Figure Girl's Blog

FG's Food Find: High Protein Raw Food Bars

2012-01-20T19:44:52Z

As you know, I'm all about making my yummy snacks and treats. Unfortunately, time doesn't always allow me to make or towards the end of the week, I run out of the foods I made for the week. Times like those could make you break your diet since everywhere you turn is junk food and fast food joints. Because of this, I'm always searching for convenient and easy to grab snacks, that are high quality and clean ingredients that taste good and help you to achieve the best results with your fitness goals.

FYI: For every product I recommend, I must first try for myself to ensure quality and taste .

Within my ongoing search, I found these amazing raw food bars that are all natural, organic, highest in protein out of all the raw food bars, and today I confirmed the amazing taste!

I purchased the Low Carb Cafe Mocha with only 12g Crabs, a whopping 8g Fiber, only 3g sugar, and 22g Protein! Let me just say, "They are sooo good!"

These bars are not just high in protein, they contain superfoods like organic cocoa, almond & cashew butter, and chia seeds to give you antioxidants and omegas.

You know what's another awesome thing, Dale has extended a special discount to my blog readers of 20% off until Sunday, Jan 22 @ 11:59pm!!!!

The coupon code is DALESRAWFOODS20 and you'll receive 20% discount on Dale's Raw Protein Bars. Code will not work for any other products, only protein bars. Excludes Auto Ship items. Remember this couon code expires this Sunday, Jan 22 @ 11:59pm so hurry and order right now before you forget!

Try them for yourself!

Yummy Quest Protein Bars

2012-01-10T14:04:00Z

Check out these protein bars. They have 20 g protein, 4 g carbs, and no sugar. And they're DELICIOUS

Quest All Natural Protein Bars - Box of 12

Shop today »

Bread Can Now Be Part of a Low Carb Diet!

2012-01-09T16:30:00Z

"Low Carb dieters and health nuts rejoice because you now can re-introduce bread to your diet!"

About German Haus Bread Inc.
They start with certified organic whole grains grown without herbicides, pesticides or hormones. They use whole grain wheat, rye, barley, oats, millet, brown rice and spelt. They are MILLED FRESH DAILY at their bakery. The seeds for each seeded bread are soaked and sprouted over night. This predigests them so they are not acid producing. Our heart, soul and integrity are baked into every nutrient rich loaf! They take pride in the pure facts. They promise: Its all in there!

You can now get this guilt free bread at our house!

Nutritional Facts for Regular slices. Thin slices contain 25% less calories, carbs, and fat.

Marathon Bread:

Family secret that is highly recommended by doctors everywhere. Tasting is unbelieving- light, but with substance! It's low in carbohydrate and high protein ratio makes it a must for a healthy diet with a touch of sweetness!

103 cals, 0.3g fat, 13g carb, 3g fiber, 7 g protein

Organic Mediterranean Bread:

Flavorful bread is their newest creation! Delivers a wonderful Mediterranean taste with great nutritional value!

67 cals, 0.7g fat, 11g carb, 9g fiber, 4 g protein

Organic Four Seed, Fruit & Nut Power Bread:

You might think of it a a treat and treat it like a power bar! An energy booster with high fiber content makes it appealing for fat loss!

102 cals, 3g fat, 13g carb, 4g fiber, 4 g protein

Jogging Power Bread:

Made with organic grains, seeds, and spices. The ultimate in high protein and fiber; this loaf is everything a bread should be! Low in carbohydrates and great taste make it an excellent choice for weight management and fitness!

100 cals, 2g fat, 11g carb, 6g fiber, 9 g protein

Place Your Order Now!

Total Body Cleansing for Fat Loss

2012-01-09T13:05:00Z

Are you having trouble losing fat or losing excess weight? Do you experience indigestion, bloating, constipation? You are not alone...

If you are eating a clean diet and following a healthy lifestyle and are still having much difficulty with weight loss and fat you might be in deep need for a total body cleansing program.
If you are about to start a fat loss diet and exercise program, a cleansing program will get your body off to a great start.
Sometimes food cravings can be so strong that you might feel as it's more like food addictions.
There are real, physical reasons why this is happening and believe me, it is not always willpower issue.

If you are having a hard time losing fat or losing weight, I am here to help you. But first - read this shocking news!

Weight Loss programs make large companies big money and because of this, the market is flooded with drugs, surgeries and weight loss programs. With more and more programs available, shouldn't more people be losing weight? The fact is that people are still getting fatter.

A typical program goes something like this; eat small portions of protein throughout the day, lots of fruits and vegetables, small portions of complex carbs and round it all off with resistance training to build muscle because muscle burns fat. If it's so easy, what's the problem?

The problem is that we need a new solution to address problems that the medical industry ignores. Foods are processed with chemicals and fillers that are more abundant and cheaper than whole, healthy foods. There are more chemicals in our environment than ever before. It is a proven fact that this garbage is stored in your fatty tissue and fat cells and do not leave. So what can you do?

There is a new and controversial way to lose fat while combating many other health concerns.

How would you like to:

Take control of your cravings

Help your body shed the garbage and fat

Reset your metabolism so your body naturally sheds excess waste (weight!)

This new solution is a total body cleanse. But there is a catch...

One of the biggest lessons people learn is that holistic health, weight loss and fat loss takes work. There are no shortcuts and no magic pills - which is why most diet fads and pills fail. The only way to be successful is through a cleansing program, diet change and exercise program!

If you are serious in getting healthy and in shape the right way, then cleansing your body and maintaining a healthy eating diet will make your body optimal at loosing fat naturally!

Why Cleansing Program? Your body stored the waste from consumed toxins of unhealthy eating diets and eating processed foods which have slowed your metabolism and caused your body to store fat.

If you want to get rid of excess weight and fat in a shorter time than it took to accumulate you need to get a serious program and stick to it. If you are serious, read on for a program made to work.

You can lose food cravings for good and learn what real health feels like; more energy, freedom from junk foods, the enjoyment of whole foods and the natural and easy weight loss that comes with getting rid of internal waste.

