I follow @lars.langen for great workout and diet advice. Here’s a great cheat-sheet on muscle gain secrets, and how to find him on YouTube.

Highly recommended!

Here’s a great video by physical therapist and strength coach Jeff Cavaliere. I highly recommend this site.

www.youtube.com/@athleanx

Lower cortisol and eliminate “fat-storing’ mode. Watch this great video by Doug Campbell.

Start today.

Lectins are proteins, but they bind to bad, unhealthful substances (sugar). Avoid Lectins! They are in Foods you probably didn’t realize.

….more research, foods to avoid, and information coming…

Great article on Turmeric!

…I take it everyday

Written by: Kat Gal

Turmeric is literally one of the most powerful spices you can use when cooking and one of the top best supplements you can take for your health. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral superherb that can protect your body from all kinds of disease, including chronic pain, heart-disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and depression.

But are you taking turmeric the right way?

https://www.organifishop.com/blogs/news/how-to-make-sure-your-body-is-absorbing-turmeric-properly?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Organifi-shop&utm_term=article&utm_content=absorbing-turmeric

19 Shocking Foods To Get You Killer Abs – Saturday Strategy originally posted by Drew Canole, Fitlife.tv

For some people, the most frustrating part of their body is their BELLY. For some reason, they can pull hours each week at the gym and tone the rest of their body just fine, but the annoying tire around their middle just won’t deflate.

Here’s the big secret… the lean, toned midsection that looks amazing is not made in the gym, or the yoga studio, or on the track… it’s actually made in the kitchen!!!

Your body is pretty awesome… it can process about 1 million toxins each and every day. The problem is that a lot of us are getting closer to 2 million toxins (through the food we eat, pollution, EMFs, chemicals in the home, negative thought patterns) every day, leaving our liver with too much stuff in the ‘in’ box and not nearly enough going ‘out’.

What happens when we are overloaded with toxins?

A lot of things. We can’t cover everything today, but I will tell you that a lot of toxins are sent directly to the lymph nodes and there are actually lymph nodes in your midsection area. The body sends toxins to the lymph nodes where the toxins are surrounded with water (they are acidic and your body wants to protect itself) and stored until the body can deal with them.

So YOU end up with a lot of extra weight around your midsection that can’t be dissolved by crunches or planks or time on the treadmill.

It must be taken care of in the kitchen!

Stop crunching yourself to death or planking yourself unconscious! It’s time to give your body the tools it needs to detoxify and cleanse your system of those nasty toxins so that your troublesome midsection can finally melt away and reveal those fantastic abs that I know you’ve been working on for so long.

What foods are best to eat when trying to get a set of washboard abs?

• Foods that cleanse the body of toxins
• Provide energy
• Are full of nutrients, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals to help the body function
• Provide enough protein and healthy fats for good digestion and appetite suppression

Here’s a good list to get you started!

(I eat most of these everyday -Mike)

#1 Black Pepper

According to WebMD, the same ingredient in black pepper that makes you sneeze may also help you get slim.

Black pepper contains piperine, which current research shows has been shown to fight the formation of new fat cells. It has been used for centuries in traditional Eastern Medicine to address different gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea and cholera.

#2 Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper has many phenomenal health benefits and considering that, is widely underused. It regulates blood flow, improves circulation, removes toxins and targets water weight.

One study done by the food scientist Stephen Whiting showed that the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, capsaicin, causes a sort of adrenaline rush in the body that then sends a message to the brain to burn fat cells.

Add a dash of this to your morning lemon water for a great detoxifying aid.

#3 Apples

Apples are low in fat, sodium and calories but are loaded with awesome vitamins and minerals. They also have a decent amount of fiber, which we all know is important for good digestion to keep things moving through the gut and not suck in it.

A 2014 study quoted in Women’s Health magazine showed apples have non-digestible compounds (fiber and polyphenols) that promote good bacteria growth in your gut. A healthy balance of bacteria improves metabolism, decreases inflammation, protects against chronic disease and helps one maintain a healthy weight.

#4 Avocado

Avocados are a nutritional goldmine! They are packed with healthy fats that provide fuel for the body, help you feel full and keep your various systems functioning properly.

Americans are scared of fat. This is due to a lot of misinformation about fats in general. But here’s the truth: You NEED healthy fats to function and you can eat a good amount of them (the right ones) without gaining weight.

Getting enough GOOD fats in your diet (coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, wild caught fish, omega-3s, raw nuts and seeds) will actually HELP you to maintain a great weight, not sabotage it.

#5 Almonds

Almonds are a perfect substitute for processed snacks. Keep a baggie in your purse or bag to munch on throughout the day. Almonds are also a good fat and energy source.

