The real deal with added SUGAR

All carbohydrates are made up of chains of sugar molecules, called saccharides. In the food world, the term carbohydrate refers to any starchy food such as bread, pasta and cereal or sugary food such as candy, soda and dessert. During digestion, all carbs break down into the simplest sugar molecule, glucose, which is then used as energy by the body's cells. Glucose is the number one energy source for the body, and for some organs such as the brain, it is the only energy source.

There are two main types of sugar in the diet: Naturally Occurring and Added. Naturally occurring sugars as those such as fructose (from fruit) and lactose (from milk). Added sugars can include table sugar (sucrose) and syrups such as corn that are added during food processing. The body does not differentiate - both forms provide the same amount of calories, gram for gram. So if sugar is essential to your health, why does it get such a bad rap?

When it comes to sugar, what matters is what other nutrients are attached to a sugar-based food. While a 12-ounce glass of soda may have 95 calories and a 12-ouch glass of milk may have 132 calories, the soda offers up nothing but 23 grams of sugar. The milk provides protein, vitamin A, calcium, potassium and foliate. The soda defines "empty calories" while milk defines "nutrient-dense".

Nutrient-dense foods provide vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients such as fiber and antioxidants in addition to providing energy in the form of calories. Unlike excessive fat consumption, there is no evidence that excessive sugar consumption leads to chronic disease. However, excessive sugar consumption often leads to excessive calorie consumption, which can result in weight gain.

When it comes to carbs, your best bet is to avoid added sugar as often as possible and keep serving sizes in check to avoid excess calories and an expanding waist line. Always read ingredient lists; if sugar or corn syrup are listed as one of the first ingredients, put down the box and look for something else. You can never go wrong with a piece of fruit, a slice of whole wheat bread and a glass of low-fat milk.

Beachbody & The American Diabetes Association

Have you heard?

Beachbody and The American Diabetes Association (ADA) have teamed up and are now working together to reverse the trend of obesity and stop the spread of diabetes by promoting awareness, education, and prevention efforts – including using many of the effective Beachbody in-home fitness programs. We are extremely proud of this affiliation, honored to be associated with such a reputable organization, and excited about the positive difference we will make in people’s lives!

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the American Diabetes Association?
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization providing diabetes research, information, and advocacy. The mission of the ADA is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To fulfill this mission, the Association funds research, publishes scientific findings, and provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health professionals, and the public. The Association acts on its mission through a number of critical programs and activates that are directed to a broad range of constituents, including consumers, research scientists, health care professionals, corporations, and communities.

2. What Beachbody programs are approved by the ADA?
The ADA supports Beachbody’s approach in offering a total-body solution, providing individuals with the unique combination of in-home fitness, a well-rounded approach to nutrition, and the proven benefits of peer-to-peer support. The ADA supports the use of all of Beachbody’s fitness programs!

3. Are there any programs specifically designed for people with Type 2 Diabetes?

YES! Kathy Smith Project: You! Type 2! This is the first all-in-one fitness, nutrition, and support program supported by the ADA, and developed in conjunction with the ADA, doctors, and certified diabetes educators. It’s a healthy approach to help fight Type 2 Diabetes.

4. What can exercise do for someone living with Type 2 Diabetes or Pre-Diabetes?
While exercise is an essential component of good health for everyone, it can provide especially significant benefits for people living with diabetes. Regular physical activity burns calories and makes your body more sensitive to the insulin you produce. Both actions can help improve blood glucose management.

People living with diabetes who exercise regularly may require less insulin or medication, since physical activity can lower blood glucose and weight.

In addition, when you’re physically fit, you have the strength, flexibility, and endurance needed for your daily activates. Being active helps you better physically and mentally (regardless if you have diabetes or not!).

If you, a family member or friend, has Type 2 Diabetes or Pre-Diabetes, I encourage you to check out Kathy Smith: You! Type 2! Watch this informative video and let me know if you have any questions! Kathy Smith: You! Type 2

Fit Tip of the Week - Home Gym

 I wanted to talk with you today about creating a home gym for yourself. With the rising costs of gym memberships these days, it's no wonder why products like P90X, Insanity, Turbo Jam, and Turbo Fire, are the top rated in-home fitness programs. For the cost of 1 months membership at a specialty gym, you can get a PROVEN fitness program that you can do in the privacy of your own home, that will last you quite a while!

So, today I wanted to go over with you some tips I've come up with for my own home gym that you might be able to incorporate into your home gym.

The first thing that I love are Resistance Bands! They're portable, they're durable and they're versatile. They don't take up a lot of space and there's no maintance needed! The color-coded bands come in a wide range of resistance levels, so you're sure to find one for your level, and come with these soft foam support handles that are great for different range of motions, and they don't let your hands slip off. Resistance Bands may be included with your Beachbody program, depending on the program that you're doing.

Another must have in my home gym is a Stability Ball. Talk about a versatile piece of exercise equipment! With the ball you'll be able to do a number of different stability exercises, which will help you strengthen your core, and as well as use the ball to target your abs, your back, your chest, arms, thighs, legs and booty! The ball can be used with or without weights, and it won't burst of punctured.

If you're doing a program, like P90X, a Chin Up bar is a MUST! My husband and I personally choose a chin up bar that we could attach to the wall for added security, but there are great chin up bars available that work with your door frame that work just as well.

And finally, how can you work out to any of our Beachbody programs without a TV and DVD player? None of the Beachbody programs require a ton of space for you to work out - the space between your TV and couch will work perfectly fine! Personally, we put the TV & DVD player in the garage so that all of our home gym equipment could be centralized, and we didn't have to worry about the kids, or animals, getting into any of the equipment.

All of these suggestions, minus the TV & DVD player, are available from Beachbody! Simply head to my website http://www.coachkari.com/, click SHOP and you're one step closer to creating your very own home gym! Stay tuned for more weekly Fit Tips, and feel free to share this information!

 And, as always, I'm here for YOU and offer FREE Coaching to Customers!

Have a FIT week!