The Power of Exercise and Mindfulness
In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance and maintaining mental and physical health can be challenging. However, combining exercise and mindfulness offers a powerful approach to achieving holistic well-being. Let’s explore how these practices complement each other and how you can integrate them into your daily routine. The Benefits of Exercise Exercise is well-known for its physical benefits, such as improving cardiovascular health, building muscle strength, and enhancing flexibility. But the advantages extend far beyond the physical: Mental Health Boost: Regular physical activity...
September Wellness: Prioritizing Your Mental Health
As we transition from the warmth of summer to the crispness of autumn, September offers a perfect opportunity to refocus on our health and mental well-being. Here’s a guide to help you embrace wellness this month. Physical Health: Building a Strong Foundation Stay Active: With cooler temperatures, it’s a great time to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or even a simple walk in the park. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Balanced Diet: Incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables into your meals. Think apples, pumpkins, and leafy greens....
What to Know about Protein Powder and Supplements
Navigating the world of protein powders and supplements can indeed feel daunting, with countless options lining store shelves and online marketplaces. As you consider adding a scoop to your post-workout smoothie or exploring new ways to boost your nutrition, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices. However, fear not! Our guide to protein powders and supplements will help you make informed decisions on what to buy --or skip. Are They Necessary? You can achieve your physical goals without extra protein, just as you can get in a good workout without ever lifting a free weight or...
About
Welcome to the official LA Fitness blog, Living Healthy! First launched in 2012, Living Healthy focuses on giving our readers the reading materials and videos they need in order to help successfully guide them on their journey to success. With nutrition advice from our registered dietitian Debbie James, RDN, to inspirational stories from our LA Fitness members, Pro Results® trainers and group fitness instructors, you’re sure to find something that best suits your needs.
Recent Articles
The Power of Exercise and Mindfulness
In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance and maintaining mental and physical health can be challenging. However, combining exercise and mindfulness offers a powerful approach to achieving holistic well-being. Let’s explore how these practices complement each...
September Wellness: Prioritizing Your Mental Health
As we transition from the warmth of summer to the crispness of autumn, September offers a perfect opportunity to refocus on our health and mental well-being. Here’s a guide to help you embrace wellness this month. Physical Health: Building a Strong Foundation ...
What to Know about Protein Powder and Supplements
Navigating the world of protein powders and supplements can indeed feel daunting, with countless options lining store shelves and online marketplaces. As you consider adding a scoop to your post-workout smoothie or exploring new ways to boost your nutrition, it’s...
Celebrate Yoga Awareness Month This September
September is Yoga Awareness Month, a perfect time to explore the incredible benefits of yoga and how it can enhance your life. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner, this month is all about embracing the practice and discovering its transformative power. ...
Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Cue the sound of a revving engine… running your blender at home can bring goodness with that whirring noise! Creating your own smoothies is a great way to get in some nutrients and plant phytochemicals you otherwise wouldn’t during the day. It allows you to prepare...
Debunking Diet Myths
With so many sources offering nutrition advice, it’s hard to know what’s true. Even factual information can become distorted by the time it reaches you. Like a game of telephone, the message often changes as it’s passed along. Here, we debunk 5 common diet myths to...
Labor Day Workout: Energize Your Holiday!
Labor Day is the perfect time to relax and recharge, but why not also take a moment to energize your body with a quick and effective workout? Here’s a simple routine you can do at home or in a park to make the most of your holiday. Warm-Up (5 minutes) Jumping...
Nurturing a Healthier Relationship with Food
In today’s fast-paced world, developing a healthier relationship with food is essential for overall well-being. Mindless eating, often done while multitasking, can lead to overeating, poor digestion, and a strained connection with food. By practicing mindful...
Fueling Your Workout: What to Eat Before Exercising
Eating the right foods before a workout can make a significant difference in your performance and recovery. The goal is to provide your body with the energy it needs to perform at its best while minimizing muscle damage. Here’s a guide on what to eat before a...
Fitness Routines for Women 40+
As we age, maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle becomes increasingly important. Trying new fitness routines for women over 40, can help boost energy, improve mood, and enhance overall health. Here’s a comprehensive workout plan tailored specifically for women...
The Power of Exercise and Mindfulness
In today’s fast-paced world, finding balance and maintaining mental and physical health can be challenging. However, combining exercise and mindfulness offers a powerful approach to achieving holistic well-being. Let’s explore how these practices complement each other and how you can integrate them into your daily routine. The Benefits of Exercise Exercise is well-known for its physical benefits, such as improving cardiovascular health, building muscle strength, and enhancing flexibility. But the advantages extend far beyond the physical: Mental Health Boost: Regular physical activity...
