Friday, December 29, 2006

A Weight Loss Success Formula: 12 Quick Tips

Follow these twelve simple tips to kickstart (or reinvigorate) your weight loss program.

1. Write down your weight loss goals. Make sure each goal is realistic, and that you have included a time line. Break down larger long-term goals into monthly or weekly goals so you can stay on track without feeling overwhelmed. It's important to commit these goals to paper, so write them down and display your goals where you will see them each day.

2. Each time you reach a goal, reward yourself with a treat. For best results, this treat shouldn't be any kind of food. Reward your new healthy lifestyle with a 30-minute massage, a new exercise video - anything that celebrates you and your success without sabotaging it.

3. Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated by drinking �-ounce of pure (bottled or filtered) water for every pound of body weight. That means, if you weigh 150 pounds, you need to be drinking 75 ounces of water each day - or between 9 and 10 8-ounce glasses.

Drink a glass of water immediately upon waking. And, throughout the day, everytime you feel your energy levels start to dip, drink another glass. Pure bottled or filtered water can really give your mood a boost.

4. Eat a nutritious breakfast. Start your day off right with a nutritious meal, and include some form of protein. For maximum energy and concentration throughout the day, include complex carbohydrates, such as natural whole-grain cereal or bread, as well as a low-fat protein, such as skim milk, cottage cheese, or low-fat yogurt.

5. Get in the habit of exercising every day. Your daily exercise regimen doesn't have to be strenuous. It just needs to be consistent. And there are lots of ways to avoid boredom and to get excited by your daily exercise routine. Try walking or jogging outside instead of on the treadmill. Or listen to a motivational book-on-tape or mp3 as you work out.

6. Eat for health. Think about food in terms of "bang for your buck." Opt for nutrition-dense foods.

7. Eat for energy. Whenever you overeat, you rob your body of energy. Think of food as fuel. Keep an energy journal in which you log the way your body and mind respond to different food choices.

8. Help your mind and spirit to accept and welcome your new body image with behavior modification techniques. A subliminal or non-subliminal audiotape or CD, for example, can help you envision yourself as a fit, lean, healthy person who loves to exercise.

9. Subscribe to a healthy-living or fitness magazine. These magazines feature low-calorie, nutrient-rich recipes - as well as inspiring weight-loss success stories.

10. Stop eating after dinner.

11. Join a support group. This can be a group of family members or neighbors - all committed to improving their health - or a simple online weight loss community. Talking about our daily challenges and victories is highly motivating.

12. Track and record your weight loss efforts, in detail. You can do this on a hand-written chart, a simple computer spreadsheet, or in a journal or computer program designed for this purpose. Track your food intake, water intake, and exercise for the day. And make sure to weigh-in at the same time each week, so that you can track your weight loss results, too.

About the Author:
Jamie Jefferson is a frequent contributor to the Free Article Bank as well as BestSelfHelp.com. Read a Weight Watchers review here.
http://www.bestselfhelp.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:01 AM Quick Weight Loss Program

The Plain Hard Truth About Why You Aren't Losing Weight

It is difficult enough to stay motivated on a weight loss program without feeling like you are going nowhere, I know I have been there! You step on the scale every single morning and the number never moves, or worse it goes up! You go over everything in your mind, you are doing everything you should, daily exercise, dieting, and it still isn't working. So what is the problem? Usually it is something very simple that we just aren't admitting.

Are you really exercising as hard as you are capable of safely or are you just going through the motions? Let me give you a hint, driving to the gym and spending 10 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes in the sauna isn't intense exercise, running a mile to the gym and spending 30 minutes working out and then running back home is. Which version are you doing? You don't even have to run. If you walk and you are just casually strolling, it isn't going to do much for you. The magic number for fat loss is getting your heart rate up between 75-85 percent of your maximum. Bottom line-Keep your heart rate up and you will burn more calories. That along with a restrictive diet will result in weight loss.

That chocolate just has legs and jumps right into your mouth all by itself. Yeah, right! If you are truly serious about your diet, get a diary and write down EVERYTHING you put in your mouth. You can't expect to lose weight if you diet for a couple of days and then eat a whole pizza. You are feeling sorry for yourself so you sit down to watch a movie, just you and a half gallon tub of ice cream. You don't even think about it, as a matter of fact you probably forget that you even ate it. This type of unconscious eating is one of the biggest culprits in sabotaging our weight loss efforts. Don't eat unless you write it down.

You have heard it time after time to drink lot of water. If you are dieting you especially need to drink a lot of water. Drinking plenty of water is one of the biggest dieting secrets of all but because it is so simple people overlook it and think it is unimportant. If you just absolutely have to taste a flavor to be able to drink water then get one of the zero calorie flavor mixes and use it in your water. The main thing is to get at least 64 ounces a day. It is so easy, just get a gallon milk jug and sterilize it with hot water. Fill it up with cold water everyday and drink it all day long. You will lose weight, I promise. Your body needs to be hydrated to work properly.

Try these little tips and see if the scale doesn't start moving to the left for you. In no time you will see major results.

About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about dieting and weight loss at http://www.shop4betterhealth.com
http://www.theinternetmarketingsecrets.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:54 AM Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program

How to Get Motivated to Lose Weight

Losing weight can be done, but it never seems to be easy. While the basic facts - eat less and exercise more - are pretty straight-forward, getting started can be rough. How can a person get motivated to get started? And perhaps even more important, how can you stay motivated to keep working at it even when the pounds are stubborn about coming off?

Sometimes a special event, like a wedding or a class reunion at which you expect to see people who you haven't seen in years, will motivate a person to start a weight loss program. This can help on the short term, but it isn't a lasting reason. If you manage to lose a few pounds this way, there's still a good chance you'll put them right back on after the event.

A severe method of motivation happens when you have a heart attack or other life-threatening health event. Such a trauma often motivates people to lose weight, but hopefully you can find your motivation before it goes that far. How can you motivate yourself to reach this goal that can make the entire rest of your life more comfortable and rewarding?

First of all, focus on the comfort and rewards losing weight promises to you. Take time to focus on how you would feel at your goal weight. How would you feel in your clothes? (Dare I ask how you would feel out of them?) How would your feet feel? Imagine feeling light and having a spring in your step. If you are a writer, write down your thoughts. Try to keep things positive, though.

Now list all the health problems that are exacerbated by overweight. Obesity is linked with a host of ailments, including diabetes, cancer, gall bladder trouble, and much more. Not only this, your legs are likely to feel the strain and develop varicose veins. You might even develop sleep apnea as the area around your lungs becomes more clogged with fat. Hiatal hernias are another real risk for the obese.

Another tip for motivating yourself to lose weight is to find a slogan you can live by. One reported by a successful loser was "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got." This reminds you that your life must be different if you want to lose weight and keep it off. Another motivating slogan is "No food tastes as good as being thin feels." Say this to yourself when you are tempted to eat something that will not build health.

Be patient with yourself as you go. If you flub up, you have the choice of giving up or dusting yourself off yet one more time and getting with your weight loss program. If you give it up, you will stay fat, barring some sort of unforeseen miracle. If you get back with the program, you might flub up again, but at least you are still in the running.

Finally, do it for yourself. While falling in love can take a few pounds off for a while, the high won't last and the pounds might come back on. Similarly, a guilt trip doesn't work very well. Get committed to a weight loss plan because you are worth taking care of!

About the Author:
Terence Young - For more personal growth articles visit: http://www.personalgrowthunlimited.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:51 AM Online Weight Loss Program

7 Tips to Losing Weight Naturally

For many people in the western hemisphere, losing weight has become the national pastime! America, for one, is a land of fast food joints and easily accessible good tasting food. It is also becoming a nation of health clubs and joggers, as people try to hang onto their youthful figures. Not only that, but pills and even surgery for weight loss are on the rise, as people fight the battle of the bulge.

Thankfully, there are non-surgical, natural ways to push your body to lose weight. To say it's easy, however, would be misleading! Losing weight requires a great deal of dedication and perseverance. It must be a lifestyle change, not just a process of following a diet, and the lifestyle changes must be consistent. Read on for some safe, natural ideas for improving your chances at weight loss.

1. Get and wear a pedometer. Many people are having great results simply by wearing a pedometer on their belt all day. A pedometer is a little electronic gadget that keeps track of the number of steps you take each day. You may think you are a fairly active person, but when you clip one of these babies to your waist, you'll know the truth. It's considered an active lifestyle if you log more than 10,000 steps per day. Wearing a pedometer will remind you to get those extra steps wherever you can throughout the day, and the results will be cumulative.

2. Eat more soup. You can make a delicious vegetable soup that is filling even though it is low in fat and calories. Stay away from ingredients like cream, starchy vegetables, and fatty meats. Instead, maximize on cabbage, tomatoes, green beans, zucchini, carrots, and fat free chicken or vegetable stock. A bowl of this soup can be warmed up in the microwave for a nutrient rich, yummy, lo-cal treat any time of the night or day.

3. Pump iron. Actually the verdict is really out on whether pumping iron is a huge factor in weight loss. The theory goes that since muscle burns more calories than fat, even when you are resting, then building muscle should ultimately make you burn up your extra fat. While the effect seems to be less helpful than once hoped, you will feel better and look better while you work toward losing weight. Lifting weights increases your confidence, too, as you feel yourself becoming stronger. Put on some music you like, or keep a set of dumbbells close to where you watch TV, and pull them out for a few reps every now and then.

4. Try adding green tea to your diet. It sure can't hurt, and many experts say that it has a beneficial effect on your metabolism.

5. Ahh, salads! Does your whole being cry, "Yuck," when you face yet another bland, lifeless bowl of lettuce? Here are a couple of ideas for making salad more desirable. If the cold vegetables hurt your teeth, consider zapping the salad in the microwave for 20 or 30 seconds. Hey, there's no law against it, and it takes off the chill. Also, tear those pieces of lettuce up smaller if you don't like three inch squares of lettuce spreading salad dressing all over your face while you eat. Finally, to save fat calories, put your lean protein food, such as grilled white chicken chopped small, into the salad to improve the taste. Skip the dressing and use salt and pepper instead.

6. Watch those portion sizes! Measure what you're eating, and you may be surprised. If you're reading labels, pay attention to the portion sizes they recommend if you want to be taking in the amount of calories you think you are.

7. Believe you can do it. Then get back on track when you falter. Try to be diligent at least 80 percent of the time, and you are likely to increase your health and fitness, while decreasing your weight.

About the Author:
Terence Young - For more personal growth articles visit: http://www.personalgrowthunlimited.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:49 AM Herbalife Weight Loss Program

The Rise and Fall of the Atkins Diet. Eat Well, Lose Weight?

Now there is a diet that will help you in losing weight with a promise of never being hungry. Sounds impossible right? No, it is not because of a new diet revolution called the Atkins diet.

The Atkins diet is a low-carbohydrate diet that was formulated by Dr. Robert Atkins. It is also known as Atkins and Atkins Nutritional Approach. Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution along with other series of books was authored by Dr. Atkins to discuss his concepts and ideas on the diet. Some of the health benefits are better memory and heart functions to name a few.

Dr. Robert Atkins formulated the Atkins diet to solve his own overweight problem. Based on a theory, overweight people ingest more carbohydrates. Since carbohydrates and fat are utilized for energy and carbohydrates are burned first, eating lesser carbohydrates means that body fat is burned in its stead.

The Atkins diet, even though has many success stories for losing weight is primarily for preventing disease, good health and maintaining weight. Further, it has four phases. The first phase is the induction phase wherein you are restricted to having only 20 grams of carbohydrates in a day. Alcoholic and caffeinated drinks and beverages are prohibited in this phase and mostly 4 ounces of meat, cheeses, 3 tablespoons of cream, 2 cups salad vegetables and 1 cup low carbohydrate vegetables is allowed. It has been reported that weight loss often occur at this stage.

The second phase of the Atkins diet is the ongoing weight loss (OWL) phase wherein 5 grams of carbohydrates is added every week to find the critical amount of carbohydrate intake that is essential for losing weight. If 4.5 kilograms or 10 pounds is reached within the target weight then the OWL phase stops.

Pre-maintenance is the phase succeeding the OWL phase where there is an increase in carbohydrate intake so that the amount of carbohydrate intake for maintaining weight is found.

The last phase of the Atkins diet is the lifetime phase. Under this phase, it is assumed that the habits achieved throughout the other phases are maintained so that you will not go back to pre-Atkins habits and weight. This phase values unprocessed food and it is a choice to go back to earlier stages if weight gain is experienced.

There are some people who are for or against the Atkins diet. It is important to see their views before embarking on the diet regimen right away.

Anti-Atkins:
* Atkins is connected with renal disease, heart disease, colon cancer and osteoporosis.
* Since it is a protein diet (mostly meat products) it is not vegetarian-friendly.
* It is a diet low in fiber but high in cholesterol and saturated fats.
* Calcium, potassium and magnesium are below the recommended daily values for the body.

Pro-Atkins:
* Fat and protein can be taken in.
* There is weight loss (steady and rapid).
* Appetite is reduced.
* Sugars and processed grains taken in are lessened.
* Atkins diet is a life-time diet plan.
* You can never be hungry with this diet plan.

The popularity of the Atkins diet was during the years 2003 and 2004. Statistics also showed that for every 11 adults, 1 was on the Atkins diet in the peak of its popularity. But with Atkins gaining popularity, sales of carbohydrates-heavy products declined tremendously. Soft drink companies even tried their hand in low-carbohydrate products to keep up with the trend. But when Dr. Robert Atkins had a fatal injury in the head which also lead to his death in 2003, rumors circulated that he suffered from a heart condition that was caused by his weight. In the year 2005, the company Atkins Nutritional filed for bankruptcy because of poor sales.

About the Author:
Are you interested in the truth about healthy lifestyles? Bill Urell reviews only the best diet and fitness plans, tips, and articles. Are you using these proven stategies for health and peace of mind?Click here: Atkins Diet
http://www.hypnosis-for-weight-loss-program.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:46 AM Weight Loss Program Huntington Beach

10 Easy Weight Loss Tips

1. Stop Drinking Soft Drinks

Each soft drink is 150 empty calories. Replacing just one soft drink per day with water will result in losing 16 lbs per year.

2. Keep Yourself Busy

When there is nothing to do, we reach for the food out of boredom. Staying busy with other activities will help to keep your mind off food.

3. Get Rid Of Tempting Foods

We all have foods that we can’t resist. Knowing that, it’s best to not have those foods around the house. Out of sight, out of mind.

4. Watch Your Portions

How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. If an average person starts eating just 10% less, he will lose about 20 lbs per year without changing his diet.

5. Think Of Calories In Terms Of Exercise

You have to do the whole hour of aerobics to burn off the 500 calories contained in a big piece of cheesecake. What is easier for you: exercising for 1 hour or not eating the cheesecake?

6. Take A Pause

Next time when you are about to eat something you shouldn’t, pause for a couple of seconds and ask yourself -”Is It Worth It?” If the answer is “Yes”, go ahead and indulge. If the answer is “No”, step back and congratulate yourself for taking that pause.

7. Eat Slowly

It takes our brain about 20 minutes to realize that we are full. When you eat too fast, there is not enough time for the “full” feeling to register, so you’d end up literally stuffing yourself with food.

8. Don’t Skip Meals

When you skip a meal, you get way too hungry. When you are too hungry, you won’t be able to control yourself at the next meal. As a result, you’ll end up eating more than 2 meals worth of calories.

9. Plan Your Meals

Try to plan your meals in advance. Not knowing what you are going to eat will send you right to the fast food joint.

10. Do Everyday Physical Activities

Take the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Park your car at the far end of the parking lot. All those activities add up. Walking briskly for 15 minutes per day will help you lose an extra 10 lbs per year.

About the Author:
Melanie Mendelson’s website “Daily Weight Loss Tips” is updated every day with new free diet tips and ideas! Visit http://www.DailyWeightLossTips.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:41 AM Easy Weight Loss Program

Positive Attitudes Add Up For Weight Loss

Once you have made up your mind to lose weight and improve your health the next thing to do is mentally commit to it with a positive attitude. Losing weight can be quite a challenge on some days. For some it can be downright tough. It takes time, practice and support to change lifetime habits.

Think like a winner. Hold a vision of your goal in your mind daily. Emotions are like muscles and the ones you use most grow the strongest. Strong, positive mental images along with a high emotional anticipation of reaching your weight loss goal is very powerful.

Make an effort to keep negative emotions out of your head. It will hold you back from accomplishing the
things you want to do. When a negative thought creeps into your mind, replace it with a positive image. Think about the great things that lie ahead of you.

Losing weight is not just about diets. It\’s about a new mental image of yourself and the possibility of creating a new life. Investigate the weight loss programs that appeal to you and that you feel will teach you the behavioral skills you need to stick with throughout the weight-loss process. Look for support among family and good, positive friends.

Look for others on a weight loss and fitness program, too. It can be an enormous help to discuss obstacles
and share skills and tactics with others on the same path. Seek guidance from someone you know who has lost weight and kept it off.

If there is no one in person to help you look for success stories on television, in newspapers,
magazines and online. There are inspirational people everywhere who lost untold pounds and kept it off. In all instances they say their mental attitude as well as their outlook on life has totally changed.

There are new foods to explore and a postive attitude here can very a big boost. Trying new low fat or high grain alternatives can be made into an exciting adventure. Additionally, you can look forward to learning new, wiser eating skills. Focus on new-found skills that give you some control over your eating habits, rather than being victim to them.

Keep in mind, too, that a good weight loss program should include some physical exercise. Look at the exercising aspect of your program as fun and recreational. Focus on the fact is that physical fitness is linked inseparable to all personal effectiveness in every field. Adding a fitness program to any weight loss effort will quickly show positive results.

Adding fitness can be as simple as walking 30 minutes a day, five times a week. It helps the total circulation of blood throughout the body, and thus has a direct effect on your overall feeling of health. There are things such as aerobics, jogging, swimming and many other exercises which will
benefit a weight loss program.

The bottom line is stay postive and have fun with any weight loss program you start. Focus on the end result,pat your self on the back often and you\’ll make the changes you need in no time.

About the Author:
JM Jackson is a fitness, health and weight loss consultant in northern Califormia. For more information see Weight Loss Hypnosis.

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:36 AM LA Weight Loss Program

Your Ideal Weight Isn’t What You Think It Is

Before starting a new diet plan or spending money on a new weight loss product, it’s important to first define your goal. What exactly do you consider your ideal weight to be? Are you looking to reduce your weight to Y pounds, lower your body fat to X percentage, or lower your BMI to Z? Each measure of weight loss success has its advantages and disadvantages, and before you embark on a journey towards quick weight loss it’s critical to understand the differences.

The Dreaded Scale:

Whether you’re using a weight scale at home or at the gym, the chances are good that you’ve been taught to rely on the scale as your primary measure of weight loss success. This is a misconception that has plagued dieters for decades, and if you’re seeking truly healthy weight loss it’s a good idea to forget about that dreaded scale.

The best advice you'll ever hear in regard to weight management is throw away your scale. The focus, or obsession, on weight is the very reason why most people fail. It's misguided and dangerous. The focus on weight began back in the 1950's when the definition of appropriate weight was simple. Your weight was compared against the ideal weight tables developed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. That insurance company designed a height weight chart based upon the average American citizen. If your actual weight was 20% or more above the table weight, then you were considered obese. If it was 10% under, you were underweight. Today, however, the term ideal weight is irrelevant.

The original weight table standards were designed for insurance purposes, not as guides for nutrition and fitness. These tables never considered body composition. In other words, they make no distinction between lean body weight and fat body weight. Most world-class bodybuilders (usually less than 8% body-fat) would be categorized as obese by the original weight tables.

As an example, consider these two characters: Jay Cutler (a professional bodybuilder) and Fat Albert. Both are 5'9", both weigh 265 lbs. and let’s say that both of them are 32 years old. (These are the real statistics for Jay.) Using the old ideal weight chart designed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, we find that both of these men are clinically obese. In reality, Fat Albert really is obese while Jay Cutler is one of the healthiest people on the planet. The error is that the height weight chart doesn’t account for differences in body composition; it only measures weight. Therefore, without taking lean body weight vs. fat body weight into account, it’s impossible for the bathroom scale to tell you if you’re at your ideal body weight or not. More importantly, when you do begin to lose weight fast the scale will never be able to tell you if you’re experiencing fat loss or muscle loss.

What Is BMI, And Why Should I Care?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a relationship between weight and height that is associated with body fat and health risk.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is widely used to determine an individual’s ideal body weight. Similar to the height and weight chart, it is essentially the relationship between a person’s weight and height. The formula used to calculate it is: BMI= (Weight in Kilograms) / (Height in meters squared).

This measurement, also known as the Quetelet Index, was developed around 1830 to 1850 and is attributed to a Belgian named Adolphe Quetelet.

According to most experts, a BMI of 20 to 25 is considered healthy. BMI of less than 20 suggests an individual is underweight while 25 to 29 indicates an overweight person. 30 and above is a sign of obesity.

BMI provides an estimation of fat content in a person’s body, and is probably accurate for most people. Results may vary, however, because BMI doesn’t take into account the differences between lean weight and fat weight. For example, athletes may develop significantly higher muscle mass. Muscle contributes more to overall weight than fat. As a result their BMI may be higher than average despite a lower fat content. Conversely, elderly people who have suffered some deterioration of muscle mass may have lower BMI with higher fat content.

Again, using our Fat Albert / Jay Cutler example, we find that their BMI is an identical 39.1 (obese). Remember that we’re using Jay’s real statistics here, and Jay is certainly not obese. That’s the danger of relying only on BMI as an indicator of fitness - without differentiating between lean body mass and fat body mass, the result is skewed.

Still, for the average American without Jay Cutler-size muscles, the BMI can be a fairly accurate measurement of health.

There are two convenient places where you can find a BMI calculator. First, just ask the friendly staff at your local health club. They will be more than happy to calculate your BMI and body fat percentage. Another resource is the on-line BMI calculator found at the Department of Health & Human Services site. Both sources are accurate and can help you determine if your BMI is in the acceptable range.

Body Fat Percentage Is The Best Measurement:

The way to measure and determine one's fat to lean muscle proportion is to determine body fat percentage. The body fat percentag is the percentage of an individual's weight that is fat. It is entirely possible for a person that’s ‘heavy’ on the scale to boast a low body fat percentage. Jay Cutler, for example, weighs in at 265 pounds but has a body fat percentage well below 10%. Fat Albert, on the other hand, has a body fat percentage greater than 50%. Body fat analysis is the only method that truly reflects the fitness level of the person.

Sure, the Jay Cutler / Fat Albert example is extreme. Few Americans are as overweight as Fat Albert, and even fewer have the muscle that Jay does. But this extreme example does prove the point that weight control is best measured through body fat analysis.

Only body fat analysis allows you to determine whether you are losing fat or losing muscle. The difference is critical to your weight loss success story, since losing muscle will only lead to further fat gain. On the flip side of the equation, if your goal is to gain muscle then only body fat analysis will show exactly what type of weight you’re gaining: muscle or fat.

In short, body composition testing (also known as body fat analysis) is the only proven method to accurately test whether or not you’re at your ideal weight.

To have your body fat analysis done, visit your local fitness center. In just a few seconds they will accurately and safely determine your body composition. Your personal physician can also perform this test.

Conclusion:

Many Americans are trying to lose weight. Unfortunately, the best weight loss program doesn’t focus on just weight loss but on real fat loss. When it comes to measuring progress, the scale and Body Mass Index (BMI) both fall short for many people because they don't distinguish between lean weight and fat weight. Only body fat analysis can provide an honest assessment of whether or not you’ve arrived at your ideal body weight. So what exactly is your personal ideal body weight? Whatever you weigh when your body fat percentage is in the recommended range!

About the Author:
Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute exercise studio for women focusing on fitness, health and nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit http://www.letspickupthepace.com/ for more information.

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:30 AM Christian Weight Loss Program

Motivation: The Key To Lifelong Weight Loss And Health

A client of meine recently dropped me an email with the following question:

“How do I keep myself motivated? I’ve recently been on a bit of a downward spiral, and I’m trying to pull
myself out of it. Is there a workout routine or some kind of mental exercise I could do to make myself more psyched and into things? Thanks!”

This is common in both fitness and weight loss programs. Being human we all have our ups and downs. First, it is important to recognize our human qualities. When this occurs we can slow down and “go
with it” until we feel movtivated again. After all, a good program is to be incorporated into our lifestyle. We want to use it for the rest of our lives and we all go through ups and downs. Find a
groove with it and flow along. The important thing here is to not drop your program when you do this,
just adjust it until you feel motivated again.

The other approach is to set out to find a new motivation. Again, life is full of ups and downs and
for some of us, when the “downs” come we need to find a new way to keep us charging to our goal.

If you are looking for motivation to get something done … think of a reward for completeing that
something and stick to giving yourself that reward. If you just need more motivation about life in
general then a quick bout of exercise first thing every morning should help you start your day right.
You can use the exercise time to focus your mind and body on being healthy which should help you get
a better outlook on life in general.

One of the great motivators is surprisingly, exercise itself. Studies show exercise can improve mental
abilities in the elderly and go some way to preventing mental decline. Scientists found mental abilities, or cognitive functioning, improved with exercise.

The reason for the link is unclear, but the researchers believe it could be linked to the fact
exercise improves the body’s ability to pump blood and blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. The findings were a side benefit of research comparing the effects of exercise and drugs in fighting depression.
Improvements were seen “above and beyond” what was expected after the depression had lifted.

James Blumenthal, a psychologist at the Duke University Medical Center, in Durham, North Carolina,
said one of the key findings was that exercise had beneficial effects on functions controlled by specific areas of the brain. Memory, planning, organisation and juggling different tasks all improved under the study.

The implications are that exercise might be able to offset some of the mental declines that we often
associate with the ageing process. So it may be that just as exercise improves muscle tone and function, it may have similar effects on the brain.

So what does this mean for you? It means that even with a down cycle in your life a brisk 30 to 45 minute walk each day might begin a long term countereffect of your downward cycle. Take a walk. If you are fit do a slow jog instead of a breath gulping run. The conclusion is, stay with your programs even when you are depressed or in a dwonward cyle. Look for new motivations and rewards for yourself as you progress out of it and into a new, upward cycle.

About the Author:
JM Jackson is a fitness, health and weight loss consultant in northern Califormia. For more information see Weight Loss Hypnosis.

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:27 AM Healthy Weight Loss Program

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Adjusting Your Eating Habits Can Help You Lose 10 Pounds

The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with weight loss.

Whether you're trying to lose some holiday weight, made a new year's resolution, or simply want to look and feel healthier, a weight loss attempt is rarely a bad idea. A good place to start for most people is to set a goal to lose 10 pounds. To lose 10 pounds should be easily attainable for most people, and often with less work than you think.

When people think about losing weight, the first thing that usually comes to mind is diet. Your diet is, of course, one of the most primary influences on your overall weight, and you would be ill-advised to overlook it in your attempt to lose 10 pounds. Rather then thinking only about your diet, however, you should think about your eating habits as a whole. By looking at the bigger picture you will be able to effect more permanent changes on your weight.

It some cases, and for some people, it is possible to lose 10 pounds quickly through some hard and fast dietary rules. The problem, though, is that these rules are likely going to be restrictive, so there's a good chance that they're going to be hard to stick to. Not only that, but if you do stray from the restrictions, those 10 pounds are going to come back quickly.

If your weight loss facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important weight loss information slip by you.

A much better way to try and lose 10 pounds is to adjust your overall eating habits. While it may ultimately take a little longer to lose the weight this way, the weight loss is far more likely to be permanent. To lose 10 pounds by adjusting your eating habits, you have to first give those habits close scrutiny. If you stop and think about it, you'll probably be surprised how often you eat when you are not actually hungry. For example, many people eat in front of the TV not because they are hungry, but out of habit. In the same manner, you probably eat the same amount of food at the same times every day, with little regard for your hunger.

The way you're going to lose 10 pounds, then, is to listen more closely to your body. The stomach sends very clear signals, but they are slow: it is a rule of thumb that you don't "feel" full until 20 minutes after you actually are full. This is why people get overstuffed: we've all had the experience of wanting one more helping, only to regret it 20 minutes later.

So you should make an attempt to eat your food more slowly and to savor it - this will allow your body more time to signal to you how full it is. Also make sure to stop eating when you're full - you can always save leftovers - because there's no reason to eat food simply because it's there.

Altering your eating habits is one of the most effective and easiest ways that you can lose 10 pounds. For many people, weight loss will occur simply be reducing your intake of food. This doesn't mean you have to starve yourself, it just means not eating when you're not hungry. Following the guidelines above will allow you to permanently change your eating habits, and more importantly: to lose 10 pounds, and keep it off.

Those who only know one or two facts about weight loss can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here.

About the Author:
Ron Goodpaster is a freelance writer and a self-proclaimed health nut. He has written many health related and weight-loss articles. His website’s address: http://www.getupandmove.ws
www.bestvitasource.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:58 AM Weight Management Snacks

An Introduction to the Tummy Tuck

How many times has a person looked at themselves naked in the mirror and been dissatisfied at the way their figure looks? Often this feeling of dissatisfaction will turn to renewed enthusiasm to begin a new diet or commence an exercise program. But sometimes along the way there is more displeasure at their appearance and the only answer seems to be something drastic. This can be in the form of diet pills or the more extreme method of correction, a tummy tuck.

Before a person can have this kind of surgery his or her health care provider must determine if they are someone for whom a tummy tuck would be both useful and safe. For this surgery to be worth doing a person must be in good physical condition while at the same time there must be some fat or unnecessary amount of skin that repeated exercise attempts have not been able to make go away. Women who have been pregnant and do not plan on having more children would be good candidates for a tummy tuck. People who have lost extreme amounts of weight and so have hanging skin would be good prospects as are older people who have hanging skin due to age.

Once the surgeon has agreed that the person is a good candidate for a tummy tuck they will try to make sure that their expectations are not beyond the potential outcome. A tummy tuck will improve the way their body looks. This can do all sorts of positive things for them including simply making them feel better about themselves. But they should also know that there will be a scar and it will be a large one since it will travel the equivalent of the bikini line. This scar will easily be hidden by whatever clothing is worn, but nonetheless it will still be there. This will not return the patient to their youth, make people like them more or improve their job prospects. A tummy tuck is major surgery and should only be done if the person is doing it for himself or herself.

Before the tummy tuck surgery takes place the surgeon will explain exactly what will be done and how. They will familiarize the patient with the type of anesthesia that will be used, explain that the surgery could take anywhere from three to five hours and tell them how much skin and fat they expect to remove. The physician will also explain how long they can expect to need for recovery time after the tummy tuck is completed. The expectation is that a person will need up to three weeks after the tummy tuck before they can return to their normal routines.

About the Author:
Bill Urell
Now there is a gallery of powerful information yours for the taking. Decide now to look your best and improve the quality of your life. Click here: Tummy Tuck Costs
http://www.hypnosis-for-weight-loss-program.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:55 AM Surgery Lose Weight

Hoodia Gordonii Is The Weight Loss Herb

Hoodia Gordonii was introduced to the United States in 2004 as a weight loss herb. It has been around for thousands of years and has been used by the San people in South Africa for its ability to be an appetite suppressant while hunting. The Hoodia Gordonii plant looks like a cactus but is really a succulent that grows in the high areas of the Kalahari Desert. It is the weight loss herb for anyone looking to diet without hunger. Hoodia Gordonii is not a drug, it is an herb. It is a completely natural and safe herbal diet pill for weight loss that will not cause any stimulation.

There are many pharmaceutical firms that are trying to make a synthesized version of the Hoodia Gordonii plant, in order to patent it. But from all the research that has been done you must consume the plant or powder causal to achieve the weight loss you desire.

Since this weight loss herb has become so lucrative people are digging up anything that looks like Hoodia. Because of the high demand for Hoodia Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa have placed this herb on the Endangered Species list. This enables them to control the harvesting and exportation of Hoodia Gordonii.

To be sure you are purchasing only natural Hoodia, check if the company has two things that will guarantee it. First make sure they have a C&A, which is a Certificate of Analysis. This tells you that the substance has been analyzed and it is pure Hoodia Gordonii. The next piece of information you want to have about this herb is if the company has a CITES certificate, it is the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of the Worlds Fauna and Wildlife. The second line on the certificate will say "valid until (date)", make sure it is still valid. These two pieces of documentation let you know that you are buying real Hoodia Gordonii. While there are several species of Hoodia, only Hoodia Gordonii is the herb with the appetite suppressant.

Hoodia Gordonii has a molecule that acts much like glucose on the nerve cells. It is an herb that tricks the brain into feeling full. In some trials it has reduced the appetite by hundreds of calories each day. The Hoodia molecule has been found to contain 10,000 times the molecule as glucose. The molecule goes to the hypothalamus in mid brain and fires the cells that signal your brain that you have had enough. This herb actually takes away your desire to eat.

Some of the qualities of Hoodia Gordonii are, losing an interest in food, longer periods of time before hunger returns, quickly feeling full, and a general over all good feeling. Plus the herbs added benefit is that there are no side effects.

There have been some people that say that their Hoodia Gordonii supplement works right away. Others have reported that it takes a two week regime of regularly using the herb for the appetite suppression to begin.

Hoodia Gordonii is not a miracle cure for obesity; I would be lying to say that. It will suppress your appetite, but use a little common sense. You should exercise, since it has been proven that diet and exercise go hand in hand. You should drink plenty of water to flush the fat and toxins from your body. Eating healthy will make your weight reduction much easier. Those items along with the weight loss herb Hoodia Gordonii will get you to your goal of a healthier lifestyle.

Here's to success with the weight loss herb Hoodia Gordonii.

About the Author:
Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. For more information on Hoodia Gordonii visit her websites at Herb Gardening and. ContainerGardeningSecrets
http://www.gardeninglandscapingtips.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:52 AM Hoodia Dieting Plan

The Link Between Water and Weight Loss

Have you ever considered using gimmicks that promise 'instant weight loss without any exercise or dietary modifications ', 'fat free (but not calorie free) foods', 'fat burning pills', 'spot reduction gels' and creams ?

In an attempt to lose weight, it is likely that you or someone you know has tried the 'low carb' diet.

Sadly, many of the above techniques facilitate water loss and not necessarily fat loss. The advertisers have no legal obligation to mention this, and it is not in their best interests to do so. A consumer therefore ends up buying into the hype, in the quest for rapid weight loss.

It is important for us to understand the facts behind the hype.

When trying to lose weight, the goal should be to lose 'fat' weight and not 'water' weight (which is essential to the body). The weighing scale simply gives you a sum of both. In other words, when you lose weight on the scale, it may be water or fat - you never really know!

As nature has it, water weight is the easiest to gain or lose. Next in the list of relative ease is muscle, which is unfortunately lost through temporary fad dieting. Fat requires the most patience and discipline to lose. It takes years of cumulative bad habits to pile on the fat stores. It is therefore unrealistic to expect to lose it in a few weeks. Beware of any 'quick fix' schemes that promise otherwise.

Lets take a look at water. All of us have heard the old adage "Drink at least 6 - 8 glasses of water daily". Yes, but have you ever wondered why ?

70-75% of our body is water. If we do not drink enough water, additional demands are created on 2 key organs, the kidney and the liver. Not only do the kidneys get overworked, but latest research has now shown that in a state of dehydration the liver works overtime to flush out the body toxins thereby compromising on its primary role; that of breakdown of fat stores. Hence fat gets retained. Think of it. You can actually get fatter if you do not drink water regularly!!!

