Weight Loss Trends Post Coronavirus

(Contributed Post) 

Coronavirus brought many different areas of our lives to a grinding halt in 2020. Those of us who worked outside of our homes were forced indoors—and had to give up our hobbies, our favorite sports, our social lives, and even sometimes, our relationships. It has been a difficult twelve months to say the least, but luckily we seem to be emerging out of the virus and into “normality” once more.

Over the period of March 2020-April 2021, many people have reported that their weight has changed. More time spent at home and less time outside having fun, which has resulted in weight gain for millions of people around the world. Now that society is re-emerging, it could be said that our confidence as a whole is at an all-time low.

Whether or not you have had trouble with your weight or confidence, you might be feeling the pressure to succumb to the post-coronavirus weight loss trends that are circulating around social media. 

In this post we will take a look at effective weight loss strategies, how to overcome insecurities, and how to promote kindness when emerging from lockdown and back out into the world.

Why is there so much pressure for us to shed the “Quarantine 15”?

Have you heard the phrase “Quarantine 15”? It refers to the idea that the average person put on 15 pounds during the coronavirus quarantine, and now it’s time to shed those pounds. While weight gain can cause health problems over time, the amount of pressure we are under to lose weight is not proportional to the danger it poses. It seems our society is obsessed with losing weight, so why could this be?

It seems that we are placing a lot of pressure on ourselves to be the best version of ourselves post-COVID-19. It’s not easy to emerge back into society, see friends and family, after such a long time away - we assume that others will be judging our bodies, and taking notice of whether we have lost, or gained, weight during our time in quarantine.

Unfortunately, diet culture profits heavily off this insecurity. Many influencers and other irresponsible sellers will pedal quick-fixes that don’t work, simply because they know that desperate buyers will do anything to lose weight fast. 

So what’s the solution to this weight loss pressure? Let’s take a look at the two sides of this: first, how to feel more confident, and second, how to lose weight safely and effectively.

How can we all feel more body-confident in 2021?

Let’s take a look at how to look and feel more body-confident in 2021. We all have bodies of different shapes and sizes, and all of us deserve to feel proud as we go down the street, meet with friends, go to events and return to work. 

Revamp your wardrobe to suit your shape

If you have gained some weight over lockdown, it might be time to revamp your wardrobe. Wearing clothes that flatter your shape and suit your style is a great way to feel and look more confident in your own skin. 

You could contact a stylist to make sure you have the right idea, or simply take a friend with you for a second opinion. Having some fabulous new threads on your back that fit you properly can be game-changing for your confidence.

Follow body-positive people on social media

Social media is well known for making us feel insecure about our bodies. Celebrities and influencers can portray an image of perfection that most of us just can’t live up to, making it very difficult to have confidence in your own appearance.

One way to combat these feelings is to follow body-positive people on social media. Following plus-size models such as Ashley Graham can make you feel fly in your curvy body, rather than feeling less-than while comparing yourself to someone slimmer.

Talk to yourself like a friend

One trick that many psychotherapists use to help their clients boost their self esteem is: talk to yourself like a friend. If your best friend came to you crying about their weight, what would you tell them? You’d probably tell them that they are beautiful no matter their size, and that they’re worth more than their appearance. You’d probably tell them you love them for them, not because of their jeans size...

… So, try telling yourself that! It’s easy to be your own worst critic when it comes to your body, but if you look at yourself like someone else you love very much, you’re bound to be kinder to yourself than you have been in the past.

Are there safe, effective ways to lose weight for summer?

If you do want to lose weight this summer after gaining some pounds during quarantine, we’ve got your back. Here are three safe, effective ways to lose weight this summertime.

Reduce your calories by just a few hundred per week

Many people, when they begin their weight loss journey, do too much too fast. By shocking their bodies into a new regime or diet, they make themselves feel exhausted, and when they don’t see results, it is easy to give up and go back to old habits.

While reducing your calories slowly won’t yield immediate results, it will help with long-term, sustainable weight loss. By cutting just 100 calories per day, or up to 1000 calories per week, you will barely notice the difference in your daily routine, but your body will. You’ll start seeing results within 6-8 weeks, and this change will actually be achievable and sustainable!

