Let me answer this ASAP!

The answer is yes!

Kettlebells are an excellent way for women to achieve their fitness goals. Over the recent years, kettlebell training has seen a sharp rise in popularity especially among women.

Unlike normal hardcore weight training equipment which involves bars, weight plates, cables and big, sweaty panting guys, a kettlebell just looks like a bowling ball with a handle. In some subconscious way, women find kettlebells less intimidating and the negative stigma attached to normal equipment does not apply to these ‘cute’ kettlebells.

Kettlebells Provide Women with a Balanced Fitness Plan

Resistance training is a key component to total fitness. It increases muscle mass, strengthens bones and ligaments and actually retards the aging process. Cardiovascular training while effective is not enough to achieve all the fitness requirements. Most women do too much cardio and neglect the muscle toning and building aspect of training.

Kettlebell training will strengthen your core, shred your fat off, increase your stamina and improve your muscle tone. It is the perfect solution for someone pressed for time and usually, most women are. Women need to look after the family, work job many times and a whole ton of other things need to be done.

That’s why kettlebell training is as fantastic for women as it is for men. A quick, intense 30 minute kettlebell session is enough to burn fat for hours and the muscles will also be strengthened.

Many women who have joined kettlebell classes for just 3 weeks have reported losing pounds of their body in no time. They also felt stronger and fitter. Even normal body aches and menstrual cramps are reportedly diminished.

These benefits cannot be achieved by running or swimming or cycling. Only resistance training can provide these benefits and kettlebells is a great way to work those muscles.

Women Appreciate the Shape and Versatility of Kettlebells

Kettlebells are a very versatile piece of equipment. Unlike dumbbells, they are safer to swing around because of the lack of sharp, jutting edges. So, women can perform swings, snatches, presses and a whole variety of moves that cannot be done safely with a normal dumbbell.

This variety makes training easier and more effective. A barbell curl is a barbell curl and it works the bicep. All other bicep exercises with a barbell will be very similar.

However, with a kettlebell, due to the swinging and jerking techniques, there is more allowance for freedom of technique. You may substitute certain techniques for others to achieve similar effects.

Why Women Get Great Results with Kettlebell Exercises

Kettlebell training effectively targets the thighs, butt, legs, hips and waist. These areas are so often neglected by men in the gyms. That is why you see guys with huge upper bodies but relatively skinny legs.

Women however, do not have the option of neglecting these areas because these are the areas most prone to getting fat and flabby. Many women complain of flabby thighs, droopy buttocks, sagging hips, etc. The kettlebell can remedy all these problems.

Most kettlebell training involves moves from the hips. There are many squatting and swinging movements designed to tone the stomach, thighs and buttocks. This is the answer to most women’s trouble areas. If you are not satisfied with how your body looks, if you want that firm, toned buttocks and legs that will look great in a bikini, then look no further than a kettlebell. It’s all you need.

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If you’re an athlete you do not face the same issues that the normal man on the street faces. Most people have a tough enough time staying disciplined with their diet and working out regularly. That’s half the challenge for them.

For the athlete however, it’s all about improving your game, bettering your personal best, functional conditioning for your sport, rest periods, HIIT and all the other variables that will make you a complete athlete.

So How Will Kettlebell Training Benefit You?

Up until recent years, kettlebell training was relatively unheard of. It was a training method employed by the Russians to train their Olympians; an eastern bloc training technique that was ignored.

However, things have changed and people are realizing the benefits of the kettlebell. The five main movements of a kettlebell swings, cleans, snatches, renegade rows and windmills. The uniqueness of these exercises is that they neurologically program the body’s muscles. This is so often ignored in conventional training.

For example, the swings will teach the hamstrings and hip muscles to fire off when required. This is crucial for athletes in sports such as cycling or running.

Kettlebell Training Will “Teach” Your Muscles Movements

Clean movements will teach the body to use the hip muscles and relax the shoulder muscles simultaneously. This is very important to athletes in events such as triathlons or other endurance events. The natural tendency of the body when it’s tired is to tighten the shoulder muscles and stress out the athlete further.

The kettlebell training will teach the body to relax the upper body while working the lower body which is excellent training for optimum performance.

Kettlebells Can Work Many Muscles at One Time

Renegade rows are an excellent exercise and considered one of the best fat loss exercises because of the sheer number of muscles engaged to do this exercise. It is a core workout at its best. A strong core means a more stabilized hip and any athlete will benefit from that.