Important lesson - try and finish 0.5 liters every 4 hours by sipping water regularly. Get into the pattern slowly - it normally takes 3 - 4 weeks to get into a healthy pattern of drinking water, after which you will start to feel the improvement in energy, and gradual weight loss.

Finally, remember that body weight can fluctuate by as much as much as 2 pounds daily due to variations of fluid levels throughout the day. Woman should make note that variations are more marked due to the fluid loss during menstrual cycles. So if the weighing scale shows that you have suddenly lost 2 pounds over a few days, its no reason to celebrate. If you have associated headaches, loss of concentration, lethargy and loss of appetite, you may be dehydrated.

A good way to prevent the weighing scale from tricking you is to weigh yourself first thing in the morning after every 8 - 10 days. This way you can rule out the intraday ups and downs due to fluctuations in water weight.

About the Author:
Nitin is a personal trainer, columnist and lecturer, who recently appeared on Good Morning America. He offers training routines for women, diet plans, grocery lists and fitness books at http://www.toningforwomen.com. He also provides online personal training for a low monthly fee at http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com. Sign up for his free newsletter and tools at either site.

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:47 AM Prism Weight Loss Program

How To Lose Face Fat

Here is a fact that you should take note of. What do you look at first when you meet somebody? You look at their face first right? For example you meet up with old friends, colleagues, your neighbor or new friends, most of the time you will focus your attention on their faces first.

The point is that the face is very important and that is also why so many people are looking for ways to lose face fat. Any weight loss will show on the face first and when people look at your face, they will straight away notice changes. Plus, influences from the media and the entertaining world also create an impact on how a pretty or sexy face should look like. If you just would flip through the magazines, the faces of the models are all very slim and well defined with high cheekbones, sharp nose and a lean face.

Well, since so many people is looking for the answer to lose fat in their faces, here is a couple of tips on how to lose face fat. Before we move on to that, lets understand that there is no such thing a spot reduction. This means that if you are looking at a miracle pill or gadget that can get your cheeks down, you will be disappointed.

If you want to lose face fat, you have to begin with losing weight. This means losing excess water retention and also losing body fat. Usually, when a person loses weight, it is very noticeable that his face also gets sharper and leaner. Usually the face will slim down first because excess water is gone. Follow these simple steps to lose weight and you will get a lean, healthy and toned face.

Lose Face Fat Step 1: Drink lots of water.

You have to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Drink at least nine 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Drink more than that if you are an active person and always exposed to the sun. The thing is our body has a natural protective system. When you do not drink enough water, the body will naturally think that you are stranded in a dessert and have not enough water. As a result, it will store as much water as it can to keep you living and there is when you will get bloated. Vice versa, if you drink enough water, the body will flush out all the unnecessary water because it knows that the system has enough water. Stick to plain water. Sodas and sugared drink would not help because they contain sugar and will lead to bloating too.

Lose Face Fat Step 2: Do not forget your fruits and vegetables!

Stay natural and eat at least three servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables every day. This will not only fill you up with less calories and help you stay way from junk food, fruits and vegetables also contains water that can help you stay hydrated. Plus, they are filled with fiber that gives many health benefits. Make your self a healthy fruit salad for snack instead of a chocolate bar. Choose your fruits carefully though; control the amount of bananas, grapes and pineapples because they are high in fructose. Go for apples, oranges, all sorts of berries and grapefruit because they are low GI carbs and they packed full with anti oxidants.

Lose Face Fat Step 3: Reduce the alcohol

It does not matter what alcohol you drink. Wine, brandy or beer, alcohol is still alcohol. Alcohol can cause a good amount of bloating in the body because it really dehydrates the body. It can also add inches in you belly and under your chin because one gram of alcohol contains seven calories! That is almost like drinking fat! A five ounce glass of wine has 100 calories, that means a little drinking a little bit can add inches in your waist.

Lose Face Fat Step 4: Bump up the calcium

A lot of studies have proven that taking at least 1200 milligrams of calcium from dairy if possible daily can help in fat loss. There is also a study that showed that half of the females in that study experienced reduced symptoms of PMS including water retention after consuming 1200 milligrams of calcium. So, do not eliminate dairy in your diet, have some in moderation.

Lose Face Fat Step 5: Calories out more than calories in.

This is the golden rule of fat loss. In order to lose weight, you have burn more calories than you consume. So, the easy and healthy way to do this is to burn 250 calories and reduce 250 calories from your food intake. The reason to reduce 500 calories a day is because we need to hit a reduction of 3500 calories a week and that will result to healthy recommended weight loss of one pound of body fat per week.
To burn 250 calories, just go for a simple walk or jog for 30 to 40 minutes. To reduce 250 calories, just eliminate all the junk food and excess fatty foods from your diet right now and I am sure you can reduce 250 calories. Eat healthy and eat with a mind to feed your muscles and body with good fuel!

Lose Face Fat Step 6: Control Your Salt Intake

Salt is another culprit of water retention. That is why when you snack with junk food that is high in sodium, you will feel every thirsty and your face will bloat up the next day. Avoid foods like pizza, burgers, junk food, chips and other similar foods because they are loaded with salt! When eating out, be careful of the gravy, some gravy use a lot of salt. Eat home and prepare your own food when ever possible! Sprinkle your salt, do not use your spoon, that way you can really control the amount of salt that goes into your food!

Lose Face Fat Step 7: Go For Weight Training

You have to weight train to maintain and increase lean muscle tissue. With more muscles packed in your body, your metabolism will increase and you can burn more calories and fat! Plus, with more muscles in your body, you can burn more calories while you do your cardio and even while rest because muscles are living tissues and require calories to function and survive! For optimum fat loss results and to lose fat on your face, you have to diet, do your cardio and also weight train.

So, if you want to lose fat on your face, the main objective is to lose weight. By losing body fat, you will look much leaner and have a much more cut features because fat and water under the skin is reduced.

So follow these simple steps and get on a fat loss program now. Mark my words; if you manage to lose body fat until your desired body fat, your face will look much leaner and thinner. Even your nose will look sharper!

About the Author:
Yu Chung Leong is an experienced and motivated personal trainer for many years. He is passionate about health and fitness and enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals. He writes many free weight loss tips at http://www.lose-fat-tips.com
http://www.weightloss-ways.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:39 AM A Weight Loss Program

Does Your Body Type Affect Your Weight Loss Goals?

This article addresses some of the key issues regarding body types. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about your weight loss goals. First thing first. What's your body type?

I don't mean your blood type, your age or your gender :-)

Which Body Type Do You Belong To?

What I meant is that everybody - no pun intended there - belongs to one of three body types below and by being aware of that, it makes a huge difference in your weight loss goals:
1) endomorph
2) ectomorph
3) mesomorph

The endomorph has a round body type, meaning he has a round head, round abdomen, rather short arms and legs but fat upper arms and thighs. Male endomorphs look stout, tough and strong. They can gain weight easily, like the mesomorphs.

The ectomorph is thin, with a narrow body and long and thin arms and legs. They usually have little body fat or muscle and do not gain weight easily. Perhaps, some women would desire to be ectomorphs as most female models have typically slender builds.

Desirable to most males, mesomorphs are strong and have an athletic build. They can develop and build muscle mass easily and can usually eat without too much fear, but are still prone to weight gain.

It's time to look into your mirror and know what body type you have and realize that you can't change it. There's really no point struggling with what you can't change just like no amount of jumping can change your height. Neither can we change the fact that we're Caucasian, Chinese or Indian. Rather, just appreciate and be thankful of who you are and what body type you belong to.

Now that you know your body type, the question is how does it affect your weight loss goals?

If you're an ectomorph and you base your weight loss goals as if you're a mesormorph, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the results.

For instance, as you know that muscle mass burns calories more effectively than other tissues, it's helps to achieve weight loss if you join a gym and start some weight training program. However, as you also know that it's tougher for an ectomorph to build muscle mass easily, if he/she works very hard alongside a mesormorph, he/she will be very disappointed with his/her results.

Thus, once you realize what body type you're given by the Higher Power, you're in a better position to set realistic goals according to your body type. So, you simply have to adapt your workout to achieve your exercise and diet goals.

Last but not least, we do not belong to one body type; we are a combination of at least two. You have to identify your primary type. If a man in his forties is quite big, we may mistake him to be a mesomorph because he has put on weight over the years. You might be shocked to realize that he was a skinny and thin fellow in his younger days as he's primarily an ectomorph.

TIP: Now that you know your body type, look for someone with the same body type as you whom you admire his/her physical condition and work towards a similar physique!

Author:
Alice Loh

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:27 AM Loss Program Weight

Lose Belly Fat Fast With HIIT Cardio

Want to lose belly fat fast? Are you looking for interesting ways to lose belly fat? Well, look no further because we have an answer for you right here! Before we reveal to you this interesting method to lose belly fat quickly, lets look at the basics of fat loss first.

In order to lose body fat that is high associated with losing belly fat, you have to increase calorie output and decrease calorie input. That is the basic science of all fat loss! One of the ways to reduce calorie input is to go on a fat loss diet, which will not be out focus topic in this article. Our focus here is to increase calorie output which through exercise in order to burn fat and increase metabolism!

To burn fat through exercise, we have to do cardio. There is no way around it. We have to include a minimum of three to five sessions of cardio per week and for optimum results, we have to do five sessions per week and each session should last around thirty to fifty minutes.

Well, sometimes it is very boring because the conventional way of doing cardio is very boring. Here, I am going to introduce to you an interesting way to do your cardio.

Lose belly fat fast with Hiit cardio

Yes, you can lose belly fat fast with this method of cardio with just 20 minutes! Hiit means high intensity interval training. The name of this method it self explains the way of performing this exercise. What Hiit cardio can do to you is that it can really increase your metabolism, increase your speed dramatically and also help you burn body fat fast.

The best time to do this cardio workout is in the morning before your meal. This is because you can straight away burn fat instead of needing to burn the sugar first and also if your cardio workout is done in the morning, you can have the benefit of higher metabolism throughout the day!

How to lose belly fat fast with Hiit cardio?

Here are the details of the workout. Basically, the entire workout last for twenty minutes and this workout are split into ten intervals and one interval consists of one minute sprint and one minute walk. Notice that I have used the word sprint. In this lose belly fat fast cardio workout, you really have to sprint to the point of out of breath. You really have to test yourself to the limit in each sprint minute! Then, after the one minute sprint, walk for one minute to recover. Straight after the recovery minute is over, sprint again hard!

So, each interval have a one minute sprint and one minute walk. During the first interval, you do not have to sprint all out, just moderate intensity. Gradually increase your speed on the sprint. Starting on the fourth interval, your sprint will be maximum intensity.
The entire cardio workout have ten intervals, therefor this Hiit workout last for twenty minutes excluding your warm up.

Mix around your cardio equipment to lose belly fat fast. You do not have to use treadmill alone! You can use the stationary bike, the elliptical trainer or the stairmaster. For example if you use the stairmaster, for the sprint interval, use level thirteen and for the recovery use level five assuming that the difficulty scale is from intensity one to intensity fifteen.

You can also use Hiit cardio workout outdoors. This kind of training is also called wind sprints. For example, find a mark that is around two hundred meters away from you. A mark can be a lamppost, a tree or even a bench. Sprint as hard as you can to the mark. Once you reached it, just jog back to your starting point. Do ten to fifteen intervals.

For a tip, before you start your intervals, I suggest you warm up for five minutes first and stretch your muscles to prevent injury. This is a workout for intermediate to advance exerciser. If you are a beginner, I suggest you increase your cardio fitness first. Consult your doctor before starting this program if you have any medical illnesses.

Get started on your Hiit cardio workout straight away! Do not procrastinate and jumpstart your fat loss program today. Remember, for maximum results, include at least 2 sessions of weight training and get on a fat loss diet.

About the Author:
Yu Chung Leong is an experienced and motivated personal trainer for many years. He is passionate about health and fitness and enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals. He writes many free weight loss tips at http://www.lose-fat-tips.com
http://www.weightloss-ways.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:22 AM Weight Loss Fitness Program

How To Choose An Ideal Weight Loss Program

As you are probably aware, there are many weight loss programs out there.

However, there is no one single ideal weight loss program for everyone. To understand how to lose weight, you first need to understand that each program typically employs one or more of these elements:
1) exercise
2) dieting
3) plan
4) support group
5) drugs
6) surgery

1) Exercise
Exercise may not be the most exciting word in your vocabulary, but it has a ton of benefits. Getting your active dose of daily exercise not only makes us healthier in general, it will help you burn those unsightly fats off your body.

Exercise serves the purpose of burning calories. Thus, if your food intake remains constant, your body weight will reduce.

If you have never exercised before, do visit your medical doctor or physician before starting on any exercise regime. Also, exercising does not mean that you have to start with something strenuous or competitive. Any activity you enjoy such as walking, jogging or swimming or even climbing stairs on a regular basis would serve the purpose.

2) Dieting
How many times have you heard someone say, YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT ? We may laugh it off, concluding that is just another cliche. But the truth of the matter is that overeating and the choice of food are often the main causes of obesity.

Eating is at the opposite end of exercising as food and drink intake adds calories to your body. Thus, an weight loss program would typically specify what to eat, when to eat, etc.

3) Plan
To increase your chances of success, following a plan and encouragement is crucial. Weight loss programs can therefore include daily, weekly or monthly plans.

4) Support Group
Accountability is an important element of success in any endeavor including weight loss. An effective weight loss program could incorporate a support group to help you achieve your weight loss goals.

5) Drugs
Weight loss drugs or diet pills are usually used in 'lifesaving' situations where weight reduction is critical. Medicinal or herbal drugs are prescribed to change the fundamental bodily processes such as suppressing the appetite, altering the metabolism or restricting the ability to absorb specific nutrients.

6) Surgery
You might have heard of liposuction which is the surgical removal of fats beneath the skin. Another form of weight loss surgery - bariatric surgery reduces the size of the stomach so that food energy intake is reduced.

Armed with the knowledge of the above elements, you now know what to look for in a weight loss program and how to evaluate if it will most likely suit you as an individual human being with your unique characteristics, desires and needs.

Author:
Alice Loh

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:05 AM Weight Loss Program

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Seven Diet Secrets of the Stars

Celebrities always look fabulous. Whether appearing in
television or films or strutting down the red carpet during movie premiers and awards, they never cease to fascinate us with their larger than life presence. The truth is, it takes a lot of effort to look the way they do, and being the public figures that they are, they cannot afford to slack off when it comes to taking care of their physical appearances. Their livelihood largely depends on how they look. Aside from the clothes, the hair and the makeup, celebrities have to take good care of their bodies.

So it is no surprise that these stars have their own secrets when it comes to staying fit and gorgeous. Their health agenda can range from extreme workouts to well-planned meals. Who doesn't want to know their secrets in staying absolutely sexy? Here are some of the diet secrets of seven women celebrities.

1. Jennifer Aniston
The star of the phenomenal television show Friends not only mesmerized audiences with her adorable comic sense and her famous hairstyle, she was also known for having one of the sexiest bodies in Hollywood, as she appeared in countless magazine covers. To stay trim, Jennifer follows the 40:30:30 diet method. The diet consists of:

40% Low glycemic carbohydrates
-Foods such as beans, fruits and vegetables, legumes

30% lean proteins
-Tofu, fish, chicken, turkey, beef and low fat dairy
products

30% essential fats
-nuts and seeds, fish and olive oils

It is essential that every meal should contain macronutrients to attain the balance of hormones and maximum weight loss.

2. Kate Hudson
The gorgeous daughter of actress Goldie Hawn gained 60
pounds during her pregnancy, which she needed to shed
quickly before commencing on her next film. From her
previous eating plan, she switched to a higher protein diet. She consumed high protein meals in smaller portions, and she combined this diet with an exercise program that includes weight training and cardiovascular workouts. After getting a lot of flak because of her post-pregnancy figure, Kate removed all that baby weight in only four months and has developed abdominal muscles that gained the envy of many in
Hollywood.

3. Oprah Winfrey
As one of the most successful talk-show hosts in the world, there is no question that Oprah needs to maintain her physical appearance for her millions of audiences. Known as one of those celebrities who are constantly battling weight gain, she has recently toned up her figure and has never looked better at age 50 by combining a regular exercise regime and diet plan. Oprah works out five days a week, spending 30 minutes on the threadmill and doing free weights. Her eating plan consists of legumes, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables, chicken and dairy products that are
lowfat. She limits her consumption of white sugar and flour. Oprah also credits her trim figure to her habit of not eating anything after seven in the evening.

4. Gwyneth Paltrow
A lot of people may find it hard to believe that the
perpetually slim Academy award-winning actress actually
needs to diet. Gwyneth actually follows a healthy eating plan that resembles Oprah's, avoiding sugar and white flour. She usually follows a macrobiotic diet, eating foods like vegetables, brown rice, and lean meat. She also eliminated dairy from her diet, and does yoga everyday.

5. Madonna
The pop star known as the Material Girl has always flaunted a body that is to die for, and has become a true fitness paragon over the years. She keeps herself in tip-top shape by doing Ashtanga Yoga, and follows a strict diet that mostly shuns junk foods. She adopted a macrobiotic eating plan that includes organic foods rich in lean protein.

6. Claudia Schiffer
The bodacious German supermodel eats salad and steamed
vegetables for dinner and eats only fruits before the
afternoon. While on locations, she prefers to eat black
grapes and drinks tomato juice and herbal tea.

7. Christie Brinkley
Long-time supermodel maintains her all-American good looks by being a vegetarian. She does not keep junk foods of any kind inside her home to make sure that she does not eat them when cravings occur. She snacks on sweet potatoes in place of candy bars, and she adopts a liquid juice diet when she needs to slim down fast.

Celebrities are just like ordinary people. They need to
maintain their figures just like anyone else, and there is more pressure on their part since they are constantly in the public eye. Ordinary folks can have celebrity-like bodies, too, and by following these diet and fitness plans, they can also look red-carpet worthy.

About the Author:
Millennium Services Group, run by R.T. Markovsky, hosts an informative web site with a wealth of free information about all facets of aprons. Check out http://www.Yoga-For-All.com and http://www.Bettering-Your-Life.comto see
more.
http://www.millennium–services.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:22 AM Release Weight Loss Program

Permanent Weight Loss& Your Subconscious Pictures

The second component of Burris MIND/FITNESS is your
subconscious pictures. I will explain how to replace your
negative subconscious images into positive images through
the practice of controlled visualization. According to the
New England Journal of Medicine, visualizing is the fourth
most frequently used form of alternative healing. You are
now about to learn how to change your existing subconscious
pictures that keep you anchored to your poor eating
behavior.

Several studies have shown that the body makes little
distinction between a vivid mental experience and an actual
physical one. Your subconscious images are simply
corresponding pictures of your self talk. Choosing to think
in pictures may seem strange at first, but it is a powerful
way to cut through the chatter in your head and a realistic
source for communicating with your subconscious mind. It is
surprisingly easy to develop your own weight-goal imagery.
Through regular practice you will become more and more
comfortable in delving into your imagination. Just think of
it as creative constructive daydreaming.

Most people are not aware that there is always a
corresponding picture for their thoughts or self-talk; the
fact is they take place so fast you are not aware of them.
If you did not use pictures, you would not be able to
answer the simplest question. Think about it. If I were to
ask you: “What did you have for breakfast this morning?”
You immediately repeat my question to yourself which in
turn triggers a picture in your subconscious mind of what
you had for breakfast. It is only after you have triggered
this picture that you are capable of answering my question.

You will find that your subconscious more clearly defines
its pictures from questions than from statements. As an
example, say to yourself body relax. You can see this has
little or no effect. Now turn this statement into a
question: What do I need to do to relax? The subconscious
mind will now produce an active picture. For example, you
might see yourself relaxing in your favorite chair or
taking a warm soothing bath or possibly getting a massage.
You are able to see the masseuse’s expert hands gently
soothe the tension from you body. You can feel the
wonderful sensation as your body begins to relax and you
feel as if you are floating on air. Now I am sure you
understand the power of visualization and how you can use
your self-questions to bring it about.

The most important picture you will ever change in your
subconscious mind is the picture you now have of your body
or how you perceive your self-image. All people with a
weight problem have accepted a picture of themselves as
being overweight. Until you change this picture, your
subconscious mind will use this existing body picture as a
guideline for how you should look. This is why it is
imperative that you change the image you have of yourself
before you begin a weight loss program.

You will start your training in recreating subconscious
imagery by recreating your existing body picture. Before
starting your imagery training, it is important that you
become totally relaxed in order to focus your mind. Once
you have accomplished this, you will find it is quite easy
to engage all of your senses, making it possible for you to
create a new body image. Once you feel you are completely
relaxed, I want you to see a picture of your body in your
subconscious mind.
When you have your body in focus, I want you to reshape it,
to exactly how you want it to look.

See your new body down to the smallest detail; make it
become so real that it seems that you have already
accomplished your weight goal. Once you have your new body
picture completed, place yourself in a physical activity
that you know you would enjoy and will be beneficial in
helping you attain your new weight goal. This activity can
be anything from a brisk walk to an aerobics class, to
playing tennis, to completing an unfinished task. Your new
body is now capable of performing any activity that you
find enjoyable.

Earlier I spoke about the emotional states that drive you
to overeat or eat when you are not hungry. Fear, guilt and
anger are responsible for the emotional states of
depression and low self-esteem. When creating your new
self-image, you must exchange these negative emotional
states for your most powerful emotional state. Love is your
most powerful emotional state especially when directed to
your new self-image. It is essential that you practice
reproducing your new active body imagery on a daily basis.
It is only through daily practice that your new body
picture will become a permanent part of your subconscious,
thus allowing you to reproduce this picture without a
moments thought. The power of Burris MIND/FITNESS is in the
ability to change programmed emotional states that do not
work for you, for programmed emotional states that DO work
for you.

Regardless of weather your goal is a change in diet for
weight loss, an increase in your fitness program or to take
control of an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.
In the end the question you need to ask yourself is.Am I
completely happy with the mind running itself or do I need
to take control of it? If your answer is I need to take
control of it, then Burris MIND/FITNESS is the answer.

About the Author:
Kelly Burris is the author of “Reprogramming the Overweight
Mind: 7 Steps to Taking Control of Your Subconscious.” You
can read the first two chapters, or become a Certified
Burris MIND/FITNESS Consultant by going to
http://www.KellyBurris.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:12 AM Hypnotic Weight Loss

Lose Weight In A Flash: Here’s How!

Several years ago, talk show star Oprah Winfrey walked onto
her set pulling a wagon full of fat to demonstrate how much
she had lost on a highly touted liquid diet. Her dramatic
weightloss results gave hope to dieters around the country
that they, too, could lose weight fast.

But Oprah’s triumph didn’t last. Within a year or so, the
television superstar had regained most of what she’d lost.

A quick and painless path to a size 6 is the dieter’s
ultimate dream. And at least one scientist has given hope to
millions of dieters looking for a quick fix. The plan
doesn’t have a catchy name — yet. Originator James
Anderson, MD, just calls it the VLCD, for very-low-calorie
diet.

The formula? Consuming only 900 calories a day by drinking
only five weight-loss shakes. Or dieters also can choose to
take in their allowed calories by drinking three shakes and
substituting two low-calorie meals for the others. When 112
people tried the diet as part of Anderson’s research, they
lost an average of 65 pounds over five months.

What’s really impressive, however, is that most people kept
off 15 of those pounds — 23% of the initial loss — for
more than five years, according to results published in the
December 1999 issue of the Journal of the American College
of Nutrition. That’s significant because most people who
lose weight can only maintain 5% to 15% of their losses,
says George Blackburn, MD, PhD, associate director of the
division of nutrition at Harvard Medical School.

“Our study shows that people do better if they bite the
bullet and get down to a weight they desire and then try to
maintain it,” says Anderson, the study’s lead author and a
professor of medicine and clinical nutrition at the
University of Kentucky in Lexington. “It’s a myth that if
you lose weight slowly you do better in the long run.”

Shaping a Skinny Lifestyle

Don’t go running for the Slim Fast yet. On top of carefully
controlling their calories, the researchers also coached the
dieters on how to change their weight-gaining habits and
ways. Physicians and dietitians in the study stressed the
importance of eating fruits and vegetables. Dieters learned
how to count calories, assess the nutritional value of
various foods, and understand the importance of exercise.
Those parts of the program are essential to any weight-loss
regimen, not just Anderson’s. “Weight loss isn’t just about
restricting calories,” Anderson says.

Other weight-loss experts agree. “The diet itself was an
important element of Anderson’s study, but if the subjects
hadn’t also made substantial behavioral changes, the outcome
would [have been] very different,” says psychologist Tom
Wadden, PhD, director of the weight loss and eating
disorders program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Research has shown that such fast-track diets are only as
good as long as they last, says John Foreyt, PhD, director
of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Baylor College
of Medicine in Houston. “Rapid weight loss typically leads
to rapid weight gain,” he says. “Very-low-calorie diets are
diets we can’t live with and can’t live on. The bulk of
research shows that they’re short-term fixes, and when you
go off the diet, you return to old habits.”

Battling the Bulge

Still interested in giving quick weight loss a try? Anderson
offers these tips, which he thinks made the big difference
for his dieters.

Exercise.

Try to burn at least 2,000 calories through exercise each
week. Start with one 10-minute walk a day, every day, and
work up to at least 20 10-minute exercise sessions a week.

Walking just one mile burns 150 calories.
Eat at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables.
“You get a lot of food for the calories,” says Anderson.

Three cups of broccoli, for instance, contains roughly 120
calories — about the same as a tablespoon of butter or oil.

Incorporate meal replacement products into your daily or
weekly menu. Meal replacements — whether they’re packaged
foods such as Lean Cuisine, or shakes such as Slim Fast —
are very helpful for maintaining long-term weight loss.
“Using just two meal replacements a week would be enough to
keep off 10 pounds in a year,” says Anderson. “That’s a lot
of weight for a minimal change in eating patterns.”

About the Author:
Michael Lewis has been collecting articles and information
on Weight Loss and HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and related
health benefits. He has created and edits numerous web
sites about this subject. Michael is a staff writer for
www.ageforce.com and several other websites. If you would
like to contact Michael you can e-mail him at
Michael@AgeForce.com or if you would like to know more
about Weight Loss, HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and related
health topics please visit us at http://www.ageforce.com.

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:09 AM Fast Weight Loss Program

Diet Pills A Risky Idea?

I wish I had a nickel for every weight loss aid and pill on the
market. You and I could both retire. Many of these have been
associated with serious medical risks, including heart attack,
heart abnormalities, tachycardia, stroke, seizures and death.
That’s pretty scary!

Most diet pills are appetite suppressants of one kind or
another, generally stimulants with effects similar to those of
amphetamine. They’re okayed for treatment of obesity, where
it’s considered that the health risks associated with obesity
outweigh the risks of the medication.

But is you have less than 30 pounds to lose, the risks are far
less cut-and-dried. Over the counter medications and their
risks are not as well-documented as the effects of prescription
diet pills. Herbal preparation effects are documented even less,
especially those whose makers don’t officially make weight loss
claims.

Here’s part of the problem. As long as they don’t contain a
‘new’ ingredient, or one that has never been marketed for
weight loss purposes, weight-loss aids are not subject to FDA
review. Instead, the manufacturer is held responsible for the
safety and effectiveness of their products. So a lot of times
that means unregulated dosages, unhealthy additives and
ineffective ingredients.

Hopefully, one day all over the counter medications and herbal
preparations marketed as weight loss supplements will be
labeled and tested by impartial researchers. Until then, there
are some things that you can do to lessen diet pill risks.

Research thoroughly. There’s a lot of information out there
about drugs and herbs like ephedra, ephinedrine, phentermine
and sibutramine. Know what you’re taking and what the risks are
so that you can watch for side effects.

Always talk to your doctor before you start taking any drug or
herbal supplement. Yes, I know you’ve heard this a thousand
times, but there are good reasons for the advice! Some products
interact poorly with other medications, or have an adverse
effect on chronic conditions.

Follow dosage instructions. Overdoses of stimulant medications,
which are a component of most weight loss preparations, can be
serious and severe.

Don’t take any weight loss pill or supplement for more than a
few weeks unless a doctor has prescribed it.

Ask your pharmacist when purchasing over the counter weight
loss preparations to be sure that the ingredients don’t
interact with other medications you may be taking. Include both
prescription and nonprescription medications in your questions.

There are much more healthy and effective ways to lose weight
than taking pills. The potential of serious health problems
remains. It’s an awful lot of risk for a little weight loss.

About The Author: For more information visit us at
http://www.healthyarticles.com

About the Author:
For more free-reprint articles by Jeff Dedrick please visit:
http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Jeff+Dedrick

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:06 AM Dieting Supplements

Why Whey Protein?

With all of the recent negative press given to body
supplements, it makes good sense to be cautions about using
different nutritional supplements as a part of your body
building efforts.

Whey protein has been lauded as a safe, natural and simple
supplement. It’s use has become popular for those genuinely
interested in good health through physical fitness and body
building.

The importance of adequate protein levels in the body cannot be
ignored. Since protein is used up when exercising, body builders
must prevent muscle deterioration by maintaining protein levels.
Naturally, building additional muscle mass will also require
adequate levels.

Whey protein is a substance that is drawn from milk. That’s
right, plain old cow’s milk. Whey is known to be a byproduct of
cheese and, until the recent discovery of its health qualities,
was discarded. In fact, scientists now know that what was once
considered junk is actually rich in the amino acids which help
build muscles and promotes good health.

As we know, protein is found in other basic foods such as meat,
vegetables and grains. But, thanks to the research that has been
done, we now know that whey protein is accepted by the body
better. As a result body builders and other athletes can
usually expect better results from whey protein than from other
sources of protein.

This high quality and natural product is also useful for other
people who may be on special diets, whether they are for weight
loss, food allergies, or even for diabetics. Remember, high
quality protein is essential for optimum health…not just for
body building. Use of whey protein can help others heal quicker
and recover from illness quicker.

As always, be sure to check with your health professional
before implementing whey protein or making any other changes in
your diet or routines. Like anything else, too much of a good
thing can be harmful, so be sure to use it in moderation.

About The Author:

Sandy Knoll, author, is a relative newcomer
to bodybuilding but has some knowledge about nutrition. She
operates http://www.findbodybuilding.com which is devoted to
bodybuilding and body bulding resources. Visit
http://www.findbodybuilding.com often.

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:56 AM Nutri System Weight Loss Program

Best Cardio Workout For Fat Loss

In order to lose body fat effectively, you have to do cardio and there is no way around it. Many fitness enthusiasts have over looked the benefits cardio workout. The main reason here is because doing cardio exercise is very boring for some people and also, it is very difficult for unfit people to start a cardio workout program because they feel discourage when the cannot complete a run while others can.

Therefore, the best cardio workout for a particular person must be carefully design to meet his or her needs so that they can stick to the cardio workout program and burn fat. There are many strategies of doing cardio like interval training, high intensity interval training, fartlek training and conventional style method.

Here, we are just going to discuss how to design yourself, the best cardio workout for yourself. In the nutshell, the best cardio workout for a person is when the heart rate is elevated for at least thirty to forty five minutes at an intensity of seventy percent to eighty five percent of their maximum heart rate. This heart rate range is called the targeted heart rate.

At this heart rate, the body burns the optimum amount of fat in the body. This means that, if your do your cardio at this heart rate, the percentage of the total calories burned is the highest compared to other heart rates.

To calculate the targeted heart rate for your best cardio workout, follow this formula.

Take two hundred and twenty, minus your age, and then minus your resting heart rate. Then with the figure, multiply it with seventy five percent and eighty five percent. Add your resting heart rate into the two values and that is your targeted heart rate range.

For optimum fat loss, do your cardio workout four to five times a week and each session should last for no lesser than thirty minutes and no more than one hour. Make sure when your doing your cardio, you are in your target heart rate, use a heart rate monitor to monitor your heart rate!

There is much discussion going on which cardio machine is the best. Well, theoretically, if you are in your fat burning zone, any machines will work the same. But there are a few cardio machines that burn calories faster. The excellent calorie burners are the treadmill and the stair master. These cardio machines work the glutes muscle carder than any other machines. Because the glutes is the largest muscle in the body, it will burn a whole lot of calories!

There is another cardio machine that is making a big hit right now. It is called the Wave by Technogym. This particular machine simulates ice-skating and it really can burn calories as fast as the stair master and it works the inner and outer thighs!

You should not be out of breath during the cardio session. You need oxygen to burn of fat. Combine the your cardio workout with weight training and you definitely can see the fat melt off!

About the Author:
Yu Chung Leong is an experienced and motivated personal trainer for many years. He is passionate about health and fitness and enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals. He writes many free weight loss tips at http://www.weightloss-ways.com
http://www.weightloss-ways.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:36 AM Best Weight Loss Program

Melt The Pounds Away By Walking For Exercise

Walking is one of the best ways there is to get started with an exercise program. The pounds seem to melt away when you get serious about walking for exercise. You can get going without any expensive equipment and you don't have to go far away to start. Head out your front door and you can be on your way in seconds. Walking is possibly a better choice to running or jogging for a lot of people.

There is a lot of information available online and off that suggests walking for a half an hour every day can improve your health in a very short amount of time. You can accomplish major health benefits from simply walking each day.

With just a little thought you can get very creative and squeeze in many different ways to get a walk in. When you have a few extra minutes try simple things like walking for lunch instead of getting in the car and driving, or park your car in the back of the parking lot and walk a few extra steps.

You can go for a walk at no cost no matter how hot or cold it is outside by visiting your local mall. Burn some extra calories by skipping the escalator and using the stairs. Walking at a brisk pace while you window shop will not only get you healthy it will also save you a few bucks if you keep on walking.

The person who starts a walking program will want to set small goals that you can reach. Today you may be able to only walk 3 mailboxes down the road. Set your sites on four mailboxes then five. You are more likely to stick with your walking program when you see your goals reached. You will soon find you are more active and you feel a whole lot better than you did before you started your program.

In a few short months you can go from a beginner to a seasoned veteran. Trust me, in no time at all you will be walking faster and with less effort than when you started. It is hard to get your muscles used to working, but once you do there is no going back. Walking fast burns more calories than walking slow so the more effort you put into your walks the faster you will reach your goals.

Walking for exercise can be a lot of fun and is a safe choice for the average person. Stick with it and you will reap a greater reward than you might imagine. The reward is good health and it will carry you through the hard times.

About the Author:
For more information on walking for exercise try visiting http://www.lose-10-pounds.com where you will find tips, advice and resources about topics such as how to lose weight fast
http://www.create-streaming-audio.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:27 AM Weight Loss Exercises

Free Weight Loss Tips For Burning Stomach Fat During The Holidays

The holiday season is approaching and its best to strategies your weight loss program and start thinking about some ways to lose belly fat fast! But lets face it, even the hardcore dieters will cheat during the holidays but its fine because with a little planning, you can still lose stomach fat.

Before getting into the tips, lets face the some common holiday season myths.

Myth- Most people gain five to ten pounds of fat during the holidays. But actually, the average person only gains one pound over the holiday period. This means that losing that one-pound of body fat is a walk in the park.

The best way to lose stomach fat is not allow stomach fat to get there in the first place. But if you already have a little pouch, please consider not having more and use these tips to over come it.

