By: SPARK_MRUDY, SparkPeople Blogger
3/8/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  116 comments   :  80,340 views

Many people love going to the gym, spending hours each week making use of the abundant collection of weights and equipment. Others prefer to build their own fully equipped gyms, investing in dumbbells and other gear to replicate the experience at home.

But those aren’t your only options.

If your membership has grown dusty with neglect (or never existed to begin with), and you don’t have the extra money or time to purchase your own fitness equipment, you have everything you need to get a full-body workout in the comfort and privacy of home—and you’re already carrying it everywhere you go.

By: SPARK_MRUDY, SparkPeople Blogger
3/5/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  102 comments   :  101,690 views

“I don’t have time to cook.”
 
“Recipes are too complicated to follow.”
 
“Meal prep takes way too long.”
 
“I’m afraid I’ll mess something up.”
 
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Most people who eschew cooking do so because they assume it’s too difficult or too time-consuming. Maybe they peruse a few recipes with the best of cooking intentions, only to be scared off by complicated lists of ingredients and instructions.
 
But we’ve got some good news: You don’t have to choose between mastering culinary rocket science and waving the white flag for pizza delivery. There is a middle ground, and it’s home to plenty of nutritious and delicious recipes that require little to no kitchen expertise.
 
Still skeptical? Take a spin through some of our favorite easy-peasy, hassle-free, virtually failproof meals that you can whip together without breaking a sweat (or a dish).

By: SP_COACH_DENISE, SparkPeople Blogger
3/4/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  43 comments   :  52,191 views

At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
 
This Week's Spotlight: Deb (DLREYNOLDS2000)
Age: 64
Location: North Tustin, California
 
Small Success of the Week
 
Deb is feeling great after starting a new habit of exercising at least 10 minutes a day, and is already increasing to 30 minutes a day with the #moveit SparkChallenge! 

By: SPARK_MRUDY, – SparkRecipes.com
2/27/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  57 comments   :  660,002 views

Slow cookers are the busy home chef’s secret weapon when it comes to streamlining meal prep. When life feels like a nonstop race against the clock, simply toss a few ingredients into this versatile countertop appliance on your way out the door. You'll be grateful dinner is already done when you come home to a simmering, savory, ready-to-eat meal.

By: SPARK_ALICIA, – Editor-in-Chief
2/26/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  50 comments   :  73,249 views

Maybe it's the convenience of being able to do it anywhere or needing just a pair of sneakers to get started. Perhaps it's the temptation of the "runner's high." For some, the allure of a running event with hundreds or even thousands of athletes boosting each other's spirits is enough to inspire intrigue. Whatever the reasoning or motivation, when people think weight loss, they often think running. 

With benefits that range from strengthening your bones to improving happiness, it's no wonder that people flock to running, either. And once they get a taste of the track (or neighborhood sidewalk or park trail), they often start looking at more ambitious goals that will test their willpower and determination. 

By: SP_COACH_DENISE, SparkPeople Blogger
2/25/2019  12:00:00 AM   :  79 comments   :  52,127 views

At SparkPeople, we love helping people accomplish big goals—but we believe it's equally important to celebrate the small successes along the way. Each week in the Spark Spotlight, we'll check in with a featured member about his or her proudest moments, biggest challenges and advice for others on living, thinking and feeling healthier. We hope these quick snapshots will help motivate you to keep moving steadily toward your own goals, week by week.
 
This Week's Spotlight: Lisa (1EVIL_ANGEL)
Age: 30
Location: Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
 
Small Success of the Week
 
Lisa recently posted in the Community Goal Feed about how great she was feeling now that she has quit smoking for one full month. Even better, she's still going strong with breaking that old habit!