Posts Tagged ‘Articles’

The worst (and best) magazines to read for a healthy lifestyle


03 Feb

What surrounds you on a daily basis helps shapes who you are. From the check out counter to the doctor’s office, what you read influences what you believe. Should you be selective in the magazine you pick up? Yes.

A recent UK study found that food and food ads in magazines are made up mostly of  foods high in sugar, fat and salt. Magazines that are more desperate and less selective of the type of advertising and articles they run are going to be more likely to land you toward higher calorie and less nutrient rich foods. They also lead you to bad information and dogmatic beliefs about “scientific” information. This encourages unhealthy lifestyle activity, eating, and training practices.

From all of the data and with the selection of magazines available at this time I have gathered the best (and worst) magazines to read to achieve a healthy lifestyle and encourage weight loss.

The Best:

*These magazines were chosen based on content and ease of availability and purchase cost.*

1. Eating Well

I don’t always agree with everything they say when it comes to why to eat the things they list. However, they provide great recipes and ideas on how to put together healthy, tasty, and sensible caloric meals.

2.  National Geographic Adventure

While the original is great, this one provides a map and explanation to different places you can explore, and how to do that with ease. Even if you aren’t ready for travel yet, warm yourself up to it with the thought of fun and adventure that can await.

3. Men’s/Women’s Health

They aren’t perfect, but among all of mainstream diet and health magazines they are leagues ahead of the rest. There are fantastic authors and contributors, and the material is entertaining. The only mainstream fitness/health magazine I read and respect.

4. Science News

It is a fun magazine that explores everything from robots to psychology. Sure to entertain, but in ways that make you think and get amazed by the simple things we see everyday.

5. Art in America

A life is about more than just the jeans you can fit in. Art, music, and the people that make up our world of beauty and emotion can help you tap into something that can break the mundane, and enlighten untapped creativity.

The Worst:

1. People Magazine

I find it to be the worst because for some reason readers still think that the magazine carries integrity. I can say for certain it doesn’t. Month after month it delivers the worst in diet, nutrition, and training information.

2. Us Weekly

While it is just another of many in the gossip magazine pile, it seems to go that extra step to put horrible “facts” out on what to do to achieve a fit and beautiful body. Please stick  to paying stalkers okay US Weekly?

3. Flex

The number one magazine for trying to hide the massive amount of steroid usage, ever.

4. Southern Living

I live in the south, you don’t want to eat and live like us. We are the fattest people there is in the world.

5. National Enquirer

If you actually take the information in there seriously, you should check if something is rattling in your brain. They also aren’t nearly funny enough to take down Weekly World News.

Socio-economic and gender differences in nutritional content of foods advertised in popular UK weekly magazines.

Adams J, White M. Eur J Public Health. 2009 Jan 18. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 19151418 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Looking for writers/workers for new site


26 Jan

Most of you involved have already gotten emails about writing request and assignments. If you haven’t and you think you should have, seriously, email me. I likely sent it to you, but it got lost in your spam filters or that place where socks go.

There are going to be articles and interviews on this site from Alan Aragon, Mike Robertson, and Jamie Hale, just to name a few. There is also going to be a truck load of work from people who you have never heard of, and those who like to express their views and research they have found.

In short, it is going to be spectacular and I feel that to some degree my work online over these years has come to what this site is going to be. It is going to be big and best of all, free source knowledge.

Some people have asked “What is going to happen to your blog?” Personally, I see no need to change it. In fact, I am sure it will just get better. I would like to use it more and more for relaying more personal experiences, client work, and my life activities. I have a lot of dreams, I do a lot of fun things, and I love making friends with all of you. In a non-nerd way cause that came out kinda of nerdy.

This site is still going to be here, that wont change. The content, who the hell knows what I am going to do in the future. For now, especially until the new site launch, it will still be largely fat loss and research based stuff.

Writers

Here is what I am looking for, and how to submit your material if you want to be a contributor.

  • Original or revised/updated material.
  • Interesting topics/material. I don’t need a “How to get a six pack” article. I want a unique outlook and view with your material.
  • Quality researched material. Don’t think about handing me questionable or hearsay data. You CAN write an opinion/rant or anecdotal based article, just label it as such.
  • Your topic can be on anything health/fitness related. From Oly to supplements. From Dr. phil to Gray Cook, I don’t care what your topic is, but it needs to fit in the area of health and fitness or the business of professionals.  Beware and smart if the later ;)
  • No censorship on topic or discussion. If you have been wanting to say your piece to the fitness world, and have a bigger audience to do it with, then this is your chance.

