Now that we have reached the half way point of 2012, it’s a good time to look back at this past year so far and some of the developing stories.  We’ve see Anderson Silva, Ben Henderson, Jose Aldo, and Ronda Rousey  defend their respective titles.  The UFC had an elimination event with UFC on FOX  4 and Dana White saying he would have the more impressive winner between Maricio Rua and Lyoto Machida’s matches get the next shot at Jon Bones Jones.

This is where the mayhem begins.  Lyoto Machida came away with the more compelling win according to Dana, but just like anything Dana says, this should be taken with a grain of salt.  Jone Jone’s opponent for UFC 151, Dan Henderson, ended up pulling out of the event 2 weeks before the fight because of a knee injury in training.  Naturally the Dragon Machida would get the shot in leu of Dan.  Dana ended up giving Victor Belfort the title shot instead. Chael Sonnen was offered to fight as an injury replacement but Jone’s refused the fight and a UFC event was canceled for the first time ever.  In his defense, Machida and Shogun also refused the fight on such short notice.  Jones has quickly gone from being a UFC poster boy to incurring Dana’s wrath with his DUI arrest and being the cause of the UFC 151 cancellation.  Many people do not realize that not only did the other UFC fighters on the card miss out on a paycheck but so did everyone else from the workers scheduled to work at the event to the hotels and local businesses.  Fans from the longtime viewers to the person who scraped together all his money to go to his very first live event were irreparably effected.  The question here is shouldn’t UFC 152 still be considered UFC 151 since that event never took place?

Anderson Silva also offered to fight at light heavyweight to save UFC 151.  Since that did not end up happening Silva and his managers have recently said that they want to fight GSP instead.  This has been an MMA fans dream match-up, but with GSP still on injury who knows if this will ever take place.

Wanderlei Silva’s father recently died in a tragic car accident leaving the storied fighter not only questioning his fighting career but also life itself.

For the first time ever there will be a UFC event in one of the birth places of Martial Arts later this year in November as ZUFFA will host an event in China.  Junior Dos Santos has already offered to headline that event with his rematch against Cain Valasquez.

The bought between B.J. Penn and Rory MacDonald was canceled becasue of an injury by Rory.  B.J. was giving another opponent on a later card but now has been scheduled to fight Rory yet again on the December card on UFC on FOX 5, with Ben Henderson vs Nate Diaz and Mauricio Rua vs Alexander Gustaffsson.

With this much excitement and just half the year over, one wonders what the rest of the year has to offer.

Your kids are demanding the latest video game, your boss wants that report done yesterday, and your partner wants to know what’s for dinner. Stress and anxiety are everywhere. If they’re getting the best of you, you might want to make like a cobra or a mountain and try yoga.

Yoga’s series of postures — some with names from nature — and controlled breathing exercises are a popular means of stress management and relaxation. Today, yoga classes teaching the art of breathing, meditation and posing are offered nearly everywhere — from trendy health clubs in big cities to community education classes in small towns to hospitals and clinics. If you’re looking for more do-it-yourself techniques for stress reduction, see how to get started with yoga.

Understanding yoga

Yoga is considered a mind-body type of complementary and alternative medicine practice. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety. Traditional yoga philosophy requires that students adhere to this mission through behavior, diet and meditation. But if you’re just looking for better stress management — whether because of life’s daily hassles or a health problem you’re facing — and not an entire lifestyle change or way of life, yoga can still help.

Yoga has many styles, forms and intensities. Hatha yoga, in particular, may be a good choice for stress management. Hatha is one of the most common styles of yoga, and some beginners find it easier to practice because of its slower pace and easier movements. But most people can benefit from any style of yoga — it’s all about your personal preferences.

The core components of hatha yoga and most general yoga classes are:

• Poses. Yoga poses, also called postures, are a series of movements designed to increase strength and flexibility. Poses range from lying on the floor while completely relaxed to difficult postures that may have you stretching your physical limits.
• Breathing. Controlling your breathing is an important part of yoga. In yoga, breath signifies your vital energy. Yoga teaches that controlling your breathing can help you control your body and quiet your mind.

