Tag: weight

Home Gyms Have Progressed

The On-going Evolution of Home Gyms

Fitness and exercise is popular, however, the days of bulky workout machines jammed into spare rooms has long gone. People continue to visit the popular stores which stock sporting goods to build their own Home gyms. The majority of people who enjoy exercise want to design a gym, which encourages cardio workouts and other exercise activities.

Various types of gym equipment are not designed to offer the ultimate workout. Large and bulky machinery invariably ends up as a clothes hanger and a few carefully designed workout rooms ends up being used as laundry rooms.

Is Home Gym Worth It?

Home Gym
Home Gym

However, trends change. The latest workout machines used in homes are much like those used in typical gyms. Jim Kirwin is an experienced triathlon coach and a great promoter of home gyms. He recommends indoor Cardio machines and recommends this type of equipment to the athletes he trains. Kirwin feels the machines used for aerobic activity are of no use to disciplined individuals. Keen athletes soon tire of aerobic workouts.

Home gyms should be fitted with strength machines. People like weight training, resistance workouts and freestanding weights. Treadmills, elliptical machines and bikes remain popular, but growing numbers of fitness experts endorse road circuit training.

Avoid These Common Fast Weight Loss Mistakes

Most people will try to lose weight at some point in their lives, and of course results will always vary. Some people find it incredibly easy while others will struggle with it for a long time. Even though it all boils down to basic science and burning more calories than you consume, there are many ways to go wrong when it comes to losing weight. Just ask any yo-yo dieter or somebody who has been struggling with their weight since their teenage years. Maybe it’s the combination of seemingly easy answers with a need for fast results. Or it could just be related to human nature and the temptation to find the quickest way to do things. In any case, there are common weight loss mistakes that people make all the time, and here are some that you should avoid.

Too much too soon – just because you can lose 10 pounds in one week doesn’t mean you should. In fact, any more than 2 pounds a week is not a good idea. People want instant gratification but when it comes to losing weight, you should look for a more gradual approach that keep your body healthy at the same time. This isn’t a race so try to find a way that you can blend healthier practices into your lifestyle rather than simply exercising your butt off for two weeks.

No planning – the process of weight loss can be a journey and as such, it requires a certain degree of planning. Many people tell themselves that they want to lose weight and jump into it without any organization. They might give themselves a deadline and do everything possible to eat healthy, but there is no overarching plan that ties everything together. It’s important to have a general idea of where you want to go and what it takes in order to get you there. This involves taking a close look at your eating patterns to get a handle on your overall caloric intake. It might also require a bit of daily menu planning and addition to recording information about exercises you do.

High expectations – it’s good to reach for the stars and set goals for yourself, but when it comes to weight loss you need to be realistic as well. You can’t expect yourself to lose weight at the same rate during a given period of time. Nor should you compare your results for your body to anyone else, otherwise it will drive you crazy. Set reasonable goals and be proud of yourself for reaching them while remembering that even little steps help in the overall picture.

Doing it Alone – one mistake people make is isolating themselves for one reason or another when they are trying to lose weight. You might feel alone in the process or maybe even embarrassed about needing to lose weight. But it’s important to recognize there is a lot of help available from friends and family, on the Internet, and from your physician. Open up those lines of communication because trying to do everything on your own can be very difficult.

Obsession – when you make fast weight loss during mission in life it can potentially become an obsession. Many people spend way too much time thinking of fat-free foods they can buy or how they can cut calories from their overall diet. They might spend a lot of time getting up and off the scale while thinking about the numbers constantly. It’s important to find balance when it comes to how you go about things because going too far in one direction can set you off kilter. Try your best not to turn this process into an unhealthy obsession that jeopardizes your health.

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Four Fun Fitness Ideas to Escape the Drudgery of the Gym

Each year thousands of people start with the best of intentions and join a gym. Yet most of those people will only go to the gym a few times before they get bored, and their goal of loosing weight and becoming more fit fails as they have lost their motivation. A lot of people feel like they are putting so much effort into their exercise but not getting much in return. This causes them to loose the motivation they originally had as they feel it’s not fun any more and it feels like hard work. On top of the disappointment of not managing to stick to an exercise plan, there is the additional frustration at the money wasted on paying for the gym membership.

The most common reason for people loosing motivation is that they simply start to get bored. If you find exercise fun you are more likely to stick with it and reach your fitness goals. It’s for this reason that many people are seeking an alternative to the gym, but with so many options out there where do you start. I have put together my favorite ways to stay in shape to help you get started.

