Weight loss motivation usually begins when you have become motivated to improve in other areas of your life. I'm not a psychologist, but I am a human. I know that when I am "messed up" in other areas of my life, it can sometimes be hard to exercise regularly and lose weight or maintain weight. Its also easier to eat those fatty "comfort foods" that pack on the pounds quickly.
I'm guessing you're not too much different from me. Are there other things in your life hindering your motivation to lose weight and burn fat. Some things that limit us are:
1. Fear of setting goals because of fear of failure. According to experts, setting low goals or no goals means you don't have to live up to high expectations.
2. When you have tried everything and nothing has worked, its easier to just give up. Don't give up. Keep trying. All it takes is the right exercise and nutrition program to help you succeed.
3. You will never reach your weight loss and body toning goals if they are unrealistic. Some of us just don't have the genetic makeup to look like cover models. That's okay! You can set a goal to look and feel the best that YOU can. That's a realistic goal.
4. Remember, weight loss is about improving your health. In an About.com poll, 65% of site visitors said they were losing weight for appearance. And, only 35% said they were losing weight for health. That's why quick weight loss programs (with no long-term benefits) continue to sell out.
5. You can't be perfect. Consistent (and smart) exercise and healthy eating will give you a healthy, toned body. Period. Don't stop no matter how long it takes!
Here's some other motivational tips.
You can reach your weight loss and fat loss goals! Stay with it---YOU ARE WORTH IT!
Download your FREE 14-Day Accelerated Fat Loss Program, to start 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
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sculpt Your Body With Bodyweight Workouts
Sculpt your body better with bodyweight workouts! You can do bodyweight strength workouts and bodyweight cardio workouts at home, at the park or anywhere you want. No gym membership is needed!
Burn body fat like crazy with bodyweight workouts! Bodyweight workouts use natural body motions that don't limit your natural range of motion like machine lifting does. And, doing bodyweight exercises at full speed will burn even more fat and calories!
Tired of doing the same old cardio workout? The answer to your boredom with cardio is an intense bodyweight cardio workout! You will be too challenged to get bored!
Bodyweight workouts allow you to develop strength that allows your body to stabilize itself. Also, no two people have the same exact motions.
My Fitness Hut's Fat Blaster Bodyweight 200, 300 and 400 Workout Books allow you to train in all 3 planes of motion (machines usually limit you to training in 1 plane of motion--sagittal).
Doing bodyweight strength exercises will give you more calorie burn, more fat burn and will sculpt your body faster than doing the same exercises on machines!
Get My Fitness Hut's Fat Blaster Bodyweight Workout Books individually or as a total package!
"SCULPT YOUR BODY FOR LIFE OR SPORTS!"
"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!
Burn body fat like crazy with bodyweight workouts! Bodyweight workouts use natural body motions that don't limit your natural range of motion like machine lifting does. And, doing bodyweight exercises at full speed will burn even more fat and calories!
Tired of doing the same old cardio workout? The answer to your boredom with cardio is an intense bodyweight cardio workout! You will be too challenged to get bored!
Bodyweight workouts allow you to develop strength that allows your body to stabilize itself. Also, no two people have the same exact motions.
My Fitness Hut's Fat Blaster Bodyweight 200, 300 and 400 Workout Books allow you to train in all 3 planes of motion (machines usually limit you to training in 1 plane of motion--sagittal).
Doing bodyweight strength exercises will give you more calorie burn, more fat burn and will sculpt your body faster than doing the same exercises on machines!
Get My Fitness Hut's Fat Blaster Bodyweight Workout Books individually or as a total package!
"SCULPT YOUR BODY FOR LIFE OR SPORTS!"
"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!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Mountain Climbing Requires Core Strength
If you want to be a mountain climber, you need massive amounts of core strength and muscle endurance....so says my friends Brian and Jackie, who finished successfully climbing to the summit of Mt. Ranier! I'm not going to argue with them! I'm impressed---congrats, you two!
All movement begins with the core and many injuries can be traced to a weak core area. WE KNOW THE SAYING---YOU'RE ONLY AS STRONG AS YOUR "WEAKEST LINK." Well, this saying definitely applies to your body. Many people work certain favorite body parts when exercising. In and of itself, this is not a bad thing. But for your training to be effective, you should focus training your "weak links" first while also training the other body parts as well.
For many, the "weakest link" is the core. Weak cores lead to back and other related trunk injuries. Others have weak opposing muscle groups. An example would be having strong triceps but weak biceps, or strong chest muscles but weak back muscles.
Another problem for many is not stretching all muscle groups, which will give you an unbalanced physique and poor posture. This leads to injuries. So, what's the solution? Do full body strength workouts, which will include core strength exercises and total body flexibility exercises. This way your workouts will focus on your "weak links" while training the other parts of your body.
Oh yeah, Brian and Jackie also talked about the importance of doing cardio exercise!
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
All movement begins with the core and many injuries can be traced to a weak core area. WE KNOW THE SAYING---YOU'RE ONLY AS STRONG AS YOUR "WEAKEST LINK." Well, this saying definitely applies to your body. Many people work certain favorite body parts when exercising. In and of itself, this is not a bad thing. But for your training to be effective, you should focus training your "weak links" first while also training the other body parts as well.
For many, the "weakest link" is the core. Weak cores lead to back and other related trunk injuries. Others have weak opposing muscle groups. An example would be having strong triceps but weak biceps, or strong chest muscles but weak back muscles.
