Sugar, good or bad?

Sugar! The sweet taste of glory,

but how the hazards and health issues roll in with this ingredient.
Sugar-free? Better? Not in all cases. Some of the sugar substitutes are actually worse than sugar itself.

The best way to go is to cut sugar out. But, you have to be careful. Sugar will sneak its way into your foods, protein bars and yogurt cups. Check the labels before your decide your next snack.
That favorite candy bar of yours, try to find a healthier version of it, and check the sugar in it. Or better yet, cut it out. Just try cutting out sugar for a week, the first few days will be hard. Your body will crave and want everything in sight! Stay strong! The results will most likely make you grin to yourself in the mirror.

However! 

Sugar can be good. After spending a long time working out, during a marathon, or hike, you may begin to feel weak, this is probably the best time to consume sugar. This is when you reach for your sugars. 
When you train, your body burns glycogen - sugar. Your body consumes blood sugar and muscle glycogen, and after your workouts you need to replenish this. Hence, products like, "PowerBar Gel." 
Most protein shakes also have sugars. Check your local health foods, or Vitamin Shoppe for more information on which protein you should be taking. Be aware of your body too, be observant of how you react to workouts, to pre and post-workout products, if you consume any.

Don't over expose

My favorite sunscreen, organic, smells
 great and doesn't leave a weird residue on skin either.

 It's that time of year, the sun is hot, the grass is green, the beach and pool are calling your name.
Whether you decide to spend some quality time outside, or just travelling to and from work, don't fry your skin.

Lathering up on sunscreen daily is ultra important to your skin and body health. Protect yourself from getting melanoma, skin cancer. I've been reading more and more, in magazines, newspapers and online news articles, that people are being diagnosed with skin cancer at younger ages.

SPF & insect repellant = Summer perfection.

Soak in these tips before you head outside. 

1. Skip the tanning beds: Time in a tanning bed significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Just don't do it. Embrace your lighter skin tone, and take care of yours if it's naturally darker.
2. Sunscreen and acne: Sometimes there are sunscreens that are so oily and greasy it's cringe-worthy slathering it on your skin, but there are tons and tons of different kinds that aren't so goopy feeling. Though spending a day in the sun dries out your acne, and it seems to be nice and smooth the next few days, the results of this dryness don't show up until a week or two later. Your skin might breakout even more, and the sun damage makes it harder for the pimples and dark spots to heal. 
• TRY: Elemis Aromapure, Vital Face Sun Screen (SPF 15)
  
3. Tan skin doesn't mean you can skip sun protection: The darker the skin, the more melanin you have, but that does NOT make you immune to sun burns. If you're concerned about not getting tan, try a self tanner, or find a place you can get a spray tan you'll like. And, it IS possible to find a self tanner that doesn't leave streaks.
4. Waterproof means waterproof: Of course! It means it will protect you while you're sweating and swimming, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have to reapply. Always reapply. Sometimes in highly populated areas you see  gloss of an oil like substance on the water's surface, there you have it, that's sunscreen. It will wash off. Apply at least 30 minutes before you get full on sun-exposure, and after you've been swimming reapply. What works best for me is, if I plan on being in the sun for four or more hours, I reapply every hour, depending on how much time I spend in the water.

Protecting your eyes

Here's another reason to go pick up some sunglasses, they can be any style you like that fits your personal taste, as long as it blocks 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays. If you wear contacts, you should ask you optometrist if they have the same protection.

Harmful rays from the sun can increase your risk for eye problems, like, cataracts and cancer of the eyelids.

Be sure to check in with your eye doctor to ensure your eye health. Being in Hawai'i, it's a sunny beautiful place, let's make sure we'll always be able to see it!

Sore? Hit the gym.

Maybe not hit the gym TOO hard. But, working out when your muscles are sore, helps them to be, well, less sore. It sounds strange but it's true! Minus the stretching and massaging you should be doing, working out two days later after being sore really helps!

A light workout a home even works, you really don't have to go to the gym if you don't feel like it.

But remember that your muscles are healing too, so take it easy.

Get your hydration on!

Drinking water is vital to our survival, it's an important factor to weight loss, and feeling good in life.

• Sometimes when you think you're starving, you're actually really thirsty, especially if you've eaten not to long before hand. Give it a shot. If you feel like you're hungry sitting in front of the TV, or studying, get  glass or bottle of water and sip on it. You just might notice that the hunger feeling dissipates. 
• Another good reason to drink water, it keeps your kidneys healthy. If you've ever come across a kidney infection or UTI, drinking water is KEY to flushing out "germs." 
• Always get your hydration on. Staying hydrated keeps you in a good mood. Even when you are just a little bit dehydrated, you'll get cranky.