Fitness Korner

HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I GAVE UP SUGAR FOR A MONTH As someone who doesn’t add sugar to my coffee, rarely drinks fizzy drinks, whose breakfast hasn’t come from a box with a cartoon on it since forever and doesn’t load up their shopping basket with biscuits, cakes and chocolate – I don’t seem like the kind of person who needs to take on the challenge of quitting sugar. However, I do have a sweet tooth and I volunteered to take on the challenge to quit sugar for a month. So I did. My weaknesses for sugar are: if there’s chocolate in the office, I’ll have some. Then I find that  I keep coming back  for bits throughout the day… If there are cookies laid out at someone’s house, you can bet I’ll take one – then  a few more… If I’m offered cake, it’s unlikely I’ll say no to a slice… Basically, when I start, it’s very hard to stop. So I decided to cut myself off and see what happens. THE FIRST 2 DAYS OF THE NO-SUGAR CHALLENGE Here is an overview of t...

(Image: Mireya Acierto/DigitalVision/GettyImages) It used to be that the weight room of most gyms was filled solely with men (and the occasional brave female). But recently, women have begun to  skew that ratio  more in their favor. And with good reason! There are so many great reasons to add strength training to your fitness routine, regardless of your gender, but specifically for women. But if you're a little unsure of where to start, here's a beginners guide to strength training for women, so you can strut into the weight room with confidence. Benefits of Strength Training for Women While there are a host of  benefits of strength training  for both men and women, strength training is especially beneficial for women. 1. Improving Bone Health:  Strength training is one of your best strategies for keeping your bones healthy as you age, according to a 2009 review in  Clinical Cases in Mineral and Bone Metabolism . "Simply the pushing and pulli...

Quitting sugar could help you lose weight. You're willing to forgo the sodas and cookies for your waistline's sake, but will it make a difference? The answer is a solid maybe. Quitting refined sugars is an excellent move for your overall health, and if your total calorie intake decreases with the switch, you will lose weight. That said, if you replace your sugary snacks with potato chips and other calorie-dense foods, your won't shed a pound. Sugar and Weight Sugar is a type of carbohydrate, and contains 4 calories per gram. For the most part, a calorie is a calorie to your body no matter where it comes from. Although refined sugar does not directly cause weight gain, it can contribute to overeating. When you consume sugar, your blood glucose levels spike and then plummet, causing you to crave more food -- particularly more sugar for instant energy, perpetuating the cycle. Plus, you're more likely to over-indulge in sweet treats than healthier fare, and lar...

Do you crave for sugary treats late at night or when you are happy, heartbroken, working, or bored? Then you are addicted to sugar – well, most of us are! In fact, sugar addiction is the reason why there’s a rise in diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity-related diseases around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 6 teaspoons of sugar per day. But according to the American Heart Association, most of us consume more than 22 teaspoons of sugar per day. That’s about 16% of total calories consumed! So, let go of your sugar addiction to lose weight, feel happy, stay active, and stronger than ever. Wonder how? Worry not, that’s what you are here to find out. I will tell you ways to get there. Here’s how you can quit sugar in just 5 days. 1. Positive Approach Giving up sugar doesn’t mean you are going to be deprived. If you want to quit sugar, it is important that you have the right attitude. It is just like quitting any other addictio...