20 Super Foods You Need to Build Muscle & Lose Fat

To build muscle & lose fat, you need a variety of proteins, veggies, fruits, carbs, and healthy fats. Eating protein helps building & maintaining muscle. But it also helps fat loss: protein has a higher thermic effect than carbs/fats.

Eating fats also helps fat loss: your body holds fat if you don't eat fats. Fruits & veggies contain vitamins & minerals, necessary for recovery from your workouts. And carbs fuel your muscles so you feel full of energy at the gym. Lots of you struggle to get these foods. Sometimes because you're too busy or sometimes because you just lack information. This list will help you — 20 super foods you need to build muscle & lose fat.

1. Whole Eggs. 
Cheap & rich source of protein: 7g/egg. The yolk contains most nutrients: half the protein, vitamins A/D/E and cholesterol to naturally increase your testosterone levels. Don't worry about cholesterol in eggs. Dietary cholesterol isn't bound to blood cholesterol. If you have bad cholesterol, lower your body fat rather than throwing the yolk away.

2. Fish Oil. 
Reduces inflammation (joints/skin), lowers body fat and increases testosterone levels. You need 9000mg EPA/DHA per day. Since you'll probably struggle to get that from eating fatty fish, consider a fish oil supplement.

3. Wild Salmon. 
One of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids that also gets you 20g protein per 100g serving. Farm raised salmon is, however, omega-3 deficient: it's corn/grain fed. Go with wild salmon.

4. Berries. 
Strong antioxidants that prevent cancer, heart & eye diseases. Any kind works: cranberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc. Buy fresh or frozen berries and mix with oatmeal.

5. Yogurt. 
Contain bacteria that improve your gastrointestinal health. Don't buy frozen yogurt or yogurt with added sugar and fruits at the bottom. Get plain low fat yogurt. Eat it with berries & flax seeds.

6. Flax Seeds. 
Source of fiber, protein & omega-3. Grind the flax seeds to get the most out of them. Take 1 tbsp with yogurt & berries before going to bed. Stay away from flax oil: it's unstable and contains no fiber.

7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 
70% monounsaturated fats that protect against heart diseases and cancer. Add 1-2 tbsp olive oil to your salads. Buy Extra Virgin Olive Oil: it contains more polyphenols and tastes better.

8. Mixed Nuts. 
Contain mono- & polyunsaturated fats, proteins, fiber, vitamin E, zinc, potassium, magnesium, etc. Mixed nuts are caloric dense, great if you're a skinny guy who wants to gain weight. Anything works: almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, ... Peanut butter also works as long as you buy natural peanut butter without added salts/sugars.

9. Red Meat. 
Protein, vitamin B12, heme iron, zinc, creatine, carnosine and even omega-3 if you eat grass-fed beef. Eat steaks from top round or sirloin. Read Dr. Lonnie Lowery's article on Meat.

10. Broccoli. 
High in cancer-fighting phytochemicals and anti-estrogenicindoles. Broccoli is also high in soluble fiber and low calorie, helping fat loss. Eat other cruciferous vegetables for a change: cabbage, bok choy, cauliflower, kale, ...

11. Spinach. 
One of the most alkaline foods. Spinach prevents muscle & bone loss, but also cancer and heart diseases because of its high nutrient profile. Try one of the spinach recipes I shared a while back.

12. Turkey. 
If you don't believe saturated fat is good for you, try white turkey. The leanest beef has about 4.5g saturated fat/100g, while white turkey has close to 0g (that why it's so dry). Eat turkey with spinach & quinoa.

13. Quinoa. 
South American "king of grains". Quinoa is higher in fiber & protein than rice or oats, tastes a lot better and is gluten free. Buy the whiter grain, it's better quality. Eat it post workout with meat & spinach.

14. Oats. 
Reduce cholesterol, provide you with low-gi carbs for energy, and high in soluble fiber. Try this post workout shake of whey & oats.

15. Tomatoes. 
High in lycopene, which prevents cancer. The lycopene in tomato paste is 4 times more bioavailable than in fresh tomatoes. Have pizza or pasta with tomato sauce & olive oil post strength training.

16. Oranges. 
Vitamin C to fight diseases, magnesium to lower blood pressure, anti-oxidant beta-carotenes, etc. Quit drinking processed orange juice which often has added sugars. Eat oranges or make your own orange juice.

17. Apples. 
Pectin in apples helps weight loss by increasing satiety. Apples are also the strongest antioxidiant after cranberries (eat the peels). Unfortunately apples are one of the most pesticide-contaminated fruits. Go organic.

