In my line of work; they tell trainers that there is no such thing as the “Fat Gene.”  However, I DO believe that genetics plays a huge role in how difficult it is to shed weight and keep it off.  

    According to an article written by MSNBC; it takes 3-4 hours of physical activity per day to ward off the “Fat Gene.”  This could mean bad things for people who have desk jobs! 

 

Sound pretty daunting?

Not for the Amish of Lancaster County, Pa., who were the focus of a new study on a common genetic variation that makes people more likely to gain weight. It turns out the variant’s effects can be blocked with physical activity — lots of it.

Scientists believe about 30 percent of white people of European ancestry have this variant, including the Amish, and that may partly explain why so many people are overweight.

But fighting that fat factor may be easier in the Amish community’s 19th century rural lifestyle. They don’t use cars or modern appliances. Many of the men are farmers and carpenters, and the women, who are homemakers, often care for several children.

The researchers found that Amish people with the genetic variant were no more likely to be overweight than those who had the regular version of the gene — as long as they got three to four hours of moderate activity every day. That included things like brisk walking, housecleaning and gardening.

And while physical activity is recommended for just about everyone, the study suggests that people with the gene variation need to be especially vigilant about getting exercise.

“These findings emphasize the important role of physical activity in public health efforts to combat obesity, particularly in genetically susceptible people,” the authors wrote in Monday’s Archives of Internal Medicine.

Study co-author Dr. Soren Snitker of the University of Maryland acknowledged that it’s unrealistic to expect most people to shun modern conveniences and return to a 19th century lifestyle for the sake of staying trim.

Every little bit helps
But he said every little bit helps, and that adding an extra few hours of activity daily might not be as hard as it seems.

Instead of watching TV for a few hours at night, take a brisk walk, he suggested. Or use stairs instead of elevators, walk instead of driving, or take up a structured exercise such as swimming.

Previous research based on self-reporting of physical activity has produced similar results. The new study used a more reliable measure — battery-operated monitoring devices worn round-the-clock for a week, said lead author Evadnie Rampersaud of the University of Miami.

More research is needed to see if similar results would be found in other racial and ethnic groups, said Amy Zlot, a genetics researcher with Oregon’s Department of Human Services, who was not involved in the study.

The Amish study involved 704 people; blood samples determined which of those had a variation in the FTO gene linked to obesity. Among those with the variant, those who got about three or four hours of moderate physical activity a day weighed up to about 15 pounds less on average than the least active people.

Big trouble for couch potatoes
The least active group would be comparable to Americans who get little exercise beyond normal activities of daily living, Snitker said.

The authors said it is not clear how the FTO gene influences excess weight, but it is believed to be involved in the function of a protein that may affect how the body regulates food intake.

“It’s only if you’re not active that the gene hurts,” Snitker said. “If you are active, then either way, it doesn’t matter whether you have the gene or not.”

INTERACTIVE Check obesity rates in your state Mississippi tops the list of heaviest states while Colorado stays slimmest.

So far, blood tests identifying the gene variant are only available for research. Experts say there are likely many other genetic differences that also influence obesity, so it is too soon to recommend routine testing for the general public.

Dr. Joel Hirschhorn, a genetics and obesity researcher at Children’s Hospital Boston, said people should not interpret the study to mean, “I don’t have this gene variant so I don’t need to be physically active.”

He noted that other obesity gene variants might also be affected by physical activity, which has benefits beyond helping people stay trim.

 

   I knew that you could fight the “fat gene; ” however this is the first time that research has put an actual number on it.  It sounds simple, yet moving is the key to a healthy life. 

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

   Many people will do the same exercises over and over.  To burn more calories in an instant you must mix up your routine.  I always tell my clients “if you keep your routine the same, then your body will stay the same.”  Variation is the key to change!

   This basic move known as the Dumbbell chest press can be altered by laying on a ball.  The ball will challenge your core muscles which will help you to burn more calories.

    To make this move even more advanced, you can do the chest press in an alternating fashion.  The alternating pushes your body even harder. 

1. Lie down on a bench, step, ball or the floor. Begin with the weights in each hand straight up over the chest, palms face out.
2. Keep the left arm in place while bending the right elbow and lowering the arm down until it’s at or just below the chest (the arm should look like a goal post).
3. Press the arm back up without locking the elbow, then immediately repeat the move on the left arm while keeping the right arm in place.
4. Continue alternating sides, engaging the abs to keep the torso from moving.
5. Repeat for 1 to 3 sets of 8 to 16 reps on each arm.

Tips

• Keep the abs contracted throughout the movement to protect your back.
• Keep the motion slow and controlled — try not to use momentum

   Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

    As a fitness professional; I’ve heard many myths about diet and exercise.  Everything from doing cardio is bad for your joints, to skipping breakfast saves you calories, to abdominal exercises makes your stomach bigger.  Here are some common myths busted. 

1. The food pyramid is for everyone. For many people, six to eleven daily servings of grains, breads and cereals is just too much. It has been known to cause bloat, fat and ill health.

