Natural Herbal Weight Loss

Weight loss Book Round-up

2009-05-08T01:28:00.000-07:00

I have chosen three of the top selling weight loss books here for a short review and to help you decide which book would be best for you and your situation.

1)The South Beach Diet.

by Arthur Agaston.

The south beach diet has similarities to the actkins diet in that it drastically reduces the amount of carbs that you eat, instead you will eat lots of protein.The difference between the south beach diet and the Atkins diet is in the amount of carbs that you are allowed, the south beach diet lets you consume more carbs than the Atkins diet but overall they are still considerably reduced. If you liked the idea of the Atkins diet but did not want to restrict yourself that much then the south beach diet may be for you, plus it also promotes total well-being instead of just a diet in itself.

2)The Ultimate Weightloss Solution.

by Phil McGraw

Phil McGraw's diet book is not so much a diet book but a whole way of life. You will learn how to think positively about yourself as well as identify all the negative things in your life.

Everything is covered in this book and no stone left unturned, you will change how you think of yourself and why you eat the foods you do, this book comes with case studies, self tests and fill in charts.

3)Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution.

by Robert c.Atkins

The Atkins diet revolution is a low carbohydrate diet based on the findings that carbohydrates increase you bodies insulin levels which then in turn increases your bodies fat stores and that by just totally cutting out carbohydrates for the first week of the diet your bodies fat will just start to melt off! You will not feel like you are on a diet with this book,in fact you will feel like you are eating more and so you will not get the dreaded hunger pangs that so readily accompany a normal diet, also in this second book by Dr. Atkins he wants to introduce whole well being into the mix as well which can only increase the effectiveness of this popular diet book.

As you can see the three top selling books above are very similar in that they all reduce the amount of carbohydrate in your diet but in differing degree?s, these books have helped thousands of people all over the world lose weight and totally changed the way people eat, so its not just a fad diet they are long term commitments to change the way you eat and also change the way you think about food and the way in which you think about yourself as well.

I do not think you can go wrong with any of the above books as long as you are committed to really giving them a go and not just half heartedly trying the diets out, you really have to make a strong commitment to want to change the way you look and who you are for them to be really effective but once you have done that i do not think you will ever look back again.

If you are thinking of going on a diet then you will also need a good weight loss exercise program to increase your chances of successful weightloss, go here http://www.squidoo.com/workoutreview/ to find out the best weightloss workout programs!

Weight Loss ? Escape From Excessive Fat

2009-04-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

Are you trying to gain escapade from constant obesity and failing continuously? Are you getting angry and depressed for not losing weight effectively? Do not worry. With proper tips to lose weight you can easily get some serious effects. When you are emotional you automatically start eating more food, which tend to make you gain more weight. You can get emotional anytime and start eating a lot. So start losing weight so that you can enjoy perfect health and fit body.

Weight loss methods

Creating a weight loss plan does not simply mean eating less food. On the other hand, it means consuming dietary food that enhances physical fitness and improves your health considerably. A healthy body can turn us into a better human being so you should at anytime treat yourself with excellent weight loss plans and techniques. Weight loss can include weight loss surgeries, taking dietary pills, natural methods like walking, talking and exercising, performing aerobics, and eating normal diet at regular intervals.

Tips to lose weight in less time

Tips to lose weight do not make you slim and fit for less time. Proper losing weight tips help you to become slim easily and remain the same for long time. You should continue with your healthy diet and do regular exercises to maintain your weight loss.

Following are the tips to lose weight:

§ Reduce calories-in and increase calories-out by taking dietary food.

§ Go for regular morning and evening walks, eat slowly and practice regular exercises to lose weight.

§ Eat three sensible meals at regular times and skip high-fat and high-calorie food anytime.

§ Eat more of vegetables, salads, fruits and soup than solid food.

§ Eat less of snacks.

§ Eat slowly specially when you are having chocolates, cookies, chips and ice creams.

§ Visit gyms or simply stay at home and lift weights for that will burn down your calories.

§ Have noni juice, which is a natural fruit juice and helps in reducing weight, decreasing severe obesity, enhances glow in your skin and diminishes stress.

§ Eat only when you are hungry.

§ Try to eat less at restaurants, hotels and outside places and eat more at home.

§ When you are having food include at least one non-starchy fruit and enough of vegetable stew to remain fit yet slim.

§ Try to have whole grains instead of refined grains for whole grains are more nutritious, healthy and satisfying.

§ Instead of sugar-sweetened drinks, use a latte with nonfat or low-fat milk.

§ Get plenty of sleep as sleep decreases hormone levels of cortisol and insulin, which allow more of fat storage.

§ Drink at least two quarts of water daily and omit items like butter, jam, sour cream, syrup, salt, sugar, salad dressings, French fries and soft drinks from your diet.

Weight loss surgery methods

You can also lose weight very fast with the help of weight loss surgery methods.

Following are the weight loss surgery methods that make you slim overnight:

§ Stomach ballooning ? a balloon is inserted into your stomach and inflated with water. The balloon is kept there for a convenient six months and then removed so that you become slim easily.

§ Liposuction ? a substance is introduced into the fatty areas, a tube is inserted and fat is conveniently sucked out from the fatty place.

§ Gastric bypass ? in this surgery the digestive system is completely transformed into a shape that can limit the amount of food intake.

Tips to lose weight not only makes you slim but also impart absolute inner happiness to all.

Visit the Self Hypnosis Forum today http://www.eselfhypnosis.com to find more information!

Indian Food as Part of a Weight Loss Regime

2009-04-21T03:41:00.000-07:00

Most people think that you can't possibly eat Indian food, if you're on a slimming diet. That's a fair statement if you always eat Indian food in restaurants, because many traditional Indian recipes involve either deep frying or the use of ghee (clarified butter). However, if you cook Indian food at home, it can easily form part of a weight loss regime, just the same as any other food. You just need to follow a few simple general rules.

- Avoid altogether recipes which involve deep frying. - If you need to seal meat before braising it for a curry, use a good non-stick pan and a spray bottle with sunflower or vegetable oil in it. Lightly spray the surface of your pan with oil and that should be enough to prevent the meat from sticking while you brown it. - If a recipe includes cream or coconut cream, substitute plain yoghurt and another flavouring to replace the coconut.

Tandoori recipes are great as part of a low calorie or low carbohydrate diet. Just marinade some fish (cubed or whole), chicken (cubed or in pieces) or prawns (shrimp) in a mixture of low fat plain yogurt, ground turmeric, ground coriander, ground cumin, crushed garlic, grated root ginger and a little chilli powder (or to taste) for at least an hour. If you're using cubed meat, thread onto skewers. Grill or barbeque with a medium heat until done. Serve with mixed salad and wedges of lemon to squeeze over. If your diet isn't too severe, you can also have a pitta bread, a baked potato or some boiled rice with this.

Curry dishes are fine too (preferably fish or chicken). If you use a recipe which has just a spice and water base or a tomato base, it certainly won't do your calorie intake any harm but be sure to keep the oil you use for frying onions, spices or whatever, to an absolute minimum.

For vegetarians or those trying to cut down on meat because of its relatively high calorie content, Indian cooking is ideal. There are so many recipes for vegetables and pulses which are really tasty that you won't even know you're on a diet!

Don't forget paneer (Indian cottage cheese), which can be cooked as per the tandoori idea above, or in a spicy sauce. If you can't get paneer, try substituting tofu.

Here's to a slim new year!

For all your Indian cooking needs why not visit my Asian Food Online Store.

Liz Canham is the webmistress of Asian Food and Cookery and Travellers' Tales.

Weight loss Book Round-up

2009-04-09T05:24:00.000-07:00

I have chosen three of the top selling weight loss books here for a short review and to help you decide which book would be best for you and your situation.

1)The South Beach Diet.

by Arthur Agaston.

2)The Ultimate Weightloss Solution.

by Phil McGraw

Phil McGraw's diet book is not so much a diet book but a whole way of life. You will learn how to think positively about yourself as well as identify all the negative things in your life.

3)Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution.

by Robert c.Atkins

Weight Loss Diary Day 4

2008-07-02T22:26:00.000-07:00

This the third day of dieting in my weight loss program and it will be the last daily report in this series of articles to avoid you becoming bored with repetition. By now you will have the idea that I only give up one type of food each day and in general eat what I please - within reason. The caveat is that you must be aware of serving sizes because it is due to over-generous serving sizes that the majority of us are dieting. In future I will publish three articles each week rather than seven. If you have a question you wish to ask please use the comments link at the bottom to list your question and I will reply to all questions.

Today I will not eat any potatoes or potato products. Because I exercised yesterday I will not exercise today but will remain aware of things like parking as far from the supermarket entrance as possible and using stairs rather than escalators. - This now a part of my daily routine.

? Today started as normal by walking to the village to pick up my daily newspaper. This walk is now extended to approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers)

? Breakfast is cornflakes with mixed dried fruits and nuts and milk and a banana and lime smoothie. (When I first wake up, before going to buy my newspaper, I drink a large glass of water. - This isn't compulsory but water has zero calories.)

? 10.30am I stop work to take a cup of lemon green tea.

? 11.30am feeling peckish and I eat a raw carrot.

? 1pm and its time for lunch. Lunch is a ham and salad sandwich on whole-grain bread, an apple, a banana and a glass of fruit juice.

? After lunch I walk for ten-minutes, just a casual walk to help digest the food.

? 6pm is dinnertime, I like to eat early. Today was Filet Mignon with French beans and asparagus. My wife had a couple of boiled potatoes with her meal while I left a space on my plate where they would have been. (This diet is really so easy to contend with because I can have potatoes tomorrow if I please.)

Hopefully the people that have joined me on this weight loss program are starting to settle to the new routine by now and starting to become vigilant about serving sizes. I just want to repeat that during this period there is definitely no beer or drinks that fizz, even if they have sugar free or low calorie etc. printed on the label. Just accept that these drinks are a weight watchers biggest headache and do no good for your diet at any time.

Next article will cover two days and be published two days from now.

This article is copyright ? David McCarthy, 2006. It may be reproduced in its entirety with and additions.

This series of weight loss articles by David McCarthy are proving to be very popular with the general public. You can view all of his work at http://www.recipesmania.com/

Weight Loss Diary Day 4

2008-06-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

? Today started as normal by walking to the village to pick up my daily newspaper. This walk is now extended to approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers)

? 10.30am I stop work to take a cup of lemon green tea.

? 11.30am feeling peckish and I eat a raw carrot.

? 1pm and its time for lunch. Lunch is a ham and salad sandwich on whole-grain bread, an apple, a banana and a glass of fruit juice.

? After lunch I walk for ten-minutes, just a casual walk to help digest the food.

Next article will cover two days and be published two days from now.

This article is copyright ? David McCarthy, 2006. It may be reproduced in its entirety with and additions.

This series of weight loss articles by David McCarthy are proving to be very popular with the general public. You can view all of his work at http://www.recipesmania.com/

Tips For Faster Weight Loss

2008-06-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

Now that there is a better understanding by scientists of body genetics and why people have a tendency to be overweight, here are some tips that will help you lose more weight faster.

Tip #1: Drink water upon arising: First thing in the morning, drink eight ounces of distilled water, bottled water, or filtered water (not tap water).

Tip #2: Eat a big breakfast: This should be done 45 minutes after getting up in the morning. Suggested organic foods to choose from (they must be organic) are apples, bananas, rye bread with no sugar, plain yogurt, tuna, lamb, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, raw honey, wild smoked salmon, and so on.

Tip #3: Drink distilled water throughout the day: Six glasses is recommended

Tip #4: Walk non-stop one hour each day: This doesn't have to be power walking; just walk at your own pace. Walking outdoors is best.

Tip #5: Stop eating after 6:00 PM: This is hard for some people, but do the best you can.

Tip #6: Do a candida cleanse: Candida is yeast overgrowth in the colon that can cause all kinds of health problems. Check online for "Candida Cleanse" or go to your local health food store.

Tip #7: Do a colon cleanse: This cleanse cleans out the digestive system, which is clogged and sluggish in many overweight people. Once again, check online or go to your local health food store.

More and more Americans are becoming overweight. Extra weight can result in many health issues and negatively impact one's emotional state and self-esteem. However, for those struggling with this problem, there is hope. You can lose it and keep it off. Now that you have a better understanding of why you might be overweight, take action today! Start on to the road to better health by using these helpful tips for weight loss and feel better now.

About the Author

For complete information on how to lose 9 lbs. every 11 days, visit this website: http://www.ambatch.com/url/oah

Diet Pills- A Boon to Weight Loss

2008-06-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

Researches show that there are also psychological reasons for this kind of attitude in person, but normally cravings can be caused also by stress, anxiety or depression. Excess weight or obesity is a chronic disease that affects many people and often requires medical treatment to promote and sustain weight loss

Am I overeating these days? Why can't I just stop craving? Are these questions boggling your mind for quite a long time? If yes, then there must be surely something wrong with your diet programs and of course health!It is true that our body adapts to all the changes going on in the environment all by itself. The thing people don't understand is that our body also adapts to changes in eating, both overeating and under eating. People affected by these problems may suffer from obesity which may cause other health troubles. Limiting oneself from overeating may prove to be a tough task for some of us who are prone to food craving at any time and at any place. Scientists say that craving or unnecessary hunger basically stems from mind and not from stomach. Craving occurs due to deficiency of a chemical called serotonin in the brain which triggers the hunger. Proper amount of serotonin restricts and controls the hunger with proportion to the needs of the body. Researches show that there are also psychological reasons for this kind of attitude in person, but normally cravings can be caused also by stress, anxiety or depression. Excess weight or obesity is a chronic disease that affects many people and often requires medical treatment to promote and sustain weight loss. These days there are many cures available like diet programs and diet pills and surgery treatments. One of the easiest ways of restricting your diet is to use diet pills which are commonly used as a safe prescription by the medical fraternity worldwide. These drugs work by suppressing appetite via a central mechanism in the brain. These drugs should be used as a short term drug to help patients to start losing weight while the patient is undergoing permanent long term changes in their attitude towards food and exercise. The most reliable of diet pills which physicians usually prescribe are Phentermine, Adipex, and Bontril. Others in line are Meridia and Didrex. You can learn about these drugs, their composition and of course safety at any of the online pharmacy. Nutritional counseling along with diet pills is also needed to make sure that the person suffering from this disease is getting a well balanced diet and that the person's progress is monitored such as weekly weighing. Charts should be kept to make sure the person does not backslide.

David Truner, an associated editor to Epharma.md, is a contributing author to the http://www.epharma.md for distinct article sites/journals. Please feel free to visit http://www.epharma.md/article/weight_loss/index.html for more information on Weight loss related issues or you can visit Diet Pills. Or write to him AT harison.james@gmail.com. Any comments and /or suggestions will be highly appreciated. Please note that this article is not a substitute for medical advice

Weight Loss - Escape From Excessive Fat

2008-06-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

Tips To Lose Weight - Escape From Excessive Fat

Weight loss methods

Creating a weight loss plan does not simply mean eating less food. On the other hand, it means consuming dietary food that enhances physical fitness and improves your health considerably. A healthy body can turn us into a better human being so you should at anytime treat yourself with excellent weight loss plans and techniques. Weight loss can include weight loss surgeries, taking dietary pills, natural methods like walking, talking and exercising, performing aerobics, and eating normal diet at regular intervals.

Tips to lose weight in less time

Tips to lose weight do not make you slim and fit for less time. Proper losing weight tips help you to become slim easily and remain the same for long time. You should continue with your healthy diet and do regular exercises to maintain your weight loss. Following are the tips to lose weight:  Reduce calories-in and increase calories-out by taking dietary food.  Go for regular morning and evening walks, eat slowly and practice regular exercises to lose weight.  Eat three sensible meals at regular times and skip high-fat and high-calorie food anytime.  Eat more of vegetables, salads, fruits and soup than solid food.  Eat less of snacks.  Eat slowly specially when you are having chocolates, cookies, chips and ice creams.  Visit gyms or simply stay at home and lift weights for that will burn down your calories.  Have noni juice, which is a natural fruit juice and helps in reducing weight, decreasing severe obesity, enhances glow in your skin and diminishes stress.  Eat only when you are hungry.  Try to eat less at restaurants, hotels and outside places and eat more at home.  When you are having food include at least one non-starchy fruit and enough of vegetable stew to remain fit yet slim.  Try to have whole grains instead of refined grains for whole grains are more nutritious, healthy and satisfying.  Instead of sugar-sweetened drinks, use a latte with nonfat or low-fat milk.  Get plenty of sleep as sleep decreases hormone levels of cortisol and insulin, which allow more of fat storage.  Drink at least two quarts of water daily and omit items like butter, jam, sour cream, syrup, salt, sugar, salad dressings, French fries and soft drinks from your diet.

Weight loss surgery methods

You can also lose weight very fast with the help of weight loss surgery methods. Following are the weight loss surgery methods that make you slim overnight:  Stomach ballooning - a balloon is inserted into your stomach and inflated with water. The balloon is kept there for a convenient six months and then removed so that you become slim easily.  Liposuction - a substance is introduced into the fatty areas, a tube is inserted and fat is conveniently sucked out from the fatty place.  Gastric bypass - in this surgery the digestive system is completely transformed into a shape that can limit the amount of food intake.

Tips to lose weight not only makes you slim but also impart absolute inner happiness to all.

http://www.eselfhypnosis.com

Visit the Self Hypnosis Forum today http://www.eselfhypnosis.com to find more information!

The Basics of Quick Weight Loss

2008-06-10T23:38:00.000-07:00

Basic instincts

When your craving increases for a tea spoonful of extra sugar for the tea, when you die hard within yourself for the sweet taste of the milk shake over the counter and when the long lasting effective taste of a hamburger finds it hard to die within you; you are always prone to gain weight, an addict to your own temptation of irresistibility. Weight grows in proportion to the size of your stomach and hence loosing weight would be primarily dependent on reducing the size of it. Reducing the size of your stomach, would in turn depend on the quantity of food you eat? A little vicious circle, which could lead you to intense research on weight loss tips to your daily diet, thus emerges.

