Tag Archive for: #wonderfullyfit

Top 8 Reasons for Personal Training

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Life can be chaotic and out of control and people use that as an excuse not to train but that is actually a huge reason for fitness training.

Training can change your whole perspective and actually save your life without you even knowing it… even if you are not directly at risk of any illness or disease in particular.

training

1. MONEY

In the long run personal training will save you massive amounts of money. People look at personal training as an expense. The reality is that it will end up saving you thousands of $$$ on insurance, hospital and doctor bills as well as expensive medications. We are an instant gratification society and it is hard for us to look that far into the future, but it is now a proven fact that personal training will save you massive piles of hard cold $CASH$ in the future. So spend a couple hundred a month now and save $10-20K later.

Also, people may go to the gym for a couple hours a week and cause undetected damage called microtrauma (small unnoticeable injuries). Continuously doing “the wrong thing” and causing these microtraumas that build up over time, often times leads to a serious injury – all due to improper training – which again can cost you thousands of dollars in surgeries and physical therapy. Also, what price can you put on spending many more healthy years with your family?

2. Time 

If you are training properly you can save yourself massive amounts of time, and time is money (which goes right back to #1). If you are working with a personal trainer who knows physiology and anatomy and the right combination of exercise at the right time, then you can limit training to 2-3 hours a week and see amazing results. Whereas many people might go to the gym for hours and never see any results.

3. Productivity

We have energy systems in our body and if you train properly you can build those energy systems in a way that makes you 20% more productive. In combination with eating the right food, the energy can build and build. When you’re more productive you can do more and have more positive energy at work, which can lead to making more money. It will also reduce your level of stress as well as increase your ability to cope with stress making your job and life much easier.

4. Be More Attractive

The proper training will help you burn fat and gain lean muscle, which will give you a better figure, bring the skin closer to the muscle (reducing wrinkles) but that’s not the only thing. When you are training and taking care of your body your hormones are more balanced and what makes us more attracted to each other are Pheromones, which become stronger through training.

5. Feel Better About Yourself

Personal training adds a tremendous amount of self-confidence and self-esteem. There is no value to feeling good. We are only on this Earth for a small amount of time; we might as well feel good for as much of it as we can. Also, personal training has been scientifically proven to be more powerful than anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications to keep a positive mood balance.

6. Make Life Easier

It’s easy to see that if you are more productive, make and save more money, have more self-confidence and self-esteem, more energy and more love, then life automatically become much easier. Unfortunately, some people are always looking for a shortcut and ways to circumvent the necessary work to get these numerous benefits of personal training. What’s even more unfortunate is that these people end up feeling empty and unaccomplished.

7. More Muscles

Consider this equation: Work = Force (muscle) x Distance. The more muscles you have the easier it is to move your bones, which means it requires less energy to move your body around. For example, if you have more leg muscles and need to walk up the stairs everyday all day it will take less energy to do so. But smaller muscles use a ton of energy and you will be fatigued at the end of the day just from walking up and down the stairs.

8) Be a Role Model to Friends and Family and the World

We are quickly becoming the unhealthiest nation in the world. It is important to do personal training to lead our community members and family members to a healthier lifestyle so we can in turn become a stronger nation mentally and physically.

In a world where people are caring less and less about their health and looking for shortcuts, it is the cool thing to take the road less traveled and receive all the above benefits that will give you a competitive advantage in life. A strong person instantly has an easier life.

What is a Ketogenic Diet and How Does it Relate to the Atkins Diet?

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You’ve probably heard plenty about the Atkins Diet over the years. You know, that incredibly popular and controversial diet that involves cutting right down on your carbohydrate intake. You may have also heard of “ketogenic diets” – it’s a more scientific term so you may not recognise it.

Did you realise that the Atkins Diet is a type of ketogenic diet? In this article we’ll have a brief look at what the term means and my experience of this type of diet.

Atkins DietThe Atkins Diet

The original Atkins Diet book, Dr. Atkins’ Diet Revolution, was released in 1972. Dr Robert Atkins was interested, among other things, in getting his own weight under control. Primarily using self-experimentation techniques he found that eating a diet very low in carbohydrates tended to make him lose weight quickly. His experimentation was based upon other research papers and, as a result of his own studies, he became confident that the science behind the diet was sound. The resulting book was a resounding success and, over the next 30 years up to his death in 2003, Robert Atkins continued to produce popular diet books based upon the low-carbohydrate principle.

