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The Huge Problem With Guilty-Pleasure Foods

July 13, 2015 By Nia Shanks

“What are your favorite guilty-pleasure foods?” the interviewer posed. “I don’t have ‘guilty pleasures,’” I retorted before continuing, “I refuse to experience guilt or shame from eating food.” My answer was received with a stunned silence. Clearly this wasn’t a response she’d ever received to the common, playful question. And I had just sucked all […]

Forget Fat Loss

July 13, 2015 By Nia Shanks

The goal of fat loss isn’t (usually) the problem. It’s the mindset that often evolves from a seemingly never-ending fat loss pursuit. Fat loss isn’t executed as a simple objective, structured process that lasts for a designated time — it gradually morphs into a definitive, emotionally-fueled, all-consuming infinite lifestyle. This unrelenting, long-term focus on fat […]

For the Best Results, Women Must Use Fractional Plates for Barbell Exercises

July 13, 2015 By Nia Shanks

I only added 5 pounds to the bar! Why does it feel so heavy? Maybe you’ve done it — added a mere 5 pounds to the bar, lifted it for a few reps, racked the bar and immediately checked the plates. Surely you did the math wrong and added more to the bar than just […]

Remarkable “Before & Afters” That Have Nothing to do With Fat Loss

July 13, 2015 By Nia Shanks

What do the majority of women’s fitness before and after photos have in common? They’re all about weight loss—someone was “bigger” in the before photo, and they’re smaller (or at least leaner) in the after. Not that there’s anything wrong with people wanting to lose weight to improve their health, feel more confident, or to […]

Disliking your body a little less

July 13, 2015 By Pixie

“Ugh, I hate my thighs.” “I hate seeing this flab on my stomach.” “I need to work out more because I hate how my arms look in tank tops.” Ask almost any woman if there’s a part of her body she’d like to change or improve and you’ll likely receive an immediate reply. Perhaps you’ve said something […]

How to Make Goblet Squats Harder Without Adding More Weight

July 13, 2015 By Nia Shanks

Goblet squats are an excellent exercise. When executed properly, they train the legs, glutes, and abdominals in one efficient squatting movement. Goblet squats are my go-to exercise for teaching the squatting movement to strength training beginners. Once a trainee gets quite strong with goblet squats, however, their one glaring drawback is revealed–the awkwardness of progressively loading […]

Eating in Moderation: How to Do It Right

July 13, 2015 By Nia Shanks

Eating in moderation is a noble goal. Too bad most people suck at it. What does it mean to “eat in moderation”? We must define it if we’re to practice it properly. The definition varies widely depending on what beliefs someone has about nutrition, but here’s a simplified answer that’s void of stupid nonsense (calling any food […]

Lift Like a Girl Dumbell Workout

July 13, 2015 By Nia Shanks

“What exercises should I do for the Lift Like a Girl programs if all I have access to are dumbbells?” That has been asked so frequently that it’s time to provide the answer. Or if you have dumbbells at home, your gym has limited equipment, or you simply prefer dumbbell exercises, use this program for great results. […]

Disordered Eating No Longer Controls Me, But That Doesn’t Mean I Never Struggle

July 13, 2015 By Nia Shanks

I’m no longer captive to disordered eating. But that doesn’t mean I never struggle or feel the tug of old, destructive habits. Like a scar from a sutured wound leaves a permanent reminder of the event, so too did my stint with obsessive eating habits create a lasting mark on me. It fades with time, […]

The Nocebo Effect: Are You (Unknowingly) Thinking Your Way to Failure?

July 13, 2015 By Nia Shanks

A patient taking part in an experiment is told her new medication may have symptoms such as nausea, stomach pains, and loss of appetite. Four weeks later when she revisits her doctor for a checkup she complains of nausea, stomach pains, and loss of appetite. “The side effects from this medication are terrible,” she groaned. […]