Category : Article
This exercise is aimed at the Tricep muscle, and there are a few variations and ways of executing the exercise. The benefits of using this exercise are that you will build up muscle, mass and strength, while at the same time burning off fat!
You can also adjust the weights used to suit personal preference and fitness levels.
The first exercise we will discuss is the Low Cable Tricep Extension.
Choose the weights needed, and position yourself face up on a row machine seat with a rope attached to it. Ensure that your head is facing the attached rope.
Take hold of the rope ends, with your palms facing together in a neutral grip.
Bend your elbows until they are at a 90-degree angle with your upper arms at 90 degrees to your torso.
Tip: Make sure you keep your elbows tucked in and your upper arms pointed towards the ceiling, while at the same time ensuring that your forearms face towards the pulley over your head. This will now become your starting position.
Keep your upper arms and shoulders static throughout the exercise, and as you exhale, stretch your lower arms out until they are vertical and straight. The forearms are the only part of your arms / shoulders that should move throughout the movement. Make your Tricep contract hard for the count of 3.
As you inhale, return slowly to your starting position.
Do the required number of repetitions of the same movement.
Another variation of the same exercise can be conducted while in the sittingor standing position. This will sometimes help to lessen possible back strain, and if you are recovering from a strain or injury, it is a good way to get back into the Cable Tricep Extension exercise.
Use a bench or a seat that has back support. Sit or stand on the seat or bench, and position yourself so that the back support reaches to just below your shoulders.
With the cable bar situated behind your back or neck, take an overhand, narrow grip, with your elbows positioned overhead.
Stretch forearms slowly until they are straight overhead. Lower arms slowly until they touch the back of the shoulders.
Do the required number of repetitions of the same movement.
Tip: In order to maintain full shoulder flexibility, let the rope or cable attachment pull your arm back.
Yet another variation of the Cable Tricep Extension, can once again be performed while standing. This version of the exercise is probably the least aggressive.
Stand facing your rope or pulley equipment, with the desired weights attached.
Taking hold of the bar in a wide grip, with your palms facing downwards, push the bar down until your arms are extended.
Slowly let your arms rise until they reach chest level.
Do the required number of repetitions of the same movement.
These are just 3 ways in which the Cable Tricep Extension can be utilized. There are many more, all of which benefit arm and chest strength.
The squat can be an effective exercise when it comes to working the lower part of your body. The great thing about it though is that it is very versatile and allows people to do it at any different skill and strength level. It is one of the most popular exercises that people do. The squat also works many different muscles of the lower part of your body, such as the quadriceps group, the gluteal muscles as well as the lower back. This can help to improve your posture and help to give you lean legs that you can be proud to show off.
How to do the squat
You will want to start off with your legs shoulder width apart and your back straight. You want your toes to be facing straight ahead so that they are perpendicular to your shins.
While holding in your abdomen and keeping your back straight, you will bend your knees as if you were sitting on an imaginary chair
3. Without arching your back you will then stand back up to return to the starting position to start the next repetition
Tips for getting the best results when using the squat
It is very important to remember to breathe while you are doing this exercise. You can exhale while you squat and inhale while you stand back up
There are many ways that you can challenge yourself with this exercise and you can get very creative in what you do for this, though adding dumbbells or wrist weights are a great way to increase the intensity of this workout and can be done while holding them at your side
One way to work your entire body all at once with this exercise is to include some sort of upper body exercise with this. You can do anything from bicep curls or overhead presses (which are actually cool because it is basically the same motion on the top and bottom of your body). The important thing is to make sure that you do not sway while you are doing these exercises and interfere with proper posture as this can cause significant injury to you
Also keep in mind that the lower you sit, the more you will be working all these muscles. This is great for getting beautifully sculpted butts and thighs, but make sure that you do not go past what you can do as this can also cause serious injury
Make sure to take your time while doing the squat in order to get the full effect. Do not try to rush this as it can also damage your muscles.
