Nutrition53 Sponsors J&A Triathlon Series!
April 30, 2008
We are proud to announce our sponsorship of the J&A Triathlon Series for 2008!
Uvas South Bay Triathon XVII May 18 Uvas Reservoir, Morgan Hill, California
San Jose Mountain Bike Triathlon June 7th Lake Alamden, San Jose, California
San Jose international Triathlon June 8th Lake Alamden, San Jose, California
Catfish Open Water Swim July 20th Steven’s Creek Reservoir, Cupertino, California
Folsom international Triathlon September 7th Nimbus Flats, California
Nutrition53 will be at these Northern California events to support athletes and sample products. If you participate in triathlons, please stop by and introduce yourself. Never tried triathlon? Now is your chance! Our team loves to meet new people and get your valuable feedback on our products. We hope to see you out there!
A Letter From Our V.I.P.
April 28, 2008
We recently recieved this awesome letter from Joe, a member of our Team53 V.I.P. program:
“I didn’t know who to send thiss message to, but I wanted to give a big THANK YOU for everything Nutrition53 has done for me. I am still in shock to have recieved my autographed jersey by Mr. Romanowski (Please pass on my thanks). On top of all that, the change in my life due to the products are outstanding. I have lost 24 lbs using Lean1 as a meal replacement, and using Neuro1 to give me that little extra for my workouts. If there is ever anything I could do, besides being a loyal customer, do not hesitate to ask. Thanks again Nutrition53!”
Wow! Joe, thank you for writing to us with your grateful and motivating story! Team53 is happy to support you in your quest for health, fitness, and optimal life performance. Keep up the good work! 
Romo’s Favorite Lean1 Shake Recipe
April 24, 2008
It’s no surprise since I worked on the formula, Lean1 has got to be my all-time, high-performance, protein shake. It tastes awesome, fills me up, and fuels me for my next workout or meeting in the office. And believe me, I have tried them all in my NFL days! No other formula has the complete protein blend, fiber, organic fruits and vegetables, omega-3 oils, and heart-healthy polyphenols that Lean1 contains. Here is my favorite way to make an awesome Lean1 shake.
In a blender or big glass, mix the following:
3 Scoops Vanilla Raspberry Lean1
1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen Raspberries
1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen Strawberries
10 Ounces Cold Water
Blend on high until all the ingredients are smooth. You can also use an immersion blender in a big glass to blend your shake. For an even thicker, creamier shake, substitue low-fat milk for water.
Give this recipe a try and also experiment with different ingredients that might add something special to your shake. You can leave a comment below with other Lean1 shake ideas you want to share with me or other Lean1 fans.
Get Lean and Stay Lean!
Romo
Visualize Your Way to Success
April 22, 2008
Believe it or not, visualization is an incredibly powerful and simple tool in reaching your goals. Start with identifying a positive situation that you would like to see materialize. Next, identify and visualize the small steps leading up to your well-formed outcome. Incorporate your senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and feel as you visualize the pathway to your desired situation. Focus on your breathing, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
Ask yourself these questions regading your visualized outcome: “What will I be doing when I reach my goal?” and “Where will I be when I reach my goal?” Try to incorporate as many details as possible, like who else will be with you, time of day, and location. Most importantly, make sure that you really believe in the situation you are visualizing. Take Neuro1 on a daily basis to help strengthen your visualization skills and provide you with the energy to accomplish the work it takes to reach your goals, whatever they might be.
When you can visualize success and put in the work required, you can reach success.
Men, Belly Fat And Love Handles
April 18, 2008
It can be said that the new movement towards perfect bodies is not a new movement at all. What has sparked the sudden rush to exercise, watch diet and be mindful of nutritional habits is simply the publicity that has been spearheaded by the media regarding the importance of physical fitness.
Men too, just like women, attach a heavy premium to the way they look. To men, the bronze appearance of Brad Pitt or the rugged boyish looks of Ben Affleck have to be emulated at all costs. Sadly, men have to wrestle with the tendency to accumulate fat especially in the bellies and “wings,” which end up forming a fatty ring commonly referred to as the love handle. As sweet as they sound, love handles are the nightmare of every man who wants to develop six pack abs and a trim appearance reminiscent of a modern day Spartan athlete.
