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  • April22nd

    A study conducted by researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Center has uncovered startling new secrets on the effectiveness of calorie cutting in weight loss. A group of monkeys were fed a high-fat diet in a span of several years before switching back to a regular monkey-sized diet. The results showed some weight loss in the monkeys, but the less than stellar amount of weight loss raises serious issues concerning the effectiveness of low-calorie diets.

    Another change that was observed in the monkeys was their energy levels. After switching to the lower-calorie diet, the monkeys were observed to have lower activity levels signalling a lack of energy. The doctors believe that the reduced calorie intake caused this decrease. The same effect is likely to be observed in humans under the same conditions. This means that cutting calories might possibly lead to a decrease in the motivation to exercise.

    A different test group of monkeys performed some moderate exercises and were observed to have a lost a significantly higher amount of weight compared to monkeys that did not exercise. This is by no means a surprise, but the results of the study shows just how important a combination of diet and exercise is in losing weight.

    One way to increase motivation and energy levels (or atleast improve the perception) is by engaging yourself physically. Perform a simple physical activity such as circling your arms a few times. This can help set you in the right frame of mind for exercising.

    To sum it up, cutting calories is the key to weight loss. The most effective way to do this is by decreasing calories intake by eating smarter and by increasing calories burned by exercising regularly. There are no secrets being bandied about here, but it can certainly help as a gentle reminder to eat better and exercise more!

  • April20th

    These days, Ellen Degeneres always needs to be in tip-top shape, with her own talk show and role as American Idol’s newest judge, she can’t afford to lack energy. To make sure she never runs out of steam, Ellen Degeneres’ work out and diet keep herself fully charged through a combination of having vegan food and regularly doing sun salutations.

    Ellen Degeneres has always been very proud of being a vegan and adhering to a vegan diet. She recently further explained some details on how her diet, and what she calls ’sugar fasting’, gives her the energy she needs for her career.

    Ellen Degeneres’ diet has no dairy, meat, poultry, fish, or any sort of processed food. Her all natural diet consists mainly of vegetables, beans, rice, legumes, and soups, which all combine to provide her with all the nutrition she needs. Her sugar fasting comes in the form of not taking anything sweet. She doesn’t eat any candies, cakes, cookies, or anything else with a high sugar content.

    And every morning, Ellen does sun salutations, also known as Surya Namaskara. While most people will consider taking Power Yoga instead to get their energy levels up, Surya Namaskara’s calming nature seems to give Ellen more energy, as it helps her get focused so she can exert all her energies at the right outlets.

    Surya Namaskara is a series of twelve asanas, or body positions, that are performed in sequence, alternately stretching the spine forward and backward. Inhalation and exhalation is a key component in the practice, done alternately as the practitioner moves in and out of an asana.

    These 12 steps give a holistic treatment of the body, benefiting the joints, ligaments, and bones of the body, which improve flexibility, balance, and posture. Surya Namaskara also stimulates almost every system in the body. It touches on the cardiovascular system, oxygenating the blood and strengthening the heart, and the endocrine system, making glands like the thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal glands, along with the testes and the ovaries, to function better. Aside from these, Surya Namaskara has mental benefits as well, relaxing and calming the mind while tension and stress is released.

    It is this secret, one-two natural combo that gives Ellen Degeneres the energy she needs to get through each day.

  • April20th

    Cameron Diaz, the voice of Shrek’s Princess Fiona, knows a thing or two about outward appearances. What kind of weight loss secrets might she impart to us, you might ask. The fact is, the Shrek star is comfortable enough in her looks that she eschews most diet and exercise programs. But there is one diet program that she likes, and that’s The Lunch Box Diet.

    The Lunch Box Diet was developed by Simon Lovell. This diet program isn’t like most other diet programs in that it encourages the user to eat, and eat often! The underlying principle behind the weight loss diet is to eat early and often in order to trigger the body’s metabolism. Basically, the body’s metabolic rate is the speed at which the body burns energy. By having a nice, healthy breakfast, the body’s metabolism is triggered early on in the day. Eating often in moderation throughout the day keeps the rate going and the energy burning.

    The name of the diet is derived from the ‘Lunch Box’ that users carry around to store their food. This ensures that you are able to satisfy your cravings and avoid imbalanced blood sugar levels. What’s great is that you can somewhat control the amount of food you eat depending on the size of your lunchbox! Remember, eating in moderation is the key.

    Another important factor to consider is whether you are eating healthy meals. The Lunch Box Diets offers many suggestions to help you eat healthier meals. Lovell has included a fine collection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner cookbooks in order to facilitate in that regard. These meals pack quite the nutritional punch. There are no secrets here. Your weight loss destiny lies in your hands.

  • April15th

    Victoria Beckham has it all … or so we think. Beckham followed her career with the all-girl pop group The Spice Girls by establishing her own fashion line and multimedia ventures. She is also married to football icon David Beckham with whom she has three sons – Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz. However, the former Spice Girl really wants a daughter and is working hard to attain that goal.

