Tag

exercise fitness and muscle

The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Exercise, Fitness & Muscle
January 23, 2019

Beware the dangers of CrossFit

If you’re on a quest to become super-strong, CrossFit is a brilliant choice. But pushing your physical limits comes with a few risks. CrossFit is all the rage – a good thing when you consider that not getting enough exercise is one of the leading risk factors of death worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise throughout the week (or a combination of both). If you’ve resolved to get fit this year, sweating it out at your nearest CrossFit “box” will certainly get you there.…
Read More
The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Exercise, Fitness & Muscle
January 23, 2019

How to stop chafing

Chafing is always a risk, especially in summer. Here’s how to prevent and treat this common problem. Chafing is a type of skin irritation that can go from mild to extremely painful within minutes. It happens when skin continuously rubs against skin, clothes or other surfaces. The inner thighs, underarms, ankles and nipples are all prone to chafing, especially when you’re participating in sports activities. If you’ve ever done a long run or hike, your feet and/or ankles probably chafed at some point, leading to painful blisters. Heat, moisture, poorly fitting clothes and shoes, and excessive or unusual exercises all…
Read More
The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Food & nutritionWeight Loss
January 23, 2019

How to lose weight and not gain it back

Dropping five kilos with a crash diet for your upcoming date sounds like a good idea - but it’s not! Everyone loves a quick fix (particularly when it comes to shedding weight). But, quick weight loss is bad for your health and it’s also unsustainable. Slow and steady wins the race Implementing drastic changes makes you feel good because it gives you hope and a sense of achievement. In the long run though, if your goals are too radical, you won’t be able to keep up. You might get to a point where you revert to bad habits. For example,…
Read More
The Hello Doctor Team 0
1
Exercise, Fitness & Muscle
November 30, 2018

Different types of body fat and what to do about it

Seeing fat on your body may make you want to hit the treadmill to sweat it off or only eat carrot sticks for a week. The good news though, is that not all fat is bad… there are good kinds too. Body fat plays an important role in storing energy, managing your hormones and regulating your metabolism. This means it’s important to have enough of the good fat and to manage the bad kind. There are four main types of fat in your body. Each kind has its own structure, colour, and effect on your health. Where fat is stored…
Read More
The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Exercise, Fitness & Muscle
November 30, 2018

Sports to suit your body type

As you grow older, your body develops into a shape that’s mainly dependant on your genetic makeup. This lets you know what kind of body you will have, and how well it will work. To know which sports you’re likely to excel at, it’s best to know which body shape and type are the best fit for certain activities. From a scientific point of view, there are three main components of how your body is built. These are: body type, body size (height and weight) and body composition (body fat percentage). To maximise the advantages of your body type, you…
Read More
The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Exercise, Fitness & Muscle
October 22, 2018

Why you shouldn’t stretch before a workout

All your life you’ve probably heard that a good stretch before working out helps you reduce the risk of an injury. Warming up prepares your body for the demands of physical activity. It sends more oxygen and blood flow to your muscles and mentally prepares you for what's to come, in terms of concentration, motivation and coordination. These benefits are true, but stretching before your exercise session may not be all that good for you. Sometimes they may even weaken your muscles. Static stretching Static stretching involves stretching a muscle to the point of mild discomfort and holding that position…
Read More
The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Exercise, Fitness & Muscle
August 10, 2018

Why you should practise standing on one leg

From walking to leaning down to tie your shoes and trying to prevent yourself from falling over - good balance is important. Strong muscles and the ability to keep steady will help you stay balanced. Balance training helps with this. Balance training involves exercises which aim to strengthen the muscles you use to stay upright, including your core and legs.Balance exercises can be intense like some kinds of yoga, or as simple as standing on one leg for a few seconds. It may include: Standing up and sitting down while in a chair without using your hands. Putting a heel…
Read More
The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Exercise, Fitness & Muscle
August 9, 2018

How your breathing affects your workout

Did you know you can improve your health just by learning how to breathe properly? Correct breathing improves your health and fitness by optimising oxygenation (the addition of oxygen in your body), lowering your blood pressure, reducing stress and balancing your nervous systems. Breathing properly can also help lower the stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, and release mood-boosting hormones like serotonin. This can improve your athletic performance, mental focus and enhance brain health. Are you breathing correctly? During your workout, breathe through your nose to help you improve performance, endurance, post-exercise energy levels, and even your ability to metabolise fat.…
Read More
The Hello Doctor Team 0
0
Food & nutrition
July 16, 2018

Truths and myths about protein

Does protein really bulk you up? Is it true that eating nothing but protein helps you lose weight? First, let’s understand this substance. Protein is essential for our bodies. This nutrient helps build and repair muscles, red blood cells, enzymes and other tissues. They’re often called “the building blocks of the body” – for good reason. So, your body needs protein. But how much, and through which sources? Let’s separate fact from fiction: "I can only get protein from meat." Untrue. Vegans and vegetarians, rest assured: vegetables contain protein too. Quinoa, chickpeas, tofu, tempeh eggs and cottage cheese are packed…
Read More