A shiny new week! And since it’s a long weekend where I live and today is a holiday, my good friend Shrinath is taking over for me so I can have a little well-deserved break.

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ENERGY! How Do We Get It?

There are plethora of articles about nutrition, fitness and what we eat. Food equals energy. And that has been dealt with, in this site quite extensively. The metabolism has been a favorite subject here, too.

But how exactly does our body convert all that food into energy? How does that translate into muscle?

Muscles use glucose, fatty acids, ketone bodies and aminoacids as energy source.

Muscle also contains a reserve of creatine-phosphate, a compound with a high phosphate-transfer potential that is able to phosphorilate ADP to ATP, thereby producing energy without using glucose.

The amount of creatine in the muscle is enough to sustain about 3-4 s of exertion. After this period, the muscle uses glycolysis, first anaerobically (since it is much faster than the citric acid cycle), and later (when the increased acidity slows phosphofrutokinase enough for the citric acid cycle to become non-rate-limiting) in aerobic conditions.

What exactly is that, you ask? Well this …

Creatine-phosphate is a compound with a high phosphate-transfer potential, which is able to phosphorilate ADP to ATP. This in turn produces energy without using glucose.

Huh you say? Let me explain.

Studies have shown that, sugars, gets converted and stored. When we consume a meal, the pancreas secrete insulin, when blood glucose levels are high. Insulin stimulates glucose uptake by the muscle, glycogen synthesis, and triacylglyceride synthesis by the adipose tissue – ATP.

Okay, okay. So what exactly has this do with your muscles? Or energy? Or for that matter food hence nutrition? And what the heck is ADP or for that matter ATP?

ATP: Adenosine triphosphate and ADP: Adenosine diphosphate. Di = 2 and tri = 3. So when a phospate is lost, energy is relased.

Technically speaking, the whole enchilada from a biological perspective is thus:

“ADP is the end-product that results when ATP loses one of its phosphate groups located at the end of the molecule. The conversion of these two molecules plays a critical role in supplying energy for many processes of life.[2] The deletion of one of ATP’s phosphorus bonds generates approximately 7.3 kilocalories per Mole of ATP.[3] ADP can be converted, or powered back to ATP through the process of releasing the chemical energy available in food; in humans this is constantly performed via aerobic respiration in the mitochondria.”

So great, we are done with the biology lesson. Sorry folks, if it was a bit dull.

We have all been in a position where we eat at a party or a night out and then in the morning regret it!

But now, you have an idea as to what the body does in converting that source (stuff consumed) into energy.

If you have had a load of carbs, say a durum wheat pasta in white sauce, you know exactly what the body is going to do. Enzymes are secreted, the food is broken down in to its elements and stored.

Food for pleasure is perfectly fine, however cannot become a staple.

For example, you cannot, I mean simply cannot consume a bowl full of ice cream and sleep!

Everything has to be in moderation.

Too much energy is also not good. Neither is too little.

I eat mindfully and ensure that I have all major food groups. Carbs, proteins and fat. Also consumption of fresh green vegetables is a must.

So, plan your meals ahead. Try to avoid eating out as much as possible. There are certainly enough recipes and instruction videos available to cook a healthy nutritious meal at home.

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Thanks to Shrinath Sundaram for this informative and interesting explanation about how the food we eat is converted into the energy we use to live. And thanks especially Shrinath, for helping me out on my day off today!

Have a fit, fun and fantastic day.
Girlwithnoname

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Hey gang!! A bright shiny week is upon us … well except in Vancouver, where it is STILL ‘not quite Summer‘ …

… sigh …

I NEED SOME BEACH TIME, DARNIT !!!!

Anyway, how’s the workouts coming lately? Are you giving your “ALL” every time? Or do you feel like a ‘beaten down old plow-horse‘ sometimes?

Need more power? Don’t know how to find it or tap into it?

I have some cool tricks for finding extra power where it seems none exists to find …

… and heck, sometimes it happens unexpectedly when I don’t necessarily NEED it, but it’s great to be able to recognize when it’s happening and maximize it!!

Here’s where I can find or tap into extra power when I need it (and even when I don’t) …

Know what else?

Sometimes it’s just a cool song that comes on the mp3 player that just bumps up your power that one extra notch …

So, here’s one that gives me TONS of power and energy. Maybe it will do the same for you!!

Loverboy – Turn Me Loose

If it sounds like something that will feed you power, then go grab it now and add it to your workout playlist. Click on the Buy Button on the Player Widget and Amazon will get you set up immediately … and you’ll be feeding off the power of this one on your very next workout!

Feel POWERFUL !!!

Have a fit, fun and fantastic day!
Girlwithnoname

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Hey everyone. Happy Hump Day!

Halfway to the weekend and I hope you’re all having a great week.

I get asked a lot where I find the energy to do what I do.

So, I thought a little post letting you in on the things that give me energy was in order (and long overdue).

So, without further ado, here we go:

Sunshine
Nothing but nothing makes me want to get off my rear, out the door and get stuff done more than a good dose of Vitamin D… even more motivating is that it’s out there taunting me to come enjoy it, and there’s no way I can ever say no.

The Cold Weather
It’s brisk and it’s invigorating. It gets me wanting to move (mostly because then I’ll warm up!)

