The best way I have found to stay motivated to train, is to keep track of my stats.
Here are some statistics you can use to measure your progress at the gym:
 Motivation |
 Woman Drinking Water |
I am always recommending athletes to drink a gallon of water a day. That is all fine and well, but apparently there is a better way to calculate your hydration needs.
Based on a post over at FormerFatGuy.com, we should be drinking half of our body weight in pounds, in ounces of water each day. That means if you weigh 150 lbs you should be drinking 75 oz of water each day.
Use this chart to make your conversions from liters to ounces.
For those who use the Metric system, divide your weight in kilograms by 30. For example, somebody who weighs 70 kg is going to need 2.3 liters per day.
You can drink all the water you want, but if your body can’t use it you will still be dehydrated. Here are some tips to help increase body’s ability to absorb water.
Your Questions |
I get plenty of questions in various comments throughout the website, but I also get comments and questions via the Project Swole Contact Form.
Generally I address those questions through e-mail, but often I do not have the time to reply to each and every question personally.
From now on I want to take a more proactive approach to answering Your Health Questions by posting them separately in the blog. This way we can be sure that everyone benefits from the Q & A.
“I am 61 and in generally good shape, bicycled for years (at least 1000 miles per year).
The past two years I’ve converted to weight training (three days a week) plus spinning (three days a week). I’ve always been thin 6’2 – 195lbs.
Joined a gym 2 months ago (with a personal trainer)and really haven’t seen the results I’ve been looking for. I’ve reduced my body fat but haven’t seen any gains in muscle mass. I feel better but would also like to look better.
Also I just had another issue arise – a minor case of gout. I have been using a Whey protein drink 40 grams a day and need to know if Whey based supplements contain large amounts Purine (the largest contributer to gout).
I’m looking for info for us ‘old guys’ that haven’t given up.”
The childhood obesity epidemic is real. Our kids are fat, lazy, bored, depressed, and for the most part unhealthy.
Don’t believe me? Doug Robb of Health Habits wrote about a study comparing childhood obesity in 1967 and now.
The findings: children considered obese in 1967 are considered normal by today’s standards.
 Trans-fats |
Project Swole readers already know that trans-fats are bad for us. We also know partially hydrogenated oils are bad for us. These fats are not essential and should comprise about 0.0% of our dietary intake of fats. Now those who have homes or apartments in California can rest easy because trans-fats are on their way out!
Several states have already banned partially hydrogenated oil in restaurants, but California is the first one to outlaw trans-fats with fines of up to $1000 for an infraction. You can thank our hero Arnold Schwarzenegger for this latest step to improving the American diet.
Trans-fats are arguably the worst fats you can eat, but should the government have the right to make laws against selling those foods in restaurants?
 John Berardi |
Since the late 1990’s Dr. John Berardi has published 8 scientific abstracts; 15 scientific papers and textbook chapters; presented at nearly 50 scientific, exercise, and nutrition related conferences; and published countless articles online.
His first articles at Testosterone Magazine so many years ago, provided me with the basis for everything I know about nutrition today. Now I will turn some of that knowledge over to you in the form of Nutrition Tips written by Dr. Berardi himself.
John Berardi |
Since the late 1990’s Dr. John Berardi has published 8 scientific abstracts; 15 scientific papers and textbook chapters; presented at nearly 50 scientific, exercise, and nutrition related conferences; and published countless articles online.
His first articles at Testosterone Magazine so many years ago, provided me with the basis for everything I know about nutrition today. Now I will turn some of that knowledge over to you in the form of Nutrition Tips written by Dr. Berardi himself.
John Berardi |
Since the late 1990’s Dr. John Berardi has published 8 scientific abstracts; 15 scientific papers and textbook chapters; presented at nearly 50 scientific, exercise, and nutrition related conferences; and published countless articles online.
His first articles at Testosterone Magazine so many years ago, provided me with the basis for everything I know about nutrition today. Now I will turn some of that knowledge over to you in the form of Nutrition Tips written by Dr. Berardi himself.
| Your Questions |
I get plenty of questions in various comments throughout the website, but I also get comments and questions via the Project Swole Contact Form.
