Read more about the article 10 Ways to Make Lifestyle Changes Easy
A young woman writes resolutions in a journal.

10 Ways to Make Lifestyle Changes Easy

Making the decision to invest in healthy lifestyle changes is more than just flipping a switch. Making sustainable lifestyle changes is a process that takes time, dedication, and patience. Psychologists have found that it takes an average of 66 days for a new habit to become automatic, but the truth is that building and maintaining lifestyle changes is highly dependent on each individual. For this reason, it is important to set up your lifestyle changes to work with your life and to give yourself grace as you find the rhythm that works for you. However, there are some easy strategies that can help you develop a lifestyle change plan that works for you. 1. Focus on the whole picture Lifestyle changes are like a puzzle. There are many pieces that must add up to the whole picture. Building habits in only one area of the puzzle will leave your overall picture lacking dimension. Your physical, mental, and emotional health all work together to make and break lifestyle changes, so it is important to understand how…

Continue Reading10 Ways to Make Lifestyle Changes Easy
Read more about the article Understanding Natural Versus Added Sugars
Top view donut vs fruit

Understanding Natural Versus Added Sugars

Ever wonder why you crave sugar yet feel terrible after eating a cookie? Well, wonder no more! Sugar can be found in everything from fruits to candy, yet not all sugar is the same. Foods containing natural sugars offer nutrients that keep your body healthy, provide fast yet stable energy, and keep your metabolism stable. Fruits, for instance, offer essential nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C and folate. Added sugars, on the other hand, are harmful in large quantities. Getting your sugars from natural sources like apples, bananas, low-fat milk, Greek yogurt, carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes will satisfy your body’s need for sugar while maintaining your blood glucose levels for longer periods versus the sugar rush, and subsequent crash, received from added sugars found in sugary breakfast cereals, candy and chocolate bars, jams and jellies, dairy desserts, and puddings. Let’s start with understanding the difference between natural and added sugars, and how to identify them. Why Natural Sugars are Good Fruits and dairy contain fructose and lactose, natural sugar that is digested slower than…

Continue ReadingUnderstanding Natural Versus Added Sugars
Read more about the article How to Keep Exercise Interesting
Girl looking at fitness tracker while running on treadmill in gym

How to Keep Exercise Interesting

Getting bored of your usual workouts? Then look no further! It’s easy to re-invigorate your physical fitness by reframing what exercise looks and feels like. When thinking about keeping exercise interesting, focus on the intersection of your fitness goals with activities you enjoy. Fitness goals other than weight, such as mobility, lifting certain amounts of weight, or running a 5K are more attainable and will keep you motivated. For example, if you want to work on flexibility but hate yoga, take a stab at gymnastics! The foundation of exercise is remembering why you want to be active and how you can make it enjoyable. Before we get into some ideas for spicing up your exercise routine, let’s talk about how to make exercise in any form more interesting! Using a fitness tracker is an easy way to challenge yourself to push limits and stay accountable. You can also exercise with friends, in a class, or as part of a recreational team to make it a social event! Not interested in working out with others. No…

Continue ReadingHow to Keep Exercise Interesting
Read more about the article Why Fad Diets Don’t Work

Why Fad Diets Don’t Work

Sometimes it’s fun to jump on board the latest trend, but when it comes to fad diets you might want to consider skipping out. Not only do fad diets not work, but they can cause long-term harm to your health. UCLA looked at 31 different diets that lasted 2-5 years and concluded that 30-60% of dieters regained all the weight or more! Not only that, but weight cycling has been shown to increase the likelihood of death by coronary heart disease by 66%. Now you might be thinking, how can I improve my health in a healthy way? Studies show that losing 5-10% of body weight will strengthen your heart, lower diabetic risk, reduce strain on blood vessels and posture, and help your breathing! There are easy ways to make sure your weight loss journey is healthy and maintainable! Why Fad Diets Don’t Work Most fad diets are based on elimination or deprivation of the body. Any diet based on restricting specific food groups, combining foods in a specific order or timing, or following rigid…

Continue ReadingWhy Fad Diets Don’t Work
Read more about the article Top 11 Benefits of Strength Training
Asian girl work out and weight lifting with her trainer, this image can use for fat, diet, fitness and exercise concept

Top 11 Benefits of Strength Training

Strength training isn’t just for those looking to bulk up their muscles for summer. In fact, strength training can help anyone, with benefits ranging from physical and emotional, to mental! Strength training encompasses anything that strengthens and tones muscles against resisting force and can be done at home without equipment or in the gym. Isometric resistance involves contracting muscles against a non-moving object, such as push-ups. Isotonic strength training, on the other hand, involves contracting your muscles through a range of motion, such as when weightlifting. Both types of training have benefits and incorporating strength training into your regular workout routine has long-lasting health benefits. Let’s take a look at the top 11 benefits you can see from consistent strength training. Strength If you are looking for easier day-to-day movements, look no further than strength training. By toning muscles against resisting force, you build muscle mass while training your body to maintain typical range of motion. Protect bone health and muscle mass Did you know that by the age of 30, humans lose an average…

Continue ReadingTop 11 Benefits of Strength Training
Newer Posts
Older Posts