Red Bull and Working Out

February 28th, 2010 | By customizedworkoutplans

A 250ml can of Red Bull contains sugar in the form of glucose and sucrose, taurine, caffeine, B-group vitamins, color, flavoring, glucuronolactone, inositol, carbonated water, and sodium citrates.

It is obvious that the sugar and caffeine in red bull boost energy; however, the energy provided by these two ingredients is only temporary. Once the effects have worn off, the cells of the body feel depleted and demand more. For this reason, some people feel more wretched or have a ‘crash’ a few hours after drinking a can of Red Bull.

Moreover, effects people in different ways. Some people have a high tolerance to caffeine, while others don’t. If you are regularly drinking a few cups of coffee a day (we’re guilty), you are consuming more then enough of your caffeine.

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Sodium sneaking in your diet

February 16th, 2010 | By customizedworkoutplans

About 11 percent of the sodium in the average U.S. diet comes from adding salt or other sodium-containing condiments to foods while cooking or eating. But the majority of the sodium — 77 percent — comes from eating prepared or processed foods that contain the mineral. So even though you may limit the amount of salt you add to food, the food itself may already be high in sodium.

Be on the lookout for these high sodium foods:

1. Canned Soups
2. Meat Pizza
3. White Bread
4. Processed Cheese
5. Potato/Corn Chips

Your body needs some sodium to function properly:

• Helps maintain a balance of fluids in your body
• Influences the contraction and relaxation of muscles
• Helps transmit nerve impulses

Your kidneys regulate the amount of sodium kept in your body. When sodium levels are low, your kidneys conserve sodium. When levels are high, they excrete the excess amount in urine.

If your kidneys can’t eliminate enough sodium, the sodium starts to accumulate in your blood. Because sodium attracts and holds water, your blood volume increases. Increased blood volume, in turn, makes your heart work harder to move more blood through your blood vessels, increasing pressure in your arteries. Certain diseases such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease can lead to an inability to regulate sodium.

Some people are more sensitive to the effects of sodium than are others. People who are sodium sensitive retain sodium more easily, leading to excess fluid retention and increased blood pressure. If you’re in that group, extra sodium in your diet increases your chance of developing high blood pressure, a condition that can lead to cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

How much sodium does your body need?

Most recommend not exceeding the range of 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams (mg) a day for healthy adults. Keep in mind that the lower your sodium, the more beneficial effect on blood pressure.

78 Ways to Cut 100 Calories

January 28th, 2010 | By customizedworkoutplans

Lots of people try to lose weight or tone up, but they don’t see results.  They exercise at high intensities, 5 times per week but still nothing.  The answer can be found in their diet.  In order to reduce that body fat and lean out you need to watch your calorie intake.  No one likes counting calories, so thanks to a recent article on MSN, there are a few easy solutions to help you reduce the total calories you are eating.  By performing just 3 or 4 of these secrets per day, you can lose 1 lb of fat per week!!!

Cut 100 calories … at breakfast

• Ditch the Pop-Tart for a slice of high-fiber toast with strawberry jam.
• Gotta have carbs? Split a bagel with a co-worker.

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Founder of CWP Launches FarinoFitness.com

January 24th, 2010 | By customizedworkoutplans

The Founder of Customized Workout Plans, Adam Farino, launches his new website www.farinofitness.com.   Here you can read more about CWP founder and author.  Learn more about his academic past, his business ventures, and fitness philosophies. 

The Healthy Pizza

January 16th, 2010 | By customizedworkoutplans

Everyone has certain foods that they just can’t live without.  As an Italian-American, pizza runs through my blood.  I am genetically predisposed to crave and indulge in that warm melted cheese, crispy crust, and great garlic marinara sauce.  If only there was a healthy pizza that I could snack on here and there.  A simple recipe that can be followed by all so they can experience the same level of euphoria that I enjoy.  After trying this recipe, I had to post it.

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Drink less soda!

December 30th, 2009 | By customizedworkoutplans

The United States ranks first among countries in soft drink consumption. Consuming soft drinks is in excess of 150 quarts per year, or about three quarts per week.

Video Credit: Courtesy of NYS Department of Health

To build awareness and discourage soda consumption, the New York City Health Department’s started an ad campaign this summer picturing gobs of fat pouring from a soft drink bottle into a glass and confronting New Yorkers with a bold question posted on subway billboards and print media: Are you pouring on the pounds? “Sugary drinks shouldn’t be a part of our everyday diet,” says New York City Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley. “Drinking beverages loaded with sugars increases the risk of obesity and associated problems, particularly diabetes but also heart disease, stroke, arthritis and cancer.”

