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43 Million children under the age of 5 are overweight!

The “Toned” look that we all desire, is a result of increased muscle mass, and decreased body fat. You muscles usually have to get BIGGER to achieve this look. Let me share some of my views on how to get that athletic, yet “”Feminine”" figure that so many of us are after.

First off, what do we as a society look at and consider, “”Feminine?”" 36-24-36? Maybe not those numbers exactly, but that type of body shape still holds true with most. Now how do you make this athletic-looking, without detracting from the female shape? Each person is different of course, but choosing certain body parts to emphasize over others can really help here. For example, it seems acceptable for a woman to have very round and shapely deltoids, but if the biceps and forearms as well as traps are too developed, it’s seen as “”Manly.”" So wisely choosing which body parts to maximize and which ones to minimize can go a long way.

Here are my three key principles for looking strong, athletic, and yes, like a woman!

1) Maximize your shoulder to waist ratio.

For those that have teeny-tiny waistlines, this could be very simple. Maybe just training shoulders first in your schedule is all that is needed. For those of us that are not 24″” or less in the waist, this might take quite some effort. Shoulders MUST be trained first, very hard, and frequently to get the desired look. Back width also plays a big role in making the waist seem smaller than it really is, so it is a close second. Keep in mind that this part of it is exactly the same as what a bodybuilder would try to do, so you shouldn’t get caught thinking they have to do “”Girl”" exercises, or feel restrained from doing heavy weights. I have personally trained female clients as high as 55 lb dumbbells for both overhead presses and laterals trying to get their delts to grow. I also don’t understand why most females don’t strive to do wide grip chin ups, other than they are hard. Don’t shy away from hard heavy exercises for shoulders and back.

“You are not going to get those perky round glutes by doing leg kickbacks and butt squeezes!”

2) Pump up that butt!

How many women have said in the same breath “I don’t want my butt to get any bigger, but I don’t like the way it sags.” They mean they don’t want their rear to get any “Fatter”,and “Bigger” means “Fatter” in their minds. So many women have given in to the idea that it is just a genetic trait that can’t be changed. Well guess what? Glutes are just like biceps – you guys out there know if you want impressive arms, you have to train progressively on certain exercises and force the muscles to develop. Girls, it’s the same for you. You are not going to get those perky round glutes by doing leg kickbacks and butt squeezes! You have to do exercises that allow for progression in weight and reps both. If you’ve been doing say walking lunges with no weight for the past year and still aren’t happy with the way things look from behind, you need more stimulation. Add some weight to the exercise and PROGRESS! You want the glutes to get bigger while simultaneously stripping the fat away. Have you ever seen a girl with a really tight butt and think its still too big? Probably not.

“I believe you are what you eat, and someone that eats 2000 calories of mostly protein, healthy fats and complex carbs, will look much different than one that eats 2000 calories of crap-carbs and greasy fats.”"

3) Control your bodyfat!

I will admit that a woman who is 20% bodyfat with no muscle, looks smaller and better in clothes than one with the same amount of fat and much more muscle. To have that athletic look, most of us end up in the 12-15% range. I believe you are what you eat, and someone that eats 2000 calories of mostly protein, healthy fats and complex carbs, will look much different than one that eats 2000 calories of crap-carbs and greasy fats. I don’t believe its about the numbers, its about the quality of the foods. Cardio is also a key element in bodyfat reduction and control. This is where people differ the most I’ve found. Some women can get by with 20-30 minutes 3-4 times per week. Some have to do 6-7 days a week and usually for 45-60 minutes each time. I have trained some girls that have had to do double sessions 7 days a week to achieve 12% body fat. So go with what works for you and your body type.

I hope you ladies reading this are ready to go to the gym and hit it hard and heavy. Keep in mind that heavy is a relative term, if 5 lb dumbbell presses are all you can truly do, push them hard and you will get stronger. In the process you will earn the respect of those around you that are doing the same. It is not where you are at now, its about where you are going! And I hope that the guys reading this will show some gym etiquette to those ladies that may not be as strong as you, but pushing just as hard to get better.

The next time you finish a rigorous workout, you may want to consider a surprising new sports drink to help refuel tired muscles: chocolate milk. A recent study, published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (1), reports that athletes who drank chocolate milk after an intense bout of exercise were able to workout longer and with more power during a second workout compared to athletes who drank commercial sports beverages.

The researchers of the study indicate that chocolate milk is a strong alternative to other commercial sports drinks in helping athletes recover from strenuous, energy-depleting exercise.  Researcher Joel M. Stager, PhD, professor of kinesiology at Indiana University states that “Chocolate milk contains an optimal carbohydrate to protein ratio, which is critical for helping refuel tired muscles after strenuous exercise and can enable athletes to exercise at a high intensity during subsequent workouts.”

