New Jersey Institute of Balance July 2017

Put Down the Scissors and Step Away From the Newspaper We Do the Math on Coupon Clipping

You don’t get paid enough to afford all the groceries you’d like. In fact, if it wasn’t for coupons, you wouldn’t be able to get everything you need, right? Coupon clipping is a time-honored way of saving money and a source of pride amongst many of us who need those paychecks to go as far as possible. But there are two ways to look at it: as a way to put food on the table that you otherwise couldn’t afford, or as a way to trick money-conscious consumers into buying stuff they normally wouldn’t. Which takeaway describes your situation? To find out, you have to answer two questions. The first question is,“Do I need—and will I use—everything that I buy with coupons?”Here’s the thing: Coupons are designed to affect you psychologically. It turns out that the same part of your brain that governs basic instincts (like hunger and pleasure) also loves a screaming good deal. It can be hard to resist the allure, and that means you often spend money on things that you normally wouldn’t, because you have a coupon. It’s tough, but stick to the staples — like rice, beans, oats, and salt — that you’ll use eventually and that won’t go bad. Of course, if you’ve wanted something for a long time and it goes on sale, it makes sense to buy. But don’t let the coupon section dictate your desires! The second question is,“Howmuch is my time worth, and howmuch of that time do I spend hunting down the best deals and clipping coupons?” We’re not trained to think of our time as valuable when we aren’t working, but time is the one thing you can’t get back. If you’re saving $25 a week

on stuff you actually need, but it takes 4 hours a week to get that savings, you’re losing money even if you make minimumwage. That’s time you could be spending with family, picking up a half-shift at work, or finding innovative ways to make money. We won’t deny that there are great deals out there—deals that are now more available than ever thanks to apps like Groupon. But don’t mistake coupons for anything but what they really are: businesses trying to trick your brain into buying more stuff. Use themwisely, but don’t let them rule you. Eat High-Quality Foods Calorie-dense foods, such as whole grains, nuts, dehydrated fruits, and nut butters, will aid in your quest to build muscle. Incorporating these foods into your diet is a lot easier than simply adding more food to your diet. Protein and complex carbohydrates are also key. Try to incorporate more lean beef, chicken, cottage cheese, eggs, fish, oatmeal, and healthy fats into your diet, as well. Focus On Heavy Compound Lifts A lower number of reps with heavier weights is most effective to spur muscle growth. Compound movements, like barbell squats, force you to challenge multiple muscle groups simultaneously, adding mass. Lift every other day, to give your muscles time to recover and add on muscle tissue. Engage in Cardiovascular Exercise Exercises, like jogging or swimming, strengthens your cardiovascular system, a vital part of the body, even if you’re focusing on adding muscle. While it shouldn’t be a main focus, it’s important not to cut it out completely, as cardiovascular exercise delivers vital nutrients to your muscles as they grow and develop.

How to Build Muscle Race Your Rapid Metabolism

Building muscle is an instrumental component of nearly all physical therapy patients’ recovery processes and a vital part of getting fit. But those with naturally fast metabolisms often struggle to gain muscle. Here are some tips to overcome that challenge. Consume More Calories You can have the best workout regimen in the world, but if you don’t eat enough, you won’t build even the smallest bit of muscle. Start off consuming the num- ber of calories your body naturally expends — your current weight, multiplied by 18. Gradually increase this number every two weeks by multiplying your current weight by 20, then 22, and so on.

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