Have you been working out for a while but you've reached a strength plateau? Sometimes it's being stuck between two weights- stronger than the 15 pound dumbbells but then the 20 pounder's are just too heavy? Or just can't seem to add weight to your squat week after week, it’s time to build up your strength.

Simple things, such as focusing on the lowering (or eccentric) phase of a movement and squeezing your muscles for a couple of seconds, can make all the difference. Warning- Weights may feel much heavier after you check out some of these strength building techniques.

Luckily, you don't have to have an exercise science degree to get the most out of your exercise tempo. Simply implement these strategies into your existing routine:

Ever wonder why most diets fail? Is it because they're too strict or expensive? Or perhaps you simply lack willpower? When it comes to dieting, the convenience factor can make or break your success.

Most weight loss plans are not sustainable in the long run. Often they're too restrictive eliminating entire categories of food. Sometimes they require purchasing special shakes or powders, occasionally everything has to be purchased through one particular company. All of these can be lumped under what we call diet "friction." This friction can drain our motivation to stick with it or even drain our energy to make other healthy choices.

According to psychologists, most people fail in life because they focus too much on the small things. After all, life is full of details. If all you focus on are the small things, you won’t get the big things done. The same applies to fitness, sports, career, and other areas.

Let's say you want to drop a few pounds and build lean muscle. Prioritize clean eating and regular exercise rather than stressing over small scale fluctuations. The whole point is not to waste major time on minor things.

How many times have you heard about good foods and bad foods? Or that cardio is a must for fat loss? Ask three different people what to eat and how to train, and you'll get three different answers. Plus, the studies are conflicting, which only creates more confusion.

When it comes to fitness and nutrition, there are two approaches. Some people see it as a religion and blindly follow everything they read or hear. Others take the time to research and make a choice based on actual facts.