Sunday, August 2, 2009
Is Heart Diseaese Preventable
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Heart disease is often thought of as an older woman's disease, and it is the leading cause of death among women aged 65 years and older. Heart disease is a very general term, and is not a single condition, but an aggregation of different disease and conditions. Heart disease is a major cause of death throughout the world, and many of its variants are considered silent killers because of their asymptomatic nature. Heart disease is a broadly used term to describe several conditions, all of which are potentially fatal, but can be treated. Diseases of heart and stroke rank as the #1 killer of Latino Americans.
Heart disease begins when plaque buildup begins to adversely affect health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Heart disease is on the rise, causing 27% of all deaths (650,000) in 2006 in the US. Heart attacks and strokes are by far the deadliest complications associated with heart disease. Heart problems are the leading cause of death among people with diabetes, especially in the case of adult onset or type II diabetes, also known as non insulin dependent diabetes. Heart attacks occur more frequently among people who smoke. Heart attacks are common among people that are obese. Heart disease conditions, aside from coronary heart disease, other diseases classified under this condition include congenital heart defects, heart valves disease and heart attacks.
Women seem to become more vulnerable to heart disease only after their estrogen levels fall with menopause, and so they tend to suffer first heart attacks later than men. Women with diabetes have a higher risk for heart disease than men with diabetes. Women develop the condition later in life. Their symptoms are often different from men's or more subtle, and they are affected more by certain risk factors, such as high levels of triglycerides (a fat in the blood). Women still haven't gotten the message that heart disease, not cancer, is most likely to send them to their graves. Women often don't experience the hollywood like heart attack symptoms that men do, but women may experience fatigue, indigestion, shoulder jaw and neck pain. In 2004, all cardiovascular diseases combined caused the deaths of 461,152 American women. Women are more aware of their risk for heart disease now than in the past. Women and men are affected differently by a wide range of conditions.
Blood pressure can be reduced by losing weight, becoming more physically active, limiting alcohol intake and taking blood pressure medicine. Blood pressure can vary with activity and with age, but a healthy adult who is resting generally has a systolic pressure reading between 120 and 130 and a diastolic pressure reading between 80 and 90 or lower. Blood pressure is a measure of the force at which your blood flows through your veins.
Health trends documented over the past 30 years of reduction in risk for heart disease is not as strong as is widely perceived and, in fact, the trend has flattened, according to a new analysis of national data by Mayo Clinic. Healthy living and a heart healthy lifestyle are smart choices that can pay big dividends as we age. Health care expenditures are 36% higher for obese than for non obese persons.
Risk factors are divided into two categories, major and contributing. Learn which risk factors are inherited and which can be modified or controlled. Risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, may also be passed from one generation to another. Risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Strokes are caused by broken blood vessels, blood clots, or a lack of blood flow to the brain. Lifestyle risk factors that contribute to heart disease include lack of exercise, high fat diet, emotional stress, and having a type A personality (aggressive, impatient, competitive).
Cholesterol consists of two ingredients; HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol) and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). Cholesterol should be closely monitored and tested on a regular basis. Cholesterol, a fat like substance carried in your blood, is found in all of your body's cells. Fatty deposits build up on blood vessel linings, which narrows the passage, causing the heart’s blood supply to decrease.
Coronary artery disease is a disease of the artery caused by the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium. Coronary artery disease is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, producing blockages in the vessels which nourish the heart itself. Coronary artery disease, the most common form of cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death in America today. Coronary artery disease and the reduced blood flow that follows can lead to other heart problems, such as chest pain and heart attacks. Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease in both men and women. Coronary heart disease is the most common kind of heart disease that causes deaths in the US.
Symptoms of heart disease include heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Symptoms of heart disease usually occur during exercise or activity. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Symptoms typically linked with this heart disease include shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among both men and women. Cardiovascular disease can take many forms like high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, stroke, or rheumatic fever-rheumatic heart disease. Cardiovascular disease is any of a number of specific diseases that affect the heart itself or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart.
