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  • Which Treadmill is the Best for Your Home?

    Which Treadmill is the Best for Your Home?

    Getting good cardio in is a great way to stay in good health and good shape. After all, exercise is a serious time commitment. What’s better than having exercise equipment at home to help save you time?

    Today we’re going to help you find the best treadmill for your home use. Here we go!

    Best Treadmills for Home

    Types of Treadmill

    There are two main types of treadmills. The first is the manual treadmill, and the second is the motorized treadmill. The difference is that manual treadmills don’t have a motor and can only go as fast as you can. As such, manual treadmills are usually set at an incline to help you move the belt with your own stride.

    On the downside, manual treadmills can be taxing on the knees and hips of the user. That’s because moving the belt with your own movement can be quite difficult depending on your personal strength. Manual treadmills tend to be less expensive, can usually fold away for easy storage and are much lighter.

    Motorized treadmills, on the other hand, are usually pricier, but they have more features. Heartrate monitors, various running modes and variable speeds are all available with motorized treadmills. Keep in mind, however, that motorized treadmills tend to be more expensive, heavier and noisier.

    These tend to be better served as home gym or workout room exercise equipment.

    Folding Treadmills

    If you have less floor space and need to be able to quickly put away your treadmill, you’ll want a folding treadmill. While most folding treadmills are manual, there are a few motorized folding treadmills. One of the upsides to folding treadmills is that they’re often less expensive than larger, non-folding versions.

    That’s especially helpful if you’re already on limited space. For those looking to save even more, opting for a manual treadmill allows you to run on a budget.

    Non-Folding Treadmills

    For customers looking for a more dedicated exercise platform, a non-folding treadmill is ideal. This goes double for motorized non-folding models. These types of treadmill tend to be more stable, higher-quality and more durable. This makes them ideal for dedicated workout rooms or home gyms.

    Non-folding models are, however, more expensive on average. If you want a stable, non-folding treadmill that won’t break the bank, consider a manual non-folding treadmill. This is a bit of a compromise, allowing for a stronger platform that also has a lower price.


  • Do You Get Enough Vitamins? Try These Vitamin Subscription Services

    Do You Get Enough Vitamins? Try These Vitamin Subscription Services

    Everything has a subscription these days. You subscribe to a video streaming service like Netflix. You could have a shave club subscription, or maybe a makeup subscription. Maybe you get meal boxes in the mail, or something more fun like a Loot Crate-style grab bag. But do you get your vitamins delivered to your door?

    Most people don’t get nearly enough vitamins, and it shows in their overall health. After all, it’s hard getting enough vitamins in a normal diet. Don’t worry: today we’re going over the best vitamin subscriptions for those trying to get healthy.

    Vitamin Subscription Services

    Why Get a Subscription?

    Personalized vitamin subscriptions are an important service when you compare them with a normal multivitamin. Mass-market vitamins have to appeal to the widest number of people, but that means that they could be full of stuff you’re already getting enough of.

    Subscription services are wonderful because they’re personalized. You get exactly the vitamins that your diet is missing, so you’re that much healthier! Not to mention, it’s nice to get them delivered right to your door. You don’t need to remember to go out and get them, or be bothered with a trip to the supermarket.

    The Best Subscription Services

    Generally speaking, you want to go with a service that fits your budget and offers you the best value. Some of the more well-regarded vitamin subscription services are HUM Nutrition and Persona Nutrition, both of which offer you access to professional nutritionists. These two services are a bit on the pricier side, however.

    If you don’t care about having contact with a dietician or nutritionist, Rootine offers a subscription service of personalized vitamins for $60 per month. Similarly, Vitafive offers less expensive prices for vitamins in gummy form, and even offers support for Amazon Prime users.

    Other services that get good reviews and offer personalized services are Care/of and Ritual. Care/of sends you multiple pills or powders for your vitamin regiment, whereas Ritual just sends you one pill that has all the stuff you need in it.


