The Leaf | Healthy Weight Loss Blog

What’s the best time to exercise? When you can fit it in—even if that’s right before bed. You may have heard that exercising at night can make it harder to fall asleep, but that claim doesn’t add up: According to the National Sleep Foundation, a study of 1,000 people found that there were no significant differences in sleep quality between people who exercised within four hours of going to sleep versus those who had worked out earlier in the day. No matter what time of day you exercise, you’ll likely sleep better: In the National Sleep Foundation study, 83 percent of “vigorous exercisers” got “very good” or “fairly good” quality of sleep, compared to just 56 percent of non-exercisers. And working out before bed could actually improve your sleep quality further: In a review of 23 different studies, published in Sports Medicine , people who exercised within four hours of bedtime had more hours of deep sleep than those who didn’t do those workouts, says RunnersWorld.com. Getting qualit

People have been sharing information and inspiration with each other through books for thousands of years. Today we all have many different options for entertainment and gathering knowledge, yet books remain popular. Across all genres, book sales are higher than ever—and the number of new titles published each year is increasing. Books now come in a variety of formats, including electronic books and audio books alongside more traditional printed volumes. Newsstands are full of magazines, with issues tailored to meet just about any interest. With so many options from which to choose, it’s easier than ever to find a medium that works for you—so you can read more every day. Reading has many benefits for your mind, body and mood. Researchers have been studying the impact that reading has on your health and well-being, and the results are overwhelmingly positive. Reading can even help move you toward your weight loss goal. Keep reading this article to find out why making time to read m

‘Tis the season for specialty foods and drinks! With so many enticing pumpkin and apple treats hitting the market, it’s hard not to get side-tracked from your healthy eating habits. Unfortunately, these kinds of foods pack more than just flavor—they dish out a lot of fat and calories, too. We’ve rounded up eight common offenders, along with some tips on how to make healthier choices so that you don’t feel like you have to miss out on your favorite fall fare. Here are eight simple swaps for a healthier fall: 1. Pumpkin Spiced Latte While it may be the signature drink of the season, many of the pumpkin spice drinks on the market pack a ton of fat and calories. A 12-ounce (Tall) Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks with whipped cream, for example, has 310 calories and 12 grams of fat. Don’t miss out on the full coffee shop experience. Instead, just order smart with these five simple ways to lighten up your latte . Better yet, save your money and whip up this healthy fall recipe instead

You could save a load of calories by skipping breakfast. About a quarter of American adults do. But does eating breakfast help you lose weight? And is it really the most important meal of the day? Does Eating Breakfast Help You Lose Weight? Statistically speaking, saving calories in the morning doesn’t guarantee that you’ll lose weight faster—or at all. In fact, studies have found that breakfast skippers are more likely to be overweight or obese than faithful morning eaters. 1 One study, for example, found that people who ate a bowl of cereal for breakfast weighed less than those who skipped breakfast or who ate a higher fat breakfast. 2 Some of the most successful losers—people who qualify for the National Weight Control Registry because they’ve lost 30 pounds or more and kept it off for more than a year—have a few things in common, the chief among them that 78 percent of them eat breakfast every day. 3 5 Breakfast Habits That Melt Pounds Read More Breakfast Keeps You Ful