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Our metabolisms get blamed for a lot. “Metabolism” is a word that is bandied about in our frustrated conversations with girlfriends. Our inability to mainline chocolate without putting on weight? Metabolism. Those seven pounds that just won’t budge? Metabolism. Our general fatigue? Metabolism. But do you know what your metabolism is and what it even does? According to the NHS website, “metabolism describes all the chemical processes that go on continuously inside the body to keep you alive and your organs functioning normally, such as breathing, repairing cells and digesting food.” Our bodies need energy to carry out all those metabolic processes, and it’s our basal metabolic rate (BMR) that is the number of calories our body uses to just keep us alive. The site also says that “a slow metabolism is more accurately described as a low BMR.”1 While we probably need to shift the focus from wanting to speed up our metabolism to increasing our BMR if we want to be totally accurate, at the end of the day, we all just want to know how to lose any excess weight, right? Keep scrolling for easy-to-follow tips on how to boost your metabolism. Eat a Metabolism-Boosting Breakfast […]
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Core exercise can be a great way to prevent injury, but if building your abs causes a back ache, it’s time to change your routine, according a personal trainer. Some simple cues can help fix your form to help prevent back pain during core workouts and get you better results, boxing coach Kollins Ezekh told Insider. Done correctly, core exercises can help improve your posture and reduce aches outside of the gym, too, he said. “A weak core is probably one of the main contributors to lower back pain,” Ezekh said. Picking the right exercises, warming up correctly, and doing the right amount of work with proper form can help you build a stronger, more stable core for pain-free fitness. Always warm up before exercising While it can be tempting to save time by jumping right into a workout, a basic warm-up helps prepare your muscles, prevents injury, and can help you be more aware of maintaining good form, Ezekh said. An ideal warm-up should involve all the areas of the body that will be active during the workout with similar movement patterns as the exercise you plan to do. For example, if you’re working on planks or push-ups, […]
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The rise in cold and flu cases: As the winter season bids us goodbye, experts cautioned that the flu burden would be significant, due to a worrying phenomenon of ‘immunity debt’ worldwide. This is the lack of exposure to common viruses because people were social distancing and wearing masks over the past two years. With pandemic restrictions lifted, the population’s susceptibility for influenza infection is estimated to increase.Dr. Pankaj Garg, Consultant Paediatrician, Ladies & Child Clinic, Delhi said, “In Delhi, we have seen a five-fold rise in the number of flu cases. To tackle this rise, it is important for more people to understand how the flu can affect different groups, and why protection against it is vital. Supporting increased vaccine uptake across the population and other preventive measures can help more individuals be safeguarded from the flu. It can also be managed with key steps including treating symptoms, and with rest and good nutrition.” This season, keep an eye out for any flu signs – like fever, chills, cough, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, and more. If you are affected, here are 4 things you should avoid to manage the flu better: Overexerting yourself: Instead, especially during the first […]
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That person seems to have it all. You hate to admit it, but their effortless fitness and healthy life drive you mad all year round! What do they have that you don’t? You’ve tried the diets. You’ve done the workouts, what gives? But what if you could BECOME that person too? Don’t believe that’s possible? Let me explain. I have always been an all or nothing type of person. There was one year where I drank something made entirely out of veggies for dinner for a month – a month! You heard me: I’m talking about a puke-worthy smoothie made entirely of spinach, kale, broccoli, and spinach. Gross. After a while, I began to realize something extremely pivotal to my fitness journey: being all or nothing doesn’t work with having a healthy life. Our bodies are delicate! Too few calories and too many workouts will literally spike cortisol and prevent you from losing weight. Too many calories and too few workouts and well, we’ve all been there. So what am I getting at? My point is that there are several secrets that these seemingly effortless fit people incorporate, knowingly or not, that greatly contribute to their health and wellness. The […]
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The definition of healthy eating changes as you age. For example, as you grow older, your metabolism slows down, so you need fewer calories than before. Your body also needs more of certain nutrients. That means it’s more important than ever to choose foods that give you the best nutritional value. Here are several tips to help you find the best foods for your body and your budget. Understand what a healthy plate looks like You might remember the food pyramid, but the USDA recently unveiled a simpler way to help people see what they should eat each day. It’s called MyPlate. The simple graphic shows exactly how the five food groups should stack up on your plate. These are the building blocks for a healthy diet. Look for important nutrients Make sure you eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. Your plate should look like a rainbow – bright, colored foods are always the best choice! A healthy meal should include: Lean protein (lean meats, seafood, eggs, beans) Fruits and vegetables (think orange, red, green, and purple) Whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat pasta) Low-fat dairy (milk and its alternatives) Remember to choose foods that are high in […]
