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The Power of Progress Tracking to Achieve Your Goals

October 31, 2023 by Wendy S

Let’s start with an innocent question: Are you on a quest to become the best version of yourself?

If the answer is yes, you are not alone. Roughly 7 in 10 women think they are not good enough. Low self-esteem is on the rise, and 90% of women admit they would love to change the way they look. The quest for perfection is a never-ending story, and one that is deeply anchored into unrealistic societal beliefs. Nevertheless, more and more women are unable to see through when it comes to their own appearance. And truth be told, we live in a world that makes slim synonymous with worthy. That being said, achieving your fitness goals in a healthy way can also help support your health in the long term. Ultimately, being fit and not carrying extra weight will put less burden on your body.

So there are, of course, pros and cons to wanting to improve your body. And if you are going down the health benefits route, you want to ensure you’re equipped to track your progress. Indeed, progress tracking is at the core of making your health dreams come true.

Unsplash – CC0 license

The coach connection

Let’s face it; embarking on a fitness journey can be daunting. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned gym-goer, you can do with someone pushing you in the right direction. This is precisely where working with a personal trainer comes into play. A coach will not only offer the guidance you need, but they also act as an accountability partner.

More importantly, your fitness coach has a deeper understanding of body mobility and strength, which means they can easily adjust your workout when they notice that things are getting too easy or too hard. A common mistake for fitness amateurs is to stick to the same workout plan without being able to tell whether they are progressing.

The app advantage

This is a tech-savvy world, and one where you have access to a ton of apps such as MyFitnessPal. MyFitnessPal is a calorie tracking application, allowing you to carefully monitor your calorie intake and calorie burning for the day.

Why does it matter? You’d be surprised to know how off our guesstimates are at the end of the day. You may think you have not eaten much, but it turns out that the few snacks you nibbled on could be high in calories and affect your goals.

The power of progress photos

Seeing is believing. You may assume that because you see your body every day you’ll notice differences. But, in reality, it can be the complete opposite. Because you see your body day after day, you may not spot significant changes in the mirror. This is why it is important to take photos at the start of your fitness journey. You can compare yourself against your reference photos.

The rules of reference and progress photos:

Try to wear the same clothes whenever possible, such as your sports outfit
Try to take the photos in the same location and at around the same time
Try to maintain the same pose

This will help make your progress stand out!

There is no denying that tracking progress is crucial to achieving your fitness goals. Progress will give you insights on how to continue your journey, such as adjusting workout plans, and on how far you’ve already come.

Awesome Things To Do When You’re Camping As A Family

October 11, 2023 by Wendy S

Camping has to be one of the very best types of vacation for a family group. Not only do you get to explore the great outdoors, but you also get to spend time together away from all the distractions of modern life. Of course, if you take your family campaign you will want to make sure that they are amused and engaged during their stay. The good news is you can find some of the very best activities everyone can get involved in on a camping trip below. Read on to find out what they are.

Do some campfire cooking

The first and some may argue one of the most fun activities you can do while camping is cooking. After all, you’re going to need some hot meals during your stay, and campsite cooking is quite a different experience from cooking and eating indoors. Where possible try and do some proper campfire cooking, even if it’s just S’mores! All you need is gram crackers, chocolate and marshmallows. Although a spread like Nutella can make them pop.

Campfire bread cooked by wrapping it around sticks and placing it in the fire is another firm favourite. This is because the kids not only get to search for and collect the sticks to cook it and make the dough, but they also get a fun savory snack at the end of the process. Although, you will need to make sure the kids are well supervised whether cooking on a camping stove or over an open campfire flame, and that you maintain proper campfire safety.

Try building a survival shelter

Another great camping activity that the whole family can get involved in is building a survival shelter. The idea of this is to collect materials that you find around you in the forest and then use them to create a structure that provides some protection from the elements including the cold and the rain. If you are a truly adventurous family you may want to spend some time in your shelters before you head back to camp as well.

To prepare for this task, watching videos on the different types of shelters that can be effective is a good idea. You can even split the family unit into 2 teams and have a competition to see who is the best survivalist!

Fly your drone

Flying your drone is also a great camping adjacent activity to try. This is for two key reasons, the first is that it’s a great way of recording your trip and getting a bird’s eye view of the terrain you are in. While the second is that you can often find locations that are great for camping, and drone flying at the same time. A perfect example of this is camping in a coastal spot which allows you to to fly your drone out over the sea.

However, some important considerations need to be made when flying a drone. First of all, you need to make sure you have a reliable and robust piece of equipment, like the DJI M30T which is lightweight but still portable. This is something which makes it perfect for camping when you don’t want to have to use up all your luggage space.