Ketogenic Diets

Some would argue that only the first “phase” of the Atkins Diet is “ketogenic” but it’s very clear that this element is central to the whole diet. There are many other diets of this type with different names and claims but, if they talk about severely restricting the intake of carbohydrates, then they’re probably forms of ketogenic diet. The process of “ketosis” is quite complicated and would take some time to describe but, in essence, it works because cutting down on carbs restricts the amount of blood glucose available to trigger the “insulin response”. Without a triggering of the glucose-insulin response some hormonal changes take place which cause the body to start burning its stores of fat as energy. This also has the interesting effect of causing your brain to be fuelled by what are known as “ketone bodies” (hence “ketogenic”) rather than the usual glucose. The whole process is really quite fascinating and I recommend that you read up on it.

Controversy

All forms of ketogenic diet are controversial. Most of the debate surrounds the issue of cholesterol and whether ketogenic diets increase or decrease the levels HDL “good” cholesterol and/or increase or decrease LDL “bad” cholesterol. The number of scientific studies is increasing year on year and it is certainly possible to point to strong cases on both sides of the argument. My conclusion (and this is only my opinion) is that one could equally make the case that a carbohydrate-laden diet has negative effects on cholesterol and I think that, on balance, a ketogenic-type diet is more healthy than a carbohydrate-heavy one. Interestingly, there isn’t so much controversy about whether ketogenic diets work or not (it’s widely accepted that they do); it’s mostly about how they work and whether that is good/bad/indifferent from a health perspective.

My Experience

I too am a bit of a self-experimenter. I know this approach isn’t for everyone and it does carry an element of risk. I’ve experimented with a ketogenic diet for around eight years now. I sometimes lapse, mostly during holidays, but I always return to the diet as part of my day-to-day routine. I find that I can easily lose the several extra pounds that I put on during the holidays within around two weeks of starting up the keto diet again. I suppose it helps that I really enjoy the type of food I get to eat by following this regimen. Many of the foods I like are quite high in protein and fat. I do miss carbohydrate-rich foods such as pizza and pasta but I think that loss is outweighed (sic) by the benefit of being able to each rich food and still keep my weight under control. It goes without saying that I have to avoid sugary foods but I don’t have much of a sweet tooth and I can still enjoy things like good dark chocolate, in moderation.

Conclusion

It’s difficult, if you are just starting out looking for a diet that works for you, to know where the truth lies in this debate; if the scientists can’t sort it out then how are you going to? The plain truth is that you’ll need to educate yourself, weigh up the arguments, then follow your own best judgement. My experience has been largely positive but you will, no doubt, have heard of friends having problems on low carbohydrate diets for one reason or another. There is no such thing as a miracle diet and most of them are just variations on a theme but all ketogenic-type diets are based upon a very specific principle and that principle has been demonstrated to induce weight loss in many people. Perhaps you should try to base your opinion on the available evidence and not on anecdotes. It’s your body and your health, after all.

10 Top Reasons You Need Personal Training

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Welcome to Wonderfully Fit’s Top 10 reasons you need personal training as part of your weight loss solution or exercise routine personal training.

personal training

#1 Motivation

People are mostly creatures of habit – it is simply the way the mind works. We leave so much to the autopilot inside, the one we’ve actually conditioned to make all our responses automatically, that personal training from a motivator can actually untrain your old worn out and inappropriate responses so that you make personal training changes in your lifestyle to make real progress, no matter what weight loss solution you follow. Motivation is probably the number #1 reason you need to make personal training a part of your weight loss solution or exercise routine program.

#2 Exercise Routine

There are so many different pieces of exercise equipment and variety of exercise routines, how do you know which is the right weight loss plan or exercise routine for you? Personal training can guide you because personal trainers know what results each exercise routine and piece of exercise equipment can give, and many can advise on nutrition as part of any weight loss solution. Personal training can really shorten the time it takes to achieve your goal on any weight loss solution or fitness plan.

#3 Using Exercise Equipment Correctly

If you have been doing the same exercise routine regularly and not achieving the weight loss solution goal you had planned for, the chances are you may not be doing the exerise routine correctly. It could be that when you started, without personal training, that you were never taught the correct way of using a certain piece of exercise equipment or performing the exercise routine correctly. You will get results faster on any weight loss solution program or exercise routine regime, if you get personal training to help you burn fat fast.