Another great way to add a little extra to this exercise is to do a jump after you squat and are on your way back up. This is a burst that is made in place and helps to get your heart pumping a little more and incorporate more of your calf muscles into the exercise
Are you looking for the Fat Burning Soup Diet? Well, look no farther, because I explain the program here. The plan includes seven days of eating soup and other prescribed foods. Because the fat burning soup diet is very low in calories, you will be able to lose up to 10 pounds in just 7 days.
First of all, you need to make a very large pot of the soup. This recipe makes about 12 servings. You will probably make 2 to 3 pots during the seven days of the diet:
- 6 large green onions
- 2 green peppers
- 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
- 3 Carrots
- 1 Container (10 oz. or so) Mushrooms
- 1 bunch of celery
- half a head of cabbage
- 1 package Lipton soup mix
- 1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)
- 1 48oz can V8 juice (optional)
- If V8 juice is not used, put in 12 cups of water
Saute the onions and take the seeds out of the green peppers. Then boil the whole thing for 2 hours. Refrigerate the soup and then reheat on the stove or in the microwave every time you get hungry. This recipe is at the heart of the fat burning soup diet.
But you will get to eat other foods on the fat burning soup diet. But, each day brings about its own rules. Here’s the plan:
Day 1: All the fruit you want except bananas.
Day 2: All the vegetables you want plus one big baked potato with butter.
Day 3: All the fruit and vegetables you want except bananas and potatoes.
Day 4: Bananas and skim milk plus the soup only.
Day 5: 16 oz. of beef and up to 6 tomatoes.
Day 6: 2 to 3 steaks and all the vegetables you want. No baked potato though.
Day 7: Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables
Eat the foods on the diet until you are full, even stuffed. The diet is bland, but you shouldn’t be hungry on it.
The fat burning soup diet works because even if you eat your fill, you still will only intake about 1000 calories a day. So the plan is essentially a modified fast.
Because the plan is only 7 days long, that doesn’t give your body’s metabolism enough time to slow down. So, in order to make up for the reduced calories, your body will start burning the fat thus the name.
You shouldn’t stay on the fat burning soup diet for more than 7 days at a time though. That would actually defeat the purpose. After your initial week is up, go back to a regular meal plan that includes at least 1500 calories. Then, after a week or so, you can go back on the soup diet if you need to lose more weight. At no time should you go more than 7 days on the program without 7 days off.
And that’s the fat burning soup diet made simple.
The 12 day grapefruit diet is not a new concept. The original plan was developed in the 1930′s. This fruit appears to be a dieter’s dream. It has no fat, is high in fibre and low in calories. It also carries benefits for your skin as it is high in vitamin C.
So how does this diet work? It’s very simple. You eat half a grapefruit before every meal. The enzyme it contains reduces your appetite so you consume fewer calories. It also speeds up the fat burning process helping you to shed pounds. Everyone knows that if you use more energy than you take in from the food you eat, you will lose weight. Some studies suggest that you could lose up to ten pounds in less than two weeks simply by introducing this change. Personally, I believe you would have a better chance of success if you also cut your portion sizes, ate four or five smaller meals rather than three large ones.And took more exercise.
It is completely pointless thinking that one simple change in your lifestyle is going to result in a big weight loss. You need to review all areas of your life. Do you eat food because you are bored? Upset? Do you get enough exercise? Most Americans are not active enough. You don’t suddenly need to become a gym fanatic but a little extra activity every day will help. I am sure you can think of a million ways to add some movement to your sedentary lifestyle. You could take the stairs instead of the lift; get off the metro one stop early, walk to the store etc.
In the same way, you can make progress by implementing simple changes at mealtimes. Instead of frying your food which only adds extra calories, try grilling, baking or steaming. Learn how to cook rather than relying on prepackaged meals that add dollars to your bills as well as pounds to your waistline. Use herbs and spices to flavor your meals rather than salt to help prevent fluid retention.
Eat more fruit and vegetables. They are high in fibre, low in calories and very filling. Your skin will glow from all the extra vitamins and minerals you are consuming. Don’t eat carbohydrates after 5pm in the evening as your body will not have sufficient time to use up all the energy they release. The body converts excess energy into fat.
