Articles for Fit Mommies

As summer turns into fall, there is no better time than present to start shedding those extra pounds from the beer, greasy brats, mayo-laden potato salad, fatty ice cream, and all the other high-calorie summer food splurges.

“Many people plan to be active during the summer but end up not exercising at all,” says Krys Davis, CPT, co-owner and trainer at Metroplex Adventure Boot Camp, the pounds from all the cookouts keep piling on and, by the time September rolls in, these folks need to seriously get back into, or start, a good fitness routine that not only speeds up the metabolism but also offers multiple health benefits.”

However, many people, especially those who have not exercised before, may not know what kind of fitness program will whip them into great shape, burn those pesky calories, and motivate them to keep working out.

“Once boredom sets in, people lose their motivation to exercise,” Sam Davis, CPT, co-owner/trainer observes. “That can happen if your workout routine is monotonous or doesn’t yield the desired results."

The key to a successful workout, he says, is to make exercise not only results-oriented, but also interesting and enjoyable, so that people will keep coming back for more.

That’s where fitness boot camps kick in – no pun intended.

“We are in a group setting, where people encourage and cheer each other on, so you don’t feel like you are in it alone,” Davis says. “There is a pleasant social aspect to it, which makes this type of interactive exercise more interesting. And, if you are serious about losing weight and getting in shape, you must stay motivated and focused. ”

Even more importantly, boot camps are very effective in terms of overall health benefits. By incorporating strength, agility, balance, flexibility and interval training into each session, “the workouts exercise your heart, your muscles, your whole body,” says Dee Henry, CPT, and also co-owner/trainer. “That is what we are trying to achieve in each session.”

An additional perk for all those trying to lose weight: “Boot camp workouts can burn off up to 600 calories during a single hour-long exercise session, so if you keep at it, you will see those extra pounds melt right before your eyes,” Henry adds.

In fact, boot camps are so efficient in burning calories and improving muscular fitness that the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the country’s leading authority on fitness, rates boot camps among the top 10 fitness trends for 2010.

As 3 of the leading boot camp trainers in the area, the Davis' and Henry see first-hand the effectiveness of this kind of comprehensive training program and believes its popularity  will continue to gain momentum in the future.

“Everyone who participates regularly in our boot camps can see amazing – and sometimes spectacular – results,”Krys says. “It is the ultimate workout program, regardless of your age, shape, or level of fitness."

About Metroplex Adventure Boot Camp: Owned by Dee Henry, Sam Davis and Krys Davis, Metroplex Adventure Boot Camp (www.MetroplexBootCamp.com) has trained thousands of women and men in boot camp fitness workouts throughout the last 4 years.  They have been recognized by fitness industry leaders as one of the top boot camp programs in the nation and are the only fitness boot camp which is backed by an international educational and certifying body in the fitness industry.  Metroplex Adventure Boot Camp, the Davis' and Herny have been featured on local and national televison, on and in many magazines and newspapers for their fitness and healthy expertise.  For more information call 817-719-0355 or email  Info@MansfieldBootCamp.com

Exposure to pesticides used on common kid-friendly foods- including frozen blueberries, fresh strawberries and celery - appears to significantly boost the chances that children will be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, new research shows. An underground community of healthy and all natural parents have long since abstained from feeding their children fruits & vegetables that were not organic. But will a new comprehensive study published May 17th in the Journal Pediatrics change how all parents nourish their children?

The link to the rise of ADHD, which now affects a staggering 4.5 million U.S. kids, and the dangerous toxins used as produce pesticides has been debated for years. However, the University of Quebec was able to end this debate with their 4 year study of over 1,000 children. Researchers found that youngsters with high levels of pesticide residue in their urine, particularly from widely used types of insecticide such as malathion, were more likely to have ADHD, the behavior disorder that often disrupts school and social life, scientists in the United States and Canada found. Kids with higher-than-average levels of one pesticide marker were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD as children who showed no traces of the poison. "I think it's fairly significant. A doubling is a strong effect," said Maryse F. Bouchard, a researcher at the University of Montreal in Quebec and lead author of the study.

What can parents do to protect their children from developing a behavior disorder strongly linked to their diet? Krys Davis, wellness experts says, "Moms and Dads should buy organic when possible. When organic is not possible. Rigorous washing of the produce is necessary."

"We must stand up and pay attention to this data because diet is the main source of pesticide exposure in children" adds Davis. According to the National Academy of Sciences, and much of that exposure comes from favorite fruits and vegetables. In 2008, detectable concentrations of malathion were found in 28 percent of frozen blueberry samples, 25 percent of fresh strawberry samples and 19 percent of celery samples, a government report found.

Is buying organic a reasonable action for all parents with varying income levels? "Absolutely!" said Davis. "Take into account that according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention nearly 2.5 million children out of the 4.5 million children affected with ADHD take prescription medication. It's the simple rule of 'pay now or pay later'. Pay the extra $40 per month for the added cost of organics now or pay the $80.00-$100.00 per month in prescription drugs (that carry along with it a laundry list of possible side effects). A family can even budget for the organic produce cost by cooking pizza at home once a week rather than delivery or parents can forego the Fancy Coffee Drinks twice a week and easily have extra dollars to feed their children the healthiest food possible."

Davis recommends, "When produce isn't organic, soak it in a large pot of cold water for five minutes, add a tablespoon of sea salt and one tablespoon of vinegar, then rinse thoroughly. You can also peel the pesticides off the outer layer of fruits and vegetables; however, keep in mind that you will lose some of the valuable nutrients in the skin."

Krys Davis is a certified Weight Management Specialist, NESTA Certified Adventure Boot Camp coach, SCW certified Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist, CrossFit Running and Endurance Specialist and NESTA certified Personal Trainer. Davis has been featured on NBC, CBS and Fox, the covers of multiple magazines, and in the pages of national and local publications. She is co-owner of Metroplex Adventure Boot Camp, the largest boot camp program in Tarrant county, and founder of SuperMommies Fitness. For more information about health and fitness or for professional help to jumpstart your fitness regimen, visit www.MetroplexBootCamp.comor contact Krys at Krystal@MansfieldBootCamp.com.

Say "So Long" to Artificial Sweeteners to Lose Weight

By Krystal Davis

We have been telling you that you may confuse your body with artificial sweeteners and actually pack on more pounds by using chemical sweeteners like the blue, pink and yellow packets of fake sugar.  Researchers have concrete evidence that wide spread use of these products is linked, in part, to the rise in obesity.

"Psychologists at Purdue University's Ingestive Behavior Research Center reported that relative to rats that ate yogurt sweetened with glucose (a simple sugar with 15 calories/teaspoon, the same as table sugar), rats given yogurt sweetened with zero-calorie saccharin later consumed more calories, gained more weight, put on more body fat".

Researchers said that using these chemical sugar replacements will change your body's ability to regulate appetite.  This is when you eat something and 30 minutes later you are hungry again.

If you are looking to gain more control over your body fat and your dress size try all natural replacements like agave nectar and xylitol (natural derivative of fruits).  Don't forget to check out our monthly nutrition seminars with our clinical certified nutritionist, Rhonda McKinney (ask your trainer for details).  These informative meetings will give you tips and tricks to eating for life instead of the unhealthy chemical concoctions in most American kitchens.

Krystal Davis is certified personal trainer, boot camp trainer and pre/postnatal fitness specialist.  She is co-owner of Metroplex Adventure Boot Camp and founder of SuperMommies Fitness. For more information you can visit www.MetroplexBootCamp.com or www.SuperMommiesFitness.com .