Do you desire muscular definition, a washboard stomach, or legs that stop traffic? Check out Ozzie’s latest article published on Livestrong.com, Diet Plan for Toning, to learn how to transform your body!

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Are you struggling to eat healthy? Have you been unsuccessful with diets in the past? Check out Ozzie’s latest article published on Livestrong.com, Daily Diet Analysis, to learn how to finally eat healthy and stick with it.

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Check out Ozzie’s latest article published on Livestrong.com, Low Carb Diets & Resistance Training! In this article Ozzie reveals the impact that low carb diets have on reaching your strength training goals.

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Check out Ozzie’s latest article published on Livestrong.com, Daily Personal Diet Plans, to learn how to develop a customized diet plan that is feasible and effective.

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Check out Ozzie’s article on whey protein shakes and weight loss published on Livestrong.com!  In this article Ozzie highlights the facts on whey protein and how it can be used to help you reach your fitness goals!

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Some consumers swear by these products while others have been thoroughly disappointed and have wasted hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars.  Whatever the experience, the truth is that obtaining a healthier lifestyle cannot be achieved by the purchase of a single product.

Living healthy requires a lifestyle change that extends into a variety of areas of an individual’s life.

It begins with the mind. To live healthy we must make a conscious effort to do so as our current environment will often lead us toward an unhealthy lifestyle.  Excessive work hours, fast food, high stress relationships, smog, depression, anxiety, inconsistent workouts and a lack of time make unhealthy living the norm.

It leads to the kitchen. Out of sight, out of mind.  One of the easiest ways to begin on a path toward healthier living is to stock your pantry with food that is good for you.  When lean meats, oatmeal, fruits, nuts and veggies are the only food in the house it is much easier to stick to your commitment to consume healthier foods. It is not uncommon that after weeks of indulging on healthier food alternatives, the craving for “not so healthy” foods (cakes, pies, cookies, etc.) begins to dwindle.

It continues at the gym. Fitness is big business, which is good news and bad news for the consumer.  On one hand there are lots of products on the market that promise miraculous results but deliver a hole in your wallet.  On the other hand lots of gyms are offering great deals on memberships so you can work off the pounds the old fashioned way.

It ends with you. In fitness you are the entity that stands in the way of having the body of your dreams. It is your commitment, your consistency and your desire to reach your fitness goals that will keep you moving in the right direction.

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The simplest way to look at it is from the perspective of the athlete.  A strategic training regimen is necessary to optimize performance.  Mastering the skills and techniques required to excel in a sport will prepare the body for competition and once the competition begins the goal is to win.

A vital element that can separate the winner from the loser is their food intake.  The athlete (like a machine) must be able to perform at his/her best during the round, match, quarter, inning or course without losing any steam.  If poor or inadequate fuel is consumed then the results are disastrous. The “human machine” breaks down resulting in injury, decreased performance, fatigue and diminished focus.

Endurance athletes, physique competitors, wrestlers, gymnasts, football players, basketball players, dancers and any other athlete you can think of must pay particular attention to their diet to maximize gains.   Carbohydrates and fats are primary energy sources for the body.  Inadequate consumption will cause fatigue and limit one’s ability to endure long bouts of exercise and even perform skills that require short bursts of energy. Overconsumption can cause weight gain, sluggishness and other health problems.  Proteins build and repair the body tissues and structures enabling synthesis of necessary biological processes necessary to function and perform adequately.

How important is the diet to lose a few inches off the waist, trim the thighs or get a six pack?

The fitness model and physique competitor take notes from the athlete as they pay careful attention to the percentage of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in their diet.  When the fitness model and physique competitor are in their best shape they reduce the carbohydrate and fat intake to a low level that provides them with “just enough” energy to get through their workout but will significantly reduce as much body fat as possible.  After the photo shoot or the competition the carbohydrate and fat consumption is increased to avoid the aforementioned consequences that occur when the “human machine” breaks down.

If you have a goal of losing weight, toning up or finally getting your “six pack”,  start training and eating (like an athlete) by incorporating the following:

• A challenging strength training routine, 3-5 times a week

• A consistent cardio regimen, 4-6 days a week

• A diet that is sufficient and strategic

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“Comfort foods” vary per person. Some have a sweet tooth, others crave bread, some opt for the double cheeseburger and some seek foods that remind them of their childhood (a time when we felt safe and happy, a time when life was all about play dates). The big question, how do we fight our body’s natural inclination to indulge in unhealthy foods?

Here are a few steps:
1. Call in the replacements. Look for healthier alternatives. If you crave sweets, try fresh fruits. If you yearn for spicy flavors, prepare your own dishes using Mrs. Dash seasonings. If chocolate is your vice, try a chocolate flavored protein shake.

2. Get active. Avoid the craving by stepping away from the kitchen and into your running shoes (to run or walk your stress away). The rhythmic pace and the focus on your breath can be a calming distraction.

3. Set a new standard. Start experimenting in the kitchen with healthy recipes and make it a family affair so you can redefine “comfort food” in your household.

4. Give yourself a break. Accept that you are not perfect and at times your body’s cravings may win. What’s done is done but the key is your reaction. Will you exacerbate the stress by being hard on yourself for making the mistake or will you take positive steps toward getting back on track with your fitness goals.

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Now that I’ve peeked your interest and perhaps have you a little anxious I must tell you that “the best diet ever” isn’t a diet at all. I hope I haven’t let you down but the reality is that as consumers we are bombarded with a myriad of diets: the “cookie” diet, the “juice” diet, the “beach” diet, the “packaged food” diet and the list goes on and on. These miracle diets are only fabrications of a smart marketing team that wants to take advantage of people that are looking to lose weight.

The best diet ever” is not a diet, it is a lifestyle change. It is a commitment to eat well, get active and live a balanced life (emotional and physical). Let’s break this down further.

1. Eat Well

• Incorporate nutritious foods (lean meats, vegetables and low glycemic carbs)

• Eat 5 meals a day to increase your metabolism, as a result you will become a fat burning machine.

2. Get Active

• Incorporate strength training into your workout. Strength training allows your body to build lean muscle tissue that hikes up your metabolism (causing you to burn more calories) and helps you get a “toned” look.

• Break a sweat a few different ways. Variety is the spice of life and a major component to weight loss success.  So switch up your routine to stay challenged.

3. Seek Balance

• High stress can make your journey to weight loss an uphill battle as your body fails to recover as it should and certain hormones cause you to overeat for relief.

There you have it, “the best diet ever”.  Any questions??

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