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How I use video games to lose weight and feel fit – Polygon
Im embarrassed to admit that Ive tried just about every way there is to lose weight.
Ive put my palate through the wringer, trying out dozens of fad diets that were a chore to commit to. Ive kept inconsistent schedules at the gym and with work-out-from-home infomercial programs. Despite my best efforts to stick to a cohesive plan, Ive ended up finding the best success through an unconventional method: video games.
In the heyday of Dance Dance Revolution at arcades and at home, I spent untold hours stomping flashing arrows. The mix of music, community, and faux-dancing was irresistible. The combination helped me hit all my fitness goals. I felt and looked great.
But as arcades began falling out of favor, and I became older and busier, I stopped being as active. I tried exploring other ways to stay fit, like weightlifting, rock climbing, and yoga apps on my phone, but I could never stay engaged with them. So in recent weeks, I decided to go back to the method of being active that worked for me before: playing video games.
Ive been experimenting with several games and platforms that have helped me get moving every day. My goal has been to find games that are physically demanding, but not so much that playing them feels like working out. Between the Oculus Quest, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, I now have a library of tools at my disposal that I look forward to when its time to get active.
If youre looking for games to help you get up and move, here are some recommendations based on what Im currently playing, how they encourage me to be more active, and why you should try them.
Im not alone in discovering how fun it is to use virtual reality to get your butt out of a chair. I love the engulfing nature of VR, as it makes it easy to focus on one thing at a time, instead of how easily distracted I get at the gym. Having sound, music, and gameplay work together to monopolize my attention is a great way to keep me engaged. With my headset on, I get so focused I dont realize Im sweating until I stop to grab a sip of water.
There are a lot of choices for VR headsets, but I was immediately drawn to the Oculus Quest. Since it doesnt require being tethered to a PC, I was able to enjoy more freedom of movement while playing one of my favorite games, Beat Saber.
In the past, Ive mentioned how Beat Saber is one of the best games of the last decade because all it takes is less than three minutes to show off what VR gaming is capable of. The title incorporates exciting music tracks from future bass to, most recently, Green Day and has me slashing at colored blocks like a disco Jedi.
As songs play, blocks marked with directions fly at me, and I have to swipe at them in the proper orientation to the beat of the music. The result can feel like a wild mix of cheerleading, vogueing, and raving. The dancelike gameplay and precision execution are so pleasantly distracting, it doesnt feel like working out.
Beat Saber can feel like an intense upper body workout when the game is cranked up to its Expert difficulties, however. To make my experience more fun, I exclusively play on the Hard setting instead. In that mode, songs arent too complex to play along to, which lets me dance around more and incorporate more of my body into the game.
You should try Beat Saber if:
When I want to challenge myself in VR, I load up BoxVR, which is more of an interactive fitness app than a game. It shares similarities with Dance Dance Revolution, but instead of stepping on arrows to the beat, Im shadowboxing preset punching routines to a playlist of songs.
Each set of activities has me throwing jabs, hooks, and uppercuts at a series of colored orbs that fly at me in a set pattern based on the music. There are also bits of bobbing, weaving, and squats thrown in to help the workout target the whole body. Every so often, Im even asked to switch my footing to balance the experience further. The structure is a bit more rigid than a traditional rhythm game, but sometimes I like that.
I can set the length of the session I want to participate in, and BoxVR offers up a range of premade training programs based on how much time you want to put in. Each routine is designed by different trainers and offers unique soundtracks to punch to. I can even track fitness essentials like an estimate of calories burned right inside the game, which is helpful if I forget to put on my fitness tracker.
Id never shadowboxed before playing BoxVR, and after my first session, I gained a very healthy respect for how intense it can be. However, because of how challenging it is, I can never do sessions longer than 30 minutes as my Quest becomes soaked in sweat. Even with my VR Cover, which does a better job at wicking sweat than the default cover, I still cut sessions to around half an hour.
Check out BoxVR if:
While Beat Saber and BoxVR are my go-to games for working up a sweat, there are two titles I like to switch to if I want to play something that feels more like a game and less like a dedicated workout.
I used to rock-climb regularly, and Ive been enjoying how The Climb pares down the experience into something more casual. It does a great job of simulating the experience of bouldering, the form of rock climbing where you scale walls without the aid of ropes. Real-life bouldering is challenging and, when done properly, is a full-body workout. The Climbs simplified gameplay offers up the same experience, without the intensity.
