H.E.A.T. Blog

If you think what you eat only affects your body's appearance, think again. While that glazed doughnut you snarfed down this morning when you thought no one was looking is definitely going to kickstart your thigh-expanding, it can also lead you down a path of anxiety and stress. That' why emotional eating begats more emotional eating.

The good news is that there are also foods that work the opposite way, helping you cut through the crazy, tame those sugar cravings and reduce your urge to collapse into a ball of angst and apprehension. When in doubt, reach for one of these 8 snacks! {Read the rest}

1.       Dark chocolate

2.       Skim milk

3.       Oatmeal

4.       Salmon

5.       Walnuts

6.       Sunflower seeds

7.       Spinach

8.       Blueberries

Recently, researchers involved in a 1-year weight maintenance study chronicled in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported the discovery of a metabolic mystery: Some people can't lose weight, even though they eat less.

Or can they? As it turns out, the subjects of this study kept food journals (just as we have done in camp!), and lo and behold, "it was apparent that, on average, women in both study groups had underestimated their food intake."

Findings show that on average, the women reported eating 1,370 calories per day, but their actual intake was 2,044 calories per day. The men, on the other hand, got pretty close, reporting consumption of exactly 1,765 calories and actually consuming 1,771. [Read the rest]

Gender debates aside, these findings illustrate what most of us already know: It's incredibly easy to convince yourself you're eating less than you really are … which is yet another reason food journals can be such helpful fitness tools. Do you fall prey to this common problem?

Throughout the years, HEAT has maintained the highest level of retainment out of nearly 10 major fitness companies. Why? It's all about the social component, creativity, individualization, and continuing challenges.

After spending several grand on my master's program, I came to realize that maybe direct counseling was not for me ... However, my degree was not wasted! Oh, no sir, every day I pull in components from the counseling theories I studied throughout the years. (No, I'm not profiling you ... you already did that yourself when you registered.)

Much thought goes into the social aspect of group training: the size of camp, who you are partnered with, even down to the types of drills we do. Have you ever noticed that on a "slow mental day," when the camp has low energy, we often turn to partnered ball work ... And suddenly, like a good Frankenstein movie, the group comes alive!!!! It's the interaction you bring that creates the energy.

Most clients come to me and say, "I'm bored of the gym and need a new routine." Oh ,sure that's the easy stuff! How about let's take it a little further. Let me also give you 12 people who are concerned if you miss camp for a week? How about access to people who know exactly where you're coming from? Oh, you want a little compeition added in? Mojo Kickball anyone?

My point is, the social component mixed in with your daily challenges is the glue of our little family. We learn from each other, we provide motivation, and we keep each other accountable. We all have traveled similar paths, so don't be afraid to say hello to the "newbie." You never know what he or she can teach you.