Category: Fitness

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3 fruits that build muscle

There are 3 fruits that build muscle. The enzymes in these fruits help your body to better absorb protein.

In general, digestive enzymes are responsible for breaking down fat, protein and carbohydrate molecules into smaller molecules, to obtain the nutrients we need.

Protein is an essential nutrient for the body, which helps us maintain healthy and strong muscles. Also to create new muscle tissue, improve tone and increase muscle volume.

Although we follow a diet rich in protein, our body does not always take advantage of them, so to optimize protein assimilation, we can help ourselves with certain foods.

The three fruits that we will see below, especially help to break down protein molecules.

Papaya.

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain. Papain transforms proteins into amino acids more quickly, helping us to take full advantage of them. Therefore, this enzyme will accelerate digestion and increase the use of these nutrients. Papain has been used for thousands of years as a meat tenderizer due to its ability to break down protein.

In addition, scientists from Vienna have proven that papain helps relieve constipation and gas caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Make sure you eat your raw, ripe papayas as exposure to heat can destroy these enzymes.

Pineapple

Pineapple contains bromelain, another enzyme that promotes protein assimilation. Eating pineapples may reduce the time it takes to recover from exercise.
This is largely due to the anti-inflammatory properties of bromelain.

Strenuous exercise can also damage muscle tissue and cause surrounding inflammation. Affected muscles cannot produce as much force and are sore for up to three days.
Bromelain has been demonstrated to reduce exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation, enhancing recovery.

Kiwi

The kiwi contains high doses of actidine, which contributes to a better assimilation of proteins. This fruit is usually recommended to facilitate digestion because this fruit helps us reduce gas and relieves constipation by regulating gastrointestinal function.

Scientists found that actinidin, a unique compound in kiwis, helps the body break down proteins in red meat, diary and fish. “The observed enhancement of gastric protein digestion after eating kiwi fruit may increase the rate at which protein is absorbed in the small intestine, ultimately affecting the overall protein utilization in the human body,” lead author Dr. Lovedeep Kaur from Massey University in New Zealand

The general recommendation for fruit and vegetable intake is at least 400 grams per day, or five servings of 80 grams.
 
Maybe it’s time that you incorporate any of these 3 fruits that build muscle into your diet because if you help your body in assimilating the nutrients it needs, you will get an optimal benefit from your diet obtaining everything your body needs.
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7 Ways to Stay Motivated With Your Fitness Goals

Taking the first step towards something important is always a significant milestone. It comes with energy, excitement, and endless possibilities, which are all great things!

What becomes more difficult at times, though, is the moments after you have started, and maybe some of the original feelings have faded away. These are the moments that will make or break whatever you are trying to accomplish. It is when you find that second wind, or when you decide to give up. 

So the better prepared you are for these moments of decision, the more likely you will be to push through and continue on with your journey. That is what this article is all about. 

These 7 ways to stay motivated with your fitness goals will keep you moving forward and onward. They will be there to continue to challenge you and to help you pursue your best.

Inspirational Books and Videos

What you put into yourself is what comes out. So if you want to feel like you can accomplish anything, read about people that have already done so. There are so many success stories out there (fitness and others) where people have overcome seemingly impossible challenges. Reading and watching videos about people that have already conquered their giants will only help to motivate you. You will be able to draw motivation and energy from their stories. And who knows, maybe someday someone will be reading about your inspirational story and will do the same. 

Follow Positive Social Media Accounts

Social media is here to stay (for better or worse), so you might as well make it work for you. In the same way that you want to watch and read positive material, your social media feeds should be the same. So take the time to find some social media influencers that speak to you, and that will help stay motivated to be your best every day. The more you can surround yourself with positive and encouraging messages, the more you will want to be your best self. 

Make a Plan

It is hard to stick to something if you are unsure of what you should be doing. This means that you need to sit down and figure out a fitness plan for you. If you are a beginner, get online and do some research on one of the many great fitness websites out there. Before long, you will have a good understanding of where to start and what you should be doing each week. And as you go, you will continue to learn and adapt as needed. It all starts with first taking the time to chart the right course, though.

Set Goals and Write Them Down

This is similar to making a plan, but slightly different as well. Along with creating a plan, you also want to set short term and long term goals for yourself. By doing this, you will have something to look forward to accomplishing, which will inspire you to keep working. 

When you set your goals, make sure that they are customized to you, and that they are challenging, but also realistic. Secondly, make sure that you write them down somewhere. It could be on a physical piece of paper, a whiteboard, or even on your phone. Just make sure that it is somewhere that you will see it regularly. This will help remind you to stay locked in and on task. 

