101 - Ways PDF Yuri Elkain

101 Ways
to Total Wellness
Inspiring information and guidance to help you live your healthiest, fittest, and most energetic life ever!
By Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN
2 Copyright 2008 by Total Wellness Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
No portion of this manual may be used, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including fax, photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system by anyone but the purchaser for their own personal use. This manual may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of Yuri Elkaim, except in the case of a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages for the sake of a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or journal, and all of these situations require the written approval of Yuri Elkaim prior to publication.
The information in this book is for educational purposes only. The information in this book is based on my own personal experiences and my own interpretation of available research. It is not medical advice and I am not a medical doctor.
The information within this book is meant for healthy adult individuals. You should consult with your physician to make sure it is appropriate for your individual circumstances. Keep in mind that fitness and nutrition needs vary from person to person, depending on age, sex, and health status.
If you have any health issues or concerns please consult with your physician. Always consult your physician before beginning or making any changes in your diet or exercise program, for diagnosis and treatment of illness and injuries, and for advice regarding medications.
101 Ways to Total Wellness Copyright 2008 Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN
www.TotalWellnessConsulting.ca
Table of Contents
48 Steps to Healthy Eating
1 How an Acid Diet Makes (and keeps) You Fat 2 Another Reason Why High Protein Diets are Dangerous! 3 Fruit and Veggies What Science is Saying 4 3 Strategies to Prevent Overeating at Christmas 5 The Benefits of Antioxidants 6 Attention MenJust Another Reason to Avoid Dairy 7 Those Damn Running Blisters OR How to Heal Skin Problems 8 Meat Linked to Colon Cancer 9 Want to Lose Weight? Boost Your Metabolism - Here are 5 Ways 10 Yuris Top 5 Success Habits for Creating Lasting Health and Abundant Energy 11 Canadian Health Check a Big Joke! 12 Skin Healthy Foods for the Summer 13 Are You Too Acidic? 14 7 Nutrition Secrets for Great Abs 15 Eat Greens for Fat Loss 16 Why Green is King 17 The Food Label Fallacy 18 Heart Health Alert 19 How to Lose Weight Learning From the Eating Behaviours of Overweight People - Part 1
9 10 11 13 15 18 19 20 22 25
27 29 31 34 36 38 40 42 44
20 How to Lose Weight Learning From the Eating Behaviours of Overweight People - Part 2 21 How to Lose Weight Learning From the Eating Behaviours of Overweight People - Part 3 22 How to Test Your Bodys pH Level 23 Why You Are Addicted to Certain Foods 24 Want to Lose Weight? STOP Eating Sugar! 25 SugarIt Aint So Sweet! 26 Hot Weather Hydration 27 Why Eating Raw Foods Will Help You Lose Weight 28 Prevent Cancer by Eating Berries 29 Is Fish Oil Really Better Than Flaxseed Oil? 30 Move Over Fish Oil Vegans Bring in the Spirulina 31 Are Cacao Nibs the Same as Cacao Powder? 32 Dehydration is Detrimental to Resistance Exercise Adaptations! 33 Top 3 Ways to Curb Your Sugar Craving 34 3 Signs That Your Body is Too Acidic 35 My 3 Secrets to Having More Energy 36 Diet for Underactive Thyroid 37 Natural Organic Foods Less Healthy Than Non-Organic Foods? 38 Just Because You're Vegan Doesn't Mean You're Healthy 39 The Truth About Michael Phelps' 12,000 Calorie/Day Diet 40 Healthy Breakfast Ideas
46
48
50 52 54 56 58 59 61 63 66 69 70
72 74 75 77 79
82 84 86
5 41 Pre-Workout/Competition Meal Recipes 42 Calcium Nutrition - The Best Calcium Foods 43 Raw Food Diet Made Easy 44 Listeria - Just Another Reason to Avoid Meat! 45 Lycopene Whole Tomatoes or Supplements? 46 Eating to Reduce the Signs of Aging 47 Cold Remedies - How to Get Over a Cold Naturally 48 Fight the Flu Naturally 87 89 91 93 96 99 102 103
52 Ways to Fitness, Great Workouts, and Weight

Loss
49 5 Tips for a Healthier, Stronger Core 50 Resistance Band Workout 51 Do I Still Burn Fat When I Exercise Intensely? 52 Ask the Expert... 53 Making Exercise Part of Your Daily Lifestyle 54 Advanced Core Workout 55 4 Minutes to "Fabulous" Abs 56 5 Keys That Will Unlock Your Door to Exercise Motivation 57 Backwards Walking on the Treadmill - Have You Lost Your Marbles??? 58 4-minute Cardio Blast Workout 59 More Motivation to Help Make Exercise a Habit 60 The Biggest Cardio Myth...Finally Exposed!
106 110 111 113 114 116 117 118 121
123 124 126

61 How to Get Strong and Sexy Legs 62 Best Type of Cardio for Burning Fat 63 How to Get 6-Pack Abs 64 Bodyweight Workout for Beginners 65 Fat Loss Interval Training for Beginners 66 Fat Loss Circuit Training Workout 67 Is the Exercise Ball Really Useful for Core Training? 68 Fat Burning Cable Workout 69 "Core of Steel" Workout (BOSU ball) 70 3 Secrets to Visible Abs They Wont Tell You About! 71 The Best Way to Burn Calories 72 Beginning Runners - How Often to Run per Week??? 73 Can You Build Muscle Using Resistance Bands? 74 Is Interval Training Best on the Treadmill or Outside? 75 Strength and Fat Burning Outdoor Workout 76 Fun Strength Training and Cardio Outdoor Workout 77 Recent Study Reveals Women Burn More Fat Than Men 78 What is the Best Type of Interval Training to Burn Fat? 79 Interval Training for Runners 80 Top 10 Reasons to Use Interval Training 81 Top 10 Ab Exercises for a Strong Core 82 Why it's Tough to Lose That Baby Fat 83 Why it's Harder for Women to Lose Weight
127 128 130 132 133 135 137 140 141 142 144 146 148 150 152 153 154 156 159 161 164 165 167
7 84 Interval Training Workout 85 Interval Training Workouts For Maximum Fitness and Fat Loss Results 86 Exercise Intensity, Fat Burning, and the Afterburn Effect 87 Just Another Reason Why Resistance Training is Imperative for Fat Loss 88 High Intensity Interval Training Program - Week #2 89 Top 5 Workout Items to Bring While You Travel 90 High Intensity Interval Training Program - Week #3 91 Another Interval Training Blast from the Track 92 Interval Training Workout - Week #5 93 Interval Training Workout #6 and What If We Just Ran Stairs Instead? 94 Home Workouts 101 95 Improving Your Cardiovascular Endurance - If Only More People Knew About This! 96 Cardio Before or After Strength Training? 97 The 5 Best Weight Loss Tricks 98 About Fat Burning - Did You Know...? 99 Study Links Muscular Strength to Lower Mortality in Men 100 7 Ways to Make Exercise a MUST 101 Treadmill Workouts to Boost Your Metabolism 170 172
174 176
179 181 182 183 184 186
187 188
191 193 195 196 197 199
BONUS
3 Thought-Provoking Articles
102 What's the Story You're Telling Yourself? 103 Striving for Excellence Without Beating Yourself Up 104 The Way Out is By Looking In 201 203 205
How an Acid Diet Makes (and Keeps) You Fat!

When your body notices that the blood has become to acidic and there are no longer any alkaline reserves, it quickly makes the decision to alleviate this dangerous situation. One of the first things your body does to alkalize the blood is remove acid from within the blood stream, storing it in your fat cells. So, if youre hoping to lose weight, then this is critical to understand. You can exercise all you like and will your way to a leaner body, but if you do nothing to alkalize your body, your attempts will be in vain. Think about it the human body is very intelligent. As you become more and more acidic your body starts to set up defense mechanisms to keep the damaging acid from entering the vital organs. It is known that acid gets stored in fat cells. After all, if the acid does come into contact with an organ it has a chance to eat holes in the tissue. Fat cells and cellulite deposits begin packing up the acid and try to keep it a safe distance from your organs. The fat may be saving your vital organs from damage. So, if your body is acidic, then it requires more fat to be able to store all the acid. Not until you start reducing the acidity in your blood will your body begin to realize that it no longer needs as much fat. Makes sense less acid means less fat is needed to store it! Many people have found that a return to a healthy inner biological terrain helps them to lose excess fat. Along with refined foods, sugars, and animal products, stress is a big producer of acid. Consider the example of a woman who is obsessed with losing weight. Its all she thinks about. Do you think that might create some unneeded stress? Unfortunately, this scenario is far too common among women living in the Western world. An unattainable media and fashion portrayal of the perfect body has skewed the way many people see their body. The result is that more and more people (not just women) are stressing about how their body should look. This type of worry or obsession creates greater amounts of acidity within the body and essentially works against their mission of losing weight. So, their weight goes nowhere and they dont know why! 3 things you can do immediately to reduce the acidity in your body include: 1. Eating a more vegetarian diet 2. Adding more greens into your diet 3. Starting your day with a glass of lemon water Eat alive and you will thrive!
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Another Reason Why High Protein Diets Are Dangerous!

It is well known that protein consumption produces acid in the body. This is a result of the phosphorus and sulphur ash that protein breakdown leads to. Too much acid in the body (ie. acidosis) is associated with almost every disease process one of which is a weakening of the bones (ie. osteoporosis) due to a loss of calcium. Recent research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has shown that decreasing protein consumption from 1.1 g/kg/day to 0.8 g/kg/day has a highly beneficial effect on bone health. Because high protein diets promote excess calcium excretion in the urine (calciuria) as a result of bone breakdown, the researchers wanted to investigate whether lowering protein intake would be beneficial to bone health - it obviously was! The study investigated 39 healthy pre-menopausal women over a 2-week period and revealed several positive findings following the reduction in protein intake. Here's what they found: mean urine nitrogen decreased by 26% mean blood urea nitrogen decreased by 15% mean urine pH increased from 6.3 to 6.8 (becoming more alkaline net renal acid excretion decreased by 68% mean urinary calcium decreased by 32%, and bone resorption decreased by 17%
All of these numbers suggest improved pH conditions, which favour healthy bones. Remember, if your body is too acidic it will leach calcium from your bones to alkalize the blood, there will be greater urine concentration of nitrogen and urea (from protein breakdown), and greater bone resorption will be evident. The results of this study show that within a very short period of time you can easily support your body's bones by reducing your meat (protein) consumption and by incorporating more alkalizing vegetables and fruit! Sounds pretty easy.
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Fruits and Veggies - What Science is Saying...

Here are some studies and excerpts as to the nutritional value of eating more raw fruit and vegetables every day: A recent survey of 170 studies from 17 nations revealed that people who eat the most fruits and vegetables consistently have half the cancer rates of those who eat the least. - Jean Carper, Food, Your Miracle Medicine. Studies show that your risk of cancer is often doubled - and sometimes tripled if you are in the lowest percentile of the ingestion of fruits and vegetables. - Dr. Richard DuBois, Chief of Internal Medicine, Georgia Baptist Hospital Following a recommendation to increase fruit and vegetable consumption produces a change in plasma concentrations of vitamin C, alpha carotene and beta carotene likely to reduce incidence of cancer. - British Medical Journal, June, 1997 The beneficial role of most vegetables is confirmed, with more than 20% reduction in risk of colorectal cancer from the addition of one daily serving. - International Journal of Cancer, July, 1997 Men who ate fresh fruit every day had 70% less chance of dying from cancer of the digestive tract than those who ate almost no fruit. - Cancer, Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, September, 1996 People who ate fresh fruit every day had a 32% less chance of a fatal stroke and 24% less chance of a fatal heart attack. - British Medical Journal In ancient Egypt, Pliny declared that consumption of cabbage would cure as many as 87 diseases and that consumption of onions would cure 28 diseases. Garlic was considered a holy plant. Cruciferous vegetables were cultivated for medicinal purposes and were used therapeutically against headache, deafness, diarrhea, gout and stomach disorders. - Dr. John Potter, University of Minnesota
With respect to taking individual vitamins, The problem with taking a compound out of a food source is that it was originally combined with 11 closely related brothers and sisters and it may be that the combination is what makes for the overall beneficial effect. - Phyllis Bowen, Functional Foods For Health Research, University of Illinois at Chicago
12 Just some more reasons (backed by science) as to why it's important to be eating more fruits and vegetables - especially in their living state! Eat alive and you will thrive!
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3 Strategies to Prevent Overeating at Christmas

Well, it's that time of year where many of us get together with family and friends and overindulge in a stuppor of food. Yes - it tastes great but what good is it if you're so full that you fall asleep at the table! Believe I'm speaking from experience. So with Christmas dinner just a few days away, here are 3 strategies that will help you stay awake at the dinner table and not feel painfully full and tired thereafter! STRATEGY #1 - Use a digestive enzyme This alone may be the most meaningful thing you can do to help your body breakdown and digest all the food that you're feeding it. Remember, cooked foods (ie. turkey, mashed potatoes, etc...) no longer contain enzymes which means that your digestive system has an added burden of trying to digest these foods with its own limited supply of enzymes. Supplementing with a digestive enzyme helps your body do its job much more effectively. Take 1 or 2 capsules before the meal and 1 or 2 during and/or after dinner/lunch depending on how you feel. You will be amazed at how you feel afterwards! Give it a shot. STRATEGY #2 - Drink water before your meal and then start with a salad (if available) Studies have shown that drinking water (lukewarm) before eating can reduce your appetite by up to 25%. Drink a glass of lukewarm water (with lemon for added benefit) about 10-15 minutes before the onslaught begins. With the water in your system you won't feel the need to eat as much. Then, before the big meal try to have a salad. Fresh salad contains living vegetables which means added enzymes for your body. This will help with digesting the upcoming food while simultaneously reducing your appetite even further. STRATEGY #3 - Be grateful for your food and fully enjoy it! Save the guilt for another time. Now that the food is in front of you, you must fully appreciate it. Give thanks for your food and then fully appreciate every bite. Feelings of stress and guilt shut down your digestive function making food assimilation near impossible.
14 Therefore, if the food is on your plate you might as well enjoy it - unless you decide that you're not going to eat anything! Feeling love for your food puts your body into receiving mode allowing it to more readily accept the foods you put into it - even if they aren't the healthiest. So there you go. These just came to mind last night and I felt that they would be helpful for you. So put them to use and enjoy your festivous meals. Watch this video to discover an awesome 20-minute workout routine that will burn more calories than you can consume in one sitting. If you like sweating then you'll love this workout!
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The Benefits of Antioxidants

As our population ages, we are facing more chronic illnesses than ever before. Aging itself is not a disease, but we are seeing more aging-related diseases than ever before. Coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, strokes, certain cancers, respiratory problems, arthritis, depression, dementia, and dental problems are growing at rapid rates. It has been reported that more than three-fourths of all deaths in patients over 65 years of age are due to heart problems, diabetes, and certain cancers. It has been estimated that over 80% of elderly people have one chronic illness and more than 50% have at least two. All of these chronic illnesses are impacted by our nutritional habits. Our nutrition impacts the quality of our lives and can impact the quantity of years. What food we put into our bodies markedly determines how we feel and function. The increase in fat intake, decrease intake of fruits and vegetables, lack of exercise, exposure to smoking, and environmental hazards are contributing to chronic illnesses and aging. Functional foodsfoods which promote health and fight diseaseneed to be consumed in order to battle this rising epidemic of chronic illnesses. This article will help you understand how chronic illnesses occur and the process by which the body tries to limit the damage. Chocolate (cocoa) and berries contain some of the most potent antioxidants available. The synergy of multiple antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, etc. is just starting to be realized as vital to our health. Eating these as part of a balanced diet and exercise program can improve the quality and perhaps quantity of life. The combination of various food products will produce a functional food which is a major benefit to our health. Our bodies need natural foods to function and not supplements. What is oxidation? All body cells use oxygen to make energy and to function. Oxidation occurs every time oxygen is burned as a food for energy. The oxygen mixes with different compounds (proteins, fat, etc.) or molecules to form highly unstable and highly reactive molecules called free radicals. The body likes all of its molecules/atoms to have even numbers of electrons. When the oxygen mixes with the molecule it gains an extra electron, making it an unstable free radical with an uneven number of electrons. It is important to remember that environmental factors like smoking, radiation, pollution, hypertension, a high-fat diet, and elevated blood sugars can also oxide the body cells to form free radicals. They are even formed during infections (oxidation is necessary for health because oxidation is needed to kill microorganisms) or
101 Ways to Total Wellness Copyright 2008 Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN www.TotalWellnessConsulting.ca
16 chronic inflammation when free radicals are formed to fight the infection and overproduce themselves. Even strenuous exercise will increase the production of free radicals. These free radicals like to hook to other cells to steal electrons and cause a major chain reaction as each cell tries to steal electrons. They cause a lot of inflammation and even scar tissue from their damage. The free radicals can also damage cell proteins and even alter DNA within the cell. Blindness, arthritis, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, dementia and even physical aging can result from free-radical damage. What are Polyphenols and Flavonoids, and How Can They Help? Flavonoids or bioflavonoids (the old name was tannins) are compounds that give vegetables, fruits, grains, leaves, flowers and bark their color. The colors include the deep red, purple, mauve, blue and red. These compounds also protect the plants from disease, UV light and from predators. There are many types of flavonoids, each with health-promoting benefits. If you look at all the studies, these compounds have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antimutagenic (anticancer), antiviral, antithrombotic (anti platelet formation), hormone-like, liver-protective, and vasodilatory (relax blood vessel walls) actions. Flavonoids can increase energy levels, lower blood pressures, and have been shown to be helpful with Parkinsons symptoms. They can help stop motor nerve deterioration and help improve cognition, memory function, and dementia. Flavonoids are strong antioxidants which neutralize many free radicals. This action helps stop damage to most of the bodys functions. Cacao as an anti-inflammatory The bioflavonoids in cacao have been shown to inhibit COX-2 enzymes in your body, the same strong anti-inflammatory action that many prescription drugs have. By blocking COX-2 enzymes your immune system works better, decreases pain in your joints, and stops further production of free radicals. Chocolate as an ACE inhibitor (blood pressure alleviator) In several studies, dark chocolate (cacao) has been shown to decrease blood pressure, which in turn decreases the damage to heart vessels. Cocoa is thought to be a rennin-angiotension enzyme inhibitor, which is the same principle that many blood pressure pills work on (ACE inhibitors). But chocolate is high in saturated fats, isn't that bad for you?
17 Even though we are taught that saturated fats are harmful to the cardiovascular system, the stearic acid fat, which is found in cacao does not elevate blood cholesterol like other saturated fatty acids. This particular fat in chocolate is not absorbed well by the intestinal tract. It also has been shown that these cocoa fatty acids may modify LDL-C, making it more resistant to oxidation. The cocoa bean contains several minerals and vitamins which are useful. Dark chocolate contains very high levels of magnesium, which is necessary for muscle relaxation, nerve conduction, energy production, and bone and teeth development and health. Magnesiums powerful relaxation effects is one reason many women suffering with PMS crave chocolate.Potassium, another vital mineral abundant in cacao, is vital for cardiovascular health and proper cell functioning of our cells. Probably the most interesting phenomenon though is that raw cacao, although higher in saturated fat, does not promote weight gain. Why? All raw foods are loaded with food enzymes which are naturally built-in to the food to help its digestion in the body. In cacaos case, the fat-digesting enzyme lipase ensures proper breakdown and digestion once in the body. As a result, raw cacao (chocolate) does not sit around and accumulate in fat tissue as do conventional heat-treated chocolates. Any food heated above 118 F loses its natural living enzymes and requires the body to waste its precious digestive enzymes to do the job instead.
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Attention Men...Just Another Reason to Avoid Dairy!

Men...watch out! If you enjoy your daily dose of yogurt, milk, and cheese then you may want to reconsider after recent research has shown a fairly significant relationship between dairy calcium and prostate cancer. Not only is dairy the most acid-forming of all food types but now a massive study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition of nearly 21,000 men found that those who consumed more than 600 mg of calcium daily from dairy products had a 32% higher risk of prostate cancer than those who consumed no more than 150 mg of calcium per day over an 11 year period. To give you some perspective, 2% cow's milk contains 120 mg calcium/100 g serving. This amount of calcium pales in comparison to many plant sources including kelp (1,200 mg/100 g serving), broccoli (130 mg/100 g serving), and the mother-of-all sesame seed (1,160 mg/100 g serving). So if you're thinking about good calcium sources then look to green coloured vegetables and sesame seeds. These are far better and much healthier for your overall health. If you're concerned about your bone health then the best advice I can give is to engage in weight-bearing exercise, eat more green vegetables, and enjoy up to 20 minutes of natural sunlight each day. Ensure to get enough vitamin D and K along with calcium from non-dairy foods or supplements. I almost forgot to mention that dairy can build up to 1 gallon of mucus in the human body! It is also highly processed and fortified with all kinds of hormones and other steroids (if non-organic). Remember, the National Dairy Council has massive influence on our society. We have been brainwashed to believe that milk is actually good for us. What a joke! To learn more about calcium and how to make it work for you then grab a copy of my book - Eating for Energy. It just may save your bones!
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Those Damn Running Blisters OR How to Heal Skin Problems

As you now know I've been running like a mad man getting ready to knock about 5 minutes off my 5k time from last year (my goal is 17:30). Because I decided to go the advanced route (considering my ambitious goal) with my 5k training program, I've succumb to what many runners experience: a damn blister! But my determination hasn't allowed me to slow down as I decided to continue running despite worsening this foot sore. So as you can imagine it's become a little worse than where it started. As such, I thought what better time to indulge some skin-healing secrets that I may not have shared with you before. So here goes. If you have any skin problems such as acne, eczema, or wounds (ie. cuts, blisters) that are trying to heal, then the following nutrition tips will be very helpful. To promote the healthiest possible skin you want to focus on the following nutrients: omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil, flax oil, walnuts, spirulina) vitamin A (carrots, kale, and most fruits and vegetables) vitamin C (most fruits and vegetables) zinc (pumpkin seeds, chic peas)
The key is to get these nutrients through whole foods as much as possible. Studies have shown that supplements are rarely as effective as whole food sources. Furthermore, do your best to eat these foods in their living state for cooking destroys most the vitamins, minerals, and food enzymes that are so beneficial to your skin's health. Need guidance and skin-nourishing recipes to give you glowing skin and improve your body's ability to repair itself? Get your copy Eating for Energy today!
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Meat Linked to Colon Cancer

I've said many times that adopting more of a vegetarian diet is essential to living a long, healthy, and disease-free life. Now I can understand that some people have a fixation with their meat and are adamant about getting their daily dose but recent research proves yet again that such dietary choices increase your risk of cancer (amongst other problems)! Especially convincing was a review of 7,000 studies led by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research that ultimately showed a significant relationship between the consumption of processed meats and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Specifically, every 48 grams (1.5 ounces) consumed a day elevated the risk of cancer 21%. The 517-page study also concluded that the intake of heavy meats (beef, lamb, veal, pork, goat) boosted the risk of colorectal cancer and therefore they recommended consuming less than 500 grams (18 ounces) per week. I personally take it one step further and recommend eating meat no more than twice a week. Other studies have also shown that processed meats increase the risk of breast, lung, prostate, stomach, and pancreatic cancers! How Does Meat Cause Cancer??? There are several ways in which processed meats contribute to cancer. First, as I mention in my book Eating for Energy, meats are highly acid-forming in the body. And, an acidic internal environment is highly correlated with the development of cancer and other diseases. Second, cooking meats to high temperatures forms heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, compounds shown to cause colon tumours in animals. Third, processed meats (ie. deli meats) are also highly packed with sodium nitrite - a preservative added to meat to prevent botulism and give meats their red colour. The problem arises during cooking when these nitrites begin to react with other compounds in the meat to form cancer-causing nitrosamines and nitrosamides. So What's the Bottom Line?
21 Well, I hope that it's pretty obvious after reading all the information above that eating meat on a daily basis doesn't do your body good. In fact, it does it quite a bit of harm! I find it sad that we're all brought up believing that meat needs to be an integral part of our diet. But as the strongest and healthiest animals and longest living people keep reminding us it's all about eating more natural plant based foods. Vegetables, fruit, and healthy grains is where its at! Need help moving away from meat? Get your copy of Eating for Energy today!
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Want to Lose Weight? Boost Your Metabolism! Here Are 5 Ways...

A ton of research has been done investigating why some people lose weight while others don't, why some people succeed at keeping weight off once they've lost it while others don't, and what factors tend to influence your ability to successfully maintain a healthy body weight. What it boils down to is your metabolism. Very simply, thinner people have a higher metabolism than heavier people. The reason...thin people have more fat-free mass OR lean muscle than their heavier counterparts. Since muscle burns roughly 50x times calories than fat it would make sense that having more lean muscle would be a predictor of long-term success in weight management. Take Home Message #1: Resistance Train Resistance training builds lean muscle and is therefore ESSENTIAL to boosting your metabolism and thus helping you lose weight and keeping it off for good. Take Home Message #2 - Best Predictors for Keeping Weight Off... A very interesting study out of the journal Obesity Research found that the best predictors for weight maintenance after weight loss were the following: an increase in dietary restraint during weight loss, a high baseline resting metabolic rate (as a result of resistance training), a rather stable body weight (ie. no excessive fluctuations in weight gain/loss), and a low frequency of dieting
Take Home Message #3 - It's All About Lifestyle I don't know how many times I've said this in my life but it needs to said again...You can't maintain a healthy weight without a consistent effort towards improving your lifestyle. You need to make healthy eating and resistance training a regular part of your life, especially if you've been battling excess weight for most of your life. Here's a simple reason why. A large meta-analysis on metabolism published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that formerly obese subjects had a 35% lower metabolic rate than control subjects. Now many people would just say "Well, being fat is just in my jeans!" And that may be partially true BUT... the researchers in this study found that whether the
23 cause of this lower metabolism was genetic or acquired, the existence of a low metabolism was likely to contribute to the high rate of "weight regain" in formerly obese persons. These findings only further demonstrate the need for boosting your metabolic rate! And this doens't occur by spending endless hours doing cardio and following low carb diets!
5 Metabolism-Boosting Strategies:
Here are 5 ways that you can immediately start revving up your metabolism for the long run so that you can achieve and maintain your ideal for good! 1. Eat LIVING FOODS every day High amounts of food enzymes found in living foods allow your body spend more energy on metabolism and less on digestion. Here's how you can start. 2. Spend more time RESISTANCE TRAINING instead of cardio Lean muscle doesn't come about by doing cardio 7 days a week. You need to stress your muscles to develop them. Use your body weight, use resistance bands, use machines, use dumbbells, or any other form of resistance. The key is to impose weight bearing resistance on your body! Use Fitter U if you haven't already. 3. Eat small meals throughout the day We've all heard this before and for good reason. Keep your fire burning by adding small amounts of wood to it throughout the day - that's the analogy. 4. Spice up your meals The following herbs and spices are well-known to speed up metabolism: cayenne pepper, jalapeno peppers, ginger, peppermint, and cinnamon - just to name a few. 5. Have a cup of GREEN TEA Green tea has been shown to boost metabolism. Researchers believe that antioxidants in green tea can cause the body to waste calories as heat, which increases your caloric burn.
References: Vogels, N. et al (2005). Predictors of long-term weight maintenance. Obesity Research, 13: 216268. 101 Ways to Total Wellness Copyright 2008 Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN
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Astrup, A. et al (1999). Meta-analysis of resting metabolic rate in formerly obese subjects. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 69 (6): 1117-1122.
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Yuris Top 5 Success Habits for Creating Lasting Health and Abundant Energy
From the pages of Eating for Energy
1. Eat At Least ONE Green Salad Each Day North Americans are only consuming on average 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables per day! When you consider that the recommendation is for 5-10 servings per day and that most of our produce is nowhere near as mineral-rich as it was just 50 years ago, consuming greater amounts of vegetables and fruit has never been as necessary as now for nourishing your body with vital nutrients, alkalinity, and the life-prolonging food enzymes that it needs. 2. Drink At Least ONE Fresh-Pressed Juice or Green Smoothie Each Day We live in busy lives. No one has time for anything anymore not even healthy eating. Therefore, one of the greatest ways of supplying tremendous amounts of vitamins, minerals, food enzymes, and alkalinity to your body is through juices and smoothies. And remember, the greener the better! It might be tough for some people to physically eat 5-10 fruits or vegetables during a day but with just 1 juice or smoothie you can easily meet that quota! 3. Eat 80% Whole Living Foods (raw) Ever wonder why animals in their natural habitats do not suffer from the diseases that plague mankind? Isnt also interesting that humans are the only species on earth that apparently needs to cook their food! There is no greater gift you can give your body then eating foods in their natural state that is living or raw. Cooking foods dramatically reduces their vitamin, mineral, and phytonutrient content and destroys their vital food enzymes that are so beneficial to our health. Simply incorporating more raw fruits and vegetables into your diet can make a profound difference in how you look and feeland in no time at all! 4. Eat Every 2-3 Hours (but only if youre hungry) Its a fact - most people eat too much food! Its no wonder that more than 60% of the North American population is overweight. One of the reasons for this is eating copious amounts of empty foods. These are foods that have no nutritional value. Eating empty foods only prompts you to eat more food since your body is not receiving the nutrients it requires. By eating smaller nutrient-dense foods more frequently throughout the day you will avoid cravings caused by blood sugar irregularities and you will also tend to eat less since your body will now be receiving all the nutrients it needs.
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5. Eat Meat No More Than 2 Times Per Week Lets face it meat is detrimental to your body. You can turn a blind eye if you want but the truth is that meat is acid-forming and causes inflammation in the body. Both of these conditions are common to every single disease known to mankind! Oh, and dont forget about the hormones, antibiotics, and inhumane conditions in which animals (for human consumption) are raised or the higher levels of cholesterol and saturated fats found in heavier meats. Meat (especially red meat) also deprives your body of energy because it requires a tremendous amount of digestive energy and water to be broken down and assimilated into your body.
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Canadian "Health Check" a Big Joke!

