Category Archives: Wellness

Fit Tech & Gadgets, PRNews, Wellness, Women's Health

Fitbit Ships More than One Million Fitbit Versa Devices; Over Two Million Use Female Health Tracking within First Month

Strong consumer demand makes Versa the fastest selling product in Fitbit history

HONG KONG, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Fitbit, Inc. (NYSE: FIT), the leading global wearables brand, today announced that it has shipped more than one million Fitbit Versa™ devices since general availability began on April 16, demonstrating strong consumer demand for a well-designed, health and fitness-focused smartwatch with long battery life and broad compatibility, at an affordable price point. Additionally, Fitbit announced that more than 2.4 million users have already used its new female health tracking feature, which became available to all Fitbit users last month.


Fitbit Versa(TM)

“With Fitbit Versa, we are delivering on our promise to offer a true mass appeal smartwatch with engaging new features. The positive response to Versa shows that we are filling this void and well positions us to gain share of the fast-growing smartwatch market,” said James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit. “The engagement we’ve seen with our new female health tracking feature further demonstrates the value our users see in being able to get a more comprehensive look at their overall health and wellness, in a single place, in a way that other available cycle tracking tools cannot.”

Within the first two weeks that female health tracking was first made available to iOS and Windows users, more than 1 million users began using this feature. Now with cross platform availability for Android users as well:

  • More than 2.4 million users have added the feature to their Fitbit app
  • 1.8 million users have added at least one period to the calendar
  • More than 500,000 users have added two or more retrospective periods
  • Nearly 700,000 users have logged one or more symptoms

With female health tracking, Fitbit users can better understand their overall health and wellness by accessing their data all in one place. Combined with the user’s sleep and activity data, Fitbit is providing a way for its users to gain a better understanding of how their cycle impacts other aspects of their health and wellness, while also potentially creating one of the largest databases of female health.

Fitbit continues to see growth in apps and clock faces built for Fitbit OS. Through its software development kit (SDK), more than 18,000 developers have joined the Fitbit developer community and over 900 apps and clock faces have been built.

Fitbit Versa is available for HK$1798 in black with a black aluminum case, gray with a silver aluminum case, or peach with a rose gold aluminum case; accessories range from HK$238 to $788. Fitbit Versa Special Edition, is available for HK$1998 in a lavender woven band with rose gold aluminum case or charcoal woven band with graphite aluminum case, each with an extra black classic band. The Versa and accessories is available in Hong Kong stores including Sound and Vision (HK International Airport), @E-lifestyle, Fortress, Broadway, Chung Yuen, LOG-ON, Lane Crawford, GigaSports, City Chain, Wilson and Weareready.hk Concept Store.

About Fitbit Versa

Fitbit Versa is your personalized daily health and fitness companion: a modern, full-featured and competitively priced smartwatch that helps empower you to take action, make the most of every moment, stay connected and reach your goals. A 24/7 health and wellness companion, Versa helps you reach your goals with a personalized on-device health dashboard, new female health tracking feature[i], and an advanced health and fitness experience — all with 4+ days battery life[ii]. Versa also helps you stay connected with advanced smart features like phone-free music, secure, wallet-free payments, notifications, and Android quick replies — along with more than 900 popular brand, developer and Fitbit Labs apps[iii], and customizable clock faces.

About Fitbit, Inc. (NYSE: FIT)

Fitbit helps people lead healthier, more active lives by empowering them with data, inspiration and guidance to reach their goals. As the leading global wearables brand, Fitbit designs products and experiences that track and provide motivation for everyday health and fitness. Fitbit’s diverse line of innovative and popular products include Fitbit Blaze®, Fitbit Charge 2®, Fitbit Alta HR™, Fitbit Alta®, Fitbit Ace™, Fitbit Flex 2®, and Fitbit Zip® activity trackers, as well as the Fitbit Ionic™ and Fitbit Versa™ smartwatches, Fitbit Flyer™ wireless headphones and Fitbit Aria 2™ Wi-Fi Smart Scales. Fitbit products are carried in over 45,000 retail stores and in 86 countries around the globe. Powered by one of the world’s largest social fitness networks and databases of health and fitness data, the Fitbit platform delivers personalized experiences, insights and guidance through leading software and interactive tools, including the Fitbit and Fitbit Coach apps, and the Fitbit OS for smartwatches. Fitbit Health Solutions develops health and wellness solutions designed to help increase engagement, improve health outcomes, and drive a positive return for employers, health plans and health systems.

