TRX Suspension Trainer - A Review!

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…."- Matthew 6:19-20

I recently purchased the TRX Suspension Trainer for my home gym after reading about it for the last year and seeing how it effectively works the entire body - including the core. There's a reason they dubbed it "all core, all the time."
What is the TRX Suspension Trainer?
The TRX Suspension Trainer is the original bodyweight-based portable training tool that builds strength, balance, flexibility and core stability for people of all fitness levels. It contains 12 feet of nylon-webbed straps, anchors and handles that can be used in a variety of places and provide a full-body workout using one's own bodyweight.

The TRX was designed by Randy Hetric, a former Navy SEAL, to keep his unit in top shape when deployed. He used it effectively in places where no weights were available and in small spaces such as in ships and submarines. He used materials from a parachute to rig a system that allowed him and his unit to train using their bodyweight. From this initial design, he created the TRX Suspension system now being used and sold.

The entire unit weighs less than two pounds and fits into a stuffsack the size of a lunch bag. While it looks deceptively simple, the TRX is crafted from heavy-duty nylon webbing with built-in handles and an ingenious pair of quick-release strap adjusters to produce a rugged, extremely practical piece of equipment. It attaches to anything from a tree to a hotel-room door (using a door anchor) and provides a total-body, core-intensive workout.

TRX Suspension Training is a new category of exercise for athletes of all abilities that leverages one’s own bodyweight and gravity to develop strength, balance, flexibility and joint stability simultaneously while encouraging multiplanar training that mimics real life movement. It's for that reason that I decided to purchase the TRX.

After looking through all the products, I decided to purchase the Essentials Bundle as it contained the TRX Suspension Trainer Professional, the door anchor and four excellent training DVD's (Flexibility, Strength, All Body Xpress and Cardio Circuit). I also purchased the X-mount so I could install it on my garage ceiling.

Once I placed my order, I received a UPS tracking number and eagerly tracked it until it arrived (only a few days later). When I opened the package, I was extremely impressed with the quality of the TRX Suspension Trainer and all the DVD's and workout manuals - it also smelled like a new pair of athletic shoes.

Fitness Anywhere has done an incredible job of putting together a durable and high-quality product that will last for many years and provide an excellent way to train at home or on the road.

The straps, handles and buckles are of the highest quality. The TRX is easy to adjust and can be used nearly anywhere (door, tree limb, pole, jungle gym or playground, etc.).

There is a slight learning curve when first using the TRX and luckily, the DVD's quickly show how to adjust the system and how to use it in single-handle mode or for various exercises. Check out this video to see it in action:




So far, I've only had it set up for a little more than a week and have used it a few times. For my first workout, I followed the All Body Xpress DVD and in less than 30 minutes I was dripping in sweat and had a thorough full-body workout - I was in love!

As simple as the exercises looked, I could tell that they worked. I wanted more. I'm now using the TRX twice a week as a metabolic conditioning workout. I'm also performing two full-body strength workouts and playing ultimate frisbee on Sunday's.

I plan on following this routine for the next eight weeks to see how effective the TRX is for fat loss and conditioning while maintaining or gaining strength.

My schedule looks like this:

Monday - Full-body strength workout (squats, benches, lunges, rows, back extensions, DB overhead presses and hanging leg raises)

Tuesday - TRX Metabolic Workout A

Wednesday - OFF (mid-week bible study)

Thursday - Full-body strength workout (deadlifts, standing barbell overhead presses, step-ups, chins, glute-ham raises, dips and ab rollouts)

Friday - TRX Metabolic Workout B

Saturday - OFF or light activity

Sunday - Ultimate Frisbee

I'll post the results of the above schedule in a few months.

For anyone who has considered purchasing equipment to train at home, I highly recommend the TRX Suspension Trainer. It's affordable, convenient, easy to use, takes up very little space and can be anchored to a door (with the door mount) or mounted to a wall or ceiling (with the X-mount) and taken on the road when traveling.