Canadian buyers beware! If you ever see this logo on any packaged foods...STAY AWAY! By no means am I one to endorse eating anything that comes packaged from any big food conglomerate but new evidence is making me even more ill than these foods themselves. I just finished watching a startling report on CBC Marketplace where they revealed one the biggest food labeling fallacies I've seen in a long time. In Canada, the Heart and Stroke foundation has recently devised a program whereby they give certain foods that meet their criteria a "health check" (as shown above). What this CBC investigation revealed was that companies have been paying big bucks to have this "check" on their foods - completely eradicating any objectivity in evaluating the quality of packaged foods. A new and much improved system for evaluating the nutritional quality of foods based in the USA, called ONQI, even tested many of the foods that in Canada had received the "Health Check". And what did they find? Well, not surprisingly, the "Health Check" foods actually scored way lower on the ONQI scale (out of 100 points) than non "Health Check" foods. The highest rating any of the investigated "Health Check" foods received was an amusing 35/100 while the lowest received a shocking 9/100 in terms of nutritional value. What they concluded was that you are pretty much making healthier food choices by not selecting the "Health Check" foods. I couldn't agree more. For instance, Campbell's soup (which apparently paid $2.2 million to the Heart and Stroke Foundation for the "Health Check") had 2x the calories and nearly 10x the amount of sodium when compared to lesser known organic soup. But guess which one has the "Health Check" on their label? You guessed it! Campbell's! I don't know about you but these findings make me sick! That's just another reason why I recommend in Eating for Energy to steer way clear of any foods that are advertised in any way, shape, or form! The food business is big money and there are companies and lobbyist with deep pockets who will do what ever it takes to get their products into the hands of more and more people.
28 If for whatever reason you feel compelled to buy packaged foods please do yourself a favour and read the label. But not just the calorie chart - look at the quality of the ingredients. The fewer ingredients there are, the better. If you can't pronounce the names of certain ingredients than perhaps you may want to reconsider what you're about to buy. Remember, you can't beat natural whole foods. Choose more fresh fruits and vegetables. If you think you don't have time or the know-how to prepare healthy dishes then get a copy of Eating for Energy and enjoy 120 recipes that take less than 10 minutes to prepare.
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Skin Healthy Foods for the Summer

With the summer fast approaching (at least in the northern hemisphere) extra caution should be taken when out in the sun. It's that time of year when most people come out of their gloomy hibernation to enjoy the glorious benefits the sun has to offer. But this increased exposure should be enjoyed with some caution. Research does show that 20 minutes a day of sunshine is all your body needs to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D. However, as you well know, increased sun exposure can lead to increased free radical damage from the sun's UV rays. So aside from covering yourself up appropriately I'd like to share with you some skin rejuvenating foods that will keep your skin healthy and glowing this summer! Here's a simple rule...drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Here are a few examples: Guava Guavas are often considered superfruits, being rich in skin-enriching vitamins A and C, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, and very high levels of dietary fiber (important for digestive health). They contain both major classes of antioxidant pigments - carotenoids and polyphenols, giving them a high antioxidant value and skin protecting properties. Guava has good levels of the dietary minerals, potassium and magnesium, but most touted for its exceptional levels of vitamin C (great for the skin due to its collagen building and antioxidant properties). In fact, guava has nearly 5 times more vitamin C than a medium sized orange (377 mg vs. 83 mg)! According to a recent study that tracked the diets of more than 4,000 women ages 40 to 74, women who eat a lot of vitamin C-packed foods have fewer wrinkles than women who don't eat many. Avocado Avocados are one of my personal favourite foods and for good reason. They taste great and provide tremendous nutrition for your body.
They are a great source of vitamin E (a highly potent antioxidant) and one of the best sources of monounsaturated fats.
30 Both of these nutrients are imperative not only for your health but also for the integrity and youthful glow of your skin. Many people fear the fact that avocados are 90% fat but just remember that if you are eating avocados in their raw form then they will contain the needed enzymes for their digestion. They are not readily stored as fat in your body as are most cooked fats! Papaya One of the top sources of beta-crypoxanthin, a cancer preventing compound. Like watermelon and tomatoes, papayas are also a great source of the antioxidant lycopene which has been hailed for its numerous benefits which include reducing the risk of macular degenerative disease, serum lipid oxidation, and cancers of the lung, bladder, cervix, and skin! Papayas also contain the digestive enzyme papain which has also been shown to speed burn recovery when used topically. So if you get sunburned this summer smother a little papaya over top and feel its soothing effects. So there you go! 3 fruits that are not only delicious but also tremendously beneficial to the health of your skin. When you think of young, youthful looking skin think of antioxidants and healthy fats! These are a few of the numerous fruits and vegetables that can make a big difference not only for your skin but for your overall health. For more incredible superfoods along with 120 delicious recipes to get you looking and feeling great for the summer be sure to get a copy of my groundbreaking book Eating for Energy! It's been transforming lives! Are you next?
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Are You Too Acidic?

Do you feel tired or lethargic? Are your nails, skin, and hair unhealthy looking? Do you suffer from frequent colds, illnesses, or joint pain? If so, then your body may be too acidic! Why is pH Important? pH is a measure of how acid or alkaline a substance is and is based on a scale of 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline). Our bodies hold approximately 45 litres of fluid and most of these fluids thrive only if they are slightly alkaline. Because the blood prefers a slightly alkaline pH of 7.4, excess acid in our bodies will create a biochemical breakdown. For example, our bodies use alkaline buffers to neutralize high levels of acidity. If these buffers become saturated, then these acids will ultimately be pushed into our cells causing the displacement of vital minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and sodium. The result is bodily havoc such as being more susceptible to infection and sickness, unhealthy skin, hair and nails, and much more! At the ultimate level, these acids may reach the level of the bloodstream causing it to become more acidic. The result is that the body will turn to its most alkaline substance, calcium, to neutralize the acid. In so doing, more and more calcium is leached from the bones, predisposing the body to the development of osteoporosis and arthritis. As a person becomes more and more acidic, the body begins to store acids in the tissues. As compensation, the body releases alkaline molecules into the blood (which may sound good but really isn't!). Too much alkalinity (above ph = 7.4) is bad for the blood as it increases its affinity for oxygen, making it more difficult for the blood to release this same oxygen to the tissues. As a result, the tissues and organs become oxygen starved putting them at greater risk for the proliferation of cancerous cells since, as Noble Prize winner Otto Warburg discovered, cancer grows where there is no oxygen! What causes excess acid in the body? Eating too many proteins, grains, sugars or dairy products Strenuous exercise Excess stress
The 80/20 Rule

32 Due to our overly acidic lifestyle, it is necessary that we take the proper steps towards maintaining a more alkaline environment within our bodies. To maintain a healthy alkaline internal environment, it is recommended that our diets consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods. Unfortunately, the North American diet has reversed these percentages for the worse. No wonder we have so much sickness and disease in our society. Examples of acid forming foods: Animal protein Sweets and Sweeteners Nuts and Butters Beans and Legumes Grains Dairy Fats and Oils Coffee Examples of "good" alkaline forming foods: Vegetables - especially green barley grass Fruits - all except cranberries Some nuts and seeds - almonds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds Quality water Green Barley Grass - Pure Alkaline Energy! Green Barley grass is a nutrient rich grass grown in lush soils in the foothills of the Japanese mountains. One tablespoon is equivalent to the nutrient content of an entire head of lettuce. For instance, it has 7x more calcium than milk and 6x more vitamin C than an orange. It is probably best known for its beneficial alkalizing and energizing effects on the body. Moreover, because it is a whole food and 60% protein, it is one of only two foods on earth that the body can survive on, exclusively. The following are some of Green Barley's many benefits to the body: Increased energy and stamina and youthful vigor Decreased craving for junk foods and also reduces food intake More rapid healing of injuries and infections Improvement of hair, skin and nails Improvement of diabetes and hypoglycemia Inhibits the growth of cancer cells High alkalizing effect Best of all...it tastes great!
33 You can get green barley grass at most health food stores. To learn about the entire pH balance story for the best health ever then CLICK HERE to get start with Eating for Energy!
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7 Nutrition Secrets for Great Abs

Many people say that "abdominals are made in the kitchen, not in the gym," and there's a lot of truth to that. You can do thousands of reps of ab work every week, but if your nutrition is not in order, you can forget about getting a great set of 6pack abs. 1. If youre a calorie-counter (Im not), then you want to start off by simply decreasing the number of calories youre consuming each day. Eat about 1520% below your calorie maintenance level. So if you normally eat 2000 calories per day you would reduce your daily caloric intake to 1600-1700 calories. When you consider that 1lb of fat is equivalent to 3500 calories, at this 15-20% deficit rate it would take 8 to 11 days to burn 1lb of fat! Less fat means greater chance of seeing your 6-pack. 2. Spread your calories into 5-6 smaller meals instead of 2-3 big ones. Be very conscious of portion size. If you eat too much of anything, you can say goodbye to your abs. Look to feel satisfied NOT lethargically full. 3. Eat raw foods as much as possible. Raw foods are packed with enzymes that help your body digest and assimilate the essential nutrients that your body needs. Conversely, cooked foods, which are void of food enzymes, take more energy and time to digest and place greater stress on your body. 4. Choose natural, complex carbs such as vegetables and spouted beans and gluten-free grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet, oat groats, brown rice). Consume the majority of your carbs during the earlier part of the day so that they can be used as fuel for your activity. Reduce carbs and simple sugars later in the day especially if you foresee being inactive. Late night snacks will get stored as fat, especially if you eat them right before going to bed. 5. Avoid refined, simple carbs that contain white flour or white sugar. These foods wreak havoc on your blood sugar and insulin levels predisposing to hypoglycemia, diabetes, and fat gain. 6. Avoid cooked plant fats and animal fats. Fats such as canola, vegetable, and olive oil should not be heated. They are sensitive to air, light, and heat and become rancid when cooked. Once this happens they become a source of freeradicals in the body and are much more easily stored as unproductive fats in your body! Instead, choose olive, flax, hemp, and fish oils in their cold (or raw) state. Add them to salad dressings, smoothies, or take them by the spoon full. Their omega3 fatty acids actually assist your body in burning fat.
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7. Drink plenty of water. You want to aim for half your bodyweight (lbs) in ounces every day. Incorporate these 7 nutrition secrets to great abs into your regime and watch the difference they make. Remember, the other critically important component to burning fat is being physically active through both cardiovascular and resistance training.
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Eat Greens for Fat Loss

When it comes to fat loss and losing weight there is an overwhelming amount of information. If youre like most people who want to lose weight you may feel somewhat bewildered and confused by all the diet and nutrition advice given by so many different fat loss experts. The tough part is that much of this advice overlooks the basic physiological premise for weight loss and long-term health alkalinity! Our bodies operate within a fine pH equilibrium. If we are too acidic, we invite disease and fatness to grow rampant. 2-time Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Linus Pauling, was the first to show to that cancer cannot grow in an alkaline environment. Many years later, though, most people have no idea what being alkaline means. Being alkaline means not being acidic. The most important bodily tissue our blood requires a slightly alkaline pH to operate perfectly. If not, red blood cells begin to die, coagulate, and expel their waste into the blood. Oxygen transport to the cells becomes compromised and the body begins removing dangerous acid out from the blood and storing in our fat cells. The bodys fat cells hold onto this acid as a protective mechanism since acid in the blood or vital organs can be lethal. Therefore, your ability to burn fat is related to your bodys acid-alkaline balance. You will find it very hard lose fat if you are acidic. Its simple your body needs to keep the fat around to hold onto to the acid. Once the acid lessens, the fat will follow. So when you hear experts promoting high protein diets or other similar weight loss gimmicks you need to ask yourself if the foods they promote are acid or alkaline-forming in the body. For instance, all animal products (meat, dairy, eggs) are acid-forming in the body. Most grains and refined sugars are as well. A diet high in these foods can only result in an acidic body. It has been said that our diet should be 80% alkaline and 20% acidic. However, Im sure you can see that the Western diet - full of its processed, refined, and high fat foods - is the exact opposite. Its no wonder that obesity is such a problem in Westernized countries. So What Foods Are Alkaline-Forming? Fruits and vegetables. The reason for this is that they are abundant in alkalizing minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium while possessing lower concentrations of acidifying properties such as sulfur and nitrogen. The best sources of alkalinity of all foods are greens. Grasses, green vegetables, and sea vegetables are some examples. A diet rich in green foods will not only help prevent the onset of disease but it will keep you thin.
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As you incorporate more green foods into your diet you will become more alkaline displacing needless acid and improving your fat loss efforts. Think about ithow many overweight vegans or vegetarians do you know? Obviously being vegetarian doesnt guarantee weight loss because many of these people can also have atrocious diets. However, their chance of staying thin is far better than someone who eats burgers and other garbage foods. How to Alkalize Your Body? Eat for health and you will alkalize your body and lose weight. Here are 4 strategies to help you alkalize your body for optimal fat loss (and health) results: 1. Eat more fruits and vegetables and get plenty of greens. My rule of thumb is to consume at least 1 green juice and/or salad each day. 2. Drink plenty of water. You should drink at least half your body weight (lbs) in ounces each day. 3. Breathe! Take a few minutes each day and focus on deep breathing. Oxygen is alkalizing. 4. Minimize and avoid processed foods, artificial sweeteners, and nutritiondeficient drinks like coffee and sodas.
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Why Green is King

Have you ever noticed that the biggest and strongest animals are herbivores? Moreover, they eat nothing more than green leaves, grasses, and in some berries. The gorilla, the elephant, and the giraffe are just a few examples of strong, healthy, and long-living animals that thrive on nothing more than the energy and nutrients provided by natures gift the greens! The Power of Chlorophyll Why green plants are so amazingly powerful is because they are direct conduits of the suns energy. The suns rays are absorbed by the green plants pigment called chlorophyll (which gives plants their green colour). This energy is then used to produce carbohydrates through a process known as photosynthesis. This is how the food chain begins. Once we (or animals) consume greens, we immediately benefit from the suns life-giving energy that is held in the bonds of the chlorophyll molecule. Immediately, we feel uplifted, light, and energetic. Quite the contrast to the feelings of fatigue and lethargy that arise from the consumption of refined, cooked, and animal-based foods. Whats amazing thing about chlorophyll is that it is the plants version of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying molecule in our blood which binds iron to oxygen. Without hemoglobin we die. Likewise, without chlorophyll plants cannot thrive. But the true beauty arises when humans and animals consume chlorophyll via green plants. Instead of iron, chlorophyll binds magnesium one of the most deficient minerals in our diet. Not only do you enrich your body with this vital mineral by eating greens but you also help strengthen and build your blood since the molecular structure of chlorophyll and hemoglobin are almost identical. As a result, the energy of the sun is directly inserted into your bloodstream. Its no wonder the blood is known as the river of life. Green Equals Alkalinity = Energy, Health, Fat Loss & More The other vital characteristic of all plants is that they are highly alkaline-forming in the body. This is important because disease cannot thrive in alkaline environments. Cancers, viruses, and bacteria all thrive in acidic environments. Unfortunately, an overwhelming percentage of the North American population is acidic due to a diet high in refined sugars, bad fats, meat and dairy products, and a stressful lifestyle. The result one of the most unhealthy populations on the planet.
39 How many wild animals do you know of that suffer from human diseases? None! Why is that? Well, just look at what were putting in our bodies and theres your answer. Do wild animals have access to packaged foods? Do have the luxury of using an oven or a microwave? Of course not! But we do. Why dont we learn from what works in nature? Look at the elephant. It is by far one of the largest, strongest, and smartest mammals on the planet. It even has one of the longest lifespan averaging 69 years. The elephant eats nothing but grass! The longest living animal in the world the giant tortoise has a lifespan of 177 years! It too feeds mainly on grass. How about cows. Humans drink their milk for its apparent rich calcium and protein content. But where do cows get their nourishment from? Thats right grass! I hope youre starting to see my point. Greens help life thrive. The alkalinity that greens provide helps the body age gracefully while maintaining a suitable level of health and vitality for survival (or life). Greens Are Your Best Source of Protein Per gram, greens provide way more protein than meat. Spirulina, an amazing blue-green algae, provides 60 grams of protein per 100 gram serving versus only 24 and 29 grams for ground beef and chicken, respectively! Its no wonder that the strongest and biggest animals are subsist on grass and green leaves. So the take home message from this article is simple EAT MORE GREENS! To get you started, try this delicious green smoothie: Even if nothing else changed in your diet, you would notice a tremendous difference in how you look and feel by adding more greens to your diet. My rule of thumb is to try to have one green salad and/or one green juice per day. Do this and youll see what Im talking about!
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The Food Label Fallacy

Well, I just got back in after appearing on Breakfast Television here in Toronto. I was invited on the morning show to talk about the non-sense that is going on with regards to food labeling in North America, especially in Canada. One of the issues here is that certain products are given a "health check" approval (a Heart and Stroke Foundation campaign) while other products, that actually healthier for you, are not! One of the comparisons I made was between two cans of tomatoes. The first can had been awarded with the health check symbol yet contained 300 mg of sodium (fresh tomatoes contain about 10 mg) and a number of preservatives including EDTA (an agent that destroys both the cells and their DNA). The second can of tomatoes had no health check yet the only ingredient here was organic tomatoes! How does make any sense? It's absolutely absurd and misleading to millions of consumers. It's just another reason to eat whole fresh foods. In my research on this matter I noticed that the only food products that had health check approvals were those from big-money food conglomerates. As it turns out, these companies are big financial supporters of the health check program BUT claim not be paying the Heart and Stroke Foundation to have this label put on their products That too is a big fat lie. A recent investigation into this subject revealed that one of the big food companies had paid more than $2 million to have their soups approved with the health check symbol. What to look for? Well, if you need to buy packaged foods then be sure to first look at the list of ingredients. The fewer the better. If you see any ingredients that seem suspicious they most likely are. Ask yourself "Was this ingredient used when my grandmother was a child?" If the answer is NO then you probably shouldn't be eating it!
The sodium should be minimal, fat content low (and absent in trans-fats), and sugars negligible.
41 In general though, you want to choose a wider variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Heart Health Alert!

According to the Mayo Clinic (and every other authority for that matter), there has been an upswing in heart disease over the last 20 years. In fact, a recent study found clogged arteries in young adults, age 16 on up suggesting heart disease doesnt only affect men and women in their 50s and 60s. The latest findings mark the first shift since the mid-1960s, when a decline in heart disease began. In the study, researchers from the Mayo Clinic and University of British Columbia reported that of 515 people, ages 16-64, 82% (425 persons) had a degree of coronary artery atherosclerosis assessed at autopsy. The researchers stated that 83% of that group had signs of coronary artery disease (CAD) and around 8% had a high level of the disease. Their 23-year analysis demonstrated three categories of decline: high level, any level, and average degree of CAD. Yet, the degree of these declines stopped after 1995 and may have actually headed upward after the year 2000. It is little surprise that there has also been a corresponding rise in obesity and diabetes rates during this same time frame. And the link between obesity, diabetes, and heart disease has already been established through relationships such as Syndrome X. The introduction of computers and a more sedentary lifestyle, the growth of fast food chains and larger portion sizes, reduced physical education in schools and increased consumption of high-fructose corn syrup have massively contributed to the obesity explosion; which has now become an epidemic in North America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that in 2003, just over a million American men died. Of these deaths, approximately 80% died of heart disease or one of the nine other leading causes of death among American men (cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/COPD, diabetes, influenza and pneumonia, suicide, kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease). The American Heart Association revealed that over 410,000 men died of cardiovascular disease in 2004 and about one-fourth of all heart disease-related deaths occur in men, 35-65. Men typically develop heart disease 10-15 years earlier than women consequently dying in their prime. Surprisingly, heart patients rarely change their diet. Youd think they would considering they just suffered a heart attack but apparently old habits die hard. A February 11 Reuters article demonstrates this finding. Dr. Yunsheng Ma of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, conducted a follow-up study of 555 heart disease patients for a year. He and his colleagues discovered that few met recommendations for fruit, vegetable and fiber intake and were eating a disturbing amount of trans fat.
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According to the article, researchers used the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), a measurement of heart-healthy eating, including fruit and vegetable consumption, amount of trans fat consumed, and ratio of white-to-red meat eaten. The average score was 30.8out of 80 Only 12.4% at five or more vegetable servings daily Only 7.8% at four or more servings of fruit daily Less than 8% met cereal fiber recommendations Only 50% exercised for at least 20 minutes at least once in the past 3 months One of the problems is only 20% had cardiac rehabilitation following an event; those that did, their programs typically focused on exercise, not nutrition. Keeping Your Heart Healthy Regardless of your age, you need to start making healthier lifestyle changes now. Here are a number of preventive steps you can take: Stop smoking or using tobacco products Eat a varied diet rich in living fruits and vegetables Minimize consumption of animal fats, trans-fat, and cooked plant fats. Minimize consumption of refined sugars. Maintain a healthy weight Exercise at least 30 minutes every day - need help? Click here to try Fitter U. Have your cholesterol and blood pressure tested Diabetics should keep blood sugar under control through proper nutrition, regular exercise, and positive lifestyle habits.
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How to Lose Weight Learning From the Eating Behaviours of Overweight People - Part 1
Losing weight begins by eating healthier foods and exercising on a regular basis. For decades, researchers have been fascinated by the precise eating habits of overweight and obese people. However, as you can imagine, their fascination has not been easy to translate into concrete conclusions due to the complexity of eating behaviours, weight loss, and other confounding variables. It has been proposed that obesity is an adaptive response to a high-fat diet, with the necessary equilibration of fat intake and oxidation (fat burning) being achieved through expansion of fat stores, if not through increased physical activity. In general, losing weight has been dummied-down to creating a negative energy balance, meaning that you need to consume fewer calories than you expend. And in the long run, the only effective method for accomplishing this negative energy balance for weight loss is through a combination of regular exercise and a more moderate consumption of food. Considering that 1 lb of fat is equal to 3500 calories, to lose 1 lb of fat would take about 1 week if you did nothing else but reduce you caloric intake by about 15%. To achieve your weight loss goals it is also helpful to understand what prevents others from not just losing weight but also packing it on. A lot of the research is inconclusive and some conflicting, but what follows are some of the more clear cut conclusions regarding eating behaviours that lead to weight. Follow the Fat Burning Remedies for weight loss solutions to each issue.
Compromised Fat Burning Ability

According to researchers from the International Journal of Obesity, a predisposition to obesity appears to be associated with defects in the ability to raise fat oxidation (or fat burning) in proportion to moderate or high fat intakes. This also appears to be characteristic of formerly obese subjects and, notably, non-obese restrained eaters. This indicates that the body of an overweight individual (for whatever reason) is less able to burn fat as more fat is consumed.
Fat Burning Remedies: 1. Get more active and start with low intensity cardio exercise that specifically burns fat. Walking for at least 30 minutes every day is a great start.
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2. Resistance training is equally important since the more lean muscle you develop, the more you boost your fat burning metabolism. Resistance train using your bodyweight or weights 3-4 times per week. 3. Use a fat-specific digestive enzyme such as lipase before eating. Lipase specifically digests and breaks down fat in the body and helps prevent healthy fats from being unused.
References: Astrup, A. (1993). Diet composition, substrate balances and body fat in subjects with a predisposition to obesity. International Journal of Obesity 17, Suppl. 3, S32S36.
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In part 1, we talked about one of the predispositions to being overweight - having a faulty fat burning engine. Today, we're going to look at a specific eating behaviour that has led many people (especially those who diet) to pack on excess pounds. Follow the Fat Burning Remedies at the end to make sure you don't fall into the same trap.
Restrained Eaters Eat More

In 1972, a researcher from Psychology Today suggested that the obese-normal differences in eating behaviour could be due to greater hunger experienced by obese individuals. This might be due to actual dieting or the fact that many overweight individuals may be engaged in a chronic struggle to restrain their eating against a biological drive toward further weight gain. The role of restrained eating in eating behaviour was initially explored in a series of studies by Herman and his colleagues (published in the Journal of Personality) assessing the concern with dieting and weight, and short-term weight fluctuation. One of the crucial but initially surprising behavioural findings and correlates of restraint was a tendency to exhibit disinhibited eating. This was demonstrated through a fascinating experiment whereby subjects were given preloads (a premeal) of zero, one, or two glasses of a milkshake, and then asked to consume ice-cream ad libitum as part of a tastetest. While actual intake of ice-cream was, as expected, inversely related to the size of the preloads in subjects scoring low on the Restraint Scale, the ice-cream consumption of restrained subjects paradoxically increased with a greater preload! Subsequent studies showed that restrained subjects tended to eat more after a preload identified as high in energy, compared with the same preload identified as low in energy. This paradoxical behaviour apparently occurs when the perceived intake of energy is sufficient to cause normally restrained eaters to suspend their self-imposed restraint, thereby releasing an underlying desire to eat. The pattern of thinking identified with such behaviour has been characterized as, Ive blown it already, so I might as well eat! Many factors other than food preloads have been shown to precipitate overeating in restrained eaters, such as emotional events (including anxiety), the presence
47 of other people overeating, the sight and smell of well-liked foods, and even the anticipation of a forthcoming high food intake. These findings confirm a major influence of cognition on short-term food intake, and suggest potential causal links between restraint and compulsive eating, and perhaps longer- term failure of losing weight. In relation to the development or maintenance of obesity, the role of restrained eating and related behaviours, especially tendency for disinhibited eating, remains suggestive. The paradox is that we live in a weight-obsessed culture and environment where slimness is promoted as the ideal of beauty, self-control and success while, at the same time, energy-dense foods and opportunities to eat are ubiquitous. Its no wonder that more than 60% of the North American population is overweight. Fat Burning Remedies: 1. Stop dieting! Severely restricting your caloric intake and depriving yourself can only lead to further weight gain, not weight loss! 2. Choose foods that are nutrient-dense not energy-dense. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and sprouted seeds and grains. Since youll be supplying your body with the minerals and nutrients it needs, your body will no longer crave non-foods as it did before.
References: Herman, C. P. & Mack, D. (1975). Restrained and unrestrained eating. Journal of Personality 43, 647-660. Mela, D. J. (1996). Assessing the dietary implications of macronutrient substitutes. In Progress in Obesity Research 7, pp. 423430 [A. Angel, H. Anderson, C. Bouchard, D. Lau, L. Leiter and R. Mendelson, editors]. London: John Libbey & Co.
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Ok, now onto the third eating behaviour that may lead to weight gain...
Palatability, High-Fat Foods and Weight Gain

It makes sense that we would want to eat foods that taste better, right? Well, unfortunately many of these traditional yummy foods are fairly high in fat (and not the good kind), which makes them addictive and hard to put down. Present knowledge is consistent with the view that preferences for, and consumption of, dietary fat (specifically cooked and rancid fats) are linked to weight gain. Consumption of diets moderate or high in fat or energy density (with low physical activity levels) appears to be critically implicated in the development of obesity amongst susceptible individuals. For many people, the palatability (taste) of energy-dense (high calorie) foods may not be of concern solely because of their inherent nutritional composition, but because such foods may present a particularly potent stimulus for the breakdown of restraint, loss of dietary control, and overeating of these or other foods. Palatability is commonly invoked as an explanation of overeating leading to obesity, although the fundamental cause of high fat preferences and intakes in obesity remains somewhat obscure. The basis for fat preferences in general was recently reviewed in the journal Progress in Obesity Research, and that analysis suggests that postconsumption, psychobiological effects of fats may contribute to an associative conditioning process, through which a liking for fat-associated sensory qualities is acquired by experience. This means that high-fat foods (cooked or rancid fats to be exact) can be addictive by conditioning our sensory system to enjoy and subsequently crave such foods. Fat Burning Remedies: 1. Avoid cooked and rancid fats and oil. Instead, choose natural living foods. Foods such as walnuts, cashews, coconut, durian, cacao, olives, and avocados that have not been cooked provide some of the best sources of healthy fats that actually do your body tremendous good and theyll actually help you burn fat! Living foods recipes such as raw chocolate any other amazing dishes are not only highly nourishing but are incredibly palatable. Transition to eating
49 more living foods and watch your cravings for addictive foods vanish into thin air! Conclusion By any mechanism, the physiological effects of energy-dense, high-fat foods, when combined with a heightened responsiveness to such foods, or given a tendency for uninhibited eating, creates ideal nutritional and psychological conditions for excessive food intakes leading to weight gain and perhaps obesity. Nonetheless, now that you understand some of the eating mechanism for gaining weight you have the power to change. Simply, follow the fat burning remedies recommended in this article and your weight loss efforts will be rewarded!
References: Mela, D. J. (1996). Assessing the dietary implications of macronutrient substitutes. In Progress in Obesity Research 7, pp. 423430 [A. Angel, H. Anderson, C. Bouchard, D. Lau, L. Leiter and R. Mendelson, editors]. London: John Libbey & Co.
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How to Test Your Body's pH Level

One of the fundamental components of my book Eating for Energy is the importance of proper pH balance within the body. In other words, our bodys ability to maintain an appropriate acid-alkaline balance for optimal health, fat loss, and greater energy. But how do you know what your bodys pH level currently is? How do you know if youre too acidic? Well, most likely you are, whether you like it or not simply based on our crazy diet and hectic lifestyle. Nonetheless, here are some simple methods for helping you quantify whether your body is too acidic or whether is has just the pH balance. Remember, your blood (the most important tissue) requires a slightly alkaline pH between 7.35 7.45. Saliva Testing Saliva testing gives a general range of the salivas pH and should be used only as a rough guide. Over time, it can provide a broad picture of your overall state of acid-alkaline balance. Saliva testing is easy and inexpensive. Simply but some pH paper (litmus paper), which comes in a small roll and is available at most health food or drug stores. It usually costs between $10 and $15. Simply tear off a 1-2 inch strip of the litmus paper and place it under your tongue in some saliva. Try not to let it touch your tongue, lips, or gums. Immediately check the strips color against the color scale on the back of the roll. The best time to test your saliva is first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything. Also, by keeping a log over time, you can get a pretty good idea of your bodys general acid-alkaline state. If your pH routinely tests acidic then youre body is most likely consistently acidic, which means that your body may be dumping alkaline minerals from your muscles, bones, and vital organs to compensate and buffer the excess acid. Ideally, your saliva pH should be between 7.0 and 7.4 as it is naturally slightly more acidic than the blood. Urine Testing Urine testing also uses pH paper. It is more accurate than saliva testing but should still be used as a general guideline of your bodys overall acid-alkaline status. To test your urine, place a 2-inch strip of litmus paper in your urine stream
51 or collect some of your urine in a paper cup and dip one side of the paper strip into it. As with saliva testing, you should test your urine first thing in the morning. Keep a log of your results over time for best accuracy of your bodys pH state. Similarly to the saliva, your urine should be slightly more acidic than the blood. Ideally, your urines pH should be around 6.8. These are 2 of the most convenient and common pH testing methods. For best accuracy you can have a look at your living blood through a process called Live Cell Microscopy. If you find that your blood is too acidic then youll most likely also have any number of symptoms including fatigue, lethargy, being overweight, frequent colds or illness, and many more! To combat the negative effects of an acidic body you need to alkalize your body obviously! This can be done through a number of methods including eating more green vegetables and juices, deep breathing, exercising, and drinking lemon water. Not to mention reading my book, Eating for Energy.
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Why You Are Addicted to Certain Foods

Like with any drug you can become addicted to certain foods. In the case of a drug addiction the cause is usually due to the specific receptors for that drug not being filled. This causes the feeling of withdrawal and the urge for more of the drug. In the case of food addiction it is a little bit different. One of the reasons we become addicted to certain foods is that these are often the food residues that are most present in our blood. Some experts believe that cleansing the blood through alkalizing green juices and other cleansing protocols can help. A good way to know for sure if youre addicted to a certain food is if theres initial relief when the craving is satisfied (by eating the food) but then the craving returns shortly thereafter. Cravings often go hand-in-hand with allergies. We are often allergic (or sensitive) to the precise foods we crave. We are often allergic to our most desired foods because each time the craving is satisfied there is a dampening of the immune system. Over time, this leads to an overburdened immune system that eventually becomes fatigued and no longer able to deal with the allergen (the food that is craved). By consistently eating the foods we most crave, we place a tremendous stress on our immune system. This is not a good thing for overtime these foods end up becoming a source of unneeded stress in our body. The 3 Main Causes of Food Addiction 1. Over-consumption of a particular food 2. Too frequently consumed 3. Food sits too long in the digestive tract All of these factors place extra burden on the immune system and allow time for it to mount an immune response against a given food. The 4 Signs of a Food Addiction 1. Obsession with a particular food 2. Negative consequences upon eating it 3. Lack of control when around that food 4. Denial
53 In my case, I was brought up on breads, cereals, pasta, and dairy. I craved these foods (and still do to some degree) and ate them incessantly. Unfortunately, after years of abusing my body with these drugs my immune system had had enough. Because of this constant bombardment I had developed an allergic terrain which manifested eczema, asthma, environmental allergies, and eventually an autoimmune condition called alopecia where the immune system attacks the bodys hair follicles. Nowadays, since Ive radically altered my diet and have more or less removed wheat and dairy, I enjoy much greater health and have regained the hair that I once lost (although I still keep my head shaved because I like it!). Furthermore, I know longer have to wear gloves over my hands to hide what used to be terrible eczema, and my asthma (which was out of control when I was young) is now almost undetectable. My triumphs are not miraculous but rather simple commitments to improving my digestion, rebalancing my intestinal flora, and eating more raw vegetables and fruit. The results have been outstanding. The key is to identify which foods you most crave and avoid or minimize their consumption. The best way to identify and then eradicate food addictions is to follow an elimination diet whereby you remove the suspected food from your diet for 4-6 weeks and then slowly reintroduce it to test its consequences. This can be very difficult for most people so I usually suggest to begin by eating more raw whole foods. Getting plenty of alkalinity through green salads and juices and preparing alternatives to your favourite foods so that youre prepared if you slip back into old habits. Improving your digestion is also absolutely paramount. This is a whole other topic but little things like really chewing your food and using a digestive enzyme can make the world of a difference! You too can get rid of food cravings with Eating for Energy. Start today!
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Want to Lose Weight? STOP Eating Sugar!