#4 Diet Solution

Ok, so now you have your personal training sorted out and you are doing the exercise routine under supervision and following your weight loss solution to burn fat fast with advice from a professional. It is still important to know your own metabolism and the correct diet solution to accelerate your metabolism so that you can burn fat fast. The correct diet solution is important because you want to perform your exercise routine with optimal energy levels and also, to allow your muscles to burn fat when there are no “free carbs” (food from meals) around. When there is no carbohydrate fuel, anaerobic exercise routines force the muscles to burn fat into fuel for exercise and to repair muscle tissue long after you have finished your exercise routine. Personal training will help you train at the right time and just as importantly, eat at the right time.

#5 A Tailored Exercise Routine

If you enjoy a sport but want to be “the best of the best”, not just looking for a routine as part of a weight loss solution to burn fat, but you are serious about raising your fitness, agility or strength levels to get better performance in whatever sport you play and enjoy so much, then you need personal training. A personal trainer will know a variety of exercise and nutritional diet solotion to best suit your individual needs. People come in all shapes and sizes with different metabolic rates, different skeletal structure and different body mass. Personal training is essential if you want an individually tailored exercise routine to make the most of what you’ve got.

#6 Hitting The Wall

A lot of this is psychological in nature, where people in sight of the finishing line, “hit the wall” and lose energy, drive and sometimes even the hope of finishing the exercise routine or weight loss solution program. Motivation and drive from personal training can help you break through that wall. It is simply a stubborn inappropriate conditioned automatic response that needs to be broken so that you build a different belief system – a “can do” attitude, rather than “can’t go on” attitude, that has stopped you failing every time you take up a weight loss solution or program to burn fat. It’s motivation not to get started and to sustain your exercise routine and weight loss program but motivation to succeed and actually get the results your autopilot inner being has been depriving you of.

#7 Information

How many of you have trawled the net looking for a specific diet solution, a specific weight loss solution, an exercise routine or where to get, how to use, or what is the best piece of equipment for a particular purpose. When it comes to fitness, healthy eating, diet solution, a personal trainer will be able to give you the answers you are looking for – and even if they don’t know, they work with other professionals in personal training networks who will get all the answers you will need to get the results you want.

#8 Rehabilitation

If you are coming back from an illness or an injury, personal training will take all these factors into consideration so that you do not overextend yourself in your exercise regime or weight loss solution and make sure that your aerobic or anaerobic routine is complementary to where you are in your physical recovery.

#9 Family Fitness

Why not involve the whole family, children also, into a personal training program suitable for each member of the family. It means more time with the family and it can be made into being a fun event at the same time, no matter what exercise regime, weight loss plan or fitness goal you are looking for. A professional can make personal training fun for each family member.

#10 Beach Holidays & New Year Resolutions

How many of you have had an eye on summer and what to wear on the beach? How many of you are looking for that “beach body” you want to display in the sun? Personal training can help you achieve your weight loss goals, taking into account the time you have left until your holiday and the specific weight loss solution you are looking for.

At the turn of the year, we all think ahead to summer at a time of year when the focus is on eating and drinking more than we may usually do. Getting personal training in January can help you set your weight loss goals with tailor made routines to burn fat or fitness plans to ensure you stay fit and healthy no matter what you eat during the holiday festive season.

No matter what weight loss solution, diet plan or exercise routine you are looking for, personal training has so much more to offer than most people realise, at first glance.

Ketogenic Diets and Their Rapid Weight Loss Effects

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Virtually all weight loss diets to varying degrees focus on either calorie reduction or the manipulation of the intake of one of the three essential macronutrients (proteins, fats, or carbohydrates) to achieve their weight loss effects.

Ketogenic diets are a group of “high-fat, moderate protein” or “high-protein moderate fat” but very low-carbohydrate diets. The term ketogenic basically refers to the increased production of ketone bodies occasioned by the elevated rate of lipolysis (fat break down). Ketones are the acidic by-products formed during the intermediate break down of “fat” into “fatty acids” by the liver.

ketogenic diets

The first sets of ketogenic diets were actually developed as far back as the early 1920s by the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Epilepsy Center and also by Dr. R.M. Wilder of the Mayo Clinic to treat children with hard to control seizures. The diets were designed to mimic the biochemical changes that occurred during periods of fasting, namely ketosis, acidosis, and dehydration. The diets involved the consumption of about 10-15 grams of carbohydrates per day, 1 gram of protein per kilogram bodyweight of the patient and the remaining calories derived from fats.

