The Healthy Living Blog - Page 17 of 25

May 17, 2012 Easy recipes Healthy eating

Don’t Get Bored!

Some Novel Salad Ideas

Summer is around the corner and you want to get bikini-ready. You’ve been working out hard, but now it is time to makeover your diet. So you think: “Hey, salad is a good way to eat healthy and light.” The problem is that eating the same salad every day is not only boring, it is also unwise. That’s because when you don’t vary your menu, you will probably miss some important nutrients and disease-fighting phytochemicals. Therefore, your best option is to include a variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet. Hey, do not despair. I have your back. Here, I give you a few suggestions of combinations of veggies, fruits, nuts, and dressings. To transform these salads into a complete meal, just pair them with a lean source of protein such as fish, chicken, turkey, or tofu, for example.

May 16, 2012 Habits and behaviors

Change Your “Fattitudes”

Here is another book that I’d like to share with you: “Drop the Fat Act & Live Lean” by Ryan D. Andrews. Ryan is a registered dietician, strength and conditioning specialist, and a coach with Precision Nutrition. In this book, Ryan shares his experiences as a nutrition coach. He compiled a list of common behaviors (or should we call it “misbehaviors”) among unsuccessful “losers” and chronic dieters (people who are always on a diet but don’t seem to drop a single pound). Following is just a taste of what he discovered:

May 10, 2012 Exercise and fitness

Exercise of the Month: Push-Up with Leg Lift

This is a great body-weight exercise that engages all major muscles, strengthening the core, chest, upper-back, arms, thighs, and glutes.

May 10, 2012 Habits and behaviors

Get It Done Now!

“I’ll do it tomorrow, next Monday, next month…” Of course, we wish to improve (exercise more, eat better, quit smoking, etc.), but life is so busy that it is hard to accomplish everything we want in one day. So, we postpone it (once more). The problem is that procrastination can become a (bad) habit, impeding you from achieving your best. Why does it happen so often? Do we lack the drive to move forward, or are we just overwhelmed by the change?

May 3, 2012 Healthy eating

Nutrient of the Week: Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin found mainly in animal products and fortified foods. Its absorption is a complex process which depends on a compound produced by the stomach called intrinsic factor. Some people may present a genetic defect that disables the body from producing this compound, which significantly impairs vitamin B12 absorption, leading to its deficiency.

May 2, 2012 Habits and behaviors

Switch: An Interesting Approach to Change

When it comes to health and lifestyle habits, most of us are always trying to improve something. It may be to exercise more, eat healthier or simply lose a few pounds. Although accomplishing these goals may seem easy at first, many people discover that it takes a lot of effort to get anywhere near them. Why is change so hard? Why can’t we just turn on some switch inside our minds and start behaving the way we want?

April 27, 2012 Prevention

Preventing Knee Injuries

The knee is one of the most injured regions of the body. Women are more prone to knee injuries than men, especially when practicing high-impact sports that involve cutting and jumping. The reason is still unclear, but researchers believe that women tend to have knee motions that make them more susceptible to injuries. Recent studies have found that there is a difference in the way sensory information is processed by the nervous system in men and women, which could explain the differences in injury rates.

April 24, 2012 Exercise and fitness

Allergic to Exercise?

I know, I know. It does sound like the lamest excuse ever to skip a sweat session. However, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, exercise may produce symptoms similar to an allergic reaction in some people. This condition is called exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIA), which is a form of physical allergy with symptoms ranging from mild skin rashes to severe systemic manifestations. Hey, calm down the hypochondriac in you, because EIA is not at all common.

April 20, 2012 Healthy eating

Seven Nutrition Strategies for Boosting Health

I’ve just read this article, “Seven Nutrition Strategies for Boosting Your Clients’ Health from the Inside Out,” and thought it would be nice to share it with you. Most of the following healthy eating behaviors we’ve already covered in previous articles. However, repetition is a great way to reinforce something that is truly important. Thus, let’s take a look at what the experts are saying.

April 18, 2012 Exercise and fitness Motivation

Finding an Activity That Matches Your Personal Style

It is well-known that maintaining an active lifestyle has its benefits. The practice of regular physical activity not only promotes physical health but also has a positive impact on our mental state. Several studies have shown that exercise promotes self-confidence and self-esteem, improves mood and energy levels, may fight anxiety and depression, and improves cognitive function, among others. With all those benefits in mind, one could believe that exercise should be a priority in everyone’s life. Unfortunately, that is far from true.