Middle Age Weight Management Starts Here

Weight management after the forty year mark starts to become more challenging. Our body’s metabolic rate starts to slow down, and things that used to keep us fit and healthy aren’t working as well any more. Here are some tips to help you return to your former condition and maintain it during middle age.

Often effective weight management will involve more than merely telling yourself to count on self-discipline, for eating less and shedding pounds. As we age this becomes somewhat more challenging. Many times some life-style changes are needed but they don’t necessarily have to be drastic ones for good weight management. As an example, eating some fruits along with vegetables instead of a processed meal once a day and adding 10 to 15 minutes of walking could be all it takes to prevent weight gain. As a first step, think about controlling any weight gain before attempting a weight loss program.

Understanding Your Metabolism Is Critical

Understanding your metabolism is critical when it comes to proper weight management. It works silently in the background really controlling the results of your efforts. Not only does your metabolism determine your energy level, but it also dictates how efficient the food is converted into the energy. A few things can be done to have your metabolism operating in top shape. First, increase the volume of nutrients you are consuming in relation to the number of calories. Second, ensure you aren’t deficient in anything your body needs by taking a multivitamin while adding lots of fruits, veggies and protein. Finally, include some exercise as part of your weekly routine. This will increase your metabolic rate. Combine weight or resistance workouts with regular doses of cardio.

Regular exercising is key, but keep in mind that you shouldn’t kill yourself in some torturous routine. First of all, you won’t stick to it over the long run and second of all it would be anti-productive to your weight management objective. Building muscle increases your body’s ability to burn calories. Every pound of muscle you add will burn about 100 calories a day. In order for your muscles to increase, they must be allowed time to recover after exercising. Over-training prevents them from fully recovering and therefore growing to burn more calories.

Remember, There Are No Magic Skinny Pills

Supplements and medications can sometimes aid your weight management efforts by helping to control cravings when you are starting out. There are so many choices on the market today that it is very difficult to know if something is right for you. Be sure to check with your doctor before doing any experimenting. Also remember that there are no miracle skinny pills out there. Whatever you may take should only be a part of your program, not the only part.

Look to participate in a fitness program that includes a social component for support and encouragement. Individuals that try to go it alone have a much harder time sticking to their weight management routine than those who participate with others. You can do this by joining a fitness club and going to workout or you can find several successful programs online that have forums, webinars and live chat.

Having The Proper Mindset Is Your Weight Management Key

Mindset Is The Key To Weight Management

Finally, no matter what shape your body is in today, you can absolutely slow down the aging process and sometimes stop or even reverse it if you have the proper mindset and persistent attitude. Learn to eat healthy foods, burn up as many calories as you take in while getting regular exercise and no matter what your age, your weight management will be under control.

One of the best support systems in a weight management program that I have found is provided by 7 Minute Workout. Their system includes forums, blogs and several interactive Webinars each week where you can get any questions you have answered.

weight management

weight management

weight management

Anorexia, Bulimia & Binge Eating - Most Common Eating Disorders

Anorexia, bulimia and binge eating are the three most common eating disorders. Not only is food a necessity for survival, but it is also a valued commodity in other areas of life as well. It is an integral part of some of the most important celebrations and events in the world. But, on the other hand, many people also seek it during times of heartache and depression.

Unfortunately, this is the reason that a lot of people eventually develop these eating disorders. They eat when they are happy. They eat when they are sad. It does not matter if they are hungry or fail to have an appetite. It becomes a habit or sickness that they cannot control. Depending on where you are standing, food can be considered both a savior and a culprit.

Eating Disorders Bring Stress To Enjoyable Family Functions

There is no denying that it is very enjoyable to sit down with family and friends and eat a favorite meal complete with a delectable and fattening dessert. However, for various reasons, there are those who cannot handle the emotions and consequences that are involved with eating food. The following article is going to talk about three of the most commonly found eating disorders.

Anorexia is one of the most well known eating disorders. Most people who have problems with eating usually eat too much. However, when it comes to anorexia the exact opposite is true. A person who suffers from anorexia does not want to gain weight, so they refuse to eat. This person fears that they are too fat. As a result, they will do anything to make sure that they do not gain weight.

