Grocery Store Rip-Off
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- Created on Monday, 06 May 2013 22:38
- Written by Regie Simmons, MP Competitor & Body Fuse Sponsored Athlete
Want
to hear a secret? Can you be trusted? No seriously, can you keep a secret? Ok, here goes. Grocery stores are a rip-off! Let me restate that. Grocery stores are a HUGE friggin’ rip-off.
Well maybe this isn’t a surprise to you but it certainly was to me after doing a little comparison shopping between my local grocer, a big box warehouse club and a “food service” store. I did my comparison shopping because I was spending money hand-over-fist to support my diet while shopping at a local grocery store. If your diet is anything like mine then you’re consuming “large” amounts of foods and can benefit from a couple of tips to save a few bucks.
The Truth about Contest Dieting
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- Created on Monday, 29 April 2013 21:26
- Written by Adam Bonilla, MP Competitor & Body Fuse Athlete
Out
of all the crazy diets there are these days, the “contest prep” diet is without a doubt the most restricted in terms of food selection. One thing I’ve never understood is why does it have to be so restricted? Does a smaller selection of foods equal better results or is it just plain torture given to the extremely dedicated by trainers passing down nutrition plans generation after generation?
Reverse Dieting
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- Created on Wednesday, 17 April 2013 23:53
- Written by Collin Wasiak IFBB Pro
As
the 2013 season takes off in full force many competitors are focused predominantly on their pre-contest diets and show line-ups. With the focus and determination to bring the best physique to the stage many lose sight of the overall goal. I would hope, for the most part, the reason why we all compete is to live a healthier and happier lifestyle. As the season rolls on, many competitors diet for extended periods of time and hit the stage just to find themselves binge drinking and eating everything and anything in sight. In many instances, those who are done competing for the season often continue these habits throughout their “bulking stage.” Similarly, I see competitors who intend to compete in other upcoming shows participating in the same festivities. Although celebration is surely deserved, the time period following a competition is just as important as the weeks leading to the big day. This brings me to the concept of reverse dieting.
Eating Healthy On A Budget
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- Created on Friday, 12 April 2013 14:55
- Written by Chris White, MP Competitor
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and time again that conversation seems to come up about how “eating healthy” cost so much and that’s why I can’t afford to “diet” or eat clean. Eating healthy does not have to break the bank if you follow a few simple rules. Yes that 99 cent burger or 4.99 value meal may sound intriguing but truth be told if done right, if you break it down dollar per dollar you could spend the exact or even less amount of money eating healthy as opposed to going out or eating fast food. Try a couple of these ideas and see for yourself.
The Incredible Edible...
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- Created on Saturday, 06 April 2013 19:25
- Written by Dr. Stacey Naito, ACOFP & National Bikini Champion
If
you haven’t already incorporated eggs into your regular meal plan, you should. Eggs are an excellent source of protein, and also provide all eight essential amino acids which are necessary for optimal muscle gains. Eggs are also packed with the following nutrients:
Nutritional Logging to Look Great Year Round
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- Created on Wednesday, 03 April 2013 19:34
- Written by Scott Fishkind ACE CPT/IMPACT Instructor (NESTA)
Research
consistently shows that nutritional logging is one of the best ways to take control of one’s body weight and body composition. As a personal trainer/Boot Camp instructor, I have seen first-hand that the clients who make the effort to log get the best results! I’ve personally kept a food log for many years and I have found that maintaining or cutting is much easier since the log allows me to analyze my nutritional intake and make specific adjustments accordingly.
The Many Benefits of Cinnamon
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- Created on Tuesday, 05 March 2013 18:21
- Written by Dr. Stacey Naito, ACOFP & National Bikini Champion
Most 
of you have added cinnamon to your meal plans and know what a flavor boost it can provide to an often dull and monotonous regimen. Some of you also recognize the health benefits which cinnamon provides. This article is directed at individuals who are not aware of the powerful health benefits of this spice.
