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It’s not good reason to change your gym simply because a newer or trendier one opened up, but there are several reasons why you should be thinking of changing your gym.

If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you may think about alternatives to your present gym:

Are the instructors of the gym satisfactory? It isn’t enough that the instructors are themselves fit and healthy, they also have to be clue-full about their job.

Are they for instance able to explain to you why you are doing a particular exercise or how it will benefit you? Are they interested enough in their job to really make a difference to you?

Are they knowledgeable enough to know that tweaking an exercise or routine[workout routines] may be beneficial to you so that they are really able to guide you to your goals?

Have you been doing the same routine for months? Chances are that if you are doing the same thing for months, the benefits have stopped accruing; that your progress has halted or slowed considerably.

A good gym should be able to guide you through a plateau and help you achieve more beyond it.

Is your gym unhygienic? If your gym is unhygienic it may do more harm to you than good because you will end up with things other than weight loss. If unhygienic conditions have been pointed out and the management has chosen to look the other way, then it may be the time for a change.

Are you expending more energy getting to the gym? If you go to a particular gym that is a long distance away from home, chances are you expend a lot of time and energy just getting to it. If makes more sense to go a gym closer to home even if it has slightly fewer facilities or is less trendy.

Are you losing interest? Either because the instructors are disinterested or because your workout buddies have moved away you may find that your gym is not motivating you in the way that it did before.

Working out together or under interested guidance is more effective, so aim to rekindle your interest in the gym or change it. Motivation is the key to effective working out.

So Take A Good Hard Look At Your Gym; If You Answer Yes To One Or More Of These Questions Ask Yourself One More: Whether It Is Time To Switch Gyms And Whether Your Fitness And Health Goals Will Be Better Served Elsewhere.

A new study has shown that it may not just be greed and being weak willed that causes us to binge on junk food or high calorie food; it could actually be because we are addicted! An addiction that may be as habit forming as nicotine and cocaine, the study said!

The study was conducted on animals and published in the journal Nature Neuroscience , however it may well be helpful in explaining the phenomenon of binge eating and finding solutions to this.

In the study, rats were fed large amounts of high calorie food which was seen to trigger a response in the brain that was very much like addiction.

The rats were seen to become compulsive eaters following this.

The dopamine receptors in the brain also were found to be altered in the rats, in much the same manner found in people addicted to drugs.

In the study it was found that the group of rats who had unlimited access to high calorie food, formed a preference for it and gained weight very quickly.

Their reaction to danger was also seen as being muted; not responding to a stimulus that indicated danger. The rats continued to gorge on their food instead of responding.

Source: MSNBC

Bodybuilders, fitness models, or really just anyone who has specific fitness and bodybuilding goals may have given a thought or two to the supplements that will help them achieve their targets.

While muscle building supplements such as whey and other protein supplements, multi vitamins, isolates, Creatine etc. are the ones that are usually considered, an important supplement that is very often overlooked is the Digestive Enzyme supplement for body builders and fitness enthusiasts.

The fact that digestive enzymes could actually help in fat burning and building muscle is not something that is considered as much as it perhaps should.

What are Digestive Enzymes? Digestive enzymes are naturally occurring proteins that the body produces to break down food consumed.

Even our saliva has digestive enzymes that help to convert the starch that we eat into sugar. They are present in the gut where they aid the breaking down and digestion of food eaten.

So if they occur naturally why does one need a digestive enzyme supplement? It isn’t as if the bodies of bodybuilders stop manufacturing digestive enzymes, but since they exercise more than other people, the digestive enzymes that the body produces gets used up.

The body literally burns up the enzymes since they are not able to withstand extreme heat. Cooking also destroys the enzymes present and naturally occurring in food, so it is difficult to get the requisite amount from food.

Also the specific requirements of bodybuilders require rather more of the digestive enzymes than do regular people. This is because a bodybuilder may already be taking supplements to aid muscle building and then the body has that much extra work to do; to digest those supplements and carry them to the appropriate parts of the body. In all this, indigestion, flatulence and even diarrhea may sometimes occur.

So what the Digestive enzymes supplements will do is it will aid in faster breaking down of food and conveying essential nutrients to the different parts of the body which the body may have some trouble doing on its own.

Since this process of food break down and digestion is helped and speeded up by the digestive enzyme supplement, it could help in conveying nutrients more quickly and more efficiently to the muscles, thereby indirectly acting as a muscle building supplement.

So if considering supplements for body building, give a thought to a digestive enzyme supplement to see if your body seems to require it, and if it will facilitate your goals better.

Having a very big waistline can be embarrassing. You will also find it hard to look for the right size of jeans, trousers, and even dresses.

If you think your waistline causes you to lose your self-confidence, you should consider reducing your waistline.

The best way to have a trimmer waistline is by doing the right exercises. Below are some easy exercises to reduce your waistline:

1. Walking

You can take a walk at the park, along the beach or just around the neighborhood. Walking burns fats especially those stored in your waist. It is also good for the heart.

