Having a reliable and supportive social network during a phase of weight loss can prove to be extremely helpful and beneficial, not only for your results but for your mental well-being.
In this case, the definition of a social network can hold several meanings. Whether it’s a support group, friends or family, or a true digital social network like Instagram, ...
While many consider fitness and nutrition to be the two-headed dragon when it comes to peak health and performance, we tend to forget about the third - sleep.
A quality sleeping regimen is of the utmost important, if not more important than consistent exercise and proper nutrition. Without a good night’s rest, you immediately increase the risks of experiencing ...
Whether you intend to lose weight, gain muscle, or simply live a healthier, more sustainable life, one's diet is typically the largest consideration and stressor.
The options are endless, and it can oftentimes be overwhelming to figure out which path to choose. Do you go the low-carb route or the fasting route? Do you count calories and macronutrients, or not? Can I have a cheat meal ...
A question that has been raised in all coffee-lovers minds,
"Is this even healthy for me?"
Some people say that coffee is not just a drink, it is their best friend in hectic days and gloomy nights. It feels like a life-saver for those who have incredibly hectic routines and have to stay awake for most of the night. It does have a controversial impression over ...
Who doesn't love food? Especially home-cooked food!
As a home cook, there is a chance that you might spend the whole day in the kitchen getting a single dish ready. Relax, it's not because you're not a good chef! However, there are some ninja tips and techniques that you can learn to prepare meals more effectively and in less time than usual.
Below are 5 easy tricks, through ...
Setbacks happen, and there is no need to stress about it over and over again!
Personal barriers can trigger setbacks and distract you from your motive, either it is about maintaining a healthy life, following a diet or going to the gym. For instance, an injury can put a stop on your daily workouts, a family gathering can force you to overindulge, or an emotionally stressed moment can ...
Gone are the days when losing weight was the most backbreaking task of all. Now, all you need to do is pluck out all the distractions and negative vibes surrounding yourself.
For a victorious long term weight loss plan, you need to stay motivated by making some healthy changes in your life. Following new trends can be hard at first, but soon you will get fond of these orderly habits. ...
When it comes to maintaining a low-calorie diet, you might find it frustrating to avoid all your beloved foods in order to lose weight. However, you shouldn’t worry as all you have to do is to just swap some of your preferred foods with healthier options! No more sacrificing your cravings! Hop on with us to explore a healthy, nutritious, and wholesome food diet.
Add these changes ...
Having a sweet tooth while holding a diet plan in hand is the biggest nightmare that we can imagine! Getting timeless sweet cravings brings nothing but guilt after cheating on your diet. We understand that giving up your most beloved sweets is not an easy task. For that reason, we're here to help you! You don't have to say good-bye to your favorite desserts but instead, just modify them a ...
Are you facing problems with being consistent with at-home exercising? Or want to know what equipment should you use and how to use it? Keep on reading because we have got the answers to all your queries!
Working in steps is the key!
Start by picking your exercise apparel and equipment, followed by a complete workout plan for yourself (you can also ...
When you look around yourself, you will notice that snacks are involved in every nook and cranny of your life. Either it's your sleepy study sessions or a tiring day at the office. No matter where you are, what you are doing, snacks will never leave your side in times of hunger. But the problem with snacking is that we generally love to eat the foods that are most harmful to our ...
Do you ignore your yoga instructor’s or gym trainer’s suggestion to do a few warm-up activities before the main workout? It turns out that a majority of people do not warm-up before they start their workout routine.
Fitness experts recommend warming up because it forms a vital component in all workouts. Warm-ups may include cardiovascular activities such as jogging or ...
When you want exercise to be part of your daily routine, finding a gym that meets your needs and expectations will play a significant role in your willingness to work out and remain consistently motivated. Choosing the right gym may make your fitness goals come true, and choosing the wrong one may completely ruin you and your health. Below are some of the basic things that you should consider ...
Weight lifting, also called resistance training or strength training, is the activity of lifting barbells and other heavy weights.
Most people, especially women, are afraid of weight lifting. The fear is not that they want to get muscular, but it is that they associate weight lifting with bodybuilders, who they associate with free weight lifting and doing bench presses.
Weight ...
Physical activity is essential to a healthy lifestyle for your kids. Exercise helps children do better in school, it can manage weight and also lowers heart disease risk. Fitness activities at an early age will go a long way in helping your child build healthy habits, but don’t expect them to care or even understand these things. Their focus is on having fun, and that’s what you ...
Did you know that working out is one of the best antidotes to your period problems? Contrary to what you may have heard about training during your period, training can help minimize your period symptoms. So, unless your doctor has advised you to rest or you have a condition such as menorrhagia (characterized by extremely heavy period flow), there is no reason for you to skip your workout ...
