Showing posts with label fat loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fat loss. Show all posts

Saturday, June 14, 2014

3 Nutrition Whoppers You've Been Told


1. Eggs / egg yolks are bad for you.

The demonization of eggs started because egg yolks are high in cholesterol. Because of that, some nutrition/ medical professionals assumed that eating eggs would raise cholesterol in the blood.

Well, you know what they say about assuming, right? Multiple studies involving hundreds of thousands of healthy participants found no correlation between egg consumption and the risk of heart disease.

Some mainstream nutritionists will tell you it’s O.K. to eat more eggs IF you stick to mostly to the whites but guess what? The yolks contain most of the nutrients!

Egg whites are mostly protein but the yolk is chock full of important nutrients, especially fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids. Egg yolks are an excellent source of carotenoids and are very high in choline, a brain nutrient that 90% of people are deficient in.

Eggs are so nutritious that they’re often referred to as “nature’s multivitamin”. In fact, they contain so many important nutrients that eating a few a day would offer better insurance than taking a multivitamin.

2. Going too long without eating slows down your metabolism.

If you find eating 5-6 times a day helps you control your appetite and/or weight, do it, but it’s a myth that it keeps your metabolism stoked. Fitness and nutrition pros who promote this way of eating as necessary to dropping excess fat do their clients a huge disservice. 


Some people don’t feel satiated on the smaller meals. They end up always feeling hungry or consuming more overall calories. For many others, it’s difficult to find time to prepare and/or eat 5-6 times a day.

Not only is eating that frequently unnecessary but research does not support the widespread notion that eating more often increases metabolism. In fact, a British study found no decrease in basal metabolism rate (BMR, i.e. the amount of calories it takes you keep you alive if you don’t move) even after 72 hours of fasting.

I’m certainly not advocating going without food for 3 days. That said, some people have found success with intermittent fasting. No, you won’t go into “starvation mode” (see above) but if you find yourself consuming more before or after your fast, I.F. is not a good option for you. Everyone is different. Do what works for YOU.

3. Eating fat makes you fat / is unhealthy.

All fats are not created equal. Reviews of research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the British Journal of Medicine shatter the myth that eating saturated fat causes heart disease or obesity. Contrary to popular misconception, most people who suffer heart attacks have normal overall cholesterol levels but do have Type 2 diabetes or are pre-diabetic.

The true dietary culprit behind our obesity problem and many health issues is too much sugar. People who cut back on fat, tend to eat more sugar and starch (which turns into sugar). And, manufacturers pile on the simple sugars and refined carbs in fat-free or reduced-fat foods to replace flavor that’s lost by removing fat.

Avoid trans fat (listed as “partially hydrogenated oils” or “vegetable shortening” ) but sources of good fats are avocados, wild salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, and trout, flax, macadamia nuts, extra virgin olive oil, tofu, walnuts, pecans, seeds (pumpkin, sesame, chia, hemp), cashews, almonds, and grass-fed meat.

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Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Simple Rules To Faster Fitness


If you’re like the average person who is interested in improving health, dropping fat, and getting stronger, following these guidelines will help you get the best results from your strength training workouts:   

Always begin a workout with a full warmup. A good dynamic warmup prepares the muscles for what’s to come and allows you to work harder and with less risk of injury. If you are short on time, cut back on your working sets, never on your warmup. 

Perform a total body workout 3 times a week with at least one day of rest in between. Unless you plan on competing as a bodybuilder, ditch the musclehead magazines and their body part routines. Muscles work in groups and trying to isolate them during a workout is a waste of time for most people. 

Spend more time using free weights and bodyweight exercises rather than sitting on machines. You’ll work more muscles, burn more calories, and you’ll do it more naturally and functionally.

Concentrate on compound exercises. Exercises like Squats, Rows, Lunges, Pushups, Deadlifts, Presses, Pulldowns, etc. work multiple muscles at the same time, are more functional, and burn more calories than isolation work.

Ignore the "low weight, high reps to tone" myth that’s still floating around out there. There are exceptions, of course, but for most exercises, you should challenge your muscles using a resistance you can only lift 6-10 times with good form.

Unless you are correcting a current imbalance, make sure your weight training program is balanced between opposing muscle groups. Don't ignore exercises you don't like or do extra sets just of those that you do like. Either scenario can cause muscle imbalances and lead to injury.

