By Anna Cortesi

The problem of obesity and unnecessary pounds in humans is timeless and always timely.

Too many scientists, physicians and nutritionists have been called upon to analyze the factors that help us consume larger quantities of food than the body needs to function properly. To combat the problem, several diets have been developed, some effective and others less so.

In this direction, chemical diets such as those of Dr. Herman Tarnower, known as the Scarsdale Diet. According to this diet, you are fed 43% protein, 22.5% fat and 34.5% carbohydrates. Examples of this type of diet are many, as are other exhaustive ways of eating. According to deprivation diets, a number of foods are banned from the diet. However, in all these diets there is a major problem and it has to do with the fact that the human body needs all kinds of nutrients and vitamins that it can accept from foods. You just need them in certain quantities and not excessive or not at all.

The saying ‘Metron Ariston’ belonging to Cleoboulos (6th century BC) is perfectly applicable in this case, since man is required to find a balance between the foods he receives and the way he receives them on a daily basis. In this way, he will nourish his body and live well, minimizing the given health problems that he will face in the opposite case.

So, it is not enough to say to ourselves that sugar, bread, fried foods, etc. We have to study our bodybuilding and build a diet plan based on our daily activities and tasks. This program should not exhaust our body. Instead, it must give us all the nutrients we need, give us energy and health, and, in conjunction with the right amount of water, make us not dehydrate and think we are hungry while doing everything else.

A proper diet consists of at least 5 appetizers a day, which start from the time we get up to work and finish about 3 hours before falling asleep. This means that we have to put something in our mouths every 3 hours. If we do this systematically and correctly we will see that we can consume everything in small quantities without disturbing, straining or oppressing our bodies. In addition, in a short time we will feel other people having activated the burning mechanisms within us.

Of course, all this without exercise or walking will not have the perfect effect. Therefore, we need to understand the enormous importance of our body exercise and incorporate it into our daily program.

For these reasons, therefore, proper and systematic nutrition combined with anticipated water consumption and daily exercise is the real solution to the problem of obesity. In no case exhaustive or deprived diets are needed to achieve the desired result, only to follow the aforementioned!

The post Say Goodbye to Strict Diets appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

These next few months are perfect for hiking in Cyprus as the weather is ideal for hiking on the mountains and close to the beach.

Hiking is a great form of exercise and an excellent way of discovering the hidden beauties of this island. There are several diffent levels of hiking paths here and they are all mapped so they are safe to explore and we provide the difficulty level for each trail!

Andreas Nearchou gives you some safety and preparation tips on what to do before, during and after your hiking adventure!

1. It is very important is to have a plan and you know the trail you are going to take. There are available maps and applications you can use or even the GPS app on your phone!
2. Always inform someone that you will be going hiking and how long you will be gone!
3. Regarding the necessary equipment, hiking shoes are essential as you need them to be comfortable and non slippery. You can find hiking shoes at various shops for every budget. A backpack is also important as you will need it to store your water, food and snacks, extra clothing and a first aid kit.
4. Food is necessary as you should take nutritious food that doesn’t go bad easily. Nuts, fruit, healthy bars, beef jerky and electrolytes are a must!
5. Sunscreen is another must as you will be closer to the sun and you are more likely to have sunburns faster, which can lead to dizziness and dehydration. Don’t forget to have a bug spray, antibiotic cream and antihistamines.
6. Always go with a group of people as it will be more fun and safer!
7. Having rain gear, like waterproof pants and jacket is vital as you can never predict the weather accurate enough ?!
8. You should have a pair of light lens sunglasses to protect you from the sun rays but most importantly from any branches that can hit you in the face during your hiking stroll.
9. Don’t eat any berries or mushrooms that you find on the slopes unless you know for sure they are eatable!
10. Bring a small knife with safety on and also a hiking pole or a good wooden stick.
11. Have a good warm up and stretch your legs before the hike and a 10 min stretch at the end!

Here is some pictures from our last hike at Pouziaris trail by Platres. 12km

Keep Fit and Healthy,

Andreas Nearchou

B.A. M.Sc Kinesiology

andreas@theshaper.eu

Instagram➡ iamtheshaper

The post “Hiking is one of those things that you can only do when you have the determination in you!” appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..

By Andreas Nearchou

The biggest trend of the last few years is the summer body!

Thousands of people start prepping for the summer starting in March.

A massive effort is being put out there to get lean enough for the beach.
A great thing having a goal and a focus but also a big risk.

During this article we will give you some safety tips some Do’s and Don’ts.

1: Eat right and don’t go to extreme measures to achieve quick and non-lasting results.

2: Don’t starve yourself and let this affect your entire quality of life. Eat something small every 3 hours, especially protein based without avoiding carbs and good fats.

3:  Train effectively and consistently in order to have proper results and an all-around feeling of well-being.

Do a proper warm up, then your weightlifting session, stretch and finish up with 30 mins of cardiovascular exercise.

4: Hydration is very important, so your body and mind can function properly. Make sure to always have a bottle of water around and take a sip slowly through the day.

5: Get enough rest for the body to recover and be able to train again the next day. If your body is telling you NO, you should listen and get more rest. One extra day off will actually benefit you than push yourself to the limits.

6: Limit your alcohol intake to the minimum in order to avoid hunger issues at night and also increase caloric intake.

If you do happen to drink a few, make sure you hydrate and increase your activity level to burn the extra calories off!

7: Don’t become antisocial so you can just look good daytime on the beach. Enjoy yourself above all and learn how your body and mind work when both used effectively!

8: Having a Fit and healthy body shouldn’t be a summer ready body; it should be an all year around habit!

9: Don’t go for the quick fix or quick results and at the end of the day hurt you more than keeping you healthy!

10: Make sure that training is the best part of your day. People don’t just come to the gym to exercise. There are many other reasons that the gym is utilized; stress relief, escape from work, escape from toxic people environment.

Keep Fit and Healthy!

Andreas Nearchou

B.A. M.Sc kinesiology

andreas@theshaper.eu

Instagram iamtheshaper

The post The “Summer Body” Mindset! appeared first on LoveCyprus | We Love Cyprus and you will Love it too..