The health benefits of yoga

The potential health benefits of yoga are numerous and may include:

• Stress reduction. With its quiet, precise movements, yoga draws your focus away from your busy, chaotic day and toward calm as you move your body through poses that require balance and concentration.
• Increased fitness. As you learn and refine new poses, you may enjoy improved balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength. And this means you’re less likely to injure yourself in other physical endeavors or in your daily activities.
• Management of chronic health conditions. Yoga might help with a variety of health conditions, such as cancer, depression, pain, anxiety and insomnia, by helping with sleep problems, fatigue and mood. Yoga also can help reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
• Weight loss. If you’re overweight or have binge-eating disorder, yoga may help you make the healthy lifestyle changes necessary to gain control of your eating and drop those extra pounds.

While you shouldn’t expect yoga to cure you or offer 100 percent relief, it can help some health conditions when combined with standard treatment. And if you already enjoy good health, yoga can be an enjoyable supplement to your regular fitness routine.

Taking precautions before starting yoga

Yoga is generally considered safe for people of all abilities, even if you use a wheelchair or you’re severely overweight. But there are some situations in which yoga might pose a risk. You may need to find an alternative to yoga or scale back your yoga poses.

See your health care provider before you begin yoga if you have any of the following conditions or situations, since complications can arise:

• Balance problems
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Certain eye conditions, including glaucoma
• Severe osteoporosis
• Pregnancy
• Artificial joints

You may be able to practice yoga in these situations if you take certain precautions, such as avoiding certain poses or stretches. Regardless of your health status, start slowly and gently. If you develop symptoms or concerns, see your doctor to make sure you’re getting benefit and not harm from yoga.

Finding a yoga class

If you’ve decided to try yoga, whether for stress management or other health benefits, look for classes in your area. Although you can learn yoga from books and videos, beginners usually find it helpful to learn with an instructor. Classes also offer camaraderie and friendship, which are also important to overall well-being.

When you find a class that sounds interesting, talk with the instructor so that you know what to expect. Questions to ask include:

• What are the instructor’s qualifications? Where did he or she learn yoga, and how long has he or she been teaching?
• Does the instructor have experience working with students with your needs or health concerns? If you have a sore knee or an aching shoulder, can the instructor help you find poses that won’t aggravate your condition?
• Is the class suitable for beginners? Will it be easy enough to follow along if it’s your first time? Can you observe a class before signing up?
• What is the focus of the class? Is it aimed at your needs, such as stress management or relaxation, or is it geared for people who want to reap other benefits?
• What do you need to take along to class? Some classes require you to bring a mat or towel to sit or stand on while doing poses. Other classes will provide a mat.

Remember, regardless of which type of yoga you practice, you don’t have to do every pose your instructor demonstrates. If a pose is uncomfortable or you can’t hold it as long as the instructor requests, don’t do it. Good instructors will understand and encourage you not to exceed your personal limits. Spend time sitting quietly, breathing deeply until your instructor moves the class on to another pose that’s more comfortable for you.

At the end of a yoga session, you should feel invigorated, yet relaxed and calm. If this isn’t the case, talk to your instructor. He or she might have suggestions for you. Otherwise there may be another yoga class better suited to your needs for stress management and relaxation.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic

Lexi Hutchings.  I recently got the opportunity to interview Pro skimboarder Lexi Hutchings.  Living in the outdoorsmen’s paradise of Utah, I’ve had the chance to experience a plethora of sports both conventional and extreme.  I have rode a category 5 rapid at Thor’s Anvil on the Colorado River, trekked the majestic rose hued mountains of Arches National Park, snowboarded the snow capped peaks of the Wasatch mountains in the former 2002 Winter Olympic venue of Park City, and ascended the towering sandstone cliffs of Angel’s Landing at Zion’s National Park.  Having the Virgin River in my back yard I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my town, St. George, had one of the better places in the United States to skimboard. Having only tried a hand full of times, I was privileged enough to be able to ask home grown local pro, Lexi Hutchings, a few in-depth questions.

