September 02, 2010
It’s a scorching summer so far, and that means it is super important to stay cool and hydrated in order to not let yourself succumb to heatstroke or worse. Here’s a list of tips that you can use to stay cool this summer.
- Drink Up – Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. You don’t even have to be doing any thing strenuous in the heat for your body to need water. I try to carry a sturdy, refillable bottle of water with me whenever I’m on the go. That way I know I will always get enough fluid and I don’t have to buy a plastic water bottle every time I get thirsty. Remember to avoid alcohol or drinks with a lot of caffeine, as they will only make you more dehydrated.
- Dress Right – Wearing a straw hat might sound weird, but it works best to let heat escape while also shielding you from the sun. Also, wearing light colored and loose fitting clothes can help deflect the sun and the heat. Be careful about thin materials, though. On a recent boat trip, I thought I’d be fine to just wear a white shirt without any sunscreen. Boy was I wrong.
- Stay Indoors – If you don’t have to be out in the heat, then stay inside. Avoid the hottest times of the day, around noon and a few hours before and after. If you must be outside, try to avoid spending too much time in the direct sunlight. Help stay cool by dousing a bandana in some cool water to wear around your neck. Fashion can be sacrificed for function when it comes to beating the heat.
- Don’t Overexert Yourself – If you’re an outdoorsy person and love to go play and exercise in the sun, try to do so when the sun is not at its peak. Early morning or late afternoon workouts are better choices for exercising outdoors. Nonetheless, overexertion can lead to cramps, heat stroke, or exhaustion. Don’t push yourself too hard in the heat – it’s just not worth it.
-Jeremy
August 30, 2010
It’s a truth that we all know too well – life is busy! Between work and families, cooking healthy meals and trying to wrangle a little down time, there doesn’t seem to be much left for working out. And while you may feel as though you need to work out for significant amounts of time each day, you can actually see a great deal of health benefits given just 30 minutes.
So here are some easy ideas for quick, 30-minute exercises that you don’t need to go to the gym to do. Just take a little time out for yourself every day to de-stress and tone with these easy workouts.
- Walk It Out – Simple and easy enough to do anywhere, walking is one of those activities that is great for everyone and has incredible health benefits, even if you can only dedicate 30 minutes a day. It can also be a great chance to talk and spend time with your friends or family if you can convince them to come along with you!
- Stick Close – Sometimes, especially in colder weather, you may not be able to make it outside for your workout. Or maybe you’ve got young children or pets you can’t leave unattended. Either way, this group of quick and easy workout moves can be done in one small area, even if you only have a little time.
- Total Package – Though 30 minutes doesn’t seem like a lot of time, experts say that our bodies benefit more from the type and combination of exercises we do rather than the amount of time we do them. The Mayo Clinic lays out a strengthening workout that targets your entire body in 30 minutes or less.
-Olivia
August 27, 2010
We all know that controlling our portions can be a tricky thing. Often times, we aren’t even really aware of how much we’re eating of what we’re being served. Researchers say that we have “Clean Your Plate” syndrome, meaning that we wind up eating all of what is served to us, rather than just eating until we are no longer hungry.
We can succumb to this distortion anywhere, especially at restaurants where we try and get the biggest bang for our buck. But make the doggie bag your new best friend, and use some of these easy visual cues to help you keep your portions under control.
- The palm of your hand or a cassette tape (remember those?) is about the size of 3 oz. of meat or poultry like chicken or turkey. Us that to gauge your serving size when you’re out for dinner, and then take the rest home for a delicious lunch the next day!
- A computer mouse is about the serving size of a baked potato. For the best results, only eat about half of a baked potato without loading it up with cheese and toppings, and include the fiber-rich skin.
- A checkbook is approximately the size of one serving of fish. Make sure you check it after it has been cooked, since fish can lose up to one ounce of its weight during cooking.
- A matchbook is about the size of one serving of cheese. Not very big at all, is it?
- A baseball is the approximate size of one cup of leafy green salad or a medium piece of fruit. You can eat as many leafy green veggies as you like, though, since most people don’t meet their daily allowance.
You can also use little tricks to cut back on your portion size, like sharing plates at restaurants, or repackaging snacks into smaller containers so that you feel satisfied with less. Even something as simple as using smaller bowls and plates will help you to keep your head in check and let your stomach tell you when you’re finished eating!
- Olivia