Eat protein but chose the leaner cuts of meat and forget about sausages and other processed foods for now. Don’t exclude all treats but go for quality rather than quantity. Stop eating when you are full and not when your plate is empty.
Don’t mistake being thirsty for feeling hungry. And stop ingesting hidden calories via flavored waters, fizzy pop and perhaps the biggest culprit of all, alcohol.
You can shrink your waistline by using the 12 day grapefruit diet. but only if you combine it with a healthy eating and exercise program.
Posted in Article on April 30, 2012
One of the most often quoted misconceptions when it comes to dieting is that you somehow need special foods to go about doing this. The food companies have taken this idea and blown it out to epic proportions, one only needs to go to any grocery store in the country to see aisles and aisles of specialty “diet products” which all claim to help the eater lose weight faster as compared to those who are eating regular food.
The truth of the matter is that this is about as far from the truth as you can get. If you’re looking to be healthy but don’t have the money to shell out for all of these high priced diet foods, you’re not incapable of losing weight. The fact of the matter is that if you choose to live healthy it’s a lifestyle, not a diet. Eating diet foods may help people lose weight, but unless those people choose to camp out in the diet aisle for the rest of their lives, the moment they start eating “normal food” again the weight will come back on and they will be stuck in an endless yo-yo procession.
The real secret to losing weight is to make reasonable changes in your lifestyle that you can maintain for a long period of time. If you can’t afford specialty “diet foods” or simply have no interest in consuming them regularly for the rest of your life, you’d do well to avoid them. Where you’d eat diet foods, instead start eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and try to stay far away from processed foods of any kind.
Not only are diet foods expensive, in many ways they may be more detrimental to your health than you realize. More and more nutritionists are speaking out against dietary additives like artificial sweeteners, saying that at the end of the day they are both bad for your body and relatively ineffective when it comes to losing weight. A better strategy is to slowly wean yourself away from sweet foods in general, rather than simply getting addicted to artificial means of sweetening products. In addition, there have been some studies that suggest that eating artificial sweeteners could be harmful to your health. These studies have not as yet been substantiated, but the fact that their harmful capabilities are in question should discourage most consumers from eating them.
Essentially, even those who are not on a budget should avoid diet foods. Instead, learn how to enjoy real foods, and you can save both money and inches on your waistline!
Posted in Article on April 28, 2012
By now you might have known though it is hard to get a perfect body shape, it isn?t impossible either. Following a proper exercise regimen will help you attain what you aim for. Now after the shoulder exercises, let?s get onto working on upper back muscles. The rows exercise as they call it, is an exercise performed with a rowing machine. It could be down with the dumbbells, bars or t-bars rows with special equipments, in any case, though it might look like an arm exercise, it really helps in strengthening the upper body muscle.
Bent over t-bar rows exercise:
As usual before starting any weight lifting exercise it is advisable to do warm up exercises to make your muscles flexible. So start with some light aerobics exercises and continue it for a time span of 15-25 minutes.
Once you are done with warm up exercises, load your t-bar with the weight you intend to work on. But remember if you are a beginner or if you are doing this exercise for the first time then start with just 25-45 pounds of weight. If you are an advanced weight lifter then you can go up to 100 pounds of weight. However do not go beyond your comfort level, as it may worsen the condition than helping you out.
Face the ground and grasp the handles. Depending on the part of the back you want to emphasize you can either use a palms up, palms down or palms in position.
Now grasp the handle of your t-bar with your overhand grip. While you are lifting the weight make sure that you are standing with your feet placed shoulder width apart and your arms extended in front of you. Your knees also should be bent slightly. This will be your starting position.
While you lift the t-bar see to it that you keep your body flat and bend your waist a little bit till your upper body is at 45 degrees from the vertical. The bar should be at arm?s length straight below your shoulders.
As you exhale slowly squeeze your shoulder blades together and lift the t-bar as close as you can to your lower chest. One tip to be followed here is, while lifting the bar keep your upper arm as close to your chest as possible, as this will lay proper emphasis on the back muscle.
Hold this position for a second or two, as per your convenience and then slowly inhale and place the bar back on the ground. Come back to the starting position.
