My fitness/health tumblrDanni Fitness
Day 16 of Insanity: Plyometric Cardio Circuit
Today’s workout was fucking insane. No other words for it. To be fair to myself, I worked in a 90+ degree warehouse for 10 hours on about an hour and a half of sleep, but I still feel totally wiped out from this one. I always do.
I don’t understand how he was able to get the energy to do insanity after such a long day, so go Colby! :)
Day 16 of Insanity: Plyometric Circuit. Yet again, I hate this workout. Its my least favorite of the Insanity workouts. Not to mention I went hiking today for 5-6 miles so my ankles and knees were already bothering me. At one point during this I ended up collapsing XD. I definitely did push myself today!
My diet was also a lot better today than it has been for a while. Overall, good health/fitness day! :)
Bananas have long been a favorite source of energy for endurance and recreational athletes. Bananas are a rich source of potassium and other nutrients, and are easy for cyclists, runners or hikers to carry.
Research conducted at Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Lab in the Kannapolis-based North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) has revealed additional benefits.
“We wanted to see which was more beneficial when consumed during intense cycling — bananas or a carbohydrate sports drink,” said Dr. David C. Nieman, director of the human performance lab and a member of the College of Health Sciences faculty at Appalachian.
“We found that not only was performance the same whether bananas or sports drinks were consumed, there were several advantages to consuming bananas,” he said.
The bananas provided the cyclists with antioxidants not found in sports drinks as well as a greater nutritional boost, including fiber, potassium and Vitamin B6, the study showed. In addition, bananas have a healthier blend of sugars than sports drinks.
The study, funded by Dole Foods, has been published in the peer-reviewed online journal PLoS ONE published by the nonprofit Public Library of Science.
For the study, trained cyclists consumed either a cup of carbohydrate drink or half a banana every 15 minutes during a 75-kilometer simulated road race lasting 2.5 to 3 hours. Blood samples taken from the cyclists before and after the exercise were analyzed at the NCRC Metabolomics Laboratory for more than 100 metabolites — molecules associated with metabolism.
“Bananas come prepackaged with fiber, nutrients and antioxidants,” said Nieman, adding the research translates to any exercise.
“The mode of exercise is not the issue. I think there are a lot of athletes who don’t like the thought of drinking carbohydrate sports drinks, which are essentially flavored sugar water,” he said. “This type of research shows that you can have healthier carbohydrate sources before and after exercise that will support athletic performance just as well as a sports drink,” Nieman said.
About the research team Other members of the research team from Appalachian were Dr. Dru Henson, Department of Biology; Dr. Andrew Shanely, Human Performance Lab; Dr. Amy M. Knab, Human Performance Lab; Dr. Lynn Cialdella-Kam, Human Performance Lab; Dr. Nicholas D. Gillitt, Dole Nutrition Research Laboratory, N.C. Research Campus; Dr. Wei Sha, UNC Charlotte and N.C. Research Campus; and Dr. Fuxia Jin, Dole Nutrition Research Laboratory, N.C. Research Campus.
(via shychemist)
Fit Test 2 in comparison to Fit Test 1
Switch Kicks- 55, 61
Power Jacks- 59, 50 :(
Power Knees- 76, 84
Power Jumps- 31, 37
Globe Jumps- 11, 12
Suicide Jumps- 11, 15
Push-up jacks- 24, 29
Low Plank Oblique- 51, 56
Overall, I improved but not so significantly. I’m still happy with my results and am glad I improved. Also my endurance has improved significantly. Last time I did the fit test I felt completely wiped out. Today I feel pretty great! Can I just say how much I love switch kicks? I feel so badass doing them XD. Also, I’m pretty sure my power jacks reduced because I squatted in a little deeper.
Comments on today’s overall exercise activity: Boy, did i have a busy day! I had an 8 hour shift outside at a lake selling hot dogs and ice cream. This is where my diet failed. I forgot to pack lunch and enjoyed a king cone in the blazing sun (WHICH ARE AMAZING) and then went for frozen yogurt with my coworker. Even though the king cone was mega rad, it did not feel so great when I worked out/doing the fit test today. When I got home, I went for a 15 minute swim and went for a mile run outside. I napped (which I actually regret doing), and then did the fit test! SO VERY BUSY DAY. Although I’m not working tomorrow, I’m going for an 8am walk with some friends. I also plan on going to the gym possibly. Insanity is turning me into a cardio addict.
Day 15 of Insanity: Fit Test #2
Seeing as I didn’t previously post (and was ashamed of) my first results, I will post both sets of numbers now.
Switch Kicks: 51, 56
Power Jacks: 41, 50
Power Knees: 51, 72
Power Jumps: 21, 32
Globe Jumps: 5, 9
Suicide Jumps: 10, 15
Push-up Jacks: 10, 25
Low Plank Obliques: 41, 57
So yeah, there was some improvement. I’m happy enough with these results for now. I have a massive headache though, so I think I’m done for the day.
So proud of his improvements! I’ve got some stiff competition; i’ll be posting numbers when I finish tonight!
So many tears! The most inspirational video I’ve seen in a long time. If you ever need a reminder nobody beyond help this will do that! Watch be inspired and share the inspiration with others.
(Source: tumblrgymyoga, via beingintotalcontrolofherself)
