Tag: Driven Fit

Correct Posture Month May Driven Fit + SWS Chiropractors Tampa

Unexpected Things Chiropractic Care Can Help With

Written by Luis Echeverry on August 13, 2020. Posted in Chiropractic, Lifestyle.

Every day millions of people who suffer from chronic back and neck pain seek chiropractic care for relief. However, what a lot of people don’t know is that chiropractic care is not just limited to alleviating these two ailments!

In fact, chiropractic treatment is one of the safest, most natural, and most effective forms of therapy used to treat a wide range of issues. Here are some unexpected things that chiropractic care can help with…

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a form of therapy that focuses on the body’s natural healing abilities. Treatment typically involves manual therapy such as spinal manipulation, however, exercise and nutritional counseling are often included in a chiropractic treatment plan.

At Driven Fit, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Sponaugle, uses treatments such as stretching, sustained pressure, and specific joint manipulations that are delivered by hand and involve a quick and gentle thrust. Chiropractic care is often the first step in reducing chronic pain.

“There is a vast difference between treating the effects and adjusting the cause.” – Dr. D.D. Palmer

Unexpected Ailments Treated by Chiropractic Care

Immune System Support

What’s the best defense when it comes to preventing illness and overall wellness? A strong and healthy immune system!

For those who get sick often and typically turn to antibiotics, chiropractic care is an excellent way to give your immune system a boost – especially when paired with eating a gut-healthy and balanced diet as well as regular physical activity.

Chiropractic manipulation (and a properly aligned spine) improves the nervous system, thus helping every cell and organ in your body – including your immune system!

Improved Sleep & More Energy

There’s a lot going on right now – for everyone – and it’s not helping in terms of getting a good night’s sleep. In addition to stress, pain and discomfort also play a role in sleeping issues. Enter chiropractic care. Not only can this form of therapy regain healthy sleep patterns, it can also give you more energy.

Manual adjustments help with overall pain and discomfort throughout the body, but specifically help realign the nervous system, thus creating improved sleep quality. In addition, adjustments provide renewed energy by freeing nerves to work more efficiently.

Increased Flexibility

Another unexpected benefit to chiropractic care is improved mobility and flexibility. Whether a sedentary lifestyle has started to wreak havoc or you’re suffering from an injury, your muscles and ligaments can become inflexible and cause pain.

Manual adjustments can improve your range of mobility and help you get back to normal without having to live with pain and discomfort.

Chiropractic Care at Driven Fit

Chiropractic care at Driven Fit + SWS is more than just an alignment. You can also expect:

An in-depth consultation to determine your customized treatment plan
Awareness and education of proper exercise, nutrition, and supplements
Body posture & gait analysis
A specialized assessment and access to a full-wellness solution at our unique wellness studio

Ready to give chiropractic care a try at Driven Fit + SWS in South Tampa? Call our chiropractic team! For a free consultation, please call or text (813) 440-3016 or learn more about our chiropractic services.

Tips to Stay Focused When Working Out

Written by Luis Echeverry on July 17, 2020. Posted in Personal Training, Transformation.

Between juggling work, a social life, parenting, and carving out some “me time”, we know you’re BUSY…especially in today’s crazy world! To make the most of your day, every second counts and the time spent during workouts is no exception. To do this, you’ve got to stay focused and zone out all distractions.

Too much going on in your head to shut it off? We get it, but to build strength physically, it’s going to take some mental grit as well. Follow these tips from our Tampa personal trainers to stay focused during your workouts.

Trainer Tip #1: Be clear about your goals.

The second you walk into the gym, you should have a clear picture of what you are trying to achieve. This can be anything from winning a big race to having more defined legs or simply losing some weight! Talk to your trainer about your goals and we will help hold you accountable.

Always be aware of the long-term goals, but set short-term goals at each training session, i.e. being able to bench press five more pounds than the week prior, run a few minutes longer, or burn more calories.

When you achieve short-term goals week after week, the long-term goal becomes more attainable. Set your mind to the challenge and don’t let anything stop you. Focus on the goal and you can achieve it!

Trainer Tip #2: Train at the right time.

People always say to not bring your problems home from work. Well, you shouldn’t bring them to the gym either. Schedule your workouts during a time of day that is dedicated to fitness and nothing else.

