There are a number of things to consider which will help make your weight loss program easier and quicker including; the time of day you eat, how often, what you eat and of course the physical activity and intensity you chose in your workouts.

To keep things simple it’s easier to remember that one pound lost per week is the equivalent to about 3,500 calories which breaks down to losing 500 calories a day, every day whether through dieting, exercise or both. Too many people are consuming large amounts of unhealthy food because they enjoy eating but there is no need to force-feed yourself just because you enjoy certain foods. It doesn’t have to mean you can never have your favorites, just be reasonable about how much and how often you allow yourself to indulge in them. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s fairly well known and accepted that exercise has tremendous benefits for the human body, but researchers are learning it has great benefits in the treatment of depression as well.

A study in 1990 analyzed and summarized 80 studies of depression and the effect exercise has on relieving it. The results showed that exercise worked to alleviate depression almost immediately and the results were long lasting. An interesting note is that those people who were the unhealthiest, both physically and psychologically, were the ones who enjoyed the greatest benefit from exercising. Read the rest of this entry »

Did you know that Americans spend over 33 BILLION dollars a year on weight reduction products? This includes diet foods, drinks and pills. Any way you look at it, that’s a ton of money being spent on trying to get thin.

Diet pills can have their place in the quest for a slimmer body. It’s important to note that diet pills should be considered an adjunct to your overall weight loss program. A diet pill is not a magic solution that you take once or twice a day that allows you to eat anything you want.

Two key components will help you if you choose diet pills to help your weight loss efforts. Read the rest of this entry »

Gaining muscle is not tricky, but the process is often misunderstood.   Exercise experts consistently name certain habits as the top three ways to gain muscle.   If you want to gain muscle keep these three in mind: 1. Rest and recovery, 2. Exercise intensity, 3. Proper nutrition.

Rest and Recovery

Many people attempt to put on muscle by starting a weight lifting program full-steam ahead; they think the more often they lift and the more weight they heft, the quicker they will see results.  Experts caution that this is counterproductive, since it goes against the principle of muscle building. Read the rest of this entry »

Ali Vincent is a household name, but that wasn’t always the case. She’s a 32-year old hairdresser, and the winner of the Biggest Loser, Season 5. Ali started the contest at 234 lbs. She was voted off the show in week four, but was brought back to finish the competition. Her final weight was recorded at 122 lbs. She lost a total of 112 lbs, accounting for almost 48% of her body weight.

After Ali was voted off, she continued to work out at home. During that time she lost 33 pounds on her own. For the final six weeks of the contest, Ali followed a strict regimen, consisting of running, swimming, hiking and biking. She worked out with her trainer for 8-10 hours per day. Her goal was to be the first female Biggest Loser winner, and she succeeded. Read the rest of this entry »

Gerard Butler isn’t a warrior, but he had to learn how to become one for the movie 300. Preparation for his role as King Leonidas took four months of intense training. When he was awarded the role, he was in average physical shape. This role was so intense that he had to “become” Leonidas, both physically and mentally.  

Butler hired Mark Twight, a top mountain climber, to get him in warrior shape. Twight created the “300-rep Spartan Workout”.  

Without rest between sets, Butler performs the following:  Read the rest of this entry »

Cellulite for some people, is like an unwanted visitor that won’t go away. No matter how much you starve yourself or exercise, it seems the dimply areas in your thighs and buttocks are there to stay. Losing it may be difficult because you subscribe to the tall tales attributed to cellulite. Here are some of them.

Only overweight people can get cellulite.

This is very untrue. To understand why, you need to identify the nature of cellulite. It is not normal fat, but a mixture of fat, water and toxic substances that should have been expelled from your body. Instead, it forms into a fatty tissue that gets trapped in spaces between your septa - or connective tissues. Because of this, cellulite is harder to remove. Some women have a genetic predisposition to be more susceptible to cellulite, so even if you’re fit and slender, you might still end up with cellulite.

Cellulite is only found on your buttocks and thighs.

Read the rest of this entry »

A healthy diet improves overall health, but can foods really fight disease?  Researchers say the answer is a resounding yes!  Among your many healthy choices, include these five foods that fight disease: pomegranates, garlic, olive oil, fish containing omega 3 fatty acids, and nuts.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are rich in disease-fighting anti-oxidants. This unusual red fruit with the “seedy” reputation may fight cancer, osteoarthritis, and heart disease.  Puns aside, the pomegranate has been renowned as a healthy food since ancient times, but some are put off by its many seeds. Read the rest of this entry »

Most of us know the importance of good workout equipment (efficient stationary bike, easy to handle weights, etc), but how many of us consider the importance of what we wear while working out? Shoes are the most important part of your exercise attire. During a cardiovascular workout your feet will be taking most of pounding so it is vital that they are properly protected.

Know Your Foot Type

When buying athletic shoes you must consider your foot type, as well as the type of exercise you will be doing. There are three basic foot types: the normal foot with an average arch, the flat foot with a low arch, and the foot with a high arch. Each of these types needs a different amount of support. Read the rest of this entry »