    Doctors have advised Victoria to put on some weight to facilitate her bid of having another baby. She normally has a fat-free diet consisting of steamed fish and vegetables, but this type of diet is not ideal for conceiving. Instead, she has switched to a high-carbohydrate diet to give her more energy. Pasta, potatoes, rice, and bread are now huge parts of her everyday diet. The addition of these high-carbohydrate foods will certainly add some weight to her frame, but Victoria has been trying some new techniques in order to stay healthy.

    Yogalosophy is a new fitness program that combies yoga with philosophy. This exercise program can be done at home and is a great way to stay both physically and mentally fit. Victoria has purchased the DVDs and works out atleast four times a week. Yogalosophy was created by personal trainer to the stars Mandy Ingber.

    A sample regimen consists of two 30-minute yoga routines and a 55-minute pose exercise session. One of the tenets of Yogalosophy is to use one’s emotional energies to motivate the self. This is done by incorporating hybrid motivational techniques into the exercises to hit motivational triggers. Developing a relationship with the self is important in order to become a fully-formed human being. It can be described as a union of energies, the Yin and the Yang as stated in Chinese Philosophy.

  • April13th

    Kate Winslet has long been one of Hollwood’s finest actresses. The multi-awarded thespian is well-known for her work in movies such as Titanic and The Reader, movies which included steamy scenes where Winslet bared it all. It takes a lot of confidence to film those scenes, and having a trim physique can certainly help. With the help of the Facial Analysis Diet, Winslet has both in spades.

    The Facial Analysis Diet was developed by nutritionist Elizabeth Gibaud. In her book “The Facial Analysis Diet”, Gimaud explains how a person’s unique facial features can be analyzed to fashion the perfect diet for that person. This completely individualized diet factors in the shape, texture, and tone of the face to create a comprehensive weight loss program.

    Take for example forehead lines. This might be indicative of a diet with too much oil. A careful analysis of such features enables Gibaud to craft a diet specifically tailored to address these dietary imbalances. You will be able to determine what to eat and what not to eat. This will aid in your weight loss targets and improving your overall energy.

    The diet itself draws from biochemistry principles to create an accurate diagnostic system. There are then six facial categories labelled A-D that details what to include in your diet. Type D faces are prone to inflammation. It is characterized by greasy foreheads and open pores. People who fall under this category are advised to eat asparagus, berries and carrots. They must avoid alcohol, pastries, and rice.

    Aside from specifying what to eat, the diet also lists some tips on how to eat better. Quinoa is heartily recommended as a great source of protein along with a variety of vitamins and minerals. It may be found in most health and specialty food stores. It also has basic everyday reminders such as drinking plenty of liquids, avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption.

  • April8th

    In a show as popular as the long-running American Idol, change can be a difficult thing to accept. New Americal Idol judge Kara DioGuardi initially found it difficult to incorporate herself into the established trio of Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul. Her shining moment came when DioGuardi went up against Katrina Darrell (otherwise known as Bikini Girl) in a bikini showdown. The 40 year old judge showed off her physique and proved that she had a place in the top ranked reality talent show.

    DioGuardi impressed with her well-toned physique. It should come as no surprise that she does a variety of exercises to maintain her body. She also notes that she eats plenty of vegetable stir fry. Dioguardi says, “the more roughage you eat, the more it fills you up.”

    Roughage is equivalent to dietary fiber, of which there are two types. Soluble fiber helps you feel fuller while insoluble fiber aids in the digestion process. Most vegetables contain both types of fiber. Foods rich in soluble fiber are: legumes, oats, berries, broccoli, and carrots. Foods rich in insoluble fiber are: whole grain, seeds, nuts, and wheat. The Micronutrient Center notes that the 5 plant foods with the most fiber content are legumes, bran, prunes, Asian pears, and quinoa.

    In addition to helping you reach satiety faster, soluble fiber helps control your blood sugar levels, and helps reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Research studies show that most North Americans eat less than 50% of the recommended dietary fiber intake in their everyday diets. The American Dietetic Association recommends 20-35 grams per day.

    A new product that aims to improve dietary fiber intake is vegetable gum. These fiber supplements are often sold in powder form. Guar gum is an example of such a supplement. It has been closely observed in many studues for its weight loss effects.

  • April6th

    Kelly Ripa’s family has always been mindful of their cholesterol levels. That’s why healthy eating and regular exercise are parts of their everyday routine. In an interview with Fitness magazine, Ripa raved about a new fitness training regimen she discovered while in New York. It’s called Physique 57, and Ripa says “It has transformed my body in ways I never thought possible.” She notes that she feels longer and leaner after just five days worth of classes.

    The Physique 57 gym was founded by Tanya Becker. She was trained in the exercise regimen by renowned ballerina Lotte Berk and her orthopedist. Becker has adapted the training she recevied into a steamlined exercise program that focuses on adding more strength and stamina building, exercise variety, and customized music.

