Our experts explain if eating carbohydrates at night really lead to more weight gain.
Q: Are carbohydrates bad to eat before bed?
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Trainer Q&A: Are Carbs Bad to Eat Before Bed?
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Success Story: Waking Up To A New Reality
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HitchFit
This 27-year-old musician and entrepreneur loses 39 pounds in three months.
Name: Jon Felske
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Technology Entrepreneur/Lead Guitarist
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The Surprising Way to Deal with Work Stress
We've got the surprising tactic that will help you keep you calm under the gun.
Ever place your keys in your pocket, only to start looking for them a half-second later?
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How Do I Tell My New Girl I’m Friends with My Ex?
Surprise! Telling your new girl she's still in the picture doesn't have to be complicated.
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Q: I’m friends with my ex. How and when do I bring that up to my new girl?
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Anywhere Workout: Slide Your Way to a Better Bod
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Andrew Hetherington
No machine? No problem. Use floor space and your own body weight as a muscle-building alternative to lifting weights.
As a guy who prefers to get in shape with weights, you probably walk by your gym’s aerobics studio and scoff.
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Acne Alert: The Sneaky Reasons You’re Breaking Out
All of a sudden you’ve got more zits and blackheads than your 15-year-old cousin—what the hell? These surprising habits might be to blame.
Are blackheads and bacne driving you mad? We've uncovered the sneaky causes—and solutions.
You’ve outgrown the squeaky voice and learned how to control your, uh, excitement, so…why does your face insist on maintaining a case of teenage acne? Those raging adolescent hormones might be long gone, but there are some surprising reasons your skin is still clinging to its junior high levels of imperfection. “About 4 million adult men in the U.S. have acne, so it’s a common problem I deal with daily,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City dermatologist and author of Skin Rules. MF grilled the best experts to uncover five sneaky reasons you might be breaking out, so you can avoid them—and get clearer skin—for good.
Have you noticed that your forehead is the spot of your most frequent breakouts? What you regularly put on your head—whether that’s a bike helmet or a baseball cap— might be bad for your face, warns Jaliman. Turns out your topper can harbor bacteria, transferring it right onto your face if you aren’t keeping things clean. Now, don’t sacrifice safety or style so skin stays clear. Just wipe down the inside of your helmet with rubbing alcohol after each use or toss the cap in the washing machine once a week to banish bacteria and keep your forehead clear.
No, not like that. (Phew!) However, if you’re noticing zits on your cheek, pay close attention to your hand habits, especially when you’re working on your computer or watching TV. Dr. Jaliman warns that if you have a tendency to lean your head onto your hand, you’re spreading germs directly from your desk right onto your face. Think of all the grubby stuff your hands come in contact with, and then think about rubbing it all on your face. That’ll motivate you to be hands-off. To train yourself out of the habit, try sitting on your hands for a few weeks. If you just can’t seem to hold your own head up, then at the very least, keep your hands clean with regular washings and a tube of antibacterial gel nearby.
According to Dr. Susan Stuart, MD, a San Diego-based dermatologist, researchers have found that young men who drink two or more servings of milk a day may be more likely to have acne—and the same might apply to older guys as well. Milk ingestion can lead to an increased production of an oily substance called sebum, which clogs pores and causes acne outbreaks. If you’re a big dairy drinker but find yourself dealing with pimples frequently, consider switching to an alternative like almond milk. And to improve your skin even more, Dr. Stuart recommends switching to a healthy diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates, which has been shown to reduce breakouts as well.
What good is a clean-shaven jaw if all that smoothness is ruined by a beard of blemishes? Whatever your grooming style may be, your tools could be damaging your skin instead of making you look your best, says Dr. Jaliman. Dirty razors can breed breakout-causing germs, so to keep your chin free of hair and of zits, put your razor in a cup of rubbing alcohol before you shower each day. Let it soak while you get cleaned up, then shave with your germ-free razor afterwards. Simple enough, right?
Getting your heart pumping and your muscles working is great for your health and your body, but unfortunately, it might cause some problems for your face. Dr. Rebecca Baxt, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, warns that sweating at the gym can make acne worse, especially on your chest or your back. To get the benefits of exercise but keep the breakouts under control, she advises that you shower as soon as possible after a workout. Just pick up a travel-sized bottle of antibacterial soap or body wash, then toss it in your gym bag so you can take care of business as soon as you hit the locker room. (And since friction and mositure both contribute to breakouts, consider investing in some loose, moisture-wicking gym clothes that allow your skin to breathe.)