Fat is a warning signal. Fat that accumulates around your belly and midsection can be an indication that there is too much visceral fat, which surrounds your organs. When fat accumulates around your midsection, your risk for serious and life-threatening diseases are much higher. Get the facts on what to do about it before it's too late.

Unhealthy foods cause your body - and metabolism - to slow down. You can help your body get rid of these toxins so that your entire body can balance itself, naturally. Your body can then naturally melt and clear away the excess fat and weight.
Toxins makes your body incapable of absorbing nutrients. This can prevent you from absorbing nutrients even if you are eating healthy. By not absorbing nutrients, you will be more subjectable to getting sick, prevents muscle growth, and becoming nutrient deficient.
Some environmental toxins can cause damage to your cells, making you look and feel older. Learn the secret that helps your body fix the damage while losing toxins and fat to look younger, thinner and healthier.

I recommend doing the Cleanse Smart program from Renew Life. I, personally go through this cleansing program every 3-4 months to ensure that my body is always optimal and to maintain it at the healthiest. Even though I maintain a clean eating diet year round, the enviroment is a constant attack to our health.

Take advantage of their Start of the Year Sale and save 15% off their entire store plus free shipping without minimum order restrictions!

ReNew Life 15% extra savings code: BESTDEAL Shop Today!

NEVER Do These Three Things If You Want To Have Nice Abs

2012-01-09T12:00:00Z

Tip #1 Do HUNDREDS of crunches

There is nothing wrong with doing crunches.

It may tone and strengthen your abs.

But it will do NOTHING for shedding belly fat.

You see, crunches target the muscles which are directly UNDERNEATH your fat.

Doing hundred or even thousands of crunches may only strengthen

your abs, but do nothing to target your fat.

What to do instead: Try performing core strengthening exercises as part of your warm up.

Core exercises are designed to fatigue your core and get them firing correctly.

Also try including moderate to high intensity exercises into your routine.

Research shows that short bursts of exercise may burn more calories for DAYS AFTER you are FINISHED.

Tip #2 Not Eat Your Fiber Before Noon

One of the best ways to lose your belly is to make sure you are eating enough fiber.

And that leads into another important step: make sure you eat breakfast.

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of your day, and really gets your metabolism firing for the rest of your day.

A meal with plenty of fiber may also help curb your appetite.

This may keep you full for longer periods, which may prevent you from overindulging or feeling REALLY hungry throughout the day.

What To Do Next: Incorporate more fiber into your morning.

Not only might fiber help you feel full, it may also help you lose weight.

Fiber binds to nutrients in your stomach, which slows the digestion process down.

Fiber also sucks in a lot of water, which again, keeps you feeling full.

Tip #3 Sacrifice Your Vitamin D Intake

When you are striving to lose your belly fat, most people cut calories.

And this makes perfect sense!

But you should know that cutting calories may cut an IMPORTANT nutrient out of your diet, rendering you unable to burn MORE FAT.

Let me explain...

There is new research showing that people who are lacking in vitamin D, may also have increased fat stores.

This is very bad news for people who want to lose stubborn belly fat.

Researchers determine that children who were lacking in 25 (OH) D, were more susceptible to obesity than their lean counterparts.

Vitamin D May Help LOWER FAT stores

What To Do Next: Try to increase your vitamin D intake.

Exposure to the sun can increase the production of vitamin D in your skin.

Or, try supplementing it to your diet.

Now Go Out And Get Your Six-Pack

You and everyone else wants the six-pack abs look.

But what you are doing MAY be shutting off your fat burning potential.

Eating the right foods and getting plenty of fiber may leave you feeling full for longer periods of time. Also, knowing what exercises to do may build lean mass and loose body fat will lead you to GREATER weight loss and to avoid overeating to uncover the layers of fat and reveal lean abs!

Prevent Metabolic Adaptation: Macro Nutrients

2012-01-05T12:06:00Z

Metabolic Adaptation is basically the ability your body has to adapt to certain foods that are consumed over and over again on a regular basis.

To give you an example: If you eat pretty much the same type of foods day in and day out, your body will get used to them and it will consequently slow down your metabolism.

A slow metabolism means you'll lose lean muscle and gain bodyfat...The exact OPPOSITE of what we actually want to do!

So here is one easy tips that you can start using right away to help avoid this dreaded -metabolic Adaptation" from ever occurring in your body...

#1: Vary Your Macro-Nutrient Sources!

It is absolutely critical that you frequently rotate your food choices. For example, do not rely on chicken breasts, canned tuna, and protein shakes as your ONLY protein sources. Make sure to get a wide variety of protein from other food sources such as lean cuts of beef, lamb, pork, wild game, etc. Include all kinds of fish and seafood in your nutrition program. Also make sure to include eggs / egg whites and dairy products to get a wide spectrum of high quality protein sources.

Eat This/ Not That

2012-01-02T12:00:00Z

DON’T EAT: BAKED POTATO

INSTEAD: BAKED SWEET POTATO

WHY: The tasty sweet potato is a nutritional powerhouse compared to the simple white potato. One baked sweet potato (3.5 ounce serving) provides twice the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for beta-carotene and 42% of the RDA for vitamin C. A complex carbohydrate, sweet potatoes provide twice as much fiber as a white potato (4g vs 2g), and have a lower glycemic index (GI). The GI reflects the quality of carbohydrates, and ranks carbohydrate sources according to the body’s glucose response produced when ingesting 50g of available carbohydrate. Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between GI and risk of diabetes and heart disease. Further, weight-loss is greater with diets containing lower GI foods.

BONUS TIP: Home-made sweet potato French fries make a great lunch companion to a lonely chicken breast. To make, simply cut a peeled sweet potato into strips, place on a baking sheet and spray with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes and eat with a touch of Heinz organic low sugar ketchup once cooled.

The Only Protein Bars I Eat!