Today, the promoters of ketogenic diets are strongly of the view that carbohydrates especially the high glycemic index ones are the major reasons why people gain weight. Carbohydrate foods are generally metabolized to produce glucose, a form of simple sugar that is generally regarded as the preferred energy source for the body as it is a faster burning energy. Although the body can break down muscle glycogen (a mixture of glucose and water) and fat to produce energy, it however prefers to get it from high glycemic index carbohydrates from diets.

Of the macronutrients, carbohydrates are therefore argued to be the major cause of weight gain. This is more so because the increased intake of high glycemic index carbohydrate foods generally causes fluctuating blood sugar levels due to their fast absorption into the bloodstream and which more often than not leads to the overproduction of insulin. This is where the problem actually starts.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and therefore maintenance of the energy in/energy out equation of the body which rules body weight. Excess amounts of glucose in the bloodstream causes the excessive secretion of insulin which leads to the storage of the excess glucose in the body as either glycogen in liver and muscle cells or fat in fat cells.

One aim of ketogenic diets is therefore to reduce insulin production to its barest minimum by drastically reducing carbohydrate consumption while using fats and proteins to supplement the body’s energy requirement.

Despite the ability of ketogenic diets to reduce insulin production, their main objective is ultimately aimed at inducing the state of ketosis. Ketosis can be regarded as a condition or state in which the rate of formation of ketones produced by the break down of “fat” into “fatty acids” by the liver is greater than the ability of tissues to oxidize them. Ketosis is actually a secondary state of the process of lipolysis (fat break down) and is a general side effect of low-carbohydrate diets. Ketogenic diets are therefore favorably disposed to the encouragement and promotion of ketosis.

Prolonged periods of starvation can easily induce ketosis but it can also be deliberately induced by making use of a low-calorie or low-carbohydrate diet through the ingestion of large amounts of either fats or proteins and drastically reduced carbohydrates. Therefore, high-fat and high-protein diets are the weight loss diets used to deliberately induce ketosis.

Essentially, ketosis is a very efficient form of energy production which does not involve the production of insulin as the body rather burns its fat deposits for energy. Consequently, the idea of reducing carbohydrate consumption does not only reduce insulin production but also practically forces the body to burn its fat deposit for energy, thereby making the use of ketogenic diets a very powerful way to achieve rapid weight loss.

Ketogenic diets are designed in such a way that they initially force the body to exhaust its glucose supply and then finally switch to burning its fat deposits for energy. Subsequent food intakes after inducing the state of ketosis are meant to keep the ketosis process running by appropriately adjusting further carbohydrate consumption to provide just the basic amount of calories needed by the body.

For example, the Atkins Diet which is obviously the most popular ketogenic diet aims to help dieters achieve what the diet calls the individual’s Critical Carbohydrate Level for Maintenance (CCLM) – a carbohydrate consumption level where the dieter neither gains nor loses weight anymore.

In 2003, the Johns Hopkins treatment center came up with a modified version of the Atkins Diet protocol to treat a group of 20 children with epilepsy. After the treatment, it was observed that two-thirds experienced a significant reduction in their seizures while 9 were able to reduce their medication dosages and none developed kidney stones.

Furthermore, there are ongoing scientific studies by the National Institute of Health (NIH) concerning the effectiveness of the classic ketogenic diet and the modified versions of the Atkins Diet in helping people to lose weight and also in the treatment of epilepsy. It is equally interesting to note that the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is carrying out studies on the effect of ketogenic diets and also formulating medications that will be able to produce the same effect on weight reduction.

How to Enjoy Personal Training

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First of all, one thing you should always remember is that your physical trainer should be your friend and not just a trainer.

Here are a few things that you should consider when choosing your personal physical trainer: Check the qualifications and work experience of the physical trainer. Do not put your body fitness into the hands of a novice. Go for a certified personal trainer! Refer to his/her previous work or success percentages.

trainer

This approach will enable you to “Enjoy Personal Training” and reap the benefits!

Let’s face it, finding a great personal trainer isn’t easy. You can take your chances at a gym, risk finding a trainer that may or may not be qualified, or you can take some of the advice I am giving you to go make the task easy for you, and enjoy your personal training!

Some personal trainers are not just certified, but also go through additional training and they’re well versed in all of the best in-home training techniques available to help you trim and tone. After all, training at home is different than training at a gym where machines are designed primarily for people that want to build muscle, not trim and tone. Additionally, In home trainers are usually more experienced in yoga, and Pilates so they can always keep your workouts interesting and fun.