This site is going to be a pretty big deal. The people I am working with and the power behind it is going to lead to a new level. What will make it so great is having the reader be apart of it as much as possible.

To submit work:Send your article title and a brief synopsis through the contact form here or to email address here.

Moderators

Currently right now I am looking for forum moderators for the new sites forum. The actual forum is still under construction, but will be launched with the site. Beyond just being a moderator you will also be responsible to getting the word out about the site and basically be a big support team for the members and the readers. It doesn’t pay and it will likely lead to much frustration with the human race at times. However, it is highly rewarding. I have personally been a moderator of 6 forums in my lifetime. Not all of them were fitness related of course.  I can say that I have seen forums grow, and I have seen them die. It is tough creating a thriving community. You need to have a love for it to work, but a soft hand to let freedom of thought reign.  Here are the current forum rules, and it will likely stay this way.

The rules of the forum:

1-No spam
-You will be removed.
2-No Active/Creative Spamming-Meaning that you joined here just to spam us, but are smarter about it. We know the difference. You will be removed.
3-No Porn-Sorry, but no porn allowed here folks.
4-No trolls or bigoted morons-If someone is here just to start trouble, is stupid, or being racist, homophobic, sexiest, or any other of that BS, you will be removed.
5-Try to play nice in the “general” areas-There are areas in which you can be as blunt as you want to. That is fine. However, in the general sections treat people with respect. You can argue, but do it with respect and intelligence. Try and use concrete data to back your arguments, not “I know you are, but what am I?”
6-Keep the correct topics in the correct sections-I realize that sometimes things blend over, that is fine. However, if you start talking about kinky sex positions in the mobility section, I am moving you.

Qualification for Mods:

  • Cool head. If you get overly heated and can’t get over yourself to keep a situation calm, don’t apply. Sometimes you have to swallow a little pride and anger to be a mod.
  • Understanding of basic message board functions. You don’t have to be a wiz at the internet, but understanding how to post pictures, edit posts, and work with basic forum functions is needed.
  • Not Easily Offended. Sometimes being a mod means seeing things or erasing things you might be sensitive too. This is also going to be a pretty colorful forum, I can tell already. That doesn’t mean it will be negative or mean, nor crude of disrespectful. Still, if you can’t take a joke or are on PC overload, this might not be the place for you. Understand I respect all walks of life, I just make fun of them equally.
  • Having the ability to set aside political and religious beliefs and accept others. In short, there will be Republicans, Dems, Christian, Buddhist, etc. If you can’t handle diversity, not for you.
  • Being able to play nice with others. Mods live behind “closed doors” and are bound together by the job they keep. It should be a way to get closer to each other and learn more about your fellow peeps. However, sometimes people just can’t play nice with others. No big deal, but no need to apply if that is the case.

To apply to be a mod, simple send a brief background of who you are, what you have to offer, and why you are better than others. In short, be interesting. Send it through the contact form here or to email address here.

That is all for now. I may need more help in other areas later, and I am still playing with editors and other help and support.

Jamie Hale-The Carbohydrate Files-Is It Gut Worthy?


03 Nov

Some of you just can’t wait for me to knock some products. I assure you, it is coming. However, while I have such good attention right now I would like to point you to GOOD material. Please note tomorrow comes some bad MWAHAHAHA.

There is no “affiliate” sale on this. I don’t even think Jamie has a set up for that. Bless the man but he is likely the worst marketer in the fitness industry today, which is probably part of why his material is so good. I always had a thing for “secret” finds in music, movies, and books. Jamie Hale is someone I highly respect and was pretty excited about diving into his material.

Basic outline:

The Carbohydrate Files is basically what it says. It is a book that talks about carbs and not much more than carbs. If you have been wanting to understand the in depth look at carbohydrates and what they do in the body then this book is for you. It may at first not seem like this is not for everyone but since the majority of people don’t even know what they are talking about when it comes to carbs, particularly health and fitness experts, it should be at the top of everyones “new release” reading list.