Ditch the long, steady state cardio and switch to hill sprints, cardio intervals, finishers, metabolic circuits, etc. (unless you’re training for a specific event - 5K, half marathon, long distance bike ride, etc.) They’re more efficient and effective.
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Monday, April 21, 2014

The Solution To Dropping Fat And Feeling And Looking Better

It seems like we've finally put the snow behind us and it's the time of year when many people start thinking about shedding some winter fat and getting in better shape for summer.

Are you one of those people?

Would you like to know EXACTLY what to do and EXACTLY how to do and to have access to experts to ask questions?

If so, you should check out Precision Nutrition at www.Precision Nutrition.com/YourSolution



Precision Nutrition is a comprehensive nutrition program without being overwhelming. IMO, too many of the systems out there are too strict and not adaptable to your lifestyle. Anyone can tell you to only consume x number of calories, never eat sugar, totally eliminate carbs, etc. That's not a sustainable lifestyle for most people. PN is different.


For a more complete explanation of the program and what you get, click the link here ==> www.Precision Nutrition.com/YourSolution but here's the Cliff Notes version of what's included:

* The Precision Nutrition system comes with 11 nutrition/mindset/meal/maintenance/individualization/support/measurement/etc. guides in the PN 4.0 System binder. (This is NOT a PDF; it's a physical product.)

* 1 year unlimited access to 24/7 online support from the PN Experts.

* Full membership to the Precision Nutrition Member Zone with access to the comprehensive PN member-only online Audio and Video Library


If this sounds like something that would be beneficial to you, don't wait to check it out. Right now you can get the PN system for just $49, almost half its normal $97.

Any ONE of the items above is worth more than $49! PLUS, you get to try it Risk-Free for 45 Days!


From Dr. John Berardi, creator of Precision Nutrition...
"Precision Nutrition will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know to get the body you want. I’m giving you 45 days to read the material, review the audio and video content, and use the Online Resource Library. Of course, feel free to browse the private site, ask questions, and talk to fellow members.

If after 45 days you feel that you still don’t know EXACTLY what to do, and EXACTLY how to do it, I’ll give you every cent back. It’s that simple."

If you're tired of wasting your time and energy on quick-fix diets that don't produce long-term results, check out the PN System at www.Precision Nutrition.com/YourSolution
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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

100 Calorie Comparisons

The person who came up with the 100 calorie pack idea is an evil genius. Manufacturers charge you more money for less product and people pay it.

I’m not sure who came up with the “a calorie is a calorie” theory in the first place but it makes no sense. Different foods affect your body in different ways. Some foods are loaded with nutrients, fill you up more, energize you, and are more easily digested. Many processed foods are loaded with unpronounceable chemicals, increase your cravings, make you feel sluggish, and overload your system with insulin.

The bottom line? What you eat, not just how many calories it contains, contributes to whether your body burns fat or stores fat.

Here are some far healthier 100 calorie choices:

· 1 medium banana, apple, pear, or peach

· 14 almonds

· 25 baby carrots

· 1 large hardboiled egg

· 1 1/4 cup of watermelon, cantaloupe, or pineapple



· 4 oz. turkey breast

· 25 dry roasted, unsalted pistachios

· 28 grapes

· 1/2 baked potato w/ salsa (leave the skin on to get lots of important nutrients)

· 2 oz. of lean roast beef or boiled ham

 
· 1/4 cup of raisins                                

· 17 medium stalks of celery

· 2 kiwis or 2 plums

· 10 large steamed shrimp

· 1/2 apple w/ 2 tsp. of natural peanut butter 



· 1 medium ear of corn

· 3/4 oz. sharp cheddar

· 1 cup of blueberries

· 3 oz. of tuna packed in water




· 1 1/2 cup of strawberries or raspberries

· 4 cups of raw broccoli

· 2 1⁄2 oz. baked or broiled salmon

· 2 cups of sugar snap peas

· 1 slice turkey + reduced fat Swiss cheese rollup

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Thursday, January 2, 2014

Free Fat Burning Workout Below!

The new year is fast approaching and I know there are going to be WAY too many people slogging away on treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes for hours...and then getting frustrated and giving up when their results suck.

Instead, try this kick butt workout from Craig Ballantyne, author of Turbulence Training 2.0


This workout is no joke, so please don't do this if you are a beginner (but don't worry, Craig has 6 weeks of Beginner Workouts in his Turbulence Training system, complete with follow-along videos).

