People today tend to lead very busy lives, packing in as much into one day as humanly possible. Between work and kids and social lives, there’s rarely any downtime. You need to be functioning at peak health to keep up. And there’s no time for being tired. Unfortunately, for many of us, fatigue is a problem in our lives. Here are 5 surprising factors that could be contributing to your exhaustion.
Thyroid Problems
For years my mom suffered lack of energy. She went to several doctors and no one seemed to be able to give her a concrete reason. I had recently been treated for an overactive thyroid (which makes you anxious and wound up) and had researched the effects of under active thyroids. The symptoms included fatigue, depression and lack of motivation. I told my mom and she immediately got tested and low and behold she had an under active thyroid. After a month of medication to bring her levels back to normal, she felt better than she had in years. It’s worth getting checked for.
Lack of Vitamin D
I like to refer to vitamin D as sunshine in a bottle. If you live in a place with little sunshine year round, odds are you’re lacking in vitamin D. A simple blood test will tell you if you are. I was and started taking little lemon chews with vitamin D, which are delicious, and I felt a lot better after about a week. A very easy fix and energy boost.
Caffeine/Sugar Crash
It’s funny that we drink coffee to wake up in the morning only to crash from it in the afternoon. And if you drink mochas or caramel lattes that are loaded with sugar, it’s even more harsh of a crash. As hard as it is to stop drinking caffeine in the morning, hello headache, it only lasts for about a week. After a week, you’ll notice that you have natural energy that you won’t crash from in the afternoon.
Lack of Exercise
I notice that if I’m low on energy, usually I’m not exercising. It sounds crazy but the more you exercise, even though you get briefly tired right after, you’ll find you are energized through the day. Maybe it’s the endorphins your body pumps out or your muscles are ready to tackle the day, but it sure works to perk up your body.
Your Bed
Nothing is worse than getting a terrible night’s sleep. And a huge reason that could be is your mattress. A bed that doesn’t give you back support can be very uncomfortable and if you don’t get a solid night’s sleep, you’ll notice that your energy goes down the drain the next morning. Not to mention it can cause some serious back problems over time.
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Many body cleansing programs have come before it, but the Beachbody Ultimate Reset program stands out for a number of reasons. It can be compared to putting a reset button on your body so that all the toxic junk comes out allowing your body optimal functionality.
The Beachbody program has several unique points. One is that the results are foolproof. Those who have gone through it have regained vitality, energy, improved digestion, better moods and weight loss. The changes can be seen in as little as 7 days to three weeks of consistently following the program.
It is also different in the way it is implemented. It is all natural without the use of any drugs. There is also no fasting or unhealthy crash diets or strenuous exercise regimes. Rather, it is ensured that the body gets the nutrients that it craves with three wholesome meals daily and an allowance for selected snacks.
Unlike many cleanses today, this is not a colon blaster, meaning that you can work and live your normal life without worrying about being parked by the restroom, or pulling an olympic 100 yd dash sprint to the restroom on a romantic dinner date with a women who demands eye contact. Get the point?
The Beachbody Ultimate Reset Has 3 Phases
The Beachbody Ultimate Reset is a comprehensive daily program that has everything needed to set the natural balance of the body. It also gets rid of toxins so that every body part and system functions optimally. This is done in three phases.
Phase 1 is concerned with reclaiming the correct balance of the body. It can be likened to using soap to loosen dirt so that it can be washed away.
Phase 2 has to do with release where toxic substances that are clogging up and slowing down the body are released and removed. This can be compared to a great tide of pure water coming up, pushing out all the dirt and leaving a place thoroughly cleansed.
Phase 3 of Beachbody Ultimate Reset has to do with restoration. After thorough cleansing, the system is left clean and the body can carry on with its functions with vitality. There is better absorption of nutrients, faster metabolism and extraction of waste before it accumulates and becomes toxic.
The 6 Supplements Included With The Beachbody Ultimate Reset
The program has six powerful supplements which is one factor that makes it so unique and powerful.
One is supplements that alkanalize. For optimum health, blood should have slight acidity. The alkalinizer is a potent mixture of different types of greens such as barley grass, alfalfa, kamut grass and wheatgrass. It restores ideal body pH balance which boosts immunity.
There is also a supplement to oxygenize which is helpful in eliminating waste that has accumulated in the tissues. Without waste, nutrients are absorbed better and faster which in turn boosts energy levels. Despite a healthy diet, if wastes are not removed the nutrients are not well absorbed.
