Steve Haywood Health & Fitness

Several studies suggest that a well-balanced vegetarian diet is compatible with successful athletic and exercise performance.It is important for vegetarians to achieve a good mix of proteins. Some recipe ideas include;

Tortilla or wrap filled with re-fried beans
Bean and vegetable hot-pot with rice or pasta
Quorn chilli with rice
Peanut butter sandwich
Lentil soup with a roll
Quorn korma with [...]

Dehydration has an adverse effect upon performance in exercise and sport. A loss of 2% in your weight during exercise (indicating loss of fluid) would correlate to a loss of 10-20% in maximal aerobic capacity.
A good indication of hydration levels is the colour of a participant’s urine. ‘Pale yellow’ or ‘very pale yellow’ would indicate [...]

An article by Linda Haywood © 2007 Steve Haywood Health & Fitness
The Fitness Food Pyramid
One should aim to include a variety of foods from each group in the list below, every day;

Fruit and Vegetables 5-9 portions a day
Grains and Potatoes 4-6 portions a day
Calcium-Rich Foods 2-4 portions a day
Protein-Rich Foods 2-4 portions [...]

An article by Linda Haywood © 2007 Steve Haywood Health & Fitness
General guidelines for stretching;

Stretch the major muscles 3-5 times per week.
Static stretching (no bouncing) is advised following exercise.
Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds.

An article by Linda Haywood © 2007 Steve Haywood Health & Fitness
The aim of core stability training is to stabilise the spine and assist lifting movements. A strong torso will reduce potential injury to the lower back. A great ’six-pack’ alone will not do this. Indeed, simply doing crunches and sit-ups with secured feet can [...]

A qualified personal trainer will provide expert supervision allowing you to improve your fitness with a minimum or risk to your health. Qualified personal trainers will undertake an extensive lifestyle analysis, which includes;

an assessment of physical activity patterns, including a detailed record of current and past levels of exercise.

An article by Linda Haywood © 2007 Steve Haywood Health & Fitness
“Physically active adults have a 20-30% reduced risk of premature death and up to 50% reduced risk of developing major chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers.” (Chief Medical Officer 2004)
Physical Benefits of Exercise:

Strengthens the heart