Kitchener Personal Trainer, Weight Loss & Personal Training Tips

Free Food List for faster fat loss!

2012-09-25T07:35:00.001-07:00

Thought you might like a copy of a free list of foods that the Flat Belly Formula Beta Test Group is using to get leaner. You should use this list too!

It's a list for the 21st century eradicating some of the old shool myths like saturated fat and clolesterol is completely bad and that grains should be consumed in high amounts.
You'll find that this list will ask you to eat real food only or food that comes straight from the ground with one ingredient.

This list also addresses many hormonal problems that are wrong with our foods and how to correct them.

Click here to get it right now.

The best way to eat using this list is to have a protein, starchy carb/fibrous carb and a fat at each meal. (No problem!)

...So your plate should consist of 50% Proteins and Fats and the other 50% should be fibrous and strachy veggies. Yummm!

If your goal is weight loss you should have 3-4 meals a day spaced 5 -5 1/2 hours apart and if your goal is muscle gain you want to eat 5-6 meals spaced 3-3 1/2 hours apart although this can be more complex.

Oh, and don't for get your cheat day! :-) What is life without a cheat day! On this day just eat whatever the hell you want just don't over do it!

Click here to get the free list now!

Holla at me if you have any questions!....and feel free to forward this email to your friends and family they need the list too!

Make it a great Day!

Chris Walker, CFT, NHC

P.S. Don't forget to add the weight training and moderate cardio for total results. Our boot camp or Kickboxing would be good for that! :-)

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Back to blogging!

2012-09-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

Okay back to blogging! Having a great weekend so far cheat meal this weekend is Burger King

Chris Walker

Eat Clean to be lean!

2012-05-14T08:52:00.001-07:00

You want to lose weight, and have been trying hard for months without success.

You've heard fitness people refer to 'eating clean' but what does that really mean?

The labels on hundreds of different food items proclaim to be 'healthy' but can you trust labels? There are so many misconceptions when it comes to what constitutes as clean eating.

What are you eating wrong?

Let's dispel the myths and outline your simple, straightforward 3-step guide to eating clean and watch as the pounds melt off.

Step One: Steer Clear of Packaged Foods

Your worst enemy in the fight against weight gain is packaged foods. Yes, even those packages that are described as ‘healthy'.

Think of packaged food in these 3 categories:

Sweets: Cookies, brownies, muffins, cupcakes, donuts, candy and desserts. These packaged items are laced with sugar and bad fats, and lack any viable nutrient that your body actually needs. All the empty calories from these items will end up deposited on your waist and hips as stubborn fat.

There's never a good reason to eat these so-called foods.
Processed Grains: Crackers, breads, cereal, chips, instant oatmeal, energy bars, and popcorn. This category is tricky because many of the packages are labeled as ‘heart healthy' or ‘low fat'. The reality is that packaged, processed grains contain sugar and more carbohydrates than you need while striving to lose weight.

If you have a weight loss goal then stay away from processed grains.
Whole Grains: Brown rice, wild rice, whole oats, sprouted grain pasta, and sprouted grain bread. Here's a category of packaged foods that you are able to include in your clean diet. You don't, however, have a free pass to eat as much of these items as you'd like. Whole grains, while healthy and acceptable, are very calorie-dense. This means that a little bit goes a long way.

Eat whole grains in moderation in order to meet your weight loss goals.

Step Two: Fill Up on Fresh Foods

Fresh vegetables and fruits are a huge part of your clean diet.

The nutrients and fiber found in these natural food items are vitally important for your weight loss journey and your overall health.

Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables in all shapes, sizes and colors.

The only ones that you need to limit are vegetables that are high in starch, such as potatoes and corn, and fruits that are very high in sugar, like melons.

Step Three: Get Plenty of Protein

The cornerstone of your clean diet should be lean protein.

Great examples are chicken breast, albacore tuna, lean ground turkey, white fish fillet, whole beans, tempeh and egg whites.