The third supplement is concerned with mineralizing. This is done with a rare natural salt that is rich in trace minerals that are very beneficial. They ensure the smooth function of the digestive tract, they regulate water body content and boost the functions of the cells. Ordinary table salt does not do this. The natural Himalayan salt that is used contains no less than 84 minerals and trace elements like copper, magnesium, iron, potassium and calcium.
The other supplement included is for revitalization. It has a combination of probiotics and prebiotics that maintain a healthy balance of healthy bacteria in the gut for a strong immune system. They increase the ability of the body to take up and use minerals for better immunity. Also, research has proven that there is potential in the ability of prebiotics to lower the risk of colon cancer as well as achieving intestinal regularity and helping to resolve inflammatory bowel disorders.
The fifth supplement is optimizing with systematic enzymes that have a crucial role in each and every body function. The supplement is a unique enzymes blend that boosts inflammatory and immune responses in the body.
The sixth supplement is fordetoxifying which is one with a clay-based detoxifier that draws out toxic compounds in the gut. The herbal blend also works to keep the digestive health in optimal health.
The detox is made from organic ingredients such as flaxseed, ginger root, chia seed, camu-camu and natural spices such as garlic and turmeric. The blend is able to gently but effectively remove accumulated toxins and it contains no harsh ingredients other programs have that keep one constantly running to the toilet or experiencing cramps.
Who Should Do The Beachbody Ultimate Reset?
Beachbody Ultimate Reset is ideal for anyone ready to jumpstart a fitness transformation journey. It is just the thing to get one on track after a vacation or holiday season where one has over-indulged in food and drink. It is also ideal for getting one started on a weight loss program as the program itself will clean your body of dead unhealthy weight that is just hanging around inside your body taking up space and blocking the absorption of nutrients that get you optimal results.
In Addition….
Beachbody Ultimate Reset comes with extensive support which is given by a coach and other team members who are always available online. The package also includes a participant guide book with all the necessary information, a three-week eating plan with recipes, tips for healthy cooking and shopping lists. Also included are two DVDs with cooking lesson videos and more information on the program.
There is also a reset bracelet that is worn to represent a commitment to changing one’s health and gratitude for being able to achieve good health. To make sure one keeps track of the supplements they are supposed to take, a reset caddy is included.
Beachbody Ultimate Reset is the brainchild of health and fitness expert Isabelle Daikeler and super foods guru Darin Olien who travels the world to gather all natural earth ingredients to formulate Shakeology. It has changed the mindsets and health of many and left them leaner, fitter and in optimum health.
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Guys, let’s be honest … If you’re a busy person, dedicated father, like spending time with your family like myself, or just plain love doing workouts in your own private residence from time to time, at home workouts for men are purely proven to get you serious results.
If you have ever tried to workout at home on your own, then you know how hard it can be to keep a tight schedule on a custom workout routine. That is why when programs like P90x and Insanity came out, they revolutionized how the fitness industry works.
Not only did these in home programs I’m about to mention sweep the in home fitness industry, but they put together a concept that even helped people learn how to properly eat, write down and improve their performance daily, and allow anyone who bought their programs free access to a community of hundreds of thousands to communicate with. Basically, making it fun to workout.
I used to think that any home I saw done at home was for beginners or just the females. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Turns out that I got better results than I ever got going to the traditional gym. Not everyone can afford a gym membership or let alone a personal trainer @ $45/hour or a nutritionist @ $100 per hour. These at home workouts for men below give all that to you and more, and even elite athletes are taking notice and implementing them into their training regimen.
Gyms no longer held a monopoly on the fitness industry, and at-home workouts suddenly started to take flight. Times are changing as we all know. The cell phones are basically your everything you need mobile device instead of just a big block that sits i your middle console in case you broke down on the road. Kids aren’t asking for Lite Brite, slinky’s, or remote control cars anymore for their birthdays, they want Ipads, Iphones, and laptops. Just like that evolution, you can no longer drink safely from the garden hose anymore with your friends on a hot day like we used to back 20 years ago. It’s just not safe.
My point, the way we get in shape and get healthy is forever changing. Fitness doesn’t have to take up your time and get in the way of your career or social life. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to be a mystery on how to get your results. There are now at home workouts for men that guide you from A-Z, from start to finish.
But what are the best home based training regiments? Here we list some of our favorites in different categories.
Unlike P90x, this video series was actually designed for beginners. If you are finding P90x too stressful, try switching to the introductory exercises in power 90 for a more balanced approach.