For instance, if it’s impossible to turn off the stress during or after a workday, then workout first thing in the morning. If intense exercise relieves your stress after a tough day at the office, plan to work out after work. No matter what time you choose, make sure it’s when you also have the most energy and enthusiasm to work towards your goal.

Trainer Tip #3: Create a playlist that matches your intensity.

Music motivates; there’s nothing like a great playlist to help get you focused! The playlist must match the intensity of your workout.

Skip over anything that doesn’t make you feel like you’re in the zone. Focus on positive vibrations and keep your heart and muscles pumping to the beat.

Trainer Tip #4: Embrace each exercise fully.

If you don’t completely focus on your form, your risk for injury increases significantly! Be aware of proper execution for each exercise, especially before you start applying intensity.

Mentally connect with the muscles performing each exercise and feel the muscles working throughout the movement. When you focus on your technique, you eliminate distractions and keep the attention on your training goals. Work with a personal trainer, use the mirrors in the gym to check your form, listen to your muscles, and track your progress to motivate you to push harder!

Trainer Tip #5: Maintain a program.

Always go into each workout with a set game plan. When you don’t know what you’re doing next, you’re opening yourself up to tons of distractions.

Focus! Maintain a program and workout log that catalogs your training sessions or work one-on-one with a trainer. You’ll want to track what machines you’re using, the amount of weight, tempo, rest periods, etc. This will allow you to move deliberately and make the most of your time in the gym.

Get Started at DrivenFit

Ready to focus on your fitness?! Start your journey at our South Tampa training gym. We offer an intensive program that focuses on providing body transformation, rejuvenation, and restoration through personal training, massage, and chiropractic care. Here, you can get a total body solution to stay focused on your health. For more details on Driven Fit + SWS, call or text (813) 440-3016.

Active Senior Lifestyle Tips

Written by Luis Echeverry on March 10, 2020. Posted in Lifestyle, Transformation.

In a recent census, baby boomers (ages 65 and up) accounted for nearly 13% of the population! Today people are living longer than any other time in history. Fortunately, growing old gracefully is easier than ever. The secret to longevity? Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by remaining active and eating well! Team Driven talks tips for seniors to stay active and live a healthy lifestyle. Let’s live longer and thrive, shall we!

Start Slow and Build-Up.

If it’s been a while since you’ve exercised, start slow and gradually build your program. A good way to begin is by spacing workouts in ten-minute increments twice a day or even just attending one or two workout sessions/week. Our trainers will help you go at the right pace for you.

Pay attention to your body and increase your fitness level as you feel more confident and comfortable to do so.

Commit to a Schedule.

Create a schedule for at least three to four weeks to start and force yourself to stick with the program. This way, exercise becomes a habit and part of your lifestyle. Keep in mind that you’re more likely to stick with activities that you enjoy, so make sure you are also having some fun and like what you are doing. Plus, with the technology we use, you’ll see real results that will excite you!

Keep Moving.

Staying active not only keeps the weight off, it promotes cardiovascular health, prevents illness, helps you sleep better, reduces stress, helps avoid falls and maintains strength, balance, and flexibility. Plus, you will look and feel better too!

Be Mindful.

It’s important to stay focused when you exercise. How is your body responding to the exercise and how does it feel? For example, pay attention to the rhythm of your breathing, the way your feet strike the ground, or how your joints are feeling.

Practicing mindfulness while exercising allows you to improve your physical condition faster, relieve stress and avoid accidents and injury.

Consider any Health Concerns.

Before you start an exercise program, make sure you have considered any ongoing health concerns and how they may affect your workout. It’s also a good idea to get medical clearance from your doctor and ask if there are certain exercises you should avoid.

Once you’re cleared, come to DrivenFit in South Tampa. Our personal trainers and wellness experts are here to help you live life to its fullest.

Listen to Your Body.

While exercise should be somewhat challenging, it should never hurt or make you feel sick. Immediately stop exercise if you feel dizzy or short of breath, develop chest pain or pressure, break out into a cold sweat or experience pain. Also stop if your joints become red, swollen or tender to the touch. If you’re feeling anything strange, make sure to let your trainer know!

