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Should you counting Macros?

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By Brian Foley from Activate Fitness

So you hear about these three little things called “macros” by surfing the web, social media, or even from someone in your social circle. Macronutrients, aka macros, are proteins, carbohydrates, and fats - these are the three primary sources of calories consumed. Let’s start with a bit of information about each macro.

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Protein

Proteins are typically things like meat but also come from a variety of other sources. Proteins provide our body’s structure and components of enzymes, regulate body function and immune system health, and aids in hormone regulation. Calories from protein should comprise about 30% of our daily calorie intake.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates vary depending on the source. These are things like fruit, sugar, vegetables, and much more. Carbohydrates, aka Carbs, are our body’s leading source of fuel. Carbs keep protein from being used as energy and aids in the oxidation (breakdown) of fat. Calories from carbohydrates should comprise of no more than 40% of our daily calorie intake.

Fats

Fats come from plant and animal-based sources. Fats are a component of our membranes, aids in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins and is used as a source of energy. Calories from fat should comprise about 30% of our daily calorie intake.

Now that you know a bit more about them - should you be counting them and what does that mean? So what is it? Macro counting is calorie counting, but with more specific targets to stay within a certain range of each macro. These numbers are determined in various ways but the main idea behind them is calories in versus calories out. In order to lose weight, you need to expend more energy than you consume.

Let’s move on to the most important question - should you be counting macros?

For most people, logging food and counting macros will provide them with the guidance they need to meet their long term goals, but it isn’t always the best solution for everyone.

Here are a few things to consider:

* Does it fit in with your current lifestyle?
* Do you want to weigh and measure the foods in order to log them?
* Do you need the added level of accountability?
* Can you consistently log everything you consume every single day?

If logging your food doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, then it probably isn’t. Here are a few things I look for in clients before asking them to log food:

* Consistently eating vegetables
* Eating every 3 to 4 hours
* Has a good daily routine and can easily add this task (as far as time is concerned)
* Is cooking and preparing at least 50-60% of their meals at home.

Do a quick self-analysis by answering these questions to determine whether or not you think macro counting is ideal for you.

Not sure or want to get more help?

Just book a free intro at www.activate.ie and let one of our experienced nutrition coaches guide you to the right answer for you and your goals!

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This week it’s all about the eyes

By Jill O’Donoghue from Killarney Toning and Beauty Studio Our eyes and eyebrows are natural beauty features that help to frame our face to achieve the famous no make-up look. A […]

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By Jill O’Donoghue from Killarney Toning and Beauty Studio

Our eyes and eyebrows are natural beauty features that help to frame our face to achieve the famous no make-up look.

A good eyebrow shape and tint really helps to give this look so you won’t have to try to draw or fill in the brows.

This is a popular treatment with both men and women. The lash lift can give you a natural boost, by lifting, conditioning, curling up which helps to open the eye giving it a brighter, more open look. Also, by tinting with the lash lift you are darkening; this helps the lashes look fuller and you won’t need to wear mascara. Your eye lashes will look very fluttery. You would even think you were wearing extensions without the damage to the natural lashes and its suitable for all ages. Even the shortest of lashes will be lifted.

The eyes and hands are some of the most important places for anti-ageing. With all the hand sanitising, it’s important to use hand cream more often. I always recommend applying just before bed so it can have time to really get to work on hydrating the hands. It’s clear from all my years of anti-ageing skincare for the face that hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient for hydration and anti-ageing. If you feel you need a boost for the hands, it’s a great idea to try a warm paraffin hand manicure which is a game changer for the hydration of the hands. SPF is essential to reduce and prevent further age spots. Use an eye cream morning and night, followed by an eye mask once a week and an eye facial once a month. Eye facials can be added into your regular facial for an extra lift.

Eyes for me are an area that needs most work as they don’t have any sebaceous glands of their own unlike the rest of the body. I often hear people saying they are allergic to eye cream, mostly it’s applied wrong or into the eye. Imagine you were looking at a skull – the bone of the eye socket is far back from the actual eye itself. You apply the eye cream on the bone area, just under the eyebrow and well under the eye using the ring finger as not to drag the skin as it’s super delicate. Use light circular motion from the inner corner under the eyebrow out to the temple lifting the brow as you go. It will drop with time and gravity, so it’s our job to encourage it to stay in place by exercising the muscle.

For more information or to book a skin consultation for the New Year, call Jill on 064 6632966.

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Night time is a restorative time for your skin

By Jill O’Donoghue from Killarney Toning and Beauty Studio I get asked a lot about night creams. If you think you’re too young or too old to use them, guess […]

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By Jill O’Donoghue from Killarney Toning and Beauty Studio

I get asked a lot about night creams. If you think you’re too young or too old to use them, guess again.

The production of collagen, a super building block in the maintenance of skin, hair and nails, begins to decrease as early as 25.

Night creams contain active ingredients that can’t be used during daylight hours as they react with the sun including Vitamin C, collagen, CoQ10, retinol, AHA’s, glycolic acids, hyaluronic acid and many more.

Also, while you are sleeping your skin is actively working on renewal, repair, and regeneration. These ingredients in good night creams help this process eg they are high in antioxidants which actively repair damage to the skin barrier and raise their immunity.

You apply a night cream before you go to bed, and it works its magic while you sleep. During the day your skin is subject to environmental stressors like pollution and sun. At night there is no potential for skin damage so the skin can focus on repair and regeneration. A night cream helps speed up this process. Night time is a restorative time for your skin.

Night creams also have anti-inflammatory agents which lessen the swelling and redness on the skin. They are deeply hydrating and help make the skin firmer and more elastic. In addition, they are usually deeply hydrating, providing a lot of moisture to the skin.

Night cream with collagen makes the skin firmer and more elastic, and it can smooth lines and wrinkles. It contains hydration from hyaluronic acid, which release hydration over serval hours and works better when sunscreen doesn’t interfere. In the morning your skin will appear plump and nourished, soft and supple.

You may even find you wear less make-up as your complexion improves or that your make-up is going on better to your beautiful hydrated fresh face.

I recommend you try Sothys Renovate Night Cream to reveal visibly renewed skin which appears rested and younger in the morning.

For any questions or more information ask Jill on 064 6632966.

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