Hollywood Physique Transformations – The Over 35 Crowd

01-10-2010 by admin



Due to the overwhelming response from my first Hollywood Muscle article, I’ve decided to continue with the Hollywood Muscle series.

I received quite a few comments, but one comment really stood out.
One person brought up a number of Hollywood Stars who have built impressive physiques.
Previously, I mainly focused on rapid transformations for movie rolls. In this article, we’ll take a look at a few actors and celebrities who have transformed their physiques, albeit at a slightly slower pace.

More importantly and unlike some of the “young gun actors,” many of these actors and celebrities have maintained a high level of fitness over the years.
So here we go with yet another Hollywood Muscle list…
IMPORTANT NOTE: This article contains “before and after” pictures. To view this article with the pictures, simply click on the link at the end of this article.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Eubanks

Years ago, I used to watch the tonight show with Jay Leno on a regular basis. Jay’s band leader is Kevin Eubanks.
For whatever reason, I stopped watching the show for a while. And when I tuned back in… I discovered that Kevin Eubanks had packed on some serious muscle.
As an additional note of interest, Kevin is vegan and apparently built his muscle without eating meat or chicken.

Hollywood Physique Transformation #5: Danny Bonaduce

I’m not really a big fan of this cat (ok, that’s putting it mildly. Truth is he gets on my nerves.
Plus, if memory serves correct he was openly using steroids.
But he did go from the scrawny kid on the Partridge Family to a pretty buff dude. An overall transformation that has attracted some attention… but not my favorite character.

Hollywood Physique Transformation #4: Carrot Top

This next one is just weird.
The prop comic Carrot Top went from weird looking and skinny… to weird looking and buff.
Again, not one of my favorites (never even thought he was funny in the first place) but another physique transformation that caused a buzz.
Let’s quickly move on to…

Hollywood Physique Transformation #3: Chris Knight

Another child star hits the weights.
This time, it’s Chris Knight, a.k.a Peter Brady.
Remember him?
He looks different now. I couldn’t really find a good picture that accurately demonstrates the transformation he’s made (rumors put him at 5% body fat.)
He did land a super-model (albeit, a crazy one). So he must be doing something right.
How about we very quickly move on?

Hollywood Physique Transformation #2: LL Cool J
To be honest, I don’t really remember if LL Cool J was every skinny or fat.
However, I do know that he’s bigger and more ripped than ever:
Plus, he’s just about 40 years old so that’s a big motivator for many 40-somethings.
Finally, we’ve got our…

Number One Hollywood Physique Transformation: Mark Wahlberg
This dude has always been known for his six-pack.
But he’s made a number of physique transformations that warrant giving him the top spot.

First, he lost a large amount of weight (rumors indicated about 40lbs) to play Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights.
Then he ballooned up for his role in The Pride And The Glory… which was later shelved.
Here’s what he had to say about getting fat for the role…

“Putting on the weight was fun for the first two weeks but then you have to wake up at 2 in the morning and eat two burgers and go back to bed. And at 7 in the morning — eating a stack of pancakes. You still haven’t even swallowed your last meal, and you’re having to sit down for another one. So that wasn’t fun.”

- Mark Wahlberg on the many miseries of having to gain weight for a role (in “Pride and Glory,” which was later canceled), in an interview on the Britain’s Radio 1.

And then he lost a whopping 42 lbs for his role in The Italian Job and followed up with a number of physique-displaying films such as Invincible and Shooter.

All in all, these Hollywood celebrities should serve as “motivational fuel” for the rest of us to build bodies worth of the silver screen.

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Celebrity Skin Care – Enjoy Beautiful Skin Like Your Favorite Celebrities

30-06-2010 by admin



Have you ever wondered how some of Hollywood’s most famous actors, celebrities, and super models maintain young, smooth, and beautiful skin? Many Hollywood stars elect to have expensive surgeries or purchase exotic products that cost a fortune in order to obtain and maintain beautiful skin. Fortunately, attaining beautiful skin is not as complicated or expensive as you might think. In fact, today there are many high profile celebrities using natural remedies as part of their skin care regimens. These natural and organic skin care remedies are great for regular people living on a tight budget.

