With so much emphasis on love around Valentine’s Day, we’d like to suggest that you turn your love inward and think about some ways that you can love yourself and your body. Whether you are just starting out with a healthier lifestyle or you’ve been at it for a while now, you likely know that the journey has its ups and downs.
But no matter what life throws your way, you deserve to treat yourself well. Oftentimes, that means not being so hard on yourself. When you make a mistake, accept it, learn from it and move on. Don’t dwell or allow yourself to spiral out of control. You can always get back on track.
It’s time to give yourself some credit and show a little love to the body that has gotten you this far in your journey. To help you shift your focus toward loving your body and doing good for you, we’ve rounded up some fun tips for a healthy Valentine’s Day.
Show yourself some love this Valentine’s Day with these five healthy tips:
1. Crush your chocolate cravings.
While chocolates might be the quintessential Valentine’s Day treat, there is a way to get your chocolate fix without totally derailing your diet with a heart-shaped box of sugar-packed sweets. The Leaf Weight Loss Blog is filled with nutritious and delicious chocolate recipes, such as our Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cake. You could also satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthful way with one of these seven healthy chocolate snack hacks! >
Nutrisystem offers a variety of chocolate treats that are both tasty and weight loss-friendly. We’re totally crushing on our Cream Filled Chocolate Cupcake. However, some of the other delicious possibilities include our Chocolaty Fudge Bar, Chocolate Flavored Pretzels or Chocolate Brownie Sundae.
2. Cook dinner at home.
Instead of making a reservation with your V-day date, why don’t you consider cooking a meal together at home? It can be romantic and fun to prepare an entrée and share it cozily at the dinner table. You can still light candles and even dress up if you want. Take a look at the recipe section on The Leaf for a wide range of meals that fit into your Nutrisystem program.
By cooking at home, you’ll save money, fat and calories. Many restaurants tend to use more oils, sugar and salt in their food preparation. This can cause a single meal to provide most or all of your total recommended daily calories. The fact is that you could make a much healthier version of the same meal at home.
5 Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas That Don’t Involve Food
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3. Make wise choices.
Of course, if dining out is one of your favorite things about the holiday, there are ways to do it that won’t totally set you off track. For instance, you can plan ahead by researching restaurant menus online so that you’ll be able to make a smart choice. Look for veggie-based dishes or lean meats that are grilled or baked. Avoid fried foods and meals with creamy sauces.
Keep your portion sizes in check by splitting an entrée with your date or immediately boxing up half of it before you even start eating. You can find many other smart tips for dining out right here on The Leaf! Take a look at our Dining Out Guide so that a dinner out doesn’t derail your healthy eating plan.
4. Get your heart pumping.
If you want to show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day, then you should get it pumping with a fun activity that you enjoy. Whether it’s cycling, going for a jog, doing yoga or walking with a friend, choose something that you love to do so that it’s fun and rewarding.
If you’re paired up this holiday, you might consider trying out a partner exercise. Just do a quick internet search for a “couple’s workout” and you’ll discover many great ideas to strengthen both your body and relationship. Of course, if you’re rocking it single this V-day, you can still love yourself and your body by getting that heart rate up and improving your cardiovascular health.
10 Ten-Minute Workouts
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5. Spread the love.
Taking care of your mind and spirit is incredibly important and something that you might be thinking about this Valentine’s Day. Why not share the love this February by making a date with a local volunteer organization? Donating your time and effort to serve those in need is the perfect way to give back to others. Whether it’s handing out meals at a soup kitchen, organizing shelves at a local food pantry or even taking shelter dogs for a walk, you’ll feel good about spreading love to others in the community—and you’ll make a difference in their lives, too.
The post Love Your Body: 5 Tips for a Healthy Valentine’s Day appeared first on The Leaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drink is good for burning belly fat over night?
The best way to lose weight fast is by drinking lots of water. Drinking enough water can help you lose calories and make you feel fuller longer. You will also be less likely to snack and eat high-calorie foods. Water helps flush toxins out of your body and maintains your skin’s youthful appearance.
