Goals, Write Them Down, Shout Them Out

When trying to make a lifestyle change and lose weight or just tone up, or both it is so important to write down your goals. Notice how I didn't say go on a diet because diets don't work, lifestyles work. I believe that the best motivation can come from writing down your individual goals, but also try to be realistic because changes can't and won't happen over night. Here are my goals for 2009 listed below. I'm posting them because seeing them out on the internet will help accomplish them:

1. Tone up and lose all belly fat I've acquired from the holidays and oral contraceptives. Get the best body imaginable.

2. Switch up my workouts more

3. Give up alcohol and don't succumb to peer pressure.

4. Wake up earlier

5. Get more sleep

6. Forget about past relationships and move forward

7. Concentrate on myself more and de-stress.

8. Do fun workouts, like having sex

9. Make out to burn more calories

10. Get more physical

It's Completely All About Your Diet

New research has shown that exercise is not going to melt all your fat away, but rather diet will. Diet and exercise are a lethal weapon when combined, but if we isolated the two, diet would come out on top. A person looking to lose weight could run endlessly on the treadmill and do 1000 crunches a day, but if they are getting margaritas after work with coworkers shit will happen.

All About Consistency and Planning

Try to eat small meals throughout the day and cycle your calories so you never reach a plateau. Making your body guess with workouts and diet plans is always a good idea. The human body is very good at adapting and when it does it no longer will burn any fat. Also cycle your supplements, as in two weeks on and two weeks off because those too will become less effective. 

Now Sweat it Out

 What I like to do is I take little sheets of paper, write down different cardio workouts that I like to do and then toss them in a hat, I make sure that there are at six different workouts, always allow your body one day of rest. Then I close my eyes and take a sheet of paper out and put it aside and that is the cardio I do in the morning on an empty stomach. No more than 45 minutes because I don't want my cortisol levels to rise. No matter what I choose I make sure I include HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) so that I can burn maximum amount of fat.

I recently hurt my back, so I have been unable to run, which sucks, but I can still bike, climb stairs, and walk on a treadmill. HIIT can be done on any piece of cardio equipment, not just the treadmill and it can even be done outside. I love the rotating stairmaster, it is a killer on the glutes and the quads, great for sexy legs and a nice ass. A great link that goes into further detail on HIIT is listed below:

http://www.intervaltraining.net/hiit.html

To be hot you should definitely incorporate the squat;-P

Copyright 2009 by Healthy Hot Girl

Estrogen Dominance--Is this why I'm Fat?

Many women suffer from estrogen dominance, but very few sufferers know that they have it. Estrogen dominance is a hormonal imbalance in the body caused when estrogen is in a higher proportion to progesterone. Estrogen dominance can be caused by oral contraceptive and would explain why many women gain adipose fat when going on them and don't tend to lose the fat when they go off of contraceptives. Don't think that it's impossible to get just because you're a man or you're not menopausal yet, it can happen to anyone.

Some of the symptoms of estrogen dominance are the following:

-fatigue -weight gain and inability to lose weight -edema and bloating

-hair loss -endometriosis

I have suffered from estrogen dominance and it took my body a long time to reach a point of detox. At the time I didn't know that I was doing my body harm. I went on oral contraceptives, but due to breakthrough bleeding I kept switching brands and going on and off of them. This put on weight because of all the switching my body had to do in order to keep up. I was also eating an enormous amount of soy protein. Soy is a source of phytoestrogens and I was also heating food up in my microwave in plastic containers which is a source of xenoestrogen. Most people aren't aware of the fact that oral contraceptive contain estradiol, a type of estrogen that is bio identical with the human body, but the progesterone in the pill is not. So over a long period of time the estrogen levels will rise and progesterone will fall causing a hormonal imbalance.

My advice if you might be suffering from estrogen dominance is to take vitamin B supplements. vitamin B complex is known to detox the liver and help get rid of excess estrogen. A good and yummy source of all of the B vitamins is nutritional yeast, which can be bought at Whole Foods. Also limit your consumption of estrogenic food which a full list of foods that contain phytoestrogens can be found here: 

http://dogtorj.net/id46.html

Don't heat food in plastic containers, make sure you eat mostly organic veggies if you are eating a mostly raw diet because pesticides are a big culprit of xenoestrogen.

If you have had a thyroid problem or are hypothyroid I would advise to not take oral contraceptives as that could cause even more hormonal issues.

A great site that has more detail on the subject is listed below:

 http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/2007/8/6/85704.shtml

Copyright 2009 by Healthy Hot Girl

Maca, Let's Have Sex Baby

What is Maca and what is all this hype about?

