3 Simple Tips to Lose Weight for Greater Health

Being overweight can significantly increase the likelihood of developing health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.  Quality of life is negatively impacted for those who are overweight.  Sleep disturbances and problems with mobility are common among those who are significantly overweight or obese.  Those who carry around excess bodyweight, particularly in the form of body fat, can experience health-related benefits by making a few simple lifestyle modifications.

How to Prevent Blood Clots and Avoid Sudden Death

One of the greatest risks of sudden death for people over the age of 50 is the formation of abnormal blood clots in veins and arteries.  These dangerous clots, called thrombosis, can lead to fatal heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism.

The Benefits of High Protein Bars for Fitness and Health

To anyone who exercises intensely in the gym, consuming adequate amounts of high quality protein is essential.   There are several means to ingesting protein for the purposes of exercise recovery and development of lean muscle tissue. 

Some people rely on protein shakes that contain whey protein or soy protein as a primary ingredient.  Others depend solely upon high protein foods such as fish, beef and poultry to reach adequate levels of their daily dietary protein intake.  

What Causes the Development of Muscle Tissue?

Those who are seeking to increase their muscularity through strength training and nutritional manipulation alone may be overlooking some of the more critical contributing factors to developing muscle mass.  According to Dr. Frederick C. Hatfield, PhD, some factors, such as muscle fiber arrangement and musculoskeletal leverage are genetically determined and are, therefore, unable to be modified.  Several other factors, however, can be addressed and modified to a degree which may result in noticeable gains in muscularity.  

Five Great Gifts for Bodybuilders Under $100

Here are quick links to Amazon.com for the five great gifts for bodybuilders described in this post:

#1 Jack Lalanne Power Juicer

#2 Gym Chalk

#3 Better Than Steroids

#4 Super Squats: How to Gain 30 Pounds of Muscle in 6 Weeks
 

#5 Hardcore Bodybuilding: A Scientific Approach

High Intensity Training: Drop Fat and Build Muscle in Six Weeks

While there are many different ways to approach a structured goal oriented strategy, perhaps the simplest form involves weekly measurements of body composition.  Body composition refers to a person’s body fat weight to lean body weight ratio.  Not everyone has easy access to body fat measurement devices or fitness professionals to document and gauge body composition levels. 

Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Home Gym

Commercial gyms are often overcrowded, parking is limited and dues are high. One of the most common complaints among those who work out at commercial gyms is the long waits at exercise equipment and members who don’t wipe their sweat off the machines when they are finished using them.  I wrote about these inconsiderate exercisers in the article A Few Gym Etiquette Tips for the Uniformed.  Such  irritations often prompt athletes and exercisers to consider purchasing a home gym. This can be a significant challenge for serious strength and power athletes as the space and resistance requirements can be extreme.

The Top Ten Strategies to Lose Weight Fast

Many people wonder if it is truly possible to rapidly lose weight and maintain the newer, lower body weight.  By incorporating tried and true weight loss strategies, it is possible to lose a significant amount of body weight in a short period of time.  Below is a discussion of ten effective strategies to lose weight fast.  

How Alcohol Negatively Impacts Fitness and Health

If you work hard in the gym all week in order to achieve a lean, muscular physique but indulge in alcohol consumption during the weekend, beware.  Alcoholic beverages can kill muscle gains in a hurry and make it difficult to lose unwanted body fat.

Four Reasons You Should Be Drinking Coffee for Greater Health

A hot cup of coffee can provide more than just a boost of energy; it can provide health benefits that many in the medical and scientific community have been touting for years.  Many studies have shown that people who consume several cups of coffee per day have fewer occurrences of certain diseases including cancer, type II diabetes and heart disease.

How to Increase Growth Hormone Production for Muscle Mass, Strength and Youth

Naturally increasing growth hormone production may lead to increased muscle mass, fat loss and restored energy levels. 

Human growth hormone, also known as HGH, has been considered the fountain of youth by many in the scientific and medical community.  While the presence of HGH in the human body and the body’s ability to naturally produce human growth hormone affects the rate of aging and muscle wasting, it can hardly be considered the wonder hormone that many claim it is.  

Fitness Motivation: A Pyschological Perspective

Athletes and coaches must recognize the psychological aspect to sports-related performance and its influence over the ability to train, prepare and execute. The following discussion explores some of the mental factors that are associated with and contribute to the complex nature of sports psychology.

Intrinsic Motivation

The concept of intrinsic motivation is a fundamental belief in a person's own abilities and competencies which compels him to be a self-starter. An athlete who has a strong sense of intrinsic motivation is more likely to be in control of his own training regimen and strongly associates success in his sport with a sense of accomplishment and skill. While the state of a person's intrinsic motivation is often the product of years of psychological development and conditioning, by making a determined effort to enhance a person's own level of self-motivation, a desirable psychological state can be achieved and may result in the acquisition of the mental skills necessary to excel in performance of his sport.

Health Benefits of Resistance Training

Fitness professionals and healthcare professionals have been touting the benefits of regular exercise for decades. It is generally considered common knowledge that cardiovascular exercise strengthens the heart and the lungs, improves mood and aids in weight loss. However, less attention has been given to the many health benefits that regular resistance training can provide.

A Common Sense Approach to Weight Loss

Nationwide millions of people struggle to maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity levels are near record highs and the incidence diabetes, heart disease and hypertension are on the rise. While obesity in and of itself is not generally considered to be a risk factor for premature death, health conditions and diseases that are related to excessive body weight can significantly contribute to an untimely death. For many Americans, significant reduction in body weight can drastically reduce the onset of medical problems and potentially lengthen a person’s life span.

Some people desire to lose weight for the purpose of improving their appearance, enhancing their self-esteem and improving their overall fitness level.