Monitoring your heart rate is a great way to gauge exercise efficiency

Monitoring heart rate is a great way to gauge exercise efficiency / Image source: James Martin/CNET

Monitoring heart rate is a great way to gauge exercise efficiency / Image source: James Martin/CNET

Monitoring your heart rate is a great way to gauge exercise efficiency

When we’re exercising, we want to make the most of our time. No matter what the activity, you want to feel like you’re putting in the right amount of effort to reach your goals. 

The easiest way to measure exercise efficiency is through heart rate training. For all the exercise trackers out there with their different modes, the most important feature you can use to quantify your workout is a heart rate monitor. Calorie counters are nice but often inaccurate — and I’ll tackle this in an upcoming blog. If you know your heart rate, you can maintain a proper level of intensity and adjust throughout your workout. 

To train successfully based on your heart rate, you need to know the maximum times your heart should beat during an activity. The best way to do this is to take 207 and subtract 0.7 times your age. This is called the theoretical maximum heart rate (MHR). 

You can take this number and apply it to the different heart rate zones, depending on the activity. 

  • Low intensity, the “fat-burning zone”, is 50% to 70% of your MHR.
  • Moderate intensity is 70% to 80% of your MHR. This would be when you’re putting in effort but are not uncomfortable.
  • High intensity is 80% to 90% of your MHR. This is where you’re pushing the anaerobic threshold. At this intensity, your cardiovascular system can’t deliver oxygen to your muscles fast enough. 
  • Maximum effort is 90% to 100% of your MHR. Very few people can maintain a heart rate here — even highly trained athletes.  

Depending on your goals, you may spend time training in different zones. If you’re running a marathon, you need to keep a steady pace. This translates to time spent in the Zone 1 and Zone 2 because endurance is key. If you are training for a 5K or doing intervals, you want to spend more time training in Zones 3. In this situation, short bursts of intensity will propel you forward.  

But what about the “fat-burning zone”? If you want to lose weight, shouldn’t that be what you should aim for? Does this mean low intensity exercise is superior to high intensity activities? Zone 1 is only called the “fat-burning zone” because the body relies more on stored fat (versus carbs) as its primary fuel source when you work at a lower intensity compared to a higher intensity. Performing aerobic exercise at a low intensity is not a better way to lose weight than more intense physical activity.

No matter what you do, it is recommended that we spend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week to stay healthy. Heart rate training will ensure that you are working as efficiently as possible to meet your fitness and health goals. It can take the guesswork out of your workout. 

The Future of Fitness explained: how CBD oil can help you feel better

CBD oil / Image source: openaccessgovernment.org

CBD oil / Image source: openaccessgovernment.org

The Future of Fitness explained: how CBD oil can help you feel better

If you love to learn about new exercise and fitness trends, The Future of Fitness explains it to you in a way you can understand and separate the hype cycle from actual results.

Do you want a shot of CBD in your coffee? How about in your ice cream? It’s almost like everyone discovered this miraculous cure for diabetes, epilepsy, anxiety, and cancer overnight. But do you know the facts about CBD?

What is CBD?

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are produced naturally in our bodies and in some plants. Cannabinoids are similar to chemicals involved in appetite, memory, movement, and pain. There are more than 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant and the most common one is Cannabidiol, or CBD. 

How can I take CBD?

CBD is extracted from cannabis and is available as an oil or in capsule form. It can also be applied topically, inhaled, or ingested as an oil or in an edible.

How does it work?

CBD stimulates your endocannabinoid system by interacting with its cannabinoid receptors. This interaction activates the endocannabinoid system so it can better regulate the body and keep functions in balance. 

Can I get high on CBD?

CBD will not get you high. Unlike delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient in marijuana, CBD is not psychoactive. CBD can make you feel relaxed and calm but you will not feel intoxicated. 

What is it used for?

CBD is used to provide relief to people suffering from pain and other ailments. CBD is known to provide relief for chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation, depression and many other conditions. At the moment, a great deal of scientific research is examining CBD as a treatment option for neurological conditions, autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndromes, neuropsychiatric illnesses, skin diseases, gut disorders, and cardiovascular dysfunctions. 

Does it work?

CBD wasn’t recognized as a medicine by the FDA until 2018. A pure pharmaceutical formulation of CBD called Epidiolex was approved for the treatment of two severe paediatric seizure disorders, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. 

Should I Try It?

Because of the stigma associated with marijuana, science hasn’t caught up to embracing CBD as quickly as it should. Most doctors are unaware of the benefits of CBD and may be reluctant to recommend it to patients. It’s also difficult to prescribe a specific dosage or best mode of administration. Additionally, we aren’t sure how CBD interacts with other drugs. 

But research is underway. As more countries legalize and embrace the benefits of cannabis products, CBD will move from the fringes to the mainstream. This will allow us all to make evidence-based decisions about how to incorporate this treatment into our lives. 

More Information Please!

Try these links and get educated about CBD:

Signing on for Dry January can reset more than just your relationship with alcohol​

Illustration for Dry January Image source: Viktoria Hnatiuk / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Illustration for Dry January Image source: Viktoria Hnatiuk / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Signing on for Dry January can reset more than just your relationship with alcohol

Each January, more and more people decide to commit to a month without alcohol. This year, it is estimated that one in ten drinkers will try Dry January. But does quitting booze for a month really make a difference to our health and should you take part in this new tradition? 

