HOW TO EAT HEALTHY WHEN YOU'RE STUCK AT HOME

The coronavirus pandemic has transformed the world in ways we couldn't have imagined. While many are stuck at home, taking precautions to reduce the potential spread of the virus, it's getting harder to maintain healthy eating habits.

Most restaurants and eateries have been closed indefinitely, and many people can't eat in their favorite food chains. Many grocery stores are now running out of essential ingredients, making it difficult to get fresh vegetables and other food supplies.

Though there's no concrete evidence regarding specific dietary factors that can reduce the risk of acute infections, eating a healthy diet is critical to keeping your immune system strong. Here are tips for eating healthy while you're stuck at home.

Use Meal Delivery Services

One of the best ways to get a healthy diet when many groceries out there are running out of stock due to the pandemic is by using meal delivery services. These professionals will deliver food right to your doorstep.

These services are amazing time-savers. You don't have to deal with going to the grocery store nearly as often since they will deliver everything you need.

They are exceptionally convenient for people with tight schedules, especially when you're trying to balance your work-from-home schedule and family life. You only need to place your orders online for whichever meal you'd like, and it'll be delivered to you.

Letting a meal delivery service, such as Factor75, prepare and deliver your food ensures that the meal is healthy with proper nutrition proportions. All you need to know before you order Factor 75 meal delivery is that their meals are freshly prepared on the day of delivery, ready to eat.

Stock Your Fridge with Fruits and Vegetables Instead of Junk Foods

Try your best to keep junk food out of your fridge—those foods that trigger a binge in you! Vegetables should be the most abundant food item on your plates.

Instead of hunting the stores for starchy food supplies, load up your cart with vegetables, including seasonal spring veggies such as asparagus, bell pepper, greens, strawberries, and sweet onions.

Some fruits, such as apples, can last for several months if refrigerated in the produce drawer. Buy more perishable fruits like berries, bananas, pineapple, and cantaloupe freeze well. Chop into small-sized pieces and place them in freezer bags.

Plan Your Mealtimes and Stick to Them

Just as you plan out the rest of your day, establish when you're going to eat. If you like to eat lunch around noon, stick to that and avoid eating outside of those times. If you often indulge in snacks in the late afternoon, plan for that as well.

When there's plenty of food available, and the fridge is all yours, you might get tempted to grab an extra snack every hour, throughout the day. This habit can break off your weight loss goals and halt your productivity.

Emotional eating from stress and boredom can also lead to consuming extra calories. Pause, take deep breaths, and ask yourself whether eating an extra snack alleviates your anxieties or boredom.

Get Your Vitamin C from Foods, Not Supplements

Vitamin C plays a vital role in your body, such as boosting your immune system. Before you grab a vitamin supplement, note that mega doses of Vitamin C, greater than 500 milligrams per day, haven't been shown to reduce your risk contracting the common cold or other illnesses.

Instead, experts recommend getting the daily Vitamin C dose from foods such as broccoli, red bell peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes. These foods also contain other nutrients and antioxidants that benefit your body.

Focus on other nutritious foods, too, like protein, healthy fats, fruits, fiber, and vegetables. Planning what to prepare for lunch or dinner ahead of time will also make it easier for you to avoid grabbing on whatever looks quickest to cook at the moment.

Be Careful of Too Much Caffeine

Having easy access to endless cups of coffee might seem a great idea, but you need to be careful. Too much caffeine can cause headaches, anxiety, digestive issues, and even fatigue. Aim for no more than two cups a day to avoid the jittery feeling. Avoid flavored creamers and other high-calorie beverages as well.

Plan Family Meals

Gathering around and eating together as a family has all kinds of benefits. They allow parents to be role models and create a supportive environment that promotes healthy eating.

Moreover, children of families who often eat together are more likely to have higher intakes of vegetables and fruits. These kids also have a healthy weight and are less likely to have health or behavior problems.

Balancing Act

As many people stay home because of social distancing, chances are they may shift to unhealthy eating habits due to boredom, anxiety, or food availability. To stay healthy and boost your immunity during these difficult times, try your best to keep a balanced diet routine.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG | #53 MAY 2020

This month’s cover and back cover is April Ross, 2 X Team USA Olympic Beach Volleyball Medalist. Our cover shoot editorial – To the Beach, talks about April’s career, the difference between indoor and beach volleyball, her relationship with KT Tape and how she is staying fit at home while she waits for the return of the AVP Tour and Olympic Games in 2021. We will also have this interview as an upcoming podcast for #TRIBEGOALS. In our feature, Something You Should Know, we chat with Emily Skye, Celebrity Fitness Expert about staying fit, being a wife and mom with baby #2 on the way and a great workout we should incorporate into our routine. This month, we chatted with Seniesa Estrada, WBA’s 18-0 flyweight title holder. She talks about her career, how she is training during this time and what it’s like to have Danny Trejo in her corner. We also talk with International CrossFit star, actress and Resident Tagger on FOX’s Ultimate Tag, Brooke Ence. She talks about CrossFit, being in Justice League and Wonder Woman as well as her new show.

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 tennis powerhouse, Rafael Nadal. This month’s 9PLAYLIST includes Supermodel and Fashion Icon EDM DJ Naomi Campbell who shares her favorite songs with us. As always, you can enjoy Athleisure List (Peleton and Purple Carrot), The Pick Me Up, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Style Files, Rock This For Your Virtual Happy Hours, Athleisure Beauty, How to Dress, In Our Bag, #TRIBEGOALS and Papaya Beauty. 

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag.

HOW TO CHOOSE RUNNING SHOES. SIX QUESTIONS (AND ANSWERS) TO MAKE NO MISTAKE

Running is one of the most popular activities among those who want to keep fit. But how do you choose the right shoe?

Running shoes I like to stop and watch how people run, there would be a lot to say, but this is not the right arctic; then I look at people how they dress, how they breathe, what shoes they use.

It is incredible to note that even the less professional and more neophyte person wears technical clothing that is sometimes very expensive, mp3 with a stratospheric value but and here comes the bad unsuitable shoes. If you wear a Calvin Clain T-shirt or pick it up in the most remote corner of your home, your body reacts the same way, your performance will not change, and the harm or good of running will be the same.

There are many models of running shoes and the latest one is always called revolutionary. The consumer is confused (especially if he is a neophyte). Each new model is always presented as better than the previous ones, manufactured with materials, processes and / or ergonomics capable of guaranteeing comfort and effectiveness for runners. And advertising is likely to make the choice even more difficult. But if you miss the shoe, you can't run well and, moreover, you put your joints and back at risk. Some experts, confidentially, admit that around 130 or 150 dollars per pair, all models are the same. However, you need to know which one best suits your expectations, even if you choose among the cheap running shoes. Beyond the tastes and colors, which are not discussed, the choice of a shoe depends on very specific criteria that correspond to the morphological profile of the runner, his level of practice and the chosen terrain.

What are the criteria by which you must choose?

Basic rule: your running shoe must be suitable for your type of support. Whether you have a neutral support or a more or less slight pronation support (translated in a nutshell with the foot falling inside) there are many models on the market perfectly suited to your way of running. How to understand the way you place your foot? Specialized stores have treadmills, special platforms and above all a very long experience of feet and footwear: very simply I suggest when you change shoes to bring your used shoe with you because you just have to observe the sole to understand where it is most worn and consequently how you rest your feet.

Is it true that it also depends on the morphology of the foot and the weight of the runner?

There are models more suitable for a large plant or a narrow plant, a high neck or a narrow neck or the shape of the toes of one's feet. Without forgetting that the most sophisticated running shoes have tires with different densities for male and female models, models that already differ in the weight and width of the plant. And proposed weight: it is clear that ultralight shoes are perfect for performing athletes but are absolutely harmful for beginners, perhaps even overweight. I always suggest as a first running shoe a very cushioned shoe as if it were an accident insurance policy, then the time will come for the lighter and more flexible models.

Does the choice also depend on the terrain on which you run? Because?

On the market there are trail running models (and brands specialized in this sector), shoes designed to run on unpaved terrain, with a often very sculpted sole and with strong grip and with a series of reinforcements to repair your feet that in case of climbs and descents need even more protection. In general, instead, to run in city parks with unpaved but well-beaten sections, classic running shoes are fine.

After how long is it good to change shoes and why?

In recent years, the manufacturing companies have chosen the path of lighter, softer materials for shoes that are immediately ready for use: all this has led to a shorter product life. Going beyond 1000km of full reliability with a modern running shoe is now almost impossible except in the case of very light athletes or efficient biomechanics. Many take their mileage into account thanks to their loyal training companions or their GPS watches. If in doubt, you can easily do some empirical tests to understand where your shoe is. You can place it on the table and see if it hangs to one side (imagine the stresses your foot is subjected to in that crooked shoe ...). Or you can check the forefoot: if by pressing with the thumb in the area where there are notches for flexing the foot, the material yields as if it were 'deflated', it means that the shoe is now empty.

To run efficiently, do socks also count?