Page Title:
Surprising Causes of Acne, Back Acne, and Face Pimples
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10 Ways You're Sabotaging Your Workouts
Kick these 10 bad-training habits and start building muscle fast.
Kick these 10 bad-training habits and start building muscle fast.
Long-term success in the gym isn't difficult to achieve if you follow standard, tried and true training principles and couple it with adequate dedication, consistency, and recovery. However, if you look around any gym, you’ll see tons of guys looking exactly the same as they did last year.
A lack of results or stalled progress can zap the motivation out of any trainee, and sadly enough, it can be a number of small mistakes you're making. Stop sabotaging yourself and your potential progress by addressing these issues.
As the old saying goes, you can’t know where you’re going, if you don’t know where you’ve been. Tracking your workouts in a training log or on your smart phone is one of the smartest actions most trainees aren’t doing. Logging information such as exercises, weights, sets, reps, and breaks allows you to compare workouts from week to week, month to month and year to year. This action removes the guesswork and makes it easier to progress from one workout to the next.
There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to perform an exercise however, there are safe and unsafe versions, which are either effective or not effective at helping you, reach your goals. Far too many trainees are using sloppy form and only performing partial reps. Dean Somerset, author of Post-Rehab Essentials says, "seeing bent over rows with spines that resemble a question mark, pull downs with a chin poking forward over the bar, and squats that look more like a hockey goalie in the butterfly stance is unfortunately too common." Somerset explains that there is a science to exercise and lifting biomechanics upon which the body will function optimally while minimizing injury risk to its joints and soft tissues.
If you’re willing to spend hours in the gym and all your hard earned money on gym passes and supplements, invest in a personal trainer or strength coach to teach you how to exercise correctly and safely. Remember, partial reps are only going to give you partial results.
“Theoretically training to failure is important to ensure complete stimulation of the motor unit pool in the target muscle, as well as to optimize stimulation of the spectrum of fibers,” say Brad Schoenfeld, author of the Max Muscle Plan. Therefore, stopping your sets short or just going through the motions will reduce the training effect you’re after and stall your progress. “Training to failure can enhance metabolic stress, which has been implicated in hypertrophic gains, as well creating a greater hypoxic environment in the muscle, which again is associated with anabolism”.
Leaving gas in the tank or not lifting heavy enough for the rep count in question, will not recruit all the muscle fibers, thus reducing your potential for improving your strength and muscle size.
Knowing your heart rate during a conditioning circuit or running interval is a way of quantifying your exercise intensity. Measuring your heart rate is like comparing submaximal weights to your max (load lifted for one rep). Different heart rate percentages of your max heart rate will recruit different energy systems and result in different training effects. Your heart rate can also be recorded during your recovery periods, which will give you an indication of your recovery ability and your current fitness level.
It seems backwards, but all your gains and adaptations from training are made outside the gym. Your recovery strategies, what you eat and when, and the quality and quantity of your sleep, all determine how much you’re going to benefit from your training program. Too much stress, eating crap and a lack of sleep are going to wreck havoc on your mind and body, delaying and terminating any potential gains you might see. Eat real and nourishing foods. Try reducing the amount of stress in your life (family and work) and create healthy sleeping habits to maximize your training results.
With the plethora of fitness information on the internet, it’s difficult to find the good and cut the BS. Reading a ton of fitness blogs is only going to make you more confused about exercises and programming. Also, doing a random workout from your favorite blog may burn a ton of calories and give you a great workout, but lacking structure in your program is inferior to a program with structure. Trainer to the trainers, Nick Tumminello says, “you do need to follow general hypertrophy training principles (i.e. general sets, reps, rest intervals and tempos) in order to ensure that you continually create the optimal stimulus for muscle growth.”
Find a strength coach or personal trainer that has helped people in a similar situation to you and follow and stick to their system.
Working out isn’t only about your size of your guns or chest depth. Building absolute and relative body strength creates a foundation for a successful and fulfilling training career. You’ll lower your injury risk and increase your potential for packing on muscle. Also, not addressing your weak points such as joint stabilizers or smaller, less emphasized muscles, can lead you down the road to injury-ville. Strengthen the small muscles and watch the size and strength of your prime movers soar.
