Tuesday, November 6, 2012

23:1


Ratio - The quantitative relation between two amounts showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other. (from google)

23:1 - this is the average ratio of how many hours are in a day verses how many hours are spent exercising - For those that exercise.

24:0 - this is the ratio of hours spent in a day verses the hours spent exercising - For those that don't exercise. 

Shocking ratios, I know. They really aren't that much different. One hour of exercise a day for some people, on a good day, and no hours of exercise for other people on a normal day. 

In reality, a true ratio for an "exerciser" may look like this: 165:3.
This is the ratio of hours in a week verses hours spent exercising. This ratio is a little more eye opening. Out of 168 hours in a week (24 hours x 7 days in a week), the "average" exerciser may get in 3 hours of quality movement. This too is assuming that the movement is quality. 

What is the point to my math? People are broken. Not because they are injured and can't move, but because they don't move. If a person does "exercise" 3 to 4 days a week, they are probably putting in an hour per day of exercise. But lets be honest, out of that hour, they may actually be moving 30 to 40 minutes - conservative estimate. Anyway, there are gambling their health and future off of 3 hours a week, or 156 hours a year, spent doing exercise. 

That is a big gamble. But, I will say that is a far better gamble than the person who spends 0 hours a week exercising. This person is really going to dream about the good ole days of grade school when they are in their 60s. 

The "exerciser" is better off than the "non-exerciser" for sure. But neither person is setting themselves up for a great future. We (people) need to change the way we think. We need to put a priority on movement and quality of life instead of a priority on life's distractions. We need to wake up. Life is meant to be enjoyed on two feet, not watched on two cheeks. 

Instead of watching tv at night on our couches, we should be out playing hide-n-seek with the neighbors. You think I am joking, but how great would you feel if you actually did this a few times a week? You'd feel fan-freaking-tastic! That is how you would feel. You know that was your favorite game growing up. 

Anyway, We need to more because we were made to move. We need to feed our bodies with more movement and less food. We simply need to start living and stop existing. 

There is a lot at stake. Our futures, our quality of life is on the line. We can be here and take up space - watch life go by, or we can thrive with vitality. 
We were meant to thrive. 23:1 - we can do better. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

A Case of the AMS


I owe this one to a client of mine who came in one day and said he was suffering from Adult Movement Syndrome. Yes, he was having a case ot the AMS. 

I thought that was clever when he said it. And then I thought about it. That is absolutely the problem with most people today: they have the AMS. Adult Movement Syndrome is running rampant throughout our country. If you are unsure if you've witnessed AMS, or even have AMS, here are some of its signs:

lethargy,   huntched over posture,   head enters the room before the body does,  
person may waddle from side to side when they walk,   peson may have a hard time climbing up one flight of stairs before they give out,   person avoids getting down on floor for fear of net getting up off floor,   person cannot run but instead they shuffle,  etc.

There are many other signs that accompany Adult Movement Syndrome, but they can all be summed up by being viewed as a general lack of vitality. AMS happens to us when we chose a sedentary life over an exhilarating life. It is sad really, contracting the AMS can be 100% avoidable. All we have to do is stay engaged and move often - deliberately with purpose. 

There are many factors that can lead to getting a case of the AMS: We are taught to sit still for 6 to 8 hours a day at a young age, we are surrounded by a plethora of technology that makes our lives so easy, we rarely need to move, we think it childish to engage in childish things like play, and we fill our daily calendars to the brink without much time for our own well being. 

If you think you, or someone you know, may suffer from the AMS, take heart! There is a cure. AMS can be reversable if you act today. All you have to do is engage in life! 

  • Learn to play
  • take frequent "movement" breaks at work (remember, not too long ago it was acceptable for people to take frequent smoke breaks!) 
  • avoid the gravitational pull of the chairs that surround you at every turn
  • learn to get down on the ground so you can get up off the ground (this one is huge - don't miss this one!)
  • make time for yourself, then take it
  • explore your world, the beautiful world around you, and break out of all the walls that hide you day in and day out
Again, no one has to suffer from the AMS. The human body is more than just a lump of flesh, to treat it as such is a crime against God and nature. Our bodies are perhaps the most amazing creations that have ever been. You were made to be amazing, man! Its true. Now, Get Up and go eradicate the AMS!


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Thursday Recipe!


Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole

broccoliThis is an inexpensive dish, you can make this ahead, then top it with the breadcrumbs and put it in the oven 20 minutes before you are ready for dinner--and I know we all like dishes we can make ahead of time. Also I have a great tip for you below: I buy chicken breast in bulk because it's less expensive. When I get home from the store I separate the chicken placing some in my refrigerator to use right away, I take a portion and place them in freezer bags to freeze for the future and I set two or three chicken breasts aside and throw them in my crock pot. I pour some water over them and 4-6 hours later I have perfect shredded chicken to use in other recipes though out the week. A great way to save time in the kitchen and only takes minutes to do. Servings: 6 • Calories: 313 • Fat: 9.9 g • Protein: 27.2 g • Carb: 31.2 g • Fiber: 4.4 g • Sugar: 2.6 g Sodium: 256.7 mg (without salt) 

Ingredients:
 6 oz Ronzoni Smart taste noodles (or no-yolk)
 2 tsp oil
 4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
 12 oz fresh broccoli florets, chopped
 1 tbsp butter
 1 medium shallot, minced
 3 tbsp all purpose flour
 1-3/4 cups fat free chicken broth
 1 cup 1% milk
 12 oz cooked shredded chicken breast
 4 oz shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar (Sargento)
 cooking spray
 3 tbsp shredded parmesan cheese
 2 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs (I used whole wheat)
Directions:
Cook noodles in salted water until al dente, or slightly undercooked by 2 minutes. Set aside. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and cook on medium heat until golden, about 1 minute. Add the broccoli and a little salt, sauté and cover the broccoli for about 3 minutes on medium heat until the broccoli begins to soften. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 375°. Lightly spray a 9 x 12 casserole dish with cooking spray. In a large pot, heat butter over medium-low heat, when melted add the shallot and cook until soft, 2-3 minutes. Add the flour and a pinch of salt and stir well, cooking an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until well combined over medium heat; whisk well for 30 seconds, then add the milk and bring to a boil. Simmer on medium heat, mixing occasionally until it thickens (about 6-7 minutes). Remove from heat and add reduced fat sharp cheddar and 1 tablespoon of the parmesan cheese; mix well until the cheese melts. Add the shredded chicken, noodles and broccoli to the sauce and mix well until evenly coated
Pour into a casserole dish and top with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray on top and bake for about 20 - 25 minutes. Place the casserole under the broiler a few minutes to get the crumbs crisp and golden (careful not to burn).

Good luck!! Please feel free to share some of your favorite recipes with us by emailing them to info@optfitness.net 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

October Fun

This has been a busy month for OPT!  We have had the opportunity to meet and work with many new people thanks to our Bootcamp Groupon that ran at the end of September, and are looking forward to getting out in the community this weekend as we provide refreshments and prizes for the Strafe Zombie Run and then participate in the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Chili Cook-Off! We'd love for you to come out and sample our chili.

We think our chili is sure to be a hit... I mean, it has BACON and CHOCOLATE in it (along with a very long list of other tasty ingredients too).  By Saturday morning we will have made over 6 gallons of award winning chili that cooks for over 7 hours to flavorize and give your taste-buds a true taste of deliciousness.  

Next week we have the Zumba Halloween Costume  Party Class on Monday, Oct 29th! Dress up and come join us for a fun workout!  Then the following Monday (Nov 5th) begins our 60-Day Weight Loss Challenge - Lighten Up! We are excited to host this challenge and already have over half of the coveted slots filled!  Make sure to get your chance to join the challenge by registering now!  

Anyways, we are working on getting the blog on track so that we have something new for you each week. Thanks for your patience!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Welcome, Welcome!

Well, we finally did it. We created a blog for OPT Fitness.

We wanted to have another avenue of getting out some read worthy information to you guys each week and are looking forward to offering yet another outstanding benefit to working with OPT Fitness.

Tim, Mindy, and Dani will be keeping you updated weekly with a variety of informative and thought provoking posts from all different angles and areas of interest.  We will also be featuring an OPT Recipe of the Week, occasional fitness challenges, and a few words from OPT peeps just like you!

If you are interested in contributing to the OPT Fitness Blog, please let us know or email your submission into us whenever you'd like. We will review the information and see if it is appropriate for sharing with others on our blog.

In the meantime, add us to your list of blogs to follow and get ready for some great info to come your way!