John Is Fit |
- SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer Review
- The Pros and Cons of Calorie Counting
- Weight Loss in College
- Exercise for a New and Healthy Lifestyle
- Getting Healthy – Make It A Routine
- Help! I am A Junk Food Junkie!
- Getting Rid of the Flab During and After Losing the Weight
- Things for the Aging Man to Consider
- A simple, quick and healthy breakfast recipe
- Tilapia to Fuel Muscle Growth
- Metal Colloids May Be Beneficial in Your Journey
- Get it flat: Easy tips for losing belly fat
- Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
- 5 Tips for Eating Vegetarian at a BBQ
- Breville Juicer Review
- Top Fat Burning Workouts for Men
- Helping a Handicapped Family Member Stay Fit
| SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer Review Posted: 13 Oct 2011 03:34 AM PDT Disclaimer: FootsourceMD sent me this product to review, however I am under no obligation to do so nor to make the review positive. This review reflects my personal opinion about this product. When FootsourceMD contacted me to see if I would be interested in trying out one of their products I of course said "sure" – who doesn't want to try out something new? The question was – which of their products should I take a look at? After checking out my options I settled on the SteriShoe, an Ultraviolet shoe sanitizer. Before I share my personal experience with the SteriShoe, here is some general information about it. The SteriShoe® ultraviolet shoe sanitizer is the world's first product to safely and effectively sanitize the inside of your shoes without using chemicals. By using germicidal ultraviolet light ("UVC"), the SteriShoe® ultraviolet shoe sanitizer kills microorganisms that cause athlete's foot, nail fungus, and shoe odor. The SteriShoe® shoe sanitizer is sold in pairs so you treat a pair of shoes with each application. The treatment time is 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, the germicidal lamp automatically turns off and the SteriShoe® shoe sanitizer supports the shape of your shoe like a regular shoe tree. We wash our clothes and we dry-clean our clothes. Given the fact that we sweat up to ½ a pint a day per foot, it's a good thing we can finally sanitize the inside of our shoes with the SteriShoe® ultraviolet shoe sanitizer. People with diabetes must be proactive about the health of their feet. Using the SteriShoe® ultraviolet shoe sanitizer provides a healthier environment for feet inside shoes. Each order includes: A pair of SteriShoe® shoe sanitizers, 2 shoe bags, 2 UVC lamps, and a power cord. The SteriShoe sanitizer is an innovative foot care product that provides a healthier environment for your feet by sanitizing the inside of your shoes. It's clinically proven to be effective in killing up to 99.9% of problematic microorganisms! Using germicidal ultraviolet light (UVC), the SteriShoe shoe sanitizer kills the organisms that cause: Plus, SteriShoe is: My Experience
The process of using the SteriShoe is very easy, you simply put the device into each shoe and then seal each one into their specially designed bag.
According to the SteriShoe FAQ it should only take 1-2 treatments before the odor from the shoes is eliminated. That was not my experience exactly, however after 2 treatments there did seem to be a lessening of odor. Remember, these are a pretty tough test case! I'm not sure why I thought they would smell like new shoes after just a couple treatments, obviously that should not be the expectaton.
If you are looking to promote good foot health you may want to try the SteriShoe Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitizer. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog      |
| The Pros and Cons of Calorie Counting Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:26 AM PDT This is a guest post by Kate Croston. Calorie counting is one of those things that people either love or hate. It can be a good way to ensure that you're not eating too many or too little calories or you're biggest enemy, making you over-focus on what you're eating day in and day out. It all depends on your approach. So is calorie counting beneficial or detrimental to weight loss? Pros:
Cons:
Like most activities centered on maintaining a healthy weight, there are pros and cons to counting your calories. If done the right way, calorie counting can act as a great tool in aiding with your weight loss. If done the wrong way, however, it can easily spiral into obsession. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Posted: 11 Oct 2011 03:10 AM PDT This is a guest post by Marina Salsbury. It's long been observed that first-year college students are prone to weight gain. While this was once considered only a cosmetic concern, it's now recognized as a potentially serious health problem. Between exploring campus, registering for college classes online, and meeting so many new people so quickly, it's easy for healthy eating to fall by the wayside when college begins. Poor habits and behaviors developed during college years put students at risk for a lifetime of debilitating health issues. It's vital college students be informed and given tools to avoid or break these bad habits. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, obesity among college students is emerging as a significant health challenge. Data from 2005 indicate three out of ten college students are overweight or even obese. They go on to report that only one out of ten students engages in vigorous or even moderately intense exercise at least three days per week. Research done at the University of New Hampshire found that of more than 800 college students 60 percent of males had high blood pressure and 66 percent of females were low in iron, calcium, or folate. Additionally, 95 percent of males and 82 percent of females weren't getting adequate fiber in their diets. It isn't fully understood why weight gain becomes such a common issue for college students. A few factors, however, are known to contribute. One such factor may simply be many college students are making independent food choices for the first time in their lives. Cafeteria food is often plentiful, as are snack items. Socializing is a large part of college life and often includes consumption foods with poor nutritional value but high caloric content (not to mention alcohol). Stress may be another significant factor. It's well known many people eat more as a way to handle stress. College students encounter many new stressors as they learn to adapt to course expectations, separation from family and friends, and new social arrangements. If not given the proper tools to handle their stress, students may fall back on comfort foods to ease anxiety. As students struggle to adapt to