Capture your instincts

Whatever be the cure suggested, nothing would be better than to trim your daily diet. Identifying those parts of your fat rich daily menu and cutting them down is pivotal. Weight loss efforts can begin at your home; here are a few tips. Being choosy saves a lot of fat. Whether it be the chicken you take or the desert you prefer; yes, I acknowledge your instincts, but then what could be done would be to have grilled or baked chicken. Adding plenty of fresh veggies, tomato or lettuce and keeping the sauce out of your sandwich could be a tip in the list. The best way to keep your blood sugar low and your hunger under control would be to go for 'small snacks before small meals'. In between, you could make up with plenty of cold water.

The fatal hit

The best tip is the worst most of you would prefer to hear- workouts. Again it could sound hard that you should spend an hour working out you good fat body as a part of the effort to lose weight. Then it is unavoidable in any list of weight loss tips. If an hour is intolerable then half of it would still be okay and for your comfort pal, you could spread your efforts throughout the day. Still finding hard, then here is an advice. However hard you try cutting down your diet it will not be of any help until you keep your body fat with a series of effective workouts. 'Exercise, eat, drink and be merry- a tip to keep you from being shy'.

Opt for Acomplia

Acomplia is the recent drug for weight loss. Currently it is in its testing phase, most probably it is in market by the end of june2006.

Getting Started On A Weight Loss Program

2008-06-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest battles being waged daily is the battle of the bulge. If you are one of those facing a weight problem, take comfort in the fact that you aren't alone, and making small changes in your lifestyle will reap you big rewards. Here are some pointers for getting started on a weight loss program. If you drink a lot of soda, try to replace it with a diet version or better yet, water.

Water helps to keep your body functioning at it's best by flushing out harmful toxins and hydrating your skin. Drinking water will help prevent dehydration when its hot outside or you are expending a lot of energy. Cutting back or eliminating soda from your daily diet could eliminate hundreds of calories. A 20 ounce bottle of regular soda has 250 calories, mainly made of sugars and carbonated water. One pound of fat is equal to the amount of calories in 14 twenty ounce bottles of soda. If the energy provided from soda isn't used to fuel your body, it will quickly store as fat, something most of us don't need.

Start an exercise routine based on your current fitness level. If you haven't exercised in a long time, start slow. Start out with a 10 minute walk, if that is all you can do. As you become used to it, try to walk longer or faster. As you get better, you can add other exercises to your daily program. You can also get extra exercise by changing the way you operate on a daily basis. Instead of using the elavator or escalator, try the stairs. If there isn't a parking spot directly in front of your favorite store, accept your fate and park a little further away. If the weather is nice, walk or ride your bike instead of driving your car to nearby destinations. If you work in an office, be sure to stretch a couple of times a day.

You might also consider taking a class or instruction in a sport or activity that interests you. Many communities have recreation centers that offer instruction in tennis, swimming, dance, karate, and water exercise. They may offer fitness equipment like a gym, walking/ running track, stationary bikes or step aerobic classes as well. Getting involved in a hobby or sport that you enjoy will make exercise a lot more enjoyable.

It also gives you the chance to meet other people and extend your social circle.Consider which diet plans you want to use for losing weight. Don't give up because you are frustrated. Losing weight the right way is often a slow process. If you are following a reasonable diet and exercise program expect to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week. If you are extremely heavy you may lose weight at a faster rate than this, but it will eventually slow down. If you hit a plateau, consider changing your exercise routine or eating plan to give yourself a jump start. Losing just a small percentage of your bodyweight will help to reduce your chances for high blood pressure, diabetes, and other weight related ailments. Take the first step towards a healthier you.

For Weight Loss Tips, please visit the Weight Loss Forum at http://www.featherish.com

Weight Loss Plateaus - What To Do When They Happen.

2008-06-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has ever attempted to lose weight will have to admit that at one point in their weight loss attempt there was a moment when they seemed stuck, and it didn't look like they'd ever reach their goals. Weight loss plateaus are so common that they can fairly be called universal. If you're attempting to lose weight, you will hit a plateau, and you need to know how to overcome it. A plateau can mean the end of motivation for many a dieter, so don't let it be what stands in the way of your true goals of fitness.

Why exactly do almost all dieters have this problem of getting stuck? Because at some point, your body adjusts to whatever changes you've thrown at it, and you stop losing pounds. It's up to you to figure out how to get the fat burning back on track. Usually the plateau is the esult of some sort of insidious introduction of food into your daily routine. It might be as simple as extra soda you're drinking, or perhaps you grabbed an 88 cent supply of Everlasting Gobstoppers the last time you were at WalMart and have been idly munching. Whatever the specfic food is doesn't matter, per say, but what matters is that you identify and isolate this variable from your normal diet. Once you've identified it, you can eliminate it! Analyze, Identify, and Eliminate. Think of yourself as being as ruthless as a robot when it comes to this practice. Find out what's causing your weight loss effort to stall and then stop doing it! The quicker you can do this, the better off you'll be in the long run because motivation wains when you don't see results. Success is achieved by eliminating or avoiding all roadblocks that lead to failure.

The more weight you have to lose, the more you'll experience plateaus for the simple reason that losing the extra weight will take extra time. The more time involved, the more likely you are to experience some period of time where all results have stalled and your original goal is a scant memory. It is during these dark days where the mantra "Analyze, Identify, and Eliminate" will come in handy and eventually you to the finish line. The final weight loss winner is the person who can quickly adjust to real life events as they unfold and keep their weight loss strategy fresh enough to remain effective. Boring is bad. If you eat a boring diet or follow a bland exercise routine, you body will not be fooled, and you will get "stuck" for a period of time.

If you've been keeping notes, finding the trouble spots will be even easier. The information will be right there in your own words. If your weight loss effort even reads boring to you, you know you're in trouble. When you identify a potential trouble spot, you can quickly come up with a proactive solution to get yourself back on track. If you do this ruthlessly and relentlessly, your body will quickly and permanently lose weight. As you identify and change long standing habits, the weight falls off with ease and you'll begin to wonder why you were even apprehensive about in the first place. There are no real barriers to your weight loss. With proper effort, you will undoubtedly succeed at whatever you set your mind to.

For information on how to Lose Weight, please visit our Diet Forum

Weight Loss Diary Day 3

2008-05-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

Today is Tuesday February 7 2006, the third day of my weight loss program. Today I am nominating dairy products as the food item that I will not touch. This means that I give up dairy products for today only and will leave a space on my plate where dairy products would go. You may recall that yesterday I decided not to eat any bread.

Overnight the first problem was detected and it concerned my arthritic left ankle becoming extremely painful. So painful that even after taking a fairly strong pain killer I slept for only two to three hours. While I lay awake my mind went over the previous day and I think the problem was self-inflicted. Because I have zero sideways movement on that ankle I have been advised not to walk on uneven surfaces. Where I live, in the Blue Mountains National Park west of Sydney, there are few sidewalks and the ground is very uneven. I think I created the problem by walking on uneven surfaces. But that is no reason to give up, the exercise program requires amending to suit conditions.

- Today started with a much slower walk to pick up my daily paper. I added around and extra quarter mile by walking only where there are sidewalks.

- Breakfast is a glass of orange juice, a toasted bacon sandwich using whole grain bread. Yes, you read correctly, I had a bacon sandwich followed by a banana and a cup of lemon green tea. The great thing about this diet is that you only give up the food that you love one day at a time.

- I didn't feel hungry during the morning and managed to get through to lunch, at 1pm, without thought of food.

- For lunch I had a sandwich of chili chicken, fresh beet (beetroot) and lettuce. Beside it I had about six cherry tomatoes halved and sprinkled with olive oil and chopped basil. A glass of water with a Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar followed because I could feel indigestion starting.

- 3.30pm A cup of lemon green tea and a piece of cake.

- 5pm I started my amended exercise program as follows: First check pulse rate before starting. 2 minutes of stretching exercises until I can comfortably touch the floor with my fingertips without straining hamstrings. 2 minutes of sit-ups. 20 push ups done in groups of five with stretching between. Jogging on the spot on the flat surface of my patio until my pulse increased by 50% from normal.

- 6pm. Dinner is pasta (Penne) in a tomato and vegetable sauce with chunky cut bell peppers (capsicum), zucchini (courgettes), mushrooms and broccoli, with a glass of red wine and a glass of water. Followed by grapes and peach (fresh) for dessert.

- 7pm. About 4 ounces (110 grams) of peanuts because I'm greedy.

- 8.30pm another walk. It has cooled down now and I take a steady ten-minute walk.

Today has been a very easy day, but for those that are doing this with me be aware of serving sizes. Serving too much is the biggest enemy of any weight loss or control program.

This article is copyright ? David McCarthy 2006.

David McCarthy presents the third day of his weight loss diary and invites any interested persons to join with him in this proven, easy to follow program that has worked for him for many years. You can find all of his blogs at http://www.recipesmania.com a site dedicated to freely sharing knowledge of all things food.

Caralluma Fimbriata - A New Natural Weight Loss Aid

2008-05-29T22:24:00.000-07:00

You are likely to be seeing a new ingredient in some weight loss supplements by the name of Caralluma Fimbriata. Caralluma Fimbriata is similar to hoodia in that it is a natural appetite suppressant.

Caralluma Fimbriata is said to be a vegetable that is used daily in tribal India. It is eaten in several different forms and it is said that it is used by tribesman in the same way Hoodia is used in other parts of the world - Tribesman will consume it before a long hunt to curb the appetite.

A company named Gencor Pacific USA has created a brand called Slimaluma ? which is a standardized extract of Caralluma Fimbriata. Caralluma Fimbriata already has some studies behind it that makes it look very promising in the world of weight loss dietary supplements.

If you have tried Hoodia and did not have any success, you may want to try Caralluma Fimbriata before giving up on an all natural appetite stimulant. Currently there are not many products on the market containing Caralluma Fimbriata but I suspect that will change in the near future. We will probably start seeing combination products which contain other well known weight loss supplements such as green tea, Citrimax, and Chromium.

Remember that weight loss supplements usually target different areas. Some are considered fat burners, some inhibit the absorption of carbs or fat, and some are appetite suppressants. Caralluma Fimbriata is for people who want help in controlling their appetite.

We may see Caralluma Fimbriata combined with ingredients designed to burn fat, absorb carbs, etc. Keep in mind what your goal is before purchasing a weight loss supplement and you will probably not be disappointed with the results. It appears Caralluma Fimbriata will be affordable and the dosages will be reasonable. It appears that dosages are going to be around 1 gram per day. The manufacturers will probably recommend divided doses throughout the day but be sure and follow the directions on the bottle.

Bill Herren is the webmaster for www.proweightloss.com bringing Top rated diet weight loss supplements and weight loss ebooks

Atkins Diet Phase Two - Ongoing Weight Loss

2008-05-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

If you have made it past the initial induction phase of the Atkins Diet, congratulations on accomplishing the first stage of your weight loss goal. The Ongoing Weight Loss program you are entering into now is where you will being to customize the Atkins program to fit your individual tastes which is what makes the Atkins Diet Program so unique in the diet and weight loss world.

Even though you are now allowed a little more flexibility than in the induction phase of the program this second stage will continue to amaze you with the how much the weight will continue to drop and the fat melt off. You will begin to see a gradual slow down of the rate in which the weight loss and inches lost occur. This is a normal and deliberate part of the plan so don't let it bother you. Just bear in mind that just because you are being allowed a few more carbs it doesn't mean you can go back to eating whatever you want. You must eat good quality carbs and steer clear of junk carbs such as white flour and sugar.

You must also have a set goal. Do not just make a goal of losing some weight, have a specific amount of weight you want to lose and write the goal down. It is much easier to visualize you end goal when it is written down. You must visualize and see how your body will look and how you will feel when you reach your goal.

With the Ongoing Weight Loss Program you will learn to continue to burn and dissolve fat, maintain control of your appetite, learn how many more carbs you can take in and eat a wider choice of foods.

The following are the main rules of Ongoing Weight Loss:

Keep protein and fat as the mainstays of your nutritional regimen Do not increase your daily carb intake by more than five grams a week Add new foods in the order listed in the Atkins carb ladder Only add one food group at a time Stop new foods immediately if they promote weight gain or increased cravings Continue on Ongoing Weight Loss until you have five to ten pounds to lose.

If you follow these guidelines you are sure to be successful in your quest for weight loss.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get your Atkins Diet products at http://www.atkinsdietplus.com

Women's Health and Weight Loss Tip #1: Lose Weight to Fight Osteoporosis

2008-05-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

It is a well known fact that exercise and weight loss make you both look and feel better. Another bit of common knowledge is that to lose weight, control your diet, and exercise regularly gives you a healthier heart.

In addition to the previously mentioned benefits of proper diet and exercise are several other very specific health benefits of having a regular exercise and weight loss program.

One additional health benefits of exercise and weight loss activities is guarding against osteoporosis, the disease that makes the bones weak and brittle with age.

Weight-bearing activities like walking, ellyptical machine, and jogging, have been shown to strengthen the skeletal system and lower the risk of the development of this very debilitating disease.

The primary reason for this is that exercises that force the body to bear weight make the bones more dense over time as opposed to a sedentary lifestyle, in which the bones get weaker and more brittle due to a lack of force placed against them.

In women in particular, the low estrogen levels that often accomopany menopause and/or very sporadic menstruation make the problem even worse as the bones lose a lot of their mineral content and weaken accordingly.

In addition, such activities that many take part in to either lose weight or maintain an already healthy body composition have also been shown to aid in preventing further development of the disease for those who have already been diagnosed and have received clearance from their doctor.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

Lawrence Cole is a Lifestyle and Fitness Consultant based out of Los Angeles, CA. He has over 10 years of health and fitness experience and designing simple, effective nutritional strategies to help individuals achieve their personal best internal health and physical conditioning.

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #34

2008-05-26T22:19:00.000-07:00

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #34

Hello Divine One Who Laughs A Lot,

What happens when we laugh? What do we get to experience in our bodies? How do we feel?

I know what laughter does for me. I feel absolutely incredible and energized when I laugh. I want you to feel energized too so keep reading as I share my true story to make you laugh!

First, according to French neurologist, Henri Rubenstein, "One minute of laughter can give the body up to 45 minutes of therapeutic relaxation." Just imagine what ten minutes can do?

Have you ever heard the story of Norman Cousins, the late editor of The Saturday Review, who was taken ill with a severe connective tissue disease? When doctors gave up on him, he cured himself with large doses of Vitamin C and comedies. He found that ten minutes of belly laughter had an anesthetic effect, and he recorded his experiences in self-healing through laughter in a best-selling book, Anatomy of an Illness.

What do you think laughter can do in terms of weight loss?

When you laugh you can burn calories according to experts at Vanderbilt University, and the more you laugh, the more you burn. Those little endorphins know exactly what they're doing. They're saying, "Come here little fat cells, come to momma." They're unstoppable, like The Terminator, eliminating those fat cells with a vengeance.

Want more endorphins? Start laughing! Laughter = weight loss!

Here's a few endorphins for you....something to tickle your funny bone, and it's a true story.

As you know I have been dating, and it's been a delightful experience. Recently, my partner and I had been e-mailing back and forth and, feeling a little spontaneous, made the decision to meet...right away. I had not seen him for two weeks so was very excited at the anticipation of our rendezvous. I was rushing to get out of the house as I had approximately a 45 minute drive to our destination point. Thus, I left the house in a hurry. As I was driving, I was quickly doing a check:

Shaved legs - Yup! Lotion on my legs - Yup! Brushed teeth - Yup! Painted toenails - Yup! HOT outfit - Yup! Yup!

Okay, I'm ready!! I cranked up the CD and continued to drive feeling pretty good. Then realized I had forgotten one check point. I took a quick whiff of the underarms. Oh, my gosh! It had been a hot day and I forgot to do the underarm check. Yikes! Odor alert....I was definitely stinky!

I rummaged through my purse checking for lotion or anything I could rub on my underarms....nothing! I started to panic a little as I wanted to be the epitome of a HOTTIE, and a HOTTIE cannot have underarm odor. I mean it's one of the laws in the HOTTIE creed.

Surely, there must be something down in the depths of my purse......something, anything. My creative juices began to flow when I spotted the tin container. I've never tried using these as an underarm deodorant. Is it possible? Well, I'm a person who likes to think outside the box and this was definitely thinking outside the box...or inside the tin so to speak.

I quickly took one out of the tin, put it on my tongue to wet it and then rubbed it on my underarms. Then I smelled my underarms. I could still smell a hint of BO with a little twist of cinnamon, so I licked and rubbed again. Okay, still a slight odor. This called for more licking and rubbing. There I was on Highway 16 heading to Tacoma, Washington licking and rubbing for most of the 45 minute drive. Did it do the trick?

Yes, Altoids had saved the day...and my partner never even knew. He just thought the cinnamon smell was coming from my mouth as I had popped an Altoid right before we met. Altoids, they're not just for fresh breath!

You lost some pounds with that one, didn't you? Laughter! It has to be the best medicine.

Watch a comedy tonight and watch the positive effects. Your weight loss goal is here!

Love and hugs,

Tami

****************************************** Helping people fall in love....with themselves Tami Close Weight Loss Consultant 2916 N.W. Bucklin Hill Rd. #291 Silverdale, WA 98383 360-792-2209 http://www.tamiclose.com

Tami Close helps people fall in love...with themselves. She is a weight loss consultant and uses an integrative method, including cleansing and nutritional products from Isagenix, in her weight balancing program. She is a #1 best selling co-author with Mark Victor Hansen, Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra, Wake Up...Live the Life You Love Finding Personal Freedom. http://www.tamiclose.com

Are You Thinking Right for Weight Loss?

2008-05-23T22:17:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that you lose weight if you eat fewer calories than you need each day. But if it were that simple there would not be such a problem with obesity in the Western world - we'd all have the key to weight loss. The problem is that so much to do with succeeding at weight loss rests in our heads and not our bodies. To succeed we need to get our heads working for us and not against us.

Ask yourself these ten questions to see if you are thinking in the right way to lose weight.

1. Have you decided to succeed?

Until you make a definite decision there will be no change to your actions. If you just dabble with "losing a few pounds" you're unlikely to get anywhere. Make a definite decision and stick to it.

2. Have you set a realistic target?

You need to know where you're going or you'll never know when you've arrived. What is your target weight and when do you plan to reach it? Plan on losing no more than a pound or two a week. If you set an impossibly high target you'll get discouraged as soon as it looks like you won't make it.

