J. J. Body Works

In one of my classes I am required a 10 hour service project. It needs to be something that promotes Fitness and that I help plan. Any ideas would be great!! Thank you in advance!

Work with after school clubs (like the Boys & Girls clubs) or non-profit Health clubs (YMCA) and try to organize an fitness event. Maybe you could organize a karate instructor to come in and teach a class. Or maybe you could try to get a college athlete to come and give a clinic on that sport – it would be great if it was a sport for both boys and girls, something like soccer.

One of the forerunners of the sudden boom in the Diet industry is the South Beach Diet. Since its birth as diet program for the people with heart problems in a small clinic in South Beach (you guessed it!), the diet has gained a lot of following across the country.

For those who have never done it, this is done in stages. The first part is done over a 2-week period and the person will refrain from eating food such as bread, potatoes, baked foods, fruit and the consumption of any kind of alcohol. The individual may have an occasional serving of low fat yogurt or milk.

When the individual’s stomach has adjusted, it is time to bring in some of those that were taken out back into the diet. These include tomatoes, fruits and onions.

If the person is able to do this properly after another two weeks, the third part will basically be making sure that the current diet does not change. Those who are able to stick to the program as written in books and other related literature will be able to lose weight in no time.

Where it all started

The South beach diet program was created by Dr. Arthut Agatston, a cardiologist, for his patients. Despite the perception, South Beach diet is not a low carbohydrate diet. Instead, it is based on the Glycemic Index, a scale where in people can find the effects of various carbohydrate-rich food on their blood sugar level. South Beach diet focuses on finding a balance on the foods that bring in the good carbohydrate and fats and the foods that don’t.

Phases to go through

South Beach diet involves different phases that dieters must take in order to complete the program. The first phase is the most crucial and the strictest part as it involves a major change in the eating lifestyle of the person. In this phase, the person on a diet is forbidden to eat anything but fish, shellfish, meat, chicken, turkey, vegetables, nuts, eggs and cheese. They are not allowed to take in carbohydrate-rich food such as bread, rice, pasta and cereals. Ditto with sugar-rich food such as candies, ice cream, cakes, and even fruits. This phase will last for a period of two weeks.

What is different from other diets is the fact that people under the program are allowed to each as much as they want. There is no restriction when it comes to the quantity. In fact, they are even allowed to take three meals a day plus an added boon, the additional morning and afternoon snacks and the dessert. Of course, they are advised to drink lots of water, coffee and tea.

The second phase in the program involves an unspecific period of time as it depends solely on the progress of the diet. It will run until the person reaches his or her ideal weight. In this phase, the dieter will have to incorporate the carbohydrates back into the daily diet but only in moderation. This takes patience as dieters can only lose about two pounds a week, which can be really frustrating as they have lost as much as 13 pounds in the previous phase.

After reaching the ideal body weight, dieters will go through the third phase, which is actually the maintenance of the new eating lifestyle. Creators of the South Beach diet hopes that through the program, the body has changed the way it craves for food.

For instance, because the body has not taken in much carbohydrates; it will cease to crave foods that are rich in carbo. The aim of the third phase is actually quite simple. Dieters need only to maintain the ideal weight that they have achieved in the second phase.

Does this require exercising to help in losing weight? People who have been interviewed have claimed that this is not needed to get rid of those extra pounds. This is because the body will be forced to burn more calories because of the limited intake.

There was a time that the South Beach diet was not that popular among vegetarians since the individual will have to eat meat in small servings. There have been changes and people may now take advantage of this regimen.

There are cookbooks and other related information on the Internet that the person can make at home to be able to lose 8 or more pounds just like regular people.

The number of pounds that an individual can lose will vary. This really depends on the individual’s genetics since there are people who are fat and thin. It is best to consult a doctor first to make sure that this type of diet is safe for the person to try.

Low Jeremy
http://www.articlesbase.com/Health-articles/south-beach-diet-what-you-should-know-before-starting-it-95526.html

I am designing a Fitness studio and am looking for some cool idea. What are things you always missed having in one? What are your favorites in existing ones? And what would you improve?

Rowing machines. Some people look for a toned body and all muscles exercised rather than bulking up.

