Monday, June 30, 2008

Eating for Weight Loss - 5 Small Meals

What are Healthy Bacteria Probiotics?

Probiotics have become increasingly popular especially as people are living longer and the stress that Americans put on their bodies. Probiotics are living healthy bacteria that are essential microorganisms found in your digestive system. Probiotics have been labeled "good bacteria" or "friendly bacteria" as not to confuse with most people's idea that all bacteria are harmful to your health. You many not know that probiotics are found in the food we eat.

There are many reasons why probiotics are paramount for healthy living. First, probiotics support the prevention of illness that attacks many American's immune systems. Second, probiotics restore the healthy bacteria (flora) back into your gut for optimal digestive functioning. Also, probiotics have bring the body back into balance from stress, poor diet choices, and physical activity.

Probiotics by definition are "live microorganisms, which, administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." When looking at probiotics, it is important to understand that there are many different strains of probiotics needed for optimal health. Some of the top products on the market have over 16 active stains of different probiotics in their supplement formulations. Each strain plays an active role in your digestive and overall health.

Probiotics are not prebiotics which are non-digestible food substances that enhance the functioning of healthy microorganisms already found in your colon. Probiotics and prebiotics work together in your digestive system in a synergistic relationship.

One of the more common ways for people to get all the different strains of probiotics that they need is through high quality supplements. Probiotics can also be found in yogurt, certain milk products, miso, soy milk products, and tempeh. New, products have probiotics fortified during the preparation period when not found originally with the product.

Probiotics are made up of the good bacteria in your gut. Most probiotics come from two different groups of probiotics called Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. One of the most common probiotics is Lactobacillus acidophilus which is one of many different strains of probiotics. Some other probiotics like Saccharomyces boulardii are yeasts and not bacteria.

Stress, poor diet choices, physical activity, and the medications we take all reduce the number of healthy bacteria or probiotics in our digestive system. Your body is at risk for illness, digestive functioning issues, and reduced effectiveness of your immune system when probiotic levels are low in your gut. This is the main reason why probiotics have become popular in reason years, as almost all Americans found into at least one category for why probiotic levels can be low.


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Thursday, June 26, 2008

10% Off All Orders at LiveLeanToday.com

10% Off All Orders at LiveLeanToday.com

It has come to our attention that people were getting an error message while checking out from out last newsletter. The error has been fixed and our site has always and continues to be 100% secure for online shopping. You can verify that LiveLeanToday.com is both Hacker Safe and GEO Trust Secure by clicking on the logos on every shopping cart page. We are offering 10% off all orders for the support of your valued customers when you use coupon code 100.

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Animal Pak the Most Complete Multivitamin

Universal Nutrition Animal Pack delivers the next level of nutrition that competitve bodybuilders and people who strength train at least 4 times a week. Serious weight lifting athletes still find nutrition gaps and loss of performance with regular multi vitamins. Serious athletes need more.

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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Ephedra Plus Caffeine Ultimate Weight Loss Combination

Chinese ephedra (ma huang) comes from the dry herbaceous stems of a primitive family of plants known as ephedracae. Three species of ephedra are grown in China and recognized in the pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic Republic of China and the Chinese material Medica. This herb is one of the oldest and most widely used Chinese herbs. M Huang has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine as a primary component of multi herb formulas that are prescribed to treat bronchial asthma, cold and flu, coughing, and wheezing, fever, chills, lack of perspiration, headache, and nasal congestion. It has, therefore, been no secret to the Chinese that there are a diversity of significant benefits to be derived from the other approximately 99% of ephedra plant that does not contain ephedrine alkaloids.

Thanks to modern science and proprietary nutraceutical know how, Hi Tech has now mastered the specifics of these beneficial ephedra constituents, which have been isolated, extracted, and standardized to create Hi-Tech's Thermo-Z brand of ephedra extract for its remarkable benefits in weight loss dietary supplements.