1. How does a small town girl, from the desert in Southern Utah, find herself traveling all over the country and competing in a water sport?

I grew up so close to the Virgin and my neighbor Dustin Baird, starting making boards for a local company, Beachworks. He introduced me to the sport and living so close it was about a ten minute walk to the river. It’s crazy that St. George has one of the best flatland skim spots in the world! I was so lucky to find a passion so close, and inexpensive!

2. When you were younger did you ever, in your wildest dreams, picture yourself skimming professionally and if not what did you see yourself doing?

Well I have always been a sporty active kid. I grew up playing sports and trying to measure up to my older brother Jace who was literally good at everything he did. I looked up to him so much. I was pretty much one of the boys and just wasn’t into girly stuff. I didn’t actually start skimming until I was about 14. But honestly from day one I fell in love. Pretty much from that first year I started making goals. Number one was get sponsored by Victoria (which at that time was the board I was riding) And I did that next year. From there on I really knew that this was what I wanted to do, and spend all my free time doing. I dreamed of going pro and to one day have my own pro model. So when I look back at age 25 it really was what I always dreamed of and although I can’t make a living off of it my dreams really did come true!

3. In all the places you have been to compete and skim, have you ever been awestruck or found yourself saying “I can’t believe someone’s paying me to do this”?

This is a misconception about the sport. And I would like to clarify. No one in flatland skimming gets paid, even when you are pro. The sport is too small and lacks a lot of sponsors. It’s sad.  It really does not have the attention that it should! We are basically doing the same stuff skaters, and snowboarders do when they ride park, yet it’s just not mainstream enough. Although I will say I have been skimming about a decade now and have noticed the sport to rapidly grow over the years. So to clarify I have sponsors who help me out. I get all the free boards, free watches, swag, and help getting to comps but that’s about it. There was one lady’s division that was a cash prize for winner, but it’s usually just swag. But at the end of the day a passion should be something we do because we love it not for the money!

4. How long do you plan on competing professionally and have you thought of what you’re going to do after you retire (I have an image of your grandkids wheeling you to the Virgin and handing you your board)?

Haha I love this question/ statement because it is so true because I really have thought “am I ever going to stop”? I have always put skimming first before anything. It’s been my life. But I can say at 25 and moving to California about a year ago. I have found other passions I have as well that can make me some money. I am really into natural health so I have been thinking about studying holistic nutrition. Also I am a people person and love to help people out with their lives. I’m also considering working in the action sport industry, I think that’d be so rad! As much as I just wanna stick to skimming, I don’t wanna be that broke ass beach bum that kills it on a board but can’t pay their bills. But that will never be me, I like to work and make money and be independent. So to answer your questions in the last few months I have decided to do it all. Work, school in the fall, and skim whenever I can. Try to do about 3 comps a year and film for my part in dashboard skimboards. As far as stopping? Why ever really stop you can maybe slow down when ya hit 40 but you don’t ever need to fully stop, so ya my grandkids might be pushing me to the river someday!

5. Do you ever feel intimidated competing against the “boys” and how does it feel being a strong, positive role model to young aspiring woman all over the world?

This is what the sport has given back to me. More than money can give you. It means much more to me receiving emails from girls and boys saying “you’re my inspiration”. Also receiving fan mail and seeing people riding my pro models. It’s such an awesome thing to be a role model. That’s one of my favorite parts! And as far as the boys go, I wouldn’t say I was ever really intimidated. I looked at myself as lucky to be able to skim with boys and progress way faster. I liked being in competitions against them it made me ride harder. I never wanted to be looked at as an amazing skimmer for a girl, I wanted to be looked at as an amazing skimmer!

6. Thank you for your time. In parting where can your fans get updates on your competitions and are there any groups, organizations, or foundations you are currently working with that you’d like to mention?