Another problem for many is not stretching all muscle groups, which will give you an unbalanced physique and poor posture. This leads to injuries. So, what's the solution? Do full body strength workouts, which will include core strength exercises and total body flexibility exercises. This way your workouts will focus on your "weak links" while training the other parts of your body.
Oh yeah, Brian and Jackie also talked about the importance of doing cardio exercise!
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
Friday, July 23, 2010
Burn More Fat With Challenging Exercises
If you want to burn more fat, do more challenging exercises. Challenge yourself with 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 challenging 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. Exercise on different surfaces such as grass, sand, astro-play and soft surfaces to add more challenge.
5. Do combinations of one-arm and one-leg exercises such as single leg squat-to-single arm shoulder press.
6. Jump rope every day using different variations---two feet, one foot, shuffle, etc. Jumping rope is one of the best body coordination exercises out there. And, speed jump rope is even better to burn more fat.
7. Quickness and agility drills will burn fat like crazy and improve your dynamic balance.
Balance training also improves your core strength.
Challenge yourself more 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
Try some of these challenging 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. Exercise on different surfaces such as grass, sand, astro-play and soft surfaces to add more challenge.
5. Do combinations of one-arm and one-leg exercises such as single leg squat-to-single arm shoulder press.
6. Jump rope every day using different variations---two feet, one foot, shuffle, etc. Jumping rope is one of the best body coordination exercises out there. And, speed jump rope is even better to burn more fat.
7. Quickness and agility drills will burn fat like crazy and improve your dynamic balance.
Balance training also improves your core strength.
Challenge yourself more 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
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Bodyweight Strength Workouts Burn Fat
Bodyweight strength workouts burn fat and allow you to use natural body motions. You don't need exercise machines. Machines limit your natural range of motion. Try doing a squat on the Smith Machine and see how natural that feels.
To be fair, machine workouts can be beneficial for beginners. But, even beginners should not stay with the machines for too long. Why? Because machines also stabilize your body for you. You need to develop strength that allows your body to stabilize itself. Also, no two people have the same exact motions.
Enter in bodyweight strength exercises. These types of exercises allow you to train in all 3 planes of motion (machines usually limit you to training in 1 plane of motion--sagittal).
I don't even recommend doing cardio exercise on machines. Cardio machines do alot of the work for you. Personally, running on cardio machines bores me to tears! Try doing sprint cardio intervals outside on grass and see how tough it is to fight against gravity, ground forces and the elements. You are forced to generate all the momentum and force.
Doing bodyweight strength exercises and cardio exercise on grass will give you more calorie burn, more fat burn and will tone your body faster than doing the same exercises on machines. Oh yeah, another benefit---YOU DON'T NEED A GYM MEMBERSHIP. You can do these types of workouts at home, at the park or at the school yard. And, you save travel time to and from the gym.
Forget the gym memberships and try bodyweight workouts at home.
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
To be fair, machine workouts can be beneficial for beginners. But, even beginners should not stay with the machines for too long. Why? Because machines also stabilize your body for you. You need to develop strength that allows your body to stabilize itself. Also, no two people have the same exact motions.
Enter in bodyweight strength exercises. These types of exercises allow you to train in all 3 planes of motion (machines usually limit you to training in 1 plane of motion--sagittal).
I don't even recommend doing cardio exercise on machines. Cardio machines do alot of the work for you. Personally, running on cardio machines bores me to tears! Try doing sprint cardio intervals outside on grass and see how tough it is to fight against gravity, ground forces and the elements. You are forced to generate all the momentum and force.
Doing bodyweight strength exercises and cardio exercise on grass will give you more calorie burn, more fat burn and will tone your body faster than doing the same exercises on machines. Oh yeah, another benefit---YOU DON'T NEED A GYM MEMBERSHIP. You can do these types of workouts at home, at the park or at the school yard. And, you save travel time to and from the gym.
Forget the gym memberships and try bodyweight workouts at home.
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
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Keep Fat Burning Enzymes Active
Keep your fat-burning enzymes active by standing and walking more during the day.
Research proves that when you sit, your fat-burning enzymes basically shut down....when you stand during the day, those fat-burning enzymes go to work for you! If you have a sit-down job, try to stand as much as you can during the day and take walking breaks and lunches to activate those fat-burning enzymes! Any activity is good to go along with your regular workouts.....those burned calories add up!
A "stand up" exercise will give you more strength benefits. Example: work your hip abductors standing up instead of sitting on that machine. Your core will also get more work when you do an exercise standing up.....and, you will burn more fat and calories.
So, walk or bike when you have that option instead of always hopping in the car to go places....before you know it, most of your day will be active!
Bonus Tip: Brace your torso during the day as you sit, stand and walk and your abs will get extra work also! Bracing would be like "getting ready to take a punch in the gut!"
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!
Research proves that when you sit, your fat-burning enzymes basically shut down....when you stand during the day, those fat-burning enzymes go to work for you! If you have a sit-down job, try to stand as much as you can during the day and take walking breaks and lunches to activate those fat-burning enzymes! Any activity is good to go along with your regular workouts.....those burned calories add up!
A "stand up" exercise will give you more strength benefits. Example: work your hip abductors standing up instead of sitting on that machine. Your core will also get more work when you do an exercise standing up.....and, you will burn more fat and calories.
So, walk or bike when you have that option instead of always hopping in the car to go places....before you know it, most of your day will be active!
