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This 450-calorie dinner is full of flavor (and 39g of protein!). Cooking Light’s Grilled Chicken with Tomato Avocado Salad uses homemade buttermilk dressing to balance the heat of the chicken. Chicken is a high-quality protein that is naturally low in sodium. Avocado delivers twice the amount of potassium than banana and is a good source of folic acid, vitamin E and B-vitamins. Grilled Chicken with Tomato Avocado Salad Ingredients
Directions Preheat grill to high heat. Combine first 9 ingredients in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Chill buttermilk mixture until ready to serve. Lightly coat chicken with cooking spray. Combine oil, onion powder, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and chipotle; rub evenly over chicken. Coat corn and onion with cooking spray. Arrange chicken, corn, and onion on grill rack; grill 8 minutes or until done, turning chicken and onion once and corn occasionally. Remove from grill; let stand 5 minutes. Cut corn kernels from cobs. Slice chicken. Arrange 1 breast on each of 4 plates. Arrange 2 yellow and 2 red tomato slices on each plate. Top each serving with 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes. Divide corn, onion, and avocado evenly among plates. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt over salads. Drizzle about 1 1/2 tablespoons dressing over each salad. Nutrition Information Serves: 4 | Serving Size: 1 breast and 1/4 of salad recipe Per serving: Calories: 446; Total Fat: 23g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 10g; Cholesterol: 79mg; Sodium: 618mg; Total Carbohydrate: 24g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugars: 7g; Protein: 39g Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 904mg; Vitamin A: 24%; Vitamin C: 57%; Calcium 6%; Iron: 18% The post Grilled Chicken with Tomato Avocado Salad | Recipe appeared first on Under Armour. Source: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/grilled-chicken-with-tomato-avocado-salad/via Blogger Grilled Chicken with Tomato Avocado Salad | Recipe If you work out, you break a sweat because when you exercise, you’re increasing your body’s core temperature. Sweating is the body’s way of cooling itself down, so while it may not always be pretty, it’s completely normal — and healthy, too. But does the amount you sweat matter? What if you’re dripping after a run or an indoor cycling class, and the person on the bike next to you is perfectly dry? Does that mean they’re they more fit than you or that you worked harder? Beat the heat with Under Armour Coolswitch gear, designed to cool your body and skin so you can perform longer when the heat rises. No matter what, it’s important to know the ins and outs of sweating — and that when it comes to sweat, it isn’t quite black and white. We chatted with experts to find answers to common questions about sweating and what it all means. 1. WHY DO SOME INDIVIDUALS SWEAT MORE THAN OTHERS? There are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to the amount you sweat — age, body size, fitness level, hydration, body-fat percentage and size of sweat glands, to name a few. Different combinations of these characteristics can cause different degrees of sweating. “In runners, a bigger, unfit person may sweat a lot because they get uncontrollably hot during exercise,” says Chris Stevens , PhD, a lecturer at the School of Health and Human Sciences at Southern Cross University who specializes in exercise and sports science. “However, a well-trained runner who often exercises in the heat will also sweat a lot due to a conditioned, heat-acclimation response, that occurs early on during exercise to prevent that athlete from becoming too hot.” WATCH > FIT TIPS: STAYING ACTIVE THROUGH HOT WEATHER 2. IS IT UNHEALTHY NOT TO SWEAT A LOT? As mentioned, sweating helps cool the body’s core temperature, so sweating is healthy. If you’re not sweating, you need to look at the reasons why. First, you could be dehydrated. “If it is hot outside and you’re planning to work out intensely, you might want to cut back on coffee and alcohol and increase your consumption of water,” suggests Michelle Lovitt, CSCS, a fitness expert and coach in Los Angeles. Lack of hydration not only affects how much you sweat, but it can also cause dizziness and cramps. If you’re well hydrated, working out hard and still not sweating a lot, it’s not necessarily a cause for concern as long as your body isn’t overheating. “It is a matter of efficiency, and how effectively you are able to cool your body during activity and when you are in hot and humid environments,” explains Neal Pire, CSCS, the national director of wellness services at Castle Connolly Private Health Partners in New York City. 3. IS SWEATING A BAROMETER FOR WORKOUT INTENSITY? While it can be, sweating doesn’t always correlate with exercise intensity. “With increased intensity, the body works harder, meaning core temperature is elevated, and sweating helps to cool your core,” explains Lovitt. “However, if