Tag Archives: health tips

How to Choose the Best Personal Trainer for You

Posted in Fitness Tips by

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Hello everybody!

I am back with you again after a long brake. I wrote an article about some little guiding points which can help you to choose the best personal trainer for you.

If you want to lose weight, get healthy and/or build muscle, hiring a personal trainer can be a step in the right direction. A good trainer can help you set up a program that meets your goals and teach you the best way to exercise. 

Personal trainers are not just for Hollywood stars and the “rich and famous” anymore! Your personal trainer will motivate you, keep you on track and make sure your workouts are safe, enjoyable and effective.
Finding and choosing a trainer can be a little confusing or difficult for some people so here are some guiding points that you should consider when choosing your trainer!
1. May sound a little superficial but your personal trainers physical appearence is one of the moust important things about his knowledge, motivation and hard work. If he or she is not able to do it for him/herself why whould he do it for you?
2. Education! A personal trainer should be certified through a reputable personal training organization. The more education your trainer has, the better your workouts will be.
3. Experience. Make sure your trainer has experience, especially in relation to your goals. For example, if you’re a bodybuilder, you want someone knowledgeable in that exact area.
4. Nutrition. Your trainer must have a knowlegde about nutrition. We all know exercise without a healthy diet will not do the work. They are strongly linked together.
5. A good listener. A good trainer will listen closely to what you say and make sure he understands your goals.
6. Tracking progress: A good trainer will regularly assess your progress and change things if necessary.training styles
7. A good trainer should respect his/her job, should be informed about the new fitness trends, training styles machines etc.
8. Needs to be a good motivator! Most of the clients needs that little push from the trainer, when they feel a little lazy or without motivation.

So these are my thouths on this subject, I hope you enjoyed it (I know I made a few personal trainers very “happy” with this article)

See you very soon! :*

Top 10 tips for loosing fat

Posted in Fitness Tips, Lifestyle Tips, Nutrition Tips by

fatloss720pxHello everybody! 

One of the most common questions I get from my clients, is how to lose overall body fat, especially belly fat.So here are my best tips for YOU!

  1. Switch to single ingredient foods

This tip will help you improve the quality of your diet. Why? Because eating what nature gave us (vegetables, legumes, meat, nuts and fruits) you will cut out all the processed, unhealthy foods that can quickly put a stop to weight loss! Single ingredient foods in their most natural state will contain the most nutrition to help keep your body healthy throughout the weight-loss process.

  1. Increase your protein intake

A higher protein intake is the next step to seeing results in loosing fat. For every one of your daily meals make sure you include foods that contain high quality proteins (poultry, eggs, protein powders, red meat, fish). Protein-rich foods not only will calm your hunger, but they also have a higher thermogenic effect as well. So, for every 100 calories you eat, your body will burn about 20-30 % of those calories off simply breaking down the food. This means you net fewer calories overall. Protein also helps reduce the chance of muscle mass loss, which is so important in maintaining a fast metabolism long-term.

  1. Eat carbohydrates with a low glycemic index!

Glycemic Index (GI) is the rate at which a carbohydrate contained in a food is converted into glucose (simple sugar) and enters into the bloodstream.

So, the higher the GI of a carbohydrate the faster it enters the bloodstream, the lower its GI the slower it enters the bloodstream. So, the lower the glycemic index of a food, the lower the insulin secretion and the less likely the tendency of a carbohydrate to be converted into fats. High glycemic index foods (e.g.: white bread, white pasta, white rice, puffed rice cakes, corn, carrots, etc.) are responsible for a shorter satiety feeling and excessive food intake on the following meal. Consume instead low GI foods like: barley, quinoa, rolled oats, lentils, beans, chickpeas, berries, apples.

  1. Perform HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training

When most people think of cardio, they think of long, boring jogs, or endless hours on the treadmill or elliptical. I’ve got good news for you: there’s a method of cardio that takes much less time and is far superior to jogging to help you burn fat. It’s called High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This involves alternating between very intense bouts of exercise and low intensity exercise. For example, sprinting for 30 seconds, then walking for 60 seconds is high intensity interval training. HIIT can be used both anaerobically (in the gym with weights) and aerobically with cardio. At higher intensities, you are burning far more fat, there’s also an after burn effect known as EPOC (excess-post exercise oxygen consumption). You increase your metabolism and burn more calories for up to 24 hours after interval training, whereas going for a jog burns almost NO calories after.

