Fat Kills You

The heated debate, within diet circles, that began a few years ago and continues today is over the effectiveness of the high-protein, low-carbohydrate, type diet versus its counterpart, the high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet.

To the delight of the Atkins diet enthusiasts, recent studies have suggested that a diet high in protein and low in fat has a greater effect on diet induced thermogenesis (calorie burning) than a high carbohydrate low fat diet.

Before we go further we need to familiarize you with a few terms we will be discussing in this article. Your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) is the total energy your body burns in a day. TDEE consists of 3 components: diet induced thermogenesis (DIT), basal metabolism, and physical activity.

DIT is the increase in the body’s temperature that is caused by the digestion and absorption of a meal. This rise in temperature results in calorie burning. Yes, we actually burn calories simply by eating and scientists have long believed that DIT may be a factor, in reducing obesity; and that obese people may have defective DITs - although this hasn’t been proven yet. Once scientists identify the link between DIT and obesity on a molecular level, it could essentially pave the way for the development of drugs in the treatment of obesity. That’s still however, in the future.

Would you like to know how to get more out of every single dumbell curl you do? Amazingly enough, you can do this simply by changing where you grip the dumbell.

First, I’m going to tell you what the trick is, then I’m going to tell you exactly how and why it works. Then I’m going to finish by telling you how to make the trick so powerful it’ll blow your mind!

In a nutshell, instead of gripping the handle in the middle (as is normally taught), grip the handle with the thumb and forefinger side of your hand pressed up against the inside of the dumbell plates. There will be a space of several inches between your pinky and the other side plates.

To take full advantage of this change in your grip, start the curl with your palms facing in to your thighs, otherwise known as a neutral or hammer grip. As you curl up, rotate your forearm so that your palm is facing up at the top of the movement. You should feel a strong cramping in your biceps.

For pictures demonstrating exactly how to execute this technique go to: http://www.fitstep.com/Misc/Newsletter-archives/issue7-bicep-tip.htm

Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of diverse, yet related sub-systems, coordinated and operated by a three pound mass of wrinkled gray matter known as your brain. Yes, our bodies are a true miracle, a wonder to behold. Every minute chemical change in one body system can adversely effect or benefit any or every other system. A small electro-chemical imbalance in our brain, our control system, can mean a near shutdown of our entire body. Precision balance is the standard mode of operation.

Why such a technical description of the human body? Simple; just like a finely tuned piece of electro-mechanical machinery, our bodies are sensitive to changes in inputs and outputs. The analogy is strikingly accurate. Our work quality and quantity output is in direct proportion to our food, drink, medicinal, sleep and other inputs.

The old computer adage of "garbage in, garbage out" is quite literally interpreted when it comes to our human body. If you load your incredible machine with simple carbohydrates and saturated fats, you will find it somewhat difficult just staying awake long enough to learn anything, let alone experiencing all of the energy-robbing additional weight that you’ll soon be carrying around. Think before eating that fourth donut. What and when we eat has a great deal to do with our ability to learn, concentrate, remember, stay alert and perform tasks.

Getting started on an exercise program is one thing. Staying on it is the bigger challenge. We have all been there. New Years Eve comes around and wham! Instant motivation! It is only a small percentage however that sticks with it. Why? When you hear the term exercise resistance you of course think of strength training with weights, don’t you? Well, it can also mean something else.

The phrase, “Exercise Resistance” or ER was coined in the mid 90’s. It means, a conscious or unconscious block against participating in a regular active program. Studies show that some people have barriers built up from past experiences that give them a negative mindset toward exercise and food. This prevents a person from starting or following through on a fitness or diet program. This is more of an emotional feeling that controls a behavior more than anything.

“I thought the golden years were supposed to be filled with relaxing things to do, not more activities I usually put off before?” Have you ever just resented having to exercise now that you are older? “Why should I start exercising? I will not follow through-never have. It will be just another failure of mine?” Or how about not starting to exercise because you have a fear of failure? My favorite; “why does Jane look like she does and I have to work so hard at it? It does not seem fair!” Have you ever compare yourself to your youth or your best friend?

Aphrodisiacs are amongst the oldest cures, being ones of the ancient natural medicines used by mankind. From China to Mayan Empire or Inca, these plants and aliments were often considered magical, belonging only to the gods.

The interest that natural aphrodisiacs has risen was not manifested because of a greed for lust or fashion trends or even social duties, but starting from a search for divinty from human kind but not only this: the wish for an improved and better life.