Sugar may taste sweet but its health effects are anything but. Excessive sugar consumption throws the bodys pH levels out of balance making it harder for us to lose weight and maintain good health. The sugar, and the acidity that it creates, provides an internal environment that is ripe for the overgrowth of dangerous yeasts, fungi, and bacteria - ultimately making it much harder to lose weight and maintain optimal health. In turn, these pathogens feed on the sugar, multiply, and expel toxic wastes that make us feel and look even worse. Because these critters feed on sugar, our body begins to crave more sugar in the form of sweets, breads, pastas, and so forth. We end up feeding these microorganisms and fuel their growth and place further toxic acid into our body. As this vicious cycle continues not only do we feed these toxin-producing microorganisms but we also intake huge amounts of calorie-rich, nutrient void, sugar-laden foods. Over time, an excess intake of calories through sugar obviously leads to weight gain (considering everything else remains equal). The Liver, Toxins, Acid, and Weight Loss The other aspect of sugar that prevents weight loss is the fact that as we fuel more and more microorganisms, the toxins they expel create more acid in our blood and pose added stress on our liver. Since excess acid in the blood will eventually be stored in fat cells, it is futile to further acidify your body if you want to lose weight. Only once you rid your body of excess acid and restore its proper pH balance will you be able to shed excess fat. If fat isnt needed to store acid, then it can more readily be metabolized. Similarly, if your liver becomes stressed and compromised as a result of having to filter tons of toxins floating through your blood, your weight loss attempts will be in vain. This is because the liver is not only the bodys major filter but it also regulates sugar and fat metabolism. If the liver is not functioning properly then its ability to metabolize sugar and fats will also be compromised. Elevated blood sugar and blood lipid levels are usually the result. Hidden Sources of Sugar While we typically eat a lot of sugar in the form of desserts and sugary beverages, a large portion of our sugar intake comes from hidden sources which include: Livestock are often fed sugar prior to slaughter to improve the color and taste of the meat.
55 Corn syrup and molasses are often used in restaurants to prevent shrinkage of hamburgers. Sugar is added to many mixes and roasted nuts. Canned fish are often glazed with sugar. Condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and relish are heavy sources of sugar. In fact, sugar is most often the first ingredients in these foods. Most table salts contain sugar. Most breads, pastas, and cereals contain added sugar of some sort. So as you can see we are bombarded by sugar. The key is move away from packaged and processed foods and move towards fresh whole foods. Youre much better off eating natural sugar from fruit then chemically altered and manufactured refined sugar that you can buy from a store. The choice is yours but if you want to lose weight then you need to make the right choice. Opt for more fresh vegetables and fruit, especially greens. Greens are one of the best sources of alkalinity and help rid your body of excess acid produced by sugar consumption.
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Sugar...it Ain't So Sweet!

The average person in North America consumes 150 lbs of refined sugar per year! This is astronomical in contrast to the 5 lbs per year consumed by the average person at the turn of the 20th century. Sugar, especially in its refined state, has many detrimental effects on the body. First and foremost, it is highly acid-forming. This means that sugar consumption throws off your pH balance so that your blood and other important become more acidic. The more acidic your body becomes, the greater the likelihood for disease to flourish. Its no wonder that research has linked sugar consumption to cancer, hormonal disruptions, arthritis, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, cataracts, and many other degenerative diseases. Refined sugar is one of the worst poisons you can put into your body. It is known to compromise the immune system response for between 4-6 hours, lowering the bodys natural defenses and making less capable of fighting harmful pathogens. The manner in which sugar is processed exacerbates the problem. More than 60 chemicals are used in the processing of natural sugarcanes thick beige stalks into the fine, white granular table sugar that were all to familiar with. Many of these chemicals, including bleaches and deodorizes, are still present in the product. At same time, the naturally occurring minerals and vitamins in the sugarcane plant are completely removed. One such mineral is chromium. Chromium is a critical player in the bodys ability to uptake sugar from the blood and into the cells. The fact chromium is not present in refined sugar poses a problem for sugar uptake and metabolism, which imposes further stress on the bodys energy metabolism regulation. This is one of the reasons why refined sugar causes a rapid spike and then crash in blood sugar levels. And its not just the refined table sugar that is the problem. In fact, the majority of our sugar intake comes from hidden and unexpected sources such as processed and packaged foods. Sugar is used as an additive in foods ranging from meat to ketchup to salt. In packaged foods sugar can take the form of glucose, dextrose, sucrose, or the ever-present high-fructose corn syrup. The major concern is that sugar provides no real nutritional value, while wreaking havoc on our blood sugar levels (promoting diabetes and weight gain) and leading to excess caloric consumption. It suppresses the immune system, disrupts normal mineral relationships, and compromises the health of our vital organs. If youre a big sweet tooth and constantly seeking your next fix, then here a couple of strategies that will help you from joining the dark side:
57 Use natural sweeteners such as agave, honey, or maple syrup if you must sweeten your foods. Agave is probably best since it is a much lower glycemic index option, which is favourable for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. When you get a sugar craving drink a big glass of water. Many times we have cravings for unnecessary reasons such as being bored. Drinking a tall glass of water can help curb this urge and prevent you from making the choices that you will later regret. Eat schizandra berries or take a schizandra supplement. This natural herb/berry helps restore normal blood sugar levels and can help reduce the need for sugar. Supplement with chromium. Chromium is a mineral that is often lacking in our foods (because everything is so refined). Supplementing with 200 mcg/day of chromium can be immensely powerful at restoring normal blood sugar levels and ensuring proper sugar metabolism. Alkalize your body through lemon water and green juices. As you alkalize your body, you purify your blood. Since we often crave what is in our blood, it is necessary to cleanse the blood of excess sugar and acidic compounds. This is accomplished through plenty of green juices, salads, and drinking lemon water.
58
Hot Weather Hydration

With the hot weather now approaching (at least for us in the northern hemisphere) the importance of proper hydration cannot be forgotten. As a base, you should be drinking half your weight in ounces. So if you weigh 150 lbs, then you should be drinking at least 75 oz of water per day. If you're active then that number will obviously go up. If the weather is hot then you'll also benefit from drinking ice cold water for this will help lower your body temperature. Generally, the more calories you burn during your day, the more water you need to drink. If you're exercising outside then you want to ensure that you are rehydrating yourself with water at least every 15-20 minutes. A good rule of thumb is that if you're thirsty then it's too late - your body is already slightly dehydrated. If your lips are chapped, mouth and throat dry, or even a slight headache, then these are also signs that you haven't had enough water. Hydration Help With exercise in the heat comes a substantial amount of sweat. This is your body's way of keeping you cool. However, the more sweat you lose, the more electrolytes (and water) you also lose. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride are all "perspired" away in hot conditions. That's why your skin is salty when it's sweaty. So it's also important to replenish these lost electrolytes. Normally, commercial sports drinks are consumed to help replenish these electrolytes as well as depleted sugar stores but my issue with these drinks is that contain nasty food dyes and colourings that don't do your body good. Instead try this delicious and quenching "natural sports drink" from my book Eating for Energy: 500 ml water or coconut water (coconut water is nature's sports drink) Juice of 1 lime Juice of 1 lemon 4-5 tbsp of maple syrup Pinch of sea salt * Combine all these ingredients and enjoy! This natural energy and electrolyte replenisher will keep you exercising longer and recovering quicker from your outdoor workouts - especially in hot conditions.
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Why Eating Raw Foods Will Help You Lose Weight

The concept of eating natural raw foods in their living state makes sense to every species in the world except for humans. Its also quite funny that were the only species that struggles with obesity and a contrasting weight obsessed culture. How many wild animals suffer from obesity (or even other human diseases for that matter)? NONE! Why? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they eat living foods that is foods that are not cooked. So lets have a quick look at how eating more raw foods can help you lose weight (and keep you amazingly healthy). Reason #1 Raw Foods are Nutrient Dense By choosing to eat more raw fruits and vegetables you inevitably bring more vital nutrients into your body. Since your body is receiving more minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients than its used to, you actually consume less food. Its by eating nutrient-void foods (ie. colas, processed and fast foods, etc) that your body will constantly seek new foods simply because its trying to meet its mineral quota. But heres the irony. Eventhough you dont have to eat as much food when you eat living raw foods, you can still get away with eating more food without packing on the pounds. Heres why Reason #2 Raw Foods Contain Food Enzymes Natural living foods are unique because they contain enzymes, which facilitate their hosts (the food) digestion. When foods are heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit 100% of their enzymes are destroyed not to mention the majority of their vitamins and minerals as well. Food enzymes are so powerful because they help digest the foods you eat and help provide the necessary catalysts for every single chemical reaction in the body. For instance, a raw avocado will digest itself inside the body because it contains the enzyme lipase which breaks down fat. Your bodys precious digestive enzymes need not worry. However, if you cook this avocado, then your body is forced to send out its limited digestive enzymes to do the work. Furthermore, the fact that you heated this fatty fruit means that the fats inside the avocado have now become rancid and are now dangerous to your body, unrecognizable, and more easily stored as fat! Reason #3 Raw Foods are Water-Rich
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Because raw foods are not cooked, their incredible water content is left intact. When foods are cooked, they become dehydrated as their water is burned away. As a result, the body is forced to work harder and use its own water to digest the food. This takes more energy and dehydrates your body not a good thing! But since raw foods are water-rich they provide your body with tons of fresh water. This is important since water is needed to flush away toxins and garbage from within the body. It is also an essential component for anyone trying to lose weight. The more water you drink, the less hungry you become. You Need to Feel it to Believe it! I could write all day about the benefits of eating more raw living foods. But the only way to ultimately understand the power of eating natural fresh foods is simply to do it. Just watch the energy you will feel. The clarity of mind. The calmness and tranquility. Oh yeah, and watch your body melt the fat away and return to its ideal weight!
61
Prevent Cancer by Eating Berries

It has been well established that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is helpful in preventing many diseases including cancer. What has also been feverishly investigated is the effects of berries on the body. Some researchers have studied the health benefit of specific berries while others have focused on isolating the health-promoting bioactive compounds that give berries their claim to fame. Some of the known cancer-preventive agents present in berries include vitamins A, C, and E and folic acid; calcium and selenium; beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lutein; phytosterols such as beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol; triterpene esters; and phenolic molecules such as anthocyanins, avonols, proanthocyanidins, ellagitannins, and phenolic acids. Berries contain high levels of a diverse range of phytochemicals, most of which are phenolic molecules. If youre not familiar with the majority of these compounds then dont worry. They are all more or less different types of antioxidants. That berries exhibit potent antioxidative properties is widely accepted, but their biological properties extend beyond antioxidation. In fact, berries also exhibit anti-inammatory properties, are able to inhibit cell proliferation, modulate cell cycle arrest, and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells with little or no negative effects in normal cells. These traits make berries an awesome addition to any health-minded diet. For example, a 2006 study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry showed that blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, red raspberry, and strawberry extracts inhibit the growth of human oral, breast, colon, and prostate cancer cells. In 2006, the journal Nutrition and Cancer published a 6-month cancer-preventive pilot study that was conducted by administering 32g or 45g (female and male, respectively) of freeze dried black raspberry powder (BRB) to patients with Barretts esophagus (BE), a pre-cancerous esophageal condition. BEs importance lies in the fact that it confers a 30-40-fold increased risk for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma, a rapidly increasing and extremely deadly form of cancer. At the time of the publication, interim ndings from 10 patients with BE supported the nding that daily consumption of BRB promoted reductions in two markers of oxidative stress. So it goes without saying that berries are a blessing. As a rule of thumb, any food (or berry) that has a deep colourful hue will most likely be a high source of
62 antioxidants. The key is to incorporate a wide variety of different colours in order to benefit from all their respective antioxidant properties. Add berries to your smoothies, to your morning cereal and salads, or enjoy them on their own. Heres a berry-licious recipe to get your taste buds started: Berry Fusion Breakfast cup each of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries cup goji berries, soaked (optional) 4 tbsp shredded dried coconut 1 cup rice or nut milk of choice *Combine berries in a bowl, sprinkle coconut overtop, and top with milk. ENJOY! Get more great recipes here.
63
Is Fish Oil Really Better Than Flaxseed Oil?

Fish oil or flaxseed oil? That is the question posed by millions of health-conscious people each day. But what is the main reason why millions of people are reaching for either fish oil or flaxseed oil? If you said omega-3 fatty acids then youre correct. But what if I told you that one of these oils doesnt present us with a viable or usable source of omega-3s in the body? Pretty shocking, eh! Well the truth of the matter is that fish oil offers you a much better omega-3 bang for your buck. Why? It all boils down to two important compounds known as EPA and DHA. Omega-3 fatty acids are ultimately broken down into these two fatty acid derivatives - but primarily only if fish oil is the omega-3 source (more in just few lines). We need EPA and DHA to protect our heart, for healthy brain and eye development, prevention and treatment of skin diseases, arthritis, for immune function and more. Why Not Just Eat Flax? For decades a debates have been fought about whether flaxseed oil could provide adequate levels of EPA. The verdict - flaxseed should never be used for its EPA producing ability. Flaxseed oil is a wonderful healing oil but it is not a source of EPA. Having said, I will often add flaxseed oil to many of my salad dressings and other foods but it is not the oil I use for EPA and DHA. Research shows that flaxseed oil is poorly converted to EPA and that it provides absolutely no DHA. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated 45 healthy men and post-menopausal women (18 to 65). They all had normal cholesterol and were asked to eat olive oil as their oil source. They were divided into 3 groups. One got ALA (alpha linolenic acid from flax) and the other two with a supplemental form of EPA. Each was given 750mg for 3 weeks and then 1,500mg for 3 weeks in a supplement. Both the EPA groups had significant increases in EPA in red blood cells however there was no increase in EPA in the ALA (flax) group. Neither the ALA nor EPA group showed significant increases in DHA; which, means that we should also supplement with DHA.
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The reason why the flax ALA group did not witness an increase in EPA in red blood cells is because of an enzyme in the body that is needed to convert ALA to EPA. This enzyme called the Delta-6-desaturase, if not working properly, stops the conversion of ALA to EPA. The Flax Council of Canada states that flaxseed has a limited conversion to EPA in healthy people of up to only 8%! However, new sophisticated studies are showing that this is even rare. Ideally, we are looking for the creation of prostaglandins 1 and 3 which are fastacting anti-inflammatory hormone-like molecules, and DHA. The reasons why the Delta-6-desaturase enzyme does not work as well as why we can't convert ALA to EPA are as follows: * Anyone with diabetes has a faulty delta-6 enzyme * Viral infection * Allergic disease * High cholesterol * Stress hormones * Aging * Menopause (menopausal women have been found to have an inactive enzyme) * Alcohol * Smoking * Arachidonic acid * Saturated fat * Trans fatty acid consumption in the diet * Nutrient deficiency of Zinc, B6, vitamin C DHA for the Brain Perhaps you may have seen recent commercials promoting white bread now infused with DHA and then claiming that this white bread is now essential for the healthy development of our childrens brains and nervous systems. Well, besides the fact that these artificially-enhanced foods provide no nutritional value whatsoever, the point still remains that DHA is essential for the proper functioning of the brain, and for the development of the nervous system and visual abilities. It is essential for smart babies too. DHA research has also shown it reduces the risk of heart disease. The human brain is about 60% fat, and DHA is one of the crucial structural fatty acids in both the brain and the retina. Many vegetarians, vegans, and raw foods dieters are also at risk of insufficient DHA unless they supplement with DHA.
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Studies have also shown that North American babies have much lower levels of DHA than babies born in Asian countries. DHA plays a role in our babies IQ. So if you want a super smart and healthy child you may want to consider supplementing with fish oil (not flaxseed oil) for its high content of readily available DHA and EPA. But what about vegans who are adamant about getting their omega-3s from plant sources? Well, for the answer youll just have to stay tuned for the next article where Ill talk about one of the worlds most incredible superfoods that even blows fish oil out of the water (no pun intended)!
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Move Over Fish Oil Vegans Bring in the Spirulina

For all those vegans (and non-vegans) out there who are hesitant to supplement with fish oil theres an even better solution for you. Its called spirulina and it is one of the most incredible foods our planet has to offer. Spirulina is a blue-green algae. Spirulina usually grows in waters of lakes naturally alkaline localized in arid zones. Spirulina has unparalleled health benefits (explained later) and is an incredibly sustainable food source. For instance, according the journal Human Nature, spirulina presents a fast reproduction rate, dividing itself three times a day! Therefore, an area exclusively aimed at spirulina growth may produce 125 times more protein if compared to an area of the same size aimed at growing corn and 70 times more protein if compared to the breeding of cattle. Furthermore, the spirulina presents some advantages in relation to other algae and seaweeds such as presenting no problems with digestion and no toxicity to humans. This cant be said for other seaweeds such as Chlorella. Spirulina the omega-3 food choice for vegans! Now lets get to the good stuff. If youre a vegan and looking for an alternative to fish then spirulina is what you want. This is because algaes, like spirulina, are athe original source of omega-3 fatty acids. Algaes are what small, bottomfeeding fish consume. These fish are then eaten by larger ones, and then eventually by humans. Cold water fish, which are well-known for their omega-3 fatty acids, owe their omega-3 fame to the consumption algaes such as spirulina, even if indirectly. Here are some more incredible nutritional characteristics of spirulina. For starters, spirulina is the probably the highest vegetarian protein source consisting of 60-70% protein! It is also rich in chlorophyll and carotenoids, vitamins (vitamin A, especially) and tons of important minerals from deep in the seabed. An important note (especially for vegetarians and vegans) is that spirulina is a terrific source of vitamin B12 and iron. Iron is the most common mineral deficiency in the world. Since spirulina contains high iron concentrations its bioavailability has been tested in comparison to ferrous sulfate which is the typical iron supplement. One such comparison was revealed in the journal Nutrition Research, spirulina fed rats absorbed 60% more iron than rats fed the iron supplement! So next time someone asks you where youre getting your protein, iron, or B12 from just tell them youre eating an incredible blue-green powder called spirulina.
67 Aside from human breast milk and evening primrose oil, spirulina is the only food source rich in gamma linoleic acid (GLA). The GLA content comprises 25% of the total polyunsaturated fatty acid content of spirulina, a number that is much higher than the GLA content of evening primrose oil (only 7%)! The Importance of GLA GLA is essential fatty acid that has numerous benefits to the body. Along with omega-3 fatty acids, GLA has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Both are excellent skin fatty acids for preventing and treating eczema, psoriasis, wrinkles, rashes and more. Research has confirmed that GLA has positive effects in breast cancer treatment; they enhance lubrication in those with Sjogren's syndrome; help relieve PMS symptoms, breast pain, skin conditions (including eczema and psoriasis, and wrinkles), and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children; improve cardiovascular health, mental health; and much more! A British study published in 2000 observed women who had locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer (when cancer cells spread elsewhere in the body). They found that women with breast cancer who were taking Tamoxifen (a drug that blocks estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer) and received GLA demonstrated faster clinical response than those taking Tamoxifen alone. Study participants received 3 grams of GLA. The researchers concluded that GLA was a useful adjunct to primary Tamoxifen treatment with no serious side effects: " this study suggests high-dose oral GLA to be a valuable new agent in the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer." Spirulinas Effects on Blood Lipids and Cholesterol Numerous studies on rats have shown that spirulina has powerful effects on blood lipids and cholesterol. Almost all these studies show a reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and fat deposits in the arteries upon consuming spirulina. A human study investigating the cholesterol-lowering effect of spirulina published in Nutrition Reports International looked at 30 male volunteers who had mild hyperlipidemia and mild hypertension. They were divided into two groups. Group A subjects were given spirulina at 4.2 g/day and group B subjects the same amount of spirulina for 4 weeks and, then were observed for the next 4 weeks without spirulina. The results showed a statistically significant reduction of LDL-cholesterol in Group A subjects after 8 weeks. The LDL-cholesterol also fell significantly in Group B subjects after 4 weeks of spirulina consumption, but thereafter increased to its baseline value after administration of spirulina was discontinued.
68 Anti-Cancer and Anti-Radioactive Properties of Spirulina Several animal studies have shown that spirulina inhibits tumor and protects the body from cancer propagation. There are also unpublished reports from scientists and doctors about the radioprotective effect of spirulina in experiments conducted on child victims of the Chernobyl radiation. In a study involving 49 children, 3-7 years old, in Beryozovka, administration of spirulina for 45 days resulted in an increase in Tcell suppressors and beneficial hormones. In addition, the radioactivity of the urine decreased in 83% of the children! These are just some of the powerful benefits and healing powers possessed by spirulina. So whether or not you supplement with fish oil, I would highly recommend spirulina as an addition to your diet for lifelong health, strength, and vigor!
References: Furst PT. Spirulina a nutricious alga, once a staple of Aztec diet, could feed many of the world hungry people. Human Nature 1978;3:60. Nakaya N, Honma Y, Goto Y (1988) Cholesterol lowering effect of Spirulina Nutr. Rep. Int. 37: 1329-1337. Johnson P, Shubert LE (1986) Availability of iron to rats from Spirulina, a blue-green alga. Nutr. Res. 6: 85-94.
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Are Cacao Nibs the Same as Cacao Powder?

Cacao (in its raw form) is one of the most incredible superfoods that our planet has to offer. It is the highest source of antioxidants of all foods and provides a tremendous amount of magnesium (the most deficient mineral amongst North Americans). Cacao is more commonly known as the main ingredient in chocolate and that's why "health experts" advise eating chocolate that is at least 70% dark chocolate basically meaning that there is more cacao (good stuff) and less sugar and milk products (bad stuff). But all these experts forget to mention that eating raw cacao is really the best way to benefits from all its health-giving glories. You can get raw cacao in two main forms: raw cacao nibs and raw cacao powder. So what is the difference? The difference between the two basically boils down to these 2 points: 1. Cacao nibs still contain most of the cacao bean's essential oils (healthy fats that also make up cacao butter). 2. Cacao nibs are grittier and don't dissolve as well as does cacao powder - an important consideration if you're making smoothies and other fun raw food desserts. My advice... 1. Get both and use them together in any of your favourite raw cacao-based recipes, OR 2. Get raw cacao nibs ONLY and run them through a coffee grinder before throwing them into your recipes - more cost effective than buying both. You can buy raw cacao in either format in pretty much all health food stores. If not, you can also get them directly from Sunfood.com.
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Dehydration is Detrimental to Resistance Exercise Adaptations!

A recent study in the Journal of Applied Physiology (July 10, 2008) reveals that being dehydrated can significantly impair the strength and body fat loss results you might be looking for from a resistance exercise program. Methods The researchers from this brand new study looked at 7 healthy, resistancetrained males and subjected them to 6 sets of squats (at 80% of 1RM) in three different hydrated states: euhydrated (normal), dehydrated (-2.5% of body mass), very dehydrated (-5% of body mass). The subjects were asked to complete as many reps (over the 6 sets) as they previously had completed during their pre-study test. The Three Main Findings of The Study Were That: 1) dehydration significantly increases circulating concentrations of stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine, 2) dehydration attenuates the testosterone response to exercise, and 3) dehydration alters carbohydrate and fat metabolism These are significant findings if resistance exercise is an integral part of your fitness regimen (and it should be!) because it highlights the importance of remaining adequately hydrated to get the most from your strength training workouts. Several other studies have shown the negative impact of dehydration on endurance exercise but this study is one of the first to investigate the importance of exercise hydration status for resistance training individuals. Discussion of Findings The novel results from this study show that dehydration causes an increase in catabolic stress hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine. These are hormones that are released during stressful conditions and do not favour the maintenance or building of lean body mass. Instead, as catabolic stress hormones, they are known to break down reserves in the body for immediate energy needs. The dehydrated exercise states likely stimulated these catabolic hormones by increasing the bodys core temperature and cardiovascular demand resulting
71 from a decreased blood plasma volume. Again, conditions such as an elevated core body temperature and lower blood plasma volume result from having less water in the body and represent a state of stress. Not a good thing if you want to preserve your lean body mass. Since, cortisol became elevated during the dehydrated state, there was also a significant rise in blood glucose. Remember, cortisol breaks down carboydrate reserves (ie. glycogen), leading to a rise in blood sugar. Subsequently, this study also found that there was a rise in insulin (to remove the excess glucose from the blood). This rise in insulin (an anabolic hormone) is known to inhibit fat breakdown. Does Dehydration Eat Away at Lean Body Mass? One of the main ways that our muscles get stronger (and larger) is via an increased release of testosterone after resistance training. However, the current study demonstrates that resistance exercise in a dehydrated state attenuates the resistance exercise-induced increases in testosterone; therefore, reducing the efficacy of strength workouts for strength and/or development of lean body mass. In Conclusion The results of this new and novel research indicate that dehydration produces a less beneficial post-exercise hormonal milieu by increasing catabolism (break down) and potentially decreasing anabolism (build up). Therefore, these findings suggest that if you routinely complete resistance exercises in a dehydrated state you are probably compromising the strength and body fat loss results you may have otherwise achieved! What To Do? To stay properly hydrated, be sure to drink 500ml to 1 liter of water 1-2 hours before your workouts, as well as 150 ml of water every 15-20 minutes during your workout. Oh, and dont forget to drink plenty of water and a post-exercise recovery drink or smoothie after youre finished working out.
Reference: Judelson, A. et al. Effect of hydration state on resistance exercise-induced endocrine markers of anabolism, catabolism, and metabolism. Journal of Applied Physiology. July 10, 2008.
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Top 3 Ways to Curb Your Sugar Craving

Sugar...the white devil! How many millions of people are addicted to, and crave, sugar? It's crazy! The amount of refined sugar that we eat in North America is ridiculous. In fact, only 100 years ago, the average sugar consumption was 5 lbs/person/year. But NOW, the average sugar consumption per person has skyrocketed to more than 150 lbs/year! So with sugars and sweeteners being added to so many foods how to go about minimizing and eliminating your sugar craving? Here are 3 ways that will help you overcome your sweet tooth: 1. Alkalize Your Body This first step is a MUST. You cannot overcome a sugar craving if your body is acidic. When your body is acidic, the proliferation of unfriendly bacteria, yeast, and fungus within your digestive tract make you crave more sugars. This occurs because these microorganism feed off your sugars! And remember...sugar equals acid. So in order to fend off these fungi and yeasts, you must create a more oxygen rich, alkaline environment within your body. When your body is alkaline, these little critters cannot thrive. If you fail to alkalize your body, no other measure will make much difference! Alkalizing tips: lemon water in the morning, green juices, wheatgrass or barley grass, green salads deep breathing, and drinking living water. 2. Choose Lower Glycemic Index (GI) Foods Foods that have a lower GI do not cause you to go through the "blood sugar roller-coaster". You know the ride I'm talking about where you eat something sweet and feel great for a few minutes, only to crash later on. The result is that you end up seeking more sugar! So by choosing foods that have lower a GI, you avoid these unwanted peaks and troughs in your blood sugar levels. As a result, your mood and energy will be more stable, and you won't have those insatiable sugar cravings.
73 Examples of low GI foods include: apples, pears, green vegetables, quinoa, millet, amaranth, chic peas, lentils, avocados, and berries. 3. STOP EATING REFINED SUGAR! This is the most obvious one of all. Do I even need to explain this point. Refined sugar is truly one of the most evil man-made poisons. In fact, it goes through a very similar refining process as heroin! Sugar is heroin?? For some people, it just might be! To have fewer sugar cravings, you must stop eating sugar. It's that simple. Choose natural alternatives such as low GI fruit or a low GI sweetener such as agave nectar.
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3 Signs That Your Body is Too Acidic

Living with a body that is too acidic is not a good thing - especially if you want to live a long, healthy, and energetic life. But there are literally billions of people who are walking around each and every day in a chronic state of metabolic acidosis (high acid in the body) without even knowing it. So here are 3 signs that you (or someone you know) are too acidic: 1. You Wake Up Feeling Like a Truck Hit You! Feeling tired in the morning on a consistent basis is an indication that your body is not in a very energetic (or alkaline) state. If your body is too acidic, then the oxygen delivery to your cells is compromised. With less oxygen comes less energy. Fatigue sets in and you feel like staying in bed all day! 2. Frequent Colds and Infections Your internal environment is host to trillions of microorganisms, which under ideal alkaline situations, are not harmful to you. However, if you are too acidic these microorganisms literally "switch on" and become harmful to your body. Said otherwise, we don't contract bugs, we simply provide them an environment which they'll thoroughly enjoy! When your body is acidic, these bugs can lead to the occurrence of colds, viruses, and other conditions. Don't kill the "bugs", remedy your internal environment through alkalinity. 3. Cravings for Sugar Having an acidic body promotes the proliferation of fungus, molds, and yeast (ie. candida albicans) in the digestive tract. These undesirable critters feed on sugars. Therefore, the more of these yeasts that inhabit your digestive tract, the greater will be your cravings for sugar in order to satisfy "their" hunger. Stop polluting your body with acid!
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My 3 Secrets to Having More Energy

Many people ask me "how can I get more energy?" I guess that's a fitting question since I wrote a book called Eating for Energy and focus tremendously on exercise that not makes you stronger but energizes you beyond belief. Although I give numerous of tips and strategies on building more energy in my book, I'd like to share with you 3 of my personal strategies that get me energized, especially when I'm not feeling all that bubbly. My 3 Energy Secrets: Visualization, Upbeat Physiology, and Power Moves My great mentor, Tony Robbins, always says that emotion is caused by motion. Boy is this ever true! Simply by moving your body and using your voice with intensity can muster enough energy to last you several hours. When I was first introduced to this I immediately realized that a huge amount of our energy comes from our psychology, which in turn is shaped by our physiology (or how we use our body). My day starts bright and early at 6:30am and to be honest some days I don't feel as energized as others, but with just a few "power movements" I get into my zone and am energized to start my day! So here's what I do... I start by visualizing exactly what I want to create in my life, what I'm grateful for, and what I love about my life. I do all of this for about 3 minutes with a huge smile on my face - it's impossible to feel sad when you're smiling! Next, come my power moves! Standing in a position of absolute certainty, confidence, and joy I raise my right hand above my right shoulder and whip it down across my body with a big "Shhhhh" sound. The intensity of this movement along with the sound creates instant energy within my body. I repeat this about 3 times and then relish in the vibes of energy. Finally, I finish with my all-time favourite energizing power move - the fist pump with a big "YES!". This was a big trigger for me back in my soccer days and it for me it stimulates my body to the fullest. I do anywhere from 2-5 fist pumps with the accompanying "YES!" and then I'm set!
This whole process takes less than 5 minutes and it gets me energized and into the right state to accomplish absolutely anything. The beauty is that I can repeat
76 my power moves at any point during my day when I need to be in a more resourceful and energetic state.
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Diet for Underactive Thyroid

Underactive thyroid (or hypothyroidism) is a common concern in Western culture. In fact, the Thyroid Foundation of Canada estimates that thyroid disorders affect one in twenty Canadians and that most thyroid disorders are 5 - 7 times more common in women than men. Symptoms of an underactive thyroid include: weight gain, lethargy, cold intolerance, menstrual irregularities, depression, constipation, and dry skin...amongst others. Recently, I was asked the following question by one of our Eating for Energy clients: "What natural fruits and vegetables would you recommend for underactive thyroid problems?" First off, let's look at some of the factors leading to low thyroid function. Iodine deficiency Not having enough iodine in the diet impedes the synthesis of thyroid hormones since iodine is a key component of the T3 and T4 hormones. High consumption of goitrogens Goitrogens are foods that suppress thyroid function. They include most of the members of the brassica family (ie. broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale) and others such as soy, pine nuts, millet, and peanuts. The irony is that these same foods also inhibit the growth of cancer - go figure! Mercury toxicity Mercury attaches to the thyroid hormone receptors and thus block thyroid hormone utilization. Adrenal fatigue Since the adrenal gland's stress hormones have the same amino acid base as the thyroid hormone (tyrosine), adrenal fatigue may shunt away tyrosine from thyroid hormone production into stress hormone synthesis. Diet for an Under Active Thyroid If you know that you have an under active thyroid then you will benefit from these dietary guidelines:
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Avoid dietary stressors (food additives, excessive animal fats, non-foods, coffee, etc...) since any additional stress on the liver will compromise thyroid function even further. Avoid goitrogenic foods (see above) or at least lightly cook them as this seems to disable their goitrogenic properties. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables Eat plenty of sea vegetables - an incredible source of iodine Eat 1-2 brasil nuts each day - they are the highest food source of selenium, another essential mineral for proper thyroid function.
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Natural Organic Foods Less Healthy Than NonOrganic Foods?

