Namafit.com Blog

The Fitness & Yoga Job Network (blog)

You are here: Home / Archives for Exercise

Exercise

Muscle-Building Meal Plan: A Guide to Optimal Nutrition for Strength

by

Muscle-Building Meal Plan: A Guide to Optimal Nutrition for Strength

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” – Ann Wigmore

Building muscle isn’t just about pumping iron. It requires the right balance of exercise and nutrition. Here’s a comprehensive meal plan that will help in your muscle-building journey.

Understanding the Basics

Before we jump into the meal plan, let’s understand the key components:

  1. Protein: Essential for muscle repair and growth.
  2. Carbohydrates: Your body’s primary energy source.
  3. Fats: Important for hormone production and joint health.
  4. Micronutrients: Vitamins and minerals crucial for overall health.

Calorie Surplus

To build muscle, you generally need to consume more calories than your body burns. This is called a calorie surplus. However, this doesn’t mean you should eat everything in sight. The surplus should be moderate, and the focus should be on quality nutrition.

Meal Frequency

Eating 5-6 smaller meals a day can help ensure a constant supply of nutrients to your muscles, keeping your metabolism active and aiding in muscle repair and growth.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is key. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water daily, more if you are actively working out.

fitness professional enjoying a healthy meal. The setting is a modern dining area, and the individual, dressed in casual athletic wear, is shown eating a balanced meal that includes grilled chicken, a mixed green salad, quinoa, and sliced avocados.

Sample Muscle-Building Meal Plan

Day 1:

  • Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach, whole grain toast, and avocado.
  • Mid-Morning Snack: Greek yogurt with a handful of almonds.
  • Lunch: Grilled chicken breast with quinoa and steamed broccoli.
  • Afternoon Snack: Cottage cheese with pineapple.
  • Dinner: Baked salmon with sweet potato and asparagus.
  • Evening Snack: Protein shake.

Day 2:

  • Breakfast: Protein pancakes topped with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey.
  • Mid-Morning Snack: Hummus with carrot sticks.
  • Lunch: Turkey and cheese wrap with mixed greens.
  • Afternoon Snack: Apple slices with peanut butter.
  • Dinner: Beef stir-fry with bell peppers, broccoli, and brown rice.
  • Evening Snack: Casein protein shake.

Day 3:

  • Breakfast: Omelet with mushrooms, cheese, and whole grain toast.
  • Mid-Morning Snack: A banana and a handful of walnuts.
  • Lunch: Tuna salad with mixed greens and olive oil dressing.
  • Afternoon Snack: Protein bar.
  • Dinner: Grilled shrimp with quinoa and green beans.
  • Evening Snack: Greek yogurt.

Supplementing Your Diet

While whole foods should be your primary source of nutrients, supplements like whey protein, BCAAs, and fish oil can be beneficial.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Don’t let your meal plan become boring. Experiment with different recipes and flavors to keep things exciting.

Listen to Your Body

Adjust portion sizes and meal frequency according to your hunger, fullness, and energy levels.

Cheat Meals

It’s okay to have a cheat meal once in a while. It can actually help keep you motivated and satisfied.

Workout Fuel

Pre-workout: A combination of protein and carbs. Post-workout: Protein-rich food or shake to aid muscle recovery.

Final Thoughts

Remember, consistency is key in both your diet and workout routine. It takes time and dedication to see results. Celebrate small victories and stay motivated. As Arnold Schwarzenegger says, “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths.”

This meal plan serves as a general guideline. Adjustments may be necessary based on individual dietary needs, allergies, and specific fitness goals. It’s always a good idea to consult with a nutritionist or dietitian for personalized advice. Happy muscle building! ???????

How to Build Confidence in Yourself

by

Even the most capable individuals go through periods of self-doubt. If you are experiencing severe anxiety or other issues, seek professional help. For those with milder concerns, a few adjustments to your daily life can boost your confidence.

man working out

Find Success

For many people, even small successes lead to increased confidence. To achieve more daily goals, take steps to increase productivity such as adjusting the settings on your phone to minimize distractions. Work on your time management skills if necessary. Set a timer to keep track of how long you spend on certain tasks. Use a planner to keep track of everything you need to do. Checking things off a to-do list can reinforce the feeling of success upon completion of a task.