Well my Facebook is my most personal way to find out what I am doing. Also you should like my Facebook fan page. It’s Lexi Hutchings beyond the limits! You can find me in my sponsors website and blogs at dbskimboards.com, extremeoutdoorsupply.com, freestyles.com. Also if you want to YouTube me I have a video.

My goal when I moved out here was to get more sponsors and expose flatland skimming. I am actually meeting in a week with the CEO of Spy about a sponsorship/ and possibly a job working in the action sport industry. I also have a few other people I am talking with that are extremely connected in the action sport industry, that I am hoping in the near future can bring me on even more sponsors.

Thanks Lexi for your time, I know its valuable.  Here is a video of her below displaying some of that world class skill; click, save, share: http://youtu.be/hrjmIa6Vetw

I came across this amazing concept tonight and found out that apparently I am 3-months behind the trend.  But as they say – better late than never!

Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. As the leading company in the booming obstacle course industry, Tough Mudder has already challenged half a million inspiring participants worldwide and raised more than $2 million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project. But Tough Mudder is more than an event, it’s a way of thinking. By running a Tough Mudder challenge, you’ll unlock a true sense of accomplishment, have a great time, and discover a camaraderie with your fellow participants that’s experienced all too rarely these days.

FACT #1 – Marathon running is boring.

And the only thing more boring than doing a marathon is watching a marathon. Road-running may give you a healthy set of lungs, but will leave you with as much upper body strength as Keira Knightley. At Tough Mudder, we want to test your all-around mettle, not just your ability to run in a straight line, on your own, for hours on end, getting bored out of your mind. Our obstacle courses are designed by British Special Forces to test you in every way and are meant only for truly exceptional all-around people, not for people who have enough time and money to train their knees to run 26 miles.

FACT #2 – Mudders do not take themselves too seriously.

Triathlons, marathons, and other lame-ass mud runs are more stressful than fun. Not Tough Mudder. As hardcore as our courses are, we meet you at the finish line with a beer, a laugh, and a rockin’ live band. It’s pretty hard to take yourself seriously when you’re covered in mud and have just finished an obstacle called ‘Just The Tip’, so please don’t show up at a Tough Mudder without a sense of humor. Just check out the ridiculous team costumes in our event photos to get a feel for the spirit of Tough Mudder.

FACT #3 – You cannot complete a Tough Mudder course alone.

To get through mud, fire, ice-water, and 10,000 volts of electricity you’ll need teammates to pick you up when your spirits dip. To get over 12 foot walls and through underground mud tunnels, you’ll need teammates to give you a boost and a push. Tough Mudders are team players who make sure no one gets left behind. To that end, all Mudders are expected to uphold our ideals and exhibit teamwork and camaraderie both on the course and off it. All participants are asked to join us in reciting the Tough Mudder pledge before starting each event. (download pledge poster)

For more information, visit www.toughmudder.com

If you’re looking for something a little different to switch up your usual chest workout, check out Rob’s 3-part high-altitude suspension series. You can see the full workout on Rob’s blog: http://www.robrichesfitness.com/2012/02/19/sky-high-training/

Video Courtesy of YouTube Channel RJRICHES.

For those of you who do not know who Rob Riches is, I have taken the liberty of attaching a short biography directly from his web site at RobRichesFitness.com.

London-born fitness personality Rob Riches has already made quite a name for himself in the world of health and fitness. As the 2009 World fitness model champion, he is appearing on magazine covers and in numerous publications, and hosting and producing a series of shows for Sky TV, as well as building a following of fans across a range of social and video sites for his knowledge in health and fitness.From a young age, Rob proved himself in a range of sports, including windsurfing, snowboarding and motor sports. During a mountain bike race at 15, he fractured his shoulder after a bad fall. Once healed, he joined a gym to rebuild his strength and saw his body was quick to respond to weight training. Rob soon started being asked by his peers to help them get fit and change how they looked. Soon he became a certified fitness and group exercise instructor.