Since the Quest has no way to track my feet, I spend my time focusing on where to place my hands while climbing in the game. It doesnt replicate the activity perfectly, but I found that it still manages to deliver the same slow, considered, and enjoyable challenge of rock climbing without all the effort (or the fear of falling).
When I want to amp things up, I play Pistol Whip. Its is a rhythm-based shooter, and playing it feels like blasting your way through a music video. Each stage is on rails and moves you through abstract locales where enemies pop up and try to take shots at you.
This disco hayride through a shooting gallery even gives you a better score if you hit your enemies on the beat. Its a wonderful design that always gets me dancing and shooting to its hard electronic soundtrack like John Wick at a nightclub. Theres also a lot of ducking, dodging, and true to its name pistol-whipping to boost the amount of physical effort you put in.
One of the fitness games I was most excited to try out was Nintendos Ring Fit Adventure. When I first saw it, it appeared to be something that would disguise the monotony of working out in the form of a compelling RPG.
Years ago, Id tried Nintendos previous workout-adjacent title, Wii Fit, but the games futuristic balance board ended up gathering more dust than I hoped. While I rushed to get Wii Fit on its release date, I quickly grew disenchanted with it. It felt more like an in-home fitness class than something cheery and fun, like I would expect from Nintendo.
The companys latest fitness game yet again combines a funky accessory to sweat along with, but this time, it partners its approach with an RPG-like package that has clicked with me. In Ring Fit Adventure, I take on the role of a fit hero who travels throughout a workout-focused world where I need to stop a ripped dragon. To defeat it, I have to bust out squats, chest presses, yoga moves, and more. It sounds a lot like a traditional workout, but theres so much going on that it ends up being more fun than it seems in writing.
To track my workout, I make use of the Switchs unique motion controllers and Ring Fit Adventures key accessory, the Ring-Con. By inserting one of my systems Joy-Cons into the rubbery ring controller and another in a leg strap that gets wrapped around my left thigh I can control the entire game and have it track my movements.
The Ring-Cons flexible body is designed to be pushed and pulled for resistance training. It looks flimsy, but generates a surprising amount of resistance. The Joy-Con attached to your thigh tracks more cardio-focused activities like jogging in place and squats, and even when you get down for planks. In tandem, both Joy-Cons can track dozens of different workouts that defy expectations.
As I travel across the games world, which can take weeks or months to complete, I use the moves my Joy-Con tracks to defeat enemies and complete minigames. Ring Fit Adventure is set up to encourage me to use a whole array of movements when playing, by turning each session a decent full-body workout. Most sessions take about half an hour to complete, and the game always asks me if Im up for playing longer or want to call it quits for the day. It also encourages pre- and post-workout stretching, which no other game Ive played has done.
While Ring Fit Adventure is the most workout-centric thing Ive been playing recently, it doesnt feel like a chore. Coming back to it day after day is just like returning to an RPG. Theres the main quest Im eager to learn more about, side quests that offer up rewards, and hours of the game yet to play. It just so happens that enjoying my time with it requires a bit of sweat on my end.
You might enjoy Ring Fit Adventure if:
Dancing has always been one of the most reliable ways Ive gotten physical activity. But now my days of faux-dancing on a Dance Dance Revolution machine and going to nightclubs are behind me. Instead, Im learning how to dance again with Just Dance 2020 on the Xbox One with a Kinect.
The Just Dance series has been around since 2009, and while I tried playing it on the Wii and the PlayStation 4, holding a Wiimote or Move controller while dancing always felt strange to me. It wasnt until I started playing it on an Xbox One with a Kinect last year that I finally fell in love with the series.
Using the Kinect camera, Just Dance 2020 tracks my movements precisely. It checks to make sure Im doing the proper choreography for each of its dozens of songs. I follow along to the moves I see the dancers doing on screen, and I do my best to match them perfectly. Since Im watching real dancers, and not digital avatars, its much easier to mimic their moves. Im scored on how well I replicate their performance, and Just Dance tallies my score and ranks me against every other player throughout the world.
Its been years since Ive shown off my dance moves, but Just Dance 2020 rekindles a lot of the muscle memory I built up over the years. I love that the time spent playing Just Dance and working up a sweat can be transferred to a real dance floor if Im so inclined.
Just Dance 2020 is great if:
Im not a fitness professional, but I do have one piece of advice that will help you make a smart choice: Do whatever you can stick to.
What you do to stay active isnt as crucial as how consistently you stay active. Getting up and moving should be a good habit you engage in for yourself. If you struggle to find a routine that works for you, experiment with several until you find one you can do regularly.