Three Tips To Shrink Your Fat Cells
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- Created on Tuesday, 15 January 2013 16:46
- Written by Timothy B. Roberts: CPT & MP Competitor
Being
involved in the Fitness Industry has given me the pleasure of meeting some very educated professionals. I have used the techniques and methods they described to me over the years with great success. That being said, I wanted to share with you some of the amazing ways to minimize your Body Fat and encourage some stubborn fat to say “Good Bye!”
1-Sip Green Tea Before You Eat.
A hot cup of tea 20 minutes prior to a meal may help you eat fewer calories, as well as provide your body with ALA. ALA is an acid used to help you body produce energy with your food. Better yet, Chinese white tea actually reduces the growth of new fat in the body and breaks down fat in existing cells.
Guide to Fats
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- Created on Friday, 14 December 2012 19:48
- Written by Mehmet Edip
Fats: 
the good the bad and the down right ugly
How many times do you see people in the supermarket staring at food labels and get stuck when it come to the breakdown of fats? Help is at hand as I will explain what fats are good and bad for you.
There are four major types of fats:
- monounsaturated fats
- polyunsaturated fats
- saturated fats
- trans fats
Clean Eats: Crockpot Chicken Chili
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- Created on Monday, 03 December 2012 18:42
- Written by Bobby Ashhurst IFBB Pro
A 
HEALTHY MEAL & NFL FOOTBALL
It’s a cold rainy winter day here in Hollywood. This is the time of year everyone starts seems to forget about eating clean. For whatever reason this is the time of year I tend to start clean it up and focus on getting a jump start on burning fat before the Yew Year.
Now just because I clean it up doesn’t mean it has to be bland. I like to enjoy my food so that means my healthy meal needs to taste amazing. Plus when I have a girl over they seem to appreciate a guy that can cook. (That’s a hint for all you guys serving plain chicken and brown rice to your girls)
So as I look around trying to come up with ideas of what I can make I happen to locate a crockpot hidden in the back of one of the cabinets. Sweet, that just made my life easier. All I have to do is throw everything in the crockpot and forget about it for hours.
Four Foods to Improve Your Mood
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- Created on Thursday, 15 November 2012 00:37
- Written by Allen Elliott National Level MP Competitor
In 
regards to active lifestyle nutrition, it’s important to eat not only for taste but more importantly for performance. As we condition and train to improve our bodies we should also be concerned about our overall mood and well-being. For many, working out is a “eustress” or positive response to stress and according to endocrinologist Hans Selye, “gives one a feeling of fulfillment or other positive feelings.”
In today’s hectic and fast-pace society it’s easy to become overwhelmed by life events. While working out may have originated for some as a goal or path toward weight management; an added benefit comes from one’s ability to use exercise as a stress management tool. Some studies have shown exercise to reduce the amount of cortisol, a hormone that causes stress while increasing the amount of endorphins, your body’s natural mood-lifting hormone.
Furthermore, we’re familiar with the concept that food is fuel to our bodies, so why not give the body fuel that will improve our workouts and our mood, a true “win-win .“
Why is Water So Important?
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- Created on Monday, 05 November 2012 21:27
- Written by Kimberly Miller, Commercial and Fitness Talent, Stylist, Writer
When you are stepping on stage you will be somewhat dehydrated to show off that hard earned muscle; however, you shouldn’t live in a state of chronic dehydration. Do you know why it’s so important to be adequately hydrated at all other times? If you would like a greater understanding of the importance of hydration then read on.
Hydration is arguably the most critical factor not only for good health, but also in the development of athletic pursuits. Drinking water is particularly important for athletes because the nature of their activities lend to using up stores more quickly. For individuals participating in sports, careful monitoring of water intake to insure they are getting adequate amounts to stay hydrated is imperative...
4lbs in 4 Days Detox Plan
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- Created on Tuesday, 09 October 2012 22:15
- Written by Timothy B. Roberts, National Level NPC MP Competitor, Pharmafreak Athlete
Preparing for your Detox:
The most practical way to detox is to stop eating refined and processed foods and just to drink plenty of water, fruit and vegetable juices for a couple of days. Mental rest is of great importance too. It is important, however, to prepare yourself for the detox in advance. A detox can last for one day to one month, but if it is your first time 2-3 days will make a big difference.
