Friday, May 31, 2013

Home Workouts With Bodyweight Only Exercises - Bodyweight Exercise Routines

Bodyweight only workouts are great, but can get repetitive. As a fitness professional, home workout and travel workout expert, I pondered how many variations could a true "bodyweight only" exercise program come up with? Especially since creating this kind of system was in high consideration for my own program. However, as the planning details became more apparent and the limitations of strictly adhering to a bodyweight only system developed, I found myself asking "how can one have the ability to improve from beginner, intermediate to advanced fitness level?" As well, "does this system have enough variety for a true healthy lifestyle program, and not just a quick, short-term fix?"

After all, developing the right home workout system is meant to be a healthy, engaging alternative to expensive, time-consuming gym memberships. When considering that the primary body weight exercises are push-ups, burpees, sit-ups, crunches, squats, lunges and so forth (even with TABATA, H.I.I.T, plyometric and rounds for time methods), one is limited in variety and potential progression past a few months.

Don't get me wrong. I truly loved contemplating about the potential development of a bodyweight only workout system. However, if most Americans are like me, then monotony is a crucial variable for results both physiologically and mentally. Physiologically, the infamous S.A.I.D principle stands for Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand. In short, one's body can adapt very quickly to new stresses whether physically or mentally. In this context, one can adapt to a workout regimen quickly. In fact, I could see noticeable adaptions in a clients program within the same week. As Tony Horton coined the phrase, "muscle confusion," is one of the best ways to change one's fitness and overall health.

As versatile as body weight only routines are, people get bored. This is certainly the primary point and argument, because even as a home workout expert, this would be my downfall with a body weight only exercise program. Bodyweight exercises are certainly the anywhere approach, but not the complete program for building a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle needs the ability for constant improvement, and even with the amazing potential of bodyweight only exercises, the lack of variety places a huge obstacle on this style of training.

For those looking for the perfect anywhere home workout, the answer may shock you. Because, this solution still has a large bodyweight exercise influence. Literally adding a couple pieces of affordable/transportable equipment to the bodyweight training program and the variety has been broadened by a hundred times.

1. These items enhance all bodyweight movements.

2. Are lightweight and transportable.

3. Can be used for home workouts, travel workouts, inside or outside.

4. These pieces of equipment enhance all ability level variations.

5. Most importantly, these items are low-cost.

Building a healthy lifestyle is about the opportunity for constant improvement and growth. Finding a program (like the one below) that encompasses this principle and offers an abundance of fitness and nutrition expertise is the sure fire, "game changer" for a true, healthy lifestyle, not just another quick fitness fix.

For the most effective home workouts and travel workouts, visit http://www.workoutanywhere.net.

Workout Anywhere provides affordable, effective, fat burning home workouts for all ability levels. As well, Workout Anywhere gives members award winning coaching and nutrition plans. Don't just settle for a fitness highlight, learn how to live a sustainable healthy lifestyle for only $9.95/month.


10 Low Carb High Fiber Foods

Foods that are low in simple carbs and high in fibers provide a variety of benefits, especially if you are concerned about blood sugar, weight loss, and carbohydrate intake. Fiber offsets the impact of sugary foods and prevents blood sugar spikes. It also helps you feel fuller longer and improves digestion.

Though most people think of fiber supplements and bran flakes when it comes to boosting fiber intake, there are actually many whole foods that are high in fiber and low in carbohydrates.

Avocado

Medium avocado contains 11 grams of fiber, which is nearly half of the daily recommended intake. It also contains unsaturated fatty acids, which is the "good" fat. Avocados are packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Avocados can be added to salads, sliced on sandwiches, or mashed with tomatoes, onions, and spices for guacamole.

Blackberries

Blackberries contain eight grams of fiber and are packed with health benefits that help reduce a person's risk for disease.

Raspberries

Similar to blackberries, raspberries are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and other health qualities. They contain eight grams of fiber and are high in vitamin C and antioxidants. They are also one of the best anti-inflammatory foods available.

Black Beans

A half-cup of black beans contain seven grams of fiber. They are very filling and make a great addition to soups, salads, dips, and casseroles.

Lentils

Lentils are an excellent substitute for meat because they are packed with protein. They can also be added to salads and soups. A cup of lentils contain eight grams of fiber and help lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels.

Vegetable Soup

Fresh vegetable soup allows you to create an entire meal packed with fiber. Traditional vegetable soup features carrots, potatoes, celery, tomatoes, and green beans. For an even healthier option, exchange potatoes for lentils or beans, and toss in an even wider variety of veggies including broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale, and okra.

Broccoli

Many vegetables are packed with fiber and broccoli is no exception. A cup of broccoli contains six grams of fiber. It is part of the cruciferous vegetable family, which are widely accepted as superfoods because of their anti-cancer benefits.

Pears

Fruits are sometimes high in sugar, so it is important to eat fruit in moderation and avoid fruits that are highest in sugar. Pears are a great alternative to some high sugar fruits and contains nearly five grams of fiber when the skin is consumed.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal contains only four grams of fiber, but it is soluble fiber. This type of fiber is what gives oatmeal its gummy, sticky consistency. It helps you feel fuller for a longer period of time and improves cholesterol levels. Choose steel cut oats and old-fashioned rolled oats for the biggest health benefits. Pre-cooked oats, especially flavored options sold in individual serving packets, are packed with sugar and lack a number of health benefits found in unprocessed varieties.

Barley

Barley is the lowest-glycemic grain and contains three grams of soluble fiber. It is extremely filling and offers a great deal of blood sugar protection.

Lanna Potter is a vegetarian lifestyle blogger, author and entrepreneur. Read more on healthy diet and fitness tips from Lanna Potter on her blog http://www.lannapotter.com.


Thursday, May 30, 2013

#52) 10 to 15 STUBBORN pounds to lose??