No equipment? No problem. Your In home trainer will provide everything you need, similar to training at a facility but with less equipment and more knowledge.

As you begin your session, your personal fitness trainer should assess your fitness level, physique measurements, exercise and well-being history, objectives and other people. You should be ready to step on the weighing scale and face reality in terms of your weight concern and communicate to your trainer your eagerness to undertake the physical workout plan. The activities which you’re going to take in every session depend on your objectives. Your personal fitness trainer can incorporate activities for cardio, weight training, flexibility as well as talk to a nutritionist or dietitian for you eat the appropriate sort of food whilst undergoing physical workout programs.

The rest that the trainer can do would be to preserve you going and motivated to ultimately reach the stated objectives.A great trainer can assist you to attain your goals of staying fit and lose weight or whatever the case could be. He or she can draw physical exercise programs which you’ll need and helping you using the complete procedure. Your personal fitness trainer might be your buddy also who genuinely cares for you and inside your quest to stay fit and healthy.

Discovering the proper 1 might be a challenge and confusing at occasions but you ought to be patient so that you can hire somebody who’s competent sufficient and who cares for your progress. Find a personal trainer that is equipped with the appropriate understanding and information that will assist you to undergo the physical physical exercise plan with ease and confidence.Usually the role of a personal fitness trainer is always to assess your fitness level. This may make you realize just how much difficult function you should exert to be able to accomplish the desirable weight for your age. The trainer will also assess your medical history together with other considerations prior to setting up an exercise strategy for you.

Would you like to enjoy losing weight? Please don’t go to a personal trainer trying to sell you vitamins. Frankly, it’s not necessarily the best thing for you and all it does is put extra money in that trainer’s pocket.

Most personal trainers have a little background and understanding with nutrition, but beyond basic water intake and ideas for meals you should see a registered Dietitian to help you with your dietary needs.

The amount of time you spend stretching depends upon your current level of fitness. IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION (such as a herniated disc, torn muscle, sprained ankle etc…) CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR PRIOR TO BEGINNING A FLEXIBILITY PROGRAM. There are stretching exercises that you should not do.

Typical Personal Training Program used with Clients:

Fitness Level 1 – You never or rarely stretch

To increase your level of flexibility, try to stretch 3 times a week for 20-30 minutes. (20 – 30 minutes may sound like a lot of time to spend stretching; however, if you incorporate it into a workout routine where you stretch 10-15 minutes before weight training/cardiovascular work and 10-15 minutes after, it is a reasonable time frame to work with.) Stretching should always be preceded by a 5-10 minutes warm-up period where you are moving in a rhythmic fashion using all your major muscle groups. (This sends blood to the muscles and readies them for activity.) Remember to use the Static Stretch method and try to hold each stretch for at least 10-30 seconds.

Fitness Level 2 – You occasionally stretch most of the major muscle groups

To increase your level of flexibility, try to stretch 4 times a week for 20-45 minutes. (20 – 45 minutes may sound like a lot of time to spend stretching; however, if you incorporate it into a workout routine where you stretch 10-15 minutes before weight training/cardiovascular work and 15-20 minutes after, it is a reasonable time frame to work with.) Stretching should always be preceded by a 5-10 minutes warm-up period where you are moving in a rhythmic fashion using all your major muscle groups. (This sends blood to the muscles and readies them for activity.) Remember to use the Static stretch method (no bouncing) and try to hold the stretches for at least 10-30 seconds. Many people like to do yoga first thing in the morning – yoga is considered a flexibility exercise, so if you like yoga, buy a tape or take a class (20-45 minutes will go by quickly when you’re in a structured routine).

Fitness Level 3 – You always stretch the major muscle groups

To increase your level of flexibility, try to stretch 5 times a week for 20-60 minutes. Stretching should always be preceded by a 5-10 minute warm-up period where you are moving in a rhythmic fashion using all your major muscle groups. (This sends blood to the muscles and redoes them for activity.) Remember to use the Static stretch method (no bouncing) and try to hold the stretches for at least 10-30 seconds. Many people like to do yoga first thing in the morning – yoga is considered a flexibility exercise, so if you like yoga, buy a tape or take a class (20-60 minutes will go by quickly when you’re in a structured routine). I always do personal training with people by strengthening their core and posture through personal training programs. I am happy to see more personal trainers implement this type of training. Thank you.