the intensity is high and you are dehydrated, you won’t be able to sweat and cool your body down efficiently.” Environment also plays a role when it comes to sweating. We sweat more during light exercise in a hot and humid environment, compared to heavy exercise in a cold and dry environment, explains Stevens. Plus, ambient conditions affect your body’s ability to perform at high intensity levels. “For example, playing hard, 2-on-2 basketball outside in 50-degree, dry weather, you will be able to work harder and longer, than you will trying the same in 90-degree weather, with 50% relative humidity, where sweating, and thus body cooling, is impeded,” says Pire. READ MORE > 7 WAYS TO SURVIVE WORKOUTS ON BRUTALLY HOT DAYS 4. DO FITTER PEOPLE SWEAT EARLIER AND MORE IN THEIR WORKOUTS? Generally speaking, yes. “Fitter people tend to be more heat-acclimated even if they don’t train a lot in hot environments,” says Stevens. “Heat acclimation occurs when our body experiences hotter temperatures, and the body adapts with an earlier onset of sweat and increased sweat volume.” In other words, a fit individual’s body is efficient and used to regulating body temperature at various intensities. 5. DOES THE AMOUNT YOU SWEAT CORRELATE TO YOUR FITNESS LEVEL? The more heat you build up, the more you sweat, reiterates Pire, but that doesn’t necessarily directly relate to your fitness level. “While highly fit athletes sweat a lot due to acclimation, highly unfit athletes can sweat a lot due to overheating,” says Stevens. 6. DOES SWEATING DETOXIFY THE BODY? Don’t believe everything you hear. “While sweating is healthy, the kidney and liver are responsible for detoxing your body, not sweat,” explains Lovitt. The post Everything You Want to Know About Sweat and Sweating appeared first on Under Armour. Source: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/everything-you-want-to-know-about-sweat-and-sweating/via Blogger Everything You Want to Know About Sweat and Sweating When it comes to living the longest, and the healthiest, the Japanese are Number 1 — quite literally. Children born in Japan today enjoy the best life expectancy of any country in the world: 84 years, according to the World Health Organization. Think the U.S. is close behind? You’d be wrong: The average life expectancy stateside is 79 years. And you’d have to drop down the list by nearly three dozen places to find the U.S. even with nations like Cuba, Lebanon and Costa Rica. Japan’s secret is, in large part, the diet. A recent study by Japan’s National Centre for Global Health and Medicine found that people who stick to the United Nations’ Japanese dietary guidelines have a lower risk of all-cause mortality, including cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Here’s another comparison: Compared to 32 percent of Americans, only 3.6 percent of Japanese adults are obese. And Japanese adults are nearly three times less likely to be overweight than Americans, according to joint research from the University of Minnesota and Japan’s Masahiko Gemma Waseda University. Here’s a look at the best-kept secrets of Japanese living, and how you can put them to use for better health and weight loss. 1. START EATING SOY Japan’s reliance on plant-based protein, especially soy, pays off in terms of weight loss, according to Katie Ferraro, RD, MPH, an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco and the University of San Diego. Intake of soy protein — found in tofu, edamame, soybeans and tempeh — has been linked to weight loss, even when caloric intake doesn’t change. Researchers believe soy protein may influence hormonal levels and, thus, metabolic rate, to encourage weight loss. 2. SNACK SMART The typical Japanese food pattern consists of three meals per day and an “oyatsu,” or afternoon snack. “Compare that to the U.S., where snacks make up about 25 percent of average calorie intake and are generally snack foods of low nutritive value,” adds Ferraro. In Japan, snacks can range from rice balls to candy, but they usually come in small portions so they don’t tip the caloric scales. Plus, when it comes to less-than-healthy foods, an “all things in moderation” approach prevent the food deprivation that leads to rebound binges. 3. FILL UP ON FISH In Japan, beef, poultry and pork is extremely expensive — but the price tag translates into serious health benefits. People turn to fish for their primary source of animal protein, Ferrero says. In fact, most studies put Japan among the top three nations in the world in terms of fish consumption. “Fish is a great lean protein source that is low in saturated fat and also comes packed with vitamins and anti-inflammatory substances like omega-3 fatty acids,” says nutrition coach Amy Dix. Those compounds may promote healthy weight management, as vitamin deficiencies can compromise energy levels and metabolic rate while research in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has linked inflammation and weight gain. 4. PRACTICE HARA HACHI BUNME The Japanese island of Okinawa stresses a cultural habit known as hara hachi bu, which suggests that people should eat until they are 80 percent full. Dix considers this a tried-and-true weight-loss tip she passes on to her clients. “By stopping eating before we’re completely stuffed, we give our brain time to catch up with our belly,” she says. Most experts believe it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to register when your stomach is full. So by giving yourself this 80 percent buffer, you reduce the likelihood that you’ll overeat during any given meal. This also explains why research consistently shows that eating slowly promotes weight loss: it gives your brain time to register when you’re full — before you’re stuffed. 