I often hang out in online weight loss and Fitness forums, reading and answering questions. On of the the questions that I answer most is “What is the Cabbage Soup Diet?”.

Some of the common questions about this diet are: Is there really a Cabbage Soup Diet? Is the Cabbage Soup diet healthy? Does it really work? How long can I be on it?

Since there are so many questions surrounding this diet, I have decided to put together this article which will not only answer a few of your questions but will also give you instructions on how to prepare and cook the ever puzzling Cabbage Soup. The you can decide for yourself if you would like to try this diet to shed a few pounds.

The Cabbage Soup diet only lasts 7 days and is quite filling even then, during the seven days you might find yourself a bit irritable, your stomach and digestive system may produce an abundance of gas and you may feel possibly a little light headed. If you have a tendancy to get gas from vegetables or especially cabbage, I suggest that you purchase an anti-gas product such as Beano, otherwise you might find yourself feeling uncomfortably full and bloated and you may find yourself without friends for a few days, due to full blown flatulance.

If you stick to the Cabbage Soup diet for the full 7 days you will find youself losing weight after the second to third day. Remember that this will be water weight and not actual fat. By the sixth day (if you make it that long on this diet) you wil start to see real fat loss.

As with other fad diets, the Cabbage Soup diet works because the meals ar so boring that you only eat when actually hungry. You really won’t be tempted have this soup as a mid-night snack. The Cabbage Soup diet also works becuse even though your calorie consumption is very low, this diet is full of fiber which keeps your metabolism rate up, and also keeps you feeling fairly full most of the day.

Now that we have discussed briefly a little about the Cabbage Soup diet, let’s get into the actual preparation and cooking for your seven day diet.

Your shopping list:
1 -container of mushroons which is approximately 12-16 ounces
1/2 of a large head of cabbage or 1 small head. You may use red or green cabbage
1 -bunch of celery or 2 bunches of celery hearts
2 -medium sized green peppers, or you may use 1 red and 1 -green pepper
6 -large onions
3 -average sized carrots
1-2 cans of diced,whole or chopped tomatoes
1 -package onion flavor dry soup mix such as Lipton
12 cups of water

Optional ingredients:
1 -48 ounce can of V8 or other tomato juice brand
Bouillon, beef stock, salt, pepper or fresh herbs for a more satisfying taste.

Soup Preparation:
Using a large stock pot, first spray with a non-stick coating such as Pam then add your water. If you have decided to also add tomato juice, you may want to use only 6-8 cups of water instead of the full 12 cups. If using, add your tomato juice now.
Once you slice or chop your vegatables add them to your stock pot.

Chop your cabbage into bite sized pieces, removing any wilted or brown edged outer layer leaves. You may also want to chop the cabbage center into smaller pieces or discard the hard center.

Wash your celery, chop into 1/4 inch slices and add to the pot.

Slice or dice your peppers. Remember to discard the seeds and any white membrane that may be inside the peppers.

Cut your mushrooms into nice thick pieces as they cook quickly and will shrink while cooking.

Scrub, but do not peel your carrots, then chop them into nice bite sized pieces.

Cooking:
Once all of your ingredients have been added place your stock pot over a high heat until it starts to boil. Once it reaches the boiling temperature reduce the heat to a simmer, and simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until all of your vegetables are tender.
During the last hour of cooking add your bouliion, herbs and spices to taste. Remember that herbs and spices add flavor, not calories so let your imagination run wild.

The Diet:
Now that your soup is cooked it’s time to start the day as directed below.

Day 1
On day one you may have all of the Cabbage Soup that you like, along with as much fruit as you like and sugar free jello. However, you may not have any bananas. Also avoid any caffeinated drinks. Be sure to drink plenty of water and along with water you may have sugar free juices or decaffeinated tea or coffee.

Day 2
Today, along with your soup you are allowed as many vegetables as you like, but avoid corn, peas or beans. The best way to prepare the vegetables is to steam them, but if you don’t have a steamer you may microwave, or stove cook. You may have as much vegetables as you like as long as you do not add any butter or sauces. You may not have any fruit or fruit juices today. As a snack, have a large baked potato, again without butter or sauces.

Day 3
Today in addition to your soup you may have as much fruit and vegetables as you like, but you may not have any potatoes. Remember to drink, drink, drink water all day long while you are on this diet.

