App Help

Ever wished you had a trainer in your pocket? Or a calorie counter that could just add up your daily calorie intake?? It would make life a lot easier....and it does!

Here's some of my favourite Apps that I use as tools to assist me with my training and diet.

For an all round Tracker for calories and exercise I am loving LIVESTRONG.COM

This App is so awesome! It's great for Blackberry and iPhone/iPad.

You create your personalised account by adding in your age,gender, height and weight.

Every day you can add in or choose from a list of what you've had for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and water intake. It's best to do it as you the day progresses so you can keep track of  what you eat, like a diary. You'll see as you select what you've eaten, the App automatically shows you the caloric value of that particular food...so in a day or 2 I guarantee it will put things into perspective and show you where you are under eating or over eating. For example a cappuccino has 63 calories!!! So now I opt for a filter coffee with hot milk which is less then half that caloric value and I can still enjoy my cuppa with the girls.

Then when you exercise and add that info onto the App it will subtract those calories burned from your total caloric intake so you can manage your total calories for the day. You can see if you've burned more calories then you've consumed ie: if you're losing weight. ( Please this is for your health and to benefit you not to assist in any unhealthy weight loss goals....you NEED to eat, this just helps you to eat healthy and understand caloric values)

For the active people out there try ENDOMONDO,  I love using this app to record my cycling time and distance. It also records running and any other sports you might do. They also have challenges and prizes for the more competitive people.

There you go, hope you enjoy tracking your eating and training habits.

Till next time

K

XXX

Supplement of the week- Green Tea

Why Green Tea?

Well firstly because I'm a TEA-HOLIC! On a hot summers day I'll order a tea.... I know my friends think I'm crazy too! But in actual fact a nice hot cup of tea can cool you down as it increases your core temperature and your body automatically goes into "cool down" mode.
I like to drink normal tea with 2 slices of lemon after a meal....I just can't not have a cup of tea after I've eaten I feel like it helps me settle my meal and digest my food, plus its been a family ritual since I can remember. Right back to green Tea! LOL

So Green Tea is great for you because it has a powerful antioxidant known as EGCG (epigalloctechin gallate) , it lowers cholesterol levels, increases your metabolism ( meaning you burn more calories- YES PLEASE) and it inhibits the formation of abnormal blood clots which is one of the reasons so many people have heart attacks.
Green Tea has been used as a medicine in China for over 4000 years!

Green Tea, Oolong and other black teas all come from Camellia sinensis plant leaves. The difference between Green Tea and other normal black teas is that for Green Tea the leaves are steamed which prevents the EGCC from being oxidised!

In a nutshell Green Tea has many benefits:

• Lowers Cholesterol
• has antioxidants
• Increases metabolism & Fat burning body fat
• Helps prevent Blood Clots
• Lowers risk of cancer
• Has less caffeine then coffee

BONUS: If you don't want to drink hot tea the beauty is that you can drink Green Tea chilled, it makes for a very refreshing iced tea ;-)
Try Woolies organic Tea.

 References: Greet Tea: The Natural Secret for a healthier Life

Enjoy at leats 2-3 cups of Green Tea daily to boost your energy levels, metabolism and increase those body healing properties.

Cheers to that!

XXX
K

Supplement of the week - CAYENNE

I had some great feedback form the previous Supplements of the week! Thank you for the positive feedback and I am so happy you enjoyed the post and that I could help ;-)))

Here's another secret weapon supplement that I take and would like to share with you. CAYENNE.. It's CAYENNE PEPPER to be exact!

CAYENNE, or Cayenne Pepper is a stimulating herb which is well known for assisting healthy digestion and increasing blood circulation circulation.
This antioxidant filled pepper is often used as a catalyst to increase the effectiveness of other herbs or minerals.

I take CAYENNE in combination with CHROMIUM .
The Cayenne assists in the absorption of the Chromium and the effectiveness of it!
Remember Chromium helps the body to process carbohydrates and fats, it promotes weight loss, lowers blood lipid (fat) levels, and improves body composition. THAT'S WHY WE LOVE IT!!!


