Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Bedtime Munchies: Snack or Skip?

New Year Resolutions are on the table, and so is a commitment to being healthy in 2015. One question our trainers are asked year after year has to do with staying on track- even when hunger hits in the middle of the night.
Here’s the scoop on bedtime munchies:
Which is worse…
eating late at night and going to bed full,  or
ignoring hunger cues and going to bed hungry?

It really is as simple as listening to your body!
Eating a large amount right before bed and going to sleep on a full tummy can be uncomfortable. It can also lead to acid reflux, and can disrupt your digestive system.

On the flip side, hitting the sheets with an empty, rumbling stomach isn’t the answer either. Low blood sugar levels can lead to nighttime awakenings, and depriving yourself isn’t a healthy option.

As with most healthy habits, the goal for nighttime snacking,
aka bedtime munchies, is…
B A L A N C E.

The ideal plan is to eat a balanced meal 2-3 hours before you end your day so that your body can properly digest and prepare for sleep. But if your stomach is growling, and you are truly hungry late at night, the best thing to do is to have a small snack. Try 8 raw almonds, or ½ cup of Greek yogurt. The Protein in both of those options will satisfy your body’s needs throughout the night, and won’t do any harm to your balanced diet. Another favorite is a small portion of baby carrots, or half of an apple, which also helps PM sweet cravings.  

So the next time you reach for the cupboards in the dark,
ask yourself if you’re really hungry, and if so, head for the healthy options instead of something you may regret in the daylight.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Heather Says: Snowshoes, Skis, Skates, & Shopping = Sweat Sessions

It’s that time of year again!
Even if it is 70’s and sunny in Los Angeles, so many of our members are busy traveling around the world to spend time with family and loves ones over the holiday season.
Just because you can’t take a Megaformer (or your Pilates Instructor) with you, doesn’t mean you have to leave fitness at home!

Heather’s latest article for Activewear USA leaves no room for excuses, even in the snow.

Check out what she has to say HERE.
Whether you’re staying local or traveling far away, get some FITspiration to keep it up, even in cold weather.

Read the entire piece over on ActivewearUSA’s Magazine to hear more about Keeping Active in the Cold.



Spoiler Alert: 
We spy plenty of Snowshoes, Skis, Skates and Shopping…

Friday, December 19, 2014

Summer in your mouth: FREE WTRMLN WTR tasting event at Pilates Platinum TOMORROW!

It might be a week before Christmas but it feels like summer in our mouths! Why? Because we’ve fallen in love with a refreshing new drink that’s not only chock full of electrolytes (to refuel after Pilates) but also raw, gluten free, low in sugar, and over the top delicious. Drinking WTRMLN WTR makes us smile like it’s really Christmas in July.
Pilates Platinum membersà meet your new favorite flavored water: WTRMLN WTR. 
WTRMLN WTR uses, no preservatives, and absolutely nothing artificial no added water or sugar. It’s delicious, super hydrating, and is comprised of 100% raw, cold-pressed watermelon and a drop of organic lemon juice. WTRMLN WTR makes for the perfect pre- and post- workout beverage due to its abundance of natural electrolytes and the muscle recovery enhancing Citrulline, which combats muscle fatigue.

Can’t wait to try it for yourself? You’re in luck! Pilates Platinum has teamed up with WTRMLN WTR to host a free tasting party this weekend!


WHO:
PILATES PLATINUM x WTRMLN WTR

WHAT:
FREE WTRMLN WTR TASTING!

WHERE:
PILATES PLATINUM SANTA MONICA STUDIO

WHEN:
TOMORROW
SATURDAY DEC. 20th
8:15AM – 11:30AM

If you still haven’t heard enough, pop on over to their website www.wtrmlnwtr.com
and have fun scrolling through all the fun facts and photos!


 See you tomorrow!

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Pilates Platinum Asks: Do you know how much sugar you’re really eating?

Recommended daily intake of “added sugars” is 6 teaspoons for women, and 9 teaspoons for men.
Guess what the American average is? 22 teaspoons a day! That’s over 355 calories a day in added sugars alone. That adds up to about 150 pounds of added sugar a year- per person! Too much sugar can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease, premature aging, poor memory, weaker hones, acne, depression and belly fat. And that’s just the short list!
We know some obvious ways to balance sugar intake: eat healthy, exercise to burn excess calories, consume sweets in moderation, eliminate sodas and stay away from processed foods and GMO products. What could be the most important piece of advice is to pay attention to the ingredients and nutritional labels on foods so that you’re aware of what exactly you’re putting into your body.

Sadly you’re mistaken if you think you can watch sugar levels by simply staying away from labels marked with a high sugar count. Unfortunately there are more than 200 types of added sugars used in processed foods (and don’t forget beverages)! These added sugars that are used in 80% of products on shelves at the market are disguised with alternate names. And added sugars hide in everything- even bread.

You might recognize some of the most commonly used sweeteners like corn syrup, cane sugar, or high-fructose corn syrup. But did you know there are over 46 names for added sugars used in processed foods? You’re probably consuming extra added sugars without knowing what these ingredients really are.

Learn about the many forms of added sugars in this list below, compiled by Appetite for Health. Pilates Platinum wants to keep our members (and blog readers!) as informed, healthy, and sugar-free as possible. It’s also a great cheat sheet to pack in your wallet for reference when shopping. It’s better to be safe and healthy than feed into the nation’s addiction to sugar.
Stay away from these ingredients with deceiving names and keep your levels in check. Remember, the recommended daily intake is only 6 teaspoons for women (9 for men) a day!

