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MTV’s ‘Fat Camp’ Inspires Adults

Curtis Ludlow — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:02:22 +0000

A new MTV TV show called, “Fat Camp” is growing in popularity and inspiring millions of people to sign up for weight loss boot camps.

Many daydream of leaving the ‘rat race’ – forgetting about the stresses and obligations of the daily grind so they might relax and focus on their personal health and wellness.

For much of the world, stress is just too high. People are gaining weight from being overwhelmed by the constant pressures of having to ‘do it all’.

The thought of escape can seem like a good idea to some. Escaping to a place where you could focus on getting your physical and emotional well being back in order – and no longer consider it a luxury – but possibly a necessity.

If you are one of these individuals, you are probably like millions of other adults today: overstressed, overweight, and just waiting for the right opportunity to put yourself first – for once.

The show, “Fat Camp” features a group of kids who had the opportunity to focus on getting their emotional and physical lives back in order. It is set in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at a children’s weight loss boot camp called Camp Pocono Trails and follows some of the campers as they learn how to exercise, eat nutritious food, and lose weight.

The kids that MTV choose to follow had their high and low points exposed to millions of eager viewers.
As glimpses into the lives of these emotionally unstable campers are featured, many viewers all over the world we’re able to resonate and sympathize with the cast.

While this camp is designed for kids, it has all of the features that would entice a grown man or woman to drop it all and escape to a fat camp for adults.

The kids that attend Camp Pocono Trails live a very posh life – they are served healthy meals, have a variety of outdoor recreational adventures and most everything else taken care of for them.

They experience kayaking, hiking, strength training with a personal trainer, water aerobics, and cardio workouts, and have the stresses of everyday life replaced by outdoor adventures.

MTV ‘Fat camp’ was not a huge hit when first released – but has now become a huge inspiration for kids who need to take charge of their health as well as adults who are now looking into making their dreams come true at a fat camp for adults.

The show still air’s to date and has captivated millions because of the personal stories of the campers who are brave enough and reveal some of their most raw, uncensored emotions on camera.

Videos of some of the favorite campers continue to surface on YouTube and get hundreds of views, even now that almost four years have passed since the original airing of the documentary. The world seems captivated by the kids of Camp Pocono Trails.

The most positive result of the show has been all of the new interest in fitness camps for adults. While it is easier for kids to spend their summer away at a camp, the idea of ‘running away from it all’ to a beautiful remote location is extremely appealing.

For some, attending weight loss boot camp has actually become a reality. Finally, people are putting themselves first. As a result they are making their lives and their families much stronger as a result. That is something truly special.

4 Rules for Choosing a Gym

Curtis Ludlow — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:44:52 +0000

With today’s busy, fast-paced lifestyles, we often have less time to devote to our health than we may otherwise wish. While adopting a workout program at home may seem desirable, unless you’re using specialized equipment or the advice of a trainer, you’re likely not making the most efficient use of your limited time.

Getting a gym membership is a great way to help, but as with any choice you face, choosing unwisely can be worse than not choosing at all. If you’d like to select a great gym but aren’t quite sure how, here are a few key points on how to do so.

1. Be clear on your priorities.

Put simply, gym staff are salespeople. They want your business, and will talk up amenities and offerings such that their appeal detracts from other factors. You should want a gym membership not because of a pool or as a new means of meeting people, as the same benefits can be had elsewhere for much less. If you’re interested in starting a gym membership, do it to improve your health and quality of life.

2. Choose a gym which you’ll want to attend.

If the gym is further than 10-20 minutes from your home, you’ll likely find reasons not to go. Similarly, if the gym makes you uncomfortable due to the type of crowd or the quality of staff, you may not attend as often. In many cases, exercise will seem like an inconvenience, and until you’ve built up strength, you’ll likely jump at any excuse not to hit the gym. Setting yourself up for failure is a great way of discouraging future attempts, so minimize that outcome by choosing a gym that you’ll actually enjoy.

3. Choose the amenities you’ll use, not the ones you won’t.

A pool, spa and staff of quality trainers are all great features, but unless you’ll be using those amenities, those costs will be passed onto you. If your workout plan simply doesn’t include time for a swim or extended meetings with a trainer, then don’t let those amenities sway you in your purchasing decision.

4. Do your research.

At the same time, while you may not think that you can benefit from the input of a personal trainer, you may actually be surprised. As previously stated, your time is valuable, and you’ve already demonstrated a commitment to using it more effectively by searching for a gym. A professional trainer can usually make your limited time even more effective by suggesting an exercise regimen unique to your goals and fitness level. Even if you opt not to pursue this route, empowering yourself by learning more about your health is the most certain way of making the best choice, as you’ll learn which exercises and pieces of equipment are best to achieve your fitness goals.

Choosing a gym is a great way to attaining a better, healthier lifestyle. The benefits of regular, quality exercise can be felt in many areas, and while working out at home is a good first step, there is something powerful in the tangible effort of selecting and regularly attending a gym. By keeping the above points in mind, you are sure to make a great choice in this area, and with any luck, your efforts will pay off greatly.