Definitely. That's why it's always better to have at least a few running socks in your drawer. There are a thousand types (for height, weight, material and obviously color) and they are often a real concentrate of technology specifically for your foot. The right sock of the right size, better if differentiated right and left, with reinforced heel and toe working in synergy with the right shoe can preserve from blisters, sores and mycoses. And forget about the cotton tubulars, a material that absorbs and retains sweat and humidity. It is better to choose technical and synthetic materials that make the foot breathe, expelling sweat outside and always keeping it cool and dry.

How to adjust with the measure? Does the shoe have to be perfectly right, a little narrower or on the contrary wider?

The running shoe is always to be purchased half a point larger than the models you use every day. Because it is true that thanks to the new uppers often without seams, the shoe quickly takes the shape of its foot. But it does so by expanding by not stretching. And with the wrong number, the hated marathon runner's black nail is lurking.

WHAT IT TAKES TO STAY FIT DURING QUARANTINE

Many people were taken by surprise when quarantine orders were announced. The first few weeks can be a highly stressful experience even for the recluse. Chances are if you’ve been in quarantine, you lost the motivation to stay in shape since the gyms are closed.

Staying fit during quarantine is vital to your overall well-being. Being sedentary and eating junk food all day will take a toll on your mental and emotional health. In this article, we’ll take a look at what you’ll need to do to stay fit while you’re indoors.

Image by rob9040 from Pixabay

Keeping Your Heart Healthy

While under quarantine, make it a point to perform some sort of cardiovascular exercise two to three times a week. If your local authorities allow you to go for runs, then that’s great! 

If not, it might be worth investing in a treadmill if you have space for it. There are plenty of high-quality treadmills under $1000.

If running just isn’t an option for you, a great alternative would be the skipping rope. In fact, as you progress with your skipping skills, you can actually burn more calories than running! 

Cardio isn’t only good for your heart’s health, but the endorphins released will enhance your mood. If you’ve been down in the dumps lately, this may be the solution.

Resistance Training

If you think that you can’t work on your muscles without weights, you’re wrong. 

Bodyweight training can be just as effective as training with weights. Your muscles don’t recognize whether you’re lifting a barbell off your chest or doing a push-up off the floor. 

For as long as there’s tension within the muscle combined with the right volume and intensity, you’re set for muscle growth! An exhaustive list of bodyweight exercises can be found here.

With some creativity, you can also create makeshift weights using things scattered at home. I’ve been experimenting with barbell curls using a broomstick with two filled gallon jugs hanging at both ends. 

It’s not as heavy as I’d like, but with slow negative reps, it really becomes an intense workout!

Watch What You Eat

Being stuck at home isn’t an excuse for you to stuff your face with brownies (you can get away with the occasional one, though!). At home, you have the luxury of time to prepare healthy meals. 

If you don’t know how to cook, now’s the perfect time to learn!

It is comforting to know that you are watching out for your own body and accrediting the fact that you did it on your own will improve your self-esteem. With a well-balanced diet, you’re reducing the risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and a whole host of heart problems.

The Internet has a boatload of healthy recipes for you to try. Instead of buying random ingredients off the shelves, plan ahead. Find a few interesting recipes you’d try for the week, and create a list before you leave for the store. 

When you’ve envisioned what you want to eat, you’re less likely to grab those chips as you walk by the aisle. This way, you reduce the anxiety of grocery shopping and waste less money.

FROM THE RING TO THE WORLD WITH DARIA BERENATO

We're excited to have Daria Berenato for this month's cover. She wrestles in the WWE under the name of Sonya Deville. This athlete started as an MMA fighter and transitioned into becoming a WWE Superstar who uses her platform as an activist for the LGBTQ community, supporting those that are looking to break barriers and of course continuing to expand her empire in fashion, acting and more. We also talked about her upcoming fight with former tag team partner, Mandy Rose on WWE SmackDown on May 8th!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Great to catchup with you and an honor to have you as our cover as we've enjoyed having Nattie, Carmella/Leah Van Dale, Naomi/Trinity Fatu, as well - when was the moment that you realized that you wanted to be an athlete?

DARIA BERENATO: Oh my God, an athlete? From the first! I used to play basketball at 4 or 5 years old in the driveway. I spent my entire life playing sports from basketball to lacrosse, soccer, track and field. Then on to MMA – Mixed Martial Arts to professional wrestling. So, I don’t even know what my life would look like without sports!

AM: I remember you on WWE Tough Enough but you actually started as an MMA fighter! What was it about that sport that drew you to it and what was your transition to wrestling and joining the WWE?

DB: Yeah so when I was 15 or 16 years old, I was in high school and I played school sports my entire life. I just wanted a change of space and I wanted something different. I always had dreams of graduating from high school, moving far away and being on TV and acting as that was always a passion of mine. I wanted to explore something else also. I didn’t know if it was going to be playing a musical instrument or a marital art.

This was a discussion that I had with my mom one day. I had been watching a lot of MMA videos and had been watching Gina Carano, a big female fighter back in the early 2000’s/2010 probably when I was watching her. I thought it would be so cool to see a chick in a cage and get into a fight and then you see her interviews in a dress. It was so cool to see someone so badass and then to be able to see her feminine side. I liked the idea of someone being beautiful and then being tough at the same time. It was really cool and I became obsessed with the MMA. I started watching every UFC and every Pay-Per-View fight night and eventually I was like, “I want to fight MMA,” and my mom was like, “I don’t even know where you would do that around here.” There weren’t any UFC gyms around here to do that. I went to a local boxing gym that was 45 minutes from my house and I started boxing judo and Jiu-Jitsu and I just loved how pure the sport was. I loved how it was a one woman sport, but that you had a whole team of coaches and training partners that you needed to work with together to get the win and stuff. It was just a really cool community and I loved it. So I moved to Florida to train with American Top Team which is one of the best teams in the world when I was 17. Literally, the day of my high school graduation, I drove down to Florida.

AM: Wow!

DB: Yes. I’m really impulsive like that. When I want something, I will do anything to get it and my heart and my mind is 120% in what I do. So yes, MMA is what I did. I fought and trained while also pursuing acting at the same time. I did that for the next 4 or 5 years and finally, I was hosting AfterBuzz TV podcast in LA where I was living at the time. Maria Menounos, is also part of the WWE family and used to be on E! News.

AM: She’s actually in this month’s issue as well! Completely random that this happened!

DB: No way! Aww that is like so perfect! So her and her husband owned Afterbuzz TV and they became mentors to me. They just took me under their wing and told me that they loved my attitude and they loved my spirit. They thought that I could do something special. So the WWE asked Maria to be on Tough Enough as a contestant and she was like, “hell no. I’m too old for this. But I have the perfect girl and she’s a fighter.” They called me and they thought I was going to say no because they thought that I was so MMA that I wouldn’t want to depart from it.

But they called me and I said yes right away because I saw the opportunity. I didn’t necessarily think that that meant leaving MMA at that moment, I just thought that it was a competition and reality show that sounded like a good opportunity. I just said, let’s do it. That led me to WWE and I ended up getting it. I mean, I was working my butt off to be ready for the tryout and to do the best that I could. I kind of felt out of place at tryouts because there were a lot of bikini world champions like Mandy and fitness models and I was just this little rough around the edges Jersey girl who fought MMA. I definitely stood out in that sense.

A couple of months later, I was hired and the rest was kind of history. I just fell in love with the world of WWE. It was everything that I had always been looking for. It was the performing and competition aspect all rolled into one for my career. Honestly, it was so meant to be and it’s just exactly where I should be.

AM: In terms of Sonya Deville, can you tell us about this persona and what are the similarities and differences between you and her?

DB: When I was first developing Sonya’s character, she was very simplistic at first. She was just a badass that was an MMA fighter who was coming into this world. All she cared about was fighting and winning. She’s a very straight to the point kind of character. Over time, being with Absolution (trio that comprised Paige, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville) on RAW and being on Fire and Desire (tag team of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville) on SmackDown with Mandy and working with Paige in the past. It all kind of added to the persona of Sonya Deville. Because life experiences make us who we are as people.

So that’s kind of the case with Sonya. She was definitely third wheeling it a little with Absolution and with Fire and Desire, took a backseat to Mandy Rose because it was about Mandy’s magazine covers ironically. It was Sonya always taking the back seat to everything that Mandy was doing because that was just the dynamic of the team. So, Sonya had enough and a lot of what you’re seeing now on SmackDown is a compilation of everything that Sonya has been through emotionally. Everyone is starting to realize that Sonya is a bad B.

AM: Yeah she is!

DB: She doesn’t mess around and she has a little bit of an anger issue I think that we are starting to see and a little bit of an anger problem. But she’s calculated and much more calculated than what I think that we ever thought Sonya was. She’s not as impulsive as she once was. She’s more calculated and every move and everything that she does is made with intention and purpose.

AM: You guys have a fight this Fri on SmackDown!

DB: Yes we do!

AM: The internet is all over the place talking about this. So many of our readers are asking what you can tell us about this and any goodies you can tell as we will drop this issue a few hours before your fight!