Conclusion

No matter what your fitness level is or what your goals are, you will look and feel better when you regularly participate in an exercise program, especially with a personal trainer for motivation and better understanding of proper technique and form! To be successful, you must incorporate it into your lifestyle (just like eating and sleeping).

8 Exercise and Fitness Tips for Seniors

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People begin an exercise program for different reasons. Taking some time and validating why you want to begin an exercise program will go a long way toward remaining motivated. You don’t have to make your goals a big deal if you don’t want to.

Some people do it just to have fun and stay active, yet others need more regimentation and set strict goals and timelines for accomplishing them. It is totally up to you what your goals are. It is important that whatever your goals may be that you actually accomplish them in the long run.

exercise

Choose a program that is right for you

It is very easy to get caught up in the latest exercise craze because it seems to be drawing a lot of interest and enthusiasm. Frankly though, most people who begin the latest fad in exercise are just as quick to drop it and begin to do something else. A smart approach would be to pursue a line of exercise that fits your interest and can keep you going back workout after workout. Exercise is of course just moving the body and there’s lots of way of doing that. Why not pick a program that you like and stick with it till you are able to accomplish your exercise goals?

Start out easy

One very common mistake many people make when beginning and exercise program is they go all gung ho in the beginning when they are not ready for it. Then they get setback with sore muscles and possible injury for a few weeks and all the motivation they mustered up is gone. They’re right back where they started from in most cases. Take the turtle approach and go at the exercise program with a slow and steady attitude. Set goals you can accomplish in 3-4 months instead of 3-4 weeks. It will go easier on your body and mind if you do. A longer period of time to accomplish you goals will also take some of the pressure off so you can enjoy yourself while getting the exercise you need.

Consider your diet

The old saying, we are what we eat, is has never been so true. People involved with exercise programs and have specific goals to accomplish understand the importance of proper diet. It is unrealistic to think you can put cheap fuel in your car and expect it to operate at top efficiency. Why would we think we can do it to our bodies? Seriously, we can’t. Garbage goes in and garbage will come out. An exercise program requires looking at what constitutes are daily intake of food. A balance of fruits, vegetables, meats and grains will be necessary if we expect our body to cooperate with the added demands exercise will place on the whole system. Our exercise goals will be much easier to attain if we give the body the necessary fuel to perform.

Warm up properly

Starting out right is an important element in finishing right. Taking a few minutes to let the body become accustomed to the exercise you are about to put it through comes with great dividends. A body with warm muscles will perform better, be more flexible and is less prone to injury. Just 5 or 10 minutes of stretching and moving is all it takes to prepare the body for the demands of your exercise program. You will notice a performance difference when you warm up properly, or if you don’t.

Stay Hydrated

The most common condition for many people day is dehydration. Yes they drink a lot of fluids but unfortunately a lot of those fluids are unable to be utilized properly by the body. Sports drinks, sodas and special bottled waters contain so much sugar, caffeine and chemicals they actually contribute to a further condition of dehydration. Just straight good old fashioned water is the best drink you can feed the body and ample supplies of it as well. It is important to be hydrated before your exercise program, during your exercise program and after the program. Help your body by giving it the water it needs by drinking plenty of water.

Cool down properly

Exercise places stress on the muscles and different kinds of exercise place specific types of stress on them. Tennis places very specific demands on the muscles different from the demands of weight training. During exercise the major muscles used in a particular program are constantly contracting and relaxing. After exercise is over the muscles need an opportunity to relax and resume natural function again. Light stretching and relaxing just after exercise is the best cool down you can give your muscles. When a proper cool down is performed the muscles are triggered to begin the rebuilding process necessary to realize results.

Record and measure your progress

Taking the time and energy to record the progress you are making as a result of your exercise program will increase your motivation to continue. By plotting a beginning bench mark you can measure how you are improving as each week of dedicated time and energy goes into reaching your goals. Recording and measuring your progress will enable you to recognize when you are successful and how far you have to go before you achieve the goals that have been set.

Accomplishment of small goals that lead to the realization of larger goals will continue to provide you with the energy to remain committed and motivated. Take the time necessary to record your progress after each exercise program is completed, you’ll be happy in the long run that you did.

Ketogenic Diet Plan

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For the best diet to rapidly burn fat using the body’s natural metabolism, consider a ketogenic diet plan. Nutrition has the strongest effect on the body’s production of important hormones, which regulate metabolism and allow the body to burn fat for energy and retain muscle mass, with little need for excessive exercise.

What is a ketogenic diet plan?

