Tag: Health

Creative Ways To Make The Most Of Staying In

Published on by Lee3 Comments

We’re clearly navigating unprecedented times. It feels like every hour there’s a new update from government officials, we’re collectively in a heightened sense of panic, and it feels impossible to tear ourselves away from our devices. While many of us are going to spend much more time at home in the foreseeable future, that doesn’t mean we have to succumb to pure chaos or neglect our mental and physical health in the process. And stepping up your self-care is a great way to stay positive, and busy.

Here’s the thing: practicing self-care isn’t selfish and it can even be quite simple. Try to reframe this newfound downtime as an opportunity to invest in yourself in ways you haven’t been able to before. It’s a chance to better yourself, to foster deep human connection around you, and honestly to just relish in some R&R. Here are a few things you can do at home to keep your spirits up.

1. Start a Virtual Book Club with Friends

Seeing as how happy hour and brunch dates are off limits for a while, why not get your crew together by way of a virtual book club? Take turns choosing the book (we suggest light choices), then set weekly reading goals followed by a virtual chat date to dish on everything. Ordering books online might get tricky, so stick to either audiobook or e-book options. Amazon has a ton of options and so does Audible. Try to make the virtual date feel special – bring a snack or a glass of wine along and dedicate a full 30 minutes to an hour!

2. Binge a New Podcast Series & Organize

It doesn’t matter how niche you go: there’s basically a podcast for every genre out there. Whether you dig true crime stories, deep dive exposes, reality TV rehashing, beauty gossip, science-y spins, or interviews with influential people, you’re covered. We recommend finding a great podcast and binging your way through the whole thing while you organize or deep clean.

3. Commit to a Daily or Weekly Physical Challenge

There’s joy in sitting around a la fat and sassy lady, but tbh, that can start to get boring after a while. It feels dang good to move your body a bit, so make it a daily/weekly goal to get physical. It can be as simple as doing jumping jacks and crunches in your living room (maybe during commercial breaks?) or some light yoga when you wake up to get the day off to a good start. If you’re feeling unmotivated, let someone else motivate you. Even though Planet Fitness is close until the time being, planet fitness app itself provides free home work-ins daily on Facebook Live and also has app workouts that can be used at home.

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4. Take up a Meditation Practice

We all need a bit more calm in our worlds rn, and meditation is a great place to start. Meditation can be as simple as mindfully breathing for a few minutes, pressing pause on everything else to listen to a song that brings you joy, or sitting outside and listening to the world around you. If you’re seeking guided meditation, try Headspace or Calm. For a free option, try this YouTube video from Calm. Yoga is another amazing way to focus your mind, so find out our guide to finally giving it a go, if you’re still not a yogi.

5. Start a Gratitude Journal

It can be hard to feel grateful for anything when the world feels like it’s collapsing around you, but writing down even the tiniest things that you’re thankful for can boost your morale. It can also make you appreciate all the good that still exists around you. If you have a physical journal that’s great – the art of putting pen to paper can be therapeutic in and of itself – but a virtual log also works! The idea is that you’re taking five minutes every day to mindfully write down your gratitudes.

6. Schedule Virtual Lunch or Dinner Dates

We’re all going to spend more time apart physically, but human connection still matters. Make the most of your lunch break or dinner time by having virtual dates with friends, partners, or family members. Check in to see how they’re doing, what they’ve got going on with work or life, and to simply connect. If you don’t feel like eating while chatting, simply set aside time to connect with the people important to you. The goal is to connect.

7. Catch Up on Your Netflix “Must Watch” List

This one is pure indulgence, and that’s 100% OK. We’re sure you’ve got a list of your own, but in case you need a few suggestions we recommend All American, Self Made new limited series (inspired by the life of the first female millionaire Madam C Walker who made her fortune by developing a beauty empire for fellow black women), A Fall From Grace, YOU, Cheer (you’ll be the one cheering for these cheerleaders at the end), Elisa & Marcela, In The Tall Grass, Rhythm + Flow, Freedom Writers, The Hunting Of Hill House, Legend Of The White Snake,The Perfection, Forensic Files, Cold Case Files and Thriller.

8. Learn a New Recipe

If there’s ever a time to get creative in the kitchen it’s now. You don’t have to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff, either. Instead, figure out what you have on hand and make something delicious from there. It also doesn’t have to be super extravagant. Maybe you’ll try your hand at making a loaf of bread, a new dessert, or a tasty sauce for your go-to protein. Documenting the process on your Instagram stories can help you feel more connected to the outside world. Get others to join in the fun!

