September 9th, 2008 — alcohol, cardiovascular, diabetes, exercise, fats, fatty liver
Many of us go to a doctor for our annual exam only to be told that we have a fatty liver. For the vast majority this is a pretty confusing diagnosis and it's hard to know what we can do to fix it. First, let's find out what a fatty liver is and then find out how to change it.
Normally, a fat liver is associated with drinking. However, a lifetime of unhealthy eating can do almost the same amount of damage to your liver. Over time, fat deposits collect in your liver and it starts to affect the overall function of that organ. We all need our livers and it's not really easy to get a transplant, so it's important to make that change towards getting healthy as soon as you find out that you have this problem.
A fatty liver can lead to numerous other health problems and in many cases, it's associated with adult-onset diabetes. There are plenty of other diseases that can result from having a fatty liver and the decreased function you're experiencing will begin to affect your total body health. There is also a second form of fatty liver disease that is far more serious and can actually be fatal.
So, know that we know what causes a fatty liver and why we don't want one, let's focus on ways to get rid of those fat deposits and get healthy. While there is no diet that will spot target your liver, there are proven ways of losing weight that will help you reduce the amount of fat in your liver and get healthy again. The good news is that you can undo that damage, but you will have to make a commitment towards your future.
The first step you need to take is modifying your lifestyle and targeting the foods that you're eating that are leading to the problem. For many people, cutting fast foods and high sugar foods out of their diet is the fastest way to get rid of fat deposits in the liver. But you're also going to need to add some activity if you really want to burn fat. The more calories you burn, the faster you'll get going on the road to health.
Cardio is by far the best way to burn fat from your body. You'll be getting your heart rate into that target zone so that your body can begin burning calories. If you're not reaching that target heart rate, all that effort is pretty much for naught. You'll need to get there and keep going in order to get any real benefit from your exercises.
The proper diet, combined with cardio is the quickest and most effective way to combat a fatty liver. It may take a few months, but you will start to see results and you will be getting healthier. Just remember, once you reach that goal, you've got to keep going. Changing your life requires smart decisions, healthy eating choices and plenty of exercise.
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August 26th, 2008 — activities, exercise, metabolism, sleep
If you can barely pull yourself out of bed in the morning, let alone exercise, it can be difficult to put together a workout plan. There are many benefits to getting in your day’s exercise in the wee hours, even if it is a little difficult at first. Let’s look at just a few reasons why exercising in the morning may be right for you.
1. Evening exercise is too easy to put off.
After work or school, we’re tired and all we want to do is relax. It is all too easy to put off that workout until tomorrow when your coach is beckoning. People who exercise in the morning generally find that they are less likely to skip their workouts once they get into a routine. You’ve got your whole day ahead of you, and you won’t be in the mode to wind down in the morning.
2. Morning exercise increases your metabolism.
One of the single best reasons to haul yourself out of bed in the morning for some cardio or strength training is that you’ll be giving your metabolism a jump start with all that activity. Better yet, the effects last throughout the day, so you’ll be burning fat even while you’re sitting at a desk. This is a great way to start your day.
3. You’re training your body to be more energized.
When you get into the routine of exercising in the morning, your body will begin to anticipate this. After a few days, or maybe as long as two weeks, your body will start producing endorphins right before you wake up. This means that you’ll wake up feeling less groggy and you’ll be more alert. If you can stick it out for a few days, you’ll be doing yourself a big favor and you will see results.
4. Your brain will thank you.
If you need to be sharp mentally for a big day at work, exercise is very good for your brain. All those good chemicals that exercise releases into your bloodstream help your brain function better and you will be more mentally alert. It may not seem like it at first, but you should notice a big difference in how you feel during the day after regular morning workouts.
5. You’ll sleep better.
Exercising later in the day tends to disrupt your body’s cycles. All the benefits we mentioned earlier will be occurring, but they will be happening too late in the day. You may find that you’re too wired to go to bed if you exercise too late in the day. All of that brain power and metabolism boosting will be going to waste! By switching to morning workouts instead, your body will be ready to go to sleep at the end of the day and you will sleep more soundly.
It may be hard to get up a few minutes earlier, but in the end, you’re doing your body a big favor. Take the morning exercise challenge for two weeks and see how you feel!
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August 6th, 2008 — Weight Loss Journal, exercise, injury, moderation, weigh in
While most of us don’t go into a workout with the hopes of ending up injured, it can happen. Workout related injuries are very common, especially if you are doing it on your own, without the benefit of an instructor or trainer. However, you can minimize your chances for injury by learning what not to do during your next workout.
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Rushing through routines.
No one really wants to spend five minutes doing a routine they don’t like. This can lead to pushing and rushing to get it over with. In fact, many people just rush through their entire workout, which can be very disastrous to your muscle and joint health. The key is to relax and take the time that it takes to get everything done. Don’t rush in without stretching and take the time to cool down afterwards. If you don’t like the routine you’re doing, look for a new one that is more enjoyable.
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Doing your exercises wrong.
From a simple sit-up to complex cardio and lifting routines, it is all too easy to get it wrong. If you don’t have someone helping you, the chances of performing an exercise wrong are very high. If you can’t afford the services of a personal trainer, we recommend getting at least one lesson to learn the proper form for your exercises. You can go back from time to time to make sure that you’re still doing it properly. This is the easiest way to work on your form and reduce the potential for injury.
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Pushing way too hard.
If you’re already working out and starting to see results, the natural inclination is too work harder to see more results. However, this makes it very easy to get injured. Use the 10% rule as a guide to how you should amp up your workout. For example, if you do 10 push-ups a day, you can start increasing this by adding 1 extra push up for two days, two extra after four, etc…
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Too much repetition.
If 10 reps are good, then 20 must be really good, right? Wrong! Repetitious exercise can be very dangerous if you are doing too many. Find out how many reps you should be doing and stick to it. Add to it slowly if necessary, but realize that there is a balance and overdoing it can only lead to injury.
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Improper stretching.
You wouldn’t think that something like a stretch could incapacitate you, but it is also too easy. One of the most common stretch related injuries is a hamstring pull. Make sure you are stretching slowly and never, ever bounce during your stretches. This can lead to various injuries that are quite painful and slow to heal. If you can’t quite make the stretch complete, don’t push it. Work on your flexibility instead and gradually get into stretching further.
While there are many ways to hurt yourself in a gym, there are just as many techniques to use that will prevent injury. If in doubt, always ask for help before going out on your own.
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