If you have ever had a period, you know how it affects everything. From your sleep quality to appetite and from oil production in your skin to your mental health. The phase you are in determines your mood, and exercising during those phases can be challenging at times. During your period, your uterus sheds its lining. Progesterone and estrogen hormone levels are low, making you feel sad and ...
There are 5 main items that you should always carry in your gym bag: shower and body essentials, clothing, electronics, accessories, and other miscellaneous stuff that are not categorized in any particular group. Below are some of the items that you should carry from each group:
To be ready for the post-workout shower, make sure you ...
Sometimes exercise is simple. You only need to move around to keep your body strong and healthy. However, it can get complicated when there are different kinds of exercises. It becomes difficult to figure out the type of exercise that will be suitable for your fitness goals, how much exercise you should be doing, and what is the safest activity that you should engage in.
Various ...
Every lady desires to have a sculpted and shapely derriere. However, unfortunately, our body over time tends to store excess fat in areas such as the thighs, hips, butt, arms, and belly. This fat will, in turn, appear to be the most prominent feature, thus spoiling our general look and figure. If you are looking to fix this by strengthening and sculpting your glutes, you have come to the right ...
A large percentage of the population in the developed world struggle with weight loss. When planning to lose weight, you can easily find weight loss resources on the internet, gym tailored routines, and fitness programs tailored to fit various lifestyles. However, you still find yourself demotivated to succeed in your weight loss journey.
The main reason why people feel demotivated is ...
Most of us understand the significance of keeping a healthy regimen that includes self-care activities to de-stress, eating a nutrient-dense diet, and exercising at least several times a week. Apart from having a clear skin, a healthy weight, and preventing long-term health issues such as diabetes and cancer, we also need to boost our immune system.
Our immune system can help keep ...
For decades, protein supplements have solely been consumed by athletes, bodybuilders, and those who indulge in heavy exercise routines. It might have been a sports supplement used to enhance muscles but, nowadays, a lot of health-conscious individuals are using protein shakes in their diets.
Protein supplements have various benefits and can be found in the form of powder, solid food, ...
Cardio! Is it your pain or your passion? It doesn’t matter how you define it; the reality is that cardio exercise is an important component in every fitness plan. The health benefits of cardiovascular exercises are endless. The good news is that you do not need expensive workout equipment or a health club membership to get a good cardio workout since simple activities such as running up ...
Sitting at a desk for 8 hours each day is not good for your mind, body or soul. To stay fit and healthy, we need regular exercise, but that may not be easy or possible, especially if your job requires you to be seated for the better part of the day. Research has shown that a sedentary lifestyle can have negative effects on bone health and it can also lead to increased risk of type 2 diabetes ...
Cold weather workouts are far more challenging as compared to summer workouts. The body loses heat faster through convective heat transfer, and it may be challenging to maintain the core temperature of your internal organs as you work out. To work out in cold weather, you need to make appropriate preparations. You will need to put on layers of clothes to keep warm and comfortable, and, when ...
Why does weight loss stop?
You have made some impressive progress in your weight loss journey. In the first week, you might have lost over 5 pounds and maintained an average of 2-pound loss every week.
However, after months of dieting and/or exercising, it seems like you’ve hit a plateau, and you can’t lose any more weight.
What’s going on?
The ...
People often confuse between working out with a kettlebell and weight lifting since the two routines seem similar with a slightly different approach.
For the most part, both workouts yield similar results that mainly manifest as muscle hypertrophy, increased strength, and improved bone mineral density.
Difference between kettlebell and weights
The main difference ...
Processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and hydrogenated fats have invaded our store markets at an extremely fast pace.
These chemicals are added to natural foods to make them tastier and prolong their shelf-life.
Unfortunately, they can also be devastating for your body, as they interfere with several biochemical reactions and act as toxins.
The reason it’s ...
Intermittent fasting can drastically improve your fitness level by targeting several body functions, including:
Weight loss
This is perhaps the main reason people start intermittent fasting as it could lead to fast weight loss.
When researchers studied this phenomenon to get a full grasp of the underlying mechanisms, they found that intermittent fasting-related weight ...
Low-grade inflammation is extremely damaging to the body as it affects numerous organ systems, including the brain, heart, and digestive system.
This inflammation is not severe enough to present with signs and symptoms (e.g., redness, warmth, swelling), but it wreaks havoc on our body over time.
Scientists believe that low-grade inflammation is the culprit process that’s ...
Overview
Most people believe that joining a gym or working with a personal trainer is the only way to achieve any fitness goals.
While these statements hold some truth to them since training with professionals and having the proper equipment help you reach your goals faster, you can still make incredible progress without spending hundreds of dollars every month.
5 tips ...
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common medical condition that’s not entirely understood. This ailment has no curative treatment and presents with diverse signs and symptoms that go through periods of flare-ups and remissions.
