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We live in a diet crazed world. Despite the fact a large number of our population is dieting and focusing on weight loss, the obesity epidemic continues to grow.

The reason the problem is getting worse is because people are falling for diet scams. They switch from one top 10 fad diet to the next while they search for diet plan secrets that cure obesity.

The truth about dieting is something we don’t want to hear. It takes hard work and determination to lose weight and there is no magic fat loss pill.

The Truth about Top 10 Fad Diets

Not all diets are alike. Even the most popular weight loss programs like the South Beach Diet and the Atkins Diet end their similarities at the word diet. In fact, there are few diet plans available to help you achieve fat loss and improve your overall health.

Fad diets are spun off of research tidbits. Often times the top 10 fad diets have not even been tested. Worse yet, some diets have been proven harmful to your health. Most fad diets are simply scams intended to make money off of overweight, unsuspecting individuals. Sadly, many of them succeed.

Ultimately what happens when you follow a fad deit is that you’ll lose a few pounds initially, stall out when you reach a plateau, and start to feel deprived and hungry all the time. Eventually frustration wins out and you return to your old ways of eating what made you overweight in the first place. Because you feel deprived, you are more likely to binge on the foods you crave and gain back the weight you lost along with additional weight.

The bottom line seems to be: fad diets actually make you gain weight over the long haul. Bouncing from one top 10 fad diet to the next worsens the situation as your body adjusts and goes into starvation mode.

Total fasting, or ‘the starvation plan’, as the only weight loss strategy, is not the answer to your problem. Each time you diet in this way, you lose fat, water and muscle and each time you gain, you gain only fat. That’s why it gets harder and harder to shed the unwanted pounds.

The bottom line seems to be: fad diets actually make you gain weight over the long haul. Bouncing from one top 10 fad diet to the next worsens the situation as your body adjusts and goes into starvation mode.

The Reason Overweight People Turn to Top 10 Fad Diets

When people decide that they have had enough of being overweight, it suddenly becomes a top priority to lose weight. They want instant gratification and are drawn in by diet scams that promise fast weight loss.

Most people think that the more money they spend on a product, the better effect it will have on their weight loss program. The problem with these diet fads is that even if their weight loss tips do help you lose a few pounds in the beginning, you will not be able to reach your weight loss goal and maintain it.

Few diets actually focus on the healthy lifestyle changes that it takes to lose fat and keep it off.

The Truth about Common Sense Diets

The truth about common sense dieting is that the only way to lose weight, improve your health and improve your quality of life is to eat healthier foods and exercise.

A common sense diet details what to eat and drink and provides a “simple plan” for success. Knowing what key foods to eat and when, is half the battle for fat loss.

Starvation diets and over-exercising don’t work. They leave you feeling weak and deprived. Eating certain healthy organic and whole foods at the right times during the day, in large enough portions to feel full and satisfied is the key to weight loss and is the focus of healthy weight loss programs.

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Robert Bauer is a fitness expert who coaches indivuals on proper nutrition and weight loss.

Exercise bikes can be used for cardio exercise, building endurance, burning fat and calories, and strengthening muscles. No matter what you use your exercise bike for it’s good to know basic use and safety. There are two styles of exercise bikes - upright and recumbent - and their operation is the same. To get started, position yourself onto the seat. Put your feet on the pedals and adjust the seat so that you come close to full knee extension but not all the way, then adjust your seatback angle for comfort. When you’re ready, start pedaling! This will start the machine and you can then select your workout program from one of the preset exercises or personalize your workout to your own liking. If you want to use your exercise bike to increase your aerobic fitness, try doing intervals. After a warm-up, go as fast as you can for 30 seconds, than slow way down for a minute and repeat. To end your workout, slowly decrease your speed until you come to a complete stop.

Here’s a safety tip: If there are straps on the pedals be sure to use them - it could prevent injury due to slippage or overextension. And remember - always consult a physician or healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program.

While the basic use of an exercise bike is pretty easy, shopping for a home exercise bike can be very intimidating! There are so many different brands, models and styles it can be next to impossible to choose the right one for your home. For most people, buying a home exercise bike is a major investment. It’s also a good investment for those who have decided to make a conscious effort to be fit and healthy. That is why it is important to put together a checklist that identifies attributes that are most important for you and your workout. Here are some tips that should help you out:

1. The first thing you should consider when choosing an exercise bike is the construction. A well-constructed exercise bike is something that everyone in your family can enjoy. You will want an exercise bike that is built with high alloy steel or aluminum frame that is strong enough to support the heaviest person. Some machines come with a weight limit - make sure that limit won’t inhibit your workout.

