Tip of the Day

Add a bit of fall and a punch of nutrition by adding canned pumpkin to your morning oats.  It is low in fat and calories, and packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins C and E.  It boosts immunity, reverses skin damage, and reduces the risk of heart disease.

Ask the Expert: Finding a Personal Trainer

Q:  How do I find a good, reliable, experienced personal trainer?

It is very important to find a good personal trainer.  This includes many different aspects like convenience of time/location, personality connection, training philosophy, knowledge of specific health issues, nutritional philosophy, and methods of motivation.  When you’re first getting started, this might seem a little overwhelming – use these steps to make it an easy process:

1.  Research.  The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) are highly accredited organizations that certify personal trainers.  Trainers certified by ACSM are required to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field.  Both organizations provide “pro finders” on their websites.  Simply follow the links below, plug the information in for your area, and it will pull up a list of ACSM / ACE certified trainers in your area, along with contact information. 

ACSM Certified Trainers: http://forms.acsm.org/_frm/crt/online_locator.asp

* You have the option to select a specific certification level, or leave it blank for all levels.  Recommended levels to search under for general population are – ACSM Certified Health Specialist or ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.

ACE Certified Trainers:  http://www.acefitness.org/findanacepro/default.aspx

2. Interview.  It is important to interview the trainer on your personal key points of interest.  Questions may vary.  What is your average clientele? When are you available?  What is your training and nutrition philosophy? How would you describe your training style?  How often will you change up my routine?  What happens if I do not show up for a session?  Will you travel to my home?  Do you have experience with my injury/limitation?

3.  Client References.  Ask the trainer for permission to contact a couple of their clients as references.  You might ask what their most and least favorite thing is about working with the trainer.  Ask how long they have been working with them, how they rate their success, and what they attribute it to. 

4.  Trial Period.  Complete a trial period prior to signing up for a large package.  Commit for one month at the most, to start, and then go from there. 

5. Do Your Part.  Remember, your dedication and actions when you’re not with your trainer are also important.  Make sure you are owning up to your part of the routine. 

Have a question?  The healthy lifestyle experts are here to help!  Email cmaddox@hhhealth.com with your question and check back every Thursday for our feature column.

 

Tip of the Day

To fully reap the benefits of the time you are spending exercising, you must warm up.  By taking those few minutes to adjust to increased activity will ensure a better performance from your body and, in turn, will make your workout more efficient, productive and, best of all, enjoyable.

The best part of waking up...

…is the aroma of coffee brewing in my kitchen.  Are you one of the millions who begin your day with a tall cup of joe?  To celebrate National Coffee Day, I thought it would be most appropriate to include a bit of insight in today’s blog post. 

Did you know that over 400 BILLION cups of coffee are consumed each year?  A worldly commodity only second to that of oil.  Thanks to a special goat herder in the 9th century Ethiopia, coffee was first discovered after he noticed the stimulating effects of coffee berries on his goats and began experimenting.  A century later, coffee began to be roasted and traded by the Arabs.  From there, the beans entered the Indian and European markets and the first coffee shop was opened in 1475!  (Pretty sure it wasn’t served in a cute white cup with a green logo.)

In the health world, coffee and caffeine is a hot topic.  Is coffee good or bad for me?  Well, I spoke to H3’s Director of Education, Bob Wright to get more information.  Here’s what he said:

Over the past 5-10 years, new research has shown that there may actually be more health benefits than risks.   As I don’t really promote coffee drinking, there is no real reason to avoid it.  Here at H3, coffee is available in the mornings to enjoy with breakfast, up until about 10:00 am.  The main reason we limit the serving time is due to the public health guideline which recommends limiting caffeine to 400 milligrams per day.  The typical 8 oz. coffee cup has about 100 milligrams of caffeine (not to be confused with a Starbucks Venti).  Keep in mind that it is best to drink black coffee, as most additions like cream, sugar and whipped toppings add unwanted calories and fat grams. 

To sum it up, coffee is like everything else, enjoy in moderation and choose your drink using ‘Unwise, Better, Best’ method.  So, drink up and enjoy!

