Archive for July, 2009

Top Five Ways to Telemarket Your Fitness Business

Friday, July 31st, 2009
Nitin Chhoda


Many customers and buyers consider the standard forms of fitness business telemarketing to be the most frustrating aspect of fitness-related advertisements. Aggravating phone calls and junk e-mail messages are not ideal marketing methods for attracting new clients and maintaining current ones. Don’t be afraid to explore the alternatives. More often than not, a unique and less invasive fitness business telemarketing approach will produce stronger results and supply a higher level of customer satisfaction.

Fortunately, there are five exciting ways to enhance the structure and techniques of your fitness business. These alternatives will increase the effectiveness of your fitness business telemarketing strategies and bring your fitness endeavor to new levels. It can also help to boost foot and Internet traffic.

Bookmarking Sites

Both in-person and online fitness businesses can benefit from the overwhelming amount of marketing tools available on the Internet. Public sites allow for social bookmarking, a fitness business telemarketing method that is used to notify other members of the site about new fitness products and services. Details can be provided by posting articles about your company or by providing a link to your website.

Social bookmarking is a form of fitness business telemarketing that allows you to advertise your business indirectly and provides an opportunity to meet new people who are curious about your business. Compared to other fitness business telemarketing methods, social bookmarking is an inexpensive approach because many sites offer free membership. Your ads and links may also appear in online search results.

Social Networking Sites

By setting up business or personal profiles on social networking sites, you can market products and services through fitness business telemarketing with very little effort. These types of popular sites, such as MySpace? and Facebook?, are a great way to reach clients without investing significant amounts of time or money. Social networking sites allow you to tap into a simpler type of fitness business telemarketing using a marketing profile, banner services, and other advertising tools, such as forums and groups.

Free Forum Sites

Public forums are another useful method of fitness business telemarketing. They give you a chance to connect with consumers to discuss business matters and exchange information to help you best cater to their needs. Social bookmarking and social sites have a variety of public forums from which to choose, bringing customization to your fitness business telemarketing strategies. There are also sites that allow you to create your own free fitness business forum, giving you control over the topics and information discussed within the forum.

Social Groups

Find people with similar interests by creating a fitness group and put your fitness business telemarketing to good use. Groups are usually classified by topic, hobby and occupation, making it easy for individuals interested in fitness to locate your group. Social groups eliminate the need for screening, since those who join your group will already have an underlying attraction to fitness. Through these groups, you can promote your business by sending e-mails or offering specials to draw attention to your fitness business, using a more discreet form of fitness business telemarketing. You can set up a social group for free, using standard e-mail servers such as Yahoo! Groups?, Google Groups?, and MSN Groups?.

Referrals

Not surprisingly, word of mouth remains one of the most effective ways to approach fitness business telemarketing. Simply introduce your fitness business to potential customers and provide referral incentives. By generating business through personal referrals, your clients will do the fitness business telemarketing for you. You will also save a substantial amount of money otherwise wasted on calls to people who just aren’t interested in your products and services. When you are contacted or visited by a referred customer, you know they sincerely want to learn more about your fitness business. You will also see first-hand the positive results of proper fitness business telemarketing strategies.



When does weight loss start to get easier?

Sunday, July 26th, 2009
Carmen M


I’ve heard the second week is the hardest especially because there is little results and not as easy to stick to. At what point will it get easier mentally? Also, when do results start to show, is it a lot of weight loss the first week, then hardly anything the next, then stay at a steady rate after that?

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What is good weight loss plan for a pescetarian?

Saturday, July 25th, 2009
Audrey H


I am a pescetarian, meaning that i am a “vegitarian” who eats fish. I am looking for a weight loss plan that will help me lose some weight while still not eating any meat other than fish. If anyone has any yummy healthy low-carb recepies that would be great too!

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77 tips for natural weight loss

Friday, July 24th, 2009
Aneel Samuel


In the twenty years from 1979-1991 the hospital costs for children and youth have risen from 35 million in 1979-1981 to 127 million from 1997-1991 (Preventing childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, 2005, Institute of Medicine).

The number of obese people is ever increasing. Here are some tips that may help people lose weight.

Weight Loss Tip #1 Eat in a small plate, this will allow you control the amount of food you eat.

Weight Loss Tip #2 Eat less, more often. Not only will it increase you metabolism through the day, but it will also help you control your diet. I suggest the following pattern:

8 a.m. BREAKFAST

11 a.m. SNACK

1 p.m. LUNCH

4 p.m. SNACK

6 p.m. DINNER

9 p.m. SNACK

Weight Loss Tip #3 Before you for for seconds always wait for at least 10 minutes you might not actually need them.

Weight Loss Tip #4 Use vegetable oil instead of butter for cook and baking.

