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Is Herbalife Good For You? – Before You Buy
I’ll be honest with you, I thought long and hard about writing this article. Due to the fact that there are those that swear by this product and will fight you tooth and nail to defend it.
But from talking to those that have either asked me to join or from others asking is herbalife good for you, it only made sense to write about it. Not only that, but from all the negative reviews that I have researched gave me even more reason to at least give my honest opinion on the matter.
See, i’m a big believer in that in order to get the results you are looking for, you have to put in the work. There are no shortcuts in life and companies like herbalife feast on finding those desperate for a quick fix. This is just one of the many reason i’m not a huge fan and there are many more to come.
So before you decide to buy a single herbalife product, make sure to read the rest of this article first. Like the many others that have tried and fail, make sure you don’t become one of them.
Herbalife….The Business
It’s safe to say that herbalife the business, is no small fish when it comes to the health and fitness industry. They are very successful and there is a good reason for that.
Their business structure sells you on the opportunity to make money with the business by helping others change their lives. They have great sales people that are good at driving this point across.
Even if the person isn’t interested in joining the business, they can at least then sell you the opportunity for better healthy with their products.
There have been so many companies out there that claim their product can help you lose weight and get you the body you dream of, and herbalife is no different.
Only recently has news surfaced about a $200 million settlement into the practices of herbalife’s business structure.
Basically stating that herbalife focused not on retail sales of their products, but the recruitment of other salespeople promising big profits on selling their merchandise (read this article for more).
Now if their business structure can be called into question, then what does that say about their products. So let’s get into that.
Are Ingredients Worth The Price?
When it comes to the ingredients herbalife puts into their products, I’ll be honest, I can’t even pronounce most of what’s in this stuff. There’s enough ingredients in there to fill an english dictionary.
I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time understanding why something that is supposed to be so healthy for you, requires so many ingredients. Maybe that is a good way for them to justify the prices they charge to use their products.
One thing that does concern me is how much the salespeople make for selling these products. I’m sure that they get paid very well, but I question if the people that buy the products alone are actually getting quality ingredients for the prices they pay for it.
Most people tend to not really care about what type of ingredients are in the things they consume as long as they work. But when you are paying good money for something, you want make sure you get your money’s worth.
Calorie Restriction…Carbs, Fats, Proteins
When it comes to losing or gaining weight, I tell people all the time, if you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. When it comes to losing weight, if you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose weight.
Most people know that calories are what matters, which is why people feel the need to count calories. First of all, who has time for all that. That’s a sure fire way to drive yourself crazy and forget all about tracking what you eat. As long as you are eating the right types of food and exercising regularly, you will be fine.
So when I see how much herbalife requires those using it to restrict their calorie intake, I really have to question the reasoning for it. Our calories comes from three main sources, Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins.
The human body would struggle to survive without calories as they are our main source of energy. Yea i get it, if you reduce the amount of calories taken, the chances of you losing weight most definitely increases. But is that healthy?
Eating less calories, thus eating less food. Sure you will probably lose weight, but the body has a funny way of adapting to adverse situations and that’s where you metabolism kicks in…
| More Reading: How To Eat More And Lose Weight |
Can Slow Down Metabolism
When your body realizes that you are not supplying it with enough calories, it goes into survivor mode and knows that it needs to conserve the energy it does have for your body to function properly. Therefore your metabolism slows down and we all know what comes next.
Weight gain and body fat tends to increase. This is the opposite of what you want to happen when you are taking on a diet to lose weight. In order to burn fat and lose weight efficiently, you need to build muscle and feed your body the proper nutrients to feed those muscles.
Which will increase your metabolism, thus helping you lose weight the right way. This just isn’t possible when you restrict your calories by the amount you do taking herbalife products.
Can Make You Hungry And Increase Cravings
I don’t know about you, but if all I was allowed to eat was 2 shakes, 2 snacks and 1 meal for an entire day, I would go mad. By restricting your calorie intake in such an unhealthy manner, you will find yourself becoming hungrier which will only increase your cravings for low quality foods.
