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Gear up for the Holidays: Get a Head Start on your New Year Resolution Today!

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It is that time of the year when you start thinking about the holidays. Finding just the right clothes for all those year-end do’s. Buying presents. Binging and letting yourself go. And of course then comes the inevitable New Year resolution to lose those post-holiday bulges and welcome a fitter you. This year why not try something new? Advance your New Year resolution and get that gym membership now! Without the pressure of living up to a New Year’s promise and competing with all those fabulous Instagram gym updates from friends, you might actually make use of that membership. Besides, you end up looking fabulous for the parties and might even skip piling on the pounds during the holidays! We at consolidate times have compiled a handy checklist that will help you get started and stay motivated right into the New Year!

1. Do the research

You know all those times when you started on a mission to get fit and it did not work out? This time don’t allow that to happen. Load up on the information before you start so that you won’t get dispirited by minor bumps and plateaus. First you need to understand your body type and what routines will work best for you. A certified trainer can help you with that. Secondly, don’t fall for the fad diet craze. What works best for a health regimen is a nutritious, balanced diet that is designed keeping your body and your tastes in mind. Get all the information you can and then talk to your trainer about customising the diet that you know you can stick to. And be sure to include some basic life style changes that will help you on the journey to fitness.

2. Indulge in some shopping

Nothing perks you up quite like a good-intentioned round of shopping for yourself! You are getting ready for a new you – be sure you have the right outfit for it! A fitness routine can greatly benefit from proper tracking. Go ahead and buy that latest fitness tracker you have been lusting after! And while you are at it, invest in some brand new training apparel and shoes too. There is nothing like being fully equipped when you start off on a mission! Now you can guilt – read motivate – yourself to get out of bed when the alarm goes off in the morning without hitting snooze.

3. Set clear goals

You know this is just a beginning. So don’t think about dropping two dress sizes by Christmas. Discuss with your trainer what is do-able by New Year and stick to it. And then discuss the plan for after the New Year bashes. Setting realistic expectations and practical timelines will give you greater chances of sticking to the routine. Also, the small successes you encounter on the way will fuel you up for the longer ride ahead!

4. Find a partner in crime

If you have a like-minded partner to join you in this endeavour you have greater chances of sticking it out! Don’t try to enlist your entire friends’ circle – that could end up counterproductive. Find that one person who is as motivated as you and you can make sure neither suffers a slump as you take it one day at a time all the way to New Year’s!

5. Push yourself

Now that you have made a commitment, make sure you stick to it! Reminders on your phone, Post-Its on the fridge, public pledges in a family group, a couple of supporters who call up to enquire if you have worked out today – do everything it takes to prod you to go forward! Once you move past the initial phase, you will need less reminders and you can begin to take pride in yourself and your body.

Get started now and when everyone else is still thinking about New Year resolutions, you will find yourself miles ahead! Happy holidays!

Effective ways to prevent muscle injuries

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You never know when a muscle injury may occur while working out. It may start as a discomfort, but if ignore – it can lead to extreme pain with a torn muscle. To ensure that you do not pull your muscle, it is prudent that you strengthen them and make sure you are prepared for any physical activity coming your way.

Here are some tips for helping you avoid most muscle injuries:

Practice eccentric training workouts

Muscle tears and hamstring injuries are common problems occurring during sports and other vigorous physical trainings. Recent studies have shown that practicing exercises such as Nordic-style Hamstring curls can help in prevention of uncertain muscle injuries. Such workouts help in training you muscles to regulate the tension and strength of the muscles while they are forced to elongate. This way any injury related to the muscles is avoided when the muscles are lengthened.

Keep track of your Vitamin D constituency in the body

Almost 70% of the popular around the world have shown cases of low vitamin D in the body. This can lead to extensive train your muscles. It has been seen that vitamin D helps in supporting the functioning of the muscles, for instance in protein synthesis and balancing electrolytes. Any person with unbalanced electrolytes can lead to muscle fatigue and premature injuries. And, without proper synthesizing of protein in the body, there is little chance of muscle tissue recovery. In addition, lack of vitamin D also deteriorates performance and strength. Therefore, it is prudent to maintain vitamin D in the body by keeping track of it.