Take the False Fat quiz and find out if this sort of bloat is making you bulky.
2. There is a perfect diet that will work for everyone. Some people do fabulously well on vegetarian diets, and some people crash and burn. One size only fits the people who come in that size.

Find out which diet is the best fit for you and your lifestyle with our Diet Destiny quiz.

3. All low-carb diets are like the Atkins Diet. There are many ways to get the healthful, weightreducing benefits of eating fewer carbs without going on the Atkins plan.

Looking to make sense of the low-carb craze? Here’s an easy explanation of low-carb dieting.

4. Stress does not make you fat. The truth is that the stress hormone cortisol leads to carbohydrate cravings and overeating, as well as to abdominal fat.

Here are some great ways to soothe your stress without food.

 

5. Metabolisms are all pretty similar.Metabolisms have as great a range as cars. Some of us are Jaguars and some of us are SUVs. You need to match the right kind of gas (food) with the right kind of engine (metabolism).

Is it possible to boost your metabolism? Find out.

6. Blood type does not make a difference. Actually, blood type does play a part in weight loss. People with certain blood types are more likely to be allergic or sensitive to certain foods. Those with type O, for example, are far more likely than other types to be hypersensitive to dairy.

Find out about the blood type diet on Diets A-to-Z.

7. A balanced diet will provide you with everything you need. It’s possible to have reasonable health without supplements, but it’s virtually impossible to have optimal health without them (credit).

 

    These myths are just the tip of the iceberg.  Educating yourself about diet and exercise could be your greatest asset.

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

    If you think you need surgery to lose the weight that is plaguing you, then you may want to wait a while.  Science is always evolving.  Now they have discovery a new chemical made in the gut called NAPE.  This chemical triggers the brain to stop eating. 

NAPE concentrated in the hypothalamus, an important brain structure known to regulate hunger, and inhibited neurons that stimulate appetite, they said.

When the rodents were given extra NAPE for five days, they animals ate less and lost weight, the researchers said.

With obesity on the rise in many parts of the world as people eat fattier diets and get less exercise, scientists are eager to find new ways to combat the problem. These findings could help guide efforts to create better drugs to suppress appetite and reduce obesity, the researchers said.

“Clearly what we have in mind is trying to find new approaches that regulate food intake. And this may be a new pathway that one could target to treat obesity,” Shulman said in a telephone interview.

“We’re now doing the fat-feeding studies in humans to see if we get a similar increase in plasma (blood) NAPE concentrations following a fatty meal,” Shulman added.

Scientists are working toward a greater understanding of how the body tells the brain to control food intake. Hormones such as leptin that help regulate this system have proven disappointing when examined as human weight-loss treatments (source).

  Research is the portal to the future.  However, this chemical may be years away from the shelf.  Until then, find ways to change your diet and exercise from the inside out. 

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

    Yes even the rich have to workout.  This pricey item puts a new twist on fitness.  In this line, it’s actually transformed into the ultimate expression of luxury. 

   Based on the look and design of these dumbbells; your significant other won’t mind if you leave them laying around.  They could pass as modern art!

Adria Ali

   Can’t seem to find that perfect gift for the “fitness buff” in your family???  Then here’s your solution!  This cute salt and pepper shaker!  

Give your table a lift! Our cute, weightlifter holds salt in one end and pepper in the other end of his black barbell. Just lift and remove the barbell for use. He’s a fun, modern salt and pepper shaker for your table or counter. Crafted with cream and black plastic.

    These fun, yet genius new roller skates might be a cool way to keep you moving.  If you can’t afford a new mercedes or beemer then maybe this set of wheels will get you by for a while.

And then there are those of us who’ll settle for something just as cool, yet slightly more cost-sensitive, like Emporio Armani’s Skorpion Quadline Roller-Skates

. Ditch the Roller Blades pronto because these are the coolest skates around. Basically,the old school rollerskate is getting a modern upgrade. The skates feature an adjustable footplate that fits virtually any type of footwear and “Quadcoil” springs aid in maneuvering and control (source).

   The price for these wheels is $425.  Guess you might have to ask Santa for this one.

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

   I saw this infomercial on tv about the “Full Bar.”  It supposedly acts just like gastirc bypass.  By eating the Full Bar 30 minutes before your meal it fills you up and prevents you from over eating.  It was made by a gastric bypass doctor.  Is this bar really the break through the doctor is talking about or a gimmick that could cost you hundreds of dollars??  Here are the reviews… brace yourself.

Here is what the Doctor had to say about his own product

FullBar was invented by a surgeon who claims it can trick your brain into thinking your full, therfore resulting in weight loss. The instructions are: “Simply eat FullBar with an 8-ounce glass of water 30 minutes before your 2 biggest meals of the day. The upper part of your stomach is stretched out and tells your brain: Stop! I’m full!”

This would be a great theory, if it worked. If eating FullBars doesn’t significantly reduce your food intake you will have consumed an extra 360 calories for the day, this could actually cause you to gain weight (source).

