A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO ACHIEVING YOUR FIRST PULL-UP
Whether you're new to fitness or have been working out for some time, the pull-up is one of the most challenging exercises and is often seen as a milestone. Achieving your first pull-up requires time, technique, and repetition. If you're aiming to conquer your first pull-up, this guide will take you through the steps to get there.
MIDDLE EASTERN MEATLOAF WITH TOMATO RAISIN SAUCE
I made this one for Art and got an "A" in return. (A rarity)
MASTERS SWIMMING
The Olympics have wrapped up after two weeks of great competition. As happens every four years, sports that usually are not on the main stage get loads of viewers and positive attention. One of these sports was swimming! The drama around swimming coming into the Olympics was unrivaled. Australia and the USA were exchanging fierce words about who would come out with more GOLD medals, Leon Marchand of France was attempting to take down Micahel Phelps’s last Olympic Record, and multiple world records were shaking at the prospect of being shattered.
LEMON & GARLIC CHICKEN WITH CHERRY TOMATOES
Another NYT recipe, great for a weeknight! This lemon and garlic chicken was delicious!
EXERCISING AS YOU AGE
We’ll all feel the effects of aging as we get older. The aging process affects all aspects of our wellbeing, including our ability to exercise. So how do we counter these effects? Let’s look at how you should exercise as you age and what changes you may need to make as you grow older.
GREEN CHICKEN CHILI
Art made this one, and I gave him an "A." Great for leftovers.
WHAT IS PHYSICAL FITNESS?
Physical fitness is a result of exercise or physical activity. It is the efficiency and capacity of your cardiovascular health, muscular strength, flexibility, as well as your overall body composition. Each of these components prove to provide different function for your body and often have separate training focuses, but they ultimately come together to provide total body function.
CHICKEN BARLEY CHILI
This recipe was a "we have the ingredients in our pantry" so let's try it. Picky Art gave it a 4 out of 5.
WHAT IS EXERCISE?
Physical Activity is not exercise, but exercise is physical activity. It is a narrower scope focused on a more regimented and planned routine of physical activity. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read my previous blog on physical activity and what defines it. I consider exercise to be a step up from being physically active when it comes to working towards more concrete or specific goals.
PEACH SALAD WITH TOMATOES, FETA & BASIL VINAIGRETTE
A quick summer recipe which would make a good side with chicken on the grill. (Though we ate this for dinner alone last night). This one is from the Cooking Channel!
WHAT IS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?
Being active does not have to be exercise. It does not have to look like a strict routine and does not require lifting “scary weights.” To be physically active, all you have to do is move. Any type of movement beyond rolling over in bed is adequate. Getting out of bed to start your day is being active. Bending over to tie your shoe? Also considered a form of being active.
SKILLET CHICKEN THIGHS WITH TOMATOES
Made this one last week with a "Good" review from Art. A quick weeknight recipe from the NYT
RUNNING YOUR FIRST 5K: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE
Running a 5K is a great goal for new runners or those simply looking to add a fun cardio-based goal to their fitness routine. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for your first 5K safely while having some fun along the way.
CHEESY VEGETABLE STUFFED PORK CHOPS
From my mom's old Betty Crocker Cookbook. I've made this one for years.
BUILDING FLEXIBILITY IS LIKE BUILDING MUSCLE
One of the more common reasons people go to a gym or start exercising is to build flexibility or Range of Motion (ROM). This is the total range of rotation that a joint like your hip or shoulder can move through both passively and actively. When this range is limited it can cause pain, discomfort, and even restrict actions you do in your everyday life. The reason why exercise can help this is because many exercises move a joint through a large ROM causing you to build strength and stability in previously untrained positions for that joint. Although, strength training isn’t the only way to build this ROM. You can use similar concepts that build muscle and use them to increase your ROM.
WATERMELON & FETA SALAD
This recipe is more of a summer side dish. I've made it multiple times because it's good, quick, and tasty, from NYT Cooking.
WHAT IS CREATINE? IS IT HELPFUL OR NOT?
When it comes to fueling your body for exercise there are many things to consider in terms of proper nutrition. Macronutrients like protein, carbs, and fats are the biggest part followed by micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Something you may hear about from many people who regularly exercise is supplementing certain substances like nitric oxide, leucine, L-carnitine, etc. While some of these have anecdotal evidence or have been used in observational studies, they are not as extensively studied, and many supplements are not FDA-regulated.
TUNA STEAKS
This one is super-fast - all you’re really prepping is a quick marinade. We got tuna steaks from Wholey's and have eaten this twice already this summer!
PFP METHOD & THE BENEFITS OF GROUP TRAINING
Exercise for some can be a solitary pursuit. Some people are very self-motivated and can easily stick to a training program that aligns with their goals and keeps them on a regular schedule. While this is great for some individuals, others need other avenues to training and fitness overall. One option that has been very successful for decades now is group training classes. Group training offers many benefits to both a group and an individual. At PFP, our group class, The PFP Method, provides our members with all the tools they need to get stronger, healthier, and build a sense of community in our space.
COUSCOUS RISOTTO WITH TOMATOES & MOZZARELLA
A quick evening recipe from New York Times cooking. Watch how much salt you add! I put in too much to start. Add more at the end, if needed.