Warm-up Circuit:
- Go through 2 times with no rest between exercises.
- Rest 20 seconds between circuits.
o Prisoner Squat - 20 seconds
o Pushup or Kneeling Pushup - 20 seconds
o Stability Ball Leg Curl - 20 seconds  (or Lying Hip Bridges)
o Band Pull - 20 seconds  (or Stick Ups)

Metabolic Resistance Training Circuit #1
1A) Dumbbell (DB) Goblet Step-Up - 30 seconds per side
- 15 seconds rest/transition.
1B) T-Pushup (alternating sides) - 30 seconds
- 15 seconds rest/transition.
1C) KB (Kettlebell) or DB Swing - 30 seconds
- Rest 30 seconds & repeat 1 more times for a total of 2 circuits.

Metabolic Resistance Training Circuit #2
2A) 1-Arm DB Squat & Press - 40 seconds per side
- 20 seconds rest/transition.
2B) DB Renegade Row (alternating) - 40 seconds
- 20 seconds rest/transition.
2C) Suspension Y's or DB Rear-Delt Raise - 40 seconds
- 20 seconds rest/transition.
2D) Suspension Curls or DB Curls with Palms-up - 40 seconds
- Rest 30 seconds & repeat 1 more time for a total of 2 circuits.

Metabolic Bodyweight Finisher
3A) Narrow-Stance Bodyweight Squat - 20 on, 10 off x 4 rounds
3B) Jumping Jacks - 20 on, 10 off x 2 rounds
3C) Narrow-Stance Bodyweight Squat - 20 on, 10 off x 4 rounds
3D) Jumping Jacks - 20 on, 10 off x 2 rounds

That workout will burn more fat and rev up your metabolism far better than the same 30 minutes spent on some piece of cardio equipment.

I used this workout with my boot campers last week and they loved the challenge. 

The above workout came straight from Craig's Turbulence Training  which is on sale from Tuesday, December 31st to Friday, January 3rd at midnight for a HUGE discount. It's an incredible and effective fitness program for fat loss - AND you can do all from the comfort of your home if you have some dumbbells and want to avoid the craziness of the gym in January.

Sorry for the late notice. The post was scheduled earlier (or so I thought) but did not appear.


Craig Ballantyne goes above and beyond to deliver an amazing program - and you can see its success from the Success Stories and TT Transformation Contest winners in his article at the link below.



Get your copy here ==> Turbulence Training - before the sale expires!

Here's everything that you'll get with Craig's incredible fat burning Turbulence Training System:

All the TT workouts come with follow-along workout videos? You can just watch the video for all the exercise demonstrations and even suggested exercise substitutions.

- The NEW and IMPROVED 10-year Anniversary Edition of Turbulence Training (complete training manual with exercise charts, photos, and descriptions)

- 24-weeks of follow-along, fat-burning workout videos with Craig and his Certified Turbulence Trainers doing every repetition of every exercise with you - all in just 30 minutes per session!

- Five brand NEW 4-Minute Miracle no-equipment bodyweight workouts that you can do anytime, anywhere for a TT fat burning boost

- The NEW and IMPROVED Turbulence Training Nutrition guide to deliver you the total fat loss package you need to transform your body

- This is the complete Fat Burning Transformation package that you need to kick-off the New Year with fast fat loss - and it's guaranteed.

Get your copy here Turbulence Training - sale ends soon.
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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

It Pays NOT To Wait

Are you…

...full of energy? 

...maintaining a healthy body weight?

...confident and self assured?

...in good health?

 

Or are you…

...frustrated by clothes that don’t fit?

...hesitant to participate in activities for fear you can’t keep up or won’t fit in seats?

...artificially fueled with mega doses of caffeine?

...too unhealthy or overweight to be active with your kids or grandkids, go for a nice walk, or enjoy favorite hobbies or retirement?


Please don't be one of those people who say you're going to wait until the new year to start or restart an exercise program. 


Why would you do that? Do you think doing so gives you a pass to be a slug and eat horribly for 2 months? How does it makes sense to wait so you can get yourself in even worse shape before you start?


You'll just end up with an even bigger challenge, get frustrated and discouraged, and give up. Again.