Prevent Injury.

Aches and pains come with getting older. Don’t make it worse! Always include a proper warmup and cool down to any exercise routine. Also, keep plenty of water close by to avoid getting dehydrated. At our studio gym, you can also grab electrolyte water to aid in your recovery!

Eat Healthy Foods.

Eating a well-balanced diet (yes, it’s okay to splurge sometimes) can do wonders for your health – especially when combined with physical activity. Dietary changes can also help prevent illnesses such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and more.

Helping Seniors Stay Active

At DrivenFit+SWS, we offer a wide variety of exercise programs that focus on transformation, rejuvenation, and restoration. Our unique studio offers personal training, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and more for your active senior lifestyle.

All programs are customized to meet the needs of each client, from beginner to advanced. For more info on our services for seniors, please call or text our South Tampa wellness center at (813) 440-3016.

Benefits of Corporate Chair Massage for Your Employees

Written by Luis Echeverry on February 20, 2020. Posted in Rejuvenation.

There are many reasons why corporate chair massage is an increasingly popular trend in today’s workplace. No longer is massage just a relaxing treat, studies show that it can make a significant difference in productivity, job satisfaction, and health. Whether offered on a regular basis, during “crunch” time situations or as an employee appreciation treat, corporate chair massage is a great addition to any corporate wellness benefits package. Learn more…

What is Corporate Chair Massage?

Corporate chair massage is an onsite massage therapy program that eliminates the need to travel to a massage clinic or spa and is offered at a fraction of the cost of regular massage. While most sessions last just 15 to 20 minutes, its benefits are similar to that of a full body massage.

The Many Benefits of Corporate Chair Massage…

Stress Relief.

Did you know that Job stress and related problems cost companies an estimated $200 billion or more annually? Studies show that corporate chair massage therapy results in 85% less stress at the workplace – resulting in reduced stress-related issues such as employee turnover, absenteeism and waning morale. In addition, relaxed employees are more likely to cooperate with each other which hostility and provides a more optimal work environment.

Improved Productivity.

Even a quick chair massage can significantly improve employee problem-solving abilities. A recent American Psychologist study gave one group of employees a 15-minute rest and another group a 15-minute chair massage. The massage group performed significantly better on complicated tasks and showed more alertness, focus and mental clarity than the group who rested. In addition, corporate chair massage therapy allows employees to focus on their jobs rather than get distracted by headaches, back pain, and anxiety.

Healthy Employees.

A healthy employee is a happy employee! Corporate chair massage has been shown to reduce blood pressure, relieve arthritis, improve joint and muscle aches especially in painful areas of the neck and back and increase immune function. In addition, massage has been known to prevent and treat the pain and numbness associated with excessive keyboard and mouse use and reduces the occurrence of repetitive stress injuries by 37%. Because of the increased health benefits, employers experience lower worker compensation claims and reduced employee healthcare costs.

Improved Office Morale:

Employees love chair massage therapy and it shows! We hear time and time again how much people look forward to “massage day” at work. Not only that, it is a special perk that helps them feel appreciated. This not only creates a happy work environment but also lowers costly turnovers.

Contact Driven Fit + Sponaugle to schedule corporate chair massage for your employees!
Are you interested in incorporating corporate chair massage into your office? We can help! Please call or text our South Tampa wellness center today at (813) 440-3016.

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Ways to Trick Yourself into a more Intense Workout Driven Fit Tampa FL

4.5 Ways to Trick Yourself into a more Intense Workout

Written by Luis Echeverry on October 18, 2019. Posted in Personal Training, Transformation.

Fitness is certainly a mental game! If you believe it, trust us, you can achieve it. Sometimes we can all use a little trick to make us push harder. Fall into fitness with a more intense workout session with these 4 ½ tips (yes, you read that right) from our personal trainers!

Find a Distraction

Sometimes, it’s hard not to continuously count the clock during your workout. Dragging it minute by minute, which means it’s a time to find a way to distract yourself! Music is a great way to motivate you to a more intense workout session. Amp it up with upbeat songs that you’ll want to move to!

