2009 December » Get Fit, Stay Fit, Today

Improve Your Health With Garlic

Dec 312009

In the movie “Candleshoe” there was the statement that said “garlic keeps everything away”. As you research about garlic you find it has many medicinal properties. For instance, Garlic can help prevent atherosclerosis by lowering the bodies cholesterol in the blood. It has also been shown to strengthen the immune system against infection. Garlic can also lower blood-sugar levels in people with diabetes. It serves to tie up chemical receptors that would deactivate insulin. It can do this without stimulating weight gain. There are vitamin supplements that contain garlic tablets to make it easy to gain the benefits of garlic.

For the cough or flu, a cough syrup can be made by combing 1 garlic and a quart of water. After letting it sit for 12 hours, add sugar until the substance reaches the consistency of syrup. Honey can be added for flavor.

One person who had taken antibiotics for years found that if she ate one fresh garlic three times a day her infection cleared up in 72 hours. In fact, she felt better after just 48 hours. Of course her friends didn’t come around anymore either. I do not know that for a fact but it sounded good.

The use of garlic is associated with lower rates of breast, colon, larynx and stomach cancer since it contains compounds that prevent tumors from developing.

Garlic oil that is applied to the ear will reduce earaches. It will also give the taker a better chance of avoiding heart attacks.

Some ideas on consuming garlic without the aftereffects are to mash the garlic and swallowing it rather than having it stay in your mouth. Another idea is to chew parsley or basil after eating the garlic. This may serve to make your breath smell better. Cooking the garlic is another idea. This will cut down on the smell. Brushing your teeth and tongue, or gargling with mouthwash are other ideas to reduce the effects of bad breath.

There are also garlic supplements that will perform the function of improving your health. If you do take a supplement be sure to make sure it is of natural nutrients. This will serve to ease what ails you.

Can You Lose Weight Taking Fish Oil?

Nutrition, Weight Loss No Responses »

Dec 282009

It seems that everyone is searching for the fastest and easiest way to lose weight and usually have no luck in their search for a magical solution. One popular choice amongst diet plan searchers is use of natural dietary supplements. Many want to find chemical free supplements they can add to their diets. One common supplement is fish oils.

“What are the benefits of fish oil capsules?”

You may come across claims that say fish oil is a miracle weight loss pill. Is that possible? As with any other dietary aid you will find, it will not provide you with miraculous results and it will not dissolve fat in days alone. People have been successful at losing weight while using fish oil as an aid. Fish oil can help you to gain the energy that keeps you from motivation and exercise. It can make for a fantastic additive for a proper diet. While on a diet, you may be missing some of the nutrition you would normally be getting when you where eating more. Therefore, it can benefit you to take additional nutritional supplements to help to make up for lost nutrition. DHA is a supplement that contains fish oils. Our body does not produce enough of it on it’s own, so adding it will give us what we need on a daily basis. DHA improves brain function and can help with mental clarity to go along with the energy boost it may provide.

Even though the benefits of fish oil will not provide amazing results for weight loss alone, it can help with getting sufficient nutrition that you may be lacking. Therefore, if you are looking for a supplement that can improve your motivation, give you a spike of energy, and give you much needed nutrition, fish oil may be just what you are looking for!

Preventing Bodybuilding Injuries

Body Building No Responses »

Dec 282009

Many of people are starting to take up bodybuilding, fitness modelling or just finding out how to get ripped abs. However, due to lack of proper guidance, people are tending to suffer injuries more then ever.

The pre-workout stretching routine is an especially vital part of the program. It requires about thirty seconds of good stretching to get an adequate stretch. Along with a stretching routine, a very light pre-workout cardio exercise such as rowing or running is a very good way to initiate blood flow to the muscles and ligaments. This will increase the inflow of nutrients and oxygen to the muscles and tendons and gets them ready for the workout exercises. These aerobic exercises will also help in stretching the ligaments and tendons.

During the work-out program it is helpful to have alongside another training partner to assist whilst using the weights. This training or spot partner, can aid in the lifting of the weights where no more repetitions can be achieved. There is much debate around whether a long time between each exercise to reduce injury. It has been recommended that the best duration of time to spend between sets is somewhere between 90 to 120 seconds.

