We have heard time and time again that the older we get, the slower our metabolism will become; I swear it may have been the biggest warning I heard from those around me prior to turning 30. Well, if you’re like me, then you are not willing to just sit around and wait while your metabolism goes from lightning speed to a snail’s pace.
I knew there had to be a better way, or at least there had to be a few simple things that I could incorporate into my daily routine to give my body that extra little boost that I’m looking for; thankfully, that’s where the experts came to my rescue!
Breakfast first thing in the morning
While I can be finicky about what I eat for breakfast in the morning, I was never one of those people who could just get by skipping breakfast. Even if I don’t wake up hungry, by the time I finish my morning workout, I’m ready to dive face first into my smoothie, toast, or yogurt. As it turns out, that’s exactly what I should be doing.
Certified holistic health coach Meghan Meredith told me, “Eating breakfast helps jump-start your metabolism for the day and gives you the physical and mental energy to tackle the day ahead.” Pass the cereal and coffee my way, please!
Sip on green tea
I may be a coffee girl at heart, but I do enjoy a mug of hot tea as much as the next person, especially during the cooler months when my office is as cold as a freezer. With that said, I think green tea just became my newest go-to for that little afternoon mental pick-me-up, as well as a little boost for my metabolism.
“Green tea has been proven through several studies to slightly increase one’s metabolism due to it’s ability to increase energy expenditure, the amount of calories one burns,” said Meredith. “Green tea contains caffeine and catechin polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, that promotes this increase in metabolism.” She went on to add that while the increase in thermogenesis and fat oxidation appears small in several studies, every little bit counts and is an added bonus to the other benefits of green tea, including helping battle chronic disease, lowering cancer risk, and increasing brain function
Walk around during the day
One of my biggest struggles during the work day is convincing myself to get up and move. It’s not because I’m feeling lazy, but I usually find myself in a zone or feeling the pressure to get a lot of work done in a little amount of time, so my breaks only consist of a couple quick trips to the restroom, to refill my water bottle, or to grab my lunch from the fridge so I can eat at my desk.
If this sounds at all like you, then you likely understand that it can often be accompanied with a lot of snacking, whether you’re actually hungry or not. As it turns out, a few walking breaks through out the day may not only keep our hands out of the trail mix bag, but it may also give our body and mind an extra little boost.
“Taking a walk and engaging with others can help you re-energize and re-focus,” Yoga Alliance RYT teacher Alex Samet told me. She went on to add that standing on your feet can help reverse the effects of sitting in a desk chair, make you less likely to overeat, and add a little boost to your brain and metabolism
Eat small meals throughout the day
When it comes to diet, there’s a lot of information out there. I swear it seems like there’s a new diet trend popping up every other week telling you the newest way to eat for those six-pack abs or to lose the last five pounds. Lately, I’ve noticed a lot more hype around larger meals and little to no snacking, which is opposite of a lot of advice from years past, but which is the best way to go?
“It’s okay and even beneficial to snack if you do it right,” said Samet. “Eating small meals or snacks throughout the day is actually beneficial for your metabolism. However, rather than reaching for the office candy jar, find a few minutes to pack a healthy snack with protein like celery and peanut butter.” Ants on a log, anyone?
Sprinkle on some cayenne pepper
If spicy food is already your thing, then you’re going to love this next piece of advice, but if it’s not, then it’s time to jump on the spicy food train immediately. According to health coach KJ Landis, “Cayenne pepper is another boost for metabolism. It heats the body temperature up, burning energy.” In other words, it burns calories!
Landis went on to tell me about her own experience of adding a 500mg dose of cayenne pepper before bed each night. Without making any other changes to her already grain free, sugar free lifestyle, she lost five pounds. Even better, studies show the active ingredient, capsaicin, helps decrease appetite!
Add in some strength training
If you’re someone who has been afraid to lift weights for fear of becoming bulky, it’s time to change your thoughts! Landis said, “The number one way to boost metabolism is to lift heavy things.”
Don’t worry, you don’t need to have an expensive gym membership or try to become an amazing power lifter. “Lifting your own body weight and using resistance training for sustained holds, even 30-60 seconds is extremely effective in boosting metabolism,” Landis mentioned. She went on to explain that it takes more energy to sustain muscle than any other tissue, thus increasing our metabolism. If you’re still afraid to pick up a set of dumbbells, though, she went on to share that even walking up hills is a great way to add in some easy resistance training!
Limit your sugar intake
I love cookies, brownies, and cake as much as the next girl, but to likely come as no surprise, this sugar is not doing us or our metabolism any favors. “Sugar decreases the function of your immune system at almost the instant you ingest it,” said health and nutrition expert Carolyn Dean, MD, ND. “Sugar requires magnesium in order to metabolize it; therefore, the more sugar you consume, the more magnesium you waste, the weaker your metabolism functions, the less energy you have.”
