6 Outdoor Workouts to Try This Summer
Here at the Well desk, we believe that the best time to exercise outside is from early January to late December. But on these perfect summer days, it's especially hard to resist a jog through the woods or a bike ride around the neighborhood.
For anyone looking wistfully out the window at a cloudless summer day, here are a few of our favorite ways to work out in the great outdoors.
Walking outside is an enjoyable, accessible way to get some exercise in while experiencing nature. But heading away from civilization can be intimidating.
Here we lay out a few of the fundamentals, so you can go hiking with confidence. Grab a rain jacket, pick a good route and venture out. For more of an upper body workout, grab a pair of trekking poles.
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Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
I tried a water aerobics class for older people. At 39, I was surprised by how well I fit in.
I was looking for a less intense form of exercise and joined a swim class for older adults. I was surprised by how well I fit in with the other attendees; they were social butterflies. I enjoy taking the class and have been going for a few years now. When I signed up for a water aerobics class for older adults, I felt embarrassed — I was about 30 years younger than everyone else. I'd recently moved in with my parents because I became disabled with long COVID. I wasn't able to take care of myself in the same ways or exercise at the same intensity I was used to anymore, and I started to look for new ways of moving. When you have chronic fatigue, it can be difficult to get movement in every day, but my doctors have told me it's still vital to try. The key is finding something that doesn't push beyond your threshold but also keeps you as active as possible. I go walking in spring and fall. However, in Southern Illinois, where I live, temperatures and weather conditions in summer and winter are too extreme for me to walk outside. But there's a gym with a pool down the street, and I love being in the water, so I decided to look at their classes. I was the youngest person in the class by a few decades I was surprised to see the variety of pool courses offered. However, many of them looked too vigorous. The only ones that appeared to be within the scope of my abilities were for older adults. Still, I put aside my self-consciousness about being 39 and considering this particular class, and looked at the time slots. This was the next hurdle — most were morning classes, as older people are often early birds. Another symptom of my illness is insomnia, and I don't wake up until after most of them take place. However, there was one beacon of light — a one-hour class starting at 5 pm that met three days a week. I decided to shed my pride and sign up. My first time in the water, it took no time to realize I was in the "social butterfly" class — I would fit right in. Not only did everyone in the class immediately introduce themselves, but they also asked me why I was there. When I explained my disability, they showed genuine support. Once class started, it became apparent that they all knew each other extremely well. It turned out most of them had been taking this same class together for years and were a tight-knit group. Whenever new people joined, they welcomed us with open arms. Apparently, they also liked this time slot because they weren't "morning people" either. I felt right at home. I fit right in with the group As time went on, I was even more convinced of their party animal ways — they often spent the majority of the class socializing, while occasionally following the teacher. Now, that's not to say they're not active, because they definitely are. However, whether or not they are doing the actual exercises we are being shown is another subject entirely. By the end of the hour, I was also introduced to this particular class's special activity — they always insist the last 15 minutes are set aside to play with a beach ball. I joined the game and they cheered each other on, trash-talked in jest, and even got a little competitive. With my age, I'm able to dive for the ball and do some tricks that others can't. When I used these skills, they cheered loudly and excitedly. In fact, one man commented on "what a strong arm" I have. Over time, I even made a close friend Any discomfort I'd felt about joining an exercise class for older adults as a middle-aged woman quickly dissipated. And the surprises kept coming — the next class, I made a special friend. A woman approached me to chat while we were supposed to be exercising. She'd recently moved to the area and had only been attending for a few months. As we got to know each other, we figured out that we'd both come from big cities to this small area, we shared a liberal mindset in a largely conservative area, and we both loved trying out new restaurants. Knowing she was about my mom's age, and that my mom also wanted a friend who shared this affiliation, I suggested the three of us go out to dinner. Now, we regularly go to the movie theater, go out to dinner, and attend local events related to our shared interests. In fact, sometimes she and my mom even go out without me! In the meantime, I've been going to these classes for the past three winters and loving every minute. I didn't have "become disabled, move home with my parents, join a water aerobics class frequented by retirees, and make new friends from a different generation" on my Bingo card for this stage of my life. However, it has not only been good for my health, but also for my soul. Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
First they took a GLP-1. Then they got the 'meat ick.'
