Tag: lifestyle

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Start Your Fitness New Year’s Resolutions Now or Regret Later On!

Reality of Setting Fitness Goals

That old saying, how there’s no better time to start things than today, couldn’t be more appropriate in the case of fitness resolutions that people tend to set as the New Year approaches. But leaning on one moment soon doesn’t make any real sense if you come to think about it. If we were to get real and completely honest with ourselves, we’d have to admit that we’re only using a particular date as a motivation to start taking better care of our health through fitness that’s currently lacking from our lives.  

But this is also just a comfortable way of delaying what we should have already done by now. If you visit dedicated websites like gym-expert.com daily and you set higher New Year’s fitness resolutions, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re also going to’ do it. So why not get ahead of times, and use the present as the perfect time to start our fitness training?

Get a Head Start

Let’s face it, waiting for January 1st to start daily fitness sessions is nothing but procrastination. Even studies have shown that a demoralizingly low number of persons that use this time to set a goal end up doing it. Think about this and your health, and try to set new fitness resolutions for today! This way, on January 1st, you will have already reached a daily fitness routine, and you can use that moment to start improving it.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/running-sprint-cinder-track-498257/

Develop a Routine, Make a Plan, But Start Small

Yes, we’ve said routine, and even though this word has a negative connotation in day-to-day life, in matters of fitness training, it’s a great thing for your health. And nobody says you have to go big on fitness exercises right from the start. If you set the standards too high, you might get disappointed and feel tempted to drop the whole thing and once again wait for the New Year to put your fitness resolutions into practice.  

So what you should do is to come up with a relatively easy fitness routine, plan it across the entire week, and start doing it bit-by-bit. An excellent way to do this would be by picturing your ideal number of pushups, planks, or abs, cutting it down to half, and start the resulted fitness plan right away.  

The Season Can Steal Your Motivation

Weather plays an essential part in our lives. It is known to influence our mental health and general mood directly. Especially cold seasons can have a pretty negative impact on your motivation. Since it’s so cold outside, you might be less inclined to get out of the house only to go to a fitness gym.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/walking-snow-feet-run-winter-1283978/

But you shouldn’t let the season interfere with your newly set fitness resolutions. You can work out just as well indoors, and if you tend to get depressed when you look outside the window, simply drop the curtains!

Starting Now Should be Important to You

We really can’t stress enough the importance of “now,” and living in the moment. You must find the mental strength to ignore that comfortable part of your brain telling you that tomorrow is the best time to start. Or that the New Year is the perfect occasion to set your fitness resolutions. It is just our way of deceiving ourselves, usually out of commodity, laziness, or sheer unwillingness. And there’s no better time to start fighting this than now!

Enjoy the Empty Gym

The weather outside also influences the traffic of most fitness gyms directly. Especially during cold, harsh winters, these can be pretty low populated, if not empty. However, you shouldn’t see this as a downside, on the contrary! You should enjoy the fact that you have the entire gym all for yourself. No eyes on you, no waiting in line for one particular fitness machine, no one but you, having all the space and freedom to put your new fitness resolutions into practice.

Find Your Support System

However, if you have the type of personality that doesn’t go well with solitude, or you’re the type that loses motivation quickly when left on your own, that you should find a system to keep you continuously motivated. When it comes to fitness, nothing could be more appropriate than a fellow gym buddy. You can work out together, help one another and most importantly, motivate each other through friendly fitness competition.

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/kettlebell-fitness-crossfit-fit-3293475/

And if by any chance you can’t find anybody to go to the gym with you regularly, then you could ask a close friend or a family member to check up on your fitness progress. Alternatively, you could also consider buying a smartwatch or a fitness band, as most of the models out there have advanced fitness features that will monitor not only your progress, but also your health. 

Conclusion: Track Your Progress and Enjoy

In the end, nothing can be more satisfying and rewarding than getting noticeable results and becoming aware of your progress. So, monitor and keep track of your fitness sessions, and it won’t be long before you find yourself surprised by how much you’ve come along. And when this happens, you will no longer need any New Year’s fitness resolutions at all!

Randolph Ray

Randolph Ray

Writer at gym-expert.com and a Nutrition & Fitness expert. Passionate about exploring and writing about healthy food habits, fitness things, and other related stuff.

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Staying Active: Advice for Seniors Seeking a Healthy and Rewarding Lifestyle

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 20 percent of the total population will be in the 65-and-over age bracket by 2030. That means Americans are living longer, and they’re living healthier as they age. It’s certainly a heartening trend, but older adults must be well-positioned to take advantage of a longer, more robust lifespan than their parents enjoyed. That means taking control of your physical and mental health (and using some technology) so you can enjoy a healthy and enjoyable quality of life – the kind you’ve earned through years of hard work. 