18. Carrots. 
Their huge vitamin A content improves eye-health, especially night vision. Carrots are also rich in fiber, low calorie and taste good, even raw.

19. Water. 
Your body holds water if you don't drink enough. Drinking prevents water retention, helps muscle recovery and prevents dehydration from strength training. Get a brita filter and drink 2 cups of water with each meal.

20. Green Tea. 
Strong antioxidant and natural diuretic. Green tea also speeds up fat loss, prevents cancer and improves blood sugar & circulation. Drink green tea in the morning instead of coffee. Real green tea, not the teabags.

Putting it All Together. Eat proteins, veggies, fruits & fats every 3 hours. 2 cups water with each meal. Carbs post workout only. Junk food 10% of the time. Get stronger in the meanwhile and you'll build muscle & lose fat.

HEALTHY EATING PLAN

I believe I posted similar article before but i found priotised in studying about calorie intakes which plays an important task in being healthy and weight loss. It is important to choose a healthy eating program that you can stick with for life. Dieting simply produces a yo-yo effect. Yes, you may lose weight, but how long until it is back. Eat healthy, drink plenty of water, exercise daily and get plenty of rest.


It is important to know how many calories you actually need to maintain your weight. Many of us actually do not get enough calories. Our body therefore thinks we are starving it and hard as we may try the pounds will not come off. Use this tool to Estimate Your Calorie Needs. Also see the handy Nutrition Calculator to figure how many fat grams you need in your daily diet.

STEPS FOR A HEALTHIER YOU

To lose weight eat the only minimum number of servings for each food group daily. The only exception here is the vegetable group ... you can eat all the vegetables you want. Be sure to get in the minimum servings each day. Do not leave out any food group and do not skip meals. In fact it is easier to eat healthy if you eat 3 meals daily and one or two scheduled snacks. Also be sure to keep your selections to the items that are low in fat. Try to choose items that are naturally low in fat and high in fiber. Many, commercially prepared "low fat" products are packed with sugar and unwanted chemicals.

Know what you are eating. Read labels; and learn portion control.

Remember that how you prepare food can add more fat than the food itself. Use spices, herbs, and non stick sprays. Do not fry food. Bake, broil, grill, etc.

Try new healthy recipes!

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

·         To maintain body weight in a healthy range, balance calories from foods and beverages with calories expended.

·         To prevent gradual weight gain over time, make small decreases in food and beverage calories and increase physical activity.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

·         Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight.

·         To reduce the risk of chronic disease in adulthood: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate- intensity physical activity, above usual activity, at work or home on most days of the week.

·         For most people, greater health benefits can be obtained by engaging in physical activity of more vigorous intensity or longer duration.

·         To help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain in adulthood: Engage in approximately 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week while not exceeding caloric intake requirements.

·         To sustain weight loss in adulthood: Participate in at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity while not exceeding caloric intake requirements. Some people may need to consult with a healthcare provider before participating in this level of activity.

·         Achieve physical fitness by including cardiovascular conditioning, stretching exercises for flexibility, and resistance exercises or calisthenics for muscle strength and endurance.

ADEQUATE NUTRIENTS WITHIN CALORIE NEEDS

·         Consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages within and among the basic food groups while choosing foods that limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, salt, and alcohol.

·         Meet recommended intakes within energy needs by adopting a balanced eating pattern, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan.

FOOD GROUPS TO ENCOURAGE 

·         Consume a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables while staying within energy needs. Two cups of fruit and 21/2 cups of vegetables per day are recommended for a reference 2,000-calorie intake, with higher or lower amounts depending on the calorie level.

·         Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables each day. In particular, select from all five vegetable subgroups (dark green, orange, legumes, starchy vegetables, and other vegetables) several times a week.

·         Consume 3 or more ounce-equivalents of whole-grain products per day, with the rest of the recommended grains coming from enriched or whole-grain products. In general, at least half the grains should come from whole grains.

·         Consume 3 cups per day of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk products.

FOOD SAFETY 

To avoid microbial foodborne illness:

·         Clean hands, food contact surfaces, and fruits and vegetables. Meat and poultry should not be washed or rinsed to avoid spreading bacteria to other foods.

·         Separate raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat foods while shopping, preparing, or storing foods.

·         Cook foods to a safe temperature to kill microorganisms.

