We’re excited to announce a brand new feature on the BB blog: a round-up of the latest fitness news and research to help you make smart decisions and get inspired! Carefully curated by our own research hound, BB trainer Kara Stewart-Agostino.
Let’s learn!
SHORT-TERM RESOLUTIONS ACTUALLY MIGHT WORK
better-person
We’re a full 2 weeks into the new year and our Facebook and Twitter feeds are still filled with resolutions and promises from every fitness magazine to have the program that will make you the best you you can be in 2014. Instead of aiming for the stars and then fizzling out again this year, try this: make a short-term commitment to a new fitness program. Instead of making a resolution to workout everyday from now until the end of time, just resolve to work out 3 times per week until the end of March. And to make you accountable to this goal, tell all your friends on FB and Twitter(or just your real-life friends!) that if you don’t stay committed to your goal, you will donate a significant amount of money to an organization that you would never usually support. How’s that for motivation?!
[Tweet “A better kind of New Year’s Resolution… who’s with me? “]
TOP FITNESS TRENDS FOR 2014 – TRY THEM!
The American College of Sports Medicine just published their Top 10 Predicted Fitness Trends (or as Jezebel calls it, “Fitness Trends that will Torture You in 2014“). The ACSM has been publishing this list for the past 8 years and this is the first time that HIIT (high intensity interval training) and bodyweight training have made the list — and they took the number 1 and 2 spots, respectively! Here’s a simple HIIT workout you can do at home using your own bodyweight or add dumbbells if you’d like to kick it up a notch!
Functional Fitness also makes a new appearance on this list, which focuses on exercises that mimic our everyday activities to prevent injuries. Yoga, Personal training and group personal training help to round out the list of fitness favs. Small group personal training is a relatively new trend but growing! Exercising with a friend adds to the fun and keeps you committed to your fitness goals, plus reduces your costs. Did you know BB offers personal training? Contact us to learn more about our one-one-one & couples/friends personal training.
[Tweet “WTF is HIIT? One of the biggest fitness trends for 2014. Add these top trends to your routine!”]
KILL CRAVINGS WITH PEPPERMINT
peppermint
So you’re starting a new fitness routine this January? Well, nothing can hide those hard earned muscles like a bowl of ice cream in front of the TV every night. A recent study shows that peppermint oil can be an effective tool to suppress hunger and stay committed to weight loss resolutions. A group of researchers at Wheeling Jesuit University had volunteers sniff peppermint oil through an inhaler every 2 hours for 5 days. The research subjects reported lower levels of hunger and ate less calories. The study concluded that the strong scent is distracting and keeps your mind off your hunger.
[Tweet “Guess which SMELL is proven to fight cravings & help you stick to your weight loss goals…? “]Instead of sniffing those left over candy canes at night, why not brush your teeth after you’ve put the kids to bed? Who wants to munch on salty or sweet treats when you’ve got nice, clean teeth and minty fresh breath? And try popping a piece of peppermint, sugar-free gum in your mouth after each meal and snack during the day — or just when you’ve got the munchies!