heavier course loads and possibly part-time jobs, they may feel serious time constraints. Unfortunately, when rushed they may choose quick foods that are often high in calories and low in nutritional value. Compounding the problem, students may feel they simply can't give high priority to the physical activity needed to keep themselves in good health. Whatever the factors that lead to the development of poor nutritional and exercise habits, they are harmful. High blood pressure, high blood glucose, and high triglyceride levels can result from these poor habits. These are all known to be predictive factors for the development of heart disease, diabetes, and other life-threatening conditions. Like anyone else, college students need balanced diets including a lot of fruits and vegetables. Not only are fruits and vegetables packed full of vitamins, they provide crucial fiber as well. Since fiber contributes to the feeling of being full, it can reduce hunger cravings. This is a much more sensible approach to healthy weight management than following any fad or extreme diets. Such diets are known to lead to fatigue, irritability, and rebound weight gain. Most college campuses have a health clinic or a dietician available to students. These can be a great resource for students to get advice and support when trying to establish good patterns of eating and exercising that can be maintained for a lifetime. Most campuses also provide many opportunities to exercise, including intramural sports, swimming, walking, running, and dance. College may be a great time to learn a new sport or try a new form of exercise! Although the data are rather bleak regarding current weight trends among college students, this is a preventable situation. As college personnel become more aware of the seriousness of student weight gain, better support can be implemented to help students help themselves. Nutrition educational opportunities as well as exercising options can be the first step to better student body health. Ultimately, however, it is up to each individual student to take charge of his or her own health and take responsibility for better long-term fitness. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Exercise for a New and Healthy Lifestyle Posted: 09 Oct 2011 03:16 AM PDT This is a guest post by Derek Carroll. All through high school and even in college, I had always been fixated on exercising. I loved team sports, and I was always joining new teams and trying out new sports. Of course, like most people, I also led a life of a couch potato, but I would always compensate for the inactivity by walking or biking to school —even if I had been up till 3am the previous night. Though I'm far from being an athlete, exercise had always been —and still is — a huge component in my life. What's In it for You When You Exercise
But Life Isn't EasyOne ostensible reason why most people do not work out is the lack of time thanks to work commitments. It's understandable: after a long day at work, after being yelled at by a fastidious boss, the last thing on your mind is exercise. However, do not let work run your life. Make it a habit to incorporate cardiovascular and resistance training into your daily routine. Walking is the most basic form of exercise, and one that is also effective. I walk everywhere I can —you can walk to your office as well, just remember to bring an extra set of clothing. Many times a week, I indulge in my first love: team sports. If you're ready for something a bit more extreme, check out the P90x workout by Tony Horton. Invest in a set of Bowflex dumbbells so you can skip the gym —hence eliminating the excuse of 'I have no time to hit the gym'— and work out at home. They're adjustable, so you only need one set, instead of 15 sets of individual weights clogging up your room space. On different days, I vary my routine by using different weights as well as targeting different muscle groups. Spending just 20 minutes a day on these dumbbells can make a whole lot of difference. Here's a full Bowflex dumbbell review. Here comes the inevitable: aging. While I am as committed to exercising as I was a young lanky lad, things do become a little more strenuous and difficult after a certain age. I am more prone to injuries, and my body takes more time to heal too. If you are in the same situation as I am, it is important to go back to basics and learn to exercise safely. Be sure to go for regular checkups with the doctor. I do encourage you to consult with your physician before embarking on a new exercise routine. Your doctor will review your health status as well as any pre-existing medical conditions. One important tip I picked up from a trip to the doctor is that my injuries were caused by over-exertion or the adoption of poor form. These days, I keep these tips in mind when working out. Revving Up Your MotivationMotivation is what will keep you going. There are two types of motivation:
If training alone, you will need to work on finding your intrinsic motivation. Here are some tips:
If you are an exercise neophyte, you can really benefit from the guidance of a personal trainer. Not only will he push you beyond your limits, your personal trainer will keep you motivated when you are about to fall off the wagon. Check the credentials of your trainer and ensure that he is certified with reputable national agencies such as ACE, AFAA, ACSM or NSCA. Good trainers also know first aid and CPR, and will sit down with you to review your medical conditions. Take Stress Out of ItWork and stress are two words used interchangeably. Exercising is one way you can combat stress. Do some deep breathing exercises prior to your workout. Train your mind to imagine taking in energy and exhaling stress. On days when my motivational level is low, I use visualization to help overcome doubts. This helps me to focus and ensure I hit my goals despite initially lacking the confidence to do it. Three Steps to ExerciseMany newcomers often neglect the importance of warming up and they jump straight into the workout. Think of that as trying to drive a car without even starting the engine. When exercising, always follow this sequence:
