FITAID Athlete Kevon Looney Wins 3rd NBA Championships
In Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Boston, MA to bring home their 4th title in 8 years. Among that group was our FITAID athlete, Kevon Looney, who has been an essential part of this Warriors dynasty. In game 6, Kevon played 22 minutes, pulled down 7 rebounds, and made several key defensive plays to secure the victory. After the game, Kevon a few words for “Dub Nation”:
“What up Dub Nation, 3 time champ now. I couldn’t have done it without the support of the bay. I love y'all, y'all have been here from the start with me through all the ups and downs. Man, go Dub Nation, we’re back on top of the world! Go Dubs!”
The most impressive stat that Kevon Looney posted this year was that he played in EVERY SINGLE game this past season. Totaling 104 games, Kevon did not miss a single game during the season or during the playoffs. During an era where a lot of players are taking nights off for rest and “game management,” Kevon proved why he is one of the Iron-men in the NBA. When it comes to being counted on and giving his best for his team, Kevon is on the top of that list.
With ring number 3 being added to his trophy case and only being 26 years old, Kevon definitely plans for ring number 3 to not be his last! The Warriors will be planning their Championship parade soon so be sure to bring out those Kevon Looney jerseys and show our guy some love!
What’s Really in Those “Other” Energy Drinks
Many people drink energy drinks to boost energy for various reasons. Drinking one can or glass of energy booster can help keep you alert and focused on tasks at hand. It is most common among teens that spend hours studying. Not to mention, some people also drink these when they need to drive for long hours.
Other times, many people also take help from energy drinks for waking up in the morning or gaining energy for a difficult workout. Regardless, energy drinks work like a magic potion that can instantly give you a burst of energy to have high levels of energy.
Ingredients like caffeine added sugars, and other herbal derivatives give energy drinks this power. While these can increase alertness and energize you, some forms of these ingredients can also be harmful.
Here are some ingredients to avoid in energy drinks.
Artificial Caffeine
As the name suggests, artificial caffeine is produced in the lab, unlike natural caffeine options. Most packaged foods and beverages contain this form of caffeine as it is much cheaper than natural caffeine.
According to a 2012 study, extracting caffeine from natural sources requires more resources, making it expensive. However, only energy drinks with clean caffeine from green tea are safe to consume.
Taurine
Taurine is a naturally-occurring amino acid compound that contains sulfur. In particular, this sulfur-containing compound is concentrated in human eyes, muscles, heart, and brain.
While most amino acids are building blocks of protein, taurine is an exception. It is an essential amino acid that only becomes essential in health-concerning situations such as stress or illness. According to surveys and reports, 3 grams per day is the highest safe dose of taurine.
Side effects of taurine can include vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, headache and liver pain, etc.
Niacin
Niacin is one of the eight water-soluble B vitamins of the B complex. It naturally occurs in many foods, and its two most common forms are nicotinamide and nicotinic. Usually, the body automatically converts the amino acid tryptophan into nicotinamide.
Since niacin is a water-soluble compound, it does not get excreted from the body. It works as a coenzyme in the body for various reactions and 400 other enzymes. While it performs special functions, overdosage of niacin can also lead to toxicity.
Some common signs of niacin toxicity are skin flushing, dizziness, fatigue, low blood pressure, nausea, blurred vision, impaired glucose tolerance, etc.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a plant available in different varieties that are part of various treatments in North American and Asian cultures. It is one of the most famous herbal medicines in the world. While ginseng has no natural sources, you can often find it as an ingredient in different foods and energy drinks.
Generally, ginseng has mild side effects that range from nervousness to insomnia. However, high doses and long-term use of ginseng can also cause serious allergic reactions and menstrual changes in women.
Sucralose
Sucralose, along with a combination of nutrients, vitamins, and herbal supplements, helps create a rush of energy. This compound is 600 times sweeter than regular sugar and 200 times sweeter than aspartame.
While sucralose can give you that instant burst of energy, it is not a safe compound to consume in high amounts. The body cannot break it down or convert it into energy or nutrition.
Most people consume energy drinks daily, so you must choose the right one. Make sure you try and avoid energy drinks containing the ingredients mentioned above. Don’t forget to share if and how these ingredients have affected you in the past.
