Make the Most of Your Diet for Healthy Results

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You might choose to start a new diet for a number of reasons. It could be a short-term thing to help you meet a goal such as losing weight, but it's often best to set your sights on maintaining a diet in the long-term. A new diet can do more than help you to lose weight. It can allow you to live an overall healthier lifestyle and even address some health issues that you might be having. When you're starting a new diet, there are some things that you can do to help you get more from it. Try some of these ideas for a more successful and sustained diet.

Choose the Right Diet
Choosing the right diet for your goals is the most important step. There are various diets out there that you could try, and your goals might be a number of things. You need a diet that will help you to meet your goals, and that is realistic for you to stick to. Some diets are not designed to help you meet long-term goals, and in fact, might not even help you to fulfil your short-term goals. If you want to permanently change your diet for the better, you need a healthy diet that meets your nutritional needs.

Supplement Your Diet
When you choose a new diet, it can sometimes be helpful to supplement it to ensure you're getting what you need. Some people who start a vegan diet, for example, might take supplements to give them any nutrients they might be missing out on, such as B12. If you're doing keto, take a look at some keto diet supplements reviews to see how they can support weight loss. A good diet should give you most of what you need, but there can still be some things that are lacking. Plus, no one is perfect, and it can be useful to have a little help.

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Make Your Food Enjoyable
It's easy to think of starting a diet as eating boring but healthy food that you don't really enjoy. But if you want to successfully start and sustain a new diet, it's less likely to work if you don't like any of the things you're eating. It's important to still be able to have a range of different foods that you enjoy, even if you might be eating different things or eating less than you were before.

Adjust Other Lifestyle Choices
If you want to start a new diet, it's a good idea to look at other aspects of your lifestyle too. By making healthier choices in other areas of your life, you can get more from your diet. For example, making sure that you get enough sleep can help you to maintain a healthy weight. Getting plenty of exercise can help you to stay fit and healthy too. You can create a healthier lifestyle that helps you to meet your health and wellness goals.

When you're planning to start a new diet, think about how you can make the most of it and stick to it once you've started.

3 Simple Tips To Help You Push Through Plateaus In The Gym

What is a plateau?
In fitness, it refers to instances where you hit a brick wall. You’ve been training for a while, and you saw some excellent progress. Perhaps you made some serious strength gains, or maybe you lost a lot of body fat? Then, for whatever reason, your progress came to a halt. You reached a weight that you can’t squat. Or, you keep failing to improve on your 5km treadmill. No matter how hard you try, you just can’t break through this imaginary brick wall.

Plateaus are problematic as they can severely demotivate you. After all, it’s hard to stay motivated when you see hardly any improvement. You get down on yourself and start skipping gym sessions. Many people have sadly regressed due to an inability to break through a fitness plateau.

The good news is you most certainly can push through these walls. In this post, you’ll see a few of the best ideas and methods for pushing through your plateaus!

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Improve your grip
This tip is mainly for people who are struggling to see any strength improvements. Or, it could be relevant for anyone that wants to build more muscle. Progressive overload is one of the fundamental considerations for building muscle. In essence, you progressively overload your muscles with higher levels of intensity. One way to do this is by increasing the weight of your lifts. But, if you reach a point where you can’t add more weight, you begin to plateau.

Many times, this isn’t because you can’t lift the weight, but that your grip isn’t strong enough to handle all the weight. For example, your legs are capable of deadlift a lot of weight, but your forearms get sore too quickly, and you have to drop what you’re holding. The same applies to pull-ups and many other lifts. Improving your grip with wrist straps is a brilliant way to push through this plateau and unlock a new personal best. Try it out and you will instantly be able to lift heavier weights.

Fuel better during workouts
Normally, most people will get themselves amped up for a workout. You might have a cup of coffee or do a big warm-up that gets you pumped and ready to move. Then, midway through the workout, you lose energy. You’re unable to maintain the same intensity, which is where plateaus can happen. This is particularly relevant if you’re trying to beat times for rowing, running, cycling, etc. Still, it’s also relevant for lifting weights as a lack of intensity inhibits your ability to progressively overload.

So, one way to address this issue is to fuel yourself during your workouts. Most people drink water as they workout, which is great, but it doesn’t give you an energy boost. Instead, consider bringing an intra workout boost drink with you that does more than offer hydration. The right supplement can replenish glycogen stores, giving you more energy to perform harder and longer. As a result, you blast through your plateaus.

Try something new
For me, this is the easiest way to break through a fitness barrier. Too many people are guilty of sticking to the same routine over and over again. Eventually, your body adapts to this routine, and it no longer becomes a challenge. Or, think of it another way, you only provide your body with one specific type of stimulus, ignoring the others out there.

The best example of this is running or cycling. If you use the cardio machines in the gym and choose to bike or run 5km every day, you will see improvements. However, you can just as quickly reach a plateau where you’re unable to beat your time. Instead of plugging away every day, you should mix things up with a different routine. Start doing some interval training a few days per week to provide a different stimulus. Your body will react to this, and it can translate into a better 5km time at your next attempt! In fact, the video above shows a whole host of different workouts you can use to break through this plateau. The same applies to any barriers you face in the gym - mix up your routines and give your body something new to deal with.

