Nackan

Diet Trends 2012

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:21:32 +0000

There are some pretty bizarre diets in the world. The worse I’ve ever heard of is unquestionably the ultra low carb, high fat, moderate protein approach known as the Atkins Diet. In its original form as published by its founder, Dr. Robert Atkins, in 1972, the diet called for eating unlimited portions of meat with all its fat included, dairy in the form of full fat, firm cheeses, full fat salad dressings, mayonnaise, and sauces — and tons of greasy bacon, burgers, and eggs. Since the death of Dr. Atkins several years ago, a company called the Atkins Foundation now runs the diet and its website and have made significant improvements to the diet in an attempt to remarket it as a healthy lifestyle choice — but the basic elements are still in place: severe restriction of carbohydrate intake is practiced; bread, pasta, cereals, fruit and most vegetables are forbidden. Meat is still the primary source of nutrients for an Atkins dieter — and plenty of good science shows us that people who eat more meat get more clogged arteries, have higher cholesterol over time, and suffer more heart disease than people who consume less meat and fat. Atkins, whether the old or new version, would be best avoided altogether for maximum health in 2012.

In 2011 I noticed the second most bizarre diet I’d ever seen when a friend told me discreetly that he and his wife had begun following the wacky HCG Diet. That one involved human chorionic gonadotropin, which is a hormone produced by women during pregnancy to enhance growth of the baby. There are no clinical studies to support the suggestion that this in any way aids in weight loss. The diet aspect of the HCG fad involves reducing daily calorie intake to an extremely low (try anorexic) 600 calories per day. One of my friends wanted to try HCG but decided against it due to the expense of the hormone. Instead she just followed the 600 calorie a day plan and lost a lot of weight, just like the friends I mentioned above to used what they believed was actual HCG. The trouble is that most HCG supplements are fraudulently sold because hardly any tested contained the ingredient at all. A recent eye-opening documentary on a channel supplied by Non-Stop Video exposed this fact. The FDA has labeled this diet as both illegal and dangerous, so let’s avoid this one in 2012, too.

According to US News and World Report, the best diet overall is the Dash Diet, the one designed to help people conquer high blood pressure and maintain appropriate cholesterol levels. And if you want to lose weight? Weight Watchers came in at the top of the list as the safest, most nutritious weight loss diet that encourages heart healthy choices and succeeds in helping people to keep the weight off.

Racers: Men vs. Women

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:30:21 +0000

Why do you run? There are so many different reasons that people hit the roads or trails to run. A lot of runners even get involved in races ranging from 5Ks to full on marathons. Have you ever considered the differences between men and women runners? Often I have thought about whether men and women have the same motives for running and even which gender tends to run the most or the least.

Luckily I am not the only person out there wondering these things, and some fine people put together an infographic that takes a look at both men and women. The survey was given to runner’s to also help determine the anatomy of a runner. Things include the average age, weight, and even the average height of runners. Even more interesting are the percentage of runners who are married and have gone to college to get a college degree.

It is very interesting to see what makes both men and women runners tick when it comes to their activity of choice. Most women run to keep their stress levels at bay, while the men are hitting the pavement for a good time. About the same keep up with their running routines to stay in shape and maintain their health.

Find out more about runners below!

Get Off The Couch

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:27:05 +0000

Happy New Years, Nackans. I have to be honest and say that those holidays were stressful and filled with a lot of tempting treats and foods, but I hope you all stood strong and stuck to your guns so that you could start out the year in tip top shape. However, for those of you that may have struggled and have some new goals for this new year, this article is for you. When I first got into running my hardest step was the one out of the front door. I know I am not the only person who has been through this problem, so here’s some ways to get off the couch and onto the road.

Set a reminder to run. Don’t you just love technology? I know I do, and one of the greatest ways to get you motivated is to schedule your runs in advance and let your phone remind you. When you set it up in your schedule, you are more likely to stick to it.
Get an app for that. Again, it’s because of technology that I love running so much more. There are numerous apps for fitness and running that you can download on your phone and take with you. The Nike Run app even let’s your Facebook friends cheer you on as you hit the pavement.
Find a running mate. There is nothing that will hold you more accountable than a running buddy. If you are not the best at staying motivated to push through, find a buddy who might be just a bit faster than you. You will work harder to keep up and it will pay off.
A treadmill can help. If you are still having trouble getting outside for your runs, then maybe a treadmill is a great start for you. Plus you can set up a television to watch right in front of it and never miss your favorite shows.