The Rain
Hello, Seawall!! You are allllll miiiiine when it’s raining… just you and me and no one else. Very Zen. Very energizing.

A Good Night’s Sleep
Does this need elaboration, really? With a good solid 8 hours of sleep under my belt I can take on the world.

The Mirror
The harder I work on myself, the more it shows.

And the more it shows, the harder I WANT to work for it. ’nuff said.

Pressure
Knowing someone’s waiting on me and also knowing there’s no way I’m skipping my workout drives me hard.

Pressure to move on to the next thing in the day gives me energy to just slam through a workout without lollygagging.

If someone or something is waiting on me I get busy … hard and fast.

I’d rather work harder to make it happen than live with the guilt of slacking for some lame-ass excuse of ‘not having enough time’…

Anger or Frustration
Yep, there’s nothing wrong with taking out some anger or frustration in a good heavy lifting session.

Someone pissing you off? Sick ‘em (I mean the weight stack, punching bag or running path, not the person).

Appreciation
Nothing makes me want to do what I do more than knowing someone out there is getting inspiration or motivation from me for their own workouts.

Thanks to my loyal Twitter, Facebook and blog followers for letting me know I’m here for a reason, and in turn giving ME inspiration and motivation… and energy.

MUSIC (one of the biggest ones)
There’s been many a time I haven’t felt like going running or grinding out a strength-training session, but as soon as I turn on my ‘special’ mp3 player (it only contains motivating, hard driving and angsty workout music) I’m immediately in the mood and… dare I say it? Even RARING TO GO.

Feeling The Pump
Strength begets Strength. I can’t elaborate more on that.

DOMS
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. It means I’ve done good things for my body and the more I feel it, the more I crave it. Bring it on.

Smiles
A simple smile from a stranger as I run by makes me feel good and in turn makes me run that much harder.

An Audience
If I’m working out or running hillsprints (or whatever) and someone stops to watch me, I’m going to give it TWICE the power I might have otherwise, just knowing someone’s paying attention.

I certainly don’t want to be slacking it with WITNESSES watching, now do I?

Excitement
Watching the excited smile form on the face of a client or friend who’s just realized a weight loss or fitness goal is intensely energizing. Excitement IS Energy.

And finally (and most importantly) …

My Nephew
… or more specifically, the pleading, innocent eyes of my 4 year old nephew as he asks me sweetly to play with him.

Whether I feel like it or not, can a rousing game of horsey-back ride be far behind?

What energizes YOU?

Have a fit, fun and fantastic day.
Girlwithnoname

]]> http://www.girlwithnoname.com/2010/02/what-energizes-you/feed/ 6 http://www.girlwithnoname.com/2009/11/hillsprints-energy-and-coaching-oh-my/ http://www.girlwithnoname.com/2009/11/hillsprints-energy-and-coaching-oh-my/#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:12:08 +0000 Girlwithnoname http://www.girlwithnoname.com/?p=3335

Hey Everyone!! Welcome back.

First things first:

One more HUGE thank you to the GREAT Tom Venuto, author of Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle for letting me interview him in my last post, aptly titled: “Interview with Tom Venuto, author of Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle”!! (hey, I never said originality was my strong suit!!)

What an awesome experience it was to tap into that guy’s head.

He’s got so much knowledge in the health and fitness fields, I could have talked to him all day (but that would have been one heckuva a long video so I had to restrain myself!! ha)

Anyway, today I got some hillsprints done and had an interesting encounter with a stranger in the process!!

Funny how the little things in life can make you smile and give you a burst of energy.

And, like I mentioned, a conversation with a client today made me realize you guys might not be aware that my Online Fitness Coaching service (see top of page for awesome banner!) is a PERSONALIZED service.

What it is NOT is a template that is the same for everyone, or an assistant that deals with you and sticks stuff under my nose when I need to see it.

It’s the REAL ME working with YOU directly. Just sayin’…

…so if you’ve got some fitness goals you’re experiencing difficulty achieving, go check it out and let’s do ‘er up right!!

And as always, here’s today’s Workout Song of the Day.

This one should make you laugh… it makes ME laugh (even though it’s title warns me NOT to…) and it makes me run just a little faster… cuz its FUN… and because it has a good beat that gives me energy.

WINX – Don’t Laugh

Don’t forget, if it made you laugh and you want it for your own ‘good cardio tunes’ collection, head over to Amazon right now and check it out … literally!!

(ha ha, get it? you have to hit the ‘check out’ when you buy it? funny right?)…

**insert sound of crickets chirping**

Um… so, guess not! LOL

ANYYYYWAYYYYYYY, it’s fast, and it’s cheap and you’ll be sweating and laughing at the same time … in no time!

(jeez, I’m having a weird day today! hee hee)

That’s it for today everyone. Thanks for being here and we’ll see you again, very soon!!!!

Have a fit, fun and fantastic day.
Girlwithnoname

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A frustrating day today… I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle at the moment…

Sleep deprived again (I gotta do something about that), so chose the gym over working out at home today BECAUSE I needed the energy I knew I’d be able to feed off from the other people there!! wow..

I still maintain that the gym isn’t my favourite place to get an efficient workout. We went during one of the most quiet times of the regular 9-5 workday and still couldn’t get all the equipment when we wanted it. I hate standing around waiting for some guy who’s got “just 3 more sets to go”.. who can get their heart rate up and keep it up like that?