Tag Archives: workout

Is it okay to workout on an empty stomach OR right after you’ve eaten a big meal?

21 Tuesday Jul 2020

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Yes, as long as it doesn’t make you feel light-headed or nauseous. Sports nutritionist Brittany R. Allman says when we exercise on an empty stomach, our body burns stored carbs and fat, which can speed up weight loss. And exercising on a full stomach can speed digestion by helping move food from the stomach to the intestines. Still, we’re better off eating a maximum of 200 calories about an hour before a workout, that’s a combination of carbs for quick energy, and protein to help prevent muscle breakdown. Like a banana, and a couple tablespoons of peanut butter.

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If you’re on the treadmill, put your smartphone down!

09 Thursday Jul 2020

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According to the journal Computers in Human Behavior, texting or talking on your phone while walking lowers the intensity of your workout. Plus, it throws off your balance by as much as 45%! And that raises the risk of injury. So, if you’re working out, fire up your exercise playlist, then put your phone down.

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You don’t need to practice yoga to center yourself and be mindful.

24 Wednesday Jun 2020

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Try this mindfulness technique, no matter what type of exercise you enjoy. It comes from trainer Nora St. John: Every 5 minutes during your run, bike ride, or rowing session – take out your earbuds or pause your workout playlist, and tune into your breathing and body movement. Make sure nothing feels off or awkward, and correct it if it does. St. John says that will help you become a more efficient exerciser and help prevent injuries.

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Are you thinking of trying high-intensity interval training?

04 Tuesday Feb 2020

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If you’re thinking of trying high-intensity interval training, like Cross Fit or Orange Theory, be sure to listen to pumped-up workout music. You’ll enjoy it more! The University of British Columbia had exercisers new to interval training work out either WITH music – or without. The result: Those exercising with music enjoyed it more and were more likely to try it again, than those working out in silence. That meshes with previous research showing music can make exercise feel easier. So if you’re trying interval training to shape up in the New Year, be sure to include a great playlist. You’ll be more likely to stick with it.

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If you want to exercise more…

26 Thursday Sep 2019

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…don’t just tell yourself, “I’ve got to get to the gym.” Try this solution from the University of Arkansas: Put on your calendar the days of the week you’ll work out, the time, which workout you’ll do, and for how long… and the days you’ll rest.

In a study, people who did just that increased

the amount they exercised by 138% in one week!

Why does it work? Because it gives you a concrete plan – so you can schedule other things around it. That way, you can’t say, “Well, something came up, so I flaked on my workout.” It becomes an appointment. And we’re less likely to bail on a fixed appointment than some random “I’ll work out whenever” plan.

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Now you can go to the gym… to nap!

31 Wednesday Jul 2019

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It’s a trend our researchers spotted, with many fitness centers offering a class called “Napercize” – where you work out for a while, then go down for a nap with a bunch of strangers. The temperature is taken down to 67 or 68 degrees, which is ideal for sleeping, and each person gets a little cot, a blanket, and an eye mask.

The class is designed to help boost your mental and physical wellbeing and reinvigorate the mind and body.

While it may seem ridiculous to some people, taking naps has remarkable benefits for our mental health, which is backed by research from Pennsylvania’s Allegheny College. And think about it: Nap-time has been working for years in kindergartens all over the planet. So, maybe it’s time for us adults to give Napercize a try.

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What are you usually doing at 9pm?

27 Thursday Jun 2019

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Watching Shark Tank or America’s Got Talent? Well, more and more people are at Spin class at the gym… or on the treadmill. 9pm is the new go-to time for working out, according to the Mind Body journal. It’s the fastest growing choice for workouts at fitness studios. There are 46 TIMES more classes booked at 9pm now than there were 10 years ago… mostly because people have more free time at night and gyms are staying open later to accommodate people’s schedules. The bonus of exercising at night? People are able to go 20% longer than in the morning – without feeling fatigued. That’s according to the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. That’s because our body uses oxygen more efficiently at night.

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Want a better workout?

24 Monday Jun 2019

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Pop 2 squares of dark chocolate first! Scientists at UC San Diego found dark chocolate with 70% cacao content can help us work out longer and harder – without feeling like we’re exerting ourselves more! The benefit comes from a healthy flavonoid that helps fight off muscle fatigue. It also helps build new mitochondria in muscles – which are cell structures that produce energy.

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Here’s why you should rinse off after you workout!

03 Wednesday Apr 2019

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You know the drill… you hit the gym hard, then run errands in your sweaty clothes. Well, you may want to rinse off and change instead.

Dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman says even a little sweat raises our skin’s bacterial count – which includes the microbes linked to pimples. And when that excess bacteria gets trapped against the skin with damp clothing, it can trigger backne – or back acne… butt-ne – butt acne… or red bumps caused by inflamed hair follicles all over your body. You can also develop rashes along your body’s crevices caused by the same fungus that leads to athlete’s foot. You don’t need to take a shower immediately to avoid rashes and acne… but make sure you rinse off, and change into clean, dry clothes.

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Keep one of those sports water bottles on your desk at work.

18 Monday Feb 2019

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Doing that can prompt you to be more active, and make exercise a part of your everyday life. That’s according to Bangor University in the UK. They found that putting a visual cue somewhere you’ll see it all the time makes people more likely to follow through and work out. It needs to be something you always use when you exercise – like your water bottle, ear-buds or running shoes. The physical reminder boosts activity in the brain region linked to organization and planning, and literally doubles your odds of becoming a regular exerciser.

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