Day 4
Ok, are you still with me or have you given up by now?
Today, in addition to your soup, water, decaffeinated drinks and sugar free jello you may have as many bananas as you like, trying not to have more than 8.
No fruit or vegetables today.

Day 5
Just when you thought that you couldn’t make it this far, we add meat. You may have up to 20 ounces of lean meat, cooked without fat or sauces or skinless chicken. You should also have tomatoes (up to 8). The tomatoes will make your body very acidic, so you must drink a minimum of 8 full glasses of water during the day. Be sure to always spread your water out during the day and don’t guzzle it-sip it.

Day 6
We’re almost there.
Today’s a good food day. Along with your soup you will have as much vegetables (no potatoes) as you like and up to 20 ounces of lean meat or skinless chicken.

Day 7
WooHoo, your last day.
Today in addition to your last bit of soup, you will be eating brown rice and unsweetened fruit jiuces. You may eat of of the brown rice that you like, but you may not have any white rice,long grain or wild rice.

Day 8
Today is the day that you weight yourself to see how much weight you have lost.

A few things that you should know about the Cabbage Soup Diet:
1. Before starting this diet you should consult with your health care professional to see if it is safe for you to go on this diet. He/she may also want you to check in with their office while you are on this diet.
Although, for a perfectly Healthy person this diet is fine to be on for 7 days, you may have an underlying health issue that would prohibit it’s use.
2. This diet will give you a quick boost to your weight loss goals, but it did not train you to eat properly. You still must learn to eat less and to rely on healthy foods not junk food.
3. There are different variations of this diet circulating. I suggest that you check out a few since you might learns some tips here and there.
4. Adding exercise will add to your burning of calories and fat, but if you feel tired don’t push yourself.

In ending, I want you to remember that fad diets may be ok, for just a few days, but never, ever go on any fad diet longer than one week. In doing so you may cause long term damage to your body. A healthy body looks so much better than one that has been on countless fad diets.

Patricia Zelkovsky
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/cabbage-soup-diet-what-is-it-95423.html

I have to do a paper on my current Fitness level but I don’t know what it is. Anyone know? Thx!

Aerobic fitness tests
Tests for aerobic fitness must use the same type of exercise as the sport in which the individual participates and often will involve a ‘time trial’ format.
Muscular endurance tests
These tests may assess either dynamic muscular endurance (the capacity to repeat contractions) or static muscular endurance (the capacity to sustain a muscular contraction).
Muscular strength tests
Tests for muscular strength should ensure that the muscles being assessed are appropriate and are used through a relevant range of movement, or in the case of static strength at a specific joint angle.
Flexibility/joint mobility tests
Field tests for flexibility/joint mobility range from simple “Yes/No” assessments of whether the individual can perform a specific task, to the measurement of joint angles and ranges of movement. Perhaps the most widely used of these is the Sit and Reach test.

Almost everybody has tried a diet in his life. A diet is nothing else than a change in what and how we eat. Did you ever think of eating disorders when you made a diet?

I guess not. Today eating disorders get more and more attention by the media. Some claim that eating disorders are the results of obsessive dieting. Today we know different kinds of eating disorders and gave it names like bulimia or anorexia nervosa.

The more we hear and read about it, the more we see signs of these eating disorders by ourselves. Are you too asking yourself all day if the things you eat are good for you? Are they healthy, fresh and well cooked? Do they contain enough vitamins and minerals? Do I get enough fibers? Did I eat too much fat? How many calories did I just consume? And so on and so forth.

Nutrition can be a quite confusing topic. There is just too much information about it out there. Way too much. And it gets more with every day. Still, science does not know the answers to all questions and is still guessing on many things.

How many diets do you know? How many are there? Which ones are really working and why? It is a big industry and a lot of money is made from the lack of knowledge. I do not know many who can enumerate all known Vitamins and minerals. Can you? And what exactly are these vitamins and minerals good for and in which foods can they be found?

You see, even this question alone could fill a book with answers. No doubt about it what happens when you try to make a diet and start to read about all these things. Confusion and frustration is the result.

There are different reasons to make a diet. The most obvious one is to loose weight but there are many others. Since there is so much information about food, nutrition, dieting and cooking that many started to celebrate a special type of diet or eating habit as a lifestyle.

