5 Must Follow People in the Fitness Industry

The internet is full of people giving workout advice, but how do you really know who to follow? Well, I have scoured the internet for you and found 5 entertaining, genuine and knowledgeable people you must follow in the fitness industry. 

Cory Gregory

Creator of the popular MusclePharm products, this 33 year old has made quite the name for himself in the fitness industry. He is featured in many magazine covers and has hundreds of thousands of social media followers.  He has tweeted over 44,000 times and has a large YouTube following.

Tee Major

Tee Major is a US military fitness instructor and an active blogger and Facebooker.   He has a dedicated and loyal following of a wide range of fitness enthusiasts.  His Youtubechannel

David Zinczenko

David has done it all. He has passed legislation, written a number of books, served in the military and appeared on countless TV shows. He has hundreds of thousands of twitterfollowers and just signed a multimilliondollar book deal with powerhouse publisher Random House.

 

Chalene Johnson

Her website is only the beginning of her online influence. She is active on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms. Unlike the others on this list, Chalene is also a business and lifestyle coach. 

Brett Hoebel

You may recognize him from TV shows like The Biggest Loser (season 11) or Dr. Oz.  Brett offers great advice online too.  He was 50 pounds overweight as a child and is now a top fitness expert and weight loss specialists. He spends time advocating against bullying too. With over 18,000 likes on Facebook and Twitter, he is definitely someone worth following.

This article was written by Sergeant Michael Volkin, inventor of Strength Stack 52 fitness cards, a unique way to transform bodyweightexercises into a fun and competitive workout.

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The A1C Test for Diabetes Diagnosis and Management

The A1Ctest is used both for screening and for diabetes management. As a screening test it is used to diagnose diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions. As a management tool, it keeps track of your blood glucose levels over a three-month period.

How A1C Works

When sugar enters your blood stream, most of it should go into your cells for conversion into energy. What does not go into the cells stays in the blood and attaches to the red blood cells. The attachment of blood sugar, or glucose, to these blood cells is called hemoglobulin A1C, glycohemoglobin, or just HbA1c.

The test measures the percentage of sugar attached to the red blood cells. Since red blood cells live approximately three months, the test records the average percentage of sugar in the blood for that time period. A high percentage means a large amount of sugar is staying in the blood and could indicate pre-diabetesor full-blown diabetes.

A1C for Diagnosis

Traditionally diabetes is diagnosed using a standard blood glucose test. This type of test only measures the amount of sugar in the blood at the time the blood is drawn; it cannot provide readings for any points prior. Standard blood glucose tests also require the patient to fast for at least eight hours prior to the blood draw to get accurate results.

Because the A1C does not require the patient to fast, and reports blood sugar over a longer period of time, it can be used to effectively diagnose diabetes.  A doctor could use the A1C alone, or use the test in conjunction with the standard blood glucose test, to reach a diagnosis. 

An A1C between 5.7 percent and 6.4 percent is considered pre-diabetic and a reading at 6.5 percent or higher is considered diabetic.

It is possible to have conflicting results between the A1C and standard glucose tests – one test might indicate diabetes while the other doesn’t. If the tests conflict, the physician will usually advise lifestyle changes, such as exercise and a healthier diet, and retest after a reasonable time frame has passed.

A1C for Management

The A1C is a valuable management tool because it shows your average glucose control over a period of months. When used in conjunction with daily glucose readings, it helps paint a clearer picture of how the patient is managing her blood sugar.

Diabetes Treatment and Management

Individuals who have been diagnosed pre-diabetic can often prevent developing full-blown diabetes with small lifestyle changes

For individuals diagnosed as diabetic, the treatment depends on the type of diabetes. Type 2 diabetics are initially prescribed drugs like Metformin, which help the body use insulin to get sugar out of the blood. Type 1 diabetics, and type 2 diabetics who don’t respond to Metformin, are typically prescribed insulin.

You can also purchase your diabetic medications from a Canadian pharmacy if you don’t have insurance or can’t afford to purchase your medications from a US pharmacy.  If you decide to get your prescriptions from a Canadian pharmacy, make sure it is registered as a CIPAPharmacy (Canadian International Pharmacy Association).

Diabetic medications are only available by prescription, but certain diabetic supplies – glucose meters, lancets, and test strips – are available over the counter. You can purchase them from a brick-and-mortar store, or from an online retailer, including an online Canadian pharmacy.




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New FDA Regulations on Sunscreen Go in Effect this Summer

According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, the FDA has imposed new regulations on sunscreen manufacturers. Navigating the sunscreen isle can get confusing but will the new sunscreen labels make it easier for consumers?

"The new regulations will make a significant difference," said Latanya Benjamin, a dermatologist at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University.  "They standardize the basics of what to look for in a sunscreen."

The new labels required by the Food and Drug Administration divide sunscreens into two kinds: those that can help prevent skin cancer and early signs of aging as well as prevent sunburn and those that only protect against sunburn. Both types will be clearly labeled as either "broad spectrum" and state that it offers both types of protection or have a warning stating that the product only protects against sunburn.

