Your Daily Fat Loss Manager for 2010

Get My Fitness Hut's Daily Fat Loss Manager for 2010 because, well, you need to manage your fat loss! That's right! You can manage your fat loss and weight loss just like you do everything else in your life....and you will be more successful with your fat loss and weight loss efforts!



You get:

1. Daily fat loss guidance,

2. FREE MEAL PLAN,

3. Fat Blaster Workouts,

4. Daily Food Journal,

5. Weight and Body Fat Log and

6. Numerous Fat Loss Tips

Stop playing a guessing game with your fat loss, fitness and health! This Daily Fat Loss Manager will take you through the process!

Happy New Year and all the best to you in 2010!

Click here and grab your Daily Fat Loss Manager today!

"Exercise is not my life.....exercise makes my life better!"

Check out my other great blogs:

Her Fitness Hut Blog Her Fitness Hut is featured on EmpowHER, a great health issues website for women!

Sports Fitness Hut Blog has been recognized by Stanford University Wellsphere as the #1 Sports Fitness Blog and NursingDegree.net as one of the Best 100 Health and Nutrition Blogs for Athletes! The blog has also been named as one of the "50 Best Sports Medicine Blogs by Masters In Healthcare! It is an honor to be recognized by those in the health and academic fields! Afterall, health is number one for everybody---including athletes!

Walk Every Day Until January

If you just have to wait until January to start your exercise program, walk every day until then! This way, it will make your transition into workouts easier. It will also get you on an exercise routine. Walking 30 minutes every day has great health benefits too.



Walk and you will make getting fit and staying fit much easier! You don't have to wait until "your workout" to exercise. You have plenty of opportunities during the day to walk.

Keep your walking/running shoes with you! Walk as much as possible during the day! Take advantage of every opportunity to walk. This one tip should be used all the time. It makes a huge difference in your fitness. When I used to work on The University of Texas campus, it was not unusual for me to walk up to 2 hours in a day going to different departments....and, there are alot of hills here, so that made the exercise that much better. I didn't think of it as exercise until I stopped working on campus. I soon realized that I had to take more time for "exercise" because I wasn't walking as much during the day!

Don't make the mistake of laying around as much as possible until January. Research proves that your fat-burning enzymes SHUT DOWN when you SIT DOWN! Get up and walk around during the day...keep your metabolism ramped up all day and get more fat loss and calorie burn.

Walk every chance you get!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Merry Christmas From My Fitness Hut!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at My Fitness Hut!

Here is a gift for you!

Mark

Burn More Fat With Weight Training

If you want to burn more fat, do more weight training exercises! Do more weight training exercises that test your balance, coordination, strength and flexibility! This might require that you put that old favorite workout on the shelf and try something new! If you do, I guarantee you will burn more fat and lose more weight!



Try some of these weight training exercises:

1. Incorporate many one-legged exercises such as power step ups, single leg squats, single leg good mornings, single leg medicine ball exercises, etc. These types of exercises are more intense than two-legged exercises.

2. Include exercises with your eyes closed to improve limb position sense (proprioception). This will also help you burn more fat and calories!

3. Exercise your body in all 3 planes of motion to improve multi-planar balance. An example would be a grouping of walking lunges, side lunges and transverse lunges.

4. Do combinations of one-arm and one-leg exercises such as single leg squat-to-single arm shoulder press.

Balance training also improves your core strength.

Challenge yourself more with weight training and watch the fat melt away!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Your Fat Loss Year In Review

This time of year, you need to review your year of fat loss. How did you do?

Do you have less body fat and weigh less? Or, did you gain weight and your body fat increased? Are you eating healthier than you did last year? Is your health better (schedule that physical exam!)? Did you have a good meal plan to follow? Honestly answer these questions!

If you have not made progress with your fat loss and weight loss, you need to determine the reasons why.

Your clothes should be fitting looser, your body should be more toned, you should be able to do some type of interval cardio (instead of slow-paced cardio), you should be able to get through a 30 minute circuit weight training workout, etc.

Here are some observations that I see in some people:

1. Some of you are still doing the same poorly designed workouts and getting the same "little or no success results" from your workouts. You're still throwing your money away at these gyms.

2. Then, there are those who have decided to follow a workout program they found in a fitness magazine.....this is better than you trying to figure it all out on your own but a program found in a magazine is not individualized for your specific fat loss needs and goals.

3. There's a group of you who have already given up the fight to get fit because you are overwhelmed.....you don't believe you can really get a "leaned out" body.

4. Some still think they can eat like they always have and just workout longer and harder. The only problem with this tactic is that it does no good to burn 500 calories during a workout and later eat 900 calories of bad food.

5. Some are still wasting money on pills, patches, creams and fat-burner supplements......its the workouts and good nutrition that will get you fit!

6. There's still a group of you who haven't figured out that it takes hard, smart workouts to get fit......you need to learn how to workout hard.

7. And, some have gym memberships they still aren't using.

Whatever the case, it doesn't have to be that way......don't underestimate the value of well-designed fitness program put together by a certified personal trainer. It makes all the difference because you get direction, feedback and encouragement from a trainer who is fit and knows what it takes to get fit and stay fit.

Get the help you need to get fit! Visit the link directly below and get started on your way to the "leaned out" body you want! And, you don't need a gym membership!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Burn Fat And Lose Weight Before January

You have 2 weeks to burn fat and lose weight before January! Don't let these 2 weeks go to waste! You can make alot of progress with your fitness, fat loss and weight loss before January. In other words, don't make a New Year's resolution. Start today and make a lifetime commitment to health and fitness. You will like the long-term results much better.

There are some medical exceptions but the cause of weight gain for most of us is that we love food too much. Don't blame your weight gain on your "slow metabolism!".......A slow or sluggish metabolism is not the major cause of weight gain.

A caloric imbalance is the cause of weight gain (consuming more calories than you burn in a day). If you want to speed up your metabolism and burn more calories then exercise regularly (strength training and cardio exercise). Also, eat right and often. Eating small meals every 3-4 hours will keep your metabolism humming and will keep your body from shifting to "starvation mode" (storing fat).

