Archive for the ‘Motivation’ Category

How Couples Can Motivate Each Other in Reaching Their Fitness Goals

Tuesday, August 24th, 2021
Couples Can Motivate Each Other

A healthy couple can achieve many things together. Because they know each other so well, typically, couples can motivate each other in fitness. Therefore, you and your partner will be more productive when you both keep fit. Sometimes the journey to stay fit is long and tiresome. As a result, some may give up along the way and others may not even get started.

There is a lot of progress you can make when you as a couple help each other with physical exercises. You may set some goals together and strategize on how to attain them. Creating some form of healthy competition in the fitness plans can also make things more enjoyable.

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3 Ways to Balance Gym and Life During The Pandemic

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021
balance gym and life during the pandemic

The global Covid-19 pandemic has shifted the dynamics of life in extreme ways. Measures to help reduce the spread of the virus include lockdowns and the constant practice of social distancing. Public gathering spaces such as gyms have therefore had to shut down for periods depending on the lockdown regulations in the particular areas. It has become increasingly difficult to balance gym and life during the pandemic up until now.

In places where gyms are allowed to open, Covid-19 regulations have to be followed strictly—which significantly affects how people manage their gym time. Fortunately, frequent gym-goers have found a number of ways to adapt to the changes in their routine. 

Here are 3 ways to help you balance gym and life during the pandemic.

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Don’t Delay! Get Started on Your Summer Bod Goals Today

Monday, December 7th, 2020
summer bod

If you know you want to make changes to your body before the summer gets here, now is the perfect time to get started. Some people try to avoid setting health and fitness goals in the winter because of the notoriously high failure rate of New Year’s resolutions. However, putting off weight loss goals until the last minute is never a good idea. It makes reaching them harder and can lead to serious health consequences. This is what science has to say about getting a head start on your summer health, fitness, and weight loss goals.

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How Can My Workouts Be More Fun?

Monday, July 27th, 2020
fun workout shoulder taps

Physical wellbeing is an important part of living a happy and healthy life; however, for some people, this can also change. There can be a time where our focus on health and wellness can take a turn for the worse, particularly when comparison culture sets in. If you are having a difficult time working out, consider if these factors could be playing into your negative experience and how you can make positive improvements.

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Treat People Well and Hope to be Treated Well in Return

Tuesday, June 16th, 2020
Treat People Well

While growing up, I was always taught to be kind even when I did not feel like it. But as I grew older, my definition and understanding of kindness have remarkably changed. For me, it does not mean being kind in the face of meanness but rather understanding when to stop, when to give space and when to hold on. For me, being kind is treating people well, supporting those in need, and lending a helping hand. I believe this definition may vary from person-to-person based on what they believe and their understanding of right and wrong.

This entry into our quarantine series tackles a topic slightly displaced from fitness and nutrition but does facilitate a healthier lifestyle by improving your mind and spirit.

It does not require a degree to figure out that the world would be a happier place if we made a little effort towards each other. If we just started treating others nicely, maybe they would change their attitude towards us as well. I believe we’re all inherently kind. We all have the “kind streak,” but we hold it back so that we don’t appear weak. Being kind makes you anything but weak; it gives you control; it teaches you compassion and empathy; it gets you the respect you deserve.

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Hiring a Pro in Langley for Personal Training

Tuesday, February 11th, 2020
girl with personal trainer

Personal training is everywhere. We are all trying to be healthier, get stronger, lose weight – it seems like everyone has a health or fitness goal. Personal trainers can go a long way to keep us on the right path and to stay motivated. We sent our Canadian correspondent out to Langley, British Columbia to interview some popular personal trainers and get the Canadian take on health and fitness efforts up in the north country.

What is the Candian Lifestyle Like Today?

For most ordinary people, losing weight can be such a chore. This is true for many of us, since gaining weight is a lot easier. Of course, there are some cases wherein this is not true, but most of us do tend to gain weight easier. It doesn’t help that the culture of the modern world is instant everything like fast food. Canadians would usually joke that this is an American thing, but we Canadians are no better. According to this article, it actually has increased in the late 2010s.

Even here in Langley, BC alone, there are so many Tim Hortons and other fast food places you can walk in one for a burger and beverage on the other. Usually, the faster the food is prepared, the more calories this contains for the person. Exercise also seems to be a hated activity for many people, but this should change. After all, diet and exercise are a part of healthy living and we should participate in it for a better and longer life.

