If you have struggled to lose weight or keep it off, your hormones might be the culprit. Microscopic as they are, hormones hold extraordinary power, as they control every aspect of weight loss, including your metabolism, where you store your fat, your appetite, and even your cravings!

Everyone loves a good 2-in-1, like a college class that fulfills two requirements, a shampoo plus conditioner bottle, and a cronut. When it comes to working out and working off those cronuts, this month’s workout featuring the Total Gym ELEVATE Row Trainer will get the job done.

Over the past several years, my life had been defined by the stresses of work and life as a single parent living in a city just north of Los Angeles. At work, I routinely clocked over 60 hours a week in a high-stress environment, and I found myself in the habit of winding down with several glasses of wine with dinner and dessert most nights. The only nice gym was 30 minutes away, and I was unwilling to spend that kind of time driving to work out, especially with a son at home.

New Year, new you, new goals. And what better way to boost your motivation and commitment than with words of a scribe far wiser than you in a specific topic? Whether you want to learn to cook more nutritious (and easy) meals, build strength in the gym, to live a stress-free and happy life, there’s a book out there for you. We compiled a list of our favorites that would be great holiday gifts for that fitness-minded person in your life.

 

Good. Fat. Just a few years ago, putting those two words together would have been an oxymoron. But after decades of following the FDA’s recommendation to keep fat consumption to a minimum, science and research have recently turned the fat-free paradigm on its ear. “Good” — or healthy — fats actually help your body function optimally.

There’s a few reasons people suggest you don’t skip leg day (including to avoid becoming a meme). From a simple walk to intense cardio sessions and endurance events, most of us rely on our legs for various everyday tasks and more demanding physical activities. To make sure your lower body is primed for any challenge, try this month’s workout.

Before you dig into piping hot turkey and mashed potatoes this Thanksgiving, get your run on with one of these Turkey Trots.

 

Usually held on Thanksgiving morning, these running events has grown in popularity in recent years to the point where they have become as traditional as the bird itself.

 

Eating weeds is probably one of the last things on your mind. In fact, they are, by most accounts, undesirable. Consider this dreary definition: “A valueless plant growing wild.” But the dictionary isn’t always correct, and in this case, something we detest may actually be more precious to us than we think.

By Elizabeth Parsen, Nutritionist at ClubSport San Jose

 

Ghee, like butter, has been pleasing the palates of human mouths for thousands of years. However, it wasn’t until recently that a focus on fats has created confusion about the differences and similarities between the two and their role in human health.

 

Improve strength and stability with this month’s workout. Practically guaranteed to make you superhero strong — or, at the very least, enable you to open up that jar of cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner. The purpose of this double-dipper workout is to help you increase performance in both sports and everyday activities, as well as improve your posture and reduce the risk of injury.