Unfortunately, many people do not feel successful at work. They may not feel like they are particularly good at it or that it simply doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. If you do not get a sense of satisfaction from your work, it’s time to find a better job. If your dream career is working for yourself, there are numerous small businesses you can start. To do this successfully, you need to create a business plan. The plan should detail your company’s structure, services, financial projections, and funding requirements.

Improve Health

Knowing that your body can handle everyday challenges can boost your self-confidence. Create a fitness routine that you are able to stick with. A well-rounded exercise regimen addresses cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility. Start out slowly and work your way up. Some people find that listening to music makes the process more enjoyable and increases their motivation. For others, working out with friends helps them stay on track.

Improving your nutrition makes any exercise routine more effective and can give you more confidence in your overall health. Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats, and drink plenty of water. Gradually exchange unhealthy foods for more nutritious alternatives.

Data show that most Americans are at least somewhat familiar with the Nutrition Facts label found on food packages. However, it is important to really understand it. Pay attention to the vitamin and mineral content as well as the amounts of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates.

Strengthen Social Bonds

Increased self-confidence is one of the many benefits of friendship. Good friends provide encouragement and support. They can help you make better decisions by offering a different perspective. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to be more social. Join a club or volunteer your time. Call old friends or reach out to them on social media. If you have a dog, visit a park to meet other dog owners. Use friendship apps to meet new people.

Routinely spend time with the friends you already have. Try to hold regular dinner gatherings or game nights. If you can’t see each other in person, call or video chat once or twice a month. With long-distance friends, plan trips. This could be one of you visiting the other or the two of you meeting up for a joint vacation.

Self-confidence is a feeling that may change with time or circumstances. Even if you don’t feel very sure of yourself right now, there are many things you can do to boost your morale over time.

How To Get Up For A Morning Workout

by

Looking to change your morning routine? Perhaps you want to start your day off by getting in a great workout. Now, the trick is getting up for it! Morning workouts can be beneficial to everyone. They are a wonderful way to start your day and set the tone for the rest of your day. 

There are many advantages to working out in the morning including having more energy throughout your day, putting yourself in a great mood first thing in the morning (endorphins, baby!), and not to mention, your focus will be improved for your next activity because you are more alert. With all of these advantages, what’s stopping you?

For many people, the actual getting up part is what is so difficult. How can you change your whole routine and wake up earlier for a workout? Well, it may not be easy, but it is definitely not impossible! So what’s the secret? In this article, we will give you 7 secrets to getting up for a morning workout! Let’s get started. 

7 Secrets To Waking Up Early For A Morning Workout

Each person is different, so you may need to try different things and see which ones work for you. These 7 tips are a great place to begin. Try one of them, or try them all, but you will need to experiment to see what wakes you up the best. Let’s take a look:

  1. Place your alarm clock across the room. Because hitting snooze on the alarm clock is so easy, it can be a big temptation to do rather than getting out of bed and getting ready for your day. That is why placing your alarm clock on the other side of the room can help you get up and get going. If you have to physically get out of bed to turn off your alarm, then your chances of actually getting up and getting ready for a workout are much higher than if your alarm is right beside you. You will be much less tempted to hit snooze and much more likely to get going.
  1. Layout your clothes and set your gym bag and sneakers by the door the night before. If you practice yoga don’t forget to roll your yoga mat ready too. Rather than waiting until the morning to prepare everything, do it the night before. That way, it is all set and ready to go and you can shave a few minutes off of your morning routine to take some “you” time. Mentally preparing for your day is a great way to start it out, so having those extra 5-10 minutes not having to decide what to wear and worrying about packing everything in your bag can be very beneficial. Set everything by the door so that you won’t forget anything on your way out.
  1. Stock up on easy breakfast options. Having an easy breakfast option that is quick and ready to go can really save you some time, and bonus points if it’s healthy! Oftentimes we feel rushed in the morning and this will either cause us to skip the gym, go eat some fast food that’s not good for our bodies, or skip breakfast altogether (which is not healthy). So if you have some healthy, ready-to-eat breakfast foods on hand, you can grab and go, making it to the gym on time and not feeling rushed!!
  1. Plan your workout the night before. If you have your workout already planned, then it will save you the excuse of “I don’t really feel like going to the gym and winging it”. You already know what you are going to do, so you can go and get it done. It’s as simple as that. Plus, if you plan a fun workout, you are much more likely to stay motivated and get up ready to go!
  1. Get your coffeemaker ready to go the night before. If you have an automatic coffeemaker, then set it to start brewing a few minutes before you wake up. The smell of coffee can actually begin to wake you up before you drink it, so your body will be waking up before you even are. If you don’t have an automatic coffeemaker, go ahead and get everything ready the night before so that all you have to do is push a button and your coffee is brewing! If you are more of a tea drinker, then go ahead and set everything out so that you can easily get it ready before you go. 
  1. Have a personal trainer. Working out with someone else makes things more interesting. You’re not as likely to get bored during your workout. Not only that, but it will hold you accountable. After all, it isn’t only you that will be let down if you don’t show up! It’s like having an accountability buddy. 
  1. Go to bed earlier. This simple, but effective tip can really make a huge difference. The earlier you go to bed, the more sure you will be that you are getting enough sleep. And when you get enough sleep, you will wake up more energized and ready to take on the day and your workout! So try going to bed just 30 minutes earlier. Even those 30 minutes can make a huge difference in how your workout goes (or if it even happens at all). 