If the idea of working out feels like a chore, approach getting active in a more casual way. Im exploring options that I find fun and cant wait to play at the end of a long day of work. I look forward to working up a sweat with these games, which is a far cry from how I felt waking up at 6 a.m. to go to the gym.
These games, even in tandem, may not be enough to be the equivalent of having a consistent gym schedule and a healthy diet. For now, though, Im enjoying myself and rediscovering how fun it is to be active.
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How I use video games to lose weight and feel fit - Polygon
Diet Demand Touts Benefits of Heart Healthy Diets for Longevity and Weight Loss – GlobeNewswire
Baton Rouge, LA, Jan. 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- If youre looking to start 2020 with a leap towards a healthier lifestyle, a heart-healthy diet is one of the best places to start. Heart healthy diets can go a long way toward protecting and preserving your bodys most important muscle. They also tend to have an obviously, positive impact on the rest of the body and mind. A focus on heart healthy eating is one way to promote longevity, youthfulness and weight control in your own life. Currently, a few popular heart healthy options stand out the most according to telemedicine weight loss leader, Diet Demand.
TheDASHDiet. According to Dr. Burns - Diet Demands Medical Director, DASH was created as a way to lower blood pressure based on the theory of sodium causing hypertension. It stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and works for a percentage of the population who are hypertensive. For these sodium sensitive individuals (maybe only 25% of the population), this method can provide some benefit. It also helps to restore some mineral imbalances that contribute to high blood pressure. However, Dr. Burns believes that there is more to improving heart health, Avoiding processed foods are sound, however the guidelines on specific macronutrient intake are missing. Also, weight management should be a key aspect of heart healthy dieting. Being that DASH was created for hypertension, the primary purpose of this diet is not weight management. As far as weight loss is concerned, only lower calorie versions of DASH would trigger weight loss, but that would apply to them doing any lower calorie diet. Additionally, for people who are following lower carb diets for weight loss, the sodium requirement actually goes up, along with the other electrolytes of potassium and magnesium due to the effect of the kidneys wasting electrolytes more rapidly while the body goes into ketosis. Believe it or not, the daily sodium requirement is actually higher on a lower carb diet than a high carb diet.
The Mediterranean diet is also touted for its heart-healthy benefits. Unlike the DASH diet whose primary purpose is the reduction of salt, Mediterranean style eating is more heavily focused on the incorporation of heart-healthy omega3s and fats such as olive oil, fatty fish and avocados. Since whole foods are implemented, sodium reduction is somewhat a part of this diet since processed foods are minimized. Diet Demand, a nationally recognized virtual weight loss program incorporates heart-healthy strategies in its customized diet and weight loss coaching methods. Its Jumpstart Diet, focuses is on balanced nutrition and initial calorie reductions between 800-1200 calories to help patients at risk for heart disease with quick weight loss.
Diet Demand provides certified weight loss doctors and coaches available by phone 24/7 to help with meal planning, grocery shopping, dining out and more. Theres nothing better than having personalized help via certified weight loss professionals who can review your plan and help you along the way.
A better solution. Most diets have a one-size-fits-all strategy, so its assumed that what works for some people will work for you as well. Unfortunately, many factors can determine how well a specific diet works for you. Diet Demand takes a personalized approach by gathering information on your individual body macros in order to develop a diet that is specific to your needs. Due to the success of this customized model, Diet Demand clients have a 94 percent success rate.
See what Diet Demand can do for you by easily and effortlessly visiting http://www.dietdemand.com/ to complete an initial comprehensive, yet simple, health questionnaire and schedule an immediate personal, no-cost consultation. DietDemands physicians all received specialized training in nutritional science and fast weight loss. DietDemand reviews each patients health history to create a personalized diet plan geared for fast weight loss, or that addresses life-long issues causing weight loss to slow down or stop. Nutritionists work personally with each patient and use their own algorithm to craft meal and snack plans that are compatible with each patients age, gender, activity level, food preferences, nutritional needs and medical conditions. They combine these state-of-the-art diet plans with pure, prescription diet products that enable their patients to resist the temptation to reach for sugary snacks, eliminate fatigue and curb the appetite. Over 97% of DietDemand patients report incredible weight loss results with the majority losing 20 or more pounds per month.