Do gentle daily exercise that you can maintain

Consistency is key when it comes to losing weight, and just like with food, too much exercise too soon will only exhaust your body. Especially if you are combining your exercise with cutting out some calories, you don’t want to burn out your body, or you’ll return to your old ways.

Instead, do gentle exercise every day that serves as part of your routine. You’ll stop dreading exercise, and start treating it like something you enjoy doing daily, like making your morning coffee or taking a shower.

This exercise could be jogging, walking, pilates, dancing, conditioning exercises such as squats, or playing a sport such as football or tennis. You should try to find an exercise that you genuinely enjoy, as this will make it easier to stay consistent even on days when you’re tired!

It is also important to give your body rest when it needs it. Make sure you aren’t pushing your body beyond its limits, as this increases the likelihood of becoming injured.

Speak to your doctor about medications

If you struggle to lose weight due to a condition or hormone issue, you should speak to your doctor about medications that can safely help you lose weight, such as Saxenda. 

Certain medications that are prescribed by professionals can aid weight loss without subjecting your  body to chemicals or hormones that will damage it long term. Beware of “quick-fix” diet products - these won’t be recommended by doctors, and therefore shouldn’t be used. You should only take weight loss medications that are recommended by a medical professional.

Final Thoughts

It can be easy to succumb to pressure when everyone’s talking about weight loss. Whether or not you want to lose weight after quarantine, this blog will help you become more body confident, while giving you top tips on how to safely lose weight over time. Be proud of being you, no matter your body size!

Is Too Much Fluoride Dangerous For You?

(Contributed Post)

Beyond heavy metals, there are quite a few minerals that are currently drawing attention from wellness experts. Fluoride is one that you might have seen pop up lately. It’s important to ask: is it all a fad or are there real risks to our health? Let’s take a look at how too much fluoride can impact your body and what you can do to prevent it.

The impact of too much fluoride

Fluoride can be useful, in small amounts, in preventing tooth decay amongst all else. However, too much fluoride can lead to conditions known as dental and skeletal fluorosis. This can lead to damage, pain, and increased elasticity in bones and teeth, making them more likely to experience fractures, as well as a decrease in general mobility. High fluoride levels have also been linked to thyroid problems, as well as depleting calcium in bone structures. But where does this exceed fluoride come from?

Is it in your water?

Most tap water has fluoride added to it in an effort to prevent tooth decay in every household. However, natural fluoride levels can fluctuate, rising especially in warmer areas where water consumption is greater. Water filters are a popular means of cleaning drinking water at home but does reverse osmosis remove fluoride? The answer is that not all reverse osmosis filters can remove this mineral from your water, meaning that you need to see which ones have been tested for this mineral in particular, rather than just purchasing any that you see.

Be mindful of dental treatments

Fluoride in toothpaste is all well and good. However, you should make sure that you don’t use more than a pea-size amount for children, and don’t use too much yourself. However, while fluoride can be safe for cleaning your teeth directly, swallowing fluoride from this toothpaste, even a little bit, results in getting more than your daily recommended amount. You should also be mindful of fluoride gel treatments that dentists tend to offer to prevent the risk of cavities. While they do indeed help decrease cavities, they also result in absorbing much more fluoride than you should get in a single day.

Watch out for pesticide use

A lot of farms and vineyards use pesticides that contain fluoride, with cryolite being the most popular amongst them. As a result, products from these places, especially a lot of US wines, tend to have a much higher level of fluoride than others. For that reason, you should make sure that you choose wines that outright state they do not use any pesticides in their production. Choosing organic wines tend to be the easiest way to avoid choosing any that have any pesticides at all in them.

The concerns around fluoride are not easy to dismiss. While there is real concern about this mineral, you can be proactive and take the steps mentioned above to minimize exposure and reduce its health effects.

Seeking an Effective Way to Lose Weight? CBD Oil Can Help

(Contributed Post)

If you have been trying to lose weight for some time now, but you have been struggling, there are many different ways that you can give yourself that boost that is required to start seeing the results you hope for. In this post, we will look at one method that has become very popular in recent years.