3. Do you believe your will succeed?

If you keep telling yourself you'll never do it, you won't. Look for reasons why this time will be different. Decide to do things differently to make it so!

4. Can you picture yourself at your new weight?

If you can see yourself in your mind's eye with your new slim figure, your subconscious will feel more comfortable with the changes you are making and you'll feel less like creeping back into your comfort zone.

5. Are you clear about your reasons for losing weight?

If you don't know why you're doing this, what will keep you going when the going gets tough? Make a list of all the benefits you will get from losing that weight and review it often.

6. Are you open to change?

The only sure thing is that if you keep on doing what you've always done you'll keep on getting what you've always got. So think about what you are prepared to change and change at a rate you are comfortable with.

7. Are you a friend to yourself?

Sometimes we are our own worst enemy by offering an endless stream of criticism rather than encouragement. Give yourself a pat on the back for everything you do well and accept any set-backs - just make sure you learn from your mistakes.

8. Are you patient with yourself?

Weight loss rarely happens on a straight path. You may find you lose a lot at the beginning as you often shed excess water then. You may hit one or more times where you lose hardly anything at all despite your best efforts. Nothing that was worth achieving was arrived at overnight. Just keep on keeping on.

9. Have you put your life on hold because of your size?

You only have one life so don't wait to get slim before you enjoy it. Whatever you want, go for it now, and let being slim be the icing on the cake. Goals don't suddenly become reality because you reach your target weight. Why wait? Make eating out of boredom a thing of the past.

10. Do you value yourself enough?

You are unique and very special whatever your size. You are not perfect and neither is anyone one else but you are perfectly human. Value your personality, your life, your ambitions, your skills and, yes, even your body that does so much for you despite all the abuse you give it with junk food and no exercise. Learn to respect yourself and your body and give yourself the care you so richly deserve.

Janice Elizabeth is a weight loss coach, slimming club owner and author of "The Diet Exit Plan". Her system promotes permanent healthy and automatic weight loss through making small changes to your everyday habits. Get her FREE 15 page report "How to lose weight without dieting - 7 secrets the diet industry doesn't want you to know" at http://www.SimplySlimming.com TODAY!

Weight Loss Rewards

2008-05-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

Rewarding yourself for weight loss success

If you are losing weight, it is easy to keep yourself motivated through a rewards system. You should be proud of your accomplishments and have a way to show your hard work.

Here are some great ideas to reward yourself with when you reach turning points in your weight loss goals, be it 5 pounds, 10 pounds or 100 pounds.

* A massage, Be nice to to your muscles for all the hard work they've done! Massages are relaxing and help to stimulate your circulation. So there are a number of health benefits as well. Not to mention the fact that you will feel like a new person afterwards. Expect to pay between $35-$100 for this service, depending on the length of massage. (Normally 30,60, or 90 minutes.

* A New Hairdo. You are coming out of your shell after all! Nothing boosts a persons self esteem more than a stylish head of hair. Consider highlights to lighten and brighten, or a perm to add lift and waves. If you have been hiding behind long hair, maybe a shorter cut for spring might be in order?

* A New Pair of shoes. Walk into the future with a new pair of kicks! And it wouldn't even be an excuse to buy another pair. Get whatever kind make you feel good. Tennis, Dress, Boots, Heels, or sandals are all great choices.

* A manicure. Take a moment to pamper your fingers and hands, they do the heavy lifing and hard work, after all. A fresh coat of nail polish makes your hands look finished and pretty.

* A new outfit. One that fits and compliments your unique sense of style. There is no reason to wear ill fitting clothes while you are losing weight. A new outfit,(whether it's just a pair of jeans and a new blouse) will make you feel better about your self image. You might also want to consider a slinky peice of lingerie that makes you feel sexy.

* Take a dream vacation. This might take some planning ahead of time to put together, but a vacation to somewhere you've wanted to see is a great motivation. If you choose a beach destination, you'll want to look good in your bathing suit. If you visit a location with lots of shopping or tours, having strong legs goes a long way.

* Buying yourself something you can use or you've wanted. Maybe you've been thinking about a new bike, or a new IPod to jam out to when you're working out. If it inspires you to keep on the right path to health and weight loss the couple hundred dollars spent on yourself is worth it. These items have a long shelf life, so you probably won't need to replace them anytime soon.

Rewards are a healthy way to keep yourself motivated without eating "treats" that might make you feel guilty later. They don't have to break the bank, but should be something that will make you feel proud of your accomplishments.

You have the power to do it!

Heather McLaughlin invites you to visit http://www.featherish.com A weight loss support forum. More weight loss information at: http://weight-loss.featherish.com

Weight Loss Tip #1: Why Most Fail and Only a Few Succeed at Being Fit

2008-05-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

In the age of information, many of the principles of health and fitness have become all but common knowledge.

Nevertheless, there still is a very clear divide between those people who become successful and losing weight and/or staying fit and those who do not.

Why is that? And what can you do to improve your chances of being in the successful minority as opposed to the unsuccessful majority?

When it comes to the world of weight loss and being fit, there are generally two areas that help to determine what you can expect for your efforts.

- Genetic Factors
- Psychological Factors

Most of the information out there is geared around the Genetic factors and how to compensate for any natural shortcomings with a certain amount of physical activity and dieting.

One of the most popular topics along the lines of genetics is that of Body Type.

Anatomical body type is generally broken down into 3 basic groups: Ectomorphic, Mesomorphic, and Endomorphic.

Ectomorphic types are characterized as people with thin, up and down body frames who have the easiest time keeping their weight under control. Basketball players and runway models will often fit into this category.

Mesomorphic body types are characterized as people with athletic frames and generally muscular, well-proportioned bodies. Bodybuilders and dancers will often fit in here.

Endomorphic body types tend to be generally round figures and will often have the most trouble in keeping unwanted weight off of their bodies.

Most of us are combinations of two or more of these types with one being more dominant than the others.

One important note about these anatomical types is that while they may give some insight to how you look on the outside, they can deceive us as to how healthy you are internally. Many people who may be "thin" are literally decaying inside due to bad habits (poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise).

By contrast, there are many people who are not stereotypically thin, but are pictures of healthy due to healthy lifestyles (proper nutrition, physical activity).

The general role of knowing your body type is to get an explanation of how your body will tend to respond to your diet and lifestyle in terms of how easy or challenging it may be for you to "hold it together" in certain areas. Another way of classifying your body is by which of your hormone-producing glands dominates the way you process nutrients in the food you eat.

These Glandular ("metabolic") types will fall into one of 4 categories: Adrenal, Thyroidal, Pituitary, or Gonadal. The explanation of each is very similar to that of the anatomical body types above. The adrenal type tends to correspond with the mesomorphic anatomical type. The thyroidal is similar to the ectomorphic, and the pituitary to the endomorphic.

The gonadal type
is a women-only classification that is a hybrid of being slender on the top but somewhat larger below the waist with a greater amount of body fat. The gonadal body type among women is more commonly referred to as being "pear shaped".

There is a third type of body classification that you may come across that originated in Ancient India. It has to do with "Doshas" - how the energy fields of the earth and your physical mass interact to influence how you feel.

This is not directly related to the physical aspect of weight loss but tends to give you an idea on how what psychological advantages or challenges you may have when it comes to getting and staying fit.

This brings me to a major point of clarity in this article:

As valuable as all of the body type information may be to learning your body, it is not the "end all" that it is often marketed to be.

You are neither "guaranteed" to look and feel great nor "doomed" to be overweight and unhealthy simply based on your genetics and body classification. Body types should only be used to give you insight on what advantages or challenges that you may have in your quest for life-long fitness---not a life or death sentence that limits what you can achieve.

In reality, the Psychological factors related to how you look and feel are really where the rubber meets the road in weight loss and staying healthy and fit.

It is here that you will find the tools to overcome whatever physical challenges that you are faced with. Therefore, it is here where you absolutely focus the MAJORITY of your energy if you are become and stay successful with your health and fitness goals.

One thing that many people do not consider is how the knowledge of their "body type" and what that means affects their psychological outlook in the first place.

Many "fit" people who look great because they eat right and exercise do so because they already believe that they've "got something" that is valuable and maintained. Therefore, their healthy lifestyle is just a matter of course.

The importance of the effect that your outlook on your results cannot be ignored. To put it plainly, your outLOOK directly affects your outPUT.

If you don't happen to be one of those people who seem to "naturally" have it together when it comes to your body (or you have been before but have since lost the "magic"), then what you will need to do is simply tap into the strength of your own psyche to push you toward success.

There are 5 Key Steps that you need to follow in order to take advantage of your own reservoirs of power, drive, and confidence.

1. Self Acceptance

In order for ANY of this to work, you will want to either have or develop of certain level of self acceptance for your body and all of its great points as well as its weaknesses.

This doesn't mean that you have to be satisfied with yourself when you may be out of shape. What is DOES mean, however, is that you have to be "ok" with having YOUR "best body"---not someone else's.

2. Find the Keys to Your Own Motivation

Different things work for different people. While there may be 4 or 5 body types, there are even more different personality types. You may want to try several different types of motivational tools to see which one you respond to best for the results you want. Here are a few ideas of things to try:

- Having a workout/diet buddy (or buddies)
- Motivational books and tapes
- Imagining how you will look and feel when you reach YOUR personal best
- Thinking of the quality of life benefits of being healthy and fit

And there are tons more.

3. Setting Attainable Goals after You've Gotten #1 and #2 Firmly Under Your Belt

Most people try to simply pull random goals out of the sky. This can often lead to first failure then disappointment when issues with self acceptance are combined with a lack of understanding what motivates you.

4. Drown Yourself in Those Things that Motivate You

Once you've figured out what works for you, DROWN yourself in it! If it works, then work IT. Take full advantage of the #1 factor in successfully achieving weight loss and maintaining physical fitness.

5. Maintain Your Progress by Making Fitness a Lifestyle

As many of you know by now, I am NOT a fan of traditional diets. They simply do not work. More than anything else, it is your day-to-day lifestyle that will determine what results you get, and your psychological outlook is what either drives you to or pulls you away from the activities that form that lifestyle.

There is simply no reason on earth that you cannot be one of the "Successful" people when it comes to weight loss and fitness.

Educate yourself on your body's strengths and weaknesses, then develop a winning attitude by provided your psyche with effective motivation that it will respond to. That's the hardest part. And its very doable with the right information and coaching, which is why I came up with the YourBestBodyNOW web site and weight loss program for people just like you. The rest, as they say, is will be a cinch.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

Weight Loss Diary Day 2

2008-05-21T00:18:00.000-07:00

Article 2. Weight loss diary.

Diary, Day 2, February 6 2006

- Stopped having newspapers delivered from yesterday. Today I walked into the village to pick up my newspaper. (A return distance of around 1.2 miles [1.9 kilometers].

- Decided that today will be a no bread day. This is the only food that I will give up in today?s weight loss program. I usually eat 4 ? 6 slices of wholegrain bread each day.

- Weighed in at 197 pounds (97.5 kilos).

- Breakfast was a bowl of cornflakes with two Tablespoons of fruit Muesli added. (This is a mixture of whole grains, nuts and dried fruits). Followed by a small carton of yogurt with some fresh fruit added (I used kiwi fruit today ? very high in vitamin C.) Plus a cup of lemon, green tea. (I?m only allowed 2 cups of coffee each week so I keep them for the weekend.) You could take milk or fruit juice if you prefer.

First problem: Around 11am I felt really hungry. This is to be expected because I usually eat a very big breakfast. Slight temptation to make a sandwich but I resisted it and had a small apple instead. After eating the apple I still felt hungry but resisted the temptation to eat more because I know that it takes 20 minutes for the message from my stomach to reach my brain.

- Obviously the wait was worthwhile because it is now almost 1pm and I haven?t thought about food since eating the apple.

- 1pm. Lunch: This is a challenge because I like a sandwich for lunch but today is no bread. I have a 3 ounce (85 grams)piece of cheddar cheese, coarsely grated carrot, lettuce a sprinkling of pine nuts with a glass of water. (I like water but you can drink what you prefer - providing it isn't fizzy) A banana and an apple follow this.

- Time for a walk. Immediately after lunch I take a 15-minute walk. The plan is to increase my pulse rate for a very short period by 40% to 50%. Placing your right wrist into your left hand and finding the pulse with your fingers can check pulse rate. Count how many beats in six seconds; add a zero and this will give you beats per minute before you start. Check when you are midway through your walk and it should have risen by 40%-50%. Then slow down and return home.

- At the end of the walk I take another large glass of water.

Dinner is my main meal but if you can make it lunch this is much healthier. My dinner consisted of:

- Fillet steak, about ? pound (110 grams), baked potato (done in the microwave), chili asparagus and salad. I drank a glass of red wine with it and my usual glass of water later.

- Dessert was a nectarine and peach ? both fresh because they are in season here in Australia right now.

- After dinner I took another short walk (about 10 minutes.)

Today hasn?t been difficult to get through and I know that the first day of any diet is the toughest.

This article is copyright ? David McCarthy 2006. This article may be reproduced in its entirety with no additions.

David McCarthy is a prolific article writer on all matters concerning food, recipes, health, diet and fitness. This is the second diary article that invites you to join him on a quest to lose 17 pounds without giving up any food that you like. You can catch up with him at http://www.recipesmania.com/

Women's Health and Weight Loss Tip #2: The Importance of Calcium in a Woman's Diet

2008-05-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

Recently I published an article about the importance of exercise in fighting against the bone-brittling disease osteoporosis.

There are actually 3 primary factors that may put someone at risk for osteoporosis---women in particular:

- lack of calcium
- hormonal deficiency (estrogen in particular)
- lack of physical activity

So in addition to exercise and hormonal factors, a woman's diet is extremely important in guarding off this very debilitating condition.

One of the reason's why we do not recommend most traditional diet plans and programs is because the over-restrictive eating guidelines often eliminate or seriously limit the consumption of some very necessary vitamins and minerals that keep the body healthy and strong.

You never want to get to a point where you are sacrificing health merely to lose weight. In fact, any weight loss program worth half its salt will make sure that the recommendations made for your daily diet intake are well balanced and full of all the nutrients that you need.

The most important time to get an appropriate amount of calcium is between the ages of 14 and 24, when peak bone mass is obtained. Then after that bone continues to develop until about age 35 to 40, at which time the bone mass that a woman has will strongly determine how much at risk she may be for bone fractures in her later years.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that women intake 1,000 mg (1g) of calcium daily, and then increase their daily dosage to 1,500 mg (1.5g) post menopause.

Sadly, only an estimated 25% of women in any age group consume the recommended daily amount of calcium to guard against osteoporosis. And when they go on diets and weight loss programs, they tend to consume even less.

Lowfat dairy prodcuts such as milk (skim milk is a better option), yogurt, and cottage cheese are all excellent sources of dietary calcium. For those who are lactose intolerant or who wish to generally stay away from dairy products, non-dairy alternatives fortified with calcium will do as long as they contined the recommended daily allowance (RDA). The nondairy product Lactaid added to lowfat and nonfat milk may also work to help you meet your desired goal.

In your efforts to lose weight, make sure that the weight loss program that you use includes calcium-rich food choices. And if it does, you will need to add them yourself. No matter what weight loss program you are on or what other means you use to lose weight, here are some good ideas recommended by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) that you may add to your daily diet in order to get the amount of calcium you need while you lose the weight.

- Prepare canned soup with skim milk instead of water
- Add nonfat dry milk to soups, stews, and casseroles
- Add grated lowfat cheese to salads, tacos, and pasta dishes
- Eat yogurt as a snack, or use it to make low-calorie dressings
- Choose calcium-rich desserts, suhc as lowfat cheese and fruit, frozen nonfat or lowfat yogurt, and puddings made with skim milk
- Drink hot chocolate in the winter made with skim milk

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

Women's Health and Weight Loss Tip #3: The Importance of Iron in a Woman's Diet

2008-05-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest weaknesses of the traditional commercial diet is the lack of iron that exists in its stringent and often excessively limited eating guidelines. In order to lose weight, many unsuspecting women get bamboozled into taking part in weight loss programs that cut out many of the nutrients that they need. Iron is one of the primary casualties of such diets and weight loss plans.

The plot thickens for women in particular due to the fact that their bodies regularly lose iron during menstruation. Therefore, eating a low-calorie, low-iron diet in an effort to lose weight only makes the problem more severe.

It is generally suggested that women supplement their diets with an iron supplement such as the Vitality multivitamin offered by Melaleuca, the Wellness Company. This is particularly important during periods of heavy exercise and training that are typical aspects of any weight loss program or general effort to lose weight even when a special program is not in use.

One thing to be on guard for, however, is excessive iron supplementation by iron-deficient (non-anemic) women. There is a disorder known as hemosiderosis which results from large deposits of iron made in the liver that causes a glitch in the proper metabolism of the iron itself. Avoiding prolonged large doses will eliminate the risk of this particular disorder.

Below are a few recommendations from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) that will help you to make sure you get the adequate amount of iron intake in your daily diet, whether on a program to lose weight or not:

- Eat foods with a high vitamin C content with all meals. Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron. (examples: salsa; chili peppers; oranges)

- Include dark meat chick and/or turkey in the training diet. Both of these are rich in iron

- Vegetable proteins such as split pea soup or chili beans with lean meat help the iron in those meats to properly absorb

- When eating starchy carbohydrates such as cereals, breads, and pastas, gravitate to those labeled "enriched" or "fortified" for their higher iron content.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

Weight Loss Tip #3: Moderate Drinking May Help You With Weight Loss

2008-05-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

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The connection between moderate drinking and avoiding heart disease is pretty much old news to most of us at this point.

But now, experts are saying that those of us who have 1-2 drinks a few times a week are less likely to become obese than non drinkers.

Finally! A Weight Loss "Do and Don't" that we can have some fun with!

Not too much fun though.

Those of us who consume 4 or more drinks daily are a whopping 46% more likely to be obese, research says. The connection between moderate drinking and avoiding heart disease is pretty much old news to most of us at this point.

This new information was based on a study of over 8,000 people conducted by Dr. James Rohrer of the Mayo Clinic and Dr. Ahmed Arif, from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

"We don't want to give people the wrong impression"...says Rohrer..."We certainly don't want to recommend that nondrinkers become drinkers just to control their weight".