Free Weight Loss Tips For The Holidays 1

Stay away from the alcohol because alcohol goes right on your stomach and provides empty calories. One gram of alcohol gives 7 useless calories. Not only that, alcohol drives your energy down and make you mentally weak and give in to fattening naughty foods! Take alcohol in moderation, grab a glass of red wine, which is more beneficial than beer and whisky because of its antioxidants and sip it slowly while talking to valuable guest and friends.

Free Weight Loss Tips For The Holidays 2

Load up the healthy stuff before even thinking about fattening foods. There is two ways to do this. Number one, eat before you go to any party. You can control your food in your own kitchen. Then when you arrive at the party, you would not have a howling stomach to feed and you can control you appetite. The other way is to head on to the healthy section first and fill you stomach with salads, fruits and low fat clean meat cuts. Oh ya, skip the fattening dressings.

Free Weight Loss Tips For The Holidays 3

Eat a large bowl of salad before the main meal and drink a large glass of water to fill up your stomach. Choose lean meats like white meat turkey instead of dark meats and go light on stuffing. Have little or non side dishes and stay away from high fattening foods and foods that have lots of butter.

With that done, I am sure you have no more appetite and your stomach will be too full for pies, chocolate cakes, ice cream and desserts.

Free Weight Loss Tips For The Holidays 4

Now that your stomach is full, head on outdoors and do not even think about the sofa. Go outside and take a walk. Invite your friends and family to have 30 minutes stroll outside and enjoy each others company. Another idea for Christmas is to take your friends and family for caroling. It will be lots of fun especially during this holiday season!

Free Weight Loss Tips For The Holidays 5

Finally, create opportunities for yourself to be more active. Since it is the holiday season, go for more window-shopping. One good shopping session is a few hours of walking! Park further away from the malls and use stairs whenever you could. To avoid eating junk in the malls, eat a healthy low fat meal before you go. Be prepared!

Holiday seasons are full with temptations. Stay focus on what you want and plan ahead so that you do not get trapped into a situation that gets you cheating on your diet. Always think of the feeling and emotions that you will experience after indulging in some that unhealthy, I bet you will put that cookie down!

Use these few free weight loss tips and you may even look better than before! Who knows?

About the Author:
Yu Chung Leong is an experienced and motivated personal trainer for many years. He is passionate about health and fitness and enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals. He writes many free weight loss tips at http://www.lose-fat-tips.com
http://www.weightloss-ways.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:23 AM Free Weight Loss Program

Friday, December 22, 2006

Cross Training - The Key To Fast Weight Loss

As human beings, we are creatures of habit. We tend to create routines that guarantee a series of small pleasures or comfort. Though routine can bring a sense of order to life in an increasingly chaotic world, it can be counterproductive when working out - following the same exercise regimen over and over not only gets boring, but can lead to exercise plateaus that can decrease your results.

Performing the same activity repeatedly at the same level makes the body more efficient, which eventually results in lower caloric expenditure from the activity. In fact, research shows that by sticking to just one activity, the number of calories burned by exercisers may decrease as much as 25 percent..

For instance, if you normally exercise for 45 minutes four days a week on a treadmill with the same intensity and time for each workout, over time you will not benefit as much as you did when you began. Your body will become accustomed to the routine, and it can become increasingly difficult for you to meet your fitness goals. The repetitiveness also can be boring - even with music, TV or a magazine for distraction, the exercise might become mundane, which also can decrease the likelihood you'll continue working out.

Fitness professionals agree the best solution to dodge exercise plateaus and workout boredom is cross training. Cross training simply means mixing together a variety of exercise activities into a varied regimen. Cross training works because of 'energy efficiency'. This means that your body becomes accustomed to a certain type of exercise after a period of time. If you mix it up, you are surprising your body, which responds by burning more calories in an effort to 'adjust' to the new exercise. For example, if you play tennis after a long time, you feel sore the next day, because it's something new for your body. As you play more often, it get's easier to adjust (time to try something new?)

Do you work out at a gym? Instead of 45 minutes on a treadmill each time, jump on a Lifecycle exercise bike for 30 minutes, then spend 15 minutes on a stairclimber. Swim one day and lift weights another. Health clubs with an extensive choice of group exercise classes make cross training a breeze; once a week try indoor cycling, step aerobics or kickboxing. Check out the newest classes emphasizing stretching and toning, such as Pilates or yoga.

Home exercisers also have options. Some treadmills can be raised for steep hill climbing one day, lowered for running flat the next. Or vary the intensity level - alternate going hard for five minutes and easy for five minutes. Premium equipment usually offers different exercise programs to help spice up your workout. Just try experimenting - even participating in a recreational volleyball or softball league can add to a well-rounded, varied workout regimen.

Clinical studies show most people plateau in their exercise programs somewhere between their sixth and eighth week. Exercisers should make sure they change their routines at least that often to maintain workout efficiency and prevent boredom. Ideally, having at least two different activities should be alternated daily or conducted within the same workout.

By taking the routine out of exercise, fitness fans can reap positive results and enjoyment from their workouts. The result - Feel better, look better - after all, variety is the spice of life.

About the Author:
Nitin is a personal trainer, columnist and lecturer, who recently appeared on Good Morning America. He offers training routines for women, diet plans, grocery lists and fitness books at http://www.toningforwomen.com. He also provides online personal training for a low monthly fee at http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com. Sign up for his free newsletter and tools at either site.
www.phonefitnesstrainer.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:34 AM Fast Weight Loss Program

Nine Kickass Ways To Burn The Flab In Seven Days!

1. Holistic Fitness is crucial: Keep your overall fitness in
mind instead of just one facet of it. Realize that there are
four major aspects that one work on: aerobic fitness, endurance
and muscle strength, body composition and flexibility. Develop
and build upon each of these every training day.

2. Focus on the sport’s objectives: Hone parts of the body
which is most used for your primary activity activity. If you
play soccer you would want to hammer on endurance, and if you
compete at karate you might rather focus on strength training.

3. Tag your girlfriend: Chugging along on the fitness train is
simpler when you work with someone. Misery loves company as we
know. Draw upon your girlfriend’s enthusiasm when yours is
running low. You’ll perk up all the more as she depends on you
to motivate her. But before you bring her, ensure that she
shares the same goals as yourself.

4. Bring the tape: No, not the VHS, you lazy lump! The
measuring tape. Take stock of your stats, including your arms,
chest, waist, thighs and wherever else that you are trying to
make sexier. Get a habit out of re-measuring once a week. As
you admire some measurable results, you motivate yourself all
the more!

5. Bring in the Goals: Jot attainable short and long term goals
for yourself! Don’t just hit the homerun and pat yourself on the
back once you reach them. No, I want you to break all stops and
reward yourself with something special! But please, don’t make
the reward something that will be detrimental to your goals,
such as chugging down beers or popping tarts into that gut.
Make your goals reachable. Set goals that are challenging but
not depressing.

6. Time to commit: Set holy appointments with yourself. Can the
excuses as to why you can’t workout. Jot them on your calendar,
highlight them and draw all manner of motivational pix next to
them. Stick with it! Respect this time for yourself and let
others know about it. When someone asks you out for coffee let
them know your workout dates, and ask them to join you. This
way people will know that during that time you are unavailable.
The moment you accept gut -swelling coffee outs, you will
postpone future workouts.

7. Reach out and streeeetch: Stretching exercises make any
workout easier- it floods your body with happy chemicals like
endorphins. Take care to stretch before a workout and
afterwards as well.

8. Your Personal Space: Where you run the gauntlet is just as
important as what you do. Ensure that you are comfortable and
enervated in your chosen workout place. Good places include TV
magazines and music. Keep water and fruit bowls within reach.
How many times have you used getting drinks as an excuse to
stop cardio?

9. Please the lenses: What can be more motivating than before
and after shots of people who have lost weight or built muscle?
Sheer eye-candy! Now what if photos were of you? You see
yourself everyday and sometimes it is easy to forget the old
you. Take those photos right now and look at them often.
Looking at the before photos and looking in the mirror is not
enough. Take after photos every week.

About The Author:
A master of manifestation to his associates,
Joseph R. Plazo offers intense executive coaching and runs a
total empowerment free content article directory.
http://www.xtrememind.com http://jobcentralasia.com
http://www.powerconsultants.net

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:06 AM Quick Weight Loss Program

Pumpkin - The Superfood of the Season

The importance of good nutrition is nothing new. While ideas vary concerning what good nutrition actually is most experts agree that it is more than just calories. Good nutrition is the basis for healthy eating which is vital in achieving or maintaining good health.

Because good nutrition is so important for good health, it is necessary that every adult have a basic knowledge of proper nutrition. The importance of good nutrition is even more important to people whose health is compromised by chronic disease. Many conditions can be improved or even reversed with the proper nutritional habits. Whether you are a world-class athlete, exercise enthusiast, or simply a couch potato, one fact applies to all - nutrition is fundamental to good health.

The term "superfood" has been gaining a lot of popularity in the nutrition world. In order to determine if this recent attention is valid or just a lot of hype, it is important to understand what is meant by the term. Many believe the secret to health is in superfood nutrition. Such a method of healthy eating is said to allow those who practice it to function with more vitality and energy.

But what exactly is a superfood? Superfoods provide rich, dense, high quality nutrition essential for building and maintaining a healthy resilient body. Generally speaking, superfoods give you a big bang for your calorie buck. One of the tastiest of the superfoods is the pumpkin. With virtues beyond carving, the pumpkin is a superfood indeed.

Of course everyone is familiar with family traditions such as carving pumpkins for Halloween and eating pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. And, the pumpkin is a sure symbol of autumn and its beautiful colors for many. But what many don't realize is the superfood benefits the pumpkin contains. The pumpkin boasts a low calorie and high fiber count - both great factors in weight loss. In addition, pumpkins contain significant amounts of vitamin A, calcium, potassium and iron. It is truly a nutrition stand-out.

Including pumpkin in your diet doesn't need to be difficult since pumpkin can be purchased in canned form at your local supermarket. In fact, in terms of both dietary fiber and beta-carotene, the canned pumpkin nutrition profile exceeds that of fresh. Canned pumpkin is popular and widely used due to its convenience, quality, nutritional value and great taste.

There are numerous recipes available that use pumpkin as a main ingredient. Get creative by using cooked, pureed pumpkin in your favorite recipes. The wholesome taste and inviting color of pumpkin complements soups, sweets, and breads while boosting the nutrition of these dishes.

If you prefer using fresh pumpkin, be sure to save the seeds. Pumpkin seeds are loaded with nutrition, too. They can be an alternative to sweets and make a healthy snack that can be enjoyed all year long. Pumpkin seeds can be cooked and eaten with the husk on or off. For convenience, pumpkin seeds can be purchased in ready to eat form.

While most of us know that good nutrition is essential to good health, many find it difficult to practice healthy eating. Keep in mind that you really are what you eat and you deserve to live a life full of health. Including superfoods such as the pumpkin in your diet will go a long way toward reaching nutritional and weight loss goals.

About the Author:
C Lynn Beebe writes a variety of articles on health and fitness topics. To learn more about superfoods, visit her website at www.Superfoods.HealthAndFitnessTools.com
http://www.HealthAndFitnessTools.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:52 AM Herbalife Weight Loss Program

Beat the Buffet! Don't Go Overboard When Eating Out

You're out with a group of friends and it's time to eat. You've been so good with your eating regimen thus far, but you don't want to put anybody out because of your special dieting needs. At the same time, you're worried because majority vote rules, and it's off to the grand, all-you-can-eat buffet!

What do you do? Maybe you are eating on a special points system, and have only so many to spare. Or, perhaps you are to avoid a specific type of food, like high-sodium meats or gravies and sauces…and everything is saturated. Dining with people who love to eat, too, often proves a challenge, especially when friends are goading into sampling everything available. How do you fight the temptation to pile your plate high and make unnecessary repeat visits?

All you can eat buffet restaurants are often a good deal when dining out. If you have a large family, a trip to the buffet can be a treat, as many offer a wide variety of foods - different meats and sides, vegetarian options, and delicious desserts. Continuous discounts for senior citizens and children make the buffett even more impossible to resist if the budget is tight and the appetite is large. It may surprise you, too, to know that buffets can be dieter friendly. Following a few simple tips when dining can ensure a pleasant evening out for all.

Study the buffet before you buy. With many buffet restaurants, you pay first then eat. If you are at such a restaurant you have never before tried, ask to see what is offered before you pay for any meal. Is there a wide variety of foods? Is there a salad bar? How often is new food brought out, and how does it look? Do the vegetables look freshly steamed or drowned in butter sauce. Decide for yourself if this is where you want to eat.

Ask about foods for special diets. Not all buffets are completely self-serve. Often you will see servers making the rounds of the dining room, refilling drinks and clearing plates. If you have a specific dieting needs, like low-salt or no-dairy, ask the server if any provisions can be made to have a special plate brought to you. You might be surprised to know some restaurants will accommodate your request.

Stick with water. Whether you get your own drinks or whether a server brings them for you, it is best to drink water with your meal. Sodas bring extra calories and sugar you don't need, and tea is very high in caffeine. Water is refreshing, fat-free, and abundant. Enjoy!

Don't give in to pressure. Just because everybody around is taking advantage of the all-you-can-eat benefits doesn't mean you should feel compelled to eat more than you want. Take what you want or need for your eating plan, sit and savor every bite. The slower you eat, the more you will enjoy the flavor of your meal, and you will feel fuller on firsts when everybody has had seconds.

Don't give in to the dessert bar. It's the moment we all dread, facing an extensive bar of cookies, cakes, pies, and ice cream. Often when you visit a buffet, the desserts are offered in rather small portions, but don't take that to mean you can eat more for the cost one regular dessert elsewhere. Sugar and sugar, no matter how much you eat. Exercise moderation at the dessert bar. Better yet, if there is fresh fruit available, try some for an enjoyable, delicious end to your dinner.

Using vigilence, moderation, and patience at the buffet can lead to an enjoyable, healthy meal, regardless of any eating plan. All you can eat doesn't have to mean all you can weigh!

About the Author:
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer for various websites, including Compuslim, the custom fit weight loss system for you.
http://www.kathrynlively.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:43 AM Healthy Weight Loss Program

Diet Delivery - Will It Help You Lose Weight?

Diet food delivery is the fastest growing trend in the weight loss industry today. From Hollywood stars to power executives, everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon.

But is diet delivery right for you? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Here are some quick facts to help you decide:

What Is It?

Diet delivery services prepare diet meals for you and ship them to your home either daily, weekly or monthly. Meals are prepared according to your preferences and then delivered to your door either fresh or frozen.

What Kind of Meals Can You Choose From?

Services may offer one specific menu or a variety of diet options. For example some services offers Zone meals, low carb, vegetarian, low fat, kosher or even diabetic friendly meals.

Some services ask you to fill out a profile and then tailor a specific menu to your personal goals, situation and lifestyle. Others allow you to choose meals from pre-set menu lists.

How Does It Work?

Depending on the service you can get your meals delivered to your home once a month, once a week, or even daily. You can also have your meals shipped to your office.

You can choose to have breakfast, lunch and dinner delivered or just gourmet lunches and dinners. Many plans also let you include snacks.

Most diet food delivery services will let you choose your preferences online and then order. In a couple of business days you should receive your food for that week.

In general, meals come prepared with heating instructions on the packaging. In many cases you also get bonus gifts like free meals or weight loss instruction booklets and tools.

Will I Lose Weight?

Yes - if you follow your chosen program. Most services state that their clients lose from 2-5 pounds per week, depending on age, gender, level of activity, etc.

Recent studies show that people have more success losing weight with diet delivery than they do with traditional diets. This makes sense - when all of the work is done for you, it's easy to lose weight.

Plus with chef-prepared, gourmet meals you don't have that sense of deprivation that sabotages most dieting efforts. You also don't have the frustration of driving to the store, searching for the right food, going home and taking the time to prepare it yourself.

In most cases you just choose your meal from fridge, heat for 5-10 minutes and enjoy.

How Much Does It Cost?

These days, with larger services able to offer lower prices, delivery services are much more affordable than they used to be. Plans start from under $20 a day (which is what many people spend on food anyway). You can even get gourmet plans which cater to specific needs or allergies for about $30-$35 a day.

Some plans offer discounts if you order monthly (vs. weekly) and some even offer free meals when you sign up.

Also, many delivery clients feel that the time they save every day by having their meals delivered more than pays for itself.

Would it Suit You?

Diet meal delivery is not for everyone. It obviously wouldn't suit someone who loves to cook their own meals. It also may not be for you if you have the time to do your own shopping and diet food preparation.

However, if you are constantly on the go, have trouble sticking to a diet on your own or just want that extra help in losing weight, you may find diet delivery works best for you.

One note of caution: do your homework before you decide on a diet food delivery service. There are several services out there - but they all offer unique options. By researching what's out there before you make a final decision, you can save money, find the best plan for you and really enjoy losing weight.

About the Author:
Vienna Miller is a contributing writer for Diet Delivery Reviews - a website offering the latest reviews and ratings on Diet Food Delivery services.
For more information including which services offer free meals and deliver to your area http://www.DietDeliveryReviews.com
http://www.hoodiareview.homestead.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:36 AM Online Weight Loss Program

The Diet That Gave Me Abs

Washboard abs is what all us fitness enthusiast dream of. We go to the gym everyday, follow on the entire fad diets out there and also invest heavily on weight loss supplements. But yet, some how, most of us did not get the results that we want. Too often weight loss fads and gimmicks out there are just rubbish.

But there is one diet that is not rubbish at all. I dare to say this because I have personally tried and tested it. It worked like magic. In one month, I lost 6 pounds of body fat. I do not care what people say about that figure but as far as I am concerned, it is a lot of fat there. Imagine just six pounds of meat smack on the table. It is a lot.

This diet is a very practical and safe diet. It works similarly like the South Beach Diet and Atkins diet but the only difference here is that the low carbohydrate phase is only for five days and for the weekends it is free eating time! Sounds good right? The free days of gives the mental mind a break and it is important because you want a fat loss that can sustain and maintain, not just a diet where you lose 5 pounds and gain 6 pounds back on.

The fundamentals of this diet is very simple, you have to go on a very low carbohydrate diet plan for 5 days and then 2 days off. What will happen is that ketosis will take place on the second or third day of the first five days. The body will use up the sugar in the body during the first or second day. Ketosis is a phase where your body uses fat as the main source of energy because of the presence of ketones in the body. Great right?

Since your body will be so low in carbohydrates, when you start the loading phase on Saturday and Sunday, your, muscle will be super charged because your body will absorb and abnormal amount of carbohydrates into your muscles. It is like a supercharge effect.
Then when you come back and exercise in the gym following Monday, you will feel as strong as ever and pumped up like never before. Trust me, you will never regret trying it.

During your low carbohydrate phase, you are not allowed to have carbohydrates for more than 20 grams a day. This is very little actually. An apple is already about 30 grams of carbs. So it is literally no carbohydrates at all. Your goal is to consume lots of vegetables except carrots, eat lots of lean meat like chicken, pork, mutton and beef, and eat lots of egg white and fish. You can also consume mayonnaise, cheese, and olive oil and also butter. Just be careful of the hidden carbs in these foods. Drink lots of water.

You cannot eat fruits, no snacks at all. You can forget about sweets and sugar. Drink sugarless tea and coffee. For example, for breakfast, eat two whole eggs, 3 slices of bacon and a cup of sugarless coffee. Later for snack, eat a piece of roasted chicken thigh, not breaded, a large bowl of salad with no carrots and mayonnaise. For lunch, take a piece of steak and broccoli. Do not use sugar in the gravy. For afternoon snack, take a protein powder shake that is low carb and for dinner, have a salmon steak, stir fried mix vegetables with olive oil.

Then for Saturday and Sunday, go crazy! Eat all the food and any food your heart desire. This is very important to give your mind a break so when you come back on Monday, you will be so bored of junk food that you want to be on diet again! That junk food that you eat on the weekends would not be absorbed anyway. Your muscles will be so super charged that you would be stronger on your workout routines and more energy on your cardio. That way you can beat the your muscles threshold and get results. You have to try it to believe it, get your abs the way I did naturally and surely.

About the Author:
Yu Chung Leong is an experienced and motivated personal trainer for many years. He is passionate about health and fitness and enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals. He writes many free weight loss tips at http://www.weightloss-ways.com
http://www.weightloss-ways.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:23 AM Weight Loss Program Huntington Beach

Useful Information about Fad Diets

If you aren't happy with what you see in the mirror but don't want to harm your health with some crazy fad diet, try these tips that might help you take off a few pounds in a healthy way:

- Why not consult a physician? A dietician can have a good background of your health and thus advise you of a fitted diet for your health condition.

- Water as have been said, remains to be a good cleansing element for the body. Water theraphy is a good treatment that's also good for your skin. Drink lots of water and get rid of those toxins!

- When you're hungry; there's a greater tendency to indulge on overeating on a latter time so please, don't skip meals.

- Exercise! Try to jog or brisk walk at least 30 minutes every single day. This is also good for your heart.

- Do no go into crash diet; slowly aim in losing 2 or less pounds a week. Sticking into a faster but harder diet can get you depressed and thus intend you to give up easily; the result? You will gain more weight.

- Learn while dieting! Read good books on how to count your calories; how to choose or make of delicious but nutritious foods that do not overdo your weight; etc.

- Learn the value of discipline. Obesity may also be aggravated by people who do not monitor their diet.

When all your efforts have been wasted and you finally decided to go with the flow; there are numerous fad diets available today. Fad diets are food selections which you will have to follow in a regular pattern. Select the best way to loose these calories! Here is a list of the latest fad-diet:

1. The Atkins diet suggests you to lessen your carb intake. So you'll say, this is quite easy; all you have to do is eat milk, cookies or ice cream with low carbohydrate! Well, think again, with atkin diet, there are surprisingly 2 dieters who already died due to health problems such as kidney stones, constipation, increase of blood acidity, etc.

2. The Blood type diet is quite interesting too! If you're Blood Type is O, you require meat in your diet; Blood type B needs dairy products whereas those under type A need vegetables. Most people do not know their blood types leading to poor diet; but on the other hand, a balance diet is vital for a healthy body. So consider this, will the blood type diet be effective if you'll loose some foods needed for nourishment?

3. You can also try the South Beach diet. This diet will not limit your intake of food; however, it will discourage you to eat those processed foods with saturated or high fat components. As a replacement, having large servings of vegetables and whole grains in your meals are highly recommended.

4. Soup Diet. As the name implies, your meals will be composed heavily of soups! It can be chicken and cabbage soups which can be accompanied by little servings of steamed vegetables, fruits or brown sugar.

5. The Chocolate Diet sounds tempting doesn't it?! Included in the menus are the well-loved chocolates, popcorn and pasta. Just make sure that pasta sauces have low fat ingredients and that fruits are included in the recipes. Excluded are sodas or alcoholic beverages, oily or fried foods, caffeine, foods with high calories and high sugar content etc.

6. You can also choose the Fruit juice Diet; the well-known is the Grapefruit Diet. You will have to follow the prescribed diet with fruit juices, some low-carb meals and a good amount of water for 18 weeks. A recent survey shows that many patients who undertook this diet lost more than 10 pounds in a 12-week average diet plan.

So now that you have a list of pretty good dietary programs, which is well-known nowadays, the moral will all lay in your hands. Good amount of discipline is necessary; and precautious moves should always be on a top priority.

There are a lot of ways to stay fit, it is your choice on whether to stay obese and unhealthy or be happy and strong! You owe yourself and your future family a longer life span and sustainable health which can be useful for you and the society.

About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.lowcarb-resource.com where you can find out more about healthy weight loss.
http://www.epet-center.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:30 AM A Weight Loss Program

Stomach Exercise To Lose Belly Fat

There is no magical gizmos or high tech gadgets to help you get your abdominal muscle. You have to exercise to flatten stomach and get a lean, defined six-pack. Your dream of getting a sexy body with flat and trim abs is within your reach! Sculpt up with lower abdomen exercise and get rid of those love handles with exercise. Here is how!

Stomach Muscle Exercise

A good abdominal workout program requires high intensity muscular overload and an increase in intensity progressively. Stomach exercise must be performed carefully so that the lower back is supported properly.

Stomach exercise can help build the entire abdomen region because the upper and lower abdominals are not separated and are connected. Of course, there are some stomach exercises that can help build and strengthen specifically the lower and upper abdominal muscles.
Abdominal exercises can help you also gain strong stomach muscles and back muscles. This can reduce the likelihood of back pains and provide protection against injury by efficient response to stress.

Lets have a deeper look into the muscles in the abdominal area. The Rectus abdominals is the muscle that stretches down the stomach from your ribs to the hips. The external and internal oblique run down the sides of the waist and their job is to rotate the torso and assist the abdominals during curling and twisting movements.

Stomach exercises are needed to tone or harden the muscles in that area. Not only that, the layer of body fat that is covering the abs must be burn off and this could be only done with proper eating plan. Try to increase your protein intake and limit your carbohydrates, eating a low carbohydrate diet is said to be one way of tackling flabby abs along with a sensible abs exercise routine, strength training and cardio exercise.

Stomach exercise

Stomach exercise must be followed religiously and is all about frequency rather than intensity. No exercise must be continued if it leads to pain or extreme discomfort. The best stomach exercise program can also help you achieve a flat and tight stomach. Many an abs exercise can be performed on the floor. Like any other muscles, the abdominal muscles will react to resistance training like bicep curls and crunches.

A simple pelvic tilt performed while sitting in a chair can strengthen your abdominal muscles and help support the back.

Best Stomach Exercises

Crunch

Lay on your back and knees bent, lift your shoulders off the floor. The emphasis is on moving the ribs towards the hips.

Reverse Curl

Lay on your back, bend your knees towards the chest. Keep the hips on the floor. Contract your abdominal muscles at the same time. Your lower abdominal exercise program must include reverse curls.

Leg raise

Single leg raise involves raising one leg from the floor. The double leg raise involves raising both legs from the floor at the same time and this works as an abdominal muscle exercise. Lying leg raises are ideal lower abdominal exercise

Abs exercise with the ball

The stability ball is an effective training device for the abs and lower back. Due to the curve of the exercise ball, the lower abdominal muscles get trained better on account of the greater range of motion.

Bicycle

It was ranked the best abdominal exercise by the American Council on Exercise. When performed with the abs muscles pulled, this exercise does great things for you.

Plank

For this exercise program, you need to position yourself for a pushup and hold the pose. Ensure that your body is in one long, straight line from head to toes.

Captains chair

This abs exercise involves standing on a gym chair and gripping the handholds. Press your back against the head pad and slowly lift your knees towards your chest. The back must remain straight.

Postnatal stomach exercise

A lot of women just cannot wait to get back in shape after childbirth. But before they can participate in any postnatal weight loss exercise program, they have to consult their doctor first.

Pelvic tilts and simple abs contractions are an ideal way to start on a postnatal lower abdomen exercise program. Combined with Kegels exercise, you can get your pelvic floor muscles back in shape. Isometric contractions can even be practiced with the baby on your stomach. Stick to a steady lower abs exercise program and watch the flabby skin harden.

Stomach exercise to flatten stomach

Getting a lean defined six-pack abs is a dream for most of us. Millions of dollars are spent yearly in the process of achieving a flat stomach and trim waistline. There are many gadgets that are sold to those seeking an exercise program getting the stomach fat down.

The first step towards a lean waist and flat stomach is to remove the fat that sits on the abs. A combination of cardiovascular exercise program coupled with a low fat diet aimed at preventing fat can do wonders. Stomach exercise program would include the following:

Forward flexion exercises such as sit-ups and crunches.

Rotational exercises such as trunk rotations and standing twists

Stomach Exercise for love handle

Love handles are a misnomer, as all women would love to shun them. Love handles are the ugly fat belts around the waist. This lump of flesh starts at the side of the bra-line and extends all the way down the back. Aerobic exercise aimed at this region can help you shed those love handles. Exercise for love handles involve exercising the oblique muscles to tighten up the sides of the waist. Abs crunches could also do the same.

Here is an easy stomach exercise for the oblique that you can do at home.

Sit upright with a stick across the back of your shoulders. Twist from side to side. Side bends also work wonders on love handles. Keep at it and watch these muscles firm into place.

About the Author:
Yu Chung Leong is an experienced and motivated personal trainer for many years. He is passionate about health and fitness and enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals. He writes many free weight loss tips at http://www.Lose-Fat-Tips.com
http://www.weightloss-ways.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:23 AM Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Weight Loss Secrets. Get Slim Without the Gym

Diabetes and obesity are reaching epidemic proportions and both are closely related to our lifestyle. Unless we change some of our lifestyle habits,this trend is likely to continue.
So, how can you improve your fitness and start your weight loss program?

Here are 7 suggestions.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND AVOID SOFT DRINKS.
A recent research study published in the Journal of The American Medical Association found a direct correlation between drinking soft drinks and obesity. Refined sugar with its high glycemic index is the enemy of weight loss.
An article published in the Los Angeles Times,September 15 2005, titled: "Liquid Candy. The Rise of Soft Drinks in America." stated: "Soft drinks are currently the primary source of added sugar and studies connect them to obesity and nutrient deficits".
Dr Joseph Mercola, author of "The Total Health Program" warns:"To be truly healthy, you will need to seriously consider reducing or eliminating all sugars from your diet. Consider the fact that your risk of obesity increases by a whopping 60% for each can of soda you drink a day." Some popular soft drinks contain as much as 9 teaspoons of sugar!

Beware also low calorie or diet drinks. Check the labels to see if they contain Aspartame, a substance that can be toxic.

FORGET STARVATION DIETS.
If you go on a crash or starvation diet, you may have a speedy but transient weight loss. You will lose predominantly lean muscle and that's what you don't want!
Your body senses famine and goes into starvation mode. It slows down the fat burning or metabolic rate and begins to store fat.
This is the opposite to what you want to achieve.

EXERCISE DAILY.
Your body was designed to be active and a sedentary lifestyle slows down its metabolism. You don't have to take part in high intensity exercises. Simple fitness activities such as gardening, walking and climbing stairs are beneficial. Weight bearing or resistance exercises are particularly beneficial as they build lean muscle mass and help burn fat.

These exercises are an important part of any weight loss program.

EAT BALANCED MEALS.
Try to include a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in your diet. Your best carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, high fiber bread, fruit and vegetables. These have a low glycemic index and are released to the body slowly with increased feelings of fullness.
They are also high in fiber, an essential part of any weight loss diet. Psillium husks and ground flaxseed are excellent sources of fiber.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.
In a study reported in a recent issue of Archives of Internal Medicine,researchers found that overweight and obese subjects slept less than those with a normal body mass index.
The message is clear. Try to get at least 7 hours sleep each night and if possible avoid late night meals.
Stress is a major factor in sleep loss and supplementing your diet with B group vitamins, valerian root extract or valerian tea may help.
A magnesium supplement prior to going to bed may also help.
Generally they work just as well as prescription, or over the counter drugs without the side effects. You should first consult your doctor if you are having sleeping problems.

EAT REGULAR SMALL MEALS.
Most people in their healthy weight range tend to stop eating once they feel the edge has been taken off their hunger. They know they can always have more later, when they're hungry. Try eating when you're hungry and stop when the edge has been taken off your hunger. Binge eating places strains on your digestive system and won't help your weight loss and fitness program.
The important message is to eat smaller portions and enjoy a variety of low GI foods to meet your daily nutritional requirements.

FINALLY, FOOD AND YOUR EMOTIONS.
It's not normal to think about food morning, noon and night. Yet this what most people with a weight loss problem do.
You need to become comfortable with food again. Try only to think about your next meal when you get hungry,eat it,then forget it.

Food is often used by those with weight loss and fitness problems to help them deal with emotional issues. If you think you might be an emotional overeater,you need to uncover the emotions that are the cause. Are you angry, stressed or frustrated?
Once you know why you overeat, you can then focus on constructive ways to resolve it. You may need to discuss this in greater detail with your family doctor.

About the Author:
Graeme Lanham
Is weight loss a concern for you? In his groundbreaking new book “Your Life Fitness,” author and fitness/health researcher Graeme Lanham outlines in easy to read style all you need to know about the latest advances in health, fitness and antiageing.
Visit http://www.yourlifefitness.com and receive 2 special FREE bonuses.
http://www.yourlifefitness.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:32 AM Release Weight Loss Program

How To Avoid Holiday Overeating

The holidays are upon and so is the urge to overeat. While a few nibbles on grandma's triple chocolate truffles and aunt Glinda's red velvet cake might seem innocent enough, according to "Consumer Reports on Health" that's exactly how most people pack on their annual weight gain- overindulging during the holiday seasons.

Most reasons for overeating during the holidays are purely psychological. You could easily avoid overeating if you knew the dieting mind games and the mental tools needed to combat them. To help you stay on track during the holidays, use these tips to defeat the five most common dieting mind games before they kick-off the holiday seasons.

1. Beating the "feel good" factor

People overeat during the holidays because it makes them "feel good". Chocolate and sugary foods load the body with serotonin- the feel good hormone. Instead of eating sweets to feel good, try talking with a visiting relative and joking. Plus, give out lots of hugs; this will also boost your body's level of "feel good" hormones.

2. "It's the only time this year I'll get to eat this food"

The "holiday food shortage" mentality spurs overeating. There is never a shortage of holiday food. When you get the urge to overindulge in a particular food, get the recipe and make the dish yourself.

If a dish proves irresistible, eat a portion and still get the recipe. That way, psychologically you'll know that if you ever want to eat this dish again, you can.

3 "This dish reminds me so much of home" sentimental overeating

It's not the food that reminds you of home but the people with whom you enjoy the food that reminds you of home. Food is so wonderful and powerful because we associate people with the food. Instead of remembering your family by eating, try to recall some of the other activities that your family enjoys doing together such as shoveling snow, ice skating or making Christmas ornaments.

4 I'll make it up at the gym

Exchanging pecan pie for 30-minutes at the gym makes the gym seem like something "bad". Instead decide what sport or activity you want to engage in this winter: hiking, walking, ice skating, swimming, golfing etc. Exercise because you want to, not because you have to. (Note: Have you seen how empty gyms are during the holidays?)

5 It's no big deal, it's just once a year

While people may only gain around one pound during the holidays, if you've been gaining an extra pound for last 10-20 years this adds up. While overeating this year may seem OK, if you keep doing it, you'll consistently gain more and more weight.

In short, the easiest way to keep your body weight on track this holiday season is to focus less on food and more on the people that you love. Now, just remember, before you down that how jug of spiked eggnog, ask yourself, "Do I need to go hug somebody first?" Happy Holidays.

About the Author:
Naweko Nicole Dial San-Joyz founded Noixia, a San Diego firm dedicated to helping people enhance their image by offering custom skin solutions to people with acne scarring on the face and body. San-Joyz has appeared across the US promoting beauty through health consciousness. http://www.Noixia.com
http://www.Noixia.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:30 AM Easy Weight Loss Program

A Simple Low Carb Diet Plan

At last estimate as many as 30 million Americans are following a low carb diet. Advocates contend that the high amount of carbs in our diets has led to the increase in such health problems as obesity and diabetes.

Some diets restrict carbohydrates to a point where the body becomes ketogenic. Ketosis is a physiological condition in response to chronic starvation and causes most of the body to utilize fatty acids as an alternative source of energy.

Most of us don't need to reach such an extreme. Most of us just need to follow a few simple rules.