Find a Fitness Partner

This is not always the easiest thing to do, but it can be a huge gamechanger. If you can find a fitness partner to join you on your journey, it will make a world of difference. You will be able to have someone to challenge you, encourage you, and hold you accountable. Also, on the flip side, you will be able to do the same, and you will also want to work harder so that you don’t let them down. 

If you cannot find a fitness partner because of scheduling or another reason, try and find an accountability partner instead. Ask a close friend or family member to hold you accountable, and then permit them to call you out if you aren’t doing what you should be. Setting up a regularly scheduled check-in time is also encouraged. This will make sure that you have regular accountability. 

Give Yourself a Break

You may not be able to make it to the gym every day, or you may miss a couple of days in a row because something pops up, that is okay. You should do your best to get right back on it as soon as you can, but don’t beat yourself up. Do your best to stay positive, and remember that progress is progress. 

Also, what will really help with this is being able to be flexible with your workouts. For example, if you are unable to get to the gym, but have 30 minutes at night, do some bodyweight exercises, yoga, or something along those lines. It might not be exactly what you wanted to accomplish for the day, but it is still a step in the right direction. 

Enjoy the Process

Anything worth doing takes time, and it is rarely ever going to be done the first time perfectly. It is a process that takes time, so enjoy that process and enjoy the challenges that come with it. The more you can learn to do this, the more you will want to continue on. And not only will you want to continue on, but when you accomplish your goals, you will want to set even bigger ones the next time. 

7 Ways to Stay Motivated With Your Fitness Goals Conclusion

Staying motivated with anything in life is all about how you prepare and organize your daily routine. It is the same way when it comes to fitness. If you do an excellent job with these seven ways to stay motivated and use them regularly, the sky is the limit. It is up to you, though, to make sure that you are staying locked in and setting yourself up for success. 

So have fun with the journey, and continue to improve and challenge yourself physically and in every other area of your life. 

Kyle Ohman

Kyle Ohman

Kyle is a basketball trainer in Tampa, Florida, and is also the CEO of BasketballHQ.com and ListsForAll.com. He enjoys all things fitness, sports, writing, and outdoors.

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25 best fitness blogs

Hello, wonderful people!

Last week I received great news. Flockbrain has selected this blog as one of the 25 best fitness blogs. Flockbrain is a decision making engine that uses machine learning and social curation to find high-quality content.

This list is based on user engagement so YOU guys made this happen!!!! Thank you for every single like, comment, and share.

A lot has happened since this blog started. From a small personal project, this website has become a small business that employs seven people from as many countries. I’m a huge fan of remote work, you know?

It has been many hours of work throughout these years and you have been there all the way.
It occurs to me that, since this recognition is based on your engagement, I could answer or clarify those doubts about fitness or nutrition that haunt your head.

If it is a simple question, I will answer it in the comments and if the question needs an extensive explanation, I will write a post about it. Do you like the idea?

What would you like to know about fitness or nutrition?

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7 Lockdown Tips for Weight Control

Whether we like it or not, most of us are stuck at home for now. This means that we’re getting less exercise, snacking a lot more, and stressing ourselves out. Under these circumstances, weight gain may seem inevitable and weight control almost impossible. But, here’s a reminder. Life hasn’t come to an end, it’s only on pause, and you still want to be beach ready when this is all over. So, instead of wallowing in self-pity or despair, seize this downtime as an opportunity to refocus and put yourself first. Staying focused on weight control or weight management is far from impossible and here are 7 simple weight control tips to help you get started.

Simple Tips for Weight Control During the Lockdown

Staying focused on weight control or weight management may seem almost impossible right now, but it’s not. Here are 7 simple tips for weight control during the lockdown.

1. Meal Prep Matters

Without your regular commute to work and the need to juggle an insane workload, the need for meal planning can seem redundant. In truth, meal planning is even more important during the lockdown. A study published in The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity shows that meal prep can significantly improve diet quality, food variety, balanced nutrition, and weight control. Meal prep allows you to gain greater control over your diet, in terms of both nutrition and portion control. After all, it’s easier to stay the course when you have your food portioned out and ready in advance.

