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3 Ways To Trick Yourself Into Eating Healthier
Good nutrition is important for long-term health. Nothing you didn’t know already, but what if you hate the way most healthy food tastes? Should you force-feed yourself? No, but you can “trick” yourself into incorporating more wholesome foods. While you may be fed up with how you look and feel, making health related changes is uncomfortable and usually comes with a big side of resistance. You likely have an idea about what it will take to achieve healthy results and it’s often something that feels like a punishment. No wonder most resolutions fall flat within a few weeks or less. So much of creating a healthy lifestyle is about honoring your…
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What Valentine’s Day Taught Me About The Heart
I used to love Valentine’s Day as a kid. My dad would give both my younger brother and me a heart shaped box filled with chocolates, one for each of us. It is hard for me now to see those heart shaped boxes in the store. I have hated this holiday for many years but now I want to change my focus. Instead of feeling sorrow and loss around this holiday, I want to focus on making it about strengthening hearts and creating more health for families. My dad died on Valentine’s Day when I was eight years old and left me confused, devastated, and angry. I really loved him and…
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Achieve Lasting Results While Training Online
You have likely tried diets and exercise programs that haven’t worked well for you. Perhaps initially you lost some poundage, but not long after you put it all back on; maybe even more than what you started with. This is defeating and makes it easy to tune out preaching professionals concerning healthy lifestyle choices. What if it didn’t work because you didn’t truly understand what was best for YOUR body? It’s tempting to jump on the latest and greatest diet/fitness fad wagon. While they may produce results for some, it may not work for others and worse, might cause health issues. It’s exciting to dive into a new program but…
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Importance Of The Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a hot topic for pregnant women and women who have recently delivered but the fact is all women should understand and care about their pelvic floor. A dysfunctional pelvic floor can cause pain, discomfort, and embarrassment and can be either prevented or addressed and cured. In the United States alone, nearly 4 million babies are born each year. Across the world, the majority of women will have children at some point in their lives. Pelvic floor dysfunction is so common that many women are left thinking that nothing can be done about it so they suffer in silence, sometimes even many years after the birth of their…
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Challenges Of The Postnatal Woman
The majority of women will end up giving birth at some point in their life. Because pregnancy and delivery are so common, they aren’t often thought of as an extraordinary experience or accomplishment. Birthing a baby is a major physical event. With this awesome experience comes challenges and changes and the extent of these are directly impacted by the woman’s lifestyle choices and self-care routine. After delivery, there is a period of recovery that should include rest and strengthening of stretched and damaged muscles and connective tissue. If a new mom neglects caring for her body (although easily argued that she can’t or doesn’t have time), this can create muscle imbalances,…
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3 Ways Overweight Women Can Positively Shape Their Child During Pregnancy
Many of us struggle with staying the course when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. This could be because you believe that a diet and exercise are a punishment or because you soothe with food when life throws fireball triggers at you. No matter what you grew up thinking and believing, could you now consider that your pregnancy is an opportunity for you to question the beliefs you have and subsequently bring your baby into a completely different and healthy way of existing? As women, we have all been conditioned to believe certain things about our bodies and how we should act and look by our families, friends, and…
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Is It Selfish For New Moms To Engage In Self-Care?
You will likely experience a variety of emotions the moment you learn you are pregnant. You may have a very specific idea in your mind about what it means to be a good mom and are devoted to making that fantasy come true. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with striving to be a great parent, it is imperative that you do not sacrifice your own health and well-being in the process. Many of us were raised to not be selfish and depending on when we were reminded of this sentiment, it has likely manipulated the way we behave and think. It is common to hear new moms say that…
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Do Only Humans Suffer In Childbirth?
I recently saw a shark on television birthing her pups with ease. Not more than a minute after she delivered did she swim away, appearing not to be in any pain, nor slightly disfigured. I thought, Great Scott! What if it were that easy for humans?! I wondered if all animals seemingly pooped out their young and moved on with their day as if it was all effortless. I began researching this topic and it turns out that birth isn’t always a walk in the park for every animal. Hyenas for instance, give birth through an extended clitoris (a pseudopenis). OUCH! If a baby porcupine is facing in the wrong direction in…
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How Important Is Exercise During Pregnancy?
For many who grew up with a mostly sedentary lifestyle, the motivation to get active is often lacking and feels like a monumental task. The older we get, the more conditioned we become to continue doing what we have always done, which can make change hard. Fortunately, pregnancy is an amazing time to begin a new health and fitness routine. Many new moms are highly motivated to do what they can to positively shape their baby’s health and most will keep up the practice after they deliver, which can change the health of their entire family unit. In her book titled, The First 20 Minutes, Gretchen Reynolds said, “A baby’s time…
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3 Ways Pregnant Women Can Improve Birth Outcomes
The decision to become a parent is a big one. Whether you are contemplating parenthood or are already pregnant, you know the responsibility is enormous and want to take all appropriate steps to ensure your child is happy and healthy. The most rapid growth rate period in the human life cycle occurs during gestation and the lifestyle of the mother has an enormous impact on the baby. One way moms influence the health of their baby is through nutrition. It’s easy to get confused about what you should or shouldn’t eat, especially during pregnancy. You may decide to consult with a registered dietician or nutritionist who specializes in prenatal nutrition.…
