Client of the Month-Kris Braden

Kris Braden Before

Kris Braden After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Kris Braden – After I’ve been a part of the Squeeze team since November, 2008. My life is very busy with two children running here and there an always putting everyone first. Before I met Shannon I was always looking for that quick fix diet or some kind of workout. I was always fighting the fight. I would give up very quickly because I never saw results fast enough for me. Looking in the mirror was the hardest thing for me, because I saw somebody that I never liked. I have lost count of all the paces I joined to lose weight or all the classes offered at the YMCA. After having my kids I got to a weight I never wanted to see again. I did get the weight off with weight watchers but I was always looking for more. Then one day I was watching the biggest loser and said “I want to find a place or person that will do this type of workout for me and kick my butt.” But where in the world would I find this. It was until one day a friend of mine (Lisa Bannach) told me about Squeeze. I got a card for a free personal workout so I called and met Shannon. Shannon gave me a workout I never had in my life I truly left there thinking ya right, not for me. In my eyes I was also scared to go back. I felt only the fittest people were there looking to become body builders until one day I realized everyone was there for the same thing. So after laying on the bed thinking I am going to die I decided to give it another try. I went again and again and after that I was hooked. Shannon has given me a whole new outlook on life. I finally found a person (real one) that understands me. She pushes you to a whole new level. While I am working out I look at this as my one hour a day for me. Everything will be there when I get back home. It I also my stress reliever. I can take all my frustrations out on the equipment. I have never worked so hard a something and saw results. As I go along the way I am starting to find myself again and push myself even harder. Getting bored is NOT what you find at Squeeze, because Shannon has so many ideas in her crazy head. Shannon is always there for me to pick me up and help push me to the next lever. I am very happy to have my biggest loser place but the best thing about it is that don’t get voted off. What you get is more results. One thing Shannon got in my head is that this is the body you got so learn to except it and love it! So Shannon thanks for breaking me and pushing me. “Bring It!”

Ten More Foods to Have in Your Health Diet (Part 2)

Last month I talked about my ten favorite healthy foods and received lots of positive feedback. The truth is there are many healthy foods to eat. So, I decided to discuss another ten foods to include in your healthy diet. Again, they are in no special order. They are all healthy foods that I recommend you eat on a regular basis, unless you are allergic.

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable. Other crucifers include cabbage, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, and Swiss chard. They are all good for you. Broccoli is a great source of protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, beta-carotene, and vitamin A. It contains isothiocynanates that fight cancer and carotenoids that reduce macular degeneration. Also, it is one of the vegetables least contaminated by pesticides, so you don’t have to buy it organic.

Garlic is a wonderful herb to add to foods. Not only does it keep away vampires, but it has been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, protect against cancer, and can be useful in weight control. According to Jonny Bowden in his book The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, over 1,200 studies have shown garlic to be fat-lowering, anti-clotting, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and an antioxidant.

If you are going to eat a starchy vegetable sweet potatoes are the ones to have. They are a great source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A, potassium, and calcium. One sweet potato contains one-half of the daily requirements of vitamin C. They also contain quercetin, a strong anti-inflammatory. As a starchy vegetable they will raise blood sugar levels, so diabetics or pre-diabetics, are advised to limit their consumption.

Eggs, yes eggs, and yes the whole egg. They are a great source of protein containing all nine essential amino acids. “Essential” in nutrition talk means your body does not make it so you must eat it. They have vitamins and minerals that help the eyes, brain, and heart. They have also been found to be protective against breast cancer. Don’t worry about the cholesterol – but that is for another article!

Whey protein comes from milk. It is a dairy product, so some people may be sensitive to it. I have it almost every morning as part of my nutritious breakfast. However, you must be very careful with your selection of this product. You want a good quality whey protein. Look for whey protein isolate as opposed to whey protein concentrate. Also, you’d like the whey to come from cows that were not given growth or other hormones and fed on natural grass pastures. Many “health” powders contain artificial flavors and artificial sweeteners – so beware.

