If you’re contemplating a sugar cleanse, you’ll find that psychological preparedness is vital to your success. Part of that preparedness involves coming up with a plan that you can stick to. After doing as much research as I could for my own sugar detox, I ultimately came up with a list of 10 simple steps to help kick my sugar habit. It has worked extremely well and I was eager to kick off another sugar cleanse this winter. I realized however, that something changed in me. In the wake of breakthrough documentaries like Fed Up, articles in The New York Times propounding the toxicity of sugar, Dr. Robert Lustig’s impassioned viral video on the chronic toxicity of fructose, and the growing body of peer-reviewed articles pointing towards sugar’s effects on our expanding waistlines and chronic diseases, I have begun to feel even more empowered to kick sugar to the curb. As I dig deeper into the research, however, I find myself more and more confused with the amount of conflicting information out there. One false marketing claim — like “agave nectar is healthy”, for instance — can inadvertently spur a deluge of agave-based recipes and unwarranted health claims, even from people who should know better like Dr. Weill and Dr. Oz, (both of whom have in the past few years, recanted their love for the sugary nectar). As such, I wanted to share my findings with MBG’s esteemed readers, because I know you will want to know this information as much as I do. I call these the Seven Deadly Truths of Sugar: To read more click here!
Michelle Spindler
The 7 Deadly Truths of Sugar
If you’re contemplating a sugar cleanse, you’ll find that psychological preparedness is vital to your success. Part of that preparedness involves coming up with a plan that you can stick to. After doing as much research as I could for my own sugar detox, I ultimately came up with a list of 10 simple steps to help kick my sugar habit. It has worked extremely well and I was eager to kick off another sugar cleanse this winter. I realized however, that something changed in me. In the wake of breakthrough documentaries like Fed Up, articles in The New York Times propounding the toxicity of sugar, Dr. Robert Lustig’s impassioned viral video on the chronic toxicity of fructose, and the growing body of peer-reviewed articles pointing towards sugar’s effects on our expanding waistlines and chronic diseases, I have begun to feel even more empowered to kick sugar to the curb. As I dig deeper into the research, however, I find myself more and more confused with the amount of conflicting information out there. One false marketing claim — like “agave nectar is healthy”, for instance — can inadvertently spur a deluge of agave-based recipes and unwarranted health claims, even from people who should know better like Dr. Weill and Dr. Oz, (both of whom have in the past few years, recanted their love for the sugary nectar). As such, I wanted to share my findings with MBG’s esteemed readers, because I know you will want to know this information as much as I do. To read more click here!
A Golfers Guide to Strength Training
Based on the “Tiger effect” on tour, one would assume that lifting is good for golfers. However, just like perfect practice, working out should be done with purpose and efficiency. Ripped biceps and abs are not necessarily going to make you a better golfer. In fact, they could lead to muscle imbalance and poor ball striking. For golfers, I emphasize a full-body approach in developing strength of both bones and muscles, which many weightlifting programs fail to do. Also, a natural, full-body approach will not lessen your playing endurance on the links, increase injury risk, or produce fatigue—all issues that can arise from weightlifting programs. In other words, if golf is your highest priority, you want to avoid building unnecessary bulk that will only interfere with a smooth, consistent swing. The bottom line is this: By developing stronger muscles and bones throughout your entire body, you will increase fitness and play better. A simple, safe and short routine will accomplish this task. To read more click here!
A Golfers Guide to Strength Training
Based on the “Tiger effect” on tour, one would assume that lifting is good for golfers. However, just like perfect practice, working out should be done with purpose and efficiency. Ripped biceps and abs are not necessarily going to make you a better golfer. In fact, they could lead to muscle imbalance and poor ball striking. For golfers, I emphasize a full-body approach in developing strength of both bones and muscles, which many weightlifting programs fail to do. Also, a natural, full-body approach will not lessen your playing endurance on the links, increase injury risk, or produce fatigue—all issues that can arise from weightlifting programs. In other words, if golf is your highest priority, you want to avoid building unnecessary bulk that will only interfere with a smooth, consistent swing. The bottom line is this: By developing stronger muscles and bones throughout your entire body, you will increase fitness and play better. A simple, safe and short routine will accomplish this task. To read more click here!
Why Should I Spend More on Exercise Equipment?
Wow! We were featured in a blog and we couldn’t agree more! If you decide that working out at home is your best option, you will need fitness equipment. You should avoid the discount department stores. The sales staff in their sporting goods departments are probably not knowledgable about specific equipment or fitness, and the equipment will probably not function well under regular use. If you are serious in your commitment to getting and staying fit, then a fitness equipment store is your best bet. Their staff has the expertise to guide you to the proper equipment for both your physical limitations and fitness goals. Although the prices may be higher than some discount stores, the quality of the equipment will allow you to keep your commitment to fitness for years to come. Working out at home will require discipline because of the easy availability of distractions. However, you can turn this liability into an asset. Instead of binge watching your favorite tv show on the couch, allow yourself to only watch it while you exercise. Your workout will seem shorter and you will be less likely to skip a workout and miss your show. Talk to experts like Gym Outfitters Inc, for more information.
