Two-thirds of of American adults are overweight or obese. With overweight being more prevalent than healthy weight, the perception of what is considered "normal" weight is skewed. 

So you want to gain muscle and trim the fat. You have heard the hype about some personal trainer online who invented the formula to get strong and muscular. Also, you have heard that the supplements X and Y are supposed to make you grow like weed in just 12 weeks (they are endorsed by Mr. Olympia so they must work), and that supplement Z will make you shed fat in no time. But then you ask yourself: Can I achieve similar or better results without spending a fortune on unproven products and theories? I think that with some effort you can. And since you have already decided to get fitter you must be ready to do work, so why not spend some time educating yourself on the topic of diet and exercise?

I love looking at old photos and seeing how my body has developed over time. When I started working out seriously in 2006 I never thought I would have the results I have had so far. Best of all - it's 100% natural.

A calorie is a calorie? Not quite when it comes to what happens after we ingest them.

I remember when I first started going into the weightlifting section of the gym. I was anxious and worried that everyone would look at me thinking I was a weakling who had no clue what she was doing. There were not many women in the weightlifting area, if any at all. I felt certain that everyone was looking at me because I was doing something wrong or because I didn't "belong" there. 

Traditional lifting straps are two strips, usually made of cotton or leather. The end of each strip has a small loop into which the opposite end of the strip goes into, creating a larger loop. By tightening the strap (large loop) around the wrist and wrapping the long part of the strap around the bar, some of the weight lifted will be transferred to the wrist. This results in an increase in the amount of weight one is able to lift, provided that the grip is the weakest link.

While some consider the use of lifting straps useful, others think straps hinder the development of grip strength.

Have you considered taking your workout outside now that summer is here? You don't need a lot of equipment to have a great workout. Switch up your workouts from time to time. Variation helps motivation. 

Check out these videos for inspiration:

Don't skip your workouts during stressful periods in your life. Exercise helps in dealing with stress in several ways. It promotes well-being, and it can be a distraction from stressful factors in our lives. Let your workout time be time you take for yourself and your health and well-being. Leave your problems outside of the gym and focus on your workout. In times when you feel there are issues in you life you are not in control of, let your workouts be the factor in your life you are in control of. It will make you feel more in control of your life.