Norwalk, Greenwich, Stamford, and Westport Blog » Weight Loss

Great “Healthier” Blueberry Cheesecake Recipe for Members of the Westport Personal Training Blog

Jason LaChance — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:09:11 +0000

I know Katzenberg Kafe on 22 Main St in Westport has a ridiculously good cheesecake, but I figured I’d bring you a healthier alternative. For those that are watching their diets treats such as these can be the difference between sticking with the program or falling off. This blueberry cheesecake is a great way to indulge without breaking off course.

This is a great recipe from John Berardi for those of us that have a sweet tooth. I just happen to love cheesecake and especially blueberry cheescake so I had to try it out. I’m not a cook by any means, but it still came out damn good for me. What he says below is true…I had to give some away to my cousin as I usually eat whatever is around. The author is pretty much world renowned for his nutrition methods, and I’ve actually watched his dvd’s and they give a great step by step for those they need help.

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Blueberry Cheesecake Yes, you read this correctly…blueberry cheesecake! Just be careful with these things, as it is nearly impossible to put the cheesecake down after you’ve taken one bite. From my experience, and the stories of my friends who have made them, it’s almost impossible to keep an entire cheesecake around for longer than one day.

Ingredients:

* Crust 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
o ¼ cup ground flax seeds
o ¼ cup raw oat bran
o 1 oz fat-free cream cheese, warmed in microwave
o 1/3 cup water

* Cheesecake:
o 2 cups lowfat cottage cheese
o ½ package (52 g) powdered Jell-O instant pudding, cheesecake flavor
o 3 oz. fat-free cream cheese
o 3 scoops strawberry whey protein powder*
o 1 cup frozen blueberries and 4 tablespoons granulated Splenda (*see option 2 below before adding these at this stage)

Instructions:To make the crust, mix crust ingredients in a large bowl. Stir this mixture until it is all the same consistency, then press into a 9-inch pie pan sprayed with Pam, stretching the crust up the sides of the pan.For the rest of the cake, put the other ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. You might have to blend it in smaller portions, depending on the power of your blender, but resist the temptation to add water, as this makes the cake soupy. Also, more Jell-O mix can be added for more desirable consistency. Pour the blender mixture into the crusted pan, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

*Blueberry option 2: to make a ‘fancier’ cheesecake, thaw the blueberries, then stir the Splenda in with them, and use this as a topping for the cheesecake.

Makes 6 slices.Macronutrient Profile (each slice):

* 258 k/cal* Fat: 5 g (2s, 1m, 2p)* Carbs: 30 g (2 fiber)* Protein: 25 g

The Bound Around the Sound Road Race in Westport….

Jason LaChance — Sun, 11 May 2008 06:19:00 +0000

Bound Around the Sound is a great road race taking place right here in Westport next weekend May 17. This is a great opportunity to meet others that share an interest in fitness while enjoying a very scenic run. There will be fitness and nutrition experts to help answer any of your questions about living a healthy lifestyle. This is truly a one of a kind fitness event for Westport and Fairfield County. Check out the website below for more info.

Bound Around The Sound

Date:

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Time:

09:00 AM

Venue:

Sherwood Island State Park

Address:

Sherwood Island Connector
Westport, CT 06880

Brief Description:

Please join us for our 3rd annual 5K race at Sherwood Island Park in Westport! This unique cross country course runs along the Long Island Sound and into the park’s nature reserve all culminating in a a spectacular seaside finish. For an extra challenge, this year we have added a “mini-miler” for children. Please arrive early to pick up your race packet. Registration begins at 8 am.

Additional Information

In addition to the races, health and wellness experts will be available to provide information on topics related to fitness and nutrition. Bound Around the Sound is part of JLSN’s Building Healthy Families initiative, which promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle through education, resource materials, workshops and fitness events targeted to local parents and children.

Prices:

5K Run/Walk Adult – $15.00
5K Run/Walk Child – $10.00
Kid’s 1mile or 50 yard Dash – $10.00

Online Registration Closes:

05/16/08 11:59 PM

Website:

http://www.jlsn.org/jlsn/index.jsp

Directions

Sherwood Island Park is located off the I-95. From the East: Take I-95 South to exit 18. From US Route 1, take the Sherwood Island Connector past Route 95 directly into the park. From the West: Take I-95 North to exit 18. From US Route 1, take the Sherwood Island Connector past Route 95 directly into the park.

Parking

There is ample parking in the lot adjacent to the park. The parking fees are $7 for in-state vehicles and $10 for out-of-state vehicles. Carpooling is encouraged.

Schedule

8:00am: On site registration begins 9:15am: Tot Trot 9:30am: Mini-Miler 10:00am: 5K race

Some daily motivation to get in shape…courtesy of Reese Witherspoon

Jason LaChance — Sun, 11 May 2008 06:02:00 +0000

Here’s a great pic of Reese Witherspoon working out at a park in Santa Monica, CA. This is a great example of how you can improve your fitness level anywhere and at anytime. Boot camps and outdoor personal training are great ways to get in shape and enjoy the sunshine at the same time. Check below Reese for some links to local Fairfield County parks.