These tips all sound very straightforward, and that’s because they are. This shows how easy it is to break through fitness plateaus. Here’s a bonus tip specifically for strength gain plateaus: get someone to spot you. This makes it slightly easier for you to focus on the lift as they ensure you don’t get hurt.

Styles Of Aviator Sunglasses To Consider

The Aviator style sunglasses are made for the macho guy, with the large teardrop-shaped lenses that hug the cheeks, and we’ve all seen Tom Cruise sporting Aviators, not to mention a whole host of other Hollywood A-Listers. If you are on the hunt for a few pairs of stylish and functional Aviator style shades, here are a few variations to consider.

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Mirrored Lenses

The very first Aviators made by Bausch & Lomb were mirrored, to help the US fighter pilots who were doing battle with German and Japanese bombers and escorts. The tight fit over the cheeks is no accident, indeed, this was conceived to make sure the pilot could see his gauges when he looked down, and the teardrop shape enables peripheral vision without glare. Mirrored lenses come in various finishes and definitely add an air of mystery, which people find appealing.

Choice of Metal

Classic Aviator frames are made with a brass or silver finish, keeping the sleek, distinguished look.  It might surprise you to learn that the original Aviators of WWII were made from 12k gold, which is hard enough for the task. Check out the fantastic selection at one of the online shades boutiques, where they have the brand names at affordable prices, including polarized Aviator sunglasses in stylish metal frames.

Plastic Frames

If you prefer the thicker, chunkier look of composite plastics, you won’t be disappointed, and with just about every colour imaginable, you are literally spoiled for choice. Thick black frames with mirrored lenses really does make a statement, and the latest composites are virtually unbreakable, making them very durable and long-lasting.

Tinted Lenses

Again, an assortment that is endless, with yellows, pinks, oranges and even multi-shade tints, for that way-out look. If you want to view a selection of top-rated Aviator polarized sunglasses, a simple Google search will take you to a designer sunglasses website and then you can view a wide selection of top-notch sunglasses of all styles. There are subtle tints and lenses that automatically darken in sunlight, which is great for outdoor activities. If you're specifically interested in Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses, you can easily find a variety of their iconic designs with polarized lenses and trendy color options on the designer sunglasses website.

Lens Colour

Aside from any tint, lenses come in a range of colours, from completely clear to very dark, and everything in between. Brown is popular, as it makes things clearer and in greater detail, plus brown can be worn in the early mornings and evenings.

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This style has been used as base for many sunglasses manufacturers, and the best way to view a wide selection is to Google and find a leading online retailer. The great thing about online shopping is you can compare prices in no time at all, making sure you get the best deal. The online supplier is generally 15-20% cheaper than a traditional bricks and mortar retail outlet, and you’re getting the same products and guarantees, but not paying for the venue’s upkeep.

Most online designer sunglasses retailers have special deals, which could save you as much as 30%, especially if they are clearing an old line. With so many designs to choose from, finding the right shades is easy.

Are These Issues On The Horizon For Your Business?

When you are running a business, it’s absolutely essential that you hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Unfortunately, the worst happens more than you would perhaps like to believe. Here are some of the problems that you need to prepare for and the steps to ensure that they don’t take down your company.

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A Horrendous Hack
You might find that you have to deal with a hack on your business. It’s common for small business owners to assume that their companies are not going to be targeted. However, this isn’t necessarily true. Indeed, small businesses can be targeted because hackers correctly assume that they won’t have the latest and most advanced security software in place. This is why you should always be making sure that you are upgrading your security as often as possible. You might also want to think about investing in the right level of IT support. IT support solutions are essential because they can monitor your network and work to correct the issue as soon as there is a sign of a hack.

A Recession
A recession is going to hit every type of business on the market and we’re heading in the direction of a massive recession right now. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you are preparing your business for this type of eventuality. The best way to do this is to cut your costs down where possible. Essentially, you need to make your business as efficient as possible and avoid wastage.

You may also want to consider cutting back on your team numbers. It’s difficult to let employees go, but it can be necessary to save your business. Remember, too much weight is always going to cause a ship to sink, particularly when there are rough waters up ahead. You can always grow your team again once the market improves. Better yet, you can use outsourcing solutions to get the same benefits without taking on full-time staff.

Scandals
Or finally, you might find that your business faces a scandal in the future. This could be tied to anything from BLM to the MeToo movement. Businesses have been forced to reevaluate the positions on these issues over the last few years and ensure that they are supporting the cause the right way. Due to this employee who has shown racist or sexist behaviour have been either let go or reprimanded. This is about making sure that you are holding your business to a higher standard than you perhaps did before. The world is changing rapidly and it’s important that your brand is seen to be tackling these issues quickly and effectively.

We hope this helps you understand some of the issues that you can face when you are running your business. If you take the right steps now, then you can prevent these problems from becoming massive headaches further down the line. You will strengthen your business and ensure that you are poised for fantastic levels of success on the market free from these hurdles.

