I changed my workout schedule this week, and decided to try it first thing in the morning. It happened to be on an empty stomach. This isn't because I feel it burns more fat, but rather, it is easier to fit into my schedule this way.

I did arms this morning. It was a grueling workout that I adopted from Ian Kings, "12 Weeks to Great Guns." This was originally published at Testosterone Magazine so you might do a search and find it there. Today's workout:

Superset of forearm flexions and extensions
Triset: concentration curl, low pulley curl, Zottman curl
Triset: dumbbell kickback, lying triceps extension, seated triceps extension
21s: preacher curl
21s: narrow grip bench press
Dropset: wide grip barbell curl
Dropset: standing triceps extension

In case you couldn't guess, today was an arms day.

A "Zottman curl" is an interesting variation on the curl. You face your palm up when curling up, then you reverse your grip and face your palm down as you extend your arm. It's a combination regular and reverse curl.

I didn't do any balance drills like the ones described in this article, but I did conclude the workout with something many people do not: thorough stretching (find books and videos about stretching).

Kettlebell training is gaining popularity. I found this article about kettlebell training the Los Angeles Times. There are now a few books and videos out on the topic (you can order the actual kettlebells through that link as well). Mike Mahler is one of the top instructors in the nation. You can visit his bio page to learn more, listen to an interview that we conducted with him, and read a few articles he was kind enough to share with us.

Here's an interesting bit about using the glycemic index and fears this is the next trend that will come as a backlash to the low carb movement. (Why do so many people misunderstand the Atkins diet?

Here's a simple guide to lowering cholesterol. More on cholesterol. And then read this from the Harvard School of Public Health.

While he's only 1/4 of the way there, our favorite fat man walking has already made television appearances and signed a book deal. It's good that he's doing his part to combat obesity, because the obesity epidemic (yes, they are still calling it that) is now expected to affect the health-care system.

Here's the place to train if you're an elite athlete. If you're a triathlete, you might be interested in Stanley Goldsmith's routine instead.

Got a bun in the oven (expression for being pregnant)? Doctors now say that the regular guidelines should be scaled back for pregnancy weight gain, because more than half of pregnant women are already overweight.

When I lived in South Dakota, I was introduced to a local favorite: the Indian taco. Basically, you take the ingredients for a regular taco, and instead of stuffing them into a tortilla or taco shell, you place them on top of a slice of traditional Indian fry bread. While it tastes incredible, it may also be a high-fat curse.

In an effort to reduce the amount of trans fats in foods, manufacturers are switching from soy bean oil to palm oil. As a saturated fat, this oil can withstand high heat better than unsaturated fats.

Now obese teens have a last resort to go to school with other teens in a similar situation ... and learn how to overcome the extra weight.

Some insurance companies are now offering programs to help children keep in shape.

We've still got items up at e-Bay, including my old home-based gym. Check it out before someone else does!

Blessed be,