Drastic Steps Are Taken With Eating Disorders

Often, they will take drastic steps to get rid of pounds so that their body does not show any signs of getting fatter. For example, a person who suffers from anorexia will not eat normal meal portions, if anything at all. They will also exercise excessively in order to get rid of the pounds that they think are making them look too fat. In addition, they will take large amounts of laxatives and diet pills to purge their system of food.

Unfortunately, a person who suffers from anorexia does not have the same definition of fat that the average person has. What they consider a fat body would be what the average person calls a skeletal frame consisting of meat and bones. Simply put, anorexia is a serious psychological problem that requires medical attention.

Both Psychological And Physical Consequences Result From Eating Disorders

Bulimia is also a very well known eating disorder. Unlike a person who suffers from anorexia, a person who has bulimia eats plenty of food. However, a person who has bulimia will make them self throw up after a hearty meal. Not only is this a huge psychological problem, but it puts a lot of pressure on the body via the digestive system. Stomach acid can corrode the insides of a person who constantly throws up food.

A bulimic is unlike an anorexic that has to avoid food or take laxatives as a way to lose weight. A bulimic will purge food, so they do not have to worry about gaining weight. They do not have a weight problem because they continue to weigh the same. However, they do have a psychological problem that needs to be addressed.

Is Binge Eating Really An Eating Disorder?

Binge Eating - A Lesser Known Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is not as well known as the other two eating disorders. In fact, many people would consider it to be a normal part of life. Sure, there will be times when a person wants to pig out uncontrollably. There are plenty of holidays and celebrations in which this will occur. However, the problem exists when this is done numerous times throughout the week in total privacy. They will eat everything in sight and then feel guilty for their eating binge. As a result, they will often slump into a deep depression and usually end up eating even more. Thus, they start a cycle that they cannot control.

All in all, food is there to be enjoyed by all. However, for some people, this is not a simple thing to do. This can be the result of numerous learned viewpoints or behaviors that are associated with food. It does not matter if you are thin, average weight or obese. For the people who suffer from the anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders, the subject of food takes on a whole new meaning. Unfortunately, this group of people has a harder time dealing with food than usual.

For more information and ideas on weight loss, fitness, and fat burning, click here.

eating disorders

eating disorders

eating disorders

Choose A Healthy Weight Loss Plan

Is it possible for a successful weight loss plan to be simple? If so, why do so many people find it so difficult to do? Why do so many people lose weight only to regain that weight a short period of time later? It may seem like there is no way to lose weight and keep it off in a simple fashion, but it can be much simpler than most people make it out to be. If you are struggling to lose the weight, or keep what you have recently lost from coming back, the following tips should help you do it in a more reasonable fashion.

Think Long Term When Choosing A Weight Loss Plan

Stop thinking of a weight loss plan as something you do for a short period of time. So many people set out to lose twenty, fifty, or even a hundred pounds, but once they reach that goal they go right back to old behaviors. You can’t do that if you want to lose the weight and keep it off once and for all. You have to think of a weight loss plan as something you do in the long term. It is a permanent change in your lifestyle.

You do not follow a weight loss plan only until you hit your goal. You have to select a plan that you can follow for the rest of your life. Think of it as changing the way you live, so you never have to worry about gaining weight again.

Use Substitution, Not Deprivation In Your Weight Loss Plan

One reason most people cannot stick with a weight loss plan long term is deprivation. They are either following a restrictive plan that leads to natural deprivation, or they are mentally focused on deprivation because they cannot have unhealthy foods they really love. That sense of being deprived of the good things in life will naturally lead to falling off the plan and succumbing to the tastes and textures that you crave. You set yourself up to fail with a plan that involves any amount of deprivation.

The best way to avoid feeling deprived is to think of making substitutes for the foods you know you should not eat all the time. Think of healthier versions of your favorite unhealthy foods, and then eat them the majority of the time. For example, you may decide to keep fresh fruit salad and whipped cream in the fridge for those evenings when you really crave something sweet.

If you really just have to have something else, then give yourself something else. You will find that most of the time, the fruit is just fine and fulfills the craving. As time moves on, you will start craving the substituted healthy food rather than the old unhealthy food.