  1. Drink one glass of water before each meal

A great technique to try if you struggle to cut back on your food intake is to simply drink one glass of water before each meal.

This serves multiple purposes:

Staying well-hydrated makes sure your metabolism runs at top speeds.

The water will fill you up, therefore prompting you to take in fewer calories during the meal.

It’s refreshing and can help combat food cravings, making it easier to choose healthier foods for your meal.

Add a slice of lemon to your water glass and you’ll often find that the taste you had for whichever food you desired has passed.

  1. Go grilled, steamed, or baked.

Do you eat a lot of fried foods?  If so, start grilling, baking or steaming your food instead.  It may take a little getting used to, but eventually you’ll come to enjoy how much lighter and tastier the food is when it’s not loaded with fat.

  1. Clean your house of junk food, sweets, cadies, chocolate bars

If food you shouldn’t be eating exists in your fridge, cupboards, or freezers, you will give in at some point or another. You may think you have willpower of steel, but believe me we all have those crashes, and we are very tempted to give in. So if those foods are not in your house, you have more chances not too eat them at all!

  1. Supplement your diet with calcium

Scientific research found that calcium intake increases fat loss! In detail, researchers found that supplemental calcium (800mg/day) or high dietary intake of calcium (1200mg/day) promoted a greater fat loss (38-64%) compared to subjects on a low calcium diet (500mg/day).

  1. Eat Fat

Yes, you heard me! It takes fat to burn fat. Like I said in previous articles, it’s sugar that gets you fat, not fat. Good fats include foods rich in Omega 3′s, like salmon, avocados & nuts. These foods are full of nutrients that help keep you satiated throughout the day.

      10. Sleep

If you want to work late at night, think again. When your biorhythms are off, you end up eating more. When you’re tired you produce more ghrelin, which triggers cravings for sugar and other fat-building foods. Losing sleep can also alter your hormone production, affecting your cortisol levels that cause insulin sensitivity, prime reasons for belly fat! Getting about 7 hours of sleep a night is one of the best things you can do for your body shaping goals.

So here they are, my best tips for loosing fat! Hope you enjoyed! See you soon! :*

 

How to make your own healthy almond butter

Posted in Nutrition Tips, Recipes by

PhotoGrid_1398987531520Hello everybody!

I have a little tip for you today, on how to make your own almond (peanut,cashew or any kind of nut) butter.

The ones from the stores are loaded with sugar, vegetable oil, salt and preservatives. You don’t need that stuff!!

It is so simple to make it, that you will be amazed! 🙂

How to do it:

  • Silk your natural unsalted almonds (2-3 cups) overnight
  • Place them in the food processor and start to process
  • After 10 minutes it starts to stick to the side of your blender, so stop for a while and mix it with a spatula
  • Process it again for about 10 more minutes, till it starts to be like a cream
  • At the end you can add if you want a little honey, vanilla or cinnamon.

And here you go, your almond butter is ready. You can eat it with apple slices, you can make smoothies with bananas and almond butter,  almond butter granola bars, flour less almond butter healthy cookies and so on.

Enjoy! 🙂

The only vitamins I take

Posted in Fitness Tips, Nutrition Tips by

PhotoGrid_1397047738714Hello my dears!
You know I love to eat healthy food, I think it’s the best thing you can do to your body. The best way to get all the nutrients is to eat as natural as possible, without processed foods and chemicals. Sometimes even if we eat all the good things we still need a little boost, and this is the time when vitamins and supplements come in our help. The only vitamins I take are the cod liver oil soft capsules which are a high quality source of Omega 3 and its active fatty acids http://tidd.ly/24fa01a2
Another great supplement is the green tea extract which is a highly effective antioxidant that has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years http://tidd.ly/f773429f
And some multivitamin http://tidd.ly/26023e1f for more energy!
These all are from the company Myvitamins.com, check them out they are very effective and high quality products.

Have a beautiful day!

 

Why is protein so important in our diet?

Posted in Fitness Tips, Nutrition Tips by

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAHello my dear readers!