Maca is an ancient root vegetable grown in Peru and is known as the "Superfood of the Andes." Peruvians have been using this magic root for hundreds of years for all sorts of maladies. Maca can increase strength, energy, stamina, and most importantly it is said to be a natural Viagra. Maca can also help hormonal imbalances. I personally love maca and if you need help with your liido or getting it up eat some maca before you go to the doctor and ask for Viagra.

Maca is available in capsule or powder form. I prefer a cocoa powder blended with maca that is available at Whole Foods for $4.99 per bag. I put it in my oatmeal in the morning.

Copyright 2009 by Healthy Hot Girl

Protein Powder Reviews

As someone that works out a lot I need an adequate amount of protein to get me through my day and my workouts. There's an advantage to drinking them:

* After working out, who wants to spend time in the kitchen preparing a meal and then having to worry about getting in all of the amino acids

* Depending on the type of protein, there are different uses and benefits

* Protein Powders are all encompassing when it comes to amino acids, vitamins and minerals

*Protein powders can curb hunger and help with weight loss

* If you find the right powder, the taste can be incredible

Best Animal Derived Protein:

 BSN Lean Dessert

My favorite flavor of the BSN Lean Dessert is Fresh Cinnamon Roll, but it is also available in Chocolate Fudge Pudding, Chocolate Coconut, Whipped Vanilla Cream, Banana Nut Bread, and Banana Cream Pudding. I love this one the best because the amino acid profile is the best and it is top-notch for staying lean, it combines casein, egg, and whey protein. I don't eat ice cream, but the rich taste mixed with chocolate unsweetened almond milk is so delicious. Yummy! Besides who wouldn't trust a brand that sponsors the UFC.

http://store.bsnonline.net/detail/leandessertprotein.html

Best Blended Plant Protein

LifeTime Life's Basics Plant Protein Powder with Greens

Don't let the green color or smell fool you. I have taken many green powders, powdered wheat grass, chlorella, etc and they happened to taste like horse shit, but this protein powder is amazing. I just got some a 1 1/2 weeks ago and it's almost already gone because I can't stop drinking it. I love it and I use it to make protein cakes, and protein pudding. It has all of the green power you need and is hypoallergenic as it is a blend of rice, hemp, pea protein, and chia seed. The amino acid profile is very good for a plant-based protein powder and one serving has all your needs of EFAs (Omegas 3-6-9). 

Best Pea Protein

I love Biochem's Chocolate Vegan Pea Protein when I opt for plant-based rather than milk or animal-based. I really love the way this protein mixes, I choose to drink it with unsweetened chocolate almond milk. The amino acids are very complete for plant food.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/bioc/veganprotein.html

Best Hemp Protein

Nutiva Organic Chocolate Hemp Protein with Superfoods

This protein is best for a post-workout or pre-workout shake, as the carb and sugar content are higher than most other protein powders. One thing that helps with weight loss is taking in enough fiber and this shake by far is a fiber source super giant with 12 grams of fiber per serving. The protein is only 7 grams, so I would suggest combining this protein with another type. Taste is way better than any other hemp proteins I have tried, but regardless, if you're eating hemp protein then expect a nutty flavor and a grainy texture.

http://www.nutiva.com

Best Rice Protein

Nutribiotic Chocolate Rice Protein

I don't think this mixes all that well, but I do love the taste and the amino acid profile. It's better to shake this powder into a liquid, will not stir in. Great when mixed with egg whites and cooked, yum chocolate scrambled eggs.

Best Protein Pudding

Instone Nutrition Chocolate Protein Pudding

This protein is amazing, 20 grams of protein and 2 grams of carbs, 1 gram of dietary fiber for only 100 calories. I don't know how they did it, but it's great. Plus I like this pudding much better than any other puddings because the sizing is the biggest, the calories are the least and the it is very satisfying. Throw away that Jell-o pudding right now. 

Check at GNC stores

Copyright 2009 by Healthy Hot Girl

  

 

Resolutions for the New Year

This is in fact a diet blog, a health blog and possibly a culture and media blog as well. I have yet to decide. I think most people have set New Year's resolutions to get into better shape, but often we fall of the wagon in the first two months, or maybe we stick with it until BBQ season hits. Either way on Valentine's Day tell your BF or GF to ditch the chocolates and instead cook together and make a healthy dish. Let's all get into shape and look hot. This is also a blog about health concerns and my personal take on dieting, as I have gone through many stages in my life. I was chunky, severely underweight and now normal and healthy, but I myself still need to tone up.