Sleep Like A Champion - Sleep Tips For Athletes

Sleep is so important! I never realized just how important it was until I started taking my fitness and health more seriously in University as an athlete and then when I started working full time as a personal trainer (5 am wakeup). Then I realized just how awesome naps are during the day. Thank you so much @casper for letting me try your very comfortable mattress and catch up on some of those precious ZZZ’s in your #snoozeroom in Toronto yesterday. And thank you for helping me learn more about just how to get the sleep I need. Look out for this traveling sleep room around Toronto for the next few weeks.

The following are some great tips from the folks at Casper on how to sleep like a champion - Sleep tips for athletes.

My Experience With Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection

I was recently sent the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection to try out! When the bag was delivered to my house I quickly opened it up to reveal the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection. What an awesome idea! Finally a collection of odor defence laundry pods and beads specifically designed to fight gym smells! The Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection has been designed to “remove odors at the source so odors don't come back, wash after wash.” They have the added power of Febreze, which is supposed to break down built-in odors and layers of body soil and dinge, which can lead to odor issues over time. In addition, Downy Fresh Protect with Febreze Odor Defense infuses your laundry with motion-activated technology to neutralize odors for 24 hour odor protection while you move throughout your day!

I was particularly excited because as most of you reading this know that I practically live in the gym. I train athletes, business men and women, fitness enthusiasts, fitness rookies and run transformation programs. I also train myself up to 3x a day. Not only am I training but I train intensely with 1x strength training session and 2x a day intense cardio. So you can imagine just how much I sweat when I am working out that hard. Fabrics that I wear when I train include neoprene, elastane, spandex and moisture wicking blends. We all know that these hold smells and sometimes they are hard to get out!

I basically living and breathing in gym clothes day and and day out you can probably imagine how many times a day that I normally have to change my clothes due to sweat, dirt and smell. I sometimes go through three or more outfits. And how many loads of laundry that I have to do! I was in desperate need for an elevated laundry regime. You don’t realize how dirty your clothes actually are until the “rebloom” happens (either during the workout or while resting in your gym clothes, when you least expect it).

What a difference the Tide + Downy made for me and my laundry. I used the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection every time I did laundry for an entire week. I was blown away by the difference in smell, the freshness and the softness of my favorite go to gym clothes! Even my regular clients commented on my freshness (not that I was that bad before) but the smell of fresh laundry due to the infused febreeze is noticeably different with the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection. I didn’t have to change as often as I use to and the odors were definitely neutralized.

I would recommend this product to every gym goer, outdoor adventurist or weekend warrior. Basically anyone who is active should have the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection and use it on all of their clothes! Remember to put the pods or beads in before your laundry and you won’t be disappointed. Trust me you won’t want to wash your gym clothes in anything else again. Tide #getsitout

You can learn more about the Tide + Downy Odor Defense Collection products on their social channels and website:

@Tide - Facebook, twitter

@tidelaundry - Instagram

http://tide.com/en-us/about-tide/tide-downy-odor-defense-collection

#getsitout #sponsored #tide #laundry #odor #odordefencecollection #workout

Fits is hosting an event that is focused on sports injury prevention. It is a one hour seminar with Dr. Thomas Lam, who is known as a specialist in his field and has worked with various athletes from the NBA, NHL and Olympic team. This is a free event, and we are trying to raise public awareness on the importance of a healthy lifestyle as well as preventative measures on sports injuries, rehabilitation and proper development. www.fitstoronto.com

Information is below:

Thank You @gatoradecanada #keepsweating

Did you know that losing >2% of body mass through seat has been shown to impair athletic performance? Hydration is so important! and Gatorade helps with that.

I came home the other day to a giant box delivered to my concierge. I lug it all the way upstairs and open it up to find a giant gatorade water jug filled with Gatorade products.  Some I knew existed and others I didn't. Who knew that gatorade made protein bars. Not only are they packed with 20g of protein but they are delicious. Every single flavour. Im a fan of the caramel one myself. They also gave me a towel for sweat while I workout and an arm band to keep my iPod in while working out. There was every flavour of Gatorade, g2, Gatorade protein shakes, a water bottle, and even information on the Gatorade Sport Science Institute. The GSSI has worked with athletes from NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, NASCARR, WTA, CHL, Ironman, NCAA football and even professional soccer. www.GSIweb.org/en-ca

The Train It Right household will be happily hydrated by Gatorade over the next few weeks! Thanks again Gatorade Canada! #keepsweating

Panamania Presents PUSH - A Tangled Art + Disability Production

During the Parapan  Am Games I was lucky enough to receive an invite from Rockit Promotions to attend Panamania Presents PUSH - A Tangled Art + Disability Production. The production was presented by Panamanian present by CIBC and in association with Ping Chong + Company. Ryerson University also supported the production.

Upon arrival I learned that Tangled Art + Disability is a registered charitable organization that is dedicated to the advancement of artists with disabilities and to enhancing access to arts and culture for all. It was founded in 2003 as Abilities Arts Festival, Tangled has produced 12 multidisciplinary arts festivals employing local and international disability-identified artists, while engaging new and returning artists and audiences with year round programming.

