5 Tips for Losing Weight In The New Year

5 Tips for Losing Weight In The New Year

If you’re like most people, you have set some goals for the new year. Some are easier than others, but most come down to making choices. Want to spend more time with friends and family? That may mean choosing to work less or managing your time differently. Interested in exercising more? You may need to choose an earlier start to your day or join a gym. The biggest choice to make: Picking your goal. A top pick year after year is losing weight. We have all been there or know someone who has. 

So, where to start? Losing weight isn’t easy. It took time to add up, so give yourself some time to lose it. Make the decision to make some changes. It’s your choice. Here are five tips to make your weight loss goal attainable. 

Drinking a glass of water before meals can help with portion control by reducing overeating and snacking on unhealthy food choices.

Water, You Need It

Water is a natural appetite suppressant. Drinking plenty of water can help to manage hunger levels and promote healthy eating habits. Water helps to fill the stomach, making it easier to recognize when one is full. Drinking a glass of water before meals can help with portion control by reducing overeating and snacking on unhealthy food choices.

Water is also very important when you exercise to prevent dehydration. Without enough water in the body, muscles may not move as efficiently and can be more prone to fatigue or injury. Drinking plenty of water before, during, and after exercise helps lubricate the joints and enables them to move freely with minimal strain or risk of damage.

Move More and Increase Your Current Activity

Whatever activity level you are currently at, do more. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking or biking for short trips, parking farther away from your destination, or simply standing up and moving around during breaks are all good ways to burn more calories. You can also add purposeful activities like going on a walk or run with friends, or doing yoga. If you belong to a gym, keep going, just increase your activity level. Start where you are and keep at it. Move more.

Eat Mindfully & Pay Attention to What You Are Eating

Mindful eating is an effective way to make sure that we are getting the most out of our meals and snacks. It centers around paying attention to what and how you eat, as well as where you eat. Mindful eating can help you become more aware of your food choices, making it easier to stick to healthy options. 

Take time to chew and savor your food. Eating slowly can give your brain enough time to recognize you are full. Sit down to eat without distractions and when it comes to choosing what foods to eat, mindful eating encourages you to select healthy options that will satisfy for hours rather than minutes.

Sleep More – Try At Least 7 Hours

We all know how difficult it can be to make the right choices when we’re exhausted. That’s because lack of sleep not only reduces our ability to make good decisions but also increases our body’s cravings for unhealthy foods. On top of that, a University of Chicago study shows that even with just a few days of insufficient sleep your body’s ability to process insulin is downgraded. If the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin, it can’t adequately process fats from the bloodstream, so it ends up storing them as fat. 
In order to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, it is important to get the recommended 7 or more hours of sleep each night. As counterintuitive as it may seem, getting enough sleep can actually help us lose weight and make healthier decisions. So if you’re looking to start your journey toward better health, try making a good night’s sleep a priority. With the right amount of rest, your body will be better prepared to make healthier choices.

Seek Support or Take a Friend On Your Journey

Having a support system is one of the most important aspects when it comes to achieving your health goals. It can be difficult to stay motivated and on track when you don’t have someone else to help keep you accountable. That’s why it’s important to reach out to friends and family members who can lend their support. Invite them to join in on your journey, or share your progress and goals on social media so they can cheer you on. You’ll be surprised how much of an impact their reinforcement will have in helping you reach your goals. 

Find like-minded individuals who are also looking to improve their health and wellness. You’ll be able to swap stories, encourage each other, and inspire one another to keep going. Not only will it be more fun this way but you’ll stay motivated when you have your peers around.

Losing weight isn’t a race. Remember to be kind to yourself. Set yourself up for success. Make the choice to make some changes. Start with one at a time until you are implementing all five tips into your wellness journey. Drink water, move more, eat mindfully, sleep more and seek support. You can do it.

