When people think about fitness and getting in shape, the most common focuses are usually exercise and diet. We know that burning calories and eating right contribute to a better body, but what about rest? Mounting evidence shows that sleep is a vital component of fitness as well, important not only for energy, but also for keeping muscles healthy and hormones balanced. Research from Stanford found improved athletic performance when their basketball team slept more, and a Northwestern University study also found that people exercised longer on days following good sleep. Several studies also associate too little sleep with higher body fat and greater risk of obesity. But not only does sleep boost your workouts and possibly weight loss, getting regular exercise also benefits your sleep quality,
Category: HEALTH NEWS
The Common Cause of Running Injuries Most People Overlook
It may sound counterintuitive, but the best long-distance runners didn’t get so good from running alone. To run harder, better, faster, stronger, they supplement their runs with other forms of exercise like cross-training, strength training, and interval running. Studies show these are all important elements in any training plan to become a better runner1 . But many runners still neglect one crucial component of training: improving their balance. Research shows balance training can be used to prevent and treat acute ankle sprains, and reduce the chances of ankle injuries in the future2 . After all, the last sound any runner wants to hear while running is a Rice Krispies-style snap, crackle, or pop signaling the dreaded ankle sprain. Depending on its severity, a sprained ankle can
Greatist Workout of the Day: Thursday, May 21st
This series of GWODs was designed exclusively for Greatist by Bodeefit. For more information about the exercises in this workout, or to see video demos of each movement, follow the links below the graphic. Be sure to note the results of your workout so you can track your progress as you go. Before you tackle this workout, try this quick and effective full-body warm-up. It’s just five simple moves but hits every major muscle group and gets your heart pumping. Hold ‘Til It Hurts Complete 4 rounds of the following moves. 1-minute Wall Sit 1-minute Handstand Hold 1-minute Forearm Plank Hold Want to kick up the intensity? Hold a light kettlebell or dumbbell in front of your chest during the wall sits. And don’t forget to
5 tips for riding your first cycle sportive
The Great Manchester Cycle takes place on Sunday 28 June and is the perfect event to choose for your first sportive. Taking place on completely closed roads the event offers three different distances: 13, 26 and 52 miles. Read on for some top tips to get ready for the day and enjoy some two-wheeled fun. Photo credit: VeloVixen Check your bike Top of everybody’s checklist should be to make sure that your bike is working; after all, you have zero chance of completing your event if it isn’t! Cleaning your bike will always help it run smoother, as well making sure that the chain and any moving components are properly lubricated. Little tricks like using sand paper to rough up worn break pads can improve the feel of the wheel
Don’t believe the hype, teens are drinking less than they used to
Teenage drinking in Australia has declined dramatically over the past fifteen years. tristanforestjames/Flickr, CC BY-NC-NDAsk your friends and colleagues about young Australians and alcohol and I bet they’ll say something about a generation out of control or a binge-drinking epidemic. The media regularly brings the worst outcomes of young people’s drinking to our attention and points to a problematic drinking culture supposedly unique to young Australians. Little wonder people believe things have never been so bad. The reality is startlingly different. Data recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows alcohol consumption in Australia has reached its lowest point since the early 1960s, having declined steadily since the mid-2000s. Survey data suggests this decline has been driven almost entirely by reductions
Sailing In Newport With Team SCA Was Out of My Comfort Zone
Last week, I got to go down to Newport, RI to hang out with Team SCA, the only all women’s team competing in the sailing race across the world, the Volvo Ocean Race Series. Along with Nicole of Pumps and Iron, we were put to the test to see if we had what it took to join these ladies out on the open ocean. I assure you I do not but we did do out best. Our first challenge was a workout with the team trainer Santi. It was a circuit consisting of 7 moves and we were responsible for doing 4 rounds. Not bad right? Except that he asked us start with a 90 lb deadlift. If you do cross fit I can see you saying, oh that’s easy
Three important things you didn’t know about diabetes
Flickr / Steve DavisWhen we think of diabetes, we tend to think of rich people with poor lifestyles. A chronic disease linked with obesity, heart disease and worse outcomes for some infectious diseases, diabetes tends to be associated in our minds with wealth, excess and over-consumption. But it’s not. Diabetes is a disease that results in higher-than-healthy sugar levels in the blood and can lead to some disastrous outcomes – including blindness, kidney disease and heart disease. In Turkey last week, working with Rotary to deliver workshops on diabetes prevention and care, three important messages emerged that shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to this massive health challenge. 1. The burden is hitting our poorest, hardest Globally and locally, the poorest two-thirds are hardest hit, when
Scientists create mice with a major genetic cause of ALS and FTD
NIH-funded study provides new platform for testing treatments for several neurodegenerative disorders.
Most people want to know risk of overdiagnosis, but aren’t told
An independent UK inquiry estimated that perhaps one in five of the cancers detected via breast cancer screening are overdiagnosed. Army Medicine/Flickr, CC BY-SAAn Australian survey released today has found a large majority of people report they’ve never been told by doctors about the danger of being overdiagnosed – and an equally large majority say they want to be informed. This is the first time anywhere in the world the general community has been asked about their knowledge and views on the “modern epidemic” of overdiagnosis, which happens when someone is diagnosed with a disease that won’t actually harm them. Being overdiagnosed means you’re likely to be over-treated, and potentially suffer the harms of that treatment without getting any of its benefits. It can
Event: Daisy Chain MTB rides
There’s can’t be a better location for a weekend of Mountain Bike action than mid Wales, and that’s where Daisy Chain events run lead rides for women throughout the summer. This family run business has been organising biking events since 1999 and whilst John could be described as a mountain bike fanatic, Bonna is a lot more cautious and less competitive than John! The outfit also has an experienced team of workers who help keep things running smoothly. Take a look at the video and get a feel for the set-up, we reckon it looks great! In addition to the MTB rides this year there are also two road Sportives with three different distances to try, one has already taken place but the next
Things I’m Loving
The Kiddos: So, obviously, I am ALWAYS loving my kids. But this week is particularly great! I have lots of things to update you on (general cuteness, sleep training, and potty training), but that will go up in a post on Friday. Stay tuned. Wearing Colorful Lipstick: BFF Nicole and I always joke that we feel like clueless 11 year olds dressing up with mom’s makeup when we try to wear “real” lipstick (i.e. not lip balm). On Saturday, while we were at the mall, and she took me into Sephora to get color matched for an ideal lip color. I was matched with this purple-pink color and I LOVE IT! It is so fun to wear bright lipstick! Also, at only $13 a tube, I