* The warm up is of paramount importance because it helps to increase blood flow and oxygen to your muscles. It readies your muscles so they can take the impact and intensity of a hardcore workout. Start off with a slow jog and then stretch out each muscle group, giving extra focus to the ones you will be using during your main set. You should never stretch till you feel pain —this may be an indication that your muscles are damaged. Cooling down is another step that many overlook. Again, using the car analogy, think of not cooling down as coming to a sudden halt. Cool down exercises help to prevent injuries. Lower the intensity of your workout five to 10 minutes before ending your workout. It comes full circle: do what you did for your warm up exercises —a leisure jog coupled with stretching exercises. A Healthy Diet is Winning 70% of the BattleIf losing weight is one of your goals, then nutrition is one factor you need to take a hard look at. Do you know that nutrition accounts for 70% of weight loss? Start eating right and the pounds will come off! Eat a good balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat —yes, you read it right. To increase your metabolism rate, supplement your meals with vitamins and minerals. Dehydration can also cause illness and lethargy, so always drink a lot of water throughout the entire day. Post-exercise nutrition can give you a great boost, not just with regard to your energy level but to your recovery as well. It is during the recovery phase that your muscles grow, so naturally you feed them with the right nutrients. You can refuel your body with a sports drink or even chocolate milk —your sugar level is low and these drinks will give you the energy boost you need to go about your day. Do you have any ideas to share? Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Getting Healthy – Make It A Routine Posted: 09 Oct 2011 03:04 AM PDT This is a guest post by RJ Thomas. So you have been trying to get healthy, and when you first begun the first few days usually go amazingly well, then one day you decide to take a day off, and one day then turns into 6 months before you go through the same cycle again. If this sounds like you the don't worry because you are not alone, this is what happens to 90% of people. Getting healthy is not easy, because if it was nobody would need to achieve it in the first place. Commitment The first thing you need to do before anything is commit to getting healthy 110%, anything less and you will not make it, and the reason I say 110% instead of 100% is because it is that extra 10% that will push you through the difficult times. Make It A Daily Routine If you make it a routine that is achievable you are much more likely to succeed, what I mean by making it a routine is commit say 20 press ups before you wash each morning, commit to drinking a green juice or smoothy as your first meal each day, and do this everyday until it becomes automatic, then add another 1 or 2 things into the routine. Keep repeating the process until eventually you are taking all the steps necessary to achieve your goals, and it will not seem like such hard work because it will almost seem automatic for your body. Missed A Day If you do have a day were you do not follow the routine, that is fine because as long as you quickly get back into it, you will have lost no benefits at all. However if you allow days to turn into weeks then you really need to get back on track or risk losing any benefits you have gained. Achieving Goals Once you start to see results and begin to tick off goals you wanted to achieve, things will become much more easier. Just remember persistence will eventually pay off. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Help! I am A Junk Food Junkie! Posted: 09 Oct 2011 03:00 AM PDT This is a guest post by Derek Carroll. Step out of your house and everywhere you turn you will see all kinds of food. Fast food restaurants are everywhere. Grocery stores are packed with aisles and aisles of junk food, and all you have to do is reach for it. Because junk food is so flavorful and delicious, we have no luck resisting it. Our inability to curb our cravings is contributing to a fast increasing obesity rate in our country. A Sweet Tooth for Chocolate My junk food battle began eight years ago. I am not, and had never been overweight, although I do carry around some weight 'baggage.' While I'm not a proponent of dieting, I have always made it a habit to keep to a healthy and balanced diet. I diligently cook my own meals, using healthy recipes, and I maintain an active lifestyle. However, I have always had one weakness: chocolate. Well, not just chocolate per se, but any type of confectionery really, but chocolate is one food type that can bring me to my knees. Baffled by my own obsession with chocolates, I sought to find out why this is so. The Yearning for Food This craving for food is triggered by Dopamine, a chemical that is similar to adrenaline. Research conducted by the University of Texas reveals that dopamine affects our ability to feel pleasure and pain. When we partake in euphoric activities such as eating, drinking and sex, dopamine is released. This response can be so intense that many have no control over it, and they can't help but binge and over-indulge. It comes as no surprise that fatty food laden with sugar will trigger the highest level of dopamine release. The first step to overcoming the hazardous effects dopamine has on us is to recognize the problem: food addiction. Binging and overeating of unhealthy food is detrimental to our health, and can cause terminal diseases such as diabetes and heart attacks. It Goes Round and Round and Round In a 2011 study published by the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, it is shown that binge-eaters release a greater amount of dopamine from the mere sight or aroma of food. Earlier research by physician Gene-Jack Wang and psychiatrist Nora Volkow of Brookhaven suggest that obese people possess fewer dopamine receptors. This means they are less likely to derive pleasure from daily activities such as sunset watching compared to their non-obese counterparts. What do they do? They turn to food for a quick fix. Herein lies the vicious cycle: because food brings us comfort, we eat it to feel pleasure. Sure indeed, dopamine is then released, but the damage is done. Our waistline grows, and we become depressed at the sight of the flabby tummy. What do we do? We turn to food for comfort once again! There is no end in sight to this cycle unless we put a stop to it. Keep Your Diet In Good Balance One less-known fact about junk food is that it lowers one's energy level and leads to moodiness. Food such as apples, bananas, watermelon, cheese, beans and legumes on the other hand can increase the release of dopamine. Popular diets such as low carbohydrate diets will whittle the production of dopamine —hence explaining why those who are on the diet get so depressed— so be sure to keep clear of those. Exercise According to Dr. Volkow, exercising not only increases the release of dopamine but also ups the number of receptors after a period of exercising. This varies with different exercises, though. If you force yourself to workout, without really enjoying what you are doing, then your response will be less pleasurable. Also, if