Cannabidiol, better known by its acronym CBD, is an entirely natural compound that is becoming increasingly popular worldwide for the treatment of many medical conditions from acne to anxiety, and also as a substance that can promote better health and wellbeing in general. One important use for CBD that is gaining traction in the natural health world is to assist in weight loss.

Why Weight Loss Is Important

It’s a widely publicized fact that many of us are carrying far too much weight for our own good. In fact, recent figures from a Health Study for England suggest that around 36% of people in the country are overweight and 29% are obese – in other words, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or over. Being overweight is not good for our health. Poor health outcomes such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease have all been proven to have a strong link to being overweight. So it’s not just a matter of looking good on the beach – losing weight can also save your life. But we all know that dieting and exercising can be hard. It’s no surprise, therefore, that people are always looking for anything that can help with weight loss.

What Is CBD?

You will no doubt have heard the term CBD used extensively over the media and even in health shops, but you may be unsure as to what the product is and how it can be used. In brief. CBD is short for cannabidiol and it is an ingredient in many products that is entirely natural. Sourced from hemp plants that are specially bred for human consumption, CBD is mainly extracted from the flowers and leaves of the plant which have been made into a paste. Hemp seeds are also crushed to form a paste and CBD is also extracted from this.

Can CBD Help You To Lose Weight?

There is a growing body of anecdotal evidence to suggest that CBD can assist with weight loss, and while there hasn’t yet been a great deal of research in this area, the theory behind how it works is backed up by science. There are other alternative products that you may want to consider, like CBG, and you can read about CBG benefits and the benefits of other cannabinoids online. 

It was only relatively recently, in the 1990s, that scientists discovered the existence of the endocannabinoid system in the human body. The main purpose behind the endocannabinoid system is to help the body adjust to changes in its environment. The body has two forms of cannabinoid receptors, labeled as CB1 (those generally present in the brain and central nervous system) and CB2, which are present throughout the body. 

It’s been discovered that in people with obesity or those who are severely overweight, the CB1 receptors are found to be spread more widely than they should throughout the body. Early research suggests that there’s a link between obesity and the activation of these CB1 receptors.

CBD products act indirectly as triggers to switch those receptors either on or off. And this has three overall effects in simple terms:

• CBD can reduce appetite, which can assist with weight loss.

• CBD can help stabilize or lower insulin levels, which in turn encourages the body to burn fat rather than store it.

• CBD can promote better metabolic health, which helps burn fat faster. 

Does CBD Give You A High And Is It Addictive?

When thinking of CBD (cannabidiol) products, many assume that they are the same as cannabis, particularly marijuana, which is a regulated substance that it is illegal to sell openly on the market. This is not the case. While both CBD and THC (or Tetrahydrocannabinol) are related, and both substances interact in a similar way with the endocannabinoid receptors in the user’s body, each creates very different effects.

 

Cannabis and related substances are derived from marijuana plants that contain high levels of THC. This is a psychoactive compound that gives the user a ‘high’ sensation. Cannabidiol, on the other hand, where it’s used to promote health and wellbeing, is derived from hemp plants. These are a type of cannabis plant, but concentrations of THC in them are less than 0.3%. CBD products, therefore, do not give the user the same kind of high, and because of this, they are preferred by many people who want the benefits cannabidiol can provide without the side effects. 

 

CBD is not addictive, and in some forms, has been judged efficacious and safe enough to be prescribed by medical professionals.

What Should You Look For In CBD For Weight Loss?

It’s important to note that CBD is not a miracle drug that will make the pounds drop off by itself – it should also be combined with an appropriate change of diet and exercise regime. However, buying a high-quality, broad-spectrum CBD oil and using it in the recommended fashion, along with improving your overall lifestyle, can help with weight loss.

Other Benefits

The full range of benefits offered by CBD has not yet been fully explored and evaluated. Nonetheless, there are already a host of conditions for which there is strong evidence to suggest that CBD can help. These include:

• Anxiety and depression;

• Nausea;

• Pain relief;

• Inflammation;

• Epilepsy and other forms of seizures;

• Migraines; and

• Inflammatory bowel disease.

To conclude, losing weight can be incredibly difficult for a lot of people. If you have been following a healthy diet and exercise regime, but you need that extra push, CBD could be the thing for you. Of course, you need to continue eating healthy and exercising regularly to see results. 