As active as he was on the gym, Rob was also putting in the hours at school. He graduated the college of London with a bachelors degree with honors in Video Production.

Next, rob worked a number of jobs. He earned his bartender’s license and ran a bar, then worked in a top London advertising agency managing key accounts. His passion for fitness soon found him putting his certifications to good use. He started working as a personal trainer in a large health club chain, quickly building a reputation for delivering results and attracting a large and varied clientele base.

In 2005, Rob was sponsored by LA MUSCLE, Europe’s largest sports supplement company, and was soon appearing in ads in magazines such as Men’s Health. After a few years of solid training under his belt, he entered his first bodybuilding competition and took first place. Thanks to his golden tan, and clean-cut look, Rob earned the nickname ‘Hollywood’ from one of the judges.

Rob’s profile in the UK fitness scene rose as he appeared in other fitness magazines. He was chosen to be the face and body for the men’s fitness section of a new sports agency called WModels, now WAthletics, one of the biggest agency’s of its type in the UK.

Rob continued to grow his personal training business, launching his websitewww.robriches.co.uk (now www.robriches.com) as both an online portfolio and training tool for others. A year after first competing, Rob stepped back on stage and won again. Throughout 2006, Rob won 2 more competitions, including the Musclemania world title at Hollywood, CA.

In late 2006, Rob’s image appeared on the back of 60 London red buses as part of a marketing campaign to showcase top UK athletes. Rob produced this DVD for his title sponsor, LA Muscle. Later that year, Rob started training TV personalities and professional athletes in a private training studio in London.

In the summer of 2007, Rob went back to Los Angeles for 2 weeks to see what fitness career opportunities were available. Little did he realize that just after 1 week he would decide to move there permanently.

His competition achievements earned him a prestigious 01 Visa that allowed him to live and work in the United States. Rob created his own corporation, Rob Riches LLC, as an umbrella organization for all the work that he was doing, including fitness training, modeling, and working alongside the World Natural Sports Organization, acting as a judge for competitions and running workshops for new competitors.

In April 2008, Rob stepped on stage for the ‘America’s Fittest Model’ competition, and was awarded with the ‘Best Body’ title. It was from this that LA Muscle launched a supplement called ‘Norateen Hollywood Body’, displaying Rob’s image and available in stores around the UK. Shortly after, LA Muscle launched its own fitness TV channel, LA Muscle TV. “The Rob Riches Show” began in Beverly Hills, California, with Rob interviewing high-profile fitness personalities. The show quickly spread to 5 European countries with more than 2 million views within its first 6 months.

Over the next year, the channel grew and launched on Sky TV throughout Europe to over 11 million homes. As both producer and host of many of the ‘on-location’ shows, Rob was working with TV personalities again. But instead of training them, he was interviewing them at Launch parties and red carpet events. Traveling across the country, Rob was reporting at events including the Mr. Olympia fitness weekend and the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival, as well as producing mini-documentaries of some of the biggest names in the industry.

Being surrounded by those in the industry, Rob continued with his training. Still itching to get back on stage, Rob decided to enter a WNSO fitness model show, winning a Pro card in both the fitness and muscle model category, and placing 2nd at the World Finals in 2008.

In 2008, Rob signed with sporting agency, Sports Unlimited, to represent him for print work and commercials. Throughout the year, he was a featured athlete in several magazines: “Muscle & Fitness,” “Ironman,” “Men’s Workout,” and “Sense,” an LA-based lifestyle magazine. “Better Bodies,” a Swedish sports apparel line, featured Rob in their clothing, on their website’s training video, and in several issues of their magazine “BODY.”

In the summer of 2008, Rob was asked by Bodybuilding.com, a fitness super-site, to film a web series showing him training Ron Lester, a Hollywood actor. “Rebuilding Ron Lester” lasted 6 months and earned Rob the title of ‘Trainer of the Month’.