Secondly, you need to plan the location where you will fly and film carefully. For example, densely populated forests tend to be a bad idea even for the most advanced drone users as it can be hard to avoid all the obstacles that they hold. Last of all, it’s crucial to remember that in many places you will need to hold the proper permits to fly your drone, so be sure to apply for these well ahead of time, or you risk confiscation and fine.

Scavenger Hunt

One of the most fun activities for the whole family during a camping trip is a scavenger hunt. The basic principle of a scavenger hunt is that you set a certain number of specific objects that each team or individual must find. The great thing about this is that you can tailor it specifically to your group or location making it easier for kids and more challenging for the adults. Another great thing about scavenger hunts is that you can get a wealth of premade sheets to use online. All you need to do is download them and then print them.

Alternatively, if you are looking for something for the older kids or a more mixed group then what about giving geocaching a go? It’s very similar to a scavenger hunt but the idea is that you are given the latitude and longitude coordinates of a geocache and then you hike to that area to find it. The twist is that not all geocaches (usually small plastic containers to protect from the weather) are easy to find and some are rather deliberately camouflaged and hidden so you really have to search for them.

Happily, you can usually get some clues from the notes that other people have entered on the geocaching website you use. Once you have found the cash, there is usually paper and pencil for you to add your name, initials or date. Sometimes there will be tokens inside which you are encouraged to take and then distribute in a different geocache so they move around the country and even the world!

Go on a Hike

Surely a classic camping activity has to be to take the whole family on a hike? Hikes can be great fun for so many reasons such as getting out and exploring a new location, getting to see things that you can see from any other vantage point, and working up a good sweat.

For the whole family to hike together successfully it’s a smart idea to make sure everyone is kitted out with the proper equipment before you begin. This means sturdy walking shoes or boots, along with natural fibre socks that provide comfort and a barrier for the foot so it does not rub, but that also lets the foot breathe and will dry out fast if they get wet when fording a stream.

It also makes sense to do a little research into your route before you begin. Look online to check the skill and fitness level of a potential route, and make sure it fits everyone including the weakest member of your group. Also, be sure to get information about potential hazards, the times of year that it’s safe to hike that trail, and how long it should take approximately. Be sure to take at least one fully charged smartphone and a powerpack in case of emergencies as well.

Relax

Last of all, but by no means least, a fantastic activity to do as a family while camping is to relax. Indeed, there is no better place in the world to relax than in the wilderness because you are so far away from people, work, school, and all the little things that stress you out every day.

With that in mind, what about hanging some hammocks between the trees and spending some time dozing in the sun? Alternatively, you may like to spend the time reading, or telling spooky stories around the campfire. (A great activity that helps kids develop their imagination and public speaking skills).

Although, if the weather is less than perfect you could build a pillow fort inside your tent. Then if the kids insist, you could all watch a movie on a portable DVD player or your phone while snuggled under a blanket! Add some yummy snacks like candy, chips, and popcorn if you have a gas burner and some Jiffy Pop and you can while away some happy hours altogether as a family.

3 Essential Tips When Moving To Canada

September 29, 2023 by Wendy S

Image Credit: John Lee from Unsplash.

Moving countries is becoming more and more popular every year. While immigrants choose various countries based on different preferences, one of the more appealing places to move to is Canada. It’s easy to see why thousands of people choose here to set up their new lives.

Moving to Canada offers more than a few benefits. It’s got a great healthcare system, appealing educational system, and a high quality of life. There’s no reason not to at least consider it.

If you’re thinking about it, it’s worth diving into a few essential tips for your move to Canada.

Moving To Canada: 3 Essential Tips

1. Sort Out The Necessities

As soon as you move to Canada, make sure you sort out the necessities. You would’ve already thought of somewhere to live and a few other obvious examples. Then there are a few not-so obvious ones, like a bank account, phone, and internet connection. Get these sorted as soon as you can.

They’ll be vital for your life moving forward, so there’s no reason not to sort them out early. You’ll need some of them before you can accept any job offers in Canada, for example. While they might take a little while to figure out, they’ll be more than worth the effort.

2. Do Your Research

You’ll need to find out how to immigrate to Canada in the right way. This can depend on your specific circumstances, such as where you’re moving from. Spend some time researching and making sure you know the specific steps you need to take so you can do it legally.

While that might mean delaying your move a little bit, it’ll put you on the right foot once you do move. If you want to make sure everything’s legal while avoiding as much stress as possible, you’ve no excuse not to spend some time researching everything. Spend as much time as you need to on it.

3. Get An Educational Credential Assessment

If you have certain degrees, you might need to go through a few additional steps when you’re moving to Canada. The degrees you’ve earned mightn’t be properly accredited or recognised in Canada. That doesn’t mean they’re useless and that you’ll need to redo your college years, however.