Think Critically About Your Weight Loss Plan

Most people check into a new weight loss plan with the goal of trying to see its benefits and make it fit into their life. They want it to be the answer to their weight problems so desperately, that they trick themselves into believing they can change their life and their natural habits in order to accommodate the plan. This is the opposite of what you should be doing!

Rather than trying to make your lifestyle and personality fit to a randomly created weight loss plan, turn this around and find everything about the plan that can be criticized. Think of all the reasons it would not work with your lifestyle, your habits, or your personality. Try to see it in the worst light possible.

With a diet plan that just does not work for your life, you will find a lot to criticize. You will see that it just won’t work for you, before you actually waste your time trying to follow it. The plan that could work for you will be different. There will be some things you have to adjust in order to make it work for you, but there won’t be as many criticisms that you feel you cannot overcome.

Customize Your Weight Loss Plan

Customize Your Weight Loss Plan For Long Term Success

This is your final tip, but it might be the most important one you ever hear. Do not be afraid to make changes to any weight loss plan you come across. Unless you can find a plan that was customized just for your body and lifestyle, you will have to find a solid plan and make it fit your life. No plan is perfect for everyone. If it will work for you in most areas but needs some minor adjustments, then make those adjustments so the plan fits your life. The plan does the maneuvering…not you!

weight loss plan

weight loss plan

weight loss plan

Beat The Excuses For Losing Weight

Losing weight isn’t always easy. This is why many people have excuses for not losing weight. However, those excuses are just holding you back from losing weight and becoming healthier and happier. Don’t let excuses get in the way of weight loss. Here is a look at some of the top excuses out there and how you can beat these excuses to finally lose those extra pounds.

Excuse #1 – I Don’t Have Time to Make Healthy Eating Choices

Are you making the excuse that you don’t have enough time to make healthy eating choices? Ask yourself another question. Do you have time to get sick? Taking time to make the right eating choices isn’t just important for losing weight. It’s also important for your overall health. You always have time to make choices that keep you healthy.

Excuse #2 – I Don’t Like Exercising

Many people use the excuse that they don’t like to exercise. When losing weight it is important to start getting active. In fact, 30 minutes a day of exercise can offer great health benefits while helping you lose those extra pounds. Instead of focusing on exercise, focus on doing something active that you really enjoy. Play outside with your children. Go on a nice, relaxing walk. Play a favorite sport. You can also work in more activity by simply making choices like taking the stairs, parking far from the store, and walking to destinations when possible.

Excuse #3 – I Can’t Cook Healthy Foods

Don’t allow the fact that you don’t know how to cook get in the way of losing weight. Even if you don’t really know how to cook healthy meals, it’s easier than ever today to find healthy, pre-made foods. You can often find prepared pastas, frozen healthy meals, salads, and more at your local grocery store. Even if you aren’t a chef, you can easily cook up healthy foods.

Excuse #4 – I Can’t Live Without Having Some Sweets

You don’t have to live without sweets when losing weight. Stop thinking of particular foods as being bad foods. If you consider sweets to be bad, you will feel guilty when eating them. Instead, look at all foods in a positive manner. Just make sure you limit your sweets. Enjoy chocolate but only have a small amount. Find ways to lighten favorite sweet recipes to make it healthier for you. You shouldn’t let the excuse of loving sweets get in the way of losing some weight.

Excuse #5 – No One Will Support Me

Even if you don’t have support at home, you can still find support. Communicate with those in your family if you don’t think they are supporting you. Ask for their understanding and support. If you need more support, get online. You can easily find weight loss support sites and forums where you can connect with others working on losing weight too.

Healthy Menus For Losing Weight

Excuse #6 – I Have to Eat Out a Lot

Maybe you have to eat out on a regular basis and you have been using that as an excuse for not losing weight. Even if you do eat out a lot, you can begin to make healthy food choices. Many restaurants now offer healthier fare that you can eat. Try choosing from the healthier menus. Go with smaller portions as well. Make sure you drink a lot of water and choose healthy meat selections, such as chicken or fish. Also, avoid anything fried.