Paleo Diet and Running Barefoot

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:04:21 +0000

You’ve probably heard about the radical lifestyle known as “paleo,” that involves a combination of eating according to the patterns of early humanoids, and running barefoot. The two facets of paleo living go hand in hand for the hard core adopters, although many simply follow the dietary system alone in hopes of staying slim and avoiding the pitfalls of the modern, Western diet. Many people believe that the Western diet is the leading cause of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity — all conditions that have been proven to be worsened by the consumption of highly processed foods and a general lack of exercise. But is the paleo lifestyle for you? Let’s take a look.

Barefoot running is a recent revivalist trend that has come under scrutiny by some health experts who warn that it can lead to injuries of the foot and knees, but there is some controversy on this point. Since people were not born with shoes, doesn’t it naturally follow that running was first (and most naturally) done unshod? A feeling of well being can be attained through adoption of healthier lifestyles and home security. People who embrace a Paleolithic lifestyle often take up barefoot running as a means of getting back to the basics of human existence. Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about Paleo.

The 2011 Carrier Classic

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:48:03 +0000

Today is a really special day. For starters, the date alone is pretty interesting, 11-11-11. On top of that, it is Veterans Day. Need even more to convince you that today is special? Well, I’ve got it. My favorite college basketball team, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels will be starting their basketball season tonight against Michigan State. Now, to many that seems somewhat trivial and silly, but these two teams are going to be battling it out on the cost of San Diego on an aircraft carrier. That makes it really cool, right? There’s even talk that President Obama will be in attendance.

This game is not only special because of the location, but also because the teams are so excited to be able to have worked with the United States Navy to set this event up as a way to give tribute to the brave men and women who have give so much to this country by serving in the military. Veterans Day is a day to give thanks for all who have served and protected, and what better way to to that than with a rousing game of college basketball on a huge carrier ship. Here’s a sneak peak of what you can expect to see on ESPN tonight.

Run Better For Your Health

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:37:36 +0000

On a recent run with a good friend, I noticed that her technique of running was not quite right. After I mentioned this to her she said that she did feel like running was far more difficult than she thought it would be. It was hard for her to get adequate amounts of oxygen in while running. You see while running her upper body was slightly leaned back instead of forward as it should have been. She decided that her running technique and motion was in need of some definite overhauling, so I set up an appointment with another friend who is a sports medicine genius working on a masters in health administration. After a couple of weeks of proper training she was running the right way and found that it was much easier. On top of that, when you use proper technique in running you limit the chance of an injury occurring.

If you are uncertain of whether or not you are improperly running, then I found a wonderful video that you can watch to find out. This video takes you through all the parts of the body when you are running. It gives instruction on how to achieve the proper running technique. Hopefully this will be of much help to you too as you continue your running training program.

Avoid Running Injuries

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:22:49 +0000

Imagine that you are on your favorite running path when all of the sudden you feel a sharp pain radiating down the back of your leg. Or maybe you feel a pull or strain on a muscle in your groin while running? It is more common than many people think for a runner to experience some type of injuries related to running. If you are an avid runner like me, then you might have even had to deal with a running injury. As you can understand that is never fun. You might have to lay off of running and other exercise as well.

Below you will notice a wonderful infographic that depicts various common injuries that runners can often have happen to them. On top of revealing the injuries and the possible causes, there are also tips on avoiding injuries that includes:

Finding the right running shoes to wear
Stretching and warming up before a run
Cooling down after a run
Keeping hydrated
Not running every single day

If you do find that you end up with a small or minor injury due to running, then simply follow the R.I.C.E. method of treatment. Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate.

Increase Endurance

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:00:01 +0000

For Beginning Runners

First of all, good for you for starting a running routine. The hardest part is starting, and you’ve done it! Now you want to know how you can increase endurance so that you are able to run longer, and that is something that every runner who is beginning wonders about. When you feel like you are ready to increase your endurance, there are some training exercises that you can do to give your endurance a boost. When you are starting to build endurance though, you do want to take it kind of slow and listen to your body throughout the workout. You surely do not want to cause pain or injury and keep yourself out of the running game. So follow the below plan, adn you should have a great workout that will help you to increase endurance and score longer running times.

