PJ's Fitness Blog
A blog about a fitter you. Come find out what is on the cutting edge of fitness science and be a part of the ongoing conversation.
The topic of how sleep affects fat loss is discussed more extensively in my book, “Cracking Your Calorie Code,” so be sure to check out the big picture there, but since I finished writing it, there have been some other interesting research studies that have come out teaching us even more about how we can strategically use sleep time to burn fat.
In a study to be published in the upcoming May Journal of Psychoneuroendocrinology, scientists found that insufficient sleep disrupts the hormone balance responsible for signaling the body when it’s full. Before this study, no one had evaluated nocturnal levels of the two key energy balance hormones ghrelin and leptin. Ghrelin stimulates appetite, and leptin (more…)
It used to be thought that spot reduction was not possible. I even taught this theory myself, and advised clients that they would be unable to reduce fat in a certain area. I told them that they would just have to settle for wherever their body decided to lose fat, and in what order based on their genetics.
This is still true for the most part, but recent research has discovered that visceral fat, or tummy fat, can indeed be (more…)
COOKBOOKS ARE MAKING US FATTER
A recent study showed that recipes from “The Joy of Cooking” have increased substantially in calorie count and portion size since the book’s original publication. There was a nearly 40 percent increase in calories per serving for practically every recipe reviewed.
The study focused primarily on “The Joy of Cooking” because the well-known cookbook has been updated consistently from 1930 through 2006. Of the 18 recipes that have appeared in each version, 17 have increased 63 percent in calorie count per serving, due both to higher overall caloric content and larger portion sizes.
However, Beth Wareham, editor of the 2006 edition of “The Joy of Cooking,” argued that the book has become healthier overall by cutting out processed ingredients.
For a true fat burning recipe strategy that is constantly updated and never goes out of date, go to (more…)
Have you ever wondered why the Atkins diet, South Beach diet, or other low carb programs work great until a certain point, and then fat loss levels off? People on low carb diets often go from obese to chubby and then stay there. Why does this happen? If it works so well in the beginning, shouldn’t it continue to work as long as you eat that way? The answer is no, and I will explain it to you now so you can finally crack the low carb diet code once and for all!
Have you ever felt like you are eating all the right things but just can’t lose those last 10-20 pounds? You may indeed be eating the “right foods”, and you are getting plenty of protein with gobs of water, but (more…)
If I told you about a spice that could help you burn more fat, would you start to incorporate it in your recipes? How about if I told you that it also does the following things:
* Reduces gas and bloating
* Assists in the digestion of protein
* Improves your body’s ability to digest fats instead of store them
* Promotes proper metabolism.
* Maintains and improves intestinal flora
* Improves elimination of wastes and toxins
* Rejuvenates your liver cells and recharges their capability to break down toxins
* Helps to prevent alcohol and other toxins from being converted into compounds that may be harmful to your liver
* Supports formation of healthy tissue
* Stimulates formation of new blood tissue
* Is a powerful anti-inflammatory (more…)