Basically, it is a diet that causes the body to enter a state of ketosis. Ketosis is a natural and healthy metabolic state in which the body burns its own stored fat (producing ketones), instead of using glucose (the sugars from carbohydrates found in the Standard American Diet – SAD).

Metabolically speaking, ketogenic foods are very powerful. The amazing benefit is that these foods are also delicious, natural whole foods that are extremely healthy for you.

So what foods are encouraged?

Some of the best-tasting, most fulfilling foods are part of this plan, including lean meats like beef and chicken, healthy sources of protein and high-quality fats like eggs, butter, olive oil, coconut oil and avocado. Also, delicious leafy-green vegetables like kale, chard, and spinach, as well as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.

These foods can be combined with seeds, nuts, sprouts, and a wide range of other amazing foods that lead to incredible health benefits that give your body the protein, healthy fats, and nutrients it needs while providing metabolism-boosting meals for easy cooking at home or on the go.

What foods should be limited?

On a ketogenic diet plan, the main foods to avoid are those high in carbohydrates, sugars, and the wrong types of fats. These foods can be toxic to the body and create excess glucose levels that the body turns into stored fat. These foods increase the level of insulin and blood sugar in the body, and will prevent fat loss even if you are putting a lot of energy into exercise. To avoid these foods, limit your intake of grains, processed foods, vegetable oils (canola, corn, soybean, etc.), milk, margarine, and other high-carbohydrate, high-sugar foods.

But aren’t fats bad for you?

We have been told for decades that calories from fats should be reduced to encourage weight loss, but this is a vast over-simplification (still supported by government and industrial food interests) that is no longer accurate according our modern understanding of human nutrition. The reality is that certain fats are not good for you (those high in omega-6 fatty acids), because your body has a hard time processing them. Other fats, particularly medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), are extremely beneficial for weight loss, brain cell generation, and nutrients. These healthy saturated fats should be increased to give your body the energy it needs while in ketosis, while limiting the detrimental trans-fats found in many processed foods.

What are the benefits of a ketogenic diet plan?

Burn Stored Fat

By cutting out the high levels of carbohydrates in your diet that produce glucose (sugar), a ketogenic diet plan tells your body to burn stored fat by converting this fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies in the liver. These ketone bodies replace the role of glucose that was being filled by carbohydrates in the diet. This leads to a rapid reduction in the amount of fat stored in the body.

Retain Muscle Mass

By including the right fats in your diet, a ketogenic diet plan provides your body with the energy it needs to convert existing fat stores into useful sugars and ketones (through gluconeogenesis), which are an essential source of energy for the brain, muscles, and heart. This has the added benefit of preserving muscle mass, because the healthy fat in the diet gives the body the energy it needs without having to tap into muscle protein to create more sugar. This creates the best of both worlds – burn fat while maintaining muscle mass!

Eliminate Excess Fat 

Even better, if your body creates too many ketone bodies by converting existing fat, it will simply eliminate those ketones as a waste product, which means you will basically pee out unwanted body fat!

Reduce Appetite

Lastly, by regulating the powerful metabolic hormones in your body, a ketogenic diet plan will actually reduce your appetite. By lowering your body’s insulin resistance and increasing ketones, you will actually feel less hungry on this diet, which is an amazing advantage over other low-calorie, carbohydrate-rich weight loss diets that come with the expectation of lingering hunger. 

Start burning fat today without more exercise! Take control of your metabolism naturally by adopting a ketogenic diet plan. Your body was designed for this style of nutrition. Your metabolic state can be optimized by consuming the (delicious) foods that our genetic forefathers thrived on, and this does not include carbohydrate-rich, processed foods loaded with sugars and bad fats. It involves a luxurious and fulfilling diet based on bountiful foods from paleolithic times, including lean meats, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats that your body will thank you for.

Personal Traing Tips: Pre-Workout Meals

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Working out can be a laborious and taxing exercise for anybody, regardless of how healthy or fit he or she may be. As well as dealing with muscle pains, pacing your body and the mental stress that is often associated with exercising, eating the right kinds and the right amount of food should also be taken into account. Often referred to as “pre workout meals“, a suitable, nutritious meal that is consumed before a workout can greatly help anyone aspiring to achieve a great shape and enhanced health.