·         Chill (refrigerate) perishable food promptly and defrost foods properly.

·         Avoid raw (unpasteurized) milk or any products made from unpasteurized milk, raw or partially cooked eggs or foods containing raw eggs, or raw or undercooked meat and poultry, unpasteurized juices, and raw sprouts.

FATS 

·         Consume less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids and less than 300 mg/day of cholesterol, and keep trans fatty acid consumption as low as possible.

·         Keep total fat intake between 20 to 35 percent of calories, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.

·         When selecting and preparing meat, poultry, dry beans, and milk or milk products, make choices that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free.

·         Limit intake of fats and oils high in saturated and/or trans fatty acids, and choose products low in such fats and oils.

CARBOHYDRATES 

·         Choose fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains often.

·         Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added sugars or caloric sweeteners, such as amounts suggested by the USDA Food Guide and the DASH Eating Plan.

·         Reduce the incidence of dental caries by practicing good oral hygiene and consuming sugar- and starch-containing foods and beverages less frequently.

SODIUM AND POTASSIUM 

·         Consume less than 2,300 mg (approximately 1 teaspoon of salt) of sodium per day.

·         Choose and prepare foods with little salt. At the same time, consume potassium-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 

Those who choose to drink alcoholic beverages should do so sensibly and in moderation -- defined as the consumption of up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

·         Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed by some individuals, including those who cannot restrict their alcohol intake, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents, individuals taking medications that can interact with alcohol, and those with specific medical conditions.

·         Alcoholic beverages should be avoided by individuals engaging in activities that require attention, skill, or coordination, such as driving or operating machinery.

A Muscle Building Workout You Can Do Without Weights

Literally, I have been thinking about posting this for a whilst. Now I finally got some time to do it.
If you want to build muscle, barbell exercises are the easiest way. The problem: you need weights. Not everyone can afford expensive gym memberships or buy a home gym. Maybe you don’t feel the need to get huge, but would still like to gain a little muscle and tone what you already have. Fortunately, there are some simple yet effective exercises you can use to sculpt your body.Here’s a muscle building workout you can do without weights:

Body-weight Exercises
Your body needs a reason to build muscle. That reason is stress. Exercising will stress your body & force it to build muscle. You don’t have access to weights, so you’ll use body-weight exercises:
Pull-ups. Build back & arms muscles. Doorway pull-up bars or any surface where you can hang from work. If you can’t do one rep with correct pull-up technique: use momentum, ask someone to help you or use a resistance band to assist you on the way up.
Push-ups. Build chest, shoulders & arm muscles. Use a full range of motion: arms locked on the way up, nose against the floor on the way down. Put your knees on the floor if you can’t do one push-up. Switch to regular push-ups when this gets easy.
Squats. Build leg muscles. Put your hands behind your head & bend through your knees. Keep your heels on the floor, push your knees out, look forward & squeeze your glutes on the way up. Stretch your hamstrings 3 times a week if you can’t squat lower than parallel.


Training Program
Myhealthyhopes.blogspot.com has a 3 day a week routine based on the above exercises. It takes less than 90mins a week. Easy to mix with your work, business, relationship & hobbies.
Progression
You must get stronger to build muscle. Doing 100 reps of an exercise builds endurance, not strength. Switch to more challenging exercises once you can do more than 20 pull-ups, push-ups or squats.


Rings. Push-ups & pull-ups using rings are harder: you need to stabilize the rings while doing the exercises.
One Arm Push-ups. Start with Incline One Arm Push-ups: one hand on a high box. Decrease the height as you get stronger until you can do them on the floor. Then switch to feet elevated One Arm Push-ups: feet on a box, gradually increasing the height.
One Arm Pull-ups. Pull-ups with one arm. Tricky to master. Check the article on Beast Skills for their technique.
One Leg Squats. Start with One Leg Box Squats: lower yourself on a box. Start with a high box & gradually decrease the height. Switch to One Leg Squats once you can do them from a very low box.
External Resistance.You could consider this as weights but I’m adding it anyway. Wear a rucksack filled with water bottles or books while doing the exercises. Wear a weighted vest. Wrap some chains around your upper-body while doing the exercises. Use adjustable ankle/wrist weights. Use a belt, chain, carabiner & weights.


Nutrition
You need solid nutrition to build strength & muscle. Eat at least your body-weight in lbs x 18 kcal. Go for these foods:


Protein. 1g/lbs daily. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, whey, etc.
Fat. Balance your omega 3, 6 & 9 intake.
Veggies. All kinds, especially green fibrous veggies.
Fruit. Also all kinds. Eat veggies and/or fruits with every meal.
Water. 1 liter per 1000 calories you expend.
Whole Grain Carbs. Oats, rice, pasta, breads.