Windmills are an exercise that uses many different muscle groups at once. With kettlebell training, the body learns to work as whole and not just isolated parts. Conventional training like bench press of bicep curls are rigid and only work the specific muscles.

With kettlebell windmills, the motion is fluid and smooth. Not rigid or disjointed. The muscles must work in unison to pull off the move effectively. The athlete also needs to be mentally aware of what he is doing. There is no choice. The move also stretches and tenses the body at the same time. It’s just an amazing technique that is best executed with kettlebells.

Most long distance athletes or endurance athletes tend to neglect the resistance training part of working out. They are already drained from the cardio that they engage in. This is where kettlebells are useful.

Kettlebell Training Provide Athletes a Fast and Powerful Workout

The kettlebell is able to provide an excellent workout in just 20 to 30 minutes due to the nature of the techniques required. Any athlete can benefit from doing a kettlebell workout twice or thrice a week. The benefits will be seen in the long run as their core gets stronger and the body teaches itself to work as one functioning unit. The improvement will be seen in the athlete’s results.

Learn More by Watching: Get 20 of the Best Kettlebell Training Exercises on Video for Free

Some people learn better by watching and examples. If this is you then you’ll want to go to the top of the page at http://MyFitneessNut.com and subscribe to the My Fitness Nut Newsletter. When you do, you’ll get a full body workout with 20 of the best Kettlebell Exercises on video. They’re yours to enjoy, so go get them now while we’re still giving them away.

There are a few reasons for buying your own kettlebell. They are a way cheaper investment than a gym membership. Most people do not realize that gym memberships are really unnecessary. The effort of going to a gym itself stops more people from working out than anything else.

If you wish to run, run outside. If you wish to do weight training, get some equipment and keep them at home. You will be able to use them for years and years without having to fork out a cent more.

Kettlebell training is best done barefoot and you can train barefoot at home. Most gyms don’t allow this except maybe the hardcore gyms that are full of bodybuilders, but those are so intimidating that most people would think twice before entering one.

So yes, buying a set of kettlebells would be a good decision.

Bear This in Mind Before You Buy Kettlebells

Not all kettlebells are made equal. Cheaper or more expensive is not always better and since these are lifetime investments it would be best to pay a little more to get a good model.

Generally, the kettlebell must have handles that are smooth. You will be swing and jerking the kettlebell during your exercises. If the handle are not perfectly smooth, the skin on your palms and even between the thumb and index finger is going to get chafed, abrasions or even tear.

Good kettlebells are made with a strong, sturdy high quality construction. You do not want kettlebells with wobbly handles or suspicious construction.

Another technical aspect that many people are not aware of is that the distance between the bell and handle is important. It has to be perfect because many kettlebell exercises flip the weight behind. If the distance is not correct, tremendous stress is placed on the wrist. In the long run, your wrist joint may be affected negatively.

The coating on the bell also matters. Only good quality paint should be used. Cheap paint will chip or flake off. Annoying and in some cases dangerous if the paint flakes off and falls in your eye during your workout.

Another point to note is the base of the kettlebell. It must be perfectly flat with a solid iron base. That means the kettlebell has a low center of gravity and is very stable. This is an essential requirement because many kettlebell exercises require the kettlebell to be on the floor.

Another mistake people make is buying kettlebells made of plastic. Don’t do that. Period.

Some kettlebells have rubber bases. Make sure that if your kettlebell has a rubber base, it can be removed because for some exercises the kettlebell needs to be on the floor and stability is crucial.

Next up, we have the question of weight.

How Heavy Should the Kettlebells That I Buy Be?

This depends on your strength level. However, the minimum weight a man should aim for is 35lb or 16kg. For a woman, the minimum weight would be 18lb or 8kg.

Kettlebells can range in price with some being very pricey. If your budget allows it, you may get kettlebells of varying weights. Just bear in mind the important tips mentioned earlier and always know that these will last a long, long time so do invest wisely in them.

Learn More About Kettlebells by Watching:

Get 20 of the Best Kettlebell Exercises on Video for Free

Some people learn better by watching and examples. If this is you then you’ll want to go to the top of the page at http://MyFitneessNut.com and subscribe to the My Fitness Nut Newsletter. When you do, you’ll get a full body workout with 20 of the best Kettlebell Exercises on video. They’re yours to enjoy, so go get them now while we’re still giving them away.

The key to success when doing resistance training is consistency with variation. You need to exercise regularly to build up your strength and stamina. Many people are able to achieve this. The second component is to add variety to your workouts. Many people get stuck here.

