Ryan Thorburn |Register-Guard

Oregon assistant Keith Heyward, who was passed over for the defensive coordinator position for the second time last week, announced on Monday that he is leaving the program.

Heyward, a former Oregon State defensive back, spent the past four seasons coaching the Ducks' safeties.

The Athletic's Bruce Feldman reported Heyward, who previously worked with California coach Justin Wilcox at USC and Washington, is likelyheaded to Berkeley to join the Bears.

The move would be an intriguing North Division assistants swap.

Oregon coach Mario Cristobal is hiring Cal defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter to replace Andy Avalos, who left to become Boise State's head coach.

Heyward was considered for the defensive coordinator position following the 2018 season but Cristobal hired Avalos.

Once (Avalos)got it, I was a little disappointed, to be honest, in myself," Heyward said at the time. "But this is a team, and coach Cristobal did what was best. So weve got great defensive coaches on our side of the ball, and Im excited for the direction that were going.

Several of Heyward's star pupils publicly expressed their gratitude for the job he did at Oregon.

"He is not only a football coach but a LIFE coach!" former Oregon safety Jevon Holland tweeted. "You were one of the most influential people at Oregon and my life. From recruiting to mentoring to coaching you've helped all of us become better men. Love you coach! Thank U!"

Star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux said Heyward's departure "cut deep."

"You are one of the reasons I came to Oregon," Thibodeaux tweeted. "I knew it couldn't last forever but didn't know it was (coming) this soon."

Heyward was given the titles of assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator at Oregon but Avalos was in charge of the defense the past two seasons.

"My ultimate goal is to be a head coach," Heyward said during an interview with The Register-Guard last year. "Ill be 40 next year.Im still waiting for that opportunity to be a coordinator."

Contact reporter Ryan Thorburn atrthorburn@registerguard.comor 541-338-2330, and follow him on Twitter@By_RyanThorburn. Want more stories like this? Subscribe to get unlimited access and support local journalism.

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Oregon Ducks assistant Keith Heyward leaving the program - The Register-Guard

Today, Dave Asprey is well-known as one of the leading figures of the biohacking movement and the founder of the Bulletproof empireif you've ever put butter in your coffee, he's the reason why. But it wasn't always this way: In his 20s, he was working as a computer hacker while tipping the scale at around 300 pounds. He was fed up with feeling awful all of the time and dealing with arthritis and chronic fatigue. Despite doing all of the standard right things his doctors advised, including exercise and counting calories, he was stuck.

So he began experimenting himself, first with a low-carb diet that resulted in a 50-pound weight loss. From there, he was hooked. So hooked that Asprey says he has spent more than $1 million building a better body, experimenting with everything from red light therapy to cold exposure, with the goal to live until at least 180.

Last week, The New York Times bestselling author released his latest, Fast This Way, which reviews the latest thinking on how to turn eating restrictions into better health. GQ chatted with Asprey to find out what his day-to-day looks like while running his business from a 32-acre organic farm on Vancouver Island, off Canada's Pacific Coast. It indeed involves fasting and drinking coffee with butter in itbut also the occasional bite of dairy-free ice cream.

For Real-Life Diet, GQ talks to athletes, celebrities, and everyone in between about their diet, exercise routines, and pursuit of wellness. Keep in mind that what works for them might not necessarily be healthy for you.

GQ: What time do you usually get out of bed?

Dave Asprey: I usually get out of bed around 6:45 or 7 a.m. I used to go to bed much later and wake up later, but it's just less convenient. So I used a combination of light and fasting to shift my circadian windows. Now, I go to bed earlier than I ever have in my life. And I do it naturally, which is super cool.

I wake up, and I definitely make a shot of espresso. I usually turn that into an Americano. I also make one for my wife and one for my kids to split because yes, my kids do drink coffee. It's good for you. It's a superfood, screw kale. Sometimes I make it Bulletproof (using MCT oil and grass-fed, unsalted butter). Others, I just do a black, depending on what I feel like for the day.

Talk to me about your morning supplementsI've seen the photos, and there are a lot of them.

I take a handful of the supplements that I put together the night before that are mostly mitochondrial stimulators or other anti-aging things, peptides, etc. We're talking like 40 or 50 pills. Some of them are ones that I formulated for Bulletproof. I also take all of my probiotics in the morning when I wake up, because I have found in recent research that if you take probiotics at night, they disrupt your sleep. If you take them in the morning they seem to work better. I usually take some prebiotic fiber at some point, which feeds the good bacteria. My goal lately has been to make bacteria in my gut the manufacturer of as many of the things that I want in my body as possible. I also take all my minerals and stuff like that.

[In a follow-up email, Asprey clarified that his current morning supplement lineup includes, from Bulletproof, vitamins A, D, and K, glutathione, Eye Armour, copper and zinc, and Smart Mode, along with amino acids and calcium d-glucarate.]

