Banana Protein Shake Recipes

PH02763JBananas are one of the most popular if not THE most popular protein shake addition. They are loaded with potassium, which can prevent cramping, and are a great addition to a fitness plan. In addition, they are just the right size and highly portable. They pack a lot of flavor and give protein shakes just the amount of extra taste to break up the monotony of supplementing. A banana protein shake can be as simple or as complex as you have time for.

 

Typically, adding a half of a banana to your protein shake can give it just the right amount of flavor. This is the simplest way to make your banana protein shake. If you like chocolate, a chocolate protein powder mixed with the banana may transport you to long ago, the last time you had a banana split. Use ice instead of water and add pineapple for a tropical flair or add almonds and peanut butter when your protein really needs a boost.

 

Depending on your calorie and nutrient allowances for the day, you could add all sorts of yummy things to your banana protein shake. Consider the following add ins for extra variety:

- Handful of crushed almonds

- Yogurt or Kefir

- Strawberries

- Peanut Butter

- Pineapple

 

Your banana protein shake or any protein shake is only limited by your nutritional plan and your imagination. Get creative. If you use your protein shake as a meal replacement, it gives you more freedom with additions.

 

A banana protein shake is a great addition to your nutritional arsenal. When considering protein shakes that can deliver superior nutrients, take a look at the Beachbody Whey Protein Powders in both Vanilla and Chocolate.

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Stretching Exercises for Lasting Health

j0255375Have you ever got up from your desk after a day of nonstop work only to feel stiff and sore? Or done a strenuous workout and forgotten to stretch afterwards? Stretching is easy to do and serves so many purposes. However, many of us neglect to do it at all. Instead we place all of our emphasis on hardcore workouts and marathon sitting spells. Stretching exercises are a way to honor your body with preventative care. They also feel great!

 

We have a tendency to look past the benefits of stretching exercises because they are so gentle. We only worry about if an exercise move will help us build muscle, burn fat, or some combination of the two. Stretching exercises should be a basic part of any fitness regimen, however, as they offer a range of benefits despite their ease.

 

Stretching exercises maintain range of motion and flexibility. Have you ever seen aging people who appear stiff and sore? While some of that can likely be attribute to arthritis, some of it can be prevented with daily stretching exercises. It feels good to have a body that doesn’t groan with discomfort when you reach for something or lift a heavier item.

 

My favorite benefit of stretching exercises is the relief of tension. Many people hold tension in their muscles when they have particularly trying days or when they are suffering from lack of sleep. For me it’s my shoulders and neck. Nothing feels better to tense muscles than a few stretches.

 

Incorporating stretching exercises into your daily routine shouldn’t be difficult. After all they take less than 15 minutes and don’t require any equipment.

 

Consider stretching when you get out of bed in the morning or just before you lay down at night. If you’ve got a few minutes in your office, even when you are on the phone, do some little stretches to improve circulation and release that tension buildup.

 

For additional information on stretching, check out the Mayo Clinic’s Focus on Flexibility or their slideshow of How to Stretch Your Major Muscle Groups.

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Best Types of Exercise for Overall Fitness

j0402324If you want to be more flexible, you may seek out different types of exercise than someone who wants to increase strength. There are appropriate fitness regimens for a variety of exercise goals. However, for the absolute best in overall fitness, you need several types of exercise. No single fitness approach can give you the well rounded benefits of a varied exercise program. By combining several types of exercise you ensure your fitness level is constantly challenged and elevated.

 

There was a time when cardio was all the rage. For weight loss and general health, everyone was doing cardio. All the time. Women steered clear of weight training for fear of bulking up and men stuck with the weights simply because cardio options were mostly dance aerobics. The days of fitness tunnel vision have now passed, however.

 

We know now that the best way to maintain a killer physique and ultimate health is through a combination of different types of exercise.

 

Cardio is great to keep the heart and lungs healthy. It also has a fast acting calorie burning effect. While you are working out, you are burning serious calories with cardio. Cardio alone, however, isn’t enough.

 

In order to really sculpt the body of your dreams you need to have some strength training. Not only does strength training build muscle, it protects joints and even prevents osteoporosis. Lastly, building muscles provides a different kind of calorie burn. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, as you put on muscle your metabolism increases, allowing you to burn calories even when at rest.

 

Lastly, you need to ass some flexibility training. Whether you do simple stretching or a weekly Yoga workout, maintaining flexibility is a great way to prevent injury and to keep aches and pains at bay.

 

Overall fitness demands you add several different types of exercise to your fitness regimen. When paired with a healthy diet, a highly varies fitness routine can drastically transform your body. For great workouts that include a variety of approaches, check out the P90X system.

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