The post workout routine is also a particularly important area to focus upon in injury prevention. This is a particularly valuable time in which to perform a stretching routine. Post workout nutrition is also extremely important to provide the ligaments, tendons and muscles with optimal supplies of protein, glucose and nutrients to efficiently repair all the damage to the muscle cells. It is during this time when muscle hypertrophy and increases in growth and muscularity occurs. The flow of nutrients to the ligaments and tendons which will also increase the strength of them over the long term and significantly lower the risk of damage and injury.

It is no surprise that more and more people are starting to take up bodybuilding or programs like those from Vince Delmonte, and weight training as we see many pictures nowadays and videos of fit healthy looking people. As many more people take up the sport the incidence of injury is rising. The advice explained in this article should help you to lower the risk of injury.

Two Ways to Beat Fatigue

Uncategorized No Responses »

Dec 282009

Are you searching for ways in order to beat tiredness? If you are, then know that you are not alone. It’s not unusual for for people to encounter situations wherein they feel extremely tired, even if they did nothing strenuous at all. You can find yourself always feeling tired and with no energy at all to do even simple chores and wondering what causes constant tiredness?

If you are constantly tired and want to shake away this irritating feeling of fatigue, then these two tips may help you.

First, you must never neglect your breakfast. Breakfast is considered as the most important meal of the day, so make sure not to skip it. You see if you do not eat your breakfast, your body’s metabolism will decrease and it would not be long until you feel listless and weak. Try to incorporate cheese, bread and yogurt in your first meal of the day. If you cannot seem to find time to sit and eat your breakfast, take some fruits along which you can eat on your way to work.

Another thing is that, if the tiredness you feel is starting to eat you whole, play some fast music and dance away! This is a good way to shake away stress. Instead of thinking about negative thoughts, focus your mind on the music and on your next step. This will also provide a good flow of endorphins into your system and will make you feel great.

How to Lose Weight Rapidly and Easily

Weight Loss No Responses »

Dec 262009

Finding an answer on how to lose weight remains one of the top priorities for billions of people across the world. Regardless of cultural background, being obese or extremely overweight does not suit a healthy lifestyle. Shedding fatty tissue in a timely fashion is possible with new technological advancements in surgery as well as through dietary supplementats. The traditional method of a vigorous exercise routine paired with a nutritionally sound low calorie diet has become less and less popular due to today’s society wanting instant gratification. Rapid weight loss is possible with several of the combinations mentioned above. Some work much more effective than others, and results are subject to change with each individual. Each human body works in a similar manner, though fatty tissue can pose several problems and differentiations when trying to lose the added weight.

Surgical processes such as a gastric bypass allows a team of trained professionals to shrink the overall size of the stomach. This provides people with the sensation of being full much quicker than normal due to the smaller stomach size. Overall, this process can lead to very fast weight loss but also involves surgery and the possible complications any surgery can present. Without the proper nutrition following the surgery through a nutritionally dense diet, one may become deficient in several valuable vitamins and minerals. Due to the lack of food entering the body, the food sources must contain the proper amounts of the necessities that the body needs to function. Other surgical processes involve the removal of fatty tissue. In extreme cases, people who are morbidly obese may endure very fast weight loss, losing 200 to 300 pounds during a surgery. For those seeking simple, quick fast loss of a mere 20 to 30 pounds, surgical processes are usually not the best option.

A low calorie diet paired with exercise, including cardiovascular and anaerobic types, can provide weight loss results in a matter of weeks. This method provides a healthy and natural alternative to surgery. By losing or burning calories through exercise, the body first sheds its fatty tissue. Building lean muscle while incorporating weight loss exercises will result in a toned slender core. Another method that could be paired with this natural process is the use of supplements. The healthy and fitness industry continues to invent new products targeted directly at fast weight loss, due to the high demand by people everywhere. These supplements often target fatty tissue by means of burning calories while the body is sedentary, though most work far better with the implementation of steady exercise and a healthy diet. One should always consult with their doctor before partaking in the use of any supplements and/or exercise program.

Body Weights for an Increased Vertical Jump

Exercise No Responses »

Dec 252009

Imagine trying to dunk that basketball with a couple more pounds pulling you down. Just when you thought that the effort you exerted is good enough, you realize that you fall short. Thus, the next time you jump up, you will exert much more effort than the previous one. This is the logic behind weight vest training. When you wear a weight vest while performing exercises to increase vertical jump, chances are you will exert much more force than necessary and when your body gets accustomed to this, you will be doing the same even without the weight vest. The result: higher jumps.