It's hard to meet your protein goals when you suddenly can't stand a bite of chicken or steak. Merris Taylor has never loved a fatty ribeye or New York Strip steak. She prefers leaner cuts. But that preference morphed into a downright disgust after Taylor started taking Zepbound, a powerful GLP-1 weight loss medication. 'If I get a weird piece of meat in my mouth — whether it has a weird texture or fat in it — I'm like, 'oh, no,'' the dietitian tells Yahoo. 'That just turns your stomach,' she adds. This sudden loss of appetite for meat is not uncommon among people taking GLP-1s. They call it the 'meat ick.' If you're not on a weight loss medication, maybe you've felt a version of the meat ick if you've taken a first bite of salmon and it tasted too fishy, or you've cooked up some chicken that still tastes suspiciously gamey. But for some people taking injection weight loss drugs such as Zepbound and Wegovy, even the freshest chicken, pork, steak or salmon can lose its appeal. Researchers, patients and prescribers of GLP-1 medications are discovering that the drugs can significantly change people's tastes in food. And losing a taste for meat is especially concerning for people on these medications because they need to consume plenty of protein to prevent muscle loss and reduce side effects. So what's going on, and can a case of the meat ick be cured? Here's what we learned. What is the 'meat ick' and why do people get it on GLP-1s? The meat ick is just a more relatable version of a more technical term called food aversion. It's a phenomenon that's probably most familiar to people who have been pregnant and experienced the dreaded morning sickness along with appetite changes that can leave them hating their favorite foods. Food aversion can come with or without nausea and has a number of potential causes, ranging from hormonal changes, such as those in pregnancy, to certain illnesses and even mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Medications, including antibiotics and omeprazole — a common acid reflux treatment — can also cause food aversion. So the effects of blockbuster GLP-1 drugs aren't totally unprecedented. But something new is going on with these particular types of medications. Older diabetes medications that are also considered GLP-1s — including Victoza and Saxenda — have been around for more than a decade. 'What's very strange is that really nobody ever reported this meat ick thing to us [while taking these drugs],' Tiffany Bailey, a physician's assistant who makes educational content about GLP-1s on social media, tells Yahoo. 'What I found strange is that we started seeing this phenomenon when we started using GLP-1s for weight loss,' rather than to treat diabetes, she adds. There isn't much research on the meat ick or other food aversions triggered by GLP-1s — Bailey notes that it was never mentioned to her or her colleagues when they were learning how to prescribe and manage side effects — but there are some sensible theories. For one, Bailey suspects that the reason people are getting the meat ick while on, for example, Mounjaro, but not Saxenda, is that versions of drugs designed for weight loss are usually higher doses than the same medication formulated for diabetes treatment. That likely means the side effects of the weight loss versions will be stronger. Second, these drugs help people lose weight by slowing down gastric emptying, or the process of digestion. So after someone taking a GLP-1 eats, 'food just sits there longer,' helping them to feel fuller faster, explains Bailey. Heavy, dense foods, including meat and other proteins, already take longer to digest. But if they sit in your gut for too long, they can trigger nausea, a biological response designed to tell us Slow down, I've had enough and can't handle more right now! Your digestive system 'registers that you ate this, and it sat there and made you nauseous, so it will subconsciously tell your brain, 'This is bad.'' So your brain gets conditioned when it tastes, smells or in some cases even sees that food to think: nausea. It's not just meat Bailey estimates that between 10% and 15% of her GLP-1 patients with food aversions get the meat ick, specifically. But she says as many as 70% of people taking the injections develop some kind of food aversion. The most common culprit? Coffee, 'even if they used to live for their coffee,' says Bailey. Too much caffeine from coffee can cause nausea, queasiness or stomach upset, which might partially explain the phenomenon. But Bailey says that coffee simply tastes bad to many of her patients. Plenty of GLP-1 users have reported the same breakup with their morning joe on social media. One possible explanation is that both caffeine and GLP-1s interact with dopamine, our reward chemical, in the brain. GLP-1s can make those once-rewarding food and drinks (and, researchers think, drugs and alcohol too) less so, which may explain why coffee and caffeine aren't so appealing to those taking the drugs, Bailey suggests. Eggs are probably the second most commonly-reported 'ick' in Bailey's family medicine practice. And they're now 32-year-old Courtney Kline's biggest turn-off. Since starting to take a GLP-1, 'I've tried every which way to cook them or put them in something,' but to no avail, she tells Yahoo. 