Don't wait until January, start practicing these good eating and exercise habits today!

Do you need help with meal planning? Don't wait until January! Start taking steps now! The last time I checked, we all eat every day!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Stabilize Deep Core Muscles

Stabilize your deep core muscles with exercises like the stability ball plank, a great core exercise to advance you from the plank exercise on the floor.

The ball plank strengthens and stabilizes your deep, foundational core muscles even more than the regular plank. Balancing on the ball while holding the plank position is not easy! Your deep, foundational core muscles are more important than your "six pack abs!"



1. Place your elbows on the ball and balance on your toes while keeping your body in a straight line.

2. Hold the plank position for a count of 5-10 seconds without moving. The ball will move, so it is a challenge to hold the right alignment. This will obviously improve your balance. Your abs and shoulders will also work much harder.

Keep your head in line with your torso and brace your torso (as if taking a punch to the gut).

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Top 10 Eating Tips To Live Healthier

Live healthier by following my Top 10 Eating Tips!

Your fat loss and weight loss success or failure will depend on what you eat and how much.

1. Make the commitment to change your eating habits no matter what it takes...this commitment will help you overcome the stumbles and setbacks along the way. Get and follow a healthy meal plan as soon as possible!

2. Start keeping a food journal as soon as possible! Research has proven that you will have a better chance of succeeding with your nutrition plan and fat loss if you keep a food journal! By logging your actual food choices, you are holding yourself accountable throughout the day. You will also be forced to plan your meals better and avoid binge eating and emotional eating.

3. Get an accountability partner such as a spouse, friend or personal trainer. You can challenge each other to make good food choices.

4. Add healthy foods to your menu that you like. You are more likely to stay with a menu loaded with foods you like. I am amazed at some of the "healthy menus" in some magazines! Do people really eat that stuff! Find healthy, nutritious foods that you like and get rid of the foods that are bad for you (interpreted "adds fat to your body").

5. Set your daily calorie intake based on your basal metabolic rate and your activity level. This way, you won't eat too much or too little. Maintaining the right amount of calorie deficit (burning more calories than you consume) is the key to burning fat and losing weight.

6. I don't recommend any diet that omits one of the macronutrients (carbs, protein, fat). Your body's metabolism needs all 3 macronutrients to work efficiently.

7. The various "body organ cleansers" out there on the market are not the key to your fat loss and weight loss.....regular exercise (weight training and interval cardio) and good nutrition are your tickets to a permanent lean and toned body. Use the cleansers if you want for cleaning you out I guess. Just remember that healthy foods such as fruits and veggies also play a role in keeping your body clean (and alot less expensive)!

8. Along the same lines, there are no magic pills, powders or creams that will give you a permanent lean and toned body. Healthy eating and regular exercise will do the trick!

9. Control calorie intake by eating more water-based foods (volume eating). The basics of it is to eat as many foods with high water content/low calories as you can. Foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables are examples. These types of foods help you to feel fuller (satiety) while eating fewer calories. For instance, grapes with the same calorie amount as raisins will provide more satiety and theoretically help you eat less the rest of the day. Energy density of food is a key component when trying to add volume to your diet. Energy density (ED) is defined as the amount of calories of a food divided by its weight in grams.

You would basically focus on foods rich in fiber with high water content (or low ED value). Fresh fruits (apples, etc.) and vegetables (such as tomatoes and broccoli) whole grain pastas, rice, whole grain breads and cereals, soups, salads and skinless white chicken/turkey are some examples.

10. Get enough sleep! Researchers have found that the less sleep the test subjects got, the higher their body mass index. The shorter sleep time altered the subjects hormone levels, energy decreased and appetite increased. And we already knew that decreased energy affects your workout performance. What's enough sleep? The general rule is 8 hours of sleep a night. Some may need more sleep or a little less than 8 hours. Don't sabotage your exercise program and weight loss efforts by not getting enough shut-eye.

Be sure and download your Free 5-Day Fat Loss Course from Precision Nutrition:

Free 5-Day Fat Loss Course for Women

Free 5-Day Fat Loss Course for Men

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Fat-Burning Bodyweight Workout

Use bodyweight workouts to burn fat. A bodyweight workout is always waiting to happen because you take your body everywhere you go. You don't need exercise equipment to burn fat so you don't need a gym membership. You don't need much time to burn fat (a 30 minute workout will do the trick). You need to consistently work hard and eat right to burn more fat and lose more weight.



Here is a great little 30-minute bodyweight workout that you can do at home, at the park or at work. This workout is a strength and cardio workout so it will save you even more time during your busy day. If you have been doing some heavy weight training this week, this workout can be a good change of pace for you:

--Y bodyweight squats, 12 repetitions
--Plank (pictured above), 12 repetitions, 10 second hold
--Pushups, 12 repetitions
--Squat jumps, 12 repetitions, fast
--Pullups, 10 repetitions
--Superman, 12 repetitions, 5 second hold
--Do this circuit 3 times.

Do this circuit with little or no rest between exercises. Rest 2 minutes between circuits.

Have a great fat-burning bodyweight workout today!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Fat Loss Management

Fat loss management is a simple process---if you do it day in and day out! Its a process like any goal you are trying to reach. You don't reach your fat loss goals overnight! And, you didn't gain that fat and weight overnight---it was a process too!

Fat loss management works along with weight loss management. Regular strength training, cardio exercise and a good meal plan will help you burn fat (lose inches), speed up your metabolism and lose the fat and weight for good! No more yo-yo dieting and regaining that weight!

How many times have you followed your meal plan and exercise program all week and then blown it on the weekend by going on an eating binge? If that's you, then you need a daily fat loss and weight loss plan to follow!

And, if you haven't yet figured out how you need to be eating, you need a meal plan to follow! It takes more than just working out...if you burn 400 calories during a workout and later eat 800 calories, you are just "spinning your wheels" and not making progress!

I have the plan to help you reach your weight loss and fat loss goals! Just follow the plan!

