CACAO BEAUTY

See the Dec Issue of Athleisure Mag and read Cacao Beauty in mag.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PEA PROTEIN POWDER

Protein is important in our body, whether we like it or not we need to have this kind of nutrient in our body. It gives us enough strength and energy to go on with our day. However, we don't naturally make proteins in our body, we have to intake it. This is why there is a variety of food that has protein which not all of them have good nutrients. You may consider eating your favorite meat or eggs but what comes next? A handful of saturated fats and cholesterol. And take note, "not-so-good cholesterol". Yes, you ingest it in your body but eating too much of it also causes health risk (read more).

Why Is Pea Protein Different?

You might remember when you were a kid, your parents will always force you to finish your meal even if it has peas on it. Some kids indulge to pair it with their meal, and some don't like the idea of eating such things. Well, the pea in the pea protein is quite different from what you usually saw and eat. It comes from the yellow pea then turns in to powder form, lastly used in juice and shakes. As I have mentioned there are many sources of protein but how is pea protein different? It’s because they are the top tier in the plant-based protein that has a lot of health benefits with no side effects.

Take note that some nutrient sources such as soy and whey have impacts on your health. In what way? Well, they can cause digestive problems in which it can bother your wellness and plans. Also, you can't escape the bloating that is really bothersome. For instance, soy can affect your hormones and a form of allergen that is not beneficial to many. Remember that you need to have a powerhouse of protein and not some sort of another problem in your body.

5 Health Benefits Of Pea Protein Powder

Benefit Your Kidney And Heart Health

Other forms of proteins have a side effect that causes cholesterol, but it does not work that way in pea protein. How come? Because it came from the yellow pea and studies have shown that it has components which help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Quite different from the other, in this way you are protected from heart disease and unwanted situations. It has been tested in animals and has a good point in the human study. Your kidney is also safe as it prevents any kind of problem as some source is harmful to the kidneys. Read more about this here: https://blogs.davita.com/kidney-diet-tips/green-pea-protein-powder/.

Help Muscle Growth

People who are regular in the gym and other training exercises must have heard that drinking protein shake or juice can really help your muscle growth. Testimonies everywhere, and guess what? It really does but not all practice it properly, because they think they can just rely on it without executing some workout. This is not the kind of mindset that you should have, you must know that to achieve your desired body you should also exert force and effort. You can intake it before or after your workout as it helps repair and rebuilds your tissue. It helps lower or regularize high blood pressure too (read more).

Essential Amino Acids And Allergen-Free Protein

There are nine required amino acids and our body needs it. To name these are leucine, lysine, histidine, isoleucine, tryptophan, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine and valine. See, they are really hard to remember and you might get a headache in trying to look for food and supplement that have all of them. That is why pea protein provides them easily for you, although it does not have enough methionine you can always have a minor alternative such as fish or brown rice. Pea protein is plant-based that is definitely vegan and tested and proven that it doesn't have the top eight food allergens. If it doesn't make you feel assured then it is up for you to check.

Can Help You Weight Loss

If it helped you with your muscle growth, then it can also help your weight loss journey. But on what terms? It keeps you full and controls your appetite that results in weight loss. You usually don't notice it at first as it has low calories that help your diet. It is a gradual process and you may or may not add some other source of protein to your diet. But if you have certain doubts which are understandable, you can ask your physician as it has different considerations in different types of bodies. Also, if you have any illness or conditions better make sure to have a professional opinion so that it won't cause complications.

Good Supply Of Energy

As this nutrient is essential to your health, it has a significant role in how your body processes and transports things. By now, you already have an idea about the cluster of foods and what it signifies. And it keeps your bone, muscles, and tissues healthy in this way you can exert and do many things. The amino acids will help you produce the energy that you need throughout the day. It is beneficial and pea protein is a complete package that can help you achieve it in one form. Check out this list on Urban Vegan for the best pea protein powder products to choose from.

Different Ways You Can Intake Your Pea Protein Powder

Even though you are aware that it is frequently mixed with juice or made into shakes you can always improvised and try other creative ways. People who want to have a unique and photo-worthy post-workout meal can mix it into waffles or brownies, which may or may not a good idea for many but why not? If you want to have a simple meal plus another nutrient source you can make brown rice cereal or wheat porridge. A morning head start can also be plain milk with pea powder, simple yet delicious and most especially healthy! And if you are not totally in a mood for a meal well, you can make it into a Popsicle or blended smoothie.

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THE PICK ME UP

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GAIN MONEY AT THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME VIA ONLINE SPORTS BETTING

Online gambling is a popular trend that is loved by many, and when you mix that with sports, you get a whole new different experience! You can do it easily at home without going anywhere, and the convenience of it all makes this pastime all the more enjoyable. Plus, you get to watch the sport you love.

Take a look at how lucrative sports betting can be with these simple steps.

Have a budget plan

A realistic budget plan is very important because you don't want to get carried away. You need to make enough money to compensate for bet placement fees and earn some extra cash as well.

This all partially depends on luck, so you need to have a specific amount of cash that you're willing to lose. That way, you won't get in big trouble if things don't go your way. Having a predetermined budget is easier for bet tracking purposes, too.

Choose a sport

This depends on the market and how good you know a specific sport. Sports scenes vary by country, so if you're in Indonesia, football or volleyball make the perfect choice for some judi online fun at home, while betting platforms have specified sections for those sports. Online platforms allow you to have fun while betting on a sport that you understand.

Plan everything out

When it comes to sports betting, a considerable amount of strategizing and planning is involved. You need to know which team is worth the risk and understand the odds and lines that other platforms have in store, too. You don't have to learn all the strategies, but know that some can make a huge difference. Also, you need to browse to see which platform has more bonuses or returns for you.

Research certain conditions

This is very important because it can make a huge difference to your bet placement decision; you need to learn about the players and their physical conditions. Make sure to check if any of them have had injuries that might hinder their performance. Moreover, you need to check weather forecasts because weather conditions can change the state of the game and make outcomes unpredictable. 