 

PROS
• Product website appears to be displayed for consumer review • Nutrition facts may be posted online
	Cons
• Some flavors may contain High Fructose Corn Syrup • Many consumers have not had positive experiences with this product and are now sharing their findings with others. To hear more about these experiences you can read their posts in this Fullbar blog. • May be considered expensive • Bars seem to lack a patented fat burner • No cited research • Consumers may not be offered free samples (source)

 

   This website called “Blogtalk.com“  reviews the most recent diet supplements  It is very rare that the blogging community gives a very distinctive “thumbs down.”  However, this product got a very negative rating. 

21	Thumbs Up Consumer Post
75	Thumbs Down Consumer Post
22	Undecided/Neutral Consumer Post

   As a consumer, I would definately steer you away from this bar.  I think the main downfall with this “fiber bar,” is that it may not decrease your calorie intake.  More and more people these days suffer from a supressedmetabolism due to low calorie diets, and loss of muscle mass.  Therefore, the true solution to weight loss is healthy, frequent eating, supplemented with weight training and a cardio routine.

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

    Chances are, you ate whatever you wanted during Thanksgiving.  Now the holiday is over, and it’s time to GET BACK ON TRACK!  Here are the tips that are going to help you fight the bulge.

• Don’t wait till Monday to start working out again.  You could have 3-4 days to work off the extra calories you gobbled up.
• Get your cardio on!  Cardio is a great way to get your internal furnace fired up.
• Hit The weights.  Weight training allows you to burn calories up to 5 hours after you are done working out.
• Get the holiday food OUT of your house.  Only keep the healthy leftovers in your house.  This will keep you from snacking on them until they are gone.
• Stay away from the sugars!  Sugar takes 2 days to filter out of your body.  If you ate a high sugar dessert during thanksgiving then give yourself 2 days.  If you give into the sugar cravings then you will start the sugar cravings all over again.

  The holidays are a wonderful time of year to see family and friends.  However, eating foods that you don’t usually eat can cause excess weight gain that you don’t want to see all year long.  Get yourself back on track as soon as possible to avoid the holiday bulge.

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)

    Now you can transform your body the way this “Spice Girl” did with her new workout DVD. 

After unveiling her amazing post-baby figure in Ultimo lingerie advertisements, it’s no surprise Mel B was bombarded with letters asking how she did it.

The former Spice Girl has decided to reveal the secret behind her honed and toned bodies in a fitness DVD.

The 33-year-old singer is releasing Totally Fit: Mel B, a three-disc workout, which includes a 23-day plan to slim down, in December.

Getting in shape: Mel B shows how she got her body back in her fitness DVD ‘Totally Fit: Mel B’

After piling on the pounds during her pregnancy with second child Angel Iris, Mel B signed up to appear on Dancing With The Stars - the U.S. version of Strictly Come Dancing.

After beginning to slim down on Dancing, Mel carried on her active new lifestyle with regular workouts at the gym and a healthy eating plan.

 

 

More…

• ‘I’d pose for Playboy,’ says Mel B as she shows off her honed figure in lingerie shoot

 

People were so impressed with her new body, she was offered a contract as a lingerie model for Scottish underwear firm Ultimo.

In Totally Fit: Mel, the former Scary Spice demonstrates the ‘very simple and easy’ plan, which includes a 60 minute do-at-home fitness class and four 10 minute workouts.

Enlarge  

Leg up: Mel tones up her thighs with some leg crunches

 

Stretch out: Mel gets into the spirit of the vigorous routine

Totally Fit: Mel B will be on sale in the U.K. on December 26th

Mel also divulges a nutritional plan to follow in tandem with the workouts.

She promised: ‘For anyone with jubbily bits, I’m going to tighten you up, make you laugh and enjoy your workout no matter what level of fitness you are.’

Dressed in a flattering ensemble of black leggings and fitness tops, Mel works up a sweat as she performs her routine against a stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.

Mel is having a busy year, balancing her numerous career paths with bringing up her daughter Phoenix Chi, nine; and 18-month-old daughter Angel Iris - whose father is Hollywood star Eddie Murphy.

As well as becoming a fitness guru, Mel also has a fashion range Catty Couture, is working on a solo album and has several TV projects in the works, including The Singing Office and an upcoming fashion reality show.

The Leeds-born star was unveiled as the new face of Ultimo in April, replacing Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding.

Totally Fit: Mel B will be released in the U.K. on Boxing Day.

Stretch out: Mel promises the DVD will help people ’say goodbye to jubbily bits’

 

Enlarge  

Enlarge  

Looking good: A slender Mel at New York Fashion Week last month (L) and at a heavier Mel at a Boots event in LA (R) four weeks after giving birth to Angel Iris (credit)

 

   Personally, I always liked “Scary Spice” because she wasn’t some “toothpick” jumping around on stay singing.  She always seemed to have a very realistic body type compared to the other spice girls.  Even at this smaller size; she still maintains a curvy body that looks feminine instead of looking like a waif. 

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)