DB: Oh wow! I think that you’re going to see a side of Sonya Deville that you have never seen before. Nobody has ever seen this before! She’s been waiting to get her hands on Mandy Rose for years! You have to understand that this isn’t something that just developed over night. The fans are just seeing it happen overnight because Sonya has been keeping it inside just planning and bottling it up. They have to understand that this is a plan that has been coming to fruition that has been in the works for 4 years. 4 years that Sonya has been getting stepped on and has been keeping a mental piggy bank of things that she can use against Mandy Rose. You’re going to see all of that come to fruition on Friday night!

AM: Oh my gosh. Well obviously we can’t wait to see all of this, how it develops and what happens afterwards.

So right now, when you look at the word normal, it’s an interesting word to say, but when you look at an average week as a WWE Superstar, what is it like with you training, getting prepared for matches and you guys are actively still participating in your sport where others are not able to do this. How has that been for you?

DB: We’ve all just kind of developed our own systems at home. Because obviously no gyms are open so I have been training in my home gym that I have built over the past few months. It’s great and I’m blessed that I have it as it is a space that allows me to stay in shape and ready at all times for the ring.

When we show up to film, it’s a completely closed set and we’re doing everything that we can – no crowd nothing! I think it’s pretty remarkable to see that we are able to go forward in a way that is still keeping everyone safe and healthy, but also being able to put a product on television right now so that people can hopefully be distracted for a few hours of their week and not have to think about everything else that is going on out there in the world right now.

AM: We totally agree with you. When your shows were coming out, we wondered how you would be able to do what you guys do without an audience. But when you’re watching it, you’re still seeing the drama as if there were a million people in that room. We commend you for that. The amount of travel that you guys do, the hours you spend going from one place to another while being fresh faced and ready to give it all for your fans is just something that you guys do as a team that is so great.

DB: Thank you. I mean being part of the WWE, it’s a very special thing and very unique. Because of the scheduling, the travel, the amount of shows that we put on a year that people don’t realize. So in a time like this, we have to reinvent the wheel a little bit and recreate. It’s fun for me as an artist and as a performer. It’s been super fun for me to have to dig a little deeper and to see what we can do to still put on an incredible show without the fans. Obviously, the fans are a huge part of what we do.

AM: In terms of training, what are your go-to workouts that you focus on to stay fit and what are workouts that we can do at home?

DB: I switch it up almost every day. Because it obviously gets monotonous to do the same thing every day. I’ll wake up some mornings and do a mile run or an 8-10 mile bike ride on the days that I don’t feel like lifting weights. Some days I don’t feel like lifting weights and my body is telling me to take it easy on the weights. So I’ll just do some cardio on some days or do some laps to the pool. Some days I will do a full on lift mode for weight training. Usually I will do a high intensity workout or a circuit workout one day a week. Then the other 3 or 4 days, I will do an actual weight lifting workout which will have a back and thigh day, shoulders and tri day or a lower body day. That’s kind of how I break up my week.

I’m always switching it up and I always say that if you have a kettlebell or a dumbbell, there is so much that you can do. The options are endless and they’re still available if you go on Amazon and so many other websites that are still selling them. Resistance bands are so amazing. I have a couple of at home workouts that are on my YouTube channel – Daria Berenato. You just have to reinvent the wheel a little bit right?

AM: What are your 3 power foods that you like to eat when you're training?

DB: Redcon1 Mint Chocolate Chip Protein is my favorite thing in this entire world! I’m obsessed. There’s these Kodiak Protein Pancakes mix that are the best in the entire world that I have had in my entire life. Eggs are then my day one go to! I probably have them 6 days a week if not 7. Eggs are so easy and I will do egg whites a lot too. It’s easy to get protein.

AM: One of the things that we love about you is the fact that we know that you’re athletic, you have a fitness focus and you also enjoy eating fun stuff like donuts and other things like that. That’s so important as coming from a fashion/fitness perspective, there are so many people that make others feel bad that even those who do take care of their bodies – that there is a stigma if you engage in that. You’re able to hold both of those things and you normalize that. Why was that so important to you to include that and bring it into your brand for fans to also see that.

DB: I truly believe that life is all about balance. I definitely have a type of personality where if I become focused on working out, I become obsessed with working out. If I’m dieting, I become obsessed with dieting. I’ve always kept a really healthy balance with my diet. Ever since stopping MMA, in MMA you’re dieting and your carb depleted and calorie depleted because you’re cutting weight for your fight. That was super stressful on the body and the mind. So when I switched over to WWE as a professional wrestler, where we don’t have weight classes and a weight to make, I kind of promised myself never to diet that hard again just because I didn’t like how I felt even mentally doing it. Now I have developed something that works for me. Everybody’s body is different, we have different genetics and we work out and train differently too. But I have gotten my body to a point where I know what I can and can’t have in a week and what I need to do to burn it off if I do want to have it. That’s how I think. Work hard, play hard is definitely a motto that I have that follows me into the kitchen too. I love donuts, I love pizza – I probably have pizza once a week, I’m not even going to lie.

AM: Nice.

DB: Yup, I have those pancakes, they’re protein – but they’re still pancakes. I have them probably once or twice a week. I like to enjoy my food for sure. Me and Mandy had our donut show DAMANDYZ DONUTS which is now Daria’s Donuts! We don’t do that show together and I have been producing my own content for that show. I think she has been doing her own show. I don’t pay attention to her in what she does. It’s been really fun to try different donut places all over the world and I cooked my own for the first time.

AM: How’d that go?

DB: It was an absolute mess in the kitchen! But they actually didn’t taste that bad!

AM: Well there you go!

DB: I baked them, I need to fry them next time.

This week, I’m dropping a poolside workout for my fans. So it’s a really cool brand that we have created with Daria’s Donuts and is everything that we have talked about with health, fitness and a little bit of enjoyment and lifestyle stuff.

AM: What is your favorite donut in your favorite city?

DB: In Louisiana, I’ll never forget when I took a bite out of this donut. It was in Lafayette, Louisiana and it’s called Meche's Donut King. It’s a tiny little hole in the wall. Best donut that I have ever had in my life.

AM: What donut was it?

DB: A hot, classic glazed donut. But it was warm, the bread was moist and it was just perfect.

AM: I've been a fan of E! Total Divas and have enjoyed seeing your storyline on it. What was it about being on this show that made you want to be apart of it?

DB: They auditioned me for Total Divas two years in a row actually. The year before, they decided not to add anybody new. When they asked me to do it, I immediately said yes. I love Total Divas, I think it is one of the coolest shows because it gives the mainstream demographic a look into our lives. People don’t watch wrestling – like growing up, I didn’t watch wrestling. But I remember walking into my mom’s room and she had on Total Divas. It was the episode when Nattie busted her nose or something like that. I’ll never forget it. I asked my mom who the girls were and if they were wrestlers because I couldn’t understand it. She explained it to me and I knew I wanted to do that.

I swear on my life, I went online and went to apply. I don’t remember why, but I couldn’t apply. Either I wasn’t 18 yet or at the time, you couldn’t have tattoos. Either way I forget. There was some stipulation on the website where I told my mom that I couldn’t do it yet. It’s really funny because life comes full circle!

I was intrigued through Total Divas because I watched E! It was such a cool look to show our world and what goes on behind the scenes for those that don’t watch wrestling. Maybe looking at it could help them get into wrestling, enjoy the sport and fall in love with it just like we did. It’s really been fun and it was a no brainer when they asked. Of course, I was nervous about putting my whole entire life out there – my family, my friends and my relationship. That was nerve wracking. Obviously, it's much more nerve wracking to be yourself on camera versus playing a character on camera. It was a really cool experience and I feel like I have learned a lot more about myself doing it and I would definitely do it again.

AM: Who are you close to in the WWE that you consider being in your squad?

DB: Well Mandy was. Liv Morgan, Carmella – those are the ones that I’m closest too. Bayley, Becky Lynch – those are like my girls.

AM: Love that. Once again seeing all of those interactions on the show is fun for the Athleisure Media team as we love seeing a number of the people that we have done photoshoots and interviews with and seeing how their personalities on the show are just like when they were with us on set. Or seeing a scene and knowing that we were with them the day before.

DB: Right! That’s funny. We have such a good locker room because we all get along so well – we’re blessed. We have Trin, Saronas – we have such a cool locker room.

AM: We have been media sponsors for the past 4 years of NYC Pride as we think it's so important to celebrate and be allies to the LGBTQ community. As the first openly lesbian Superstar in the WWE how important was it for your to share your sexuality and how can the WWE improve representation and equality?

DB: Absolutely. It’s funny and I’m reminded every single day why I share my story and why I’m open about my life to the fans. Obviously, it’s not the easiest decision and not the easiest way to live. It’s much easier to just be yourself and to think that no one needs to know. I chose to share my story and I’m s happy that I did because I hear from people every single day that they are struggling with coming out and figuring who they are and sharing it with their loved ones, family and friends. We’ve made leaps and bounds in the LGBTQ community and in the world with acceptance and equality. But there is still so much to do. The fight is never over and I think it is so important to have an ally in the public eye. For me when I was growing up, the only gay person that I ever saw on TV was Ellen Degeneres and so there wasn’t many other representatives that I knew at the time.

