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?
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.
Is it possible to shake off a disease? With diabetes, the answer may be yes. Every three minutes someone in America dies from diabetes. On top of that, 29 million Americans are afflicted by the disease - a 50% increase over the last ten years, according to the Diabetes Research Institute. If that wasn’t enough bad news diabetes can also cause a whole mess of problems, including heart and kidney failure, amputations, blindness, and stroke. For those with Type 2 diabetes, there are micro and macrovascular complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, periodontal disease and more. In order to keep these serious problems at bay, those with Type 1 diabetes take a daily insulin injection to regulate their system. However, those with Type 2 diabetes, AKA adult-onset diabetes, might be able to do it without the use of pharmaceuticals. Through exercise, it is possible for some to shake it off and kick anti-diabetic drugs to the curb.
There are so many excuses to not keep up with your fitness, it can be that you don’t have time, you can’t afford a gym membership, you don’t have a babysitter for the kids, you have to work all day, etc. If you really want to get out of working out anything can become an excuse. However, not having a gym is no longer a good excuse for skipping your workouts, especially with all the different ways to stay fit without a gym.
Finding a healthy diet and sticking to it can sometimes feel like the Holy Grail. Try as they might, many Americans don’t know how to eat a healthy diet. The long list of fads found on Instagram, Pinterest, and morning talk shows are often misleading. Not only are their punishing menus not sustainable in the long run, but they don’t supply the body with enough nutrients. It’s no wonder with all these flashy quick-fix distractions, that settling on a well-balanced diet seems as likely as spotting Bigfoot. Protein is one of the most important nutritional needs for creating the body that rocks the party. So if you plan on partying, you need to eat your protein. The question is, how much is the right amount for a healthy body?
Whether you’ve been to a class or not, you’re probably familiar with the term Pure Barre. This is a class that has become extremely popular and has studios popping up all over the country. For those who aren’t familiar, these classes begin with a warm-up, then it moves to arms, legs, rear, abs, and a cool down. While it sounds structured, don’t worry about doing the same workout twice, the music and the exercises change, so every class is something different. You’ll just work those muscles in that order, but how you do that will change.