Weight Loss Through Science

You might be saying to yourself, “Yeah I’ve tried that.” Shedding those extra pounds isn’t always as easy as picking green veggies or slapping on some sneakers. Our bodies are all different, but those struggling to control their BMI have options. The unfortunate truth is, the more body mass you have, the harder it is to lose weight. While there are no shortcuts in life, science has come up with an alternative: weight loss injections like Ozempic® and Saxenda® have proven to help patients who struggle with weight loss. The GLP-1 receptor agonists in Semaglutide (Ozempic®) and Liraglutide (Saxenda®) pens regulate your appetite and lower your rate of digestion. When combined with healthy habits, Semaglutide and Liraglutide can help those with high a BMI shed pounds. TIN Rx prescribes weight loss injectables to those who suffer from obesity (BMI ≥30) or are overweight (BMI ≥27) and are at risk of developing weight-related medical problems. Looking to learn more? Get a free Weight Loss Injectables consultation here.

Weight Loss Injections – What Is The Best Injection for Weight Loss? 

Weight Loss Injections – What Is The Best Injection for Weight Loss? 

You’ve tried everything else… Eating kale and broccoli until you turn green, doing push-ups until your shoulders hurt, running up and down hills until you’re nauseous. Yes… Weight loss isn’t easy. To make matters worse, once you’ve passed a certain body mass index, the work it takes to lose a pound of fat becomes incrementally more difficult.  

You’re in luck though. Nowadays, there are many medically aided weight loss methods that, in combination with a healthy lifestyle, can help you rapidly shed pounds. In this article, we will be talking about the best weight loss injections on the market, what they are, how they work, their pros and cons, and who they are for. 

When you think of injections, the first thing that comes to mind is big and scary needles poking you in the butt cheek. Unfortunately, when it comes to weight loss jabs, most of them are big and scary. That means most of these injections are not for you if you have trypanophobia (fear of needles). Don’t click away just yet though. One of the options we list only has a tiny subcutaneous needle that you might tolerate, even if you’re scared of needles. 

Semaglutide, what is it?

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist traditionally used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes patients. The drug is mainly sold under 2 brand names. Ozempic, which is prescribed to diabetic patients, and Wegovy, which is approved by the FDA as a weight management injection. 

How does Semaglutide work?
Semaglutide increases the production of insulin, the hormone that helps lower blood sugar levels by mimicking the action of the incretin GLP-1. These GLP-1 receptors also play a strong role in your regulation of appetite and the rate of digestion. 

Semaglutide makes you feel full for longer and helps reduce constant cravings for food. Less food means less calories you need to burn on your daily push-up routine. The Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity trials showed that patients taking the drug lost up to 12% of their body weight within 28 weeks. 

In conjunction with a healthy diet and consistent exercise, Semaglutide shots are an effective way to lose and keep your weight down. The drug is especially effective if the cause of your obesity is not lack of exercise but a lack of self-control in your food cravings. 

Who is semaglutide for? 
Both Ozempic and Wegovy are not recommended for patients who have had or are at risk of developing MTC (Medullary Thyroid Cancer) or MEN 2 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2). 

Ozempic®
You may be eligible for Ozempic if you are a type 2 diabetes patient and have irregular AC1 levels. You might also be prescribed if have cardiovascular disease or are at risk of developing it. 

Wegovy®
You might get Wegovy prescribed if you suffer from obesity (BMI ≥30) or are overweight (BMI ≥27) and are at risk of developing weight-related medical problems 

Pros
+ Small, painless needle 
+ Taken only once per week 
+ Significantly help reduce weight 
+ Helps regulate blood sugar levels 
+ Help lower the risk of a heart attack 
+ You can inject yourself 

Cons
– May cause nausea and vomiting 
– Thyroid cancer is a possible side effect 
– Risk of hypoglycaemia
– High Cost 
– Must be stored in the fridge

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an essential component of the human nervous and circulatory systems. It plays an important role in the production of red blood cells and cellular metabolism. The vitamin is usually found in animal food sources but can be supplemented through a hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin injection.

How Vitamin B12 Can Help With Weight Loss
There is no real scientific evidence that links Vitamin B12 shots with weight loss. However, the injections are often marketed as a weight loss solution since they have been proven to increase energy levels. 

A deficiency in Vitamin B12 can lead to constant weakness and tiredness, nerve numbness, and mental conditions like depression and behavioural changes. An argument can be made that the injections can help with weight loss since these factors may drastically decrease your motivation to eat healthy and exercise. 