It Starts With Prevention

Celebrity skin care begins with prevention and protection from the sun. Many celebrities, like Nicole Kidman, who have fair skin, are reducing their sun exposure. Over exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays can cause major damage to your skin. Most notably, wrinkles, redness, fine lines and premature aging. To offset these conditions, choose skin care products with SPF protection. Today, many sunscreen products contain natural and organic ingredients along with antioxidants to provide anti-aging benefits. Skin care products that provide good SPF protection are produced as creams, sprays, or fluids to make application easier. Also, if you are involved in various outdoor activities, look for waterproof or sweat-proof properties in your sunscreen.
If you spent a day in the sun without any protection, there is still hope for your skin. Use after-sun skin care products to protect your skin from the damages caused by the sun. Many of these products are designed to re-hydrate and moisturize sun damaged skin. Damages like premature aging, wrinkles, brown spots, and sagging. Like the Hollywood stars, you need to adjust your lifestyle from one that’s sun worshipping, to one that avoids lengthy sun exposure.

Thyme For Beautiful Skin

When looking for a natural and inexpensive way to give your face a fresh look, try the herb thyme. It is an effective way to keep your skin healthy. It has potent antioxidant properties, and helps tone your skin. Holly Robinson Peete steams her face with thyme once a month for its cleansing and relaxing effects on her skin. After boiling a few sprigs of thyme in water, Holly pours the steaming water into a bowl, tenting a towel over her head, allowing the steam to cleanse her face for a few minutes. As smooth and clear as Holly’s skin is, it is easy to see why she has this in her skin care regimen. Thyme works by widening clogged pores and softening your skin in order to cleanse the makeup, impurities and dead skin cells off of your face. Once a week, boil a pan of water with the herb, and steam your face for ten to fifteen minutes. The result will be clear and fresh complexion.

Exfoliate To Renew

After a good thyme steam cleansing, follow it up with a gentle exfoliation. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that cause the face to appear dull. The build up of dead skin cells can also contribute to the blockage of pores, causing acne to develop. Facial scrubs remove the dead skin, in turn, cleansing the skin. When exfoliating, choose a mild exfoliant that suits your particular skin type, and do circular movements avoiding your eyes. Generally, you should exfoliate for only two or three minutes only. However, too much exfoliation will irritate your skin. Exfoliation is a key reason why Natalie Portman has such a youthful and radiant glow. In your quest for beautiful skin, exfoliation must be a priority in your skin care treatments.

Moisturize For Softness

Always use a light moisturizer after cleansing your face. Skin that is well moisturized is soft and supple. Your skin will also age more slowly and radiate a healthy glow when properly moisturized. Be sure to apply extra moisturizer to dry spots. However, remember that too much moisturizer can lead to clogged pores and blackheads. Stephanie Seymour keeps her complexion clear using a moisturizer with a SPF-15. It gives her skin a silky appearance, and won’t clog her pores. Remember, moisturizing is an important function of your daily skin care regimen in your pursuit of beautiful skin.

Beautiful Skin Awaits You

Having beautiful skin is not limited to the rich and famous. There are skin care methods used by A-list celebrities that won’t blow your budget out of the water. As with anything, consistency is the key. Follow these simple skin care remedies, and you will be on your way to having beautiful skin. Perhaps like your favorite celebrity.

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Why the Big Muscle Look is Dead in Hollywood

01-11-2009 by admin



The Leading Man in Hollywood is Now Slim and Toned, Not Bulky!

Remember back in the 80′s when Arnold Schwarzenegger was the big action star? He was huge. He basically brought bodybuilding to the mainstream and influenced an entire generation of young guys to want to get as big and muscular as possible. It started with Conan, then the Terminator, Commando, Predator, Twins, and many more action flicks.

The Big Muscle Look Began to Die in the Late 90′s.

You see, although many guys wanted to get as big as possible, women had a different idea of what looked great. They wanted their men to look good in dress clothes as well as with their shirts off. Women are physically attracted to the “GQ” look or lean and slim toned guys, not massive freaky muscular guys. If you ever have seen a soap opera, you will notice that all of the men have average amounts of muscle but with exceptional muscle tone.

1999, the Year Fight Club Came Out, Was The Official Death of the Massive Look

For years during the big muscle era, women kept trying to tell guys that they were more interested in muscle definition and not into the bodybuilder look. Guys didn’t really listen until 1999, when Fight Club came out. Brad Pitt finally showed the masses of guys out there that being ultra-lean with a normal build is more bad-ass looking than being huge and bulky. Brad’s character, Tyler Durden, was able to get a “hip” funky look, but had amazing muscle definition when he took his shirt off. This is a winning combination with the ladies and all actors are striving for this look.