Bonus Tip: Brace your torso during the day as you sit, stand and walk and your abs will get extra work also! Bracing would be like "getting ready to take a punch in the gut!"
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!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Burn More Leg Fat
Burn more leg fat with a good leg fat-burning circuit.
Bodyweight leg circuits are a tried and true method to burn more leg fat, increase strength/endurance and improve heart health.
Since this workout is circuit-style, you also get the benefit of a great cardio workout. Do each exercise (10-12 repetitions) one after the other with little or no rest between exercises. Rest 2-3 minutes and do the circuit 2 more times. Here is a good bodyweight leg circuit program:
--Bulgarian split squats
--Step ups (with knee high platform)
--Squat jumps, Depth Jumps (set 2), Tuck Jumps (set 3)
--Reverse lunges
--Side lunges
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
Bodyweight leg circuits are a tried and true method to burn more leg fat, increase strength/endurance and improve heart health.
Since this workout is circuit-style, you also get the benefit of a great cardio workout. Do each exercise (10-12 repetitions) one after the other with little or no rest between exercises. Rest 2-3 minutes and do the circuit 2 more times. Here is a good bodyweight leg circuit program:
--Bulgarian split squats
--Step ups (with knee high platform)
--Squat jumps, Depth Jumps (set 2), Tuck Jumps (set 3)
--Reverse lunges
--Side lunges
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
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load and Glycemic Response
Being aware of the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of certain foods can help you control your glycemic response and body fat. The glycemic index is a numerical index that ranks carbohydrates based on their rate of glycemic response, or their conversion to glucose within the human body. The Index uses a scale of 0 to 100, with higher values given to foods that cause the most rapid rise in blood sugar. Pure glucose is the reference point and has a GI value of 100.
A low-carb diet is not necessary. You are better off eating the right kinds of carbohydrates at the right time. Your body depends on carbohydrates as a primary fuel source (especially during intense workouts). For instance, after a tough workout, a post-workout drink with high glycemic carbs and protein will help your body recover and rebuild your muscles. During the day, low glycemic carbs are more desirable.
The glycemic index is important because your body performs best when your blood sugar is kept relatively constant. When blood sugar drops too low, you become listless or experience increased hunger. If it goes too high, your brain signals your pancreas to secrete more insulin. Although insulin will bring your blood sugar back down, it does so primarily by converting the excess sugar to stored fat.
For non-diabetics, there are times when a rapid increase in blood sugar is desirable. For example, some coaches and trainers recommend high GI foods (like sports drinks) immediately after exercise to help speed recovery.
Another way to control your GI is to also control your glycemic load (GL). Glycemic load can be controlled by the type and amount of carbohydrates you consume. So, GI and GL work together to control your glycemic response.
Listed below is a table showing GI and GL for some common foods. GI's of 55 or below are considered low, and 70 or above are considered high. GL's of 10 or below are considered low and 20 or above are considered high.
Food GI, Serving Size, Carbs, GL
Peanuts 14, 4 oz (113g), 15, 2
Bean sprouts 25, 1 cup (104g), 4, 1
Grapefruit 25, 1/2 large(166g), 11, 3
Pizza 30, 2 slices (260g), 42, 13
Lowfatyogurt 33, 1 cup (245g), 47, 16
Apples 38, 1 medium (138g), 16, 6
Spaghetti 42, 1 cup (140g), 38, 16
Carrots 47, 1 large (72g), 5, 2
Oranges 48, 1 medium (131g), 12, 6
Bananas 52, 1 large (136g), 27, 14
Potato chips 54, 4 oz (114g), 55, 30
Snickers Bar 55, 1 bar (113g), 64, 35
Brown rice 55, 1 cup (195g), 42, 23
Honey 55, 1 tbsp (21g), 17, 9
Oatmeal 58, 1 cup (234g), 21, 12
Ice cream 61, 1 cup (72g), 16, 10
Mac & cheese 64, 1 serving(166g), 47, 30
Raisins 64, 1 small box(43g),32, 20
White rice 64, 1 cup (186g), 52, 33
Sugar 68, 1 tbsp (12g), 12, 8
White bread 70, 1 slice (30g), 14, 10
Watermelon 72, 1 cup (154g), 11, 8
Popcorn 72, 2 cups (16g), 10, 7
Baked potato 85, 1 medium (173g), 33, 28
Glucose 100, (50g), 50, 50
Things to Consider When Using Glycemic Index/Glycemic Load
1. Generally, any food processing such as grinding or cooking will elevate GI values for certain foods.
2. The addition of other foods that contain fiber, protein or fat will generally reduce the GI of the meal.
3. The rate of glycemic response varies from person to person. Also, a person's glycemic response might vary depending on the time of day. And different people have different insulin responses. Lesson? GET TO KNOW YOUR BODY!
4. IF YOU USE GI AND GL VALUES AS THE SOLE FACTOR FOR DETERMINING YOUR DIET, YOU COULD END UP OVERCONSUMING FAT AND TOTAL CALORIES. GI IS ONLY USED TO RATE A FOOD'S CARB CONTENT. IF YOU EAT MORE CALORIES THAN YOU BURN, YOU WILL GAIN WEIGHT NO MATTER WHAT YOU EAT.
