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Best Fitness Gifts For Men and Women

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GiftGift Ideas For Fitness Enthusiasts

Trying to find that perfect Christmas, holiday, or birthday gift idea for the fitness junkie in your life?  Look no further!  You’re about to discover the perfect gifts for guys and girls that can match any price point.  I can attest as a fitness lover myself that just about any of these gifts would hit the spot for me.

Table Of Contents

Click a link to scroll down to the section on the page:

 Workout Routines and DVDs

P90x

What Is It?

A collection of DVD videos and manuals for home fat loss and muscle building workouts and diet plans.

Who’s It For?

Men and women who are interested in burning fat and building muscle with home workouts who can spare several hours a week.  People without any major medical problems or injuries that are able to train intensely.  Those with minimal equipment like dumbbells and a pullup bar (needed for the routine).

What Are The Features and Benefits?

P90x has become one of the most popular home workout routines with good reason; it works!  Many people want the convenience of a home workout but still want a “gym body.”  The workouts target the entire body, and the routines switch up every month to give a person a good 90 days worth of workouts to go through.  It also covers diet making it a complete blueprint for transforming a person’s body.  It only requires minimal equipment so it’s a great gift for those without a gym membership.

Price Range?

$100 – $150

P90x 2

What Is It?

A collection of DVD videos and manuals for home fat loss and muscle building workouts and customizable diets.

Who’s It For?

A perfect gift for those who have completed the original P90x and are looking to go even further.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

The same as the original P90x but with new workouts to keep the progress going and build upon current progress from the original program.

Price Range?

$100 – $150

Tony Horton’s 10 Minute Trainer Home Workout

What Is It?

A collection of DVD videos and manuals for 10 minute per day home fat loss and toning workouts and diet plans.

Who’s It For?

Men and women who want to get in great shape on a busy schedule.  The workouts are designed to be done in only 10 minutes a day, at home, without investing in any extra equipment (resistance bands included).

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Tony Horton, the creator of P90x, provides intense workouts for those with only 10 minutes a day to spare.  It includes dvds that walk through the entire workouts detailing how to do every exercise.  Eating plan is included to tailor to a person’s goals.

Price Range?

$90

Insanity Home Fat Loss Workout DVDs

What Is It?

A collection of DVD videos and manuals for high intensity cardiovascular workouts aimed at fat loss.

Who’s It For?

Men and women who are primarily interested in cardiovascular workouts, fat loss, and improving athleticism who want to do a home workout without any extra equipment or gear.  Should be capable of performing higher intensity workouts without any major medical issues.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Insanity is a 60 day series of workouts and nutrition plans designed with fat loss and athleticism as the goal.  Since it doesn’t require any extra equipment, it’s perfect for those without access to a gym and that don’t have extra gear.  Its primary purpose is to burn fat quickly and keep workouts interesting to prevent boredom and stagnation.

Price Range?

$100 – $150

Zumba DVDs

What Is It?

DVD videos on Zumba, a mix of dancing and exercise.

Who’s It For?

Primarily aimed at women (although men may enjoy it), Zumba is designed to make exercise enjoyable by combining a variety of dance styles such as salsa, belly dancing, and hip-hop.  It’s a great gift for the person who has trouble working out because of boredom.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

While Zumba won’t create radical transformations in a person’s physique like more intense routines such as P90x and Insanity, it is generally better for those looking to make workouts fun while still providing an intense workout to see benefits.  It can be done without any extra equipment and includes special fat loss routines and a variety of programs and dance styles to keep things interesting.

Price Range?

$50 – $70

 Exercise and Workout Gear

Cellerciser Rebounder

What Is It?

A Cellerciser is the best quality mini trampoline for rebounding.  Rebounding is considered to be quite possibly the best form of exercise developed by mankind according to NASA.

Who’s It For?

Guys and girls who want to improve health, strengthen their entire body, and get in a cardiovascular workout that is better than jogging in less time.  Those who want to work out in their own home, in front of a tv, and/or find a way to make exercise fun.  Rebounding has been enjoyed and touted as addictive even by those who hate other forms of exercise.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

You won’t find a treadmill on this list of gift ideas for a couple reasons.  One is the price point, and the other is that treadmills and other forms of exercise can’t compare to rebounding.  Rebounding, due to the effects of gravity, literally strengthen every single cell in the body and flush the lymph system improving health and strengthening the muscles.  More calories are burned in 30 minutes of rebounding vs. 30 minutes of jogging.  It takes up a relatively small amount of space, and can be done just about anywhere in a house or apartment.  It’s low impact so it won’t stress the joints for those who struggle with higher impact exercise like jogging.

Price Range?

$300 – $400 (For A High Quality Cellerciser)

Adjustable Kettlebell

What Is It?

A kettlebell that allows you to adjust the weight from 16 – 36 pounds.

Who’s It For?