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Tips & Tricks: Langley Personal Training and Personal Fitness Advice From a Certified Trainer

Sunday, January 26th, 2020
Langley Personal Training

It’s the new year and many folks have fallen out of sync with their resolutions and fitness goals because they don’t know what to do. One of the easiest ways to figure out what to do is to hire a professional for advice. There are thousands of personal trainers around the world, but rather than write a generic personal training post, our foreign correspondent has set up camp and chat with some personal trainers in Langley, British Columbia to get advice for fitness newbies, and provide some tips and tricks for selecting the right expert to help you get fit.

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How to Start Going To the Gym

Tuesday, January 14th, 2020

The high prevalence of common diseases in these modern times has seen an increase in gym membership over the years. Many people would like to improve their health by working out at their local gym. However, there’s a lot of anxiety around working out in front of strangers. We don’t all just magically know how to start going to the gym without some help.

If you have signed up to a gym and are tense about it, you are not alone. Many people suffer such anxiety and there’s no reason to go back on your resolve to live a healthy life.  In fact, it is not unusual to find people who sign up and never show up, or do so for a single day. In fact, most commercial gyms love it when members do that.

Don’t let the gym win!

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The Importance Of Mental Health and Well-being

Saturday, December 28th, 2019
Brain Exercise

Mental health is the condition of a person based on the welfare of their state both mentally and emotionally. According to WHO, it affects how we are able to cope with stress, interact with each other, work productively and decision making.

Over time, there are increased cases of mental health disorders across the world. The stigma that is linked with seeking help for mental illnesses has left victims neglected. In all stages of our lives, mental health is critical. It affects all aspects of our life and how we go about it.

Here are some of the reasons why mental health and well-being is essential:

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Top Ways to Boost Your Energy Levels This Festive Season

Tuesday, December 10th, 2019

It can be hard sometimes keeping your energy levels on a high; especially during the festive season when family members are back home, your toddlers are running around the house and visitors are streaming in and out of your home. In these stressful times, you need to find a few healthy ways to boost your energy levels… and quick!

boost your energy levels

Family holidays like this, where Christmas and New Year festivities are just a week apart, can be stressful. From decorating, to the wrapping of gifts and even thinking about your New Year resolutions, many people can become overwhelmed by the festivities.

Despite the holiday pressures, we should strive to focus on our physical, mental and spiritual health. As such, today we are going to discuss various ways you can maintain high energy levels this festive season and make unforgettable memories with your family.

Let’s delve into specifics.

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How Wearable Technology Monitors Progress and Keeps You Motivated

Monday, October 7th, 2019

Progress is a key influencer when it comes to health and fitness. It’s a great motivator, but it can also be defeated if progress isn’t happening fast enough or in the way you want — understandably so, considering that progress is how we know if our new diet, workout, and lifestyle are actually working in our favor. Still, frustrating enough, progress takes patience — a lot of it.

wearable- echnology

It can be easy to give up if you can’t see any sort of that positive change you’re looking for. However, new wearable technology monitors are here to help track, monitor, and most importantly, provide important insight of the progress you’ve been making, even if you can’t see it in the mirror yet.

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Bored With Your Workout? How to Make Your Tired Exercise Routine Interesting

Tuesday, September 17th, 2019
bored fitness girl

Do you find yourself at the gym, completely disinterested in the workout routine you are about to perform? Some of us go to our workouts religiously, but we have completely lost our faith. Like most things, exercising can get boring too. There are many reasons for this—it could be your mood, lack of sleep, or the fact that what you initially enjoyed has now become completely routine.

If you are experiencing a workout slump, here are several tips to revitalize your program:

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Get in the Zone by Practicing Mindfulness Meditation

Sunday, September 8th, 2019

If you’ve ever been in the zone while practicing a sport, you know that the zone is a place you want to be. For competitive athletes under a lot of stress, being able to get in the zone is almost essential to be able to perform optimally and beat the competition. So whether you’re competing at nationals, you’re an aspiring Olympian, or you’re a high-performance athlete participating in competitive youth sports programs, it’s a good idea to learn about the zone. Here are some important questions:

  • What is the zone? How can the zone help me perform my best? 
  • How can I increase my chances of getting in the zone more often? 

In this article, we’ll answer those questions for you so you can achieve peak performance and beat the competition. 

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Sneaky Ways to Keep Yourself Feeling Motivated to Hit the Gym

Monday, August 5th, 2019
energy and motivation

Often, when you first start a new fitness program, the novelty of it, plus the fast results that often come at the beginning, can be enough to keep you pumped and motivated for every workout session. You are loving having a healthier lifestyle, enjoying the endorphin rush you get post-workout, and really noticing yourself getting stronger and leaner. However, as time goes on, and the newness of it all starts to fade, it can become easier to lose that drive to get out and work out as often as you should.