At DietDemand, all patients gain unlimited access to the best minds in the business. Their staff of doctors, nurses, nutritionists and coaches are available six days per week to answer questions, offer suggestions, address concerns and lend their professional guidance and support. Because of this, more and more people are turning to DietDemand for their weight management needs. Diet plans are tailored to be specific to the needs of those of any age, gender, shape or size and for those who are struggling to lose that final 10-20 pounds to those who must lose 100 pounds or more. Call today to request a private, confidential, no-cost online consultation.
About the Company:
DietDemand is the nation's leader in medical, weight loss offering a full line of prescription medication, doctor, nurse and nutritional coaching support. For over a decade, DietDemand has produced a sophisticated, doctor designed weight loss program that addresses each individual specific health need to promote fast, safe and long-term weight loss.
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Diet Demand Touts Benefits of Heart Healthy Diets for Longevity and Weight Loss - GlobeNewswire
Here’s What Happened When a Doctor Tried the Whole30 Challenge – menshealth.com
Youve probably heard of or tried the Whole30 diet. The elimination diet seriously restricts your food intake for 30 days with the goal of identifying food sensitivities and poor nutritional choices. Even with so much buzz around the diet, there is still one major thing health professionals and the general public cant seem to agree on: Is this diet actually any good for you? Enter: Doctor Mikes Whole30 experiment.
Doctor Mike, the internet celebrity doctor who gained popularity for his combination of smarts and good looks, recently took on the Whole30 challenge and documented the results on YouTube. His experience and professional thoughts might make you rethink the diet.
Doctor Mike is known for not endorsing elimination diets, of which Whole30 definitely is. He says in the video that they can fuel eating disorders and possibly lead to nutritional deficiencies by cutting out food that likely isnt the cause of any problems.
Whole30 has some intense restrictive rules: no added sugar, no grains, no legumes, no dairy, no alcohol, no MSG or sulfites, and no junk food.
I can cut out bread. Thats no problem Ive done that before when I was gluten-sensitive in the past, Doctor Mike says in the video. But the fact that I had to give up brown rice, quinoa, things that I eat as part of a healthy dietWhy would you eliminate some foods like black beans that can be so healthy to the majority of people?
The doctor is clearly not impressed and thats not the end of his problems with Whole30.
"Why would you eliminate some foods like black beans that can be so healthy to the majority of people?"
Doctor Mike happened to take on the challenge during Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Christmas holiday season, which made the rules even more difficult to follow. At Thanksgiving, Doctor Mike reports he could only eat turkey and peas. Thats it.
Aside from the elimination struggles, Doctor Mike also began to struggle in the gym. He says he noticed his bench starting to go down almost immediately.
Normally when Im working out, Im benching 225 to 255 255 was becoming a huge challenge for me, Doctor Mike says in the video. When I stepped on to the basketball court, after one game, I felt like I was exhausted.
Doctor Mike says this sluggish performance was probably due to underrating his usual caloric intake, which is something that just naturally happened on the diet.
When you do an elimination diet like Whole30, its very easy to under eat calories, Doctor Mike says. This is probably why a lot of people lose weight.
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Once he hit day 30, he started to reintroduce foods to note their potential negative impacts, which is the main point of the diet. But Doctor Mike says this is one of the things he dislikes most about Whole30, saying the time frame of adding back in foods is not enough to properly track their individual impact on the body.
Its not really scientific, he says. If you put in legumes on the first day, then two days later add in sugars, then two days after that grains, its not scientific. If were doing a proper elimination challenge in the medical setting, we do a 90-day elimination.
Doctor Mike also reports his digestive system, took a hit during Whole30, leading to bloating and dirreahea. After reintroducing foods, he reports his body returned back to normal.
Overall, Doctor Mike wasnt impressed with Whole30, though he did admit there was something reward to following such restrictive rules successfully. While the competitive crowd might agree, the doctor says Whole30 is probably not a good idea.
At the end of the day, nutritional advice should be individualized," he says. "Its a very restrictive diet, and it can cause some serious problems. Theres definitely some research showing that theres some crossover with eating disorders. Most of the time, [Whole30] is unnecessary.
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Here's What Happened When a Doctor Tried the Whole30 Challenge - menshealth.com
21 January 2020 6 steps to successful weight loss for women Obesity researcher Dr Nick Fuller – News – The University of Sydney
Obestity researcher Dr Nick Fuller
In his new book, Interval Weight Loss for Women, obesity researcher Dr Nick Fuller aims to cut through the noise and presents six key principles behind healthy and sustainable weight loss for women.
