Christina Anstead is getting back to work. The Christina on the Coast star revealed that shell soon return to filming her HGTV show. Plus, she announced a premiere date for additional season 2 episodes of her reality series, which focuses on her Southern California design business and life with her three children and husband Ant Anstead.

RELATED: HGTVs Christina Anstead Shares What Keeps Her On Track With Diet and Exercise During Quarantine

Christina on the Coast premiered in May 2019 and has become a hit for HGTV. Season 2 of the Flip or Flop stars solo show premiered in January 2020. Now, a third season is in the works.

I officially start filming for Season 3 this month, Anstead wrote in her July 1 Instagram announcement. Fans can expect 13 new episodes to air sometime in 2021, the 36-year-old revealed.

Anstead who was formerly married to her Flip or Flop co-star Tarek El Moussa had some additional good news for fans. More season 2 episodes of Christina on the Coast are set to air in August.

SO happy to announce the next 5 episodes of #christinaonthecoast will air on @hgtv August 6th and they are now all 1-hour episodes, she wrote.

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It may appear that we are social distancing but we actually prefer to stand 10 feet apart! . For the last episode of season 9, I had a goal to find the nastiest, most disgusting house I could possibly find. . Based on her face, I accomplished my goal! This house has feces, urine, rats, mice, flys, nats, termites, cockroaches and a few dead birds. . As you can see, shes standing in the original pink carpet that has been covered with furniture for 30 years. . My favorite part about flipping a disgusting house like this is the horrific look on Christinas face!!. . Are you ready to see the all new season of Flip or Flop coming out October 2020??

A post shared by Tarek El Moussa (@therealtarekelmoussa) on Jun 26, 2020 at 6:31pm PDT

RELATED: Christina Anstead and Her Ex Tarek El Moussa Come Together to Support Their Daughter in the Sweetest Way

Though Anstead and El Moussa split in 2016, they continue to collaborate professionally (and co-parent their two kids). HGTV viewers can see them in action on the upcoming season of Flip or Flop. New episodes begin airing October 15. From the sound of things, the flips will be wilder than ever.

This season has 2 of the most disgusting homes Ive ever walked and if you have seen the turkey episode, thats saying a lot, Anstead shared on Instagram. (In the turkey episode, Anstead and El Moussa bought a house where someone had left a raw turkey out on the kitchen counter for months, leading to some pretty disgusting smells.)

El Moussa confirmed that for the last house of the new season, his goal was to find the nastiest, most disgusting house. He shared a series of photos from the property on Instagram, and it looks like he hit the mark.

Based on [Ansteads] face, I accomplished my goal! This house has feces, urine, rats, mice, flies, gnats, termites, cockroaches and a few dead birds, he wrote. As you can see, shes standing in the original pink carpet that has been covered with furniture for 30 years. My favorite part about flipping a disgusting house like this is the horrific look on Christinas face!!

In addition to her work as a designer and television personality, Anstead is now a published author. Her first book, The Wellness Remodel, was co-written with nutritionist Cara Clark and focuses on rebooting your life by changing your approach to diet, exercise, and mindfulness. Its inspired by Ansteads own efforts to remake her life after she faced a series of health problems and personal struggles. She hopes it helps other people learn to listen to their bodies, she told Parade.

If your instinct is telling you that something is off, thats when its probably time to try to figure it out, she said. I hope our book will offer some strategies to help you reset a bit!

Continued here:
Christina Anstead Reveals She's Getting Back to Work on Her HGTV Show - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Its no secret that stress is bad for your health, but did you know that getting worked up could make those workouts less effective?

Its all to do with your hormones, and how the stress response causes your body to act up.

Nutritionist Libby Limon explained: Stress hormones, particularly cortisol, signal the brain to lay down or hoard fatty stores. This is driven by evolutionary and biological rationales.

When youre getting stressed out and anxious - something many Britons have felt during the last few months due to the coronavirus crisis - your body can work against you.

If the body is in a stressed state, it means that it needs to conserve energy by storing it as fat so it can deal with the cause of the stress, explained Libby.

Chances are, a lot of this will be stored around your middle, which is why belly fat can be so hard to lose if you're stressed.

READ MORE:Weight loss: Woman lost more than seven stone with this slimming plan

Libby recommended making sure youre prioritising your emotional wellness at the same time as focusing on your physique, in order to better achieve your weight loss goals.

Finding a way to switch off and relax, as well as working through any problems is important, Libby advised

Everything from regular walks to gardening or being in nature, yoga, exercise and meditation to reading are good for this.

However, while managing your stress levels by taking time out is key to keeping those hormones in check, you may also want to look at the very foods you are eating.

While you may be trying to cut down on calories, its important to remember that theyre not all created equal.

From a dietary perspective if you are trying to lose weight, be mindful of not just how many calories you consume but also what those calories are made up of, warned Libby.

The very foods you eat could affect your cortisol levels - so your stress can affect your diet and vice versa.

High sugar foods can spike blood sugar; this causes the release of insulin, another hormone which also drives weight gain, explained Libby.

Often the body can then also rebound with low blood sugar, that drives cravings and cortisol production.

Having balanced meals which contain adequate protein (at least 20g) and abundant vegetables that give complex carbs and fibres, will help balance blood sugar, manage cortisol and energy levels, Libby added.

This approach will mean you feel fuller for longer, as you work with your bodys hormones rather than battling against them.

Whats more, if you are dealing with raised stress levels, you can change certain elements to your diet to make you feel calmer.

Even what you drink can affect your state of mind - and reaching for a mug of coffee for an energy boost could be doing more harm than good.

High doses of caffeine can make the body create even more stress hormones, which is why you may feel jittery after a few too many cappuccinos.

Switching to matcha green tea could help, however, as it contains a substance which has a relaxing effect.

Green tea does contain some caffeine, but less than coffee, revealed Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart, medical nutritionist.

But the primary reason that tea is a better choice when were stressed is thanks to its content of a natural substance called L-theanine, which is virtually unique to the tea plant. L-theanine has been found to have a relaxing effect on the mind, reduce anxiety, and help with focus and concentration. Its thought to do this by increasing alpha waves in the brain, which are associated with being calm but alert i.e. increasing relaxation without causing drowsiness.

Matcha green tea has a particularly high percentage of the wonder ingredient, so switching your morning caffeine fix to the herbal alternative such as Pukkas Supreme Matcha Green Teawill help you feel alert, but calm. For tea lovers looking for a more soothing brew, try the brands Relax Tea fusion for a dose of relaxation.

Other herbal remedies can also help; Libby recommended a natural supplement such as Link Nutrition Relax capsules to balance out your stress hormones and your mood.

It contains chromium, which is key for blood sugar balance, as well as cortisol-balancing herbs, ashwagandha and ginseng, Libby revealed.

Several studies have proven that ashwagandha can significantly reduce and regulate your bodys cortisol levels.

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently, see more details here.