If you're a non-drinker---don't panic.

The odds for moderate drinkers are only .73% better than nondrinkers for staying thin. The main message here is that a few drinks consumed socially isn't anything to worry about if that's your M.O.

Some experts don't completely agree with these findings. Dr. David L. Katz, Director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center, says that the slight reduciton in obesity risk may very well be attributed to additional healthy behaviors unrelated to drinking.

"Many health-conscious people have a daily drink because of the widely touted health benefits; it may be a constellation of behaviors in such people that lead to weight control"...says Katz..."This would produce the appearance of a weight-control benefit from moderate drinking, but it would be illusory."

Well here's my 2 cents on the matter:

As mentioned above, I feel that the primary takeaway from this research is that responsible, moderate drinkers need not be alarmed at the implications of drinking on their weight loss.

Though the overall trend presented here makes sense to me, I am a slight bit skeptical of the percentages given for risk levels.

My suspiscion comes from the fact that body mass index, or BMI, was used as a measure of obesity. As I mention in my program, BMI is not the best determination of true obesity. Its measurements, though useful, are not accurate enough to be followed to the letter---certainly not for coming up with percentages in a medical research study.

So if you choose to drink, do it moderately and responsibly. And if you don't choose to do so, that's o.k. too. WHATEVER you choose to do, make sure you're eating right and exercising daily!

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

Weight Loss Tip #4 Protecting Your Spine and Lower Back While You Lose Weight

2008-05-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

When most people begin a Weight Loss program or diet plan so that they can tone up and/or lose weight, the often forget about THE most important aspect of any exercise and diet program: Safety.

Although there are numerous ways in which exercising safely is beneficial to you, one of the most important and the least observed is concerning the spine and lower back.

There is nothing inherently wrong with spinal movement. However, problems tend to arise over time as a result of holding static positions such as sitting or standing with bad posture or not using proper body mechanics for lifting objects over a period of months and/or years.

Due to the above factors, a very large portion of the population eventually develops one form or another of complications with their lower spine and back.

Here are some ways that you can protect your lower back and spine area from injury and strain while exercising to tone up and lose weight:

- Avoid bending over and lifting objects with your back muscles

This is a common habit that wears down on the spine and lower back area by placing more tension on the area than it should be handling. As an alternative, bend fully at the kness when picking up objects of any significant weight and use the power of your larger, much stronger leg muscles to carry the majority of the weight load and give your lower back and spine a break.

- Strengthen your abdominal muscles for additional back support

The abdominal muscles are antagonist to the lower back, meaning that they stabilize movement at the back by providing a force in the opposite direction. They also have the potential to significantly reduce or even stop a force made on the back if they are strong enough.

Either way you slice it watching out for your spine is a crucial part of your weight loss program in that it keeps your body in good enough condition to continue your plan to help you tone and lose weight effectively.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

Weight Loss Tip #5: Trim Down Your Waist to Avoid Heart Attack

2008-05-15T01:54:00.000-07:00

A recent global study has come to some pretty alarming conclusions about the link between your waist-to-hip ratio and the risk of suffering from a heart attack.

How does waist-to hip ratio (WHR) work? Well, if your waist and hips are exactly the same circumference, you have a ration of 1 to 1 (1:1).

If your waist is smaller than your hips, the ratio will go down. For example, if your waist is only half as big around as your hips, the it changes to 1 to 2, or 1:2.

If the opposite is true, and your waist is twice as big as your hip area, the ratio goes up to 2 to 1, or 2:1.

Apparently, having a waist to hip ratio of 1:1 or more greatly increases your chances of suffering from a potentially fatal dysfunction of the heart.

A recent global study has come to some pretty alarming conclusions about the link between your waist-to-hip ratio and the risk of suffering from a heart attack.

How does waist-to hip ratio (WHR) work? Well, if your waist and hips are exactly the same circumference, you have a ration of 1 to 1 (1:1).

If your waist is smaller than your hips, the ratio will go down. For example, if your waist is only half as big around as your hips, the it changes to 1 to 2, or 1:2.

If the opposite is true, and your waist is twice as big as your hip area, the ratio goes up to 2 to 1, or 2:1.

Apparently, having a waist to hip ratio of 1:1 or more greatly increases your chances of suffering from a potentially fatal dysfunction of the heart.

Check your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)

Being in a state of obesity makes the threat many times worse. Currently there are more than 300 million obese people worldwide.

An obese person is generally regarded as somewhat with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.

Find out your body mass index (BMI)

What makes this issue so tricky is that some people will have a natural advantage with their WHR based on their genetic body type and shape.

Women with small waists and curvy hips will have the easiest time managing this ratio, while both men and women who have large midsections will have the most difficult time managing it.

Regardless of sex or body type, what is important for you to know is that you must do everything you can to keep your waist size down, down, DOWN!

In addition to heart attack, the WHR has been linked to determining your general risk of developing chronic diseases. It represents one of the many reasons why weight loss has so much more to offer you than a just a sexy body (all though it does come with that!)

The Your Best Body NOW Weight Loss Program teaches you not just how to lose weight but how to improve your entire lifestyle to make weight control and WAIST control simple and easy.

You only get one chance at life. Take care of it by living healthy and fit.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

Weight Loss Tip #6: Using Antioxidants in Your Weight Loss Program

2008-05-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

If you're smart, you should not only be focused on your goal to lose weight but to maximize your weight loss program to its full extent by getting some health benfits out of it as well, and make them priority #1.

One of the health benefits you should be aiming for as you lose weight should be getting a good daily dosage of antioxidants while on your weight loss plan and even afterward while in maintainence mode.

Just a few short years ago, the average person had never even heard of an antioxidant, let alone could actually tell you what one was.

Now, antioxidants are one of the biggest buzz words in health and fitness. Nearly every other product on the market claims to be chuck full of them. So what are they? REALLY? And what's so darn good about them that it creates such hoopla?

Simply put, antioxidants fight to help eliminate the body of one of its most dangerous internal enemies---free radicals. "Free Radical" is the layman's term for an oxygen atom that has been split in half so that it only has one electron as opposed to the two that it is supposed to have.

These split particles are constantly being made in the body, and if they are left unchecked, they can cause a myriad of problems. One such problem is to bump into and damage the internal tissues of the body's organs and systems.

A second problem is to attached themselves to molecules within the body and throw of the chemical balance within us, setting off chemical chain reactions and causing health problems while multiplying more and more new free radical particles from these reactions.

Damage from free radicals has been proven to contribute to such common and deadly illnesses as atherosclerosis, cancer, quickening the aging process, and eye cataracts.

There are currently 3 vitamins and 2 minerals that have been identified to have antioxidant properties:

Vitamins:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- beta carotene

Minerals:
- Sulfur
- Selenium

As you embark on your weight loss program, remember that your goal is not only to lose weight, but to gain optimum health. Weight loss itself is just an added benefit of being a wholistically healthy person.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

About the Author

Weight Loss Tip #7: When You Hang Around Dogs, You Get Fleas

2008-05-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

Can you remember the last few times you completely gorged on food that you KNEW was making you fat?

Were you alone? And if not, who were you with?

More than likely, you were pigging out with the same person or group of people that you have no doubt done this with on more than one if not many occassions.

One of the things that I teach in the Your Best Body NOW Weight Loss Program is that a regular "treat" is actually a healthy thing to keep you mentally in the game of weight loss.

At the same time, we can all tend to go overboard with this when we are in "certain company". Whether that company be friends, a significant other, or co-workers, it can be difficult to not give into the pressure and go along with whatever fattening food they may want you to indulge in with them.

Can you remember the last few times you completely gorged on food that you KNEW was making you fat?

Were you alone? And if not, who were you with?

More than likely, you were pigging out with the same person or group of people that you have no doubt done this with on more than one if not many occassions.

One of the things that I teach in the Your Best Body NOW Weight Loss Program is that a regular "treat" is actually a healthy thing to keep you mentally in the game of weight loss.

So how can you get a grip on the situation?

One word---CONTROL.

Now, when I mention this "control", I'm not talking about the strict, cast-iron stomach type that has you to stick to your celery and fruit even in the midst of your favorite pizza or pastry. If you had THAT, you wouldn't be pigging out in the first place, right?

What I'm referring to is much easier, because you don't have to do it all alone.

This type of control is not just over yourself, but is exercised on your environment. It works by simply letting everyone around you know that you are participating in weight loss---not just for aesthetics, but for your health, and sincerely ask for their help.

Some people in your life will be resistant to your change at first. However, with time and consistency you will see them develop a respect for you that will make them want to HELP you eat the right thing so that you reach your weight loss goals.

This doesn't mean that you'll never enjoy your favorite decadant food with friends or loved ones again, but it does help you to not fall into a revolving door of poor food choices by giving in to every bad-for-you treat that is placed before you.

Then, when you do get around to indulging, you can do so guiltlessly because you've exercised the CONTROL to stay on the weight loss straight and narrow---most of the time.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

Weight Loss Tip #8: Have Your Cake and Burn it Off Too

2008-05-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

With Christmas less than a week away, the holiday season is almost over, but the holiday EATING for most people will last for nearly another month.

I could try and tell you how to not eat anything but lettuce and fruit while the rest of the family is enjoying succulent hams, delicious cakes, and scrumptious pies; but that would be a waste of time, wouldn't it?

Besides, if you've been "good" all year with your eating habits (haven't you?), why shouldn't you get to enjoy some of that wonderful holiday food?

But what about your weight?

Your waistline?

I can show you how to manage that. The trick is to not get so carried away with all that food that all your weight loss and fitness efforts go down the tube.

How is that done?

It's pretty simple, actually. Just like any successful undertaking in life, it all comes down to a few rules that are geared toward helping you reach your goal. Keeping yourself together after sampling a veritable feast is no different.

In this case, there are just a few things you need to keep in mind and follow:

1) Don't munch yourself into a coma day after day. Choose 3 or 4 designated days through the REST of the season to "do your thing" at the table, and practice restraint on the rest.

2) On your big eating days, plan a morning cardio workout that is about an hour long. Why an hour? Sixty minutes of cardiovascular activity at the start of your day will keep your metabolism elevated well into the afternoon. It doesn't matter what you do---the gym, walking around the block, jogging with the dog---whatever. Just plan to do an hour of SOMETHING on each of those mornings.

3) Don't eat anything before your workouts. Just jump right into them with a bottle of water and don't allow yourself to be too interrupted until you are done. This will help you to get the most out of shedding some of the fat that is already stored on your body to give you a "head start" on the day's festivities.

4) This one is optional, but can make a difference if you stick to it. If you know that you just aren't going to be able to resist all those wonderful cakes and pies, try eating them with your entree's and pass on all or most of the starchy sides.

Remember, the goal here is not so much to lose weight, but to BREAK EVEN.

All you want to do is SURVIVE so that you don't blow up like a house and derail all of the work that you may have done up unto this point.

If you have any questions, feel free to email them to me at lawrence@yourbestbodynow.com

Happy Holidays!

To Your Best Body,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach

Read this Weight Loss Article at YourBestBodyNOW.com.

Weight Loss Tip #9: Don't be a New Year's Casualty!

2008-05-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

I got so caught up in this year's fitness goals that I completely forgot about something that I usually brace myself for this time of year.

But no sooner had I stepped into my gym a week or two ago than I was sharply reminded of it.

Reminded of what?, you may ask.

The New Year's Resolution crowd.

They come every year like snowbirds to Florida; they're so predictable, that I can literally set my watch by them at the stroke of midnight each New Year's Eve.

And they're so easy to tell from everyone else, too. They show up in January in flocks and droves so thick that there is literally a line in front of every piece of equipment at the gym.

Then around mid to late March they start disappearing one by one like game birds being picked off by hunters. By April, they're pretty much all gone.

These seasonal "birds" are the joke of the gym every hunting season.

The question is, will YOU be one of them?

Because you certainly don't have to be. Everyone who's in shape now was once someone who was just getting started or getting back on the horse after "letting themselves go" a bit. So getting a fresh start is nothing to be ashamed about.

In fact, it should be applauded. Getting started new and fresh means that you have stepped up to the plate to do something that so many people at home just are not willing to do for themselves.

The trick is not to let it all end just as quickly as it started.

I'll give you the secret to being the last man or woman standing when everyone else has "flown back north" because they couldn't hack it.

Set your weight loss and fitness goals NOW. Make them as specific as possible. The dress or waist size you want, your perfect weight, the outfit you want to wear, the reaction you want to get. Write it all out.

Studies have shown that written goals are more than twice as likely to become reality than those that are not.

Then when you go in the gym, forget about everybody else. You heard me right---EVERYBODY.

Don't pay any attention to those toned physiques that look like they must have taken years to put together. Pay no mind to the show-off in the corner doing some fancy upside-down exercise with chains, ropes, and 2 machines. They aren't your concern.

Its all about you.

Your body. Your goals. Your workout. Your results.

Go ahead and take that "before" picture. Look at it everyday as you work away from the old and toward the new you.

If you can just make it through the first few months you've greatly increased your chances of being around for the long haul.

Don't cheat yourself by being on of this year's gym casulties.

...And if you can't make it to a gym, that's all the better. Do the YourBestBodyNOW 15 Minute Workout at home and find a place close to home to get in your cardio.

The only thing that can keep you away from your goals is you.

Don't allow that to happen.

Start this year strong and dig as deep as you can to make sure that you keep it up until you get exactly what you want. You can do it, I know you can.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach

Read this Weight Loss Article at YourBestBodyNOW.com.

Weight Loss and Exercise in Tough Environmental Conditions

2008-05-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

Working out is working out, right?

Wrong.

Depending on the environmental conditions where you live, there may be extra precautions that you'll want to consider when trying to lose weight by following a healthy diet and weight loss program.

High Altitudes

High altitude environments have less available oxygen then those closer to sea level. One of the effects of such altitude is that the heart must beat faster in order to do the job of delivering oxygen to the muscle tissues both while active and at rest.

Depending on the specific altitude and corresponding acitivity, heart rates may soar as high as 50% above normal. Also, side effects like hyperventilation, dizziness, insomnia, weakness, headache, and irratability are also common in such an environment.

Because of these possible outcomes, people who exercise in high altitudes will definitely want to consult a local physician for clearance before beginning their weight loss exercise program, and may want to lower the intensity of their weight loss cardiovascular activity---especially if they are beginners.

People living in high altitudes will also want to get medical clearance before trying any diet pills, diet patch, or any other weight loss product(s) that may elevate the heart rate to eliminate risk of more complicated health concerns.

Exercising in Extreme Heat

Under normal circumstances, the body's temperature is at or around 98?. In areas that have very high temperatures (around 100? or more), the body must adjust to maintain the proper temperature by transferring some of its heat back into the environment.

The primary result of this reaction is that he heart rate will be higher than normal, similar to the effect of being in high altitudes. To best aid the body in maintaining its normalcy under such conditions, make sure to drink 3 to 6 oz. of water for every 10 to 15 minutes of weight loss activity and allowing as much sweat to evaporate as possible. It is also important to wear as close to 100% cotton garments as well as stray away from rubberized or water-proof garments that will prevent sweat evaporation. Light colors should also be worn.

Exercising in the Cold

To the surprise as many, water replenishment is just as important in the cold as it is in much warmer environments.

The fact of the matter is that water is lost as vapor as inhaled during cardiovascular exercise and other activities that help you to ultimately lose weight. There is also a risk of losing too much body heat once you are done exercising.

To best be prepared to exercise in order to lose weight fast while living in cold environments, make sure to dress in layers to insulate body heat and drink plenty of water. Also wear a hat to limit the amount of body heat that escapes through the head, which is where most body heat is lost from.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

See this Weight Loss article on YourBestBodyNOW.com

Weight Loss Motivation: Mastering the Motivation to Stay Fit

2008-05-06T21:50:00.000-07:00

Have you ever just felt like you were doing everything you were supposed to in order to lose weight and STILL weren't dropping the pounds?

During her journey to lose 40lbs in 16 weeks, my good friend Kim faced some pretty serious challenges with regards to her level of motivation.

Another friend of mine, Antonio Goodwin, who lost 4 inches from his waistline in 9 weeks with my program, faced the same frustration.

The problem was that at several times during their weight loss, they both felt as if they were not losing much weight and were not seeing results.

Now, a look at either of their before and after photos on my web sites shows that each of them made quite a substantial improvement in their bodies.

So what would make someone who's losing weight each week feel as if they were not?

I'll tell you exactly what. Its referred to as the <u>emotional roller coaster</u>.

This is how it usually goes:

You start a new diet or weight loss program. You're all excited to be doing something great for your health and the way you look, and you're sticking to the program, step by step.

Consistent action pays off and after a short while you start getting compliments about the pounds you're losing week by week.

Then all of a sudden, it all seems to stop. You can no longer see the physical changes in your body, and maybe you even have a moment of weakness and cheat a bit on your diet plan. So now you're frustrated and mildly depressed. You feel as if true weight loss may NEVER happen for you, no matter what you do.

TIME OUT.

The trick here is to not get stuck in your own frustration.

Now this is a tough one, because everyone and I do mean EVERYONE goes through this stage. Whenever I need to trim down for a photo shoot, I go through it as well.

One of the things that you must understand about the body is that for as long as you are doing the right things on a consistent basis it WILL respond with results.

The Jedi Mind Trick is that oftentimes the progress is subtle, or may be primarily taking place in an area that you cannot see as well.

For instance, my friend Kim loses weight in her back the fastest. Her frustration came because she did not see the fat loss on her stomach the way she would have liked to. Little did she know that from behind she looked like a completely different person.

Listen, the emotional roller coaster is an inevitable aspect of any worthy undertaking that we take on in life. Remember getting through college? Or maybe waiting for puberty to set in? How about paying off your debts? The mental battle while attempting to diet and/or achieve weight loss is no different.

So make a conscious decision to stick to your guns. Let it play out. Victory lies in having the strength to make it through the rough spots without cracking under the pressure and losing all that you've worked for. If you can just master getting past the point of frustration, before you know it you'll be seeing results again and getting more compliments.

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com

See this Weight Loss article on YourBestBodyNOW.com

Weight Loss Tip #11: What's Stopping You From Weight Loss?

