• Letters To Haiti Provide A Different Kind Of Help March 10, 2010
    To show support for schoolchildren devastated by the earthquake, fifth-graders in Northridge, Calif., sent the kids letters that included poems, comic strips and stickers. The students in California and those in Haiti say they'd like to be pen pals for life. […]
  • Talks With Taliban To Decide Afghanistan's Future? March 10, 2010
    The emerging consensus in Afghanistan is that military action alone will not win the war against the Taliban and a political solution will be necessary. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has reached out to some Taliban leaders. But analysts say the Taliban and the U.S. are not ready for full-scale negotiations — yet. […]
  • 'Al-Qaeda 7' Controversy: Detainees And Politics March 10, 2010
    Justice Department attorneys who once helped represent terrorism detainees are at the center of a raging dispute. Conservatives say that the politically appointed lawyers are influencing U.S. policy to help their former clients. […]
  • Disaster Experts Praise Chile Quake Response March 10, 2010
    A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake capable of tremendous damage struck central Chile early Saturday, shaking the capital for a minute and a half and setting off a tsunami. […]
  • Expert: House, Senate Democrats Have Trust Deficit March 10, 2010
    The divide on Capitol Hill is commonly depicted as Democrats versus Republicans and for good reason — the greatest rift in Congress is indeed partisan. But there's also a cleft between members of the same party, Democrats specifically, with a split between House and Senate members. […]
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Archive for the ‘Weight Management’ Category

How To Reduce Your Waistline Without Sit-ups And Crunches

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Author: Gregg Hallwoman jogging1

Having a toned and trim waistline has always been a goal for most men and women of just about any age. At the health club you find all kinds of people signing up for classes designed for reducing their waist and promising to do it fast. The fact of the matter is that making changes to your body takes time and there is no quick fix but with a little patience you can begin to see results in a couple of weeks.

For the most part people want to reduce their waistline for cosmetic reasons but you should really be concerned about reducing it for health reasons. Many medical studies have demonstrated that a waist measurement of over forty inches for men and of over thirty five inches for women puts you at a highly increased risk for stroke and heart disease. This gives you a reason much more important than appearance to slim up.

The reduction of your waist should be done by employing diet and exercise at the same time. It doesn’t do you a whole lot of good if you go to the one hour abdominal aerobic class and then follow it up with a Big Mac and fries. If you want to be successful you need to include both a regular exercise regimen and a reduced caloric intake.

Contrary to all the late night infomercials and fad diet advertisements there is not a specific type of diet that you need to follow, just reduce calories and fats, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables along with adequate protein for your lean body mass and drink plenty of water. Keeping a journal or diary of everything you eat can help you stick to it and keep you from cheating. If you want a super slim waistline, avoid eating too much fiber as well which leads to bloating.

swimming (female)Next on the agenda is some good old fashioned cardio. Some aerobic exercises are better than others but any exercise is better than nothing! Some of the better fat burning exercises include swimming, interval training, speed walking, and low impact aerobics. Swimming is a great calorie burner and doesn’t put any stress on your joints. Speed walking is something that just about anyone of any fitness level can get into and increase the duration and intensity over time.

Interval training and low impact aerobics are easiest to employ if you have access to a gym. With interval training you will burn a significant amount of calories and aerobics are a super quick way to get in good cardiovascular shape and lose weight and inches all at the same time.

You don’t have to do sit-ups and thousands of crunches for a lean waistline; as a matter of fact these things will make your waist thicker. Try an abdominals class at your gym instead that focuses more on aerobics.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/how-to-reduce-your-waistline-without-situps-and-crunches-44012.html

About the AuthorGregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about dieting and weight loss at http://www.shop4betterhealth.com.

POLICY

This policy is valid from 12 November 2009.  This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me, C. Small.  For questions about this blog, please contact cvsmall.small@gmail.com. This blog does not accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions.  However, if you buy something from my blog I will get paid, not much but I’m small and need the money.  The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or post made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.  Even though I receive compensation for the advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those products.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.  This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

Weight Loss: Healthy Weight Maintenance Information

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Author:  Shane Craftonfoodpyramid

When purchasing any weight loss product, it is important to do your research.  Many people are exchanging their opinions about Weight Loss on DietBlogTalk.com.