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Weight loss: Why reducing lockdown stress is the key to getting rid of belly fat - Express

From Women's Health

Halle Berry says that her diabetes diagnosis drastically changed how she eats.

Since then, she's cut out sugar, white carbs, and conventional wine in order to manage her condition and feel as healthy as possible.

Today, Halle enjoys low-sugar berries, low-carb comfort foods like zucchini noodles and cauliflower mash, and organic keto wine.

As huge a part of my life as fitness is, I really believe that what we put in our mouths has the biggest impact on our health of any aspect of our lifestyle.

I've seen the profound power of food firsthandand throughout my life, I've made significant changes to my diet in order to support my health and well-being. Ever since being diagnosed with diabetes at 22, there are certain foods I just won't touch anymore.

People often ask me if it's hard to avoid certain foods and if I miss themand my answer? Not at ALL.

I'll admit, it's true that changing the way you eat is often incredibly difficult at first. (Believe me, I remember the mood swings and the cravings!) But after some timefor me, it was about three weeksthose cravings disappear and taste buds change. Honestly, I feel infinitely healthier and more vibrant after giving a few specific foods the bootand I wouldn't go back for the world.

Of course, everyone's journey towards their optimal health looks a little different, but saying goodbye to the following foods has made all of the difference for me (particularly in regards to managing my diabetes).

When I was 19 or 20 years old, right before I was diagnosed with diabetes, I was a complete sugar addict. I started the day with some sort of sugary cereal like Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs and I always, always had a candy bar or some sort of hard candy (Jolly Ranchers and Hot Tamales were my go-to's) on me. I was sugared-up all the time.

After my diagnosis, though, it was like a switch flipped. My health was on the line, so I went cold turkey on my sugar-filled ways. Out the window went the candy, the desserts, and even super-sweet fruit. At first, it was hard. I'd relied so much on sugar my entire life that I had headaches and terrible mood swings when I quit.

Story continues

Within a few weeks, though, I started to feel better. Eventually, my desire to eat sugar completely disappeared. I didn't even like the flavor anymore. Now, even if you put a giant plate of dessert in front of me, I am zero percent interested. The only time I eat sweets these days is on my kid's birthdaysand that's for them, not me! I'll snack on low-sugar fruits like blackberries and raspberries, but that's about it.

After giving sugar the boot, I quickly learned that the body breaks down refined carbs straight into sugar, so I swore off those in order to better manage my diabetes, too. I ditched rice (yes, even brown rice), pasta, and breadand never looked back.

I know some of you are wondering, how could you ever swear off bread? But just like with sugar, when you give your body enough time without it, your palette changes and it loses its appeal. (Bonus perk: I no longer miss out on a beautiful meal out at a restaurant because I've filled up on the bread basket.)

As I cut these white carbs out of my diet and learned more about a keto lifestyle, I began to cut back on high-carb foods further and swap in low-carb alternatives and plenty of healthy fats.

So, instead of having mashed potatoes, I make cauliflower mash with butter and salt. It's so delicious and creamy, my kids don't even know the difference. Or, when my kids eat pasta, I opt for zucchini noodles. These simple swaps make it easy for me to enjoy a meal with my kids and still nourish my body in the way that works for me.

For me, the final piece of the puzzle was wine. I have always loved wine, but as I upgraded the rest of my lifestyle to manage my diabetes and feel as healthy as possible, I wondered if there was a better way to enjoy my wine.

When I discovered Dry Farm Wines a few years ago, I was intrigued. Their natural, organic, and biodynamic wines don't contain any added sugars or chemicals, so they're low-sugar enough to be keto-friendly and don't have as much alcohol as the average bottle.

The earthier, hearty flavor of these wines took some getting used to at first, but now I'd rather drink them than anything. While conventional wines often got me buzzed fast and left me with a headache, these did not. Yet again, I wouldn't go back to the old stuff for a second.

Halle Berry is a producer, director, and actress. Now known as one of the fittest women in Hollywood, Halle recently launched rspin, a community for stories, conversations, and products for health and wellness seekers. In her weekly WH column and #FitnessFriday Instagram posts, she shares a personal look into her own health and fitnessalong with the tips, tricks, and advice behind her famously fit physique.

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Halle Berry Cut These 3 Things Out Of Her Diet Years Ago And Hasn't Looked Back Since - Yahoo Lifestyle

Working on the laptop all day? Try this one exercise regularly to avoid eye strain |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: The coronavirus pandemic led to lockdowns all around the world, as social distancing and staying at home became absolutely necessary to flatten the curve. As most workplaces were shut and people worked from home, the lines between working hours and non-working hours started to blur, so much so, that some people found themselves working for way longer than they are actually supposed to.

Apart from hampering personal and social life and disturbing the work-life balance, working on the laptops for long hours, almost the entire day has also led to significant damage to the eyes. Screen-time was already a matter of concern, even before the pandemic, but with nothing to do except work or look at your phone or TV, people's eyes seem to be suffering.

Experts suggest that certain exercises can help to keep your eyes healthy. While there is no scientific evidence that suggests that exercises can reduce the risk of weak eyes, it sure can reduce strain and stress, and may also delay the process. A healthy, balanced diet must also accompany these exercises, and one must make a conscious effort to reduce screen-time and give proper rest to the eyes. It is also important to wear your contact lenses or glasses if you have been prescribed their use, and also get your eyes tested periodically.

This exercise can be done while sitting, and in fact, can be a good break from your work and constantly looking at the laptop. To perform this exercise -

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Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.

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Working on the laptop all day? Try this one exercise regularly to avoid eye strain - Times Now

(Bloomberg Opinion) -- In late March, Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock, Britains portly prime minister and its slender health secretary, both contracted Covid-19. Hancock had a mild case and was back to work a week later. Johnson was lucky to come out alive after a spell in intensive care.

Ever since then he has been on a mission. Johnson believes that being overweight was a factor in his contracting a more severe form of the disease, and a growing body of evidence backs that up. Ina study of 17,000 Covid-positive hospital patients, those with a body mass index of more than 30 (considered obese) had a 33% greater risk of dying than non-obese patients. A separate study of people in U.K. intensive care units for the condition found that 73% were either overweight, obese or morbidly obese.

The British prime minister once burnished his libertarian credentials by decrying sin taxes on producers of unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks, but the coronavirus has changed him. The food industry should prepare itself for the consequences.

The same connection between weight and Covid-19 has been borne out in other countries. In France, a study of people admitted to intensive care units at Lyon University Hospital, published in the Lancet, found 25% of severe cases were obese. Researchers at New York Universityhad similar findings.

Scientists are still trying to understand the connection better, but obesity seems to be a risk on various levels. Being significantly overweight puts greater strain on the heart and lungs, which makes fighting the virus more difficult. The infection enters the body through the enzyme ACE2, higher levels of which are found in adipose, or fatty, tissue (which obese people have more of).

The immune response in very overweight patients also seems to be compromised, due to the way a particular type of immune cell, called macrophages, invade the fat tissue and can sendthe bodys immune system into self-destructive overdrive. Hospital care may also be complicated by a persons size and any underlying, but as yet undiscovered, health issues.

