LEAD DIET COMPETITION

Diet or eating arrangements ahead of the competition is the hardest part of preparation for bodybuilding competition. Exercise may last for 1 or 2 hours but diet is the 24-hour activity. You must have a strong determination to succeed. Quality food, protein powder, and supplements must be prepared correctly. The main purpose of diet ahead of the competition is to reduce the amount of fat as much as possible and at the same time maintaining optimal muscle mass. Be prepared to lose some muscle mass in this process. Proper supplementation can reduce the amount of muscle lost.

When are you starting a diet? This depends on your body composition and time of competition you want to participate. Measure your body fat percentage, many bodybuilders will begin practicing 8-12 weeks before the day of competition, but there are bodybuilders who are dieting 4-6 weeks is enough. It is important to observe your daily progress. if you do not feel do not progress fast enough in the process of removal of fat, then increase the cardio workout, if possible, do cardio in the morning on an empty stomach. This forces your body to burn stored calories. This exercise alone will have a significant result. However, the diet still has a crucial role in the process of cutting, cutting processes must not rely too much on cardio exercise alone.

The last week of the diet is part of the diet, most importantly, filling carbohydrates, fat filling, filling sodium and draining process is an important trick to learn. All of this is intended to increase muscle density and vascularity maximum, this is called "peaking", which is a condition in which your muscles reach its largest size and vascularity. In peak condition only lasts a very short time. It is important to reach peak condition at the time you compete. Miscalculations and missed peak condition at the time of competition or too quickly gain peak condition before the match is a fatal error.

How To use Grapefruit to Lower High Blood Pressure

Heart disease is the number one killer of women. If you are a women, and even if your not, here is what you need to start doing.

The food you eat is critical in determining if you will have high blood pressure and if you can lower it. Eating less meat and eating more fruits and vegetables can lower your blood pressure.

High blood pressure occurs when fats, cholesterol, and nutrients in the food you eat start to accumulate along your artery walls. This narrowing of your arteries restricts the flow of your blood, increases your blood pressure and making you more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes.

If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high trigylcerides, grapefruit has been found to reduce the effects of these conditions.

So which is better yellow or red grapefruit? Well, in a study made where people who had a history of high cholesterol, those that ate the red grapefruit had the most effect in lower their blood pressure. The yellow also lowered blood pressure but not as much as the red grapefruit.

It was found in this study that grapefruit had a better effect in lowering blood pressure than statin drugs.

Red grapefruit are extra high in anti-oxidants and these nutrients are able to reduce your trigylcerides: the yellow are not.

Eat the red grapefruit when available and when it is not eat the yellow. Eat at least one - two per day. If you eat ½ just before your meal or drink a glass of fresh grapefruit, you can expect to lose 1 or 2 lbs during the month. By eating 2 grapefruits a day expect to lose more weight
Eating grapefruit has many health benefits, but one other is in controlling your insulin level. Studies have shown that those that eat grapefruits have lower insulin and glucose levels in their blood.

It is believed by researchers that grapefruit enzymes help to control insulin increases that happen after you eat. These enzymes help digest your food better and this results in less nutrients being stored as fat.

Grapefruit has also been found to be caner preventative. It's the phytonutrients - antioxidants - and especially lycopene that has been found helpful in preventing cancer.

Grapefruits are high in fiber, vitamin C, Vitamin A, and antioxidants - carotenoids, limonoid glucosides, flavonones.

You can buy red and yellow grapefruits from November to May here in the US. If you don't have any in your area go online and order some.

CAUTION: If you are on any drugs, do not eat grapefruits in combination with taking drugs. Grapefruit enhances the effect of drugs and can cause symptoms of overdose.

Obesity is an Increasing Health Risk

High blood pressure, joint pains, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart ailments, palsy, liver ailments, menstrual abnormalities, breast cancer, female infertility, decline in libido, endometrial cancer, mental stress, blood circulation diseases like arteriosclerosis, cholelithiasis etc. These are some of the diseases which might come up with obesity. This list seems endless. But before knowing how to end obesity one must know "what is obesity?"

Whom would you consider a person to be obese? A person who has BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 30 is considered to be an obese individual. But how does one become obese? In theory causes of obesity are gene, intake of fatty foods, lacking of physical activity, food habits, laziness and endocrine problems.

What are the available remedies for getting out of obesity?
Liposuction: It is a surgical process where the fat is removed by sucking out the fat from the body by inserting a needle.

Surgery: Commonly this procedure involves surgery of stomach and intestine to lower the intake of food.

Diet Pills: Majority of the diet pills are for short-term use only. These diet pills are effective only if they are used in combination with exercises and a controlled diet.