Bet on value

Whether you have a short term or a long term goal, you need to understand the concept of value. It's one of the best ways to make a profit in the long run. Remember to place your bets on games or teams that have a positive expected value. That way, your earnings are more profitable, especially when you understand the correlation between the odds and the expected outcome of the game. When the odds are higher, this brings in positive expected value.

Sports betting can be a great way to make some money on the side and if you do it right, you could make hundreds of thousands or even millions in profit! This type of betting is different than other gambling methods, so it's partially based on luck as well. You just have to be smart about it, and come up with the best strategy for placing your bets.

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STYLE FILES | PANTONE 2020

Read the Dec Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Style Files | Pantone 2020 in mag.

IN OUR BAG | ALWAYS AT THE READY

Read the Dec Issue of Athleisure Mag and see In Our Bag | Always at the Ready in mag.

#TRIBEGOALS

Read the Dec issue of Athleisure Mag and see #TRIBEGOALS in mag.

HOW TO DRESS FOR A PLETHORA OF EVENTS

Read the Dec Issue of Athleisure Mag and see How to Dress for a Plethora of Events in mag.

THE ESSENTIAL GEAR YOU WILL NEED WHEN FISHING

Going out fishing requires a decent amount of preparation beforehand as missing out on one small thing can mess up your entire trip. So, comprising a list of things that you need to carry along with you can help you remember to pack everything you need.

If you're still a beginner when it comes to fishing, then you don’t need to worry as this article will let you know all about the essential gear you'll require whenever you decide you want to fish.

The right fishing rod

A beginner might not know this, but there's a wide variety of fishing rods available, each serving a different purpose. Using the wrong fishing rod might result in a lower chance of catching fish. So, if you're thinking of going fishing, grab the right fishing rod for the type of fish you're expecting to catch. This also means that you need to know where you're going to be fishing as smaller bodies of water that contain smaller fish usually require a fly-fishing rod while fishing in the sea will require a sea fishing rod.

Extra fishing lines

Depending on where you're fishing, you're going to require multiple sets of different fishing lines to ensure that you have enough for your trip. You can run through a fishing line really quickly if it gets tangled up in the waters or there's a large fish that keeps biting it off, and this means that using another line that’s a little heavier and stronger might help you catch more fish. Using different weights of fishing lines heavily depends on the conditions of the water. If the water is very clear, you should use a thin line to make it difficult to spot. If the waters are a little rough, then going with a stronger string will be better as it can withstand the conditions of the water.

Fishing bait/lure

Stocking up your tackle box with a lot of fishing bait and the lure is one of the main things that fishermen keep forgetting to do. Running out of bait mid-trip can be really annoying, so making sure that your tackle box has enough bait for the duration of your trip is an essential thing before you head out to go fishing.

A flashlight 

Fishing heavily depends on the conditions of the water and during some seasons, like spring and summer, fishing is mostly done at dawn or dusk, which means that it can be pretty dark when you're outside on a fishing trip. Getting a flashlight to help you see while you're out there can greatly improve your fishing experience during those times. However, finding the right flashlight can be a little difficult without checking out the top rated tactical flashlights on the market. Checking reviews online is the best way to guarantee that the product you're thinking of buying will meet your expectations, so make sure you check out different websites that give detailed reviews of the best flashlights on the market.

Sunglasses

People often forget that the water reflects sunlight directly into your eyes, which can be really harmful to your vision in the long-run. Getting sunglasses with you when you go fishing can help prevent the sun from damaging your eyes and help you stay focused and alert during your trip.

A first-aid kit

Whenever you're out fishing, you must carry a first-aid kit around with, whether onshore or on a boat, you as fishing accidents are extremely common and having a kit for emergencies can help you tend to any cut, bruise or wound you encounter on your trip immediately and with ease.

Sunscreen

Having sunscreen with you on your trip and applying it before you begin fishing can save you from a nasty sunburn. While you're fishing, you're simply standing out in the sun for a long amount of time, so it's better to carry around some sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays while you fish.

While the things mentioned above are essential for any fishing trip, make sure you don’t forget your own personal preferences. If you enjoy snacking then carrying around a bunch of snacks can help you enjoy your trip a lot more, the same goes for anything that you prefer having with you on your trip. Writing a list and checking it before you leave to go on your fishing trip can help you not forget the important things you need with you. Just make sure that the list includes water as you need to always stay hydrated throughout.

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ROCK THIS WHEN THE BALL DROPS AT MIDNIGHT

Read the Dec Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Rock this When the Ball Drops at Midnight.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #48 DEC 2019

This month’s cover and back cover is the first female Iron Chef, Restaurateur and TV Personality Chef Cat Cora. Our shoot (as well as the interview which you can hear right now on Athleisure Kitchen) was photographed and recorded at 498 West End Ave #12A, a Louise Phillips Forbes Team property. We talked with Chef Cat Core about her phenomenal career, Cat Cora Inc, her caviar partnership and the phenomenal mentors that she has met along the way. In our feature, Something You Should Know, we sit down with Vello Virkhaus of Xite Labs to talk about his work as a visual designer for amazing EDM, pop artists and more at some of your favorite festivals. We talk about his upcoming project with Bad Bunny for his Puerto Rico concert as well as a number of iconic concerts he created visuals from. Another feature which can also be heard right now on Athleisure Kitchen is the owner of The Flatiron Room and Fine & Rare, Tommy Tardie who talks about his love of whiskey, creating an experience when coming to his venues as well as how he goes about selecting the whiskeys that are offered at his destinations. The Flatiron Room’s head bartender, Darron Foy also talks about cocktails that we should enjoy as well as what we need to know when we are making them at home.

In this month’s The Art of the Snack, we head to TSISMIS NYC to enjoy a twist to Filipino dishes as well as crafted cocktails. We also have our 2nd Holiday Gift Guide for this year for those that are still doing gift exchanges into the new year. 