If you have visited my 30/10 Weight Loss For Life web site and if you have read my blogs,  you know that 30/10 implies that the average woman will lose 30 pounds in 10 weeks and that the average man will lose 50/10, or 50 pounds in 10 weeks.  Just the other day I am in my office sitting down and chatting with a long time friend and he says to me,  "Mark, I like your 30/10 program, I just wish I could do it."   I replied, "What do you mean Jim, why can you not do it?"

Jim then goes on to  tell me that he only has 15 pounds to lose and therefore would not be a candidate for the 10 week program.  I was shocked and I asked him what he thought the 30/10 program was all about and he explained to me he thought the program was only for individuals who needed to lose 30 to 50 pounds or more of unwanted weight.

When I  told him that we have many clients who have only 10 to 15 stubborn pounds to lose, who are able to knock out those stubborn pounds in only a matter of a few weeks, he was pleasantly surprised.

With that revelation, I realized I must get the word out to people who dearly need the 30/10 solution for those stubborn 10 to 15 pounds.  Some of my most excited clients are women who are frustrated with their stubborn 10 to 15 pounds that just will not go away until they engage our 30/10 weight loss for life solution. 

10 to 15 pounds of excess weight on a woman,  who should weigh 115 to 125 pounds is a big deal, not only in how they look once those unwanted pounds are gone, but in how they will feel.  They will experience increased energy and vitality and they  describe feeling that their hormones have balanced for the first time.  Losing those 10 to 15 pounds can create dramatic beneficial personal changes.  A woman can lose 12 pounds in 4 weeks and lose 15 pounds in 5-6 weeks and the best part about it is that this weight will not come back on.

The reason this weight will not come back on is because once you reach your "ideal" weight you become a success client in our 30/10 clinic  and you are then eligible/advised to continue to come in to our clinic for frequent/periodic accountability weigh-ins at no charge for the rest of your life.  Any future weight gains will be caught early on and we will coach you on how to error correct those gains on your own, at home, with regular foods.  This accountability process is the basis for weight loss for life, as we change habit and behavior and establish a new mentality for maintaining that set point of your ideal weight, based upon the science and fact of normal body composition analysis.   Read my previous blogs which describe in greater detail "ideal" weight and set point weight.

I want to thank my good friend Jim for enlightening me on my failure to adequately describe the benefits of the 30/10 weight loss for life solution to men and women frustrated with those stubborn 10 to 15 pounds of extra fat that just won't go away.  Until next time, Dr. Mark Doyle.

 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Trick Your Body Into Faster Fat Loss

1. Trick Your Body Into Thinking It is Starving - This sounds a little outrageous but it is essential to faster fat loss. By cutting your carbs you will signal your body to start producing 'starvation' hormones. These hormones are responsible freeing stored body fat and shuttling it to your liver and muscles so that it can be used as energy. You don't need to starve yourself (that's a bad idea). Just trick your body by reducing your carbohydrate intake to 50-100g per day to trick your system and crank up your fat loss.

2. Trick Your Mind and Stomach Into Thinking That You Are Eating More - One major problem with dieting is hunger. The inability to deal with hunger while dieting is one of the biggest reasons why many people fail on their diets and can't lose weight. This is an easy fix - just trick your body into thinking that it is eating more food than it really is. How can you do this? Eat more green leafy (spinach, kale, lettuce) and/or fibrous vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts, etc). These kinds of vegetables have a lot of 'bulk' to them but not a lot of calories. This means you can eat a lot more food without consuming extra calories. You actually trick your body in two different ways. The first is visually. There is a big difference from a psychological perspective when you sit down to eat a plate overflowing with food vs. a plate that just has a few pieces scattered on it. The second trick occurs in your stomach. Your stomach has stretch receptors that signal the brain, letting it know your stomach is full and that you should stop eating. These receptors don't sense calories, they sense volume. Eating lots of green leafy and fibrous vegetables will activate these stretch receptors and you'll feel full even on less calories.

3. Trick Your Body Into Thinking That It is Time to Build Muscle - Successful long term weight loss hinges on your ability to maintain and stimulate your metabolism. The major driving force behind your metabolism is your muscle. Muscle is a metabolic powerhouse that burns massive amounts of calories allowing you to peel off the pounds. The people that lose muscle when dieting are doomed to not only slow weight loss but also being stuck with the 'skinny fat' look once they are done dieting. Increasing your protein intake while dieting will help prevent muscle loss because certain amino acids found in the protein you eat work on the DNA level to stimulate protein synthesis (i.e. muscle building). Your body is smart (well not too smart as this article is dedicated to tricking it) and doesn't like to waste resources so if it is building muscle then it won't at the same time start breaking it down. This little trick will spare your hard earned muscle from destruction when you are dieting and allow you to keep your metabolism cranking.

There you go. Pretty simple...Eat more protein, less carbs, and more green vegetables to trick your body into losing weight fast. Put these tricks into action and you'll be losing weight 2x faster than all your friends.

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Click Here To Start Losing Weight for Free.

Mike Roussell is an author and nutrition doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University. Mike writings can be found in Men's Health and Men's Fitness and Ironman Magazines in addition to the internet's largest bodybuilding and fitness website - T-Nation.com. Learn more at http://www.warpspeedfatloss.com/main.php

How to Train Your Brain For Weight Loss

Losing weight and succeeding with your plans takes more than just words. You can say you want to be 100lbs lighter but you have to believe it in your own mind for it to happen. You will never reach your weight loss goals if your brain isn't on your side. That is why you need to harness the power of the brain and train it for weight loss. There are a number of steps you can take to do this.

Step one: Identify the difference between hunger and cravings - and learn to tolerate it. This is all about perception. The world is set up to trick your brain - take the supermarket for example. It places fresh bread at the front of the store so all of those delicious smells are the first thing you register and you have to pass by them to get to other parts of the store. You walk in the door and instantly you start to crave bread. Before you know it your basket is full. You may not have even thought about buying bread when you set out to the store but your brain was fooled into thinking you were hungry and you wanted it. How many times have you seen an advert for a certain type of food and then found yourself craving it? This is why you put on weight - cravings are a product of society. When you can realize this, your brain will learn that cravings are a false hunger. Ignore the craving and only eat when you truly need to - not when you are prompted to eat by outside forces.