Do not overstretch

Stretching the muscles of your body is a great warm-up that helps in improving one’s performance. However, extensive stretching leads to decrease in performance and overall muscle damage. Fitness coaches and instructors usually advice athletes not to stretch before a sports event as this could lead to uncertain muscle injuries. Sudden force on the muscles can lead to overexertion and eventually tear the muscle tissue if one is not careful. It would be prudent to perform light warm ups without over stretching the muscles.

Go for a screening that tests your functional movement

Modern methods of testing your movement in physical movement and muscle strength have welcomed a new screening strategy known as Functional Movement test where the fitness levels of athletes are monitored using a streamlined system. This screening activity helps in detecting states of fatigue in the body. The test also gives a score, which keeps track of the mobility of the person and indicate any possible weaknesses. When one takes such a screening for functional movement, it will show the way body uses muscles during a particular workout. Any discomfort will indicate chances of muscle injury.

While these methods can help in avoiding muscle injuries, there may still be an inevitable situation where athletes are unable to get past such injuries. In such cases, relax the tension of your muscle using a psoas stretch foam roller to relax the soreness.

The Best Business Cars for 2017

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StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article
If there’s one thing we can say about 2017, it’s that it has been quite the year for cars. From an influx of supercars, to a whole new level of luxury in our everyday vehicles, the world of automobiles has done nothing but improve this year. But what about the selection of company cars on the market? Are there really any models available that make the perfect business car? Have Honda given us something to work with? Or Audi? You’ll have to read on to find out.

Mercedes E350e

As far as company cars go, you can very rarely go wrong with a Mercedes, and the E350e is definitely no exception. This car has all the luxury and comfort of the perfect company car, and if you want a posh-looking and feeling saloon car with feel-good factor by the bucket load, then this Mercedes E-class should be at the top of your list. With amazing ride quality and a plush and spacious interior, this plug-in hybrid is an environmentally friendly choice for your business car – and it runs smoothly too! What more could you want?

BMW 330e

BMW are certainly up there alongside a Mercedes in the fight for most popular executive cars. This BMW 3-series that we’re focusing on today, however, is definitely no exception to that rule. This compact saloon has a smart interior, classy look and all the high-end technology you could want. Factor in excellent handling and a powerful engine and you have a fun to drive, efficient and competitive company car. The rear-wheel drive gives balance to the handling, and with a comfortable yet firm suspension, the steering is undeniably accurate and weighty. And the infotainment system? Well, if you’re looking for a Sat Nav, active cruise control, climate control, DAB Radio and a Bluetooth phone connection and more then you’re in luck!

Renault Zoe

Okay, so this cute little electric vehicle is hardly your typical-looking company car, but don’t be fooled. This charming car is perfect for city driving and is relatively cheap to run, so if you’re on a budget, this really is the right model for you. It’s quiet and it’s easy to manoeuvre, so even new drivers can benefit from this car. The interior is just like the Renault Clio, so it’s modern and easy to use, and with a TFT display rather than dials, and an advanced infotainment system for an extra level of sophistication, this decently-spacious car is a nice little one to get around busy cities in!

Alfa Romeo Guilia

Alfa Romeo’s first attempt at an executive car is quite a valiant effort. While this car could be mistaken for yet another German-made executive saloon, the Alfa Romeo is definitely different. The Italian model has rear-wheel drive and a smooth and fluid ride. Nicely balanced handling makes this car user-friendly, something that is certainly lacking in many of its competitors. The interior features low-set seats and a fully adjustable steering wheel for optimum comfort, as well as the option to choose the right trim for your needs and desires. The infotainment system is controlled by a rotary controller, and displayed on an 8.8inch colour display. While the graphical quality isn’t the best, it does its job, though it can be a little difficult to navigate to start with due to its confusing menu. All in all, however, this car really has plenty to offer as an executive car, and is a strong first effort from Alfa Romeo.

5 Reasons Why You Should Consider a New Career

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A change of careers isn’t for everyone. After all, it usually puts you right at the bottom of the career ladder and you need to prove yourself again. However, if you’ve been feeling down in the dumps recently and you’re struggling to get out of bed every morning, you’ve probably given it some serious thought. Your mood shouldn’t be the only reason for wanting a change, though, as there are a few other reasons why sometimes, it’s just the right thing to contemplate.