Get My Fitness Hut's Daily Fat Loss Manager! You get:

1. Daily fat loss guidance,

2. FREE MEAL PLAN,

3. Fat Blaster Workouts,

4. Daily Food Journal,

5. Weight and Body Fat Log and

6. Numerous Fat Loss Tips

Stop playing a guessing game with your weight loss/fat loss, fitness and health!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Exercise Relieves Stress During Holidays

The holidays bring on extra stress so use exercise to relieve your stress. A certain amount of stress and tension helps you take on challenges and perform better. Too much stress (left unchecked) over a prolonged period is not good for you and it causes health problems and affects your metabolism. Also, some people respond to stress better than others. One person might crumble under the same workload that causes another person to thrive.

Your body's normal state (homeostasis) is changed by stress. The hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, are secreted in response to a stressful situation. The "fight or flight" response to stress is intended to give you the energy to take on or run away from a particular situation. Stressful situations that go on for months or years signals to your body that the normal state includes excessive amounts of adrenaline and cortisol.

As it relates to metabolism, adrenaline makes your fat cells more efficient at turning fat into energy and speeds up your metabolism. On the other hand, cortisol increases the amount of glucose in your blood and creates more energy.

During the holiday months, this excess adrenaline and cortisol builds up in your body. Unused excess energy will be stored as fat.

Chronic stress, extra stress brought on by the holidays or stress with no end in sight has major health implications. Adrenaline will continue to be secreted but your body and your fat cells will build up a tolerance to it.

This means that your fat cells won't be converted to energy and cortisol will continue to increase glucose in your blood. This means the fat gain and weight gain begins to happen if left unchecked.

Life continally has stressful situations and life sometimes brings unavoidable stress, like during holidays. Regular exercise helps you to deal with stress and bring your body back to the true normal state (or as close as possible).

Exercise consistently during the holidays and take care of yourself!

Download your FREE 10-Minute Fat Burning Workouts now and take them on the road with you. There are strength and cardio workouts in the e-book.

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Weight Loss Helped By Exercise, Rest And Recovery

Exercise, rest and recovery are all important for weight loss and fat loss! If you don't allow your body to rest and recover, it will affect your metabolism, weight loss and fat loss efforts! Do no more than 3 weight training workouts in a week and take a break from exercise 1-2 days a week. You don't want to end up injured because of over-training.

And, a healthy meal plan goes without saying. You will gain weight if you maintain a caloric surplus (eat more calories than you burn).

Oh yeah, most people need 7-8 hours of sleep a night! Your metabolism will be "out of wack" if you don't sleep enough.

Here are some training tips:

This might sound elementary but..... warm-up properly to avoid injuries.... walking for 2 minutes is not a good warm-up. A good dynamic warm-up prepares your body best for intense workouts. A sample dynamic warm-up could be a 5-10 minute jog, prisoner squats, lunges, etc. Static stretches would be done after your workout.

Don't underestimate the benefits of full body massages. The benefits include improved flexibility, tension release, relieving of swelling, alleviation of fatigue and prevention of injuries.

Along the same lines, self myofascial release with foam rolls (SMFR) is a type of self massage that you can do every day and prevent various muscle injuries, strains and tears.

Protect your feet....its amazing how many injuries (like shin splints and plantar fasciitis) can be avoided by wearing quality footwear (interpreted: don't wear cheap athletic shoes). If you have flat feet or high arches you definitely need the right footwear.

Avoid various tendonitis injuries (pain, swelling) caused by over-training and wear and tear. Rest and recovery is important. R.I.C.E.R. (REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, ELEVATION, REFERRAL FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE) should be followed immediately after a muscle or tendon injury.

Train to lessen the risk of a knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury....it is the most common injury affecting the knee joint. Do this by having adequate hamstring strength and practicing proper landing, jumping techniques.

Strengthen and stretch your shoulder muscles to avoid rotator cuff, shoulder and elbow injuries.

Strengthen and stabilize your core to prevent injuries such as low back pain, oblique strains/pulls, neck pain, ruptured disks and various other muscle and ligament strains.

Lessen the risk of a torn or injured Achilles tendon (the largest tendon in the body). It takes a full year to recover from a torn Achilles tendon. Stretch and stabilize the tendon with one-legged exercises, calf/peroneal stretches and Achilles tendon stretch.

If you want weight loss, fat loss and a healthy body, take care of yourself! Good workouts and healthy nutrition are just part of the equation!

Train hard and smart!

Get FREE Training and Nutrition Insider Secrets for a Lean-Body with Six Pack Abs! This ebook, created by Certified Nutrition Specialist & Certified Personal Trainer, Mike Geary, details over 27 specific metabolism-boosting secrets that you can use to strip off your stubborn body fat faster and easier and get your six-pack abs! Contains unique workout methods and nutritional strategies to slash body fat and take your body to a whole new level of leanness. Get Your FREE Book Now!

BOSU Ball Exercises Do Not Activate More Core Muscles

BOSU ball exercises DO NOT activate more core muscles! You can do your squats, deadlifts and shoulders presses on stable ground.

Researchers from Eastern Illinois University found that doing squats, deadlifts and shoulders presses on BOSU balls was not more effective for core muscle activation. Doing these exercises on stable ground activated more core muscles.



There are tons of fitness gadgets on the market. In general, you can save your money. Do your exercises with free weights or use bodyweight workouts and you will get maximum muscle activation. Limit machine exercises unless you are a beginner or you are in rehabilitation. Machines stabilize your body for you and don't allow you to move your body naturally (functionally). You get faster, lasting fat loss results when you do exercises that force your body to stabilize itself.

Do as many compound strength exercises like squats, deadlifts, rows and shoulder presses standing up as possible. These types of exercises work major muscle groups and many times are full-body strength exercises. This helps you workout with more intensity and burn more calories. You will also build more muscle and speed up your metabolism.

Have a great workout today!

Download your FREE 10-Minute Fat Burning Workouts now and take them with you. There are strength and cardio workouts in the e-book.