    The Physique 57 method is a two-part cardiovascular program that combines isometric exercises with orthopedic stretches. The process is called Interval Overload, and the goal is to use isometric interval training to target and overload muscles after which it is stretched to provide relief. An isometric exercise is a type of strength training where static contractions are involved. For example, Physique 57 uses your own body weight to provide resistance. This serves to increase strength in a specific body part (joint angle).

    Ripa has seen many benefits after taking regular classes. The benefits of the Physique 57 program are a sculpted physique, improved cardio, increased strength and flexibility, and better core conditioning. Physique 57 recommends taking 3-4 classes a week to see significant results. It is normal to have sore or stiff muscles after the classes. These are alleviated through the ortophedic stretches, but is entirely normal. It just means that the program is effective at targeting your muscles.

    Physique 57 also carries its own line of exercise apparel and merchandise. Some shopping is a perfect way to relax after a hard day’s worth of exercise!

  • April1st

    Kelly Osbourne has tried many different diet and exercise regimens in order to lose weight, but it was in the hit reality show Dancing With The Stars where she learned how to change her lifestyle and gained a healthier mind and body in the process. The ABC dance competition is very demanding, and Osbourne’s dance partner Louis Van Amstel made sure both of them were in top form.

    The duo practiced six hours a day as they finetuned their routines and developed the form and endurance needed to stay competitive. And compete they did. Van Amstel and Osbourned placed a respectable third in the competition.

    Osbourne has since lost over 40 pounds. She maintains the weight loss using the Bar Fitness Training Method. These yoga-like classes last a full hour and is known for its targeted body-sculpting. Practicioners sculpt the body and burn calories using a workout that combines the best of strength training and aerobic exercise.

    The Bar Method is different from stretching exercises such as Yoga and Pilates in that there is a greater focus on fitness. It targets the major muscle groups through a series of stretching and contraction exercises. The result is a strong and shapely body – lean as opposed to bulky. Core conditioning is also an important part of the process. It gives the body extra stability needed for most everyday activities that we do. The important muscles are the back and abdominals.

    Bar method classes can be taken at bar method studios around North America. For best results, 3-5 classes are recommended. A typical session will start with a warm-up period. Students then use free weights and the ballet bar to strengthen and stretch. The Bar Method is a full body workout, so there are exercises for the upper and lower body. Some users comment that they feel the burn in muscles they never knew they had!

  • March30th

    Hollywood has a tendency to forget past successes, and Amanda Seyfried is keenly aware of that. She has starred in a variety of hits – Mean Girls, Mamma Mia, and Jennifer’s Body – but Seyfriend understands that she has to stay on top of her game. Part of that is staying in shape and keeping fit. “If I’d been a bit bigger, I don’t think they would have cast me for Mamma Mia,” shares Seyfried in an interview.

    Seyfried relies on a raw food diet in order to maintain her figure. A typical lunch for her is spinach and some seeds. If that sounds unappetizing, that’s because it is. But you can’t deny the results it produces. A raw food diet has three primary benefits – it aids in weight loss, improves ones health, and detoxifies the body. Additional benefits include improved energy levels, smoother digestion, and clearer skin.

    Because raw foods are typically organic and unprocessed, they have less trans and saturated fats. These ingredients improve the shelf life of food but have adverse effects on your blood cholesterol level. One of the tenets of the raw food diet is to avoid cooking food at higher than 116 degrees Farenheit. Cooking food is believed to reduce the amount of enzymes and nutritional value naturally found in food. By avoiding this, digestion and absorption of food is improved.

    The common foods that meet the guidelines of the raw food diet are: fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and grains. Blending and juicing are common techniques used to prepare the food. It is important to first consult with a doctor before trying the raw food diet. Nutritional deficiencies may arise due to the diet restrictions imposed.

  • March26th

    In order to develop a trim figure for her role as an exotic pole dancer in the movie The Wrestler, Marisa Tomei turned to an old childhood pastime – the hula hoop! “I hula hooped a lot, which is my favorite part of my routine. You’re using your core muscles,” says Tomei.

    But unlike the hula hoops of old, this hoop has a modern flavor to it. Tomei used a weighted hoop called the Hoopnotica, an adult-sized design that comes in different sizes and colors. The added weight in the hoop enhances the workout experience by enabling the hoop to spin longer. The added resistance is also great for toning muscles and burning fat. Tomei demonstrated this to great effect at the Ellen DeGeneres show where she taught hooping-newbie DeGeneres just how easy and fun it is to hula hoop.

    Tomei uses a variant of the Hoopnotica called a travel hoop. It can be twisted in half making it easy to pack and carry around with you as you travel. The ease of assembling and disassembling it makes it an ideal travel add-on. Hoopnotica also has instructional DVDs that show how best to use the hoop.

    Tomei is working with a fitness company to produce a hula hooping workout video entitled Core and Curves. This is the same company that popularized yoga as part of a workout regimen. Given time, this fad might just turn out to be the next big thing in the fitness world. First lady Michelle Obama has been spotted hula hooping at the White House front lawn.

    The best part about hula hooping is that its fun. There’s a reason why it was such a popular pastime before. By incorporating fun into your exercise routine, you can stay more focused and motivated as you achieve your weight loss goals.