It is like with any other habit in any other part of your life. If you get obsessive about something then you may loose control. Behavior that you repeat over and over again becomes a habit that you perform without paying attention to it anymore.

If you diet because you like to diet then you are on a dangerous path. A diet is nothing more than a aid to achieve a goal, for example to loose weight. Once the goal is achieved the diet stops.

Common sense? Should be. But if you are a victim of an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa then you continue to diet for unknown reasons. You are starving yourself to death. Why not just stop the Diet? It is not possible anymore. The habits became part of the behavior.

There is a Chinese saying that warns you about your goals because they may become true. Be careful with your nutrition. It changes or body and mind. We all should go for a healthy lifestyle but never pass the line. There can also be negative effects like eating disorders.

Gerd C. Pacher
http://www.articlesbase.com/Health-articles/can-your-diet-cause-an-eating-disorder-like-anorexia-134032.html

I like using the 24 hour Fitness kids club, but the cost really adds up if you use it a few times a week. I’d especially like to hear from someone that works there.

Why would you tip them? You pay for the service, correct? Do you tip babysitters you use along with their pay? No, and that’s what the child care there is.

It’s no secret that proper diet – one rich in whole foods that deliver essential Vitamins and minerals – has been shown to battle everything from cancer to the common cold. And for those eager to achieve and maintain good health, a balanced, nutritious diet is just part of the equation. But -as many may not realize – diet also plays a significant role in the aging process. Subsequently, a comprehensive and consistent antiaging diet can allow you to live a longer, much healthier life.

Life expectancy has certainly increased throughout the centuries, due in part to advances in medicine and technology. But, as researchers learn more and more about the effects of certain foods on the body, we, as consumers, have followed suit – integrating healthier choices into our lives while minimizing or even eliminating less healthy foods. An antiaging diet makes use of the best in the foods available to use while avoiding those foods that work against the natural processes of our bodies.

The human body relies on billions and billions of tiny cells that work together to perform all the functions we take for granted. Cells – like stars in the sky – die; and in their place new cells are formed. We have a direct impact on the health of these new cells. Cells that are exposed to poor diet, chemicals, environmental pollutants, and so forth, are compromised and tend to be weaker than their previous counterparts. These unHealthy cells can easily fall victim to free radicals – unstable molecules in the body – and, consequently a host of diseases.

But if we empower these cells with an antiaging Diet that includes proper nutrition they will have the tools necessary to keep themselves healthy and working at optimum levels.

An antiaging diet is largely based on common sense. First and foremost, increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Concentrate on green, leafy vegetables or those with deep color to them – spinach, kale, carrots – and eat a variety of all different types. Specific vegetables contain high levels of antioxidants. And all vegetables have a variety of vitamins and minerals to keep your body healthy. There are those fruits that contain antioxidants as well – apricots, watermelon, and berries – and fruits of all varieties contain nutrients found to fight heart disease and a myriad of illnesses.

Eating a well-rounded antiaging diet rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and protein – such as lean meats and raw nuts – will ensure that you have all that you need. But ensuring that you avoid what you don’t need is just as important. Minimize your intake of fatty, greasy, and fried foods.

Just a little bit of effort on your part, your antiaging diet will find you looking and feeling better and will put you well on your way to enjoying a long and healthy life.

Michelle Bery
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/making-an-antiaging-diet-a-part-of-your-life-94727.html

Low carbohydrate diet invented by Dr. Atkins continues to be possibly one of the most widespread low carb-high protein diets on the market today. Dr. Atkins diet popularity has helped spark several look-a-like diets who make use of the similar values of high protein, low carb diet. In the present day we have many high protein diets to select from.

Medical tests have established that low carbohydrate, high protein eating has a lot of good effects as well as generate noteworthy burning of fat without the need to limit calorie intake. Scores of people who benefit from the low carbohydrate diet have been reporting this. There are studies that show that high protein, low carbohydrate eating enhances triclycerides, cuts down blood sugar for diabetics and people with beginning diabetes and improves useful cholesterol or (HDL). Low-carb, high-protein nutritional regime has been continuously proven to increase insulin sensitivity, decrease blood pressure and lower blood insulin levels. When we balance it up against low-fat diets, high-protein, low-carb Dieters also lose not as much of muscle size.