Waking up for the gym can be difficult, but with consistency and a little discipline, as well as using one (or all) of these tips, you will be waking up early and getting in great workouts in no time! Consistency is key, so don’t give up! You will feel amazing once your workout is done. 

5 Ways to Energize Yourself Before a Workout

by

Working out in the morning might be a monumental task if you aren’t an early riser. But a previous article on Namafit explains that morning workouts can put you in a good mood and improve your focus for the day. If you’re finding it hard to motivate and energize yourself for a workout, here are some tips to get you started — no matter what time it is.

Be sure to hydrate properly

You don’t have to wait until you feel thirsty before drinking water, as thirst is a sign that you’re already about 2% dehydrated. Before working out, you should already prepare your body by staying hydrated throughout the day. According to Self, not having enough fluids in your body means your heart needs to work much harder to pump blood — which means it will make your workouts feel more intense than they should. Plus, staying hydrated also reduces the possibility of guzzling too much water during the workout, which can upset your stomach.

Eat healthy carbs

Carbohydrates are an essential energy source, acting as the body’s main fuel during exercise. However, Healthline shows that not all carbohydrates are ideal pre-workout food. Simple carbohydrates, such as white bread and sweets, are only short-term sources of energy. Consuming these will make you feel tired even before your workout is over. Opt for complex carbohydrates instead, since the body digests it more slowly than simple carbs — giving you a more consistent source of energy for a longer period of time. Examples of these are whole grains, corn, rice, fruits, and vegetables.

Practice breathing exercises

Don’t immediately jump into your workout routine. Take time to do deep breathing before you start exercising, since it increases the oxygen in your blood, which also helps prepare your body for all the movement. Moreover, it releases tension and endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Consider adding deep breathing to your warm-up and reap its positive benefits to your immune system, mental health, and more.

Have some caffeine

Caffeine is perhaps one of the most popular pre-workout drinks. After all, it helps improve circulation, decrease muscle pain, and improve workout recovery. But there are many ways to drink caffeine aside from coffee. As explained on Pretty Me’s feature on Lean n Green coffee, many beverages make use of green coffee beans. These not only give you the energizing benefits of caffeine, but it comes with the added bonus of converting more fat and glucose to energy. Some are even combined with more powerful ingredients like L-carnitine, which helps further enhance energy production. If you’re not much of a coffee drinker, BBC Good Food’s article on tea explains that black tea and green tea have the highest caffeine content for your pre-workout buzz.

Ensure you’ve had enough sleep

The more rested you are, the better your mind and body will function. Sleep improves your concentration, mood, and focus, which makes you more efficient and prepared for your exercise. Having enough sleep also motivates you to stick to your plan to exercise. Exercising while you lack sleep, on the other hand, will make you feel fatigued faster — making it harder for you to complete your workout.

A good workout isn’t simply a matter of finishing your routine. A good workout is also determined by what you do to prepare for it.

    How To Get Up For A Morning Workout

    by

    Looking to change your morning routine? Perhaps you want to start your day off by getting in a great workout. Now, the trick is getting up for it! Morning workouts can be beneficial to everyone. They are a wonderful way to start your day and set the tone for the rest of your day. 