Women are bombarded with information about the latest diets from keto to Atkins, paleo to Dukan and more diets that can paradoxically result in weight gain and arent grounded in scientific studies, says Dr Fuller from the University of Sydneys Boden Collaboration for Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders based at the Charles Perkins Centre.
There are countless reasons women gain weight including previous dieting attempts, being on the pill, long hours at work, pregnancy, menopause and the general common effects of ageing.
But there are also simple ways to overcome these common pitfalls and hurdles, to help you take back control of your body and stop yo-yo dieting for good.
Here, Dr Fuller presents six key Interval Weight Loss principles to support women seeking to lose weight and keep it off.
Using the Interval Weight Loss method, every second month people take a break from losing weight and instead focus on maintaining their current weight, says Dr Fuller.
How Do You Deal with Roadblocks on the Cancer Journey? – Curetoday.com
Life with cancer is filled with ups and downs, but how do you deal with the roadblocks that are placed in your way? We recently asked CUREs social media audience how they coped with setbacks in their cancer journey. Here are some of their responses.
Everyone is different. So is their journey. VL
Keep things in perspective. Things that are controllable are your responses to the roadblocks, not the roadblock itself. Practicing gratitude and mindfulness are helpful, as clich as it may sound. The mind is a powerful tool. KW
Ask for help; create a team of caregivers; don't be afraid to see a therapist or mental health professional; go to the movies as often as possible; surround yourself with people that make you laugh. LHH
Our metastatic online support groups are awesome and helpful. MJB
Keeping a positive attitude as much as possible. Working through the bad days, no matter how hard it seems. MM
Knock them over. Drive around them. Face them head on. But never go in reverse. This ****storm called cancer will either make you or break you. Dont let it be the latter. BA
Set up goals for your future dreams and then keep yourself focused on that horizon as much as possible. That will help to maintain hope, which gives you strength to get through the toughest parts. RO
Just keep on living. Spend time with the people and doing the things that bring you joy. Live without regret. DV
One's cancer journey is not meant to be a solo journey, but needs a support system medical professionals, family, others with a cancer diagnosis history and making use of all the material that is available for everyone. There are many excellent materials available including the CURE publication, which I describe as that with up-to-date information on a professional level but written in the laypersons language One should not hibernate from the cancer but become involved with learning all one can. LSS
Stay positive, talk with people that know what it's about, and pray. JI
I continued to make new friends and keep my hobbies and interests. I have cancer but I don't have to make it my identity. JK
Never back down. AN
Celebrate the little victories/successes. Then when you have a roadblock you have some positives to reflect on. Use your support system. Dont be afraid to ask them for help. My mom and I were reminded once by a medical social worker its OK to cry. A little cry can help let go of some emotions so that you are able to move forward. KBK
Staying positive is what got me through it. I never had a doubt that I wouldnt be OK. As hard as it got and as much as chemo sucked, I had my husband and family by my side and my positives thoughts in my head ... and here I am. DDG
My spouse is my rock! Without her, I do not know what I would do. I share all my thoughts and feelings with her. She may not have the answers, but it feels good to talk about my fears, etc. BR
When I was diagnosed, I got angry. I made up my mind that it wouldnt defeat me. That was my attitude about cancer the entire time. It worked for me. SGD
Be kind and gentle to/with yourself. Treat yourself like you would treat someone you care about. CL
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How Do You Deal with Roadblocks on the Cancer Journey? - Curetoday.com
5 Expert Recommended Superfoods To Look Out For In The Year 2020 – NDTV Food
Superfoods for 2020 are about as simple as can get, from local vegetables to whole grains.
Highlights
To diet or not to diet - that is the question. As the year begins and our minds begin to wander away from our New Year Resolutions, we look for easy and healthy alternatives that we can sustain rather than fad diets which we can barely attempt to. In the quest for such options we started to explore the superfoods of 2020, or the foods which are nutritionally rich and work miracles for the body. Though there is no specific qualifying criteria about what constitutes a superfood; the main reason why superfoods are recommended is that their health benefits exceed beyond just one or two.
What exactly is a superfood? Dr. Anju Sood, a Bangalore-based nutritionist, says, "Superfoods provide us a nutrient which is generally lacking in your diet - they could be rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, contain omega 3 fatty acids and helpful in burning fat. They are basically foods that are catering to ex-metabolic syndrome problems such as lifestyle problems."
Superfoods can give your diet the additional push.