And most often these rules won't mean total abstinence from the foods you love. Just a small deviation from your normal dietary routine. Better choices when it comes to which breads you choose and which snacks you choose too.

It's not totally off limits to snack, just know that what most people consider snack food's definitely out of the question.

With that in mind here's a few ideas as to what should and shouldn't be included in your low carb diet plan.

Cut out the processed fats including hydrogenated fats, polyunsaturated oils that have been heated, and fats that are combined with junk carbs. Processed fats are the culprits that put on flab and clog your arteries.

Cut the simple carbs like sugar, fructose, bleached flour, cornstarch and fruit juice. Stick with the whole fruit instead, with its fiber intact.

What you want to include are natural proteins, vegetables and whole fruits along with complex carbs such as whole grain breads.

Simple carbs are converted into fat which is stored by the body. This is exactly the problem that causes weight gain. Your body stores the fat for use later, when it thinks you are starving.

Complex carbs, on the other hand, are used for energy. These are good carbs. Yes, there are good carbs too.

This gives you a well balanced low carb diet that doesn't completely rob you of energy producing carbs. Also by eating high fiber whole grains you'll keep your insides clean and healthy and you'll be more regular.

Personally, I like to snack on cheese and pepperoni slices. You get a good amount of protein and fat and virtually no carbs.

Drink plenty of water, excercise regularly and make a low carb diet a part of an overall lifestyle and you'll surely lose weight, look better and improve your overall health.

About the Author:
Michael J. Harris is an avid weight lifter who believes in a good low carb diet plan as a part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Visit his blog at Low Carb Diet Tips
http://www.onlinewealthsolutions.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:27 AM Nutri System Weight Loss Program

Lose Weight Effortlessly Without Joining a Gym - Try Isometric Exercise

There's a much easier, and less expensive, way than joining a gym to lose those extra "holiday" pounds, or the ones that seem to creep in and latch on with every new birthday. And it doesn't involve sweaty locker rooms or muscle-bound fitness gurus that play havoc with your self-esteem about having a less-than-perfect body.

Isometric exercise may be just the answer you are looking for!

The beauty of isometrics is that they can be done anywhere, even behind your desk at work, without having to pay hefty gym fees or feeling embarrassed in your workout togs. Unlike running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle, isometrics help you target the areas that need the most attention and work them throughout the day.

Are you stuck in a chair all day at work? The simple isometric motion of tensing and releasing your stomach muscles can help shed pounds, trim your waistline and feel energized while sitting right there at your desk. Then, when the workday is over, instead of dragging yourself off to a gym to sweat and strain through a tough fitness routine, you can simply head out to enjoy your evening.

Isometric exercises use your body's own force and weight as tools to help you get in shape, without the fancy machines and weights of the gym. The simple act of tensing, holding and releasing the abdominal muscles helps battle mid-life bulge and turn loose fat into toned muscle. The result is a healthier, more slender you. Best of all, achieving the results you want is almost effortless.

Although isometric exercises can be supplemented with tension bands or small hand weights, the key is using your own body to get yourself in shape. (Did you ever imagine that when your mother said, "Sit up straight" that she was actually helping you control your waistline? Well, she was!)

The key to success using this extraordinary form of weight control and body shaping is consistency. Isometric exercises only take a few seconds at a time, but can - and should - be practiced often, over the course of the day.

Here's a starter exercise- Sit up straight, breathe deeply and expand your stomach muscles every time the phone rings. Then, exhale slowly and contract your stomach muscles as you answer the telephone. (that is the way to work the abdominals and the breathing)

All you have to do to achieve results is to simply do the exercises — repeatedly, every day. Learning the routine and then implementing it is a lot easier than joining a gym, forcing yourself to go there every day, waiting in line for the right machines or running on a treadmill, getting nowhere.

About the Author:
Ellen Miller
Owner of IsoBreathing Inc. and creator of IsoBreathing(R) Ellen has been teaching life style and fitness over 20 years and is a certified fitness practitioner and personal trainer. Find out about Isometric Exercise, Weight Loss Exercise or buy her Exercise DVD - visit http://www.isobreathing.com.
http://www.isobreathing.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:23 AM Prism Weight Loss Program

Why Can't Most People Lose Weight

There is a big problem with obesity especially in the United States. This is great for those companies in the weight loss business. In fact, it is extremely great because they know that you probably won't make it on your diet but you will have spent some money with them trying. Why is it that most people can't lose weight? It has to do with behavior change. They don't lose weight because they don't change their behavior towards food intake and exercise. Not only is burning excess calories essential to weight loss but reducing food intake as well. Part of losing weight is being able to push yourself away from the table but many cannot do this. They typically don't eat to be filled but stuff themselves. Depending on your situation, sometimes it is even okay to miss a meal.

It is interesting to note that Buddhist monks are committed to eating only two meals a day with the heaviest meal being at 11:00 A.M. each day. Why is this? Because the Buddha said that eating from noon until dawn the next day was unhealthy and would make the body too full for meditation. There is a lot of truth to this because when one eats a meal too late in the evening they will gain weight plus have a tough time sleeping. Yet we do this with our hurried lifestyles and late in the evening eating habits. The country of Brazil is recognizing a growing obesity problem within its ranks yet it is common for people there to eat very late in the evening around 9:00 P.M. or even 10:00 P.M.

Another reason why most people can't lose weight is due to our attitudes about wanting something and wanting it now. When we set out to lose weight, we place unreasonably high standards on ourselves and set goals we know good and well cannot be achieved. Then, when we don't lose 30 pounds in a month for example, we just give up our diet or our weight loss program because we can't see the use. Your weight problem did not happen to you overnight. It took awhile for you to get into this condition and it will take a reasonable steady process to reverse it. Your body can safely lose one to two pounds per week so you do the math. You may not see noticeable results for months.

It is important to set goals that can be realistically reached. And you should have a forgiving spirit towards yourself. When you set out to change behavior you are going to without a doubt fail a few times. You have to be able to pick yourself back up and try again. People who attempt to quit smoking go through this cycle. They will start out well and then have a bad day and smoke. The ones who successfully quit smoking are the ones who start the quitting process right away after their fall.

And finally, a reason why most people can't lose weight has to do with their attitude toward food and its use. Your body needs food to live. That's it. While it can be an enjoyable experience, that experience should not be the goal when eating. In other words, we should not use food to lift us up when our mood is down nor use it as a reward when we have achieved something. Food should only be looked at as a substance necessary to sustain life. By changing our attitude in this way we are doing well towards our ultimate goal of losing weight.

About the Author:
Terence Young
For more resources how to lose weight fast and keep it off visit: http://www.loseweightfastnaturally.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:20 AM Weight Loss Program

The Dangerous Scale

As a personal trainer I can't begin to tell you how many times clients have come to me, distraught over the number that they encountered while standing upon their scale. The truth is that I don't know anyone who likes getting on a scale. So don't. Scales, used by themselves are not an accurate assessment of your body fat percentage.

Most people who are trying to loose weight often become frustrated by the number that is displayed on the scale. As a personal trainer I use the scale as a tool to determine an individual's fat mass. Multiplying a person's body fat percentage by the weight measured on the scale easily accomplishes this. The fat mass number is then subtracted from their body weight, thus giving the individual lean mass, which is the muscle, water, and internal organs of the body. For example, two females that are 5'6 and weigh 135lbs can look very different from each other, even to the extreme of being polar opposites. One might have a body fat percentage of 33%, while the other might have a percentage of only 22%. What's important though, is that one must realize that the weight on the scale can be influenced by many different factors.

An individual that weighs in at 140 pounds, and eats a dinner high in salt content the previous evening could be showing a weight on the scale that is higher than their actual weight, by 2 to 5 pounds. This could be a result of water retention from the salt of the previous evening's meal. Salt has the effect of retaining water at the cellular level in our bodies. Other factors can also influence our body's weight, including water retention, dehydration, recent illness, and pregnancy.

The individuals whose weight will decrease the most significantly on the scale are those individuals that are obese. Generally, as body fat percentages go for males, 10% and under indicates very lean, 11-15% indicates a lean individual, 16-20% is average, and 20% and higher is considered obese. For women, the following percentages are used: 20% and under indicates a very lean individual, 21%-25% indicates a lean individual, 26%-34% is average, and 34% and greater is considered obese.

A qualified personal trainer can check your body fat percentage with a tape measure and a skin caliper, and will be able to accurately calculate your fat mass. A realistic goal for most people is to loose 3% body fat in 4-6 weeks. This is done without starving the body, and being on a rigorous exercise program. Although most individuals will be able to loose some fat percentage, it will be easier for those with higher body fat percentages to do so.

In addition to loosing body fat, individuals might actually notice an increase in the weigh-in number on the scale after starting a weight-training program. This is perfectly natural after starting a weight-training program. As the body begins to build muscle, and lose fat at the same time, the heavy mass of the muscle may outweigh the mass of the fat that the body has lost. Again, a qualified personal trainer can measure your body fat accurately, in addition to weighing your mass on a scale and give you the percentages of your fat and muscle. Once your body percentages have been determined, you can move forward with a fitness plan and a set of goals to achieve.

About the Author:
Scott White is a Online Personal Trainer Fitness Training Program. and head trainer here: at Personal Trainer Arizona
http://www.personalpowertraining.net

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:16 AM Loss Program Weight

Walking For Weight Loss

Which is the world's most common, inexpensive and enjoyable fitness activity?

It is a form of exercise that anyone can do, does not require any investment, special gear or even a fixed time commitment. It can be done anytime, anywhere, and you can do it with friends, while enjoying nature. Its plain-old walking. All you have to do is to find a good location, put on a pair of shoes, find a friend if you can, grab an MP3 player (if you prefer music) and just do it.

Here's a suggestion - Set a simple goal. For example, "I will walk for 30-40 minutes, 5 days a week from Monday to Friday." Make a note of it in your dairy, since writing down goals makes them more achievable. Stick with it. With a few simple variations, walking can become fun and provide a 'total body workout.

TIPS FOR A PERFECT WALK:

1. Invest in a good pair of shoes, preferably cross trainers.
2. Start with a slow-walking warm-up and pick up the pace as you go. Slow down to cool down as you finish.
3. Drink water after your walk. This will help hydrate the body and replace the fluids lost in sweat.
4. Feel free to sing, whistle, or hum as you walk. This develops breath control. It also monitors the vigor of your workout: If you're too breathless to maintain a song, then reduce the pace. If you can maintain a long conversation with a friend while you walk, then the intensity or pace of your walk is on the lower side. So speed up slightly.

POINTS TO REMEMBER WHILE WALKING.

To make your walk a little more exciting, try the following variations on occasions. You can add movements, stretches and resistance.

Movements:
1. Quicksteps. Take short, brisk steps, advancing only inches per step; or march in place.
2. Right-left-back. Step sideways 1-2 paces to the left, then to the right. An occasional backward walk works to engage the opposing muscles, and aid in flexibility and fluidity.

Stretches:
1. Overheads -Extend the arms above head while walking. Maintain the stretch for 5 to 10 paces, then relax and repeat.
2. Long strides - Maintaining a slow pace, stretch the legs as far ahead as you can and take long, slow giant steps to firm the calves, thighs, and hamstrings. .

Resistance:
1. Imagine you are pushing a wall with both hands, while walking for 4-5 steps. Push two walls as they close in on both sides, for the next 4-5 steps.
2. Clench the hands for 3-4 steps, slowly unclench them for the next 3-4 steps.

Don't be concerned that all of this will look funny when you actually implement it in the park, then think about it this way - If you do it right, then you could set a trend for those around you. Try these techniques and you could become a trendsetter for other walkers / joggers in your area!

For more information and to register for free diet plans and grocery lists, visit http://www.best-weight-loss-programs.net/ , for exercises for women, visit http://www.toningforwomen.com and to train with Nitin, visit http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com
www.phonefitnesstrainer.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:10 AM Weight Loss Fitness Program

How To Lose Weight Naturally & Effectively

This article has been written because we in the west are reaching crisis point in the problem of overweight people, and I hope that I can make some helpful suggestions if this is your area of concern.

Studies have shown that the number of people who are obese or are overweight has more than doubled in the past 10 years. There are many reasons for this such as the rise in the number of fast foods joints, drinks that contain a lot of saturated fat in the meals and the type of food purchased at the grocery store.

Though genetics, lifestyle and aging also play a significant factor, it is the choice of the person whether or not to consume the type of food that they do. Some people want an overnight solution to the weight problem but studies have proven this to be unsafe and leaves markings of loose skin which can only be removed through surgery.

People must understand that a natural weight loss system should be in place first before anything can happen. This is only after a doctor is able to analyze the patients weight, health, calorie intake, age, gender, lifestyle, stress level and routine.

Many doctors recommend exercise as the best and natural way to lose weight. Cardio vascular exercises can increase the persons heart rate and metabolism which in turn will burn those excess pounds weekly.

Those who dont work well with a personal trainer can join group exercises in the gym. Studies have shown that people can be driven to accomplish a lot of things in groups because it is fun and everyone will get an extra push from one another.

Others who dont have time to go to the gym can still accomplish this by jogging or running in the morning. Those who are not fond of doing these things can play a game of basketball or any other sport with friends.

This should be combined with a diet program that is designed by a dietitian. Though some people think using supplements will help increase the process, many professionals would rather advise the client to eat right and burn the calories gradually.

Oats, rice, fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and cereals give the person the much needed carbohydrates and fats. Since the average Joe does not know when enough has been taken in, the dietitian must come up with a plan to make sure everything is balanced.

This many mean substituting certain items with those that give a lower amount of calories or cutting down some in smaller portions. This just proves dieting does not always have to be giving up on certain foods.

An important part in making sure that the system works is going to the doctor for a regular checkup. This will help these professionals monitor the patients progress and recommend changes if these are necessary.

The individual should stick to the program and everything will fall into place. The improvements or the number of pounds lost for one will not be the same for the other. This is a long term project that could prevent diseases from happening and extending the life of the patient.

Some companies have tried to promote the use of laxatives to lose weight. Though this should only be used for a week, others have used it much longer and are in danger of causing muscle problems in the body.

Despite the advances in science, health professionals still believe the safest and best way to lose weight naturally is still through diet and exercise. The person must cooperate with the doctor and the dietitian so that a system can be made specifically to handle ones case.

There is of course a lot more information out there on this subject in such places as the local bookstore, the local library, and there are a number of very helpful Blogs which provide excellent advice.

About the Author:
John Savage has a very helpful Blog which can be read by Clicking Here

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:59 AM Christian Weight Loss Program

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Weight Loss Tip: Don't Eat With Your Emotions

Food is a critical, must-have source of nourishment and energy. Without food we would not be able to perform our daily activities. Our muscles would wither, our nervous system and brains would fail. Whether we like it or not: We all need food.

What you might not know though, is that food has another important role in our lives: Comfort and entertainment. Culturally and instinctively we prepare and serve foods to comfort those who have experienced loss, to celebrate joy, or to show friendship and love. And that's where emotional eating can cause many problems.

What Is Emotional Eating?
Emotional eating is simply the act of eating to feel better emotionally. We, as normal human beings, see food as more than just an energy source for our body. We like to enjoy our food, and there's nothing wrong with that. Science tells us though, that some foods actually promote good feelings by causing certain "feel-good" chemical reactions in our brains. And that's when eating can become a problem: Because some people eat to "feel better"… or because they can't deal with strong emotions such as pain, anxiety, stress, joy, or boredom.

Emotional eaters turn to food as a source of distraction from dealing with feelings. It's often a vicious cycle though: People eat to deal with their bad feelings, then feel bad for having done so, yet turn around and eat again to soothe the guilty feelings caused by the first round of emotional eating. Needless to say, emotional eating can lead to serious eating disorders, weight gain, obesity, and depression.

How Do I Know If I'm An Emotional Eater?
Do you turn to food when you're not hungry, but sad, stressed, or bored? Do you think about food constantly, to the point of feeling obsessed?

Do you regularly try diets and fail - leading to guilt and further over eating? Do you think about or attempt to purge excess food by throwing up or using laxatives? Do you exercise compulsively when you think you've eaten too much?

If you answered yes to any of the above, there's a good chance you're an emotional eater and you could be endangering your health.

How Do I Overcome Emotional Eating?
The first step is recognizing and acknowledging you have the problem. Fixing the problem will take time and persistence, because you effectively need to train yourself out of bad eating habits and into good.

Since emotional eating is caused by using food as a coping strategy for emotional distress, dieting tends to just create more problems, because if you fail to stick to your eating plan you're likely to feel quite guilty. And as an emotional eater, that guilt will only lead you to eat more.

So instead of trying to focus on what you're eating, or how much: You'll need to work at finding other ways to cope with negative emotions. You could try simple things like self talk, chewing gum, or getting busy with work or hobbies when emotions run high and you find yourself digging through the fridge even though you aren't hungry. You could also try self help tapes and books, or find a support buddy to call. You might also consider getting help from a Personal Coach or Psychotherapist who deals with emotional eating.

Sometimes you'll need the help of a professional to make these changes

As you work on replacing comfort food eating with other habits and responses, you'll feel much better about yourself both emotionally and physically. And you'll be well on your way to living a much healthier, slimmer life!

About the Author:
Kathy Burns-Millyard. Would you like a FREE Trial Sample of Hoodia Gordonii? Visit http://www.scaletippers.com/free-hoodia.html and get your free sample of this wonderful weight loss product today!
http://www.ElectronicPerceptions.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:20 AM Hypnotic Weight Loss

Lose Weight with Hoodia

Many dieters make the mistake of believing that all they have to do to lose weight with hoodia is pop a few pills everyday and the fat will just melt off. Unfortunately, that's not what happens for the majority of people who take hoodia supplements. Hoodia works best when it is combined with a sensible diet and a regular exercise program.

Keep in mind that hoodia simply suppresses your appetite. Hoodia will not improve a bad diet, nor will it burn fat without exercising. Despite the marketing hype from those who sell hoodia, a little effort is required on your part to effectively lose weight with hoodia. Sure you may be able to lose a few pounds taking hoodia without making any lifestyle changes, but your results will be short lived.

The most successful dieters are those who understand that in order to lose weight with hoodia they will need to view hoodia not as a solution on its own but rather as an aid for weight loss. When using hoodia for weight loss it is important to think of it as one leg of a three legged stool. The other two legs of the stool are exercise and a healthy diet. Without all three legs, the "stool" can't stand. You need all three for long term success.

Those of you that hate exercising don't worry because your exercise program doesn't need to be that strenuous to lose weight with hoodia. You don't need to train for a marathon or even join a health club for that matter. A brisk 30 minute walk three to five times a week can have dramatic results when combined with a healthy diet and proper use of hoodia. For optimal results, you want to do some kind of moderate activity for at least 30 minutes three to five times per week.

An effective way to use hoodia for weight loss is to strategically take your hoodia supplements before those times of the day you are most susceptible to cravings and overeating. For instance, let's say you tend to crave fatty foods and sweets right after leaving work. A good strategy for losing weight with hoodia would be to take your hoodia supplements shortly before your work day ends.

There are a couple precautions regarding losing weight with hoodia. First, you want to avoid taking hoodia with other appetite suppressant supplements. Combining hoodia with other appetite suppressants could actually result in eating too little.

While this may sound like a good thing, eating too little food could trigger your body to slow down its metabolism and actually decrease the effectiveness of using hoodia for weight loss. When your metabolism slows down, fat burning also slows down and you'll likely gain weight - not lose it!

Second, hoodia for weight loss is less effective for those who tend to overeat when they are not hungry. Hoodia, after all, is an appetite suppressant. Dieters will still have to deal with the problem of eating when they're not hungry.

If you struggle with this problem yourself, take an honest assessment of the factors that lead you to overeat. Ask yourself why you are eating when you're not hungry. Is it stress, depression, or other factors? Whatever they are, tackle those issues head on and once you do, you'll get the most from your hoodia supplements and will be able to successfully lose weight with hoodia.

About the Author:
It is important you take authentic hoodia supplements to successfully lose weight with hoodia. Find out which supplements pass the test by visiting Travis Van Slooten’s site at http://www.mens-total-fitness.com where he has written extensively on hoodia.
http://www.mens-total-fitness.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:53 AM Hoodia Dieting Plan

Drink Your Water! Drink for Weight Loss

Eight glasses a day…no doubt you've heard it from everybody - your parents, your doctor, talk show professionals. The road to wellness is actually a river of pure, clean water, and while to drink sixty-four ounces daily seems like an impossible task, it is actually one of the simplest steps you can take to starting a sound weight loss program. After all, our bodies are approximately sixty percent water, so it is only natural that we constantly replenish ourselves in order to feel good.

Water has no fat - as opposed to thick milkshakes

Water has no calories - as opposed to iced tea

Water has no sugar - as opposed to soft drinks

Water has no caffeine - as opposed to coffee

Think about how many times a day you eat or have a snack. How often do you have a drink to accompany your meals? How often do you default to the combo meal that comes with a soft drink? Sure, you can order a diet drink and not contend with calories or fat, but consider the sugars (or sugar substitutes) and other ingredients that may countereffect your dieting program. By replacing each drink with a glass of water, not only are you closer to your daily allowance but you greatly increase the chances of a healthier you!

Water energizes - As you engage in a strenuous workout, you need fluids to replace what you lose. Many may suggest sports drinks with electrolytes, but these same drinks may have sugar, which may countereffect your exercise. Drinking water as you exercise can keep you energized to complete your workout.

Water refreshes - On a hot day, nothing cools down the body like a glass of ice water. Of course, it doesn't have to be a hundred degrees for water consumption to be necessary. Drink a glass or two between meals for a continued good feeling.

Water cleanses - Did you know that the more water you drink, the better for your kidneys? Yes, you might imagine that drinking water you need to urinate more, but this is actually a good thing. Water breaks down calcium that can form into kidney stones, so the more you drink the less chance you will have of getting them.

You may notice, too, that your urine becomes a lighter color when you drink more water in a day. This is a good sign, it means you are keeping your kidneys healthy. Ideally, you want to be sure your urine is as clear as possible.

So have a drink for your good health

About the Author:
Kathryn Lively writes for Compuslim, custom fit weight loss for everyone.
http://www.kathrynlively.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:44 AM Free Weight Loss Program

Get The Low Down On Low Carb Diet Foods

Carbohydrates come from a wide array of foods - bread, pasta, fruits, doughnuts, ice creams and pie. Carbohydrates refer to a group of molecules that is made up of small sugar units composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They are needed by the body and therefore included in our diet as a major source of energy. Some carbohydrates are simple and are made up of small units of sugars while others are made up of several units of sugar arranged in chains or branches. A healthy diet cannot go without these molecules.

Carbohydrates give body cells the source of energy to support all their activities. This is the reason why when the body's sugar level is so low, the person experiences a feeling of weakness and lack of energy. This can be observed with diabetics when their blood sugar level go below the normal level. They also provide us with fiber, one of nature's brooms to purge the body of toxins and waste materials. However, one major concern in carbohydrates is that when they are taken in excess, some of them get converted to stored forms such as fat and stored in certain tissues of the body, usually under the skin. This accounts for pot bellies and love handles and other unsightly bulges on certain areas of the body.

If you are very serious about trimming your waist and dropping pounds, one diet program that you might want to try is one that is low on carbohydrates. Low carbohydrate diet programs are quite popular these days in the form of the South Beach Diet, Atkins diet and Zone Diet. Basically these diet programs promote one thing: restriction of consumption of carbohydrates.

This is on the basis of researches that show the connection between high carbohydrate consumption affecting blood insulin levels to cause metabolic syndromes and obesity. Low carbohydrate diet programs therefore limit or replace foods rich in carbohydrates with those that contain more proteins, fats and fiber. In a low carb diet, there is less bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, and cereals. They usually eat more vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, and nuts. When one opts to go on a low carbohydrate diet, one has to replace carbohydrates with fats and proteins. Carbos in fact make up less than 10 percent, and in some cases, less than 5 percent of the daily calorie intake.

Low carbohydrate diet for one, go for foods that are low in sugar. Processed sugar should be greatly reduced, if not totally eliminated from the diet. Low carbohydrate diet food is made up mostly of vegetables, more specifically non- starchy ones. A serving of at least 3- 5 cups per day is highly recommended for this type of diet.

Protein is also an essential parts of a low carbohydrate diet so foods rich in it are highly recommended. One low carbohydrate but protein rich food is soy - based food like tofu and certain meat substitutes.

Fruits that are low in sugar are also tops in the list of low carbohydrate diet foods. A serving of 1-3 per day is enough. As much as possible, it is recommended to eat the fruit itself and to not simply drink the juice to also meet the body's need for fiber and vitamins. Fruit juices also tend to increase the body's blood sugar so it is best to eat the fruit instead.

Nuts and seeds as well as legumes are also some low carbohydrate foods that can be included in the diet. Nuts and seeds are even used by some to replace starchier foods. They are also excellent source of healthy oils and fiber. Legumes like beans and peas may contain carbohydrates but they are those that can easily be broken down and digested so there is no need to get rid of them entirely. The same thing is also true for whole grains like brown rice and whole grain pasta.

As for oils and fats, a low carbohydrate diet opts for oils coming from olives as well as from fish. Fish oil is rich in omega-3 which is good for the heart. So eating more fish to get the full benefits of omega 3 and protein is highly recommended too.

Going on a low carb diet does not necessarily mean sacrificing a lot of food and getting deprived. It simply means shifting to foods that are less in carbohydrates and more on proteins and even fats. The foods included in the low carb diet are even more flavorful since they contain proteins and fats.

About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.lowcarb-resource.com where you can learn more about low carb and low GI eating along with useful diet and exercise tips.
http://www.epet-center.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:41 AM LA Weight Loss Program

Lose The Weight And Keep It Off With These Tips For Safe Weight Loss

Excessive weight is quite a common problem for many people in today's fast-paced world. Some may have it at a very early age while some may start struggling with it after childbirth or with advancing age. Regardless of at what age a person may have weight problems, the fact remains that excessive weight is a serious problem. Not only foes it cause unflattering bulges in certain areas of the body, it is also a major health risk. Being overweight is considered as a key factor in a number of serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Being overweight and fat can also have psychological effects as one may find himself unattractive or even ugly because of his excess weight. This may be the reason why a number of techniques and diets have been developed each with a promise of easy, painless and quick weight loss.

One important thing to think about is to lose weight safely. Before embarking on any weight loss program, one must seriously consider its being safe. Weight loss foes not mean being deprived of important nutrients and energy. It is not only with the speed and ease at which weight was lost but how it will be kept off in the end. Unsuccessful attempts may simply cause one to jump from one program to another and to go though a cycle of losing and gaining weight or yo-yo dieting. Yo- yo dieting is in fact dangerous and a major health concern. The key to safely lose the excess weight is to stick to the basics and being consistent.

One step to safe weight loss is controlling your food cravings. Losing weight does not mean not eating entirely or giving up on nutrients or the pleasure of eating. Food craving can cause one to eat in a frenzy a particular food be it chocolate or chips. Stress is one key factor alogn with certain activities. Do not eat while you are doing something else like reading, watching television, or driving. Doing so makes you unaware and unmindful of the type and amount of food you are consuming.

Take time to eat. Safe weight loss does not necessarily mean giving up snacking. Hunger and deprivation can actually drive cravings so keep them at bay by having snacks in between meals. Go for healthy snacks like low fat or sugar free foods such as yogurt, bagels or pretzels. Skipping meals is a definite no-no in safe weight loss. Hunger will only cause you to eat excessively on the next meal so eat small frequent meals instead.

Drink plenty of fluids. Safe weight loss would not be complete without it. Water helps eliminate toxins and waste from the body and helps nutrients to circulate faster. It also helps your skin become clearer and more vibrant.

Safe weight loss, no matter how one may find it harrowing, still boils down to physical activity. Excessive fat would not simply melt away without doing activities. That will burn it and will keep it off. Exercise need not be a difficult activity. It can ne as easy as taking regular brisk walks, jogging or developing a love for a new sport like swimming, tennis or even dancing. Exercise releases feel-good chemicals in the brain that are also released when one eats. So it can also condition you mentally and at the same time curb your cravings. Exercise also causes you to perspire out toxins and wastes so they could also be eliminated from the body. Not only will you lose weight safely and help keep it off permanently, exercise also promotes healthy and clear skin.

Safely losing weight need not be done at a miraculous pace. The key is to see permanent and positive results without jeopardizing one's health. Remember to lose weight is not only for the sake of looking good and h\feeling better about yourself, ot is more so for the sake of your health.

About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.lowcarb-resource.com where you can get more weight loss tips.
http://www.epet-center.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:37 AM Weight Loss Program Huntington Beach

What Are Food Supplements All About and How Can We Educate Ourselves on this Subject

Today we are hearing a great deal about food supplements and we are reading about them in almost every type of newspaper and magazine. Yet sometimes the information can be pretty confusing. Some articles are obvious ads and that can make their claims suspect. There are also articles that appear to be written by independent sources that are really disguised ads.

In generations past, fresh fruits and vegetables came from naturally rich soil. For many living in those simple times, there was no reason to go beyond what nature provided. However, some studies show that today there are many vegetables and fruits that don't contain the wonderful array of vitamins and minerals they did decades ago.

So, what do we do? Who can we believe and what is "out there" that we can trust?

According to a many health professionals, the worst thing we can do is to buy and take what our friends tell us is the "latest and greatest". They admonish that nutrition is a science and we are not a one-size-fits-all culture. That's makes sense.

At one time most medical doctors wouldn't recommend anything beyond a vitamin-mineral combination. That's probably still true for the die-hards. However, a growing number of allopathic doctors are currently diagnosing and treating with an eye to diet and food supplements. We need to contact them during our research. They can be a good reference, even when we aren't sick.

Another great place to look when we are feeling OK but would like to improve our general health and energy levels is at the well established, proven, health websites where we can do some serious reading. Two top sites are the one provided by Dr. Joseph Mercola and the one offered by Certified Clinical Nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman. The both sell much of what they recommend, so keep that in mind.

A lot can be learned from the books Ms. Gittleman has written, as well, especially if weight loss is an issue. Reliable authors abound on all subjects and a trip to the local library or bookstore will provide many offerings to peruse.

After we've laid a little groundwork, a trip to a highly recommended Naturopath is often a great idea. Being tested is the way to eliminate the guesswork and hone in on what's really needed. There are all kinds of tests from what is called muscle testing, to EKGs. Some are amazingly simple like the test for low iodine, which is very common. You just get a bottle of Tincture of Iodine and paint a patch on you abdomen, if it fades overnight or sooner, you need kelp, or seaweed. Such visits can be costly but taking what you don't need can be costlier and dangerous, as well. Contrary to popular belief, indiscriminate self-prescribing of over-the-counter food supplements can be deadly.

An open mind can be our greatest source of inspiration. Those of us who are wiling to could probably profit from deciding to look into the interesting subject of improved self-care through food supplements. Why not give it a go?

About the Author:
Luise Volta’s life has included careers in nursing, teaching pre-school, interior design, Real Estate sales, insurance adjusting, and dairy herd testing. Visit for Nutrition and Health.
http://www.MomResponds.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:32 AM Dieting Supplements

Fight Aging - Isometric Exercise Can Give You Energy in No Time Flat

No matter what age someone might be, it's most often the case that the feeling of being "older than dirt" isn't caused by age, but by a body that is inefficiently burning the energy (that's food) put into it.

Just like a car that is out of tune, a body that is out of shape burns fuel poorly, storing unused portions of it as fat for use at some later time. The problem for many is that they never get motivated enough to burn those fat reserves, so more and more fuel is stored as fat in an endless, depressing cycle.

The key to getting back their energy is to burn the fat their bodies have been storing away. With a few simple isometric exercises, you can reclaim your energy and start losing weight, feeling younger in practically no time at all.

When we age, our metabolism begins to slow down. With a lower metabolism, a tendency to be less active, and years of storing unused fuel as fat - well, saddlebags and bulging bellies tell the sad story. In that situation, we feel our age much more drastically than we would if we were in better shape. So, the first and most important step to fight aging and feel young again is to boost our energy levels.

The easiest way to boost energy levels is to increase our fitness - and the easiest way to improve our fitness is to begin a program of exercise with targeted isometric exercises. By targeting specific muscle groups, isometric exercise will slim our problem areas first and create more lean muscle. Lean muscle burns calories more efficiently and encourages the body to start using up all that stored fat. Off come the pounds and inches.

Losing weight has two dramatic, wonderful effects on your body. First, you'll have a great deal more energy. The energy stored in the fat is released and the body's new, leaner engine creates still more energy, more get up and go, from those calories than it did before. More energy means you feel younger.

Secondly, you feel younger because you look better. It's not fair, but our society generally perceives that the more lean and fit you are, the younger you are. As isometric exercise helps you firm up your problem areas and create more energy, it also creates a smaller, firmer you. People will simply assume that you are younger than your actual age - because you look younger.

So, the old adage that "you're only as old as you feel" can be right on the money. Today, right now, you can stop feeling old and start reclaiming the energized feeling of youth. A little attention to your trouble spots with isometric exercise will get you back on the road to a fit, youthful body and spirit.

About the Author:
Owner of IsoBreathing Inc. and creator of IsoBreathing(R) Ellen has been teaching life style and fitness over 20 years and is a certified fitness practitioner and personal trainer. Find out about Isometric Exercise, Weight Loss Exercise or buy her Exercise DVD - visit http://www.isobreathing.com.
http://www.isobreathing.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:28 AM Fast Weight Loss Program

The Biggest Loser Is A Great Weight Loss Motivator

Tv`s the biggest loser, is an incredible insight into peoples struggles to lose weight. I could`nt believe how one guy, had lost over 140 pounds from his 300 plus frame.

It`s like a miracle unfolded before your eyes, as they show the contestants pictures from when they started and than update the pictures over the course of months as they began to lose weight.

These people went from barely being able to walk, because of their size, into completely fit individuals. It was almost too much to see the differences in their looks, as they progressively shredded pounds from their frames.

Alot of these people were extremely good looking, but had been hiding behind years of abuse to their bodies. Even family members could hardly believe their eyes, as they saw them for the first time, since they had left to join this diet show.

This show is an inspiration to overweight people the world over. I saw just how hard those contestants exercised and struggled with making better food choices and thought to myself "These people are really working hard and should be commended for their efforts.

As the contestants exercising continued, you could see their stamina improved and their spirits became brighter, as they realised, that they could achieve a signifiacnt weight loss, with consistant efforts.

That`s not to say, that there were not struggles along the way for them. As the contestants went back home, without their personal trainers looking after them. You started to see them, slipping back into the old negative eating habits and lifestyles that made them gain so much weight.

Each person had their own reasons for letting their weight gains spiral out of control originally. Some were substituting food for happiness. Others truly just loved food and were completely addicted to it.

Some were trying to heal emotional scars from when they were young. Each individual had to dig deep within themselves to come to terms with their issues and than the healing could begin.

I can personally relate. I too got married and gained a fair amount of weight years back. But, I never felt well being overweight. I felt rundown all the time and after alot of starting and stopping. I was able to stick with exercising and eating smaller meals, until I trimmed down in fighting shape again.

Though most of the contestants decided, that no matter how hard their weight loss process was, they needed a complete lifestyle change and they didn`t want to screw up all their previous hard work.

I thought that seeing these people at home, brought a very humane quality to overweight peoples struggles with weight loss. Put me in their shoes and I don`t know ,if I could have responded as well, as they all did.

Overweight people can feel disciminated against at times, but the biggest loser was the complete opposite. The personal trainers were, nothing but supportive and you could tell, that they truly cared about these people and their health.