Protein is what holds your clean eating plan together, for two reasons.

Protein satiates your hunger, keeping you full and keeping your blood sugar stable. This eliminates false hunger and prevents unnecessary snacking.
Protein helps to grow and maintain your muscle mass, which increases your resting metabolism. This means that your body will be naturally leaner.

For faster results, pair your clean eating with a challenging exercise routine.

Call or email today and I'll get you started on an exercise program that will make your goals a reality.

Chris Walker, CFT, NHC
Author of Weight Loss Secrets
www.chriswalkersfitness.com
519-743-4949

Weight Loss & Stress!

2012-05-08T06:27:00.001-07:00

When stress is getting you down, you need something to kick you out of your funk. You need something that makes you feel good.

Because every time you exercise, you increase your body's production of endorphins.

In case you didn't get the memo, endorphins are responsible for those good moods you get in after a race or the euphoria you feel while chomping down on a piece of chocolate.

However, before you grab a piece of chocolate and skip the gym, remember the end result of each and choose which one will help you battle stress in the long run. (Hint: It's not the chocolate.)

Chris Walker, CFT, NHC
www.chriswalkersfitness.com

Fat Skinny Women!

2012-04-19T05:42:00.002-07:00

Fat Skinny Women
By Chris Walker Professional Health Coach
100% Hardcore Truth

I don't know what it is but every time I go in the gym I see this massive schisim, this separation betwix men and women. You know, the women are busy pounding away on the cardio machines or dancing up a sweat in the aerobics rooms and the men are busy grunting with the free weights. The norm in most health clubs are men mostly do weights or resistance training and women mostly do cardio or aerobics however there comes a point when you can do too much cardio or aerobics. The guilty culprit is usually a female. Women just seem to have this predisposition to anything aerobic. Hey, you ever see those fat aerobic instructors? They're fat because they do too much cardio. Doing alot of aerobics isn't bad, not by a long shot. It depends on what you're goals are. If you're training for a 10k run then great, alot of cardio is what you need but for fat loss which is a common goal amongst many there is a time when too much cardio can hurt your fat loss results.

Explanation

When you do too much cardio you run the risk of losing muscle. That's why an aerobic instructor who doesn't make time for resistance training will be the fat aerobic instructor; kind of an oxymoron. Your aerobic instructor is suppose to be the one who you aspire to look like. Well here's why, when you're in aerobic mode your body can use two methods of energy glycogen or glucose (your bodies fuel) or fat which is stored fuel for a rainy day. People who do too much cardio which is using more energy than your body can supply will end up losing muscle (muscle burns fat). When you do cardio or aerobics in excess you use up all your glycogen or glucose. Now depending on how hard you're working aerobically will determine your bodies next step. If you're entire workout is intense your body can only use glycogen or glucose if your workout is moderate your body can now move on to fat stores. So, if you do intense aerobics for 11/2-2 hours you run the risk of using up all your glucose/glycogen. When this happens your body is forced to look for other methods of energy and will break down muscle tissue using amino acids as fuel. How do I know if my workout is intense or moderate? Great question glad you asked. The easiest way to tell is if you can't talk or carry on conversation then your workout is intense; if you're able to talk without gasping for air then your workout is moderate.

Fat Skinny Women

Fat skinny women are those women who only do cardio or aerobic type exercises. You know the type: they're skinny because they're always doing cardio thinking it's a permanent weight loss solution, they're soft and mushy when you touch them and usually have a high body fat % despite their efforts. The problem with fat skinny women is they're losing muscle due to exsessive cardio and metabolism slows down. This becomes a problem because the minute they back off on cardio or aerobics the weight comes back, as a result they think they need to do more cardio further worsening the problem losing muscle and slowing down metabolism. Muscle is what is needed to maintain a slim toned physique, a truth that usually is unknown to a fat skinny person.