As we spoke to nutritionists and other experts, it turned out that most of the superfoods that we can expect to trend in the year 2020 have been around forever. It's only recently that their nutritional value has begun to be appreciated. Consultant Nutritionist Dr. Rupali Datta, believes that the trend had begun last year and will continue well into 2020. "The importance is of going local and returning to regional foods and cuisines. It is all about rediscovering your roots this year. For example, instead of broccoli, why not have the simple cauliflower?" advises Dr. Datta.
Having local produce and hyperlocally sourced vegetables is something that cannot be emphasised enough in 2020. For instance, spinach is a leafy green that is packed with vitamins and minerals and contains anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant flavanoids too. Spinach is great for maintaining overall bone and heart health. Macrobiotic Nutritionist and Health Practitioner Shilpa Arora ND suggests, "All the green leafy Saags cooked in ghee and a dollop of white butter loaded with vitamin K can be great for assimilation of vitamin D in the body."
(Also Read:8 Lesser Known Greens We Should All Be Eating)
Dr. Rupali Datta emphasizes the need for inclusion of locally grown fruits in the diet, as much as vegetables. Fruits are one of the most underrated superfoods that have existed in the Indian diet since times immemorial. They are now slowly making a comeback this year due to their inherent nutritive properties. For instance, Guava actually has more Vitamin C content than, say, even an orange. "Seasonal fruits such as papaya can work wonders for the diet, " says Dr. Datta.
There is a strong trend which sees an increasing return towards whole grains such as Kuttu, Ragi and Jau, our experts say. These whole grains can be easily used to replace sooji, besan, or even oats. The reason behind this is that they are rich in micronutrients such as zinc, magnesium and calcium. These are nutrients that the Indian diet traditionally does not have enough of, but can work miracles for overall health. Grains such as Rajgiri, aka Amaranth, as recommended by our nutritionists are also wonderful for their detoxifying and cholesterol-controlling properties.
(Also Read:Why Whole Grains Are Good For You? 7 Benefits To Look Out For!)
2020 is all about the seeds - basil seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds are the superfoods this season. Rather than simply having Chia or Flaxseeds, use Basil seeds," recommends Dr. Rupali Datta. These seeds can be had as a snack or included as a topping on any dish. The nutrients such as protein, fiber, iron, vitamins, and omega-3 present in all kinds of seeds promote healthy skin and hair and support cardiovascular well-being.
Seeds and nuts need to be in your diet if they already aren't.
The importance of spices for nutritional benefits is also quite understated, as 2020 is about the return of traditional Indian spices such as cinnamon, saffron, turmeric and fennel seeds. Dr. Anju Sood says, "Cinnamon powder contains aldehyde which is a chemical compound that helps bring down blood sugar level and maintain metabolic levels." Similar benefits can be stated for fennel seeds, also known as saunf, which contain antioxidants and can also help fight pollution. Turmeric too has a number of health benefits such as being anti-inflammatory and helping in boosting immunity.
To conclude, superfoods for 2020 are all about going regional and rediscovering the roots. To quote Shilpa Arora ND, "Superfoods for 2020 have to be simple and not fashionable."
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5 Expert Recommended Superfoods To Look Out For In The Year 2020 - NDTV Food
Alexis Ohanian Embraces the Plant-Based Life, Tells GQ It’s to Be a Better Dad – The Beet
Alexis Ohanian, known as Serena Williams' husband,father of their daughter Alexis Olympia, and oh, yes, co-founder of Reddit, has a new podcast about being a dad, called "Business Dad," that examines the bigger questions about balancing work and fatherhood, and also the big existential questions about the purpose of work, the definition of success, and how to live a better life. He also decided to shake uphis diet and recently told GQ.com that he went plant-based to be healthier.
It all started after watching an early cut of The Gamer Changers documentary (he was asked to be an executive producer and lept at the chance). Then he tried an Impossible burger and liked it so much, he invested in the company. Now Ohanian has gone full-tilt on the plant-based lifeand is finding that for his health, his ability to focus and his performance in his day-to-day tasks, plant-based is working for him.
Marriage and fatherhood can change even the most hardened bachelor, steak-lover and high-flying executive. To hear Ohanian talk abouthis daughter Alexis Olympia, on his podcast, it's clear that she has had a powerful effect on his life. Other than asking the big seeking questions about the meaning of work, the details matter. For him, that includes eating plant-based. For the sake of his focus, his ability to work effectively and see the fruits of his labor, Ohanian tells GQ that he adopted a plant-based diet. It's all in service of being a more successful human, which is a way of finding more purpose in his work, and the goals he sets for himself and his company. Here is what he has to say to GQ about his recent diet changes.