Skipping

You may not have skipped since you were at school but it is actually a fantastic way to burn calories and shed a few pounds, (you can burn up to 300 calories in 30 mins). It also provides a great workout for your shoulders, thighs, calves and bottom as well as being a good cardio workout. Even if you haven’t skipped for yours it shouldn’t take you too long to pick it up again and with a bit a practice you’ll be surprised at how good you get.

Skipping is a really versatile workout, all you need is a rope, some supportive shoes (tennis shoes are good) and somewhere to skip. You can skip pretty much anywhere insite our outside. It is best to avoid skipping on concreate or any surface where you could injure yourself if you were to fall. Grass, carpet and wood make good skipping surfaces.

Begin by practicing skipping on the spot. When you can manage 70 skips in a minute then you are ready to move on and try out some of the more fun and advanced moves. If you can’t remember them, here are a few to refresh you memory:

Bell Jumps

This is one fo the more basic advanced moves and a great one to move onto when you have got your skipping to to speed. Jump forwards then backwards as you skip. This move will do wonders for your thighs.

Running

This move it great for working you abs. As you skip simply pull up your legs.

Double Unders

When you have got the hang of the moves above then you will find it easier to master some of the more advanced moves. A good one to start with is double-unders. For this move you need to pass the rope around your body two times for each jump.

Crossovers

As the name suggests, in crossovers you have to cross over your arms while the rope passes over your head. As the rope does this you jump though the space that is left.

Pole Fitness

Pole fitness is becoming more and more popular as a way to work out and get in shape. The sleazy stripper image is long gone and pole fitness is now thought of as a type of gymnastics. It is a great method of building up your strength and giving your muscles a good workout. To get started you will need a pole. There are a wide range of pole dancing poles on the market today to suit every budget and level of ambition. The x-pole dance poles very easy to put up and are probably the most popular choice across Europe and the US. Once you have installed your pole you are ready to get started and there are lots of free lessons on YouTube. There are also lots of pole dancing DVDs that will take you from beginner level to advanced. Just remember to take it at your own place, some of the moves can be difficult to master. Make sure you put your safety first and stay inside your comfort zone.

Cycling

This is a fantastic zero impact workout and considered by many to be the best exercises you can do. It is much gentler on your body than jogging and running that can damage your joints and tendons. If you think about it why would you pay good money to sit on an exercise bike in a gym going nowhere, when you could be riding through the countryside taking in the scenery. If you are nervous about riding on roads in the city or countryside then get a mountain bike and enjoy cycling in parkland and countryside trails.

Dance Games

Dance games like the renowned Dance Dance Revolution provide a fun way for you to exercise and keep your motivation. They are especially good as you can compete against your friends and family so it won’t even feel like your working out. Most dance mat games let you select from a range of music. It can be a lot harder than it looks and will take a lot of practice to master. But most games will have beginner levels, so you can start off slow and work your wau up to learning the faster paced songs

This article was written by Caitlin, a fitness fanatic who hates the gym with a passion and writes for . When she is not blogging she can most often be found spinning upside down on her X-Pole Xpert

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Use The Lemonade Diet For Weight Loss like Beyonce Knowles did for Dream Girls

Beyonce Knowles, a popular entertainer, made the news several years back when she lost weight for her part in the movie ‘Dream Girls’ on the lemonade diet. The lemonade diet involve drinking nothing but lemonade for ten day straight. They are only allowed water in addition to 60 oz of lemonade daily. Some dieters have alleged they have lost as much as 20 pounds on this plan. It makes the skin clearer and cleanses the body of toxic waster matter.

For those who are think about this diet plan, they are wise to discuss it with their physician or nutritionist. The lemonade diet may be risky for certain individuals wit health conditions because it greatly limits calories. It can be a great and effective means of losing weight if did under the guidance of a doctor and used for a maximum of ten days.

If a dieter would rather lose weight with a less extreme measure, they should think about drinking smoothies.  Smoothies can easily be made in a smoothie maker. Smoothies made with fruit are loaded with fiber which is needed for proper digestion and weight loss. It also helps the body stay full and prevents the dieter from eating too much. It prevents constipation which gets rid of waste build-up. Constipation is a common cause of weight problems. Smoothies are also rich in protein, anti-oxidants and calcium required to lose weight.

