Category Archives: Fat Loss and Weight Loss

May 7 2012

4 Top Weight Loss Tools that Work for Life

You want fat loss with weight loss? You need a program that works over the long haul? Tired of hearing about the weekly new weight loss programs on infomercials? Want some fat loss and weight loss strategies that will work today, tomorrow and 10 years from now? Read on…….

Here are steps you can take to be successful with fat loss and weight loss management:

1. Shorten your weight training workouts to 50 minutes or less and ramp up the intensity. In other words, work harder for a shorter period of time and you’ll get more fat burn and calorie burn during and after your workout.

Do as many compound strength exercises (with weights or bodyweight) standing up as possible. These types of exercises work major muscle groups and many times are full-body strength exercises.

Squats, deadlift, lunges, standing bentover rows, squat-to curl-to press and bench press are great examples. Full-body core exercises like planks and side planks work well also. Spend less time posing on “mirror exercises” like bicep curls, calf raises and tricep extensions.

Here is a good fat-burning workout:

Do each exercise one after the other with little or no rest between exercises. Rest 2-3 minutes between circuits. Do the circuit 4 times.

–Bulgarian Split Squats, 10 repetitions each leg
–Plank, 12 repetitions, 10 second hold
–Pushups on Medicine Ball, 12 repetitions
–Step Ups with Knee Lift (knee high platform), 10 repetitions each leg
–Bentover dumbbell rows, 10 repetitions
–Clock Lunges, 5 repetitions each leg
–Standing dumbbell shoulder press, 10 repetitions
–Repeat circuit 3 more times.

This type of workout will torch body fat.

2. Shorten and intensify your cardio workout. Long, slow cardio sessions wastes time and eats away at your muscle mass. Short, intense cardio sessions also burn more fat and calories during and after your workout.

I’m talking about interval cardio sessions that are 20 minutes or less.

Here is an interval cardio session that I often do (or something similar):

–Jump rope, fast, 1 minute
–Walk 1 minute
–Mountain climbers, fast, 30 seconds
–Walk 30 seconds
–Jumping Jacks, fast, 1 minute
–Walk 1 minute
–Run-In-Place, fast, 30 seconds
–Walk 30 seconds
–Bodyweight Jump Squats, fast, 15 seconds
–Walk 1 minute

Repeat this circuit 2 more times.

If you don’t like these types of exercises, then pick exercises that you like. I know that jump squats won’t work for those with knee or back problems. As long as you change it up and keep it interesting, you will will make progress.

3. Make needed changes to your eating habits and reach your fat loss and weight loss goals faster.

Don’t ruin great workouts by eating bad food with a million calories. Its possible to hide those hard-earned muscles with a thick layer(s) of fat. Don’t fight against yourself!

We eat “too large” servings of food and that’s without even “super-sizing” anything. Keep your daily food journal to track what, how much and why you are eating! This will help you with portion control.

It will be easier to keep your commitment if you plan your meals for the week. And, instead of eating out during the day, pack your food. This will protect you from binge eating and haphazard eating (i.e. grazing).

Here are some common sense do’s and don’ts when it comes to eating:

Cut out these type foods: sodas, sugary fruit juice drinks, candy, cookies, donuts, fried meats and fried foods, fast foods, ketchup, mayonnaise

Add these type foods: whole grains, oatmeal, nuts, low-fat dairy products, low-fat yogurt, fruits, veggies, unsweetened tea, water, lean meats (baked, broiled or grilled), olive oil, cinnamon, mustard. You get the idea.

4. Shorten and intensify your workouts with jump training (plyometrics).

If you’re having trouble sculpting your butt, hips and thighs then you need to do more plyometric training.

Plyometric workouts are advanced workouts. You need to perfect jumping and landing techniques or you will injure yourself. And, if you have knee and low back problems, high-speed plyometric training is not for you.

Try this jump training workout (take little or no rest between exercises):

–jump rope, two feet, full speed, 1 minute
–squat jumps, 10, full speed
–lunge jumps, 10, full speed
–depth jumps (off knee-high platform), 10
–tuck jumps, 10, full speed
–jumping jacks, 30 seconds, full speed

Rest 1 minute between circuits. Repeat the circuit 2 more times–20 minutes total workout time. Take more rest between exercises or circuits if needed.

Burn fat, lose weight and stay healthy!

Here’s 10 other tools that will help you keep the weight off…..Download your free book today, “10 Tools to Help You Live Healthier.”

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

May 2 2012

5 Easy Steps to Burn Fat Now and Stop Procrastinating!

Burn fat and lose weight now! Stop procrastinating until next week….next week never comes! Having a sense of urgency to transform your health and body is good. It can be tough to get started. So, just get started. What’s stopping you?

Maybe this…

According to a WebMD article, “Why We Procrastinate,” researcher Piers Steel, PhD at Canada’s University of Calgary says:

“Essentially, procrastinators have less confidence in themselves, less expectancy that they can actually complete a task.”

“Perfectionism is not the culprit,” he continues. “In fact, perfectionists procrastinate less, but they worry about it more.”

Unless you have a medical or physical limitation, you have NO EXCUSES for putting off exercise and eating better. So, take steps and take charge of your health and fitness. No one can do this for you. You will stumble some but you can accomplish more during the journey. You can do it.