The Covid-obesity link was observed in China too, but its a bigger worry in Britain and the U.S., where many people are overweight. Nearly 40% of American adults under 60 have a body mass index over 30. Nearly two-thirds of U.K. adultsare overweight or obese, according to the National Health Service.Obesity is prevalent in 29% of adults and one in five children aged between 10 and 11.

Critically, many of the recent Covid-19 flare-ups are in more deprived areas, and obesity rates are higher there. In Britain, the most obese country in Europe (apart from Malta), obesity is twice as high in the poorest areas as the richest ones. In the U.S., obesity has been linked to levels of income and education, and to ethnicity.

The question is what to do about that. Given the complexity of environmental, biological and psychological factors, weight isnt an easy policy area. The vast majority of those who manage to lose a lot of weight find they gain back most of it. Researchers have made progress in understanding why thats so, and the way calorie-reduction regimens trigger countervailing increases in appetite that ultimately defeat even the most determined dieters.

Cultural stereotypes and stigmas havent quite caught up with the research. If you scroll down the comments of any social media feed on the obesity debate youll find typical rejoinders with some combination of the words willpower, diet, exercise or portion control. There are accusatory glances at parents who dont monitor the weight of their children.

Johnson has certainly played with those stereotypes. When he was its editor, the conservative Spectator magazine ran an article warning people not to hire a fatty for a nanny, suggesting they were likely to be unclean, lazy and derelict in their childcare duties. Even for a magazine that prides itself on being contrarian, the piece was unscientific and grotesque.

In a 2004 newspaper column, Johnson said it was peoples own fat fault if they were obese, a view he described last week as embarrassing.In his Toryleadership campaign, he vowed to end the continuing creep of the nanny state and roll back sin taxes.Now, however, he is weighing in on the side of the interventionists, distancing himself from his oldviews. The government hasnt specified how it will act, but it is considering a range of more aggressive measures.

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One is likely to be expanding the U.K.s sugar tax. While Britain has a limited levy on soft drinks, which seems to be having an impact, there are too many exemptions.

Even an expanded sugar tax is only part of the solution, as Sally Davies, the countrys former chief medical officer, has argued. Education is needed for younger children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds who are more likely to eat packaged and processed foods and Brits also need protection from the fire hose of junk-food advertising.So far, thats been a very uneven fight. A report from the Obesity Health Alliance a few years ago noted that the government had spent 5.2 million pounds a year on its healthy-eating campaign, while confectioners and purveyors of junk food spent 143 million pounds on ads.

New interventions would no doubt be greeted with angry howls from the food industry. But some of the old arguments against taking action especially that sin taxes dont workor affectthe poor disproportionately no longer hold up. Johnsons backing for action adds political weight, and muscle, to the other side.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Therese Raphael is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. She was editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe.

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinion

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.

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Boris Johnson Has a Personal Stake in Fighting Obesity - Yahoo Finance

Authors: Sam T. Lawson, Julia C. Gardner, Mary Jo Carnot, Samuel S. Lackey, Nanette V. Lopez, and Jay T. Sutliffe

Corresponding Author: Jay Sutliffe, PD, RD Flagstaff AZ, 86011 Jay.sutliffe@nau.edu 928-523-7596

Sam T. Lawson is an undergraduate research assistant and student at Northern Arizona University.

Julia C. Gardner is a research coordinator with the PRANDIAL Lab at Northern Arizona University. Mary Jo Carnot is professor of Counseling, Psychological Sciences, and Social Work at Chadron State College in Chadron, NE.

Samuel S. Lackey is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Northern Arizona University.

Nanette V. Lopez is Assistant Professor in Health Sciences at Northern Arizona University.

Jay T. Sutliffe is Professor of Nutrition and Foods and the Director of the PRANDIAL Lab at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ.

Abbreviations HEI: healthy eating index g: grams mg: milligrams oz: ounces kcal: kilocalories std.: standard DGA: Dietary Guidelines for Americans USDA: United States Department of Agriculture RDA: recommended dietary allowance RM: repetition maximum

ABSTRACT

College students are notorious for having poor quality diets and student-athletes are no exception. Collegiate football student-athletes often fail to meet overall energy requirements necessary to meet activity demands (65). The research herein assessed diet quality, body composition and physical performance of selected student athletes following completion of a brief, 8-week nutrition education intervention. The participants consisted of 55 Division I collegiate football players, aged 18-24 years (mean age 19.81.2yrs). Results indicated that group education sessions on nutrition had minimal impact on outcomes, perhaps due to the voluntary nature of the training. However, independent of the intervention, there were significant changes across time for the total scores on the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), strength performance measures, and total body water. Participants with higher HEI-2015 scores versus lower scores did not differ on strength performance or body composition outcomes. Specific nutrients, including sodium, protein, and solid fats negatively impacted strength performance, especially for the bench press measures. At moderate altitudes, athletes may struggle to maintain sufficient hydration (41). In this study, athletes with higher hydration levels (based on total body water and extracellular water) improved performance from pre to post assessments of strength performance in bench press, back squat, and power clean. The results highlight the importance of nutrition on athletic performance, especially the negative impact of unhealthy choices. Educational sessions on nutrition designed to improve eating habits may need to consider social influences, including everyday eating situations, via a combination of group and individualized approaches.

Keywords: micronutrients, nutrition intervention, athlete, body-composition, moderate altitude

INTRODUCTION

College students tend to have poor dietary habits that include low micronutrient intake and high amounts of processed foods (36). Studies indicate that college students report low fruit and vegetable intake, with an average consumption of two servings of combined fruits and vegetables daily which fails to meet dietary guidelines (18, 21, 22). Although college students often adopt new dietary habits that are frequently maintained throughout life, their eating behaviors are typically unhealthy and include excessive consumption of processed foods, skipping meals, and/or eating at irregular times (62). Specifically, students who report following a Western diet consume the highest quantities of refined and energy-dense foods labeled high in fat and sugar, resulting in an increased disease risk (5). In this period of nutrition transition, college-aged individuals are consuming diets high in animal-source foods and eating more highly processed grains and carbohydrate rich meals resulting in lower fiber intake (53).

College student-athletes have higher energy demands due to exercise, training, and competition, but often consume nutrient intakes similar to or below recommended dietary allowances (RDA) (29), with many failing to meet energy requirements for their training style and intensity (46,60). Among those student-athletes who fail to meet their minimum energy requirements, football student-athletes have been identified in at least one study as having the greatest energy deficit (65). Research has noted that optimal nutrient intake along with supplementation, if needed, improves athletic performance and ultimately aids in recovery (11,30,63). Research has also noted that student-athletes who work with a sports dietitian have better dietary habits than those who seek nutrition knowledge from strength and conditioning coaches or athletic trainers (26). Among these positive dietary behaviors are consuming less fast food, not skipping meals, and eating a greater amount of whole foods (26).

