NAFC Newsletter

1 Way To Prevent Lower Back Pain

By Tammy LeBoss | thefitprofoodie.com

A recent study in the American Journal of Physiology suggests that lack of flexibility could be linked to a known marker for cardiovascular disease and the risk for heart attack and stroke: arterial stiffness. The study suggests Improving flexibility with stretching, yoga, or Pilates, "may be capable of modifying age-related arterial stiffening in middle-aged and older adults," and should be integrated as part of a complete exercise routine.

Health benefits aside, for exercisers, making friends with your hamstrings is paramount to developing a rewarding fitness regimen. Tight hamstrings make it challenging to reach correct alignment in athletic performances, yoga postures, weight lifting, and in daily movements such as bending over.

Over-tightness also causes many to overwork their low back, and is a common cause of injuries for athletes. It’s no wonder tight hamstrings have been referred to as a hidden source of many lower back pain issues. Learn more about how tight hamstrings tend to flatten the lower back, causing people to lose the normal curve of the lumbar spine. Help clients avoid lower back pain and lower back injuries—by getting friendly with those hamstrings today! Whether as a pre or post-workout plan, carve out some time to lengthen. Be sure to educate your clients on the benefits of staying flexible.

Here are a few reminders:

Learn more about NAFC ANSER™ Principles of Alignment, and say "Goodbye" to low back pain.

Get Aligned. Get Stronger. Play Your Edge!

NAFC Newsletter

The Problem With Giving Up Sugar For Good!

By Tammy LeBoss | thefitprofoodie.com

An expanding waistline. This is the first symptom doctors are told to look for in diagnosing metabolic syndrome. This means that if you’re overweight, there’s a good chance you have metabolic syndrome. For those who have heart attacks, metabolic syndrome will very likely be the reason.

Some holistic health coaches and nutritionists say, Americans should give up sugar. The problem with this type of ‘all-or-nothing’ mindset is that it’s likely to encourage even more cravings, thereby creating an endless cycle of failure. Let go of this mindset. Instead, consider swapping this (out) for that.

For example, simple swaps include replacing:

1. coffee for green tea
2. beer for kombucha or club soda
3. a cocktail for a ‘mocktail’- try mineral water lightly sweetened with stevia and lemon
4. regular chocolate with high quality dark chocolate, carob or cocao
5. ice cream for creamy almond, hemp or cashew milk with blueberries as a healthy dessert option.

To reduce cravings, also consider adding L-glutamine supplements and spirulina to your eating plan. Replace the idea of ‘dieting’ with ‘lifestyle change’. Fueling the body with high anti-oxidant power help the body naturally feel nourished. By giving the body what it needs, cravings for junk food and sugar can be lessened.

NAFC Newsletter

The 'War of Art'. Be Like Bruce!

By Tammy LeBoss | thefitprofoodie.com

Want to pack a punch to your workouts? Strengthen your flow. As you flow into summertime, learn to find a sweet balance between effort and ease.

Flow can be described as a heightened state of body awareness. Flow can be easily accessed when we’re experiencing:

• a runner’s high

• an acute calm state of being (even in amidst stress)

• or even a state of euphoria.

In most situations, flow describes a continuous movement or placement of energy. When an athlete is "in the zone", for example, their movements flow with ease. And it might seem that all of their training is working in their favor because they are extraordinarily focused and on top of their game.

Be like Bruce. Draw your focus inward, and find your center. With acute focus yet with ease through the eyes and visage, pack your one-inch punch. Be you... but be like Bruce.

This ‘warrior flow’ can also be described as when our highest potential comes into alignment to meet our greatest challenges. Today, practice your flow. Follow your breath. Feel effortless calm wash over you. Develop your unique alignment.

Be like Bruce. Apply this war of art(form). How? Develop conscious movement using NAFC ANSER™.

Do it NOW. Bruce would approve...