Conclusion

Aerobics have their place and is a definite part of an overall health and fitness routine but if your concern is weight loss don't do too much cardio or aerobics. Also, don't be fooled by picking up a few dumb bells and swinging them around in your aerobics routine. That's not resistance training! You need to dedicate seperate time where you only focus on resistance or weight training. In closing I'd like to say don't become a fat skinny person. Oh, one more thing being a fat skinny person is not ok or should I say not healthy. I've seen females who look physically ok but because of their high body fat % run into the same problems as someone who is physically obese. Stay fit!

Chris Walker
www.chriswalkersfitness.com

Oxygen for Weight Loss & Energy!

2012-04-17T05:46:00.002-07:00

Oxygen

Why talk about oxygen? As if you’ll forget to breath because next to water it’s crucial for survival. We never give it much thought because it’s done in such an automatic way but only a few seconds without oxygen and you can kiss your life goodbye.

More oxygen, More energy!

This precious gas is used for many functions in the body including energy production and to have an efficient respiratory system coupled with an efficient cardiovascular system is an excellent recipe for a lean mean fat liberating machine. (This will be explained further in upcoming chapters)

Breath like a baby!

When you were a baby your rib cage was still fragile so the majority of your breathing was done from your belly or diaphragm. Otherwise known as breathing diaphragmatically. As your rib cage developed your body then shifted to breathing from your chest so to speak. We seldom take deep breaths and have trained our body to live off of small breaths of air. In order to make our bodies more efficient at fat liberation and energy production we need to breath deeply maximizing oxygen consumption.

Breathing exercise to increase efficiency #1!

Ok, lay down somewhere comfortable probably on your bed, ideally close to a window that’s open. After all, this is a breathing exercise. Oh, I forgot to tell you to grab a book or small object that you can place on your chest. Now laying on your back place that small object or book right in the middle of your chest and breath deeply. If your taking deep breaths the book or small object should noticeably rise and fall. Breath in deeply through the nose until your chest fully expands hold for 10 seconds and then exhale through the mouth slowly until there is nothing left to exhale. Focus on watching the object rise and fall for about 5 minutes. It’s also a great de-stressor.

Breathing exercise to increase efficiency #2!

Now this should only be attempted after you’ve mastered breathing exercise #1. We’re actually going to combine the two. Ok, so lay down somewhere comfortable again. Now laying on your back take your right hand and place your middle finger on your belly button. Now spread your fingers apart and take your other hand and allow your fingers to interlace on the lower portion of your belly. The middle finger of the right hand is just a guide as to where your hands should be. Now with your hands relaxed take deep breaths but this time from your diaphragm or belly. If done properly your fingers should slightly separate as you inhale and return to their interlaced position as you exhale. We’re not finished yet. Now combine breathing exercise #1 with #2. Breath deeply allowing both your chest and your belly to rise and fall. Focus for 5 minutes, try practicing breathing exercise #1 and #2 for the next 30 days! Congratulations your on your way to increased efficiency in both energy production and fat liberation.

Thanks for reading!

Chris Walker, CFT, NHC
Author of Weight Loss Secrets

www.chriswalkersfitness.com
519-743-4949

Now Accepting Boot Campers!

2012-04-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Hey, Chris Walker here! Hope you had a great weekend! Here are some more updates for April and some fitness tips and recipes to start off your Monday!

Updates:

- Now accepting outdoor boot camp members for April 30th!

- We go outdoors April 30th for our Slim Down my Body Boot Camp and open up our other locations in Waterloo, Cambridge as well as Kitchener!

Click here to join now!

Chris Walker, CFT, NHC

Author of Weight Loss Secrets

Now let's look at todays weight loss secrets, 5 simple steps for acheiving any goal!

5 simple steps for acheiving any goal!

If you're not happy with your body then your workouts have lost focus.

What is your immediate goal?

If you don't have a ready answer then chances are good that your motivation is low and it has resulted in a lack of results.