5. MOVE REGULARLY The Japanese diet doesn’t exist in a vacuum. In Japan, people don’t typically hit the gym like Americans do, but over all, they are still more active, according to Dix, who points out Japanese walk far more as a regular part of their lives due to the high costs of cars and the easy accessibility of public transportation. That simple extra daily movement impacts bone health, cardiovascular health, mental well being and body composition, among other health benefits. 6. DRINK TEA Tea isn’t just a calorie-free alternative to the sugar-packed beverages consumed by many Americans, it’s also packed with antioxidants that can aid in weight loss and overall health management, says Dix. Green tea in particular is rich in epigallocatechin gallate (a.k.a. EGCG), which research published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows can boost your workout performance by increasing how much oxygen your body can use as fuel per minute. READ MORE > 5 REASONS WHY WATER IS GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS 7. EAT FERMENTED FOODS Along with fermented soy, pickled foods are also a big part of the Japanese diet, which impacts gut health, according to Dix. While the gut microbiome is still a relatively new area of study, a 2015 study published in the journal Cell suggests that healthy changes in gut bacteria are linked to the conversion of energy-storing white fat to energy-burning brown fat. The result: weight loss. 8. START YOUR MEAL WITH SOUP Or, just make soup the focus of your meal as it often is in Japan, Ferraro says. Eating more soup (as long as it’s not cream-based) is a solid weight-loss strategy, as it’s not just lower in calories than most solid foods, but also incredibly filling. Research published in Appetite even shows that eating a bowl of low-cal soup as a pre-meal “appetizer” reduces people’s total caloric intake to promote weight loss. 9. HITTING THEIR MACROS The Japanese might not count their macronutrient and caloric intake like Americans tend to do, but they still do a great job at balancing carbohydrates, protein and fat at every meal, says Dix. Rice is certainly common in most Japanese meals, but contrary to what we see in Japanese restaurants here in the States, the serving sizes are often very small. Plus, that rice comes coupled with slow-to-digest, satiating ingredients like fibrous veggies and protein- and fat-rich fish and seafood. That’s why, even though people in Japan tend to eat much more rice than the average American, they have far fewer problems with blood sugar control. The post 9 Practical Weight Management Tips Inspired by Japan appeared first on Under Armour. Source: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/9-practical-weight%c2%ad-management-tips-inspired-japan/via Blogger 9 Practical Weight Management Tips Inspired by Japan Breakfast was at 8, lunch blew past you at noon, and dinner was unsatisfying at 6. Alas, it’s bedtime and that monster in your gut is gurgling feed me in a full-blown snack attack. What’s a calorie-counting guy or gal to do -- without breaking the calorie bank? For one, don’t judge yourself. Hunger happens, sometimes even after you’ve brushed your teeth. A late-night snack can actually help you sleep, balancing out digestion and hormones to help your body relax and rest. When it comes to late-night snacking, moderation is key. Digestion slows down at slumber time, so too much of anything -- even a good thing -- can make you uncomfortable or disrupt your digestion. READ MORE > SMARTER SNACKING STRATEGIES FOR WEIGHT LOSS Before you venture forth into an all-out bunny slipper buffet, take a pause and learn how to snack responsibly. We’re here to spoon-feed you some delicious, satisfying, low-calorie, late-night bites to tame the hungry beast within. SOMETHING HOT One of our favorites is a hot cup of bouillon or broth (about 50 calories) or Thai tom yum soup made from paste (50–100 calories for 1–2 tablespoons of paste stirred into a mug of hot water). We’ve noticed warm food feels more filling than cold, and the volume of the liquid tricks your stomach into thinking it has ingested something hearty. A FEW CARBS Carbohydrates are often praised for their ability to help us sleep in small doses; they help increase the level of tryptophan in the blood, a hormone that helps us count the zzz’s. There’s