Article by: Michelle Schwartz | May 9. 2019
I feel like I’ve been traveling non-stop these days. My trips range anywhere from a short 2.5 hour drive to a flight across the states. No doubt traveling is one thing I truly love, but how do you make it healthier? I feel as there is a negative connotation tied around traveling with many people because they aren’t exactly sure how to tackle it in a healthy way. After literally years of driving back and forth from CT to Philly/DC/NY/everywhere imaginable, I’ve come up with top travel essentials to make my trips healthier, more enjoyable, and easier to handle!
ATHLETIC WEAR/SHOES
Preparation is everything. I always pack a few workout sets and sneakers so I have no excuses when it comes to workouts. My advice is always to workout first thing in the morning or when you land. This helps you stick to a schedule and move your body before you can feel fatigued or caught up in other plans. A cute outfit always helps me want to sweat - look cute, work hard. This actually works for me! My go-to outfits are Fabletics, Bold Body Apparel, Lilybod, and Old Navy.
IMMUNITYAID
Raise your hand if you have traveled and gotten sick? Maybe it was the tight airplane seating, or the lack of sufficient sleep, or even just being outside your normal food/vitamin routine. Trust me, it seems like I was there more often than not. It wasn’t long before I realized there were ways to combat sickness and stay on top of your game - cue IMMUNITYAID. Aka a refreshing, bubbly can of vitamins that is sure to help you combat any sign of sickness/fatigue. For real, this bad boy is delicious and just what I need - don’t tell him, but I have to hide them from my husband because he drinks them on the regular before I can even stand a chance.
PROTEIN BARS
This goes without saying, really. Protein bars are such a handy snack to bring because they are packed with nutrients and pack well in your bag. I always need some healthy fats, protein, and complex carbs to get me through a trip so I don’t completely binge at rest-stop or overpriced airport food. My go-to bars are Simply Protein, Kindbars, RXBars, and SquareOrganics Bars. to name a few. I always pack multiples because my man always asks for food.
HAND SANITIZER
I cannot travel without this stuff. Airports, hand rails, stairs, bathroom, all freak me out - germs galore. This has made such a huge different in preventing illness. Plus, I can’t even tell you how often I eat on the plane when I have just touched the seat, tray table, elevator rail, travel bag, and everything else you can imagine. I love hand sanitizer because it cuts the germs and travels well in a little bottle for convenience.
BOOTY BANDS
This is like a workout secret weapon. I do not travel without one in my bag. These stretchy bands of goodness up your sweat game because who has room to pack dumbbells. Most weekends I perform band workouts and plan my week accordingly. Although “booty” is in the name, these bands can be used for a total body workout, too. I recently switched to a thick fabric band because it is far more challenging and doesn’t slide at all when you wear them. I highly recommend AthElite Lifestyle’s bands which you can find here.
WATER BOTTLE
Our bodies are made up of 60%+ water. That is the majority of our beings. It can be so easy to miss your water intake when you’re traveling for a variety of reasons, but staying hydrated makes a huge difference in my skin tone, under-eye bags, digestion, and energy levels. You will not find me without a water bottle in my hand. I bring my reusable bottle to the airport and chug it before I get through security. Then I fill it back up as soon as I’m through the line. When on driving trips, it can be easy to drink less in fear of needing to pee every minute, but it is worth it! I always bring a bottle to keep me alert and hydrated.
FITNESS PLAN
It is important to move your body when you’re traveling. I completely agree that you don’t need your normal rigorous gym schedule - especially on vacation - but having options for travel-specific workouts is one way to stick to a routine and remain healthy. I have many workouts on my Instagram that require little or no equipment. You can also find 15+ types of these workouts in my 8-week fitness & faith guide - Dumbbells & Devotions 2.0. Look for the Airplane icon on the top of the workout pages.
What are your top travel essentials? Leave a comment below to share with us.
About the Author
Michelle Schwartz is a wellness warrior searching for ways to live healthier and happier with a focus in the areas of Fitness, Food, Faith and Fun.
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"I believe that everyone can get healthier and happier with small changes while still living their lives. I share my expertise via Instagram and my blog. My goal is to empower women to find a love for health and taking care of their bodies. I am determined to prove that getting healthy can be done without hours in the gym or tons of money spent on health foods. I provide fitness tips and videos, quick and delicious recipes, health advice and faith questions to help you achieve your goals."
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Visit FitstagramMichelle.com for more info | Follow Michelle on Instagram at: @fitstagram.michelle
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Saturday, Day 3 of the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games was one that left athletes and fans as shook up as the Leaderboard…
TEAMS took on two events this morning, trimming the field from 11 to 7.
CrossFit Krypton made a move to close the gap between themselves and overall leader CrossFit Mayhem, stealing both the event win and 40 points away from Rich Froning’s team. But Mayhem Freedom answered back with an Event 2 win during the Big Chipper, keeping them safely in first place with nearly a 200 point buffer.
