When it comes to body composition, whether it is losing fat, gaining muscle or both, it has EVERYTHING to do with hormones. And, of course, your sex drive is controlled by hormones as well. In fact, a lot of the same hormones that help or hinder you in your body composition goals also regulate your reproductive systems and sex drive.
Fitness author, Jon Benson, of the 'Every Other Day Diet' and '7 Minute Muscle' fame, shared this in his newletter recently...
"Today we need to chat about your hormones.
Yeah, I chat a lot about hormones. That's because I have been to Hormone Hell and back. Twice.
I've lived to tell the tale.
It's scary... and it's one of those hidden illnesses that you might not even know you have.
I had it at 27. I did not affect my lovelife, but that was probably due to my youth. If I did not treat it then, I would have no lovelife or drive at ALL right now.
I treated it with drugs. That is all we had back then.
Today I use a combination of therapies, many of which are natural....
1. I train with weights to increase testosterone-levels naturally.
2. I train and do cardio before eating in the morning do increase gH levels naturally without drugs.
3. I cycle my calories to increase my thyroid levels naturally.
As you can see there are many ways to increase your hormone levels naturally.
But it's not all exercise and nutrition. Now we have several "botanical" supplements: Herbs and other natural helpers to help the fight.
I wish I would have known about Dr. Lucille when I was 27.
She's the expert in that field. Herbs, nutrition for hormone help, and how to protect your body IF you have to take drugs to help the problem like I do.
I listen to her. So should you.
Here's her site --> Natural Energy Help
The best thing about having your hormones optimized is energy.
Yes, you will burn more bodyfat.
Yes, you will increase your lovelife and your desire to have intimacy.
Yes, you will increase your resistance to disease and common illnesses.
But I think MORE ENERGY is the best.
I have the energy to do anything I want at just about any time I want.
Here's an example:
Today I had to go to the funeral of a dear friend. She passed away after struggling with a lifetime of various illnesses, many of which were made worse by lifestyle choices. Some she had no control over.
We all loved her dearly.
We drove until 1:00AM this morning. I got up early for the funeral but not early enough to eat breakfast.
I had a large lunch afterwards and then we headed back -- another 3 hour boring drive in traffic.
Even with all of this emotional stress, my body only needed a 2-hour nap to pop right back into high gear. I could literally go and workout now at almost 11:00pm if I had to.
I'm glad I don't because I have a night of packing ahead of me for a business trip!
Still, the point is simple:
Hormone Health = Greater Energy
Most people do not exercise because... get this....
They do not FEEL like it.
I don't mean "feel like it" as in they would rather do something else, although that is the case sometimes.
I mean "feel like it" in the sense that they have NO energy to do it.
They are tired, run-down after a 9 to 5 day, and feel zonked.
You too?
If so, you need this info...
Natural Energy Help <--- Click here!
Remember: More energy, more lovelife. More workouts that burn fat. More done in the day.
More living... in the best way possible.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Training With Weights vs "Weight Training"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a word of warning:
I will be using the term "bodybuilder" or "bodybuilding" to refer to anyone who wants to build lean muscle and burn bodyfat in this article.
That means you.
Yep... you are a "bodybuilder." That does not mean you want to look like a monster on stage and pose in front of thousands of people wearing nothing but your undies.
That means you want more lean muscle and less bodyfat -- that's it.
With that in mind, here's something you have to know:
Bodybuilders do not "lift weights" -- we "train" with weights.
We use weights as a tool like a sculptor uses a hammer and chisel.
The object of the game is not to lift some heavy weight from Point A to Point B and back. That's weight lifting. "Bodybuilding" is about making the muscle you want to change do all the work.
Here's two ways to do it:
1. Lower the weight and focus: Most people are just concerned with the lift itself. "Get this weight off of me!" seems to be the unconscious mantra. This will not get the job done. In fact you may end up looking bulky rather than sleek... or just not change at all. Instead, lower the weight slightly, slow the pace down (especially on the descent of the movement) and picture the muscle in your mind doing ALL of the work. Literally put your mind in the muscle. You will be amazed at how different the same exercise feels with this degree of concentration,.
2. Contract, hold, release: At the top of any movement, contract the muscle hard. Hold that contraction for a second or two, then release it and lower the weight slowly. This will not only cause faster muscle growth (that is a good thing) but also demand that you use less weight to get the job done. This means your joints -- shoulders, knees, elbows -- will last a lifetime. At 45 my joints are in perfect health. Protect yours at all costs.
Just remember: You are not just lifting weights when you train for muscle shape and "tone" -- you are a sculptor. Treat your tools and your body with that degree of care.
I cover many more tips on how to build lean muscle and burn bodyfat faster in my book " 7 Minute Muscle".
