Supplement Blog 4 

Despite the fact that steroids tend to harm the body and health of their users, the popularity of steroids has been on an all-time high. One can hear news about steroids on almost a daily basis these days and the usage of steroids has been on a rampant basis despite odds against their usage.

Steroids, which are rated as Schedule III substances, can be converted into testosterone (male sex hormone) to help in the production of muscle growth and enhancing body performance.

As per the 1999 Monitoring the Future Study, it was estimated that 2.7 percent of 8th and 10th graders and 2.9 percent of 12th graders had taken anabolic steroids in the United States, at least once in their lives. It was further estimated that hundreds of thousands of people (18 years or above) confessed using steroids at least once a year. Though it was revealed that steroid abuse is higher in men, young women were not far behind men and it is expected that the percentage of women using steroids will soon reach the level currently held by men.

It was also noticed that one of the biggest reasons that encouraged people of all ages and sexes towards steroids was their inability to consider their own body as healthy. While many complained of carrying too much weight with them, many viewed that their muscles were small in size even though they were found to be lean and muscular by the medical fraternity. It was also revealed that many of the present day steroid users have experienced sexual or physical abuse in their past. The reason why they take steroids is to gain muscle size to protect themselves from similar incidents in the present and future.

Since oral steroids such as anadrol, winstrol, dianabol, and oxandrin are available freely online (without a prescription) along with injectable steroids such as deca-durabolin, durabolin, depo-testoterone, and equipoise, steroids are enjoying all-time high levels of success and popularity.

The number of ailments arising from usage of steroids is more than the number of people taking steroids. The abuse of anabolic steroids has been largely associated with a wide range of adverse side-effects, ranging from physically unattractive effects like acne and breast development in men to life-threatening health conditions such as liver cancer and heart ailments such as heart attack and stroke to name a few. It is discovered that people do not tend to seek medical intervention when confronted with steroid abuse to avoid law.

Andrew De Silva

Diet Tips for a Healthy Life Blog 2: Low Carbohydrate Diets for Losing Weight

Most people these days want to be lean and shredded and your diet is the best way in order to achieve this want. In this blog I will show you the most effective way in order to lose fat while at the same time ensure you keep your lean muscle mass. This is through the "Low Carbohydrate Diet". This diet comes in many shapes and forms you may have heard about such as the Atkins Diet or South Beach Diet, however some of these can be unsafe and even unhealthy. I will show you the best way to undertake a low carb diet.

The basic principle of the low carb diet is to significantly reduce your carbohydrate intake to reduce the amount of glycogen that your body recieves in your blood. Remember, glycogen is what carbohydrates break down to in the blood and is your bodies preferred energy source. Basically, when your body is depleted of glycogen it will look other forms of energy such as fats. This is where you can lose those stored kilos on your body! However, the problem with many low carb diets is they reduce carbs way too much and  do not include enough emphasis on nutrition. My low carb diet plan ensures carbs aren't reduced to dangerous levels (after all your body does need them) and vitamins and minerals are not sacrificed.

Breakfast

• 4 eggs cooked to your liking with olive oil (scrambles, fried, boiled etc.)
• 1/8 medium melon, such as rockmelon or 50g of blueberries
• 30 grams almonds – either slivered on cereal, or whole – can save as a mid-morning snack if preferred

Lunch

• Throw It Together Salad: Bag of salad greens – about 6.5 oz or 4 cups, tossed together with half a sliced avocado, 2 Tablespoons sunflower seeds, 150g of whatever protein you like (I used deli turkey for the analysis, but egg, beef, chicken, fish, or tofu would be fine), and 2 Tablespoons of balsamic dressing and olive oil.

Snack

• Swiss and Ham Roll-Up: 50g sliced ham and 25g sliced Swiss cheese, with sugar-free mustard if desired, rolled around a medium dill pickle 

Dinner

• Basil Chicken with Vegetables
• Dessert: ½ cup ricotta cheese with desired flavorings, such as Sugar Free falvoured syrpus, coffee and sweetener, unsweetened cocoa and sweetener (check carbs), or mixed berries

Nutritional Analysis: This menu provides 49 grams effective carbohydrate plus 36 grams fiber, 101 grams protein, and 1569 calories. It contains at least the minimum requirements of all essential vitamins and minerals.

Following a plan like the one above is the perfect way to lose those extra kilos while at the same time remaining healthy and storing that lean muscle.

James Hallab

Workout Blog 2: Beginner Abs and Back

The following exercises are basic moves targeting the abs and back. Always avoid any exercises that cause pain and, if you feel lower back strain, modify the move to a comfortable range of motion or place a rolled up towel under your hips to support your lower back.