Excuse #7 – I Make Meals for the Whole Family

Last, you may think that you can’t work on losing weight because you are cooking meals for the entire family. Just because you are eating healthy foods doesn’t mean your family can’t eat those foods. Don’t go on a fad diet. Focus on changing everyone’s eating styles. Make the meals you all love with healthy substitutes. Not only will you lose, but you’ll help keep your family healthy too.

losing weight

losing weight

losing weight

Most Hated - Hitler, Bin Laden or Paula Deen?

It’s been over a week now since the Food Channel’s southern cooking chef Paula Deen announced to the world that she was diagnosed 3 years ago with Type 2 diabetes. She made the announcement last Tuesday, January 17th to Al Roker on NBC’s Today Show.

I’ve had a chance to read some of the reaction to her announcement and it would appear that in some circles, Paula Deen ranks just behind Hitler and Osama Bin Laden on the world’s most hated people list! Comments included terms such as greedy, liar, no ethics or scruples and “YOU ARE THE DEVIL”.

All of this impassioned response, I must confess, makes ME WANT TO SCREAM!!! Someone please correct me if I’m wrong. Paula Deen is a chef on a cable TV network program that’s purpose is to provide ENTERTAINMENT. She spends an hour each week for 30 weeks showing people how to prepare food that TASTES good. If eaten in moderation, a Paula Deen recipe will harm no one.

Government “Pork” – Now That’s A Bad Recipe

I wish more people would get this upset at the politicians that get on television and spread lies every day and night and then pass laws that actually impact our lives. I wish the same media that gives so much coverage holding Paula Deen accountable for cooking fatty foods on her “entertainment show” would hold these same politicians accountable for their passage of “pork filled bills” in the middle of the night.

Government “pork” has harmed way more people than Paula Deen ever could with her entertainment show, and yet she is the “DEVIL” to some! I know I’ve gotten on my soapbox here, but I can because it’s my Website!

In my opinion, this type of reaction to the Paula Deen announcement lies at the core of why there is an obesity epidemic in this country. It’s not because greedy unscrupulous cable TV entertainment chefs like Paula Deen are forcing fatty foods down our throats. It’s quite simply because we have made the choice to eat more calories each day than we burn off, and fail to engage in regular physical activity.

If we have obese children, and we are responsible for their diets and activities, it’s because we have chosen to feed them more calories each day than they burn off and fail to make sure they engage in regular physical activity. If we have fat dogs and fat cats for pets, it’s because we choose to feed them more calories than they burn off and fail to make sure they get enough regular physical activity.

Solving Obesity And Diabetes Is Not Rocket Science

Government "Pork" Spending -Now That's An Unhealthy Recipe!

This is not rocket science. We have an obesity problem in the United States because of the choices we make on eating and exercising. If we really want to solve this problem and improve our quality of life, we need to stop looking for people to blame all the time like Paula Deen and take responsibility ourselves.

Finally, in regards to Type 2 diabetes. There are many factors that determine whether or not someone will have it or not. These factors include genetics, age, stress, weight, exercise and diet. Diabetes is not caused by any single one of these factors, nor is it caused by Paula Deen and her entertainment cooking show.

There are numerous weight loss and fitness programs out there that will work if you work them. Eating a healthy diet, keeping your weight under control and getting regular exercise will do wonders to control Type 2 diabetes and in some cases eliminate it. One program that provides the tools necessary to take all of the above actions is the 7 Minute Workout.

To find out more about it CLICK HERE.

paula deen

paula deen

paula deen

Jennifer Hudson - I Got This

Jennifer Hudson has a new book titled “I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down”. In it she discusses how she was able to drop 80 pounds after her son David was born in 2009. She reportedly topped out at 237 at that time.

I think the Jennifer Hudson weight loss story is worth paying attention to because if you listen and read closely, you will find out why she was able to lose the weight while so many others fail. Because of her high profile and weight loss success, Jennifer Hudson is the international spokeswoman for Weight Watchers.

Weight Watchers is a great world class program and has helped thousands of people in their weight loss pursuits. In fact, there are countless other weight loss programs that also have helped many thousands of followers to achieve their weight loss goals. This is obviously, a very good thing because when it comes to weight loss, “one size definitely does not fit all”.

