The Science Behind Carb Backloading: A Strategic Approach to Weight Loss

With so many diets and strategies available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when deciding the best way to lose weight. From keto to intermittent fasting, each plan claims to be the most effective. But the truth is, no one-size-fits-all solution exists. What works for someone else might not work for you, and it’s important to find a method that suits both your lifestyle and your body’s unique needs.

One strategy gaining attention is carb backloading. But what is it, and why does it work?

What is Carb Backloading?

Carb backloading is a nutritional strategy that focuses on the timing of carbohydrate consumption. The core idea is to restrict carbs like bread, pasta, and sugars for most of the day, only allowing them after a session of high-intensity cardiovascular exercise (HIIT).

Throughout the day, you’ll stick to a low- or no-carb diet, and only after an intense workout do you reintroduce carbs, such as a sandwich or a bowl of pasta, into your diet.

Why Does Carb Backloading Work?

The science behind carb backloading revolves around how your body processes energy. During the day, as you avoid carbs, your body begins to deplete the glycogen stored in your muscles. Glycogen is the stored form of carbohydrates that your body uses for quick energy, especially during high-intensity activities like sprints.

After depleting these stores, your body is primed to handle an influx of carbohydrates without storing them as fat. When you eat carbs immediately following an intense workout, your body focuses on replenishing the glycogen in your muscles rather than storing it as fat. Essentially, you’re teaching your body to shuttle those carbs directly to your muscles, providing energy without the unwanted fat gain.

This process works because your body only stores excess sugar as fat when it doesn’t have an immediate need for it. By strategically timing your carb intake after exercise, you ensure that the sugar is used to restore muscle glycogen, not stored as fat.

How to Implement Carb Backloading Correctly

To successfully implement carb backloading, it’s important to understand that it’s not effective with low-intensity, steady-state cardio like jogging or walking. These types of exercises primarily burn fat once blood sugar levels drop.

However, if you engage in high-intensity interval training (HIIT), where you push your body to maximum effort, you burn through glycogen stores rapidly. HIIT allows you to create the necessary demand for carbs to be stored in your muscles rather than as fat.

The key to carb backloading is performing intense workouts that exhaust glycogen stores. Following these workouts, you can reintroduce carbs during a short window of time when your body is primed to replenish those stores rather than store the carbs as fat.

Conclusion

Carb backloading is a strategy that uses science to maximize fat loss while still allowing for carbs at optimal times. By timing your carb intake with high-intensity workouts, you can strategically avoid fat storage and support muscle recovery. However, like any diet strategy, it’s important to see how it fits with your lifestyle and individual health needs. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise regimen.

The Ultimate Anti-Aging Skin Care Guide: Look and Feel 25 Years Younger with These Nutrient-Packed Tips

Our skin is one of the clearest indicators of age, and when someone tries to guess how old you are, it’s often your skin that gives you away. That’s why anti-aging skincare is essential to maintaining a youthful, vibrant appearance. In fact, using the right techniques and products can help you look up to 25 years younger, making sure those awkward moments—like someone mistaking your sister for your daughter—never happen.

Nourish Your Skin from the Inside Out

A vital aspect of anti-aging skincare starts with your diet. The food you eat directly impacts the health and appearance of your skin. After all, your body relies on nutrients from food to regenerate and repair tissues, including your skin. If you want radiant, youthful skin, a nutrient-rich diet is key. Here are three critical components of an anti-aging diet: antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats.

Power of Antioxidants for Skin Health

Antioxidants are your skin’s best defense against damage from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that harm skin cells. Found in foods like citrus fruits, berries, and fish, antioxidants protect your skin cells from oxidative stress and help keep them looking fresh and youthful. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants reduce the cellular damage that leads to wrinkles, fine lines, and even skin cancer.

Consuming antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries, spinach, and green tea can slow down the skin’s aging process. Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red grapes and red wine, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and may contribute to healthier skin by protecting your cells at a deep level.

Vitamins for Skin Rejuvenation

Vitamins A and E are critical for skin repair and renewal. These vitamins play a major role in producing collagen, the protein responsible for maintaining your skin’s firmness and elasticity. Incorporating nutrient-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, almonds, and spinach into your diet can help smooth out wrinkles and heal scars over time.

Vitamin C is another powerhouse in anti-aging skincare, helping to brighten the complexion and fade dark spots. A balanced diet high in vitamins is essential for keeping your skin looking vibrant and youthful.

The Importance of Healthy Fats

Essential fatty acids, particularly Omega-3s, are crucial for keeping your skin hydrated and supple. These healthy fats act as a natural moisturizer, preventing dry, flaky skin while maintaining your skin’s elasticity. Omega-3s, found in fatty fish like salmon and walnuts, also have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and irritation.

Despite the misconception that fats are unhealthy, they play a key role in skin health. Consuming healthy fats, along with enough protein, supports the production of hormones and new skin cells, leading to smoother, more radiant skin.

Conclusion: Achieving Younger-Looking Skin Through Nutrition

If you’re serious about turning back the clock on your skin’s appearance, paying attention to what you eat is just as important as using the right skincare products. By fueling your body with antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats, you’ll give your skin the nutrients it needs to repair itself and stay youthful for years to come.

By following these anti-aging nutrition tips, you can achieve glowing skin that not only looks younger but feels healthier too. Start today, and watch your skin transform into the best version of itself.

SEO Keywords: anti-aging skincare, youthful skin, antioxidants for skin, vitamins for skin health, healthy fats for skin, how to look younger, best foods for skin, prevent wrinkles, diet for healthy skin, glowing skin tips, skincare nutrition.

You Are Not Destined To Be Overweight Forever

I know, you're probably thinking you have to starve to lose weight. But nothing could be more false. For the majority of us, we were born with a healthy weight. But as we grew older we developed bad eating habits, and then learned to diet. 