Looking for healthy drinks? Of course water is number one, but I also like unsweetened cranberry juice and tea. One of the country’s leading nutritionists, Ann Louise Gittleman utilizes unsweetened cranberry juice at the core of her Fat Flush diet. The key here is unsweetened. It contains many antioxidants and is helpful in relieving urinary tract infections. How does it do this? It prevents bacteria from adhering to bladder cells. Tea is another healthy drink that is high in antioxidants. Both green tea and black tea are known for fighting cancer, while black tea improves blood vessel function and can lower cholesterol.

Olive oil is a healthy fat. It is best used in salad dressings along with vinegar. Please buy extra virgin olive oil, it is the healthiest form. “Extra virgin” means it is from the first pressing and has limited processing. Olive oil is high in antioxidants and in oleic acid, which is a heart healthy fat.

Brown rice is a whole grain and a healthy alternative to white rice. I also like the pasta made from it – a healthy alternative to refined and processed white pasta. As a whole grain it is a great source of fiber, the B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, and selenium.

For a red meat alternative try free-range buffalo. It is an excellent source of protein and has less fat than beef. And, being free-range there are no hormones, antibiotics, or chemicals added. Being grass fed, it is source of omega-3 fatty acids, ideal for those of you who aren’t fond of fish.
http://www.grasslandbeef.com/Search.bok?category=Fresh+Chilled+Beef&affiliate_no=629.

For even more great information for you health, check out our website – SqueezeStudioFitness.com.

Ten Foods to Have in Your Health Diet

Every nutrition consultant has their list. So, here is mine. They are in no special order. They are all healthy foods that I recommend you eat on a regular basis, unless you are allergic. These foods emphasize what lacks in many American diets – fruits and vegetables for vitamins and antioxidants, minerals to fuel our metabolism, and healthy fats that are sources of Omega 3’s and vitamins A, D, and K.

Blueberries are one of the strongest antioxidants according to its ORAC value. ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity and is the rating system used to compare the antioxidant power of foods. Oxygen radicals, better known as free radicals, are destructive molecules found naturally in the body that can damage cells and DNA. We need to include sufficient antioxidants in our diet to effectively neutralize them. Blueberries also have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. All berries are great sources of antioxidants. Why blueberries compared to other berries? Two reasons. First, blueberries freeze better than other berries so you can use them year round. Second, studies show that fewer pesticides are used in the growing of blueberries, so you don’t necessarily have to purchase organic blueberries. Strawberries and raspberries are among the fruits that receive the most pesticides.

Apples also have lots of antioxidant power and we all know the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples have other benefits. They are a great source of pectin which helps to lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels. However, apples are a fruit that you should purchase organic as high levels of pesticide are used in growing apples. And when I talk about apples, I mean the whole fruit. Apple juice is mostly sugar, lacking the fiber you get from the whole fruit.

Kale is a leafy green vegetable loaded with Vitamin K, calcium, iron, Vitamins A and C, protein, and fiber. It is best steamed or lightly stir fried. Leafy greens should be a staple in your diet. Others to try are Swiss chard, beet greens, mustard greens, collard greens, and spinach.

Quinoa (keen-wah) is a gluten free whole grain so it is an excellent choice for those who have gluten allergies or are intolerant. It can be made into flour and used in cereals, breads, and pastas. It is loaded with minerals that we need for a healthy metabolism – calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, potassium, manganese, zinc, and iron. And a great source of fiber.

Almonds are a healthy source of good fat, protein, and dietary fiber. They make an excellent snack (please, just a handful). They contain no carbohydrates. The main nutrients are phosphorus, Vitamin E, and magnesium. Other nuts for your short list are walnuts and pecans. And men, don’t forget your pumpkin seeds – a great source of zinc for prostate health.