Fitbit and the Fitbit logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fitbit, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Additional Fitbit trademarks can be found at www.fitbit.com/legal/trademark-list. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and share your Fitbit experience.  

[i] Female health tracking is available to adults 13 and over in the U.S.; ages may vary by country.
[ii] Battery life use varies with use and other factors; 7+ hours playing playback and using Connected GPS.
[iii] Because Fitbit Labs content is experimental in nature, users may experience minor issues, and the time period for which apps and clock faces are available may be limited.

Photo – https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180605/2151771-1

Diet & Nutrition, Fitness, Wellness

Intermittent Fasting – Why Should You Do It

Image: Free Images

Maybe you already know about Intermittent Fasting (IF) and are still wondering if you should try it.

Our body goes into certain processes and changes when we fast in regards to our genes, hormones and cellular repair. During the fasting state, our body utilizes stored fat as a source of energy. But what are the benefits of IF?

 

  1. It simplifies your day

Instead of having your breakfast in the morning, have it when you start eating for the day or dive straight into lunch if that is the case.

If you cook your own meals that means you have one less meal to prepare and think about.

  1. IF is easier than dieting

Intermittent Fasting is not a diet fad or pattern. It is a pattern of eating and therefore encourages a change in behavior. It is fairly easy to adapt once you get over the fact that you do not need to eat all the time.

  1. Helps you to lose weight

Maybe this is the reason why you would want to try IF. As you adapt to your preferred IF routine, you and your body will be able to adjust accordingly and therefore be able to burn more fat. Do note that some exercising will help you in losing weight faster and there are no magical way to lose weight as fast as you would like to.

  1. You live longer

Logically, when you are starving your body finds a way to extend your life. IF activates your body’s mechanisms to prolong your life without actually starving.

  1. Reducing inflammation

IF is able to reduce inflammation in your body, according to some studies.

Find out more from our sources here, here, here and here. 

Diet & Nutrition, Wellness

What is Intermittent Fasting

Image: Free Images

Intermittent Fasting (IF) is fast becoming one of the biggest trends within the health community but it is not a new thing. Humans have been fasting for thousands of years. Some religions such as Christianity, Islam and Buddhism have some form of fasting included. Sometimes it is done out of necessity when there is no food available, for example.

IF is done, as its name implies, intermittently; this means you stop eating for a certain amount of time. It is important to remember that IF is not a pattern of diet but a pattern of eating. There is no calorie counting or changes to your food intake. Instead, you simply change when you eat.

Scheduling your meals is easy as we already “fast” every day when we sleep; we simply extend that fasting period longer than the time we sleep. You do not skip meals at all; you simply rearrange them.

IF doesn’t mean that you do not consume any water during fasting time either. You are allowed to drink tea, coffee and other non-caloric beverages on top of water during your fasting period.

There are many methods of IF that can be done with the most popular being the 16/8 method. This means you fast for 16 hours and eat for 8 hours. Read more about Intermittent Fasting methods here.

Read our sources here, here, here and here.

AFT Partners, AFT Reviews, AFTNews, Diet & Nutrition, Travel & Wellness, Wellness

JacSport – The Energy Drink with Physta® Tongkat Ali

Physta® is a patented extract from the Malaysian plant root, Tongkat Ali. The water-soluble extract has been through numerous clinical studies to determine its impact on the human body including, but not limited to, strength, performance and overall health.

