5 Hour Energy Review Part 2

This week I went to the store and bought a couple of packages of the 5 Hour Energy supplement.  Each package contained two, 2 ounce bottles.  I read the label and it stated that it contained "the same amount of caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee".  So there really is not mystery of where the "energy" comes from.  In any case I still wanted to test it and find out if there where any benefits over coffee, energy drinks and if it would be beneficial to take it for weight loss.

I took my first bottle this week in lieu of my morning coffee.  It was easier, I just cracked the little bottle open and drank it all in one shot.  It definitely worked to give me the morning boost that I usually get from coffee, without the trouble of making coffee.  In addition, no coffee breath and I didn't have to worry about carrying and possible carrying it in the car.

I tried it a couple of more times before my workouts.  Again it was quick and easy, compared to when I've sipped on a sugar free Monster or Rocktstar in preparing for a workout.  Although I must say that I actually like having something to sip on for a few minutes instead of just gulping down the 5 hour Energy 2 ounce bottle.  I must say that the 5 Hour Energy did kick in and help me through my workouts.

The biggest problem that I had with 5 Hour Energy is the price.  Each package was about five bucks.  I can get a caffeine fix a lot cheaper than that from the energy drinks or coffee.  With that being said, if you don't like coffee or energy drinks and do want a little energy boost to get you through the day or through a workout, I would definitely look into having some 5 Hour Energy bottles around, especially if you can get them cheaper than $2.50 a bottle.

5 Hour Energy - Berry 24-2oz. Bottles

5 Hour Energy Review

I've seen a few commercials on this product 5 Hour Energy.  It's supposed to give you energy without the crash of energy drinks.  The commercial I recently saw claimed it had less sugar than popular energy drinks like Rockstar and  Monster.  It claims 5 hour Energy is  better than those energy drinks because it has less sugar.  It even shows the amount of tables spoons of sugar that Rockstar and Monster are supposed to contain.  The problem that I have with this commercial is that it doesn't mention that both Rockstar and Monster both have a sugar free version.  I actually like both the diet/sugar free versions of Rockstar and Monster and they contain just enough caffeine to give me a boost whenever I need it.  So the question for me is whether 5 hour Energy really is better for other reasons than just the sugar content.  I will be experimenting with it the next few days and give you my professional opinion.  Check in for Part 2 of the 5 Hour Energy Review.

Fat Burning, Weight Loss, Diet and Fitness Question of the Week

Every week I answer a question or questions that are sent in to me regarding fat burning, weight loss, diet, fitness and or the Fat X program. Today's question was posted as a comment to another  question of the week post.

Hello, I just had a couple of questions. First let me say that I purchased the workout plan and I am on my third day and loving it. I love a challenge and that's exactly what The Fat X project gives me. First questions is, Is it okay to add a 20 min cardio workout with the fat x project? Second: I have a pretty good healthy diet already, is it okay to stick with what I have? Here is my diet: Breakfast: 1 Slice Whole Wheat bread with cheddar cheese and an egg white, Snack is yogurt and apple, also about an hour after snack I have nature vally peanute butter granola bar. Lunch: Chicken breast with salad and backed plain potatoe. Snack is 1 slice whole wheat bread with peanute butter. Dinner: is about the same as lunch. What do you thinks? Thanks. 

M@R

First of all let me thank you for purchasing the workout guide and posting a question.  Now to your questions.  I've always been an advocate of quality versus quantity.  By this I mean, if you have to add 20 minutes of additional cardio to the Fat X workouts, it's telling me you didn't put in 100% into the Fat X workout/workouts.  More doesn't equal better.  As a matter of fact, the extra 20 minutes could cut in to your recovery time and make future workouts less effective because you are too drained from your previous workout.  It can also drain you mentally, causing you to slack off during the Fat X workout/workouts because you know that you still want to do extra cardio.

As far as your diet is concerned, if it's not broke, don't fix it.  I would recommend adding more vegetables though as this should help with adding extra nutrition without extra unwanted calories.

Getting Back on a Healthy Diet Track

Last week I wrote about how I was having more bad diet days than good diet days.  This week I'm going to set up my diet for the next few days ahead of time so that I can make sure I stick to a good healthy diet.  I do this periodically to help me stay or get back on track.  Rationing food and planning ahead is actually one of the most important aspects of the Fat X diet.  So anyway, this is the plan for the next week.

Monday

Protein smoothie

Shrimp cocktail

Steak and veggies

Tuna salad

*I'll snack on mixed nuts and two pieces of fruit sometime during the day

*Protein drink after workout

Tuesday

Protein Smoothie

Tuna Sandwich

Chicken salad

Salmon with steamed veggies

*I'll snack on mixed nuts and two pieces of fruit sometime during the day

*Protein drink after workout

Wednesday

Protein smoothie

Steak chopped up in mixed veggies

Grilled chicken breast with a side salad

*I'll snack on mixed nuts and two pieces of fruit sometime during the day

*Protein drink after workout

As you can see, breakfast is pretty much the same, a protein smoothie.  It's quick and easy, and I feel it jump starts my day with some good nutrition.  I also have the same thing after workouts.  At this time it's very important to feed your muscles with an easy digestible protein source.

Summer Fit Fitness Class/Boot Camp

If you're in the Pasadena area and are interested in a fitness class/boot camp, I have one set to begin June 1st. It will be held Monday, Wed and Thursday from 5:15-6:00 pm. Due to demand I will also add a second fitness class/boot camp from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m.