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
A low-carb diet is not necessary. You are better off eating the right kinds of carbohydrates at the right time. Your body depends on carbohydrates as a primary fuel source (especially during intense workouts). For instance, after a tough workout, a post-workout drink with high glycemic carbs and protein will help your body recover and rebuild your muscles. During the day, low glycemic carbs are more desirable.
The glycemic index is important because your body performs best when your blood sugar is kept relatively constant. When blood sugar drops too low, you become listless or experience increased hunger. If it goes too high, your brain signals your pancreas to secrete more insulin. Although insulin will bring your blood sugar back down, it does so primarily by converting the excess sugar to stored fat.
For non-diabetics, there are times when a rapid increase in blood sugar is desirable. For example, some coaches and trainers recommend high GI foods (like sports drinks) immediately after exercise to help speed recovery.
Another way to control your GI is to also control your glycemic load (GL). Glycemic load can be controlled by the type and amount of carbohydrates you consume. So, GI and GL work together to control your glycemic response.
Listed below is a table showing GI and GL for some common foods. GI's of 55 or below are considered low, and 70 or above are considered high. GL's of 10 or below are considered low and 20 or above are considered high.
Food GI, Serving Size, Carbs, GL
Peanuts 14, 4 oz (113g), 15, 2
Bean sprouts 25, 1 cup (104g), 4, 1
Grapefruit 25, 1/2 large(166g), 11, 3
Pizza 30, 2 slices (260g), 42, 13
Lowfatyogurt 33, 1 cup (245g), 47, 16
Apples 38, 1 medium (138g), 16, 6
Spaghetti 42, 1 cup (140g), 38, 16
Carrots 47, 1 large (72g), 5, 2
Oranges 48, 1 medium (131g), 12, 6
Bananas 52, 1 large (136g), 27, 14
Potato chips 54, 4 oz (114g), 55, 30
Snickers Bar 55, 1 bar (113g), 64, 35
Brown rice 55, 1 cup (195g), 42, 23
Honey 55, 1 tbsp (21g), 17, 9
Oatmeal 58, 1 cup (234g), 21, 12
Ice cream 61, 1 cup (72g), 16, 10
Mac & cheese 64, 1 serving(166g), 47, 30
Raisins 64, 1 small box(43g),32, 20
White rice 64, 1 cup (186g), 52, 33
Sugar 68, 1 tbsp (12g), 12, 8
White bread 70, 1 slice (30g), 14, 10
Watermelon 72, 1 cup (154g), 11, 8
Popcorn 72, 2 cups (16g), 10, 7
Baked potato 85, 1 medium (173g), 33, 28
Glucose 100, (50g), 50, 50
Things to Consider When Using Glycemic Index/Glycemic Load
1. Generally, any food processing such as grinding or cooking will elevate GI values for certain foods.
2. The addition of other foods that contain fiber, protein or fat will generally reduce the GI of the meal.
3. The rate of glycemic response varies from person to person. Also, a person's glycemic response might vary depending on the time of day. And different people have different insulin responses. Lesson? GET TO KNOW YOUR BODY!
4. IF YOU USE GI AND GL VALUES AS THE SOLE FACTOR FOR DETERMINING YOUR DIET, YOU COULD END UP OVERCONSUMING FAT AND TOTAL CALORIES. GI IS ONLY USED TO RATE A FOOD'S CARB CONTENT. IF YOU EAT MORE CALORIES THAN YOU BURN, YOU WILL GAIN WEIGHT NO MATTER WHAT YOU EAT.
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
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Swim Times Improve With Power Training
Your swim times can improve with speed and power training. Shorten those swim workouts!
With runners, they must train fast to become faster. Current research shows that the same is true for swimmers. Long swim training sessions actually inhibit power development.
Physiologist Dave Costill says:
“Most competitive swimming events last less than two minutes. How can training for three to four hours a day at speeds that are markedly slower than competitive pace prepare the swimmer for the maximal efforts of competition?”
To optimize strength and power, swimmers need to follow an exercise program out of the water that closely mimics their actions in the water. In other words, swimmers need to go workout in the gym too!
Research has proven that there is no speed advantage gained by swimmers continuing to do high-volume swim training (long practice sessions).
Swim coaches continue to do high-volume, low-intensity training no matter what research has proven.
The disadvantages of high-volume swim training are:
1. Depletion of glycogen muscle stores which hampers performance.
2. Fatigue and depletion of fast-twitch muscle fibers which reduces force production.
Sport-specific strength training should be combined with high speed swim training to improve swimming times. Here are some strength exercises for swimmers:
Arm pull down exercises:
Cable rotational front and back pulls: boosts forward propulsion by training the internal rotator cuff muscles by replicating the arm ‘pull down’ through the water.
Rear pulls: promotes balanced strength around the shoulder joint by training the external muscles. This technique avoids shoulder injuries and helps train your core stability skills.
Medicine ball single arm overhead throw: develops the power of the latissimus and pectoral muscles to improve the rate of force production in the shoulder by accelerating the arm hard. The focus is on producing the power from the shoulder and pulling across the body as you do in the crawl.
Swiss ball body pulls: helps to develop core and shoulder strength. A closed kinetic chain movement where the moving limbs remain in contact with a fixed object, it is regarded as functional for sports performance. Uses the stomach muscles to support the spine, using a strong pull of the shoulder muscles to raise your body back to the parallel position.
Leg kick exercises
Hip extension and flexion kick: each leg is worked independently to increase the specificity for swimming. Mimics the upward and downward phases of the swimmers kick action, where the glutes and hamstrings extend and the hip flexors flex the leg at the hip.
