Kelly Osbourne has been sharing insights into a newfound holistic health journey after declaring that 2020 was "going to be the year of me" back in December 2019. The 35-year-old Australia's Got Talent judge and former Fashion Police judge is doing so openly, as she's done most of her entire adult life she was just 18, after all, when her family first appeared on MTV's The Osbournes in 2002. As the second child of musical icon Ozzy Osbourne, Kelly has never shied away from tough questions or conversations about her father, her mother Sharon, or her younger brother, 34-year-old Jack; and when it comes to her own story, she seemingly lives her life as an open book, as she's recently proved yet again in a new Instagram.

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"Today I'm feeling #Gucci," she shared in the caption of her Instagram post, referencing her vibrant ensemble and a fresh face of makeup. But what really sent fans into a frenzy over this particular photo was an honest admission from The Real host Jeannie Mai's mother: "Oh my gosh, you lost a lot of weight." Kelly quickly quipped back: Thats right Mamma Mai, I lost 85 lbs since I last saw you. Can you believe it?

Soon after, People reported that Kelly shared a photo of a dress tag that suggests she now wears a size 2, approximately, which she feels great about. "Yes, I'm bragging because I worked hard and it feels so good!" she captioned the story slide.

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Kelly previously shocked Dancing With The Stars fans who followed along with a dramatic transformation back in 2009, after filming ceased on The Osbournes. Throughout much of the last decade, Kelly has been open about her eating habits and new fitness routines, but it wasn't overnight that she committed to a healthy lifestyle. Her health journey also balances on sobriety, something that she openly discusses: "With almost 2 1/2 years of sobriety under my belt, I still struggle with confrontation (which was NEVER a problem when I was using)," she shared on Instagram. "It's time to put myself first, stop taking on other peoples sh*t, and be the badass sober woman I was born to be.

Below, a look back at how Kelly's health journey has influenced her growth throughout the years in her own words.

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Kelly began to open up about her struggles with diet and nutrition, and how it parlayed into her battle with addiction, around five years after the finale of The Osbournes. In an emotional interview with Shape magazine in 2010, Kelly admitted that harsh criticism from viewers and the press catapulted her into a dangerous emotional state.

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"I was called fat and ugly in the press almost my entire life I understand that being judged by others comes with the territory, but it broke my heart and ruined my self-esteem," she told Shape. "It sets you up to hate yourself in a huge way. I was so angry about the things people said about me. I truly believe it's the main reason I turned to Vicodin and ended up in rehab three times. I just hated myself."

Before she first signed up for her role on Dancing With The Stars in 2009, Kelly admitted that emotional eating led her to uncontrolled weight gain. "I replaced the drugs with food and just got fatter and fatter I'm an emotional eater. When I get upset, my diet goes out the window." During rehearsals, Kelly said she'd often be unable to keep up with dance partner Louis van Amstel because "because I was eating such terrible, fatty food and feeling so exhausted." In the same interview, Kelly adds that this low moment later kickstarted her new interest in optimizing her nutrition.

According to reports from The Sun, Kelly's weight often fluctuated in the years after her appearance on Dancing With the Stars. The newspaper reports that Sharon helped her daughter connect with her first trainer at the time, Sarah Hagaman, and Kelly was able to reportedly maintain a weight loss of around 50 pounds by 2016.

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But her sustained weight management may have also been influenced by the adoption of a new diet. The Mirror reports that her relationship with vegan chef Matthew Mosshart in 2012 ended up pushing her to loosely follow a plant-based diet that she's mostly stuck to since then. It's unclear if Kelly is currently following any one diet plan (there are some reports suggesting she may also be intermittent fasting), but it's clear that a focus on holistically healthy dietary staples is something she's committed to. "Once I learned how to work out right and eat right, its one of those things that you just have to commit to a life change rather than being on a diet," she told Huffington Post Australia. "Because a diet doesnt work. You lose weight and you stop it and it will all come back. So you just have to take baby steps, commit to something and stay true to it."

Back in 2012, Kelly sent fans into a frenzy when she did a swimsuit styled magazine spread in Cosmopolitan Body. She told the magazine that she had never been happier in her life up to that point, but that her figure (and her weight loss progress) only played a small role in that development. "People think I lost weight and that's what made me happier. That's not true: I had to learn to love myself first," Kelly shared at the time. Losing weight was just one benefit of putting the hard work in and sorting myself out on the inside first through therapy. That was one of the scariest times of my life. I swear Ive never felt more naked, because I had to actually be me and couldnt mask it.

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For Kelly, it seems that her health journey may be more about realizing self love and admiration, rather than pleasing others by fitting into what she thinks of as a prescribed image. "I'll never be the kind of person who thinks, 'I'm so hot.' I don't want to be," she told Cosmopolitan Body. "But I learnt to respect and love myself something that I didn't think I would ever be capable of." And it seems Kelly's own value of self worth isn't influenced by fad diets or trends, but more so about the long haul change. "If you want to change your body you cant just diet; if you do that, you lose weight, then get fat. Youve got to commit to a whole life change and teach yourself a whole new lifestyle.

