By: SPARK_MRUDY, SparkPeople Blogger
1/18/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  54 comments   :  43,221 views

For many people, exercise ranks right up there with cleaning the bathroom or going to the dentist: something that must be done, but brings not an ounce of enjoyment. Others might not dread it quite as much, but could take it or leave it. And then there are the lucky few who actually take pleasure in working out. Not only do they enjoy their runs, walks or trips to the gym, they often plan their entire schedules around them.
 
So what’s their secret? How did they transform a grueling obligation into the highlight of their day?
 
We turned to the best source we know—our awesome SparkPeople members—to find out how they learned to actually enjoy getting their sweat on. Read on and maybe you’ll be inspired to find your own reason to embrace exercise!

By: SPARK_MRUDY, SparkPeople Blogger
1/16/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  83 comments   :  72,924 views

Every journey starts with a single step.
 
Of course, that step can be different for different people, depending on where they’re starting from and where they’re headed. For someone who is trying to exercise more, for example, it might mean taking a walk around the block or buying a pair of athletic shoes. If the goal is to stop smoking, the first step might be cutting out one cigarette a day or tossing the entire pack in the trash. The most important thing is to make a movement—even if it’s a small one—toward the desired result.
 
What about the journey to adopt a healthier diet? It’s a very common (and very broad) goal, one that can be overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. You know the basics—more fresh, whole, nutritious foods; fewer processed foods and “junk foods” that don’t fuel your body—but what specifically should you do first?
 
While your path is uniquely your own, you might find some helpful ideas in the advice that registered dietitians give to their clients who are just embarking on the first day of their journeys to health.

By: SPARK_MRUDY, SparkPeople Blogger
1/15/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  106 comments   :  132,098 views

If you've never used a Bosu ball before, it may look a little strange at first—sort of like an exercise ball that's been cut in half, then mounted on a flat base. Maybe you've spotted them at the gym on your way to pick up the more familiar dumbbells and traditional stability balls. Odd appearance notwithstanding, Bosu balls are definitely worth exploring as an effective exercise tool.

By: SP_COACH_DENISE, SparkPeople Blogger
1/14/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  29 comments   :  25,686 views

At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
 
This Week's Spotlight: Rebecca (COUNTRYGAL1975)
Age: 43
Location: Colorado Spring, Colorado
 
Small Success of the Week
 
Rebecca recently shared in the Community Goal Feed that she went for a walk with her grandchildren. During her walk, she had to carry the youngest grandchild a few times and noticed that her fitness had improved so much that she didn't have trouble breathing at all.

By: SPARK_MRUDY, SparkPeople Blogger
1/9/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  74 comments   :  36,055 views

Ginger's main claim to fame might be its adorable namesake cookies—and don't get us wrong, they're delicious. But this versatile spice makes an appearance in plenty of other recipes, many of which fit nicely into any healthy eating plan.
 
Derived from a flowering plant found in China, ginger has been linked to a bevy of health benefits. It contains compounds and metabolites that have been used to help improve digestion, curb nausea, alleviate cold and flu symptoms, reduce muscle pain, fight inflammation and boost cardiovascular health. Plus, 100 grams of fresh ginger is chock-full of vitamins and minerals, contains no sugar and is low in calories.
 
When cooking with ginger, you can use a fresh ginger root that is peeled and grated or sliced, or purchase it in dried or ground form. Ground ginger is sold at the supermarket along with other herbs and spices.
 
Need some ginger-spiration? We've rounded up a few of our favorite recipes in which it plays a yummy role.

By: DAILYSPARKGUEST, – Jessica Schatz, The Core Expert
1/8/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  64 comments   :  27,251 views

Whether you've heard tales of the "runner's high" or hear Elle Woods' infamous quote about the ties between exercise, endorphins and happiness echoing in your head at the gym, it's no secret that regular exercise has a reputation for making people feel good. In the professional health and wellness community, there has been increasing interest in the ways in which working out can promote wellbeing and self-esteem among both clients and research studies.
 
For anyone struggling with self-esteem or body image issues, though, such ideas seem far-fetched at best and fictional at worst. Exercise is hard, after all, so why would struggling help anyone feel better about themselves?