To help student-athletes improve the quality of their diet, the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 assessment which generates a diet quality score based upon nutrient intakes, is a useful tool (68). Developed with key recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), the HEI-2015 can be used to assess health risks among specific populations (58). For example, populations with adherence to a high HEI-2015 dietary pattern have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers (47).

Diet quality plays an essential role in desired weight gain as many micronutrients have synergistic qualities allowing for better nutrient absorption from a wide variety of foods (32). This factor can impact football athletes because of documented evidence that a proportion of coaches falsely believe that certain positions require maintaining a higher weight or specific physique (9,10). Deliberate weight gain by football athletes through consumption of unhealthy foods can lead to metabolic syndrome and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (6,15). Intentional dietary programming should be considered for football athletes, specifically offensive and defensive linemen due to their elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (69). However, athletes should be warned against the sudden or excessive gain in body fat as that may increase their risk for metabolic syndrome (67).

Student-athletes who receive nutrition counseling could have improved physical performance while increasing their lean body mass and maintaining a minimum threshold of energy (1). Many student-athletes receive nutrition information from athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches. Unfortunately, these individuals often lack nutrition knowledge, certifications, and/or adequate time to properly counsel student-athletes on dietary information. Therefore, consultations with a trained dietetics professional may benefit student-athletes (31). According to Hull et al. (27), student-athletes with access to a sports dietician reported improved dietary patterns such as eating before exercise, healthy post-exercise meals, and more nutrient dense meals while traveling; all of these dietary improvements may lead to improved performance and recovery.

The primary aims of this study were to improve diet quality hydration, body composition, and performance outcomes among football student-athletes. Exploratory aims included examining intake of specific nutrients and their impact on performance. Specifically, this study was designed to address the following hypotheses:

Materials and Methods

Participants Participants were recruited from the mens football team at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I program. These student-athletes primarily train, practice, and compete at 7,000 feet above sea level, which is considered to be at moderate altitude (14). A total of 65 participants were enrolled, with 10 lost to follow-up procedures, resulting in 55 participants who completed measures at both the initial stage and 8-weeks post-baseline period. Participants were 18-24 years of age (mean age 19.8 1.2yrs) and ethnically diverse, self-identifying as African-American (41.8%), Caucasian (49.1%), Southeast Asian (1.8%), and other (7.3%). No exclusionary health criteria were developed for this study, as all NCAA student-athletes are required to complete yearly athletic physicals to screen for possible health risks. Participants were informed of the minimal risks of the study and provided written informed consent. The experimental research procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board #982568.

Study Design By design, this was a non-randomized pilot study where each subject served as his own control for measurements completed at baseline and 8-weeks post-baseline. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of implementation for consideration of future studies with collegiate sports teams. Following the baseline body composition testing, all participants received a five-minute individualized nutrition education with specific dietary recommendations to help improve their body composition parameters. After completion of baseline measures, participants were encouraged to attend three optional nutrition education sessions. To minimize scheduling conflicts, nutrition education sessions were offered every other week, during the middle of the week and on weekends. Sessions occurring in the same week covered identical material allowing all participants to receive the information uniformly. Each 45-minute face-to-face session included a lecture-style presentation that began with a food demonstration, followed by a lecture with a slideshow presentation, and time for open discussion. Sessions started with 10 minutes of the food demonstrations, followed by 20-minutes of nutrition education and 15 minutes of open discussion which typically centered on personal questions about the participants diet. The food demonstration included a discussion about why a particular meal would be considered effective fuel for the athletes. The participants were made aware of the nutrition education sessions through a group messaging app utilized by the athletic department which contained a link for an online sign-up sheet for testing and nutrition education sessions. Reminders were sent to participants via text messaging and email.

Diet Quality and Assessment Undergraduate and graduate students, in conjunction with faculty, were trained to collect Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour (ASA24) diet recall, blood pressure, and body composition from each participant. Nasco food models/replicas, depicting serving sizes of commonly eaten foods, were used to confirm the serving sizes of food and beverages consumed during the 24-hour diet recalls. The ASA24 is a web-based tool developed by the National Cancer Institute to accurately collect 24-hour diet recalls, commonly known as food diaries (ASA24, 2019). Although the ASA24 is a self-administered program, to ensure completion and accuracy, the 24-hour diet recalls were performed by trained study personnel.

Dietary measures of kilocalories, sugar, fiber, cholesterol, total vegetable, total fruit, total grain, total protein foods, total dairy, vitamin D, calcium, potassium, sodium, and solid fat were collected via ASA24. The HEI-2015 was generated to provide an overall diet quality score from the data collected from ASA24. The HEI-2015 diet scores range from 0 -100, with 0 being the lowest diet score and 100 being the highest. An HEI-2015 score of 50 was chosen to represent a cutoff score since scores below 50 have been classified to represent a poor diet (23).

Anthropometric and Body-Composition Measurements Evaluation of body composition was conducted using tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) via the Seca mBCA 515 (8). BIA is an efficient and non-invasive technique that enables the determination of body composition based on the measurement of electrical characteristics of the human body over five body regions, including left and right arms and legs, and the torso. The data can be used to assess metabolic activity, energy consumption, energy reserves, fluid status, and abdominal fat. Phase angle (phA) in BIA is a validated measurement that correlates with the percentage of body fat (%BF), body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), and total body water (TBW) (37). A low phA is associated with increased morbidity and nutritional risk (39,51). Because phA is affected by body geometry, anthropometric measurements also need to be considered. Individuals with hydration outliers (i.e., unstable extracellular and intracellular water ratios) can obtain a phA measurement when using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis, which uses the plot resistance and reactance normalized per height (35,64).

Nutrition Intervention Participants were offered the opportunity to attend up to three optional, in-person sport-specific nutrition education sessions. The sessions were conducted over 8-weeks with those who participated typically averaging one session, every other week. The first session focused on the sport-specific nutrition topics related to macronutrients, micronutrients, and timed-eating. Macronutrient content focused primarily on the importance of proper carbohydrate and protein intake while information on micronutrients stressed the necessary diet for a body under physical stress due to training. Participants were encouraged to achieve adequate macronutrient and micronutrient intake through the consumption of whole foods, due to their greater nutrient density compared to processed foods and supplements. The second session focused on supplementation for an anaerobic training style with topics ranging from dietary supplements (e.g., protein powder and fish oil) to performance-based supplements (e.g., creatine and caffeine). The last session addressed the relationship between hydration and performance, including awareness of dietary, physical, and environmental factors that may promote dehydration. Participants were also provided information on how to calculate sweat rate in order to help them stay adequately hydrated through practices and training sessions. As previously mentioned, each session included a short food demonstration for preparing meals containing micronutrient dense-foods that met the minimum number of calories recommended per portion for football athletes.