Pre workout meals do not just provide you with the nutrition that your body needs, but they also help you maintain your energy levels, whilst ridding you of the hunger that can sometimes affect you during your training session. So whether you want to work out to lose weight, build up muscles or simply get healthier, pre workout meals are undeniably essential and worth learning more about.

pre workout meals
It is important to remember that whilst working out on an empty stomach may make you feel lighter and seemingly able to train more effectively, it can result in you having a lack of energy which can adversely affect your exercise (or worse, your well-being later on in the day). Before training or even simply going out in the morning, it is a must to get the nutrients and energy needed to help your body function properly; and you can start with simply drinking water for personal hydration.

Moving on to the food you take onboard, it is best that you have your meal at least 45 minutes before you begin exercising. Your meal should provide both protein (30 to 40 grams is recommended) and carbohydrates (low glycemic type to be exact), and anyone can have these by starting the day with a good combination of milk, cereal (specifically oat meal), whole wheat bread and fruit.

If you intend to exercise in the afternoon or perhaps later on in the evening, there are a number of ideal pre workout meals for those periods of the day too. For instance, a lunch could be a healthy combination of meatless soup, a portion of green salad, some thin crackers and around half a pint of water is one such recommendation. As long as you give your body that essential mix of protein and carbohydrates, you will be well on your way to preparing yourself properly for an effective workout.

Giving yourself an appropriate level of nutrition before any workout routine is just one small part of the many personal training tips that can help you achieve your health and fitness goals. But having the knowledge, guidance and specific consumption of the right foods can have a tremendous impact, not only with your workout plan but also with your personal discipline.

Helpful Ideas on Personal Training

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Many people all around the globe are realizing the significance of staying healthy and they are willing to pay good money to a fitness coach who can help them get good shape. But, there are various fitness coaches providing their service that makes it essential for them to offer something distinctive that may in fact get the attention of possible clients.

If you are planning to be a fitness coach then you should consider offering personal training. One person may have the ability to help you with your weight loss objective, proper weight loss plan and nutrition strategies, lifestyle ideas, or help you enhance your performance on some of your hobbies. The bottom line is that almost all clients can learn something from a personal trainer.

plan

To be successful by working for yourself means seeing yourself as a company and not an individual. If you are a company, you must have an effective business plan. A business plan is your company’s way to success and monetary profit. In your marketing strategy you will map out a mission statement, a year timeline maybe, a revenue flow and expenses, and current and future goals.

A personal training program can sometimes have its side effects. Ranging from feeling healthy, extra energetic, confident and fresh to getting checked out for a great looking figure, the negative effects will keep you wanting more.

While lots of people attempt to jump straight to the perfect body of their desires, most people too quit their exercise programs as well as their dietary lifestyle rather quickly too. If you want to avoid joining this group of individuals, you should set objectives which might be simply achievable after which you will be able to track your progress over time. You will likely find out that you could make a tremendous amount of progress by taking your journey one step at a time by following these personal training ideas.

Weight Loss Training & Fitness Tips for Men Over 40

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You might have heard the saying – Life begins after 40. It is the age when our body goes through many internal & external changes. We become vulnerable of ailments at this stage. So one must take utmost care of their health at this age.

The fitness for men over 40 might vary as compared to the women as the hormonal changes differ in the two.

fitness for men
Here are some weight training & fitness tips for men over 40:

Diet: At this age its best to take a balanced diet that comprises of all required nutrients. These include vitamins, minerals and most of all fibers. In order to balance your weighty that is very important over 40, you must have your meals on time and avoid trans fats. Include a lot of raw fruits & vegetables, lean proteins and nuts in you diet. Although, you might be taking a perfectly balanced diet, having multivitamin & mineral supplements adds to your well being and the total health.

Watch for some things: In order to take care of their fitness, men over 40 must check on their weight. Make sure that you do not gain much. Also if you go for peeing too many times in the night, this calls for a medical check up. Avoid smoking and limit your alcohol intake.

Exercises:There are several weight training routines that you can look up to. These include the following:

· Back squats
· Power snatch
· Sit ups
· Chest press
· Leg curls
· Bicep curls
· Lower back extension
· Leg presses

Consider the following tips when it comes to weight training for men fitness over 40.

· Do not make them too hard for your self. You might start with the moderate intensity exercises and shift to the high intensity slowly.

· You must exercise 30 minutes daily I case you are doing moderate ones. For the high intensity ones, you may only workout 3 times in a week.

· Instead of doing the wrong exercises seek for some guidance from the professional trainers.

· Consistency is very important. You pick up any exercises or diet, you must do it properly and consistently.