What's Wrong with Perfect Abs?

The perfect body - chiseled abs, muscular legs, bulging bi's, etc.,- it's a dream for many and a reality for few.  Regardless of who you are or what you say your diet, fitness and health related goals are - "looking better naked" is likely somewhere in the mix.  While a healthy diet and exercise program are important many men and women take things to extremes.  These "hardcore" individuals may look great on the outside, but on the inside it's another story.

Overtraining, inadequate diet, low body fat and excessive stress in women often results in amenorrhea.  A condition defined as the absence of menstruation due to abnormal hormonal changes and/or low energy availability.  The amenorrhic state is associated with infertility, osteopenia and many other detrimental health effects.  While there is a great deal of information available about the effects of overtraining and inadequate diet in women this is not the case for men.  But, some recent research has changed that.

Last week at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, Doctor Andrew Dwyer of Massachusetts General Hospital reported that men may experience a similar condition.  High training loads, inadequate diet, weight loss and low testosterone levels in males may lead to a condition referred to as hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.  The male subjects presenting with 'overtraining' symptoms had decreased athletic performance levels, low body weights, body fat percentages and testosterone levels.  The researchers also reported that when one of the males gained 6 pounds his testosterone levels normalized and another subject decreased his training load and saw a similar increase in the male hormone. 

Having a 'rockin body' is great, but how much are you willing to risk for a 6-pack?  Eat the right foods in the proper amounts, train smart and sleep much!!  Your body, your mind and your woman/manhood will thank you.

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