Strength Performance Assessment also included strength testing for participants in the study. The primary goal of winter off-season training for football players is to increase their absolute strength and muscular hypertrophy, or more commonly known as increasing muscle size. The testing included a micro-cycle started by using a 1RM test on the power clean, squat, and bench. At the end of the training cycle, the 1RM was repeated to measure strength gains in each lift. The tests were conducted on three separate days to allow time for full recovery between testing days. Power cleans were tested first, followed by back squat and bench press. The athletes were familiar with all testing protocols provided by the Head Strength Coach and the assistant strength coaches.

Statistical Analysis To address the hypothesis regarding the impact of educational sessions on macro- and micronutrient consumption, supplementation, and sport hydration, participants were grouped based on whether they attended any of the three optional educational sessions. Initial grouping was based on comparing those who attended any educational sessions (experimental) with those who did not (control). Strength training outcomes, diet quality, and body composition variables were measured twice, at baseline and at 8-weeks post-baseline. Multiple 22 ANOVAs with time as a within-subjects variable and education as a between-subject variable were analyzed. Because attendance at educational sessions did not result in significant effects, groups were collapsed to consider change across time, with the initial consultation with individual athletes considered an educational session. Paired sample t-tests were used to compare selected variables across the two time periods.

Additional analyses were performed on specific dietary, body composition, and performance variables measured at 8-weeks post-baseline. Independent samples t-tests used median split comparisons for sodium, protein, and dietary solid fat to compare high and low groups on fat-free mass and performance measures. The HEI-2015 total score of 50 (USDA, 2019) was similarly used to separate participants into two groups, who were then compared using independent samples t-tests for BMI, weight change, fat-free mass, absolute fat mass and phase angle. Median splits were also examined based on extracellular water and total body water to determine impact on performance measures. All analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26 software (28).

RESULTS

Analyses from the 22 ANOVAs using educational session attendance and time as independent variables indicated few differences between experimental and control groups. This unanticipated pattern of results suggested that there might be preexisting differences in our groups, such as ethnicity differences. Participation in the educational sessions was not well attended. Out of the initial group of 65 participants, 60% did not attend any educational sessions. Twenty percent attended one educational session, 12.3% attended two sessions, and 7.7% attended all three. When groups were collapsed to compare measures at baseline and 8-weeks post-baseline using paired sample t-tests, significant changes were seen in phase angle (t(53) = -2.301, p=.025) HEI-2015 total score (t(54) = -2.046, p = .046), total body water (t(53) = -2.501, p = .015), bench press (t(54) = -6.420, p < .001), power clean (t(54) = -3.494, p = .001) and squat (t(54) = -6.006 , p < .001). Marginal changes (p < .10) occurred for calcium and energy deficit measures (Table 1).

Table 1: Outcome Measures Collapsed Across Educational Session Attendance

Note. One participant was unable to complete the BIA measures. *p<.05, ** p<.001 Abbreviations: mcg, micrograms; mg, milligram, g, gram; kg, kilogram; %, percent; kcal, kilocalorie; oz, ounces; sd, standard deviation; BMI, Body Mass Index, HEI-2015, Healthy Eating Index- 2015

Education (see Table 2) indicated a participant attended at least one of the three optional intervention sessions. For energy deficit, there were marginal but nonsignificant changes over time (p < .10) (Table 2). Number of education sessions attended had no significant effect on HEI-2015 total score (p > .05) (Table 2).

Table 2: Energy Deficit and Total HEI Score Differences Based Upon Nutrition Education Session Attendance

*p<.05, ** p<.001 Abbreviations: Ed education; HEI, healthy eating index; kcal, kilocalories; SD, standard deviation

Following the initial group comparisons, an analysis was conducted at week 8. The examination was intended to assess whether making healthier diet choices impacted performance measures. HEI-2015 total scores were examined, as well as specific nutrients (i.e., sodium, protein, and solid fats) using data from the ASA24.

A HEI-2015 total score of 50, data taken at week 8, was used to separate participants into two groups to compare 8-week body composition outcomes of weight change and performance outcome measures including, bench, power clean, and squat. Table 3 evaluated the relationship between the two groups differentiated by HEI-2015 total score and body composition parameters. There were no significant differences in outcomes between the two groups (Table 3). Additionally, the two HEI-2015 groups were compared on 8-week outcomes including BMI, fat free mass, absolute fat mass and phase angle (Table 3). There were no significant differences between HEI-2015 groups on any of these outcome measures.

Table 3: Diet Quality and Body Composition Assessment at 8-weeks

Abbreviations: HEI, healthy eating index; BMI, body mass index; kg, kilogram; std., standard

Median splits of sodium, protein, and solid fats were used to divide participants into two groups and compared on the outcome measures of power clean, squat, bench press, and weight change at week 8. Participants who consumed lower levels of sodium (< 7427.5 g daily) performed better on squat (t(49) = -2.147, p = .036) and bench press (t(49) = -2.390, p = .021) measures, and tended to perform better on power clean, although this difference was not significant (t(48) = -1.685, p= .098) (Table 4). Participants who consumed higher levels of protein (>186.9 g) were not significantly different in power clean (t(48) = -.835, p = .408), squat (t(49) = -1.539, p = .130) or bench (t(49) = -1.807, p = .077), although bench press measures had a non-significant tendency to be higher for those in the lower protein group (Table 4). Participants who consumed fewer solid fats (< 66.0 g) were not significantly different in power clean (t(48) = -1.453, p = .153) or squat measures (t(49) = -1.825, p = .111), but performed better on bench press measures (t(49) = -2.50, p = .014) (Table 4). Due to the moderate altitude location of the research, median splits on extracellular water and total body water were examined in respect to the effects on performance outcome measures. All differences in performance were significant indicating better performance outcomes for student athletes with higher extracellular water and total body water. Specifically, those with higher levels of extracellular water (21.7 %) had a better performance for the bench press (t(49) = 4.216, p < .001) , power clean (t(47) = 2.819, p = .007) and squat (t(49) = 3.420, p = .001). (Table 4). Additionally, those with higher level of total body water ( 56.4 %) had a better performance for the bench press (t(49) = 4.482, p < .001) , power clean (t(47) = 2.819, p < .001) and squat (t(49) = 3.419, p = .001) (Table 4).

Table 4: Strength Assessment and HEI Scores, Sodium, Protein, Solid Fat, Extracellular Water, and Total Body Water at 8-weeks

Note. a, median splits based upon participant results at week 8 Abbreviations: HEI, healthy eating index; mg, milligrams; g, grams; kg, kilogram; std., standard

DISCUSSION

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of sport-specific nutrition education on diet quality, body composition, and strength training performance. The results indicated (i) improvements in diet quality (ii) body composition parameters remained constant (iii) dietary intake of sodium, excessive protein, and solid fat negatively impacted strength performance, and (iv) increased hydration status have proven statistically significant and can positively impact strength performance.