Top Luxury Spa Retreats for Mind and Body

There is nothing quite like a spa retreat. The sheer lack of pressure to do anything or be anywhere can be an intoxicating invite of them. Holidays can be centered around being self-indulgent in a non-productive way which is fun, but that might not always be best for your body and mind. Why not consider something different for the next trip away and go somewhere that can enable you to come back feeling even better.

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Here are some top luxury spa picks for mind and body.

Aire Ancient Baths, New York
These gorgeous ancient baths are amongst all the hustle and bustle of New York City, though it would be extremely difficult to tell. Perfect for those who also like a little bit of retail therapy along with a spa day, this is a calm haven amongst the city buzz.

The Aire Ancient Baths ooze luxury but also won’t break the bank if a little treat is required. Created in a disused textile factory, this spa also definitely owns character! There are a variety of baths, all heated at different temperatures that will transport bathers through varying sensations, not unlike authentic roman bathing.

Not to be forgotten, a selection of treatments is also available in the spa, including experiences and even an ancient argan ritual!

Because of its location, it is a wonderful addition to a day out or weekend away, especially with friends. Why not book a spontaneous flight, use Parkon.com for easy airport parking, and then completely indulge?

Amangiri, Canyon Point, UT
With absolutely no exaggeration, this luxury spa retreat truly does hold everything needed for an out of this world experience. Snuggled amongst the towering warm colored rocks sits an idyllic spa, paying homage to earth, wind, fire, and water. Not only are the pools absolutely divine with uninterrupted views, but there is an impressive amount of treatments and activities to be enjoyed.

A water pavilion, steam room, plunge pool, and private relaxation area are just some of the things to expect from this extravagant retreat. Not forgetting the abundance of skincare treatments, massages, and other optional extras such as a yoga area and gym equipment. Amongst this serene and somewhat unbelievable setting, there is everything needed to restore the body and mind back to calmness and health.

“Bath like ancient Romans in a disused textile factory”

Berkshires Shirakaba, New Ashford, MA
For something truly special and unique, the Berkshires Shirakaba is a resort, let out as a single-booking property. Nestled in the ancient Berkshires, this dream resort offers a peaceful and tranquil getaway. It is also perfect for a romantic retreat, with its incredible views and unmatched privacy.

This particular retreat is inspired with Japanese- American style, allowing for the complete comfort of a western-style bedroom and the relaxing and enchanting Tatami room. Throughout the retreat, there are authentic Japanese accessories and room service.

This retreat is definitely one for those who need a rest from the humdrum of daily life, and to bask in simple, clean nature. However, there are still plenty of cultural treats to experience, such as theatres, gardens, music, and art, making it a perfectly balanced stay.

What You Need to Know About Health Insurance in 2020

 

Health insurance is something we can all benefit from, and as we get older it is even more important. Getting the right plan can be confusing as health insurance providers will all offer different things.

When you know what to expect it will be easier to decide what type of coverage you need. Before you get started you should think about whether or not you want to see your preferred doctor, and if dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage is a priority.

To make this process easier, here is everything you should know about health insurance in 2020:

Original Medicare

U.S. citizens who are are eligible for Social Security can apply for Medicare once they turn 65. It is also available for those with a permanent disability, ALS, or ESRD. This is health insurance offered by the government and reduces the cost of hospital stays, doctor visits, and other essential health services. Often referred to as Part A and Part B, Original Medicare is a good starting point but for many people it isn't enough.

You can boost Original Medicare with a plan from a Medicare-approved healthcare insurance provider. These are called Medicare Advantage (or Part C) plans.

Medicare Advantage Plans

A Medicare Advantage plan will give you more options and access to a greater range of services. You will usually get everything that comes with Original Medicare, plus additional benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing services.

Prescription drug coverage, or Part D, is not included with Medicare Part A and Part B. If you don't want to purchase Part D separately, your Medicare Advantage plan could cover this. A Medicare-approved health insurance company such as Anthem will give you one convenient bill, with lower copays and premiums.

HMOs

Medicare Advantage plans are either HMOs or PPOs. HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. When you have an HMO plan you will be given access to a range of doctors and healthcare services. If you use this network the fees will be lower, and your monthly premiums could be as little as $0.

You will need to choose a primary physician for your healthcare, and they will make referrals to specialists as required.

PPOs

The second Medicare Advantage option is PPO, which stands for Preferred Provider Organization. This option will give you more choices. You will have the flexibility to see any doctors or specialists without an initial referral from your primary physician.

If you have a doctor who is outside of the network you can still see him or her, but there will usually be a higher copayment.

Comparing Health Insurance Plans

Before deciding on a health insurance plan you should think about what you will need both now and in the future. Original Medicare will cover the basics, but if you want prescription medication coverage, dental, vision, and hearing services you will likely benefit from a Medicare Advantage plan. This will give you one simple bill and reduced fees to take the stress out of managing your health.

Look for a trusted health insurance provider with options that are customized to your unique circumstances. Think about whether you are happy to use services from their trusted network, or if you would prefer to choose your own doctor.

When you are researching health insurance in 2020, don't be afraid to ask questions to ensure you get the right plan for your needs and qualify for flex card.