Vegetarian Protein

by VIM Trainer: Sarah Oliver

One of my carnivorous friends has decided he is giving up meat for lent. After I got over my shock, I was pumped! Everything I’ve done and said in the past about plant-based diets he has ignored. I’m trying not to talk about how excited I am for him because I’m worried he’ll back out, but I have offered some tips when asked.

If you’re a vegan reading this blog, you’ve probably had one person or another ask how you get protein. My friend was no exception, especially as an athlete who needs plenty of carbs and protein to fuel his distance running. I sent him a list of vegetarian protein sources, along with a little information on complete vs. incomplete proteins.

If you took freshman bio, you know there are 20 different amino acids which are the building blocks of protein. Nine of these amino acids are called “essential” amino acids because our bodies are not able to manufacture them on their own. Animal proteins are complete proteins, meaning they contain all 9 essential amino acids in about equal amounts. On the other hand, many plant proteins are not complete proteins. This means that we must eat a variety of protein sources to get all the amino acids we need. In the list below, I’ve bolded the complete protein sources. I’ve also suggested which proteins to combine to make them complete!

The Distance Runner’s Protein List for Lent:

  • Fish (if you decide to eat this) = ~20g per 3 oz (varies with fish)
  • Milk, Cheese (if you go vegetarian) = 8g per cup milk, 7g per oz cheese
  • Eggs (if you go vegetarian) = 6g per egg
  • Yogurt (especially Greek) = 17g per cup
  • Quinoa and other ancient grains = 8g per cup, cooked
  • Chickpeas = 15g per cup (with rice for complete protein source)
  • Hummus = 9g per ½ cup (with pita for complete protein source)
  • Tofu = 10g per 4 oz
  • Beans (all kinds) = 15g per cup (with rice for complete protein source)
  • Edamame (soy beans) = 29g per cup
  • Seitan (wheat protein) = 21g per 3 oz
  • Tempeh = 16g per 3 oz
  • Soy milk, yogurt (and other soy products) = 7g per cup
  • Nuts & seeds = 8g per ¼ cup
  • Nut butters = 8g per 2 tablespoons (with bread for complete protein source)
  • Whole grains = 7g per 2 slices bread
  • Veggie Burger = 13g per patty
  • Lentils = 18g per cup (with seeds for complete protein)

The next time anyone asks you about protein, feel free to share this list! What is your favorite plant-based protein source? By now I’m sure you know mine is peanut butter…

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Kettlebell Series: Russian Swing

Want more variation in your workout? Exercises performed with kettlebells are a great way to shock your muscles into growth while improving power and explosiveness from the ground up!

Check out VIM’s Kettlebell Video Series – Each week we’ll post a video demonstrating a new kettlebell move. First up, Russian Swing!

Read more

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8 WEEK FITNESS CHALLENGE!

Only $199 to enter this 8 Week Fitness Challenge for all of these awesome benefits:

  • UNLIMITED ALLOY TEAM TRAINING
  • 2 ALLOY SMALL GROUP TRAINING SESSIONS/WEEK (16 TOTAL)
  • MEMBERSHIP TO GYM FACILITIES
  • NUTRITION GUIDANCE FROM A VIM TRAINER

…and a chance to win these awesome prizes!!:

1st Place (total of $449 value):

  • FREE 3 MONTH MEMBERSHIP
  • MYZONE BELT ($149 VALUE)

2nd Place (total of $249)

  • FREE 1 MONTH MEMBERSHIP
  • MYZONE BELT ($149 VALUE)

Results based on total weight and body fat lost.

CHALLENGE RUNS FROM SEPT. 15TH – NOV. 15TH

SIGN UP:

[contactform email=”ty**************@***il.com“]

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TRAINER SPOTLIGHT: KEVIN

Want a complete mind-body workout? Work with Kevin, one of VIM’s awesome trainers!

Kevin has served the Boston community as a catalyst for health and well-being since moving here from Minnesota in 2014. Kevin has completed two Yoga Teacher Trainings with CorePower Yoga in both Power Yoga and Yoga Sculpt, and has 1,000+ hours of experience teaching / coaching yoga, group exercise, individual & corporate private sessions.  He has been a yoga and fitness instructor in Minnesota and Massachusetts for 6 years. With a background in Kinesiology, his style of teaching blends elements from yoga, strength training, and cardio into a complete mind/body workout.

In his free time, Kevin enjoys music, friends, exploring the city, and any adrenaline-inducing adventure.

Kevin is now offering private sessions in both yoga and personal training. Kevin can help you develop and evolve specific areas of your yoga practice and fitness regime including strength, posture, flexibility and balance. His approach is to empower your mind and body from where you start, so your vision is clear and your effort is focused for the work to be done. You can expect a fun and engaging challenge in every class/session you take with him at VIM. See for yourself!