Sugar, fiber, cholesterol, total vegetable, total fruit, total grains, total dairy, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium outcomes did not result in any significant improvement over time, and were not associated with strength performance. The nutrition education intervention did not significantly improve HEI-2015 total scores, but diet quality improved over time. Although prior research indicated dietary compliance and nutritional knowledge improved following an 8-week nutrition education intervention among adolescent swimmers (50), the majority of participants in the present study did not complete the optional sessions. In the current study, the nutrition education intervention did substantially decrease energy deficit. Prior research demonstrated that energy deficit among athletes was reduced following attendance at four nutrition educational sessions (55). It is possible that participants in the study herein may have been seeking nutrition information from different sources such as the Internet, coaches, family, and friends (13), resulting in increases in calorie consumption. In the current study, the nutrition education sessions intervention yielded mixed results on HEI-2015 total scores and energy deficit. However, all participants received a brief individualized dietary consultation following baseline measures. Therefore, brief individualized recommendations may be an effective intervention strategy to make improvements in diet quality and reduce energy deficit.

Dietary quality was not a predictor of body composition in this study. Participants with HEI-2015 total scores of 50 and above were comparable to those with scores below 50 on BMI, fat-free mass, weight maintenance, and phase angle. Results from a previous study indicate that a higher diet quality score was associated with positive body composition parameters such as, lower body fat in adult men (16), and weight maintenance among university students (38). Additional research indicates that diet quality was negatively associated with snacking processed foods, but positively associated with body fat (4). The negative impact of poor snack choices may explain why our participants who scored lower on the HEI-2015 had greater, although statistically insignificant, fat mass. However, in contrast to the results presented by a different study (71), phase angle was not a useful assessment for measuring nutritional status because participants with lower diet quality scores had higher phase angle scores.

Dietary intake of sodium was a negative predictor of strength performance as measured by power clean, squat, and bench press. Participants reported consumption of foods with excessive amounts of sodium which is common among college students who frequently consume processed foods in campus cafeterias or fast food restaurants (3,49). Previous research suggests that slightly elevated sodium intake above the suggested daily amount (i.e. 2,000 mg) may help improve athletic performance (34,43). However, sodium consumption is typically timed in accordance to exercise (12). In the current study, not only was excessive sodium consumption detrimental to physical performance, but consuming higher than recommended amounts of sodium (2,300mg/day) was identified as resulting in negative implications for future health, including increased risk for hypertension and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke (45), and death (42).

There is a common assumption that protein supplementation is associated with greater gains in muscle mass and strength. This study found a trend toward greater strength gains when protein was not consumed in excess (1.8g/kg). In fact, protein supplementation has been shown to have little to no effect on trained individuals when dietary protein needs are met (48,54), including attenuating exercise-induced muscle damage (17). Protein supplements are processed food products and lack many essential nutrients necessary to sustain a healthy lifestyle (56). Because of the nutrient deficiency of protein supplements, it is recommended that collegiate football student-athletes avoid intake if they are already meeting their needs through a healthy diet (54).

Dietary intake of solid fat was negatively associated with physical performance; athletes who consumed less solid fat had greater improvement in strength performance. Non-athlete, college students have also reported a high intake of dietary fat consumption (70). High intake of dietary solid fats, which are common in processed food and fast food, can hinder physical performance (7,2). Elite athletes showed the greatest increase in sport performance when their diet consisted of a high consumption of protein and carbohydrates, but limited consumption of dietary fat (2). Although not measured in the study, frequent consumption of fast food (e.g., French fries and pizza) among college students could explain the high intake of solid fats reported by participants in the current study (20,52). The fact that university students tend to rate the most important factors for food selection to be taste, value, convenience, and cost may explain the prevalence of consuming high-fat processed, fast food (66).

Hydration is a crucial aspect in sport, especially when athletes are competing at elevation. Increased hydration status appears to positively impact strength performance (44). Extracellular water and total body water can be used as hydration status indicators; a deficit of total body water is predictive of dehydration (19, 24). In a study conducted among college age athletes, increases in intracellular water, which constitutes 65% of total body water, were predictive of improved performance level (61). Insensible evaporation of water is higher at altitude, increasing the likelihood of hypo-hydration (33). To allow for positive training adaptations at altitude, hydration status needs to be optimized (57).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of nutrition education sessions attended had no significance on improvements in HEI-2015 total score. However, there were significant increases in HEI-2015 total scores from baseline to week 8, indicating that the individualized nutrition intervention that every participant received may have been an effective intervention strategy. The HEI-2015 total score may indicate the impact of unhealthy diets as it is a combination of all aspects of ones diet but the examination of specific nutrients may be a better indicator for how performance may be affected. These individual markers of performance could be hidden by a HEI-2015 total score as one part of a diet might be considered good while another portion might be poor resulting in what looks to be an average diet. The potential performance markers seen in this study were sodium, protein foods, and solid fats which, when eaten in greater amounts shown to have negative performance effects.

APPLICATIONS IN SPORT

High dietary intake of sodium, protein, and solid fat appeared to have a negative impact on strength performance. Although not measured in the current study, consumption of fast food and processed foods, which tend to be high in sodium and solid fats, should be limited in athletes due to their tendency to be detrimental to physical performance. A well-balanced diet should be encouraged as a variety in dietary intake improves performance and disease prevention (25,40,59). Participants with a HEI-2015 total score 50.0 had overall, though statistically insignificant, less fat mass, lower BMI, and better weight maintenance. Strength performance improved from baseline to week 8 in 1 RM power clean, squat, and bench press; athletes who consumed lower amounts of sodium, protein, and solid fat had greater physical performance than those who consumed higher amounts. Due to the lack of significant findings from the intervention, future research could consider using an equivalency trial to compare the effectiveness between an individualized nutrition intervention at baseline and a lecture/classroom style nutrition intervention conducted over time.

Strengths and Limitations

There were numerous strengths in this study, including expanding upon previously collected data from another research study (65). Participant follow-up was successful, despite the lack of incentives. Researchers assisting with data collection were blinded to nutrition education intervention status to avoid bias. Additionally, having the strength and conditioning staff perform data collection reduced potential bias from researchers. The established professional relationship with the strength and conditioning staff increased opportunities for nutrition-related research while assisting athletes improve their diet and performance.

However, this study was not without limitations. Dietary recalls were conducted over only one 24-hour period, which does not accurately represent a participants daily dietary intake. Additionally, reporting bias from participants may have resulted in lower reported amounts of less-nutrient dense foods, sweets, and alcohol. Limited variability in dietary intake reduced the likelihood of statistical significance. Lastly, nutrition educational sessions were optional, making it difficult to identify a clearly defined experimental group.

While scripted education at the time of testing body composition may impact athletes diet, there appears to be a disconnect from nutrition knowledge provided and what is actually implemented by athletes. Thus, application strategies for diet as opposed to knowledge enhancement may be more appropriate in determining the effect on performance. Individually reviewing the dietary analysis with each participant could improve understanding among the athletes regarding how their diet affects performance. Athletes who reside and train at altitude (e.g., 6,000 feet) are recommended to increase carbohydrate, hydration, and iron (on an individual basis) intake due to altered environmental conditions (41).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Northern Arizona University.