Pros
+ Helps increase energy levels 
+ Increases blood circulation 
+ May help improve mood and motivation 
+ No major side effects if taken moderately 

Cons
– No scientific evidence as a weight loss solution 
– It may affect the efficacy of other drugs 
– May cause headaches and nausea 
– Long, intramuscular injection 

Ozone Inections

Just like B12 injections, Oxygen or Ozone shots don’t directly remove or burn the fat in your body but help other systems that may aid your weight loss goals. Ozone therapy by itself will not help you lose weight; however, it can improve the results of a healthy diet and a consistent exercise program. 

How does an ozone or oxygen injection help you burn fat?
Ozone injections are marketed as a means to activate your fat-burning metabolism and break down fat deposits. The research on this therapy is scarce and even though it has been proven to help treat conditions like arthritis, its
efficacy for fat loss is highly debatable. 

Who it’s for? 
It’s hard to recommend ozone injections for any particular case of obesity due to how little research has been done on this therapy. The injections seem to have other positive effects on the body but are hard to recommend as a fat-loss method. 

Pros
+ May help as an antiseptic against skin infections 
+ May help increase energy levels through the production of ATP 

Cons
– May not help with weight loss 
– Can lead to serious adverse conditions if administered incorrectly 
– Can’t be self-administered 
– There’s little research around these injections 

Conclusion

The weight loss injections mentioned here are the most common ones that you will find if you’re researching potential fat loss methods. If you do further research, you may find other injectable treatments like HGC. We strongly advise you to consult your physician before trying any of these since many have shown to be unhealthy alternatives with strong side effects. 

All the research on weight loss point back to diet and exercise to be the best and healthiest ways to get in shape. We found Semaglutide to be the most effective, science-backed addition to a healthy lifestyle if your goal is to lose weight as fast as possible. 

Both Ozempic and Saxenda will help reduce your caloric intake and curb your appetite for unhealthy food. This means the exercise you do will burn through the calories you consume faster. Tin Rx offers a free weight loss consult to find out if you are eligible for weight loss injectables. Find out if it’s right for you here.

HIV Prevention Starts at Home

HIV Prevention Starts at Home

HIV is still a major health issue in the United States and around the world. In fact, according to hiv.gov, there are approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States alone. About 13% of those are unaware they have it and require testing to determine their status. Despite our progress in treatment and prevention, we still have a lot of work to do in order to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  

People across the country continue to get and transmit HIV regardless of age, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. In 2019 alone, an estimated 1.7 million people were infected with HIV—roughly 5,000 per day— while over 690,000 died of HIV-related complications.  

One of the most important things that we can do is educate ourselves and our loved ones about HIV and how to prevent it.  

How HIV is Transmitted 

HIV is transmitted through unprotected anal or vaginal sex between partners of any gender or sexual orientation. HIV is also commonly transmitted through sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.  

HIV is not transmitted through saliva, sweat, or tears. HIV does not survive long outside of the human body and cannot produce outside of a human host. Therefore, HIV cannot be spread through using public restrooms, sharing dishes, through the air or through touch and closed-mouth kissing. 

Factors that Increase HIV Risk 

There are a few different factors that can increase your chances of contracting or transmitting HIV.  

A viral load is the amount of HIV in the blood of someone who is HIV-positive. The higher someone’s viral load is, the more likely they are to transmit HIV to a partner. Taking HIV medicine can lower someone’s viral load to a point where it is undetectable. If a viral load is undetectable, then HIV is less likely to be transmitted to another person.  

If someone already has other sexually transmitted diseases, then they are more likely to contract HIV. Using condoms can lower the risk of contracting or transmitting HIV and most other STDs.  

Alcohol and drug abuse can also increase your chances of contracting or spreading HIV. This is because when you are drunk or high, you are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including having unprotected sex. Cutting back on alcohol or drug use can lower your HIV risk. 

If You Are Already HIV-Positive

There are steps you can take to protect your partner(s): 

  • Take care of your health and visit your doctor regularly. 
  • Aim to achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load by taking your medication as prescribed and for at least 6 months. Having an undetectable viral load means that you are much less likely to transmit HIV to a partner. 
  • Educate your partner about PrEP and PEP, if they are HIV-negative. 

If You Are Unaware of Your HIV Status

then the first step is finding out whether or not you are HIV-positive. 

  • Visit gettested.cdc.gov to find an HIV testing location for an in-person test.  
  • You can also opt for at-home test kits, which are over 92% accurate at detecting HIV. 