Weight Loss Tip #5 Set realistic goals. It’s okay if you plan to lose 2 pounds a week, but the main thing is you will accomplish it. If you accomplish your goals from the beginning you will be motivated to continue till the end.

Weight Loss Tip #6 Eat early and never miss a breakfast. Eating the majority of your daily caloric allotment early gives your body time to work those calories off, so it’s best so it’s best to have a healthy breakfast.

Weight Loss Tip #7 Take time to chew your food. Digestion begins with the mouth, when you chew your food it’s mixed with your saliva which contain digestion enzymes . You can keep your body healthy if you achieve thorough digestion, so chew your food properly and savor the food.

Weight Loss Tip #8 Avoid stress. Stress causes weight gain due to chemical reactions, listen to so calm music and take deep breathes before eating.

Weight Loss Tip #9 Try salad as a main lunch.

Weight Loss Tip #10 Change your lifestyle. Adapt a new healthy lifestyle. Occassional fad diets will lead you only to gain more weight rather than lose weight.

Weight Loss Tip #11 Tell your friends and family that you want to lose weight. It’s good to know that people around you are rooting for you and gives you a boost.

Weight Loss Tip #12 Focus elsewhere while exercise. When you workout make sure you have your iPOD or are listening to music. Divert your focus elsewhere. If you focus on your own body while working out, it will make the work out really boring.

Weight Loss Tip #13 If you want to really lose weight do it properly and join a good weight loss program. Here you can find the top weight loss programs.

Weight Loss Tip #14 Keep record of how much weight you lose, take pictures or keep a diary, to motivate yourself lose weight further.

Weight Loss Tip #15 Eat slowly. It tales time for the brain to send signals of fullness, so it may take some time before you know you’re full. It helps you control your diet and lose weight.

Weight Loss Tip #16 Concentrate on more burning calories than you consume, rather than low carb and low fat diets, to lose weight.

Weight Loss Tip #17 Cut out all the negativity. People will try to discourage you when you’re trying to lose weight, not necessarily because they don’t want you to succeed, but you need to succeed in the goals you set until you are satisfied.

Weight Loss Tip #18 It’s okay to compare yourself to others and use that positively, however, don’t do everything exactly the same way. Everyone is different and do the workouts that suit your body and keep your own goal in mind.

Weight Loss Tip #19 Women are naturally supposed to lose weight slower the men… ladies don’t feel that I’m prejudiced, but the matter of the fact is that biologically as women are the birthing sex therefore they have more fat on their bodies and lose wieght slower then men. Therefore, ladies separate your weight loss goals from that of men.

Weight Loss Tip #20 Avoid weight loss pills. Period. Why? Because it is dangerous both physically and psychologically. So if want to lose weight do it naturally.

Weight Loss Tip #21 Don’t go for weight loss surgeries either, because these too can have fatal side effects on the body.

Weight Loss Tip #22 Vitamins are good. Even though vitamin pills are good for you, never ever, use them without consulting a professional.

Weight Loss Tip #23 Have dessert! Don’t cut off dessert, your body needs fat. Being healthy means that your body gets all the nutrients it needs, so have dessert, but control at the same time.

Weight Loss Tip #24 Walk a lot. Try walking distances, if you want to go somewhere, try leaving the car home and walk, it makes a difference and helps in the process of weight loss.

Weight Loss Tip #25 There is no way to force weight to come off your stomach (or any other worrisome spots). The good news is cardio exercise is great for peeling off the pounds all over, whether your trouble spot is your tummy or your thighs!

Weight Loss Tip #26 Go for a walk after a meal. It helps in complete digestion.

Weight Loss Tip #27 Think before you eat. Am I really hungry?

Weight Loss Tip #28 Sugar is not good for your body. The more refined it is, the more damage it will do your body.

Weight Loss Tip #29 Don’t have white bread, research proves that people who eat white bread are more likely to have bigger bellies. Instead try having whole grain white bread, it will help you in your weight loss plans.

Weight Loss Tip #30 Pasta ain’t going to do you any favors if you want to lose weight either. Refined pasta prevents your body from weight loss. Instead of pasta you could try barilla, which is a good substitute which are high in fiber and protein.

Weight Loss Tip #31 Try having a burger with just lettuce, tomato and onion.

Weight Loss Tip #32 Drink LOTS of water. Some people think, not drinking water will help them lose weight. They could be further from the truth. If you don’t drink water, whatever little water you do drink the body will store that and you will gain weight.

Drink more of water and you’ll lose excess weight and your system will cleaner.

Weight Loss Tip #33 If you go out one night with friends and break your healthy diet. Don’t grieve the next morning and start eating junk again. Get right back on track the next day. One night ain’t going to make all the difference.