Research has shown that smoking increases heart rate, tightens major arteries, and can create irregularities in the timing of heartbeats, all of which make your heart work harder. Research on disease dimorphism suggests that women who suffer with cardiovascular disease usually suffer from forms that affect the blood vessels while men usually suffer from forms that affect the heart muscle itself.
The first step in preventing heart disease is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Treatment methods should be discussed with a physician, and keep in mind that many of the medications are available through prescription. Exercise continues to be important as the risk of heart disease doubles in people who remain inactive as opposed to those who don’t. Exercise helps to strengthen your heart and purify your bloodstream, preventing heart attacks and stroke.
Exercise also strengthens the heart muscle and makes the arteries more flexible.
Smoking also raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of stroke in people who already have high blood pressure. Smoking is a major risk for several diseases including heart disease,stroke, and several cancers. Smoking causes fatty buildups in the arteries, blood clots, artery spasms and rhythm problems, which all contribute to these attacks.
Stress may also contribute to other risk factors. Stress is considered a contributing risk factor for heart disease because little is known about its effects. Stress can lead to hypertension and coping habits that raise cholesterol. Stressful situations raise your heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the your heart's need for oxygen. Stress can increase the risk of heart disease, although we still do not know how this happens.
Lupus endocarditis usually causes the surfaces of the heart valve to thicken or develop wart like growths (lesions). Lupus can cause inflammation of the myocardium, the muscle tissue of your heart. Lupus is a chronic life long disease in which the immune system fails to tell the difference between foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria, and the body's own cells.
Heart disease is preventable as long as one consistently makes good lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, consuming low sodium and fat diets, and avoiding alcohol and smoking are among these choices. Heart disease is commonly caused by atherosclerosis, and this process can also cause strokes. Heart disease is the #1 killer of men and women in the US, but many cases are preventable. Heart disease is a highly preventable and reversible disease. Heart disease is potentially reversible by attending to risk factors like cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking. Heart disease is not caused by cholesterol alone and probably the root cause of heart disease is free radicals. Heart disease is reversible by decreasing free radicals and increasing HDL. Cancer, the second largest killer, accounts for only half as many deaths. Family members live together, eat together and can influence one another's attitudes toward smoking, exercise, weight, diet, portion sizes and other factors that have an impact on heart health and disease. Controlling your blood pressure and sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking will also help you have a healthy heart, according to doctors. Reduce fat intake and include fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Uh-oh, Five Fat Loss Mistakes By Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Uh-oh, Five Fat Loss Mistakes
By: Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Turbulence Training
Straight to it. Here are five of the biggest fat loss mess-ups that
I see men and women doing everyday...fix these, and you'll lose fat.
1) Not having back up.
Trying to lose fat without social support is the wrong way to go
about this. Ideally, you'd have your doctor, an RD, a trainer, your workout partner, your spouse, your workmates, and your friends all behind you. Research shows that you'll benefit most from a health professional (i.e. a trainer) and a workout partner that is also successful. Get those two people on your team first, and then work on the rest of the group.
2) Not using a structured program
If you ever go into the gym and wonder what you are going to do first, you're already wasting your time - even before you choose. Get a plan, know what you have to do, stick to it, and see it through. That way, no wasted time wandering around the gym deciding where to start.
3) Not changing your workout after 4 weeks.
That's the longest you should go on one program. If it's been
6-months, give your head a shake. If it hasn't worked yet, why do you think it's magically going to start now. Change it up
frequently. You'll get more results and you'll have more fun.
4) Not realizing your results will come from nutrition more than
they will from training.
You want to lose fat? You have to eat right for fat loss. You can't
train like an animal and then eat junk and expect to lose fat. No
program is that good. None. Diet beats training everytime, like
scissors beats paper. Eat whole, natural foods in 6 smaller meals
each day. Get lots of fiber, lots of protein, lots of vegetables.
Eat healthy fats, avoid trans fats. Drink lots of water and tea. So
simple, so effective. Eat for energy, not for gluttony.
5) Not knowing when to quit.
