Yearly Study Fave Points Giveaway is below!

Read on for my biggest Favorite Things giveaway to date and how to enter these amazing prizes!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year….

Favorite Things is here!

Annual Survey + Favorite Things Giveaway is here!

I’ve been doing this type of giveaway for years now as a way to share gratitude with some lucky reader friends. You make this little corner of the internet the amazing space it’s become.

It’s still mindblowing to think that I started this blog 13 years ago, as a newlywed who was interested in fitness and health, and was craving some type of connection with those who enjoyed similar things. Who would have even known I’d get to *meet* all of you, and also be able to live my dream every day???

Being able to work from home and be here for the kids is everything to me – especially with a husband who travels frequently and has an unpredictable schedule – and I also get to virtually hang out with ya’ll, chatting about fitness-y and fun topics. So I hope you know how grateful I am every.single.day that you help make that happen.

Every click, comment, follow, product purchase, and pageview directly helps our family and I am beyond thankful to you all.

Let’s celebrate with a little giveaway, shall we??

Here are the prizes that are up for grabs:

(10 winners! Each winner will choose the prize they would like, in the order the names are drawn)

– A HigherDOSE sauna blanket or PEMF Go Mat (1 winner. Thank you SO much to my friends at HigherDOSE for sponsoring this portion of the giveaway)

– 3 days of Sakara meals (1 winner)

– Beautycounter goodies and amethyst jade rollers (3 winners)

– gold-plated medallion necklace (similar); the same one I wear every day (2 winners)

– A pair of Vuori performance joggers (1 winner)

– A year of Fit Team membership (1 winner)

– A container of Daily Nutritional Support (1 winner)

Total value: approx. $1700

Here’s how to enter:

– Leave a comment below with something you’re excited about this holiday season

– Fill out this quick survey (it’s less than 3 minutes) and leave an extra comment to let me know. I use this survey to plan out my content for the following year and your feedback is invaluable to me. I really want to make this blog something that you enjoy reading, with the content and topics that interest you, so I’m very thankful to those of you who take the time to share your thoughts!

– Follow me on Instagram and leave a comment on my latest reel (leave an extra comment below to let me know!)

– Leave a podcast review if you enjoy the show (and leave an extra comment to let me know!)

The winner will be announced next Friday (12/16) in Friday Faves. 🙂

Ready, set, go!

xo

Gina

Photo by Kristi Harris

The post Annual Survey + Favorite Things Giveaway is here! appeared first on The Fitnessista.

Frequently Asked Questions

African Mango Extract - Should you Try It?

Mangoes offer many benefits. They are rich sources of vitamin C, fibers, potassium, iron, and potassium. They also contain antioxidants that protect against cancer-causing radicals. These health benefits make them an excellent choice to improve your overall health.

Mangoes also have a great taste! Mangoes can be easily incorporated into any meal.

For example, you could add fresh mango slices to salads, smoothies, oatmeal, and yogurt. You can also use frozen mango cubes to top ice cream sundaes. When baking cookies, dried mango powder can be used in place of sugar.

And, if you want to take advantage of all these great benefits without sacrificing flavor, consider adding mango extract to your favorite recipes.

Many people do not know that mango extract is made out of mango seeds. This means that it contains all the same nutrients found in whole mangos but doesn't have the sweetness of regular mango.

What beverage can overnight burn belly fat?

The best way to lose weight fast is by drinking lots of water. Drinking enough water helps burn calories and keeps you full longer, making you less likely to snack on foods high in sugar and carbs. Water helps to flush out toxins from the body and keep your skin healthy.

Most people skip meals when dieting. Skipping meals causes your metabolism to slow, and you'll eat more later because you won't feel as hungry. Instead, eat smaller meals more often.

Try drinking more water if you are constantly craving snacks. Dehydration can slow down the rate at which your body burns calories and cause you to crave sugary beverages. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to your water to enhance its detoxifying properties.

Water can aid in weight loss. It makes you feel fuller quicker and more satisfied. Research shows that people who drink eight glasses of water each day tend to weigh less than their counterparts who only drink four cups. The reason? Water fills you up and doesn't add extra calories.

After you wake up, wait around 30 minutes before eating anything. After just 10-15 minutes of awakening, hormones like insulin start to regulate blood sugar levels. These hormone surges often send us into hunger mode. If we wait until after these hormone surges occur, we can avoid feeling a rush of sugar and then crash.

Have a mid-morning snack after breakfast. Eat something between lunches and dinner to avoid snacking later in the evening. Consider eating a piece fruit or whole grain bread with peanut butter.