you adhere to the same routine, eventually you will get bored. Cross-training helps to inject excitement. Fitness programs, such as the P90x by Beachbody, works on the principle of varying the workouts and intensity to confuse the muscles. This helps you to avoid getting stuck on a plateau! The Groove, The Rhythm Neuroscientists at McGill University have found that music helps with the production of dopamine and also adrenaline. Pump up your exercise routines with your favorite music tracks. If you are going for high intensity interval training (HIIT) then you would want to bring on the hard-thumping music instead of the sappy ballads. This choice of music will push you harder. But of course, this isn't an ironclad rule; whatever works for you is fine. Engage in Activities that You Enjoy Since the release of dopamine is triggered when we do things that bring us pleasure, we need to partake in activities that make us happy. When we are contented and happy, we will not need to turn to external triggers for comfort. I love to exercise but my busy schedule sometimes gets in the way, so I have an array of exercise DVDs that I workout to at home. I also pick up my adjustable dumbbells to get the most out of my resistance training. What are the activities that make you happy? What are your hobbies? Is it sailing or swimming or a great karaoke session with your folks? Always allocate time every week to indulge and boost your dopamine. The secret to making it work is to mix things around and try different combinations to get the best results. If your mood swings still come by periodically, there is much to do. Research is underway to discover new drugs that boost and control dopamine production but there are a few good years before we see them on our shelves. Alternatively, a research study by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals that vitamin B6 and amino acids, l-tyrosine and l-tryptophan can trigger a good balance of dopamine and serotonin, hence stabilizing one's mood. l-tyrosine is responsible for the production of dopamine in the morning, and l-tryptophan affects the release of serotonin and it's level in the evening. A final tip that I can share with you is to maintain a journal, detailing all your daily activities and emotional being for a month. This will allow you to track your progress and see how far you have come. You will also have a clear picture of what you need to work on.  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Getting Rid of the Flab During and After Losing the Weight Posted: 03 Oct 2011 03:27 AM PDT This is a guest post by Erin Weems. The ProblemSo, congratulations! You've worked hard and lost all that weight, but crap. Now you have flabby skin as a thank you note from your body. Lovely, and thoughtful too don't you think? Many are afraid of losing weight too quickly even if they can't always control exactly how much they lose at a time, because of it resulting in flabby/saggy skin. (I know it's been a big worry for me.) Well unfortunately I can't offer you a miracle product to get rid of it; as they don't exist. What I can offer you is some information and hope on how to get rid of the flab. First and most important to understand is that "Flabby (or saggy) skin" is actually a misnomer. What's still 'flabby', despite any weight loss you may have obtained, is fat. Yes fat. It's still there. What gives the skin its overall shape is actually the fatty tissue layers underneath the skin. It is also a common misunderstanding that saggy skin is due to the skin not having enough elasticity. There is a simple test to check whether your skin has elasticity. Pinch a small area of your skin in any area of your body (without actually trying to fold the skin); if it bounces back to its original state then you have plenty of elasticity in your skin. I know what many are thinking: "but if I need to lose more fat that would make me skin and bones!" Good point, but that is why the "cure" for saggy skin is gaining muscle! Imagine for a minute that 20 lbs of the fat on your body was turned to muscle instead. Including any trouble spots or saggy skin you may have and also keeping in mind that muscle weighs more than fat. Whether your body is big or small right now, I think it can be agreed that your body would look quite a bit different. The PlanNow, it is important to say that neither doing cardio alone will help, nor will doing weight training alone help you to achieve your goal. Also important to note is that whenever our bodies lose a pound, ¼ of that is lean body mass (bone and muscle). This is the body's way of compensating for weight change and pressure on the body. For example a 300 lb person needs more lean body mass to support them than a 150 lb person. (So we technically are big boned!) If you're a male and still need to lose quite a bit of weight, you'll want to do equal parts cardio and weight training, but if you're towards the end of needing overall weight loss (at or almost to your goal weight) then doing 60-70% Weight training and 30-40% cardio will help build more of that lean body mass that your body has naturally lost while it was dropping the Lbs. If you're a female and still need to lose a bit of weight, you may want to do 70% cardio and 30% weight training. This is different than men simply because the male body generally loses weight easier than a female body's does (grumble grumble). Once you get to or almost to the end of your weight loss goal, shifting the ratio to 55-60% weight training and 40-45% cardio will redeem lean body mass and even better get rid of that flabby skin as you near your goal weight. As many failed TV exercise gadget commercials can tell us, doing the small exercise to whatever specific targeted trouble spot you have is not what gets rid of the problem. It is VERY important to combine cardio with building muscle (along with a balanced diet) if we want to say goodbye to excess skin and say hello to sexy muscle! For more information on the properties of skin check out these sites: http://dermatology.about.com/cs/skinanatomy/a/anatomy.htm Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Things for the Aging Man to Consider Posted: 02 Oct 2011 03:42 AM PDT This is a guest post by Nan Gibbons. Everyone ages; it's an unavoidable fact of life. Though aging is universal, the issues that come with it are varied for individuals and between the sexes. Men have to deal with entirely different changes, particularly when it comes to health. If you're a man, especially if you're over 40, you'll want to keep a few things in mind as you age and obtain regular medical screenings and checkups. Heart Disease Prostate Health Cholesterol Weight Cancer As you age, you need to be aware of health issues affecting men. If you know what health problems to look out for, receive regular checkups and discuss problems with your doctor, you can drastically reduce the risk of serious health problems down the road. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| A simple, quick and healthy breakfast recipe Posted: 02 Oct 2011 03:26 AM PDT This is a guest post by Tony Rovere. The single most common denominator among people who are obese is that they skip breakfast. Eating breakfast enables you to jump start your metabolism and get yourself started onto a healthy day of eating…if you eat the right breakfast. The problem with most people is that eating the right breakfast, or any breakfast for that matter, can be difficult. This is because most of us are rushing to work, and trying to get the kids on their way to school. The end result is that we either skip breakfast or end up getting something on the road that is awful for our waistline. So I would like to propose a breakfast recipe that takes 3 minutes to make, 5 minutes to eat, and can be the foundation for healthy eating that we are all seeking. Here's what you do… Get a package of Quaker Oats Weight Control Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal (make sure it is the Weight Control variety because the others have too much sugar). Then add one tablespoon of all-natural peanut butter, 2/3 cup of water and microwave. After it comes out of the microwave, add one handful of almonds, one handful of blueberries (or any other berry you enjoy) and you will have a 350-calorie powerhouse that will give you… • Good protein to build muscle mass. And considering how easy it is to make, there is now no excuse for you not to start your day off right. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Posted: 17 Sep 2011 06:05 PM PDT This is a guest post by Greg Hayes. If you're exercising on a regular basis, you need to ensure that you're getting enough protein to build muscle mass. While there are lots of options out there, some protein-rich foods offer more health benefits (and cost benefits) than others. That's why you should consider turning to tilapia for nutrition. Tilapia, which averages about 26 grams of protein per 100 gram serving, has been growing in popularity, both in the U.S. and around the world, as a high-quality source of protein. Unlike beef, it contains little fat, and unlike many other fish, its mercury levels are extremely low. Tilapia also tends to be cheap and readily available in supermarkets. Tilapia also has a light, delicate flavor—nothing too salty—which means that it can be prepared in numerous ways to suit different palates. Even people who usually avoid fish can find a tilapia recipe that's as creamy, spicy, or savory as they desire. Obviously there are less than healthy ways to prepare tilapia, e.g. breading and frying it. Even baking tilapia can add unwanted calories. So if you want to watch your fat count, grill your tilapia instead. Not only will this reduce your use of butter and oil in cooking, but it will retain the muted flavor of the fish. Once your tilapia is cooked, you've got even more options ahead of you. You can easily turn tilapia into one of several healthy snacks, a spicy dish or you can garnish it with a variety of fruit: peaches, pineapple, mangos, and lemon come to mind. Avocados, another great food loaded with healthy fats and potassium, also make a delicious accompaniment, and are commonly used in Mexican fare. Not interested in preparing rubs, sauces, or garnishes from scratch? Cooking the fish doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming: you can buy frozen tilapia fillets already covered in sauce, then bake them in the oven without even defrosting them first. Just remember to look for sauces with low sodium content—you don't want to gain in one area while losing in another! The simple decision to start eating more tilapia brings the potential of great variety to your diet. Even better, one fillet will supply you with much of the protein you desperately need. When you eat tilapia to supplement your workouts, you'll be fueling muscle growth in a delicious, low-fat way. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Metal Colloids May Be Beneficial in Your Journey Posted: 11 Sep 2011 04:58 AM PDT This is a guest post by Nan Gibbons. Adding dietary supplements to one's daily routine can be helpful in improving health, energy, and aiding the body in its daily functions. To this end, some have turned to colloidal silver, an alternative health measure that can help cleanse the body of toxins. Widely used until antibiotics rose to prominence early in the 20th century, colloidal silver's popularity has resurged in recent years. Here are some of its uses and benefits. When applied to the skin (topical use), colloidal silver's antibiotic properties can help heal skin damage like cuts, abrasions or burns. Skin conditions like acne and eczema can also see improvement through colloidal silver use. The supplement may ease the discomfort that comes from exposure to poison ivy and similar rashes, which throw the body's immune system into overdrive. Colloidal silver has been known to speed up the body's healing process and boost immune system functions, reducing the future chance of illness. Colloidal silver can be taken orally, which can help aid digestion and allow the body process food more thoroughly. The dietary supplement kills bad bacteria as food is digested, leaving less waste for the body to eliminate. Some use colloidal silver as part of a cleanse, which can help people who are transitioning from a poor diet to a healthier lifestyle. Colloidal silver has been used during colonic irrigation, a process that should be performed by a health professional. The process of detoxifying the body can result in what is known as a healing crisis – a short period of time where the body is simply overwhelmed by toxins that are being eliminated. This has been described as feeling like one has the flu. Increased water intake can make these symptoms more bearable. Issues that persist should be addressed with one's doctor. Using colloidal gold, a dietary supplement similar to colloidal silver, can be useful to the body's nervous system. Colloidal gold can improve the blood's circulation, which has been known to increase brain function, relieve stress, lessen anxiety and depression, and sharpen motor skills and mental functions. With its many uses, the applications of colloidal silver can benefit a variety of people. Whether used topically or ingested, persons who employ metal colloids can find their way to better health and improved body function. As with any health venture, it is wise to research the best options for metal colloid use and speak with a medical professional should any questions arise.  