Blast Fat With These Recommendations!

Fat burners are a great way to blast fat, but dietary and lifestyle changes are important too. Let's look at 8 fat blasters to help you get lean quickly. These are fat blasting secrets from the world's top fitness athletes and bodybuilders:

1. Increase your cardio workouts and maintain your weight-training. Up your cardio workouts to 1 hour, 6 times per week, with 1 day off. Stay in weight-training maintenance mode, not muscle-building mode.
2. Eat your starchy carbs early in the day. You will burn off the carbs earlier on in the day. The only exception is for late-night workouts; you'll need to replenish your energy stores. Be sure to measure your carbohydrates, like oatmeal for example, using a measuring cup to ensure that you consume only the correct quantities.
3. Eat protein at a minimum of 3 times per day. It takes approximately 25% more energy to burn 1 calorie of protein than 1 calorie of fat or carbohydrate. So, even when you consume the same amount of calories, you are actually burning off more calories by increasing your protein intake. Not to mention, protein is filling and it is needed to maintain your muscle mass as you lose weight.
4. Stop eating 3 hours before bedtime. This will maximize the production of growth hormone during your sleep, increasing your fat-burning as a result.
5. Limit your restaurant meals. When eating out, people have a tendency to overeat and to consume too many carbohydrates. Check out the menu online before you hit the restaurant, so you know exactly what you are going to order. This will keep temptation at bay and keep you in control of your eating.
6. No fried or fast foods whatsoever. They are loaded with saturated fats and calories.
7. Have 1 cheat meal once per week. You need to treat yourself when you are losing fat and keeping to your exercise regime. Keep the cheat meal to around 700 calories or less.
8. At the end of each week, set at least 1 goal for the next week. A goal to improve upon could be drinking more water, measuring your food carefully, writing down your calorie intake religiously, etc.

Do all of the above and you'll burn fat quickly and get lean before you know it. Add fat burners and you'll lose the fat that much faster!

Be healthy, fit and live life to the fullest.

Sandy Huard, President, Women's Health Supply International

Cancer: The Big "C" Strikes Again

It seems that cancer is becoming more and more prevalent. And, in fact cancer rates for all types of cancers are on the rise. It strikes the young and the old and lots of individuals in between. In my own experience, it is striking my Mom's generation the most severely. Today, I'd like to explore the why and the what - why are cancer rates on the rise and what can you do about it should it strike?

My Mom and some of her sisters have been diagnosed in very recent years with different forms of cancer at reasonably young ages. When I looked at their risk profiles, I asked myself the question: "What did all these women have in common?" Most were smokers, except my Mom. Most ate reasonably well, although not enough fresh fruit and vegetables and other high fiber foods. Most were more than 10% overweight. Most were reasonably active, although not as active as recommended by the medical community. And all lived in a first-world country with all the associated advantages - so it appears on the surface. But what are the "underlying" factors? Let's look at cancer from a deeper and less conventional point-of-view.

According to practitioners of alternative medicine (and increasingly more traditional physicians) cancer can be treated (sometimes fully cured) by:

1. Killing cancer cells without harming the body, using alternative medicinal practices in conjunction with/instead of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
2. Increasing oxygen levels at the cellular level to kill cancer cells because low levels of cellular oxygen are an underlying factor that breeds cancer.
3. Increasing pH levels to normal levels because acidic pH environments lead to cancer. This is why alkaline diets are becoming increasingly popular in wellness circles.
4. Getting methylglyoxal into cells, arresting the development of cancer and putting cells back into a resting state.
5. Strengthening the immune system to help rid the body of cancer cells because a weakened immune system can lead to cancer.
6. Ridding the body of fungal infections, such as Candida to help eliminate cancer. Some doctors believe that such infections contribute to the development of cancer.
   
7. Detoxifying the body because toxic environments can lead to cancer. Eating genetically-modified foods (rather than organic foods) and drinking chlorinated water is toxic for the body.
   
8. Eliminating free radicals (with antioxidants) from the body that damage DNA leading to a host of diseases, including cancer.
   
9. Increasing enzyme levels to assist in the breakdown of foods. Low enzyme levels result from eating processed, irradiated and cooked foods rather than a "raw food diet" which is a prescription for greater health.
10. Raising the level of energy vibration of the body to help rid the body of cancer, which has low vibratory levels.
    
11. Eliminating stress, which is crucial to ridding the body of cancer. Stress is a leading factor of all kinds of diseases, including cancer.

Now that you are armed with this knowledge, what should you do?

1. Become educated about alternative medicine and wellness by consulting many of the online resources available.
   
2. Stop eating processed and junk foods and start eating organically-grown raw foods.
3. Exercise regularly and include antioxidants, like blueberries, in your diet.
4. Lose the excess weight and detoxify your body with cleansing products like colon cleanses and liver cleanses and detoxifiers.
   
5. Begin a regime of taking nutritional supplements and/or natural herbal supplements that are designed specifically to keep your body in an optimal state.
6. Grab a book such as The New Detox Diet and eat an alkaline diet, rather than the very acidic typical American diet.
7. Consult an alternative medicine practitioner such as a doctor of Chinese Medicine, a naturopath or herbalist. Adhere to the recommendations and make changes if necessary.
   
8. De-stress with regular massage, meditation and/or yoga. Seek counsel if needed.
9. Stop smoking. Stop excessive drinking. Live life in moderation.
   

Before cancer strikes you or someone you love, make the necessary changes and live your life to the fullest.