This idea that eating less will help you lose weight is a thought that needs to be corrected. For one, each person’s body is different and will react differently depending on the stress being put on the body. Two, if eating less was the solution, there would be no need to take products like herbalife.
All you would need to do is eat bread and drink water everyday.
There are many situation where people have actually gained weight due to lack of eating, and that is due to the fact of how metabolism works as mentioned in the previous paragraph.
As long as you are being responsible with the food you eat, you will come to understand that you can eat the foods you enjoy most and still maintain good health.
Side Effects
If you know anyone that has ever tried herbalife products, i’m sure they can tell you the effects they’ve had after trying it. If you don’t know anyone, you can easily go online and find the horror stories of those who have tried it.
Some have reported headaches, dizziness, upset stomach and many trips to the bathroom. I don’t know, maybe because when you are not eating real food regularly, you body tends to react in a way that let’s you know you are not feeding it correctly.
Your digestive systems requires real food for it to work properly. Going on a liquid diet may be ok if you are trying to cleanse out the system for a week, but that is in no way a recipe for long term success. Eating solid foods is and will always be the way to go. You just have to make sure you are eating the right types of food.
Yea i’m sure you could find those that will say it has worked great for them and I don’t doubt that. My concern is for the many that have tried and had a horrible experience with it. Because when it comes to your health, it is either good for you, or it’s not.
There are too many of those that have had a bad experience and that is just unacceptable.
No Magic Pill
Don’t think I forgot about the pills you have to take. Many people have told me about the amount of horse like pills that need to be taken along with all the other things they offer. I’m surprised people haven’t caught onto the fact that there are absolutely no magic pills when it comes to losing weight.
They don’t work, they are not healthy, and they sure aren’t fun to take. Eating real food is a way better option than taking a pill, but I understand many are looking for a solution to their weight problems.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee
Maybe after reading this article, you still want to be that brave soul that is desperate for results and will still decide to try herbalife.
Well before you make that choice, they do offer a 30 day money back guarantee, but from the many stories I have read, getting your money back may not be the easiest thing in the world. I am someone that feels when it comes to getting your money back, companies should make that process simple.
Just as fast as it took to take the money from you, it should be just as quick to give it back. But if you still want to give it a try, hey go ahead and be my guest. Just don’t say I didn’t warn ya.
Breaking It All Down
I can’t stress to you enough how important it is to make your fitness and health more about a lifestyle and not some quick fix. No type of diet beats eating a nice healthy meal along with proper supplements.
Any supplement you take should do just that, supplement your diet and exercise routine. It should not replace it and cause your body to take on more harm than necessary. Meal planning is important when it comes to making sure you are eating the right food each week.
Now I can understand these days with work and taking care of kids, finding time to prepare a nice meal can be difficult. But in order for you to get the results you want, you have to make sure to provide your body with the necessary fuel to make sure you are able to get through your daily activities.
Instead of paying a lot of money on pills and shakes, there are meal delivery services out there you can try risk free that can assist you in your meal planning needs. Services like Blue Apron, Plated, and Home Chef to name a few.
You can click here to read my blue apron review and see if it is something that may be for you.
I hope this article helped answer any question you may have about trying out herbalife. The intent was not meant to bash them, but I felt I needed to let everyone reading this know the risks they are taking from trying them.
Just remember that there are no shortcuts to getting results, and that you have to put in the work. So don’t get discouraged and know that it is possible, you just have to tell yourself that you can.
I would love to hear your thoughts or questions on this subject, so please don’t be afraid to share them below.
Is It Bad To Eat Before Bed?
So it’s late at night and it’s about that time to go to sleep. You’re belly starts to grumble and you’re thinking to yourself, that pizza in the fridge would be real good right about now. But you think to yourself and ask the question, is it bad to eat before bed?
Well, the answer to this question isn’t as simple as saying yes or no. Many people are told that if you eat before bed, then it will lead to weight gain.
I will try to go over some of the reasons why that may not always be the case.
