Podcast Episode #46: A “Green” Triathlon, Vitamin D, and How To Convert Fast-Twitch Muscle to Slow-Twitch Muscle.

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Click here for the full written transcript of this episode

In this June 2, 2009 free audio episode:

-Large athletic events often do not consider sustainability or resource depletion when creating or producing the event. Cost is normally a primary objective, with convenience and ease of implementation a close second. In this interview with Portland Triathlon race director Jeff Henderson, you'll be introduced to the concept of "Green" events, and how to actually have a triathlon, marathon or athletic event without destroying the planet. Click here to visit the Portland Triathlon website. Here are some snippets:

...In all cases local providers are given preference over regional or national sources. The necessary triathlon infrastructure (swim buoys, bike racks, etc) has been created from recycled or used materials whenever possible. Participants are asked to carpool, take public transportation, or ride their bikes to the race, with incentives provided for doing so...

...The Freshwater Trust Portland Triathlon was the first triathlon in the country to staff its medical tent with naturopathic doctors. The National College of Naturopathic Medicine provided care while highlighting this city's unique educational institution...

...Local and sustainable extend to food, as well. Organic produce is used for aid stations and pre-race, and locally sourced food is served at the post-race meal. Recycling and composting are integral....

Also in this podcast:

-Magnesium Oil update: I just started my weekly soak in a 1:1 mixture of aluminum free baking soda from the grocery store and the 100% absorbable magnesium flakes from Ancient Minerals. My body feels amazing, and my joint soreness and "stale" legs have almost completely disappeared. I am augmenting this with a spray of magnesium oil on both arms prior to my workout, which I can immediately feel surging through my body. Click here to visit the website where I got this stuff, and also listen into Podcast #45 for the interview with Dr. Mark Sircus, which talks about how magnesium works and why magnesium works. I guarantee you'll become an instant expert on magnesium. If you find this information intriguing, and you as a coach, athlete or weekend warrior want to learn even more about the topic, Dr. Mark Sircus's impressive book "Transdermal Magnesium Therapy"is available by clicking here.

-Listener Q&A:

Listener Nick calls in with a question on fast-twitch to slow-twitch muscle fiber conversion.

Listener Chris asks: "With as much as Dr. Sircus talked about magnesium and magnesium deficiencies, I was surprised he didn't mention Vitamin D. Are you familiar with any of the recent research on Vitamin D and sports performance?"

Click here for a link to the study mentioned in my response to Chris.

Do you have a question? Remember, you can now ask your questions via *audio* to me via the free Skype software by simply "Skyping" me at username "pacificfit". You can also call toll free to 1-877-209-9439 and leave a voicemail for Ben Greenfield.

-18 Ways to Help Your Body Bounce Back From An Injury Like Wolverine From X-Men: For about 4 or 5 bucks a day, you can actually vastly decrease the time that it takes for your body to heal. In this post, I tell you exactly which nutritional supplements and foods that you need to take if you are injured or experiencing inflammation. Click here to go there now - the post will take you 5 minutes to review and could add YEARS to your athletic longetivity.

-You're not going to want to miss the action over at the Shape21 Lean Body Challenge website. Here is what some of the participants have to say, just 10 days into the 63 Day Fat Loss Contest using my nutrition/training manual (officially will be released on July 23, 2009):

"Ben...I will not bother you much by email but I thought I would let you know that I am following the plan almost to the letter (except lunges...my knees can't take it) and getting LOTS of attention from the people around me. I jumped the gun and started on the Monday BEFORE we were supposed to start (I swear I just missed the start date). I walk an hour and a half per day because I am preparing for a 5K run. The people around me are AMAZED at the changes. It is the topic of conversation everywhere I go. I am not in this to win...I am doing it to change my life. So far we are doing just that..." Maleah

"Hey Ben! So far so good on shape21 lean body challenge....and 'frankly, im shocked! I loveeeeee it thus far and im suprised at just how much its kickin my butt, In a good way of course! I'M loving the nutrition, its gotten me to eat more adventurously. The foam roller has become my best friend; those sprint intervals are killer...thanks!" Em

"I bought all the food, started working out a week ago (Tuesday) , a little hard to fit in schedule but trying and just love the menu! I have lost 8 lbs in 7 days and getting used to the workout.(had Jabba The Hut as role model before) and not getting in as much circuits per day as desired but working my 4 Am to 7 Pm schedule is sorta tough.( about half the circuits or rather, workouts when get home). I started at 243 and now at 235. I am 51 years old, 5'10" and not really fat but BP was 150/92 and now 136/91 so progress happening. Goal is 190 . The food is really great and my girlfriend will graduate Az School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Tucson August so she knows all that herbal stuff and Tai Chi, Chi Gong, etc. She likes the menu when I cooked for her last weekend so I think I am ALL in for the 63 days." Jay

"I love all the strength training! I love how it's short, tough, and always something new. The book really explains each exercise well and the pictures make it easy to follow. I heart the Cinnamon-Banana shake... it's so delicious, especially on these hot days we've been having! I also really enjoyed the homemade dressing for the strawberry spinach salad. Yummy hummus recipe too...I'm proud of myself for taking my supplements regularly, I haven't always been consistent with that in the past. Also, from a fitness standpoint, I've PR'd both races I've done since starting the challenge. I feel like I'm healthier, stronger, and lighter." Jessi

"My favorite exercise was the lunges and the overall routine workouts. The workouts seemed to go fast and I was still very tired/sore at the end of them. My favorite food was the lettuce wraps but also want to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the menu. Everything was good and relatively easy to prepare. From my past eating habits I would not have guessed that I would have liked any of it...I was very happy with each meal. I was most surprised that I stuck to it for a week. I started the week at 203.4 and ended the week at 196.8 for a total loss of 6.6 pounds. I have never lost that much in a week before. I was most surprised by the fact that I was not starving and by about day 4 I did not have the huge ups and downs in blood sugar. Even when I missed a meal for a while I did not feel like I was going to pass out and felt a lot more even throughout the day." Bob

-Brand new "Unparalleled Secrets of Fat Loss" clinic in Spokane, WA and Coeur D' Alene, ID. WARNING: this is not a run-of-the mill program or standardized "weight loss clinic". You will be exposed to cutting-edge tactics like toxin-free food planning, hyper-metabolic response exercise circuits, dietary thermogenic supplementation, food allergy elimination, hormonal response meal timing, grocery shopping mind-trick strategies and metabolic testing secrets. Click here for more information and to reserve your spot (only 12 people allowed in the class).

-The ultimate audio collection: Ben Greenfield Fitness, Volumes 1 & 2 have been released as a 10 CD multi-disc set:Now you can listen to any of the health, fitness or nutrition audio episodes on the convenience of your home or car CD player. I've only ordered 100 of the sets, but you can get over 1500 minutes of cutting-edge audio today for the web-only special of $47 by clicking here. Only 20 CD sets remaining as of this post (May 28), and a $10 discount is given away in this week's podcast. Just listen in to get your $10 gift!

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