Health And Wellness Blog

For many personal trainers, the month of December might be properly referred to as a “Maintenance Month. ” December is typically filled with social obligations, and stress surrounding the holidays in general for clients. Your regular routine and schedule go out the window and all the holiday parties and gatherings mean you’re tempted to skip workouts.

Have you ever done a google search to see if there are any foods that help you to manage stress. You don’t need to look far to find these articles, but I would challenge you to think about the scientific validity or the facts being presented. I would also like to challenge you to think about food and stress in a slightly different way.

Mindfulness is a concept that has gained recent popularity within the health and fitness community, though its meaning is often shrouded in confusion. My Viva has written a few times on what mindfulness is in general, but how you can integrate mindfulness into your fitness routine? We often get caught up in what our situation was at another time – I was so much thinner, or stronger, or fitter last year.

Whether you are meal planning for your family or a group of people, chances are you are going to have to prepare for different preferences, tolerances or lifestyles.   This can be a challenge, but not impossible! Here are a few tips.

We all have busy lives and as you embark on or continue your fitness journey, you can feel a bit overwhelmed at times, especially knowing that consistency is the key to success.   Without organization and planning, consistency can become a challenge. Plan to succeed with some simple tips to make being consistent easier: 1.

Mobility has become a trendy buzzword that everyone seems to use, but rarely do you find someone who actually knows what it means.   Mobility is tricky to explain because it is often used as a synonym for flexibility, which it is not. Mobility requires flexibility, but flexibility does not require mobility.

A balanced breakfast is key to having better energy throughout the day and minimizing evening snacking. Studies show that a breakfast containing higher fibre carbohydrates along with 14-20 grams of protein is helpful for: - Improving mood - Improving cognition - Maintaining a healthy weight or improving weight loss - Bettering blood sugar control   A balanced breakfast contains a source of protein, complex carbohydrate and healthy fats to help kick start your energy levels. Eight Better Breakfasts: Blend: Smoothie baggies- fill with frozen fruit, veggies, and Greek yogurt ahead of time to grab from the freezer, then blend together with milk or water the day of.

With busy days ahead, it can be difficult to prioritize your meals. However, if you can honour the fact that your body needs to be fuelled throughout the day, it will better support you in tackling all the tasks you want accomplished! Protein If you think about a soda cracker compared to a piece of chicken or fish, you know that a soda cracker begins to dissolve in your mouth, while you have to chew the protein options to help break them down.

Your body has two different drives to eat: homeostatic (body) hunger and hedonic (reward) hunger. Learning to recognize the difference between the two can ensure your efforts to manage your appetite and weight are targeted at the right place. “Homeostatic” or “body” hunger is the drive to eat when you feel physically hungry.

The first step in reaching your fitness goals is deciding that you are going to work hard. It doesn’t have to be a soul-crushing, grind-it-out experience to get into great shape, but chances are you will have to push a little harder than you currently push. As important as it’s going to be to push yourself, it’s also going to be just as important to know your limits.