Fat burning pills: These are short-term quick fat burning pills. But the main problem with this medication is that the results are short lived. Once the medication is stopped the fats again show up.

Exercises: It is an age old technique of obesity reduction. It is a natural process so side effects are not there.

Controlled diet program: Like exercises this too is a natural process. Here a limited amount of food is taken which controls the formation of fat in the body.
Acupressure and acupuncture: Age old technique but nothing concrete has been proved yet.

Whatever be the method of getting over obesity there is no better method than natural methods like exercises and controlled diet program. And if a diet pill like Phentermine, Adipex, Acomplia is introduced the effects would be visible within a short time period.

Apart from physical aspects obesity may also let you feel dejected, out of the world and may make an individual abstain from social gatherings. If you are obese it is time to act. Whatever remedy you choose you should always consult your doctor for his view on that remedy.

Award Honors Success in Fight Against Diabetes

Ice cream or yogurt? Regular or diet soda? These may not be critical decisions at your dinner table - unless you're one of nearly 18 million Americans living with diabetes today.

People with diabetes face daily challenges. To remain healthy, they must monitor their blood sugar levels, eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Some people also need to take insulin to stay alive.

In an effort to recognize champions of these challenges, Eli Lilly and Co. established the LillyforLife Achievement Award in 2002. The award celebrates the inspiring achievements of people of all ages who live with diabetes.

Those recognized do not have to be well known or famous for their achievements but can be everyday people who have accomplished or are working toward exceptional personal success.

This year, Lilly has expanded the award program to include not only people with diabetes but also anyone impacted by the condition or involved with the diabetes community.

Categories of submission include: patients age 18 or over; patients age 17 or under; professionals; caretakers or spouses; and journalists.

One person from each category will be selected by a panel of judges to receive this special award. Applicants are eligible to apply for one category. Peer or self-nominations are accepted from the public through Aug. 30, 2004.

Last year, Rick Largent was honored with the first ever LillyforLife Achievement Award. Largent has been living with type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes for 25 years. He has faced extraordinary challenges during his life beyond diabetes. An unfortunate accident left him quadriplegic, and he later lost his 19-year-old daughter to cancer.

Largent neglected to control his blood sugar, putting himself at risk for diabetes-related complications. It was not until he began using an insulin pump that he started taking control of his health again.

Largent began traveling cross-country sharing his story and teaching others that anything is possible when diabetes is managed well. He also visited Capitol Hill in an effort to educate policymakers on the dual dilemma of diabetes and disabilities.

Largent's resilience to conquer diabetes and quadriplegia represents the kind of spirit the LillyforLife Achievement Award stands for. As many who live with diabetes know, if the disease is managed, there's no reason you can't achieve your goals.

How to Substitute Fat in Your Everyday Diet

Fat is a nutrient that is a contributor to the increasing problem of obesity in the world today. It's stored in the fat cells of the body. The number of fat cells is estimated to be around 50 billion for the average person. It can be up to 100 billion for the obese person.

Fat cells are like storage tanks of energy to be used for later use. It has been shown that obese people who binge eat may stimulate baby fat cells to sprout to increase the number of fat cells they have.

Fats are found in foods such as butter, margarine, oils, fats, dripping, nuts and oil seeds. Research conducted indicates that good fats such as fish oils especially deep sea fish, olive oil, canola oil, avocado and nuts contain important fatty acids which if taken by people aged 65 plus reduced the risk of a fatal heart attack by 44%.

Other names for fats include… Lard, animal shortening, coconut oil, palm oil, vegetable oil, butterfat, whole milk solids, copra, tallow, chocolate chips, shortening, margarine, cocoa butter.

Now lets have a look at the different types of fat. There are three types of fat to found in the diet.

Saturated fats - are found mainly in animal products and do the most damage and are the most related to the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. . Research has indicated that saturated fats in the diet can increase LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, which is the unwanted cholesterol and should be avoided. The following foods contain this type of fat:

Meat
Dairy
Eggs
Cakes, biscuits and pastries

Monounsaturated fats - Monounsaturated fats help to decrease the cholesterol and LDL levels in the blood. The following foods contain this type of fat:

1. Olive Oil
2. Canola Oil
3. Peanut Oil

Polyunsaturated fats - Polyunsaturated fats in small quantities can help to decrease total cholesterol. Examples of polyunsaturated Fats - would be vegetable oil and palm oil.

As pointed out before, consuming fats is the major culprit that leads to fat being on the human body mainly because fats are high in calories. I recommended that people eat less than 20% of total their total calories from fat.

