Monday, May 16

What is a successful mindset for maintaining weight loss?

In today's calorie-dense, ultra-processed, movement-restrictive, chronic stress-inducing, so-called "toxic" environment, weight loss is a difficult task. However, it is even more difficult to execute a healthy, long-term approach to weight loss.

Long-term weight maintenance can be more difficult than short-term weight loss.

The majority of people can successfully lose weight in the short term. Those who switch from one fad diet to another, however, frequently experience the metabolic roller coaster known as yo-yo dieting, which increases our hunger hormones, decreases our metabolic rates, and produces a vicious cycle of weight loss and regain. Even the majority of medical treatments for obesity result in the traditional pattern of early weight loss, followed by a plateau, and then increasing weight regain. In a meta-analysis of 29 long-term weight loss studies, more than half of the weight lost was recovered within two years, and more than 80% of the weight lost was regained by five years. This indicates that, according to our best estimates, only one in five obese persons achieves long-term weight loss success.

United States

HEALTH/FITNESS

Saturday, May 14

French fries versus almonds: Which is superior in terms of calories?

In a perfect world, substituting French fries for almonds on a daily basis would be a simple decision, and selecting the salty, fried option would have no negative consequences. However, according

to a Harvard expert, the findings of a new study supporting this scenario should be taken with a grain of salt. This study, which was paid for by the potato industry, shows that eating a 300-calorie portion of French fries or a 300-calorie portion of almonds every day for a month doesn't make a big difference in terms of weight gain or other risk factors for diabetes.

Dr. Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, notes that snacking on fried potato slivers instead of protein-packed almonds may not affect the scale in the short term, but this does not make the decision equally healthy. Almonds provide health benefits, including a reduction in "bad" LDL cholesterol. In the long term, they are the superior method for preventing or delaying the onset of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, or their complications.

"We've learned from numerous studies over the past two decades that weight loss studies lasting less than a year are likely to produce misleading results, so a 30-day study is less than useless," explains Dr Willett. "For example, studies that last for six months or less show that low-fat diets help people lose weight, but studies that last for a year or more show the opposite."

United States

HEALTH/FITNESS

French fries versus almonds: Which is superior in terms of calories?

Thursday, May 12

12 fresh birthday cake ideas 2022

There are a lot of birthday cake designs to pick from. If you are celebrating your birthday and need a unique cake design in 2022 then you can pick one of these bright and colourful cake designs by cakeadoodle.qa.

Cake

Wednesday, May 11

Light meals linked to overeating

Maintaining a healthy body weight requires sticking to moderate meal proportions. It's easy, however, to deceive oneself into thinking it's okay to eat a few more bites. Research published online in the journal Appetite on January 15, 2022, provides an example. On two separate occasions, scientists served 37 people the same pasta salad. The dinner was described as "light" on one occasion and as "full" on another. People who ate the "light" lunch ate slightly more than those who ate the "filling" meal (and reported feeling less full). The findings suggest that assumptions about how full you'll feel after eating can influence your actual food consumption and that buying meals promoted as "light" to reduce weight should be approached with caution, according to the study's authors.

Netherlands

Food

Turkey's most beautiful islands

Turkey is home to some of the world's most divine islands, from a car-free archipelago just a short ferry ride from Istanbul, to the likes of Gökçeada, where olive groves are lapped by the clear waters of the Aegean Sea. Here are a few of the best Turkish islands.

The Princes’ Islands

The Princes' Islands, Turkey

Despite being just a short ferry ride from Istanbul, the Princes' Islands feel a world away from the Turkish capital. It’s an archipelago of nine that floats in the Sea of Marmara and quietly enthrals visitors with its slow pace of life. The islands are all car-free and known for their romantic horse-drawn carriages (phaetons), which enhance the feeling that you’ve been transported back in time. Explore streets scented with magnolias, mimosas, tangerines, and lemon trees, and lined with wooden country mansions dripping with wisteria. Büyükada, meaning “big island,” is the largest and farthest from Istanbul, making it great for a day trip. Here you can visit one of the superb local fish restaurants, stock up on supplies from the main bazaar, or rent bikes and head off to a shady picnic spot beneath the pines lining the coast. The islands of Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada or the smaller Sedef Adası, Yassıada, Sivriada, Kaşık Adası, and Tavşan Adası are all equally enchanting. Regular ferries depart from Istanbul – more specifically from Eminonu, Kabatas, Kadıköy, or Bostanci. After a day trip to the islands, head back to Loka Suites in Kadıköy for the night.