2. Jogging

Jogging especially early in the morning can trim your tummy. It also improves blood circulation.

3. Swimming

Swimming exercises the whole body. The rigorous movement of your arms, legs, and trunk require lots of calories and burn excess fats.

4. Side leg raising

Get yourself an exercise mat and lie on your side. Side leg raising contracts your side muscles and stretches your leg. This can help burn the fats on your sides.

5. Crunches

Once you get used to it, doing crunches can make your tummy firm and reduce your waistline.

You can make yourself look better than before by having your desired waistline. Together with a balanced diet and right exercises, you will have a sexier body in no time at all.

The need to take care of one’s body has been highlighted over the past years.

Studies proved that harmful ailments are caused by poor health and lack of regular exercise.

In order to protect themselves, more and more people are trying their best to stay fit and healthy. One way to do this is by buying your own home exercise equipment.

There are many ways that can keep you from exercising regularly. The daily visit to the gym can be strenuous and going outside for a jog can also be time consuming.

Moreover, you are often too busy and too tired to do any other activities beside work.

Your only choice is to exercise at the comfort of your home with home exercise equipment.

Home exercise equipment is just what you thought it is. This equipment can help you in your exercises and other similar fitness training. They can come in a variety of functions, designs and features with many benefits too.

Designs

Nowadays, you don’t have to look at home exercise equipment as objects of torture. They are now available in different designs with varying colors and artworks.

They are no longer like the traditional old grey and black home exercise equipment you often see in the gym or displayed in health stores. You can now choose from various styles and colors.

Functions

Home exercise equipment comes with different functions. There are those that are designed to improve cardiovascular functions such as upright exercise bikes and treadmills.

There are also equipment created for muscle building like weight lifters, dumbbells and barbells. Rowing machines are perfect in giving you a whole body workout at home too. Whatever fitness training you are into, you will definitely find the right home exercise equipment for you.

Features

Home exercise equipment may also have additional features that would let the users enjoy double benefits. These features are generally designed to make exercising more precise and fun.

Home exercise equipment may include time displays so you could keep track of the minutes you are allotting to a particular exercise just like the treadmill.

Moreover, you can now buy equipment that comes with a calorie counter to keep you updated on how much calorie you are burning while doing a particular exercise.

Benefits

The best thing about having your own home exercise equipment is that you can be able to exercise whenever you feel like it. If you are the type who is always on the go, having your own home exercise equipment will enable you to keep up with your fitness regimen even on the wee of the night.

Further, since your home exercise equipment is all yours to keep, you can guarantee that all of your personalized settings are saved.

Aside from these, you cut the risk of contacting bacteria present in public exercise equipment like those found in the gym. With so many health enthusiasts going to the gym and using their machines, you are never too sure of using clean and safe exercise equipment.

Moreover, buying home exercise equipment would also save you from paying for gym membership fees. Every year you have to renew your membership and worse, you also have to pay for damaged equipment. With your own home exercise equipment, you save a lot of money and there’s no need to worry about paying for damages.

Having your personal home exercise equipment is also a more practical choice. You will definitely get your money’s worth since it is a good investment.

You can still workout whether it is sunny or raining outside. There is no time limit or noisy exercise buddies to keep you from concentrating on your routine.

‘Naked chef’ Jamie Oliver maybe trying to make America eat healthier but David Letterman is doing nothing to help, because apparently the talk show legend thinks that Americans are beyond redemption. In a caustic indictment of American food habits on his show, The Late Show Letterman went on to rubbish Oliver’s attempts in his inimitable acerbic style.

According to Letterman, Americans were simply unable to lose weight because they live in a culture dominated by the business of selling the kind of food that is “inherently unhealthy.” Letterman was speaking in response to Oliver’s nationwide attempt to teach how to shop, cook and eat healthy in a way that tastes good as well.

According to the talk show host who referred to his own battles with weight loss, the only thing that will work in America is diet pills; that they are the only successful way to lose weight in the United States.

He referred to celebrity Kirstie Alley who was on his show recently and her very public battle with weight, which according to him she had made a second career out of.

Letterman had a caustic but bleak prediction of 1000 years from today when humans would have ‘evolved’ into 500 and 600 pound beings and “it will all be OK”.

Source: villagevoice

On our quest to attain good health and a fit body, we strive and work hard and do all that the fitness experts and the health gurus tell us to. We follow religiously the edicts that the experts pass and expect that results will follow.

However, sometimes we make certain mistakes, or are guilty of certain over sights that, unbeknownst to us, may actually be doing more harm than good. Check and see if you are making these common fitness mistakes:

All that is green is good for me: Sure the salads and the greens are excellent for your body; they are low in fats and sodium, high in fiber and nutrients.

But do you know exactly how the salad was made and precisely what its ingredients are? Dressing can be a big villain lurking in your salad.