2009 was to be another good year for Rob, both in fitness and in business, as he launched his fitness website – www.robrichesfitness.com. He frequently posts training video’s, nutrition tips, and answers questions for the thousands of members that have joined from all over the world. To help better inform and educate others about health and fitness, Rob offers workshops in both London and LA, as well as continuing to build on his clientele by offering consulting, and producing several fitness and nutrition DVD’s.

Rob stepped back on stage again, at the WBFF World Fitness Model Championships in Canada in September and won the World Title against 20 top competitors. Following his win, Rob graced the covers of “Inside Fitness”, and “Maximum Fitness”, two of Canada’s top selling Fitness magazines.

Rob continues stays in great shape year-round, and continues to help better inform and educate those around him on how to lead a healthier lifestyle. Rob is now working towards having his articles published and has several projects on the go, including fitness DVD’s, an online training tool, and a book to help others understand proper nutrition and exercise, as well as continuing to shoot for international magazines throughout the year.

Congratulations! You have decided to start running and by doing so have taken a positive step in improving your health. But don’t hit the road without first knowing some of most common mistakes new runners make. 

 1. Running in your lawn mowing shoes

All running shoes are not created equal, making the selection of a quality pair the most important step in starting a running routine.  General sporting goods stores have quality running shoes but lack the expertise in choosing the proper shoe for your specific needs. A running store will identify the way you run and choose an appropriate shoe that will prevent injury. Expect to pay around $100 for a good pair and don’t use them to mow the lawn.

2. Trying to run a 5k your first day

Logic would say that in order to run you need to start running. However, if you are new to running, going out on your first day attempting to run the entire time will only produce frustration and pain. A combination of walking and running is the best way to train. Eventually, you will be able to run for an entire 30 minutes. There are many programs on the internet that incorporate walking and running. Find one that appeals to you and start.

3. Going Solo                                                                                                                                                                  

It’s easy to talk yourself out of exercise. Weather, work and the occasional bad hair day are common excuses to skip your run. Excuses become much harder to use when you have a running partner relying on you.  So, hook up with someone to get the miles in. You’ll be helping them out too. Don’t forget to buy a running hat for those bad hair days.

4. No rest for the speedy

Many new runners see the benefits of their routine quickly and want to continue with their success. However, rest days are just as important as your run. While running your muscle tissue breaks down. Rest days allow your muscles to recover and become stronger.  Mentally, rest is helpful making you eager to start the new training week after your break. Just don’t make your rest days every day.

5. Giving up

All types of physical activity require work to become proficient. Running is no different. Don’t expect to break marathon records your first month of running. Faster times and longer distances come with time, patience and practice. Look to other runners for advice (and go on a run with them).  Read books, articles and magazines and hone your skills. Eventually, your hard work will pay off and running will be a pleasure, not a chore.

Running is a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall health. Avoiding these 5 common mistakes will push you past the newbie status in no time. Be warned, running can be addictive and you may find yourself scouring the internet for the next great race to enter.

With the heat dome that the U.S. was bombarded with last summer where temperatures were well into the 100′s, it’s safe to say that being well hydrated should be one of our main concerns in the coming months. Now adequate H2O consumption is a no brainier, but we all know we don’t lose just water, but various nutrients. What could stop and even prevent dehydration? Pickle juice, wait did I just say pickle juice? Yes pickle juice.

One of the biggest displays of pickle juices power was the 2000 NFL season opener between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys which was the hottest game ever played, where the outside temperature was 109 degrees and the field reached 130 degrees at the Texas stadium, the Eagle’s had reportedly been drinking sports drinks coupled with pickle juice prior to game time and the week before where as the Cowboys just drank traditional sports drinks. The Cowboys lost 12 players to heat cramps [a muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax (MedicineNet)] where the Eagles lost none. The Cowboys looked “slow and tired” where as the Eagles looked “fresh and upbeat.” Brian Dawkin’s the safety for the Eagle’s had this to say “I know it helped me, I’m a crampee. I cramp up all the time. I didn’t have a single cramp all day.” The Eagles trampled the Cowboys 41-14 that day.