The TRX truly provides a full-body workout that will help increase strength, conditioning, balance, flexibility, fat loss and joint stability.

Are You Ready For Memorial Day Weekend?

"Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the man who knocks, the door will be opened."

- Matthew 7:7-8

Here's a guest blog originally from Alwyn Cosgrove about Memorial Day weekend and being ready for summer. Take a good look in the mirror or take some photos and see where you're at and if it's where you want to be.

Well it's here - Memorial Day weekend.

The official start of Summer for many.

The great "unveiling" - when the shirts come off, the swimsuits go on and the entire world knows exactly how good or bad your dieting and exercising was for the last 3-4 months.

Judgement Day.

Are you ready? If not, you have two more BIG weekends this summer in which to dial in your physique and make a huge difference. That's right, it's not over! You still have two more Judgment Days this year!

Goal setting is all about setting S.M.A.R.T. goals and "T" stands for "Time line." Athletes peak for National Championships, Trials and World events. Just because you're training for fat loss or to look better naked doesn't change the fact that DEADLINES are extremely effective tools.

So we're going to set two this summer. Your next goal is Independence Day - July 4th - only five weeks away. With a combination of a kick-start plan, a solid workout and nutritional support program, and a healthy dose of motivation, you could easily be 10-15 lbs leaner by then.

Your next goal is the end of summer - the Labor Day weekend. This is currently 14 weeks away. So if you're looking a little flabby this weekend or feeling a little embarrassed about your physique, you can still make amazing changes. It's never too late.

This is an opportunity for you to look completely shredded - rock hard legs and abs by summer's end. But you still need to start now.

Here are the fat loss basics:

Calories
You need to create a caloric deficit. There are no two ways about it. You must burn more than you consume. The most effective way to create that deficit is to use a combination of diet and exercise.

Nutrition
Your diet should consist of lean proteins, fruits and vegetables. Keep starches and refined carbs to a minimum. Keep your fluid intake high (water only), and try to eat at least 4-5 small meals per day. This will help maintain blood sugar levels and keep you from blowing your diet.

Exercise
Interval training and metabolic resistance training will provide the most bang-for-your buck. Steady-state aerobic training just doesn't burn enough calories for your goals right now, and a bodypart training split will be less effective than total body training for fat loss. Try to exercise at least six days per week - three days of interval-based cardio and three days of resistance training.

Supplements
There is almost nothing that will make a difference. Sorry. Certain supplements can boost metabolism, or increase your energy somewhat and these may be useful. But in terms of real world "pounds of fat lost," I have yet to see anything that really made a difference. A multivitamin and a fish oil supplement are vital though - but more for your overall health. A protein shake or post-workout shake can be useful for convenience but are nothing more than high-quality food.

If you need a jump start - go HERE- this will take care of some fat quickly in the next four weeks.

P.S. All talk of fat loss aside, enjoy your holiday weekend. But PLEASE remember that the point of this weekend is to remember our fallen heroes and spare a thought for all the troops who are still fighting for us today.

God Bless!

Avocado - One Fruit That's Hard to Beat!

"The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good."

- Genesis 1:12

Avocados are almost too good to be true. They taste great and they're good for you. Yes, they're high in fat, but it's the good kind of fat (unsaturated), which raises your HDL (good cholesterol) and lowers your LDL (bad cholesterol) - Just like olive oil or fish oil caps.

Avocados also help your body absorb more fat-soluble nutrients - such as cancer-fighting beta-carotene and lycopene and eyesight-saving lutein - from other foods you eat along with them.

Avocados are one of the healthiest fruits you'll ever eat - in moderation. A few slices or half an avocado each day is good, but a tub of guacomole is way too much!

So reach for the avocado and add it to your salads, sandwiches, eggs, toast (it's great as a butter) or on the side with some of your other meals and reap the benefits of this wonderful fruit provided by God.

Precision Nutrition Informal Experiment: 8-Week Training Study!

"Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave."