Consent for Publication Not applicable

Availability of Data and Materials The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Competing Interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

FundingThis research was funded by the Eric M. Lehrman 2015 Trust.

Authors Contributions Jay Sutliffe: secured funding; developed study design; collected data; wrote and edited manuscript

Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the PRANDIAL Lab at Northern Arizona University as well as the individual athletes who participated in this research. Special mentions go to Jason Farrow, Heather Marquis, Chris Stanley, Steven Stanley, and Hannah Olsen for their help during data collection.

REFERENCES

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Assessing the Outcomes of a Brief Nutrition Education Intervention Among Division I Football Student-Athletes at Moderate Altitude - United States...

Visceral fat, also known as belly or abdominal fat, rings alarm bells because of its proximity to vital organs, such as the liver and intestines. In fact, it makes up one third of the infamous trio called metabolic syndrome - a group of conditions that heighten your chances of developing heart disease. Despite the obvious health risks, some people find weight loss fiendishly difficult to achieve.

There are many complex factors that may complicate a person's weight loss journey but one is trying to do everything at once and then being let down when you do not see instant results.

Weight loss requires persistence but more importantly, it requires an acceptance that you have to tackle it in stages.

First you should attempt to get your diet in order.

There is no single solution to tackle visceral fat but evidence suggests certain items boast fat-burning properties which can make them essential for anyone looking to reduce the harmful belly fat.

READ MORE:How to lose visceral fat - the best exercise workout routine to get rid of belly fat

One of the most promising is rosehip extract, a herbal tea or supplement derived from the Rose plant.

Studies show that rose hips from the Rosa canina plant are high in an antioxidant called tiliroside, which may have fat-burning properties.

In a 12-week study in 32 adults with excess weight, taking 100 mg of rosehip extract daily significantly decreased body weight and visceral fat, compared with the placebo group.

Furthermore, in an eight-week study in mice prone to obesity, those fed a high-fat diet containing one percent rosehip extract gained significantly less body weight and stomach fat than animals that did not receive the supplement

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As Maya Aboukhater, senior specialist dietitian at Bupa Cromwell Hospital, Bupa explained, if you want to reduce your belly fat, youll need to burn more calories (energy) than you consume, and eat the right kinds of food.

She recommended the following:

The above dietary goals can be achieved easily by sticking to a low-carbohydrate diet.

In fact, many studies have shown that low-carb diets are more effective at reducing visceral fat than low-fat diets.

In an eight-week study including 69 overweight men and women, scientists found that people who followed a low-carb diet lost 10 percent more visceral fat and 4.4 percent more total fat than those on a low-fat diet.

Additionally, the ketogenic diet, which is a very low-carb diet, may also help reduce visceral fat.

Ketogenic diets drastically reduce carb intake and replace it with fat.

This can put you in a natural metabolic state called ketosis, suggests research.

A study including 28 overweight and obese adults found that those who followed a ketogenic diet lost more fat, especially visceral fat, than people following a low-fat diet.

Interestingly, they did so while eating roughly 300 more calories per day.

Any form of exercise will also help to beat the belly fat into submission but optimal benefits can be reaped by combining resistance (strength) exercise and cardiovascular exercise, according to Aboukhater.

She explained: "Resistance exercises are a great way of helping you to maintain your muscle mass and your glucose metabolism (the way your body processes sugar and uses it for fuel), which are important for managing your weight."

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How to lose visceral fat: Taking this extract daily led to 'significantly' reduced fat - Express

Are you trying to shed those extra kilos? Dont fall for these 5 common weight loss myths.

Good fats are very important for your overall health and they work wonders for weight loss.

Losing weight is not a piece of cake. This is especially true during lockdown when there is hardly any movement and it gets even more difficult to stay fit. Many people now look for advice from the Internet, magazines, and friends on how to keep up with their fitness requirement and lose weight amidst quarantine. However, though most of the information may be relevant, there are a few dangerous myths which are also doing the rounds. These misconceptions about diet plans and weight loss may shatter your fitness goals and can even lead you to gain extra weight instead of shedding it. Therefore, here we try to bust some common weight loss myths, which will help you save yourself from falling for the fake traps of weight loss. Take a look: Also Read - 5 most common misconceptions about our bodies

Reality: Carbs are essential macronutrients, which are needed to sustain life and supply energy to your brain. However, carbs have earned a bad reputation in the world of fitness due to their tendency to cause weight gain. But not all carbs are unhealthy. There are bad carbs and good carbs. The bad ones contain all sorts of refined and processed foods, like white bread, refined-grain pasta, instant noodles and more which tend to contribute to weight-gain. Whereas good carbs are the ones which are rich in fibre. For example, whole grain products, leafy green vegetables and legumes are high in good carbs. They make you feel full and satiated so that you are less likely to overeat.Therefore, dont cut out on carbs but choose them wisely. Also Read - World Immunization Week 2019: Top vaccination myths dispelled

Reality: Just like carbs, theres a misconception about fats too. Fats can also be classified as good and bad fats. Good fats are very important for your overall health and they work wonders for weight loss. They may seem high on calories, but these are not empty calories. Rather, they are dense in nutrients. Therefore, if you feel full, you would naturally not overeat. Also Read - Top 10 weight-loss myths you need to say goodbye to

Reality: No matter what the diet trends say, starving or skipping your meals has not been a sustainable weight-loss strategy. This happens because you can refrain from food for a certain amount of time, and when you break your fast, you tend to eat anything that comes your way. This leads to overloading of calories. Make sure you eat at regular intervals, which will keep you satiated for longer spells. In case you want to snack on something, grab a fruit or some nuts instead of binging on fried and fattening foods.

Reality: Working out on an empty stomach is not considered healthy as it may lead to muscle loss. Therefore, it is best to munch on something light and nutritious before you get ready to sweat it out in the workout session. Have some easily digestible carbs like banana, almonds, baked eggs and more before an intense exercise regime.

Reality: Snacking between meals is not a problem and it is very normal to feel hungry every 2-3 hours. It is all about what kind of snack you pick up to eat that affects your weight loss regime. Like, for example, snacking on heavily fried, sugary or ultra-processed food can add on the calories and may lead to excess amount of fat storage in your body. On the other hand, healthy snacks like fruits, nutty trail-mix, oats and protein shakes may help you shed weight by increasing your metabolism.

Published : May 16, 2020 4:45 pm

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5 weight loss myths that can prevent you from slimming down during quarantine - TheHealthSite

Heather Doney leads her Utah neighbors in a socially-distanced Zumba workout. USA TODAY

Editor's note: Part 15of USA TODAY'sWorking Out From Home(#WOFH) seriesfocuses on getting some exercise while having fun with Zumba. Sign up forGood Sports, our weekly newsletterthat will bring you more home workout tips and the best stories of the good throughout the world of sports:

With a bullhorn in her hand, Heather Doney instructed a group of friends through a Zumba class. They all danced to the music that blared over a boombox. They followed her lead on various stretches and exercises. And they all appeared invigorated with escaping out of the house.