We are all creatures of habit and that can be seen even in the way we exercise. It is so easy to fall into the trap of doing the same exercises daily and not try something new. We never like to push ourselves past the comfort zone. That is why many people hire personal trainers to structure varied workouts and keep them motivated.

Alternative for Getting the Best Kettlebell Exercises

If you can’t afford a personal trainer, don’t worry. There are many ways you can learn to vary your workout. The 2 best ways are Google and YouTube. Just search for “best kettlebell exercises” on Google. Then type in the name of that exercise on YouTube and chances are very high that you will find someone demonstrating that move in video.

That’s awesome. You gotta love the internet.

The Best Kettlebell Exercises Are Done in Planned Steps

Just as with all things, there are varying levels of difficulty for beginners, intermediate and advanced. You need to find the exercise that is just right for you. Don’t be too ambitious and try to save time by doing the advanced moves. That is just asking for trouble and an injury can put you out of action for months. That’s totally not worth it.

Keep a journal to record your routines, sets, reps, etc. This is very important as it will show you how much you have progressed. Do NOT rely on your memory. Most people can’t even remember what they had for lunch 2 days earlier. You will not remember your workouts 2 months from now.

As you progress, you will learn new techniques and may even forget the old moves you used to perform before. So, when you have a record, you can always go back to it and refer. This will make varying your workouts in future much easier. You may always use workouts you did months ago and just increase the weights. It will seem like a whole new workout to your body.

When putting together a kick-butt training routine, you want to find the exercises that will target most of your muscles. Aim to have full body workouts. That is the most effective way to lose weight.

You’ll want to have lunges, twists, snatches, squats, lifts, rows and presses in your routine. These exercises will target all the large muscle groups such as your back, shoulders, legs, your core and shoulders. Many smaller muscles will be worked out too.

The more muscles you work, the more calories you burn. Keep the intensity high and sweat till you are panting for air. This is the best way to shed the fat fast. If your workout is intense enough, you will be lean, toned and extremely fit with time. Your metabolic rate will be high and your fat burning will last for hours.

This is your ideal goal. Once you reach it, you will feel a sense of satisfaction that no amount of shopping or partying can ever give you. Your body will be a reflection of what you are; determined, strong and a success.

Learn More by Watching: Get 20 of the Best Kettlebell Exercises on Video for Free

Some people learn better by watching and examples. If this is you then you’ll want to go to the top of the page at http://MyFitneessNut.com and subscribe to the My Fitness Nut Newsletter. When you do, you’ll get a full body workout with 20 of the best Kettlebell Exercises on video. They’re yours to enjoy, so go get them now.

Kettlebell training has taken the world by storm and is one of the hottest workout crazes at the moment. It’s right up there with Zumba and Kickboxing. So, it’s no wonder that the market is flooded with commercial products related to kettlebell training.

Videos, eBooks, paperbacks, hardbacks, magazines and other publications flood the market to cater to this crowd of kettlebell fanatics. In this article, we’ll examine if it’s really a good idea to get a kettlebell training video.

My answer would be a resounding YES! People learn best by watching. Now, there definitely are many books out there with photos and very clear instructions on excellent kettlebell workouts. However, many people do not really like to read and try and put things together.

Watching a Kettlebell Training Video is Much Simpler

A video makes things so much simpler for most people because you can learn the techniques and methods just by watching the experts. The videos are often entertaining with fit models working out to a routine. There is catchy workout music and routines for you to work out to which can be entertaining and fun.

So, now that you know where I stand on this topic, let’s see what you should look out for when buying kettlebell training videos. This will ensure that you get value for money and also a product that will guide you well.

Look for videos that are not sold using infomercials. That is always a red flag for me. I’ve always found infomercials to be misleading and hyped up just to make a sucker part with his hard earned money. A really good kettlebell training video will not need an infomercial to sell it.

I’d suggest you surf Amazon to see what videos are getting the best reviews. Buyers know best. So, if many people are saying that a particular kettlebell video is excellent, you can probably bet that you would like it too.

Look at the cover and description of the training video. Is it serious? You want a video that is dedicated to kettlebell training. It should be the main thing and not an afterthought. An aerobics workout that is complemented with lightweight kettlebells is a waste of money besides, jumping around while swinging kettlebells is neither effective nor safe.

