. It’s this ability that separates the quitters from the super fit…and will lead you to success. If you’re able to master this mindset, you will no longer feel deprived when forgoing those bag of chips or give into the couch when it’s time to workout. In fact, your long term goals will become more meaningful than any instant pleasures.

So forget about the short term sacrifices and stop focusing on what you see in the mirror after only a few weeks. Master this secret to success and you will feel and see the effects you desire. Our clients often tell us that friends and family eventually started asking them want they “did” to acquire their healthier and stronger physique…and when this happens you too can tell them the “secret” – it’s due to a lot of hard work and a series of “fit decisions” made everyday.

Interested in making a change in your life? Contact us about our at-home and online fitness training programs today!

HomeBodyFit Free Gift on $75 orders with BodyBuilding.com

Have your Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cookie Crumble Pot…and eat it too!

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whey protein recipes

Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie Protein Cookie Crumble Pot

by Anna Sward, BodyBuilding.com

There are few things as delectable as digging in to a cookie crumble pot. As soon as you dip your spoon in, you get the crunchiness, creaminess, and warmth of chocolate paired with cool ice cream. It’s that combination of cake and gooey chocolate that tops all else.

The best part: You can indulge without throwing your diet out the window. It’s not wizardry I’m describing here. It’s protein that packs a punch!

PROTEIN COOKIES

• 1/4 cup Dymatize ISO-100 Chocolate Fudge Brownie
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp peanut butter (or three, if you’re a sucker for the butter)
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 small egg

FIRST LAYER
• 2 pots (340 g) Greek 0% fat yogurt

TOPPING
• 2 squares melted dark chocolate
• 2 tbsp ground almonds

Directions
1. Place cookie ingredients in a food processor and blend together until they form a paste.
2. Shape mix into 6-10 small balls and flatten each one on a baking-paper-lined cookie tray.
3. Bake at 350 F (175 C) for about 7-10 minutes, or until cookies are cooked through. Do not overbake. It’s best to take them out while they’re still soft in the center, because they tend to set a bit more as they cool.
4. To assemble cookie pots, layer 1/2 cup Greek yogurt into ramekins. If you don’t mind adding a little extra fat, you can use ricotta or mascarpone, too. Crumble a cookie and sprinkle it on top. Add some melted dark chocolate and top with 1/2 tbsp ground almonds. Ta-da! It’s delicious goodness in a bowl!

HomeBodyFit Free Gift on $75 orders with BodyBuilding.com