The New Year brings the resolutions that we know we are just going to break. The most common one is lose weight. An admirable goal considering 60% of Americans are overweight and over 40% are obese (HHS, 2017). However, your weight is not an indicator of good health. These behaviors will yield a far better return on investment! Movement. Most Americans spend 6-8 hours per day sitting (Yang et al., 2019). When we include sleep, this means most people spend about 50 years not moving! The weekly recommendation for physical activity is 150 minutes of movement. Do you watch 1-2 […]
15-Minute Workouts
’Tis the holiday season, and every one of us can probably think of something else we would rather be doing than trying to get into the gym. The reality is, that is exactly why you should be finding time to get to the gym. Yet, the holiday parties with loved ones and for work, the endless shopping lists, foods that need to be prepared, gifts that need to be wrapped, and not to mention the phone calls and cards to make, where can you find the time! Well, if Santa Clause can make a trip around the world in one […]
Three Proven Health Benefits of Pumpkin
By Lindsey Gass With fall in full-swing, pumpkin everything is filling grocery store shelves! Although pumpkin flavors may taste great to most of us, the actual vegetable is packed with so many nutrients that it’s easy to add it to almost any recipe for a nutritional boost. Youfit’s registered dietician, Lindsey Gass, is here to provide. Three of the best reasons to eat pumpkin this fall season: 1) It can improve skin – Pumpkin is full of a carotenoid called beta-carotene that gives it that orange hue. Beta-carotene (a provitamin) breaks down into vitamin A in the body. One-half cup […]
Workout with a Coach
Ever worked with a Master YouCoach? It’s the cat’s pajamas. If you haven’t? Well, fear not – we spoke to Master YouCoach Janzen Fallgren, and he shared with us some great insight about the importance of a warm-up before your workout. And, just for good measure, he threw in some great step-by-step instructions for a dynamic stretching routine to round-out that warm-up. Now, if you’ve ever wondered if you even need a warm up, well sorry to burst your bubble, but yes, you probably should. According to Janzen, “a warm-up is almost universally accepted as an integral part of any […]
Taking Up a New Fitness Hobby
If you’ve ever been told – or told someone else – that they need to get a hobby, well, turns out it may have actually been very good advice. Fitness is a big part of many people’s lives, and it’s a tremendous, life-extending hobby, but we recognize it’s not everything in life. But when we’re not working class or spending time with family, there’s more to be enjoyed. Get yourself a hobby. Here’s why. Hobbies relieve stress. Stress comes from everywhere. Work, family, financial pressures, and so on. But fishing? Learning woodworking? Ah … stress relief! Hobbies demand some attention […]
Boost Your Mental Well-Being
We all experience anxiety, stress, trouble sleeping, and even depression at times. The root cause could just be that our bodies aren’t producing enough endorphins, causing an endorphin deficiency. Endorphin deficiency is commonly referred to as “experiencing the blues,” but exercise is a great way to combat low endorphin levels. During a workout and a good while after, your body produces a surge of endorphins which naturally improves your mood. Whether it was a quick ten-minute jog or a full hour using all types of gym equipment. Surprisingly enough, our brain and exercise are directly connected. When we exercise, the […]
Workout with a Master Coach
Ever worked with a Master YouCoach? It’s the cat’s pajamas. If you haven’t? Well, fear not – we spoke to Master YouCoach Janzen Fallgren, and he shared with us some great insight about the importance of a warm-up before your workout. And, just for good measure, he threw in some great step-by-step instructions for a dynamic stretching routine to round-out that warm-up. Now, if you’ve ever wondered if you even need a warm-up, well sorry to burst your bubble, but yes, you probably should. According to Janzen, “A warm-up is almost universally accepted as an integral part of any workout […]
No Time to Cook?
Not only do you need to work out your body, but you also need to fuel it properly to reach the goals you’ve set for yourself. This spring, Youfit Health Clubs brought Lindsey Gass, a registered dietician, on to the team to provide professional knowledge and insight into the food portion of the health and wellness path. Summer can have schedules all out of whack (in a good way – hey there, beach vacation!) where it’s easy to make unhealthy decisions. Lindsey has just the ticket for you to eat healthier this summer and that ticket is meal replacement shakes. […]
Rest, Refuel, Recover
Recovery days can mean a lot of different things depending on who you ask. To some it means snuggling up with a blanket and watching TV. For others it is taking time to relax and step away from the normal routine. However, to stay consistent and on track to achieve your fitness and wellness goals, the best kind of recovery is active recovery. This type of recovery allows your body to heal after the hard work you put in during your workouts. Here are three tips that will help anyone get the most out of their recovery day. 1) Enhance […]
Travel Tips: Staying Active on Vacation
With summer quickly approaching, people are already making travel plans to squeeze the most out of summer and maximize on all the sunshine and fun times. Depending on where you’re traveling to, you may not have access to workout equipment. While you’re on vacation, it is important to get rest and relaxation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t also enjoy some physical activity! Here are some tips to stay active on vacation. Whether it’s a trip to the Carolinas, backpacking through Spain, or cruising the Caribbean, make sure to squeeze in some unconventional exercises to keep your body and mind […]