Read more click here ==> More Muscle in Far Less Time"
Some herbal supplements that can help regulate your reproductive hormone levels include:-
Ginseng & Saw Palmetto Combination - a natural male hormone (testosterone) production stimulant, and source of vitamin A and absorbable zinc, a mineral necessary for prostate function.
Black Cohosh with Dong Quai - Widely known for its ability to help support the mature woman’s body as she encounters normal glandular imbalances and physical changes.
Damiana & Ginseng Combination - Especially designed to support and boost the emotional, energy and vitality levels for both men and women.
Raspberry & Dong Quai Combination - Designed to support proper balance of the female reproductive and glandular systems.
To support thyroid function and boast energy consider:-
Biota & Schizandra Combination - A herbal combination that the Chinese would consider a fire-enhancing formula.
Kelp & Hops Combination- Helps to maintain a healthy thyroid gland.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
The Truth About Flat Abs and Core Training
I received this email from David Grisaffi, core training and abdominal training expert, this morning. It is well worth a read...
"We often wonder what is right and wrong with exercises and core training...
Have you ever asked yourself...am I doing this correct?
Well I have some answers for you...
What Is The Truth about Core Training and Flat Abs?
You've seen the infomercials, you've seen the books, and it's all over the magazines lately...
"CORE TRAINING!"
But is "core training" really legit, or is it just the latest fad? With so much junk on the market, and so many false claims being made, sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference.
That's one of the reasons I created The Firm And Flatten Your Abs program and the http://www.flattenyourabs.net/ website.
It's rare that a new training modality bursts out into the mainstream and gets as much publicity and ad time as core training has. It's even rarer to have this new fad actually pan out and have some merit to it.
Well, I am here to tell you that Core training is the real McCoy!
Abdominal Exercise and Body Fat Reduction
It is true that abdominal exercise is a key part of core training.
Advertising media can take "core training" and "functional training" to extremes and display them as "miracle" cures for obesity and waistline reduction, among other things.
However, it is very important to note that abdominal exercise, including core training, does not reduce the body fat in your abdominal region.
Throughout my newsletters and other writings, I address this subject of body fat reduction.
What core strengthening does do, is to strengthen and condition the muscles of the abdominal region.
To SEE those muscles you must lower your body fat percentage. This is accomplished primarily through a calorie deficit and good nutrition, along with a moderate dose of cardio (but not too much).
Beginning a Core Training Program
Ok, now let's talk about core training specifically. A lot of people have heard of core training because it has filtered into the mainstream, with exercise classes at health clubs, best selling books, videos and other products.
Training the core is a very important issue for all people of all ages.
The first thing to note is that it is essential to get a good evaluation before starting a core training program.
Many people just jump right into a core conditioning class, buy the DVDs from an infomercial, or try advanced movements they see in a magazine. This can lead to orthopedic injuries.
I'm not suggesting that you need a PhD in functional anatomy and kinesiology, but you should learn what type of exercise to perform for your needs. In addition, you should know how long you should do each exercise, and at what level of difficulty.
There are two different muscular systems at work in core conditioning.
First there is the inner unit. This is the deepest, innermost layer of all abdominal muscles, which we have discussed before. They are important to core stability and function.
Then there is the outer unit, which encompasses the prime movers of your skeletal system.
You must get the inner unit working well before you embark on a hard core conditioning program.
Preventing Injury
When conditioning your core, think of yourself as a big spinning top, with everything emanating from the middle (core) out. If you wobble in the middle, you will, in theory, become off balance and fall over faster.
This can set you up for decreased performance and increased injury potential. Show me a weak core and I will show you many orthopedic injuries. Remember, getting injured should never be part of an exercise program.
To prevent injury, develop a base and concentrate on building a functional inner unit.
Protecting the spine is high on the hierarchy of survival. To protect the spine and its important function, we must understand what makes the inner and outer unit muscles work. Working the inner unit muscles simply leads to better core control.
Your ability to respond to situations in everyday life from bending down to pick up keys you dropped on the ground, to putting a baby in his or her crib, will be greatly enhanced when you have trained this system correctly.
That is the beauty and uniqueness of my Flatten Your Abs program. If you want flat, ripped, defined abdominals, then you will have them! But the added bonus is that you will also have a stable, injury proof core and abdominals that are every bit as strong and athletic as they look!
For more information about core training, order my e-book: "Firm and Flatten Your Abs".
Firm and Flatten Your Abs
===================================
Abs! Abdominals! Your six-pack! The core muscles! No matter what you call them, everybody wants them. Whether you're training for sports, bodybuilding, or just to look good on the beach; whether you are male or female, young or old, it doesn't matter. There's not a single person who doesn't want a lean, tight, fat free set of abs.
The trouble is, getting great abs is not easy. Most people will waste years of effort and hundreds or even thousands of dollars on all the latest infomercial gadgets and diet gimmicks, trying in vain to obtain that ever elusive lean, muscular six-pack stomach, with nothing to show for their efforts.