I get emails everyday from readers asking if they can add even more cardio and more lifting to their current workout plans. After all, if some is good, more training must be better?
Listen, you have to draw the line somewhere. You can't keep adding more and more exercise. First, there is diminishing returns from each additional set you do, and from extra cardio. Second, your body can breakdown fast from too much work, particularly when you are dieting. Overtraining and low calories go together like oil and water. Neither of these combos will make your engine run optimally.
And finally, focus on quality over quantity. The "volume approach to fat loss" from the 1980's (characterized by lots of cardio and lots of carbs) didn't work. For good reason. Stick to high quality nutrition, and high-quality training.
The only thing that matters is results. Not muscle soreness, not
feeling exhausted after each workout, and not feeling deprived of food.
Quality work and quality food for a better body.
About the AuthorCraig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men’s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit TurbulenceTraining
Friday, July 17, 2009
Resistance Training Is The Secret To Reshaping Your Body
Resistance training is any exercise that causes the muscles to contract against an external resistance with the expectation of increases in strength, tone, mass, and endurance. Resistance training, toning and weight training are one and the same activity. It requires the use of resistance to increase muscle size and strength. Resistance training, also known as weight training or strength training, is for everyone. Resistance training can be done anywhere and without specialized equipment. Resistance training is effective at burning fat and calories, building muscle and melting inches. Resistance training with resistance bands help you to build lean muscle mass, which fights fat even while you sleep. Benefits of resistance training is a great way to create the body you've always wanted.
Exercise is part of the weight loss equation. Please remember that before you begin any exercise program or step up to a more rigorous exercise regime, see your physician and have a complete medical evaluation which includes a physical exam and an evaluation of your medical history. Exercises are performed in a variety of ways. Exercises are isometric if a body part is holding still against the force. Exercises are isotonic if a body part is moving against the force.
Weight training is an integral part of a complete fitness program. Weightlifting or resistance training, is a typical type of strength training which increases muscle strength and mass and bone strength. Weightless natural resistance training is a specialized exercise program designed to help you achieve maximum results in the least amount of time. Weight training may benefit any weight loss program, possibly more than any other component. Weight loss and fitness also are by default results of an active lifestyle.
Muscle is the most metabolically active tissue in your body, so increasing the amount of muscle mass in your body substantially increases your body’s abilities to burn body fat. Muscle mass is important because of the role muscle and the proteins in muscle play in your body's immune system. Muscle is in essence, your fat burning machinery.
Strength Resistance training is fantastic for your health, but a lot of people aren't sure where to start with weights. Strength training can provide a way for both men and women to increase bone mineral density, produce anti-inflammatory effects to ward off chronic diseases and increase their independence and ability to live a full daily life. Strength training normalizes resting blood pressure in 65- to 73-year-old men and women with high normal blood pressure. Strength training can also enhance the connective tissue network resulting in an increased ability to withstand greater tensional forces and improved overall joint integrity. Strength training can improve memory in older adults, especially when using higher resistance levels. Strength training can help you add muscle mass or enhance the muscle mass you already have.
There's more to being healthy than just physical exercising. Healthy snacking is extremely important for staying on a clean and healthy nutritional plan. Healthy fats include flax oil, olive oil, and nuts, while fruits and vegetables are good carbohydrate sources. Check out my article The Skinny On Fats.
Increased muscle tone is best achieved by completing a combination of resistance and aerobic workouts. Increase the range of activities when your body is strong enough to carry some considerable weight, then definitely you will also be capable of doing more strenuous activities. Increased strength strong bones and strong muscles will be developed as you undergo resistance training.
Start building lean muscle mass today with hundreds of different exercises and workout routines. Start eating the right types of nutrient dense foods to provide enough energy for your intense workouts. Start by understanding that the main tissue that burns calories is muscle, even at rest. Starting now can not only have you looking firmer and more toned in your swimsuit, but will have you closer to really strutting your stuff as the summer ends. Start slow, but don’t be afraid to surprise yourself.
Research into the response of untrained strength athletes has come up with surprising results. Researchers believe that a combination of cardiovascular workouts and resistance training is the best way to become and remain lean.
