Articles by Jackie Burgmann on ArticleSnatch.com

Mining the Fast Food Jungle

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:25:00 -0400

Everyone knows that fast food, for the most part, really isn't that good for you. It's usually very low in nutrients and very high in calories, trans fat and hydrogenated oils. So, when you're on the run and there's no other option but to eat at a fast food joint, but you're trying to stay healthy or stick to your weight loss plan, what do you do? Well, for starters most fast food places now have healthier options so you can stay on track better than you used to be able to. For instance, that fish or chicken sandwich might seem like a healthier option than that burger, but wait a minute. Is that fish or chicken patty ground and deep fried? Or is it grilled? If it's a deep fried version then it more than likely has more calories and 'bad fats' in it than the burger option. However, if the chicken or fish is grilled (and skinless) you'll be doing the right thing. Order up, it's a good option! Make it even healthier by removing the top half of the bun before eating it. **End Summary** Topics: unhealthy foods]]> fast foods]]> healthy foods]]> healthy fast food]]> how to eat healthier at fast food restaurants]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Lots of great "good food" recipes can be found in the Anabolic Cooking Cookbook by Dave Ruel . Check out my interview with Dave to learn what is worth eating and how to make delicious recipes using whole, natural foods.

Foods That Just Aren't Worth Eating

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:58:29 -0400

Trying to keep healthy? Or lose some weight? There's definitely a 'trick' to it (if you want to call it that)... and that's to keep what you put in your body only foods that help it realize your goals. Want to be lean? Eat healthy! Want to be healthy? Well ... EAT HEALTHY (oh, did I say that already?). Remember: Health begets health. So while you're on your mission to be healthy and lean, here's some foods that really just are NOT worth eating. They do nothing to help your cause and will probably just sabotage your efforts. Stay away from soft drinks. There's nothing good about them. Sugar, food coloring and carbonated water. What on earth would make anyone think that combination is good for them? And if you're thinking you can make it better by drinking the 'diet' version instead to keep your calories low, consider this: it's calorie free but it's still sweet, therefore it's sweetened with artificial sweetener. Excuse me but artificial sweeteners are all either made completely from chemicals or are chemically processed to remove the calories. Either way, they are the equivalent of drinking poison. Stay away from soft drinks. **End Summary** Topics: healthy foods]]> bad foods]]> foods to avoid]]> better eating]]> good nutrition]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Check out my interview with Mike Geary , author of The Truth About Six Pack Abs and Fat Burning Kitchen where you'll learn about lots of foods that ARE worth eating.

Foods Worth Avoiding

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:26:01 -0400

In the interest of being the healthiest version of you possible, it's a great idea to make sure what you put into your body is also the healthiest food possible. As they say, "You are what you eat" and this really is very true. If you don't eat healthfully how can you expect your body to process garbage and produce a healthy body as the result? Give it the good nutrition it craves and you'll be surprised at the stunning changes towards better health you can achieve in your body. That all being said, here's some simply awful foods that you'll want to avoid, and some great suggestions to replace the bad with some good. Almost all processed and packaged food contains some degree of additives and chemicals (added as emulsifiers like soy lecithin or preservatives to prolong shelf life). Avoid packaged foods and processed foods as much as possible. When shopping for groceries, try to stick to 'one ingredient' foods such as fresh vegetables, fruits and berries, lean meats, seafood, dairy and eggs, unprocessed raw nuts and seeds. **End Summary** Topics: unhealthy foods]]> bad foods]]> processed foods]]> eat healthier]]> good nutrition]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Lots of great "good food" recipes can be found in the Anabolic Cooking Cookbook by Dave Ruel . Check out my interview with Dave to learn what is worth eating and how to make delicious recipes using whole, natural foods.

