Thursday, October 15, 2009

Top 10 Strategies for Success







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Q. Glen, Do you have any Tips for Setting and Meeting my Health Goals?



A. Yes, Use These Ideas to Meet Your Goals


1. Start Small
Quite possibly the biggest mistake people make is pushing the accelerator too soon. You can’t lose 20 pounds in a week. But you can lose one. Taking small bites and chewing slowly have as much to do with goal achievement as they do with your mom’s dinner table scolding.

2. Get It On Paper
Whether setting your first goals, tracking daily progress, or sharing your deepest thoughts with a journal, writing things down crystallizes your ideas, exposes underlying fears, and paints an accurate picture of real life.

3. Focus On Everyday Habits
The building blocks of a healthy lifestyle are forged in the smallest of actions you take every day and every week. Healthy choices can become as natural as brushing your teeth or locking the front door. Build one habit, one action at a time.
4. Always See Your Goal
Goals need attention. They need to be seen and heard and thought of often if they ever hope to come true. So surround yourself with as many reminders as possible.
5. Be Consistent
Imagine a plane taking off. In the beginning, a lot of energy is spent to simply get moving down the runway. But as speed and momentum take over, the plane is pulled forward and up into the sky, faster and further by the second. Consistent action, no matter how small, has more power than you ever imagined.


6. Never Stop Learning
A healthy lifestyle is a process—a journey more than a destination. You can always learn more about nutrition, fitness, and even yourself that can help you be just a little bit better tomorrow.

7. Come Out of Seclusion
Has anyone ever achieved anything of real value all alone? Probably not many. Most receive some form of help from other people. Support, information, a sense of shared experience, encouragement, advice, and a well-timed pep talk are all invaluable as you set off on your adventure.
8. Allow For Setbacks
Accept the fact right now that you will make mistakes, and that it can be a positive thing. We are usually harder on ourselves that we are on anyone else we know. Be your own #1 fan. That means being supportive (instead of critical) when you stumble, and enjoying your wins (rather than ignoring your accomplishments) when you succeed.

9. Trust Your Plan
You’ll have up weeks and down weeks, and frustrating weeks that make no sense at all. The tools and strategies you’re learning will help you build a plan that makes a healthier lifestyle almost inevitable. If you consistently make the right choices and build healthy habits, weight loss is literally just a matter of time.

10. Have Fun!!!
Who says getting healthy has to be a chore, a burden to be endured or suffered through? Probably a very unhappy person, that’s who. This is an exciting adventure of self-discovery and building a meaningful life. Enjoy the ride!



Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !

My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?


Ask Glen!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Consume Fewer Calories?






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Q. Glen, If I consume fewer calories than my plan recommends, will I lose weight faster?



A. Strange as it sounds, going too low on calories can hurt your ability to lose weight. Here's why.


Your body is designed to protect itself from starvation during times of greatly-reduced food availability. So when you eat too little, your body thinks it's starving. To compensate, your metabolism will slow down considerably, making it very difficult (or impossible) for you to lose weight. In this state, your body will preferentially burn everything but your stored body fat.

Eating too little poses other problems as well, such as nutritional deficiencies. On top of that, if you later increase your calories after a long bout of eating too few, your body will be more likely to store these calories as fat, in preparation for another future "famine."

Your best bet is to aim for a slow weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week by combining a moderate calorie reduction with increased calorie expenditure through exercise. If all the info you entered during your program set-up is accurate, the recommended calorie range you received should be what you need to accomplish this healthy rate of weight loss.

Some people have problems eating enough calories when they try to avoid dietary fat—especially by always choosing low-fat or non-fat versions of common foods. So try to find some good sources of "healthy fats" (the monounsaturated fat in nuts, olive and canola oils, avocados, etc.), and foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids, like flaxseed, salmon, or tuna. The following articles will help you boost your overall calorie intake and choose healthy fats to add to your meals and snacks:


Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?


Ask Glen!








Friday, October 9, 2009

Growth hormone doesn't help athletes






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Q. Glen, Does Growth Hormones ( HGH ) Enhance Athletics Performance?


A. STANFORD, Calif. (UPI) -- A U.S. review of randomized-controlled trials that compared growth hormone to no-growth-hormone treatment in healthy people found no athletic benefit.

Study leader Dr. Hau Liu of Stanford University said the review of people ages 13 to 45 found lean body mass increased in people who took growth hormone, but strength and exercise capacity did not.

However, those who took growth hormone experienced soft tissue swelling and fatigue more frequently than those who did not take growth hormone.

The review, published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine, concluded claims growth hormone enhances physical performance are not supported by the scientific literature. Growth hormone may increase lean body mass but may not improve strength and may worsen exercise capacity and increase adverse events, the review said.

Reference: Stanford University



Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health



Any questions?


Ask Glen!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Lack of Sleep Linked to Weight Gain






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Q. Glen, Is Lack of Sleeping related to Weight Gain


A. Yes the key to weight loss for some people could be as simple as getting some extra shuteye.

New research suggests that people who don't get enough sleep tend to weigh more -- and that sleep can affect levels of the appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin.

"There is a dynamic balance between proper sleep and proper health. Sleep deprivation affects weight and a lot of other things. If you cheat sleep, there are a number of consequences, including affecting your hormones, appetite and mood," said Dr. Patrick Strollo, medical director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Sleep Medicine Center.

Two out of three Americans are overweight, and almost one in five are obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And, while most people are aware of the relationship of diet and exercise to excess weight, few realize that the amount of sleep they get each night can also affect their weight.

Researchers at the Sleep Disorders Center at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia conducted two studies, each included 1,000 men and women, and they found that those who reported sleeping less tended to weigh more.

Of course, it could be that being overweight might make it harder to get a restful night sleep.

"People who are overweight may have less restful sleep due to heartburn, snoring or more serious sleep disorders like sleep apnea or night eating syndrome," said Dr. Michelle May, author of "Am I Hungry? What To Do When Diets Don't Work."

But, she said, "It works both ways," and that a lack of sleep can affect your weight. Sleep deprivation affects your body chemistry, appetite and the choices that you make throughout the day, May said.

Another recent study included 12 healthy men in their 20s. Each of the men slept only four hours for two nights. The study found that levels of leptin, a hormone that tells the brain it's time to stop eating because the stomach is full, decreased by 18 percent during the two-day study period. Levels of another hormone, ghrelin, which turns the hunger mechanism on, increased by 28 percent.

On average, the men reported that their hunger pangs increased by 24 percent.

"Hormones change with sleep loss and deprivation," said Strollo. "Sleep deprivation can affect appetite and also the type of food that one desires. When you're sleep-deprived, you generally don't crave carrot sticks."

May agreed, adding, "When you're tired, you're less resilient to stress and other common emotional triggers for eating. When you eat to help you cope with emotions, you're more likely to choose comfort foods like chocolate, ice cream or chips. And, since eating only helps temporarily, you may find yourself reaching for food again and again to try to make yourself feel better.

"Getting enough sleep is the best way to prevent sleep deprivation from contributing to weight gain," May advised. "When you aren't able to get your Zzzs, pay more attention to how much you eat and how you handle fatigue and stress. A short walk will be a better energy boost than a trip to the candy machine."

Strollo said that while most people need between seven and eight hours of sleep a night, there are some people who need as many as 10 and others who may do well on just five hours.

