One more study tells the world, that Yoga can help with weight control and weight loss. The latest study was held by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.
The study involved 15,500 healthy, middle-aged, men and women. This is a group that typically has difficulty with weight loss, since the number of calories needed declines, and the energy levels needed to burn calories, is not what it used to be.
Unfortunately, this is a fact that I have become painfully aware of during the past few years, and cutting back on food was my unwanted last option. Although, I cross train almost daily, it took me one year to lose 16 pounds of extra weight.
Back to the study: Yoga practice was defined as practicing at least 30 minutes once a week for four or more years. Comparatively speaking, this is truly “bare minimum,” and many Yoga teachers used to say that this amount of Yoga will do nothing.
How times change; Yoga has been keeping people fit for approximately 5,000 years, and its many health benefits are still a mystery worthy of more studies.
Alan R. Kristal, Dr.P.H., the study's lead author at Hutchinson Center's Public Health Sciences Division said, "Men and women who were of normal weight at age 45, and who regularly practiced Yoga, gained about three fewer pounds during that 10-year period than those who didn't practice Yoga."
Until all the studies are in, it would be safe to say that adding Yoga practice to your weekly routine, and eating wisely, will contribute to weight control or weight loss.
When seeking a Yoga teacher, find one who is compassionate, yet will encourage you to practice more frequently. The results you will gain from regular practice, of three to four Yoga classes per week, will be extraordinary, especially, if you practice Yoga for years.
Yoga is very low impact - in comparison to many aerobic exercise routines, and can be practiced for longevity. Your knees, spine, hips, and shoulders, will thank you for the condition Yoga will keep them in. Many of today’s “standard” forms of exercise do not have the same “bragging rights,” as Yoga.
With respect to eating, take the time to identify hunger and cravings. You will notice that they are not the same thing. Being a chocolate lover, it is much better to eat a piece of chocolate, now and then, than to buy a dozen chocolate donuts. This is not to justify, or surrender, to chocolate, but to eat it in moderation, and not every day.
Based upon what I have said so far, it is all about identification, control, and moderation. We have to stop “mindless eating” habits.
Recently, researchers found that women who received a 1200 mg. calcium supplement, on a daily basis, reduced their number of premenstrual food cravings by 54%.
On another note: When you have anxiety, your body produces more of the hormone cortisol, which may increase the volume of carbohydrates you eat. Carbohydrates temporarily increase our levels of serotonin, making us feel relaxed for the short term.
Learn the art of substituting foods for more nutritionally dense variations. I cover this, in detail, in my eBook, “14 Days to Change Your Life,” which will be released in August 2005.
Being in the best shape you can be is also connected to positive thinking. Therefore, use self-improvement sources to keep you on the right track toward optimum health.
About The Author
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
No More Spare Tires!
This article will discuss strategies I use as a personal trainer to help people get rid of the spare tire around the middle that so many people desire to lose.
The first and most important part of my program is consistent, regular exercise. The primary reason people put on unwanted body fat is inactivity or too little activity, thus, course of action number one is to remedy this problem with vigorous weight training sessions and challenging cardio workouts.
I'll split up the weight training workouts, making sure to work abs and calves every day:
Monday, chest and arms, Tuesday, shoulders and back, Thursday, legs and butt Friday, chest and arms, Saturday, shoulders and back.
As you can see the whole body will be worked over the course of three workouts and this cycle will be continually repeated Cardio must be done for weight reduction programs and will be done every day weight training is done. Many things can be changed with just the addition of regular exercise, but reducing carbs will help you achieve your goals more quickly. Since we're talking about losing your spare tire, let's focus on abdominal specific exercises.
1.) hanging leg raises
2.) abdominal crunches on a machine
3.) seated trunk rotations on a machine
With regard to nutrition, I will create a totally customized plan for the individual and this program will emphasize reduced carbohydrate and fat consumption. This is a typical program I would use for a 200 lb male. The meals will be precisely three hours apart. Meal one, two full servings of oatmeal, I'll even let you add a little honey; Meal two, one grilled or steamed chicken breast accompanied by a dark, leafy salad; Meal three, eight ounces of tilapia and steamed veggies; Meal four, same as meal three; Meal five, one Muscle Milk protein drink.
If this program is diligently followed the body fat will quickly fall off and I will have a happy and successful client.
At times there are issues which must be overcome with regard to the eating plan. Difficulty keeping the client motivated to eat in a clean and healthy way often crops up. I have clients record what they actually eat and report it to me, this helps a great deal in keeping the clients compliant enough with the eating program to see optimum results. In addition, I use a number of creative, motivational techniques which can also be found in my article "Diet Doldrums." I highly advise you to read this article as well as a motivational aid.
About The Author
Fort Lauderdale Personal Trainer Joe Kozma is a former national bodybuilding champion and college football player. Joe's fitness and weight loss service provides extreme body makeovers, strength gain, and more. See his clients at his Fort Lauderdale Fitness website at http://www.joekozma.com
The first and most important part of my program is consistent, regular exercise. The primary reason people put on unwanted body fat is inactivity or too little activity, thus, course of action number one is to remedy this problem with vigorous weight training sessions and challenging cardio workouts.