For an additional source, check out Weight Loss on the very popular Sensational.com

Why It Is Important To Maintain A Healthy Weight

There is a simple way to keep you heart, mind and body overall in good health:  maintain a weight appropriate for your build, gender and age.  Though it may seem like a simple matter, a healthy weight can prevent heart disease, high blood sugar and cholesterol, certain kinds of cancer, and depression; this is not to mention the obvious improvement in overall appearance and self-image.  And despite what many people think about losing weight, it can be quite simple—a routine of healthy eating and daily exercise plus proper supplementation is often enough to take off and keep off extra weight.

What To Look For In A Diet

A diet that is designed around healthy and permanent weight loss will be based on nourishment rather than deprivation.  People who reach a healthy weight and maintain it usually do so by eating a well-rounded diet of fresh foods from each food group.  Such a diet serves two purposes for the dieter by keeping hunger at bay while also stimulating the metabolism to burn faster.  Diet guides, weight loss cookbooks, and structured meal plans can provide resistance bandsdieters with a way to stay focused on their goals.  Exercise, too, can become easier when certain resources are employed.  At-home exercise equipment is often a good way to exercise, as it is convenient for the dieter; workout DVDs and book-based programs provide a similar benefit.  As long as the dieter is keeping up her heart rate for at least 30 minutes at a time, she can assume it has been a productive workout that may lead to weight loss.  It is recommended that those losing weight stay active nearly every day in order to experience continuous benefits (fat being turned to energy, a faster metabolism, creation of lean muscle, etc).  You may also want to try one of the proven weight loss supplements now available.  When used in conjunction with diet and exercise they can offer some good assistance.  Look for one with ingredients that burn fat and help to control the appetite and cravings.

Where To Find Good Information

Any dieter seeking free information can find what they’re looking for online—there are many sites devoted to dieting, exercising and the products that make weight loss easier.  You can tell a reputable weight loss site based on its affirmation of eating well and staying fit as the keys to weight loss; another indication is its unbiased look at supplements and equipment.  A product site should feature comments from consumers or a user-run rating system. Message boards and forums that allow dieters to post can also be a great place to ask questions or find encouragement from others who are losing weight.

Conclusion

Thankfully, the increase in obese and overweight people has been met with the creation of new resources to help all people lose weight.  Maintaining an ideal weight yields so many benefits, from a great looking body to a healthy heart, that there is no reason to not start on the path to weight loss right away.  Let today be the day you gather weight loss resources (cookbooks, guides, meal plans), exercise supports (equipment, DVDs, books by the experts) and online information so you can begin burning fat, defeating your cravings and working your way to a better you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/weight-loss-articles/weight-loss-healthy-weight-maintenance-information-810700.html

About the Author:  Shane Crafton is a diet editor, whose team specializes in health, fitness and weight loss reporting.

Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program
NEW Set of 5 Resistance Bands Great for P90x, Insanity, and Any Home Workout Exercise Including Physical Therapy
P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program – 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner

Aerobics, Anaerobics, or Vacuuming; It’s all Good

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Author: C. Smallphysical_activity_diabetes_prev01

Are you a couch potato?  Do you prefer sitting on the sidelines watching others have fun?  Well, it’s time to get up and get active.  The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Surgeon General have all issued statements that recommend placing an emphasis on adopting physical activity into one’s lifestyle.  Their purpose is to make us aware of the health benefits associated with increased physical activity, as well as to highlight the amount and intensity of activity necessary to achieve optimal results.