Natural organic foods have become incredibly popular over the last 10 years or so. But are they really as nutritionally beneficial as "promoters" make them out to be? Are natural organic foods better than conventional foods in terms of their nutrient quality? Recently, a new study showed that they are not! In this first ever study looking at retention of minerals and trace elements, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, animals were fed a diet consisting of crops grown using three different cultivation methods in two seasons. The study looked at the crops of common foods such as carrots, kale, mature peas, apples and potatoes. The first cultivation method consisted of growing the vegetables on soil which had a low input of nutrients using animal manure and no pesticides except for one organically approved product on kale only (most organic method). The second method involved applying a low input of nutrients using animal manure, combined with use of pesticides, as much as allowed by regulation. Finally, the third method comprised a combination of a high input of nutrients through mineral fertilisers and pesticides as legally allowed (conventional growing method). The crops were grown on the same or similar soil on adjacent fields at the same time and so experienced the same weather conditions. All were harvested and treated at the same time. In the case of the organically grown vegetables, all were grown on established organic soil. After harvest, results showed that there were no differences in the levels of major and trace contents in the fruit and vegetables grown using the three different methods. Produce from the organically and conventionally grown crops were then fed to animals over a two year period and intake and excretion of various minerals and trace elements were measured. Once again, the results showed there was no difference in retention of the elements regardless of how the crops were grown.
80 Yuri's Rebuttle Although this study shows us some interesting findings, it should be remembered that studies conducted in the area of organic farming and their subsequent foods is very difficult. Many variables come into play such as soil, weather, crop genotypes, and much more. The current study did a fairly good job at controlling for these factors. But there have been hundreds of studies on organic foods and the results are anything but conclusive. For instance, a large review of some 400 previous "organic vs. conventional food" papers concluded that organic crops appear to be higher in vitamin C, some essential minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium), and phytonutrients (lycopene in tomatoes, polyphenols in potatoes, flavonols in apples, and resveratrol in red wine) (Heaton, 2001). It is important to note that the study excluded many trials that, according to the authors criteria, failed to compare the two types of produce properly. Dominant Trends in Nutrient Quality of Natural Organic Foods Nonetheless, there have been some dominant trends in the literature regarding the nutrient quality of natural organic foods. They are the following: Protein content is usually higher in conventional foods (due to higher nitrogen input from non-organic fertilizers), but the protein quality is greater in organically-grown foods. Roughly 59% of studies have shown that vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is higher in organically grown fruits and vegetables. One of the speculated reasons is that under natural stressors, plants will produce more vitamin C as a defense-mechanism. Pretty cool! Other vitamins show little difference between either growing method. Less than 20% of studies have shown that important minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron are greater in conventionally grown foods. Instead, roughly 80% of studies have concluded that organically-grown foods have equal or higher amounts of these essential minerals. Studies consistently show that the levels of defense-related "secondary metabolites" (or phytonutrients) are also higher in organic foods. As with vitamin C, these compounds develop out of the plant's need to defend itself from natural stressors. Importantly, for humans, these phytonutrients are the real disease-fighting compounds that are now helping us prevent cancer, heart disease, and many other degenerative diseases!
81 An overwhelming majority of animal studies show that animals prefer and thrive on organic foods. Findings such as better health, less disease, healthier body weight, increased fertility, healthier off-spring, and lower deaths at birth are just some of the benefits of raising animals on organic foods!
At the end of the day, the fact still remains that the nutrient quality differences between organic and non-organic foods are still quite small (except for the levels of phytonutrients in organics). The USDA even says that at this time the evidence is unclear as to whether organic foods pack more nutrient punch. So whether or not organic foods are worth the price difference is up to you. In my opinion, though, natural organic foods are better! After all, it's the way we've farmed since the beginning of time (until recently). The big selling point about organics for me is their overwhelming abundance (10-50% greater) of phytonutrients compared to conventionally-grown foods. Considering their (phytonutrients) impact on thwarting disease, especially in our sick culture, organics should be an integral part of anyone's diet looking to stay healthy for life! Furthermore, if animals thrive on organic foods, might that not be a hint as to the possibility that such foods are actually healthier for us as well??? Part of the the organic philosophy is that an agricultural system is more than the sum of its parts, and therefore, the quality of a food product should be considered as the result of the general quality of its production system. Makes sense to me. And by focusing on only one aspect of food quality, like the nutritional value, fragments our view of foods and underscores the importance of understanding foods as "whole foods". So at the end of the day I say organic is the way to go. Not only for you but for the health of the planet as well. But just remember that you will nonetheless greatly benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, regardless of their growing method.
References: Kristensen, M. et al (2008). Effect of plant cultivation methods on content of major and trace elements in foodstuffs and retention in rats. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, Aug 5. Heaton S (2001): Organic Farming, Food Quality and Human Health: A Review of the Evidence . Bristol: Soil Association.
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Just Because You're Vegan Doesn't Mean You're Healthy

Do you know anyone who is a vegan? Are you a vegan? Well, for the most part, I am vegan except for the occasional indulgence if I go out for dinner. Most people go vegan for health reasons or because they have a firm belief that cruelty to animals is not acceptable or they refuse to eat the "disgusting" products of animal suffering. Most of the vegans that I know didn't go vegan for health reasons - some did, but most of them transitioned because of the aforementioned animal issues. Whatever the motivator, I'd like to point out that just because someone is vegan doesn't make them any more healthy than a non-vegan. Here's an example of what I mean... Daily Meals: Vegan A Cereal with rice/soy/nut milk Soy milk mocha frappucino Roasted vegetable sandwich Vegan brownie Vegetable pad thai take-out Daily Meals: Vegan B Green juice Shot of wheatgrass Big green salad with assorted veggies Blueberries in cashew milk Power smoothie (coconut, banana, agave, cinnamon, hemp seeds) Zucchini pasta with fresh marinara sauce So what's the difference between Vegan A and Vegan B?
83 Well, for the purposes of this example I've used some extremes of the vegan food choice spectrum where Vegan A chooses more foods that are higher in sugar, processed, and wheat-based. Conversely, Vegan B focuses more on fresh veggies, fresh juices and smoothies, and overall fresher (less processed) ingredients. The difference? ENORMOUS! Yet both are still vegans. So, if you think that vegans are generally are healthier based on how they eat, then the answer is "IT DEPENDS". As with non-vegans, ultimate health comes down to the foods you choose to put in your mouth. I know plenty of vegans were look and feel terrible because they pollute their bodies with lots of sugary foods, plenty of bread, and nowhere near enough fresh whole foods. On the other hand, I believe that following a vegan diet (preferably raw as much as possible) is one of easiest ways to radically improve your health, body weight, and how you look and feel. But you need to eat the right foods! If you're fed up with not knowing how to eat healthy (whether you're vegan or not), then would it be fair to say that you need to change your approach?
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The Truth About Michael Phelps' 12,000 Calorie/Day Diet

If you were glued to your TV sets over the past 16 days watching the Olympics then you have surely heard of Michael Phelps' 12,000-calorie/day diet. When I first heard that Phelps was eating 3 fried egg sandwiches, 5 egg omelettes, chocolate chip pancakes, french toast, at least one pound of refined white pasta, an entire stuffed crust pizza, and more on a daily basis, I was baffled! I mean, aside from needing tons of calories to meet his training demands, how can he perform with such domination considering the "garbage" he is consuming each day? There was never any mention of fruits or vegetables. It's pretty scary to think how much harder he could train, how much faster he could swim, and how much quicker he could recover if he was actually eating a healthy diet with tons of body rejuvenating fruits and vegetables. Pretty scary indeed. There is an important message to remember which is... if you eat like Michael Phelps, you will become an overweight blimp and cause your body severe damage! Even if you're training like an Olympic champion there's no reason why you shouldn't be getting your calories through whole foods that nourish and energize your body. Foods are not just calories, they are much more. Think about how many free radicals his body produces from all the training. Wouldn't it make sense to consume tons of antioxidant-rich foods to combat the harmful effects of such body-destroying free radicals? I think so. My concern is that once Phelps stops competing and training at such a high level, his body is going to show the consequences of years and years of dietary abuse. I predict that he will age faster, succumb to more chronic injuries and other bodily problems, and will most likely pack on a significant amount of excess weight, unless he is able to improve upon his poor eating habits. After all, how do you go from training 3-4 times per day and eating 12,000 calories to no longer competing and radically changing your diet? For most people, it just doesn't happen.
But Michael Phelps is a champion and because of that I believe that he has the mental fortitude to overcome his poor eating habits (at least I hope so) and make better food choices in the future.
85 One of the most common occurrences with professional athletes is that once they stop competing, they fail to adjust their dietary and lifestyle habits to their "new" life. Few athletes do it successfully and hopefully Phelps will be one of them!
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Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Today I'd like to share some of my personal favourite breakfast ideas and recipes with you. I'm not like many people who rely on boxed cereals, 2% milk, bagels and cream cheese, or even bacon and eggs! Nope...not me! Occasionally, yes, but I never bring those foods into my house in the first place. So here's what a typical "energizing" breakfast looks like for me: 500 ml of water with the juice of 1/2 lemon (upon waking) Green juice (wheat grass, barley grass, or combined fresh-pressed vegetable juice) Blueberries and goji berries in fresh-made cashew/cinnamon milk topped with ground flaxseed
Please note that I don't eat/drink all of this at the same time. To allow my body the chance to fully digest everything, these foods are consumed over roughly 2 hours. Other days might see my breakfast consist of: Spirulina-Fruit Smoothie - banana, blueberries, spirulina, fish oil, ground flax, hemp seeds, water, agave or honey. Kale Smoothie - kale, banana, strawberries, ground flax, hemp seeds, fish oil, water, agave or honey.
Give these a shot and feel the difference!
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Pre-Workout/Competition Meal Recipes

There's nothing worse than going for a run, working out, or competing, only to see yourself fall way short of your best performance because you've hit the wall. By "hitting the wall" I refer to the point at which your body no longer has any energy to continue. Sometimes this occurs simply as a function of duration and intensity, while other times it's simply a matter of not having the proper quality or amount of fuel in your body to begin with. So with that in mind, here are 2 of my personal favourite pre-workout/competition meals that are not only highly nutritious, but will also help fuel your performances like never before! Pre-Workout Meal #1 - Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes No wheat, no dairy, and nothing but high quality carbohydrates, healthy fats, and antioxidants for a great exercise session. This recipe will yield about 4-5 pancakes. Prep time: 5 minutes 1 cup buckwheat flour 1/4 cup ground flaxseed 1 cup rice/nut milk 1/2 cup water 2 cups blueberries 4 dates 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder pinch of sea salt How to prepare: 1. Blend all ingredients (except for the blueberries) in a food processor or blender; 2. Add the blueberries to the mixture; 3. Heat pan on medium heat and use coconut oil to lubricate; 4. Use a ladle to add pancake mixture to pan and cook and low-medium heat until ready. 5. Serve with agave nectar, maple syrup, or honey
88 Pre-Workout Meal #2 - BananaMania Smoothie Liquid meals are incredible since they're easier on the digestive tract and allow for optimal nutrient absorption. This smoothie is one of my all time favourites and is featured in my book, Eating for Energy. The banana provides great pre-exercise carbs (and other valuable nutrients for exercise), while the coconut (water and meat) provides the perfect balance of electrolytes and healthy fats (MCTs) for sustained performance. You can buy young coconut at most asian/chinese markets in your area. They're only $1-2 each and totally worth the time and effort. By far, BananaMania is one of the best smoothies you will ever experience!!! You can also click here to watch me make this smoothie Prep time: 5 minutes 1 banana 1 young coconut (meat and water) 2-3 tbsp cinnamon 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds 1 cup raw cashews How to prepare: 1. Using a cleaver, chop off the top of the coconut. 2. Pour coconut water into blender and scoop out the fleshy coconut meat with a spoon and add that into the blender as well. 3. Add all remaining ingredients into the blender and blend away! How to Time Your Pre-Workout/Competition Meals You should allow yourself to finish these (and any other) meals at least 3 hours before exercising, especially the pancakes or any other solid food. For smoothies, since they're liquid, 2 hours before should suffice. If you need a quick fix before your exercise session or competition, fruits such as dates (readily available glucose) are great!
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Calcium Nutrition - The Best Calcium Foods

Calcium is an essential mineral for your body. Calcium is needed to build strong bones and teeth, allow your muscles to contract, and many other critical body functions. For many people, especially women, calcium foods and calcium nutrition, in general, are all the rage because of their apparent ability to prevent osteoporosis. With that in mind, which do you think is the best calcium food? Milk Soy milk Green leafy vegetables Sesame seeds Sesame Seeds - Your Best Food Source of Calcium Congrats to the respondents of yesterdays' question..."which is the best food source of calcium?" who posted sesame seeds as the best source of dietary calcium. Indeed it's true! Dairy is not your best source of calcium. It has never has been and never will be. Unfortunately, billions of dollars of milk and dairy advertisements from the dairy industry would have you believe otherwise. After all, how would you know that sesame seeds or green leafies are better sources of calcium than milk if no one ever told you over and over again? Well, now you know. Now, let's have a look at why. Why You Shouldn't Drink Milk for Calcium First off, where do cows get their calcium from? Grass! Hint, hint... Cow's milk provides roughly 118 mg of calcium/100 g. Considering that the recommended daily intake for calcium is between 800-1,200 mg (and assuming that milk/dairy is a balanced source of calcium - which it is not), you would need to drink 0.9 - 1.2 liters of 2% milk per day to meet this requirement. That's a whopping four to five 250 ml glasses of milk per day! That's crazy! Especially, considering that more than 70% of the population has some type of sensitivity to milk - whether it be its lactose or casein content.
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So forget what you've heard about drinking more milk. Research has even shown that the countries that have the highest dairy consumption (UK, Finland, Sweden, USA) also have the highest incidence of osteoporosis. These northern countries (but not the USA) also enjoy less vitamin D from limited sun exposure; a factor that is important to consider with regards to bone health. Here are a few more reasons to reconsider drinking milk for calcium: The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in human milk is 2.35 : 1 but it is only 1.27 : 1 in cow's milk. This is an important ratio given that phosphorus impairs calcium absorption. More phosphorus = less calcium absorption! Cow's milk has 3x more protein than human milk making it the most highly acidic food you can consume. More acid in the body = calcium loss from the bones! Don't get me wrong, cow's milk is great to meet the needs of a calf, but not a human. After all, cows grow to be roughly 3-4x heavier than humans - they need that extra protein!
The Healthier Calcium Alternatives As the title of this post mentions, sesame seeds are your best food source of calcium. Those little seeds that make up tahini (and are a part of hummus) provide a whopping 1,160 mg of calcium/100 g serving! That's about 10x the amount of calcium vs. milk for the same serving size. Claiming the silver medal for calcium content is kelp. This incredible sea vegetable (which can easily be sprinkled on salads and soups) provides an amazing 1,093 mg of calcium/100 g serving. Kelp is also one of the highest sources of incredibly rare and health promoting minerals found deep in the sea bed. One such mineral is iodine - a critical mineral for those who suffer from a malfunctioning thyroid gland. Add kelp to your diet and your health will improve dramatically! After these 2 super-sources of calcium, your next bet is any green leafy vegetable ranging from green grasses to kale and broccoli. Anything green provides tremendous nutrition, alkalinity, and high amounts of calcium.
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Raw Food Diet Made Easy

The power of a raw food diet is truly breathtaking. If you're not yet aware of the benefits of incorporating more raw foods into your diet, then let me highlight some of the reasons why you should. Raw Food Benefit #1 - More Energy Than a Nuclear Power Plant! That's right kids. If you want more energy, then eating a greater amount of foods in their raw state will surely do the trick. Why? Raw foods are the best source of naturally occurring "food enzymes", which are critical to your body's ability to digest and perform its metabolic functions. When you cook (or heat) any food above 118 degrees Fahrenheit, the delicate enzymes within these foods are destroyed. As a result, your body has to work that much harder to produce its own enzymes and spend more energy digesting "dead" foods. The more energy you waste on digestion, the less you have for other more important functions. Think of the last time you ate a massive meal...how did you feel? Energetic? I don't think so! Food enzymes are the spark plugs to your internal engine. Enzymes bring life force and, as such, raw foods are considered "living" foods. When you eat living raw foods, you feel alive! Raw Food Benefit #2 - Natural Weight Loss Enzymes in raw foods also play a role here. For instance, when you eat a fattier raw food, such as an avocado, it comes loaded with its inherent fat digesting food enzymes. As a result, your body can digest and metabolize these healthy fats instead of storing them. Personally, my diet is close to about 40% fat (mostly raw plant fats) yet my body weight has hovers around 7%! Ask any person whose on a raw food diet what they first noticed. They will say "more energy and weight loss!" But we're not just talking about ridiculous, uncontrolled, unhealthy weight loss. No, no. What a raw food diet allows is for your body to return to its normal weight - a weight that is healthy for you. So even if you're skinny, you might
92 actually gain a bit of weight as your body cleanses itself of many of the toxins and energy-depleting microorganisms that have been ravaging your body. The other big reason being the natural weight loss that occurs on a raw food diet is the greater intake of alkalinity. Alkalinity in your body (specifically your blood) is critical to your health. If your body is acidic (mainly as a result of eating acid-forming dead foods such as refined carbohydrates, animal products, and high-sugar foods) it tends to hold on to its fat stores. Why? One of the roles of fat in your body is protection. Fat protects your body's vital organs. If too much acid is circulating in your blood stream, your body will send a "protective-mechanism" message to get the acid (and toxins) out of the blood. Out of the blood and into your fat stores! That's why if your body is overly acidic you will have a tough time losing weight. The fat needs to be there to store the acid and toxic overload in your body. Only when you begin to alkalize your body through live raw foods will it naturally cleanse itself of toxins and raise its alkalinity to a level that will allow your fat stores to shrink. Less acid means less storage space required. Therefore, your fat stores diminish in size. Raw Food Made Easy Many raw food books and courses are complex and time consuming to apply. A lot of their raw food recipes require hours upon hours of dehydrating foods, meaning that you might an entire day attending to, and waiting for, your next meal. It really is a pain in the ass! However, there is a much simpler and more powerful solution! Why spend 24 hours waiting for a delicious raw food meal when you can whip up a delicious raw food recipe in 10 minutes? Personally, I'd rather spend my time enjoying the meal rather than waiting for it. If you're serious about your health and want way more energy in your life, without spending hours in the kitchen or grocery store, then you owe it to yourself to learn more about Eating for Energy. Just reading the testimonials alone will blow your mind!
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Listeria - Just Another Reason to Avoid Meat!

Listeria monocytogenes (commonly called Listeria) is a very hardy type of bacterium often found in food and elsewhere in nature. It can cause a rare but serious food-borne disease called listeriosis, especially among pregnant women, the elderly or individuals with a weakened immune system. In serious cases it can lead to brain and nervous system infection (ie. meningitis) and even death. Listeria is widespread in the environment - found in soil, vegetation, water, sewage, silage and in the faeces of humans and animals. Animals and humans can carry the bacterium without knowing it. Listeriosis, a rare but lethal food-borne infection has a devastating case fatality rate of 25% - compare that to Salmonella, which has a less than 1% mortality rate. The Health Risks of Listeria Many people may be carriers of Listeria, but few will actually develop listeriosis. Those who do will likely become ill from eating food contaminated with the bacteria, often seen as an outbreak of what people would call 'food poisoning'. Symptoms may start suddenly and include: Vomiting Nausea Cramps Diarrhea Severe Headache Constipation; or Persistent fever.
In some instances, these symptoms may be followed by meningitis encephalitis (an infection of the brain or its surrounding tissues) and/or septicemia (blood poisoning), either of which can result in death. The mild form of foodborne listeriosis usually begins about one day after eating heavily contaminated food. For the more serious form of the disease, the incubation period is generally much longer - up to 70 days after exposure. Listeria Scare in Meat Listeria seems to be of biggest concern when it comes to the handling of raw meats and fish.
94 In light of the recent Maple Leaf Foods listeria outbreak, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recommended the following foods should be avoided. Hot dogs, especially straight from the package without further heating. The fluid within hot dog packages may contain more Listeria than the hot dogs. Avoid spreading fluid from packages onto other foods, cutting boards, utensils, dishes and food preparation surfaces. Wash your hands after handling hot dogs. Non-dried deli-meats Soft and semi-soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert and blueveined cheese if they are made from unpasteurized milk Refrigerated pt and meat spreads Refrigerated smoked seafood and fish Raw or undercooked meat, poultry and fish
Notice how all the recommendations revolve around avoiding meat and other animal products, especially if raw or processed? The recent Maple Leaf Foods listeria outbreak in Ontario, Canada (August 2008) has already claimed the lives of 12 people. However, since listeriosis has an incubation period of up to 70 days, more cases could be coming in the next few weeks. Maple Leaf Foods has recalled the packaged deli meats that were blamed for the outbreak. This is just another reason to avoid garbage foods! Why eat meat that is heavily processed and poorly inspected or supervised? The sad part is that this by no means the first case of food-borne illnesses (and deaths) related to packaged and processed animal products. You May Have Heard of These as Well... Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. : Raw and Frozen Beef 143,383,838 pounds of raw and frozen beef products were recalled after the USDA determined it unfit for human consumption due to improper inspection.
Salmonella - Newport, CA: Ground beef sold at Safeway stores

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38 illnesses reported
E. coli: Totino's and Jeno's frozen pizza 21 illnesses as a result of E. coli contamination in this General Mills frozen meat pizza.
Salmonella: Banquet turkey and chicken pot pies 272 illnesses related to these foods
The list goes on and on! It should also be noted that some packaged and fresh veggies (ie. some spinach and some tomatoes) have been at the heart of a few salmonella scares, but nowhere the outbreaks caused by improperly handled and inspected animal products. My Rule of Thumb Avoid "big conglomerate" food products! Avoid raw meat. Avoid packaged and processed deli meats. In general, your best off minimizing your intake of animal products (simply from an overall health perspective) and increasing your intake of whole foods such as fresh vegetables and fruit!
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Lycopene Whole Tomatoes or Supplements?

Lycopene is the compound responsible for the red colour of tomatoes - and many other fruits. Lycopene is a fat-soluble antioxidant whose role in tomatoes is to protect the seeds from damage created by oxygen and light. In fruit, lycopene can absorb UV light and its antioxidant activity allows it to neutralize free radical damage. As you'll soon discover, the yellow fluid around the tomato seeds also contains compounds that help prevent cardiovascular disesase! Lycopene's health promoting properties have been so impressive that even the nutraceutical industry has isolated lycopene in supplement form. After all, if lycopene from a tomatoes can help prevent cancer, then why not take a truckload of it in pill form? That seems to be most peoples' thinking. Plus, pills and supplements are easier to take - tomatoes take a little bit more thought! It may also be helpful to realize that tomatoes are the 4th most commonly consumed fresh fruit and the most commonly consumed canned fruit/vegetable in North America. Therefore, do we really need to supplement??? Furthermore, does lycopene in supplement form offer the same protective benefits (or better) as do whole tomatoes? Well, let's find out... Lycopene in Whole Tomatoes Protects Against Prostate Cancer A study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that men who had 10 or more servings of tomato-based foods per week had a 45% reduction in the rate of prostate cancer. Lycopene's action against prostate cancer is an example of the power of whole foods versus supplements for health benefits. In a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, rats were fed either a whole tomato powder or an isolated pure lycopene supplement (extract) and the results were nothing short of amazing. The risk of death from prostate cancer was significantly greater in the rats that were fed the pure lycopene extract! Such results show us that there MUST be other compounds in tomatoes that have a protective and synergistic effect, and that the whole food is truly what we should be after. The power of whole foods lies in the synergy that exists between all the nutrients inherent in a given food. In the case of lycopene, the whole tomato evidently contains a plethora of phytonutrients that render the whole tomato (not necessarily lycopene itself) so powerfully beneficial.
97 Lycopene in Whole Tomatoes Protects Against Cardiovascular Disease The yellow fluid that surrounds the seeds in tomatoes contains an impressively large amount of flavonoids that have anti-clotting properties. Theoretically, these flavonoids could reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke. In a landmark study derived from the Women's Health Study, which followed 40,000 women for 11 years, who were free from cancer or cardiovascular disease (CVD) at the start of the study, tomato consumption was significantly correlated with a reduction in (CVD). For those women who consumed 7 servings or more of tomato-based foods like tomato sauce and pizza each week, there was a nearly 30% risk reduction in total cardiovascular disease compared to the group with intakes of less than 11/2 servings per week. Women who ate more than 10 servings per week had an even more pronounced reduction in risk (65%) for specific CVD outcomes such as heart attack or stroke. Again, such results are not seen in research that specifically isolates lycopene on its own. The power of whole foods cannot be undermined. A Few Things to Consider About Tomatoes It has been said that pureed or cooked tomatoes are more protective than raw tomatoes. However, it is also known that raw foods are far stronger in nutrient properties than their cooked couterparts. Considering that the enzymes in fresh foods are destroyed when heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit and that mineral, vitamin, and phytonutrient levels are decrease when foods are cooked, it only sense to eat more of your foods in their fresh raw state. For raw tomatoes, juicing or blending them has the same lycopene-enhancing effect that is seen in pureed cooked tomatoes. So stick to the fresh tomato as best as possible and you'll reap far more mineral, vitamin, and lycopene benefits. Lycopene is also a fat-soluble antioxidant, which means that its absorption into the body will be assisted by consuming tomatoes along with healthy fats such as olive oil. No wonder the Italians love the combination of olive oil and tomatoes. Because lycopene concentrates in fatty tissue, in many cases just underneath the skin, it also offers some protection against UV light. It was shown on a BBC television series called The Truth About Food that less reddening of the skin and less DNA damage occurred in a group of women who consumed the equivalent of 3 tsp of tomato paste daily (16 milligrams of lycopene)!
98 Morning Glory - A Tasty Tomato-Based Fresh Juice This recipe is from my book, Eating for Energy. I often like to get my day started with this nourishing and tasty juice that takes 2-3 minutes to prepare! 1 apple 1 large tomato 2 carrots Juice of 1 orange 1/4 lemon 1. In a juicer, juice the apple, tomato, lemon, and carrots. 2. Add the orange juice, mix well, and enjoy!
References: Giovannucci, E. et al (2002). A Prospective Study of Tomato Products, Lycopene, and Prostate Cancer Risk. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 94(5): 391-398. Sesso, H. et al (2003). Dietary Lycopene, Tomato-Based Food Products and Cardiovascular Disease in Women. Journal of Nutrition, 133: 2336-2341. Boileau, T. et al (2003). Prostate Carcinogenesis in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-TestosteroneTreated Rats Fed Tomato Powder, Lycopene, or Energy-Restricted Diets. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 95(21): 1578-1586.
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Eating to Reduce the Signs of Aging

ging occurs because our bodies break down due to wear and tear. Over time, our bodies become like an old car that has driven hundreds of thousands of miles. Like all mechanical things, it is only a matter of time before our bodies break down for good due to the aging process. But that doesn't mean we can't delay our biological clock and look (and stay) younger for longer than most. The most important thing for you to understand is that no anti-aging skin cream will ever make you look younger. You see the cosmetic industry has it all backwards! They think by applying a "mask" of creams over your skin you'll be able to regain that youthful glow. However, they have overlooked the simple fact that how we look and feel is a direct reflection of how we eat. Pure and simple...we are what we eat, digest , and absorb. Our skin, then, becomes a reflection of the quality of our nutrition. Want healthier looking skin? Then, eat healthier foods - don't use expensive creams! The ultimate anti-aging solution is to make healthy eating a part of your daily regime. But what does eating healthy have to do with anti-aging, you might ask? Well, everything! Free Radical Damage Accelerates the Aging Process Certain foods produce free radicals in the body. For instance, sugars, rancid fats, alcohol, and most acid-forming foods produce a cascade of free radicals that multiply throughout the body, and along the way destroy and mutate our cells and their DNA. This is known as the "free radical theory of aging" whereby our body simply ages more and more with years of excess bodily damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals play a big role in heart disease, eye degeneration, cancer, and most every other disease you think of. That's why it's important to consume plenty of antioxidants. Antioxidants Disarm Free Radicals Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radicals and render them useless in the body. Examples of antioxidants include vitamins A, C, E, selenium, and zinc. However, whole foods contain a plethora of tiny phytonutrients that also act as powerful antioxidants. Examples include the most popular group of antioxidants known as polyphenols (ie. flavonoids), which include flavonols, flavones, catechins, flavanones, anthocyanidins, and isoflavonoids.
100 The most abundant polyphenols are the condensed tannins, found in the "skin" and leaves virtually all families of plants, and comprising up to 50% of the dry weight of leaves. That's why the skin of fruits and vegetables are the best sources of antioxidants. Notable sources of polyphenol antioxidants include berries, tea, grapes, olive oil, chocolate/cacao, walnuts, peanuts, pomegranates, yerba mate, and other fruits and vegetables. But remember that you want eat the whole food so that you benefit from the antioxidant-rich skin! The more antioxidants you bring into your body, the less free radical damage you will incur. Over time, this may have a profound effect on your ability to delay the aging process. And put the supplements aside. Research consistently shows that whole foods are a much better and more bioavailable source of antioxidants than supplements. Enzymes Determine How Long You Will Live Enzymes are the spark plugs of life. They are tiny protein molecules that are needed for any and all metabolic reactions to occur within the body. But because they are proteins, enzymes can be destroyed if heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, it is essential that you eat more of your foods in their living state - that is, their raw state. Raw foods are immensely rich in enzymes. This means that an apple contains all the enzymes it needs to digest itself once inside the body. However, if this apple is heated or cooked, its inherent enzymes become denatured and no longer useful. As a result, your body is forced to waste its own enzymes on digesting "dead foods" which cannot be digested otherwise. In time, if dead foods are chronically consumed, your body will be robbed of its limited supply of digestive enzymes. If this happens, your health suffers and your body ages rapidly. Some experts believe that life ends when you run out of enzymes. So wouldn't it make sense to eat more live foods that actually "deposit" enzymes into your body rather eating dead foods that deplete your enzyme reserves? Alkalinity Will Give You the Glow Consume more alkaline-forming foods and watch your skin look 10 years younger in the matter of a few weeks, guaranteed! How does this happen? Well, when your blood is alkaline (as it should be) it flows smoothly and freely, delivering all the oxygen and nutrients to your body's cells. However, in most people, this does not occur because their bodies are far too acidic. Their blood
101 moves slowly and is sluggish. It looks unhealthy and therefore so too does their body and skin! But if you can eat more alkaline-forming raw foods, you will give life and energy back to your skin and body. Every cell of your body will thrive and as a result, your skin will regain a youthful glow that will make you look and feel much younger than you really are. To help you out, the most alkaline-forming foods are green vegetables, followed by all other vegetables and fruit. Be sure to stay away from the highly acidforming dairy and animal products! Putting it All Together Antioxidants, food enzymes, and alkalinity - these are the healthy eating secrets to anti-aging that no skin care company will ever tell you about. You need to heal your skin (and your health) from the inside out, not the other way around. Here are 3 action steps to help you put this anti-aging information into practice: 1. Drink at least ONE green juice and/or green salad each day This will give you tons of antioxidants, alkalinity, and food enzymes. Try one of my favourite juicing recipes: 4-6 stalks of kale 1 handful of spinach 1 handful of parsley 1 carrot 1 apple 1/2 lemon *Juice all ingredients in a juicer and enjoy the ride! 2. Start your day with a glass of lemon water Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into 500 ml of water first thing in the morning. Not only will this rehydrate your body but the lemon will alkalize your system and get your digestive system into gear. 3. Get your 5-10 fruits and vegetables in the raw Snack on raw vegetables and fruit throughout the day to ensure you get the nutrition that your body requires. Prepare some carrot and celery sticks, apple and pear wedges, a fruit salad sprinkled with cinnamon, or anything else that you help you get your need nutrient fix! But remember, keep them raw to get the most benefit.
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Cold Remedies - How to Get Over a Cold Naturally