Photo Credit © Yanine | Dreamstime.com

Blunt Truth about the Lemonade Diet

Curtis Ludlow — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:01:00 +0000

The Lemonade Diet, also known as the Master Cleanse Diet, is a relatively simple program that has gained popularity recently. Several well known celebrities, Beyonce for instance, claim that it helped them lose weight.

Just remember, following the program can pose problems of its own.

There are three major components of the “lemonade” diet including Ease In, The Lemonade Diet, and the Ease-Out. The ingredients necessary must be followed precisely in order for the program to work right.

The first part of the program eases you into the routine and prepares your mind and body. Your stomach will adjust to receiving less food and you will be mentally prepared. The first part consists of 3-days, on the 1st day you can eat fruits and vegetables, removing meat and processed foods from your diet. On the 2nd day you can only drink fruit and vegetable juices, if you do not have a juicing machine create a broth. The third day entails drinking two liters of fresh squeezed orange juice with a tablespoon of maple syrup and water to fill.

The main part referred to as the Lemonade Diet is an intense process that will be challenging. There are three steps that need to occur on a daily basis. The 1st step is about preparing your lemonade for the day. As soon as you wake up go into the kitchen and prepare your “meals.”

Here is the Recipe for the Lemonade Diet

You will need to gather 14 tablespoons of hand squeezed lemon juice, three 1-liter reusable bottles, 14 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper, and two liters of water. Place seven tablespoons of the lemon juice into a 1-liter bottle and repeat with a second bottle. Do the same with the maple syrup, add the cayenne pepper and fill it with water. Fill your third bottle full of water as you will need to drink it throughout the day to give your body the illusion you are full.

The second step of the diet entails drinking the lemonade and water throughout the day. When you feel hungry take a swig of the lemon mixture and follow it with several drinks of regular water. You need to drink the entire two liters of lemonade at the end of the day.

The hardest part of the diet is the third step, which is salt water flush. In essence, you drink salt water to induce several bowel movements to cleanse your system. Mix one liter of room temperature water with a teaspoon of sea salt. It is easiest to drink the solution in one gulp, but be sure to stand by the sink as your reflexes may sink in halfway through. After drinking the mixture you can go about your night until a bowel movement occurs – typically within 60 minutes of drinking the salt water. It is important to perform the flush in the evening because you will be on the toilet for a while. You must be near a toilet for several hours after the first movement. When you reach the point where you can go 15 minutes without eliminating, you are safe.

The time frame for which people stay on the lemonade diet depends; some do it for as little as three days while others can go up to two weeks. Whenever going on such a diet always consult with your physician if you have prior medical conditions.

The ease-out steps are an essential process to prepare your body for regular food again. It is critical that you change your eating habits afterwards and it’s important to remember that this diet, like all diets, will slow metabolism.

That’s right.

You will be losing muscle during this diet and muscle is your metabolic engine. If you started the diet with a 200 horsepower engine, you will finish the lemonade diet with a smaller engine. The longer you stay on the diet, the smaller your engine will get. So don’t do this for weight loss. If you choose to go on this diet, do it to flush your colon, not as an attempt to lose fat.

How to ease back into eating real foods:

On the first day drink three one liter bottles of orange juice with two tablespoons of maple syrup in each.
On the second day drink fruit and vegetable juice or broth.
On the third day re-introduce your body to fresh fruits and vegetables.
On the fourth day you can eat anything, but be sure to include live products.

If you choose not to follow the ease-out process prepared to become nauseous and possibly sick.

10 Simple Tricks to Rocket Launch Your Metabolism

Curtis Ludlow — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:42:00 +0000

Tired of walking around with those extra pounds on your body?

For many women, a slow metabolism is part of the problem when they try to lose weight.

You may have tried many diets, personal trainers, and all kinds of exercise videos. However, with these simple tricks to rocket launch your metabolism you’ll finally lose those pounds, feel better and look great.

Frequent, Small Meals

Some people eat 1-2 big meals each day. This can elevate your leptin levels and put your body in starvation mode.

Not good.

Eating every couple hours is a great way to rev your metabolism. Just be sure to eat healthy foods and don’t overeat. Eat enough so your stomach feels comfortably full.

The Japanese have a great expression the describes this: they call this feeling, Hara Hachi Bu or eat until you are 80% full.

Green Tea

Green tea has been proven to help give metabolism a boost. Drinking three of more cups of this tea each day can definitely give your body that extra boost it needs to help you lose weight. There are other great health benefits to drinking this tea as well.

N.E.A.T.

There is a concept known as Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis or NEAT.

It turns out that most of the calories you burn during the day have nothing to do with exercise. It’s the activity that is non exercise related that burns the most fat. So every single time you move your body, every twitch of every muscle requires energy. And the people who move the most all day long will have a higher “NEAT”.