Get moving. There are plenty of options out there. Just make sure to choose something that fits your personality and lifestyle. In other words, don't buy P90X if you have a full time job and 5 kids at home. You most likely will not be able to commit to 60-90 minutes of exercise 6-7 days a week.
If you know you'll never work out on your own, join a group exercise program. Need more accountability and structure? Hire a personal trainer. A good one will be able to give you a great workout in 30 minutes, if time is an issue. (Of course, be prepared to work.)

So, don't wait until January to drop fat, improve your health and lower your disease risk. There are still over 7 weeks until New Year's Eve. Begin now and be the one getting all the compliments at holiday parties.In addition, exercising through the season will reduce stress and increase your energy. Starting now will give you a head start on your health and fat loss goals. And, in January, when others are just beginning, you will already be enjoying the results of your program. 

To encourage you not to delay improving your health any longer, here are 2 ways to save $30. Just mention this blog post when you call.
  • Ladies, join Body & Soul Fitness Studio and save $30 on your enrollment. And you'll still get a personalized workout program and 2 one-on-one personal training sessions to review it!
  • Save $30 when you sign up for 12 workouts in 4 weeks at No Pink Dumbbells Boot Camp. Don't be scared guys, the women of NPD are very welcoming.
Offers good through November 30, 2013.

Not sure what's best for you? Call me today at (717) 509-7777 to discuss the options and to find out how the right fitness program can change your life.


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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Are You Challenging Yourself Enough?

When was the last time you increased you weight /resistance at the gym? To continue to improve (get stronger / burn more fat / etc.) you must challenge your body with heavier weights and/or new exercises. Our bodies adapt. Doing the same exercises, at the same weight / resistance, for the same number of reps will not result in significant changes to your body.

But remember, it's not about the actual weight. A 5 pound dumbbell may be challenging on some exercises for some people (at least at first) but way too light for someone else or for you after a few workouts.



Monday, July 22, 2013

Don't Drink Your Calories

One of the first things I tell people who are trying to drop excess fat is to ditch the liquid calories. Here's an excellent reminder article from Alicia & Carrie, The Boot Camp Girls.


Don’t Drink Your Calories

You’d be amazed at how easily calories can pile up in liquid form. There are many “hidden” calories in your favorite beverages, including those that you may think of as healthful.

A tall glass of orange juice has around 200 calories. This may not seem like a lot, but when you convert this to a small boiled potato and several chicken strips, it suddenly seems like just too much, since the solid meal just-mentioned has the same calorie total – and is apt to be far more satisfying. This doesn’t mean give up juice, but if you’re calorie conscious, settle for a small glass.

Do you know the local Starbucks barista by name? If so, this is a warning sign you may be getting tons of calories from your favorite Starbucks concoctions. For example, a Venti Peppermint Mocha with whipped cream and 2 percent milk has 480 calories. You don’t even want to know how much fat’s in it.

Omit the whipped cream and use skim milk, it’s 360 calories. Do you realize how much solid food you can eat for 360 calories? How do two pieces of toast and two eggs sound?

Smoothies
Beware of smoothies prepared at smoothie stands. A lot of calories get dumped in in the form of juice, sherbet and even ice cream. You can make a much lower calorie smoothie at home by blending some berries, yogurt, and crushed ice with a scoop of vanilla protein powder.

Soda
Why not just eliminate soda altogether? One can contains 150 calories of useless drink. Diet soda is not a smart alternative since it contains an artificial sweetener which can trigger hunger.

Coffee and Tea
Cut calories by using Stevia instead of sugar. Stevia has zero calories and is a natural herb with a good safety record.

Alcohol
Many people don’t realize how the calories in alcohol can quickly add up. Just 1 ounce of the following contain around 65 calories: rum, vodka, whiskey, gin and brandy.

Four ounces of sweet wine are 105 calories; 4 ounces of sherry and port are 75 and 90, respectively; a 3.5 ounce martini is 140; a 4 ounce margarita cocktail is about 170. Need you read more to be rudely awakened? You can see how “a small drink here and there” can strongly factor into your daily caloric intake.

Chocolate Milk and Hot Chocolate
One tablespoon of some chocolate powders is an unforgiving 50 calories. This may not seem like a lot, but for anybody who loves chocolate drinks, one tablespoon to 8 ounces of milk is a slap in the face.

For most chocolate lovers (if not all), even three tablespoons don’t quite cut it. This isn’t heaping tablespoons, either, assuming that if it were, the nutrition label would state “heaping.”