Looking at SPF alone does not give consumers enough information on whether or not it will prevent aging or skin cancer.  Adding the extra information on product labels is a good idea and I believe it will help families make wiser decisions on their sunscreen purchases, provided that they take the time to read the product label first.

While I am in favor of the addition to the sunscreen labels, I found the warnings and new information very difficult to find on my sunscreen bottle.  "Broad Spectrum" is clearly visible on the front of my Coppertone Kids sunscreen, but if you don't know what "Broad Spectrum" means adding that term to the label is not going to effect your decision in the sunscreen isle.  On the reverse side of the bottle in tiny print it says, "Uses helps prevent sunburn, if used directed with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun."



The sun damages your skin with two different types of UV rays, ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).  UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburns while UVA rays can cause premature aging and skin cancer.  All sunscreens protect you from UVB rays but they don't all protect your skin from UVA rays.



A lot of products claim to have broad spectrum protection but there hasn't been a standard definition of what that term means. In order for a product to protect your skin from both UV rays it has to have an SPF of 15 or higher.  The FDA has also suggested that companies do not label products higher than 50 SPF, although this is not forbidden.

While I am not usually in favor of government stepping in to regulate business, these changes to sunscreen labels are very minor.  The labels haven't changed too dramatically and I doubt that consumers will even pay attention to these changes while shopping at their local drug store.  Parents like myself are used to checking the SPF number  and I doubt we will take the time to read anything else on sunscreen labels.

*Please note: this is an editorial and may or may not reflect the opinions of all the writers on The Healthy Moms Magazine.






Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children, living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, is the Chief Marketing Officer for Talbert Nutrition LLC,  and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge. Follow her on Google+. 

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Are you getting enough from your Omega-3s?

Omega-3 from fish oil supplements have many health benefits. Fish oil contains two essential fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) andeicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These fatty acids are very important in preventing and managing heart disease.

According to research, taking an omega-3 fish oil supplement can help to lower blood pressure, reduce trigycerides, slow the development of plaque in the arteries, reduce the chance of abnormal heart rhythm and reduce the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke.

The American Heart Association recommends that adults and children eat at least two meals a week of fish.  The best way to get enough omega-3 is through diet, although fish oil supplements are also available for those who are unable to get enough fish from their diet.  

 If you are considering adding a fish oil supplement to your diet, Barlean's Organic Oils, carry a wide variety of fish oil supplements including Wild and Whole Krill Oil. 

Krill is an alternative omega-3 solution. 37% of consumers are looking for a new alternative to fish oil and other Omega-3 choices. Krill is considered the next generation of Omega-3’s. It is a healthy, pure and sustainable solution in the Omega-3 marketplace. Adults can add krill to their daily health regimen as capsules are easy to swallow and digest and only one capsule is required daily, making it much easier to fit into busy lifestyles. Krill is also naturally rich in Astaxanthin- one of nature’s strongest super-antioxidants. 


Omega-3 supplements also have many health benefits for children.  Notable research studies have concluded that kids with ADHD may have lower levels ofmomega-3s in their bodies than normal.  A few studies have looked at fish oil supplements as a treatment.  These studies found that the supplements can improve behavior, reduce hyperactivity, and boost attention in kids under 12.

Fish oil has been used to treat depression in adults and is now known to help kids with depression as well. In 2006 a study of fish oil in depressed 6- to 12-year-olds found that it helped their symptoms significantly.  

Omega-3 supplements from fish oil can also help kids at high-risk of developing diabetes and children with asthma.  

As a mother of five children all with different health needs and picky eaters, getting them to have enough omega-3s in their diet is a constant battle.  My two daughters struggle with anxiety and depression and I know that an omega-3 fish oil supplement will help them with their symptoms.  Most fish-oil supplements for kids have a terrible fishy aftertaste. Barlean's Organic Oils has the solution for families searching for that omega-3 fish oil supplement that the whole family can enjoy.

Barlean's Omega Swirl fish oil supplement looks and tastes like a delicious smoothie without a hint of unpleasant flavor or oily texture.  My kids love it and think it is dessert. This is a supplement that I can feel confident about giving to my daughters and young boys. 

Omega Swirl comes in eight delicious flavors: Key Lime, Lemon Zest, Mango-Peach, Pina-Colada, Strawberry-Banana, Blackberry, Orange Cream and Blueberry Pomegranete. Barlean's also has several recipes that call for Omega Swirl.  You can add it to smoothies, top desserts, salad dressings or just eat a spoonful. 

For more information about Barlean's Organic Oils visit Barleans.com.


*Disclosure: I received a bottle of Barleans Key Lime Omega Swirl, Wild & Whole Krill Oil and Ideal Omega3 in exchange for this review.  All opinions are accurate and 100% mine.