Not only did contestants have to exercise rigorously, but completely change their eating habits, as well as be away from their loved ones, for long durations.

You could definately see, some of the people on the show were almost going through a type of withdrawal from food as some cried, others threw temper tantrums.

Years of sedentary living combined with terrible eating habits had clearly taken their tolls on these people. At first most of them could barely jog a block, let along a few miles. But as the show continued, these people started to gain confidence in themselves and their ability to stick with a diet and exercise regimen.

I felt that this show, was an incredible inspiration, for anyone that is feeling helpless. There were so many people that were truly cheering these people on and desperately wanting them to suceed.

The one fact, that I took away from the show was, overweight people should not just accept being overweight as who they are. They should watch this weight loss show and see that anything is possible, with some effort and hard work. And that loved ones truly wanted these people to be happy and healthy.

The one contestant said " I want to be around to see my daughter get married". I thought that his dieting efforts were an incredible gift to his wife and daughter.

About the Author:
Chris Peterson
Find free weight loss articles, information and rss feeds at www.articlesup.com. We have the freshest articles on the net
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Posted by Lose Weight at 6:23 AM Online Weight Loss Program

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Is Diet Soda Good for Your Diet?

When you think of nutrition and eating healthy, most likely you are more concerned about the food you eat than the beverages you drink. You may think having a diet drink could not do any harm at lunch or dinner, but if you indulge too much it could add up to trouble in the long run.

But it's a diet drink…

Perhaps you have seen on television or film a sketch where a person orders a fattening, fast food meal with a diet soda to even everything out. A diet soda has zero calories compared to as many as 300 per serving of regular soda, so you are actually doing yourself a good service, right?

Not exactly. Regular sodas are highly caloric because they contain sugar, whereas diet sodas are manufactured with artificial sweeteners - one of the most popular being aspartame. The validity of aspartame as a health risk has been debated for many years - some claim the sweetener may contribute to increasing toxicity levels and risk of various illnesses, while other dismiss such charges.

What we do know for certain is that aspartame contains phenylalanine, an essential amino acid that does occur naturally in certain dairy foods and green vegetables. On the other hand, one byproduct of aspertame is formaldehyde!

When you shop for "diet" foods it is always a good idea to check for this ingredient on the labels so you know exactly what you are eating and how much.

Too much caffeine?

Just because a diet soda is free of calories, doesn't mean it is devoid of other questionable ingredients. For example, not all calorie-free, sugar-free sodas are caffeine free, check the labels! Did you know, for example, that there is more caffeine in one can of Diet Coke than in regular Coca-Cola? There are almost 46 milligrams of caffeine in this diet soda, and while it's not as much as coffee (which can top 200 milligrams), the tendancy to want to drink more diet soda can contribute to a caffeine overload. You will have energy yes, but will be driven on empty calories and sweeteners instead of something nutritious. You may lose sleep, and suffer incredible headaches through caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine is highly addictive as well, and could lead you on a cycle that is difficult to break without some good will power.

Water, the best "diet" drink

A good percentage of our bodies are water, so it would make sense to constantly replenish your body with the very same substance. Imagine, if you replaced a glass a water for every soda you drink, think of all the calories you save, the less toxins in your body, and the greater improvement to your health. It's the best diet drink there is.

Eight glasses a day…no doubt you've heard it from everybody - your parents, your doctor, talk show professionals. The road to wellness is actually a river of pure, clean water, and while to drink sixty-four ounces daily seems like an impossible task, it is actually one of the simplest steps you can take to starting a sound weight loss program. After all, our bodies are approximately sixty percent water, so it is only natural that we constantly replenish ourselves in order to feel good.

About the Author:
Kathryn Lively writes for Compuslim, custom fit weight loss for everyone.
http://www.kathrynlively.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:45 AM Weight Management Snacks

Best Diets To Lose Weight

It's not just important what you eat, but the way you eat it, and your attitude towards food.

This determines how our body utilizes the food. For example, a meal eaten in a hurry is not digested as well as a meal eaten in a relaxed atmosphere. Let's take a closer look at such factors and how they affect you.

There may be hundreds of diet plans in the market, but this is the best diet to lose weight, because it involves healthy eating habits. There is a unique diet method that I have developed on my own, and it has helped thousands of clients get results. You can view my clients in action with exercise videos and download full color exercise routines, diet plans and ebooks by registering on my websites mentioned at the end of this article.

Here's the big secret - To lose weight, stop eating before you are full. To help you understand this, I suggest a hunger scale. Imagine your hunger as if it were on a scale from 1 to 5.

1. You've eaten too much food and can't stand the sight of any more food.
2. Not hungry.
3. Starting to get hungry, may munch on something, but very unlikely to overeat.
4. Hungry, eager to grab some food
5. Very hungry, will eat anything in sight! Very likely to overeat.

Never ever wait till you are at stage 5 before you eat. This is exactly what happens when you skip a meal. You reach stage 5 and more than likely overeat. Try and eat when you are between stages 3 and 4. Stop eating when you are between stages 2 and 3. In other words, avoid wild fluctuations in your 'hunger scale'. If you start to get hungry, then eat something healthy. Carry balanced snacks (more tips and ideas on that in the coming chapters). Don't wait till you are starving and then binge (swinging from stage 5 to stage 1). Also, stop eating as soon as you start to feel even slightly full. Know when to stop!

To improve digestion, eat in a slow and steady manner.
It's not easy to change your diet habits completely, and neither is it recommended. The process of change should be slow and gradual. If you try and change too many things too soon, the effort becomes hard to sustain and turns into an ordeal. Failure becomes inevitable. So its important to break one bad habit at a time. If you try to stop eating after 7 pm, quit eating chips, and snacking in front of the TV all at once, you're going to feel resentful and deprived. You'll end up bingeing. Stop one bad behavior, and make healthier substitutions for the rest. Gradual, positive changes can help you adopt new habits without feeling deprived.

Always take your time at the table.
In our time-starved society, it's easy to consume too many calories in too little time. We tend to eat high calorie food, eat quickly and take large bites. We don't chew food as well as we should. In a typical workday, we rush through our meals. Our meals lack variety. We tend to stick with foods that we are familiar with, and are easy to prepare. This limits our nutritional intake and can cause deficiencies in some vitamins and minerals. To make matters even more complicated, there is always something going on while eating - watching TV, talking on the phone, reading a book, having a telephone conversation.

Let's look at a different approach to eating. Let's say a typical meal consists of salad, a piece of meat, some brown rice and a piece of fruit. The key is variety and moderation. Eat slowly, appreciate the way food tastes, smells and looks. Don't get distracted while eating. Enjoy food much more and eat less. Look at food as an experience to be enjoyed.

Good luck with these food strategies. Eating food should be considered an important and controlled experience, and overindulgence should be avoided.

About the Author:
Nitin Chhoda
For more information and to register for free diet plans and grocery lists, visit http://www.best-weight-loss-programs.net/ , for exercises for women, visit http://www.toningforwomen.com and to train with Nitin, visit http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com
www.phonefitnesstrainer.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:40 AM Best Weight Loss Program

The Most Effective Weight Loss Method

There are the South Beach Diet, Atkins Diet, Gluten Diet, and many more diets today. All make promises of effective weight loss yet most fail on them. While some like the South Beach Diet tend to produce quick results the participants eventually end up going off of them because they cannot live without the carbohydrates their bodies scream for. While there are a multitude of diets and one would think that by this time there would be a breakthrough with the perfect diet, the answer is not in dieting. The answer lies in burning more calories each day than you take in. It is just that simple. The way you burn calories is by activity and that is really it. That is the way nature made us. Our bodies use calories as the fuel to run them. Whatever calories do not get used are then stored as fat.

So how do you burn calories quickly? There are two types of exercises to burn calories. One type is known as aerobic where the idea is to increase heart rate and the rate of oxygen intake. The other type is anaerobic which require short bursts of effort such as in weight lifting. The short energy bursts are fueled by sources that reside in the muscles and are not derived from oxygen. These sources are known as adenosine triphosphate and glycogen. And it has also been said that the more you weigh then the more calories you will burn when exercising. Of course you would want to weigh more because of muscle and fat which is what you gain by weightlifting.

Aerobic exercise is usually the most popular when it comes to burning calories. Some of these exercises include bicycling, running, rowing, running up stairs or even walking up stairs. On average, you burn roughly 500 calories per hour of these activities.

It is obvious that the most effective weight loss is method is to burn those extra calories before they get stored as fat. But exercise is so unappealing to most. Many say that they just do not have the time to exercise and never get around to it. Well, the best way to exercise is to not think you are exercising at all.

What do we mean by that? Let's look at an example. Most of us in the United States drive our cars to work each and every day. The rest of the world utilizes bicycles quite frequently. If you look at any major city in the United States, they have built bicycle lanes, marked bicycle paths, and put bicycle racks on trains and city buses. Have you ever considered bicycling to work? Or, if you don't want to get sweaty before getting to work, take your bike on the bus or the train and ride it home from work. Let's say it takes you an hour to ride it home. You will burn 500 calories and probably have fun doing it.

Maybe you live close enough to your work and can walk to there from home. Just one hour of brisk walking will burn almost 500 calories. And if you live in a mild climate the walk will be very refreshing before getting to work and will relieve your stress after work. Both bicycling and walking are by far less expensive than membership to a gym plus you can fit these activities into your normal daily routine.

Before you start an exercise program, evaluate your current condition. If you are severely overweight it would advisable to start very slowly and do not over exert yourself. If you've had or suspect a cardiovascular health condition then you should consult your doctor before any exercise program. But more than likely, your doctor will recommend walking for even cardiac patients.

About the Author:

Terence Young

For more resources how to lose weight fast and keep it off visit: http://www.loseweightfastnaturally.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:37 AM Quick Weight Loss Program

Top 10 Gym Mistakes

For someone who just started exercising, the right guidance is critical. If you are a newcomer, the first thing you want to do is exercise in a safe and effective fashion. Many individuals avoid the gym due to the fear of making a mistake in public. For the weight room rookie, there is nothing more demoralizing than the disheartening smirks of veteran trainees. Mistakes start to happen, and these prevent you from getting optimal results. In fact, it increases the chances of injury!

If you are considering joining a gym / are a gym rookie, then you must avoid the most common mistakes. Try these tips - before you know it, you could be teaching a thing or two to uncompromising 'experts' in your local gym or fitness center.

Presenting the most common mistakes made by rookie trainees.

1. Incorrect technique.(dumbbell or barbell).
Always speak to a gym instructor / experienced weight trainee to guide you and demonstrate the correct manner to perform exercises. If you have difficulty in lifting a particular weight, then don't. Just practice with a light weight for the first 1-2 weeks.

2. Exercising on an empty stomach.
When exercising to shape muscles, it is a bad idea to enter the gym in a fasting state. The body needs energy to lift weights and this energy comes from food, specifically the food you eat prior to the training session. Some light carbohydrates (rice, bread, fruits) is a good idea prior to the training session.

3. Insufficient gear.
Always carry a bag containing a spare set of clothes, a towel, bathroom accessories and a water bottle for an effective workout.

4. Lifting weights too quickly.
When in the gym, the best way to lift weights is in a slow and controlled fashion. Avoid fast, jerky movements since they can cause injuries.

5. Holding your breath.
The breathing pattern for lifting is to exhale on the positive phase (pushing or pulling the weight) and inhale on the negative (lowering the weight). Holding your breath can raise your blood pressure and, if you hold it long enough, cause fainting.

6. Being too proud to ask for assistance.
Work with a friend / ask for assistance when using heavy weights. In gym parlance, this individual is called a 'spotter'. Gym trainees are always more than willing, and it's much better to ask quietly for a spot than to scream loudly for help once you're in trouble.

7. Trying to 'spot reduce' certain muscles, such as the abdominals.
The best gadgets and hundreds of crunches won't transform your legendary flab into equally fabulous abs. For best results, incorporate aerobics exercises and sensible nutrition into your daily plan.

8. Overdoing it.

Resist the temptation to lift as much as you can or overdo the treadmill the first few times in the gym. Gradually work your way up.

9. Not drinking enough water.
Drink at least 20 ounces of water for every hour of working out, and sip water continuously, before you're thirsty. By the time you're conscious of thirst; the body is already partially dehydrated. This can adversely affect stamina and concentration.

10. Relying on the 'best looking' people for advice.
Just because someone is fit does not mean that they have used the best methods, but it does mean that have been exercising the longest. Consult a professional personal trainer for best results

About the Author:
Nitin Chhoda
For more information and to register for free diet plans and grocery lists, visit http://www.best-weight-loss-programs.net/ , for exercises for women, visit http://www.toningforwomen.com and to train with Nitin, visit http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com
www.phonefitnesstrainer.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:34 AM Weight Loss Exercises

Secrets to Weight Loss Success

There are so many fad weight programs advertised in every sort of media there is. One would think that out of all there programs and diets there would be one that works for sure. But there is a program that pretty much works every time it is tried and it is not a diet nor is it a diet pill. It is the program of exercise and good nutrition. It works just about every time it's tried. What is the program used by the military in every country around the world? It is the exercise and good nutrition program. From the first day a person joins the military, they are led in exercises and long runs daily. This is because it is very important for the military to stay in top shape. Don't you think if there was a fad diet that worked quickly the military would use it? But there is none other than the exercise and good nutrition program.

The secrets to weight loss success are not really secrets at all but it seems that way because they are drowned out by all of the fad diet hype. The first secret to weight loss success is to stop dieting and get active. You have to burn off more calories than you take in each day so that you can lose weight. You can do things like bicycle, run, walk, run up stairs, chop wood, and do intense yard work. You say you don't have time? Then fit these activities within your daily routine. If you can walk or bike to work then do so and leave your car at home. Your body will benefit from it and your wallet will too in terms of gasoline savings. Take a walk at lunchtime when at work instead of going to some fast food restaurant. You will have more energy in the afternoon.

The next secret is to eat right. This means cutting down on the sugary snacks and reducing your portions at meals. It also means eating a balanced diet covering the food groups necessary to sustain your body. Starvation is not the answer as the weight you lose will only be water weight and as soon as you start eating again you will gain it all back. Go to a military dining facility and see the vast choices of food they have in there yet the service men and women are all fit and trim. That is because they eat right and exercise. It should be no big secret but unfortunately it is.

The most important meal of the day is breakfast and you should make sure you eat a good one. If there is any meal you should never miss it is breakfast. Breakfast restores nutrition in the body after it has fasted all night. It is food for the brain and it is a well-known fact that students perform much better when they have had the proper breakfast.

And finally, keep your eating patterns regular. If you wait several hours between meals then you will be much hungrier when you finally do sit down to the meal. In this condition, we tend to eat more. It is better to eat smaller meals with some healthy snacks in between. This will maintain a more stable metabolism within your body and reduce the likelihood that you will overeat at any one meal.

About the Author:
Terence Young
For more resources how to lose weight fast and keep it off visit: http://www.loseweightfastnaturally.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:31 AM A Weight Loss Program

Types Of Cosmetic Weight Loss Surgeries

Cosmetic weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery is gaining popularity due to increasing knowledge of using cosmetic surgery as a technique for targetted or quick weight loss.

Patients may opt for a cosmetic weight loss surgery out of reshaping their body shape or simply to improve their health and escape from severe obesity.

There are basically three types of cosmetic weight loss surgery :-

There are the restrictive surgical procedures like the lap band surgery to make the stomach smaller and thus limiting food consumption.

Then there are the malabsorptive surgeries to shorten the intestine that comes in contact with food so that the body absorbs less calories from the food consumed.

Finally, there are surgeries that combine both restrictive and malasorptive surgeries.

Restrictive surgeries encourage the patient to lose weight in two ways. Firstly the surgeries reduce the amount of food consumed. The stomach is shrunk by creating a small pouch at the top of where food enters and therefore less food is consumed by the patients. Restrictive weight loss surgery also make patients feel full longer because the lower outlet of the pouch is made smaller so that food empties slowly.

Lap band cosmetic surgery and Vertical banded gastroplasty are examples of restrictive surgeries.

Gastric bypass surgery is a combination both the restrictive and the malabsorptive surgery. This surgery is done by creating a small stomach pouch to restrict the amount of food intake.Then a bypass of the duodenum and other parts of the intestine is constructed to cause malabsorption. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and Distal Gastric Bypass are examples of the gastric bypass cosmetic weight loss surgery.

What are the health risks of weight loss surgeries?

Health risks are almost the same for both restrictive and gastric bypass surgeries although the risk of nutritional deficiencies for calcium, Vitamin B12 and iron are higherin gastric bypass surgery patients. Intestinal leaking may also occur.

Gastric bypass surgery patients may experienced the "Dumping Syndrome." This is when food moves too fast through the small intestine and the patient may experience nausea, cold sweat, dizzy or fainting spells, weakness and occasionally, even diarrhea.

Patient can opt for the either the traditional open surgery or laparoscopic sugery the latter being that there will be smaller scars as well as less down time since the bariatric surgery patient can recover faster.

As with any form of surgeries, patients must ask their surgeons which for of cosmetic surgery is best suited for them. Before a patient is committed to undergo a weight loss surgery, he must have tried other healthy means to lose weight. A cosmetic weight loss surgery should always be the last option when all other efforts failed to help the patient to reduce weight.

About the Author:
Chris Chew is the author of “Burn Fat Build Muscles Fast”. Read Become a personal trainer and
Weight loss cosmetic surgeries
http://www.sgfitness.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:29 AM Surgery Lose Weight

Tips To Losing Weight During The Holidays

With the holiday season comes gifts, friends and family and lot's of food. Many would be dieter's are waiting to start that new diet as part of their New Year's resolution. Instead of waiting, why not be proactive during the holidays by actively performing some tips that we have in store for you.

1. Reduce your intake of alcoholic beverages - Although this is a merry time of year, and many of us like to celebrate with a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. Do yourself a favor a limit yourself to one glass or bottle of alcohol. Alcohol increases insulin which increases appetite. The average American over the age of 14 consumes 2.65 gallons of pure (absolute) alcohol per year, which would average out to be more than 20 pounds of weight for every person in the U.S. Since one-third of the population does not drink, this figure would be 28 pounds of weight per year on the average for a person who does drink. Alcohol prevents the body fat from being burned, and alcohol removes the self-control required to tolerate hunger.

2. Increase the consumption of water - A recent study found more people drink soda over a year's time than water. The body itself can only survive without water up to 72 hours before the human body shuts down. Drinking water also fills you up, feeling your stomach with fluids, therby giving a full effect. Drinking two glasses of water before eating a big meal may help you eat less and give your body the water it desperately needs. Drink at least 8 ounces of water daily, or 4 bottled waters. If you look at most bottled water labels, it contains about 16.9 ounces of water.

3. Reduce your intake of sugar - Sugar, soda & other artificially sweeten drinks and deserts goes straight to your waistline. Even juices contain high amounts of sugar and should either be limited or removed from one's diet. If you're craving orange juice, eat an orange instead. Although fruits contain natural sugar, it contains much less of the other fructose and high end sugars usually found it drinks, juices and sugar related beverages. It is the holidays, so everyone will eat sweets and deserts. Just make a consious effort not to divulge too much.

4. Eat slowly - Not only does eating slowly give you a more fuller effect after eating, but it's way better for digestive purposes. Everyone get's excited with the amount of good food available and sometimes eats too quickly. Again, be conscious of that and chew your food at least 20 times before swallowing and you'll big differences in your digestive effects and feeling more fuller after eating.

5. Tighted your stomach with excercise - Yes that is correct. Most people won't do this because again, they plan to start "right after the holidays". But the key to losing weight and wellness overall is to be proactive about your weight and health. Doing something later, just for the sake of a couple of days is really silly. Be proactive and do 50 leg lifts or 50 sit-ups 30-45 minutes before a meal and your stomach will tighten up a bit.

6. Limit Your Intake of Saturated Fat - This is the kind of fat, found mostly in animal products, that increases blood cholesterol levels and has other negative health effects. It should supply less than one-third of the calories derived from fat.

Keep your cholesterol intake below 300 milligrams per day.

7. Vitamins and Minerals

Supplements cannot substitute for a healthy diet, which supplies nutrients and other compounds besides vitamins and minerals, but they can assist the body to function more effeciently when taken properly. Providing your body with the right types of vitamins and minerals may also lead to better weight management along with providing your body with added nutrients it needs to perform optimally.

About the Author:
Beau Penaranda
Alternative
Health & Weight Loss Solutions

http://www.500dollarempire.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:26 AM Prism Weight Loss Program

What is Guggul and Can it Help You Lose Weight?

Whatever you do, don't confuse it for a popular Internet search engine.

Now, you may use said search engine to find information on guggul, but more than likely you will find many websites trying to sell you diet products containing the popular extract. It only makes sense, of course, to tout the important ingredients in the products you sell, but when you research what goes into your body to help you burn fat and stay fit, it is important to pay attention to research, not so much hype.

What is Guggul?

In its extracted form, guggul is a type of resin or oil that comes largely from the Commiphora mukul tree. This tree is a thorny, shrub-like plant indigenous to India, where the very versatile tree gum is harvested for a variety of medicinal uses. The tree that yields guggul extract is a close relative to the myrrh, also known in the East for its healing properties.

Taken internally, guggul is used as a holistic treatment for lowering cholesterol levels. This is because guggul is rich in compounds called guggulsterones, from the ketone group of steroids, which have been known to be effective in this respect. Guggulsterones are also believed to lower triglyceride levels in people as well as affect how the thyroid works.

How does Guggul aid in weight loss?

Have you ever met somebody with a weight problem who claimed to have an underactive thyroid? More than likely it is not just an excuse, as some weight problems can be attributed to having an abnormal thyroid.

The thyroid is the gland located beneath the larynx (voice box). This gland secretes the hormones that regulate metabolism and growth. An abnormal thyroid which produces less of this hormone may cause a person to suffer from low metabolism. This condition is known as hypothyroidism, and in turn, may be responsible for weight gain.

Medications are available to regulate the thyroid and combat a sluggish metabolism. In various diet supplements, the extract of guggul is used as a stimulant to the thyroid, allowing it to increase this hormone production and speed up the metabolism. The idea is that more energy is expended, more calories are burned, and hopefully weight is lost.

Use of the guggul extract, however, is not without its side effects. People who use diet supplements containing guggul may experience normal weight loss, while other might endure diarrhea, nausea, and/or indigestion. It is always a good idea to consult a physician before taking any kind of weight loss supplement, especially if you are not certain how the ingredients will affect you.

Can guggul help you lose weight? It is possible guggul's effect on the thyroid might be positive in terms of increasing metabolism. However, the body may also experience negative reactions with intake. Always approach such holistic treatments with caution, that you may lose weight smartly and safely.

About the Author:

Kathryn Lively writes for Compuslim custom fit weight loss for busy lifestyles.
http://www.kathrynlively.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:15 AM Herbalife Weight Loss Program

Monday, December 18, 2006

Flatter Abs: The Six-Pack Theory

You're watching television, and suddenly this commercial comes on with a man or woman, usually half naked, who is proudly showing off his or her abs. As you sit there eating your snacks, you suddenly develop a sour taste. You proceed to the mirror, and suck in your stomach, all the while envisioning what you would look like with six-pack abs. Forlorn, you return to your comfortable couch and continue eating. Sound familiar?

If you are like most people who exercise, it's almost guaranteed that one of the areas you are focusing on most are your abs. To this end, here is a list of the most common forms of exercise that can assist you in reaching that goal.

The Bicycle Exercise: According to one study, this exercise which targets your abdomen and waist is the best way to shape those abs.

The Captain's Chair: Those of you go to the gym regularly will engage in this exercise.

The Exercise Ball: Another great exercise to strengthen the abs.

The Vertical Leg Crunch: Great for abs and waist.

The Torso Track: Mostly used in gyms; this tends to be a hard workout.

The Long Arm Crunch: Designed solely for the upper abs.

The Reverse Crunch: Tiny movements producing large results.

The Full Vertical Crunch: Using your entire body to work the abs.

The Ab Rocker: Relying mostly on the abs to rock back and forth.

The Plank on Elbows and Toes: Designed to build strength to abs and back.

In order for any of these exercises to produce the desired results, it is recommended you exercise two to three days per week. If you are attempting these exercises for the first time, use caution and stop if you experience any pain. The more you work the abs, the more repetitions you will be able to perform comfortable and without risk.

Keep in mind; however, it is always better to seek the advice of a professional trainer. There is one in every gym. If you choose to become a member, a certified trainer will walk you through the gym, explaining each piece of equipment in depth, and demonstrate the proper way to use them. While some gyms are affordable, others sometimes offer a two for one membership.

It is easier to participate when you have a friend or loved one with you, so that you can both lend moral support to each other. It is important to ensure the gym you join has up to date equipment, is well staffed, and can meet your every need.

If you choose to take it upon yourself to exercise on your own, then research the most effective products which offer ease of use; safety, and results. Having flatter abs will not be of any consequence if you hurt your back or any other part of your body in the process.

About the Author:
Patricia has been interested in weight loss & fitness since the early 70’s and knows the difference between hype & fact. For daily Dieting & Fitness Information please visit: http://www.The-Weightloss-Guide.com/blog
http://www.the-weightloss-guide.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:26 AM Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program

Daily Physical Activities Can Add Up To Weight Loss

Daily physical activities can results to weight loss. This is according to a study published in the Journal of The Royal Society for Promotion of Health. The study whose purpose was to compare effects of different patterns of exercises on body weight involved Singaporean women in an eight week exercise program.

The study showed significant reduction of weight using a walking treadmill and cycle ergometry. The exercises further reduced body fat percentage as well as waist circumference. Waist circumference is known to be a strong and independent indicator of heart disease as well as insulin resistance. A high insulin resistance precedes the development of diabetes.

These results were similar and did not matter whether the subjects were involved in the exercise for a few extended periods (long bouts) or for many short periods (short bouts). Long-bouts involved exercise of 60 minutes done twice a week while the short-bouts involved exercising on the equipments 15 minutes five times a week.

The short bout exercise replicated/imitated physical activities that could be included into the daily lifestyle of an individual. Such activities included walking to the mall or taking the stair instead of the elevators. The long-bout exercise imitated the structured exercise regimes that would be found in a gym environment or aerobic classes.

These results then indicate that inclusion of lifestyle physical activities for the overweight is just as effective as structured exercises. Other studies that agree with this one indicate that the benefits are especially significant for previously sedentary individuals. It does not matter how you do your exercises what matters is total amounts of calories burnt.

The effectiveness of these lifestyle physical activities that result to weight loss is in being aerobic.

Aerobic exercises are known to use mainly body fat rather then body glucose or glycogen to provide energy. Body fat is used for energy in the presence of oxygen (hence the term aerobic that means ''in oxygen'') and aerobics activities involve constant breathing during execution. This provides the necessary oxygen optimal for fat burning.

The study however does not discount the use and at times necessity of structured exercise. Infact some people do find the environment of the gym the equipments and psyche motivating which help in marinating a physically active lifestyle.

Indeed a different study showed that to maintain weight after weight loss requires more physical activities than that recommended for good health. This means that to lose weight and maintain, you will need to do more than the 30mnutes of moderate exercising recommended for good health. Exercises for losing and maintaining weight would be at least 45 minutes of moderate to intense for at least four days a week.

A physical active lifestyle is necessary both for losing weight and maintaining that weight loss. On the other hand sedentary lifestyle is one of the contributing factors to the pandemic obesity. The inclusion of lifestyle activities is effective in improving the situation.

About the Author:
More on weight loss and related topics like weight loss drugs at www.Health-eMark.com
http://www.health-emark.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:23 AM Easy Weight Loss Program

Fear and Loathing of Our Waistlines, The Vicious Cycle of Weight Bias

Several years ago at a nutrition conference, I took a test designed by researchers at the Rudd Center for Food Policy at Yale that consisted of quickly circling a series of characteristics which may or may not describe an overweight person. Here we were, a roomful of dietitians whose professional lives are dedicated to helping those who struggle with weight and eating, and when the results came in, we were shown to be rife with our own weight bias. The speaker shared that her experience with health professionals across the country suggested that all of us "down to a person" carry deep bias against people of size. We are a nation terrified of gaining weight and intolerant of those who do. Social stigmatization of overweight people is at an all-time high. All the while we grow larger by the day.

This mass aversion to weight appears to be based less in science than fashion. Body weight, scientists are finding, does not predict health as well as healthy lifestyles and physical fitness do. More Americans are fit and fat, and thinness does not guarantee good health.

Obesity is being blamed for everything from higher gas prices to global warming. The latest round of zealous investigation of the costs of obesity is an article in the current issue of The Engineering Economist, which calculates how much more gasoline is used by overweight Americans. The findings are in the same vein as an article by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year, that calculated how much more fuel airlines use now that the American waistline has expanded.

"People are out scouring the landscape for things that make obese people look bad," noted Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy at Yale in a recent New York Times article. Is that a bad thing? Opinions are decidedly mixed. Some educators feel that anything that can be done to motivate people to eat less and exercise more should be done, including social ridicule.

Does this public flogging work? Research suggests that for weight issues, it does not.

Unlike other public health issues - smoking, substance abuse, peer pressure around obesity seems to make the problem worse. Several recent studies reported in Obesity Research suggest that the stigma of overweight and its emotional fallout leads those who struggle with weight and eating to eat more, not less.

Why might this be so? For smoking, drinking and other unhealthy habits, abstinence is a viable and sometimes preferable choice. But we need to eat to live, so with food abstinence is not an option. To eat consciously we must learn to be moderate. And moderation is not a widely observed American trait.

Eating is a sensual experience, with its emotional roots deep in our earliest memories. From our first nursing at our mothers breast (or from the bottle offered by dad), eating is what humans do when we come together, be it family dinner or special celebrations. Food is not only the fuel that enables our survival; it represents connection, comfort, even love. No wonder, when our lives feel out of balance, our relationship with food also becomes unbalanced. Eating is comforting, at least in the short term. Over time, however, overeating as a coping mechanism never works, and becomes just another stress-producing part of life.

Our deep connection with food and eating is brilliantly exploited in advertising, with large portions of Haagen-Dazs and other snack foods offered up as a salve for what ails us. Studies have shown that food in advertising is also presented as means to relieve loneliness, replace relationships, reward ourselves, and manage stress. At the same time the media suggests we keep the medicinal chocolate cake handy, it also peddles images of beauty that are impossibly thin.

What can we do to escape the cycle of eating and intolerance?

* We can relax. By occasionally unplugging from the constant-contact, always available, 24/7 culture, we can begin to unwind. By slowing down we just say no to the media-driven messages of disordered eating and unhealthy body image. As we do that, a quiet whisper of truth can finally be heard, and more natural ways of being can emerge.

* We can learn to feel our emotions fully - without pacifying or burying how we feel with food or shopping. Just taking a brief walk can be a great way to manage stress, to think, to breath, and to elucidate and integrate how you feel about something.

* We can try this simple process when we feel the red flag of intolerance toward ourselves or others: Slow down. Breathe. Relax. Watch. Allow.

* We can practice compassionate self-observation without judgment. What are the parts of your body that you feel are most beautiful? Can you let those good feeling expand to your whole body?

* We can try less. Try less of anything we approach with a consuming mindset, be it food, busyness, money, or exercise. Don't believe the lie that you have to do everything or be perfect.

Each of these simple (though no easy) practices cultivates conscious renunciation of the crazy culture we live in. They are a simple (but not easy) means of taking control of your own life experience.

We all need to live in the world. And our world is a bountiful place where anything is possible. Fashion, the media, and all the gizmos of modern life can be fun tools for creating a productive and meaningful existence. There is nothing inherently evil about our culture except that parts of it are designed to make us feel horrible about ourselves as a strategy to keep us shopping and eating.

The obesity epidemic is a global health crisis. And it may be that our growing waistlines contribute to global warming, high gas prices and other societal ills. Let's forgive the researchers who spent their time, talent, and our money to make these calculations. And let's not calculate how much they contributed to global warming through their stigmatizing efforts. Research suggests that they have only made the obesity epidemic worse.

About the Author:
Annie B. Kay is the author of Every Bite Is Divine: the balanced approach to enjoying eating, feeling healthy and happy, and getting to a weight that’s natural for you. Find out more about her writing and teachings at http://www.anniebkay.com.

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:21 AM Christian Weight Loss Program

The Causes Of Childhood Obesity

Obesity among children is a national health crisis and a terrifying reality. It can cripple our country for generations to come unless significant changes are made.

Not all obese infants become obese children, and not all obese children become obese adults. However, the older one gets, the more likely it is that one gains weight. Our metabolism slows as we grow older, and we also become less active. In addition, it is very likely that obesity beginning even in early childhood will persist through the life span. In other words, if your 14 year old son is obese, it's likely that he will carry the extra weight (and put on more weight) during his adult life.

For parents of overweight children, the time to help your kids get in shape is now or never. Obesity presents numerous problems for the child. In addition to increasing the risk of obesity in adulthood, childhood obesity is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension, is associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, increase stress on the weight-bearing joints, lower self-esteem, and altered relationships with peers. Between 5-25 percent of children and teenagers in the United States are obese, according to some studies. Other statistics indicate that 17% of children between ages 6 and 19 are obese.

Childhood obesity is the result of an interaction between food, state of mind, family and the environment.

An imbalance between intake and output.
Intake: excessive consumption of fast foods and unhealthy food choices. Output: less time spent playing outside, more time spent on a computer, playing video games or watching TV.

The Family.
The risk of becoming obese is greatest among children who have two obese parents. This may be due to powerful genetic factors, the manner in which the child is raised, parental modeling of both eating and exercise behaviors. One half of parents of elementary school children never exercise vigorously.

Low-energy Expenditure.
The average American child spends several hours each day watching television; time which in previous years might have been devoted to physical pursuits. Obesity is greater among children and adolescents who frequently watch television, not only because little energy is expended while viewing but also because of simultaneous consumption of high-calorie snacks. Only about one-third of elementary children have daily physical education, and less than than one-fifth have extracurricular physical activity programs at their schools. The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to take walks or otherwise get physical with their children at least once a week, to make up for shrinking levels of physical education in schools.

Fast food companies.
It is easy ad inexpensive to buy unhealthy foods from vending machines. The good news is that beverage makers have agreed to pull sugared sodas and whole milk out of all school vending machines over the next three years, as well as diet sodas and sports drinks from machines in elementary and middle schools.

Heredity.
Since not all children who eat non-nutritious foods, watch several hours of television daily, and are relatively inactive develop obesity, the search continues for alternative causes. Heredity has recently been shown to influence fatness, regional fat distribution, and response to overfeeding.. In addition, infants born to overweight mothers have been found to be less active and to gain more weight by age three months when compared with infants of normal weight mothers, suggesting a possible inborn drive to conserve energy.

About the Author:
Nitin Chhoda
For more information and to register for free diet plans and grocery lists, visit http://www.best-weight-loss-programs.net/ , for exercises for women, visit http://www.toningforwomen.com and to train with Nitin, visit http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com
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Posted by Lose Weight at 7:17 AM Release Weight Loss Program

Extreme Weight Loss Plan: Is It For You?

Nothing beats a balanced diet and regular exercise as healthy ways to lose weight. But it is quite a tall order for many who are stuck in front of computers all day.

Here is a rundown on extreme weight-loss plan available in most countries today, and the possible risks involved.

