Vegan Fitness Girl's 'Secret' To Getting Super-Fit Fast? Grab Squeegee, Clean Floor!

A vegan fitness friend of mine---and one of the best athletes with whom I've ever trained---told me a great, true story the other day.

She worked in a restaurant. There was a large expanse of rough, textured, concrete floor space behind the front counter. This space had to be cleaned thoroughly each night, after closing time.

None of her co-workers wanted to clean that floor; ever. Why? Well, first it had to be swept. Every scrap of food or other debris had to be removed. Then, it had to be scrubbed, using a long stick with a course brush at the end. Buckets of water mixed with detergent had to be filled, lifted and dumped onto the floor.

And the part that all the other employees least enjoyed? It was the long-handled 'squeegee-work' required to complete the job.

After the sweeping and scrubbing, when your arms were really 'feeling it,' said my friend, the 'squeegee work' was the toughest of all. Why? Your arms and core, had already gotten a great workout; from bringing out of that grooved concrete surface, literally 'clumps' of accumulated flour. This stuff couldn't be swept up. It gathered in masses, rather, as you pushed and pulled the water and detergent with your brush. Then you'd immediately follow that 'flour workout,' with the pushing and pulling of the remaining water toward the drains with your 'squeegee.'

Why was this so hard? Well, on a grooved, textured floor, it requires quite a bit of strength, core, and arm work to push that squeegee flat over an uneven surface.

I know this is one heck of a workout, as I was an Alaskan commercial fisherman for years. And one of my 'specialties,' on the trawlers, was my 'strange enjoyment of getting in a good workout,' by cleaning the boat floors; from top to bottom; floors which were often full of clumps of sugar or flour.

Well, my vegan fitness friend told me that this floor cleaning job took about an hour to complete. At the end of that hour, you'd have gotten in such a great core, and even, cardiovascular workout, that you'd be completely exhausted. Remember, this job was done after a full day's work on your feet; another reason most employees avoided doing it!

So why did she do it? And why did she volunteer for the job?

Several reasons.

First, she got in a great, full-body workout on that concrete floor. This was evidenced by her fellow workers' envy of her 'ripped,' athletic arms, along with the rest of her body. Yes, she had always taken good care of herself prior to volunteering for the 'floor job,' yet this one seemed to add even more power to her 'arsenal.' Others noticed! They often asked what her 'secret' was, to having such great arms. How about that for a valuable 'fringe-benefit' to 'squeegee work?' The attention of others can be a great motivator as it lets you know you're on the right path to your fitness goals.

Second, these floor cleaning sessions allowed her a certain, detached quiet time, at the end of a loud, hectic and demanding day. I know from personal experience, that this 'quiet time' can often be one of the most satisfying parts of your day, even if it involves a bit more 'heavy lifting.'

And third, her willingness to do such a tough job, at the end of an already demanding day, separated her from all the others who wouldn't even consider volunteering for it. This willingness to engage in hard, physical activity when others are not, not only separates you physically from others, but psychologically as well; maybe even spiritually!

Yes, there is just something deeply satisfying about getting in a great exercise session; especially in situations where others often choose to 'take it easy.' Try it, and you'll see that this is so.

Am I recommending that you volunteer for every possible physically-demanding job that presents itself at the end of an already tough day?

Let me think about that.

Bodybuilding Supplements - Are They Really Necessary?

If you are an avid fitness buff, chances are you have plans of taking nutritional supplements if you haven't already. Though you've heard from various sources the good, the bad, and the ugly about supplements, you wonder why they are still in the market since their inception.

Firstly, bodybuilding supplements are intended for weight lifters and athletes who require intense workouts and proper weight management. Since they are expected to have healthy lifestyles, they need proper nutrients to boost their immune systems and energy levels. Apart from these, bodybuilders also require supplementation for burning fat and developing muscles, as well as for muscle repair and recovery.

Secondly, intense workouts can drain energy levels at faster speeds. This leaves any individual drained of energy and experiencing fatigue even hours after their workout session. Replenishing the body's energy levels can be done by proper nutrient intake. However, even if you eat the right kinds of food, the amount of nutrients may never be enough to provide optimum quantities needed in muscle build-up and other processes within the body.

Proper supplementation is necessary (to simply put it) because of the insufficient amount of nutrients in food. Add intense workout to the equation and you will see how important it is to back up your diet with bodybuilding supplements. Among the more popular supplements that these individuals take is protein. It is often packaged as protein powder and whey is the most common source.

Vitamins and minerals may also be taken separately, but if you do find a single brand with various nutrients, it is more convenient if you will choose that one. Fat burners are also among the popular types of nutritionals since some of them have proven positive effects over the years.

For serious bodybuilders, if you are considering going pro, you will need to prepare early. By searching for supplements for newbies, you will easily have a list of specific nutritionals required on a regular basis. It is necessary to take pre and post workout nutrients to help balance your body in terms of energy levels and performance. Just think of how you can carry on within the day if you haven't taken any of these nutritionals. Remember that many fitness buffs have careers outside of the gym and they need enough energy to last throughout the day.

It is not only a necessity to take bodybuilding supplements just because you are going to the gym regularly or because you do intense workouts. It also important to consider your day-to-day routines since you'll also require energy and stamina in accomplishing them.

Woman Body Building - Do You Know How To Make Your Body Beautiful Through Exercise?

Have you seen a woman with a big bulging muscular body? What's your initial reaction? Women who have manly bodies are often stared at and sometimes even overtly ridiculed. Yet, there are still many people who openly support and participate in this unique craze termed "woman body building." In fact body building for women has become a legitimate subculture all its own.

Female body building is actually a sport that only the most competitive and passionate women can succeed in. If we all just realize how difficult and complicated this sport is, then we might develop some more respect for all the women who engage in it.

Women who participate in body building find it as a source of challenge and accomplishment whenever they win a competition. It is a source of pride and self-esteem for most women body-builders and the same goes for men as well.

More often, women who consider building their muscles up to the max only started as regular gym-goers who want to lose fat and replace it with lean muscles. They are the ones who have started to develop a full passion for looking great with a perfectly toned muscular body. For them, a heavily muscled body is the sexiest and most attractive type of body there is.

Some men also find it very sexy in women. A lot of men, especially those who are regular gym-goers prefer dating women who also have sexy toned bodies. And they are not just attracted to these women's body; they are also attracted, more importantly, to the kind of personalities these women have.

A woman body building in order to win a trophy in this specific type of competitive sport is not just sexy and attractive on the outside. They also have highly admirable traits such as their discipline to exercise as well as their guts to compete. Moreover, these women are often also the type who have high levels of confidence that no matter who mocks at their looks, no one or nothing can bring them down.

Thus, women body builders are not just strong on the outside; they are also strong on the inside. It's never easy to become a woman body builder. First, you have to have a strong conviction to stick with your decision to shape your body into this very distinctive muscular form. You also have to be ready to change your lifestyle, most importantly your exercise and eating habits.

Women who do body building don't stop at the moment they have achieved target body. They continue lifting weights and undergoing a strict diet to be able to maintain their muscles. Thus, woman body building is a great feat and women who do it must not be scoffed at, but rather, respected, appreciated, and admired.