I know from firsthand experience that operating without a goal will get you nowhere. Sure, you may still be exercising regularly and eating mindfully but without that concrete goal your efforts will yield little results.

1. Setting your goal

You want to be in "better shape" but that's so vague. Dig deeper.

What specifically do you wish you had now that you don't?

To drop 3 dress sizes.
To lose 2 inches of arm fat jiggle.
To melt 4 inches from your waist.
To be able to run 3 miles without stopping.

2. Define your timeline

Now that you've determined exactly what part of your body isn't up to par, tie that goal in with a specific timeline. When you have a timeline to measure your progress against, you'll find that achieving your goal becomes an easier process.

To drop 3 dress sizes by August 20th vacation.
To lose 2 inches of arm fat jiggle by October 13th wedding.
To melt 4 inches from your waist by July 7th pool party.
To be able to run 3 miles without stopping by June 16th city 5k.

To read more subscribe to our Weight Loss Secrets Newsletter and receive a free gift!

http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com

Chris Walker

6:30PM Slim Down my Body Boot Camp Sold out!

2012-02-28T11:29:00.001-08:00

Just some quick updates to make sure you're able to book your next boot camp session! Details are below!

Our indoor Slim Down my Body Womens boot camp starting March 5th is Completely Sold Out for the 6:30PM session. Also:

the 7:30PM session is 70% sold out!

the 6:30AM session 70% sold out!

If you have already registered and made your investment not to worry

but if not there is still room!

We also still have room in some of our other boot camps as well! Scroll down for more info!

Click on the link below to join or to learn more now:

www.slimdownbodybootcamp.com/

Oh, don't forget returning members are only $139! You can get this special price by calling our Customer Care team at 519-743-4949. You can also consider our more affordable 3, 6 and 12 month long term options.

Our Kickboxing Co-ed Boot Camp that takes place every Mon, Wed & Friday at 5PM March 6th is 40% sold out!

Click on the link below to learn more:

http://www.kitchenerkickboxing.com/

Our Zumba Co-ed Boot Camp that take splace every Tues & Thurs at 7:30PM March 6th is 40% Sold Out!

http://www.kitchenerzumba.com/

Let us know if you need any help booking your next session! We're here to help!

Make it a great day!

Chris Walker,

Chris Walker's Fitness, come in fat and leave skinny!

Do you struggle with losing weight permanently and quickly?

Then subscribe to my "Weight Loss Secrets" newsletter for free bi-weekly goodies and weight loss tools! Visit www.chriswalkersfitness.com to join now.

LAST CHANCE! Valentines Boot Camp Special!‏

2012-02-16T06:24:00.000-08:00

Hope you're having a great day! I just wanted to remind you that this is your last chance to take advantage of our Valentines Boot Camp Special! Offer expires tonight!

Many have signed up so you should check it out below now before it's over:

Slim Down my Body Boot Camp (Train 3X a week)

*12 Month: Only 200 down $79/month for 12 months

Now-12 Month: 0 down $69/month for 12 months

*6 Month: Only 100 down $89/month for 6 months

Now- 6 Month: 0 down $79/month for 6 months

Zumba Boot Camp (Train 2 X a week)

*12 Month: Only 100 down $59/month for 12 months

Now-12 Month: 0 down $49/month for 12 months

*6 Month: Only $79/month for 6 months

Now- 6 Month: Only $69/month for 6 months

Kickboxing Boot Camp (Train 3 X a week)

*12 Month: Only 100 down $59/month for 12 months

Now-12 Month: 0 down $49/month for 12 months

*6 Month: Only $79/month for 6 months

Now- 6 Month: Only $69/month for 6 months

Call 519-743-4949 or email us today to take advantage of our Valentines Boot Camp Special! Offer ends tonight!

Make it a great day!

Chris Walker

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Project Zero and the winner is...?