The best way to figure out how much sleep you need, he said, is to take a long vacation and after a couple of days of catching up on your sleep debt, see how many hours of sleep you need to wake without an alarm clock. Since many Americans don't take long vacations, if you feel that you're not fully functional all day, or that you're doing things to stay awake, like a double-espresso shot, you're probably not getting enough sleep, he said.

May added that it's important to remember that "healthy eating, physical activity and sleep are not luxuries, they are necessities."

Reference: The Sleep Center


Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health


Any questions?


Ask Glen!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Ultimate Butt Workout







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Q. Glen, How do I get a Better Butt?


A.You want a great looking tight butt, don't you? And, you want a workout that can help take you there. You've come to the right place because I have a workout that's proven to produce results.

To get a bodacious booty, you need to follow the rules of a calorie-reduced diet to lose body fat, cardiovascular exercise to burn calories and strength training for the entire body to stimulate the metabolism and tighten your muscles.

Your glutes won't get tight and small unless your overall body fat is reduced. Let's be honest here -- you can do all the butt movements on the planet for hours a day, but it won't make one bit of difference unless you lose body fat; that fact is non-negotiable.

There are only three exercises involved in my program -- the squat, walking lunges and leg presses.

Let's get to it.

You will be performing three super sets -- all three exercises in a row without rest. After a 90-second rest, repeat two additional times (with the same 90-second rest between sets).

Squats: The barbell squat is one of the best lower body exercises on earth. It works just about the entire lower body. However, leg positioning can assist in better isolating the glutes. If you position your feet about one to two inches past shoulder width and squat to a parallel position, you'll really feel those glutes being worked.

However, you have to go to the parallel position for maximum effectiveness. Don't let ego guide you on this exercise. Reduce the weight poundage if necessary and focus on perfect form. Perform a set of 15 repetitions to momentary muscular failure. After the set is completed, immediately go to the next exercise without a break.

Walking Lunges: Stand with your feet hip width apart, grasp a pair of dumbbells with your arms straight at your sides, palms in. Take a large step forward, and lower your body so that your front knee lines up with your ankle. The back knee is almost touching the floor. Push off with your back foot and take a large step forward with your other foot.

Walk lunge 15-20 steps, and then turn around and return to the start using the same form. You should contract your glutes on the lowering of each movement. After the set is completed, immediately go to the next exercise without a break.

Angled Leg Press (also called inverted leg press): Place your feet two inches higher than you normally do on the leg press machine in order to place more overload on the gluteus and hamstrings. Your feet can be positioned at shoulder width or just little wider. Make sure you lower the weight just a tad below 90 degrees, but no more. We can't forget that we need to protect those knees.

Perform a set of 15 repetitions. Make sure your legs are high enough on the platform so you can really feel your glutes on the lowering part of the movement. By the end you'll have performed nine total sets in minimal time and your glutes and legs will be burning -- but you'll love it.

Please note: This routine isn't for everyone because it's advanced. If you're not an advanced exerciser, follow these guidelines: Perform one set of each exercise on alternate days of the week for two weeks. In week three, add a set. Add a third set in week six, but do not attempt the super set. You'll need three to six months of experience before you can begin the super set routine. However, it is something to strive for.




Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Speed Up Your Fat Loss!







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Q. Glen. How can I speed up My Metabolism?


A. Have you been trying to lose body fat, but find it comes off at a snail's pace? Tired of losing a pound a month as you exercise and diet your brains out? If you're working out with efficiency and maintaining a slight caloric deficit, you can actually lose up to 1.5 pounds per week. That's a lot of fat loss in the course of one year.

However, even if you haven't been consistent, I have some metabolism-boosting tips that should help ignite some good, steady fat loss.

1. Increase your meal frequency: That's right, I want you to eat more often, but don't increase your total calories. For example, if you eat three times per day, break those three meals into five to six smaller meals and eat every three hours. Food can actually help burn body fat when it's used strategically. When you eat a large meal such as a big bowl of pasta, you raise your blood-sugar levels and the body increases its level of insulin. This only serves to make you fat! If you break your meals into smaller feedings it helps to control blood sugar -- this puts you in a better position to lose fat. If you're an eDiets member, you're already experiencing this great method through one of our many meal plans.

2. Break up your workout: Many people are pressed for time and the thought of exercise becomes another stress in their lives. With family responsibilities, work, financial pressures, etc., the thought of exercise is like a weight on their shoulders. However, research has proven that two short bouts of exercise per day will actually stimulate the metabolism more than one longer bout. Go for a brisk 15-minute walk first thing in the morning before work and then another one at lunch time. Do this five days per week and I know you'll see progress at the end of 30 days.

3. Eat breakfast: Although this is an obvious one to me, I'm always amazed at the amount of people who think they're doing the right thing by skipping breakfast. I always stress to my clients to think of the body from the inside-out. The human body's main goal is survival. If it senses any type of emergency, it will do everything in its power to keep you alive. If you sleep through the night and then deprive the body of food in the morning, what do you think the body is sensing at this point? That's right, it senses a potential famine and then holds onto stored body fat to keep you alive. I'm not exaggerating this point -- this is exactly what happens. Remember, calories from food represent heat. Use the heat to rev your metabolism.

4. Cycle calories: This is a technique I've used on several clients with amazing success. For three days, consume your minimum calorie requirement based on your height, weight and goals. Then, on day number four, increase your calories by an additional 400 (nutritious foods only). For example, if you're losing fat by consuming 1,200 calories per day, simply raise your calories to 1,600 on day number four. This technique can actually get the metabolism racing and stimulate additional fat loss. Just remember that the additional calories come from good sources of protein, carbohydrates and fats -- not pizza.

5. Drinks lots of water: Remember what I said about thinking of the body from the inside-out? Muscles and other tissues are made up of approximately 80-percent water. If you limit your water intake, the body will retain water and make you feel like the "queen or king of bloat." We all know how absolutely awful it feels to be bloated. It doesn't take much for this to happen -- the body only needs to be dehydrated by approximately 2 percent for this to take place. Drink .55 multiplied by your body weight in ounces of water per day. Staying hydrated will release some excess water trapped in the body and most likely reduce your weight by a few pounds.

6. Exercise in the morning: If you can fit it into your schedule, exercise in the morning. People who exercise consistently in the morning find that exercise at this time regulates their appetite all day long. They don't get as hungry and they start the day with a boost to the metabolism.

7. Perform cardio interval training: Cardio interval training is simply short bursts of high-intensity exercise combined with more moderate intensity within the same workout. Studies have shown that people who perform interval training twice a week (in addition to two other days of lower intensity cardio) lose twice as much weight as those who do just a moderate cardio workout. You can easily incorporate interval training into your workout by inserting a 45-second burst into your stationary bike workout every four to five minutes. You can also add a 45-second super brisk walk to your treadmill workout in the same timeframe. Your body will be working harder and will be forced to burn more calories. In addition, you won't need more than 25 total minutes for your workout. Try to get two additional days during the week of lower intensity cardio as well.

8. Boost your metabolism by reading instead of watching TV: Researchers at Memphis State University monitored 32 girls as they watched a half-hour television program. They found the metabolic rates dropped as much as 16-percent below resting metabolic rate. In other words, they burned fewer calories watching TV than they did just by reading!