There Is No F---ing Secret

In 2013, in the middle of filming Fashion Police, Kelly experienced a debilitating seizure an event that caused her to think about the big picture. "I never want to take my good health for granted. The seizure was 60 seconds, but those 60 seconds will change my life for the better forever," Kelly told Self magazine. "I've worked hard to get into shape, and I'm going to continue. Not because being 'skinny' is important to me, but because I want to feel good."

The Masked Singer alum admitted that she openly refers to herself as a "former fat person" and that despite all of her work up to that point, she often had to stop herself from obsessing over achieving more progress. She told Self a major step towards inner peace was avoiding scales altogether: "I don't weigh myself. If you like what you see in front of the mirror, then what's the f---ing point of getting on a scale?" While Kelly said that she thinks a bit of "healthy envy" may motivate others to jumpstart a new fitness routine, she also stressed at the time that her own progress isn't defined by others around her. "You have to realize that you're never going to be exactly that person. Wishing you were Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Lopez isn't going to change the fact that you're not. Why not start working with what you do have instead of what you don't?"

Prior to joining Dancing With the Stars, Kelly admits that her diet wasn't composed of wholesome staples ("I used to eat chips and cookies and drink soda all day long," she told Shape). But after reaching a goal weight in 2010, Kelly said she knew it was time to stop restricting herself entirely, and add back some of her favorites in a balanced fashion. "I indulge with pizza and cheese I love Brie and have cookies sometimes," she told Shape. "But now, when I'm full? I stop eating! It may have taken me 26 years to figure it out, but I've finally learned how to do it right."

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Like most balanced diets, Kelly later revealed that the biggest challenge is finding a middle ground in moderation. "Everything has to be in moderation, and to find that place is easier said than done. It really is," she told Huffington Post. "I always 'cheat' I eat my fattiest meal in the [morning]. If I'm craving pizza, I'll have it for breakfast, salad for lunch, and oatmeal for dinner."

After her spin on Dancing With The Stars in 2009, Kelly embraced fitness as a longstanding part of her routine and in 2014, she opened up on the kinds of workouts that she had turned to at the time. "[Working out] is something I really enjoy doing I never thought I'd be that kind of girl," she told InTouch Weekly. "I do up to half an hour of cardio, and I also do circuit training, yoga, and Pilates I mix it up."

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Kelly's low-key approach to breaking a sweat made headlines in 2013 when she shared that a love for hula hooping helped sustain her weight loss. "I have a Hoopnotica hula hoop [and] I use It every day, and it's made my back and arms stronger," Kelly told Self. "On Saturday nights my friends and I put on ridiculous outfits and hula-hoop and dance when everyone else is at 'da club.'"

Her love for intense fitness sessions may have evolved into a newfound passion for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a workout that pushes you to condition your cardiovascular system with intense bursts of anaerobic exercise. Kelly's personal trainer Lacey Stone recently detailed the fitness routine that she works through with clients at her Los Angeles-based THE WALL Fitness: "Some of my favorite workout moves have been around forever because they work," Stone told Hollywood Life in February. Stone's go-to workout involves sequences of squats, deadlifts, push-ups, bicep curl shoulder presses, and tricep dips, among other moves. Id recommend you do a circuit like this 2 to 3 times per week and spin class or any sort of cardio class 2-3/week, she told the outlet.

As she's been in the public eye for most of her life, Kelly has tackled her sobriety issues head on in the past including a relapse in 2018, which she opened up about publicly on Instagram. Her battle against substance abuse has also played a role in developing her own sense of self worth and her identity, Kelly has previously shared. " I am [in a great place]. I am almost two years sober and it's completely changed my life I didn't think I could do anything if I wasn't drunk or high, because I was scared of everything. I let it get the better of me," she shared on a live episode of British talk show Lorraine.

She added that her struggles with sobriety and subsequent treatment in life has helped her accept her own imperfections. "I have accepted the fact that and I know I have said this throughout my whole life but I really understand it now that I am not perfect and I am never going to be and I dont want to be."

Inside Adele's Reported New Weight Loss Program

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Kelly Osbourne's Weight Loss and Fitness Journey In Her Own Words - GoodHousekeeping.com

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TBH, stair climbers arent the sexiest pieces of exercise equipment on offer today; theyve been somewhat eclipsed by flashier cardio machines with a greater number of bells and whistles like folding treadmills, rowers, and exercise bikes.

But when it comes to their health and fitness benefits, these OG machines are not to be overlooked. While stair climbing might be most commonly noted for its booty-shaping benefits, its actually a better total-body strength workout than you might imagine. Plus, it's an A-plus form of cardio training, which allows you to do more for your heart health in less time than other forms of exercise might require.