Be S.M.A.R.T. and Get Fit

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:12:32 -0400

Looking to get fit? Great to hear it. First things first though. There's definitely a hierarchy of steps to take before you actually get out there and start working out. You must set some goals. Now the question becomes: How best to go about setting your goals? You can make it super complicated ... or you can make things really easy on yourself and use the goal setting principals of "S.M.A.R.T" Using the principals of "S.M.A.R.T" will also ensure that you are setting the RIGHT goals, goals you can reach, and goals that are right for you as an individual. So, what does "S.M.A.R.T." stand for? S = Specific M = Measureable A = Attainable R = Realistic T = Time Sensitive / Time Bound / Timely Let's attack one of these at a time ... S = Specific Specific means you must specify exactly what your goals are. It's not enough to say "I want to be fit" or "I want to lose weight" or "I want to run fast". How fit IS "fit"? How MUCH weight do you want to lose? How fast IS "fast"? **End Summary** Topics: smart goal setting]]> goal setting]]> set goals]]> exercise]]> weight loss]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For lots of great lean-body advice check out Jackie's interview with Mike Geary , author of The Truth About Six Pack Abs. He shares loads of valuable information about how you can get ripped too.

Fartlek - Excuse Me?

Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:38:31 -0400

Fartlek. It's a funny word I know. It's actually a Swedish word that means "speed play". And it's an effective way of increasing your running speed or improving your endurance. Fartlek is a form of interval training but is mostly for advanced runners. The basic concept of interval training is that the runner will do short bursts of fast running alternating with slower bouts of mild jogging or "recovery" intervals. The thing that makes Fartlek different than conventional interval training is that there is no set format, it completely unstructured. Fartlek is also intended for road, path or trail "distance" running (as opposed to going back and forth over the same part of a path over and over, as is the case in most forms of interval training). Fartlek training is a great way to increase both your aerobic and anaerobic capabilities as well as your lactic thresholds. It's a very flexible way of incorporating interval training into distance running. In Fartlek training, the runner increases or decreases their running speed for short amounts of time. However, determining when they should increase or decrease speeds is decided solely by the runner themselves, in the moment. **End Summary** Topics: fartlek]]> fartlek training]]> interval training]]> running]]> endurance running]]> unstructured intervals]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For lots of great lean-body advice check out Jackie's interview with Mike Geary, author of Truth About Abs . He shares loads of valuable information about how you can get ripped too.

Should Anything Other Than Hunger Be A Reason To Eat?

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:56:53 -0400

There's a lot of confusing information out there these days. Especially when it comes to the subject of weight loss, dieting and getting slim. Many who decide to get themselves on to the path to a better body find themselves snowed under with advice about meal timing, how much to eat, what kinds of foods to eat, when to eat which foods, and how much of each kind of food to eat. Tell me you haven't heard one or all of these little gems of advice: Don't skip breakfast or your metabolism will be slow all day. Eat every 3 hours, to keep your metabolism racing. Don't eat only two or three meals each day, eat five or six (also in order to keep your metabolism fast). Don't eat right before bed or your body can't process it and it will just turn to fat overnight. Don't eat for several hours before bed (for the same reason). Make sure you eat before you work out so you have energy. Eat (or drink) carbs after you work out to replace glycogen in your muscles. Eat protein after you work out to help build muscle. **End Summary** Topics: weight control]]> losing weight]]> counting calories]]> how to lose weight]]> fat loss]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> A great way to keep your calories in check is to practice the art of Intermittent Fasting. Check out the great interview with Brad Pilon, author of Eat Stop Eat to learn how it can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Stay Safe and Warm Up To The Right Exercise

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:36:25 -0400

So you're hot on the path to getting into a new sport or workout regime, are you? That's terrific. Nothing does a body good like physical activity. And it's great for building muscle and burning calories and keeping that fat off, too. So which sport or type of workout are you getting into? And before you start you ARE warming up, are you not? Glad to see you're nodding rapidly. But hold on a sec. Are you warming the right way for your chosen sport? Keep in mind when you're getting ready to exercise that you should try to warm-up in a way that is most beneficial to your exercise. The word, my friends, is "specificity'! For instance, if you're going running, your best warm-up is probably brisk walking and slow jogging. This is the closest in movement patterns that you can get to running without actually breaking into that full-blown run. You warm up at this pace for at least 5 minutes before going for it hard. This will ensure that you are warming up the right muscles for the right movement, thereby minimizing risk of injury due to tearing a cold muscle or tendon. **End Summary** Topics: warm-ups]]> specificity]]> exercise]]> working out]]> injury prevention]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Make sure you check out my review for the special VIP area of Truth About Abs on Video for some seriously great workout videos that will ensure you are always doing your exercises correctly.