- Proverbs 12:24

In February, I was selected as one of 60 volunteers (30 male and 30 female) to participate in one of the Precision Nutrition Informal Experiments: 8 Weeks With Cosgrove and JB.

The experiment was set up as an 8-week training program that consisted of two strength training workouts and two conditioning workouts per week.

The Goal
The program was designed to look at the effects of three different strength and conditioning programs on fat loss and overall fitness. There were three similar, but distinct programs designed to boost performance and fat loss. The goal was to find which method was the most effective.

The three training groups were divided as follows (20 people per group - 10 male and 10 female):

Group 1
Two days of strength training and two days of steady state cardio

Group 2
Two days of strength training and two days of interval cardio

Group 3
Two days of strength training and two days of TRX conditioning circuits

The groups were divided based on age, training experience and other factors. I was selected to participate in Group 2.

All three groups followed the exact same strength training program twice a week, but each group followed a different conditioning and fat loss workout for the other two days of the week.

Testing
Prior to the start of the program, there were several tests that I had to complete including the following:

Maximal Push-Up Test
After a 5-minute warm-up, start this first test. This test is quite simple. Using a 2" sponge or yoga block as a depth marker, do as many consecutive push ups as you can. Start with the arms in full extension, descend to the depth marker, and extend back up. This counts as one repetition. Do as many as you can without resting. Once you're finished, record your number.

Inverted Row Test
With your feet elevated on a Swiss ball, box or bench and your arms gripping a barbell or smith machine bar, do as many inverted rows as you can. Start with your arms fully extended, pull up until your chest touches the bar and extend back down. This counts as one repetition. Do as many as you can without resting. Once you're finished, record your number.

Standing Broad Jump Test
Choose an open area and using a countermovement knee bend, jump as far forward as you can, going for maximum distance. Start with two practice jumps, aiming for about 80% of your maximum distance. Then, on your third jump, give it your all. Have someone mark where you landed and measure the distance from where your toes started to where they landed.

Treadmill V-max Test
Perform this one on a treadmill. Begin by running at 7-9mph (choose 7 if you're not a very good runner and 9 if you're a good runner) and 0% elevation. Every minute, increase the elevation by 1%. Continue this until you simply can't continue running. Go to complete exhaustion. Once you're finished, record the speed and elevation at which you stopped. These numbers represent your V-max.

Treadmill T-max Test
Come back to the gym rested and ready to run. After a 5-minute warm-up run, set the treadmill to your Vmax (speed and elevation recorded above). Run as long as you can. Go to complete exhaustion. Once you're finished, record the total time you lasted. This represents your T-max.

My pre-testing results were as follows:

Max Pushups = 43
Max Inverted Rows = 13
Standing Broad Jump = 95"
V-max Test = 7mph @ 5%
T-max Test = 270 seconds

8-Week Training Program
The training programs for each group were developed by Alwyn Cosgrove, Fraser Quelch of TRX Suspension Training and John Berardi.

During the first four weeks of the 8-week training program, I performed two full-body strength workouts on Monday and Thursday. Lower reps (6 or 6-8) were used to help preserve strength and muscle mass during the program. During the last four weeks, the strength workouts changed to one upper body workout (Monday) and one lower body workout (Thursday) using a similar set/rep scheme as the previous four weeks.

The interval cardio was performed on Tuesday and Friday. The intervals were performed on a treadmill set at the above-mentioned V-max setting (5% incline at 7mph) beginning with 25 minutes of intervals during the first two weeks, 30 minutes for weeks three and four, 35 minutes in weeks five and six and 40 minutes in weeks seven and eight. The intervals consisted of a 1:2 or 1:1.5 ratio of work to rest.

For example, conditioning workout A during the first week consisted of 30-second inclined treadmill intervals and 60-second rest breaks (1:2) for 25 minutes. Conditioning workout B consisted of 60-second inclined treadmill intervals and 90-second rest breaks (1:1.5) for 25 minutes. The interval workouts changed every two weeks (different work to rest periods and overall time - increasing from 25 minutes to 40 minutes during 8 weeks).