Now before you look at increasing your physical activities, you should consult your physician to ensure a safe and healthy experience.  Next, you must  understand the term. Physical activity cannot be defined in just one or two words; it is a broad term that encompasses all forms of muscle movements.  These movements can range from sports to lifestyle activities (such as house cleaning, gardening, etc).  Also, exercise can be defined as physical activity that is a planned, structured movement of the body designed to enhance physical fitness. Regimented or purposeful exercise consists of a program that includes twenty to sixty minutes of activity at least three to five days a week.

resistance bandsLet’s take a look at the word exercise.  Are there different categories of exercises?  Actually there are.  Exercise may be classified in one of two categories or energy systems, anaerobic and aerobic, depending on where the energy is derived from.  There is a distinct difference between the two, and specific training techniques are used to enhance both.  Anaerobic exercise does not require oxygen for energy.  This is due to the intensity and duration of anaerobic events, which typically are high intensity and last only a few seconds to a minute or two.  Also, in anaerobic exercises the body creates the energy without oxygen.  This basically is due to the fact that the body’s demand for energy is greater so that it will find natural body chemicals such as creatine phosphate to create it.  These activities include weight lifting, machines that offer resistance, dumbbells, and short sprints.

Aerobic exercise on the other hand, does require oxygen for energy.  When performing a set of aerobic exercises you swimming (female)are causing the body to utilize oxygen in order to create energy.  The oxygen is needed to breakdown glucose.  Glucose is the fuel needed to create energy.  This energy system is primarily used during events lasting longer than several minutes, such as cycling/biking, running, swimming, cross-country skiing, playing basketball, jumping rope, roller skating, walking briskly and dancing.  In addition to these fun activities, you can get a great aerobic workout through stationary exercise machines such as cycles, treadmills, stair-steppers and rowing machines.  These can be found at a local gym or health club, where you can not only increase your fitness-level but social contacts as well.  Most of these machines can also be used in the privacy of your home.

(Note:  The potential does exist however, where one can use both the aerobic and anaerobic systems, as in soccer, where a match requires ninety minutes of continual activity with short intense bursts of effort.)

Participation in physical activity can be beneficial for anyone and can be started during any stage of life.  One goal of Healthy People 2010 is to increase the number of people who participate in daily physical activity.*  So whether you decide to do a regimented exercise program, house or yard work, walk a pet, or walk around town to complete errands, get up off the couch and get active!

(*Healthy People 2010 is a categorized listing of national health objectives established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)

About the author:  C. Small is the Founder/President/CEO of CVS Unlimited, LLC and a health and fitness enthusiast with more than 31 years of military training.  The Company’s desire is to help people achieve healthy lifestyles by combining good nutrition with the right exercises, and using the right equipment for lasting results.

P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program – 13 DVDs, Nutrition Guide, Exercise Planner
Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program

Beware of the Late Night Snack Attack

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Author: Steven Strattonalg_man_fridge_night

I am not sure why, but for some reason many people including myself struggle with a sweet tooth at night, it is almost like a comfort snack before bed. Unfortunately, nighttime snacks can quickly sabotage your diet. Though you can eat late at night, under a controlled manner, nighttime snacking often brings unwanted, additional calories into your body. The danger from nighttime snacks comes from overeating and most the time we are overeating junk food. We then bring all that junk food into our body’s resting state when we sleep. Since you are sleeping or resting you are not burning those additional calories and they are quickly stored as fat. Eating balanced, sensible meals throughout the day, and at regular intervals will help prevent nighttime snacking. A mistake, commonly made with dieters, is to skip meals such as breakfast and lunch, which actually slows down your metabolism. The result is often binging on late night snacks. Often more calories are consumed during these binging sessions than would otherwise be consumed throughout the day.

Controlling food cravings is not only important to your diet, but it will help your overall, long term health. By preventing food cravings, you are keeping your blood sugar in balance. For those who have been diagnosed with Diabetes preventing these spikes in blood sugar are essential and necessary. Eating more complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables will keep blood sugar levels balanced and help prevent food cravings. Simple carbohydrates, which are found in white breads, doughnuts, and pasta all, are bad for packing on weight. Complex carbs are healthier for your body and are more unlikely to hold onto fat.

It can be very difficult to control nighttime snacking, and for those who are struggling with their weight, getting control in this area is vital. If you are going to snack at night, look for low calorie alternatives that will fill you up, without packing on extra pounds. Preparing for nighttime snacks is the best preventive strategy you can take to avoid any problems. In the first few weeks of a new exercise and fitness program you might find that going to bed earlier, or engaging in activities that keep your hands busy are good strategies that will help you avoid snacking.

