Melissa Paris Fitness

Looking for tips on how to deal with a hangover? Here are some ways to deal with the misery and pain of a morning hangover. Read more...

Have you ever felt groggy and tired after a night out of drinking? Unfortunately, many of us have, even though you may have slept 15 hours. While alcohol may help us fall asleep quicker and deeper, it completely messes the QUALITY of sleep, especially the second part of the REM cycle, the stage that we go into deep sleep and dream. That's why many of us tend to skip dreaming the nights we decide to booze. During this stage, the body is supposed to rest, heal and restore itself but, with much thanks to alcohol, our sleep cycle is often disrupted throughout the course of the night. Instead of slowly drifting in a deep healing state of slumber, our body is concentrating on rebounding from the effects of alcohol. Alcohol impedes the natural body's stimulant, glutamine. So our body's natural reaction is to overproduce glutamine, which then stimulates the brain and prevents us from sleeping. Alcohol tricks us into thinking that we are getting a good nights sleep because we fall asleep faster than a normal night, but the fact is that alcohol inhibits your body from mentally and physically restoring to health. But that doesn't mean that you should exile alcohol from your life, here are a few things to keep in mind before you go out for a few drinks this weekend! Read more...

After this long weekend of soaking up the sun and overindulging on BBQ food, your body is craving a nice cup of coffee to wake yourself up. But did you know that studies have shown that coffee may increase the risk of heart disease and raise cholesterol levels? Skip your trip to Starbucks in the morning and cleanse your body with a hot cup of tea instead! We all know that tea has amazing health benefits, but what does it actually do for you? Read more...

Music is such an important part of your workout that it's important to keep your playlist up-to-date with fresh beats to pump up your body, keep you motivated and squeeze out that last drop of sweat until you drop to the floor! Work for that perfect all year round summer body and take your workout to the next level by listening to my workout mix. Read more...

With the city's crazy hustle and bustle, it's hard not to get yourself caught up with the busy lifestyle. I take a few minutes out of my day to use some products that make my life just a little bit easier. I like Arbonne products because they work great with my skin and body. The products are more on the expensive side but they are definitely worth the investment. Read more...

There are so many different kinds and variations of honey that it's hard to choose which one is best for you! There are about 40 different kinds of honey, all with unique tastes and characteristics. But rather than purchasing store bought honey from the supermarket, try getting jars of fresh local honey from farmer's markets. It’s not only better for your allergies but it’s a lot more flavorful than regular brand honey. Studies have even shown that US supermarket honey is roughly 75% artificially processed and laundered from China. Gross! Honey has so many health benefits that it’s impossible to name them all! But here are some of the main ones that you might find interesting.
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The single leg wall sit is designed for endurance and strength. It’s also good for if you have back pain, any exercise that hits the core can prevent and help back problems. Do core strengthening exercises like this one, even for five minutes a day, and you’ll be able to notice the difference! Remember to keep your core tightened, thighs parallel to the ground, and your legs straight out throughout the entire workout!
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We all know about apples, bananas, watermelons and pears and know exactly where they are at the grocery store when we want to grab them. But what about the neglected but amazingly awesome fruit that goes unnoticed? Whole Foods carries so many different fruits that it’s easy for uncommon fruits to go unnoticed. While scanning the fruit section, I came across star fruit and decided to purchase it. It was definitely a good investment!
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PLEASE tell me you put on SUNSCREEN. You may notice that there are many different levels of sunscreen, some with higher SPF's and some with lower amounts of SPF... so which one should you get? Let me just give you a quick background on sunscreens. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and only protects against ultraviolet B rays (UVB), which causes sun burn and increased risk of skin cancer. The other type of ultraviolet radiation (UV) is called ultraviolet A, which penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB but contributes more to aging, wrinkly skin and loss of elasticity. Both UV rays contribute to skin cancer, and no matter how much sun screen you put on, there is no full protection against skin cancer. But know this!

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Ah, summer feels so great. Fire up the grill, relax in the sun with a cool and refreshing strawberry basil lemonade! I've always loved the sweet fruity taste of strawberry lemonade, but I decided to add that extra kick that it needed. Fresh basil has a sweet peppery taste to it, adding that to the mixture creates the perfect summer drink. Not only does basil add flavor, it is also packed with nutrients and health benefits. It's an excellent source of vitamin K and is known to have strong antioxidant properties that helps prevent premature aging, common skin issues and age-related problems. It also helps stop the growth of bacteria so your body can stay happy and healthy. I used agave as a replacement for sugar because its a natural sweetener that has the sweetness without the sugar rush! Read more...