September Wellness: Prioritizing Your Mental Health
As we transition from the warmth of summer to the crispness of autumn, September offers a perfect opportunity to refocus on our health and mental well-being. Here’s a guide to help you embrace wellness this month. Physical Health: Building a Strong Foundation Stay Active: With cooler temperatures, it’s a great time to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or even a simple walk in the park. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Balanced Diet: Incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables into your meals. Think apples, pumpkins, and leafy greens....
What to Know about Protein Powder and Supplements
Navigating the world of protein powders and supplements can indeed feel daunting, with countless options lining store shelves and online marketplaces. As you consider adding a scoop to your post-workout smoothie or exploring new ways to boost your nutrition, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices. However, fear not! Our guide to protein powders and supplements will help you make informed decisions on what to buy --or skip. Are They Necessary? You can achieve your physical goals without extra protein, just as you can get in a good workout without ever lifting a free weight or...
Celebrate Yoga Awareness Month This September
September is Yoga Awareness Month, a perfect time to explore the incredible benefits of yoga and how it can enhance your life. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner, this month is all about embracing the practice and discovering its transformative power. The Benefits of Yoga Improves Flexibility: Yoga stretches your muscles and increases your range of motion. Over time, you’ll notice a significant improvement in your flexibility, which can help prevent injuries and improve your overall physical performance. Builds Strength: Many yoga poses require you to support your body weight...
Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Cue the sound of a revving engine… running your blender at home can bring goodness with that whirring noise! Creating your own smoothies is a great way to get in some nutrients and plant phytochemicals you otherwise wouldn’t during the day. It allows you to prepare multiple servings at one time (if you wish) and save money in the process. Smoothies can be a good use of leftover fruit. Almost any will do! Bananas provide creaminess. Citrus and pineapple boost vitamin C content. Fruits with edible skin and seeds (like berries) offer more fiber. For vegetables, the best ones for blending...
Debunking Diet Myths
With so many sources offering nutrition advice, it’s hard to know what’s true. Even factual information can become distorted by the time it reaches you. Like a game of telephone, the message often changes as it’s passed along. Here, we debunk 5 common diet myths to guide you toward the truth. Gluten/wheat is fattening People with celiac disease are allergic to gluten, a protein found in wheat, and should avoid gluten in their diet. Otherwise, wheat and wheat protein are no more inherently fattening or harmful to metabolism than any other grain or component. The problem is all the flour...
Labor Day Workout: Energize Your Holiday!
Labor Day is the perfect time to relax and recharge, but why not also take a moment to energize your body with a quick and effective workout? Here’s a simple routine you can do at home or in a park to make the most of your holiday. Warm-Up (5 minutes) Jumping Jacks: 2 minutes Arm Circles: 1 minute (30 seconds each direction) Leg Swings: 1 minute (30 seconds each leg) High Knees: 1 minute Main Workout (20 minutes) Circuit 1 (Repeat 3 times) Push-Ups: 10-15 reps Bodyweight Squats: 15-20 reps Plank: 30 seconds Mountain Climbers: 20 reps (10 each leg) Circuit 2 (Repeat 3 times) Lunges: 10...
Nurturing a Healthier Relationship with Food
In today’s fast-paced world, developing a healthier relationship with food is essential for overall well-being. Mindless eating, often done while multitasking, can lead to overeating, poor digestion, and a strained connection with food. By practicing mindful eating, we can slow down, pay attention to our eating experiences, and foster a positive relationship with food that contributes to better health. Here are some strategies to help you achieve this. Serve in Modest Portions Serving yourself modest portions can help prevent overeating and reduce food waste. Use a smaller plate and...
Fueling Your Workout: What to Eat Before Exercising
Eating the right foods before a workout can make a significant difference in your performance and recovery. The goal is to provide your body with the energy it needs to perform at its best while minimizing muscle damage. Here’s a guide on what to eat before a workout: Carbohydrates: Your Primary Fuel Source Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of energy, especially for high-intensity workouts. They help maintain blood glucose levels during exercise and replenish muscle glycogen stores. Here are some great carbohydrate-rich options: Bananas: Quick-digesting carbs that provide a...
Fitness Routines for Women 40+
As we age, maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle becomes increasingly important. Trying new fitness routines for women over 40, can help boost energy, improve mood, and enhance overall health. Here’s a comprehensive workout plan tailored specifically for women in this age group. 1. Warm-Up (5-10 minutes) Start with a gentle warm-up to get your blood flowing and muscles ready. This can include: Walking or light jogging Dynamic stretches like leg swings, arm circles, and torso twists 2. Strength Training (3 times a week) Strength training is crucial for maintaining muscle mass...