Want something other than the usual tunes? Studies showed multitasking during exercise could be beneficial both mentally and physically. Try repeating lists, playing mental games like tic-tac-toe, recite multiplication tables to distract yourself into a better workout. Permission to go ahead and brainstorm that project for a client while on the rowing machine –it may be a way to push you!

Repeat a Mantra

Mind over matter! Your brain drives everything and is constantly seconds ahead telling the body what to do and what not to do.

Your brain may pull you back from what your body can do and take on more. Teach your brain to get the body to go harder with a mantra. Repeating it can push you to a more intense workout. Plus, it could distract you from the clock a bit.

Pro Tip: slowly push yourself past your perceived max. Right when you feel like you’re losing gas, start repeating your mantra to push you through.

Your mantra should inspire you to keep moving when you feel like you want to stop. Keep it short so you can easily remember and mentally repeat it when needed.

Try a Tabata or HIIT Workout

Torch calories with these high-intensity workouts! Why they work? You keep it short with shorter bursts of intense effort. You can handle 20 seconds of hard work – trust.

Plus, a Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise study found that if you work out in shorter intervals instead of longer stretches, it feels easier!

Learn more about it and try it out!*

Pyramid Training

Work your way from the top down so the hardest reps are behind you! You’ve already done the hardest part and are generally working in 45-, 30-, and 15-second intervals.

By starting at the max, the later reps feel at least a little easier since you’ve already pushed yourself past that point before!

Work with a Personal Trainer

We count this as the half tip, because duh. Clearly, one of the best ways to have a more intense workout is to have someone who can work with you!

As personal trainers, we will:

Watch your form
Push you when needed
Establish overall fitness goal
Create a plan for every time you exercise

Fitness shouldn’t be random-especially when you’re training for a triathlon, sport, or fight. You should always have a goal for your workout and our personal trainers will create a plan for how you’re going to achieve it!

What are you waiting for? The first workout at our South Tampa gym is FREE and we can help you kick it up a notch with your workouts! Call or text Team Driven now!

More from DrivenFit+SWS:

Are You Chasing the Sweat?

Should I Eat Before or After My Workout?

How to Indulge the Right Way

*Just you know, check with your doctor first.

Pilates Move Core Strength Driven Fit South Tampa

Power Pilates Moves to Add to Your Training

Written by Luis Echeverry on October 11, 2019. Posted in Transformation.

Despite what you may think, Pilates is no joke. This popular exercise involves bodyweight-only exercises generally performed on a reformer – a piece of equipment that uses pulleys to focus on range of motion instead of resistance. We love Pilates at our South Tampa gym because:

It activates lesser-used muscles to fully work the core.
This type of movement counteracts the tightening and stress of sports-specific, high-impact training.

More and more, pro and elite athletes are incorporating power Pilates moves into their training. Here we share some of our favorite moves that can be added to any workout or athletic training program!

Pilates for CrossFitters

Love those big, explosive CrossFit moves? Then you need to build up the core, create greater flexibility in the hips, and protect the lower back. These Pilates exercises are great to incorporate in your training:

Pilates Move: The Saw

How you do it: Sit upright with legs extended in a V (slightly wider than your hips).

Reach both arms out to the side at shoulder height. Pull the abdominal muscles in and up, lengthening both sides of your waist. Inhale and twist at the waist to your right.

As you dive forward, exhale and stretch your left hand across your right foot. Keep your head down as your other arm reaches up and back. Return to a seated position, inhale, and alternate with the other side.

Pilates Move: The Swimmer

How you do it: Lie face down with your arms stretched over your head while keeping your legs straight and together.

With your chin tucked and eyes looking down, raise your right arm and left leg about 6” off the ground, floating your head and chest up off the mat. Hold the position for 10 breaths, and alternate arms and legs.

Pilates for Endurance Athletes

Any athlete, such as a triathlete, cyclist, or runners, who constantly uses repetitive movements will benefit from Pilates. It adds core strength and stability, as well as increased mobility in the spine, hips, and shoulders.

Pilates Move: Single-Leg Kick

How you do it: Lying face down with your elbows propped, stretch your legs and press them together.

Lift your torso from the floor, creating as much space between your body and the floor as possible. Keep your pelvis and thighs down. As you exhale, bend your right knee to kick your heel towards your butt two times quickly. Then inhale as you stretch and bring the leg back to the starting position. Repeat this move 10 times on each leg.