Studies have linked regular almond consumption to lowered cholesterol, lowered risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and less inflammation. They help with good weight management and also help with oxidative stress (that leads to disease).

#6 Blueberries

Studies have found that blueberries may help breakdown abdominal fat. This is believed to be due to their high phytochemical (antioxidant) content.

More studies have shown that blueberries may be especially beneficial to those suffering from obesity or diabetes as they reduce insulin resistance.

#7 Cod Fish

These fish are full of healthy fats and protein which takes longer to digest than other foods, keeping you fuller for longer and decreasing your appetite. Protein is also vital to the formation of those sexy abs you are trying to uncover!

In one serving there are 29.5 grams of protein!!! That is more then you’ll get in most protein shakes or store-bought protein bars. Unlike other animal sources, fish only has about 145 calories per serving.

A study published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases found that people who added cod fish to their diet for at least eight weeks lost 4 more pounds than people who didn’t add any seafood to their diet.

#8 Salmon

Salmon is a lean protein and a perfect addition to most diet plans. It is full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D (which is hard to find in food), 22 grams of protein per serving and only about 155 calories.

Salmon is also believed to help your metabolism burn fat more efficiently.

(Note from Michael: see my post by David Robinson Simonon regarding Salmon and why I’ve cut back on eating it. If you eat Salmon, stay away from “farmed” Salmon. https://24hrbootcampblog.wordpress.com/2014/06/19/5-reasons-you-should-stop-eating-salmon/)

#9 Eggs

Eggs have the perfect balance of protein and essential amino acids, which are important for burning fat, building muscle and staying full for longer periods of time. Some people shy away from eggs because they’ve heard they are not good for you, they have negative effects on cholesterol or make you gain weight. Quite the contrary, eggs are a rich source of over 13 different vitamins and minerals, several important trace nutrients, 6 grams of protein and contain only 77 calories.

They ARE high in cholesterol but EATING cholesterol doesn’t mean your cholesterol goes UP. In fact, when scientists studied this they found that 70% of people who eat eggs experience NO raise in cholesterol and the other 30% only experience MILD increases.

And please – EAT THE YOLK!!!! Much of the nutrients are actually in that beautiful golden center, while most of the protein comes from the whites. We need BOTH components for a truly balanced source of goodness.

Some people go as far to say that eggs are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Makes sense because the contents of an egg are meant to grow a full, living chicken!

A study found people who eat eggs early in the day are less hungry later on.

#10 Leafy Greens

This one is a no brainer. VERY low calorie. Packed with an insane amount of vitamins, minerals, micronutrients and even some protein – you can eat leafy greens all day long and not gain a pound. The fiber will also help clean out your gut of toxins and fill you with raw living enzymes for good digestion and energy. Not to mention their positive affect on your skin!

#11 Yogurt

The truth is, I don’t necessarily advocate dairy. Mainly due to the inflammatory effects and the fact that most dairy on the market is loaded with hormones and questionable ingredients. And most people don’t digest dairy well!

However, there are always exceptions, which come in the form of WHOLE, ORGANIC options (raw if you can). And when you get the RIGHT form, there can be some great benefits (assuming you’re not someone who actually cannot tolerate it – in which case, steer clear altogether – there are plenty of other amazing options for you out there).

If you want your gut to look good on the outside, you MUST take care of it on the inside! Foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha are full of good probiotics for gut health. A healthy gut = less bloating, gas, constipation and better digestion.

Just make sure that if you opt for yogurt or kefir, it’s organic and free of added junk like sugar, hormones and fillers. You can even opt to make your own or purchase from a reputable source. Goat’s milk has been shown to be easier to digest so that may be worth a shot for you to try!

#12 Probiotic Supplements

For a lot of us, it is hard to get our daily need for probiotics. This is due in part to the amount of COOKED foods we eat and also that the American diet doesn’t contain a lot of fermented foods. I take probiotics on a daily basis as do many of our coaching clients as well as our Fitlife team! If you get the right kind (good quality, at least 10 strains) and take them daily, you will notice a difference fairly quickly.

Probiotics help to balance your belly, aid in digestion (you are what you absorb, not what you eat!), boost your immune system, enhance energy, decrease gas, constipation and bloating and along with good eating habits, have the potential to help  slim your waist!

Check out FitLife’s very own phenomenal probiotic supplement! We love it and I know you will too!

#13 Bone Broth

Bone broth (especially homemade) is an incredible tonic and nutrient-rich addition to your diet. It is full of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and many vitamins and minerals, which release into the water from bones. It also contains gelatin, which is a good supplementary protein, benefiting your joints as well as connective tissues (important for strong organs and muscles).