Anything else thats important to your morning routine?

When I wake up, I do just a brief gratitude practice. I just lay there for a minute or two and I have two things that I'm grateful for. One is that I say to no one in particular, Thank you for using me today. I don't say what for, I'm just going to assume things work out the way they're supposed to happen. The second gratitude is, Thank you for making things happen the way they're supposed to happen.

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Dave Asprey Thinks Coffee Is a Superfood - GQ

The ketogenic diet has as many critics as it does fans. The new book "The Case for Keto" tells us how to do it right

The "keto" (ketogenic) diet is one of the most talked-about diets out there right now. It calls for eating little to no carbs, sugars, and grains -- and a high amount of fats and protein. This puts your body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat and turns it into fuel.

Science and Health Journalist Gary Taubes' new book The Case for Ketoexplains how the keto diet can be beneficial, using science to guide his thinking. He joined New Day NW to explain more about what going keto looks like.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Based on twenty years of investigative reporting and interviews with 100 practicing physicians who embrace the keto lifestyle as the best prescription for their patients health, Gary Taubes gives us a manifesto for the twenty-first-century fight against obesity and diabetes.

For years, health organizations have preached the same rules for losing weight: restrict your calories, eat less, exercise more. So why doesnt it work for everyone? Taubes, whose seminal book Good Calories, Bad Calories and cover stories for The New York Times Magazine changed the way we look at nutrition and health, sets the record straight.

The Case for Keto puts the ketogenic diet movement in the necessary historical and scientific perspective. It makes clear the vital misconceptions in how weve come to think about obesity and diet (no, people do not become fat simply because they eat too much; hormones play the critical role) and uses the collected clinical experience of the medical community to provide essential practical advice.

Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.

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Is there a healthy way to go Keto? - KING5.com

Constipation is a common digestive complaint. Most bouts of constipation are short-term, or acute. However, some people experience long-term symptoms, known as chronic constipation.

Chronic constipation can be uncomfortable and can interfere with a persons day-to-day functioning. While some causes of the condition are relatively benign and highly treatable, others can be more serious.

This article outlines what chronic constipation is, including its symptoms and causes. We also outline information on treating and preventing chronic constipation, and offer advice on when to see a doctor.

Everyone experiences constipation at some point. Most cases of constipation are short-term or acute. These often occur following a change in diet or exercise habits, and is treatable with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

In rarer cases, constipation may be chronic, meaning symptoms are long-lasting. Doctors consider constipation chronic if it:

To receive a diagnosis of chronic constipation, a person must experience at least three of the following symptoms within a 3-month period:

Secondary symptoms of chronic constipation include:

Although people with chronic constipation experience similar symptoms, the cause of constipation may vary.

The most common triggers of constipation include:

Less common causes of constipation include:

Certain dietary supplements and medications can also trigger constipation. These include:

It may not always be possible to determine what causes constipation. Chronic constipation that occurs without a known trigger is known as chronic idiopathic constipation.

Treatments for chronic constipation may vary according to its severity and its underlying cause. Some possible treatment options are below.

The first-line treatment for chronic constipation is to make any necessary diet and lifestyle changes. These may include:

Dietary fiber adds bulk to the stool, enabling it to pass through the intestines more quickly. A doctor may advise gradually increasing fiber intake by introducing more fruit and vegetables into the diet. Switching from refined grains to whole grains will also help boost fiber intake.

Water softens stools, allowing them to pass smoothly through the intestines and rectum.

Regular movement increases muscle activity in the intestines, helping stools pass through the digestive system. Therefore, increasing physical activity encourages more regular bowel movements.

If a person routinely ignores their bodys signals to poop, they may no longer experience the urge for a bowel movement, which can worsen constipation.

If diet and lifestyle changes are not effective, a person may wish to try OTC medications to soften the stool or increase bowel movements. Some options include:

If OTC laxatives and natural remedies do not alleviate a persons constipation, a doctor may recommend a prescription medication. The drugs lubiprostone (Amitiza) and linaclotide (Linzess) are generally effective in treating chronic constipation.

Biofeedback training (BT) is a type of behavioral therapy that aims to treat constipation and other types of bowel dysfunction.

BT involves learning how to relax and tighten the pelvic muscles that support the bladder and bowel. Relaxing these muscles at the right time can increase the likelihood of a successful bowel movement.

During BT, a therapist may insert a long tube called a catheter into the rectum to measure tension in the muscles. They will then talk the person through a series of exercises to help relax and tighten the muscles.

An older study from 2006 compared the efficacy of BT and laxative use among people with pelvic floor issues. The researchers found BT was more effective.

Surgery for chronic constipation is rare. However, a person may require surgical interventions to remove a bowel blockage or part of a diseased colon.