My Results
At the end of the 8-week experiment, my post-testing results were as follows:

Max Pushups = 47
Max Inverted Rows = 14
Standing Broad Jump = 98"
V-max Test = 7mph @ 7%
T-max Test = 210 seconds

The above shows that I improved in all areas. The one thing I could definitely tell was the difference in my conditioning when I played ultimate frisbee. Although I only increased my V-max from 5% to 7%, that 2% increase was significant on the field. I was able to run harder, faster and longer without tiring during the game.

However, I did not lose weight on the program. In fact, I gained three pounds overall after hitting a six-pound gain a couple weeks into the program and then slowly coming back down and holding a steady three-pound gain once the program was over.

Also, I retested my one-repetition maximum on several exercises once I completed this study to see if I had lost maximal strength. My bench was down by 10 pounds, my front squat was down five pounds, my standing overhead press was the same and my deadlift increased by 15 pounds.

The Next Step
At this time, I am waiting to see the final results of all three groups and how they compared. I think I know which group may have had the best conditioning and fat loss results, but we'll have to wait until John Berardi and the researchers with Precision Nutrition post the information. I will post the final results of the study in the next week or two.

Are You Ready To Bare All This Summer?

"So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why we are here! No one will bring us back from death to enjoy life after we die." - Ecclesiastes 3:22

Memorial Day is only a week away. For many, Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer. It's a time for grilling out, going to the beach, pool, lake or springs and baring it all in your bathing suit or bikini.

Have you achieved your fat loss goals this year? Are you ready to wear your bathing suit and show off your beach body?

If not, there is still time to lose 10-20lbs and get in better shape before the next big summer holiday - Independence Day: July 4, 2009. Mark it on your calendar now!

You’ve probably heard of the rapid weight loss program - Warp Speed Fat Loss - as I used it last year with good results. Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days.

In fact, it's guaranteed that you will lose at least 10lbs or you'll get your money back plus an additional $20.

The guarantee is that if you use Warp Speed Fat Loss while charting your progress in the Faster Fat Loss Zone (Mike Roussell's fat loss membership site - you'll get a free 45-day membership when you purchase Warp Speed Fat Loss) and you don't lose at least 10lbs, they'll refund your order completely plus send you $20 via PayPal.

A 120% Money Back Guarantee.

That’s right. If you don’t lose the weight, Mike and Alwyn are going to give you your money back AND send you $20 for your trouble. Find out all the details here:

Warp Speed Fat Loss

Confused by Nutrition? Read This!

Then God said, "Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food."

- Genesis 1:29

I apologize for not posting recently. The last two months have been extremely busy for a variety of reasons, and I haven't had the time to post regularly.

Today, I want to simplify nutrition. I know there is a lot of misinformation available when it comes to nutrition. Although I've tried to give simple tips in previous blogs about nutrition, it still doesn't seem to be helping.

I know that there is no "one-size-fits-all" diet plan, but these are fairly general recommendations that can be easily tailored to fit you, your metabolism, your lifestyle, etc.

It amazes me that despite the amount of information available on the internet about nutrition, almost everyone I come in contact with is still confused or mislead by outdated information, practices and recommendations.

Not to mention that they roll their eyes at me when I give them recommendations that go against what they've been taught or led to believe.

Here are 10 simple tips to keep in mind (you'll notice many similarities to John Berardi's 7 Habits of Highly Effective Nutritional Programs). These tips can be applied to any situation (restaurant, party, fast food, etc.) and it will help you with your nutrition, health and fitness goals.

As an added bonus, I'm going to provide many links to other blogs I've written or articles that explain things even better and more in-depth than I can!

1. Eat Protein with Every Meal. Protein is needed for many processes within the body including building muscle. Muscle is the only thing that is metabolically active in the body. The only way to burn fat is to build muscle and protein will help you do that when you also use a proper resistance training program.