Fad dieting has caused a lot of our bodies to go into survival mode. Starvation diets can cause an intense urge to consume large quantities of high calorie foods afterwards or if we fail.  

These diets have set us up to fail by causing our bodies to fight against our natural survival mode.

After starving oneself on one of these fad diets, you may end up with the tendency to overeat once you stop.........however this does not mean you're a failure. 

You're human...and quitting, or not being able to finish this type of fad diet DOES NOT.... 

*It doesn't make you A FAILURE. 
*It doesn't mean you can't START OVER with something more realistic, safe, and healthier. 
*It doesn't doom you to being OVERWEIGHT FOREVER.
*It means you did the best you could at the time.

Eating food is one of the most natural thing we as humans do so listen to your body the next time you're eating, because it knows what it needs for you to live and be your best.

You just need to listen when it tells you enough is enough. Just as your body knows how to breathe, reproduce, and heal....it knows when you need fuel, as well as when enough is enough. 

Think of a newborn or toddler.

*They sleep when tired.

*They run, jump, and play while creating havoc until they can't anymore. 

*They eat, and drink when hungry or thirsty. 

*Once they feel full, they stop, no matter the bribe.

All of these natural instincts above live in each of us as well. 

We have the born ability to take care of ourselves. We just need to listen to our bodies just as we did as little ones. 

So stop thinking of yourself as destined to be overweight forever. You are not doomed to either being overweight or to being on a fad diet. Let overeating and fad starvation diets be a thing of the past. 

Not everyone is going to be super-skinny. The everyday pressure to be super thin is a huge part of the weight problem in todays society. Some of us are destined to be soft and curvy, while others are muscular, or even stocky. There is beauty in our differences.

Embracing and loving the individuals beauty will help you to love and work with what you have been blessed with. 

Realize and understand that you can live and learn to love your ideal weight. Eating normal while listening just as you did when young, will help you to be a finisher...You got this!! 

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a nutritionistís recommendation. Prior to beginning any dietary program, including a low carb diet, individuals should consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or an appropriate path toward weight loss.

Vegetable Protein -vs- Meat Protein

There are studies that show plant protein has some benefits that meat protein lacks, it is recommended we add some amounts of vegetable protein in our diet for better health.

While it's still controversial which one is better, most recent studies show one definite advantage of vegetable protein over meat protein is that plant protein can help lower blood pressure. Those who consume a lot of vegetable protein have lower blood pressure readings.

Researchers at Imperial College London did a survey on nearly 4700 people from the UK, the US, Japan and China. They found that the more vegetable protein the subjects said they had, the lower their blood pressure.

The report published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine suggested vegetarians tend to be lighter than non-vegetarians, and that the amino acids and magnesium found in plant protein may play roles in lowering blood pressure.

Since the study shows plant protein has some benefits that meat protein lacks, it is recommended we add some amounts of vegetable protein in our diet for better health. Good sources of vegetable protein include whole grains such as corn, wheat, oats, milo, barley, soya products such as tofu, soya milk, nuts and seeds like peas, beans, peanuts, almonds, pipe nuts etc. A well balanced diet including certain amounts of plant protein is definitely better than a diet that gets dietary protein from meat only.

References:

Imperial College London
Archives of Internal Medicine

To help ensure that I get my daily recommended intake of plant, and vegetable nutrients, I like to start with AdvoCare's AdvoGreens Greens Powder Packets which supports my healthy lifestyle*.

Written by,

Dwight Obey, AdvoCare Independent Distributor

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment. 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Four Simple Weight Loss Tips

Let's face it, we all need to be healthy and fit. We each have our own reasons for wanting to look, and feel good. For some it's wanting to be around for the kids, or maybe the doctor ordered us too.

Obesity is the leading overarching cause of death in the U.S. and I dare say most of the Westernized world. All too often we fail to think about what we are doing to ourselves and our families. So do it for them as well as yourself.

If you need help, find a workout partner or get a fitness trainer. If you look online they aren't all that expensive and can help motivate and guide you to your health and fitness goals. Some even offer FREE online challenges.

The US has seen an enormous increase in the number of people considered obese by the medical community. In fact many call it an obesity epidemic. To combat this we find all sorts of pharmaceutical companies selling the "quick fix" pills, powders, and lotions that do nothing to actually help people take the fat off and keep it off.

Of course the same could be said of the diet industry as well. There are so many different diets going around now you could pick one a month and in a years time still have more to choose from.

What is truely needed are some sensible proven weight loss tips that people can implement no matter what their present physical condition is. That said let's dive right in.

#1  Drink more water. All too often Americans are borderline dehydrated and so their bodies are working on the water starvation reflex and not flushing the toxins and junk out.

#2  Eat more often. I bet you thought I was going to say eat less. While it is true that to lose weight you need to eat less calories than you expend...you need to eat more often to get the metabolic furnace stoked up and burning right. Get it out of starvation mode. So start the day off with breakfast. Even an instant breakfast drink and a piece of fruit as we head out the door in the morning.

#3  Move more. Depending on your physical condition you need to be moving more. Use the stairs rather than the elevator, park farther out from the office or the store, go for a walk around the block, go dancing, play with your kids. Make it fun. Running is not the only way to burn more calories.

#4  Finally, determine  your "Why". Decide why you want to discard fat. Make your reason big enough to motivate you through the slumps that invariably happen.

Personally my reason was to be able to live to see my grandkids graduate college. My youngest kids are 3 and 12 now. Besides I wanted to get out and play with them without being out of breath all the time.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

The Amazing Health Qualities Of Green Tea

The Chinese have known about Green tea as a powerful medication for at least 4000 years. According to legend, tea was discovered by a Chinese emperor called Shen Nung. Some tea leaves accidentally fell into boiling water, and he tried it and found it invigorating.