Dive start and push-off turn: The dive start and push off turn involves dynamic ankle, knee and hip extension.
Barbell squat jumps: improves vertical jump performance by involving dynamic extension of the ankle, knee and hip joints and trains the calf, quadriceps and gluteal muscles. Helps you generate peak power by adding weight to the squat, so when you perform the jump squat with body weight only, the jump will be very fast and high.
Swimmers can also benefit from using sprinting exercises on the running track. A more diversified swim training program will improve swimmers' competition times.
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
With runners, they must train fast to become faster. Current research shows that the same is true for swimmers. Long swim training sessions actually inhibit power development.
Physiologist Dave Costill says:
“Most competitive swimming events last less than two minutes. How can training for three to four hours a day at speeds that are markedly slower than competitive pace prepare the swimmer for the maximal efforts of competition?”
To optimize strength and power, swimmers need to follow an exercise program out of the water that closely mimics their actions in the water. In other words, swimmers need to go workout in the gym too!
Research has proven that there is no speed advantage gained by swimmers continuing to do high-volume swim training (long practice sessions).
Swim coaches continue to do high-volume, low-intensity training no matter what research has proven.
The disadvantages of high-volume swim training are:
1. Depletion of glycogen muscle stores which hampers performance.
2. Fatigue and depletion of fast-twitch muscle fibers which reduces force production.
Sport-specific strength training should be combined with high speed swim training to improve swimming times. Here are some strength exercises for swimmers:
Arm pull down exercises:
Cable rotational front and back pulls: boosts forward propulsion by training the internal rotator cuff muscles by replicating the arm ‘pull down’ through the water.
Rear pulls: promotes balanced strength around the shoulder joint by training the external muscles. This technique avoids shoulder injuries and helps train your core stability skills.
Medicine ball single arm overhead throw: develops the power of the latissimus and pectoral muscles to improve the rate of force production in the shoulder by accelerating the arm hard. The focus is on producing the power from the shoulder and pulling across the body as you do in the crawl.
Swiss ball body pulls: helps to develop core and shoulder strength. A closed kinetic chain movement where the moving limbs remain in contact with a fixed object, it is regarded as functional for sports performance. Uses the stomach muscles to support the spine, using a strong pull of the shoulder muscles to raise your body back to the parallel position.
Leg kick exercises
Hip extension and flexion kick: each leg is worked independently to increase the specificity for swimming. Mimics the upward and downward phases of the swimmers kick action, where the glutes and hamstrings extend and the hip flexors flex the leg at the hip.
Dive start and push-off turn: The dive start and push off turn involves dynamic ankle, knee and hip extension.
Barbell squat jumps: improves vertical jump performance by involving dynamic extension of the ankle, knee and hip joints and trains the calf, quadriceps and gluteal muscles. Helps you generate peak power by adding weight to the squat, so when you perform the jump squat with body weight only, the jump will be very fast and high.
Swimmers can also benefit from using sprinting exercises on the running track. A more diversified swim training program will improve swimmers' competition times.
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
Monday, July 12, 2010
Misleading Weight Loss Advertisements
Advertisements that promise quick weight loss without diet or exercise are misleading.
Wouldn’t it be nice if — as the ads claim — you could lose weight simply by taking a pill, wearing a patch, or rubbing in a cream? Too bad claims like that are almost always false. Doctors, dieticians, and fitness experts agree that the best way to lose weight is to eat higher quality calories and increase your physical activity.
Here, then, according to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) are the 7 most misleading claims made in Weight Loss Ads:
"LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT DIET OR EXERCISE!" Achieving a healthy weight takes work. Take a pass on any product that promises miraculous results without the effort. Buy one and the only thing you’ll lose is money.
"LOSE WEIGHT NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU EAT OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS!" Beware of any product that claims that you can eat all you want of high-calorie foods and still lose weight. Losing weight requires sensible food choices. Filling up on healthy vegetables and fruits can make it easier to say no to fattening sweets and snacks.
"LOSE WEIGHT PERMANENTLY! NEVER DIET AGAIN!" Even if you’re successful in taking the weight off, permanent weight loss requires permanent lifestyle changes. Don’t trust any product that promises once-and-for-all results without ongoing maintenance.
"BLOCK THE ABSORPTION OF FAT, CARBS, OR CALORIES!" Doctors, dieticians, and other experts agree that there is simply no magic non-prescription pill that will allow you to block the absorption of fat, carbs, or calories. The key to curbing your craving for those " downfall foods" is portion control. Limit yourself to a smaller serving or a slimmer slice.
"LOSE 30 POUNDS IN 30 DAYS!" Losing weight is really all about losing body-fat and learning how to keep it off. At best, products promising lightning-fast weight loss are false. At worst, they can ruin your health.
"EVERYBODY WILL LOSE WEIGHT!" Your habits and health concerns are unique. There is simply no one-size-fits-all product guaranteed to work for everyone. Team up with your fitness professional to design a personalized nutrition and exercise program suited to your lifestyle and metabolism.
"LOSE WEIGHT WITH OUR MIRACLE DIET PATCH OR CREAM!" You’ve seen the ads for diet patches or creams that claim to melt away the pounds. Don’t believe them. There’s nothing you can wear or apply to your skin that will cause you to lose weight.
Make fitness a lifetime commitment and you will reap the health benefits! And, you will look your best!
