Maggie's Blog Place

Did you know?

40% of trips made by car are less than 2 miles. Get a workout and be green by combining neighborhood errands with exercise.

We are solar powered... So get out and get some sunshine - don't burn but playing in the sun for a moderate time can be very beneficial and not to mention deliver much needed vitamin D.

Any amount of exercise is better than nothing. So breakup the routine to 3 - 10 minute workouts a day if time is of the essence.

Overweight and obesity together represent the second leading preventable cause of death in the United States.

Consume protein with your carbohydrates. This will slow down the uptake of the carbohydrates and keep blood sugar levels in balance.

Exercising like crazy but to no avail? Well, many suffer from the endless cycle of chronic cardio and sugar dependence which contribute to this hamster cycle. Break it by incorporating strength training and a healthy natural foods diet to remove the sugar dependence.

Many of us can't avoid stress in the workplace but regular exercise and good nutrition boosts your ability to cope with stress. It's that simple!

Listening to your body is essential when you begin your fitness routine. Take naps and go to bed early if your body calls for it. Don’t stay up watching TV for the sake of watching TV. Your body will thank you for it and your fitness routine will benefit as you allow your body to recover.

Many local fitness centers offer free trial classes so take advantage of them. Perform a fitness search on Yelp.com and you’ll be surprised how many places exist that you’ve never heard about. Visit their websites and see what free classes or passes they provide. You’ll get a variety of workouts for free and have lots of fun meeting new people.

Cinnamon has many uses beyond baking. Did you know that Cinnamon can lower LDL cholesterol, boosts cognitive function and memory, reduce blood sugar and increase insulin levels, is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium, and helps in the battle against obesity due to its effect on blood sugar

Tracking your nutrition can be a huge eye-opener! Most of us have a tendency to underestimate the nutritional content in the foods we eat. There are plenty of free online tools that you can use to make this process easier. My favorite is sparkpeople.com. It’s free and user friendly.

Lack of sleep may be causing you to gain weight! If you didn’t get enough sleep you may be tempted to reach for a cup of coffee (or several) and a doughnut for a quick energy shot. You then skip the gym and get takeout because you’re too tired to cook. It’s a vicious cycle and eventually lack of sleep will sabotage your health and waistline. So just like exercise and healthy eating, make sleep a priority in your life. Your body will thank you for it.

Vitamin D has many health benefits which contribute to the enjoyment of life.
Here are just a few:
aids in the absorption of calcium (which helps to form and maintain strong bones), lessens depression, boosts the immune system, improves cardiovascular health, is a potent anti-inflammatory and regulates blood sugar levels. *The sun contributes significantly to the daily production of Vitamin D and can also be found in many dietary sources such as fish, eggs, fortified milk, and cod liver oil.

Coffee can dehydrate you - especially during the summer!! Be sure to drink plenty of water and not so much of the morning 'joe'...

You don't need an expensive gym membership or have a personal trainer to have success in your fitness journey... It is as simple as being active and eating healthy. Plan weekend hikes, bike rides, walks after dinner, and get outside!!! In other words, play again.