Green tea became part of the Chinese diet and many important health benefits were attributed to it. Now recent medical studies in both Asia and the west are providing a scientific basis for the claim that drinking green tea has very significant health benefits.

Green tea, like black tea is made from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. The difference between the three main types of tea is the way that they are produced. Green tea is unfermented tea meaning that the leaves used for green tea are steamed soon after been plucked in order to prevent the oxidation of the leaves. In this way the leaves remain green and the active substances within the leaves retain their qualities.

Black teas on the other hand are made from fermented leaves and as a result have less nutritional and enzyme content as the green tea. Thus green and black teas have different chemical properties.

Modern science has in recent times been able to demonstrate that green tea is beneficial to one's health and this is mainly due to the fact that tea contains high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols or flavonoids. The antioxidant activity of tea has been compared to that of fruit and vegetables in a number of studies.

One study concluded that consuming three cups of tea a day produced a similar amount of antioxidants as eating six apples. Antioxidants help your body fight against free radicals which cause damage to cells and tissues in your body.

While all tea is healthy to drink, it is green tea that contains the highest level of flavonoids. Recent medical studies suggest green tea to be beneficial in many areas including the following:

-Digestive and respiratory health.

-Lowers cholesterol levels

-Boosts your immune system

-Reduces high blood pressure

-Arthritis - anti-inflammatory effect.

-Oral hygiene - due to antibacterial properties.

-Skin conditions such as acne

-Lowers blood sugar

Weight loss is another area that is attracting huge attention. Recently published research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that an extract from green tea may speed up fat oxidation.

A study was conducted of ten healthy men over a period of 6 weeks. It was discovered that those men who were given green tea extract burned more calories per day than those who were not given the extract. Much more research needs to be conducted in this area but the signs are certainly very encouraging.

Have you had your cup today?

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment. Results may vary by each individual while working out, or utilizing any of the products mentioned in this article.

How Clean Are You On The Inside?

In today's age and world, being slim, shapely, possessing ripped abdominal muscles and toned arms seems to be the aim of a vast majority of the people you see spending tons of hours working out at gyms.

These same people spend loads of money on the new weight-loss pill or supplement guaranteed to make you eat less and increase your metabolism...' and in spite of whatever side effects the product may contain, the average Joe, still thinks this quick fix will be worth the risk.

In truth, some of these people have luck with these efforts, and yes they possess the ever so ripped and toned muscles we as a society admire so much. However, the fact that needs to be accepted and pondered upon thoroughly is: Whatever is not built on a proper foundation will eventually crumble!

Most fitness experts will tell you that bodybuilders atrophy will wear down prematurely sooner or later, because these muscles that were blown up with unnatural substances have a tendency to pretty much deflate. Moreover, ripped muscles and demonstrated feats of strength DO NOT depict proper and optimal health.

There is a saying that is known to every culture which goes like this: you are what you eat...What you eat plays arguably the most important role on your overall health and fitness, thus PROPER DIET should be the most important factor for any and every person seeking better health.

What then should one eat? In a nut-shell: yes as boring as it may sound- Fruits and Vegetables.
These substances possess the abilities to not only provide the necessary fuel needed for day to day activities, but play important and vital roles in the following:

1. Providing the alkaline reserves in the body for balancing chemical metabolism within.

2. Cleansing the digestive and excretory tract as they act as the much needed intestinal broom to sweep these 'pipes' (as you may call them) clean to function properly in their duties of nourishing and cleansing the body.

3. Keeping the body fit, trim and in shape WITHOUT the unwanted side effects of toxic and artificial substances such as pills and supplements. Sure, it is a great feeling to be able to see the awesome cuts in your abs and arms when you look in the mirror, but feeling good on the inside as well and knowing that you are thoroughly cleansed internally should be of just as much importance as getting ripped.

As I stated in one of my previous articles, a quick and sure-fire method of attaining internal cleanliness and the added bonus of healthy weight-loss will be to undergo a fast.

There are several methods of this tried and true method of healing and although it is covered to a degree in the free resources section of my website, you can always do some research on this radical; yet extremely effective method of internal purification and weight loss.

In conclusion, the cleaner you are on the inside and the freer you are of toxicity the quicker you can and will attain your goal of being in shape.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment. Results may vary by each individual while working out, or utilizing any of the products mentioned in this article.

The Dirty Truth On How To Get Ripped!

Summer is HERE, and the time has come to kick back and relax under the sun. It's time for the beach days, barbecues, pool parties, and for any serious gym goer these activities also mean one thing: it's time for the shirts to come off and to showcase that rock-solid physique they've been working on all year. No one wants to be walking around with a soft, smooth and flabby body, and for the next month or two, all of those serious lifters will be shifting into get ripped mode baby!

For many of us we want to know how do they usually go about this?

ANSWER: They lighten up the weights and perform higher reps. 

This has always been a widely accepted method of cutting down and if you ask most trainers in the gym they will tell you that heavy weights bulk up the muscle and lighter weights define the muscles.

Do you want to know the reality behind the light weight and high reps method of obtaining a ripped and defined physique?

It is completely, totally and utterly DEAD WRONG.

It couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, there is no logical basis for this way of training whatsoever, and whoever dreamt up this downright ridiculous way of thinking has caused the vast majority of lifters to waste their time and impede their progress in the gym.

Let me clear this up once and for all: you CANNOT spot reduce. In other words, it is physically impossible to target fat loss from a specific area on your body. Performing bench presses with light resistance and high repetitions will not magically burn fat off of your chest or cause it to appear harder and more defined.

Every single time you wrap your hands around a barbell, dumbbell or cable, your goal is to stimulate as much muscle growth as you possibly can. There are no special, secret weightlifting exercises that will define your muscles or cause them to become more ripped.

Training with weights builds muscle mass, end of story!

So how exactly do you define a muscle?