The easiest thing for most people to do when they’re dieting is to skip meals. You’ll feel less hungry later on because your metabolism slows. Instead, eat smaller meals more often.
If you find yourself craving snacks, try drinking more water. Drinking less water can cause your body to burn calories at a slower rate and make you crave sugary drinks. For extra detoxifying benefits, you can add lemon juice to your water.
Drinking plenty of water promotes weight loss by helping you feel fuller and faster. Research shows that people who have eight glasses of water per day tend to be less overweight than those who have only four. The reason is: Water helps fill you up without adding extra calories.
When you wake up in the morning, wait about 30 minutes before having anything to eat. Hormones like insulin begin to regulate blood sugar levels within 10-15 minutes of waking up. These hormone surges often send us into hunger mode. Waiting until this happens prevents a sugar rush and subsequent crash.
Take a snack with you to lunch. Eat something between lunches and dinner to avoid snacking later in the evening. A piece of fruit can be combined with whole grain toast and peanut butter.
Avoid eating too close to bedtime. Studies show that we metabolize nutrients more efficiently when we sleep so staying slim is easier when you go to bed earlier.
Do not go to bed hungry! Get a light breakfast one hour before going to bed. You may be shocked at how much food it takes to fall asleep.
Green tea can be added to your daily schedule. Green tea contains catechins, plant compounds that reduce inflammation and boost metabolism. According to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition, participants who consumed three cups of green tea per day lost more weight than those who did not. A second study revealed that green tea intake increased men’s metabolic rates by three percent over twelve weeks.
How to Get African Mango Extract
Mango extract is simple to make. You just need to cut open a fresh ripe mango and scoop the flesh into your blender bottle. Blend until smooth.
You may also strain the pulp if you want a finer consistency. Store in a cool dark place.
The pulp can be frozen for future use. You don’t need to buy another batch every mango season.
Is African Mango Extract safe to use during pregnancy?
Yes, African mango extract is safe to take during pregnancy. Women who have been pregnant before can safely use it.
However, we recommend consulting your doctor before using this product if you are pregnant.
How can I lose weight in 7 Days at Home?
You should eat fewer calories, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly. It’s as simple as that! Sometimes you may feel tempted to skip meals. However, this is not a wise decision. You will feel hungry later, so skip meals.
Don’t be afraid to eat. Do not forget to track how many calories your body is consuming. Slowly increase your intake. For instance, if you usually eat 2,000 calories every day, start by increasing that number by 500 calories per day. This will mean that you will add 1,500 calories daily to your routine.
If you need more specific advice, there are numerous online resources available that can provide you with tips on losing weight. Google is an excellent search engine to use. Simply type “how to lose weight fast,” and you’ll find hundreds of results.
Local libraries might be a good place to start if you prefer to read in person about the topic. You can often find free weekly seminars that feature diet experts discussing various topics related to weight reduction.
Drinking smoothies can help me lose weight.
Smoothies are full of nutrients, fiber, and vitamins that help you stay healthy and slim.
They are also low in calories, and contain very little fat. They’re great for breakfast, lunch, or as an afternoon snack. They are great for any meal, but the best flavor comes from fresh from your blender.
Smoothies are fast and simple to make. You only need fruit, milk, and ice. Add nuts, seeds or flaxseed oil to make it even more delicious. Your choice! Get yourself a smoothie maker today if you want to try this diet.
It may surprise you how quickly your body begins to burn more calories than it normally does. The right combination could help you see results in as short as 4 weeks.
Here are the top natural food products for weight loss. Here we go through all the top-rated natural weight loss supplements on Amazon.
What happens when you drink a green slushie every day.
It’s not just for breakfast anymore! Green Smoothies, which are made from fresh fruits or vegetables, are a healthy and delicious way to enjoy a refreshing beverage. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, antioxidants as well as fiber and protein. They taste delicious!
Green Smoothies are low in calories, high in nutrients and low in calories. So all those extra pounds you’ve been putting on could be coming off thanks to this fantastic drink.
Green smoothies are simple to make. All you have to do is mix some greens with fresh fruits and ice cubes. There are endless combinations. We’ve listed our top ten.