So for me, a closeted gay girl that grew up in a small town in south New Jersey, I didn’t even think that it was a thing. I didn’t think that I could possibly be gay because I didn’t know anybody that was. I would have thoughts and I would push them way down in there because I didn’t think it could be. It seemed far fetched and I didn’t allow myself to be who I was. I find a lot of light in being able to do that for this generation’s Daria. I want to be the voice for the little me that never had one. For all of these kids, teens and adults who are dealing with these things now – they know who they are but they don’t have anyone to talk to about it or they don’t think it’s ok – just help them with their struggling emotions and let them know that it is more than ok. It’s more than ok to be who you are, it’s more than ok to love who you love and there is nothing to be apologetic about. Anybody who is meant to be in your life, will remain in your life, those who aren’t will exit. Everything happens for a reason and there is no love that is not pure.

I like to be that voice because I know all to well that feeling of not feeling you have anyone to relate to.

AM: What LGBTQ initiatives do you support?

DB: About a year or two ago we worked with WWE to get the first line of LGBTQ wrestling shirts. I got my “Put Your Hair Up and Square Up” rainbow shirt, Finn Balor got his, Becky Lynch got hers, Charlotte Flair – a bunch of Superstars I think 10 of them got them. The proceeds of the rainbow shirts went to GLAAD We were on the GLAAD Pride parade float in the NYC World Pride Parade. I was the representative for that! I got to ride the float and to represent WWE which was a super cool experience. We did the Spirit Day Lounge and NY ComicCon a few years back in NY. Slowly but surely, we’re getting a lot more involvement with community and I push for it every year. We’re always having meetings about it and what we can do to represent.

I have my own line called Rainbow Love which is completely LGBTQ friendly forward clothing line. One of the first shirts that we dropped said, “You Are Not Alone” with the Suicide Prevention Hotline on the back. It’s a super cool shirt and one of my favorite designs in the entire line. It’s so strong and it’s just so powerful. It just speaks for itself and lets you know that you shouldn’t be afraid to talk – to reach out for help to talk to somebody as we’re all going through shit and life isn’t every easy, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel with a silver lining. It’s ok to have a Heavy Heart, but Rainbow Love. There’s a bigger line which is called Heavy Heart which this is apart of.

There’s a bunch of different ways that I try to do stuff like that. This year, I had planned on being on 6 or 7 Pride floats with the WWE behind me. Obviously, plans have changed on that a little bit, but we are working and talking about how we can be there to support virtually.

I look back at myself before I came out and know that I wasn’t able to be myself. When you’re keeping this secret from people that you are close with and those that you love the most, and you can’t act the way you want to in public it’s such a depressing feeling – it affects and manifests in ways that you can’t imagine and you don’t realize it. I mean, hindsight is 20-20 and all I can say to people is that being open and honest with who I was was the best decision that I ever made.

AM: Tell us about Quibi's WWE unscripted series "Fight Like a Girl."

DB: This was a really cool project. WWE partnered with Quibi which is a network with bite sized videos and a new series called “Fight Like a Girl,” focuses on a young woman who wants to make changes in her life for the better. She is teamed up with a WWE Superstar to help reach those goals and accomplishments. They go through a training program at the state of the art WWE Performance Center in Orlando as well as an extensive physical training, emotional training, mental training and mentorship program with Superstars. It’s really a cool show. I was partnered with a girl named Samantha who was closeted to half of her family and she was nervous to tell her father’s side. We just talked honestly and I just told her my journey and I think she was able to relate to the things that I said. I used fitness and force and working out as my biggest crutch when I was going through everything. It was my sanity and happy place when I was going through a lot of the stuff that I have been through. I think she was able to relate to that and she really got into working out and got in incredible shape and it was such a cool experience to see her total mind and body transformation. It was really cool.

AM: Circling back, we were talking about your clothing line, Rainbow Love, how did the line come about?

DB: My good friend Bobbie owns Black Craft clothing which is in Hot Topic and a couple of other stores. He wanted to expand and make a new line as he had been working on that for years. He wanted to make a new line, Heavy Heart and he called me up to be apart of it. He said that he didn’t know the kinds of things that I was into, but he knew that I wanted to make a clothing line anyway. He asked me if I wanted my own line under Heavy Heart. I would be able to name it, come up with the concept – whatever. We went back and forth for months with ideas and throwing things against the wall to see what would stick. I told him that I wanted to do something that I was passionate about and I didn’t want to just throw a logo on a shirt and call it a day. I suggested doing a LGBTQ forward line and he thought it was dope. We came up with the “You’re Not Alone Shirt” with the Suicide Prevention Hotline and a few other shirts, another one called True Colors, a couple that just says Rainbow Love with a cool graphic of my face on it. We just hand designed all of the stuff and we wanted the line to be very raw. We wanted it to speak for itself and let people know that it is ok to express your emotions and to be as dark or as bright as you feel. Life’s not always perfect and it’s ok to be in your feels. It’s ok to have a Heavy Heart, but Rainbow Love. It’s been really cool and I think the fan response has been incredible.

We’re trying to set something up where maybe one of our product’s proceeds will go to a charity or maybe a percentage of all of the products will. We don’t know all the details yet but we are working on that. I just want to be able to help in any way that I can with Suicide Prevention and LGBTQ community in general. It’s been so cool and my fans love it because it is something that they can relate to. The clothing line is friendly to them. It’s more inclusivity that’s subtle but really sweet at the same time.

I wanted it to be clothes that I would rock everyday that you would see me in. I wear the shirts all the time and it’s totally my vibe. Obviously, it’s black because I wear a lot of that, but it’s got the color pop on it too and that matches with my personality as well. I am a little social butterfly despite my dark character persona with Sonya Deville. It’s relatable and true to who I am.

AM: A number of people from the WWE like Dwayne Johnson and John Cena have gone on to having movie careers, competition reality shows etc - do you have plans to follow in their footsteps?

DB: That’s been a goal of mine as acting is my passion and my first dream! Something I have always kept in mind is that you have to go where your path takes you. You have to work hard, but if life hands you a lemon – you have to make lemonade. That’s what I did. I got a little off of the path of becoming an actor, but I actually found something that could get me there in a better way in my opinion. To follow in the footsteps of John Cena, Dwayne Johnson and Dave Bautista – guys that have come over from WWE and stepped into Hollywood. That’s ultimately the long time game plan. I want to act in television and in film. I’d love to be in The Mandalorian or The Fast and The Furious.

AM: Could so see that.

DB: Right? It would be so fun! I feel like I have created a little brand for myself with WWE and that’s just going to continue to grow and it will make the transition nice and smooth. In the meantime, I have been working with an acting coach, Sean Whalen for the last 2 years. I have been putting in extra hours which isn’t always easy when you’re on the road, but it has helped tremendously with everything that I do from WWE to acting. That’s my goal to be the first female that has made that huge leap.

AM: What advice do you have for women and girls on how they should blaze their own trails in career and in life?

DB: Well if it helps any – I was called crazy and ridiculous. I was 17 moving out of my house saying I was going to be a professional MMA fighter and an actor in a time where Ronda Rousey didn’t exist yet in the UFC. It was a horse of a very different path and no one thought that I was capable except for myself. The power of believing in yourself is so strong! I would say, say less – do more. Put your head down and work your ass off and you can literally accomplish anything. My story is a testament to that. There were so many times that I got down on myself and I said, "I'm not going to make it," I still woke up every day at 6am and trained for 4 hours and then bartended until 2am and did it all over again. You’ve got to grind if you want it. Just don’t ever give up on your dreams. There’s nothing more gratifying in your life than living your dreams.

AM: We like asking people who are 3 people that inspire them in their careers or in life whether you know them personally, follow them online etc?

DB: Ellen Degeneres for sure, Gina Carano and I’m going to go with my mom. Everyone plays a certain role. Ellen showed me at a very young age so much strength and resilience. She wasn’t only in a very male dominated world but a hetero dominated world. She broke down so many barriers for women and LGBTQ people. She’s inspirational in her own right and went through so many struggles being who she is.

Gina Carano was the first pioneer of the MMA for women and was one of the first huge female superstars that people would actually pay to go see. She’s incredibly badass.

My mom is just the definition of unconditional love and support. Although everyone else called my dreams crazy, she did not call them crazy and for that, she is my day one!

IG @SonyaDevilleWWE

PHOTOS COURTESY | PG 16, 26, 28, 30 + 32 WWE | PG 18 + 21 Vince Trupsin | PG 22, 24 + 39 Ryan Loco | PG 35 TOTAL DIVAS -- Season 9 Gallery -- Pictured: Sonya -- (Photo by: Brian Bowen Smith/E! Entertainment) | PG 36 TOTAL DIVAS -- Maui Vacation -- Pictured: (l-r) Carmella, Sonya -- (Photo by: Mario Perez/E! Entertainment) |

Hear WWE Superstar & E! Total Divas', Daria Berenato/Sonya Deville this month on our show, #TRIBEGOALS -which is a part of Athleisure Studio, our multi-media podcast network! Make sure to subscribe to find out when the episode drops. You can hear it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts and wherever you enjoy listening to your favorite podcast.

