IN an effort to be healthier and improve quality of life, too many people resort to extreme diets or intense exercise regimes and then ‘fall off the wagon’ and wonder why they can’t keep it up for more than two weeks.
To make a change for good, incremental lifestyle changes are best, so you can sustain your efforts long-term. Here are our best-practice tips to help you achieve a better waistline, a clear mind, improved immunity, and higher energy levels.
Practice optimism. Stop thinking of physical activity as a chore, and start thinking of it as a gateway to a happy, healthy life. Find a sport or activity that you really enjoy, otherwise it just won't be sustainable. Head there with confidence, and grab a workout buddy if you need a little motivation!
Say no to the snooze button. If you are looking to boost your immune system and increase your energy levels, there is little else more powerful than a good night’s sleep. Although it’s tempting, hitting the snooze button confuses both your mind and body. That extra five minutes will leave you feeling groggy and may actually affect your ability to focus during the day.
Eat well! Your brain needs a good mix of nutrients to stay healthy and function properly, just like the other organs in your body. The key is not to count every calorie, but to simply be mindful of what you are putting into your body. Lean meats, leafy greens, nutritious grains, fruits, and vegetables will make your mind and body very happy.
Keep Active. Exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep, look and feel better.
Many people who aren’t naturally sporty or who feel a bit lost in the gym may be left wondering – exactly what exercise should I be doing and how often should I be doing it?
Exercise doesn’t just include team sports or going to the gym, but also walks in the park, gardening or housework can keep you active. More specifically, the World Health Organisation suggests 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a day, such as brisk walking.
How CurraNZ can help
The building research is showing that daily use of New Zealand blackcurrants can actually enhance the benefits of exercise by increasing how much fat you burn during activity, whether low or moderate-intensity. Plus, the muscle recovery effects mean that you’re more likely to keep up your exercise regime, too.
A brisk walking study conducted by the University of Chichester found that blackcurrant is more effective if taken daily over a longer period of time.
Under controlled conditions, participants took 600mg of CurraNZ every day for two weeks. The subjects performed a 30-minute moderate-intensity walking test at day 7 and day 14, in which their use of fat and carbohydrate were measured.
The study, entitled ‘Effects of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on whole-body fat oxidation during moderate intensity exercise in males’, showed:
- An average of 10% increase in fat oxidation after week one
- An average 16% increase in fat oxidation (fat burning) after week two
- No effect on fat oxidation when taken intermittently (every second day)
- Blackcurrant clearly favours fat as an energy source after longer intake
- The potential to deliver a greater degree of fat burning in overweight, obese and unhealthy people
Mark Willems, Professor in Exercise Physiology at the University of Chichester, says:
“After one week the fat oxidation effects are just getting started, but if you take it for longer, then blackcurrant becomes even more beneficial.
"This is the first blackcurrant study that has been tested on brisk walking in men who exercise approximately once or twice a week, and carries a wider health and fitness message for the general population.
"This study adds to the building picture that New Zealand blackcurrant is beneficial for health purposes when combined with exercise. It may help as well with muscle recovery and exercise program adherence, plus general weight management.
"It is fairly unique for a natural product and a berry to achieve these levels of increases in such a short space of time.”
One of our newest customers, Jo Trimarco, has noticed a number of these benefits herself. She said:
“I started taking one a day about 2 weeks ago as I had started back in the gym quite vigorously after a period of being lazy and piling on weight. She said it would help with training and general well being.
I have been steadily losing weight through exercise and diet but I do believe CurraNZ has also contributed towards the gradual weight lost.
I will most definitely keep taking CurraNZ and recommend to my active friends.”
If you have a busy life and can’t dedicate time to lengthy workouts, incorporating CurraNZ into your diet can maximise the effects of exercise, of both low and high intensity, providing you with solid support in your efforts to lead an all-round healthier life.