Guys and girls who want the benefits of training with a kettlebell at home or in the gym or who currently train with kettlebells and want more flexibility with the weight.  Those not needing a heavier kettlebell.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Kettlebell training has surged in popularity due to their ability to train and condition the entire body.  A total body fat loss, muscle building, and athleticism improving workout can be done with just kettlebells.  The benefits of this kettlebell lies in the fact that the weight can be adjusted accordingly without having to purchase multiple kettlebells.

Price Range?

$100 – $150

Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells

What Is It?

Two dumbbells that allows you to adjust the weight from 5 to 52.5 pounds per dumbbell in 2.5 – 5 pound increments.

Who’s It For?

Those who want the benefits of training with dumbbells at home and want to save space.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

These dumbbells are a compact way to get in a total workout at home with levels that can adjust to match many strength levels of each exercise.  It is not for those wishing to train with very heavy weights, but the weight levels are adequate for many people’s strength levels.

Price Range?

$250 – $300

Valslides

What Is It?

Portable floor sliders that allow you to do unique exercises anywhere.

Who’s It For?

This is a simple and inexpensive gift for those who would like to be able to do a workout anywhere such as while traveling, at home, or in the office.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

These are a unique way to do new exercises with only body weight.  They are more of a supplement in my opinion to other exercises.  They are perfect for those who travel and want a way to get in a workout.

Price Range?

$30

Resistance Bands

What Is It?

Resistance bands with various levels of resistance, a door anchor (to attach to a door for more exercise options), and an ankle strap.

Who’s It For?

Men and women who want to be able to do total body workouts anywhere they want.  Allows for a unique form of resistance not obtainable with free weights.  One of the best gifts for frequent travelers, college students, and those without access to a gym.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Resistance bands are portable and can be used to exercise and strengthen every muscle of the body through the many exercises that can be done with them.  They are my favorite method of adding resistance to home based workouts.

Price Range?

$30

Pullup Bar

What Is It?

A pullup bar that attaches to any doorway without requiring screws.

Who’s It For?

Men and women who want to be able to do pullups in a doorway at home.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Be able to do one of the best upper body exercises without screwing in a pullup bar.  Needed for P90x and other home workout routines.

Price Range?

$20 – $30

Ab Wheel

What Is It?

A wheel that can be used to strengthen the abs with “ab rollout” exercises.

Who’s It For?

Individuals with some preexisting degree of core strength and athletes.  A great gift for those who are sick of the overpriced ab machines that don’t deliver results.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

This inexpensive little device is hands down one of the absolute best ways to get in a good ab and core workout.  Forget about all the gimmicky infomercial ab products out there.  THIS is the device a person needs to strengthen their core and it is extremely affordable.  Easier and more difficult variations of the ab wheel exercise can be done by adjusting feet and leg positioning, but it is generally for those with a descent amount of strength in good health.

Price Range?

$10 – $15

Manduka Yoga Mat

What Is It?

A high quality mat for yoga exercises.

Who’s It For?

Yoga lovers.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Simply a high quality yoga mat that comes in a variety of colors.  Light weight and measures 24 inches by 71 inches.

Price Range?

$60 – $80

Balance Ball Chair

What Is It?

A balance ball with a base to be used as a chair that strengthens the core.

Who’s It For?

Those who sit a lot and want to improve their posture and core strength.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Improved posture and ab strength from simply sitting around.  This is great for those who work at a computer or sit for extended periods of time.

Price Range?

$60 – $80

 Pedometers and Tracking Devices

Fitbit Tracking Device

What Is It?

A device that tracks a person’s steps, calories burned, and sleep cycle and syncs to computer software for additional features.

Who’s It For?

Men and women with health goals and want a near effortless way to track and monitor progress. This is one of the top gifts for people that like “tech” sort of stuff. Great for those who are strict or want to be strict about measuring and tracking their fitness levels.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Tracks steps and calories burned then transmits that information wirelessly to a computer.   Helps a person keep track of their goals and progress automatically.  Includes a silent alarm that allows a person to wake themselves up without waking their partner.

Price Range?

$100

Polar Heart Rate Watch Pedometer

What Is It?

A watch that tracks heart rate.

Who’s It For?

Cardio lovers who want to target a certain heart rate during exercise.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Tracks heart rate and records up to 16 training sessions to measure progress.

Price Range?

$60 – $90

 Fitness Books

The 4-Hour Chef by Tim Ferriss

What Is It?

A book that covers how to cook as well as how to learn new skills.

Who’s It For?

Men and women both young and old who want to learn the skills of cooking, eating healthy, and the art of learning new skills.  Perfect for both inexperienced and experienced cooks alike.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Best selling author Tim Ferriss always delivers with his work.  This book is full of high quality color photos and details that allow a person to quickly pick up the art of cooking.  Tim also covers the important aspects of developing any new skill making this an interesting read even for those with little interest in cooking specifically. Books always make a great affordable gift.

Price Range?

$21

The 4-Hour Body by Tim Ferriss

What Is It?

A book that covers how to burn fat, build muscle, develop incredible strength, overcome injuries, and improve sex life in the least amount of time possible.