So go get yourself some CAYENNE along with the CHROMIUM and reap the benefits of this magical combination.


Remember that you need to try stick to a healthy eating plan and at least some moderate activity in order to see the best weight loss and health benefits. That's the best COMBO! There's no use in spending money on supplements and washing it down with a burger and soda or other sugar packed fizzy drinks.....it's just a waste of your hard earned money and your health.
Happy Supplementing :-)




XXX
K

Supplement of the week- CHROMIUM

I'm going to share a secret supplement with you ;-) My mom who is very clued up on Vitamins and supplements is a big fan of Chromium and now so am I.

Chromium,which is a mineral supplement, is involved in the metabolism of glucose and is therefore needed for energy. It is VITAL in the synthesis of cholesterol,fats and protein. 

In other words Chromium helps the body process carbohydrates and fats, it promotes weight loss, lowers blood lipid (fat) levels, and improves body composition. LOVE IT!!!

Studies have shown that Chromium helps you feel "full" due to the glucose stabilising effect it has. It reduces cravings for sugars and fatty foods. 

When you get hungry,your blood sugar starts to drop and that's when you start to crave those high in sugar and fatty foods. But if your blood sugar levels are stable then you won't crave the fatty sugary foods. In other words Chromium helps keep those cravings at bay by stabilising your glucose.

That's why Chromium is also a good supplement for people who suffer from diabetes.

Sources of Chromium: Beef, brown rice,cheese, turkey, fish and whole grain.

I buy Chromium from the Dischem range.

If you are diabetic please consult your doctor first as to the correct dosage of Chromium for you.


References: Healthassist.com
Phyllis A.Balch (2006). Prescription for Nutritional Healing Fourth Edition. New York. Penguin Group USA

SUPPLEMENT OF THE WEEK

VITAMIN C (Ascorbic Acid)

I know it's nothing new, most of us read about Vitamin C all the time... you should take it daily, it boost your immune system etc etc..... BUT it not only boosts your immune system, Vitamin C has so many beneficial properties especially if you want look good and feel healthy.
Here's why you should take Vitamin C  more seriously and add it as part of your daily supplement range:

Vitamin C is an anti oxidant that is required for over 300 hundred metabolic functions in the body, tissue growth & repair,healthy gums,adrenal gland function. It also aids in reducing the levels of bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins).
Some of you may already know that Vitamin C is good for great looking skin... which in all honesty no matter how perfectly toned your body is, if your skin is dull and unhealthy you wont look good at all! Think of your skin as the Canvas of your body. For an artist if the canvas is not the best quality, firm and well primed..nothing the artist paints on it will look good. Vitamin C is essential in the formation of collagen which gives us that plump youthful looking skin. So first invest in Vitamin C and leave the botox for later ;))

Vitamin C also aids in weight loss. Yes it DOES! Vitamin C aids in weight loss around the mid section.

If you have higher levels of vitamin C in the blood stream you’ll burn fat at a faster rate when you exercise.It has to do with the relationship between vitamin C and L-carnitine apparently. Carnitine is important in carrying energy to the heart of each cell in the body.

Vitamin C is vital for the production of carnitine so not getting enough vitamin C will deplete your energy levels and cause your body to store fat in your muscles.

The result – excess weight and flab – and for those in their middle age that means more abdominal flab!!

Because the body cannot produce Vitamin C it is essential we take it as part of our daily supplements.

Sources of VIT C: Berries,citrus fruit, green leafy vegetables,avocado's,beetroot,grapefruit, spinach, oranges to name a few.

You can use a powdered Vitamin C that you can get form Dischem. Mix it in with a glass of water, I believe your body absorbs it quicker that way.

References:
http://www.simplyantiaging.com/617/vitamin-c-weight-loss/
Phyllis A.Balch (2006). Prescription for Nutritional Healing Fourth Edition. New York. Penguin Group USA

Much Love!
XXX
K