Healthy environment


One of the most important steps toward a healthy and active senior lifestyle is a safe, well-ordered home environment, a living space that makes it possible for you to be you without feeling restrained by fear for your physical well-being. That means arranging each room so pathways are clear and unimpeded by tripping hazards. Furniture should be arranged so you have clear passage from room to room. Cords, shoes, rugs and general clutter should be disposed of or kept in a safe storage space. And establishing an uncluttered home will alleviate stress and anxiety, leaving you better able to focus on reading, doing crosswords or jigsaw puzzles, journaling, meditating and other activities that help maintain mental acuity. 

An organized home environment also makes it easier to engage in activities that’ll help you take control of the mental and physical aspects of your life. This includes exercising. You’ll have the space you need to enjoy cardio or strength-building exercises, or you can even incorporate an exercise like yoga and achieve the flexibility and enhanced range of motion it can confer. Yoga’s many poses improve spinal flexibility, giving you a strong core upon which to build. You can even use some yoga apps that are great for beginners like Daily Yoga and Down Dog.

Branch out

To continue on an improved wellness path, try branching out into other pursuits that you enjoy, like walking and gardening, and give interesting new forms of physical engagement a try, such as Tai chi, a relaxing and meditative form of exercise that improves cardiovascular health, supports the immune system, and helps seniors improve concentration. Exercise that can be done as part of a social group is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle, so look into group yoga, swimming or water aerobics classes that are perfect for friends to enjoy together – it’s a lot more fun when people you love being around are involved!

Some seniors find that using a fitness tracker is a great way to monitor their progress and health as they engage in new activities. A fitness tracker can measure the basics like distance traveled and steps taken, but some of the newer devices can measure more advanced metrics like your heart rate and sleep quality. Smartwatches and fitness trackers can also help keep you safe while you work out. For example, the Apple Watch Series 4 has fall detection and will give you high and low heart rate notifications. If you prefer a lower-priced option, the Fitbit Blaze watch has GPS, a large display, and a battery that lasts up to five days. 

Healthcare coverage


As you age and enter the Medicare system, it’s important to understand your insurance options and how to get the coverage that best meets your needs. You may be aware that there are gaps in Medicare, though you can find ways to plug the gaps with Medicare Advantage, which provides dental and vision insurance, in addition to membership access to fitness facilities across the country. Do some research about plans available to learn more about various types of coverage and whether you could benefit.

Educate yourself

Few things engage your mind quite like learning about a subject you find really fascinating. Many seniors enjoy going back to school by enrolling in free online classes at local community colleges or online universities. Colleges in all 50 states offer such opportunities and many seniors are even able to earn degrees by taking advantage of free courses. Continuous learning keeps the brain active and healthy in many ways. In fact, your brain grows new cells and establishes new connections every time you learn something new. For older adults, learning strengthens memory and sharpens problem-solving abilities. In many cases, it even helps stave off the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

Social engagement

Studies have shown that older adults benefit significantly from regular social interaction. Spending time with friends is emotionally reinforcing and provides opportunities for physical activity (e.g., golf, walking) as do mentally stimulating games like bridge, bingo, Sudoku, chess and checkers. If you enjoy music, look into joining your church choir or a community-based musical group. 

There’s really no secret to leading a healthy mental and physical life as an older adult. Staying active is the key, and that can be difficult for many seniors. The important thing is to find ways to start small and build gradually, with the help and advice of a healthcare provider. You should have every expectation of enjoying a rich and fulfilling life as you age – after all, 65 is just a number.

Jason Lewis

is a personal trainer and the primary caretaker of his mom after her surgery. He created strongwell.org and enjoys curating fitness programs that cater to the needs of people over 65.

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I came to say hello

Hello dear! How are you  doing? Have you missed me? I know I haven’t written in a while.

My new adventure has had me busy and I have needed some time to make adjustments and get used to this new stage of my life. Although the journalists and the magazines editors are very kind to me and make my work simple, I cannot help feeling the responsibility of giving my best to their readers (millions, literally). So I have also Taken a little vacation in August, which I really needed. I know what you are thinking, vacations? already? I told you they were very kind to me. I am delighted with all of them, and I think they like me too.

In short, I am very happy!!

Writing for these magazines has given me recognition and visibility … and as a consequence, a lot of new clients. My online training business works better than I could have dreamed!

But I have to say that I’ve missed you, read your articles and stay up to date with your lives. You have been a very important part of my life since this blog adventure began. Now I feel like I have time and I’m ready to go back to the blogosphere. So, I read you soon!!

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9 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight

9 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight

It takes a lot of effort and determination to get on the path towards losing weight. Depending on how badly you want it, it can mark a line in the sand of your life, a decision that changes your direction. So it would understandably be pretty disappointing if, despite your efforts, you didn’t end up losing weight. This is a problem that many people face. They think that they’re on the right path, yet they have nothing to show for it. The good news is that this happens as a result of one or more errors, which can be changed. Below, we take a look at some of the common reasons why you may not be losing weight, all of which can be changed and/or managed.