Wild salmon is the way to get our Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Omega 3’s are anti-inflammatory and keep our cell membranes fluid. Salmon is a great source of protein as well. Avoid farm raised or Atlantic salmon. What makes wild salmon healthy and red in color is what it eats in the wild – krill and shrimp that are loaded with antioxidants. Farm raised salmon is not naturally red, a food dye is added.

Avocado is a fruit, and one of the few fruits that contains fat. It has oleic acid, better known as Omega 9, which lowers blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. It also has Lutein, an antioxidant. Avocado is a great source of fiber, potassium, folate, Vitamin A, and beta-carotene.

Kefir is one that you may not have heard of. It is a lacto-fermented dairy product. Think of it as drinkable yogurt. Similar to yogurt it contains beneficial bacteria which aid our digestion. However, it also contains beneficial yeast, which can do battle with Candida. If you have a dairy allergy you can use coconut milk or coconut water kefir.

Coconut oil is a healthy saturated fat and the best oil to use when cooking food. It maintains its properties from high heat. Most other oils oxidize from heat, increasing those aforementioned free radicals. Coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid. That means it is metabolizes faster and is used for energy by the body, and not stored as fat. It also contains lauric acid which is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, and is known to be good for the thyroid gland.

Butter is also a healthy saturated fat, particularly when it is organic and comes from a grass fed cow. It contains the fat soluble vitamins E, K, and D. It also has CLA (conjugated linolenic acid) that helps fight weight gain and butyric acid which is anti-viral and anti-cancer. For those with an allergy to the dairy protein casein, ghee (clarified butter) is an equally healthy option.

Stay tuned…. more to come…..

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Fats to Eat and Fats to Avoid for Better Health

I’m often asked my opinion on fat, so here it is!  The bottom line – we need fat but we need the right kind.  Fat is used to build our cell membranes and is the starting point for many hormones.  It is required for our body to absorb the fat soluble vitamins – A, D, E, and K. It provides us with energy.  It regulates body temperature and cushions the organs.  It is essential for infant brain development and for the female reproductive system (a woman will not ovulate unless she has sufficient body fat). 
 
There are two types of fats – saturated and unsaturated (further defined as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated).  Saturated fats are solid while unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature.  Unsaturated fats are much more sensitive to light and heat.  When heated they oxidize forming “free radicals” that damage cells and are linked to a variety of diseases including cancer and heart disease.
 
Another fat we hear of are trans fatty acids.  These are formed during the process of hydrogenation.  Polyunsaturated oils, usually corn, soybean, safflower, or canola, are heated to high temperatures and injected with hydrogen atoms.  During the heating process the nutrients in the oils are destroyed, the oils become solid and have oxidized.  Trans fats have been linked to many ailments, including cancer, heart disease, and reproductive problems.  Trans fats are commonly found in commercial baked goods, cookies, crackers, margarines, vegetable shortenings, and processed dairy products. 
 
Therefore, I recommend that you avoid foods containing polyunsaturated oils and trans fats.  So what are the healthy fats to eat? 

Butter, coconut oil, olive oil, and cod liver oil. Butter is high in fat-soluble vitamins, particularly vitamins A & D. These are essential for growth, healthy bones, proper development of the brain and nervous systems, and for normal sexual development. Butter can be used for baking or heating.

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid. This is an antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiparasatical, and antiviral substance. It supports thyroid function, skin, heart health, and weight loss. The medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are converted in the body into quick energy, and are not stored as fat. Coconut oil is the best oil for heating. It can be used in baking and is the best choice for light stir frying or frying.

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants. It helps the digestive system by reducing gastric acidity, stimulating bile secretion, regulating the emptying of the gall bladder (reduces the risk of gallstones). It is easily absorbed by the intestines and regulates passage of food through the intestines. Olive oil is best used as a condiment as in salad dressings.

Cod liver oil is an excellent source of Vitamin D. This assists the body in absorbing calcium. It is also rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA is essential for the production of prostaglandins, hormones that direct many cellular processes. DHA is vital for the healthy development and functioning of the brain and nervous system.

Look for more information on our website – SqueezeStudioFitness.com.