Mindless late night snacking while watching television is a sure fire way to ruin your sensible eating plan and put on extra pounds. If you enjoy watching television at night, get some low calorie alternatives that you can eat without feeling guilty, like nuts, sunflower seeds, or air popped popcorn. Since there is a wide variety of eating plans, make sure to choose a low cal snack that adheres to the guidelines of your diet. Some healthy snacks could include whole wheat crackers, cheese cubes, fruit, vegetables, popcorn with a low calorie topping, rice cakes, a glass of milk, a cup of herbal decaffeinated tea, low fat yogurt, and cottage cheese. Make certain that you determine the amount of calories that you need and allot some for healthy nighttime snacks.

Getting Back in Shape: 32 Workout Programs for Lifelong Fitness

The Insanity Workout With Shaun T

Monday, January 18th, 2010

Author: Steven Strattonextreme workout

Shaun T’s new workout has been highly anticipated for quite some time now, and it has finally arrived! Insanity with Shaun T will definitely be the workout that will change people’s lives. The Insanity workout will help you conquer the battle in your mind, so you can maximize your results and push your body to reach fitness levels you never thought possible for yourself.

Who is Shaun T?

So why should you care about Shaun T’s Insanity Workout? The answer to that is, because Shaun T knows what he is doing. He started off getting his BS in Sports Science and a minor in Theater/Dance at Rowan University. Since then he has made quite a name for himself in Hollywood, being on several television shows and movies. He has worked with Mariah Carey, Aaron and Nick Carter, and Elephant Man. He has worked for companies like Nike, Boost athletic shoes, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Shaun T has been widely known for his choreographing and dance moves. It was his dancing that helped him make his first workout programs, Hip Hop Abs and Rockin Body, which focused on dancing for a cardiovascular workout. Hip Hop Abs quickly became one of the most successful in-home workout programs out there.

What is up with the Insanity Workout?

Even though Hip Hop Abs and Rockin Body were incredible workouts, the Insanity workout is focused on a life changing experience. Insanity is more structured and is a 60-day workout plan. Shaun T’s Insanity has been built for achieving strength, stamina and cardio success. If you really want to find out how much you can push yourself, the Insanity workout will help you dig deeper than you ever have before.

The great part about this Insanity workout is that it works! The whole philosophy behind Insanity with Shaun T is called, MAX Interval Training. Olympians and professional athletes around all sports, use Max Interval training to help get their bodies into shape. After 60 days, the results you will experience will be mind blowing, and you will be in the best shape of your life. Max Interval training will make you do long burst of cardio training and short spans of rest, instead of traditional interval training, which has you perform short burst of energy and longer periods of rest.

What Comes With The Insanity Workout?

The Insanity workout makes sure that you are taken care of. It comes with 13 DVD’s that are systematically planned out for you to achieve maximum results. Insanity also comes with a fitness guide and diary so you can track your progress, a nutrition guide so you can plan your meals and make sure you have the energy you need to perform the workouts, and a workout calendar, so can easily track where you are in the program. It is important to read through everything before you begin, so you can make a game plan. Insanity with Shaun T is not for everyone; it is an “EXTREME” workout program, which will kick you butt. So make sure you consult your doctor before deciding to do this workout.

Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program

How Cycling Can Improve Fitness

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Author: John Philipcycling x 2

With so many different machines out there in the gyms across the country, many people tend to forget about the easiest, cheapest, and the best way to get into shape. A cycle exercise, such as riding your bike, is a great fitness routine to get into. Health should be the number one priority for people because there is nothing more important. The healthier you are the more you will get out of life in the end.

One of the most obvious benefits to cycle exercising is that of getting out into the world and enjoying the scenery while getting all of that fresh air. Breathing that clean air is another thing that is excellent for your health. Instead of staring at the same four walls at the gym and smelling all of that stale sweat, you could be watching the blue skies and getting all of the fresh air you could ever want.

