Tone Up The Whole Body With Fitness Ball Exercises

Exercise balls are the latest craze in the USA fitness industry. With the help of these balls, you can train almost every part of your body and the best part is that they add a fun element to the regular exercise routine. We provide few exercise programs that you can perform with the help of the fitness ball.

Trunk Extension for the lower back
Get on your knees and place the upper part of the body on the fitness ball. Keep the hands behind your head. Move your chest off the ball until the spine is slightly extended or is in a straight line. Hold on for few moments (4-5 seconds) and return to the starting position.

Basic Crunches for the abs
Plant your feet on the ground and lightly place your lower back on the fitness ball. Your thighs and upper body must be kept parallel to the ground. Do crunches in the regular way and use the abs for lifting the upper back and the shoulders from the ball.

Core Crunchers for abs and the core muscles
Get down at the knees, bend slightly at the waist and place the elbows on the exercise ball. Now start rolling the ball in the forward direction until the thighs and the upper body form a straight line. Move back to the initial position.

Elevated push-ups for shoulders, triceps, abs and pecs
Place the lower part of the body on the fitness ball and keep your hands flat on the ground. Consider the fact that the whole body must be kept parallel to the ground. Now slowly lower down the upper part of the body so that it touches the ground. Maintain the position for 4-5 seconds and push back yourself to the starting position.

Execute these exercise programs regularly and you will start noticing the differences. In our next post, we will bring you more creative exercise routines.

Freshen Up Your Diet with 4 Winter Veggies

One of the best ways you can safeguard your health this winter is by eating lots of fresh vegetables. They are loaded with vitamins and essential nutrients and work wonders for our immunity system. We point out 4 winter veggies that must be added to your regular diet plan in the winter season.

Brussels sprouts- Brussels sprouts contain essential nutrients such as carbohydrates (8.95 grams), fat (0.30 g), and protein (3.38 grams). In addition, ½ cup of cooked brussels sprouts provides approximately 4 grams of fiber and is a good source of soluble fiber as well. According to a research study (2009) at the University of Illinois, soluble fiber plays a crucial role in strengthening the immunity system.

Broccoli Rabe- Broccoli Rabe contains Vitamin A, C, K and potassium. While all these vitamins are crucial for boosting your immunity system, vitamin K is especially important. The reason is that it helps in the building of the bones and the clotting of blood, which the body requires for healing injuries.

Kale- Kale is a rich source of Vitamin C and helps in the repairing of the muscles. In fact, studies have proved that a diet plan that includes substantial amounts of Vitamin C helps the body to repair the damage caused by UV radiation and boosts skin-cell recovery.

Snow Peas- Snow peas contain 3 milligrams of iron (per cup), which perks up the immunity system and boosts the energy levels of the body.

Make these veggies an inevitable part of your winter diet plan and start leading a healthy life!

Shred Matrix of MusclePharm Offers 8-Stage Weight-Loss System

MusclePharm’s Shred Matrix is considered as one of the most powerful weight loss systems. It offers a safe, but powerful and effective way to lose weight for both men and women. This weight loss program includes clinically proven ingredients that have high-potency to regulate your body metabolism rate naturally. It uses the multiple energy systems and pathways of the body for promoting aggressive mobilization of fat, which is burned for fuel. This revolutionary product of MusclePharm also addresses those issues that usually make fat loss difficult. In addition, it enhances mood and mental function, improved energy and alertness, and promotes appetite regulation.

Stages 1 and 2:
These are the stages of increase energy to ramp up your metabolism. MusclePharm’s Shred Matrix carefully combines various selected natural stimulant agents that support fat loss. They act as double-edged weapon against your stored fat and support the utilization and mobilization of stored fats, which is used as energy.

Stages 3 and 4:
In this stage, you need to crush hunger. Shred Matrix supports favorable nutrient repartitioning and better nutrient absorption results in greater fat utilization.

Stage 5:
This stage is better known as sugar stop and enzyme aid matrix. In fact, the main enzymes of Shred help to shuttle nutrients more efficiently into your bloodstream while providing better blood sugar maintenance.

Stage 6:
In this stage, MusclePharm’s Shred Matrix helps to balance mood and enhance your well-being. Since this product incorporates several carefully selected mood-enhancing and balancing agents, it becomes easier for you to continue with your nutritional plan. It will provide an improved sense of well-being; thus, enhancing your mood by supporting a healthy brain chemistry.

Stage 7:
It’s now time to eliminate the excess water. The diuretic complex of Shred Matrix helps to maintain fluid balance and thus, keeps your body lean and tight. It helps to maintain a healthy fluid balance and keep the water in the right places. As a result, your body systems work more efficiently to give you a lean and tight appearance.

Stage 8:
Get a razor sharp mental focus with Shred Matrix, even without jitter or crash. The herbal ingredients that support natural brain chemistry also promote mental function and improve your mood, which plays important role in successful dieting.

Diet Foods That can Make You Pack on Pounds

Most of us believe that consuming light and diet foods all throughout the day will help us to lose weight and become healthy. This notion, however, is partially true. Many diet foods help us to stick to the healthy eating plan, but others deprive us from sufficient nutrition and make us pack on the pounds instead. We point out few such ‘diet foods’ that must be avoided.

Light /Low fat Yogurt- At 80-150 calories, light yoghurt hardly qualifies as a meal. Unfortunately, many people treat it as their ideal breakfast. The worst part is that these yoghurts are less satiating and fulfilling. This means that one is bound to feel hungry an hour after consuming it.

So what can be the solution? Avoid consuming yogurt for breakfast and keep it aside for the snack time. Alternatively, if you must, combine it with fresh fruits and vegetables, so that you get enough nutrition and experience a satisfactory feeling.

Coffee- Most of us grab a cup of coffee without thinking much about the calories. While an 8 ounce cup of coffee has only 2 calories, a 16-ounce Starbucks Caffè Mocha (with whole milk) can contain as many as 400 calories! All those who love to follow a healthy eating plan can opt for coffee with skimmed or 2 % milk.

Sandwiches- Sandwiches have long enjoyed the reputation of being a healthy food item. Unfortunately, not all varieties of sandwiches can be termed as diet food. Surveys have revealed that an overstuffed tuna sandwich with mayonnaise can contain 975 calories. If you are looking forward to become fit and healthy, it is advised to go for grilled sandwiches filled with lean meat. Avoid adding cheese or mayonnaise and choose salads instead.

Many of us desperately hope for weight-loss, while all the time we have been consuming so-called low-calorie foods only. It is important to avoid the ‘fad’ diet foods and instead opt for a meal that is healthy, nutritious and filling.