2011-12-30T20:29:10Z

I don’t recommend many ‘Protein Bar’ companies and in the past I have definitely been approached by a large number of companies and all of which I have turned down…You see, I don't recommend anything, I will not personally eat!

So as you know, I typically make and prepare all of my meals. However, there are those times (last night for example), that I just didn't have any time and was out and about all day. Plus, I needed to do groceries today, lol. In those circumstances, protein bars and shakes can be diet saviors, but only if truly good quality. Otherwise, you might as well eat as snicker's bar, from a nutrition standpoint.

As of just recently, I have found ones that I can honestly recommend and I actually enjoy! They are from a private nutrition company called Dales Raw Foods and they are totally different in many ways.

----------------------
The Difference
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1. They taste GREAT! As you may know, I am well known for my own Homemade Protein recipes and if you have time to make them, all the more power to you. But sometimes you just don't have time or it’s just nice (and convenient) to have them made for you.

2, They are made on a daily basis so they are always FRESH. These bars are handmade and NOT manufactured by machines in big factories so they always have that homemade taste.

3. The ingredients pass the Figure Girl's Approval ... All natural, no preservative ingredients that are healthy.

Unlike some big chain supplement companies that pack protein bars with more filler than actual protein and other fattening junk ingredients.

4. Good and bad thing…the bars only last about 3 months (unless you freeze). Since they are natural and preservative free, you are looking at a reduced shelf life…but that’s ok if you have hectic schedules they will be eaten pretty quick since they taste amazing and you should be eating 5-6 meals anyways a day, right?

And there is an auto-ship program that you can setup quickly so you don’t have to worry about re-ordering every time.

5. Big discount until January 2nd (Monday)!!

Use the coupon code DECEMBER2011 to get 25% off you entire order until this Monday night.

Stock up with this incredible discount!

25% Discount on Dale’s Raw Foods Online Store << click here for special access

Enjoy!

Fish Oil & Fat Loss, Part 3!

2011-12-30T13:01:00Z

Okay, let's get down to what you've been waiting for — fat loss. If you've been around the fitness game for a while, then I'm sure you can appreciate the irony here. The compounds that have shown the best results in scientific studies regarding fat loss are CLA and now EPA/DHA, all three being fats!

Let's look at some of the studies that have recently displayed the effectiveness of fish oil in helping shed those nasty pounds. The first one comes from the International Journal of Obesity where they took 324 overweight and obese men and women and put them on a reduced calorie diet. (3) These people then received either nothing, fatty fish, lean fish, or fish oil capsules.

I should mention that the diets they were put on weren't very conducive to weight loss. Participants were consuming 50% of their calories from carbohydrates and only 20% of their calories from protein. They also weren't exercising — it was like the researchers were setting them up to fail!

Despite the odds, the men lost an average of 14 pounds, and the men that ate fish or took fish oil lost an extra 2 pounds. There was an added weight loss advantage even in the group of men that ate cod (non-fatty fish). However, the driving force behind this stumped the researchers.

One of the first studies to show the fat loss effects of fish oil was published back in 1997. The participants were put on a diet containing 50% calories from carbohydrates. Instead of supplementing with fish oil the whole time, 12 weeks into the study some of the participants were asked to replaced 6 grams of fat in their diet with 6 grams of fish oil for the remaining three weeks. (4)

The people who replaced fats in their diet with fish oil lost 2 pounds over three weeks while the non-fish oil group lost 0.7 pounds. That may not seem like a lot at first but you need to consider that these people didn't do anything different except for replacing fat in their diet with fish oil — they didn't exercise and they were on a high carbohydrate diet.

What's the take-home message here? These two studies suggest that even when people are put on high carbohydrate diets, fish oil supplementation can increase fat loss and fat oxidation (especially in men).

The most popular fish oil and weight loss study as of late was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (5) Unlike the previous two studies we've looked at, this study used a fish oil supplement that contained high levels of DHA (much like Flameout).

In this all-male study, the participants were given either sunflower oil or DHA-rich fish oil. Some were instructed to exercise while others were not. The exercise component was walking at 75% of their maximum heart rate for 45 minutes, three times a week.

Regardless of the less-than-optimal program design, the fish oil and exercise people experienced decreases in body mass greater than any of the other groups combined. The authors noted, "Both FO supplementation and regular aerobic exercise reduced fat mass."

And here's some unpublished/unreleased info regarding this study. One variable that the researchers measured but haven't yet reported on was heart rate. The fish oil group experienced a significant reduction in resting heart rate compared to the others not receiving fish oil.

Because their exercise goals were heart rate oriented (75% max heart rate), the fish oil group had to work harder to achieve their exercise goal. This is potentially one of the reasons that the fish oil group lost more weight.

How fish oil effects resting heart rate is also not fully understood; however, we know from cardiovascular research that increased consumption of EPA/DHA can change the electro-chemistry of your heart. This is why fish oil can help prevent sudden death from heart attacks. This is also probably the reason why fish oil can modulate resting heart rate.

Another way that fish oil mediates fat loss is through substrate utilization, as fish oil has been previously shown to increase fat utilization during exercise. Because we also saw a fat loss effect of fish oil independent of exercise in the first two studies, it looks like there are several mechanisms at work to boost fat loss — some exercise related, some not.

The exact mechanism in which fish oil potentates fat loss isn't completely understood. There seems to be both exercise and non-exercise pathways. Here are some potential ways that fish oil can help boost fat burning:

• DHA has been shown to prevent the conversion of pre-adipocytes to adipocytes and mediate pre-adipocyte death (kill 'em before they become immortal fat cells). (6)

• Fish oil has the ability to increase the clearance of chylomicrons and fats following a meal. This potentially can have a positive effect on substrate utilization. (7)

• Fish oil can "artificially" decrease heart rate thus increasing the level of exertion needed to reach desired intensity.

• Fish oil upregulates mitochondrial machinery and increases oxidation of fats within fat cells. (8, 9)

How to Apply This Stuff Today!