You want a video which focuses on the execution and techniques of the kettlebell drills. It must be serious and hardcore. You can tone down the workouts when you need to match your fitness level. What matters is that the information imparted must be accurate and top notch.

Look at the trainer’s credentials to judge if they are an expert in the industry. Often the trainers will have degrees or certification in sports science. There is a kettlebell certification produced by Dragon Door. This is the most respected certification in the industry and came about because of the plethora of less than ideal kettlebell training products on the market created by people who didn’t know a kettlebell from their elbow. This certification separates the wheat from the chaff.

Make sure the instructors also look like they practice what they preach. A lean fit looking instructor shows that he has the knowledge and discipline to walk the talk.

By following these simple tips, you can pick up an affordable kettlebell training video that will guide you every step of the way in your kettlebell journey. You can also take advantage of the ones offered for free right here on our website.

Learn More by Watching: Get 20 Kettlebell Training Video Exercises for Free

Some people learn better by watching and examples. If this is you then you’ll want to go to the top of the page at http://MyFitneessNut.com and subscribe to the My Fitness Nut Newsletter. When you do, you’ll get a full body workout with 20 Kettlebell Exercises on video. They’re yours to enjoy, so go get them now.

Kettlebell training is extremely effective in helping folks shred excess fat off their body. It’s also a crucial component in most professional athletes’ workout regimen. Kettlebells look ‘cuter’ and more hip than the boring old dumbbells or cable equipment. Because of that, many people ignore the fact that kettlebells can be dangerous too if used wrongly.

Know Your Kettlebell Training Limits

There have been thousands of people who have pulled a muscle or strained a ligament from using kettlebells in an incorrect manner. Just about anybody can figure out how to use a kettlebell. There is only one handle to grab and lift unlike a conventional squat rack with all the ratchets and levers which will leave new gym users scratching their head.

Nevertheless, the simplicity of a kettlebell should not make anyone feel complacent. By using these marvelous apparatus correctly, you will prevent injury to yourself and more importantly, get the best results from your workouts.

1. Progressive kettlebell training is key

Do not use more weight than you can handle. There are many people who are weekend warriors. They neglect to exercise the whole week and go to the gym on the weekend and try to work out with kettlebells that are just too heavy for them.

It takes time to build strength in the muscles and ligaments; more importantly the ligaments which have to be able to withstand the heavy load. Most injuries occur due to weak or unconditioned ligaments.

Pace yourself slowly. Start with kettlebell weights that suit you and slowly climb up the ladder to higher weights. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

2. Don’t aim for muscle failure

This runs contradictory to most training advice. However, training to failure all the time puts your nervous system under tremendous stress. It is an effective tool when used sparingly.

At all other times, it would be advisable to aim for about 12 to 15 reps using various weights. Do vary your moves too. Snatches, cleans and squats should be mixed up in your routine. Try and make it a full body workout most of the time.

3. Always maintain proper form

Kettlebell training involves more jerking and swinging movements unlike conventional dumbbells. However, even these movements require proper form and control. You are not supposed to be swinging the kettlebells around like a mad man. There is a jerk to lift, followed by a swing and a pause at the end of the movement and back again. Improper form will definitely lead to injury or imbalances in the body over the long run.

4. Change your routine often – at least every month or so

In other words, you want to keep your body guessing. If you’re doing the same workouts day in and day out for months, you’re going to get bored and your results will taper off and finally plateau. So, change up your routine every 4 to 6 weeks. Add more reps, change the sets, use new moves, etc. Just make it different.

5. Train barefoot on a hard floor

When you work out with kettlebells, the force of the load gets transferred to the ground through your feet. The soles of most sports shoes are too soft. So, training barefoot is best. If your, floor is too cold, you may use an exercise mat. In the event you’re training in a gym, their rules may require you to wear shoes. Then you have no choice but to abide by their rules. Nevertheless, this point is worth remembering.

These are just 5 tips to help you train safely and effectively with kettlebells. Do bear these in mind during your workouts.

Learn More by Watching: Get 20 Kettlebell Training Exercises on Video for Free

Some people learn better by watching and examples. If this is you then you’ll want to go to the top of the page at http://MyFitneessNut.com and subscribe to the My Fitness Nut Newsletter. When you do, you’ll get a full body workout with 20 Kettlebell Exercises on video. They’re yours to enjoy, so go get them now.

In this article, I’ll cover a few kettlebell exercises that you can do in the comfort and privacy of your own home. They vary in difficulty level so be aware of what exercise you are doing in regards to your ability and your safety level.