Want to feel great every single week? NOW YOU CAN!

What Makes White Tea Special?

Chinese folks have probably been enjoying the wondrous advantages of drinking tea all their lives. They've been generous enough to share their wholesome secret towards the world when they introduced green tea and black tea. But just lately, the globe discovered out about a substantially healthier white tea. Men and women have found that besides the huge difference with regards to cost, this kind of tea is also getting regarded as very special by most Chinese people. We all realize that the teas from China are normally created out of their Camellia Sinensis tea plant and they only differ from how they may be being processed into a wholesome drink. But if they're all produced out of just one particular type of plant, what tends to make this tea specific? What makes it distinctive or perhaps healthier?

This unique tea made out of Camellia Sinensis tea plant is distinctive from other forms of tea mainly because it is actually lots tastier and healthier. Unlike the green and black teas which are produced out of totally processed adult Camellia Sinensis plants, this tea is taken from the younger plants or those that happen to be not however completely grown. This tea is produced out from the unopened buds from the Camellia Sinensis using the silvery-white hairs from which its name is also taken. It is actually also what offers the tea its rare white colour.


A lot of people say that this sort of herbal tea may be the healthiest primarily mainly because it really is also the least processed kind of tea. Being least processed means that it has not however lost a good deal of its healthy nutrients and it has a extremely fresh taste from its fresh juice. When preparing the tea, you'd have the ability to smells its fresh flavor instead of the extremely robust caffeine concentration that you would commonly smell from the black tea or the green tea.


Just like all sorts of teas, it also has a lot of wellness benefits. It is an productive weight reduction drink that is in a position to scrape each of the undesirable fats or cholesterol which you have stored in the body and it's also an useful remedy to some common and life-threatening illnesses. It assists in relaxing the nerves which tends to make it an effective relief for insomnia and anxiety.


If you'd like an a lot tastier and healthy life-style, it is best to have this special tea as component of your common diet.

Why Must You Select A Green Tea Diet?

Quite a bit of men and women today believes that green tea may be definitely advantageous for the health as a result of the wellness benefits that it contain as well as a lot of men and women also think that it can also support them lose weight rapid. Green tea became so renowned in terms of weight loss due to its impact and visible components that can genuinely aid in losing weight. You are likely amongst those a large number of weight conscious people that wonder why Chinese folks appear a whole lot younger than their age or why the majority of them are petite. Maybe you’ve got been told the answer prior to but you chose not to listen till you might have come to a point when your body is currently shouting at you to obtain their assist in losing weight. Let us refresh your memory just a little concerning the answer to why Chinese folks appear a great deal younger and are petite: It’s mainly because they’re a good deal conscious about their well-being and they use all-natural wellness merchandise for just about all their desires. 1 from the most well-liked wellness items that they’re utilizing to help keep their body at an typical size may be the herbal tea.

Their tea is commonly a mixture of naturally processed herbs with all-natural spices, sweeteners and heavy milk which can be why they may be a good deal healthier for the body in comparison to those which have been artificially processed and added with chemical substances that are likely to be dangerous towards the body. A really preferred tea which has been studied to efficiently assist in losing weight and giving relief to some pretty widespread sorts of illnesses like Anemia and Anxiety could be the Chai tea. It truly is getting made use of in South East Asian nations for numerous years currently and they don't have any damaging side effects.

Tea created out of all-natural herbs are stated to have the capability to enhance metabolism and may burn fats quite promptly which can be why it truly is an efficient tea for obese individuals or those that would like to slim down. The truth that they may be all-natural herbs which have other wholesome substances also make tea a great drink to avoid heart illness, stroke, cancer, diabetes, strain as well as other life threatening illnesses.

Today, on a regular basis drinking tea created out of all-natural herbs is also getting named the green tea diet. It can be no longer just becoming applied in South East Asian nations but all more than the globe as all-natural therapy to illnesses and as wholesome and preventive drink against numerous unique varieties of illnesses.

Regardless of whether you're in search of an powerful approach to slim down or you merely would like to reside a healthier life, you must decide on to drink green tea often or make it an element of one's standard diet.

Besides, White tea is also as special as green tea. I will post another article about it pretty soon.

How to Build Muscle and Lose Fat at the same time?