Choose one day of the week to schedule a long run. This day is one of your choice, but a lot of people typically choose a day on the weekend.
Keep your pace slower than your 5K run pace. If you do not have a time of a 5K, then just keep your pace at that so you are not having to catch your breath from huffing and puffing at any point.
Each week on your long run, increase the distance that you are running to make it longer. Up it by a half of a mile to a mile to get an effective increase.
Give yourself time to recover during the run with preset walk times. When you set up time for recovery, then you allow your legs to rest so that they do not quickly become fatigued.

Follow the above tips for a long run once a week, and you will surely begin to notice a difference in your daily runs and your endurance during all of your runs. Eventually you will be able to increase the distance of your daily runs too because you will have the ability to go for those longer runs. Again, good for you for starting a running routine. There is nothing better for your body, soul, and mind than to run.

SBG Seeks AGM

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:01:27 +0000

Single Beautiful God is looking for an Amazing Gorgeous Mate. I am on a mission. This mission is one of great importance. I have decided that it is time for me to settle down, for the most part, and to find a mate to share the remaining of her earthly life with. No more concerns about bills or grocery shopping! I am not a man that falls for the first woman I see or meet. I need to find someone who can be a perfect match for me in life, and I will not settle for anything less than perfection. Some flaws, I might add, can be corrected with surgeries that I certainly have the money for thanks to all of the running races that I have won so far in my lifetime, but perfection is what I seek. If you are a woman, and you feel that you can meet the criteria of perfection and the below requirements.

Runner–While no human will ever be able to keep up with me, the great Nackan, I want a woman who is a runner. Running is what I do. I love to run all over the globe, and I want my spouse to have the ability to at least be agile and strong enough to run for what humans consider to be long amounts of time. A woman who runs is an incredible woman.
Unafraid of pure hot speed–I am fast. I am so fast that many are terrified of my speed. In some cases I have ran by a human and left them trembling on the ground crying because of their irrational fears. The future wife of Nackan will not have this fear. She will love my speed. She will love for me to take her along with my on my running journeys, long they may be. Once I find a mate unafraid, I will know I have found love.
Love for food without the ability to get fat–You may also here me call this a godly metabolism. While a human may not have this exact godly metabolism, there are many who have the ability to eat as much of whatever they would like without gaining a single pound. This is what I want for my wife. She should be long, lean, and love all foods. We will travel the world eating rich and fine delicacies.
An excellent conversationalist –Love to the gods means having the ability to share with one another. I want a woman who will share stories and tales with me. I would also like her to be quite imaginative because I, Nackan, like to be told a new bedtime story each and every night as I drift off to sleep.
Feet no bigger than a size 7–What can I say? I just do not prefer large feet. They scare me a little.

Please, oh beautiful woman, if you are out there, reach out to me, Nackan. I will be looking forward to finding you, my forever love.

Running in Cheese

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:53:26 +0000

this weekend was very eventful. I wanted to go to France to see how far up the Eiffel Tower I could run. On my way there I passed this wonderful smell. It was a breakfast cafe and they were making omelettes du fromage. The most amazing cheesy smell in the world was wafting out of the cafe and it stopped me in my tracks instantly. I just couldn’t help but sample everything they had on the menu. Good thing I have a godly metabolism. It was euphoric. Apparently I had been craving cheese before I went to France. Whenever I think of how that gooey goodness tastes my mouth immediately starts drooling. Rather; your mouth doesn’t drool. It cries for your favorite foods. That is how things should be. About half way through my fourteenth omelette the cook came out and thanked me for my patronage but apologized that he did not have the resources required if I wanted too many more. I was still ravenous for the amazing food so I dashed to the nearest cheese shops in the area and took as many of the easily melted cheeses they had and took them back to the cafe. The cook looked amazed by my swiftness and set off to make a great giant omelette. I felt like Charlie Brown with the giant pumpkin trying to turn it into a pig when I heard what he was doing. In order to make sure all the cheese was melted properly he had them melted in a giant fondue pot. Something about the whole thing just seemed a bit off and when I realized that it was too big for him and it was tipping over it was too late. Even someone with my speedy prowess could not catch it quick enough. I was caught mid stride as the cheese came gushing out like a dam breaking loose full of amazing cheesy goodness. I ended up half running, half sliding, across the floor and straight out the back door.

The owner was so flustered that he didn’t know what to say. On one hand his cafe was flooded with cheese. On the other hand he must have been worried about losing his customers. I felt horrible for requesting so much and making him work so hard–even if it was unintentional–that I helped him clean up the entire mess and made sure to leave an extravagant tip. Moral of the story kids is to take what you can get and not make outrageous demands.