Weight vest training has been recommended by a lot of trainers. If you consult a jump manual, you will realize that weight vest training is actually one of the best accessories that you can invest in if you really want to leap higher. Weight vests add weight to your body without causing pain since it is strategically carried by both shoulders. Unlike having real extra weight, weight vests are easy to take off and wear so you do not need to exert the same amount of effort every time. There are different exercises that you could benefit from especially if you are wearing extra weights.

Aside from weight vests, there are also leg weights that you can wear around your legs since much of your power will be coming from them when you jump. This will make you push out more effort with your legs so muscle built can be further enhanced and jump height improved when you take out the weights.
Whatever training you wish to undergo, make sure that you have enough warm up before and cool down after. This will reduce injuries a lot and will help your muscles adapt to the rigorous training you will undergo.

Surefire Ways to Build Muscles

Body Building, Exercise No Responses »

Dec 242009

These days, it seems that anywhere and almost everywhere you look you find guys with bulging biceps, hard abs, big round chest etc. With this, a lot of guys are finding ways on how to bulk up fast. It is even safe to say that you too are looking for ways on how you can achieve that so-called Mr. Universe body, right? In order to gain muscle not fat and ultimately bulk up, it requires the utmost determination and discipline to achieve your goal. This article will help your cause and provide you with immediate answers. Read on and find out how you can achieve just that.

First is actually the most obvious – you need to pump weights. By lifting weights you add muscle mass. There is no need for you to worry because your body will eventually adapt to your continuous weight lifting sessions. Gradually increase the weight you are lifting and slowly but surely you will see that change in your physique.

The next tip is for you to devote your time and effort to this workout regimen you have established. Try to come up with a compound plan of body building exercises. Incorporate bench press, squats and dead lifts and other routines and have each set target a specific muscle group. If in case you are a beginner, it is advised that you make four to five sets of each exercise routine to stimulate your muscle growth.

If you have been accustomed to eating unhealthy grubs and fatty foods, then it is high time you change! Employ and make use of a healthy diet plan that consists of loads of fiber and carbohydrates (well, complex carbohydrates to be exact). Veggies can help increase muscle repair and hormone growth. You also need to limit your alcohol consumption, but if you can steer away from it completely, then that’s all the better.

Over training your muscles is also not advised because it might lead to complications and other illnesses. All in all, remember that body building would not happen overnight, it takes time in order for you to achieve that body you have always longed for. Be steady and patient.

The Joy of Quick Weight Loss

Weight Loss No Responses »

Dec 222009

Losing weight quickly can be fun if you take it like a game. The quick weight loss tips outlined below will help you approach weight loss in this manner.

The first thing you need to have in mind is that this game has a start date and a pre-defined end date. This means that you should play this rapid weight loss game for a period of no more than 3-4 weeks. For periods longer than that you need to follow a more structured and well-planned weight loss program. Second, you need to be prepared that during this period you may have to follow a completely different lifestyle than the one you are used to. This essentially means that you will have to do things that otherwise you wouldn’t or shouldn’t do. These things have to do with your diet habits and exercise habits. So, once the objectives of this game are set you can start playing!

1. Set the start and end date of your plan. As mentioned above this should not exceed one month. During this period you should expect to lose between 2 and 10 pounds depending on how good you will follow the game rules.

2. Completely forget your current diet and let your self enter a new diet schedule. Your new schedule will include 3 main meals as follows:

Breakfast: Cereals with low fat milk and one fruit (not fruit juice).

Lunch: Fish and Salad (no dressing), with fresh or boiled vegetables and lots of water

Dinner: Low fat yogurt with one fresh fruit.

The above items can be changed provided that you select foods that are low in fat and that your food portions are half the size of the portions you eat today.

3. No soft drinks or juices. If you need to drink something go for water and drink tea. Coffee is also ok (black, no sugar).

4. Do not eat your meals and the go to bed or sit on the couch. When you eat your meals you should walk for at least 20 minutes.

5. If you really need to have snacks then go for carrots with lemon and salt. Try not to eat anything after your last meal. A nice trick is to always have with new a bottle of water. This will help you drink more water and reduce your desire for food or snacks.