For some reason there a nasty little bug getting around Toronto. Perhaps there's one in your neck of the woods as well? One thing is for sure though. A lot of people are getting sick with high fevers. Now whether this is the common cold or the flu, I don't know. What I do know is that I got a little taste of it and I'd like to share some of natural cold remedies with you so that you can prevent and/or get over a cold naturally! Watch the video to learn my natural cold remedies
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Fight the Flu Naturally

Plenty of colds and flus have made their way through Toronto, particularly with the fluctuating temperatures! They come in waves, and it is virtually impossible to avoid exposure to the viruses and bacteria that fester indoors in the cooler months. Guaranteed, you will find bountiful colonies coating door handles, communal pens, subway poles, bank machine buttons and especially on your colleagues friendly handshaking hands. Wash your hands and use sanitizer they tell you...but if you did this as much as you needed to, your hands would become raw and dry. Plus, it's enough to drive you to paranoia! Do try to keep your hands clean as best as you can, but instead of worrying excessively about your exposure to pathogens, an often overlooked tactic is to support your immune system. Your immune system is your body's natural defense system to fight off invaders. If it is functioning well, it will be able to keep you healthy even in the presence of bacteria and viruses. Here are ten ways to maintain your immune strength: 1. Drink plenty of water - This helps with circulation and elimination, and ensures your cells are hydrated to function optimally. In the cooler months, warmer liquids (at least room temperature) are easier for your system to process. 2. Consume seasonal foods that elevate your mood - Complex carbohydrates, found in whole grains, sweet potatoes, parsnips, fruit, will stimulate serotonin production, thereby improving your mood, which in turn strengthens immunity 3. Do not stress - High levels of stress will depress your immune system. Find a new approach to stressful situations, if you can, or find techniques for stressreduction (meditation, deep breathing, enjoyable hobbies, exercise) 4. Exercise - There is no easier way to increase your energy, elevate serotonin, and turbocharge your immune system than regular physical exercise. 5. Sleep well - Ensure that you get adequate rest, your immune cells and tissues need this essential time to recuperate and regenerate 6. Sunlight Exposure - In addition to increasing vitamin D in your body, sunlight also increases serotonin.
104 7. Take a vacation - For some people who really detest the cooler months, the best and only antidote is a quick trip to a sunny destination to recharge your batteries. 8. Supplement essentials for immune health - Vitamin C, B-complex, echinacea, fish oil, and oregano oil are beneficial to support immune cells and combat pathogens. 9. Reduce sugar and refined carb intake - A surefire way to depress your immune system and increase your risk of illness is to eat these foods; avoid them and you will be much better off. 10. Get outside! - A huge reason that people get ill in the cold season is that they stay indoors...not because they are outdoors, as is commonly thought. Recirculated air and indoor toxins will prevent your immune system from optimal functioning, but if you dress warm and enjoy the fresh outdoor air, your body will be better equipped to fight off impending sickness.
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57 Ways to Fitness, Great

Workouts, and Weight Loss
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5 Tips for a Healthier, Stronger Core

Core training has become the new buzz word over the last few years as more and more people have begun to realize its role in posture, spinal health, performance and overall aesthetics. What is less commonly known is that the core is anatomically defined as the region between the shoulders and knees, not simply the midsection. Most people view the core as simply being their abdominal muscles and, as such, miss out on a tremendous amount of value that other functional movements provide. When I refer to the core I allude to the inner and outer units of our body. The inner unit consists of smaller, more static stabilizing muscles such as the transverse abdominis, multifidus, and the pelvic floor and diaphragmatic musculature. The outer unit is comprised of larger phasic (or dynamic) muscles that generate movement such as the gluteals, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae group, biceps femoris, and peroneals. Aside from generating movement, these muscles work synergistically to provide much needed pelvic stability during motions such as walking, running, and so forth. Because all functional movements such as lunges, squats, step-ups, most stability ball movements, and many others revolve around the pelvis, they will offer tremendous core training effects when done with proper technique. The following are 5 tips you can use to train the inner and outer units of your core with maximal efficiency.
TIP #1 Brace your abdominals This is the first thing you should be aware of during any and every movement that you will ever perform. Abdominal bracing consists of three parts. First, draw in your belly button as if you were to put on a tight pair of pants. This will activate your transverse abdominis, the bodys waist belt muscle. Second, raise your pelvic floor by performing a kegel (contracting the pelvic floor muscles up as if you holding in a full bladder). This helps to increase intra-abdominal pressure which will aid in spinal stabilization. Third, lightly create tension in your abdominal muscles as if you were about to get punched in the stomach. This activates the internal and external oblique muscles. By performing all three of these actions you will ensure that your spine is well protected through all movements. Abdominal bracing should be initiated before and maintained through each and every exercise. With repetition, these muscles will remember their roles and tend to maintain a tighter constricted waistline, even without you being aware.
107 Exercise: Belly tucks Lie face down on the floor with your forehead rested on the back of your hands. Inhale, pushing your belly button into the floor (ballooning your abdomen). Hold for 3 seconds. Exhale, drawing your belly button towards the ceiling (as if being pulled by a string), raise pelvic floor, and tighten your abdominal muscles. Hold for 3 seconds. Repeat 10 times. TIP #2 Maintain a neutral spine A neutral spine is attained when your spine is kept in its natural alignment. This is best achieved by ensuring that your back is flat (with slight lumbar lordosis) during all movements, especially lifting. This, in conjunction with abdominal bracing, is essential to better support the spine during all movements. Let us take the example of picking up a heavier box from the floor. The last thing you want to do in the situation is reach down without bending knees and picking up the boxthis is a sure way to throw your back out. What is instructed to do in such a case would be to squat down keeping your torso tall (ie. neutral spine), with your abdominals braced, and lift through your legs as opposed to extending up through your torso. If these lifting mechanics are not met, you place you spine at a greater risk of disc herniation, especially if the load is heavier. Exercise: Cat/Camel motions In a four point stance (hands and knees) take your spine through a series of cat and camel stretches. Meaning that you round out the back like a camel and then arch it out like a cat. Repeat 6 times. Once you have completed the 6 repetitions simply allow your back (spine) to relax. Wherever it feels most relaxed is your neutral spine! TIP #3 Incorporate unilateral lifting Unilateral refers to the concept of carrying (or pushing) a load on only side of the body. For instance, walking to work holding your brief case in one hand. By doing so, the body automatically activates its contralateral (opposite) side to stabilize the torso and maintain good posture. Studies have shown that this type of lifting stimulates much greater core muscle activation compared to bilateral lifting (equal load on both sides). Exercise: Unilateral Lunge Walks Perform your lunge walks while holding a weight, equivalent to 10% of your body weight, in one hand. Perform 10 reps with the weight in one hand, and then switch. The key is to focus on keeping your torso upright and minimizing and lateral swaying.
108 TIP # 4 Use a Stability Ball Incorporating a stability ball into your workouts will make such a difference in your core strength and spinal health. Working on the stability ball offers several benefits such as increased balance, range of motion, co-ordination, and muscle activation. Simply by sitting on the ball, your core muscles fire to a much greater degree in order to stabilize your body. Any unstable surface for that matter will foster much greater core muscle activation as your body is constantly readjusting itself to maintain proper posture. This type of body awareness is known as proprioception, and is immensely beneficial for athletes of all endeavors, and even for people who want more balance while standing in the subway. Incorporate the aforementioned unilateral lifting and you get twice the benefit! Exercise: Stability Ball 1-Arm DB Chest Press Position your body on the ball so that only the shoulders, neck and head are resting on it. With the feet shoulder width apart raise your hips so that your body is in one straight line (essentially forming a bench within your body). Squeeze your buttocks together as if holding a $1,000 bill between them. Next, with a DB in one arm, push it up and towards your bodys midline as if creating an arc like motion. Repeat 12 times and then switch arms. Ensure to keep your body and then ball as still as possible. Notice the muscle activation in the posterior side of the body especially in the glutes and lower back! TIP #5 Incorporate multi-planar movements Our bodies rarely operate in one single plane (ie. front to back, side to side). Often, our movements require us to move through several different planes such as when walking and looking back over your shoulder. It is important to remember that all movement stems from the core, especially rotation based movements. As such, it is important to strengthen those core muscles accordingly to ensure movement efficiency and injury prevention. Did you know that 80% of our core musculature inserts on a diagonal. This means that our bodies are anatomically constructed for such multi-planar movements involving diagonal and rotational movements. Examples are throwing, kicking, and swinging a tennis racquet or golf club. Ive seen clients improve their golf drive by 30 yards by simply incorporating these multi-planar movements into their routines. Exercise: Cable chop (from knees) Position yourself in the middle of the cable crossover machine. Face your body at a right angle from the cables. Starting from your knees, keeping your body upright and strong, reach over and across your body grabbing the handle (with
109 both hands) on the highest setting. Keeping both arms straight chop the cable across your body from above your starting shoulder to the opposite hip. Return slowly and repeat 8 times on each side. Be sure to drive the movement from your obliques and not your arms. By incorporating these 5 core essentials, you can look forward to having firmer, stronger and more performant core muscles. Not only that but you will also be more efficient and stable in all your movements. And, if you participate in regular sporting activities you will have an added edge over your untrained counterparts.
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Resistance Band Workout

Don't have any dumbbells? Don't feel like lifting heavy weights or waiting for machines at the gym? Not to worry! There is a solution and it is a simple piece of rubber tubing known as the exercise or resistance band. It is amazing at what can be accomplished using a resistance band and many studies have shown that it to be tremendously beneficial at developing strength. Click on the link below to watch one of my brief workout videos showing you 7 great full body exercises that you can do with resistance band. Give them a try and you'll see just how challenging they are! Do as many repetitions of each exercise during a 30 second set. Complete all 7 exercises with little to no rest in between and repeat 2-3 times! Click here to watch the resistance band workout
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Do I Still Burn Fat When I Exercise Intensely?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions I've been asked in my life as a fitness expert. So, here is the answer - hopefully it makes sense to you! Your bodys first choice of fuel during exercise is carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are stored in the body as glycogen, both in the liver and muscle. The livers job is to break down glycogen into glucose to maintain suitable levels of glucose in the blood. The muscles on the other hand, tap directly into their glycogen stores for energy production. Depending on the duration and intensity of the exercise, your body will rely on more complex carbohydrates (stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver) and fatty acids for its fuel. What happens is that as the intensity of exercise increases, there is more reliance on carbohydrates for fuel. Typically, intensities greater than 70% of VO2 max (or maximum heart rate for our purposes) will have carbohydrates as the dominant fuel source. NOW LISTEN UP...VERY CAREFULLY! However, this doesnt mean that working at high intensities doesnt burn fat. Working at higher intensities allows more total calories to be burned and thats what really matters if youre looking to lose weight. There is a phenomenon known as EPOC (or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption). What this refers to is a process whereby the body expends calories (and many more that in your workout in most cases) after the workout as your body is re-establishing homeostasis - it's point of balance. That's why I'm a huge fan of intense workouts and interval cardio training sessions. They are by far the best way to burn calories and thus fat - not during the workout (as you'll see on many cardio machine screens) but after the workout. Some studies have shown that the body's metabolic rate can stayed elevated for up to 16 hours after just 20 minutes of interval running! The point is that your body chooses different fuels during different situations. Because fats yield more calories and are slower burning as they are metabolized, they tend to be used over longer durations when compared to carbohydrates. However, the body wants to conserve its blood glucose and glycogen stores. As you become fitter your body will become more efficient at using fats for fuel while sparing your vital carbohydrate reserves. Someone who is totally unfit will obviously fatigue sooner, one of the reasons being that their carbohydrate stores are more quickly dissolved and utilized. Fitter individuals can last much longer
112 because they have developed the ability to use the slow burning fats as fuel, and therefore conserve their energy better. Carbohydrates that are used during exercise come from both glycogen stores in muscle and from blood glucose. Within carbohydrate metabolism blood glucose and glycogen are used to varying degrees depending on the nature of the activity. However, the bodys first order of business is in maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. Blood glucose is the main fuel source for the brain, so Im sure you can appreciate why its pretty important. As intensity increases, muscle glycogen is increasingly used. Blood glucose use also increases slightly. However, to offset its usage and to maintain stable blood sugar levels (for the vital organs), the liver breaks down its glycogen stores into glucose for the blood. So the point is this....intensity is king! Don't pay attention to those "cardio" and "fat burning" zone graphs on all the cardio machines - they do nothing but confuse you.
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Ask the Expert...

"How To Start a Resistance Training Program?
Many people don't necessarily know where to start when it comes to resistance or strength training. The good news is that if you're a beginner you don't need much in the way of machines or weights. This video will show you the ABCs of getting started and will give you some great exercises to start you on your way! Watch this video to learn how and where to begin
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Making Exercise Part of Your Daily Lifestyle

You may have noticed that over the last month we ran a poll asking what your number #1 New Year's resolution was. The results of our poll revealed that 38% of you want to exercise on more regular basis, 32% want to lose weight, 16% want to grow personally (spiritually), and 11% want to eat healthier. So, based on the above results, the focus of this post will be on helping you make exercise a regular occurrence in your daily life. After all, the key is for exercise to be an integral component of your life. It needs to be a lifesyle habit. In other words, you need to put exercise into your life, not your life into exercise! Be Grateful for Having the Opportunity to Exercise One of the keys to long-term success is to think of exercise as something you GET to do not something you HAVE to do. Once you are truly grateful for being able to move your body in any way shape or form you will then begin to see exercise in a different light. Love your body every moment of the way. Express gratifude for as much as possible such as your ability to walk, breathe, move your limbs, ride a bike, lift weight, climb stairs, run for an hour, or whatever else you can do. Gratitude is always a choice. In any situation there is always something to be thankful for. Even if you want to lose weight...be grateful and love your body as it is right now. If you don't, if you despise your body, then you're simply transmitting a message of disgust and discontent. As a result of these thoughts, you will only get more of that in your life. Love yourself and be grateful for where you are at and you will get to where you want to be. Like attracts like. Love attracts love. Happiness attracts more happiness. Stop Whining! Many people complain about having to workout, or finding the time to go to the gym, or feeling too tired, or that it's too cold outside, or..... (you get my drift). Well, you know what? Too bad! If you want to live a healthier life then you have to move your body no matter what! It's not about exercising 3 times a week following a specific program but rather finding enjoyable ways to move your body every day of your life.
115 Walk you dog. Walk to the store. Run down the street. Take the stairs. Ride your bike. Carry your groceries. Contract your muscles. There are so many ways to stimulate movement in your body Raise Your Standards - Change Your Identity How good can you stand it? How good are you allowed to feel before your sabotage your progress and success? Many people (including myself) don't realize that subconsciously they are limiting themselves from a tremendous quality of life. Maybe you think that exercising 3 times a week is good enough for you. You might even believe that since you exercised several times this week that you deserve to indulge in "crappy" and supposedly "yummy" food. These are rationalizations that we tell ourselves. We like to trick ourselves into believing certain things that correspond with how we identify ourselves. In order to truly make exercise a lifestyle thing you need to raise your standards and identify yourself no longer as an occasional exerciser but someone whose life is about looking and feeling vital and energetic - all the time! When you see yourself you will begin to take more empowering actions including exercising more often (and enjoying it), eating healthier more often (and enjoying it), and feeling happier. You will now be living in integrity with who you know you were meant to be. Don't settle for anything less than what you can truly achieve!
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Advanced Core Workout

Kids...don't try this at home. Unless of course you consider yourself somewhat fit and like to push your limits. Here are 3 amazing core exercises that revolve around the stability that will bring you greater balance and stability, a stronger and tighter core, and will make your friends say WOW! Click here to watch the core workout video. Enjoy...
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4 Minutes to "Fabulous" Abs

No explanation needed here. Just watch the video and do the exercises. Your abs will be on fire! Mine definitely were.
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5 Keys That Will Unlock Your Door to Exercise Motivation

Recently I asked the following question on my blog... Whats your biggest challenge to exercising regularly? What was revealed was some pretty interesting, yet expected, results. A whopping 83% of respondents said that a lack of motivation is what kept them from exercising regularly. The rest of the answers were equally split between not having enough time and not knowing what to do. So, with these results in mind it would only make sense to give you some added ways to get motivated to exercise on a regular basis. 1. Know the Benefits of Exercise Isnt true that you are more motivated to do things that you'll benefit from. The more you benefit, the more motivated you are. For example, if I told you I'd give you 5 dollars to take a 30-minute walk tomorrow morning, would you do it? Maybe, maybe not? But what if I put $1 million on the table for taking a walk? You bet you would take that walk! What you need to realize is that the benefits of exercise are even more compelling than a million bucks! What if you were a multi-millionaire but all of a sudden could no longer walk up a flight of stairs of fell ill due to a poor lifestyle and lack of exercise? You see, nothing matters more than your health and vitality NOTHING! Exercise keeps you young, strong, capable of performing your day to day tasks with ease, makes you feel more confident and happy, and much more! So, its simpleMOVE YOUR #SS! 2. Realize the Consequences of Not Exercising The consequences are many. Lethargy, disappointment in yourself, being fat, being out of breath, unable to walk of stairs easily, sore joints and muscles, lack of flexibility, lack of strength, more susceptible to injury, difficulty shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, or gardening, sour outlook on life because of how you feel about yourself, inability to reach your full human potential, tough time fitting into clothes that make you
119 feel sexy, feeling uncomfortable in social settings, depression, disease, premature death, etc I could go on forever but Im sure you get the point! Maybe you need to take a trip to a nursing home or amputation ward at a hospital to gain some perspective. Believe me; most of these people would do anything to be in your shoes. So lace them up and get moving! 3. Create as Many WHYs as Possible Keep a piece of paper and pen handy for a couple of days. Jot down EVERY reason you can think of that you want to get healthy/get fit/lose weight through consistent exercise. The reasons WHY you have, the more motivated you will feel. Your reasons WHY give you the energy and juice that will keep you rockin! Having a goal without knowing WHY you want to achieve it is like spending $30,000 on university tuition without having a clue of what you want to do with your degree besides paying off your student loans! So make a long, extensive list. This may not seem important, but it is critical to be able to read this list when your motivation to exercise is waning. It's a powerful way to quickly get "re-motivated"! 4. Exercise With a Friend Statistics reveal that people who exercise with a friend are more successful at exercising consistently. Basically, it comes down to having accountability. Most of us need something outside of ourselves to keep us going when you dont feel like working out. Having an exercise partner enables you to keep each other accountable. Knowing that someone is waiting for you to exercise with them can be great motivation to show up and get it done! 5. Exercise First Thing in the Morning, Every Morning There is no better feeling than starting your day knowing that youve gotten your exercise out of the way. Plus, youll feel much happier and better about yourself. Your metabolism will be revved and you will have a much more fruitful day guaranteed! Your body was made to be active on a daily basis, and when you are, all sorts of wonderful things happen. You even get healthy and fit!
120 People who exercise 6 to 7 days per week first thing in the morning are much more successful at exercising consistently than those who do the 2 or 3 day thing. It doesn't have to be a huge workout everyday. Get out there and take a 30-minute walk, do yoga, take your dog for a stroll, hit the gym, go for a runjust get your body moving in a way that gets your heart rate and muscles working!
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Backwards Walking on the Treadmill - Have You Lost Your Marbles???

No, actually I haven't! Walking backwards or jogging backwards on the treadmill works muscles in an entirely different way than walking forwards. Specifically, by walking backwards on the treadmill (especially on an incline) you engage the quad muscles (front of thigh) and calves to a great extent. Ideally, as with any type of treadmill exercise your goal is walk the hands off of the side rails for best results. By Walking Backwards on the Treadmill with Hands Off the Rail You... Engage your postural muscles to much greater degree. They are forced to take serious action. So are your legs, hips and the muscles that control your ankles. Thats why walking backwards at faster speeds, without holding on, will condition your hip, knee, and ankle stabilizers for added benefit to your daily tasks and sporting endeavours. One of these benefits is an improvement in your proprioception or balance. Start Slow When Walking Backwards on the Treadmill Anyone with 2 healthy legsand this includes older people, large people, and people who are new to exercisecan walk backwards without holding on. The key is to work at a pace that is initially comfortable for you to allow you to get used to the novel motion. Don't be a hero right off the bat. Start slow and build from there. Variations of Backward Walking Backwards Walking With Incline: Walking backwards with an incline is something else! When working on the treadmill I add this into all of my warm-ups. Sometimes, I'll even grab some hand weights and power walk while really focuses on driving and pushing forcefully off each leg. Try this: set the incline at 15 percent and 2 mph, assuming that you are adjusted to walking backwards level without holding on. You will soon feel a nice burn in your thighs. If you can go faster, do that for an intense thigh burn. Now, if you cant last longer than a few minutes, thats perfectly fine. Do brief intervals at 15 percent/2 to 3 mph, alternating with walking forward with a lower incline (or level) for a few minutes, back and forth, for 30 minutes.Incline lowwalk: As you walk, lower your center of gravity so that youre in a one-quarter squat position. Keep your back straight! Do not pitch forward! This will intensify the fire in your quadriceps muscles.
122 Backwards Walking Intervals You neednt spend a whole lot of time walking backwards to reap benefits. So if you prefer to do a one-minute interval here and there of these creative uses of a treadmill, that will surely contribute to your fitness goals. Even if you're a runner training for a race give a couple of these "power-building" backwards workouts a try. I guarantee that in just a few minutes your thighs will be burning like never before! Just watch what it will do for you runs.
References: Hooper TL, Dunn DM, Props JE, Bruce BA, Sawyer SF, Daniel JA. "The effects of graded forward and backward walking on heart rate and oxygen consumption." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2004 Feb;34(2):65-71.
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4-minute Cardio Blast Workout

Pressed for time? Want to a metabolism workout that takes just 4 minutes to complete? Well, watch this workout video and discover how you can burn calories, rev your metabolism, and feel awesome in just a few minutes...and with absolutely no equipment!
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More Motivation to Help Make Exercise a Habit

In my last post we covered some ways to make exercise a more regular occurrence in your life. Today I'd like to give you some cool ways to get and stay motivated so that you're always juiced up to get in your workout, run, or other exercise session. The key is to just get moving! Motivation Tip #1 - Get Massive Leverage! Let's say I were to ask for a $10,000 deposit to ensure that you would do what you said you were going to do. Pretty bold, eh? Well, don't you think that you might be a little more motivated to keep your commitments (ie. working out 3 days per week) with so much at stake? Of course! This is just one example of leverage. Now, you don't have to involve this type of money but the trick to find something that motivates you to take action. Here are just a few examples of getting leverage... 1. Tell a friend, family member, or co-worker about your plans to exercise and make sure they keep you on track. 2. Put something on the line that you will have to do (or give up) if you don't follow through with your commitments. For instance, commit to eating an entire box of greasy donuts (all 12) if you don't keep your word - then watch how sick you will feel! 3. Keep a journal or daytimer with specific workouts scheduled into your days (much like a business meeting). These should be fixed and nonnegotiable - you need the time for yourself! Motivation Tip #2 - Focus on the Outcome and Create Your Results By focusing on your ultimate goals you will constantly be reminded of what you're working towards. This will keep you pumped even when you feel down and out. One the best ways to do this is by creating a vision board. This is essentially a collage of images and words that reflect what you to be, do, and have. By looking at your vision board your subconscious will automatically find ways of bringing those results into your life. My vision board helped me attract the car of my dreams into my life. The car was literally sitting right in front of me as I pulled into the dealership!
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I show this picture not to brag but because it is a reflection of being able to manifest what it is that I wanted. It is truly amazing when you set a goal or intention and see it manifest in real life. The same can happen for you. But you must believe you can what it is that you want (ie. a slim body, a sub 4-min mile, etc...) . Create a vision board for yourself with images and words that excite you. Believe you can achieve it - and you will! Eventhough you're envisioning your goals do your best to enjoy the moment. Stay in the present and just be. Notice what thoughts and feelings you're experiencing when you don't feel motivated and ask yourself "why?" Then, you can easily change your focus by feeling grateful for what you already have. Express love and gratitude for what and who you already are and you will become and have much more!
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The Biggest Cardio Myth...Finally Exposed!