Pilates Move: Kneeling Bicycle

How you do it: Kneel on your left knee with your right leg extended straight out to the side. Lean left and place your left hand on the floor.

Raise your right leg until your foot is just below hip height. As you exhale, swing your right leg forward and inhale as you bend your right knee (sweeping the leg back as far as possible). Repeat five times and alternate the legs.

Pilates for Lifters

These moves create pelvic stability for heavy lifts and increase flexibility and range of motion in the hamstrings, hips, and lower back.

Pilates Move: Double Leg Kick

How you do it: Lying face down, bend your knees to reach the heels towards your butt.

Reach your arms behind your back, fingers laced, elbows bent, and your head turned to the right. Inhale and kick both heels out to your butt two to three times quickly.

Exhale as you stretch your legs and arms out while lifting your head and chest. Lower your body to a starting position with your head turned to the left. Repeat six to 10 complete breath cycles.

Pilates Move: The Teaser

How you do it: With your spine, head, and shoulders anchored to the floor, lift your legs to a 90-degree angle at your hips and a 90-degree angle at the knees.

Keep arms raised slightly at chest level. Sweep your arms overhead then back down towards your sides while simultaneously extending your legs straight up and out, lifting your body into a V-sit position. Hold for a few breaths.

Roll back one vertebra at a time until you reach the starting position. Repeat three to five breathing cycles.

Pilates Pro Tip: You can make this move more challenging by holding a medicine ball.

Power Up with Pilates at DrivenFit + SWS

With Pilates, you strengthen the muscles that are closer to your bones and you’re focused on activating your core. With this type of workout, you’re always working in extension so you lengthen instead of shorten your muscles.

At our South Tampa wellness studio, we provide a fitness journey with a program built specifically for each client. For more information on our private and semi-private personal training sessions, massage therapy, and chiropractic care services –and of course our amazing Pilates classes – call or text DrivenFit + SWS today at (813) 440-3016.

Consistency Fitness Results Driven Fit South Tampa Gym

Consistency in Routine

Written by Luis Echeverry on June 17, 2019. Posted in Transformation.

Whether you’re exercising to achieve a good physique, build strength, or train for a race/triathlon, consistency is key for maximum results! What’s the best way to achieve consistency? Create a workout plan and COMMIT to your routine. This is how you will achieve your fitness goals.

The two main components to attain fitness are working out and maintaining a proper diet, however, consistency is the secret sauce and requires effort, time, and dedication to see the fruits of your labor.

Why Repeat Exercises in a Routine?

Consistent training gives positive effects to the body and physical health. By repeating exercises, you develop muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These help in adjusting to the challenges and strains of your ongoing fitness regimen.

Inconsistent movements will only leave you feeling sore. Repetitive exercises, however, allow your body to get used to the strenuous workouts and compound movements.

Health Benefits of Consistency in Routine

Different types of exercises help build cardiovascular strength and flexibility as well as increase the body’s agility, endurance, and overall condition.

Here are other benefits to a consistent workout routine:

Controls weight by shedding excess body fat
Maintains weight loss
Slows down metabolism and helps the body burn more calories
Improves muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility
Improves mood
Relieves stress
Improves self-esteem

Falling Short of Your Fitness Goals?

Creating and maintaining a regular workout schedule while targeting key areas to rev your weight loss and toning are key. Without a consistent workout routine, your goals will take longer to reach.

It takes several weeks to start seeing the transformation in your body. It also takes weeks of strength training to grow the muscle fibers that will make you more toned and build body muscle strength. If you’re inconsistent, then the physiological changes will take longer and may not be as noticeable at first. Luckily, we have the Styku body scanner to show you the numbers in real time –can’t beat a body scan.

You’ll need to commit to a consistent routine of at least three weeks to start seeing real results. Experts say that’s about the same amount of time it takes to create a new habit. Coincidence? Our trainers don’t think so.

Have a Total Transformation at Driven + SWS

At Driven Fit + Sponaugle Wellness Studio, our sessions are not designed for entertainment – we’re here for results. A consistent routine and our intensive workout programs focus on providing you with a whole body transformation.

