Wellbeing

Sitting too much ages you by 8 years!

Sitting too much ages you by 8 years!

But exercise can counteract it. A new study finds sitting too much during the day has been linked to a host of diseases, from obesity to heart problems and diabetes, as well as early death. It’s not hard to understand why: being inactive can contribute to weight gain, which in turn is a risk factor for heart attack, stroke, hypertension and unhealthy blood sugar levels.  On top of everything else, sitting has detrimental effects on cells at the biological level, according to a new report published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

7 science backed tips for forming habits that stick

7 science backed tips for forming habits that stick

Banishing bad habits and converting them to good ones is not easy. As Mark Twain once wrote, “Habit is habit, and not to be flung out the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs one step at a time.” But how do we coax the bad habit down the stairs and out the door while encouraging the new one up the stairs and into the parlour?  Changing a habit takes several concrete steps; you cannot just make a proclamation about your weight or introversion and expect that it will come to pass.

Can Diet Pills Effect Your Menstrual Cycle?

Can Diet Pills Effect Your Menstrual Cycle?

Many women experience an irregular menstrual cycle sometime in their lives. This may last for a short time or may be a lifelong feature of their cycles. Causes include polyps, breastfeeding, chemotherapy, stress and drug use. Diet pills fall in this last category, and often knock menstrual cycles off kilter. If you suspect your attempt to lose weight might be causing irregular periods, consult your doctor.

Stay motivated to working out after the clock change!

Stay motivated to working out after the clock change!

It’s autumn which means it’s time to bust out the soup and casserole recipes and pull on your favourite chunky jumper. But it also means adjusting workouts to take into account the changing environment. Investing in new cold weather workout gear is great, but the days are getting shorter too, and that means you might have to change your workout schedule to make sure you’re staying safe AND motivated. Below are a few tips to assist in keeping you moving and motivated:

Women only Self-defence course - limited places available!

Women only Self-defence course - limited places available!

The interest in the upcoming Women only self-defence course has been excellent.  With the dark night drawing in and Christmas parties around the corner there is an increased risk to personal safety.  Having a knowledge of conflict resolution and effective self defence skills puts you in an advantageous position.  

There are limited places on the 6 week course so if you or someone you know wants to be on it please contact us ASAP.

The common cold & exercise...should you train?

The common cold & exercise...should you train?

At some point during the year the common cold comes round to ruin everyone’s training schedule.

Let’s talk about the differences between the common cold and the flu. Both share similar symptoms however the flu (influenza) is far more severe and can cause serious complications in otherwise healthy persons.

What the science says about every popular diet

What the science says about every popular diet

At Paragon we don't believe in quick fix faddy diets but extol the virtues of a well rounded healthy diet with variation and moderation looking after portion sizing, trying to reduce sugar, chemicals and 'bad' fats bringing about behaviour change and a safe steady weight loss that is sustainable. 

There are so many diets out there, but which ones actually work? Luckily, scientists have found that most reasonable diets can help you lose weight, compared to not following a diet at all, this is generally because it instills a plan to stick to and portion control and hopefully will try to cut rubbish out. Overall, studies have shown that diets rich in plants and low in processed foods are the best for weight loss.  But many popular diets aren't based on sound scientific principles.  

However as we are often asked by our clients about diet plans here's what the science says about 15 popular ones, knowledge is power:

Better eating = food planning & prep

Better eating = food planning & prep

Preparation is everything when it comes to getting lean and good organisation in the kitchen is key to burning fat and getting the body you want. So forget mid-management level prepping and use these six tips to prep like an absolute boss...

Top prepping doesn’t have to mean spending your whole weekend in the supermarket or the kitchen. Here are six top tips that will help you think outside of the (tupperwear) box and keep you rolling along the path to lean town.

Apps to help manage you mental health

Apps to help manage you mental health

The inventions of apps means we now have mental health tools right in our pockets.  Keeping track of your mood, finding ways to cope and monitoring your mental processes are all activities that might sound like a slog, but the majesty of modern technology means they can be fun too

Here are 5 apps that can really help make a difference when it comes to your mental health:

Runners beware - Violent crime on the increase in Warwickshire!!

Runners beware - Violent crime on the increase in Warwickshire!!

With the nights drawing in and may fitness enthusiasts training in parks and running the roads the new statistics are alarming!!  New figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show there were 3,745 reports of violence with injury in Warwickshire in the year up to March 31, 2016 - a rise of 120 per cent. This was closely followed by incidents of violence against the person which were up 71 per cent to 8,387.  In the West Midlands, the picture also showed an increase in violent incidents with violence with injury up 28 per cent to 23,199 and violence against the person up 19 per cent to 43,187.

Got 15 Spare Minutes? Here's How To Make It Count

Got 15 Spare Minutes? Here's How To Make It Count

When we’re faced with only 15 minutes in between meetings, or waiting in line to get coffee or lunch, our natural inclination is to either answer email, look at social media, or text someone. These are not always the most productive uses of small slivers of time, according to several experts.

They say there is plenty you can accomplish in 15 minutes, if you do three things:

  • Separate your to-do list into tasks and projects, and focus on the tasks.
  • Write your to-do list in a way that allows you take immediate action.
  • Look at email and social media with a focus on moving forward.

5 Ways exercise slows down the ageing process

5 Ways exercise slows down the ageing process

Aside from maintaining a healthy diet, science says regular exercise is one of the best ways to slow down the natural aging process. Of course, chronic or obsessive exercise patterns can end up causing more harm to the body than good, so it’s important to find the right balance. Exercise alone can’t fix a lifestyle filled with stress, alcohol, smoking, poor food choices and other unhealthy habits. Generally, however, exercise provides health-boosting effects that affect how your body ages in a multitude of ways, which we will outline below.

Anterior pelvic tilt, a sitting issue!

Anterior pelvic tilt, a sitting issue!

Anterior pelvic tilt is a big issue these days with a large proportion of society having office based jobs, long periods of time sitting in the car and watching TV!  This condition can cause lower back issues, hamstring tightness and have a knock on effect up the kinetic chain creating mid back pain and even neck pain and headaches.

How sleep affects stress & weight loss

How sleep affects stress & weight loss

You’ve tried every diet you have heard of, deprived yourself of treats for days on end and stretched your body with all kinds of exercise regimens. But you still can’t seem to lose weight. Have you checked if you’re getting enough sleep? Numerous studies and surveys suggest that a large proportion of society don’t get enough sleep. Blame it on hectic schedules, multiple demands on limited resources and the tendency to sacrifice sleep in order to meet all these targets. Either way, your mind and body are suffering the consequences, and weight gain is the most obvious fallout.