Learn a Wide Variety of Kettlebell Exercises

Variety is the spice of life and that applies to your workouts too. Always aim to change your workouts and keep them lively. This article gives you a few kettlebell exercises but there are many more out there. You may use Google Search to find ‘best kettlebell exercises’ and go to YouTube and search for videos showing execution of these moves.

Now let’s look at 4 kettlebell exercises that will leave you sweating and panting.

1. Two-handed kettlebell swing

Exercise Target Areas: Shoulders, back, legs, hips, glutes

Beginner Level

Instructions: This is the most popular of all the kettlebell moves and perfect for beginners.

Stand straight with feet slightly wider than your hip-distance. Hold the kettlebell handle with both hands, palms facing down wards. Have a slight bend to your knee but do not go all the way to a half-squat. In one smooth motion, drive your hips forward and swing the kettlebell up to chest level. Keep your arms straight. Then lower the kettlebell down between your legs. Aim for 12-15 reps.

You need to engage your core and gluteus muscles. The force of this movement comes from the hips and not the arms. Most kettlebell movements use the hips as the driving force.

2. Kettlebell figure-8

Exercise Target Areas: Arms, back, abs

Intermediate Level

Instructions: You need to start with your legs wider than your hit-width. Next assume a quarter squat position. Maintain a straight back and keep your chest up. Hold the kettlebell with your left hand and swing it around the outside of your left leg, then swing it back to the center and past the kettlebell to the right hand which swings it around your right leg and back to the center. Aim for 1 or 2 minutes.

3. Kettlebell Russian twist

Exercise Target Areas: Abs, obliques

Intermediate Level

Instructions: This exercise is much more effective than the conventional crunches because of the added kettlebell element.

Be seated on the floor with your legs bent and feet slat like you were about to do a crunch. Hold the kettlebell close to your chest and lean back by 45 degrees. Slowly rotate your torso from left to right while slowly swinging the kettle ball from left to right. Maintain proper form. Absolutely NO jerky movements. This exercise will leave your abs burning. Excellent training.

4. One-arm kettlebell snatch

Exercise Target Areas: Shoulders, chest, back

Advanced Level

Instructions: Start by holding the kettlebell between your feet with the knees bent. In 1 explosive motion, raise the kettlebell up while you’re on your toes. The kettlebell must reach your chest level with your elbows tucked in. Next, raise the weight overhead and hold on to the handle tight. Bring the kettlebell back to starting position. This is 1 repetition. Aim for 8 to 10 reps.

These are just a few exercises to begin with. Give them a try and when you improve with time you may progress on to more varied and challenging techniques. The process of learning and discovering with kettlebells never ends.

Learn by Watching: Get 20 Kettlebell Exercises on Video

Some people learn better by watching and examples. If this is you then you’ll want to go to the top of the page at http://MyFitneessNut.com and subscribe to the My Fitness Nut Newsletter. When you do, you’ll get a full body workout with 20 Kettlebell Exercises on video. They’re yours to enjoy, so go get them now.

Modern Nutrition Plan for Building Muscle Mass

Many people think that all it takes is more exercise and workouts to build muscle mass but there is a scientific way to build muscles that provide more effective results and faster. What many people miss is to implement a proven nutrition plan for building muscle to help make every bodybuilding repetition they do become more effective.

Fitness experts agree that your diet is more important to muscle building than your dedication to lifting weights but you need both working on your side to get the most out of either one. You need to workout on a regular schedule and you need a plan for getting muscle building nutrients into your body at the right time.

Putting Together a Nutrition Plan for Building Muscle

You can make this hard or you can make it easy. You don’t want to start eating an abundance of food or rely on any one food group. You’ll hear many people tell you that you need more protein while building muscle mass but you also need a balance of nutrients for your body to function at its best.

You never want to overload your system with one specific food group.

There are many nutrients that your body needs and if you’re striving for good health, then you best be consuming all of those nutrients. I hope that makes sense because all too many people get tied up in the protein consumption part of the muscle building equation and forget about nutrients that are so very important for their best overall health.

When start adding in more protein to your meal eating and depending on your gender and body size, you want to give yourself a 6oz to 8oz portion of meat per meal at most. Add to this meal whole wheat grain pasta, potatoes, brown and long grain rice. Then fill yourself up on all of the fresh vegetables that you want to eat.