Also, protein has a higher thermic effect than carbs or fat. This means that by eating protein, it increases your metabolism. I recommend .8 - 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight for most people. No, this is not harmful and it's not hard to do. Remember, a 3-ounce serving of meat typically has 18-24 grams of protein. Also, see this article that talks about some protein myths that just won't go away.

Choose from the following: Lean red meat (grass fed is best), chicken, fish, venison, buffalo, ostrich, pork, eggs (organic is best), cottage cheese and protein powder.

2. Eat Vegetables and/or Fruit with Every Meal. I shouldn't need to explain this one. Vegetables and fruits are real power foods that contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals along with fiber and many other things science has only begun to discover (although God designed and created these things for us already knowing how good it was!).

Yet, if you listen to some people, they'll tell you that carrots will make you fat because they are listed on the high-end of the glycemic index. I won't get into this as it should be common sense that carrots are going to be healthier and better for you than pasta. But you can read more about the glycemic index and the more important glycemic load in this article by Dr. Jonny Bowden - HERE.

Choose from the following: Any type of green vegetable (broccoli, spinach, green beans, aspargus, brussel sprouts, green peppers, etc.) tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, carrots, Romaine lettuce, zucchini, squash, sweet potatoes and other brightly colored, high-fiber vegetables (it's best to limit potatoes and corn).

The best types of fruit include berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries), apples, peaches, cantaloupe, oranges and other citrus fruits and low-sugar fruits (it's best to limit grapes, bananas and pineapple).

3. Eat Healthy Fats with Every Meal. It amazes me that so many people still fear the word "fat" or think that by eating fat (even saturated fat) it will cause them to automatically become fat. Yes, you should definitely avoid anything with trans fat, but you need fat in order for your body to work properly.

In fact, as I mentioned in a previous blog, when you restrict something your body does the opposite. So if you restrict your fat intake, your body will hold onto fat. But if you eat plenty of healthy fats, your body will help you lose fat!

Choose from the following: Extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil (great for cooking at high temperatures), salmon and other fatty fish, avocados, raw nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc.), flaxseed and healthy fats from eggs, lean meats (especially grass fed and organic), butter, etc.

4. Raw Milk, Cheese and Greek Yogurt. If you're going to drink milk, I highly recommend that at the very least you stick to organic milk. However, it would be best to switch to raw or raw but pasteurized milk as I've spoken about in a previous blog.

Cheese in moderate amounts is also good for snacks and to spice up various dishes - just be careful of the amount being used and don't buy reduced fat versions as mentioned in the aforementioned blog. Greek yogurt is a great Power Food and I highly recommend it over other types of yogurt. It's higher in protein, lower in carbs, low in lactose, is creamy and works great as a snack or in various recipes.

5. Drink Water Throughout the Day. Water is the best thing you can drink on a daily basis. Our bodies are made up of approximately 70 percent water, and the more water you consume the better hydrated you will be and the more efficiently your body will function. Water is needed for virtually every metabolic process in the body. It helps flush wastes and toxins out. It helps keep joints lubricated and skin fresh and moist. And it helps prevent bloat.

A good recommendation is to drink half your bodyweight in ounces each day. If you weigh 150lbs, you should drink at least 75 ounces of water each day. You'll need to drink more if you live in a hot climate or if you are exercising. Stay away from calorie-containing drinks such as soda, various coffee drinks, fruit juice, milk, etc.

6. Eat 4-6 Meals Per Day and Eat Every 2-3 Hours. Eating more frequently helps to elevate your metabolism, it keeps you from getting hungry and making bad choices, and it helps limit how much you eat during each meal.

7. Consume Starchy Carbohydrates During Breakfast or Post-Workout Only. In order for your body to utilize starchy carbohydrates properly and not store them as fat, the two best times to consume them are for breakfast and after an intense workout as part of a post-workout meal. These are the two times during the day when your body will refill your body's glycogen levels rather than storing the carbs in your fat cells.

