And habits that suppress your hunger hormones ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
| | September 21, 2025 |  | | | | | | | | Good morning!
I only began tracking my biometrics last year (late to the party, as always), and it's been an interesting journey thus far. I'm increasingly trying to work on my VO2 max, and today I'm sharing some of the most interesting things I've learned about this health metric.
I've also got my favorite resources for understanding blood sugar and cravings, and how to find a healthy (ie. not overly restrictive) balance in your diet. I have a huge sweet tooth, but I don't want it to run my life.
Hit reply and let me know: What foods do you love but aim to consume mindfully? | | — Ailsa Cowell, M.S., health editor | | | | | 4 things you should know about VO2 max VO2 max measures the amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise, directly reflecting your cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular fitness. It's a leading indicator of longevity, but unfortunately, it naturally declines with age.
Here are four reasons to start thinking about yours: - Healthier body composition – A stronger VO₂ max tends to align with lower body fat and more fat-burning lean muscle, which also supports better resting metabolism.¹
- More energy – Better oxygen use fuels ATP production and mitochondrial function, making everyday tasks—like lugging groceries or chasing kids—feel easier. This may be especially beneficial for women experiencing energy changes due to hormonal shifts.²
- Stronger heart health – Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the U.S. Even modest VO₂ max gains have been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular death by about 8%.³
- Sharper mood & brain – Higher VO₂ max supports mood, reduces depressive symptoms, and helps preserve gray matter—a critical buffer against midlife cognitive changes.⁴
VO₂ max isn't reserved for elite athletes—it's an evidence-based tool to support better health on all planes. Check out the links below on how to start VO2 max training today.
+Get after it | | | | | | PRESENTED BY | |  | | One habit to address energy & stress | |  | | According to a recent survey, two of the top reasons Americans are interested in self-care and well-being practices are to support stress management (over half!) and increase energy (over one-third).⁵
Address both with plnt Organic Ashwagandha Gummies from The Vitamin Shoppe. - The gummies deliver a meaningful dose (400 mg) of organic ashwagandha root extract in every serving.
- These naturally support energy, vitality, and your body's stress response.*
- It's a whole food formula that contains zero synthetic colors, sweeteners, or flavors.
- With Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients, this is a formula you can trust.
Enjoying these is a simple, naturally apple-flavored self-care solution you can look forward to. | | | | | | | | If you do one thing… spill the tea The word gossip has a bad rap, but in a recent study, it was found to offer some interesting benefits for both same- and different-gender couples:⁶ - Researchers wanted to examine the dynamics of gossip and well-being within romantic partnerships. They framed gossip as simply talking about someone who isn't physically present, stating it could be positive, neutral, or negative.
- Couples who gossiped more reported greater happiness and relationship satisfaction.
- Gossip may act as a tool for emotional bonding in romantic relationships.
While overdoing it on the toxic gossip isn't something I'd recommend for great mental health, it's nice to know that talking to your partner about your latest social encounters may have an extra perk for your relationship. | | | | | Better blood sugar can be yours | |  Image by JAVIER DÍEZ / Stocksy | | | | | | A natural solution for common stress | | | | | Ashwagandha is shown to help the body deal with common stress.⁷ Get your daily dose with plnt Organic Ashwagandha Gummies from The Vitamin Shoppe which are Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. | | | | | | | | | Ask An RD: Why do I crave sweets? There's nothing wrong with wanting or enjoying a sweet treat daily. What's frustrating, though, is when that desire becomes an irresistible craving.
If this happens to you, it could be due to: - Exhaustion: If your body is feeling drained, it's likely looking for a quick source of energy—and sugary foods fit the bill because they're metabolized fast.
- Stress: If you are undergoing persistent stress, that can cause an increase in appetite. And research shows that people experiencing stress often reach for foods high in fat or sugar (or both) to counteract the stress.
- An imbalance gut microbiome: Your gut bacteria need to be nourished, and if they aren't getting what they need (namely, lots of fiber), then a signal is sent to the brain that you need some quick energy (again, that's sugar).
- Too much artificial sweetener: Artificial sweeteners make your brain crave more sugar, feeding a never-ending cycle.
+Enjoy treats sans cravings - mindbodygreen editor &
author of mbg's newsletter Functional Food,
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN That's it for the long game—we hope you're geared up for the week ahead of you. | | | | | | Want more from mindbodygreen? Find us here: | | | | | | | | |  | | Ailsa Cowell | | Health Editor | | | | | | Emma Engler, M.S. | | Expert Review | | | | | | Forwarded this email? CLICK HERE to subscribe for free! | | |  | | | Just a heads-up: Everything in this newsletter is for general info only—not medical advice. We always recommend checking in with a healthcare professional before making any health decisions. Our product picks and reviews reflect our editors' opinions unless we say otherwise. We sometimes link to other sites, but we're not responsible for their content.
*These statements haven't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. | | © 2024 mindbodygreen, All rights reserved.
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