Who’s It For?

Any fitness enthusiast.  Especially those who want to know how to maximize their health and fitness results in the least amount of time spent each week.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

No matter how knowledgeable a person is, they’ll likely pick up a new thing or two from this book making it an excellent gift idea.  Tim has spent years personally experimenting and talking with the world’s elite trainers and professionals on how to “hack” the body to get maximum performance and results.

Price Range?

$16

 Health and Wellness Equipment

Inversion Table

What Is It?

A table that allows a person to invert aka. hang upside for back relief and health benefits.

Who’s It For?

Anyone that wants the benefits of inversion therapy or that complains about back and neck pain.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Inversion therapy benefits include pain relief, strengthening the body and joints, and decompressing the spine.  For details about the benefits of inversion, check out this article.

Price Range?

$100 – $150

At Home Infrared Suana

What Is It?

An infrared suana that can be set up at home.

Who’s It For?

Anyone that wants to enjoy the benefits of a sauna and infrared therapy in their own home.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Saunas and particularly infrared sauna are a great way to detoxifying the body and relieve stress.  They provide cardiovascular and calorie burning benefits while simply sitting in the sauna.  For more details about the benefits of infrared saunas, check out this article.

Price Range?

$500 – $600

 

 Kitchen Items

Breville Juicer

What Is It?

An easy to use juicer for juicing fruit and vegetable juices at home.

Who’s It For?

Guys and girls that want to enjoy the health benefits of juicing.

What Are The Features and Benefits?

Juicing is a tremendous way to improve health with little effort.  This Breville juicer is the one I personally use and have found it to be extremely easy to use, quick, and requires very little clean up time. It is one of the best gifts you can give to help someone improve their health.

Price Range?

$100

Reader Comments

What are your favorite gift ideas for fitness lovers?

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Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Breville BJE200xl Juice Fountain Compact Review – Juicer Reviews

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The Breville BJE200XL Juicer Review

Breville BJE200xl Review
Juicing is one of the absolute best things you can do for your health.  The problem I’ve had with juicing in the past with my Champion Juicer is the inconvenience of prepping the produce and cleanup time.  When I discovered the Breville BJE200xl after my friend purchased it, I rediscovered the joys of juicing.

While this juicer is not the powerhouse of some more end juicers, I’ve found it has more than adequately allowed me to juice greens, raw beets, and just about anything I can stick in the thing.  Keep reading to find out if it’s the right juicer for you.

Appearance

The first thing you’ll notice about the Breville BJE200XL is its sleek and modern appearance.  I really like the silver look and tone of it.  While this is a small point, it’s definitely not going to be an eye-sore to keep out on the counter top at all times.

Ease Of Use

Setting up the juicer is snap.  Just put a few pieces in place, and in about 20 seconds you’re ready to go.

I LOVE the wide opening on the Breville Juice Fountain.  I rarely have to chop things up too much because the large opening lets you juice entire pieces of small fruit, and only larger produce requires being cut into a few smaller pieces.

The engine is very powerful and takes very little effort to push the food down into the juicer.  Whereas I would sometimes have to fight with other juicers, this thing seems to just suck the food right up.

It then puts the juice into a 25oz container.  That’s always more than enough room no matter how much stuff I’m juicing.

It’s got a safety that requires you to lock the pieces into place before use.

Noise

I do consider the Breville Juicer to be a bit loud.   While it is quieter than some other juicers, there’s no doubt you’re going to be making some noise when it’s extracting the juice.  For me this is not an issue, but I would expect it to potentially wake some people up in the house if using in the morning.

Effectiveness

The Breville juicer is not quite as effective as my Champion juicer for getting the most juice out of the produce.  That being said, the pulp is pretty dry.  I would rate it as a good “middle of the road” type of juicer in terms of how well it extracts juice.

It’s got a 700 water motor that runs at 14,000 RPM.  The juice comes out of the food in a matter of seconds.  The entire juicing process is extremely quick taking no more than a few seconds to minutes depending on how much stuff you’re juicing.

Ease Of Cleanup

This is why I would highly recommend the Breville BJE200XL.  The cleanup process is so fast (about 5 minutes) that I don’t dread juicing anymore.

Some pieces are a little awkwardly shaped making getting into some nooks a bit difficult.  I haven’t experienced too much difficulty though cleaning it in the sink under running water.

It includes a small brush to scrub the screen with.  This is the most time consuming part of cleanup taking usually a few minutes to really get any debris out of the screen.

Cons

There are a few things I don’t care for.  One is that sometimes a few small pieces of greens will shoot out the top of the tube.  This makes for some additional cleanup of the counter.

Another thing is that transporting the pulp container to the sink to wash will likely drip some juice unless you keep something under it.

Finally, while cleanup is very easy, it can be a little hard to reach some places in the pulp container.