Long story short, what she told me means that cookie you have at lunch which you’re hoping is going to carry you through the afternoon is likely the cause of your slump during the last few hours of work, and it’s definitely not helping your waistline.
Make sure to get enough sleep
If you ask people what they want more of in their lives, I’m sure most of them will answer that they want more sleep; myself included. As it turns out, to keep our metabolism going strong, sleep is a major factor.
“If your body is very tired, it will be hard for it to create energy and fight off disease,” said Dr. Dean. “Consistent rest will keep you strong and ensure that your body has the strength to be productive.” That includes boosting metabolism.
source: Thelist
We have heard time and time again that the older we get, the slower our metabolism will become; I swear it may have been the biggest warni...
The 2017 budget has finally been signed into law by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday.
Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo
Nigeria’s Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Monday signed the 2017 budget of N7.441 trillion into law.
Osinbajo made it public on Twitter.
He wrote: “I just signed 2017 Budget into law. It’s an important milestone in our economic recovery & growth plan laid in April by President Buhari.”
This comes after Osinbajo reportedly got the nod of the President Muhammadu Buhari who has been abroad for treatment for over 2 weeks now.
“Following the receipt of a full brief on the 2017 Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly, and to buttress the unity at the highest level of government, President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated that it is in the interest of the nation’s economy for the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to sign the Appropriation Bill into law,” Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity had said.
“In a letter dated June 10, 2017, which he personally signed and addressed to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, the President also said he was pleased by the joint resolution that the Executive would submit next year’s budget proposals by October 2017 and the National Assembly will conclude the Appropriation process by December 2017, so that the country can return to a normal fiscal period from next year onwards.”
There had been controversies that Osinbajo cannot sign the budget forcing acting President’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, to clear the that doubt on May 18 when he said Mr. Osinbajo would sign the bill once satisfied with its content.
“Just so we are clear: when the time comes, everything is set, and he is satisfied, Ag. President Yemi Osinbajo will assent to the 2017 Budget,” Mr. Akande tweeted at the time.
The National Assembly had last passed the budget, increasing the total sum by N143 billion compared to what was sent by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The 2017 budget has finally been signed into law by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday. Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo Nigeria’s Ac...
Mabel Makun, the wife of the Nigerian comedian, AY Makun, has called out Freda Francis for allegedly having an affair with her husband.
Mabel had also shared a raunchy Whatsapp message supposed between her husband and Freda.
It has emerged that the call out began from AY’s page after AY shared this photo from Freda Francis’ baby shower last night.
Freda had her Push Party (baby shower) in Ikoyi, Lagos on Sunday evening and AY was one of the guests present there alongside some other celebrities and gushed about a reunion.
Moments later, AY’s wife swiftly replied with a comment on her husband’s photo, saying this was outright wickedness and she won’t take it!
This is coming after it was reported sometime in 2016, that Mabel reportedly moved out of the comedians house on grounds of alleged infidelity.
Few days ago, Freda Francis had shared photos of her huge baby bump, thus confirming the rumors that she’s having a child with a mystery man.
See photo below:
Mabel Makun , the wife of the Nigerian comedian, AY Makun , has called out Freda Francis for allegedly having an affair with her husband. ...
Long before Melania was swatting away President Trump’s romantic advances, Salma Hayek was doing the same, New York Daily News reports.
The “Beatriz at Dinner” star, 50, revealed to Trevor Noah on “The Daily Show” that years ago, the future commander-in-chief attempted to woo her with a series of phone calls — despite the fact that she had a boyfriend.
Hayek relayed the story from the beginning, and explained that she met Trump at an event she was attending with her then-boyfriend. The “so charming” and “so nice” Trump approached the couple by offering a chilly Hayek his coat, and eventually befriended her boyfriend, whom she did not identify but admitted was not her current husband, Francois-Henri Pinault.
“He’s like, ‘If you guys are in New York, you can come to Atlantic City, you can stay in my hotel. Give me your number!’ ” Hayek recalled. “Never talked to my boyfriend again. Now he’s calling me and he’s inviting me out, and I say, ‘What about my boyfriend? Am I crazy, are you asking me out? You know I have a boyfriend.’ “
Still, Trump didn’t back down, and insisted to Hayek that her significant other had nothing on him.
“[Trump said] ‘He’s not good enough for you. He’s not important, he’s not big enough for you. You have to go out with me,'” Hayek said.
The Mexican-born actress has long been outspoken in her disdain for Trump, particularly regarding his immigration policies, and told the
Daily News in April that she wished Melania “was a bigger influence” on her powerful husband.