Power 90 came out before the popular P90X, which was an extreme workout designed to give Power 90 graduates something to build on. The rest is history.
At Home Workouts For Men Already In A Bit Of Shape
With the extreme level that fitness training programs have come to these days, the legendary P90x can still be classified as the top at home sold workout for total body transformation.
When p90x first came out of course, it was considered too extreme for your average couch potato American, and critics said it wouldn’t sell. The only problem was p90x went on to become the best-selling fitness DVD of all time. You will be pushing and pulling in all angles you never imagined to help your body become strong and functional for all life situations, not just general strength and looks.
Get this classic, but still great introduction to the Beach Body series and you are guaranteed to have a head start on all the rest.
P90x 2 is meant for those athletes who graduated P90X and is ready to take it to the next level. P90X2 isn’t harder than P90X, but the difference is doing the actual strength routines with balance, therefore focusing more on core strength and balance, agility, functionality, and more.
You will find that your lifting strength is only half the puzzle when it comes to building a solid physique. You need endurance, flexibility, and a proper diet to ensure you get the most amount of reps on every set. You can hire lawyers for fall accidents from here!
According to the law firm for slip and fall claims, being able to use your strength in many different ways than the traditional curls, bench press, and squats is what P90x2 is for. It is designed to give you that added strength when you really need it in real life situations to prevent injury (get criminal justice lawyers help from here), restrain you from having to find attorney after a fall injury and live a more functional life confidently. It teaches you not only to lift heavy weight, but lift weight with balance and other muscle working together for all around fitness and well being. You can also get attorneys for traffic accident injuries from here!
The original Insanity work out DVD is one of the most difficult training regiments on the planet. If personal trainers and athletes have trouble getting through this DVD, how do you think you will fare?
This is meant for seriously dedicated, muscle toning freaks. Don’t let the kids anywhere near it. In all seriousness, I always let my kids do cardio with me. It’s just good for them and it teaches them a healthy lifestyle at a young age.
If you are having trouble getting through the program, don’t feel bad about skipping a day if your body is screaming at you. Allow your body to recover and go at it again. Also, don’t try to keep up with any of them in the DVD and don’t compare yourself to them until you have reached that level you could literally say, you’ve gone the distance and I did it.
Insanity Asylum differs from its predecessor in that its primary objective is agility, cardio, and endurance instead a full body sculpted physique.
Insanity Asylum was designed in conjunction with some of the best athletic training regiments on the planet, including those used by Olympic athletes. It is the perfect complement to an intense cardio workout.
I use this program to help me train for the word known tough mudder events. Pro athletes helped put this intense endurance and strength program together so you know it’s something you’ll be challenged with. The agility ladder is used frequently in this series to make sure you use proper form which is something new from the first Insanity. Volume 2 will be coming out later this year featuring Olympic speed skater, Apolo Ohno.
Using a dynamic blend of cross training, muscle confusion and muscle stretching exercises, Les Mills’ Pump was designed to maximize your muscles to their fullest potential. They use a “Rep Effect” to get you that lean toned physique in 90 days. In this program, you will be using the low weight high rep style for lean muscle mass.
Les Mills also happens to be a nutritional expert, if you didn’t know. His book that comes with the Pump DVD has been rated one of the best training diet books currently on the market.
Be sure and follow both the training routine and the diet book to the letter in order to maximize results.
The newest at home workout for men (and women) to enjoy from BeachBody. This DVD was designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to get you bigger. Unlike all the other Beachbody programs promoted to get you that lean beach body look, they’ve brought in Sagi Kalev, former bodybuilding title holder, to the scene and he really gets you pumped for massive gains.
You may be thinking that you’ll need an olympic bench and hundreds of punds of dumbbells and iron weights, but honestly, you can take advantage of this change in the world I talked about earlier and find out how modern scientific study along with old school bodybuilding techniques are now able to get you the same results at home with minimal equipment.
Expect to push your muscles beyond what you ever thought they could handle, and build a physique faster than you ever thought was possible with the Body Beast all natural supplements to help you.
So those are my top at home workouts for men that are proven to get you the results you want and at the same time, won’t take over your social life. All of these workouts above will take focus, a true health goal that is emotional, and a support team to help you get through the transformation.
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If you’re one who is really interested in getting a lean body with P90x, then perhaps the P90x lean schedule is the best option. Actually, the P90x lean schedule intends to transform the body to a more lean form within 90 days via a complete fitness program catered to those who demand results.