Why Practicing Yoga Benefits Your Health and Well Being
Yoga is more than just physical poses and meditation. It is a way of living that significantly changes your perception of life and improves your overall well being. It includes stretching and is a fun workout that involves spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, and chants. As a result, anyone who practices yoga experiences numerous physical and mental, and health benefits. It is also known to deeply connect your chakras (centers of strength).
While the word ‘yoga’ comes from the root word ‘yuj,’ which means ‘to bind,’ it has numerous meanings associated with it. In any of these, the underlying meaning remains ‘connection.’ This suggests practicing any type of yoga helps create a connection between your body, mind, and spirit.
Yoga practice offers many physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. It can help you stay fit, boost immunity, recover from illnesses, relieve stress, and improve sleep, among other benefits. Let’s discuss some of these in detail:
Yoga for Better Health
Overall, well being comprises physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life. Yoga is one thing that can help you stay fit in all 4 of these ways. It can reduce stress levels, boost physical energy and endurance, raise your spirits and maintain a healthy emotional balance. Let’s see some of the most common benefits of yoga.
1. Relieves Stress
A study reveals that stress is the second most cited reason that people choose to practice yoga. It can effectively reduce your stress levels and symptoms of psychological disorders like anxiety and depression. Yoga, especially asana, is a great way of dealing with stressful situations and moods.
It is not only the breathing exercises and meditation that promote a calm and positive mood. In fact, the physical aspect of yoga can significantly relieve mental tension and stress. On the other hand, yoga can also help with physical stress to induce stamina and increased energy levels. For instance, it can reduce walking and evening time cortisol levels and lower heart rate.
2. Improves Cardiovascular Health
One review by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reveals that practicing yoga can reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This suggests that yoga can be beneficial for heart health.
According to another experimental study, patients with heart failure experienced improved heart health after practicing yoga for 8 weeks. Yoga comprises physical activity, meditation, and breathing exercises, so it should be no surprise that people practice yoga to improve their cardiovascular health. Yoga can increase the rate of blood flow to provide more oxygen to the peripheral system, relaxing blood vessels. This suggests that it is quite beneficial for heart failure risk, stroke capacity, and arterial pressure.
3. Combats Sleeplessness
Sleeplessness or insomnia can affect a person’s ability to fall asleep, along with the ability to stay asleep for a suitable amount of time. Many people in the US and around the world are unable to fall asleep and get an adequate amount of rest. As a result, it can lead to unproductiveness, exhaustion, and increased risk of psychological disorders.
Research suggests that practicing yoga before bedtime can significantly improve sleep cycles. It does this by relieving both physical and mental tension and stress to prepare the body for a restful night. Consistent bedtime yoga relieves body aches and mental stress and gets you in the right mindset to fall and stay asleep.
Yoga has numerous benefits for your emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health. The above-mentioned are the top 3 reasons that most people gravitate towards yoga. It can relieve mental and physical stress, improve cardiovascular health and help you sleep better.
FITAID FUELED GRANITE GAMES
Over the weekend of June 3rd-5th, athletes from across the world made their way to Eagan, Minnesota to compete in an epic outdoor showdown. With spots on the line to qualify for CrossFit Games, athletes were sure to bring their “A” game. Our very own Kelsey Kiel competed on Team CrossFit OBA and placed second among all teams, finishing with 550 points. She also crushed it with a 200# snatch to help her team secure a spot in the CrossFit Games. So mark your calendars, clear your schedules for August 3rd-7th, and make your way to Madison, Wisconsin to support Kelsey and Team CrossFit OBA.
At Granite Games, Events Team rockstar Ashlee Knotts held it down for FITAID! Over the weekend, this semi final event saw on average 1,500 people per day. Ashlee and her team sampled out three pallets of product and made sure athletes and spectators were fueled up with FITAID ENERGY. Anthony Davis stopped by the booth for some FITAID and went on to break the record on the barbell complex with a weight of 355#.
Check out all the FITAID fans cracking open ice cold cans this past weekend below!
Were you at Granite Games? Tag us in your pics from the weekend! @FITAID
Men’s Journal Best Summer Stuff 2022: FITAID ENERGY!
