Health and Fitmass Day 4 - Understanding Sports Nutrition

Over the past few years I have learnt a lot about Nutrition and how it can affect our body at cellular level and that there is a direct correlation between a fitness or sports programme and how these increase demands placed these greater demands of our bodies is often overlooked and little understood by many runners, athletes or sports people today. As a result, over time, the demands of activity will lead to depletion of vital nutrients and reduce the body's ability to perform well in your chosen activity and can lead to health issues, short term if dealt with immediately or longer term if ignored.


All too often I hear people say "I'm not running well at the moment my hamstrings are playing up", " As soon as I put more effort in to my race my old injury is back with a vengence" , " I don't quite run as fast as I used to" or it might be someone I was running with last week tripped and broke their ankle and that someone is aged 26, or in generic terms "my mother turned around sharply to pick up her iron and broke her femur". The evidence is there and most people ingnore the fact that something could be done to deal with the problem situation, whether it is prevention, recovery, repair or to simply fill a nutritional gap left by everyday living, fitness or sports.


The Sports Nutrition Industry


Let's look at the Sports Nutrition Industry for a moment. Historically, the industry has been dominated by companies promoting products containing stimulants, once someone is hooked on stimulants it has a detrimental effect . Great quantities of ANY stimulant ( esp caffeine) are not good for anyone, whether it for health, fitness or sports. These lead to issues with the hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal system and can cause a host of hormonal problems that affect metabolism and other systemic cascades. There are secondary problems to those dependent on such substances and these in turn can lead to further depletion of skeletal, muscular and organ functions. As a health and fitness professional it is important to steer those that make unwise choices to healthier options to help the individual improve their underpinning health, fitness or sports, this in turn will lead to better, prevention, protection, recovery, repair and ultimately better performance in their chosen functional activity, whether it be Nordic Walking, Running, Zumba Fitness or Sports such as. Golf, Cricket, Rugby, Football or Body-building, etc.


Ingredients in many energy products containing stimulants are largely composed of sugar, pharmaceutical produced caffeine and a variety of additives. These typically provide a temporary shot of energy, often followed by an energy 'slump' or 'crash' or other unpleasant side effects. In turn continual spikes and abuse of the body's blood sugar levels may lead to side effects such as: mineral depletion, restless muscles, internal inflammation, excessive nervousness, stomach problems, anxiety, sleeplessness, fat storage, elevated heart rate, in turn this may lead to longer term health issues such as, Obesity, type II diabetes, Osteoporosis or CHD.


The Nature Sunshine Difference


The Nature Sunshine Difference is made by specialising in manufacturing, natural, organically wildcrafted products to the highest global standards that promote better health. The sports nutrition range, provides you with results that will help you improve your daily, fitness or sports activities.


There are a number of products in the Sports and Nutrition range, each and every one is scientifically designed to systemically enhance your body's functionality and performance. There are general products to provide your body with environmental protection, and replace nutrients, vitamins and minerals lost through every day living, fitness and sports, these include: SynerProtein, Omega 3, Super Supplemental, Liquid Chlorophyl, Zambroza and TNT. Some of these will help to balance the blood sugars, and aid muscular recovery and repair. Whilst other more specific key systems products such as Skeletal Strength, Proactyzme, and Nutricalm will work systemically too, repair, protect and support the body, the digestive or central nervous system. Others will cleanse cellular toxic waste (Healthy Starter Programme) from your body and some will supercharge the body to help it deal with for more demanding activities. There are others still that work on prevention, such as Everflex and Omega 3 Epa.

Prevention then is Better than a Cure

There you have it, you can stimulate a change should you choose to do so, if you would like to protect your bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments, it's Skeletal Strength, if you wish to protect your joints it is Everflex, if you wish to reduce inflammation and protect your joints it is Zambroza and Omega 3 . Muscular recovery and repair it's Synerprotein, Environmental Pollution it's TNT, the question that remains now is can you afford not to?

When is a Zumba party not just a party...

When is a Zumba party not just a party! When it's a whole lot more besides!

Let the Party begin at your pace.

Party On!

The Citadel

On the 18th of November 2011, I went along to Peterborough's 3rd Intergenerational Convention to present a Workshop for Healthy Living in the context of Intergenerational (IG)Practice and bringing people together through activity. The activity Caroline asked me to present was Zumba Fitness and as an educational point of view the workshop presented was Zumba Gold is not just for Old - It's for the Peterboroughs Intergenerational Practice!

Definition of Intergenerational Practice“Intergenerational (IG) Practice aims to bring people together in purposeful, mutually beneficial activities which promote greater understanding and respect between generations and contributes to building more cohesive communities. Intergenerational practice is inclusive, building on the positive resources that the young and old have to offer each other and those around them”
(Beth Johnson Foundation, 2006)


Zumba Gold bringing people of all ages together through activity...


The aim of the workshop was to inspire different generations of people and bring Zumba Gold party to everyone standing or in a chair —"Where there’s an empty space, there’s a Zumba gold party waiting to happen!"


In this workshop we explored the benefits of activity and how the Zumba fitness program can be adapted to suit people of all ages, young or old. From the participants that were chair based, those with limited mobility, with joint or health issues to those with greater abilities and how we can get people moving together through music no matter what age or ability.Bringing People of all ages together for activity healthy living workshop offered the participants a unique Zumba (gold) experience.