Repeat this exercise as per your fitness expert?s recommendation.
As mentioned before take proper position before starting this exercise, as an improper position may wrench your back out of whack instead of helping you out. As this exercise involves intense weight lifting to be done, it is wise to perform it under the supervision of an expert than doing it by yourself. So stay fit and enjoy your life.
Posted in Article on April 27, 2012
Obesity is having too much body fat. The body consists of water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, bones, and muscle. When the body has too much fat you have a much higher risk of developing heart disease as well as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and stroke.
Obesity increases the risks of heart disease since it raises the levels of cholesterol, lowers the good cholesterol, raises the blood pressure, and can cause diabetes. Even if a person does not have the any of the mentioned medical problems, obesity does highly increase the risks for heart disease. It is the major cause of gallbladder disease and harms the heart and the blood vessels as well as degenerative joint disease.
Obesity is caused generally by consuming more calories than used in physical activity or other daily activities. When too many calories or too much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol is consumed, the levels of cholesterol in the blood rises increase the risks of heart disease.
To determine if a person is obese a test called body mass index or BMI is used to calculate the obesity factor. This type of test is widely used and even though it does not take into consideration the amount of muscle a person has, it is pretty accurate to determine the health levels of a person and their general amounts of body fat.
A standard measure, if a person is obese, is if the waistline in a woman is more than 35 inches and in a man is more than 40 inches, they are considered high risk for being obese.
Using the BMI to calculate the fat of the body use the following example:
Weight 150 pounds
Height 5’9″ = 69 inches
Divide the weight in pounds by the height in inches squared (69*69 = 4761) equals .0315 multiplied by 703 equals 22.14 BMI rate. The 22.14 is in the healthy range for body mass.
The BMI ranges for the body are 18.5 or less is considered underweight, 18.6 to 24.9 is considered healthy, 25.0 to 29.5 is considered overweight, and 30.0 or more is considered obese with 40.0 being considered extreme obesity.
To help prevent obesity eat a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables with whole grains, less fat from meats such as fish, chicken and lean beef, and nuts. The foods with fewer fats will help with the risks of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, and obesity.
Add an exercise regime to your life style. Take up walking for thirty minutes every other day to get some physical activity in your life. Walk instead of driving places, including at work, when you usually take the elevator take the stairs instead.
Posted in Article on April 25, 2012
After the drinking of water, juice recipes for weight loss have to be one of the most natural and best ways to stay healthy as you lose weight. Forget about the fad diets, the celebrity endorsed virtual starvation weight loss programs, adding natural healthy juices to your daily eating plan is streets ahead.
The first thing you’re going to have to do is to invest in a juicer – and I say invest because that is exactly what it will be for you and your body. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and prices and though some of them can do a variety of other things such as pulping and chopping, a basic juicer will serve you well to try out some juice recipes for weight loss.
Decide on your favorite fruits and vegetables and make sure that the produce you use is as fresh as you can find. The great thing about using juices to help you lose weight is that what you come up with can be as personal as the clothes you wear and how you wear them. No one, is going to be preparing and drinking the same juice recipes as you in the same way as you!
Fancy a carrot and apple juice for breakfast? Then simply wash your carrots, peel and core your apple and throw them into a juicer, in whatever quantities you desire and add a splash of lemon juice and you have yourself a lovely breakfast juice. A juice like this is stuffed full of beta carotene, iron and vitamin C and so if this doesn’t get you going in the morning then simply throw in even more vegetables.
The real key to finding and using juice recipes for weight loss is to make sure that you try a variety of juices. Think about this, the number one reason that many people fail to lose weight is because they get bored with what they are eating. They crave their favorite foods and feel disgruntled that they are not ‘allowed’ to eat and enjoy them. Now, there is virtually no way you should fall into the trap of getting bored with your juices. Just make sure that you are mixing them up regularly and adding or taking away from them.
For instance, that apple and carrot breakfast juice could be so easily changed and refreshed by adding a stick of celery to the mix or even a hand full of strawberries and some crushed ice. Just make sure that you are using all of your favorite fruits and vegetables, in a variety of groups and your juice recipes for weight loss will stay refreshing and keep your interest.