I have something to share with you about  a question I’ve been asked a lot. My diet and supplementation. So here you go a little story about our best friend the Proteins! 🙂

Protein builds, maintains, and replaces the tissues in our body. Our muscles, organs, and our immune system are made up mostly of protein.

So protein is the building block for muscle and, since the body can’t store excess protein for later as with carbohydrates and fat, consistent intake throughout the day is needed in order to keep muscles strong and healthy. Consuming a higher protein diet can help you lose weight. Protein helps regulate appetite and cravings by enhancing the feeling of fullness for longer after a meal or snack.

Because it is recommended to eat protein frequently throughout the day, you might think this means you have to eat beef several times a day, but that’s not the case. Here is a short list of plant and animal protein sources:

Animal Protein

  • Fish (anchovies, calamari, cod, flounder, salmon, sardines, swordfish, tuna canned in water, tuna steak, sushi)
  • Shellfish (crab, lobster, oysters, shrimp/prawn)
  • Poultry and other meat (chicken, turkey, buffalo, filet mignon, flank steak, lean ground beef, fat-free ham, lean pork loin, top and bottom round of beef)
  • Dairy (milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese)
  • Eggs
  • Supplements (whey, casein)

Plant Protein

  • Legumes (beans, peas, lentils, soybeans)
  • Vegetables
  • Grains
  • Cereals
  • Nuts & seeds

Supplements

Whey protein contains many essential amino acids that boost the immune system and promote overall good health. You can find it in dairy foods, but also as a supplement in powdered form. The flavored powder tastes great sprinkled on oatmeal or mixed with milk, water or juice.

Whey is quickly digested, which makes it great for eating around workouts. Many protein shakes combine whey protein with another type of slow-releasing protein, casein. This mixture provides a combination of fast and slow releasing proteins, which allows for complete coverage over two-and-a-half to three hour window between meals.

Protein shakes with some additional carbohydrate accelerate workout recovery. You can easily make them yourself by mixing water with a scoop or packet of powder, so they’re a quick and easy snack that’s rich in protein but low in of bad fats.

10530911-1395068394-711095My choice:

As you know some time ago I got a package from a brand called MYPROTEIN, UK’s nr. 1 sports nutrition brand. They sent me some products to try them out, and I have to tell you I love their products.

I am a very busy girl, so I like the quick and healthy snacks throughout the day.

Immediately after a full night of sleep or a tiring workout, the body has little to no protein available to rebuild tissue. So if I have to run in the morning I just drink a tasty shake from MYprotein, my personal favorite is the Impact Whey Protein in strawberry cream flavor – you can purchase it here http://tidd.ly/ad8d69fe

Sometimes I like my protein shake denser, in this case I add some Protein Crispies – http://tidd.ly/4824e202 – they are so so tasty and they fill you up for hours.

Another very important thing in my diet is the presence of greens and antioxidants.

I put a scoop into my smoothies from this delicious Total Nutri- Greens in Tropical flavor which is a blend of 22 different super foods – http://tidd.ly/83adc24b.

Hope you enjoyed this little presentation about the supplements from my diet, I really think you need good supplementation if you are working out on a daily basis.

 Have a nice day guys! :*

Which one is worse?

Posted in Lifestyle Tips, Nutrition Tips by

Fotor0324161844Hey everybody!

How are you today? I’m totally in a summer mood, finally it’s officially spring. The weather is amazing, the summer holiday is close and closer…

Today I have an unusual post for you, I was thinking when we are on the beach or in a club with our friends, where everybody is drinking, we do not have a lot of healthy options (besides water).

So between two “bad” options which one is the write one?

You are on your way to find out 🙂

So which drink is better or should I ask worse? A delicious margarita’s cocktail or a classy glass of wine?

Both drinks are loaded with calories,drinking a cooling margarita is like having a  lunch. Having 2 glasses of wine equals to a cheeseburger … so think about it, you just drink your lunch!

So try to stick on one measurable drink, be aware that a traditional margarita has 33% of alcohol, and we know that you will not stop at drinking just one!