Using natural ingredients, the JacSport’s secret weapon is Physta® Tongkat Ali. Whereas most energy drinks come in cans, the drink is available to consumers in easy-to-carry sachets to mix with a recommended 250ml of warm water. The FDA approved pre-workout and recovery drink promises to give more energy and shortens recovery time after a workout.

Some of the studies on the extract have shown that, compared to other extracts of Tongkat Ali, Physta®  has proven to support energy and recovery from fatigue, and shown improvement in muscle strength and size in both men and women. It was also shown to maintain normal levels of the stress hormone cortisol and a healthy high levels of testosterone for overall anabolic muscle state during intense endurance exercise tested on mountain bikers.

JacSport is 100% safe with no long-term side effects, this whey-protein-chocolate malt drink is also able to promote blood circulation, and boost a lethargic body and mind.

Diet & Nutrition, Healthy Recipes, Travel & Wellness, Wellness, Women's Health

Banish Cellulite!

To eradicate cellulite, you need to be a little active, have a balanced diet… And a miracle homemade recipe?

                        Your best friend to fight cellulite will be… your coffee!

Image: Free Images

Caffeine is the main ingredient in many anti-cellulite creams, which can be quite expensive. After brewing your next cup of coffee in the morning, keep the remaining hot and wet coffee grounds. Next, apply the coffee on the zones where you want to decrease your cellulite. Massage deeply with circular movements, from top to bottom, in order to effectively penetrate your ski which will reduce the orange peel effect.

Repeat this movement for 10 minutes. However, you can also add a tablespoon of olive oil or honey, according to your preference, as this will moisturize your skin.

Repeat this massage every day and you will be able to see its results in one to two weeks! Your skin will be more toned and look firmer.

Image: Free Images

Say hello to your new skin – bright, toned and smooth!

 

This post was written by Lauriane Nativel, AsiaFitnessToday.com’s intern from La Salle Saint-Charles, Reunion Island.

 

Upcoming Events, Women's Health

a Women’s Wellness Workshop

The American Association of Malaysia with Prince Court Medical Center presents ~ 

a Women’s Wellness Workshop & Spring Bazaar

Date: Friday May 4, 10:00 – 3:00  

Venue: Grand Millennium Hotel, Bukit Bintang

Featuring:
  • Doctors & Specialists on hand to share about Women’s Health, Wellness & Aging Gracefully
  • A Spring Bazaar with over 50 vendors
  • All money raised will benefit 3 local charities –
National Cancer Society of Malaysia
How much is it?
  • Entry by donation RM30 payable at the door
  • Included in the entry fee: goody bag, meet & greet with speakers, raffle 

What’s next?

Visit our Official Facebook Event page 

AFT Interviews, AFT TV, Travel & Wellness

Snowboarding and defying gravity!

Video

AsiaFitnessTodayTV: Snowboarding adventures from GoInternationalGroup.com on Vimeo.

Inspired by videos we’ve just shared in the AsiaFitnessToday TV Channel, we delve into movement exercises required to prepare for your weekend at the snowfields. Depending on the individual’s weight and height, leisurely snowboarding can help burn from 200 to 600 calories per hour for an adult under 90KGs. Go competitive and you could be burning triple of that! What this also means, is that your body will be undergoing intense workout while snowboarding, and ideally, a solid 4-6 weeks of preparation should get your ready for that spurt.

Muscles used while snowboarding

Firstly, let’s understand the types of muscles you’ll be using while snowboarding. Naturally strong muscles will help you last longer on the slopes. You’ll be using your quadriceps, calves and ankles for snowboarding. Your back will be at test too. Prior to a ski trip, it’s advisable to undergo some weight training to strengthen your hamstrings, thighs and arm muscles as well as strengthening your core. Some people head to cycling gyms to prepare their leg muscles. Here are some essential workouts to help in your preparation:

1. Up and down jump squats 

Squat down in position, then jump for the skies with arms wide open then land with your knees bent. Do this to help build power thighs for tackling big jumps.