The only way to define a muscle is by lowering your body fat level in order to make your muscles more visible. Body fat reduction can be achieved in two ways:

1) Modify your diet.

You should lower your overall caloric intake to around 15x your bodyweight and focus on consuming smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. This will keep your metabolism naturally raised at all times and will keep your body in a constant fat burning state. Limit your intake of saturated fats and simple sugars, and focus instead on consuming lean sources of protein and low glycemic carbohydrates. It is also very important to keep your water intake high at a level of around 0.6 ounces per pound of bodyweight.

2) Perform proper cardio workouts.

Let go of the traditional method of moderate intensity cardio in 30-45 minute durations. If you want to maximize your body fat burning capacity and also minimize the muscle loss that inevitably accompanies a fat burning cycle, focus on shorter cardio workouts performed at a high level of intensity. These types of workouts will shoot your resting metabolism through the roof and will allow you to burn maximum amounts of fat even when you are at rest. I recommend 3-5 high intensity cardio sessions per week, spaced at least 8 hours away from your weight workouts.

That's all there is to it, folks. Take the notion of light weight and higher reps and throw it right out the window, down the street and around the corner. Following this misguided method will only cause you to lose muscle mass and strength, and will not assist you in burning fat or defining your physique.

All you need to do to mold those rock-solid muscles for the summer time is this:

1) Train with heavy weights and low repetitions to build maximum muscle mass.

2) Modify your diet and implement cardio workouts to eliminate body fat and create visibly harder and more defined muscles.

End of story.

I'll see you at the beach!

Coach "O"

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Natural Ways To Detox For Your Summer Cleanse

Setting up a cleansing or detox program is not an easy task. I have suggested a few helpful ways to assist in determining the appropriate natural ways that you can take to clean up your body.

Take note, analyzing your present health status, diseases, and symptoms as a result of your lifestyle, familial or inherent patterns, and diets can help in creating a body detox plan that is best suited for you. Remember, any cleansing, or weight loss goal needs a plan that must be followed accordingly to achieve positive results.

1. Proper Diet. People who are lacking energy and nutrients need a diet which is high in protein and nutrients for improving their health. Mineral deficiencies, fatigue, and low functions of organs should have a much supportive diet. However, in this particular circumstance, short cleaning of the body for three days can help in eliminating those unwanted toxins.

2. Using Natural Herbs. There are different body organs which are prone to the high development of toxins. One of them is your colon. Keep in mind that large intestines can accommodate much toxicity which can result to its sluggish functioning. A natural cleanse, may solve this problem.

Fiber supplements are good for cleansing the colon when incorporated into your regimen. This can include herbal laxatives like psyllium seed husk used alone or combined with agents such as betonite clay, acidophilus culture, and Aloe Vera powder. Enemas using herbs, diluted coffee, or water can be used for cleaning your liver, another important organ of your body.

3. Regular exercise. Exercise stimulates sweating thus eliminating toxic wastes through your skin. It improves general metabolism and aids in your overall detoxification. Aerobic exercise done regularly can assist your body in staying non-toxic. However, exercising can also increase toxic productions in your body so it must always be accompanied with antioxidants, adequate fluids, mineral, vitamins and other replenishments.

4. Regular bathing.  It is very important that you clean your skin from toxins, it has accumulated as well. Saunas are often used in purifying your body via a more enhanced form of skin elimination. Dry brushing your skin using the right skin brush is often suggested before bathing.

5. Massage therapy. Is very useful in supporting detox programs. It stimulates body functions and elimination of toxins, by promoting a more relaxed feeling. Clearing you from worries, tensions, and mental stresses.

6. Recharging, relaxing, and resting. This is important in the rejuvenation process. It helps your body in rebalancing your attitude and mind which sometimes interferes with your natural homeostasis. Practicing yoga is a powerful exercise related to breathing regulation and awareness helping you to obtain a more balanced and active aura.

Choosing the right method to incorporate in the cleansing of your body from toxins can make you feel much better and healthier.


Written by,

Dwight Obey (Founder - 1st N Weight Loss), and AdvoCare Independent Distributor.

" I have found that AdvoCare has so many nutritional supplements that support overall wellness, weight management, energy, etc.."- Dwight Obey

Interested in Searching, and Learning more about AdvoCare Products, Click Here 

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Healthy Aging Starts With Taking Care Of You!

We all know the aging process is occurring each and everyday in our lives, whether we want it to or not. Stopping the clock is impossible so we all need to stay healthy and take care of ourselves. There is no way you can turn around the process, as we grow older so except it and take care of yourself.

Start working now to take care of yourself as you age. Taking care of yourself now will help slow down those aging diseases. A person can do many things, as they get older to take care of their health.

You can start out by taking your multivitamins and all other prescriptions your health care provider has prescribed to you.

Taking vitamins is as important as anything else you can do. Vitamins will provide your body with repair tools. Vitamins will lessen the dangers and the risk of you getting some of the chronic diseases that you can acquire as you age.

Diet alone doesn't normally give a person all the vitamins that they need. In fact, experts show that millions of people in the world suffer malnutrition despite the fact that they eat three healthy meals per day.

People are known to eat too much fast food, go on fads or quick weight loss diets that harm the body. This builds stress, which causes the body to lose out on vitamins.

Maybe you're a person who eats processed foods because of your busy life style and there's no time to cook the right meals. You could be one that stops off at a fast food place to eat three or four times a week before going to work or home from work because you are just to tired to fix supper.

Remember eating all that fast food isn't good for the digestive system and all that fat from them fries is not good. Take time to fix a meal and sit down to enjoy it; doing this will cut down on the calorie intake and it helps to relieve stress because you're doing something good for you and your family.

Stop worrying about everyone else; take time out for you. Stress is bad for your heart, which affects your blood pressure, nervous system, and is hard in general on your body.  Stress can cause many things, even causing a person to become obese.