    There are many advantages to working out in the morning including having more energy throughout your day, putting yourself in a great mood first thing in the morning (endorphins, baby!), and not to mention, your focus will be improved for your next activity because you are more alert. With all of these advantages, what’s stopping you?

    mom doing yoga with child

    For many people, the actual getting up part is what is so difficult. How can you change your whole routine and wake up earlier for a workout? Well, it may not be easy, but it is definitely not impossible! So what’s the secret? In this article, we will give you 7 secrets to getting up for a morning workout! Let’s get started. 

    7 Secrets To Waking Up Early For A Morning Workout

    Each person is different, so you may need to try different things and see which ones work for you. These 7 tips are a great place to begin. Try one of them, or try them all, but you will need to experiment to see what wakes you up the best. Let’s take a look:

    1. Place your alarm clock across the room. Because hitting snooze on the alarm clock is so easy, it can be a big temptation to do rather than getting out of bed and getting ready for your day. That is why placing your alarm clock on the other side of the room can help you get up and get going. If you have to physically get out of bed to turn off your alarm, then your chances of actually getting up and getting ready for a workout are much higher than if your alarm is right beside you. You will be much less tempted to hit snooze and much more likely to get going.
    1. Layout your clothes and set your gym bag and sneakers by the door the night before. If you practice yoga don’t forget to roll your yoga mat ready too. Rather than waiting until the morning to prepare everything, do it the night before. That way, it is all set and ready to go and you can shave a few minutes off of your morning routine to take some “you” time. Mentally preparing for your day is a great way to start it out, so having those extra 5-10 minutes not having to decide what to wear and worrying about packing everything in your bag can be very beneficial. Set everything by the door so that you won’t forget anything on your way out.
    1. Stock up on easy breakfast options. Having an easy breakfast option that is quick and ready to go can really save you some time, and bonus points if it’s healthy! Oftentimes we feel rushed in the morning and this will either cause us to skip the gym, go eat some fast food that’s not good for our bodies, or skip breakfast altogether (which is not healthy). So if you have some healthy, ready-to-eat breakfast foods on hand, you can grab and go, making it to the gym on time and not feeling rushed!!
    1. Plan your workout the night before. If you have your workout already planned, then it will save you the excuse of “I don’t really feel like going to the gym and winging it”. You already know what you are going to do, so you can go and get it done. It’s as simple as that. Plus, if you plan a fun workout, you are much more likely to stay motivated and get up ready to go!
    1. Get your coffeemaker ready to go the night before. If you have an automatic coffeemaker, then set it to start brewing a few minutes before you wake up. The smell of coffee can actually begin to wake you up before you drink it, so your body will be waking up before you even are. If you don’t have an automatic coffeemaker, go ahead and get everything ready the night before so that all you have to do is push a button and your coffee is brewing! If you are more of a tea drinker, then go ahead and set everything out so that you can easily get it ready before you go. 
    1. Have a personal trainer. Working out with someone else makes things more interesting. You’re not as likely to get bored during your workout. Not only that, but it will hold you accountable. After all, it isn’t only you that will be let down if you don’t show up! It’s like having an accountability buddy. 
    1. Go to bed earlier. This simple, but the effective tip can really make a huge difference. The earlier you go to bed, the more sure you will be that you are getting enough sleep. And when you get enough sleep, you will wake up more energized and ready to take on the day and your workout! So try going to bed just 30 minutes earlier. Even those 30 minutes can make a huge difference in how your workout goes (or if it even happens at all). 

    Waking up for the gym can be difficult, but with consistency and a little discipline, as well as using one (or all) of these tips, you will be waking up early and getting in great workouts in no time! Consistency is key, so don’t give up! You will feel amazing once your workout is done. 

    Author’s BIO: Lori Wade is a journalist from Louisville. She is a content writer who has experience in small editions, Lori is now engaged in news and conceptual articles on the topic of DIY and yoga. If you are interested in sport or lifestyle, you can find her on LinkedIn.