If you are interested in burning fat and want to know the most efficient way to do so, then you need to watch this video. Here, I answer one of the most commonly asked questions about cardio training and I expose the truth about your "fat burning" zone! Watch (click here), learn, apply it, and watch the fat melt off while your fitness level goes through the roof!
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How to Get Strong and Sexy Legs

Attention guys and gals who want to sculpt their legs and develop a rock-solid back side. Attention all those who are looking for more lower body strength and power athletes included! Check out this awesome leg workout video to learn 5 new movements (sorry I actually said 6 in the video!) that will give you strong, sexy, and powerful legs. After all, summer (and thus shorts and skirts) are just around the corner. Put the "buns of steel" video aside and enjoy! Here are the exercises: 1. Forward-Backward lunges x 10 reps (each leg) 2. Heel push-ups x 10-15 reps (each leg) 3. Sumo squats x 10-15 reps 4. Dumbbell diagonal squat raise x 10 reps (each side) 5. Lunge into step-up x 10 reps (each leg) Give these a whirl after you've completed a comprehensive warm-up. Train hard!
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Best Type of Cardio for Burning Fat

The goal in any fat loss exercise regimen is to choose activities that consume large amounts of oxygen. This is because the body burns 5 calories for every liter of oxygen that it consumes. Therefore, what do you think would be the best type of cardio to do for fat loss? Well, lets look at the typical options. Running, biking, swimming, elliptical, rowing, walking, stair climbing/stair master, upper body ergometer, and obviously many outdoor sports such as cross-country skiing. So there are many forms of cardio to choose from and they all work. Its important to always remember that. All forms of exercise will work in the long run given the right training program and consistent effort. But were interested in not only what works but works what best for burning fat! We want to get the best bang for our buck, right? Since the goal is to maximize oxygen consumption (and thus VO2) it is essential to find activities that will recruit the greatest amount of muscle. This is because the more muscle that is needed to perform an activity or movement, the more oxygen that will be needed to supply those working muscles. Make sense? Oxygen is the precursor to all the energy your body produces. Your working muscles need oxygen otherwise they will quickly fatigue and will be unable to perform their functions. It is well known that athletes in sports that require large amounts of muscle have the highest VO2 max (maximum aerobic capacity) because their sports demand a massive supply of oxygen to their working muscles. As such, the highest VO2 max on record exist not in runners (as many would think) but rather cross-country skiers and rowers. Think about that for a second. Both cross-country skiing and rowing involve just about muscle in the body working against resistance. Both the upper body and lower body muscles are pushing and pulling a given resistance which makes these sports not only great aerobic training tools but also fantastic fat burning cardio machines. If youve ever watched Olympic rowing you will have undoubtedly noticed towering men and women stacked with large and lean muscles. Most of the male rowers are upwards of 64 and 220 lbs of shear muscle, making them calorieburning machines. These male and female rowers can get away with their large frames because rowing is not a true weight-bearing sport. In fact, this terrific sport idealizes large
129 muscular athletes because they can produce a lot of power, both aerobically and muscularly, through their large muscle mass. However, If you took these same rowers and asked them to run at the same intensities at which they row, they would most likely have a difficult time not only because of the specific nature of running but also because they would be carrying a lot of mass. How many 64, 220 lbs runners do you know of? Most runners are slim and slight. It simply makes their movement much easier. Less weight to carry means less effort. If you have a tough time envisioning this, then I encourage you to go for a run with a 20 lbs pack on your torso. You will immediately notice the difference. Similarly, most cross-skiers dont exhibit the same physical stature as rowers. However, their aerobic capacity is astronomical. Yet, they are more similar to runners in physical stature as cross-country skiing is a weight-bearing sport and thus does not reward athletes with lots of weight, even if its muscle. Running burns more calories than other activities, at the same intensity. It is therefore the most effective type of cardio for burning fat and helping you lose weight. There are two main reasons for this. First, running is weight bearing which means that the muscles of your lower body must work harder to support you and propel you forward; thus, expending more calories. Therefore, the heavier you are, the more calories you will burn (assuming equal intensity as someone who is lighter). Second, running is one of the least efficient of human movements, which means that it produces a lot of heat/energy expenditure for its movement. This also means that a lot of calories are being spent. This is great for those who want to lose weight but not so great for those looking for efficient modes of movement. But it makes sense if you think about it. Cycling is easier than running, right? Thats because cycling is one of the most mechanically efficient human movements, meaning that more of the energy you put into the movement actually results in movement (and not as much heat production as running!) But were interested in what burns calories and fat, right? Therefore, running is your best option. Find me an overweight runner and Ill be amazed.
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How to Get 6-Pack Abs

One of the most common goals that fitness enthusiasts have is to develop 6-pack abs, especially among men. Many women, too, are motivated to sculpt their abs (perhaps not to the same degree of men) along with losing weight and burning fat. But why is it that so many people have such a hard time achieving the 6-pack or the toned abs that they so desire? Well, it boils down to 2 main factors training and diet. Lets first tackle the diet issue. Its important to keep in mind that you can never out train a bad diet. Many athletes seem to think that they can get away with eating whatever they want because they need the calories. Thats nonsense. This type of mentality, especially if adopted by recreational exercisers, can be detrimental to your pursuit of a 6-pack. To visually see the tone of your abdominals your body fat needs to be about 10% or lower. Most active individuals score in the teens and thus require a little bit more work in their training and especially in their diet if they wish to achieve their goal of washboard abs. You can exercise all you want and do thousands of sit-ups each day to little effect if your diet is out of whack. I will cover the fundamentals of a 6-pack healthy diet in a future article but for now Id like to show how you can better your chances by choosing exercises that maximize your bodys fat burning potential while strengthening your abs and core. Training to Burn Fat When it comes to training the first thing to realize is that abdominal exercises have little effect on your ability to see your abs. Every person inherently has the same amount of muscles. The only difference is whether or not you can see them. Both you and I have the 8-pack rectus abdominus muscle (most people think its just a 6-pack) thats our human anatomy. But whether or not you can see yours depends on the amount of fat you have covering these abdominal muscles. Sit-ups and crunches have little fat burning effect simply because they are small, limited movements that involve a small group of muscles. If the goal is to burn fat (and it is!) then the key to fitness training lies in your ability to choose exercises that burn a huge amount of calories. These are exercises that require large muscles. For instance, squat presses, lunges with biceps curls, and step-ups with shoulder presses are all great examples of movements that use a huge amount of muscle.
131 Try them and just watch how your breathing and heart rate immediately go through the roof. 6-Pack Ab Exercises But if youre bent on focusing on your abs then let me give you some helpful pointers to get a great abdominal burn in your workouts. Just remember through ab-specific exercises wont get you any closer to your goal. But here goes. Assuming that you have no history of lower back pain the key to challenging your abs is to work them to fatigue and constantly challenge them with new and exciting exercises. Repeating the same boring exercises over and over is not an effective way to train. One of my personal favourite abdominal props is the BOSU ball. The BOSU ball challenges your core and abdominals like nothing youve ever experienced before. Its inherent instability requires your deeper core muscles to constantly work to keep you balanced while you attempt to perform the movements at hand. A simple set of crunches on the BOSU ball is much different and more effective than doing them on the floor. One of the keys to core and abdominal training is muscle activation. Any time you perform exercises that recruit more muscles (ie. greater muscle activation), the greater the burn youre going to feel and the stronger your abs and core will become. So having said that heres a sample 5-exercise BOSU ball core workout for you to try: NOTE: BOSU ball is placed so that the flat surface is against the floor rounded side facing up. All exercises should be performed to fatigue. Push-ups with Knee Drive Deadbug Hovering Back Extensions V-Sits Alternating Jackknife
Watch this video to see what these ab exercises look like.
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Bodyweight Workout for Beginners

If you ever find yourself at a loss for workout ideas, dont feel like using weights or machines, are traveling, or looking for some great workouts to enjoy at home, then youll be happy to know that youve already got everything you need. What I mean is that by simply using your bodyweight you can enjoy incredible workouts that will not only help you burn fat but sculpt and tone your body as well. Bodyweight workouts are not only great for beginners they can even by used by the fittest people. To this day, some of my most challenging and caloriecrunching workouts revolve around nothing more than push-up and pull-up variations, some full body cardio movements, and some great core and abdominal exercises. Id like to share one such workout with you. So if youre sick and tired of going to the gym and would like to try something new and fresh at home (or even while you travel) then give this bodyweight workout a shot. Believe me, it might be tougher than it looks so pace yourself. Please note that this workout is designed for beginners so stay tuned for more advanced variations. Bodyweight Workout Structure: After your warm-up you will be performing a 6 exercise bodyweight circuit where you will perform as many reps as possible (where applicable) in 30 seconds. You will then rest 30 seconds before moving onto the next exercise. Repeat this circuit 2-3 times. Watch this video for detailed instruction WARM-UP Jogging on spot, jumping jacks (3-5 minutes) CIRCUIT WORKOUT (30 seconds work, 30 seconds rest) Y Squats Plank Standing Lunges Side Plank Hip Bridge with Leg Extension Push-ups
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Fat Loss Interval Training for Beginners

Do want to burn fat by running but dont feel that you can? Do you enjoy walking but at the same time looking for the added fat burning benefit of running? Well if so, then the workout Im about to take you through will make your day a happier one. When most people start running (at whatever stage of their life) they usually cannot run for a very long period of time. Thats to be expected since the body hasnt been trained to accommodate the greater demands imposed by running faster or longer. However, the desire to run is present for many people because of its fat burning and overall cardiovascular benefits. One way to build up your running endurance is to simply run a little bit longer each time you run. A good rule of thumb is to increase either your distance or speed (not both) by no more than 10% per week. This progression allows your body to adapt to new running demands while minimizing your risk for injury. This method of running at the same pace for a given distance or duration is known as steady-state cardio or running. Initially, this is a great place to start for most beginners but there comes a point when it becomes rather boring and its fat burning potential lessened. Instead, you may want to consider interval training. Interval training, also known as HIT, is by far the most superior training method to improve your running speed and endurance while maximizing your fat burning potential. HIT refers to a method of cardio training whereby you combine bouts of high and low intensity. So for our purposes, and since you are a beginner, you would be combining bouts of walking and jogging. Each bout would last a certain amount of time and would be executed at a certain speed. For most people who have never run before (and who want to start) I usually get them to start with intervals that consist of 90 seconds of walking followed by 30 seconds of jogging. They would then repeat this sequence for a given amount of time usually 10-15 minutes depending on their initial fitness level. The wonderful thing about interval training is that there are thousands of possible interval combinations that you can use. And as you become fitter the amount of time at the low and high intensities would vary to give you more of a challenge. Start with this interval training workout:
134 Assuming that youre a complete beginner Im going to suggest that you begin by following the workout I mentioned above. That is to walk for 90 seconds and then jog for 30 seconds. Repeat this sequence for a total of at least 10 minutes. If you feel you can go longer, then go for it. Have a look at this video for an example of this workout The true value of interval training is that it allows you to exercise at a higher overall intensity because it is broken up. Starting off, it might be tough to run (without stopping) for a full 10 minutes but with HIT you can actually spend more time running at a faster speed because you have those lower intensity recovery bouts. Working at higher intensities also means that you burn more calories and while maximizing your bodys ability to burn fat. Over time, your metabolic rate will increase and you will be burning fat even while your resting. When it comes to fat loss the key is intensity. So start off with this walk and jog HIT workout and progress from there. For more great interval training workouts check out my Treadmill Trainer iPod running workouts.
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Fat Loss Circuit Training Workout

Today Id like to give you an exciting full body workout that will burn tons of calories and leave you feeling great in just 40 minutes. So if you want to burn fat, tone up, and get fit then this workout is for you. Another great advantage of this workout is that all you need to complete it is a set of dumbbells, a stability ball, and a step. A cardio machine is advised for your interval training component. The fat burning workout Im about to provide you with is an example of the type of circuit training workouts that are a key component of my Fitter U fat loss fitness program. So heres how its going to work. Were going to take 6 exercises and set them up in a circuit training routine. For each exercise you will be completing as many repetitions as possible in a 30 second time period. After each exercise you will then rest for 30 seconds before moving on to the next one. Once youve completed the entire first set you can then grab a sip of water and rest for 1-2 minutes. After your 1-2 minute rest period, you will then choose a cardio machine and perform 5 minutes of intervals. The interval training component is a great way to spike your metabolism and burn further calories in just a few minutes. For these intervals you will be working hard for 10 seconds and recovering for 50 seconds. This will be repeated 5 times for a total of 5 minutes. For instance, if you are on the bike you would pedal as fast as possible (at a good resistance) for 10 seconds and then follow that with a nice and easy 50second recovery. Got it? Awesome! Both the circuit training and interval training sequences are repeated twice. So heres how the workout structure will look: WARM-UP 5 minutes light cardio CIRCUIT 1 (30 sec. work, 30 sec. rest) Standing lunges Plank Step-ups with biceps curls and shoulder press Push-ups Stability ball crunches Ball squats (against wall) with biceps curls
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Rest 1-2 minutes INTERVAL TRAINING 1 (10 sec. hard, 50 sec. recovery) Rest 1-2 minutes CIRCUIT 2 (30 sec. work, 30 sec. rest) Standing lunges Plank Step-ups with biceps curls and shoulder press Push-ups Stability ball crunches Ball squats (against wall) with biceps curls Rest 1-2 minutes INTERVAL TRAINING 2 (10 sec. hard, 50 sec. recovery) This entire workout should take you no more than 40 minutes. Watch the video to see what the workout looks like: Give it a shot and experience the difference.
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Is the Exercise Ball Really Useful for Core Training?

If youve stepped into a gym in the last 10 years youve most likely noticed those big rubber balls known as exercise balls (or stability balls or Swiss balls). In my experience, most times these balls would sit all alone in the corner unless they were being used in a special ball class or by a creative trainer showing his client some new challenging movements. But the question is Are exercise ball workouts needed and useful in an exercise program? I believe that they are. Heres why: Reason #1: Improved Proprioception and Sense of Balance Proprioception refers to the bodys sense of spatial awareness in relation to stimuli it receives from the position and movement of the body. In English what this means is that your body has a better sense of balance. It also means that the body has a greater ability to know where it is. For instance, when you are sitting on a exercise ball there is an element of instability, right? Because of this your bodys receptors send your brain and nervous system specific messages telling it where it is positioned. In turn, your nervous system fires signals to the necessary stabilizing muscles that will enable your body to maintain a balanced position as best as possible. Therefore, one of the big benefits of performing exercises on the stability ball is the heightened training that your nervous system receives. As a result, you develop a better sense of balance, muscle firing sequencing, and other processes that enable your body to perform on unstable surfaces. This is important because the ability to respond to sudden surface changes is a reality of life. Think about running on uneven grass, standing while riding the bus or subway, walking on an icy sidewalk. All of these conditions require real time adjusting and responsiveness that will be bettered if you have trained your body on unstable surfaces such as wobble boards, bosu balls, and exercise balls. A greater sense of balance and stability in an ever-changing environment presents many injury prevention benefits especially among the elderly and those who are less co-ordinated to begin with. Reason #2 Greater Core Muscle Activation Core stability training has become a key aspect of most athletic training programs. Many trainers and athletes alike have adopted the use of the exercise ball to enhance the effectiveness of their core training programs. Popular opinion
138 and clinical wisdom would suggest that the use of the exercise ball is beneficial in that it provides an unstable surface requiring more muscle activation by the body to maintain stability. However, the research to support or refute these claims is minimal. Nonetheless, it is still an effective tool for developing greater core strength and stability. Research examining exercise ball use is limited due to the difficulty in measuring actual core stability, muscle activation in stabilizer muscles and physical loading demands placed on the body. The vast number of possible uses for the exercise ball also makes it difficult for researchers to assess and are therefore limited to measuring the effects of a few exercises and extrapolating results to various other versions of exercise ball exercises. To date most studies have only been able to measure the muscle activation in global stabilizer muscles such as rectus abdominus, external obliques, and erector spinae. Although the research is conflicting and somewhat inconclusive, my advice is to try it for yourself. Youll notice an immediate difference. Here are a couple of core-based movements that are far more challenging on the exercise ball (thus eliciting greater muscle activation). 1. Crunches on the exercise ball INSTEAD OF crunches on the floor 2. Planking on the exercise ball with feet raised on bench INSTEAD OF planking on floor. 3. Push-up knee roll-ins with feet on ball INSTEAD OF knee raises. Try these 3 movements and see for yourself which ones are more challenging. For instance, one of the reasons why crunches on the exercise ball are so much more effective is that they allow a greater motion in the eccentric (or stretch) phase of the crunch. The ball enables you to extend further back as you come back from the crunch or sit-up enabling a greater stretch in the abdominal muscles. When any muscle undergoes a greater stretch its subsequent activation is enhanced and strength increased! Reason #3 The Exercise Ball is FUN! Aside from the fact that the exercise ball provides more challenge and allows for greater core activation in many instances, my Fitter U program incorporates it for another important reason FUN! Simply mastering some of the more advanced functional exercises on the exercise ball is an exhilarating feeling. They would definitely make great party tricks thats for sure. But in all honesty, allowing your workouts to be more
139 enjoyable will better enable you to stay on track to reach your goals. Most people fall off their exercise programs because theyre boring and monotonous. Theres nothing wrong with having a little fun while putting in some good hard work! A final note when choosing an exercise ball you want to ensure that it is well inflated (not soft and mushy) and that when you sit on it your thighs are parallel to the floor. This will ensure that the ball you have chosen is just right for your height.
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Fat Burning Cable Workout

One of the best ways to burn more calories and shed fat in your workouts is simply to use more full body movements. The reason for this is simple. Your body burns 5 calories for every liter of oxygen it consumes, and the more muscle required for a given movement, the more oxygen it needs. If, for example, you perform a set of seated biceps curls Im sure you can appreciate that you wouldnt be huffing and puffing, right? Therefore, there isnt a great oxygen demand for that type of movement because it is solely focusing on the small biceps muscles. However, if you performed a set of cable squats with an upwards rotation (don't worry watch the video for details) all of a sudden your body requires much more oxygen to fuel all the working muscles - thus it can burn more fat. With this type of movement all of the large muscles in your legs are working at the same time as your biceps muscles. More muscle working means more oxygen needed which means that more calories will be burned. Watch this video for some great full-body exercises that you can do on the cable machine. What a workout! For more calorie-crunching full-body workouts click here to check out Fitter U.
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"Core of Steel" Workout (BOSU ball)

Here are 5 core exercises on the BOSU ball that will challenge your core BIG TIME and will leave it feeling a little sore (but great!) for a few days. Do as many reps as possible for each exercise. Once you master them they also make great party tricks! Heres the workout video
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3 Secrets to Visible Abs They Wont Tell You About!

Having trained thousands of individuals from all walks of life I would say that one of the most common goals among exercisers is to develop a visible 6-pack. Perhaps you fall into this category as well. I know I did at one point. Lets see how you can accomplish this goal and discover 3 secrets that you need to know in order to do so. SECRET #1 Its first important to realize that were not dealing with a 6-pack but instead an 8pack. Those 2 lower abdominal muscles that most people forget to consider help make up the 8-pack or rectus abdominis muscle. The second thing to realize is that rectus abdominis muscle is innervated by only 1 nerve. This means that from a neuromuscular perspective there is no difference between the upper and lower abs. Think back to all those people who have told you to do leg lifts to train you lower abs and crunches to train your upper abs. Although there intentions were honest, there is simply no differentiating this 8-pack muscle. Therefore, when you do situps, or crunches, or leg lifts youre training the exact same muscle the 8-pack OR rectus abdominis and the full length of this muscle. However, like with any other muscle in the body, using a variety of exercises (crunches, leg lifts, plank, etc) is helpful in order to stimulate individual muscle fibers within the full range of motion of the muscle and to maximize its performance and strength. SECRET #2 When it comes to visibly seeing your 8-pack there is little use for abdominal exercises! Thats right. You can do 1,000 sit-ups a day if you like but your efforts will be in vain. The reason for this is simple. In order for you to visibly see your abdominal muscles your body fat percentage needs to be around 10% or lower. And the best way to burn fat is by using fullbody movements that utilize a large amount of muscle in order to burn as many calories as possible. The more muscle involved in a movement, the more calories that are burned. Therefore, abdominal crunches are close to useless because theyre focused on such a small group of muscles that there is little metabolic effect. Performing a ton of ab work will get your abs strong but they wont be visible if theyre hiding behind a layer of fat.
143 Full-body movements such as squat presses, lunge walks with arm raises, stepups with biceps, and burpies are great movements that expend huge amount of calories. Aside from full-body movements, the incorporation of high-intensity interval training is needed to rev up your metabolism and maximize your calorie burning potential. However, when it comes to shedding body fat, the most important component is certainly your diet. It is beyond the scope of this article to go into full-out detail but simply by eating a higher percentage of living foods that alkalize your body your success will be that much closer. SECRET #3 Lets say that youre working hard to strengthen your abs but you still have a bit of gut that is showing. Thats fine. Realize that it will take some time and hard work to get a chiseled waistline. But what if, in the meantime, you could reduce your waist size simply by using a couple of easy-to-do core strengthening exercises? That would be already, wouldnt it? Ok, so heres what you want to do. You want to spend time developing and strengthening your trunk stabilizers namely your transversus abdominis (TVA) and your internal (IO) and external obliques (EO). In conjunction, these critical muscles help tighten your tummy while supporting your spine. You can get a feel for their activation by putting on a tight pair of pants (drawing in your belly button) and slightly tensing your abs (as if you were about to get punched). This 2-step activation is known as abdominal bracing. The easiest way to train the TVA, IO, and EO is simply to abdominal brace whenever you can. In fact, this is how I started out way back in the day. It sounds pretty ridiculous put back in junior high school I simply began abdominal bracing (not knowing what it was at the time) in order to get those washboard abs. The funniest part is that I was doing it to impress a girl. Pretty silly I know but it worked. After much conscious effort, these muscles learned how to tighten and strengthen my core naturally. So, instead of thinking about of activating these muscles, they simply acquired a natural tonicity to provide me with a tight, slim, and strong core. The same can happen for you.
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The Best Way to Burn Calories

One of the best ways to burn more calories in your workouts is simply to use more full body exercises. The reason for this is simple. Your body burns 5 calories for every liter of oxygen it consumes and the more muscle required for a given movement, the more oxygen it needs. If, for example, you perform a set of seated biceps curls Im sure you can appreciate that you wouldnt be huffing and puffing, right? Therefore, there isnt a great oxygen demand for that type of movement because it is solely focusing on the small biceps muscles. However, if you performed a set of wall squats with biceps curls all of a sudden your body requires much more oxygen to fuel all the working muscles. With this type of movement all of the large muscles in your legs are working at the same time as your biceps muscles. More muscle working means more oxygen needed which means that more calories will be burned. Therefore, with full body (multi-muscle) movements you will burn more calories! Give it a shot. If you wear a heart rate monitor during your workouts then youll also notice that movements that use a lot of muscle mass or that move weight over a greater distance will elicit a higher heart rate. If your heart rate is more elevated then you will burn more calories. You will also receive a greater cardiovascular training effect while developing lean muscle. Here are some typical exercises that can be spiced up by using full-body caloriecrunching movements. 1. Wall squats with biceps curls INSTEAD OF biceps curls alone. 2. Lunge walks with lateral raises INSTEAD OF lateral raises alone. 3. Step-ups with shoulder press INSTEAD OF seated shoulder press. 4. Squat presses INSTEAD OF squats alone. Give these movements a shot and youll notice an immediate difference. Start off by performing 2 sets of 10-12 reps for each movement (after a comprehensive warm-up obviously). These types of calorie-crunching workouts are hallmarks of my Fitter U program and are great because they are so effective AND they save you tons of time. With these types of exercises you get to train your entire body in less than 30 minutes while other people are spending 1 hour or more targeting one or two little muscle groups.
145 The key to burning fat and building a functional and fit body is to train movements NOT individual muscles. Think of how your body moves on a daily basis thats how you want to train it. The results will speak for themselves.
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Beginning Runners - How Often to Run per Week???

Like with any form of training, you become a stronger and more endurant runner as you run on a consistent basis. However, there is a fine balance between frequency of running and when you should rest to allow your body to recover. Recently, one of our Treadmill Trainer beginner running clients asked me the following question relating to running frequency: "Dear Yuri, I am very excited to start the Treadmill Trainer volume 1 running workout! I want to start running but right now I am beginner. My main objectives are to lose weight and to get in shape. How many times a week should I run the beginners program (Treadmill Trainer volume 1) and for how long before I start the next level (volume 2)? Thanks for your help." - Veronica
Because the Treadmill Trainer running programs are based on interval training they are inherently designed to make you a more proficient runner with less training. As a beginner, volume 1 takes you through intervals of walking and jogging with the goal of getting you fitter and more comfortable with being able to run for a longer period of time. So having said that, as a beginner using Treadmill Trainer running workout 2-3 times per week is plenty to help you become a better runner, lose weight, and get in great shape. Between each of these running workouts should be at least a day of recovery to allow your body to regenerate and bounce back stronger for the next run. Watch this video for more insight on this common running question: When do you know you're ready to move onto Treadmill Trainer volume 2? That's a good question. It really depends on how your body adapts to your running training. I usually suggest to move onto volume 2 when you feel comfortable running at least 15 minutes without walking or stopping.
147 Treadmill Trainer volume 2 is definitely more challenging than volume 1 but as with all the Treadmill Trainer running workouts you can end your run at the end of any of the sections within the workout. So don't be intimidated...just do it now and you'll be amazed at well you do!
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Can You Build Muscle Using Resistance Bands?

Recently I was asked if resistance bands could be used to build strength and muscle size similarly to dumbbells. Here is what was asked Hi Yuri, Ive watched all of your YouTube videos on different types of exercises. I would like to ask you if its possible to build muscle using a resistance band (just like you can with weights)? I'm a frequent traveler who wants to sculpt my body but i can only travel with the resistance bands. Any suggestions of how to get ripped using such exercise bands or is it possible? I hope you can tell me as you are a pro in this. Million thanks, Elvis. Well Elvis, the answer to your question is yes! I recommend using resistance bands for several reasons. First, using resistance bands is a great way to develop strength. A growing body of research is showing that accommodating resistance, a phenomenon whereby the bands tension becomes more challenging at your muscles strongest length (or angle), is a tremendous way of developing muscular strength. For instance, performing a biceps curl with a resistance band is far more challenging than using dumbbells. This is due to the fact that as you raise the band it becomes more taut, creating more tension and work in the biceps muscle. In general, as you lengthen the band it creates more resistance. So its almost like starting the movement with 10 lbs dumbbell and finishing it with a 30 lbs dumbbell, as an example. The constant pull of the band creates an ever-growing amount of tension making any muscular movement challenging throughout. Second, as the resistance band is stretched it stores a tremendous amount of recoil or kinetic energy, much like a outstretched spring. The natural tendency then would be for the band to snap back to original length, much like a rubber band that has been stretched. This provides an incredible eccentric or negative load on the working muscles that can produce amazing gains in strength. So the combination of increasing tension and intrinsic eccentric properties make the resistance band an amazing workout tool for developing muscular strength and size. However, it is important to progressively use tauter bands as you become stronger. Just like using a 10 lbs dumbbell forever will force you to plateau and realize no further strength gain, so too will a band of similar tension. As you get
149 stronger move onto a tougher more resistant band. Progression and overload are 2 important aspects of any training program and need to be implemented for maximum gains in strength and muscular growth. Here is a great resistance band workout that is great for doing at home, while you travel, or even in the gym. Watch this video to learn how to do each movement. *For each exercise, complete as many reps as you can in 30 seconds. 1. Squat Presses 2. Resisted Step-ups with Biceps Curls 3. Lateral Lunge with Diagonal Chop 3. Resisted Crunches (on stability ball) 4. Reverse Lunge with Back Row 5. Standing Alternating Chest Press 6. Squat Sit with 1-Arm Back Row Repeat for 2-3 sets with 1-2 minutes rest between each set. Enjoy!
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Is Interval Training Best on the Treadmill or Outside?

Recently I was asked the following question by someone who was watching one of my YouTube videos on cardio interval training.... "I saw your video and it encouraged me to try this system out because I am pressed for time a lot. I have heard that the treadmill is not the best thing to use when doing the HIIT (interval training) workout and I was wondering if this is fact or fiction??? Also if a treadmill is not the best item how would I go about doing this on an open field? Finally, today I went on the treadmill and did 3 minutes at a brisk walk around 4.3 MPH and than went into 7 sets of 1 minute at 8.2 mph and than 1 minute at 4.3 mph finally finishing with a 3 minute cool down. 8.2 is basically a legitimate run for me at this point so I was wondering if this is fine. I'd truly and greatly appreciate it if you will answer these questions for me." - Mike
The answers to these questions are "it depends". Answer #1 Doing interval training workouts on the treadmill is fine if you're using longer intervals since it takes most treadmills a fair amount of time to reach the desired speed. I would suggest using the treadmill for running workouts that involve intervals of at least 30 seconds. Using faster and thus shorter intervals of 10 or 15 seconds could be more difficult because it will take the treadmill that long to reach the intended speed. Answer #2 To do interval training outside is fairly simple yet not as accurate when it comes to calculating running speed. My best advice is to use a track if you can. That way you'll know exactly how much distance you cover in a given amount of time and thus can calculate your speed or pace. For example, you can set up a simple interval where you run 100 m in 12 seconds and then recover for 300 m in under 1 minute. You could then repeat this protocol for 10-15 minutes. Personally, I prefer doing interval runs outdoors because you can usually reach greater running speeds in only a few seconds (instead of waiting for the treadmill to change speeds). One method of doing these interval runs outdoors (if you
151 don't have access to a track) is to arbitrarily assign landmarks as your start and stop locations. For instance, if you're running on a sidewalk you could accelerate to full speed between streetlights or street corners and then jog for recovery for twice that distance (ie. 2 street corners). The same can be done in a park using big trees or other landmarks that you choose to use. Give those workouts a shot and if you need more assistance then be sure to get your hands on my Treadmill Trainer iPod running workouts as they provide you with my auditory coaching right over your headphones for the best interval running workouts ever!
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Strength and Fat Burning Outdoor Workout

If you're like me and love spending time outside, then you probably enjoy exercising outdoors as well. Especially as the weather gets warmer who wants to workout in a gym anyways, right? Personally, after having worked indoors training clients in gyms for 10 years I think I might even have an aversion to working out in one nowadays. As such, I try to do as many workouts as possible outside using a combination of stairs, hills, and an arsenal of bodyweight (and tubing) exercises for the best workout experience ever! Plus, I even get my vitamin D from the sun! Here's an outdoor workout that will take about 15-20 minutes of your time and leave you feeling pumped and refreshed. All you need is an exercise band and your bodyweight. If you're looking for outdoor strength training and cardio fat burning workouts then give this a shot. Also, watch the video to learn how to do the exercises. WARM-UP - 5 minutes Jogging (on spot or for distance) and/or jumping jacks WORKOUT - 10 min Complete as many reps as possible in 30 seconds. Then move on to the next exercise with no rest. Rest for 1 minute after all are complete. Repeat for 2-3 sets. Squat Presses (using band) Push-ups Squats with Back Row (using band) Lateral Speed Skater Strides *Optional cardio: 1 minute - jumping jacks, burpies, treadclimbers, jogging on spot. Have a look at the video for this workout
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Fun Strength Training and Cardio Outdoor Workout

This morning I took my dog, Jax, and went for an awesome cardio and strength training workout. Here's what we did: (1) We started off by running about 2 km to get warm. (2) We then came across a great set of stairs that I love running. There are probably a total of about 150 steps. We ran this staircase 6 times. Each run was slightly different. First I would run fast up every single step (training foot speed). Next, I would run every other step (more strength than speed). Then, I would do a combination of the two and I finished off the stairs with a set of 2 legged hops half-way up followed by a full-out sprint! (2a) After each stair run, I did a set of push-ups to failure. By this time, my legs were toast and my heart was beating out of my chest. (3) We then ran about 1/2 km to a nearby pull-up bar and performed several different pull-up and hanging core and abdominal exercises. Play this video to see what they look like. Our workout was complete within 40 minutes and I felt absolutely amazing. And, best of all, Jax was so tired that he spent most of the day sleeping - ah, relief! I encourage you to try this or a similar outdoor workout. You don't any equipment except your bodyweight and some creativity! Who needs the gym anyways?
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Recent Study Reveals Women Burn More Fat Than Men

A recent fat loss study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology (2005) has shown that women burn more fat than men during exercise. The researchers studied the effects of an incremental treadmill test to fatigue on 300 male and female subjects of varying fitness levels. They wanted to determine whether the ability to burn fat was influenced by gender, training status, fat free mass (lean body mass), and most importantly exercise intensity. It has been well established that the most important determinant of fat burning during exercise is in fact exercise intensity, whereby fatty acids comprise roughly 55% of total energy expenditure at low intensities but diminish as exercise intensity increases. Conversely, as exercise intensity increases so too does the contribution of carbohydrates to total energy expenditure. The shifting of fat and carbohydrate contribution to energy expenditure is known as the crossover effect and occurs anywhere from 50-75% of maximum heart rate depending on gender, training status, and the study cited. This is the point (or intensity) at which carbohydrates take over as the predominant fuel source for exercise. The present study found several interesting findings that have also been confirmed by numerous other studies. Some of these findings include: 1. Relative to lean body mass, women burn more fat than men at all exercise intensities. There are many mechanisms thought to be involved in the fat oxidation difference between men and women; briey, these include levels of circulating hormones and catecholamines (adrenaline), muscle ber type proportion, adrenergic regulation of fatty acid mobilization, and activity of the fat burning enzyme hormone-sensitive lipase. 2. Fat is a greater contributor to total energy expenditure at lower exercise intensities. This goes back to the crossover effect that was mentioned above. However, there are several mechanisms that inhibit fat burning at higher sustained intensities including lactic acid accumulation and an increasingly acidic cellular environment.
3. Fitter individuals burn more fat

155 Both VO2 max (maximum aerobic capacity) and training status are signicant predictors of fat oxidation. This would imply that VO2 max and training status can increase fat oxidation by increasing fat free mass and also by increasing the capacity of the muscle to burn fat. It also has been firmly established in training studies that trained individuals utilize more fat at the same relative (higher absolute) exercise intensity than untrained individuals. Training has also been shown to be an effective means of increasing fat oxidation during exercise in obese men and women and that the intensity found to induce these changes was low (40% VO2 max roughly 50% of max heart rate). Take Home Message Based on these findings it is clear that the fitter you are the better your chances of burning fat. As your body adapts to endurance training it becomes better at saving important carbohydrate reserves and instead utilizes unneeded fat. Therefore, get active on a daily basis to allow your body to become a fat burning machine. The second piece of advice Id like to give is to you is this WALK EVERY SINGLE DAY! Why? Well, as this studies (and tons of other studies have shown) low intensity exercise uses fat as a major source of fuel. Therefore, at a minimum you need to make walking (a relatively low intensity activity) a fundamental aerobic activity in your daily life. At least 30 minutes per day should do the trick. Take your dog for a walk, walk with your loved one, walk to work or home or to the grocery store just do it!
Reference: Venables, M. et al. (2005). Determinants of fat oxidation during exercise in healthy men and women: a cross-sectional study. J Appl Physiol 98: 160 167, 2005.
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What is the Best Type of Interval Training to Burn Fat?