6. Start walking for 20 minutes per day and if your condition allows it, run also for at least 15 minutes.

7. Sleep for at least 7 hours per day. This will help you relax and also stay away from temptations.

8. Eat your meals in quiet and relaxing rooms. Try to eat slowly and enjoy every bite.

9. Place your food in smaller plates. This will give you a feeling that you eat more.

10. Drink a glass of cold water before each meal.

As mentioned above you should only follow the above tips for a limited period of time. By doing that correctly you will lose a few pounds and this can be a good start for a long term and healthy weight loss. It is suggested that before you attempt quick weight loss to visit your doctor and discuss with him your intentions.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Cellulite

Remedies No Responses »

Dec 222009

In a recent survey by a top women’s magazine, the number one complaint from readers about their body was cellulite. In a separate survey months later, the number one body phobia women had was developing cellulite. As this survey demonstrates, cellulite is a condition which is both loathed and feared by women all around the world. And this is for good reason – ninety percent of women will develop it sometime after puberty.

According to the anti-cellulite industry, specifically formulated creams are the best of all the natural ways to reduce cellulite. If you are skeptical about these claims then you can be forgiven since the industry turns over millions a year and has a vested interest in selling you such products. More often than not, cellulite creams are poor performing products that are marketed extremely well.

So what can you actually do? According to the real experts, combining diet and exercise is the best cellulite removal method. But not just any weight loss program will do. Instead, you need one that is focused on reducing your fat levels and increasing your lean muscle mass. This is because cellulite is not just caused by excess fat – a lack of lean muscle underneath the subcutaneous levels of fat will make your skin lumpier. By increasing the muscle mass, the fat and skin will have a firmer base of support which will make the areas look leaner and smoother.

In order to increase muscle and fat loss you will need a two part program. The first part should focus on eliminating fat and to do this a number of cardio exercises should be done. You should do exercises that not only raise your heart rate but also works out the muscles of your problems areas. As an example, the stepper machine or cycling are often good cardio exercises for the thighs and buttocks.

The second component of the program should involve lifting weights. This will not only increase the muscle in order to support the skin and fat but will also increase your fat burning metabolism. Muscle requires more calories to exist and simply increasing the amount of lean muscle will ensure that you burn more calories throughout the day, even when resting.

In sum, getting rid of cellulite requires commitment to an appropriate diet and exercise program. By using cardio exercises to burn fat and weight lifting exercise to increase lean muscle mass, you will see results in the weeks and months ahead.

Tailgating Fun With Shrimp

Recipes No Responses »

Dec 212009

Football season means party time, and nothing is more fun than tailgating with friends before the big game.

Joe Cahn, the self-proclaimed “commissioner of tailgating,” suggests celebrating in style with Wild American shrimp, a finger food that easily complements beer, wine and soft drinks.

“Wild American shrimp go great with tailgating because it’s easy, simple and good,” said Cahn, who has driven 250,000 miles visiting thousands of cities and eaten his way through more than 370 tailgate parties.

Wild American shrimp is caught off the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts. Much of the shrimp consumers eat is pond-raised and imported.

“You have a choice and may not realize you are eating shrimp grown in ponds and imported to this country,” Cahn said. “And shrimp from the Gulf and Atlantic just tastes better.”

Wild American shrimp can be cooked ahead of time or grilled minutes before serving. Low in fat and packed with flavor, protein and cardio-protective omega-3 fatty acids, it gives party-goers plenty of energy to cheer for their favorite team.

For your next tailgating celebration, try this easy recipe from Wild American Shrimp Inc.:

GRILLED TEXAS WILD AMERICAN SHRIMP

(Makes 6 servings)

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup tequila

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons Mexican lime juice

1 tablespoon ground red chiles

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

24 large raw shrimp, peeled and

de-veined (tails left on)

Mix all ingredients except shrimp in shallow glass or plastic dish. Stir in shrimp. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove shrimp from marinade, reserving liquid. Thread 4 shrimp on each of six (8-inch) metal skewers. Grill over medium coals, turning once until pink, 2 minutes to 3 minutes on each side.

In a non-reactive saucepan, bring marinade to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until bell pepper is tender, about 5 minutes. Serve with shrimp.

There is also Shrimp and Grits recipe.

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