Boost your mood with.. onions? Feeling down? Jessica Smith says Eat some onions! Onions are rich in chromium, which helps your brain produce feel-good hormones and may help regulate blood sugar levels. No need to take a supplement – boost your intake by eating foods high in this mineral like onions, broccoli and oysters. To view the link, click here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150493353142324&set=a.158683122323.154506.11851562323&type=1&theater  

Take a Break From Surfing the Web To Help Your Waistline and Heart! Cut down your computer time for better health. Did you know that each hour that you typically spend in front of the computer leads to an 18 PERCENT increase in your risk of early death from heart disease? Combat your risk by setting a timer every 30 minutes to remind you to get up and take a movement break (it’s also good for your eyes too), as well as cutting down on mindless web surfing time. To view the link on Facebook, click here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150463532912324&set=a.158683122323.154506.11851562323&type=1  

Jessica Smith says: Lose 2 inches from your waist with daily bursts of activity You’ve heard it before: add more activity to your day like parking further away from the mall, talking the stairs instead of the escalator, etc. but how effective is it for weight loss? Very! A recent Australian study found that people who regularly add these little bursts of activity to their days have waists that are on average 2 inches smaller than those who don’t. Remember, everything counts! Small steps can equal big changes. To view the full link click here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150450722467324&set=a.158683122323.154506.11851562323&type=1  

It’s cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you have to let your health and fitness slack. Jessica’s fitness tip this Friday is to Soup it up! Soup can be an amazing weight loss tool, and winter weather is the perfect time to add it to your regular menu. Be sure to include more soups into your diet this winter! To view the full link, click here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150440481842324&set=a.158683122323.154506.11851562323&type=1  

Incase you missed Jessica Smith’s Halloween guide on how to burn off that candy – here it is! Snickers, 3 Fun Size pieces = 216 calories Burn it off by: riding your bike at a moderate, non-stop pace for 30 minutes. Peanut M&M’s, 1 Fun Size Bag (1 bag) = 90 calories Burn it off by: gardening for 20 minutes. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup (2) = 210 calories Burn it off by: briskly walking around the neighborhood for 50 minutes. Candy Corn (20 pieces) = 150 calories Burn it off by: dancing around the house, non-stop, for 30 minutes. Sweet [...]

Planning a spot of shopping this weekend? Read this tip from our fitness expert Jessica Smith first! Turns out that eating tryptophan-rich foods (like turkey, dairy) before going shopping can help you save money. A recent study done by the University of Utah suggests that eating these types of foods can increase your serotonin level, which may in turn make you less likely to buy something on impulse. So snack on some nuts or a have a turkey sandwich before you head to the mall to save on money (and to help resist the calorie-laden food court). https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150421552797324.411464.11851562323&type=1  

Did you know a recent study found that when strength training participants cooled their hands off in between sets, they were able to finish more reps? Next time you feel like throwing in the towel on a hard session, see if there is a fan nearby and give it a try. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150403298062324.407918.11851562323&type=1