Pinkberry – Is this addiction REALLY good for us?

While shopping at 8000 Sunset in Los Angeles, I indulged in some of the popular Pinkberry frozen yogurt treat.  Chains like Cherry On Top, Swirls and  Red Mango have been spreading like wildfire through California and other states.  But it’s okay . . . it’s good for me, right?

Like most fast food restaurants and fads you can be sure there are some sneaky ingredients that make this seemingly healthy and lo-cal dessert a questionable choice.

Check out this article I found on LAist.com to bust another healthy food myth.

You be the judge.  I aim to eat as clean as I can on a day to day basis.  The more I learn, the more I am cutting out boxed and packaged food and opting for the raw, natural ingredients.   Relative to a bowl of ColdStone ice cream, however, Pinkberry might still seem like a healthier choice in terms of calories and fat grams.  All you can do is have the facts and make the decision to suit your body and your taste buds.

What is your body fat%? – Find out in Los Angeles

Body Fat Test is a mobile, hydrostatic body fat test clinic that I have used in Southern California.  They partner with various health clubs, hospitals, corporations and wellness centers to bring their truck on site to give convenient access to the hydrostatic weighing tank.  This is the most accurate way of tracking your body composition.  Check out their calendar to find out when they are coming to a facility near you in Los Angeles or other cities around the US.

Here are some FAQ’s from the BodyFatTest.com site.

Isn’t Body Composition Genetic?

While some aspects of your body composition are based on heredity (such as where you tend to store excess fat), for the majority of the population Percent Body Fat is related to lifestyle. After about age 16, changes in body fat are due to changes in fat cell size not number. These cells expand (or shrink) to accommodate excess calorie storage.

How Much Is Too Much?

Just as too little body fat can create some pretty devastating physiological complications, too much body fat can have equally harmful effects. Once men creep up over 25% and women over 32% fat, there is a dramatic correlation with illness and disease. In fact, body composition has been used more and more to make future predictions about health and disease in individuals.

Health Risks Associated With Too Much Body Fat Include The Following:

• increased blood pressure

• increased total cholesterol level

• increased LDL (bad) cholesterol

• increased risk of cardiac problems

• increased risk of Diabetes

• hardening of the arteries

• aggravation of osteoarthritis

• promotes blood clots and varicose veins

• GI disorders

• increased predisposition to some cancers

• decreased reaction time

• reduced balance and coordination

• increased susceptibility to infections

• decreased circulation

How Low Is Too Low?

Athletes can take this “low body fat in the name of improved performance” idea too far. While the average body fat percent in the United States and Europe is increasing, low body fat percent is clearly a health problem. The female athlete triad of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis is a relatively new phenomenon. Women athletes who strive for better performance and lower body weight, often find themselves caught in a negative spiral that actually leads to decreased performance and health risks. Eating disorders require special attention and professional assistance. There have even been steps taken by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to keep wrestlers from going too far when it comes to ‘making weight’, or reducing their weight to qualify for a lower wrestling weight class.

What Should Your Body Fat % Be?

Well, this is a loaded question, and the answer reflects the controversy surrounding the issue. A better question might be, “What is your ideal weight? Body fat percent varies considerably for men and women, for age and culture for those involved in different sports activities, and even for different geographic location. However, there are some ’standards.’ The minimum percent body fat considered safe and acceptable for good health is 5% for males and 12% for females. The average adult body fat is closer to 15%-18% for men and 22%-25% for women.

Perform Better Seminar – Gettin’ Fired Up!

“How do you feel?” 

“Fired Up!”

” I can’t hear you!”

I kinda feel like a fish out of water but I pump out some jumping jacks and scream “FIRED UP!”  Todd Durkin is warming up the group and already starting to break into a sweat.  Durkin is the owner of Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego and is an inspiring fitness figure who has a booming training business.  He was just one of 4 speakers of the day who is now on a rotation to lead us in a cutting edge workout featuring the latest in equipment.

This “Learn-by-Doing Function Training Seminar”  is hosted by Perform Better which is a popular exercise equipment company and is held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.   This was my first time attending one of these workshops and it definitely won’t be my last.

