The Atkins Nutritional Approach™, as the Atkins diet is commonly known, has worked for several people with weight problems, although the opinion about its efficacy, especially in the long term, is divided among the medical community. Considerable controversy surrounds the program. Most other diets, and there are numberless of them out there, follow the principle of avoiding high-fat foods. But the Atkins diet allows things like red meat, bacon, butter, cheese, eggs and so on, which are all high in fat. Yet, to the utter surprise of everyone who repose their trust in the tried and tested low-fat diets, the Atkins diet works.

The reason is rather simple. The Atkins diet limits the consumption of foods containing large amounts of carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta, white bread, cereal and sugar. Your body burns its excess fat during a process consisting of four phases, which the late Dr. Robert Atkins developed. In his book Dr.Atkins New Diet Revolution, published in 1972, he advised dieters to cut down on only carbohydrates, not both fats and carbohydrates as had been the practice followed until then.

During the first phase of Atkins diet, the dieter is allowed to eat only very small quantities of carbohydrates. The carbohydrates allowed are limited to a maximum of 20 grams per day, in the form of salads, or vegetables without starch.

The second phase allows the dieter to progressively increase the amount of carbohydrates by 5 grams (from the initial 0 - 20 grams in the first phase to 25 grams in the first week of the second phase) a day. Thereafter, as long as the dieter loses weight, the weekly increase of 5 grams of carbohydrates continues. Once the dieter reaches a stable weight, he has to reduce the carb-intake by 5 grams, so that he remains at the weight reached.

The purpose of the third phase is to help the dieter to maintain the weight reached at a steady level, if necessary, by increasing the intake of carbohydrates at the rate of 10 grams per week.

The fourth and final phase allows consumption of more foods of a wider variety, even though the carbohydrate consumption remains restricted. The idea is to maintain over a long period of time the weight reached in the earlier phases.

The question about how exactly the Atkins diet works for weight loss can be answered either by referring to complex scientific processes like lipolysis and gluconeogenesis and so on or by using simple and direct explanation that may be easier to appreciate. When the body is starved of carbohydrates, which provide quite a bit of the energy required to run its various systems, it turns to its stored fat and burns it to replenish the energy deficit. As more and more of the stored fat is burnt to supply energy to the body, more and more weight is lost. Another thing is that by controlling the amount of carbohydrate-intake in the body, the Atkins diet controls the quantity of insulin in the body. Being a storage hormone, insulin converts carbohydrates into sugar and stores it as fat in the body, in the normal circumstances. However, when the quantity of carbohydrates is lower than normal, the sugar in the body is not stored in the shape of fat, but burnt instead. Again, the result is weight loss.

Atkins has become popular for two reasons. One is that it works, especially when exercise goes with it. Two, it gives the dieters the freedom to eat the foods that are prohibited in other diet programs.

By: James Penn
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It’s no secret that every serious lifter out there desires an impressive pair of strong, muscular arms.

Who wouldn’t be happy with tall, peaking biceps sitting on top of rock-hard, horse-shoe-shaped triceps? Who wouldn’t love to have a pair of ripped, well-developed guns forcefully bursting through the sleeves of their shirt?

While developing muscular arms is usually at the top of many peoples’ agenda, the reality is that the majority of lifters out there have a very poor understanding of how to properly train their arms for maximum gains.

In order to gain the proper insight into effectively stimulating arm growth, we must first recognize three basic truths:

1) Relatively speaking, the biceps and triceps are small muscle groups. 2) The biceps receive heavy stimulation during all basic pulling movements for the back. 3) The triceps receive heavy stimulation during all basic pressing movements for the chest and shoulders.

What do these 3 points tell us about effective arm training?

The most important thing for you to realize is this:

For maximum gains in muscle size and strength, the biceps and triceps require only a very small amount of direct stimulation!

So why is it that every time I enter the gym I see the same misinformed people, week in and week out, slaving away on endless sets of bicep curls and tricep extensions?

It’s very important to understand that the biceps and triceps receive a very large amount of stimulation from all of your chest and back training. Couple this with the fact that your biceps and triceps are already small muscle groups to begin with and it becomes quite clear that direct arm training is of minor importance.

Remember, your muscles do not grow in the gym. The work that you accomplish as you train with weights is merely the “spark” that sets the wheels of the muscle growth process into motion. The real magic takes place out of the gym while you are resting and eating, as this is the time when your body will actually be synthesizing new muscle tissue.

Because of this, it is vital that you do not overtrain your muscles. You must always make sure to provide them with sufficient recovery time if you want to see impressive results. Overtraining can actually make your muscles smaller and weaker.