Since the late 90′s, Many Hollywood Actors Have Begun to Slim Down

Remember how big The Rock used to be? He is now MUCH lighter and looks great. What about Mark Wahlberg or Ryan Reynolds? Both of these guys have really slimmed down and have the sleek and toned look instead of being bulky. Same with Matt Damon. More recently Will Smith really slimmed down for his role in “I am Legend”. He had to get big and bulky for “Ali”, but dropped a lot of that mass and really cleaned up his physique for his newest role.

Are You “Still” Trying to Get Massive?

Being big and massive is a great way to impress guys in the gym, but won’t get you far with women. There is simply a “cheesiness” factor once you get too big. You can’t really achieve a hip look and clothes don’t fit well. Ever see a professional football player or professional wrestler in a suit? They look stupid. If you want to be more attractive to the opposite sex, then you may reconsider your goal of getting big muscles. Opt for the lean athletic look instead.

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Intermittent Fasting For a Lean Hollywood Body!

23-10-2009 by admin



So you want to lose body fat right? Of course you do, most of us wouldn’t mind dropping some of that unsightly muscle-masking blubber. Being lean is a top priority if a Hollywood Body is your goal – and I’m sure it is, because you’re sitting there reading my site.

Most of you are aware of the following, but let’s reiterate:

“In order to lose weight, you must create a calorie deficit (burn more calories than you consume). This is a true statement.

The problem lies in the discipline or methods used to do so. Sure, you can count calories 7 days a week, eat every three hours, and drive yourself somewhat crazy. Or you can simplify the process and relax a bit, still knowing you’re bound to drop fat. Sound good? Enter: INTERMITTENT FASTING.

A Simpler Approach To Effective Fat Loss

You may have heard of intermittent fasting (IF) because as of late, it’s become a fairly popular weight loss technique and for good reason. Fitness expert Brad Pilon is probably the most innovative when it comes to the subject. Check out his blog for more info on the matter than you’re likely to read all at once, but it will lay out the science and logistics behind IF to a far better degree than I could relate. He is the go-to guy for IF! His eBook is one of the best purchases I have ever made. It’s not your typical eBook – this information could be what takes you to the next level of fitness!

Intermittent fasting is exactly what it sounds like: sporadic periods of no food. For our purposes, we are not talking about lengthy fasts either. I recommend going anywhere from 14-24 hours, and a maximum of 36 hours, but 36 is pushing the limits and not necessary. However, you can choose to do so without encountering the negative benefits. Anything beyond the 36 hour mark and you begin to risk the things you’re probably worried that a 6 hour fast will create.

On that note, what about all the fitness sites that are telling us that we have to eat every 2-3 hours? Their claim is that by skipping meals or waiting too long between meals, your body will go into starvation mode and your metabolism will come to a screeching halt. This, my friends, is simply not true, and IF is not unhealthy. Far from it. The 6 small meals a day approach is currently very popular amongst the fitness community. But where did this all start? Is there actually a solid foundation backing this theory, or is it just word of mouth and then the general consensus assumes it to be true? Fitness Blackbook has a short post with some good points that question the veracity of this theory.

This isn’t to say that it’s a bad approach to weight loss. It can work, but remember, the bottom line is that whether you eat one meal or ten meals a day, if a calorie deficit is not created, you will not lose weight. Personally, I can put down food! No really, I can eat like a horse. So eating six meals a day could easily add up to a very large number in the calorie department. If your daily caloric goal is 1800, six meals a day would be 300 calories a meal. So this method requires a great deal of portion control and discipline. Sometimes, you just want to eat with somewhat reckless abandon, so to speak. IF makes this possible, while still creating a calorie deficit.

If Muscle Gain Is Your Goal, I Recommend The More Meals A Day Approach

If you need to pack on mass, and some of you do, getting doses of protein many times a day is an effective way to go. This is from personal experience as well as factual information. I will gain muscular size faster when I eat 5-6 times a day with protein at every feeding.

But if you’re happy with your size and are aiming for fat loss, both methods will work, and I have truly experienced the quickest fat loss and lowest body fat levels when performing some sort of IF.