So the verdict is, try to stick with just one glass of wine, or if you really want a cocktail kinda drink, try tequila over fresh lime juice, soda water and lots of ice 🙂

Have a great day everybody! :*

 

Baked eggs in avocado

Posted in Recipes by

avocadosHello my readers! 

Today I have for you a quick and very nutritious breakfast/ brunch recipe.

If you are an avocado fan, than this recipe is definitely for you! These avocado cups are very easy to make, you can pop them in the oven while you shower. The healthy fats and protein from the eggs gives you long lasting energy and the creaminess of the avocado is so great with egg.

You can top it with whatever you like, cheese, cherry tomatoes, pesto or olives. I topped them with some Roquefort cheese and green onions, and I have to tell you, they turned out fabulous!

Here is what you need: 

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 2 eggs
  • salt and pepper
  • Topping as you wish: green onion, cheese, dried tomatoes or some hot salsa, just be creative!
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the avocados in half and carefully remove the pit. Put avocados open side up in a baking dish. If they are small avocados, scoop out a little  to make more room.
  2. Crack an egg in each avocado half and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the eggs are done
  3. Top with desired toppings while still hot and enjoy!

Hope you will try it out and come back and thank me for it 🙂

Have a wonderful day! :*

 

 

Why we crave unhealthy/junk food? And what can we do about it!

Posted in Nutrition Tips by

PhotoGrid_1393584280165Hey everybody! Welcome back!

Today I have an article for you on how to stop craving unhealthy food, and how to eliminate them from your diet.

We all want to feel and look great, that’s probably why you are reading my blog, because you want to learn how to improve your physical self. I think a huge portion of feeling and looking good is being comfortable in your own skin and being the best person in the best shape that you can be.

Heaving a healthy and strong body it comes down to 2 things: what you eat, and how much physical activity are you doing.

It’s just that simple, there are no magic pills there are no short-cuts, you just have to eat the write things, and exercise, to have a beautiful toned body.

We know that junk food is unhealthy. Most of us know that poor nutrition is related to heart problems, high blood pressure, and a lots of other health problems. But if it’s so bad for us, why do we keep doing it?

Why We Crave Junk Food so much?

According to Steven Witherly, a food scientist who has spent the last 20 years studying what makes certain foods more addictive (and tasty) than others, when you eat tasty food, there are two factors that make the experience pleasurable.

  1. There is the sensation of eating the food. This includes what it tastes like (salty, sweet etc.), what it smells like, and how it feels in your mouth. This sensation is called “orosensation”—it is super  important.
  1. The second factor is the actual macronutrient makeup of the food—the blend of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that it contains. In the case of junk food, food manufacturers are looking for a perfect combination of salt, sugar, and fat that excites your brain and gets you coming back for more.

There are a range of factors that scientists and food manufacturers use to make food more addictive.

Memories of Past Eating Experiences 

When you eat something tasty (biscuits, chocolate cream, cakes or a bag of potato chips), your brain registers that feeling. The next time you see that food, smell that food, or even read about that food, your brain starts remember the memories and responses that came when you ate it. These memories can actually cause physical responses like salivation and create the “mouth-watering” craving that you get when thinking about your favourite foods.

Food companies are spending millions of dollars to design foods with addictive sensations.

Rapid Food Meltdown

Foods that rapidly vanish or “melt in your mouth” signal to your brain that you’re not eating as much as you actually are. In other words, these foods literally tell your brain that you’re not full, even though you’re eating a lot of calories. The result: you tend to overeat. If something melts down quickly, your brain thinks that there are no calories in it . . . you can just keep eating it forever.

Dynamic Contrast

Dynamic contrast refers to a combination of different sensations in the same food. Foods with dynamic contrast, for example crunch followed by something soft or creamy and full of taste. This rule applies to a variety of our favorite food structures—the caramelized top of a creme brulee, a slice of pizza, or an Oreo cookie.

 How to stop craving junk food?

The good news is that the research shows that the less junk food you eat, the less you crave it.  If you can find ways to gradually eat healthier, you’ll start to experience the cravings of junk food less and less.

Here are some strategies that can help you:

  1. Remove temptation

Just get rid of it, and remove all temptation from your home. To keep yourself from buying more, never go to the grocery store while hungry. When you have only healthy foods to eat, you’ll make healthy choices. When you do get a craving, it’ll be too much bother to go to the store for a candy bar.