The first thing I always here about the P90X lean schedule is, “Is it only for women?”. Although most people who choose the this schedule are women, it can be for any gender depending on their specific individual fitness goals.
The P90X Lean Schedule Is Just One Of Three To Choose From
There are 3 different schedules for P90x doers to choose from. All the schedules can be done with minimal P90X equipment. The classic, doubles and the lean schedule. According to your fitness requirements, it is important you choose the right one. However, they all involve intense and regular workouts 6 days a week, and all three schedules are designed for 90 days.
Who Is The Lean Schedule For?
According to Tony Horton, the man behind the program itself, the P90x lean schedule is intended for those individuals who wish to go for a slightly lesser intense resistance routine and more cardio-based. The results of this program are unique and there are positive changes in your lean body mass. The workout regime is directed towards cardio-exercises thus burning out the extra fat and help in losing weight.
I actually did the classic schedule and mixed in some doubles days when I felt I was in “Beast Mode”, but I know people who did the P90X lean schedule and they got great results. You actually may sweat more doing the lean vs the classic, which is the most popular schedule of all three.
The Difference Among P90X Lean Schedule & The Others
The P90x Classic schedule consists of 3 resistance workouts, 2 cardio workouts and 1 day of yoga training per week. The main aim of the classic version is to increase the muscle tones of the body in a lean or bulky way. The difference is whether you go light weight and more reps for lean muscle, or heavier weight with less reps to build mass. With added cardio, you are sure to get that lean beach body look that they promise. At least I have and many others I personally know. So yeah, it works when done right.
The P90x lean schedule is not a walk in the park or eating an ice cream on a cool afternoon. It is intense and is meant for reducing the body fat quickly by more cardio exercises. Although almost all the same type of exercises and workouts are done in both the classic and lean schedules, the patterns and intensity differs to some extent. For example, this schedule doesn’t include the chest workouts until week 5, and the plyometrics workout is left out all together.
Also on the P90x lean schedule, you only do ab ripper twice a week, since your resistance training days are cut into 2 days(minus Core Synergistics which is more a p90x recovery workout) versus three with the classic and doubles.
Since this article was written specifically for the P90X Lean Schedule, here it is: P90X Lean Workout – Phase 1-3(90 days)
Phase 1
(Weeks 1, 2 and 3)
Day 1 – Core Synergistics
Day 2 – Cardio X
Day 3 – Shoulders and Arms/ Ab Ripper X
Day 4 – Yoga X
Day 5 – Legs and Back/ Ab Ripper X
Day 6 – Kenpo X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
(Week 4 – Phase 1 Recovery Week) – Important to allow your body to tone it down before next round
Day 1 – Yoga X
Day 2 – Core Synergistics
Day 3 – Kenpo X
Day 4 – X Stretch
Day 5 – Cardio X
Day 6 – Yoga X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
Phase 2
(Weeks 5-7)
Same as weeks 1-3 with one exception. Change Day 3 from shoulders and arms to Chest, Shoulder, Triceps, and Ab RipperX
(Week 8 – Phase 2 Recovery week) – Same as week 4
Phase Three
(Weeks 9 and 11)
Day 1 – Chest and Back/Ab Ripper X
Day 2 – Cardio X
Day 3 – Shoulders and Arms/Ab Ripper X
Day 4 – Yoga X
Day 5 – Core Synergistics
Day 6 – Kenpo X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
(Weeks 10 and 12)
Day 1 – Chest, Shoulders and Triceps/Ab Ripper X
Day 2 – Cardio X
Day 3 – Back and Biceps/Ab Ripper X
Day 4 – Yoga X
Day 5 – Core Synergistics
Day 6 – Kenpo X
Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch
(Week 13 – Final Recovery Week)
Same as the previous 2 recovery weeks
The P90x doubles schedule is the same as classic but with added cardio as your second workout of the day. This program is mainly for those who want some extra weight loss and lean muscle mass at the end. This schedule will take the most time out of all three so if you are a busy person struggling fit in a workout, this may not be for you.
If an individual intends to reduce unhealthy fat and get lean as well as fit to carry out all the daily work with full energy, the P90x lean schedule will surely be the schedule to follow. The cardio exercises and the other workouts like strength training and yoga are well planned to give the body a slender look while increasing internal strength and power.
The P90x lean schedule is more appropriate for women as the reviews have revealed as it focuses mainly on the reduction of fat and getting a leaner and well shaped body. Men wish to get the six pack abs and develop lean muscle mass over time to look strong and powerful. So they usually prefer the other fitness regime of P90x schedules like the classic or the doubles.
