Category Archives: Fitness

Why Running Doesn't (Always) Burn Fat

Source: http://greatist.com/move/running-mistakes-not-losing-weight?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

“My body just can’t lose weight.”

The voice on the other end of the phone sounded beaten, frustrated, and hopeless.

“If you knew. If you knew how hard I’ve been working. You’d understand. You’d know I wasn’t making excuses.”

My heart went out to Sarah, a mother of a 3-year-old girl and a successful real estate agent. She had come to me after another friend of hers, Tracy, had lost weight working with me through my online training program just six months after giving birth.

A deep breath followed, and Sarah asked why she should believe her body wasn’t programmed to look a certain way. I asked her to keep an open mind, stay patient, and to walk me through everything she had done. As she told me her tale of diet and exercise, I nodded and immediately knew what was wrong.

Sarah was putting time into her weight loss, but the type of effort she was giving—specifically her over-reliance on running—was a problem I had seen many times before, especially among women. I explained to Sarah why her type of running plan isn’t always the best way to lose fat.

Notice the wording there; I did not say running is bad or will make you fat. That’s just not true. It’s a great form of exercise and one with a lot of value. Rather, I was talking about efficiency and why a certain approach to cardio could be why her jeans weren’t fitting better—despite spending plenty of time in the gym.

Sarah decided to give it a try and push ahead. O…

Which Are More Effective: Dumbbells or Kettlebells?

Source: http://greatist.com/move/kettlebells-versus-dumbbells?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Walk into any gym, and you’ll likely encounter two basic kinds of free weights: the trusty dumbbells and the new kid on the block, the kettlebells. Both have their merits and devotees, but one question often persists: When it comes to getting results, is one better than the other? Here, experts weigh in on which to choose and when.

Best for…
Are Kettlebells Better Than Dumbbells?

Dynamic Movements: Kettlebells

When it comes to explosive, physical movements, kettlebells are king. If your goal is powerlifting, plyo improvements, or if you’re competing in a sport that requires explosiveness (like basketball or CrossFit games), research suggests kettlebells lead to greater gains.1

Choose these for exercises that recruit several major muscle groups and involve moving in a big, significant way. Some typical kettlebell moves include snatches, cleans, windmills, Turkish get-ups, and of course, the kettlebell swing.

Swings are also great because they can spike your heart rate, providing cardiovascular as well as strength benefits, says Dell Polanco, head coach at BRICK New York. Unlike a simple curl or press, the kettlebell swing activates your entire posterior chain of muscles—your glutes, hamstrings, and erector spinae (back muscles), he explains.

Basic Move…

The Best Stretches to Avoid "Text Neck" and Neck Pain

Source: http://greatist.com/move/yoga-for-neck-pain?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

I don’t even flinch anymore when I see someone crossing a busy intersection typing on their cell phone. I just “heart” whatever Instagram pic I’m looking at and cross the street myself.

This is the new normal: smartphones at the center of our lives. Of course, technology can be amazing. Yesterday I edited a yoga video on my phone while riding the bus. The bad news is that constantly hunching over these devices is destroying our posture.

In 2008, the term “text neck” was coined by a doctor to describe the phenomenon. Just by looking at people around the office, on the street, or at the bar, it’s clear it’s become a national epidemic. According to research, your head weighs about 10 pounds in a neutral position. But if you move it forward just 15 degrees, it feels more like 27 pounds to your neck. At 30 degrees, it feels like 40 pounds, and at 45 degrees, almost 50 pounds. Ouch.

The result: muscle strain, pinched nerves, herniated disks, painful headaches, and more. And as our phones evolve into mini-computers, we’re glued to them for hours—up to four per day, research suggests. This adds up to 700 to 1,400 hours per year—and up to 5,000 for high schoolers, who are most at risk for developing spinal issues and even needing surgery, experts say.

The good news? Doing some simple stretches can help you eliminate the pain and strain on your neck and spine. Even better, you don’t need a yoga mat, yoga clothes, or even the willpowe…

The Dangers of Being Too Busy and How to Restore Your Health and Sanity

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tinybuddha/~3/bxhYMcJqpKM/

Busy Schedule

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” ~Jim Rohn

Busy doesn’t adequately describe my life over the past few years. Let’s say it was a hurricane of a schedule, with extra storms and a tsunami thrown in. Looking back from my current safe vantage point, I’m not sure how I survived.

The Stress Of A Busy Schedule

In 2011 I was working full time for the civil service and working part time trying to start up my own business. Early in the year I had my son, who turned out to be a non-sleeper and a constant crier.

After nine months of sleeplessness, stress, and upset I went back to the civil service ‘part time’ three days a week, but the reality was I had the same workload, only now I had to sort out childcare and stay awake all night to deal with my son too.

Over the course of three years we also moved three times. You know how they say moving is the most stressful experience? It is—especially with two jobs and a toddler.

On top of all this stress I kept getting ill. At my check-up I was told my blood pressure was too high. I couldn’t shift a permanent backache, cold, and headache.

I cried literally all the time, boosting the crying human total to two in one house. My son outdid me, though, because you’ve got to get …

When A Chicken Farm Moves Next Door, Odor May Not Be The Only Problem

Source: http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/01/24/463976110/when-a-chicken-farm-moves-next-door-odor-may-not-be-the-only-problem?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=thesalt

Audio for this story from All Things Considered will be available at approximately 7:00 p.m. ET.