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6-Pack Abs Are Made in the Kitchen!

Do as much cardio and as many crunches as you’d like – your abs of steel will not be revealed until you match your workouts with clean eating!

Mark Sisson is 63 years old, but you would never know it by looking at him! Perhaps it’s because he eats so well, which helps him in every other aspect of his life. He just announced his new Primal Kitchen Cookbook which features recipes from over 50 chefs in the wellness community.

Some highlights as Mark describes: “I’m talking big breakfasts, Primal Kitchen Restaurant featured smoothies, nutrient-dense salads and lunches, succulent dinner entrees, rich desserts, tempting small bites, and various sauces and dressings.”

PLUS, the recipes are labeled for specific dietary needs and preferences – vegan, no sugar added, dairy free, etc. Can’t beat that!

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Memorial Day Hours

VIM hours for Monday, May 29th will be as follows:

Central Square: 8AM – 8PM

University Park: 9AM – 7PM

All classes for Monday are cancelled.

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END OF SPRING PILATES CHALLENGE!

 

Take the END OF SPRING PILATES CHALLENGE!

NEW DATES: 5/14-6/18

This is your opportunity to get your beach body in full effect!

Take 2 semiprivate reformer classes every week for the next 5 weeks (a total of 10 classes within these dates) & receive 15% off your next package of Pilates semiprivate sessions!

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Healthy Boston Bloggers

Looking for a simple yet healthy dish to whip up after your VIM workout that won’t totally undo all your hard work or counteract all those calories you just burned?  Here’s 10 awesome bloggers from the Boston/Cambridge area with tons of healthy recipe ideas and fitness inspiration to keep you on track. Remember to check out our #RecipeWednesday posts on Facebook and Twitter, where we feature a new local blogger each week!

1) Healthy Chicks 

2) Pickles & Honey

3) Carrots ‘N’ Cake  

4) Eat Well with Janel 

5) Meg’s Food Reality 

6) Sarah Fit 

7) Food to Fun For 

8) A Cambridge Story 

9) VeganYumYum

10) Melomeals

 

 

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Fall Fitness: 5 Fun Things To Do Outdoors

With fall only a few days away and summer’s heat beginning to fade, now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy all that our beautiful city has to offer.  We know it’s not an easy task to say goodbye to those carefree days of backyard BBQs, strolls along the Esplanade, weekends on the Cape, and late nights of patio lounging and pitchers of sangria, but it’s time to face the inevitable: the refreshingly cool breeze of autumn is swiftly approaching.  Here are five great ways to kick those end-of-summer blues while embracing the great outdoors.  Hey, you’ll even burn a calorie or two (or 200)!

 

1) Go for a Bike Ride

Don’t have a bike of your own? Good thing Hubway has over 60 stations throughout Boston and Cambridge! Whether you gather a crew to ride around the Boston Common or set out on a solo mission to your favorite reading spot, biking is sure-fire way to get a low-impact exercise while enjoying the sites and sounds of the city.

For a list of local bike paths, visit www.massbike.org

 

2) Apple Picking

‘Tis the season for fresh, locally harvested produce and nothing says autumn quite like a deliciously crunchy, handpicked apple.  Hop on the commuter rail and head to Belkin Family Lookout Farm for some quintessential fall fun at one the country’s oldest farms.  You’ll be happy to know that some good ole apple picking burns about 220 calories an hour!

Visit www.Mass.gov for more pick-you-own farms

 

3) Take a Hike

What better way to transition your mind and body into the new season than by getting in touch with nature AND working up a sweat? Put down the smartphone, step away from your laptop, and escape the stresses of city life.  Our friends at Harvest Co-Op created a Boston hiking guide to help you navigate through the numerous trails in the area that are worth checking out.  Remember to pack plenty of water and some healthy snacks like almonds or dried fruit!

 

4) Paddle Down the Charles River

Take in our city’s killer skyline while kayaking or canoeing down the Charles!  With rentals as cheap as 10 bucks for a one-way trip from Kendall Square to Allston, a relaxing ride down the river is a cheap way to get your fitness fix while soaking in some rays.

Check out www.paddleboston.com for more info

 

5) Visit the Arboretum

If you haven’t paid a visit to this hidden gem nestled in Jamaica Plains, it’s time for you to see what this urban oasis is all about.  Boasting over 265 acres of luscious greenery , The Arnold Arboretum is the ideal destination for a day of hiking, biking, or a free guided tour.  It’s conveniently located right off the Orange Line and is the perfect spot to have a picnic and enjoy the fall foliage.

 

Join the Forum discussion on this post

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