Step two: monitor your behavior. Keep a note of your eating habits and also how you are feeling at the time. Notice any patterns that emerge. For instance, you may see that you are upset, coinciding with a habit of eating ice cream. Learn to recognize when you are eating due to emotions rather than hunger and cut it this bad habit out of your life.

Step three: you need to be motivated if you are to train your brain for weight loss. Every morning when you look in the mirror, remind yourself why you are on this weight loss journey. Visualize how you will look when you have reached your goal. Keep this motivation in mind during the day.

Step four: have a positive self image. Being positive about your abilities will help your brain to keep the focus on success. Know that you can achieve your goals and tell yourself every day that you will succeed. We can all be successful if we only realize the importance of self belief and visualization.

Step five: overcome any feelings of helplessness. You must take control of your life and your mind. Push negative thoughts to the back of your mind and let them be washed over by the power of positive thinking.

Kevin Graham serves as the Managing Director at Empower Me Photo. Empower Me Photo provides tools to help those seeking to stay on their diet or exercise program over the long run - by showing how you are going to look AFTER you lose the weight. You will be amazed at how you are going to look - and your empowering photo can be in your hand as quickly as tomorrow. And you will be inspired, motivated, and yes, EMPOWERED, to stay on your program over the long run.

You are welcome to download our free 7 Secrets to Visualize Your Future on your way to help you on your weight loss motivation journey. Our Weight Loss Success Stories

[http://www.empowermephoto.com/success-stories] are impressive.
Let The Vision Empower You!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Incorporating Exercise Routines in Any Weight Loss Attempt

If you're looking at the available choices for losing weight, you might well find that there are literally hundreds of diets and workouts routines to invest your time and effort into. Even though there are such a variety of workouts for helping to burn off the extra calories, the truth is it can be quite difficult to establish which is likely to be the most beneficial for your circumstances. But if you are able to find a workout routine that you find easy to follow, this should go a long way to help with reaching your weight loss target.

Here are some of the key considerations in the process of finding the most appropriate workout for dropping those excess pounds as soon as possible:

Perform the workout routine for the ideal duration

In the process of planning the ideal exercise regimen, it generally benefits if you are able to incorporate a variety of cardio exercises that last for a good 25 to 30 minutes, and repeated at least three times per week. If you are a complete beginner, a shorter 15 to 20 minutes of exercise might be a great introduction to getting in shape. If you would like to add a choice of elements to your cardio, you might want to look at joining a local gym and using the many different types of machines available. A high-quality piece of gym equipment is likely to incorporate a choice of resistance levels, which is highly beneficial if you are hoping to continue to stretch yourself over the long-term.

Keeping track of the completed exercise routines

In order to remain motivated when completing the ongoing exercise workouts, you might want to look at tracking or monitoring the distances traveled on the various exercise machines. If you are able to keep an eye on how far you are able to push yourself as the weeks pass, this will be a clear indication of your improving health, and will give you the motivation to continue to push harder in the future. For instance, if you are able to use they exercise bike for 20 minutes and you travel 5.5 miles, you might want to look at increasing that distance by a small margin each week.

Incorporates a choice of strength training routines

If you are looking to lose weight fast, you might want to look at incorporating a range of strength training exercises, which are often found to be highly beneficial for increasing the chances that weight is lost from exercising. A well-planned strength or weight training program is often seen to offer a synergistic effect to help burn the calories in a more efficient way.

Get a variety of information of the very best in diet plans, like the cinnamon honey weight loss diet to help with reaching the ideal target weight in the most efficient way possible.


Pregnancy Workout? - Top 10 Benefits From A Pregnancy Workout

There are a lot of physical and physiological changes that women experience during pregnancy. For this reason, there is a need for pregnant women to carefully plan a pregnancy workout to help them along the way.

These temporary changes occur naturally and to manage these changes, it is best that you come up with a pregnancy workout. However, it is highly recommended that you consult your doctor and a fitness specialist before trying out any exercise. This is to be sure that you know your physical limitations and avoid any health problems for you and your baby.

The following are some of the benefits that you can gain from a pregnancy workout.

• Good appearance and body posture
• Low risks of back pain
• Strong and fit muscles for labor
• Good blood circulation
• Flexible body
• Increased level of energy
• Endurance
• Relaxed muscles
• Reduced negative feelings like irritability and moodiness
• Self confidence

The aim of pregnancy workout is to develop strong, leaner muscles needed to lessen the risks of ligament and joint injuries. Below are some exercises that you can include in your pregnancy workout program:

1. For your daily exercise you can perform some basic stretching, a little bit of muscle strengthening and relaxation. Perform five to ten repetitions of the stretching exercises while holding each stretch for at least 20 to 30 seconds. However, do not over stretch because joints are quite loose during pregnancy.

2. At least three times a week you can try low-impact aerobics. Never forget to do some calisthenics before the pregnancy workout and then cool down afterwards. For aerobics it is important not to push yourself beyond the point of intense sweating. You can continue on with the aerobic exercise for 10 to 20 minutes as long as you will not gasp for air. Remember you are also breathing for the baby inside your womb.

3. Mild abdominal exercises at least once a week is also good but avoid sit-ups after the first trimester.
You can also engage in a mild, no-sweat pregnancy workout like the following:

Overhead wall stretching for posture improvement:

1. Stand with the back against the wall.
2. Arms should be out with palms facing front.
3. Breathe deeply and then gently raise your arms while exhaling.
4. Hold you hands against the wall for 15 seconds the lower them down.
5. Do 10 to 15 repetitions.

Yoga exercise (triangle pose):

1. Stand with both feet widely apart with arms on the side.
2. With palms facing up, take deep a breath, exhale and then bend to your right side.
3. The right arm should slightly touch the right leg. Hold your ankle or leg for a few seconds.
4. Repeat the same steps on your left side.

There are a lot of pregnancy exercises that you can try. However, it is best that you consult your physician or a certified fitness expert for a program suited for you.