Weight Loss Tip #34 Keep a balanced diet. I suggest the following diet during the day:

Almonds (and other nuts)

Beans (and other legumes)

Spinach (and other green vegetables)

Dairy

Instant oatmeal

Eggs

Turkey (and other lean meats)

Peanut butter

Olive oil

Whole grains (breads and cereals)

Extra-protein powder (whey)

Raspberries (and other berries)

Weight Loss Tip #35 Sleep your weight away! Sleeping will help you burn fat, I suggest at least 8 hours a day. It will help you in you weight loss process.

Weight Loss Tip #36 Workout in patterns. I don’t think many people can workout for 2 hours straight everyday. I would suggest that you would workout in sets every four or five days max a week.

Weight Loss Tip #35 Don’t overdo yourself working out. Start off doing as much as you can, then slowly increase the work out.

If you can do only 10 reps of an exercise, do only 10 and then slowly increase. You can’t lose weight overnight.

Weight Loss Tip #36 Having more of fiber at breakfast will make you feel fuller through the day.

Weight Loss Tip #37 When your feeling down talk to a close friend rather than turning to food. It will cause weight gain.

Weight Loss Tip #38 When you reach a even a small goal reward yourself and stay motivated.

Weight Loss Tip #39 If you know walking around in the kitchen is going to make you want to eat, then try avoiding staying in the kitchen or any other place where may feel like eating unnecessarily.

Weight Loss Tip #40 Having an organized refrigerator or kitchen will help you make better decisions as to what eat.

Weight Loss Tip #41 Try making better decisions to breaking bad older habits.

Weight Loss Tip #42 Just because you’re getting something to eat for free doesn’t mean you have to eat it. It ain’t going to cost your wallet, but it’s going to cost your waist, so be careful .

Weight Loss Tip #43 Don’t wear oversized clothes cause they make you look heavier.

Weight Loss Tip #44 Try high fiber appetizers, it helps you prevent overeating and helps control diet.

Weight Loss Tip #45 Another reason not to skip breakfast is, because after eight hours of sleep, our bodies have consumed no food and in order to increase your metabolism and burn them calories, you need to have breakfast.

Weight Loss Tip #46 Talk to yourself positively, say ” I can lose weight!”. Motivate yourself. It will help 100%.

Weight Loss Tip #47 Instead of putting mayo in your sandwich try putting mustard, ketchup, horseradish, salsa or pickle relish in your sandwiches.

Weight Loss Tip #48 While baking and pouring milk use the powdered kind instead. It will help you put off calories and lose weight.

Weight Loss Tip #49 Make each meal a well balanced meal.

Weight Loss Tip #50 Make on day of the week vegetable day, not only will you decrease your fat intake and increase fiber intake, but you might also realize that you actually like vegetables.

Weight Loss Tip #51 Try to be more active in your everyday life. Try to walk unto people’s desks at work rather than e-mailing them.

Weight Loss Tip #52 Don’t avoid nuts as a snack, because they have fat, they also have protein and other nutrients. I suggest a pack of nuts, instead a pack of chips any day.

Weight Loss Tip #53 Sugar-free doesn’t mean calorie-free.

Weight Loss Tip #54 Instead of having a soda at the restaurant have normal water, it will save you around 1000 calories per meal.

Weight Loss Tip #55 Skipping meals will help you take off a few pounds at first, but after a while your body will start banking calories and after a while your body won’t lose any weight at all.

Weight Loss Tip #56 Always pack a snack with you to work, you don’t when you might feel hungry at the office. Rather than eating junk from outside, keep a healthy snack with you.

Weight Loss Tip #57 Whenever you don’t feel like working out, think about how good it feels after the work out, the feel of accomplishment and the energy flowing through your body.

Weight Loss Tip #58 Putting on your exercise clothes when you don’t feel like it helps motivate you and puts you in the mood for a workout.

Weight Loss Tip #59 If you’re feeling down before a working out, have a soda or coffee, caffeine will speed up your metabolism for a while.

Weight Loss Tip #60 If you walk a lot talk things up a notch, try walking faster, jogging or even adding ankle weights.

Weight Loss Tip #61 There comes a time when diet and exercise stops helping lose weight, in that case increase physical activity. Not only will that add muscle, but also help in fat burning.

Weight Loss Tip #62 Let there be at least a three hour gap between your sleep and workout.

Weight Loss Tip #63 Make sure the exercises your doing are not only popular, but you enjoy doing them as well. Here is a weight loss program with good cardio exercises, people seem to really enjoy doing them.

Weight Loss Tip #64 You can take some sort of strength training, provided the doctor gives the OK. Being stronger will help you lose weight sooner.