We are creates who desire immediate results and quick feedback but unfortunately, results seen from training, whether it’s strength, size or fat loss, aren’t seen fast enough. Skewed expectations and looking for the quick fix is not what training is all about. Look at the big picture and create a lifestyle that supports the goals you’re trying to reach. You have your entire lifetime to live, eat, and breathe fitness. It’s the only way you’re going to obtain and maintain health, conditioning, strength and size for the long term.
Many people have this mindset that exercise was created by the devil and that it serves as punishment for living an unhealthy lifestyle. Modern day exercise is now a necessity rather than an option as it attempts to simulate what used to be an active and laborious way of living. Cardiovascular fitness and weight training (and eating well) nourish the body and give you strength and confidence in other aspects of life. Having a more positive mindset and approach to exercise will make it easier to get the body you’ve always wanted.
Page Title:
Build Muscle Fast - Muscle Growth - Training Mistakes That Set You Back
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Paleo Recipe: Slow-Cooker Cauliflower Chicken Curry
Nutrient-packed cauliflower bulks up this sweet, spicy, and zesty slow-cooker recipe.
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7 Ways to Avoid Overtraining Forever
Maximize your workouts for big gains without the burn out and fatigue.
Have you ever felt like you’ve not only stopped seeing results but have lost progress towards your fitness goals? You might be the victim of a common condition known as overtraining.
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Introducing FOBU: The Fear of Breaking Up
It stands for fear or breaking up, and it's making millions of 20-somethings miserable. Are you and your girlfriend guilty?
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We love to hate those catchy acronyms that encourage us to grab life by the horns—you know, phrases like YOLO (you only live once) and FOMO (fear of missing out
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The 10 Greatest Wrestlers Ever
With WrestleMania 29 upon us, we look back at the men who will go down in history as the greatest performers ever.
With WrestleMania upon us, we look back at the men who will go down in history as the greatest performers ever.
It's been said that "to be the man, you have to beat the man." But, in the sports entertainment world of wrestling, it takes a lot more than wins to truly be considered amongst the industry's all-time greats. Above all else, it takes an ability to forge a unique connection with members of the WWE Universe. With that connection, superstars become legends, and legends transform into icons with incredible career longevity that transcends eras. We've compiled a list of the 10 greatest performers in the history of wrestling.
Since capturing his first of 10 WWE titles in 2005, the leader of the Cenation has dominated the WWE landscape. In that time, the former "Doctor of Thuganomics" has firmly established himself as a favorite with the WWE's younger audience, and has become a pop culture fixture. Truly no performer in history has ever elicited the passionate response Cena receives on a nightly basis from the WWE Universe. On April 7, 2013, he'll wrestle The Rock for the WWE championship.
Since debuting at the 1990 Survivor Series event, the nearly seven foot "dead man" has won four WWE championships and three world championships. However, likely his greatest legacy is his remarkable WrestleMania 20-0 undefeated streak that in recent years has become one of the annual event's main attractions. Every year, a new wrestler steps up proudly stating they'll end the streak. Every year, the unprecedented streak gets extended. Will he reach 21-0 on April 7th?
"The American Dream" was easily amongst the most charismatic performers in the history of the industry. As one of the industry's top attractions from the 1970s through to the late 1980s, Rhodes' impact, creativity, and ongoing influence eclipses even the amazing success he achieved in the ring as a three-time world champion. Today, the Hall of Fame father of WWE superstars Cody Rhodes and Goldust helps guide future talents performing on the WWE's NXT program.
"The Cerebral Assassin" first rose to prominence in 1997 as one of the founding members of D-Generation X. He followed that up as the leader of the faction known as Evolution. Along the way, "The Game" went on to become the second most decorated world champion in history capturing the title an incredible 13 times. Today, Triple H helps shape the future of the industry serving as the WWE's Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events.
With a nickname like "Mr. WrestleMania," there can be no denying Michaels' show-stopping abilities. "The Heartbreak Kid" captured three WWE championships before being forced to the sidelines for four years following a devastating back injury. Upon returning in 2002, Michaels promptly recaptured his championship form winning the world title only three months later. In 2011, the former Rocker and D-Generation X member entered the WWE Hall of Fame.