Over the past decade the popularity of interval training for fat loss and performance improvements has been amazing. There have been so many studies investigating the fat loss and performance benefits of using intervals versus long boring cardio and the results truly speak for themselves. But as with any type of training, your body will adapt to how it is trained, and different energy systems will be used depending on the intensity and duration of the exercise. For instance, a 400m sprinter might run intervals lasting up to 60 seconds and then recovering for 3 minutes because that type of training would most closely resemble what he/she would be going through in a race. And in reality there are literally thousands of different interval training protocols to follow depending on your goal and fitness level. But what about the average person who doesnt want to train for track and field or a particular sport and is solely concerned with burning fat? Is there an interval training protocol that is best to maximize fat loss? Some people recommend long duration intervals (ie. 1 minute hard, 2 minutes recovery) while others recommend shorter duration intervals that can elicit a much harder effort. So the answer to the interval training for fat loss question is yes - but it isnt what you think. Heres why Research published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology compared the fat-burning effects of two different interval training workouts, both lasting 40 minutes. The first consisted of short intervals lasting 6 seconds, with 9-second rest periods. The second workout involved long intervals lasting 24 seconds, with 36second rest periods. It's important to note that the treadmill speed was identical during both the short and long interval workouts. Moreover, the ratio between work and recovery bouts was also the same (ie. 2:3 work to rest), meaning that the total amount of time spent running on the treadmill (16 minutes) was also identical. Despite the fact that exercise intensity and duration were kept constant during both trials, there were large differences in fat oxidation.
157 In fact, the number of fat calories burned was approximately 3 times LOWER during the long (24 seconds) interval workout. To understand why the short intervals were so much more effective at increasing fat oxidation, it's important to understand a little more about a substance called myoglobin. The mysterious myoglobin Myoglobin is a large protein that binds to oxygen inside your muscle cells. Think of it a little like a "reserve" oxygen supply. As the blood has hemoglobin, the muscles have myoglobin. Both store oxygen. According to physiologist Olof Astrand, myoglobin is repeatedly used and reloaded during the work and recovery phases of interval exercise. However, as the duration of the work period increases, myoglobins oxygen stores are reduced. Your body needs more oxygen to burn fat as a fuel (compared to carbohydrate or protein). When oxygen supplies become limited, carbohydrates then provide a greater proportion of energy. This is also seen in the crossover effect where carbohydrates become the more dominant source of fuel at higher exercise intensities compared to fats which are mainly oxidized at lower intensities. And furthermore, because lactic acid, a by-product of carbohydrate metabolism, "blocks" fat burning, intense intervals that continue beyond the point at which myoglobin loses its supply of oxygen (usually above 15 seconds or so) rely to a greater extent on carbohydrate as a source of energy and, thus, dont burn as much fat as shorter intervals. As mentioned, because myoglobin holds enough oxygen to last for 5-15 seconds it would make send to perform short, intense rather than long intervals to promote a greater rise in fat oxidation. As such, if your goal is to lose fat, then limit your work intervals to a maximum of 15 seconds. Studies also show that shorter intervals don't feel as physically demanding as long intervals, which means that you can get better results without feeling like you're working harder.
How much rest should you take between work bouts? This depends on the duration of the work intervals and your fitness level. The longer the work interval, the more myoglobin gets used up, and the longer it takes to "reload". Therefore, youd need more time to recover.
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The study alluded to earlier used rest intervals that were 1.5 times greater than the work intervals (6 seconds work: 9 seconds rest). Based on these findings, a 15-second work interval would require a minimum of 22 seconds rest. However, if youre new to interval training I would recommend starting with a work-to-rest ratio of 1:3. This means that if you work hard for 15 seconds, give yourself 45 seconds to recover. As you become fitter, then you can reduce the amount of recovery.
Reference: Christmass, M.A., Dawson, B., & Arthur, P.G. (1999). Effect of work and recovery duration on skeletal muscle oxygenation and fuel use during sustained intermittent exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 80, 436-447 .
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Interval Training for Runners

Yesterday, we talked about the best type of interval training for burning fat. Today we're going to discuss the best type of interval training to improve your running performance. Specificity, specificity, specificity! The key to achieving the best running results from your interval training workouts is to set-up your training runs so that they closely match the energy demands of your actual race pace. For instance, running a 5k can be very demanding if you give it your all. The 5k is usually run at a pace that is close to 80-85% of your maximum heart rate. As such, this type of run can lead to build up a lactic acid and fatigue fairly quickly, especially if you aren't prepared properly. Most advanced 5k runners can run a 5k in anywhere from 15 to 18 minutes. Believe me, that's very fast! That means that over a 5k distance, their pace would equate to 3 to 3.5 minutes/km. So if you take an average pace of 3.5 minutes/km that means that means that you'd have train at that pace (or faster) to best prepare yourself for the energy demands of that run. For obvious reasons, this may be tough for many intermediate 5k runners at first, but the good news is that with proper training one can achieve such goals. If you're not used to running a 3.5 minute/km then it will be very tough to maintain that pace for longer than a minutes at most - at least initially. So instead of going all out and hitting the wall, you can break up your training runs into intervals that mimic your goal pace while allowing yourself to recover in between. If you want to run your 5k in 18 minutes then you could train using the following interval training workouts 3-4 times per week: WORKOUT #1 Warm-up: 5 minutes (talk test pace) Interval Training Workout: 2 minutes at 5k pace (ie. 3.5 minutes/km) : 1 minute recovery jog Repeat for a total of 9 intervals or 27 minutes.
160 Running this workout for 27 minutes would mean that you would be at your 5k race pace for the desired 18 minutes (because we've broken it up with recovery bouts). Once you've followed this interval training workout for 2-3 weeks you should be ready to move onto the following (more challenging) interval training run that will get you ready for your 5k race.
WORKOUT #2 Warm-up: 5 minutes (talk test pace) Interval Training Workout: 3 minutes at 110% of 5k pace (ie. 3 minutes/km) : 30 second recovery jog Repeat this interval 6 times for a total of 21 minutes This second workout more closely resembles your desired 5k race pace because your running faster than you would in the race and you give your body less time to recover. After all, when do you get to recover in an actual 5k race? Never! Furthermore, you're also maintaining this pace of longer than the previous workout (3 vs. 2 minutes). The goal with these workouts is to get your body (cardiovascular system and legs, specifically) accustomed to running at or faster than your race pace for longer periods of time while allowing less recovery over time. As a result, you will be ready to run your 5k race and find it easier to run compared to your interval training runs! And who doesn't like that? Give these a shot and enjoy. Here are 2 other interval running workouts to try: Interval training workout 1 video Interval training workout 2 video
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Top 10 Reasons to Use Interval Training

Interval training (HIT) involves a combination of high and low-intensity training within a single workout session. With interval training sessions, you alternate between a bout of higher intensity exercise followed by a lower intensity or active recovery bout. Interval training is in contrast to the more familiar steady state exercise where the intensity is much lower but longer in duration. Interval training is awesome for fat burning and aerobic conditioning but lets have a look at some more reasons to use interval training for your cardio workouts. What are the benefits of interval training? 1. Intervals vastly reduce boredom. Traditional steady state cardio training can become quite boring. HIT offers more variety and excitement to your workouts. 2. Interval training increases post-exercise energy expenditure (calories burned following exercise) more than steady-state exercise, which means that more fat is burned. After intense exercise, the body needs extra calories as it works to repair muscles, replace energy stores (i.e. carbohydrate) and restore the body to its normal state (e.g. reduce heart rate). As this can take many hours, you will keep on burning more calories long after the workout is over. In fact, research shows that metabolic rate is higher for several hours following interval training compared to steady state exercise. 3. Interval training stimulates the respiratory system, cardiovascular system and nervous system to a greater degree. Therefore, more fat and carbohydrates are burned to support the expanding energy demands of the body during, and after, intense exercise. 4. Interval training increases the activity of enzymes involved in fat burning. Research has shown that after a bout of interval training there is more fat in the blood (i.e. free fatty acids), which is an indication of more fat, being used for energy production. 5. HIT burns more calories. As an example, 30 minutes on an Elliptical machine using a steady state program will burn roughly 292 calories, whereas 30 minutes of intervals will burn approximately 584 calories! 6. HIT causes a greater increase in VO2max (aerobic capacity). By stimulating your cardiovascular system to work closer to its maximum capacity for a longer duration than steady state exercise. 7. HIT allows for better time efficiency. For instance, a typical 30 min steady state run on the treadmill could be reduced to 10 15 min of HIT due to its demands on the aforementioned systems.
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8. HIT results in increased amounts of circulating growth hormone (GH) following exercise. This promotes an increase in lean body mass and increased fat burning. This does not occur to the same extent with steady state exercise. This is particularly beneficial for those looking to maintain their muscle mass and at the same time reduce body fat. 9. Interval training makes use of both aerobic (type 1) and anaerobic (type 2) muscle fibres. This is in contrast to steady state exercise that only makes use of type 1 fibres. By increasing the conditioning of these type 2 muscle fibres you will greatly increase your capacity to tolerate high-intensity exercise, which means an increased opportunity to exercise at higher levels that burns a lot of calories. 10. Because of the high-intensity of this exercise and the increased use of anaerobic type 2 muscle fibres there is an increased use of the bodys glycogen (muscle-stored carbohydrates) stores. This is very beneficial for fat loss as the body will conserve carbohydrate following exercise and thus use fat as an energy source for the bodys energy requirements. The more glycogen you use during exercise the more fat you will burn following exercise! Guidelines for Interval Training 1. Intensity of high-intensity interval 2. Intensity of low-intensity interval 3. Duration of high-intensity interval 4. Duration of low-intensity interval 5. Number of Intervals Because of its versatility, HIT offers 1000s of different program variations. This is great for those looking for variety and change. After all, the body adapts best to changing stimuli. Furthermore, this type of training can be done on any cardio machine. Again, switching between machines periodically will stress your body differently and lead to the best results! It is recommended that the intensity for the high-intensity interval range between 75 100% of your maximum effort. This will depend on the duration of the interval, as the longer the interval, the lower its intensity. The recovery interval should range in the 55 65% of maximum effort. The ratio of work to recovery can be varied and will depend on your fitness level and desired goal. For instance, if you're an absolute beginner I would recommend starting at a work : rest ratio of 1:4. As an example, this could represent a high-intensity (work) interval of 15 seconds followed by a 60 second recovery interval. If you are more advanced you can play around with this ratio for increased difficulty.
163 What you will notice is that over the duration of the interval training session your average heart rate will tend to drift upward. This is due to the fact that, depending on the interval protocol and your fitness level, the length of your recovery bouts will not be sufficient to allow your heart rate to fully return to rest; thus, you end up working at a greater percentage of your maximum heart rate even while you recover. Here is a sample 10-min interval training workout that is sure to leave you exhausted: 1. 10 seconds at 100% effort 2. 20 seconds at 60% effort Repeat 20 times Enjoy!
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Top 10 Ab Exercises for a Strong Core

Add these 10 abs exercises to your strength training routine and watch your core strength improve as you sculpt a solid 6-pack. 1. Plank 2. Side Plank with Twist 3. Stability Ball Crunches against Resistance Band 4. Deadbug 5. V-sits 6. Prone Knee Roll-ins (with stability ball) 7. Spiderman Push-ups 8. Hanging Knee Raises 9. V-Sit Medicine Ball Scissors 10. Touch the Sky Set these exercises up in a circuit training fashion performing 30 seconds of each without rest in between. Perform 1 or 2 sets and enjoy the burn. You can also try my "Super Abs Workout" which is shown in the following video:
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Why it's Tough to Lose That Baby Fat

For most people, losing weight is life-long battle. One that can be amazingly fulfilling, while at other times utterly depressing. Having worked with 1000s of individuals whose goals have been centered around weight loss (and specifically fat loss) I've noticed certain predispositions that make losing weight more difficult for some people than others. Losing Baby Fat Unfortunately, nowadays childhood obesity is a "big" problem. Kids are, in general, less active due to the amount of time spent watching TV, playing video games, and a decreased level of physical education in most schools. This problem is furthered by poor eating habits fostered by advertisements that promote high-sugar "addictive foods", lack of proper nutrition education in most households, and several other factors. All of this predisposes our youth to become fatter and more lethargic. The concern here is that at a young age the body grows more fat cells until the beginning of puberty. This sets up the affected child for a long and tiring struggle with their weight for the rest of their life. Since our body actually grows more fat cells at a young age (if fed a lot of dietary fats, sugars, and calories), it only follows that this critical period of time must promote proper nutrition education and dietary habits as well as an active lifestyle. If an individual has more fat cells he/she will have a greater tendency to easily gain weight as they grow older. Similarly, it will also be harder for such a person to lose weight and keep it off. Once we've passed puberty we are pretty much set with a finite number of fat cells - much as we are with muscle cells. Therefore, any weight loss/fat loss efforts cannot be directed towards losing actual fat cells but instead "shrinking" their size. It's almost like taking the air out of a balloon. Unfortunately, the more balloons (fat cells) there are in the body, the more work it takes to deflate them. That's one of the reasons why people who were overweight as children may find it tough to keep a healthy weight as they grow older. Naturally skinny people, on the other hand, have fewer fat cells and thus don't have to work as hard to maintain a leaner body. I'm sure you know such people! Those who can eat whatever they want and never put on an ounce of body fat.
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Here's the Good News The good news is that if you find it naturally harder to lose weight you will be forced to live a healthy lifestyle with a good focus on healthy nutrition and regular exercise - this is a great thing! Although some people may disagree, I believe you have to work with what you've got and turn your "weaknesses" into your "strengths". Naturally skinny don't necessarily have the same "need" to worry about their weight and as such tend not to focus too much on what they eat and drink or whether or not they're very active. As such, my experience with such people has shown that they predispose themselves for an unhealthy future. Even if they're not packing on the pounds, they are definitely not doing their internal body any good by eating "garbage" foods and not exercising. Now obviously not everyone who is thin is unhealthy but I'm simply highlighting the tendency. Overweight individuals "generally" have a greater motivation to exercise and eat well in order to lose weight, which, in turn fosters better overall health.
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Why it's Harder for Women to Lose Weight

It has been my experience that, in general, women are at a distinct disadvantage when compared to men when it comes to obesity and their ability to lose weight. There are a couple of reasons that can help explain this phenomenon. First, women generally have smaller body sizes, and, as a result, their energy expenditures have been shown to be less than that of men performing the same activities. For example, according the American College of Sports Medicine, an 85-kg male running 10 kilometers in 45 minutes would expend 917 calories. However, A 55kg female running the same distance in the same time would expend only 593 calories! The lower energy output is primarily due to the fact that women have a smaller body mass than men. Women are also at a disadvantage because they tend to have less fat-free mass than men. Since fat-free mass (or muscle mass) is responsible for fueling our metabolism, the average daily metabolic rates (ADMR) for women will therefore be less than that of men of the same ages and body sizes. The average basal metabolic rate (BMR) for men is considered to be 38 kcal/m2/h while it is only 35 kcal/m2/h for women. BMR is the minimum number of calories your body needs to sustain life in a resting state. It can be looked at as being the amount of energy (measured in calories) expended by the body to remain in bed asleep all day! Amazingly, your BMR can be responsible for burning up to 70% of your total calories on a daily basis, but this figure varies due to different factors such as lean body mass, gender, age, genetics, and your activity level. Your BMR is the largest factor in determining overall metabolic rate and how many calories you need to maintain, lose or gain weight. According to exercise physiologists William McArdle and Frank Katch, the average maintenance level (BMR) for women in the United States is 2000-2100 calories per day and the average for men is 2700-2900 calories per day. Since men have a higher BMR than women, therefore, they will in turn have a higher ADMR (average daily metabolic rate). The fact that women are in many cases smaller than men and that their ADMRs tend to be lower than that of men makes the weight loss process more difficult for women than for men. The differences between men and women such as increased muscle mass and BMR are mainly hormonally caused. Prior to puberty, men and women are
168 physiologically similar; it is the presence of either testosterone or estrogen that leads to physiological changes. Increased testosterone leads to an increase in muscle mass whereas estrogen leads to an increase in fat deposits. With exercise, women increase their levels of testosterone, thereby increasing their muscle mass and BMR. Heres a simple formula you can use to figure out your basal metabolic rate. Its known as Katch-McArdle formula and its a helpful tool because it calculates BMR based on lean body weight (its more accurate than other formulas that simply look at body weight). If you have had your body composition tested and you know your lean body mass, then you can get the most accurate BMR estimate of all. This formula takes into account lean mass and therefore is more accurate than a formula based on total body weight. Since this formula accounts for lean body mass (LBM), this single formula applies equally to both men and women. BMR (men and women) = 370 + (21.6 X lean mass in kg) Example: You are female You weigh 120 lbs. (54.5 kg) Your body fat percentage is 20% (24 lbs. fat, 96 lbs. lean) Your lean mass is 96 lbs. (43.6 kg) Your BMR = 370 + (21.6 X 43.6) = 1312 calories Now that you know your BMR would you like to know how many calories youre actually burning on a daily basis? This is referred to as your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). To determine your TDEE from BMR, you simply multiply your BMR by the following activity multiplier that most suits you: Activity Multiplier Sedentary = BMR X 1.2 (little or no exercise, desk job) Lightly active = BMR X 1.375 (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk) Moderately active = BMR X 1.55 (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk) Very active = BMR X 1.725 (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk) Extremely active = BMR X 1.9 (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.) Example: Your BMR is 1312 Your activity level is moderately active (work out 3-4 times per week) Your activity factor is 1.55 Your TDEE = 1.55 X 1312 = 2033 calories
169 It has to be said that Im not huge fan of counting calories so if you want to lose weight without tediously counting calories then here are few things you can do to increase your basal metabolic rate to allow your body to burn more fat even while youre asleep! 1. Resistance train a minimum of 3 times per week is recommended. Use your body weight or dumbbells but make sure it gets done. 2. Interval cardio train studies have shown that high-intensity cardio can raise your metabolic rate for up to 24 hours post-exercise. Interval training allows you to work at a greater intensity while saving you tremendous amounts of time versus low-intensity, long, boring cardio. 3. Drink 2-3 cups of green tea each day green tea has been shown to increase BMR by increasing your bodys temperature. It is a safe thermogenic aid that also contains tremendous amounts of antioxidants. 4. Eat more raw foods raw living foods are rich in enzymes. These enzymes are essential for every single metabolic reaction in your body. The more enzymes you can acquire from food, the less stress you impose on your digestive system, the more energy youll feel, and the more you increase your metabolic fat-burning engine!
References: American College of Sports Medicine. (1995). ACSMs guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (5th ed. pp. 53-54, 62-64). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins. McArdle, W. D., Katch, F. I., & Katch, V. L. (1996). Exercise physiology: Energy, nutrition, and human performance (4th ed.; pp. 151-152, 408-411, 541-542). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.
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Interval Training Workout

After an embarrassing 2-0 loss last week to a team that we totally outplayed, I decided to take action and get the members of my soccer team (University of Toronto alumni - also known as Toronto Blues FC) in better running shape. See the problem with playing men's soccer is that, unlike professional soccer or competitive youth soccer, the commitment (and thus fitness level) from each player is limited due to family, work, etc... Nonetheless, we are playing in one of the most competitive soccer divisions in the province of Ontario and we've all committed to giving it our all. Unfortunately, there are players who can only last 20-30 minutes while others are exhausted after just a few full field sprints. So here's what I did... On top of our regular Monday night training sessions, I initiated a optional (yet highly recommended) interval training fitness session to take place on Wednesday nights. This would give our guys plenty of time to recover from Monday's session and optimally prepare our bodies for the upcoming game on the weekend. The interval training fitness session would last no more than 45 minutes and consist of soccer-specific running. The beauty of soccer is that there is a change of pace (and direction) every 5-6 seconds. At the same time, the average elite player covers around 9-10 km in a 90-minute game. So taking full advantage of the beautiful weather and the wonderful running track at the University of Toronto, here's what our first interval training session looked like. The goal of this interval training workout was to increase aerobic endurance and speed endurance via short-duration (no lactic acid production) intervals. Warm-up: 4 x 400m @ light jog/talk test pace (final 100m was faster) Dynamic stretching with light accelerations: 5 minutes Sprint Interval #1: 50m @ 100% : 150 @ 65% recovery x 8 Recovery: 1 x 400m (+plus rehydration) Sprint Interval #2: 100m @ 100% : 300m @ 65% x 4 Cool down: 1 x 400m + core exercises + static stretching + rehydration
171 Total distance covered = 4 km (800m run at full speed) Note that this was our first session and as such was not "vomit-inducing" by any means. That was never the goal. The goal was to get the guys used to running repeated short bouts at their maximum running speed. Again, I wanted to keep it soccer-specific. Next week's session will build upon this one but feature slightly more distance and a reduced recovery time during the intervals. Stay tuned for that workout later next week. For now, if you access to a running track, then give this interval training running workout a shot. It's an awesome sport-specific training session for any sport really and even a great for 5k runners to start building some more running speed into their training.
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Interval Training Workouts For Maximum Fitness and Fat Loss Results
Interval training has been shown to be the most effective cardiovascular training method for improving cardiovascular endurance, sport-specific performance, boosting metabolic rate, and burning fat! With such amazing accolades to its name, interval training should be used by anyone and everyone interested in any of the aforementioned benefits. But how do you start interval training? Which cardio machines do you use? And what type of interval training protocol do you follow? To make your life much easier, Ive taken the time to answer these questions by providing you with some tried, tested, and true interval training programs that will spice up your workouts and in less time! Throw these interval workouts alongside your resistance training 2-3 times per week and just watch how youre going to look and feel. Ensure that you get a good 5-10 minute warm-up before beginning your interval workouts.
INTERVAL TRAINING PROGRAM #1 Cardio equipment: stationary or spinning bike Purpose: burning fat Interval training protocol: 10 sec @ 100% : 30 sec @ 60% x 18 = 12 minutes Ensure that you use a flywheel resistance that prevents you from bouncing up and down on the seat. Thus, you should feel a good amount of resistance during the 10-second work period. You can lower the resistance if you like during the 30-second recovery.
INTERVAL TRAINING PROGRAM #2 Cardio equipment: treadmill (running) Purpose: speed/anaerobic running endurance (great for 5k runners) Interval training protocol: 1 minute @ 85% : 2 minutes @ 60% x 5 = 15 minutes Be sure to allow a few seconds for the treadmill to change speeds.
173 INTERVAL TRAINING PROGRAM #3 Cardio equipment: rower Purpose: aerobic power endurance and metabolism boost for maximum postworkout calorie afterburn. Interval training protocol: 2 minutes @ 90% : 1 minute @ 60% x 4 = 12 minutes For most fit individuals a rowing pace of 2:00/500m is a challenging pace for the 2-minute interval. This will obviously vary depending on your fitness level. The 1minute rest will surely seem too short as this workout will burn your arms, heart, and most importantly fat!
VIDEO: Interval Training for Runners Watch this video and give this workout a shot as well.
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Exercise Intensity, Fat Burning, and the Afterburn Effect

Traditionally, it was thought that low intensity exercise was more beneficial for fat loss than high intensity exercise. And for good reason since physiologically the body burns a greater percentage of fat calories is at a lower intensity. It was therefore thought that this equated to more fat loss. However, this line of thinking failed to consider the fact that even though high intensity exercise might have a relatively lower percentage of fat calories expended, more total calories are expended during high intensity exercise for a given duration. This, in turn, would increase the absolute number of fat calories expended during exercise of a given duration. In addition, low intensity exercise fails to increase the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), or as I like to call it the afterburn, as greatly as high intensity exercise, especially high intensity exercise of longer durations. A greater EPOC or afterburn leads to an increase in calories expended following the conclusion of the exercise bout. As exercise intensity increases, the magnitude and duration of the afterburn increases. This has been shown in numerous studies. For instance, a study in the journal Metabolism, had subjects complete exercise bouts at intensities of 29%, 50% and 75% of their VO2max for a period of 80 minutes. The greatest EPOC was reported following the highest exercise intensity (75% VO2max) with 30 liters of oxygen consumed or 150 calories burned. (Note: it is well understood in all exercise physiology and nutrition texts that for every liter of oxygen consumed, approximately 5 calories are burned.) Additionally, the duration of EPOC following the highest intensity exercise was significantly longer when compared to the lower-intensity bouts (10.5 hours versus 0.3 and 3.3 hours). Thats an astounding difference! Now some people might say that 150 calories over the course of 10 hours isnt very significant. This may be true but it becomes very significant when this type of training becomes part of your fitness routine. Assuming everything else to be the same, an extra 150 calories burned at rest on a daily basis would equate to a 1 lb fat loss every 23 days! Exercise Intensity and Your Resting Metabolic Rate The most important aspect of how high intensity exercise causes weight and fat loss does not necessarily occur during the exercise itself. A higher exercise
175 intensity can also cause an acute increase in resting metabolic rate (RMR) for up to 24 hours post-exercise (as shown by Bielinski and colleagues in a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). An increase in RMR will automatically increase caloric expenditure throughout the day since your RMR accounts for up to 75% of your total daily energy expenditure. Additionally, even though high intensity exercise does not use as much relative fat as a fuel source during exercise, fat is burned to a greater extent following exercise in order to replenish the glycogen stores depleted during the high intensity exercise. What Role Does Caloric Restriction Play in Fat Loss? Some researchers have concluded that exercise without caloric restriction is not an effective means of absolute weight loss because exercise preserves or, in the case of resistance or high intensity cardiovascular exercise, increases fat-free mass. Reduce the number of calories coming and increase the amount of calories you expend and your weight loss becomes a whole lot easier. Researchers, such as those from a 1995 study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, have also found that high intensity exercise facilitates fat loss as well as preserving fat-free mass at a greater rate than low intensity exercise. One of the reasons for this is that high intensity exercise promotes the release of growth hormone - a hormone necessary for muscle development. Furthermore, high intensity exercise, unlike extreme duration low intensity cardio, does not allow you to exercise for excessive durations that could potentially cause the body to tap into muscle protein reserves for fuel.
References: Bielinski, R., Schutz, Y., & Jquier, E. (1985). Energy metabolism during the postexercise recovery in man. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 42, 69-82. Grediagin, A., Cody, M., Rupp, J., Benardot, D., & Shern, R. (1995). Exercise intensity does not effect body composition change in untrained, moderately overfat women. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 95, 661-665. McArdle, W. D., Katch, F. I., & Katch, V. L. (1996). Exercise physiology: Energy, nutrition, and human performance (4th ed.; pp. 151-152, 408-411, 541-542). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.
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Just Another Reason Why Resistance Training is Imperative for Fat Loss
The pursuit of fat loss boils down to 2 main factors: diet and exercise. Theres no way around this fact. Unfortunately, our cultures dependence on quick weight loss fixes has led people to believe that there are secret fat loss cheats (such as pills, magical herbs, etc) that will promote increased fat burning. The fact is that this simply isnt so. At the end of the day, losing weight boils down to creating a negative energy balance (ie. burning more calories than you consume) and burning fat may be even more dependent on your ability to maintain a favourable amount of fat-free mass (or muscle) that will naturally raise your metabolic rate, which in turn will burn more fat 24 hours a day! A significant amount of research has dedicated to figuring out the ideal formula for exercise that will stimulate a maximum amount of fat loss. The good news is that there isnt a strict formula for success. Instead, there are numerous exercise approaches that will help you burn fat. But one fact remainsyou need resistance training to burn fat! Why? As Ive mentioned in previous writings, your ability to burn fat depends on several factors, none more important than your resting metabolic rate (RMR). RMR is an important source of fat burning because fat is the bodys primary fuel source at rest and during low-intensity exercise. And one of the biggest determinants of your RMR is fat-free mass, which is a really a reflection of the amount of muscle on your body. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn because muscle is much more metabolic than fat. And since your RMR increases as you increase your muscle (or lean body mass), you will inevitably burn more fat calories. Unfortunately, long and boring cardio has little effect on your RMR because it doesnt promote muscle development. Resistance training is the key. Study Shows No Difference in Fat Burning After 16-Weeks of Sub-Maximal Cardio Training Not too long ago a study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology showed no difference in the bodys ability to burn fat after 16-weeks of cardio training among lean and obese women.
177 The researchers hypothesized that cardio training (walking at 70% of VO2 max; 3x/week for 16 weeks) would lead to an increased ability to burn fat, especially among the obese participants. Other studies have shown that obese individuals actually burn more fat during exercise because they have more free-fatty acids (FFA) circulating in the blood. This tendency was predicted to be even more pronounced after 16 weeks of cardio training. But unfortunately, there was difference in the obese (and nonobese) participants ability to burn fat during their post-training test. Although their discussion of the study was interesting, the researchers failed to mention that one of the limiting factors that possibly could have accounted for little change in their results was the fact that neither the lean or obese women showed any improvements in lean body mass after the 16 weeks of training. But how are we supposed to expect an increase in lean body mass simply as a result of walking on a treadmill? It just doesnt happen. Thats why resistance training needs to be an integral component of any fat loss exercise program especially for obese individuals. Lean and Obese Individuals Respond Differently to the Same Training Research has also demonstrated that in lean individuals, the ability to burn fat increases with endurance training. In obese individuals however, the findings are controversial. Both a decreased and increased fat oxidation has been reported after endurance (cardio) training. In the present study, the group of obese women did not alter their fat burning capability but did increase their carbohydrate oxidation. This is an interesting finding since endurance cardio training usually enhances the bodys ability to spare carbohydrates and, instead, use fat as a more predominant source of fuel. Apparently there are mechanisms (still unexplained) that inhibit this from occurring among obese individuals. Resistance Training is Paramount for Fat Loss The take-home message from all of this is that resistance training is an essential component to burning fat (not just losing weight), and especially among obese individuals. Resistance training can take the form of bodyweight and a multitude of other weight-bearing movements. The key is to engage in resistance training workouts anywhere from 2-4 times per week. The result will be an increase in lean body mass, which in turn, will increase your RMR. Since your RMR accounts for
178 roughly 70% of all the calories you burn on a daily basis, even a small increase can make a huge fat burning difference.
Reference: Kanaley, J. et al. (2001). Substrate oxidation during acute exercise and with exercise training in lean and obese women. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 85: 68-73
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High Intensity Interval Training Program - Week #2