Final Thoughts

I would recommend the Breville BJE200XL to anyone looking for a good quality, affordable juicer.  It’s not going to have all the bells and whistles of a higher end juicer, but it certainly gets the job done for the vast majority of anyone’s juicing needs.  You can purchase it on amazon below:

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Breville BJE200XL Juicer Review

Best Fat Loss Cookbook

The Best Weight Loss Cookbook – Over 250 Fat Burning Recipes

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Weight Loss Cooking Made Fast, Easy, And Tasty

The biggest challenges I hear from people when they want to lose weight and start eating better is that they either “don’t have time,” or they hate the taste of health foods and don’t know how to cook.  While it’s easy for me as a fitness enthusiast who’s been doing this for years to forget about how hard it can be for someone first getting into “dieting,” I also remember how much I hated eating boring bland foods when I first started out.  Fortunately, I quickly started piecing together great tasting meals that were easy to make and tasty.  I even created my healthy cooking youtube channel to show off some of my favorite fat loss and muscle gain recipes.

But, finding great recipes that are both good for weight loss AND taste good is always a bit of a challenge.  Luckily, Dave and Karine have come in and saved the day.  They’ve put together what I consider to be the absolute best cookbook and recipe guide for those interested in getting and staying fit.  I really wish I had this weight loss cookbook that I’m about to share with you when I first got started.

Here are some sample recipes:

Fat Loss Cookbook Breakfast Recipe Idea – Apple Oatmeal Pancakes

Makes 1 Serving (4 to 6 small pancakes)

Ingredients

• 6 egg whites
• ½ cup oatmeal (dry)
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened apple sauce
• Pinch of cinnamon powder
• Pinch of stevia
• 1 apple, diced finely
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• Cooking spray

Directions

1. First heat a frying pan until hot and then reduce to medium temperature. After mixing together all the ingredients in a blender (except for the diced apple), spray some pam (or other cooking spray), drop by spoonful onto the pan.
2. When bubbles start to form, place evenly on pancake some of the diced apple.
3. Let them set in before flipping the pancake.
4. Makes about 4-6 pancakes depending on the size.

Nutritional Facts

(Per Serving)

  • Calories: 240
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fat: 0g

 

Weight Loss Cookbook Lunch or Dinner Recipe Idea – Quinoa Burritos

Makes 2 Servings
Perfect for a snack, spread or sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 small whole wheat tortillas
• ½ cup quinoa, cooked
• 4 egg whites
• ½ avocado, cubed
• 1 cup lettuce, shredded
• ½ cup salsa
• ¼ cup red onion, diced
• ½ cup black beans
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Cook quinoa and egg whites separately. Then mix with black beans, cilantro and onion.
2. Spead half mixture equally on whole wheat tortillas.
3. Top with salsa, avocado and lettuce.
4. Wrap and enjoy!

Nutritional Facts

(Per Serving)

  • Calories: 272
  • Protein: 17g
  • Carbohydrates: 33g
  • Fat: 8g

 

Get The “Metabolic Cooking” Cookbook

Best Fat Loss Cookbook

Metabolic Cooking – The Best Weight Loss Cookbook

Check out the Metabolic Cookbook here for over 250 more fat burning meals!

This cookbook will not only give you just about every breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack idea you could ever need for weight loss, but it’s also filled with nutritional tips and tricks to maximize your results.  The money saved from not having to eat out at fast food places and preparing your own meals is worth the price alone.  Not to mention you’ll pretty much never need to waste time trying to track down recipes that not only taste great, but will help you get in shape too!

Get More Free Fat Loss Recipe Ideas

Want to try out some more weight loss recipes for free?  Dave and Karine are offering this free guide so you can get even more recipes to burn fat. Right click here and save to your computer.

Also check out: The Best Bodybuilding Recipe Cookbook

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Bacteria

The Best Probiotic Supplements – Top Strains and Products

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Bacteria

Friendly Bacteria – A Key To Lasting Health

What Is The Difference In Probiotic Supplements?

It’s important to recognize that the term “probiotic” refers to a broad category of all the various beneficial bacteria and microorganisms found in the gut.  That means every probiotic supplement is unique in terms of the effects it will have in the body and on the individual.

It’s also important to recognize that not all types of probiotics are equal.  For instance, there are many different strains of lactobacillus acidophilus which research shows has differing effects.  So just because a person took something with acidophilus and didn’t notice any benefits, doesn’t mean another strain like the DDS-1 couldn’t be highly beneficial.

Some studies have even shown different people taking the same probiotic supplement had vastly different results.  Since the area of probiotic supplementation is fairly new, this means that it will likely take some time for science to really get a handle on how to diagnose which probiotic someone would benefit from the most.

I firmly believe the best place to start healing the gut and getting the benefits of probiotics is through the inclusion of cultured foods like sauerkraught, kimchi, kefir, and other fermented foods.   These foods also provide far more bacteria per serving than a typical over the counter supplement will.  So consider supplements to be just that, a supplement to a diet already rich in good bacteria from foods.