The star also said last October that she believes that after she rejected Trump, he called the National Enquirer and planted a gossip story mocking her 5′ 2″ height.
Long before Melania was swatting away President Trump’s romantic advances, Salma Hayek was doing the same, New York Daily News reports. Th...
Saying goodbye to the weekend is pretty tough but figuring out work outfits for the new week can be even more daunting.
Many times, the outfits are hanging right there in our closets staring at us and wishing we’d pick them but we don’t, and this is mostly because the mere thought of another Monday can sap all of one’s energy.
Let’s be frank now! Do you not imagine you could show up at work on Monday in your pyjamas or something close to it? Well yeah, it’s not really your clothes you need to work, it’s your brain right? Except you work in marketing or client service then PJs are not a bad idea.
But we honestly want you to do better so we put together 10 work outfit inspirations from some of our favourite style bloggers. These looks will help you look like the work professional plus the chic boss plus the fashion pro all in one.
It’s just another white shirt, only that you’ve paired it with skinny trousers and heeled sandals with nude tones. This is how to subtly get your colleagues wowing after you as you walk past them.
Two-piece suits will never be old especially when they’r worn in pastel colours like this. Team the look with a print, structured bag and you’re good to go.
Even the HR lady will be gushing over your look when you stand out from the office crowd in mix and match stripes. Douse the drama with black accessories
This monochromatic look is a winner for that Monday out-of-office meeting. The best part is pairing it with a leopard print belt and stilettos. Seal that deal!
When the week is almost over, you can play with a pinafore. Add a dash of colour with your pumps.
If you work in media, then this is how to kill that Monday morning work look. Break boundaries with a white blouse and rolled up jeans paired with print mules. Throw on a trench to complete the look.
This is how to show up if your intention is to disrupt the work flow. Hot, chic and flawless. A flowered blouse on pastel palazzos paired with heels they have to beg to see…
Another monochromatic look but this time with pants and a brown bag that speaks READY!
You can never go wrong in a white shirt but you’ll be the winner when you throw in a hot, red skirt with a daring front slit. This look can transition to an after-work look thanks to the silver open toe sandals.
Because you can not be bothered so you pair your white t-shirt with a camel straight skirt and finish it off with a bold, studded belt and a bucket bag.
We hope you have your fashion sorted for the week.
Saying goodbye to the weekend is pretty tough but figuring out work outfits for the new week can be even more daunting. Many times, the out...
The Lagos State Government on Sunday declared Monday public holiday to mark June 12 celebration in the State, saying that the State remains committed to the ideals of the annulled 1993 Presidential election, The Daily Times report.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, on behalf of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the government said the holiday was in honour of the ideals which June 12, 1993 Presidential election represents being a day that the country experienced an election that was adjudged as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.
The Governor said 24 years after, the ideals of June 12 commemoration were worth celebrating, describing the day as one of the most defining moments of the country’s political history which has positively shaped its democratic rule.
Governor Ambode said the time has come for Nigerians to go beyond the commemoration and entrench a viable democracy as a way to immortalise the late presumed winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Chief M.K.O Abiola through the practice of true federalism and conduct of credible and fair elections.
He said: “June 12, 1993 is a day we must not forget in the annals of our democratic history. Our present democratic experience may still be far from the ideal but we must all make concerted efforts to entrench fiscal federalism which is the only way to achieve true nationhood.”
Continuing, Governor Ambode said part of the enduring lessons of June 12 election is that it imbued the patriotic and nationalistic zeal in all Nigerians to speak with one voice to make a political choice devoid of ethnic, racial or social sentiments.
“On June 12, 1993, majority of Nigerians across all divides demonstrated through the ballot box that irrespective of class or ethnic sympathies, the Nigerian people are united and would always join hands to promote our unifying values,” he said.
Governor Ambode said though the peoples’ hope was dashed with the annulment of the elections by the military junta, the lessons of the elections cannot be wished away despite subterranean efforts by many to do, describing June 12 as the real Democracy Day in Nigeria.
“We owe it a duty to genuinely immortalize the fallen heroes of the June 12 struggle nationally and deepen our democratic values to ensure that never again will such anti-people action be allowed to take place”.
He also assured that his administration remains committed to the ideals of June 12 by carrying out people-oriented programmes across the State and making life more comfortable for the people.
Meanwhile, the State Government, through the office of Civic Engagement, has perfected arrangement for the annual public symposium which will hold at the De Roof, LTV 8 in Ikeja, to celebrate June 12.
The Lagos State Government on Sunday declared Monday public holiday to mark June 12 celebration in the State, saying that the State remains ...