Monday, December 15, 2014

What is the pH of your drinking water? By: Heather Dorak

Lets talk about water!  Water is the essence of life.  Without water our planet would not exist, nor would any of us!  Not only is it important for us to drink water, but it is important for us to drink good water.  By good, I am referring to water that is clean, full of minerals and measure on the alkaline side of the pH scale. 

What is a pH scale?

It isn’t common for your local new reporter to say, “Hey viewers, today’s pH has increased in acidity moving from a 4.2 pH to 3.9.”  However, it is very important to know the pH of the water that surrounds you. Since chemicals in the water can affect pH; pH is an important indicator of water that is changing chemically.  Shifts in pH levels can be dead give always to an increase in pollution.

pH is a measure of how acidic or basic/alkaline water with a numerical range from 0 – 14.  pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base/alkaline, and the number 7 remaining neutral. The U.S. Geological Survey concludes that the US is more acidic as you move in an easterly direction with numbers ranging from 5.3 to 4.3.  The important thing to note here is, regardless, of where you are in the U.S. the water is acidic. 

Okay…so are water is acidic.  Generally speaking the word acidic does not resonate well and has strong negative connotations attached to it.  Yes, it absolutely does.  On the very basic level of understanding, now knowing that your drinking water is acidic, does that sound like something you want to put it in your body?  I hope would hope not.  Inflammation comes from and thrives in acidic environments that leads to diseases.  Feeding you body with acidity is essentially feeding your body with diseases.

A lot of the food and drinks we consume are acidic or create acidic environments within our body.  Acidic environments are what disease, cancer, and illnesses thrive on.  It is extremely important to keep our body in a neutral or alkaline environment and not an acidic one.  So how do we achieve this?

An important way to support our bodies with an alkaline environment is to drink water that is rated a 7 or higher on the pH scale. 

Many of us turn to bottle water to hydrate.  The wonderful thing about our Earth is that each and every thing on this planet is uniquely itself.  However in the case of bottled water, this statement is true, but a lot of bottled waters are no better for you than the water coming out of your kitchen sink.  It is important to research your water source and see what alternatives there are in your local area! My favorite water is Essentia and I am thrilled to be one of their hydration specialists.  If you have any questions about Essentia or PH water,  find me on Facebook or Twitter.
Information and Facts contributed to Essentia and their documentation I have received as a Water Specialist for Essentia Water. 

Friday, December 12, 2014

Pilates Platinum on Getting a Good Night's Rest

Sometimes it takes longer to fall asleep than we plan for. We finally hit the sack and that’s when our mind starts racing. But getting enough ZZZzzz’s is such an important part of a healthy lifestyle! It’s not always easy to catch some rest, but luckily we’ve found some ways to help ease you into dreamland.
*Make sure you calm down before you lay down- 
that means no work emails.
The last thing you want to worry about is tomorrow’s list of To Do’s. Refrain from reading work emails in the hours leading up to bedtime to avoid stress and maintain a healthy work/life balance.

*Put down that iPhone/iPad/video game controller.
You eyes and ears, and not to mention your mind, are constantly stimulated by pings and beeps and flashing lights on electronic devices. When you’re ready to hit the sack, turn off your sounds, stop texting and playing online games so that your senses wind down as your day does.

*Sex = endorphins = sleep.
Yes, sex helps you get to sleep! The endorphins released during sex tend to help most people fall asleep faster. The hormone prolactin, which is released after an orgasm, is responsible for the feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. Sleep with your loved one to improve your sleep.

*Step into some fiction before you slip into dreams.
Studies show that slipping into a good fiction book helps settle your mind before resting. But if you’re reading on a tablet, it’s a good idead to slap on a SleepShield screen cover so that the glow from the screen doesn’t destroy your sleepy state of mind.
You don’t have to count sheep anymore.
 Try Pilates Platinum’s sleep aids above and balance your workouts with plenty of rest.


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Heather Dorak for the tig with: Embracing Stay

Did you check out last week’s beauty feature on the tig? In case you missed THIS, we’ll give you a preview of Heather’s wellness article about the importance of STAYING. Nobody (not even Heather) said staying in a positive state of mind, body and soul is easy… thankfully Heather shares some tips with everyone at Pilates Platinum and the tig that’ll help get you to zen-mode.
Read more on the tig, and learn how to achieve that om-azing feeling!


STAY Active



STAY De-stressed

STAY in Your Self-Loving Mindset


STAY Hydrated





Monday, December 1, 2014

illuminate yourself this Cyber Monday at illume spa!

Happy Cyber Monday!

We’d probably go crazy sharing a “Best of” list including every Cyber Monday Deal. So instead, Pilates Platinum announces just one special deal for our members:

You’re invited... to save 20% at Brentwood’s illume spa!

After a killer workout at Pilates Platinum's Brentwood Studio, why don’t you pop over to illume spa and spoil yourself with one of illume’s “innovative hybrid of medical-grade facials using most advanced technology with a pampering spa-style touch”

Book online at www.illumespa.com or call 310-442-4646 and be sure to mention the Pilates Platinum offer to save big on your first visit!