Cardiovascular endurance should be the most vital element of your overall fitness program. Cardiovascular exercise, although also necessary, is simply not enough. Cardiovascular fitness can be defined simply as your body's ability to get oxygen and blood to the muscles. Cardio training can also be fun and exciting by including enjoyable exercises that give you a great workout every time. Cardiovascular work is very important to include in your overall fitness plan to burn off excess calories and help make your heart and lungs stronger.
Resistance training is not just for people who are athletes, want to build or tone muscle, or are using resistance training to achieve a better looking body. Resistance training is the best long-term tool for losing fat and building muscle. Resistance training is fabulous for increasing strength, building stronger bones, increasing metabolism so you burn more calories when sleeping, increasing energy, improving overall function, and toning your body. Resistance training is a far more effective method of exercise for losing body fat than aerobic training. Resistance training is generally safe and does not cause as much injury as the other high impact workouts. Resistance training is a natural proven part of every anti-aging program, as it is for the rest of the body. Resistance training is simply about increasing the strength of the body, not always it's size. Improve heart condition by regularly doing resistance training can result in a lowered heart rate and lowered blood pressure, especially after exercise. Nutrition and resistance training is the key to building lean muscle mass and burning excess body fat.
Here is a list of great programs that will fit any busy persons schedule whether you are at home or on the road. Click on any one of them and you will find the one that's right for you.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
You MUST see this
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Evolution Of Cardio
And then I'll end with a sample TT workout for you...
But first, let's take a trip down memory lane to the winter of98-99. I was but a lowly grad student, studying the effects ofandrostenedione (the supplement taken by the might Mark McGwire during his record-breaking home run quest in '98).
In my study (which was published in the Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology for any science nerds like myself out there), we had guys use the supplement and go through a couple of weight training sessions. By February of '99 I was stuck in the lab, analyzing the blood samples using some fancy radio-active isotopes.
And when I say stuck in the lab, I mean STUCK. I'd get there at7am, and record my last data point at 11pm. Sixteen hours ofmad science. And if I wasn't there, I was downstairs in themedical library, studying papers on testosterone and training.
Now coming from a very athletic background, this sedentarylifestyle didn't sit well with me. But there I was, studing for adegree in Exercise Physiology and left with no time for exercise.Or so I thought.
Fortunately, I actually had a 50 minute window once per day of"down-time" while the lab's gamma-counter analyzed blood samples.
That left me 50 minutes to get to the gym (5 minutes across campus) and get a workout in the remaining 40 or so minutes. I knew that if I applied my studies to the workout, I could get maximum results in minimum time.
As a former athlete, I knew that I had to find a way to stay fitand to avoid the fat gain that comes with working long hours in asedentary environment. And I also had to stay true to thehigh-school bodybuilder I once was, so there was no way I waswilling to sacrifice my muscle to one of those long-cardio, lowprotein fat-loss plans that were popular at the time.
Instead, I had to draw on my academic studies and my experiences working with athletes as the school's Strength & Conditioning Coach.
I knew that sprint intervals were associated with more fat lossthan slow cardio, and I knew that you could also increase aerobic fitness by doing sprints (but you can't increase sprint performance by doing aerobic training).
So clearly, intervals were (and ARE!) superior to long slow cardio.
I had seen first hand the incredible results of sprint intervals inthe summer and fall, as the athletes made huge fitness improvements and shed winter fat in a short time using my interval programs. I knew that intervals had to be the next step in the evolution of cardio.
The biggest benefit of intervals? A lot of results in a shortamount of time. I knew that I only had 40 minutes to train, andtherefore I could only spend 15-20 minutes doing intervals.
Now onto the strength training portion of the workouts. I knew that a high-volume bodybuilding program wasn't going to cut it - I just didn't have time. But in the past year I had read so many lifting studies, that I knew exactly what exercises I needed to do to maximize my lifting time in the gym.
Those exercises were standing, multi-muscle, movements such as squats, presses, rows, power cleans, and plenty of other standing single-leg exercises. I knew that those exercises would bring me far more results than those people sitting on machines would ever achieve.