Health Issues That Aren't Just For The Elderly

(Contributed Post) 

We are often prone to thinking that it is only the elderly who have to be concerned about certain health conditions. While it's true that many health issues develop as we grow older, it is a mistake to think that just because we are young, we are invincible. In fact, making better health decisions in our youth will help to preserve good health into old age. Let’s have a look at a few of the health issues that we all need to be aware of at any age.

Hearing Loss

Although you are more likely to experience hearing loss if you are elderly, it is nonetheless something that can happen to anyone at any age. If you are not careful with your hearing, you might find yourself needing to wear a hearing aid prematurely at a young age. Take care and limit exposure to loud noise and make it a priority to be aware of the many signs of hearing loss.

Poor Eyesight

We all need to take care of our eyesight, no matter what age you might be. If you don't, you may reach your later years and have poor eyesight. It's important to pay attention to any changes that you notice and visit an optometrist consistently every two years at the very least. If you do so, you are more likely to maintain good eyesight for the future.

Heart Health

Your heart is important at every stage in your life. While you are more likely to have cardiac events in your older years, if you don’t take heart health seriously, cardiovascular disease can strike at a young age. Make sure to watch your cholesterol, get plenty of cardiovascular exercise, and quality sleep. If you take these steps early, it will help to lay a healthy foundation for your heart now and in the future.

Mental Health

Poor mental health is more common than most people think. A large swathe of the population will experience some sort of mental health issue at some point in their lives—whether it is depression, anxiety or something else entirely. You are never too young or old to start protecting your mental health. Focus on the positive and maintain your overall health. Try to reduce stress as much as possible too. Exercise is an excellent habit to adopt as it increases endorphins that help to keep your mood bright. Moreover, keeping the body healthy will help to keep the mind healthy and vice versa.

As you can see, there are several health concerns that you need to be aware of at any age, so it's important to make sure that you are aware of each area.

Wellness Trends To Try This Year

(Contributed Post)

There are new health and wellness trends emerging all the time, from milk alternatives to online classes. New ways to manage your mental and physical health are always popular, whether as part of a trend or on the advice of medical professionals. What trends are worth trying this year?

Flexitarian Diets

A flexitarian is someone who eats a mix of vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian diets. While not a new trend, it is become more popular, partly due to the rise of veganism and more people taking the environmental impact of the meat, dairy, and fishing industries more seriously. 

A flexitarian eats a mostly plant-based diet but will sometimes incorporate meat, fish, or dairy products. It allows people to make their own rules based on their own health and is a way to lower your carbon footprint without dropping anything from your diet. 

Eating flexitarian is simpler to do now as more big-name food brands expand their plant-based ranges.

Sustainability

Sustainability has become more and more popular, with people looking at how greener living can help them to both improve their health and live a more eco-friendly life at the same time. For example, many people have chosen to swap to homemade or more natural cleaning products in their home, to reduce their own exposure to chemicals and the chemicals that get released into the environment. 

A lot of sustainable choices in your home can improve the air quality, which is great for those who suffer from allergies. Encourage your place of work to improve the air quality there too, so you aren’t breathing in nasties in the office. Breathing stale air from the off A/C can lead to headaches, or in extreme cases, old offices can expose you to asbestos. If this has happened to you and you’ve become ill, look for reliable mesothelioma attorneys.

Mental Health

One of the most popular trends for this year that is only getting more popular is solution-focused hypnotherapy. 

Hypnotherapy focuses on what the client wants to achieve rather than on what the problem is that made them seek help in the first place. A combination of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy is a popular way for people to take on their problems and move on in a helpful way. 

Online Fitness Classes

Last year saw a many people head online to get in their workout. With continued lockdown measures, it seems likely that fitness instructors and personal trainers will stay online for most of 2021 and beyond. 

Heading onto YouTube for a pre-recorded workout is a good way to get your exercise every day at a time that works for you, and has been for a while. For 2021, it’s likely that we will see a big increase in live group fitness options. Peloton is going nowhere.

Remember that trends always come and go, and while it can be fun to try a new trend, you don’t have to ditch your tried and tested methods that work for you. 