1. Hormone Therapy

Quite holistic, this approach basically involves taking an anti-aging medicine. As the body ages, hormone levels go down, the pituitary glands stop producing growth hormones, and one's metabolism slows, making weight gain very easy and losing weight a challenge.

The goal of this method is to bring the body's function back to its 20'the age when the body is at its peak. Weight loss is a result of the increases rate of metabolism. Ten to twenty pounds can easily be lost, but then after that it may come back.

The therapy, however, can also replenish growth hormones, firm the muscles, and tighten the skin.

Hormonal therapy is best for people whose hormones are not in tip-top shape but whose will power is. Health experts say that most people who follow this regimen tend to let their appetite go since they now have faster metabolism.

The Risks

Overdose and hyperthyroidism are the main risks. There is also an ongoing controversy about this approach and cancer. If an individual is genetically predisposed to cancer cells, the growth hormones may trigger the sleeping cancer cells to grow.

This theory is not yet medically proven, but requires careful consideration.

2. Liposuction

According to some 2003 statistical reports, liposuction was considered as the well known "cosmetic surgery" method in the United States, with approximately more than 380,000 cases performed.

The need for liposuction is feasible for people who have extreme fat deposits. Some people have certain areas in their body that are predisposed to easy formation of fatty deposits like the abdomen, the hips, and the arms.

Cosmetic surgeons claim that liposuction is essentially a surgical technique that involves a probe being inserted into the patient's body and liquefying the fat prior to suctioning it out.

The most commonly used method of liposuction is the wet method, which is an outpatient procedure that takes around an hour and a half to perform.

On the other hand, the dry method involves general anesthesia for liposuction on all parts of the body in one session. Tending to be bloody and painful, this approach causes 99% of lipo mortalities.

The Limitations

Liposuction allows the removal of fat deposits from a patient's body in a single operation by as much as 10 pounds.

Also, keep in mind that liposuction is really not a mere procedure for weight loss. Rather, it is a "cosmetic surgical procedure" designed to contour the body by removing extra fat not even requiring a minor surgery to take away extra skin or to put away huge "permanent scars".

Liposuction is best for individuals with a healthy mind and body. Patients with healthy skin will find that their skin will respond positively to their new body contours.

The Risks

In some cases of liposuction, the risk of getting an infection is possible, as with any surgery, for that matter. Thus, a prophylactic is administered before the procedure.

Also, pulmonary embolism happens in one in 100,000 patients of liposuction. This happens when an amount of loosened fat travels the body and reaches post-surgery may prevent this.

3. Bariatric Surgery

This is the last resort for those who suffer from what is called morbid obesity, a case of being overweight by 100 pounds or more.

There are two ways to do bariatric surgery:

a. The "Lap Band System"

This type of bariatric surgery works on the principle of stomach stapling, but instead of stapling, a removable band is placed to restrict the stomach.

Placed laparoscopically, the "band" is pretty much like a belt that can be tightened or loosened, only worn inside the body.

The modifiable band is a "silicone elastomer hollow ring" packed with saline and mounted surrounding the higher portion of the stomach creating a fresh miniature "stomach pouch", with the larger portion of the stomach underneath the band, thereby, reducing the storage space.

b. Gastric Bypass Surgery

Otherwise known as stomach, stapling, gastric bypass surgery involves reducing the size of the stomach so that a patient feels full after only a diminutive quantity of food, from one ounce to three ounces. The result is an immediate decrease in calorie intake and the long-term reducing in weight.

Indeed, there are many kinds of weight loss plans available in the market today. Some may be beneficial for one, but could be harmful to the others.

The key is to find out which weight loss plan will best work for you.

With any extreme weight loss plan you should always weigh the risks compared to the benefits.
Talk it over with your health care practitioner and your family and always wait at least six months before having the surgery. During this six months, eat the most nutritional foods possible, work with your doctor on starting an exercise plan and get your body as healthy as possible. Surgery does take a toll on the body so you need to treat it well before and after.

The six month wait will also give you time to really think it out and decide if you are mentally prepared for an extreme weight loss plan. There is a good chance that after the wait, you may change your mind and go for more subtle ways of weight loss.

About the Author:
Patricia has been interested in weight loss & fitness since the early 70’s and knows the difference between hype & fact. For daily Dieting & Fitness Information please visit: http://www.The-Weightloss-Guide.com/blog
http://www.the-weightloss-guide.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:13 AM Loss Program Weight

Weighing In: A More Healthier You

With Christmas soon approaching, perhaps you have just purchased a new outfit you'll be wearing for the occasion. Even though you found it to be a bit snug around the middle, the diet which is certain to follow will afford you the opportunity to show off the new you. But, will it produce a healthier you?

Diet fads are as popular as ever, yet we never take the time to truly understand the process of dieting; the risks; the unknown and intangible results. While it's true the brain can be tricked into thinking the body has had enough to eat; all too soon the body will fight back, and the urge to resist will be futile. It isn't enough that one wants to lose weight; it's why one wants to lose weight.

Obesity aside, some people want to shed pounds for all the wrong reasons. Using methods which can hurt, rather than contribute to a healthier body seems to be the norm rather than the exception these days.

The snug outfit you just purchased could easily have been bought in a larger size. Instead, the diet will probably consist of fasting for a few days; or eating one type of fruit for days; or taking pills. These up and down diets are wreaking havoc on your system, yet the choices made can upset not only your emotional well-being, but your physical as well.

It basically boils down to one thing, doesn't it, self-esteem. We hate the way we look so we consume more food; we buy the most expensive pair of jeans because the diet pills will shed the pounds quickly; we diet for a week, then binge during the holidays. This yo-yo effect is a temporary cure in lieu of a long term solution.

Most people say, "As long as I have my health.." Think back to the last crash diet you engaged in. Did you feel healthy? As stated earlier obesity is a pandemic, and those who need help are receiving proper treatment from professionals.

Wanting to lose two pounds to accommodate a new outfit doesn't qualify anyone to seek professional help, nor does it qualify anyone to be in the same category as someone who is obese. Does it sound silly? That's because it is.

Over 127 million people in the US alone have this disease. Yet, someone will go to tremendous lengths; using ridiculous diets; pills; and surgery to alter what they consider to be a major flaw.

Genetically speaking, everyone is built differently. Large boned; small boned; whatever the case may be. That is not the issue, however. The issue confronting us today is more serious; an attempt to alter our bodies to fit a specific image. Some diet programs work; there is no doubt about that. Risking one's health is not worth any diet, no matter what the reason. Resolve to become healthier; the rest will take care of itself.

About the Author:
Patricia has been interested in weight loss & fitness since the early 70’s and knows the difference between hype & fact. For daily Dieting & Fitness Information please visit: http://www.The-Weightloss-Guide.com/blog
http://www.the-weightloss-guide.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:12 AM Healthy Weight Loss Program

Weight Loss Solutions That Work

If you're fat and looking for weight loss solutions that work, you need to take a fresh look at the situation and try a common-sense approach to guide you to victory! There are so many diets promising success. Indeed, if you follow any one of them to the letter, you'll achieve short-term success. Attaining the long term objective of a real weight loss solution requires you accurately assess your 'triggers' and make some fundamental changes before embarking on your weight loss solution of choice.

Salt, sugar and food additives contribute much to the overweight condition. If you drink a lot of soda and often partake in junk food snacks, you've nailed a large portion of your weight problem. Let's face it, these 'foods' cannot be called nutritious. A weight loss solution that really works must include a radical downsizing of consumption of these products. Yes, they're convenient, tasty - and fattening! You need to at least cut down on these diet busters.

A weight loss solution that really works includes a change in your perspective. People wanting to lose weight think they must suffer terribly and deny themselves everything. Absolutely not true! Reorient yourself, and pleasantly discover there are so many foods that are delicious, satisfying, even decadent, yet nutritious, low in calories and slimming.

This indeed is possible. The cola addict can slip in a few juices which supply natural sugar and vitamin C. Eliminating mood altering sugars and boosting your immune system response is a very positive step towards a weight loss solution that works.

Mediterranean cuisine is often lauded for its healthful properties. Did you know you can use French, Spanish and Italian dishes in a weight loss solution program? Olive oil is a staple in these cuisines, but contain no cholesterol or trans-fats.

Another basic part of Mediterranean cuisine is fish. 'Oily' fishes, such as salmon and cod, contain huge amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are cancer fighting antioxidants. Use your common sense approach. A little fancy sauce on that fish won't hurt your weight loss solution program.

Substitute herbs for salt. Heavily salted foods cause you to retain water. Yet salt brings out the taste! Herbs accentuate the flavor of food as well as salt.

Begin eating salads! A salad can be an entire meal, a weight loss solution in a single dish. One salad can fill you up. To a bowl of freshly cleaned lettuce, add onions, tomatoes, basil, sliced olives, shredded cheese and chunks of chicken or ham. Indulge yourself with the dressing of your choice.

Combine lean meat or seafood with pasta, vegetables and herbs for a satisfying dish, without excess calories or guilt. Herbs and vegetables worthy of inclusion in your weight loss solution include apples, celery, fennel, figs and watercress.

Losing weight has been, and will always be a multi-step process. This remains true because there is no one, single factor that you can lean on to lose weight. Body fat and weight management depend upon a whole host of personalized factors, including heredity, hormonal disposition, character, social responsibility, and stress. Don't forget the obvious ones, like food intake and energy expenditure. Your weight loss solution must consider energy in vs energy out.

With the launch of the South Beach Diet, many people have become accustomed to the high protein diet. It did work for them as this diet not only helps in weight loss, it can also contribute to losing excess fats in the body. One weight loss solution for you may be to use the South Beach Diet.

Those who are on a low carb diet such as the Atkins Diet or South Beach Diet, your exercise has a distinct advantage over the low-fat dieters. Low carb dieters have a limited amount of glycogen available so the body utilizes the fat on the belly, hips and other unwanted places as the primary sources of energy during exercise.

Alter your current diet, enjoying the food you eat while implementing a painless and successful weight loss solution.

About the Author:
Erol Orderland writes about weight loss, obesity and disease from his home in the Netherlands. Visit Article Adventure for more weight loss articles and Dieting and Weight Loss information
http://www.articleadventure.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:53 AM Nutri System Weight Loss Program

Examples of Strength Training Workouts for Men

This is one of my favorite routine for strength training at home, and these days I am following this routine only (with some changes here and there.)

You can read and get Idea how I like to structure my routines. Trust me I am on of those guys who gets bored easily and changes his routines daily. So there might be a chance by the time you read this I have made some changes to this routine.

My Goal: Loose extra pounds and Gain Strength.

Possibility of achieving: 100%

Gears You Need: You don't need much gear for this. I am thinking of utilizing Bodyweight Exercises right now, then probably in coming week, we might head out to Gym (2-3 times /week)and train there too. Anyways you should invest in good skipping rope.

Routines: Because We are going for strength, we'll be going for heavy duty exercises.

Write down the list and follow me

1. HandStand PushUp

2. Handstand on one Hand

3. One Hand Pushup

4. Hindu Squats (100+)

5. One legged Squats

Abs training.

1. Sit ups

2. Janda Sit ups

3. Vacuum (sucking up your stomach)

Note : If you don't know what exactly is Janda Sit ups. Just google for more info.

Handstand pushup fires up major muscles in upper body and after than doing Pushups would be huge task. But we are going to do it with some twist to routine.

We are not going for Failure in any of those exercise. Go to 80% of your limit, and start again to go for next 80-90% limit.

For Ex. if you failure limit is 10, we'll do 8/9, then again cut down 80% of 8 , next rep is going to be for 7/8 and so on. and we'll increase number of repetitions… Ok

My Handstand Pushup goes like : 10, 9, 8,7,6, start again with 9,8,7,6, again 8,7,6, 7,6, 6 total of 110 push ups.

I know most people can't go up to this, so do it until you are doing 80-90% of your failure limit, and with every set I m taking rest (rest time assume your training partner will take for doing same number of reps to do)

NOTE: if you are doing handstand on one hand, You might want to spread your legs little wide to balance. Reps are same as described above. Never go to failure. We want hardcore exercise, not failure.

This routine will fire up all the muscles in your body with pain. Use this routine to build muscles, stamina and lose all the fat in no time.

About the Author:
Varun Pratap, Strength training programs & exercises for Men & women. Workout at your home in your privacy. Check it out at http://www.10minutesonly.com
http://www.IMBasics.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:50 AM Weight Loss Fitness Program

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Excess Weight….or Emotional Baggage?

Lifestyles are a manifestation of what people are feeling inside. What they feel inside manifests on the outside. Take a moment to notice your eating habits. On a scale from 1 to 10, how empowering are your eating habits for you?

How useful is your eating pattern in terms of your weight? What we eat directly impacts our health. Our food contributes to energy level, heart health and even our very cellular structure. You are what you eat. Overweight people burn fewer calories than they take in. This is the bottom line. However, the causes of overeating are far from simple or obvious. Overweight people eat more than they need, especially of things that are not good for them.

Now, what Ive just said isnt rocket science and most people know this already. So what is the point that I am actually making here? On the whole, people are overweight because of unresolved emotional issues; its as simple as that.
Let me tell you a story about a lady I know well. She had a pattern. When she was in her teen years, and throughout college she kept a little bit of weight on, she was by no means fat, but her feelings about herself were far from positive. She often felt ugly and unwanted, and she was bullied throughout her high school years. After finishing college, she decided that enough was enough, and she lost all the excess weight. She looked fabulous, and had embarked on a new career as well.

She came across someone she had met whilst in college, but low and behold, he responded entirely differently to the new lady he saw in front of her, a courtship and marriage soon followed. Her marriage, unfortunately, didnt last long, as she had married him for the wrong reasons. Through the divorce she began putting on some weight again. The pattern repeated, she moved on to a new start, lost the weight…and another relationship followed. When this one ended, the comfort eating began again. She put on more weight than before and had never felt so low in her life. She decided that she needed help. She came to meet a life coach who supported her in her journey.

She came to understand that she was comfort eating. She realised that she would reach for ice cream every time the emotional pain got triggered. It could be from something as simple as watching a romantic comedy on TV. It reminded her of what she didnt have…and the eating would block the pain. In a short time, she began to break these patterns. She is now happy, at a healthy weight, and creating whole new life for herself. In the coaching process, she realized what was going on, and was able to break this cycle for good.

Have you ever had moments when you have eaten a lot, and didnt know why? Perhaps there have been times when you have eaten a whole box of cookies, or half a pint of ice cream and didnt even realise you had done it. Do you eat in front of the TV a lot? Especially when its not meal times? This is emotional eating. Many people, who reach for food in this way, do it as a source of comfort. Food is the ultimate nurturer in this situation; it tastes good, doesnt talk back, and fills up the emptiness inside.

People often comfort eat to numb the pain; this can be pain from a divorce, feeling inadequate in themselves, unhealed issues from their childhood, or depression about something not working. Sound familiar? If you now know that you are comfort eating, the reality is that diets will NOT WORK for you. You have to make a choice, and yes, this can be a difficult choice to make…but choosing to HEAL the issues that are causing the weight problems is the way to freedom from excess weight for good.

When people take the bold and courageous step to heal themselves, they go through some challenging moments as well. There are issues to be faced, and pain to be experienced…but this is only for a brief while. With someone guiding you and helping you through to find the healing, you will find it and set yourself free. Once the underlying issues have been addressed, you will find that you will break the pattern of comfort eating for good.

You will eat with greater awareness, and nurture yourself; you will also find other ways of nurturing yourself and fulfilling your need. The first step is ACKNOWLEGEMENT. Once you have understood this, you will be able to find the help that is appropriate for you. Good luck on your journey, start living your life anew today.

About the Author:
Sayeda Habib - Author of The
Definitive Weight Loss Hypnosis CD,
Tape, Downloads, MP3s. Read the Facts from the UK’s
Leading Life Coach for Women
http://www.makelifehappen.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 8:04 AM Hypnotic Weight Loss

Mesotherapy And Liposuction Weight Loss Spot Reduction

Go ask any fitness personal trainer that you want to reduce fat on your tummy or your butt, these fitness instructors will unanimously tell you that there is no such thing as spot reduction.

Well, they are correct in a way because by dieting and exercising, fat will come off from all over your body and not on selected body parts. However, let it be known that there are spot reduction methods and procedures.It is only because these spot reduction procedures are out of the realm of fitness instructor's scope and thus they are unable to advise appropriately.

Spot reduction can be achieved through medical procedures such as Liposuction and Mesotherapy treatments. So are Mesotherapy and Liposuction weight loss procedures?

The Mesotherapy spot reduction treatment is series of small, pin prick injections just below the skin to mobilize & melt away body fat. That means weight loss can be targetted at specific body parts such as the tummy, love handles, butt, thighs and flabby arms. Targetted body part fat loss is commonly known as "spot reduction".

Mesotherapy can also be used for other aesthetic treatments too,like reducing puffy face fat, on the chin and eye bags.Mesotherapy works relatively well on cellulite too. Mesotherapy treatments usually require as many as 5 to 10 visits to the aesthetic doctor depending on how extensive the body part area is being treated and when the desired end result is achieved.

A Mesotherapy treatment involves a combination of medications, such as vitamins, supplements and other medicines injected into the body to mobilize and burn away fat cells naturally.

A Mesotherapy procedure is usually used for weight loss program, cellulite reduction, face and neck lift (Mesolift) and even elimination wrinkles and sagging skin without any down time. A Mesotherpy patient can go back to office to work immediately after each treatment.

Mesotherapy treatment was started by a French doctor in 1950 by the name of Dr. Pistor. Today, there are thousands of aesthetic doctors all over the world practicing Mesotherapy treatment.

Are there any differences between Mesotherapy and Liposuction treatments?

Mesotherapy is not a surgical procedure and therefore anesthesia is not required. In stark contrast, liposuction is a surgical procedure and the use of general anesthetic is required.

Mesotherapy treatment is a simple outpatient treatment without any downtime or recovery time. Whereas, a liposuction procedure requires the patient to stay in the surgical center or hospital for observation after the fat sucking procedure. A liposuction procedure physically sucks out body fats and remove fat cells. A Mesotherapy treatment simply injects chemicals into the body to help remove body fat naturally.

What are the side effects of a Mesotherapy treatment?

The patient can expect some bruising on the area treated but these bruises will subside within a few days. Since there is no downtime, the patient can resume his usual activities right after the Mesotherapy treament. The Mesotherapy spot reduction procedure takes only about 20-30 minutes to complete for each treatment.

About the Author:
Chris Chew atLose weight surgeries and
Face lift cosmetic sugeries
http://www.sgfitness.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:52 AM Surgery Lose Weight

When to Use Fat Burning Pills in Your Diet Plan

We all dream of them the miracles in a capsule that will make the extra pounds melt away like magic.

Fat burning pills don't necessarily work quite like that but they do help you jump start your metabolism effectively. There are a few reasons that these diet aids have become so valuable a commodity to the weight loss industry. The first reason that fat burning pills are so popular is that they can really help you as you get started on a weight reduction routine. Nothing is more aggravating than looking at the high numbers on the scale and seeing that you have a long way to go. This overwhelming feeling is heightened during the first stage if you don't get a quick start to your weight loss success.

Fat burning pills are helpful in kick-starting your metabolism from the very start of your program.
This quick start in the weight reduction game will give you the motivation to keep going on your diet and exercise program. Once you see that the fat burning pills help you achieve success you are more likely to keep up with your program.

It is important to note that I am stressing that you should following a healthy diet and exercise regime during your weight loss attempts. While some claim that they have achieved success with losing extra pounds just by taking fat burners I would wager that the pounds came off pretty slowly. You may be someone who avoids taking weight reduction supplements in general.
There is a good reason that you may want to look into using fat burning pills during some stages of a weight loss plan. You probably won't need to use the supplements throughout the entire diet but there are times when they can keep you from failing at your attempts.

One major stumbling block that many of us face is the plateau. This is when the body won't let go of those extra pounds. Many people give up during this phase of the weight loss plan but it really is not the best thing to do. You will only wind up gaining more pounds in the long run if you stop cold. You actually want to kick your diet and exercise program up a notch but if you have probably already gotten sick and tired of putting forth the effort with little or no results. Adding fat burning pills during the plateau stage will help you get over this obstacle and continue to your goal.

About the Author:
Harry Dubois has spent many years studying and colating methods that promote natural health which includes help with weight loss, skin care and general diet issues.
Some of these can be found at
naturalhealtandbeautyonline
www.diverseinfo.co.uk

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:49 AM Dieting Supplements

Maintaining That Summer Shape

Ahhh, summer. It's the season of hot temperatures, skimpy bathing suits, backyard barbecues and swimming pools. It's relatively easy to focus on health, fitness and how we look during the summer. After all, the clothing we wear in the summer practically forces us to think about how fit we are (or aren't).

Many people have a tendency to drop between ten and twenty pounds each summer simply because IT'S SUMMER. The constant reminder of how we look, combined with heightened activity levels, make people conscious of health and fitness on a whole new level. We are frequently reminded of how we look because we're wearing fewer clothes (anyone wear shorts this month?). We're also more active during the summer because of fantastic summer activities like biking, swimming and hiking.

While these lifestyle changes lead to serious summer results, we often pay the price each autumn. Activity slows down, the kids go back to school, we're wearing baggy clothes again, and the incentive to stay fit seems to vanish faster than a plate of fudge at the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Take heart! No longer are we destined to lose a few pounds every summer, only to gain it back every autumn! We CAN break this vicious cycle, and we can do it NOW! There are three steps we need to take if we are going to maintain that summer shape and stay fit through the fall:
1) Eat like it's still summer.
2) Play like it's still summer.
3) Change our exercise schedule.

If we're going to maintain the fitness progress we accomplished over the summer, the first thing we need to do is eat like we did during the summer. That means lots and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and an ample supply of water.

Because fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods are so abundant during the summer, we naturally 'eat healthier' during this season. While our gardens may be slowing down some in the autumn, we can still find everything we need at the grocery store or the local farmers market.

The second way to maintain that summer shape is to play like it's still summer. Between long walks, sports, activities on the water and bicycle riding we naturally burn more calories during the summer. With the approach of fall comes shorter days, less daylight, and a tendency to spend more time indoors.

This inclination to decrease our activity levels in the autumn, combined with our propensity to eat fewer fruits and vegetables, can add up to some serious weight gain. Summer pastimes burn calories, and when we eliminate those activities we may gain weight. For example, a 40 year old, 5' 5" woman burns about 136 calories by gardening for thirty minutes. No gardening in the fall? No weight loss.

We can take action by staying active all year long. We can volunteer to rake leaves for a neighbor, take walks at dusk, or join an amateur sports team. The key is to stay busy.

Finally, the third way to stay fit through the fall is to change our exercise schedule if needed. The kids are back in school now, and the days are getting shorter. Both of these facts are convenient excuses to skip the exercise routine we developed over the summer. Our best defense is to stop, think and carefully evaluate our schedule. Do we have time to exercise in the morning? How about the evenings? The United States Surgeon General recommends only thirty minutes of exercise per day, and it's extremely rare to find anyone who cannot fit a half-hour of exercise into their schedule.

The key to success here is to honestly evaluate our daily 'autumn' agenda, make exercise a priority, and make time to work out. How about going to the gym during the lunch hour? Maybe before breakfast would be a better time for us. Some people have better luck with late-night exercise, while still others vary the time they work out each day. The bottom line is that no time is a bad time to exercise.

The changing of the seasons doesn't have to change the number on the scale. We have the power to maintain the progress we've made over the summer. Even better, we have the power to make even more health and fitness progress this fall!

About the Author:
This article brought to you by Women Health Articles, a library of free articles on diet and fitness. Features a wide variety of nutrition articles, weight loss education articles, current health articles, fitness articles, and articles on obesity. Please visit http://www.womenhealtharticles.com/ for more information.
http://www.letspickupthepace.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:44 AM Free Weight Loss Program

How Healthy Is Zone Diet Weight Loss Program

Most of us have heard of Atkin's diet which calls for almost a complete carbohydrate cut from our diet for the first 2 weeks (induction phase)and then to add carbohydrate to our meals progressively thereafter. Whilst there are many success stories for this weight loss diet, there are also many criticisms claiming that Atkin's diet weight loss program is very unhealthy.

Well, to me, most weight loss diets are unhealthy. Anyway, I find Doctor Barry Sear's zone diet as one of the better or healthier weight loss diet. Please do note that I am not advocating dieting alone as a weight loss plan and strategy. I believe to lose weight and to keep the extra weight off permanently, we must combine healthy eating habits with regular exercise.

So what is the Zone Diet weight loss program?

The Zone Diet plan advocates protein-carb-fat balance in our meals. Very much like eating balanced meals.

Protein In Zone Diet

Our body needs a constant supply of protein as proteins are our body's building blocks. This is the reason why zone diet meals start with low-fat protein. Proteins stimulate glucagon production, a hormone that helps our body to release stored carbohydrates (glycogen) from our liver to maintain blood sugar levels for the brain. However, we should not consume protein in an amount bigger than the size and thickness of the palm of your hand, said Dr Barry Sears.

The protein serving should occupy one third of our dining plate because our body cannot use more protein than that (for ordinary folks who are not into building muscles).

Do choose the leanest protein as there are likely fats in your meal and saturated fat in any weight loss diet program should be kept low.

Carbohydrates In Zone Diet

The protein portion of a zone diet meal must be balanced and on par with the carbohydrates. Do note that not all carbs are equal. Fruits and vegetables are good carbs with a low capacity to stimulate insulin production, while other vegetables (such as carrots and potatos etc) and grain-based or refined flour products (white bread, pasta, white rice, cakes etc.) are bad carbohydrates as they are high glycemic carbs. Since the Zone diet's goal is insulin control, we must make sure that most of the carbohydrates are of the low glycemic types.

So one third of our meal should come from protein source and two thirds from good carbohydrate source like green leafy vegetables.

Fats In Zone Diet

A Zone diet meal requires fat. Good fats come in two forms: monounsaturated fats and long-chain omega-3 fats. Monounsaturated fats come from olive oil, some type of nuts aznd avocados etc. Long-chain omega-3 fats can come from fish oil.

Limit bad fats like saturated fat and trans fat. Saturated fat comes from animal meat and high-fat dairy products. Trans fats are artificial fats created by the food industry, commonly listed as partially hydrogenated oil.

Then there is a type of omega-6 fatty acid known as arachidonic acid, found mainly in fatty red meats, egg yolks and organ meats. We do need some arachidonic acid in our diet, but too of this acid much can be damaging to our health just like any other fat.

Conclusion Of The Zone Diet Weight Loss Program

Sounds like common sense balanced meals isn't it? Would you include The Zone Diet plan into your weight loss program?

About the Author:
Chris Chew is a fitness personal trainer and author of “Burn Fat Build Muscles Fast”. More free articles at his site and blog Lose weight get toned muscles fast and
Weight Loss Diet Programs
http://www.sgfitness.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:42 AM Weight Loss Program

Obesity And A Poor Diet Can Hurt In More Ways Than One

Obesity has been actively argued as being derived from poor diet and then others state it is mostly caused by genetics and a persons DNA will make them more likely to have obesity. Regardless which school of thought you choose to believe in, obesity causes undue stress on the body from the circulatory system to the skeletal system. If left unchecked, obesity will cause weakness, breakdown, cardiac arrest and death.

Obesity is an unhealthy increase in body weight. This body weight places added stress to the heart and circulatory system as it must not only work to feed and fuel more cells, but it must also work harder as the body is pushed harder to carry this additional weight. Depending on how obese one is can really multiply this cardiovascular stress.

On a recent show on TLC they showed the short life of an 750 pound man John Keitz. The episode chronicled the last few years of his life and the toll that morbid obesity can take on ones body. He lived to be 39 years old and died from an infection. His body had basically given up. He did, however embark on a rehabilitation program after having been bed ridden for 7 years. Its just the stress and damage caused by being obese for so long had already weakened his body. How can this happen? How does one become obese or morbidly obese?

Is it their fault or is it genetics. It is probably a combination of the two as there are some people that are naturally obese and there are those that are naturally skinny or even anorexic. Regardless, diet does play a role. John Dietz loved fried chicken, potato chips and junk food. Its hard to say that if he had replaced that with health food that he would not have been obese, but he probably would have been less obese and even mobile.

His extreme weight caused his legs to literally unbuckle or give out. People with lesser cases of obesity may not have their legs giving out, but they will have similar problems developing from the extra weight. Skeletal problems like bad hips, deformed and malformed bones, bad joints, necessary hip and knee replacements, and other injuries associated with obesity.

There are several things that work for treating obesity, but it is basically a change of lifestyle that is needed to make a permanent change to a healthier body. Yes, diet does play a major role. A healthy diet consisting of the major food groups and high in protein and low in carbohydrates like the South Beach Diet is very helpful in weight loss. The South Beach Diet is a realistic diet and can be achieved.

Do not pay attention to unrealistic diet ads like lose 20 pounds in one week. This is impossible and if it were it would be a crash diet and very unhealthy or even risky. For a good idea of what it takes to lose weight for all kinds of people and all kinds of body shapes and ages watch the TV show The Greatest Loser. It shows two groups of B rated stars trying to see which can lose more weight and features a workout guru, psychologist and renowned doctor. You can learn a lot about dieting, fitness, and even trials, tribulations and hardships they go through.

Along with a diet like the South Beach Diet, proper exercise is the key. Lack of exercise is not only a constituent of obesity, but just plain unhealthy. Exercise helps everything from weight loss to mental health. It is key to remember that a physician should be seen prior to starting any new diet or physical activity.

For one that does not ordinarily exercise it is best to start slow with walks and other low impact exercise like slow jogging, These are aerobic exercises and will build up the bodies cardiovascular system, increase metabolism, and add to the effectiveness of any weight loss diet.

After ones fitness has been built up gradually, running is a great weight loss activity and there is not anything better. There are all kinds of infomercials on TV about everything from cardio boxing to dance aerobics, etc. These do work and can have great results, but require a lot of motivation to do it every day in front of a TV. Most people that purchase these programs have good intentions, but these intentions become like New Years resolutions and are quickly put off or forgotten.

Running is better as you can constantly change your scenery and explore new roads, parks, terrain, etc. It is even better if you can find some running buddies. Join a local running club. There are thousands of running groups and they are in almost every city. One of the biggest helps to losing weight is to have some friends in the same boat as you. What better way than to run it off than with a local running club?

About the Author:
David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. For more information on weight loss, dieting, anti aging skin care and the TCA peel for in home use please visit Health, weight loss, Anti Aging Skin Care And TCA PEEL.
http://www.mdwholesale.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:40 AM LA Weight Loss Program

Weight Loss Diet Plan, The Complete Trim Detox Way

The increasing obesity issues in our country have turned the attention of many people towards exploring new means of loosing weight. Many people have exploited this trend and today one finds numerous weight loss diet plans that promise the moon. The innumerable options for loosing weight that one can find cover weight loss diets, diet pills, body wraps, health spas and even weight loss surgery. The weight loss diets themselves range from more popular ones like Atkins diet and GM diet to others like the South Beach weight loss diet. Some programs suggest a low fat intake whereas others recommend a low carb curriculum. The latest fad going around is the low glycemic index weight loss diet. There are also the meal replacements and meal providers that have found favor with many.

The choices offered are so abundant that one is often left confused about which one to chose for oneself. Though there are many testimonials going around, one does not know what combination of weight loss diet and change in lifestyle actually caused the weight loss. Also, though the details of the weight loss diet are mentioned, the manner in which it works is either not specified or extremely vague and ambiguous. To add to it all, most of these weight loss diet plans are temporary and short lived, the effect of which wears off in a few months. This yoyo effect is caused by the fact that most of these weight loss diets do not address the core of the issue. Why is it that some people seem to continue to put on weight in spite of the fact that they eat less?

The root cause of this enigmatic answer lies in the fact that gain in weight is fundamentally linked to cellular activity and unless that is addressed the problem of weight gain cannot be uprooted from the core.

Weight gain occurs when the amount of energy (or food) ingested in the system is more than the energy utilized by the body for various activities. About 95% of the entire energy produced in the body comes from the process performed by the mitochondria. Any factor that disrupts the efficient working of the mitochondria shall result in a decrease in the amount of energy used.

If the body is not completely detoxed, the toxins ooze out into the bloodstream through interstitial walls and cause the mitochondria to dysfunction. The mitochondria are small cylinder shaped tissues that produce energy from the food that we consume. The structure of these powerhouses of the cell is so similar to that of bacteria that they are greatly affected by excessive intake of antibiotics, magnesium, metals and toxins. Such toxic substances affect the immune system that produces nitric oxide, which in turn harm the mitochondria further.

Other factors that can also contribute to weight gain are improper diet, stress, organ dysfunctions, metabolic defects, nutritional factors and lack of exercise. Unless all these factors that contribute to issues that result in weight gain are addresses completely, you may be able to achieve short-lived reduction in weight by following one of the weight loss diet programs, but are unlikely to obtain long lasting weight loss results that ensure that your years ahead are healthy and full of success.

There is no medicine or pill that can cure mitochondria dysfunction and the only way to deal with this issue is to obliterate the factors that have caused the dysfunction in the first place. Addressing only the symptoms of the inefficiencies of the mitochondria (in this case the weight gain) by resorting to weight loss diets, ensure that the problem will reoccur.
A complete detox program addresses all the factors that can cause an increase in weight. Not only does it get the mitochondria to work and produce energy as efficiently as it did before but also wipe out stress, organ, metabolic defects and all the causes of weight gain listed above. Unlike a weight loss diet that aims at removing the symptoms, a complete detox program has a holistic approach that not only ensure that you loose those extra inches but also keeps it off and gives you higher energy and vitality to add life to your years. You can wear all the clothes that you dreamed of donning and make each day of your life a celebration!

Author:
Calvin Newstead
Detox Diet Plan
Trim Detox

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:26 AM Online Weight Loss Program

Beginner's Guide to Exercise

In this article, we'll discuss different methods of Exercise. You can basically divide exercises routine into 2 categories i.e. Aerobic and Anaerobic.

Now lets understand them in simple words. You should remember that any exercise done at moderate to High power and lasting less than several minutes are called Anaerobic Exercises (Sprinting)

And exercises those are done at low power and lasting several minutes are called Aerobic Exercise (Cardio i.e. Biking, running).

They both have their effects on body. Like Aerobic exercises will burns calories from body fat & waste muscles (but that is not good, it slows down metabolism). Whereas anaerobic exercise help you to develop high level of cardio fitness without wasting muscles( that's how you lose weight fast with these exercises).

ANAEROBIC EXERCISE

As I explained above Aerobic Exercise asks you to put up effort up to high power and they last less than several minutes. Now if you can structure a good Anaerobic Routine you can have better cardiovascular system and have really toned up body, that too without any muscles wasting.

Anaerobic exercise also increase your metabolism even when you are not exercising. Thus helping you lose more weight in process.

Exercises like 100 m sprints, Weight Lifting, Interval Training are all examples of Anaerobic Exercise. This kind of training allows you to exert lots of force over small intervals (Interval Training). So when you are doing 100 m sprints, you are also pushing your cardio limits and decreasing body fat.

AEROBIC EXERCISE

Again this kind of training requires you to put low effort throughout long intervals of time. This is great way to build very good cardiovascular system but in spending long efforts of exercise you start loosing muscles, which also help you to loose fat. So this should not be your main Exercise Routine.

Exercise like Biking, Marathon running is all examples of Aerobic Exercises. As they require you to put long hours of effort.