2008-05-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite success quotes talks about having a single, overriding objective and making everything else in life bend towards helping you to attain that objective.

Well I've got a challenge for you.

I am literally daring you to make your weight loss goals the single, overriding objective to which you will make other things bend this month.

Am I asking you to put your weight loss absolutely first? Before Family? Before Work?

Certainly not!

Of course there will always be things in your life that will be more important to you than this.

However, I do believe that the list of things more important than your own weight loss and fitness is a short one. I also believe that even many things that are more important can be modified to help accommodate this part of your life.

There's also a point to be made that without your health, nothing else matters anyway.

I mean think about it. Obesity is either a root cause or an aid in almost every major deadly disease and condition. I think that calls for your fitness and weight loss program to be just a bit of a top priority.

Wouldn't you agree?

I thought so.

Now if you haven't been prioritizing your program I don't want you to go beating up on yourself. That's not what this is about.

Instead of dwelling on what you may not have done, put in some extra effort this month to find ways to make SURE that you are making the time and resources available to yourself that you need to stay in shape.

1. Schedule Your Exercising, Keeping it Simple and Easy

This sounds oh, so simple. But you wouldn't believe how many people I talk to who "try" to get a workout in "if they can get around to it", and never do.

Look, the reality is that most busy people these days will not be able to get to the gym or even be able to workout at home every day. And the good news is that you don't have to.

Get out your planner and really take a hard look at your schedule. If nothing else, you will need to find 3 to 5 days in a week that you can set aside at least 30 minutes for some cardio. Of course you will get better results with 5 days, but it is more important that you are doing something than doing a lot.

Try to plan activities that are easily accessible and even fun if you can. A cardio funk class at a gym that's near by. Jogging while you walk the dog around the neighborhood. Sticking your favorite cardio DVD into the player and "working it out".

Do whatever is easy, simple, and hopefully fun. You want to set yourself up for success, so don't try and complicate the issue.

2. Plan Your Grocery Shopping for Weight Loss

Create a "master list" of all of the healthy foods that you'll need to get through the week eating healthy. Go and get them all at once and them stock them at home.

This way, you will always have healthy food options that will help you in your weight loss goals.

You also won't be caught off guard with the "munchies" and nothing to snack on in the house but your children's (or significant other's!) junk food. You can also plan to take certain snacks to work with you that can help you stay away from the temptations of doughnut-and-pizza-peddling co-workers.

3. Take Advantage of Weekend Time

The fact of the matter is that for most people, the weekend is the only time when they have complete control over what they do during the day. Why not take advantage of this time to make sure you get in a little jog or some aerobics or even biking in the morning or afternoon when you are having some down time?

Look at it this way: you'll be knocking out 2 days of workouts before the week even begins. Then, based on your personal program, you will only have to worry about doing it again 1,2, or 3 days.

This will go a long way to take some pressure off of you so that you won't feel like you failed just because you got busy for a day or two and truly just could not get around to doing anything for your body.

Using this tactics will go along way in making sure that you are able to stick with your program and not quit---even during times when your schedule is hectic and keeping up is rough.

4. One Day at a Time

Most people won't tell you this, but having the discipline to stay in shape---especially in the eating department---is something that usually is gradual and takes some time.

And I know this from personal experience.

It actually took me a year or two before I could really stick to a diet and exercise plan without fouling it all up. And to be honest, it is still a challenge even for me.

Therefore, there is absolutely no reason why should feel defeated if you mess up on any given day. Just get back on the horse and commit to yourself that you'll get it the right the next; and then the next; and then the next. And when you slip up again. Get over it quickly and do better the next day.

I know this all sounds pretty simplistic. That's because it really is simple.

What makes it so challenging is that ugly four-syllabal word called C-O-N-S-I-S-T-E-N-C-Y. Its what separate people who achieve from those who don't in virtually any endeavor.

But the bottom line of it all is that if the days that you do the right things far out way the days you do the wrong things, you will be truly successful in the end.

And yes, it really is that simple.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach

Read this Weight Loss Article at YourBestBodyNOW.com.

Weight Loss Diary, Day 1

2008-05-04T22:57:00.000-07:00

Weight Loss Day by Day Diary:

Day 1: Sunday February 5, 2006.

In response to an email I received from a reader I have taken up her suggestion to share my next weight control program by publishing my weight loss diary in article form for everybody to follow.

I?ll start with a few personal details that will give you a guideline to make comparisons with your own progress.

- My height is a fraction over 6 feet. (1.83m)
- My current weight is 197 pounds (97.5 kilos)
- My target weight is 180 pounds (89 kilos.)
- My age is 65.
- My physical condition is basically sound but I do suffer from osteo-arthritis in both ankles. The left is severe the right isn?t much of a problem.

I guess the reason for coming clean on those personal details is to make the point that age or physical condition is a factor. Younger, fitter people will find this easier.

I have used this system to control my weight for close to thirty years now and it has never let me down. I use a very scientific measuring gauge known as a waistband. When it gets tight I need to lose some weight, when it goes slack I go back to my normal routine. Usually I only allow my weight to go over by 10 pounds (4.5 kilos) before taking action. This year it has soared due to a very busy January that flew past so quickly I barely noticed it leaving my Christmas weight gain to get worse. Now I have to lose 17 pounds (7.65 kilos) and that is what makes it more interesting and worth sharing the experience with you.

You will notice from the above paragraph I have no doubt that I will lose it and this is an important part of the weight loss mindset. If this is the first time you have attempted this system you will have to complete the first few goals to prove that you can do it; after that you will have the same degree of confidence that I have.

The first thing I must do is set goals. Adherence to and achievement of goals is the basic difference between winners and losers. Here I must be honest and tell you that 17 pounds seems like a mountain to me and I know that it will take me 17 weeks to successfully dispose of it. Hence I will not even look at losing 17 pounds as my initial goal. My goals are listed below:

- At the end of week 1 I will have abided by my goal of dropping one item of food from my diet each day without cheating. I will lose one pound (450 grams)

- By the end of week 2 I will have increased my walking/exercise periods from 10 minutes on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday to 12 minutes each session. I will have lost 2 pounds.

- By the end of February I will exercise Monday, Wednesday and Saturday for 15 minutes each time. My weight will be 194 pounds (96 kilos)

That is enough for now: I will update my goals as I go along. As you can see my weight loss goals are simple and within reach without too much effort. Why? Because we must all start training our minds to achieve our goals. If I set a goal to lose 10 pounds in one week and I only lose eight I will look upon myself as a loser and soon give up. To be of use goals must be achievable or they will soon cease to function for us. - I have entered my first three goals in my diary and tomorrow we start in earnest.

You can follow this diary via RSS, your favorite article site or at my website in the news blogs section.

This article is copyright ? David McCarthy 2006.

: David McCarthy takes up the challenge of a reader and shares his weight loss diary as he attempts to lose 17 pounds in the next 17 weeks. You are invited to join him in this quest and compare your results. Other articles by this author can be published in their entirety with no additions from: http://www.recipesmania.com/newsblogs.html

Weight Loss Diary, Day 1

2008-05-04T22:43:00.000-07:00

About the Author: David McCarthy takes up the challenge of a reader and shares his weight loss diary as he attempts to lose 17 pounds in the next 17 weeks. You are invited to join him in this quest and compare your results. Other articles by this author can be published in their entirety with no additions from: http://www.recipesmania.com/newsblogs.html

Exercise and Weight Loss Tip #1: Why Behind-the-Neck-Exercises Are Bad For You

2008-05-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

Please don't be like me!

Several years ago I was warned to stay away from behind-the-neck exercises and movements, and do you think I listened? Of course not.

And as a result, I acquired a rotator cuff injury that slowly gets worse and worse over time.

It is often said that it is much smarter to learn from the mistakes of others than to have to suffer the consequences yourself. I'd say that I agree with that.

Just in case you are not quite sure what a "rotator cuff" is, its a handy little muscle on the back of your shoulder that literally helps your arm to "rotate" around the shoulder socket.

For most people, this muscle is not supposed to rotate far enough to take the arms too far behind the head.

Behind the neck exercises not only pull this muscle to the edge of its natural range, but often have additional weight resistance involved that cause even more stress to the area.

If this is done repetitively over time, the muscle will often get injured. Another thing that may happen is that it will become inflammed and swell to the point where the bone around it pinches the muscle. Both conditions are chronic, painful, and should be avoided at all costs.

So, if there are any behind-the-neck movements in your current workout, you will want to find more shoulder-friendly alternatives. And if such an exercise is ever recommended to you by a friend or exercise program, ask or look for a better alternative immediately.

You only get one body! Take care of it.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach

Read this Exercise and Weight Loss Article at YourBestBodyNOW.com.

Weight Loss Diet - Eat to Lose Weight

2008-05-01T22:34:00.000-07:00

More than deadlines to meet and clients to satisfy, the pressure to look good is far more intense these days. Women hanker after hourglass figures and men need to be Greek Gods. It is no wonder that every second person on the street is on a weight loss diet. Weight loss diet is the topic of conversation in public places, private parties, on buses and cabs, by the beach and the dinner table.

Before you plunge in to any form of weight loss diet, few issues need to be sorted out. Embarking on a diet to lose weight doesn't mean indiscriminate slashing of calories. It is true that you need to cut down on the calories but at the same time, you cannot compromise on your nutritional intake.

There are representatives from all the food groups in an ideal weight loss diet plan to ensure that all forms of nutrients enter your body. So there are actually not many don'ts in a weight loss diet. However, you need to steer clear of junk, fried and fast foods, chocolates, candies, cakes and aerated drinks.

Proteins form the building blocks of your body and as much they form the prime ingredient in any lose weight diet plan. One gram of protein per pound of body weight is recommended for every individual whether you lead an active or sedentary life. Meats, sea fish, milk and egg whites are good protein sources.

Any weight loss diet plan will advise you to go green. Fruits and vegetables abound in minerals and vitamins and are low on calories too. Gorging on them will make you healthy, without making your calorie intake spiral out of control.

While harping on the theme of a weight loss diet, a myth needs to be expounded. All fats are not bad. Fishes and nuts are excellent sources of good fats.

Open any newspaper or magazine and you will find a weight loss diet plan peeking at you from every nook and cranny. But most overlook the role of water.

Water is life and in your diet to lose weight, water should be the backbone. Water flushes out the toxins from your body and revitalizes you. Deprive yourself of water and you will soon find your entire mental as well as physical states in shambles.

In essence, a weight loss diet plan counsels having all types of food, but moderation should be the key. Gorging and starving are equally bad. Mix and match your foods so that your taste buds are not weary and be sure to have 1200-1500 calories daily.

The path to a perfect figure is waylaid with temptations in the form of fad diets, single-food diets, protein and liquid diets. Each one claims to be a fast weight loss diet. There are no shortcuts to losing weight and their tall claims should be taken with a pinch of salt.

The perfect weight loss diet aims to keep you healthy while endowing you with a flattering figure.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental skin care interests. He can be reached at http://www.bestskinpeel.com

Weight Loss: The Beignner's Guide to Losing Weight

2008-04-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

So you've decided that you're going to do it.

You're sick and tired of being sick and tired and are once and for all hell bent on losing weight.

Well, let me be the first to warn you of a very grim fact:

Millions have tried before you and most of them have failed miserably at reaching their weight loss and diet goals.

Therefore, I've put together a little beginner's guide to help make sure that you are one of the few that actually ends up being successful at this.

1. Get an accurate picture of where you are now

Many people just go and hop on a diet or weight loss program without knowing exactly where they are from the start. This is dangerous because along the way there WILL be numerous times where you will be tempted to simply quit altogether. Without knowing where you started, you won't be able to accurately gauge your progress. Not being able too see that progress put you at an extremely high risk of quitting down the road when the going gets tough.

2. Set specific, realistic goals for your weight loss, and WRITE THEM DOWN.

This is one of the most ill-executed steps in the entire process of losing weight. Most people will passively quote some random amount of weight that they "hope" to lose.

"I need to lose 30 lbs." "I'm trying to get back down to a size X" "If I can just fit back into Y, I'll be fine"

That is the exact WRONG way to go about your weight loss. All above the above are hopes. Wishes. Desires. And none does a thinner body make.

What you need are detailed, definite goals that are written and time bound (e.g. "over the next 3 months") to hold yourself accountable to doing what you said you were going to do by the time you said you were going to do it.

3. Adopt a step-by-step course of action to get you there

In order for this to work there needs to be a concrete method to your weight loss madness. To this end, you need to chose a weight loss plan that will lead you step-by-step through what to eat (and what not to eat), how and when to exercise, and every other imaginable aspect of losing weight. The reason for this is that goals have a much better chance of becoming reality when they are being attained as a result of a plan or system of action.

4. Get started IMMEDIATELY

Most flunkies know how to study. Most broke people know how wealth is generated. Most overweight people how to lose weight. However, what separates all of these very knowledgeable, yet unsuccessful people from the results they desire is action. Don't let that be your fate.

Once you have written specific goals and chosen a plan of action, don't delay in getting right on track to weight loss. The cheesecake, burgers, chocolate, and pastries aren't going anywhere. You can snack on them moderately once you've achieved your goals. Don't get caught into the trap of holding off having Your Best Body any longer. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll be done.

5. Be Prepared for the emotional roller coaster

Nearly everyone who has tried to lose weight has had some level of success at one time or another. For those who have not been able to sustain desirable results, being knocked out by the emotional roller coaster is most likely to blame.

Look, losing weight is very simple, but not easy. If it were, there wouldn't be so many people trying to get it right. The #1 skill that you will need to develop in order to make it through is surviving the roller coaster of emotions. One day you'll feel as if you're getting great results. A week later, you may actually feel that you are moving backwards. Either way, just know that as long as you consistently follow the weight loss principles, you will ALWAYS move forward, even if it does not feel like it.

6. Don't stop until your goal is reached, no matter WHAT

So many times people come to a screeching halt in their efforts to lose weight and diet because they get discouraged a portion of the way through OR after they reach a certain benchmark they allow themselves to be satisfied and quit the program even though their goal has not been reached.

DON'T DO IT.

There was a specific reason that you set your initial goal. Do not sell yourself short by settling for anything less. Stick it out until the very end, and your sense of accomplishment will be irreplaceable.

7. Once you've reached your goal, never, EVER let yourself blow up again

This is the last and final barrier to ultimate success in your efforts to lose weight.

Make sure not to allow yourself to relapse while you are in maintenance mode. I recommend sticking to the same general principles that helped you lose the weight and then occasionally indulging in some of the foods that you love. This balance is the best way to keep the body that you've worked for and not feel over-restricted.

Make this the first and last time that you ever have to go through a weight loss program. Remember that if you can just get it right one good time, you can literally maintain it forever with little effort.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach YourBestBodyNOW.com

3 Steps To Technological Weight Loss Success

2008-04-24T02:57:00.000-07:00

Three Steps to Technological Weight Loss Success.

Let's face it. In today's world, you're literally "lost" without some form of technology on your side.

And it's no different for the war on weight loss. Body fat accumulation continues to be a major challenge, especially in America, where the availability of a comfortable lifestyle also comes with inherent stress and burdening psychological and social responsibilities.

Does anyone really know how to lose weight successfully in only three steps? The best answer to that question would be, to know how to choose the RIGHT three steps and perform them effectively.

Losing weight has been, and will virtually always be a multi-step process. This remains true primarily because because there is no one, single factor that you can lean on to lose weight. Body fat, weight management, and their associated composition depend upon a myriad of personalized factors, including heredity, hormonal disposition, character, social responsibility, and stress reaction profile. Don't forget the obvious ones, like food intake and energy expenditure... and even the time of day! And, circadian rhythms play a part in weight control as well.

With all this in mind, weight loss comes down to three simple steps:

1. Physically... Cap your calorie intake while simultaneously increasing your energy expenditure. Employ a specialized or personal computerized calorie counter software program to complete this task more fluently. That will give you technological advantage, as well as traditional weight management factual support.

2. Intellectually... "Learn more," especially about those seemingly "little" things that add and detract from overall weight loss accomplishment. Such items include: target heart rate training, and supplemental bioavailability (usually not efficient enough to make a major impact on weight loss ability, yet so many think otherwise, and practically depend on nutritional supplementation to lose weight).

- Lastly there's the concept of pushing yourself to a more highly intense physical threshold and following up those days with sufficient "rest." You do this because fitness gains are made primarily during the "resting" phase. Exercise itself is merely a signal of intent to better one's body, or the "request" for these changes to begin.

3. Socially... From now on, be more highly aware that losing weight leans inclusively upon social factors. Perhaps equally as well as the physical and intellectual factors above, your social circumstances and disposition can have a "make-you or break-you" effect on your weight loss outcome.

Whether you might realize it or not, losing weight requires you to make one, big decision about how you'll get it done. Either you may consciously choose to go it alone, or you might subconsciously seek an ally, friend, coworker, family member, or professional help to achieve your desired weight loss results. The previous choice may also occur in reverse manner. That is, your choice may alternate between being an intentional one or an unintentional one.

Yet, regardless, this social decision still must be made because we live in a society filled with people, and people exert pressure upon the actions we choose to perform, either by indicating their approval and support, or by knowingly or unknowingly attempting to undermine your exhibited decisions and activities. In that regard, it's up to you to establish the control, and lead the way toward your achievement.

How does technology play into this one? Now, you can use an on-line support program to lose weight, complete with calorie counter energy balance information and technique enhancement, motivational expertise, plus exercise program design and planning with implementation and instruction. Thus, even when all else fails, your social support can still come from a caring, online weight loss specialist.

To summarize... it usually takes at least three steps to accomplish virtually any worthwhile goal.... some type of preparation, some type of attack, and some type of follow-through even after you accomplish your mission.

The three things that affect weight loss so highly often exist in an inconspicuous manner. Thus, it is very easy to allow such contributing factors to slip by unnoticed. Yet, they remain crucial concepts because mastering them means you much better determine your level of weight loss success. So, use this "combination of three" and take advantage of previously dormant weight loss possibilities.

Ken Dockins is a current member of the American Council On Exercise in good standing holding two professional certifications: 1) Certified Personal Trainer; and 2) Certified Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant.