The best way to prevent constipation is to adopt lifestyle habits that promote good digestion. Examples include:

The following groups are at increased risk of experiencing chronic constipation:

Passing hard stools or constantly straining to poop can lead to complications, such as:

Chronic constipation is rarely the result of a serious underlying condition. It usually improves with lifestyle changes and OTC treatments.

A person should speak with their doctor if the above treatments do not ease their constipation. A doctor may recommend tests to check for underlying health issues.

In very rare cases, chronic constipation may be a sign of colorectal cancer.

A person should talk with their doctor if they experience chronic constipation that affects their physical or mental health or their day-to-day life.

People should also speak with a doctor if their constipation accompanies any of the following symptoms:

Chronic constipation can be uncomfortable and disabling. However, there are treatments that can help ease constipation and its symptoms.

Dietary and lifestyle changes are typically the first-line treatment for constipation. If these are ineffective, a person may try OTC remedies to help soften stools or encourage bowel movements.

People should speak with their doctor if they experience chronic constipation that does not respond to lifestyle changes or OTC treatments. A doctor may prescribe medications to ease their symptoms. They may also recommend tests to check for any underlying health conditions.

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Chronic constipation: Definition, causes, treatment, and more - Medical News Today

The South Beach Diet and Jenny Craig are two popular commercial weight loss programs.

Both offer premade meals and snacks designed to support weight loss and help save you time on meal prep.

However, while the South Beach Diet and Jenny Craig are similar in many ways, several key features set them apart.

This article compares some of the main similarities and differences between the South Beach Diet and Jenny Craig to help you decide which is right for you.

Heres a basic overview of how each program works.

The South Beach Diet was developed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, an American cardiologist.

It limits high carb ingredients and added sugars while promoting non-starchy vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein sources.

The principles of the South Beach Diet are outlined in a book written by Dr. Agatson, which you can use to follow the diet on your own.

The South Beach Diet also offers plans that deliver a variety of premade meals and snacks to help simplify weight loss.

The three available plans are:

The South Beach Diet also sells a 1-week reboot kit, which includes a selection of meals and snacks that can supposedly help you lose up to 7 pounds (3.2 kg) in just 1 week.

Jenny Craig is a diet program that delivers fully prepared foods designed to promote weight loss.

Several plans are available, each of which varies in price and the number of meals provided.

Some plans also include in-person or virtual coaching with a Jenny Craig consultant each week.

Here are the plans that Jenny Craig offers:

In addition to the meals and snacks provided by Jenny Craig, members are encouraged to enjoy one healthy snack per day and exercise regularly.

Jenny Craig also offers a maintenance plan, which involves slowly transitioning from prepackaged foods to preparing your own meals at home.

Here are some of the menu options available for each program.

The South Beach Diets menu has a wide range of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

It also offers several sweet and salty snacks, including protein shakes, nacho puffs, cookie bites, and mixed nuts.

The South Beach Diet allows you to make your own meal plan each week by choosing your favorite meals from the companys menu.

You can also filter the menu to view items that are vegetarian, diabetes-friendly, low in carbs, or free of specific ingredients.

Each item contains a detailed list of ingredients, along with preparation instructions and nutritional information.

The website also displays customer reviews for each menu item, which may be useful when selecting the items youd like to add to your meal plan.

Jenny Craig offers a variety of premade meals and snacks, with over 100 menu items.

Each week, you can customize your order by selecting your favorites from the full menu.

All items include information about their nutritional value and ingredient content.

Although Jenny Craig offers a low carb plan specifically for people with type 2 diabetes, limited options are available for other restrictive eating patterns, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets.

Heres how the two programs compare in terms of price.

The cost of the South Beach Diet depends on which plan you select.

Heres the price for each South Beach Diet plan:

Free shipping is offered with all plans. You can also purchase multiple months in advance or sign up for a recurring subscription to receive additional savings.

Optional add-ons are also available, including extra snacks, protein bars, desserts, and meal bundles.

Jenny Craig has several plans to choose from, each of which differs in price.

Heres the cost of each Jenny Craig meal plan:

Both the Essential Meal Plan and Rapid Results Max Meal Plan include free delivery.

However, theres an additional charge for shipping if you order fewer than 2 weeks worth of meals at a time on the Simple Meal Plan.

You can also purchase optional extras when checking out, including snacks, shakes, and desserts.

Both programs have been shown to support short-term weight loss.

According to the companys website, members can expect to lose 12 pounds (0.51 kg) per week while following the South Beach Diet.

One older study in 20 people with metabolic syndrome showed that those who followed the South Beach Diet for 12 weeks lost an average of 11.5 pounds (5.2 kg) and experienced reductions in belly fat and total body fat (1).

Other research has also found that dietary patterns similar to the South Beach Diet may aid weight loss.