Saying FITAID ENERGY is a hit, would be an understatement. FITAID ENERGY has knocked the socks of the competition! Our friends over at Men’s Journal would have to agree as well! In their June/July Issue, which hit the shelves 6/10, FITAID ENERGY was included in their “Best Summer Stuff 2022” section of “What We’re Drinking.”
What we’re drinking: FITAID ENERGY: FITAID ENERGY + Sports Recovery. The performance energy drink for athletes boosted with 200mg of clean caffeine from green tea. Available in 4 electric flavors, it’s naturally sweetened with no sucralose, no aspartame, and no compromises. fitaidenergy.com/mj | @FITAID
If you haven’t tried FITAID ENERGY, we do not know what you are waiting for! With the official start of Summer around the corner, make sure you load up on all 4 electric flavors of FITAID ENERGY! Whether you will be spending this summer on the beach, barbecuing with the family, or crushing it in the weight room, a can of FITAID ENERGY should not be too far. Head over to www.lifeaidbevco.com/blends and get those fridges stocked with the best energy beverage on the market. Also, be sure to pick up the newest edition of Men’s Journal 6/10. Check out the hard copy anywhere near you that sells magazines or you can access the digital issue of the magazine via the App Store or Apple News.
50 Years of Title IX
50 years ago this month, June 23rd to be exact, Title IX was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. Back then, I do not believe people understand how big of an impact this Civil Rights Act would have not only on education, but in athletics.
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender in any educational institution that receives federal funding. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Over the years, Title IX has grown to protect women not just in education and sports but against sexual harassment. Although it does operate to prohibit and provide guidance on dealing with sexual harassment, that does not define the essence of Title IX. Title IX is, and always will be, an equity law, and like other equity laws, Title IX should be employed in any forum in which it is needed. Title IX should be utilized to its full potential and not limited merely because of its narrow application in the past. Fortunately, we are seeing its scope broaden to meet current needs. For example, today’s Title IX is applicable in cases concerning gender identity and sexual orientation, making it an essential tool as we encounter unlawful discrimination and harassment of our LGBTQ+ community members.
Over the past 50 years, Title IX has transformed women’s sports for the better. In 1972, there were just over 300,000 women and girls playing college and high school sports in the United States. Female athletes received 2% of college athletic budgets, while athletic scholarships for females were basically nonexistent. Today, over 3 million girls are participating in high school sports and over 200,000 are participating in collegiate athletics. Also, today 1 in every 5 girls are participating in female athletics in the United States as opposed to 1 in 27 before Title IX in 1972.
Title IX has progressed female athletics, education, and safety. However, there is still a long way to go. So continue to support female sports and continue to be an advocate for all female athletes around the world! Are you a female athlete? We want to feature YOU! Tag us on Instagram @FITAID
Glucosamine: What is it and What are the Benefits?
Glucosamine is a natural substance in the human body. It is found in cartilage whose function is to cushion the major joints during regular movement. It has gained popularity as a supplement thanks to a wealth of scientific evidence that supports a number of health benefits.
What is glucosamine?
Glucosamine is a natural substance found mostly in cartilage. Cartilage is a tough tissue that provides a cushion for the joints.
When glucosamine is taken as a supplement, it is not human but is made in a laboratory or harvested from the shells of shellfish. There are various types, the most common of which are glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride.
Benefits of glucosamine?
Glucosamine is claimed to
- Reduce joint pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Aid bone health
- Tackle glaucoma
The most common use of glucosamine is for osteoarthritis. Much scientific evidence supports its use as a supplement and is also prescribed as medication in the EU. Supplements that combine glucosamine and chondroitin are an excellent alternative for people who do not tolerate NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Glucosamine helps create the fats and protein to repair cartilage when it’s damaged. Remember, damage doesn’t mean physical injury. Cartilage can suffer from overwork, stress, and trauma in the same way as muscles. Aiding the repair function is how the supplement helps to reduce inflammation.
There is evidence that glucosamine supports healthy bone growth by slowing down the weakening of bones that occurs during aging, particularly post-menopause in females.
It is thought that among the antioxidant effects of glucosamine are benefits to the blood vessels in the eye and can improve conditions like glaucoma.
Who should take glucosamine?
Glucosamine can be used by anyone who suffers from any of the conditions outlined above. For sufferers of arthritis, it can reduce inflammation and the associated pain and thereby enable better movement.
