Fat Burning, Weight Loss, Diet and Fitness Q&A of the Week-Basketball Practices

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 e-mailed in and it was regarding using the Fat X workout program and practicing for basketball.

Hi Coach,

I started your workout program in late August to lose some weight, get in shape and get ready for basketball season. I've definitely noticed a big difference in my body and also my fitness level. My concern is continuing the program when the basketball season begins. We practice Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and our games will be Tuesdays and either Friday or Saturdays. Thanks for putting together the Fat X workouts, the videos, and the workout guide. Any input on adjusting the program for my basketball season would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Jeff

First of all let me congratulate you on actually getting in shape before the season. I know a few coaches in different sports and one of their biggest pet peeves is when players come in out of shape. Now the main objective during the season should be to stay in shape and to concentrate more on increasing skill level at your sport, basketball in this case. The best thing for you to do is to spread out the Fat X workout program and think of it as a maintenance phase. That way you get in enough rest and it won't affect your skill practice. Try scheduling the FX workouts on Sunday, Wednesday, and early Thursdays. This will insure that you are fresh on game days. Also, take a look at your FX workout guide and focus on maintaining your numbers more than increasing them as I usually recommend. Again, this is meant more as fitness maintenance so that you body will not be tired for skill practice. Good luck on your season.

Tips and Tricks For Picking Healthy Snacks

If you've been reading my blog you know that I'm a big fan of snacking. The problem with snacking is that most people usually pick the wrong things to snack on which stops them from achieving their weight loss (fat loss) or fitness goals. Here are a few tips and tricks to pick out healthy snacks which will get you back on track to achieving your weight loss (fat loss) and fitness goals.

1. Pick things that have a shell you have to crack open like peanuts and sunflower seeds. The barrier (shell) keeps you from over eating because it slows down the eating process. These foods also contain healthy fats that will help you nutritionally.

2. Pick things you have to peel open like oranges and pomegranate. Again, like with shelled nuts, it slows down the eating process while adding nutrition to your diet.

3. Avoid processed food like chips and cookies. These foods are usually high in calories and low in nutrition.

While these tips and tricks seem simple, they're very effective. I've had several clients make big strides towards their weight loss (fat loss) and fitness goals by employing these three tips and tricks.

Fat Burning, Weight Loss, Diet and Fitness Q&A of the Week-Acai Berry

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 sent in via myspace in and it was regarding acai berry supplements.

Hello Coach,

I'm starting my Fat X project on Monday. I've watched the workout videos,downloaded the FX workout guide and have done my grocery shopping so I can stick to the Fat X diet. I'm wondering if it's OK or even worth it to take an acai berry supplement. I've seen acai berry advertised and it's supposed to help weight loss. What do you think about it?

Thanks,

Jackie

When it comes to supplementing your diet, I believe in a hierarchy that puts proven and time tested supplements at the top. The first of those is a protein supplement, then a multi mineral vitamin, followed by fish oils and if you want a proven metabolism booster, green tea in some form. Acai berry is a good anti-oxidant, but it has not been proven as a fat loss or fitness aid so I would skip it for now on stick to what has been proven and time tested.

If you've made up your mind and are planning on buying an acai berry supplement, take a look at my post Acai Berry Truth, a video by the Better Business Bureau is there.

Ridiculous Claims in Diet and Fitness

What bugs me about the diet and fitness industry is that companies will try to sell you something by offering ridiculous claims and steering you away from the truth and facts in order to sell you weight loss or fitness related products. I'll list some of these claims about diet, fitness, weight loss and fat burning in order to help you stay away from things that don't work,help you stay on track with things that do and possibly save you some money.

Use product X because it will rinse out your insides and help you lose weight.

Rinse? WTF? This claim makes me laugh every time. It sounds like swallowing one of those pads you use to clean dirty pots. Your insides don't need rinsing. Eating plenty of fiber will help your digestive system run smoothly and naturally clear itself of waste. No rinsing required.

Exercise X will give you long lean muscles.

This claim ignores basic anatomy. Your muscles have set origin and insertion points that do not change. The only way to make them longer would be through plastic surgery that would change these origin and insertion points. The only way to achieve a "lean" look would be to lose the fat covering the muscles.

Ab machine X will burn belly fat and give you six pack abs.

As I've written about before, there is no way to burn or lose fat from only one area on your body. There are fat storage sites that will look smaller once your body burns or loses excess fat due to a proper exercise and diet program.

Understanding these claims can help save time and money and get you on the proper path to losing fat weight, becoming more fit and getting healthier.

Fat Burning, Weight Loss, Diet and Fitness Q&A of the Week-Stretching and Fat loss

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 e-mailed in and it was regarding stretching and weight loss possibilities.

Hi Coach,

I recently found your website and I'm really excited about trying the program.  I've watched all the videos and have downloaded the workout guide.  I know at the end of the workout videos you say to stretch but do you have a guide for stretching?  Also do you think I can lose 20 lbs December.  It's my b-day and that's my goal.

Chris

I found some really good stretching videos on youtube.  I used to have a link in the sidebar and for some reason I must have taken it out.  Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Here's the link..Stretching Videos.  Twenty pounds is definitely an achievable goal by December.  You should get a good jump start with the Fat X Workouts.  Keep track of your results in the Fat X Workout guide and use it to challenge yourself. 

I Don't Count Calories

One of the biggest criticisms of the Fat X diet is that there is no calorie counting involved.  I find the criticism to be one of it's strengths. My belief is that people aren't getting fat because the lack of knowing how many calories they are eating.  People get fat or stay fat because they are eating the wrong types of food.  My philosophy when it comes to diet is to not think so much about what you shouldn't be eating, but to concentrate on things you should be eating. The Fat X diet is intrinsically low calorie because of the high vegetable requirement.  Just take a look at the calorie count found in these vegetables.

• Asparagus 100 grams  20 calories
  
• Broccoli  100 grams 20 calories
  
• Brussels Sprouts  4 sprouts  25 calories
  
• Cabbage 1 cup  20 calories
  
• Carrots  medium size 35 calories
  
• Celery  1 stick 5 calories Corn 1/2 cup 50 calories
  
• Cucumber medium size 10 calories
  
• Lettuce  30 grams 5 calories
  
• Mushrooms 100 grams 30 calories
  
• Spinach 100 grams 15 calories
  

As you can see, by filling your diet with these types of food, you don't even have to keep track of calories to lose fat because they are naturally low in calories.  As an added benefit, not only are they low in calories but they are highly nutritious.  All the added nutrition will indirectly help your fat loss goals by keeping your energy levels up, hormone levels balanced, fuel your fat burning workouts and helping you recover from workouts. 

If you like keeping track of calories and it's working for you, by all means continue to do it.  I developed the Fat X diet because calorie counting wasn't working for most people.  They either stacked their diet with calories coming from junk food, or just got tired of tracking calories.  Either way, just remember that the Fat X diet is not about eating a magical amount of calories, but it's about eating plenty of healthy food.

Fat Burning, Weight Loss, Diet and Fitness Q&A of the Week-Green Tea

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 e-mailed in and it was regarding green tea.

Hey Coach,

I'm planning on using green tea to assist in my fat burning while I work through your program.  Is there a specific way I should be using it for it to be most effective and boosting my metabolism?

Thanks!

Joe

Green tea is one of the proven metabolism boosters and I would suggest brewing about a gallon at a time so you can keep it around and available throughout the day.  Making it in bulk keeps you from having to brew a cup at a time every time you want to drink some and definitely saves time. Also, by having it readily available you are more likely to make a habit of drinking it.  Drinking it on a consistent basis is what will be most helpful to your fat loss and overall health.