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Get it flat: Easy tips for losing belly fat Posted: 11 Sep 2011 04:51 AM PDT This is a guest post by Amanda Kidd. For a world driven by appearances, how we look often determines how others judge us. All of us want to appear attractive, not just to the opposite gender but to the world at large. Our body shape and posture send out strong messages about who we are. A slouched posture or a flabby middle says you are not bothered to look after yourself, that you are careless. Belly fat is one of the most difficult-to-address areas of body sculpting. The belly is where weight gain shows up before showing up anywhere else, and the last place that weight loss does. Makers of weight loss and slimming products and methods count the dollars as people fall for the lure of ads promising miracle cures and six pack abs, with happy smiling people testifying to the product or the method. The bad news first – there are no shortcuts to losing belly fat. The good news, however, is that with focused diet and exercise and a prudent lifestyle; a flat belly can be yours before you know it. If you are reading this, it is likely that you have already tried various methods of losing belly fat and have not found a great measure of success. You can ensure that your war on belly fat is one that is already won by adopting a simple three pronged strategy, closely monitoring your diet, exercising with a focus on weight loss as well as muscle training, and a prudent lifestyle that will ensure that you don't get your spare tire back again. It is prudent to check with your physician before commencing any program of weight loss or exercise to ensure that it is safe for you to do so. 1. Monitor your diet: The arithmetic of losing weight, the secret behind losing belly fat, is pretty simple. Eat less number of calories than you burn. An average 35-year-old male working at a desk job and weighing around 150 lb needs approx 2000 calories. For women, it is a little less. As long as more calories are being burned than consumed, there will be weight loss. One lb weight gain takes place when we have a surplus of 3500 calories. The rest is simple – just ensure that what you are eating has a lower calorific value than the amount of calories you burn with your lifestyle and your exercise. You can use calorie calculators that will help you figure out both how many calories you are consuming from various types of food, as well as how many calories you are burning through your activities including exercise. A word of caution – it is dangerous to undertake rapid weight loss by dieting as it can lead to serious health complications. It is better to aim for no more than pound of weight loss per week. 2. Focused exercise: Most people make the mistake of focusing on exercises for the abdomen in order to lose belly fat. The real trick lies in developing an exercise regimen that will address overall fitness and metabolism, as well as having targeted exercise for core strengthening. Of course, you will want to include the core abdominal crunch into your regimen but remember the arithmetic, if you don't lose overall weight, you will not lose your tires. One of the best ways to lose belly fat is to incorporate brisk walking into your daily schedule. A walking circuit that includes a series of inclines is better than a level track. Exercises like aerobics, dynamic yoga, and Pilates help lose weight as well as contribute to cardiac conditioning and reducing stress producing cortisol levels. Remember too that your belly fat is not just the front and the middle of your stomach, but the stuff that goes all around your waist. Along with abdominal crunches, you will want to include lunges, twists, and side bends. For those with weak or compromised backs, crunches may aggravate your condition. Substitute them with leg lifts and air cycling while lying on your back. 3. Prudent lifestyle: It will take a few weeks before the results start showing up. You will be delighted and tempted to slacken in your efforts. Be careful once you have got the belly fat off to keep it off. Allow yourself to indulge once in a while, but within limits. Sugary food, fried food, and alcohol are the commonly recognized enemies. Do be on the lookout for things that draw you back towards a surplus calorie lifestyle – excessive television, oversleeping, depression, frequent eating out (restaurant foods often taste so good because of the extra salt and fat content), and frequent partying. Giving up on newly acquired habits of exercise is all too common once your initial weight loss goals have been met. Commit yourself to a base regimen of an hour of exercise three times a week and stick to it no matter what. Nothing of lasting value can be created overnight. A tight and flab-free belly will give you the confidence to hold your head high and look the world in its eye, but it will also need to be earned through diligence and self discipline. Do not be disheartened if you find yourself not making a lot of progress in spite of following this simple three-pronged strategy. With time and consistent effort, the results will surely show. Your new body shape will change your attitude and the world around you will respond to you with a greater respect. Can you already feel yourself straightening out and tightening up? Use your new-found determination and optimism to make real changes in your life! May the force be with you. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Posted: 05 Sep 2011 07:04 AM PDT I didn't mention it in my Breville Juicer Review but I am currently on a juice fast, this morning being the third day. I can't remember the last time I actually stuck to a diet plan for a day, let alone two. And so far so good for day three as I kicked the morning off with what has so far been my favorite juice. But it was also probably the most complicated as I had to first use my juicer, and then my blender to get the finished product. Still, it was well worth the extra step.  