Harley Race, the man who carried the NWA through the 1970s and into the mid 1980s, was so respected within the wrestling industry that upon entering the WWE, he was quickly dubbed "The King of Wrestling." The tough as nails Race made history in 1984 by capturing an unprecedented eighth NWA World Heavyweight championship. Following his in-ring career, he managed and trained wrestlers. In 2004, Race entered the WWE Hall of Fame.
Unquestionably the most famous Hollywood actor to have ever laced up the boots, Dwayne Johnson, a third-generation wrestler, had all the tools necessary to more than live up to his moniker of "the most electrifying man in sports entertainment." When "The Great One" spoke, the WWE Universe immediately "smelled what The Rock was cooking." After seven years away from the ring, The Rock returned and recently captured his eighth WWE championship.
"Hollywood" first rose to stardom following his role as Thunderlips in the 1982 hit movie, Rocky III. Two years later, Hulkamania was officially born and "The Hulkster" would go on to win five WWE championships before leaving for WCW where he captured six world titles and started the nWo. In 2002, he returned to the WWE and won the WWE's Undisputed championship and a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Nobody embodied the Attitude Era quite like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Following successful stints in WCW and ECW, "The Rattlesnake" entered and won the 1996 King of the Ring. What followed was a show-stopping speech where the phrase "Austin 3:16" was born. Within a couple of years, Austin was WWE champion and at the forefront of record-setting WWE telecasts. Austin went on to become a six-time WWE champion, movie star, WWE Hall of Famer, and pop culture phenomenon.
In WWE, there are countless superstars and legends, but there's only one Ric Flair. "The Nature Boy" is the record-setting 16 time world champion who also holds the distinction of being the only performer ever inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice. Powered by an unparalleled combination of charisma, mat, and microphone skills, the former member of the Four Horsemen and Evolution spent the majority of his 40-year career headlining shows across the globe.
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© 2013 WWE
Page Title:
WWE All-Stars: Best Wrestlers of All-Time
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10 Essential Ingredients Every Man Needs in His Kitchen
Be prepared to whip up a gourmet-style meal with the help of these simple staples.
Be prepared to whip up a gourmet-style meal with the help of these simple staples.
"Extra-virgin olive oil is great in salad dressings and marinades, to cook with, and drizzled on top of anything from fish to steaks."
"Kosher salt is a good-quality salt with a coarse texture. Everything needs a bit of salt, even desserts."
"Freshly ground black pepper brightens any dish with a little kick. You can feel free to use it liberally."
"Chicken stock isn’t just for soups. Use it to sauté vegetables, boil potatoes, poach, and create a base for sauces and gravy."
"Garlic has endless uses. Mince some and put it in salad dressings, marinades, and sauces, or jazz up any stir-fry or
pasta dish."
"Fresh lemons can be squeezed over chicken or seafood. Lemon juice lifts and gives a gorgeous freshness to dishes."
"Shallots are a great addition to many savory dishes. You should always add it to salad dressing."
"Sriracha adds a lot of depth and a bit of brightness to whatever you’re making. Use Sriracha as a sauce, as a marinade, in salad dressing, or as a condiment on the side; or mix it in with your ketchup, and you’ve got a spicy ketchup."
"White wine vinegar is essential for salad dressings, dipping
sauces, and marinades. And you’ll need it to {poach eggs}."
"Dijon mustard can be used in dressings, marinades, sauces, spreads, and dips. It’s a low-calorie way to bring great flavor to many dishes."
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Learn How To Cook With 10 Healthy Ingredients
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The 6 Best Apps for Baseball Fans
Whether you’re sitting in the stands or finalizing your fantasy draft, these apps will keep you ahead of the game.
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Baseball season is here, which means it’s time to study up on the stats, scout the best seats at the stadium, and mayb
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Man Up With Steve Howey
Showtime's Shameless star tells us why sex motivated him to get in shape.
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Like many men, actor and comedian Steve Howey's weight has always fluctuated.
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Top 13 NCAA Tournament Players of All-Time
The Final Four is almost here. Before someone new steps into the spotlight travel back in time for a look at the tourney's top players.
Picking the top NCAA basketball players is a daunting task; there are so many players to choose from. Do we set criteria?
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Final Four 2013: Biggest Strengths and Weaknesses
Learn what each Final Four team has working for and against it going into Saturday's games.