Methods Of Intermittent Fasting

Eat Stop Eat

Brad Pilon’s tried and true method of fasting allows you to “Stop Dieting and Start Living.” Depending on your goals, the main principle is to do 1 or 2 24-hour fasts per week. It may sound like Hell, but it’s actually easy once your body adapts. Say you eat dinner at 7pm on Thursday – you would then fast until 7pm on Friday. Water, tea, and coffee (black) are allowed. After the fast is over, you resume your normal eating habits as if the fast never happened. You do not go to the McDonald’s drive-thru and order 10 things from the dollar menu, unless you want to ruin your hard work. Detoxification is an added bonus to this, but the main goal is creating a caloric deficit over time. Think about it. Hypothetically, say you normally eat 2000 calories a day, every day. That adds up to 14000 calories per week. If you fast 2 days, that would reduce your caloric total by 4000, which is over a pound of fat, and more weight on the scale (a pound of fat is equal to 3500 calories). So in a week, you’ve leaned down over a pound of fat by simply eating normally 5 days of the week, and fasting the other 2. No need to worry about creating a deficit every day, just maintain discipline for two days. Even one day of fasting using this approach will compound into good results over time.

Eating Window

Not the official name, but it makes sense to me. I used this approach last summer and got down to sub 5% body fat. It’s my favorite way method of IF. Basically, you will eat between certain hours, and not eat during other hours. For me last year, I would eat my first meal at 1pm, so breakfast was 2 cups of black coffee and that’s it. Coffee actually suppresses my appetite and obviously the caffeine helps in regards to having energy. So making it to 1pm was no sweat. In fact, I would perform a morning workout around 10am, fasted, and without food after for a few hours. And no, I did not lose muscle. I will touch up on this in a moment. I would eat meals between 1pm and around 11pm. That’s 9 hours where eating is an option, and 14 where it’s not. I did not monitor calories while on this style of eating, I simply ate healthy Paleo food until full, and ate again when hungry, inside the parameters of the diet. Honestly, I’ve never dropped body fat so quickly and easily as when using this method.

Working Out While Fasting?

So am I mentioned above, while on the 14 hour a day fast approach, I would incorporate a morning workout into the fast. Was I a slug in the gym? No – in fact, I had more energy than when fed, and had some of my best workouts while fasted. The body will use it’s “fight or flight” internal tactic to signal the body to heighten the senses and become focused like a laser. It’s crazy, but it really does happen. My strength in lifts increased, and my best CrossFit times were achieved when in a fasted state. One day I remember thinking, “Wow, if I am this pumped while fasted, imagine what some pre-workout carbs will do!” I ate a big bowl of oatmeal, went to the gym, and had an absolutely horrendous workout! My body was so used to working hard fasted, that it basically rejected the food as far as energy levels were concerned.

Will you lose muscle by not eating protein right after your workout? No. Again, my strength improved and I dropped body fat like no one’s business. My measurements stayed around the same, save my waist, which trimmed down to 29″, lower on some days. I had the V-Shaped torso to a greater degree than ever, and most of all I felt great! I want to tell you about these personal experiences so you can put your mind at ease when these concerns come about in your head. I worried the same things, but soon discovered the beauty of IF.

Drawbacks Of Intermittent Fasting

Honestly, I am yet to be displeased with anything about IF. I don’t think it’s the best way to go if you’re after big muscle gains, but that’s usually not of my concerns. If I do feel like adding some muscle, I will fall out of IF and use the “more meals a day” approach. But for fat loss, I think IF is the way to go, in terms of effectiveness and simplicity. Is it for you? I’m not sure. Try it out and see if it’s something you can incorporate into your fitness goals. Chances are, it’ll take some time getting used to, as all new things are, but after a couple weeks pass, your body should be primed and accept the concept of IF, whichever method of it you choose, with open arms.

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Best Chest Building Exercises

15-10-2009 by admin



As any gym-goer can testify to, a shapely well-defined chest is no easy feat to accomplish. If it were, there would be Superman look-a-likes strutting their stuff all over town. I’m about to send some shocking news your way: “You can no longer rely upon the Bench Press.” Truth be told, this is a highly over-hyped movement that over time developed an undeserving title of “King of Upper-Body Exercises.” I actually avoid this exercise, with purpose. Of course, people love to ask you what your “max” is on Bench. Sorry bud, but you’d better stop dwelling on that number, because if you want to start building up an impressive set of pecs, your bench pressing days are going to be much subsided.