Best Supplemental Probiotic Products

Here is a list of some of my favorite probiotics.  Note, there are plenty of other good ones out there and this is not mean to be an exhaustive list of every good probiotic supplement.

1. Saccharomyces Boulardii

Saccharomyces Boulardii is a great probiotic yeast to start with because it stimulates sIgA production.  (see: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11021572) This is important for signaling to our immune system what bacteria are in our gut.  To make a long story short, this enhances the benefits of all the other probiotics you will take.  Without adequate sIgA signaling however, the probiotics won’t do their job as well.

2. Lactobacillus GG

Lactobacillus GG (brand name Culturelle) is one of the most researched and time-tested strains of bacteria with over 400 studies done on it.  It’s well noted for its immune enhancing effects, improvement of digestion, and it’s ability to successfully survive the digestive track intact to colonize the gut.  It has been shown to aid in fighting infection and improve the skin with conditions like eczema.  It is my number #1 recommendation when starting probiotics as there are few if any that can match the research backing it has.

3. Bifantis – Bifidobacterium infantis

Bifantis (brand name Align) is well-known for its benefits on digestion.  It is great for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.  This is typically the first probiotic to recommend for digestive issues.

4. L. Acidophilus Strain DDS-1

The DDS-1 strain is a highly researched strain of L. Acidophilus that is of human origin.  This means it works well within the human body and can tolerate transition through the digestive track.  Like other strains, research has shown it is extremely beneficial for gut-health as well as enhancing the immune system.

Product Link – USA Labs – DDS-1

Multiple Strain Probiotic Formulas

Utilizing formulas are a good way to introduce a variety of strains into the gut.  While I recommend started with the previous single-strain probiotics due to their extensive research, these following formulas may offer benefits to those looking to experiment with other popular strains of bacteria.

Custom Probiotics

One of my trusted health mentors believes this to be one of the absolute best probiotic supplements he’s ever used.  He’s stated that the response people get when taking it is almost instantaneous in how they feel.

Jarro-Dophilus EPS

Called the #1 probiotic in the US.  It is shelf-stable with a good mix of 8 different bacteria strains.

Natren Trinity

Natren is also the only company I’ve seen to have the Malytho superstrain of Bifidobacterium bifidum.  While the product is expensive, some people swear by it.

 

Additional Educational Resources:

http://www.nutricology.com/infocus/pdfletters/InFocus_2009Oct_Probiotics.pdf

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LGN365 Cover

LGN365 Review – How To Look Great Naked 365 Days A Year

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What Is LGN365?

LGN 365 Creator

JC Deen – Creator Of LGN365

LGN365 is a fitness guide and series of workout routines created by trainer, blogger, and all around great guy named JC Deen who is well known among the fitness community as being one of the most respected sources for no-BS fat loss and bodybuilding information.  The name of the program stands for “Look Great Naked 365” because it covers just about everything a person would need to know to burn fat, build muscle, and enjoy an awesome looking body year round.

JC Deen has given me the honor and privilege be one of the guest experts he interviews for the program.  So naturally, any program with yours truly is going to be good.

I’ve since got a copy of LGN365 and, even though I would expect nothing less than something spectacular from JC, I was very impressed with how well put together his guide is.  Keep reading to find out what I enjoyed about the guide, and to get a no-BS look at if it is the right solution for your physique goals.

Who Is LGN365 For?

To begin with, you can tell this guide is obviously not aimed at the typical “get super huge” bodybuilding crowd, nor is it for the people looking for a “quick fix” to burn 30 pounds in 30 days.

That’s not because it doesn’t contain great information on how to burn fat or build muscle, but this guide is more for those who want to simply… look great naked.  More muscle, less fat, and what I would consider an “athletic” looking physique.  It’s for people who are busy with other priorities in their lives and aren’t looking to drop everything they have going on to go on a hardcore bodybuilding routine or a radical (and unsafe) fat loss routine for quick but unsustainable results.

That’s because the entire layout of the program is designed so the average person will quickly and easily be able to find out exactly what steps they need to take to reach their goals, but more importantly how they can integrate these steps into their lifestyle so they can maintain their great looking body year round.

What Makes LGN365 Different?

Extremely Effective: While there are certainly many good training programs and diet guides out there, JC has spent a good portion of his life digging into countless hours of research on everything related to body recomposition.  He has then tried and tested numerous methods not only on himself, but many clients to find the exact formula that is most effective for the vast majority of people.  Combine that with his connections to the world’s top trainers, fitness experts, and researchers, and you’ll realize how valuable it is to have all of that knowledge distilled down into one easy to read guide.

I’ve started to put the workout routines to the test and am currently utilizing his most advanced muscle building routine in the guide.   I”ll have an update post on my personal results later.

JC Deen

JC’s Results

Hype-Free: The first thing you’ll notice about the program, and this says a lot about JC, is that it is very “hype-free.”  That’s because even though this stuff works far better than most nonsense out there, JC recognizes that overly hyping things up creates unrealistic perspectives in people.  Namely, people think in terms of quick fixes instead of lifestyle habits.