Weight Loss Tip #65 Sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups are part of strength training. I usually like to do modified versions, like doing push-ups on my finger tips.

Weight Loss Tip #66 Aerobic exercise is recommended to be done five days a week, however strength training needs to be done only two or three times a week.

Weight Loss Tip #67 Take a day of rest between strength exercise because your muscles need rest.

Weight Loss Tip #68 Keep your goal realistic, but don’t keep the timeframe of the goal so far off that you may lose focus. For example you may plan to lose weight by the end of two years, after one year you may get tired and stop trying.

Weight Loss Tip #69 Make small changes to your daily routine and become more active. Small changes overtime will make a big difference in the future.

Weight Loss Tip #70 Checking your BMI (Body Mass Index) can help determine how close you are to reaching your goals.

Weight Loss Tip #71 Don’t make a drastic cut in your calorie intake. People make the mistake of doing so, however, it will only cause your weight to stall.

Weight Loss Tip #72 Research has shown that snacking on peanut butter is an effective way to control hunger without leading to weight gain.

Weight Loss Tip #73 You should ask yourself these questions as you begin: Why do you want to lose weight? Are you truly committed?

Weight Loss Tip #74 If you want to lose weight your BAWH must change:

Behavior

Activity

What you eat

How you eat

Weight Loss Tip #75 No matter which way you look at it, 3,500 calories is one pound lost. Whether you take in 500 fewer or burn 500 more calories a day, by the end of the week you’ll be one pound lighter!

Weight Loss Tip #76 Your weight will fluctuate from day to day. Resist the urge to weigh yourself on a daily basis, as doing so will discourage you. Weigh in the same time and day once a week.

Weight Loss Tip #77 Building muscle through strength training brings many benefits, including: increased endurance; flexibility; reduced risk for injury; increased energy; and boosted metabolism.



2009 Honda Fit Review

Friday, July 24th, 2009
AutoWebNetworks


2009 Honda Fit Review

The 2009 Honda Fit has been completely and totally redesigned for 2009. It is a bit longer and wider than last year’s model with added interior space, enhanced seating functionality, a more powerful engine, sharper handling, and a higher emphasis on safety. It is Honda’s smallest car with an innovative-upgraded interior and fun-to-drive character.

The Fit is available with a long list of standard safety equipment to multiple seat configurations and ample storage room. With all these attributes, the Fit comes across as a good choice when fluctuating fuel prices, environment concerns and economic uncertainty are hogging the limelight. In all, the 2009 Honda Fit has all that most people actually need from their cars.

What’s new for the 2009 Honda Fit?

For 2009, the Honda Fit sports a new, more upscale and driver-friendly exterior design and an improved interior comprising better materials and seats. The second row seats now can be folded in multitude of ways. However, the deletion of the “refresh” mode as one of the possible configurations and the addition of a secret compartment at the seat bottom can be noticeable.

2009 Honda Fit Model lineup

The 2009 Honda Fit is available in two models with three trim variations, Fit, Fit Sport and Fit Sport with Navi. The main differences among these trims and variants are around equipment and technology upgrades. The Fit Sport has one-inch larger wheels, and the Fit Sport with Navi includes satellite navigation and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).

The Fit comes with features 15-inch wheels, black side mirrors, a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission, telescoping steering wheel, auxiliary input jack for your iPod, MP3/WMA playback and 160-watt stereo with four speakers.

The Fit Sport comes with larger wheels, a sporty front bumper, body-colored side mirrors, keyless entry, leather-wrapped steering wheel, USB connectivity, a driver side armrest, map lights, a five-speed automatic or five-speed automatic transmission with sport mode and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The Fit Sport with Navi sports a manual transmission or five-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The Fit Sport with Navi adds satellite navigation and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).

Front, side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard safety features on all Fit trims.

2009 Honda Fit Exterior and interior

Honda has retained the Fit fresh, giving it a redesign after two years of its debut in North America thereby making an effort to stay ahead of increasing competitors like the Nissan Versa and Scion xD.

With sharply styled headlights, larger front quarter windows and a more aerodynamic front design, the Fit sports a new functional and attractive style for 2009. These enhancements contribute towards making the Fit the most appealing car in its class. A wider stance, more aggressive fender flares and sharper character lines along the side are some other design changes that are new for 2009.

The in-dash cup holders and split glovebox are highpoints, though both upper and lower boxes are too small to be of much use. Space inside the cabin ranges is almost-spacious, particularly for a car this size. However, a noisy and thrashy ride, slightly numb steering and a small (split) glovebox are some backdrops.