If you want to save time and money, separate hype from truth, and bypass years of trial and error, then you must educate yourself in two critical areas: (1) abdominal exercise, and (2) fat burning nutrition. You can't get great abs without both! That's where my new ebook,
Firm and Flatten Your Abs (second edition), comes in.
Firm and Flatten Your Abs goes beyond conventional crunch routines, and there's not a single sit-up in the entire book.
Get your six-pack abs here, click ==> Here, or on the image below
"We often wonder what is right and wrong with exercises and core training...
Have you ever asked yourself...am I doing this correct?
Well I have some answers for you...
What Is The Truth about Core Training and Flat Abs?
You've seen the infomercials, you've seen the books, and it's all over the magazines lately...
"CORE TRAINING!"
But is "core training" really legit, or is it just the latest fad? With so much junk on the market, and so many false claims being made, sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference.
That's one of the reasons I created The Firm And Flatten Your Abs program and the http://www.flattenyourabs.net/ website.
It's rare that a new training modality bursts out into the mainstream and gets as much publicity and ad time as core training has. It's even rarer to have this new fad actually pan out and have some merit to it.
Well, I am here to tell you that Core training is the real McCoy!
Abdominal Exercise and Body Fat Reduction
It is true that abdominal exercise is a key part of core training.
Advertising media can take "core training" and "functional training" to extremes and display them as "miracle" cures for obesity and waistline reduction, among other things.
However, it is very important to note that abdominal exercise, including core training, does not reduce the body fat in your abdominal region.
Throughout my newsletters and other writings, I address this subject of body fat reduction.
What core strengthening does do, is to strengthen and condition the muscles of the abdominal region.
To SEE those muscles you must lower your body fat percentage. This is accomplished primarily through a calorie deficit and good nutrition, along with a moderate dose of cardio (but not too much).
Beginning a Core Training Program
Ok, now let's talk about core training specifically. A lot of people have heard of core training because it has filtered into the mainstream, with exercise classes at health clubs, best selling books, videos and other products.
Training the core is a very important issue for all people of all ages.
The first thing to note is that it is essential to get a good evaluation before starting a core training program.
Many people just jump right into a core conditioning class, buy the DVDs from an infomercial, or try advanced movements they see in a magazine. This can lead to orthopedic injuries.
I'm not suggesting that you need a PhD in functional anatomy and kinesiology, but you should learn what type of exercise to perform for your needs. In addition, you should know how long you should do each exercise, and at what level of difficulty.
There are two different muscular systems at work in core conditioning.
First there is the inner unit. This is the deepest, innermost layer of all abdominal muscles, which we have discussed before. They are important to core stability and function.
Then there is the outer unit, which encompasses the prime movers of your skeletal system.
You must get the inner unit working well before you embark on a hard core conditioning program.
Preventing Injury
When conditioning your core, think of yourself as a big spinning top, with everything emanating from the middle (core) out. If you wobble in the middle, you will, in theory, become off balance and fall over faster.
This can set you up for decreased performance and increased injury potential. Show me a weak core and I will show you many orthopedic injuries. Remember, getting injured should never be part of an exercise program.
To prevent injury, develop a base and concentrate on building a functional inner unit.
Protecting the spine is high on the hierarchy of survival. To protect the spine and its important function, we must understand what makes the inner and outer unit muscles work. Working the inner unit muscles simply leads to better core control.
Your ability to respond to situations in everyday life from bending down to pick up keys you dropped on the ground, to putting a baby in his or her crib, will be greatly enhanced when you have trained this system correctly.
That is the beauty and uniqueness of my Flatten Your Abs program. If you want flat, ripped, defined abdominals, then you will have them! But the added bonus is that you will also have a stable, injury proof core and abdominals that are every bit as strong and athletic as they look!
For more information about core training, order my e-book: "Firm and Flatten Your Abs".
Firm and Flatten Your Abs
===================================
Abs! Abdominals! Your six-pack! The core muscles! No matter what you call them, everybody wants them. Whether you're training for sports, bodybuilding, or just to look good on the beach; whether you are male or female, young or old, it doesn't matter. There's not a single person who doesn't want a lean, tight, fat free set of abs.
The trouble is, getting great abs is not easy. Most people will waste years of effort and hundreds or even thousands of dollars on all the latest infomercial gadgets and diet gimmicks, trying in vain to obtain that ever elusive lean, muscular six-pack stomach, with nothing to show for their efforts.
If you want to save time and money, separate hype from truth, and bypass years of trial and error, then you must educate yourself in two critical areas: (1) abdominal exercise, and (2) fat burning nutrition. You can't get great abs without both! That's where my new ebook,
Firm and Flatten Your Abs (second edition), comes in.
Firm and Flatten Your Abs goes beyond conventional crunch routines, and there's not a single sit-up in the entire book.
Get your six-pack abs here, click ==> Here, or on the image below
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)