9. Drink green tea: Green tea is a popular tea from Japan that has numerous health benefits, including weight loss. It's not 100 percent certain how green tea helps one to lose fat, but it appears to increase the amount of calories the body burns -- not necessarily because of the small amounts of caffeine it contains, but due to a compound abbreviated as EGCG. When purchasing green tea make sure the label states that the green tea used is standardized for caffeine and EGCG.

10. Practice hydrotherapy: This could have been placed in the "drink lots of water" section but deserves its own section due to its efficiency. First thing in the morning, drink 32 ounces of very cold water on an empty stomach. Don't eat breakfast for at least 30 minutes. The cold water will force your body to raise its core temperature, thereby stimulating your metabolism and excreting any excess water. You may find that you lose two pounds the first month you try this. If you want to take it a step further, do the same thing at lunch. Just make sure to wait the 30 minutes prior to eating. Remember though, if you're consuming excess calories each day, this tip won't work.

Try several of these easy-to-use tips and start getting your fat burning metabolism revved.

If you're looking for the ultimate solution, you can find it at The WorkOut GEM Clean, Lean & Mean Eat 4 Life Plans with our results-oriented nutrition and workout programs, as well as through our ongoing commitment to member support.




Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!





Monday, October 5, 2009

Simple strength training tips







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Q. Glen, I never Lifted any weights in my Life and I am getting older ! Should I start now?


A. Yes, If you’ve never lifted weights in your life — and many people haven’t — why should you start now? The answer is simple: Muscle tissue, bone density, and strength all dwindle over the years. So, too, does muscle power. These changes open the door to accidents and injuries that can compromise your ability to lead an independent, active life. Strength training is the most effective way to slow and possibly reverse much of this decline.

Having smaller, weaker muscles doesn’t just change the way people look or move. Muscle loss affects the body in many ways. Strong muscles pluck oxygen and nutrients from the blood much more efficiently than weak ones. That means any activity requires less cardiac work and puts less strain on your heart. Strong muscles are better at sopping up sugar in the blood and helping the body stay sensitive to insulin (which helps cells remove sugar from the blood). In these ways, strong muscles can help keep blood sugar levels in check, which in turn helps prevent or control type 2 diabetes and is good for the heart. Strong muscles also enhance weight control.

On the other hand, weak muscles hasten the loss of independence as everyday activities — such as walking, cleaning, shopping, and even dressing — become more difficult. They also make it harder to balance your body properly when moving or even standing still, or to catch yourself if you trip. The loss of power compounds this. Perhaps it’s not so surprising that, by age 65, one in three people reports falls. Because bones also weaken over time, one out of every 20 of these falls ends in fracture, usually of the hip, wrist, or leg. The good news is that the risk of these problems can be reduced by an exercise and fitness routine that includes strength training.

Beginner’s simple strength boosting exercises

A sturdy chair with armrests and athletic shoes with non-skid soles are all you need for these simple strength building exercises.

Seated bridge

Sit slightly forward in a chair with your hands on the armrests. Your feet should be flat on the floor and slightly apart, and your upper body should be upright (don’t lean forward). Using your arms for balance only, slowly raise your buttocks off the chair until nearly standing with your knees bent. Pause. Slowly sit back down. Aim for 8–12 repetitions. Rest and repeat the set.

Triceps dip

Put a chair with armrests up against a wall. Sit in the chair and put your feet together flat on the floor. Lean forward a bit while keeping your shoulders and back straight. Bend your elbows and place your hands on the armrests of the chair, so they are in line with your torso. Pressing downward on your hands, try to lift yourself up a few inches by straightening out your arms. Raise your upper body and thighs, but keep your feet in contact with the floor. Pause. Slowly release until you’re sitting back down again. Aim for 8–12 repetitions. Rest and repeat the set.

Standing calf raise

Stand with your feet flat on the floor. Hold onto the back of your chair for balance. Raise yourself up on tiptoe, as high as possible. Hold briefly, then lower yourself. Aim for 8–12 repetitions. Rest and repeat the set.






Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?


Ask Glen!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Calorie counting made easy







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Q. Glen, I want to lose weight, How do I monitor my daily caloric intake?


A. Eat less, exercise more. If only it were that simple! As most dieters know, losing weight can be very challenging. A range of influences can affect how people gain and lose weight. But a basic understanding of how to tip your energy balance in favor of weight loss is a good place to start.

Start by determining how many calories you should consume each day. To do so, you need to know how many calories you need to maintain your current weight. Doing this requires a few simple calculations.

First, multiply your current weight by 15 — that’s roughly the number of calories per pound of body weight needed to maintain your current weight if you are moderately active. Moderately active means getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day in the form of exercise (walking at a brisk pace, climbing stairs, or active gardening). Let’s say you’re a woman who is 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds, and you need to lose about 12 pounds to put you in a healthy weight range. If you multiply 150 by 15, you will get 2,250, which is the number of calories per day that you need in order to maintain your current weight (weight-maintenance calories). To lose weight, you will need to get below that total.

For example, to lose one to two pounds a week — a rate that experts consider safe — your food consumption should provide 500–1,000 calories less than your total weight-maintenance calories. If you need 2,250 calories a day to maintain your current weight, reduce your daily calories to 1,250–1,750. If you are sedentary, you will also need to build more activity into your day. In order to lose at least a pound a week, try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days, and reduce your daily calorie intake by at least 500 calories. However, calorie intake should not fall below 1,200 a day in women or 1,500 a day in men, except under the supervision of a health professional. Eating too few calories can endanger your health by depriving you of needed nutrients.

Meeting your calorie target

How can you meet your daily calorie target? One approach — probably the most accurate — is to add up the number of calories per serving of all the foods that you eat, and then plan your menus accordingly. You can buy books that list calories per serving for many foods. In addition, the nutrition labels on all packaged foods and beverages provide calories per serving information. Make a point of reading the labels of the foods and drinks you use, noting the number of calories and the serving sizes. Many recipes published in cookbooks, newspapers, and magazines provide similar information.

If you hate counting calories, a different approach is to restrict how much and how often you eat, and to eat meals that are low in calories. Indeed, dietary guidelines issued by the American Heart Association stress common sense in choosing your foods rather than focusing strictly on numbers, such as total calories or calories from fat. Whichever method you choose, research shows that a regular eating schedule — with meals and snacks planned for certain times each day — makes for the most successful approach. The same applies after you have lost weight and want to keep it off. Sticking with an eating schedule increases your chance of maintaining your new weight.

Some people focus on reducing the fat in their eating plan because, at nine calories per gram, fat by weight contains more than twice as many calories as carbohydrates or proteins (four calories per gram). By substituting lean cuts of meat for fatty ones, avoiding high-fat packaged foods and snacks, and refraining from fat-rich products such as butter, mayonnaise, and salad dressings, you can cut out dozens or even hundreds of calories per day. On the other hand, many people mistakenly think that cutting fat always means cutting calories. Some fat-free foods actually contain more calories than the regular versions because manufacturers use extra sugar to make up for the flavor lost in removing the fat. Moreover, low-fat or nonfat foods are not low-calorie if you consume them in large quantities.

When you can’t count calories

Guidelines to follow when straight calorie counting is impractical.

1. Eat foods that are filling and low in calories. That means meals and snacks made with whole grains, such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and oatmeal, as well as legumes, such as lentils and other beans.