a slice of toast, of course. Popcorn has just 130 calories for 1/4 of an unpopped cup. Even if it’s popped with a rounded teaspoon of olive oil, that adds another 50 calories. To make it more satisfying, a tablespoon of nutritional yeast adds just 20 extra calories, plus a ton of flavor and some very toothsome B vitamins to boot. And our pal the crunchy pretzel? Just 120 calories for 22 pretzels. Dip them in the yellow mustard of your choice for extra zing. A whole-grain cereal with a half-cup of milk can have as little as 160 calories -- just be sure to read the label before you pour. FRUITS & VEGETABLES Of course fruits and vegetables are calorie-counting friendly and often full of fiber, making them a great late-night choice to sate your snacking. The classics should not be messed with: a stalk of celery stuffed with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice) hovers around 110 calories. A cut-up apple beneath a scant sprinkling of granola or hot cocoa mix really satisfies a sweet tooth without tipping the scales (and it’s less than 110 calories!) Feeling like some late-night kitchen wizardry? Squeeze a lemon over a diced carrot, celery stalk and apple; add two tablespoons of diced walnuts. You’ll have a stunning faux-Waldorf salad for less than 200 calories. Take that, hunger! READ MORE > 7 HEALTHY SNACKS UNDER 200 Calories A BIT OF DAIRY While bedtime is not protein power-boost time, a little bit of dairy can go a long way in helping you feel full enough to count some sheep. A half of a banana sliced into a cup of plain yogurt, or 1/2 cup of blueberries spooned into a cup of cottage cheese all truly satisfy for less than 200 calories. Or, beat hunger-induced insomnia with a stick of string cheese -- meditatively peeling one string at a time -- at just 80 late-night calories. However you crunch the numbers, embrace a sensible choice in the late-night snack of your dreams. The post Best Thing to Eat if … You Need a Midnight Snack appeared first on Under Armour. Source: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/best-thing-eat-need-midnight-snack/via Blogger Best Thing to Eat if … You Need a Midnight Snack We cover a lot of ground when it comes to nutrition at MyFitnessPal. Some of the topics can be tricky and deserve further explanation from our experts. That’s why I’m here! We asked you for your burning questions on our Facebook page, and we got more than 140 responses. Every few weeks, I’ll pick a few of your questions to answer in detail. This installment is all about calories. Cutting back on calories is the primary approach most people take to meet their weight-loss goals. But it is possible to take calorie restriction too far, ultimately making weight loss more difficult by slowing your metabolism? When your body senses you’re not getting enough nutrients from food, it may slow down your metabolism as protection against the possibility of starvation. As a general rule, most people need at least 1,200 calories to feed their everyday activities, metabolism and bodily mechanisms. People who are more active and exercise regularly usually need more. A diet with too few calories may not only hinder weight-loss efforts, but could also make it difficult to meet your daily vitamin and mineral needs, and have an overall negative impact on your health. And depending on how much you are exercising, too few calories means not enough fuel to execute optimal calorie burn. READ MORE > WHAT 1,200 CALORIES A DAY LOOKS LIKE [INFOGRAPHIC] Protein is a very good thing — it regulates blood sugar, preserves muscle strength and is essential in helping the body build and repair cells, muscles, organs and skin. It also takes more energy to digest than sugar and refined carbohydrates and keeps us full. Most of us have little trouble meeting the minimum amount; the average American consumes about double the amount of protein we actually need. Eggs, chicken and the occasional protein shake are good, but make sure you’re looking beyond just protein and getting in enough plant-based foods like fruits, veggies and whole grains, too. As far as too much, there are no rigorous long-term studies that can give us an exact answer. But what we do know is this: There does seem to be a limit on how much protein the body can use at a given time. One study from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that, on average, subjects who ate 90 grams of protein in one meal got the exact same health benefits as those who ate 30 grams. When you’re meal-planning, consider the whole package: fats, good carbs, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients found in whole foods (something protein shakes and powders often lack). Aim to include foods that deliver some healthy fat and fiber with each meal, and go for variety. Add fish and plant-based proteins like legumes, whole grains and nuts to your diet, too. Here’s a great tool that’ll give you a rough idea of target protein intake, based on your individual needs. Got another burning question for me? Keep them coming! Ask away in