2. Watch out for noise! A major consideration for a home exercise bike is the amount of noise it can produce. A loud machine can drown out a lot of noise - kids, television, oven timers, etc. And some small, repetitive sounds can drive a person crazy and provide you with one more reason not to exercise. We recommend testing an exercise bike before you buy it. Sit on it and go through the motions so you can assess the noise level and see if it’s something you can live with.

3. Choosing between an upright bike or a recumbent bike is up to your own personal preference. Upright exercise bikes are great for those who prefer a classic seated position - and they are perfect for those that want to try spinning workouts at home like they may have experienced in the gym. Recumbent bikes put you in a seated position more like you would find while sitting in a chair - these are great for people that have avoided exercise bikes in the past due to back issues. Test them out and see what you like the best.

4. And finally, don’t forget the bells and whistles! The newest models come with many extra features, including LCD or TV displays, cooling fans, and audio systems or a heart rate monitor. Using a heart rate monitor during your workout will help you adjust the speed or incline to keep your heart rate in the optimum zone. It’s a good investment in your health!

Bob Lachinet is the owner of Fitness 4 Home Superstore, a specialty fitness equipment dealer recently named the #1 choice for home fitness equipment in Arizona by BestFitnessDealers.com! Check out the “How to Use an Exercise Bike Video” by visiting How to use an exercise bike video.

Home gyms combine a number of pieces of equipment for various strength training exercises. They have different configurations that offer exercises for legs, arms, chest, and back. You will usually be able to do a seated bench press, flys, a pulldown or row, leg extensions and curls. Some have a leg press. Some have pulley systems that allow a variety of exercises. Often there is a biceps attachment and you can do pushdowns for your triceps. You may be surprised at how many exercises you can do on a home gym! If you’re looking for extreme intensity with your home gym, try doing your exercises slowly to make them harder.

Here’s a safety tip: Be careful! Pay attention to what you’re doing. Practice proper techniques and use same precautions you would with anything that has moving parts or heavy objects. And remember - always consult a physician or healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program.

Shopping for a home gym can be very intimidating! There are so many different brands, models and styles it can be next to impossible to choose the right one for your home. For most people, buying a home gym is a major investment. It’s also a good investment for those who have decided to make a conscious effort to be fit and healthy. That is why it is important to put together a checklist that identifies attributes that are most important for you and your workout. Here is some information that should help you out:

There are endless options when it comes to choosing the right fitness equipment for your home gym. But the choices for weight training equipment basically fall into a few categories: portable, free weight, multi-gyms, and total gyms. Aerobic exercise equipment such as treadmills, rowers and stationary bikes are always options for a great cardio workout, but for now we are going to concentrate on strength training equipment.

Portable Equipment - Includes everything from dumbbells to workout benches, stability balls, steps, mats, ab machines and more. If you can pick it up and move it, it fits in this category. The main advantage of portable workout equipment is that you can fold it up (if necessary) and put it away when you’re through with it. Some equipment, like stability balls and mats, is even compact enough to be taken along on a trip which makes portable equipment a popular choice for home gym equipment.

Free Weight Accessories - This includes adjustable benches, power racks, barbells, dumbbells and plates (also called round weights). While some of these things may be portable, they are all categorized as heavy duty equipment that often times are part of a larger assembly. If the space you require for your home gym is small, free weight accessories are probably your best bet. You’ll be able to get a great strength training workout in with equipment that will test you to the max.

Multi-Gyms - There are several different types of multi-gyms available for home use. The first type is based on steel or composite bands and cords that create resistance. The second type is based on stacked weights, uses a cable and pulley mechanism and allows you to select the desired weight. The third type includes round weights that are manually fitted to barbell extensions. All of these are great options for a home gym. What you choose will depend upon the type of workout you’re trying to achieve and the amount of space you have in your home.

Total Gyms - A total gym uses an adjustable bench and a sliding seat platform that increases resistance based on your own body weight. While the total gym may require more space, it will allow you to incorporate more strength training exercises into your workout.
To help you decide which option to choose when it comes to home exercise equipment, you should consider what your goals and level of commitment are. The best way to decide on equipment is to test it out before you buy it. It could save you from wasting a lot of money!

Bob Lachinet is the owner of Fitness 4 Home Superstore, a specialty fitness equipment dealer recently named the #1 choice for home fitness equipment in Arizona by BestFitnessDealers.com! Check out the “How to Use a Home Gym Video” by visiting How to use a home gym video.