So, you’re thinking of starting that long ascent up Michi’s Ladder? Well, there are going to be foods that you’ve never heard of, or you’ve never eaten. Here is the first in a series of articles by Beachbody’s Denis Faye that explain the benefits of some of these “different” foods.

Climbing Michi’s Ladder: Artichokes
By Denis Faye

Considering how ubiquitous and fun to eat artichokes are, the amount of people who’ve never tried them is surprising. There are several varieties, the most common being the globe artichoke. The round, prickly thing with the thick leaves that you peel off and eat is actually the bud of an artichoke flower. And in addition to being a great source of fiber and minerals, that process of peeling off the leaves one by one slows down eating. Not only does this make digestion easier, but it can create a feeling of satiety from what’s actually very little food. › Continue reading

Body Fat Calipers are easy to use in the privacy of your home, with amazing accuracy and reliability. Since the majority of fat on the body is located directly under the skin, a very efficient and practical way to measure your body fat percentage is skinfold measurement – the scientific approach to the time-honored “pinch an inch” method. A body fat tester is a precision instrument which has been shown in clinical studies to be closer in accuracy to the “gold standard” underwater weighing than any of the more elaborate methods of measuring body fat (without the inconvenience, expense, trained personnel, and lack of privacy these methods entail). So whether you choose to use the Personal Body Fat Tester privately or with the help of someone else, just follow the simple steps below – it’s as easy as ONE, TWO, THREE. › Continue reading

You never know…..things that you think are good for you, can actually be bad. Thanks go to Denis Faye at Beachbody for this interesting article.

9 Foods That Can Fool You
By Denis Faye

During my South Dakota, 1970s childhood, my mom used to order something called the “Diet Plate.” Common in most Sioux Falls-area and greater-Minnesota region restaurants, it consisted of a scoop of cottage cheese; a couple canned peach halves, still dripping syrup; a hamburger patty; iceberg lettuce; and a sprig of parsley.

While delicious by mid-20th-century, Midwestern standards, it was about as calorie restrictive as the chicken-fried steak and baked potato my dad was eating across the table. Still, the perception was that this was diet food, most likely because each element in the “Diet Plate” had a vague resemblance to another, healthier, foodstuff—except the hamburger, that is. But that had to be there because this was South Dakota and any other meat would be deemed un-American. › Continue reading

4 Hearty, Healthy Winter Breakfasts
By Ben Kallen

On a blustery winter morning, a hot and hearty breakfast is the most comforting way to start your day. It can also supply a significant portion of your daily nutrition, and get your body ready for whatever’s to come. (Or, in the case of New Year’s morning, make up for whatever excesses you may have indulged in the night before.)

A well-balanced breakfast is even more important than most people think. Complex carbs feed your brain and can literally make you smarter, while adequate protein keeps your blood sugar steady so you don’t get snack cravings or conk out before lunch. (Of course, it’s also necessary for fat loss and lean muscle growth.)

If you’re in the habit of grabbing some toast, a granola bar, or even cold cereal with a little milk in the morning, you aren’t getting all the nutrients you need, and probably aren’t performing at your best throughout the day. Try the following hot, nourishing breakfast dishes instead. They’re easy to prepare, and will provide a great nutritional foundation for your daily activities as well as for your fitness plan. › Continue reading

So, it’s a New Year and you want to lose that weight that managed to sneak up on you over the last few weeks, months, or even years! It’s hard to stay focused these days, we live such hectic, crazy lives. Here are some tips from Beachbody’s Debra Pivko on how to stay focused and reach your new goals.

8 Ways to Keep Your Weight Loss Resolutions
By Debra Pivko

Each year, so many of us make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight and get healthy. Now that the holiday treats have stopped miraculously showing up at our doors and desks, there’s no excuse not to get in health mode to look and feel better. Wanting to lose weight is a start. But it’s better to break this daunting task down into achievable behaviors that get the job done. Even if you can’t leave your house to work out or dine out, you can still set yourself up for weight loss success by following these 8 simple tips.

1. Start each morning with something healthy. By starting off your day with a healthy breakfast you’re already ahead of the game each day. Pick out a cereal high in protein and fiber and low in calories and sugar such as Kashi® Go Lean® Crunch. This will keep you full on few calories so you don’t eat the wrong foods at lunch. It’s an easy way to start the day off healthy without the guesswork and get closer to your weight loss goals each day. Plus, if you take a daily vitamin such as ActiVit® Multivitamin with your breakfast, you know you’ll ensure you get the nutrients you need each day to fuel your body and your workouts without even thinking about it. › Continue reading

Turbo Jam: Total Body Blast Giveaway! $20 value!

The holidays are over, and now it’s time to shed an extra pound or two.  One way to do this, is by adding a new workout to your existing routine.  Or, if your New Year’s Eve Resolution was to get in shape, this will be a great way to get started.  To get your chance to win is SUPER EASY.  All you have to do is add me as a friend on facebook.   You can find me at http://www.facebook.com/robertharden IMPORTANT:  You have to put something in the friend request comment that lets me know your getting your chance to win.  So say something like “Turbo Jam” etc.

If you are already on my Friend List, send me a message, stating the same, and I’ll give you a chance too.

On an entirely different note, if you are determined to lose some weight and get in shape in 2010, and would like some free coaching support, email me.

The drawing will be held and a winner will be announced on the January 31, 2010!

Please note also, the drawing is for the Total Body Blast DVD only, its not the entire Get on the Ball package.  You can get a look at the description from the Get on the Ball link.