The Leaf | Healthy Weight Loss Blog

All the hype online and in social media about “detox diets” and “cleanses” is just that—hype. Eating only certain foods and drinking weird “cleanse” concoctions do not, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), eliminate toxins from the body. Your liver does that, drawing on iron and calcium in your diet to draw toxins out and excrete it when you use the bathroom. And detox diets don’t work for weight loss, either. A 2017 review of these diets found that while they can lead to initial weight loss due to calorie restriction, they often lead to weight gain in the long run. That doesn’t mean there aren’t toxic chemicals in your home—there are, though usually they’re in small enough amounts that your body can fend them off. But if you’re worried about potentially disease- and obesity-causing chemicals, consider replacing or throwing out these six toxins at home to reduce your exposure. 1. Throw it Out: Products with “Fragrances” Certain types of chemicals in the air an

Do you find yourself still full of energy even as the clock nears a “bedtime hour?” Or, conversely, are you tired at night but wake up ready-to-go in the morning? While many do consider themselves “in between,” or find that it changes at different points in their lives, a lot of people tend to identify as being either more of an “early bird” or more of a “night owl.” And the fact is, there’s more to it than just personal preference. There is actual science behind why some people feel their best in the morning—and some at night. Here’s what research says about early birds versus night owls: It’s in Your Genes Like so many factors related to the way our bodies operate, the answer just may be written in our DNA. A study of nearly 90,000 people who had their genomes sequenced was able to identify 15 specific loci that were significantly associated with being a morning person. According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, loci tell us the location of a specific gene on a c

Walking is seriously underrated in terms of its benefits as an exercise. Oftentimes we feel as though we must get drenched in sweat to burn calories. In reality, walking really can do wonders to help boost your burn! Don’t get us wrong; cycling, running and all of those intense cardio activities are wonderful. But maybe you don’t always have time to hit the gym or go for a full-blown run. Sometimes, fitting in a couple of walks can feel a lot more doable. Fortunately, research supports the benefits of walking. A study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine , found that those who stuck with a walking program had significant improvements in blood pressure, reduction of body fat and body weight and overall better quality of life. To help you burn more calories, we’ve rounded up eight easy tips for your walking workout. Why Stress Keeps You From Losing Weight (and How to Beat It!) Read More 1. Walk on an incline, a hill or stairs. Going up? Walking on a treadmill

Air fryers are the ultimate tool for the dieter who likes immediate (or almost) gratification and who pines for the delectable fried foods that don’t appear on ANY “eat this” list. Air fryer recipes are the perfect way to satisfy both of these needs while sticking to a healthy weight loss plan! At Nutrisystem , our philosophy has been that the best diet is one you’ll stick to. So if you need your crispy fries or your piping hot dessert ASAP, you go for it! Let your air fryer help you on your weight loss journey, keeping you satisfied while making sure your diet is healthy. We’ve come up with some healthy air fryer recipes that we think you’re going to love. Bonus: They’re sure to help you get in your daily servings of fruits and veggies! So get ready to put your food in the air fryer, push some buttons and enjoy. 1. Air Fryer Baked Apple > Baked apple has the same irresistible flavor of apple pie without the crust. However, it’s usually covered in a buttery, brown-sugar crumbl