Read the April Issue of Athleisure Mag and see From the Ring to the World with Daria Berenato in mag.

COMMON FOOT INJURIES ON ATHLETES: HOW TO MANAGE THEM

Athletes, more than anyone else, put their feet through their paces and the result of this is of course an increased chance of causing an injury. Injuries in the feet can be caused over a long period of time or they can be the result of an impact, either way there is nothing which will whip you off your feet quicker than a painful injury. To explore this further we caught up with the manager of a podiatry clinic called Mod Pod Podiatry, an expert in all things feet, to find out what the most common foot injuries are, and how they are managed.

Achilles Tendinitis

The Achilles tendon in the ankle is one of the most common locations for an injury and it normally comes about through overuse of the foot. The Achilles tendon is the largest in the body and it is essential to our mobility and dexterity, this is of course why it is such a common injury. The best treatment for this is to stay off the feet wherever possible and to wear a support for future activities.

Plantar Fasciitis

There is a band of tissues which support the arch of the foot and they are responsible for absorbing the stress which we put on our feet. Naturally when they have absorbed too much stress for too long, they can become very strained, inflamed and cause problems at the base of the heel. It is said that almost 2 million people are treated for this every year, and the treatment which is used to manage the issue is a mixture of ice and physical therapy. Calf stretching is also beneficial for the treatment of mild Plantar Fasciitis.

Stress Fractures

A stress fracture is a very small crack in the bone, not a break or a large crack, but a very minor and incredibly painful chink in the armor. This is usually caused through poor technique, poor equipment or a lack of conditioning. Eventually these stress fractures will repair themselves but when it does occur it is important that no weight is put on the foot for a long time, until it has properly repaired. If someone with a stress fracture keeps on playing or running, it can grow in size and become a far more dangerous problem.

Neuroma

Neuroma is a pinched nerve in the foot which results in a numbness in the ball of the foot and pain in between the toes when walking. There is no exact cause of this but those with high arches or flat feet seem to suffer from it more. Overuse and stress on the feet are also contributory factors in neuroma. In almost all cases non-surgical treatment such as supportive footwear and corticosteroid injections are used to reduce symptoms which are caused and to increase strength and mobility in the foot.

There are of course many more conditions which may take place in the feet, but generally speaking these are the most common amongst athletes.

WHEN ATHLETIC STUDENT LIFE STARTS TO SUCK: HOW TO GET BACK ON TRACK

The process of receiving offers from the university is quite complicated and tiring, what to speak of when receiving scholarships as an athlete's student. Sure thing, you went through all the circles of hell and want to breathe out and relax as the student life is bright and filled with fun.

PHOTO CREDIT | Pixabay

Alas, when you are a student-athlete, everything becomes much more complicated. It is especially challenging to adapt when you are a freshman when the tasks and loads of both sports and studying can be overkill. Due to high expectations, your mood can significantly decrease, because you need to cope with the volume of new responsibilities, adapt to a new environment, and work hard to affirm your image as positive.

Regardless of the sport that you practice, student life will become even more difficult and eventful than the graduation class. Wake up daily much earlier than classes, workouts before classes, lunch workouts, attempts to allocate at least some time for lunch, and rest between classes and workouts and homework.

Of course, if necessary, you can always find professional assistants who will help to cope with endless essays and assignments, which will free up time for parties with friends. But your life will still fly at the speed of an airplane. You can get lost in the loop of the same days if you do not periodically reboot to something new. Even worse, if your scholarship does not cover all the necessary costs and you still need to squeeze extra part-time jobs into your schedule.

If you are not a superman or a spider-man, this can be not easy. And this may make you give up. But don't you dare! Instead, try the following techniques to help you get back on track and regain the champion spirit.

Try to Find a Balance

Balance is not so much about success but of your emotional and mental health. Only when you feel yourself entirely can you control your life. But when you try to be the first in work, in school, in sports, and personal relationships, most likely, a lot of things will go completely wrong. Therefore, it is crucial to appraise adequately and soundly your forces and rationally distribute them to those areas that now seem most important.

Write Every Little Task Into a Planner

Even If it's lunches and parties, write down a list of all areas that you need to handle - first of all, sports and studies, then health, family, and friends. Examine your typical schedule and examine how much time of the day sport and studying takes. If you have problems in one of the areas, write down the most urgent tasks and those that can wait.

Make a daily schedule, where sport and studying take no more than 60% of your time. Plan for a week; it will help you choose between additional training or exam preparation. Such an approach will help you not only articulate your goals more clearly but also show you as a serious student, as well as teachers and teachers. Having a structure and a complete list of tasks for the day will help you avoid losing your head from additional duties and the risk of forgetting about something important.

Don't Skip Classes

It's very tempting to miss that class that overlaps your training or sleep an extra hour between the training. However, it's a way of leading to a grand headache at the end of the semester. Professors usually inform students regarding their class rules and give you full information regarding final grade evaluation.

If the final paper costs 40% and class attendance is only 10-15%, you may skip some of the classes in an urgent situation. It is the only cheat you can allow yourself. So be sure to check whether the final grade depends a lot on class attendance. Besides, at least regularly visit the classes before starting the playing season, as your professor will remember you as a successful student and will treat you better If you skip a few levels later.

Don't Neglect External Help

If the schedule seems to be overwhelming whatever you try, search for some help to minimize your time spent on studying. If you feel that you fell behind some classes, it's ok to seek a tutor or essay writer online. Also, learn about all the perks of being the athlete student and be sure to use all the benefits to a full extent. Some colleges can offer you, dietitian or personal trainer to help you reach sports milestones much quicker.

Remember to Love Yourself

That's a rule. Simple as that, if you're under too much stress and you find it hard to handle it any longer, take a little pause. Having a day for yourself where you do nothing or do things for yourself only can genuinely do wonders with your mindset. After a small break, you'll gain extra powers to help you overcome any obstacle on the way.

7 FACTS TO BE AWARE OF IF YOU PURSUE THE ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP

The closer the graduation date, the more intensively the universities lure athletes. Everyone has different methods; someone shows off a vast and beautiful campus; someone uses new gyms and equipment, or the latest generation dormitories. Sometimes there is a chance to get a full athletic scholarship from the university for training. However, after a little research, it's easy to understand that there are many nuances about sports scholarships no one really talks about. Here are just a few of them.

PHOTO CREDIT | Pixabay

The Chances of Getting a Scholarship Are Quite Small

There are approximately 138,000 sports scholarships in the United States from the National University Sports Association (NCAA). You may think that this is a lot; however, alas, it is not. About 1,000,000 boys play football professionally, but there are only 19,500 football scholarships. Nearly 603,000 girls are professionally involved in athletics in high school and only 4,500 scholarships for this sport.

The Size of the Sports Scholarship May Be Different

The average sports scholarship in the United States is $ 10,400. Only four types of sports scholarships can offer you full funding: football, men's and women's basketball, and women's volleyball. If you exclude football and men's basketball from the general list, the average scholarship will drop to $ 8,700.

Most Scholarships Are Partial

The National Association of University Sports is trying to distribute the money profitably. For example, a football coach was given ten awards, and he distributed them not among ten students, but between 15 to attract more exciting athletes. This practice leads to minimal scholarship.

A scholarship implies a certain amount of money; the amount can vary from 500 to 50,000 dollars, which goes directly to pay for student tuition (as well as additional costs, such as accommodation, meals, textbooks, etc.). That is, the student never sees this money.

The Scholarships Can Be Different

Considering that there are many levels of college sports in the USA: there is a university league NCAA, which is divided into three divisions and about 300 universities in each division, there is also a student league NAIA where there are about 250 universities. Besides, there are two-year-old Junior Colleges and Community Colleges, which are also divided into divisions.

You're Not Allowed to Work

A student visa (F1) is not allowed to work anywhere off-campus officially. And on campus no more than 20 hours a week. Performing not the most challenging work in the dining room, library, or computer classes can earn up to $ 500-600 per month. However, nothing prevents you from finding a part-time job where you will work without official employment, for example, sitting as a nanny for children, as an essay writer, etc. The main thing is to enable resourcefulness.

It Works Only for Popular Kids

If you are far from being a superstar, then college coaches will probably not be aware of your existence. Back in school, teens should write letters to coaches, attaching a motivation letter to the results of their sports achievements. Another effective way to attract the attention of trainers is to shoot a video about your progress and upload it to YouTube. There is a high probability that the CD will be lost or gather dust in the trainer's desk, and trainers always watch videos on YouTube.

The Duration of Sports Scholarship Is Always Limited

Do not think that if you received a sports scholarship in the USA, then it will be valid for all years of education. Scholarships are updated every year at the discretion of the coach. That is why a teenager should be motivated and try to demonstrate success in sports.