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If you’ve made it to the Final Four, it’s pretty obvious you don’t suck.
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Celebrity Hairstylist Amy Komorowski Shares Grooming Secrets
Put away that baseball cap. Celebrity groomer Amy K. shares her expert tips so you can avoid another bad hair day.
JT has come a long way from his scary bleach blonde N’SYNC fro. Now he knows how to rock a stylish sophisticated look and that’s partly thanks to Amy Komorowski.
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The Fit 5: Perform Better
From boosting your bench press to killing a 5k, we tapped five experts for tips to taking your performance to the next level.
For all of our fans who shoot us questions on our Facebook page, this one is for you.
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Protein Power: 6 Ways to Eat Black Beans
These cheap little legumes are high in fiber and a good source of plant-based protein—so why aren’t you eating more of them? We’ve got six ways to add them to your diet.
Not eating them? This is why you should be—plus 6 easy recipes.
For such a small, innocent-looking food, black beans really pack some serious nutrition. But what, exactly, makes this pantry staple such a star? For starters:
- Black beans are a lean plant-based protein, perfect for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters alike. One serving (½ cup) has about 6 grams of protein, says Molly Morgan, RD, CDN, CSSD.
- Black beans will also leave you feeling fuller longer, thanks to their 5 grams of protein per portion.
- And don’t let the dark color throw you off, either — that means the beans are high in antioxidants, making them the best of the bean bunch, says Morgan.
When picking beans out in the store, skip the bagged variety, which are extremely time consuming, and stick to the pre-cooked type that come in a can. Just be sure to choose those with no added salt or preservatives, and give the beans a quick rinse to reduce sodium before serving. And stock up during sales: Canned beans have a long shelf life, making them a great option for a quick protein boost.
Are you ready to introduce these badass legumes into your diet? Check out our six easy ways to add them.
There’s nothing worse than a watery soup, so up the protein content and overall nutrition of your favorite recipe by using black beans as a thickener. Just puree 1 can of beans and add them into any soups or stews you think would taste better with a thicker texture. You’ll get an increased heartiness and creamier flavor — without the added calories of cream or butter.
Having the guys over to watch the game? No need to stress. For an easy Mexican dip that makes a great protein-packed snack, just layer black beans with guacamole, tomatoes, chopped onions, and cilantro. Looking for something even simpler? Mix a can of black beans with premade salsa and canned corn. Serve either option with multigrain tortilla chips.
So you’re making chicken tonight…again. How about a new side? Heat oil in a pan and add several cloves of fresh, chopped garlic. Sautee the garlic for a minute, and then add in a can of black beans, cooking until beans are heated through. Next, mash with a potato masher, then add about 2 tablespoons of water (enough so that the beans are a spreadable consistency) and a pinch of salt. Get creative and toss in your favorite seasonings, too—cumin, chili powder, and cilantro all work well.
Forget the processed veggie burgers in the frozen food aisle, because making your very own black bean burgers is a cinch. In a food processor or blender, pulse half a chopped onion and 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic until finely grated. Add in a can of black beans, 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, 2 teaspoons of fresh parsley, 1 egg, and a dash of red pepper flakes and pulse until combined. Put the mixture into a bowl and add a second can of black beans, ½ cup of breadcrumbs, salt and pepper; mix. Form patties and cook over an oiled grill for 6 minutes on each side, or bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes on each side.
For a breakfast that’ll keep you going for hours, mix black beans (1/4 can per serving) into your eggs—or serve them on the side. You can also add in tomatoes, onions, and avocado and serve it up with whole-grain toast, or you can wrap all in a tortilla for an easy on-the-go meal.
The beauty of black beans is that they’re easy to mix into dishes you’re already making, increasing the protein and nutritional value with zero extra work. Add them to Mexican meals like tacos or burritos; sprinkle them into a salad (remember: they’re already cooked); let them simmer in your vegetable soup or chili; or add them into brown rice or quinoa during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Easy enough, right?
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High Protein Foods: 6 Easy Healthy Recipes With Black Beans
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Amp Up Your Exercises
Take your training to the next level. Increase the difficulty of your favorite moves without adding weight.
There comes a time in any program when the exercises become too easy. Time to load the bar up with more weight right? Likely not.
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