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Prevent Weight Gain During Holiday Travel

Its easy to gain weight while you travel during the holidays. Pack your food and your clothes when you travel this holiday season. Some of you travel 4-5 days a week, every week! Eating all the holiday treats can add pounds to your body in a hurry! So, just plan your meals like always and you can enjoy your holiday treats too!

If you are a frequent flyer or driver, you know the food traps found in airport or roadside restaurants! The food choices are usually high-calorie, high-carb and high-fat. You have even more high-calorie food and dessert choices during the holidays.

Try to stay with your meal plan as much as possible while traveling during the holidays. Haphazard eating or grazing will skyrocket your calories and pack pounds on your body!

The simple solution is to plan and pack nutritious foods like sandwiches with lean meats, salads, nuts, fruit, yogurt, yogurt smoothies, popcorn, etc. And drink plenty of water or unsweetened tea (and not high-calorie designer coffees!). You can't go wrong with those foods and drinks.....maybe you can come up with yours....just have a plan and follow it during the holidays!

Download your FREE 10-Minute Fat Burning Workouts now and take them on the road with you. There are strength and cardio workouts in the e-book.

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Maintain Muscle Or Body Fat Returns

Build and maintain your muscles, use it or lose it or however you want to say it. Your muscles will shrink (atrophy) if you don't continue to do strength training (muscle does not ever change into fat).

And, the body fat will come back with a vengeance! Fat cells will shrink but they will fill up again when you are inactive for a long period of time.

If you are not exercising, you could be hit with a double dose of likely bad news. First, you will probably gain weight (interpreted fat). Also, your metabolism begins to slow down in your thirties.

Your metabolism will slow down even more because you are also losing muscle mass. Muscle mass speeds up your metabolism because your body has to work harder to maintain it.

In your early thirties, you can begin to lose as much as one-half pound of muscle each year. Inactivity will make this problem even worse. So, you begin to lose muscle mass and gain body fat

Fortunately, muscle mass can be maintained/increased (and body fat decreased) throughout your life with regular weight training (includes bodyweight exercises). Weight training also helps to keep your bones strong (preventing osteoporosis).

Eat enough to build muscle and burn fat. You do this by following your meal plan based on your basal metabolic rate and level of daily activity.

Get FREE Training and Nutrition Insider Secrets for a Lean-Body with Six Pack Abs! This ebook, created by Certified Nutrition Specialist & Certified Personal Trainer, Mike Geary, details over 27 specific metabolism-boosting secrets that you can use to strip off your stubborn body fat faster and easier and get your six-pack abs! Contains unique workout methods and nutritional strategies to slash body fat and take your body to a whole new level of leanness. Get Your FREE Book Now!

Too Much Alcohol Consumption Can Increase Body Fat

Consuming too much alcohol can cause you to gain body fat and weight. You need to know how your body responds to alcohol when you take a drink.

First, one gram of alcohol provides 7 calories. Only fat (9 cal/g) provides more calories than alcohol. So, when you are planning your food and drink consumption, don't forget the calories from alcohol!

When you take a drink of alcohol, your body converts a small amount of it into fat and the rest is converted (by the liver) into a substance called acetate. This acetate is then quickly released into the bloodstream and used as the body's main source of energy. So, your body is using the acetate as energy instead of the stored fat in your body. The more you drink, the more fat your body will store (many times belly fat)!

Added to this problem is the fact that alcohol consumption can increase your appetite. Researchers from Denmark found that a group of men ate more when they were served beer or wine and they ate less when served a soft drink. Just think of all the high-calorie meals served with alcohol at a place like a sports bar!

One more thing: too much alcohol consumption can decrease your testosterone production. Decreased testosterone levels has a negative effect on muscle building.

If you choose to drink alcohol, one or two drinks once a week probably won't affect your weight loss and fat loss. But, if you consume several alcoholic drinks a day, your body is storing excess body fat! You will have a tough time keeping or achieving that lean and toned body you want! Drinking water and unsweetened drinks will help you reach your goals sooner.

Get FREE Training and Nutrition Insider Secrets for a Lean-Body with Six Pack Abs! This ebook, created by Certified Nutrition Specialist & Certified Personal Trainer, Mike Geary, details over 27 specific metabolism-boosting secrets that you can use to strip off your stubborn body fat faster and easier and get your six-pack abs! Contains unique workout methods and nutritional strategies to slash body fat and take your body to a whole new level of leanness. Get Your FREE Book Now!

Jumping Exercises Burn More Fat

Jumping exercise workouts will burn more fat because they are very intense! And, one-legged jumping exercises are more intense than two-legged jumping exercises. Shorten and intensify your workouts with jump training (plyometrics)! Plyometric workouts also burn more fat and calories during and after your workout!



If you're having trouble sculpting your butt, hips and thighs then you need to do more jump exercises.

Jump exercise workouts are advanced workouts. You need to perfect jumping and landing techniques or you will injure yourself. And, if you have knee and low back problems, high-speed jump training is not for you.

Try this jump training workout (take little or no rest between exercises):

--jump rope, two feet, full speed, 1 minute
--squat jumps (pictured above), 10, full speed
--lunge jumps, 10, full speed
--depth jumps (off knee-high platform), 10
--tuck jumps, 10, full speed
--jumping jacks, 30 seconds, full speed

Rest 1 minute between circuits. Repeat the circuit 2 more times--20 minutes total workout time. Take more rest between exercises or circuits if needed.

Try jump exercise workouts to burn more fat!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Thanksgiving Day-After Fat Loss Workout

I really did workout the day after Thanksgiving! I had to workout and burn those extra calories. Hopefully, you did your workout too. It's best to get right back into the exercise groove.

Here's my workout:

1. Sprint interval cardio, 20 minutes

1. Bodyweight squats, 12 repetitions
2. Pushups on medicine ball, 15 repetitions
3. Bentover dumbbell rows, 10 repetitions
4. Plank, 10 repetitions, 20 second hold
5. Standing dumbbell shoulder press, 10 repetitions
6. Medicine ball diagonal chop, 10 repetitions each side, full speed
7. Dumbbell calf raises, 25 repetitions, full speed

Do this circuit 2 more times. Rest 2 minutes between circuits.