Yes indeed, fresh and preferably raw vegetables like broccoli and carrots are a great choice due to their high nutritional value so fill up on all you want. And if you are vegetarian who avoids meat, use tofu in place of meat and add more nuts into your nutrition planning. Vegetarians as a rule need to be concerned about getting enough protein and even more so with vegans.

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Snacks and Meals

Your nutrition plan for building muscles should include eating 3 good meals per day along with 2-3 snacks. It’s a good idea to try to plan your meals so that you eat about every three hours or so throughout your day. When it comes to snacking, eating a handful of raw Almonds is a really good choice because they are loaded with protein and other valuable nutrients good for your all around health.

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Other snack ideas for muscle building are to have a banana with a ten ounce glass of milk. Milk along with its many nutrients also supplies your body with needed protein and any fruits are a great pick for muscle builders to get a mid-day or morning or evening snack. Fruit always makes for a good option to add into your nutrition plan for building muscles.

A good way to keep your nutrition plan for building muscle working in your favor is to stock up on the foods you need to be eating a week, even two weeks in advance. Simply create a menu plan for a week or two in advance, stock the cupboards and you’ll have what you need on hand to through a few ingredients together when it’s time eat your meals and snacks.

Including Protein Supplements in Your Nutrition Plan for Building Muscle Mass

Protein supplements are a great way to add that much needed protein to your diet but you have to use some caution and common sense here. Many protein supplements do not contain the many other nutrients that your body requires for both muscle building and your health in general.

These are fine for “supplementing protein” as long as you are not using them as a complete meal replacement. If meal replacement is your intention then you would be smart to buy a product that is balanced and contains the wide variety of nutrients that your body needs.

Tip: Serious and competition bodybuilders require many more calories than the average person. Consuming 3,000 to 5,000 calories a day is common among this group and using high protein meal replacement shakes between meals are a good way to help pack in those extra calories along with getting nutrients that your body requires.

Building muscle correctly means that you need to take care of your entire body in all areas and get enough rest to regenerate and build up muscle. Be sure to get a good night sleep and be sure to take days off from muscle building like setting your schedule to one day on and one day off or limit your workouts to only three days a week.

Once set up, stick closely to your schedule because if you start missing your workouts on a regular basis, your previous muscle building activities will start reversing. This will make you work all that much harder for the same results you would have received by sticking to your plan. You want to be able to workout then recover, workout then recover and repeat it as close to clockwork as you can.

There’s a definite, purposeful and scientific method for gaining muscle mass effectively and by you having a good nutrition plan for building muscle is where you want to be. By fueling your body with the right nutrients you are providing your body with the energy you need to do your workout sessions and realize the muscle building goals that you are looking for.

The Top Benefits of a Sugar-Free Diet

Are you considering going sugar-free with your diet? If you are, then you are considering a possibly life-changing step – in a good way that is.

There are many advantages for your health if you go with sugar-free diet and we’ll highlight those for you in a moment.

But is a Sugar-Free Diet a Smart Thing to Do?

The answer is “yes” and “no” depending on how you go about it. The last thing you want to do is deprive yourself of something you love so much because that is not sustainable. But to cut sugar out of your diet by using a sugar substitute to satisfy your addiction would probably do your body and health more harm than good.

Do Not Eat Chemical Sweeteners in Order to Go Sugar-Free!

Diet this, diet that, sugar-free here, sugar-free there. Read the labels because this typically means that it’s got some sort of artificial sweetener in it or it’s going to taste like crap. There is a better way, and best of all you can still enjoy the foods you love without the worry of sugar destroying your life.

First, here are a few top benefits of a sugar-free diet:

You’ll Lose Weight by Reducing Your Sugar Calories

Many of the calories we consume in the modern world come from sugar and simple carbohydrates, and by the mere act of cutting out sugar and going sugar-free, you will be cutting out hundreds of calories from your daily consumption. This will result in weight loss as when you take in fewer calories than you expend, your body will burn fat for fuel. Sooner rather than later you’ll be seeing a slimmer and healthier looking you in the mirror!

No More Sugar Crashes

Most people suffer from sugar crashes several times in a day which makes them feel fatigued and irritable. Some people even have headaches and migraines when they face a sugar crash. By adopting a sugar-free diet you will reduce the amount of sugar crashes you face because you will be consuming foods that provide you with more stable blood sugar levels. This will leave you much more energized and cheerful throughout the day.

To most of us that all sounds reasonable and certainly we can all agree that crashing from a sugar rush multiple times a day is not a good thing. The problem most people have is the part about “consuming foods that provide a more stable blood sugar level”. After all – We eat the stuff we eat because we love it right?

