We often see a drop in momentum and a lack of motivation in February. The good news is you're not alone, and we're here to help! Here are some tips and tricks on how to continue to push forward with your fitness and health goals.
When it comes to your workout, getting on the treadmill versus pumping iron first can seem like a chicken/egg scenario: which comes first? Proponents of both may swear that their favorite exercise of choice is the better way to get your sweat on and see results, but which is the best way to get fit?
Sleep is imperative for all your daily functions, but there are certain activities that you will falter at if you cut back on bedtime. For instance, your mental state tends to decline when you pull an all-nighter, you are more likely to catch a cold, and you likely can’t put in maximum performance at the gym. Yes, getting horizontal is important if your goal is to get swole. Experts are claiming that slumber might be the very thing that can keep you fit. According to Men’s Health, the restorative process of sleep is when the body gets stronger, repairing muscles. It’s also when the mind strengthens with clarity and focus. In essence, sleep acts as a performance-enhancing drug.
Big muscles. Being virile. Staying power. All these are related to a healthy testosterone level. The big T is extremely important to male development - it helps to develop the penis, testes, voice, facial hair, and pubic hair at puberty. It also increases muscle size and strength, bone strength, increases sex drive, and sperm production. However, imagining it as just a dude thing that gets you swole and can make you aggressive is pretty much a myth, as it’s not just made by men. Women also produce testosterone in their ovaries and the adrenal glands and need certain levels for bone strength, ovarian health, and libido.
You fall and twist your ankle and it swells to the point where you limp. You overdo it with the deadlifts and can’t raise your arms the next day. Or you just drive yourself hard with a long workout and do some free radical damage which causes aches in your joints, muscles, and ligaments. Inflammation causes this pain. Thus most pains are caused by inflammation.
If you are ready to win the big race but your mind is telling you to slow down, then you may need to strengthen your mental fitness. Retooling your self-talk could make the difference of meeting those fitness goals or reaching the podium. Reframing the brain can help you through, negative thinking, workout fatigue, and pain, and help you excel during a workout.
One of the best parts about being human is that we have so much at our fingertips. There’s a great big world we can explore, and the only thing keeping us from doing it is us. Now, if you want to get outside and see what nature has to offer while getting fit, we have the perfect outdoor exercise ideas for you. You won’t need to pay for a gym membership with these workouts, but you’ll still stay on track with your health and workout goals.
In the past several years, the body positivity movement has gained some strides. Ad campaigns like Dove have embraced women of all ages, and models like Ashley Graham have put plus size on the catwalk and covers of magazines. Airbrushing flaws until the person is beyond recognition have eased up considerably on billboards. Publications have also stopped offering ways to drop ten pounds in 24 hours, lest they start a rash of unattainable goals that result in diet disorders.
When you are training to be the best version of yourself, sometimes you need something that can help you along the way. Many times, we forget that the technology we have on us at all times, cell phones anyone, is actually tech that we can use to help us with our workouts. To make life easier on you, we pulled a list of fitness apps you should know. These apps help with a variety of workouts, from cardio to yoga to strength training.
It’s safe to say at this point that there is an abundance of information out there on how to keep your body healthy. Between hitting the gym daily for your cardio sessions and eating whole foods that your body craves, you can keep yourself in pretty good shape. But what about your brain? While endorphins from physical exercise may help a bit, the brain is often overlooked when it comes to health. Luckily, if your brain is a bit neglected, there are many benefits of meditation and yoga, you just have to try one or both of those exercises. You’ll be thankful you did.
If you want something to grow, you have to feed it, whether it be a puppy, a plant, or, yes, your muscles. If you are looking to build bulk, you need to give your body the protein it needs to flourish. A protein supplement may be just the thing to help you to improve your muscle mass. But let’s look under the hood. After all, understanding the mechanics of how amino acids help develop that six-pack you covet might affect which protein source you choose.
Leading a healthy lifestyle is beneficial in many ways. Many people are finding that they do not have healthy blood flow or circulation, which can negatively affect their health. Luckily, there are several ways to increase your circulation naturally which will help you to lead a healthier lifestyle and improve your overall health.