For example, one study in 331 people with obesity showed that following a low carb, low calorie, high protein diet for 9 months led to greater weight loss and fat loss than a standard low calorie diet (2).

Another study observed that decreasing your carb intake may help boost the number of calories you burn throughout the day (3).

Plus, research shows that protein and fat may have a greater effect on hunger-regulating hormones, such as ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), compared with carbs, which may help promote appetite control (4, 5).

Like the South Beach Diet, Jenny Craig claims that members typically lose an average of 12 pounds (0.51 kg) per week on the program.

Citing a study published on the Jenny Craig website, the company also claims that you can lose up to 17 pounds (7.7 kg) within your first 4 weeks on the Rapid Results Max plan (6).

However, keep in mind that this study was not published in a peer-reviewed journal. Additionally, neither information about its funding nor other potential sources of bias was made available.

Still, several other studies have found that Jenny Craig may aid weight loss.

For instance, one large review of 39 studies showed that people who used Jenny Craig for 1 year achieved 4.9% greater weight loss than a control group (7).

Another small study found that women who followed the program lost an average of 11.8 pounds (5.3 kg) over 12 weeks (8).

There are also a few other benefits associated with each program.

With a variety of fully prepared meals and snacks to choose from, the South Beach Diet makes it easy to follow a low carb diet.

The book also offers detailed information and guidelines on how to follow the diet, which may be beneficial if you decide to start preparing your own meals at home instead of purchasing the premade meals.

It may also help ease your transition back to a typical diet once you have reached your weight loss goals.

Whats more, some research has found that low carb diets may help improve blood sugar management in people with type 2 diabetes (9, 10).

Jenny Craig may be a good option for those who prefer a more structured and simple weight loss program that leaves little room for error.

Because all dishes are delivered fully prepared and ready to enjoy, Jenny Craig can also help you save time throughout the week on meal prep.

Certain plans also offer personal coaching, which may help those who benefit from having additional social support and increased accountability.

Plus, some research has found that Jenny Craig may support blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes (11, 12).

There are some drawbacks to consider with both programs as well.

While its possible to follow the South Beach Diet using the recommendations found in the book, the company promotes the use of its premade meals and snacks to speed weight loss.

Processed foods have been associated with a variety of serious health problems in the long run, including a higher risk of chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes (13).

Eating only the meals and snacks provided by the South Beach Diet could also make it more difficult to transition back to a typical diet.

Additionally, the South Beach Diet may not be suitable for those with specific dietary restrictions or food allergies, as there are limited options available to fit certain needs.

Finally, with plans ranging from $12.50$16.43 per day, it can be pretty pricey, compared with similar programs.

Instead of teaching you how to prepare healthy meals at home, Jenny Craig encourages the intake of fully prepared, highly processed meals.

While this may be convenient, it can make it much more difficult to transition back to a typical diet and maintain your weight loss long term.

Furthermore, the program may not be a good fit for everyone, as it offers very few options for those with dietary restrictions, food allergies, or intolerances.

Its also very expensive, with plans ranging from $12.99$25.99 per day.

This means you could spend over $800 on the program in a single month, which may be challenging for those on a budget.

Both Jenny Craig and the South Beach Diet provide prepackaged meals and snacks designed to help simplify weight loss.

Unlike the South Beach diet, Jenny Craig offers coaching and peer support to help hold you accountable and provide personalized advice.

On the other hand, the South Beach Diet can be followed using only the recommendations described in the book.

This can not only ease your transition back to preparing healthy meals at home but also be more cost-effective and sustainable in the long run.

Jenny Craig is a commercial weight loss program that delivers a variety of fully prepared meals and snacks.

Meanwhile, the South Beach Diet is a low carb diet plan that offers prepackaged meals and snacks.

Although both programs may aid weight loss, Jenny Craig offers social support, while the South Beach Diet provides additional guidance in the book to support long-term weight loss.

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The South Beach vs. Jenny Craig: Cost, Menu, and Effectiveness - Healthline

By Wendy M. Henrichs Board Certified Chiropractic Pediatrician and Nutrition Counselor

This past year has been a challenge for many. The comfort of your daily routine has been disrupted, causing stress. The struggle of not seeing family and friends is also stressful. This has led to stress eating combined with a decrease in exercise or intensity of exercise resulting in weight gain. Not only that, but stress has a negative effect on your immune system and how it functions. It also contributes to the development of degenerative illness and disease. There are several studies published recently examining how the COVID-19 pandemic life has affected eating behaviors, physical activity and stress.

One study published in Obesity reported that about one third of the approximately 8,000 study participants had gained weight and exercised less since April 2020. Those who were already obese were affected the most. There are many things you do not have control over during the pandemic life, but you do have control of what you eat, how much you exercise, and how you view the current state of life. Regardless, 2021 is upon us, bringing an opportunity to start anew and take your health and fitness to a new level.

