Valentine's Day might be over, but we're not done thinking about hearts. NO, we're not talking about the now-discounted chocolate hearts at the grocery store, but rather the blood-pumping dynamo that lives in your chest, beating a whopping 100,000 beats per day to deliver blood and oxygen to all the parts of your body. Your heart is your hero, even if it is an unsung hero most of the time. If it waivers just a little bit from its constant duties, your health can take a serious nosedive. And chances are that you rarely give it much thought. We're always glad when February rolls around, as it happens to be American Heart Month, and a great opportunity to give this crucial organ its moment in the spotlight.
Need a little refresher on just how to practice proper heart health?
- Get sweaty. Exercise, especially cardio exercise that raises your heart rate, is your ticker's BFF. This is where we come in. Your trainer is an expert on how to get you moving. Our Cardio Together™ program allows you to get in tune with the KIND of cardio exercise that is the best for you, HOW to do it properly and without injury, and exactly how MUCH to do to get the results you want. Think about this: before you started coming to Fitness Together, when was the last time you got training on how to perform cardio exercise? We're not talking about a fitness dance class or step aerobics, but actual personalized lessons on how to perform cardio for you? Just like your preferences, your style, and your metabolism, your cardio needs are unique. At Fitness Together we pair your personal exercise style with tracking your goals and results, all while making sure you perform your exercise properly.
- Get munching. Eating a healthy diet most of the time can help to ensure a happy heart. Your heart especially loves whole grains, healthy fats like avocado and nuts, plenty of produce, and low salt. This type of diet helps to lower your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol, both of which, when elevated, can put serious unhealthy strain and stress on your heart.
- Get smiling. "Don't worry, be happy." What is by now perhaps just a cliché that falls on deaf ears happens to be an easy and effective recipe for heart health. Stress is a giant, well, stress on your heart. Stress can cause cardiac arrhythmias, which prevents the heart from pumping effectively, therefore causing an insufficient blood supply to reach the brain and other organs. Stress also raises blood pressure which, when left unchecked, can lead to heart damage and heart disease. Things like cardio exercise, strength training, yoga, healthy relationships with family or friends, and prayer or meditation are wonderfully effective stress-busters. Be sure you have elements of all of these things in your life.
- Get smoke-free. Really . . . do we have to go into why smoking is a horribly unhealthy habit that wreaks havoc on your heart, lungs, skin, throat, and overall well-being; and those of your loved ones? Didn't think so.
- Get checked. Even if you think that everything is A-Okay, go ahead and make sure your doctor agrees with you. Many heart conditions have no, or minimal, other symptoms and can sneak up on you. Be sure to get your cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure levels checked. And then rechecked in a year.
Time to put one in...
T Rice, Fitness Together Blog
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Make This Moringa Aloe Superpower Smoothie
The name might be a mouthful, but this green freezer smoothie is a mouthful of nutrition-a great way to start your day or end your workout.
Instead of grabbing a ready-made version at the supermarket or buying an overpriced blend at the juice bar, whip together this delicious Moringa Aloe Superpower Smoothie. It's a delicious and healthy way to fuel up in the morning or refuel after a tough workout. The best part? It contains one big of-the-moment superfood-moringa.
Moringa powder is loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C. Plus it's a smart source of protein (perfect for a smoothie) and low in calories.
Just three more ingredients and you have yourself a delicious green smoothie that is sure to become one of your favorite recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple, chopped
- 1 packed cup spinach
- 1 cup aloe juice
- 1 tablespoon moringa powder
Directions
1. Wash and pat dry spinach. Chop pineapple.
2. Add aloe juice, spinach, pineapple, and moringa powder to blender.
3. Blend and enjoy.
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Workout of the Week
Fitness Together - Chipper
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HEALTHY RECIPE OF THE WEEK
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ASIAN DEVILED EGGS
These Asian deviled eggs use just the smallest amount of mayo to bind [everything together] and are a great way to sneak in antioxidant-rich ginger
INGREDIENTS
12 eggs
3 tablespoons mayo
1½ tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon sriracha
1 scallion, thinly sliced
Cilantro, for serving
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place eggs in a large pot and cover with a couple inches of water. Bring water to a boil. Once at a boil, cover, turn off heat, and let sit 10 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove hard boiled eggs and place in a large bowl of ice water. Let cool 10-20 minutes.
- Once cold, carefully peel eggs. Slice in half and scoop the yolks into a medium bowl. Add mayo, soy sauce, ginger, sriracha, and scallion. Mash and season with black pepper to taste.
- Divide filling evenly between eggs. Garnish with cilantro and serve.
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|  Check out our new Conditioning and X-train PACK classes online
Statistics show that when you schedule your workout ahead of time, you are more likely to follow through and stick to your plan. Sticking to your plan means reaching your goals! Did you know that you can book your classes online 30 days out? That's a month of making your workouts happen! Are you up for the challenge? |
| Let us know if you can't make it... |
We understand plans may change. With that in mind, we have a very simple cancellation policy:
If you can not make it to your
scheduled workout session,
please be respectful to our trainers and other clients.
 Cancel your appointment by
5:00pm of the
preceding
evening of your scheduled workout.
Unfortunately, appointments not cancelled in time will be charged as a no show.
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