As one who’s worn a lot of different hats (overweight member, highly fit member, group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and manager) in many different commercial gym settings my overall perspective on gym culture is quite unique.
For many, fall is the season for pumpkin spice-flavored everything. For me, the fall season is all about the chili! In addition to being the perfect cool-to-cold-weather comfort food, when prepared with the right ingredients, chili can also be the ultimate superfood. Not convinced? Take a stab at my veggie-packed turkey chili recipe and see what […]
Previously, I wrote an article introducing the concept of intermittent fasting, explaining exactly why it works, and how it can be especially beneficial for weight loss, long-term weight management and overall good health. In this article, I’ll share some specific details about what to eat for maximum results in case you’re interested in trying it […]
For years, the pedometer has enjoyed widespread popularity amid health, fitness and wellness entities and enthusiasts due to its low cost, relative ease of use, straightforward feedback, and clear-cut message to users: “10,000 steps a day” for good health. Moreover, the advent of the pedometer has undoubtedly raised people’s awareness on the importance of walking for […]
If you regularly engage in intense exercise training, it’s important to pay close attention to what you consume after your workouts. This holds especially true for workouts lasting longer than an hour, as there arises a need to replenish the water, carbohydrates and electrolytes lost during prolonged physical activity.
Chances are you’ve heard of intermittent fasting, as it’s an emerging health and fitness trend that’s garnering quite a lot of attention these days. In case you aren’t familiar with the concept, “intermittent fasting” is essentially an umbrella term referring to any dietary regimen that involves “intermittent” cycling between periods of fasting and eating (“feasting”).
I’ve always emphasized that the most effective way to lose weight is to moderately reduce your daily calorie intake while engaging in exercise training and other forms of physical activity, as doing so creates the calorie deficits needed for weight loss. But, constantly counting calories day in and day out is not always the most […]
As if getting motivated to work out isn’t difficult enough, there’s also the question of whether or not you’re working out hard enough. The level at which you work out is generally described in terms of your workout “intensity”. Now don’t get me wrong here. You can achieve significant health benefits with as little as […]
Nowadays, so many foods have been dismissed and put on the hypothetical ‘Do Not Eat List’ list—Almost to the point that many people feel as though there’s nothing left to eat. And, I’m not talking about the laundry list of stereotypically unhealthy foods (white flour, rice and breads, candies, pastries, desserts, sugary cereals, processed meats, junk foods, and soft drinks) either.
Many years ago I exercised for the sole purpose of losing weight and ultimately maintaining a killer physique. Sure, doing so also made me feel strong, energized and completely unstoppable, but in the end, it was all about the build. You see, I had conquered obesity before and was determined to never go there again.
I was recently asked if: “There’s such a thing as going into ‘starvation mode’ if you’re morbidly obese?”—That’s being more than 100 pounds overweight. My short answer is: Yes. My long answer is: Yes, but it’s complicated.
The start of your weight loss journey is a very delicate time at which you’ll generally decide to either give up or keep going. It’s also a time when other people’s opinions can easily make or break your success—and those opinions might come from the most unlikely sources.
Second only to walking, running is indeed the most popular form of exercise worldwide. But, it’s also among the most intense. This holds especially true for outdoor running. Due to its intense nature, if you regularly run outdoors it’s important that you’re properly fueling your body with the right foods. Ideally, any foods you consume […]
Are you frequently exposed to stress due to work or school, conflicts with family or friends, or even while sitting impatiently in a traffic jam? Although such situations may seem harmless, with prolonged and repeated exposures these simple stressors can set off a progressive cascade of events leading to unhealthy weight gain, poor health and, […]
Food is indeed a focal point of holiday celebrations and Easter is certainly no exception. And, as a health expert, lifestyle blogger and avid foodie, I’m always on the hunt for simple solutions that make healthier eating especially easy, effortless and delicious during holidays and special occasions. Now, when it comes to Easter brunch and […]
Well, it’s officially spring! How are those health-related New Year’s resolutions going? Are you losing weight? Have you reduced the amount of sugar in your diet? Have you cut back on fast food? Hopefully, your goals weren’t so lofty that reality has set in and forced you to abandon them. If this is the case, […]
There’s a very fine line between maintaining a healthy body weight and being malnourished. Truth is, in this day in age when thin is in, a lot of people are simply starving themselves. They are cutting calories too much, eating too little, and, ultimately, depriving their bodies of health-promoting nutrients—All in an effort to maintain […]
I’ve never been shy about voicing my opinions about conventional healthcare, especially when it comes to shortcomings in preventive care quality. If you aren’t familiar with the term, “preventive care” essentially refers to any form of healthcare specifically aimed at ‘preventing’ chronic diseases and serious illnesses.
Each and every year people resolve to initiate an exercise training program for health and/or weight loss purposes. Unfortunately, they assume that after a year (or even years) of physical inactivity, they can pick up where they left off at age 18.
With widespread promotion of physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviors, new breeds of fitness trackers, health apps and other self-monitoring options are hitting the consumer market every day. Wearable devices (“wearables”) like pedometers, accelerometers, heart rate sensors, blood pressure monitors, and all-inclusive smartwatches are among the most common.