After my previous post 7 Ways to Build the Exercise Habit, Leo asked me to write an 8-week program to build muscle and lose fat.

However, I believe that to have long-term success, the plan must become your lifestyle. It must become a habit.

Therefore this article is not an 8-week program. It’s a list of simple ways to build muscle and lose fat. Tips that worked for me and my readers. And guess what: you will be able to build muscle and lose fat in 8 weeks using these tips.

Build Muscle. The fastest way to build muscle is to get stronger. The stronger you are, the stronger you’ll look. Get into strength training. Do barbell exercises that hit several muscles at the same time: Squats,Deadlifts, Overhead Press, etc.

Start with an empty barbell. Learn the exercise technique. Increase the weight gradually. If you don’t know where to start, check out theBeginner Strength Training Program: it takes 3 times 30 minutes a week.

Nutrition. You need solid nutrition to get stronger and build muscle. Keep the nutrition healthy and you’ll lose fat. Some tips:

Protein. 1g/lbs daily. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, etc.

Fat. Balance omega 3, 6 & 9 intake: fish oil, saturated fat & olive oil.

Veggies. All kinds, especially green fibrous veggies.

Fruit. Also all kinds. Eat veggies and/or fruits with every meal.

Water. 1 liter per 1000 calories you expend.

Whole grain food. Oats, rice, pasta, breads, …

Eat foods that come in their natural state. Avoid anything that comes out of a box. Avoid trans-fats. Limit junk food consumption to once a week. Quit drinking soda. These simple tips will make a big difference in a very short time.

Lose Fat. Strength training will build muscle while decreasing your body fat. Eating healthy will further decrease your body fat. If you need to lose a lot of fat or if you’re impatient, these tips are for you:

Cardio. Do 30 minutes of cardio after your strength training. Three times a week at moderate intensity will do. The goal of cardio is to burn fat, not to exhaust yourself. You should breathe heavier than when at rest, but not gasping.

Cut calories. Track your food intake using Fitday. Start eating 18x your current body-weight in lbs. One week later: cut 500kcal. Check the balance one week later again. Did you lose weight? If you did, keep eating the same amount of calories. If not: cut another 500kcal.

Whatever you do: don’t starve yourself. Fat is emergency storage for your body. If you don’t eat your body will hold the fat and burn muscles. That’s the opposite of what you’re after. Only cut calories if you don’t progress.

Women. Building muscle, losing fat and strength training for women is same as for men. The only difference is women have other hormonal profiles than men. Meaning women will always have less muscle mass and more body fat than men.

But the approach is the same. Follow these tips and you’ll get results. You won’t get bulky if you don’t overeat and stay away from steroids.

Vegan & Vegetarian. Leo is a vegan, and other readers of Zen Habits are also vegans or vegetarians. You’ll find plenty of examples of vegans and vegetarians who built muscle. It can be done. But you might have less results than meat-eaters.

Red meat contains saturated fat and cholesterol which raises your testosterone levels. Testosterone is needed for muscle. Ask your doctor for a blood-test. Eat red meat for 2 months. Do another blood-test. Compare testosterone levels.

Eat lots of dairy products: milk, eggs and cheese if you’re vegetarian. Don’t let the fact that you’re vegan or vegetarian serve as excuse. You can build muscle.

Motivation. The best way to keep yourself motivated is to set goals & track your progress. The classic scale is not your best tool. Here are better ways.

Fat measurements. Measure your body fat weekly using a fat caliper.

Pictures. Take pictures every 4 weeks.

Blood test. Check health improvements.

Strength stats. Keep a training journal. More strength is more muscles.

Weigh scale. Only use it once a week. Each Friday for example.

I advise you to keep an online journal. Put it on Zen Habits Forums or onStrongLifts.com Forum. You’ll get feedback & you won’t feel alone anymore in what you’re trying to achieve.

Expectations. Don’t believe the hype in the magazines. You won’t get ripped in 8 weeks. However you can build muscle and lose fat in 8 weeks.

As I wrote in the leading: 8 weeks is a start. It learns you that you can transform your body if you want to. One of my readers lost 40lbs fat & built 20lbs muscle in 10 months at age 55. You can do it. If you want to. Persist and you’ll get there.

The Monday Diet

How many of you have a new diet you plan to start on Monday?