  1. Healthy substitutes are a must!

If you are struggling with a craving and have to have it, try something of the same consistency or in the same food group that is a much HEALTHIER option! If you crave chocolate try to eat a small piece of dark chocolate (80-90 % cocoa), if you crave ice cream, make yourself a banana/ strawberry smoothie, you can switch your salty nuts to raw nuts, your salty, greasy popcorn to a home-made popcorn with just a little olive oil, switch your French fries to oven baked sweet potatoes and the list could go on.

  1. Avoid Boredom

Keep yourself active and busy, so you’re not always thinking about just food. There is a lot more to do than eat.

  1. Drink plenty of water!

You know I always repeat this, but it is so so important! The water intake recommended does NOT include the water you receive from food or coffee. If you feel thirsty, this means you are already dehydrated – and dehydration can often be confused with hunger. Keep always in sight a large jug of lemon favored water, chilled herbal tea if you don’t like plain water. If it’s in front of you, you’ll drink it.

  1. Reward Yourself!

Permit yourself a treat from time to time, as you establish new habits. Just be sure a treat is exactly that, just a small taste! One or two cookies, not an entire bag. If you think you cannot stop at two pieces, purchase a small package, so that is all there is. A “cheat-day” is a day in which you are permitted to have such a treat. It does not mean you can cheat all day long!

So, these are my tips for today; I really hope you can pick out the essence of the things I wrote down. We know that everybody is different; some people have faster metabolisms than others, and therefore might not be affected so much by food physically. However, food also affects us mentally. When we have proper functioning cells, we start feeling better, happier & more energized than if they were malnourished.

I hope you find this article helpful, please feel free to comment and send me your feedback.

Have a great day, and see u very soon :*

7 things that slow down your metabolism

Posted in Fitness Tips, Lifestyle Tips, Nutrition Tips by

sittingAccording to the dictionary, metabolism is a chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that is necessary for the maintenance of life.

We all know people who can eat all day and not gain a single pound. These people have good — or fast — metabolisms. Then there are the people that have one unhealthy meal and have to run for a week straight to burn it all off. These are people that tend to have a slower metabolic rate.

The faster your metabolism, the more calories you burn. And just like there are ways to speed it up—by working out, for instance—certain habits can also slow it down.

Metabolic rate is also affected by several factors including age, weight, and genetics.

If losing weight is your goal, avoid these metabolism-slowing mistakes:

1. Eating too late in the morning

Skipping breakfast is one of the worst things you can do for weight loss since it causes your metabolism to slow down. When you don’t eat, the brain sends a message to the rest of the body to conserve energy, signaling it to hold onto the stored fat that you’re trying to get rid of. Eating within an hour of waking sparks the metabolic process called thermo genesis that turns the food you eat into energy. So choose a high-protein breakfast. Make sure to eat throughout the day to maintain blood sugar levels since any drops can cause the body to burn muscle for fuel.

2. Not eating enough

It is important to snack often and never miss a main meal. As stated before, getting your body in a proper eating schedule is critical for maintaining a healthy metabolism. Also, when you skip out on meals, your body puts itself into “starvation mode”, which slows your metabolic rate to conserve any of the energy it has. This is why people who try to lose weight by not eating don’t have very much success.

3. Not exercising

Research shows that you continue burning calories up to 24 hours after working out, and studies also show that morning exercises burn more calories than those who work out during other times of the day. If you’re planning on exercising anyway, for maximum calorie burn, your best bet is to get it done in the a.m. Include high intensity cardio intervals

4. Sitting Too Long

It takes only 20 minutes in any fixed position to inhibit your metabolism, according to Carrie Schmitz, an ergonomic research manager. A new study has discovered that sitting for long periods increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease and death regardless of physical activity.

5. Dehydration

All of your body’s cellular processes, including metabolism, depend on water. If you’re dehydrated, you could burn up to 2 percent fewer calories, according to researchers.

6. A Weird Eating Schedule

Researchers suspect that eating at the same times every day trains the body to burn more calories between meals. So eat frequent, consistently sized meals.

