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APRIL/MAY 2022
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Do Fitness Trackers Do More Harm Than Good? SOME EXPERTS ARE SKEPTICAL OF DEVICES
As the weather warms, my family and I are looking forward to spending more time outdoors. Many of us tend to be less active in the winter months, so it’s always exciting to get back to doing the things we love — and maybe get back into shape! To follow our progress and hold ourselves accountable, more and more of us are turning to fitness trackers. Fitness trackers promise us all the data we need to live healthier lives. Not just for counting our steps anymore, they now track our weight, heart rate, water intake, and even sleep. With all of this data, we should be empowered to make better choices for our bodies. But a growing number of skeptics suggest that this constant stream of information can have unintended consequences. So, are fitness trackers all they’re cracked up to be? While fitness tracker use has become an essential part of many people’s lives, some experts wonder if that’s a good thing. In a 2016 survey of female Fitbit users, CNN found that 68% said their device helps them reach their targets, and 99% reported happiness upon achieving them. Unfortunately, 79% also reported feeling pressured by their device, with 30% saying it makes them feel guilty. When a device constantly tells you to get up and move around, it’s harder to sit still. It’s all part of the design, but your fitness tracker doesn’t know what else is going on in your life. For some, that makes it harder to take a break. And
started trusting only the numbers on their wrist. Exercise became a chore, and instead of enjoying the process, people who reacted negatively to fitness trackers started only caring about reaching an arbitrary goal. Some fitness tracker users report feeling like their exercise doesn’t “count” if they forget their device. Even worse, they might decide that if they’re not going to reach their goal, they might as well not get any exercise at all. For them, the achievement becomes the reward, rather than their health. Furthermore, as anyone who has rushed to meet their goal can attest, fitness trackers are not always accurate. While merely annoying when steps go unrecorded, it can lead to unnecessary anxiety with metrics like heart rate. At the same time, others may only find a diagnosis when they report their fitness tracker’s findings to their doctors, creating a double-edged sword. The bottom line is that what works best for me may not work best for you. If you find your fitness tracker to be motivational — or good information to have, but also taken with a grain of salt — you’re exactly the kind of person who should use one. Just make reasonable goals and be easy on yourself if you occasionally slip. If, however, tracking your every movement makes you feel discouraged and negative about yourself, there’s no shame in ditching it.
tactics that may be motivational for some can lead to feelings of self-loathing for others.
The tech you use — and the exercise you get — should make your life better, not worse. The most important thing is to get moving, feel good, and have fun. As Rumsey says, “Any kind of movement can count, like putting on music and dancing around your living room. There’s so many different ways of moving our bodies.” Whatever your tracker preference is, get out there and enjoy the sunshine. I know I certainly will! 1 423-267-6715 | HoustonAlexander.com
Speaking to The Washington Post, registered dietician Alissa Rumsey explained the problem some of her clients face. “They become fixated on the numbers and kind of preoccupied with tracking and hitting certain numbers and in doing so lose track of what really matters,” she said. In other words, they stopped focusing on how their bodies felt while moving or not moving and
Were You Really ‘Robbed’? THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROBBERY, THEFT, AND BURGLARY
Burglary Unlike theft and robbery, burglary is not always a theft crime. A burglary occurs when one unlawfully enters a structure they do not own or have permission to enter — and they have the intent to commit a crime once they are inside. Some examples of burglary include breaking into a vehicle or opening up an unlocked door to commit a crime after they enter. Thefts, robberies, and burglaries can be confusing, but they all share one thing: If you’re convicted of one of these crimes, you will face serious consequences. If you ever need legal advice or assistance, get in touch with a lawyer you trust. We’ve got your back!
Robberies, thefts, and burglaries are all crimes, and the terms are often used interchangeably when people talk about them. However, the actual definitions of each word are different in the legal and law enforcement world. There are a few things that you should know when it comes to using the correct terminology.
Theft Theft is the criminal act of taking another individual’s property (both tangible and intangible) without their permission. To fulfill the requirements of the crime, the person committing the act must have the intent to permanently deprive another person of that property. Shoplifting, taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission, stealing money from another person, and taking by deception are all examples of theft.
Robbery Robbery differs from theft in that while they both involve taking something from someone, robbery includes force or the threat of force. It is a violent crime, and the victim must’ve been in fear for the crime to be classified as robbery. It should be noted that the property that is taken during the crime does not need to be taken directly off of the victim’s person. It can be property that someone is in control of, such as bills in a cash register.
SHOULD I INSTALL SOLAR PANELS ON MY HOME?
A new trend is spreading across the country like wildfire. You may have noticed it: Houses in your neighborhood or surrounding areas have solar panels installed on their roofs. You may have wondered how these panels work or if they’d be worth it for your home. Well, it depends on your situation. Solar panels convert sunlight to usable electricity with the help of a solar inverter, and that electricity can be used to power nearly everything in your home. Some solar panel systems will take it a step further and include a solar battery that allows you to store electricity to use later. This comes in handy if you live in an area that experiences power outages from time to time. Solar panels can be an extremely beneficial investment, but they do have a fairly high initial cost. The average
residential solar panel installation cost today is between $13,000–$17,000 after claiming the 26% federal solar tax credit. It can also take anywhere from 2–3 months to get your solar panels fully installed after signing an agreement with an installer. Most Americans don’t have an extra $13,000 lying around to spend on solar panels, but many companies offer financing options to meet any budget. It’s estimated that solar panels will save you more than $50,000 throughout their lifetime due to rising energy costs. Also, in some states, you can sell the excess solar electricity your panels produce back to the utility company. Another new idea hitting the East Coast this year is the solar shingle, which will allow your entire roof to act like a solar panel. These shingles can be easily
installed with a nail gun and should cut down on labor costs significantly. The new solar shingle has already won an award at CES 2022 for Best of Innovation Award for Smart Cities. Solar power is definitely something to keep your eye on — it is a rapidly developing technology. Many benefits come with installing solar panels today, but with the introduction of solar shingles, it might be better to wait and see how the technology develops.