For similar reasons, stair climbing is also a solid way to work toward weight loss goals. Oh, and the practice can make you a better overall athlete, too. If you dont have access to a gymor space at home for your ownthe benefits of using a proper stair climber can also be approximated (and in some ways, even improved upon!) by simply climbing steps IRL, which means that you can make do without equipmentsexy or notwhenever necessary, without skimping on results.

Not yet convinced? Keep reading to discover five specific health and fitness benefits to be reaped by taking your next workout one step (upwards) at a time.

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1 Stair climbing lights up your lower body in all the right places.

"You're able to work through a [large] range of motion at the hip and knee which can benefit your butt muscles, as well as the quadriceps, and hamstrings, says Heather Milton, CSCS, an exercise physiologist at NYU Langones Sports Performance Center.

2 Stair climbing also engages your core muscles like crazy.

Though stair climbing is famous for its booty benefits, the activity doesnt just work the lower body. As long as you stay upright and dont use your arms to support you by holding onto hand rails, Milton says your core must engage in order to keep you stabilized.

3 Its a super good cardiovascular workout.

In fact, its one of the best low-impact cardio exercises out there. Some studies show that stair climbing significantly improves your VO2 Max, or the volume of oxygen your body can use while exercising.

That said, there are significant differences between the heart health benefits of a stair climber and those of a Stairmaster a.k.a. stepmill where the stairs actually move and you climb continuously, says Milton. The benefits of the [stepmill] are much greater than that of the stair climber where you have your feet on the same pedal throughout, and just lift your legs up and press down against the pedal, she says. The [stepmill] is more like climbing actual stairsthis requires the majority of your hip and leg muscles, thus providing a greater heart rate response.

4 It's easy on the joints.

When compared to other cardio exercises such as running, HIIT, or jump training, stair climbing is considered to be relatively low-impact. This means that it does not exert as much force on your ankles, knees, and hips, which can help them stay healthy over time. This also means it can be a great option for those who are older or recovering from injury.

5 It benefits your bones, too.

Even though stair climbing is low impact, says Milton, it is still a weight-bearing exercise (unlike, say, swimming), which means you reap the benefit of supporting healthy bone density. In other words, stair climbing can help your bones stay strong without applying an excessive amount of pressure on them, your joints, or your connective tissue.

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5 Stair Climber Benefits That Are Backed By Science And Trainers - Women's Health

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Matt Espeut, Health + Lifestyle Contributor

This is a quote I heard years ago, and in most instances, it holds true.

Yes, sometimes we can get away with just winging it, but in most cases, success comes with planning ahead.

I have gone through a lot of priority phases in my business, and each phase requires a high level of focus in order to accomplish each one effectively.

When I first opened, the focus was on marketing and getting people in the door.

Next, it was on sales and keeping them as members.

Then it was customer service, so the members would love the program and stay.

Now its a constant focus on leadership and teamwork, so we can provide an even higher level of customer service, get even more members in the door, and WOW them with outstanding results while navigating the landscape of COVID-19 safety protocols.

I am currently re-reading a book on leadership, and in one of the chapters, there is an acronym PLAN AHEAD that details a system to improve as a leader.

I will give you what the acronym stands for as well as giving you my take on what it means to you and your health and fitness routine.

P-predetermine a course of action. This is a simple first step to any task or goal. When you set out on your health and fitness journey, you need to decide how you will achieve your goals. If you are smart, you come to Providence Fit Body Boot Camp and let us develop a program for you. If you are not a member here, you will need to go through a lot of trial and error programs before you find the solution.

L-lay out your goals. Thats the first thing you need to do. Without goals, you are just aimlessly shooting in the air instead of aiming for a target. Goals will keep you focused and motivated.

A-adjust your priorities. Whatever your goal is, you need to make it a priority or it will never happen. If your goal is an afterthought, then you will keep falling short. If health and fitness is your goal, then meal prep and scheduling your workouts and ruthlessly protecting your time needs to be a priority.

N-notify key personnel. If you have a family, and you are attempting to get fit, let them know that they need to support you and be on board, otherwise the resistance will cause you to struggle even more. Also, your trainer or coach should know your exact mission and goal.

A-allow time for things to transpire. Rome wasnt built in a day, and your goals wont be accomplished in a day either.

H-head into action. Once the thought process is complete and the plan is in place, you need to take action. Planning and thinking are essential, BUT the only way to success is through action.

E-expect problems. There will be many, so dont expect things to be easy. Nothing worth having is easy, and problem-free. I have a term I always use, and thats Find solutions, and dont dwell on problems Everyone has problems, and when one is solved, another one is right behind, so take off the rose-colored glasses and become a problem solver!!

