Author: Diane Mohlman

We have all heard the word cortisol and belly fat used in the same sentence. But what exactly is cortisol? Does it have any positives? Or is it merely a hormone that increases during times of stress and encourages our bodies to hold onto and even create additional body fat? Is there anything we can do, aside from learning how to manage our stress levels to keep this hormone and it’s nasty adverse effects from affecting us? Do we need to move to a secluded island far from anything that may raise our blood pressure and cause an increase in…

Cortisol, or hydrocortisone, is a hormone that plays an active role in carbohydrate, protein and glucose metabolism. Cortisol has been called the “stress” hormone. During times of stress this hormone is released to help our bodies deal with the threats due to stress. Cortisol also has an anti-inflammatory effect in our bodies. If all you ever heard about cortisol was the information mentioned in the previous paragraph you may conclude that high amounts of cortisol is a positive thing, and maybe even look for ways to increase your levels. However, that is not the case. The increase of cortisol levels…

Getting fit and losing body fat is a hard task, but if you make several minor adjustments to your diet, those simple little changes can add up to a big number of lost pounds. Below are some simple changes that can help you arrive at your weight loss goal faster. Sugar Hides Out Where You Would Never Think To Look Breakfast cereals, fruit flavored yogurt, flavored oatmeal and fruit bars can be loaded with sugar. You may think you are being healthy by eating some breakfast cereal, drinking juice, or having a fruit-flavored yogurt, but these food items can be…

I have definitely noticed lately that it is becoming normal for people to search for the easiest and fastest way to reach fitness success. Fads, gimmick diets and equipment are being marketed only to leave the uneducated consumer even more discouraged along with a slower metabolism and excess body fat. For some reason when it comes to weight loss it is believed that you need to spend countless hours in the gym and eat rabbit food and then the amazing physique results will happen. Unfortunately, this is far from what really happens. You need to eat nutrient dense meals with…

There is such a misconception and so much confusion on carbohydrates that people could be missing out on important nutrients that can aid in health, fitness and weight loss. So to make it really easy, just try to always go for complex carbohydrates. If you want to go one step further and healthier, stick to low glycemic carb foods. So, what are these complex carbs, what is a glycemic index and what are low glycemic index foods? Below you will find the definition and a list of complex carbs: Potatoes are a carbohydrate, but a better choice are sweet potatoes.…

There is no secret to fitness and weight loss. Simply put, itʼs a science as well as being consistent for long term success. There are simple rules that you may want to follow if you want to be successful with fitness and weight loss. First and foremost, itʼs not low calorie or starvation. In fact, you would be surprised how much food you do eat when consuming a non-processed, clean diet. Another important factor are complex carbs. The problem with a low carb diet is that we need complex carbs for energy, fuel, and fiber. If you remove this important…

So, what exactly is fiber and what are some good sources? How much should we consume? Are there any adverse side effects? What benefits can we anticipate? All you need to know is here. So lets start! Dietary fiber, also called roughage, is part of the plant foods that are indigestible in our gastrointestinal track. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Many types of plant foods contain both. The differences between the two types of fiber are, simply put, soluble fibers dissolve in water, while insoluble fiber does not. I will go a little deeper and explain…

Snacks are a very important part of good nutrition. A perfectly timed, well-rounded snack can sustain you until your next meal and this small snack can also help increase your metabolism. When you eat smaller meals along with small snacks, say 4-6 meals with two snacks, you keep your system moving and an increase in your metabolism is a side effect to this planned way of eating. Now, when I say snacks are important, the actual types of snacks are just as important. Your snacks should be thought out and planned. If you grab at just anything for a snack,…

The fitness training industry is flooded. It is easy to go online and take a quick course, print out your certificate and call yourself a trainer. It may not be as easy to build up clientele, but what worries me is that you will be able to find several people who will believe you are qualified, without even looking at your credentials. There are even some gyms that will allow you to train there, although the larger ones usually hire trainers with an education from a reputable school. Before you hire a personal trainer there are some things you should…

Dehydration is a condition when the loss of body fluids, usually water, exceeds the amount taken in. Too often we rely on thirst to determine when we need to hydrate. That is not an accurate measure, as when thirst begins so has dehydration. When participating in any sport, activity or training, hydration is one of the most important factors. Dehydration can slow you down. Even the most advanced athlete can be stopped dead in their tracks when dehydration begins. Sometimes a lack of energy can be overlooked as a sign of dehydration. In the hotter months, hydration is a must.…