Burn those Thanksgiving calories!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Healthy Snacks For Thanksgiving

Eating healthy snacks during the long Thanksgiving weekend is important! Why? Because you will enjoy your regular Thanksgiving meal(s). The snacks and side food items can really skyrocket your calorie count if you're not careful!

What you eat between main meals can make the difference in gaining excess pounds or maintaining your weight during the long 4 day fest!

First, a few common sense Thankgiving holiday eating rules:

1. Use no more than a pat of butter on whole wheat bread or rolls.

2. Use natural sweeteners like cinnamon instead of sugar.

3. Use condiments like mustard instead of ketchup or mayonnaise.

4. Drink only water or unsweetened drinks, like tea. Cranberry juice and pomegranite juice are not that healthy if they are loaded with sugar!

5. Limit alcohol consumption which has 7 calories per gram.

6. Sweet potatoes are very healthy (limit the butter and marshmallows). Try them roasted to seal in the flavor without adding fat! Sweet potatoes are full of fiber, vitamin A, potassium and one of the best snacks around. Plus, they satisfy my sweet tooth!

7. Turkey is a healthy source of protein. If you deep fry it or smother it in gravy, you will add alot of calories! Turkey also provides folic acid, vitamin B, zinc and potassium. I love white turkey sandwiches on wheat bread for weeks after Thanksgiving day!

Here are some healthy snacks to eat during Thankgiving holiday:

1. Popcorn is high-fiber and low calorie. Skip the butter and excess salt! I like to pop it on the stove in olive oil. On the run, I eat natural, microwaved brands.

2. Nuts. Peanuts, pistachios, pecans and almonds are all good. A handful of nuts goes a long way! They are high-calorie so be careful. Skip the excess salt! Nuts have heart-healthy fats, fiber and vitamins.

3. Fruit is always a healthy, filling snack. I've never heard of anyone getting fat from eating fruit! We all know the health benefits of eating fruit so enough said.

4. Green, leafy salads. Eat green salads on most days with very little dressing. You can't go wrong with green, leafy veggies for the health benefits!

5. Low-fat yogurt is a great snack! Yogurt smoothies are also great options (especially after a strength workout).

Happy, healthy eating during Thanksgiving week!

-Cathering Ebeling and Mike Geary are co-authors of the popular ebook, Fat-Burning Kitchen, which shows you how to totally revamp your kitchen to make your body a fat-burning machine!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Get A Lean And Toned Body!

The way to get a lean and toned body is not very complicated. Be consistent with your fitness program and you will get and stay lean and toned.

Here are some tips to get your body lean and toned:

1. If you want fat loss, weight loss and a lean and toned body then you MUST eat for fat loss! Everyone needs a meal plan. You need to have some sort of idea of what you are going to eat for the day.

If you don't have a meal plan, you might eat anything at any time! If you have a plan, you are more likely to follow it or at least eat similar foods. And, record what you eat in a food journal to hold yourself accountable.

Eat these 3 Veggies to Burn More Abdominal Fat

2. Burn more fat by working large muscle groups, not by working out longer! Maximize your time in the gym and get the results you want. The quality of your workouts are better than the quantity of your workouts.

Shorten your weight training workouts to 50 minutes (3 days a week) or less and ramp up the intensity! Doing this will give you more fat burn and calorie burn during and after your workout.

Compound strength exercises (with weights or bodyweight) like squats, deadlift, lunges, standing bentover rows, squat-to curl-to press and bench press are great examples. Full-body core exercises like planks and side planks work well also. Spend less time posing on "mirror exercises" like bicep curls, calf raises and tricep extensions.

3. Do short, intense cardio workouts (about 20 minutes, 3 days a week). Sprint Intervals or similar cardio exercises activate and shape the bulkier, shapely fast-twitch muscle fibers. This type of cardio will also burn fat and calories like crazy and give you superior heart health!

4. Walk 30 minutes every day, especially on your non-workout days. Walking helps you to keep an active lifestyle.

Consistently do these 4 things and you WILL have the lean and toned body of your dreams!

Be sure and download your Free 5-Day Fat Loss Course from Precision Nutrition:

Free 5-Day Fat Loss Course for Women

Free 5-Day Fat Loss Course for Men

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
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Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Farmer's Walk Exercise Builds Core Strength

Ever heard of the farmer's walk exercise (think farmer walking with heavy milk containers)? Do the farmer's walk exercise to primarily improve core strength (especially back strength), grip strength and burn fat. The exercise can be done to improve maximal strength or to improve endurance strength (at a distance, timed or untimed).



Do the farmer's walk exercise by picking up a dumbbell in each hand. Pick up the dumbbells by deadlifting them (to protect your back) or lifting them from the weight rack. Hold each dumbbell with your arms extended by your sides and walk.

If you are doing the farmer's walk exercise to improve maximal strength, you will use heavy dumbbells. The combined weight of the dumbbells should be about equal to your body weight. You may have to work your way up to this amount of weight by improving your deadlift, squat and grip strength. Grip strength can be improved by lifting with thick barbells, doing plate pinches or squeezing hand grippers.

Walk about 10-15 yards, stop and set the dumbbells down or let them drop. Rest for 1-2 minutes and walk back. That is 1 repetition. Use good upright posture and look straight ahead while walking! Never lean forward or jut your head forward while walking.

If you are trying to build serious strength, work up to walking with each dumbbell being equal to your bodyweight weight (or more).

If you are trying to improve endurance strength, do the farmer's walk with lighter dumbbells. Experiment with the dumbbell weight amount so you are challenged. The distance would be increased to 30-40 yards. To challenge yourself more, do timed farmer's walk intervals.

Add the farmer's walk exercise to your routine!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Quick Weight Loss vs. Optimal Health, Part 2

Quick weight loss implies that it's something that probably won't last! Health should be stressed before weight loss and beauty! It does you no good to look great if your body is a total wreck and unhealthy!

