Category Archives: Going Strong

Detox Diets: What Are They And Do They Work?

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During your quest to be a healthier human, you’ll encounter a long range of diets. Some claim to help you lose weight, others say they’re the most nutritionally beneficial, and then you have detox diets. 

These diets are popular with loads of people who wish to do both of the above: lose weight and be nutritionally healthy. You’ll find loads of companies and influencers peddling detox diets – but what are they and do they actually work? 

Detox Diets: A Quick Overview

What is a detox diet? Simply put, it’s a type of diet with a focus on ridding your body of toxins. The diets are proposed to work as such: 

  • You consume certain foods
  • The foods enter your system and flush out “toxins”
  • Your body becomes much healthier and you may lose weight

That’s a generalized example of detox diets, though other types exist as well. Some will involve a fasting period before overhauling your diet and making you eat certain foods. Others will be a liquid-only diet where you drink smoothies for all meals in a day. 

Then, you have some that are also known as cleanses. These detox diets make you take supplements that help cleanse your system – normally by having a laxative effect

Do Detox Diets Work?

In short, there is no evidence to suggest that detox diets work at all. People might lose weight following a diet like this, but it is usually temporary. Detox diets are extremely restrictive, so you’ll barely eat much every day. This means you’re bound to lose weight, though the diets themselves are unsustainable. 

After a few weeks, you’ll resort back to your old diet, undoing any weight loss you saw from a detox diet. Moreover, detox diets are not “healthy” at all. The body already has a natural way of removing toxins; it doesn’t need any extra help! Taking supplements or eating foods that encourage you to remove toxins will only result in you sitting on the toilet multiple times a day. 

It’s not a very nice way to live your life and you’ll probably feel far worse following a detox diet than you did before. 

Are Detoxes Ever Necessary?

Yes – but never from a weight loss perspective. The reason detox diets are popular is because medical detoxes are proven to be effective. You’ll find a medical detox if you search for a rehab center near me as they’re a popular treatment method as part of a residential addiction rehab program. 

Here, medical experts provide specific medication and supplements that encourage the release of toxins from the body. They work, but the core difference between a medical detox and a detox diet is that the former focuses on removing traces of drugs and alcohol from the body. These linger, which causes addiction cravings in individuals. Removing them helps the person recover from addiction – but medical detoxes also involve using things to calm down all the side effects of flushing toxins out of the body. 

In other words, detoxes like these are far more medically-based and backed by scientific research. They also involve constant support and attention from medical professionals while a detox diet involves you drinking special smoothies at home and then rushing to the toilet. 

So, yes, detoxes are necessary in some circumstances, but only when used as a medical treatment for things like drug or alcohol addiction. From a dietary standpoint, you will never need to “go on a cleanse” or follow a detox diet. 

The Best Alternatives To A Detox Diet

If a detox diet isn’t helpful, you’re probably wondering what alternatives there are. Should you try keto instead? What about the Atkins diet? Maybe you should find another specific diet to try as well. 

None of these are necessary. The best alternative to a detox diet is a healthy, balanced, diet that fits your health goals and aims. It doesn’t need to be crazy – your diet simply requires the following: 

  • A good selection of whole foods
  • At least five portions of fruit and veg a day
  • Portion sizes suited to your needs
  • A protein source with every meal
  • A decent amount of fiber
  • A good balance of calories to hit your targets

If you’re making meals that tick all of these boxes, you’re eating healthily. It’s genuinely that simple; there’s no need for detox diets or any other crazy diets out there. As long as you don’t have any specific medical requirements, a balanced diet comprised of whole foods and good protein sources is all you need.

3 Extreme Winter Motorsports to Try Your Hand At

If you see winter motorsports on TV, you might think they look thrilling. You may even feel like you want to give them a try yourself. If you crave the heart-pounding adrenaline rush that comes from pushing your limits, you might not be able to wait till you can try some of these activities for yourself.

For instance, if you visit a dealership owned by Karl Malone, Polaris models are available, and you might feel that the price is worth it. There are several winter motorsports that are worth considering, and we’ll discuss three of the more appealing ones in the following article.

Snowmobile Freestyle Competitions

If you have looked at the fresh white powder outside your window and thought it resembled a blank canvas on which you can create a masterpiece, then a snowmobile freestyle competition might be for you. This activity is definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you’re daring, there’s no reason why you can’t give it a try.

These competitions are held in several different parts of the country. You need a regulation snowmobile to enter one. The X Games is probably the most famous example of this kind of event.

If you enter the X Games, you can power your snowmobile down a 70-foot ramp and jump off. Twists, turns, and other daring feats will earn you points, but you should not discount the very real danger element.

Snocross

There’s also an activity called snocross. It involves a vehicle that most closely resembles a motorcycle with a sled attached to it instead of a traditional front tire.

These vehicles are made to ride on snow tracks. They can go up to a dizzying 60 miles per hour. At that speed, the snow zooms past on either side, and it feels like you’re flying.

The courses created for these vehicles resemble the ones you’d see for motocross. You can tackle jumps up to 30 feet high. You’ll also encounter hairpin turns and obstacles you must dodge while traveling at high speeds.

The Iron Dog Race

Dog racing remains popular among those who enjoy challenging winter sports. The Iron Dog Race is one of the biggest ones every year.

This race lasts five grueling days, and you must traverse a 2,000-mile course through some of Alaska’s harshest terrain. You begin at Big Lake and stop at Nome, which is about the halfway point. From there, it’s on to Fairbanks.

