The Sequoia Advisor

IN THIS ISSUE                                                       November 1^st 2012

• Calories are NOT King
• BOSU: Better Strength, Balance and Heart Health
• Posture Perfect!^TM Extra-Ordinary Exercise Classes
• Up and Coming...  Nov. 5^th Yoga Nidra, Nov. 16^th CPR Class
• Osteoporosis Support News
   

Feel Better... Live Better

Calories are NOT King
By Woody McMahon

Counting Calories
If you want to lose some weight, at first, counting calories seems like
a good idea. However, over time counting calories becomes very labor
intensive and actually increases your stress leading to preoccupation
with food and weight gain. The first step to successfully losing weight
is to reduce stress and food's importance in your life.

The last thing that you want from a weight loss program is for it to increase
your stress and make you obsess more over the foods that you eat.
The mere process of calculating and totaling calories for all the foods you
eat makes you more rather than less food focused. So if counting calories
is not the answer, then what is the best way to keep from overeating?

Control Portions
For most people, excess weight results from stress eating and a lack of
physical activity. Reaching a healthy weight and keeping it there first
requires an understanding of proper portion size. If you eat out or on the
run, you probably have noticed that food portions have gotten much larger.
Some portions are even called "super size," letting you know in advance
that a lot of food is headed your way. Once you can get portions under
control, 70% of your weight loss challenge is over. Here are some pointers
to help you eat smarter.

Food is Visual
Before taste and smell come into play, your food is first visual.
Visualizing how much food you really need keeps your portions in the
healthy size range. First look at your meal; does it look like a lot of
food? If it does then it probably is a lot of food. Take your meal and
look at it again. Is it bright and colorful? If it is then you have a good
food variety with lots of fruits and vegetables included. What is the
ratio between your meat, vegetable, fruit and starch groups? If your
vegetable group is the largest, followed by meat, fruit and starch then
you are doing well.

The Half Meal Rule
Generally if you plan on eating a correct portion at a restaurant, you'll
take their serving size and cut it in half. Your mother was wrong; you
don't have to finish everything on your plate. That advice was based on a
young, active growing body and does not apply now. Consider this; in this
time of spiraling food costs, if you take half the meal home you'll be saving
money by purchasing two meals for the price of one. Sometimes certain
foods are even better the next day. If you are not a leftover person,
just leave it behind.

Save Yourself a Lot of Work
Remember, every extra 250 calories consumed means another hour of
exercise. If you're not careful, it is easy to overeat 500 to 1000 extra
calories in a day. Do the math and you'll see that it takes 2 to 4 hours of
exercise time just to maintain your current body weight. If you are trying to
lose weight, the 2 to 4 hours does not shed one extra pound from your
body. So be smart and eat a normal healthy portion to control your weight
and then exercise 3 hours a week to improve your health.

Learn Your Correct Meal Size
Once you can look at your plate and know what the correct amount of food
looks like, counting calories can be a thing of the past. As you make the
switch from counting to visualizing, it may be helpful to get a food scale
and measuring cup. You can weigh a correct portion of chicken, beef or
fish and remember what that looks like on your plate. Use the measuring
cup for serving sizes of vegetables, rice, pasta and fruits. Once you see
what a meal with correct portion sizes is supposed to look like, at home
or on the road, you'll never overeat again. If you have questions or need
more help, feel free to email or call me for more personalized advice.

Would you like to reduce stress and get to a healthy weight but
don't know where to start? I provide an easy to follow program called
Healthy Weight!^TM that helps reduce excess weight, improve your bone
health, posture, balance and strength while improving your health.
Contact me for a 20 minute no cost consultation at 703-628-2880 or
email to woody@sequoiahealth.com.

BOSU: Better Strength, Balance and Heart Health
by Woody McMahon

The BOSU Trainer
The BOSU is a unique piece of functional training equipment that can help
improve your strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness. If you are not
using the BOSU in your workouts, you are missing out on a great piece of
training equipment. The BOSU is a half round ball that is flexible and
feels much like a trampoline when you stand on it. Originally the name
"BOSU" was an acronym for "Both Sides Up." It meant that the BOSU
Balance Trainer could be used on either side; the dome or the platform.

A Note of Caution
Even though the BOSU is an excellent training tool, it may not be
appropriate for everyone. It is best to start slowly and safely with the
BOSU to prevent injuries or falls.

Benefits to Balance
The BOSU is considered an advanced balance trainer especially if you are
standing on it. The soft, movable surface places a greater demand on your
balance muscles, core stabilizers, foot proprioceptors and inner ear. This
increased demand on the equilibrium mechanisms challenges them to improve
your balance faster. Beginners can start using the BOSU by stepping into
it with one foot at a time. Each step increases your comfort level with
how the BOSU moves under your feet.

Improvements in Strength
The BOSU is really just a flexible step that requires greater use of your
stability muscles to maintain balance. It adds an unstable dimension to
any lower or upper body exercise creating a greater muscular challenge.
Of course, an increased challenge means faster strength gains in less time.
The soft, deformable surface strengthens your whole leg complex (foot,
ankle, knee, hip and core) as it works together to try and stabilize the
rest of your body.

For a Healthier Heart
The BOSU offers the perfect solution for those looking to get a more
functional and dynamic cardiovascular workout, especially if you have
knee, hip or back pain. Standing on the soft surface of the BOSU, you can
step quickly or jump up and down for several minutes really getting your
heart pumping. For more advanced users, you can start on the floor and
jump onto the BOSU. Finally, standing on the ball performing 90 or
180 degree jump turns offers a balance, strength and heart challenge like
none other. The BOSU beats the treadmill hands down for a healthier heart.