However, when it comes to weight loss program failure, there can be a very common thread amongst most of the programs. Jennifer Hudson brings this out very eloquently and boldly. Her message is something that transcends just losing weight. It is something that can be used in all areas of our lives.

Jennifer Hudson is quoted as saying “I am telling you the absolute truth when I say that I genuinely loved my body-fat, thin and everywhere in between.” If this is true, then why did she undertake the challenge to lose the 80 pounds?

Another Jennifer Hudson quote is “I had everyone on the planet tell me that I needed to look a certain way or be a specific size if I wanted to make it as a singer. I have been rejected from more jobs than the ones I’ve gotten simply because of my appearance. If I had listened to all of those people, maybe I would have become a broken-down, overweight, out-of-work, American Idol castoff has-been.”

It seems quite evident that Jennifer Hudson does not suffer from low self esteem. I think a lot of that is because she has been doing something she truly loves (singing and acting) to the best of her ability. So many of us choose how we spend our time or an occupation based on external factors like money, approval from others or it’s easy!! We wind up doing things we hate and rationalize it to make ourselves feel better.

Before her weight loss success, Jennifer Hudson was an inspiration to many of her fans because of achieving Hollywood success despite not fitting the ideal Hollywood mold. Now some critics see her weight loss success and book deal as a sort of selling out and possibly alienating those supporters!

Jennifer Hudson - A Good Example For Her Son

Her Weight Watcher diet is so successful mainly because of her “mindset“. She lost the weight because she decided she wanted to, not because someone else told her to. After the birth of her son, David, she had the “mindset” to be a good example for him. As it turns out, she has become an inspiration and role model to a whole different segment of the population.

This should not be called selling out. This should be called growth. Growth results from stretching our boundaries with the goal of nurturing ourselves and others. Most of the time the process is uncomfortable and even painful. For those with the courage and the “mindset” to push those boundaries, the result is worth the effort. Just ask Jennifer!

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

When you read or hear the words “weight watcher” what comes to mind. Do you picture someone enrolled in the Weight Watcher’s diet program? Do you see someone overweight standing on a scale peering down at a number? Perhaps your weight watcher is on a treadmill with a towel over their neck and sweat pouring off their brow.

I would guess that to most of us, a weight watcher is someone concerned with losing excess weight. However, what about a person who is underweight? Wouldn’t they also be a weight watcher, seeking to add weight rather than losing it? How about a person that is an ideal weight? Don’t they also have to be a weight watcher if they are concerned about maintaining where they are at?

What Do You See In The Mirror?

Lastly, there is the weight watcher that seems to be looking through the wrong side of the binoculars. This is would be the person that is a perfect weight or even underweight, yet when they look in the mirror all they see is someone extremely overweight. They would be either a vain or anorexic weight watcher.

My point here is that virtually anyone could qualify as a weight watcher or i.e. someone that is paying attention to how much they weigh. Certainly the argument can be made that everyone really should be a weight watcher because weight has an important bearing on one’s overall health.

So now we’ve established that anyone who is paying attention to how much they weigh is a weight watcher. So, what is it that determines being a successful one? Also, who or what is it that makes the determination? Is it you? Is it your significant other? Is it your doctor? Is it your trainer? Is it Jillian Michaels? Is it a book or a picture? Is it all of these things or is it none of them?

The simple answer to the above questions is “YES”! What do I mean? Well, success at being a weight watcher, like so many other things in our lives is a very subjective and personal term. Every one of the individuals listed above will have their own definition. Success is just as much a state of mind, as it is fitting into a statistical analysis category.

Success Is An Ongoing Feeling, Not Just An End Result

Success Is Not Just A Destination

To me, success is a positive “feeling” that is the result of “achieving a goal”. When it comes to the health and fitness arena, I think “progress” is the more beneficial and “achievable goal” than “perfection”.

Therefore, the keys to being a successful weight watcher are to maintain a daily effort of consuming fewer calories than you burn off, engaging in physical activity and experiencing the positive feelings from your progress.

weight watcher

weight watcher

weight watcher

Do You Think You Have A Fat Face?

