Title: Unleash Fun: 6 Powerful Strategies for an Epic Holiday Bash, and the Surprising Power of Sadness
Hi there, folks! Welcome back to our weekly roundup of the best health and fitness content from around the web – we're happy to share our favorite finds with you today. It's a Sunday special, so let's jump right in!
Fitness
Four Different Ways to Take Your Plank to the Next Level – FitSugar The classic plank is a staple of any fitness routine, but there's always room for improvement. Add some heat to your core workout with these four advanced plank variations that go beyond the basic move.
Health
Does Alcohol Hindrance Weight Loss? – BuiltLean Ever wondered if that nightcap sabotages your weight loss efforts? We dive into the science of how alcohol affects our bodies, from two drinks to eight, to investigate if whiskey gingers and gin and tonics are your weight loss enemy.
Happiness
The Unforeseen Health Benefits of Melancholy – Prevention Feeling a little down in the dumps? We explore the surprising mental health benefits of sadness, suggesting that sometimes, feeling blue could be just what the doctor ordered.
Blog Spotlight
Stride Rate Impact on Running Performance – #RunChat Want to run faster? By understanding the impact of stride rate and stride length on performance, you can level up your running game, shaving off valuable seconds as you race towards the finish line.
Grab Bag
How to Throw the Ultimate Holiday Party – Gizmodo Whether you're a pro party host or a rookie entertainer, our top six essentials will help you create an unforgettable holiday bash, complete with a portable ice-maker and secret weapon: an automatic bartender.
What are some of your favorite health and fitness reads from this week? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or hit up our Twitter handle @greatist.
Enrichment Data
Alcohol and Weight Loss
The effects of alcohol on body fat loss and weight management are complex and depend on consumption levels, metabolism, and overall diet. Here's how alcohol impacts weight loss:
- Caloric Load: Alcohol is high in calories, and excessive consumption can cause a calorie surplus, contributing to increased body fat storage. A gram of alcohol contains around 7 calories, which adds up quickly when you factor in drinks like beers and mixed drinks.
- Metabolic Prioritization: Alcohol metabolism takes precedence over other metabolic processes, such as fat oxidation, meaning the body prioritizes alcohol over burning stored body fat for energy.
- Impaired Lipolysis: Alcohol has been shown to reduce lipolysis (fat burning) by up to 73%, impeding the body's capacity to break down stored body fat for energy and promoting weight gain.
- Alcohol and Body Fat Distribution: High alcohol consumption can also lead to increased body fat, particularly around the abdominal area, due to the high caloric content of alcoholic beverages and the body's tendency to store excess calories as body fat when in a calorie surplus.
- Hormonal Disruptions: Chronic alcohol use can disrupt hormonal balances, including testosterone levels in men and estrogen levels in women, negatively impacting muscle repair, bone health, and overall metabolic function and promoting body fat storage.
- Nutrient Imbalance: Alcohol consumption can also lead to poor nutrient intake, poor dietary choices, and reduced absorption of essential vitamins, like thiamine, which is important for energy metabolism.
In summary, alcohol can negatively impact body fat loss and weight management by contributing to calorie surpluses, reducing lipolysis, and disrupting hormonal balances, leading to increased body fat when consumed excessively.
- Despite the complex relationship between alcohol and weight loss, some team members on our mental health team recommend limiting alcohol consumption for optimal mental health, as persistent depression can sometimes be linked to heavy drinking.
- In our recent professional development session, we discussed strategies for promoting better mental health within our links, and one of the key points was highlighting the importance of prioritizing self-care, including managing stress, getting regular exercise, and maintaining a balanced diet.
- On a personal note, I've found that practicing self-love and expressing affection towards my loved ones has played a significant role in my own mental health journey. Spending quality time with my partner, reading a heartwarming book, or attending a fun event helps bring me joy and alleviate feelings of depression.