As usual, we have our monthly roundups including our 9LIST (Athleisure Mag’s picks that we’re loving this month in style, beauty and fitness) featured roundups. This month’s 9LIST STORI3S (picks supplied by celebrities) gives us insight into the People’s Court Judge Marilyn Milian. This month’s 9PLAYLIST (9 songs that our celebs are loving this month) comes from, Actress (Pretty Little Liars, YOU, Dollface) YouTube and Founder of BEIS – Shay Mitchell. As always, you can enjoy Athleisure List ([solidcore] and Caffe Napoli and Napoli Pastry Co.), The Pick Me Up, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Style Files, Rock This When the Ball Drops at Midnight on NYE, Athleisure Beauty, How to Dress, In Our Bag, #TRIBEGOALS and Cacoa Beauty. We have a new pull out feature that we just launched in Athleisure Mag known as Bleisure Mag. Each month, you will see a hotel, restaurant, enjoying an array of experiences in that city and an airport lounge that’s worth checking out for your next flight.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag here.

WAYS TO SPEND YOUR FREE TIME AT HOME

More often than not, we spend our days working to the very limit of our capabilities. The demands of being in the workforce are, as necessary as it may be, the biggest time constraint we have. Let’s say we take an eight hour day. Assuming we sleep anywhere from six to eight hours a night, work takes up almost a third of our lives, and more than half of our waking hours. That may as well be three-fifths of our perceived lifetime. With that in mind, it may be difficult figuring out what one would do during their free time. It’s almost a foreign concept that we pack with so many wants and goals. We often overlook the primary purpose of having free time: to rest and relax. So in the spirit of leisure and the enrichment of life, here are some of the best ways you can spend your free time at home. 

Learn About Wine!

Wine is a very layered and tiered subject. On one level, it’s all about enjoyment and celebration. It’s a drink. No more, and no less. On another level, it’s a massive industry that is focused on various markets and their perceived quality standard in each. And then you get to tasting and collecting. This is where wine turns into a blend of art and science. People spend their entire lives becoming high level sommeliers, cultured and experienced in every standard, the market offers, pitching the best in each sector. Now, you don’t have to be the best of the best, but gaining a bit of knowledge about wine is a great hobby to engage in. For starters, it’s fun. Wine tasting can’t be fun. To enjoy wine like the pros, you can pick a top rated wine aerator and pick up on the hints, flavors, and tannins that wine connoisseurs rave about. But in the end, it’s all about having fun. In no way is wine supposed to be 100% accurate, or toted as an exact science. It’s merely the fact-based perception of a good drink. 

Exercise!

Another wonderful and enriching activity is exercise. I know, I know, the big “E” word brings out some strange emotions. It conjures up bad feelings and self-conscious. We all think we’ve done everything we can do and that the ends don't justify the means. Well, that’s simply not true. That’s a perceived truth, not an objective one. The truth is that fitness is whatever you want it to be. It’s just the movement. You can set your own home workout routine with just your body weight and some space. Some people choose yoga—a mentally taxing and static endurance-heavy practice, to get their workout in. Not the biggest calorie burner, but there is a spiritual angle that people use to stay motivated. Others choose high intensity interval training. Choose a full body movement (like squat jumps or burpees) and to it to maximum effort within a period of time. Set a time and rest, and repeat it again. Get it to a pace where you can do it for about a half hour. Or, you can do any combination of body weight workouts. The fitness world is your oyster. 

Start A Podcast!

If you’ve got a skill or a base of knowledge that you’re passionate about, why not start a blog or a podcast? You can curate the information you put out and become part of a global community of content providers. You can do purely audio or both audio and video. The basis behind it is that whatever you’re into, someone else is into it, too. There’s nothing new under the sun, only interesting takes from individuals. The wonderful part of putting it out in the world is finding out how many people share your passion. There is, of course, a bit of a downside. We’re still dealing with the internet, so there are trolls and negative people that can potentially sabotage your desire to keep going. Don’t let them. Remember, you’re out there potentially reaching a billion people. Someone will find your content and agree. Those are your people. Cater to them and reward them with more content. It’s that simple. The best part is, if you’ve got a smartphone, you can start from there. You don’t need any special equipment. And if you get a following, who knows, you might even be able to sell ad space and such. 

Free time is best spent either doing nothing or doing something to better yourself. The latter may take time, but it will never feel like work. You're doing it for you, not some boss. So when you get the chance to finally breathe from your job, choose one of the above options. You will not regret it. 

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HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR KOMODO ISLAND TRIP

Komodo Island is one of the best-kept secrets in Indonesia. If you love engaging in adventure-filled activities, Komodo Island should be in your bucket list. Here, you will get an opportunity to explore wonderful beaches, color-filled exotic corals, and lush hills. 

If you are considering embarking on a Labuan Bajo to Komodo trip, these tips will ease the planning process. 

Plan Your Route

Komodo Island is situated along the minor Sunda Islands and lies east from Bali and Java. You can access the island through Bali or Jakarta via an international flight. Once you are in either city, board a domestic flight from Labuan Bajo to Komodo, an airport known as Komodo Airport in Flores, which also happens to be the center for Komodo tours.

Flying from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo will take you approximately 2.5 hours. If you choose to fly from Bali, the trip will take one hour. A multiple-day boat trip from Lombok is also quite popular among backpackers. 

Pick the Best Time of the Year

While you can explore Komodo Island any time of the year, it’s advisable to understand what to expect at different times of the year. For instance, the land is calm and green between April and June. the sea is also clear during that time.

You are likely to spot different wildlife such as whale sharks, mantas, and sperm whales between September and November. Between July and August is high season. This means that many visitors will be flocking the Island.

For the best experience, try to avoid visiting during peak season. However, if you have to visit, book your accommodation areas early in advance. The monsoon season happens between January and February and many tours don’t operate then. 

Have an Itinerary

There are many beautiful things to see in Komodo Island. These range from underwater coral gardens, to green scenic hills. The beaches are alluring and you will want to visit the popular Pink beach.

There are other small exotic islands dispersed around the mainland too. Creating an itinerary will help you make the most out of your Labuan Bajo to Komodo trip. You will have an easier time however if you are using the services of a tour company. 

Choose a Tour Company

Numerous tour companies operate in Komodo Island. Research their services and understand what they offer beforehand. Each tour company is unique and comes with different advantages. Some companies offer a wide range of packages complete with varying highlights.

Remember, you can select a tour or boat service on arrival. However, you may end up being overcharged or with substandard services. Enjoy exclusive and good quality services by placing early bookings. 