Generally I address those questions through e-mail, but often I do not have the time to reply to each and every question personally.
The category, Your Health Questions is a more proactive approach to answering your questions so that everyone can benefit from the Q & A.
“I am at 168lbs, down from 232. I’m female and 5’6. I work out with a trainer twice a week and do weights and cardio kickboxing and other cardio on off days. I work out 5-6 days per week.
I’ve been trying to get below 160 for months. My trainer says to bump my protein from 80grams to 160. I’m afraid of the extra calories. I try to stick to 1500. Is this correct?”
| Your Questions |
I get plenty of questions in various comments throughout the website, but I also get comments and questions via the Project Swole Contact Form.
Generally I address those questions through e-mail, but often I do not have the time to reply to each and every question personally.
From now on I want to take a more proactive approach to answering Your Health Questions by posting them separately in the blog. This way we can be sure that everyone benefits from the Q & A.
“I was wondering if some of the things that i normally eat on a regular basis are healthy or not.. I’m 19 years old and do not get good home-cooked meals anymore.. I’m now living on my own so I try and make things that are fast and easy.
Here is a list of some of things that I take in:
- Special K strawberry cereal
- salad mix (packaged) with non-fat thousand island dressing
- unsweetened luzianne tea with 2 pkgs. of sweet n lo
- 100% orange juice (Tropicana)
- grapefruit juice ( do not want to give up)
- lean cuisine meals (all)
- granola and Nutri-Grain bars
What should I be substituting these with?
And also are rice cakes and real fruit smoothies good for you?”
John Berardi |
Since the late 1990’s Dr. John Berardi has published 8 scientific abstracts; 15 scientific papers and textbook chapters; presented at nearly 50 scientific, exercise, and nutrition related conferences; and published countless articles online.
His first articles at Testosterone Magazine so many years ago, provided me with the basis for everything I know about nutrition today. Now I will turn some of that knowledge over to you in the form of Nutrition Tips written by Dr. Berardi himself.
 Fast Food |
By November 1, 2010 every restaurant chain in MA with at least 20 locations will be required to post calorie information for all foods on their menu. This includes such franchises as Domino’s, McDonalds, Burger King, and Dunkin Donuts; and will affect nearly 5300 restaurants throughout the state.
But what about the kids? Shouldn’t we be focusing more on educating our kids and protecting them from garbage food? I think this is more important than posting calorie information on fast food restaurant menus, but at least we are taking some steps in the right direction.
Here’s the article from Boston.com: Calorie-count rule begins next year
| Your Questions |
I get plenty of questions in various comments throughout the website, but I also get comments and questions via the Project Swole Contact Form.
Generally I address those questions through e-mail, but often I do not have the time to reply to each and every question personally.
From now on I want to take a more proactive approach to answering Your Health Questions by posting them separately in the blog. This way we can be sure that everyone benefits from the Q & A.
“Hi, I am a 44 year old female just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I am 5’10 and I weigh 250 pounds. I want to get down to 180 pounds. How many calories a day should I be consuming to lose weight?
Also what kind of exercises do you recommend for weight loss and how many days a week should I do them to lose weight and keep it off?
My doctor told me if I lose weight I might be able to come off the diabetes medicine. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Cherie”
John Berardi |
Since the late 1990’s Dr. John Berardi has published 8 scientific abstracts; 15 scientific papers and textbook chapters; presented at nearly 50 scientific, exercise, and nutrition related conferences; and published countless articles online.
His first articles at Testosterone Magazine so many years ago, provided me with the basis for everything I know about nutrition today. Now I will turn some of that knowledge over to you in the form of Nutrition Tips written by Dr. Berardi himself.
 |
Recent studies say that resveratrol may counter diabetes and insulin resistance, two well-known culprits of obesity.
Some studies have recently reported that the supplement resveratrol, most commonly found in red grapes and wine, aids in preventing and treating obesity. In fact, consuming a full wine bottle’s worth of resveratrol reportedly has the same effect as being on a reduced calorie diet. Of course the calories in wine offset that particular effect. =)
Let’s examine how and why we can use resveratrol to help us lose weight.