Note: You may need to get medical clearance before starting an exercise program, especially if you have been inactive.

Here are 5 steps you can take NOW to start burning fat and losing weight:

1. Do something you love. What physical activity do you love? Are you in an “exercise rut?” Forget all the exercise theories and articles! Just get started with an exercise activity you love and do this activity for at least 30 minutes on most days. Before you know it, you will have started exercising regularly again.

2. You don’t have a meal plan yet? Here are some things you can start doing today to improve your eating habits:

–Drink only water or unsweetened drinks for beverages
–Severely limit candy, cookies, pastries, junk food and processed foods
–Eat at least one fruit or vegetable with every meal
–Eat protein with every meal, such as eggs, fish, nuts or lean chicken/beef/turkey
–Eat small meals, every 3-4 hours
–Start writing down what and why you eat to hold yourself accountable

3. Tell a friend about your immediate plan to start getting fit. It helps to have someone hold you accountable and its even better if that person will join you. You need help to accomplish your fat loss and weight loss goals. That could be a trainer, a friend, a spouse or other family member. Research proves that those who have weight loss buddies are more likely to succeed.

4. So, you’re too busy to exercise? Not! Many days, I fit in 15-20 minutes of exercise while waiting for a client training session. Take advantage of “DEAD TIME” during your day and exercise. Twenty minutes of exercise here and 20 minutes of exercise there works just fine.

5. You don’t have any equipment or a gym membership? No problem. You don’t need either one to get started. You can do bodyweight exercises anywhere, anytime.

Get yourself going……today!

Be sure and download my FREE 14-Day Accelerated Fat Loss Program and get started changing your body!

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs

Apr 29 2012

How to Eat Great and Lose Weight

Snacking on dried out rice cakes and wilted lettuce leaves is no way to spend your mealtimes. You don’t have to eat bland, boring foods just to trim up. It is possible to eat great and lose weight all at the same time. If you choose quality foods and have a willingness to try new things, you can get down on delicious meals and shed pounds too.

Choose the Right Foods

You can’t possibly lose weight if the foods you use to prepare your meals are unhealthy and loaded with calories. When you avoid processed nonsense and stick with fresh ingredients, you can’t go wrong. Anything boxed, frozen, jugged or canned is considered processed and has no place in a healthy diet.

Foods that should be staples in your healthy meal plans include fresh fish, naturally raised meats, organic poultry, organic whole eggs, raw nuts, fresh herbs, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Natural foods are better for you because they are low in calories and filled with plenty of nutrients your body can use.

Also, natural foods aren’t loaded with a laundry list of additives that contribute to weight gain, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and other health problems.

Experiment with Recipes, Flavors and Cooking Methods

I love grilled chicken, but if I had to eat it every day, I’d go bananas—I imagine you would too. Free yourself from the bondage of humdrum, tasteless meals by experimenting with recipes. Thumb through cookbooks, surf the Internet and use your imagination to whip up meals you can’t wait to sink your teeth into.

When you come across recipes that have unhealthy ingredients, simply swap the bad ingredients out for healthier ones. For instance, if a recipe calls for milk, you can replace this ingredient with coconut or almond milk. Also, don’t be afraid to switch out spices and seasonings to add a new flavor to a dish.

Vary your cooking methods to keep things fresh and give food a different taste. For instance, if you always broil your steak, try sautéing it, or covering it with olive oil and dropping it on the grill. All of these cooking methods are healthy and easy to master.

Sample Recipes to Help You Eat Great and Lose Weight

Healthy French Toast:

–2 slices of Sprouted Grain, Spelt or Rice bread
–1 tablespoon of real butter
–2 whole organic eggs
–maple syrup
–cinnamon

Directions: Mix the eggs in a bowl. Dip the bread in the egg mixture until it is completely coated on both sides. Heat a pan on low to medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the egg coated bread and cook each side for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle the toast with cinnamon and serve it with 2 teaspoons of maple syrup.

Baked Chicken a la Isabel (one of my creations)

–1 whole baking chicken
–extra virgin coconut oil
–your favorite Italian spices (I use thyme, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, sea salt and pepper)

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a small pan and melt it over low heat. Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of each of your spices in a small bowl and pour in the melted coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients together. Let the spice and coconut oil mixture cool.

Rub the spice and oil mixture under the skin of the chicken with your hands. Once the chicken is completely coated, place it breast side down in a glass baking pan and pop it in the oven. Let the chicken cook for 1 to 2 hours until it’s done.

There’s nothing boring or tasteless about the above recipes. If you’re creative and are willing to experiment with new recipes, you can chow down like this everyday and look fantastic doing it.

Your dream of permanent weight loss is just a reach away.

Be sure and download Isabel De Los Rios’ FREE 14 page PDF that contains 2 nutrition articles, a week of meal plan choices and 2 recipes called The Diet Solution Fat Loss Jumpstart: 1 Week Kickstart To Your Metabolism.

Mark Dilworth, BA, PES
Your Fitness University
My Fitness Hut
Her Fitness Hut
Sports Fitness Hut
Rapid Fat Loss and Six Pack Abs