With all the health and emerging fat loss benefits of fish oil, you definitely want to start taking some today. Here's how you can get started:

1. Find a brand that's very pure and potent so you don't burp fish or have to take a lot of capsules. Nordic Naturals Pro Omega is a great choice, especially because the study that shows an exercise/fish oil interact was using a DHA-rich fish oil like Nordic Naturals Pro Omega.

2. Take 2-3 servings of EPA/DHA per day. This is the lowest dosage I'd use to elicit a fat loss benefit. You may need to crank it up to higher grams of EPA/DHA as the response can vary between individuals.

3. You can take the 2-5 grams at one time, but if you're going to use a more than 5 gram dosage I'd split it up between morning and night.

4. Take your fish oil with food. If you take it in the morning, take it with food to reduce the chance that it'll get oxidized as energy.

Nordic Naturals new prouct: ProOmega!

This is the doctor exclusive version of Ultimate Omega. Pro Omega is the highest concentration there is of EPA/DHA.The liquid comes in both a 4 oz and 8 oz, with or without Vitamin D3. It offers 1626 mg of EPA and 1126 mg of DHA per serving (1 tsp)!!! Wow....

We now have these available at Dialed In Fitness!

Pro Omega 4 fl oz Reg Price $41.95
Our Price $ 35.66

Pro Omega 8 fl oz Reg Price $71.95
Our Price $61.16

*****Wrap-Up******

Fish oil should be one of your staple supplements, regardless of your goals. And if your main goal is fat loss, consider ramping up your dosage a little. Improved health, a longer life, and abs? That's tough to beat!

Fish Oil & Fat Loss, Part 2!

2011-12-29T13:46:00Z

In part 1 of this series of Fish Oil & Fat Loss, we discuss some jawdropping benefits in regards to heart health of taking your fish oils daily. Today, we'll discuss on how we can live long lives and feel like we are in our teens as we age!

Number 2 Reason to take your Fish Oils: Your Joints

What causes you to alter your body composition to a lean and defined physique? Weights. Intense weight training will make marvelous transformations! Unfortunately, it's not so pleasing to your joints. Or it could simply be that you are no longer in your youth and now age has taken a toll on your joints. Are you 30 but have the knees or low back of a 60 year old? You're not alone. Achy joints are the silent price many dedicated trainees and adults have to pay for years of lifting, playing sports, or just your occupation.

Fortunately, you can find another way to wear your badge of honor. Countless people have had their joint pain vanish seemingly overnight through daily fish oil supplementation. While 1 to 1.5 grams of EPA/DHA are all you need to prevent death from heart attacks, relief from joint pain requires upping the volume.

I take two to three servings of Fish Oils each day to take on leg pressing around 2,000 pounds. That's a lot of functional fatty acids, but it's well worth it since I'm only 115 lbs and live and lift pain free.

Yes, heavy weight and lots of pounding from Jump Squats, Plyometrics, Sprints can be precious for fat loss but detrimental to your joints. So arm yourselves with heavy dutty functional fish oil and always hit the gym hard, recover fast, and live ache free!

See part 1 for my recommendation of fish oil brand and contact me to help you with a specific dosage for your goal and results!

Time Saving Tip For Meal Preparation: Slow Cooker

2011-12-29T12:00:00Z

If you’re like most people out there, one thing that you definitely struggle with when it comes to sticking with your clean eating is meal preparation.

Let’s face it, life is busy.

You have a million and one things that you have to try and get through and spending hours in the kitchen doesn’t exactly rank high on your priority list.

But, maintaining a lean and defined body does, so you have to find a way around this problem. Surely there’s some method that you can use to slash your meal prep time without having to sacrifice good nutrition? Fortunately there is and that’s the secret I’m going to share with you today.

The secret that I’m referring to is using a slow cooker. This one simple cooking tool can easily take away hours of work each week and get you out of the kitchen and going about your day.Let’s have a quick look at why slow cooking is such a great method to prepare your lean physiue meals so you can get it clear in your mind why it’s a must-do for success.

Accommodates Any Skill Level

The very first benefit to using a slow cooker is the fact that this will be perfect for chef’s of all skill levels. Even if you’ve never done any cooking before in your life, believe me, you can slow cook.

All you have to do is toss the ingredients into the slow cooker, turn it on, and you’re done. It’s fast, easy, and can be done right in the morning before you go to work so that by the time you come home, your house smells of the delicious meal you have ready to go on your kitchen counter.

Cooks Foods in a More Healthy Manner

A second big reason why using a slow cooker is such a smart move is because it’s going to help cook foods incredibly healthfully. While with other cooking techniques you’ll often have to add oils or butter to retain the moisture of your foods, with slow cooking this will be completely unnecessary.

There will be no need to add any high calorie sauces or fats so you can keep the dish chalk full of nutrients while leaving out the calories that you don’t need.

In fact, as the meat in your dish begins to cook the juices will often come out of it, therefore helping to add extra moisture to the meal rather than drying it out like other cooking methods do. This also means that the dish you’re preparing is going to be extra high in flavor as well.

Is Great For Large Batches

Okay, so I’m going to dish out another secret time saver here – pre-preparing your food. That’s right, rather than cooking each individual meal each time you need to eat, consider preparing a huge batch of one dish and then freezing it for later use. With a slow-cooker, this will be incredibly easy.

Since slow cookers are quite large in size, it’s very easy to triple up on your food servings so that you can easily prepare enough meals to last a few dinners rather than having to make each one fresh itself.

This way when you aren’t in the mood for any cooking at all, you just toss that frozen meal all ready to go in the microwave (or heat it in a pot) and you’ll be eating in minutes.

Add this easy healthy cooking tool and make sticking with a healthy diet incredibly easy and delicious!

Get a 7 Qt Stainless Steel Slow Cooker for only $29.99 and eligible for free shipping!

Fish Oil & Fat Loss, Part 1

2011-12-27T18:46:02Z

Are you taking your fish oil daily?

Not really?

Hellooo, havent you heard when I told you this is absolutely the one supplement you must take for fat loss, health, and overall wellbeing!