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A doctor, a nutritionist and a fitness trainer dole out tips to keep your heart muscle pumping Did you know cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s leading cause of death? According to the World Heart Federation, it claims over 18 million lives every year, globally. But the good news is, it can be prevented and controlled by simply making a few lifestyle changes. In order to spread more awareness about CVD and encourage heart-healthy living, World Heart Day is celebrated every year on September 29. We asked experts to share simple tips that’ll keep your heart health on the right track. 1. Pay attention to what’s on your plate It is rightly said that you are what you eat. So, the next time you pile up those fried snacks and munchies on your plate, take a second to think about its impact on your heart and overall health. According to Shweta Shah, nutritionist and co-founder of Fitza, omega-3 fatty acids are great for improving heart health, so include pumpkin and sesame seeds, and walnuts in your diet. “Broccoli is an excellent heart-healthy food so add it to your salads or stir-fry,” she says. She also recommends having ash gourd […]
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Exercising outdoors as the weather gets colder and the days shorter may seem difficult. These tips can help you have a successful exercise routine. If you prefer to exercise outdoors, the shortening days may impact your ability to squeeze in those early morning or evening workouts. And, if you’re not a fan of the colder weather or have a condition like arthritis or asthma that may be affected by the falling temperatures, then you may have questions about outdoor exercise as the days get colder and darker. Here are some guidelines about the best time to exercise and safety precautions to take when you’re working out or are simply being active in cold weather. Best Time to Exercise The answer to the first question is simple. The best time to exercise is whatever time you can most consistently do so. There are some important considerations, including the safety of the area where you’ll be exercising, the heaviness of local traffic and the presence or lack of adequate lighting. However, identifying the ideal time to work out is meaningless if it’s not a good time for you. So, figure out what time of day will allow you to stick […]
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During these uncertain times, it is important to focus on ways to help manage fear and anxiety while coping with our ever-changing world as we know it. Meditation practices can be a great way to help find balance as we learn more about COVID-19 and how it will affect our lives moving forward. Although we can’t rid ourselves of daily stressors, meditation may provide the mental shift needed to equip you for life’s oncoming obstacles. Given all the buzz surrounding meditation, you might be tempted to dismiss it as trendy. But this centuries-old practice of calming the mind and easing day-to-day stress is backed by loads of scientific evidence. How Meditation Can Help with Stress According to Penn’s Program for Mindfulness, extensive research has demonstrated that mindfulness training improves mood and quality of life, increases working memory and resistance to distraction, and enhances emotional regulation. Learn how meditation can help counteract the affects of stress and help reset our minds and bodies. Meditating for a Healthy Mind Problem: Two regions of the brain tend to play a special role in our mental health: the amygdala and the default mode network (DMN). The amygdala is the region of the […]
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It’s never too late to start getting fit! In this article, we will discuss some tips for getting in shape and staying healthy as you get older. It’s important to focus on your health as you age, and there are plenty of ways to stay active and improve your fitness level. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been working out for years, these tips will help you stay on track and reach your fitness goals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fit adults over the age of 50 should be getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. This could be something as simple as brisk walking. In addition, they recommend that adults over 50 do strength-training activities at least 2 days a week. This could include lifting weights, using resistance bands, or doing body-weight exercises like push-ups and squats. Strength-training is important for maintaining muscle mass and bone density as we age. Getting regular exercise can help us stay independent and able to do the things we enjoy for years to come. Getting Your Daily Dose of Physical Activity The CDC recommends that older adults get at least 150 minutes of […]
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When children are young, parents and other caregivers are responsible for providing an environment that helps them maintain a lifestyle that is beneficial to their health. You can help your child by doing the following: Be a positive role model for healthful eating and activity habits. Provide a calm, reassuring atmosphere at regular meal and snack times. Set appropriate limits on screen entertainment like television, tablets and video games. Involve the whole family in fun physical activities. Help children develop and maintain a positive body image. Avoid restrictive diets and excessive exercise regimens. When it comes to nutrition and fitness, the role of parents is the same no matter the size of their children. A healthy weight for kids is about much more than numbers. It is about healthy behaviors, such as enjoying a variety of foods and activities for strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity. Diets Are Not the Answer Diets can do more harm than good. Research suggests kids who diet end up weighing more than non-dieters, with lower self-esteem and greater risk for eating disorders. Do not put your child on a diet, especially without consulting your doctor and a registered dietitian nutritionist. Here are some […]