Pack Appropriate Clothes

To get the most out of your Labuan Bajo to Komodo trip, you will need to trek for long distances. Pick the right clothes such as cotton-based ones that can easily absorb sweat, and comfortable shoes.

Mountain sandals will be ideal. Remember, there are picturesque beaches in Komodo Island and dynamic marine biodiversity. Pack your swimsuit and take a dip in the sea for effective exploration. 

Have Enough Cash

Convert your money into Indonesian bills. There are no ATMs in the Komodo islands and surrounding small islands. Withdrawing money past Labuan Bajo will, therefore, be an arduous task. Having ready cash comes in handy when you need to purchase food or souvenirs for your friends and family.  

Sun Protection and Cameras

The weather on small islands can be unbearably hot. Remember to pack your sunscreen and make sure it has the highest SPF. wear a hat while exploring the Island in the open. A good quality camera is a must-have tool when you travel to Komodo Island.

There is a lot to capture both on the island and under the seawater. Include and underwater camera, telephoto lenses, and macro lenses. These tools will help you capture great memories that will always remind you of your trip.

Finally

Before you can embark on your Labuan Bajo trip, familiarize yourself with safety practices. While Komodos will not attack you unless provoked, you want to be on the safe side and enjoy your trip to the fullest.

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5 SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE ILLNESS ANXIETY DISORDER AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT

It is hard not to suffer from illness anxiety disorder also referred to as health anxiety when each click of the mouse leads you to a news story about an illness or an alarming new study. With continuous medical research and findings, this can perpetuate health anxiety. Never before have laypeople had so much health information at their fingertips 24/7. What happens when this becomes an obsession and one is routinely convinced he/she is suffering from the “disease du jour?” We turned to Board Certified NYC Internist and Gastroenterologist Dr. Niket Sonpal and  New York-based Neuropsychologist, Dr. Sanam Hafeez, for a better understanding of the signs and treatment for health anxiety.

According to Dr. Sonpal, the following are signs that you may be too worried about your health and wellness:

Frequent Doctor Visits

Dr. Sonpal recalls the same patient coming in regularly asking him to “check this lump on my neck,” “is the color of my tongue normal?” “Listen to my heart, I think it beats too fast…  Those with health anxiety are consumed by the uncertainty of medicine and fearful that the disease is, in fact, inside them. If you find yourself “visiting” doctors regularly and you are found to be healthy, you may have health anxiety that requires the attention of a therapist not a physician.

Incessantly Online

From a medical standpoint, Google can be a great tool if used correctly.  “For those with health anxiety, Google is like crack-cocaine,” says Dr. Sonpal.   There is always a disease or a symptom listed online that they can correlate to themselves. Health anxiety sufferers tend to be more obsessive and convince themselves that if they feel something or see something on their body, it is always the worst-case scenario.

Avoidance

As a result of the overwhelming fear of getting an illness, individuals suffering from health anxiety may avoid certain places or activities that could potentially pose a health risk. A study conducted by Harvard Medical School states that an “avoidant group was found to have higher levels of symptom severity, functional impairment, and anxiety, as well as lower quality of life.” From these results, we can link avoidance to some of the characteristics of illness anxiety patients. If it’s flu season, the health anxiety patient may avoid airplanes, movie theatres or other enclosed crowded public areas where they feel germs are more likely to spread. This gives them a false sense of security from illness.

Repetitive Body Checks

Most individuals might not notice a bruise on their leg that occurred from a minor fall a few days earlier. Still, individuals with health anxiety analyze their entire body for signs of illness. The constant body checks often result in the mind being more likely to notice subtle changes that many people would not see. Another effect of health anxiety can be seen in obsessing over a specific organ in the body and repeatedly demanding that area be checked. 

Total Avoidance of Doctors

Juxtaposed to the patient who visits doctors all the time, is the person who is so deathly afraid of finding out something is wrong, that they skip important medical visits like yearly physicals, mammograms, gynecology visits, dental visits etc. For this group of people, this is dangerous.  By the time something is caught, it can be at an advanced stage.

Dr. Sanam  Hafeez provides insight on how to manage  and what steps to take to move forward: 

Find a Physician Who Understands That You This Anxiety:

Find a physician who you can confide in, and confess, “I have health anxiety.” This will enable the physician to treat you more effectively from a physical and mental health standpoint.

Stop Googling

In the age of health blogs, DIYS, and self-diagnosis tutorials, the internet is filled with erroneous information that can add to medical anxiety. Staying offline provides individuals with the ability to prevent the constant checking and worrying that increases their anxiety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

C.B.T. breaks down unrealistic or unhelpful thoughts and encourages patients to replace them with more rational ideas. They can then learn to cope more realistically with anxiety-provoking situations. The therapy has been shown to remain effective in reducing symptoms of health anxiety for at least a year, and if needed, its benefit can be reinforced by a brief refresher.

Meditation

For individuals who want to try to manage their health anxiety on their own, meditation is advised. Health anxiety tends to stem from the lack of control over your body, which can lead to obsession over our health. Meditation allows individuals to connect with themselves while being able to manage their stress. This relaxation technique helps ease overall anxiety and additionally provides better coping mechanisms for improving your overall functioning.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

5 SIGNS YOU MAY BE A HYPOCHONDRIAC AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT

It is hard not to be a hypochondriac when each click of the mouse leads you to a news story about an illness or an alarming new study. With continuous medical research and findings, this can perpetuate health anxiety. Never before have laypeople had so much health information at their fingertips 24/7. What happens when this becomes an obsession and one is routinely convinced he/she is suffering from the “disease du jour?” We turned to Board Certified NYC Internist and Gastroenterologist Dr. Niket Sonpal and  New York-based Neuropsychologist, Dr. Sanam Hafeez, for a better understanding of the signs and treatment for hypochondriacs. 

According to Dr. Sonpal, the following are signs that you may be too worried about your health and wellness:

Frequent Doctor Visits

Dr. Sonpal recalls the same patient coming in regularly asking him to “check this lump on my neck,” “is the color of my tongue normal?” “Listen to my heart, I think it beats too fast…  Hypochondriacs are consumed by the uncertainty of medicine and fearful that the disease is, in fact, inside them. If you find yourself “visiting” doctors regularly and you are found to be healthy, you may have health anxiety that requires the attention of a therapist not a physician.