If your fitness and exercise routine has taken a beating in the past nine months, now is the time to make a change.

Consistent cardiovascular exercise contributes to weight control and weight loss. It also strengthens your heart, lungs and blood vessels. A sweaty cardio session will amp up your metabolism for one to two hours post-exercise. Weight and strength training builds lean muscle necessary for bone strength and bone density as you age. It also stimulates your metabolism for hours, and the more lean muscle you have, the more calories you will burn at rest. This is especially important for long term weight control. Exercise is excellent at decreasing cortisol, your stress hormone, and improving your immune system function. If you are short on time and equipment, no problem. You can do body weight HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts that only take 10-15 minutes. High intensity interval training is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise. According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, at least 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) improves cardiometabolic risk factors such as waist circumference, percent body fat, resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in overweight/obese populations. BJSM 2017; 51:494-503.

Whatever type of exercise you choose, just decide to get up and move more in 2021. Whether you go to work, work at home, or are staying at home, you can set a timer to get up and move every hour. You can also schedule exercise into your daily routine. Work towards 150 minutes (about two-and-a-half hours) or more of exercise weekly, and you will be on your way to a leaner, fitter, healthier you in 2021.

Jack Lalane used to say, if man made it, I wont eat it. The centenarian Blue Zoners have figured this out as well eating a mostly plant-based diet. The standard American diet (SAD) is laden with sugar, artificial sweeteners, additives, preservatives, added hormones, and pesticides. Consuming added sugar leads to unwanted weight gain, type II diabetes and obesity. Additionally, it is a major cause of inflammation and lowered immune function both of which increase your risk related to COVID-19. Now that the holiday season is over, it is a great time to get rid of added sugar along with processed and packaged foods. An easy way to do this is to fill your plate with vegetables and/or fruit first. They are low in calories, high in prebiotic fiber (which is good for your gut bacteria), and loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Eating veggies and fruit will lower your insulin response after a meal which leads to better blood sugar control along with the antioxidants which will improve your immune function. Eating veggies or fruit combined with protein and good fats from nuts, seeds, wild caught fish, grass fed beef, wild game, eggs, legumes, lentils, chia seeds, hemp hearts and quinoa will help to reduce inflammation in your body, which is a risk factor for poor outcomes from Covid-19 and will take your health to a new level 2021. Choose organic as much as you can in all your food choices. Work towards eating seven to ten half-cup servings of vegetables and fruit daily combined with (three to four) four-ounce servings or protein and two to three tablespoons of good fats. Your waistline and immune system will thank you.

The added stress of the current situation has made it even more important to exercise and eat a good diet, but sadly, for many this has not been the case. Please do not become a statistic of the pandemic. The New Year brings the possibility to change. There is also the hope of returning to some sense of normalcy with the release of the COVID-19 vaccine to the public. Make January 2021 a month filled with improved eating habits that include eating less added sugar and processed foods, eating more plant-based foods, and eating more good protein and good fats. Make a commitment to get up and move daily, every minute counts. Add weight training and body weight exercises and watch your waistline whittle away.

This will get you on a good start to improving your health and fitness in 2021. It will also help reduce inflammation and lower your risk for a bad outcome if you do contract the SARS-CoV2 virus. Remember, it is never too late to make a shift in health. Dr. Wendy Henrichs is a board certified chiropractor and nutrition counselor at Timber Land Chiropractic in Rhinelander. For a complimentary chiropractic, nutrition or lifestyle counseling consultation, visit TimberlandChiropractic.com, Facebook, or call 715-362-4852.

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Shift in Health: Improve your health and fitness in 2021 - Starjournalnow

Over the last year, many guys have found themselves gaining weight due to the impact that life in lockdown has had on their diet and physical activity. When you can't leave the house, you're more likely to spend more hours sedentary, enjoying the creature comforts of the couch and your favorite snacks in front of the TV, just like your old man. Which means that once again, discussions of "dad bods" have proliferated online.

The phrase "dad bod" refers to an average guy who doesn't have a lean, shredded physique. He might instead have a paunch or visible beer belly, without being hugely overweightjust like the stereotypical suburban father of a nuclear family. And while plenty of language surrounding differing body typesespecially those considered less conventionally desirable, like "skinny fat" before itcan be laden with judgment or derision, "dad bod" originated as be a term of endearment. It evokes a relatable, warm kind of dude who kicks back with a beer and pizza after his kids have gone to bed (although it should be mentioned that a dad bod is not exclusive to men who are actually fathers).

Mackenzie Pearson, then a student at Clemson University, was one of the first people to use the term online, in her 2015 article 'Why Girls Love the Dad Bod.' Pearson did not coin the phraseshe describes in the story how the term had come to her attention through a handful of friends who happened to be into guys who had a tummy instead of a six-packbut her piece, which went viral, certainly helped to popularize it.