Reduce the Bad Effects of Sugar and you’ll be Healthier

Heavy consumption of sugar is the leading cause of obesity, diabetes, and various other health problems that people face around the world. By undertaking a sugar-free diet, you will ease the strain on your metabolism and your body will thank you for it with better health and more vibrant natural energy.

Good health will make you feel and look better naturally. You will be, and appear happier when you feel confident and beautiful from the inside out. Eliminating the toxic effects of sugar is one of the best places to start.

As you can see, there are just too many benefits to be reaped by going sugar-free to not do so. At the very least don’t you think that you should give it a try and see how it helps you?

If you are a heavy sugar consumer, do not try to cut out all sugars and carbohydrates right away. In other words, don’t try the “cold turkey” approach. Ease into your new lifestyle by gradually cutting down on sugary foods and look to cut out the white carbohydrates such as white rice, white bread, pasta, and so on…

And you’re probably thinking that this is most of the food that we eat and enjoy everyday of our lives; but don’t freak out about that just yet.

At this point many people would tell you “good luck and best wishes on your journey to a healthier you!” and leave you to your own devices. The information above clearly explains the benefits of going sugar-free and you know that you need to make this gigantic lifestyle change. But how, when it all seems so hard?

Going Totally Sugar-Free is Hard to Do!

The truth is that you probably won’t make the changes you need to because you are totally in love with the foods you eat. To stop would be such a great sacrifice and statistics prove that people who do end up feeling deprived, fall right back into the routine of eating the foods they love in due time.

So, what’s the answer to a Sugar-Free Lifestyle then?

Every person has to look at where they are at right now and make a mental note of what items they eat most often that contains the most amount of sugars. Keep your mental notes in your mind and read this article titled “Eliminate Sugar Before Sugar Eliminates You”. You will likely find a way to start a successful sugar-free diet within minutes of reading it.

Sugar Substitutes Are No Answer for Sugar Addiction

People are more aware than ever that what you put into your body is something you need to give serious consideration to and more recently there’s been growing concern over the negative effects that sugar can have on your body.

But humans have been consuming sugar for centuries so why is there so much concern now?

Well folks the problem is that there are two types of sugar – those which occur naturally and the far more dangerous refined sugar which you’ll find pretty much everywhere.

Sugar addiction is running rampant and sugar substitutes are not the answer.

One of the main problems with eating anything which contains refined sugar is that you’re effectively eating nothing but empty calories when you consume it. Now that refined sugar has become part of our everyday society and is part of every holiday season from Halloween treats, to Holiday Season candy, cakes and cookies, Valentine’s Day chocolates and in the kid’s Easter goodies.

In reality you can find some form of sugar in most of the stuff we eat and drink every day.

In Fact – People are Addicted to Sugar!

So it’s not just for the holiday sugar, it’s hard to avoid using it in our daily lives. In fact sugar addiction is now one of the biggest problems facing both developed and developing countries all over the world. Sugar usage worldwide has been increasing rapidly over the past hundred years or so and following along at a rapid pace you’ll find obesity, heart disease and diabetes escalating right alongside sugars escalated usage.

Refined Sugar and Sugar Addiction Dangers

We’re sure you’re wondering right now just how dangerous sugar could be? After all how can something which tastes so good be so bad for you? What you’re about to learn might come as a shock for you as to how addictive sugar can be.

Sugar Addiction Needs to Get Under Control

In numerous studies refined sugar has been shown to have what are called opioid qualities, which basically means sugar has the same addictive qualities as heroin for example. In studies conducted on rats where they were given access to as much sugar as they wanted to eat, there were significant withdrawal symptoms including screeching, mood swings and changes in their actual brain chemistry when the sugar was taken away.

As you’re probably aware eating a diet rich in sugary foods can increase your chances of developing diabetes, which is itself a very serious medical condition. Diabetes can lead to a wide variety of associated medical problems like necrosis of body tissue, coma and even death in extreme cases.

Diabetes is not where the buck stops when it comes to problems arising from sugar addiction. The health risks from eating too much sugar can also result in suffering from a whole spectrum of cardiovascular problems including heart disease and congestive heart failure.

More recent studies have shown that there’s evidence of a link between low bone density (osteoporosis) in children and teenagers and the consumption of sugary sodas – with most children drinking far, far too many of these. While some scientists believe that it’s the carbonation that promotes low bone density is not important because regardless, the sugar, high fructose corn syrup and sugar substitutes are the biggest problems we are seeing.

