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Holiday Eating 101

So the holiday season is here and you’re worried about gaining those extra holiday pounds or letting your time spent in the gym go to waste. Fret no more! Here are 10 simple tips to help you stay on track and not lose sight of your goals:

1- If your plate is large, eat ½ of it and save the rest for later or another day.
2- Drink plenty of water. To give your water a little more life, add some lemon. Lemon also aids in digestion.
3- Keep sugary drinks to a minimum.
4- If you order something such as stir- fry when dining out, ask to get the teriyaki sauce on the side. This way you control the amount of sauce that goes on the food.
5- Look for the healthy section of the menu. Many restaurants have this.
6- Sorry, skip dessert. This goes for you especially if you have strict goals. If you must have some sweets, share it with someone.
7- Don’t get too full.
8- Don't forget your veggies.
9- If eating fried foods, take off the skin.

10- Don't forget your fruit for breakfast.

Have a safe and healthy holiday season!

For more information:

Natasha@natashalinton.com
http://www.natashalinton.com/

Enter to Win 6 Weeks of Expert Online Fitness Training/Diet Planning with Grocery List

In preparation for 2008/2009 holiday (eating) season, I am participating in the Esculon.com Holiday Gift Fest.

Where you can win all sorts of goodies.
I am giving away 6 weeks of online training with a diet plan and grocery list

Just for participating you will receive a Natasha Linton Fitness logo item.

The rules are simple:
1) 1-2 paragraphs in the body of an email, explain how you plan to keep fit throughout the coming holiday season.
2) In the subject line write "Holiday Gift Fest".
3) Tell me where you'd like the logo item mailed.
4) Contest is open until December 15, 2008

What you can win:
Complete Customized Workouts
» Exercies utilize the equipment you have » Fitness plans for your goals » Adjust workouts at anytime

Workout Report Logs
» Get advice from a certified fitness trainer» Personal fitness log maintained automatically » Watch your fitness level increase » Maintain your log via the internet

Exercise Videos
» Ensure proper techniqe, and faster results » Plays in most standard browsers » written instructions and exercises
» Unlimited email access to ensure your success

Good Luck,
Natasha

Feel free to email with questions: Natasha@natashalinton.com

Visit http://www.natashalinton.com/ to find out more about online training.

How to Choose a Personal Fitness Trainer

You decide that you want to hire a personal trainer because you lack motivation, reached a training plateau, have no clue what to do to reach your fitness goals, or need to change your exercise routine.Before you do there some some things to look for in a personal trainer. After all you dont want to choose just anyone and risk getting hurt.
First, there are different ways to go about finding one. You can simply hire one through your gym, or you can hire a private trainer by referral or by searching the internet. On the internet you can Yahoo! or Google specific search words such as New York City fitness trainer, for a trainer in your area.
Remember a trainer you'll want will:
1) Have a nationally recognized certification. DO NOT hire someone without a certification or fitness related degree. Among the certifications to look for are ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association), NESTA ( National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association), NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association), and ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine).
2) Before putting you through a workout will sit with you to chat about your goals, your strengths, your weaknesses, fitness history, medical history, and to take some baseline measurements. Make sure they ask you a ton of questions about yourself.This is important. There are cases where a medical doctor needs to step in the picture and give clearance for a client to start training. Make sure this is not the case with you. Here you can ask for proof of their work, such as testimonials.
3) Make sure a reassessment in 6 weeks or so is scheduled during your first meeting.This is a way to be sure that you are in fact on track to reach your goals, or you'll find out that something needs to change in your program. Watching those numbers (your measurements) drop is great motivation.
4) Also, a good trainer is always researching.

For more information
http://www.natashalinton.com

Recent Ads on High Fructose Corn Syrup

Recently there have been print, tv, and online ads from the Corn Refiners Association about how good for the body high fructose corn syrup is (HFCS). They are battling the claims that HFCS is ok since it is 'made from corn", "nutritionally the same as sugar", and fine in moderation. This advertisement campaign can be found at http://www.sweetsurprise.com/. This has caused quite a stir between two parties; those who believe its damaging for our bodies, and those who believe its just fine in moderation.

There is a correlation between the growth rate of diabetes, the obesity epidemic and the higher usage of High Fructose Corn Syrup. HFCS is found in many foods that are often high in calories and low in nutritional value. It is found in many manufactured foods like candy, cereals, pizza, cookies, beer, yogurts, and even baby foods. Fast food restaurants use it throughout many of their products from the buns, condiments, drinks and other items. If concerned, you can limit the amount of foods you consume that contain HFCS. As you can see it's everywhere. Also, those concerned with genetically altered foods should avoid this. It is processed with genetically modified enzymes.

For more information on this subject email natasha@natashalinton.com

email natasha@natashalinton.com

Indoor vs. Outdoor Running

Push Ups

For a great upper body workout that costs nothing, requires very little space, calls for no equipment, try pushups:

· Start in the up position with your stomach down and legs straight out behind you
· Make sure your hands are a little wider than shoulder width apart
· Keep your head up and face forward. Do not look down
· Breathe in on your way down and breathe out on your way up
· Straighten your arms as you push up
· Don’t slouch- your back must remain straight
· Remember to always keep your stomach tight

Variations
If straight legged push ups are difficult at first, you’ll also get results by bending at the knees and keeping your knees on the floor


For more information visit http://www.natashalinton.com/ or
email natasha@natashalinton.com