I can't tell you how many Mondays in my life I have:

• Started a new diet
• Planned to start a new diet
• Never actually got started on the planned new diet
• Never made it through the first full day of the new diet

I see people that haven't been active in a while decide on Monday they are going to start working out hard and they are miserable after the first day. Or they decide on Monday they will never eat chocolate or any other of their favorite foods again because you can't have certain foods on the diet they are about to start.

And some decide to do both and add in the activity and drastically restrict their food on the same day. I'm guilty of doing all of that for years. There were times I could even keep it going for months, but there was always a breaking point that I just couldn't do it any longer. And eventually I would gain it all back. It was just a matter to time.

I always believed every time this happened the problem was me. It took me a long time to realize I was not the problem, but all of the rules and restrictions that come with so many of the diets was the real problem.

I'd do the big before the Monday Diet Weekend Binge because I wanted one last taste of all of the foods I had to give up on Monday. My stomach would be hurting, but I still kept eating all weekend long to prepare for the new diet I would be starting on Monday.

Often, by Monday afternoon I had already "cheated", was on another binge and already planning my diet I was going to start the next Monday. That's just the way it works when you are a compulsive over-eater.

The one thing that I have used my whole life to bring me comfort and happiness the diets wanted to totally take away from me. So even when I succeed on diets and did lose large amounts of weight guess what the first thing was I reached for to celebrate my success? Food.

When I decided to stop depriving myself and focusing on my health my life really started changing that very day. I still have days that I make choices that aren't totally healthy, but the wonderful thing is that instead of thinking "I Cheated" I think to myself I will make better choices for my next meal or snack and it will all even out. And it does. In the past I would have felt like I had cheated on my diet, so I might as well go ahead and go crazy.

You can't "cheat" on your lifestyle because nothing is off limits. When you are on a lifestyle instead of being on a diet your goal is a life long journey of learning, doing a little better each day and always moving forward.

I know for some people this is so hard to hear and wrap your mind around because we have been told for years we must be tough on ourselves and deprive ourselves. Has it worked it for you so far?

If you woke up today ready to start a new fad/crash diet, just stop and think for a moment and ask yourself if you want to be on another diet or start living a healthy lifestyle.

Instead of deciding to restrict all of your foods and pushing yourself to do a hard workout your body isn't ready for give something new a try. Add in healthier foods today or a 10 minute walk.

Set yourself up for success and believe you deserve to live a healthy and happy life.

5 Sugar Free Snacks To Help You Abstain From Sugar

Today begins the first day of Lent that many of my Christian friends use as a catalyst to get off sugar. At least for the short them. This helps motivate them to get off the sugar and give their bodies a break from having to deal with it all the time.

My cousin Diane that does this every year. Without a doubt, she is a sugar addict, whether she admits it or not. Frequently she eats chocolate or other sugar laden desserts for lunch. She did this for years while teaching elementary school. She felt it gave her the extra boost to get through the afternoon with the little ones. Plus, she just plain liked it.

If you want to break the sugar habit, you too can use Lent as an inspiration. Or at least as a timeline or as a challenge. But since deprivation is the most fattening food you can have (in my opinion), finding sugar free snacks that will satisfy you instead is a better solution.

Here are some that have worked for me:

1. 20 almonds ( some will tell you the palm of your hand, I like to measure them out)

2. Low fat cream cheese stuffed in celery. ( Satisfies the need for crunch and chewing, plus you get fiber)

3. Low fat mozzarella cheese sticks with small 4 oz. apple, sliced. ( I one had a client who lost 100 pounds in 6 months by using this as her main snack. Many times she would not even use the cheese. She liked to slice the apple into 16 slices. Why 16 slices? No particular reason, that is just how she did it and it became a good habit for her).

4. Low sugar yogurt with 1/4 cup of Shredded Wheat cereal, crumbled up, used as a topping, with 1/4 cup fresh blueberries.

5. Heat 1/2 cup blueberries on top of stove, mash them up, and then mix with 1 cup plain non-fat yogurt. Pour over 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal. Very delicious and VERY filling.

You can use these ideas as a starting point to get off sugar during the next 6 weeks. The first 3 days are the hardest, so know that if you get beyond that point, it will become much easier to do. You will be shocked at how good you start to feel and how much more energy you will have. It's one thing to talk about it, it is totally different when you actually experience it.

Aerobic Exercise - Best Aerobic Exercise for Beginners

Safely Perform Aerobic Workouts

Aerobic exercising is a fabulous way to get your heart rate climbing. Aerobics can help to keep your heart healthy, as well as to build your endurance, promoting effective body weight loss. However, unsafe exercising can result in injuries. Make sure that your workout is a rewarding experience by following the safety tips included in this article.

