Green tea is no longer a mystical beverage only available in trendy cafes and specialist shops. In fact, today its popularity is so vast that it can be found in abundant variety on supermarket shelves and even alongside cappuccinos in coffee vending machines. So what led to this popularity, and why is green tea’s reputation more squeaky clean than a standard brew?

The history of green tea stems back as far as traditional consumption to China in around 2000bc. By the 12th Century it had begun to spread across the continent to Japan with the travels of Japanese Buddhist Priest Myōan Eisai; and onward to India and Thailand thereafter. The drinking of green tea in Japan has since become more part of everyday life and is considered in a similar manner to which black tea is in the west with varying quality and price differences.

All tea has been subject to extensive research regarding health benefits, but whilst black teas have been scientifically proven to lower coronary artery disease, the positive effects of green teas have long been regarded as diverse and far reaching. In further active promotion, Eisai wrote Book of Tea (Kissa Yojoki) in 1191, which promoted the positive effects of green tea on the body, most notably, vital organs such as the heart and brain.

In more recent years, many of these claims have been proven scientifically. In the so called ‘war against obesity’ in the UK, Birmingham University has found that green tea promotes the rate of fat oxidation by 17 percent. Similarly, the American Association for Cancer Research used Polyphenon E (a green tea property) in tests on rats and found that just under half of those tested were as likely to develop colon cancer.

Similarly, green tea has also increased in its popularity due to its lack of the stimulant caffeine and its calming properties because of this. Although black tea and coffee are well-known for their caffeine content ranging anywhere between 30 and 100 milligrams, on average green tea contains about 70 percent less and so is less likely to lead to a dependence (caffeinism). Additionally, there are many ways that green tea research is set to explore new further benefits, such as fighting LDL Cholesterol and stopping Parkinson’s Disease.

Everyone, guy and girl, has dreamed of having sexy flat abs, toned and well defined. It is not about mere vanity at all because it is about feeling sexy and confident all from having great abs!

So everyone dreams about this but guess what, very few people actually have them! Really, only about 3 in 10 people have toned abs that will show through. If you want to be one of those 3 people, read on to learn how to get those sexy abs!

Despite what everyone tries to make everyone else think, it is really not that difficult to get a great six pack. It is actually more likely that people do this because they feel it is difficult or even impossible for themselves to get sexy abs. But realize this, if you know the best and easiest methods to getting toned abs, then all you have to do is stick with it and follow through. Even though some say it is impossible, it really is not and once you learn how, getting there will be that much easier.

The first thing that you need to understand is the role fat plays in your goal of getting sexy flat abs. You, like everyone else in the world, have belly fat. The only people who can honestly say they do not have belly fat are the ones who have flat toned abs. They have lost the belly fat and now can show off sexy abs and you can do the same.

You need to lose the belly fat that covers your ab muscles. Ignore what people tell you about ab machines, ab exercises or anything like that. They do not work, plain and simple. That is not what it is all about. It might seem like it makes sense since ab exercises are working your ab muscles but there is little connection.

One of the two main methods of getting sexy abs is to first establish a good foundation of healthy eating habits. That means no junk food, no fried food, no fast food, no sodas, no sports drinks, no junk, period. You need to eat fresh whole foods. This means fruits, vegetables, and high quality meats. Keep in mind, just because there is a label that says organic does not mean it is healthy.

There are plenty of processed organic foods out there and you will want to avoid processed foods period. Yes, it may seem extreme if your diet consisted of junk food, fast food and fried food. But if you want those sexy abs, this is what you are going to have to do. Once you cut those foods out and focus on fresh foods, you will begin to see yourself reduce the belly fat, and actually your body fat in general too.

The second method of getting sexy abs is to work out, focusing on burning fat and all body exercises. That is absolutely right, no matter how many crunches, sit-ups or other ab exercises you do, even if it totals to 500 per day, you will not get sexy abs. Very simply, ab exercises do not burn fat, so you will not see results.

The best workouts to do to get your sexy abs back are cardio and weight training. With both of these workouts, you will want to focus on more all-body exercises instead of isolating certain muscle groups. Cardio, such as running on a treadmill or a track, will burn fat and weight training will tone and define your muscles.

The truth to sexy abs does not even include ab machines so make sure to start with the foundation of great cardio, weight training and a healthy diet and you will see results quickly!

There are many reasons why people have trouble sticking to their exercise routines. One of the most common is boredom, due to a lack of variety. Here are several alternative forms of fitness to spice up your routine and keep you motivated.

Can you believe 2 days in a row I didn’t go to the gym?!? Shame on me, I better work extra hard this weekend. Summers right around the corner and I want to be bikini ready

Tomorrow I will be getting my butt to the gym, this time I’ll do 40 mins of cardio on Sat & Sun. To top it off I went to Einstein’s Bagels for breakfast and they have these new bagel poppers, cinnamon sugar and sweet cream cheese.. Yumm Yumm mmy!!! They are SUPER AMAZING.. You gotta try them…

I’m going to grab some dinner. Have a great night!!

4-01-2009

Today I was too exhausted to even attempt to go to the gym. I started placing a bunch of listings on craigslist and I already started getting calls. So, I focused on that and figured I can make it up on the weekend. No big deal.