You may have already met your original goals, or hit a plateau. You may no longer find the surroundings of the gym as stimulating, as you’ve already spent a lot of time there. You may find yourself skipping sessions with only the smallest excuses, or putting in less effort when you’re there.

Happily, there are ways to keep the passion alive when it comes to your relationship with the gym; you just may need to employ some tactics that trick your own mind into getting enthusiastic about your training once more as your gym routine begins to become more of a mundane part of your life. 

Here are some ideas to keep motivated to hit the gym:

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3 Main Areas of Focus to Maintain a Healthier Lifestyle

Friday, July 5th, 2019
healthier lifestyle

Being healthy is a choice and a good one that you can adapt to easily. Think of how a healthier lifestyle could make you more productive. When you start quitting your bad habits, you will improve your health in many ways; you will start to feel more energized, not only that, but you also will find your mental health improving along with your body’s defense against illnesses.

Being healthy is not just about your physical well-being, it’s about your mental and emotional as well. That is why you have to make sure that your entire routine is healthy enough.

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Foolproof Ways to Bust Out of a Fitness Rut

Monday, December 17th, 2018

In every person’s life who’s devoted to their fitness regime, there comes a time when you just can’t do it anymore. It all goes around in circles, and you become fed up with your work out sessions. Instead of lifting your spirits and making you feel good, you just end up walking away more frustrated.

This is the point where most people give up and undo all their hard work. The truth is, all you have to do is overcome this point and you’ll be more productive than ever. Thankfully, there are some foolproof ways you can do this without wasting any time or energy.

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How Not To Quit Working Out

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

procrastination badgerProcrastination – you all do it.

It’s sometimes easier to put off until tomorrow what you should really be doing today. When it comes to the gym, suddenly you become an expert in all things delay. Worst still many of you will simply quit – sometimes without ever properly starting! Even if you have the benefit of a no-contract gym membership and won’t suffer financially by quitting too soon, you will be losing out. Your health could suffer, your fitness will drop off and your lifestyle will be less enjoyable as a result.

The temptation to quit will always be there. To deal with this problem, and to ensure that you have the best possible chance to both start the gym and thereafter keep attending, this article gives you the help and advice you’ll need to build the determination to succeed. So before you’re tempted, read on to see just how to stick at it!

 

It’s A Start

You have to remember that everybody has started at some point and that they have all had their first day at the gym. This should reduce the overall fear or intimidation of walking through those doors on day one. Don’t worry if you’re not particularly sporty, to begin with, the fact that you have made a decision to attend and are in fact going through with it is a start and that’s great. You will, however, need to maintain your commitment levels and stay positive. (more…)

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Post Workout Blogging for Stress Relief

Monday, August 13th, 2018

fitness blogging

Many of us have post workout routines that we feel are important for our fitness. From stretches and yoga to meditation and even meals or protein shakes, the things we do after our workouts are just as important as what we do during them.

 

The reason? Fitness is 20% about what we do in the gym and our exercises, 80% about what we eat and put in our bodies, but 100% mental. The post-workout routine is filled with these mental and physical exercises and practices that remain critical to our fitness success.

 

What can we add to our post-workouts for better fitness and for stress relief? Surprisingly, one answer is blogging. Why? Because it combines some of the mental tasks above with habitual practices that make your workouts more productive and help you keep track of the things you want and need to accomplish. Starting a blog, choosing a domain and website host and designing your site are all pretty easy. Once you get going, blogging can be addictive just like exercise.

 

How does post-workout blogging help improve your workouts? Here are a few ways. (more…)

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Best Headphones for Each Type of Workout

Thursday, May 10th, 2018

Working out without music would be miserable. Workout playlists make time pass faster and help you pump yourself up for the next rep! If you’ve ever tried to workout with the wrong pair of headphones, you know just how frustrating it can be. Whether you hate dealing with a cord in your face or you sweat all over bulky over-the-ear headphones, you know you need something that can handle your level of workout.

It turns out not all headphones are created equal! Some headphones are best used for certain types of workouts, and that’s why you need to learn more about what kind is right for you. Here is a guide to the best headphones for every type of workout! Take your workout to the next level with these tips.

changing weights

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Four Great Tips for Reducing Anxiety

Saturday, May 5th, 2018

stress anxiety womanWe recently published a post at Project Swole about treating many comment mental well-being complaints with Xanax, and of course, we all know how well exercise helps with anxiety.

Here are some additional tips for battling anxiety and other mental health issues, ranging from sleep to meditation to alternative supplements.

Keep your mental health strong and your physical health will follow! (more…)

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