Barbara Kamali fitness model, glamor model

By: Ron Kosloff

Let's begin with how important cholesterol is to the human body. Cholesterol belongs to a group of fats referred to as Sterols. Chemically it is not a fat, although Sterols are found in all fats and oils especially animal fat.

The chief sources are eggs, egg yolk, liver, kidney, brain, fish oil and oysters. It is also found in a lesser degree in meat, whole milk, cream cheese and butter. Cholesterol is commonly thought of as a poison and something to be avoided at all cost. Nonsense! This is a mistruth. Let me explain.

* Did you know that the majority of the dry weight of the brain is comprised of cholesterol?

* Did you have any idea that the sheath nerve endings from the top of your head to the bottom of your spine are wrapped in cholesterol?

* Did you know that cholesterol serves as a conductor for the transmission of all nerve ending throughout the body?

* Did you know that if you received even the slightest 1/4 inch cut, you would bleed to death if not for cholesterol?

Andi Black fitness competitor, fitness model

By: Mike Mahler

There is no way that you can get big and strong on a vegetarian diet! I used to hear this all the time from my meat-eating friends. I say, used to as I never hear it anymore from people that know me or from people that have seen my photos on my website. Yes my friends, you can in fact get bigger and stronger on a vegetarian diet. You can even do it on a vegan diet (no animal products whatsoever).

Just because the pot smoking, rice dream eating hippie vegetarian in Venice Beach, CA looks like he is from Ethiopia, does not mean that every vegan does. I have the strength and size to back up the fact that you can get strong and have a muscular body on a vegan diet. In this article I am going to discuss why I became a vegan and then go into how to plan your diet to pack on some muscle and increase strength.

How To Get Started

When I was fifteen I read an interview with Harley Flannagan (lead singer of the legendary NYC hardcore band, the Cro-mags) in which he stated that he became a vegetarian to lead a more peaceful life and that one cannot talk about peace when they have a steak on their plate, as an animal died in agonizing pain to end up there. That really struck a cord with me and got me thinking about the thousands of animals that suffer daily on factory farms. Next, I visited Kenya with my parents and experienced a feeling of oneness with the animals over there.

Angie And April Smith, fitness models, glamour models

By: Shannon Clark

# Article Summary: Fat loss is easier for men due to the increased amount of muscle mass.
# Cardio is essential for fat loss, but don't neglect weight training.
# Carb cycling will be very beneficial when trying to lose body fat.

Adjustments You Need To Make!

If you're a female aiming for fat loss, you've likely noticed by now, much to your disgust, that your male counterparts seem to have a much easier time than you.

Unfortunately, males do have some advantages when it comes to fat loss, which is why they tend to get leaner faster than you do. This does not mean you might as well throw in the towel, however. With some adjustments to your approach, you can realize the success you are looking for provided you are willing to put in some hard work.

Why Males Have It Easier

There are two main reasons why males can achieve fat loss faster than females. The first one is due to the fact that they naturally tend to have a slightly higher basal metabolic rate than females do, allowing them to either eat more calories while losing the same amount of weight (thus making the diet more manageable), or allowing them to accelerate their fat loss for faster results. This is partially due to the genetic make-up of the male body compared to the females, so there isn't a great deal you can do to change in this regard.

Angela Stueber figure competitor, fitness model

The Workout:

* Frequency- 4-6 days/week.
* Mode- running, various cardio machines, free weights/machines.
* Intensity- 60-85% age predicted (HR) maximum, 60-70% one-rep. maximum (1RM).
* Duration- 30-60 minutes, varies for resistance training.
* Progression- varies.

Weeks 1-3:

Monday:60-65% of age predicted max, for 40 minutes.

o Machine bench press/Barbell-Dumbbell bench press: 2x12 60-65% 1RM.
o Leg press/Squat: 2x12 60-65% 1RM.
o Seated row/Lat. pull-downs: 2x12 60-65% 1RM.

Tuesday: 60-65% of age predicted max, for 45 minutes.

Wednesday: Off.

Thursday: 60-65% of age predicted max, for 60 minutes.

o Machine bench press/Barbell-Dumbbell bench press: 2x12 60-65% 1RM.
o Leg press/Squat: 2x12 60-65% 1RM.
o Seated row/Lat. pull-downs: 2x12 60-65% 1RM.

Angie Semsch figure competitor, fitness model