If your goal is to lose fat then you should put Aerobic Exercise as one of routines done at least 2-3 times in a week..

The Idea behind good cardio is to reach your heart rate at least 75% or above of your Max Heart Rate. This is optimal for any kind of good cardiovascular improvement.

This is the reason, long time wasting cardio (ie jogging) doesn't lower your cholesterol or help you improve your heart condition.

Moreover I do not recommend stretching your cardio routines for over 40 minutes. It'll only slow down your metabolism.

STRUCTURING THE ROUTINES

How your routine should look like?

Now while structuring your routines you should be looking to put both categories (Anaerobic and Aerobic). In normal 5 day workout week, you should have 3 days of Intense Anaerobic exercise and 2 days of mild aerobic exercise. Your routine should look something like this.

Stretching.

Workout(Anaerobic/Aerobic exercises)

Cool down with stretching.

Stretching helps to prevent injuries, so it should be done before/after starting any routine.

Your routine should consist of both categories.

Aerobics and Anaerobic are both part of same coin. You should include both of them like I explained in this article.

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:38 AM Weight Loss Exercises

Friday, December 15, 2006

How Spices Can Help Save Your Life

It's hard to believe, but the spices that add such wonderful flavor and fragrance to your baked pies, muffins, cookies and cakes can also add unique medicinal value to your health. Scientific evidence has shown, through clinical trials and studies, that a few of your favorite ingredients can also have great impact on your health and well-being.

CINNAMON

Cinnamon is one of the most popular and well known spices in the world. It also has unusually potent healing abilities that come from the substances found in the essential oils in its bark.

A study reported by the journal Diabetes Care concluded that taking just a half teaspoon of cinnamon every day, radically reduces the level of blood sugar in people with Type II diabetes, as well as decreasing their triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels.

Other health benefits associated with cinnamon include:

1) Aiding digestion
2) Relieving stiffness of muscles and joints
3) Killing harmful bacteria such as E. coli
4) Relieving menstrual cramps
5) Relieving arthritic pain
6) Preventing urinary tract infections
7) Relieving congestion
8) Increasing circulation
9) Increasing brain activity
10) Preventing tooth decay and gum disease
11) Toning of tissues

NUTMEG

The mention of nutmeg usually conjures up images of holiday dishes and aromas. But nutmeg has more to offer all year round than just spicing up your holiday season.

Nutmeg, a native spice of the Moluccas Islands in the South Pacific, has been known to have the following health benefits:

1) Lowers blood pressure
2) Soothes digestive upset
3) Eases joint pain and inflammation
4) Provides relief from diarrhea
5) Promotes concentration
6) Stimulates the cardiovascular system
7) Relieves pain from tooth aches
8) Relieves nausea
9) Relieves insomnia
10) Calms muscle spasms and anxiety
11) Helps remove toxins from the liver

CLOVES

Cloves are used frequently in gingerbread cookie, pumpkin pie, and even chili recipes for added warmth, sweetness and fragrance. But the active component in cloves volatile oils, eugenol, have made them the subject of numerous studies.

The results of these health studies revealed the following ways in which cloves are helpful:

1) Acts as a mild anaesthetic
2) Acts as an anti-bacterial agent
3) Reduces inflammatory symptoms
4) Relieves symptoms associated with asthma
5) Relieves symptoms of rhuematism and arthritis
6) Eliminates intestinal parasites
7) Contains excellent sources of dietary fiber
8) Contains excellent sources of Vitamin C
9) Contains excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids
10) Contains good sources of Calcium
11) May stimulate creativity and mental focus
12) Prevents toxicity from environmental pollutants

As you can see, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves have many therapeutic effects and add significant value to a healthy diet. However, it's recommended that they not be eaten every day or you run the risk of developing an allergy to them. Also, spices are not necessarily a "cure" for disease, but are rather an adjunct to a healthy lifestyle.

About the Author:
Debbie Adler bakes nutritious and delicious cupcakes, cookies, brownies and muffins at her bakery Sweet Debbie’s Organic Cupcakes. Sign up for FREE sweets at http://www.sweetdebbiesorganiccupcakes.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:52 AM Herbalife Weight Loss Program

Ten Tips To Help Make Any Diet Work Better

If you have decided to go on a diet you are probably going to get confused by the large number of products and diet plans available in market. It does not matter which diet or diet plan you choose, remember your ultimate aim should be a healthy weight loss.

Here are some useful tips that may be helpful to you in choosing your diet plan:

1.You already know that your weight is affecting your appearance. But don't forget your quality of living,self-esteem and health are also affected by your weight. Weight loss will bring you many positive changes in your life. Don't just focus on your physical appearance,look inward and feel the other changes that are going on inside of you.
Are you finding that it's easier to breathe, feeling less stress on your knees walking up and down stairs, and you don't have that bloated feeling?

2.Visit your doctor for a complete physical checkup before starting your diet.
This is a common mistake about 98 % dieters fall in to. You may have a physical ailmentthat would either stop or hinder your weight loss on a particular diet or worse yet, it could cause you to increase your chances of a major health issue. If you know what type of diet you want to go on, your physician can let you know if the diet is safe for you.

3.If you want to lose weight and if you are committed to your weight loss plan then you must increase your level of activity. Before starting your diet look into different physical activities and find one that appeals to you. You don't have to turn into a marathon jogger, but just by increasing your physical activity a small amount, you will boost your metabolism, burn more calories, shape up faster and be less flabby when the fat starts to burn off. When you visit your physician, ask for information on exercise. Oh yes, ladies,
remember to purchase a good sports bra. You will find that it is one of the best investments that you can make for yourself.

4.Set reasonable goals for yourself.
Don't try fall into the tap of looking for rapid weight loss. Loosing 10 or 15 pounds in a week is not reasonable and can cause harm to your health. Expect to lose slowly! Then if you lose a little more then planned, it will give you a psychological boost. Only 2-3 pounds per week should be your weekly weight loss goal.
The slower you lose your weight the easier it is on your skin to shrink along with you. Otherwise you will have unattractive lose and flabby skin. Slow equals a better looking body.

5.Choose a diet where you can still eat your favorite foods.
Face the fact that if you can not go a week without having any type of bread or pasta, a low carb diet is not for you. Choose a diet that will allow you to fit bread or pasta into your menu. Remember, that more than likely, you will have to cut down your portion size, but still being allowed to eat the foods we love does making dieting easier.

6.Keep a food diary. Yes, I know that many dieters hate to write down everything they eat, but I am not saying to write down the foods, write down your emotions.
Notate when you are most tempted, when you find it's easy for you to stick to your diet, when you feel like giving up and how you feel along the way. By realizing how you feel during dieting will help you avoid situations that may compromise your diet. You will also see the true reason why you want to diet. Once you know the why, then it will be easier not to cheat.

7.Think of your ethnic background, your home and work environment, genetics and other physical limitations before deciding on dieting program. These are factors that cannot be changed, but you must acknowledge them and work your diet and physical activities around them. For example: don't sign up for a high impact aerobics class if you have a bad heart or back pain.

8.Don't try any type of starvation diet where you restrict your calories to such a low level that you practically starve yourself. Not only is this not healthy, but you are setting yourself up for failure. You will also fail if you have to limit yourself to the variety of foods you can eat. Most fad diets fall into this category, and that is why they are called fad diets, they don't work long term. Each time you yo-yo up and down it puts stress on your body and also makes your next diet harder to stick to by lowering your metabolism.

9.You should keep in mind that weight loss is not an easy goal and you will have to work hard to achieve your goal. But difficult doesn't mean that it's impossible. Just work it day by day. If you find that yesterday you "cheated" on your diet, don't throw the whole diet out the window. Just realize that yesterday was yesterday and today you will begin. Everyone cheats from time to time. Do not beat yourself up for this. Realize that you are going to cheat every once in a while. Accept it and fit it into your dieting routine. If you know that you have a wedding to go to and you know that you can't resist a piece of wedding cake, work the calories into your weekly menu. Just because you may splurge on Saturday doesn't mean that you have to make up for these extra calories on Sunday. Spread the numbers out over several days. It will make you feel less guilty and make your diet a whole lot easier to work with.

10.Proper intake of water and fiber is necessary for every diet.
Water fills you up, helps to eliminate toxins from your body and helps by naturally boosting metabolism. If you do not drink enough water your body gets sluggish and fat stays in their cells. Drink 8 glasses of water a day just to maintain proper hydration but drink an additional 2 glasses to help eliminate the fat and burn more calories. These 2 extra glasses are one of your best weapons against diet failure.
After water, fiber is a dieter's best friend. Fiber fills you up, keeps you feeling full longer and more satisfied.
Fiber comes in many forms and varieties. Favorites include: bananas, salad greens, apples, whole wheat breads and pasta and vegetables. You will find that by adding fiber to your diet, you will feel less hungry, so there will be less of a risk of going back to your old eating habits.

Face facts, the odds are against you when starting a diet. However, applying the ten dieting tips above, you can be fully armed when planning and entering into a new diet phase.

They will help you become a dieting success story!

About the Author:
Patricia also had been struggling with her weight and has put together some fo the best dieting tips and tricks that can help you reach your goal.
Drop by her site for some Dieting Tips & Diet Information
http://www.the-weightloss-guide.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:46 AM A Weight Loss Program

Tips for Successfully Getting Rid of Fat

With about one third of Americans weighing in as obese, the problems presented by losing weight are great. Americans are very interested in losing weight, but the increasingly sedentary lifestyle and easy to prepare processed foods that have made the United States the fattest country in the world have also shown an underlying problem with losing weight: Americans want it quick and easy. They want to put in as little effort as possible to get rid of their fat. There is a plethora of fat remedies. Everything from diet pills to special cellulite creams to surgery is tried. "Natural" herbs and supplements that "block cortisone" are all touted as fast ways to lose weight. Special diets promise that you can eat all sorts of tasty foods and still lose weight. Intense boot camps have people working intensely to get into shape in just a few weeks. With all of these options, Americans are spending upwards of $30 billion each year in trying to get thin.

The problem with all of these methods is that they rarely last, and that some of them can actually be dangerous to your health. Others may not hurt you, but they might not actually be effective. For example, appetite suppressants do not account for emotional eating. Some people eat when they are emotionally distraught. Others eat in social settings. Still others eat just because the food is there. Appetite suppressants do not work for these people because they eat for many reasons, and many of them having nothing to do with actually being hungry.

The latest entrant into the fray fighting for a piece of the $30 billion pie is a Swiss company called Cytos. This company is developing a so called "fat vaccine." This would be an injection meant to help suppress the appetite and help you lose weight faster. However, this fat vaccine would require users to exercise and eat a healthier diet. The point is to help them lose weight faster than they would if they did not have the vaccine. This is a very interesting development, but it has yet to be tested on humans. The tests should reveal possible side effects of the fat vaccine, as well as pinpointing what it can really do.

Other ways to lose fat fast are well known. Surgery is one of the most popular. Stomach stapling and liposuction are both ways to get rid of fat. A stapled stomach holds less food, and it requires that the person eat less. This is important because someone who continues to eat at the same rate will find that the stomach stretches again, rendering the staples useless. Liposuction is a procedure in which the fat is literally sucked out of the body. Of course, the fat can always come back, so a lifestyle change is needed. And, as with all surgeries, either of these can result in complications that can be very dangerous and damaging. The bottom line is that no matter how fast you get rid of fat, you still have to make lifestyle changes in order to keep it off.

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:40 AM Fast Weight Loss Program

How to Rate your Weight

The Normal Way: Height-Weight Relationship

Physical health can be measured through the appropriateness of a person's weight to his height; where the body weight refers to the measure of one's heaviness, and the height is the measure of his tallness.

For instance, a woman measuring 5 ft high (1.52 m), with a medium body frame should weigh between 103 lbs to 115 lbs (46.72 kg - 52.16 kg) to be considered healthy.

Another example: a man standing 5 ft 8 in (1.72 m) tall, with a large body frame is healthy if he is weighing between 144 lbs - 163 lbs (65.32 kg - 73.94 kg). Otherwise, if their weight is lower than the desired body weight for their height, they are considered underweight, and if, in turn, their weight is higher than the desired body weight for their height, they are said to be overweight.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index is an accurate indicator of surplus body fat than kilos or pounds. It is a mathematical ratio of height to weight that can be linked with body composition (or body fat percentage) and with indices of health risk.

Calculating BMI is as follows:

BMI = Weight (in kg)/Height (in m)
or
BMI = Weight (in lbs) x 700/Height (in inches)

For example, the calculation for someone weighing 80 kg (176 lbs) and 1.60 m (63 in) tall is:

BMI = 80/160= 31.2
or
BMI = 176 x 700/63= 31.1

People with a BMI of 25.1 to 29.9 are considered overweight, and people with a BMI of 30 or above are considered obese. Thus, from the example above, a person weighing 80 kg and is 1.60 m tall is obese. A high BMI assumes a higher percentage of body fat, which places a person at greater risk for developing chronic diseases and other serious illnesses.

BMI and Weight Category:

Under 19: Underweight
20-25: Normal (Healthy)
26-30: Overweight
30 above: Obese

However, for some people, the BMI is not a reliable indication of health. A highly muscled individual who is very fit and healthy may have a somewhat heavy body weight because muscles pack on a lot of pounds. This person may have a high BMI that improperly puts him or her in the overweight or obese categories.

Likewise, thin individuals who have a low body weight with very little muscle and a higher percentage of fat may have a normal BMI, which would be an incorrect indication of healthiness.

About the Author:
Friedrich Asen is a personal and spiritual development expert, counsellor, coach and author since 20 years. For more articles about obesity and weight loss please visit his site ObesityKiller.com.
http://www.personal-development-guide.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:37 AM Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program

Coping with Weight Loss Success

Three times in my life I have experienced dramatic weight loss. I was praised for my accomplishment and told how good I looked. I got noticed when I walk into a room. I got to wear zippy new clothes that showed off my beautiful figure. I finally arrived at the point I had longed for and I would be content now for the rest of my life? Wrong!

I found myself restless and uncomfortable. All the simple things I used to delight in were no longer enjoyable to me. Lost to me was the immense pleasure of sitting at a table reading while I ate. I could not focus on my same corny tv favorites and I couldn't settle in just sitting around with a friend. When I went out, if I was not in view of a minimum amount of people at one time I felt abandoned. I longed for the fulfillment of a passion which had no name, and worst of all, had no apparent hope of ever being quenched. I had lost my satisfaction in being just a humble common schmoo.

I am not trying to discourage anyone from losing weight and anyone who even tries to do so is to be applauded. For health reasons it is the best thing one can do. I am only saying that if the dream is for emotional gratification and guaranteed happiness, it does not always produce the result intended. Much probably has to do with body chemistry.

Food for me is a tranquilizor. When I have a full tummy all I want in the world is to be cozy, physically comfortable and to feel the sleepy gratitude of feeling that way. If someone came along with a mind blowing opportunity for me at that point, I would probably shrink deeper into myself and motion for them to keep on looking. The last thing I need when I am feeling so peaceful is to be challenged. If, however, my metabolism has quickened and my mind has been psyched into movement and thinking thin, I would jump at the chance.

And that's the trouble. In our new state we feel destined for something really big to come along, will accept nothing less, and then it doesn't present itself. We feel that we are dressed up for a party with no where to go. We are set up for a certain incident which will promise us a reward for our new selves and that incident simply does not come along. We screen our environment for leads, scheming where and when to be at certain times to optimize our chances of being noticed. We feel all of our splendor is going to waste. Life appears to be endlessly banal and we become frustrated. We even become desperate.

We remember back to the days when a nice big submarine sandwich piled with all sorts textures and flavors and substance was all we needed to be happy. We crave that snug feeling we used to have with ourselves when we were alone and not being disturbed. We were creative. We were at peace. Now all we do is fling our beautiful selves from one place to another, aching for the appreciation we so desperate desire. Without that attention we are bereft and we feel like everyone is at a party to which we have not been invited. We even feel resentful when lunkheads don't give us full credit for what we have attained.

So please be encouraged to continue losing weight. Just be sure to anticipate a change in your body chemistry and in your expectations of life. Your chemistry has changed, your appearance and your basic orientation with your environment has changed. Your desires are different. There are new things to feel disappointed about. Don't assume that when your goal is finally reached you will be automatically trouble free and will experience endless bliss. Life is full of surprises and this is one that you should prepare for.

About the Author:
Olga Moe lives on an island in the Puget Sound.
She is known mostly for her fiction contributions to literary e-zines which can be found at zelda2530.tripod.com. She has recently begun writing non fiction pieces.http://all4webs.com/01

Posted by Lose Weight at 7:02 AM Loss Program Weight

Weigh Yourself Often

Here is a tip. Whether you are trying to lose weight or gain, the first thing you should do is weigh yourself. I've noticed a surprising number of people that would like to lose weight or obviously need to but have no idea what they actually weigh.

Could be they know they are too heavy but are afraid to admit it. Or perhaps they dread dieting and exercise. Or maybe they are just feeling guilty. If you are carrying too much body fat, ignoring the problem won't make it disappear, and in fact the longer you wait, the harder it will be to correct.

Stepping on the scale frequently, while not perfect, provides excellent feedback and motivation. Members of the National Weight Control Registry database would probably agree. This is a group of folks that have lost 30 or more pounds and kept their weight off for at least a year. According to results of one survey, 75% of Registry participants weigh themselves at least once a week, with many weighing in daily. Founders of the database believe that members use regular weigh-ins as an early warning system and have a plan or strategy ready if their weight hits a specific threshold.

I don't have a weight problem, but I've found that weighing in before and after exercise is an extremely accurate way to monitor dehydration.

A few years ago I ran the Singapore Marathon in scorching temperatures. In preparation, I discovered that I was losing too much fluid on my long runs (up to 6 pounds in 2 hours). Despite the heat and humidity in Singapore, I was able to maintain a decent pace even through the last 6 miles because I made sure to drink at every aid station. Weighing in before and after workouts lets you know how much fluid you've lost and how much you need to replenish.

Don't be surprised if your weight varies considerably throughout the day. If you step on the scale daily, I suggest weighing yourself at the same time each day, preferably early morning before exercise or eating.

I would also weigh in after you workout just to see how much fluid you've lost. If you are trying to lose weight, then it's also a good idea to record and track your weight every week, say Monday mornings.

While it's possible to lose body fat without seeing immediate results on the scale, it's unlikely that overweight or obese individuals will drop significant body fat without also seeing weight loss on the scale. Keep at it and before long the pounds will begin to drop, preferably at a rate of 1 or 2 pounds a week. Any faster than that is a sure sign that you are losing too much stored carbohydrate and water.

If you are trying to lose weight and see no downward trend in your weekly numbers after 3 or 4 weeks of trying, then it's probably time to ask for advice from a nutrition expert or other health professional.

About the Author:
Dave Elger is a well respected authority within the running community having written hundreds of articles on the topics of running and wellness. You can contact him at http://www.daveelger.com. He also supports the Okinawa Running Club.
http://www.oki.med.navy.mil/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:53 AM Prism Weight Loss Program

Hoodia Diet Pill That Work

Many companies are selling hoodia diet pills in the market and also through internet today. The problem is that many of the HOODIA DIET PILLS do not have enough hoodia in it. Recently some hoodia was confiscated during a raid as it didn't have any hoodia in it and had some sawdust as one of their fillers.

Hoodia gordonii is a pill that effectively suppresses your appetite and attacks obesity. The Hoodia gordonii plant has a previously unknown appetite suppressant molecule, which has since been named as P 57. It is currently becoming very popular because it has no reported side effects and no cumulative side -effects. Hoodia diet pill works only if you take at least 3 grams per day. That is you have to take 100mg of hoodia three times a day, an hour before food. This is much higher that what the suggested dosages of many of the companies are. Anyway for some it is reported to be effective even if they take slightly less. For some it worked immediately while for some it takes up to 12 days.

When you are taking hoodia you will not feel hungry. Do not think that If you keep on eating food even though you are not feeling hungry after taking hoodia will work. Many eat just for comfort and not because they feel hungry. It is not going to work for them. Do not go to the other extreme of starving yourself and do not over dose yourself with hoodia as well.
There are different types of Hoodia products. There is the pure hoodia pill which some would claim to be 100% pure product. These are made from whole hoodia plant which is ground into powder. This is the cheapest type of hoodia. The San people do not eat the skin they peel the skin and remove the spikes and discard it away. Then there is the 20:1 and 10:1 hoodia extract tincture. The hoodia plant is placed in alcohol which extracts the ingredients into it. The alcohol is strained and finally the alcohol is removed with just the active ingredients left. 20:1 means that 1 gram of this extract was made with 20 gram of whole plant.10:1 means that 1 gram of the extract was made with 10 gram of whole plant.

To get good and effective hoodia only go to online vendors that have been identified by independent third party of having verified about the authenticity of Hoodia or take the pills to a laboratory and test it yourselves. There have also been many cases where people have gone online and paid to buy hoodia and didn't get the product. Choose a hoodia that has no Ephedra, no Ma Huang, and no Ephedrine . Reputable suppliers will display their certificates on their web sites . Look for Hoodia that is licensed by the Western Cape Conservation Authority of South Africa. There are two certified documents required to prove the authenticity of pure South African Hoodia. They are the C.I.T.E.S Certificate and the Analytical Report. Check out if those certificates are fake or real.

Recently lab analysis verification of the authenticity of the hoodia pills available in the market resulted in only 6 of 17 passed the test.11 failed the test because many of the U.S. manufacturers are fooled into buying bogus hoodia by hoodia brokers by using fraudulent methods. These brokers will buy real hoodia and add it up with sawdust, leaves and other types of plant and sell it as pure hoodia to US buyers. Some brokers will send real hoodia gordonii for sample testing and for bulk orders they send something else. Then there is another type of succulent which looks exactly like hoodia but do not have the same properties as hoodia which are collected because some think they are real hoodia while others turn a blind eye since this is very costly. Due to large scale cutting down of hoodia plants the plant has been classified as an endangered species.

About the Author:
Anita cherry is a health enthusiast who offers informative tips on health. For details on 100% genuine hoodia gordonii products which are visit my site Hoodia Diet Pill that work
http://www.yourmoneyinfo.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:50 AM Hoodia Dieting Plan

Don't Drown Your Food

If you are one of the generation who grew up on 70s-80s Saturday morning cartoons, you might remember a series of public service announcements that aired in between your favorite shows. Tucked in between the adventures of Batman and Robin, and even the kitschy Schoolhouse House videos were very short, very animated appeals to children about good nutrition. One that stands out in memory is Louis the Lifeguard pleading us in song not to "drown" the food we eat.

Louis was referring, of course, to condiments, as the PSA portrayed him gallantly rescuing a potato from a bowl of sour cream, and a boiled egg from an avalanche of mayonnaise. The message then is as clear as it should be now: not only can condiments can affect the taste of foods, but also affect the overall nutritional value of the meal.

Just as certain diet products are designed to supplement a weight loss program by helping people maintain a healthy diet and exercise, condiments are meant to supplement the flavor of certain foods. Note the key word is supplement. Oftentimes, however, we can get carried away with condiments, so much that they become their own food group rather than the miniscule part of a meal they were meant to be. Picture the plate of steamed broccoli smothered in melted cheddar cheese, the baked potato supporting a pool of butter, the grilled chicken coated in salsa…they make look delicious, and you might think you are enjoying a good meal with the base foods, but going overboard on the condiments can do harm.

So what is wrong with a bit here and bit there of something to complement a main or side dish? Nothing, if condiments are used in moderation. Use too much, however, and you could be adding things to your diet that you don't really need.

Sugar

Ever wonder why we like ketchup on our French fries? Unlike the tomatoes from which this condiment comes, ketchup has added ingredients to make it more palatable. Sugar, for one, gives ketchup its sweetness. Looking at a label of your favorite brand, you may say to yourself, "Hey, there's only four grams per serving here. That's not much." No, it isn't, but think of all the servings you've enjoyed over the week, the month, and the year. Two servings of ketchup a day over the course of one month equals 240 grams of sugar.

Fat

You've heard the saying, "A sandwich just isn't a sandwich without…" Well, have you considered ending the sentence with fat? If you heard it like that, would you eat the sandwich?

Yet, many people do enjoy a deli sandwich slathered with mayonnaise or another type of egg-based dressing. Mayonnaise has perhaps the highest fat content of any condiment–even in its "light" form, the dressing is almost always 50% fat. This is something to consider the next time you build a sandwich, ask yourself if you want to counteract a healthy slice of turkey with something that will cover the taste and not offer as much nutritional value.

Sodium

That extra tang in your sandwich, on your main dish, in your vegetables that makes the food taste good? Salt. Check any label of your favorite condiments, and you will find salt is a main ingredient. Salt helps preserve the condiments in their packaging, and adds flavor to otherwise bland ingredients. Too much sodium, naturally, is never good for the diet, as it can lead to high blood pressure, water retention, and other problems. You might think a bit of salt here and there is not harmful, but as sodium occurs naturally in most foods you eat, you have to ask yourself if you should add more to your eating plan.

So should you stop eating condiments altogether? We don't necessarily say that, though we would advise sparing use when you do decide to enhance your foods. Also, consider taking a "condiment holiday," where you refrain from using anything on your food. Note the difference in flavor and absence of extra sugars and fat. You might find the food tastes just as good without the added help, and that it could be better for you, too.

About the Author:
Kathryn Lively writes for Compuslim, custom fit weight loss for everyone.
http://www.kathrynlively.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:37 AM Nutri System Weight Loss Program

Thursday, December 14, 2006

The South Beach Diet - Is This Diet Right For Everyone?

The South Beach Diet is far more than just a diet. It is life changing. Unlike many other diets that are often only undertaken for a short period of time it needs a lot of will-power and determination to succeed. If you are prepared to change what you eat for the long term it will not only help you to lose weight but it will also help prevent the pounds from creeping back too. The secret behind its success is that your cravings for foods that are high in unhealthy carbohydrates are reduced as you eat only those that are good for you.

Is this diet right for everyone?

Put simply, no. As with any type of diet, the South Beach Diet is not ideally suited to everyone. The main reason that many people find that the diet does not work for them is because it requires a huge amount of will-power and determination to succeed, especially in the beginning of the plan. This is the first of the three stages that make up the diet.

There are a small number of foods that are prohibited on the diet and there are also strict guidelines that need to be followed if the diet is going to prove successful. Many people who start the diet find that they cannot adhere to the plan for long and give up.

Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist, developed the South Beach Diet. The main emphasis of the diet is to cut down the amount of carbohydrates that are consumed. Although a few foods are banned from the beginning of the diet, the majority of foods can be eaten. However, Dr. Agatston stresses the benefits of eating 'good fats' and explains the effects of processed foods on our blood sugar levels and insulin responses. Although the diet plan might not be one that everyone can adhere to, its philosophy plays an important role in educating us about the value of good nutrition. The diet's website is full of information to help us eat better and also includes recipes and meal plans, including some for vegetarians.

How to maximise your diet success

There are a number of points that can help increase the benefits of the South Beach Diet. Here are three of the most important:

* Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily

Water is essential for many of the body's functions and the recommended minimum daily amount that we should drink is 8 glasses. Sipping water, if you are feeling hungry, can also alleviate your craving for food. One tip for people who do not enjoy drinking water in its natural form is to flavour it with a small amount of juice. Watered down tea or coffee can also form part of your daily intake. Remember that water also helps your hair and skin look healthier as well as curbing your appetite.

* Limit the daily caffeine intake

The recommended daily intake of caffeine is one cup of tea or coffee a day. If you love your morning tea or coffee you can still drink them to count towards your daily water intake but limit it to one. Throughout the rest of the day why not try herbal teas or decaffeinated coffee. You will probably find that you feel far less stressed too with your caffeine levels lowered.

* Take one multivitamin supplement daily

No matter how well-balanced your diet is the majority of people do not get the full amount of the essential vitamins and minerals from the food that they eat. This can be accentuated when you are on any dietary plan. The simplest way to ensure that you are not deficient in any vitamins or minerals is to take a multivitamin supplement daily.

The South Beach Diet is reasonably simple to adhere to if you are determined to succeed and have enough willpower. There are lots of recipes that you can try out, both in the book of the diet and on the Internet. The choice is sufficient that even the fussiest of eaters is bound to find something that takes their fancy.

The weight loss achieved on the diet can be very rapid, especially in the initial two weeks. This is the first stage of the South Beach Diet and the target weight loss is 8-13 pounds. If you achieve this then it is likely to motivate you even further to continue the diet. By the end of the first stage your cravings for any banned foods should also have lessened considerably. The aim of Stage Two is to achieve your target weight. Once you have reached this, you move into Stage Three where you maintain your ideal weight and prevent the weight from piling back on. This is where the lifestyle change that the South Beach Diet incorporates takes effect and why it has a high rate of success for people who reach the final stage.

Summary:

The South Beach Diet is far more than just a diet. It is life changing. Unlike many other diets that are often only undertaken for a short period of time, it needs a lot of willpower and determination to succeed. If you are prepared to change what you eat for the long term, it will not only help you to lose weight but it will also help prevent the pounds from creeping back too.

About the Author:
Brooke Hayles
Check Out More Helpful Information About South Beach Diet For FREE!
Visit South Beach Diet.

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:46 AM Weight Loss Program Huntington Beach

Fat Loss Can Jump Start Your Metabolism Quickly

Did you know that breakfast is still the most important meal? Three out of four people who lose a large amount of weight and keep it off, eat breakfast every morning according to a study from Obesity Research. This jump-starts your metabolism early in the day. This will in-turn reduce the risk of over eating and picking other foods (because you are hungry and we tend to make bad food choices when we are hungry) through out the day.

Excess body fat is a major health risks. And losing fat can improve the way you look. Fat loss is the key to successful dieting. This will enable your body to burn that body fat. The fat in our bodies is dependent on genetics, hormones and age. Body fat must be reduced in order to lose fat in any particular area. The last area to become lean is the mid-area, the hips and thighs.

The key to losing fat is a proper diet. This is the beneficial factor. A proper diet and exercise is the right way to go. There are no shortcuts. And remember, any diet plan that is not enjoyable for the long term will not work in your goal to permanently eliminate stubborn fat.

Losing the weight is a simple process but you must be patient. Gaining the fat did not happen overnight so do not expect it to disappear overnight. The first goal you need to remember is, you have to renew and rebuild your body composition. When starting out and watching your calories, carbohydrates and high fat intake,you will then see in the weeks ahead that sugars, salts and fat will become less interesting.

Now, some great exercise with a proper diet will put your fat loss program in a full speed ahead mode. One exercise which is very fulfilling is water workouts. If you can get to a pool, then a water workout is great for fat burning. Water running has plenty of benefits.

Another particular exercise that works great with a fat loss program is aerobic training. Fast walking, a stationary bike, jogging(can also be done with a treadmill) or a stair stepper is a good way to start. In order for aerobic exercise to be effective, it must be done the first thing in the morning on a empty stomach after drinking 16 to 24 oz of water so you do not dehydrate. When performed at this time, you can really burn more body fat than at any other time of the day. Another effective aerobic exercise that works really well is some weight training. These are very good tips to consider.

Whatever exercise you decide to do, will increase the number of calories you burn. This raises your metabolism making it easier to keep the weight off. Fat burning, running, cycling, swimming, walking, etc, will get a fat burning exercise going because any exercise is better that no exercise at all. So if you have not come up with an exercise, then just pick something and start. At least your exercising. If you can't think of anything, then just start walking. This is so easy. Walking requires no equipment, no exercise techniques at all,it can be done almost anywhere, and it's safe. And then when you feel more comfortable, you can speed it up a little with fast walking. Only when you want to and you feel comfortable. And if you are going to do this walking thing, you can do 30 minutes or more several days per week. Walking briskly or on a inclined treadmill is a excellent workout to burn fat.

And again, if you decide to walk and do this cardio first thing in the morning on a empty stomach before you eat anything, this is by far the most effective for maximum fat loss. When you do cardio first thing in the morning, this is good because you have not eaten a thing for at least 8 hours because you were sleeping. So when your body sees there are no carbs, it will go directly to your stored body fat.(the fat that is on your body.) And this is the fat you want to get rid of. This will definitely get your metabolism fired up so you can start burning fat.

The things you need to do to help get you going on your fat loss victory are:
Add cardio( walking, jogging, treadmill, etc.)
Learn to lift weights
Burn more calories than you consume
Eat 5-6 small meals a day
Never skip a meal
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Eat lean proteins with each meal
Think positive and visualize yourself as to the size you want to be. If you are still holding on to a old pair of pants, then use these pants as your goal to fit back into them again. Keep the pants in an area where you can look at them everyday.

Remember, if you eat more than you burn each day, you will then store fat. Eat less than you burn each day and you will lose fat. If you follow this everyday, then you definitely will see a change. Stick to this. It works and it really makes alot of sense. You can also join a gym if you like. Some people just to like to work out with other people and that's ok.

So be careful this fall. The majority of permanent weight gain usually occurs between Halloween and New Years Day according to the National Institute of Health.

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:41 AM Quick Weight Loss Program

20 Fat Loss Tips

In case that "diet" hasn't worked…

1. About 5 minutes before lunch or dinner, drink a
glass of water or use a juicer to juice organic
veggies or fruit. Allowing you to fill your
stomach up so you don't eat as much food.

2. When choosing breads, biscuits and muffins go with
organic whole grains such as spelt, buckwheat,
barley and so on. Use organic natural spreads,
free of chemicals and additives.

3. Replace soft drinks and fruit juice with water.

4. ALWAYS eat breakfast. A meat source such as steak,
chicken, fish, or eggs with some fruit or some
steal cut oatmeal will jump start your metabolism.
Eating breakfast will stabilize your blood sugar
and prevent overeating the wrong foods later.

5. Between meals, chewing gum may satisfy your sweet
tooth at less than 10 calories. Be mindful of
dental health and don't overdo it! Chew organic
natural gums free of aspartame and other harmful
chemicals.

6. When the need to really treat one's self arises,
opt for organic ice cream, cookies, or something
sweet like a protein shake with some fresh or
frozen fruit. However, just enough to satisfy the
urge since they contain sugar! Make it natural
sugar.

7. Consider consuming coconut oil for breakfast or
lunch to help stabilize your blood sugar and keep
the fat off.

8. Avoid dairy and cheese to help keep the fat off.

9. Replace your snack foods with organic snacks, like
raw almonds, cashews and pumpkin seeds, though be
careful because calories can add up fast.

10. Replace milk with raw milk or at least organic
milk which will rid your body of unhealthy
hormones. Or avoid milk all together, you can get
plenty of calcium from leafy greens.

11. Don't alter your food. Consume your food as
mother nature intended you to, naturally. If they
have to process the food, package it or change it
from how you would eat it in nature, avoid it.

12. Remember Fruit should be your favorite dessert.
Make fruit something you crave and if necessary
add small amounts of organic brownies, cake, or
pie.

13. Remember to follow your body's bio-chemistry;
what you are made to eat and what allows you to
function the best and read about your body's
metabolic typing.

14. When the urge for pizza arises, make it. Buy
organic pizza dough and add fresh organic
toppings, raw cheese, and enjoy.

15. Watch out for the salad bar, just because it is a
salad doesn't necessarily mean you can eat as
much as you want. Use vinegar and oil for
dressing. It is a better choice than creamy
Italian, Ranch or house dressings. Be careful
with shredded cheese, potato salad, and sour
cream as well.