What are some self-care activities will you be doing during this unfortunate time? COMMENT BELOW!

WHAT IS INTERMITTENT FASTING?

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** Please consult your physician before adjusting your nutritional diet **

Before I dive into WTF IF is and why I’m such a proponent of it, let’s get something out in the open: I AM NOT A DOCTOR ( surprised? I know ). But seriously — what I’m about to share with you in regards to intermittent fasting is knowledge I’ve picked up from doctors and specialists throughout my own journey. If you have a history of eating disorders, blood sugar issues, or live a lifestyle that always keeps you hungry, IF is more than likely NOT for you. Always consult your doctor or specialist before changing your diet.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive in.

INTERMITTENT FASTING | a specific eating pattern that structures the time of day you eat and the time of day you are in a fasting mode. This is not a diet.

What does it do?

♡ increases human growth hormone which aids fat loss

♡ lowers insulin levels which increases access to stored body fat

♡ cell repairs in the body due to not being preoccupied w/ digesting food

♡ increases release of the fat-burning hormone noradrenaline

♡ help with inflammation in the body

For more detailed researched, read THIS article.

PERSONAL FASTING SCHEDULE |

This was actually a question I have been asked on my stories and is something I tried last year. Fasting has made a huge difference in not only my bodies appearance but also my sleep and my mental health. This does NOT mean I don’t eat, it just means I intake my calories for the day between 2 pm and 10 pm and fast the morning and night after these times where I have water, herbal tea, and black coffee. There is a lot of science that goes behind this that I don’t completely understand but I encourage you to research it for yourself before you start.

Intermittent Fasting shortens the time frame in which you’re eating throughout a given day. For example, instead of eating between 8am—10pm, you’d choose an 8-hour timeframe to consume all your food for the day— like 12pm-8pm, 10am-6pm, etc. While practicing intermittent fasting, most people fast for 16 hours of the day, while some prefer 14 hours or 18 hours. It’s totally up to you to find a time frame that works for your body, mindset, and schedule. Some people practice IF every day, and others keep it to 3-4 days a week. That’s why it’s called a “practice.”

PRO’S |

Done for a short time it can boost your fat loss, get you concentrated on your goals, give you a schedule to abide by to diminish the chances of excess eating, speed up the fat loss, give you mental clarity, lower sugar cravings. This is why I have started it again but only for 4 weeks. Sharing about this 4 week reset below.

♡ Promotes weight loss 

♡ Increases longevity 

♡ Acts as an anti-aging catalyst 

♡ Regulates insulin levels  

♡ Enhances hormone stability 

♡ Decrease meal planning stress

♡ Clears the mind

Of course, IF isn’t a “magic pill” that will fix all your problems, but it is a very realistic and effective step that will more than likely make a positive impact on your overall health and who doesn’t want that! Might as well try it, right?

CON’S |

This way of life should not be continued long term due to the damage it can have on your metabolism, muscle maturity, and energy levels. I made the mistake of doing this rigid schedule for 5 months and started to really see the negative consequences of it. I was ALWAYS tired, my muscles were weak, and I plateaued in my workouts/fat loss.

MYTHS |

♡ Skipping breakfast makes you gain weight.

♡ Eating more frequently burns more calories (it ALL depends on the thermic effect of the specific food NOT the frequency).

♡ You need to eat often for brain function (our bodies can burn the glucose storage in our bodies for brain function w/o extra food).

♡ Fasts put your body into starvation mode, this is more or less a mindset. You can easily go from not eating to eating everything in sight if you have no self-control.

♡ You will lose too much muscle during fasting, this is ONLY true if you are not consuming the needed nutrients the rest of the day including your protein intake.

4 WEEK RESET |

♡ Intermittent Fasting 8 – 10-hour window

♡ Calorie deficit (gradually lowering not extreme)

♡ 3 days of 1 hr long cardio

♡ 3 days of lifting and 30 minutes cardio

♡ 21 Day Detox by Flattummyco

♡ 96 oz of lemon water a day

♡ 5 high-fat calorie days, 2 high carb calorie days

What other questions do you have about IF? Comment below! 

DOES A SWEAT BELT WORK?