Protect Yourself From HIV

  • Practice safe sex. Use condoms every time you have sex. 
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if you have an HIV-positive partner. PrEP is a daily pill that can reduce your risk of getting HIV from sex by up to 99%. 
  • Visit a doctor right away if you think you may have been exposed to HIV. The doctor may decide that you should get post-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PEP. PEP is an anti-HIV medicine that may lower your chances of getting HIV after you have been exposed to the virus. 

HIV is preventable. Education and awareness are key in prevention, and we can all do our part to help stop the spread of HIV. By learning about HIV, talking about it openly, and getting tested regularly, we can work together to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy and safe. 

5 Ways to Handle Anxiety and Reduce Stress

5 Ways to Handle Anxiety and Reduce Stress

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. It can be caused by many different things, including stress, genetics, and chemical imbalances in the brain. Anxiety can lead to a number of physical and emotional symptoms, including chest pain, rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, and nausea. Everyone worries about things now and again, but to suffer from anxiety means that worrying has a debilitating impact on your daily life. If you are struggling with anxiety, there are many things that you can do to reduce your stress levels and improve your quality of life. In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to handle anxiety and reduce stress. 

Practice Breathing and Mindfulness Techniques 

Improper breathing can upset the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, which can contribute to both anxiety and panic attacks. The next time you begin to feel anxious, there are a variety of breathing techniques to help calm you down. A few of these techniques are: 

Alternate Nostril Breathing 

This type of breathing exercise requires you to close your eyes or soften your gaze and then start to inhale and exhale. Close off your right nostril with your thumb, breathe in, close your left nostril, and then exhale. It is best to repeat this practice for ten full breaths before releasing your nostrils and breathing regularly.  

Belly Breathing 

This breathing practice has been shown to reduce stress when practiced for twenty minutes daily. Belly breathing requires you to place one hand on your chest, and the other on your stomach. Then breathe in slowly through your nose to feel your stomach expand, and exhale through your mouth. Your chest should stay still the entire time.  

Box Breathing 

Box breathing is simple and only requires you to breathe in for four seconds, hold the air in your lungs for four seconds, exhale slowly for four seconds, and then wait to inhale again for another four seconds. This type of breathing can calm you down and return your breathing to a normal pace. 

Exercise More Frequently 

Working out may feel like the last thing you want to do when struggling with your mental health, but exercise will release endorphins and reduce stress, anxiety, and tension. The word “exercise” may have you thinking about weight rooms or running on a treadmill, but physical activity can be a variety of ways that get your body moving. Some of these activities could be yoga, gardening, participating in sports, washing your car, or even a walk around the block.  

Moving your body for 30 minutes 3-5 days a week can greatly reduce your anxiety and depression levels. However, moving for 10-15 minutes a day can also improve your mental wellness and help you start to feel better.  

Eat Healthy, More Balanced Meals 

The food we eat has a significant impact on our daily lives. Food fuels our bodies and our minds, and foods rich in certain nutrients can improve the way our mind functions. For example, foods rich in magnesium tend to help lower stress levels. These foods include leafy greens (such as spinach and Swiss chard), nuts, seeds, wholegrains, and legumes. Foods rich in zinc have also been tied to lower anxiety levels. These foods include oysters, cashews, liver, beef, and egg yolks. Eating a balanced diet can help improve mental health and increase energy levels. 

Write in a Diary 

Journaling is a great way to release the built-up pressure from your day. Writing can help you discuss worries and fears, as well as check whether those fears are rational or not. When left unchecked, anxiety can cause overthinking and rumination. Sometimes getting thoughts down on paper just makes everything seem less overwhelming. You can get the most out of your journaling experience by writing exactly how you feel and what you are worried about, and then rereading what you have written. For each concern you have, try to write two ways to think about the situation differently. You can also experiment with freewriting, which means writing for a set period of time without filtering your thoughts or stopping.  

Lean on Your Support System 

Sometimes we just need to be around the people who love and support us. Having a support system can have a positive effect on your overall health. A support system can include family, friends, teachers, faith leaders, neighbors, peers, or therapists and counselors. Having a few people you trust and can turn to can help you manage everyday challenges, make difficult decisions, or even help center you during a crisis situation.  