What Makes LGN365 Great?

Mindset Focused: If you’re familiar with my work, you know how much I emphasize mindset as playing the biggest role in getting results with your health and fitness routine.  Nothing works until you make it work, and JC knows how important the psychology of an individual is in terms of the results they will get.  He gives very simple but effective ways to get yourself motivated to not only get started, but stay on track day after day and year after year.  This is the missing link in most fitness programs, and by including it, he’s virtually guaranteed you’re going to stick through long enough to see results.

Step-by-step: You’ll know how much to eat including the proper ratio of fats, protein, and carbohydrates including automatic calculators to figure it all out just by typing in your body weight, activity levels, and goals.  You learn how to properly read nutrition labels. Exactly what exercises to do with the right amount of sets and reps for both fat loss and muscle gain.  You get a breakdown into how JC assesses what kind of program is best for someone.  You then get multiple programs to run through the year so your body keeps “guessing” and never adapts to one thing for too long. You even get exercise videos showing you proper form.

Basically, it’s like have a world class trainer right by your side giving you a personal evaluation and setting up all of your training and diet for you.  Except in this case, you learn how to do it yourself so you can always adjust and readjust as needed over the course of the years so you’re never left wondering what you should be doing.

This ability to never have to worry about “is what I’m doing really working?” is worth the price of admission alone.  So many people who try to piece things together only to end up unsure of themselves and hesitant to invest much effort.   But by having everything laid out with a system that has been proven time and time again to get great results, this allows you to leave second guessing behind and get straight to seeing your body start to transform.

Practical: Practicality is another thing that sets this program apart.  It doesn’t just tell you the “ideal” thing to do leaving people feeling like it would be next to impossible to actually fit the recommendations in with their lives.  Instead, JC is a realist.  He knows the everyday challenges people including himself face, and he doesn’t give overly restrictive rules.  This includes having things like multiple workout routines that fit into a variety of schedules and how to stay on track while eating out a restaurants.

Expert Interviews: The expert interviews really rounds out the program.  JC ties up any loose ends by bringing in others, like myself, to explain things like how to create habits that stick, how to prepare fast healthy meals, and how to sort through all the conflicting information floating around out there in the fitness advice world.

When it’s all said and done, anyone going through the guide will have all the tools to ensure they will be successful in reaching their physique goals.

Is LGN365 The Best Fat Loss and Muscle Gain Guide Out There?

I myself, and even JC wouldn’t say anything is the “best.”  There are many great programs out there that are effective for fat loss and muscle gain and it all depends on the individual and their circumstances.  But very few programs can match the caliber of LGN 365.  If I had this program when I first started, I would have saved myself a lot of obsessive worrying about things that ultimately don’t make a whole lot of difference and instead would have been able to focus only on what I knew was essential for my goals.

That being said, if you’re not able to invest at least several days a week to training in the gym and tracking your food intake, this probably isn’t the guide for you.  Because it follows a proven template of what will work for either fat loss or muscle gain based on real world testing, just randomly following bits and pieces of the system probably won’t yield as good of results as JC’s clients.  So, you’ll want to make sure you’re really committed and that your lifestyle allows for you to take some time and energy to learn and apply the system.

If you are committed and able, then I’m confident this program will give you what you need to look great naked 365 days a year.  I don’t recommend a lot of courses and programs, so I’m staking my reputation on this one by both including myself in it and recommending it here.  That’s how much I believe this guide will benefit my readers.  So if you’d like to look great naked all year round, click the link below to find out more:

Click here to learn more about LGN365 and purchase the program

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The Thyroid Gland

How To Increase Thyroid Function Naturally – Top 5 Thyroid Boosters

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Improving Thyroid Function Naturally

How Healthy Is Your Thyroid?

What Is Hypothyroidism and Do You Actually Have It?

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common reasons people give for not being able to lose fat.  While it can be scoffed at as merely an “excuse” for not following a proper diet or exercise program, it is nevertheless a very real condition that is relatively common.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones.  It is usually characterized by having insufficient T4 (thyroxine) and raised TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)  which has increased in order to raise T4 levels.  While this is a simple explanation, it is extremely insufficient to cover the wide range of thyroid problems as there are many variations of hormone imbalances that could be responsible for an under active thyroid.

Difficulty losing weight is the most notable symptom of an under performing thyroid, but some other common symptoms include constipation, sensitivity to cold and cold skin, fatigue, dry skin, brittle nails, and decreased immune function.

Home Test For Thyroid Insufficiency

A simple home test that can be done is something called the “Barnes” test. It is done by taking your temperature under the tongue first thing in the morning.  97.2-98.2 is considered normal.  If you find your temperature falls below this, that may be a sign of under-active thyroid.  Menstruating women should only take this test the 2nd or 3rd day after menstruation begins.