Are you one of those people that looks in the mirror and sees a fat face looking back at you? If your answer is yes, we need to do a quick reality check before moving on. Do you see a fat face because you have a vanity problem and no matter what your appearance or weight, what you see will never be good enough? Do you see a fat face because you have an overall excess fat problem with your entire body that you need to address? Or are you just one of those people whose body chemistry reacts to weight gain by adding fat to your face first?

Assuming vanity is not the reason for your fat face condition, without undergoing a surgical procedure, how can you lose fat from your face? Well like most things when it comes to the topics of weight loss and fitness, there are tons of products and methods to choose from. For example, how about a fat face exercise program. Here’s a brief sample of what I found. BE WARNED however, successful implementation of this program may reduce your fat face, but increase your wrinkles and crows feet!

Workout Program For Your Face – Might Increase Wrinkles And Crows Feet!!

Fat Face Area 1 – Eyes
While sitting upright have your eyes open. Keep your head completely still while looking up and then down. Do 10 repetitions. Now look to the left and then the right for another 10 repetitions.

Fat Face Area 2 – Forehead
Again, sitting upright, bring your eyebrows down over the eyes while wrinkling your nose and flaring the nostrils. Hold this position for a 10 count and then relax. Do 5 repetitions.

Fat Face Area 3 – Neck
Sitting upright, lean your head back so you are looking at the ceiling. With your lips closed begin a chewing motion. Do this for 20 repetitions.

Fat Face Area 4 – Lips
Pucker up the lips slightly and try bringing the corners of your mouth towards each other as far as possible with your mouth muscles. Hold the lips in this position for a count of 5 and then relax. Do 5 repetitions.

Fat Face Area 5 – Cheeks
Close your lips and teeth while blowing air under the top lip. Hold it there for a count of 10. Now move the air into your left cheek and hold for a count of 10. Next move the air to your right cheek and hold for a count of 10. Do 5 repetitions.

Spot Fat Loss Usually Does Not Work

Will doing this exercise regimen daily eliminate your fat face? Well I guess it can’t hurt, but for most people, the spot reduction of fat simply by exercising is just not possible. Every gym is filled with people trying to burn belly fat by doing sit-ups or crunches. The usual result, however, is a lot of people with great stomach muscles hidden under a layer of fat. Everyone’s body has an order to where it will store fat. The order is not necessarily exactly the same for each individual. Usually, when you lose the fat, it comes off in the opposite order that it was stored. If your body tends to store fat in your face or belly first, these would be the last places it would come off.

How To Fix A Fat Face - Smile!

The best way to eliminate a fat face, fat belly or fat anything is by maintaining a healthy diet, taking in fewer calories than you burn each day and regular exercise. A great place to get all of this is the 7 Minute Workout program where you can get in the best shape of your life working out only 7 minutes a day, 3 days a week, and they guarantee it!

Finally, I did uncover the very best exercise for your face that will bring never ending benefits if you do it every day. Just smile and repeat it as often as you can while in the presence of others.

fat face

fat face

fat face

Is This Your Image Of Fitness?

When you hear the word fitness, what images pop into your head? Do you see an attractive slender well toned body with six-pack abs? Do you see a hulking muscle bound weight lifter with a dark tan? Or maybe you see a group of people in a workout facility running on treadmills or doing aerobics. Does your image of fitness focus entirely below the neck?

What Is The Definition Of Fitness?

When I looked up the definition in an online dictionary, I got the following:

1) a state or a quality of being fit

Don’t you just love those kinds of definitions? I could write my own dictionary with those kinds of definitions like, baldness is the state or quality of being bald or wellness is the state or quality of being well!

Thankfully, there was another definition for fitness listed that offered a little more substance as follows:

2) the ability of an organism to survive and pass on its genotype through reproduction as compared to other competing organisms: also: the addition of an allele (alternative genes) or genotype to the gene pool of later generations versus that of other alleles or genotypes

Now that certainly isn’t the sexy image of attractive hard bodies I’d prefer to have when I hear the term fitness, but it did get me to thinking.

The Mind And Body Can Work Independently

I’m a big believer that our minds and our bodies are able to function to some degree, independently from one another. Certainly, many changes take place in our bodies throughout our lives whether or not we devote any conscious thought to it or not.