The Real Trick to Losing Weight

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:41:17 -0400

If you're trying to lose weight and are finding the massive amount of information (and misinformation) out there about how to do it best, you are not alone. There's an easy way to lose weight but for some reason the dieting and nutrition industries have managed to confuse the subject so much many people don't know where to turn for the real answer. I'm here to tell you today what that answer is: Your calories consumed must be less than the calories your body needs to function on a day by day basis. In other words, "Eat Less, Move More". Give your body lots of reasons to burn calories (which is why everyone says to lose weight working out is a must, and they are right). But also look at the quality of the calories you are consuming. You want to feel fuller on less calories, right? **End Summary** Topics: calories in vs calories out]]> how to lose weight]]> best way to lose weight]]> tricks to lose weight]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Another great way to keep your calories in check is to practice the art of Intermittent Fasting. Check out my Jackie's interview with Brad Pilon , author of Eat Stop Eat to learn how it can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Training With An Injury. Okay? Or Don't Do It?

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 02:29:15 -0400

Oh damn. Just when you thought you were getting somewhere with your training program, the worst happens and you wind up with an injury. Now what? Do you stop training completely in the interest of healing up that injury? Or are there strategic ways to keep working out, injury and all, without causing it more harm? You'll be happy to know that there are definitely ways to plan your workouts so you can still get your sweat on and keep your injury out of the way of further harm. So, what kind of injury did you sustain? The area of the injury will play a large part (obviously) in deciding how and what other body parts you can work out. For instance if you've sustained an arm injury, its perfectly okay to work those legs hard. Unless your injury is causing mobility problems in your shoulders, you could go for a run or a cycle and possibly even a swim (careful with your choice of stroke, or just do back strokes using your legs only). **End Summary** Topics: training with an injury]]> how to work out with an injury]]> how to work out injured]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> More great tips like these can be had by hiring a Personal Trainer or Online Fitness Coach. Try Vancouver Personal Trainer Jackie Burgmann if you're in the area. Or check out her Online Fitness Coaching page if you aren't.

Are You In Your Comfort Zone? Or a Combat Zone?

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:11:53 -0500

When you hit the gym are you doing the right thing for yourself? Or are you just wasting time doing the same old thing over and over? Let me ask you this: is the same old thing still working for you? Still seeing results? Or do you feel like you might be stagnating, stuck on a plateau ... or in a rut because it's what you know and you don't know anything else? Well, I'm here to tell you that if you are stuck in a comfort zone and don't do something to get yourself out of it NOW you're going to be exactly where you are for as long as you stay in this comfort zone you've got yourself surrounded by. Do you still want to be where you are a year from now? Because that's what you're setting yourself up for if you don't get some variety ... and soon! Listen, your body is smart. It knows how to adapt to the pressures you're imposing upon it. If you don't give your muscles something new to do, something to surprise them and make them work HARDER than they're used to, they have NO REASON to change. **End Summary** Topics: exercise comfort zone]]> exercise in a combat zone]]> variability]]> change up your workout routine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Work hard to get your perfect physique as dictated by the Adonis Index .

Don't Go Into Information Overload

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 06:39:28 -0500

If you're just now getting the idea that it's time you got off your butt and got in shape, then good for you. It's probably about high time. But WAIT. Are you so new at the game of fitness that you don't know where to start? So stumped, in fact, that you've been spending time avoiding starting? Or so stumped that you're avoiding starting because you don't want to look stupid at the gym? Or hurt yourself with improper form? Or make no progress because you're doing all the wrong things? Are you so stymied that you've been spending all your time looking things up and researching every fitness subject known to mankind? Getting as much information as possible? Listening to everyone who professes to be a 'fitness guru' or 'nutrition guru' or 'wellness guru'? Spending money like mad on resources and books and manuals and ... and ... and ... ??? Well STOP!! Stop starting ... well stop starting THIS way ... because THIS way is no way to start. Are you in a complete state of "Analysis Paralysis"? Too much information coming at you from too many directions saying too many different and contradictory things is not going to do you any service whatsoever. **End Summary** Topics: analysis paralysis]]> procrastination]]> motivating to work out]]> how to workout properly]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Zach Even-Esh has never had a hard time with motivation. Check out my interview with him about his Underground Strength Manual .

