EPOC MAGIC - Get the most out of your workout

Back in my Exercise Science class, the professor taught a magical concept referred to as EPOC. Strangely, this concept is invisible (sticking with the magic theme) to most, as in, not even known about. However, EPOC plays a significant role in fitness and weight loss, making it an important topic for athletes, trainers, and fitness enthusiasts alike. Now this sounds magical to me! EPOC stands for Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption. It describes the physiological process where the body uses additional oxygen after exercise to restore itself to its pre-exercise state. This includes replenishing energy stores, removing lactic acid, and repairing muscle tissue. Essentially, EPOC is the body’s way of recovering from the stress of exercise. After intense exercise, your body doesn’t immediately return to its baseline metabolic rate. Instead, oxygen consumption remains elevated for a period, leading to increased calorie burn even after you’ve stopped moving.

This and That Chat

Good morning! Typically, I start planning for this weekly blog on Tuesday and have an idea what I want to chat about. This week, I either did not focus or could not come up with a topic. So, I am going to chat about miscellaneous things. Coffee Lovers Coffee has over 136 bioactive compounds, many of which are antioxidants. Studies continue to find many health benefits in coffee. Suggestion: Find a good organic coffee, eliminate the cream and sugar, and reap the benefits! Jeffing Jeff Galloway is a popular running coach, who has made fame for his run/walking training philosophy. His books and training plans have helped many succeed in distances ranging from 5K to Ultra’s. Recently I have seen the terminology for this style referred to as “Jeffing”. It may have been a term Galloway has been using all along, but I have not noticed it until the past year or so. Great for his marketing.

​Building a Lasting Workout Habit

Thursday night before our group took off to run, I asked everyone, how many of them are running more than this one group run? Unanimously, they all responded with this group run being their only run. I expounded on the importance of running multiple times a week to improve their running both physically and mentally. Running once a week will make running difficult and prevent improvement. While I can write a long blog on the importance of training to run healthy and with less discomfort, this morning I want to chat about building a lasting workout habit. Many years ago, when I started in fitness as a running coach, I read a book intitled, The Power of Habit. I wanted to understand how the power of habit making worked and increased the chances of successful training. Creating a workout habit is one of the most rewarding endeavors you can undertake for your physical and mental well-being.