7. Not getting enough sleep

People who sleep less move less the next day, which means they burn fewer calories. Sleep deprivation actually reduces the amount of energy your body uses at rest. Stay away from alcohol, fatty foods, coffee and chocolate at least 2 hours before bedtime.

So here are 7 things that you should avoid, if you want to loose weight, or if you just want to maintain your healthy weight.

Everybody can fall out of the wagon once or twice, by not sleeping enough or, sitting to much at the office because of work. So just try to compensate it, if you are sitting all day, you really need to work out after the office hours. I really think I am blessed with a great metabolism, I can eat a lot 🙂 BUT I also work out 5 times a week, and I try to eat healthy!

 Have a nice day my dears! :*

How to get back in shape after the winter holidays

Posted in Fitness Tips, Lifestyle Tips, Nutrition Tips, Workout video by

Hello my dear readers!

I want to wish you again a very Happy New Year! May all your wishes come true, I really can’t wish you more than this! 🙂

I hope everybody is ok, in a good health full of positivity and energy!

Christmas and New Years are by far the best holidays of the year! You eat and drink lots, you get gifts, and you have tons of fun. For most, the last thing on our minds is putting on weight. Once all the festivities are over however, getting back physically to where you were before the holiday period can be a difficult task.

So, please!!!! Don’t feel guilty about the over indulging- you have to let your self go some time. If you’ve put a little weight on, don’t worry! Be positive and go hard!

I was on vacation for 2 weeks, so for me today is the first work day of the year! I really love the holidays, staying all days with friends, sleeping till noon, travelling, but somehow I’m glad to be back on track!

Today I am going to write about a very common subject that you guys and my clients and friends ask me all the time. How to get back in shape after the Christmas holiday?

Here are some tips that will help you get that little excess fat off you in no time. 🙂

Drink lots of water!

Drinking large quantities of alcohol is bad for your health. Alcohol contains many calories and also causes dehydration. To make up for your holiday alcohol consumption, drink plenty of water. Your skin, kidneys and many others organs will benefit. What’s more, drinking water makes you feel fuller:  if you drink more, you will eat less!

Drinking more water flushes out excess sodium to help you quickly de-bloat, and it get things moving in your digestive system. Aim for 2 to 2.5 litres a day (about 8 to 10 cups).

Start Eating on Schedule

Eat breakfast within an hour of waking up and eat again every 3 to 5 hours. Starting your day with a healthy meal and enjoying evenly spaced meals will maximize your metabolism; regulate your blood sugar and insulin levels. Please DON’T starve yourself because it won’t get you anywhere! Eating too little forces your body to switch into conservation mode and burn fewer calories. Under eating can cause your body to break down muscle mass for fuel, which also causes a metabolic slow down. Eating enough and at regular times is key.

Cut back on carbs, but DON’T cut them out completely!

Eliminating carbs completely can force your body to burn protein for fuel instead of using it to support and maintain your calorie-burning muscle. So instead of cutting carbs out, just cut back.

So replace the refined carbs with veggies and complex carbs! Refined carbs like white rice, white bread, sugar, pasta) will get stored in your body as fat if you do not use them as energy right away! For example instead of eating beef with white rice you should choose broccoli instead of rice.

Get plenty of sleep, relax, and don’t forget to exercise

It’s time to get back on track. Treat yourself to a good night’s sleep. You’ll feel rested and have more energy to take on the new challenges of the New Year. Avoid unnecessary stress and find ways to relax (yoga, meditation or just going out to the movies!). Gradually start to exercise again. Physical activity will bring balance and energy back into your life.

Do some cardio!

Running, bicycling, walking, swimming…anything that gets your heart rate up for an extended period of time is what will really start melting away at those extra pounds. Circuit training and high intensity training is also great because it can involve lighter weights but keeps you constantly moving.

Be consistent!

If physical fitness is a lifestyle it has to be just as important as brushing your teeth every morning.  You will have days where you are tired, worked late at the office but these are not reasons to stop with your program.  It’s all about mindset; do not give yourself a way out.

Never Quit!

It’s just that simple.  Never, ever, under any circumstance quit.  It’s not an option!!!  Success is your only possible outcome.

 So these are my 7 simple tips to get back in shape! Hope you enjoyed it, now let’s get started!!!

 Have a great day everybody! :*