Fitnessaware

January 25, 2023

Got sore, achy muscles after a workout or sitting at your computer all day? Foam rolling can help relieve tension and ease pain. @ClevelandClinic

Got sore, achy muscles after a workout or sitting at your computer all day? Foam rolling can help relieve tension and ease pain.

health.clevelandclinic.org

Should You Try Foam Rolling?

The self-myofascial release (SMR) technique can help ease sore or achy muscles

January 25, 2023

Recipe: Charred Broccoli Tabbouleh Salad @ClevelandClinic

Charred-Broccoli-Tabbouleh-scaled

Try this delightful twist on traditional tabbouleh. Blend nutritious, high fiber bulgur with charred broccoli, chickpeas and tahini. You’ll get bone-building vitamin K, and vegetarian-friendly protein. And you’ll also get great taste.

Ingredients

¼ cup bulgur wheat
1 broccoli crown
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ plus ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ English cucumber, cut into small pieces
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
2 scallions (white and light green parts), thinly sliced
15.5-ounce can (no salt added) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon tahini*, well stirred

Directions

Put the bulgur into a small bowl and cover with hot water by 2 inches. Let stand until the bulgur is tender, about 30 minutes. Drain into a strainer and shake out excess water.
Heat the oven to 425°F.
Cut the broccoli into small florets and place on a rimmed sheet pan. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of the salt and pepper. Toss and spread into a single layer. Roast until tender and charred at the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, tomatoes, scallions, chickpeas, bulgur, and broccoli.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, tahini, and remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt. Pour over the salad and toss well to combine.

Nutritional information

Calories 251

Total fat 10g
Saturated fat 1.5g
Protein 11g
Carbohydrate 33g
Dietary fiber 7g
Sugar 4.6g
Added sugar 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 452mg

Recipe developed by cookbook author Sara Quessenberry for Cleveland Clinic Wellness

January 25, 2023

6 Surprising Ways the Mediterranean Diet Benefits Your Body

You know it’s great for your heart—but your favorite Mediterranean staples do wonders for other parts of your body, too.

By Alisa Hrustic for Men’s Health Tuesday, January 2, 2018, 8:31 am

The Mediterranean diet gets hyped for a reason. The traditional Italian, Greek, or Spanish way of eating can help you lose weight, slash your cancer risk, and offers your whole body a slew of health perks.Mediterranean meals—which range even farther to France, Croatia, and Turkey—are mainly composed of plant-based foods, with the occasional addition of lean proteins like fish and chicken, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Other options include foods high in fiber, like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Healthy fats, like the kind you find in olive oil and nuts, are also a staple. If you drink, red wine will be your libation of choice, while red meats, butter, and added sugar are typically limited.(Looking for nutritious meals to fuel your run? Try the Runner’s World Cookbook.)

Overall, it’s one of the healthiest ways to eat, because you’re primarily consuming foods in their whole form, explains Carolyn Brown, M.S., R.D., a nutrition counselor at Foodtrainers in New York City.

In general, Americans tend to eat fewer fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, while loading up on more processed carbs and sugar. The result? A higher risk of obesity, heart problems, and diabetes, says Brown.

But eating an abundance of Mediterranean staples? That can do your body good. Read on to find out how.

https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition/mediterranean-diet-benefits-entire-body/slide/1

January 24, 2023January 24, 2023

How To Do Cat-Cow Properly To Warm Up Your Spine — Or Relieve Back Pain.@mindbodygreen

mindbodygreen@mindbodygreen·19m

Here’s how to do cat-cow (or chakravakasana in Sanskrit), as demonstrated by a certified yoga instructor.

September 10, 2021 — 14:39 PM Share on:

How to do cat-cow, chakravakasana

This Ridiculously Satisfying Stretch Warms Up Your Spine & Relieves Back PainYou may have done this pose before, but are you doing it properly?mindbodygreen.com

January 23, 2023

Sound Sleep. Good Health.

Runner’s World‏Verified account @runnersworld Oct 28

Training hard? Don’t skimp on sleep. Here’s why: http://spr.ly/60178CvuZ ā

January 23, 2023January 23, 2023

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January 21, 2023January 21, 2023

How to fit in your work out at home.@ClevelandClinic

cleveland work out at home

Whether you’re a fitness fanatic or casual gym goer, the thought of picking up a dumbbell covered in germs is enough to make anyone cringe. And with the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) becoming more prominent every day, gyms and fitness centers across the country are closing their doors to help protect members.

If staying active is an important part of your life (as it should be!) you might be wondering how you’re supposed to go about this whole at-home workout thing. Thankfully, it’s easier than you think.

“A lot of what you’ll find with at-home workouts is about maintaining your current level of fitness,” explains exercise physiologist Katie Lawton. “And with workouts, consistency is key.”

Here Lawton shares some practical advice about how to stay active at home.

Find workouts through online videos and apps. The internet is choked full of free workout videos. From yoga, to Zumba, to circuit training that you can do in your backyard. Test out a few workouts to find a series, program or instructor that you like. (Bonus points if you can get other members of your household to join you!)
Walk, run or bike outside. Everyone could use a little fresh air. Hit the pavement in your neighborhood and challenge yourself to walk, run or bike a certain number of minutes or miles. If you’re an experienced fitness buff and you’re really looking to ramp up your heart rate, opt for hills or try a running based HIIT workout.
Focus on body weight movements. Now’s the time to incorporate body weight exercises into your workouts. These tried and true movements include things like pushups, squats, lunges, planks and burpees. They’re convenient, efficient and inexpensive (AKA free). Pick a few different movements and create a circuit workout by completing as many reps of that one movement as possible in one minute. Then rest for a minute and continue on to the next movement and do the same thing. Repeat this for 15 to 20 minutes.
Order inexpensive fitness equipment online. Things like jump ropes, pull up bars that attach to door frames, suspension trainers and resistance bands are inexpensive items that can pack a punch when it comes to your workouts. Lawton recommends choosing a heavier resistance band and suggests tying the suspension trainer to a tree outside. You could also ask around if other family members or neighbors have old dumbbells or barbells that they no longer use.
Utilize items around your house. Lawton encourages creativity when it comes to working out at home. Run up and down your basement stairs, use a chair for triceps dips or grab cans of soup or a gallon of water as a weight. Even jumping over a shoebox a few times can be a quick burst of cardio.
Get your household involved. If you have kids, chances are they have more energy to burn off than you know what to do with and they’d be thrilled to be involved. Try to incorporate them into your plans to stay active – whether it’s encouraging them to do pushups with you or organizing a backyard obstacle course. Try to walk your dog every day, play tag with your kids or get your whole family involved in a backyard soccer game. Also never underestimate the power of a good dance party! It’s a great way to make memories with your family and burn off some stress and anxiety.