Real Estate is starting to pick up, and it looks like I’m going to be real busy!! Finally, I hate when I’m not being productive. I like to keep myself busy.

Have a great night everyone!!!

3-31-2009

Supersets 3×12-20 Reps

Leg Press - 55 lbs Per Side

V-Squat - 45 lbs Per Side

———–

Seated Hamstring Curls - 90 lbs

Lying Hamstring Curls - 35 lbs

———–

Smith Machine Squats- 25 lbs Per Side

Walking Lunges - 15 lb Dumbbells

———–

Standing Cable Leg Extensions - 20 reps 60 lbs per leg

Standing Cable Hip Abductor/Outer Thigh - 20 reps 40 lbs per leg

———–

Lying Hip Raises w/ 25 lb plate on stomach - 25 reps

———–

Calves

Seated Calf Raises - 10 lbs 20 reps

Standing Calf Raises - 20 lbs 20 reps

Abs

Tues Ab Workout From Men’s Fitness magazine

Lower Ab Machine - 10 lbs 3×15

Reverse Crunches On Stability Ball - 3×20

Crunch Machine - 10 lbs 3×20

Lower Back Machine - 75 lbs 3×20

3-30-2009

I’m going to continue this routine for a couple of more weeks, I really like it..

The shoulder routine that I did was balancing on one foot at a time while doing my reps. Basically I stood on one foot for a total of 12 reps switched to the other foot and did another 12 reps. That counts as 1 set.

Shoulders - 3 sets 12 reps per foot

Dumbbell Standing Shoulder Presses

Dumbbell Bent Over Rear Delt Flies

Dumbbell One Arm Lateral Raises Laying On An Incline Bench

Reverse Pec Dec Rear Delt Flies - 3 sets 20 reps

Dumbbell Standing Front Shoulder Raises Then Swing Out To Lateral Raises Without Stopping  

Abs

Mon Ab Workout From Men’s Fitness Magazine

Lower Ab Machine - 3 Sets 20 Reps 20 lbs

Bicycles - 3 Sets 40 Reps

Crunches On Stability Ball - 3 Sets 20 Reps

Lower Back Machine - 3 Sets 20 Reps 75 lbs

Cardio - HIIT

Stationairy Bike 10 Mins

Elliptical 10 Mins

Stair Climber 10 Mins

3-26-2009

Legs

Hammer Strength V Squat Machine: 3 sets, 40 lbs per side, 20 reps each: feet together, shoulder width apart and legs wide apart

Seated Hamstring Curls: 3 sets, 90 lbs, 20 reps

Lying Hamstring Curls: 3 sets, 40 lbs, 20 reps

Leg Extensions: 3 sets, 60 lbs, 20 reps

Leg Abductor and Adductor Machines: 3 sets, 80 lbs, 20 reps

Standing Calf Raises: 3 sets, 20 lbs, 20 reps

Abs

Wed Workout From Men’s Fitness Magazine

Crunches On Stability Ball: 3 sets, 25 reps

Lower Ab Machine 10 lbs 3 sets 15 reps

Cardio HIIT

Stair Climber 10 mins

Elliptical 10 mins

Treadmill 15% incline 2.5 mph speed 10 mins

3-25-2009

Back 3×12

Hammer Strength Lat Pull Downs - 40 lbs Per Side

Unilateral Rows - 40 lbs

Cable Lat Pull Downs - 100 lbs per side

Seated Cable Rows - 50 lbs

Lat Pull Downs - 70 lbs

Cable Straight Arm Pull Downs - 30 lbs

Bi’s

Seated Alternating Dumbbell Curls - 12 lbs

Concentration Curls - 10 lbs

Ez Bar Curls - 30 lbs

Dumbbell Hammer Curls - 8 lbs

Abs

Wed Ab Workout From Men’s Fitness Magazine

Lying Leg Raises - 3×20

Lower Ab Machine - 10 lbs 3×15

Oblique Crunches On Hyper Extension Bench - 3×20

Crunch Machine - 10 lbs 3×20

Cardio HIIT

Elliptical - 10 mins

Stationary Bike - 10 mins

Stair Master - 10 mins

Legs 3-24-2009

Supersets 3×12-20 Reps

Leg Press - 55 lbs Per Side

V-Squat - 45 lbs Per Side

———–

Seated Hamstring Curls - 90 lbs

Lying Hamstring Curls - 35 lbs

———–

Stability Ball Squats - 15 lb Dumbbells

Walking Lunges - 15 lb Dumbbells

———–

Standing Cable Leg Extensions - 20 reps 60 lbs per leg

Standing Cable Hip Abductor/Outer Thigh - 20 reps 40 lbs per leg

———–

Lying Hip Raises w/ 25 lb plate on stomach - 25 reps

———–

Calves

Seated Calf Raises - 10 lbs 20 reps

Standing Calf Raises - 20 lbs 20 reps

Abs

Tues Ab Workout From Men’s Fitness magazine

Lower Ab Machine - 10 lbs 3×15

Reverse Crunches On Stability Ball - 3×20

Side Bridges - 3×20

Bicycles - 3×50

Crunch Machine - 10 lbs 3×20

Lower Back Machine - 75 lbs 3×20