Here are some park links for Fairfield County:

Westport: Park Facilities
Norwalk: Parks and Rec
Stamford: Park Listing
Greenwich: Parks, Playgrounds, and Facilities

WHAT I’M DOING….

Jason LaChance — Sun, 11 May 2008 04:17:00 +0000

Checking out a few sites from workout pass. I have to admit I haven’t used this site enough as there’s just too many sites and too many workouts to go over. I guess that’s a good thing though. I still haven’t seen any Westport or Fairfield County fitness sites on here, but I guess I’ll keep looking. Maybe I’ll even try to add my own hybrid workout/fitness site.

WHAT I’M DOING….

Jason LaChance — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:31:00 +0000

Reading about the effects of interval training on fat loss, and thinking about all the women I see in Westport and all of Fairfield County that coast during their cardio sessions.

Meal Replacements: Are They For You? on Yahoo! Health

Jason LaChance — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:11:00 +0000

This is a good article from Yahoo Health and Knees for those considering taking meal replacements. It explains the pro’s and con’s and gives a little bit of advice.

I would always suggest eating whole foods if possible, but meal replacements are just an easy way to add protein and nutrition to a busy day.

The Wesport PT Blog recommends supplementing a whey protein powder such as isopure. Try mixing a scoop with water, berries, and ice for a tasty smoothie for a more nutritious and less processed meal replacement. Proper nutrition is a key component in helping you get to the fitness level you want, and these shakes/bars can definitely help you get there.

“If you want to lose weight and think you’d like to try a meal-replacement product, first weigh the pros and cons.

On the plus side, meal replacements: * are convenient * can save you time * are calorie and portion controlled * are often fortified with vitamins and minerals * often have a sweet taste that can satisfy a sweet tooth

On the downside, meal replacements: * can be expensive * often become boring because they don’t come in many varieties. For example, Slim Fast® shakes only come in a few flavors. * might not satisfy your appetite the same as a meal would — drinking a shake may not be as satisfying as eating a turkey sandwich. * sometimes leave a vitamin aftertaste — and if you don’t like the taste, you won’t stick with the program and lose weight.

In sum, meal replacements can be effective for weight loss when replacing one or two meals each day. They are generally safe, as long as your calorie intake doesn’t fall too low. If your calorie intake falls below 1,200 per day, you should ask your physician to supervise your diet.Meal replacements can work if you do the work and follow the plan”

Meal Replacements: Are They For You? on Yahoo! Health

The warm weather is here!! Head outside to burn those extra calories!!

Jason LaChance — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:37:00 +0000

Westport and the coastal towns of Fairfield County have the perfect settings to head outdoors during the spring, summer, and fall. Check out the study below…..

A study published by the New York Times compared running outdoors on pavement to indoors on the treadmill. The conclusion was that you will burn more calories outside then in, but you will also have a greater chance of injury outdoors.

My recommendation would be to combine the two. If your legs are feeling rundown or if your in a less intense week then the treadmill is the answer. However if your fresh and looking to ramp up the calories burned, then head outside!! They both have benefits to increase your fitness level, and should be used accordingly.

“A number of studies have shown that in general, outdoor running burns about 5 percent more calories than treadmills do, in part because there is greater wind resistance and no assistance from the treadmill belt. Some studies show, for example, that when adults are allowed to set their own paces on treadmills and on tracks, they move more slowly and with shorter strides when they train on treadmills.”

“But other studies show that treadmill exercisers suffer fewer stress injuries in the leg. One study published in 2003 in the British journal of sports medicine, for example, analyzed a group of runners and found significantly higher rates of bone strain and tension during pavement running than during treadmill running, particularly in the tibia, or shinbone. This increased strain can heighten the risk of stress fractures by more than 50 percent, the study found.”

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WHAT I’M DOING…….

Jason LaChance — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:15:00 +0000

Checking out some parks in Westport, Norwalk, Stamford, and Greenwich to hold boot camps at. Does anybody have any favorite parks to work out at?

Find Westport, Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich and All Fairfield County Gyms

Jason LaChance — Sat, 10 May 2008 07:08:00 +0000

Here’s a great site for finding gyms not only Westport, CT but in Fairfield County and even the rest of the country for are distant readers.

“Free Guest Passes At Health ClubsGymTicket.com has the most complete directory of over 20,000 gyms and healt”h clubs across the country. Find out about gyms near you and get free guest passes at participating gyms, health clubs and fitness centers.Get started by typing in your address and we will display a list of gyms and fitness centers closest to your location. We update our database regularly so you can access the latest information on gym memberships from our health club directory.”

http://www.gymticket.com/gyms/CT/Westport/?zip=06880&address=1849%20Post%20Rd%20E%20Westport,%20CT

Westport CT….What a Workout Enviroment

Jason LaChance — Sat, 10 May 2008 06:49:00 +0000

Here’s a great pic of the Westport Yacht Basin by Andrea Fine.

What a great setting and enviroment to work out in. If the sunset isn’t enough motivation to get in shape then I don’t know what is.

I wonder what the stats for fitness levels of individuals who live near water compared to those who live inland.

Wesport in the summer really reminds me of San Diego as health and fitness really are brought to the forefront. That is until the winter comes around, and then its indoors to the gyms and personal training studios. I guess we have to enjoy it while we can!!