Blog – Page 18 – Coach Chrystal's Eat Move Live

Fat (Lipids) – You ARE What You Eat

Every single gram of fat has 9 calories, which is more than double the energy of protein or carbohydrates. Fats (or fatty acids, also known as lipids) play a number of essential roles in our ability to thrive and survive. Dietary fats facilitate the transportation and absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K as well as a number of other nutrients. You may be surprised to learn that many medications prescribed as to be taken with food is done so for this very reason, and not because they may otherwise upset your stomach; it’s so that you’re able to absorb as much of the medication as possible as facilitated by the fat that’s eaten with your food. Dietary fats also slow down the digestion of foods, which helps keep you feeling satiated Read more “Fat (Lipids) – You ARE What You Eat” →

Nutrition

Counting Macros and Not Calories

There’s often confusion around why we count macronutrients but not calories. This is especially true because macronutrients essentially are calories: Read more “Counting Macros and Not Calories” →

Keto

Easiest Keto Pancake / Wraps (Serves 1)

Some days I need something bread-like and what’s better than something bread-like that takes less than 90 seconds to prepare? Whether savory, used to wrap cheese and avocado, or sweet – topped with sugar-free syrup and blueberries, these pancakes hit the spot. Read more “Easiest Keto Pancake / Wraps (Serves 1)” →

Nutrition

Carbohydrates – You ARE What You Eat

Every single gram of carbohydrate has 4 calories, equating its energy value to that of protein. While carbohydrates are non-essential (because given the right circumstances, your body can create glucose), when it comes to fueling your body, they are king. Carbohydrates are your body’s first choice of fuel for every activity you do. As discussed in the section on metabolism and energy systems, recall that almost all carbohydrates are broken down into simple glucose (or sugar) molecules. For the 1^st 20 or so minutes of all exercise, glucagon stored in the muscle (short term glucose storage) is broken down into glucose and is metabolized as our main source of fuel. The glucagon in muscle is then replenished by glucose in the blood stream. When blood sugar levels drop, the glucagon stored in your liver (long term glucose storage) will be broken down and released into the blood stream to replenish it. Read more “Carbohydrates – You ARE What You Eat” →

Nutrition

Protein – You ARE What You Eat

Each single gram of protein = 4 calories. Approximately 20% of our body weight is protein. Protein is the main component of structural elements like our muscles, hair, nails, skin, eyes, and internal organs such as the heart and brain. Protein is also what makes up the building blocks of our DNA. Each protein molecule is complex, made up of various arrangements and combinations of 22 different naturally occurring amino acids. Some amino acids are considered essential; we must obtain them from our diet because our body cannot produce them, while other amino acids are considered non-essential; our body can produce them if all the systems within the body are functioning properly. Protein synthesis is the term for creation of protein from amino acids. Read more “Protein – You ARE What You Eat” →

Body Science

Set Point Theory

Homeostasis is the tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium, or balance between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes. Our bodies’ love and can in fact only thrive when in state of a balance. For example, your body temperature must be maintained at or around 98.6°F (37°C). If this temperature should rise too high or go too low, you will die. To prevent this, Read more “Set Point Theory” →

Body Science

You Are (and can do) What You Eat

Energy Systems

We may not be able to see energy, but we can certainly feel heat, its byproduct whenever we do physical activity. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the molecule within the body that holds energy. For this reason ATP is often referred to as the energy currency of the body. We get energy from the macronutrients we consume like carbohydrates, protein and fat. There’s also energy stored in any alcohol we consume, but we do not consider alcohol a macronutrient because Read more “You Are (and can do) What You Eat” →

Fitness

The Shoulder Press

Why it’s Functional

Any time you need to place an object on a surface that’s above your head, you are doing a shoulder press. Pressing weight above your head strengthens your shoulders, back, and abdominal muscles. As a weight-bearing exercise, the shoulder press are conductive of overall bone health. Read more “The Shoulder Press” →

Body Science

Metabolism

We’ve all heard someone blame their excessive weight on having a slow metabolism, or their ability to eat large amounts of food and not gain any weight on their fast metabolism. But what exactly is metabolism? Technically speaking the word metabolism is defined in biology as the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life. When most people are discussing metabolism though, what they’re actually referring to are just a few of those chemical processes, specifically the ones that convert the macronutrients in the food and drinks we consume into energy or Calories, and then taking into consideration how long it takes for our bodies to use that energy. In this way, our food is our fuel. Read more “Metabolism” →

Body Science

Nervous Tissues

If I had to pick a favorite, nervous tissue would be my choice. Often underestimated and ignored in the world of sport and fitness, it’s that unassuming nervous tissue that controls everything you do, everything you are, and everything you perceive. It’s pretty powerful stuff, really.

Your body is riddled with nerve endings, each with the purpose of receiving information or giving instruction to other tissues. Through a series of chemical reactions information is received and converted into nerve action impulses, much like electrical signals. These electrical signals are sent to and through the spinal cord, and then to the brain. If the information is perceived as urgent by the spinal cord, the spinal cord sends immediate instructions back to the tissues before the nerve action potential reaches the brain for actual interpretation. This is when reflexes occur. Read more “Nervous Tissues” →

The things I've learned...

Fat (Lipids) – You ARE What You Eat

Counting Macros and Not Calories

Easiest Keto Pancake / Wraps (Serves 1)

Carbohydrates – You ARE What You Eat

Protein – You ARE What You Eat

Set Point Theory

You Are (and can do) What You Eat

Energy Systems

The Shoulder Press

Metabolism

Nervous Tissues

What are you waiting for?