INDIVIDUALS
Nerves ran high for the first event of the day as Individuals knew going into the Sprint event that only 10 of them would advance. This brutal cut knocked a lot of big names out of the competition on both the men’s and women’s sides —including former champions and podium finishers: Cole Sager & Patrick Vellner for the men; Annie Thorisdottir, Laura Horvath, Sara Sigmundsdóttir & Sam Briggs for the women.
Jacob Heppner and James Newbury tackling the peg board in Event 7.
Starting the day in the coveted white leader jersey, Noah Ohlsen increased his lead in Event 6 during the Sprint. But Mat Fraser came back strong and hungry for redemption as he took back-to-back event wins in the Split Triplet and a winning max. Clean of 380 lb. Tia Toomey hit her max. Clean of 265 lb. to also clinch back-to-back Ws in the final two events.
Here are the overall standings after a dramatic Day 3:
With just 10 remaining men and 10 women headed into the final day of competition, Tia Toomey and Noah Ohlsen will both, once again, be the ones wearing the white leader jersey into Sunday. Toomey has a commanding lead over podium hopefuls like Holte and Greene. But with Mat Fraser only 15 points behind Ohlsen, you better believe Fraser's coming for that top spot... Buckle up —it’s gonna be a wild final day at the Games!
Both FITAID athletes, Anna Tobias currently sits in 1st place for the Masters Women and Emma Lawson is in 2nd for the Teen Girls (14-15).
*Please note: All stats and Leaderboards are based on current standings, may be subject to change.
> > > Live well.
Say "goodbye" to the days of feeling stuck between achieving your summer fitness goals and having a cocktail with friends. Now, thanks to the Keto-Rita, you can say "yes" to both! Here's our recipe for a sugar-free summer treat that will change the way you think about staying on track with your macros through all your social engagements this summer.
Meet the Keto-Rita, your perfect macro-friendly summertime libation! Made with FITAID ZERO, it's naturally sugar-free and happily sweetened with Monk Fruit and Stevia. Each can contains only 5 calories, NO sugar, no artificial sweeteners—only the good stuff & essential vitamins and nutrients your body never knew it could get from a cocktail. Looking and feeling your best while having a little fun has never tasted so good!
(Yields: 1 serving)
1-2 ounces of premium Tequila
½ ounce of Cointreau
½ can of FITAID ZERO
Squeeze of fresh lime
Ice (on the rocks/blended)
Coarse salt (optional)
1. Pour half a can of FITAID ZERO into a large glass.
2. Add desired amount of Tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice.
3. Pour over ice or blend (with additional ice).
4. Serve with a salted rim (optional).
Enjoy!
Learn more about the new sugar-free Recovery Blend FITAID ZERO and shop now at LIFEAIDBevCo.com/Zero
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In an article published this past Sunday in San Jose's The Mercury News, LIFEAID co-founder and father of two Aaron Hinde shared the importance of educating our youth about the dangers of high caffeine levels in beverages and energy drinks. Here's the article:
By Lori Nedescu
Being an athlete goes beyond training & performing. It’s a lifestyle. A lifestyle that requires a high level of attention on everything outside of the actual physical exertion—sleep, recovery, stretching, mental attitude, immunity, mood, body weight, food choices… Every great athlete knows that the physical strengths will only take you so far.
“An athlete’s health foundation is what truly sets one up for success.”
As a serious athlete and a board-certified sports dietitian, I have a relatively sound, health-forward diet, but even I can make improvements. Confession: I do not follow a strict diet. Instead, I make nutritious choices and aim to do what’s best 80% of the time, leaving 20% for fun. I’m finding that while it is nice to have a ‘break’ from assessing my performance diet, 20% is still a large chunk. Imagine if you slacked off on 20% of your training? Eek. As my goals get stronger, I need to re-evaluate that 20%. Those choices do not have to be perfectly on point, but they can still be choices that will be beneficial for my health instead of taking away from it.
For example, one of my 20% choices used to be Diet Coke. However, I know it is not good for my body. The research is pretty clear that soda, whether full of sugar or sugar-free, does not promote health and actually is proven to take away from it—decreasing gut microbiome by 50 percent, increasing type 2 diabetes and numerous other crazy health risks...
Luckily, I’ve found an ideal replacement that is still cold, refreshing and energizing, but is actually health-promoting, specifically when it comes to targeting my body’s nutrient needs for fitness improvements. FITAID ZERO is a researched-based, naturally flavored beverage that is specially balanced with supplemental ingredients that help athletic recovery. Now instead of grabbing a cold can that might lead to increased sugar cravings and weight gain, I can grab a cold can that might improve muscle speed, reduce muscle breakdown, strengthen mitochondria, provide antioxidants, replenish electrolytes and boost energy levels after a tough workout. This is due to the drink’s potent blend of vitamins, minerals, green tea, quercetin, turmeric, BCAAs, and CoQ10—ingredients proven to positively influence performance factors. FITAID ZERO also has (as the name suggests) no sugar! Meaning it won’t spike my blood sugar and I can rely on more whole food sources to provide the carbohydrates and calories my body requires.
C O N C L U S I O N
You don’t have to worry about being strict all the time, but do consider how those 20% choices play in to your 100%, choosing wisely whenever there are those easy, small swaps you can make to create a healthier foundation that will boost your lifestyle and ultimately improve your athletic performance.