Soda is high in calories and sugar. Combined with its little nutritional value, soda may cause drinkers to pack on the pounds without receiving even the smallest nutritional benefit.  Some experts assert that obesity may be caused not by drinking soda, but by the combination of drinking soda and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Drinking soda can lead to…

• Tooth decay
• Caffeine dependency
• Weakening of bones (phosphorus takes calcium from bones)
• Stomach irritation due to acidity

Post Inspired by Dr. Ayala

How To Shop At Your Local Market

December 27th, 2009 | By customizedworkoutplans

There is no secrets here.  The key to fitness success starts with eating right knowing what foods to buy and where to find them.  Just like your fitness routine, you need to go into the supermarket with a game plan.  And here is the most simple game plan I could devise.

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I know it may be a little hard to see, but this is the layout of a supermarket floor.  A red line has been inserted to show you the path you should take, while a black line symbolizes areas that you can skip along the way.  As you may have noticed that the path follows the outer wall of the market.  Here is where most produce, dairy, meat, grain, and delicatessen departments are located. However, this depends on … (more…)

Power Juicers

December 21st, 2009 | By customizedworkoutplans

You may have seen Jack Lalanne on the various infomercials promoting his Power Juicer.  The Power Juicer enables you to consume your daily fruits and vegetables.  The power juicer has a diameter of about 3″.  You can fit almost any type of fruit or vegetable into the juicer.  Remove fruits and vegetables with large pits or seeds.  Here at CustomizedWorkoutPlans.com we love our power juicer smoothies.  Below are a few of our favorite recipes.

Power Juicer

Bobbi Sue’s Pineapple Wheatgrass (made with the power juicer)

• 1 pineapple spear

• handful of wheatgrass

• handful spinach

• (Wrap wheatgrass In spinach)

Juice the wheatgrass wrapped in spinach first.  Add the pineapple spear to juice the wheatgrass through.

Elaine’s Vegetable Garden

• 1 small tomato

• 1 carrot

• 1 small red pepper

Juice all ingredients in the power juicer

Power Juicer mission to lower the carbon footprint.

Think local growers to buy your fruits and vegetables.  Large supermarket get their fruits and vegetables shipped across the country in large trucks and container ships.  When going to your local grocer try to bring your own reusable bag to fill your fruits and vegetables for your power juicer.

Glutamine L

December 13th, 2009 | By customizedworkoutplans

L Glutamine (also known as Glutamine L)

L glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in human muscle and also plasma.  It moves the nitrogen  maintains a positive nitrogen balance which is necessary for muscle building. The body can make it’s own glutamine however with intense exercise or surgery the body require more glutamine to be stored in muscle and blood cells.

What happens when your glutamine storage is depleted?

You may experience decreases in stamina, strength and also recovery.  Glutamine plays a key role in muscle maintenance and maintaining your immune system. Whenever stress arrives via flu,  colds, stress at home or work, you run the risk of your bodydepleting  L glutamine needed for muscle maintenance. Under these circumstances, L glutamine becomes a conditional amino acid, meaning the body can’t make enough on its own to meet the demands of the added stress.

What is L Glutamine primarly used for?

L Glutamine is primarly used for muscle recovery.  It helps to sustain proper mental function; regulating protein synthesis; helping to detoxify nitrogen; and serving as a source of fuel for cells lining the intestine.

Buy some L Glutamine Today!

The Peanut Butter Cup Protein Shake

November 28th, 2009 | By customizedworkoutplans

A simple recipe with some simple ingredients.  Like Reese Peanut Butter Cups, who doesn’t.  These shakes are just what your looking for you.

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Looking to gain some weight?  Try this recipe

1) 8 oz skim milk

2) Chocolate Shakeology

3) 2 tablespoons of peanut butter

4) 1 scoop chocolate ice cream

5) 6 ice cubes

Blend on high speed for 30 seconds.

600 calories, 37 g of protein, 57 g of carbs, 27 g of fat

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Looking to lose some weight?  Try this recipe

1) 8 oz of water

2) Chocolate Shakeology

3) 1 tablespoon of peanut butter

4) 1 scoop of lite chocolate ice cream

5) 6 ice cubes

Blend on high speed for 30 seconds.

340 calories, 24 g of protein, 37 g of carbs, 12 g of fat

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Enjoy this tasty and nutrition fortified treat.

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Adam Farino, MS Nutrition, CSCS, CPT