Stager and colleagues had nine cyclists bike until their muscles were depleted of energy, rest four hours, then bike again until exhaustion, three separate times. During the rest period, the cyclists drank one of three beverages:

1) low-fat chocolate milk

2) a traditional fluid replacement sports drink

3) a carbohydrate replacement sports drink

During the second round of exercise, the researchers found that cyclists who drank chocolate milk during the rest period were able to bike nearly twice as long before reaching exhaustion than those who consumed the carbohydrate replacement drink, and as long as those who consumed the fluid replacement drink.

Researchers theorize that the combination of carbohydrates and protein found in chocolate milk is what helped enhance the cyclists’ performance and suggest that flavored milk may be an optimal beverage for refueling muscles after exercise. The researchers also note that chocolate milk is a great-tasting and cost-effective alternative to many sports drinks.

In addition to its ideal combination of carbohydrates and protein, flavored milk contains seven other essential nutrients that are important for an athlete’s health – including bone-building calcium. No other sports drink contains the nutrient package found in flavored milk.

This study suggests, as well as many others before it, that a combination of carbohydrate and protein is more beneficial to athletes than just carbohydrate alone in the post-workout meal or supplement. This study takes it one step further by identifying a food product – chocolate milk – that is easy to get, inexpensive, and tastes great.

Confirming these results was a study by Dr. Janet Walberg-Rankin and co-workers at Virginia Tech (2).  This study compared body composition and muscle function responses to resistance training in males who consumed a carb drink (Gatorade) or chocolate milk following each training session. Chocolate milk consumption immediately after each workout tended to increase lean body mass and bodyweight compared to supplementation with carbs. This study clearly shows that carbs-only post-exercise beverages don’t cut it.

The one thing you want to keep however is that you want to select a non-fat or skim chocolate milk. Forty-eight percent of the calories in whole milk come from fat; 33 percent of the calories in 2% milk come from fat; 20 percent of the calories in 1% milk come from fat, and 0 percent of the calories from skim milk come from fat. So, when reaching for chocolate milk as your post-workout recovery drink of choice, choose the non-fat version. However, if you’re not a fan of chocolate milk post-workout then you can opt for a sports drink with easily absorbable proteins such as hydrolysates.  In regards to your post-workout drink, the presence of easily absorbable proteins along with simple carbohydrates seems to be the most effective choice.

© 2006 Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK.

(1) Karp, Jason R.; Johnston, Jeanne D.; Tecklenburg, Sandy; Mickleborough, Tim; Fly, Alyce; Stager, Joel M  (2004).  The Efficacy of Chocolate Milk as a Recovery Aid. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 36(5) Supplement:S126.

(2) Rankin-Walberg J, Goldman LP, Puglisi MJ et al. (2004). Effect of post-exercise supplement consumption on adaptations to resistance training. J Am Coll Nutr,;23:322-330.

Uh-oh, that one always gets people, I know it . Those darn abs workouts. Let me tell you the truth. Although they can be a little annoying at times, they’re necessary to say the least. I can’t overemphasize them. Come on, we all want to display a great set of abs and walk around showing them to everyone. Why else do you think we have so much abs exercise equipment reigning the fitness market at all times? Regardless of your gender, the abs are absolutely critical. Are you testing out some of the new-age abs exercise equipment?

When it comes to abs exercise equipment, I don’t have any. I prefer to do all my exercises without machine interference. You know, all those traditional exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, leg-raises, dips, etc. Now, this is not the chosen route for every individual who is striving to stay fit. Many people prefer some of the latest benches, treadmills, stairmasters, and abs exercise equipment on the market. This stuff is great if you can afford it. Why not take advantage of any contemporary aids if available? If you have the money and think it fits you, I say go for it.

Let’s take a friend of mine for example.  She has one of those big rubber balls you see pretty girls swear by on television ads. While I’m pretty certain that they have a more politically correct name, I don’t know what it is. She uses this abs exercise equipment for a wide array of stomach and back workouts. I have to admit that I was rather surprised the first time I saw it. I could certainly see how it would provide you with a strenuous workout and build your muscles. She continues to use it daily for a variety of exercises.

What abs exercise equipment do you prefer? Maybe you get your frequent dose of abs exercise equipment at the local gym or fitness club. They typically have a variety of abs exercise equipment ready at your service. Regardless of what regimes you prefer, you know that your daily dose of abs workouts are compulsory for keeping that bare, tight, flat tummy. If you are in need of advice concerning abs exercise equipment or just simple routines, you can hop online and acquire anything your heart desires. From diet plans, to fitness regimes galore, you will find it all on the World-Wide-Web. They are abundant and free! Get started today and get those abs you’ve always wanted!

Or you could always ask and I will see what I can do for you.

Just remember that your diet and cardio have to be in check to see the results. Spot reduction is not possible!

Myth #1: In order to build muscle, you must achieve a “pump” during your workout. The greater the pump you achieve, the more muscle you will build.

For those of you who are just starting out, a “pump” is the feeling that you get as blood becomes trapped inside the muscle tissue when you train with weights. The muscles will swell up and leave your body feeling bigger, tighter, stronger and more powerful. While a pump does feel fantastic, it has very little, if anything to do with properly stimulating your muscles to grow. A pump is simply the result of increased bloodflow to the muscle tissue and is certainly not indicative of a successful workout. A successful workout should only be gauged by the concept of progression. If you were able to lift more weight or perform more reps than you did in the previous week, then you did your job.