Incessantly Online

From a medical standpoint, Google can be a great tool if used correctly.  “For a hypochondriac, Google is like crack-cocaine,” says Dr. Sonpal.   There is always a disease or a symptom that the hypochondriac can link to him or herself. Hypochondriacs tend to be more obsessive and convince themselves that if they feel something or see something on their body, it is always the worst-case scenario.

Avoidance

As a result of the overwhelming fear of getting an illness, individuals suffering from hypochondria may avoid certain places or activities that could potentially pose a health risk. A study conducted by Harvard Medical School states that an “avoidant group was found to have higher levels of hypochondriacal symptom severity, functional impairment, and anxiety, as well as lower quality of life.” From these results, we can link avoidance to some of the characteristics of hypochondriac patients. If it’s flu season, the hypochondriac may avoid airplanes, movie theatres or other enclosed crowded public areas where they feel germs are more likely to spread. This gives them a false sense of security from illness.

Repetitive Body Checks

Most individuals might not notice a bruise on their leg that occurred from a minor fall a few days earlier. Still, individuals with hypochondria analyze their entire body for signs of illness. The constant body checks often result in the mind being more likely to notice subtle changes that many people would not see. Another effect of hypochondria can be seen in obsessing over a specific organ in the body and repeatedly demanding that area be checked. 

Total Avoidance of Doctors

Juxtaposed to the patient who visits doctors all the time, is the person who is so deathly afraid of finding out something is wrong, that they skip important medical visits like yearly physicals, mammograms, gynecology visits, dental visits etc. For this group of people, this is dangerous.  By the time something is caught, it can be at an advanced stage.

Dr. Sanam  Hafeez provides insight on how to manage hypochondria and what steps to take to move forward: 

Find a Physician Who Understands That You Are a Hypochondriac

Find a physician who you can confide in, and confess, “I have health anxiety.” This will enable the physician to treat you more effectively from a physical and mental health standpoint.

Stop Googling

In the age of health blogs, DIYS, and self-diagnosis tutorials, the internet is filled with erroneous information that can add to a hypochondriac’s medical anxiety. Staying offline provides individuals with the ability to prevent the constant checking and worrying that increases their anxiety.

Cognitive Behavorial Therapy

C.B.T. breaks down unrealistic or unhelpful thoughts and encourages patients to replace them with more rational ideas. They can then learn to cope more realistically with anxiety-provoking situations. The therapy has been shown to remain effective in reducing symptoms of health anxiety for at least a year, and if needed, its benefit can be reinforced by a brief refresher.

Meditation

For individuals who want to try to manage their health anxiety on their own, meditation is advised. Hypochondria tends to stem from the lack of control over your body, which can lead to obsession over our health. Meditation allows individuals to connect with themselves while being able to manage their stress. This relaxation technique helps ease overall anxiety and additionally provides better coping mechanisms for improving your overall functioning.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

HOW TO FIND A STUDIO FOR YOGA IN PHILADELPHIA

If you’re a yoga lover, then you know just how beneficial it is for your body. If you’re new to it, you can read more about the benefits of yoga here. And while doing yoga doesn’t require you to have a studio, it’s a lot more fun to do it than when you are alone.

Whether you’re new to yoga, just moved to Philadelphia or simply looking for a new studio, you’ll have plenty of options. But the problem is, how do you pick the right one?

A studio needs to feel comfortable and supportive, like home.

If you’re confused, here’s a simple list of factors to consider when picking a yoga studio.

Experiment

Most studios in Philadelphia will offer a trial run. So, you can just go in and try it out before making a final decision.

This will allow you to get a feel of how everything is going and what the studio is like before you have to commit. This is affordable for you and you might experience different yoga disciplines before you decide where to go.

You shouldn’t be afraid to try out a new thing. Maybe you’d be attracted to a specific style of yoga you’ve never tried before. Here are some of the types of yoga you could try: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/the-11-major-types-of-yoga-explained-simply

It costs you virtually nothing to just go in and try. If you feel that you may come unprepared for that specific class, you can always call earlier and find out what you’ll need.

Look at The Instructors

Studios in Philadelphia usually give you a list of their instructors. There you can read their biographies and see what their teaching style is like.

They will also share their beliefs and opinions in these biographies, so you can see that too and it can help you decide.

It’s very important to have a good connection with an instructor, maybe even more so than with a studio itself. If the studio offers it, try to work with all of the instructors before you make a decision. Once you find an instructor you like, you can easily follow them to any studio they move to, and it can be easier for you to feel comfortable.

Look at Reviews

The internet can offer you many things, and among them are reviews that can help you make a decision about which studio to go to. Social media, websites, review websites and so on can contain some of the most useful information for you in your studio search.  

Facebook can be a good resource as you can reach out to your friends or groups related to yoga. Then you can look up the page of that studio and see their reviews there. You can do a similar thing on Instagram - plus, you can meet a bunch of people interested in yoga.

Another useful resource is Yoga Finder which can help you find all of the yoga classes and studios you need. And of course, they can help you find a studio in Philadelphia that you like. 

Use an App

Apps are amazing for finding classes nearby. For instance, Lymber is an app that can help you book a class in all sorts of gyms and studios, especially yoga studios. There is an app called the ClassPass which can help you get into some of the best classes if you have a membership.

Of course, there are many other apps that can help you, but these two are great, and they can point you to some of the best studios in Philadelphia.

Bulletin Boards

A good way to find Philadelphia yoga studios is to take a look at bulletin boards. Yes, these still exist, and you can find them in cafes, in shops, bookstores and so on. Most yoga studios and instructors like to have their numbers here, so it’s a good way to find what you’re looking for. You may also meet some great people on the way. 

If you follow these handy tips, you’ll have no problem finding great studios in Philadelphia. Just make sure that you remain open-minded. Every studio has its own style and you never know what can fit you until you try.

