Take a look at our April newsletter!
LETTERS OF PROOF (928) 440-3106 | www.ProofPT.com
April 2023
R
ARE YOU READY FOR HIKING SEASON?
Safety Tips to Keep in Mind
app before heading out. That way, you can see where you’re going and stay on track. Even if you don’t have service, you can figure out where you are and where you need to go next. Many options are available, but some of our favorites are AllTrails, TrailForks, and Strava. Numerous trails in Flagstaff overlap or require multiple connections, so these apps help ensure you don’t end up on a different course. Bringing the Essentials Pick and choose what you bring on your hike. If you bring too much, your pack will weigh you down, making the trip more difficult. If you bring too little, you might not have the necessary items to get you out of a jam. Water is vital, and I’ll usually bring extra in case I get injured or my hike takes longer than anticipated. You should also bring some food and snacks to stay energized. My go-to snacks are jerky and salty chips. A hat and sunscreen are also a must for me because, as you may have noticed, the sun and my complexion don’t really mix. Another important thing to bring is a first aid kit. The one I have is quite small so it doesn’t take up a lot of room. One thing I make sure to add to any prepackaged first-aid kit is a small roll of duct tape. You’d be surprised with all the ways it can come in handy. Knowing Your Limits You might be excited to get out there and start hiking, but you must be aware of your limits. Pushing too hard too quickly is a recipe for disaster. Research the trail you’re planning to tackle before going. Figure out how long you’ll be out, the distance you’ll travel, and the elevation changes you need to prepare for. From there, you’ll better understand what you need to bring. Hiking is a great way to get outside and exercise, as long as you take the proper precautions. I’ll be ramping up my excursions this month, and I hope to see you on the trails.
The weather is starting to warm up here in Flagstaff, and while winter sports are great, I’ve been getting antsy for the ice and snow to melt so I can return to my No. 1 activity: hiking! There are some genuinely phenomenal hikes in our area that are worth checking out every year. Humphreys Peak and the surrounding trails are my favorites, but I also like hiking new trails as often as I can. While hiking is a great way to get outside and stay active, there are some precautions you should take. Below are a few safety tips to keep in mind if you’re planning to do long hikes this spring or summer. Letting People Know Where You Are Ideally, you should always have someone to hike with since it’s safer than going alone, but this might not be an option for everyone. If no one else is planning on tagging along with me (other than my dog, who always comes), I make sure to let others know where I’m going and how long I should be gone. Before I leave the house (while I still have service), I always text my mom the name of the trail and a screenshot of my starting location. She texts me back later to ensure I made it home safely if I forgot to check-in afterward. It’s comforting to know she’s paying attention if anything were to happen and I got stuck out in the woods! Using a Tracking App It’s not always obvious which path you should take when hiking. If you’re worried about getting lost, download a trail
–Amanda Kimmel
• 1 (928) 440-3106
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
ADD MORE MOVEMENT TO EACH DAY GET IN BETTER SHAPE
Walk or bike to your destinations. We’re all accustomed to
Getting the movement our bodies and minds need each day can be challenging. Many of us work on computers for hours, only standing to use the restroom or refill our water bottles. But we need to do more than that to stay healthy. When we add more movement to our daily routines, our muscles grow stronger, which helps improve our balance, stability, and coordination. Our bones become more durable and our joints more flexible. It’s no secret that moving helps us live healthier, but going to the gym can be expensive and time-consuming. Thankfully, we can adopt simple daily routines to add more movement to our lives. Here are a few worth trying. Be active on your work breaks. If you work an eight-hour shift, you are entitled to a few breaks throughout your day. Try to use them to be active. Stand up and stretch or walk around once an hour if you work on a computer. Set reminders on your phone so you don’t forget. You can even utilize a standing desk to avoid sitting for extended periods. If possible, get out during your lunch break and walk instead of sitting down. Being active throughout the day will help prevent stiffness and fatigue while improving focus and productivity.
getting in our cars whenever we need to go somewhere, but maybe it’s time to walk or get the bike out instead. If you travel
a short distance for work, consider walking there or riding a bicycle if possible. The same goes for trips to the post office, grocery store, or other locations close to your home. You’ll add some extra movement and sunlight to your days. Take the stairs. If you work in an office building, skip the elevator. If you work from home and have stairs in your house or apartment, walk up and down the steps a few times. You can also take the stairs up to buildings instead of using walking ramps. This adjustment is one of the quickest ways to add exercise into your day, and it doesn’t take much! These little changes can go a long way, but remember that doing these activities once is not enough. They need to become a habit. Perform them every day when possible, and you’ll feel better physically in no time.
How Improved Balance Empowers Your Actions
Balance is essential in everything you do, every day, all the time. Most of the time, you maintain your balance without even realizing it. However, you may notice a decline in your ability to balance as you age or after suffering an injury. You can combat this decline by performing balance exercises, such as yoga, standing on one leg, or walking heel-to-toe. You’ll notice numerous benefits in all aspects of your life when you practice proper balance.
move more freely and easily, making everyday tasks like walking, running, and climbing stairs easier. This can also lead to improved overall fitness and physical health. Good balance can even help if you’ve been suffering from poor posture or back pain, as it improves posture and alignment.
