In the modern world, new health and fitness trends come and go constantly. Each one makes bold claims about how their products or services will help you get in shape, lose weight, increase energy levels, or otherwise improve your quality of life. But not all of them are actually effective, which can make it difficult to know where to spend your money and time to find the real solutions you need. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular fitness and health trends today, along with why they aren’t as helpful as they claim to be. In addition to, the alternative approaches that have been proven to work much better over time.
Health and Fitness- All You Need To Know
There are so many health and fitness trends out there, it can be difficult to keep up with them all. Many experts agree that these trends aren’t necessarily good or bad; however, they may not be what you need to reach your goals. For example, if you want to lose weight then calorie-counting probably isn’t for you. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t incorporate some aspects of other diets into your lifestyle (like choosing healthy foods or keeping track of how much you exercise). You don’t have to jump on every bandwagon; make sure whatever trend is right for your needs before deciding on a new diet or workout routine. Be aware of how changing one part of your lifestyle might affect another aspect.
Are you okay with taking caffeine pills during your morning jog? Maybe! Are you okay with consuming copious amounts of alcohol during binges? Probably not! Do your research first before making any changes; make sure you know what other things will change as a result of changing one thing in particular. Also remember that even though someone else lost weight or completed an amazing race through their new health/fitness routine, everyone is different! What works for one person may not work for you. Listen to your body and trust yourself. If something feels wrong, don’t do it.
Some Popular Trends of Health and Fitness
These days it seems like there’s a new health and fitness trend popping up every day. So many different programs, each one promising to get you into peak shape quickly—it can be hard to decide what’s best for you. To help you separate fact from fiction, we’ve outlined some of today’s most popular health and fitness trends. If any of these sound good to you!
CBD Oil
CBD Oil is popular among athletes for its anti-inflammatory properties. The hemp-derived oil can help reduce pain, encourage faster recovery times, and improve sleep quality. When it comes to natural medicine, CBD Oil has seen a lot of popularity in recent years—but what is it exactly? And what are some health benefits of CBD Oil? As more people continue to experiment with cannabidiol (CBD), many are starting to see positive results. In fact, according to multiple studies, CBD may have significant medical value. One study found that Hemp Seed Oil – which is rich in cannabidiol – helped prevent muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis. Another found that Cibdex – a cannabinoid drug – relieved symptoms of Tourette syndrome.
Vegan Diets
The Paleo diet is based on our ancestors’ diet: lots of protein, some fat, and very few carbs. By eliminating processed foods and grains, you give your body a break from what it’s used to. You can eat lean meats like chicken or fish, eggs, vegetables like broccoli or spinach, fruits like bananas or berries; nuts such as walnuts; healthy fats such as olive oil; and non-starchy veggies like broccoli.
If you’re not in a carb-based mood (like many people aren’t) then Paleo can be an excellent way to lose weight quickly—particularly for people who are getting bored with low-calorie diets. A good rule of thumb is that if something grows out of the ground, it’s probably too heavy on carbohydrates. That includes potatoes, corn, rice, pasta. Foods that grow above the ground are better bets if you want to lose weight with Paleo. Want more info? Try these books: The Paleo Diet by Loren Cordain or try Primal Body Primal Mind by Nora Gedgaudas.
Keto Diet
The keto diet is one of today’s biggest fitness trends. The ketogenic diet encourages eating fewer carbs, which has been linked to weight loss, lower insulin levels, and increased energy levels, lower blood pressure, decreased cholesterol levels, lower risk of heart disease, and improved mental clarity. Ketosis means your body isn’t getting enough glucose for fuel.
So it turns fat into ketones for energy instead—which in turn produces weight loss! And when you go on a keto diet, your body switches to running primarily on fat, so you’ll burn even more calories than when you’re just doing cardio or weightlifting. Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to lose some pounds without losing your mind!
There are plenty of useful articles online about how to start a keto diet and stick with it; we suggest starting with PaleoHacks’ Beginner’s Guide to Keto. Once you’ve read that (or other introductory resources), check out our guide: How Long Does It Take to Go into Ketosis? The ‘Keto Flu’: Some people experience flu-like symptoms as they adjust to their new way of eating; these symptoms usually only last 2–3 days after making changes and oftentimes only happen once.
Vegetarianism
Vegetarianism is exploding in popularity across America, with 6% of Americans identifying as a vegetarian—up from only 1% in 1991. This trend is driven by a variety of factors, but it seems to be predominantly about health benefits. Vegetarians are at lower risk for heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, kidney stones, and hypertension.
As well, studies show that vegetarians have higher intakes of nutrients like magnesium, fiber, vitamin C, and phytochemicals (these are compounds found in fruits and vegetables that may help reduce your risk for various diseases). Vegans take things one step further by cutting out all animal products; they also tend to have lower BMIs than their meat-eating counterparts.
And while you don’t need to go completely veg to enjoy these benefits, even adding two or three plant-based meals per week can provide huge wellness boosts—without requiring significant changes or sacrifices. What’s more? Studies suggest that following any kind of plant-based diet may decrease your odds of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. It’s time we start thinking twice before reaching for another helping of bacon! A diet free from animal protein could improve our lives more than we ever imagined.