1. Little to No Career Progression

If you’ve worked hard for the last 5 years and you haven’t benefitted from anything other than a slight salary increase (usually due to inflation), then it could be the perfect time to take your skills to new levels. Many businesses out there don’t do enough for their employees in terms of career progression opportunities, so it’s left in your hands to just carry on being miserable on the same wage bracket or doing something about it, like changing careers.

2. Job Security

If there’s talk of the business you’re currently working for going down the pan in the near future, it could be time to get out while you can. Don’t always listen to rumors, though, first do your research and see if it’s factual. If it is, get out now and spend the next few months working for a company that can offer you more security and more opportunities.

3. Better Salary

Of course, the main reason why so many people change careers is purely because they can get a better salary elsewhere, so what’s stopping you from doing the same? We could all do with a better salary, working conditions, and even less working hours, but not all of that is possible unless you’re willing to make the change. If you have absolutely zero chance of getting a better salary where you are, consider a career change today and better your future from tomorrow.

4. A New Learning Curve

Just because you’re a fully qualified nurse doesn’t mean you can’t change to a career in retail working for the likes of Aeropostale. As a nurse, you’ve probably been under the cosh for years to try and please all patients and you’ve got no rewards for doing so. Working in retail could mix things up a bit, and it could put you on a completely different learning curve when it comes to selling clothes. Look at jobapplicationworld.com to see what sort of careers you could land when working for one of the top retailers in the United states.

5. Develop Your Knowledge & Personal Skills

You can only develop your knowledge and personal skills so much when you’re working in a dead-end job. So, it could be time to make a change so you can have a much better future as far as your personal skills are concerned. Higher confidence, more motivation, better customer skills and much more awaits you when you start a new career.

Changing careers is never easy. You will miss the colleagues you’ve grown close to, you may have to travel further, and you may even get less time with your family. However, if you’re looking to make a successful career, these are the sort of things you must be willing to give up, especially if you’re wanting to start a new career in an industry with more job opportunities.

Is a Business Degree of Any Importance to an Entrepreneur or a Business Owner?

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Generally, when we discuss MBA courses, it usually involves looking at the degree from the perspective of a student who is looking to build a career. A question we do not typically address however is whether or not an online MBA degree would be the right choice for people who already have businesses of their own. What about the ones with significant knowledge and experience in their respective fields? Can they benefit from MBA programs? The answer is yes, entrepreneurs can indeed benefit from a business degree. To understand how that is actually applicable, go over the following points.

Understanding the Theory of Business Management

Even when you already have experience in running a business, you will learn more by studying and understanding the advanced concepts of business planning and management. If your business is successful, then you most definitely know what you are doing, but chances are that an MBA degree will help you to take your success even further. Studying Business Management Theory will help you to recognize gaps in your business planning and policy that you wouldn’t ever have noticed otherwise. It’s all about supplementing the existing knowledge and experience with formulated and established theories.

The Chance to Learn from the Best

AACSB online MBA courses usually have excellent faculty members and guest lecturers who are some of the most successful businessmen and entrepreneurs in their own fields. As they explain various parts of the course to their students and share their own life experience with them, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to learn from them. They might give you brand new perspective on things related to your business for improvement and progress.

Business Contacts

Your teachers and your peers are all your business contacts and in the near future, those contacts may turn out to be invaluable. You will likely find more than a few potential business partners and the necessary business recommendations while doing your MBA. As you already are a businessman, you will be able to make contacts and establish rapports easier because you are not looking to land a job, unlike almost everyone else in your class.

Security

Just in case you are a new entrepreneur who is still trying to make it, an MBA degree will provide you with a backup option, should the need to join a job ever arise. You can always go back to starting your own business after you manage to improve your financial standings, but an MBA from a good business school will enable you to land a job that will get you through the in-between stages.

These are the four prime factors which make an MBA degree extremely valuable to even established businessmen and rising entrepreneurs, but this is just an overview. There’s much more to it than this which you will learn during the course, but most of all, it’s all about learning how to grow what you have already.