Valentine's Day - Is Chocolate Better Than A Kiss?

When it comes to tongues, melting chocolate is better than a passionate kiss, scientists have found.

Couples in their 20s had their heart rates and brains monitored while they first melted chocolate in their mouths and then kissed.

Chocolate caused a more intense and longer lasting "buzz" than kissing, and doubled volunteers' heart rates.

The research was carried out by Dr David Lewis, formerly of the University of Sussex, and now of the Mind Lab.

Experts, concerned at growing levels of obesity throughout the developed world, warn that chocolate should only be consumed in moderation.

Dr Lewis said: "Chocolate beats kissing hands down when it comes to providing a long-lasting body and brain buzz"

"A buzz that, in many cases, lasted four times as long as the most passionate kiss."

He said substances in chocolate were already known to have a psychoactive effect, but that allowing it to melt on your tongue could be the secret to maximising the buzz.

The volunteers, all aged in their 20s, had electrodes attached to their scalps and wore heart monitors during the two tests.

The researchers compared their resting heart rates with those during the chocolate and kissing tests.

Although kissing set the heart pounding, the effect did not last as long as that seen with the chocolate, which increased heart rates from a resting rate of about 60 beats per minute to 140.

The study also found that as the chocolate started melting, all regions of the brain received a boost far more intense and longer lasting than the excitement seen with kissing.

Although women are generally thought to be bigger fans of chocolate than men, the research found the same reactions to chocolate in both sexes.

Dr Lewis said: "These results really surprised and intrigued us.

"While we fully expected chocolate - especially dark chocolate - to increase heart rates due to the fact it contains some highly stimulating substances, both the length of this increase together with the powerful effects it had on the mind were something none of us had anticipated."

So... for Valentine's Day be sure to pucker up to your favorite chocolate!!

Funny Video on Personal Training

Take the next 4 minutes and watch this hilarious video.

So You Want To Be A Personal Trainer

It really puts into perspective the type of trainers that are out there!

To help you find a reputable trainer, I compiled a list of recommendations:

1. Education: A personal trainer should be certified through a reputable personal training organization. An exercise science or other related college degree isn't necessary, but the more education your trainer has, the better your workouts will be.
2. CPR: your trainer should have an updated certification in CPR
3. Experience: Make sure your trainer has experience, especially in relation to your goals. For example, if you're a bodybuilder, you want someone knowledgeable in that area.
4. Specifics: If you have a special medical problem, injury or condition (such as heart problems, diabetes, etc.) make sure your trainer will work with your doctor.
5. A good listener: A good trainer will listen closely to what you say and make sure he understands your goals.
   

There are thousands of trainers out there. It is up to you to do the research and ask the questions... otherwise you might be stuck with someone that "Looks Awesome" and "Can Do 100 Push-ups".

As always, Accelerate is here to help you with all of your training needs so you can reach your goals!

Impossible is Nothing(Part 1)

Weekend Warriors

As the transition phase comes to a close here at Accelerate we want to give a huge word of encouragement to everyone who has busted their tail here at the gym for the past month since moving locations. We have seen some amazing results in just that short period of time and want to thank everyone for letting us play a role by helping you to reach your goals. It is your effort and commitment that drives us to bring you the best training in the industry, and we are constantly working to improve in order to stay on the forefront. Here in the coming months you will continue to see change. We are bringing you new exercises, new workout tracks, better methods, and more resources to help you reach your goals.

The overall attitude in the gym has been so motivating. You guys are really starting to feed off of each other’s energy, which made me think of the term “weekend warrior”. Which I realized that in its typical context is used to describe your average joe hitting the gym to make up for a week’s worth of bad choices. But that isn’t you. You have earned a more honorable definition to the term. Describing our members in this way means that you have been here day in day out, and when the weekend comes you are ready for MORE! THAT is what makes you guys Weekend Warriors. You are on an even keel, steady, and focused. Your friends know you and see that you are putting in real effort. I realize that no one is perfect, but you are able to bounce back quickly. For those of you who aren’t there yet, we will get you there through knowledge, support, and hard work. Especially to all of our newcomers, this is the atmosphere I want you to come in to and grow in. This is your team now. Continue to invest your time here and we will continue to breed a team of warriors, not just the weekend kind.