Temple University Kinesiology program graduate. CPR Certified Healthcare Provider. Holds Certificate of Completion in Alternative and Complementary Nutrition.

ken@better-body.biz, http://www.better-body.biz/sitemap.htm

Weight Loss Foods

2008-04-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

The body's metabolism is like an engine, when we consume food it is the body's metabolism that determines whether to store it, use it for energy, or create waste product of what cannot be used. People become fat due to several reasons. These reasons include too much intake of food which gets stored in the body in the form of fat; inactivity of the body or a slow metabolism rate due to which the food consumed is not burnt; or a medical problem.

It is often believed that the way to loose weight is by reducing the food intake. But what if you are told that there are foods that help fuel weight loss? That's right, foods can change one's metabolism and certain fat burning foods can even flush out the fat in the body. It is not only cutting on your diet that helps in loosing weight, even increasing your metabolism will do the trick.

The weight loss foods include:

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like, lemons, tangerines, oranges, and grapefruit contain a high concentration of Vitamin C which has a fat burning quality. Vitamin C reduces the content of fat and can liquefy or dilute fat. When fat gets diluted it becomes less effective and gets easily flushed out of your body.

Vitamin C also helps in burning cholesterol as a result prevents cholesterol deposits from forming in blood vessels. Adding Citrus Fruits to your diet will help in increasing your metabolism and the ability to get rid of fat. It also helps in keeping a check on cholesterol levels.

Apples, Berries, Fresh Fruits

Apples contain a chemical called Pectin. Pectin is also found in most berries and fresh fruits. Pectin has the ability to limit the amount of fat that the cells absorb. It also has the water binding property and absorbs watery substances. These watery substances bombard the cells and make them release fat deposits.

Make use of the power of Pectin by adding Apples, Berries and fresh fruits to your diet. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, now you also know it also keeps fat away!

Garlic Oil

Garlic juice or garlic oil has a protective quality towards cells and helps in reducing the fat deposits. As a result when garlic is taken it reduces the level of fat in the body. Garlic can also be used to cure many ailments due to its antibiotic property. Including Garlic in your diet helps in fighting bacterial infections and also reducing fat in the cells.

Soybeans

Soybeans contain a chemical called Lecithin which shields cells in the body from accumulation fat. As a result it prevents fat from forming in the cells and also breaks down the fat deposits in the body. Consuming Soybeans three times a week will help boost the body's ability to get rid of fat tremendously.

Apart from all these foods if you include appetite suppressants like Adipex, Phentermine or Xenical to your diet you will be on the fast track of loosing weight. The foods listed above will increase your metabolism and drugs like Phentermine will help you eat less. You will manage to loose weight at a speed you would have never imagined.

Jessica Stephens is a leading nutrition and public health advocates in the country who is also the founder and director of The Institute for Nutritional & Behavioral Sciences, a non-profit organization, which designs public health programs and also conducts obesity-related research.

She received her Masters in Public Health from Florida University, and her undergraduate degree from Cornell University. Jessica is also a certified personal trainer.

Lose Weight Fast - Six Sensible Tips for Long Term Weight Loss

2008-04-11T22:44:00.000-07:00

In this article we are going to show you some sensible PROVEN Ways to lose weight fast.

The good news about the diet tips enclosed are they do not involve starving yourself, or using fad diets that can actually be bad for your long term health.

1. Drink water

Water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off longer term.

Water acts as an appetite suppressant by keeping your stomach full and fending off dehydration which can lead to false cravings/hunger.

Water also helps your body metabolize stored fat by helping the kidneys flush out waste. When you don't drink enough water the liver which works to provide stored fat for energy helps the kidneys eliminate waste and becomes less effective at metabolizing fat.

Drinking water ice cold burns about 62 calories a day. Your body has to work to raise that waters temperature to your body's temperature. This equals around 430 calories per week.

2. Eat regularly

This means eating 5 times a day and the most important meal is breakfast.

Make sure you fuel your body first thing in the morning to avoid hunger pangs later in the day.

When you eat 5 times a day you will never feel hungry, make sure the total calories consumed are sensible and don't over eat in any of the meals learn portion size control!

3. Eat lots of fibre

Eating adequate fiber foods to help keep things moving through your bowel. And like water, fiber rich foods bulk you up and make you feel fuller for longer.

Fibre is found only in plant foods our bodies cant digest it to so it simply goes through the body. During the elimination process it cuts calories consumed by attaching to protein and fat that you eat along with it removes that as well

In addition, high fiber foods are typically low in calories and filling, so you are reducing your calorie intake overall.

Good fibre foods include: strawberries, apples, figs, chickpeas, potatoes, (with skins) broccoli, brown rice, beans, bran and nuts.

4. Consume more good fats

There are good fats and bad fats

Good fats provide you with essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) needed for normal reproduction and growth, as well as for production of prostoglandin, a hormone like compound that regulates blood pressure, prevents blood clotting and lowers the risk of heart disease.

For example, the reason oily fish is a great food stems from the fact that the essential fatty acids which it contains can actually help your body burn fat more efficiently and protect against disease. Get at least three portions of oily fish a week with Salmon, mackerel, herrings and sardines being good choices. 5. Get plenty of quality protein

Quality protein is an effective weight control tool because of the satiety factor and its ability to keep you full for longer periods. It also balances out carbohydrates by preventing insulin spikes that cause energy loss and sugar cravings

Protein helps to maintain muscle mass which is important in the fat burning process.

Good choices include:

Fish, shrimps, Low fat cottage cheese, low fat yogurt, skimmed milk, egg whites, s Weight gain is caused by consuming too many calories, whether they are from carbohydrate, protein or fat.

6. Carbohydrates can help you lose weight

Don't believe what you read about carbohydrates being bad for you, they can actually help you lose weight!

A diet containing good carbohydrates such fruits and vegetables, wholegrains and moderate in fat and calories, will result in weight loss

Good carbohydrates will also help you combat hunger pangs as they are slowly realized into the body.

When eating carbohydrates eat them "from the earth" with no refining or processing.

These include whole grains, vegetables; fruits and beans.

Sensible weight loss

If you have read the above you will see that it is not the food group, but the quality of the food in it that's important for fast weight loss.

We have outlined all the major food groups above and providing you eat quality foods in these groups and eat a sensible 5 meals a day you will lose weight and feel healthy and full.

For more sensible advice on diet and wieght diet as well free newsletters and ezines go to:http://www.net-planet.org

Diets, Exercise, Health and Weight Loss

2008-04-07T22:20:00.000-07:00

Square one. Stop thinking about diet, diets, dieting, on a diet, fad diet, latest diet, celebrity diet, diet pills, diet plans, diet programs...ad nauseum...literally!

A diet is simply what you eat! Your diet can consist of chocolate donuts or alfalfa sprouts, but most "Diets", with a capital "D" will not set you free. Instead, they lock you in a cage. Eat anything other than what they prescribe, and you are a failure...at least, so reads their literature.

Of course, what we eat and when we eat it can play a big part in weight loss or gain. Even where we eat can be important. Ever eat too much at Grandma's on Thanksgiving? I have. How about that cocktail party when you went wandering over to the snack trays...and drank one more drink because someone offered it to you? Okay, for me it would be sitting at the bar ordering one more beer (light, of course) because the game's not over yet. Oh yeah, pass the chips.

THE LOWDOWN ON WEIGHT LOSS.

Take in more calories than you use, you gain weight. Use more calories than you take in, you lose weight. Proven scientific fact. Although we are all different and our bodies shuffle calories and file them differently from our neighbors' bodies, we can all contribute to weight loss by taking in fewer calories or by burning more calories...or both.

You've figured out that using both techniques simultaneously is more effective than trying to accomplish successful weight loss with only one.

I'm assuming that the reasons you want to lose weight are quality of life and concern about your health. Being over fat can contribute to major and minor health problems. You honestly believe it would be great to lose weight, but you don't want to be miserable, and neither do the people around you.

By the way, I said "over fat", rather than overweight, because healthy people can weigh more than charts say they should weigh. Weight is not the problem. It's the fat that cripples and kills people, so I was just making a point. According to the charts, when he was in the best physical condition of his life, Arnold Schwarzenegger was "overweight", but I doubt he was "overfat".

YOU CAN CUT CALORIES BY DIETING. RIGHT?

Somewhere in a "diet", you begin to feel deprived, depressed, and desirous of dessert. You might even feel like you're being punished. Can't eat the things you like. Can only eat asparagus, or bean sprouts, or three from this column and two from that column...except on the third Tuesday when the moon is full. Is it any wonder you and any other living human might quit a diet simply because of this nonsense?

As if discomfort and stress were not enough, there are actually a couple of hidden reasons why diets don't work.

DIETING CAN MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT.

Most diets are structured on one principle...cut calories taken in. Most of us burn calories at a given rate based on our age, physical makeup, activity, and heredity. The rate at which we burn calories is called the "metabolic rate". Our own metabolic rate is unique, and is simply the measure of how fast we burn, or metabolize, calories. As we grow older, the metabolic rate slows down and eating the same number of calories as last year causes us to gain weight. As we age, we also become less active, and our body gradually changes its metabolic rate based on our activity levels as well.

When you cut calories drastically, as in most diets, your body responds by lowering your metabolic rate. It now takes fewer calories to maintain your weight. While eating less, you might even find yourself gaining weight.

What usually happens when someone tries an extreme diet? Well, eventually, they usually fall off the wagon and go back to their old eating habits...perhaps even bingeing a little....or a lot! If their body has learned to get by on fewer calories, what's going to happen to the calories that are now excess? They will be stored as more fat.

If calories are cut too drastically, the body may actually begin eating own tissue! It's going to go after muscle tissue. The problem is that muscle burns calories more effectively than other body components. When you lose muscle tissue, or muscle mass, you burn fewer calories. You are also probably not going to feel as well or as energetic, so you will become less active. So again, simply dieting might create a double whammy.

Okay, you've slowed down your metabolism and lost muscle mass. Now you're disillusioned and depressed because you're not losing like you thought you would. You have less energy and you're hungry all the time. You're fed up with eating the same old stuff, you're miserable, your family doesn't understand, there's nobody to talk to...! Oh! One little dish of ice cream won't hurt, will it?

YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE!

Next thing you know, you're in the gutter surrounded by burgers and fries and chocolate milk shakes.

Really, now you're depressed (which can contribute to weight gain) because you failed again. On top of everything else, you're gaining again. How did that happen?

Remember what we said earlier about your metabolism slowing down and the body depleting it's supply of muscle tissue? Well, with less muscle tissue you burn fewer calories, and, as you saw earlier, the body has slowed down its metabolic rate and doesn't need as many calories to survive.

IT'S A VICIOUS CYCLE, ISN'T IT? WHAT CAN YOU DO?

You could hire a dietician to help you plan meals. You can take prepared menus shopping to help you buy the specific ingredients needed for healthy, nourishing meals. You could take some courses and learn how to do all this yourself.

There's where the diet problem lies. To control calorie intake properly, somebody has to be in charge of the nutritional side of a planned weight loss program. You can take the responsibility yourself, but be prepared to spend a lot of time planning, preparing, and compensating.

There are organizations and companies who can provide the guidance, planning, and/or products to help. You might want to look at: NutriSystem, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, or TOPS International.

These can provide you with a broad range of delicious planned meal choices which can help you stay on target. Forget the word, "diet".

EXERCISE AND WEIGHT LOSS:

Remember that part about metabolism and muscle mass?

When you engage in physical activity; gardening, walking, weight lifting, swimming, biking or dance aerobics, for example, you burn more calories during the activity than during times at rest or doing other less strenuous activities.

This is good, but it gets better. If the activity is strenuous enough, your metabolic rate can remain elevated for some time after the activity has ended. Uh Oh! I said "strenuous", didn't I? Look, what is strenuous enough for you is what YOU can handle, not what some Olympic miler can do. Do what you can, and your body will figure it out. In fact, your body is going to get all upset and team up with your mind and convince you that this is JUST TOO HARD if you try to do too much at first. That's one of the reasons many well intentioned exercise programs don't last. The other main reason is that people expect too much in too short a time. It took years to get out of shape, you aren't going to reverse that in a week, a month or even two.

The degree to which the metabolism is raised, and the length of time it remains raised, will depend on various factors. Two key factors are the intensity and duration of the activity. The bottom line is that if you want to lose or control your weight, some sort of activity is important.

HERE'S THE SOLUTION:

Combine increased activity (exercise) with a controlled calorie intake, and you have the basic ingredients for healthy weight loss. Forget the pills and fad diets. Exercise and nutrition are broad areas, and there is no way I can go into all the possible variations on those themes here, so take responsibility for your own education.

The programs mentioned above, in addition to guidance on exercise and nutrition provide one other highly important ingredient for success....SUPPORT!

Some have counselors, meetings or online support. The key is that you can communicate with others who know what you are going through.

Remember, you are only human, so forgive yourself if you slip and fall. It's the getting up and moving forward again that's important.

The author's interest in fitness and health began in 1970 when he first read Dr. Kenneth Cooper's "Aerobics". Find health, fitness, and weight loss tips at http://nodiet4me.com . You can find additional articles on fitness, health, and weight loss at http://nodiet4me.blogspot.com .

Inexpensive Ways To Exercise For Weight Loss!

2008-03-31T02:47:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you?re a student, trying to make it on a student budget. Or, you?re a stay-at-home mother with little cash to spare. Or you?re just getting started in your career and you don?t have much in the way of disposable income. No matter what your situation, know that there are inexpensive ways to exercise for weight loss.

To begin with, one of the most cost-effective ways to exercise is simply by walking. It requires no special equipment?other than a good pair of athletic shoes. You can do it virtually anywhere?in a park, on a hiking trail, or around your neighborhood. Walking is also one of the best methods of cardiovascular exercise around. If you?re able to increase your pace from three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half miles an hour, you can expend 50 percent more calories. That means that, in a half hour of walking, you could burn more than 200 extra calories.

Another low-cost way to exercise is to work out with an exercise videotape or DVD. These tapes and DVDs can cost less than $20, but they can provide you with a year?s worth of exercise routines. Assuming you already have a VCR or DVD player, you won?t have to invest in any expensive equipment. You can also do the exercises in the privacy of your own home, so you don?t have to worry about how you?re dressed. Also, a number of television stations run exercise programs?the only money that?s required is paying your monthly cable bill, an expense you might already have.

Yet another way to exercise without putting out a great deal of money is to ride a bicycle. While you will have to invest in a bike, you might be able to pick one up at a low price by buying second-hand through a newspaper ad or through a used bike shop. Once you?ve bought your bike, you won?t have to invest any additional money in your exercise routine.

A number of magazines offer regular exercise features. These can be quite good and may even offer full-body workouts. By investing a mere $3.00 in a magazine, you might be able to find a fitness routine that you can use the entire year through. If you want to be really frugal, you can simply check out a fitness magazine from your local library and Xerox the exercise pages for future use.

One no-cost way to exercise is to dance. You don?t even need any training?you can simply get up out of your seat and begin to move. Turn on a radio station with dance music and let yourself go. You might also consider checking out dance CDs and audiocassette tapes from your neighborhood library.

You can also pick up free exercise tips from the Internet. You?ll find that many exercise experts offer their own websites which are filled with valuable information. Your doctor can also help you in developing an exercise routine that?s right for you.

As you can see, it doesn?t take a great deal of cash in order to exercise. And physicians say that, with regular exercise, you should be able to lose weight. By investing just a little bit of money up front, you can achieve as good a workout as you would be able to get at an expensive gym.

Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. Sign up for his Free Exercise and Meal Planner at http://www.free-online-health.com or http://www.trainingdiary.ws

Impact of genetic behavior on weight loss program

2008-03-29T04:25:00.002-07:00

It is one of the most difficult questions to answer for health specialists around the world. No matter how hard they push their clients to lose weight by exercises or suggesting low-calorie food. In some cases they also lay helpless against the genetics or psychological behaviors of a person that plays a crucial role in controlling the pace of any weight loss program.

The genetic composure of our body outlines the fat distribution and thus our body weight. Genes are also responsible for our attraction to specific types of food. Some eating habits of parents get transmitted through genes to their children. The intricate chemistry of our genes also decides how many calories we will burn while sitting or walking around the park. Some people never gain weight no matter how much they eat, it's all natural. Genes are the basic codes around which the whole programming of our body evolves. They decide our skin texture, hair color, eyes, and our tendency to gain or lose weight under certain conditions.

People who are masculine "macho-stuff" usually burn more calories than their fatty counterparts. Because muscles are the power house of the body, it is where most of body fat gets burned each day. An easy mantra for gaining fitness will be to increase your muscle mass, consequently your body will look more attractive and slim. On the other hand, fats have very low metabolic rate when compared to muscles. It means more the fats lesser will be your capacity to burn them.

Now, you will be thinking that you can't lose weight due to the complex functionality of your genes and will remain over weight for life. In fact it's not true; you are not powerless to influence your body weight. Any weight loss or weight maintenance plan your are following should emphasize increasing metabolic rate via a combination of aerobic, strength exercises, proper nutrition, and strategic meal planning

Remember diet pillsor other remedies will help you only if you are actively exercising and taking a nutritious diet.

Since most people live very inactive lives it's important to understand that the right weight loss supplement can and will increase your chances of losing weight. Last but not the least, though, the decision to lose weight is ultimately up to you.

Jody taylor, an associated as well as a contributing editor the Hateweight.com for distinct article sites/journals. Please feel free to visit the website Hateweight.com for more information on Obesity, Weight Loss methods, diet pills exercise or any Fitness related issues. Or write to him AT editorjodytaylor@gmail.com. Any comments and /or suggestions will be highly appreciat

Weight Loss Motivation - How To Get It And Keep It

2008-03-29T04:25:00.001-07:00

These days it seems like everyone wants to lose weight. Whether it be for appearance issues or health reasons, it is becoming quite the trend. But we all know that it is not always easy to lose weight.

Weight loss motivation is one of the hardest types of motivation to acquire. Why is that? First of all we need to have food to survive. It is not something that we can just put away and never pick it up again. So healthy eating is one goal that we need to set for ourselves. This goal will give us a tool to weight loss motivation.

Another goal that we need to set is for exercise. You can't just cut down the food intake, you also need to exercise and raise your metabolism rate. One mistake that people make when trying to lose weight is that they deprive themselves of all the foods that they love. Wrong! You can have anything in moderation.

