Demonstration of one arm cable tricep extensions

Video: A fitness professional performs this exercise which is aimed at the Tricep muscle

Stiff Leg Dead-lift

While you are working your back it is also important that you focus on your lower back as well. Your muscles work on a lever and pulley system, so it is important to make sure that you get all of your muscles strengthened, as it will help to ward off muscle problems and postural conditions. The stiff leg dead-lift, also known as the Romanian dead-lift, will work your legs, especially the hamstrings, as well as your lower back.

In order to do a stiff leg dead lift, you will need to have a bar and weights. The common misconception with many people is that this is a body building exercise and people who just want to tone tend to stay away from this. However, this exercise can be done at any weight level, including just the bar. It can help to give you the rounded and toned butt that you want.

How to do the stiff leg dead-lift

1. With the bar on the floor, stand directly in the center of the bar with your body straight and your feet about hip width apart and your knees slightly bent so that you do not harm yourself.

2. Then bend at the hips and grab the bar, making sure that you stay straight and do not bend anything more than your torso forward at the hips. When you grab the bar you will want to make sure that your arms are shoulder width apart and you are holding the bar so that your palms are facing the ground.

3. Lift the bar to about hip level

4. Lower the bar back down, almost to the ground, but do not set it back down

5. Continue lifting the bar and lowering it until you have completed all of the reps in the set and then set the bar back on the ground

Tips for getting the best results with the stiff leg dead-lift

Just as with every other exercise, it is important to breathe. The easiest way to do this with this exercise is to inhale on your way down to grab the bar and exhale while you are lifting the bar.

It is also very important that you keep your eyes focused in front of you while you are doing this. You need to keep your back straight in order to keep from injuring yourself and if you look down at the floor, you will bend your back and you will find that you will end up getting hurt

You will also want to keep your arms slightly bent while you are doing this exercise as this will also help to keep you from hurting your arms

Make sure to keep your shoulders straight and do not let them round forward as this will take away from the full effect of the exercise

While you are lowering the bar to the floor, make sure your weight is in your hells and not in the balls of your feet

Cucumber Salad Recipe

Ingredients

2 large cucumbers

2 large tomato

2 tbsp olive oil

dash of fresh oregano

dash of fresh parsley

Preparation

Wash and skin the cucumbers. Cut the cucumber into 1 inch slices. Cut the tomato’s into 4 quarters. Add to bowl and add olive oil, fresh oregano, and fresh parsley. Chill before serving for best flavor!

Low Fat Tropical Smoothie

Ingredients

1 ripe medium banana, sliced

1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate

1 – 8 ounce can crushed pineapple in juice, chilled

1 1/2 cups vanilla low fat frozen yogurt

1 cup milk (skim,fat free or 1

Directions

In a blender, combine banana, undrained pineapple and orange juice concentrate. Cover and blend until almost smooth. Add low fat frozen yogurt and milk. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses. Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted coconut if desired.

Lower body partner stretches

Video: Partner stretching is a great way to increase your flexibility.

A Short Term Diet Plan Offering Big Results

The 3 Day Cardiac Diet was supposedly developed by the Birmingham Hospital in Alabama, though the hospital does not admit its role in the origin of the plan. The 3 day cardiac diet has also been attributed to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

The story is that the 3 Day Cardiac Diet was designed for patients who needed to lose up to 10 lbs weight quickly so they could have surgery.

The 3 Day Cardiac Diet has set menu plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days. Each day is limited to about 800 calories. While some claim that there is a special “chemical reaction,” much of the weight loss benefit is likely obtained by the restricted calorie intake. Also, there are very few carbs on the diet which leads to water loss.

You should drink six to eight cups of water a day on the program to speed digestion.

Tuna is the featured protein on the 3 day Cardiac diet. 1/2 cup of tuna is prescribed on the first two days, and on the final day, you will increase that to 1 cup. Variety and nutrition is provided with small to medium sized portions of cheese, eggs, crackers, vegetables, grapefruit, banana, and toast. Coffee, tea, or diet soda can accompany meals but water should be the beverage of choice outside of mealtime.