Plenty of men at the time responded warmly to the notion of the dad bod, feeling it to be a largely positive descriptor for their body type at a cultural moment when the swole male physique was experiencing an ascent in media, propelled by the rippling muscles of actors like the Chrises Hemsworth and Evans.

But in the half-decade since we first heard those two words, they have been used so frequently, and in so many contexts, that their definition has evolved, with some people applying highly restrictive caveats and conditions.

"The dad bod is about being fit enough, just not narcissistically 'it's all about me' uber-fit," wrote The Guardian's Barbara Ellen in 2020. "It's about having minor love handles, not letting yourself go. When women talk about dad bods, they really mean 'Hollywood-casual dad bod': the likes of Matt Damon, father of four, photographed ambling around, looking relatively normal."

By this logic, you only have a dad bod if you are fit, but not too fit; if you have some fat, but not too much. Think of the category as a fifth option left just off the edges of our "Cut, Ripped, Jacked, or Swole" continuum. Who decides this isn't clear. Nor is the answer as to whether or not it should be hailed as progress that the male body is now being subjected to a gaze almost as hyper-critical as that which has plagued women for centuries.

When Jason Momoa, one of Hollywood's fittest working actors, was photographed on vacation in 2019 taking some time off his strict Aquaman training and diet regime, he was accused of having a "dad bod" despite still being in peak condition, albeit with slightly less definition than when training every day on the set of a movie. More recently, after the internet went wild for Zac Efron's "dad bod" physique last year, Men's Health clarified in its coverage that "he still looks very fit by just about any normal person's standards," and that usage of the term was inaccurate in this instance. Apparently, at some point, people started saying "dad bod" when they simply mean "hydrated."

The blurring of definitions means that unfortunately, what began as a fairly inclusive, body-positive term for a certain type of guy is now being increasingly used either to fat-shame, or to self-flagellate. You don't need to spend too long scrolling through Instagram to find posts where the fittest, leanest, most shredded individual might describe themselves as having a "dad bod" if they happened to skip a workout or eat bread one day.

Naturally, some chubbier guys have expressed annoyance when this happens; thin, fit bodies are already centered and rewarded in media, without one of the few positive physical descriptors for fat people being appropriated by these guys too. (The slang term "thicc" is frequently misaligned in similar fashion.)

It's likely that this trend started out as an exercise in irony. But what's worrying is how, in true internet fashion, the way a word is used can end up warping how it is interpreted, and subsequently, how a person perceives their own body or the bodies of others. The relationship between social media and body image is already so fraught: what damage might it do to somebody already struggling with self-confidence if they see a swole fitness influencer complaining about their own "dad bod"?

While everyone's relationship with their own body and their approach to fitness is personal and unique, the same can't necessarily be said of language. Words have meanings, and those meanings matter.

The short answer is, you don't have to.

If you want to lose some weight or work on your fitness because it's something that will make you feel happier or healthier, go ahead. Some characteristics of the dad bod, namely belly fat, could potentially lead to risks down the line, so taking the initiative to get more active to improve your quality of life wouldn't be a bad move.

But weight and body composition are not the only indicators of health. If you like the way you look, and enjoy the dadness of your bod, then you keep on doing you.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

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What Does It Even Mean to Have a 'Dad Bod' Anymore? - menshealth.com

Workout tips: Hydrate yourself throughout the workout to boost stamina and energy levels

Workout tips: Your stamina can make or break your workout. If you have a good stamina, it can up your exercise performance and help you achieve quicker and better results. In one of latest Instagram Reels, nutritionist Pooja Makhija says that stamina is something you build and are not born with. Being physically active throughout the day, eating healthy foods and pushing your limits on a daily basis are a few ways that can help in boosting your stamina. Besides, there are other ways that can help in boosting your stamina before workouts.

According to Mumbai-based Makhija, eating a good pre-workout snack can help in boosting your stamina and making you feel more energetic through the workout. You can have a fresh and seasonal fruit like a banana or orange. A handful of nuts along with one date also makes for a great pre-workout snacking option.

Nut butter on toast or a cup of yogurt with chia seeds and flaxseeds is another great pre-workout snacks, as per the nutritionist.

Also read:Weight Loss Workout: Here's A 5-Exercise Bench Workout That You Can Do At The Park Today

While some fitness trainers recommend not drinking water while exercising, Makhija says that you should in fact drink water throughout your workout. It can help in maintaining and even boosting your stamina during your workouts.

When you exercise, you sweat. In this process, there occurs a loss of electrolytes and water. To replenish your electrolyte balance, you can have drinks like coconut water, fresh sugarcane juice or even take vitamin c supplements.