A-always point to the successes. Count the victories, not the losses. I struggle with this because I am hard on myself when I fail at something. When I see myself going down this road, I try to look at the small victories and usually feel a little better. Remember, you can win by getting on base, so you need to know that every at bat wont be a home run.

D-daily review your plan. Take inventory at the end of the day. Find whats working and keep going. Find whats broken and embrace change to fix it. If things arent going as planned, you need to figure it out before you waste too much time, energy and money. If you dont course correct in a timely manner, your problems will only magnify.

So, there you go.

Use this blueprint for anything you are doing in life that requires focus, effort, and strategy.

Things like getting fit and healthy, running a business or any goal you aspire to achieve require time, energy, and planning, so take the time to draw out your roadmap.

Dont drive around aimlessly, because you are sure to get lost.

Committed to your success,

Matt

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Fit for Life: Success Comes with Planning Ahead - GoLocalProv

A new and informative report of the Wireless Health and Fitness Device market has been asserted by Contrive Datum Insights to give a brief of the market in the forthcoming years. To offer a clear vision of the inexpensive crescendos of the market, the report summarizes about the substantial leading companies in the global market along with a granular illustration of the collapse of the overall market. The report has figured out that the Wireless Health and Fitness Device market is marked by numerous segments and the market players are directed to cognize the miscellaneous and vibrant restrictions and plot their growth strategies accordingly.

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The report has analyzed several players in the market, some of which include:

Abbott Laboratories, Adidas AG, Alive Technologies, Beuer GmbH, Entra Health Systems, Fitbit, Fitbug Limited, FitLinxx, Garmin Ltd, Humetrix, Ideal Life, Intelesens Ltd, Isansys Lifecare Ltd, Jawbone, Koninklijke Philips NV, Lumo BodyTech, Medtronic, Misfit, NeuroSky, Nike, Nonin Medical, Nuvon, Oregon Scientific, Polar Electro Oy, Sensei, Sotera Wireless, Suunto Oy, Toumaz UK Ltd, Wahoo Fitness, Withings SA.

Key factors that are improving the development of the key segments have been provided in this researched report. An in-depth study of the competitive landscape of the global Wireless Health and Fitness Device market have been presenting insights into the company profiles, recent developments, financial status, mergers and acquisitions and the SWOT analysis. One of the most notable features of the Wireless Health and Fitness Device market report is the analysis of key users over the forecast period. This study will give a vibrant idea to its readers about the inclusive market development to further decide on this market project.

Global Wireless Health and Fitness Device Market Segmentation:

On the Basis of Type: For Kids For Adults For Old Men

On the Basis of Application: Wireless Sports & Fitness Devices Wireless Remote Health Monitoring Devices Wireless Professional Healthcare Devices

Regions Covered in the Global Wireless Health and Fitness Device Market: The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt) North America (the United States, Mexico, and Canada) South America (Brazil etc.) Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia)

This statistical report studies the Wireless Health and Fitness Device market and analyzes the growth status in regions like North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa and Latin America. The leading factors that impact the market, are at a high state of cost standby funds on the total cost of custody and upsurge in the necessity for strengthened information. As the storage suppliers are progressing in cloud arrangements crosswise over different topographical areas, achieved services are expected to experience the maximum growth rate during the forecast period. All of these services are expected to experience the highest growth during the forecast period.

Report Highlights:

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Table of Content (TOC):

Chapter 1 Introduction and Overview

Chapter 2 Industry Cost Structure and Economic Impact

Chapter 3 Rising Trends and New Technologies with Major key players

Chapter 4 Global Wireless Health and Fitness Device Market Analysis, Trends, Growth Factor

Chapter 5 Wireless Health and Fitness Device Market Application and Business with Potential Analysis

Chapter 6 Global Wireless Health and Fitness Device Market Segment, Type, Application

Chapter 7 Global Wireless Health and Fitness Device Market Analysis (by Application, Type, End User)

Chapter 8 Major Key Vendors Analysis of Wireless Health and Fitness Device Market

Chapter 9 Development Trend of Analysis

Chapter 10 Conclusion

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In the event that you dont find that you are looking in this report or need any particular prerequisites, please get in touch with our custom research team at [emailprotected]

About CDI: Contrive Datum Insights (CDI) is a global delivery partner of market intelligence and consulting services to officials at various sectors such as investment, information technology, telecommunication, consumer technology, and manufacturing markets. CDI assists investment communities, business executives and IT professionals to undertake statistics based accurate decisions on technology purchases and advance strong growth tactics to sustain market competitiveness. Comprising of a team size of more than 100analysts and cumulative market experience of more than 200 years, Contrive Datum Insights guarantees the delivery of industry knowledge combined with global and country level expertise.