  • Trying to Lose Weight? Avoid These Foods

    Trying to Lose Weight? Avoid These Foods

    It’s natural to want to avoid junk food when you’re trying to lose weight. After all, the most successful weight loss is the kind you pursue because you love your body, not because you hate it. As such, today we’re going over some of the foods you need to cut out to get healthy and lose the pounds.

    Remember, you only get one body in this life. Treat it with respect, and don’t fill it full of junk food.

    Avoid These Foods if You’re Trying to Lose Weight

    Fried Foods

    Fried foods are straight-up bad for your health. They’re delicious, yes, but they’re so full of trans fats, salt and cholesterol that they’re terrible for you. Beyond simply being a factor in weight gain, fried foods can contribute significantly to heart disease and diabetes.  If you’re remotely health conscious, stay far away from fried foods.

    Sugary Drinks

    Sugary drinks like sodas, energy drinks, sport drinks and some fruit juices can be incredibly impactful when it comes to weight gain. The average can of soda contains 90 calories per serving, while energy drinks can contain up to 210 calories per serving. And you’d best believe there’s more than a single serving in those cans.

    That’s not to mention that your brain doesn’t register these drinks as actual calories. You just add these calories on top of your normal daily intake. Instead of relying on sugary drinks to quench your thirst, opt for water! It’s good for you, you need tons of it and it’s got zero calories.

    Potato Chips

    These fall under fried foods, sure, but potato chips in particular bear repeating. Some studies suggest that potato chips could cause more weight gain per serving than any other food. That means a few bags of chips during the week could be worse for you than having fried chicken for lunch a comparable number of times.

    White Bread

    Unsurprisingly, white bread is a terrible addition to any diet. It’s heavily processed and very high in sugar, offering little to no nutritional value. Instead of eating white bread, consider opting for a healthier choice like Ezekiel bread.


  • Boost Your Immune System! Try These Vitamin Subscription Services

    Boost Your Immune System! Try These Vitamin Subscription Services

    Everything has a subscription these days. You subscribe to a video streaming service like Netflix. You could have a shave club subscription, or maybe a makeup subscription. Maybe you get meal boxes in the mail, or something more fun like a Loot Crate-style grab bag. But do you get your vitamins delivered to your door?

    Most people don’t get nearly enough vitamins, and it shows in their overall health. After all, it’s hard getting enough vitamins in a normal diet. Don’t worry: today we’re going over the best vitamin subscriptions for those trying to get healthy.

    Vitamin Subscription Services

    Why Get a Subscription?

    Personalized vitamin subscriptions are an important service when you compare them with a normal multivitamin. Mass-market vitamins have to appeal to the widest number of people, but that means that they could be full of stuff you’re already getting enough of.

    Subscription services are wonderful because they’re personalized. You get exactly the vitamins that your diet is missing, so you’re that much healthier! Not to mention, it’s nice to get them delivered right to your door. You don’t need to remember to go out and get them, or be bothered with a trip to the supermarket.

    The Best Subscription Services

    Generally speaking, you want to go with a service that fits your budget and offers you the best value. Some of the more well-regarded vitamin subscription services are HUM Nutrition and Persona Nutrition, both of which offer you access to professional nutritionists. These two services are a bit on the pricier side, however.

    If you don’t care about having contact with a dietician or nutritionist, Rootine offers a subscription service of personalized vitamins for $60 per month. Similarly, Vitafive offers less expensive prices for vitamins in gummy form, and even offers support for Amazon Prime users.

    Other services that get good reviews and offer personalized services are Care/of and Ritual. Care/of sends you multiple pills or powders for your vitamin regiment, whereas Ritual just sends you one pill that has all the stuff you need in it.