Instead, it just means you’ll have to get an Educational Credential Assessment. This is to test what you learned in your degree against Canadian standards. Thankfully, this shouldn’t be a problem for most immigrants, and you should get through it relatively easily. You’ll breeze through it quite quickly.

Moving To Canada: Wrapping Up

Moving to Canada can be appealing for more than a few reasons. The quality of life you can expect is relatively high. You can set yourself up there for life and expect to have a great time. Add in the various high-quality jobs to apply for, and you’ve no reason not to consider it.

Make sure you take a few steps and follow certain tips when you’re doing so. You’ll make sure you can start your life there easily and relatively stress-free.

How To Care Better For Your Teeth

August 16, 2023 by Wendy S

Teeth can be something of a nightmare even at the best of times. No matter who you are or what your history is like, you probably find that you often struggle to look after your teeth as well as you know you should. That is something that most of us experience, and it’s just the kind of thing that you need to try and keep in mind if you are going to be able to have good dental health in the future. With that in mind, here are some of the main things to consider when it comes to caring for your teeth more effectively.

Learn A Proper Brushing Technique

It might be worth checking your brushing technique, because many of us learn a technique at one point that turns out not to be quite as good as it could be, and that can be a real problem in the long run. You might not actually be cleaning your teeth as well as you would hope, which means that you are not really making a difference to them at all in the long run. So make sure that you are learning a proper brushing technique and that you do all you can to make use of it in the future. It will make a difference.

Pic Credit – CCO License

Find A Good Dentist

Of course, having access to a good dentist is one of those things that can really help as well, and which you are going to need to make sure you are thinking about if you want to look after your teeth as well as you would hope to. When you have a good dentist on your side, it means that you are going to find it much easier to care for your teeth, and that you’ll have all the advice and guidance you could possibly need as well. This is of course a hugely important thing to consider here.

Get Them Straightened

Having straight teeth is not just a matter of aesthetics, although that is often an important part of this too. It’s also a fact that straight teeth are going to be considerably more likely to be healthy, because when they are misaligned that leads to all sorts of problems, including an increased likelihood of them falling out. This is therefore something that you will really want to keep an eye on, and get some clear retainers if it becomes obvious you might need them.

Pic Credit – CCO License

Find Your Motivation

If you are generally struggling to actually be motivated to look after your teeth, then you might want to think about what your motivation is. You might think about some of the results of not doing so – including even heart problems from gum disease as well as unsightly mouths – or simply think about how great you can look with a good smile. In either case, it’s something that you will want to make sure you are thinking about in some way or another.

Baby Care Basics For First Time Parents: What You Need To Know

August 15, 2023 by Wendy S

Image by -Rita-👩‍🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay

Everyone gets excited when they’re expecting a baby, but there’s also a certain amount of anxiety involved in it. You’ll need to worry about taking care of your child, as they naturally wouldn’t be able to do it yourself. As a first-time parent, that can feel overwhelming, but it gets easier with some baby care basics.

Knowing what to expect in the days and weeks after having a baby helps with this. While it can still be an exhausting experience, you’ll be able to make sure you and your baby are still taken care of. With a little effort, and maybe even a few sleepless nights, you shouldn’t have a problem looking after your newborn.

It’s worth diving into everything you need to know before you have a baby. If you’re pregnant, consider it essential reading.

Top Baby Care Basics You Need To Know About

With a few baby care basics, you shouldn’t have a problem taking care of your newborn. There’s quite a bit of advice out there, so it’s hard to figure out what’s actually helpful. While keeping your and your baby’s needs in mind helps, you’ll need a little extra help with it. It’s worth diving into a few of the essentials with it.

If you’re a first-time parent, this is one of the more anxiety-inducing parts of the process. Where do you even start, and how do you even look after a newborn? Thankfully, it shouldn’t be as complicated as you might’ve thought. When you’re having a newborn, there are a few things to focus on, especially in the days and weeks after they’re born:

Sleeping – Your baby doesn’t know what night and day are, and they’ll be adjusting to life outside the womb. That leads to newborn sleep patterns being a little all over the place. It’s one of the more obvious things you’ll have to know about before your baby arrives. They’ll be sleepier than they would be as they get older, and will often need much more than older children.
Safety – You’ll already know you’ll need to keep your baby safe, but you mightn’t know everything you need about doing it. Swaddling them right, getting them the right kind of clothes, and similar baby care basics help with that. Then there’s the likes of sudden infant death syndrome and other conditions to worry about. Know how to reduce the risks of these happening so you don’t have anything to worry about.
Washing – You’ll have to wash your baby regularly, with this being at least two or three times a week. Sometimes, that can be complicated, and your newborn mightn’t enjoy it. If they object to having baths, you could consider the topping and tailing approach, where you clean their head, bottom, and similar areas. They’ll be more comfortable with it and will get used to being cleaned. Bathe them two or three times a week on top of this.

