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Natural Ways to Boost andTake Charge of Your Metabolism

Natural Ways to Boost and Take Charge of Your Metabolism

Metabolism is a process. It’s the way our cells change the food we eat into energy we need to breathe, move, think and do… everything. It keep us, as it keeps all living things, alive. 

Basically, metabolism is the process your body uses to convert calories into energy. Whether you know it or not, your body is always burning calories. Even when you’re sitting around watching Gossip Girl for the third time, your body is using energy to run the inner show that goes on behind the scenes – stuff like keeping your ticker running, blood circulating, repairing your cells, breathing, and the list goes on. We are all born with a metabolic rate that suits our body and disposition. Some people are naturally fast burners, and some are naturally slow burners, but that doesn’t mean we have zero control. We do have some authority over the rate at which we metabolize food and use it for fuel. Here we look at some key ways to access that power. 

The greatest wealth is health.

Stay well hydrated – Try to consume at least half your bodyweight (lbs) in ounces of water per day. Recently, a study done among overweight children found that consuming the recommended amount of water increased their metabolism by 25%. 

Stay rested – Clocking at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night keeps your metabolism running strong. When you’re chronically sleep deprived (consistently getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night), your body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol. This uptick in cortisol throws your hormonal balance out of whack, which can slow down your metabolism. Plus sleep deprivation increased your appetite for carbohydrate-rich foods, like sweets and snacks, making sleep loss a double whammy for weight gain. 

Eat an appropriate amount, and make sure you get protein – lets start by stating that eating five to six small meals throughout the day is not helpful for your metabolism. This was a fad that had it’s time in the spotlight, but it doesn’t give your body the break it needs to digest and utilize nutrients. Grazing throughout the day means your body is constantly releasing insulin, the fat-storing hormone. This also means that the body will become less dependant on carbs for fuel, which allows your blood sugar to stay steady. This results in less cravings, better energy, mental clarity, and a sense of control. Having a steady blood sugar also supports an efficient metabolism.

Don’t skip meals – When you skip meals, you actually allow the body to dip into its protein-aka, the muscles-for fuel. So, not eating lunch when your body is asking for fuel isn’t going to strategically pull from, that soft pocket of fat in your inner thighs like your hoping. In fact, it may make your body hold onto it for longer. When you trick your body into worrying that it might not get fuel for a while (or when it needs it), your metabolic rate slows down, so you hang onto your calories longer in case you need them for an emergency. In other words your fat stores will be the last to go. 

Build muscle – Thirty minutes of weight-bearing exercises 3 to 4 times a week can help you increase and maintain muscle mass, which keeps your metabolism running high. A pound of muscle burns about 6 calories a day whereas a pound of fat only burns 2 calories a day. So the more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism.

Reduce your stress level – Maintaining a healthy metabolism is also connected to our levels of stress and overwhelm. So if you want to lose the weight and keep it off, then stress reduction practices, like meditation, breath work, exercise, talk therapy and other self-care strategies, are important parts of your overall plan. 

Try cold exposure and heat therapy – Many studies suggest that cold water immersion has a consistent effect on raising the metabolic rate in humans. If immersing yourself in cold water seems daunting or maybe not accessible, a rinse in the shower will do. I am personally a huge fan of alternating hot and cold water in the shower. You can start with smaller spurts of cold water and work your way up, but it’s always a good idea to end on cold. On the other end, heat us another way to boost your metabolic rate. A hot, relaxing, salty bath or a sit in the sauna can purge your pores while boosting your metabolism. 

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The 8 Fitness Essentials Every Adult Should Have in Their Home

The 8 Fitness Essentials Every Adult Should Have in Their Home

For your at-home workouts.

By now, we have all some what adjusted to the new norm of at-home workouts and all that goes into them. We have taken the time to do as much as we can to shift our fitness routine to whatever works best in our homes or backyard (it hasn’t always been easy.)If you haven’t purchased the key essentials you need to stay on track, let today be the day you do. We at Flourish are here to break down the 8 essential workout items everyone should have on hand for a variety of exercises.

Pro Tip: Keep all your equipment in a convenient basket (or designated area) so you can easily grab what you need for your morning or evening workout.

Shop our top fitness picks below

Yoga Mat

A new mat thats durable and easy to wash is key for an at-home workout. Our favourite mat is this one from Lululemon ( $68 cad).

Bala Weights

Bala weights are the new hot item that everyone needs. They act as ankle or wrist weights and all your favourite trainers (i.e. Melissa Wood Health) are using them. These 1-2 pound weights are perfect in helping you feel a burn, but also lean out your muscles ($40-65 cad).

Resistance Bands

Feel the BURN. Resistance bands are a Flourish favourite because they get the job done quick and efficiently. We love Peach Bands ($24.99 cad).

Foam Roller

Foam rolling has so many benefits that you can incorporate into your post-workout routine. SPRI High Foam Roller ($38 cad) or any foam roller of your choice works fine.

Grippy Socks

Grippy socks (yes, like the ones we would buy for our kids so they don’t slip and fall on the hardware.) These are key if you don’t have a yoga mat, but are doing your workout in your non-carpeted living room ($32 cad).

Gliders

Gliders are a great addition to your fitness arsenal! Gliders are an easy addition to really up the intensity of your workouts ($16 cad.)

Jump Rope

Jumping rope can be done anywhere and it is great way to get in your cardio and the benefits of running without actually running. This is a great way to burn fat and increase your muscle engagement ($11 cad.)

Workout Clothing Set

Finding the right workout set that makes you feel sexy is key. If you have the right outfit then you’ll be more willing to actually get on the mat and get the workout going.

Our favourite sets include a more affordable option and a more luxiourious option.