  • Top Apps for Encouraging Mental Health

    Top Apps for Encouraging Mental Health

    Mental health is a serious issue. Medical studies report that mood disorders like anxiety and depression are the third-highest cause for hospitalization among adults 18-44. A few steps anyone can take towards bettering their mental state include regular exercise and a healthy diet. However, there are other steps available too. As always, if you are able, seek professional help for mental disorders that are negatively impacting your quality of life. None of these apps should be considered a substitute for a doctor. That said, these apps all make great companions to help you promote healthy mental health habits!

     

    Pacifica 

    Photo Credit: Routine Coach 

    Stress and anxiety are the main focus of Pacifica. Connecting users with a community of supportive people experiencing similar things, Pacifica is a great platform. The app also offers audio lessons to help with relaxation and mindfulness. Meditation and relaxation are also part of the app’s repertoire. Pacifica is described as an app that “helps break cycles of unhealthy thoughts.”  


  • Need a Divorce? Save BIG With These Tips

    Need a Divorce? Save BIG With These Tips

    The first decision is the hardest. You and your partner have decided to get a divorce. There are now a multitude of important life-defining decisions to be made. You don’t want to rely on a simple Google search and luck to find your lawyer. Your divorce attorney is going to handle multiple components of your divorce. They’re going to act as your advisor, spokesperson, negotiator and trusted confidant. They are going to be the person you rely on the most to advise you of your rights and the best course of action in your divorce.

    Start with research

    A simple google search is a great place to start. But nothing replaces a real face to face meeting. You want to be able to get a feel for the person and not rely on the opinions of others. Your gut instincts are more reliable than you might think. If the lawyer doesn’t advertise how long they’ve been practicing divorce law, that’s a good sign that they’re not very experienced.

    Find a good fit

    It’s nearly impossible to tell if a lawyer’s disposition matches what you’re looking for from a web search. Before deciding, you should think about what you want from them. Do you want a lawyer who’s empathetic to your plight? Do you want a lawyer who will be extremely aggressive in fighting for you? Do you want a lawyer who understands both sides and finds it important to have a cordial resolution? Do you want a law office with deep resources that can untangle a complicated situation?

    Talk to friends

    Some people prefer to keep their divorce a completely private matter. However, asking friends who’ve gone through a divorce for advice can be very beneficial. It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience and desired outcomes are different during a divorce.

    Knowing the right questions

    finally, when you sit down to interview lawyers to represent you, make sure to have in-depth questions ready. You should already have answers concerning their background. Typical questions like, “How many cases have you won,” aren’t particularly pertinent in a divorce case.

    Ask things like:

    How do you view the division of assets?

    What do you find the most challenging part of the divorce?

    What do you view as the best possible outcome for my specific situation?

    Communication is key

    You want a lawyer that makes you feel like you’re a priority. If your prospective lawyer is difficult to get ahold of early in the decision process that’s a strong indicator that you may want to look elsewhere. Your lawyer is not going to magically become more responsive once they have your money.

    Attention to detail

    Whenever you’ve made the decision to hire your lawyer make sure to pay special attention to your contract. Many lawyers will have minimum fees that’ll be charged for services even if you don’t take advantage of them. So, take out that red pen and come to an agreement about specific fees before you sign your name on the dotted line. Never be afraid to ask questions about certain parts of their contract.


  • Type 2 Diabetes: Causes and Symptoms

    Type 2 Diabetes: Causes and Symptoms

    As American lifestyles have changed, occurrences of type 2, or late onset, diabetes have become more common. Today we’ll be looking at some of the most common causes of type 2 diabetes, its symptoms, and treatments that are designed to manage the condition. If you feel as though you may have diabetes, speak to your doctor for a full test.

    Type 2 Diabetes

    What is Type 2 Diabetes?

    Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that refers to the way that your body processes (or doesn’t process) sugar. Diabetes is caused by your body’s own resistance to insulin, a compound meant to help your cells process glucose. Occasionally, the condition occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin on its own.

    While type 2 diabetes was once referred to as “adult-onset” diabetes, this is no longer an accurate description, as children can be diagnosed with the condition as well. This is likely due to changing lifestyles in the developed world, such as the rise in childhood obesity and poor diets among some children and families.