2. When you eat meat, choose lean cuts of meat and modest amounts — about 3½ or 4 ounces per serving.

3. Avoid fried foods. For stovetop cooking, it’s better either to stir-fry foods in nonstick pans lightly coated with a cooking-oil spray or to braise them in broth or wine. Baking, broiling, and roasting add no extra fat to your meals.

4. Use low-fat or nonfat dairy foods. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are good sources of protein and calcium, but the whole-milk versions of these dairy products are very high in fat.

5. Avoid fast foods. Hamburgers, chicken nuggets, French fries, and other fast-food meals and snacks tend to promote weight gain for two reasons. First, they are high in fat, calories, or both. Second, the “value meals” are often excessively large and tempt you to overeat.

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!

How Long Should You Hold a Stretch?







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Q. Glen, How many seconds do I have to hold a stretch?


A.basic static stretch – holding the pose for an extended period – should last about 30 seconds. Anything less than 20 seconds won’t make a significant difference in lengthening muscle fibers and tissue; hold too long and you risk injury. While some recent studies suggest stretching doesn’t necessarily improve performance or decrease one’s risk of injury, the American College of Sports Medicine still advises stretching your major muscle groups two or three days a week.

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health


Any questions?

Ask Glen!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

7 Most Effective Exercises





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Q. Glen, What are the most Effective Exercises?


A.Experts say there is no magic to exercise: You get out of it what you put in. That doesn't mean you have to work out for hours each day. It just means you need to work smart.

That said, experts agree that not all exercises are created equal. Some are simply more efficient than others, whether they target multiple muscle groups, are suitable for a wide variety of fitness levels, or help you burn calories more effectively.
So what are the best exercises? We posed this question to four fitness experts and compiled a list of their favorites.

1. Walking.

Any exercise program should include cardiovascular exercise, which strengthens the heart and burns calories. And walking is something you can do anywhere, anytime, with no equipment other than a good pair of shoes.

It's not just for beginners, either: Even the very fit can get a good workout from walking.

"Doing a brisk walk can burn up to 500 calories per hour," says Robert Gotlin, DO, director of orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Since it takes 3,500 calories to lose a pound, you could expect to lose a pound for every seven hours you walk, if you did nothing else.

Don't go from the sofa to walking an hour day, though. Richard Cotton, a spokesman for the American Council on Exercise, says beginners should start by walking five to -10 minutes at a time, gradually moving up to at least 30 minutes per session.
"Don't add more than five minutes at a time," he says. Another tip: It's better to lengthen your walks before boosting your speed or incline.

2. Interval training.

Whether you're a beginner or an exercise veteran, a walker or an aerobic dancer, adding interval training to your cardiovascular workout will boost your fitness level and help you lose weight.

"Varying your pace throughout the exercise session stimulates the aerobic system to adapt," says Cotton. "The more power the aerobic system has, the more capacity you have to burn calories."

The way to do it is to push the intensity or pace for a minute or two, then back off for anywhere from two to -10 minutes (depending on how long your total workout will be, and how much time you need to recover). Continue doing this throughout the workout.

3. Squats.

Strength training is essential, the experts say. "The more muscular fitness you have," says Cotton, "the greater the capacity you have to burn calories."
And our experts tended to favor strength-training exercises that target multiple muscle groups. Squats, which work the quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteals, are an excellent example.
"They give you the best bang for the buck because they use the most muscle groups at once," says Oldsmar, Fla., trainer David Petersen.
Form is key, though, warns Petersen.
"What makes an exercise functional is how you perform the exercise," he says. "If you have bad technique, it's no longer functional."
For perfect form, keep feet shoulder-width apart and back straight. Bend knees and lower your rear, says Cotton: "The knee should remain over the ankle as much as possible."
"Think of how you sit down in a chair, only the chair's not there," suggests Gotlin.
Physical therapist Adam Rufa, of Cicero, N.Y., says practicing with a real chair can help.
"Start by working on getting in and out of a real chair properly," he says. Once you've mastered that, try just tapping the chair with your bottom, then coming back up. Then do the same motion without the chair.
Gotlin sees lots of patients with knee pain, and says quadriceps weakness is the cause much of the time. If you feel pain going down stairs, he says, strengthening your quads with squats may very well help.

4. Lunges.

Like squats, lunges work all the major muscles of the lower body: gluteals, quadriceps, and hamstrings.


"A lunge is a great exercise because it mimics life, it mimics walking," only exaggerated, says Petersen.


Lunges are a bit more advanced than squats, says Cotton, helping to improve your balance as well.


Here's how to do them right: Take a big step forward, keeping your spine in a neutral position. Bend your front knee to approximately 90 degrees, focusing on keeping weight on the back toes and dropping the knee of your back leg toward the floor.
Petersen suggests that you imagine sitting on your back foot. "The trailing leg is the one you need to sit down on," he says.
To make a lunge even more functional, says Rufa, try stepping not just forward, but back and out to each side.


"Life is not linear, it's multiplanar," says Rufa. And the better they prepare you for the various positions you'll move in during the course of a day, the more useful exercises are.

5. Push-ups.

If done correctly, the push-up can strengthen the chest, shoulders, triceps, and even the core trunk muscles, all at one time.
"I'm very much into planking exercises, almost yoga-type moves," says Petersen. "Anytime you have the pelvis and the core [abdominals and back] in a suspended position, you have to rely on your own adherent strength to stabilize you.

Push-ups can be done at any level of fitness, says Cotton: "For someone who is at a more beginning level, start by pushing from the kitchen-counter height. Then work your way to a desk, a chair, the floor with bent knees, and, finally, the floor on your toes."


Here's how to do a perfect push-up: From a face-down position, place your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Place your toes or knees on the floor, and try to create a perfect diagonal with your body, from the shoulders to the knees or feet. Keep the glutes [rear-end muscles] and abdominals engaged. Then lower and lift your body by bending and straightening your elbows, keeping your torso stable throughout.


There are always ways to make it harder, says Rufa. Once your form is perfect, try what he calls the "T-stabilization" push-up: Get into push-up position, then do your push-ups with one arm raised out to the side, balancing on the remaining three limbs without rotating your hips.

6. Abdominal Crunches.

Who doesn't want firm, flat abs? Experts say that when done correctly, the familiar crunch (along with its variations) is a good choice to target them.


For a standard crunch, says Cotton, begin lying on your back with feet flat on the floor and fingertips supporting your head. Press your low back down and begin the exercise by contracting abdominals and peeling first your head (tucking your chin slightly), then your neck, shoulders, and upper back off the floor.


Be careful not to pull your neck forward of the rest of your spine by sticking the chin out; don't hold your breath, and keep elbows out of your line of vision to keep chest and shoulders open.


For his part, Petersen teaches his clients to do crunches with their feet off the floor and knees bent. He says that with feet kept on the floor, many people tend to arch the back and engage the hip flexors.


"Crunches can be excellent, but if they're not done correctly, with the back arching, they can actually weaken the abdominals," Petersen says.


To work the obliques (the muscles on the sides of your waist), says Cotton, take the standard crunch and rotate the spine toward one side as you curl off the floor.


"Twist before you come up," he says. "It's really important that the twist comes first because then it's the obliques that are actually getting you up."


But keep in mind that you won't get a flat stomach with crunches alone, says Cotton. Burning belly fat requires the well-known formula: using up more calories than you take in.