These biker shorts (on sale right now for $27 cad) and crop top ($39 cad) from Aerie (total of $66 cad.)

We love Alo Yoga for their comfy and practical sets! Here’s one of our favs right now it’s a Vapour Snakeskin Bra and High-Waste Legging Set ($220 cad.)

 

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The Key to a Successful At-Home Workout

Key to a Successful At-Home Workout

Even if you have a small space,  no equipment (hello body weight workouts!!) or very little time, there are many great resources and tips to help you workout at-home.

With gyms being closed and the new normality is based on your once in-class classes being online, we know it can be challenging to find yourself in your usual fitness routine. There’s just something so much more comfortable about physically going to the gym, (even if you have all the equipment in your own home), visiting your trainer, or attending that evening spin class. Changing or creating any new healthy habit is a real challenge. It’s even more of a problem to keep it amid all the distractions surrounding you like what you find in the comfort of your own home. We at Flourish are here to provide you with some tips and resources you can use to find yourself more in touch with streaming workouts because they have many benefits to them if given a chance.

In order to stick with it, you’ve got to choose something you actually want to do and that will work with your schedule and lifestyle.

Sometimes finding the workout that suits your needs isn’t the hardest part, but your at-home surroundings and motivation levels are. I’m here to give you some tips that have helped the Flourish team well Flourish with a good at-home workout. Here are a few tips that got us headed in the right direction.

  • Create a schedule for your workouts. Block it out and make it non-negotiable. We are creatures of habit and schedules. Often if it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t happen.
  • Start small. If you are trying to make this a new healthy habit, try focusing on exercising just 10-15 minutes. Anything above and beyond is a gold star. There is a definite power to just starting, and you’ll be amazed at what only 5 minutes can do for you.
  • Focus on the process rather than the outcome. Process goals are the way to go when it comes to fitness. Take in and enjoy the process. Try to stray away from only thinking about the end, immediate goal; instead, make small goals to keep you going.
  • Use incentives. Is there something that will bring you joy and happiness while not undermining you fitness goals? It could be something like a new pair of shoes or allowing yourself an extra 15 minutes with Netflix this evening.
  • Get an exercise partner. You will push yourself harder in most cases (if it’s a good fit), and you will have someone to keep you accountable when you feel like bailing out. 
  • Create a dedicated space to exercise. This space is ONLY for exercise. Make it someplace you’d like to be. Something, this means turning the treadmill around to face a better view.
  • Make your space accessible. Many have a little corner where they can put their weights or exercise ball. If you own that treadmill-you’ve already got the space you need. Clear all the clothes or junk around it to make it something you can easily access and want to use.
  • At home doesn’t have to mean in home. Answer the call of the great outdoors. Get outside, enjoy the weather. Walking, running, sports, jumping jacks, it doesn’t matter. It will spice things up and put a smile on your face by the end of it. 
  • A good playlist. Take the time to put together a playlist that will make you want to move, jump, and dance. Blaring your favourite tune will automatically add a little extra motivation to break a sweat.

 

The Best Streaming Workouts

The beauty of online workouts is that they can be accessed anytime and anywhere with enough space for a yoga mat and stable Wi-Fi connection. There are a ton of options with many free trials periods-so the key is finding the one that brings a little joy into your day. With that being said, money is being saved, and you are more than capable of seeing the same results as going to the persinal trainer or spin class. It’s all about figuring out what workouts work best for you and keep you engaged. Please take advantage of the free trials that many programs offer; test them all out until you find one that resonates with your goals and your satisfctory level.

The Sculpt Society

The Sculpt Society is trainer Megan Group’s universe of peppy, easy-for-beginners dance cardio classes. Which isn’t to say they aren’t challenging: you will sweat and feel a burn. Classes range from five to fifty-five minutes, depending on what you’re in the mood or have time for – and as a bonus, you can access meditations from Kelsey Patel.

P.Volve

The focus is on tonight through functional movement: Trainer Stephen Pasterino designed each motion to replicate how your body moved when you walk, run, reach, step, etc. Your heart rate will be elevated the whole time, but it’s not cardio; you really feel your muscles being challenged. Pasterino has developed a firm ball that you wedge high up between your thighs; it’s designed to dig into the fascia’s superficial layers and help you work your glutes and feel your core. But if you’re without, you can filter for classes that require no props.

Melissa Wood Health

It’s a low impact workout that is a mix of Pilates and Yoga, but it is a real muscle burner. She is a firm believer of small, intricate movements to provide you will these long lean lines we all crave. There is a range of videos so that you can squeeze them in when and wherever you can. What I mean by that is that she provides you with workouts that involve holding a chair or wall so that you can get in that flow during a break at work or at the airport before you catch a flight.

Chloe Ting Program (provided on her website, it’s FREE!!)

Chloe Ting provides you with so many targeted program choices with daily videos you must complete for an alloted amount of time to see results. They are low-impact workouts that keeo you accountable throughout. This is a great step in the right direction for a free program to reach your fitness goals.

The Be.Come Project by Bethany C.Meyers

Much of the marketing around online fitness classes and, even just fitness in general is framed around body insecurity as motivation. You’ll find none of that here. Each week, Meyers releases a new class designed to be done as many times as you’d like throughout the next seven days are you get familiar with the movements. Bonus: Classes are very doable (yet effective) twenty-five minutes.

Aaptiv

If you’re not a visual person-or, if you can’t figure out the right setup angle for your laptop screen – Aaptiv is perfect. It’s audio-only, which means all you need is the app and some headphones to get going. It’s choose-your-own-adventure; it can function as a training companion on a run or at the gym or as a class in your living room. There are thousands of options, so it’s just a matter of filtering for skill level, workout style, and duration. 

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