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MANAGING HEALTH AND WELLNESS DURING THE HOLDAYS

We’re still in the midst of the holiday season even though a number of the holiday have passed us. With New Years Eve, New Years Day and additional holidays that incorporate gift exchanges and other festivities, we sat down with Terra Wellington to find out how we can optimize this time so that we can still be good to our physical bodies as well as enjoying being with our friends, family and colleagues!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What is it about the holiday season that puts us at risk, in your opinion, from being focused on our health and even over doing things when we’re just trying to have a good time and trying to get into the holiday spirit?

TERRA WELLINGTON: Well yes, I’m here on behalf of iHerb.com and yes we can get stressed, we can lose our energy and also become susceptible to the cold and flu. So I have two prevention tips for that. One is to make sure that you wash your hands on a regular basis and not touch your face. Those two things will really helped with reducing the transmission of germs and also reduce your stress. This will help to boost your immunity and one thing that you can do to make that happen is to make sure that you’re hydrated. If you’re hydrated, that will help you flush those toxins out of your body.

AM: That’s good to know. A lot of our readers debate whether we should wash our hands or is it ok to use the different types of antibacterial products? Are they both ok or is one better than the other?

TW: There is a lot of controversy on those hand sanitizers, let’s say. Just be careful with reading those labels and make sure that you’re teaching your children that they are washing their hands correctly. I’d say that they should be doing it 20 seconds for all surfaces of your hands.

Of course, keeping up your energy is a big thing this time of year and reducing your sugar content is really important. It’s tough as there is a lot of sugar out there this time of year. From the time that you eat that holiday sugar, you will get a tiny spike of energy – but then you get that crash.

So one of the things that you can do according to the studies at the National Institute of Health is that you can look to apple cider vinegar to help you with this. It looks to control that blood sugar and to maintain your energy. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like really drinking apple cider vinegar! But Gummiology has apple cider vinegar gummies and it’s a lot more tasty!

AM: We have to admit that drinking apple cider vinegar straight is not something we enjoy doing so having that as an alternative is good to know. Are there certain nutrients that can assist us in naturally boost our immunity?

TW: According to the Mayo Clinic and other studies, Vitamin D can help to boost our immunity which can be very helpful. You can go outside directly into the sunshine and that can help your body to produce its own Vitamin D. Of course, during the wintertime it may be a bit more difficult because of the shorter days. So Vitamin D supplements can help with that. I suggest Lake Avenue Nutrition Vitamin D3 – it’s available at iHerb.com. I like how this trusted retail site is really great with helping you research the kinds of products that you want, they’re transparent with the products that they have with their labeling and they keep track with the best buy and expiration dates. It’s just like if you went to a traditional store if you were going there to see what the products were about.

AM: That’s good to know. Do you have any tips on how we can make sure that we are not overindulging as it’s so tough with so many events going on!

TW: Yes! There are so many temptations and I feel for everybody on that! Three tips on that:

• When you do go to that holiday party, try to stick to water if you can. The high-calorie drinks and the alcohol will really add to that overindulgence.

• Keep up with your exercise. 15 minutes a day off of your fitness app is a great way to start.

• When you do go to those holiday parties, beforehand try to eat a healthy snack which will take the edge off. You can try carrots and nuts or bananas and yogurt.

For those who are adults, if you have overindulged, you can try probiotics to help you. According to research, at the Medical University of Warsaw that probiotics can help the digestion and can move things along. I suggest the California Gold Nutrition LactoBif 100 Probiotics that has 8 active and clinical probiotic strains. A tip for probiotics is to check the expiration dates which is something that iHerb does really well. They closely monitor those best buy and expiration dates. They also have air-conditioned warehouses to keep the products fresh and to maintain high-quality standards.

AM: This is year-round, but during this time of year with increased activities, how important is it to get good sleep for your health?

TW: It can reduce your stress and increase your energy which are two great benefits to being mindful of this. A quick tip is to wind down each evening which means that you should turn down the lights and turn off all of your electronics. Maybe you should do some yoga and meditation – or you can read a book. There is a wellness trend that you can use essential oils for relaxation. An example of an oil, is NOW Peppermint Essential Oil. You can research which essential oil works best for you and you can search and find which ones are best on iHerb.com. They’re focused on quality and they make it easy to order and find products. They have state of the art distribution facilities that are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified and all of that means that they are going to maintain the product quality!

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MASTER OF SOUND WITH MARSHMELLO

As we look to close the decade, there are a number of phenomenons that have marked significant changes, pushing an array of industries forward. When you talk about the music industry and how people are connecting and inspiring fans, landing hits, distributing their music, collaborating with people and finding ways to engage with their communities in an enhanced way. Marshmello has become a larger than life figure in music as a collaborator and producer across genres, a streamer and gamer - his in game concert on Fortnight made him the most listened to DJ without a doubt. His ability to cut across a number of age groups who enjoy his music is easily seen when you're able to see the energy that hits any room that he walks into. We hung out with Marshmello and his manager, Moe Shalizi to toast a new business venture with his partnership with Stuffed Puffs who will open a large factory in Bethlehem, PA. The Philidelphia born DJ and producer sat with us to talk about some of their achievements this year, working across industries, their favorite collaborations and about artists that they would have loved to have collaborated with in this cover story.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment when you guys realized that Marshmello as a brand was something that you wanted to focus on?

MARSHMELLO + MOE SHALIZI: We always wanted to focus on it, but I think that when we saw things like what you’re seeing right now, kids wearing the costume as such an early thing – we realized that it transcended audiences and demographics of people and things like that. It’s just that the music resonated globally with people which is very different. So we knew that we had something on our hands.

AM: How would you define the Marshmello sound?

M + MS: I always like to say that he is the modern-day Timbaland. He’s someone that can hit every genre. We have a whole Number 1 country song with Kane Brown, 'One Thing Right'. We just put a single out that’s an alternative rock single 'Rescue Me' with A Day to Remember, the song with Bastille, 'Happier' hit 3 different categories (editor’s note: it’s worth noting that in 2018, 'Happier' spent an entire year at No 1. on the Billboard Dance Chart – which had never happened before). So the sound is everywhere. He’s a producer at the end of the day.

AM: What are a couple of highlights from being on tour or awards shows that are some of your favorite moments?