    Why more Mindfulness should be your New Years Resolution

    by

    cropped-img_2264.jpg

    The New Year usually comes with new intentions. Everyone’s intentions may all be different but they all have one thing in common – change something for the better. There is a common quality – a sense of wanting to improve our lives or ourselves. While many people focus on losing weight, going to the gym more often or reading more books, I would advise you to consider meditating more to create more mindfulness in your life. The reason being, mediation is the key to general improvement and will support any other intentions or resolutions you might have and here’s why.

    The reason we need resolutions is because so much of lives are driven by factors outside of our control that we feel the need to put ourselves in the driving seat. We don’t go to the gym because we don’t have enough free time or are tired. We can’t lose weight because we are driven by inner impulses to eat fast food. Take control of your life by being mindful through a short meditation. It will allow you to take a step back and enable you to see things more objectively and from a different perspective. For a short moment – just observe your breath. This will detach you from your thoughts and feelings (such as – I don’t feel like doing to the gym or I really need that cupcake to feel better) and take a moment to reflect. It will give you a moment to see your life with a sense of openness. Rather than being stuck in the current moment, you will be able to take a step back and see what really enables you and what disables you in achieving your goals. You will move from being reactive to being proactive being able to steer your life in the direction you want it.

    Commit to meditating a short time each day and you will find other pieces fall into place. You can do it by simply taking a few conscious breaths before entering a meeting room, hopping into the bus on your commute home or opening up the next email. We tend to get sucked into the moment forgetting that there is a bigger picture to us all. By being mindful, you will be empowered to be a better you.

    Go on. Give it a go and let me know how you proceed!

    To find out more about meditation and other daily practices – follow nikafiguringitout.wordpress.com

    What I Learned After Running a Half Marathon

    by

    Some goals I’ve had in my life were pretty simple: get recruited to play college basketball, be the first person on my mother’s side of the family to earn a college degree, and always stay in shape and live a healthy lifestyle after I’m done with college sports. Little did I know it wouldn’t be as easy then when you have an elder adult screaming at you to run faster and lift heavier. How would being healthy look for me moving forward.  

    I have always been interested in health and wellness and always knew about the new trends. I also was very good at watching hours of Netflix and experimenting every wing night in town. It’s called balance, right? One thing I always knew was I HATED running.  Couldn’t understand how people could run for miles on end and enjoy it. I envisioned running to Hell every time I would step on a treadmill. This would all soon change.

    The life changing moment happened after my mother passed away from cancer. I was obsessed over eating cancer fighting foods and increasing my cardiovascular routines for heart health. It became a crutch for me to focus on while grieving.

    In September I decided to channel this energy into training for my first half marathon. I would run it as a fundraiser for my mother and have donations go to The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. I posted it on social media so I couldn’t back out. I immediately received so much positive feedback and immediate donations. Training would start September 1, 2019.  

    I chose a Nike Training Club running plan and swore to stick to it. I would run two recovery runs per week, a speed run, and then a longer run at the end of the week. I would increase mileage progressively as the 14-week plan went along. I incorporated some strength training that I would do in college and a lot of stretching. I also changed my diet to include more carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables for energy. Water and electrolytes would play a key ingredient in hydration as well. I would complete the Philadelphia Half Marathon in 2:17 on November 23, 2019.

    All smiles after 13.1

    It seems pretty simple, right? Follow a plan and see results. However, we are led to believe that one plan fits all. If you follow this plan a Boston marathoner did, you will run a half in under 1:30. Finishing this race was a huge mountain for me. I thought once I completed it, I would become this intense runner who would catch the running fever and never stop. It is not that simple and I can confidently say I will not be running a long run race this year. And here is why.  

    I was lucky enough to have a good job to support the resources I needed such as food, a gym membership, and outdoor running clothes I needed to brave the colder temperatures. Like I said before, there is no one fit all approach or program to running your best half marathon because it is different for everyone. I can say I did not miss a scheduled workout. Even when I would get hurt, I would lower the pace, incorporate some non-impact cardio, and ice to get back quicker.  I seemed to make healthier choices throughout the process with this race in the back of my mind. I had to have my focus on energy and production over looking good in my jeans. Being consistent with my training and diet, I quickly started to see changes in my body. I developed leg muscles the size of Saquon Barkley (not really, but close.)  But with the new leg muscles came new problems. For the last 5 years, I was more concerned about achieving a certain aesthetic. I ate and exercised to look good in my clothes and to feel good mentally. When I started training for the race, I started to feel anxious, like I was back in college playing basketball again. I would panic if I didn’t finish my run in a certain time. I felt if I skipped a workout, I was letting people down who were supporting me and my mom. Some days I wanted to take a bike ride to help me feel better, but I couldn’t because I had to get in my 3-mile run. This was very difficult for me.  