If you’re looking to achieve serious arm growth, you must stop placing so much emphasis on direct arm movements. Forget about performing endless sets of concentration curls and tricep pressdowns. Strong, muscular arms are mostly a product of heavy chest and back training.

This is not to say that no direct arm training is necessary, just not very much. Here is a sample arm routine that you can use as a part of your program:

Routine #1

Barbell Curls – 2 sets of 5-7 reps Standing Dumbbell Curls – 1 set of 5-7 reps

Routine #2

Close-Grip Bench Press – 2 sets of 5-7 reps Standing Cable Pushdowns – 1 set of 5-7 reps

Take all sets to complete muscular failure and focus on progressing each week by using slightly more weight or performing an extra rep or 2.

If you can incorporate this way of thinking into your arm training, you will achieve arm size beyond anything you previously thought possible.

To learn how to combine all of these principles into an effective step-by-step routine, click the link below and visit my website for details. You can gain instant access to my renowned "26-Week Workout Plan" as well as a full printable logbook that you can take to the gym with you.

By: Curtis N

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Parks filled with rowdy kids? Gym too far from your home or office? Then perhaps it's time to look at stadiums and tall buildings.

You've got it right -- staircases. They're the cheap alternatives to steppers (in fact, they don't cost anything), and the best thing about them is you can do your cardio any time of the day.

Athletes have been performing stadium bleacher runs since time immemorial. It improves their cardiovascular stamina and promotes their muscular endurance -- two things that are necessary for competitive games that last for hours.

For your part, stair climbing gives nearly the same benefits, but on a scale that's just right for you.

The Benefits Of Stair Climbing

This activity is low-impact and safe for as long as you strictly observe the safety rules outlined below. It uses the muscles of the buttocks and the quadriceps (front of the thigh) muscles. It also gives your heart a super workout because you're literally carrying your weight as you work against gravity.

Stair climbing is time efficient as it burns an unbelievable 300 calories in 30 minutes, depending on your pace and body weight.

This could be just the answer to our many alibis to keep from doing routines, such as "dogs chase me at the park," or "the smog outside is just terrible"!

When Is The Best Time To Stair Climb?

If you're using your office stairs, it's better to do this activity after work as you'll be all sweaty and exhausted. However, if you're utilizing your apartment building staircase, early in the morning would be great!

Warming Up And Cooling Down

Walk around your apartment or office for about five minutes prior to tackling the stairs. You should also stretch your calves, quads, and hamstrings to avoid tearing.

On the first week, do the following for 10-15 minutes: Climb 2 flights and then march in place or walk around the entire floor for a couple of minutes to avoid "burning" thigh muscles or shortness of breath. Add five minutes every week to this routine until you're finally able to climb the entire flight without needing to march in place or walk around the floor to catch your breath.

Safety Precautions For Stair Climbing

Wear shoes with good support -- the best ones are aerobic or cross-training shoes. Running shoes are not recommended because they don't give enough lateral support.

Make sure that the stairwell is well-lit and well-ventilated.

Drink enough water before, during, and after the workout.

Discontinue the session as soon as you feel any of the following: nausea, dizziness, heart palpitation, and disorientation, among others.

Alternate this activity with other forms of cardio so as to prevent overuse injury (caused by impacting the same bones and muscles over and over again).

Contrary to popular belief, your knees are more stressed coming down than they are going up because of your reflex of "putting on the brakes," just as the downhill part of mountain climbing is more dangerous. You may want to take the elevator on the way back if you're just beginning.

Assume the proper stance: Lean forward a bit from the hips and keep your back straight. Never slouch while stair climbing.

Don't climb with heels hanging off the edge of the step as you'll risk injuring your Achilles tendon. Instead, place your entire foot on each step.

Never climb a totally desolate area of the building! In the unlikely event of an accident, make sure that you can be heard if you cry out for help.

According to the New Zealand government website, www.nhc.govt.nz, stair climbing as an exercise can hold its own against the more established routines such as running and bicycling. A study has concluded that stair climbing is better than these two when considering "the most vigorous exercise in the shortest period possible".

By: M Jamal
Mohamed Jamal is founder of FunLadyFitness.com a simple take on women fitness, tips and downloadable special reports that could enhance your next workout.
Visit http://funladyfitness.com to see the latest special reports and tips.

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Relaxation is a big part of fitness and a good way to relax is to laugh. Check out our jokes section where you will find jokes, humor and humorous anecdotes.