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
Wouldn’t it be nice if — as the ads claim — you could lose weight simply by taking a pill, wearing a patch, or rubbing in a cream? Too bad claims like that are almost always false. Doctors, dieticians, and fitness experts agree that the best way to lose weight is to eat higher quality calories and increase your physical activity.
Here, then, according to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) are the 7 most misleading claims made in Weight Loss Ads:
"LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT DIET OR EXERCISE!" Achieving a healthy weight takes work. Take a pass on any product that promises miraculous results without the effort. Buy one and the only thing you’ll lose is money.
"LOSE WEIGHT NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU EAT OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS!" Beware of any product that claims that you can eat all you want of high-calorie foods and still lose weight. Losing weight requires sensible food choices. Filling up on healthy vegetables and fruits can make it easier to say no to fattening sweets and snacks.
"LOSE WEIGHT PERMANENTLY! NEVER DIET AGAIN!" Even if you’re successful in taking the weight off, permanent weight loss requires permanent lifestyle changes. Don’t trust any product that promises once-and-for-all results without ongoing maintenance.
"BLOCK THE ABSORPTION OF FAT, CARBS, OR CALORIES!" Doctors, dieticians, and other experts agree that there is simply no magic non-prescription pill that will allow you to block the absorption of fat, carbs, or calories. The key to curbing your craving for those " downfall foods" is portion control. Limit yourself to a smaller serving or a slimmer slice.
"LOSE 30 POUNDS IN 30 DAYS!" Losing weight is really all about losing body-fat and learning how to keep it off. At best, products promising lightning-fast weight loss are false. At worst, they can ruin your health.
"EVERYBODY WILL LOSE WEIGHT!" Your habits and health concerns are unique. There is simply no one-size-fits-all product guaranteed to work for everyone. Team up with your fitness professional to design a personalized nutrition and exercise program suited to your lifestyle and metabolism.
"LOSE WEIGHT WITH OUR MIRACLE DIET PATCH OR CREAM!" You’ve seen the ads for diet patches or creams that claim to melt away the pounds. Don’t believe them. There’s nothing you can wear or apply to your skin that will cause you to lose weight.
Make fitness a lifetime commitment and you will reap the health benefits! And, you will look your best!
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
Friday, July 9, 2010
Obesity Study Is Misleading
A study on obesity is misleading, if you believe the numbers. This obesity study was reported on in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It is true that you can make numbers say whatever you want them to say. Mathematically, the numbers are correct according to the way the research was performed. But, they did not reveal the whole truth about obesity and its effects on your health.
The research claims that your chances of dying from cancer or heart disease does not increase if you carry up to 25 extra pounds. The study DID NOT consider all of the relevant factors. DON'T BELIEVE THESE RESULTS.
Here are the basic methodologies the researchers used to compile their results and my assessment:
1) The study was based on body mass index (BMI) and not body composition. BMI looks at overall body fat, whereas body composition reveals where you are fat. Abdominal fat (visceral) is the worst kind of fat and it has been proven to spread toxins into the internal organs which leads to health problems such as heart disease and cancer.
2) The study accounted for total deaths instead of accounting for specific causes of death. As I just mentioned above, abdominal fat has been proven to lead to serious health problems.
3) The study was limited to death and did not examine the other problems caused by obesity. The physiological, sociological, and psychological effects of obesity have a great effect on your health.
4) The researchers didn't consider physical fitness and diet in their methodology. Fitness and diet affects everything, including how overweight or underweight we may be.
My message to you is this: It's always wise to take the safest route in any situation. Common sense tells us what "complete research" has already proven: if you are overweight and overfat, you will eventually have health problems (and other problems) which could lead to your death.
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!
The research claims that your chances of dying from cancer or heart disease does not increase if you carry up to 25 extra pounds. The study DID NOT consider all of the relevant factors. DON'T BELIEVE THESE RESULTS.
Here are the basic methodologies the researchers used to compile their results and my assessment:
1) The study was based on body mass index (BMI) and not body composition. BMI looks at overall body fat, whereas body composition reveals where you are fat. Abdominal fat (visceral) is the worst kind of fat and it has been proven to spread toxins into the internal organs which leads to health problems such as heart disease and cancer.
2) The study accounted for total deaths instead of accounting for specific causes of death. As I just mentioned above, abdominal fat has been proven to lead to serious health problems.
3) The study was limited to death and did not examine the other problems caused by obesity. The physiological, sociological, and psychological effects of obesity have a great effect on your health.
4) The researchers didn't consider physical fitness and diet in their methodology. Fitness and diet affects everything, including how overweight or underweight we may be.
My message to you is this: It's always wise to take the safest route in any situation. Common sense tells us what "complete research" has already proven: if you are overweight and overfat, you will eventually have health problems (and other problems) which could lead to your death.
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!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Fat-Burning, Speed-Based Workouts
Fat-burning, speed-based workouts give you maximum benefits in minimum time! One 20-minute, speed-based workout will burn tons of calories and fat---during and after your workout!
Speed-based workouts don't have to be "running only" workouts. But, running sprints are usually included in a speed-based workout. Working out at a fast pace has been proven to shape and sculpt your body better because these type of workouts activate your bulkier, shapely fast twitch muscle fibers.
If you are going to use a fat-burning, speed-based workout, you need to learn correct running mechanics! Many people I see running have terrible running mechanics! Bad running mechanics make your workouts inefficient and many times lead to injuries.