2012-02-13T05:56:00.000-08:00

So were finally here. This is the day when we announce our Project Zero winners!

3rd Place goes to: Cassandre Y, who maintained plus had a weight loss percentage of 4.17%

2nd Place goes to: Lindsay C, who maintained plus had a weight loss percentage of 4.26%

and the grand prize goes to..........(drum roll)........

1st Place goes to: Jenni P, who maintained plus had a weight loss percentage of 5.07%

Runners Up

Cathy, who maintained plus had a weight loss percentage of 2.49%

Paldeep, who maintained plus had a weight loss percentage of 1.25%

Lois G, who maintained her intial weight and not gain.

Congratulations! To all who stuck out the contest because you're all winners!

Strive for progress, not perfection. -unknown

2012-01-20T09:55:00.001-08:00

Personal Train together & Save money!‏

2012-01-10T09:33:00.000-08:00

Allot of folks have been asking me if there is any discounts when training together. So I thought I would remind you of our Semi Private Personal Training Program.

It's a great way to get started with a Personal Training Program while sharing the cost with a friend, spouse or loved one.

It's called our Semi-Private Training and starts as low as $19 a session!

You can have your own mini boot camp, 12 week fat loss program or whatever your goals are we can make it happen at half the cost of our one-on-one Personal Training Program!

So here is how it works!

You will have the opportunity to train with up to 2 other people who share similar goals and aspirations. Each program will be customized to meet your individual needs within this semi-private session.

You can have us match you up with 1-2 other people or you can start your own semi-private session with 1 or 2 other friends!

Client Benefits:

Initial fitness consultation & assessment

Complete 12 week personalized nutrition program

Online nutrition journal for trainer review

Exercise program design

Private one-on-one attention

Weekly accountability check-in

Monthly progress report

Guaranteed results

Training at a reduced rate

Exclusive studio community events

Semi Private sessions areare completely tailored to your needs. Programs are designed around your personal goals and every detail is accounted for through our professional service.

If you are serious about getting into the best shape of your life and are ready to come in fat and leave skinny then contact us to schedule your complimentary Weight Loss & CWF Fitness Consultaion.

Click here to get started today!

You may also email us atinfo@chriswalkersfitness.com or call us at 519-743-4949

Together, we will make your health & fitness dreams come true!

Talk soon!

Make it a great day!

Chris

Kitchener's Weight Loss expert!

Chris Walker has helped thousands obtain " permanent weight loss, quick and easy everytime!" To download a free copy of "Why Can't I Lose Weight? How to lose 10 pounds in 30 days visit http://www.chriswalkersfitness.com/

Tell us about your healthier you resolutions for 2012?

2011-12-30T11:09:00.001-08:00

“The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!” -Marvin Phillips

Are you 1 of the 12?

2011-11-24T07:28:00.000-08:00

Hope all is well! Just wondering if you wanted to be 1 of the 12? What 12 you ask?

Here's the deal! I'm looking to provide 12 serious clients with the most comprehensive & professional health & fitness Boot Camps available today.

With over 1,288 Fitness Boot Camp sessions completed over the last 6 years and the best Boot Camp guarantee in Kitchener, you can be confident that I will help you achieve your goals the fastest and safest way possible!

As of today I have 2 spots available for the 6:30PM Women's Slim Down my Body Boot Camp.

8 Spots in the 7:30PM Boot Camp and 8 Spots in the 6:30AM Boot Camp

And best of all you can save if you take advantage of our Christmas Sale for a limited time!

Check out the link below to see our specials and reserve a spot:

http://freeweightlosssecrets.homestead.com/index.html

Oh, one more thing! I would like to meet with you to discuss your goals after or before you join so were both clear on the path you need to take to achieve the body and health you want.

It's important for us to develop a relationship as I don't always get the time to answer your questions or give you that special attention at our boot camp sessions.

I'm serious about helping you succeed and if you're serious too I invite you to become one of the 12.