I started by cutting up half of a cantaloupe, and about a mango and a half worth of mango. I wouldn't think to spend the time cutting up a mango to use for juicing because it is so labor intensive (at least for me!) but I have found that our local Sam's Club sells two pounds of mango slices for a pretty good price so I used their pre-cut slices. I added about a cup of fresh raspberries although I have to be honest, I'm not sure this added much to the smoothie as I hardly got any juice out of them. Still, I've included for completeness since it is what I used for this one. Using my Breville Juicer I juiced the raspberries, the mango and the cantaloupe. This yielded about 24 ounces of fresh juice. Then I moved to the blender and added a banana, about a cup of ice and 12 ounces of the juice. Once I blended it I noticed it wasn't icy enough so added another cup or so of ice. The result was two 12 ounce glasses of a very, very tasty fruit breakfast smoothie! Breakfast Smoothie Recipe Ingredients: Directions: Using a professional grade juicer, extract approximately 24 ounces of juice from the cantaloupe, mangoes and raspberries. Add 12 ounces of juice to a blender, along with 1 banana and 2 cups of ice. Blend until smooth – pour into two 12-ounce glasses. Repeat, to make a total of four 12-ounce glasses of delicious breakfast smoothie. ———– Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| 5 Tips for Eating Vegetarian at a BBQ Posted: 05 Sep 2011 06:28 AM PDT This is a guest post by Trina Cleary. One of the most relaxing ways to get together with friends and family is to gather at a park or in the backyard and share some great food over the BBQ. But when you are vegan, vegetarian or even just trying to cut down on your meat consumption, the idea of processed hot dogs and bloody, grease-dripping hamburgers can put a damper on the whole experience. Don't be discouraged! There are many ways to eat healthfully at a BBQ. Make sure to bring extra of what you plan on cooking, because before you know it, even your most carnivorous friends will probably be drooling over these delicious vegetarian options! Stuffed VeggiesTake any vegetable that has a firm shell (e.g. red or green peppers, or scoop out the insides of a halved round zucchini), and fill with a pre-cooked mixture of brown rice, garbanzos or lentils for protein, onion and garlic, shredded carrots for color and any other chopped veggie that you like. Top with cheese if you please, or a liberal amount of olive oil for a vegan option. Place on the grill until they are heated through. Finish off with fresh cilantro, parsley, basil, or chives, and enjoy! Feel free to play with the recipe by substituting quinoa or couscous for the rice, or any other legume in place of garbanzos or lentils. Try a Cuban black bean and rice version, and top with spicy salsa. Once cooked, these stuffed veggies also make great leftovers for the following days, either cold or reheated. PaninisSandwiches may not be the first thing that you think of throwing on the grill, but why not? Think of it as a more gourmet version of the grilled cheese sandwiches you may have enjoyed so much as a kid. Take any sliced whole wheat bread, and brush the outsides with extra virgin olive oil. Fill the insides with anything you like, such as a caprese option filled with heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella, or a more Middle Eastern option filled with hummus, eggplant, and peppers. Grill until both sides are browned and the insides are heated through, and enjoy! KabobsWho says kabobs have to be made of meat? The list of fruits and veggies you can skewer is endless! Great veggie kabob options are mushrooms, peppers (make sure to take advantage of all of the colors available, such as yellow, orange, purple and green for a visually enticing kabob), zucchini, cherry tomatoes, beet, cauliflower and carrot. Fruits that skewer well are pineapple, blueberry and strawberry. Make sure to pair foods that will take roughly the same amount of time to cook. For example, thick-skinned peppers will take much more time to cook than a plump blueberry, so they should not be on the same skewer. In the end, either serve up individual kabobs, or take everything off the skewer and serve mixed up in bowls over rice, lettuce or other greens. Alternative BurgersJust because everyone else is eating a burger doesn't mean that you can't too. An easy burger-like option is to grill large portabella mushrooms that have been marinated in olive oil, red wine, balsamic vinegar or soy sauce, and a little black pepper and sea salt. Grill up and serve on a hamburger bun just like you would any other burger. Another option is to make homemade veggie hamburgers. Mix cooked brown rice, lentils, finely chopped veggies, lots of garlic and onion, and add in a little egg and enough bread crumbs to start to make sticky patties. Grill as you would any other hamburger. It is also a good idea to make a lot of these up ahead of time at home. Fry them in a little olive oil, put the cooked patties in the freezer, and anytime you are invited to a BBQ you can just grab a few and they only need to be reheated on the grill. Stir FryMany camping stores sell small woks that you can place right over a campfire or on a grill, and with this option you can make your favorite stir fry no matter where you are. If you do not have a wok, that's fine. Get a large piece of aluminum foil, and place any veggies, herbs, and spices that you want on the foil. Drizzle liberally in oil so that they do not dry out, enclose the mixture tightly in aluminum foil and throw on the grill. When you hear the oil start to bubble, give it a few minutes, and when the veggies are cooked you can sprinkle with lemon, soy sauce, or any other sauces. Hopefully you can see that being vegetarian does not have to stop you from enjoying a BBQ. Once you start showing your carnivorous friends the many mouth watering and healthy options that are out there, you may be surprised to see them cooking your recipes next time instead of hot dogs and hamburgers! Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Posted: 03 Sep 2011 06:54 AM PDT My entry into the juicing world began yesterday as I unpacked and immediately put to use my new Breville BJE510XL Ikon 900-Watt Variable-Speed Juice Extractor My new Breville arrived a few days ago and it's been sitting around taunting me to get started so a couple of days ago after work I stopped and bought a bunch of veggies, and yesterday I cracked it open and put it to the test for this Breville Juicer Review. Unpacking was simple, the unit is mostly already put together in the box, surrounded by solid packing foam. The instructions were very easy and the first step in the process was to take everything apart to give it a good first wash. I almost just skipped this step but I figured I would need to learn how to take apart to clean anyway so I might as well do it now when there isn't pulp and juice over everything. After the wash I put everything back together, and I was pleased at the feeling of quality in this Breville unit. I had done some reading online to confirm Breville was a good brand (it's also what they use on Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead) but of course you never really know until you start to use something. This unit has a solid feel of quality about it. There are some recipes in the user guide and I also had bought a book on juicing but I just