Salsa and Soul Blog

Lack of sleep and stress can make it difficult to manage weight. Having a good exercise program and eating healthy can help you to rest.

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Strengthen and tone legs by sitting tall in a chair with chest lifted, and feet hip with apart; press heels into floor and stand keeping knees over ankles. Slowly sit and stand up to 20 times. Repeat 3 sets.

3500 calories equals one pound. 2 cups of mac and cheese equals 500 calories.

It can be helpful to understand food labels. First look at the serving size and number of servings. When you check the number of calories, consider that is the amount of calories PER serving.

There are no exercises that will reduce your middle if you refuse to eat nutritionally.

If you get cramps when you work out, it may be that you do not have enough potassium and/or magnesium in your diet. Fruits like bananas, strawberries, raisins have potassium. Some foods that contain magnesium are halibut, spinach, almonds, and cashews, and oatmeal.

Exercise does not have to be strenuous. Walking is a great way to get the heart rate slightly elevated, help tone the body, and burn calories. Try taking brisk walks 4 or 5 days a week.

Believe it or not, skipping breakfast can contribute to weight-gain. An hour or two after waking up you should “break” your “fast”, with a nutritional, low fat, low sugar, preferrably high fiber, breakfast.

Stretching can help to develop and/or maintain a healthy back. Support your low back, draw your belly inward as you inhale. Lean backward into a modified backbend, as you lengthen your spine. Exhale as you come come back to stand tall. Do that several times each day.