Dark Chocolate Can Help Build Muscle
Did you know that eating dark chocolate can help you build muscle?
Dark chocolate has antioxidants called flavanols that help improve athletic performance and reduce the risk of stroke, cancer, diabetes.
Studies have shown that flavanols:
- Enhances blood circulation and lowers blood pressure, which improve athletic performance and muscle endurance.
- Reduces the enzymes that break down nitric oxide, which improves production of cell that rebuild muscles after intense workouts and improves recovery.
- Reduces glucose resistance, which improves glucose going into muscles cells and therefore improves muscle cell growth.
- Appetite suppressant, flavanols stimulate ghrelin which inhibits hunger.
- Indirectly enhances testosterone production, which leads to improved muscle strength, growth, and endurance.
Keep Your Heart Healthy with Exercise
Exercise is great for you heart health!
Regular exercise lower blood pressure, strengthens muscles, lowers stress, reduces inflammation, and helps control weight. Exercise can also stop of slow the development of diabetes and can even help people quit smoking! For the best heart health, doctors recommend 30 minutes of exercise 5 days per week.
Here’s a great workout that you can do in your living room!
Strengthen Your Core with Pilates
https://www.pilatesanytime.com/Pilates-Exercises
Pilates is the BEST exercise to strengthen your core!!!
Many strength training exercises are actually Pilates moves because Pilates is so excellent at building strength!
If you want kick ass abs, you need to do Pilates 1-2+ times per week! You don’t need to go to the gym, you can do this at home! Check out this site for demonstrations of the proper way to do all the Pilates moves. Pick out the ones that seem the easiest to you and start there!
Image from samisthitih.wordpress.com
Yoga Meditation – A Guide for Beginners
Yoga is a great exercise and an awesome way to practice mindfulness!! You should do yoga for at least 30-60 minutes per week!
Yoga helps you build muscle strength, increases flexibility, improves blood flow, decreases blood pressure, improves posture, concentration and energy, decreases stress and anxiety.
Taking to a yoga class is a great way to exercise, get hands on guidance, make friends and build community! If you’re new to yoga, check out this 20 minute yoga routine you can do at home!
Easy HITT Workout for Beginners
High intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts are extremely effective at burning fat and building muscle. Check out this easy, low impact HIIT workout!!
Quick Home Workout for the New Year!
https://www.self.com/gallery/20-minute-no-equipment-total-body-workout
Now that you’ve recovered from yesterday’s hangover, start your new year’s off with a great workout! Get your blood pumping with this 20 minute no-equipment home workout.
A 12-Minute Outdoor HIIT Workout You Can Do Anywhere
https://www.self.com/gallery/outdoor-hiit-workout
The holidays are busy and stressful, so it can be tough to find time to hit the gym. Instead of skipping it, try this quick and effective 12 minute HIIT workout you can do anywhere!
Balance Exercises to Get You Winter Sports Ready
http://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/balance-exercises-winter-sports-skiing/
Ski season is upon us! Good core strength is key to balance and stability. And of course leg muscles and glutes to keep you on your feet. Get your body in shape to hit the slopes with this exercise routine!
HIIT Cardio Workout
https://www.self.com/story/a-sweaty-24-minute-cardio-workout-you-can-do-in-your-living-room
Here’s an excellent HIIT routine to try out!
