The Interval Training Guide: Interval Training for Beginners

Interval Training Guide

What Is Interval Training?

You've probably heard of interval training by now. Interval training consists of short intervals of intense exercise interspersed with slower-paced recovery periods. The recovery periods are either rest periods, in which no exercise is done, or active rest periods, in which slower-paced cardio exercises are done.

Who's It For?

Interval training isn't for everyone. If you've lived a sedentary lifestyle up to this point, interval training may not be the best place to start. It's an incredibly effective training routine, but it can put a lot of stress on the body. It's recommended you workout using other less-intense routines for a while before you start interval training.

Check with your physician and get a clean bill of health prior to starting an interval training routine. Let your doctor know exactly what you have planned and ask him to make sure you're healthy enough to do it. There may be underlying health concerns that preclude you from interval training.

Read more: The Interval Training Guide: Interval Training for Beginners

Why Do We Trust Celebs for Health Advice?


Would you go see a used car salesman when you want a diagnosis for a persistent cough? What about seeing an electrician when you have a new mole you want to get checked out?

The answer to both of those questions is obviously "NO." Used car salesmen and electricians may be good at their professions, but they aren't qualified to give medical advice any more than a doctor is qualified to wire your house for surround sound. Even if you were able to find someone from a different profession willing to give you a diagnosis, it would be all but worthless.

Why, then, are people so willing to run out and shell out big bucks for the latest fad diet or health trend simply because they heard Madonna or Angelina Jolie used it to treat a skin condition or lose weight?

Read more: Why Do We Trust Celebs for Health Advice?

10 Crazy Diets You Don't Want Anything to Do With


We spend a lot of time talking about health around here. The topic of diets comes up frequently, as we're constantly on the lookout for the best and fastest ways to help our readers lose weight and stay fit. We cast a wide net in our search for interesting and exciting topics for future articles and have come across a number of diets that are shocking, disgusting, dangerous or a combination of the three.

Without further ado, here are 10 diets you probably haven't heard of and definitely don't want to try:

1. The Living on Light Diet

Eating is generally considered necessary to survive. That is, unless you're Navenna Shine, or Seattle, Oregon. According to her Facebook page, Navenna embarked upon an experiment in which she attempted to survive on sunlight and water alone. Naveena made it to the 47-day mark before quitting the diet, for unknown reasons. While Naveena survived her attempt, others haven't been so lucky. Take, for example, the Swiss woman, who starved to death after a week of attempting to survive on nothing more than sunlight.

2. The Soylent Diet

Rob Rhineheart has created a diet in which he ingests no solid food, instead opting to drink a substance he's dubbed "Soylent." This beige liquid is a blend of the nutrients required by the body and supposedly contains everything the body needs without any of the bad stuff. The downside is a mistake in mixing the ingredients can make you very ill and possibly even kill you. Oh yeah, and you've got to give up food...

Read more: 10 Crazy Diets You Don't Want Anything to Do With

Heavy Metals in Protein Supplements: Are You Drinking Lead?


What Is Protein?

Protein is a necessary part of the human diet. It exists in every cell, tissue and organ in the human body. To put it simply, without protein we wouldn't exist. The protein we eat in foods is converted by the body into amino acids, which are later used to replace proteins the body has broken down. Meats, seafood, poultry, legumes, eggs, nuts and seeds are all natural foods that are high in protein.

The human body requires protein in order to build and maintain muscle mass. Without protein, muscles won't be able to properly repair themselves after a workout, leading to fatigue and muscle loss.

What Are Protein Supplements?

Most people who eat a balanced diet don't need to consume additional protein. Bodybuilders, athletes and a number of people seeking to get fit or who are fit and are looking to maximize muscle gain often turn to protein supplements. The supplements come as either powders you add to liquid and mix yourself or premixed drinks that you open and consume.

Read more: Heavy Metals in Protein Supplements: Are You Drinking Lead?