It is also useful to athletes. It can aid and speed up the general repair and recovery process after working out or a competition. It is not, however, a medical treatment for specific injuries such as a torn articular cartilage. Medical advice should be sought in this instance although glucosamine may well then be prescribed.
How to take glucosamine?
Glucosamine is not in any foodstuffs so can only be taken as a supplement. It is available in tablet, capsule, powder, or liquid form. It is commonly combined with chondroitin or cod liver oil (for the omega-3).
LIFEAID’s FITAID beverages are an easy way to get a measured dose of glucosamine along with cod liver oil and CoQ10. Available in various flavors, check out the whole lineup here.
Have a LIFEAID fav? Tag us on Instagram! @FITAID
Essentials for Postpartum Mamas
About three weeks ago, our family grew from 4 to 5 with the addition of our newest babe, Luke. Our other two kiddos are 2.5 year old twins, so this last month has been… crazy, to say the least!
We all are adjusting to our new life as a family of 5, and truthfully, the transition has gone really well so far. It still continues to amaze me though, that every baby is so different - no matter how many other children you have. And not just that, but even as a “seasoned” mama, there are still new tips and tricks I am learning in this newly postpartum stage that have made my life loads easier.
Some of these new tricks are things I really wish I had known during my first pregnancy, so I hope sharing them with you guys will help out some other soon to be mamas (whether you’re pregnant with your first or your fifth!). So what are my essentials for postpartum mamas? Here are my top 3!
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Prepare with a postpartum kit to keep in your restroom.
One of the things I was so terribly prepared for after the birth of our twins was caring for myself postpartum. The hospital provided a few bare minimum essentials (like a peri bottle and some pads), but aside from that, I really had no idea how to ease the pain of the recovery process after birth.
This time around, I made sure to purchase a MomFrida Postpartum Kit + Upside Down Peri Bottle, and now I won’t stop sharing it with people. It includes disposable boy short underwear, ice pack pads (YES, those are a thing), cooling liners, cooling and healing foam, and the upside down peri bottle. This kit was an absolute lifesaver that first week postpartum!
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A silicone pump is the most convenient (and inexpensive) way to pump while nursing or on-the-go.
Photo courtesy of foodandnutrition.org
This is a secret I really wish I knew the first time around! With the twins, I overproduced (a lot) those first few months postpartum. I was constantly pumping, and the worst was getting stuck at the hospital or a doctor's appointment or whatever longer than expected, and being in terrible pain on the drive home because I needed to pump so badly. The twins were also so small and eating so little, that their “meals” never emptied me out and I always needed to pump afterwards. Buying a silicone pump (they are less than $15!), or even two, is an amazing solution. When nursing (or even if you're out and don’t have the baby/your electric pump with you), these suction on to whatever side you aren’t nursing on and collect milk with literally no extra work from mom. Until your baby is old enough to nurse from both sides and really drink the milk you are producing, this is a great solution (and helps you build up a freezer stash of milk too!). Just be sure to have somewhere to periodically empty out the silicone pump - there is nothing like your newborn accidentally kicking the pump off and dumping 3 oz of milk on your couch. Can you tell I share that tip from experience?
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Even if you exclusively pump, you do not need a SINGLE nursing bra. Here’s why…
Photo courtesy of parents.com
This secret absolutely blew my mind when another mom friend DM’d it to me after I made a comment in a post about needing pumping bras. Nothing is more annoying than wearing nursing bras, then needing a pumping bra to hold your pump in place so you can have some free hands as it does its thing.
This YouTube video shows how to use your nursing bras (yes - the same ones you are wearing all day anyways), and convert them into pumping bras. And, I kid you not, this tip actually holds the pump in place better than the actual pumping bras do!
Not having to constantly swap my bra out throughout the day has been a game changer!
What are some of the other postpartum “secrets” or tips that blew your mind when you discovered them? What are other absolute necessities that a new mom needs in those first weeks? Tag or DM us on Instagram! @FITAID
8 Tips to Master Your Focus
Are you having trouble staying focused? Whether you’re working at the office, working remotely or even studying, staying focused and maintaining your flow state is the key to success. In this episode of The Mindset Mentor, Rob Dial enlightens us with 8 helpful tips to keep your focus without getting distracted.