One study showed that people consuming broth-based soup twice daily had more successful weight loss than those eating the same calories in snack foods.

Keep in mind that many store-bought broths are loaded with sodium and other ingredients. To get the most out of your broth, opt to make your own. It’s super simple and tastes amazing!

#14 Quinoa

Quinoa is a nutrient-dense seed that makes a great substitute for traditional grains. It is gluten and cholesterol-free and thus easy on the digestive system. Because of its protein and fiber content, quinoa helps you feel full faster and for longer amounts of time. Quinoa is actually a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids.

Quinoa will provide those seeking to lose weight with incredible nutritional punch, a feeling of satiety as well as desired energy and stamina.

Some even call quinoa a superfood and due to its growing popularity, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2013 the ‘International Year Of Quinoa’.

For the best flavor I recommend making quinoa in organic bone broth instead of water. Delicious!

#15 Spirulina

Remember earlier when I talked about toxins being wrapped in water and stored near your lymph nodes, leaving you with water weight? I was in a lecture by a brilliant slovenian nutritionist a few months back and I remember him telling us that ALGAE, specifically green algaes like spirulina, were one of the most powerful detoxifiers on the planet. He was right!

Spirulina is particularly good at cleansing the body of heavy metal toxins. You see, even if you start eating all the right foods, your belly might still hang around for a while. That’s because it needs to be CLEANSED and DETOXIFIED so that it can actually ABSORB the nutrients you are putting into it once it has the clean space available!

I would highly recommend spirulina to anyone who is focusing on shrinking their gut. You can get it in powder form and add to smoothies. We also put it in our own Organifi green juice superfood powder, which I love to drink just mixed in water or added to my fresh green juices and smoothies. So good!

#16 Bok Choy

An extremely popular vegetable in countries like China and Japan, the wonders of bok choy are still not well understood (or used) in America. Bok choy is very low calorie and low carb but high in nutritional content. It has a lighter taste than regular cabbage and a great texture for cooking (think healthy stir-fries and soups).

Bok choy is full of phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has a glycemic load of 1 (the lowest you can get) and ranks five stars for weight loss.

#17 Buckwheat

Another popular food in asian cooking, buckwheat is not actually a type of wheat or even a grain. It is the fruit of a plant similar to rhubarb and is gluten-free. It also happens to be full of disease fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals and has become an effective tool in weight loss plans.

Buckwheat is a good source of protein, which takes longer to digest than other nutrients and helps to keep your appetite in check. It’s also good for digestion!

Studies have shown that those who eat buckwheat have a decreased likelihood of developing high blood pressure.

#18 Lemon

If you’ve been hanging around FitLife for long you’ll have realized that we talk about lemons ALL THE TIME. They should be called a superfood and their numerous benefits are just beginning to gain recognition around the United States.

Lemons, although technically an acidic fruit, have an alkalizing effect within the body. An alkaline environment aids in the prevention of illnesses by decreasing inflammation and supporting a clean microbiome.

Lemons are also an amazing cleanser and detoxifier, which is an important step in uncovering your abs.  Start drinking a glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon juice right when you wake up. This one small habit can produce HUGE results!

#19 Green Juice

Ahhhh, a fresh glass of green, micro-nutrient rich juice. I don’t know if any habit will change your life more than picking up juicing! Green juice is a powerful source of micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and much more! These give you a quick source of energy (said to hit your bloodstream within minutes) and also help to rid your body of unhealthy cravings and appetite.

Green juice flushes toxins from the body and replenishes the cells with vital nutrients for survival.

Although you won’t develop killer abs and a flat belly overnight, you can get there faster than you think. Pick 3-5 things from this list – or even just 1 to start with – and get it into your daily and/or weekly diet. I promise your body will love you for it.

(Note from Michael: I also like red beet juice…drink daily around 10:00 am for best results)

– See more at: http://fitlife.tv/19-shocking-foods-to-get-you-killer-abs-saturday-strategy/#sthash.KFRA7vxr.266JaBBl.dpuf

Here’s an additional list with a few more great superfoods for fighting fat!

https://24hrbootcampblog.wordpress.com/2014/06/25/top-9-superfoods-for-looking-good-feeling-great-losing-weight/  (by Dr. Frank Lipman)

Enjoy!

Mike

Hi. I found another great post from Drew the Juiceman (Juicing with Drew & FitLife.tv), that was written By Marina Daniell.

