SKINNY DIPPING

Calorie counting is huge part of losing weight. But its even harder whena major party event takes place. Party events always have dips and chips. The question you ask is, what are the better selections or do I just pass on the chips and dip. Well you can always pass on the chips and dip, but will you? Realisticly, probably not. I have a hard time skipping the chips and dip, especially if guacamole is around, its over at that point. What you can do is, know what the damage will be once you eat. For instance,

THE DIP: 2 tablespoons with calories count

Guacamole 50
Salsa 8
Hummus 56
Articoke dip 60
Hot Carb dip 80
Layered Bean dip 224


As you can see the plain salsa is the best choice, not including the chips. Knowing what you are going into or just the knowledge of reading labels can save you the trouble making bad decisions on food.

TRAINING WITH LIGHTER WEIGHT

You don't always have to lift megapounds to get toned muscles, says a new study from McMaster University in Ontario. When 15 volunteers did leg extensions till they were exhausted, those worked with lighter weights actually stimulated their muscles 25% more than the heavy lifters. You build muscle by pushing to the point of fatigue, not by straining with the heavier weights, the researchers believe. Their advice: Choose a weight that you can lift for about a minute before you become too tired to continue. If it takes you much longer than that to reach fatigue, the weight is probably too light and you should go up a bit.

I am all for changing things up. Going lighter is the best choice if you want a leaner body and if you want mass, well the other option is to lift heavier within reason for muscle exhaustion.

Reference: Good Housekeeping: Good Health February 2011