Healthy 716- Connecting the 716 to Healthier Living

If you're not happy with your body then your workouts have lost focus.  What is your immediate goal?  If you don't have a ready answer then chances are good that your motivation is low and it has resulted in a lack of results.  I know from firsthand experience that operating without a goal will get you nowhere. Sure, you may still be exercising regularly and eating mindfully but without that concrete goal your efforts will yield little results. ( Just Starting Out. Read THIS ) 1. Setting your goal  You want to be in "better shape" but that's so vague. Dig deeper.  What specifically do you wish you had now that you don't? To drop 3 dress sizes. To lose 2 inches of arm fat jiggle. To melt 4 inches from your waist. To be able to run 3 miles without stopping. 2. Define your timeline  Now that you've determined exactly what part of your body isn't up to par, tie that goal in with a specific timeline. When you have a timeline to measur...

  As we age, our bodies undergo a myriad of changes, and for women over 40, one of the most frustrating and emotional challenges can be losing weight. It's a silent struggle that many face, often feeling alone and without support, as the world around them seems to focus on the beauty and fitness of youth. But why is it so hard for women over 40 to lose weight? And why is this struggle so emotional? Firstly, let's talk about the physical changes that come with age. As women approach menopause, their estrogen levels drop, which can lead to a slower metabolism. This means that even if they're eating the same amount of food as they did in their 20s and 30s, they may still gain weight. Additionally, muscle mass decreases as we age, which further slows down metabolism, making it even harder to shed those stubborn pounds. But the challenges don't stop there. As women over 40 juggle work, family, and personal commitments, finding the time and energy to exercise ...

  As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, and for women over 40, it becomes even more crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, the pressure to stay slim and fit often leads to the adoption of unhealthy practices, such as fad diets, starvation diets, and over-exercising. While these methods might offer quick results, they come with a plethora of downsides that can negatively impact one's overall health. Fad Diets: The Deceptive Shortcut to Weight Loss Fad diets are popular weight loss plans that promise rapid results. They often involve eliminating entire food groups, consuming specific foods in large quantities, or following strict meal plans. However, these diets are often unsustainable and can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Women over 40 require essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and iron to maintain bone health, hormonal balance, and energy levels. Fad diets can lead to deficiencies in these nutrients, increasing the risk of os...

Strength training, also known as resistance training, has long been associated with men and bodybuilders, but it is an essential component of a well-rounded fitness program for women as well, especially those over the age of 40. While cardiovascular exercise is important for heart health and weight management, strength training provides a multitude of benefits that are often overlooked, particularly for women in their 40s and beyond. These benefits include improved muscle mass, bone density, balance, and overall health and well-being. One of the most significant benefits of strength training for women over 40 is the maintenance and improvement of muscle mass. (Don't forget the importance of diet! Read THIS to learn more about nutrition!) As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass, a process known as sarcopenia. This loss of muscle can lead to decreased strength, mobility, and overall functionality. By participating in a regular strength training program, women can count...

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered:  How did I let myself go this far? That’s OK! Now is the perfect time to get back into shape, fast. Let’s change your in-front-of-the-mirror thought bubble to:  Wow, I’m looking amazing!  by reading on and taking the action steps below. Start with Motivation:  Why do you want to get fit again? There must be a reason that you desire to change your body at this time in your life. Think about it until you have a very clear, very specific reason. There is no wrong answer here. We all have our own personal motivators for wanting to achieve our best selves. What’s ultimately important is that your reason is specific and powerful to you. Once you’ve determined what your motivation is, write it down where you can see it every day. Think about it. Focus on it. Don’t ever let go of it. (READ: What Successful People Have In Common) Work on Education:  You need to eat right and workout smart in order...

  Can you guess the one surprising factor that separates West Point cadets who finish the grueling “Beast Barracks” initiation from those who don’t? It’s not strength… speed… or smarts. It’s GRIT — aka the passion and perseverance to reach your long-term goals — and it’s a huge component of mental toughness and taking personal responsibility for your outcomes. And it can play a big role in helping YOU to reach your goals, too. Psychologists were interested in what led cadets to drop out during their West Point initiation, so they ran a study that spanned 9 different classes. Now to even get into West Point, you have to go through a long and demanding approval process that can take a couple of years… Including being nominated by a member of the U.S. Congress! Before classes start, the new cadets are put through “Beast Barracks” initiation. It’s tough — and it’s designed to push them to their limit, physically, emotionally, and mentally. And even though they’d already been through an...