EstimatedEst. Read Time: 6 minutes

sugar weight lossIt’s a given!  All of us ladies know that eating lots of sugar (lots of refined carbs in general) makes us fat.  But is a little sugar ok?

When we’re dieting and trying to lose weight and get fit many of us allow ourselves the occasional sugar treat so that we don’t feel deprived.  In fact, many diets and nutritionists out there recommend it, because feeling deprived can cause our diets to backfire!

Eating is a pleasurable activity, and when we deprive ourselves of that pleasure, over time our minds may subconsciously rebel, and one evening we may find ourselves downing a tub of ice cream, promising ourselves we’ll be better tomorrow.  What is the cause of this reaction?  Do we really have NO willpower?

Whether you decide that the occasional treat is doable for you or not, it’s important to know the chemical reactions that take place in our bodies when we eat sugar.  These chemicals act on our minds and can affect our eating behavior on a subconscious level.  Weakness and lack of willpower are not to blame!  Being familiar with these chemical reactions can help you keep those voices in your head at bay.

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EstimatedEst. Read Time: 4 minutes

workout hydrationWe all know that every workout counts, and the energy you can bring to your workout will determine how effective your workout is – at increasing your fitness level, burning fat and burning calories.  That is why it’s so important to ensure that we’re adequately hydrated before our workout AND that we provide our bodies with enough of the right fuel to help us push our hardest.

What to drink:

Sports drinks a are multi-billion dollar industry, and they pour lots of money into convincing us of the importance of hydration.  But do sports drinks really help your workouts?  Continue reading article

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Quinoa proteinWhat IS Quinoa?

It’s an ancient South American grain that is relatively new to the American diet – but it’s gaining popularity due to its impressive health and weight loss benefits.  It can be eaten as a hot cereal for breakfast, as a warm side-dish or whole-grain carbohydrate source in any well-balanced meal, or can be used to make a delicious cold salad – perfect for packed lunches or pre-workout snacks.  Quinoa is also gluten-free, so it’s a versatile grain that can fit into any diet.

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EstimatedEst. Read Time: 5 minutes

leg workoutsIf you’re anything like most women, you probably neglect strength training your legs. Many women do cardio daily but find that it’s not enough to get the toned look they’re going for. Why isn’t cardio the key? While cardio exercise utilizes the leg and glute muscles, it doesn’t do much to build them. So, all of the cardio in the world may not make much of a visible difference in the shape of our gams.

Some women neglect strength training their legs simply because at first, it hurts! A hefty leg workout might make us sore for several days if we’re not in shape. And this pain might keep us off the treadmill for a few days. So, we never end up strength training our lower half.

If this sounds like you, you’re missing out! Strength training the legs has a lot of important benefits for your health, your fitness level and your waistline! Here are 5 reasons not to neglect your legs. Continue reading article

EstimatedEst. Read Time: 5 minutes

how to love your workoutsSometimes we need a little extra motivation to get us to the gym (or our at-home workout space).  Here are 7 tips to help motivate you and inspire you to tap into those warm-fuzzies that a great workout can bring on!

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