Certain types of foods cause fat around the belly, and it’s these that we want to avoid… sodas, white flour, fried foods, alcohol and sugar (you can read about those horrible foods in my other posts, especially the one on sugar at http://wp.me/p3aozB-66   -Mike)

But there are other foods that actually kill belly fat, and these are the ones we’re going to focus on.

Here are 7 foods that will help flatten your belly: 

1. Avocados

These bad boys are loaded with nutrients that are essential to killing belly fat. The creamy fruit is loaded with protein and fiber, and is also packed with monounsaturated fats (the good fats)! And it’s the monounsaturated fats that have been shown to reduce your body’s feeling of hunger. Add an organic avocado to your next meal (salad, pasta, guacamole) and start killing belly fat immediately.

2. Eggs

Let’s start by saying eggs aren’t bad for you. Eggs used to have a bad name because they contain cholesterol. But we now know that the cholesterol we eat has very little impact on how much cholesterol is in our blood. Instead, eggs are loaded with fat-burning protein (keeping you fuller for longer) and are high in vitamins B6, B12, A, D, E, and K, folate, choline, lutein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. But be sure to choose eggs from free-range chickens as they contain more healthy nutrients.  (Dr Oz says yolks are OK because they contain the vitamins good for the brain…I love eggs. See my post at: http://wp.me/p3aozB-6p   -Mike)

3. Green Tea

Not technically a food, but it’s so good we just had to add it in here. Research by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition believe that substances found in green tea known as catechins may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and decreasing body fat. Green tea will also help regulate your glucose levels by slowing the rise of blood sugar after a meal (helping to prevent an insulin spike), which means less unnecessary fat storage.

4. Berries 

No matter how they are consumed – fresh, frozen, dried, freeze-dried or powdered – berries are nutritional powerhouses. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries and acai berries are all loaded with fiber, which helps to slow sugar absorption. They’re also loaded with nutrients that give your body the power to fight off cravings.  (watch out for berries with added sugar! -Mike)

5. Dark Chocolate

No, it’s not a typo! Dark chocolate is in fact jammed with vital antioxidants and contains the natural stimulants theobromine and caffeine that help your body burn fat. Just like avocados, dark chocolate contains a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid, which helps your body kill those unnecessary hunger cravings. For this reason, dark chocolate is considered a low glycemic food, meaning it won’t cause giant spikes in your blood sugar levels. It also contains (surprisingly in high doses) iron, magnesium, copper and potassium – all essential vitamins and minerals that support your health. But there’s a catch, regular chocolate won’t do the trick, you must choose the 78% or higher cocoa levels for optimum results.

6. Wild Salmon

Wild salmon is bursting with omega-3 essential fatty acids, which deliver a wide range of health benefits including helping your body burn fat. This fish is low in saturated fat and calories but high in protein, making it a superfood for blasting away excess belly fat. But be sure to choose wild salmon over farm-raised salmon, as the farmed variety will have been fed antibiotics and other chemicals. Factory-farmed salmon for example, are fed color-enhancing chemicals to be more appealing to consumers because their natural flesh is a muddy grey color (as opposed to the flesh of wild salmon, which is naturally pink due the food they eat in the wild).

7. Beans

If you were stuck on an island and could only pick one food, it would have to be beans. Beans offer a rich and varied array of substances that are vital for human health; B vitamins, potassium, calcium and folate to name but a few. And if your goal is weight loss, hands-down beans are your best bet. When your diet is based on protein and fiber you’re more likely to stay fuller for longer. So a bean-centered diet means chances are good that you’ll shed belly fat fast eating this way. And yes, beans can be gassy, but washing your beans well and soaking them overnight will get rid of this problem. So don’t let the ‘explosive’ nature of beans frighten you away from one of the best sources of lean protein around.  (If you are on a strict paleo diet, beans are off the menu -Mike)

Original article can be found at: http://fitlife.tv/7-surprising-foods-that-kill-belly-fat/

About the Author

Marina Daniell is the founder of staple life, an inspiring blog for women about simple living (doing less, so you can live more). A dedicated Bikram Yogi, lover of fashion, beauty and food. When she isn’t in the hot yoga room she can be found whipping up beauty products with items from her fridge, running on Bondi beach or cooking three course meals for her family. You can follow Marina on Facebook , Twitter and Google+ or check out her blog www.staplelife.com

Disclaimer: The techniques, strategies, and suggestions expressed here are intended to be used for educational purposes only. The author, Drew Canole, and the associated http://www.fitlife.tv are not rendering medical advice, nor to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, condition, illness, or injury.

It is imperative that before beginning any nutrition or exercise program you receive full medical clearance from a licensed physician.

Drew Canole and Fitlife.tv claim no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented here.