"Crunches work the ab muscles; [they're] not to be mistaken as exercise that burns the fat over the abdominals," he says. "That's the biggest myth in exercise going."

7. Bent-over Row.

Talk about bang for the buck: This exercise works all the major muscles of the upper back, as well as the biceps.
Here's how to do it with good form. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, then bend knees and flex forward at the hips. (If you have trouble doing this exercise standing up, support your weight by sitting on an incline bench, facing backward.) Tilt your pelvis slightly forward, engage the abdominals, and extend your upper spine to add support. Hold dumbbells or barbell beneath the shoulders with hands about shoulder-width apart. Flex your elbows, and lift both hands toward the sides of your body. Pause, then slowly lower hands to the starting position. (Beginners should perform the move without weights.)

Technique

These seven exercises are excellent, efficient choices, the experts say. But with just about any strength or resistance exercise, says Petersen, the question is not so much whether the exercise works as how well you execute.

"Done with good technique, all exercises do what they're supposed to do," says Petersen.

The trouble is that poor form can change the whole exercise, putting emphasis or even strain on different areas than intended. This can hurt, rather than help you.

So especially if you're a beginner, it's a good idea to seek the advice of a fitness trainer - whether it's a personal trainer or a trainer at your gym -- to be sure your form is safe and correct.


Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Common Fitness Blunders





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Q. Glen, What are the common mistakes one make in trying to get fit?


A. There are numerous fitness blunders that everyone—beginners and experienced exercisers— fall into occasionally. Some may even become a regular part of your fitness routine. But, to get the best results from all your hard work, it’s important that you don’t find yourself creating a fitness routine filled with mistakes. This can set you up for injury, lack of results, boredom, plateaus, and just an overall lack of success. Analyze your fitness routine on a regular basis and ask yourself if you fall into any of these common blunders.

Blunder #1: Skipping the Warm Up, Cool Down, and Stretches

This may be one of the most common habits of exercisers! You finally committed yourself to a fitness routine, and you don’t want to waste any time. Often individuals jump right into exercise full bore. After all, warming up and stretching seems meaningless and a waste of time.

NOT TRUE! Warming up and stretching should be the foundation of your exercise. They should be viewed as a transition into exercise, allowing your body and mind to prepare for running, jumping, endurance, etc. Here is what you gain from a proper warm-up/stretch and cool-down/stretch:
  • Your muscles and connective tissue loosen to prepare for the stress of exercise
  • Oxygen and blood flow to your muscles and connective tissue increases, providing fuel for better muscular performance
  • Tension in your body decreases
  • Breathing patterns establish, helping relax the body during exercise
  • Joints are lubricated to allow for better performance
  • Muscle soreness is prevented and/or reduced during and after your workout
  • Better body awareness
  • Quicker reaction time
  • Improved posture
  • Improved coordination
You’ve probably exercised without warming up and stretching properly, and maybe nothing horrible happened. It may seem unnecessary, but consistently skipping it will limit your gains and put you at risk for injury. You could even be injured without even knowing it since you may not feel any pain right away.

Fix it Tip: Try to warm-up with a low impact exercise for 5-10 minutes. A light sweat is a good indicator of your body temperature rising. Follow your warm-up with 5-10 minutes of stretching, head to toe. A cool down and stretch is just as important, following the same guidelines. Most of your flexibility benefits will come from your post-exercise stretch because your muscles are so warm.

Blunder #2: Looking For Instant Gratification

We are a culture of instant gratification seekers! Expecting fast results from a new diet and fitness plan is very common. Unfortunately it is one of the worst mindsets a beginner can create. You know about all the great benefits of exercise, like increased energy, weight loss, and better health. You exercise for a week straight, wake up the following Monday completely wiped out, a couple pounds heavier (because the exercise made you so hungry), and you have a cold. What gives?

Exercise definitely provides many great benefits, but the results are often seen weeks or even months after you begin. When you are consistent:
  • Your metabolism speeds up to allow for weight loss
  • Your body will adjust to the stress of exercise and you’ll feel more rejuvenated
  • Your immune system improves to help prevent sickness
  • Your strength and endurance improves, making exercise (and daily tasks) easier
  • Your mood and energy levels stabilize throughout the day
  • You sleep better at night
  • You look and feel better!
Fix it Tips: Don’t throw up your hands if you don’t see what you are looking for. Analyze what you are doing and try to make adjustments. It’s worth it.
  • Try to focus on other improvement besides weight loss- how you feel, how much you’ve learned, how you have more energy, etc.
  • Keep in mind that progress may be slow in the beginning. It probably took you many years to gain the weight you are trying to lose. You can’t expect to take it off in a fraction of the time. Plus, slow and steady weight loss (about 1-2 pounds per week) is healthier- AND you’re more likely to keep it off when it happens at this rate.
  • Get support and encouragement from a buddy, your friends and family, or on the message boards. Sometimes a kind word is all you need to stop you from giving up.
More Fitness Blunders to Follow.....

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

7 Best Ab-Flattening Foods




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Q. Glen, I doing 1000 crunches! Nothing is happening . Am I eating right?



A. If you’ve been doing crunches for months and still aren’t seeing results, the problem might not be your exercise plan. According to experts, there are certain foods that can make bellies appear bloated and flabby. Fortunately, there are also several superfoods that can give virtually any stomach a leaner, more toned look. To get started, try these seven belly-flattening treats.

1. Healthy fats. Certain types of fat, such as omega-6s and trans fats (most often found in baked goods and corn oils), can declare war on your waistline. But monounsaturated fats (found in olive oil, fish, and flaxseed), can have ab-flattening effects. According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, a diet rich in monounsaturated fats helps people lose small amounts of body fat without reducing their caloric intake.

2. Oranges. Instead of drinking a glass of orange juice with your breakfast in the morning, try eating a whole orange instead. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whole fruit makes people feel fuller than juice does. In addition, a medium orange contains much more fiber than its liquid equivalent, and in several studies, fiber has been shown to reduce belly fat.

3. Popcorn.
Whether they’re labeled light, fat-free, or regular, most popcorn varieties are healthful. But for flatter abs, it’s especially important that your popcorn isn’t loaded up with extra butter and salt, either of which could lead to weight gain and bloating. For best results, opt for whole-grain brands with no trans fats.

4. Turkey.
A lean cut of turkey offers the protein your body craves without the additional calories that come with many processed foods. Just be sure to order low-sodium turkey from the deli counter, and avoid purchasing the packaged kind, which can be loaded with belly-bulging preservatives.

5. Celery With Peanut Butter.
This children’s favorite is often called “ants on a log” when raisins are added, but it can be a great snack for adults, too. Peanut butter in small quantities provides good sugars and quick proteins and can ease your food cravings. The celery is a primarily water-based vegetable, so you can eat as much as you want without feeling guilty.

6. Milk.
As it turns out, milk really does do a body good. In fact, studies have shown that drinking three glasses of low-fat or fat-free milk every day can help maintain a healthy weight. If you aren’t big on dairy products or don’t like the taste of plain milk, try mixing milk into a protein shake or sorbet, or look into soy options. Other dairy products may also help; remember to eat in moderation low-fat or skim versions of cheeses and yogurts.

