Are you a healthy person? Do you feel well or do you think some aspects of your health could be better? What needs to change and how do you start?
Intermittent fasting (IF) is currently one of the world’s most popular health and fitness trends, according to healthline.com. People are using it to lose weight, improve their health and simplify their lifestyles. IF is an eating pattern (not a diet plan) that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. It doesn’t specify which foods you should eat but rather, when you should eat them. Common IF methods involve daily 16-hour fasts or fasting for 24 hours, twice per week.
Here’s the truth of the matter: in the beginning, exercising is difficult. No sugar-coating it. It is. You will be uncomfortable, sore and sweaty. You will spend money. You will make sacrifices. You will go to bed exhausted and, at first, wake up tired. Showers will happen. A lot of them. But, as time goes by, you will be rewarded. Everything gets easier. You WILL lose fat and gain muscle. You WILL have more energy. You WILL feel younger and better in every life scenario. You WILL be able to play a full game of basketball or do cartwheels with your kids. You WILL be healthier.
Health is a journey and every trainer you talk to, website you visit or medical professional you consult is advocating for one “trend” or “diet” that will help you reach your health goal. Social media is full of advertisements telling us about the “hip new trend that will take off the pounds fast” or “the new health product that will give you the sleek look you desire.” We are bombarded with so much that it can get confusing. So, what can you do? How do you cut through the malarkey and find that thing that will work best for you? Well, Step One is to talk to your doctor before trying any type of fad. Step Two: With any health craze you intend to pursue, make sure to exercise due diligence. To give you a start, here are five health trends and diets to avoid, and five to engage. Note: Everyone’s body is different – what works for others may not work for you and vice-versa.
What is a dietary supplement? According to the National Institute on Aging, dietary supplements are substances you might use to add nutrients to your diet or to lower your risk of health problems, like osteoporosis or arthritis. Dietary supplements come in the form of pills, capsules, powders, gel tabs, extracts and liquids.
In order to create an exercise plan that works best for you, it’s important to know what you need to change, where your faults lie and at what intensity you should start your workout. Once you find your starting line, or baseline, realistic goals can be made that you can accomplish in time.
How a person defines the word “metabolism” may depend on whether you ask a biologist or a dietician. From a biological standpoint, metabolism is a combination of biochemical processes your body uses to convert food into energy. These metabolic processes include breathing, eating and digesting food, the delivery of nutrients to your cells through the blood, the use of energy by your muscles, nerves and cells, and finally, the elimination of waste products from your body.
Staying healthy is a priority – especially during a pandemic – and proper nutrition is key to good health. So, what exactly should you be eating?
Just because the air is a little cooler doesn’t mean you can’t start or continue your outdoor exercise. This time of the year offers great outdoor visuals and the air holds less humidity. Hey, you may perform your best in this weather. There’s only one way to find out. Get outside and be active while you still can (without eight layers of clothing).