Myth #2: Building muscle will cause you to become slower and less flexible.

This one goes back to the old days when people described bodybuilders as being “muscle bound” and “bulky”. Contrary to what you may think, building a significant amount of lean muscle mass will actually speed you up rather than slow you down. Muscles are responsible for every movement that your body makes, from running to jumping to throwing. The bottom line is that the stronger a muscle is, the more force it can apply. Having stronger, more muscular legs means increased foot speed, just as having stronger and more muscular shoulders means the ability to throw farther. Strong muscles are able muscles, not the other way around.

Myth #3: You must always use perfect, textbook form on all exercises.

While using good form in the gym is always important, obsessing over perfect form is an entirely different matter. If you are always attempting to perform every exercise using flawless, textbook form, you will actually increase your chances of injury and simultaneously decrease the total amount of muscle stimulation you can achieve. Remember, we are not robots! It’s very important that you always move naturally when you exercise. This could mean adding a very slight sway in your back when you perform bicep curls, or using a tiny bit of body momentum when executing barbell rows. Loosen yourself up a bit and move the way your body was meant to be moved.(this is exactly why I don’t like many machines) Obsessing over perfect form will actually work against you rather than for you.

Myth #4: If you want your muscles to grow you must “feel the burn!”

This is another huge misconception in the gym. The “burning” sensation that results from intense weight training is simply the result of lactic acid (a metabolic waste product) that is secreted inside the muscle tissue as you exercise. Increased levels of lactic acid have nothing to do with muscle growth and may actually slow down your gains rather than speed them up. You can limit lactic acid production by training in a lower rep range of 5-7, rather than the traditional range of 10 and above.

Look back all the way to prehistoric times. Men were not ment to be fat.  They had to be lean and fast for hunting and gathering.  Women on the other hand were ment to store fat for times of when food was scarce and for child birth and milk production.  We were built for function not for looks.  Trying to drop fat goes against our programing.

Women also have other road blocks to overcome. You have lager fat cells/stores and fewer fat burning enzymes.  You also have estrogen that helps increase fat stores around the butt and thighs.  Just where you don’t want it huh?

Changing your diet will help you reduce fat but do not make it a “crash diet.” Don’t starve yourself.  Once you do that you will send your body into starvation mode and you will either start storing more fat or your body will start eating it’s own muscle.  Either way, once you get off that “diet” you will gain it all back, if not more.

So it’s not just you, its your programing…but don’t use it as an excuse.

In order to lose weight you need to consume fewer calories than you are using. The best solution is to combine an exercise program with a diet as dieting alone will not have the same results.

Some people especially men seem to think that if you exercise enough, you can eat what you like, but this is an urban myth.  Unless you are careful you could end up with heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses as well as having a weight problem. Yes! Exercise can make you hungry but that is not an excuse to chow down on fast food and snacks.

So what is the answer to the question what to eat to lose weight? You should eat something from all the food groups every day but in proper proportions. The food groups are as follows:

1) Fruit and Vegetables

2) Carbohydrates or starches

3) Protein

4) Dairy products

5) Foods containing fats and sugars.

Most of your food should come from the first group.  Fruit and vegetables are great for people trying to lose weight as they help to fill you up without adding on loads of calories.  They are also great for your skin, your hair and your general wellbeing. You need to try and vary the quantity; colour and type that you eat as eating carrots every day will soon become rather boring.

If you do not like raw vegetables try making homemade soup. If you make the soup from scratch and use spices and herbs instead of salt, you can make a very filling meal with very few calories. You should try and start your lunch and dinner with either a soup or salad as you will end up slimmer.

You need carbohydrates in order to get vital B vitamins and nutrients. Switch from white products such as bread, pasta and rice to the wholegrain or wholemeal varieties.  Aim to eat your carb allocation as close to morning as possible so that you get a chance to consume the glucose released by these foods.  Glucose converts to fat if it is not used up.

Proteins provide essential amino acids so are vital to your diet. You do not need a lot of protein and the best sources are lean meat, fish and sprouting beans.  Eating a dinner made of protein and vegetables will help you to lose weight. In fact never eating protein and starches in the same meal will have a huge impact on the number of pounds you lose.

Dairy products are a great source of calcium and thus should never be fully excluded unless you have an allergy. The final group is the “bad” foods. While you shouldn’t consume much of these products, a little now and again will help to stop you feeling deprived. This may help you to stick to the diet a little longer.

Nothing says that you have to just limit your workouts to the treadmill and the gym.  There has to be something else that you like to do.  Basketball? Tennis? Martial Arts?(I have a friend that loves it and it keeps things different.) I know this will sound strange but I would even put golf in this list. You just have to walk the course rather than ride a cart.

Anything that will get your heart rate up and get you moving is better than nothing and it will keep you involved because you will not think of it as exercise. You will just be having fun.

Now get out there and play!