7. Wine.
A growing body of research suggests that drinking a glass of wine with dinner may help you maintain a smaller waistline. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, one 4-ounce glass of red or white wine seems to be the optimal amount. However, moderation is key: Drinking any more alcohol than that could put you at risk for weight gain.

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !

My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."

Yours in good health


Any questions?

Ask Glen!

Monday, September 21, 2009

KEEP YOUR METABOLISM REVVED 24-7







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Q. Glen, How can I keep my metabolism going and stop my weight-loss plateau?


A.After a few weeks, any workout can feel old.

But the Fitness Builders, Clean, Lean & Mean workouts are designed to eliminate boredom and keep the pounds melting off. Each week you add more reps or another set, which means new muscle growth and more calorie burn.

Here are two ways to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau:

1. Keep things varied with intervals. They burn belly fat more effectively than standard cardio Interval training"will skyrocket your post-workout metabolism, allowing you to burn almost twice as many calories as you would with traditional cardio workouts,

Your easiest move: Get on a stationary bike, go as hard as you can for 20 seconds, rest for 20, and go again. Do that eight times. You'll be drained—but finished in just minutes.

2. Learn to increase resistance properly. Focus on reps before weight. If a set calls for eight reps, any weight where you can do six to 10 reps is the right amount. If you can do more, increase the weight; if you can't do six, drop back.

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Use Aerobic Exercise as a Building Block







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Q. Glen, Do I have to stay on a Treadmill to get good Cardio?


A.There is More to Cardio than Just Running

If the exercise world was to pick a mascot, what do you think it would be? A jump rope? A punching bag? A man with a giant baseball as a head? If I had to guess, it would be a treadmill. This machine is one of many ways to get moving and running, which is vital to anyone who is exercising. This is because it’s aerobic exercise, a cornerstone to being physically fit.

Aerobic exercise uses large muscle groups rhythmically and continuously and elevates the heart rate and breathing for a sustained period. Say what? In other words, you are exercising at a faster but stable rate, as the heart and lungs try to keep up with your demand for blood and oxygen so you can continue exercising.

The beautiful thing about aerobic exercise is you can do it everyday without even knowing it! When you walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, when you ride bikes with your family, and when you run with your dog--it’s all aerobic exercise.

The benefit list for aerobic exercise includes decreasing cholestrol levels and blood pressure, improving muscular endurance, reducing body fat, and it makes your heart, lungs and bones stronger. You will breathe easier and your heart will be much healthier.

Eventually, you will want to build up your cardio level so you can also partake in anaerobic exercise, which is exercise at a more difficult pace. This is when you are going all-out, like the 100-meter dash. Consider anaerobic the icing on the cake to good, cardio exercise. It’s important to gradually work anaerobic exercise into your workout, starting with very low intensity, especially if you’re not used to it. Doing 20 wind sprints or something similar right away can lead to injury or worse.

Here are some examples of both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Feel free to try some or all of them out when you are ready:
  • Running
  • Riding a bike
  • Elliptical machine
  • Rollerblading
  • Swimming
  • Skiing, especially cross-country
  • Canoeing
  • Spinning
  • Even walking!
    Anaerobic
  • Weight lifting
  • Sprinting – on your feet or a bike
  • Jump rope
  • Sports like tennis, basketball, football
Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

7 Ways to Stay Motivated For Your Workouts





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Q. Glen, I want to Exercise more, Eat Healthier but I can not stay motivated! Do you have any tips?


A.You can have the best exercises and intentions, but it's all worthless without the motivation. Here's how to maximize yours -- and push yourself harder, farther, and faster

There will be days (every day?) when you don't feel like doing your workout.

Sometimes you don't want to get out of bed.

Sometimes you don't want to leave your office because you feel like there are too many deadlines (this is when you need a workout the most!).

Sometimes you don't want to end storytime with the kids only to head down to the basement gym.

It even happens to me.

But I knew how I'd feel like a million bucks after the workout. And in the end, I know I can't let myself become "soft" and start skipping workouts. I have to lead by example.

So if you are set on achieving a goal, then when it's workout time, come heck or high water you've got to bear down and do the job.

Here are 7 tips for you to get inspired to get through your workout.

1) Reward yourself. Finish your workout and treat yourself to a magazine, a TV show, some extra time with your family, some new songs for your IPOD, or even a little extra time for yourself.

2) Or set up a punishment for missing workouts. Skip the workout, put $20 into a jar to spend on home repairs. Make sure your spouse controls the jar.

3) Review your goals everyday and every night. Keeping your goals fresh in your mind will help you stay on track.

4) Realize that the hardest part of the workout is often getting your butt to the gym. Once you get 5 minutes into the workout, you will be over the hump. So tell yourself, "I'll just go in and do 1 set of the first 2 exercises, then I can go". Next thing you know, you'll have done the entire workout.

5) Visualize yourself doing a great workout and finishing strong. Get yourself mentally prepared and you will literally have better workouts each time.

6) Crank the tunes. Seriously, nothing motivates like music.

7) Get social support. If you have a workout partner, you'll feel like crap if you let them down.

Now get out there and kick the fat to the curb,

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !

My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Feeling Flexible: Work It Out





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Q. Glen, I workout a lot, but I am always stiff! Any sugesstions?


A. Along with muscle strength and endurance, flexibility is on the top of the list when evaluating your fitness level. Flexibility is a joint's ability to move through a full range of motion. Without flexibility, you'd be missing an important part of overall health. Stretching before and after every workout is the best way to increase flexibility. Along with improved performance, posture and lower risk of injury, flexibility also aids in balance and coordination.



Glen's Bottom Line: Start Flexing!!!


Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."

Yours in good health


Any questions?
Ask Glen!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Speed of Lite: Chew On This




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Q. Glen, I eat fast! Very fast , I eat so fast and so much by the time I have realize it I have eaten to much! any suggestions?


A. Savor every bite and eat slowly. Digestion takes time. You may keep on eating because you still feel hungry. By taking it slow and steady, the body has time to realize it's full. This usually takes about 20 minutes -- so pace yourself. Never eat while standing. Make the meal your main focus. Instead of eating at record-setting speed, take it slow. You'll be less likely to go back for seconds when you already feel full

Glen's Bottom Line:

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program.

Please consult your physician !

My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."

Yours in good health

Any Questions?
Ask Glen

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Dieting By The Book: What You Need





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Q.Glen, I get bored with my "diet" food ! Any suggestions?

A. Experiment in the kitchen. Variety is the spice life -- it's also a great strategy for sticking to your meal plan. Trying different recipes will keep your weight-loss efforts from getting boring. Stop by a used book store and pick up a couple of healthy cookbooks. Surf the web for meals that appeal to your tastes. Peruse magazines for new ideas. There's a wealth of resources out there loaded with healthy variations of traditional favorites or meals you've never even tried.

Glen's Bottom Line: Variety is the spice life! So get Spicy....

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program.

Please consult your physician !

My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."

Yours in good health

Any Questions?Ask Glen!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Do's and Don'ts of Good Goal Setting







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Q. Glen, How do I go about setting my Goal's for Health and Exercise?


A. Goal achievement, especially when it comes to health and fitness, can be a mystery. Most of us have no trouble with Step 1 (Setting the Goal). Setting a goal is the easy part, it's those other steps that can be a puzzle. But you CAN turn achieving your goals into a science with the right strategies. Here are a few of my favorites:

DO create a plan. DON’T wait for "someday" to roll around.
Setting the goal is just the first step. Know where you’re going, what resources you’ll need, who can help and – most importantly – what Plan B is when life throws a monkey wrench into Plan A.