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Wireless Health and Fitness Device Market By Major key Players Abbott Laboratories, Adidas AG, Alive Technologies, Beuer GmbH - StartupNG

Michelle Obama Discusses Women's Health on Her Podcast

If you've never listened to The Michelle Obama Podcast on Spotify, her latest episode, titled "What Your Mother Never Told You About Health with Dr. Sharon Malone," is the perfect place to start. She chats with ob-gyn Sharon Malone, MD, and hearing a former first lady discuss regular issues about women's health and our bodies so unapologetically is so refreshing. Obama and Dr. Malone focused on women's issues, and while not everyone who identifies as a woman has female sex organs, and not everyone who has female sex organs identifies as a woman, for the purpose of this podcast, they referred to women as people who have female sex organs, menstruate, and go through menopause.

They began talking about how important it is for young girls to have someone they trust and who they can talk with openly about their bodies. Obama said even though her daughters, Sasha, 19, and Malia, 22, may have asked questions that were hard to answer, she always wanted them to feel comfortable with their bodies and asking questions. She told them when they were young, "I don't want you learning about your bodies and sex from another 12-year-old. None of y'all know what you're talking about! You're 12. Come ask me."

And knowledge is power. Obama said seeking out information about sex and feeling comfortable talking about it ties into women's health in general. "Our comfort level with our sexual health is directly tied to our physical, overall well-being," she said. Obama then brought up how people who don't get periods wouldn't understand "the severest form of cramps, which literally feels like a knife being stabbed, and turned, and then released. And then turned! And then released." People who menstruate still have to deal with all this through life, work, and even playing sports especially professional athletes!

"When you think of all that a woman's body has to do over the course of her lifetime, going from being prepared to give birth, to actually giving birth, and then having that whole reproductive system shut down in menopause, the changes, the highs and lows and the hormonal shifts, there is power in that," Obama said. "But we were taught to be ashamed of it. And to not even seek to understand it, or explore it for our own edification, let alone to help the next generation."

Thinking about going through menopause made Obama think about what health means for women in general. There are so many conflicting messages out there, mostly about weight, because it seems like weight is the only thing society cares about. Dr. Malone added that, "Women's value goes up with how little space you take up." So the smaller you can make yourself, the higher perceived socioeconomic group you're in; it's all about being thin, she said, but added that being thin and being healthy are two completely different things. She said the focus should be more on function than on form. So what you look like and how much you weigh is less of an issue.

"Do you know a woman who's happy with herself?" Obama asked Dr. Malone. "I don't know one." Dr Malone answered no, because we're always trying to fix or tweak something. "It's an exhausting way to have to live," Obama said, "and so many of us are doing it."

Obama has always been open about how fitness is a big priority in her life, and she and Dr. Malone mentioned they both work out with groups of women. Obama explained she's happiest when she's exercising with her friends, and she likes to talk before, during, and after the workout. After all, workouts should be fun! Obama encouraged women who are finding it difficult to get started with working out to get involved with a health community or to exercise with their friends. "I will quit on myself faster than I'll quit on my friends," Obama said. Find a way to develop a wellness routine that works for you, a routine that fits who you really are not one that fits someone else's standards.

Obama ended the podcast by reminding us to ask hard questions and have those conversations about our health with our doctor, our friends, our partner, and our children. She said, "Because that's really the only way we can get through any confusion or uncertainty by talking through this stuff, together. That's why I wanted to do this podcast."

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Michelle Obama Talks About the Issue of Women and Weight, and Now I Know I'm Not Alone - POPSUGAR

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Like many Black women, sisters Brittney Rae Reese and Joslyn Reese were tired of feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome in gyms throughout Denver. So they opened their own.

When Brittney Rae and Joslyn Reese, sisters from Aurora, quit their jobs and departed on a three-month backpacking trip in March 2013 through Central America, they had no idea that they would find a calling to open a fitness and nutrition studio in Colorado. We were very aware of our surroundings and the people that we were interacting with and we realized these people have access to all this amazing food and unbelievable weather, but yet theyre very unhealthy. We [thought], this isnt too far off from how the culture is in America, says Brittney Rae, who also serves as head fitness coach.

In an attempt to make wellness and fitness available to more people, the women founded FIT & NU that same year as a mobile studio in the Denver metro area, hosting workouts at churches and parks. Two years later, the two sisterswho are certified fitness and health instructorsmoved their gym into a permanent location in Aurora, operating as Colorados first health club geared toward women of color. Although the gym caters to Black women, the studio is open for all ethnicities. Here, the Reese sisters discuss their successes and their role in Black Lives Matter discussions.

Editors note: Due to COVID-19, FIT & NU is offering virtual classes in addition one-on-one sessions.

