This is one of the biggest controversies in fitness. Will stretching help you get a better workout? Probably. Does it matter how you do it? For the average person, probably not. Research shows that long static stretches, in which you hold the area still for 60 to 90 seconds, can cause a decrease in force […]
There are two opposite tactics here that can both work. Plan A: Increase your intensity – add intervals to your cardio or intense strength circuits two or three times a week. This shoves your brain and muscles out of cruise control, and your body will start burning stored calories to do the activity. Plan B: […]
Some studies show that early birds lose more pounds, whilst other research says that you perform better if you wait until muscles are warmer. But science isn’t needed to explain the “stuff happens” principle: The later you plan your session, the higher the odds that something – work, fatigue, social events – will get in […]
If you’re going all out, keep workouts separate, because whichever comes second will certainly suffer. But if you can work out only a few days a week and want to max your calorie burn, pair them up and do cardio first. A study found that running before lifting weights resulted in a slightly higher afterburn […]
Clean eating is a deceptively simple concept. Rather than revolving around the idea of ingesting more or less of specific things (for instance, fewer calories or more protein), the idea is more about being mindful of the food’s pathway between its origin and your plate. At its simplest, clean eating is about eating whole foods, […]
There’s no need to reach for extra-virgin olive oil every time you cook. These six healthy alternatives have the same 120 calories and 14 grams of fat per tablespoon as the “gold” standard does. But unlike extra-virgin olive oil, some can stand up to the high heat of stir-frying, while a mere drizzle of others […]
Banishing high-cal ingredients, such as cheese and nuts, seems a good idea for dieters. But fat takes longer to digest than protein and carbs, so it keeps you full longer. It also adds flavor, which ups satisfaction. Sprinkle nuts or seeds over your salad or spread pesto on your sandwich. Besides whittling your waistline, you’ll […]
Fresh fruits and vegetables are a dieter’s dream, but the pesticide residue on them can keep your calorie-burning machine from performing at its peak. Pesticides may affect your thyroid’s ability to function and there’s evidence that they also harm the functioning of mitochondria, the parts of a cell that convert fuel into energy. Government researchers […]
Each piece of skin contains 69 calories and six grams of fat, so it makes sense to separate it from the breast before popping it in the oven, right? Not really. The skin locks in moisture, so you get tender, more flavourful chicken for not a lot of extra calories. Don’t remove the skin until […]
By taking that pot off the stove a little earlier, your pasta will have a satisfying bite and keep you full for hours. Hot water breaks down the bonds between starch molecules. The longer you boil your pasta, the quicker your body converts those carbs into fuel. This sets off a rapid rise in blood […]