    Symptoms

    Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, increased hunger, fatigue, unintentional weight loss, slow healing of wounds, blurry vision and frequent infections. If you suffer from some of these symptoms, it could be wise to visit your doctor to do some tests and see if you’re suffering from diabetes.

    Contrast to Type 1

    Type 2 diabetes is contrasted with type 1 diabetes, which is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In type 1 cases, the culprit of the symptoms is the pancreas: the pancreas fails to produce the correct levels of insulin in type 1 patients, due to auto-immune cells destroying important beta cells in the pancreas.

    Type 1 was once known as “juvenile onset” diabetes, but this is also inaccurate. There are currently more adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes than children. Type 1 diabetes, however, is much less common than type 2: only between five and ten percent of all cases of diabetes are type 1.

    Genetics

    The most common factors in the onset of type 2 diabetes are lifestyle and genetic predisposition. One of the biggest things we’ve learned in recent years about type 2 diabetes is that you can inherit a high likelihood of developing the condition from your parents.

    This doesn’t mean that if your mom or dad had type 2 diabetes that you’re guaranteed to develop it, it just means that you’ll be at a higher likelihood of doing so based on your lifestyle. This makes lifestyle incredibly important for people with a genetic predisposition to the disease.

    Diet and Exercise

    From a lifestyle standpoint, the biggest cause of diabetes comes from diet and exercise. A lack of meaningful exercise is often connected to the onset of type 2 diabetes, and people with a genetic predisposition are more likely to develop the condition if they don’t work out often.

    Diet is just as important as exercise, too: people with high-fat, high-sugar diets that are more overweight are more likely to develop diabetes. Notably, diets that are too low in fiber are some of the most common diets among people who develop type 2 diabetes.

    Treatments

    There’s no cure for diabetes. People living with the condition simply have to make a number of lifestyle changes to accommodate their symptoms. For instance, it’s common for sufferers to have insulin pumps to help manage their body’s insulin levels. Monitoring their blood sugar levels is very important, as well.

    Diet and exercise can be important factors in managing the condition, as well. While nothing can fully cure diabetes, being in good physical shape and eating healthy foods make managing diabetes symptoms significantly easier.


  • Dreaming of a European Vacation? All-Inclusive (From $265) Europe Vacation Packages

    Dreaming of a European Vacation? All-Inclusive (From $265) Europe Vacation Packages

    If you’re looking to get away for a while and enjoy a nice vacation, you might be thinking of taking a trip to Europe. After all, it’s a continent full of history, ancient buildings and cultures that are fascinating to learn about. However, traveling to Europe can be a bit stressful when you’re just trying to enjoy your vacation. There’s so much to do, and traveling all over is a bit of a feat in terms of scheduling and planning.

    Thankfully, there’s a much simpler way of traveling around Europe that also turn your travel time into leisure time: cruising. Cruise boats are as much giant floating resort hotels as they are a means of transportation, so if you’re looking for a relaxing way to visit some amazing locales, a cruise boat is the right call for you. Here are some of the best cruises to Europe you can find.

    Seabourn Ovation

    First sailing out in 2018, the Ovation is the newest ship in Seabourn’s fleet. The luxury cruise liner carries up to 600 passengers and has been described as “intimate,” offering a nearly one-to-one ratio of crew to passengers. The storied luxury of Seabourn is on display on the Ovation, as well, with the food and amenities onboard described as “decadent”. Every passenger room on the boat offers a veranda with an ocean overlook, and every room has flat-screen TVs and a complimentary in-suite bar.

    Passengers can opt for upgrades like the “Pure Pampering” package, which means your baths will be drawn by your suite stewardess. The cruise liner often takes routes through the Mediterranean, though it also visits Northern Europe and even offers cruises through the British Isles. No matter what part of Europe you’re interested in seeing, Seabourn Ovation is a great ship to do it on.