5280: What makes your fitness studio unique? Brittney Rae: We were very intentional about creating a vibe thats welcoming and that will lift spirits because we know that our demographic of women are experiencing a lot outside of here on a day-to-day basis. And then also the fact that its ran and owned by Black women [is not something you] see in Colorado. We are Colorados first fitness and nutrition club for women of color and we pride ourselves on that because, to be honest, the wellness industry is very white. That was also part of the reason why we felt the need to have a physical space. From our personal experiences, weve gone to so many different studios out here and felt uncomfortable. You know, assumptions being made like, Oh, youre not going to buy anything. Youre here on a guest pass.This is why women of color shy away from committing to [some fitness studios] because its not welcoming at all. We wanted to change that narrative.

Why did you decide to open a studio focused on women of color? Joslyn: It wasnt an easy choice. We didnt want to put ourselves in a box. But after really considering the impact of health disparities of women of color and how important it is for there to be a voice and also a safe place, we [decided] this isnt about us and our comfort level. So we have to do something different and we have to do it in a way that is celebratory. Were celebrating diversity and were celebrating health and were emphasizing life. We are open to all ethnicities. And many white women really love this spot because its diverse.

What has been FIT & NUs biggest success? Brittney Rae: Our space is definitely a big success in just being visionaries and doers. We could have easily played small and fallen into what everybody else was telling us to do, but we trusted the vision was planted in us for a reason. Joslyn: And we bootstrapped ourselves. Brittney Rae: Another success is just to see how our clients have received us in our communityhow they recognize our value, and they trust us and they allow themselves to be vulnerable with us.

Why are you selling TOO DOPE TO DIE shirts? Joslyn: [TOO DOPE TO DIE is an] emphasis on life. People of color are disproportionately at risk for dying of COVID-19 right now, social and racial justice, preventable diseases, diabetes, food desert. We wanted to emphasize the dopeness of being a person of color You have a responsibility to take care of yourself a little bit better because the things that are going on in the world are always going to be happening, most of this stuff is out of our control. But the one thing [we can control] is how you treat your body.

Where did the hashtag #healthyBlackLivesMatter come from? Brittney Rae: Were acknowledging that Black Lives Matter, but healthy Black lives create change. If were going to continue to fight this fight of justice and equality, we have to be healthy so that needs to take precedence over everything else. Think about how triggering all of this is for the Black and brown community, just having conversations is so triggering. But if you dont have a healthy escape or a healthy way to cope with it, its going to tear you down. Were encouraging our community to go beyond just surviving and actually thrive.

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Meet the Sisters Who Founded FIT & NU, Colorado's First Health Club for Women of Color - 5280 | The Denver Magazine

Man doing exercise at home, laptop, self training

Over the last few decades, more and more Americans have embraced a healthier lifestyle that included better nutrition and regular exercise.

Data shows that peoples priorities have evolved a bit to reflect higher importance on self-care and wellness.

In 2019, it was estimated that more than 20% of Americans belonged to a gym, fitness studio, or health club. In fact, since 2008, health club memberships have reportedly increased by 37%.

Meanwhile, brands like Barrys Bootcamp, Orange Theory Fitness, and SoulCycle found themselves catering to an audience of health-conscious evangelists that made physical activity look fun and cool.

Then 2020 happened and everything changed.

Gyms closed, in-person training became nearly impossible to get, and finding gym equipment required a willingness to pay non-trivial amounts of money.

Yet, at a time when it would seem like peoples focus on health and wellness would be deprioritized, the attention to this space seems more amplified than ever.

Innovative mediums are sprouting up everywhere that enable people to more easily stay active, without the traditional means and equipment.

Trainers have gone online, video-based workouts are the new normal, and high-tech home gym equipment is making its way into more homes than ever before.

People now have access to workout regimens without the inconvenience that exists with regular gyms, such as commuting or waiting for a piece of gym equipment to become available.

Previously, 50% of gym-goers quit after 6 months. When you are empowered to achieve your goals through an app or wall-mounted unit and never have to leave your home, the perception of what physical activity involves shifts to look a lot less burdensome.

Furthermore, for people who are working from home, this becomes a new outlet from work activities and external obligations, without needing to expose yourself to risks that come from being in a crowded gym.

Its not difficult to envision new habits being created that drive people to remain more resilient with fitness goals.

To that extent, this current environment could produce an inflection point for the health and wellness industry. This could mean more people becoming more active and remaining active.

At a time when there is so much to be stressed about, this could be something we can all celebrate.

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Could This Be The Start Of A New Golden Age Of Fitness? - Forbes

FRIDAY, Aug. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Despite the fame and fortune that comes with being an elite athlete, new research finds that Black NFL players are much more likely than their white peers to be in poor health once they retire.

After surveying nearly 3,800 former pro football players, investigators found that Black players say they are 50% more likely to struggle with chronic disabling pain than white players, and 36% more likely to have serious memory and attention problems. They also reported a 90% greater propensity towards suffering some sort of physical disability.

"We found that former players who identified as Black/African American were much more likely to report impairment in their day-to-day activities," said study author Andrea Roberts, a senior research scientist with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

Impairment, explained Roberts, was defined as an inability to engage in routine recreational activities, shopping, housework and/or socializing, due to a combination of physical and mental health issues, alongside enduring pain.