Who is Jamie Hale?:

Bio speak: Jamie Hale is Sports Conditioning Coach, author, gym owner, fitness and nutrition consultant. He has contributed to numerous exercise and sports publications (nationally and internationally). He has authored six books. Jamie is a member of the World Marital Arts Hall of Fame in recognition of his conditioning work with Martial Artists. He is considered by most in the fitness industry as a specialist in agility and comprehensive fitness training. He is also known for his ability to get bodybuilders lean and dry as bone for competition. To learn more abut Jamie visit his website at www.maxcondition.com.

Non-Bio speak: Jamie is a really cut to the chase kind of guy. It is no secret that I have an affection for the type.  I remember at first not really knowing how to take Jamie. He has a habit of randomly spouting out really knowledgeable study or research information, but in a hit and run fashion. There is almost an innocence of “open source” knowledge about it. I dig it.

What was “Gut” worthy?:

I think my favorite aspect of the book was that he took it that step further. For example, if any of you have ever read about digestion in a school science class, you most likely will read the phrase “digestion starts in the mouth” and then from there it will move on to gut and out the bum in the matter of a few sentences.  Jamie, he takes it a lot further than this. It is more along the lines of… “digestion of dietary carbohydrates starts in the mouth where salivary amylase begins the breakdown of starch.” From there, I assure you, that is only the beginning. One of my favorite things about the book is it didn’t expect you to just believe it, it taught you to know it.

What wasn’t “Gut” worthy?:

I have had easier reads. Now, in Jamie’s defense I got a doc. version of the book with edits still going on so I am going to give benefit of editing doubt there. Also talking about proper reads is about as funny as it gets. It is very technical, which I love, but some may not as much. Still I encourage to put forth the effort to learn and also not to skim. If you skim it seems far more intimidating than if you just dive in and read it front to end.

What is Quote Worthy?

“The glycemic index measures blood glucose response. A food low on the glycemic index is not necessarily a healthy food. On the other hand, some foods rated high on the scale are very nutritious. The glycemic index has been widely misused in the last few years because many people base their entire eating plan around it. Numerous books, websites, and magazine articles have promoted the glycemic index diet as the magic formula. Below, I’ve provided some research abstracts looking at the different effects of low GI diets compared to high GI diets.”

Who is this for?

Bodybuilders, Figure Competitors, enthusiasts, trainers, and athletes.

Who is it not?

Those who don’t really care to know about what food does in the body to them or how to alter it for training. Basically those who don’t care that much about the “why” and just want to be told the “do” of things.

Cost?

The
Carbohydrate Files
$24.95
Gut Rating? Jamie Hale’s-The Carbohydrate Files

This Book Gets 4 Guts!?

Leigh, the real question is, should I buy it, really?

Yes, I think people should get it. It’s 25 bucks, hard copy, and a solid resource of information.

Man Loses 80 pounds Eating Mcdonalds


23 Jun

You have to love it when a story jumps up and slaps you in the face regarding how complicated people make things. 5 to 6 meals only, no carbs, eat this only around your workout, etc.

Before you start making things to complicated, take a road YOU want to take, see what happens and only if it doesn’t work THEN try and tighten the reigns on yourself.

�http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/entertainment.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-06-19-0134.html

PS-Don’t forget to enter into the contest. There are only 4 more days until it ends. Taking a few seconds to shoot me a picture or a banner, could get you lots of free goodies!

Diets DO work, dieting down for life…doesn’t (Part 1)


30 May

Seriously guys, those new Weight Watchers commercials are brilliant, aren’t they?

I mean from a marketing perspective anyway. That soothing voice, the talk of having to read a long book, the women reading her short little weight watchers pamphlet with her 500 calories Starbucks muffin and 300 calories latte.

Brilliance.

The claim is that “Diets don’t work, Weight Watchers Does.”

The claim is to “Stop Dieting and Start Living.”