The first and most important safety tip concerns your dress while exercising. Since aerobic exercising involves moving around rapidly, having good shoes are very important. Excess wear and tear on shoes or loose laces can promote loss of traction and falls. Other clothing items which are especially heavy or very tight may result in excessive overheating. Clothing must allow the exerciser to release heat and to move freely during workouts. Loose clothing can also interfere with successful workouts.

Working out at home is another area of concern. The exercise area must be large enough to avoid injuries from bumping into any items, especially sharp items, walls and corners. Wet floors can ruin your day causing slipping and falling. Make sure to keep small children and pets at a safe distance from the exercise area.

All exercise equipment must have proper maintenance to avoid the dangers of malfunctions during operation. Cleanliness is another important part of a safe home environment. Nasty viruses and bacteria are possible due to sweating and breathing in a dirty area. Disinfect equipment as often as is necessary.

Another safety tip is to exercise at your own rate. Of course, you must exercise at the greatest intensity to get the most benefit from the exercises. However, overworking yourself can lead to cramping or to pulling your muscles, or other overworking stress and strain injuries.

A trainer or your own doctor can explain the basics of safe exercising. Your workout should begin with a warming period and end with a cooling period. Using the proper exercises for your particular body, gender, and age are important. The workout should get you to feel great, without creating any injury to your body.

Keeping yourself safe is the best tip of all. When you have an injury, you are out of action, possibly for an extended period of time, and all training advantages are lost to you. Health and safety go hand in hand, so take all the possible safety precautions whether you choose to workout at home or at the gym.

Have You Decided to Give Up Coffee? Try These Alternatives

Have you finally decided to give up coffee because you are worried about your blood pressure, disrupted sleep patterns, or other health concerns?

If you, like up to 20% of the population in the Western world, have IBS, you have probably learned that coffee is a trigger. Surprisingly, decaffeinated coffee is also a trigger. It is not just the caffeine that stimulates your gut. Coffee contains an enzyme that irritates the digestive tract.

You love the flavor and the entire coffee experience - but you know that coffee is not agreeing with you.

The decision has been made... but you miss that early morning experience... the warm, rich flavor, texture, and aroma... the way it feels as it caresses your tongue and glides down your throat.

Coffee substitutes might be the answer for you.

Grains, nuts, vegetables, and fruits form the basis for many coffee-like beverages. They may be roasted, steeped, or boiled to extract the substances that are used to produce a final dried product that you mix with hot water or prepare like regular ground coffee.

Here are a few substitutes that might be worth trying.

Caf-Lib Original Blend Caffeine-Free Grain Beverage

Caf-Lib is an instant coffee alternative extracted from roasted malt barley, roasted barley, and roasted chicory. It is 100% all natural with no caffeine, sugar, chemicals, or preservatives. It looks and tastes much like coffee without some of coffee's disagreeable side effects.

Pero Caffeine-Free Instant Natural Beverage

Pero, a product of Switzerland, is made from malted barley, barley, chicory, and rye, with no added ingredients. It is very low in acidity and has a coffee-like taste.

Teeccino Caffeine-Free Herbal Coffee

Teeccino coffee substitutes are rich in inulin, a soluble fiber from chicory root that helps to improve digestion/elimination and increase the absorption of calcium and minerals. It is nonacidic and high in heart-healthy potassium. Teeccino is available in several flavors.

Dandy Blend Instant Grain Caffeine-Free Coffee Beverage

Dandy Blend is macrobiotic, vegan, and gluten-free with no acidity or bitterness. It features the health benefits of dandelion and the rich, full-bodied flavor, smoothness, and texture of real coffee.

Cafix All Natural Caffeine-Free Instant Beverage

Cafix coffee substitute gets its rich flavor from a healthful blend of all natural ingredients... nothing artificial. Ingredients include malted barley, barley, chicory, figs, and beet roots.

Cafe Orzo Organic Italian Caffeine-Free Alternative

Cafe Orzo is made from organic roasted barley. Brew it the way you would coffee - in your drip coffee machine, a drip filter, or in a French press. It is a smooth, nutty drink with a rich flavor.

Crio Bru Vega Real

Vega Real is premium roasted cocoa with natural hints of red berries and dark spice. The earthy-toned beans are harvested at the peak of freshness and then crafted to reveal a luxurious, complex flavor that hints of red berries and dark spice with a cocoa aroma. Making Crio Bru is easy, whether in a coffee maker or French press. The brew is reported as delicious, especially when you add a little sweetener or creamer.