DO start small. DON’T focus on too many things at once.
Try focusing on one goal at a time. Use a small goal that you know you can do each day for the next two weeks, like getting up without the snooze or drinking eight cups of water. Build that first habit to boost your confidence and pick up speed.

DO write it down. DON’T forget to give yourself a deadline.
Deadlines turn wishes into goals. The act of writing down your goal is powerful enough to keep you committed and focused. Better yet, find a visual that represents your goal or how your life will be different. Seeing it makes it seem more possible.

DO be specific. DON’T deal in absolutes.
Avoid the words ‘some’ and ‘more’, as in "I will get SOME exercise" or "I will eat MORE veggies." It leaves too much wiggle-out room. Deal in measurable things that you have control over. And never say ‘never’ or ‘always.’ All or nothing is a common attitude that leads people back to bad habits.

DO leave room for failure. DON’T expect perfection.
Persistence is key. Accept the fact that you might not make it on the first try. In a recent study, only 40% of people who successfully followed New Year's resolutions did it on the first try; 17% of resolution achievers took six or more tries before they got it right – but they did get it right.

DO track your progress. DON’T fool yourself into failure.
Memory can be pretty selective. It conveniently forgets that extra brownie while remembering activity that never happened. The only way to know for sure is to track goals regularly with a checklist or journal.

DO reward your success. DON’T beat yourself up over failure.
This is the step that trips up most people. Negative reinforcement is all around us, telling us every day what we’re doing wrong. This is not the approach to take to succeed with your goals. Why not focus on what you’re doing right instead? If you take a step back, learn from it and take two steps forward.

DO find a support system. DON’T try to do it alone.
A goal buddy can make all the difference this time. People that can help are all around you – on the SparkPeople support message boards, at work, even in your own family. Just add one person to your support group, and you double your motivation, double your energy, double your commitment – and double your FUN.

DO make a commitment. DON’T ever forget that you can do it.


Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?

Ask Glen!

Monday, September 7, 2009

How to end the fat loss confusion





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Q. Glen, How Do you Stop all this Fat loss Confusion?


A. People are confused more than ever about how to burn fat. They are confused about the best way to go about achieving the body they want. They are confused about what works and what doesn't, and the reasons why.

There are countless individuals slaving away in gyms and fitness centers around the country right now. They are working tirelessly, almost every day, on the treadmill, stair-climber, elliptical, etc. to burn those calories and fat. They also might be lifting weights several times a week for hours at a time to build some strength and muscle. They might even join a few aerobics or spinning classes too.

They are probably also trying one of the latest diet strategies that promises miracle fat burning and weight loss. They could also be spending a lot of money on the latest and greatest dietary supplements that could be that miracle pill that will aid in weight loss.

They are also carefully watching the scale as their main judge of fat loss progress. If it goes up a pound or two, they may behave rashly and maybe even change up their entire workout or diet program! And of course there are others are doing variations on that same theme.

After all, this is the kind of stuff that many of the popular fitness and diet gurus typically recommend to burn fat. But with so many different strategies and plans being pushed as the be all and end all, what happens is we tend to go overboard.

And when that happens, we lose sight of what really matters in achieving lifelong fat burning, fitness and health…the principles than many people don't know about, most people have forgotten, and only a select few put to use to achieve lifelong health and fitness. These are the same principles I used to drop over 40 pounds of unwanted body fat, keep it off, and revitalize my life!

With any exercise or nutrition program, you'll probably lose some fat initially, but far too often the progress doesn't continue or doesn't come as fast as the person would like because they're using a temporary mindset. They're only focused on the short term and one specific goal. So they end up switching to something else, and the cycle continues until they've become consumed by this cycle of confusion.

I believe that this is one of the biggest, if not the #1 reason for the lack of fat loss and fitness progress that is being experienced by the masses of exercisers and dieters in the world. They are jumping from one fad diet or exercise routine to another, while losing sight of what's really important, and what really works. Simply put, they are exercising far too much, not nearly intensely enough, and trying to adhere to unrealistic diet recommendations.

If instead they focused on a long term plan, a lifestyle as it's often called, and didn't worry about "losing 10 pounds by summer", they would find it far easier to do the right things most of the time. And those right things include brief, progressive, and intense resistance training, eating a diet full of nutrient rich foods, drinking tons of water, and getting plenty of quality sleep and rest.

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !

My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."


Yours in good health

Any questions?


Ask Glen!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Tight Abs in a Hurry







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Q. Glen, I hate my stomach ! What can I do about it?



A. I know how it is. Every day you get out of the shower, glance in the mirror and then quickly turn away. Ugh.

Gotta do something about that poochie gut. And then you get dressed and go to work, and immediately, other than having to feed it, your stomach is the last thing on your mind.

Who has time to do all those abdominal exercises anyway, right? Well, YOU do, for one! Even just 5 or 10 minutes a day devoted to toning your tummy is much better than ignoring it. So here are some suggestions for a variety of ab exercises, all of which can be done quickly and easily at some point during the day.

(One quick note. You can do sit-ups all day if you want, but your tight, rock-hard abs won't be visible if they're concealed under a thick layer of fat. So if you aren't already lean, you'll need to diet in addition to exercising in order to see the results.) Try to do three of the following exercises at least three days a week. Shoot for five or six days if you possibly can.

Each exercise targets a specific abdominal area -- upper abs, lower abs and obliques (the sides). If you have time to do more than one of these exercises, choose ones that target different areas. Remember to always exhale with the exertion and inhale as you relax.

Sit-ups -- The classic sit-up goes in and out of style as an effective abdominal exercise, but many professional trainers swear by it. It can be tough on your back, though, so it may not be for you if you have back problems. This exercise mainly works the upper abs. Lie on your back on a hard surface. With your feet flat on the floor, bend your knees at an angle a little tighter than 90 degrees. Put your hands behind your head. In a smooth, controlled manner, raise your upper body to a fully upright position.

You may need to have someone hold your feet, or place your feet under a heavy piece of furniture. Lower yourself to the floor, and, without resting, repeat the motion. Concentrate on using your stomach muscles to pull yourself up. Be careful to keep your head and neck relaxed. Shoot for three sets of ten repetitions.

If you're a rank beginner, and depending on your age, you may not be able to do more than one or two reps. That's alright. If you work out consistently, you'll gradually be able to increase your reps.

Crunches -- If back problems prohibit you from doing sit-ups, do these instead. Assume the same position as described above, but just pull you shoulders and upper body off the floor, then return to the resting position. As always, do these in a slow, controlled manner. And concentrate on pulling from the abs, making sure your neck and head are relaxed and NOT pulling

Standing Ab Pull -- Stand with your knees bent a little. Place your hands on your knees. Exhale completely. Suck your stomach in and hold it for five seconds while simultaneously raising your body until you're just about standing upright. Now relax your stomach muscles and take a deep breath. Exhale as you place your hands on your knees and bend them again. Do 10 if you can. This works both upper and lower abs.

Leg Raise -- Lie down on a flat, hard surface. Put your hands down flat at your sides and bend your knees slightly. With your feet together, raise your legs until your shins are more or less straight up and down. Without pausing, gradually lower your legs back to the starting position. Concentrate on working your lower ab muscles the whole time you do the exercise. Shoot for 10 reps.