If you try to deprive yourself of the foods that you love, it will back fire on you and you will end up eating more than normal. Also, it will de-motivate you if you have the mindset that you can never have that favorite piece of chocolate cake again!

So setting goals is probably the first step in weight loss motivation. Set realistic goals for yourself. If you think that you can realistically stand to lose 15 pounds then write it down. If you think that you can start that goal by running 1 mile per day, then write it down. Maybe you can only walk 1/2 mile per day.

Whatever you think you can do realistically, will be your new goals. Just do not set them too high. Make sure that they are goals that are possible to meet.

It is a good idea to write the goals down and keep them where you can look at them daily. This will remind you of what is important to you and why you are wanting to achieve weight loss motivation.

Reward yourself when you lose a pound or two. Pat yourself on the back, buy a new sweater, or do whatever it takes to make yourself feel better (no food rewards, though!) A reward must be something that you desire. If it isn't, then it is not a reward and it will serve no purpose.

Out of all the reasons to get motivated, such as financial gains, workplace motivation, etc. Weight loss motivation seems to be the one most sought after and the most difficult to obtain. It can be done. It will eventually become a habit to do the morning workouts and replace the old habits in your life.

Peter Murphy is a peak performance expert. He recently produced a very popular free report that reveals how to crush procrastination and sustain lasting motivation. Apply now because it is available for a limited time only at: motivation techniques

Why You Are Fat - Natural Weight Loss Dieting Program

2008-03-28T02:35:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wondered why you are fat and have considered going on a weight loss dieting program? If you did, then you must know why certain food makes you fat.

Most if not all of us are somewhat carbohydrate addicts. We have pastas, pizzas, white rice, spaghettis, bread, refined flour food and confectionaries in almost if not all our meals. Just look at the queues at the fast food joints on a regular day and you will know what I mean. Bread and sweet sugary drinks are the menu of the day, naturally.

Some of us are reluctant to embark on a weight loss dieting program to lose that excess baggage (body fat) because we think it is an exercise in sheer willpower and futility.

"You are asking me not to eat bread/rice/pizzas/hamburgers, chocolates and ice-creams my entire life? You must be nuts!" Sounds familiar? For those who incessantly snack on biscuits and chocolates between meals to stave off hunger while working at the office, here is why.

You unwittingly and naturally reach for such snacks because of the food you chose to eat earlier at an earlier meal. If you start the day with three or four slices of white bread spread with fruit jam or margarine and then wash it down with coffee and sugar, you can be sure you will be craving for snacks by mid-morning even though your breakfast was a filling one.

When your food made up primarily of carbohydrate, especially refined carbohydrate like white bread and pizzas, with little protein or fat, not to mention high in sugar, your blood glucose surges crazily following that meal.

To counter the effect of extreme glucose surge in your blood stream, your pancreas will pump more insulin than usual to bring your blood glucose level down. What happens then is that your blood glucose surges will then dip lower than your pre-meal level. When this happens, you start to get hungry and crave for more sweet stuff and more carbohydrate. This is why you reach for sweet snacks and drinks instinctively. Thus the vicious cycle continues again and again and you are eating more and more calories. So choosing the food in your meal is important so that you will not get hungry fast and then consume more calories to satisfy that hunger upsetting your natural weight loss dieting program.

When more carbohydrate is consumed than can be stored by your liver and muscles as glycogen, they are naturally converted to fat. So what should you do?

Well, you can start to limit your carbohydrate consumption (note that I said limit and not stop) and on top of that, choose slow digesting carbohydrates especially carbohydrate with fibers like fibrous vegetables, fruits, legumes, brown rice and brown bread, your insulin spike will not be so eccentric and therefore you will not get hungry or having your sweet tooth so often.

Now think about it, if you do not reach for your snacks and sugary drinks that often, it means that you are consuming fewer calories. So if your caloric consumption is less than your caloric expenditure, you are right on a natural weight loss dieting program without even realizing it. Better still, you are not going on a hunger and starvation diet because you will not get hungry that easily.

Just imagine now that you are losing weight naturally, what if you incorporate an exercise routine into your natural weight loss dieting program to burn off some more calories? Your natural weight loss result will be amazing wouldn't it?

Now that you know why you are fat, let's get started on this natural weight loss dieting program.

Chris Chew is a fitness personal trainer of actors, fashion models and male pageant winners. See his health and fitness websites Transform your body in 12 weeks and Lose Fat fast build muscles quick

Weight Loss Quick

2008-03-27T05:14:00.000-07:00

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Why You Are Fat ? Natural Weight Loss Dieting Program

2008-03-27T04:03:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wondered why you are fat and have considered going on a weight loss dieting program? If you did, then you must know why certain food makes you fat.

Most if not all of us are somewhat carbohydrate addicts. We have pastas, pizzas, white rice, spaghettis, bread, refined flour food and confectionaries in almost if not all our meals. Just look at the queues at the fast food joints on a regular day and you will know what I mean. Bread and sweet sugary drinks are the menu of the day, naturally.

Some of us are reluctant to embark on a weight loss dieting program to lose that excess baggage (body fat) because we think it is an exercise in sheer willpower and futility.

"You are asking me not to eat bread/rice/pizzas/hamburgers, chocolates and ice-creams my entire life? You must be nuts!" Sounds familiar? For those who incessantly snack on biscuits and chocolates between meals to stave off hunger while working at the office, here is why.

You unwittingly and naturally reach for such snacks because of the food you chose to eat earlier at an earlier meal. If you start the day with three or four slices of white bread spread with fruit jam or margarine and then wash it down with coffee and sugar, you can be sure you will be craving for snacks by mid-morning even though your breakfast was a filling one.

When your food made up primarily of carbohydrate, especially refined carbohydrate like white bread and pizzas, with little protein or fat, not to mention high in sugar, your blood glucose surges crazily following that meal.

To counter the effect of extreme glucose surge in your blood stream, your pancreas will pump more insulin than usual to bring your blood glucose level down. What happens then is that your blood glucose surges will then dip lower than your pre-meal level. When this happens, you start to get hungry and crave for more sweet stuff and more carbohydrate. This is why you reach for sweet snacks and drinks instinctively. Thus the vicious cycle continues again and again and you are eating more and more calories. So choosing the food in your meal is important so that you will not get hungry fast and then consume more calories to satisfy that hunger upsetting your natural weight loss dieting program.

When more carbohydrate is consumed than can be stored by your liver and muscles as glycogen, they are naturally converted to fat. So what should you do?

Well, you can start to limit your carbohydrate consumption (note that I said limit and not stop) and on top of that, choose slow digesting carbohydrates especially carbohydrate with fibers like fibrous vegetables, fruits, legumes, brown rice and brown bread, your insulin spike will not be so eccentric and therefore you will not get hungry or having your sweet tooth so often.

Now think about it, if you do not reach for your snacks and sugary drinks that often, it means that you are consuming fewer calories. So if your caloric consumption is less than your caloric expenditure, you are right on a natural weight loss dieting program without even realizing it. Better still, you are not going on a hunger and starvation diet because you will not get hungry that easily.

Just imagine now that you are losing weight naturally, what if you incorporate an exercise routine into your natural weight loss dieting program to burn off some more calories? Your natural weight loss result will be amazing wouldn?t it?

Now that you know why you are fat, let?s get started on this natural weight loss dieting program.

Chris Chew is a fitness personal trainer of actors, fashion models and male pageant winners. See his health and fitness websites Transform your body in 12 weeks and Lose Fat fast build muscles quick

Tips For Safe Weight Loss

2008-03-27T04:00:00.000-07:00

Many people want to trim down so they can look better and feel better. Carrying extra weight can be very unhealthy and it can lead to numerous health complications.

When a person is facing the prospect of having to lose weight they can feel overwhelmed. The gravity of the road ahead can be a lot to absorb and they turn to a quick fix for the problem.

There are many fad diets in existence that claim that they result in fast weight loss. In most cases their claim is true, in a sense. Most of these types of quick fix diets offer the person the chance to shed a high number of pounds the first week they are on the diet. This dramatic weight loss is almost always the result of the body losing water weight.

It might feel great to look down at the scale and see a huge weight loss, but in reality that weight loss could be gained back very quickly if the person reverted back to their normal diet.

There are steps you can take that will guarantee that you have a successful and safe weight loss. Losing weight can be done in a way that is effective long term and at the same time gives you results week after week.

One of the most important aspects in any weight loss plan is exercise. When a person decides they want to lose weight quite often their focus is completely on their diets. They worry over how many calories they are consuming each day and how many of those calories come from fat or carbohydrates.

Diet is an essential ingredient in weight loss, but with a regular exercise regime the weight loss will be more effective and quicker.

When a person exercises it helps to raise their metabolism. This is essential in weight loss. With a higher metabolism, the body can burn more calories and the weight begins to come off.

On the other hand, if a person just restricts calorie consumption the weight loss is much slower. The body views this as a sign of starvation and the metabolism slows instead of speeds up.

Exercise for a weight loss plan doesn?t need to be strenuous. A brisk walk each day is sufficient to aiding in weight loss. Many people incorporate a morning or evening walk into their daily routine.

Another key to safe weight loss is not to take supplements. There are many dietary supplements available over the counter that claim fast and effective weight loss. These types of supplements can be very expensive and depending on your medical history they can be dangerous as well.

If you are serious about beginning a weight loss plan it?s advisable to contact your doctor first. He or she will be able to suggest the best course for you to take including your daily calorie and exercise needs. The doctor can also chart your weight loss progress and help you if you reach a plateau.

Weight loss can help you to feel not only healthier but more attractive as well. With a safe weight loss you?ll find renewed energy and a wonderful feeling of self confidence and accomplishment. Weight loss isn?t an easy thing but when you do it, you?ll never be more proud of yourself.

Weight Loss Resources and Information around it

Ephedra and Weight Loss

2008-03-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

Ephedra Talk.com strives to provide consumers with the information they need to have a thorough understanding of Ephedra, Ephedrine, and Mahuang. We will help to answer questions about the ancient uses, popular weight loss beliefs, safety issues, and legal concerns associated with it.

We explore the more common questions such as what an ECA stack is, the use of ephedra as an appetite suppressant, as well as the possible dangers associated with taking it. We also provide periodic reviews of the best products to buy online.

Taking any kind of ephedra supplement is a personal decision that should be made in consultation with a primary care physician. Ephedra Talk.com attempts to provide objective information regarding supplements to give consumers the knowledge they need to make an informed decision.

One thing to carefully consider when taking any kind of supplement is that it is just that - a supplement! It is not a magic cure that melts away fat. Supplements MUST be used in conjuction with a healthy lifestyle.

A healthy lifestyle begins with better food choices and a regular exercise program. Exercise can be as simple as walking around the block, or doing situps during a commercial. Take it slow and build your way up to a more frequent and strenuous routine. Above all, enjoy yourself, and enjoy watching your body transform each time you look in the mirror!

Joe Rodriguez owns EphedraTalk which provides valuable free information for anyone interested in information relating to ephedra and Weight Loss

Weight loss myths and lies

2008-03-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

There are several statements circulating in the diet and fitness sector which have been told for decades now and still will be told in the future. Get to know what you can really do to drop weight.

Companies providing sports equipment or diet supplements make millions every year with promises based on wrong theories and information which by the way actually does not mean they don't know better.

Below some of the most common myths and lies about diets are listed and busted.

- Myth: weight loss workouts start to get effective after 20 minutes

What they tell you: When starting your cardio,etc. program the energy needed is mainly taken from glucose. The longer your workout the less glucose will be used, which means the more fat will be used and burnt. You need to go through the first twenty minutes before starting burning fat.

Truth is: The only factor that decides if you drop weight (or put on extra weight) is your energy balance, ie. the difference between calorie intake and calories consumed by physical activities (ALL activities of your body, not only sports). If you eat less than your body needs due to physical activities, your energy balance is negative. Because you didn't give your body enough calories to burn, it needs some other source of energy to compensate. This is what body fat is used for and why you will drop weight (fat). It does not matter how energy is provided (glucose or fat). Since you'll burn calories right from the beginning of your workout, you'll do a weight loss workout from the start.

- Myth: Do cardio a a low level heart frequency

What they tell you: If you keep your heart frequency between 120 to 130 beats a minute, your workout is not too intensive and therefore more fat will be used as energy source (instead of glucose which is used for more intensive activities). As a result, more fat is burnt.

Truth is: The source of energy is irrelevant for reducing fat. Again, if you burn more calories than you get (food), you will reduce your body fat. The source of energy used during workouts does not influence your weight. Result: - The more intensive, the more calories are burnt. - The longer you work out, the more calories will be burnt. This means: Find a trade-off which suits best to your needs and capabilities. Some of you might prefer a slow, extensive cardio program while others like short but exhaustive program. Regarding weight loss only, one program will be as effective as the other one.

- Myth: Certain exercises can reduce fat in specifically regions of your body

What they tell you: Buy their new machines/equipment to cut down fat in your belly region, etc.

Truth is: This so called "spot reducing" is not possible. Doing 1000 crunches each day might tighten your abs, but will not burn fat around your hips. Only your genetics decide where you will drop fat first.

Michael Schran is Webmaster of the site www.washboard-abs.com dedicated to washboard abs, where you can get further information on weight loss, diet and workouts.

Secrets To The Weight Loss After Pregnancy

2008-03-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

Sarah is a pregnant mother of three who continues to breast-feed her 18-month-old. After each of her pregnancies, she has had difficulty losing weight. With all of her responsibilities, weight loss isn?t a priority. Still, she wishes that, once this pregnancy is over, she will be able to return to her pre-marriage weight.

The average woman gains more than 25 pounds during her pregnancy. The procedure of childbirth may result in a weight loss of up to 14 pounds, which means that new moms still have considerable weight to lose once they leave the hospital. However, some women simply assume that this ?baby fat? will never go away. Yet, it is entirely possible to lose weight during the post-partum period.

A number of medical experts recommend easing into a weight loss program after the birth of your baby. This means that you will not start dieting until about three months following birth. You should combine a low-fat diet with moderate exercise in order to achieve weight loss.

Don?t expect instant results. It will take you a good nine months to get back to your weight prior to pregnancy. A go-slow approach is best because you need to give your body time to recover after childbirth. Certainly, you might be able to lose weight faster, but you might be sacrificing valuable nutrients as a result.

Interestingly enough, breastfeeding actually enhances weight loss. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has found that breastfeeding leads to the release of hormones which enable your uterus to return to its normal size. However, breastfeeding alone won?t bring down your weight. You need to combine it with a sensible diet and a moderate exercise program. Keep in mind that you need to have at least 1800 calories a day while breastfeeding in order to keep yourself and your baby healthy. Still, stay clear of junk food during this period. You should rely on food with high nutritional value to maintain the proper level of calories each day.

There are many good reasons to exercise during the post-partum period. In addition to helping to accelerate weight reduction, exercise can help alleviate post-partum depression, improve your mood, and boost your confidence. Exercise can also ?clear your head? so that you?re better able to meet the demands of motherhood. You might consider joining a ?Mommy and Me? exercise class so that your baby can exercise right along with you. Another helpful hint is to enlist the help of a friend or relative to act as your exercise buddy so that you?ll have some emotional support while exercising. An added bonus of exercise is that it should boost your energy level, which is quite important when battling the fatigue which comes from caring for a newborn.

Your diet should generally be low-fat but not fat-free; vitamin rich; and high-fiber. Under no circumstances should you go on a fad diet. Such a diet could be quite harmful to your health and could actually slow your recovery from childbirth. It?s a good idea to set weight-loss goals, but don?t go overboard. Recognize that there?s a limit to the amount of weight you can lose during a given period of time.

You may see a number of actress-moms gracing the covers of magazines shortly after the birth of their children. They appear svelte and elegant, totally devoid of baby fat. In the accompanying article, they may even talk about exercising right after childbirth. Such articles send new mothers a dangerous message: that you must do all you can to become thin as quickly as possible after your baby is born. Such a philosophy is not only ridiculous, it?s also unhealthy. As a result, you?ll need to ?tune out? such messages from the media and stay the course with your own gradual weight loss plan.

The time right after the birth of a child can be quite challenging, taxing both your physical and emotional strength. While it is certainly a good idea to eat healthy, you?ll need to pace yourself as far as weight loss is concerned. Over time, you should be able to lose the weight you gained during your pregnancy. In fact, you might find that you?re actually healthier after your baby is born.

Nishanth Reddy is an Author and Publisher of various health related websites. For more articles on Loosing Weight visit http://www.weightloss-diettips.com. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your eZine, Blog, Auto responder or on your website as long as the links, and resource box are not altered in any way.

Easy Weight Loss - Make A Start Right Now!

2008-03-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, oh dear, it's that time of year but yet again! The holidays are over, Christmas has come and gone, and what is there to look forward to! Summer holidays I suppose, but they do seem such a long time away.

Anyway, I must confess that at the moment, even the thought of a holiday horrifies me, because after my over-indulgence during the festive season, the last thing that I want to be doing is even more eating and drinking.

So, if there is nothing to look forward to for now, and we are in the midst of the January depression, what on earth CAN we do to lift ouselves out of the blues at this time of year!

Here's one thought for you, start right now and get fit. I suggest that not only will that make you feel heaps better, after a few weeks, you will even start to look forward to that summer vacation. Let me give you another more serious and compelling reason for this, and that is that we all shoud start to take our long term health much more seriously than we do at present.

At least that is my humble opinion.

Did you know for instance that current statistics reveal that 75% of Americans are overweight and 40% are obese. That is just in the US, and I am prepared to hazard an educated guess that the rest of the developed world is not far behind.

For those who desire to lose weight and obtain optimal health therefore, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start.

>From the Atkins Diet to the South Beach Diet, from low fat to low carb diets, there are numerous weight-loss plans to choose from. In addition, given conflicting information as to what works best, it can be difficult deciding what to do.

For those who have tried many diet plans with no success, it becomes more difficult and frustrating. Many people forget that a diet might work wonders for their friend but won't work well for them. This is not necessarily because the diet is "bad", but because each body reacts differently.

However, there is a way to lose weight that is easy, fast, and doesn't involve deprivation or calorie counting.

It is important to address some background information about body genetics and why weight loss can be difficult before I start to discuss weight loss tips.