Ephedra + Caffeine: The Holy Grail of Weight Loss

The weight loss benefits of ephedra have been known for centuries. In fact, studies show that ephedra + caffeine can more than double the rate of weight loss compared to a placebo. Recent developments in the field of weight management have demonstrated the efficacy of using pharmacological agents, both instead of and in addition to, diet and exercises. Specifically, many studies have focused on the effects of increasing sympathetic nervous system stimulation in order to increase basal metabolic rates, thereby providing a long term therapeutic option for thermo genesis. Because low metabolic rate is a characteristic of being overweight, and sympathetic activity has been shown to increase this metabolic rate, a role for sympathetic stimulation in the field of weight loss has a well established physiological rationale. Unfortunately, however, the economic advantages of synthesizing and marketing these treatments have rapidly overshadowed the need for adequate research to assess their efficacy and safety.

Most of the early investigations on the use of ephedra, caffeine, and aspirin (ECA) combinations concentrated on the effects of ephedra and caffeine stimulate weight loss by increasing the sympathetic nervous system. Both ephedra and caffeine stimulate weight loss by increasing the sympathetic tone of various resting tissue beds, notably fat. It has been shown that both ephedra and caffeine (lesser degree) are capable of mimicking a sympathetic response when given alone. However, when given in combination, there is a synergistic increase in the level of thermogenesis, such that the stimulated levels are greater than the added sum of the separate effects of caffeine and ephedra given alone. The exact mechanisms of this enhanced action are still being researched.


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Zylene Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Zylene different?

Zylene is one of the few products on the market that has the correct ratio of herbs and minerals. By having the correct ratio of herbs and minerals, Zylene helps provide an accumulative and synergistic effect to get the maximum fat burning, appetite suppressant and increased energy in one pill. In addition, our product is manufactured by one of the top licensed pharmaceutical labs in the country; therefore, Zylene is of pharmaceutical quality.
What is Zylene and what does it do?

Zylene is a natural dietary supplement. It is made of herbs and minerals and is 100% natural. Most importantly, our proprietary formula contains a time tested proprietary blend of natural ingredients. It helps oxidize fat, increase your energy and it acts as an appetite suppressant to help control your hunger.
How much and when to take Zylene?

This may be different for everybody. We are all individuals and you may react differently to the dosage (you can take up to 3 capsules per day). Adults take one (1) or two (2) capsules before breakfast and, if needed, one (1) or two (2) capsules at mid-afternoon. Try not to take any later than 5PM; this may interrupt your sleeping. We recommend starting with one capsule of Zylene in the morning and gradually increase the dosage to a second in the mid-afternoon. Based on the desired effect, you may want to increase the serving to three capsules daily.
*Note: some people may feel nauseous when taking Zylene before meals. If this happens, simply take the pills during or after meals.
I am on medications, will Zylene affect this? (High blood pressure, antidepressants, and thyroid medications)

We recommend that you ask your doctor if you are currently taking any medications.
We do have clients that take Zylene with their physicians approval and are getting great results. If you need to give your doctor a list of ingredients.
Will I gain the weight back when I stop taking Zylene?

Everyone’s body acts differently when stopping a weight loss program. We encourage everyone to eat a healthy diet and exercise when taking or concluding any weight loss regimen.
What are the ingredients in Zylene?

For a list of Zylene ingredients, please click on the ingredients tab.
How much weight can someone expect to lose?

There is not a precise scientific answer to this question. It is generally recommended that a healthy weight loss result in only losing 1 to 2 pounds per week, as health and safety risks may occur with larger increments of weight loss. The amount of weight loss will be affected by many factors including, but not limited to: program compliance; amount of dosages; individual body composition; type and quantity of food consumed; level of physical activity; and even personal commitment.
Should vitamins and minerals be taken with Zylene?

Yes, absolutely. We strongly recommend that you take a good multi-vitamin such as Nutravex and or a multi-mineral such as Biozyte whether you are using Zylene or not. It is almost always good practice to take a good multi nutirient.
How many capsules are in each bottle of Zylene?

