Boston Herald - Boston Herald

What is the Perfect Diet?

Mark Cinelli — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:45:00 -0400

Today's post is brought to you by my good friend and colleague, Nick Santa Barbara. Look for some of his more recent posts at www.CATZneedham.com

The perfect diet has no name, yet. The perfect diet has yet to be researched, yet to be involved in a double blind study, and yet to be touted as the next best thing. The reason is because the perfect, most bestest diet out there is a combination of all the mainstream diets already in existence.

Train Like an Animal

Mark Cinelli — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:30:00 -0400

I have always said that by getting into the best shape you can, will help you in all facets of life. This means that you must participate in a variety of activities that result in a wide range of bodily adaptations. Activities such as running, jumping, swimming, resistance training, pushing stuff, pulling stuff, and acting like an animal. Wait, an animal? Yes, I said animal.

Exercise - A Habit You Must Have

Mark Cinelli — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400

"Motivation is what gets you started, HABIT is what keeps you going."

-Jim Ryan

Exercise is a lifestyle, not just a 90 day challenge. Stay committed & dedicated to yourself, in the end you are the one that controls your outcome.

What to do After You Warm Up

Mark Cinelli — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:15:00 -0400

You've warmed up, so now what? It's time to do a dynamic flexibility routine. Flexibility provides a safeguard against injury in every sport, which is why it is an integral part of a training program (I use this will all my athletes at CATZneedham). Stretching gradually increases the laxity of tendons and ligaments. Try to combine static and dynamic stretching in order to maximize muscle elasticity, joint mobility, and to proprioceptively prepare the athlete for the training session. The stretches are functional, full body, tri-planar, and life-like.

Study: Fish oil doesn't help prevent heart attacks

Associated Press — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:30:53 -0400

Eating fish is good for your heart but taking fish oil capsules does not help people at high risk of heart problems who are already taking medicines to prevent them, a large study in Italy found.

The work makes clearer who does and does not benefit from taking supplements of omega-3 fatty acids, the good oils found in fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines.

Coke takes anti-obesity campaign global

Associated Press — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:00:25 -0400

NEW YORK — Coca-Cola says it will make lower-calorie options and clear calorie labeling more widely available around the world, intensifying a push against critics who say its drinks pack on the pounds.

The Atlanta-based company, which makes Sprite, Fanta and Minute Maid, already offers diet drinks in most markets. But there's no consistency in their availability, particularly in emerging markets such as China and India.

First lady defends 'Let's Move' exercise campaign

Associated Press — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:50:54 -0400

WASHINGTON — First lady Michelle Obama says her campaign to improve young people's health is about the government providing information, not "telling people what to do."

Mrs. Obama explained her "Let's Move" initiative in an interview broadcast Wednesday on NBC's "Today" show.

The first lady for the past three years has been pushing a program aimed at improving childhood health and she has been urging the young to develop better eating habits.

The Importance of Warming Up Before Activity

Mark Cinelli — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:30:00 -0400

Warm-up is one of the most important elements of an exercise program. It is particularly important to help prevent injury. Warm-up is low-level activity, which should be completed prior to stretching and more strenuous exercise. The objective of the warm-up is to raise total body temperature and muscle temperature to prepare the entire body for vigorous activity.

Why Should I Stretch?

Mark Cinelli — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:45:00 -0400

There are several good reasons to stretch. First, stretching will maintain joint range of motion and flexibility. Flexibility is the total range of motion in a joint or joints.

Second, stretching provides reflex feedback to the muscles causing them to lengthen. It helps relax the muscle(s), and it may also prevent injury of muscles and soft tissues.

Naturally, if one maintains good flexibility through stretching, there is balance between the body's opposing muscle groups and enhanced muscular performance.

Weekend Workout 5/4/13

Mark Cinelli — Sat, 04 May 2013 06:45:00 -0400

Warm Up 5-10 minutes – ride, run, row or use multi directional movement patterns

Dynamic Stretch – 5-10 minutes

Prep: 2 Rounds

dB Lunge Walk @ 15 yards

dB OH Walk @ 15 yards

dB X Chop x 15ea

Bucket #1: 3 Rounds

Dolly Walk @ 15 yards

Dolly tucks, pikes and circles x 10ea

Bucket #2: 3 Rounds

Blast Offs x 12

Bear Crawl @ 25 yards 1 lap

Fitness: Partner Band Runs (complete after each bucket)

Study: Exercise cuts kidney stone risk in women

Associated Press — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:36:36 -0400

Women have another reason to exercise: It may help prevent kidney stones. You don't have to break a sweat or be a super athlete, either. Even walking for a couple hours a week can cut the risk of developing this painful and common problem by about one-third, a large study found.

"Every little bit makes a difference" and the intensity doesn't matter — just getting a minimum amount of exercise does, said Dr. Mathew Sorensen of the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.

Nutrition and Athletic Performance

Mark Cinelli — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400

Having trained a variety of athletes from the elite level to the weekend warrior, the same question is often asked, "What should I eat to be the best I can be?"

This question was answered back in 2000 and then updated in 2009 with a position statement by the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine. There statement was as follows, "...physical activity, athletic performance, and recovery from exercise are enhanced by optimal nutrition."

Healthy Ice Cream for a Sunday Night Treat

Mark Cinelli — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:45:00 -0400

I'll start by asking the question, who doesn't like ice cream? I do. So, let me tell you how to make a healthy ice cream treat that you do not have to feel guilty eating.

The difference maker in this recipe is a FROZEN banana. Now the ingredients can be tailored to your liking, but for me, this is how I make it.

In a blender:

1 Frozen Banana

1 Cup of All-Natural Chunky Peanut Butter

1 Scoop of Chocolate Whey Protein

8 Ounces of Unsweetened Almond Milk

1 Cup of Dried Oats

1 Cup of Shredded Unsweetened Coconut

1 or 2 Splenda