Despite what the Food Pyramid may suggest, you DO NOT need anywhere near the amount of servings suggested unless you are a high-level endurance athlete participating in marathons or the Tour de France. The majority of people do not get nearly enough exercise to warrant the amount of starchy carbohydrates that are typically recommended. Not only that, but you can get the amount of carbohydrates your body needs from vegetables and fruits. Also, here's a good blog I posted about Carbohydrates and Fat Loss.

In addition, many people are allergic to gluten which is found in grains and other products. Not only that, but most people are healthier and lose more weight on a lower carb diet (less than 40% from carbs).

Choose from the following: Raw oats, sweet potatoes and yams, Quinoa, couscous, whole-wheat pasta (limit it to 2 ounces), brown or whole-grain rice and real bread (Ezekiel bread).

8. Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and Trans Fat. HFCS is the evil it's been made out to be despite some clever PR tactics that you may have seen on TV. Here's a good article for more information - Thank You for Guzzling Corn Syrup.

Trans fat is the one type of fat that you should avoid at all costs. No amount of trans fat is good for you. Despite the claims seen on many boxed and packaged foods that say "no trans fat" - they do not have to legally list that the item contains trans fat if it's .5 grams or less. Don't be fooled by man-made, pre-packaged and commercialized products. Your best bet is to avoid anything that comes in a box or has a list of ingredients that you cannot pronounce.

9. The 90 Percent Rule. Dr. John Berardi is attributed with the 90 percent rule. If you want to make changes in your body composition, it requires that you adhere to a proper nutritional plan 90 percent of the time. Anything less, and you won't meet your goals.

This means that if you eat an average of five meals per day, seven days per week for a total of 35 meals. In order to stay 90 percent compliant, you can skip or mess up (have a cheat meal) only 3.5 times each week. Think about it next time you reach for some dessert or decide to eat some fried, greasy fast food rather than something healthy and nutritionally balanced.

10. Look to the Bible. If you're still confused as to what to eat, then look no further than the bible which lists many of the foods God has provided to us that have numerous benefits. An excellent book I would recommend reading is What the Bible Says About Healthy Living.

There, you will find many of the same things I tell people on a daily basis when it comes to the foods you should be eating (which I've already listed). But if you want to know God's perfect design and the many benefits of those foods which scientists are just now realizing, then check out that book!

There it is. A list of 10 tips that should help set you straight when it comes to nutrition. I know I haven't covered everything in this blog, but I hope that you will use these tips to make changes in your life.

As always, if you have questions or comments, feel free to post them below.

Youth Fitness Specialist Certification!

"The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger." - Proverbs 24:5

In March, I completed my exam to earn my Level 1 Youth Fitness Specialist certification through the International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA).

I was notified less than two weeks later that I passed the exam and earned my Youth Fitness Specialist certification. This is the first step in my goal of being certified and opening my own fitness-based business in the near future.

I began with a Youth Fitness Specialist because I have a desire to work with children and teenagers ages 6-18 to help them improve their self-esteem while also improving their health and fitness.

It's a sad fact that more than 30 percent of today's youth are now considered obese. With the lack of physical education programs in many schools and the increase in a sedentary lifestyle due to video games, computers and internet usage, our youth need a way to have fun while also improving their health and fitness.

I plan on completing my Level 2 Certification in the near future while working toward my business goals.

I may also pursue another fitness certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) or the American Council on Exercise (ACE) in order to have the basic certification to train all adults and children.

Lose Fat in the Morning!

"Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life."

- Proverbs 9:11

This is an article originally written by Mike Roussell, Ph.D. I wanted to post it as today's blog since it gives good tips on how to begin losing fat first thing in the morning. It also goes with many of the recent blogs I've posted by Mike Roussell, Alwyn Cosgrove and the Warp Speed Fat Loss Program.

One of the best ways to ensure you burn maximum fat is to get your training done first thing in the morning. A common fat loss tip people often give out is just this - exercise in the morning to burn more fat.

Does exercising in the morning burn more calories? Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to prove that exercising in the morning burns more calories, but it may increase your fat loss.