So your next step is to click on the link below which will take you to our special Christmas Extravanganza Sale page. Sign up and reserve a spot for our Slim Down my Body Women's Boot Camp to be selected as one of the 12 who are serious about achieving their health and fitness goals going into 2012!

http://freeweightlosssecrets.homestead.com/index.html

I look forward to working with you and hope you're 1 of the 12!

Make it a great day!

Keep Your Body in Check All Year Long

2011-11-18T15:54:00.000-08:00

A few reasons you should eat well from January 1 to December 31.

Life is one huge seasonal event. Spring turns into summer, summer to fall, fall to winter, and winter to spring. As you pass through these seasons, you go through your own seasons: from being a toddler to a child, the teenage years, and adulthood. And while the world and your age may operate seasons, your eating habits should stay sure and steady throughout the year.

Why? Good question. Here are a few answers to help you stay on track with your healthy eating ways.

Bulky, Beautiful, Killer Calves

2011-11-16T09:52:00.000-08:00

Wish your calves were to die for? With the right steps, you can go from common to killer calves.

Having good-looking calves improves your legs' strength and appearance, giving you added confidence and athletic ability.

But if you're like many people, you probably don't spend much time working your calf muscles out. Sure, you run and do squats, but you rarely give your calves your undivided attention. Unfortunately, if you're just bringing your calf muscles along for your exercise routine without pushing them, you're missing out on what your calves can be.

What can you do to turn your everyday calf muscles into something to take notice of? It depends on your end goal.

Baby Steps to a Better Diet

2011-11-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

Big diet adjustments have you overwhelmed? Then start with baby steps.

Whether you need to change your diet in order to shed pounds or improve the health of your heart, it can be hard to know where to start. If you've set a weight loss or health goal for yourself, the best way to achieve and maintain that goal isn't to completely overhaul how you live your life overnight. You're more likely to maintain good habits if you start out slow and steady.

So what baby steps can you take to make a healthy diet a life habit instead of a mere goal?

Easy Cold Remedies

2011-11-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

With cold season around the corner, keep these home remedies on hand to battle your symptoms.

Feeling miserable because of a cold? While bed is calling your name and you know you should listen, duty is calling too loudly to ignore. What can you do to feel better faster? Good question with bad news. Because there is no cure for the common cold. As a virus, it has to run its course, which usually takes one to two weeks.

Thankfully, you don't have to suffer the whole time you have a cold. Numerous home remedies are available for colds and many have been around for centuries. Here are a few ways to help alleviate your discomfort.

Staying off Sprain Street

2011-11-07T15:34:00.001-08:00

Sprains come in all shapes and sizes - none of which is too fun. Here's how to avoid sprain pain.

You're in the middle of a basketball game, rowing a boat across the river, or working under the hood of your car. Suddenly, a pain springs up that you can't ignore. It's a sprain.

A sprain is a common injury that occurs when you overstretch or tear a ligament somewhere in your body. Elastic bands of tissue, ligaments' job is to connect bones where they meet together in joints such as ankles, knees, wrists, and thumbs. A sprain is common in sports, but it can occur any time you fall or twist in the wrong direction.

What can you do to avoid getting a sprain, and what is the treatment for sprains if you do get one?

Pop! Goes the ACL

2011-11-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

A relatively common athletic injury, a torn ACL can put an abrupt end to your athletic endeavors for this season and possibly the next.

Commonly referred to as the ACL, your anterior cruciate ligament is found inside your knees and connects your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia). When this tissue is torn, you become the victim of an ACL injury. While they can occur at nearly any time, ACL injuries typically come about while playing sports that require sudden stops, pivots, and direction changes such as soccer, basketball, football, and tennis. Your highest risk for ACL injury is when your foot is firm on the ground as your knee sharply twists to one side or your knee takes a direct hit from someone else's knee, a goal post, or another hard object.