I don't know, maybe you do want to die from a heart attack. Or is it that you actually enjoy joint pain? Maybe you've embraced your pudge and your love handles and you don't want to get rid of them.

That's right, fish oil can help with all those things (and a lot more...way more!). I promise you by the end of these series of blog posts you'll want to start using fish oil on a daily basis. If not, there's no hope for you.

First, lets talk about the myriad of health benefits. If that doesn't impress you, just wait until we move on to the latest research (some exclusive and unpublished) regarding fish oil and fat loss on the next post: Fish Oil & Fat Loss, Part 2.

Number One Reason to Take Your Fish Oils Daily:Heart Health

Some of the most unreal data regarding fish oil consumption is in the area of heart disease. Around the turn of the latest century, one of the most incredible studies using fish oil was underway.

The researchers of the GISSI-Prevenzone study enrolled 11,323 people who had previously suffered from a heart attack. After 3.5 years, the ones who took 1 gram of fish oil each day had almost a 50% reduction in sudden death from heart attack. (1) Yes, 50%...That's simply amazing.

In other words, let's say there's a 100% chance that you're going to have a heart attack and die, instantly. If you take fish oil you have a 50% chance of living! Throw me a filet of salmon right now!

Another recent study in Japan found that adding fish oil supplementation to a statin regimen improved survival from heart attack by an additional 16%. (2)

Why all this heart talk? I mentioned all these because 1) they're amazing examples of the health benefits of consuming fish oil on a daily basis and 2) they've given us an insight into why fish oil can help with weight loss (more on that in a little bit).

Wait til you hear the rest of the benefits over the next few days. For right now, start taking your fish oils today and start working on improving your health, physique, and live an optimal life!

With that note, I want to tell you about Nordic Naturals new prouct: ProOmega!

This is the doctor exclusive version of Ultimate Omega. Pro Omega is the highest concentration there is of EPA/DHA.The liquid comes in both a 4 oz and 8 oz, with or without Vitamin D3. It offers 1626 mg of EPA and 1126 mg of DHA per serving (1 tsp)!!! Wow....

We now have these available at Dialed In Fitness!

Pro Omega 4 fl oz Reg Price $41.95
Our Price $ 35.66

Pro Omega 8 fl oz Reg Price $71.95
Our Price $61.16

Eat This/ Not That

2011-12-26T12:00:00Z

DON’T EAT: REGULAR PEANUT BUTTER
INSTEAD: NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER

WHY: Peanut butter seems to be everybody’s favorite food and for excellent reasons: It’s a rich source of protein and provides a healthy dose of monounsaturated fats. However, peanut butter manufacturers have tainted this tasty treat by adding hydrogentated oils and sugar in the form of corn syrup or powdered sugar. This decreases the health benefits of this stealth food by adding trans fats in combination with high-glycemic sugar. Trans fats are the worst type of fat that you can put in your body as they are directly related to increased heart disease risk.

THE REPLACEMENT: Natural peanut butter may not taste as sweet, but it’s still just as satisfying once you train your taste buds to enjoy the pureness of creamy peanuts.

BONUS TIP: When you buy a new jar of natural peanut butter it will contain a layer of peanut oil on the top. This occurs because there is no sugar to hold the oil and the peanuts together, so the oil separates over time. Simply stir back in the oil once opened and store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.

Depressed, Anxiety, No Energy? Magnesium might be the answer to your problem

2011-12-25T13:00:00Z

Depressed? Anxious? No Energy? Magnesium Oil Can Help Restore Your Spark For Life!

Are you among the millions of Americans who drink coffee, caffeinated tea or soda daily? Are you lacking in energy? What you might not know is that white flour, sugar, and caffeine can actually strip our body of magnesium, which is absolutely vital to more than 280 biochemical reactions that take place inside our bodies every day.

Research indicates that when we have proper magnesium levels in our body, depression, anxiety and lack of energy often disappear within a period of a few weeks or months. It's estimated that more than 80% of the US population is deficient in this key nutrient!

A magnesium deficiency can have catastrophic affects on our health and is known to be the root cause of many diseases and ailments. Are you getting enough? Read on to learn about the most bio-available (and easiest!) method to obtain magnesium, and why your current daily supplement most likely isn't serving you and your family.

Why Are We So Deficient In Magnesium?

Widespread magnesium deficiencies are caused in part due to a lack of magnesium in agricultural soils and because the cooking and processing that most foods undergo can degrade bio-available magnesium. The recommended intake of magnesium is between 400-600 mg per day, but sadly most people are getting only around 150 mg per day. Being deficient in magnesium can drastically increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and as mentioned above, depression, anxiety and energy levels.

Different Ways to Get Magnesium

Perhaps you are among the many who believe that the only way to get magnesium into your body is from magnesium supplements such as powders or pills. However, there can be drawbacks to these methods, such as digestive discomfort, expense and fairly slow results. Research has shown that the best way to assimilate magnesium is by absorbing it through your skin.

That is where our magnificent Magnesium Oil comes in.

What Is Magnesium Oil?

Magnesium Oil is a transdermal (through the skin) supplement strategy. This means magnesium can be absorbed into your bloodstream by simply spraying it on your skin. This is perfect for those who have experienced difficulties from standard magnesium supplements.

Sunfood Magnesium Oil is pure, food/pharmaceutical grade Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate, created from pure sea salts from the Dead Sea. This is a potent, highly absorbable form of magnesium. When sprayed on the skin, Magnesium Oil is almost immediately assimilated by the body, channeled directly to the cellular level where the magnesium can immediately begin to help reduce inflammation, stop pain, and repair connective tissue damage.

Magnesium Oil, 4 oz. spray bottle
$34.95

The Sunfood Difference

A proprietary infusion process combined with the highest pharmaceutical-grade Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate establishes Sunfood Magnesium Oil in a class all its own. The vast majority of products labeled "magnesium oil" are simply Magnesium Chloride, offering marginal results which fade rapidly after only a few hours. Some of these products contain heavy metals and may be toxic to the skin. These magnesium chloride "oils" also evaporate quickly with minimal infusion of magnesium, or simply coat the skin without being absorbed.