A chicken house in Seagrove, N.C. North Carolina is one of the country's largest poultry producers. As farms move closer to residential areas, neighbors are complaining that the waste generated is a potential health hazard.

A chicken house in Seagrove, N.C. North Carolina is one of the country’s largest poultry producers. As farms move closer to residential areas, neighbors are complaining that the waste generated is a potential health hazard.

Kelly Bennett/MCT via Getty Images

North Carolina is one of the country’s largest poultry producers — and getting bigger. Large-scale chicken farms are spreading across the state. Government regulations have allowed these farms to get much closer to where people live. That’…

Boobs, body image and barriers to exercise

Source: http://www.thefitbits.com/2016/01/boobs-body-image-and-barriers-to.html

When I was growing up I hated my body. 
I, like lots of other girls, carried a few extra pounds (still do now), and used to hide under baggy jeans and t shirts. I was a tomboy. Backwards caps, BMXing and big baggy clothes were the norm (not much has changed actually, apart from swapping BMXing for mountain biking). 
I avoided PE like the plague and only wore skirts and dresses when made to by my mum. I hated having my photo taken, so used to pull stupid faces – which of course made me look far worse than I ever could had I just smiled. 
I lived in hoodies and jeans, even in the height of summer. If I took my hoodie or coat off, I’d sit with it laid across my legs, hiding my tummy, because I couldn’t let anyone see my belly. I didn’t ever wear flipflops or sandals until I was in my late teens/early 20s because I hated my feet. 
Basically, me and my body weren’t mates.

Reading Festival 2002: we got the train up straight after picking up our GCSE results. You will never know how hot I was sat there in a fucking hoodie and jeans…

Listen to Less in More Places

Source: http://www.theminimalists.com/stitcher/

By Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus · Follow: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Thanks to your listenership, The Minimalists Podcast, which launched earlier this month, is the #1 Health podcast on iTunes, and has climbed to the top 30 of all podcasts.

Many of you’ve asked whether our show will eventually be available on the popular podcast app Stitcher. The answer, as of today, is an emphatic yes! You can now listen to The Minimalists Podcast on Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts, including iTunes, Soundcloud, and YouTube. Check out the first five episodes now—there’re many more on the way.

P.S. If you’re looking for a great podcast app, we both use Overcast.

Subscribe to The Minimalists via email.

People Try Superfoods for the First Time, React Just Like You'd Expect

Source: http://greatist.com/live/eat-superfoods-first-time-video?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Superfoods: great for your body, maybe not so great for your taste buds. Cacao nibs and bee pollen are an acquired taste when you’re accustomed to Doritos and Twinkies. So when BuzzFeed asked people to try everything from tiger nuts to chlorella for the first time, many unsurprisingly reacted with some variation of disgust. Superfoods were described as smelling like bunny food, looking like birdseed, and broadly “the worst thing that has ever happened to my mouth.” But most of the people in the video found at least one that they enjoyed, proving the age old adage: Don’t knock ‘em ’til you try ‘em.

60-Second Yoga Fix: Upward-Facing Dog

Source: http://greatist.com/move/upward-facing-dog-fix?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

The New Year is officially in full swing. And if you’re one of the many people who resolved to “practice more yoga” in 2016 (*raises hand*), you’ve come to the right place.

First of all, simply coming to your mat is a major first step—so kudos! Next up: being mindful of correct form in common poses, which is crucial for reaping all the mind-body benefits of your vinyasa flow.

In this final 60-second yoga fix video, I’ll demo the proper alignment for upward-facing dog. This foundational pose helps improve posture, stretches chest and abs, and strengthens arms and legs. Ready to get it right? Just press play below.

Brett Larkin teaches vinyasa flow yoga at top San Francisco studios and on her YouTube channel, where thousands of students have studied with her for more than 5 million minutes. Find free yoga playlists, yoga teacher training tips, and free dance, yoga, and meditation classes at BrettLarkin.com.

Pork Tacos With Spicy Sriracha Almond Sauce

Source: http://greatist.com/eat/recipes/pork-tacos-almond-sauce?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Combine almond butter and sriracha, and we’re in heaven. Serve it on top of tangy pork in a taco and it’s even better. Don’t be alarmed by the ingredients list for this recipe: Since the marinade and sauce use many of the same things, you really only need 13 ingredients. You can handle that.

DirectionsCombine all marinade ingredients in a large dutch oven. Add pork shoulder and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to overnight to allow pork to marinate.
Remove dutch oven from refrigerator and let pork stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Season pork with salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cover dutch oven and roast pork, fat side up, for about 4 hours, turning and basting every hour until incredibly tender and easily shredded with a fork.
Meanwhile, combine sauce ingredients and stir until well combined. Set it aside until ready to use.
Remove pork from oven and let it rest for 30 minutes uncovered. Shred pork using a fork. Serve on warm tortillas with sauce.

This recipe was provided to Greatist exclusively by NaturAlmond. We only partner with a product or company that we think rocks, and we hope you agree.

IngredientsFor marinade:1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder1/4 cup soy sauce2 tablespoons rice vinegar1/4 cup sweet and sour sauce4 cloves garlic, minced1 tablespoon sriracha1 tablespoon sesame oilFor tacos:3 pounds boneless pork shoulderSea salt Freshly ground black pepper4-6 small flour tortillasFor sauce:1/2 cup natural almond butte…