The critical elements of the interior have been improved considerably to ensure that the awesome utility of this little car is intact. The new front seats now accommodate taller passengers. The materials used are sufficiently ample and durable. The center stack bears the easiest layout - the large knobs that control the environment and settings curve around the stereo controls on the driver’s side, making the design stylish and easy to reach. However, the plastic controls are a bit thin to the touch.

Honda claims that if the rear seat is folded flat, the Fit can provide 57.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Actually, this figure is considerably more than that of the 41.9 cubic feet of last year’s model.

2009 Honda Fit Driving impressions

The Fit delivers better performance from its 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine. The upgraded chassis and suspension components have resulted in the overall improved ride and handling experience. The fuel efficient Fit delivers an EPA-estimated 27/33 mpg city/highway. The 1.5-liter engine delivers 117-horsepower at 6600 rpm and 106 pound-feet of torque at 4800 rpm.

The 2009 Honda Fit gets better in terms of driving and with new seats and suspension changes, offers comfortable conveyance and is fun for everyday driving.

The manual transmission or automatic with paddle shifters increases the fun by allowing drivers to dip down into the vehicle’s torque band when needed. On twisty corners, it provides more fun, and almost as efficient as the Scion xD or Nissan Versa. Most of the time, the rear of the car nicely follows the front with a new improved electric steering set up. The clutch and throw play on the manual transmission is easy to manipulate and gives a lot of fun to operate. 2009 Honda Fit Modifications and Parts

The Honda Fit is one of the more popular Honda models, and offers a great platform for modification and aftermarket parts. Some of the popular upgrades are to swap in a K20A2 engine from an Acura RSX Type S, or a K20Z3 from a Honda Civic Si. There are also popular performance parts for teh stock engine, such as a short ram intake, cold air intake, catback exhaust, headers, and suspension parts such as coilovers or lowering springs.



Best Outdoor Sites for Personal Training in San Diego

Sunday, July 19th, 2009
Phoenix Delray


Personal training in San Diego doesnt have to be confined to the indoors. There are hundreds of breathtakingly beautiful areas outside that are perfect for all kinds of physical activities. While the number of notable scenic places is in the hundreds, if not the thousands, there are a few that are unmistakably noted as the best for personal training in San Diego.

Torrey Pines Mesa is absolutely one of the most beautiful places in San Diego. There are only two places in the world where the Torrey Pine tree grows, and this spot is one of them. The area is full of gorgeous trails, perfect for hiking, jogging, running and walking to help you on your way to health while personal training in San Diego.

Palomar Mountain is an incredible place to spend an afternoon exercising. The elevation of the mountain is about 5500 feet, and even though much of the land is privately owned, there are loads of trails to give people views of forests, the mountain, small ponds and inlets, and wildlife. The roads along Palomar Mountain are notorious for their sharp curves, making them hotspots for cyclists and bikers. Drivers, beware!

Working out near the city itself is a great idea, offering a scenery setting that is different from the mountains and the woods. Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma is a popular place for walks and working out. Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma is at the most southwesterly part of San Diego. There is a bayside trail at the Cabrillo National Monument that overlooks the San Diego Bay and downtown San Diego.

Bankers Hill is an uptown San Diego neighborhood bordered by downtown to the south, San Diego Bay to the west and by Balboa Park to the east. The scenery from the loop here is as varied and as impressive as your personal training regimen is, and with its upscale neighborhood comes upscale sights right on the streets and an upscale workout as well.

The Desert Gardens scenery is a stark contrast to the views of the city, but there are loads of trails that wind through some of the most impressive natural habitats in the country. With some cacti there being more than 100 years old, working out while overlooking the Florida Canyon is a great way to keep things interesting when you are personal training in San Diego.

And finally, Balboa Park is full of anything and everything that someone could want when personal training in San Diego. From the canyons and mesas that span through the park, to the incredible architecture to the gorgeous flora and fauna, Balboa Park is a must try for personal training in San Diego.



Nintendo Wii Fit Starter Bundle Review: Does Wii Fit Work for Me?

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
Wilson Marks


You’ve heard so much about Wii Fit, and many of you might have the question on your mind “Does Wii Fit Work?” I bought my Nintendo Wii Fit Starter Bundle online three months ago. During the past three months, I’ve been playing the Wii Fit Starter Bundle on regular basis. So I’d be glad to share my Wii Fit workout experience with you.

What’s  in the Nintendo Wii Fit Starter Bundle?

I placed an order online and received my Wii Fit Starter Bundle in the mail three days later. I couldn’t contain my excitement while opening the package. The package included my long-awaited Wii Fit game and Balance Board. I already got my Wii game console earlier this year along with all the necessary accessories such as the Wii remotes and nunchuck, so I was ready to start playing Wii Fit right away.

