What’s the Best Way To Refuel After Exercise?

by Angie Miller

After a grueling boot camp, muscle conditioning, or cardio workout our muscles are depleted and in need of nutrition. The question is, how soon after we sweat should we be refueling? Post exercise hydration and nutrition needs are important considerations, and they play a key role in our ability to maximize the benefits we gain from our workout. Check out the questions and answers below for some important tips.

Is water the best choice or should we be reaching for sports drinks?

Proper fluid balance is essential for athletes as well as recreational exercisers. Dehydration can negatively impact performance, and when you don’t get enough fluids it can interfere with your body’s ability to maintain normal temperature. During most activities water is adequate in order to prevent dehydration. However, during endurance events or activities greater than 60 minutes, a sports drink may be necessary to enhance performance. The drink should contain carbohydrates to properly fuel the nervous and muscular systems.

How soon after exercise should we be eating a post-workout meal?

There is a window of opportunity, or “metabolic window,” that lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes immediately following exercise, especially intense training. During this time, the body is most receptive to nutrient uptake and you have the best chance of reducing muscle damage. This window also allows you to maximize the muscle and strength gains from your workout.

Should the post-exercise meal be solid foods or a liquid meal replacement?

The moment you cease exercise the window of opportunity opens and from that time on the benefits begin to decrease. Because solid food can take approximately 2 to 3 hours to digest, it is not generally a recommended option as the window is closed by the time it’s digested. Although nutrition bars can be effective before and after exercise, liquid is generally recommended because of how quickly it is absorbed and nutrients are delivered to the muscles.

How important is post-exercise nutrition?

For most recreational exercisers post-workout feedings and snacks are not critical, but they can increase the potential benefits you receive from your workout, help you to prevent injury, fight fatigue, and avoid the stress of overtraining.

What is the bottom line answer when it comes to post-exercise meals?

While post recovery snacks and meals are important, they are not as significant to recreational exercisers as they are to endurance athletes. I always encourage my clients to remember that there’s research, there’s “ideal,” and then there’s real life. If you don’t fuel according the latest research that’s not to say that you won’t experience positive results. It is suggesting that you can improve your performance and get even better results when you fuel properly. My advice is to do the best you can in terms of health-conscious choices, not just post-recovery, but all the time, because you deserve to look and feel your best.

Best in Health,

Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com

Weightless Workout~ The Power of Bodyweight Training

by Angie Miller

As bodyweight workouts rise in popularity, I often get asked about their effectiveness and their ability to deliver results. Personally, I think bodyweight training is the foundation of all training. Not only do I love the freedom and flexibility of weightless workouts, no equipment, no fuss, I love what they teach us about our body. When it’s just us against gravity we learn how to create resistance, and how to target every muscle group effectively simply by changing our body position. Bodyweight training teaches us how to manage and distribute our body weight, how to stabilize and strengthen our core, and how to use our gluteals for power and support. This gives us better body intuition that carries over into everything we do, in the gym and at home. Most importantly, without the added dimension of dumbbells, weighted bars, and other training tools, we can focus on proper form and technique, and just like dancers we can learn to move with grace and precision.

Here are of three of my favorite bodyweight exercises: All three exercises build upper body strength in your arms and shoulders, help you to stabilize and strengthen your core, improve your flexibility, and teach you to use your gluteals and legs for power and support.

1. Downward Facing Dog:

How to Do: Start in plank position with your body fully extended, hands directly below your shoulders, hips stable, and shoulders down and back. Engage your torso and lift your hips in the air, keeping your hands and feet in place so you stay long and extended.

Tip: Think about distributing your bodyweight so that your shoulders and wrists don’t feel any extra pressure. Engage through your center as if you’re wearing a belt. Lift your energy up through your spine and down the back of your legs, rooting into your heels.

Tip: Be sure to keep your neck long to avoid your shoulders sinking into your neck.

2. Side Plank:

How to Do: Start from front plank, then open up into a side plank, extending one arm up toward the ceiling.