And I also knew that I had to lift heavier than the average Joe or Jane Gym-goer lifts. I just knew that doing lighter weights and high-reps wasn't going to cut it. And a research study from 2001 later showed that I was right - when women did 8 reps per set, they had a significantly greater increase in post-workout metabolism than if they did 15 reps per set.
So I had my plan. Bust my tail over to the gym, through the cold, dreary Canadian winter afternoon, and do a quick but thorough warmup (specific to my lifts - none of that 5 minutes on the treadmill waste of time).
Once I got through the warm-up, I did as many sets as I could in the remainder of the 20 minutes for strength training.
At that point, I knew that supersets were the only way to go if Iwanted to maximize the number of sets I could do...so thenon-competing superset of Turbulence Training was put in place.
By non-competing, I mean that the 2 exercises in the superset don't interfere with one another. So you can use upper and lower body exercises together, or pushing and pulling exercises. Just be careful not to use two grip-intensive exercises together in a superset - otherwise, one exercise will suffer, if not both.
And then I followed up the strength training with intervals, as Iknew these had to follow the lifting, otherwise it would not be the correct exercise order. Remember, intervals first leads topremature fatigue. Lift first, cardio later. Forget that old wivestale about doing cardio first to burn more fat. That's junk.
You know, I remember the exact day and exact workout that this all came together into the Turbulence Training program. It hit me as I was finishing my intervals. I knew I had found something that was like fat loss magic.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a way to put it in a pill. But I'vebeen able to put it down on paper in all of the TT manuals.
The exact workout I used that day went like this...
Warm-up 1 set of Bodyweight Squats 1 set of pushups1 set of Squats with the empty bar1 set of light dumbbell chest presses1 set of moderate weight barbell squats1 set of moderate weight dumbbell chest presses
Strength Training Superset #1Barbell Squats paired with Dumbbell Chest Presses3 supersets, aiming for 8 reps per side per set
Strength Training Superset #2DB Rows paired with Barbell Forward Lunges3 supersets, aiming for 8 reps per set
Stationary Bike IntervalsAfter a warmup, I did 6 intervals of 45 seconds work and 45 seconds rest, finishing with a cool-down.
And from that point in time, I've tried to share this and all theother Turbulence Training workouts with as many men and women as possible. The same men and women that I would see day-in and day-out performing the same ineffective slow-cardio fat loss programs, and not making a darn change month after month. And every day they would see me, soaked in sweat, feeling great and looking lean, and finishing another TT workout.
Eventually I noticed these other men and women weren't around as consistently as before, and then soon enough they would drop out completely - after all, they weren't getting results with their slow cardio and aerobics classes (yep, those were still around in '99!).
And so here we are today...thousands of TT users later, withnational fitness magazines like Men's Health, Men's Fitness, andShape spreading the good word about Turbulence Training.
Thousands of TT users, dozens of personal trainers, and evenseveral national fitness magazines all agree with me, TurbulenceTraining is the #1 way to fast fat loss.
Thanks for being a part of the TT Lifestyle Revolution, and forsharing this new and improved fat loss training and cardio system with the world.
So when you see someone frustrated with their ineffective fat loss program, tell them there is a better way. It's research-based, efficient, and most of all, effective. And yes, it goes against the crowd. But it works.
And it's now better than ever,
Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MSAuthor, Turbulence Training
PS - Don't know where to start?
If you are a beginner, start by reading Dr. Mohr's nutritionguidelines...eating properly will be the biggest factor in yourearly success.
Beginners should also start with the Introductory TT workouts to prepare their muscles for the upcoming intense training.
For others, it's best to start with the Intermediate Level TTworkouts. If those aren't enough of a challenge, you can move onto the Original TT workout and follow the 16-week advanced program right through.
If at any time you need a break, try the TT Bodyweight 4-week plan.
And then finish off with the bonus programs to cap off a full 24 weeks of Advanced TT fat loss workouts.
