Blog
Wellness Wednesday: How Building Lean Muscle Affects Your Metabolism
For as long as many of us can remember, there’s been this widespread belief that gaining 1 pound of muscle would result in burning an additional 50 calories per day. Sounds like an amazing deal, right? Gain 5 pounds of muscle, and voilà, an extra 250 calories burned daily just by existing, amounting to about one pound of fat loss every two weeks.
Unfortunately, the real numbers don’t quite live up to the hype.
Wellness Wednesday: Committing to Your New Year’s Resolution Isn’t Enough
It’s New Year’s Day, and if you’re like most people, you’re probably thinking about your health and fitness resolutions for the year ahead. Maybe you’ve committed to working out more, eating healthier, or finally achieving a long-term goal that’s eluded you in the past. But before you dive in, here’s something important to consider: commitment alone isn’t enough to achieve lasting change.
Wellness Wednesday: The Power of Perspective
Life is filled with challenges, setbacks, and uncertainties. Yet, the way we choose to perceive and respond to these challenges can make all the difference. Our outlook—whether we choose to "look up" with hope and resilience or "look down" with negativity and defeat—shapes not only how we navigate difficult moments but also how we experience life as a whole.
Wellness Wednesday: The Difference Between Researching and Applying
In today’s information age, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that consuming the latest research and health advice equates to improving your wellness. However, distinguishing between merely gathering information and effectively applying it in your life is crucial for achieving sustainable health outcomes. As a health coach, I can tell you that while being informed is essential, knowing how to navigate and apply that information is what truly sets you on the path to success.
Wellness Wednesday: Fast Weight Loss Doesn’t Work
Understanding that weight loss is a gradual process can help set realistic expectations. It's essential to recognize that each person's body responds differently to dietary changes, influenced by genetics, health status, and lifestyle. For many, sustainable weight loss can take longer than expected, and this is perfectly normal.
Wellness Wednesday: The Low-Carb Approach
Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred energy source, especially during high-intensity physical activities. When you consume carbs, your body converts them into glucose, which fuels your muscles, brain, and central nervous system. Glucose is stored in your muscles and liver as glycogen, which is essential for sustained energy, particularly during exercise.
Restricting carbohydrates too much can deplete glycogen stores, leading to fatigue, impaired performance, and even muscle breakdown. For those who exercise regularly, carbohydrates are critical for recovery and long-term performance.
Wellness Wednesday: Why Weight Loss Is Harder for Some Than Others
Losing weight is a challenging and often frustrating journey for many people, and it's not as simple as just "eat less and move more." There are complex psychological, biological, and behavioral factors that make the process difficult—often more difficult for some than for others.
Wellness Wednesday: One Big Meal Won’t Derail Your Progress
As the holiday season approaches, there's a common narrative that many of us have heard: "Beware of holiday weight gain." From Thanksgiving to Christmas, we’re bombarded with warnings about overeating and the idea that a single indulgent meal could unravel months of progress. But is holiday weight gain really as inevitable as it seems? And more importantly, does one large meal truly have the power to make the number on the scale skyrocket?
Wellness Wednesday: Why Poor Sleep Makes Weight Loss Harder
When we think about weight loss and fitness, diet and exercise are often the first things that come to mind. However, sleep is just as crucial—if not more so—when it comes to achieving and maintaining a healthy body. Scientific evidence increasingly shows that a lack of sleep can derail your health and fitness goals, making weight loss harder and increasing the likelihood of adverse health outcomes.
Wellness Wednesday: Are Artificial Sweeteners Really That Bad for You?
Artificial sweeteners: they've become one of the most polarizing topics in the nutrition world. From claims of weight gain, cancer risks, and gut damage to their supposed role in wrecking insulin sensitivity, it's no wonder many people are wary of them. But how much of what we hear is based on science, and how much is myth perpetuated by influencers, misinterpreted studies, or incomplete data?