The world is turning at such a fast pace these days that there is never time to take care of us, so start now.

Try doing a little exercise to stay healthy as you age. Every little bit of exercise you do is better than not any at all.  An average person should exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes. A person has many options when it comes to exercise.  Walking is a great exercise, since it helps you keep those muscles more flexible and strong.

How happiness makes you live a longer life:

Happiness is another way to stay healthy as you age. If you are not happy find out why and turn it around so you will be. Being happy and being with friends is always a good way to keep the stress away to. Don't let yourself get depressed and down; it will make your aging come sooner than you want and it can cause you to be a very sick person. Depression is a sickness and you want to stay away from all that.

Again, there is no way you can stop from aging so stay in good health and slow it down.  Keep yourself happy, do those exercises and take those vitamins. Staying active helps keeps the stress down, keep you stronger and in the end you'll feel better for doing it.

Written by,

Dwight Obey, Independent AdvoCare Distributor

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

How Clean Are You On The Inside?

Everyone wants to be slim and toned, but most people are unaware or are just negligent to the importance of being clean on the inside as well, that should be of the most importance.

In today's age and world, being slim, shapely, possessing ripped abdominal muscles and toned arms seems to be the aim of a vast majority of the people you see spending tons of hours working out at gyms.

These same people spend loads of money on the new fad weight-loss pill or supplement guaranteed to 'make you eat less and increase your metabolism... and in spite of whatever side effects the product may contain, the average Joe, still thinks this quick fix will be worth the risk.

In truth, some of these people have luck with these efforts, and yes they possess the ever so ripped and toned muscles we as a society admire so much. However, the fact that needs to be accepted and pondered upon thoroughly is: 'Whatever is not built on a proper foundation will eventually crumble!'

Most fitness experts and bodybuilders atrophy and wear down prematurely as sooner or later, these muscles 'blown up' with unnatural substances have a tendency to pretty much deflate. Moreover, 'ripped' muscles and supposed 'feats' of strength DO NOT depict proper and optimal health.

There is a saying that is known to every culture which goes: you are what you eat...What you eat plays arguably the most important role on your overall health and fitness, thus PROPER DIET should be the most important factor of any and every health seeker.

What then should one eat? In a nut-shell: yes as boring as it may sound- Fruits and Vegetables.
These substances possess the abilities to not only provide the necessary fuel needed for day to day activities, but play important and vital roles in

1. Providing the alkaline reserves in the body for balancing chemical metabolism within.

2. Cleansing the digestive and excretory tract as they act as the much needed intestinal broom to sweep these 'pipes' (as you may call them) clean to function properly in their duties of nourishing and cleansing the body.

3. Keeping the body fit, trim and in shape WITHOUT the unwanted side effects of toxic and artificial substances.

Sure, it is a great feeling to be able to see the awesome cuts in your 'abs' and arms when you look in the mirror, but feeling good on the inside as well and knowing that you are thoroughly cleansed internally should be of just as much importance as 'getting ripped'.

As I stated in one of my previous articles, a quick and sure-fire method of attaining internal cleanliness and the added bonus of healthy weight-loss will be to undergo a cleanse.

There are several methods of this tried and true method of cleansing and although it is covered to a degree in other free resources within my blog, you can always do some research on this radical; yet extremely effective method of internal purification and weight loss.

In conclusion, the cleaner you are on the inside and the freer you are of toxicity the quicker you can and will attain your goal of being in shape.


Written by,

Dwight Obey (Founder - 1st N Weight Loss), and AdvoCare Independent Distributor.

" I have found that AdvoCare has so many nutritional supplements that support overall wellness, weight management, energy, etc.."- Dwight Obey

Interested in Searching, and Learning more about AdvoCare Products, Click Here 

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Your Belly Fat Could Be Killing You!

Belly fat. Some of us have it, others don't. Is there anything special about a big belly compared to a large bottom? Well, surprisingly, not all body fat is created equal! According to a study carried out by researchers it seems that gauging your heart attack risk depends on where your fat is, rather that how much fat you have.

These types of findings are not unique for Human Nutrition reports, which state that distribution of body fat is a more important predictor of heart attack risk than the traditional measurement of Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a measurement based on the ratio between your height and weight.

It appears that a more accurate predictor of the impact body fat has on your health, is your overall body shape. You may be more like an apple or a pear, or evenly shaped top and bottom. You may have large thighs, fat hips and a huge bottom and have a lower heart attack risk than someone with skinny legs and a big belly.

A more accurate and telling predictor of heart attack risk, is the waist-to-hip ratio.

What is your waist-to-hip ratio?

Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. For example, if your hips measurement is 40 inches and your waist is 34 inches your hip-to-waist ratio is 0.85. If you are a man, that's great, if you are a woman, that's OK (but you are right on the limit of healthy).

- A man's ratio should not be over 0.90

- A woman's ratio should not be over 0.85

Don't fight what you were blessed you with.

If you were born an apple you will stay an apple and if you were born a pear you will continue to be appear. Accepting your natural body shape is the first step in losing weight. Through my own research, I've concluded that women, and men whose actual body shape differs from their desired one may find losing weight frustrating and have more trouble sticking to a weight-loss program as a result.

If this sounds like you, accept your overall shape as nature intended, but pay attention to reducing fat around your middle and tummy areas. Circumference is much more important to your health than how you look in relation to your top and bottom.

Learn to love yourself, while reducing your belly fat!

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

How To Strive For A Positive Body Image

A positive body image is one that we should all strive for.  This is when you know yourself and who you are.  You have a very true perception of your size, shape, and weight.  You see yourself as you are in the present.  You accept yourself, even though you may be overweight.

You believe in yourself and love yourself while still striving for something better.  When you have a positive body image, no time is spent obsessing about food, weight, calories, exercise, etc.  You are proud of who you are and feel comfortable in your own body.