About the AuthorCraig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men’s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit Turbulence Training
Top 5 Fat Loss Tips
Secret #1 - Focus on burning carbohydrate, not fat, during yourfat-loss workouts.
Sounds backwards, right? But not when you look at how I structure my workouts. Remember that Turbulence Training focuses on resistance training and interval training. Both of these use carbohydrate as the main source of energy. So it's obvious the workout is designed to burn carbohydrates during the training session.
I have no interest in you trying to train in your "target heartrate zone" for fat burning (aka - the fat burning zone). The whole idea of a fat-burning zone is an over-simplified idea of how the body works during exercise.
Leave the inefficient fat burning zone to the mis-educatedtrainers in the commercial gyms (that not surprisingly, also want to sell you a heart rate monitor so you can stay in your "fatburning heart rate zone").
If you want to get the most results in the least amount of time,focus on burning carbohydrates, not fat.
Why do my fat loss workouts focus on burning carbohydrate rather than fat? In order to burn more calories after the workout, that's why. When you exercise with intervals and heavy resistance training, your body uses more calories in the hours after exercise than it would if you did traditional cardio and lifted lighter weights.
Alwyn Cosgrove calls this 'afterburn', and I call it 'Turbulence'.By any name it gives you the same results - maximumimprovements in your body composition (helping you lose fat while gaining muscle).
Secret #2 - Use a range of repetitions in your strength trainingworkouts.
In order to train more muscle fibers and burn more carbohydrates, I have clients use a range of repetitions within the same workout. My workouts now use 6, 8, and 12 reps per set in order to work the muscle the most effectively.
This will burn more carbohydrates and promote as much muscle growth as possible when you are keeping the calories low.
Secret #3 - Use the stationary cycle for interval training.
I choose the stationary bike for intervals whenever possiblebecause cycling against a resistance can help maintain muscle mass.
Cycling against a resistance also allows you to perform a largeamount of mechanical work, and that is a key determinant of the Turbulence in my training.
But please note: I don't use low-intensity, fast pedaling'spinning' intervals as I'm convinced that the hard, resistancebased intervals are more effective for fat loss. My clients onlycycle against a strong resistance in their intervals.
I really like the bike, but there are many other ways to dointervals. Use what works for you, but if you are at a plateau, try the bike.
Secret #4 - Increase meal frequency
Okay, so this isn't really a secret to anyone that has read aboutfat loss. But a 2005 study from the American Journal of ClinicalNutrition showed that eating 6 times per day was associated with eating fewer calories per day, lowering cholesterol levels, and lowering post-meal insulin levels.
Combine an increased meal frequency with an increased protein and fiber intake, and you'll see your body composition improve rapidly.
If you need more nutrition help, then you'll love the newTurbulence Training Nutrition Guide for Men & Women - written by Dr. Chris Mohr, Ph.D.
See below for more details...
Secret #5 - My Synergistic Turbulence Training Workouts
My Turbulence Training Fat Loss workouts are fast becoming the most effective way to burn fat, build muscle, and get lean. The synergistic strength training-interval training workouts areefficient and effective - getting you in and out of the gym inunder an hour.
Here are some tips that you can use for an advanced training phase
- use these tips for 2 weeks then return to your normal trainingschedule:
a) Add 10 seconds to each interval but maintain the intensity
b) Add in some bodyweight circuits (10-20 minutes per day) done in the morning or evening (if you do your regular workout in the AM, do your bodyweight circuits after dinner; otherwise, do the bw circuits first thing in the AM, and then do your regular workout at lunch or later in the afternoon or evening)
If you are advanced, you can use squats, pushups, and bodyweight rows for your circuit.
If you are a beginner, you could use lying hip extensions, modified pushups, and stick-ups.
c) Add an extra set to each exercise in the first superset you doin each workout.
Again, use these three tips for an advanced fat loss period of twoweeks, then return to a normal training schedule.
But always stick to the best fat loss nutrition plan possible.
If you have any other questions, just let me know.
Sincerely,
Craig BallantyneAuthor, Turbulence Training
P.S. Big Nutrition Announcement!