Following an ACL injury, you may be able to perform normal activities, but returning to a sport may require surgery. And after your surgery, it can take up to nine months for your ACL injury to heal completely.

So how do you know if you've torn your ACL, how to you treat it, and can an ACL injury be prevented?

Get Sexy Obliques

2011-11-02T15:56:00.000-07:00

Slim your waist, support your lower back, decrease back pain, and improve your posture. That's the power of your obliques.

Better known as side abdominals, oblique muscles are a pair of muscles that enable you to bend at the side and twist at the waist. External obliques are upper muscles on your sides, and the internal obliques are underneath them, crossing diagonally near the side of your abdomen.

Building stronger oblique muscles will give your core strength a boost and also lead to a ripped, toned stomach.

Many sports such as swimming, wrestling, and rock climbing give your obliques a great workout, but you can do more to beef them up. Just be careful. While strong obliques are important, if you make them too large, women will look bulkier than desired and men will lose that coveted V-shaped torso. But how can you make your obliques as strong as possible?

A Safe, Spooky Halloween

2011-10-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

When the ghouls and goblins play, here's what you should know to keep your little Casper and Cinderella safe and sound.

The jack-o-lantern is carved and sitting on the front porch in anticipation. The costumes are all picked out and ready to slide on at a moment's notice. The candy is sitting in the bowl beside your front door. And your children are panting like wild dogs, ready to hit the streets and grab all the teeth-rotting goodness they can. But before they head out for a devilish night of trick-or-treating, make sure Halloween is as safe as it is spooky.

Beating Bulimia

2011-10-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

What you should know about the oft-misunderstood condition of bulimia.

For most people, eating is a normal activity that gives the body the nutrients it needs to survive, maintain energy levels, and stay healthy. Eating is more difficult for someone with bulimia.

People with bulimia will eat large amounts of food, often in secret, while feeling a loss of self-control. They then attempt to rid themselves of the extra calories in harmful ways.

There are two categories of bulimia, though they often overlap. A person with purging bulimia binges on food and then forces self-induced vomiting or abuses laxatives, enemas, or diuretics to prevent weight gain.

For this person, the purging will bring a sense of relief. Someone with non-purging bulimia uses other methods such as fasting or excessive exercise to rid themselves of any calories they consume.

What causes someone to become bulimic, what are the symptoms, and what can be done for someone living with this life-threatening illness?

Contemplating the Midnight Snack

2011-10-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

Is eating before bed a good or bad idea? You're about to find out.

For years, eating at night was thought to be a factor in weight gain. The idea was that calories are not burned as quickly when you sleep, so the food you eat before bedtime turns into fat. This, however, does not seem to be the case.

In fact, there may be some snacks that are fine to eat in the late evening, but this isn't a free pass because there are plenty of foods to avoid for a good night's rest and optimal health.

Adults Have Nightmares, Too

2011-10-21T13:00:00.001-07:00

Though more common during childhood, nightmares also disturb the sleep of nearly half of all adults.

Remember that horrible nightmare you had as a child? Well, here's some bad news: it may be back to haunt you as an adult. That's right - whether you've suffered an adult-sized nightmare or not, you could wind up with one any time during your life.

Just remember - it's only a dream.

Running, Waking, and Women

No two people have the same nightmare, though the most common theme is being chased. Most adults' nightmares involve being chased by a scary man, whereas kids get chased by wild animals in their nightmares.

Adults also commonly dream about falling, natural or man-made disasters, and drowning.

In contrast to a bad dream, a nightmare is so disturbing that it causes you to wake up with feelings of intense fear, anxiety, anger, sadness, or guilt. You will probably remember the details of the dream vividly, and it may be difficult to fall back asleep.

Nightmares often begin during childhood, while a child is learning to deal with separation anxiety. After the age of 10, nightmares become less common, though studies show that 5 to 10 percent of adults have nightmares at least once a month. And while all adults are at risk for nightmares, they occur more frequently in women than men.