Focus: The Ultimate Guide on How to Improve Focus and Concentration
What is focus and how does it work? In this article you’ll learn many things about this topic that you might not have known before! James Clear has put together some helpful ways to improve your focus, increase your attention span and even some mind hacks you can apply to yourself if you’re having trouble staying on task.
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Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction
How many times have you gone on your phone to do something, only to forget what that something was 5 seconds later? Now more than ever we live in a world that is filled with constant distraction. Chris Bailey helps us learn how to overcome these regular interruptions, allowing us to be both more productive and more efficient.
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The Murph Challenge: Who? What? Why?
Whether you're new to CrossFit or not, around Memorial Day Weekend, you have most likely heard about Murph. If you are unfamiliar, Murph, is a classic CrossFit workout known as a Hero WOD. Hero WODs are made to honor the men and women who have fallen in the line of duty. This particular WOD is to honor Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, who was killed in Afghanistan on June 28th, 2005.
The Murph workout consist of:
- 1 mile run
- 100 Pull-ups
- 200 Push-ups
- 300 Air Squats
- 1 mile run
*With a 20lb vest or body armor
This particular workout, once referred to as “Body Armor” was Murphy’s favorite workout to do. So, every year, Crossfitters around the world pay tribute to Lieutenant Murphy by joining together and completing this workout. Whether you do it alone or at your local gym with your fellow Crossfitters, remember why you are doing it. The Murph is more than just a workout. It is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and allows us the opportunity to dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor Lieutenant Murphy, a man who sacrificed everything he had for our freedom.
Who was LT. Michael P. Murphy?
Here’s an excerpt of what went down on June 28th, 2005 in Afghanistan and what makes Lt. Murphy’s story so impactful:
On June 28, 2005, Lt. Murphy was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wing tasked with finding a key anti-coalition militia commander near Asadabad, Afghanistan. Shortly after inserting into the objective area, the SEALs were spotted by three goat herders who were initially detained and then released. It is believed the goat herders immediately reported the SEALs’ presence to Taliban fighters.
A fierce gun battle ensued on the steep face of the mountain between the SEALs and a much larger enemy force. Despite the intensity of the firefight and suffering grave gunshot wounds himself, Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates. Murphy, intent on making contact with headquarters, but realizing this would be impossible in the extreme terrain where they were fighting, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own life moved into the open, where he could gain a better position to transmit a call to get help for his men.
Moving away from the protective mountain rocks, he knowingly exposed himself to increased enemy gunfire. This deliberate and heroic act deprived him of cover and made him a target for the enemy. While continuing to be fired upon, Murphy made contact with the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base and requested assistance. He calmly provided his unit’s location and the size of the enemy force while requesting immediate support for his team. At one point, he was shot in the back causing him to drop the transmitter. Murphy picked it back up, completed the call and continued firing at the enemy who was closing in. Severely wounded, Lt. Murphy returned to his cover position with his men and continued the battle.
As a result of Murphy’s call, an MH-47 Chinook helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard, was sent in as part of the QRF to extract the four embattled SEALs. As the Chinook drew nearer to the fight, a rocket-propelled grenade hit the helicopter, causing it to crash and killing all 16 men aboard.
On the ground and nearly out of ammunition, the four SEALs continued to fight. By the end of a two-hour gunfight that careened through the hills and over cliffs, Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz and Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew Axelson had fallen. An estimated 35 Taliban were also dead. The fourth SEAL, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell, was blasted over a ridge by a rocket-propelled grenade and knocked unconscious. Though severely wounded, the fourth SEAL and sole survivor, Luttrell, was able to evade the enemy for nearly a day; after which local nationals came to his aide, carrying him to a nearby village where they kept him for three more days. Luttrell was rescued by U.S. Forces on July 2, 2005.
By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit and inspirational devotion to his men in the face of certain death, Lt. Murphy was able to relay the position of his unit, an act that ultimately led to the rescue of Luttrell and the recovery of the remains of the three who were killed in the battle.
Lt. Murphy was buried at Calverton National Cemetery less than 20 miles from his childhood home. Lt. Murphy’s other personal awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon and National Defense Service Medal.
- Murphy Foundation
If you participate in this year’s Murph workout, please share your pictures, videos, and experiences with us on Instagram and be sure to tag @fitaid.