Four tablespoons of powder plus 8 ounces of skim milk mean almost 400 calories – all for a beverage that’s gone within moments if it’s cold.

Beware of chocolate syrups; they’re just as loaded with calories. A tall glass (two cups) of chocolate milk with whole milk can pack in 500 calories if you use only four tablespoons of the better tasting powders or syrups, and if you like a richer chocolate flavor, you’ll need to add six tablespoons total (at least) to satisfy your chocoholic requirements: That’s a 600 calorie glass of liquid.

Calories are just as formidable a force in liquids as they are in solids. To get a firm grip on just how many of your calories are coming from beverages and how to cut back on these calories without feeling deprived, call us today.

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Monday, July 15, 2013

Cardio Is Not The Answer

What are your exercise goals? Are you looking to get fit, drop fat, get stronger, improve your health? If so, lots of cardio is not the way to reach any of those goals.

Unfortunately, way too many people still think that cardio is the be-all, end-all, all purpose exercise. It's not. If you want to participate in a 5K or a marathon or something in between, of course you need to walk or run to train for it but if your goal is fat loss or general fitness or improved  health, you need a good dose of strength training.

Strength training will make you look better, feel better, and function better.

When done correctly, it will make you stronger, help reduce the fat that covers your muscles to get that toned look most people want. (Of course, if you're going for the skinny-fat look, just keep focusing on cardio-cardio-cardio.)
 


If you're not already lifting weights, I highly encourage you to do so. Use challenging weights, not baby weights that you can performs tons of reps with.


Find someone who truly knows what they doing and have them design a  program for you. It doesn't matter if you want to join a gym or work out at home with no equipment; a good trainer will be able to create an effective  program for you regardless.

If you do join a gym, don't spend a lot of time on the resistance machines. Focus on free weight exercises where you are supporting your own bodyweight. Perform compound movements, learn about progressive resistance, and keep your reps on the lower end.

Challenge yourself and you'll be surprised how quickly you start to see a difference. 


That said, don't go crazy. Being on the verge of throwing up, constantly gasping for breath, and/or collapsing at the end of a training session does not constitute a good workout and will not get you better results. You can feel that way and still not be doing the right things to significantly change your body.

Train smarter.


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Saturday, June 29, 2013

A Different Kind Of Fitness Challenge

I recently received the email below from fitness pro, Mike Whitfield. It's an important message and I asked him for permission to post it here for you.


I truly believe sometimes we all train for the wrong reasons (including me!).

Think about it... what's the #1 reason people train?...

... to lose fat.

That's fine, but what happens after that? I've seen this happen in my gym over and over.

You'll lose 10 pounds, 15 pounds even 50 pounds or more. Then the goal was reached.

But then what is there to go for? Lose more fat? Then after that even more fat?

You certainly don't want to work out day after day just to lose fat... for the rest of your life, do you?

Not only is this mentally draining, but it's not healthy either. One quote I recently shared on my facebook page...

"When you train for health and not for vanity, you have more fun and you won't obsess about the way you look. The fat loss then becomes a by-product."

This opened the eyes of many of my readers and quite honestly, I needed to hear it myself.

Look, maybe you know this or maybe you don't... but I'm far from perfect. I don't have 8-pack abs. My skin from being over 300 pounds won't allow that.

But I don't let that get to me. There are more important things in life than some loose skin.

I train to be healthy and live a more vibrant life. I also want to be there for my kids as they age and get involved in sports. 

I want to throw the ball back and forth without getting winded. I want to chase them all over the house and let the laughs fill the house.

But I also want to get stronger... and you should, too.

So, my challenge to you is this. For just ONE week, I challenge you to do your workout plan to simply become a better version of yourself.

At EVERY workout, choose one to two exercises that you'll progress on. Whether it's increasing the weight or increasing the reps on a bodyweight exercise... progress on SOMETHING.

Then celebrate. Don't worry about what the scale says or how your clothes fit. Just focus on simply getting better.

When you change your mindset and really focus on doing this ONE thing, you'll quickly discover that perhaps a plateau you've been facing has been broken...

... and you're having fun with your workouts instead of being frustrated about your body image progress.

That's it. The challenge sounds quite simple, but don't underestimate the power of this approach.

Accept the challenge with this weekends' workouts, or at least at the start of next week...

Mikey, CTT


If you're looking for something different to spice up your workouts, Click Here to check out Mike's Metabolic Workout Finishers.

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