4 Things Women Should Be Doing in Their Fitness Training—But Aren’t

1 Comment / Training

By Chelsea Bus

If your workouts consist of doing light weights and steady-state cardio, you might be in for some bad news: These things alone won’t likely get you the results you’re after, say experts. To increase your fitness level, burn fat, and improve muscle tone, you’ve got to step up your game.

Here are four things women tend to skip that can deliver serious results.

1. High-intensity training.

All that time coasting on the elliptical at a comfortable pace probably hasn’t done much for your body, says Panama-based trainer Belinda Benn, creator of the Breakthrough Physique home fitness system. In fact, the biggest mistake women make in their training is not exercising with enough intensity, she says.

High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, is typically a 10- to 20-minute workout that alternates short, intense bursts of activity with moderate-exertion recovery periods. “High-intensity interval training  is the best way to improve your overall fitness, burn fat, and stimulate your hormones for a stronger body,” says Benn.

How to tell if you’re training hard enough? Look to your body for clues, Benn says. Good indicators are sweating, increased heart rate, and lactic acid production (i.e., feeling the “burn”) during exercise. Moderate muscle soreness for up to a few days post-workout is also a good sign. “If you feel nothing,” Benn says, “you probably didn’t work out hard enough.”

2. Heavier lifting.

For most women, a typical weight-training session equals light dumbbell exercises, says Toronto-based strength and conditioning specialist Craig Ballantyne, creator of the Turbulence Training Program. But doing fewer reps with more weight—say, 8 reps per set with a 15-pound dumbbell, instead of 15 reps with an 8-pound one—will burn more fat, he says. Lifting heavier will also increase your strength and muscle definition.

Start by swapping out your normal weights for slightly heavier ones, and gradually work your way up.

3. Upper body workouts.

Women tend to store body fat around the waist, hips, and thighs, so that’s where they typically focus their exercise efforts—neglecting their upper bodies, Benn says.

But you can’t spot-reduce fat, and sticking with what’s easy can stunt your progress, says Benn. Because you may feel weak while attempting pull-ups for the first time, Benn suggests doing the hard stuff at the start of your workout, “when you’re freshest and feeling mentally strong.”

“Focusing on underdeveloped muscles will improve the contours of your body,” Benn says.

4. Training with a barbell.

Think barbells are synonymous with back-breaking chest presses? Not so. “You can do a tremendous workout just with a barbell,” Benn says. “If you’re holding a bar rather than using two separate weights, it forces you to get your body  in sync.”

Barbells are great for both upper- and lower-body exercises. Balancing one across your shoulders while doing squats, lunges, or walking lunges helps develop posture and balance, Benn says.

If you’re flirting with a barbell for the first time, go as light as you need to. Even 10 pounds is a good start.

Bonus tip:

If you’re worried you’ll bulk up with any of these exercises, consider your body type. Benn says women generally fall into two categories: those who build muscle easily, and those who don’t. If you build muscle easily, she suggests emphasizing high-intensity exercises. If you develop muscle slowly, you’ll benefit from spending more time on heavy lifting.

4 Things Women Should Be Doing in Their Fitness Training—But Aren’t Read More »

10 Strategies for Successful Weight Loss

Nutrition, Training, Weekly Motivation

By: David Schipper

The great ones have great strategies for success—Odysseus hiding in the Trojan horse, Ali using the rope-a-dope, Bugs Bunny dressing in drag.

Your weight-loss strategy should be similarly inspired. Willpower alone won’t shrink your waist—you need facts and wisdom on your side if you’re going to maintain the resolve you showed in January.

There are scientists who study weight loss so the rest of us can keep track of the important stuff, like spring training and Rotisserie drafts. These researchers regularly come up with good advice, the latest and greatest of which we’ve gathered for you. Pick a few tips, put them in your lineup, and get back in the weight-loss game.

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #1

Weigh Yourself Often

Time was, experts said to stay off the scale—it can be discouraging. But after studying 3,500 individuals from the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) who’ve maintained 60 or more pounds of weight loss for at least a year, researchers found that 44 percent weighed themselves daily.

Unhealthy obsession? No, says James Hill, Ph.D., NWCR cofounder and director of the center for human nutrition at the University of Colorado. “They use it as an early warning system for preventing weight regain,” he explains. “If your goal is to keep your weight at a certain level, you have to have feedback to see whether you’re successful.”