Published on by Lee21 Comments

Does a sweat belt work? Short answer, yes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6jC8sap06H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Waist trimmers, tummy trimmers, belly burners, belly belts, by any name, they all do one thing – and that is to get you the best core and abs that you can achieve. These belts are known to help people attain incredible results that target weight and fat loss in the stomach and torso region. Carrying and storing excess cellulite in this region is particularly harmful since it can accumulate and cause serious health consequences. A steady rise in belly fat can lead to heart diseases, stroke, type-2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. Waist trimmers help you achieve an optimum size, fat percentage, improve your health, and make you look fantastic.

Since these belly burners are incredibly versatile workout accessories, they play an essential role in fat burning and weight loss. To achieve the best result for your body, it is crucial to understand your body type and how you want to reduce your weight. Apart from this, you must finalize a trimmer that is the most effective and comfortable on your skin. The belly burner should be well engineered with features that help in cradling your abdomen and torso and that help straightens your posture. They should also be durable and long lasting since you would be sweating excessively while working out.

WHAT DOES IT DO? It helps with losing excess water weight/bloating. Especially during your period!! I carry about 6 extra pounds of water weight on my period so this baby is amazing. My jeans won’t fit right during this time. After a cardio session with this belt, they fit SO MUCH better due to the loss of water weight.

You DO have to work hard though. The belt doesn’t do the work for you, you have to be doing your intense cardio to see a difference.

In the long run, there is a fat loss that happens due to your bodies performance while using the belt. When you use the belt and topical cream, your body has to work harder to regulate your body temperature. You are essentially burning more energy because of this. Over time, this will add up to a fat loss ONLY with proper nutrition and regular exercise NOT by the sweat belt itself.

WHAT IS A WAIST BELT: A waist trimmer is typically a neoprene type of belt that is used to fasten around your waistline. It enables your body to sweat off the excess water from the abdominal area.

Your sweat is the excess water from your body which is the water weight and losing the water weight contributes to weight loss. It is a great fitness essential tool for your daily workout.

HOW TO USE A WAIST TRIMMER? Using a waist trimmer belt is pretty easy.

Make sure that the belt is covering the front side of the abdomen. Just wrap the end of the fastening belt around the torso making sure that you are comfortable wearing the waist trimmer belt and fully secure.

WHY SHOULD YOU USE ONE? Needed help with water weight or bloating. This is why I have been using mine. It has helped so much with bloating! I bloat so easily if I eat the wrong thing or have a dairy exposure. A couple of days of using this and the water weight is gone!

WHERE TO FIND ONE? I received mine from Perfect Sculpt in 2018, I just started my fitness journey again and wanted to share with my followers about the item that has been helping to trim this waist. Holla!

WHAT WORKOUTS TO USE IT WITH? I use these on my 100% cardio days or days that I am just doing a short upper body workout and cardio.

6 BENEFITS OF A WAIST TRIMMER BELT

more waist trimmer belt benefits

BACK SUPPORT: Health professionals and chiropractors give instructions to patients to wear waist trimmers and compression bandages who are suffering back and spine trauma.

This is to give support to the back and the best ideal way of healing to correct your posture.

Compression gives you the physiotherapy portion of recovery for those who are unfortunate of having poor posture and back pains at the end of the day.

If you have issues with your lower back, a waist trimmer gives the extra support if you need to sit straight up and reduce the pressure you feel on your back.

SLIMMING EFFECTS: The waist trimmer acts like a corset in the new age which creates the façade of you having a slimmer waist while wearing it.

In fact, it doesn’t whittle away the bulging area of the middle area. When you put on the belt on your waist, it gives the slimming effect of the waist.

DIET REMINDER: A waist trimmer is a good reminder that you need to eat better and exercise properly.

Isn’t it a good thing?

The waist trimmer gives you the pressure of having the motivation to achieve your fitness goals.

YOU CAN WEAR IT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: Another good thing about waist trimmer is that you can wear it anytime and anywhere. You can wear it under your clothes while you are at work, just sitting in front of your computer or going to the grocery.

REDUCE BELLY FAT: We all know that belly fat doesn’t go anywhere that quick.

Actually, it is really that tough to get rid of it on your midsection. But with the help of proper exercise, wearing a waist trimmer is such a good tool to shrink down the size of your belly.

IMPROVES POSTURE: Having an amazing body posture adds confidence, personality, and outlook on life.

