Top 7 Fitness Myths

Running on a treadmill puts less stress on your knees than running on pavement.
No matter what surface you run on, stress is put on your knees in the same way. The best way to reduce knee impact is to just varying your workout! Mix up your running with an elliptical machine or bike.

Low-intensity exercise burns more fat.
Low-intensity exercises are less stressful on joints, but they burn less fat than high-intensity exercises. The myth is based on the idea that if you exercise too hard, you end up burning carbohydrates instead of fat. There is some truth to that statement because the more intensely you exercise, the higher proportion of carbs you burn. You may burn less fat, but the total amount of calories burned is higher. Isn't that the end goal?

Drinking protein shakes is the best post-workout food.
Protein shakes, powders and bars are good but they're not always the best way to build muscle. If you have time, make a turkey sandwich, or eat some Greek yogurt after a workout. Your body will appreciate less-processed options. It’s better to get a wide array of nutrients, rather than protein only.

 No pain, no gain.

You should never workout so intensely that you think of passing out, or there is a high risk for injury or burnout. Alice Burron, a spokeswoman for the American Council on Exercise said, “You want to exercise smarter, not harder. That’s the premise. You don’t have to kill yourself. You just have to be smart about it."

Typical stretching will help prevent injuries.
It's important to dynamically stretch. Movements such as swinging your arms, high knee jogs and walking lunges can all help loosen up your muscles.

Lifting weights will make women look bulky.
When if comes to bulking up, testosterone is key! Men have 20 to 30 times more testosterone than women, which is why men are generally bulkier. Strength training will help women lose weight faster by burning more calories. 

A post-workout hot bath helps prevent muscle soreness.
Colder temperatures are better! Cold temperatures constrict vessels, limiting the amount of lactic acid buildup.

The Neon Vibe in Jacksonville, FL!

On Saturday March 8, 2014, the Neon Vibe made their first showing in Jacksonville, Florida...and what an event it was! The people of Jacksonville packed thousands in the Metropolitan Park just outside downtown. Not only did they show up in droves, they brought energy and excitement. The people of Jacksonville really know how to bring the party!

The Neon Vibe crew arrived in Jacksonville a few days before the run. Preparations for a run of this magnitude is not always easy, but the City of Jacksonville was very helpful. We want to give a special shout out to Laurie Mills, the Special Events Permit Coordinator and Frank Buffolino, the Metro Park Operation Supervisor, and their crews for their help in making our event a success. They were all very professional and their beautiful facilities made our event a hit. Events this large involve many people being in the right place at the right time. The City of Jacksonville and its employees did a great job preparing and organizing their staff.

The Friday before the run, we held our packet pickup at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott off Butler Ave. Thanks to the Sales Manager Jayne and her staff for taking great care of us. Most of the runners showed up to pick up their t-shirts, color packs, and to buy extra glow swag. We have several new merchandise products in the works so be sure to stay tuned!

At each event we work closely with our charity affiliate, the Children's Miracle Network. They help with the marketing of our event and in exchange receive portion of the proceeds. In the Jacksonville market the hospitals represented by CMN are Wolfson Children's Hospital and UF Health Jacksonville. We want to give a special thanks to Kerri Clark, the CMN director , and her staff for all their help at packet pickup and the day of the event. The hospitals helped advertise for the Neon Vibe and invited volunteers to participate. They also invited the miracle families in Jacksonville to be a part of glow zone 2. We were happy to have these special families be a part of our run; it was great to see them doused in color and and throwing out color to the participants from the stage. Thanks for making it out, and we're glad you had a great time!

The day of the run was organized chaos. We arrived early in the morning to set up lighting, push metal barricades and prepare the park for what is the most florescent and color-filled 5K in the country. We had a very hard-working crew in Jacksonville and finished preparations just before the event began. We worked very closely with Captain Jordan from the Jacksonville Fire Department, and Sergeant Grant and Officer Hancock from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, to shut down roads and keep the area safe for the runners. The after party was a hit! DJ Styles of Styles Entertainment did a great job with the music and Emcee-ing the event. He got the crowd rocking and the color was everywhere.

We want to give a special thanks to all the participants! We couldn't have had an event at all without your support. Thank you for coming out, getting involved, and showing the Neon Vibe a little Southern love! Jacksonville is a beautiful city with wonderful people. We loved Jacksonville and     cannot wait to make it back!

Quinoa. It's a Super Grain!

6 perks to including quinoa in your cooking:

1. Quinoa is very rich in protein.
2. Quinoa contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Foods high in fiber help reduce cholesterol levels.
3. Quinoa contains iron. Iron increases brain function by keeping red blood cells healthy.
4. Quinoa contains lysine. Lysine is essential for tissue growth and repair; a very important thing for athletes.
5. Quinoa is rich in magnesium, riboflavin (B2) and manganese. Magnesium helps to relax blood vessels, alleviate migraines, and quell Type 2 diabetes. B2 increases energy production in the brain and muscle cells. Manganese helps reboot your cells! It prevents damage cell damages and protects your red blood cells.
6. Quinoa supports weight loss. Because quinoa is high in fiber and protein, it keeps you full longer and curbs your appetite. Quinoa also helps to reduce cravings!

Quinoa is an excellent supplement for rice and other simple carbohydrates. It's a super grain! Try this easy and delicious quinoa recipe:

QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS

Serves 4 - 6 people.

