Added sugars - especially in processed foods and beverages, may increase heart disease risk factors, U.S. researchers said.

Study co-author Dr. Miriam Vos, assistant professor of pediatrics at Emory School of Medicine, and colleagues analyzed nutritional data and blood lipid (fat) levels in more than 6,000 adult men and women from 1999-2006.

The highest-consuming study subjects ate an average of 46 teaspoons of added sugars per day, while the lowest-consuming study subjects are an average of just 3 teaspoons daily.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found those who ate more added sugar were more likely to have higher cardiovascular disease risk factors, including higher triglyceride levels and higher ratios of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol.

"Just like eating a high-fat diet can increase your levels of triglycerides and high cholesterol, eating sugar can also affect those same lipids," Vos said in a statement. "It would be important for long-term health for people to start looking at how much added sugar they're getting and finding ways to reduce that."

Source: UPI, Atlanta, April 21, 2010.

HOW SUNSHINE CAN MAKE YOUR WORKOUTS MORE EFFECTIVE

Great Question Terry,

I think it comes down to the 4 factors below and a willingness to embrace the RIGHT changes to fit the individual needs and goals of the client.  Every week I work with hundreds of fitness enthusiasts who initially are highly resistant to change even though their current tactics are not creating the results they are looking for.  Humans are creatures of habit who rely on what worked in the past to drive the future, but they do not consider that conditions are constantly changing making the right changes absolutely crucial. 

What are the right changes for your needs?  That depends on many factors, do not make changes based on the latest tabloid or infomercial just for the sake of doing so.  I have dedicated my career to helping people of all levels implement the necessary tactics to support rapid success.  To make a long story short- use the right tactics by getting expert help and your rate of progress will be 2 to 3 times faster.  So why spin your wheels with a program that is one size fits all when you can have an expert customized for your needs.


I have spent thousands of hours observing people in gyms and even more reviewing training records from thousands of clients.  It is easy for me to tell when someone is or is not applying the effort necessary to earn the best results.  You must be focused on the task at hand aiming for perfect execution including control of rep speed, rest intervals and other finer points.  My clients have detailed programs defining exactly what they need to do making every workout a productive challenge instead of a play it by ear waste of time.  Failing to plan is planning to fail.  Even if gaining strength is not your goal, it is necessary to progressively increase loading to make the body respond, especially when wanting to lower body fat levels.  Female clients who increase strength when using a properly designed routine see rapid rates of fat loss 100% of the time!!  It is common for a new client to look at an interval sprint program and remark that it looks easy since it only lasts 20 minutes.  When the right effort level is applied to support rapid fat loss their opinion quickly changes!  It is human nature to gravitate to easy tasks.  Ask yourself if you have been 100% focused when exercising with adequate intensity.  If not you are selling yourself short!


You may have heard me say eating clean is not enough before, but it is important to consider.  Many people eat the right foods, but fail to put together the right combinations, portions and timing to maximize body comp and performance improvement.  According to Dr. Serrano and my experience working with many clients, the people who eat the same items over and over again will build food allergies which cause a wide range of problems ranging from difficulty losing body fat, bloating, fatigue and more.  Furthermore, what I consider "clean" or good food choices may differ from others.  Whole wheat pasta and whole wheat tortillas for example are marked as healthy choices, however if they have enriched flour with brown dye, that is not clean to me!

Macronutrient cycling is the best way to maximize body composition and performance potential.  This concept involves increasing the amounts of certain macronutrients on specific days to create a specific metabolic response. Sounds hard, but it is easy to apply which is why I spend hours working on programs so my clients just need to turn the key and drive!  For example, the right increases in dietary fat from grass-fed beef will stimulate an increase in fat burning enzymes crucial for success.  


By far my clients who demonstrate the most consistent - high quality execution see the best results.  They build metabolic and hormonal momentum which is simply the body's way of optimizing its capabilities when the right choices are made for a consistent period of time.  This is impacted by exercise, nutrition, rest and supplementation amongst some other factors.  It is very common for female clients especially to see their best rates of progress in month 2 or even 3 of my programs.  In many cases they had an extended period with poor diet and exercise habits prior to working with me so the first month was dedicated to cleaning up a huge metabolic mess in some cases created over years.  No one can undo years of abuse overnight, but the human body is very resilient.  To hold yourself accountable ask for a copy of my success calendar that you can use to grade your execution on a daily basis in just 15 seconds.  Review after a month and you may be shocked by your real level of compliance.  Is there a big difference between the benefits earned from a week of high quality training and nutrition choices vs. an equal time period with only 70% compliance?  Yes absolutely and I have the records to prove it!

The societal increase in stress based on my client surveys has been dramatic since 2008.  I do not see this trend getting any better and if left unchecked even with an above average diet and exercise routine people can expect to gain additional body fat fast.  Why?  Increased stress levels ramp up FAT Storage.  Increased stress negatively impacts nutrition choices by driving cravings, reduces quality of exercise and compromises the ability to recover from training.  The right routines can help the system deal more effectively with stress so you do not have to suffer.  For many people there is no greater stress than not liking the way they look and feel.  This problem must be addressed with the correct strategy or the problem will only get worse.
Now that problems you are facing have been identified- Get solutions or do not expect to make progress.  Email or call me any time 7 days per week to discuss your specific situation and goals.  Email Scott@infinityfitness.com for complementary copies of the Success Calendar, Macronutrient Cycling Fat Loss Plan, 10 minute interval routine and the Giant Set Fat Burning workout.  


Infinity Fitness INC provides training, fitness, and nutritional information for educational purposes. It is important that you consult with a health professional to ensure that your dietary and health needs are met. It is necessary for you to carefully monitor your progress and to make changes to your nutritional and fitness program to enjoy success. Infinity Fitness does not employ dietitians or health professionals and assumes no responsibility or liability for your personal health and condition. For more information regarding our Limited Warranty for products and services, please see our disclaimer at InfinityFitness.com.  Copyright © Infinity Fitness INC All Rights Reserved 2010

This document is provided by Infinity Fitness INC for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of health or fitness advice.  The information is provided "as is"  with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.  

Email new questions for Scott Mendelson via: eathealthy@grasslandbeef.com