How to Use Magnesium Oil

* Massaged into arthritic joints, Magnesium Oil can help to relieve arthritic pain rapidly and efficiently
* Spraying regularly on sun-damaged skin can assist with rejuvenation
* Spraying under the arms, behind the knees, and on the feet can help infuse the lymphatic system with magnesium and also supports the immune function
* Massaged onto balding areas of the scalp may induce the growth of new hair
* Can be used orally. Spray on your teeth and brush to help improve your smile
* Can be used to help relieve fibromyalgia-type pain. Simply spray and massage into the affected area
* Rubbing regularly onto age spots may help them to fade and eventually disappear

Get Sunfood Magnesium Oil

Boot Camp Workout

2011-12-24T16:29:16Z

I've had the wonderful opportunity to spend a long weekend with my family down in Key Largo. Every time I'm off on vacation, especially when I'm at a beautiful location with beautiful scenery and georgeous weather, I take advantge and hit the great outdoors!

Follow this quick, outdoors, no equipment boot camp style workout I did this morning and burn crazy fat, tone your body all over, and have lots of sweat drenching fun! Hey, grab a buddy or a family member for double the fun !

Warm Up: 5 minute jog
1. Step Ups (Using a picnic table bench, bus bench, or a stable chair.)
3 Sets of 20 reps each leg with no rest in between the sets (If you are new to intermediate, then rest 20-30 secs in between each set. Rest 45 sec and move to the next movement.
Circuit: 3 Sets of 20 reps (20 reps each leg for plyo lunges) with 30 seconds rest between sets
(take extra rest depending on your fitness level. 1-2 minutes rest).
2a. Push Ups with feet on Bench (regular or on knees depending on fitness level)
2b. Bench Dips feet far from the bench (bring feet closer depending on fitness level; the closer to bench the less challenging).
2c. Plyo Lunges (alternating lunges or regular lunges depending on your fitness level)
Circuit: 3 Sets with 20 secs rest (more rest depending on fitness level)
3a. Jump Squats 20 reps
3b. 5 Rounds of Stair Sprints/ Double Steps going up/Single step going down- One flight of stairs (5 rounds count as one set)
4. Jog 5 mins
5. Walking Lunges 60 steps
6. 3 Sets of 10 with 10 sec rest between sets of Bench Jump Squats: Squat down and jump onto bench landing softly. Immediately, jump back and repeat (Do regular jump squats if new or intermediate)
7. Jog 5 mins

Fat Burning Spice!

2011-12-22T12:00:00Z

Yes, this spice can actually help you win the battle against abdominal fat if you use it daily!

These are some other benefits of this miracle spice:

controls blood sugar levels
helps maintain insulin sensitivity
a VERY powerful antioxidant
may have antibacterial and antifungal properties
and dozens of other benefits

Want to hear what this miracle spice that beats abdominal fat is?

Well... it's good old tasty Cinnamon!

Although cinnamon does NOT directly increase fat burning (such as by increasing metabolic rate, etc), it CAN actually help you to burn off abdominal fat and indirectly gets you leaner.

How?

Well, cinnamon has dozens of health benefits, but the main benefit that will help you to get leaner is through it's strong effect on controlling blood sugar levels in your body.

In a study published in 2003 in the medical journal Diabetes Care, groups were split into people taking 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon per day in capsule form (the equivalent of approx 1/4th to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon).

The results of the study showed that all 3 amounts of cinnamon reduced fasting blood glucose levels by 18-29% after 40 days.

Cinnamon can also increase insulin sensitivity, which essentially means that it is helping your body to control blood sugar while simultaneously allowing your body to produce less insulin.

As you know, chronically high insulin levels can make your body pack on the blubber.

How to harness cinnamon to lose stubborn belly fat...

One possible way to benefit from cinnamon to lose more fat is to use cinnamon daily in your meals when you can, such as in yogurt or cottage cheese, in smoothies, oatmeal, or anything else you can think of where it would go well -to me everything tastes better with cinnamon .

Also, you could use a cinnamon capsule before each of your meals, particularly if you're going to have more than 30 grams of carbs in that meal.

This could help to control blood sugar and insulin response from your meals and thereby control your appetite and cravings throughout the day... hence, helping you to lose body fat more effectively over time.

So now you can see that not only is cinnamon a powerful antioxidant that can help you stay youthful longer, it can also help you to control blood sugar and get a leaner body!

Start using it today!

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Eat Sweet Potatos: Your Body Will Thank You!

2011-12-19T12:00:00Z

1. Sweet Potato + Almond Butter= A: Sweet potatoes on their own are nutritious, but the absorption of the abundance of beta-carotene in this vegetable is enhanced by pairing with a healthy fat, like a teaspoon or two of almond butter per serving of sweet potato just before serving. Beta-carotene, which acts like vitamin A in the body, helps with prevent night blindness, enhance the immune system, and prevent colds. Spinkle some cinnamon and vanilla extract powder for a side meal delight.

2. An “Antidiabetic” Starch: Sweet potatoes are a starchy vegetable, but unlike any variety of white potatoes, a healthy serving of sweet potatoes have been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels and improve the response to insulin. This is great for anyone who has any sort of blood sugar sensitivity or anyone looking to eliminate fat.

3. Eases Inflammation: Inflammation can happen anywhere in the body, not just the joints. Sweet potatoes have been shown to ease inflammation in brain tissue and nerves. Color-related pigments, yielding beneficial antioxidants like Anthocyanin, are to thank.

Take advantage that they are in season and oh so tasty this time of year !

Functional Muscle

2011-12-16T12:00:00Z

Functional Muscle is the having muscle that is capable of performing optimally in movement. Strength that can be applied in day to day life. Many bodybuilders or fitness models might have a great physique, yet when set to perform in day to day stuff they just cant perform. Many, actually injure themselves in normal day to day movements such as running (that's even if they even run), picking up objects from the ground, getting up from low sitting positions, and even playing with their dogs. These are the same people who day in and day out lift heavy amount of weight for several sets!