Well, its Thursday and that means that last night marked my second high intensity interval training workout with my teammates from the University of Toronto soccer program. Did you get a chance to try last weeks high intensity interval training session? Well, even if you didnt, let me tell you that last nights cardio routine was a killer! And in a good way. It's a wonderfully humid evening and the combination of pouring sweat and a tremendous endorphin rush made for quite the euphoric high - I couldn't get to sleep until 1am. If youre not sure how to incorporate these cardio routines into your running schedule its pretty simple. Do 2-3 of these high intensity interval workouts per week and youll be flying! Heres the high intensity interval training program that we followed. Ill explain the rationale in a second. INTERVAL TRAINING PROGRAM Warm-up: 4 x 400m @ talk test pace (with 5 minutes of dynamic stretching) Interval#1: 50m @ 100% : 100m @ 65% x 6 = 900m Recovery Lap: 1 x 400m (light jog or walk) Interval #2: 100m @ 100% : 200m @ 65% x 6 = 1800m Recovery Lap: 1 x 400m (light jog or walk) Interval #3: 200m @ 100% : 200m @ 65% x 3 = 1200m Total distance: 6300m (1500m run at 100%) Wow! I just got tired from writing that workout. Believe me it is a challenging run training workout. Last weeks high intensity interval training routine featured a work to rest ratio of 1:3 allowing us to recover slightly longer. But last night we reduced the recovery time so that that ratio become 1:2 (except for the final 200m intervals which were 1:1 ratio). The goal of this session was to continue developing aerobic power and cardiovascular endurance without producing much lactic acid. Having said that,
180 interval #3 was a fun addition which was meant to simply finish us off there definitely was some lactic in the muscles by that point. Now, if youre a runner doing 5k training or 10k training or an athlete training for a particular sport, then this high intensity interval training is a must. As you can see from the numbers we spent roughly 25% of the total distance at 100% of our max thats a full 1500m at 100% sprint. Thats whats so wonderful about interval training it allows you to work at your maximum because you break it up into bouts of high intensity and low intensity or sprint and jog. Give this workout a shot and stay tuned for next weeks interval training program.
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Top 5 Workout Items to Bring While You Travel

Traveling any time soon? Going on vacation and don't feel like spending much time in the gym working out? Well, here are my top 5 workout items to bring the next time you travel. In just a few minutes you can have an amazing workout - without stepping into the gym! TOP 5 WORKOUTS ITEMS TO BRING ON YOUR NEXT TRIP: 1. Resistance band - this is an absolute must. It is so versatile, allowing you to pretty much hit every single body part, while also taking up precious little space in your suitcase. Try this resistance band workout. 2. Running shoes - let's get serious...if you're going to be active while you travel (walking, running, etc...) you need a decent pair of running shoes. Need I say more? 3. Skippping rope - in just 5 minutes, jumping rope (or "skipping" as some like to call it) can give you one of the most tremendous cardio workouts while shaping and toning your arms and legs. 4. iPod or Mp3 player - wouldn't it be nice to have your own trainer with you wherever you go? Well, bring an mp3 player and enjoy one of my iPod guided workouts (such as Fitter U or Treadmill Trainer) for the best fat burning and "feel good" workouts you'll ever experience! It's the next best thing to having me right there beside you. Plus, you won't have to worry about what to do for your workouts! 5. Alarm clock - to get your butt out of bed and into exercise mode!
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High Intensity Interval Training Program - Week #3

I love interval training! But WOW was I tired when I woke up this morning. And for good reason - last night's interval workout was intense, yet highly enjoyable. My legs are pretty stiff today - that's for sure. Although we covered less distance, we did spend 60% of that distance at our maximum running speed! Not bad, eh! The goal of last night's high intensity interval training workout was to minimize recovery time while continuing to build soccer-specific speed endurance. Here's last night's interval running workout: Warm-up: 4 x 400m @ talk test pace Interval #1: 50m @ 100% : 50m @ 50% x 10 Recovery: 400m @ talk test pace (in reality it was a walk) Interval #2: 100m @ 100% : 50m @ 50% x 8 Recovery: 400m @ talk test pace (again...walking, we were toast) Interval #3: 200m @ 100% : 100m @ 50% x 3 Total distance = 5.5 km However, when you remove the light pace warm-up and recovery laps we ended up running 3,100 m of which 1,900m were at our 100% running speed. I must say that I noticed a significant improvement from last week's interval session. This occurred to me on the last 200m sprint where, although my legs felt like cement, there was still some juice left in the them to keep pushing strong past the finish line. Some of the other guys felt the same.
Apparently we still had a bit of gas left in the tank after the interval running as we through in some core exercises, push-ups, and a serious of pull-up exercises before terminating the workout with some much needed stretching and rehydration. So are you ready to challenge yourself, then give this high intensity interval training workout a shot?
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Another Interval Training Blast from the Track

Last night's interval training workout was scheduled to be the toughest one of our workouts to date. However, for some reason, workers at the stadium decided to close early, allowing us to only get in about 2/3 of our interval training running workout. So here it is. The focus with this workout was to start building greater anaerobic endurance you know the point at which lactic acid starts to pour into the muscles - and believe me it worked! Warm-up: 4 x 400m @ talk test pace Interval #1: 200m @ 100% : 200m @ 65% x 10 Recovery: 1 x 400m Interval #2: 300@ 100% : 200m @ 65% x 4 (wasn't completed to to time constraint) Interval #3: 1 x 400m @ 100% So because we were "kicked out" of the stadium a bit early we decided to skip interval #2 and go right for the big 400m finale! It was yet another grueling run but boy did we feel good afterwards! Stay tuned next Thursday for yet another awesome interval training workout.
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Interval Training Workout - Week #5

I wasn't able to get up at my usual 6:30am wake up time this morning. I think it had something to do with last night's high intensity interval training workout and the fact that my body may have needed a bit more rest! As you might suspect by now, each week's interval running workout progressively gets more challenging to force our bodies to adapt and become stronger and faster. Last night's workout was different as I implemented "forced time and distance" work and recovery bouts. What this means is that instead of simply running, for instance, 200m and recovering for 200m, I subjected ourselves to running 200m in a set time, followed by 200m recovery in a set time as well. This type of interval protocol is much more challenging because when all you want to do is walk or trot slowly to recover - you can't! You're forced to maintain a certain pace to reach the given distance in a specific time. As such, the focus of this interval training workout was the recovery, not so much the work bout. The ability to recover at faster pace than you'd like makes a huge difference, especially in a sport like soccer or even for runners of 5k and 10k distances. After all, when do we really get to walk in such events. However, I will admit that since it was a VERY DIFFICULT interval workout to adhere to, many of the guys (including myself) ended up walking or lightly jogging during our recovery bouts, ultimately not reaching our distance target in the required time. Oh well, next week will be easier. Here's last night high-intensity interval training workout. Try it! Warm-up: 4 x 400m @ talk test pace (followed by 5 minutes of dynamic stretching) Interval #1: 400m in 80 seconds (work) : 200m in 60 seconds (recovery) x 4 Recovery: walking, light jog for 5 minutes Interval #2: 200m in 35 seconds (work) : 100m in 35 seconds (recovery) x 6 Recovery: walking, light jog for 4 minutes Interval #3: 100m in 15 seconds (work) : 100m in 45 seconds (recovery) x 6 Total Distance = 5,400m (3,400m or 63% of distance running at max speed)
185 Once you go through this workout you'll realize that the goal is the build anaerobic endurance, especially considering the first 2 intervals. It's deadly, yet beautiful, to feel the rush of lactic acid pouring into the legs and still having the ability to get to the point where the adrenaline and endorphins have kicked in so that you can just keep on going, regardless of the pain! One thing is for sure, though, you will feel like a million bucks after you've completed this interval training running workout! Are you going to give it a shot?
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Interval Training Workout #6 and What If We Just Ran Stairs Instead?

I woke up this morning and realized that today is Friday and that I forgot to post our most interval training session from Wednesday night in yesterday's post! No worries, though, kids. I've got it ready for you. But I must tell you that we didn't have one of our typical intervals sessions because, for some reason, Varsity stadium was closed! But that didn't stop us. We decided to run over to Casa Loma and run the flight of about 200 stairs that leads up to this beautiful Toronto landmark. So here's how the workout looked: Warm-up run to the stairs: 1.7 km at talk test pace Warm-up on stairs: 1 ascent (200 stairs) with dynamic stretching at top (5 minutes) Stair Workout: 2 ascents (200 stairs) back-to-back followed a 100m recovery jog x 5 = 10 times up the stairs total. Return run: 1.7 km back to the stadium at 80% max heart rate. In total, we worked without stopping for a total of about 52 minutes, ran about 3.5 km, and ran up more than 1000 stairs! Quite a workout I must say. And I was dripping sweat...I actually rang some of the sweat out of my shirt! Damn Toronto humidity.
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Home Workouts 101

If you're like me and not a huge fan of going to meat-head filled gyms that play pounding music, then this post is for you. When you think of the fact that the biggest obstacles to staying active revolve around a lack of time, a lack of money, and intimidation, it only makes sense to figure out an alternative to paying monthly fees and dreading walking into the weight room. Try this home workout. In my mind, it's all about the home workout! Truth be told, I do go to the gym about 3-4 times per week to maintain my strength but these workouts are as short as 20-30 minutes. In and out! Other times I enjoy working out home or even outdoors when it's nice. So here's a great home workout that you can do the next time you don't like feel like going to the gym. All you need for this workout is your body weight! No home gym equipment or weights required. Perform 2-3 sets of this circuit with each exercise lasting 30 seconds. If you want to make it more challenging do each exercise for 1 minute or allow no time for recovery between exercises.
188
Improving Your Cardiovascular Endurance - If Only More People Knew About This!
Cardiovascular endurance is often measured by what's known as your VO2 max. This represents the maximum amount of oxygen that your body can intake, distribute, and utilize at the cellular level. So it goes without saying that your VO2 max and cardiovascular endurance will be greater with the proper aerobic endurance training. But what is the best method to elicit the greatest possible increase in aerobic endurance? A lot of people spend hours upon hours doing endless cardio with the hope of improving their endurance but fail to realize the basics of cardiovascular physiology. Cardiovascular Endurance Explained So bear with me for a moment as I explain the fundamentals of improving your cardiovascular endurance, and more specifically your VO2 max. Improvements in VO2 max occur as a consequence of sufcient physiological disturbance to the factors that determine it, cardiac output (central component) and arterio-venous difference (peripheral component). Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped out by the heart each minute. It is the product of your heart rate and stroke volume (blood ejected per heart beat). As you become fitter, your heart muscle becomes stronger allowing the stroke volume to increase, pushing out more blood per contraction. At the same time, your heart rate (at a given intensity) usually decreases - both indicate an improved level of cardiovascular endurance. That's why very fit individuals have a much lower resting heart rate. For instance, many marathon runners and elite cyclists have resting heart rates hovering around 30 bpm while the average person's resting heart rate is between 72-90 bpm. In particular it appears that cardiac output is the major determinant of VO2 max and therefore its improvement should be a major focus of endurance training. It appears that in order to induce the maximum change in cardiac output, training needs to extend the stroke volume to its maximum capability, which coincides with the your VO2 max. Therefore, in order to maximize the physiological determinants that affect your VO2 max, you should sustain exercise training near your VO2 max for as long as possible.
189 What If You Don't Know Your VO2 max? Don't worry too much about the knowing your VO2 max unless you feel like going through a grueling incremental exercise test on the treadmill or bike. Instead, a simple rule of thumb is to simply ensure that you exercise at a high percentage of your maximum heart rate for as long as possible. Because your maximum heart rate and VO2 max are closely related, it is easier to track your exercise intensity by using a heart rate monitor or by simply taking your pulse. Without getting complicated, just use the simple formula "220 - your age" to determine your maximum heart rate. So, if you're 40 years old, then your maximum heart rate would be 180 bpm. Therefore, in order to elicit the greatest possible VO2 max improvements you'd want to do more of your cardiovascular endurance training near 180 bpm. Obviously, most human beings cannot sustain their maximum heart rate for more than a couple of minutes so the key is to spend more of your time near that level through the use of interval training. Try This Interval Training Workout For Maximum VO2 Improvements A recent study looked at 3 different endurance training protocols: Treatment 1 1 min intervals: 10 1 min efforts at the velocity corresponding to VO2 peak (slightly lower than VO2 max) interspersed with 10 1 min efforts at 0.5 VO2peak (50% intensity). *Treatment 2 2 min intervals: 5 2 min efforts at Vpeak interspersed with 5 2 min efforts at 0.5 at VO2 peak. Treatment 3 Constant rate run: 20 min constant rate run on a treadmill at a velocity equivalent too, and determined by the mean velocity of treatment A and B (75% VO2 peak). So which one do you think produced the greatest improvements in VO2 max? Well, the researchers observed that the "2 minute intervals" resulted in signicantly more time above 90% of VO2 peak and a signicantly greater percentage of participants to exceed 90% of VO2 peak than "1 min intervals".
190 Consequently, the researchers suggest that longer intervals may be more effective than shorter intervals of the same average intensity to enhance VO2 max. Evidence for this contention has also been provided by recent research that revealed an 8 week training regime of 15 s of running at 9095% of max heart rate with 15 s recovery, produced smaller percentage gains in VO2 max than 4 min of running at 9095% of max heart rate with 3 min recovery (5.5 and 7.2%, respectively). Your Homework Try the "2 minute intervals" protocols described above and compare it to the "1 minute intervals" workout. You'll automatically feel a big difference as you continue to push your body at a higher intensity for a longer period of time. With just a few interval training workouts you'll notice some massive improvements in your overall cardiovascular endurance! Also, you will want to have a look at my Treadmill Trainer Volumes 4 and 5 interval running workouts. These running workouts were specifically designed to push you harder and longer so that you become a faster and more endurant runner with just 2 workouts per week. Give them a shot!
References: O'Brien, et al. (2007). The effects of interval-exercise duration and intensity on oxygen consumption during treadmill running. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 11: 287-290. Helgerud J, Hoydal K, Wang E, et al. (2007). Aerobic high-intensity intervals improve VO2max more than moderate training. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 39(4):66571
191
Cardio Before or After Strength Training?

Is it better to do cardio before or after strength training? One of the most popular questions I come across on regular basis. The answer though depends on your goals. Are you looking to build strength and/or burn fat? Depending on your answer, you will require a different strategy. Let's look at each case individually: Building Muscular Strength If your goal is to develop more muscular strength then you're going to want to do your cardio AFTER your strength training workout. Why? Because, aside from doing a light cardio warm-up, excessive (or high intensity) cardio before lifting weights depletes your glycogen (energy) stores. As a result, you will have less fuel in the tank for your resistance training exercises and thus will experience sub-par strength workouts simply because you won't be able to push as much weight! Burning Fat If your goal is to burn, however, you may increase your fat burning potential by doing your cardio BEFORE your strength training workout. Why? Well, one of the reasons is that doing cardio (at a moderate to high intensity) elicits a greater degree of lipolysis (fat breakdown) and post-exercise oxygen consumption, both of which result in a greater amount of fat used as fuel. Although you may have less glycogen (or energy reserves) left for your strength training routine, the goal with fat burning is to continue to maintain an elevated heart rate for more of your workout. When it comes to burning fat, as opposed to building strength, it really doesn't matter if you can't lift an extra 5 lbs. The key is to be able to lift a challenging weight 6-8 reps (or about 20-30 seconds) through full body movements that call upon more muscle and oxygen consumption, thereby burning more fat!
192 Here's a great workout that will help you build strength and burn fat - at the same time -while giving you a great cardio workout. That's right! A 3-in-1 DEAL!
193
The 5 Best Weight Loss Tricks

Let's face it...losing weight isn't hard. It's keeping it off once you've lost it that is more challenging. Losing weight comes down moving more and eating less. It's a pretty simple formula but for some reason so many people get it wrong (approximately 66% of North Americans!). So here are 5 weight loss tricks that can help burn those excess calories starting today. Weight Loss Trick #1 - Start Your Day With Vigorous Movement Exercising first thing in the morning is a fantastic way to crank up your metabolism for the day ahead. If you're body's not used to getting out of bed and moving right away then just start with some brisk walking. Eventually, you want to build up to working up a good sweat for at least 20-30 minutes to get your day started. Here are some ideas: Hill walking (with a knapsack to make it more challenging) Walking or running on the soft sand of your local beach Skipping rope, jumping jacks, or walking/running stairs Body weight exercises such as push-ups, lunge walks, squats, and pullups
Weight Loss Trick #2 - Strengthen Your Muscles How much more research do you possibly need to hear about to realize that strengthening your muscles is the KEY to maintaining a healthy lean body for life? The more muscle you have, the greater your metabolic rate - it's that simple. This means that even at rest you'll be burning more calories than someone who has less lean body mass than you. Here are some ideas: Train your muscles at least 2-3 times per week with a weight that will only allow 6-10 reps (women too!) for 2-3 sets.
194 Use full body exercises such as squat presses, lunges with biceps curls, or dumbbell cleans; instead, of single muscle exercises like seated biceps curls. The more muscle you involve, the more calories you burn.
Weight Loss Trick #3 - Jog, Sprint, Jog If you guessed interval training, you're right! By now, you probably know that interval training is by far the best form of cardio for burning fat. Weight Loss Trick #4 - Go Raw! Eating more raw foods is one of the most powerful dietary strategies to losing weight for good! I know of no raw foodist who is overweight and in fact, the first thing most people notice when they start eating a greater amount of foods in their raw (or living) state is that the weight simply disappears. Although you don't have to become 100% raw, enjoying more of your fruits and vegetables in their living state through the use of fresh juices, smoothies, and salads will literally transform your life! Here are some ideas: Make 1 green juice each day Make 1 green salad each day Try a raw vegan restaurant in your area - you'll be surprised at how amazing it is! Try Eating for Energy
Weight Loss Trick #5 - Set Yourself Up For Success First, start by determining what you want to achieve. Do you want to lose 5 lbs, 20 lbs, etc...? You need to be specific here! Second, what are your reasons WHY? This is the most powerful component of any transformation because it is your reasons for doing something (or your WHY) that will keep you going even when the going gets tough. List as many reasons WHY you want to lose weight and make them emotionally compelling. Third, believe you can do it! Believe you have the ability (no matter what may have happened in the past) and that you deserve the result you're after. Remember, if it's been done before (even by someone else), you can do it as well. All you have to do is model an effective weight loss strategy.
195
About Fat Burning - Did You Know...?

Did you know that fat burning can be increased by resistance training? Of course you did! But here's how it works (at least partially)... Fat burning, in the simplest terms, is the breaking down of fat for energy . The mechanism by which fat burning acutely increases (after a workout for instance) is thought to be the increased use of carbohydrates to replenish glycogen stores in the muscles. Glycogen is the stored form of glucose that supplies the muscles with energy during exercise. And since carbohydrates are being restored at a greater rate after exercise than before exercise, the body must utilize fat as a primary source for energy. Pretty neat, eh! Increases in fat burning may also be attributed to an increase in catecholamines, which results in an increased rate of lipolysis or fat oxidation (fancier names for fat burning). Several studies have looked at the relationship between resistance training and post-exercise fat burning. In a 2000 study, researchers measured the effects of resistance training on resting metabolic rate and fat burning and discovered a 62% increase in fat burning 16 hours post-exercise! An earlier study in the Journal of Applied Physiology also found similar results in elderly women. After 16 weeks of resistance training, fat burning at rest had increased by 63%. Just another reason to add regular resistance training to your fat loss regimen.
References: Osterberg, K., and C. Melby. Effect of acute resistance exercise on postexercise oxygen consumption and resting metabolic rate in young women. Int. J. Sports Nutr. Exerc. Metab.10:71 81. 2000. Trueth, M.S., G.R. Hunter, R.L. Weinsier, and S.H. Kell. Energy expenditure and substrate utilization in older women after strength training:24-h calorimeter results. J. Appl. Physiol. 78:21402146. 1995.
196
Study Links Muscular Strength to Lower Mortality in Men

If you need yet another reason to make resistance training a regular part of your lifestyle, then this is it - especially if you're a man. A study published earlier this year in the British Medical Journal (July 12, 2008) revealed some very impressive findings of an 18.9-year study conducted on 8,762 men (aged 20-80). The researchers, who assessed strength using the 1 rep max for bench and leg presses among the men, showed that greater muscular strength can be a preventive measure against all mortality. Specifically, the identified the following 4 findings: Muscular strength is significantly inversely related with the risk of death from all causes! Men with lower muscular strength are at a 60% higher risk for cardiovascular death and overall have a higher mortality rate. The protective effect of muscular strength against mortality risk may be due to muscular strength in itself, to muscle type/configuration, or a consequence of regular exercise. Resistance training may help reduce all cause mortality among men!
Pretty strong findings. But intuitively, we more or less no that these results are no surprise. Everyone knows the benefits of regular resistance training (and exercise for that matter) but why is that so few take action? Don't wait any longer, get started today! I'll leave you with a great quote from Mike Myers' "The Love Guru" where he says that... "Knowledge is good, taking action is GOD"
References: Ruiz, J. et al. (2008). Association between muscular strength and mortality in men: prospective cohort study. BMJ; 337: a439.
197
7 Ways to Make Exercise a MUST

I would say that the majority of the population knows that exercise is important for their health and vitality. Wouldn't you agree? But why is it that so few people actually exercise on a regular basis? The same goes for eating well. Well, I believe that most people simply don't have enough leverage against themselves to make exercise (and healthy eating) an absolute MUST. Here are 7 ways to help make exercise a regular part of your life: 1. SET YOUR GOALS You need to set goals in order to have something to work towards. They need to specific, measurable, and you must believe that you can achieve them. If you fail to plan, you fail to plan so plan your goals and get to it. 2. MAKE IT A MUST Goals are great but you need to WHY you MUST achieve them. The more reasons WHY that you have, the easier it will be to get out there and move your booty. If your goals are only a SHOULD then you'll never accomplish them - they must be a MUST for you. Having many reasons WHY will help with that. 3. CREATE LEVERAGE BY TELLING OTHERS Tell your spouse, your friends, or a family member what your goal is and have them hold you accountable to achieving it. If you have a blog, then write a post about your goal - there's nothing more powerful then having other people to be accountable to. That's why having a fitness trainer is so powerful. 4. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Companies create financial reports to track their progress. You too should do the same but in relation to your health and fitness goals. Write down where you're starting at in terms of weight, strength, flexibility, or any measure that you're trying to improve. Update your progress on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and you'll be amazed at how much more motivated you will be! 5. CREATE A VISION BOARD Put together a collage of pictures and words of what you want to look and feel like once you've achieved your goal. Keep this vision board visible to you as much as possible. Put up beside your bed (that's where I have mine), on the
198 fridge, or anywhere else you're likely to see on a regular basis. Don't underestimate the power of this one! 6. WORKOUT WITH A BUDDY Get a friend to commit with you to exercising regularly. Wake each other up first thing in the morning or meet up after to work and get outside for a run or hit the gym for a quick workout. Having someone to workout with makes the process that much more enjoyable and at the same time keeps you accountable. 7. REWARD YOURSELF You need to acknowledges all of your successes along the way and reward yourself accordingly. If you can associate a pleasurable reward with exercise, then you're more likely to repeat that behaviour - it's basic classical conditioning...and it works! Find some way to reward yourself (other than indulging in bad foods on a regular basis) that will charge you up to work towards!
199
Treadmill Workouts to Boost Your Metabolism

With the cold coming, more people are turning to treadmill workouts for their cardio sessions. That's not to say that running outside in the cold isn't refreshing, but for most, running inside seems to be a better option when the temperature falls below zero! Interval training (on the treadmill) is one of the most effective ways to boost your metabolism since it allows you to work at a higher intensity for a longer duration of time compared to slow, boring cardio. The result is better cardiovascular fitness and greater fat burning, especially for several hours after the workout is complete. So if you enjoy running on the treadmill and need more spice for your treadmill workouts, then here are 3 interval training workouts that will give you maximum benefits while saving you tons of time. Each of these running workout should begin with a light 5 minute warm-up (ie. jogging). Note as well that these interval training workouts are fairly challenging so give them a shot and see how you do. Treadmill Workout #1 - Long Duration Interval Training Work = 4 minutes @ 85% Recovery = 2 minutes @ 65% Repeat 4 times for a total of 24 minutes. Treadmill Workout #2 - High Intensity Interval Training Work = 1 minute @ 95% Recovery = 1 minute @ 65% Repeat 10 times for a total of 20 minutes Treadmill Workout #3 - Super High Intensity Interval Training Work = 30 seconds @ 100% Recovery = 1 minute @ 65% Repeat 10 times for a total of 15 minutes.
200
Thought-Provoking Articles
201
What's the Story You're Telling Yourself?

I'm too tired...I don't have time...I want to but I have to do something else first...I'll do it tomorrow! The list goes on and on. These are stories that many people keep telling themselves. Unfortunately, these stories are holding them back from achieving their desired goals. If you fit into this category of individuals then you need to realize that: The only thing keeping you from what you really want is the STORY you keep telling about why you can't have it! You can call stories EXCUSES if that works better for you. The point is that in order to achieve your goals you need to stop telling yourself (and others) stories about why things haven't worked out for you OR that you don't have time (to exercise) OR whatever else! Why do we make up stories in the first place? Every human being has the same needs. You just have to figure out which of those needs is being met by making up stories and believing them. The 6 basic human needs are the following: 1. the need for certainty 2. the need for variety 3. the need for significance 4. the need to feel connected and loved 5. the need for growth 6. the need to contribute For instance, if you're looking to lose weight and have not succeeded, then perhaps you've been telling yourself that you don't have time to exercise or that other people might judge you while you're working. As a result, you haven't taken action. But here's the interesting part...does your story give you a feeling of significance? Does it make you feel more connected or loved by others? Does your story give you a sense of certainty? I'm almost certain that it doesn't give you a sense of growth or contribution (which are ultimately what we want to be striving for)!
202 Think about this for a second. Everything we do, we do for a reason. Some people tell stories so that others will empathize or feel sorry for them and so they feel a sense of connection or love from other people. The point is that you need to find other ways to get these primal needs met. If you keep telling a story to get sympathy from others you will not succeed at attaining your goal because you've associated too much pleasure to the story (because of the attention you receive). So here's what you need to do to break the habit... Ask yourself the following question: "What is this story costing me?" Get associated with the pain that your story(ies) have cost you. What have you missed out on? What have you not become? Once you identify these issues then you can redirect your energy to find empowering ways to feel a sense of growth, contribution, and love each and every day. Exercising, eating well, learning new things, loving others and yourself, are just a few examples of empowering DAILY HABITS that will make feel more fulfilled. Stop telling stories and take action!
203
Striving for Excellence Without Beating Yourself Up

It was another disappointing loss! I just got home from a frustrating loss to one of the top soccer teams in our division. It was a game that saw our guys miss a penalty shot and plenty of easy scoring opportunities, while making the "usual" defensive mistakes giving our opponents ample scoring chances. The final score: Toronto Blues FC (our team) 2 - Peterborough City 3 Now, I usually get pretty pissed off when I play soccer since, as a goalie, I'm constantly directing my teammates and ensuring proper defensive shape, only to see my efforts get flushed down the drain game after game because of the same errors we continue to make. It is frustrating...believe me! The other thing that often bothers me is that I can be very hard on myself when I let in a goal or don't to something as well as it could have been done. In short, I'm a high achiever who is very self-critical - a recipe for sure unhappiness! Very seldom do I win according to my definition of "winning" - which is in essence a perfect game. As such, I spend a lot time playing the sport I love in misery and frustration. No wonder I stopped playing soccer professionally! Excellence is Good Enough The thing to realize, as I have in the last few years, is that the pursuit of perfection is like chasing a movement target. It just doesn't happen! Perfection does not exist. It is an illusion created by our own sets of rules and expectations based what we think should happen in any given situation. But we can be excellent! The pursuit of excellence should be the goal. This is the pursuit of being the best you can be in any given situation. It is the true test of being a champion. Excellence is leaving the playing field knowing that you gave 100% of yourself regardless of the result. Excellence is an intrinsic feeling that comes about when you dedicate yourself to constant improvement upon which you grow as a person and can finally feel fulfilled.
204 Excellence differs from perfection in that it allows for error. It allows you to make mistakes to learn from. The key is to be aware of these lessons and grow from them. On the other hand, perfection is black or white. You're either perfect or you're not! Pretty hard to live up to. The problem with striving to be perfect is that too much time is spent in "selfcriticism". We beat ourselves for everything little thing that doesn't go according to our "plan". In the end, we never win and constantly feel like a failure. Over time, this self abuse leads to a weakening of our spirit, self-esteem, and joy for life! We feel that no matter what we do, it (and we) will never be good enough never be perfect enough. The pursuit of perfection reflects our feeling of not being (good) enough. Instead, the pursuit of excellence highlights our ambition to be the best we can be, do the best we can do, and give the most of ourselves. What more can we really ask of ourselves? Strive to be excellent, not perfect!
205
The Way Out is By Looking In

Last night I watched Mike Myers' most recent movie, the Love Guru. I'm a sucker for stupid comedies and this was definitely one of them. However, the movie did have its moments of tremendous insight. If you have yet to see the movie, Mike Myers plays a Guru of Love (a la Deepak Chopra) who, on his mission to helping an ailing Toronto Maple Leaf, offers message of wisdom all throughout the movie. For instance, he refers to the word INTIMACY as "INTO ME I SEE". Funny and brilliant at the same time! One of the most profound messages from the movie is that to get out of a situation we want to change, we must look inside ourselves! How true indeed. It makes sense too since we can never change anything or anyone, just ourselves. If we want something to change... we must change. Praying that someone will become more like us or drop certain undesirable behaviours is selfish and naive. For change to occur, it must come from within ourselves. By looking inside ourselves we begin to understand that WE control our thoughts and feelings through the power of focus. What you focus expands. What you focus on is your life. If you focus on how nasty people are then your world is going to be a pretty bitter place. Conversely, if you focus on how people are kind and giving then your world will be a much different (happier) place. So the key to "getting out" or changing something is by changing either... ... what YOU focus on ... the meaning YOU give to a certain situation ... the way YOU respond (ie. your behaviour) That's it! That's pretty much all you can control in any given situation. So let's look at a hypothetical example. What are you focusing on? Suppose your spouse does something that annoys the hell out of you - like not taking out the trash (something pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things). If this annoys you then most likely you are focusing on the fact that your spouse never takes out the trash. You probably embellish this fact even further to make it more dramatic and convincing to yourself (and your spouse). So part of the problem is that the focus is constantly on your spouse NOT taking out the trash.
206 What's the meaning you give to this? That your spouse is selfish, doesn't care about you, etc....It could be anything you make it out to be. But remember the only thing that matters is the meaning you give to the situation. Reality is the meaning we give to a situation even if it isn't true in actuality! Therefore, reality is totally subjective. Yours may be different from your spouse's! No wonder it can be hard to live with someone else, let alone get along with everyone in your life. How are you responding to this situation? Do you get angry, annoyed, depressed? Do you get passive aggressive? Do you have to respond this way? What does responding this way do for you? Does it make your spouse aware of the fact that they're not doing what you want them to do? Remember that everything we do, we do for a reason and a purpose and it serves us in some way or another. We control the decisions we make At the end of the day, our control lies in our ability to DECIDE. To decide what we focus on, what meaning we give to any given situation, and how we decide to act. To change the way you feel about a situation all you have to do is make a different decision. Sounds overly simplistic. And it probably is for most of us who get caught up in the hussle and bussle and take little time to step back from a situation and "look within". So my challenge to you is to identify something that bothers you. I then want you to look inside and ask yourself... "What am I focusing on? What does this mean to me? How am I acting in response?" Then, I'd like you to take a more empowering approach to overcome this "negative situation" and reprogram your psychology by asking yourself... "What do I need to focus on to feel happy?" "Does this really mean that much to me?" "How can I behave to be more supportive, communicative, and loving in this situation?"
207 Ask and you shall receive. You will always get the answers you are looking for so why not ask yourself more empowering questions???
208
Knowledge is Good, Action is Even Better!

Take action today with my fitness and nutrition programs to get the step-by-step motivation, structure, and support that you need to lose weight and get fit!
Fitter U
The Motivating iPod Workout for Weight Loss http://www.myFitterU.com
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52 Ways to Fitness, Great Workouts, and Weight

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