Is there a safe prescription weight loss drug on the market?

Well there may be one soon.  Arena Pharmaceuticals is hoping to be the first to provide a safe weight loss pill for those who are allergic to exercise. The product is called lorcaserin and has been shown to provide weight loss, reduce cholesterol and increase sex drive.  It’s designed to block appetite signals in the brain by stimulating the serotonin 2C receptor.  Pharmaceutical companies have been racing to find a safe weight loss pill since the days of fenfluramine, which was linked to heart valve problems.  A client was using this product 10 years ago and was forced to stop because of this. A study found 47.2 percent of subjects taking lorcaserin twice a day achieved at least a 5-10 percent reduction in weight after a year.  Side effects include headache, nausea and fatigue. On a last note, for those of you like me that like to huff and puff your way to a body by design, I’ll see you at the gym!

Inspire to Aspire

Kristopher Simpson

 www.bodiesbydesign.ca

How much weight can you lose in a week?

Since fat burning is a slow process, a man can lose 1-2 pounds per week safely and effectively, which means keeping it off for the long term without any rebounding.   Women unfortunately do not have the fat burning capacity that men do and therefore can only lose 0.5-1 pound per week.  Of course there are many methods to increase these averages, but most of them cause water loss vs. fat loss.  If you’re truly  interested in changing the way you look and the way you fit into clothes, dropping water just doesn’t cut it.  Try cutting the fat instead.

 

Inspire to Aspire

Kristopher Simpson

www.bodiesbydesign.ca

Personal Training Tip: Lower Body Stretches – Bodies By Design

Bodies by Design Fitness Tips

Melissa walks you through three important stretches for your lower body muscles – the hip flexors, hamstrings and glutes.

Stretching is an important part of fitness that is often neglected. Deep stretches should always be performed AFTER your workout to reduce injury, reduce muscle soreness and restore length to your muscles, which can get tight with weight lifting. Stretches, which can be done daily, should be held for about 20 seconds and you should NEVER bounce during each pose. It’s important to note that a stretch should feel like a mild discomfort – you shouldn’t feel pain. The first stretch is for the hip flexors, the muscles at the top of your thigh that connect to your pelvis. For this pose, get down on one knee and place your front foot forward lining it up directly under the knee. Then, hinge forward at the hip and place your hands on your thighs. Switch legs and repeat. This is an important stretch, particularly for runners. The next stretch is for your hamstrings, the large muscle group on the back of your legs. For this move, elevate one leg onto a sturdy object, such as a bench or chair. Keeping you back straight, lean forward by bending at the hips until you feel the pull. Hold for 20 seconds. The final stretch is for your glutes (bum). Cross one leg and place your ankle onto you other leg’s knee, then bend your planted leg and lower yourself to the ground. You’ll probably need to hold onto something for support as this requires some balance.

What type of protein do you think is the best?

I believe a combination of protein is your best bet.  Although supplemental whey protein yields the highest biological value, a combination will give you the full spectrum of amino acids (the breakdown of protein), different minerals and vitamins and therefore provide more health benefits.  My favourite protein for toning/building muscle and reducing body fat is eggs or egg whites.  You can have them in 100 different ways, they’re easy to prepare, they’re natural, and they have the second-best biological value next to whey protein.  Break an egg! 

 

Inspire to Aspire,

Kristopher Simpson

www.bodiesbydesign.ca