I am much taller today than when I was born and did not give one conscious thought to making that happen. My body just took care of it independently from my mind.By the same token, my mind has the ability to think of all kinds of things that have nothing to do with my body.

Although the mind and body can operate independently they also have the power to exert great influence over one another. Experience an ongoing pain somewhere in your body, and your mind will probably be focused on doing something to alleviate that pain. Think about the benefits of a fitness and you will probably be moved to take some type of physical action.

Mind And Body Together Is Total Fitness

So, what’s my point with all this in regards to fitness. Well first of all, since the mind and body can often function independently from one another, there must be a physical as well as a mental fitness. Now I know that’s not news to anyone, but I believe that total fitness is achieved only when the mind and the body come together and work towards the common goal.

Messages To The Mindset Pool

The second definition for fitness mentioned above is basically covering the law of natural selection whereby the more physically fit organisms will survive longer to pass on their genes to be included in the gene pool. I believe there also exists a similar pool that deals with mental fitness.

This mental side, or as I like to call it, the “mindset” pool is made up of the thoughts and emotions we put out each day. As of now, to my knowledge, there does not exist any microscopes that can study the makeup of the mindset pool like they can with the gene pool. The mindset pool remains unseen by human eyes but exerts a tremendous influence over the actions that we take in our lives.

I cannot see the atoms that make up a steel girder, but they provide that girder with the strength to hold up and support incredible structures all over the world. Just because I can’t see them does not mean they are not there exerting tremendous influence.

There are many reasons why obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and why so many people find themselves unable to maintain and achieve positive results from their fitness program. I believe that a big part of the reason is not recognizing the role mental fitness plays in overall fitness. I think a conscious effort to pass on positive thoughts and encouragement to others will be a big step in overcoming these challenges.

fitness

fitness

fitness

The Three Body Types-Which One Are You?

There are 3 distinct body types which include Ectomorph, Mesomorph, and Endomorph. They may sound like they could be characters on a Cartoon Channel show, but as of now they are not. Everyone is categorized into one of these body types and each one requires a different approach to diet and exercise.

Which Type Are You?

The first of the body types, the Ectomorph, consists of persons that were born skinny and most often are narrow in the hips and the shoulders. They are often envied for being able to seemingly eat anything they want and never put on a pound! However, quite often they do not have very much muscle mass either and wind up with the label “skinny fat” because any fat they do gain ends up around their stomach.

The second of the body types, the Mesomorph, is made up of people that are “gifted genetically”. They are the ones with narrow waists, broad shoulders and have good muscle tone that includes strong forearms as well as thighs. You never find the Mesomorphs working out but they have great body’s anyways. For Mesomorphs to put on excess fat, they have to be eating the wrong foods or just way too many calories.

The third of the body types is the Endomorph. They were born “chubby” and have had excess body fat all their life. Most times they appear “pear-shaped” because of a combination of wide hips together with narrow shoulders. In addition, they often have slender wrists and ankles, a wide bone structure and slower metabolism. Usually any muscle they have is hidden behind stored fat. It is easy for them to gain weight but it is not easy to lose it.

Most Fitness Plans Ignore Body Type

As you can see, each of these three body types have very different characteristics. Most of the generic diet and workout plans out there do not take that into consideration and as a consequence, do not give the results their users are seeking.

Often people who are looking to lose fat get involved with plans that consist mainly of a lot cardio such as jogging or treadmill machines for example. This form of exercise may be good for your heart rate, but is not an effective way to burn fat. It can for some body types possibly result in joint pain and what’s worse, muscle loss.

Muscle mass is one of the most effective ways for burning fat in the least amount of time because it goes on all the time whether you are working out or not. Muscles need a lot of metabolic energy for maintaining themselves and as a result, you will burn more fat by increasing your muscle mass. You can burn as much as 100 calories a day for each pound of muscle you put on.

A Plan For All Body Types

Once you have reviewed the three body types (also called constitution types) and determined which category you fall into, the next step is to choose a plan of action. Always keep in mind that any successful long term plan should include the components of exercise, diet, and support.

Two of the top programs that I have seen which include all of these elements are the Tried N True: Dynamite Diet and Fitness and the 7 Minute Workout Program.

body types

body types

body types