2. Core strengthening exercises

Let’s work the obliques and abs area, since you’ll be using a lot of that area while navigating the snow. The medicine ball rotational throw is one of the most effective ones. Stand away from a wall with your shoulders facing the wall. Allow for about 2-3 feet. Hold a medicine ball, then twist your torso to throw the ball against the wall. Catch it when it comes back to you and repeat. To avoid injury, make sure you’re mentally and physically ready before throwing the ball. Be mindful, take your time, and strengthen your core (abs) muscles just as you’re about to throw.

3. Stationary Cycling

Riding helps to build endurance in your legs and stamina overall.

AsiaFitnessToday highly recommends working with a certified fitness trainer and keep safety first when working out.

Origin of snowboarding

Australian Darren Powell defied the laws of kinetic energy in 1999 when he recorded a top speed of 202 kilometers per hour at Les Arcs Resort, France. What a lot of people may not know, is that snowboarding was initially two skis strapped together by an engineer called Poppen in Michigan, USA. He attached a string to steer and it was called snufing – a combination of skiing and surfing.

Family bonding time at the snowfields

In a WhatsApp interview, Sydney-based business owner/restaurateur Madeleine Cheah shares that her family enjoys leisurely skiing, long walks and hikes as they work hard throughout the year in the hospitality industry. Vacations like these bring her family together and offers a nice respite from running their busy restaurants and cafes in Australia. Despite nursing a back injury and her husband his painful knees, both are determined to kick their heels back and enjoy the beautiful powdery snowfields of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, surrounded by France, Italy and Switzerland. Lying at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summits in the Alps, this area is renowned for its skiing.
Thanks to the Luongs – Madeleine, Hieu, Andy and Matthew for these amazing photos and videos from their recent skiing and snowboarding vacation to Chamonix Mont Blanc!
AFT TV, Travel & Wellness

A Movement in Paris

Video

We’ve been researching the correlation between rhythm, movement and wellness, so we come across quite a lot of interesting content produced by people from all walks of life! Movement doesn’t need to fall within the traditional sense of ‘fitness’ or confined to a gym setting. We love the fact that this was shot outdoors, right in public. That freedom of movement is simply so beautiful. Enjoy!

A Movement.
Filmed on location in Paris, MMXVII

FEATURING. Jojo Prida
DIR. Matthew K. Firpo (MKF.tv)
PROD. Magna Carta (MagnaCarta.tv)
DOP. Todd Martin (ToddMartinFilms.com)
CO. Carlos Flores (CarlosFloresFilms.com)
S. Carol Konká “Boa Noite”
Paris, 2017

Shot on ARRI Alexa with Cooke Lenses

AFT TV, Travel & Wellness

Mindful Mondays with Karena

Video

Happy Monday! Today, we’ll be sharing with you a video on Mindfulness by the people at http://ToneItUp.com/loveyourbody!

They launched this earlier last month, and there will be new episodes each week – with guided meditations.

This episode embraces the topic on change as together with Karena, you can make positive changes! Start out by finding a quiet, comfortable space where there are no distractions. I always like to burn a candle or some sage. Begin by finding a comfortable position.You can sit cross-legged on the ground or lie down on your back, palms facing up. Gently close your eyes and start to focus on your breath. Let’s begin! ♥

Diet & Nutrition, Fitness at Work

Mini meals for metabolic hike

Eating mini meals. Unlike the snacks you probably nosh on (like an apple or walnuts), which have individual benefits, mini meals provide a balanced combination of carbohydrates, protein and fat. … If you’re moderately active, you can aim for a range of 1,500 to 1,800 calories, or six mini meals each day.
Think of these foods as support mechanisms on your path towards fat loss, as any diet that keeps the pounds off requires sustained effort and exercise.
  • Hot Peppers. …
  • Whole Grains: Oatmeal and Brown Rice. …
  • Broccoli. …
  • Soups. …
  • Green Tea. …
  • Apples and Pears. …
  • Spices. …
  • Citrus Fruits.