The Best Supplements To Increase Thyroid Function Naturally

Perhaps you’ve done the Barnes test or ideally gone to a Dr. and determined your thyroid function isn’t what it could be.  While drugs are a potential fix, they doesn’t always address the underlying root cause of a thyroid condition.

Luckily, there are many great natural things that can be done to boost thyroid function safely, and improve health at the same time.  The great thing about these supplements is that they are safe and effective for anyone to take regardless of their thyroid health.

Natural Thyroid Booster 1 – Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is quite possibly my favorite herb to take for overall health and healthy weight loss.  It is an adaptogenic herb which means it helps the body cope with stress, reduce cortisol levels (another cause of abdominal weight gain), and improve the thyroid function.  It is safe, affordable, and the extract has been shown to be highly effective both in reducing cortisol levels and in subjective experiences of increased energy.  Given that it helps not only the thyroid but the adrenals as well, it makes an excellent all around “must-have” tonic herb that everyone can take.

Dose: One 300 mg capsule a day.

Natural Thyroid Booster 2 – Iodine (Nascent Iodine, Kelp, Or Dulse)

Iodine is the most important mineral for thyroid function.  Without enough iodine the body cannot produce enough T3 (thyroxine) a thyroid hormone.  While it’s been said in mainstream medicine that iodine deficiency is usually not a problem, the work of researchers such as Dr. David Brownstein and Dr. Guy Abraham have shown that supplementing with higher doses of iodine is not only safe, but very effective in treating many thyroid conditions.

Considering that in many Asian countries the intake of iodine rich sea vegetables is much higher than in other countries and they don’t suffer ill effect, it leads me to believe that increasing iodine can be beneficial and prudent when done through quality sea vegetables like kelp or dulse.  Taking Lugol’s or Nascent iodine is another option, but one I recommend a bit more caution with as it can be too powerful for some.

Dose: 2-4 tablespoons of kelp or dulse, or 1mg iodine and work up to more a day.

NOTE: Iodine works with other minerals like zinc, magnesium and selenium.  Adding in a few brazil nuts for selenium can help assist the functioning of iodine in the thyroid.  Magnesium is an extremely common deficiency and I suggest taking 200-400mg a day.

Natural Thyroid Booster 3 – Bovine Thyroid Glandular

What better way to improve the thyroid than to take an actual thyroid?  It may sound strange, but taking glandulars (the glands of an animal) has actual been shown to improve the same gland in the body.  The reasons for this could be many, but the take home point is that freeze-dried bovine thyroid could be beneficial for those needing a boost to their own thyroid function.  It’s also worth noting that our ancestors would have eaten the organs and tissues of the animals they ate.  This obviously goes without saying, but this supplement choice is not vegan friendly so if that’s an issue, stick with the other options as this isn’t necessary.

Dose: 1 capsule a day.

Natural Thyroid Booster 4 – Coleus Forskohlii Extract

Coleus Forskohlii contains an active compound called forskolin which has been shown to improve thyroid function and increase fat breakdown with little to no side effects.  It increases thyroid hormone production as well as stimulates the release of the thyroid hormones.  It is also useful for other conditions such as cramps, high blood pressure, boosting the immune system, and for improving blood flow to the brain.

10-30 mg a day.

Getting Tested For Your Unique Supplement Needs:

While I can offer general advice for addressing various deficiencies, getting objective analysis of your own needs is often the best course of action.  Getting a test done to determine any potential nutritional deficiencies can help you find what you’re low in, and avoid wasting your money supplementing on things you don’t need or worse yet, getting too much of something and throwing things off-balance.

Check out http://spectracell.com and schedule a mineral analysis to find what you may need to supplement with.

Top Foods and Diet Tips For Thyroid Health

A healthy diet is one of the most critical aspects of a health body and healthy glands.  Luckily, there are a few things we can do to improve the diet to boost thyroid function.  These things include what we can add in, as well as things to look out for and minimize.

Natural Thyroid Booster 5 – Coconut Oil

Using coconut oil in place of vegetable oils and other fats can not only offset the negative effects of those oils, but provide its own benefits.  In fact, this fat can actually help you lose fat! Well if you’ve been following the natural health movement in recent years, you’ve probably already heard about the benefits of coconut oil.  If not, check this out.

Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides which have been shown to reduce fat and improve insulin sensitivity.

Dose: 1-3 tablespoons a day.

Bonus Natural Thyroid Booster – Goji Berries

While goji berries aren’t directly a “thyroid boosting food,” their indirect benefits make them incredibly worthwhile.  They’re rich in antioxidants, are associated with longevity, and are powerful adaptogenics which help bring everything back into balance.  You’ll see that I’m a big believer in adaptogens as they work with the body rather than forcing it to do something like a drug does.  This means over time they help correct disorders and are safe for anyone to take regardless of their specific health concerns.

Whether or not a person suffers from thyroid problems, taking more foods like goji berries can have a huge impact on overall health and well-being.

Foods To Watch Out For

Goitrogens – Goitrogens are found in foods like the cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts) and are best limited for those suffering from hypothyroidism.  That being said, so long as these foods are cooked that will significantly reduce the level of goitrogens.