Not all of the benefits of proper balance are physical, though. You can also experience significant mental benefits. Good balance helps reduce stress and anxiety and improves your focus and concentration. This can cause you to do better in work or school while enhancing your overall quality of life. You may also feel more confident or boost your self-esteem since balance can help with general fitness and physical health. It’s never too late to start improving your balance. Try doing yoga or performing balance exercises, and you’ll quickly notice various improvements to your mental and physical well-being.
One of the best benefits of having a solid balance is reducing the likelihood of falling and getting injured. When you have good balance, you’re less likely to trip and fall, which usually leads to severe injuries. Nothing is worse than slipping and breaking a bone or injuring your head, which is why keeping up with balance exercises is vital, regardless of age. Another fantastic benefit of improved balance is increased mobility and flexibility. With good balance, you can
2 • WWW. PROOFPT.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
Every other month, new dieting fads seem to take the world by storm. Some popular diets aren’t beneficial, while others have incredible health benefits, so how do people know what’s worth trying? Luckily, one recent diet out there may be a little bit more credible than the rest: the Nordic diet. Nutritionists, scientists, and chefs decided to create this diet in 2004 to help slow obesity rates and unsustainable farming practices in Nordic countries, but it might help residents of the U.S., too! The Nordic diet emphasizes consuming food high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Fruits, vegetables, and seafood are common on Nordic diet menus, but what separates the Nordic diet from the others is that it uses canola oil, which has less saturated fat than olive oil and other processed options. You’re supposed to eat a decreased amount of sugar and twice the amount of fiber and seafood than a typical diet. Some phenomenal physical health benefits come with switching over to the Nordic diet. It helps reduce inflammation throughout the body and can even reduce your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Many people who tried the diet noticed decreased cholesterol and lower blood pressure while they followed these guidelines, even saying they lost weight or had an easier time staying in shape. TRY THE NORDIC DIET! Need a Nutritional Boost?
You may have seen the Nordic diet on the news after Noma, a three-Michelin-star restaurant known for its Nordic menu, recently closed in Copenhagen. Food critics and patrons rated this restaurant as one of the best in the world, but the owner found the grueling hours and intense workplace culture unsustainable. So, still wanting to work in the food industry, he converted Noma into a food laboratory. You can change and improve your diet anytime, but experts recommend the Nordic diet for its many health benefits. Make sure you pick up whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, and other items next time you go to the grocery store. You’ll be amazed how what you eat can improve how you feel.
TAKE A BREAK!
Cod and Asparagus Bake
Inspired by FeastingAtHome.com
This recipe is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights when eating healthy seems impossible. The buttery cod is low-fat and a great way to include healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan brushed with oil, place cod, asparagus, and tomatoes. 2. Brush cod with lemon juice, then sprinkle with lemon zest. Sprinkle cod and vegetables with Romano cheese. Bake until fish flakes easily with a fork, about 12 minutes. 3. Remove pan from oven; preheat broiler. Broil cod mixture 3-4 inches from the heat source until vegetables are lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.
• Oil for baking pan • 4 4-oz cod fillets • 1 lb thin asparagus, trimmed • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest • 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
• 3 (928) 440-3106
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
(928) 440-3106 | www.ProofPT.com
460 N. Switzer Canyon Dr., Ste. 400 Flagstaff, AZ 86001
1. Hiking Safety Tips 2. 3 Ways to Move More During the Day The Many Benefits of Improved Balance 3. What Is the Nordic Diet? Cod and Asparagus Bake 4. How Chris Pratt Prepared for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FROM ‘PARKS AND REC’ TO MARVEL FAME Understanding Chris Pratt’s Physical Transformation
Many of us were enjoying the hilarious antics of Chris Pratt’s character on “Parks and Recreation” back in 2010. A few years later, Pratt had been chosen to star in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which was met with confusion from the fans. Some wondered how the chubby guy from a comedy sitcom would be able to transform into an action star. Even James Gunn, the director of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” was unsure about Pratt before his audition, stating, “Sarah Finn, our casting director, really deserves the credit for Chris because she kept putting his picture in front of me. I was like, ‘The chubby guy from “Parks and Rec”? Don’t be stupid.’”
landing the role of Star-Lord, Pratt posted a picture of himself shirtless on social media, and fans were amazed. He was in incredible shape, weighing 60 pounds less with six-pack abs. So, how did Chris Pratt get into such incredible shape? He had intensive workouts six days a week and a very strict diet. Marvel paired Pratt up with a personal trainer and a nutritionist who had him consume over 4,000 calories a day while drinking extreme amounts of water. He stopped drinking beer and avoided processed foods and sugar. His exercise routine was nothing short of intense. They often included sessions of P90X, running, swimming, boxing, and kickboxing. And he even participated in a triathlon. But Pratt hasn’t let his physique diminish over the past decade. He’s kept up with his routine and looks as physically fit as ever. Pratt didn’t just start his weight loss journey because of his career; he did it for his personal well-being and health. Most of us won’t be able to imitate Pratt’s fitness routine, but we can certainly take inspiration from it to fuel our own fitness endeavors.
Pratt weighed over 300 pounds when he was chosen for the role of Star-Lord, but he was still concerned about his physique. In one instance, the studio sent him a prop and asked for pictures of him with the prop, and he was nervous he would be fired for how he looked. Six months after
4 • WWW. PROOFPT.COM
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator