According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 28 million US citizens suffer from this desease. 80% of them are women. This has been recently linked to the fact that women are physically less active especially when it comes to strength training.
Osteoporosis is a desease of bones in which the bone density is reduced and therefore the bone becomes less stable and breaks with minimal “effort”. The most affected bones are the vertebral column, hip and wrists. Severe pains as well as bent stature are the results of osteoporosis of the vertebral column.

Osteoporosis isn’t something old people get either. More and more people show tendency to develop osteoporosis in their 40’s and even 30’s.

So how can you reduce the risk to suffer from this desease? Strength training. When you work out with weights your bones naturally become stronger.

The problem is that women try to avoid dumbbells, because they don’t want to build muscle mass and to look like men. What women don’t realize is that they have 10 to 30 times less hormones needed to build muscle than men. This means that if you did work out with the same weights a man does, and eat as much as a man does, you’d still develop 10 to 30 times less muscle mass.

You don’t have to lift the same weights nor eat as much proteins though. This means that the muscular mass you could develop is close to zero. Women can’t get huge muscles “by accident”. It requires very big weights, enormous dedication, scientifically designed diet, huge ammounts of protein and sometimes even chemical hormones to get any closer to a muscular body.

On the other hand strength training can give you a toned body, help you burn fat and make your bones stronger. Keep pumping!

Here are some extremely funny exercise and sports videos. Most of them about the evil treadmills. Enjoy!

Treadmill retard - never try it at home

Treadmill bear - animated video. A bear on a treadmill.

Treadmill accident - Beware of your treadmill. It may be very bloodthirsty!

Jackass - The Treadmill - the only unlimited thing is the stupidity of people

“Refurbished” health and fitness video of the 60’s. Nice

Honey is made by bees from flowers’ nectar. Chemically, it is a combination of water, several sugars like fructose and glucose and other particles. Should you include honey into your diet? What is it good for?

Yes, honey contains glucose and some other simple sugars. Nevertheless you should consider taking honey even if your goal is to lose weight and here is why!

Antioxidant

The American Chemical Society has informed that honey contains very powerful antioxidants. They help preventing cancer, heart diseases, inflamation and even aging, all believed to be consequences of the excesive "free radicals" in your body. Free radicals are responsible for over 60 severe diseases that can be prevented by taking antioxidants. Not every honey has the same amount of antioxidants: The darker the honey the more antioxidants it contains. White honey holds more glucose sugar and should be avoided for dietary purposes.

Antibacterial

Honey has the reputation of killing bacteries and was widely used for curing wounds for a long time. It cannot kill viruses that are responsible for most infections, but it cerainly can aliviate throat pain, for example.

Energy

Honey holds a lot of simple AND complex sugars which makes it a perfect nutrient for you to take before the workouts. Several studies have shown that it gives an equilibrated, long-lasting and stable blood sugar level.

Many cyclists take honey for more resistance.

Summary

It is not advisable to take too much honey, but one tablespoon a day is optimal for your health. If you do sports every day, include it just before the workout. If you do the bodybuilders-diet, use it as a sweetener for the oatbran, for example.