In discussions about dieting, a topic that often comes up is that of “cheating”; is it good or bad to cheat once in a while during a diet?
In order to answer this questions appropriately, it is necessary to look at both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of dieting, and the physiological and psychological responses they each elicit.
Mitochondria are the ‘energy powerhouse of the cell’ that convert the foods we eat to usable energy our body uses to fuel life sustaining reactions within cells, our daily activities and athletic performance 1-4. While energy production capability and muscle performance might seem to be more relevant to sports, it also equally important for achievement and maintenance of health throughout the life span. In this article I will describe how chronological aging affects our mitochondria, its implications and the ins-and-outs of a new type of supplements marketed at “exercise mimetics”.
Written by Monica Mollica
Fish oil is well known for its beneficial cardiovascular and cardiac health effects. In 2004 FDA approved a prescription fish oil preparation for treatment of high blood triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) 1. However, recently several studies have shown that fish oil also has other beneficial effects, which might appeal more to the younger population, and especially to fitness and bodybuilding enthusiasts. One of these effects is fat loss.
Looking for pink dumbbell training? Look somewhere else! 
Alison shows what hard training looks like in the “No Pink Dumbbell Training Zone”
Like it or not, summer is coming. We’ll be ditching the jackets and showing off more skin. If you’ve been diligently exercising and eating right over the colder months, you probably have nothing to worry about. Some of us might turning to a “quick fix,” and is there one?
Deborah is not a competitive figure/fitness type, but stays in great condition year round. I’m trying to convince her she should compete! Here’s a chest/back day I did with her recently. Some areas of form to improve on, but she’s getting there for sure:
What effects does birth control pills have on your ability to gain muscle as a woman? I attempt to give some useful info in this video below:
Below is some -but not all – of the info and data I was looking at to help with my comments in this vid for the more science minded:
Effect of administration of oral contraceptives on the synthesis and breakdown of myofibrillar proteins in young women.
Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2009 Oct 22.
Hansen M, Langberg H, Holm L, Miller BF, Petersen SG, Doessing S, Skovgaard D, Trappe T, Kjaer M.
Institute of Sports Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
Having to deal with a mommymonster. No fun!
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, it’s much more fun to eat big and be strong. On 1400 calories a day my energy levels were very low, and I was a grouchy monster on low carbs. My soon to be 3-year old had enough sense to say, “Mommy, you’re being mean!” But when all was said and done, by the mid-September I was at 112 lbs-and had lost 6 lbs in a about 4 weeks. Certainly not earth shattering results, but I was not after dramatic weight loss, as this could also signify loss in strength and LBM.
The end result….
Welcome to Part 2 of the journey to getting lean and mean!
As the second and third weeks progress and I as I cut calories, I would note some dips in strength for some lifts but not for all. I could usually attribute a bad day to poor sleep, straying from my usual workout time, or another calorie adjustment. The fact that I wasn’t seeing dramatic losses in strength was a really good sign that I wasn’t losing much in the way of LBM. Still, I really, really missed picking up heavy weights, so made a pact that we were just on a “time out.” I’d be back for more heavy metal in no time! Some people might be able to continue with heavy (i.e., 85% of their 1 RM) while cutting but not me. It just felt far too taxing. Cutting made me realize how very much I am in tune with my body, how making minor adjustments always translate into something else, and it reassured me that my instincts would really help me proceed through this journey. Everyone is different, and what works for me might not work for everyone.
So you want to look like a fitness model? What does it take to get from the right picture to the left one?
I’ve always wondered just how it is those fitness models and figure competitors get so darn lean for photos and competitions.
I recognize there’s a lot of photo editing that does go on to get models looking so perfect for covers (see here: but for those gals that do decide to compete in a teensy weensy bikini, there’s not much “editing” they can do, other than to look their best, after all that diet, preparation, training, posing, tanning, etc etc.
In preparation for an upcoming photo shoot, I put myself through a temporary “cut” to drop some body fat and look leaner for the pics (more shredded, ripped, etc).