    Celebrity Reflection

    The Celebrity Reflection was first introduced in 2012, and it had a renovation in January of 2018. The Reflection has room for up to 3,046 passengers, and offers unique amenities like the Game On club, which has huge, flat-screen table games, which is great for teenagers or gamers. There’s also a top-deck Lawn Club, giving guests a naturalistic area for relaxing on the boat. Also available on this ship is the Alcoves, an extra-charge area that allows for smaller crowds and cabana-style lounging.

    There are twelve different restaurants aboard the Reflection, though of them seven cost extra to dine in. Most of the cabins offer verandas with ocean overlook, and all of them come equipped with flat-screen TVs and minibars. There’s also the option to upgrade to an Aqua Class cabin, which grants the passengers 24-hour butler service and direct access to the spa. The boat splits its time between the Caribbean and Europe, though it’s a blast to be on in either region.

    Viking Sea

    As the name implies, the Viking Sea is a luxury cruise liner that cruises all over Europe. It often offers cruises through the Mediterranean, across various beautiful locales such as Rome, Venice, Barcelona and Athens. The ship was introduced in 2016, and is on the smaller size, accommodating only 930 passengers. This smaller size allows it to visit smaller ports, such as Norway and Bergen. The ship is, notably, extremely luxurious for all passengers.

    Case in point? Every cabin has heated floors, king-sized beds, flat-screen TVs, balconies, and even complimentary wi-fi. Noteworthy attractions on the boat include a unique infinity pool on the nose of the ship that gives the illusion of swimming in the ocean. Between this and the numerous options for delicious cuisine, it’s hard to go wrong with the Viking Sea as your ship of choice for a European cruise.


  • Cruising to Europe? The Ultimate Cruise Guide

    Cruising to Europe? The Ultimate Cruise Guide

    If you’re looking to get away for a while and enjoy a nice vacation, you might be thinking of taking a trip to Europe. After all, it’s a continent full of history, ancient buildings and cultures that are fascinating to learn about. However, traveling to Europe can be a bit stressful when you’re just trying to enjoy your vacation. There’s so much to do, and traveling all over is a bit of a feat in terms of scheduling and planning.

    Thankfully, there’s a much simpler way of traveling around Europe that also turn your travel time into leisure time: cruising. Cruise boats are as much giant floating resort hotels as they are a means of transportation, so if you’re looking for a relaxing way to visit some amazing locales, a cruise boat is the right call for you. Here are some of the best cruises to Europe you can find.

    Seabourn Ovation

    First sailing out in 2018, the Ovation is the newest ship in Seabourn’s fleet. The luxury cruise liner carries up to 600 passengers and has been described as “intimate,” offering a nearly one-to-one ratio of crew to passengers. The storied luxury of Seabourn is on display on the Ovation, as well, with the food and amenities onboard described as “decadent”. Every passenger room on the boat offers a veranda with an ocean overlook, and every room has flat-screen TVs and a complimentary in-suite bar.

    Passengers can opt for upgrades like the “Pure Pampering” package, which means your baths will be drawn by your suite stewardess. The cruise liner often takes routes through the Mediterranean, though it also visits Northern Europe and even offers cruises through the British Isles. No matter what part of Europe you’re interested in seeing, Seabourn Ovation is a great ship to do it on.

    Celebrity Reflection

    The Celebrity Reflection was first introduced in 2012, and it had a renovation in January of 2018. The Reflection has room for up to 3,046 passengers, and offers unique amenities like the Game On club, which has huge, flat-screen table games, which is great for teenagers or gamers. There’s also a top-deck Lawn Club, giving guests a naturalistic area for relaxing on the boat. Also available on this ship is the Alcoves, an extra-charge area that allows for smaller crowds and cabana-style lounging.

    There are twelve different restaurants aboard the Reflection, though of them seven cost extra to dine in. Most of the cabins offer verandas with ocean overlook, and all of them come equipped with flat-screen TVs and minibars. There’s also the option to upgrade to an Aqua Class cabin, which grants the passengers 24-hour butler service and direct access to the spa. The boat splits its time between the Caribbean and Europe, though it’s a blast to be on in either region.