Potency, fertility, passion, love, sentiments don’t have anything to do with lack of decency, fomication, breaking social rules and lack of self-control. Aphrodisiacs in general, natural ones especially, come as a completion to any human being, man or woman, in order to fulfill us in the unique pursuit that is perpetuation of life.

Diners have become more health-conscious the last few years, and now want healthy choices whether eating at home or at their favorite restaurants. Luckily, the restaurant industry has been quick to accommodate the demand, so you’ll find you have many options to “eat healthy” these days.

Whether you’re eating at home or dining out, the same rules for watching your weight apply. You need to eat more vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Choose smaller portions of lean meats, fish and poultry. Eat a variety of foods, and fresh, raw foods are better. Cut back on salt, sugar, saturated fats and alcohol. Drink plenty of water, and include exercise every day as part of your daily lifestyle choice.

So whether you’re having lunch with the gang, or enjoying a romantic dinner for two, you can enjoy delicious-tasting foods that are low-in calories and good for you, with just a little forethought and planning.

Here are some easy tips to remember when ordering out that will help you to lose weight even when eating at your favorite restaurants:

1. If you know the menu from the restaurant you’re going to, plan what you’re going to have ahead of time. This will help save you from making a last minute decision that could result in high-calorie choices.

Do you ever feel like you are working out so hard and nothing seems to happen? You just can’t seem to lose that last few pounds, increase your benchpress or tighten up those triceps. Why?

Why do doctors only recommend that you take antibiotics for a short period of time? They only seem to be affective for a short while. The body builds up an immune system against them.

One of the biggest mistakes we have all made in our quest for good health is to get in our comfort zones by doing the same old workout routine and eating plan. Guess what? Your body adapts to these daily routines, too.

Exercise and losing weight is a constant pushing of your body’s mental and physical potentials. Arnold Swartzneggar once said, "Life is about the last three reps of an exercise." In order to get anything out of it, you have to push yourself.”

This is hard to explain, but after about ten weeks on the same workout plan and after eating the same foods at each meal, the body adapts and the heart rates go down. The muscles are not overloaded anymore. What is the answer then?

Taking vitamin and mineral supplements is perhaps one of the most controversial issues regarding healthy living. The lack of vitamins in your diet can be unhealthy, but too many vitamins can also put your health in danger. So, how do you know if taking vitamin and mineral supplements is necessary for you? Ask yourself the following questions in order to determine if you may need vitamin supplementation for a healthier lifestyle:

Several years ago, Marilyn M. couldn’t even spell fibromyalgia.

Now she can spell it backwards, sideways and every other way…along with the term ‘chronic fatigue’. Both became a devastating way of life for her.

Hardly a moment passed without her being aware of the debilitating advance of the disease. Even the smallest activities, such as holding a pen to write, became impossible for her.

Doctors were not encouraging. They offered prescriptions to relieve the constant pain, muscle spasms, memory loss, sleepless nights and crushing fatigue. But they could offer little hope for recovery.

This was something Marilyn wouldn’t accept. Instead she went looking for alternative answers.

That’s when she discovered the Science of Simple Sugars.

She came very close to missing it. Her first reaction had been to dismiss it as quackery. The promises seemed too unbelievable.

But when she started reading about it, she discovered that the Science of Simple Sugars was a bonafide medical advancement. The archives of every premier medical journal contained articles covering the science. Even Newsweek carried it as a cover story several years ago.

Have you ever wondered with all the weight loss programs offered today, why we are on the verge of a diabetic and obesity epidemic? Have you ever thought that maybe doctors and gym owners would rather you not know the right way to lose weight? Think about it? If we did, whose pocket would it hurt? On the other hand, maybe they just are not motivated enough to explain it us? Worse yet, maybe they don’t even know how to help us long term?

Twenty years of health club management, fifty thousand hours of paid personal training sessions and working with some of the most famous people in the world tell me; we are focusing on the wrong things. What does it take to stay on an exercise and eating program? The answer may surprise you. It does not have to do with numbers you find on exercise or medical chart. It has to do with types of motivations, reasons, and supports.

Sure, New Years Eve comes around and we get motivated. We’ve all been there. However, getting motivated is not the problem, staying motivated is. This has to do with psychology. Figure out HOW you are motivated and WHERE your desires to exercise come from, and then you will have created some staying power.