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TAKE YOUR INTERNAL PEP TALKS UP A NOTCH WITH TIPS FROM ‘CHATTER’
You probably know about the benefits of positive self-talk, but have you mastered it? If not — or if you’ve never heard that phrase — “Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It” by Ethan Kross may be the most important book you read in 2022. Positive self-talk is something most of us engage in daily. It’s the “you can do this” nudge you give yourself to combat dark thoughts like “I don’t know what I’m doing” and “no one will take me seriously” before a big presentation. But few resources give you precise strategies for how to engage in positive self-talk effectively so you can make those negative impulses go away. “Chatter” is an exception to the rule, perhaps because it was written by an actual psychologist! Leaning heavily on scientific research and engaging case studies, Kross offers concrete tips for reducing negative thoughts (what he calls “chatter”) and giving your self-confidence a boost. One of his biggest tips, which drives a big chunk of the book, is the importance of creating “mental distance” during your internal pep talks. One-Pan Chicken Tacos
Mental distance is exactly what it sounds like — stepping back mentally from your worries and problems so you can gain a new perspective. Kross goes over several ways to do this, including trying to “look back” at your current situation from one, five, or 10 years later;
comparing this hurdle to tougher ones in your life; and shifting your internal monologue to third person so you can try talking to yourself as if you were your own friend. With these strategies, we can transform our thoughts, rather than avoid them. Of course, those suggestions just scratch the surface of what’s offered in the book. Kross also goes over how to help your friends, colleagues, and employees eliminate chatter, and how mastering your inner voice will help you thrive under pressure. The magazine Inc. named “Chatter” one of the “4 Business Books That Will Accelerate Your Success In 2022” — don’t miss it.
“I hired Mr. Houston to represent me for a DUI in Soddy Daisy Court. The case looked unwinnable, but Mr. Houston found a legal issue that kept the alcohol result from coming into evidence. If you need an attorney, call Houston & Alexander. They are the best.” –Jack our clients say it best
Inspired by TasteofHome.com
This recipe from TikTok user @violet.cooks almost broke the internet — and you’ll see why! The fried tortillas make it out-of-this-world delicious.
Ingredients
Directions
• 1 lb chicken
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, garlic powder, cumin, and chipotle powder. Mix until the chicken is coated. 2. In a frying pan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken mixture. Cook on medium heat for 5–8 minutes. 3. Remove the chicken from the pan, and add the corn tortillas (avoid overlapping) so they soak up the juices. Flip the tortillas and repeat. Then, add chicken and grated cheddar to each tortilla and fold it over the filling — in the pan. 4. Cook the tacos for 3 minutes per side until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. 5. Top with pico and guacamole salsa, and serve!
breasts, sliced into 1-inch pieces • 2 tbsp garlic powder • 2 tbsp cumin • 2 tbsp chipotle powder • Canola oil (for frying) • Corn tortillas • Grated cheddar cheese • Pico de gallo and guacamole salsa (to taste)
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Is Your Fitness Tracker Helping or Hurting? How to Tell if You Were Robbed or Burglarized PAGE 1 PAGE 2
Are Solar Panels the Answer? ‘Chatter’: Your Guide to Thriving Under Pressure One-Pan Chicken Tacos Client Testimonial How to Drink More Water
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RAISE A GLASS — OR SEVERAL 6 Ways to Drink More Water Without Thinking About It
Carry around a large water bottle. Taking your water with you in a large bottle reminds you to keep sipping wherever you go. Every chance you get, fill it up. The bottomless water bottle is a
Staying hydrated is one of the pillars of healthy living. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, women should drink 11.5 cups (92 ounces) of water a day, and men should drink 15.5 cups (124 ounces) a day. But, if we’re being honest, water can be pretty boring to drink — there are things we’d rather be drinking, and busy schedules make it difficult. Here are some ways to work more water into your daily routine to promote optimal health. Begin and end your day with water. Make it a routine to drink a large glass of water upon waking up and before going to bed. “Bookending” your day like this ensures that your body is hydrated for both the day and night ahead. Drink a cup of water with each cup of coffee. Many of us are used to drinking more than one cup of coffee throughout the
day. If you drink a glass of water with each cup of coffee, you’re sure to stay hydrated. Keep in mind that while coffee is a liquid and contains water, it’s not very thirst-quenching.
perfect way to work more water into your day. As a bonus, you
Ice is your friend. Each time you pour a drink or make a
smoothie, use lots of ice! Your taste buds will hardly notice the difference, and you’ll still have lots of flavor while boosting your hydration. Drink a full glass with medicines.
can use a measured bottle to see how much you’ve actually drank throughout the day! Infuse your water. Try giving your H2O an extra kick. Add berries, lemon, lime, or mint to your water to give it some flavor and help make it more enticing to drink! Water is important for a healthy body and mind, so follow these tips and stay hydrated!
Many of us get in the habit of only taking a large sip of water with pills. However, whether you take a supplement, medication, or vitamin, wash it down with a full glass of water.
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