"We were surprised that the differences in our study were so large," she added, given that NFL players -- regardless of race -- tend to have the advantages of higher social status, income and education than the general public.

But racism "is experienced by U.S. minorities even if they are or were in high-status occupations. [And] racism is a form of chronic stress, which has long-term negative effects on physical and mental health," Roberts explained.

"In addition, in the U.S. there is a history of discrimination against minorities in provision of health care, which continues to the present time and often results in poorer outcomes for minorities," she added.

That point was echoed by Kendra Lee, editorial director of Black Health Matters, an information website focused on health and wellness issues in the Black community.

Not surprised by the survey results, Lee stressed that "prior to going pro, athletes of color were subject to the same disparity-riddled health care system as folks who don't play professional sports."

And that, she said, often means Black players grow up with a "lack of access to care, lesser quality care, higher rates of asthma, neighborhoods with lead in the pipes and the paint," compounded by poor nutrition and a greater exposure to pollution.

Another problem: Once in the NFL, medical care is typically aimed at keeping players healthy while playing -- "not necessarily at what was best for their well-being," said Lee.

In addition, Roberts noted that "historically, Black players have been paid far less than white players."

And that, Lee said, means that while the biggest non-white NFL stars may acquire enough stature and resources to insulate them from health disparities in retirement, most won't.

The survey participants were all retired players, ranging in age from 24 to 89. About 1,400 were Black, 2,200 were white, and almost 110 were Native Americans, Asian and/or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

All were asked to discuss their health histories in terms of five broad categories: physical functioning, pain, thinking function, depression and anxiety.

Players of color who were not Black also fared significantly worse than white players on all fronts, except when it came to impaired physical function.

But Black players were found to fare worse across the board, including a reported 70% greater risk for depression and a 50% greater risk for anxiety, compared with white players. The findings held up even after accounting for a player's age at the time they were surveyed, how long they played for the NFL, their position on the team, smoking and drinking habits, weight status, concussion and surgery histories, and pain medication use.

Broadly speaking, the findings "really highlight how health disparities permeate every aspect of U.S. society," said Roberts, a fact that she believes has come to the fore as the pandemic has unfolded.

As for Lee, she noted that "of course the disparities for society at large are worse" than for celebrated, world-class athletes.

But that, she said, begs the question: "If former professional athletes with seemingly more economic cushion still face a mountain of disparities, what hope is there for regular old folks?"

The findings were published in the Aug. 4 issue of Annals of Epidemiology.

More information

There's more information on health and race at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCES: Andrea Roberts, Ph.D., M.P.H., senior research scientist, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston; Kendra Lee, editorial director, Black Health Matters, Washington, D.C.; Annals of Epidemiology, Aug. 4, 2020

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After NFL Career Ends, Black Players Suffer More Health Woes Than Whites - HealthDay News

Chamomile tea

Is it time for a cup of chamomile? Chamomile tea is a sedative and sleep aid traditionally used in different parts of Iran.

Chamomile extract, a2017 studyfound, improved the sleep quality of older adults and their daily performance in comparison to those who received a placebo.

"It's full of antioxidants, promotes calmness and can reduce anxiety," Schmitt said.

Ashwagandha, a revered herb of Indian ayurvedic alternative medicine, has traditionally been used to calm the nerves. It might work by mimicking the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that inhibits excited responses.

"When you activate this receptor, it makes you sleepy," Dasgupta said. "Many sleep aids that we take work on GABA."

Ashwagandha may help the bodywind downand prepare for sleep, as well as improve overall sleep quality.

Originally hailing from Europe and Asia,valerianis a plant used to treatinsomnia, anxiety, depression and menopause symptoms.

Most of the benefits have been in alleviating insomnia and improving sleep quality for menopausal women. Nearly a third of postmenopausal women who took a valerian capsule twice daily for four weeks reported better sleep quality, found onestudy.

Valerian "does work on the (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor" that controls excited neural activity, Dasgupta said.

Thanks to the tryptophan, calcium and magnesium in dairy, drinking warm milk before bed may help you sleep better. The warmth makes the beverage more soothing and easier to digest, Dasgupta said.

"Tryptophan's the amino acid that goes on to produce things like melatonin," he said.

"We know that melatonin is a natural hormone in your body produced by the pineal gland. And it's secreted at night and it really is part of helping you try to get that good night's sleep."

Golden milk is a traditional Indian drink with milk, cinnamon, ginger and turmeric and turmeric is rich in the component curcumin. Curcumin hasanti-inflammatoryeffects and the potential to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can interfere with sleep.

"Turmeric has also been associated with good sleep," but how inflammation affects sleep hasn't yet been fully defined, Dasgupta said. "But anything that helps with pain, with anxiety or induces some form of muscle relaxation can always be helpful with getting good sleep."