Why is it to easy for men to accumulate belly fat and also develop love handles? Is there something in their genetic makeup that makes this part of the body susceptible to fatty accumulation? According to researchers, this is not necessarily the case. Women, too, have a problem keeping a flat stomach especially after they pass 30.
This is predominantly because of a general slow-down in body metabolism, which results in less energy being burned by the body and more food being restored. This inevitably leads to an accumulation of fat in the belly and an additional unsightly “ring” of fatty tissue develops right in the mid-section. This is what is commonly referred to as the “love handle.”
How can men rid themselves of belly fat and love handles?
Exercise
Love handles and belly fat occurs because there is more food storage as opposed to food burned. This slowdown in metabolism can be as a result of age or can be caused by an under-reactive thyroid gland. In some cases one could be suffering from a low digestive enzyme count. When a slowing of the metabolic rate causes the problem, exercise can correct this. This is because exercise burns the stored fatty deposits and releases more energy so that the person is more energetic. Specific exercises that target this part of the body, such as sit-ups or working on the bench-press can eradicate belly fat and love handles
Diet
Food rich in fat can result in an accumulation of fat and surely lead to a hefty belly. Beer can also accelerate this process. It is recommended that a diet rich in fruits, white meat, low-fat milk and fibers be adopted in order to replace the fat-depositing diets.
Dietary supplements
There are some diet supplements that can be purchased from manufactures. But be careful make sure you know all about the product you are taking. Digestive enzymes can also be purchased and these are very effective because they act as digestive accelerators causing more food to be digested faster and used up for energy requirements instead of being stored.
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
April 10, 2008
Think you are the only one tossing and turning all night? Think again. The majority of people don’t get all the sleep they need. Experts from the National Sleep Foundation recommend 7 to 9 hours of sleep, while most people fall unfortunately short at only 6.8 hours of sleep per night. Prior to Thomas Edison’s bright idea of the electric light bulb, people slept an average of 10 hours a night. Now that we have the lights on, televisions blaring, computer screen glaring, and a 40 plus hour workweek, we don’t get the same amount or the same quality of sleep that the body needs. The best way to get a good night’s sleep is to practice good sleep hygiene by following the ten healthy recommendations provided below.
Your Clock is Ticking. Your circadian clock, which tells your brain and body when it is time to sleep and wake, is running 24/7. A regular sleep and wake pattern helps strengthen the circadian function in your brain and body, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up on time. Try sticking to a similar sleep and wake schedule even on weekdays, weekends, and vacations to get your circadian clock going strong. If you follow these recommendations and still have trouble falling asleep, supplements that contain sleep-inducing ingredients (melatonin, 5HTP, Valerian) can help you establish an ideal sleep and wake pattern.
Get on the Program. Establishing a sleep program or routine for you to practice every night will help separate your sleep time from your wake time. Your routine should be relaxing and help clear your mind of your stressful day. Try soaking in a warm bathtub, reading a book, or listening to soft music. Make sure that your bedtime routine avoids bright lights that can stimulate your circadian clock to wake up instead of fall asleep. Also avoid any stressful activities such as working, paying bills, or arguments that are more arousing than sleep inducing.
Hit the Lights. The morning sunlight programs your circadian rhythms through photoreceptors in your eyes. When the sunshine peaks underneath the curtains, your photoreceptors detect the intensity of the light and stimulate your brain and body to wake up. To avoid stimulating your photoreceptors in the evening, eliminate bright lights that will mimic the sunshine of the morning and daytime. This includes computers, televisions, other bright electronic devices, and harsh lighting. Try using a soft lamp for reading or preparing for bedtime and use an eye mask if your sleeping area is not dark.
Treat Yourself Right. Not only does a good night’s sleep feel wonderful, it is incredibly important for your physical and mental health. Because your quality of sleep is so important, you need to establish conditions that enhance your sleep. Make sure that your sleeping environment is cool, dark, quiet, and free of interruptions. You can do this by making sure your curtains are dark, using a fan or air conditioning to regulate temperature, and using earplugs to eliminate noises. Your mattress, pillows, and linens are also important and need be comfortable for you.
Save it for Sleep. Ideally, your sleeping environment is free of computers, televisions, and any work materials and reserved only for sleeping. This may not be possible, but at the very least, your bed needs to be reserved for sleep and not stressful reminders of a mess a report that’s due, etc. Try to eliminate any activities or items you associate with stress from your entire sleeping environment. Eliminate any non-sleep activities from your bed…with perhaps one exception.