the comment section below, and keep up with our Facebook page for more opportunities to Ask the Dietitian. The post Am I Eating Too Few Calories to Lose Weight? | Ask the Dietitian appeared first on Under Armour. Source: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/eating-calories-lose-weight-ask-dietitian/via Blogger Am I Eating Too Few Calories to Lose Weight? | Ask the Dietitian Ah, summer. The moment you step outside, it feels like you’ve walked into an oven — it’s a lot easier to stay indoors or choose the comfort of an air-conditioned gym. But what happens if you have to train outdoors? In those situations, you need special strategies to withstand brutally hot days while still maintaining your highest level of performance. We’ve compiled the best tips to keep you as cool and comfortable as possible during workouts when the thermometer looks like it might just explode. 1. DRINK MORE FLUIDS BEFORE AND DURING YOUR TRAINING. When it’s hot, you’ll sweat more than usual so it’s important to replace your fluid levels and electrolytes. First, win the battle by hydrating before you step outside. Then, bring plenty of fluids with you so you can stay hydrated as you exercise. If you’re going to go outside for more than 30 minutes, drink a hydration mix or electrolyte drink to help replenish what you lose. Sweat contains about 3 grams of salt per liter so, if you’re only drinking water, you’ll constantly lose sodium, which can hurt your physical performance. (The rule of thumb is to drink enough liquid so your urine is clear or slightly yellow.) Also, choose a water bottle that keeps your liquids cool for added relief from the heat like Under Armour’s insulated bottles. 2. AVOID THE WORST TIMES OF DAY If you’re planning to train on a hot day, do it during the most bearable times of the days — Think: early morning, late afternoon or night. Generally speaking, the hottest time of day occurs between 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. The temperature is usually hottest in the early afternoon, but noon means a high sun and sparse shade. 3. CHOOSE A SHADY ROUTE Direct sunlight can make you feel really hot; soon, the sunlight feels like it’s beating down on you. Make shade your best friend. Whether you’re running for miles or doing sports-specific drills, choose a path or area that’s well shaded for your exercise. For example, jog along a tree-lined street or do agility drills in a park full of trees. If there aren’t many trees around you, use buildings to your advantage. For example, on an afternoon jog, run on the western side of a north-south street so the buildings block the worst of the sunlight. 4. MIND THE HUMIDITY Humidity can make a 90-degree day feel like 105 because your body cools itself by sweating: As the sweat evaporates from your skin, it helps you feel cooler. When it’s humid, however, that process gets reduced because the air is already so moist. Don’t just look at the thermometer; look at the “heat index,” which also factors how hot the weather feels. That way, you’ll know when you can train and when you should wait for cooler temperatures. 5. WEAR LIGHTWEIGHT, LIGHT-COLORED CLOTHING. The clothes you wear make a massive difference in how hot or cool you feel while exercising outside. For example, there’s a huge difference between a regular cotton T-shirt and a featherweight compression top that wicks away your sweat to keep you feeling cool and dry. Wear heat-specific clothing and choose bright colors to reflect sunlight and heat. Under Armour Coolswitch is a great choice for brutal summer days — it’s engineered fabric breathes extremely well, wicks sweat and even offers UV protection from the sun’s harmful rays. 6. WEAR SUNSCREEN Hot, sunny days mean strong ultraviolet rays and quick sunburns. If you’re exercising outdoors for more than a few minutes, make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. It might actually help you feel cooler. READ MORE > 6 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR SKIN HEALTHY IN THE SUN 7. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY For extreme temperatures, I wear a heart-rate monitor so I know how my body is handling the added stress. For example, when it’s hot, the same amount of work that would’ve made your heart rate 140bpm on a mild day could push it upwards of 160bpm. In that case, I would slow down my training to keep my heart rate at a comparable level to match what it is at moderate temperatures. That way, I’m not adding more stress and difficulty to my body than I should. The post 7 Ways to Survive Workouts on Brutally Hot Days appeared first on Under Armour. Source: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/7-ways-to-survive-workouts-on-brutally-hot-days/via Blogger 7 Ways to Survive Workouts on Brutally Hot Days Each summer day is a precious opportunity. It’s a season that provides a unique platform to propel yourself toward being a different level of athlete. This is your chance to take control. Don’t end the summer asking yourself if you could’ve done more with your training. Soon enough, fall will hit us, and then the holidays — and many things will be out of your control. You’ll get buried in schoolwork, real work, every type of work that will take you away from improving as an athlete. So take advantage now. The only doubt that can ever come out of summer training will be: “Did I do enough?”