Also read:Maximise The Results Of Your Workout With These Expert-Recommended Diet Tips

This stands true for both your diet and workout. You must always stick to workouts that you enjoy. Without being too hard on yourself, you should do exercises that do challenge you, but are also fun for you. You can opt for doing aerobics, Zumba, dance, tabata or HIIT. As far as the exercise is something that you naturally enjoy, you will automatically put in more effort to up your exercise performance as well as stamina.

"Stamina is something you build and are not burn with. Whatever good things we build, end up building us," says Makhija in the video.

Also read:Weight Loss: Healthy Diet, Regular Exercise And This Important Step Are The Key To Achieve Your Goals On Time

(Pooja Makhija is a nutritionist, dietitian and author)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Workout Tips For Weight Loss: Here Are Simple Yet Effective Ways To Boost Your Stamina, As Suggested By Celeb Nutritionist Pooja Makhija - NDTV

I've been essentially healthy most of my life. Like many, though, I've gone through stages of working out and eating well, followed by sedentary and gluttonous periods. I try not to give myself a hard time for these changes, but when I start to feel sluggish or unwell, I turn back to whole foods and regular exercise to improve my symptoms. At the start of 2021, tragedy struck my family when my father lost his 17-year health battle. It served as a wake-up call for me and one that has motivated me to really think critically about how I'm feeling and taking care of my body.

With the recommendation of a friend, I started macro counting (macronutrients)specifically, fat, protein, and carb intakeand committing to 30 to 45-minutes of exercise a day. When balanced correctly, macros allow you to eat the type of foods you love in the right portion sizes, without completely giving up a food group, like you would with Whole30 or the ketogenic (keto) diet.

And guess what? I'm two weeks and two pounds down. Losing a pound a week is right around the number you want for sustained weight loss. Macro counting doesn't have to be stressful, and as you can tell, it can also be effective. But it can also have a negative impact on your health if you make this big mistake, according to sports nutritionist and personal trainer Dan DeFigio: Don't get too obsessive over the numbers.

Here's why, and for more healthy tips, be sure to check out our list of 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work.

To calculate your macros, you need to take into account the weight you'd like to lose, as well as how much fitness you squeeze in daily.

I asked a registered nurse, certified sports nutritionist, and founder of Eat Me Guilt Free, Cristie Besu, to consider my stats and recommend a macro breakdown. I'm female, 5'3", 32-years-old, active; I have a goal to lose twenty pounds by summer. She suggested the following:

Protein: 120g/30% of daily intake. Carbs: 200g/50% of daily intake. Fat: 35 grams/20% of daily intake.

How come? Besu says it's critical for me to have enough protein to maintain my existing muscle mass and high-fiber, low-glycemic carbs, so I remain satiated (AKA, not hangry). By using an app like MyFitnessPal, I'm able to understand the nutrients of every single food I eat and balance out my meals, so I receive the right amount.

When I first considered 'macro' counting, I was anxious about computing math on the spot and having to stick to a very-specific numberforever. As he explains, those that are the most successful look at the big picture rather than the day-to-day excruciating minutia, and they use the data they learn from tracking their foods and macros to inform their choices for years to come. Plus, as we know, fat levels and fitness activities are averages of what we do most of the time. Another way to tackle macros is to examine how the process works for five to six weeks.

"Food does not contain exactly the number of calories or grams of macronutrients that is on the label, or that is in your tracking database," he continues. "Your body does not process nutrients in exactly the same way as someone else's. Heck, your own body does not process nutrients in exactly the same way on a day-in and day-out basis anyway."

Plus, there are lots of variables, like hydration, sleep, hormones, stress levels, temperature, and so on. The last thing you want to do is drive yourself crazy and end up giving up.

Instead, find a starting point, like mine above, and see how 'easily' you can keep within these bounds. When something feels hard, take note of it. And then, you can consult with your doctor or nutritionist to find a solution. Remember: your wellness is a life-long investment, not a gimmick to squeeze into a size or a dress. It's worthwhile investing the mental energy into making it a well-rounded effort, from mind to bodyand far beyond the scale.

Intrigued? Here's How Counting Macros Is Different From Calorie Counting, According to Experts.

Read more:
Doing This One Thing Won't Actually Help You Lose Weight | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Smart scales are electronic devices that can measure more than just weight. They can also track additional information about body composition such as body fat percentage, muscle mass, and bone mass to help provide more details about health.

This article will discuss what smart scales are, their benefits, how to choose one, some scales available to buy, and some alternative options.

Smart scales are electronic scales that have a variety of extra functions. These features may help people achieve their fitness and wellness goals easier than using traditional bathroom scales.

Smart scales are capable of tracking and storing data and communicating with other smart devices, such as fitness trackers or smartphones. This also allows users to set goals, chart progress, and share statistics.

Smart scales can record biometric information such as body fat, bone density, resting heart rate, and water percentage through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

BIA is a small electrical current that the scales pass through the body. As different bodily tissues such as muscle, fat, and bone have varying levels of water content, they also differ in electrical conductivity. The BIA uses this information to calculate a persons body composition.