Here’s the thing: a number of factors go into building a great chest. It’s crucial that you work it out strategically to achieve the best possible look. Muscle building is like sculpting ice, and it needs to be chiseled in certain areas more than others, or you’re going to wind up looking like a muscular version of the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Trust me, you don’t want this to happen, as delicious as his rolls may be.

Sorry to bring down the Flat Bench, but there are just some exercises that should be avoided. Flat and decline type exercises are usually the culprits here. Reason being, there exercises will develop an unbalanced shape as well as undesirable proportions.

So for starters, how about we take a look at what creates an impressive chest:

What you want:

* Enough lean muscle to ensure a visually appealing athletic look
* Square-like shape, created using incline exercises
* Dense, angular muscle
* Proportioned when compared to the rest of your body
* “Even-pecs” (even muscle built upon the entire chest)
* Developing the often underrated upper-chest
* The “middle line” creating separation between the left and right pecs
* Distinction from your lower torso region

What you don’t want:

* Emphasis placed on the mid to lower part of the chest. This is where the ugly man-boob look comes from.

If you’ve been neglecting your upper-chest, you’ve been missing out on developing the squarish angular shape that looks awesome. To fix this imbalance, make incline exercises your primary exercises. Lay off on the other stuff until you’ve evened things out.

Compound exercises are king when it comes to building lean muscle tissue. A compound exercise simply uses a number of muscles at one time. An isolation exercise focuses on one muscle at a time. Yes, isolation movements are important, but compound exercises will create more growth. Compound movements will lay your body’s muscular foundation – Isolation exercises will sculpt in all the details afterward.

(If you aren’t “feeling it” in your chest when exercising, your form is probably improper – even the smallest tweak can change the “primary mover” or muscle being used)

Okay, on with it now right? In my book, these are the best exercises for building up and sculpting great pectorals:

Gironda Barbell Press
This is a great exercise to lead off your routine with. At first, this looks like a regular bench press, but there’s a small change that makes a big difference. You will bring the bar down toward your neck/chin, not to the chest. This forces your entire chest to work, and takes the load off your shoulder muscles and arms. You probably won’t be able to use as much weight as when performing the flat bench, but even with a lower weight, it will stimulate much more chest growth than before. The Gironda Press hits upper, mid and lower chest all at the same time. It’s arguably the best exercise for overall chest growth. Sweet! A word of warning: This is a bit stressful on the shoulder joints, so be careful if you have shoulder problems. The muscle used is still primarily chest, however.

Dip/Weighted Dip
Bodyweight exercises are in a word: Awesome. By no means is the dip excluded from that list. It’s my second favorite bodyweight exercise, only falling behind the ever-amazing pull-up. Correct mechanics are very important to keep focus on the chest and not shift to the triceps You want to lean forward and look at the floor while doing the movement. You can hold a weight between your feet or legs if desired.

Incline Dumbbell Press
Awesome with a barbell, but superior with dumbbells in my opinion. Don’t incline the bench too high, or your shoulders take on the majority of the work load. A 60 degree angle is a good starting point. For best results, bring the dumbbells up toward the center and lightly touch them together. Squeeze, and lower with control.

Dumbbell Squeeze Press
You will likely not have heard of this one, but you’re going to get a pair of dumbbells and a slightly inclined bench. Press the dumbbells into each other in the center and force them together throughout the lift. This creates the hardest contraction possible, and is an awesome inner and upper chest exercise.

Decline Pushup
This one’s pretty common, but very effective at hitting the upper and inner chest. A bench or a Swiss ball both work for this one. Simply assume the position and maintain proper pushup technique.

Choose Rep Ranges Based Upon Goal

If muscle gain is your goal, aim for the 8 to 12 range, lifting to failure. If going for increased strength and density, go for 3 to 7 reps, and never go til failure, always stop one or two reps before.

Because you may already be strong enough to do over 12 reps for dips and pushups, you can choose to add weight, or just leave them as is. You will still benefit from higher rep ranges when doing bodyweight exercises.

Sample Chest Workout Routine

1. Gironda Neck Press – 3 sets
2. Incline DB Press – 3 sets
3. DB Squeeze Press – 3 sets
4. Dip/Weighted Dip – 3 sets
5. Decline Pushup – 3 sets

A quick reminder here: 80% of what your body looks like is going to be based on your diet If your nutrition plan is no good, you’re going to be wasting a lot of time and effort. You simply can’t out exercise a bad diet.

As for the workout, give it a whirl. I am confident you’ll be pleased with the results!