    Even post-race, people assume I’m a runner now. They think because I ran 13.1 miles, that I run all the time now or that I already signed up for another race and this is not the case. This can get uncomfortable at times since all I want to do is go to a soul cycle class or, God forbid, not go to the gym for a day and have an evening out with friends. There is still a lingering expectation of me to be a runner.  

    Any sort of mental or body anxiety, I feel, hits ten times harder for women in this social media, influential world we live in today. It was very hard for me to battle these insecurities for 2 months. Body image is the very forefront in our society, positive and negative. I always was body positive, because it was always the same. When I started to notice changes, my anxiety went through the roof. I knew I could finish the race, I was a college athlete before, but I was not prepared for the mental toll it took on me.

    I will say the aftermath is not all bad (besides not being able to walk for two days after the race.) I have never felt more accomplished in all of my life than when I ran across that finish line. I have also felt a want to run more. I haven’t run more than 4 miles since the race but now I routinely run 2-3 miles a few times a week. Before training, I would run 1 mile once a week. Running is a great exercise you can do anywhere for free. There’s no excuse not to get a short workout in when you don’t have time to make it to the gym for a full workout or are out of town on a trip. It is something I have grown to enjoy in small dosages.

    All the health and wellness advice out there teach you how to physically achieve your goals. It doesn’t always necessarily teach you how to handle the changes, the societal pressures, and how to handle life after the goal is reached. It is not always positive. We experience highs and lows throughout any journey.

    If you take anything away from this article, focus on being healthy, whatever that means for you. I challenge you to educate yourself and experiment with different health ideas to see what you can incorporate and what works best for you and your health routine. The biggest value is your mental wellness. You have to enjoy the process of a healthy lifestyle. Yes, you need to push yourself in those workouts and do some you may not be up for that day as planned but not every day in the cost of your sanity. For me, my 2020 goals are to worry less and focus more on living good. I’m worried less about how I look in a pair of my favorite jeans and more about trying that new, fun HIIT class in the city. I don’t want any major medical concerns in the future and I want to live a long and happy life with my family and friends. I am setting my own standards and will follow through with them happily.

    Body: Post Break-Up

    by

    Like many people, I feel insecure about various parts of my body. I’m in my mid-twenties, I work full-time in a public affairs role, and I live in a major city – all of which contribute to self-scrutiny. During my last romantic relationship, I spent a lot of time and energy in showering, exfoliating, shaving and deep-conditioning my hair, and had a four-step, twice-a-day skin care regimen I didn’t dare skip. I was taking care of my body, as it felt necessary. I spent two to three evenings a week in a Pilates mat class or running on an elliptical machine at my neighborhood gym. I practiced yoga at least once a week.

    I thought a lot about what I could do about the parts of myself I felt self-conscious about, like my hormonal acne and the cellulite on my thighs. I was constantly researching new potential “solutions” to these “problems”. I thought that if I could fix these things, if I could stay in good shape, I would continue to be attractive to my partner.

    Said partner ended our relationship, and the factors listed above were not among the reasons why. All the same, I have a vivid, visceral memory of the week following the break-up, during which I sat on the floor of my bathroom, crying, thinking of all of the time I had spent debating between purchasing the expensive hair mask sitting on my shower rack, thinking that he would appreciate the scent of my hair more after use.

    In the depths of my sadness, I remembered to go to the gym, through the motions on my routines, and spend time and money on personal care. I continued to feel less than confident about my body, because despite all of the above, I’d lost what I had cared about. At a low point, I had the irrational thought that my body had somehow betrayed me. Why wasn’t this formulaic devotion to body care good enough to remain attractive to my former partner?

    But as the months went on, and I continued to hit my mat for yoga and Pilates classes, I realized that I was starting to care less about how I looked, and more about how I felt. I felt less insecure, and more grateful for the ability to move and be active. I started to care less about what other people see, and more about what I see and more importantly, how I feel.