Optimal health involves making lifestyle changes to improve your:

1. health
2. fitness
3. energy levels
4. quality of life

We are living longer on this earth so quality of life is important!

The "quick weight loss lifestyle" is narrow minded when you compare it to the "optimal health lifestyle!"

Quick weight loss leads to slowed metabolism, a weaker immune system, hormonal imbalances, loss of lean mass, increased body fat, decreased energy levels, disrupted sleep patterns, short-term results and yo-yo dieting!

I'll take the optimal health option any day over quick weight loss!

So, here are some tips to help you achieve your best health and fitness:

1. Make a commitment TODAY to a lifestyle of health and fitness! Without this commitment, you will eventually go back to short-term solutions like quick weight loss!

2. Make the needed changes to your eating habits! Severely limit foods like sugars, processed foods, fast foods, fat-filled packaged foods, etc. Eat more foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. Get help with your meal plan if needed! Get your nutrition mainly from food! Add in supplements like multivitamins and fish oil to support your meal plan and improve your health.

3. Commit to regular exercise and an active lifestyle! Walk as much as you can everyday!

4. Get enough rest! If you don't sleep enough, your body won't function as well as it could--that means about 7-8 hours of sleep every night for most people.

5. Schedule that doctor's appointment to see where your health stands! High blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. can be controlled, if needed.

Download your FREE 14-Day Accelerated Fat Loss Program, start burning max fat and start building your lean, hard body!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Quick Weight Loss vs. Optimal Health, Part 1

The hazzards of the quick weight loss lifestyle and the benefits of the optimal health lifestyle were on full display this past weekend at Nutrilite Health Institute!

Nutrilite has been in existence for 75 years and is the only company that organically grows all its own plants which are used to produce their own nutritional products for optimal health! If you're looking for quick weight loss products, Nutrilite can't help you! Nutrilite researches, grows and produces its own scientifically healthy products!



My Fitness Hut and 8 other health bloggers (pictured above) were privileged to be invited to Nutrilite Health Institute in Buena Park, California! I was already familiar with some of Nutrilite's great products but not fully enlightened about what they are trying to accomplish.

Before I continue, let me state that I DO NOT SELL NUTRILITE PRODUCTS, so there is no profit motive for me to write about them!

But, you know that I have always stressed health before weight loss and beauty! I have constantly stressed that it does you no good to look great if your body is a total wreck and unhealthy!

So what is Nutrilite all about? They want you to achieve optimal health! Optimal health is defined by Dr. Duke Johnson, the author of the book, The Optimal Health Revolution.

Dr. Johnson (a great speaker) defines optimal health as:

"Optimal Health is the best health you are capable of, given your past and your genetic heritage."

Nutrilite's goal is to help you achieve optimal health. The following quote is on the wall at the Nutrilite Health Institute:



My Fitness Hut could not say it any better! Stay tuned this week and learn more about a great company!

Download your FREE 14-Day Accelerated Fat Loss Program, start burning max fat and start building your lean, hard body!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

The Seated Cable Row Exercise

The seated cable row exercise should be a staple of your back strengthening routine! For many, too little time is spent on strengthening the back muscles. When you don't adequately strengthen your back muscles, you are affecting your pulling potential. And, to have good upper body muscular balance, you need to work your backside as well as your frontside.

The back muscles targeted during the seated cable row exercise are the latissimus dorsi, teres major, middle trapezius and rhomboids.



Follow these steps to properly execute the seated cable row exercise:



1) Maintain the natural arch in your spine throughout the exercise. Sit up straight (with your chest and head up at all times), draw your navel in toward your spine and retract your shoulder blades together pulling them back and down. Pull the weight back with your shoulders first in order to activate your back muscles. You don't want the seated cable row to turn into an arm exercise.

2) Don't lock your knees when resting your feet on the platform. Keep your legs slightly bent.

3) Keeping your elbows close to your body, pull the weight towards your midsection to work the larger latissimus dorsi muscles more . A high pull will give more work to the smaller back muscles.

4) Keep all movements smooth when pulling the weight and reversing the motion. That is one repetition.

Don't neglect your back muscles!

Download your FREE 14-Day Accelerated Fat Loss Program, start burning max fat and start building your lean, hard body!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Belly Fat Threatens Your Health!

You have heard that belly fat (abdominal fat) threatens your health! Belly fat has been associated with contributing to such diseases as cancer. That is serious stuff!

Belly fat causes other health problems too! Scientist have learned much more about fat cells (adipose tissue) than ever before. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that abdominal fat cells secrete inflammatory proteins that cause damage to blood vessels and other cells.

Wait, there's more! These inflammatory chemicals secreted by belly fat cells are implicated in the development of coronary artery disease and Metabolic Syndrome! That is why personal trainers and health professionals always measure body fat with a special emphasis placed on your belly fat!

So, being fit and healthy is much more than just losing weight! Don't ever try a quick weight loss program again! Fit and healthy means just that! You can look slim and trim and still be unhealthy! Having high body fat, especially belly fat, is not healthy!

Weight loss management works along with fat loss management. Regular strength training, cardio exercise and a good meal plan will help you burn fat (lose inches), speed up your metabolism and lose the weight for good! No more yo-yo dieting and regaining that weight!

Be sure and download your FREE 14-Day Accelerated Fat Loss Program from My Fitness Hut and start burning fat and building muscle mass.

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Eat Enough To Build Muscle And Burn Fat

Eat enough to build muscle and burn fat. You do this by following your meal plan based on your basal metabolic rate and level of daily activity. You won't get consistent muscle growth without eating enough calories---consistently!!

Don't be so concerned about weight loss that you fail to eat enough! You need to build muscle which will speed up your metabolism, burn fat and keep the weight off! The weight will stay off because you will eventually have that lean and toned body. Fuel your body throughout the day with consistent meals every 3-4 hours. This will give you enough energy to live and workout!