Learn more by visiting: http://www.howdowegetpregnant.com


Monday, May 27, 2013

Recipe: Farfalle Genovese

A lot of people think that putting two starches together on a plate is a little weird. I suppose I do too in some cases- like when you see people have curry with rice AND chips- straaange! This is a classic traditional Italian recipe. It is called "Genovese", because pesto was originally invented in the italian town of Genoa. I often make my own home made pesto for this dish, but this time (because of me being good on my diet) i made this with Sainsburys Own "Light" pesto- and it was really nice actually- couldn't tell it was lowcal really! A traditional pesto is made with gurt loads of fresh basil, good olive oil, pine nuts, parmesan and garlic- if you fancy making your own. What's great about this too, as a student is that it is a one pot dish! Less washing up for Mel!

Farfalle Genovese (serves 1)

90g farfalle
125 small new potatoes, halved
80g French beans
50g green pesto (homemade or shop bought)
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan and fresh basil for garnish (optional)

1. Cook the farfalle according to the packet instructions. 10 minutes before the farfalle is cooked, add the potatoes. 5 minutes before the end of cooking time add the green beans.
2. Drain, return to the pan, mix with the pesto, season to taste and serve- with parmesan and fresh basil for garnish if desired.

Can You Really Burn Fat In 7 Minutes Each Day? Learn The Truth

We all know the math, eat less and burn more to lose the extra weight. What we don't know is that there is another simpler way to shed those pounds. This powerhouse 7 minute routine is like jogging 9 miles. I never thought it would be possible until Jon Benson came up with the revolutionary 7 Minute Diet.


The 7 Minute Diet isn't really a diet in the strict sense of the word. It is a calorie burning routine that revs your body's fat burning capacity. The 21 habits or switches you carry out in just 7 minutes will cause your body to burn more than 1,000 extra calories each day. And that equals a 9 mile jog.
Before you assume, the 7 Minute Diet does not consist of any exercises.

To provide some insight, one of the switches involves drinking 64 ounces of ice cold water a day at specific times. The cold water will cause your body metabolism to increase in order to warm the water from 0 degree Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius. Your body will burn calories from fat in order to do that.

 The other switch requires you to take a mega-dose of vitamin D3, scientifically proven to help you burn more than 200 calories a day. If you incorporate all 21 switches into your daily routine, you will burn more than 1,000 calories a day. Just simple habits like drinking ice cold water and taking a mega-dose of vitamin D3 will increase your metabolic rate tremendously.

You can also use the free tool at the 7 Minute Diet site to calculate your height, sex and activity level, and it will instantly know how much weight you can lose each month with just 7 minutes a day. This calorie burning booster is a great free tool that provides accurate information and will motivate you in your weight loss goals. The free tool is a very quick and convenient way of finding out the potential amount of weight you can lose. All you need to do is just enter your stats.

The 7 Minute Diet is truly for those who are looking for a quick and easy way to lose weight. One of the causes of weight gain is hormonal imbalance and some of the switches in this program help improve your hormonal balance. The aim of the 7 Minute Diet is to help you incorporate simple adjustments that help increase your metabolism and reduce your appetite so that you burn off the fat rapidly.

Backed by more than 30 scientific studies and research on metabolism and fat utilization, the answer is, "yes, you can burn fat in 7 minutes". Don't take my word for it, use the free metabolic calculator and find out for yourself.

For more weight loss product reviews visit this site.

Bella Roy is a certified image consultant, health and weight loss enthusiast.

The Belly Fat Solution for Women Over 50 With Slow Metabolisms

Do you ever feel as if your body is betraying you because you eat right and exercise, but get zero fat loss results? Or, worse yet, your belly fat grows with each diet you try. Well, if you answered yes, then you are not alone. This is a common problem for women over 50, but it can change. The secret is to learn how to eat for your age as well as your body type.


Hormones play a role in how body fat is distributed on a woman's body. Women are either "pear-shaped", meaning they more easily deposit fat on their hips and lower body. Or, they are "apple-shaped" meaning fat deposits more easily around the waist.

As a woman ages hormone levels change. This change can lead to a change in the way fat is stored. In fact, by the age of 50 most women notice that their body stores more fat in the belly area, and less in the hips and butt. Essentially, all woman become more "apple-shaped" with age, and this means belly fat becomes an all too obvious problem.

Two ways to solve this belly fat problem in women over the age of 50 are below:

1. Eat For Your Age. Ever notice how celebrities seem to get better bodies with age? Have you seen Cher or Jennifer Aniston lately? Cher is in her 60's and Jennifer is in her mid 40's and each looks great! How do they, and so many other celebrities, continue to look so great as the decades pass?
Well, they don't do it by following a diet they read about in a magazine. Instead they learned the secret of eating for their age and their changing metabolism.

Basically stated, as you age your body uses carbs less effectively. Your body is more likely to store carbs as belly fat, unless you shift how you eat them.

To eat for your age you want to lower your carbohydrate intake as the years pass. To do this without sacrificing a satisfying diet, you can replace those carb calories with protein foods. This allows you to keep feeling full, with much less fat storage.

2. Eat For Your Body Type. Have you ever gone on the same diet as your spouse or friend and they lost weight, but you didn't? Recent research shows that various body types response to nutrients differently. This can explain why popular diet trends don't work for everyone.

For a plan to work for you it needs to take into account your age, your metabolism, and your body type.

Carbohydrates are a great example of nutrients that are handled differently by different body types. This is due to varying insulin responses in individuals. A common issue for women over 50, especially those who are overweight and eat a diet high in processed foods, is insulin resistance.

What insulin resistance means for you is that your body cells do not respond to insulin as quickly. When this happens carbohydrates that you eat more easily get stored in your fat cells. For a person without insulin resistance, carbohydrates are more likely to get shuttled to the muscles for storage as quick energy, not fat.

If you have been plateaued at the same weight for a long time, it is likely that your hormones, including insulin, estrogen, and the most important fat burning hormone, called leptin, are working against you.