To find out more about how the Zumba Party Health & Fitness workshop program can help your group, contact Sue Burnett, Active Edge Solutions. w: www.activeedgesolutions.co.uk, m: 07901 937 665

Bringing People of All Ages | Zumba

ZUMBA GOLD® is not just for OLD - It's for Peterborough's Intergenerational Workshop, Friday 18th November , 2011.


The aim is to keep the party going for different generations of people and bring Zumba Gold classes and party almost anywhere — Where there’s an empty space, there’s a Zumba gold party waiting to happen!

Bringing People of all ages together for activity
Fridays Intergenerational healthy living workshop will offer you a unique Zumba experience. In this workshop we will explore the benefits of activity and how the Zumba fitness program can be adapted to suit people of all ages and abilities and how we can get people moving together through music. Convention doors open, 09:30 and ends 12:30 join us if you can.


To find out more about how the Zumba gold program can help you or your group, please contact Sue Burnett, Active Edge Solutions. w: www.activeedgesolutions.co.uk, m: 07901 937 665

3 ways to get a Wii Bit Fitter with Zumba

Wii Fit Zumba

You may not be ready to join a Zumba class yet or the classes are not in your area or at the time you want to do it.  There is a solution, perhaps you have a Wii fit device?  Why don't you pop on a Zumba Wii Fitness CD instead of watching Strictly come dancing. You will move more , have more fun and have a laugh too. Do bear in mind your personal fitness levels and take it slowly. Watch out for hazards, like small toys, sharp objects like table legs or other pieces of furniture.

Zumba gold and Zumba basics Fitness classes

At Active Edge Solutions we offer you an introduction to Zumba Fitness and continuing fitness program based on the Zumba fitness program.  We design and blend the the class with Zumba gold and Zumba basics tracks to suit the group it is isn't one pace fits all. We realise that you need to take it steadier, at different levels,  you want less impact and you want easy to follow moves in a fun filled environment with out pressure.  


Personal Zumba Fitness Program
 Another alternative fitness program for you to consider  is to reserve your own private instructor for your Zumba training program. This will enable you to enjoy the Zumba experience at time that suits you and have the class set at a pace that suits you. Whether you want a train at home budget plan or you need to have more personal plan there will be one to suit you.   A program that is done regulary and safely will definately help you get a wee bit fitter. What ever you choose, have fun and keep moving.

To book your personal Zumba Fitness Training program. Contact Sue: http://www.activeedgesolutions.co.uk/

The Green Festival 2011

Dear Fitness Fans, you are in for a few fitness festival treats at this years GREEN FESTIVAL  2011 which will be launched on Saturday the 28th of May for 2 weeks of family fun. Over the last few weeks I've been talking to Peterborough Environment City Trust's very own, Penny Fletcher and we've been talking about all the exciting things that are happening at the GREEN FESTIVAL the festival launch day in Cathedral Square, the "stage bus" a bus that transforms into a stage, the Nordic Walking Events and the Trashion Show timetable.

We've been invited to take part in GREEN FESTIVAL 2011 launch on the stage bus, yes you heard right I'll be 'live' on the stage bus on the 28th of May and a second appearance 'live' at the TRASHION show on Thursday the 09th of June and this promises to be a fabulous fiesta of fun and an exciting extravaganza of Trashion on the catwalk.  We are delighted to deliver an exciting fun packed event fitness program and i'll be launching Zumba Fitness ® , ViPR™ Fitness and our Green Festival British Nordic Walking program for the fortnight ahead. It doesn't matter how fit, what shape or what age you are, it's taking part that counts.

The Green Festival begins on Saturday the 28th of May at 10 am, our 30 minute ZUMBA® Party will start at 10:30 am, you are all invited and it is FREE to attend. You will find details of this and other Zumba classes we'll be offering soon, keep watching. Read More...




During the festival launch and the following week Sue Burnett and Anna-Marie Malone will be in the crowds and capturing the essence of the Festival for Peterborough FM, your community radio station. We would like to know your views, your opinions and most of all your inspirations to be part of this community festival.

Throughout the two weeks there'll be a program of events for the whole family including some introduction to Nordic Walk sessions for complete beginners, this will allow you to find out a bit more about this wonderful activity and whether it is right for you. Who knows you might be inspired to learn this green skill and swap it for your fuel guzzling motor car, bus or motor cycle as an alternative transport to work, the city or your local shops.
Check out our events and activity time-table and request further information about event details. Read More...

And as if that's not enough, we are offering further FREE fitness sessions and demonstrations during the TRASHION show catwalk on Thursday the 09th of June, we'll be delivering a FREE Zumba Fitness Class ® between 10:00 am and 11:00 am in Peterborough's Queensgate shopping centre. This will be followed later in the day by a Nordic Walking Demonstration which is scheduled for 2:30 pm and there is a ViPR fitness session being offered at 4:30 pm. The audience will have a rare opportunity to take part in these 'live' events as they happen.  Are you ready to join the Green Festival 2011 Party?


Our roving Peterborough FM reporters will not only be taking part in The Trashion Show but will also be out and about asking the cast and community about the show. How's that for multi-tasking? Join us at the post event party which will be held at Charters for more festival party action.

Please note these event times may be subject to change so do keep checking the time-tables and with event organisers on the day for any last miniute changes or updates to the scheduled program.