The Turbulence Training Nutrition Guide for Men & Women - written by Dr. Chris Mohr, Ph.D., is ready for you.
Here are just some of the things you'll learn from Dr. Mohr...
1) How to calculate your calorie needs (p. 6)
2) Calorie recommendations for obese individuals (p.7)
3) The 23 types of sugar (many hidden!) to avoid (p. 9)
4) The 20 whole-grain sources to fuel your fat loss program (p9)
5) Over 60 fruits and vegetables that should be added to your diet (p. 10)
6) The 16 protein sources you should select most often (p. 13)
7) Shocking trans-fat content of 18 common foods - find out which food is the deadliest in terms of fat content (p. 16)
8 ) The 9 Fat Sources you should select most often (p. 17)
9) Dr. Mohr's 12 Rules for Fat Loss (p. 18)
10) The TT Nutrition Plan for Men (p. 19)
11) The TT Nutrition Plan for Women (p. 23)
12) Bonus Supplement Report: The Truth About Fat Loss Pills (p. 27)
About the AuthorCraig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men’s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit turbulence training
Now Is The Best Time To Start Healthy Eating Habits
Image by Brian Lane Winfield Moore via Flickr
If your current nutrition regimen is not healthy , it is usually fairly difficult to change to a healthy one. Healthy eating is crucial for maintaining good internal body function and living a healthy lifestyle. If you have a hard time with eating healthy foods, then you know that changing bad eating habits is by far the toughest part of this process. If you really want to live the healthiest lifestyle , it's important to follow these tips, so you can begin a healthier diet.
To start eating a more healthy diet, get rid of all food products that don't belong in healthy categories. Throw out or give away junk foods and unhealthy liquids so that you won't be tempted to eat those unhealthy snacks during the day. If you usually get hungry throughout the day, keep healthy snacks nearby for easy access. If you can't drum up the will power to stop eating sweets, keep something smaller, like chocolate chips. Eating a small amount wont ruin your diet but will stave off your craving for sweets.
The next step when your first starting your new diet, is to take some time to research what foods are the healthiest . Most people know that fruits, vegetables, low-fat meat, and non fat dairy products are best for you. Learning more about nutrients is imperative for a successful transformation. This new knowledge will empower you and enable you to more easily make the changes.
When beginning a new healthier diet, you should also consider sticking to a meal schedule. If you have the habit of eating in a rush at a different time each day, like most busy people you probably aren't getting the best nutrition. Plan your snacks and meals! Don't fall back in the habit of grabbing a fast food lunch, take a sack lunch. Take something healthy and fresh veggies for snacking. Plan your evening meal by cooking ahead, especially if you don't have time to cook every night. Move into your new routine slowly by replacing fast food half the time and it will be easier to stick to it for the long run.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Why Cardio Doesn't Work for Fat Loss
After all, some men and women do cardio 6 hours, 9 hours, or more per week, and still have belly fat to burn. On the other hand, it works just fine for others.
British researchers wanted to get more insight into this paradox, and studied 35 overweight men and women, who weren't previously exercising.
(Reference: International Journal of Obesity 32: 177-184, 2008).
Subjects exercised 5 times per week for 12 weeks. That's a lot of exercise, but it helped the subjects lose an average of 8.2 pounds, which is great - I was positively surprised by the results.
So cardio will work for some people, however, in my experience, it works best in young men, who need the help the least!
Back to the study, the variance in fat loss between individuals was huge. Check this out...
The best subject lost a staggering 32.3 pounds in 12 weeks, while the worst subject actually GAINED 3.74 pounds.
The scientists think they know where things went sour. Theyclassified the subjects into 2 groups, called the "Compensators"and the "Non-compensators".
The Compensators were hungrier, and as a result consumed an extra 268 calories per day, all but wiping out their cardio efforts.
Therefore, the Compensators lost the least amount of weight, and scientists believe that was due to the huge "compensatory" increase in appetite experienced by this group.
Does your appetite increase when you do slow cardio? If it does,research shows it will ruin your cardio efforts.
