5-HTP has been called the “natural
Prozac” by many. Without getting to complicated,
it works by boosting serotonin levels; it basically
increases cell production of serotonin, a hormone
that plays a significant role in mood, appetite, and
sleep patterns, among other things.
Studies overseas have indicated
that 5-HTP can actually be a more effective antidepressant
than many prescription drugs. Other studies suggest
that 5-HTP may also act as a significant appetite
suppressant, which is where it’s weightloss
application comes into effect.
There are no reported side-effects
with regular doses of 5-HTP, and though more studies
need to be done it appears to be a promising natural
antidepressant and appetite suppressor.
Tae-Bo is, indeed, a great way to
get your kicks, ladies. You don't have to be Billy
Blanks or Jean Claude Van Damme to participate in
such classes.
Tae-Bo, the aerobics class turned
kickboxing class, is for everyone, regardless of age
or gender.
There are numerous celebrities -
raging from Shaquille O'Neal to Goldie Hawn - who
are swearing by the benefits of Tae-Bo. A Tae-Bo class
is such a marvelous, effective form of exercise that
cardio kickboxing classes are
cropping up in fitness clubs throughout the country.
Tae-Bo is generally offered in three
different levels of intensity: low-impact, moderate-impact,
and high-impact.
The low-impact version is an excellent
way to obtain flexibility and form, while the high-impact
version is a tremendous method of losing weight and
strengthening the heart. Aside from learning various
punches and kicks from different Martial Arts forms,
Tae-Bo is also a great way to work up a sweat, requiring
full body activity.
Cardio kickboxing is ideal in toning
up the muscles, particularly in the arms and legs,
while getting you into tip-top shape. Aside from all
of the above benefits, Tae-Bo is non-stop fun, a great
way for fitness fanatics to get their kicks.
I hope this doesn't sound stupid
but I hear a lot of people at the gym talking about
""cross training"" and I'm not
sure what it means. Can you please explain cross training
and maybe give an example?
Cross-training is the method in
which you blend a series of different activities into
your workouts. For instance, instead of running every
day or biking every day, cross-training allows you
to delve into a variety of
exercise routines.
These different activities can vary
from day to day or even from minute to minute. Instead
of devoting an entire workout to one particular exercise,
like stair climbing, blend in several exercises during
the session. Devote 15 minutes to the treadmill, perhaps
another 15 on the exercise bike, indulge in light
weight training for another 15 minutes, and then take
on an aerobics class. That's cross-training. The possibilities,
the combinations, are endless.
Along with cross-training comes
a slew of training benefits. The variation you throw
into your workouts should trigger faster, most satisfying
results.
When you're partaking in the same,
old exercises day in and day out, you're body becomes
accustomed to the regular routine. Thus, the gains
will come to a standstill.
Cross training aptly initiates the
change-up that your workouts may need by shocking
your body with new, foreign exercises. If you're used
to swimming five days a week and suddenly, you substitute
a swim for a jog through the park, your body will
recognize the difference.
Also, cross-training may be a better
option for avoiding injuries. While a constant strain
is put on certain joints if you're running every day,
other joints will be used in specific exercises like
weight training or say, rockclimbing.
Hi, I’m a 32 year old female trying to stay
lean and healthy while working a hectic full-time
job. I seem to do OK with my program in spurts. My
biggest problem is staying motivated. Any tips?
Proper motivation is an absolutely
essential element to any successful training and physique
program. That much is a given.
While it’s natural for an
individual’s motivation level to go through
peaks and valleys, there are a few proven ways that
can help most people to maintain a high level of commitment
to their training, diet, and supplement programs.
Here’s a few simple but effective
suggestions:
1. Write down what your training
and physique goals are for the rest of the year. Where
do you want to be by July 1? By September 1? By January
1, 2001! Be as specific as possible, and be sure to
actually write them down. There’s something
about putting your goals on paper which makes them
more tangible. You can even post your goals on your
desk or somewhere where they’ll serve as a constant
reminder and motivating tool.
2. Take the pledge to stop making
excuses and to start making some serious progress.
I’m too busy. I’m too tired after work
to get to the gym. I don’t have the right genes
to have a lean, muscular body. Blah, blah, blah .
. . When it comes to getting and staying in shape,
excuses are a dime a dozen and are as addictive as
a drug. Anyone can make excuses, but in order to reach
your goals you need to make a conscious effort to
NEVER make excuses. Just get it done.
3. Constantly remind yourself that
this is the one life you have . . . why not live it
to your full potential? It may sound harsh, but so
many people never achieve what they want in their
professional and personal lives simply because they
refuse to understand that this is it. This is your
chance . . . your moment in time. Seize the day!
I used to work out quite frequently but because of
my busier schedule, I have not been able to slide
exercise time into my everyday agenda. Some people
suggest that I work out in the morning, before work,
but I am NOT a morning person. What should I do?
The first thing you should do is
remember these nine words: If there is a will, there
is a way. You can always squeeze exercise time into
your daily activities, even if it is at the expense
of cutting down on TV time or slicing away all those
hours you spend gabbing away on the phone.
Too many people are under the impression
that you need to dedicate a few hours a day to exercising.
That's nonsense. You can get your daily fill in just
a half-hour of time. And the 30 minutes you log to
whipping yourself into shape does not have to be a
continuous session.
In fact, it has been concluded that
segregating this time into three ten-minute intervals
throughout the day may be beneficial to you for two
reasons: 1) It allows you to be more intense in your
mini-workouts, considering you've had time to rest
and recharge your batteries; and 2) it burns more
calories because it accelerates your metabolism.
And it's perfectly fine if you are
not a morning person. Many of us aren't.
If you cannot find time to head
off to the gym during the moonlight hours - or if
the health clubs is simply closed by the time you
can work out - there are countless exercise videos
on the shelves that can assist you in a great workout,
right inside your own home.
If you are serious about transforming
your body to its ultimate potential, get Will Brink's Bodybuilding Revealed with
great reviews from top pro athletes like Lee Labrada,
Charles Poliquin, and more.
Copyright MuscleMaster. Reprinted
with permission.