To remedy this situation, you may need to reset your body by going on a low-carb diet for two weeks. During this time your body will not have the readily available energy that comes from carbs, and instead it will be retrained to turn to stored fat as the primary fuel source.

Understanding how your body uses carbohydrates will give you an edge when it comes to losing belly fat after the age of 50. Of course, the opposite can happen as well if you do not understand how to handle carbohydrate intake.

In fact, your fat burning potential can drop by as much as 50% after one week of dieting the wrong way.

Fortunately there is a drop-dead simple way to get your fat burning hormones working for you. Here are more Powerful Fat-Burning Tricks.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Recipe: Turkey Bolognese

Yummy- I love turkey so much! Cheap, tasty, and low in fat! Bit of a random recipe I suppose- I added butternut squash soup to it because I had some in a tupperware left in the fridge to use- gave it a really nice sweetness actually. Also some people think it might be odd to add chilli to a bolognese, but I remember when i had that masterclass with Marco Pierre White he added red chilli to his turkey bolognese- I suppose great mind's think alike, haha!! I have used farfalle as my pasta of choice- but go ahead and use whichever shape you fancy!

Turkey Bolognese (serves 4)
 
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Knob of butter
1 red onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 green chilli, seeded and finely chopped
Large handful fresh parsley, finely chopped
½ tsp dried rosemary
½ tsp herbs du Provence
500g turkey mince
30g tomato puree
Splash of white wine
200g passata
200ml beef stock
100g butternut squash soup
1 bay leaf
Salt, pepper and sugar to taste
400g pasta (of your preference!)
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

1. Fry the red onion, garlic, chilli and parsley in the olive oil and butter for 5 minutes. Add the turkey and tomato paste, and cook on a high heat for about 10 minutes, or the mine is beginning to brown.

2.  Add the wine, let it bubble a little, and then add all the other ingredients. Simmer on a medium heat, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, and season to taste.

3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain and serve topped with the Bolognese sauce, garnishing with fresh basil if desired.  

COMIC CON MCM LONDON 2013


Hi Everyone,
I know that mcm was yesterday but honestly when i came back home, I was just so worn out that I couldn't be bothered to do anything. Yes I was that lazy ^^
But It's better late than never I say :] 
I went to mcm expo with two of my friends on sunday, It was amazing there was so many things from food to anime to manga. We got to mcm around 11 - 12 ish and the queue was so long. I was actually surprised that the queue was moving pretty quickly ^^ so that was a huge plus considering the fact that some people came so early just to get in, when there honestly was no need to.


When we finally go in, it was a sign of relief since we were so bored and we thought the queue was never ending, we past the same people about 5 -6 times.


There was so many amazing and interesting things from manga to anime and jpop CDs which you can't buy if your living in a foreign country like me so it was actually really exciting for me and its really hard to find these things in London so finding it at mcm was pretty cool. There was also cosplayers, so many cosplayers who either made their own costume by hand or just bought it online. But still amazingly awesome seeing characters from games to films come alive . Sadly there wasn't as much kpop stuff I would of liked to see but there was a few kpop things; from bags to posters and pillows/cushions not as huge as last years comic con . 

People at mcm are so nice and friendly even if you don't know them and they are strangers, you would instantly become friends though interests and likes such as ANIMEEE. 



Things at mcm is honestly really really expensive and I find it a joke that you have to pay to get in and see the stalls an what they sale. In fact its not even free, so you pay to get in and you have to pay more money on things you want to buy what a SCAM! 
Half the stuff, not even its all the stuff they sell are overly priced.
example pocky is like 3-2pounds whereas if you go to the asian supermarket its like 1.50 for 2
However I do understand the reasons, being they are trying to make money and since its hard to find japanese / korean things in foreign country's. 

Overall it was such a great experience I really enjoyed it. I hope to go again in OCTOBER.















Best Diet Plans - 3 Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Diet Plan For You

I probably have tried every fad diet that has come out of the market and has promised to be one of the best diet plans available. I cannot remember how many diet plans I have started but was never successful. Does this sound familiar?

Instead of putting the blame on the diet or on yourself, why don't we trace our steps back?

Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Diet Plan For You
  1. One of the important factors when considering to take on a new diet plan is whether will it teach you to eat healthy and nutritiously? Many diets today boast of outstanding result but they encourage you to indulge yourself into eating habits that can actually do more harm to your body.
  2. When you are planning to try out the different kinds of diet pills flooding the market make sure that they have been subjected to FDA testing first because most diet pills have already been associated to dangerous side effects. Although some do really work, many diet pill users have been documented to have suffered from minor to major health setbacks.
  3. You have to make sure that your lifestyle and daily routines would allow you to stay on the diet plan for the rest of your life. Ideally, we should all be looking not only for the best diet plans available but also for the healthiest weight loss and maintenance program that we can stick to. By doing this, we can avoid any problems of setbacks of gaining the weight back .
Always ask yourself first if these weight loss programs claiming to be one of the best diet plans will teach you to eat healthily and will you be able to use it for the long term. This is the only and true way you can maximize the health benefits you are trying to achieve.

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Impossible Is Just A Word! - Kaye

Learn of the Best Dieting Plan for Weight Loss

Many people have a problem with their weight. If you happen to be one of them, you could be searching everywhere for a program that could help you to lose weight quickly. Although you can try some programs in the market, the only known solution to work better is a diet plan and some exercises. However, not all diet plans you have ever heard of can do the magic. Only the best dieting plan will work for you. But getting the best plan can be a hectic thing because the world is flooded
with lots of information about diet and weight loss. Not all the proposed ones work. However, you can find the common grounds for the best plan.

The first thing to consider is whether the diet plan you are selecting will help you lose weight while at the same time remain healthy. In the market, you will find diet programs that do not necessarily help you lose the extra weight you have on, but they end up concentrating on deteriorating your health. The best dieting plan should be the one that will help you maintain a healthy body even when you are in the process of losing weight. This is a very important factor to consider when to looking what works for you.