The Big Debate
When trying to discover the truth to this, it really depends on the individual. Most people fear that eating late at night leads to weight gain, but if you really think about, the body doesn’t know what time it is. There are many healthy people that eat late at night and it has no affect on their weight.
At the same time, if you asked people who are overweight, how often do they have a meal before going to bed, many of them would probably say yes. So you can see why it may be easy to get confused as there are supporting evidence for both sides.
Sleep And Metabolism
One reason eating before bed could prove costly is from studies showing how metabolism does slow down during sleep. Which would suggest that a slow metabolism could lead to weight gain. There are many theories for why this happens.
Some would say that the body needs energy to build muscle and repair itself from the stresses put on the body throughout the day. So it needs to conserve energy so that it may focus on doing just that.
Based on this information, it is easy to conclude that if metabolism slows down during rest, then you should not be eating right before bed. Unfortunately it is not as simple as that, as bad habits seem to be more of an issue.
Developing Bad Habits Can Lead To Weight Gain
Many diet plans suggest that you shouldn’t eat after a certain time at night because it can lead to weight gain. This isn’t because your metabolism slows down, but because the wrong type of food is usually chosen late at night.
Add to the fact that while you are eating, you are most likely watching television. This all creates bad habits, which can lead to weight gain.
Those that live a sedentary lifestyle, tend to not be as active and consume the wrong types of food.
If you are someone that is active and choose healthier options, then eating a late night snack may not affect you as much compared to someone making unhealthy food choices.
What Should You Eat Before Bed?
For most people, it should be ok to have a light snack before going to bed. Where people tend to get into trouble is when they make a large meal or some type of dessert the late night meal of choice.
Although eating right before bed doesn’t necessarily cause you to gain weight, eating foods that are high in sugars and fats will cause your calorie intake to go up.
Avoid Junk foods
Try to stay away from foods such as chips, ice cream or cake. These foods are high in sugar and empty calories. They can also trigger cravings which will cause you to overeat, and therefore have you exceed your daily calorie needs. If your sweet tooth is calling and you are in need of something to eat, try going for maybe a banana or apple.
Stick to Whole Grains
Try having a peanut butter sandwich before going to bed since you are combining good complex carbs along
with protein and healthy fats.
This will provide your body with good energy as you fall asleep and may even help you sleep better through the night.
Conclusion
Although eating before bed will not necessarily cause weight gain, forming bad habits will. It is more about what you eat rather than when you eat as the body is unaware of what time it is.
If you find yourself hungry and you really need something in your belly before heading off to bed, then make sure it is light and healthy.
I hope you found this article helpful in your choice for what to eat during those late nights. As always, don’t be afraid to share below your thoughts on how you fight those late night cravings.
10
Should You Exercise Sore Muscles?
If you are someone who exercises regularly, you know that feeling the day after an intense workout where your muscles ache so bad you can barely get out of bed. So it is easy to ask the question, should you exercise when you are sore?
Well if you are new to working out, that feeling of being sore is known as DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), and it is basically your muscles repairing itself after being torn down from a workout. Making your body even stronger for the next workout.
As easy as it may be to let soreness stop you from making it to your workout the following day, rarely is it ever a good excuse to skip the gym. Understanding how to get through your workouts despite the soreness you feel is something I will try to help guide you through.
Assess Pain
Going through the normal soreness after a workout is one thing, but if you are suffering from a pain that doesn’t seem to get any better, then you might want to pay attention to what you body is telling you.
Especially if you are person who is just started working out, it can be difficult to recognize what is soreness and what is actual pain that can lead to injury.
So make sure to listen to your body and be aware of any long lasting pain.
Body In Repair Mode
It is important to understand that soreness is caused by muscles microtearing which helps rebuild your muscle fibers to make them stronger.
This is the natural process of the body reforming itself to help make a stronger YOU. So don’t be afraid to embrace the pain of soreness and take it as a sign of you getting better and stronger for your next workout.
Take It Easy
If you feel your body is really sore, then don’t be afraid to take it easy on your next workout. Bring down the intensity and lower the amount of reps you do whether it is body weight or free weights.
