Tag: wellness

Tips for Eliminating Bored Snacking

Originally published on healthyvoyager.com

Bored snacking affects almost everyone. Many people take a break from studying or working and feel like they have to have something to snack on. If you get bored and find yourself in the kitchen when you aren’t hungry, consider the following options from Gabriel Patterson, Winnipeg nutrition coach instead of reaching for a candy bar or a bag of chips:

1. Drink some cool water

Water is an excellent option for a period of bored snacking. Fix a glass of water with a little ice and lemon juice. Your mind will be occupied, and the cool water will feel great going down. You will emerge more hydrated and less guilty than you would if you opted for a cookie and a soda.

2. Drink sparkling water

If you want something a little less plain than still water, trying sparkling water. Great sparkling water is incredibly refreshing. It provides the consumer with the chance to enjoy carbonation without the sugar of a soda. Sparkling water is available at most gas stations and grocery stores and is sold with or without flavoring.

3. Have a cup of coffee or tea

Having a cup of coffee or tea is a great choice when you are seized by the desire to quench boredom in the kitchen. Fixing the cup will require your attention, and the beverage will give you caffeine to keep you sharp. Both coffee and tea have little to no calories unless you add things to them.

4. Chew gum

If you want to chew on something, gum is a good option. Most chewing gums are relatively low in calories. Gum will give you something to “snack” on for a long time.

5. Put a mint in your mouth

Using a mint follows the same principle as the gum. A mint will stay in your mouth for a while and keep you from shoveling down one of the doughnuts that are glaring at you in the break room. The added benefit will be fresh breath.

“Indulging yourself on unhealthy snacks when you are bored will greatly hinder you on your path to achieving your fitness goals,” stated Gabriel Patterson of Winnipeg. Instead of reaching for a cupcake just because you are bored, try the tips above. If you have to eat during your spout of boredom, opt for fruit. The tips above are meant only for when you want to eat out of boredom. If you are actually hungry, eat something.

Fitness Professional in Winnipeg, Gabriel Patterson on 5 Simple and Effective Ways to Improve Balance 

Fitness Professional in Winnipeg, Gabriel Patterson on 5 Simple and Effective Ways to Improve Balance

Having a strong balance is a vital part of your overall health. Better balance means stronger muscles, increased agility and less risk of injury, which becomes increasingly important as you age. Gabriel Patterson, Toronto fitness trainer, is an expert on balance. Here are five simple ways he has given to help you improve your balance.

1) Stand on One Leg

Sometimes the most obvious solution to a problem is the best one. Simply standing on one leg is a proven way to increase balance over time, making it a great place to start if you’re concerned about your balance, but want to find an easy and fast way to improve it. Standing on one leg strengthens muscles that are important to balance in your legs, ankles, feet and back.

As you stand on one leg, do your best to keep your body upright and in a straight posture. Focus on a single point ahead of you and remain as stable as possible for as long as you can, switching to the other leg when the time is right.

2) Yoga

There are a lot of great reasons to start doing yoga, with one of the most common ones being a desire to improve balance. Balance is at the center of all yoga practice, and when you do yoga on a regular basis, your balance will become incrementally more stable over time thanks to increased flexibility, a strengthened core and stronger back and leg muscles. Some beginner-level yoga poses to try for better balance include tree pose, eagle pose, high lunge pose and chair pose.

3) Squats

Strong legs are the surest defense against injury-inducing falls. People with stronger legs are less likely to stumble and more likely to recover without falling should they trip or lose their balance. Squats are an easy exercise you can do anywhere, and performing them consistently will result in well-conditioned leg muscles you can rely on to keep you upright. Squats work to strengthen the muscles of your legs while also getting them to work in unison more efficiently, resulting in quicker and more secure reactions should you stumble.

4) Stretching

Loose muscles react better than tight ones, which makes a huge difference when it comes to keeping your balance. Take a few minutes to stretch each morning, as well as after any extended periods of sedentary behavior. For example, a simple stretching routine done during your lunch break can do wonders for your long-term balance, being that stretching reduces muscle tension and improves posture. A few easy stretches to get started with are calf stretches, knees-to-chest, ankle rolls and quadriceps stretches.

5) Improve Strength

Strength training and balance are closely related. This becomes especially true as you advance in age, as your body relies more and more on the key muscles of your legs and core to successfully negotiate obstacles as you move. The stakes involved in a fall increase dramatically over time, meaning the sooner you can strengthen your muscles and improve your balance, the better off you’ll be. Strength training doesn’t need to involve costly gym memberships, trainers and heavy weight-lifting routines, as there is a wide range of body weight exercises and at-home fitness solutions available to help you.

These are just some of the many ways to improve your balance. By making these activities a part of your regular routine, you can help your body remain strong, active and resistant to injuries for many years to come.

About Gabriel Patterson:

Gabriel Patterson, Winnipeg, Canada native is a certified personal trainer and advocate for a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Gabriel supports his clients as they revamp their health and fitness routines. 

Residing in Toronto, Mr. Patterson focuses his efforts on helping his clients rebound from sports-related injuries, build a solid foundation in fitness, and reach new heights.

His passion for living a productive and active lifestyle has led Mr. Patterson to educate his clients about the importance of regular exercise and incorporating a nutrient-dense diet. When he is not supporting his clients to become their best selves, Gabriel Patterson can be found enjoying the culture that Toronto has to offer.