Liven Up Your Interval Training

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:00:20 -0500

Interval training is a great way to up the ante on your cardio routines. But what happens when even your interval training is getting stale? Is that possible? Intervals can be quite intense anyway, but sure, it's definitely possible to get bored even of HIIT (stands for "high intensity interval training"). So, how do you crank up your intervals? Or at least get some interval training in that doesn't feel like the 'same old, same old'? Intervals don't have to be limited to just running but if running is your sport of choice, you can incorporate different kinds of intervals into your training. Try finding a big hill and doing hillsprints, or finding a sandy beach and doing your sprint training in the unstable sand or better yet, the resistance adding waves. Or you can find a big field and sprint to one end and do a slow jog back to the other side (and repeat ad nauseum). BUT, if you're looking to liven it up with different kinds of intervals besides running, then there's also lots you can do. Intervals can be done with almost every kind of cardio exercise imaginable. **End Summary** Topics: HIIT alternatives]]> interval training]]> different kinds of interval training]]> how to do interval training]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Martin has a ton more ideas for cool interval training alternatives in his Look Great Naked At Any Age workout system.

Is Your Running Regimen Getting Too Easy?

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:04:34 -0500

Running is a great sport. It's lots of fun and great for the cardiovascular system as well as being a fantastic full body workout. But if you've been running a while now it might be starting to feel like the 'same old, same old'. If you do something long enough the same way, every time, it could wind up doing two things: 1) boring you 2) no longer challenging you And, while boredom is one thing, if your running routine is no longer challenging you, then that could be a problem for your fitness and health goals. If you're looking to advance in distance or speed, doing the same thing over and over again is probably going to result in the exact opposite, and that is: stagnation. So, if you're interested in continuing your growth as a running, it's necessary not only to change things up but to make your routines harder, so your body can respond and grow in the direction you want. Here's some great ideas for making YOUR boring running routines more challenging: Incorporate Hills Into Your Route: This is pretty easy to accomplish. **End Summary** Topics: improve your running]]> make running more challenging]]> make running less boring]]> intensifying my workouts]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Fat Burning Furnace by Rob Poulos has a lot of great tips for intensifying your workouts, too.

Just Because It's on the Internet Doesn't Make it True

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:05:29 -0500

Keeping fit is a challenge in it's own right. Exercise is hard to do and sometimes just hard to motivate out to get it done. However, the benefits it reaps far outweigh the difficulties. Many choose to forego the time consuming and expensive route of joining a gym and then having to travel to and from and wait for the equipment. Instead these people choose to get their workouts in the privacy of their own home or apartment or condo gym. I applaud those people being able to motivate without the energy of other people working out around them. Heck, I happen to BE one of those people. But if you are a 'home workout' maven like myself, how do you know you're getting it right? No gym employees, personal trainers or even other exercisers around you to learn from. Getting your form correct is vitally important especially when you're weight training. If you aren't careful or don't know exactly what you're doing, you could injure yourself ... badly. So, what do you do? How do you keep yourself safe? Well, the answer to all my prayers turned out to be the Internet. Wow! **End Summary** Topics: workout on the internet]]> internet workouts]]> home workouts]]> get in shape at home]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Not everyone is an authority but Craig Ballantyne is. You can trust what you read in his Turbulence Training manual.