Tip: Make sure that your support arm is directly below your shoulder. Be sure to keep your neck long and look up toward your extended arm. Stack your hips and shoulders, placing your body against an invisible wall behind you.

Tip: You can modify this exercise by bending your bottom leg and placing your knee on the floor. This helps take pressure off of your shoulders and wrists.

3. Tabletop:

How to Do: Start with your buttocks, feet, and hands on the floor, with fingertips facing your hips, feet are hip distance apart. Gently lift your hips and try to flatten your torso, engaging your center, pulling your chest open, and drawing your shoulder blades together.

Tip: Keep your head in line with your spine and don’t forget to breath. Really engage your gluteals here, using them for strength and support.

Tip: Tabletop opens your chest and strengthens your back, gluteals, and hamstrings, all three areas that are often overlooked and undertrained. This is great for your posture!

I hope you enjoy bodyweight training as much as I do. Here’s to good health, strong muscles, and amazing posture!

Sincerely,

Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com

Building a Healthy Relationship with Your Body

by Angie Miller

I tell my clients that we should think of our body as our house. The outside of our house, that part that everyone sees, is like the foundation and the walls of our real house. It shelters and protects what’s inside, and is often a reflection of how we feel and how well we care for ourselves. Our skin, posture, physique, and even our expressions mirror how healthy we are on the inside, but they don’t tell the whole story. Those things that we cannot see, all the functions that make us unique and are essential to our health and well being, often suffer from our neglect. We depend on our personal house to protect us from illness and disease, but we don’t always care for it properly.

The reality is, we take pride in the home in which we live. No matter what it’s size, or whether it’s an apartment, duplex, or condo, it is personal to us. It’s our safe haven, and within those four walls are our memories from the past and our hopes for the future. But are we equally invested in caring for the home that represents our body? Do we take as much pride in our personal health? Do we exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, sleep well, and get regular check ups? Would the house in which we live hold any meaning or value if we weren’t around to appreciate it?

I have come to the conclusion after more than 25 years of working in the fitness, education, and counseling professions, that we, especially women, would invest more in our personal house if we would spend less time focusing on what we don’t like and more time embracing it for all the wonder that it is. If we could see the big picture and realize what our body has done for us over the years: How many steps our feet have taken. How our legs have kept us standing despite the obstacles we have faced. How our hips, thighs, and abdominals give us our unique shape, and how they may be the bane of our existence, but in another person’s eyes signify the beauty and grace that makes us women. How our arms have embraced our children and the people we love, and lifted everything from the heavy load of life’s burdens to the powerful kettlebell we swing at the gym. How our neck and face may show our age, but thanks to good health we’ve made it to an age where those fine lines are a badge of honor, a sign of wisdom and experience.

What I’m trying to say is that personal acceptance is where it all begins. I am a living testament to this, and the fact that age has helped me make peace with my body. I am less judgmental and critical of its flaws because it’s those flaws that keep me humble and challenge me to work harder. I’m also more amazed by what my body is capable of and what it has done for me over the years. In the end, personal acceptance translates to us feeling worthy of the time and energy it takes to care for ourselves properly, and to make our physical, emotional, and intellectual health a priority. It allows us to come to terms with the fact that our body may have its flaws, but it’s a pretty amazing place to live. Most importantly, we realize that if we invest as much love and dedication into our personal house as we do the house in which we live we’ll be around longer to enjoy it. We’ll also be around longer to enjoy our kids, family, friends, significant other, and everything else that holds meaning and value in our lives.

- Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com

10-Minute Toner for the Legs and Gluteal Muscles

by Angie Miller

This exercise video shows you how to do a short lunge series with an exercise band. Lunges are great for toning and strengthening the legs and the gluteal muscles, and with the added resistance of a band you’ll get great results. If you don’t have an exercise band you can do bodyweight lunges, or hold hand weights instead.

Here are a few safety tips:

1. Try to bend your front knee 90 degrees, and be sure to keep your knee behind your toes.

2. My general rule of thumb is that less is more. If lunges hurt your knees, or you’re trying to get mobility back after an injury, just lower and lift a few inches. The main goal is to keep the joints mobile and the muscles strong and active.

