How is your weekend going? I hope it’s wonderful! My Mavs started my weekend out great with a win on Friday night … in case you don’t follow me on Instagram, here was me clutching my Mavs ball signed by Dirk and the “Will to Win” book while watching the game. Yes, I’m a bit ridiculous! We have a critical Game 7 tonight, and I have a health coaching client and Girls on the Run during the game … so I’ll be going radio silent on all social media for this afternoon in order to not see the results before I get to watch it! GO MAVS!
Well, I realize you probably didn’t come here to read about the Mavs :). It’s time for another round-up of 7 interesting articles I read this week, so buckle up! 
7 Interesting Things I Read This Week
- 7 Simple Ways to Improve Your Mental Health: Reminders that we’ve all heard before, but really, really good ones that are worth repeating again. I’ve been incorporating a lot more walks outside, and loving them! And you know how I feel about supplements and giving back!
- Nutrition Coaching Helpful in Preventing Depression: A University of Pittsburgh study showed a decrease in depressive symptoms for those who were engaged in a nutrition coaching program. This is amazing, and I think the point extends beyond just depressive symptoms and beyond just this sample. When someone is “actively engage[d] in managing their own life problems,” they are far more likely to experience positive results. One major reason my health coaching programs work is that I support my clients in their own commitment to improving themselves. I can’t eat or exercise for anyone else, but I can support you in your commitment to yourself, and provide motivation and accountability along the way.
(I have no idea why they selected this picture for nutrition coaching in relation to older individuals, but I’m going with it!) - Photos of the Plants your Favorite Foods Grow On: In edition #4 of “7 Interesting Things I Read This Week,” I linked to an article that highlighted some of these foods, and I’m excited to see a few more! Do you know what quinoa, almonds, cocoa, or coffee look like as they’re growing?
- 14 Important Reasons to Exercise Regularly: I’ve already shared my 7 top reasons to fit in exercise, but Lifehack one-upped me by giving you 14!
- Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria are in Every Part of the World: Our overuse of antibiotics is causing significant issues, and people with serious diseases are finding themselves unable to fight off diseases. Even more interestingly, many of our increasingly common digestive issues (potentially including food intolerances) may be linked to our over-reliance on antibiotics. I believe that some doctors are too quick to prescribe antibiotics, often because consumers are too quick to request (and even demand) them from their doctors, and I hope this is something we can dramatically change. Note: As a Health Coach (certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners), I do not give advice on prescription medication, so I am not telling you never to take an antibiotic, only offering my opinion on a larger-scale issue.
(picture source) - Eat nuts, live longer: You know that I support healthy fats for their heart and overall health benefits, their help in keeping you fuller for longer, and their delicious taste, but here’s a report on a study that shows they’ll help you live longer, too! Study participants who ate nuts 7+ times weekly had a 20% lower rate of death after four years than those who didn’t eat nuts regularly! We were so scared away from healthy fats due to the previous low-fat craze that some people still “fear” nuts (myself included, up until 5 or so years ago), and yes, they do add up because they are so calorie- and nutrient-dense, but nuts are such a healthy addition to our diets! Of course, if you have a nut allergy, there are other ways to get your healthy fats, but if you don’t, consider adding in some delicious nuts today!
- Why Runners Can’t Eat Whatever They Want: I’m not running a ton of mileage now, but when I’m marathon training or completing long runs, people will inevitably say, “Wow, you must be able to eat whatever you want!” While it’s absolutely true that runners can (and should) consume extra calories to fuel their bodies and help recover from the strain of exercise, exercise does NOT eliminate the need for proper nutrients! Runners, or any athletes, still need to consider proper nutrition and the future impact of their food choices on their bodies. It’s often hard for athletes to get in enough healthy food due to their increased calorie needs, but it can be done! This article is a great reminder of this topic.
*Don’t forget to stop by tomorrow – I have a fun giveaway coming!*
So tell me in the comments … Which of these articles is your favorite? Do you like nuts? What is your #1 tip for improving mental health?
SLEEP = MENTAL HEALTH STARRRR!!!! Seriously. Without sleep, everyone’s brains are just cloudy messes! LOL!