Sandy Huard, Women's Health Supply International

Strength-Training Exercises to Work Your Chest

Today, I wanted to give you some strength-training exercises for the chest, one of the major muscle groups of the frontal physique discussed in my recent post entitled A Lesson in Anatomy: Know Your Muscles.

If you remember that post, I explained that you need to know your body's muscles in order to be able to use proper form during your strength-training workouts. In addition, with the lists I am going to provide you, you can construct any number of workout routines. The variety will keep you motivated and will keep your body "guessing", resulting in greater strength gains and better fat-burning results.

In order to work the chest (pectorals) effectively, you can choose from the following 12 strength-training exercises:

1. Flat bench press (middle chest)
   
2. Flat dumbbell press (middle chest)
   
3. Flat dumbbell flyes (middle chest)
   
4. Cable crossovers (middle chest)
   
5. Pec deck machine (middle chest)
   
6. Push-ups (middle chest)
   
7. Incline barbell press (upper chest)
   
8. Incline dumbbell press (upper chest)
   
9. Incline flyes (upper chest)
   
10. Decline barbell press (lower chest)
    
11. Decline dumbbell press (lower chest)
    
12. Decline flyes (lower chest)

In your chest workout, be sure to choose exercises that work each of the middle, upper and lower chest to ensure that the pectorals are effectively trained. On Day 1, do 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps with a weight you can handle. On Day 2, do 2-3 sets of 8-10 reps with a heavier weight. On Day 3, mix it up. Remember to work a major muscle group on non-consecutive days to give your muscles time to recover.

The exercises above are straightforward. Should you want information regarding proper form and a description of any of the above exercises, than comment to this post. I would be happy to describe each of these exercises to you in greater detail.

Later this week, I will provide you with a list of great exercises that work another major muscle group of the frontal physique, the abdominals (rectus abdominis). I will describe some of these exercises in more detail as they are not as straightforward as the chest exercises listed above.

Have a great day!

Sandy Huard, President, Women's Health Supply International

Quick Weight Loss - Is it Possible?

Are you looking for a quick weight loss solution? Have you tried many of those fad diets, or those products advertised on TV that promise that you'll look like a model within a few short weeks? Have you taken dietary supplements expecting that you would lose weight quickly and permanently?

Well, unfortunately I'm here to tell you that quick weight loss is just not possible! A quick weight loss solution does not exist - certainly not one that is healthy or that burns fat. Those quick weight loss solutions that are advertised are "scams", especially the ones that tell you that you can just sit back and relax "while the pounds just fall off". Many of the so-called products offered on TV just don't work - certainly not in the way they are portrayed.

The truth is, without proper diet and exercise, along with regular strength-training to build lean tissue, permanent weight loss is not possible. Sure you can lose a lot of water with many of the supplements on the market today, or by drastically restricting your calories. Sometimes, you can drop as many as 8 pounds in one week, however those pounds consist of "water" as previously mentioned. Just eat a few good carbohydrates, and your back to storing water again. Before you know it, you've gained all of those 8 pounds back!

So, what do you do? First off, pick up this month's issue of FitnessRx (February 2008). The magazine's key headline is: "2008 Fat Loss Special!". Some other headlines include: "Burn Fat Fast!" and "Shed 20lbs in Two Months". To me, 20 lbs in two months is quick weight loss! However, it requires that you follow a regime of strength-training, cardio and dietary restriction, supplemented with quality weight loss supplements to compound your results.

I've read the February issue of FitnessRx and it's great. As I've mentioned previously, FitnessRx is my favorite women's health and fitness magazine. Read the February issue and you'll see why. In fact, order a copy online and receive it at home. It'll keep you motivated and informed and it will add a lot of variety to your normal exercise and fitness routine.

Don't want to get the issue of FitnessRx? Then follow some of the guidelines I've provided in previous posts. Unfortunately, quick weight loss is never permanent. You need to be vigilant and committed to changing the way you eat and live for life.

I'd love to hear some inspirational stories, so be sure to drop me a line. I would be happy to share your success stories with our daily readers.

Have a great night! Talk to you tomorrow.

Sandy Huard, President, Women's Health Supply International

Why You Should Get on the Exercise Ball

The exercise ball (also called a Swiss ball or physio ball) is growing in popularity as a great sculpting tool for your core, as well as your glutes, chest and back. It is ideal for using with many exercises because it conforms to specific positions of your body that are necessary in performing an exercise. The exercise ball also provides you with additional support while relieving your joints of unwanted stress.

Here is an exercise you can perform with an exercise ball, designed to shape your glutes:

Roll onto the ball so that your waist is directly on the top portion of it. Your legs and upper torso should be balanced perfectly on top of the ball.

Maintain a push-up position above the ball, placing your hands onto the floor at your sides so that your elbows are bent at a 45-degree angle. You want your legs to be extended behind you.

With your knees straight, slowly lift your legs behind you, pointing your toes. While your legs are lifting, you want to squeeze your glutes while you exhale. Keep raising your legs as far as they can go and squeeze firmly.

Slowly lower your legs to the starting position and repeat the motion. Try 3 sets of between 16-20 reps for an excellent sculpting routine.You can go to Spine-Health.com and find a great article entitled “Exercise Ball Therapy for Lower Back Pain Relief”. All of the benefits of an exercise ball for relieving back pain are described. This should get you started should you be one of the many women who suffer from lower back pain.

I have 2 different exercise balls at home and I find them to be great sculpting tools, particularly for my abdominals. As well, I have strengthened my back considerably since first starting to use an exercise ball.

If you are an exercise ball devotee or new to this great sculpting tool, let me know about it.

Have a great evening!

Sandy Huard, President, Women's Health Supply International