Author: Chris Ritchie
Use Movements You’ve Never Tried To Build The Body You’ve Always Wanted Imagine that the barbell curl came with an auto-correct function, one that instantly perfected your form – no cheating allowed. Yes, you would possibly have to remove some weight. But you’d also slash your injury risk while giving your targeted muscles the maximum challenge. As a result, you’d reap the greatest possible benefit from every set. Turns out, that an auto-correct feature already exists – you just have to choose the right moves. I first learned about these moves, known as “self limiting exercises”, from Gray Cook, a…
Should You Be Taking A Protein Shake? Get Supplement Savvy Before you buy that massive tub of powdered muscle, ask yourself these two questions: “What do I need?” and “What can I afford?” Next step: make sure you run it past your doctor. Only then can you start weighing up the options. “There are three broad categories of supplement shakes,” says Professor Du Toit Loots, professional athlete and professor in Metabolic Biochemistry at North-West University. “The key is finding the right one for you.” Supplements fall into three general categories, depending on your goal. Start here: 1. Mass Builders This…
Double Your Protein It takes a lot of chicken to ensure you’re fueling your muscle repair this week, so make it your best friend. These yoghurt marinades will ensure you don’t get food fatigue. Plus each 100ml serving of plain Greek yoghurt packs and extra 5g of protein, and saves calories compared with mayo. Shake It Up Struggling to take on the calories? Sink this 60min after the gym. – 1scoop low-chemical protein powder; – 2tbsp natural almond butter; – 400ml whole milk; – small handful spinach; – 5 ice cubes. Place all ingredients in a blender and blitz until…
Practicing “mindfulness meditation”, also called “integrative body-mind training”, that involves periods of intense focus and concentration is not just relaxing; it actually causes positive changes in the brain. The study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences was based on 68 students in China who were randomly assigned to either a meditation or a relaxation-training group. None of the students had any experience with meditation. Using diffusion tensor imaging, a kind of MRI technique, the researchers assessed changes in the structure of the brain. There were substantial changes in the white matter of the brain involving the…
This workout uses nine different movements that your body was built to excel at. Complete reps of each exercise before progressing. Repeat the circuit three times. 1 BALANCE On a narrow plank or street curb, balance and walk forwards for 20m. Then walk back the same distance. Keep your body straight and use your arms as little as possible. Repeat 5 times for greater stability in every move you make. 2 CRAWL Move forwards for 20m on all fours, with a stone or book on your back. This forces you to keep your back flat. Repeats times, increasing the speed.…
If you want to keep your ticker on top form, try laying off the low-fat spread. According to one of America’s leading heart surgeons, Dr Dwight Lundell, having high cholesterol is only dangerous when our arteries become inflamed. One of the main causes of this arterial inflammation is omega-6 fats, which are found in margarine, vegetable oils and processed foods. To restore a healthy balance in your body, fill upon the omega-3s found in olive oil, butter and other products that come from grass-fed animals, instead. You’ll excuse us if we pop out for an Aberdeen Angus with bearnaise sauce?…
Loss of appetite, clinically known as anorexia, means a reduced desire to eat. Anorexia can be confirmed if there is a weight loss of at least 25 per cent of the original body weight or the weight is 25 per cent below what is normal for the age and height. Mostly seen in the elderly, it can affect people of any age group. Loss of appetite may not be serious as such but can lead to complications if the underlying condition is not promptly diagnosed and treated, as anorexia can be a manifestation of several serious clinical conditions. Anorexia can be a symptom of: Psychological conditions:…