Even if it is not proven by science, there are lots of various positive effects stated by people using low carb diet by Dr.Atkins. These include energy increase, decrease in craving for candys, better attentiveness, better temper and decrease of depression type of symptoms.

Then again there are also a number of benefits exclusive to the high-protein, low-carb diet by Dr.Atkins. If you have tried to lose weight with low fat diets in the past you will enjoy eating all previously forbidden foods that once you could not touch. Cream, steak and butter are a common piece of low carbohydrate, high protein diet invented by Dr. Atkins. You will without a doubt find it very pleasing to once again eat food that you like. People on diet devised by Dr. Atkins are allowed to have as much as they want of rich meats, cheeses and fats and oils.

Diet devised by Dr. Atkins is also easy to make use of if measured up to majority of other low carb, high protein diets that are on the market today. Also there are a number of essential carbohydrate food calculations that you are going to have to learn, but when you do that, you will be allowed to munch a meal of any food you wish from the suitable food lists.

Dr. Atkins also highlighted the significance of finding your own individual carb level. Different people have numerous amount of carbohydrate acceptance. While some people gain pounds with as little as merely 90 grams of carbs per day, other people can eat up to 120 grams of carbohydrates per day. During your ongoing dieting phase and pre-maintenance period of the high-protein, low-carb Dr. Atkins diet, you will find out your personal carb count that will help ascertain your carbohydrate goal for life.

The reputation of low carbohydrate, high protein diet devised by Dr. Atkins can even be a double-edged sword for the anyone trying to lose weight with it. Given that there is a lot of information accessible about the protein high Dr. Atkins diet, all of that makes it easy to get resources and help, but can also confuse you. There have been lots of Atkins books written and in addition there are a lot of sites on the internet that supply you with group support, information and tips. Then again practically everyone has heard of diet devised by Dr. Atkins and most likely has his or her own belief on it. Be aware that there are many mistaken beliefs present regarding the character of the Atkins diet, and you are going to, surely, have to defend your newly discovered eating system from time to time.

Besides that there are also a few of the added problems to using the low carbohydrate, high protein Atkins diet. You must calculate carbs in everything you eat to make sure that you are keeping within your individual carbohydrate limit. Also, there is the matter of Induction, the most intensely contested aspect of the diet by Dr.Atkins. Induction is very often difficult to endure if you have tried a diet that concentrates on sugar and carbs. Moreover, loads of people trying to lose weight try Induction and by mistake believe that this is the manner that the whole diet is going to be. They quit before they even start the actual diet by Dr.Atkins.

Sometimes even if it is not common, some individuals will face a carbohydrate crash usually on the 3rd and up to 5th day of the diet invented by Dr. Atkins. That kind of response is a product of their body entering the ketosis stage or running on fat in place of carbohydrates. The effects are short-lived however many people have quitted on low-carb, high-protein diets utterly because of this minor accident.

Taken as a whole, with the few negligible negative aspects considered, low carbohydrate, high protein diet invented by Dr. Atkins remains to be one of the most popular low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets because of one reason. It works. A lot of individuals have succeeded with the protein high diet invented by Dr. Atkins and the high protein style of eating.

Arnborg Edland
http://www.articlesbase.com/Health-articles/what-is-the-atkins-diet-and-can-it-help-you-prevent-diabetes-131423.html

Can you also give me a few ways how I can improve my Aerobic Physical Fitness? Thanks!

According to WebMD, "Aerobic fitness increases the amount of oxygen that is delivered to your muscles, which allows them to work longer. Any activity that raises your heart rate and keeps it up for an extended period of time will improve your aerobic fitness."

http://www.webmd.com/Fitness-exercise/tc/fitness-aerobic-fitness

You can improve your aerobic fitness by engaging in any cardio activity that raises your heart rate, makes you breathe harder, and ideally breaks you out in a sweat for 20 minutes or longer.

Examples:

Walking fast
Jogging
Hiking
Bicycling
Jumping rope
Climbing stairs
Swimming

In my experience, the easiest way to improve your aerobic fitness is to purchase a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day MINIMUM. It’s a lot harder than you think.

Link to a good activity calorie calculator:

http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/calculat.htm