Wearing a waist trimmer is such a huge help to correct your body posture because tightens the grip on your stomach and force you to stand straight.

CONCLUSION OF THE BENEFITS OF WEARING A WAIST TRIMMER: Reading the above information will show that a lot of the benefits of wearing a waist trimmer belt can help with spinal benefits or tighten your stomach leading to added benefits.

Although there are physical benefits of wearing a waist trimmer belt I would say it’s only about 10% as effective as proper diet and exercise.

It is a new favorite for fitness geeks out there as you have the freedom to wear it anytime and anywhere. It is really comfortable to wear. You won’t feel pain unlike corsets and other waist trainers which give you limited mobility and you feel like a robot.

A waist trimmer belt generates heat from the middle area of your body. It helps to get rid of the excess water from the belly area.

It’s for personal use and ideal for your health as it contributes to weight loss and supports your back if you have posture problems. Wearing this makes you feel great and look better in the long run.

As a wrap-up, Does a sweat belt work? YES, if used properly and having the right mindset of what it’s intended to do! If you’ve read this blog post and you’ve now decided that you want to purchase a waist trimmer belt for yourself then check out Perfect Sculpt to receive your very own best SCULPT SWEAT BELT

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SELF-LOVE: How to Increase It

Published on by Lee2 Comments

Since time immemorial, poets, gurus, and philosophers have toiled to define the most potent and indispensable word in the human language—LOVE. Some have heralded it as the force that makes the world go ’round. Others have described it in terms of the pain it can cause when it’s not returned. It’s been used to denote the feeling a parent has for their child and that a lover has for their beloved. In truth, we hear about love all the time but don’t discuss as often as we should how important SELF-LOVE is—and more importantly, how it is the foundation for a healthy life, full of self-compassion. When we can establish habits, practices, and routines of self-love, we will find ourselves to be more authentic and honest, we will tend to enforce healthy boundaries in relationships, and we will be more grateful and compassionate.

PRACTICE SELF-CARE

To begin the journey of self-love, begin by implementing healthy routines for yourself. Be consistent! Go to bed at a decent hour and get six to eight hours of sleep every night. Establish a physical commitment, like walking 30 minutes a day, signing up for a workout class three days a week, or stretching and practicing breathwork when you wake up. Go grocery shopping and make healthy food choices every Sunday for the week ahead!

Create a routine that works for you and that you will be proud of. And when your head hits the pillow every night, congratulate yourself on how you honored yourself that day, that week, and that month, and see how much better you feel.

LEARNING COMPASSION THROUGH AFFIRMATIONS

One of the best methods for silencing the negative voices in our heads is to work with affirmations, especially guided meditations that can be listened to aloud. The gentle words of a healer can land deeply within our consciousness and replace the voices of those who damaged us. Over time, we can’t help but believe the new messages we are absorbing. There are many free apps on our phones. Or go online and Google “guided meditations”—YouTube has tons, and there is plenty of literature out there you can use too!

Looking into the mirror and reciting affirmations is likewise highly effective. Making eye contact with yourself and expressing love, appreciation, and respect may strike some as corny or over the top, but if that is your reaction, perhaps it’s time to give it a try. People who love themselves unconditionally can express self-love without making a joke out of it.

TRY:
– You are strong and capable.
– You are a lovable person.
– You deserve self-care and self-respect.
– You are beautiful inside and out.
I have lists of affirmations plus more information on self-love, self-compassion, and how to create healthy habits in my book, The Rewired Life.

Another extremely useful exercise I developed to help clients is called the Compliment Log. It’s a small journal you carry with you to record every nice thing that others say about you or you catch yourself saying to yourself. Being smiled at, invited out, hugged, or otherwise included/embraced also counts. If you do this consistently, you will be amazed by the changes in your perception. Suddenly, you may find the world full of benevolence rather than hostility. You will begin to accept your own wonderfulness and own it, no longer able to deny the evidence before you, all of which is attesting to your true value.

Erica Spiegelman is a wellness specialist, recovery counselor, and author of the new book The Rewired Life (2018) as well as Rewired: A Bold New Approach to Addiction & Recovery(2015), the Rewired Workbook (2017), the Rewired Coloring Book (2017), all published by Hatherleigh Press. Erica holds a bachelor’s degree in literature from the University of Arizona and is a California State Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADAC)-II from UCLA. For more information, visit Erica’s website or follow @espiegelman on Instagram.