Exercises included in the Wii Fit Starter Bundle

There are over 40 different types of training activities offered by Wii Fit, including traditional exercises such as step aerobics, jogging, as well as modern stress busters such as Yoga and meditation. You can also choose  other fund exercises such as Hula Hoops, Snowboarding and rhythm boxing. The exercises offered by Wii Fit are so diverse that every member of your family will find their favorite ones no matter how old or physically active they are.

The pressure-sensitive balance board that comes with the Wii Fit Starter Bundle can hold up to a maximum of 300 pounds. Since quite a few of the Wii Fit games are based on player’s balance of her body, this is where the balance board comes in. Similar to a step aerobics board in appearance, the Wii Fit Balance Board can also measure player’s performance as well as weight, which alongside the height, age and gender determine the player’s Body Mass Index (BMI).

My Workout experience with Wii Fit Starter Bundle

I set up my Wii Fit system as soon as I got the bundle. Firstly, I entered basic personal data such as height, age and gender as instructed by Wii console. The machine calculated my BMI and my fitness level shortly. After my profile creation was complete, I was ready to start getting a taste of Wii Fit.

I am always a fan of Strength Training. So I started with muscle-toning exercises such as Leg lift, Squat, Lunge and more. Wii Fit offered Push-up challenge and it was quite fun. I also played Yoga with the Wii balance board. I have been practicing Yoga for quite a while, so I had no problem in catching up with Yoga poses included in the Wii Fit, such as Cobra, Bridge, Spinal Twist, Shoulder Stand, Warrior and more. It was actually quite interesting to play Yoga with Wii Fit.

My favorite exercise so far is Hula Hoop. It was quite challenging to keep the hoops in the air in the beginning. After a couple of days’ training, I learned how to balance myself. After that, keeping all the hoops in the air while catching some more was really enjoyable. And it was a great workout too.

Does Wii Fit Work for me?

I have been playing with Wii Fit for 40 minutes a day, 3 days per week, during the past three months. Here is the result I’d like to share with you: I lost 4 pounds so far and dropped from size 8 to size 6. I eat like usual during these three months. So I think Wii Fit does work for me, and I will keep exercising and shaping up with Wii Fit.

Will Wii Fit work for you?

Many of you might be on the fence asking “Will Wii Fit work for me?” My answer is “Yes, it will. As long as you do it right and do it regularly.” Don’t get me wrong, Wii Fit  is not going to make you lose weight if you eat excessively and doing 10 minutes a day on Wii Fit. You have to watch your lifestyle and diet too. If you exercise with Wii Fit regularly with a healthy diet, you will be happy to see the result 3 months later just as I did.

Wii Fit is like a home gym membership to some extent. However it is much more fun, and provides more motivations to get people started, especially for those who don’t have time hitting the gym every other day, or just simply don’t like go to the gym. Wii Fit turns the exercises into a fun experience. And there are so many activities included in the Wii Fit game that you wouldn’t feel bored at all.

To sum up, Wii Fit works for me, and it will work for you as long as you manage your expectation and keep a long-time commitment. WiiConsoleDeals.com is a specialized Wii for sale site that lists up to the minute deals on the Wii consoles, Wii Fit and other popular Wii games and accessories. Be sure to try this website when shopping for Wii Fit bundle.



KGS Bikes Fitting vs. Retul - The Difference Between a Fitting Tool and a Fitting System

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
Kevin Saunders


I recently received a call from a client in Dallas who noticed that one of the local stores is installing the Retul 3D Motion Capture System and wondered if it was better than the fitting she received from KGS Bikes. The explanation is a little more involved than a Q&A question so I decided to bump my scheduled ezine article for this one.

The KGS Fitting System, those by Serotta, WobbleNaught, Carmichael, Specialized, Cyfac, Body Scan, Fit Kit and others, use a procedural system that gets a specific outcome and these may or may not even use the data generated by a motion capture system.

Retul has become the gold standard in fitting tools in the past 18 months. The reason I say it is a fitting tool is that Retul can be used with any fitting system. It is 3D Motion Capture System that can accurately measure sensor points which are attached to rider or are indexed to a bicycle.

Retul has a competitor in Dartfish, which is a 2D motion capture system that I own. I am planning on purchasing Retul to augment my fitting services so here is an explanation of how I deal with fitting systems and motion capture systems. The crosshair laser that I use to measure bicycles is another reference tool that is independent of the fitting system. It helps to separate the two as there is overlap and thus room for confusion.

