Remember the days before you had kids? Leisurely lunches with friends, long nights out and mornings spent sleeping in, virtually unlimited time to work out. Now that you’re a parent, though, your reality has undoubtedly changed.

Yes, you’ve gained the incredible gift of having a child (or children), but long gone are those hours-long bike rides and gym sessions — you may be finding it difficult to fit any exercise into your hectic days! Work commitments, after-school and weekend activities, and the ins and outs of daily life can sap you of the time you need to get in a good sweat session on the daily, that’s for sure. Plus, after spending much of the day away from your kids, you’re probably wanting to enjoy time with them — not with strangers at the gym! 

Rest assured that there is a way to accomplish two goals at once: family workouts. Whether they’re structured or impromptu activities, family exercises can benefit you and everyone involved — not only in the health benefits they offer, but in family bonding and in quality time spent together. Plus, they’re just fun!

Read on for our complete guide to exercising as a family.
 

If your grocery store list is a mile long and you’re looking for healthy ways to keep up with your weight loss goals, we’ve got a solution for you. De-clutter that disorganized grocery list and start fresh with one that’ll complement your busy schedule, not complicate it. Jenny Craig’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Briana Rodriquez, shares the foods that always make it into her cart — and the ones you won’t want to leave the store without.

If you’re a Jenny Craig member, all your meals are taken care of, but this list of healthy foods is handy when you’re shopping for nutritious snacks.

Swap white rice for cauliflower fried “rice” to add extra nutrients and fiber to this simple and delicious meal. This recipe for cauliflower fried rice is packed with a variety of colorful vegetables, fluffy eggs and a splash of soy sauce. It makes enough to serve a family! Enjoy a bowl and share the rest or save the leftovers for later.

Are you gearing up for a big event? Have a tropical getaway around the corner? If so, you might be wondering how to lose weight quickly. We understand: You want to look and feel your best! But it’s important not to fall prey to fad diets that promise dramatic, fast, ongoing weight loss, especially if they’re too restrictive. 

“Diets that overly limit or eliminate nutrients can backfire and actually cause you to gain weight over time,” explains Briana Rodriquez, Registered Dietitian at Jenny Craig. “It’s far more effective — and safer — to follow a well-rounded diet plan that moderately restricts calories and includes adequate amounts of all necessary nutrients.”

I spoke with Briana to find out the quickest way to lose weight that’s still safe and sustainable. She emphasized that the most effective type of weight loss plan (like Jenny Craig) may help you lose weight rapidly at the outset but at a healthy, moderate rate of weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week. Here are her top tips to lose weight fast and keep it off. 

Before beginning any weight loss program, talk to your healthcare provider.  

The ketogenic diet, known as “keto” for short, has exploded in popularity thanks to its quick weight loss results. Many people turn to this low-carb, high-fat dietary plan to aid in weight loss by forcing their body into ketosis, a state where you burn fat instead of glucose for energy. 

(Here’s everything you need to know about the science behind keto diet.) 

However, the keto diet isn’t exactly the most balanced approach to weight loss, and many people regain weight if they’re not eating the right foods — or are making common keto diet mistakes. Like many highly restrictive diets, affordability, convenience and long-term sustainability are the biggest roadblocks to maintaining ketosis. 

Here are six of the most common keto diet mistakes and how you can avoid them by making healthier choices. Regardless of which diet you’re following, all of these tips can help support your weight loss efforts. 

Remember to always consult your healthcare provider before beginning a weight loss program. 
 

If you have Type 2 diabetes, you likely know that following a healthy diet is key to managing your condition. But did you know that exercise for diabetes control can be just as important?

Regular exercise is beneficial for all people in numerous ways, as it can help:¹

• Lower your blood pressure
• Reduce your LDL (bad) cholesterol
• Raise your HDL (good) cholesterol
• Manage your weight
• Strengthen your muscles and bones

But exercise is even more vital if you’ve got diabetes, as it can help:¹

• Lower your blood glucose levels
• Increase your body’s sensitivity to insulin
• Reduce risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease

Along with enjoying a healthy diet, getting regular exercise might even delay or prevent the development of diabetes in people with prediabetes.²

Those are some pretty impressive benefits, right? Still, you may have questions about exercise and diabetes: What are the best exercises for diabetes? How often should I be exercising? We’ve got the answers to these questions and more in our complete guide to exercise for diabetes!

Remember to always consult your physician before starting a new exercise routine.