You should master the basic running mechanics to become faster and more efficient. Posture, arm action and leg action are keys to improving your speed and efficiency.
Other fat-burning, speed-based exercises you can do during your workout are jumps, medicine ball exercises and agility drills. Master bodyweight speed exercises before progressing to assisted or weight-bearing speed exercises.
Your body also needs adequate strength (including core strength) and speed strength (power) for you to reach your running speed potential.
Running and jumping will not give you the leg strength you will need to sculpt your legs and improve your running speed. You should strengthen your legs with exercises like squats, step ups and lunges because these exercises use the same pathways that it takes to run with speed.
And, don't forget about your calf muscles. Your calf muscles provide at least 30% of the strength and power it takes to run fast. Use speed calf raises (seated or standing) to strengthen the calves.
You have to train fast to get faster, burn more fat and better sculpt your body! Too much distance running will defeat your goal of improving your speed. When training for speed, distance running should be kept to a minimum because it reduces explosiveness.
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!
Speed-based workouts don't have to be "running only" workouts. But, running sprints are usually included in a speed-based workout. Working out at a fast pace has been proven to shape and sculpt your body better because these type of workouts activate your bulkier, shapely fast twitch muscle fibers.
If you are going to use a fat-burning, speed-based workout, you need to learn correct running mechanics! Many people I see running have terrible running mechanics! Bad running mechanics make your workouts inefficient and many times lead to injuries.
You should master the basic running mechanics to become faster and more efficient. Posture, arm action and leg action are keys to improving your speed and efficiency.
Other fat-burning, speed-based exercises you can do during your workout are jumps, medicine ball exercises and agility drills. Master bodyweight speed exercises before progressing to assisted or weight-bearing speed exercises.
Your body also needs adequate strength (including core strength) and speed strength (power) for you to reach your running speed potential.
Running and jumping will not give you the leg strength you will need to sculpt your legs and improve your running speed. You should strengthen your legs with exercises like squats, step ups and lunges because these exercises use the same pathways that it takes to run with speed.
And, don't forget about your calf muscles. Your calf muscles provide at least 30% of the strength and power it takes to run fast. Use speed calf raises (seated or standing) to strengthen the calves.
You have to train fast to get faster, burn more fat and better sculpt your body! Too much distance running will defeat your goal of improving your speed. When training for speed, distance running should be kept to a minimum because it reduces explosiveness.
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!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Use Your Muscles or Lose Them!
If you don't build muscles, you will lose muscles. It doesn't matter if you're 40 years old or 75 years old.
Exercise and fitness will help you to increase the range of movement, increase lean muscle, strengthen bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, improve your ability to do everyday activities, improve health, help prevent accidents, injuries, and sickness, and speed up rehabilitation.
Resistance training helps women tone, shape and strengthen muscle fibers, minimizing the "fatty marbling" within the muscle that results in flabby, weak muscles. In addition, not only will you increase lean muscle mass and overall body tone, but the benefits of exercise also include increased metabolic rate and increased bone density.
Women who exercise on a regular basis with both resistance training (weight lifting) and cardiovascular exercise are able to perform more work without tiring and are less likely to sustain fractures resulting from osteoporotic conditions.
So, what happens when the body you once knew begins to acquire a different shape and doesn't respond to activities and physical exertion as it once did when you were 20 years old? Unfortunately, you can't change the fact that you'll age, but you can control, to some degree, the rate at which you age. A lot of women unwisely decrease their activity level as they grow older, assuming it's proper to grow old gracefully.
Regrettably, they grow old ungracefully, with considerable restrictions on their mobility, self-reliance, and quality of life. From adulthood into middle age, you will lose approximately 6.6 pounds of lean muscle mass during each decade of life. Numerous studies indicate that muscle mass may decline by 20% to 40% between age 20 and age 65. So, it is critical to continue a regular strength training program throughout your life.
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 and fitness will help you to increase the range of movement, increase lean muscle, strengthen bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, improve your ability to do everyday activities, improve health, help prevent accidents, injuries, and sickness, and speed up rehabilitation.
Resistance training helps women tone, shape and strengthen muscle fibers, minimizing the "fatty marbling" within the muscle that results in flabby, weak muscles. In addition, not only will you increase lean muscle mass and overall body tone, but the benefits of exercise also include increased metabolic rate and increased bone density.
Women who exercise on a regular basis with both resistance training (weight lifting) and cardiovascular exercise are able to perform more work without tiring and are less likely to sustain fractures resulting from osteoporotic conditions.
So, what happens when the body you once knew begins to acquire a different shape and doesn't respond to activities and physical exertion as it once did when you were 20 years old? Unfortunately, you can't change the fact that you'll age, but you can control, to some degree, the rate at which you age. A lot of women unwisely decrease their activity level as they grow older, assuming it's proper to grow old gracefully.
Regrettably, they grow old ungracefully, with considerable restrictions on their mobility, self-reliance, and quality of life. From adulthood into middle age, you will lose approximately 6.6 pounds of lean muscle mass during each decade of life. Numerous studies indicate that muscle mass may decline by 20% to 40% between age 20 and age 65. So, it is critical to continue a regular strength training program throughout your life.
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
Monday, July 5, 2010
Do Summer Exercise With Quality Footwear!
Please do your summer exercise with quality footwear! Do I even need to say NOT TO EXERCISE WITH CHEAP SHOES! Based on what I see at health clubs, alot of people exercise with cheap shoes!