Ohanian tells GQ that it all came together for him when Serena got pregnant, and he realized he needed to make some changes as well."I don't want to be an unhealthy, lethargic dad when Olympia wants to practice soccer in the backyard,"Ohanian shared.
"I spent all of my 20s focused single-mindedly on my workI made sacrifices to myself physically and mentally in the pursuit of that. Previously, there were weeks where I'd order a ton of steaks on Instacart and put some spinach leaves on the side as my side salad. I'd eat that three, four, five times a week. Easy."
That all changed when he watched thedocumentaryThe Game Changers, which for Ohanian wasindeed a game-changer. The makers of the film asked him if he wanted to be an executive producer, and since so many of the subjects are large male athletes, "big dudes" like me, he thought, it made a lot of sense. Those big dudes only ate plants and made the argument that it helped them build their strength, stamina and endurance, which cutting down on their recovery time and injuries. Around the same time, Ohanian tried his for Impossible Burger, and "I was like, Damn! This is good! he told GQ. He invested in the company and jumped on the plant-based bandwagon.
Being Married to a GOAT Tennis Star Has Its Benefits Too?Serena taught Ohanian the benefits of working out on an empty stomach to burn more fat and get more afterburn. He tells of how we used to eat before workouts and now, he follows his wife's lead and waits to refuel after. Serena is on a "whole other level" when it comes to working out and fueling up, Ohanian told GQ's Alex Shultz.
For the full story on GQ.com and all the other stars from sports, business and the restaurant and food worlds check out theGQ story here.
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Alexis Ohanian Embraces the Plant-Based Life, Tells GQ It's to Be a Better Dad - The Beet
7 weird weight loss tricks and diet hacks that actually work – GQ India
Weirds good. It introduces you to new things and also challenges preconceived notions. Much like what this listicle of 7 weird weight loss tricks and diet hacks (that actually work) is about to do for you.
Smaller plates, preferably quarter-sized plates, aid portion control as they limit the quantity of food you consume in one go. In an experiment, conducted at the Georgia Institute of Technology, it was discovered that a shift from eating food served in 12inch plates to eating food in 10inch plates resulted in a 22 per cent decline in calorie consumption. See, not all small things are bad!
The logic behind this weird hack is actually pretty sane.
Start packing your breakfast and lunch (for the next day) after you get done with your last meal of the day. Packing lunch while you're full will trigger your brain into packing slightly lesser amount of calories as you are currently satisfied with the goodness of dinner.
Start taking pictures of all your meals. This creates a visual account of what you ate (and how much of it you ate) in one go. A quick look back at these photos, in your phones gallery or on Instagrams story highlights, will make you aware of your daily consumption of junk vs healthy food. Over time, this habit will make you reconsider your food choices (and hopefully ditch the fries for a plate of salad).
We are an 'eat, sleep, binge' generation, whose binge-watching habits have not just disrupted their sleep schedules but have also led to unhealthy binge-eating practises. To curb this, we suggest watching a show while eating. Binge-watching does not help you realise when you are full or even enjoy your meal as you are way too focussed on the Friends re-run. To break this cycle, we suggest eating before you commence your binge or even pausing the show or movie you are watching and moving to a different location to enjoy your lunch/dinner (or breakfast).
This weird hack is borrowed from an old French custom of women tying a ribbon around their waist (under their clothes) when they went out for dinner. It helped them curb overindulgence as the more they ate, the tighter the ribbon got around their waist. Now, this is really weird and also promotes the societal notion that says women should look a certain way and we don't recommend this even one bit. In fact, instead of torturing yourself, download a calorie counter app in your phone and log all your meals in it to curb overindulgence.
A study suggests that watching yourself eat in a mirror will help you slash your portions by nearly one-third. This study states that your reflection reminds you of your goals and reasons as to why you wanted to lose weight in the first place.
This hack is a simple reiteration of out of sight, out of mind. rule of breaking up with someone. By simply hiding your guilty pleasure snacks, youll be able to focus more on the healthier option you have so unwillingly bought for yourself.
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7 weird weight loss tricks and diet hacks that actually work - GQ India
Small Diet Changes And A Push-Pull-Legs Routine Helped This Guy Drop 23Kg – Men’s Health
He gained 31kg in about a year and a half, and he carried that weight with him. At his heaviest he was 120kg and felt awful, with tight hamstrings and persistent back pain. Hed sweat if he had to walk too far. He couldnt fit into his suit jacket for a friends wedding; he had trouble getting down the stairs for a night-time drink of water. I was 31 years old and my body was falling apart, he says. Enough was enough.
