The 2021 Tokyo Olympics shocked the world – but not for the reasons you would typically expect. It wasn’t crowd-less stadiums or the broken records that really got people talking this year. This Olympic summer, the spotlight turned to mental health.
And rightly so. After we all struggled through 2020 and all the difficulties it brought with it on every level, I think many of us were expecting things in 2021 to go back to normal. And we might have even been expecting the Olympics to remind us of what normal is like.
It’s possible that we were looking for people to look to. I think we all look up to the almost “superhero” Olympians that seem to defy the laws of nature and achieve things that most of us only dream of. We see them as strong, fearless, awe-inspiring, even invincible. But this summer, we learned that they, just like us, are vulnerable. Continue reading
Every day, you are exposed to toxins that enter your body and can cause serious problems. These toxins can come from environmental pollution (like the air you breathe), the water you drink, and unhealthy foods (especially processed foods and oily foods).
The good news is that your body is prepared to get rid of these toxins. Your body has a built-in natural detoxification system that filters and saves all the good nutrients you need to function and gets rid of all the bad ones.
However, if you’ve been eating a lot of junk food and are feeling it (and we all know that feeling), you can optimize your body’s detoxification system by doing a full body detox of your own. We’ve got three great detox drinks for you to try and other detox tips that will leave you feeling great and ready to take on the world this summer. Continue reading
Summer is right around the corner, and that means – swimsuit time! With travel and activities opening up again, many people are excited to go back to the beach or local pool. And of course, everyone wants to look great in their new swimsuit.
If you’re like most people, you might have put on a few pounds during the pandemic (don’t worry, it’s happened to the best of us). But now that summer is almost here, you’re ready to kick those pounds to the curb, get your beach body back and look amazing in that new bikini!
But with just a few more weeks till the first day of summer, you might be asking yourself, is there still time? Don’t even worry, you’re not too late – you can still get fit and look great at the beach by changing up your diet and kicking your workout program into high-gear. Continue reading
Spring has just begun! The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, trees are beginning to fill with bright green leaves, and more days of sunshine and warmth await us. The newness of spring makes us want to get outside and spend time enjoying the wonderful change in seasons. It’s the perfect time of year to lace up your hiking boots and take to the great outdoors.
Hiking is the perfect weekend activity – especially in Spring, when the temperatures are just right. Turns out, hiking is more than just a fun pastime or even just great exercise. Going on a hike can boost your mood, increase your creativity, and even strengthen your relationships.
Here’s a great summary of all the benefits of hiking, a few hiking tips, and where you can find great hikes near you. Continue reading
If you’re looking for a superfood to add to your diet – a superfood that boosts athletic performance, reduces the risk of dementia, and helps you lose weight – well, look no further! Beets are the perfect superfood to add to your diet as soon as possible.
Beets? Those purply things that always go untouched in every salad bar? Yep, that’s right. But don’t let your first impressions fool you – beets have a ton of health benefits and you can easily include them in your diet in a lot of fun (and delicious) ways.
The “earthy” taste of beets does tend to steer people away. But before you cross beets off your shopping list, just take a look at everything that beets can do for you.
Beets are super low-calorie, but full of vitamins and minerals. Eating beets can help prevent heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, they keep your brain healthy, and they can even improve your athletic performance. Continue reading
Are you sick of the pandemic yet? Is it making you feel totally down in the dumps?
Mental health has been making headlines more and more the past couple of years – and now more than ever, thanks to the ongoing pandemic.
According to one study, “COVID-19 has tripled the rate of depression in US adults.” (1) Before the pandemic, only 8.5% of adults reported symptoms of depression. Now, that number has increased to 27.8%.
This increase is huge – and it means that a huge number of people are facing mental health problems like depression and anxiety. The authors of the study noted that this time, with COVID-19, the “rise is much higher than after previous major traumatic events” like the 9/11 terrorist attack and the Ebola outbreaks. (1)
As we continue dealing with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, mental health continues to decline. Now, more than ever, depression and anxiety are health concerns that can dominate our lives. Continue reading
Thanksgiving is the most popular day for a race in America. Each year, over a million people sign up for Thanksgiving Day races across the country. In 2018, “more than 1.17 million runners registered to run, jog, trot or walk” in Turkey Trots all over the nation (1).
Image Source: NBC News
Perhaps you were one of them?
It’s no surprise either – thanksgiving is a great day to run. The colors of the leaves are changing, the fall temperature is nice and cool, and with everyone out of school and off from work, it’s a great family activity as well. Not to mention, the more you run in the morning, the more turkey you can eat in the afternoon!
But this year, with large gatherings cancelled because of the pandemic, races are changing. Instead of the traditional race with hundreds of runners and volunteers cheering you on, races are going virtual.
If you missed your annual Turkey Trot, here’s a great way to get yourself in gear for the rest of the holiday season. Continue reading
Based out of Southern California, Assault Fitness is a brand usually heard of in the CrossFit community. Assault Fitness is a division of a larger fitness equipment company that you may have heard of, LifeCORE Fitness. In recent years, Assault Fitness has started to make their way into becoming a more common household name.
Most of their popularity is from rage over their Assault AirRunner machine from members in the CrossFit community who have at-home gyms for their training. The Assault AirRunner is a curved treadmill designed for really intense workouts. On their website, Assault Fitness mentions that the AirRunner is designed for HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts.
One of the most interesting things about the AirRunner is that it’s completely motor-less. Yes… you read that right. The Assault AirRunner runs completely off the power of your own two feet, it’s self-propelled. Talk about a kick-butt workout.
Here’s another thing about the Assault Fitness AirRunner that you should know right off the bat: it has a price tag of $3,699. Continue reading
There’s a lot more to Pilates than yoga pants, crazy machines and trendy studios. In fact, if you’re a runner, you could be reaping some pretty great benefits by giving Pilates a try!
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We often share tips for running performance and health. Things like water intake, breathing, speed, time and distance…the list goes on and on. But here’s an even more important topic we don’t often discuss…women’s safety while running.
It’s a sad truth, but all of us – especially women — are vulnerable when we go out for a run.
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