    Through exercise, meditation and careful thought, I’m addressing my insecurities, but for myself. With a lot of self-searching, I’ve found that it’s more important for me to feel at home in my body than it is to make it agreeable to someone else.

    Man running at the track
    Man running at the track

    Why Yin Yoga Works Well for Athletes

    by

    Are you looking to increase suppleness in the body, improve flexibility and a more focused mind?

    Athlete or not, Yin yoga is worth trying. For those of you who may not be familiar with Yin yoga, it is a slower-paced style where poses are held for longer periods of time, anywhere from 30 seconds up to 5 minutes. It is the opposite of a “Yang” style of yoga- the more common power vinyasa classes you often see at fitness studios and gyms. Yin elements involve darkness, cool, intuition, reflection, the moon. Yang elements are light, fiery, active, strength, the sun. Both are different, yet necessary for solid balance. Yin yoga is perfect for athletes since it provides just that. Athletes usually train hard and focus on agility, speed and strength. Yin yoga is a complementary opposite. It’s also ideal for elderly folk for flexibility or just about anybody who needs to slow down (and let’s be real, that includes all of us).

    When practicing Yin yoga, the focus lies more on the tendons, connective tissues and joints, areas closer to the bone, rather than the musculature system of the body. Most of the time, athletes are focused on muscle strength, but Yin style allows a deeper penetration of work towards neglected but important areas. Its benefits include increasing flexibility, loosening tight areas, and since it is a more meditative practice, helps with focus and relaxation. Along with massage and other techniques, it is an excellent method of recovery from strenuous workouts and assists with injury prevention. As much as you need to build strength, it is also necessary to release, let go and linger in a calm state which is difficult to do unless you practice it.

    yoga student in low lunge, lizard pose
    Utthan Pristhasana (Lizard Pose)

    What happens in Yin Yoga?

    A typical hour-long Yin yoga class may sometimes only have 10 to 20 poses. When you hold the body in these poses for a minute or well up to five, the body’s connective tissue and fasciae are targeted. It may sound simple but remaining still in an asana (pose) is just as challenging of a practice compared to a power yoga class which requires a lot of dynamic movement. Many times, it is your mind and your nervous system which will not allow you to hold a posture for a long period of time. With practice, and more practice, stillness will ensue. This gives the athlete a break from their normal routine of active physical training. The Yin practice is still very much active and intense but in a different sense.

    Yin Yoga is also sometimes compared to acupuncture without needles. When you hold the pose, usually focused on the low back, hips, and pelvis for a long stretch and then release, this action of compressing and releasing allows a widespread of changes within energy flow- similar to when an acupuncturist taps a needle into a specific point of the body and leaves it there for 30 minutes. Penetrating deeper in the body down to the tissues, tightness is released, meridians open and in turn organs can perform more efficiently.  More chi, prana, energy flow for an athlete means optimal performance levels.

    Principles of Yin Yoga

    Bernie Clark is a teacher of yoga specializing in Yin. According to Bernie, there are three principles of Yin yoga which follows:

    1. Play your edges. This means to go only as deeply as you feel in your body, not forcing or rushing into it. The first minute in a pose will feel different from the third or fifth minute in a pose. Allow yourself to settle into it and let the body release to a greater depth naturally.
    2. Find stillness. After finding your edge, try to remain still. This is of course unless you begin to feel pain, tingling, or are struggling to stay in the pose. Another exception is when the body invites you to go deeper, opening and allowing you to sink in. Otherwise, stillness is key.
    3. Hold for time. In order to stimulate the tissues in the way we desire, the length of time we hold the poses allows the changes in our body to occur. After you play with your edges and find stillness, the final thing to do is to remain in the pose and notice the breath and mind.

    Following these principles will allow for a substantial Yin practice. These principles also benefit an athlete because it takes a different type of endurance and focus to achieve the objective in a Yin class. This easily translates to better coordination, resilience and persistence in your everyday training and during competition.