— and that’s something completely, unequivocally, in your control. Beat the heat with Under Armour Coolswitch gear, designed to cool your body and skin so you can perform longer when the temps rise. These four tips will help you motivate to make the most of the upcoming hot summer days. 1. START NOW There’s no other stretch of the year when you’re without the obligations of some of the other responsibilities in your life. School’s out. The next season is months away. You have Summer Fridays at work. Kids are away at camp. Everyone’s got some extra time on their hands. But this is also a recipe that can lead to complacency. Don’t look at the three months of summer and think, “Hey, I can relax for a while. I’ll find the motivation to workout at some point before it’s over.” These months aren’t permanent. They’ll come and go, and before you know it you’ll look up and the season/marathon/weight goal is a week away. If you’re serious about improving as an athlete, strive to be better every day, not just when it’s convenient. READ MORE > 7 BENEFITS TO GETTING OUT IN NATURE 2. SET BENCHMARKS Tracking your progress is the best way to make sure (you guessed it) you make real progress. Having a week-by-week measure of accountability will not only keep you on a schedule, but it will inspire you as you see your statistics climb. No great leap in athleticism happens overnight, but it’s encouraging to see it build slowly. Apps like MyFitnessPal, UA Record or MapMyFitness will make this process even easier. Being able to track all your fitness goals and caloric intake online or on your phone is a luxury previous athletes didn’t have. It will give you an easy to follow and digestible readout of how effective your training truly is. 3. REMEMBER: PEOPLE ARE COUNTING ON YOU Seriously, they are. Your family, friends, coworkers. This isn’t supposed to add extra pressure. It’s supposed to add a healthy dose of anxiety to the relaxing summer months. People want to see you succeed. Train with them. You don’t have to go it alone. If you’re working toward the same cause, train together. Having someone there to pick you up, or being able to pick up someone else, during the emptying training days of summer is crucial. Rely on those people in your life to stay on course. 4. LEARN HOW TO REWARD YOURSELF This isn’t supposed to be a doomsday lecture about how grueling your summer needs to be in order to reach your athletic pinnacle. Be responsible with your training, and be responsible with everything else. You deserve time off, you deserve to relax and you deserve to be rewarded. But it should be timely. Be self-aware about the type of athlete you want to be and the intensity of training that entails. Treat your body with respect. Take the day off when you deserve it. READ MORE > 19 WAYS TO TRICK YOURSELF INTO WORKING OUT (WHEN YOU WANT TO DO ANYTHING BUT) Indulge in a meal. Spend time away from anything training-related. When reflecting on the summer, you should feel accomplished in more than just your feats of athleticism. Have fun. Make memories with friends and family. Having said that, keep your priorities in line, and remember this: This summer is yours for the taking. The post 4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Fitness This Summer appeared first on Under Armour. Source: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/summer-fitness-a-precious-opportunity/via Blogger 4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Fitness This Summer Why do Chicagoans put up with Chicago winters? Chicago summers. They are glorious. And whether you call the Windy City home or you’re just visiting, it is, in our opinion, the best town for an active, adventurous summer. From free workouts to outdoor yoga, farmers markets to stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Michigan, Chicago’s fitness scene is on point. Here are 14 fit-and-active experiences to put on your Chicago summer bucket list: 1. STRETCH ALONG THE SKYLINE Rooftops are synonymous with summer here, but try switching that glass of rosé for your yoga mat. Bottom Line Yoga gives you the whole package: You get to take in Chicago’s gorgeous skyline while doing sun salutations. And its classes aren’t on just any rooftops: You’ll be doing downward dogs on top of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Civic Opera Building. 