Cascia Talbert is a busy blogger, publisher, freelance writer, online merchant and mother of five children, living in The Pacific Northwest. With a B.A. in history and law and a passion for writing and staying healthy, she started The Healthy Moms Magazine in 2007. The Healthy Moms Magazine is currently ranked the top health blog for moms and features several health expert writers and mom bloggers. Ms. Talbert believes that if mothers are well educated on health issues and how to stay healthy, they can pass that information down to their children and reverse the childhood obesity statistics in the U.S.

Ms. Talbert is a featured health blogger at Wellsphere.com and her articles can also be found on ezinearticles.com. She also runs the Healthy Moms Social Network on Ning, is the Chief Marketing Officer for Talbert Nutrition LLC,  and is on the Social Media Advisory Board for America's Wellness Challenge. Follow her on Google+. 

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5 Tips for Keeping Kids Active this Summer

New research shows parents are worried children will choose electronic gadgets over swimming at the expense of their health

WASHINGTON, DC — A new Mason-Dixon survey, conducted for the Water Quality and Health Council, found that parents are alarmed at the amount of time children spend on electronic devices at the expense of physical activities like swimming.  But experts say parents can help their children strike a balance.The survey found that 94 percent of parents are worried their children are choosing electronic devices over more active pursuits, like swimming.  And 93 percent are concerned about the health implications of spending too much time on electronic devices instead of swimming.“Parents are right to be concerned – there are real physical and social consequences from lack of exercise, including the well-documented problem of childhood obesity,” said Dr. Ralph Morris, physician and member of the Water Quality and Health Council.  “But the good news is that parents are influential.  They can work with their children to strike a balance this summer.”

There is hope:  The survey also found that 84 percent of parents would like to see their children swim more often and 88 percent reported having access to a swimming pool.  Most parents said their children can swim, including 78 percent of 7 and 8-year-olds, and 89 percent of 9, 10 and 11-year-olds.

Morris discussed the issue as part of a panel with Chris Wiant, Ph.D., chair of the Water Quality and Health Council, and offered tips to parents to help get their children more active this summer.  


While preaching to kids doesn’t necessarily work, Morris and Wiant said parents can promote a balance by:
Discussing with your children the health consequences of spending too much time on electronic devices at the expense of more physical pursuits, such as swimming.  If children know that sedentary activities have real health impacts, even for children, they may be more motivated to get moving. 

Have a family meeting to decide together what the right mix of time is for your family on electronic devices versus swimming and other outdoor activities.  Morris said the key is setting goals as a family, and making kids part of the decision-making process.

Ask your children if they would swim more if you made a commitment to get them to a pool on a regular basis.  You may be surprised at how readily your children will unplug if given the chance to swim.

Express your interest in spending face-to-face time with your children.  Too much time on electronic devices can be socially isolating.  Letting your children know that you are also willing to turn off the computer, smart phone and television to have fun with them is an important idea to share.

Locate the municipal or community pool in your area, find out the hours of operation and build in time to get there with your children.


As part of its award winning summer Healthy Pools awareness initiative, the Council is making free pool test kits available to the public. Additionally, a podcast sharing a discussion with a panel of experts is accessible online. To order a kit or listen in on the discussion, go to www.healthypools.org.


“Swimming is not only an all-American way to have fun, swimming is a good form of physical activity. Two-and-a-half hours of water-based (or other forms of) physical activity per week has health benefits across a lifetime," added Michele Hlavsa, chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Swimming Program.

When asked to prioritize the health benefits of swimming, parents credited swimming with improving children’s cardiovascular health followed by increasing strength and flexibility, developing motor skills, managing weight and managing asthma symptoms. In addition to the 93 percent of parents who are concerned about the health implications of spending too much time on electronic devices instead of swimming, 86 percent are concerned about the impact on children’s social skills. 

“Parents are clearly worried that children may be missing out on the health benefits of swimming,” said Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D., CEO of the National Swimming Pool Foundation. “Water activities are unique since they are great for children, parents and grandparents. What a great way for generations to connect! It is certainly healthier than having the kids fiddling with controllers and adults fidgeting in recliners.”

One in four respondents did not know that swimming in a well-maintained pool with a proper chlorine level and pH is a healthy activity for children with asthma.  More than half of respondents did not know that a well-maintained pool can reduce the risk of swimming-related ear infections and 23 percent did not know that a well-maintained pool can help reduce the risk of developing diarrhea from waterborne germs.

Given a range of choices, more parents chose “the smell of chlorine” as their strongest sensory summertime swimming pool memory but today’s children could be forming more battery-powered summertime memories.

“The sights, sounds and smells of summer are real, not virtual,” said Chris Wiant, Ph.D., Chair of the Water Quality and Health Council. “For children, the distractions of electronic devices are proving to be tough competition for more physical activities like swimming.  But it’s clear from this survey that parents want their children to power off and dive in.”

To learn more about the Water Quality and Health Council and its efforts to raise awareness of the importance of disinfection for public health, please visit www.waterandhealth.org.

The survey was conducted of 1,000 adults with at least one child between the ages of 5 and 14 nationwide.  The survey was conducted by telephone, including both landlines and cell phones, from May 2 through May 9, 2013 by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc.  The margin for error on the national results is +/-3.2%.


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