Many people who suffer from binge eating disorders do not have a positive body image of themselves.  Instead, they have very distorted images of how they see themselves.  Here are six ways to create a positive body image for yourself.

1.  Create a list of people that you admire.  Write down why you admire each person.  As you are writing the characteristics you like, take notice of what you are writing down.

For example, let's say that you have a high regard for Oprah.  Your list might include her generosity towards people, her willingness to support what she believes in, and her strong character that went for success no matter what background she came from.

You do not admire Oprah because of her looks; you admire her for the difference that she has made in the world.    For her contribution to society.  How she has touched and changed so many lives.

2.  Remember a time in your life when you felt great about yourself.

Travel back in your life to a time when you were happy with your body.  Maybe this was high school or college.  Whatever the time, just close your eyes and remember how you felt.  Let these good feelings radiate within you.

3.  Write down what you like about yourself now.

Take out a piece of paper and write down everything that you like about yourself: your legs, your eyebrows, your smile, your hair, etc.  The key here is to focus on the likes of yourself instead of the many dislikes.  Start appreciating what you do like about yourself.  This will make you feel better overall.

4.  Notice how you carry yourself when you walk.

Do you walk with your head down looking at the ground?  Do you slump your shoulders?  Perk up!  Start walking and making eye contact with people.  Hold your head up high.  Walk with your shoulders held back.

5.  Start exercising.

If you haven't exercised in a while, start off slow.  Go for a walk outside on a nice day.  If you are used to exercising, keep it up and change up your routine so that you don't get bored.  When you exercise you begin to feel good about yourself, even if it is for 15 minutes.  Start off slow and work your way up.

6.  Hang out with positive people.

Take a look at the people closest to you.  Are they positive or negative people?  Chances are if they are negative this attitude will reflect on you and your attitude.  Try to limit your time with any negativity as this will only make you feel bad about yourself.  You will focus on the things that you do not like about yourself.

Start feeling good about yourself and learn to accept yourself.  Little by little you will notice changes that have occurred.  Learn to be on your side instead of always being against yourself.  Put your shoulders back and quit thinking about what you're not.  Love the person you are and the person that you are becoming.


This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Learn To Enjoy Yoga To Live And Age Well

Yoga assists one with controlling various aspects of the body and mind. Yoga helps you to take control of your Central Nervous System (CNS) and more. Enjoying yoga on a daily scale will build you up, and you will start to notice changes (Good changes), such as a boosted self-esteem. Your body will feel stronger also.

Did you know people have enjoyed yoga for more than 5000 years?. Yoga derived from the India nations, which many believed has helped millions of American citizens take control of their body and mind. Yoga has proven to reduce stress, which promotes the nervous system helping it to stay strong.

Yoga when enjoyed on a regularly scale is a great method to help you with many pressures. Yoga combines spirituality, exercise, positive thinking, breathing and more, which can help you with healthy aging.

A few Pros of doing Yoga:

• Yoga is a valued practice for many people worldwide. 
• Yoga incorporates fitness, health, gymnastics, and training in a set of rules. 
• Yoga helps you to maintain or loose weight. Yoga is a stress reducing machine. 
• Yoga will train your mind, since it teaches you to control your thoughts through meditation and breathing. 

Breathing right is essential when doing yoga. When you practice yoga, it keeps you in contact with your inner self. You learn to balance your mind and body, which leads to good health.

Your emotions are controlled as well, which means fears, doubts, and other negative influences will not take control of your life. Rather you will have control. As you practice yoga, you will feel comfortable with you and the people around you.

The world will become yours, since you learn to communicate effectively and stop sweating the small stuff.

How to get started:

The first thing you should do is see your family doctor. Make sure you are able to enjoy the type of yoga you choose. When your doctor approves of your choice of yoga steps start out slowly. Guide your way into meditating, and exercising.

Yoga will put you in connection with your spiritual side, so prepare to find a new you. When you first start yoga, perhaps you would benefit more from joining groups that practice yoga. The group sessions may inspire you to continue your journey to healthy aging.

Having a support system is essential for all of us, which yoga groups can become your support team. If you cannot find a group in your area, visit your local library. You can also purchase books that train you how to enjoy yoga, or visit our new online location 1st N Yoga Tips to gain information pertaining to things strictly Yoga.

What do I go after receiving training in yoga, and I wish to practice at home?

After you have taken the steps to get started, you will need to find a quiet area within your home, that makes you feel comfortable. You want to avoid interruptions while practicing yoga.

When will I notice the change in me?

Like everything in life, you will not notice a change right away. It takes time to notice or feel the changes. If you do this like your suppose to do on a regular basis you will see some changes gradually. Keep in mind that yoga is teaching you how to control your mind, body and emotions.

Remember, work with yoga and yoga will work with you.

Looking for more Yoga Tip? Be sure to check back, as we will be introducing 1st N Yoga Tips


Written by,


Dwight Obey, Independent AdvoCare Distributor

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any yoga, or weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Tips To Achieve A Centered Life Through Yoga

Yoga has been proven to relieve stress by using exercises that unify the mind, body, and spirit.

If you are new to yoga, these seven tips will start you on the road to what we believe could become a more centered life.

1. Talk to your doctor: and explain what type of yoga poses you intend to practice. Show your doctor pictures of the poses for illustration. Your doctor may rule out specific poses if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, a history of retinal detachment, or heart disease. Make sure you follow your doctor's recommendations.

2. Find a yoga class: that best fits your abilities. Talk to prospective teachers, and decide whether or not you can handle a program before you sign up. It's very important to take it one step at a time. Try a few beginner classes before you attempt a more vigorous class. Don't move ahead too quickly.

Allow your body to adjust.