How? Because it guarantees that you'll get your training done! If you are having trouble losing weight, sticking to your diet, and getting in all your exercise sessions, then training first thing in the morning could be just the thing for you.

In a previous episode of my Naked Nutrition Radio, my guest was behavior change expert Kara Mohr. Kara and her husband, Chris Mohr, hold exercise bootcamp for women in Louisville, Kentucky at 5:30 in the morning. Why? They call it the "No Excuse Hour." You don't have any excuses not to be there and not to do it.

My friend, and Men's Health expert, Bill Hartman exercises at 4:00am to ensure that he gets his training done - No Excuses. Bill runs two physical therapy clinics, a gym and is a family man. He has every reason to make excuses, but he makes the time.

Success Coach Brian Tracy always says that if you want to be successful, just find successful people and do what they are doing. If you are having trouble getting your training sessions in because your day is too busy, follow the example of these successful people and embrace the "No Excuse Hour."

You will feel invigorated, your metabolism will be blasting at its highest level, and you'll burn more fat.

The second important piece to the puzzle is diet. You need rock solid fat loss nutrition first thing in the morning to fuel your day. One important factor for many people (especially if they are exercising in the morning as well) is time. That is why I recommend you use a nutrition-packed shake to get fueled and get going with your day.

Here is a sample shake that you could make to help burn maximum fat:

Add to a blender: 8-12 ounces of water, a few ice cubes (optional), 1 ounce of walnuts, a "greens" supplement (such as Emerald Balance or Superfood), one scoop of protein powder (such as Metabolic Drive Low-Carb), and one cup of frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and/or blackberries).

Take 2-3 grams of fish oil while drinking this shake, and you'll be ready to go. This shake contains low-impact carbs, a blend of essential and heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. You would be hard-pressed to find a better way to start your day and start burning fat.

You need to decide. Are you going to starting losing weight tomorrow morning? Are you going to take advantage of the "No Excuse Hour?" Are you going to start your day with a fat-burning breakfast - or coffee and a bagel like the rest of the country?

Jumpstart your fat loss first thing in the morning, and you will reap the benefits throughout the day.

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Mike Roussell is a nutrition doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania. Mike's writings can be found in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness and Testosterone Nation. Mike specializes in fat loss nutrition and diets for busy men and women who need to lose weight fast without it interfering with their lives. Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat to lose weight in record time.

The Problem With Weight Loss: Your Body Will Do The Opposite!

"My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge." - Proverbs 8:9

I've been very busy this past week and haven't had as much time to post some of the topics I want to discuss. So today's blog is an article written by Alwyn Cosgrove about weight loss with some ideas on how to get your body to respond favorably.

Homeostasis is the property of a living organism that regulates its internal environment so as to maintain a stable, constant condition.

When you don't drink enough water in the short term, often the body retains water. It attempts to maintain homeostasis by counteracting the stresses we put on it. When you drink a lot of extra water, your body excretes more water to maintain balance.

When we weight train, we actually break down muscle tissue. And the body responds by building new muscle. It attempts to maintain homeostasis by doing the reverse of the stimulus we placed on it.

When a male takes supplemental testosterone, the body shuts down its own production in a bid to maintain homeostasis.

When we immunize children against disease, we actually inject them with a small dose of that disease. The immune system recognizes the vaccine as foreign, destroys it, and "remembers" it. When the virulent version of an agent comes along, the immune system is thus prepared to respond. In order to prepare the body to defend against a disease, we expose it to the disease and it responds by doing the opposite - it destroys the disease.

In almost every situation I can think of, the body tries to maintain homeostasis by "doing the opposite" of the stimulus.

How does this apply to weight loss?

• We now know that while you are performing low-intensity exercise, it burns primarily fat.
• Higher intensity exercise actually burns more carb stores than fat.

But in every head-to-head comparison, high-intensity exercise results in more fat loss than low-intensity exercise even though the more intense work may burn a lesser percentage of fat during the exercise session. Burning glycogen results in a larger amount of fat lost than burning fat directly.