Soy – Soy also has a negative effect on thyroid function.  It’s best to be reduced or eliminated.

Vegetable Oils – The oxidation caused by vegetable oils like canola, sunflower, and soybean oil can reduce tissue response to thyroid hormones.

Overcoming Weight Issues

A sound diet and exercise program are the best bets to overcoming weight issues for anyone regardless of their thyroid health.  The problem however with typical recommendations to “eat less, exercise more” is that, when a person has a underactive thyroid, simply eating less won’t do.  They must take the necessary steps to boost thyroid function, and engage in a diet that doesn’t cause metabolic shutdown.

There are a few ways to accomplish this.  One way is through a specialized diet and training program designed to prevent metabolic shutdown found here.

You can also just follow the healthy eating and lifestyle tips found in my free survival guide which will give you a good start.

Getting Professional Help

If you’re truly worried about the health of your thyroid, please seek the professional care of an integrative physician.  You can find a physician through acam.org or ICIM.

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Reader Comments: What are your favorite natural thyroid or metabolism boosters?

Recipe and Cooking Resources

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Healthy Recipes

https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/blog/recipes – Beachbody offers tons of free recipes.

http://bodyecology.com/recipes/recipes.php – Body Ecology diet friendly recipes.

carascravings.com – A blog by Cara Lyons using healthier ingredients in delicious recipes.

http://www.cleaneatingmag.com – Clean Eating Magazine includes recipes and tips for healthy eating.

Metabolic Cooking Fat Loss Cookbook – A great cookbook specifically designed for the fitness minded with fat-burning ingredients and time-saving recipes.

http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/index.htm – Coconut based recipes using coconut oil, coconut flour, and other coconut products.

http://www.veganfusion.com – Healthy vegan and raw food recipes.

Shopping Guides

www.nongmoshoppingguide.com – Shopping guide to assist in avoiding genetically modified foods.

www.ewg.org – Ratings of the highest and lowest pesticide levels found in various foods to help in determining which foods should be prioritized as organic or pesticide free.

Where To Find Local Health Food

www.localharvest.org – Find local farmers and community supported agriculture programs for healthy food direct from the source. Often less expensive than grocery stores.

Resources For Culturing / Fermenting Foods

www.bodyecology.com – Learn about fermented foods.

Body Ecology Kefir Starter – Starter culture for making your own kefir.

Body Ecology Culture Starter – Starter for culturing your own fermented vegetables.

Body Ecology Cocobiotics – Coconut Water Kefir

Favorite Supplements

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NUTRITIONAL TESTING

Use this test to determine specific needs for supplementation with individual vitamins and minerals.

www.spectracell.com – A variety of nutritional testing including micronutrient for determining what vitamins and minerals may are deficient. They also offer genetic tests, omega 3 tests, and others.

TOP RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTS

1.Vitamin D3 – Softgel or liquid form

2.Omega 3 – Recommend any fermented marine oils for www.greenpasture.com, “Whole Omega” by New Chapter, Barleans Omega Swirl, Spectrum Fish Oil, or any other pharmaceutical grade fish oil.

3.Greens powder: Healthforce Nutritional’s Vitamineral Green, Organic Spirullina, and/or Broken Cell Wall Chlorella

4.Astaxanthin – The world’s most powerful antioxidant. Safe and effective to take at recommended doses (unlike other antioxidants that may be harmful). Protects skin against sun damage, protects eyes, aids in athletic recovery, and more.

5. Sensoril Ashwaghanda Extract – Highly affordable. Rebalances stress and sex hormones, aids in energy, all around good adaptogen. Only $3 a month!

6.Country Life – Bone Solid – Great as a “multivitamin.” Take this as opposed to other calcium supplements. Also supplies boron, vitamin K2, small amounts of vitamin D, and magnesium.

7.Magnesium Oil

8. Earthing/Grounding Products and Mat – Visit earthing.com for more details.

Appetite Control:

9. Caralluma – A safe and effective appetite suppressant that also helps burn fat while preserving muscle.  It boosts energy preventing a crash that can occur from restricted eating.

Training Information and Routines

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EXERCISE ROUTINES

Strength, Power, and Muscle Building Routines

www.t-nation.com

http://www.t-nation.com/exercise-diet-programs.jsp

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/westside_for_skinny_bastards

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/how_to_build_pure_strength

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/the_boring_but_big_3month_challenge

Conditioning

www.crossfit.com

www.crossfitendurance.com

Health and Longevity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbnjvAHsxUk – John Gray leads you through a simple exercise routine excellent for all individuals.

Flexibility training

http://www.youtube.com/elasticsteel

Mobility Drills

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_repair/the_essential_8_mobility_drills

Glute Work

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/dispelling_the_glute_myth

BODYWEIGHT EXERCISE TRAINING

www.gymnasticbodies.com

www.youtube.com/GymnasticBodies