A smoothie maker is useful for making smoothies at home. A smoothie maker can be bought for $30-$200 from online merchants or the local department store, any decent model will do you don’t need to buy the best smoothie maker out there. It isn’t easy to lose weight. Fortunately, a person has many options available for getting rid of unwanted pounds. They are able to choose between drinking fruit smoothies or the lemonade diet to take the weight off.

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The Liquid Diet Weight Loss Program is the Answer

Are you on a quest to find an easy and convenient way to lose weight? Are you one of those people who have tried every other diet regimen in the market but still fail to see some desirable results? Then this article might help you find the solution that you have been looking for. The newest diet fad in town is called the liquid diet weight loss program. This program is especially designed to help people like you lose weight in a quick and easy manner. From the name itself, you can guess that this diet involves a lot of liquid.

Although it doesn’t completely let go of solid food, your meals will mostly be composed of shakes and soups. The great thing about this is that you can take it anywhere with you. It makes it easier for you to keep track of your diet plan because it allows you to eat whenever and wherever. This is the ideal program for you if you’re always on the move. Meal replacement shakes for weight loss usually comes in the form of powder. You can buy them in any drugstore or supermarket. Just simply add water to them and viola – you have your meal right there. They also come in different forms like bars and puddings. These options give you the chance to mix and match so that you won’t get bored with the program.

This type of diet really sounds promising. It can help you shed off some extra pounds in just a matter of two months. Just like any other diet plan, all you need to have is discipline and perseverance. You have to avoid eating food that is high in calorie and fat. Falling back into your unhealthy eating habit will just put this program to waste. Studies have shown that people who returned to their unhealthy eating habits after completing the liquid diet regained 75 percent of the weight that they lost. Keep in mind that this program is designed as a short-term weight loss plan. It’s up to you to stay slim and healthy in the long run.

Six Healthy Vegetables That Speed Up Fat Loss

Six Healthy Vegetables That Speed Up Fat Loss

If you’re looking to speed up your fat loss progress, then you should be including the following six vegetables in your plan.  These are low in calories, high in fiber, and will kick your overall fat loss into high gear.

It’s important that you constantly be on the look-out for new ways to prepare your vegetables so that you can add enough variety into the plan and don’t become bored and fall off the program.

Here are the six healthy vegetables that you must be focusing on.

Broccoli

The very first vegetable that is a popular choice for most is broccoli.  Broccoli is a fantastic source of fiber and can be cooked in so many different dishes that it’s really hard to become bored with it.  Whether you want to stir-fry it, steam it, grill it, or add it into casseroles, you can make it fit in with your meals.

Some people even like to snack on it raw, which is a perfect option for in between meals.

Green Beans

The second good vegetable for those looking to lose weight is green beans. Green beans are also very low in calories, especially when compared to regular style beans so are a great replacement if you traditionally eat black or brown beans.

Green beans are also a very good source of vitamin K, which is important for healthy bones and for helping the blood coagulate. At only 43 calories per cup, you can clearly see just how great these are for fast fat loss.

Red Peppers

The third vegetable that definitely deserves a place in your weight loss program are red peppers.  Red peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C and will only contain about 60 calories per whole pepper.  They add a nice level of sweetness to your meal as well so can turn an otherwise bland meal into something that tastes great and is highly satisfying.

Experiment with yellow and orange peppers as well which provide very similar benefits.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are another vegetable that cannot go unforgotten about. These are much higher in protein content than other vegetables so are a good option for those who are struggling to meet their needs.

Mushrooms also contain relatively few calories so can be added in with great volumes if desired.  They should be added in later in the cooking process however otherwise they will quickly become soggy and won’t taste nearly as good as when they hold their form.

Spinach

Finally, the last vegetable to have on your list of foods to eat on your weight loss diet is spinach.  Spinach is a vegetable that’s incredibly high in iron content which is important for delivering enough oxygen to the muscle cells during your workout session.

Those who are lacking in iron will often find they grow fatigued relatively quickly, so it’s an important thing to really be on the lookout for.

If you don’t get enough red meat in your diet, the chances that you are short in iron are quite large so by adding low-calorie spinach to the mix, you’ll take care of this problem.

So be sure that you keep all these weight loss vegetables in your menu for best results.  They all taste great and will offer a number of health benefits.

This article was contributed by Nick from  Buildingbodymuscles . com Subscribe to his newsletter or RSS feed to receive more such effective tips directly. He is a regular fitness blogger and also reviews plenty of fitness programs. These days he is working out on 7 Minute Muscle. You can read more about it on his blog.

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