3. Be sure to perform the same number of reps on each side, and try to look in a mirror to make sure that you are maintaining good form throughout the exercise.

Lunges are multi-muscle, multi-joint exercises that keep the heart pumping. They strengthen and tone everything from the torso down. If you are looking for time-efficient exercises, they are some of the best.

Sneak in this short workout while you’re on break at work, or right before dinner. Remember that exercise is movement, and you don’t have to set aside a full hour, or even a half hour at a time. You can get in a few segments throughout the day, five or ten minutes each, and everything adds up to give you the results you’re looking for.

Best in Health,

Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com

Short, Effective Workout For Your Glutes and Hamstrings

by Angie Miller

This week I decided to share a short video clip of a few exercises I love to do for the glutes and the hamstrings. I actually did these three exercises in my Core & Strength Fusion workout, and I still do them quite frequently in my fitness classes. I think they’re very effective, they require little set-up, and they really help develop strong, stable posterior muscles. All you need is an exercise band with a handle, and a mat.

I love working with exercise bands for three reasons:

1. They offer variable resistance, which means that the resistance varies throughout the range of motion, making them more dynamic than dumbbells or barbells. This is good, because resistance bands offer your muscles a different type of challenge.
2. They travel well. They fit easily into a suitcase with very little weight or bulk, so you can take them anywhere, anytime.
3. With resistance bands you create the resistance you want, so you can make the exercise as easy or difficult as you wish.

A few tips to keep in mind when you perform these exercises:

1. Be sure to do the spinal check that I recommend at the beginning of the video. You want to inhale and sway, then exhale and arch your back until you find neutral. Make sure that your back is “flat enough to play a board game” on it, and keep your head in line with your spine. 
2. Ensure that the resistance band stays taught throughout the movement so there is no slack in the band. Remember that you create resistance you want with an exercise band, and the less slack you allow the more effort you put in to the exercise. 
3. I recommend 16 repetitions of all three exercises on each leg.

Let me know what you think of these exercises, and feel free to offer suggestions for future exercises including body parts you’re especially concerned about. Questions are always welcome.

- Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com

Exercise and Weight Loss…. 5 Simple Steps to Success

by Angie Miller

Sometimes in life things really are simpler than they seem. Exercise and weight loss might be one of those things. You don’t need the hottest diet on the market or even a degree in exercise science to figure it all out. If you want to establish a new exercise routine and lose those last 10 pounds, consider these simple steps…

1. Realize there’s one formula for weight loss… calories in vs. calories out! The quality of foods you eat and where your calories come from is important when it comes to body composition, energy level, and overall health and wellness, but ultimately when it comes to weight loss it boils down to one thing. You need to burn more calories than you consume.

2. Accept that there is no quick fix! You’ve heard this one time and time again, and sometimes you might wish it weren’t true. There’s no gadget, tool, machine, ball, or otherwise that can give you the body of your dreams without a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance on your part. The good news… I’ve never met a person who couldn’t do it once they set their mind to it.

3. Find activities that you enjoy. Just because your best friend claims to have lost 10 pounds taking her favorite indoor cycling class doesn’t mean it’s the answer for you. If you try the class several times and it doesn’t make your heart sing, move on. Investing time and energy into activities that you don’t enjoy is a surefire recipe for disaster. It won’t be long before doing laundry and picking the lint out of the dryer will seem like a better alternative. Find something that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning.

4. Be realistic and don’t overdo it. If you’ve never exercised in your life, or you haven’t exercised for an extended period of time, be realistic about the amount of time you are willing to invest in this new endeavor. Start gradually and work your way up. Diving into something head first is never a good idea, but diving into exercise too quickly can be downright dangerous. Sore muscles aside, you could risk burnout and possible injury.

5. Establish a routine…ASAP! Routines are good. They’re predictable, they give us a sense of control over our lives, and they allow us to manage our time more efficiently. Write out your exercise routine, post it on the fridge, and share it with family and friends. Make sure everyone knows that your exercise time is not something you’re willing to compromise. Encourage them to keep you accountable. Kids love doing this! You get to ask them if they did their homework, they get to ask you if you did your exercise.