Some Great BOSU Exercise Ideas
The many ways you can use the BOSU is only limited by your imagination
and creativity. Here are 3 good exercises to challenge your balance,
strength and cardiovascular conditioning.

1. BOSU Balance
The first time you try this place the BOSU near a wall in case you need
to hold on for stability. Place the BOSU on the floor flat side down.
Start by stepping onto the BOSU and placing your feet slightly less than
shoulder width apart. Stand on two feet until you feel comfortable with
the feeling of the soft, moveable surface. Try walking around the top of
the ball in a circle to increase your balance challenge. Place one foot on
the top center of the BOSU and try balancing on one leg. Switch legs after
about a minute. When you get comfortable balancing on one leg with your
eyes open, try closing your eyes.

2. BOSU Jumps/Jump Turns
Place the BOSU on the floor flat side down. Start by stepping onto the
BOSU placing your feet slightly less than shoulder width apart. Bounce up
and down until you feel comfortable on the soft surface. Once you feel
stable try jumping high enough so that your feet actually leave the ball.
Make sure to keep your knees bent. When you have mastered that
progression, try 90 degree jump turns. Make sure to jump in both
directions for equal balance and muscle development.

3. BOSU Lunges
Place the BOSU on the floor, flat side down, against a wall or other
immovable surface. Standing back about 3 feet and facing the BOSU, lunge
into the side of the soft top surface. Try to keep your balance making
sure that both knees are slightly bent and your back heel is slightly off
the ground. Also keep your head and chest upright and maintain your
balance. Return to your original starting position and step with the other
foot. You can make it a little more challenging by placing the hands on your
hips.

Give these exercises a try and see how the BOSU can really add a whole
new dimension to your workout.

Try these healthy lifestyle changes for 30 days. Feel what it is like to be
a part of the health solution rather than a health burden. If you need
additional suggestions and advice on living a healthier lifestyle, call me
for a no cost consultation at 703-628-2880 or email to
woody@sequoiahealth.com.

Posture Perfect!^TM is Extra-Ordinary.
Here is Why You Should Join!

Upcoming Events

Osteoporosis Support News

2012 Osteoporosis Resource Center at Qi Elements Classes

Current Class Schedule

Tai Chi for Osteoporosis
When: Mondays and Wednesdays 1:30-2:30 PM
Where: Qi Elements Center, 464 Herndon Parkway
Suite 215, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $105 for one class a week, $190 for both classes
Email qielements@verizon.net or call Roger 703 435-4400 for more
information.

Yoga for Boomers & Beyond
When: Monday 6:45 to 8 PM
Where: Qi Elements Center, 464 Herndon Parkway
Suite 215, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $154 for one class a week for 7 weeks
Email http://www.openingmovesyoga.com/join.php or call Bonnie at
703-407-2065 for more information.

Gentle Yoga for Seniors
When: Monday 11:45 to 12:30 PM or
          Tuesday 11:45 to 12:30 PM
Where: Qi Elements Center, 464 Herndon Parkway
Suite 215, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $48 for one class a week for 6 weeks
Email http://www.openingmovesyoga.com/join.php or call Bonnie at
703-407-2065 for more information.

Posture Perfect!^TM Level 1 Beginner Classes
When: Wednesday 12:00 to 1:00 PM and Thursday 6:30 to 7:30 PM            
Where: Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc
483A Carlisle Drive, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $160 for 8 classes in 8 weeks
Email woody@sequoiahealth.com or call Woody at
703-628-2880 for more information.

What is the ORC?
The ORC is unique in the Northern Virginia area offering safe and effective
exercise classes including Personal Training, Yoga, Tai Chi and
Posture Perfect!^TM We also offer classes and consultations for people with
osteoporosis, osteopenia, back, hip and neck pain as well as other
bone and joint health problems.

"What makes the ORC exceptional is that it offers safe and effective exercise
programs that can help improve posture, balance and strength for bone
and joint health problems" says Woody McMahon one of the center's
co-directors. "For the first time people that come to the center can feel
comfortable that the exercises they are performing will only do good and
not cause any harm."

Who Benefits From Our Classes
Beginners: Our unique classes are great for someone who wants to begin
a safe and effective exercise program but does not know where to start.

Post Rehabilitation: Our classes offer a safe and effective transition from
physical therapy to more general exercise that help to safely strengthen
important stability muscles.

Advanced: The classes are perfect for tennis players, golfers or runners
who want to enhance their bodies to improve their sport and continue to
play safely and injury free.

Newsletter Sign-Up
Sign-up for our FREE newsletter The Sequoia Advisor to stay informed
about all of our future class offerings, workshops and seminars. It is
easy... just go to http://www.sequoiahealth.com/ORC and enter your
name and email address.

Woody

Woody McMahon
The Sequoia Advisor

Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.
483A Carlisle Drive
Herndon, VA
20170

Required Disclaimer: The material provided herein should not be construed
as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed
health-care advice or instruction. The material is provided with the
understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine
or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care
practitioner/patient relationship with its readers. The publisher does not
advise or recommend to its readers treatment or action with regard to
matters relating to their health or well-being other than suggesting that
readers consult appropriate health-care professionals in such matters. No
action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication. The
material and opinions provided herein are believed to be accurate and sound
at the time of publication, based on the best judgment available to the
authors. However, readers who rely on material in this publication to
replace the advice of health-care professionals, or who fail to consult
with health-care professionals, assume all risks of such conduct. The
publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Copyright (c) 2006-2012 by Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.

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