Turkey

Travel

Tuesday, May 10

Visit places that showcase the natural beauty of the earth.

Pexel image

The best of the earth's natural beauty

Nature

For many of us, the earth’s awe-inspiring natural beauty is what makes us want to travel far and catch a glimpse of mother nature’s wonders. From colossal glaciers meandering down mountainsides to caves sculpted by lava, here are five places to see nature’s most captivating sights, plus convenient, sustainability-minded places to stay.

The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

The Giant’s Causeway is the stuff of myth and legend

The legend goes that Northern Ireland was once home to a giant named Finn McCool. Across the Irish Sea in Scotland lived another giant named Benandonner, who threatened Finn and Northern Ireland. Finn tore up chunks of the Antrim coastline and hurled them into the sea, creating the path known as the Giant’s Causeway.

While the folklore is interesting, the science behind the Causeway’s creation is even more so. Formed 60 million years ago during a period of high volcanic activity, these 40,000 interlocking basalt columns are the result of lava cooling into near-perfect hexagons. It is a lasting reminder of the earth’s power. To complement your folklore-rich trip, stay at Dromore House Historic Country House, a Georgian family home just a 20-minute drive from the Giant’s Causeway.

Iceland

Travel

Visit places that showcase the natural beauty of the earth.

This Summer Style-Up Your Lifestyle

When we think of summer we imagine beaches, cool fruity drinks, flowy dresses, and blooming flowers. The summer style has the liberty of being more creative and colourful than other seasons. This is why you should upgrade your wardrobe and lifestyle with a few newer but timeless summer styles. Unlike trends, the styles mentioned here don’t come and go and can be sustained for a long time. So, wave your coats and jackets goodbye and try summer lifestyle styles such as floral prints, braided hairstyles, and supple makeup.

White Clothes

White is the color of summer. Being a light color keeps you cool. Fashion-wise it can be styled to fit a minimalistic statement or a bold one based on the clothes that you choose. The classic tone in its simplicity creates the most elegant looks. The summer season of turmoil is complimented well by the peaceful white color.

It can be worn for formal and casual events. White monochromatic outfits are a very timeless look that can be worn during the season. The key to wearing a monochromatic outfit that doesn't look too bland is to mix and match the textures of the outfit.

A white airy summer dress can fit almost all occasions and should be a must-have in your closet. Linen and cotton white outfits can be chosen during the day for comfort.

Loose And Comfortable Garments

The hot weather of summer calls for dresses, skirts, rompers, tops, and shorts that are loose and free-flowing instead of tight clothes that feel uncomfortable. Lighter fabrics that float in the wind are exactly the vibe of summer clothing. Cotton, silk, lace, crochet, or chiffon are the perfect light materials for loose clothing.

Airy silhouettes allow the body to breathe while also being fun to style. You can wear bright colors, loose sleeves, or printed apparels that are loose and flowing to add an extra oomph to everyday summer style.

How To Style

Sunday, May 8

Night workers might benefit from daytime eating

If you work the night shift, eating during the day may be beneficial to your health. A small trial discovered that persons who worked night shifts for 14 days and also ate some meals at night saw an increase in blood sugar levels, potentially increasing their chance of developing diabetes, obesity, or heart disease.

HEALTH/FITNESS

Night workers might benefit from daytime eating

Saturday, May 7

5 Key Things to Consider When Planning a Hawaii Cruise

Perched in the North Pacific and surrounded by sparkling blue waters, the Hawaiian archipelago seems tailor-made for cruising. However, organizing a Hawaii cruise is more difficult than it appears. Due to its remote location and strict regulations, only a few cruises to this Polynesian paradise are available.