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #2

Turn Off the TV

Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York recently determined that simply seeing food can trigger a physiological “feed me” response. In the study, visual food cues caused brain activity to jump by 24 percent—mostly in the orbitofrontal cortex, the area of the brain related to drive and acquisition. So a constant barrage of pizza-delivery ads on TV could test your limits. And don’t get us started on the Food Network.

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #3

Pray the Fat Away

Christian men who report feeling greater intimacy with God through prayer are more likely to be physically active than other men, according to research from Cornell University. “Studies have shown that those who have more social support move more, and being closer to God may give men that support,” says lead researcher Karen Kim.

Another possible reason: “General religion in the United States encompasses theological teachings about the body as a temple, which may also lead to the consumption of a healthier diet and increased physical activity,” she adds. Amen to that.

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #4

Beware Tastebud Betrayal

“Hunger increases healthy men’s taste sensitivity to sweet and salty substances,” says researcher Yuriy Zverev, of the University of Malawi. This means vending-machine snacks (which come in two flavors: sweet or salty—coincidence?) will taste even better when you’re hungry.

You could trust that you’d savor the flavor by eating only a small amount. (Right.) Or you could sidestep this land mine altogether. “Eat offensively,” says Katherine Tallmadge, M.A., R.D., a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. “Eat regularly during the day to stave off cravings and the bingeing that can result.”

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #5

Snack on Almonds

Seventy per day, to be exact. That’s the number that people in a City of Hope National Medical Center experiment ate daily for 6 months, in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet, to drop 18 percent of their body weight.

Study author Michelle Wien partially credits the satiety factor. “Almonds are a nutrient-dense food that provides healthful monounsaturated fat, protein, and fiber, which together contribute to feeling full,” she says.

Go for whole almonds in their unsalted, raw, or dry-roasted state. Fifteen to 20 will do the trick for a quick snack. Try 50 as a meal replacement.

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #6

Grab the Day

Long summer days can help you lose weight. “The best time to start a diet is in May, because the days are very long, which makes your energy levels go up and your food cravings go down,” says Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., a nutrition researcher at MIT. “You’ll eat less and exercise more.” So if you get home and it’s still light, go for that run.

Conversely, resolution-crazed January is the worst time to diet—the short days knock your serotonin levels out of whack, causing cravings. An Apollo Health goLite P1 lamp can help your body adjust to the dark days of winter.

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #7

Pour a Bowl of Cereal for Lunch

A study from Purdue University shows that eating cereal in place of meals helps you lose weight. Participants consumed an average of 640 fewer total daily calories and lost roughly 4 pounds during the 2-week intervention.

According to study author Richard Mattes, M.P.H., Ph.D., R.D., the approach teaches portion control with a convenient, easy-to-use food. Stick to filling, high-fiber cereals, like All-Bran or Fiber One, and eat them with low-fat milk.

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #8

Go Under the Needle

When Polish researchers examined acupuncture as a diet aid, they found that people who got needled lost 10 more pounds and ticked 2 additional points off their BMIs compared with those who merely cut calories.

Marie Cargill, a licensed acupuncturist in the Boston area, explains that pressure points on the body—mostly on the ear—work as a switchboard to the brain, triggering electrical pulses that suppress appetite. “The ear system is very effective for addiction treatment,” she says.

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #9

Eat a Cow’s Worth

Of dairy, that is. Reports of the benefits just keep coming.

Recently, a University of Tennessee study found that people who ate a daily 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium from dairy lost an average of 24 pounds, or 11 percent of their total body weight. “When you don’t have enough calcium in your diet, you’re more efficient at making fat and less efficient at breaking down fat, causing a bigger, fatter fat cell,” says lead researcher Michael Zemel, Ph.D.

Get the just-right amount by taking in two 8-ounce glasses of low-fat milk (699 mg), a cup of low-fat yogurt (338 mg), and an ounce and a half of cheese (287 mg).

Weight-Loss Success Strategy #10

Gamble on Yourself

Take a cue from the poker craze and wager against a buddy to see who can shed the most pounds. “Men do really well when they make weight loss a competitive game,” says New York City nutritionist Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., author of Cooking with Joy. “Have a 6-month and a 1-year check-in—none of that 2-week garbage.”

Or try it in teams, as on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, and you’ll double the incentive—you’ll want to win the bet and avoid letting down your team. “Healthy competition can bring out the absolute best in people,” says the show’s red-team trainer, Jillian Michaels, owner of SkySport and Spa in Beverly Hills.