Note: cocoa beans contain small amounts of caffeine. If you are caffeine- or chocolate- sensitive, this may not be the beverage for you.

Natural Touch Kaffree Roma Caffeine-Free Coffee Substitute

Kaffree Roma Roasted Grain Beverage is delicious and satisfying. It is made from roasted malt barley with a touch of chicory. Enjoy the robust, full-bodied taste of coffee without the caffeine, tannic acids, or coffee beans.

How To Get Rid Of The Double Chin

Having arrived at this article, it's my guess you own a double chin and want to do something about it. Not only is a double chin unattractive it will probably damage your self-image as well.

Therefore, I am going to take a look at what leads to a double chin and a few ideas to eliminate the double chin as well.

There are various completely different causes of a double chin. And half of the battle is to be aware of why you have a double chin. If you can understand the underlying reason then you might be well on the way to beating it. For a good number people, however, you will discover several elements at work including genetic factors and dietary issues along with your posture (how you "hold" yourself).

At first, I actually did not think posture was a contributing factor. However, I've changed my view and I'm now convinced the way you actually hold your head is very of important. I know, that might seem difficult to believe, but think about this. Take a flick through the numerous gossip columns or tabloid press.

You've all seen the image of the A-list celeb caught in an unsightly pose. Look at all those flabby and saggy bits and those horrible undesirable bulges.

These A-Listers get trained in how to "hold themselves" when in front of the camera. They do that so they will always look good...except some hack catches them in their pyjamas fetching the milk or putting out the garbage. This is the "actual" "real" person behind the make believe veil. And believe me they are way, way different to the "manufactured" images we normally see on the screen or in the glossy magazines.

It's for that reason that posture is so important. And you thought it wasn't important? Yep, as I said "me too" at first!

If posture has been a difficulty for you over the years it has probably now become a bad habit. And we all know they are troublesome bad habits are to break! Holding your head in a downward tilt all the time will reduce the exercise your neck and jaw muscles get and will inevitably cause a double chin in the longer term.

Now I understand that, if you sit at a computer all day, keeping your head up is difficult. But it is a major part of the strategy to counter your double chin by helping build and exercise the neck muscle tissues that little bit more. This will help and is an easily made change.

This is a bizarre one as some ultra-fit folks suffer from double chins and yet some people with awful diets get away with it. It's a paradox for sure (and one that upsets me).

The bottom line is that for many people, weight-reduction plan is a factor that has to be taken into account. There is a stack of stuff written and published on the Internet about food regimen so I'm not going to delve too deeply here.

Suffice to say common sense ought to prevail. The less sugar and saturated fats (and trans fats) in your diet, the less likely you are to be vulnerable to weight gain (as a general rule).

You know that if you drink a six pack and eat a double pizza every evening, you're likely to have a double chin and a wider weight issue. Eat and drink sensibly and employ a reasonable exercise regime and it will definitely help you maintain a proper weight and keep the double chin at bay. I needn't say any more.

If you are eating (and drinking) sensibly and have good posture and the double chin is being persistent, then perhaps try some specific exercises. If you go to the Get Rid Of The Double Chin (see link at the end of this article) web site, there are some videos to help you.

Your genes may also be an element, like they are with me, my chin is the first place I discover any weight gain. I need to work actually pretty hard to maintain a tight jawline and chin.

Unfortunately you cannot change your DNA - that's the way it is I. afraid.. The genes you get at birth are all you get and you need to make do. The Danes have an amazing saying..."you can only piss by the cock you're given". I love that saying, it does make me snigger and sums it up nicely if just a little rudely!

So, if you are genetically inclined towards a double chin, it's important to make the very best of what you have. That means a combination of good posture, a proper diet and a sensible exercise program. They will all help. Of course, no matter what your scenario, it's best not to let yourself get a double chin in the first place! As always, prevention is better (and less painful) than cure.

Let's talk about cosmetic surgery - Don't even consider it!

First up, it is massively expensive. Secondly, in my view it leads to the slippery slope of one surgery after another. Thirdly, if you ask me, it just does not look right either - sorry. Just have a look at a few of the results you see on some personalities. I have no doubt whatsoever, it's the reason it's known as "plastic surgery". Far better a natural "remedy".

O.K, that's it and I hope I have been able to provide you with some useful pointers on how to get rid of the double chin.