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He started by taking pictures of himself. Then he downloadedMyFitnessPal, setting a calorie goal that would drop one pound a week. He ditched the fast food and starting prepping meals of salads, roasted veggies, and lean protein. Sugary drinks went out the window, and he began using a food scale.
As a motivator, he signed up for a 5K race he vowed to complete in the spring, then enrolled in acouch-to-5K program. The first few weeks were hell, he says. I could barely jog for 60 seconds at a time and my legs were constantly sore. He fought through that, and when he could run a 5K he got a gym membership and started lifting, beginning with full-body and then going into aPPL (Push-Pull-Legs)split. He didnt have a trainer, but his friends kept him motivated and accountable.
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After a year, hed lost 16kg; now, two years later, hes down 21kg but has also gained a lot of muscle. I don't think that I have ever been this fit in my entire life, he says. He can lift nearly twice his bodyweight in most lifts, and his 5K time is under 27 minutes. He feels more confident in himself, and in control of his body. Hes much more disciplined; his mental toughness has increased. I get comments from people nearly every week saying something about how different and good I look or how they are so proud of me, he says. He thinks he might lose another 7-9kg. I want to keep going and be the best version of myself that I can be.
Losing weight and becoming healthy has to become a lifestyle and not a fad if you want to be successful and have it stick, he says. Fad and crash diets can feel like punishment, and are hard to stick to. Instead, he says, find exercise you enjoy and a sensible diet. Eat healthier and move more, he says. It goes a long way.
This article originally appeared on Men's Health
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Small Diet Changes And A Push-Pull-Legs Routine Helped This Guy Drop 23Kg - Men's Health
Fishing derbies support salmon… – Journal of the San Juan Islands
Submitted by Kwiaht
For a third year, salmon researchers from the Lopez Island-based nonprofit Kwiaht will be staffing winter Blackmouth fishing derbies to help clean fish, collect gut contents, and learn more about the diet and health of these iconic resident Chinook salmon.
Smaller and fewer Blackmouth salmon is a concern for Southern Resident Killer Whales as well as our fishing community, says Kwiaht director Russel Barsh, who has been studying the changing diet of Chinook salmon for over a decade. We want to find the bottleneck in the food web so that it can be addressed while there is still a good chance for Blackmouth recovery.
Blackmouth sampled at derbies in 2018 and 2019 had mainly eaten Pacific herring, Barsh says; nearly four-fifths by dry weight of what we found in 324 Blackmouth. All other fish made up barely three percent of the diet. When they did not find herring, Blackmouth sampled in 2018-2019 mainly ate shrimp. Few squid were found in gut contents, although Blackmouth were hitting lures that mimic squid. We were surprised to see hardly any Pacific Sand Lance in these salmon, Barsh adds. Sand Lance can be almost half the diet of juvenile Chinook in the islands, but it looks like they eat proportionately more herring as they grow larger.
Results of the first two winters of this study indicate that Blackmouth depend on schools of juvenile herring that swarm around the islands nearshore waters for two or three years before migrating into deeper ocean waters to mature. Herring numbers in the Salish Sea have declined for decades and spawning biomass varies greatly from year to year. Juvenile herring abundance in the islands last peaked in 2016 according to Kwiaht monitoring data. What we are seeing now is prey restriction, Barsh says. Blackmouth are scouring the islands for balls of small herring and often finding balls of shrimp instead, which are more work for fewer calories.
Barsh says there is some hope that Blackmouth will take advantage of Northern Anchovies and other greasy schooling fish that are colonizing the Salish Sea as it grows warmer. Whether they will recognize these fish as food remains in question. In January 2019, Blackmouth feasted on a rare school of Capelin in the islands for several days. We were just incredibly fortunate that there were anglers there to collect specimens for us, or this hopeful event would probably have been missed completely.
Kwiahts research is supported by grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundations Southern Resident Killer Whale Conservation program, and collaborators at NOAA, the University of Washington, Long Live the Kings and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Blackmouth fishing derbies in our area this winter include the Resurrection Salmon Derby Anacortes, Feb. 1-2, Friday Harbor Classic, Feb. 6-8, and the Roche Harbor Classic, Feb. 13-15. Look for researchers with green Kwiaht ASK ME caps at derby weigh-in stations, and write to info@kwiaht.org for further information on participating in Blackmouth research.
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Fishing derbies support salmon... - Journal of the San Juan Islands