16. Avoid all fried foods. And if you feel the need
to eat fried food use coconut oil so it can
hold up to the high temperature of frying as
opposed to vegetable oils that go rancid and can
lead to health problems and gaining weight.

17. Buy French fries that can be baked instead of
fried. Still blot well to remove excess grease!
Or even better buy sweet potatoes and make them
into French fries.

18. Try to avoid processed foods. Chemicals,
additives and colors are not healthy, and these
food are often high in calories. Eating an apple
will fill your stomach and be better in the long
run. Don't forget, at least one fruit or
vegetable with every meal, preferably organic.

19. Occasional indulgences are allowable, but don't
feel a diet has been ruined and give up because
you "cheated." Just be mindful during the
upcoming days and remember that your body is
constantly burning calories and fuel.

20. Move as much and whenever possible, even if it's
using the stairs instead of the elevator, or
walking instead of driving to meet the kids.
Revisit a sport or activity once loved, or
attempt an entirely new physical activity. Check
the library for free workout videos, hire a
personal trainer or find a television exercise
show, for private exercise. Play with the kids.
Do what you enjoy!

Once pounds start coming off, and clothes start feeling big, these minor changes will no longer seem difficult. They will become the path to a healthier new life, new body and most importantly a new you!

About the Author:
Scott White is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist located in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information about nutrition and fitness, reach Scott at Personal Trainer | Personal Training.
http://www.personalpowertraining.net

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:37 AM Release Weight Loss Program

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Let's face it; maintaining a healthy body and eating right isn't exactly the easiest task today. With the ubiquitous fast food franchises and fancy eateries, weight can get the best of you. It truly takes discipline and a rhythmic fashion of exercises to upkeep a slim body. However, there are methods of which are unknown to a common person that can make it easier to stay fit or even to lose weight.

I used to eat out all the time with friends and family. My diet consisted of whatever food I could get my hands on which ultimately resulted in constant weight gain. For me this was devastating since I enjoyed playing basketball and going to the beach. In an effort to get back in shape, I tried many diets and supplements in addition to my constant workout plans. Unfortunately, none of these methods were effective enough - diets especially - to get my body shape back to normal.

The problem with diets is that they are temporary. Once a diet is over and normal eating habits come back, weight is gained once again, thus ending up in a cycle. It's difficult to live a life with such inconsistency because sometimes you'll want to indulge food cravings, while in the back of your head you want to remain thin. Eventually, I was never able to win that internal battle and ended up consuming food in large amounts.

Since food consumption dieting was not working for me, I looked into dietary supplements. However, after trying a couple of them, there was no significant difference. In fact, 97% of all supplements are a total waste of money. These crooked companies that sell these placebos don't care about consumers' health. I then knew that there had to be something out there that I could do in order to maintain weight equilibrium.

Accordingly, I started to play basketball again with a community of people. Playing with these people every week, I got to know a few of them in which I learned of a new method that was efficient. Apparently, I have been going about weight loss the wrong way the whole time. The methods that I have been trying have been weak programs that only help with temporary weight loss. What I was in search for was a lifetime program that could result in lifetime slenderness.

I finally reached the finish line by finding that rhythm to sustain a healthy lifestyle. No longer do I have to fall prey to the psychological battles I used to have with myself on the amount I should eat or if I should even eat at all. Now I eat the way I like and live happily physically and mentally.

About the Author:
Jaeden Balboa is an everyday person just like you. Currently he coaches a high school basketball team and is in the best shape of his life. For more information, please visit: http://www.ezniche.com/data/article.php?l=451

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:35 AM Easy Weight Loss Program

My Body Is a Wonderland

Exhausted one morning after an 8-hour sleep, I tried to convince myself to get up. I didn't want to move — not because I was snuggled comfortably in a cozy bed, but because the thought of hoisting myself up and lumbering on sore feet to the bathroom was more than I could bear.

At 331 Pounds I Was Miserable

Two years later, I am sore and reluctant to get out of bed for a different reason. I took a cardio kickboxing class yesterday that kicked my butt. And I loved it.

In fact, today — now that I am up and moving — I am disappointed I won't be able to go to the gym. We had a foot of snow last night and I am going to shovel the driveway instead. Shovel the driveway! And I want to.

I'm Not the Woman I Used to Be

The physical activity I can do now is a constant reminder that I am not the woman I used to be — I am 190 pounds lighter for one thing. Nonetheless, I have aches and pains. I'm 47, I still have some arthritis (though not as much), and I am getting into shape, which means pushing my limits a bit each time I exercise. But the soreness doesn't make me mad anymore.

When I first returned to exercise after a decade-long hiatus, I felt annoyed when I experienced pain. It reminded me of my obesity and of how uncomfortable I had been day after day, year after year.

Even after losing 100 pounds, my resentment was triggered every time I exercised. I resented being forced to exercise, because that is how it felt. Forced. The mental baggage I had in the area of exercise was huge.

I Had to Overcome My Exercise Resistance

I didn't want to be obese anymore. One of the ways I had decided to combat my obesity was to live differently after weight loss surgery. That meant I challenged myself to exercise even though I didn't want to.

I embraced the saying: If you keep doing what you've always done, you're going to keep getting what you've always gotten. I knew I would have to change my attitude about exercise (although secretly I feared this was an impossible feat!).

I Hired a Personal Trainer

Based on my past experience with personal trainers I was not thrilled to be doing it, but I knew I needed help with accountability.

Private personal training was too expensive for me, but I did it for a few months anyway — long enough to realize I was capable and to find a few exercise tools I liked (for example, the exercise ball and tubes).

My Trainer Was a Saint

I didn't push myself, and my trainer didn't push me either. She was an abuse survivor (which I didn't know when I hired her) and seemed to understand my resistance and fear at a very deep level.

When I would get angry about an exercise that felt too hard she would say things to me like, "Katie, I need you to be here with me now. This is not your childhood. You are an adult woman choosing to exercise so that you can maintain your muscle mass as you lose weight. You are choosing this."

Those words were very helpful to me. They helped me realize my negative feelings about exercise were going to pop up from time to time, but that I needed to work on not letting them dictate my actions.

It Hasn't Been a Perfect Process

I quit using the trainer. And I just couldn't motivate myself to exercise alone after I did that. I felt guilty and afraid I would start to regain the weight I'd lost.

Thankfully, I heard about a "Back on Track" exercise class, and I held my nose and signed up. I knew I needed to keep trying.

At first, I didn't like the class. I was sore for two weeks after the first session, and true to form, I got angry about that. But I dragged myself back, because I liked my classmates and I knew I needed to exercise if I wanted to maintain my weight loss.

I also liked the class trainer, who had a booming voice. He'd boom silly things like, "Put your feet in the air like you just don't care." We all laughed. And I survived. Okay, I thrived.

Through all of this I maintained my gym membership and recently the Back-on-Track trainer challenged me to add cardio to my workout regimen. I knew he was right, so I decided to sample the variety of classes at my gym.

Taking Risks at the Gym

The cardio-dance class was beyond me. All the fancy moves made it hard to keep up and I felt too awkward. I guess I wasn't ready for that. Surprisingly, I preferred the cardio kickboxing, because at my gym they didn't make it too complicated. Just powerful — and I loved that!

I also tried yoga. I'd always thought I'd like yoga, but I had an experience recently (during my third yoga class) that I hope I never forget.

Healing my Shame with Yoga

I had attended two yoga classes before the one that really moved me. My first class was the day after I tried cardio dance for the first time.

I think I was depleted. I'm not sure I had eaten enough calories that day given the amount of exercise I had done. And the yoga just felt awful.

Partly, I was envious of the other people in the class who looked slim and comfortable in their skin.

I felt dumpy and embarrassed in my exercise clothes. While no one stared, I was sure people were judging me about something. My big butt, my wobbly arms, my folds of skin, my age, anything negative I could come up with.

I was sad realizing I had an older body now, and the last time I had done yoga (years ago) I had been more flexible.

Yes, I was grieving the younger body I lost to obesity and time. To make matters worse, I now had very poor balance, still trying to compensate for the huge body I no longer had.

The Second Class Was Better

I can't say I loved it, but I felt better than I did the first time — not so awkward and not so focused on how my droopy body looked in my exercise clothes.

I was able to balance on one foot for a few seconds. Progress.

To get ready for my third yoga class, I shopped for a new exercise outfit. I didn't try it on at the store. I just pulled a "medium" off the rack, knowing it would fit — and probably be a bit big.

Facing my Shame

The morning of class I put the outfit on and realized it was skin tight. Bummer. As I looked in the mirror I decided that because the yoga room was dimly lit, and because I didn't want to make excuses, I would go to class anyway and just deal with the embarrassment.

After all, I lived in embarrassment most of the time anyway.

The class began with a lit candle and a humming sort of music that touched my soul. I moved through the sun salutation and realized I could do it with ease.

As we twisted to do a "triangle" position, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

There I was in the sea of bodies attending the class — and I realized that if I had been someone else looking on, I would not even have noticed me.

I looked like everyone else. Not better, not worse. I was just like them.

Realizing I was not sticking out like a sore thumb struck me at a very deep level and I wasn't even sure why. It must have been the idea of fitting in, which I had always longed to do.

I also realized that my tight clothes allowed me to really feel where in space my body was, and allowed me to move in a completely unrestricted way.

To be exposed felt surprisingly comfortable. I realized I was indistinguishable from the others in the class.

At the end of class we did a meditation. I floated away, more relaxed than I had been in 20 years. The kind of relaxed that only comes when there is no self consciousness.

I experienced a nirvana I don't think many people with eating disorders such as mine ever experience.

And then, I cried. Right there in the yoga class. As the lights came up and people started to leave I sat up and wiped away my tears, feeling stunned by my emotions and oddly elated.

The yoga teacher looked at me questioningly. I found myself saying to her, "I'm not sure, but I think this is first time in 20 years I've really been in my body."

Being in my body, for me, meant to be without shame and self consciousness. I had no need to mentally leave. I was completely, 100%, present.

This morning, as I looked in the mirror after my shower, I saw my empty folds of skin. The scars trumpeting my battle with obesity.

And then, looking closer, I saw my body. The shape my muscles give it. The leanness underneath. The power in it.

My body is a wonderland.

About the Author:
Katie Jay, MSW, is the director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (http://www.NAWLS.com) and a certified WLS life coach. Get her free weekly e-zine and this special report: The 10 Most Common Mistakes Weight Loss Surgery Patients Make, at http://www.10WLSmistakes.com.
www.nawls.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:32 AM Christian Weight Loss Program

Lose Weight with Natural Appetite Suppressants

Natural appetite suppressants can help you overcome one of the biggest challenges when trying to lose weight: controlling your appetite. If you can control your appetite, losing weight is much easier.

When it comes to natural appetite suppressants, you have three options: supplements, whole foods, or a combination of both. Supplements can be more convenient but they are also very expensive. Whole foods are excellent because they're inexpensive and provide additional nutritional benefits you can't get from a supplement. You need to decide which works best for you. Here is a list of some of the most effective natural appetite suppressants:

Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia Gordonii is a cactus-like plant that has been used by the Bushmen of South Africa (where hoodia comes from) for centuries as a natural appetite suppressant. They eat a small piece of the plant before long hunting trips and their appetites are suppressed for hours.

There are supplements available that contain hoodia but you need to be careful as most of the hoodia supplements on the market contain very little to no hoodia gordonii. Those that do contain 100% pure hoodia gordonii can be convenient and effective in suppressing appetite. However, they are very expensive at about $60 per bottle at the time of this writing, and it can take several capsules per day for them to work.

Whey Protein
Whey protein powder has been used for years by dieters as an effective natural appetite suppressant. Whey protein powder is also excellent for muscle growth, which is crucial as muscle burns fat. Whey protein powder is also very cheap, convenient, and comes in a variety of flavors. You can drink it as a delicious shake or add it to smoothies or any variety of food recipes.

Water
This is probably the least expensive option of all the natural appetite suppressants you can choose from. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will do wonders to curb your appetite. Often times hunger is mistaken as thirst so simply drinking water at the first sign of hunger can quickly keep your appetite in check. Another technique is to drink an eight ounce glass of water before each meal. You'll be surprised at how much less you eat.

Green Leafy Vegetables
Lettuce, spinach, cabbage, and bok choy are terrific natural appetite suppressants. They are remarkably low in calories and are a good source of fiber. And here's a bonus - these are considered "negative calorie" foods because it can take more calories for your body to digest these foods than there are in these foods themselves!

Pickles
I know what you're thinking, pickles? Yes, pickles - but not the popular commercial brands you're used to. They often contain artificial colors and sugar. You want to look for the natural organic pickles found in health food stores or in the health food section of your favorite grocer. Natural pickles, which are essentially small cucumbers, only have a few calories each. An entire jar will have less than 100 calories! You can snack on these powerful appetite suppressants all day long without any guilt.

Apples
Eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away. Now there's another reason why you should eat apples - they're great natural appetite suppressants. Apples contain only about 100 calories each, are a good source of fiber, and have very little carbs. Apples are perfect for a snack and make a great substitute for more calorie dense foods like candy bars and potato chips.

These are some of the most effective, "guilt-free" natural appetite suppressants you'll find. Using these along with a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise, you'll have no problems losing weight and keeping it off over the long run.

About the Author:

Need more help losing weight and getting in shape than just natural appetite suppressants? Visit Travis Van Slooten’s site at http://www.mens-total-fitness.com where he provides a wealth of free information on how to lose weight and get in shape naturally.
http://www.mens-total-fitness.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:26 AM Healthy Weight Loss Program

Staying Fit While Working From Home

Despite what many may think, working from home takes a lot of time and a lot of work. Im sure you have heard someone say, They dont really have a job, they just work from home. That statement could not be farther from the truth! Running a home business takes almost all of your time. Therefore, many other things drop down on your priority list. Probably one of the first ones to drop is fitness.

When you have a never ending to do list, a house that never seems to get clean and family and or friends who demand attention, its understandable that exercise can take a back seat. But, it should not.

Exercise offers so many important benefits that it should always be part of your weekly routine. Of course, we all know that exercise can help you stay slim and fit. But, do you also know about all the other great results of exercising? Daily physical activity reduces stress and can help you sleep better two things that are especially beneficial to busy at home workers and business owners. Fitness helps keep you healthy and has been linked to reducing the risk of some diseases and to warding off depression. Researchers also believe that strength training can help prevent osteoporosis. If that still does not convince you to get moving, then keep in mind that exercise also improves self esteem, increases stamina and ultimately helps you be able to do continuous work for longer. What more could you ask for?

It all sounds great, right? But you still dont think that you can find any time in your hectic schedule for staying in shape. Dont worry. There are a lot of creative ways to fit it in. Below are some tips to help you get started.

Schedule time for working out. When you work at home it is so easy to work around the clock. To help avoid his think of yourself as having a traditional office job. In most office jobs when you go home for the night you leave work behind and concentrate on personal things. Even though going home for you may simply be walking down the hall, you need to set boundaries in order to find time for you.

During working hours, take several 5 to 10 minute breaks and run up and down the stairs or even just walk. This will also help rejuvenate your mind.

Sitting in front of a computer can be hard on your body, especially your posture. So, find a comfortable place where you can occasionally stand to do your computer work.

Its not necessary for you to find 30 continuous minutes for working out. You will get just as much benefit if you break your exercise into small chunks. Try 10 minutes before you start work, 10 minutes at lunch and 10 minutes after work (re-read above if you just said you have no after work time).

If you dont want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen but still want to eat healthy, cook large portion meals on the weekend that you can freeze. Then simply defrost and warm for dinners during the week. This saves you the time of having to make dinner and you dont have to compromise calories as you would if you instead opted for take out.

One great advantage of working at home is that you can workout over your lunch hour while never leaving your office plus you dont have to pack your workout clothes and toiletries to take with you to work. This saves you travel time, which you can instead spend on grabbing a healthy bite to eat. And, if you dont have any face to face meetings scheduled, then you dont have to worry about looking perfect after your workout.

If you have not already done so, invest in a good hands free headset for your phone. This is a great way to multi task because your hands are free to do other things while you concentrate on your conference call. You can even do some simple (but worthwhile) exercise moves. Some good choices are squats, tricep dips, lunges, wall push-ups, etc.

Keep healthy snacks available for when you need an energy boost or simply just need something to chew on to help you get through some tough work. Dont forget to keep water on hand and sip some all throughout your day.

Purchase an exercise stability ball. While there are dozens of great toning exercises you can do with the ball, its also beneficial to simply sit on it. Try sitting on it instead of a chair for even short periods throughout your day. This will help build your core strength (your trunk area).

Dont forget the importance of stretching. Take a couple of minutes every hour to stand up and stretch your entire body.

As you can see, exercise offers huge benefits even with just a small amount of effort. And if you have kids, by exercising you also set a great example. So, to help you, your business, and your family its time to stop making excuses and just start moving!

About the Author:
M.D. Robinson is the webmaster of several neat sites where you can find useful and Free information along with many how-to articles that cover a large variety of interesting topics. Visit, http://fastweightlossfacts.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:20 AM Free Weight Loss Program

What Is A Smart Carb?

With the common reference to "Smart Carbs" one would be forgiven to think that a smart carb has something to do with the I.Q of a potato. Is it not true that if one carbohydrate can make you thinner and another fatter, then one of them must be dumb? And if not, then what exactly is a smart carb?

Not so recently, carbohydrates have been associated with increase in weight. This is after a low/ fat free campaign that saw little significant results in reducing obesity in the general public.

As a result, some enthusiastic quarters started to point at carbohydrates as being the direct cause of weight gain rather than dietary fat, as was previously understood. And in a quick rejoinder they proposed different type of high protein diets that replaced substantial amounts of carbohydrates in the diet. This was the beginning of the low carb craze that was to follow.

This tended to contravene conventional wisdom that suggests that majority of your calories should be supplied by carbohydrate food group. More studies into the matter brought to the surface the concept of smart carbs.

Carbohydrates can be grouped into two main forms. There are simple carbohydrates, the kind that is quickly digested and the complex carbohydrates that take time to get assimilated.

The difference in the two is in their structures. The complex carbohydrates include forms of carbohydrates that the human body cannot digest. Some of these structures include hemi-cellulose and cellulose. This is as opposed to starch which is a simple carb and is easily digested.

Complex carbohydrates have the indigestible carbs covering the starch providing a challenge to the enzymes in trying to reach the starch. The starch is then slowly digested and sustainably releases into the blood.

The smartness of a carb is related to how that particular carbohydrate food is assimilated into the body and its effect on blood glucose.

All ingested carbohydrates are broken down to glucose. Glucose is the main source of energy in the body. The blood always has a narrow rage of glucose concentration in circulation to provide energy to body cells.

Every time there is an increase in glucose due to carbohydrate digestion, the body releases hormones that convert this glucose into fat for storage and later use. This fat is stored in adipose tissue that makes up the protruding bellies, large underarms etc.

In the reverse, when there is a decrease in glucose the body releases a different hormone that converts fat into energy for use by the body.

Non-smart carbs have a tendency to be quickly digested and absorbed into the blood that they quickly increase the amount of glucose in the blood. This spike of glucose results to hormones release that converts it into fat.

The problem with this is that you need this energy for periods in-between meals. But when the body converts most of the energy into fat, it is not immediately available for use.

What is worse is that the body tends to make you feel hungry demanding more glucose rather than release the stored fat. This is because the body tends to preserve its energy storage.

Smart carbs on the other hand are not as easily digested. The indigestible carbs coat the digestible carbs providing a temporary defense against food enzymes; as a result, enzymes breakdown the carbs in a much slower pace. This results to a sustained release of glucose in the blood. And as glucose trickle in you keep using it, resulting to no-body-fat being created

Another advantage of smart carbs is that the indigestible part of it contains roughage. This keeps your stomach full providing a sense of satiety for longer. Non smart carbs on the other hand are digested quickly and leave the stomach fairly empty, signaling you to eat.

Smart carbs are also often referred to as whole carbs. Generally they low processed carbohydrates. Processing is a huge culprit in making carbs dumb.

About the Author:
Mark Kimathi writes about Weight Loss at Health-eMark.com and related topics like celebrity diets.http://www.health-emark.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:16 AM LA Weight Loss Program

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

How Healthy Is Zone Diet Weight Loss Program

Most of us have heard of Atkin's diet which calls for almost a complete carbohydrate cut from our diet for the first 2 weeks (induction phase)and then to add carbohydrate to our meals progressively thereafter. Whilst there are many success stories for this weight loss diet, there are also many criticisms claiming that Atkin's diet weight loss program is very unhealthy.

Well, to me, most weight loss diets are unhealthy. Anyway, I find Doctor Barry Sear's zone diet as one of the better or healthier weight loss diet. Please do note that I am not advocating dieting alone as a weight loss plan and strategy. I believe to lose weight and to keep the extra weight off permanently, we must combine healthy eating habits with regular exercise.

So what is the Zone Diet weight loss program?

The Zone Diet plan advocates protein-carb-fat balance in our meals. Very much like eating balanced meals.

Protein In Zone Diet

Our body needs a constant supply of protein as proteins are our body's building blocks. This is the reason why zone diet meals start with low-fat protein. Proteins stimulate glucagon production, a hormone that helps our body to release stored carbohydrates (glycogen) from our liver to maintain blood sugar levels for the brain. However, we should not consume protein in an amount bigger than the size and thickness of the palm of your hand, said Dr Barry Sears.

The protein serving should occupy one third of our dining plate because our body cannot use more protein than that (for ordinary folks who are not into building muscles).

Do choose the leanest protein as there are likely fats in your meal and saturated fat in any weight loss diet program should be kept low.

Carbohydrates In Zone Diet

The protein portion of a zone diet meal must be balanced and on par with the carbohydrates. Do note that not all carbs are equal. Fruits and vegetables are good carbs with a low capacity to stimulate insulin production, while other vegetables (such as carrots and potatos etc) and grain-based or refined flour products (white bread, pasta, white rice, cakes etc.) are bad carbohydrates as they are high glycemic carbs. Since the Zone diet's goal is insulin control, we must make sure that most of the carbohydrates are of the low glycemic types.

So one third of our meal should come from protein source and two thirds from good carbohydrate source like green leafy vegetables.

Fats In Zone Diet

A Zone diet meal requires fat. Good fats come in two forms: monounsaturated fats and long-chain omega-3 fats. Monounsaturated fats come from olive oil, some type of nuts aznd avocados etc. Long-chain omega-3 fats can come from fish oil.

Limit bad fats like saturated fat and trans fat. Saturated fat comes from animal meat and high-fat dairy products. Trans fats are artificial fats created by the food industry, commonly listed as partially hydrogenated oil.

Then there is a type of omega-6 fatty acid known as arachidonic acid, found mainly in fatty red meats, egg yolks and organ meats. We do need some arachidonic acid in our diet, but too of this acid much can be damaging to our health just like any other fat.

Conclusion Of The Zone Diet Weight Loss Program

Sounds like common sense balanced meals isn't it? Would you include The Zone Diet plan into your weight loss program?

About the Author:
Chris Chew is a fitness personal trainer and author of “Burn Fat Build Muscles Fast”. More free articles at his site and blog Lose weight get toned muscles fast and
Weight Loss Diet Programs
http://www.sgfitness.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:40 AM Weight Loss Program

No Pain No Gain And Other Exercise Myths You Need To Know About Now

When I was bodybuilding years ago it used to amuse me when I would have kids come up to me with my twenty inch arms and say, "I just want to shape up a little, I don't want to have arms that big". As if they could! People mistakenly think that you if you just walk in the gym and smell the iron dust it is going to turn you into superman, (or woman).
The truth is that that kind of muscle size takes work, lots of it and a specific diet. If you don't want big muscles, don't worry about it because it's not going to happen! No more than you are going to walk into an aerobics class and magically drop 50 pounds!

Let's look at some of the other myths perpetuated in the fitness world.

Back when I first started training with weights there was a common statement heard in the gym daily, "No Pain, No Gain!" This is probably one of the most widely spread myths in the exercise world. The truth of the matter is that if exercise is physically painful it is your body trying to tell you something is wrong! For most people you do not even want to go into severe lactic acid build up, which is painful. This is why many people never continue with their exercise regimens, they work out too hard and can't move for a week so they quit. Enjoy your exercise. Pushing beyond into the pain zone of lactic acid build up is for serious athletes, leave it to them.

Here's one that is in line with my introduction. If a woman lifts weights she will get too muscular. Not hardly. Again, large muscles take lots of work, plus women naturally do not have the abundance of testosterone required to build large muscles. What about those chicks I see on TV that have bigger arms than my legs? Remember, I said naturally. Those women are taking performance enhancing substances that help them to get that way, why they do it I have no clue. Weight training will just give you good tone, which by the way you will not even see if you are even moderately overweight.

If I work out before eating will it burn more calories? Actually, no it will not. You would think that scientifically this makes sense but the fact of the matter is that your body needs some energy to carry you through a workout and you should eat something beforehand. A small snack rich in carbohydrates is the best, like an apple or banana. If you are trying to lose weight make sure that you are taking in less calories than you burn on a daily basis.

Crunches will give you washboard abs. Nope, no way, not going to happen. The sharply defined abdominal muscles you see gracing magazine covers come from extensive strict dieting. For most people they muscle tone is already there it's just covered by a layer of fat. Exercise is good, but without a proper diet you will never see your stomach muscles.

About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about exercise and weight loss at http://www.shop4betterhealth.com
http://www.theinternetmarketingsecrets.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:34 AM Weight Loss Exercises

The Plain Hard Truth About Why You Aren't Losing Weight

It is difficult enough to stay motivated on a weight loss program without feeling like you are going nowhere, I no I have been there! You step on the scale every single morning and the number never moves, or worse it goes up! You go over everything in your mind, you are doing everything you should, daily exercise, dieting, and it still isn't working. So what is the problem? Usually it is something very simple that we just aren't admitting.

Are you really exercising as hard as you are capable of safely or are you just going through the motions? Let me give you a hint, driving to the gym and spending 10 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes in the sauna isn't intense exercise, running a mile to the gym and spending 30 minutes working out and then running back home is. Which version are you doing? You don't even have to run. If you walk and you are just casually strolling, it isn't going to do much for you. The magic number for fat loss is getting your heart rate up between 75-85 percent of your maximum. Bottom line-Keep your heart rate up and you will burn more calories. That along with a restrictive diet will result in weight loss.

That chocolate just has legs and jumps right into your mouth all by itself. Yeah, right! If you are truly serious about your diet, get a diary and write down EVERYTHING you put in your mouth. You can't expect to lose weight if you diet for a couple of days and then eat a whole pizza. You are feeling sorry for yourself so you sit down to watch a movie, just you and a half gallon tub of ice cream. You don't even think about it, as a matter of fact you probably forget that you even ate it. This type of unconscious eating is one of the biggest culprits in sabotaging our weight loss efforts. Don't eat unless you write it down.

You have heard it time after time to drink lot of water. If you are dieting you especially need to drink a lot of water. Drinking plenty of water is one of the biggest dieting secrets of all but because it is so simple people overlook it and think it is unimportant. If you just absolutely have to taste a flavor to be able to drink water then get one of the zero calorie flavor mixes and use it in your water. The main thing is to get at least 64 ounces a day. It is so easy, just get a gallon milk jug and sterilize it with hot water. Fill it up with cold water everyday and drink it all day long. You will lose weight, I promise. Your body needs to be hydrated to work properly.

Try these little tips and see if the scale doesn't start moving to the left for you. In no time you will see major results.

About the Author:
Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about dieting and weight loss at http://www.shop4betterhealth.com
http://www.theinternetmarketingsecrets.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:31 AM A Weight Loss Program

Activate Your Life

For many years as a sport scientist, personal trainer and performance coach, I have been working with clients who come to me for advice about how they can improve the performance and quality of their bodies; some want help to lose weight and tone up, others need to reduce their blood pressure and the effects of stress, some want to put on muscle and everyone wants to look and feel better. But, invariably I have found that it is never my clients physical bodies that require improvement in the first instance.

Effectively, the body is a barometer for life; if something is not going well in a certain area of life, it manifests through the body.

The evidence that this is true was only too apparent to me when working with my clients. I found that when they did address the underlying cause of their dissatisfaction (that is, their dis-EASE), their physical bodies responded with a lot less effort and they began to see amazing results in all areas of their lives.

Ultimately what I found was that my clients had a perceived gap between who they were and who they wanted to be and this gap manifested itself as some form of dis-EASE in their physical body.

Did you know that your life is a reflection of your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviours?

Therefore in order to create your ideal life (or a life of EASE) think only the thoughts, feel only the feelings, believe only the beliefs and behave only the behaviours that will create the life that you want.

To achieve a life of EASE follow the Five Steps to EASE Creation

Step 1) Activate Your Being

Activating your Being is about you designing the person you want to become and then being this person now.
Activate your Being by answering the following 3 questions:
1) Who are you?
2) Who do you want to be?
3) What is your life purpose?

Step 2) Activate Your Thoughts

Thoughts are the root cause of your reality; therefore you must begin to master them in a positive sense in order to manifest a life of EASE.
You contain within you everything that you will ever require to achieve all of your goals and dreams but before this happens you must first know exactly what it is you are looking to achieve and then begin to focus your thoughts upon it.

If you were living a life of EASE what would it look like?

Step 3) Activate Your Feelings

Perhaps the most important aspect of manifesting your life of EASE is to focus your attention on the feelings that achieving this ideal life will give you.
An excellent way to maintain these feelings is to find some pictures or images of your goals and create a collage with them, place it on your wall and view it at least twice daily.

What does your life of EASE feel like?

Step 4) Activate Your Beliefs

Beliefs are thoughts repeated constantly and held as truth to you. Therefore the best way to believe your life of EASE is possible is to associate with the people and the things that you want to be like. Put simply, you must read books, attend seminars, associate with the people and places that you are aspiring to become.

Step 5) Activate Your Behaviours

Creating an action plan and then implementing it is the final step in creating your life of EASE. It is the Doing part of the EASE process.

A successful action plan contains the daily behaviours, obstacles, solutions, support, and rewards that are necessary to achieve your goals.

What behaviours do you need to perform to achieve your goals?

What obstacles, solutions, support and rewards do you need to achieve your goals?

Congratulations! You have now done everything in your power to set the wheels in motion towards achieving your life of EASE.

About the Author:
Andrew McCombe is an international author, coach, presenter and trainer and can assist you, your team or your organization with your health, fitness, well being and motivational needs.
http://www.activateyourlife.com.au
www.activateyourlife.com.au

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:28 AM Weight Loss Fitness Program

Online Sites to Visit for Good Elliptical Trainer Reviews

It's hard to rely on hearsay nowadays. Let's say Victor from the country club has just bought an elliptical trainer that he says is working out great for him - are you going to take it on Victor's word that this is the right exercise machine for you too? No matter how heartily Victor endorses his newest purchases, you must remember that exercise equipment is also a long-term investment. To get the best deal for something as important (and often expensive!) as an elliptical trainer, you have to look through good elliptical trainer reviews.

However, you'll also have to distinguish good reviews sites from, well, sites that don't represent a grand majority of buyers. Feedback is important, but it may also be manufactured. Be an intelligent and discriminate researcher. If you find that some elliptical trainer reviews sing excessive praise of a certain product — they may have been written by someone on the manufacturer's payroll.

Bear in mind, also, that firsthand feedback is the best kind. You can't take it as law if enough people go "Hey, I hear this product is even better than that product!" because manufacturer hype can easily cause such talk. An example of this happening is when new gaming hardware comes out. You hear "New and Improved Features!" trumpeted throughout the media. The hype basically bombards your senses and builds up anticipation. This is not a review! A review — a good one, incidentally — is something written firsthand by someone who has tried a product exhaustively, has weighed the pros and cons of each feature, and has come up with a final opinion about the product that will serve as a guide for future buyers.

Also, look through tried and tested sites, ones that have been around for a while and are sure to attract good reviewers. Among these sites are Epinions.com, Amazon.com, and consumerreports.com. By comparing and contrasting reviews and ratings from different Web sites, you can see which of your prospective buys is worth your money and your time.

Consumer protection laws may be in place, but consumers also have to protect themselves — and each other. Just as buyers do their research online, they endeavor to make things easier for other researchers by leaving input that may be useful for buyers-to-be. There are kind people out there, writing elliptical trainer reviews, who can help you make sure that you're getting the best value for your long-term investment.

About the Author:
Trevor Mulholland. Best-elliptical-machines.com provides you with the latest ins and outs on elliptical trainer reviews and much more, come take a look!
http://www.prodialing.com/

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:24 AM Online Weight Loss Program

Why Dieting Doesn't Work

What do you do when you realize you need to lose a few pounds? You go on a diet, naturally. But does it work? Actually, considering the number of overweight people who are on diets at any given time, one would have to conclude that diets really don't work for most people. They often work for a while. If they didn't work at all, nobody would ever go on one! But where they fail is when the dieter's consistency and motivation play out.

Everyone has heard of weird diets like the cabbage soup diet or the grapefruit diet. You probably know people who claim to have lost weight on them. The diet hype usually states that it works by special food combinations which spark your metabolism. The raw truth is that these diets are generally just low calorie diets in disguise. Eating fewer calories than you burn will result in weight loss, so for a while, these weird diets will work.

The problem comes when you've been eating nothing but cabbage soup or grapefruits for five or six days and you're sick to death of them! Sticking with a limited diet like these is extremely difficult, and not even smart when it comes to nutrition. Also, eating is an important part of our culture and these diets leave you unable to enjoy a meal with a friend.

You probably also know overweight people who extol the benefits of a low carb diet and say it really works. Well, if so, what happened? Why are they overweight again? Or if they are bragging on someone they know who lost weight that way, why haven't they followed their friend's example and acquired permanent weight loss?

The reason is that low carb diets get old, too. They ignore the ebb and flow of real life, the family meat and potatoes dinners you have when you get together with Aunt Ethyl, and the craving you occasionally get to indulge in a piece of cheesecake. They expect you to sustain yourself on meat, meat, meat, with a cup of salad on the side. Have you ever measured out a cup of salad? It's not very much!

Dieting doesn't work because it doesn't become a natural part of your lifestyle. A nutritious, well-chosen food-lifestyle can work and net permanent weight loss, however. Technically, this is by definition a "diet." The difference is that diets carry a temporary mindset in many cases. "I'll get this weight off, and then I'll go back to normal." If you think this way, you may lose some weight all right, but when you go "back to normal," your weight is likely to go back to normal, too!

The diet that will work for you is to reduce your portion sizes, get more exercise, and make healthy food choices most of the time. Most of the time means eighty percent of the time you are choosing grilled chicken, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and similar foods. You are simultaneously avoiding fatty main dishes like Alfredo and sweet treats like pie and cake. Eat like this for a lifetime, and you'll be on that elusive diet that brings lasting weight loss and good health!

About the Author:
Terence Young - For more personal growth articles visit: http://www.personalgrowthunlimited.com

Posted by Lose Weight at 6:23 AM Loss Program Weight

7 Tips to Losing Weight Naturally

For many people in the western hemisphere, losing weight has become the national pastime! America, for one, is a land of fast food joints and easily accessible good tasting food. It is also becoming a nation of health clubs and joggers, as people try to hang onto their youthful figures. Not only that, but pills and even surgery for weight loss are on the rise, as people fight the battle of the bulge.

Thankfully, there are non-surgical, natural ways to push your body to lose weight. To say it's easy, however, would be misleading! Losing we