The Easiest Way to Get Athletes Scholarship Is From the Third Division

Oddly enough, the most effective and easiest way to get a scholarship to an athlete is to apply for an unsportsmanlike scholarship. Sports schools of the third division are usually located in small private universities that regularly award scholarships for various outstanding student achievements, which cover over half the cost of training.

Get a Sports Scholarship in the USA – Does It Worth the Pain?

It's hard to say that athletes have no concessions at all; teachers still go to meet athletes because their workload makes it much more difficult for them to study. Nevertheless, athletes consider on a par with ordinary students and need to learn; no one will give a mark for the fact that the student stands for the university or college sports team. You need to go to classes, take tests, do homework on a par with all other students. There are so many underlined nuances to learn before trying to get the scholarship. But if it's your goal, be sure to go all-in for achieving it.

9LIST STORI3S | EMILY SKYE

Read the April Issue of Athleisure Mag and see 9LIST STORI3S | Emily Skye in mag.

S2. E3. | #TRIBEGOALS WITH Y7 FOUNDER SARAH LEVY

On today's episode of #TRIBEGOALS, we sit down with one of our favorite studio founders, Sarah Levey of Y7. We always love flowing to hip hop mixes while doing hot yoga. With a number of studios in NYC, LA and now in Chicago - we wanted to find out how this style of workout came about. In addition, we talk about how she grew her brand, her approach to opening new locations and the importance of building a great team. We chatted with her a few months back at a The Lofts at Flatiron to find out more about her and the brand. We're also happy to hear that she's a mommy-to-be and can't wait to see how she becomes a powerhouse rocking being a mom and running a successful studio. 

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

HOW DOES A VEGAN DIET WORK AND LOOK LIKE FOR ATHLETES

Athletes are preferring to switch to vegan diets because of their belief that this type of diet brings them certain benefits – either for health and performance reasons, but also regarding the environment or the religious aspects.

The vegan diet is different of the vegetarian one because it excludes not only meat, but any other products of animal origin. Therefore, is challenging for athletes to have a rich and nutritious diet, based on fruits, vegetables, grain products and protein-rich plants.

Besides all these, they have to mind the drinks also – not all of them are vegan. By the way, do you know vegan wine exist? There are some differences between this type and the nonvegan one. The most important difference is that animal-derived products are not present in the fining part of the process of making vegan wine. Some examples of such products are eggs whites, gelatin, and milk protein. The vegan wine is so common that there even is a vegan wine club online.

The truth is, there are many food and drink options available for vegan to choose from, even for athletes which have chosen this type of diet. They have balanced their diet as to include, apart from the traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner, certain snacks after workout or upon getting up in the morning.

Vegan athletes have opted for meals which are rich in vitamins and other nutrients. Smoothies, shakes, and juices are indispensable in the dairy workout. The diet is so various and extremely careful prepared. They even have certain amounts of aliments down to the grams, a specific number of elements for each meal, and cups or spoons of that product.

There are many health reasons why athletes choose to ditch the meat and the animal products from their diet. Some of the reasons are a better health heart, anti-inflammatory effects, improved blood viscosity, improved arterial flexibility and diameter, more antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals, or the reduced body fat. All these are leading the way for choosing a vegan diet.

Many of the athletes take into consideration targeted characteristics of their activity and bodies, and by doing so they adapt their diet to their needs. Athletes have so many differences between them – from the type of sport they do, to their body shape, weight, height, needs or metabolism, or to the part of their body they use the most. Hence, there are more and more studies and nutritionists who know exactly what type of food and what quantity do athletes need to consume to enhance their performance.

There are though several concerns regarding this type of diet, primarily because it lacks some essential components: vitamins D and B12, calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, and omega-3. Also, a vegan diet is considerably lower in proteins.

Bottom line, athletes who decide to go vegan have to be extremely careful that this change won’t affect their health and performance more than it benefits. In either case, special supplements must be strongly considered. Also, staying hydrated, following more on vegetables than on other products, and eating as much calories and minerals as the body needs are essential parts of being a vegan athlete.

WHAT BARRIERS ARE LURKING FOR ATHLETES AFTER THE END OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

In history, since there have been sports competitions in any form, even since the ancient Olympics, nothing like this has happened now. Especially in the modern world, where it’s unthinkable to stop practically everything in only a few days. The issue we’re talking about is, of course, factual state that emerged from the novel COVID-19 pandemic, which completely paralyzed sports activities.

How much will such a break, almost unprecedented in the history of sports, affect the form of the top athletes, and how long will it take for them to be seen again in their old psychophysical condition?

It’s extremely difficult for professional athletes to take a break from sports. Accustomed to life which, among other things, consists of constant competitions, travels, and training, they now had to put it all aside. It’s hard, but they had no choice - to accept the situation and use this time to rest as much as possible.

Hard to Get Back in Shape

Getting back in shape, so-called match fitness, will undoubtedly be the most difficult task for athletes when pandemic disappears.

“There are different aspects to it,” says Richard Collinge, who is the Head of Medical Services at Premier League club West Ham United, and recently spoke with Betway.

“The science behind it all is now a major guide as to objectively clearing a player to return to training and then to return to a match, but the player has to also be psychologically ready. Those two things have to match, otherwise, that player is not going to be ready to play.”

This is an enormous break for those who are used to training and will need some time to get back in shape, and especially for athletes who compete in the top level. In addition to the necessary time, it will take patience to restore the quality of the sport, in general.

There will be a period in which a different rhythm and plan of sports events will take place. The season, which is timed from September to May in all major sports, was in the unfolding phase because the two most important and decisive months were to follow. These are the months when the most important and most-watched events, also the most expensive television broadcasts take place and that’s why this is financially the most difficult to compensate.

“I use fitness baselines to determine whether a player is ready or not,” says Tumi Masekela, the strength and conditioning coach for the South Africa men’s cricket team.

“But if he’s at a good level then we will start him with our warm-up games or franchise games before we move back onto the international scene. That’s definite – we will not allow a player back to an international game without playing any games beforehand so that we can evaluate their match fitness.”

Matches Without an Audience

What follows is a period of standstill for athletes who were supposed to be at their peak this summer. These athletes will now have to drop their form and then raise it again. There are some sports whose athletes are on the forefront in the sense that it’s imperative for them to be match fit immediately, unlike other athletes who don’t have that imperative.

It will be additionally difficult that the matches, it’s certain, will be played without an audience in the beginning. The matches behind closed doors will be mentally difficult for the athletes, and it will be a challenge for them to return to the system after only a few weeks.

The Major Events Stopped by the Coronavirus

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which were supposed to be held from July 24 to August 9 this year, have been postponed to 2021, which is the first time in history that the Summer Olympics have been canceled.

Also, this year’s Wimbledon tennis tournament in London was canceled due to a pandemic, for the first time since 1945. The coronavirus “suspended” the American basketball NBA league. Also, the basketball matches of the Euroleague were postponed indefinitely.

4 REASONS TO TAKE YOUR FITNESS MORE SERIOUSLY

Only one in three adults get the recommended amount of physical exercise each week.

This worrying trend is to blame for numerous lifestyle diseases that cost lots of money to manage without mentioning the misery of not enjoying life to the fullest.

Investing in your fitness has a myriad of benefits that extend beyond looking and feeling good.

Need more incentives to help you get into a long-term fitness program? Here are four more reasons to put more thought into it.

1. To Improve Productivity

The workplace is nothing like it’s been before.

Everything is more competitive, technology keeps changing operations and processes, and recruiters only want to retain the most productive workforce.

For professionals, this demands increased mental focus and longer working hours.

Studies have shown that higher fitness levels can improve concentration, help people complete tasks faster, and can increase motivation.

Indeed most renowned entrepreneurs will often mention the importance of a workout regimen when talking about their success.

Try to work out in the morning before you hit the office to get the most out of this.

2. It Can be an Income Earner

The health and fitness industry has grown significantly in the last couple of years.

With this growth comes numerous opportunities for people to earn an income. You can either get into this on a full-time basis or a side hustle to make a few extra dollars on the side.

Personal fitness training and influencing are some popular ways of making money. However, your success in any of these fields will largely depend on your fitness levels.

Yes, passion alone is not enough. You must have something to show for it.

For example, clients looking for a fitness trainer will likely want a fit candidate to show them the ropes. Fitness certification also goes a long way in rubber stamping your credibility as a fitness trainer.

Companies that might come to you to be an influencer on health supplements, sports gear, and so on, will also need their influencer to look the part.

3. You Can Enjoy a Better Sex Life

Working out does more than just increasing your flexibility; it can help you look good.

And looking and feeling good can make you feel more comfortable and confident in bedroom matters.

It goes beyond the aesthetics, however.

In one study, the University of California found that regular exercise helps men experience more satisfying orgasms and a higher frequency of intimate activities.

The University of Texas had an equitable study on the fairer sex. The findings concluded that exercise increases psychological arousal in women.

