In December, I came across news items and articles ranging from the FDA warning companies to stop marketing HCG products to exercise labels showing promise as an effective deterrent of sugary drink consumption. For more, check out the articles below:

1) HCG Diet Products Illegal, FDA Warns Seven Companies

The HCG Diet, which requires eating only 500 calories per day and injections of HCG hormone to help speed up metabolism and improve hormonal balance has spread like wildfire in the last couple of years. The success of HCG may come to a screeching halt as the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission issued warning letters to seven companies that market HCG, calling for these companies to stop selling and marketing these unapproved drugs. First, HCG is unapproved as a drug and second, only trace amounts are typically found in these products.

Continue Reading HCG Diet is a SCAM? BuiltLean Digest Dec-2011

While the squat is a functional movement that many consider the “King” of all exercises, it can be very difficult exercise to complete with proper form.

So why is proper squat form difficult for so many people?

Continue Reading How To Increase Squat Depth

Your friends want to meet at an Indian restaurant and the dialogue begins… “How am I going to manage eating well with creamy curries? Don’t people always order those crispy samosas? Oh, man I love that naan bread!” Even if just one of these ideas has popped into your head, I am here to help guide you. Believe it or not, even Indian Cuisine can be done healthier.

Below are a few ways to keep healthy indian food options a part of your healthier and lower-calorie lifestyle.

Healthy Indian Food Options Strategies:

Continue Reading Healthy Indian Food Options: Quick Guide

The testimonial you are about to read is 100% real, but the results are NOT typical. I met Constantinos at Natureworks restaurant around the corner from my apartment in NYC. Little did I know he would complete my BuiltLean Program and lose 40lb in just 8-weeks. I hope you find his transformation inspirational. I also want to send a BIG thanks to Constantinos for sharing his results with the world.

Continue Reading Flabby to A Six-Pack in 8-Weeks | Constantinos’ BuiltLean Review

“How Deep Should I Squat” is a very common question that causes a lot of confusion. Some people believe squatting 1/2 way down is easier on the lower back, while others believe squatting very deep is actually safer for your back and more effective overall.

Continue Reading How Deep Should You Squat? Q&A

A bowl of chili is one of the heartiest, flavorful and most delicious Mexican dishes on the health minded menu. It packs lots of protein, is filling and so long as you are not on a first date, a great dinner option. By taking the core ingredients and substituting them with equally flavorful foods, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Continue Reading Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe For The Holiday Season

I’m thrilled to announce that BuiltLean.com has surpassed over 100K unique visitors in a one month period (11/5-12/5) since launching in March 2010. Visitors came from over 180 countries and over 8,300 cities around the world. I was checking my website stats every day the last week approaching this milestone, which was one of my original short term goals when I started BuiltLean.com.

Check out the chart below from my Google Analytics account:

Continue Reading BuiltLean.com Surpasses 100K Unique Visitors/Month!

“Almost everything we have been taught about aging is wrong. We now know that a very fit body of 70 can be the same as a moderately fit body of 30.”

–Dr. Walter Bortz, MD

Do you use your age as an excuse for not feeling, or looking your best? For not being strong, fit, or flexible?

If you do, you need a wake-up call my friend! I’m hoping this article inspires you to reach your true potential to live a longer, fuller, happier life with the fit and strong body you deserve.

I remember my first year in the work force as a 23 year old, my friends would complain about back stiffness, or not being able to lift as much as we did in college. We all had become “has-beens” and in a way, we thought it was funny.

Continue Reading Inspirational Fitness Photos Of Men over 40, 50, and 60!

In November, there were a bunch of articles I came across that highlight the continued shift in the lifestyle of Americans. I’m a really optimistic person, but these articles highlight the implications of how being tied to technology 24/7, not moving, and not eating a balance of nutrient dense foods is affecting our health from poor sleep, to weight gain, to increased use of medications.

1. Congress Pushes to Pass Pizza As a Vegetable

I thought this was a joke when I first saw this news, but it’s not! Can you guess how Congress is justifying pizza as a vegetable? Here’s a short excerpt from the article, “In an attempt to fight back at federal regulations that greatly limit the amount of junk food that can be served as part of government-funded school lunch programs, Congress has proposed a new spending bill that classifies pizza as a “vegetable.” Reports indicate that the bill would allow for just two tablespoons of tomato paste to be considered a serving of vegetables.”

Continue Reading Pizza is a Vegetable? BuiltLean Digest Nov-2011

We know that collectively Americans have packed on the pounds, but how much and how fast body weight has increased is simply shocking! Below you will find a short presentation on the rise of obesity in America, several relevant stats about U.S. obesity, and some links and resources for more information.

U.S. Obesity Trends: From 1985 to the Present (Must See!)

My jaw dropped when I saw the following presentation which shows the prevalence of obesity in each state since 1985. Notice how the colors change from blue to red, which indicates a shift from less than 15% obesity rate to over 30%. Just click the arrow to the right of the presentation to get started and click through each slide.

Continue Reading Shocking U.S. Obesity Trends: Facts & Stats