Simple Steps to Breaking Unhealthy Habits Once and For All

 

(Contributed Post) 

Some habits are truly helpful. Exercising regularly, going to bed at a reasonable hour, and eating a healthy diet are examples of good habits that will have a positive impact on your life. However, there are some habits that are exceptionally negative and effect your health and wellbeing.

It's crucial to break these unhealthy habits as soon as possible. You will be amazed at how your life is transformed once you do. Read on to find out how to quit the habits that are bad for you. And while changing unhealthy habits can be challenging, it will ultimately add to your quality of life.

Ask for Help

The first thing to remember when you want to quit an unhealthy habit is that most of the time, you won’t be able to do it alone. For example, a habit that is actually an addiction, something like alcohol or illegal (or even prescription) drugs, will certainly need expert help. This is why checking into rehab for addiction is the best option for you. You’ll be in the hands of experts who can offer the right kind of medical and professional assistance to rid you of your addiction. 

Other habits may not need expert help, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still benefit from finding support. That might be a friend or family member, or it could be strangers on an internet forum. Who the help comes from is less important than asking for it. Trying to quit a habit by yourself is simply making things harder than they need to be.  

Timing

It’s easy to say that a habit or addiction needs to be eliminated right away, but the timing is important. If you try to rush the process or quit before you’re completely ready, you are at much greater risk of falling back into your habits and addiction even when you thought you had left it all behind.

The key is understanding when you are personally ready. Your friends and loved ones might try to help you, and that’s admirable – it shows you are loved – but you have to be prepared to accept that help. Once you are ready, you can take the next step but never rush into anything, or it could so easily all be undone again. 

Positive Rewards

One way to help yourself when it comes to breaking bad habits is to give yourself positive rewards. Note the word ‘positive’. It’s easy for people to give themselves negative rewards without realizing they have done so, which can be detrimental to the overall effort. 

An example of a negative reward would be takeout or a chocolate bar when you’re trying to quit unhealthy food and eat better by reducing the amount of sugar you eat. A week of eating well is great, but rewarding yourself with the very thing you’ve been trying to avoid is a terrible idea. 

Make sure your rewards are positive so that you can work towards your goals much more easily without concern. 

Are Cranberries The Ultimate Superfoood?

(Contributed Post)

Most people are familiar with cranberries as a side to their Thanksgiving dinner, but did you know that they are an incredible superfood? If you only enjoy them once a year, you should consider adding more of them to your diet because they have so many amazing health benefits. Here are a few of their amazing health benefits: 

They’re Packed With Nutrition 

Cranberries are packed full of nutrition, so they’re a great food to add to your diet. They have lots of vitamins and they are packed full of antioxidants. It’s so important to include more antioxidant-rich foods in your diet because they reverse the damage caused by oxidation and remove free radicals from the body. When you increase the levels of antioxidants in your diet, you drastically reduce the chances of developing serious health problems like cancer or heart disease later in life. 

UTI Prevention

Most women will suffer from a UTI (urinary tract infection) at some point. Your doctor will offer you antibiotics, but cranberries are a natural way to heal the infection. There are many excellent UTI pain relief products that use cranberry. Consuming cranberry on a regular basis will help prevent UTIs in the future. 

Reduce The Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease

We’ve already seen how the antioxidants in cranberries can help prevent cardiovascular disease. But that is only one of the ways that they are able to improve heart health. Studies show that regularly eating cranberries can increase levels of good cholesterol and reduce your BMI. People that suffer from blood pressure issues can also benefit from eating cranberries. 

Slow Cancer Progression

Tests on cancer cells using cranberries showed very promising results. The studies found that compounds in cranberries can slow the growth of cancer cells and, in some cases, trigger their death. Cranberries are also known to reduce inflammation in the body, which is a contributor to cancer. Eating cranberries on a regular basis may reduce your chances of developing cancer and might slow the progression of the disease in those who have already been diagnosed. 

Improve Oral Health

Managing your oral health is important. Beyond brushing and flossing, your diet also plays a significant role in oral health. As luck would have it, cranberries are one of the best things you can eat if you want to protect your oral health. Studies show that compounds in cranberries can stop bacteria from binding to the teeth, which prevents decay and cavities. 

There are many foods today that are regarded as superfoods, but few have the same incredible benefits of cranberries.