First off, the word Diet…

diet
1. food and drink considered in terms of its qualities, composition, and its effects on health: Milk is a wholesome article of diet.
2. a particular selection of food, esp. as designed or prescribed to improve a person’s physical condition or to prevent or treat a disease: a diet low in sugar.
3. such a selection or a limitation on the amount a person eats for reducing weight: No pie for me, I’m on a diet.
4. the foods eaten, as by a particular person or group: The native diet consists of fish and fruit.
5. food or feed habitually eaten or provided: The rabbits were fed a diet of carrots and lettuce.
6. anything that is habitually provided or partaken of: Television has given us a steady diet of game shows and soap operas.
verb (used with object)
7. to regulate the food of, esp. in order to improve the physical condition.
8. to feed.
verb (used without object)
9. to select or limit the food one eats to improve one’s physical condition or to lose weight: I’ve dieted all month and lost only one pound.
10. to eat or feed according to the requirements of a diet.
adjective
11. suitable for consumption with a weight-reduction diet; dietetic: diet soft drinks.

Well that is a mouth-full isn’t it. The first thing to note is that no matter how Weight Watchers wants to put it, their program is a diet, plain and simple. I hate to be so literal but manipulating people with a catch phrase brings out those aggravations of small details.

Still, let’s ignore the fact that no matter WHAT you eat you are on a diet (are you having the burger and fries diet?) and look at the real statement of “Stop Dieting, Start Living.”

Flaw in this Statement #1-All Weight Loss Programs Lead To The Same Destination, Even Weight Watchers.

All programs that promote weight loss need to achieve a deficit, period. It doesn’t matter what method they choose to achieve it, their method may or may not work for you, but all programs have to lead to a deficit because that is the only way to lose fat. That isn’t opinion, that is science.

Flaw in this Statement#2-That Weight Loss Should Be Easy.

Weight Loss is not easy and the more “easy” you try and make it for your life the longer you are going to be doing it. The less you feel like wanting to drill a hole into your thighs and Lipo out that fat yourself, the less you are likely to lose fat at all because for MOST people this process feels horrible, as it should be.

Questions though?

Would you rather have something suck for a short period of time in your life OR would you rather spend years of something sucking the life out of you?

If you really want to stop dieting and start living you have to get it done. What’s the best way to do that? CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SOURCE

Will Power and Education, Is There a Difference? Part 1


05 May

A recent discussion at Lyle Mcdonald’s site got me thinking and that led to ranting. How much of the lack of will power is actually a lack of education? Is it application that is really the problem that some claim it is, or is it a lack of trust due to mis-education? That’s what we are going to dissect today.

The average person would say that the lack of fat loss is due to will power. A scholar would certainly say so.

Time and again I have said that my view is the majority, not the minority, fails in education.

I can see your come back now, “Yeah, because shoveling 3,000 calories of cheese fries in your face is lack of education.”

No, that isn’t what I am saying or more so that isn’t who I am talking about or who this applies to. This article is directed at those who are ALREADY attempting a dieting program. This article is directed at those who are making an effort, good or bad, to lose fat. Take your sarcasm and finger-pointing at people down for a second and realize that some people actually just don’t know what to do.

It isn’t their fault, I mean look at what we battle everyday.

In the mainstream world we battle anything Oprah is slinging and The Biggest Loser.

In this world, well, we make the telephone game don’t we? One of us discusses training strategies and nutritional approaches based on hypothesis at worst, at best a few studies. Next thing you know we have 300-pound women doing burpees on Bravo.

We are the underground, we are the ones who create the information that gets delivered to the masses. You think that’s narcissistic? No, because the other day I was told by a woman I barely know at a check-up that words I wrote in my blog were also published in an article in a popular magazine by a celebrity trainer. (Hi, you can email me anytime for more tips).

Not that this is stuff some people didn’t know, but you could have at least changed the wording a little. I guess I can’t be too mad though because in the end it was one of the best pieces written in the whole magazine. Well, that and the latest lip gloss colors for the summer. Usually it’s loads of contradictions, bad studies with even worse interpretation, a horrible training routine, and the celebration of 100-calorie snack packs (quick hint: they are the same as normal, just smaller and in a smaller bag).

In the end what is left? Confused consumers.

In a recent interview I did with Tony (Speaks ) he made a statement that for most is all too familiar-My problem was everywhere I turned everyone had the answer but it didn’t seem like people had the same answers to the same questions. Not only did advice conflict but it conflicted violently and it confused the crap out of me. Basically after trying to learn I was more confused than ever.

What this boils down to is education, yes, but also trust in that education.

The Fat Loss Troubleshooter – Leigh Peele

Common Sense Meets Advanced Knowledge