We also know that eating too much fat leads to health problems and weight-gain, but we do need some healthy fats in our diet. Fats are a source of soluble vitamins A, D and E.

Fats provide hormone production and skin health and protection of vital organs and insulation Too much fat in the diet however, can increase the risk of a number of lifestyle diseases that are common in the western world

So Please…
Limit the saturated fats in your diet - which includes butter, cream, full-fat dairy products, fatty meats, cakes, pastries and fried foods.

Choose lean meats where possible and trim visible fat and skin before cooking
Select low fat dairy products where possible

Be aware of the hidden fats in processed foods and foods high in salt
Choose liquid fats over solid fats e.g. olive and canola oil over butter

Include amounts of unsaturated or 'good fats' in your diet. Sources include fish, olive and canola oil, nuts and avocado

Also try to include the good omega-3 fats daily – fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines are good sources and try to eat three fish meals a week if you can.

Below is a list of fat substitutions that you can apply in your everyday diet whether it is at work, home, or dining out.

Current Food Change to
Cheese – High fat types…
Cheddar and other hard cheeses. Lower fat varieties e.g. Edam, Cottage, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Gouda.
Chips/French fries Thick cut 'wedges' or oven baked chips
Chocolate Eat in moderation and buy the best quality. Substitute jelly babies or other sugar treat.
Cream Reduced fat cream, use low-fat yoghurt or evaporated skim milk.
Creamed Soups Check label for fat, use clear soups.
Croissants, pastries Bagels, bread rolls, finger buns.
Custard Low fat custard
Doughnuts Crumpets, plain scones, raisin loaf.
Ice Cream Reduced fat Varieties.
Meat (beef, lamb, pork) Lean beef, trim lamb, new pork or other 90%. Fat free cuts/mince.
Muesli Bars Check label for fat, buy breakfast bars, Power bars.
Pies Reduced fat pies, use filo pastry
Potato Crisps Pretzels
Salad dressings – Mayonnaise, French Use vinegar or lemon juice
Savoury biscuits Wheat crisp bread
Sweet biscuits Plain biscuits wheat meal.
TV meals Lower fat varieties (check label for fat).


There are many ways to achieving a reduced fat diet. Here are some examples:

Breakfast

· If you like butter or margarine on toast, only have it on the last slice you eat.
· If you don't feel like a solid breakfast, have a fruit smoothie.
· Mix up your own cereal from two or three types and give your creation a
name.

Lunch

· If you eat lunch away from home, plan it the night before. Make sandwiches
before you go to bed.
· Try some thick vegetable soup with a fresh bread roll to dip.
· Invest in a cool bag to keep your lunch fresh.

Dinner

· Try oven-baked potato wedges with a salsa topping.
· Go for fresh pasta with a quick tomato and basil sauce.
· for dessert, have a piece of fresh fruit with a yoghurt topping.

Snacks

· Salsa dip with pretzels
· Plain fruit loaf
· Yoghurt
· Vanilla dairy custard.

Before a workout
· Small glass of fruit juice
· Banana and Custard
· Half a slice of toast with jam.

After a workout

· Fruit/canned fruit
· Wheat Bites
· Rice cakes with honey.

At Work

· On your desk – bottle of water or glass to use at the water dispenser.
· In your desk – piece of fruit, small pull-top can of baked beans/creamed
corn/stewed fruit.
· Bring a few ingredients from home to be combined at work.
· Keep some cutlery where you work.

On a Plane

· Order a special meal when you book your ticket. You'll usually get served
first.
· Ask for an extra roll or two.

At the Hotel
· Take your own favourite cereal and reduced fat milk.
· Ask that the foods be removed from the snack bar. Eat your own low fat
nibbles.

Take-Aways
Burger Bar – Plain grilled burger, skim milk milkshake.

Pizza Parlour – Gourmet pizza with lots of veggies, go easy on the cheese.

Kebab House – A little meat with a lot of salad.

Sandwich Bar – Salad sandwiches/Rolls.

Club – A little meat, heaps of mashed/jacked potato and veggies, pasta/rice.

Indian – Lots of boiled rice, tikka, plain naan, dahl soup, raita.

Chinese – Lots of boiled rice, chop suey, steamed dishes, plain noodles.

Italian – Tomato-based dishes, plain bread.


Suggestions in General

1. Record your food intake to identify problem areas. E.g. emotional eating, unwanted hunger cravings, over-eating.

2. Pay specific attention to the times when you over eat.

3. Try to avoid severe food restriction (like fasting, low calorie dieting).

4. When measuring your progress, monitor body fat levels, not weight  throw the scale out.
5. Aim for slow fat loss (one pound / week)