Also, If it is your upper body that is sore, then do a workout that involves the lower body. Sometimes working out can help speed up the time of your muscle recovery.
Have Some Protein
Make sure to have 10-20 grams of protein before and after an intense workout as it helps lessen the time it takes for your muscles to heal. Amino Acids are the building blocks when it comes to gaining muscle and they are found it protein.
So if you want to build muscle, then making sure you are fueling your body with protein is a great way to do it. You would be amazed at how protein can aid in decreasing muscle soreness.
Make Sure To Stretch
Try stretching as much as you can after a workout. Muscles can sometimes get tight after a strenuous workout so making sure they are nice and loose after a workout can help speed up recovery time. Also be careful when it comes to stretching out cold muscles as you can risk injuring it further.
Try using some active stretching techniques as opposed to static stretching when the body is cold. Making sure to stretch before going to bed and right after waking up can help with blood circulation which can speed up recovery time.
Cool Down
If you are really sore, and are a daring person, try an ice bath. There’s a reason why you see athletes jumping into a tub full of ice after a game.
As we know, ice is applied when there is inflammation in the body. By applying ice to your body after a workout, your blood vessels will contract helping restrict inflammation.
As the body warms back up, circulation of the blood helps repair the muscles faster. So if you think you can handle hopping in a tube full of ice, then go for it. I’m sure you body will thank you later.
It Will Get Better With Time
Know that the reason your body is sore is because you are putting it through something it is not yet used to. As you continue on with you exercise on a week to week basis, you will find that you do not get as sore as you used to.
Some people like to measure their workouts by how sore they are. Being sore after every workout is not something you want as it can inhibit your workout. Measure your fitness goals by how many miles you are able to run or by the amount of weight you are now able to lift.
If your endurance is increasing or you notice you are getting stronger, these are signs that you are making strides to better health. So stay consistent and keep finding motivation with every goal that you set for yourself and the results will follow.
So please share below how you prepare for a workout when you are feeling sore.
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6
Should You Exercise When Sick?
Feeling the sniffles coming on? How about coughing and sneezing? As if you needed any more excuses not to exercise.
As hard as it is to find that motivation to go out on the road or gym to get your exercise done for the day, deciding if you should workout when you are sick could be a decision that affects you both short term and long term.
But those that do find the strength to not let sickness break up that habit of exercising, may be onto something when it comes to bettering their health.
As some experts would argue that daily exercise may be beneficial when it comes to aiding illnesses like the common cold. Those who exercise on a regular basis tend to get sick less compared to those that are less active.
If done correctly, it is possible to reduce the number of days you are sick significantly due to building up your immune system.
While working out could help in overcoming symptoms like the cold, even the most active exerciser catches the cold bug at some point. So learning if you should exercise when sick, keep this rule in mind…
The Neck Rule
When deciding if you should exercise, experts like to go with the “neck rule.” If your symptoms affect you above the neck (stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, headache), you probably have a minor head cold and are safe to go for a run or get to the gym.
But if you are feeling achy, have a fever or chest pains, it could be a sign of the flu or other serious ailments. It would probably be best that you skip the gym and rest up until you feel better.
Working out while feeling any of these serious symptoms could cause serious injury to not only you, but to those around you. While the neck rule is a good rule to follow, it is most certainly not foolproof.
So it is important to use caution when deciding to workout while sick. As many things can be affected due to illness like hydration causing you to lack energy.
Use Common Sense
If you feel you have a fever or the flu, then the best course of action is to stay in bed and rest up for a few days. But if your symptoms include a minor head cold, then you should be good to go.
But make sure you take it easy on your workout. As it is easy to find yourself dehydrated due to the weakening of your immune system.
If you are a person who prefers to exercise outdoors, then make sure to carry a water bottle if you plan on going for a jog.
If you are someone who is looking for greater resistance, then I would recommend you use machines at the gym. Try to avoid using free weights as that could be extremely dangerous depending on the severity of your illness.