Don’t Eat Before Bed Time. Dinners tend to be the largest meal of the day, but eating too much may make you uncomfortable when you lay down to sleep. Try to finish your last meal at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. If you suffer from heartburn, avoid spicy foods that may make you uncomfortable. Also avoid sugary foods that may disrupt your blood sugar.
Training to Sleep. One more reason to start or keep exercising – it helps you sleep better! Exercise makes it easier to fall asleep and sleep soundly through the night. Exercise raises your body temperature, but sleep is associated with a lower body temperature. For rigorous workouts, make sure you finish at least 3 hours before bedtime so that your body temperature has sufficient time to drop before you try to sleep. It is o.k. to wind down with relaxing stretching, yoga, or tai chi close to your bedtime, but reserve more intense exercises for the morning, afternoon, or early evening.
Skip the Stimulants. Skipping things that contain caffeine, such as coffee, teas, soda, and chocolate is a must in the afternoon and evening. Caffeine remains in your body an average of 3 to 5 hrs and makes it difficult to fall asleep. Some people think that caffeine does not affect them, but it still may disrupt and lessen the quality of their sleep. Avoid caffeine within 6 to 8 hours of your bedtime. Nicotine is also a stimulant and can make falling asleep difficult. If you cannot avoid nicotine all together, at least avoid it prior to bedtime.
Catch Some Rays. Catching some sunrays can help you catch your Z’s. Eye exposure to the bright and powerful light of the sun actually sets your circadian rhythm and helps you entrain to a sleep and wake schedule. It is best to get your sun exposure in the mid-morning. Try taking a short walk in the morning sunshine as a break from work or eat your lunch outside, even in the winter. Just 5 to 10 minutes of exposure to the morning sun will help entrain your sleep and wake schedule.
Booze Won’t Help You Snooze. Alcohol may make you feel sleepier, but it won’t help you get a good night’s sleep. Alcohol actually disrupts sleep, causing you to wake up frequently through the night. For a restful night’s sleep, you are going to have to skip the martini and other alcohol in the late afternoon and evening.
How to Improve Mental Clarity
April 9, 2008
Get To Sleep. Mental alertness begins with attaining good quality and quantity of sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night for optimal health and performance, but most people fall short of this due to a hectic schedule or an inability to fall asleep. Sleep is very important for your brain because this is the time when memories and information are actually processed and organized in your brain. If you are having any problems getting to sleep try our Sleep1.
Remember Exercise Is Important For Your Brain. Regular physical exercise is not just essential for your body, it’s essential for your brain as well. When you exercise, your body increases circulation of blood, and consequently oxygen and glucose (the sugar your brain uses as a fuel) to the brain. To increase mental clarity, try light aerobic exercise during the day, such as brisk walking, swimming, or casual cycling.
Try Brain-ercise. As physical exercise strengthens your body, exercising your mind strengthens your brain. Activities such as Sudoku, puzzles, drawing, and math quizzes all stimulate your brain, helping you create and maintain important neuronal connections critical to cognitive abilities. One simple exercise you can practice very simply is to write with the opposite of your dominant hand. It may be difficult initially, but with a little practice and some neuronal connections, you will get the hang of it.
Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels. Just like gasoline fuels a car, blood sugar fuels your brain. The human body has incredible abilities to regulate blood sugar, but even these complex physiological functions have their limitations. You can help your body maintain healthy blood glucose levels by consuming well-balanced, low-sugar, and portion-controlled meals every four to five hours throughout the day. Additionally, consuming small carbohydrate snacks between meals, such as sliced fruits and vegetables, will help fuel your brain.
Provide Your Brain the Right Nutrients like those packed into Neuro1. When it comes to your brain, not all food is created equal. Your brain requires special nutrition to perform optimally. Because your brain is mostly composed of fat, it is important to include healthy fats, such as polyunsaturated and omega-3 fats in your diet. Avoid saturated, trans, and hydrogenated fats that may actually have a negative impact on your mental clarity.
There are micronutrients present in small amounts in the diet that can positively affect mental clarity and cognitive abilities. Many vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, the B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc, are essential for humans. These vitamins and minerals play an integral role in brain and nervous system functions, energy production, immune system function, organ health, and cell protection.