Lemon balm, a lemon-scented herb that derives from the same family as mint, has been traditionally used for improving mood in addition to flavoring meat, seafood and baked goods.

The herb may help to reduce insomnia symptoms. A2011 studyfound a 42% reduction in participants' insomnia symptoms after they received lemon balm extract daily for 15 days.

Passionflower tea, brewed from the dried leaves, flowers and stems of the Passiflora plant, has been used to enhancesleep qualityand alleviate anxiety.

Ina trialwhere participants drank a cup of passionflower tea, kept a sleep diary and completed an anxiety questionnaire for one week, sleep quality was significantly better for those who drank tea in comparison to the placebo.

Passionflower tea in combination with valerian was as effective as Ambien, a common medication for insomnia, in improving sleep quality in a2013 study.

If cow's milk sends you on too many trips to the bathroom or results in allergic reactions, almond milk is another good source of tryptophan, Dasgupta said.

One 8-ounce glass of almond milk also has around 20 milligrams ofmagnesium, a mineral that helps to support the sleep by regulating neurotransmitters to calm our nervous systems and working with melatonin to control our bodies' sleep-wake cycles.

Tart cherry juice may increase your melatonin levels and the time you sleep, stay in bed and feel rested afterward, according to asmall studyof healthy adults. Tart Montgomery cherries have been reported to contain high levels of melatonin.

Despite the reported benefits of these beverages, most of the studies haven't compared if one method of consumption such as pills, powder or tincture is more fast-acting than the other, Dasgupta said. Talking with your physician about sleep aids is important, especially if you would be consuming them in combination with alcohol or medications.

And although herbal supplements may help you fall asleep, Dasgupta said, they could interfere with revealing the true underlying cause of poor sleep.

"Getting good sleep is like a puzzle," he added. "It's so hard to have all the right puzzle pieces for sleep. And when you try to find which one you're missing, that's the hard part."

Make sure to try to put all the puzzle pieces together, including room temperature, light exposure, bedding, sound and routine.

Although he doesn't buy in to all the existing research, Dasgupta doesn't discount "a little non-caffeinated chamomile tea before bed as part of your ritual as you turn off the technology and sit down," he said. "I think those things are really good."

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Tea, milk and other drinks to help you sleep - McDowell News

Ontario Newsroom Ontario Supporting the Safe Reopening of More Spaces at Gyms and Recreation Centres Province Also Investing $8 Million to Ensure the Safe Return of Amateur Sports

TORONTO The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is supporting the safe reopening of many sport, fitness and recreation facilities by applying a capacity limit on a per room basis to help more businesses reopen their doors, get more people back to work and promote the return to a healthy and active lifestyle for all Ontarians. Beginning August 15, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., these facilities can have up to 50 patrons for each indoor sport or fitness room, while ensuring physical distancing of at least two metres.

The announcement was made today by Premier Doug Ford and Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.

"Many of our gyms and fitness centres are owned and operated by small business owners and they are struggling," said Premier Ford. "To help them get back on their feet and hire back staff, we are making these changes so they can serve more people. I continue to urge everyone to follow the strict public health protocols to ensure everyone can have a safe workout."

The revised capacity limits are on a per room basis. They will apply to the gymnasiums, health clubs, community centres, multi-purpose facilities, arenas, exercise studios, yoga and dance studios and other fitness facilities that are able to follow the new guidance. The change was enabled by amendments to the Stage 3 regulation and a new plan and guidance document to apply a per room limit for sport and recreational fitness activities at facilities with the necessary space or layout.

Businesses, not-for-profits, and municipalities may need or choose to take more time before implementing this change in capacity limits. Facilities may also adopt their own protocols that are more restrictive than the guidance. The government will continue to work with sport and recreation organizations across the province on their safe return to sport.

Amateur sports in Ontario have been severely impacted, as measures to stop the spread of COVID19 cancelled competitions and closed training centres. As access to sports and recreational facilities increases, the government is investing $8 million through the Ontario Amateur Sport Fund to help the province's sports organizations, from Alpine Ontario to WushuOntario and every sport in between, to continue to serve athletes of all levels. The funding will help them continue delivering high-quality programming and competitions to develop athletes, coaches and officials, and to promote health and wellness in communities across the province.

"The government knows it has been a difficult road for the sport and recreation sector these past several months," said Minister MacLeod. "This funding is providing much-needed stability and support to a sector that provides services to many businesses and non-profit organizations. With these changes and investments, we will once again show the world that Ontario is the best place to play sports."

Based on community needs, some municipalities and local medical officers of health have implemented additional restrictions or requirements, such as mandatory face coverings in commercial establishments and indoor public places. Check with your local public health unit's or local municipality's website.

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Ontario Supporting the Safe Reopening of More Spaces at Gyms and Recreation Centres - Government of Ontario News