The Benefits Of The P90x Lean Schedule
The lean schedule is designed in such a way as to burn weight through a specific set of exercises and workouts that is time bound. By adhering to the P90x lean schedule together with the nutrition plan and fitness calendar that keeps you on track, one can be rest assured that they will get max results.
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Choosing what to eat after working out is challenging. As most people know, the exercise is only half the battle. The body uses fuel in different ways during the day, and post workout meals are important for muscle repair and recover. The size, time, and content of a post-workout meal will play an important role in whether the calories eaten will be used as fuel, muscle building, or fat storage.
Ratios Of What To Eat After Working Out
Avoid over-indulging after a workout. Although it’s normal to feel hunger after strenuous exercise, choose a meal carefully. The meal consumed after the workout should equal approximately half of the calories burned during the workout. This number will probably be an approximation, but try to stay within a 50% calorie range while knowing what to eat after working out.
Plan to eat 60% of the calories from carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are needed to replace muscle fuel and to prepare the body for the next exercise session. As a rule of thumb, a moderate exerciser will need about 30-40 grams of carbohydrates while an extreme exerciser should aim for 50-60 grams of carbohydrates.
Protein is also important for a post-meal workout. Protein will keep the body from breaking down muscle tissue for energy and will help to begin repair any muscles damaged during the workout. 25% of the calories eaten should come from protein. An easy way to think about the ratio of carbohydrates to protein is 4:1. Having a bagel with peanut butter, chocolate milk, eggs, 8 oz. of kefir are just a few good things to consider consuming as part of your post workout meal.
Timing Matters For Post Workout Meals | What To Eat After Working Out
After a workout, the body will continue to stay at a higher metabolism level, burning fat for up to half an hour after a workout. The best time to eat a post-workout meal is 30-45 minutes after the workout. This time frame is important because waiting longer than an hour will force the body to enter starvation mode, causing it to break down muscle fibers for fuel. If it will not be possible because of availability to have a meal in that window, try drinking chocolate milk. This is usually easier to find and many gyms stock in specifically in vending machines.
While most nutritional experts agree that both men and women’s post workout meals should be very similar, men are going to need to consume more calories than women. Women will typically burn 25% or more fewer calories then men doing the same workout regime. The ratio 4:1 carbs to protein should remain the same, but the overall calories should be decreased. Also, for women, it should be especially important to choose a post workout meal that contains calcium, especially if the workout has contained a weight-bearing activity that cause damage to the skeletal structure.
Getting Help From Supplements | What To Eat After Working Out
If getting enough protein is challenging, a post workout supplement may be the right choice. I personally use P90X Peak & Recovery Formula because of the fact that it works for me since doing P90X. On top of that, it’s all natural which is a huge bonus for me.
However, if my recovery formula is not for you or you want to broaden your choices for post recovery formulas, then I have a list of the best 2012 Post Workout supplements from ProSource.net. Just know what you want to eat after working out and take it.
For anyone interested in building muscle mass, using Creatine in a post-workout meal is a recommended way to increase muscle. Creatine is a natural compound in many foods that is used by the muscle cells. It is used for energy and helps to build lean muscle tissue and muscle cell volume. This is a recommended supplement when weight training and bodybuilding. This is a safe compound that can be added to a post-workout meal.
These goals and guidelines are the key to getting the most out of a post-workout meal. Use these to choose what to eat after working out.
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Cycling is a terrific way of seeing the local countryside – and getting into shape in the process.
It’s a great form of exercise, a way to improve your core strength, firm up your muscles and shed a few excess pounds in the process.
It will help increase your stamina and endurance levels, give a good workout to knees, thighs and ankles – and is the perfect excuse to venture outside and get a healthy dose of fresh air into the bargain.
All you need in a decent set of wheels, the right protective gear – and the get-up-and-go to get out there and give it a try.
Start Off Slowly
Be sensible – don’t plan a multi-mile bike trip until you’ve built up your stamina – and your leg muscles – first.
It takes time to acclimatise both…not to mention your buttocks! Even with a softer ‘jelly’ saddle underneath you, your rear end will need to get used to certain discomfort at the beginning.
Practice makes perfect – build up the miles gradually, aiming to increase the distance little by little each time.
What to Wear
Head protection is a must. A cycle helmet might not look ‘cool,’ but in the case of an accident it could very well save your life or at least prevent a serious head injury.