A healthy sex life can go a long way in strengthening a relationship.

4. To Enjoy a More Relaxed Life

Exercising signals the body to release endorphins, which trigger a number of psychological reactions.

Key among these is the feeling of euphoria that relaxes the mind and helps you feel more positive-happier even.

Endorphins, much like analgesics, also diminish feelings of pain.

Today's society tends to support pill-popping as the first go-to for many psychological issues. While this might be necessary in some cases, it's definitely not the only solution.

Working out has been proven to keep depression and stress at bay. If for nothing else, getting on a regular work out program can be your natural prophylaxis against a number of psychological problems.

Get Moving

In a nutshell, getting yourself on a regular workout schedule and sticking with it has numerous benefits.

It can put money in your pocket, significantly improve your sex life, help with your career goals, and even make you feel happier.

These benefits are indeed difficult to fore-go.

#WASHYOURHANDS

Read the April Issue of Athleisure Mag and see #WashYourHands #StayInside (repeat) in mag (with video).

BEST NATURAL TESTOSTERONE SUPPLEMENTS FOR SALE

In men, their testosterone levels peak when they reach 30 years old. After that, it can be a downward spiral, with the hormone’s levels dropping by 1% at the age of 31 and beyond. You can read more information about testosterone when you click here.

This is not the case for all men. But some have medical conditions that feel that their “manliness” is slipping with age. This means they don’t have the sexual drive, stamina, or strength they had once had when they were in their early 20s.

To counter the decrease of testosterone in the body, some rely on the power of the best testosterone supplements that are sold in many online platforms. Some go to their local pharmacies and others shop online to get boosters that can help them retain their masculine nature.

For people who are worrying about the safety of these pills, they should quit worrying. Most of the supplements are perfectly safe to consume as long as they came from legit manufacturers.

You may be one of the men who want to regain your strength and improve your overall wellbeing by preventing the decrease of testosterone in your body. If so, then you can try to visit sites such as https: https://www.ilmuseums.com/best-testosterone-supplements/ for more information about the natural boosters that are safe for your health. Knowing these, you can determine which ones are worth it and which ones will not work for you.

Best Testosterone Boosters

1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is naturally produced by the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. This acts as an active form of steroid inside your body.

You can include sunbathing in the early mornings as one of your activities if you want to boost your vitamin D levels. You can also increase your sperms’ quantity and quality if you are often exposed to the sun.

Some of the studies were able to find a close correlation between low testosterone levels and vitamin D deficiency. For many participants in a research, they were able to increase their hormone production during the summer months when they are more exposed to the sun.

In a study conducted for a year, 65 men were split into two groups. The first half took vitamin D every single day for a year. The other group did not receive any vitamin D supplements. When the researchers measured the testosterone levels, they discovered that those who were taking the supplements increase their hormone levels by 20%.

2. Bindii

Bindii or Tribulus Terrestris is a weed with a small woody fruit used as an herbal medicine for many years.

Most of the current research about this vine was conducted on animals. Researchers found out that the rats have increased their sex drives significantly when they are getting Bindii. The testosterone levels of some mice also significantly increased.

For men who have erectile dysfunction, this can be beneficial because they can get a hormonal increase when taking supplements that have Bindii as one of the ingredients. There’s anecdotal evidence that most men were happy with the results, and they were able to increase their sex drives and self-esteem.

The current research however, does not provide much evidence for many young athletes about this herb’s effect. There seem to be no significant changes in their levels, and the herb appeared to have no additional health benefits for people who have normal levels of testosterone.

But for others who have problems with sex drive, strength, and endurance, Bindii can help them achieve better performance.

3. Fenugreek

The fenugreek herb is very popular, and it is often an ingredient in many supplements. Some studies suggest that the plant can reduce the enzymes that convert the testosterone into estrogen.

There’s a specific study involving 30 men in the space of eight weeks. The groups were divided into two, and 15 received Fenugreek supplements every day.

The body’s production and the total hormones of the men who have taken Fenugreek significantly increased after two weeks. However, the other group experienced a significant decline. Another positive thing that happened to the group who received supplements is that they reported an increase in strength over the weeks.

Other benefits noted during the research are increased libido, higher energy levels, improved sexual performance, and improved overall health.

4. Ginger

Ginger is found in many household kitchens and is an everyday staple in many dishes. This spice is also used as medicine for many years.

Some researchers conducted studies about the efficacy of ginger to improve testosterone levels in the body. There’s strong evidence that proved ginger can reduce inflammation and enhance the libido of many men.

Studies in rats provided information that ginger can act as a luteinizing agent in many diabetic animals. This helped in proving that an increase in the testosterone levels of the body can aid with faster healing of certain medical conditions such as diabetes and even prostate cancer in men.

For human clinical trials, about 70 men were given ginger supplements daily in three months. It was discovered that about 17% of them were able to increase their testosterone and sperm counts.

Although this is still the early stage of research about ginger, many people around the world have proven that there are other health benefits of taking them. So, if you have already incorporated it into your diet, there’s no reason to stop now.

5. Zinc

Zinc is known to be an aphrodisiac, and it is a mineral involved in a lot of body processes. A person with higher levels of zinc is known to have increased levels of testosterone as well.

Some studies measured how restricting zinc intake in food can affect healthy men. The results showed that the hormone significantly dropped for those who have zinc deficiencies.

Another study had found out that higher zinc leads to more sperm count. For healthy men with adequate levels of testosterone, the mineral does not seem to make any differences. For professional wrestlers, taking supplements with zinc has helped them become more resilient in their training regimes. The mineral is also said to aid faster recovery if you are into high-intensity workouts.

BINGELY STREAMING

MAKING THE CUT

Amazon Originals

Amazon Prime Video

We have always loved the chemistry between Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn and in this new fashion competition, they take the concept behind finding the next designer who truly is a brand, to the next level. Viewers travel from NY, Paris and Tokyo to embark upon a number of challenges that are judged by fashion's icons.

MRS AMERICA

FX Originals for Hulu

Hulu

This month as we continue to #stayathome to #flattenthecurve, we have definitely increased how much we have been bingeing. When you think about the Women's Equality movement and the players that were involved, the second wave during the 70's focuses on the efforts by Shirley Chisholm, Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan and more. The measures and stances taken here gave rise to the Moral Majority which shifted the political landscape. We see how this movement took place from their points of views from overall struggles to those that were specific issues that they wanted to push forward as well.

FX Original Series' Mrs. America tells the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). We see how these figures blazed the trail in this movement, how they interacted with one another, their own individuality and the opposition they faced with their male counterparts, one another and the unexpected backlash that was led by conservative, Phyllis Schlafly, "the sweetheart" of the silent majority.

THE LAST DANCE

ESPN

ESPN + Netflix

We may not be able to watch the current season of our favorite sports teams; however, since April 19th, we've loved seeing 2 episodes each week in this 10 episode documentary of The Last Dance. This docuseries looks at the impact of Phil Jackson's 2 X 3-peat World Champion Chicago Bulls which included Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr. We delve into how each 3-peat came about, the childhoods of a number of the players that began their journey to this team, rivals, management's involvement in shaping the team and more.

In addition, we see these players and coaches with footage from those moments in time as well as hearing from them in the present day. Additional voices from former President Barack Obama, Nas, journalists and more also weigh in on this historic period in time. It's the fix that we needed as we continine to stay at home and wait for games to continue again.

Read the April Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Bingely Streaming in mag.

7 BENEFITS OF WEIGHTED BLANKETS & THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THEY CAN HELP YOU WITH

PHOTO CREDIT | Pixabay

So, you've probably heard of weighted blankets by now, but you're still sitting on the fence pondering what they are, if they really work, and if they are what you actually need? Well, you are not alone. Weighted blankets have become quite popular over the last few years, many therapists and therapy clinics even recommend them for their patients. Now, with these blankets readily available outside clinical settings, it's understandable that consumers would want to know what these blankets are and their actual benefits.

What Is A Weighted Blanket?

From the look of them, weighted blankets are no different from your typical duvet. They are made from linen, cotton, and other materials that you would typically find in other bed covers and blankets. However, weighted blankets are filled with special material which makes them heavy and provide a gentle but firm pressure, which studies show has a variety of health benefits. Weighted blankets create DTP (Deep Touch Pressure) or DPS (Deep Pressure Simulation) to calm the nervous system and improve relaxation.  

You'll find that there are weighted blankets for both kids and adults, they are based on how heavy the weighted blanket is, which should be about 7% to 12% of your body weight.  

The Benefits Of Weighted Blankets

Comfy mattress? Check. Soft pillow? Check. Temperature-regulating bed sheets? Check. Supportive bed frame? Quadruple check. It's easy to think that your bed is packed with the best sleep technology, but what about the blanket? One of the essential pieces of the sleep puzzle is your blanket. Pick the wrong one, and you'll end up trading more than 50 winks for restless tossing.

The blanket you choose can be incredibly valuable. After all, it impacts one of the most crucial things in one's life – a person's sleep, the quantity, and quality of which has a significant impact on your health and wellness.