Fitting Systems - KGS vs others. Many of the fitting systems on the market today feature equations or benchmarks that a rider should use to calculate the best way to fit a bicycle. Fit Kit is one of the earlier systems that use a plumb line to determine Knee Over Pedal Spindle, WobbleNaught uses 33 different measurement points of the rider and the bike to get a computer generated setup for that individual rider and that individual bike. Carmichael uses angles and geometry to assure that an individual is set up within an acceptable range of angles on the bike. Serotta and others use a combination of measurements and riding on either the owner’s bike or a setup bike.

What separates the KGS Fitting System from the others are two specific processes:

1) I have developed a system of finding the best, most efficient and balanced position for an individual using my custom setup bike, through scientific analysis using a step by step approach to find that perfect setup whether the rider is young or old, fit or unfit.

2) The use of a setup bike with a power meter, that is 100% infinitely adjustable and capable of producing the workload that you as the rider really produce on the road, is critical. My system determines a proper bike setup, rather than a setup based on the limitations of a specific bike.

Fitting Tools - Setup bike. The setup bike was just described and is the core of my fitting system. It has road, mountain and time trial handlebars, different saddles, adjustable cranks from 150-230 mm and almost all modern pedal systems. Since the bottom bracket is the datum point, every other conceivable position is determined by the location of the saddle and handlebars. Since all riders interface with the bike in exactly the same place, (pedals, handlebars and saddle), if the setup bike is able to be positioned to find the rider’s best position it can be found, documented and repeated.

The setup bike is not the system any more than one’s bike on a trainer would be. In fact, my system is good enough to find the perfect setup even if it would be difficult to build a real bicycle with those specifications. This is because I don’t assume that the bicycle industry has created a stock frame for you, I assume nothing. When we get through the fitting process we know exactly how to build a frame that is perfect for you, or to specify a stock frame that works with your body.

Cross hair laser - This fitting tool is what I use to accurately measure the handlebars and saddle relative to the bottom bracket. These lasers do nothing but project two lines into space, but the accuracy attainable from this device is fantastic.

Dartfish Advanced Video Analysis - I bought the Dartfish software and used it with my fittings for a few years but found that the only thing that really worked well was the ability to show ankle placement and the time it took to show the client problems was better spent in showing a solution rather than highlighting the problem. Dartfish is a great tool and some clients can benefit from it but most are better off letting me show them how to get better form rather than see how bad their form is in the first place.

Retul - The Retul system is a 3D motion capture system. The reason I am getting one is the ability to capture the fitting session and not only save that data but analyze it with other setup data. I have the ability now to get people setup properly on the bike. That is not the point. Having a system that gives me better resolution of all the aspects of a rider’s position and being able to save it is important. Another part of the Retul system is a sensor that can be triggered when it touches parts of the bike so the critical dimensions of the setup bike can be captured more quickly and with the same accuracy that I use now. I can save a few minutes doing documentation which usually means I get more time to spend helping the client with specific problems.

In summary, a bad fitter will not do a significantly better job with Retul. All the fitting procedures and knowledge that the fitter used prior to the acquisition of Retul are used after the device is purchased so many bike shops are still stuck with the age old discovery: Bike fitting is not easy.

It has taken me years of study to get really good at bike fitting and I still learn things every day. I feel lucky to have a studio that I can use to really do a client some good. I can’t speak for other shops and studios, but I work not only hard but as smartly as I can to put the client first and get an awesome outcome. I can’t wait to get my own Retul system but the fact that I just have my knowledge, skills and setup bike means that current fit clients will get what they want and need, which is a custom setup that works for them.

At the end of the day, I still find a lot of stock bikes don’t fit grownups well. It is irritating as I have a lot of educating to do when people find out that it is not they that are abnormal, but the bike they want to buy that may not be the one for them.



Successful Weight Loss Tips And Program

Thursday, July 9th, 2009
adityasnv


 

  10 Strategies for permanent weight loss 1.   Exercise is essential for weight loss

It’s nothing new, but exercise is probably the most important predictor of whether you will succeed at long term weight loss and weight loss maintenance. In order for exercise to be helpful in weight loss, you should strive for a minimum of five 30 minute sessions per week. The good news is that recent research has shown that three 10 minute sessions in a day are as good as one 30 minute session. This helps many in combating the old "no time for exercise" excuse. Be certain to find something you enjoy. You’ll be more apt to stick with it. Try walking with a friend, joining an intramural sports league, participating in outings with a group like The Sierra Club, or trying some classes at your local gym. Once you give exercise a chance, you will begin to enjoy its positive benefits on your psyche as well; you will literally become "hooked."