Be sure to not eat before you go to bed. Research shows that sleep is better for our bodies, so it's easier to lose weight if you get up early.

Do not starve yourself to death before going to bed. Eat a light meal one hour before going to bed. It may surprise you how much food is necessary to fall asleep.

Add some green tea to your daily routine. Green tea is rich in catechins which are plant compounds, which reduce inflammation and speed up metabolism. According to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition, participants who consumed three cups of green tea per day lost more weight than those who did not. Another study showed that green tea consumption increased metabolic rates by 3 percentage points over 12 weeks.

Does African Mango Extract Have Caffeine?

A study was performed to find out how much caffeine an average person takes in daily. Surprising results resulted.

A cup of coffee has around 100mg of caffeine while a small glass cola contains about 40mg. What if you could get caffeine without having to consume any calories?

This is where African mango extract comes into play! It offers the same energy boost of caffeine without any added sugar or calories.

African mango extract also helps increase focus and concentration and improves brain function.

Are green leafy vegetable daily worth the effort?

It depends on what you mean when you say "worth". If you are referring to health benefits, then the answer is yes. It's more likely that you won't if your concern is cost-effectiveness.

There is no evidence to suggest that regular consumption of them is beneficial if you look at the long-term cost (e.g. will they save me money in the next 10 years).

If you are looking at the short-term (e.g. Is it better for my waistline? If you answered yes, it's worth it.

This question is intriguing because it touches on two important aspects regarding nutrition, health benefits and cost effectiveness. Strong evidence suggests that regular vegetable and fruit consumption reduces the risk of certain illnesses, such as cancer. On the other hand, the evidence for cost-effectiveness is less conclusive.

The best way to determine whether eating healthy food is worthwhile is to consider both factors simultaneously. This is known as the Health Economic Assessment (HEA). It involves doing an analysis of the expected health outcomes from eating different types of foods, taking into account the associated costs of purchasing these foods.

How to Use African Mango Extract

It is easy to take mango extract. Just cut open a fresh ripe mango and scoop out the flesh into a blender bottle. Blend until smooth.

If you desire a more fine pulp, you can strain it. Store in a cool dark place.

The pulp can be frozen for future use. You don't need to buy another batch every mango season.

Do smoothie cleanses work?

The important question here is whether or not you are eliminating toxins. If you're not getting rid of toxins, there might be another problem.

A cleanse must get rid of all toxins in your system.

This could be because you aren't getting enough water or not eating right.

This could also be a sign that you need to decrease your intake of salt or caffeine.

You could also be experiencing other reasons why you are not seeing results.

• Your digestive system isn't functioning correctly. This means that your body doesn't absorb what you take in.
• You are not consuming enough protein. Protein helps build muscle tissue.
• Too many carbs are being consumed. Carbs are stored calories.
• Sugar intake is excessive. Sugar can cause insulin surges in your bloodstream. This can slow down your metabolism.
• You're not getting enough fats. Some vitamins are only absorption-friendly if you eat enough fats.
• You are consuming too few essential fatty acids (EFAs). It has been demonstrated that EFAs reduce inflammation.
• You're not getting enough fiber. Fiber absorbs excess cholesterol. Fiber speeds up digestion.
• You are not consuming sufficient vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for proper collagen production. Collagen helps keep skin elastic and firm.
• You are not eating enough. Measurements of portions should be done using a standard cup-measurer.
• It is possible to consume too much alcohol. It can cause severe dehydration.
• Consuming too much caffeine is a problem. Too much caffeine can cause liver damage.
• Consuming too little magnesium can lead to a deficiency in your bones and muscles. Magnesium is essential for strong bones and healthy muscles.
• Too little potassium is being consumed. Potassium is needed to maintain fluid balance in your body.

Is there a natural alternative to prescription drugs that suppress appetite such as phentermine or oxycodone?

The most common alternative for those looking for weight loss without the side effects of prescription diet pills is green tea extract. Green tea contains caffeine which stimulates metabolism, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which helps burn fat by stimulating thermogenesis.

Antioxidants in green tea help prevent damage from oxidation and stress.

However, you should know that green tea does nothing to cause weight loss. It just makes your body more efficient in burning calories.

Yes, green tea is good for weight loss. However, it will not help you lose weight if you don't follow a strict calorie-controlled diet.

Another option is to supplement with L-Carnitine. This amino acid promotes muscle development and energy levels. However, it won't curb your appetite so you will still need to eat regular meals.