When talking about weight loss, you cannot rule out the mighty presence of dieting pills that have flooded the market of beauty. Some diet plans that claim to assist you lose your excessive weight employ pills that work on cutting down the extra pounds you would like to shed off. Although the pills can sound like the simplest way out, most of them come with so many side effects. For the best dieting plan that makes use of dieting pills to help lose weight, ensure that the pills have undergone FDA testing to eliminate unforeseen problems.

The third factor to consider for the best dieting plan is the room the plan allows you not just to lose the excess pounds you are putting on but also accommodates your daily living and the activities. Some of the best plans do not just last a few months running. They become a part of your life so that you will have to integrate them in your life. In most cases such plans are the best because they make a lasting solution to the weight problem. Therefore, before settling for one, ensure you can integrate it with your daily living.

Because weight is not something we can cut off in one second, or drop off like any luggage on our heads, you should be careful on the kind of dieting plan you are going for. The best solution to excess weight is losing it forever. However, if you go for a short term program, you will sooner than later face the same problem of weight soon. The best dieting plan should not promise a miracle of weigh loss in one day. It should be something that you can follow for some duration if you want to get the best and lasting result.

Information like this will help you learn how to lose weight in no time.

This free report will show you how you too finally can get instant access to a healthier life right away.
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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Artwork X The Simpsons


Hello Everyone, It's been a while since I posted something on my art page so decided to upload some today

DISCLAIMER: I'm not a professional so what you are seeing is all amateur work by me hehe... need to work/practice more. I'm sorry about the really bad quality pictures :[


MILLHOUSE X LISA X BART


SNOOPY - STEWIE - SPONGEBOB - KENNY

How to Lose Belly Fat For Women - 3 Fast Tips For Instant Success

When it comes to ways to lose belly fat, women have an inherent advantage. A woman's body is exquisitely responsive to three supplements that aren't quite as useful for men. While there are no miracle cures that make it possible to lose tummy fat, women get visible results from these safe, effective, and inexpensive stomach fat cures.

1. Alpha-lipoic acid is a unique antioxidant that can be absorbed directly inside fat cells. Once inside this cell, it cooperates with the B vitamins biotin and niacin to expand the mitochondria, the energy-producing centers in the cell. The larger the mitochondria, the more the cell burns fat for energy rather than saving it for the future. And because alpha-lipoic acid is also anti-inflammatory, fluid that gets trapped between fat cells is free to move. The bloodstream moves this fluid to the kidneys and the result is a more normal contour, bulging bellies transformed into flatter (although not usually flat) surfaces just after taking the supplement.

2. Hydroxycitric acid, better known as HCA, is a tropical fruit extract with an unusual effect: It encourages the body to recycle the collagen that holds fat cells in place in belly fat tissues. "Naked" cells are exposed to more regulatory chemicals from the bloodstream, and they naturally give up the fat they had not received the signals to give up before.

3. Green tea, especially a green tea supplement called a polyphenol, accelerates the metabolism in fat cells. It's easy to forget that even these type of cells need energy. If more fat is burned by the cell itself, less and less effort is needed to lose weight. Green tea antioxidants keep you from losing weight without caffeine, but they help you lose weight if the green tea nutrients are taken with up to 300 mg of caffeine, about the amount of caffeine you get from two cups of coffee. The easiest way to get the benefits of green tea is to take supplement capsules.

These three supplements are not a miracle cure for belly fat-but they really, really help. With these three supplements you will be able to get rid of belly fat for good with a lot less dieting and a lot less exercise.

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How to Lose Belly Fat Fast For Women? How You Can Get That Sexy 6 Pack Abs Look?

So you want to know how to lose belly fat fast for women? You may have noticed that many people exercise there abdominal muscle to get the 6 pack abs look, unfortunately they do not get what they want. Very frustrating, right? So what they missing and what is the right way to lose belly fat fast?

Read on to learn the answer:

It is a fact that abdominal muscles are of the easiest muscles to gain. So if you are doing abdominal exercises the last few days and you feel that your abs become harder then you have 6 pack abs. What? You don't? Check again, the problem is that although you have the 6 pack abs they covered by abdominal fat so you cannot see them. So you need to lose that fat to show your abs.

Maybe now you are asking how can I lose belly fat. Unfortunately there is no way to tell your body to burn fat from that part of your body. But wait do not panic, you still can lose fat from this area. As you cannot tell your body to lose fat from a specific area you should lose fat from all your body. So stop doing only abdominal exercises to get 6 pack abs, as they are already there, and start losing fat from all your body.

So let's focus on how to lose fat from all your body. Again it is very simple and all people know about, all you have to do is to burn calories more than you consume. Some people just do exercises and eat whatever they want, others follow a diet and do not do any exercises. Both are wrong ways to lose fat, you should do both, exercise and diet at the same time. I hope that the above few words gave you a good idea on how to lose belly fat fast for women and get the 6 pack abs look.

By the way, if you are one of the people who are still struggling to lose belly fat without being satisfied with the results of anything they are doing all you have to do is visiting this link >> Lose Weight Fast.

Friday, May 24, 2013

UPDATES - LAST DAY OF YR 9 .... HALF TERM .... MCM LONDON EXPO!!

Yay! It's finally over, my years of being in year 9 went by so fast I still can't believe I'll be in yr10 after 7days / a week to be exact. NOW IT'S HALF TERM!!

Whoa! it was like only yesterday which I was complaining about how much I hated studying french - not that I have anything against it kinda enjoyed studying new things sadly I was not good at it, it was just so hard and stressful for me. Even though I stopped learning french in school I hope to practice really hard to improve it and maybe some day visit Paris. But during the year I had so much fun I'm seriously going to miss my french teacher ^^ Not! She was so mean!! And I think I actually FAILED in french ... I mean I don't even need to see my results :P 

I'm looking forward to next yr for sure since I'm actually doing something I like :D
So yep this post isn't really the usually post I would do .... ^^ 
Hopefully my posts would get more interesting during the holidays.
About that I'm actually going to be attending MCM! ANIME EXPO! In London I'll be cosplaying as a japanese school girl :P lame but yeah. It's going to be fun, maybe since the english weather is unpredictable it could rain pretty badly ^^ and it could even ruin the whole day all together. Hope this don't happen though :[
http://www.mcmcomiccon.com/london/

There's going to be my two favourite things in the world ,( apart from fashion lol ) :P There's going to be KPOP goodies and ANIME of course! SUPER EXCITED!
With lots and lots of cool and amazing cosplayers who actually make their own costumes or some who just buy them online.