Tips for Safe and Comfortable Winter Running

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:41:53 -0500

If you love running like I do you try not to let anything stand between you and your regular constitutional. I know avid runners who run in every condition imaginable: rain, sleet, snow, fog, the dead heat of summer, it really doesn't matter what's going on in the outdoors, we MUST get our run in. Does this sound like you? If so, there are some precautions you should be taking before you embark on your run if you live in a part of the world that is prone to VERY cold winters. Otherwise you could be doing yourself a huge disservice hitting the trail unprepared. The most important thing to cover is yourself!! Make sure you have proper weather specific running clothes on. Be sure to use technical gear that will wick the sweat away from your skin so that when you stop running your sweat doesn't get cold and start freezing to your skin. Also, be sure to dress in many layers. Chances are once you start moving you will feel warmer, and even too hot with the amount of clothing on that is required to keep you warm when you're not in motion. **End Summary** Topics: running in the winter]]> running in cold weather]]> how to run in below freezing weather]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> More great workout ideas can be found in Truth About Abs by Mike Geary .

Can Moms With Young Kids Actually Get Really Fit?

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:04:20 -0500

If you're a stay at home mom with small children you might believe it's impossible to get really fit (and may I dare suggest 'ripped') with the challenges and time constraints that you face. However, there are several ways to get a great workout in within the day if you know just how to 'play' it. Yes, ladies! 'PLAY' is the operative word here. Kids love to play, right? So, what's stopping you from either joining themâ€¦ or better yet, having THEM join you in your workout? Let's start with the easy suggestions. Kids love to tear around the room at the highest mach-speed they can manage right? Little bundles of energy, those tykes. So, tear around with them. Play tag in the backyard (or in the house) or even hide and seek. You could even pull those old clunkers out from our own childhoods like Kick the Can and Marco Polo. Feel free to offer up piggyback and horseyback rides. Swing on the swings, if you have them (or if you're at the playground). Just because you're the grown-up is no reason to actually ACT like one! Merry-go-rounds need pushing, teeter-totters need riding, slides need sliding down. **End Summary** Topics: home fitness]]> getting in shape with kids]]> how do I get in shape with small children]]> home workouts]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> More great 'stay at home and get ripped' tips can be found in Turbulence Training .

Use Your Workout to Beat The Blues

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 09:59:46 -0500

Ever have one of those days where you just don't feel like getting out of bed? Feeling kind of blue and down in the dumps and would rather just skip out on life than bother? Well, I'm here to tell you that's exactly what you SHOULD do (and then some) in order to beat that feeling of "having the blues". One of the most mood elevating things you can do for yourself when you're having 'one of those days' is to get up, get out and get a good workout in. Yup, that's right. Do the exact opposite of what you FEEL like doing and you will almost definitely FEEL BETTER at the end of it. It's been proven time and time again that working out gets your endorphins racing and increases levels of serotonin in your brain, which in turn elevates your mood. So get outside (or stay inside at the gym if you must, but I highly recommend getting fresh air for getting a good mood on). Once you're there, START MOVING. There's so many ways to get exercise that I can't even barely begin to list them all here. **End Summary** Topics: beat the blues]]> don't stay down in the dumps]]> does exercise help with depression]]> beat depression]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you need more great workout ideas to help you combat the blues check out my Truth About Six Pack Abs Review.

Inspire Your Workout

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:18:24 -0500

Everyone hopes to find a way to get a good workout in but also to find ways to make it enjoyable, rather than feeling like a chore. If this sounds like you but lately working out has felt more like a chore than anything else, it might be time to take stock of when and where (and how) you're actually doing your routines. Do you go to the same gym, day in and day out, same familiar surroundings, same familiar faces, and do the same familiar exercises? Is your cardio almost always done on the same old treadmill, elliptical or stationery cycle staring at the same old tv show on the screen above the machine? And usually without volume too, am I right? Wow, that does sound pretty darn boring. I'd consider that a 'chore' too, so you sure aren't alone in what you're feeling. How about this? Try getting your cardio outdoors wherever possible. And don't just change your venue, change the time of day you get out there and you might find it that much more enjoyable. **End Summary** Topics: workout variability]]> workout progression]]> workout boredom]]> stale workouts]]> improve your workouts]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you need more great ideas about how to change things up check out my Truth About Abs Review.