The PROS and CONS of the 10 Most Popular Diets
Looking to lose weight and still searching for the best diet for you? Jenna Bell, PhD, RD, Senior VP, Director of Food & Wellness at Pollock Communications in New York City, cautions against diets that seem too good to be true. “If a diet promises fast, nearly overnight results and cuts out most every food group, think twice before starting such a plan,” she says. “Crash diets may or may not help you lose weight, but are almost guaranteed to leave you feeling run down thanks to missing nutrients. And at the end of the day, once you stop your crash diet, the weight is likely to return.” So which diets actually work and which ones should be avoided? Read on to see our list of ten of the top diets, based on recent rankings from U.S. News and World Report, as well as anecdotal reports compiled from dieters around the United States. We provide a glimpse into these popular diets and offers pros and cons for each one. To read more click here!
12 Workouts to Improve Your Mood
By nature, as humans we’re moody creatures. And, as much as we’d love to feel good and be happy and excited, it’s not always the case. Sometimes we’re anxious, distracted, sad, angry, exhausted, anxious, or stressed out. We consulted some fitness experts to find workouts that are best-suited for whatever mood you might be in today. To read more click here!
5 High Protein Snacks to Fire Up Your Muscles
What is your most important meal of the day? Trick question! The correct answer is pretty much any time you get to eat. Of utmost importance, however, are the meals during which you can indulge in some protein-rich treats that rock your taste buds and your fatigued muscles like a well-intentioned hurricane. When good, wholesome ingredients join in holy matrimony with quality protein, you can rest assured that you get the most from your hard work in the gym. Hang onto your pastry chef hat! These protein recipes are about to rock your world. Start baking some goods and making some gains! To read more click here!
The Top 11 Fitness Snacks
It’s 3 p.m., lunch is a distant memory and your stomach is rumbling like a thunderstorm on the Nebraska plains. Sure, you ate lunch, but you’re also putting some serious time on the gym floor training, and your body wants more calories. Decision time: Graze on too much of the wrong foods (read: the plate of chocolate-chip cookies in the lunch room), and your snack habit could quickly sabotage your buff-to-blubber ratio. Yet if you have the right snacks available, you can curb cravings and provide vital nutrients to support fitness gains. These overachievers fit the bill! To read more click here!
The Ultimate List of 40 High Protein Foods
Let us count the reasons we’re obsessed with protein. For one, you need enough of this benevolent macronutrient to build and repair muscle. It also plays a role in revving fat-burning metabolism and reducing the hunger pangs that can lead to an attack on the vending machine. Additionally, protein works to slow the release of carbohydrates into your bloodstream, which can prevent the sudden spikes in blood sugar that are thought to encourage fat storage and sagging energy levels. Physique-minded individuals should seek out at least 1 g of protein for each pound of body weight to maintain and build muscle. To reach this lofty amount, however, you’ll need to make sure your grocery cart is filled with a variety of high-protein fare. Unfortunately, today’s supermarkets are flooded with processed foods that can quickly threaten your fitness gains. That’s why we thought it was about time to roll our editorial cart through the major supermarket sections to help you find the biggest protein wallop for your buck. That way you can load your trunk with the necessary building blocks for a body more chiselled than a Roman sculpture. Check out our top 40 items to put on your protein-friendly grocery list! To read more click here!
The Five Day Diet: How to Live Fit & Have Fun!
I still remember the first day of my college econ class: The professor scribbled “TANSTAAFL” on the blackboard. The acronym stood for a basic tenet of macroeconomics: “there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.” This wasn’t a reference to the free meal my friends had bought me two weeks back for my birthday, but rather an admission that everything comes with a cost. Those free miles you get with your credit card purchase mean you had to buy something—you had to earn them. They’re not really free! To that end, if you want to lead a balanced life that includes hard training and clean nutrition alongside some cheats, treats, and fun on the weekends, you need to start thinking about earning your right to eat foods that are normally off-limits. If you train hard, be it in the gym or with some form of cardio, you earn the right to cheat a little. Train harder and you earn an even greater margin of indulgent food choices. Skip your workouts altogether, and you can’t redeem anything! To read more click here!
9 Surefire Weight Loss Tips
If you’re looking to make 2015 your leanest year yet, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to push full steam ahead and build on the progress you made in 2014, or you’re new to fitness and are looking to jump on the bandwagon for the first time in years, we’ve got a selection of tried-and-true tips and tricks to help you smash your goals. Sure, there will always be a new diet or workout plan, but sometimes simple is best. Instead of following everything that’s #trending, start with a strong foundation of rock-solid principles and turn your fat loss up a notch with these nine transformation tips from the experts at Team Cellucor. To read more click here!