If you want your muscles to grow, FEED YOUR MUSCLES CONSISTENTLY! Just lifting weights is not enough to grow your muscles and become lean and muscular! And, on the days you do lift weights, its best to eat before and after your workout. Read my post on Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition.

And, you know my take on supplements: try to get the nutrition you need from food. Save your money! Don't depend on supplements to significantly build your body up and burn fat!

And, to stop your muscles from breaking down (catabolizing) while you sleep 7-8 hours, a healthy night-time snack or protein drink before you go to sleep is needed. When your body is fasting, your muscles will take the hit. Just ALWAYS remember to follow your meal plan!

Download your FREE 14-Day Accelerated Fat Loss Program, start burning max fat and start building your lean, hard body!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Tabata Training For Fat Loss

Tabata training for fat loss might sound weird but it can be a
time-effective, fat loss training tool for you to use! If you're looking for ways to change up your exercise program, try Tabata training.

Tabata training was developed by Izumi Tabata, Ph.D. in Tokyo. Tabata is a very intense interval training technique. It is a great way to burn more calories and fat during and after your workout! You will need one exercise and 4 minutes! Yes, only 4 minutes!

Tabata training works this way:

1. After a 5 minute warmup, choose an exercise like squat-to curl-to press or medicine ball front chop.

2. Do as many repetitions as you can for 20 seconds.

3. Rest for 10 seconds.

4. Repeat this cycle for 4 minutes! Make sure to maintain correct form as you get fatigued! You will be exhausted at the end!

As you progress, you can add more time but keep the 2-to-1 work to rest ratio. For instance, you could do a 30 sec./15 sec. work to rest ratio. You could also speed up your repetitions to make Tabata training even more intense!

I have also used the Tabata training technique at the beginning or end of a 20-minute workout. Just use the first or last 4 minutes of your 20-minute workout and do Tabata training!

Do Tabata training no more than 2 times a week. Go ahead and try Tabata training!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Burn More Fat With MUST DO Strength Exercises!

There are some strength exercises that you MUST DO if you want to burn more fat and sculpt your lean body! Don't make the mistake of always looking for "new strength exercises!" What you need are effective, muscle-building strength exercises that will primarily build large muscle groups.

Strength exercises for fat loss should focus on maximizing your time at the gym...build more muscle mass to speed up your metabolism and burn more fat.

To recruit more muscle fibers during workouts and improve your success, focus more on MULTI-JOINT OR COMPOUND EXERCISES.

COMPOUND EXERCISES will help you burn more fat because you are working large muscle groups in your body. For example, the largest muscle in the body is the gluteus maximus and squats/lunges would target this area (among other areas). You will also burn more calories after your workout.

Examples of SINGLE-JOINT EXERCISES are biceps curl, seated calf raise, leg extension, leg curl and triceps pushdowns. Spend less of your time on these exercises.

Here are some strength exercises that you MUST DO:

1. Squats - Bodyweight, dumbbell or barbell....do your squats!

2. Deadlift - Deadlift is a must for your exercise program. It is also one of the best ways to build muscle thickness in your lower back. Lower back fat and injuries plague many people.

3. One-arm dumbbell rows and Pullups - These two are a must for any routine so I'm counting them as one exercise.

4. Clock Lunges - Clock lunges work your body in all planes of motion. Lunge with your right leg at 12 o’clock, 2 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 5 o’clock and 6 o’clock. That’s 1 repetition for your right leg. Lunge with your left leg at 12 o’clock, 10 o’clock, 9 o’clock, 7 o’clock and 6 o’clock. That’s 1 repetition for left leg. Maintain upright posture throughout to improve core strength.

5. Dumbbell Chest Press on Ball - Doing the chest press on the ball forces you to balance while lifting. Each arm also has to do equal work.

6. I also include exercises like standing shoulder presses, step ups, pushups on medicine ball and tricep bar dips in my workouts.

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Burn More Fat With Plyometrics

If you're having trouble burning fat, then try plyometric exercises. Because of the intensity of plyometrics (jump training), you will burn more fat and better sculpt your body.

Plyometric exercises not only burn more fat, they also improve your power, or speed strength (how fast your muscles can produce force).



Here are some good plyometric exercises to help you burn more fat and sculpt your body.

1. In Place Vertical Jumps, full speed, Double Leg, 3 sets/10, 2 minutes rest between sets

2. Depth Jumps, 2 sets/10, 2 minutes rest between sets

3. Bounding and Lateral Bounding, full speed, 2 sets of each/10, 2 minutes rest between sets

4. Lateral Cone Jumps, full speed, 2 sets/10 each side, 1 minute rest between sets

5. Standing Long Jumps (pictured above), full speed, 2 sets/10, 2 minutes rest between sets

6. Dumbbell Calf Raises, full speed, 3 sets/25, 2 minutes rest between sets

Do a plyometric workout no more than 2 days a week because of the full speed intensity of this type of workout.

Avoid knee injuries by perfecting jumping and landing techniques before progressing to full speed plyometric workouts.

Download your FREE 14-Day Accelerated Fat Loss Program, start burning max fat and start building your lean, hard body!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Top 5 Butt Blaster Cardio Exercises

Every one needs butt blaster exercises to either tone your butt or keep your butt toned! You can use cardio to blast the butt fat and overall body fat----just do the right type and intensity...top cardio exercises to blast butt, hips and thighs fat are:



1. Sprint Intervals: Sprinting activates and shapes the bulkier, shapely fast-twitch muscle fibers. Just check out the sprinters at the next track meet you attend and see how toned their butt, hips and thighs are. You may not go to that extreme, but you get the idea! Do your sprints:

--on grass (incline)
--on grass (flat surface)
--on sand
--on astroplay
--DO NOT RUN ON CONCRETE, ASPHALT OR OTHER HARD SURFACES

If you play soccer, it is a great change-of-pace exercise activity.....basically, all you do is sprint and jog the whole game.