There are 62 capsules in a bottle. We recommend taking one (1) to two (2) pills per day and gradually stepping up your requirements should you desire. This way, the bottle will be a one month supply. For the average person, this allows a 1-month supply to get excellent results. Some people will require more tablets to get the same results.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

SciFit Products 20% Off for the Next 48 Hours

SciFit Products 20% Off for the Next 48 Hours

Now, for just the next two days receive 20% off all Scifit products when you use coupon code 2002. Plus, if you order today all orders over $75 will receive a free bottle of Once Daily Multivitamin.

SciFit has long been one of leaders on the cutting edge of sports and health nutrition. Sci-Fit offers over 600 products to fit every athlete, no matter what the sport or level of competition.

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EcdySterone 300 Clinically Outperformed Steriods with No Side Effects

Sci Fit’s EcdySterone 300 is a product that finally offers the necessary dose of 20-Beta-Hydroxyecdysterone (a.k.a. ecdysterone) to achieve the numerous benefits uncovered through years of scientific testing. Sci Fit is one of the first companies to utilize advances in standardization techniques now available that enable production of a high dosed product that costs less than the steroids it clinically outperformed!

Ephedra Free Weight Loss

Sci-Fit’s Thermal Cuts (Ephedra Free) is a natural formulation which may enhance energy levels, improve mental alertness, and increase fat utilization. If you are looking to use a safer ephedra free fat burner, Sci-Fit’s Thermal Cuts (Ephedra Free) is the product for you.

New Sci-Fit Supplement ReviewSci-Fit Nutrition has been a leader in the sport and nutrition science industry for years. Scifit recently released new products on the cutting edge designed to support athletes, fitness enthusiast, and people needing to lose weight the competitive advantage they need to be successful. Sci Fit understands what the weekend warrior to the stay at home mom need to achieve their health and fitness goals. Listed below is a review of new products by Sci-Fit.

Thermal Cuts

Scifit has released an all natural blend of herbs designed to increase energy, enhance the focus of the mind, and increase your ability to utilize and burn more fat. Thermal Cuts was formulated to offer a safe and effective weight loss solution that is ephedra free. What makes Thermal Cuts so effective is 8 optimized fat loss and energy boosting herbal ingredients. With Sci-Fit’s Thermal Cuts you will feel your body’s increase in energy as you burn away fat from your body.

Training Paks

With Sci Fit Training Pak you get the exact right blend of essential nutrition your body needs for optimal performance. Training Pack is the perfect nutritional starter for any male or female athlete. The more physical activity you do the more your body craves vital nutrients to rebuild and perform. Training Pak delivers in each pack a complete vitamin and mineral profile, creatine monohydrate, glutamine, and essential whey protein to rebuild muscle tissue. The best part of Training Pak is that you can get the nutrients you need in a simple and easy to take serving once a day. »MORE

Friday, June 13, 2008

Alpine Climbing and Fitness

I have written before in this publication about indoor rock climbing and its fitness benefits. Now I want to turn my attention to the sport of "alpine climbing" and its variations, and how this activity can become a part of a fitness lifestyle that is truly in concert with what we call the "inner athlete." Another term for alpine climbing is simply "mountain climbing". Though most people would think of mountain climbing as something that would involve a very high peak and trekking through snow to get to the top, the purpose of this article is to show the value of participating even in less extensive climbs that test fitness and require some planning, but can be done in a short period of time or even over the course of an afternoon. As a personal trainer I was always looking for things that would effectively motivate my clients to adhere to a fitness program and reach their goals. Whether the goal was weight loss, building muscles, toning up their bodies or having more energy, I knew that the "Inner Athlete" that we mention frequently on our website exists in everybody, so it was up to me to find an activity that allowed a client's version of that inner athlete to come out. Training to get their body fit enough to climb a mountain was frequently the ticket. It is a very simple idea: get your body from the bottom of the mountain to the top, and once you are up there, enjoy the view and the fruits of your labor. A lot of clients were really intrigues by the idea, so we built their cardio programs and resistance training programs around it.