2.   Weight loss and weight training

We chose to list this separately from the "exercise" category because of the significant weight loss benefits attached to weight training in and of itself. The basic equation is this: the more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you will burn. This is why world class weight lifters must eat thousands of calories a day to maintain their weight. Muscle is active tissue, fat is not. Thus, muscle "burns" a significant number of calories each day for its own maintenance. In her book Strong Women Stay Slim, Miriam Nelson, a Tufts University researcher, showed that a group of women who followed a weight loss diet and did weight training exercises lost 44% more fat than those who only followed the diet. While aerobic activity can help burn calories, muscle’s where it’s at when it comes to giving your metabolism a significant daily boost even at rest.

3.   Keep a diary for triggers that hinder weight loss

Keeping a food diary can be a huge asset in successful weight loss. Devote some time each day to record what you have eaten and how much, your hunger level prior to eating, and any feelings or emotions present at the time. A food diary can provide a large amount of self-awareness. It can identify emotions and behaviors that trigger overeating, foster greater awareness of portion sizes, and help you discover your personal food triggers. Study any patterns that emerge from your food diary and identify where you may be able to make more healthful changes. A food diary provides an added benefit of keeping you focused on and committed to your goals. Start keeping a food diary today by printing our food diary.

4.   Stay focused on being healthy, not on becoming thin

Many people become more successful at long term weight loss when their motivation changes from wanting to be thinner to wanting to be healthier. Change your mind set to think about selecting foods that will help your body’s health rather than worrying about foods that will affect your body’s weight. The Food Pyramid offers a basic outline of the types and amounts of food you should eat each day to give your body the nutrients it needs for optimal health.

5.   Find out why you overeat

All too often overeating is triggered by stress, boredom, loneliness, anger, depression and other emotions. Learning to deal with emotions without food is a significant skill that will greatly serve long term weight control. The Solution, a book and national program developed by Laurel Mellin, RD, helps participants to identify their eating triggers and respond to them without food. A research study showed that the participants in this program demonstrated a better rate of long term weight loss maintenance than those who simply diet and/or exercise and don’t address behavioral and emotional issues. Chronic over-eaters and "emotional eaters" can be significantly helped by learning new behavioral skills such as those Mellin presents. You can also seek help with behavioral and emotional eating issues from a licensed counselor or psychologist in your area.

6.   Weight loss support: join a weight management group

A big key in long term weight control comes from receiving encouragement and support from others. You can check to see if groups such as Jenny Craig offer programs and resources in your areas. You may also wish to check with your local hospital to see if their registered dietitian conducts group weight loss programs.

7.   Weight loss and portion control

With the advent of "super-size" meals and increasingly huge portions at restaurants, our concept of normal serving sizes is a distant memory. Be mindful of the amounts of food you consume at a sitting. When necessary, divide your food in half and ask for a take home bag. It is all too easy to be a "plate cleaner" even when served enormous portions. Learn to pay attention to your hunger level and stop eating when you feel comfortably full, not stuffed.

8: Lose weight slowly with small changes

Try to remember that "losing 15 pounds in two weeks" is nothing to celebrate. It is important to realize that the more quickly weight is lost, the more likely the loss is coming from water and muscle, not fat. Since muscle tissue is critical in keeping our metabolism elevated, losing it actually leads to a decrease in the amount of calories we can each day without gaining weight. Fat loss is best achieved when weight is lost slowly. Strive for a weight loss of no more than 1-2 pounds per week. One pound of weight is equivalent to 3500 calories. By making small changes like eliminating 250 calories a day from food and expending 250 calories a day from exercise, you can lose one pound (of mostly fat) per week. You can calculate how much time you need to exercise to burn 250 calories by clicking here. You can calculate your caloric needs by clicking here, and then subtract 250 from that number.

9.   Eating slowly can lead to weight loss

Did you ever notice that thin people take an awfully long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help take off pounds. That’s because from the time you begin eating it takes the brain 20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness. Fast eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20 minute signal has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary significantly depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy and savor every tasty morsel.

10.   Weight loss through eating less fat - but do it wisely

We’ve known for some time that limiting high fat foods in the diet can be helpful with weight loss. That’s because fats pack in 9 calories per gram compared to only 4 calories per gram from proteins or carbohydrates. To many, the message to limit fats implied an endorsement to eat unlimited amounts of fat-free products. Just to clarify, fat-free foods have calories too. In some cases fat-free foods have as many calories as their fat laden counterparts. If you eat more calories than your body uses, you will gain weight. Eating less fat will help you to lose weight. Eating less fat and replacing it with excessive amounts of fat-free products will not.

 



What exercise to do everyday at home to have better endurance?

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
Josh Finor


I would just like to know what exercise could I do everyday at home to have better endurance(endurance for running)? And is stretching done only in the beginning of the exercise or after the exercise?

Thanks in advance!
I have a lot of snow outside of my house, so I can’t run outside,
but I’m looking for an exercise that can be done inside the house and that doesn’t require any equipment, if possible,
Thanks

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