3. Listen to your body: and be aware of your physical abilities. You don't want to hurt yourself. Make sure the instructor understands your level of experience and any limitations you may have. Don't allow anyone to push you ahead too quickly. Remember, this is supposed to be fun and relaxing.

4. If you can't find a class that meets your needs:, you can always practice yoga at home. There are many books, programs, and tapes available to help you get started. Search for the best products on the Internet and read reviews. Talk to others for recommendations.

5. Try private lessons: You can book some one-on-one sessions with a teacher in your area. Most yoga instructors offer private classes or can help you design your own program. This is a good way to get started. You can always take group lessons or practice at home after you've had private lessons and learned the basics.

6. Find a yoga buddy: It's nice to practice with someone and it will help with motivation, as well as reduce injuries, while keeping up your enthusiasm and interest.

7. Eat lightly before practice: Wait at least two hours after meals before yoga class or practice. An empty stomach is best, but don't let yourself get too hungry to think. You won't be able to focus on the poses or enjoy yourself during the relaxation or meditation exercises.


Now it's time to grab your mat and a towel and get the most out of your yoga exercises.

Looking for more Yoga Tips? Be sure to check back, as we will be introducing 1st N Yoga Tips

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Think Green To Stay Lean

Think losing weight on an all-you-can-eat diet is the stuff of infomercials? Think again.

A recent study showed obese subjects placed on a vegan diet -excluding meat and animal products, but not limiting calories - lost more weight than a control group that followed a low-calorie, low-cholesterol diet.

The veggie edge: approximately 13 pounds lost over 14 weeks for the vegan dieters, versus 8 pounds for the control group.

More recently, the same researchers reviewed 87 studies on vegan or vegetarian diets, concluding that the high-fiber, high-water, low-fat content of vegan or vegetarian diets - not calorie counting per se - was responsible for weight loss. Indeed, overweight individuals who "went vegan" lost about a pound per week, regardless of additional lifestyle changes made.

Other research found that vegetarian women weigh less. After evaluating the diet and health data of 56,000 American women, the same researchers found the meat eaters were significantly more likely to be overweight when compared to their vegetarian peers: 40 percent of carnivores, compared to 25 percent of vegetarians and 29 percent of flexitarians, or semi-vegetarians (those who avoided meat but ate fish and eggs).

If a slimmer figure isn't enough incentive to go greener, how about a longer life? A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a low meat intake was associated with a 3.6-year increase in life expectancy.

Yet another reason to minimize meat and make more room for plant-based protein on your plate: A recent Mayo clinic analysis of data from nearly 30,000 postmenopausal women found a 30 percent lower risk from heart disease among those who ate the most vegetable protein from beans and nuts in place of either carbohydrates or animal protein.

A large-scale analysis of dietary patterns and prostate cancer risk found that animal products such as meat and dairy were the strongest risk factors, while fruit and vegetable consumption had the most protective benefit.

Processed meat may be the unhealthiest of all, the researchers stated those who consumed the most processed meat had a 67 percent higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Diets rich in red meat and pork increased the risk by about 50 percent.

If you're like most Americans, you are probably like most who are not getting enough protein and simple carbohydrates; your challenge (and health opportunity) is to increase consumption of fruit, vegetables and legumes.

Little changes can make a big difference. Add more fruit to your cereal (try frozen berries for convenience and freshness). Make a banana or a fruit cup your morning snack.

Have a vegetable-based soup with your lunch and, you will see that you might just end up eating less. Same goes for dinner: Start with salad and you'll consume fewer calories and far more nutrients.

Written by,

Dwight Obey, Independent AdvoCare Distributor

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

7 Tips To Help Burn More Calories

You may have heard stories about people who have lost dozens of pounds simply switching their diet soda or walking a few extra minutes each day. These were are all small changes in habits that contributed to a big difference and increased their metabolism over time.

You can increase your weight loss goal quicker and easier by increasing your metabolic rate and burning more calories.

I have listed a few tips below, that I think will help to get you started.

1) Move More

Sedentary people burn about one-third less calories per day.  By simply taking every opportunity to move can make quite a dramatic difference to the amount of calories you burn in one day. Small movements will add up over time to lots of calories.

The trick is to keep moving throughout your day. Write the word move on post-it notes and put them in places you will notice them when you are sitting still. Try a few of these while sitting still:

• Tap your feet
• Swing your legs 
• Stand up and stretch 
• Move your head from side to side 
• Change position 
• Wiggle and fidget 
• Pace up and down 
• Use the restroom upstairs
• Park in the furthest corner of the parking lot
• Stand up while on the phone and step from side to side
• Clench and release your muscles

2) Eat Little and Often

Evidence suggests that eating small meals every 2-4 hours will keep your metabolism burning faster than larger, less frequent meals. When you eat small amounts often your body is constantly working to digest and absorb food which requires energy.

3) Eat Fat

If you want to feel good and keep the fat off you need to first put it in.  Fat not only tastes good, our bodies need it to work efficiently.  By consuming several servings of healthy fats every day you will actually increase your calorie burning potential.

Try incorporating fats like Flaxseed oil, hempseed oil, olive oil, avocados, salmon, albacore tuna, nuts and seeds into your diet daily.

4) Drink Cold Water

Evidence shows that your body might expend more calories trying to raise cold water to the temperature of your body then hot beverages, and being well hydrated will help your body metabolic processes burn quicker.

5) Exercise With Weights

Training with weights boosts your metabolism in a number of ways. By lifting weights you will build muscle tissue, and muscle tissue is metabolically active, so it requires calories even when at rest and helps to increase fat-burning enzymes in your body.

6) Spice up

Eating hot spices might speed up your metabolism.  Just half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day can help boost metabolism and keep blood sugar levels in check. Cant stand the thought of cinnamon in your morning cup of coffee? Spice up with cayenne, crushed red pepper or wasabi instead.