As I write this article, recently I have been riveted by the current Discovery Channel series "Everest, Beyond the Limit". The series follows the journey of a group of climbers led by a professional guide as they attempt to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain. In the series, viewers are treated for really the first time with EXACTLY what it looks and sounds like way up at those rarely traveled altitudes. In addition, a TV series has never before focused on the actual life these climbers lead as they spend almost 2 months on the mountain itself, getting used to the altitude and building the specific fitness required to achieve the summit. The hardship these people endure to reach their goal is almost beyond the understanding of most people, as the prolonged exposure to the increasing altitudes of Everest causes the climbers' minds and bodies to gradually shut down and stop working properly. It is enough to make even a pretty experienced fitness professional and adventurer like myself question the value of doing something that extreme to my body. Even having done some alpine climbing myself, including summiting Oregon's Mt. Hood (11,249ft) and Washington's famous Mt. St. Helens (8,364 ft), I still found it tough to imagine wanting to put my body through something so tortuous. The altitudes on the mountains I have climbed are only around 1/3 as high as those on Everest (29,035ft)

That's not what this article is about, however. Only a few thousand people in the entire world have ever stepped onto the summit of Everest, but virtually anyone can find a "climbing" adventure that suits their fitness and personality. The experience of the thrill of climbing is something that is realistically within anyone's means when actually trained for. Most people have just never really considered it possible or know where to start. Looking beyond the extreme nature that is present on Everest, the sport of "mountain climbing" can be participated in by almost anyone with a solid basic level of fitness. There some real and absolutely extraordinary fitness benefits that extreme climbers have achieved by the time they are done on Everest, and a version of those benefits are within the reach of "normal" people. These are people who may want the adventure of climbing a mountain to motivate them, but can realistically be achieved on a much smaller scale attainable by virtually anyone.

Physiologically, climbing is one of the most effective aerobic activities that can be performed. The steady state effort required to train for and perform climbs builds tremendous fitness in the heart and circulatory system. It is also typically low impact and easy on the joints which makes it an activity that virtually anyone can perform at some level.

Psychologially, climbing has a typically very simple appeal: getting to the top of a mountain feels good and is a very easy goal to define. "I made it to the top" is a very attractive thing to feel. Everybody wants to feel a sense of accomplishemnt in their lives, and too often our fitness success or failure is defined by the weight scale. All shapes and sizes of, people can climb, and the mountain doesn't care what size you are, it only cares if you made it to the top of it or not. So, best of luck in your climbing adventures, no matter at what altitude you finish!


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Thursday, June 5, 2008

Zone Training for beginners to maximize workouts

Like Training programs that are based upon maximum heart rate, Anaerobic threshold (AT)-based training zones are relative to varying levels of intensity, each of which serves different training objectives. Each of these zones develops essential physiological functions that contribute to good health and improved fitness, especially the possibility of weight loss. So you should never limit your training to a single metabolic zone, although you may exercise predominantly in one zone for a given time in order to reach specific training objectives.

Except for rank beginners or people with health related limitations, all levels of intensity are appropriate to ensure maximum cardiovascular development and results. How much and how often you work in each zone will depend on your athletic goals and your current level of fitness (continue reading for a more detailed description of the zones and their primary applications).

Let's look at the volume of the different zones that should be performed weekly. As a rule of thumb, 60 to 65 percent of your total workout time should focus on Zones 1 and 2; 30 to 35 percent on Zones 3 and 4; and about 5 percent on Zone 5. But you need not incorporate all zones into a single workout. In fact, you'll get better results from designing a range of different workouts throughout the week - including long, easy ones in Zones 1 and 2, and shorter, tougher ones that occupy more time in Zones 3, 4 and 5.

ZONE 1: Warm-up Heart-rate range: 60 to 70 percent of AT.

Training objectives: Encourage blood flow and burn fat.

What's happening: This is almost a pure aerobic state, which you can maintain almost indefinitely without experiencing any rise in blood lactate.

Feeling: Comfortable to talk and breathe through your nose.

How long: 10-minute warm-up progressing to higher intensity zones for 45 minutes or longer. Depending on your fitness level, you may need to start with a shorter workout and build up to 45 minutes, or do several shorter workouts throughout the day.