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary....Impossible is Nothing."(Muhammad Ali)

“In retrospect, people aren’t really deserving of an answer. Heroes-in-training shouldn't have to answer questions about their convictions. They just do what they have to do.” -tc

Why is breakfast so important?

One of the top contenders for “worst nutrition cliché” has got to be: “Always eat breakfast.” Lame.

If someone takes the aforementioned advice and stockpiles donuts, sausage biscuits, Go-Gurts, and/or Pop-Tarts for breakfast – they’re way off. They’d probably be better off passing on meal #1 and hoping the Food Fairy grants them good sense by the time lunch rolls around.

However, when we venture to the land of “nutritious breakfasts” – over time, we might notice:

• Less body fat
• Less chronic, non-communicable disease
• Improved learning/retention
• Improved mood
• Better food choices later in the day
• Improved energy
• Muscle preservation
• Increased strength
• Lower cholesterol
• Improved bowel movements
• Balanced blood sugars

Translation: A nutritious breakfast is probably a good idea.

What you should know about breakfast

But what are healthy people eating for breakfast? Isn’t that the type of meal we should be mimicking? Well, certainly they’re not eating the Denny’s Grand Slam or mom’s timeless scrapple recipe.

Breakfast is a near disaster in North America as many people base their selection on convenience and stimulation rather than nutrition and how they feel afterwards.

In America, the average adult spends 32 minutes each day on food prep and clean up. Divide that by 3 meals, and it means about 10.7 minutes are dedicated to breakfast. Worse yet, the average college male will dedicate less than 7 minutes to the first meal of the day. (And it’s often cold pizza from a box he found on the beer-bottle-littered floor.) That’s barely enough time to microwave a “Bagel-ful.”

If you only have 3 minutes to heat up a Bagel-ful, and can’t quite squeeze in 4 minutes to make a super healthy shake, you might need to clear your schedule.

You’ll find that most of the meals healthy people are eating require more than a few minutes (unless it’s prepared ahead of time). Accept it.

If you’re too busy to eat a nutritious breakfast, you’re too busy to be lean and healthy. And while some people intentionally skip breakfast to drop body fat, it doesn’t seem to work in the long run, as those who skip are up to 5 times more likely to be obese than those who make it a daily habit.

Nearly 90% of Americans acknowledge that breakfast is a good idea, still, about half don’t eat it.

And of those eating it, what are they choosing? When I last checked, sales for the fast-food breakfast market reached about $31 billion in 2005, so I’m guessing that people aren’t choosing healthy stuff.

When people eat breakfast at home, the most popular items include:

• Ready to eat cereals
• Cow’s milk
• Coffee

When people eat breakfast away from home, the most popular items include:

• Eggs
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Pastries
• Coffee
• Bagels

Who usually skips meal #1 altogether in North America?

• Those between the ages of 12 and 29
• Low income families

What are healthy people eating for breakfast?

At Accelerate we’ve long encouraged “thinking outside of the donut box” for breakfast. You’ll see that the healthiest nations do too. Developing breakfast habits might be critical, as nearly half of the people that eat breakfast each day claim that their choice is driven by routine.

We’ll highlight the healthiest nation and what they choose for breakfast. This nation is the leanest, longest lived, least depressed, lowest cancer rates, lowest heart disease rates and best digestive health. As you read thorough the options, notice similarities and differences, then consider how your choices compare.

Okinawa

• Longest life expectancy on the planet
• Low levels of various chronic diseases
• Active into old age

Typical breakfast selections:

• Steamed rice, rice porridge, rice cakes
• Seaweed & sea vegetables
• Green tea
• Miso & noodle soup
• Veggie stir-fry
• Tofu
• Broiled/grilled fish
• Egg

North America

• 70% overweight/obese
• 1 of every 2 deaths from heart disease or cancer

Typical breakfast selections:

• Coffee
• Donuts/pastries
• Bagels
• Eggs
• Sausage
• Bacon
• Cold cereal
• Cow’s milk