One of the numerous advantages of a Hawaii cruise is the possibility to see four islands in a week—a logistical achievement that would require several flights for land travelers. Cruising is also a cost-effective method to experience Hawaii, which is known for being an expensive tourist destination.

Last but not least, the natural beauty of the islands themselves is what attracts almost nine million people each year. Each of Hawaii's islands offers travelers unique and memorable experiences, such as cascading waterfalls, famed volcanoes, teeming marine life, and postcard-perfect beaches.

The following are the five most often asked questions about organizing a Hawaii cruise.

1. How long is a cruise to Hawaii?

Depending on the itinerary, Hawaii cruises might last anywhere from seven to 18 nights. Due to the islands' distant position, a cruise exclusively within the Hawaiian Islands sailing round trip to Honolulu is the quickest (and only) seven-night option, but any voyage from California to Hawaii will take at least 15 nights. There are round-trip sailings from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, but expect to spend at least eight days at sea traveling to and from Hawaii. You'll be spending a lot of time on your ship, so choose wisely!

Repositioning cruises to and from Hawaii are common in May and September when ships cross the Pacific, as many ships alternate between Hawaii or Polynesia in the winter and Alaska in the summer. A frequent repositioning itinerary is a 10-night cruise from Vancouver, BC, to Hawaii.

2. What cruise lines go to Hawaii?

Despite the fact that Hawaii is a famous tourist destination, there are only a few cruise lines that provide trips to the island. Due to the rigorous rules for only operating routes within the Hawaiian Islands, this is a common occurrence. Only Norwegian's Pride of America presently fits the criteria of having a crew composed primarily of Americans and is registered in the United States. This means that only one cruise line can offer 7-night Hawaii trips, and they do so every week of the year without any breaks.

Sailing roundtrip from Honolulu, the Pride of America gives passengers 100 hours of shore time on Hawaii's gorgeous islands. To get the most out of your time on Hawaii's two most popular islands, you'll need to rent a car or plan multiple excursions, which are often required to see anything of worth beyond the pier.

Princess, Carnival, and Holland America all offer 15-night (or longer) cruises from California to Hawaii if you don't mind a lot of time at sea. While most other tours do not visit Maui's most charming town, Lahaina, this tour does. Round-trip California itineraries frequently include Ensenada, Mexico, the birthplace of the Margarita and home to some of the country's best vineyards.

From Hawaii to Vancouver, BC, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean offer a wide range of cruises. If you're on a longer, multi-destination trip that includes the Hawaiian Islands, you're more likely to see them.

3. When is the ideal time to go on a Hawaii cruise?

There is never a miserable time to visit Hawaii because it has perfect weather all year. Between December and April, the islands have the greatest visitors (by land or cruise); however, this period also coincides with the "wet season." But don't worry, it never rains heavily or for long periods of time. April, May, September, and October have the most constant fine weather, and you might be able to locate a decent offer on a repositioning cruise during those months.

From mid-May to mid-September, you'll have the ports to yourself because the Pride of America is the only ship cruising Hawaii during that time. The beaches, on the other hand, may be busy with locals enjoying their summer vacation.

If whale watching is on your bucket list, the optimum time to go is late February to early March when the calves are born.

Hawaii, USA

Travel

Friday, May 6

How to prevent exercise-related injuries

Pexel photo

Numerous frequent injuries can be avoided by implementing these seven basic tactics into your practice.

Exercise-related injuries are frequent in people of all ages, whether it's knee pain, a painful elbow, or a torn muscle. They have the potential to sabotage your fitness efforts, throwing you back weeks or even months.

Dr Beth Frates, clinical assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School, adds that many of these injuries are preventable. She gives some recommendations below to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and progress toward your fitness objectives.

1. Choosing a low-impact exercise is the first step. While no activity totally eliminates the danger of injury, doing a low-impact exercise that puts less strain on your joints makes it less likely that you'll be hurt. Dr Frates recommends walking, swimming, or indoor cycling as low-impact exercises. Contact sports such as football, ice hockey, basketball, or soccer pose the greatest risk of injury. However, injuries in high-impact, non-contact sports such as running are also common.

London, UK

HEALTH/FITNESS