Zone 1 basics: This is a good place to launch your fitness program if you are a beginner or returning to exercise after taking off several months or more. It develops basic exercise technique, endurance and an aerobic base. Ideally, if you are new to exercise, or returning to training after a long break, you should stay in Zone 1 for about six weeks before moving up in zones. Zone 1 is also a good place to recover from tougher workouts.

ZONE 2: Aerobic Development

Heart-rate range: 70 to 90 percent of AT.

Training objectives: Build aerobic efficiency and maximize fat burning at a higher caloric rate.

What's happening: A small rise in blood lactate occurs, yet the body can process it without buildup.

Feeling: You can still converse and may have the urge to go faster. Breathing deepens a bit.

How long: 30 minutes (beginner); 90 minutes or longer (advanced).

Zone 2 basics: Before developing your lactate tolerance or increasing your AT, you should fully develop your "aerobic base," and this is a great zone for moving that effort forward. Noticeable improvement in this zone generally takes about six weeks of consistent training. But don't worry: As you become more efficient and fit, you'll be able to work out faster in every zone. For fit people, Zone 2 is also a good place for active recovery.

ZONE 3: Aerobic Endurance Heart-rate range: 90 to 100 percent of AT.

Training objectives: Increase endurance. Here, you push your AT up to higher intensity by training your body to tolerate more lactate in the blood.

What's happening: As intensity increases, not all lactate produced in the cells can be shuttled back into the metabolic cycle. Lactate levels in the blood begin to rise and, with time, fatigue sets in.

Feeling: Breathing becomes noticeable, but not too difficult; conversation is restricted to short sentences.

How long: 20 minutes (beginner); one hour or more (advanced).

Zone 3 basics: Building endurance at your AT through long intervals (four to 10 minutes) at threshold range will help raise your AT and slowly develop your body's tolerance of lactate. This training adaptation also allows your body to burn fat more efficiently. The idea here is to rest between intervals with your heart rate recovering in your aerobic zone and then increase intensity again up to your threshold.

ZONE 4: Anaerobic Endurance Heart-rate range: 100 to 110 percent of AT.

Training objectives: Increase athletic ability by improving lactate tolerance. Here you're pushing AT and VO2 max (your body's highest ability to utilize oxygen), challenging the heart to work longer, and increasing cardiac output (more blood is being pumped with each stroke, thus requiring fewer strokes per minute).

What's happening: Your body switches into primarily using glycogen or carbohydrate to fuel its need for energy, and your blood-lactate levels dramatically increase.

Feeling: Breathing becomes heavy, difficult and uncomfortable. You may also experience "muscle burn" because of lactate buildup.

How long: Five minutes (beginner); 30 minutes (advanced).

Zone 4 basics: Run at an aerobic pace, then speed up or increase resistance until your heart beats at 110 percent of your AT range. Maintain this level for one to four minutes. Reduce the pace until your heart returns slightly below AT, but not completely back to the aerobic zone. Then repeat the interval.

ZONE 5: Speed and Power Heart-rate range: 110 percent of AT to MHR.

Training objectives: Increase athletic ability by improving neurological response, exercise mechanics, speed and muscle power.

What's happening: Your body is burning the last remaining fuel (glycogen) in your muscles and cannot sustain this maximum effort for more than a few seconds without succumbing to exhaustion.

Feeling: Extremely difficult and uncomfortable. You'll feel breathless and may hear pounding in your chest. You'll feel an intense desire to slow or stop.

How long: Typically several seconds.

Zone 5 basics: Your work here consists of sprints and very intense, short intervals (up to one minute). Although you can come in and out of Zone 5 several times during the course of a single workout, spending more than 10 percent of your total workout time in this zone increases your risk of injury. If you've done a significant amount of Zone 5 work, be sure to add recovery time (meaning a day or two of rest or working in Zones 1 and 2) before returning to Zones 4 and 5.

Progress Makes Perfect By using your AT as a marker for aerobic exercise, you can base your training on a highly individualized fitness parameter, without having to guess about percentages of MHR. This lets you take advantage of every exercise session, knowing you are making the most of your time and energy. And as your fitness improves, so will your AT - one of the best indicators of cardiovascular health, fitness and overall vitality.


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