**Hey H3 Facebook Friends – you still have until next Wednesday to upload your favorite recipe photos to win the prize!  Why not whip up a batch of the Sweet Potato Scones or Blueberry Muffins to enjoy with your morning coffee?

Fall is here!

Don’t you just love the fall season!  Growing up in the Midwest, I do miss the beautiful changing leaves on the trees, but that aside, there are so many wonderful things about this season.  Here’s my top 5:

1. Comfortable temperatures.  The lower heat and humidity makes bike rides, walks/jogs, etc. so much more enjoyable.  It’s a perfect time to hit the nature trails and notice all that’s changing around you.  On my jogs here in the low country, I enjoy watching the marsh grasses change from their vibrant summer green to the yellows and browns that make up their growth cycle.  The monarch butterflies are plentiful and the birds and wildlife are also more active!


2. Seasonal produce.  After our fill of summer’s berries and melons, yellow squash and asparagus, I welcome the freshness of fruits like apples, pears, cranberries, pomegranates, and kiwis.  The seasonal vegetable seem to multiply with all the cruciferous veggies like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and bok choy, not to mention the classics like pumpkin, green beans, acorn and spaghetti squash, edamame, spinach, and collard greens.  Cinnamon and nutmeg are wonderful fall flavors to experiment with your fruits and veggies. 


3. Cozy comfort.  There’s nothing like pulling out your favorite “hoodie” or soft sweater as you take a walk at sunset or attend an afternoon football game.  I love the crisp cool air on your face as your body is warm inside that favorite, comfortable sweater you’ve had for years.  Anyone with me?


4. Warm colors of fall.  With orange tones sending vibes of energy, and yellows hope and happiness, powerful reds, and renewing greens, you cannot help to reflect on your own energy, happiness, and growth from the year so far.  It’s a time when individuals and businesses alike reflect on their successes and challenges from the year and begin plans for the year to come.  We can acknowledge the stressful moments like year-end for businesses and tax season is approaching, but don’t overlook this beautiful season with so much to offer!


5. Family time.  Fall is often filled with family gatherings.  Halloween and Thanksgiving are fun times for festivities and traditions, which means times filled with stories, hugs, and laughter – all, shall we say, “soothing to the soul.” 

What are the Top 5 things you look forward to in the fall?  Take some time to enjoy this fall season with us during Devin’s Dash,  FIT Week, Recipe for Success:  Holiday Cooking Healthy workshop, or Reunion Week! 

Here are a few pictures from last year's fall festivities:

[caption id="attachment_3661" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Reunion Week 2009 - Getting into the 70's theme with a little tie-dye"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3662" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Finished product - doesn't it look great!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3664" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Reunion Week 2009 - Disco Night!"][/caption]

Tip of the Day

Eat at the dinner table – steer clear of mindless eating in front of the television, at your desk, or in bed.

Get H3 Inspired: Debbie Poole

Our most recent Get H3 Inspired story comes to you in the form of a letter.  We received this email recently and asked Debbie if we could share it with you.  

Dear Bob,

I returned home a little over a week ago from my first visit to Hilton Head Health and I just want to say “THANK YOU” to all of your associates.

My experience surpassed my expectations.  The exercise classes were wonderful!  I really enjoyed all the classes I had with Louis, she does such a wonderful job of challenging everyone, with an awareness for the many levels throughout the class.  Amber’s Treading class was new to me, but I’m definitely going to look for a gym that has it, or use the “cheat sheet” provided by you and do it myself.

When I was looking into Hilton Head Health I thought the educational classes would be okay, but I wasn’t all that excited about them.  I can say they were my FAVORITE part of my experience.  The passion of all the instructors is contagious.

I have been able to come home and make small changes that are making a difference.  My scales show I have lost 9 pounds from my beginning weight there.  My energy level is higher and I feel great.  My boss actually commented that I got my Mojo back.

I look forward to future visits for tune ups.

Sincerely,

Debbie Poole

If you have a story you’d like to share, please e-mail us at getinspired@hhhealth.com! Make sure to put ‘Get Inspired’ in the subject line.