That doesn’t mean that’s all you’ll need to focus on when your baby’s born. There are quite a few other things you might want to know about. You mightn’t know about many of these until your baby actually arrives. By knowing what to expect, though, you’ll make it a lot easier for yourself.

At least, you’ll be better prepared when they actually get here. It’s worth going through seven of the more important – and often overlooked – things you’ll need to expect when your baby gets here.

What To Expect After Having A Baby

1. You’ll Be Sore

When you’re having a baby, it’s natural to focus on the health and wellbeing of the newborn as soon as they’re born. It could be all you’d think about, and you mightn’t even factor in how you’ll feel in the days and weeks after they’re born. It’s something you’ll need to think about.

Chances are you’ll be quite sore, and it’s pretty easy to see why. Childbirth can be a traumatic experience for any woman, and you should be prepared for it. Know what the recovery will be like in the days and weeks after you give birth.

2. They Could Get Sick

You’ll naturally want your baby to be as healthy as possible, and you’ll put a lot of time and effort into that. It mightn’t always turn out that way, and there’s a decent chance they could get sick in the first few days after they’re born. These are usually some of the more common illnesses and shouldn’t be life threatening.

You’ll still need to be prepared for it, though, as it avoids you being overly stressed about something you don’t need to be too worried about it. Consult your newborn’s doctor, and everything should be fine.

3. Feeding Is Hard

Your newborn will naturally get hungry at various points during the day. In most cases, it’ll be easy to feed them, but that mightn’t be the case during the first week of their life. They could be much harder to feed than you would’ve expected. It’s easy to see why that’s the case.

They would’ve gotten used to being fed a certain way in the womb, and they could be expecting that kind of treatment again. They’ll need to adjust to being fed with a bottle, so it’ll be a little trickier to feed them in the days after they’re born.

4. You Might Cry

Everyone knows a baby will cry a lot in the weeks after they’re born. What they often don’t realize is the parents could cry a decent bit, too. That’s especially true with moms, as they would’ve been through a traumatic experience during childbirth. It’s a natural part of the process, so be prepared for it.

Even if you have a C-section, it could still be an emotional time. Don’t be ashamed in feeling the way you do, and make sure you experience your emotions. Don’t keep them inside, and let them out when you need to.

5. You Won’t Get Much Sleep

As mentioned above, a baby’s sleep patterns can be a little all over the place. You’ll need to adapt to that, which could mean you mightn’t get as much sleep as you might’ve had before. Be prepared for that and try to sleep anytime your baby sleeps. It’ll make it easy for yourself.

Taking shifts with your partner gives the both of you the chance to get some extra sleep whenever you need it. While that takes a bit of juggling, it’ll make sure you’re getting close to as much sleep as you and your partner need.

6. Your Baby’s Skin Needs TLC

After your baby is born, you’ll likely want to give them a bath pretty soon. They’ll be coated in a white, waxy substance when they first come out of the womb. It happens with every baby, and this substance is called the vernix. Since it might make them appear dirty – and even make them smell – you might want to wash it off quickly.

As it turns out, that mightn’t always be the best approach. It could offer a few benefits if you leave your newborn coated in it for a few hours or even a day or so. They might cry less, and they’ll be less likely to develop hypothermia while protecting their skin. Give it a day or so before you wash it off, and your child will be better off because of it.

7. There’ll Be A New Normal

With all of the above in mind, it’s easy to see how having a baby leads to your life changing dramatically. That should be obvious to everyone, but it’s often difficult to understand and figure out exactly what this new normal will be. In many cases, things could get more difficult, especially when you don’t know what you’re doing.

The key to this is to adapt to your new normal, and there are quite a few ways you can do this. You and your partner can figure this out relatively easily by working together on it. Since most of these changes can be quite personal, it’s worth spending some time figuring this out with your partner.

It’s also worth mentioning friends and family might be eager to help. If you need it, there’s no shame in taking them up on this.

Baby Care Basics: Wrapping Up

First-time parents have a lot to take on board, and it could feel like an overwhelming experience. It leads to a lot of anxiety as you worry about how you can take care of them. You’ll have to know the essentials before the baby’s born, and that’s especially true of some baby care basics.

By knowing what to expect and how to handle it, you shouldn’t have much of a problem. There’ll still be a lot of work involved, and you could even feel yourself getting exhausted on more than a few occasions.

That’s natural and shouldn’t be anything to be ashamed of. You’ll still be getting your grips on everything, but knowing a few things beforehand makes this much easier.