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Migraines: Exploding 5.2 Migraine Myths

04-09-2009 by admin



After living with complicated migraines with auras for all of my adult life, I’ve learned there are at least 5.2 dangerous migraine myths that can cost you dearly. Learning the truth behind these myths could save your life.

1. Everyone Knows that Migraines Are One Sided Headaches

This myth can delay your diagnosis by, oh, 20 or 30 years! Migraines can also include pain on both sides of the head, speech disturbances, blurred vision, pins and needles feelings or other odd sensation especially in the hands and lips; mood swings, crying jags, irritability, or sudden, overwhelming depression; stomach, neck or shoulder pain (instead of head pain); even yawning spells or weird smells (for me it was pencil shavings). In fact, a “migraine headache” might not include much if any head pain at all. It depends on what area of the brain has the blood flow disturbance.

2. Migraines Only Last a Couple of Hours

We wish! While a migraine itself may last only a few hours, the pain might last three days, and when you factor in the weird prodromal warning symptoms, the migraine auras, and the flat, post migraine recovery phase, a particularly nasty migraine can last as long as a typical hurricane.

3. No Biggie–Everybody Gets Migraines Sometimes

I heard an interview once with Hollywood actors and Nashville singers bragging about how they had performed for so many thousands of people while suffering a “nasty” migraine. Excuse me? Let’s more accurately define “nasty” as it applies to real migraines: sounds hurt so much it feel like a pickaxe through the side of your skull; lights burn your eyes like dripping molten iron, and your head or neck feels like it’s being crushed in a vice by trolls. Now, you tell me if you believe someone with a nasty migraine could get up under those hot stage lights and perform live for 20,000 screaming fans? Almost everyone gets headaches, not everyone gets migraines!

4. With Today’s Drugs, No One Ever Needs to Have a Migraine

Pure fantasy! Sure there are natural preventives like coenzyme Q10, feverfew and magnesium that might help reduce migraines. There are also over the counter pain killers and prescription narcotics that may help. Fortunately, there are anti-emetics, triptans, ergots and serotonin receptor agonist drugs that can help stop a migraine. Recently, drug companies have introduced or rediscovered preventive drugs like beta blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants that can reduce the frequency or the chance-of-getting a migraine. Depending on the person, any of these treatments MIGHT work, but these treatments don’t always work, and for some people, they don’t work at all.

5. No One Ever Died From a Migraine Headache

Maybe not, but real people with real families have really killed themselves to stop their pain. Most doctors mean well, but sadly, because physician education about migraines is so shoddy, it can take years, or a lifetime, to get an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. Way too many people have been turned away from emergency rooms and doctor’s offices as attention seekers, drug seekers, drunks, malingerers or just plain crazy people when the real problem was a migraine. Lives ruined and lives lost are predictable costs of poor migraine diagnosis and care. The dollar cost of migraines in the United States has been estimated at $1-billion per year for medical costs, plus $15-billion in lost productivity. All in all, migraine is a costly business.

5.1 Migraines are Hard to Diagnose

Yeah, they are, but they don’t need to be. A proper understanding of the range of migraine symptoms will speed diagnosis; and a proper diagnosis is by far the most important step toward proper treatment. When you finally and accurately understand the problem, you are automatically on your way toward the correct solution! Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. If necessary, gently insist that he refer you to a neurologist or specialized headache clinic. A knowledgeable professional will understand there is more to migraine than a one sided headache.

5.2 Complicated Migraines are Impossible to Treat

While it is true that the tendency toward migraines is a chronic condition, it is also true that with proper a diagnosis and the right combination of treatments and lifestyle changes, there is an excellent chance most migraine sufferers can learn to tame the beast!

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Ways to Keep a Wrinkle Free Face

01-09-2009 by admin



It has become a popular trend to stay young and healthy looking even as we get older. Many people go as far as having plastic surgery and Botox because they want to stay young looking for as long as they possibly can. In you have not noticed, there are in fact many Hollywood actors and actresses well into their 40s, 50s and 60s that look to be anywhere in the late 20s and 30s. Yes, there are people out there who are able to age well, but unfortunately, most are not able to. As such, they turn to alternative, possibly drastic and dangerous, methods to look ten to thirty years younger. However, there are in fact many other ways to stay young looking and to keep a wrinkle free face, in a safer and more natural way.