It was amazing that the whole theatre was wheel chair assessable. This made it easy for everyone to enter and be seated in the theatre. Unlike many other theatres which aren't as easily accessible.

The entire cast were Parapan Am athletes who had amazing stories of trial and triumph to tell us. The production also went through and told us detailed history about how the Para Games came about. I cried, I laughed, I empathized but most of all I was inspired by each of their stories. Push gets a 10/10 from me. I wanted to go a second time it was that good.

Push! Real Athletes. Real Stories. Real Theatre was part of an ongoing series of community-specific oral history theater works known as the Undesirable Elements series. The script is based on interviews with the participants who then share their own true stories in the final production.

Prepformers/Parapan Am Athletes:

Sarai Demers (Downhill Skier)

Jenna Lambert (Swimmer)

Victoria Nolan (Rowing)

Paul Rosen (Sledge Hockey)

Martha Sandoval Gustafson (Athletics)

Jody Schloss (Horseback Riding)

I was given the opportunity to interview one of the performers Jody Schloss from the production. She is a grade 1A competitor, and gained recognition as a disable athlete in her late 30's. Jody lost her ability to walk and talk when she sustained a brain injury in a car accident that left her in a 3-month long coma. After years of physical rehabilitation and regaining her independence Jody has since become a fierce competitor and made her Paralympic debut in London, 2012.

How did you get involved in theatrics/push?

Katie contacted me by email last summer, I knew I wasn't able to participate as an athlete in the Para PanAm games because there are no Para Dressage events but I still wanted to be involved. I thought it would be fun to do the play with other athletes that have encountered similar obstacles as I have.

I recently received a package from www.energybits.com which are a form of algae tabs. This is a natural supplement that is plant-based and vegan. They are made from one ingredient and are paleo-friendly. Did you know that algae has been used by Olympic athletes in Asia for over 50 years? I had no idea until I discovered the energy bits!

I was sent both the Energybits and the recoverybits that have a catchy slogan on them "it's ok to swallow" which I had a little chuckle about. They do however suggest swallowing rather than chewing them. The are quite strong "green" tasting.

Energybits

Are a pre-workout performance fuel for athletes that include runners,  triathletes and endurance athletes. They are made from 100% organic spirulina algae, they have the highest concentration of protein in the world and deliver a stead stream of energy, without sugar, caffeine, chemicals, soy, or gluten.

Recoverybits

Are a post-workout recovery fuel that are made from 100% chorella algae. The algae is organic as well and they have the highest concentration of chlorophyll and RNA/DNA in the world. Chorella builds the immune system, prevents colds, speeds recovery from injury, removes toxins and prevents hangovers when taken after drinking alcohol (I could have used this a few days ago when I went out for a friends birthday haha).

The only thing is that they are quite strong "green" tasting.  And  they also suggest swilling at least 30 tabs 10-15 minutes before your workout. For me this is tough because Im not good at swallowing pills and it takes me forever.

Check out there website for more info if you are interested in the bits! www.energybits.com

Thank you to the folks over at BODYARMOR for providing me and my athletes with some cases of their product a few months back. Its delicious! If you are looking for a drink that has electrolytes, vitamins, coconut water, and is low in sodium gibe this stuff a go It has Vitamins A, C and E in it.

It is also used by top athletes like Andrew Luck, Rob Gronkowski, LeSean McCoy, James Harden, Mike Trout and Buster Posey. For additional Information check out their website.

http://www.gofundme.com/ap6ta4

Coaching is my passion. I want all of my athletes and clients to be the best that they can be. We are raising funds for a piece of equipment that would help my athletes reach their goals. Please donate to give these athletes an opportunity to train with equipment that the pro's use. Click HERE to donate.

Attention all athletes! The new state of the art under armour under armour 39 is available for pre order! I don't know about you guys but I really want to try it! It looks awesome! Check it out here: Under Armour 39

Follow Alicia on twitter or email aliciabellelite@gmail.com

Alicia is a certified NCCP 3 Sprints Coach.  She has coached development sprinting programs in Halifax and Ottawa since 2003. Alicia will be coaching team Canada at the Maccabiah Games in Israel in the summer of 2013, and is currently coaching at Toronto's York University Track Club .  As an athlete Alicia competed in sprints throughout high school and University. Away from the track, Alicia is a very successful certified Kinesiologist and personal trainer.  She works in personal training, rehabilitation and as a supplements advising. Alicia is also a member of the Legends Football League as a multi positional player who enjoys the running back position the most.

One of Alicia's favourite pieces of workout equipment is the Ultimate Sandbag.

"I find it a great tool for on site training. It is easy to travel with and carry around to the field, to coach at the track or to train my clients on site. The bags designed allows me to use it for multiple purposes including strength training, circuits, weighted exercises and even olympics lifts. I use it for myself, the elite athletes I coach and my clients. It is suitable for everyone because you can always adjust the amount of weight inside of it. I also find it durable and I love that I can use it in all conditions because it is water proof. I highly recommend The Ultimate Sandbag and I believe that the Ultimate Sandbag should be a staple piece of equipment for all coaches, trainers and athletes."