She recommends that the team take on a swimming relay or a 5-K run. “That way, it’s not a scenario like ‘Who can lift the most?'” she says. “Losing weight is ultimately about better health. For $100, somebody might do a pulldown that’s way too heavy and end up tearing a rotator cuff.” It’d be a shame if, after you’d lost all that weight, you still couldn’t button your pants.

10 Strategies for Successful Weight Loss Read More »

7 Summer Myths—Busted!

Weekly Motivation

Your mom told you how to stay safe. Now you know your face won’t stick that way, but is scratching that bug bite actually making it worse? Should you take a sip from that garden hose? Our experts say she wasn’t always right.

 Going In and Out of Air-Conditioned Buildings is Harmful

Verdict: False

Big temperature swings don’t make you vulnerable to colds, says Michael Seidman, M.D., director of otologic and neurotologic surgery for the Henry Ford Health System, in Michigan.

The real threat: The building’s air won’t harm you, but its surfaces might. Some viruses can survive on surfaces like doorknobs for days. Wash your hands regularly, and go as you please.

If Water is Stuck in Your Ear, Stand on One Foot and Tilt Your Head

Verdict: False

“Your ear canal is curved, so just tilting your head often isn’t enough to release the water,” says Dr. Seidman.

The better move: Tilt your head so the waterlogged ear faces down. Place the tip of your index finger in the cuplike spot at the bottom of your ear, and position your thumb behind the ear on the cartilage above your earlobe. Hold firmly and wiggle your ear to straighten the ear canal and dislodge the water.

Campfire or Grill Smoke is Dangerous

Verdict: True

The smoke’s particulates can damage your lungs, says A. James Mamary, M.D., of the Temple Lung Center.

Protect yourself: Stay upwind and you’ll be fine.

Don’t Drink from a Hose—It’s Germy

Verdict: Partly True

“No germs live specifically in garden hoses,” says Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a professor of environmental science at the University of Arizona. However, the hose’s end may have rested in animal poop.

Stay safe: Keep your lips off the hose. Or go inside the house, for cripes’ sake!

Dunk an Open Wound into the Sea Because Saltwater Helps Heal

Verdict: False

The sea is full of bacteria, which can enter your cut and cause sores and fever.

Clean fast: Spit on it. “A digestive enzyme in saliva can clean wounds and kill microorganisms,” says dermatology professor Adnan Nasir, M.D., of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Then apply a waterproof or liquid bandage, like New-Skin, to block bacteria.

Scratching a Bug Bite Makes It Worse

Verdict: True

Light scratching inflames immune-system messenger proteins at the site, intensifying the itch, says Dr. Nasir.

Cool it down: Hold a chilled beer or an ice cube on the bite. “Low temperatures slow the body’s chemical reactions and make the skin’s itch signals travel sluggishly to the brain,” says Dr. Nasir. For nagging bites, use Campho-Phenique antiseptic solution, which calms itches with camphor.

Don’t Swim within 30 Minutes of Eating

Verdict: True

More blood is drawn to your GI tract after eating, which can cause minor cramps, says Christine Carter-Kent, M.D., a gastroenterologist with the Cleveland Clinic.

Feel better: If you swim and feel ill, sit and wait it out.

7 Summer Myths—Busted! Read More »

8 Workout Mistakes You Probably Make

1 Comment / Nutrition, Training, Weekly Motivation

By Olivia Putnal, Woman’s Day

When it comes to working out, getting to the gym on a regular basis is only half the battle. The other half? Making the most of your time while you’re there. By paying closer attention to your form, routine, nutrition and more, you’ll be better able to achieve your fitness goals, not to mention avoid injury and weight-loss plateaus. Read on to make sure you’re not committing any common fitness flubs, and if you are, learn how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Not Eating Enough

Keeping yourself properly fueled is vital to a successful workout. Yvonne Castañeda, group exercise manager and private trainer for The Sports Club/LA in Miami, says that many times, when first embarking on a weight-loss journey, her clients skimp on meals. “Working out with little to no food in your system is like embarking on a 300-mile road trip with only a quarter-tank of gas,” she says. “Too often we make the mistake of thinking fewer calories will lead to optimal weight loss. But being properly fueled is essential to making the most of your training.”

Solution: Eat a well-balanced snack that involves proteins and carbohydrates at least two hours before you hit the gym. Photo: Thinkstock

Mistake #2: Not Resting Enough

Chris Sims, a private trainer at The Sports Club/LA in Miami, emphasizes the importance of rest. He says not resting or working out too hard can be a very dangerous mistake. “Overdoing this healthy outlet can be detrimental to your overall health,” he says. “Working out seven days a week or even twice a day isn’t good for you—your body has to reach recovery mode in order to repair the muscles and help them develop.” If you overuse your muscles, you risk injury, loss of appetite and fatigue.