Any helmet that suffers impact of any sort must be replaced immediately – the foam lining is designed to absorb shock but will not recover from the trauma of a major blow.
Always carry a set of waterproofs – they’ll pack down easily in a rucksack or panniers and will greatly add to the experience in case of a torrential downpour. This is the wettest British summer so far on record after all!
Wear layers to keep warm in the cold – baselayers will keep the heat in, expel perspiration, and can be added or discarded as necessary.
If the weather does take a turn for the better and cycling shorts become a possibility, make certain they are padded in the right places to ensure that sitting on a saddle for long periods does not become a hardship.
Special cycling gloves will help prevent blisters and absorb vibration on uneven surfaces.
What to Carry
Plenty of liquids – dehydration can become a serious problem in the heat.
A few goodies for a roadside stop – there’s nothing like a tasty snack en route, knowing you’ve earned a rest after having put a few miles on the clock. A well-deserved beer at a convenient pub has a similar effect!
Puncture repair kit with spare inner tube, multi-spanner and a pump.
Sun cream – just in case the sun does shine!
How to Carry It
Lightweight rucksacks specifically designed for daytrips will hold all your essentials – special hydration packs also incorporate an internal bladder for water.
Saddle bags – panniers that sit either side of the rear wheel – will not unbalance the bike if packed carefully. A compact cycle bag under the handlebars will also hold small items.
***About Today’s Guest Blogger: Nicki Williams writes for Gear-Zone, where you’ll find a comprehensive range of waterproofs and baselayers from leading brands including Rab, Berghaus, Smartwool, Icebreaker and The North Face.
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Unless you happen to be a raw food enthusiast, if someone was to ask you what your favourite foods were you’d probably come up with dishes like sausage and mash, black cod, roast beef, a good steak, chips or a proper hamburger. Not many people would choose a salad or a raw piece of meat. However, this situation might be entirely different had one of our distant ancestors not had the genius idea of cooking food for the first time – but when did that happen and why did they do it?
Cooking food goes back around 400,000 years to the very first evidence of controlled use of fire by humans. It’s one of the traits that sets humans apart from animals and has been central to many civilisations, from the Romans and Greeks through to the Saxons and Normans. With the controlled use of fire, important changes began to be made to the way that human beings lived their lives. With the light that fire provided people could stay up after the sun had gone down and the day became longer.
It also allowed people to cook their food, which some scientists believe is responsible for considerable brain expansion in human beings, possibly even the kind of brain development that took us from being just like our ape-like ancestors, to the iPod toting, suit wearing deep thinkers that we all are today.
The argument – put forward by Richard Wrangham of Harvard University – is that by cooking our food we could now absorb more calories because warming things up allowed us to eat the kinds of complex carbohydrates that we couldn’t otherwise have digested. Think about a bowl of brown rice – would you eat it raw? No. But once cooked, it’s a great source of slow release energy that can provide motivation for everything from sport through to taking an exam. Not everyone agrees with Wrangham, as many scientists believe that human brains began to evolve when we moved away from eating just nuts and berries to eating meat, but it’s an interesting theory nonetheless.
It is likely that the earliest attempts to cook food stemmed from the need to eat more in a world where much of what was available was indigestible to human beings. However, once cooking had begun, the idea of it quickly spread, and by 250,000 bp there is evidence of lots of cooking devices – hearths and earth ovens for example – all over Europe and the Middle East. It is probable that the human digestive system has evolved around a cooked food diet – which has allowed us to eat all kinds of foods that would have given us substantial trouble without being cooked first! There is also evidence that the human body as a whole has evolved through this process – for example human jaws became smaller as there was less of a need for enormous teeth to cope with eating raw meat.
Over the years, many other positives for cooking food have been discovered – for example food lasts longer if you cook it first and it’s possible to avoid food poisoning by cooking food that would make you really quite ill if you ate it raw. But perhaps the best reason of all is the taste – there’s nothing quite like a perfectly cooked steak after all!
Amy Sawyer is a guest writer from Russell Hobbs who supply a range of food preperation appliances that would blow our early ancestors minds!
Generally a lot of people get curious about yoga at some point or another and want to know about some benefits of Yoga. With all the positive press how can you not be curious about what yoga can or can’t do for you? But with all the questions people have, they don’t always get the answers the need. Or they might be shy and don’t want to actually voice the questions and look foolish.
It is understandable which is why we have provided some basic questions and answers to cover what you can expect in general from doing yoga and how it can affect other aspects of your life.