Certain amino acids function as or are converted to important neurotransmitters, which may be present in less-than-optimal concentrations in the body due to conditions of stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, or sub-optimal diet, such as taurine and tyrosine. Plant and herbal extracts, such as bacopa monniera, rhodiola rosea, ginkgo biloba and huperzia serrata, can help to stimulate the nervous system, making you feel more alert while helping to optimize neurotransmitter levels and protecting against neurodegenerative processes.
Neuronutrients, such as glucuronolactone, phosphatidylserine, and alpha-glycerylphsophoryl choline can also help support brain function. While these neuronutrients sound obscure, they actually occur naturally in the human body and are found in some foods.
Supplements designed to support mental clarity may include ingredients, such as those described above, that are researched to improve aspects of cognitive abilities. These nutrients are an easy way to provide your brain with the fuel and building blocks required to maximize your mental clarity.
How to Maintain a Lean Physique
April 7, 2008
Determine Your Starting Point
Although you may have initial hesitations, it is important to know and record certain parameters about your body that will probably be changing in your quest for a lean physique. First, you should know how much you weigh on an accurate scale and record this number on a weekly basis. Try to weigh yourself at the same time everyday, and remember to control other variables like whether or not you have shoes on, clothing, and what foods and liquids you recently consumed. In addition to how much you weigh, you can also measure the circumference of your waste area, arms, or legs to determine other changes through your body. You can purchase a measuring tape designed for this purpose, or you can use a cloth measuring tape usually used for sewing and alterations. Be sure to measure in the same location every time and record your measurements. Additionally, you can also have your body mass index and body composition determined by a health professional.
Set Goals for Yourself
Once you know where you are starting from, you need to determine where you want to be going. For some, the goal may be to add lean muscle to their physique. Others may be looking to eliminate excess weight from their frame. You should set goals that incorporate the parameters discussed in step 1, such as total body weight, body composition and various measurements of other areas. Your goals should be realistic, healthy, and attainable. Write down your goals in a place where you will review them frequently, such as a personal bulletin board in your home or a journal.
Outline a Plan to Your Success
To reach your determined goals, you need to establish a plan that outlines your steps to success. This plan has to include both exercise and diet to attain and maintain a lean physique. Aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, kickboxing, or treadmill activities are important components of any lean lifestyle. However, your goals will determine how much of one activity or another you partake. If your goal is to add lean muscle to your physique, then you need to incorporate both aerobic exercises as well as muscle-building activities, like weight training and plyometrics. If your goal is to eliminate excess weight from your frame, then you need to focus most of your activities on aerobic exercises that will boost your metabolism and help you utilize more calories, as well as provide heart healthy benefits. Create a weekly schedule for yourself, including what time you are exercising and what exercises you will be doing. Designate one day a week as a “recovery day,” when you can do very light exercise and stretching to maximize your fitness and strength gains.
What You Consume
Your diet, or what foods you consume and don’t consume, is of utmost importance in your quest to attain and maintain a lean physique. Try to limit consumption of excess calories, such as soda, alcohol, sweets, and fried foods. Focus on consuming a balance of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grain, fiber-rich, carbohydrates at every meal and snack. It takes additional time and energy to seek out or prepare a fresh, healthy, and well-balanced diet, but it is crucial to attaining your goals. You can take advantage of nutritional supplement formulas that provide complete, well balanced nutrition, conveniently. Look for a product that blends different protein sources to provide a wide profile of essential amino acids to support lean muscle, as well as curb hunger. Also seek a formula that is fiber-rich and contains complex carbohydrates to deliver high energy fuel. Healthy polyunsaturated and omega 3 oils provide long term energy, as well as aiding in the absorption of certain essential vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K and may be incorporated in to nutritional supplement formulas as well.
Stick to Your Program
The trick to getting lean and staying lean is to make simple lifestyle changes and stay dedicated to your plan of exercise and diet. Crash diets are short-lived and often times unhealthy. You need to re-evaluate both your goals and plan on a weekly basis, recording important data and other information like your energy levels, motivation, what foods and exercises have brought you closer to your goals, and what has become an obstacle to your goals. If something is helping you reach your goals, focus on including that in your weekly plan. For example, if drinking a meal replacement provides you with a satisfying and energizing pre-workout meal, continue to use that in your plan to success. Try to eliminate or move past any obstacles. For example, if walking past the pastry shop on your way to the office is too tempting to resist, take a different route to work. When you can stick to these five steps, you can get lean and stay lean, as well as accomplish your additional fitness goals.