Another reason why this type of exercising is so beneficial is because it is low impact. Those who have a little trouble with their joints will enjoy this exercise, as the motion of the exercise of cycling does not stress the joints too much. You will be able to exercise for a much longer period of time this way. Those trying to get their joints back to tip top health after joint surgery find cycle exercises to be a great rehabilitation path.

There are also many cardiovascular benefits that come with cycle exercising. By increasing your fitness level, you will lower your risk of arteriosclerosis and heart attacks. Also, this sort of fitness routine will help you drop those unwanted pounds you have wanted to shed for some time now. And since those who are in need of dropping a few pounds may not be used to working out, cycle exercise is wonderful because it provides a slow warm up. You can easily start slow and then gradually increase your speed and resistance as time moves on.

Variety is the spice of exercise. It is very easy to end up bored and tired of the same old exercise routine day after day. No matter how important fitness is to your health, you can easily lose interest in the entire thing should you become bored. With cycle exercising you can switch your scenery whenever you like which means you never have to be bored with your exercise routine again. The more interesting you can make your workout the more you will enjoy the overall experience and the more you will stick with it.

So if you have not already gave cycle exercising a try for yourself then there is no better time than now. When it comes to your health, it is important to take action and stick with it. Even though it may be hard to get into a routine in the beginning, just hang in there. It will eventually become second nature and you will actually feel out of sorts if you miss a day of cycle exercise.

The Portion Control Diet

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Author: Chrisanne SternalEnglish-Portion-Control-Plate-Webstore-size

Weight loss and dieting is a major struggle for millions of people. Being even slightly overweight can lead to some avoidable medical issues including joint pain. Many people suffer from secondary  Osteoarthritis  and harsh joint pain brought on by obesity.

Dieting and avoiding the foods you like can be very difficult, even if you are highly motivated. Therefore one method that has proved successful is portion control. Eating the same food you would normally just eating a little less of it. Instead of your normal portion try serving yourself a little less. Start out with about 3/4 of your normal serving and try to work to 1/2 within a few weeks.

If you are still cooking the same amount, make sure to put some away in a sealed plastic container to avoid coming back for seconds. If you’re eating out this may seem a little harder, because you’re not the one putting the food on the plate. And I know what you’re thinking, “if it’s there I will eat it”. Well, here’s how to combat that. When ordering at restaurant that has very large portions ask for a “to go” container when you place the order. This way you can move part or half of the portion to the “to go” container so it’s off your plate and out of site. As a bonus you just got two meals for the price of one.

With a smaller portion you may still feel a little hungry after you eat but wait 30 minutes before going back for more. Often it takes that long for the stomach to signal the brain that you have had enough and feel full.

Many fast eaters will often continue eating way more than they need, but because their eating so fast the body doesn’t have time to tell them to stop. By the time the body does send that signal they have completely stuffed themselves and feel bloated and ill.

So control your portions and give your body time to register what you ate. It will lead to a feeling of satisfaction after you’ve eaten and a healthier you.

To read more stories like this visit the  Flexcin Blog  for health advice, exercise tips, healthy recipes, stories from customers and even Flexcin special offers.

Nutrition Vs. Diet: are You Getting the Nutrients Your Body Needs?

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Author: Healing Headquarters LLC

Today we hear the word diet much more than we hear the word nutrition. There are so many diets on the market that it’s easy to get lost in the fad and forget what nutrition truly is. There is the Atkins Diet, the Zone Diet, Weight Watchers and many others, from Slim Fast to the various one-food diets, such as the cabbage soup diet or the grapefruit diet. Society has become fixated on the ‘diet’, instead of quality nutrition. Unfortunately, this fixation isn’t working. America is the fattest nation in the world, with high rates of diabetes, heart disease and other life threatening illnesses. While diets are becoming more popular, nutrition is suffering.

What is a diet?