Some Benefits Of Yoga For the Weightlifter
There is typically some concern with people who are currently weight lifting and considering taking yoga. Because of the stretching and use of muscle endurance some people have fears that yoga may negatively impact their fitness goals for gaining muscle and size. However it won’t. In fact, the regular stretching will be very beneficial to gaining muscle size as it will help stretch the fascia that can restrict the muscle as well as aid in recovery from workouts.
Yoga can be a compliment to strength training. But there are also many types of yoga including Ashtnaga Yoga which is dynamic and powerful. It can dramatically increase your strength which in turn will translate over to later workouts.
Some Benefits Of Yoga For the Martial Artist
Yoga is very useful for many practitioners of martial arts. For starts it focuses on flexibility much more so than standard stretching. Any discipline that excels from using high kicks and other moves that require flexibility will be heightened. It also helps with balance which is paramount in all style of martial arts.
General Injuries – Some Benefits Of Yoga
Due to the gentle nature of yoga, many people who suffer from injuries involving the spine as well as pinched nerves and other maladies can benefit from yoga. The stretching and holding of poses is a great way to build up strength as well as helping the body find its proper alignment. Aching knees, sore backs, and even shoulder pain can sometimes be related to the body not being in proper alignment between the muscles and skeletal structure. People also find relief from such discomfort by incorporating CBD products into their wellness routine, which you can buy at a weed online shop.
Sometimes people get sore from doing yoga which is generally a result of incorrect form. Finding a reputable yoga studio with a certified instructor is ideal to start. They can show you poses as well as correct form. You never have to push yourself in yoga, just do what you can handle. It can be a very calming activity especially for people who are limited by injuries but still wish to do something rather than nothing.
Summary
With the gentle nature of yoga there is really not any reason to avoid trying it. Numerous professional athletes have incorporated yoga into their weekly schedule including the same day as strenuous workouts. Really it becomes a matter of time and availability as to what you can include in your own regular schedule.
One recommendation would be to try and fit two classes per week into your schedule. After a few weeks you should be able to evaluate some benefits of yoga obtained as well as determine if your schedule can handle more or less yoga as well as how best to fit it into your fitness plan.
[box type=”note”]I appreciate you stopping by and sharing the day here at GetFitToLive.com. I know you are busy, but take a moment and sign up for a FREE BEACHBODY MEMBERSHIP for support on demand, motivation like no other, and a social fitness community to keep you on track to your fitness goals![/box]Craving for an extreme fitness program that gives real results? This P90X workout review can help you out.
If you’re familiar with P90X then you know exactly how its creator, Tony Horton, and producer, Beachbody, have reached a significant milestone because of it.
Well, with thousands of people proving how effective P90X is, no wonder it has gained impressive popularity ever since it was first launched in an infomercial back in 2004.
We all know that P90X is an intense at-home workout program but does it really deserve all the hype? How does P90X really work? What makes it a stand-out among other fitness programs in the market? Let’s get straight to point with my honest P90X workout review.
P90X Workout Review: Getting Started
P90X is also known as Power 90 Extreme Workout. In other words, it is an extreme program not suitable for people who just love to slack off day in and day out. It’s not for the weak at heart either; P90X will require you to spend 50-90 minutes every day, 6 days a week for the whole 90-day program.
Whether your goal is to gain a bulkier physique, burn off the unhealthy weight or tone up muscle, P90X workout can bring you outstanding results within a period of 3 months if you review the program before starting and do it the way it supposed to be done! So what’s the magic behind P90X?
Actually, there is no magic formula that makes P90X the leader of the pack. The whole success of P90X can be attributed to one effective principle: Muscle confusion and sticking to the program. This is the whole purpose I am even writing this P90X workout review. To get the simple small basics and let you know it can create huge results. We all stuck with it, see our pic below.
If you’re not familiar with muscle confusion, better think about our body’s natural tendency to reach a certain level of “workout plateau” – that period when we don’t burn fats and build more muscles as fast as before because our body has clearly adjusted to the workout rhythm. In other words, same workouts everyday will not only lead to boredom but a complete failure in achieving greater results.
This is when muscle confusion gets in the picture. P90X was created with our body’s special needs for more challenging routines in mind. By exposing our body to different routines that are equally rigorous, one can put the notorious “workout plateau” at bay.
With P90X, you get to choose from three pre-set routines namely: classic, lean or doubles. Classic is usually preferred although starters can also choose lean while advanced users can rely on doubles for additional cardio workouts.