The three main things we lose when we sweat are of course water then their is sodium and chloride which are the two main electrolytes lost. Replenishing these are a must, an average person can lose anywhere between 700-2,300 milligrams of sodium per liter of sweat depending on sodium concentrations, people being on the higher end who aren’t accustomed to high heat climates (Wenger 1988). The average adult athlete in warm to hot conditions loses anymore from 1-2.5 liters of sweat per hour of intense training or competition (Armstrong et al., 1986). Pickle juice can also aid in the prevention of  hyponatremia in which the blood loses concentration of sodium to water. In a high heat situation an athlete runs the risk of not just hyponatremia but also hyperthermia in which the body temperature is elevated dramatically and can lead to heat stroke one cause being dehydration (Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Heat Stroke).

Now we see how important it is to be properly hydrated and pickle juice being the superior sports drink, so should we just carry around a jar of pickle juice everywhere you go during the blistering hot times, of course not, but no one is stopping you. A 2 ounce (600-800 mg of sodium) shot of pickle juice has 20 times the amount of electrolytes as Gatorade and 40 times the amount of Powerade. Pickles are packed in vinegar, which contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium which are all important in physical exertion. 2-3 ounces before leaving for work in the morning and the same after getting home during 100 plus degree weather should aid in the prevention of dehydration, as for athletes 3 ounces before training and 2 ounces per hour coupled with a sports drink for intense high heat training workouts to aid in not only preventing dehydration but muscle cramps as well. Pickle juice is readily available and can be picked up at any supermarket for a fraction of the price of any sports drink.

References:

Wenger, C.B. (1988). Human heat acclimatization, In: K.B. Pandolf, M.N. Sawka, and R.R. Gonzalez (eds.) Human Performance Physiology and Environmental Medicine at Terrestrial Extremes. Indianapolis, IN: Benchmark Press, pp. 153-197.

Armstrong, L.E., R.W. Hubbard, B.H. Jones, and J.T. Daniels (1986). Preparing Alberto Salazar for the heat of the 1984 Olympic Marathon. Physician Sportsmed. 14: 73-81.

]]> http://www.ultimatesportstalk.com/fitness/2012/03/05/pickle-juice-the-new-age-sports-drink/feed/ 0 http://www.ultimatesportstalk.com/fitness/2012/03/04/what-athletes-should-eat-after-a-game-nutrition/ http://www.ultimatesportstalk.com/fitness/2012/03/04/what-athletes-should-eat-after-a-game-nutrition/#comments Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:19:44 +0000 Greg Mitchell http://www.ultimatesportstalk.com/fitness/?p=71 By Heather Popham Wood Courtesy of Livestrong Eating a meal after your game is just as important as eating a meal before you compete in a sport. Your post-game meal...]]>

By Heather Popham Wood
Courtesy of Livestrong

After a car accident as a teen that nearly left her paralyzed Nicole Kreiser has made the utmost of her time in the gym and on the competitive figure stage. Kreiser shares her story, training and nutrition strategies five weeks out from the 2011 NPC Nationals.

Video provided courtesy of YouTube channel nobullflorida

By Lisa White
Reposted Courtesy of Examiner.com

Nicole Wilkins wins the 2012 Figure International, making this a third consecutive win for Wilkins. Earlier in the day Wilkins posted on Facebook that, “Prejudging complete. First callout so top 4 for sure. Finals are tonight at 7pm .”

Although the Arnold Sports Festival is nowhere near over, Twitter and Facebook figure fans were buzzing about how great the figure competitors looked. There was also a lot of debate before the night show on who would be the 2012 Figure International winner.

Many people already believed the top two spots would be between Erin Stern and Wilkins, both of whom have been contending against each other in the top two spots for several shows, including the Olympia. As the results would have it there was no surprise when they placed first and second.

Twitter’s @ARnoldSports profile was quick to post the results while the event was happening, and tweeted down the top six figure athletes.