by Vikkiin Nutrition, Tips0 comments
By Karlee Burmaster Should I try intermittent fasting? I often get this question from clients that I work with. It’s the new, latest and greatest trend! Reported benefits include weight loss, better hunger regulation, reduced inflammation, and more. By that logic, you should try it, right? Not so fast. WHAT IS INTERMITTENT FASTING First, let’s talk about what intermittent fasting is. Intermittent fasting is a meal timing schedule where you voluntarily go between periods of fasting and eating. There are different methods of intermittent fasting which I will go over later. But why intermittent fast? Well, it is a weight loss tool and that is the most common reason people want to try it. WHAT INTERMITTENT FASTING DOES IN OUR BODY Intermittent fasting has a direct effect on your hormones and cells, such as growth hormone, insulin levels and cellular repair. Growth hormone increases during fasting which is great because GH helps increase muscle gain which in turn helps with fat loss. With fasting, your insulin sensitivity improves, and your insulin levels tend to drop significantly. When this happens, it makes the body fat that is stored in your body more assessable. As far as cellular repair goes, when you […]
by Vikkiin Nutrition, Tips0 comments
Protein is the “it” macronutrient right now. Wherever you look, you’ll find pills and powders proclaiming a high protein content and promising strength gains. But with no regulation for supplements and a wide variety of protein types out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out what will work best for you, your lifestyle, and your goals. In the guide below, we break down the way proteins are classified, the different types of proteins available, and how to pick the best one for your needs. Let’s get jacked! Protein Classifications There are two key classifications that you’ll find on protein supplement labels. If you’ve ever been confused by a container of protein powder, read on for some clarification. Protein Concentrate and Protein Isolate The terms protein concentrate and protein isolate refer to how much of the product is made up of protein. All protein powders start out as one thing (milk, peas, soy, etc.) and are stripped of most of their carbohydrates and fats to create a supplement that’s mostly protein. Products labeled protein concentrate are 70 to 85 percent pure protein, with the remaining 15 to 30 percent being carbohydrates and fats. Protein isolate uses additional processing to further […]
by Vikkiin Blog, Tips0 comments
The start of a New Year always brings an influx of goals, hopes, and dreams for the New Year. Optimism runs rampant. The excitement in the air is palpable as people share their plans, feeling an iron-clad sense of determination, motivation, and commitment. Nowhere is this phenomenon seen more than inside the walls of a gym. Thousands of people each year set goals to better their health and fitness — to lose weight, build muscle, eat better, and, our favorite, get healthy. And despite the resolve and enthusiasm seen come January 1, by mid-February, 80% of people have completely abandoned their big plans. Why? Because those are absolutely terrible goals. Don’t get us wrong — wanting to improve your health or change your body composition are wonderful and worthy pursuits. But the odds of achieving your goals when they’re generic and not measurable are slim to none. Here’s what you should do instead. Step 1: Figure Out What Your Goals Are The first step in the goal-setting process isn’t the most fun. In order to really hone in on where you want to go, it helps to harshly evaluate where you are and why you are or aren’t satisfied. Resist […]
