Dre Fitness

January 18, 2010January 18, 2010

The Role of Supplements in a Health and Fitness Program

Are fitness supplements worth the cost?

N.O. Xplode, Aromatest, and Anabolic Halo all have three things in common.

Shiny bottles, hefty price tag, and big promises.

The NYTimes just ran a fitness article about designer supplements and the billions of dollars Americans spend each year. The main market for these supplements are young men who desire to achieve the ideal male physique.

Can supplement companies outsmart nature?

Gaining muscle is difficult. For a guy to get a ripped, muscular physique, he has to literally live the lifestyle. And when two out of every three people are overweight or obese, this society does not make it easy to get lean.

Supplement companies make big promises. Increased muscularity, massive muscle pumps, shredded abdominals, and stronger libido can be found on the labels of fitness supplements. With these pills, they promise, you can use advanced technology to gain muscle.

But this is foolish because nature got it right the first time. In fact, the robustness of the immune system is intrinsically linked to the potential strength and power output of every gym goer. That means you need a functioning immune system for a big bench press.

Everything you need…you can find in nature, almost.

I just received a good multi-vitamin as a free sample from a top company. But, looking at the ingredients, and considering the foods I consumed today, I can’t imagine that I’ll be even using this multivitamin. To give you a clue of the food I ate today, it included eight pieces of fruits, and at least ten servings of vegetables, along with lentils and quinoa. Why in the world would I need a multivitamin?

But, there are a few minor essential elements that my diet lacks…

Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids — so I take fish oil supplement daily.

Vitamin D — so I take Vitamin-D 4,000 IU every other day.

Recovery Drink (Carb/Protein) — I do support the use of a designer Recovery Drink with simple carbs and whey protein to consume following workouts. A designer recovery drink can really boost muscle growth, hormone levels, and fat loss.

Focus on the core essentials

The American food system doesn’t make it easy to get enough nutrients, but no one ever said life was easy. If you really want a ripped body, you’ve got to dedicate yourself to healthy food at least 80% of the time.

And if you want to have some extra fun, then try out more supplements, because a lot of them actually WILL give you a boost. Just focus on the core first.

Physical Fitness by Dre

January 15, 2010April 9, 2017

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Weight Loss Meal Plan Matrix, routine for fat loss

Weight Loss is about what TO eat, not what NOT to eat.

Step 1. CORE CALORIES at least 50% of your diet:

Pick one whole grain or pseudocereal (brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal)
Pick one legume (lentils, split peas, etc)

Since the above are loaded with complex carbs, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and even protein, they should consist of the majority of your diet. The pricetag is cheap. For example, you can buy three days of lentils for less than a dollar a day.

Step 2. NUTRIENT DENSE CALORIES roughly 20% of your diet:

Fruit, consume two pieces per day. Any fruit, just make sure to get a variety.
Vegetables, consume at least two servings per day (or as many as you want up to 20 servings).

*Note: Fruits and vegetables are very high in phytonutrients, which work together in scientifically undiscovered ways. But what we do know is that they prevent disease and keep you healthy.

Step 3. PROTEIN BASED CALORIES about 15% of your diet:

Fish
Meat
Tofu
Whey Protein Supplement

Step 4. OIL/FAT BASED CALORIES around 15 % of your diet:

Fish Oil
Flaxseed Oil
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Walnuts
Almonds
Seeds

*Note: Fats are required for cardiovascular health and for the formation of healthy cells in our bodies. The right fats also promote body fat loss.

Aim for high nutrients, forget calories for a little while

When I used to diet to get muscle definition, I counted calories. AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT!

But there is a much easier way.

Focus on whole foods, eat lots of nutrient-rich foods, and forget about calories. Listen to your body, eat a balanced diet, exercise, and you can lose the weight. At any age!

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Weightloss Now

January 14, 2010January 15, 2010

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Grains and Legumes: The bulk of your diet

The planetary human population is sustained by billions of calories per day from Grains and Legumes

And thats totally fine with me.

Even though grains and legumes are primarily carbohydrates, they won’t make you fat and they might even prevent heart disease. Whole grains and legumes are generally complex carbohydrates that contain healthy amounts of fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Quinoa: Quite possible the BEST "Grain" out there

BUT…AVOID PROCESSED GRAINS

When the shell of grains has been taken off, you lose significant nutrients. Whole grains like brown rice lose value after it is processed into white rice.

Moreover, do not let the bastardization of whole grains in the form of breakfast cereals fool you. Typically, cereals are processed foods and are often recommended by nutritionists because of added synthetic vitamins supposedly good for you health. Some cereals are enriched with Folic Acid, but you can get plenty of Folate naturally from legumes and leafy green vegetables instead.

Combine Whole Grains and Legumes for Weight Maintenance, Energy Levels, and Disease Prevention

Whole Grains and Legumes typically compliment each other in terms of nutrients. For example, the protein amino acid profile in beans matches up well with that in rice. Hence why rice and beans go so well together.

Some people eat brown rice every day, and thats fine if you enjoy it.

I prefer to get the bulk of my diet from legumes instead. Lately, I am becoming addicted to Split Peas, which despite high carbohydrates, I notice myself leaning out. It keeps me satisfied and I don’t have urges for sweets.

Either way, consider consuming Whole Grains and Legumes as a regular part of your diet. Your energy levels will be sustained, you’ll sleep better, and prevent many types of diseases and cancers.

One more way to health, one more way to lean bodies.

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Weightloss Now

January 13, 2010

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Is this as fat as we’re going to get?

Obesity rates in US leveling off, still epidemic

Within the last few years, the rate of overweight Americans seems to have remained steady. Despite that, the leadership still says that the obesity epidemic is serious and needs to be dealt with.

Seduced by fattening, media-hyped, processed food

Another frightening statistic involves the already obese. For boys under 18, the already obese are getting even more obese. With the fattening foods so prevelant, once the cycle begins its difficult to stop. What will happen when these kids reach 30 years old? Diabetes, heart disease, inflammation!! YIKES!

We’re all in this together

One way of looking at it is that our tax money pays for obese people’s health issues.

Yet, I believe the reason we’re all in this together is because we share the same food system. We are exposed to the same juicy media advertisements and greasy temptations of fast food as we drive by.

Research shows, time and time again, if your friends are fat then you are more likely to be fat. We have to be good influences on each other.

Even though I am slim and in shape, I must be constantly be non-judgmental about the weight of others. We cannot spend time on the defensive, because we have to move forward. We have to lose the weight to regain our health, wealth and sense of self.

Support the whole food industry. Avoid processed foods, say no to fast food. Focus on the real deal: fruits, vegetables, legumes, and healthy influence from friends like me.

Weightloss Now

January 12, 2010January 12, 2010

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Daily News Roundup, fat butts are good, green tea anti-cancer, and more

Daily Roundup

1. Got a fat butt? Could be a good thing.

Fat distribution is important for your health.
Hip and Thigh fat can reduce risk of diabetes and heart disease
Stomach fat, on the other hand, releases harmful cytokines that increase risk of heart attack and diabetes.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34830500/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

2. Smokers should drink Green Tea