9 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight

Source: Pexels.com

You’re Phoning It In

Most people understand that some physical exercise is required if you’re going to lose weight. So they join the gym, or buy running shoes, and go about the strenuous business of getting into shape. Only there’s an issue: they’re not doing anywhere near as much as they should be doing. They may be physically at the gym, but they’re not pushing their bodies. You don’t begin to magically get into shape just by walking through the front doors of the gym; it’s what you do while you’re there that counts. If you’re spending an hour at the gym, but only twenty minutes on the machines, and forty minutes on your phone/walking around, then you’ve only done twenty minutes of worthwhile work. You’ve got to push yourself.

You’re Not Mixing It Up

Similarly, you should also look at what types of exercising you’re doing. It’s best to have a varied routine. It’s fine to have your favourite routines, but make sure you’re throwing some others in there, too. You’ll make more weight loss gains from swimming, weights, and running, than you would, say, just running marathons.

You’re Eating the Wrong Foods

You could have the most varied workout routine in the world, yet still struggle to meet your weight goals, all because you’re simply not eating well enough. If motivating yourself to visit the gym is one of the main obstacles that you need to overcome, then the other should be cooking healthy meals. It’s much easier to eat quick to make, unhealthy meals, but they’re not going to help you. You might need to change how you think about cooking if you’re going to make long-lasting changes. Cooking doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be fun. Get some music playing, open a glass of wine, and go into the flow.

And Too Much Of It

As well as what you’re eating, you also need to take a look at how much of it you’re eating. There’s little value in cooking a relatively healthy meal, if you’re then going to eat the equivalent of three portions. If you can’t keep yourself from eating larger portions or snacking even after you’ve finished your meal, then look at eating smaller portions and then supplementing with shakes. Weight loss shakes can be a great way to avoid snacking throughout the day, and are also a good source of the nutrients you need. Plus, they’re simple enough to make, so don’t take up any time in your busy day.

Poor Sleeping Habits

There’s an often overlooked of losing weight: you need to sleep well. It’s when you’re at your most restful that your metabolism does the bulk of its work, and also, maintaining sleeping habits is an integral part of keeping stress at bay (which also affects weight loss, but more on that later). If you’re finding that you’re not getting a full night of rest as often as you’d like/need, then look at making some changes. Things like avoiding screen time before you hit the hay, and having an all-around relaxing evening — including drinking tea and listening to music — can help.

Source: Pexels.com

Underlying Medical Issues

If you’re finding weight especially difficult to shift, then it’s recommended that you visit a doctor, to see if there are any underlying reasons why it might not be coming off. An underactive thyroid and diabetes, amongst others, can cause weight gain/make it difficult to lose. You may need to work towards actively managing these conditions before you’re able to lose weight.

You’re Stressed

Stress is something else that makes it difficult to lose weight. This works in various ways. First, when you’re stressed, you’re more likely to have unhealthy eating habits. You’ll be less likely to cook meals, and instead opt for fast food options. It can also wreak havoc on your body, which will mean that it won’t work as well as it could do. Fortunately, stress is a medical condition which is, more or less, in your control. There are things you can to keep stress at bay in the first place. If you’re in the middle of a particularly stressful period, then you can look at meditation and yoga, two activities that have been shown to lower our stress levels.

Sneaking Foods

By far and away, the most common reason why people don’t reach their weight loss goals is that they lack discipline. If you’re going to shift those extra pounds, then you need to recognize that you can’t have it all; those snacks and treats will have to go. People can convince themselves to eat just one sugary snack, but it’s the same as sneaking just one cigarette; it’s never just one. There might be a time in the future when you can eat more unhealthy foods, but in the early days, it’s best to have a “total ban” approach.

You’re Not Patient

Finally, remember to be patient! You might not have lost weight because you’re expecting results too quickly. You wouldn’t expect to have muscles the day after visiting the gym for the first time. It’s only when we commit to living our good habits that the results eventually begin to show. So stick with it — it’ll happen!

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Article published in Hola.com

article published in the hola.com

Hello! I have exciting news today!

Hola.com, a well-known magazine in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, has published an article of mine yesterday. For those who do not know the magazine, its website reaches 10 million users in Spain, and occupies the first position in the ranking of websites in the Lifestyle section. So you can imagine the great impulse that this publication means.

What have I written about? Exercises and dietary guidelines to lose excess fat. I know that many of you do not speak Spanish, but you can always use the Google translate, or just go and have a look. Here´s the link.

They loved the article from the first moment, and I did not even have to make any changes, which may indicate that my writing skills in Spanish are better than in English. Sorry about that, fellow bloggers!

I just wanted to share this great news with you and thank you for your support and patience during all this time. The magazine has offered me to write more articles, but I will not bother you every time I publish one from now on. The first time is special and I wanted to share with you the joy I feel right now.

The last weeks have been very intense, full of work and emotions, and I have some other good news on the way. But no spoilers … More news tomorrow!

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