2. BRUNCH & BURN There’s no reason your fitness plan needs to exclude everyone’s favorite meal and Brunch X Burn gets that. Its events combine working out, brunch and charitable giving. You read that right. Your high-energy workout and brunch all go to a good cause. Buy tickets early — they’re in high demand. READ MORE > 8 SUMMER VACATION STRATEGIES TO HELP (NOT HURT) WEIGHT LOSS 3. WORK OUT FOR FREE IN MILLENNIUM PARK All the fun things to do in Chicago during the summer add up fast. Luckily, our city comes through with free morning classes from top fitness centers, like the East Bank Club, Great Lakes Tai Chi and Moksha Yoga Center. You’d be a fool not to hit up the Great Lawn of Pritzker Pavilion for a string of classes on Saturday mornings. It’s the perfect opportunity to try something new and save up for that warm vacation come February. 4. DANCE FOR FREE IN MILLENNIUM PARK After the workout classes end, there’s still fun to be had. You can catch incredible live performances every Monday and Thursday from June 12 to August 21. Not to mention Chicago’s Blues and Jazz festivals are both on the summer calendar. 5. DANCE (BUT NOT FOR FREE) AT MUSIC FESTIVALS Chicago loves music festivals, and that means the city has some of the best in the country. Whether it’s the iconic Lollapalooza, high-energy Spring Awakening or totally chill Pitchfork, you can expect the world’s best bands and artists and festival-goers from all over the world. And don’t forget that fitness tracker — you’ll hit your step goal (two-fold) and without even realizing it. 6. RUN THE LAKEFRONT & THE 606 While the city offers tons of sidewalks to run, waiting at stoplights and stop signs can really halt your momentum. That’s why paths are just the best. Chicago has two amazingly scenic ones, with the 18-mile Lakefront Trail on the east (one of MapMyRun users’ favorites in the U.S.) and the brand-new 606 Trail on the west. 7. RUN A HALF MARATHON THAT ROCKS (AND ROLLS) Leave the headphones at home — July’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Half Marathon features live music along the sidelines as you run through Grant Park, New East Side, Streeterville, River North, Loop, West Loop, South Loop, Prairie Shores and the Near South Side. Half marathon isn’t for you? There are also 5K and 10K options. 8. SUP WITH THE SKYLINE Standup paddleboarding is one of the latest (and greatest) trends in watersports, and it’s no surprise why. It’s the perfect way to mix up your workout while taking in our beautiful city. Chicago SUP will set you up with the board. And with lessons and group classes available, it’s fun for all fitness levels, an office outing or the fitness fanatic’s birthday celebration. 9. INDULGE AT TASTE OF CHICAGO Second to only Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago is one of Chicagoans’ favorite summer festivals. Between dozens of local food vendors, fun activity stations and free concerts (by big names like Passion Pit, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and Alessia Cara), Taste is without a doubt the best place to have a cheat day … or week. 10. WORK OUT AT THE BEACH Go ahead and eat at Taste, because with Montrose Beach and North Avenue Beach open and ready for activities, you’ll burn it all off in no time. Take in the gorgeous city while kayaking, jetskiing, doing yoga with Sun and Moon Beach Yoga, standup paddleboarding … or combine those last two with SUP Yoga. 11. FIND YOUR INNER ACROBAT When it comes to summer workouts, the sky’s the limit. No, seriously. Chicago has its very own outdoor trapeze school that includes aerial workshops and flying trapeze at its outdoor set-up right off Belmont Harbor where you can stunt and swing to amazing lake views. READ MORE > 10 BEAUTIFUL PARKS & GREEN SPACES IN SAN FRANCISCO 12. JOIN A SUMMER SPORTS LEAGUE Miss the days of group volleyball, soccer and dodgeball? Chicago has no shortage of summer social leagues. Grab your closest friends — or make new ones — while playing all your favorite childhood sports. Whether you’re with Chicago Sport & Social, S3 or Players, you’ll have just as much fun as you did in all those rec leagues or gym classes … and get awesome matching shirts to boot. 13. KAYAK THE CHICAGO RIVER Move your workout to the water and take in gorgeous views as you paddle. With solo or tandem options from Kayak Chicago, it’s the perfect activity to do alone or with buddies on a sunny afternoon. Added bonus: Once your hour is up, you can just pop on over to the beach for a dip. 14. GET YOUR FOODIE ON AT FARMERS MARKETS Though Chicago is lucky enough to have farmers markets year round, the selection vastly expands and heads outdoors in the summer, making it even more fun to peruse with kids or your pup. Whether you’re an avid cook or just love organic produce, fresh smoothies, crepes and tacos, this is a little piece of foodie paradise. Our picks are the Logan Square Farmers Market or Lincoln Park Green City Market in the morning and Lincoln Square Farmers Market in the evening. The post 14 Reasons Why Chicago Is Our Fit Destination for Summer appeared first on Under Armour. Source: http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/14-reasons-chicago-fit-destination-summer/via Blogger 14 Reasons Why Chicago Is Our Fit Destination for Summer |
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November 2020
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