Solution: Simple—get some rest! Working out three to four times a week is definitely sufficient when trying to meet your goals. On the days you don’t exercise, if you still want to be active, take the kids to the park, walk the dog or work in the garden. You can also maintain a healthy mindset by cooking nutritious meals for yourself. Photo: Shutterstock

Mistake #3: Not Incorporating Resistance Training

You might be intimidated by those huge weight machines and dumbbells, but next time you hit the gym just for the treadmill, reconsider. The benefits of resistance training are endless, Castañeda explains: “Resistance training helps build muscle, which in turn promotes fat burn, leading to a lower body fat percentage in the long run.” In addition to cardio, strength and resistance training are essential to getting in shape.

Solution: Don’t be afraid to approach a trainer. That’s what they’re there for! He or she can demonstrate how to use the equipment and also discuss how to incorporate those types of workouts into your fitness plan two to three times per week. Photo: Shutterstock

Mistake #4: Slacking on Technique and Form

Many people have trouble figuring out the correct way to perform strength-training exercises. “It’s imperative to be smart when approaching a new fitness regimen that includes lifting weights over your head and pushing weight off your chest. You want to avoid injury at all costs,” Castañeda says. In addition, proper form is the key to making your workout effective.

Solution: If you don’t work out with a personal trainer, feel free to ask them questions while you’re at the gym. Find out how many sets, reps and rests between sets you need. Trainers can also give you feedback on your form. Another great source is the Internet—”you can discover information on technique, form and effectiveness of different exercises for your body type,” Castañeda notes. Photo: Shutterstock

Mistake #5: Not Varying the Types of Workouts

We’re all guilty of falling into a routine. While working out is a healthy habit to have, not mixing up the number of reps and types of exercises is no good. “Sticking to the same routine for more than six weeks will cause your body to hit a plateau and you’ll no longer see the changes you saw at the beginning of your program. Your body, believe it or not, likes to be shocked, and putting it through new and challenging exercises is the best way to surprise it and wake it up,” Castañeda says.

Solution: Make sure you vary frequency, intensity and repetitions. Another great way to get the most out of your workout is to try new things. Check out your gym’s schedule for cardio and strength-training classes that strike your fancy, and take advantage of exercise DVDs as well as websites, like Exercise TV. Photo: Thinkstock

Mistake #6: Setting Unrealistic Goals

Come the new year, it’s easy to think those holiday pounds will just melt away in two or three months, or that you’ll be able to run a half marathon in a couple of weeks. However, setting goals with big results in little time can quickly lead to disappointment. “Sometimes it takes years to put on a significant amount of weight and other times the weight can creep up on you in a matter of months. But when it comes to losing, it doesn’t come off quite as easily nor as quickly,” Sims says.

Solution: When crafting your workout plan, set goals that are attainable and realistic. “This way there’s a better chance you won’t give up and won’t be disappointed,” says Sims. Photo: Shutterstock

Mistake # 7: Not Stretching

You’ve probably heard how important warming up and cooling down is, but the most important part of both is stretching. Castañeda notes that it’s vital to reward your body after a workout by stretching for at least 10 minutes to prevent soreness and promote recovery and repair. “Not stretching after your workout may cause uncomfortable soreness and impingements—consequences that will hinder the effectiveness of your next workout,” she says.

Solution: Yoga is one of the easiest ways to incorporate stretching into your fitness program. “The poses will help you release a significant amount of tension in your muscles and will help you feel more relaxed,” Castañeda says.  Photo: Thinkstock

Mistake #8: Not Completely Focusing on Your Workout

It’s so easy to get distracted and bring work, family and other stresses with you to the gym. But Castañeda and Sims both emphasize the drawbacks of not concentrating on your workout. “Physiologically speaking, the force production in your muscles is not as great when you’re not thinking about the actual muscles and what they are meant to be doing,” Castañeda says. Not only is unplugging important for a successful workout, but it’s also a great way to unwind from everything else going on.

Solution: Leave your worries in the locker room and “simply allow yourself five minutes to hit the ‘reset’ button,” suggests Castañeda. To clear your head before a workout, “sit down, close your eyes and breathe in and out for a few minutes. This will calm the central nervous system and promote overall relaxation, which in turn will allow you to dive into your workout and feel great,” she adds.

8 Workout Mistakes You Probably Make Read More »

An interesting reason you may not be progressing…

Nutrition, Training

The #1 Roadblock to Your Success
By Bill Phillips

After 20 years of helping over one million people transform their bodies and lives I know one thing for certain: As odd as it may sound to you right now, you can’t enjoy lasting weight loss, along with long-term health and happiness, without FIRST transforming what’s going on ‘beneath the surface.’ (I call this an ‘inside out approach’ and it’s making a world of difference for those who experience it.)

Sure supersized portions, addictive ‘nutrient dead’ foods, and inactivity are literally killing millions of Americans and robbing children of their healthy futures. But the truth is, unless you address excess body fat with a holistic approach—meaning you consider the mind, body, heart and soul—you’re not going to get lasting results.

Period… end of story.

That statement is so important I’d like to say it again in a more direct way…

Statistics Show That 95% of Dieters Are Never
Going To Lose Weight And Keep It Off If
They Only Focus On Food And Exercise Alone

Their old patterns, unresolved emotional blocks, addictive habits and limiting beliefs will, sooner or later, cause them to rebound and spiral out of control… again and again.

Has this ever happened to you: One day you’re following a diet, losing weight and feeling hopeful but the next thing you know you’re overweight and unhappy again?

If you’re like most people, this hasn’t happened to you just once… it’s happened many times over the years. In fact, I’m sure you know people who have been trapped on the weight loss rollercoaster for decades and the darn thing just won’t stop.

This brings me to a very important point that I want to really emphasize: Until you get to the root of what causes weight problems, you’re going to be stuck living the rest of your life in a body you’re ashamed of… along with the mental, physical and emotional health consequences that come along with it.

The reality is simple:  Dieting is like clipping a weed at the ground surface—as long as the root is intact, it will come back. But I’m sure you don’t need to hear this from me—when you think about it, your past experiences have proven this to you over and over again.

You see, as long as you’re still the same inside–at the level of your thoughts, beliefs, patterns, and emotions–you simply haven’t undergone a true transformation. And any temporary weight loss results you do get will soon rebound and ‘snap back’ just like when you release a stretched rubber band.

What’s more, as you’ve probably experienced yourself, each time you try and fail to stick to a diet, it lowers your calorie-burning metabolism as well as your emotional well-being. As a result, you tend to gain even more weight until you want to give up completely.

And to make matters worse, science has shown that all of this negative emotional ‘baggage’ we carry around such as anger, frustration, stress, grief, shame, anxiety, depression, negative thinking and loneliness contribute to an imbalance in the brain which triggers cravings to eat, even when you’re not hungry. What’s more, these same emotions can negatively impact our health by lowering our immune system and increasing our risk of developing cancer and heart disease.

That’s the BIG roadblock with traditional diets—they completely ignore the root of the problem that’s driving you to overeat and feel bad. Fortunately there’s a new breakthrough…

The Bio-Balance Solution: How
to Lose Weight By Feeling Good

A leading Neurologist named Ronald Ruden, M.D., Ph.D., has done groundbreaking work in how emotions and thoughts impact something he calls ‘bio-balance.’ The simple explanation of ‘bio-balance’ is when you’re free from toxic emotions, negative thoughts, and you feel connected to other people in the world, your brain becomes much healthier and happier. This in turn allows you to feel good, enjoy a healthy state of mind, control your weight and experience more energy!

Bio-balance is a natural state of being that Mother Nature intended you to be in.

On the other hand, when your brain is out of bio-balance, it’s constantly working against you by causing cravings and stress, which of course lead to over eating, weight gain, poor health, low energy, and depression.

Here’s a question… Do you ever eat when you feel angry, stressed, anxious or lonely? If so, the cause may be coming from a lack of bio-balance.

The Serotonin Connection

To be more specific, a brain neurotransmitter called serotonin plays a big role in bio-balance. You see, when our bio-balance is off, serotonin levels become low, and not only are we not happy (actually, we’re depressed), but another one of our natural brain chemicals, called dopamine, can become overactive.

Do­pamine is the ‘gotta-have-it’ neurotransmitter. It’s what makes us crave and strive for everything from certain foods, to alcohol, to nicotine, to unhealthy, compulsive behaviors.

When we ‘score’ one of those things, our brains release serotonin and for a short period of time we’re satisfied, we’re fulfilled. But then serotonin levels dip again and dopamine drives us into another cycle of craving, seeking, getting… and this addictive pattern continues, over and over again, unless our bio-balance is corrected.

An interesting reason you may not be progressing… Read More »