How is that so? Well, they only focus on only one aspect of fitness and do so in stable positions or machines. Now, while this is optimal for gaining lean muscle fast, it's absolutely not the only thing that needs to be applied when you want a physique that not only looks awesome but preforms just as well and prevents injury.

So how does one create an awe inspiring physique that is just as impressive in sports, outdoors, or just for injury prevention? Does this mean one has to quit the old school body building exercises and slow down muscle building to improve athleticism? Absolutely not!

Apply these training techniques and improve your physiue while dramatically improving your performace!

TWO things to do when using bodybuilding methods for performance are:

1) Choose the right exercises

2) Choose the right set – rep patterns to stimulate muscle growth

As mentioned above, You can use bodybuilding for athletic performance by choosing the right exercises, sometimes referred to as functional exercises.

Movement such as squats, deads, presses of all types and bodyweight exercises as well. The way to pack on muscle will be via manipulating the sets, reps, speed of the exercise and the overall volume of work.

Implement these 2 types of modalities in your workouts:

- Max Effort, for the development of strength

- Dynamic Effort, for the development of speed / power

But, in each workout, include basic bodybuilding work, using moderate weights and moderate reps, which helps pack on muscle. Now, here is where you wanna pay attention. A typical person, not ALL, but MANY, need to add muscle to their frame before we can even think of using pure athletic movements to improve their performance.

MOST people are so lacking muscle and so weak that simply by adding muscle to their frame we improve performance. It’s like looking at a tiny car engine…. a small car engine can NOT be manipulated to make it more powerful.

The optimal way to blend everything together is to organize an athletic workout like this:

1) Begin with exercises that include mobility, flexibility & increase body tempature (bodyweight suats, lunges, push ups).

2) As your body warms up and the mind & body begin feeling prepared, you begin incorporating moderate to heavy bodybuilding full body lift, or, heavy upper or lower body lift.

3) After your heavy lift add some speed / power work. A beginner will likely NOT be ready to perform simple jumps such as box jumps, rebound jumps, etc due to lack of coordination & lack of strength & stability. But…. you CAN very likely utilize various medicine ball throws to begin training for power / speed..

4) After you finish the heavy lift or what I like to call our “main lift” you can then move onto “functional bodybuilding exercises” but use them with moderate reps which is where your bodybuilding will come in.

This is a GREAT way to build muscle and if you want to add some conditioning then create a circuit with 2 – 3 exercises and perform them back to back to back to combine muscle building with muscular endurance.

Now, these were certainly just a few methods for adding and utilizing bodybuilding methods to help you become stronger for life, lifting AND sport which I include in my boot camp programs. Check out more details and come try it FREE!

Best Muscle Building Foods

2011-12-12T12:01:00Z

Your ability gain muscle has as much to do with what you eat as how hard you push yourself in the gym. Make sure to include these foods in your diet and you’ll ensure that your time spent in the gym isn’t a waste of sweat and time.

Egg Whites
Fgg whites provide great protein content, Vitamin D, B6, B12, zinc, iron, copper, calcium phosphorous, calcium, and potassium. Egg whites are also fast digesting and absorable making them one of the most complete muscle building foods out there. They are also inexpensive and convenient.

Chicken Breast
For every 100 grams of chicken breast you get 30 grams of protein, with minimal fat. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to cook and can are versatile.

Water

This isn’t a food, but hydration is an important part of building muscle. Your body is 70 percent water and your muscle tissue is around 75 percent water. Keeping your muscles hydrated will help increase strength, increase energy levels and aid in proper digestion. Aim for about 0.6 ounces of water per pound of body weight and hydrate yourself well before, during, and after workouts.

Fish Oil/ Omega 3

Fish oil has anti-inflammatory benefits that allow your body to recover faster from a heavy workout. This means that you can exercise more frequently. What’s more, fish oil might also speed your metabolism! So you'll not only build muscle, but also eliminate more fat to reveal more definition .

Turkey

Turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving. It happens to be one of the most under-appreciated muscle-building foods, and it's a fantastic source of protein, and a good source of 11 vitamins and minerals. Turkey also is low in fat and adds variety to your diet.

Quinoa

Being that I'm Peruvian, I grew up and have been hooked on this superfood all my life. Quinoa is a carbohydrate source that helps build muscle! A 100 grams serving of Quinoa packs 14 grams of protein along with essential amino acids making it a great addition to your muscle-building meal plan. Eat this for change to brown rice or have instead of oatmeal at breakfast.

Oats

Oatmeal is a healthy, filling grain, can be made in many varieties to offer more flavor to your diet. Oats provide a blend of carbohydrates, fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins. The body digests oats slowly, meaning you stay fuller for longer and maintain consistent blood sugar levels.

Spinach

My mom used to trick us into eating spinach by saying that if we ate it, we'd be strong like Popeye. Boy was she right! Researchers at Rutgers University (2008) showed that the phytoecdysteroids contained in spinach may increase muscle growth up to 20 percent. The catch? You’d need to eat 2 pounds of spinach per day to see the same benefits. It's a great thing that these are so versatile and you can add to almost all your meals. Add to egg whites in morning, switch this instead of lettuce in your salads, steam and serve as your sides, even throw into a fruit smoothie with protein powder (dont knock it until you've tried it ).

Sweet Potato

My favorite! Carbohydrates are an essential nutrient for your body, and they also help you add on additional muscle. Sweet potatoes are one of the tastier and more convenient options to replenish energy stores and fuel the muscle-building process. Additionally, they're packed with vitamins and minerals to help you maintain normal blood sugar levels, and keep you feeling fuller longer. Bake them and dress them up with cinnamon, vanilla extract powder, and almond butter...I'm addicted!

