Category Archives: Wellness

How to Lower High Blood Pressure with Lifestyle Changes

Posted on by
5

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA); however, all opinions and editorial comments remain my own. All content at thefitfork.com is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute the providing of medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgement, advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Did you know blood pressure is the second most common cause of preventable death in the United States from any cause and that nearly half of all adults in the country, an estimated 103 million, have high blood pressure? These startling statistics really caught my attention, especially since cardiovascular disease runs in my family, and I’d like to do everything I can to maintain a healthy blood pressure level and prevent a future heart attack, stroke or other life-threatening condition. Lifestyle Changes that Lower Blood Pressure

May is National High Blood Pressure Education month and I decided this was the perfect opportunity for me to keep sharing about and motivating people to get on board with my two life passions – eating a balanced “real food” diet rich in fruits, veggies, and lean protein and engaging in some form of exercise daily. Read on to learn more about these and other actionable lifestyle changes you can make to help control your blood pressure in a positive way. Continue reading →

Spring Break Detox: Jump Start Summer Health & Fitness Goals

Posted on by
2

This post is sponsored by adidas, however all opinions, comments and enthusiasm remain my own!

Spring Break has come and gone for most of us, sigh. Whether you were celebrating with no responsibilities on a beach somewhere fabulous or partying down with the kiddos at an amusement park, chances are you probably overindulged on food and drink and short-changed yourself on sleep among countless other possible indiscretions (!) Now worries though, life is about balance and it’s easy to get back on track with your health and fitness goals with my holistic “Jump on Summer” Spring Break Detox.

jennifer thefitfork adidas Spring Break Detox

When most people hear the phrase “detox” in a health and fitness connotation, they immediately think strictly a DIET detox, maybe to the extreme like fasting or just drinking juices. But, I’m not really a fan of such food-restrictive detoxing – while my “Jump on Summer” Spring Break Detox incorporates getting back into a clean-eating routine (but not starvation mode), it also attends to the other parts of our lives that may need a gentle (or hard) reset. In addition to eating nourishing foods, focusing on hydration, sleep, meditation, exercise and optimizing free time are all other areas where you can detox and get a fresh start for the remainder of spring and summer. Continue reading →

Tips (and Teas) for Sleep Deprived Runners

Posted on by
4

This post is sponsored by Celestial Seasonings but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Getting a good night’s sleep is important for everyone, especially those in endurance sports including running, swimming, biking and obstacle course racing. It’s during sleep hours that our bodies do the bulk of recovery from our daily hard training and builds us into better athletes.  Tips ((and Tea) for Sleep Deprived Runners

A few years ago, I went through a long bout of insomnia (sleeping only 4 to 5 hours a night) and just figured I could power through it with little or no consequence. However, I became increasingly anxious, irritable, had difficulty concentrating and made rash decisions. I wasn’t seeing improvements in my runs and workouts and many days I wouldn’t have the muscle strength or endurance to get them done. My stress was out of control as evidenced by sky-high cortisol levels that would never level out during the day as they should. I knew I needed to do something about my “sleep hygiene” pronto. Creating a “calming” ritual by drinking a healthy tea in the evening, was one of my strategies. Read on to learn my tactics and tips for better sleep: Continue reading →

Proven Ways Runners Can Treat Feet Better – Resolutions for Everyday Foot Care

Posted on by
4

This year, I’ve made a pledge, a resolution if you will, to take better care of my feet. I’ve been a distance runner for decades and also love to go to the gym, jump around and stand upright a lot of the day for my job. When it comes right down to it, my feet are the workhorses of my life and the very “sole” of my successes . . . and occasional failures. Makes sense, that if I take better care of my feet, my feet will take better care of me!   BioPods insoles provide active stimulous to improve natural reflexes and keep feet and body healthy

Read on to find out my resolutions for everyday foot care, Proven Ways Runners Can Treat Feet Better: Continue reading →

Sugarless, Sugar-Free and Low Sugar Treats for Healthy Christmas Stocking Stuffers

Posted on by
Reply

My family’s gifts for a fit Christmas are already wrapped up and under the tree, and I (errr, I mean Santa) have been busy rounding up healthy stocking stuffers. Chocolate, candy canes and sugar plums (what ARE those anyway) don’t really make sustaining fuel for our active lifestyle which collectively includes running, obstacle course racing, hiking, gym workouts, yoga and assorted team sports. So, instead, I’ve rounded up a bunch of Sugarless, Sugar-Free and Low Sugar Treats for Healthy Christmas Stocking Stuffers – check them out for your own family’s festivities.

Sugar Free Treats Snacks and Drinks for Healthy Christmas Stocking Stuffers

Read on to find healthier snacks and drinks suitable for Christmas stockings, some are homemade and others conveniently packaged and ready to go! Continue reading →