For instance, you may experience severe symptoms for one week, then go through a month-long remission period.
Causes of irritable bowel ...
Overview
Zumba is a commonly performed aerobic exercise that’s inspired by a Latin dance to help people stay in shape and lose excess weight.
This exercise requires high energy that burns a substantial number of calories, which puts your body in a state of caloric deficit.
According to studies, ...
The scientific community debates on numerous topics. However, one thing that all scientists agree on is the superiority of plant-based foods over all other diets.
Many people consider eating whole-foods and plant-based foods a type of diet; however, nutritionists think of it as a lifestyle rather than a simple eating habit.
This new lifestyle is free of processed foods, ...
As obesity keeps affecting millions of people around the world, the rates of mortality and morbidity have skyrocketed.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of obesity-related deaths is far greater than the number of people who die from famine.
Many people associate obesity with the number ...
Proteins are organic molecules that consist of the building blocks of life – amino acids.
When consumed, the body breaks down each protein molecule and absorbs these amino acids. They then get into our bloodstream and travel through the body, lending themselves where needed.
Speaking of that…
The Vital Importance ...
Fats have been demonized for the longest time.
Even today, thousands of individuals and sources demonize the poor nutrient and suggest that we should cut all fat from our diet.
But, the truth is, mounting evidence suggests that fats are integral for our health and wellbeing. Today, we’ll take a look at why that is and what it means for ...
If you want to get bigger and stronger, you’ve probably had to deal with the frustrating experience of not putting on any weight for weeks, even months.
The good news is that there are three big reasons why that usually happens, and all of them are within your control.
Let’s see what they are and, more importantly, what you can do about ...
You already know that daily exercise is essential not only for your overall fitness and physique, but that it is also excellent for your brain health and memory, lowers your risk of developing chronic diseases, boosts energy levels, and aids in weight loss goals. The great news is you don’t need a gym membership or even access to a ton of weights to get a great full-body workout in! ...
You probably already know that staying hydrated plays an integral role in our health and overall existence as human beings. As it turns out, water makes up about 60% of the adult human body and is necessary to complete most of our body’s vital functions including those of your heart, brain and muscles. Unfortunately, even though most of us are well aware that hydration affects every ...
Emotional eating is the term used when people use food to hide from, deal with, or even celebrate intense human emotions. Emotional eating can be triggered by stress, fatigue, boredom, or emotions like loneliness or sadness, among other things. If you turn to food for feelings of comfort or stress-relief, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Emotional eating is a habit that ...
When you’ve got fitness or weight loss goals set in your sights, every decision you make throughout the day matters. How many steps you take, how much water you choose to drink and how many veggies you put on each plate, all help you move closer to - or further away from - your ultimate goals. One such decision that comes into play is dining out. No matter if you’re headed out to ...
Women have come forward leaps and bounds when it comes to including strength training into their fitness routines. We’re seeing more and more women in the weight room, getting under the squat rack, in CrossFit gyms, and with dumbbells even in the comfort of their own home. And yet, despite this incredible move towards weight training becoming more common for women, there is still an ...
Today, I’m here to debunk five of the most prominent fitness myths. This isn’t intended to belittle your knowledge and efforts in the gym, but to inform you so that you can begin on a path to greater success.
Stop wasting your time believing in the following fitness myths.
Here’s why…
Myth: Fat-loss ...
Pilates is a mode of exercise largely inspired by yoga. It is composed of about 500+ exercises that are intended to stretch and strengthen musculature throughout a balanced body.
While Pilates offers a host of health benefits, it’s not only limited to the physical ones. Much like yoga, it also provides mental and meditative benefits!
Pilates ...
If you’re looking to get sweaty and burn some serious calories, this type of training is for you! HIIT has been shown to provide a variety of benefits, however, its most notable is weight loss.
The best part? It’s super convenient. All you need is 10-30 minutes a day!
So, what does HIIT stand for? If you’ve never heard of it before, HIIT stands for ...
What You Should Know About Dietary Fats
While many assume that fat makes you fat, or that fat is “unhealthy”, this couldn’t be further from the truth. However, there is an important distinction that must be made in order to understand what types of fat are good for you, and what fats aren’t…
First, what is fat? Simply put, fat is ...
Whether you intend to lose weight, gain muscle, or simply live a healthier, more sustainable life, one's diet is typically the largest consideration and stressor.
The options are endless, and it can oftentimes be overwhelming to figure out which path to choose. Do you go the low-carb route or the fasting route? Do you count calories and macronutrients, or not? Can I have ...
While there are endless fitness methodologies out there today, CrossFit may just be the most criticized and scrutinized…
Some call it a cult, while others deem it a mere fad, but it’s been around for almost 20 years so at what point can something no longer be termed a fad?
Let’s find out!
What is ...