Fat Burning: The Facts
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- Created on Saturday, 11 August 2012 23:40
- Written by Mehmet Edip: Professional Actor / Model / Writer
At 
some point or other we have all wanted to burn off some body fat, but what if you want fast results? Well fear not, here are my top tips to help burn off that tire around your waist.
1. Pre-breakfast Morning Cardio
Studies show that working out in the morning burns up to 3 times more fat compared to working out at any other time during the day. To get into the 'fat burning zone' a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio is required.
How To” Guide on eating the Right Food, at the Right Time
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- Created on Wednesday, 08 August 2012 22:03
- Written by Timothy B. Roberts, National Level NPC MP Competitor, Pharmafreak Athlete
Prepping
for my competitions has shown me one simple fact, which is that you don’t have to kill yourself in order to get into killer shape. Applying some easy guidelines on “When” and “What’ to eat will help you a great amount.
Below I have listed some key points of the day where utilizing food intake will make a major difference.
Breakfast – the body has been in a fasting for about 12 hours. Now is a good time to throw in some…
Ultra-Low Carb Pancakes
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- Created on Saturday, 21 April 2012 00:06
- Written by Angel Cordero, IFBB MP PRO
Everyone 
who’s dieted for a show knows that when it’s crunch time we stick to the basics in terms of “diet foods”. A lot of us are on low carbs and it’s hard to be creative. I stumbled upon this recipe and integrated it right into my contest prep. It is a simple Ultra-Low carb pancake mix. Most people put oatmeal into their protein pancake, which works if we want the carbs. But what do we do if we are depleting?? Should we be deprived of a great breakfast? NO!
The recipe calls for:
Metabolism and You
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- Created on Monday, 19 March 2012 22:48
- Written by Erik Mara, MP Competitor and Respiratory Care Practitioner III
You’ve 
probably heard some people say that they have a higher metabolism than others. When you look at them, they’re lean and fit. While others who are not so lean and are overweight blame their physical attributes on having a slow metabolism. Unfortunately, weight gain is most commonly the result of eating more calories than you burn. To lose the weight, you need to create an energy deficit by eating fewer calories, increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity or both.
What Meal Plan is Right for You?
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- Created on Sunday, 19 February 2012 01:08
- Written by Bobby Ashhurst, IFBB MP PRO
Probably
one of the most asked questions of any competitor has to be about what meal plan would be suggested for them. I know I get inundated with emails asking for me to write up a meal plan…for free of course. I also get competitors complaining that the diet their trainer has them on isn’t working for them and seeking knowledge on how to tweek it or they’re shopping around for a new trainer who’s theories on nutrition and training may be a better fit.
The thing most of these people have in common seems to be a lack of patience. Everyone wants immediate results but very few look within themselves to determine if the problem is them rather than the plan their prep coach has them following.
Regular or Diet Soda
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- Created on Friday, 17 February 2012 00:45
- Written by Tim Staggs CPT
The debate between which is worse, soda and diet soda has been ongoing for some time. I’m going to break down the differences to answer the question once and for all. Let’s start with the non diet soda.
Regular Soda
- Increases in harmful hidden fats, including liver fat and skeletal fat.
-Increases in cholesterol. 11% increase vs. diet soda group.
Food 101
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- Created on Thursday, 02 February 2012 22:43
- Written by Angel Cordero, IFBB MP PRO
When
I talk to potential clients or anyone for that matter about “diets” I try to make sure I can get them to learn the basics. As we all know there is no clear cut black and white way to diet, but I think there are some constants in a general healthy diet. Contest prep is a whole different demon in itself, but I feel everybody should know the basics in order to be successful in their diet. Always remember that everybody responds to food differently so this is just my opinion and what has worked for me throughout the years.