So if your cardio program is not working for you, check yourappetite and calorie intake to see if you are "compensating" foryour efforts. If you are, you might be better off using a programof high-intensity resistance and interval training (i.e. Turbulence Training) for your weight loss efforts.
As Australian Professor Steve Boucher has shown in research, interval training increases hormones called catecholamines. And increased catecholamines can reduce appetite, among other fat-burning benefits.
In the real world, few people lose 33 pounds after 12 weeks of cardio. Heck, few even achieve an average weight loss of 8 pounds with aerobic exercise.
So again, check your appetite, and consider giving high-intensityexercise a go for your next workout program.
Beat the curse of cardio with high-intensity Turbulence Training.
Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MSAuthor, Turbulence Training
About the AuthorLearn about the "Dark Side of Cardio" in the free report from Craig Ballantyne at fitness for busy people Craig is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit fitness for busy people

Weight Loss Workout for Busy People
Okay, here's the first thing you need. About a 8x8 open area. And your bodyweight. That's it. Don't rest between any of these exercises.
First exercise: Prisoner Squat
Place your hands behind your head, keep your elbows back, and squat down halfway to the ground. Keep your shoulder blades together to work your upper back and push your hips back as you squat to work your back of your legs.
Do that 10-20 times depending on your strength levels.
Second exercise: Push-up Plus
Do a regular pushup, but at the top, add a little extra push to round your upper back and make your shoulder blades move away from one another. Do 4-12 reps depending on your strength.
Third exercise: Plank
Support yourself on your forearms and toes and keep your body in a straight line from ankles to shoulders. You'll be "hovering" just above the ground. Keep your abs braced and hold for 10-60 seconds depending on your endurance.
Fourth exercise: Split squat
Stand with one foot 2 feet in front of your body and the other foot 1 foot behind your body. This is a stationary lunge position. Bend your back knee and drop your hips to the floor. Then push up using the muscles of the lead leg. Use a wall for balance or support if needed. Do 5-12 reps per side depending on strength.
Rest 1 minute then repeat the circuit up to 4 times.
Have fun, and burn fat,
Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MSAuthor, Turbulence Training
About the AuthorCraig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men’s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit /fitness for busy people

Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Aerobics; Do you need it
Next on your support team list should be personal trainers. If you can afford a personal trainer for aerobics, it is the best way to achieve weight loss and fitness goals. A personal trainer could correct your form and give you advice towards making your aerobics workout a complete success . He or she will also be your mental support as well as pushing you to do your very best.
Your family can be great for support . When you are at home , you and your family can work together to accomplish a healthier lifestyle by not smoking, eating healthy foods, and participating in more outdoor activities. You can take your family to the gym to try aerobics . This is a great way to spend quality time together, and do something healthy for your bodies as a family.
Last but not least, look for others who are doing aerobics to max out your support system. You can work out with a friend to keep motivated. Find someone who likes to do the same activity as you, or goes to the same classes. This can inspire motivation. You can also look to a variety of workout partners by joining an aerobics class. After your class , hang out with these new friends and you’ll soon find that living a healthy lifestyle is rewarding and easier to do than you first thought. When you begin an aerobics program, having a good group of support can really make all the difference.

Monday, April 6, 2009
Free Fatloss Course and Book
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Necessity of Vitamins and minerals
If supplements are taken according to the directions, and taken by the right person at the proper time in their life, there should be a lot of benefit to taking vitamins and minerals . If people don’t overdo it, there is no harm in taking vitamins that are needed to maintain a healthy body.
Although, even in this modern era, there are arguments within the ranks of the medical community about the importance of vitamin supplements and whether or not people should be taking them for a healthy body. The facts are that supplements contain elements that are great for our bodies, but these elements could be already coming from another source, so ingesting too much of them could actually be harmful. This is where the medical communities speculations about whether or not they are good for you thrive.
If you want to really know if vitamin and mineral supplements would benefit your family, you should discuss it with your family doctor. He or she would gladly give you the information that you need to make an informed decision about the usefulness of vitamins and minerals for you and your family.