- Banana + Blueberries Banana Berry Blast
- Spinach + Pineapple Healthy Superfood
- Strawberry + Yogurt Strawberry Delight
- Smoothie: Apple + Orange Fruity green Smoothie
- Lemonade + Peach Melon Madness
- Pear + Kale Filled with Fiber
- Grapefruit + Kiwi The Ultimate Detox
- Mango + Avocado Tropical Paradise
- Watermelon + Lime Delicious Hydration
- Coconut + Cucumber Refresher
Statistics
- Vitamin C:62% of the Daily Value (DV) (healthline.com)
- Nature’s Health Goji Berry – Lycium Berries – Maintain Vision Health – Jam-Packed with Vitamins A & C – 580 mg per Serving – 60 Veggie Capsules – Non-GMO Emerald Labs Goji Berry – 40% Polysaccharides – 60 Vegetable Capsules (amazon.com)
- On average, they experienced 28 pounds (12.8 kg) of weight loss, a 6.4-inch (16.2-cm) reduction in waist circumference, and a 6.3% dip in body fat (5Trusted Source (healthline.com)
- In a total of 54 randomized controlled trials in healthy adults with overweight or obesity, the authors found no difference in weight or body fat percentage between the Garcinia Cambogia group and the placebo group (3Trusted Source (healthline.com)
- According to another review from 2012, CLA may make you lose about 1.5 pounds (0.7 kg) compared with a placebo. (healthline.com)
External Links
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- IGOB131 is a novel seed extract from the West African plant Irvingia gaonensis that significantly lowers body weight and improves metabolic conditions in overweight individuals in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial – PMC
- A case involving renal failure due to African mango consumption. – PMC
cdc.gov
healthline.com
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Results of a national survey on the use of diet supplements to weight loss in the United States – PubMed
- African mango (IGOB131), a proprietary extract of Irvingia gabonensis that is effective in reducing bodyweight and improving metabolic parameters in overweight patients – PubMed
How To
Goji Berries: Health Benefits and Side Effects
Goji berries, one of China’s oldest cultivated fruits, are a great example. They are also known by the names wolfberries or Chinese plums. They are found in the Himalayas and they can be found all over Asia. The Tibetan word gom means “to increase” and the name “goji” is derived from it. They are known in Japan as Kuzuimaki.
In ancient Chinese literature, the goji berry was first mentioned around 300 BC. Goji berries were used primarily to provide food. However, they also had medicinal properties. Goji berries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber, amino acids, polysaccharides, and enzymes. They are high in anthocyanins. Goji berries have anti-aging and antioxidant properties. They are also beneficial for heart health, diabetes management, memory enhancement, energy boost, weight reduction aid, and skin health.
Goji berries are often referred to superfoods due to their nutritional value. This fruit has significant amounts Vitamin C, vitamin C beta-carotene as well as iron, calcium and magnesium. Blueberries and goji berries are often confused because they have similar colors, tastes, and textures. Both goji and blueberries contain the powerful cancer-fighting chemical ellagic acids, which can be found in nuts and seeds as well as plants.
Studies have shown that goji berries can reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, prevent macular degeneration, protect against certain cancers, and promote cardiovascular health.
Goji berries are known to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while also increasing HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Additionally, studies have shown that consuming gojiberries reduces blood pressure and helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Goji berries may be able to fight Alzheimer’s disease, according to one study. Another study suggests that gojiberries may be able to relieve depression symptoms. Goji berries are sometimes used to treat insomnia.
Goji berries are also good for maintaining a healthy weight. Goji berries can be a great way to boost your metabolism, according to research. They can help you feel fuller, longer.
Goji berries are very nutritious and many people add them into smoothies, juices, and other desserts. Goji berries can be eaten as a snack or even plain.
Goji berries can cause nausea, stomach upset, vomiting, dizziness and headaches, as well as constipation and fatigue. Goji berries should not be consumed by pregnant women or those who are nursing.
Goji berries may be harmful if consumed by children, elderly individuals, or those with low immunity. If you experience adverse side effects after consuming goji berries, discontinue use immediately.
