Month / February 2020

by Jenna Groves

Intermittent Fasting: What is it and how can you start?

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is on the rise to be one of the most popular diet trends at this moment in time. Although intermittent fasting is not necessarily a “diet” rather an eating patter, people still refer to it sometimes as a diet. Intermittent fasting is basically an eating pattern where one cycles between longer and shorter periods of fasting and eating. It does not specify what can and cannot be eaten, but rather when to eat. 

Most Popular Methods of Intermittent Fasting

  • The 16/8 method: Also known as the Leangains diet, you fast for 16 hours and have an eating period of 8 hours. Most people skip breakfast with this pattern of fasting, and start their eating period at noon or 1 p.m. and finish out around 8-9 p.m. Then fast again until noon the next day. This is also the most popular method. 
  • Eat-Stop-Eat method: This method involves fasting for 24 hours, once or twice a week. For example, you would have a fasting period from dinner one day until dinner on the next day. 
  • The 5:2 method: This method involves consuming only 500-600 calories on two non-consecutive days a week, but eating regular on the other 5 days in the week. 
Picture is from Healthline

Health Benefits and Weight Loss

Intermittent fasting has many benefits for your body and brain function. It has been found to benefit with weight loss, insulin resistance, inflammation, heart health, brain health, and anti-aging. 

The most common reason that most people try intermittent fasting is for weight loss. It causes you to eat less calories without feeling like you are actually restricting since you are eating less meals in the short period of time. There is studies that show that short-term fasting may increase your metabolism from 3.6-14%.

Informative Video on How to Start Intermittent Fasting

If you would also like to read more in depth about intermittent fasting these two articles by Healthline are great! Intermittent Fasting 101 & 6 Popular Ways to Do Intermittent Fasting

by Jenna Groves

5 of my Favorite Exercises That Don’t Feel Like Exercising

  1. Swimming: Swimming is a fun and easy way to get your workout in without feeling like you are actually working out. Simply splashing around and doing canon balls with friends, family, or even your dog is an easy way to get your heart racing and a quick workout in.

2. Hiking or going for a walk: Going for a quick hike or walk is an exciting way to get some fresh air, see some scenery, and get in a nice workout. Some of my favorite places to walk and hike in San Marcos are around the square, through Sewell park, and Purgatory.

3. Dancing: Doing a quick dance around your bedroom or living room is an easy way to burn some calories and actually enjoy it. This POPSUGAR fitness video a great video to follow along with if you want a structured dance routine workout!

4. Tennis: Playing tennis at your local tennis courts is an enjoyable way to get your heart pumping. My friends and I love going to play tennis and we end up staying at the courts for a few hours, and we don’t even realize that we are actually getting a really good workout in.

5. Yoga: Yoga is a great way to destress and get a light workout in while you’re at it. You don’t have to be a professional, either. This beginners yoga video is a great video to follow along with if you are just starting out with yoga. This SELF article is also a good starting point!

by Jenna Groves

Vegetarian vs Vegan

Since I am a vegetarian, I have a lot of people ask me, “What’s the difference between vegetarian and vegan?” Now I am here to explain the difference and also go into a little detail about the different types of vegetarians and vegans.

You could think of the different types as levels, and there are 7 different levels. Here is an interesting chart from Vegetarian Nation that puts all the levels into a simple guide for quick reference.

1 Lacto Vegetarian

A lacto vegetarian is one that does not consume red or white meats, poultry, eggs, or fish, but they do consume dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

2 Ovo Vegetarian

An ovo-vegetarian is one that does not consume red or white meats, poultry, fish, or dairy products, but they do consume egg products.

3 Lacto-ovo Vegetarian

A lacto-ovo vegetarian is one that does not consume red or white meat, poultry, or fish, but they do consume dairy and egg products. This is also the most common type of vegetarian.

4 Pescatarian

A pescatarian is one that restricts their meat consumption to fish and shellfish. They do not consume red or white meat or poultry. Since pescatarians still eat fish and shellfish, this type of diet is considered a “semi-vegetarian” diet.

5 Pollotarian

A pollotarian is one that restricts their meat consumption to chicken and other poultry, and because of this, they are also considered a “semi-vegetarian” diet, like pescatarians. They do not consume red meat or fish and seafood.

6 Flexitarian

A flexitarian is one that consumes a majority plant-based diet with the occasional incorporation of some meats. This diet is not necessarily “vegetarian,” but since the majority of the diet is plant-based, it can be included.

7 Vegan

Last but not least is the vegan diet. Vegans do not consume any animals or animal-by-products. They do not consume red or white meats, fish, poultry, eggs, or dairy. They also do not consume (and sometimes do not use) animal-by-products, which includes gelatin, honey, silk, leather, and wool.