Posted in Article on April 21, 2012
While there’s a lot to be said about homemade cooking and how it helps you lose weight and save money, the fact of the matter is that it’s likely you’ll want to go out to eat once in a while. Whether you’re going out with friends or there’s a certain place that makes guacamole like nowhere else, there’s absolutely no reason why you should deny yourself the pleasures of restaurant dining every so often, even if you’re on a budget and trying to live healthily.
Just like with anything else in life, there’s a positive, intelligent way to go about eating out on a budget and there’s the not-so-good way. Here are some times to avoid the not-so-good-way.
First, try going out for lunch rather than dinner. Most restaurants are cheaper at lunch and the food is just as good. Many restaurants even offer special business lunches, which have multiple courses and are usually steals. Even better, lunch food has a tendency to be lighter than dinner courses, so eating out at lunch may offer you healthier choices than the dinner menu will.
If the place you love to go has large portions, try dining out with another health conscious friend and split the plate. The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of restaurants have enormous portions, and digging in to that chili dog meal alone is an excellent way to blow your calorie count out of the water for the rest of the day. Alternatively, ask for a doggie bag and take half your meal home to eat later – after a spot of exercise, perhaps!
Order vegetarian. Many restaurants these days offer vegetarian options ” or will at least listen if you tell them to hold the meat. This depends highly on what kind of restaurant you are at, as you’re likely to be unable to ask the guy making you a burger to “hold the meat” However, if there is a vegetarian option available, it’s likely to be lower in calories and just as delicious as its meat-laden counterpart.
Last, make it a point to skip dessert. Now, one of the cardinal rules of dieting is not to be overly cruel to yourself, but the fact of the matter is that a giant sundae is likely to have more calories than the rest of your meal combined and will definitely add some dollars to your bill. Enjoy eating out, of course, but don’t go overboard!
Posted in Article on April 20, 2012
This is another exercise mainly aimed at working out the Tricep Muscle, although it also works out the chest and shoulders. It will help to build up strength and stamina, as well as muscle mass, and is also a good fat burner.
You will need a dumbbell or other appropriate weight to use during this routine. This exercise is best performed with a second person to assist you when needed.
You will need two benches, set parallel to each other, with enough space between them to enable you to easily reach with both your arms and legs semi-extended. The height of the benches should allow for a full range of movements.
With one bench in front of you, and the other behind you, position yourself so that your hands grip the edge of the bench at your back, shoulder width apart and arms fully extended.
Extend your legs so that your heels are resting on the bench in front of you. With your legs parallel to the floor, and your torso perpendicular to it, cross one foot over the other so that your ankles are touching.
Have your assistant place the dumbbell or other weight onto your lap.
This will now become your starting position.
Lower your body slowly while inhaling by bending your elbows. Keep working slowly until you have lowered yourself to an angle of roughly 90 degrees between your forearm and upper arm. Tip: By keeping your elbows as close as possible and your forearms pointing down throughout the exercise, you will maximize impact and effect.
While exhaling, use your Triceps to raise your body back to the starting position. Pause while contracting your Triceps.
Do the required number of repetitions of the same movement.
Warning: When first attempting this exercise, practice without the weights until you are sure you have the movements correct. When you start to add the weights, go slowly and add them gradually. The more weights added, the higher risk of injury.
For those more experienced in weighted bench dips, there are some variations of the exercise.
Position yourself in the starting position with your arms, but keep your feet on the ground in front of you. Stretch your legs straight out without bending the knees, and either place both feet firmly on the floor, or cross one foot over the other so the ankles are touching.
Slowly lower yourself while inhaling as you would if you were using two benches.
Using your Triceps, raise yourself back to the starting position. Pause while contracting your Tricep muscles, and start again.
Instead of having a weight added to your lap, have your assistant place it on top of your thighs.
Do the required number of repetitions of the same movement.
Warning: As always, practice without the weights until you are sure of the movements. Then build up the weights gradually until you have reached your target weight.
If carried out properly, this is a very effective exercise for both your tricep and chest muscles.