We believe in a whole-body approach to wellness and work with our clients every step of the way to meet their fitness goals. For additional information on our South Tampa studio, personal fitness training programs, or classes, please call/text us today at (813) 440-3016.

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Acupuncture and Allergies

Written by Luis Echeverry on May 29, 2019. Posted in Lifestyle.

Anyone with moderate to severe allergies living in the Tampa Bay area is no stranger to the annoying symptoms of allergy season such as a running nose, sneezing, and itchy watery eyes.

Every year, millions of dollars are spent on medications and allergy shots for the treatment of seasonal allergies that often offer little relief. Not to mention, in an effort to live a cleaner lifestyle, you’re probably sick and tired of taking these medications! At Driven Fit +SWS, we believe in using a holistic approach to healing, and this goes for the treatment of allergies as well. One of our favorites is acupuncture – a growing trend in the treatment of allergies.

Really Acupuncture…For Allergies

A recent study by the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy found that acupuncture is an effective treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

The studies confirmed that acupuncture significantly lowers the antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) – the antibody associated with allergies and hypersensitivities. Not only was the IgE antibody lowered but so too were the symptoms associated with allergies.

Additionally, the participants overall reported a better quality of life.

Acupuncture to Treat Allergies

When using acupuncture to treat allergies, practitioners focus heavily on something called Wei Qi – eastern medicine’s version of the “immune system”. This protects the body against foreign materials that can lead to inflammation and allergies.

People with lower immunity or Wei Qi are more susceptible to allergies and frequent colds. Acupuncture helps boost the Wei Qi making it more difficult for allergens to attack the body.

In terms of treating allergies with acupuncture, it is necessary to look at the patient as a whole and not just the symptoms – a common practice in all forms of treatment at Driven Fit + SWS. Our acupuncturist will focus on other variables that may contribute to allergies such as dietary habits. Foods such as sugar and dairy are often associated with a lower immune system or Wei Qi. Eliminating or drastically reducing these items will allow the body to recover more quickly, making allergy attacks easier to resolve.

Try Acupuncture

At Driven Fit + SWS, we will create a customized plan to treat your allergy symptoms that will include a combination of acupuncture treatments, herbs, and dietary changes. If you struggle with allergies and are interested in acupuncture as a form of treatment, please call or text our South Tampa wellness studio at (813) 440-3016. See how you can live a life with fewer allergy issues!

Benefits of Meal Prep

Written by Luis Echeverry on May 24, 2019. Posted in Transformation.

We all want to look better, feel better, have more energy…the list goes on. But let’s face it, life gets busy and we don’t always follow through with our fitness and diet goals. Hunger happens. When there’s no food to satisfy that hunger, we make poor decisions or maybe ‘hangry’. If you’re tired of ordering junk food out of impulse, spending too much money eating out, and not reaching your fitness goals, then get ready to meet your new best friend…meal prep. Read more about its many benefits….

What is Meal Prepping?

It’s the act of planning, preparing, and packaging your meals and snacks in advance with the intention of clean eating and portion control!

Top Benefits of Meal Prep

You will save money. Everyone thinks eating healthy is expensive, but it’s not if you plan accordingly! When you plan your meals in advance, you know exactly what you need and won’t be tempted to purchase unnecessary items at the grocery store. Plus, you won’t go out as much. Those bills (and tips) add up!

It will help you lose weight. This one is a major component to weight loss because you know exactly what you are putting in your body and how much. Portion control meets lower calorie intake, it’s a match made in diet heaven.

More > How to Indulge the Right Way

Grocery shopping is a lot easier. Does grocery shopping always seem like an overwhelming task? Meal prep makes it SO much easier!

Prepare a list and divide it into categories such as produce, meats, frozen foods, dairy, and dry foods. You’ll know how much you need, where to find it, and won’t be as tempted to go to the candy aisle.

You will learn (and get used to) portion control. One of the many benefits of meal prep is that it teaches you balance. With meal prep, you pre-package your meals in containers which it refrains you from going for seconds.

You won’t waste food. Sustainability for the win! Forget the days of tossing those rotten fruits and vegetables! With meal prep, you will utilize all of your ingredients for the week and rarely will you have anything leftover to throw away.

