Wellness

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.

How sleep affects your weight

How sleep affects your weight

The amount and quality of sleep you get any given night really sets the tone of the following day. When we’re well-rested, our minds and bodies just seem to work better. When we’re really tired, everything’s harder. We get cranky, can’t focus, and sometimes get sick. Skimping on sleep long term can interfere with pretty much every aspect of your health from your skin to your immune system, to your ability to maintain a healthy weight.

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:

There could be a better way t write your to-do lists

There could be a better way t write your to-do lists

A well-crafted to-do list acts as a guiding light for your day. It helps you overcome feelings of being overwhelmed, and reduces anxiety around whether you’re being productive throughout the day. To-do lists come in all shapes and sizes—it’s all about what works for you as an individual. The below method is one method that might work for you; it’s up to you to decide what to implement into your own planning system.

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:

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.

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.