Workout With More Energy

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:55:04 -0500

Everyone works out to look and feel better right? Otherwise, what's the point? So, are you sure you're getting the maximum results from your training session? Are you working out when YOUR energy is high, or just when it's convenient to your schedule? I understand that scheduling can be a bit of a problem in today's world, but if you aren't working out when your personal energy is jumpin' then you may not be getting the maximum benefit from your training routine. I know a lot of people who go to the gym first thing in the morning (like bright and early before the sun rises almost). However, these people aren't morning people and they're literally dragging their butts into the gym because they feel like they just want to get it over with, off their mind and get on with their day. But their energy is low because they'd rather be in bed. These same people feel a surge of energy at the end of their workday but since their workout is already done, don't bother to take advantage of this surge. I've trained people for whom the complete opposite is true. **End Summary** Topics: working out with energy]]> energetic workouts]]> get a better workout]]> circadian rhythm workouts]]> best time to workout]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For more great tips like this consider trying Power Tools Email Online Fitness Coaching .

Get Ripped Differently: Tire Flipping and Other Crazy Things

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:55:50 -0500

There are tons of methods out there when it comes to exercise. I'll bet one of the methods is something you've never even heard of. Tire Flipping. How does it work? Well, you get a crazy big tire (like something from a tractor or one of those "Monster Trucks" you see at those nutty truck shows) and a big that you can thrash up a little bit (like a back alley or a big backyard or a field), and just start flippin' !! The key here is to make sure the tire is heavy enough to give you a decent workout How to do it? Just lie the tire on its side, bend over into a squat, hook your fingers under the tire and lift until the tire is on its treads, then push it over until it lands on its side again. Repeat… and repeat again… and again. You get the idea. Just keep going until you are exhausted, and trust me, it won't be long until you are. It's a great full body workout. Another cool way to get an alternative workout in is Rope Climbing. **End Summary** Topics: tire flipping]]> rope climbing]]> unusual exercises]]> alternative]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you liked these ideas, Zach Even-Esh has some great ones in his Underground Strength Manual too. Check out the awesome interview over on Girlwithnoname's blog. Jackie Burgmann runs a fitness-oriented video blog at Girlwithnoname

The Bare Essentials for Home Workouts

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:52:18 -0500

Gym memberships are expensive. And money IS an object. But you still want to get fit. Do I have that right? Okay. I'm here to tell you that it can still be done. And you never have to leave home OR invest in very much expensive equipment. The truth is that you can get a really great workout with just your bodyweight. However, you'll probably want to invest in some minor equipment to give yourself a bit more variety and flexibility with your routines. Therefore, here's some suggestions to get you set up quickly and cheaply. First thing you'll want to consider is a set of dumbbells. Either get yourself a full set of dumbbells (but that can be more costly) or get a set of adjustable dumbbells. Most of the adjustable types work by pulling a pin out and sticking it back into the unit at the weight you want to use. When you pick it up the pin brings the weight you want, and leaves the weight you don't want behind. **End Summary** Topics: home gym]]> workout for cheap]]> low cost gym equipment]]> how to]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read the true story about how Jackie got her 6 pack abs at The Truth About Six Pack Abs Truth Page. Jackie Burgmann is a Registered Weight Trainer and Registered Personal Trainer who also runs a popular fitness-oriented video blog using the pseudonym Girlwithnoname and manages an Online Fitness Coaching program.

First Time At The Gym?

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:57:11 -0500

Hello Newcomer. Welcome to the Gym! So very nice to see you here. It's not that scary, trust me. I know everything looks complicated when you first walk in here. Oh, I know all the machines that do this and that look like you need some kind of degree to know how to run them, but don't worry, I work here at the Gym and I know you're new so I'm going to show you how to use each piece of equipment that is right for YOU to use. Oh, and did I mention that you don't have to learn ALL of the machines and equipment. At least not right away. First time out you'll probably want to learn the basics and get going on a program written just for you and your goals. You can learn the other stuff as you go, as your programs change. And another thing, not ALL of the machines are right for you anyway. Some of them are either the wrong size or have the wrong ROM (range of motion) for your body size. So don't let the number of machines here intimidate you. **End Summary** Topics: first time at the gym]]> complicated machines at the gym]]> new at the gym]]> working out for the first time]]> women at the gym]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Read the true story about how Jackie got her 6 pack abs at The Truth About Abs Truth Page. Jackie Burgmann is a Registered Weight Trainer and Registered Personal Trainer who also runs a popular fitness-oriented video blog using the pseudonym Girlwithnoname and manages an Online Fitness Coaching program.