'I've always loved eggs, but the second I started on a GLP-1 I [tried to make] some eggs, liquid egg whites and spinach, and I felt like vomiting,' she says. Her egg reaction takes one easy way to cook and consume protein off the menu. But for others with the meat ick, including Taylor, eggs are a solution. While scrambled eggs are 'no-go' for her, boiled eggs are a great go-to source of protein, along with softer meats that are made in the crock pot, added to soup or in spaghetti sauce. Cassandra Smith has the opposite problem. A day or so after the 30-year-old middle school English teacher and mother took her first injection of compounded tirzepatide, Smith had plans to go to Olive Garden with her coworkers. Smith ordered her usual: cheese ravioli with red meat sauce, topped with a layer of Parmesan. 'When I got it, I was like, eww,' she tells Yahoo. 'I was like, 'I just can't eat this — this is disgusting.' The dish didn't smell off or look off, but 'it was like my brain just said, 'You're not eating that,' says Smith. 'It's weird, I can't really explain it.' Her best guess is simply that her brain and body have learned that all of that heavy food — the red meat, the carbs and the cheese — didn't sit well with her anymore. (Dairy, notes Bailey, also comes up as a GLP-1 ick.) Why the ick isn't all bad — and how to cope with it There's an upside to these icks, however. Smith no longer has any desire for some of the rich foods she once enjoyed. Instead, 'my cravings are completely different now. I crave salmon and brussels sprouts, and I'm wondering, 'What restaurant has the best broccoli?'' she says. 'I'm like, who craves broccoli? But my whole palate has changed.' That's been hugely helpful to Smith. She used to love steak, but had to stop eating it because it caused flare-ups of her rheumatoid arthritis. Since starting on a GLP-1 Smith has been able to stop taking her arthritis medications under the guidance of her doctor, 'and these are medications that people never come off of,' she says. Now she's discovered a love of salmon, a healthy, nutrient-packed source of protein and good-for-you fats. Smith avoids any highly processed 'manmade' foods, she says, opting instead for whole foods — and teaching her 4-year-old daughter to do the same. It's a common, positive effect of being on these weight loss medications, Bailey says. 'Studies show that people choose a lot lighter foods in general after being put on a GLP-1,' she says, referring to a shift away from high-sugar foods and unhealthy fats found in ultra-processed foods. That's good for weight loss and improving health metrics like cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. But this dietary change does present a problem: consuming enough protein. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are great sources of protein, but Bailey says some of her GLP-1 patients can't tolerate even this good fat. So how can you hit your protein goals if you're on a weight loss medication? Lean options like grilled chicken or turkey are less likely to trigger the ick, say both Bailey and Taylor. And, when in doubt, you might just have to hide the meat a little. Taylor and Bailey suggest going for lightly breaded chicken. Try cooking it in an air fryer or baking it in the oven, rather than deep-frying it, which bathes the chicken in fatty oil — or else you might find yourself right back in the ick. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The #1 Snack to Buy at Costco for Better Blood Sugar, According to a Dietitian
Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDNKey Points Wonderful Pistachios No Shell Variety Packs are the top Costco snack for healthy blood sugar. They're low in carbs and added sugars and contain protein, fiber and healthy fats. Plus, they're preportioned and come in three tasty it comes to managing blood sugar, choosing the right snack can make a huge difference. Fortunately, Costco makes it easy with a dietitian-approved favorite that's balanced and convenient. And that snack is Wonderful Pistachios No Shell Variety Packs. What makes these crunchy nuts such a winning pick? 