In the end, it would be great if the pounds would melt off as easy as a chocolate bar melts in your mouth. But exercise and weight loss are like any skill or talent you have cultivated. You have to work hard and stay committed to experience success. That, and a positive, realistic approach, can be the perfect recipe for long-term health and happiness.

- Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com

What Is Resiliency and Why is it Important?

by Angie Miller

Recently I watched the final episode of an old TV series, "Six Feet Under," and like most final episodes I felt like I was saying goodbye to old friends. I found myself emotionally spent, but also amazed and touched by the strength and resolve of the human spirit, something that series captured very well. Loss, hardship, personal setbacks, and even tragedy are a part of life, but those experiences don’t define us nearly as much as our ability to move forward. I teach a course in Stress Management, and the word I use is resiliency. It’s the latest buzzword in the world of stress management because it’s essential that we have, or learn this trait in order to navigate life successfully. Individuals who are resilient are able to rebound and get back on their feet no matter what comes their way. They meet life’s challenges head on, and they’re able to adapt to change. With resiliency comes the ability to be optimistic, flexible, and courageous. I tell my students that resilient people seem to have springs on their feet. When life knocks them down, they get right back up.

For some people, being resilient comes natural. They have characteristics that help them overcome adversity and no challenge seems too great. But even for those who don’t bounce back with ease, resiliency is a trait that can be learned. All of us can be taught skills that will make us more adaptable. Skills that will help us survive, and even thrive in the face of challenge. In his book, “Managing Stress,” Brian Luke Seaward talks about six characteristics that help a person become more resilient:

Resiliency is the cornerstone for living a healthy life. Each hardship gives us the opportunity to rebound, and to move forward with more experience and confidence than we had before.

~Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com

Why Women Need Weights - Part 2

by Angie Miller

For those who are wary of weights and addicted to cardio, I posted a blog last week about women and weight training. For me personally, I started exercising at a time when weight training wasn’t on most women’s radar. But after I discovered what it could do for my metabolism and how powerfully it could change the shape and definition of my body, I am passionate about educating women about the reality of resistance training. Here are two final questions to help shed some light.

Will strength training improve my bone health and why is that important?

One of the benefits of strength training is that it reduces our risk for osteoporosis, a condition that causes our bones to become weak or brittle and often leads to fractures, mainly of the hip, spine, and wrist. Breaking bones is serious stuff. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million Americans are estimated to have osteoporosis. 34 million more have low bone mass. And 24 percent of hip fracture patients’ age of 50 and over die in the year following their fracture. Often thought of as an older person’s disease, osteoporosis can strike at any age and it’s never too late or too early to take measures to keep your bones healthy and strong. Strength training exercises are one of the key methods of prevention against osteoporosis. According to a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: Weight training in young women helped develop greater bone mass. In postmenopausal women it helped slow down bone loss and delay fracture risk. In elderly women it helped to prevent falls due to improved strength and balance. Research supports that strength training will benefit your bones no matter when you start, but you’ll reap the most rewards if you start when you’re young and continue throughout your life.

Will strength training cause me to gain weight?

If I’ve managed to finally convince you of the merits of strength training, I hope you’ll dust off the dumbbells and put the scale away. If the scale is your measure of success against the battle of the bulge, you may initially find yourself disappointed. Muscle weighs more than fat, so you may not drop weight as fast. But what matters is that muscle is denser than fat, so it takes up less space. In other words, strength training changes the shape of your body. It positively affects your body composition, (your muscle to fat ratio), so you get leaner and your clothes fit better. That’s a far more powerful gauge than weight on a scale.

The bottom line on strength training is that it shapes and defines your body in a feminine, healthy way. The leaner, stronger, and more defined you are, the better you feel. Strength training is powerful tool toward long-term health bone health, proper weight management, and a fit, confident body.

~Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com

Why Women Need Weights

by Angie Miller

Are you cardio crazed, but refuse to go anywhere near a set of dumbbells? When you feel like you need to “drop those last few pounds,” do you automatically grab one of your exercise DVD’s that’s pure “fat burning” cardio? If you’re gun shy of getting big guns, from bicep curls of course, you’re not alone. For women, there’s still a lot of misconceptions about weight training and a general fear of getting bulky. To help shed some light, I've answered some common questions and misconceptions women have about weight training.

Isn’t cardio better than weight lifting when it comes to burning fat?

Many women feel that cardio workouts are the only answer to their fat burning dreams, but cardio isn't the only way to burn fat. Weight training can increase the amount of muscle in your body, which in turn will decrease your body fat percentage and improve your overall body composition. Furthermore, because muscle tissue is metabolically active even at rest, weight training will help you efficiently burn fat continuously throughout the day. Weight training also increases your lean body mass and has a positive effect on your resting metabolic rate. Bottom line, cardio isn't the only way to burn fat.

Cardio shreds calories, why should women spend time lifting weights?

A study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that women who do an hour-long weight-training workout burn an average of 100 more calories in the 24 hours afterward compared to if they hadn’t lifted weights. If you strength train three times a week, that’s an extra 300 calories a week and 15,600 calories per year! And don’t be afraid to lift heavier weights. Studies show that women who lift heavier weight with less repetition can burn more energy and experience a greater metabolic boost after exercise.

Will lifting weights give me bulky muscles?

Weight training, while it shapes your body, defines your muscles, and gives you a lean physique, does not turn you into a woman of herculean proportions. If you’re afraid of getting bulky simply by participating in a regular weight training program you can put your fears to rest. Women do not produce as much testosterone as men, and testosterone is one of main hormones responsible for causing muscle hypertrophy/ larger muscles. That being said, because we’re all genetically predisposed to respond to exercise differently, the key is to understand your body and its unique response to weight training. You can then set realistic goals to achieve your desired results.

The bottom line on weight training:

Complementing cardio workouts with weight training will help us achieve healthier, more satisfying results. We become leaner, stronger, and more confident. Remember that a well-rounded workout routine, like a well-rounded lifestyle, is the key to long-term health.

Continue to read part 2 here!

~Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com

Why Everyone Should Swing...

by Angie Miller

…a kettlebell of course.

When it comes to time efficient workouts that deliver results, kettlebells can’t be beat. Kettlebells are a great cardiovascular and strength training workout that target your core and improve your balance and flexibility. They’re one of the most versatile, effective training tools for all over body conditioning.

How is kettlebell training different from regular strength training?

In kettlebell training you don’t isolate specific muscles. Instead you concentrate on movement patterns that incorporate the whole body. These types of movement patterns recruit more muscles and help you burn calories more efficiently. They’re functional, so they transfer to real life. Think about: removing luggage from a moving carousel, a dog pulling on a leash, holding the hand of a running child, and swinging grocery bags.

Another unique feature of the kettlebell is that the weight is offset from the handle, so it fluctuates throughout movement. This creates momentum, and it requires the stabilizing muscles of the core to control the momentum and manage the bell throughout the movement. This strengthens the entire torso, and it’s why kettlebells help us redistribute our weight and lose inches around our middle.

How safe is Kettlebell Training?
Kettlebell training, with proper instruction, is a safe, multifaceted way to train your entire body. In my Kettlebell Bootcamp DVD, I include a tutorial that breaks down some of the more common kettlebell exercises. Remember that practice is the mother of skill. With practice, we can improve our form and technique, as well as the overall condition of our body.

Order Angie's Kettlebell Bootcamp Here:

Best in Health

Check back next week for more fitness tips and information, and feel free to reach out with any questions.

~Angie

Angie Miller is the star and creator of the Bedroom Body™ Workout and other top selling exercise DVD’s. Passionate about fitness and education, Angie teaches at Northern Illinois University and is a Certification Specialist for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She is a freelance writer, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and proud mom. Learn more about Angie at: http://www.angiemillerfitness.com