Some nutritionists express concerns about the restricted levels of calories and lack of a full range of nutritional options. However, considering that the diet lasts only 3 days, these are not dispositive.

People following the 3 day cardiac diet will likely feel hunger pangs and have lower energy levels. This is especially true by the third day. But, keep in mind that the diet is of limited duration and you should be fine unless you have endurance based physical feats to perform.

Your body may start to recognize that only a limited food supply is available when you eat only 3 small meals a day. It may begin to compensate by reducing metabolism and energy levels to conserve fat reserves. This can actually make it harder to lose weight and place the body under additional stress.

The 3 Day Cardiac diet is not suitable for long term dieting. After 3 days you should start on a diet that offers more variety and more calories.

The 3 Day Cardiac Diet provides restricted calories and nutrients for its intended duration. Your body can handle a fast for 3 days, so it certainly can handle a restricted calorie diet. However, the diet is not a long term solution to your weight management concerns.

If you need to lose a few pounds in a short period of time, the 3 day cardiac diet can help to get you there. If you are trying to lose those “last 5 pounds” and nothing else seems to be working, try the 3 day cardiac diet. But follow it up with a sensible eating plan.

Lose Several Pounds Fast on the 7 Day Soup Diet

Are you looking for the Fat Burning Soup Diet? Well, look no farther, because I explain the program here. The plan includes seven days of eating soup and other prescribed foods. Because the fat burning soup diet is very low in calories, you will be able to lose up to 10 pounds in just 7 days.

First of all, you need to make a very large pot of the soup. This recipe makes about 12 servings. You will probably make 2 to 3 pots during the seven days of the diet:

- 6 large green onions

- 2 green peppers

- 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)

- 3 Carrots

- 1 Container (10 oz. or so) Mushrooms

- 1 bunch of celery

- half a head of cabbage

- 1 package Lipton soup mix

- 1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)

- 1 48oz can V8 juice (optional)

- If V8 juice is not used, put in 12 cups of water

Saute the onions and take the seeds out of the green peppers. Then boil the whole thing for 2 hours. Refrigerate the soup and then reheat on the stove or in the microwave every time you get hungry. This recipe is at the heart of the fat burning soup diet.

But you will get to eat other foods on the fat burning soup diet. But, each day brings about its own rules. Here’s the plan:

Day 1: All the fruit you want except bananas.

Day 2: All the vegetables you want plus one big baked potato with butter.

Day 3: All the fruit and vegetables you want except bananas and potatoes.

Day 4: Bananas and skim milk plus the soup only.

Day 5: 16 oz. of beef and up to 6 tomatoes.

Day 6: 2 to 3 steaks and all the vegetables you want. No baked potato though.

Day 7: Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables

Eat the foods on the diet until you are full, even stuffed. The diet is bland, but you shouldn’t be hungry on it.

The fat burning soup diet works because even if you eat your fill, you still will only intake about 1000 calories a day. So the plan is essentially a modified fast.

Because the plan is only 7 days long, that doesn’t give your body’s metabolism enough time to slow down. So, in order to make up for the reduced calories, your body will start burning the fat thus the name.

You shouldn’t stay on the fat burning soup diet for more than 7 days at a time though. That would actually defeat the purpose. After your initial week is up, go back to a regular meal plan that includes at least 1500 calories. Then, after a week or so, you can go back on the soup diet if you need to lose more weight. At no time should you go more than 7 days on the program without 7 days off.

And that’s the fat burning soup diet made simple.

The Best Low Cost Exercise Ideas

Exercising doesn’t have to be expensive and being short on funds shouldn’t be an excuse for not getting enough daily exercise. With a little thought and determination it is possible to exercise almost for free every day!

Walking – This is of course one of the cheapest and easiest exercises to do. All that you really require is a pair of walking shoes, which you probably have anyway. All that is left is to put on your shoes and walk for 20 to 30 minutes each day.

