Why We Eat A Lot of Fish!

The most consumed primary protein source in our home is probably seafood. We eat a lot of tuna. Salmon is also one of our go-to meals. Canned mackerel, sardines and even anchovies are staples in our pantry. You might even find a variety of frozen, wild caught fish in our freezer… in case of emergencies. (For anyone wondering, Morningstar, Tofurkey, Beyond Meat and other “fake meat” products are our second most common primary protein source.) We eat fish because it is, in our opinions, more humane and sustainable than consuming other animals such as cows, pigs and chickens. It can also be healthier, if done properly. Even though I am not a vegetarian, I was a pescatarian for nearly a year when we lived in Boulder. If you manage your macronutrient and overall caloric intake properly, and supplement micronutrients such as vitamins/minerals properly, you can most likely live a healthy lifestyle without certain sources of protein.

Dec182018

How to Stay in Shape with Yoga

Staying in shape can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. There are some days you’re just not feeling it and would rather stay at home in your sweatpants than sweat at the gym. Consistency is the most important factor in staying in shape and the key to working out regularly is finding something you enjoy. For many people, running on the treadmill or lifting weights just isn’t enjoyable enough to keep workouts consistent. So what can you do to keep yourself accountable? Give yoga a try.

Yoga can be a great way to start your fitness journey or to supplement what you’re already doing. There are so many different types of yoga practices that it’s perfect for anyone who’s wondering how to stay in shape or how to feel more relaxed. Let’s take a look at how yoga can help with overall fitness and the mind-body connection.

Dec052018

How to Avoid the Freshman 15

Starting college is exciting. It’s a place to prepare your mind for a successful future. Unfortunately, the hours spent sitting, learning, studying, and not having much time to cook or find healthy options can take their toll on your physique. Not every new college student gains weight during their first year, but the issue is common enough that it has its own nickname: the freshman 15.

Unfortunately, gaining weight in college doesn’t just have an impact on self-esteem. It could even affect career options later in life. In college, you’re earning your degree to make the most out of your career. One day an employer could choose you to lead the organization, especially if you have a quality degree and the proper mindset and ethic to excel. How you treat your body plays a big factor into who you are, your job, and more. It’s necessary to take care of yourself and keep your mind and body in tip top shape.

If you’re worried about putting on some pounds when you start living in a dorm, here’s what you need to know about weight gain in college and tips for how to avoid the freshman 15 yourself.

Dec012017

Physical Exercise and Aging

Staying fit is a lifelong journey, but as we age, it can be more difficult to reach the same exercise goals than it once was. Aging causes more than just wrinkles—it can also cause losses in balance, muscle mass and overall strength, agility, and bone density, while also triggering weight gain. Because of this, people who have stayed fit their whole lives may struggle with these changes, while people who have been inactive often find themselves unable to enjoy the activities they once did, or experience major health problems. The good news? Engaging in regular exercise can improve health and even help seniors live longer. Just 3 hours of exercise per week can increase overall lifespan by about 5 years!

In 2010, there were 40.3 million Americans age 65 or older, and this number is growing every year, making education about the importance of physical fitness in maintaining quality of life very important. Of those seniors, just 28-34% of adults aged 65-74 were physically active, and 35-44% of adults over the age of 75 were active. Since 4 out of 5 Americans over the age of 50 have one or more chronic conditions, an active lifestyle can be a key factor in managing health.

So what are the benefits of staying active as you age? Better mobility, strength, and balance, weight maintenance, and better health overall. Exercise can help people manage chronic conditions and lower blood pressure, and can even help to build up brain volume!

Check out this awesome infographic from USC’s Gerontology Department to understand aging and exercise in a visual way:

The University of Southern California Online

Sep152017

Small Change, Big Gain

In health and wellness, small changes can make a huge impact. It’s all about baby steps and those baby steps eventually turn into significant changes to your health for the better. Changing soda for sparkling water. Reducing fast food. Going for a walk after work instead of plopping in front of the television. It’s these baby steps that turn into substantive lifestyle change. It develops your new lifestyle into one that’s sustainable and healthy. People often think they need a head-over-heels shake-up of their life to become healthy. That’s not it. That’s not sustainable. The important part is turning it into a lifestyle: not a diet or a brief workout plan. Slow integration is the way to do it.

We were featured in a really neat infographic from Elysium Health which is all about the small changes you can make. Elysium, themselves, are committed to this idea with their own daily NAD+ supplement leading to a big gain in the long term. It just takes a small difference to better your health and, thus, your life!

Jun112017

#9 Greatest Movie of All Time

We are moving and grooving with our Top 10 Movies of All Time! Today brings us to our #9 of the best movies ever. If you missed last week’s, you can find #10 here. Want to know the brains behind the list? Take a peek here. What intriguing movies will make #9 today? Let’s find out!

Kai – “Drive”

Image source

Jun092017

3 Remedies for Arthritis and Joint Pain

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in America, affecting more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children. The term arthritis actually refers to any joint pain or joint disease, rather than referring to one specific disease. In fact, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis. The symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion and can be mild, moderate or severe. Inflammation is a key player behind the pain associated with arthritis and treatments generally aim to reduce inflammation and pain in order to improve quality of life. Below are three ways that may be used to alleviate joint pain due to arthritis.

Jun012017

When to Prioritize Cardio & Strength Training to Fit Your Goals

It’s hard to know when to work out or even what to workout. Our goal is for you to be hungry and fit, and whatever we can do to take out less work and thinking for you, the better! Should you focus on cardio or strength training? How often for each? We want you to be able to dive into a plan of action without having to do too much studying up on something. This is why we are happy to share an awesome infographic with our friends from Health Perch to make it simple as possible to recognize your goals and go forth and achieve them. You can click on the actual article to find more sample workout weeks. Enjoy!

“When to Prioritize Resistance and Aerobic Training to Fit Your Goals” on Health Perch

May302017

How to Deal with Your Snoring Problem

Snoring is something that a lot of people struggle with. It’s uncomfortable for those that sleep next to us or near us and it can also disrupt our own sleep. If you are struggling with snoring yourself then you are probably looking for a way to treat your snoring problem. There are different types of snoring and there are different things that cause it in the first place. It’s pretty hard to just tell what your snoring problem originates from because of it, and more people feel frustrated because of that. But let’s take a look at some ways in which you can deal with this problem and make sleep time better not just for yourself but also for the people around you who are struggling with your problem just as much as you.

Apr282017

Setting Goals for the Month

Every month, we set five goals in five categories. We write them down on a sheet and it looks like a Bingo Board. We treat it that way too, setting ourselves up for next month’s goals and sometimes rewarding ourselves with a nice meal out if we hit BINGO! The five categories include Alana, Chris, Hungry & Fit, Home, and in 2017, we decided to add the fifth… Fun!

This month, for one of my personal goals, I set a goal that I know I most likely won’t be able to reach. It’s not a do this in one day sort of thing, so it’s more challenging. I wanted to, by the end of the month, run 4 miles in 32 minutes while still totaling 995 lbs in the big three lifts: deadlift, squat, and bench press. The lifts had to be competition grade, so basically… no cheating allowed. Unfortunately, a major bump came in the road when my ingrown toenails flared up and got really bad, to the point that they hurt just while laying in bed. Now, I know what you’re thinking… that’s a huge EXCUSE and it could be way worse. I’ve finished basketball games with fractured ankles, swam in collegiate meets with a leg immobilizer on, and much more.