threw caution to the wind and guessed at a recipe – how bad could it be? I used 4 carrots, 4 stalks of celery, a green apple and a half a lemon. This unit has a knob in front that controls the speed of the blade (this is a multi-speed unit which goes from 6500rpm to 12,500rpm). I washed and then chopped the veggies into smaller pieces (I wasn't sure about leaving the rind on the lemon so I did remove it first), and then after turning on the I was a little hesitant on my first sip but I was pleasantly surprised that it actually tasted pretty good! I convinced my 14 year-old son to try it and he thought it "wasn't bad" which is about as positive a review from him as I would have expected. Cleanup was simple, and while this time I just did everything by hand the components are dishwasher-safe so I'll probably go that route next time. I don't know for how long I will be able to continue with the juicing, but so far after giving this Breville Juicer a try I would say the chances are looking good I might just be doing this for awhile.  Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Top Fat Burning Workouts for Men Posted: 03 Sep 2011 05:51 AM PDT This is a guest post by Scott Lindsay. It has been proven that men tend to lose weight faster and easier than women and through a series of workouts they tend to build up muscle quickly. However there are some men who find that they exercise a great deal but are not burning fat at the same rate as other men. This could have a lot to do with the type of exercise they are doing during their workouts. Outlined below are some of the top fat burning exercises that men should incorporate into their daily workout schedule. Weight Lifting This is the perfect way to work out because it does not require a great deal of time to complete. If done properly lifting weights is one of the most effective ways to burn off unwanted calories and fat. Lifting weights can also impact how well you do with other exercises. It is a great way to build up metabolism which also burns fat when you are aren't even trying to. Walking Walking and running is a great way to build up endurance, stamina and to burn fat. If you are just started to workout then you might want to start with a leisurely walk that you eventually turn into a power walk. This can be done by adding hills and walking in different speeds and intervals. If you are trying to turn your walk into a jog it should be done gradually and one way to do this is to incorporate a jog into your walk. You can start off by walking for ten minutes and then jogging for ten minutes, switching back and forth. When you feel more comfortable you can job for longer periods of time. Rowing If you are looking for a great way to burn both calories and fat you can add a rowing exercise to your routine. Rowing is an activity that does require a great deal of upper body strength and it will give you the cardio workout that you need to burn fat. There are great rowing machines on the market today that you could add to your home gym but the real thing works better if you have the chance. Taking the Stairs Working out and burning fat does not have to involve hitting the gym each day or working out on a piece of exercise equipment. It can be as easy as taking the stairs each day instead an elevator. Taking the stairs is perfect for burning calories and can be a great cardio workout. Each day you should try to climb the stairs faster until eventually it seems as if you are running. Weight Loss Supplements If you are a person who has been working out but are not seeing the results that you want you can try adding a number of weight loss supplements to your diet that will increase the chances of burning fat and therefore losing weight. One of the most popular products on the market today is Phen375. This product helps to suppress your appetite and increase your metabolism making it possible to burn more fat during your workouts. Phen375 has been in the news lately as there were reported side effects but the product has since be changed and now the side effects of using this supplement have been reduced and is healthy to use. Incorporate these fat burning workouts into your routine and get the results you are looking for. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
| Helping a Handicapped Family Member Stay Fit Posted: 30 Aug 2011 03:19 AM PDT This is a guest post by Nan Gibbons. Life in a wheelchair can be difficult. Whether you're temporarily wheelchair bound or permanently disabled, daily activities are no longer as easy as they once were. With the many adjustments and concerns of making your home more wheelchair friendly, finding wheelchair accessible vehicles and transportation, or caring for a loved one, it can be easy to overlook health and fitness. Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle can boost your overall wellness, mood and quality of life. Exercising in a wheelchair is very possible and easily attainable. Exercising at Home If you aren't in an area with an accessible gym, many websites and retail stores offer videos for wheelchair exercises. Most wheelchair workouts require resistance bands and free weights. These items are relatively inexpensive and can be found at any sporting goods supply store or at larger stores like Walmart and Target. There are videos with wheelchair workout tips that are available on YouTube as well, if you'd rather not spend money on a DVD. Additionally, health and fitness or disability websites are a great resource for finding more tips and ways to stay active. Wheelchair Sports Wheelchair sports vary in their level of intensity and span a broad range of opportunities. There are leagues for rugby, tennis, basketball—even yoga. Researching local organized wheelchair sport leagues can offer an exhilarating way to stay fit, meet new people and maintain athleticism. Exercise Machines Safety First A heart rate monitor is an easy and affordable way to monitor your beats per minute and calories burned (depending on the model of monitor). Workouts should end with a five- to 10-minute "cool down" session to gradually decrease your heart rate followed by adequate stretching to eliminate soreness the following day. Health and Fitness can continue to be a part of everyday life, despite the limitations of a wheelchair. Staying fit is fun, simple and within close reach. Visit my sponsors: 1) DreamHost – Web Hosting used by johnisfit.com  Post from: John Is Fit - Personal Weight Loss Blog    |
I decided that I would test my new shoe sanitizer out on the nastiest, stinkiest shoes we have in the house – a pair of my son's soccer shoes.
that I bought on Amazon last week. I had finished watching the documentary 
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