There are many alternatives available today that do not involve surgery or the use of injections to achieve younger and healthier looking skin, all of which are better for the body. Use them well and you will be able to get smoother skin and also keep your face wrinkle free.

One way to develop a youthful looking skin is to avoid spending too much time under the sun. If you need to stay outdoors, use protection like sunscreen. Apply it evenly over all parts of your body, especially your face, to ensure maximum protection. Although certain levels of exposure to the sun are essential to our physical health, be aware that excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful rays will also have negative effects on the skin. So, to avoid getting dry or wrinkled skin, use sunscreen each time you are outdoors and moisturize it when possible. However, ladies may worry that this means having to give up their cosmetics when applying sunscreen. But fret not as there are various cosmetics, lotions and creams in stores that have contain ingredients which protect you from the sun just as well. So, do check that the SPF levels of your cosmetics are sufficient in protecting you against the sun.

Next, you should wash your face thoroughly everyday to prevent the development of wrinkles. When washing, use warm water and never scrub forcefully. Make sure that all make up is removed by using a gentle cleanser with moisturizer blended in. When drying your face, make sure that you gently pat it dry and avoid rubbing your face.

Also, to keep your face wrinkle free, you can try the clinical procedure called Microdermabrasion. The procedure involves a licensed practitioner blasting tiny crystals onto the skin. It will result in a more beautiful and smoother looking skin. This procedure is good for removing fine lines and wrinkles, and is also helpful if you suffer from acne problems. You will be able to have softer and healthier looking skin at the end of the process. In addition, you can even get a Microdermabrasion kit and do it yourself at home.

When all else fails, use make up. Using a make up primer after your normal moisturizing routine fills in the fine lines and wrinkles on your face. Once the primer is applied, you can then apply your foundation and the rest of your make up. This will help you keep a wrinkle free appearance effectively.

As you can see, there are a number of ways to look younger and healthier without having to worry about the risks of surgery. Use these techniques effectively and you will be able to keep your face wrinkle free and develop a youthful look in no time.

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Doing And Not Doing – The Little Things Add Up

03-03-2009 by admin



For better or for worse, the things we do in life add up; even the little ones that may seem minuscule at the time.

Doing 25 pushups every two hours is an easy task and may seem inept. However, if you are awake 16 hours a day and maintain those pushups every two hours, it adds up to an extra 200 pushups a day! Compounded over time, you will likely notice improvements in your physique by doing so.

On the flip side, adding an extra scoop of mashed potatoes at the dinner table could easily add 200 more calories to your daily diet, which could make the difference between getting leaner, maintaining, or gaining weight.

These are but small examples, but I want you to think about your daily routine if you have one, and the things you do throughout it. Do you reach for the candy jar at work? Are you taking the stairs in place of the elevator? Do you pass on dessert or indulge in seconds?

A lot of people go to the gym religiously and THINK their diet is solid. And sure, in the big picture it may be. But when you start to add up the dietary faults and the lack of positive movements in your day, it may begin to come together why your current fitness plan is failing and why frustration occurs.

Just Say NO!

Not trying to be the Diet Nazi here, but think about how many times throughout the day junk food comes your way. On the average, I would say most people have several accounts of this. You don’t need to order fries with that burger. You can bypass the jar of jelly beans at the office. Catch my drift? And if you just can’t say no to certain things, there’s always another way. Skip the 600 calorie mocha in the morning and opt for a regular coffee with some nonfat milk instead, which will save you around 550 calories. Multiply that by 7 days in the week, and you’ve just cut 3850 calories – over a pound of fat! See how easy that was? But more importantly, how easy it is to slip without even realizing it, and becoming a victim of hidden calories and a bigger waistline.

Most people underestimate the amount of calories they take in each day. That’s simply because they don’t take into account all the little things that add up to big numbers. Don’t mistake me here, I don’t want you to count every calorie you take in – you will go insane trying to do so. Instead, just be aware that calories count and add up whether you acknowledge them as part of your diet or not.

Snacking can become a dangerous activity if you don’t pay at least a little bit of attention. Putting a bag of chips in front of someone watching TV is a recipe for calamity. Mindless eating, coupled with inactivity, is an easy way to pack on unwanted pounds.

Be Proactive at Being Active

I think it’s in our blood to try and get the closest parking spot available – it’s like some sort of mind control! I will see people circle the parking lot five times to park ten feet closer to the grocery store. Come on guys! Think about how ridiculous this really is! I actually try and park a distance away from my destination now, and know that I will add a little more walking to my day. Walking ten more feet a day isn’t going to make me leaner, but it’s the principle behind it that matters. Adjust your mindset and your body will be rewarded. Making the active decision on a constant basis WILL yield positive results over time.