People can turn off the electrical impulse feature on most smart scales. Pregnant people and anyone with a medical device implant such as a pacemaker should turn this feature off before using a smart scale.

There have been several studies into the benefits of self-weighing. A 2015 systematic review found that frequent self-weighing had a positive correlation with weight loss.

Studies in 2013 and 2016 using smart scales also came to the conclusion that self-weighing is associated with weight loss and a reduction in body mass index (BMI).

A 2013 study notes that digital scales are more accurate than traditional dial scales. Smart scales may also have a clinical use; one 2016 study indicates that in-home smart scale measurements are comparable with in-person weight measurements carried out by trained assessment staff.

Studies from 2017 and 2020 also suggest that smart scales may be useful for weight management in a healthcare setting.

Digital tools such as smart scales may also have benefits over traditional methods, such as availability and flexibility. In addition, smart scales can connect to smartphone applications, which also show promise for weight management strategies.

However, it is worth noting that a 2015 systematic review suggests that weighing scales may have a negative impact when females and younger people use them. This may be particularly true for those with eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.

When considering a set of smart scales, people should think about their budget, the body biometrics they want to measure, and whether or not they want the scales to connect with other smart devices or apps.

The cheaper smart scales tend to have fewer features, whereas the more expensive ones tend to have better connectivity to other devices and apps. It is best for a person to decide which type of smart scale they require so that they buy one that meets their needs.

Many smart scales are available to buy online. Below are five products that people may wish to try.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried any of these products. All information presented here is purely research-based.

The Wyze Scale tracks 12 body composition metrics:

This scale also syncs data with other fitness apps, such as Apple Health and Google Fit. This allows people to view their progress at any time via Bluetooth connectivity. The scale turns on when a person stands on it, and it can measure biometrics when they stand on the glass surface.

The manufacturers state that the scale automatically recognizes up to eight users, with unlimited guest modes.

The Wyze Scale is available to buy online.

The Withings Body+ Scale measures weight, body fat and water percentage, and muscle and bone mass. The manufacturers state that measurements are accurate to 100 grams. The scale syncs with more than 100 fitness apps, such as Apple Health, Fitbit, and Google Fit.

This smart scale automatically syncs information via Wi-Fi with Health Mate, which is a free health app. The scale also features position control technology, which gives people suggestions as to how to stand so that the scale gets a more accurate measurement.

The manufacturers state that up to eight users can weigh themselves and track their personal histories, with the scale automatically recognizing which user is standing on the scale.

This smart scale also has a pregnancy tracker, allowing those who are pregnant to see their healthy weight gain range and receive obstetrician-reviewed advice. The scale also has a baby mode to track the infants health.

As well as these features, the Withings Body+ Scale allows people to set their weight goals and track the number of calories they consume each day.

The Withings Body+ Scale is available to buy online.

The Runcobo Digital Scale measures 14 body composition metrics, including weight, body fat and water percentage, muscle and bone mass, BMI, BMR, and protein levels.

The scale automatically switches between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to ensure that people can check their fitness and wellness goals wherever they are.

Although the manufacturers do have a companion health app, the smart scale is also compatible with most smartphone fitness apps and fitness trackers, such as Fitbit.

This smart scale can identify up to eight users, automatically sending the users measurements to their corresponding profile.

The Runcobo Digital Scale is available to buy online.

This smart scale measures weights of up to 396 pounds (lb), BMI, and changes in body composition. It has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and people can easily set up the scale through the free Qardio companion app. The manufacturers claim that the scale accurately measures weight on any surface, including carpet.

This scale syncs with most apps including Apple Health, Samsung Health, MyFitnessPal, Google Fit, and Cronometer allowing people to keep all their fitness and wellness information in one place.

The QardioBase 2 does not require any batteries. Initially, people will need to charge the scale with a USB cable that comes with the product, and then the power lasts for up to 12 months. People can recharge the scale at any point using the USB cable.

The manufacturers state that the smart scale can automatically recognize up to eight unique users and comes with a guest mode. The scale also includes a pregnancy mode that lets people track their progress through each trimester.

The QardioBase 2 Scale is available to buy online.

The RolliBot Rollifit Scale measures eight biometrics, including weight, BMI, fat and water percentage, bone and muscle mass, BMR, and visceral fat. It accurately weighs people who weigh up to 400 lb. It comes with three AAA batteries and has auto-on and -off technology to save battery life.

The manufacturers recommend that people use the scale with bare feet to allow the product to measure correctly. The free companion app syncs data with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit.

This scale allows people to create unlimited member profiles to enable the whole family to track their fitness and wellness goals.

The RolliBot Rollifit Scale is available to buy online.

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What are some of the best smart scales? - Medical News Today