Here's how you can benefit from weighted blankets:

1. Helps Alleviate Restless Leg Syndrome

If you've ever experienced Restless Leg Syndrome, also called Willis-Ekbom Disease, you know that it can have devastating effects on your sleep pattern. Restless leg syndrome causes tingling and what can be described as a "creeping sensation" that makes it very uncomfortable for those with the condition to sleep. RLS symptoms are worse when you go to bed, partially due to the body's overactive nervous system.

While some find comfort in using compression socks, many patients have said that these socks are extremely tight and often end up worsening the symptoms. On the other hand, weighted blankets offer relief because they use DTP, which helps calm the nervous system.

2. Eases Anxiety Induced Insomnia

Until you've stayed up until four o'clock in the morning for years, it's easy to dismiss a lack of sleep as something that needs a quick fix. If you're one of those people who find themselves with racing thoughts even after going to bed, then you understand that anxiety can cause not only insomnia but also affect your quality of sleep. Luckily, studies have shown that the use of weighted blankets helps inhibit the production of Cortisol (stress-inducing hormone) and instead stimulates the production of dopamine (the feel-good hormone), which means hours of blissful Z’s.   

3. Reduces Stress

Stress can take a toll on your mental health, as well as your physical and emotional state. Weighted blankets help stimulate serotonin production thanks to the gentle pressure. This can help reduce stress and combat depression, which makes you feel better overall.

4. Improves Focus For ADHD Patients

Studies have shown that both adults and children with ADHD find that they can focus better when using weighted blankets. Attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD) can cause restless sleep. Using weighted blankets with deep pressure therapy (DPT) helps create a calming and soothing effect, which helps improve focus in ADHD patients.

5. Helps With Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory issues such as autism spectrum disorder are thought to be the result of a delay in brain signals causing anxiety attacks. Sensory disorders can get in the way of your life and can cause both behavioral and emotional turmoil. Using weighted blankets can help create a calming effect and ease this kind of anxiety.

6. Alleviates OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition where the patient suffers from obsessive thoughts and exhibits obsessive mannerisms. People with OCD tend to have difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep. Weighted blankets boost the production of melatonin and serotonin, both of which make it easier for you to relax, fall asleep, and have a restful sleep.

7. They Feel Like A Nice Hug!

Babies are not the only ones who respond better to hugs; even adults love hugs. This is because the body responds to contact made from a hug and releases oxytocin, which helps create a feeling of relaxation and also reduces an individual's blood pressure. Weighted blankets mimic a warm and cozy hug.

So what are you waiting for? Start enjoying quality sleep with the gentle pressure of a quality weighted blanket today!

BINGELY BOOKS

THE NEW HUSBAND

St. Martin's Press

D.J. Palmer

When is someone being perfect a problem? When Simon Fitch knows all of Nina Garrity's favorite things, when he is loved by her son, anticipates her every need and gives her security to know that he wouldn't betray her like her first husband - what could she possibly want? Interestingly enough, when her first husband went missing, she found out that he was leading a double life. He would eventually disappear in a presumed drowning and she lost the opportunity to confront him about what he did to her.

A year and a half later, she found love with Simon, a fellow widower who is grieving the death of his first wife. Together, they love one another and Nina's son is happy to be embraced by his step father in a way that his father never did. His friends don't see this man as loving, but as someone who is obsessed.

Nina's daughter doesn't feel the same way that her son does. As Nina wants to believe that her life is not only on track, but that she is living her best life - she realizes that the greatest danger to her and her kids are the lies that we tell ourselves.

---

IF I HAD YOUR FACE

Ballantine Books

Frances Cha

We meet Kyuri who works at an exclusive underground bar where she entertains businessmen while they drink. Although she believes that she has a clear-eyed approach to going about her life, an impulsive mistake threatens her livelihood.

Her roommate, Miho won a scholarship to study art in New York; however, she has returned to Korea after college. She becomes involved in a relationship with an heir to the nation's biggest conglomerates.

In the same building, Ara is a hairdresser who is obsessed with a K-Pop star and has a best friend who is saving up for an extreme plastic surgery that she hopes will change her life.

Finally, Wonna is also in the building as her and her husband try to conceive a child without knowing how they can afford it. All of their stories converge as they support one another.

---

PRETTY THINGS

Random House LLC

Janelle Brown

We meet two women. One is a con artist who attempted to live her life in a way to embrace a career; however, when she couldn't make that goal, she found herself going back to the life that her mom taught her. When her mom became sick, she decided to do anything - even if it meant pulling her biggest scam to save her.

The second is an heiress who wants to make an impact on the world; however, she becomes an Instagram influencer who escapes to the family mansion.

Their worlds collide in Lake Tahoe as they are involved in a game of desire, duplicity and revenge.

Read the April Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Bingely Books in mag.

THE ART OF THE SNACK

This month's The Art of the Snack takes us to the west coast to a restaurant group that we enjoy seeing their meals on Instagram. Like many restaurants during this time as we stay at home, they continue to offer pickup and delivery to feed their communities, first responders, health care workers and more. We chatted with Tabu Shabu's Michelle Tangie, Director of Brand and Training to find out how his restaurants continue to bring savory meals as well as a great selection of sakes to get us through this time as we stay focused on flattening the curve.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your culinary background and how you came up with the idea of Tabu Shabu?

MICHELLE TANGIE: Our founder and CEO Jeff, who was already a restaurant operator, felt that his East Costa Mesa neighbourhood was lacking something that he had grown up eating: Japanese style hot pot, with fresh vegetables, and top-quality cuts of beef and fresh seafood. This was something that he had enjoyed throughout his childhood and yet nothing like this existed in the mainstream dining segment. He decided to take over a small space with childhood friends Christian Fernandez, a Long Beach Firefighter, and Sol An, a Los Angeles based commercial developer, to create Tabu Shabu.

AM: What can guests expect when they come to dine at Tabu Shabu?

MT: Our key company mission statement has always been focused on the highest level of guest satisfaction. Since day one this has always been our top priority and our guests and community can feel that based on the authentic and interactive environment they’ll receive while dining. We genuinely care and because of this, they’ll most often care right back.

AM: When creating this menu, can you tell us about where the inspiration for your dishes came from?

MT: The focus from day one of Jeff and his partners was procuring homemade sauces with fresh ingredients and carefully selected meats and seafood as well as locally sourced produce. From these high-quality ingredients and sauces/ broths consistently made with love consumers can taste the distinct difference in quality and it is a big reason for how and why Tabu Shabu became a booming success.

AM: What are 3 signature dishes that you suggest?

MT: One of the best parts about Tabu Shabu is that every time you cook it and eat it something can always be different depending on how you flavour your broth and sauces or how you tailor your veggie plate. With that being said, our top sellers are definitely our buttery WAGYU Shortrib Kobe Beef Entree with Miso Broth, our famous housemade Porridge, andvour super addictive Garlic Edamame as an appetizer.

AM: What are 3 cocktails that you suggest?

MT: We don’t have a full bar but we do have an excellent sake selection and our staff top recommendations are definitely our Unfiltered Sayuri Nigori, Filtered Hakatsuru Gingo & Filtered Sho Chiku Bai Ginjo.

AM: Right now, we’re in a situation where the community is coming together as we navigate staying indoors and although we are unable to come into your restaurant to dine, you offer takeout/delivery – can you tell us about how people can still get their meals with you and what times they can do so?

MT: We have tried to make our Tabu ToGo options as simple and streamlined as possible for easy cravings satisfaction. We are currently providing our Take Out menu every day from 4pm - 8pm. Customers can either order through the *order online* link on our website: www.tabushabu.com, order online through ChowNow or call us themselves. Through ChowNow they can opt for curbside pickup or delivery.

AM: From your Tabu2Go Menu, tell us about the Take Out Meal Kits as we think it’s a great way for people to enjoy Tabu Shabu while also being able to cook together!

MT: While we do offer pre-cooked soups on our ToGo menu and porridge-our Take Out Meal Kits are two or four person-sized Tabu entrees that are deconstructed for families to cook together whether that be with an electric hot pot or stovetop. We include all the fixings with cooking instructions for any first timers Tabu-ers. Our team has always strongly believed in the memories and sense of togetherness that comes from enjoying a meal with your loved ones. As of now, there are many options to choose from for ToGo but with ours, you can make your family meal or date night an extra special experience through cooking it together or trying something new and interactive with the added bonus of how healthy it is!

IG @TabuShabu

PHOTOS COURTESY | Tabu Shabu + David Chiem (@DavidTheFoodie)

Read the April Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Art of the Snack in mag.

S1. E10. | BUNGALOW SK WITH EMILY TYRA

On today's episode of Bungalow SK, we talk with one of our cover girls from our 2nd issue back in 2016, Emily Tyra who was our favorite actress on STARZ's Flesh & Bone as well as on CBS' Code Black. We talked about how she got into entertainment, her ability to sing, dance and act as well as her movie Harpoon that was on the festival circuit last year. We also talked about her ceramic brand, Rarebird.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.