How do you get your NEAT higher?

Don’t be a couch potato. If you are not physically active, your metabolism will be slow. Just walking further to the store can give your NEAT a boost. Running up the stairs can get your metabolism going.

Weight Training

Weight training is one of the best ways that you can give your metabolism a boost. When you do weight training, you develop muscle. The muscle you build will burn more calories. This increases your metabolism, even when you are resting, helping your body to lose weight.

Interval Strength Training

Aerobic exercise is ok for burning calories but it isn’t the metabolism rocket launcher that strength training is.

If you use this type of exercise with interval training, you can double your calorie burn. Find a qualified personal trainer to learn how to do this correctly.

Consume Protein with Each Meal

Protein is important for boosting metabolism. Choose lean proteins, such as white fish, lean chicken, or even egg whites.

Eat Breakfast

The body has gone without food for some time and you need to get your metabolism moving. When you eat breakfast, it gets it moving fast. Just make sure that you eat foods that are healthy.

Water

Water is an incredibly important nutrient that many people neglect.

Carry a large bottle of water with you and sip from it all day long. Drink at least 64 ounces of water everyday.

Sleep

When your body doesn’t get the sleep it needs, your entire body, including your metabolism, can be thrown off. You actually burn calories while sleeping. Sleep in a dark, quiet room and make sure you to get at least 8 hours of sleep so you keep your metabolism and life on track.

Limit Stress

When you have a lot of stress in your life, cortisol, which is a steroid, is released into the body. It can slow down your metabolism. Prevent this from happening by taking planned daily, weekly, monthly and even quarterly breaks where you completely disconnect from work.

These are some of the best ways that you can rocket launch your metabolism to help you lose weight.

Remember, don’t just do some of these tricks, do them all for best results.

I promise that you’ll feel better and look amazing.

7 “Healthy Food” Lies You Fall For – Everytime

Curtis Ludlow — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:30:34 +0000

You are being lied to.

Everyday you purchase food items that you think are good for you. You probably base your decisions on the food labels themselves. The problem is that there it is very difficult to monitor and enforce misrepresentations about food claims that restaurants and food manufacturers make.

Here are the top 7 lies they don’t want you to know about:

1. “carb smart,” “net carbs,” “carb free lifestyle,” and “minimal impact on blood sugar.”

Many people purchase items with these labels thinking that “carbs are bad”. Lables will often say that they’re carbohydrates will have “a minimal impact on blood sugar”. But remember, they still provide calories that can contribute to weight gain

2. “Low fat”: Most foods may be described as “low fat” if there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a standard serving. Standard servings have been established by the FDA to reflect the amount of food that is typically consumed. Since restaurants often serve foods much larger than the standard serving, a “low fat” food may actually contain large amounts of fat.

For example, ice cream may be called “low fat” as long as there are no more than 3 grams of fat in a standard half cup serving.

However, you are usually offered portions several times larger than the standard serving size. So a 2-cup serving of “low fat” ice cream may contain up to 12 grams of fat!

Also, keep in mind that even a small-sized serving of “low fat” main dishes like hamburgers, pizza, or sandwiches, can have more than 3 grams of fat per serving.

And remember, “low in fat” does not always mean “low in calories.”

3. “Light”: “Light” is commonly used to mean many different things. It may describe a food’s taste, color, or texture, or it may indicate that the food’s calorie, fat, or sodium content has been significantly reduced.

Labels must clearly indicate what “light” is intended to convey. If the meaning is not clearly explained, you should seek clarification. If “light” is used to indicate a reduction in calories, fat, or sodium, information about those nutrients must be provided upon request.

4. “Cholesterol free”: “Cholesterol free” claims are very popular on, but can also be very misleading. Keep in mind that:

“Cholesterol free” does not mean “fat free.”

Foods like meat, poultry, and seafood contain cholesterol — even if they are fried in “cholesterol free” oil.

Also, saturated fat and trans fat can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood:

“Cholesterol free” foods may contain saturated fat. The FDA only allows foods that are low in saturated fat to be described as “cholesterol free,” but watch out — most do not comply with this requirement.

The FDA allows foods with significant amounts of trans fats to be called “cholesterol free.” To avoid trans fats, limit foods prepared with vegetable shortening or partially hydrogenated oils.

5. “Sugar free”: Some foods, especially desserts, may be described as “sugar free.” But keep in mind that “sugar free” does not mean “calorie free” or “fat free.” If a food described as “sugar free” is not low-calorie or reduced-calorie, the menu must say so.

6. “Healthy”: Food described as “healthy” must be low in fat and saturated fat and may not be high in cholesterol or sodium. However, there are no limits on the amount of sugar or calories that a “healthy” food may contain.

7. “Heart” claims: Claims like “heart-healthy,” “heart smart,” and “heart” symbols imply that a food may be useful in reducing the risk of heart disease. When such claims are made, the food must be low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and must not be high in sodium. But keep in mind that most vendors will not always comply with these restrictions.