M + MS: I think that Fortnite was really one of the biggest things that he had ever done. It was something that no one had ever done before and the impact that it had was insane.

AM: How do you go about deciding on the types of collaborations that you do?

M + MS: We just try to be innovative the same way that Stuffed Puffs is in its category – we try to be as innovative as possible with our collaborations. It’s really easy for us to go and get collaborations with the normal people. But for us, it’s about finding that next top person and to work with them.

AM: Clearly the travel schedule is hectic and you’re always on the go, what are 3 things in your carry-on that you have when you’re about to hop on that next flight? M + MS: Probably headphones, Tylenol and gum – a lot of gum. AM: Who are 3 people that are living or dead that you would like to collaborate with?

M + MS: Prince, TuPac – he’d be dope and I wish we had done something with Nipsy - that would have been amazing - he was the man.

As someone who has been trailblazing in the industry, Marshmello pushes the boundaries on what it means to lea in a number of fields and how he likes to present himself. When you think about Marshmello, it's hard to not think of actual marshmallows and if you're familiar with his fun YouTube show, Cooking with Marshmello, you know that he shares how to cook an array of cool treats - some of them being marshmallows. It's not a surprise to see that he has now partnered with Stuffed Puffs, an innovative approach to making it easier to take your S'mores game to the next level. Each marshmallow has chocolate inside and is ready to eat right out of the package or heated. As is the case with many things that are all about serendipity, Marshmello crossed paths with the founder of Stuffed Puffs, Michael Tierney and the rest was history. We took a moment to chat with Michael to find out how this partnership took place as well as more about how he came up with the idea of his company.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Prior to launching Stuffed Puffs, what was your background before creating this company?

MICHAEL TIERNEY: Prior to founding Stuffed Puffs, I was in the fine dining world working in the kitchens of The French Laundry and Eleven Madison Park. Since founding Stuffed Puffs, but before bringing it to life this year, I also founded the better for you baking brand, Mikey’s.

AM: Where did the idea for Stuffed Puffs come from?

MT: Not surprisingly, sitting around a campfire. I have always been a foodie but never found traditional s’mores to be appealing. My issue, the chocolate never melted. As I am sure many others have, I carefully pulled apart a marshmallow and inserted a piece of chocolate before carefully seaming the marshmallow back together. Roasted over the fire, the chocolate melted perfectly from the inside out. The idea was the easy part. The execution, however, took much longer. I was laughed out of most candy manufacturers I tried to partner with who said that Stuffed Puffs were impossible to make. Eventually, we did it ourselves and built our own plant to prove up the innovative manufacturing processes we developed.

AM: When did you launch Stuffed Puffs and when did you know that you had a hit on your hands?

MT: Stuffed Puffs has been seven years in the making and we finally launched at retail with Walmart just before Memorial Day this year. We knew we had a hit by July 4th, only roughly five weeks later, when we had gone from zero to the number two item in the category by dollars sold.

AM: We're fans of Marshmello, you've been working with him for a bit now - how did this collaboration come about?

MT: In September of 2018, I was invited to the U.S. Forbes “30 Under 30” conference in Boston, along with Marshmello, who made the cover, and other honorees. I arrived late in the evening Marshmello was performing and got locked out of the packed outdoor venue. However, I lingered by the gate, loved the music, and marveled at his ability to mesmerize an audience. Returning to my hotel, I researched the name of his manager, Moe Shalizi, and sent him a note telling him about my marshmallow. I had zero expectation that I would get a response, which ended up arriving just minutes later. The next day, I met Moe in Boston and pitched him the idea. Two months later, Marshmello and Moe joined as my equity partners. They have been phenomenal partners and are always promoting and otherwise supporting the brand.

AM: What can we expect to see with your partnership between Stuffed Puffs and Marshmello?

MT: Our partnership will only continue to grow through a number of different avenues as we increase our retail footprint and portfolio of items throughout 2020 and beyond. Stay tuned!

AM: What are 3 ways that you like to enjoy eating Stuffed Puffs?

MT: Roasted over the fire is the obvious choice, but they are also phenomenal in the microwave for seven seconds if you want to enjoy S’mores indoors. For me though, they are best just popped in your mouth right out of the bag!

IG: @MarshmelloMusic

@StuffedPuffs

@JMTierny3

Read the Nov Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Master of Sound with Marshmello in mag.

LIFE AFTER SPORTS: HOW DO ATHLETES DEAL RETIREMENT

Retirement can leave athletes purposeless. For every Shaquille O’Neal starting a lucrative business, there are 100 athletes who struggle to fill their day. As a professional athlete, the majority of your day is spent in the gym, on the court, or studying game plan. This often leaves players with little time to pursue other avenues in life; making retirement a difficult period for them. This article is going to explore what happens to all the athletes after they retire and how they choose to deal with their retirement.

1.    Coaching

Whenever an athlete retires, the usual go-to line of work is to coaching the sport for young up-and-coming players. The skills and experience learned from years of top tier competition can be very handy for inexperienced players looking to learn from someone who was knee-deep in the game before retiring. Depending on skill level, some of the higher end teams usually keep an eye out for every retired athlete to get them to coach their team for national tournaments. It’s one of the most common career routes athletes take after retirement as it’s still in the same field, using the same knowledge.

2.    Game Analysis

This is one of the more recent job opportunities for retired athletes at the moment as a lot of sports channels on TV, radio, and online look for athletes to give valuable insight to their respective sport. Having played the sport at the highest of levels is something not many can boast, and this leads to appealing perspective for these media outlets’ viewers. You can see a lot of athletes transitioning into game analysis after pursuing a career in any sport. The opportunities are countless as every outlet now provides pre and post-game breakdowns and often want the athletes to provide exclusive analysis.

3.    Retirement Job Opportunities

If you’re an athlete that’s close to retirement and you’re worried about how you’re going to find work after being in one field for so long, then you should probably be looking at some retirement plans. Experienced retirement planners over at My Retirement Rehab provide a constant flow of content regarding what some retired people have done, regardless of their age/career history. This can be a great way to get some idea as to where your life is headed after you make the big leap into retirement. There are also multiple guides on what you can do after retirement scattered all over the internet, so check those out as they can be very helpful in letting you know how to plan your life post-retirement.