7) Eat More Protein

Protein requires a more complex chemical breakdown by your body in order to be digested and used as fuel. For example, 100 calories of protein may take up to 30 calories to process.   Protein also takes longer to digest and helps to stabilize blood sugar for longer periods of time  and this can help you to not overeat later in the day.

By eating a portion of protein at every meal and as part of your snacks, you can increase the total number of calories you burn each day.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Weight Loss Blunders To Avoid During Your Weight Loss Journey

Lets face it, there are times on your weight loss journey when progress can come to a halt. Days or weeks can go by without you seeing movement on the scale, and it can get downright frustrating. After working with thousands of clients, I've noticed certain patterns that can cause this weight loss stoppage.

Here are 3 of them.

Eating more than you need

Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and other diet systems have one undeniable benefit to them they define for the average person how large an actual serving is. Most of us underestimate the volume of food we eat (and consequently, underestimate the number of calories we consume in a day).

By fixing in your head what a serving size or portion of food looks like, we can better estimate (and consequently, evaluate and calibrate) the amount of food we eat at each meal. Keep in mind, when it comes to weight loss, you need to take in less calories than you burn each day.

Two good rules of thumb:

A portion of meat (3 oz.) is the size of a deck of cards.
A portion of carbohydrates (1 cup) is the size of a tennis ball.

Please remember to fill up on non-starchy vegetables, they are full of nutrients, have very little impact on blood sugar, and contain little in the way of calories.

Not eating frequently enough

It is a social custom to eat three square meals in a day. While this may do for social purposes, for weight loss, you will want to aim for more frequent feedings. It is recommended that you consume a minimum of 5-6 small meals each day. By doing so, your body gets the signal that food is abundant, and there is no need to conserve energy.

Additionally, frequent feedings maximize your metabolism, as your body is constantly busy, burning calories by digesting your meals. By not letting too much time pass between meals, you stabilize blood sugar levels since they never really get the chance to drop. By keeping your blood sugar stable, your hunger levels are minimized, decreasing the chances that you will be tempted to overeat at your next meal.

Choosing to drink your calories instead of eating them

This is a very common problem among those attempting weight loss, due to the abundance of unhealthy diet smoothies, protein concoctions, and weight loss shakes. There are 2 factors to keep in mind when relying on these liquid meal replacements.

First, many of the liquid diet shakes on the market and all fruit smoothies have an abundance of sugar in them. This causes an immediate surge in energy followed by a huge crash due to the release of insulin to control the blood sugar rise. This dramatic shift in blood hormone levels (particularly insulin levels) is something you want to avoid, both for health reasons and for weight loss.

Secondly, most weight loss shakes are devoid of fiber. Fiber is one of your most precious allies when you are dieting. It helps you feel full and blunts the rise in insulin levels when all that sugar hits your bloodstream. While fruit smoothies do contain some of the fiber from the pulp of the fruit, a better strategy would be to eat the actual fruits contained in the smoothie.

Lastly, the amount of calories that can be concentrated into a shake or smoothie is far greater than the equivalent volume of actual food.  A 16 oz fruit smoothie may contain as many as 600 calories, and will not fill you up all that much! On the other hand, eating 600 calories of fruit will prove to be much more than the typical person can manage in a single sitting.

Think about it- when making major dietary changes, you want to get the most out of your calories. But remember not all Meal Replacement Shakes are bad, to learn more about meal replacement shakes, and how utilizing the right one for your weight loss needs can help you CLICK HERE, to read more.

Dwight Obey, Independent AdvoCare Distributor

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.

Top Foods To Help Promote Great Health And Weight Management In Kids

Have you ever wondered what foods should you feed your kids to help promote great health and weight management?


Here is my list of the top 7 healthiest foods to feed your kid and why I believe they are so healthy:


Oatmeal: A fabulous breakfast food, full of B vitamins, iron, zinc and calcium. Old-fashioned oatmeal offers plenty of carbohydrate for quick energy and high fiber.  Add berries and honey to make it a delicious perfect food for those fast-paced school day mornings!

Yogurt: Kick your child's dairy consumption up a notch and include yogurt on the menu. A great source of calcium, yogurt is easier to digest than regular milk, and the cultures (check the label to make sure they're in there!) are very beneficial to good colon health. Watch it on the sugar content though.  A great idea is to buy plain yogurt and sweeten it yourself with fresh fruit!

Broccoli: It is one of the best vegetables for anyone, especially growing kids.  It has loads of calcium, potassium, beta-carotene and a wide variety of the B vitamins.  If your child is not a fan of plain vegetables include broccoli in a casserole or put a little shredded cheese on top to add flavor.

Protein: One size does not fit all when it comes to protein. The fact is that growing kids need protein to keep growing. How you're going to give it to them can vary widely, according to your preferences. Good choices include legumes, beans (combined with a grain to make a complete protein), soy products like tofu, eggs or lean meat, fish or poultry.

Whole Grains: The best nutrition is found in whole grains. Brown rice and whole wheat bread are a quantum leap over their white counterparts and offer necessary fiber, minerals and vitamins.

Nut Butters: Peanut butter and other nut butters are great fast and easy foods for kids. Kids need fat (it's a good fat if it doesn't have hydrogenated oils mixed in it) and they need the protein.  Try spreading almond or sunflower seed butter on crackers, toast or celery sticks for a quick and nutritious snack.

Fresh Fruit: My personal choice would be cantaloupe in the melon department. Vitamin C, beta-carotene, bits and pieces of B vitamins and a trace of minerals and calcium fill every juicy bite. Any in season fresh fruit is sure to be packed with healthy goodness!

There you have it....7 of the top healthiest foods that I feel you can feed your kid to promote weight management and why I believe they are so healthy!

Dwight Obey, Independent AdvoCare Distributor

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or any doctors recommendation. Prior to beginning any weight loss program, individuals must consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.