Did you know for example that the average American processes over 100-pounds of refined sugar every single year and that you can roughly add in the same weight in high fructose corn syrup? That’s 100 pounds of refined sugar plus another 100 pounds of pure high fructose corn syrup which is becoming clearer by the day is even worse for you that just pure sugar.

That’s nearly 200 pounds of sweet empty calories a year folks! Does anyone else think that we have a problem here?

Sugar substitutes to the rescue!

Or… Not so fast?

Is Solving Sugar Addiction with Sugar Substitutes a Good Idea?

The problem with avoiding sugar is that it’s been added to almost everything you find on store shelves, so this has motivated people to ask for, get and now use the “Sugar-free” options instead.

Unfortunately even when products are listed as “sugar-free” (meaning free of refined sugar) there’s an even more insidious danger lurking inside that packet or can…

Sugar Substitutes or Artificial Sweeteners!

What has surprised many scientists and nutritionists is that artificial sweeteners are actually far more dangerous than refined sugar in a whole number of ways. Firstly, people use artificial sweeteners to cut down on the number of calories they’re eating and in turn attempting to control their weight.

The problem here is that artificial sweeteners can actually make you fatter because they disrupt your body’s hunger response – when your body doesn’t get calories from these low-cal sweeteners you wind up with food cravings. This then leads you to trying to fill yourself with other foods and normally leads to a “crab frenzy” because your body is also in a low glycemic state.

So even though you’ve been drinking diet soda you’ll wind up suddenly having a craving for cake, pizza, candy, donuts or something else which defeats the purpose of using that sugar substitute in the first place.

Artificial Sugar Substitutes are Slipped into Many Products

What’s really scary is that artificial sweeteners are present in places you’d never expect to find them like in baby food, vitamin pills and drinks, fruit juices, diet meals, low-calorie foods and in all kinds of foods you’d assume are otherwise nutritious and quite healthy for you. To better understand how to avoid these artificial sweeteners you need to know all the names they go by.

Identify and Avoid Artificial Sweeteners

The most common artificial sweeteners are saccharine, aspartame (NutraSweet) and sucralose but neotame (used in many baked goods) and acesulfame are two new ones which are even more toxic than the ones they’re designed to replace.

In an effort to give you some perspective on how much of a problem this is when aspartame was first tested for use as a sugar substitute the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) refused to give it the all clear. There were early indications of several health risks involved in its use and laboratory tests on rats backed this up.

In fact aspartame has been linked to an increased occurrence of cancer, diabetes, obesity, headaches, seizures and a wide variety of degenerative neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, in people who are using this artificial sweetener on a daily basis.

There’s also the risk that aspartame can convert into glycol in your bloodstream when you consume too much of it, glycol being a common ingredient in antifreeze products – if you drink antifreeze it will kill you!

…Except in your case you’re getting that same glycol from drinking that diet soda you might have in your hand right now. In short artificial sweeteners and almost all synthetic sugar substitutes are nothing short of poison.

Why are Artificial Sugar Substitutes Bad for Your Sugar Addiction?

To date there have been well over 10,000 complaints lodged with the FDA in relation to the continued availability of aspartame but they will not discuss this issue with any form of media despite the fact that aspartame/NutraSweet is still in use in over 6,000 products available on the market today. The company behind this sugar substitute (G.D. Searle) have even tried distracting the public from avoiding their product by renaming it to AminoSweet in 2009.

You don’t need to take our word for it – you can Google the wealth of medical research out there on aspartame and the other artificial sweeteners on the market right now. There are hundreds of documents and studies available on the subject. Even Dr. Oz has gone public on the dangers of sugar substitutes, in the hope of keeping his viewers better informed and when talking sugar addiction, sugar is the number one food Dr. Oz wants out of your house.

Some people laugh at the idea of sugar addiction and just reach for a second round of cupcakes not knowing the damage going on inside their body until it festers into something serious. Breaking away from a sugar addiction is not easy but if you have patience and take it a step at a time, before long you’ll be looking back thinking it wasn’t really all that hard either.

To get a better handle on a sugar addiction without using questionable sugar substitutes read Eliminate Sugar Before Sugar Eliminates You also published by MyFitnessNut.com. In that article you’ll learn how you can cut your sugar intake as much as you want, with little to no sugar withdrawals.