What are the latest and greatest health-related products? How can I spice up my ho-hum workout? Are the new nutritious food products and health-focused restaurants worth my money? If you're asking any of these questions you've found the right spot!Note: While I'm a journalist with a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology and am a Certified Health Education Specialist, I don't replace the guidance/counseling that comes from a good chat with your doctor or dietitian. For more information, feel free to contact me at karlaswalsh@gmail.com!
Healthful Bites
My how life has changed in the past twelve months! From interning in Chicago January through April to graduating in May and moving to NYC in June to start a new career…What a whirlwind (in a great way). :)
I’ve done pretty well on my New Year’s to-do list for 2010, if I do say so myself! Only a select few are still under construction—growing patience, fostering more strong relationships and treating myself with more kindness.
New York City is my new playground!
To celebrate New Year’s Eve and my first full calendar year of blogging, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight some Healthful Bites greatest hits—AKA a selection of my favorite posts from the year. Without further ado:
- Tunes That Will Make You Sweat. My first entry of 2010, including a playlist packed with great workout tunes!
- Three Moves for a Lean Lower Body. Three of my favorite exercises for the legs, hips and butt (no equipment required).
- Gold Medal Bowls. Start your day on the right foot with these cereals, three of my favorites.
- My Top 10 NYC Restaurants. As of June, at least!
- December Magazine Bites. Holiday health hints and why exercise helps you work it out in the workplace.
Give yourself a shout-out here: What’s your top accomplishment (health-related or not) this year? I know you all have made the last 365 days super.
(Image from Friends Eat)
Cheers to a 2011 filled with family, friends, fitness and fun!
Yes WE Can
Now is the time that many New Year’s resolutions (if you made one) hit a stumbling block. The novelty has worn off, the effort seems to hit home and it seems all-around simpler to revert back to the old ways of doing things. So what’s the solution?
Hang out with your most self controlled pals, University of Georgia researchers say. A strong will, or the absence of a strong will, can rub off on those around you. Heck, you don’t even have to be near the stubborn person—you just have to think about them. This makes sense: if your significant other wants to order the fried ravioli appetizer at dinner, you’re much more likely to eat some than if you didn’t have the spicy, meaty aroma wafting towards your nose. And if your roommate buys a new yoga DVD, it’s much easier to join her than to travel to the gym; plus you may feel a bit guilty watching her stretch and tone from the comfort of a couch.
Before this series of studies, scientists knew that negative behaviors spread across populations (smoking, for example), but this has proven that positive conduct can be passed along as quickly as H1N1.
Do you feel that your pals and family members share their habits with you after spending some time together? Or do you do more of the “rubbing” and influence your peers?
(Image from Pandavas)
It’s All About the Frames
If you’re seeking to boost your motivation on your own, new research published in the Journal of Personality and Psychology says it may be time to mentally reframe your task. First, it’s important to determine whether you are motivated by achievement/excellence or pleasure/happiness. Then, you can tell yourself that the task you need to complete will provide those feelings or sensations for you.
This means that two people can find the same to-do item drastically different—like how some think of exercise as a chore while others revel in the mood boost sweating gives them.
Personally, I know that I would much rather win at something, get an “A” or make my parents proud by getting an award than do that same thing for enjoyment. It must be the competitor in me :) But I do find that other tasks, such as working out, I do grab some endorphins and feel more positive about my body. Maybe I’m a bit of both?
Do you fall into either one of these motivational categories? What do you say to yourself to stay on the healthy living track?
(Image from 100 Musical Footsteps)
Water cooler conversation starter: One woman published in The New York Times thinks that food plays too large of a role in children’s lives…what with the post-game ice cream sandwiches, birthday treat candy bars and classroom donut celebrations. Do you think that society has changed recently to make food a larger player in young lives? And is this only a youth issue, or an issue for society as a whole?