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 bell peppers, tops cut off, stemmed and seeded
• 3 cups cooked quinoa
• 4 oz. can green chiles
• 1 cup corn
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3/4 cup favorite cheese (pepperjack, colby jack, white cheddar all be great)
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta
• 2-3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Spices:

• 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
2. Spray a 9X13 pan with cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.  
3. Put bell peppers into pan.
4. In a large bowl, combine all remaining ingredients.
5. Spoon filling into each pepper.  
6. Bake (open side up) until peppers are tender and filling is warm throughout, about 30 minutes.
7. Serve immediately.

Airports

8 Ways to Stay Fit This Winter

Is the cold weather getting to you? If you’re like us, winter weather can sometimes make working out feel like a chore. Here’s seven tips to keeping up with your summer body:

1. MAP YOUR RUN

Making sure you have safe and stable footing should be a priority when you are planning a winter running route. Make sure that the streets you plan to use for early-morning or evening workouts are plowed and well lit. You don't want to slip on black ice.

2. WARM UP WISELY

Walk around or jog in place indoors for five minutes before venturing outside! Also, when your home give your body a chance to adjust to the conditions by taking 30-second breaks every few minutes for the first 10 minutes.

3. BUNDLE UP

Wear a hat, mittens and several layers of clothing. It's better to be safe than sorry. You can always take layers off!

4. COOL DOWN QUICKLY

Try to avoid being outside during your cool down. Slow your pace for three or four minutes and then go inside to stretch.

5. EASE IN

If you run four miles in the summer, start off running two miles in the winter. You can build back up to your summer running routine, but take your time. Allow your lungs to acclimate to the cold weather.

6. STAY HYDRATED

Even though you don’t sweat as much in the winter as you do in the summer, it's important to stay hydrated!

7. BE FLEXIBLE

If you normally run in the mornings, be flexible and wait until the afternoon. It's usually the warmest between 2 - 5 PM. Temperatures are at their lowest in the morning and roads may not be plowed.

8. TRY A NEW KIND OF WORKOUT

We know you're a runner. Runners are the best. Feel free to try something new a couple times a week though. Aerobics and CrossFit are great ways to build strength and increase stamina. 

We brought the NEON, Southeastern Florida brought the VIBE!

 Last week the Neon Vibe was able to escape the cold confines of the rocky mountains and head Southeast to beautiful Sunrise, FL! There's nothing like taking off on an airplane surrounded by snowy mountains and landing in warm weather and palm trees. What a trip and what an event!

After taking care of business on Thursday we had a relaxing dinner at Quarterdeck Restaurant on the pier in Dania Park, FL. Before dinner we walked the beach and put our feet in the water. There were film crews filming an episode of USA's Graceland. Watch for us in season 2--we'll be the extras in the background on the beach looking at the camera and laughing. I think it's safe to say we caused the director headaches. At the restaurant we feasted on coconut shrimp, fresh salmon, and some of the best lobsters we've ever had. The delicious food combined with breathtaking views was a sweet combination.

We held packet pickup at the Runner's Depot store off S University in Davie. The owner Renee and her employees were very helpful. We'd recommend all you runners swing by their stores whenever you're in need of new running shoes or running gear. The staff is courteous and they always go the extra mile.

That night we had dinner at Bahama Breeze, which we highly recommend. The food was fantastic! It was Valentine's Day and the place was packed, but they seated us quickly and we ended up having a nice meal. We were decked out in neon tutus and colorful clothing. Among the fancy love birds we stuck out like sore thumbs.

The day of the event can be summarized in two words. Organized chaos. Every event we hold has its obstacles and our Southeastern Florida event was no different. We spent many hours setting up the course, glow zones, arches, pillars, lighting, etc... and it was all worth it. There's something about the melting pot of cultures in Florida that makes it a special place. We were thrilled with the energy of the runners and the enthusiasm of the after party.

Thanks to Yulia and Kristen from Youfit Health Clubs for inviting all their members to participate in our event. Youfit led runners in stretching exercises before the run, sponsored a glow zone, and handed out free merchandise on stage. Zumba Fran also led the runners near the stage in an energetic dance. A special thanks to all the other vendors that made it out including Joji Frozen Yogurt, Naked Juice, PopChips, Neon Energy Drink, Slow Food Truck, Curbside Gourmet, Veggie Xpress and Juice Plus. We also want to express our gratitude to the staff at the BB&T Center--especially Pablo. We couldn't have done this event without your help and the use of your beautiful facilities.

Last and definitely not least we want to thank all the runners that came! We can't begin to tell each of you how important your participation is to us. You're the lifeblood of Neon Vibe and you made this event happen. You should be proud of yourselves! You made the state of Florida proud!

Easy Post-Workout Smoothies

Post-workout smoothies are one of the best post-workout meals! Just add a scoop of protein powder to make it a complete meal! 

Here are some of our favorite recipes here at The Neon Vibe. They’re quick, easy, and made with only five ingredients each! My personal favorite is the mango and yogurt smoothie.

(source)

Pack your smoothies with some extra health power by adding these ingredients:

1. Green Tea - Carries cancer-fighting catechins.
2. Pomegranate Juice - Helps relieve sore muscles after exercise.
3. Coconut Water - Low in calories, naturally fat- and cholesterol free, more potassium than four bananas, and super hydrating.
4. Silkin Tofu - Loaded with protein to help curb snack attacks.
5. Kale - High concentration and excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K.
6. Flaxseed - Adds fiber and heart-healthy omega-3 fats.

Let us know which one you plan on making! Feel free to share your recipes with us!