Oil or mayonnaise could well be the basis of the salad, thereby negating all its low fat properties.

Also if your salad has additions such as bacon bits, or croutons then this instantly ups the calorie content. So don’t just assume that it is healthy because it is a salad; check the ingredients to see if it really is.

The volume of that headset: For many fitness freaks it is the music that is the motivator. Probably as much attention is paid to the playlist as to the exercise sets that comprise one’s fitness routine.

Good so far because music can help you push your own limits and even exceed your expectations; it can help you ignore pain and discomfort as well.

However, very loud music can cause hearing loss. The volume of music on your headset is usually between 60 and 120 decibels. If your ears are exposed to volumes of 85 decibels and above for long periods of time, it could mean trouble for your ears and hearing in the long run.

Ignoring your body: Yes, it is a good thing to push yourself and strive hard for your fitness goals. It is not however good to ignore what your body is telling you.

Sometimes, the aches and pains may not be just tired muscles; they could be trying to tell you about an injury that may get exacerbated.

Also if indigestion is a frequent problem or if colds are a recurring problem then it may be time to step back and really look at your body. It could be a sign of a deeper, underlying problem.

If you are the sort that cannot imagine working the treadmill assiduously or cannot abide the idea of pumping iron, you do have your fitness options curtailed a lot, but not completely it must be said.

You still have a few fun options that will help to achieve some fitness goals and in a fun way at that:

When you think of it, a dance class is not a fitness regime at all, and yet it gives you many of the benefits that come from it. This is a kind of exercise in disguise and class is more like being at a party than being at a workout class!

Zumba is designed to offer a workout, whatever be your level of fitness and you don’t have to be a So You Think you can Dance aspirant to start on a Zumba regimen.

Since there are many modifications and variations to the general theme, anyone, with any level of fitness can participate.

What Zumba does is, it combines a number of different Latin based dances (which by themselves can be quite strenuous) and a full body workout.

The best thing is, you aren’t thinking of it as a workout but the dance elements are actually giving you an aerobic workout without you knowing it.

Here are some more fitness mantras that one would do well to heed:

1. It is possible to Speed up the metabolism: There are foods and certain beverages that can actually help to speed up the metabolism; noteworthy among them being certain spices (like peppers) and certain herbal teas.
2. Water, Water, Water: Water can help you control your food intake and is useful for the body in more ways than one can count.
3. Fiber: Fiber sourced from plants and fruits are rich in nutrients, it helps speed up digestion, keeps you regular and may even reduce absorption of fats by the digestive system.
4. Fast Foods are a No-No: For a number of reasons. They are made by refining the food and robbing it of its nutritional value. They are cooked in unhealthy trans fats and pumped with preservatives to increase shelf life. They are just no good for you.
5. Inches not pounds may be a better indicator of fitness: How do you reliably gauge your fitness levels? We have seen how the weighing scale could be misleading; inches are the best way to figure fitness.  In particular, the fit of the trousers are a good indication; they are what tell you what you measure at the waist, which is such a vital indicator of fitness.

The many, long winded infomercials that we are shown on TV that advertise exercise equipment promise you the earth: rock hard abs, instant six packs, buns of steel, big arms, thin thighs, you name it!

Also they tell you that you can have all this with a minimum of effort. What they don’t tell you however is:

Spot Reduction is Impossible: If an infomercial tells you that X, Y or Z machine will help you ‘lose weight from your waist’ or that it will ‘isolate your ab muscles’ or ‘make the fat melt away from your thighs’ you know not to trust them.

Yes you can tone the muscles of a particular area, but you cannot lose weight from just one part of the body. Nothing except targeted liposuction will achieve this.

Those are professional models: The people you see in the infomercial are professionals whose job is to look that good. They spend a lot of time and effort in order to look the way they do; blessed in no small part, perhaps by excellent genes.

And in today’s dag and age when everything can be altered digitally and cosmetically, who knows how real those abs, buns, pecs, calves and all the other beautiful body parts are?

No Pain no Gain: All of the infomercials that tell you that X, Y or Z ‘sauna’ belt or similar item will help ‘melt away the inches’ without any effort, are quite simply leading you up the garden path.

If they tell you that the item they are plugging is going to make you lose the weight without effort as you go about your daily chores, don’t bother believing them, because weight loss and fitness really is a case of no pain no gain!

Read the fine print: This is something else that the infomercials do not tell you to do: read the fine print that comes along with the ad usually right at the end.

In small, almost invisible letters, you will be told that something like “results vary” or “results shown may be atypical” or “proper exercise and diet control advised for best results” or similar. You don’t see this usually, but this is put there to prevent the manufacturers getting sued!

You can manage perfectly well without their expensive product:  If it’s expensive dumbbells they are selling, a couple of large water bottles do just as well.

Complicated weight apparatus could well be replaced by doing pushups at home! That treadmill[treadmill exercise] could easily be replaced by a refreshing walk in the fresh air!