Statistics

• In a total of 54 randomized controlled trials in healthy adults with overweight or obesity, the authors found no difference in weight or body fat percentage between the Garcinia Cambogia group and the placebo group (3Trusted Source (healthline.com)
• According to a 2014 review, even prescription weight loss pills don't work as well as you might assume. (healthline.com)
• A 2003 meta-analysis of studies found that people taking orlistat for 12 months in combination with lifestyle changes saw a 2.9% greater weight reduction than the placebo group (26Trusted Source (healthline.com)
• A 2008 survey noted that 33.9% of American adults trying to lose weight took dietary supplements (1Trusted (healthline.com)
• Nature's Health Goji Berry – Lycium Berries – Maintain Vision Health – Jam-Packed with Vitamins A & C – 580 mg per Serving – 60 Veggie Capsules – Non-GMO Emerald Labs Goji Berry - 40% Polysaccharides - 60 Vegetable Capsules (amazon.com)

External Links

webmd.com

• African Mango: What You Need to Know About Irvingia Gabonesis
  
• Goji Berries Side Effects, Health Benefits
  

ods.od.nih.gov

• Ephedra Office of Dietary Supplments - Ephedra
  
• Health Professional Fact Sheet: Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss
  

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

• Efficacy of a novel herbal composition for weight management – Stern - 2013, Obesity – Wiley Online Library
  
• Body Composition and Hormonal Adaptations Associated with Forskolin Consumption in Overweight and Obese Men - Godard - 2005 - Obesity Research - Wiley Online Library
  

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• IGOB131 is a novel seed extract from the West African plant Irvingia gaonensis that significantly lowers body weight and improves metabolic conditions in overweight individuals in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial - PMC
  
• A case of renal failure developing in association with African mango consumption - PMC
  

How To

African mango extract has potential benefits

African Mango Extracts were traditionally used as a treatment for many health issues including cancer. These extracts date back as far as ancient Egypt. They were used to treat wounds, diabetes, and stop bleeding.

Scientists from the University of Nigeria discovered that African mango extracts were rich in compounds like tannins.

1. Treatment of Cancer. Over 50% of all cancers are caused by environmental factors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol and eating unhealthy foods. It is vital to find ways of preventing cancer. Numerous studies have shown that antioxidants in foods such as bananas blueberries, tomatoes and oranges can prevent cancer.
2. Antioxidants neutralize harmful substances called "freeradicals," which can cause damage to cells and genetic mutations. Study after study has shown that African mango extracts can reduce or reverse tumor growth in mice. One study showed that an African mango extract helped stop the growth of human colon tumor cells in vitro (cells grown in laboratory dishes). Another study indicated that African Mango Extract inhibited the growth of prostate carcinoma cells in vivo (in living animal models) by slowing their metabolism. These findings indicate that this product may help to treat some types.
3. Cancer Prevention. Recent animal research by the National Institutes of Health showed that African mango extracts can prevent breast cancer from developing. They believe that the active ingredients in African mangoes inhibit the action of enzymes responsible for producing estrogen, a hormone known to increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
4. Inflammation Reduction. Inflammation is caused by chemicals made by white blood cells that attack foreign tissue. This causes pain and swelling. Inflammation can occur when there is infection, injury, or irritation. Chronic inflammation can be a cause of some diseases, including asthma and arthritis. Research has shown that African mango extracts can lower the production and severity of inflammatory chemicals. This could help to reduce the severity of symptoms.
5. Liver Function Improvement.The liver is one of the most vital organs in the body. It regulates digestion, detoxification, protein synthesis, and more. A healthy liver also helps regulate other internal processes like water balance, sugar level, and red blood cell count. Research has shown that African mango extracts can be used to stimulate the regeneration of liver cells that have been damaged by drugs and toxins. This could explain why many people who consume large amounts African mango juice feel less tired after meals.
6. Blood Pressure Management. The American Heart Association suggests that adults aim to keep their blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90mm Hg. High blood pressure damages arteries and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Scientists from the University of California-Davis investigated the effects of African mango extracts on rats with high blood pressure. Their research indicated that African mango extracts significantly lowered blood pressure.
7. Bone Building. The nutrients in African mango are good for bone building. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial conducted at the University of Alabama School of Medicine showed that supplementation with 500 mg of vitamin D3 and 2 grams of calcium daily, and 3 grams of potassium citrate significantly improved bone mineral density. The amount of potassium citrate used was equivalent to consuming about 10 ounces of fresh African mango juice every day.
8. Other benefits African mango extract improves skin health by increasing blood circulation to the skin's surface. It stimulates collagen formation, making skin appear smoother and younger. African mangoes are good for hair growth and help prevent premature graying. It promotes fat metabolism, which aids in weight loss.

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