2. Leg Circuits (also a strength and/or power exercise).

3. Intervals on Stepmill or Stadium Steps

4. Intervals on Treadmill

5. Intervals on Bike (preferably outside)

6. Forget about doing cardio on elliptical machines. There's just not enough benefit when it comes to burning fat---especially butt, hips and thighs fat.

When you have a choice, choose non-machine cardio. That way, you won't have a machine generating momentum for you. Don't go beyond 30 minutes on a cardio session---20 minutes is better because you can push yourself harder.

Leg circuit cardio is great because you can incorporate exercises like squats, lunges, step ups and jumps. And, to get even more fat burn, do some of these exercises as full speed power exercises. Make sure you have mastered proper jumping and landing techniques before incorporating power exercises into your cardio routine. Again, all it takes is 20 minutes per session.

Its pretty simple. Just do 3-4 days per week of intense cardio and you will tone and sculpt your butt, hips and thighs!

Be sure and download your FREE 14-Day Accelerated Fat Loss Program from My Fitness Hut and start burning fat and building your lean body!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Fat Loss Frequently Asked Questions

There's 2 things about fat loss frequently asked questions, 1) you need to ask the right fat loss questions and 2) you need to recognize the right fat loss answers when you see them! Why?

Because there is alot of bad information out there about fat loss and weight loss! Some of that bad information will give you short-term solutions (such as rapid weight loss) but long-term failure!

If you want the right answers, you've come to the right place! First, you need to know my belief statement about fitness:

“Make a lifetime commitment to health and fitness. This commitment trumps all other fitness commitments. Without it, you will always fall prey to the inevitable obstacles and pitfalls along the way.”

With this statement as background, here are answers to my top fat loss frequently asked questions.

1. Do you need fat loss supplements? You don't need fat loss supplements to burn fat and lose weight! A combination of strength training, cardio training and good nutrition will give you the lean and toned body you want. Save your money!

2. What about fat loss surgery? Some surgeries such as liposuction and mesotherapy may give you some TEMPORARY relief from your subcutaneous (just underneath the skin) body fat.

Liposuction is actually meant to remove deep fat tissue (visceral fat). Again, a combination of strength training, cardio training and good nutrition will give you the lean and toned body you want.

3. Is there specific fat loss exercise? High intensity circuit weight training and high intensity interval cardio (HIIT) have been proven to be effective for long-term fat loss and weight loss provided you have a good fat loss meal plan.

4. What about fat loss vs. muscle loss? You will burn fat while building muscle if you combine strength training, cardio training and good nutrition. That's all there is to it! No shortcuts!

5. Are there any fat loss secrets? No secrets! Just hard, smart workouts, a good nutrition plan and perseverance. See #4 above.

Read the rest of my fat loss frequently asked questions!

"Exercise is not my life.....exercise makes my life better!"

Check out my other great blogs:

Her Fitness Hut Blog Her Fitness Hut is featured on EmpowHER, a great health issues website for women!

Sports Fitness Hut Blog has been recognized by Stanford University Wellsphere as the #1 Sports Fitness Blog and NursingDegree.net as one of the Best 100 Health and Nutrition Blogs for Athletes! The blog has also been named as one of the "50 Best Sports Medicine Blogs by Masters In Healthcare! It is an honor to be recognized by those in the health and academic fields! Afterall, health is number one for everybody---including athletes!

Tone Ab Obliques With Side Plank

Tone your ab oblique muscles and strengthen your deep core muscles with the side plank. You will also burn your belly fat!

External Oblique - these muscles are on the side and front of the abdomen and wrap around your waist.

Internal Oblique - these muscles lie under the external oblique and run in the opposite direction.





--Lie sideways on your left side.

--Raise your body, resting on your forearm and side of foot. Keep your right leg on top of the left leg. Keep your body stiff and brace your torso (as if taking a punch). Keep your head in line with your torso (don't let your head drop or jut out).

--Hold for the required count. Relax and repeat again. Do all repetitions on one side and then switch to the other side.

You can do exercises like planks, side planks, bridges and cobras up to 4 times a week. They will sculpt your abs and protect your low back from injury!

Get FREE Training and Nutrition Insider Secrets for a Lean-Body with Six Pack Abs! This ebook, created by Certified Nutrition Specialist & Certified Personal Trainer, Mike Geary, details over 27 specific metabolism-boosting secrets that you can use to strip off your stubborn body fat faster and easier and get your six-pack abs! Contains unique workout methods and nutritional strategies to slash body fat and take your body to a whole new level of leanness. Get Your FREE Book Now!

Burn Abdominal Fat With Medicine Ball Front Chop

Burn more of the dreaded abdominal fat with the medicine ball front chop! This exercise is also a great full body exercise that you can do as a regular strength exercise or power (full-speed) exercise. Because of speed and intensity, power exercises help you burn more fat during and after your workout.

Besides burning abdominal fat and helping sculpt your six pack abs, medicine ball front chops are great for improving your flexibility. Medicine ball exercises help you to exercise with natural movements. Your training needs to give you a body that you can use in every day life. Tight, rigid muscles will lead you to many injuries!



Grab a medicine ball about 10% of your body weight. You might need a lighter ball if you are a beginner or have been inactive. Shoot for 3-4 sets of 20 repetitions (if doing this as a power exercise, then do 8-10 repetitions).

--Stand with your feet slightly greater than shoulder width apart.

--Keep your arms straight but don't lock your elbows.

--Hold the medicine ball above your head.

--Bend forward at the waist (into a squat position) and mimic throwing the ball between your legs (don't throw ball). Keep your back straight and your head in line with your torso (don't let head drop down or rise up)

--Reverse the movement and stand with the ball above your head. That's 1 repetition.

Try this exercise at home!

Get FREE Training and Nutrition Insider Secrets for a Lean-Body with Six Pack Abs! This ebook, created by Certified Nutrition Specialist & Certified Personal Trainer, Mike Geary, details over 27 specific metabolism-boosting secrets that you can use to strip off your stubborn body fat faster and easier and get your six-pack abs! Contains unique workout methods and nutritional strategies to slash body fat and take your body to a whole new level of leanness. Get Your FREE Book Now!