    Viking Sea

    As the name implies, the Viking Sea is a luxury cruise liner that cruises all over Europe. It often offers cruises through the Mediterranean, across various beautiful locales such as Rome, Venice, Barcelona and Athens. The ship was introduced in 2016, and is on the smaller size, accommodating only 930 passengers. This smaller size allows it to visit smaller ports, such as Norway and Bergen. The ship is, notably, extremely luxurious for all passengers.

    Case in point? Every cabin has heated floors, king-sized beds, flat-screen TVs, balconies, and even complimentary wi-fi. Noteworthy attractions on the boat include a unique infinity pool on the nose of the ship that gives the illusion of swimming in the ocean. Between this and the numerous options for delicious cuisine, it’s hard to go wrong with the Viking Sea as your ship of choice for a European cruise.


  • Losing Weight Without Dieting: Changing Lifestyle

    Losing Weight Without Dieting: Changing Lifestyle

    Despite what some people say, it’s not hard to lose weight. Anyone can pick up a fad diet and see a few pounds fall off in the short term. The trouble, as with anything, is sticking to a lifestyle. Fad diets only get you so far, and by the time you say “forget this” and go back to eating normally, you gain the weight right back.

    Today we’re going over some of the best ways you can lose weight by changing your lifestyle. Remember, as with anything in life, you need to be dedicated to losing weight and you need to be consistent in your lifestyle changes.

    Getting Enough Sleep

    Sleep is a huge factor in weight gain. If you’re constantly staying up too late, you’re likely sleeping in too late. If you’re sleeping in too late, you’re likely slowing your metabolism considerably. Not to mention, when you stay up later at night, you’re more likely to snack on junk food before bed and then sleep on empty calories.

    One of the best places to start when it comes to shifting to a healthier lifestyle is with your sleep. Try to get to bed earlier and wake up earlier. There are a lot of positive associations with people who awake early and start their day off in an active way.

    Exercise

    Waking early means you have more time in the morning to yourself. Use this time wisely! You’re trying to get healthier, so why not exercise? Consider getting an exercise mat or a treadmill so you can work out at home before work. This will not only be good for you, but it gets your blood pumping and adrenaline up for the day!

    Exercise is one of the key ways to lose weight. Most people find that the more they work out, the more they want to work out. This, in turn, develops muscles that are better at burning calories, helping you keep the weight off. It’s a really positive, self-reinforcing cycle that keeps you healthier. Not to mention, you’ll look great with those fit, toned muscles!

    Don’t Skip Breakfast

    You might be noticing a theme here: your mornings are really quite important. After your morning workout, make sure you grab a big, hardy breakfast. Seriously, go all out. Sausage, eggs, fruit, grits, whatever otherwise healthy foods you want to layer on. If you have a big breakfast, you’re actually helping yourself to lose weight.

    Here’s what we mean: when you skip breakfast, you put your metabolism in slow-motion. By the time lunch rolls around, you’re sort of hungry, so you have a medium-sized lunch. Then, your metabolism kicks in, you start getting hungry, and by dinner you have a huge meal. Then you snack all night until bed time, when you sleep on those calories. Why not reverse this trend, front-load the calories and burn them off throughout the day? It’s way better for you!

    Drink More Water

    Stop drinking all those sodas and beers. Liquid calories are really, really hard to notice: they creep up on you. They don’t make you feel full, and then you throw food on top of them. Often, these liquid calories are comprised mostly of sugar, meaning your body pretty much instantly stores them as fat.

    Instead of drinking sodas, consider drinking black coffee or tea for your caffeine. As for the beer, it might be better for you to simply not drink alcohol when you’re trying to lose weight. While not exactly “good” for you, if you would like to drink but don’t want the calories, most hard liquors are nearly zero calorie.