About the Author:
Lori Nedescu is a board-certified sports dietitian, published author, and elite athlete in cycling & marathon running. You can view more of her work, follow or get in touch with her on Instagram at: @hungryforresults
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Posted by WRAL.com on 7/11/2019 at 7:36 p.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. — A Raleigh man, who recently won an international fitness title and was crowned The Strongest One-Armed Man on Earth, is now using the platform to show others how to reach beyond their limits.
Logan Aldridge, 28, lost his left arm in a boating accident when he was 13. But, as a former high school athlete, Aldridge said his fitness level soared when he started CrossFit six years ago.
"I can say with certainty, I would have never imagined, or could have imagined, this," he said.
Earlier this summer, Aldridge competed in the WheelWOD international competition for adaptive athletes. Adaptive athletes have one or more physical impairments.
Despite winning the title of "Strongest One-Armed Man on Earth," Aldridge said his main goal has always been to inspire others.
"I wanted people to look at me and say, 'If he can do it, than I sure can.' There's no reason not to try," he said.
John Prescott, who owns Neuse River CrossFit, introduced Aldridge and nine other adaptive athletes to the gym.
"Logan really radiated the mindset of it’s not a matter of if, it's a matter of how," Prescott said. "It's been one of the coolest parts of this whole experience, learning how to be with adaptive athletes and how to coach them."
"We're far more capable than we give ourselves credit, or than we know," Aldridge said.
Aldridge said he plans to continue to inspire adaptive athletes to live healthier lives and loves helping others to see the possibilities.
You can follow Logan's journey on Instagram: @aldridgelogan
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By: Nikki Dagot | June 2019
It’s finally summertime! Many of us wait all year for pool parties, beach days, camping and outdoor fun with family and friends. Personally, I love summer because it’s so easy to get outdoors and find a variety of exercises to help you reach your fitness goals while enjoying the sunshine: a jog along the beach, laps in your local swimming pool, a friendly tennis match, or attending an outdoor yoga class.
I want to start off by saying I am not the healthiest, most active person out there. But I thoroughly enjoy being outdoors, feeling energized, and paying attention to how both my mind and body feel. Do I go to the gym daily? No. Do I eat sugar? Yes (I love cookies). But life is about balance and feeling healthy on the inside.
That’s why I am a big fan of setting up smart, attainable goals for myself, especially during the summer when there are so many extra activities, food and fun that can distract us from our fitness goals. There’s no need to get extreme with your workout plans, especially during a season when your days are often jammed packed with outdoor activities to help keep your body moving. Currently, I have been going to the gym a few times a week, stretching, and going on walks around my neighborhood. When I start to feel too tired, I remind myself that even if I do something active after work for 20-30 minutes, it’s better than nothing so that’s a “win.”
HERE ARE MY TOP PICKS FOR
Summer Necessities for a Healthy, Active Lifestyle:
- Attainable nutrition & fitness goals are a MUST. Make a plan, keep it simple, and you’re more likely to stick to it so you can crush your goals this summer (which always gets me about setting new goals)!
- Workout clothes that I feel confident in! Because when you feel better, you move better and live better. Summer goal: feel good about moving your body.
- My favorite kanteen or water bottle filled with ice-cold water to help me stay hydrated.
- An upbeat playlist on my iPhone to help get me pumped up to crush my workouts.
- An ice-cold FITAID ZERO as a macro-friendly post-workout treat or a refreshing 5-calorie soda replacement.
When it comes to nutrition, one smart addition to my grocery list this summer has been items that taste great, are refreshing and satisfying yet won’t blow my macros out of the water. That’s where FITAID ZERO comes in! It’s only 5 calories, 1g of carbs, and helps my body recover properly after I finish a workout. It’s also the perfect soda replacement or mixer when served ice-cold on a hot summer day. Bonus: it’s made without any artificial sweeteners, NO sucralose, NO aspartame—happily sweetened with Monk Fruit & Stevia, made with only the good stuff your body needs (glutamine, glucosamine, BCAAs, electrolytes, CoQ10, turmeric, quercetin, green tea extract (for 45mg of natural caffeine & energy), vitamins C, D, & E, and B-complex).
SUMMER SNACKIN'
If healthy eating is a challenge for you, here are some snacks and meal ideas I find fast and easy to help stay on track during the summer. Light and refreshing is key for those hot months, and meals that are easy to prepare so that you’re not wasting too much time in the kitchen are always a plus! Reach for fresh fruits, veggies, granola and nuts—all great snacks for outdoor adventures—as well as smoothies that you can take with you on the go! I also love a quick salad or wrap you can throw together — tuna, chicken, or veggie & hummus for a vegan option. Don’t forget that with summer, comes BBQ’s, pool parties and picnics. Be sure to treat yourself every now and then because life is all about balance.
Wishing you a safe & healthy ACTIVE summer!
About the Author: Nikki Dagot is a 28-year-old food blogger who lives in Orlando, Florida.
You can follower her on Instagram @repeatandeat or on her blog at: www.repeatandeat.com
> > > Live well.