    Find a Yin Yoga Class at a Studio Near You

    Most poses in this style of yoga involves being closer to the ground. Some common poses which you may experience in a class include Balasana (Child’s Pose), Baddha Konasana (Butterfly Pose), Salamba Bhujangasana (Sphinx Pose), Kapotasana (Pigeon Pose), Supta Matsyendrasana (Supine Twist) and the list goes on. The room may be dim to encourage going within and not focusing on your neighbor or yourself in the mirror. Props such as blankets, bolsters and blocks may assist you getting into a pose in a way so that you are able to stay still in it for a few minutes. Yin yoga is not the same as Restorative yoga because the props used in Restorative yoga prop the body up completely. The two styles are similar but there are different focuses. Sometimes the two seem interchangeable, but this is not necessarily the case. Restorative uses many props and restores the body (hence the name) while being a deeply relaxing practice. Yin yoga is relaxing as well, but more intensity may arise while trying to stay in a pose for a long period of time.

    I have found at studios that the class name for Yin yoga varies and may be called such names as ‘Surrender’ or ‘Deep Healing’.  To find a Yin class near you, look at a studio website’s class descriptions or simply call and ask! Many studios include this offering in their schedule and Yin yoga is becoming more popular since the need to slow down is relevant for many people. No matter what drives you to your mat, it will surely benefit you. Furthermore, if you are an athlete wanting to improve your flexibility and maintain suppleness, look no further and give this practice a shot. Happy training!

    Welcoming Cellulite Because There’s A Natural Way To Get Rid of It

    by

    Dancer sitting down lifting hair

    We’ve all been there: standing in front of the mirror after trying on a pair of shorts, a bathing suit bottom, or our favorite dress that usually shows off our legs to perfection, and wondering where in the world that unflattering skin came from. Was it there last month when we were at the beach? Did it just show up all of a sudden?

    We know that we have been watching our diet and getting to the gym as often as we can, but still, there it is. Cellulite. We hate it and we want it gone. But is it just a natural part of life? Do we have no choice but to accept is as we grow older? Absolutely not! And to prove it, we have some surefire tips to help you get that sleek and smooth look back without breaking your back working out or starving yourself on some fad diet.

    What is Cellulite?

    Cellulite is the result of fat protruding past the connective tissues, which create visible dimpling of the skin. Although there are factors that aggravate the weakening of these connective tissues such as aging, targeting skin-health alone doesn’t target the root cause: excess fat.

    So, how do you actually get rid of cellulite?

    Increase Your Liquid Intake

    This is something everyone should be doing regardless of whether or not they are battling the uprising of cellulite. The truth is that most of us are drinking far less water and other healthy fluids than we need to be. Things like water and natural or herbal teas carry key nutrients throughout the body and help to eliminate waste products that enable cellulite retention. These metabolites cause fat deposits and poor skin health. 

    Exercises That Target Specific Areas

    If anyone tells you that you can get rid of cellulite without exercise, the next thing they should be seeing is the back of your head as you walk away, because you have just been lied to. While it isn’t necessary to kill yourself in the gym trying to leg press a minivan, there are definitely body part-specific exercises that should become a regular part of your gym routine. They include such moves as squats, lunges, side-to-sides, and step-ups. 

    Choosing these exercises targeting the specific areas doesn’t target fat through isolation, but compound movements with appropriate resistance allows for testosterone release as a whole. The result? Testosterone, as a hormone, does multiple benefits to fat lost over time. At higher levels, metabolism of fat is surely triggered with compound movements and is something you want to keep as part of your exercise routine.

    Shifting to a More Mindful Diet

    No need for extremes such as solely eating salads or eating a lower amount of calories; this is not what your body needs to help with long-term fat loss. A balanced diet that aids in muscle-building, carb-metabolism, and healthy fat levels is a good place to start.

    Have you ever heard of a personal trainer saying, “You can’t target fat in one spot!” Well, he’s preaching the truth. The best way to target fat is understanding that your body fat percentage can only be targeted as a whole. Hence, the importance of a more intuitive diet. 

    One Last Bonus Tip

    The sleep benefit that most people overlook is the fact that a good night’s rest, with an appropriate length of sleep, is fat metabolism’s best friend. The majority of your day’s fat metabolism happens continuously as you are sound asleep. In contrast, not getting enough sleep leads to a spike in cortisol which automatically releases serotonin to balance out the cortisol release. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that enhances your cravings for high-fat and high-carb food. 

    Be sure that you don’t minimize the importance that proper sleep and a complete daily rest cycle have on your overall appearance and function. Numerous studies have shown how getting enough sleep is essential to the body’s general wellness, healing, and recovery processes. Schedule time to rest just as you would a trip to the gym.