2. Order Healthy Takeout

Most of us have switched, almost entirely, to cooking meals at home. Aside from the fact that it’s a healthy choice, it’s also one that we’ve been forced into as most local restaurants have been shut. That said, many restaurants still offer takeaway and home delivery services. Ordering takeout is perhaps the best way to break the monotony of eating your own home prepped meals and to support local restaurants during the lockdown. Just make sure that you’re mindful about your food choices, opting for green salads and grilled meats instead of deep fried foods, burgers, and pizzas. Be sure to also watch how much you eat, as restaurants tend to serve oversized meals that are actually meant for 2 people.

3. Avoid Emotional Eating

With the uncertainty around us and the loneliness of social distancing, many of us are struggling to cope with comfort food. While snacking can be a great way to avoid overeating and to maintain healthy body weight, stress eating or emotional eating can be extremely unhealthy. Indulging in unhealthy junk foods frequently will inevitably lead to weight gain and a whole lot of health risks. At the same time, it won’t do you much good in terms of boosting your mood as the mood boost is only temporary, but you’re then left with guilt and even stronger food cravings.

4. Fill Up With Fiber, Complex Carbs, and Proteins

If you’re trying to keep a check on body weight, sugar and simple carbs are the worst things to put in your body. Foods that are high in sugar and simple carbs will cause a spike in blood glucose levels. Not only does this increase fat storage, but it also increases the frequency and severity of food cravings. This means cutting back on most ultra-processed foods, especially cookies, donuts, and other desserts. Complex carbs from fresh fruits and veggies are healthier choices and will also increase your fiber intake, keeping you satiated for longer. Healthy proteins from lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish or eggs will also help to reduce food cravings and the risk of overeating.

5. Try Mindful Eating

You’ve probably heard of mindfulness meditation, which is a meditative practice that helps cope with stress, anxiety, and depression. While mindfulness will obviously help cope with lockdown stress, it can also be applied to eating. Mindful eating is the practice of eating in a more focused manner, paying greater attention to your body and to your food. It trains you to become more attuned to your body, helping distinguish between hunger and cravings, creates an appreciation for healthy food, and lowers the risk of overeating or making poor food choices.

6. Keep Moving

There’s no denying the fact that it’s harder to workout and stay motivated when every neighborhood gym is shut. They will be back eventually, but in the meantime you can work up a sweat at a home. You can use online workout videos and tutorials to find routines that are perfectly suited for you. Most of these home workout programs don’t require gym equipment or props, but they can be pretty intensive. In fact, many Instagrammers and other social media users have embraced lockdown fitness challenges to get in shape during the shutdown.

7. Don’t Skimp on Sleep

Sleep may seem like the least important thing when you’re focused on controlling your weight, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Sleep has a direct impact on the levels of hormones that regulate hunger, with studies showing that sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality can increase food cravings and the likelihood of weight gain. Aside from weight gain, the lockdown would be a good time to catch up on sleep because of its impact on immunity, which is perhaps your best defense against coronavirus infection.

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Quarantine doesn´t stop us. The virus is a serious risk so we workout at home.

Quarantine doesn´t stop us. The virus is a serious risk so we workout at home

COVID-19 is spreading worldwide. As you surely know, Spain is one of the countries with the most cases at the moment.
The government has decreed a state of emergency and we must stay home as a precaution. The idea is not to be infected or infect others. We have only been confined for a few days and the peak of the infection is expected in the summer. So we have a few difficult months ahead.

I think this is a time to help our community, be supportive and contribute to make this situation as bearable as possible.

Medical services are saturated, other public services such as schools, libraries, and gyms are closed, as are many small businesses.

Most people have shown their solidarity with beautiful initiatives: from offering to go shopping for older people, applause on the balconies every day at the same time to thank doctors and nurses for their work against this virus, to online concerts via Instagram. Every little action and initiative counts.

From the first moment, I have tried to help and it occurred to me to offer a daily live online training class. Free. Because people and health come before money.

In just five days, not only have people from Spain joined, but also Argentina, Colombia, UK, and the Netherlands.

We exercise with the equipment that everyone has available at home: I teach you how to train with water bottles, chairs, or whatever you have at home.

So I thought that since the WP community has been like a family to me since I came here five years ago, I need to invite you too.

If the quarantine has not yet reached your country, city or town, I am very happy for you and I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you do not have to suffer this situation. Otherwise, I want you to know that you can count on me and I will help you exercise from home.

Every day, from 4 to 5 (Spanish time) I am live. If the time is not convenient for you, or someday you cannot attend, later I send the link to the recorded class.

This is an excerpt:

Of course, if you decide to join, I will give the instructions in English as well.

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I wish that wherever you are, you and your loved ones are well and that we all come out of these difficult times more united and stronger than ever.

Blessings!

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