While many people think a diet is a set of rules you follow to try to lose weight, your diet is actually the food that you eat to supply your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. While an average American diet consists of large quantities of processed sugar, white flour, meat and fast foods, a healthy diet is one that supplies the body with vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and enzymes. These nutritional building blocks affect your energy levels, your quality of life, and have a direct affect on your mood, memory, eyesight, body functions and lifespan. Without a healthy diet that supplies the body with much needed nutrients, you are more susceptible to colds, infections, and illnesses. Your diet, in other words your nutrition, is what sustains your life.

Nutritional Labels reading_nutrition_label

There is much confusion surrounding nutritional labels. Most people look strictly toward the top for calories, fat grams and serving size information. The truth is that nutritional labels offer a look at the nutrients in one’s food, such as vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and folic acid. This information, although lower down on the nutritional label, is very important information if you are seeking to supply your body with nutrients, as opposed to empty calories.

The most important aspect of a nutritional label, although almost completely overlooked, is the actual ingredients within your food. While it may be easier to check to see how many calories and fat grams a certain food product has in each serving, when it comes to healthy nutrition the most important ingredient is what you are actually ingesting. It may have only 220 calories, but where are those calories coming from? Are you ingesting mostly corn syrup and sodium phosphate, or high amounts of preservatives, such as sorbic acid and sulfur dioxide? The ingredients in your food are the tell-tale clues to how much nutrition you are actually taking in. If your food is strictly cheese and flour, as opposed to nutrient providing vegetables and vitamins, it doesn’t really matter if the calories are low.

A Nutritional Diet

Nutrition comes from vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Food sources that are rich with nutrients are whole, living foods that are supplied from the earth. Dark leafy greens offer more calcium than milk, while beans and grains offer high amounts of iron. It is easy to turn your focus from diet to nutrition. And when you do, you might find yourself eating a diet that is rich in nutrients and optimal for losing weight.

Basics of Bodybuilding Nutrition

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Author: Jim Atilsonsports nutrition

Some subjects are too confusing and harder to understand, such as; Math, Chemistry, Biology, and in the case of bodybuilding, Nutrition. There is more to bodybuilding and building muscle than just lifting weights. A very important part of the process of gaining muscle, along with sufficient rest, is Bodybuilding Nutrition. Fortunately, to achieve your fitness and weight lifting goals, you do not need a degree in Nutrition. Instead, all you need is to have an open mind and willingness to learn as much as you can about it. Now, lets go ahead get started with the basics of bodybuilding nutrition.

Most people use the terms Nutrition and Supplements interchangeably. They assume that by using over-the-counter supplements their nutritional needs will be taken care of. Nothing is farther from the truth. There is a big difference between bodybuilding nutrition and supplements. In addition, supplements should be used very sparingly, if not at all. However the topic of supplement use is a totally different one all together.

You may be wondering, if we are not going to talk about supplements, then, what this article is all about? Well, for those who are not familiar with what bodybuilding nutrition is all about, it consists of four basic components; Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats and Water. Now, let’s go ahead and examine each of the components briefly.

Proteins:

Proteins and Amino Acids go hand in hand. Protein is made up of amino acids and amino acids are the building blocks of muscles. And they constantly build, repair and maintain your muscle tissues. So, in order to achieve your bodybuilding and fitness goals, you should be consuming sufficient amounts of protein a day, which is usually about 1-1.5 gram(s) of protein per pound of your body weight. You may be wondering, what kind of sources should I get my protein from? Well, you have a variety of sources to choose your proteins from like; beef, fish, poultry, eggs, turkey, tuna and soy protein.

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of energy and they also provide your brain with the energy it needs in the form of glucose. There are two types of carbohydrates; simple and complex. Simple carbs are digested fast and most likely to be stored as fat. Whereas, complex carbs are digested over a period of time and contain a higher concentration of dietary fibers.

Carbohydrates play a vital role in developing muscle mass. There are simple guidelines you should adhere by with carbs;

1)Choose complex carbs over simple carbs; Complex carbs come from such sources as;potato, brown rice, oatmeal,etc. Complex carbs have a tendency to keep your blood sugar levels in check and since they burn slowly, they can act as a longer lasting energy source, especially for your workouts.

2)Since your body uses carbohydrates for energy, then, it is only logical to consume some carbs before and after your workouts. A norm is usually an hour before and no later than 1/2 hour after your workouts.