The morning was broken into 4 different lecture segments featuring Michael Boyle, Alwyn Cosgrove, Gray Cook and Todd Durkin.  They covered a variety of topics in functional training pertaining to flexibility, preparing semi-private training programs, dynamic stability training and the business of fitness.

In my opinion Michael Boyle was the most interesting and entertaining of all the speakers.  He is a very respected strength and conditioning coach from Boston.  He referred to a couple of quotes in his presentation that stood out to me.  The first is from Frank Gelett Burgess who wrote, “If in the last few years you haven’t discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse, you may be dead.”   This pertains to everything in life but I find even more so in the health and fitness industry.  One decade we’re not supposed to eat fat, the next decade no carbs and on and on.

When I think back to my experiences with my clients over the past 8 years I realize that I learn new methods and techniques all the time.   Boyle commented that the key to this field is to continue to learn, experiment and implement.  I couldn’t agree more.

After a lunch break we started into the “Hands–On Drills and Exercise” portion of the seminar.  Of course I get into Todd Durkin’s Group right away so for the first 15 minutes I am focused on not bringing my lunch back up.  We are throwing medicine balls, doing ladder drills, pulling each other with bands around our waist, waving giant ropes around using the TRX straps and jerking kettlebells every which way.  It’s madness and a blast all at the same time.

I walked away from the seminar with Michael Boyle’s new book Advances in Functional Training, two exercise DVD’s and a TRX suspension trainer to start utilizing with my clients.  The knowledge and ideas I gained from the day’s lessons have inspired me to continue digging deeper into understanding my client’s needs and ways to making their bodies move in a safe and efficient way.

Exploring Health and Fitness in L.A. — Part 1

Embody Fitness has moved to Los Angeles!  There is so much to explore and learn in this city and I want to share my experiences with you here.  LA is the fitness capital but someone also pointed out is also the fast food capital.  Hmmm . . . I want to sift through the fat and find the products, classes, teachers, fitness professionals, gyms and ideas that make this city healthy and vibrant.

My first adventure was earlier this week when I went to 24 Hour Fitness in Hollywood on West Sunset Blvd.  With not much on my plate so far here I wanted to get a little cardio in while scoping out the social climate.   As I pedaled away on my elliptical I kept my eyes out for the people coming and going.

If I was to generalize I would say I saw mostly two types of people: beautiful people (of course I assume actors, dancers and models) and yes, the Hollyweirds I had heard about ( director/writer types = so much creativity they lose touch with social norms.)  Case in point was the older man in front of me on the bike who took off his heavy overcoat to expose a blue, sweaty, collared button up and kakis complete with graphic sneakers that in no way went with the outfit.  Gotta love individuality!

After my workout I left the gym and was referred to Bodyfactory down on the 2nd level for a protein shake.  I met Jesse Holland who is a very polished and friendly District Manager of the 5 location chain.  They had a fabulous menu which Holland clearly explained featured their special protein blend which has a laundry list of health benefits.  Mid-sentence as he rattled these off I said, “SOLD!”  I went with the PB&J.

I was a little surprised that Holland was quick to recommend the low calorie smoothie options for me.  I guess that would be a safe bet considering my new location and my physical presence BUT he was wrong on that one.  I intended this to be a replacement for my breakfast and therefore needed more than the 200-300 calorie options he was suggesting.  In my mind I was quick to want to ridicule him for not asking more questions about my nutritional needs and then chastise the LA image of women needing to consume as little as possible through out the day, but in hindsight I am letting him off the hook.  It’s just a smoothie afterall.

I encourage anyone who is interested to check out their retail locations or website where they have a variety of products for sale.  Holland explained that if you become a member (which is free in the new West Hollywood location) or $20 a year you can get a pretty decent discount on the products.

As I left the parking garage of the complex I became aware of one ugly reality in my new location.  I happily handed the parking attendant my validated ticket and was ready to watch the bar raise up.  She surprised me by saying, “$2 please.”  Ummmm but I validated the ticket?  She explained, “Yes.  It’s $8 without a validation and $2 with”  Oh wow.  I drove away realizing that my inexpensive $35 a month membership would be increased by $16 a month if I only went 2 times per week.  Ouch.  That’s life in the big city I suppose.