Anxiety can feel like a very debilitating condition, but there are many things that you can do to reduce your stress levels and improve your quality of life. When lifestyle changes do not help, then there is no shame in seeking treatment for mental health problems; in fact, it shows that you are strong enough to admit that you need help. You are not alone in this fight; millions of people struggle with anxiety on a daily basis. With the right tools and support, you can overcome your anxiety and regain control of your life. 

Hyaluronic Acid: The Powerhouse Skincare Ingredient

Hyaluronic Acid: The Powerhouse Skincare Ingredient

Hyaluronic Acid is a powerhouse skincare ingredient that plumps and tightens skin, deeply moisturizes, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It is an ingredient that can be found in facial serums, moisturizers, lip balms, and other cosmetics. While Hyaluronic Acid may seem intimidating to pronounce, the ingredient is not as scary as it sounds- Hyaluronic Acid is naturally occurring. Hyaluronic Acid is also great for all skin types- whether oily, dry, sensitive, or combination.  

What is Hyaluronic Acid? 

Hyaluronic Acid is a protein that is present in all connective tissues and is found in high concentrations in the viscous fluid that surrounds your eyes. Hyaluronic Acid cushions and lubricates your joints, attracts moisture, and can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. Unfortunately, the presence of Hyaluronic Acid in our bodies tends to fall away as we age. This is why it is an ingredient found in serums and moisturizers, lip plumpers and even makeup. There are many forms of Hyaluronic Acid, so multiple varieties can be found in a single product.  

The Perks of Hyaluronic Acid in Skincare 

1) Plumps the Lips and Skin 

The moment you apply a product containing Hyaluronic Acid, your skin will appear plumper and more hydrated than ever before. This is because the ingredient binds with water in order to make it easier for cells on our bodies to do their job- which means that they are able rejuvenate old looking or thinning out facial features.  

2) Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles 

The power of Hyaluronic Acid is also found in eye care products. Hyaluronic acid draws in water to temporarily fill out fine lines upon application. While some may hesitate to put skincare products around their eyes because of how sensitive the area can be, hyaluronic acid is safe to use and will lessen the appearance of fine lines around the eyes.  

3) Improves Makeup Application 

Hyaluronic acid is like a built-in beauty blender, making foundation go onto your skin in perfect lines. The ingredient Hyaluronic Acid has the ability not only to hold moisture but also smooth out any rough patches of our complexion making concealer and other products applied over it glide across smoothly without creasing or settling into wrinkles unlike many others do.  

4) Hydrates your Skin 

Many moisturizers only draw on the available moisture in your complexion, but Hyaluronic Acid actually provides its own moisture when applied to your skin. This delivers a powerful boost of hydration that leaves skin dewy, healthy, and youthful. Applying a serum that contains Hyaluronic Acid before your moisturizer will attract even more moisture than just applying it on its own. Aging skin loses its firmness, becomes less supple and often looks dehydrated. Using a product that contains Hyaluronic Acid can replenish the moisture that aging skin is lacking, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and make the skin appear smoother.  

Other Factors of Hyaluronic Acid 

There is a persistent myth that adding moisture to an acne prone complexion will cause more breakouts. However, drying out your skin with overprocessing or exfoliates can irritate skin and allow bacteria to grow. Hydrating inflamed or irritated skin can help speed up the healing process and improve your complexion. Hyaluronic Acid has already proven to be a powerhouse moisturizer and can help to hydrate inflamed skin.  

While the “acid” in Hyaluronic Acid may sound dangerous or scary, it is actually incredibly gentle and can be used on even the most sensitive skin types.  

Although Hyaluronic Acid is already present in our skin and body, it is still important to include a Hyaluronic Acid serum in your skin care routine since our naturally occurring levels tend to decline with age. For the best use, it is recommended to apply a moisturizer containing Hyaluronic Acid at least twice a day- once in the morning and once at night. However, more oily skin types can reduce their use to once per day with a serum or moisturizer.  

We all want to stay youthful and healthy, but sometimes it is hard to know what products will work for us. Fortunately, we know products containing Hyaluronic Acid and its varieties will improve the health of skin. Regardless of age, skin type or concern, everyone can and should be using a product containing Hyaluronic Acid.