Ten Best Foods For Weight Loss and Good Health

Super foods are now becoming recognised worldwide for their health benefits and the ability to help us lose weight. These natural foods go beyond the 'common' variety as they are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants which slow down the ageing process and help your body lose weight.
Here are the ten best foods for weight loss and why they provide everything you need for optimal health.

1. Blueberries

These yummy little berries are rich in antioxidants. Also full of flavonoids and proanthocyandins they help protect memory and cognition. A popular addition to any fat loss program, they taste great whipped up in a low fat smoothie, used in whole-wheat pancakes or muffins or just to add a new dimension to your fruit salad.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli has an abundance of health boosting properties. It contains isothiocyanantes which stimulates the body's production of cancer fighting enzymes. It has as much calcium as a glass of milk and more vitamin C than an orange. In addition, it is one of the richest sources of vitamin A in any fruit or vegetable. The only catch is you do need to eat it raw to benefit from all this goodness. If you cannot handle it raw, then just lightly steam before tossing through a salad or stirring through whole-wheat noodles.

3. Ginger

Used throughout history for medicinal purposes, ginger helps protect against cancer as well as boosting the immune system. It helps fight infection in our body, increases digestive enzyme activity and is one of the natural weight loss foods that speed up the metabolism and burn fat. Ginger is also a popular remedy for nausea, making it a safe natural choice for pregnant women. Sip hot ginger tea with a drizzle of honey, use in Asian stir fries and grate a little through healthy marinades and sauces.

4. Linseeds

Linseeds contain the essential omega 3 fatty acids which reduce cholesterol. Not only do they have anti cancer properties but they also can help manage menopausal symptoms. They are good for bowel health and soothe digestion. Just a tablespoon of linseeds a day will give you the omega 3 fats that you require. Sprinkle them over your cereal or stir through soups and casseroles. Linseeds should be stored in the fridge.

5. Oats

Containing large amount of soluble fibre, oats help lower cholesterol levels and improve bowel health. They have a low GI (glycaemic index) which means they make the perfect breakfast to supercharge your day. Oats are a popular recommendation in most weight loss programs.

6. Salmon

A fantastic source of omega 3 fats, protein and vitamin D. Healthy fat loss programs recommend eating salmon twice a week, as it reduces triglyceride levels. Any leftover calories that your body does not burn are turned into triglycerides, which are a type of fat. Poach or grill salmon, and serve with a leafy salad or steamed vegetables. Combine tinned salmon with mashed sweet potatoes to make healthy patties - kids also love them.

7. Soy

Soy protein contains antioxidant isoflavones which counteract the build up of cholesterol in blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart attack and blood clots. It is also great for bone health and preventing osteoporosis. Make sure you choose soy products that are not genetically modified. Use soy protein or tofu instead of burgers and chicken in recipes. Enjoy soy milk over your cereal or in tasty fruit smoothies.

8. Tea

Numerous studies have shown that the powerful antioxidant polyphenols in tea reduce the risk of cancers and also lower cholesterol levels. In addition, drinking tea helps lower the stress hormone cortisol. Green tea in particular has had much discussion regarding its weight loss benefits. Actually all teas contain polyphenols and therefore all have positive benefits. Ideally drink your tea without milk to receive the most benefit.

9. Tomatoes

Tomatoes, which are low in calories, are a versatile health conscious ingredient for any weight loss program. Just add tomatoes to your pasta sauce to boost your antioxidant intake and to lower your risk of chronic diseases, particularly prostate cancer. They are rich in lycopene, which fights damaging free radicals and also high in vitamin C. There are so many exciting ways you incorporate tomatoes into your meals. Whether it be pureed into sauces, chopped through summer salads or thrown into a whole-wheat tortilla, this fabulous super food is a must.

10. Yogurt

Yogurt is a favourite with many dieters. Not only does it's creamy texture help satisfy cravings, it is a great source of calcium, protein, vitamin B12 and riboflavin. What is more it contains probiotics which promote a healthy gut and protect the immune system. Use sugar free, low fat yogurt as a substitute for cream in sauces, curries, and desserts. It is fantastic as a 'quick snack' on the run and can be cooked in both savoury and sweet recipes.

Make sure you incorporate these ten best foods for weight loss into your weekly weight loss eating plan and enjoy the increased energy and unlimited health benefits.


I am passionate about regular exercise, healthy food and relaxation. Through combining these three things our bodies can become whatever we want them to be.

Take the step toward better health here: Strip That Fat Review
or, check out more here: Rapid Weight Loss Diet

What Are The Best Foods For Weight Loss?

The truth of the matter is there is no single food that exists that can be considered as the best food for weight loss. The reality is, certain types of food or food groups have special characteristics that make them helpful or the best choices for people who are trying to lose weight. Here are some samples of the best foods for weight loss.

Foods rich in fiber, for example can cause people to fill full much easier so it makes them take less food, thus less calories
are consumed. Fiber-rich foods include berries, green beans, spinach, almond, peanuts, cherries, wheat bread and broccoli.

Meanwhile, nutrition-rich foods, especially those containing the B vitamins help increase one's energy level which makes them more motivated to work out and exercise.