3)Did you know that even though fruits are a healthy choice, they are made up from simple sugar(carbs). If you did not know, simple sugar turn into fructose, then, stored in the body in the form of fat. So, for the purposes of building muscle, keep fruit consumption to a minimum.

4)Do not consume carbohydrates by themselves, always have carbs with proteins. By doing so, will help you minimize the chance of carbs being stored as fat.

Fats:

All your cells have some fat in them. Just like your body needs carbohydrates and proteins, it also needs healthy fats to function on a daily basis. Aside from carbohydrates, your body utilizes fats as an energy source as well. And on a more scarier note, the excess fat which is not burned by your body will be stored as body fat.

There are 3 types of fats;

1)Saturated fats; which are often associated with heart disease and high cholesterol levels.

2)Polyunsaturated fats; are fats that are found mostly in vegetable oils.  3)Monounsaturated fats; which have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.

Among some of the benefits of healthy fats are a young looking skin and hair and healthier joints. Remember your daily intake of healthy fats should not exceed 20% of your calorie intake.

Water:

It is widely known that our bodies are made up of 70% of water, and without it we simply cannot survive. Having said that, you do not want to start consuming excess water as well. A simple way of figuring out your daily water need is by multiplying your body weight by 0.66. The end result, then, would be the amount you need in ounces on a daily basis.

In conclusion, here are 5 basic nutritional guidelines to follow which may be helpful in achieving your bodybuilding goals.

1)Stay away from unhealthy fats and simple carbohydrates.

2)Throughout the day eat smaller portions of food and eat frequently(4-5 times).

3)It is OK to use protein shakes, especially after workouts and sometimes in between meals when you can not consume “hard food.”

4)Drink plenty of water

5)Get enough rest and sleep.

There is no question that nutrition as a whole plays a very important part in building muscle and losing weight. And due to its “complexity” it is also one of the subjects that most people are shying away from, but, what they seem to be forgetting is that without proper nutrition all of their hard earned gains will ultimately come to a halt. In my opinion, the only remedy to this “problem” is through research and willingness to learn. Ask questions and exchange information about the basics of bodybuilding nutrition with your peers. In the end, there is no reason that you should not be improving, let alone regressing.

Rebounding To Better Health

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Author: Tk Healeyrebounding

Ever heard of rebounding? Rebounding is a fun way to get great exercise using small controlled movements on a mini trampoline. By using a small trampoline and following a rebounding video, people of all ages can exercise on a rebounder. Rebounding is safe because your feet barely leave the surface and a stabilizing bar can be added which will help if you feel unsteady.

There are different types of rebounders on the market and some even fold for easy storage. Because of the size of these mini trampolines they can be used in your home or even easily transported to your office. Rebounding has been taking up in some of your most popular commercial gyms.

There are a vast selection of videos to keep your rebounding workout exciting and new. There are special routines for people of all ages to make it more enjoyable. Some examples of rebounding workouts include first timers, basic, seniors, sports specific, dance, ballet, hip hop, Latin, core, yoga, abdominal, stretch and many other routines.  You will never get bored with so many videos to choose from.

What makes REBOUNDING effective?

Rebounding provides many benefits to your body. It has been known to improve your circulation reduces stress, increase muscle tone, improve co-ordination and balance, increases energy. There is no strain on your joints. It simultaneously works all the major muscle groups, provides a calorie burning, cardiovascular, strength conditioning workout, incorporates simple, martial arts based movements in a coordinated way and builds stamina, strength and balance. If you do the techniques of rebounding regularly you will get results and have fun doing it.

REBOUNDING has been on national television shows such as The View with Barbara Walters, The Today Show and  has been featured in such magazines as Fitness, Ace Fitness Magazine, and  Fit. JB Berns has been on infomercials As Seen On TV promoting his urban rebounder.

Kids love it, adults and seniors love it too! Rebounding has become one of the most beneficial forms of exercise ever developed.

Bounce your way to feeling healthy. A fun workout that builds strength, cardiovascular capacity, and balance without jarring the body like other exercises.