Do you have feet that are flat, low-arched or high-arched? Then, you need quality footwear to protect and support your feet! You might even need insoles to support your feet.
Also, you need footwear that supports your activities. Are you a runner, tennis player, basketball player, soccer player, raquetball player or lacrosse player? Buy the footwear that you need! I love the "old school Converse sneakers" but you might not want to run a marathon using those sneakers!
Due to the science and technology that goes into making quality exercise footwear, you will pay good money for them. But, the amount of money you pay is worth avoiding painful foot injuries! Make the investment in your feet! And, when your footwear begins to wear out, replace those old comfortable shoes!
If you have serious foot problems, get shoe recommendations from your podiatrist or footwear expert.
If you don't exercise with quality footwear, you can expect:
1. shin splints
2. Plantar Fasciitis
3. various toe, foot and heel injuries
4. ankle sprains
5. biomechanical problems
6. various muscle strains and sprains
If you need a footwear store that has quality footwear for just about any fitness activity, then visit my friends at Fitness Footwear!
"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!
Do you have feet that are flat, low-arched or high-arched? Then, you need quality footwear to protect and support your feet! You might even need insoles to support your feet.
Also, you need footwear that supports your activities. Are you a runner, tennis player, basketball player, soccer player, raquetball player or lacrosse player? Buy the footwear that you need! I love the "old school Converse sneakers" but you might not want to run a marathon using those sneakers!
Due to the science and technology that goes into making quality exercise footwear, you will pay good money for them. But, the amount of money you pay is worth avoiding painful foot injuries! Make the investment in your feet! And, when your footwear begins to wear out, replace those old comfortable shoes!
If you have serious foot problems, get shoe recommendations from your podiatrist or footwear expert.
If you don't exercise with quality footwear, you can expect:
1. shin splints
2. Plantar Fasciitis
3. various toe, foot and heel injuries
4. ankle sprains
5. biomechanical problems
6. various muscle strains and sprains
If you need a footwear store that has quality footwear for just about any fitness activity, then visit my friends at Fitness Footwear!
"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!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Weekend Warriors' Exercise And Injury Prevention
If you're a weekend warrior, you need to exercise to prevent injuries and win those games for bragging rights! If you just show up for your game on the weekends without preparation, you will blow out a hamstring or pull a quad muscle (or worse injury).
Begin your training by getting your body in general condition to play your sport. Full body strength training (3 days a week) and interval cardio (2-3 days a week) sessions will get your body ready for more intense training to follow. Do this training for 2-3 weeks.
You would then progress to do basic plyometric exercises like squat jumps and cone hops. Plyometric exercises help you to increase power. Traditional barbell and dumbbell strength exercises do not allow you to move at the speeds necessary to improve power. Strength training gives you muscular and nervous system development needed to develop optimal power.
Advanced sports power training supersets a strength exercise with a biomechanically similar power exercise. An example would be barbell squats and repeating full-speed squat jumps. The squat jumps would be performed immediately following the barbell squats to get maximum neuromuscular adaptations.
You would do a set of squats at 85% of 1 Rep Maximum (5 reps) followed immediately by a set of full-speed repeating squat jumps (8-10 reps). This is an advanced training method and should not be performed by those who do not have adequate stabilization strength and muscular strength. Other plyometric exercises can also be superset this way. It is also advisable to choose exercises that mimic the movements in your sport (transfer-of-training-effect).
Surprise your friends with improved power and explosion during your games! And, do so without getting injured!
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
Begin your training by getting your body in general condition to play your sport. Full body strength training (3 days a week) and interval cardio (2-3 days a week) sessions will get your body ready for more intense training to follow. Do this training for 2-3 weeks.
You would then progress to do basic plyometric exercises like squat jumps and cone hops. Plyometric exercises help you to increase power. Traditional barbell and dumbbell strength exercises do not allow you to move at the speeds necessary to improve power. Strength training gives you muscular and nervous system development needed to develop optimal power.
Advanced sports power training supersets a strength exercise with a biomechanically similar power exercise. An example would be barbell squats and repeating full-speed squat jumps. The squat jumps would be performed immediately following the barbell squats to get maximum neuromuscular adaptations.
You would do a set of squats at 85% of 1 Rep Maximum (5 reps) followed immediately by a set of full-speed repeating squat jumps (8-10 reps). This is an advanced training method and should not be performed by those who do not have adequate stabilization strength and muscular strength. Other plyometric exercises can also be superset this way. It is also advisable to choose exercises that mimic the movements in your sport (transfer-of-training-effect).
Surprise your friends with improved power and explosion during your games! And, do so without getting injured!
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
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Biggest Loser, The Healthy Way
Be the Biggest Loser, the healthy way! Health is more important than weight loss. Don't lose your health and self respect trying quick weight loss tactics. Check out this video about a former Biggest Loser television show contestant who experienced major weight loss (and disappointment):
Your goal should be to be the biggest fat loser. Losing huge amounts of weight can be gained back quickly if you don't build muscle mass. Build muscle, burn fat, speed up your metabolism and lose weight (and keep it off).
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 from My Fitness Hut.
Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs
Your goal should be to be the biggest fat loser. Losing huge amounts of weight can be gained back quickly if you don't build muscle mass. Build muscle, burn fat, speed up your metabolism and lose weight (and keep it off).
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 from My Fitness Hut.
Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs
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