There are strict rules for when you must stop for breaks, which is for the safety of both the drivers and dogs participating. This might sound like a fun activity, but consider this: temperatures along this course can drop down to -57 degrees Fahrenheit. In the river basins and valleys, you might face even colder temperatures than that.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that you risk life and limb by trying these events. Some individuals crave danger, though. If you’re one of them, you might want to learn more about these scintillating options.

Mental Toughness and Powerlifting: The Coach’s Influence on Mindset

Powerlifting isn’t just a game of brawn; it’s a ballet of mental mettle. To push boundaries and consistently outdo oneself, an ironclad mindset is key. While one’s inner fire is vital, coaches are the maestros tuning this mental orchestra. In this piece, we’ll delve into the intricate weave of mental toughness in powerlifting, spotlighting the coach’s transformative touch on an athlete’s psyche.

The Power of the Coach-Athlete Relationship

  1. Building Trust and Connection
    • The foundation of a strong coach-athlete relationship is trust. Coaches need to create a safe space for their athletes to express themselves, both physically and mentally.
    • Open communication allows athletes to share their fears, doubts, and goals with their powerlifting coach. This exchange is crucial for addressing mental barriers.
  2. Setting Realistic Goals
    • Coaches play a pivotal role in helping athletes set achievable goals. These goals should be challenging but attainable, promoting a sense of accomplishment and boosting mental resilience.
    • Setting small milestones along the way can help athletes track their progress, reinforcing their mental toughness.

Mental Toughness: The Key to Powerlifting Success

  1. Embracing Failure as Growth
    • In powerlifting, failures are inevitable. Lifters miss lifts, face setbacks, and encounter plateaus. Coaches must teach athletes that these failures are opportunities for growth.
    • When athletes view setbacks as stepping stones to success rather than roadblocks, they develop mental resilience.
  2. Developing a Strong Mind-Muscle Connection
    • Powerlifting requires precise technique and control. Coaches help athletes refine their form and build a strong mind-muscle connection.
    • By focusing on the mental aspect of each lift, athletes can optimize their performance and build confidence.

The Coach’s Role in Handling Pressure

  1. Preparing for Competition
    • Competitions can be mentally draining. Coaches assist athletes in preparing for the psychological demands of competition.
    • Visualization exercises, pre-competition routines, and relaxation techniques can help athletes stay calm under pressure.
  2. Handling Nerves and Anxiety
    • It’s natural for athletes to feel nervous before a big lift. Coaches help them manage anxiety by teaching relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.
    • Creating a supportive environment where athletes feel understood and encouraged is essential for minimizing performance anxiety.

Building Resilience and Mental Toughness

  1. Challenging Comfort Zones
    • Coaches encourage athletes to step out of their comfort zones by progressively increasing the weight they lift.
    • This process not only builds physical strength but also mental resilience as athletes tackle new challenges.
  2. Instilling Discipline and Consistency
    • Mental toughness is often a result of disciplined training and consistency. Coaches play a vital role in maintaining a structured training regimen.
    • Athletes who see the results of their hard work are more likely to develop a resilient mindset.

The Coach’s Support System

  1. Providing Emotional Support
    • Coaches should be more than just instructors; they should be mentors and sources of emotional support.
    • Offering encouragement and empathy during tough times helps athletes maintain their mental strength.
  2. Encouraging Self-Belief
    • One of the coach’s most significant contributions is instilling self-belief in their athletes. Believing in one’s capabilities is fundamental to mental toughness.
    • Coaches can help athletes recognize their progress and potential, boosting their self-esteem.

The Impact of Positive Reinforcement

  1. Celebrating Achievements
    • Coaches should celebrate their athletes’ successes, no matter how small. Acknowledging progress boosts motivation and confidence.
    • Positive reinforcement encourages athletes to keep pushing themselves mentally and physically.
  2. Constructive Feedback
    • While praise is important, constructive feedback is equally crucial. Coaches should provide guidance on areas for improvement.
    • Athletes who receive balanced feedback are more likely to develop a growth mindset.

Overcoming Mental Blocks

  1. Identifying Mental Barriers
    • Coaches must be attentive to their athletes’ mental state. Recognizing mental blocks such as self-doubt or fear of failure is the first step in addressing them.
    • Creating an open dialogue allows athletes to share their concerns with their coach.
  2. Tailoring Training Plans
    • Once mental barriers are identified, coaches can adjust training plans to target specific weaknesses.
    • Tailored training helps athletes confront their fears and gradually overcome them.

Conclusion

In the powerlifting universe, mind grit is just as crucial as muscle grunt. Coaches are the unsung architects behind an athlete’s mental game, crafting resilience, molding mindsets to embrace hurdles, and priming them to shine. By building trust, charting achievable goals, and offering a shoulder to lean on, coaches nurture athletes to cultivate the mental resilience vital for triumph in this intense sport.

For powerlifters, every stumble is a stepping stone to progress. It’s about honing the synergy between mind and muscle and mastering the art of thriving under pressure. Coaches are the guiding stars in this transformative journey, shaping not just their physical feats but also their mental spirit.

Bear in mind, powerlifting isn’t merely about hoisting weights; it’s a dance of elevating one’s mental boundaries. Paired with a dedicated coach and a resilient mindset, powerlifters can carve their legacy both on the lifting platform and beyond.