I'll split up the weight training workouts, making sure to work abs and calves every day:
Monday, chest and arms, Tuesday, shoulders and back, Thursday, legs and butt Friday, chest and arms, Saturday, shoulders and back.
As you can see the whole body will be worked over the course of three workouts and this cycle will be continually repeated Cardio must be done for weight reduction programs and will be done every day weight training is done. Many things can be changed with just the addition of regular exercise, but reducing carbs will help you achieve your goals more quickly. Since we're talking about losing your spare tire, let's focus on abdominal specific exercises.
1.) hanging leg raises
2.) abdominal crunches on a machine
3.) seated trunk rotations on a machine
With regard to nutrition, I will create a totally customized plan for the individual and this program will emphasize reduced carbohydrate and fat consumption. This is a typical program I would use for a 200 lb male. The meals will be precisely three hours apart. Meal one, two full servings of oatmeal, I'll even let you add a little honey; Meal two, one grilled or steamed chicken breast accompanied by a dark, leafy salad; Meal three, eight ounces of tilapia and steamed veggies; Meal four, same as meal three; Meal five, one Muscle Milk protein drink.
If this program is diligently followed the body fat will quickly fall off and I will have a happy and successful client.
At times there are issues which must be overcome with regard to the eating plan. Difficulty keeping the client motivated to eat in a clean and healthy way often crops up. I have clients record what they actually eat and report it to me, this helps a great deal in keeping the clients compliant enough with the eating program to see optimum results. In addition, I use a number of creative, motivational techniques which can also be found in my article "Diet Doldrums." I highly advise you to read this article as well as a motivational aid.
About The Author
Fort Lauderdale Personal Trainer Joe Kozma is a former national bodybuilding champion and college football player. Joe's fitness and weight loss service provides extreme body makeovers, strength gain, and more. See his clients at his Fort Lauderdale Fitness website at http://www.joekozma.com
Nutrition Basics for New Fitness Disciples
This article is focused on the basics of nutrition for those who embarking on a fitness and weight training program. Today I'll talk about the three primary sources of calories for human beings. Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Protein is of the utmost importance for those trying to improve their bodies. The eating plan for a person trying to improve their physique should have a diet whose foundation is protein. This is what I call the skeleton of a proper eating program. The skeleton of a proper eating program is all of the protein foods the eating plan will contain. The most commonly used protein foods will be meat, fish, poultry, protein supplements, eggs and dairy based protein foods such as cottage cheese. Below I will plot out for you a skeleton of a typical eating program for a personal training client.
1.) upon waking, 3 eggs with an additional 3 egg whites
2.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia
3.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia
4.) 3 hours later, 8 oz of broiled ground sirloin
5.) 3 hours later, Muscle Milk protein supplement
6.) 2 hours later, 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
As of right now the foundation of a proper eating plan, being protein foods, has been completed. All that is needed is to add carbohydrate foods to the eating program. The level of carbohydrate intake should be tailored to the personal training client's goals. For example a skinny high school kid who wants to gain weight for football would eat a plentitude of carbohydrates. Let's take a look at how an eating program for such an individual might look. What we will do is take the skeleton eating program and add to it.
1.) upon waking, 3 eggs with an additional 3 egg whites, 4 slices toast with jam
2.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia, 1 cup white rice
3.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia, 1 cup white rice
4.) 3 hours later, 8 oz ground sirloin on a bun with ketchup
5.) 3 hours later, Muscle Milk protein supplement
6.) 2 hours later, 1 cup small curd cottage cheese, with 1 cup chopped pineapple.
Now we will look at a more typical scenario for my personal training clients. Nine out of ten people who come to me for training are coming to lose weight and become more toned and fit. I will use the exact same skeleton eating plan as I did in the other example but this eating plan will be vastly different in the carbohydrate department. Healthy carbohydrate foods are grains, rice, potatoes, whole grain bread, and fruit
1.) upon waking, 3 eggs with an additional 3 egg whites, 2 slices dry rye toast
2.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia, 1 cup steamed veggies
3.) 3 hours later, 8 oz. of grilled tilapia, 1 cup steamed veggies
4.) 3 hours later, 8 oz of broiled ground sirloin, 1 large green salad, w vinegarette
5.) 3 hours later, Muscle Milk protein supplement. 1 grapefruit
6.) 2 hours later, 1 cup small curd cottage cheese.
When constructing eating plans for weight loss, you can see that the order of the day is drastic reduction in carbohydrate consumption. No matter what kind of eating program I construct, I never purposely add fat calories. Adequate fat consumption is achieved with the fat that is present in the protein sources.
About The Author
Fort Lauderdale Personal Trainer, Joe Kozma is a master trainer who has been practicing for over twenty years.Joe is a former national bodybuilding champion and college football player. Joe's fitness and weight loss service provides body makeovers, body sculpting, strength gain, and more. See the results his clients have attained at his Fort Lauderdale Fitness website at http://www.joekozma.com