Walking as a workout

It’s good to speed up during everyday activities like grocery shopping or taking your dog out, but you should also incorporate power walking into your official training plan. That’s because walking makes a routine full of HIIT, sprints, and other demanding sessions more well-rounded and, unfortunately, athletes don’t do it enough. That’s important: working your heart rate at varying intensities on different days is crucial for improving performance, avoiding plateaus, and dodging injury for all athletes.

A new study shows that metabolically, moving at a cadence of 100 steps per minute (or 3 mph) counts as moderate intensity training. Raise your pace to 130 steps per minute (about 4 mph), and researchers say you’re likely logging a vigorous workout.

Try to swap one or two steady-state runs or active recovery workouts per week with a power walk of 30 to 60 minutes each—aim for up to 4 mph on the treadmill or a heart rate between 130 and 150 if walking outside.

It’s officially watermelon season!

I can’t believe how refreshed I feel with my new bath and body products! It is a scrumptious fusion of chilled watermelon, juicy strawberries, and sweet raspberries from Sun Valley. I’ll need to stock up, because this is a special limited-time fragrance collection!

Gotta love Renew.

I suffered of eczema. My arms were full of rashes and scratches. The itching was unbearable and I was using Aveeno per a healthcare providers suggestion.

I was sick and tired of using every over -the-counter products out there and still not finding any relief.

It wasn’t until I started using Renew lotion did I find relief.  Renew lotion’s natural USP ingredients relieved my itching and inflammation in a few days. USP is a standard manufacturers have to follow to limit the amount of impurities to an acceptable level. Without the USP, there could be a concern regarding impurities but having the USP at the end adds assurance the product is as pure as possible. The Aveeno lotion label shows it doesn’t have this USP designation.

All I know s that with Renew I can sleep throughout the night without itching or scratching.

I’m one satisfied customer!

Feeling busy this week?

Try these tips to build more #PhysicalActivity into your busy schedule: http://bit.ly/1uoHJe8

Put your health first.

Yes, first—above your kids, your husband and your job. The longer you go without taking care of yourself, the more severe the consequences.  For this Mothers’ day here are some ways you can put yourself first—with your family benefitting most.

1. Eat well. You can be a healthy role model for your kids – they follow your lead. If you aren’t eating well, neither will they.

2. Exercise. Your children should see that mom values her health and enjoys exercise. Maybe your partner will also be inspired by your increased energy. The whole family will benefit from you being less stressed and less tired.

3. Reclaim just a little personal time each day. Ask for a small block of time from your spouse or a friend, or get a babysitter so you can recharge. Don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself!

4. Drink water. Dehydration will lead to a feeling of exhaustion. To keep your body healthy and your energy up, make sure you drink at least 64 ounces of water each day.

5. Date night. Make your marriage a priority and get out for some grown-up time. Connecting and communicating with your significant other is good for your health.  

6. Take a bath. Water is soothing to the body and the brain. Pour in your favorite bubbles, light a candle and take a dip. This small ritual can be quite replenishing.

7. Connect with a friend. Research shows that women gain health benefits from friendships, so carve out some time to connect with your friends. If you don’t have time for a mom’s night out, consider an online coffee date. Oxytocin, our feel good hormone, spikes after childbirth and also during friendship.

8. Laugh. Children laugh about 300 times per day, whereas adults laugh about five. Our entire sense of life lightens when we laugh. Listen to a podcast, get a joke of the day or just giggle with your kids.

9. Touch therapy.  Feel-good hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin are  released from touch therapy such as massage. Consider it body maintenance!

10. Give Gratitude. Women who feel grateful have more energy and happiness.  Create a gratitude journal and write in it each day. As a mom, the days are long, but the years go by far too fast. Being thankful may help you appreciate each day a little more.

Benefits of serotonin

If you or anyone you know is suffering from fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, anxiety, or weight gain, you may want to share this with them. Research has shown that all of these ailments are related to lack of Serotonin.

Raising Serotonin levels can improve muscle pain from fibromyalgia. Serotonin is the chemical messenger that sends signals to nerve cells. This connection helps to cut down on migraine frequency, depression, sleeping disorders, fatigue, anxiety as well as with weight loss. It helps with weight loss because it suppresses the appetite, cutting down carb cravings. All of this works because Serotonin is converted to melatonin, promoting healthier sleeping habits.

Our bodies produce an Amino acid called 5-HTP to help the body produce Serotonin. Unfortunately, 5-HTP cannot be found in any foods we eat. It can, however, be derived from a seed of an African shrub, called griffonia simplicifolia.

I’m glad to say I found 5-HTP in a supplement called Luminex. No matter what life throws at you, patented Luminex is there. For everyday stresses or moodiness, Luminex can help support your emotional balance and confidence to live life to the fullest—and greet every day with a smile. It has really made a difference in my life!

My favorite snack time treat

Sometimes when I eat something for breakfast, like cereal for instance, I find that around two to three hours later I start feeling peckish and a bit tired, instead of reaching for an ever-ready treat from the office kitchen (you know a donut or candy), I make one of these great GC Control shakes.

Not only do I love them for their taste, but they fill that “hole” and provide a boost in energy, getting me back on track. That’s because they provide me a better balance of protein and carbs that last far longer than a donut or candy bar. The link below explains why this product works so well.

For more about GC Control,
click here.

MELANOMA MONDAY?

It’s May everyone! May marks the beginning of summer and is also skin cancer awareness month with the first Monday being Melanoma Monday.

Melanoma Monday – a day to promote awareness of the most serious form of skin cancer is brought to us by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Melanoma is a type of skin cancer, and it is the deadliest of skin cancers. There will be many events focused on skin health, sun safety, tanning prevention, and skin cancer screenings and resources.

“Check Your Partner. Check Yourself”e encourages folks to check both their partners and themselves for signs of skin cancer. In fact, the campaign strongly targets women because research has shown that women are nine times more likely than men to notice melanoma on others.

When detected early, skin cancer – including melanoma – is highly treatable. According to the AAD the five-year survival rate for melanoma when detected and treated in its early stages is 98%.

All are asked to join the American Academy of Dermatology in wearing orange and encouraging others to wear orange for skin cancer awareness.

National Fitness Day

National Fitness Day is an opportunity to inspire and try new ways of becoming fit and healthy.

The day is dedicated to everyone – not just health enthusiasts. Step out and try a class that looks interesting. Zumba? Yoga?

Yes, try it for a day. Perhaps you only want to get out and stretch. Do it! Maybe you already have a nice routine but want to try something new. National Fitness Day is an excellent way to shake up your routine. And while you’re at it, bring a friend!

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States. There are three major types of skin cancer: Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma and Melanoma.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are also called non-melanoma skin cancer, and they are more common than melanoma. Melanoma is the most dangerous kind of skin cancer.

Skin cancer can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your skin regularly for new growths (like moles or lumps) or changes in old growths. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you find a change.