If you approach Dry January thoughtfully, it can feel less like a fad and more like an opportunity to reset. Dry January can help you commit to a New Year’s resolution to cut back on alcohol after a month of indulgences.The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines moderate drinking as up to four alcoholic drinks for men and three for women in any single day and a maximum of 14 drinks for men and seven drinks for women per week. 

Dropping alcohol for one month can lower blood pressure, improve your insulin resistance, and reduce blood levels of a signaling protein linked to cancer, according to a small study. People who quit drinking for a month also find it easier afterward. Additionally, refraining from alcohol will relieve metabolic stress on your liver — as about half of all liver disease deaths are from alcoholic liver disease. It can also positively affect your sleep habits, immune system, and help reduce anxiety. 

However, it’s important to remember that abstaining from alcohol for one month will not make up for eleven months of binge drinking. The true health benefits associated with cutting out alcohol are based on long term abstinence. 

The biggest benefits of Dry January, a short period of abstinence, are psychological or psychosocial ones. If you think your regular (or excessive) drinking habits might be contributing to how you are feeling (mentally, physically, socially, etc.), removing alcohol can give you the perspective you need to make sustainable, healthy changes. 

While Dry January won’t directly cure your depression, stepping back from your nightly drinks can provide the distance you need to assess your motivation for drinking. When not self-medicating, you’ll be in a better position to recognize that you might need help from a doctor or therapist. 

When you remove alcohol from social situations, does it change how you want to spend your time? Are you ordering that mimosa at brunch because you like it…or because that’s the expectation in your friend group? How much is external pressure part of your alcohol consumption? It’s hard to critically observe these situations when you’re in the middle of them. Taking a step back always helps, and Dry January gives you an excuse, if you need one, to observe the dynamics of your personal relationships. 

Like cutting out any other harmful substance in our lives, focusing more on what we gain — rather than what we lose — is key to success. Participating in Dry January can provide you with clarity and inspire you to make larger positive life changes.   

Anyone can make resolutions for the New Year. Here are some strategies for the New Decade

women on couch at New Decade party / Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

women on couch at New Year's party / Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Anyone can make resolutions for the New Year. Here are some strategies for the New Decade

New decade resolutions can be bold. They can be aspirational…but they can also be intimidating. They can be small steps you take to answer the question “Who do I want to be in 10 years”? Or, they can be frightening. When you evaluate where you currently are, how will you get to be the person you always dreamed you could be?

Maybe you’re already there — living a life that is emotionally, romantically, physically, financially, and spiritually satisfying. And if that’s you…congratulations. However, most of us aren’t where we ever pictured ourselves. Whether it’s arbitrary age-related timelines or surprise curveballs in multiple careers, sometimes we’re so far away from our life goals that it’s difficult to know where to start.

Last year, we offered some strategies to help you stick to your resolutions. Starting small, focusing on a single challenge, being realistic, and tracking your progress are still the expert-recommended approaches to accomplishing lifestyle habits that don’t dissolve in February. This year, inspired by the new decade, let’s look at how you can practically set yourself up for success today to accomplish more in the next 10 years.

Stop talking, start doing.

Are you one of those people who is always telling your friends about how you want to start a podcast, write a book, learn to scuba dive, run a marathon, and take up an instrument…but you haven’t done anything about it? Well, this is the year where you need to take small steps to accomplish these things. Can you swap Sunday morning brunch for a quiet hour of writing, researching, running, or taking classes? Like everything in life, if it’s important enough, you will dedicate the time and energy to do it. If not, it’s time to let go and stop making empty promises.

Add, don’t remove.

So much of the trapping of diet culture is about deprivation. It’s about what you can’t eat. Once something is forbidden, we only want it more. If your goal for this decade is to be healthy, consider adding something to your daily routine. Whether it’s adding a walk around the block after dinner or a cup of bone broth every day, adding things into your life switches the focus. It reinforces how much we have and allows us to celebrate and be grateful.

Be reflective, not reactive.

We live in a culture that rewards instant gratification. We are expected to respond as soon as possible to emails, text messages, feeds, streams…and this can lead to emotional overload. We all need a time out to take a moment and compose ourselves before speaking or typing. Slowing down and being deliberate and thoughtful helps us to take a moment to evaluate how we really feel — keeping our emotions from ruling our lives.

Ask for help. You are not alone.

From coaches to therapists, there are people out there who understand what you’re going through. There are teachers who can provide you with new skills and trainers to help you perfect your form. These people exist to help you achieve greatness. They are there for you. Asking for help can be scary but it’s essential if you want to grow in this new decade. Not only will they help you meet your goals, but developing a relationship with a person who really understands you will help you grow in ways you never imagined.

These four approaches to resolutions are tough ones. They require you to really look at your life, evaluate your priorities, and make uncomfortable changes. It’s often easier to stay static than confront things that make us uneasy. However, if we start seriously considering who we want to be on the evening of 2029, we have to start somewhere. And we can do it together.