Archive for the ‘General Info on Bodybuilding’ Category

Gym Etiquette

Monday, August 18th, 2008

This is something that is rarely talked about on the internet. How to behave in the gym. I believe because there isn’t much on the subject is why so many people are ignorant to the subject. The other amount of people that do know better is just plain laziness. We are going to go over some mistakes many do in the gym.

If you’re doing multiple sets on a machine, it’s common courtesy to let others work in during your rest periods. This may not always be practical, but offer to share whenever you can. Nobody wants someone who is hogging up a certain machine all day long. Try to understand that others also want to use the machine or bench that you have been on for a half hour already.

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Warm Up/Stretching

Monday, August 11th, 2008

I know I usually go on my rants about what “most people don’t do.” However, I feel this topic is just as important as any of my other rants. Many people get hurt while lifting in the gym or at home. Many get hurt in professional sports while running or jogging. The leading cause for most of these injuries is not warming up and/or stretching before starting to really exercise. You always have those people that will just jump on a machine, or a bench, or even take off running really fast and they get injured. I see it daily at my local gym.

When lifting it is very good to do warm up sets. Warm up sets are lifts that contain light weight for you and you are able to do multiple reps with the amount of weight. You do these so that you warm up and stretch out your muscles before putting heavy strain on them. It is also good to get all the joint “creaks” and “cracks” broke loose. Stretching before running is vital because your body isn’t used to going from a calm lax state to a very hard working state instantly. It would be wise to do some nice leg stretches and start off with a very light jog.

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Going Complex on Carbohydrates

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Complex carbs are chains of three or more single sugar molecules linked together. Long chains of sugar molecules are called starches and they serve as the storage form of energy in plants. Branched complex carbohydrates called cellulose form the structural components that give plants their shape.

Complex carbs are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains. Some examples of foods high in starchy complex carbohydrates include bread, cereal, rice, pasta, potatoes, dry beans, carrots and corn. Green vegetables like green beans, broccoli and spinach contain less starch and more fiber. All grains include starchy carbohydrates. Whole grains such as whole wheat pasta are better for you because they have much more fiber.

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Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day…

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

Many people who struggle with weight problems or muscle building problems leave out the most important meal of the day, breakfast. A recent study analyzed the breakfasts of 19,000 people, ages 12 and older, finding that high-fiber, low-fat breakfasts may promote healthy weight control more than the “refined” breakfasts most people are eating. The No. 1 reason people say they skimp on breakfast is time, prompting the average Joe to grab-and-go. Still, according to the American Dietetic Association, “breakfast doesn’t have to be fancy or traditional to meet nutritional needs” — and you can get started on simple, easy and healthful breakfasts.

A classic excuse for skipping breakfast is often about dieting. People feel that by ignoring the first meal of the day, they are reducing their caloric intake and promoting weight loss. A vicious cycle is started to eat a larger meal toward the end of the day and actually not be hungry for breakfast the next morning. Our body loves to be fueled often to perform well.

Recommended Breakfast Shake!

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Fish Oils

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

There are good fats and there are bad fats. Artificially produced trans-fatty acids are bad in any amount and saturated fats from animal products should be kept to a minimum. The best fats or oils rather, since they are liquid at room temperature, are those that contain the essential fatty acids so named because without them we die. Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated and grouped into two families, the omega-6 EFAs and the omega-3 EFAs.

The main sources of omega-6 fatty acids are vegetable oils such as corn oil and soy oil that contain a high proportion of linoleic acid. Omega-3 acids are found in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, and marine plankton and fatty fish. Recognizing the unique benefits of EPA and DHA and the serious consequences of a deficiency the US National Institutes of Health recently published Recommended Daily Intakes of fatty acids. They recommend a total daily intake of 650 mg of EPA and DHA, 2.22 g/day of alpha-linolenic acid and 4.44 g/day of linolenic acid. Saturated fat intake should not exceed 8 per cent of total calorie intake or about 18 g/day.

Fatty Acids and Brain Problems - Read More

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Blood Sugar Matters - Article 3 - Cancer

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

If the last 2 articles were not enough to convince you that blood sugar does matter and is very important, then I hope this one hits you where it hurts. Blood sugar has been linked to the cause of a variety of different cancers. High insulin levels promote and environment that makes it much easier for certain tumor to grow. Research and testing is still being done so it is very hard to make any kind of bold statements regarding blood sugar levels and cancer. However, there is cause for great concern with certain cancers. These are the cancers we are going to be talking about.

Different Types of Cancers

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