Oblique Crunch -- Lie on your back on the floor and put your hands behind your head. Bend your knees.

Keeping your feet and legs together, allow them to drop to the left as far as possible, while keeping your back flat on the floor. Pull your shoulders and upper body up off the floor as high as you can manage -- perhaps a few inches. Again, DO NOT pull from the neck. Your head should be resting in your hands, completely relaxed. Slowly drop your shoulders back to the floor. Do ten reps (or as many as you can manage). Now turn your legs to rest on the right side and repeat. This exercise works your obliques, or side abdominal muscles.

Do as many of these exercises as you can. If you can do them all, you're getting a complete ab workout that you can probably do in less than 20 minutes!



Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !



My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life.


Yours in good health


Any questions?


Ask Glen!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Study up!




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Q. Glen, I think I am eat right! How do I know for sure?


A. You may think you are choosing the right foods, but unless you learn how to read food labels properly, you may unknowingly hurt your healthy efforts. Try to make it a habit to find and read every product's nutrition label before you purchase it. One of the most common mistakes many people make is skipping the top of the label where it describes the serving size and the number of servings per the item. Make sure you get a good grasp of these numbers before you read the rest of the label.


Glen's Bottom Line: Know Your Favorite Foods

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."

Yours in good health


Any questions ?



Ask Glen

Monday, August 31, 2009

Make Sensible Substitutions




Ask Glen!




Q. Glen, How can I cut calories when eating over the Holidays?

A. A great way to cut calories is to make smart substitutions. There's nothing sensible about swapping French fries for a loaded baked potato stuffed with bacon, cheese, butter and sour cream. In order for substituting to save calories, you have to make wise choices. Opt for the grilled chicken sandwich with Dijon mustard on a whole wheat bun instead of a fried chicken sandwich with mayonnaise. Instead of the fettuccine alfredo, go for angel hair with marinara. Draw on your nutrition knowledge to make the healthiest choices.

Glen's Bottom Line... Make the smart choice! you already know what it is!

Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program.

Please consult your physician!

My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."

Yours in good health.

Any questions?
Ask Glen!


The WorkOut GEM

Glen Edward Mitchell

AMA Certified Nutrition Specialist

NASM Certified Personal Trainer

ACSM Certified Personal Trainer

Founder - Ask Glen! Clean, Lean & Mean

678-294-5196

mailto:AskGlen@aim.com

Friday, August 28, 2009

7 Proven Stress Busters






Ask Glen!




Q. Glen, Can Stress cause my blood sugar to elevate?

A. Yes, Stress causes numerous changes in the body. Remember the fight-or-flight response? When faced with a threat, either physical or mental, certain hormone levels in our body begin to climb. They enable us to tap into our energy stores of glucose and fat and either face the challenge head-on, or run like the wind.

If you have diabetes, stress can affect your blood sugar control. During a stressful period, some people neglect their diabetes; they don’t eat properly, exercise or even take their medications. They may engage in negative behaviors, such as drinking or overeating. Even an emotional challenge can cause blood sugar levels to jump:

(from The Secrets of Living and Loving with Diabetes, Surrey Books)

"Last year, I opened my own business. While telling my current bosses that I was leaving the firm to start my own company, I began to sweat and feel sick. They weren’t taking it well. I was like a son to them and they took my leaving very personally. I assumed that my feelings were a reaction to the hostile environment in the room, but I checked my blood sugar anyway. I couldn’t believe it -- I was at a whopping 537mg/dl! I have type 2 diabetes and an A1C* of 5.3 percent. My control is superb; I never go high. I searched for some water or something noncaloric to drink and gave myself some additional insulin. My blood sugar control returned to normal after a day or so."

*A1C is the measure of diabetes control for the past two to three months. The ADA goal is less than 7 percent.

Here are some ways to help you reduce the stress in your life:

  • Share your frustrations with a friend or counselor.
  • Schedule a massage.
  • Exercise.
  • Get adequate rest.
  • Go for a walk.
  • See a movie.
  • Listen to your favorite music


  • According to the experts at Cleveland Clinic, certain food choices can also help reduce stress:

  • Eat a wide variety of healthy foods.
  • Eat in moderation -- control the portions of the foods you eat.
  • Reach a healthy weight and maintain it.
  • Eat at least five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
  • Eat food that is high in dietary fiber such as whole grain cereals, legumes and vegetables.
  • Minimize your daily fat intake. Choose foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
  • Limit your consumption of sugar and salt.
  • Limit the amount of alcohol that you drink.
  • Make small changes in your diet over time.
  • Combine healthy eating habits with a regular exercise program.

  • There are ways to reduce some of the anxiety in your life. Try the suggestions listed above or come up with some of your own.

    And remember to take time to sniff the roses!


    Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !

    My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."

    Yours in good health

    Any questions?

    Ask Glen!

    Thursday, August 27, 2009

    Gentle Reminders to help you along






    Ask Glen



    Q. Glen, There is so much to do so many things to remember,How do I stay on top of it all?


    A. Use 5 by 7 note cards with daily reminders. Once you devise a list of healthy habits, write them down and post them throughout the house. Whether it's on the bathroom mirror or on the refrigerator door, plastering your goals in different places will keep your goals fresh in your mind. These gentle reminders are a great way to help you stay on top of things.

    Glen's Bottom Line: Take note of it!

    Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program.

    Please consult your physician !

    My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."

    Yours in good health
    Any Questions?Ask Glen!

    Wednesday, August 26, 2009

    Health & Exercise & Location & Education




    Ask Glen!






    Q. Glen, I read that you are moving back to Georgia, Is this true?


    A.It does not matter where you are, or what time it is. What does matter is that you continue to educate yourself ,eat healthy and exercise! Living a healthy life style does not have anything to do with location. As we age we must continue to exercise our brain, and our bodies for a more healthy for filling functional life this requires doing a little more for yourself every day! You will appreciate the difference and so will the people around you.

    Glen's Bottom Line: Read, Eat & Exercise everyday for a better you! I do!

    Any personal health questions or problems mental or physical or before starting any diet or exercise program. Please consult your physician !


    My mission is to provide you with "Trusted Advice for a Healthier Life."

    Yours in good health



    Any questions ?
    Ask Glen

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    About Me

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    Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
    Is the Founder of Fitness Builders 4 Life,the WorkOut GEM,G350,G180, G90, Eat 4 Life, Clean, Lean & Mean & Ask Glen. The mission of the Fitness Builders is to provide the community with health education and to empower people to change unhealthy lifestyles thereby increasing life expectancy. By educating the community on healthier lifestyle practices it is the intent of Fitness Builders to reduce the ravages of obesity, heart disease, cancer and other lifestyle or self inflicted diseases. Glen is also a AMA Certified Nutrition Specialist and a ACE, ACSM, NASM Certified Personal Trainer has 30+ years in Sports, Exercise Science and Nutritional Food Management, Learning and Mentoring Men and Women on a more Mental & Physical Healthy Life Style consisting of a low fat, low salt, Low carbohydrate, high protein, organic nutrition which also includes moderate exercise and mental awareness. Stay Informed, Live long and be Mentally and Physically Healthy! Any questions? Ask Glen!

    Any Questions? Ask Glen!

    AskGlen@aim.com