Yes, I can tell you from experience that my brain is a cloudy mess without sleep 🙂
Love nuts! I actually shared that study a couple of months ago. Love that one of my favorite foods, nut butter contributes to a longer life!
One of my favorite foods, too, Kim! I go through lots and lots of nut butter :).
Lots of great and interesting reads – thank you for sharing 🙂
I’ve read a similar article before on why runners can’t eat what they want. It is funny as you can get in the mindset of because I ran for this long I should be able to eat a LOT more but it just isn’t true and I’ve heard of a lot of people gaining weight when training for a marathon.
Thanks, Jan! Yes – running and weight loss is a tricky thing! I have another post on it here if you’re interested! https://www.thelyonsshare.org/2014/02/05/losing-weight-while-marathon-training-impossible/
Love this second post too! Such an interesting topic 🙂
You cannot do anything to “reverse” a bad diet besides changing what you eat. People are so calorie focused and equate thinness with health and completely miss the big picture. It’s so important for runners and non runners to figure out what foods make them healthier and which foods are harming them. You can burn calories but you can’t burn off the long term affects of eating processed junk!
Agree Michele – for too many years I went by the mantra of running to be thin and eat what I wanted. Now that running and eating are part of my ‘life continuum’ I feel and look better than I have for ages … and if I choose to eat something else I am OK with it.
I agree, Michele! Being thin or eating less calories (but junky calories) does not mean you are necessarily healthier. Quality is so important!
That running article is a great reminder that you can’t outrun a bad diet. It can definitely be a challenge to keep a healthy diet while marathon training! I try to just keep eating healthy foods throughout the day, and treat myself once a day to something I’m craving (usually dessert!) This seems to work for me because I don’t find myself grazing on junk food all day long. Also, good food makes me feel better when I am running!
Yes, Lisa! I certainly didn’t mean that there is no room for treats while marathon training. You know I love my dessert every day! I meant that just because you’re burning hundreds of extra calories doesn’t mean you can drive through McDonalds 3x per day every day – you still need those veggies, nutrients, and a good balance of carbs / protein / healthy fats! I think you’re doing great 🙂
And I can certainly vouch for Megan being a FANTASTIC health and nutrition coach and support system – she is knowledgable, patient and flexible to meet individual needs.
Proof = I am golfing today in outfit I haven’t been able to wear in almost 3 years. ::))
PS. I always wondered how quinoa grew??
Thank you so much for those nice words. You looked AWESOME in your golfing outfit!! I know you have always asked me how quinoa grew and I never knew 🙂
Meg: I loved the link to the photos of what some of our foods actually look like when growing and not on display in the grocery store. I would NEVER have guessed that my beloved cashews grow as an appendage to a poisonous host! – Gary
Haha, I know, Gary! The cashews are so funny looking! Makes you wonder who takes the time to shell all those things … and now I guess I see why they’re so expensive!
Yes, support is so essential! A lot of people may know what they have to do but aren’t able to actually do it until they have support and someone who believes in them. Plus, there are some nutritional therapies to try out for depression.
I couldn’t agree more, Lauren!
I don’t remember where I first saw the saying “You can’t outrun a crappy diet!” … but it is SO true!
Love these links – and my favorite is the one about health coaching. And your statement “I support my clients in their own commitment to improving themselves” is SO important. When you hear about weight loss and fitness ‘failures’, very often it starts well enough but the person lacks a support system – or worse yet has a significant other or friend group who subconsciously sabotage them to feel better about themselves.
I know I see with Lisa and I through the years that there were times when we enabled bad eating/shopping/spending habits … it is constant work to be the best advocate, even when it means saying things the other person doesn’t want to hear.
I love your thoughts on this, Michael. It’s so true that a relationship requires being a true advocate, not only saying what the other person wants to hear. I love that! And thanks for your comments on coaching – I can never make decisions for someone else, but investing in me is a symbol that they are ready to invest in themselves!
Really love the article about runner’s not being able to eat what they want. Not only is the processed junk not good for you but it does NOTHING for your running! It leaves you feeling tired and crappy. Proper nutrition is ESSENTIAL if you want to be able to be at your best! If you eat the right things it’s amazing how much EVERYTHING turns around!
I couldn’t agree more, Sara!!