I want to remind you again that P90X is a serious endeavor. You should never try it out of curiosity alone; you got to have the extra motivation to last longer and accomplish your individual goals. The fact that there is an actual fitness test before you can even make that big decision is a caution on its own.
Once you decide to commit with P90X (which costs $89.95-$119.85 depending on your choice of membership), you will receive a total of 12 workout DVDs, a complete fitness guide, a complementary nutrition plan and a 90-day calendar to help you stay on track.
P90X Workout Review: The P90X Diet
Every P90X workout review recommends P90X nutritional plan/ diet guide and for an added emphasis, I will say it once again: You won’t reach your P90X goals without an efficient diet in the equation.
The 113-page nutritional plan is packed with recipe suggestions and detailed information on what an ideal P90X diet is all about. It consists of 3 phases that run parallel with the 90-day fitness program. Here’s a rundown of the diet plan to give you an idea:
Fat Shredder (Phase 1) – consists of foods rich in protein to help you burn fats at a faster rate.
Energy Booster (Phase 2) – helps you meet your fitness goals efficiently with the fantastic combination of energy-giving food groups like protein and carbohydrates.
Endurance Maximizer (Phase 3) – shapes you up a little bit further using high quality carbohydrates, protein and low-fat foods.
P90X Workout Review: And the Winner is……
Although beginners without prior exposure to intense workouts struggle with P90X, it goes without saying that this program really works. It has that “winning formula” that helps “former procrastinators” to change their unhealthy lifestyles for good.
You get to avoid workout boredom because you are exposed to different workout routines ranging from cardio and yoga to Kenpo kickboxing and resistance training.
With P90X, you won’t need to buy hefty gym equipment; you can perform all the workout routines with P90X essentials like:
Yoga blocks
Pull-up bars
Resistance bands/dumbbells
To be quite honest, I completed my first round of P90X with just a pull-up bar, a couple of resistance bands from Wal-Mart, and a set of cheap plastic dumbbells that only went up to 20 lbs. As a result, I lost 23 lbs of unhealthy weight and toned up with some lean muscle in the process, all while ensuring the use of safe steroids from a good place like www.anabolicdirect.ca.
My hope is that my story can light up a little inspiration to someone who really needs to make that change for a better life. I have never looked back since completing my first round of P90X. Since then, I have done Insanity and P90X2 and have taken part in competing in the Tough Mudder endurance obstacle races. These are things that I would have never thought I could do if I hadn’t made a commitment to my health.
**** See the videos to the side for proof ===========>>>>>>>>>>=============>>>>>>>>>>>>>
My father once told me “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” It’s so true in health. My father is 67 years old and still works out with P90X and Insanity. He works his catering business like he did when he was 40. All his body knows is to be active all the time and that’s what keeps him young and strong.
I hope you’ll make a decision on what is best for you after reading this P90X workout review. Even if it’s not with P90X or any other Beachbody fitness program, I encourage you to go out and become active in living a healthier life daily with proper nutrition and exercise.
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Spartan Race Blog Story – Can Chris Davis lose 500 lbs in 38 months
We all have goals in life that we want to achieve. For Chris Davis, it is to drop 500 lbs in 38 months and conquer the Spartan Beast, a 26 mile endurance race. Even myself being at 166lbs and in the shape that I am, doing the Spartan Beast is a huge challenge. To do this, Chris is going to have to go through months and months of intense work and it’s going to take focus, dedication, determination, and much, much more.
I ran into this story on Spartan Race’s blog site and I was impressed primarily with the goal this guy has in mind. I am pleased that someone can have such a giant task at hand and go after it. Doing what seems to be the impossible is never easy and never believed by majority of the public that it can be done. However, you have to read on and see what’s he’s accomplished so far.
Spartan Race Blog – How Can He Meet His Goals
Chris is taking on a spartan coach to help him prepare himself leading up to the big day. He takes him through similar obstacles, exercise workouts, and you can see the challenge Chris has in the beginning by having to carry almost 700 lbs during these workouts. Not an easy thing to do and I couldn’t imagine holding a plank position of 700lbs for even a few seconds.
Spartan Race Blog – See Chris Davis’s Video Journal
Here are some video journals of what Chris has done so far. Such a great inspiration. If he can lose weight from starting at 696 lbs, then so can anyone else who has a goal in mind that is strong enough to blur out the challenges it will take to get there. You can also see Chris’s Spartan Race blog here.
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