I haven't run a fitness class/boot camp since last November so this is a great opportunity to get a head start on a summer fitness plan and get ready to enjoy your summer with a better body. The last fitness class/boot camp was held in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl. This time around I'm making some changes that I'm confident will produce better results. I've set up a training area in my back yard that will be specially set up to better work with small groups in implementing the Fat X hybrid exercises and workout program.

If you're in the Pasadena area and are interested in the Summer Fit fitness class/boot camp feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

Bad Diet Days Good Diet Days

We all have those good diet days and bad diet days.  Those good days are filled with plenty of vegetables, protein and other nutritious food, like berries, fruit and nuts.  The bad ones, well those will vary.  Sometimes they're a bad diet day because you didn't get in enough nutritious food and sometimes they're just bad because of poor food choices, like burgers, hot dogs, soda and other junk food.

The last week I've had more bad diet days than good diet days.  This bad eating trend started last Saturday when I went to the Dodger game.  This day was a bad diet day because of a junk food breakfast and beer at the game.  Sunday followed with another bad breakfast and not eating enough nutritious food throughout the day.  Monday I attended the Dodger game again and my food roundup there consisted of a hot dog, nachos, and beer.  Yikes!!!  Not exactly the dinner of a healthy individual.  The rest of the week was more of the same.  It just seemed like I couldn't get on track as far as eating a healthy diet.

Today is my brothers birthday and I will be going out to dinner soon.  I don't go out to dinner much, so I hate limiting myself when I do go out. This day will not be the end of the bad diet days, but I will eat well and I will force myself to go on a good diet day streak beginning tomorrow.  To make sure that I stick to this plan I am committing myself to posting new pictures at the end of the month.

If you're having trouble getting yourself on track, I would definitely suggest taking pictures as a motivational tool.  It always helps me and If you really commit yourself, it will definitely help you.  Now go on and have some good diet days.

Fat Burning, Weight Loss, Diet and Fitness Question of the Week

Every week I answer a question or questions that are sent in to me regarding fat burning, weight loss, diet, fitness and or the Fat X program. This weeks questions were emailed in by Dana from Missouri.

My name is Dana and I live in Kansas City Missouri … I have a few questions.  Im 24, weigh 200lbs and im 5ft tall. I need help. Are you familiar with the gym 24 hour fitness? I just got a membership there and I want to know if it’s a good idea to pay for a personal trainer or try working out myself… I watched your videos and thought about getting a group of girls that fill the same way I do and try it by myself. I don’t mind doing the tred mill for over 20 minutes... That doesn’t bother me at all… except I get dizzy after I get off… why is that?

I heard that for women it’s harder to lose weight then it is for men…. What do you think is a good diet plan for me ? I stopped drinking pop, I only drink crystal light and plain water, but not sure what diet I should try… im gonna do your 12 day workout plan but would like ANY advice you can give …please help!!!!! Im tired of being tired…. I want all the jiggles to be in the right place lol I want a Kim Kardashian butt lol! 

Thanks,

Dana

Getting a group of girls together to do the workouts is a good idea.   It's actually a great for motivation. You might need to adjust the workouts a bit, but that's OK.  The most important thing is that you get the exercise.

 As far as diet is concerned...why not give the Fat X diet a try?  The principles of the diet are pretty simple, surround yourself with nutritious food and try to minimize your exposure to "junk" food.  Start with those small steps and then you can adjust from there.  As I've written in the past, most people fail long term because they try too many changes, too fast.

There could be a few reason why you're getting dizzy on the treadmill.  It could be lack of nutrition, fitness level, or just the change from moving on an object and then getting off that object.

As far weight loss being more difficult for women than men, check out the Diet Like a Man video.

Coach Rollie 

Power Up Your Diet

Here's a simple way you can power up  your diet, and also power up your workouts and energy level.  If your diet is lacking in nutrition, your energy level and workouts are probably also going to be sub par.  So if we can power up your diet by quickly adding nutrition, your energy levels will power up, and that should have a positive impact on your workouts, which will in turn have a positive impact on your fat burning and weight loss goals.

Here's the formula to power up your diet.  Put a 1/4 cup frozen blueberries, 1/4 cup of frozen strawberries, and 1/4 cup of frozen pineapple in a blender.  Add 8 oz of freshly squeezed orange juice.  Add in a scoop of vanilla whey protein powder.  Add a teaspoon of flax seed oil and blend until smooth.  That protein smoothie has carbs from good sources, anti-oxidants from the berries, protein, and a good source of fat.  This smoothie is well balanced and highly nutritious.  It will definitely power up your diet, your energy level and workouts.  Give it a try.

Fat Burning, Weight Loss, Diet and Fitness Question of the Week

Every week I answer a question or questions that are sent in to me regarding fat burning, weight loss, diet, fitness and or the Fat X program. Today's question was rest days and moving a workout up.

I just finished day 8 of the Fat X exercise program and I feel great.  Amazingly I've already lost 6 lbs and I wanted to know if it was a good idea to skip the active rest day workout since I don't feel tired and go on to workout day 10?  The reason I'm asking is because I took some extra rest days before I finished up workout video 8.

Thanks,

Barbara

It's not a bad idea to take extra rest days during the program, especially if you're a beginner.  It seems you're doing fine so far so there's no need to change.  Continue with day 9 active rest as it will burn some calories while not taxing out your body too much.  This will leave you ready to put in an awesome effort during workout 10 or day 10 of the Fat X Fitness program.  Also, make sure that you are eating your vegetables and getting in enough protein by following the Fat X diet so that you are fueled up properly and you can continue your fat loss efficiently.