We need to get outside and get some fresh air, Doney said. We need to see each other.

Yet, no one needed to be near each other. Because of social distancing rules stemmed from the novel coronavirus outbreak, Doney hosted a Zumba workout from her friends backporch in her Saratoga Springs neighborhood in Utah on March 17. About 20 neighbors joined the workout through two ways. Some stood on their respective porches or balconies. Others stood in a backyard that is blended together between the 13 houses.

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NEED WEIGHTS?: Grab a wine bottle and get to work

EFFECTIVE PUSHUPS: How to get the most out of pushups

Heather Doney teaches a Zumba class to her neighbors. A video of her class went viral after it was shared by celebs such as Demi Lovato.(Photo: Courtesy: Heather Doney)

More than just the neighbors viewed and participated in the workout. Doney then edited and posted the workout video on Youtube before sharing it on her Instagram and Facebook accounts. Soon enough, singer Demi Lovato and reality television star Khloe Kardashian shared the video on their social media channels, too. Storyful, a social media distribution agency, contacted Doneys next-door neighbor after seeing it on her Twitter account and worked out a deal with Doney so they could distribute the video as well. That video then appeared on Facebook's NowThis News and ABC's "Good Morning America."

Overall, Doney estimated a combined 30 million people watched the workout video through those various channels. Since then, Doney hosted seven more workouts, including two outside and othersvia live streaming in her basement. She has more planned onTuesdays (10 a.m.MT), Thursdays (10 a.m.) and Saturdays (9 a.m.). Both nearby neighbors and far-away viewers told her how much the classes have invigorated them.

I like to entertain. I like to make people laugh. I like to inspire, Doney said. So to have something go viral like that, its been on my bucket list. But I didnt know it would happen. I didnt think it would be like this.

Doney had taught Zumba and a dance-fitness class for 6 1/2 years with a dance studio and her local church. She stopped teaching two years ago after experiencing undisclosed health issues. She rediscovered her passion again shortly after the NBA suspended it season on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

Erin Stewart, a neighborhood friend, texted Doney and suggested she should teach Zumba classes somewhere outside. Stewart had seen footage of Italian residents singing outside on their balconies, and hoped Doney could bring their neighborhood together in a similar way with her classes.

So, Doney led her neighbors through a 50-minute workout from home. She stood on Stewarts porch because that had a better view of her neighbors houses. She instructed the class with a megaphone she joked her husband regretted buying for her one year for Mothers Day. She started with a warmup that included some light stretching and cardio exercises. With the aid of two speakers, Doney then guided them through choreographed dances to various songs. She mixed in arm and leg workouts. She then ended itwith stretching exercises.

Its nice to be outside and get that fresh air. Just the smiling and seeing each other and then those endorphins, those are pretty much self-made anti-depressants," she said. "It makes us happy when we can move. Theres just something about dancing that gets those endorphins moving. They loved it.

So much that others wanted to join the class. Doney then considered hosting the workout at a parking lot of a nearby church. Each person would follow social-distancing rules by exercising within designated parking stalls. But she nixed the idea.

I was afraid that would get frowned upon by people driving by thinking that people are not really social distancing, Doney said. I didnt want it to turn into something negative and have somebody post something that these people are not social distancing. So I just decided Ill do it in my home.

Doney remains aware that not everyone has the same amount of space to exercise at home. Others might want to work out in their home or apartment, but feel weary of confined space or becoming disruptive to neighbors.

So for her online classes, she has outlined various options to allow them to exercise within a confined space. She has reminded viewers to drink water in between exercises. At the end of the workout, she has encouragedviewers to have a protein-heavy diet.

Thisdefinitely makes me want to keep teachingagain, Doney said. It made me realize how much I missed it.

Follow USA TODAY NBA writer Mark Medina onTwitter, Instagramand Facebook.

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Working Out From Home: How Utah instructor went viral with her Zumba workout - USA TODAY

If youre a casual college football fan, then your introduction to LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson very well may have come during the Peach Bowl on December 28, when the junior caught 14 passes for 227 yards and four touchdowns in the Tigers 63-28 shellacking of the Oklahoma Sooners. Its a crazy stat line, only made crazier when you remember all four touchdowns were in the first half.

Jefferson was a steady hand in the National Championship game as well, catching nine balls for 106 yards as he, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow, and Americas favorite head coach Ed Orgeron capped off an undefeated season with a 42-25 victory over the Clemson Tigers.

Now Jefferson is a week away from being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, almost certainly in the first round. Of course, this years draft, which runs April 23 to April 25, wont resemble prior years. Because of the coronavirus crisis, NFL general managers will be making their picks from their own homes, and incoming rookies like Jefferson will also be hunkered down. (For Jefferson, thats with his family in St. Rose, Louisiana.) As a highly-ranked prospect, Jefferson was sent camera gear by the NFL thatll capture the exact moment he finds out his pro destination.

In the meantime, Jefferson is mixing in receiving drills and whatever weight training he can, while also studying playbooks in order to ace phone interviews with NFL general managers and scouts. Below, Jefferson tells GQ more about this unusual draft prep, what Coach O is like in the weight room, and who would win a game of one-on-one between himself and his LSU teammate Burrow, the presumed top overall pick.

GQ: Whats the at-home draft-day outfit going to be?

Justin Jefferson: I dont know yet. Still thinking about whether I want to be all classy, or if I want to lay back. Itll be a last-minute decision, but Ive got to figure out what to rock.

I imagine its been a busy few weeks for you. Can you walk me through an average day of late?

Its been very weird. Everything has been all over the place. Nothing is really scheduled besides interviews. You go to sleep whenever you can and wake up whenever you wake up. I usually get a breakfast in with eggs and bacon and toast, because Ive been trying to keep this weight on me. I tried to keep weight on at school too, but just with all the running we were doing, and the college schedule we have, I wasnt able to maintain the weight that I wanted to. My parents are cooking for me, so for other meals, Im having chicken on the grill, salmon, beans and rice, lots of protein.

I do an afternoon workout, and its chilling the rest of the day. Im not as much a morning person, so if its on my time, I workout in the afternoons. Ive been cleaning up the little things I need to improve on to be the versatile receiver the coaches want me to be. Ive got a field near my house that Ive been working out on with a couple of high school friends. Its been a combination of football workouts and weight-room workouts. I want to keep this strength on me.

How are you staying mentally sharp, especially given all the draft interviews you have lined up?

Im making sure Im studying and looking over plays at night on my iPad when Im laying down and chilling. As long as Im doing that, Im still being reminded of the formations and maintaining my football smarts. [The NFL general managers] definitely want to see if Im a smart football player. Luckily we had similar concepts at LSU, so its been more so seeing what NFL teams call those concepts, and adjusting from there.

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Justin Jefferson: The Real-Life Diet of the LSU Receiver and Likely First-Round NFL Draft Pick - GQ