You will save time. Yes, you will need to invest some time in the actual meal prep, but overall, you save a TON of time (especially when you need it most!).

The days of standing in front of the fridge and wondering what you’re going to cook for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are over! With meal prep, you just pull the meal out of the fridge and heat it up.

You will gain more willpower. As you start eating better more consistently, you will gradually stop craving sugar and other fattening or processed foods. Meal prep allows for routine, which is a key component to healthy eating.

It’s a huge investment in your health. When you’re starving, you don’t always make the best food decisions. With meal prep, you choose what you’re going to eat ahead of time, seriously limiting the temptation that often accompanies hunger. Not only will you lose weight, you’ll also enjoy the other benefits of good nutrition such as heart health and other important factors.

A Healthy Diet + Lifestyle

At Driven + Sponaugle Wellness Studio, we believe that a healthy diet is the core to a healthy lifestyle. Meal prep is certainly one way to get there. Short on time for the prep part? We can help! We work directly with a meal prep company that helps clients who struggle with finding the time to cook or just flat out despise being in the kitchen (It’s okay. We all have our strengths).

At Whole Body Fuel, there are tons of great meal options from traditional to low carb. Check out their menu at www.wholebodyfuel.com. Brian Adamo, owner of Whole Body Fuel, also works closely with Dr. Sarah to custom create orders for our clients that have special needs and dietary restrictions. For more information, please text/call our South Tampa Wellness Studio at (813) 440-3016.

Taking Probiotics Health Tips Hyde Park Tampa FL Personal Training

Should You Be Taking Probiotics?

Written by Luis Echeverry on March 21, 2019. Posted in Lifestyle, Transformation.

Probiotics are just about everywhere we look these days, and they’ve been prescribed to treat everything from irritable bowel syndrome to arthritis to skin issues. So it’s no wonder that we’re asking ourselves whether or not we too should start taking a form of daily probiotic supplement or if there something else that we can be doing to improve our gut health. The fitness experts at Driven + Sponaugle Wellness Studio take a closer look…

What Are Probiotics?

We have trillions of microorganisms that live inside us, mostly in our large intestine. Most of them are bacteria. Probiotics are specific live bacteria (and yeasts) in foods that have been shown to contribute positively to overall health, especially for your digestive system.

Probiotics are frequently called “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy. When the balance of these bacteria is off, or these microorganisms aren’t thriving, you may experience stomach discomfort. You could also have other health problems such as skin issues, inflammation, or even certain mental health conditions.

Probiotics: How Much is Too Much

Here’s the thing: even though probiotics are good for our gut, sometimes too much of a good thing can actually be a bad thing. If you take too many probiotics, you could experience side effects. These may include a temporary increase in gas and bloating, constipation, and even increased thirst.

Your problem may not be that you’re missing probiotics in your life, it’s that those healthy microbes in your gut aren’t thriving. In this case, prebiotics and fiber would be better suited to your body. People commonly skip these options and immediately start grabbing probiotics.

Alternatives to Probiotics

Prebiotics -unlike probiotics-are not bacterial microorganisms; they are the portions of our food that we don’t digest in the standard sense. Prebiotics are fuel for the microbes inside of us. Being proactive may be what’s needed to kickstart gut function and help you feel relief from stomach discomfort. The good stuff in probiotics won’t be as effective in our bodies without the good stuff from prebiotics! Test what works for you and adjust as you see fit.

Now you’re probably wondering how to find prebiotics? It’s easy. Just look for foods that are high in fiber such as colorful fruits (berries especially) and veggies, lentils, onions, garlic, flaxseeds, and asparagus. Low fiber diets=low prebiotics. In the United States, the average adult only gets about half of the recommended fiber intake. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015 – 2020, men should consume about 38 grams of fiber per day and women about 25 grams.

What’s Next?

Although the jury is still out as to whether or not probiotics should be a necessary part of our wellness routine. If you’re experiencing stomach discomfort, bloating, or other gut issues, try prebiotics first and then look into probiotic supplements and drinks.

Diet and exercise work together. Driven Fit + Sponaugle Wellness can help! For information on our South Tampa wellness center or to meet one of our health & fitness experts, please give us a call at (813) 440-3016.