About Us
fitTennessee is a website aimed at bringing together people who lead in active lifestyle (and those who want to) in Nashville, Tennessee. We're officially launching on August 10, 2008 but will be active before then, so please consider joining and participating in the site.
If you own or operate a fitness facility and would like to promote your services, you can always submit articles or youtube hosted videos. Written content should be between 300 and 1,200 words. Please direct any questions to Michael McCann.
Weight Loss
Iron Man Round 1: Pilates and Weight Training
As with any successful movie, Iron Man’s going to be followed with a slew of “how they did it” articles talking about actors and actresses getting in shape. Normally I’d happily ignore them, but the inner nerd in me just won’t allow it — the movie was too good. So, here’s round 1 with an article talking about Robert Downey Jr getting in shape for Iron Man and Gwyneth Paltrow using Pilates to transform into Pepper Potts.
Personally, I’m hoping someone will write a DIY article on building a basement War Machine suit. ![]()
Diet and Nutrition
Sunny D and Moods
Vitamin D is produced by your body when you’re out in the sun, and its an essential for helping prevent colon cancer, heart disease, and prostate cancer. Most of us have been trained to avoid the sun, being told repeatedly that staying out in the sun will lead to skin cancer and eventually to our deaths.
While its true that too much sun (or too much time in tanning beds) can cause skin cancer, our bodies have been built with the sun in mind and not getting enough is just as bad as getting too much. As with many things, moderation is the key.
I’ve also discovered that getting a little sun (5-10 minutes) in the morning has the additional benefit of making it easier to diet (decreases appetite), increases my energy, and generally puts me in a better mood. All three of these effects being are key to maintaining a fit and happy life. The science behind it is simple, when you’re exposed to bright natural light, your body produces more Serotonin, which causes all three.
Diet and Nutrition
Pre and Post Workout Meals
I’ve found that what I eat/drink before and after an intense workout can have great benefits. For both, I like to have a lot of water involved. Usually something a little sugary and carby for the pre-workout (think sports drinks). My body will burn through the calories and the extra hydration will keep me from cramping up 45 minutes in (I sweat like a pig). The combination of instant fuel and water helps me perform at my peak. Calorie-wise, I like to keep it under 200 calories though.
After the workout, I try to eat within an hour of finishing. This is usually 300-400 calories and very high in protein (20-40g) with some carbs. I prefer to limit my carbs since I’m working on cutting weight, and but adding in a few carbs helps my muscles recover and the protein helps my body rebuild everything I tore down by exercising.
What Pre and post workout meals do you guys like?
Weight Loss
11 lifesyle changes for a healthier life
Coming to us via the Diet Blog, here’s 11 simple ways to help you lead a healthier life.
- Wake up thinking about how you will be active today
- Practice positive self-talk
- Create an exercise mission statement and post it on your fridge
- Watch 30 min less TV each night
- Become aware of your posture
- Walk and take stairs
- Recruit accountability buddies
- Do something active at least 1 day on the weekend
- Go to bed a ½ hour earlier
- Grocery shop once per week
- Don’t leave the house without healthy food
Weight Loss
See yourself 20lbs lighter
What a goal picture? Check out this this awesome website. Upload a photo of yourself, work a little magic, and you can see what you will look like after losing twenty pounds. Not quite as good as actually losing them, but its a start. ![]()
In the Forums
- Do you listen to music when you run outside? on Sunday, May 4
- Is boxing a martial art? on Sunday, May 4
- I love my bucket of whey! on Sunday, May 4
- My kryptonite on Sunday, May 4
- How do you stay motivated? on Sunday, May 4
Fitness Resources
- Calorie Lookup
Lookup calories and discover the nutritional content of food with our easy to use database.
- Weight Watchers Points
Estimate the Weight Watchers Point value of a food with this handy calculator.
- Body Fat Percentage
Calculate your body fat percentage using either the Navy or YMCA formula.
- Minimum Caloric Needs
Discover how many calories your body really needs on a daily basis.
- Target Heart Rate
Approximate your target heart rate for high intensity cardio activity.
- Cycling and Running Route Planner
Use our interactive Google map developed by a friend of fT to plan your next cycling or jogging route.
WOTD
Sat (July 5, 2008) | Workout of the Day
Find the beat
Use a metronome, music, or something with a rhythm. Try to do one rep for each “beat” and keep a steady pace
for the entire workout. Perform 10-30 reps of each exercise.
Exercises:
- Swiss Ball Knee-Ins,
- Kettlebell Cycle Rows,
- Chin Ups,
- Diamond Push-Ups,
- Walk-Out Pushups,
- Hindu Squats,
- Bicycles,
- Kettlebell Alternating Swings,
- Supermen,
- Swiss Ball Decline Pushups,
- Jog in Place,
- Mountain Climbers,