4.    Pursue Different Careers

Many athletes were drafted from their college team and were never fully able to pursue the career they studied. Some athletes simply retire from the sport they used to practice and start another career down another path using their college education. It can be pretty surprising to hear that one of your professors or colleagues at work used to be an athlete, but it’s also much more common than you think.

5.    They Go Back to College

Much like the previous point mentioned, a lot of athletes were in college as they pursued their careers in a specific sport, however, not all of them finish college as some drop out midway to better pursue their athletic career. After they’d retired, some of them get the spark to learn reignited and go back to college to finish their degree and eventually go into a different career path that has something to do with their college education.

6.    Traveling to a Country with a Better Retirement Plan

Some countries offer more benefits to retired citizens than others. Some people plan out their retirement by filing the paperwork and traveling to a different country in order to retire there and get the benefits from that country’s retirement system.

Finding guidance after retirement is difficult for most and even more so for athletes. The thrill of the game, the excitement of the crowd, and the glory of the win gives them a high that is unparalleled. Athletes, generally retire a lot younger than people from any other field as they can only achieve their maximum potential up to a certain age. This makes retirement a very trendy topic to talk about if you’re an athlete closing in on the average retirement age of players in your specific sport. Doing the research and understanding what you’re in for after you’ve announced your official retirement from the sport can greatly reduce how scary the entire process can be for a person who has never worked in other fields.

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PATTAYA, A BEACH CLOSE TO BANGKOK!

Pattaya is a beach that is a 2-hour drive from troubled Bangkok. If you are looking for a quiet place to relax and enjoy a beautiful beach without having to take a plane, this is the place!

From Bangkok you can take a bus or a van (faster) towards Pattaya. You can use the same way from Pattaya to Bangkok. This trip costs about 90 baht! Both modes of transport leave from Mo Chit Bus Station, Bangkok's bus terminal.

Before I talk about Pattaya, I want to talk about one very important thing: travel insurance! Anyone who accompanies me knows that in international travel, I never stop using insurance because unforeseen events happen and it is always good to have a backup in any emergency that happens, whether in health or safety.

What to do in Pattaya

Pattaya is not a beach very well-liked by Thai people, as it is a region famous for prostitution and lady boy shows. But despite this fame, Pattaya also has other types of youth clubs, good beachside restaurants and other quieter options for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle. The city beach itself is very beautiful, full of coconut palms and little shops and is a place full of beach houses of the richest people in Bangkok. The large buildings and chic hotels are part of the landscape and somewhat resemble some American beaches, such as Miami's.

How to get around Pattaya?

Just like any Thai city, there are several modes of transportation: mototaxis, buses, vans, taxis and the famous Songthaew or Baht Bus (tailored pickup trucks). This last option is the cheapest and most efficient. You will spend around 30 baht per person, depending of course on the goodwill of the driver. As I said in the post: Transportation in Bangkok, what is the best way to get around?

Night in Pattaya

Along with the beaches, nightlife is one of the factors of greatest interest in the Thai city. Pattaya is full of bars, nightclubs and restaurants, but the county is internationally renowned for its strong sex tourism. Known as the Disneyland Adult, the city has in its DNA a strong inclination to prostitution, which can be seen through middle-aged foreigners who negotiate pleasure and company on the streets. In these cases, prostitution is not just for women, but for men and ladyboys as well (the transgender people who are so present in the country). Even if the government has been trying to change Pattaya's stereotype, this is still a determining factor for the location.

Much of where the fun happens (whether or not related to sex tourism) is Pattaya Walking Street, a mile-long street full of bars, breweries, nightclubs and restaurants. This is where the city buzzes, especially as night falls. The place is also open in the mornings, but many establishments are not yet open at this time. If the idea is to start drinking in the afternoon, just walk around the town. The concentration of bars is so great that you will have no difficulty "accomplishing the task".

Another local classic is the Tiffany`s Show, a cabaret-style attraction performed by ladyboys only. The show is quite traditional in the city (including, it has been playing for over 40 years!). It's a good choice for those who want to do something very characteristic with Pattaya's face!

The Thai city is also known for its Go-Go and Ping Pong Shows. In the first case, women and ladyboys dance on a stage wearing bikinis or costumes with an ID number. At each pass of time, the dancers change and customers can give their favorites with cash. Ping Pong Show is an attraction where women do seemingly impossible things with their vaginas like throwing ping pong balls, cutting bananas, blowing candles, throwing dice, etc.

Koh Larn, a paradise island

Koh Larn is an island which is about a 3-minute boat ride from Pattaya. To get there just go to the city pier, Bali Hai Pier. There you will find several agencies that make the tour, but if you prefer, you can walk to the boats and find out the departure times of each. So, you do the tour on your own. Koh Larn is an island that has 6 beaches. They are not next to each other, so you cannot do the walking route or drip drips. It is best to choose one and enjoy your day there.

The six beaches are:
Tawaen Beach
Samae beach
Tien beach
Nual beach
Tonglang Beach and
Tayaiy Beach.

All are very beautiful, but the first is LOT of Asians and has no space to put your things in the sand and sit, the only option is to pay for the tent and chair (200 baht). It's worth a stop over to enjoy the scenery, but I don't recommend staying at this beach, you will definitely have no peace.

The beach of choice was Tien. Super calm, incredible waters, few tourists and several restaurants. And from there you can walk to Samae, which is a bit crowded and has a beautiful view point.

Here's the tip!

To get around the island you have 3 options, almost the same as Pattaya: the famous scooters, which you can rent for 250 to 300 baht with gasoline included; motorcycle taxi or Songthaew, which is the most affordable.

Note that the last boat back to town is at 18h. You must be back at the pier no later than 5:30 pm.

Don't worry, the ticket can be bought on the boat as well as the one-way ticket.

This tour of Pattaya and Koh Larn Island can be done on a weekend! It beats back and forth from Bangkok full of hectic options but at the same time with tranquil and calm paradisiacal beaches. All this 2 hours from the big capital! So, what do you think? Interested? Enjoy your trip and get an amazing experience in Pattaya! Thank you for reading!

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.