Watch Out For Germs
If you plan to exercise outdoors, then you should not have to worry too much about spreading or catching germs. But if you plan to workout in the gym, I would not be exaggerating when I say the gym is infested with germs.
So making sure you are not there spreading more of your germs around the gym and being careful not to make yourself sicker than you already are, is extremely important. Being that your immune system is already vulnerable to attacks, a simple head cold could easily turn into the flu or worse.
So making sure to stay clear of you mouth and eyes while exercising is an important tip to follow. Also, after you are done working out, either wash your hands after or use hand sanitizer to kill any lingering germs you may have picked up.
Please share below any tips you have on how you workout when you are not at 100 percent.
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2
Is 7 hours of Sleep Enough?
It can be challenging at times trying to figure out what is the recommended amount of sleep an adult should get. Depending on which article you read, you will see anywhere from 6 to 9 hours a night. Even knowing this, many people still find it difficult to get those hours necessary to help get them ready for the next day.
Whether it be due to work, kids or finding time to hang out with friends, sleep can sometimes be low on the priority list. We all know that getting enough sleep is not only important for daily function, but most importantly your health. Also, keep in mind that everyone is different and that some people can function with less rest than others.
Trying to figure out the right amount of sleep that works best for you is what matters. Feeling energized and making sure you are functioning at your optimal level. Managing sleep is about trying to figure out a schedule that works for your body and making sure you stick with it.
Sleep Is Good For Your Health
We all know that feeling you get when you’ve had a good night’s rest. You feel like you can take on anything that is thrown at you throughout the day. There’s a reason for this. Getting enough sleep helps with brain function during the day.
Have you ever had to talk to someone that was tired and it takes them a while to respond to what was being said? Well that’s because the neurons in the brain are not functioning at full capacity due to not getting enough rest. A tired brain makes it not only hard to communicate with people, but also retain any information that is given.
Getting enough sleep is not only good for your mental health, but it can be good for you physically as well. Sleeping helps the body repair muscles and tissues and also boost your immune system In order to wake up fresh and energized, getting quality sleep is a must.
Also not getting enough sleep can be linked to many causes of poor health, like weight gain, high blood pressure and depression. Lack of sleep can take a toll on your mood, energy and judgement. Your ability to handle stress can also be affected by your lack of sleep. By understanding your sleep habits, you can make sure to recover from loss of sleep.
Are You Getting Enough Rest?
How do you feel when you you wake up from a night’s rest? Do you feel like you could use another 1-2 more hours of sleep? If so, maybe you are not getting enough rest.
There could be many reasons why you may not be getting a sufficient amount of sleep during the night. Maybe you work the night shift and you find it hard to sleep during the day with all the light and excess noise.
In a caffeine driven world we live in today, we need to be alert in order to complete tasks on time. So we tend to make caffeine our breakfast, lunch and dinner.
You can’t step outside in the morning without someone having a cup of coffee or energy drink in their hand to get them through the day.
Now I’m not here to bash coffee drinkers, because coffee definitely has its benefits, but when taken in amounts that can affect sleep, then there should be some cause for concern.
Assess your Sleep Pattern
A helpful way of trying to figure out your sleep pattern is when the next time you are on vacation from work. Try waking up without an alarm clock for a week. I say a week because a couple of days like during the weekend, your body is still trying to catch up on all the sleep it has missed due to your hectic work schedule.
So try waking up without an alarm clock and find out when your body naturally wakes up. From there you can determine what time you need to go to bed in order to get the amount of sleep needed to function properly the next morning.
Quality vs Quantity
Although the amount of rest you get is important, the quality of your sleep is equally important. If you see yourself waking up multiple times during the night, even if you get the recommended amount of sleep, you could still find yourself tired due to being restless.
You want to make sure you are getting that deep sleep to ensure you are well rested for the following day. Making sure you limit your alcohol consumption or even smoking can be a big help in how you feel the next day.
So what are some of the ways you try to make sure you are getting a good nights rest every night? Please leave your comments and ideas below.