Salmon

Salmon is a potent source of protein that also packs a powerful punch of omega-3 fatty acids. This two-pronged attack will aid your lean-muscle dreams, and studies show it may help speed up your metabolism for faster results.

Whey Protein

Whey protein a fast-absorbing protein that is best served post workout. It contains amino acids that are critical to building and maintaining muscle. The best part about whey protein is its high biological value — a measure of the efficiency with which protein can be absorbed and used by the body for tissue growth. Choose wisely, there's so much junk out there. My go to proteins are Muscle Gauge and Prograde sweetened with stevia.

Broccoli

Put broccoli and other fibrous vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, onions and leeks) on your list of go-to post-workout foods. You should eat five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and you can't find a better source of vitamins, minerals and fiber than these sources. But be careful: If you overcook your vegetables you will decrease their vitamin and mineral content.

Cottage Cheese

Some might consider this a dessert, but it's also one of the best muscle-building foods you’ll find. Just one cup of cottage cheese can pack 28 grams of protein. And the snack is made up of a combination of fast and slow digestion proteins, so you can stave off hunger. Add some fresh cut berries, peaches, or apples for a delicious snack.

Lean Red Meat

You don’t have cut out red meat from your diet. Just choose lean cuts as a good source of protein that is loaded with B vitamins, iron, phosphorus, selenium, zinc and copper.

Lentils and Chickpeas

Who says you need to eat meat to fill up on protein? These vegetarian- and vegan-friendly foods offer the protein your muscles need, without the high-impact carbohydrate rush that affects your insulin levels.

Almond Butter or Almonds

Almonds and their butter provide a good source of protein and fat, but it’s their vitamin E that is most beneficial to your muscles. The powerful antioxidant fights free radicals and helps you recover quicker from your workouts. The healthy fats also keep you satisfied for hours and they taste so good!

Start including these into your diet and sculpt lean muscle while loosing fat!

Come to our Fitness Fair & Member Appreciation Party Saturday, Dec 10th!

2011-12-10T05:55:19Z

You're invited to our

FITNESS FAIR & MEMBER APPRECIATION PARTY!

Saturday, Dec. 10th 2011
1:00pm-4:00pm

Come join the fun!

Contest & Raffle Giveaways, Crazy Specials on Training Programs, Live Entertainment, Free Boot Camp Sessions, Fit Foods 4 You Tastings, Body Fat Analysis & Fun for the Entire Family!

Interview me, your favorite fitness expert (lol) and get answers to all the misconceptions about fitness, exercise, and diet!

RSVP on our Facebook Page! Click Here!

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH

Purchase your Gift Certificates Here & Save Big!

Carol Medina- Figure Girl
Dialed In Fitness & Fit Foods 4 You Owner, Fitness Expert, Natural Muscle Mag Writter

www.Dialedinfitnessonline.com

Drastically Restricting Calories to Loose Fat? Think again!

2011-12-08T12:00:00Z

Of course, eating too much causes your body to store more fat. But so does eating too little!

Does this scenario sound familiar? You decide you need to lose a few pounds, so you go on a "diet," restricting your calories drastically so you can get the results you want. This is sometimes combined with starting a vigorous exercise routine as well. You feel hungry all the time, you are grumpy and tired, and you crave fatty, sweet foods.

Sound familiar so far? Here’s an idea of what’s actually happening in your body when this is done. Your body is starved of the fuels it needs to function efficiently and it has to make up for this lack of fuel somehow. Will it tap into its fat stores and start to use up this reserve of fuel? NO! Fearing a famine, your body will do just the opposite. It will store every bit of fat it can to build a stockpile of fuel against this threat of famine. At the same time, it will break down your lean muscle mass and convert it to fuel, slowing your metabolic rate so you will not need as many calories! Sure, you lose some weight, but it is mostly lean muscle weight, not fat weight. You hardly lose any inches, and you are less healthy than you were before you started. Vigorous exercise only means your body will require even more fuel, compounding the problem even further. This is why "eating less and exercising more" just does not work.

Eventually one of two things happens. Either you give in to the cravings and give up on the "diet", or you lose the “weight” you want and go back to your old eating habits. In either case, your body now requires fewer calories than it did before because it has broken down some lean muscle mass which is what burns the majority of calories you consume. Soon you gain all of the weight back, plus usually a bit more. Now you are heavier than you were to start with, you have more body fat and less lean muscle mass, and you have put your body (specifically your kidneys and liver) under tremendous stress. All this in the name of health, yet you are less healthy!

Again, the secret to losing fat is not to starve your body, but to prove to it that there is fuel available and therefore it does not need to stockpile fat. Do this and you will be amazed at how your body will want to shed that extra fat. It really works! On top of losing the fat and inches, you will be healthier, have higher energy levels, cope with stress better, and never have to worry about gaining the fat back!

Shed Fat This Time A Year...Before Dec 31st!

2011-12-05T21:52:00Z

You're probably used to GAINING weight over the holidays, but did you know that you can actually LOSE up to 8-10 pounds this December and be ahead of the game?

Each year, millions of people end up gaining 15 pounds of fat through out November to January. They set their mind of starting fresh at the begining of the year, yet this totally backfires because they have already gained 15 pounds! So for the first two months they are just trying to shed the weight gained over the holidays.

Not just that, most people drop their fitness goal short after only two weeks on their fitness goals. Some do make it past the two week mark, but stop within the first two months! So they never even get to loose the holiday weight gain and then they continue to accumulate more fat throughout the year and somehow end up saying to themselves, this next year and so on.

Sound familiar?

Well, finally end the madness and take control! Start now...before those nasty extra 15 pounds of fat are added.

I will help you!

For those that show their commitment to their health, want to grab a grip on their fitness goals, and start now...I will give you the entire month of December free at my boot camp program when you join to the 6 Month All Inclussive Boot Camp Program!

Now you have absolutely no excuse to begin now and loose fat instead of gaining!

Check out our Programs, Schedule, Location, and what they include at www.dialedinfitnessonline.com!

Got questions? Text me at 954- 861- 0668