Crunches – Crunches are a great way to strengthen your back and stomach muscles. Aim to perform one to two sets a day of about 10 to 20 crunches in each set. As you improve you can either increase the number of sets or increase the number of repetitions.

Cycling – Most people have access to a bike and cycling is a wonderful exercise. It improves and strengthens your muscles and your cardiovascular system. Going on a bike ride is a great way to de-stress yourself after a hard day at work. It is also enjoyable by yourself or with a group of people.

Dancing – What’s to stop you from putting on your favourite music and dancing? This is a great form of exercise that requires no new clothing or shoes. You can dance around the house with your kids or alone while doing your housework.

Playing Ball – Get outside with your spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend or kids and play some type of ball game. This could be soccer, baseball, volleyball or just having a good old game of catch. This is a great way to have fun and brings back memories of your childhood.

Swimming – If you are lucky enough to live near a lake or river you can enjoy going for a swim all summer long. This normally costs nothing unless you have to pay for parking at a beach area. Memberships at local swimming pools can be relatively inexpensive and a good way for a family to spend some quality time together.

Hiking – Grab your hiking boots and head out to a local walking trail. This is a fantastic way to visit local scenic areas and get some fresh air into your lungs. It also makes for a wonderful day out with the family. Why not take a picnic lunch and really enjoy your outing.

So there you have some inexpensive ideas on how to fit exercise into your lifestyle. You really have no excuses left anymore, it’s time to start exercising and living healthier.

Pumpkin Bran Muffins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups unprocessed oat bran

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup cooked mashed pumpkin

1/2 cup skim milk

2 egg whites, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking oil spray

Directions

Combine bran, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a large bowl and stir well. Make a small well in center of mixture. In a second bowl, combine pumpkin, milk, beaten egg whites and vegetable oil. Stir until well mixed. Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Spray 2 muffin tins with cooking oil spray or use paper liners. Spoon into the muffin tins until each is 3/4 full. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from pans immediately; serve warm or at room temperature.

Food Calorie Counters Are The Key To Losing Weight

Food calorie counters are key to losing weight. Successful dieters will eventually learn that there is only one way to achieve a weight loss. Calorie counting is how a dieter can be sure to lose weight and keep it off. This article will look at the role of food calorie counters in a successful diet.

Weight loss is not found in a pill. The latest diet book won’t offer you a miracle cure. Essentially, you have to burn more calories than you consume. Pills can curb your appetite so that you won’t be hungry when you diet. Diet books can offer you ways to eat fewer calories according to a specific plan. But, essentially, all diets boil down to the same thing: eat less than you burn.

Food calorie counters can help you make smart choices about what foods you consume when you are trying to lose or maintain weight. You must begin counting your calories and capping them at an amount that will allow your body to lose the weight. The use of a food calorie counter can help you to keep track of what you have consumed throughout the day. Don’t guess as to how many calories are in certain foods. A calorie counter will give you the information you need.

You are also advised to use a diet and exercise journal to make sure that you are keeping track of all of your foods eaten. By taking the time to write down everything you consume along with your exercise, you are better able to see where you are having problems and where you are finding success. You may be surprised at the foods that are adding excessive amounts of calories to your diet. The food calorie counter along with a journal will help you find success.

Write down every food item you have for a week. At the end of each day, look up the calories in each food and total the day’s take. At the end of the week, you can analyze where your problem areas are. You may be surprised, for instance, at how many calories you are drinking every day and choose to replace these liquid calories with food. Or, you may find that on days when you eat a hearty breakfast, you eat less food during the rest of the day. Alternatively, you may find that you eat high calorie lunches because nothing else is available. You can plan to pack and bring low calorie lunches to work or school with you.

Between the food calorie counter and the journal, you should be able to find the weight loss success you have been looking for. As I said earlier, there is no magic cure for weight loss. You will have to watch your calories and limit the amount you are eating.

There are a number of free food calorie counters available online. You can also purchase them for your iPhone or PDA so that you will have them on the go. These tools will make your diet much easier.