'Nuts are a powerhouse of plant-based protein, fiber and unsaturated fats, making them a great snack for blood sugar control,' says diabetes expert Crystal Orozco, RDN, CDCES, CPT. These individually portioned nut packs are filled with nutrients for steady energy and blood sugar management. Plus, they come in three delicious flavors to help give your snack routine some variety. Read on to learn why they're a great snack, whether you're managing diabetes or simply aiming to avoid an afternoon energy crash. Why Wonderful Pistachios Variety Packs Are Our Top Pick for Healthy Blood Sugar Provide Protein Research has found that eating nuts may help prevent and manage type 2 diabetes. One reason may be their protein, which helps manage blood sugar in several ways. First, protein is slowly digested, so it keeps you full. And when you're satisfied, you're less likely to reach for less-healthy snacks. In addition, protein requires more calories to digest than carbs or fat. As a result, it helps maintain a healthy body weight, which may promote more stable blood glucose levels. Finally, protein helps your body maintain muscle, which gobbles up glucose from your bloodstream. So, by adding protein to your snack, you may improve blood sugar over the short and long term. These convenient snack packs provide 5 grams of protein in one neat little serving. Contain Healthy Fats Like protein, fat also slows digestion, making your snack more satiating. However, the type of fat in your snack matters. Many snack foods are high in cholesterol-raising saturated fat, which can lead to heart disease if you eat them on the regular. Enter pistachios. A whopping 90% of their fat is heart-healthy unsaturated fat. Each pistachio pack contains 10 grams of total fat, yet just 1 gram of saturated fat. Low in Carbs When you're watching your blood sugar, the last thing you want is a high-carb snack that will send your numbers through the roof. No need to worry about that here. Each single-serve pack of these tasty nuts contains just 5 to 6 grams of carbohydrates. In addition, you'll also score 2 grams of fiber, a nutrient that helps slow carbohydrate absorption. Almost No Added Sugars Research has found that regularly eating lots of added sugar may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Trouble is, packaged snacks can be loaded with added sugars. Not these nuts. The Roasted & Salted variety has zero added sugars, and the Roasted Chili and Sea Salt & Vinegar flavors each have less than 1 gram of added sugars. Craving something sweet? Reach for the Roasted Chili flavor. Or, turn the Roasted & Salted variety into a DIY trail mix by adding some unsweetened dried fruit and dark chocolate. 'Including a small amount of dried fruit or dark chocolate is perfectly fine,' says Orozco. 'Fruit adds fiber and natural sweetness, while dark chocolate contains antioxidants.' Individually Portioned It's easy to go overboard with almost any snack. If that's a regular event, it can lead to weight gain, which can spell bad news for blood sugar. These handy preportioned nuts provide automatic portion management. They're low in energy, too, with just 120 to 130 calories per packet. Tips to Select a Blood Sugar–Friendly Snack Shopping for a healthy, blood sugar-balancing snack but not sure what to look for? Here are a few strategies to keep in mind. Look for Fiber. Fiber helps slow digestion and blunts those sugar spikes. Aim for snacks with at least 2 to 3 grams of fiber per serving. The more, the better! Include Some Protein. Whether it's in foods like nuts, seeds, Greek yogurt or roasted chickpeas, protein helps improve satiety and manage post-snack blood glucose levels. As a rule of thumb, look for a snack with 5 to 10 grams of protein. Be Mindful of Carbs. To keep blood sugar in check, choose a snack with 30 grams of carbs or less. And don't forget to check the Nutrition Facts label for added sugars. Orozco recommends no more than 5 grams of added sugars per serving. Aim for Balance. If your snack contains carbs, pairing it with some healthy fat or protein can slow glucose absorption. Think nuts and fruit, whole-grain crackers and hummus, or tortilla chips and guac. Don't Forget Portions. The bigger your snack, the more blood sugar–raising carbs you're likely to consume. Of course, single-serve packs are a great way to eliminate the hassle of portioning things out. When that's not possible, check the Nutrition Facts label on the package, so you'll know what a reasonable serving size should be. Our Expert Take Snacks can be a healthy part of a blood sugar management plan, and Costco can help. While Costco stocks several blood sugar–friendly snacks, the best one is Wonderful Pistachios No Shell Variety Packs. These tasty, single-serve nut packs are filled with a blood sugar–balancing blend of protein, fiber and healthy fats, yet they're low in carbs and added sugars. And they come in three delicious flavors. So, next time you're at Costco, toss a box (or two!) in your cart. Whether you're managing diabetes or simply aiming for more steady energy throughout the day, this snack checks all the right boxes. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