Think how many opportunities you have each and every day to be more active. You are probably constantly being presented with the chance to do so.

I live on the third floor of my apartment and always take the stairs. If I go in and out of my apartment three times a day, up and down, it adds up to 18 flights of stairs a day. Over the course of a year, that is an extra 6570 flights of stairs! I’m not sure how many calories that is, but I know it’s a better option than being lazy and taking the elevator.

These decisions are what you should be considering. Really – take a minute and think about your day and what you can change to be more active. Then think about how these choices will add up and you will begin to realize the logic behind it.

Move More and Eat Less = A Leaner Physique

It’s such an easy concept, but it holds to be the truth. If you want to lose weight, simply move more and eat less. By changing your daily habits in this type of manner, I guarantee you will begin to notice positive changes to your body.

I like to look at the big picture in life and not worry so much about the small stuff. But your body does not think that way. It will absorb those “inbetween meal-junk food calories” and add them to your physique, usually in the form of love-handles or a bigger gut, neither of which are desirable.

The main point to take from all this is simply to be more aware of your daily habits. Assess the things your do – the good and the bad – and adjust accordingly so you can live a healthier lifestyle. This is not intended to be a fad type of change. Only when it becomes second nature have you truly succeeded in achieving the lesson I’m trying to teach you here.

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A Combination of the 5 Best Ways Build Muscle

31-10-2008 by admin



If you are looking for the best way build muscle, there isn’t necessarily one way that will bring you to your desired physique. In reality, it is a combination of many things that will help you build muscle the way you want to. Everything from eating right to doing the proper workout will develop your muscle mass and keep you fit. Here are the 5 best ways to build muscle.

1. Nutrition

There is no secret that nutrition plays a big factor in the way you build muscle. In order for your muscles to develop, it is vital that you are healthy and fit. Your diet and the kinds of food you eat will determine whether or not you are serious about building muscle. Although it may not seem like it, one of the best ways build muscle is through a healthy and nutritional diet.

2. Supplements

There are hundreds of different supplements on the market, but is this truly the best way to build muscle? Depending on the supplement you choose, it can certainly give you that extra boost you need to flourish. Make sure to talk with a nutritionist or health specialist so that you know exactly what you are taking. Anymore, there are a number of ingredients that are put in supplements that many people are not aware of. Find out what you are taking before purchasing it.

3. How many reps and sets?

There are a number of different methods to building muscle depending on how you want to build. Whether you want to tone or build muscle, as well as how quickly you want to do these things will determine how many reps and sets you should be doing. The best way to determine this amount is by talking with a workout specialist to put together the proper workout to satisfy your needs.

4. Work out the whole body

Too many people are set on just building their upper body or just their lower body. Although everyone has their own goals and desires, the best way build muscle is by working out the entire body. By working out your legs, it will increase your physique and strength in your upper body in turn and vice versa for your upper body to the lower body.

5. How often do you work out?

There is much controversy over how many times per week a person should be working out in order to build muscle properly. Some people say at least four to five times if you truly want to build muscle. On the other side, people say three times at 60 minutes long will get the job done and allow you to rest your muscles. The reasoning for only three times is because you want to workout intensely, and going more than three times a week will ware down your muscles.

When it comes to building muscle, there are a number of ways you can reach your desired physique. Unfortunately, there isn’t one best way build muscle. By using a combination of the listed tips above, you will be on your way to building muscle effectively and properly.

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How Face Exercises Can Help Young Men Look More Masculine and Help You Get a Chiseled Jawline!

29-10-2008 by admin



If you are a young man with a boyish face then chances are at times you may have wished that you can enhance your facial features. Well look no further, because in this article I’ll reveal to you a method for truly sculpting amazing cheekbones, a stunning, chiseled jaw line and so much more! So how can you achieve this? Though face exercises, that’s how!

I am about to reveal to you some very basic things that you can do starting today that will help to enhance your facial features to the point where your jaw line looks more chiseled , your cheekbones look more pronounced and even the bags under your eyes start to literally diminish!

With facial exercises this is all possible, believe it or not! Your face contains about 56 muscles overall and just as you can exercise and tone literally every muscle on your body, it would be seriously na

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