Crunches
Lie on your back with your hands crossed across your chest or with your fingers on the sides of your head. Place your feet on the floor with legs bent. To begin the exercise, lift your torso, lifting shoulder blades off the floor and crunching your rib cage towards your lower belly. Hold for two counts, then lower slowly to the starting position. Repeat.

Reverse Crunches
Lie on your back with knees bent, feet a few inches off the floor. Slowly contract the abdominals, focusing on rotating the pelvis up and bringing your knees towards your rib cage. Concentrate on letting your abs do the work. Hold at the top then slowly lower your knees to the starting position. Repeat.

Oblique Crossover Crunches
Lie on your back with knees bent, hands behind your head. Keeping lower back pressed into the floor, lift your shoulder blades off the floor and then curl your upper body diagonally across your body towards your right knee. Contract your abs and obliques as hard as you can at the top of the movement. Lower back down and repeat on the same side before switching sides.

PlankBegin by placing elbows on the floor and resting body on the knees. Pull the abs tight to hold your body in a straight line from head to knees without sagging in the middle, eyes looking naturally forward. Hold this position for as long as you can, relax and repeat 3 or more times.

Back Extensions
Lie face down with hands either behind the back or lightly cradling the head. Lift upper body off the ground a few inches, keeping head and neck in alignment. For a challenge, then lift feet off the ground keeping legs straight (knees don't have to be together), hold for 2-4 counts and lower.

Superhumans
Begin on hands and knees, hand directly under shoulders, knees under hips and back straight, abs tight. Slowly raise right arm and left leg up until level with the body, holding your balance and keeping torso tight. Lower back down and repeat with the left arm and right leg. Take your time--this exercise will challenge your balance! 

Annalise Dracopoulos.

Motivation - Muhammad Ali

Each week i will be discussing the different role models. This week i will be discussing the arguable greatest american boxer that has ever been alive that is Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., January 17, 1942) is an American former professional  philanthropis and social activist.

Motivation is key to the effort we put into fitness aswell as our daily lives. Without motivation we do not have a wick, a fire to ignite our energy and step forward into attempting assignments daily. We all need motivation, it has surge the upward in mankind, the most successful people alive have the greatest motivation. Fitness role models such as the Mohammed Ali himself have delivered famous quotes through advice for people around the world. some of his famous quotes are as followed

- "Champions are made from something they have deep inside them, a desire, a dream, a vision. they have to have last minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will has to be stronger then the skill"

- "I hated every minute of training, but i said dont quit, duffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion"

- "i am the greatest, i said that even before i knew i was"

- "He who is not courageous to take risks will not accomplish anything in life"

By just saying, reading this quotes as a daily ritual will inject stimulus to your motivation. In regards to fitness, without motivation we are not physical fit enough to have the will to achieve our fitness goals. Either it be from losing weight to becoming more leaner and meaner, motivation is the absolute key to our success. The road may be long, nothing happens over night but delivering such momentum through these quotes motivation is uplifted, ignited and we are able to achieve them. "Success is not a destination, Its a journey" and motivation must be carried throughout this journey

In conclusion, Muhammed Alis reenforcement of motivation through his journey of success has created such a significant impact on the success in todays world. I myself have Muhammed Ali posters all around my room, he is my absolute idol. I can not stress the importance of motivation, when it comes to fitness. Please enjoy these quotes and make them become a ritual to your everyday activities. Why try something if your not going to put in 110%, these quotes will reenforce stimulus into your energy to get up and go to the gym

Body Transformation Blog 1: Lara from the Biggest Loser

Lara

Over the next few weeks I will be blogging about body transformations with pictures of people who have made amazing progress towards achieving their goal physique, this can include both losing weight or putting on muscle.  This is the first of four instalments, I hope you all enjoy.

This is a before and after photo of Lara from the biggest loser. She has made an amazing transformation from starting weight of 107.1kg to 70.4kg, that's over 35kgs! Lara is an inspiration to all who aspire to lose a some weight, Lara is looking amazing at the moments and probably feels better than she has ever felt before. Her dedication and hard work has definitely paid off and her body looks great. Lara had to overcome some adversities throughout the show but she was able to overcome them through perseverance and hard work. The biggest and most well known issue was her well publicised break up with Leigh, her boyfriend and teammate on the biggest loser who she spoke about marrying and were planning on getting engaged at the end of the show, after (rumours say he cheated on her after he got evicted) they broke up she didn't give up and just pig out on food like she used to she only worked harder to lose more weight and it has definately shown. I applaud Lara and all others who aspire to lose weight and become healther and wish her the best with the rest of her life which I'm sure will be a full and exciting one.

Patrick Jabbour.