When you want to begin a new program, you always have to think about the cost. You have to consider how much you are willing to pay and whether your estimate aligns with the service you expect. This is especially true if you are seeking further advice for your nutrition. If you have tried a free program or diet and failed, it could be worth it for you to pay for an expert’s advice. But what is a reasonable cost? And how do you know you will get a good product for your money?

We all know that our bodies are made differently, and some people tolerate certain foods better than others. Whether you are lactose-intolerant or your stomach gets upset when you eat red meat, you have to make diet choices that work best for you. If you are considering going with a mostly plant-based diet, you may wonder how those diets work in a practical, everyday setting, and how you can make it work with your lifestyle.

If you are trying to lose weight, it is important to define your goals and figure out what you are willing to commit. For some, going on runs and adding more veggies to their grocery list is enough to make a difference, but that doesn’t always work for everyone. So when should you invest money into your weight loss journey? And with such a crowded market, what kind of weight loss plan should you pay for?

It can be beneficial in life to get personalized things. If you are new to personal fitness, receiving a plan from a personal trainer can help kickstart your fitness journey. Similarly, receiving personalized nutrition advice from a nutrition expert can help you achieve your health goals. But with so many titles, it can be confusing to find the right professional for you. Which one should you see?

When you finish a workout, a few things run through your mind. You’re thinking about how great your workout was, and your mind probably goes to the next thing you have to do. At that moment, you feel a gnawing feeling in the pit of your stomach, and you think, “Hm, I should probably eat something.”

When you want some professional help making healthier food choices, it can be challenging to narrow down your options. Many communities have a plethora of options for nutrition advice, and Birmingham is no exception. Here in the Magic City, we could call ourselves a healthcare hub, because we have multiple major hospitals and are generally health-focused. With so many choices, how do you decide which nutrition specialist to visit to develop your customized plan?

If you are investigating a new diet plan, you are probably finding that many people have many different opinions about what is good and bad in a diet. One article says that you should not eat carbs, and one says you should go fat-free, gluten-free, or something else in between. You may have heard some people refer to “good” carbs, proteins, or fats, and you may wonder, what makes these foods “good”? How should I tell the difference between a good carb, protein, or fat and a bad one?

Think about the core of an apple. It usually either gets thrown away or composted after we finish eating it, but what does it do while the apple is growing? It stores the apple’s seeds and provides stability for the apple as it gets heavier on the branch. While a human’s core doesn’t store seeds, it does protect our vital organs and give us stability as we move. But what even is your core? And what are the best ways to keep it strong?

If you are beginning a new fitness program, you may hear your instructor or trainer mention activating your “glutes.” While you have probably heard the word before, you may not know why they matter to your fitness. What even are they, and how do they affect your daily movement?

Many people suffer from tight hamstrings, from athletes to desk workers. Hamstrings are large, powerful muscles, and when they are tight, they can significantly affect how you move. So what can you do about it? How can you stretch your hamstrings and keep them from tightening up again?