The body responds by doing the opposite:

• It breaks down muscle to grow more muscle
• It burns glycogen to lose more fat

I designed the Warp Speed Fat Loss training program to specifically take advantage of this law of nature so that when your body "does the opposite," you’ll end up with faster and greater fat loss.

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Alwyn Cosgrove, M.S., C.S.C.S., is a nationally-renown fat loss expert whose work has appeared in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Men's Journal, Self, Oxygen, Muscle & Fitness HERS and T-Nation. His Warp Speed Fat Loss system is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat and exactly what to do for exercise to lose weight in record time.

Four Ways To Break A Weight Loss Plateau

"The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger." - Proverbs 24:5

This is an article originally written by Mike Roussell, Ph.D. I wanted to post it as today's blog since it gives good tips about breaking a weight loss plateau.

Weight loss plateaus are the bain of every dieter's existence. There is nothing more frustrating than doing everything that you are "supposed" to do but, for whatever reason, the weight loss just stops.

Before we get into how you can smash through your weight loss plateau, it is important to determine if you have plateaued OR perhaps you haven't actually been following your diet and/or training program.

The first step is to do a gut check and make sure your compliance to your diet program is where it needs to be. If you haven't been 90% compliant, then stop reading this article and get back to focusing on doing what you actually said you were going to do.

If you have been sticking to your program, but have stopped losing weight, then we have a problem.

Homeostasis.

The human body is constantly striving for homeostasis. What we need to do is shake things up and prevent our systems from staying in a homeostatic state. Here are four ways that you can disrupt homeostasis and blast through your weight loss plateau. You aren't meant to do all of them at the same time - instead just pick one at time.

1. Increase Calories for 7-10 Days
This doesn't mean go off your diet. Instead, increase your calories (no more than 500 calories per day), mainly from carbohydrates to give your system a "break" from calorie restriction. After the 7-10 day period, cut your calories back down and your weight loss will start back up. This strategy works well if you have been dieting for a long time.

2. Crank Up the Intensity
Often times, we find ourselves perpetually dieting and can just never seem to get those last 10 pounds off. In these situations, cranking up the intensity on all fronts (diet and training) for a set amount of time is a great way to blast through a weight loss plateau. With this method we are basically shocking your system out of homeostasis.

3. Change Your Training Program
Sticking to the same training program for too long used to be a very common problem. Now with all the training resources on the Internet, being on a program for too long isn't an issue for many people (but it may be for you). You need to be switching up your program (set, reps, exercises, how many days a week you train, etc) every 4-6 weeks.

4. Reduce Your Carbs
This tip is the opposite of the first one but works just as well. Dropping your carbs down to a ketogenic level will strongarm your system into using fat as its primary fuel source. This metabolic fuel switch works best if your carbs aren't too low already (>100g/d). To further enhance the effect of this technique, use the induction protocol where you eat 20g/d of carbs or less for 2 weeks.

Weight loss plateaus are frustrating, but don't let them discourage you or stop you from reaching your goal. If you have truly reached a plateau, pick one of the techniques above and put it into action. When you hit another plateau, pick another one. Continue doing this until you have reached your goal.

Remember that for the most part weight loss is not a linear process. Plateaus are a normal physiological occurrence, but using the strategies in this article you can beat temporary weight loss homeostasis and achieve the body you want.

About the Author/More Info
Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete 28-day diet and training system crafted to help you lose 10, 15 or 20lbs of body fat in just 28 days. To start losing weight fast, visit Warp Speed Fat Loss.

Mike Roussell is a nutrition doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University. Mike's writings can be found in magazines such as Men's Health, Men's Fitness and Testosterone Nation. Mike specializes in fat loss nutrition and diets for busy men and women who need to lose weight fast without it interfering with their lives. Warp Speed Fat Loss is a complete Done-for-You A-Z Fat Loss Blueprint that gives you exactly everything you need to eat to lose weight in record time.