Is Your Bodyweight Training Routine Getting Stale?

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 08:11:04 -0500

Bodyweight training is a great way to get in shape and stay in shape. Particularly when you don't have access to conventional weight training equipment like free weights or other resistance machines like cables. Unfortunately, bodyweight training can be a bit more limited because you only have your body and gravity at your disposal. This can cause your workout to get dull quickly if you don't know how to mix it up a little bit. Let's face it, doing the same old moves over and over again with no variety can be boring. So, let's mix it up! Let's take some of the most popular bodyweight moves and tweak them so they're new and exciting again, shall we? Squats are a great compound move that burns fat fast but wow, can they get stale in a hurry. Luckily there's lots of ways to change up a squat. Try doing one legged squats. How about Split Squats? Then there's Bulgarian Squats (one leg elevated on a bench behind you). Don't forget about Sumo Squats, which are also known as Plie Squats. These are basically a wide stance squat with toes pointing out rather than straight forward. **End Summary** Topics: bodyweight workouts]]> squat variations]]> push-up variations]]> pull-up variations]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> If you liked these ideas, you might be looking for some Online Fitness Coaching to help you get in the best shape of your life. Jackie Burgmann is a Registered Personal Trainer who also runs a popular fitness-oriented video blog using the pseudonym Girlwithnoname and manages an Online Fitness Coaching program.

Dietary Fat is NOT Bad For You

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:19:20 -0500

It's been a popular misconception for a long time now that ingesting fat will MAKE you fat. Unfortunately, this is not true and anyone subscribing to this theory is doing themselves a huge disservice. Did you know that if you starve your body of fats, it will start to hang on to fat even harder, which makes it even harder for you to lose the fat on your body. Don't kid yourself. Dietary fat is not the same as body fat. Nowhere even close. That being said there is a huge difference between the types of dietary fat you can choose to consume. Some are very harmful while others are highly beneficial. The trick here is to avoid hydrogenated oils and trans fats at all costs. As a matter of fact, the main rule of thumb is to avoid anything that's 'processed' and try to stick with oils and fats that are as close to their natural state as possible. So, stop being freaked out about eating foods that contain fat, and start eating in a way that will not only help you in your fat loss goals but will make you a healthier person overall. **End Summary** Topics: healthy fats]]> healthy oils]]> dietary fat]]> fat loss diet]]> losing fat]]> fat is not bad for you]]> fat is good for you]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Check out what Jackie's got to say about Mike Geary's Fat Burning Kitchen over on her health and fitness blog. Jackie Burgmann is a Registered Personal Trainer who also runs a popular fitness-oriented video blog using the pseudonym Girlwithnoname and manages an Online Fitness Coaching program.

How To Build Muscle And Social Dominance At The Same Time

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:39:38 -0400

There are many people who may not be familiar with the idea of social dominance and how it relates to our physical bodies. But the idea of the ideal male physique and how people who have cultivated this can become leaders in not only their social spheres, but in business and industry as well. Let's look at some the ways in which muscle building can and does help us achieve these goals. Most guys enter the arena of muscle building with the vague idea of getting as big and powerful as possible with the mistaken notion that this will not only make them more attractive to the opposite sex, but will help them health-wise as well. Well, getting strong can have some beneficial health effects, but the idea that a shirt-ripping overblown chest and biceps will send women flocking to your front door is not only wrong, but can have the opposite effect. Studies have shown that what women have found as the irresistible male form through the ages is the classic 'V' shape, one that is defined by a strong set of shoulders, tapering down to a trim waistline, with a well-defined chest and midsection in between. **End Summary** Topics: social dominance]]> perfect male physique]]> build muscle]]> how to get the best body]]>]]> About the Author: ]]>