 Mom and Daughter |
I found this article today about a woman who started dieting and went under the knife in an attempt to look more like her daughter.
Fifty year old Janet Cunliffe started dieting and spent tens of thousands of dollars to look more like her 28 year old daughter. Honestly if I looked like she did pre-surgery and had the resources to look like she does now, I would diet and get the surgery too. (If I were a chick.)
Self-image issues always come back to celebrities. The pressure by Hollywood and the media to look young, slender, sleek, and sexy.
I find this to be more disturbing for teenage girls who feel the pressure to be something other than who they are, although it is a bit different for a mature, experienced 50 year old Mom who just wants to turn back the clock.
 Your Links |
Do you want to list your food related links at Project Swole?
It works like this: leave a comment with your favorite link of all time for today’s category.
Wow, that’s simple!
For more links and other link categories, check out Your Links at Project Swole.
A happy bonus: the best links of all I will surely submit to multiple social bookmark sharing websites, which means more traffic for you! =)
Here’s my link of the day: Healthy Recipes from the Healthy Irishman
“The Healthy Irishman Fueling your body with healthy food. Fueling your mind with the wealth of health.”
The Healthy Irishman delivers tasty healthy recipes on a daily basis, while also being witty and smart. This is a blog that I surf to whenever I am trying to think of a new recipe to try.
Project Swole has a couple healthy recipes, but nothing compared to the Healthy Irishman. If you are looking for new, innovative, healthy recipes, check it out.
An honorable mention is: Get Whole Foods at Your Local Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods Market is the #1 whole food retailer in the country. On this website you can find healthy recipes, local Whole Foods Market locations, as well as tons of articles and other information about healthy food.
If you are looking to make a healthy impact on your diet, you should consider switching from processed foods to whole foods. You will see and feel the difference.
Now it’s your turn. But don’t submit links to pages that have nothing to do with food, because I won’t approve those comments. =)
Water is so good for you that you should be drinking at least 64 ounces a day. But try as we may, sometimes water gets boring and the 64 ounces don’t always make it down the hatch.
 |
Some of us turn to diet soda, some turn to coffee, while others turn to Crystal Lite or other 0 calorie drink mixes.
Relative to living a healthy lifestyle, those products are good in some ways and bad in some ways. Diet soda and Crystal Lite have nasty sweeteners and dyes. Coffee has caffeine and turns your teeth brown.
The point is to find a tasty 0 calorie beverage with added vitamins and minerals that not only tastes good but also has additional benefits. If you are interested you should read my review below.
| Your Questions |
I get plenty of questions in various comments throughout the website, but I also get comments and questions via the Project Swole Contact Form.
Generally I address those questions through e-mail, but often I do not have the time to reply to each and every question personally.
From now on I want to take a more proactive approach to answering Your Health Questions by posting them separately in the blog. This way we can be sure that everyone benefits from the Q & A.
“I have what some might think a very unusual issue with my weight. I’m a 34 man , I’m 6’3, and I weigh almost 220 lbs. and I have always been very muscular. I have not lifted a weight in almost 13 years, and my body looks like I’m a football player. I’ve done some research on how to lose muscle, and what I’m finding is that I should cut down on protein and load up on carbohydrates. I’m either playing basketball or doing yoga almost 5-6 days a week, so I am very active. I’ve even toyed with the idea of becoming a vegetarian and cutting meat proteins completely out of my diet just to rid of some of the muscle I have. Is this problem common, and what should I do. I can’t imagine not eating a steak or chicken any longer, but if that’s what I have to do then so be it. What would you advise.”
For the last two weeks I have been experimenting with a new diet plan. Something more strict than just plain “healthy eating”. Something designed to help you shed 12-15 lbs in 3 weeks. It’s a little something I refer to as Project Shred.
Basically this is a diet plan used by my extreme kickboxing instructor Barbara Woo to get her students in shape. The plan that I have been working with is meant for a female who is between 120-200 lbs, wants to weigh 130 or less, and wants to lose between 10-20 pounds quickly in a month.
 Barbara Woo In Action (Barbara is kicking ass on top.) |