Generally, the best foods for weight loss are

1. Fresh and natural

2. Nutritionally dense

3. Low in calories

4. Low fat (avoid fried foods such as chips, fries, burgers, hotdog, etc. which are high in fat)

5. Low in refined sugars (avoid cakes, candies, soda, donuts, etc.)

6. Low in sodium (avoid bacon, beets, chili con carne, fish cakes, egg rolls, olives, salami, etc., which are high in sodium)

Good foods for weight loss may also contain:

1. Complex carbs

2. High quality protein (foods with high quality protein include eggs, milk, tofu, fish, roast beef, cheese, etc.)

3. High water content (foods with high water content include fruits and vegetables)

Why are these food types considered as the best foods for weight loss? In the case of foods with high water content, like fiber-rich food helps you feel full faster which limits your food intake. It can also boost one's metabolism and is useful in cleansing our bodies with toxin.

Proteins, on the other hand, help build stronger muscles and bones which are essential when you are working out.

Combine these nutritious foods with exercise and you're on your way to a fit and healthy body.


Phillip England is a weight loss [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com] expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see [http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret]

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Diet: Slim Fast- a Dietary Review.

Hey guys! So due to being very overworked over the last two months, with numerous essays, revising, and rather traumatic exams! Over that time, I definitely did not have time to exercize, and i've got to admit i was fairly lazy when it came to healthy eating. I drank a bit too much booze, to combat the stress, ate a fair amount of junk food, and to help work/study, I drank a hell of a lot of energy drinks. So, in order to lose a certain amount of weight, I thought i would try a diet- but be a professional nutritionist about it (as i am), and write a report of my experiences. I have decided to do a diet trail on the Slimfast Diet plan. Like any nutritional report, it is important to look at the previous medical success of these sorts of diets. Here are 5 medical journal reports regarding the success of Slim-Fast and other similar "Meal Replacement" based diets:

Truby et al (2006) "Randomised controlled trial of four commercial weight loss programmes in the UK: initial findings from the BBC "diet trials""- This was a six month trial studying the effect of Slim-fast, Weight watchers, Atkins, and Rosemary Conley diet plans. The conclusion of this study that was that successful weight/fat loss can be achieved in adults following commercial diet plans for a substantial period. Average weight loss was 13 pounds over 6 months, which doesnt seem a lot-but on average 9,7 of those pounds were fat, which shows these diets seem to be quite successfull in improving fat/muscle ratio.

Ditschuneit et al (1999) "Metabolic and weight-loss effects of a long-term dietary intervention in obese patients"- This was a 3 month and 24 month study based on those following the Slimfast program. After 3 months, 7.1% of total body weight+ 7.7 pounds was the average weight loss. (If i based this on myself, in 3 months I would lose 16.9 pounds in three months). After the three month study, up until the 24 months patients lost a further 0.07% body weight every month. Over the study, the obese patients also had also improved their blood pressure and insulin response.

Heber et al (1994) "Clinical evaluation of a minimal intervention meal replacement regimen for weight reduction"- Around 250 participants were involved in a 12 week weight loss study, wherein the average weight loss was about 10% of total body weight, (with an average 13.8 pound loss over the study period). This study also showed an improvement in hypertension (high blood pressure) and insulin response. It was noted that meal replacement diets advantages include low cost and minimal professional dietary intervention.

Rothacker et al (2001) "Liquid meal replacement vs traditional food: A potential model for women who cannot maintain eating habit change"- In a study of 64 women, the group on the slimfast diet lost much more weight than the control group, and there was a decrease in total fat mass. Over 12 weeks, there was a loss of 6.3% of total body weight + 1.5 pounds.

Ditschuneit et al (2001) "Value of Structured Ready Meals for weight management: Risk Factors and Long Term Weight Maintainance" A 3 month, and 4 year weight loss study, using Slimfast. Very much a long term study, people following the diet lost weight over the three month period (about 17.2 pounds and 0.5% of total body weight). Cholesterol was also reduced, and the conclusion of the study was that meal replacement diets had a postitive long-term effect on dietary disease risks.

So there you go! Rather a lot of studies claiming that Slimfast, or "meal replacement" diets, are quite successful in weight loss, as well as long-term health effects. I intend to be on this diet (replacing two of my meals with Slimfast shakes or bars, snacking only on fruit, veg, or "slimfast" snacks, and eating a well balanced under 600kcal meal) for 2 weeks, or more, depending on how successful the diet is. I have about 11/12 pounds to lose to my goal weight, and would like to achieve this around 5 weeks. In the meantime, i will review information regarding this diet, and post up healthy "under 600kcal" meals that i consume whilst on the diet.

3 Secrets to Burn Fat in 2013

Burning fat is something some of us struggle with throughout our life. There are a lot of myths about the best ways to burn fat and lose weight. People are starting to realize that the so called "fad diets" really do nothing to help you lose weight and keep it off. The trick to successful weight loss is to know the best way for you to
burn fat.

While the typical mindset behind losing weight is that you want to cut foods out of your diet that are high in fat, the truth is that if you eat food with a high fat content only once a week you will actually be helping yourself lose body fat. Health experts say that food is the best medicine for your metabolism.

One secret to burning fat is to eat according to your age. When you reach the age of 20, your metabolism changes. This means you need to change the types of foods you eat. The food that you ate when you were under 20 years old had a different effect on your body than the foods you eat once you hit your 20th year. The same amount of food you could get away with eating before will now cause you to gain weight rather than lose it.

Be sure to avoid generic diet plans because they are ineffective due to the fact that everyone's body and metabolism are different. What may help some people lose weight may cause you to gain weight. A customized weight loss plan is the only way for you to successfully gain the body you want.

The final secret is to know which types of food you need to avoid. Everyone knows about the need to avoid high carbohydrate diet, or in other words, such food as cakes and white bread. The minority of people understand that the whole grains are not healthy for our weight loss program. Soy products like soy milk and soy protein are marketed to us as healthy. In fact, soy products contain compounds that can cause our belly fat to grow bigger. On the other hand, such simple products like eggs, tuna fish and nuts being an excellent source of protein can help our body to burn more fat.

It is not easy to achieve the goal of weight loss and to get a slim body. Yet, without knowing the simple principles the task can be even harder.
To learn more how to lose weight visit http://fat-burn-tips.info