Which weighs more:  a pound of muscle or a pound of fat? How about a pound of gold or a pound of feathers? If you guessed they weigh the same you are right. It was a trick question. Obviously, a pound is a pound:  16 ounces, no more – no less. But which would you rather have? Given the choice I am going to pick a pound of gold and a pound of muscle, thank you very much. We know gold is much … [Read more...]

You can work out religiously and still not see the results you are after on the scale. If you are tired of sweating and not seeing those pounds fall off, it’s probably time to look more closely at your diet. When there is a stumbling block on the path to losing weight, it is almost always associated with nutrition. The reality is all the exercise in the world won’t help with healthy weight loss … [Read more...]

If you want to lose weight, setting goals is a great way to help. Goals can keep you on track and they can motivate you when the going gets tough. Mini goals can be especially helpful if you set them and reward yourself wisely each time a milestone is attained. The problem comes when goal-setting isn’t realistic. Yes, it’s true. There is a right way to set goals and a wrong one. This is … [Read more...]

Let’s take a look at this statement and examine it for what its worth. Processed food includes refined grains, anything with sugar or salt added to it, fried foods, high fat dairy products, food in a box – you know what I’m taking about. So how do we know eating processed foods makes you fat, stupid and depressed? A 2009 UK study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry looked at … [Read more...]

Are you fighting the “Battle of the Bulge?" If you are you are not alone. Results from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, using measured heights and weights, indicated that an estimated 32.7 percent of U.S. adults 20 years and older are overweight, 34.3 percent are obese and 5.9 percent are extremely obese. In 1960 only 13.4 percent of the U.S. adult … [Read more...]

A sure harbinger of spring is the start of Spring Training in Florida and Arizona. Spring training is that period of time for the athletes to get into baseball playing shape and prepare for the rigors of a long competitive baseball season. They start throwing and hitting, do a little running, work on their fielding, and play a few games. In other words prepare. There is a lesson here for … [Read more...]

Did you know there's one simple activity most people rarely do after their workouts? S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G! Stretching is super-important. It prevents your muscles from getting "tight" and "stiff" -- especially after you've been working them out, rep after rep. Plus, there's the benefits you get, like improved circulation and reduced stress (you DO know that stressing out causes you to tense your … [Read more...]

Memory loss is all-too often associated with old age. And unfortunately, with good reason. As most people get older, they become more forgetful. And in serious cases, they can develop dementia and Alzheimer's (scary stuff, to be sure). The good news is there are plenty of things you can do to prevent severe memory loss -- and in the process develop lots of Brain power that will keep your … [Read more...]

We all have stress to one degree or another. Stress is everywhere in our modern society:  work, finances, health, relationships, you name it. Learning how to manage, however, can mean a healthier, longer life Mainstream medicine is finally making the connection between your emotions and your health. Shyam Prabhakaran, M.D., head of cerebrovascular disease and neurocritical care at Rush … [Read more...]

  Spot Reduction Myth - Everybody has "trouble spots" on their body that we just can't help fixating on. The fitness infomercials and others who propagate the myths want you to believe you can "spot reduce" your tummy, thighs, hips and buns . . . that six-pack abs can be achieved using this special ball or that secret machine. Remember the ThighMaster? This is a perfect example of what I … [Read more...]

You already know that drinking sodas which are high in sugar (and high-fructose corn syrup) are bad for you. But did you know that drinking the alternative (diet sodas and diet drinks) are just as bad for your health and body, if not worse? Most folks think they're doing good by drinking these zero-calorie drinks. But the truth is they do way more harm than good. For starters, there is no … [Read more...]

There are plenty of foods that are good for you. Some foods, however, are just better than others for your body and health. When a particular food contains a variety of disease-fighting and health-sustaining nutrients, it’s called a “super food.” These are the foods you want to include in your diet. As you work with the professionals at your health club to strengthen and tone your body and … [Read more...]