At the start of any diet, it is important to note that each person has a different body build. Some people are short and stout, while others are tall and thin. Some have big hips and shoulders, and others are short and very muscular. Genetics can determine body shape and a person's natural build just as it can do eye color, hair color, skin color, and so on.

The good news is that genetics do not determine whether or not one will be fat, but will determine one's body shape.

This means that not every woman can expect to be tall and thin like a Hollywood actress or supermodel such as Tyra Banks. Not every man can expect to be defined and muscular like The Rock. The goal really, in my opionion, is to be at a comfortable weight for one's body shape and to feel good about it.

Having said all that, why is it that people are overweight! I have listed ten of the most common reasons below:-

1. Slow metabolism - People who are overweight have a hard time "burning off" their intake of food. As a result the fat is stored up in the body, rather than used.

2. Emotional eating - Those who struggle with weight often eat when stressed, or when other emotional upheavals are happening in their life.

3. Hormonal imbalances - This does mainly apply to the ladies, (complex creatures that we are!).

4. Eating portions - We can all be guilty of the syndrome that I like to call "greed not need". So watch out for those portion sizes.

5. A build up of toxins in the body - This can be due to too much junk food, candies, sodas, too much coffee, these can all contriubute to this.

6. Eating too late - Late-night eating can cause food to convert to fat a lot more easily, as well as making sleep more difficult.

7. A high susceptibility to growth hormones - These are the hormones which are given to animals to help them grow faster and larger. Some meat and dairy can have some residual growth hormones. These hormones can sometimes result in increased fat storage.

8. Not eating breakfast - This really does make your metabolism slow and sluggish.

9. Numerous diets - Going from diet to diet has a negative impact on the metabolism and causes weight loss to be much more difficult.

10. Food ingredients - The reasons why are amazing and beyond the scope of this article.

Here Are Seven Simple Steps For Easy Weight Loss

Now that there is a better understanding of body genetics, and why people have a tendency to be overweight, here are my tips for fast easy weight loss.

#1: Drink some water first thing in the morning. Ideally you should drink eight ounces of distilled water, bottled water, or filtered water (not tap water).

#2: Eat a big breakfast. Suggested foods to choose from are apples, bananas, rye bread with no sugar, plain yogurt, tuna, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, raw honey, and such like.

#3: Drink distilled water throughout the day: I recommend that you try and drink at least eight glasses per day.

#4: Walk non-stop one hour each day. This doesn't have to be power walking, just walk at your own pace. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise you know!

#5: Try and stop eating after 6:00 PM. This is very hard for many people, but do the best you can. You will be surprised at how much you benefit from this.

#6: Do a candida cleanse. Candida is yeast overgrowth in the colon that can cause all kinds of health problems. Check online for "Candida Cleanse" or go to your local health food store.

#7: Do a colon cleanse: This cleanse cleans out the digestive system, which is clogged and sluggish in many overweight people. Once again, check online or go to your local health food store.

More and more people worldwide are becoming overweight. Extra weight can result in many health issues and negatively impact your emotional state and self-esteem. However for those struggling with this problem, there is hope, because you can lose it and keep it off if you really want to.

Now that you have a understanding of body genetics and why you might be overweight, why not take some positive action today!

Commit to trying at least a few of the steps, you will be glad that you did.

Marie Gordon is Author and Publisher of "Your Fastest Way To Permanent Weight Loss" the complete solution to all your weight loss problems. You can find out more by visiting http://www.howtoloseitfast.com

Zone Diet - A New Weight Loss System

2008-03-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

The Zone Diet works on the principle that 100,000 years ago, we were meat eaters, and our metabolism is designed to handle the demands of a meat-based diet.

Madonna, Demi Moore, and Jennifer Aniston swear by the results of the Zone Diet, which was created by Barry Sears, PhD. The Zone Diet contains 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein, and 30% fat and is known as the 40-30-30 plan.

As the food industry evolved, more carbohydrates have been introduced into our daily diet, thus causing an imbalance in our metabolism to burn fat. The reason for our extra weight can also be attributed to the many grains and starches in our diet (pasta, rice, breads, and potatoes). The Zone Diet's approach calls for a return to the diets of our ancestors where meat, fruits, and vegetables are the main dietary foods.

The Zone Diet suggests that you need the right ratio of carbohydrates to proteins and fats in order to control the insulin in the bloodstream. Too much of the hormone (insulin) can increase fat storage and inflammation in the body (conditions that are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease). Sears asserts that by using the Zone Diet, you are actually optimizing the body's metabolic function. Through the regulation of blood sugar, you allow your body to burn excess body fat.

Although you are not prohibited from any particular food group, it is best to avoid food with high fat and carbohydrates such as grains, starches, and pastas. The ideal sources of carbs are fruits and vegetables and for monounsaturated fats olive oil, almonds, and avocados are recommended. The Zone Diet claims to use food as a drug for overall good health, weight loss and prevention or management of heart disease and diabetes.

Sears says that you can test to see whether you are 'hormonally' correct by eating following the Zone diet and see how you feel four hours later. To simplify the Zone Diet, fill one-third of a plate with low-fat protein, and then two-thirds with fruits and vegetables.

Celebrities and some health experts say that the Zone's recommendations do not stray far from the USDA's (United States Dietary Association) dietary guidelines and therefore are advocates of the Zone Diet. Others argue that the Zone Diet has flawed ratios but Sears argues that the Zone diet is a low-glycemic-load diet that has adequate protein. .

A critic of the Zone diet such as the AHA (American Heart Association) classifies the Zone Diet as high protein and does not recommend the Zone Diet for weight loss. They contend that the Zone Diet has not been proven effective in the long term for weight loss. The AHA issued an official recommendation warning against diets like the Zone Diet. They believe that the Zone Diet is hazardous as it restricts the intake of essential vitamins and minerals present in certain foods. The AHA also contends that the protein ratio in the Zone diet is too high even if the minimal fat ratio is good. Robert H. Ecker M.D of the A.H.A. finds the Zone Diet's theory on insulin flawed and argues that there is no scientific proof that the hormone insulin plays a big role in weight regulation.

For more information about the Zone diet and weight loss, visit http://www.zonedietanswers.com and http://www.weightlossinfohelp.com

David Chandler For your FREE Stock Market Trading Mini Course: "What The Wall Street Hot Shots Won't Tell You!" go to: http://www.stockmarketgenie.com

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #33

2008-03-20T04:12:00.000-07:00

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #33

Hello Divine One,

When we are aligned with our Creator, then everything flows simply and easily. We ask for what we want and then we detach.

I would highly recommend getting the book, I'm Rich Beyond My Wildest Dreams. In it, you'll find great information on how to attract what you desire and then learn to detach. It's all presented in a simple format. Here's some key things from the book:

"God said, "Ask and ye shall receive." He did not say, "Ask and then go get it yourself." To receive means it is coming to you. You do not have to catch it. When you do not detach, you are telling God that you can do it by yourself.

Once you have had the experience with a two-year old, you know exactly what detachment means. Take a two-year old to any store and let her walk next to you. What happens? Sooner or later she will take off running the other way. At first, you take up the chase. You are going to catch that child and grab her hand. But guess what?

Two-year olds are fast and quick. Even if you do catch her, your success is only temporary. That ball of energy will scream and kick until you let go so she can run away again. Your little prize is playing "chase me." This is not a game adults can win. At some point, hopefully, you learn detachment. When the child runs one way, you go the other and never look back. Bingo! Your two-year old will quickly stop running away from you. In short order she will come running back to find you.

This is exactly what you must do once you have written down what you want. Turn away, and the things you ask for will come running to you. Don't wait for them to come to you in order to be happy. Always be happy with your current situation.

Write down what you want to have. Think it through. Get excited. Feel like it is already yours. Get enthusiastic about enjoying it. Then do the smart thing. Detach yourself. Turn your back and let the Universe take over. Want what you asked for, but stop caring if you ever get it. You still want it. But in your heart, you must not care if you get it or not.

Detachment does not mean you don't go to work. You continue to go about your life. You continue to take action. The difference is now your actions are guided by the powers of the Universe.

In nature, Universal Intelligence allows birds to thrive, grass to grow all without any special effort. The earth itself spins and circles the sun with no help from humankind. Nature prospers easily and effortlessly. Humans are part of that ecosystem. We, too, are destined to prosper easily and effortlessly."

WOW! Detachment--probably the hardest thing to do, don't you agree?

Do you ever wonder why things seem so difficult, such a struggle? When we're living as if we have to control the Universe, then we are saying, "I can do this myself." God is saying, "Hello! You've asked for what you want. Now, I will bring it to you. Rely on me."

What's more...ever met someone for the first time, and yet you felt as if you have already known him or her? This happened to me recently. I got connected with a wonderful woman, Dr. Tianna Conte, over the telephone. She exuded powerful ancient wisdom and it was such a delight to talk to her. As we were discussing life, she reminded me about the KISS principle. Only her KISS principle is this--Keep It Simply Spiritual! Beautiful, isn't it?

Live each day using the KISS principle! As you continue working towards your weight loss goals, remind yourself that each step is spiritual, which means it is easy and effortless. God wouldn't intend it any other way. Write down what you want, be excited about receiving it and then detach. God always delivers. In fact, He is the best delivery man!

And above all else, BE HAPPY!

My weight loss program incorporates all of these things so that you learn how to change your thoughts. Check out my website at http://www.tamiclose.com and click on the butterfly to begin your transformation.

Love and hugs,

Tami

Helping people fall in love....with themselves Tami Close Weight Loss Consultant 2916 N.W. Bucklin Hill Rd. #291 Silverdale, WA 98383 360-792-2209 http://www.tamiclose.com

Tami Close helps people fall in love...with themselves. She is a weight loss consultant and uses an integrative method, including cleansing and nutritional products from Isagenix, in her weight loss program. She is a #1 best selling co-author with Mark Victor Hansen, Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra, Wake Up...Live the Life You Love Finding Personal Freedom. http://www.tamiclose.com

10 Proven Tips for Weight Loss

2008-03-20T04:10:00.000-07:00

The New Year is here. One New Year's resolution for many people is to lose weight and to keep it off. Unfortunately, for some, this can be such a daunting task that their resolve lasts for a few months at best. The good news is that weight loss does not have to be difficult. With the right mindset, it is possible to lose weight and keep it off. Here are 10 tips to assist in this process.

Tip #1: Focus on small changes at a time. For most people, successful weight loss involves not only a diet change, but a lifestyle change as well. Since this can be overwhelming for some, it is best to take baby steps. For instance, instead of signing up for year's membership at a gym, go for a few months, and then never step foot in a gym again, a more effective approach could be to commit to walk in the neighborhood three times a week for thirty minutes. Once this is done habitually and becomes part of one 's lifestyle, then it might be beneficial to look at a gym membership.

Tip #2: Eat 100% organic, virgin, and unrefined coconut oil. There is research which supports this as an aide in weight loss.

Tip #3: Eat apples, preferably organic, every day. Apples decrease appetite and stabilize blood sugar. Eat at least one apple per day.

Tip #4: Stay away from fast foods. These foods are loaded with harmful fats, preservatives, and other chemicals. If one has to eat out, try to eat at a restaurant and make healthy choices such as eating a large salad, a baked potato, and broiled meats instead of fried.

Tip #5: Do a liver cleanse. Many people have livers which are clogged and not working efficiently. Health food stores carry a variety of cleansing products.

Tip #6: Use organic apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar helps to eliminate fat cells from the body. Take a few teaspoons prior to each meal. Apple cider vinegar can be found in health food stores.

Tip #7: Add hot pepper to food. It is amazing what something hot and spicy can do for the metabolism. Hot peppers not only increase metabolism, but also help the body burn off fat more efficiently. Organic hot salsa is best.

Tip #8: Eat a large organic salad at lunch and dinner. The key is organic, if possible. If salad dressing is used, it should be organic olive oil, organic vinegar, and fresh organic lemon juice.

Tip #9: Stay away from refined foods such as sugar and enriched products such as white flour, white rice, white bread, and pasta that is not organic or whole grain. These foods have no nutritional value.

Tip #10: Be positive! Don't say "I'm going to try to lose weight", but "I'm going to lose weight and feel great." Be committed to staying on course and making those necessary lifestyle and dietary changes. With this mindset, one cannot help but be successful.

2006 is here. Weight loss for the New Year does not have to be overwhelming and difficult. Commit to trying at least a few of these steps. Follow through can indeed result in one "losing weight and feeling great".

This article may be reprinted on a website, blog or for personal use IF the content remains unchanged and this resource box is included. http://www.healthybodysupplements.com http://www.crazyhealthnut.com

Weight Loss Attitudes

2008-03-19T05:26:00.000-07:00

Once you?ve achieved your desired weight, you return to your old eating habits and levels of activity, the weight will return. Plain and simple.

Quick-fix diets face this kind of problem. They don?t offer long-term changes which sometimes cause the downfall of the program.

Stay realistic

Avoid feeling dissatisfaction with what you have accomplished. Enjoy your life and be satisfied with the healthy weight you can achieve. Initially, weight loss is gradual compared to those who return to their previous weight.

Have self-discipline

People who watch their weight show flexibility in their self-control. Most of the time, they make healthy choices but does not avoid eating food.

Eat healthily

Learn proper choice, preparation and enjoyment of a balanced diet. Skill in cooking low-fat diet, understanding labels of food and being able to judge portion sizes food labels and having the ability to judge portion sizes contribute to a balanced diet.

Eating regular meals, tasting them and planning ahead is also a part of this.

How to eat like a successful slimmer

? Maintain a balanced, lower fat diet in addition to fruits and vegetables.
? Don't stay away from any foods, eat portion sizes and minimize the amount of certain foods.
? Eat three regular meals a day at regular times (starting with breakfast), and lesser snacks.
? Dine out occasionally, but lessen fast food.
? Sit down to eat your meals, enjoy them and pay attention to what you're eating.

Stay active

Getting regular exercise is one of the factors that determine long-term success. It does not only burn unwanted calories and increase metabolism but also increases self-esteem and fights stress.

According to research, walking alone for 30 minutes daily plus some additional activities during the week can be enough.

Have ongoing support

The right kind of support during and after weight loss is vital. It is not an easy task and maintaining them is not easy as well.

Self-monitoring, being conscious and taking down notes is a way of supporting yourself.

Learn to deal with stress

Food is a quick and effective method of handling stress for some people. Evaluate the stresses in your life and your response to these stresses.

Discover new ways to handle your stress. Regular exercise, breathing techniques and removing negative self-talk that fuels anxiety.

Be like a successful slimmer

? Regularly inspect your weight (once or twice a week) or use another indicator.
? Avoid guilt-feeling when you overeat or about certain foods.
? Handle stress and solve problems. Ask for assistance and support from your family, friends, a club, website or health professionals.

Jan Thomsen is writing health, diet and exercise articles for the 1200 calories diet site and family oriented articles for the Halds family blog

Vegetarian Diet: Great For Weight Loss, Health And The Planet

2008-03-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

"Animals are my friends and I don't eat my friends" was how George Bernard Shaw explained his vegetarian diet. Albert Einstein said that the adoption of "the vegetarian manner of living...would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind."

Whether you are interested in vegetarianism because of lofty moral ideals such as those held by Shaw and Einstein, or because you just want to lose weight and feel better physically you are not alone. Throughout the world there is a growing interest in vegetarianism.

Let's take a look at the main reasons for being a vegetarian.

Physical: There is a long list of modern diseases that are aggravated by meat eating: colon cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis and gout top the list.

In addition, many toxins accumulate in meat, as animals are on the top of an agricultural food chain that is heavily dependent on chemicals and pesticides. Added to the chemicals of the environment, are the hormones secreted into an animal's bloodstream as it faces death. "The flesh of an animal is loaded with toxic blood and other waste products," was how the Nutrition Institute of America described it.

If that isn't enough to make you think about trying a vegetarian diet, there is more

You Can Live Without Meat: You can get all the vitamins, minerals and even protein that you need without eating any meat products. A diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products will certainly provide you with what you need. And such a diet is not boring. Have you ever tasted an elaborate vegetarian Indian dinner, or vegetarian Chinese cuisine, or vegetarian Italian food?

While it is possible to be vegetarian and also be fat, it is much harder! A vegetarian diet is not a fad diet that you will do for a period, but something you can follow and enjoy for your whole life.

But there are more reasons why a vegetarian diet makes sense.

Moral and Social Reasons: We all love our cats, dogs, and house pets. We regard them as beautiful creatures who are part of our family. Other animals, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens ducks, etc. are also beautiful creatures and they too want to live. If we can live our lives without killing them, then why should we?

Finally, our Mother earth is small and has limited resources. Feeding humanity with meat takes a big toll on the environment. It makes more sense for us to get nourishment from plant proteins rather than growing grains and then feeding it to animals. Every year millions of people die of hunger in the developing countries, while thousands die of avoidable diseases in the developed countries due to overeating the wrong kind of food. Surely, in the 21st Century, we can do better than this. The spread of the vegetarian diet may be the best way to correct this crazy imbalance.

So, think about it, and try out a vegetarian diet. It will help you to slim down, feel great physically and connect you with the other living beings on planet Earth.

Dada Vedaprajinananda is yoga teacher and writer. He is the author of ?Yoga Weight Loss Secrets? , available at http://www.yogaweightlosssecrets.com and is the publisher of the Life Weight Loss Article Directory ? http://www.lifeweightloss.com ? where you can find articles and information about health, fitness and weight loss.

Writing For Your Weight Loss Success

2008-03-18T22:12:00.000-07:00

Motivation is one of the key variables for the equation that yields long term weight loss success. The question is how do you maintain the motivation to attain the ultimate goal? Regardless if your weight loss goal is 20 pounds or 100 pounds you must change your thinking to change your behavior and writing makes that happen.

Weight loss really does begin in your head. Every successful athlete understands that his thinking process is either working for him or against him. The same holds true with weight loss. If your internal dialogue is negative, your results will eventually manifest the same result! You can?t degrade yourself to a healthy new you! You must change your thinking to work for you, to build your resolve, and to maintain that all important motivational factor.

Writing is an exercise that will help your mind change its thinking! It allows you to process the negative emotions and helps to instill the positive changes. Start with these simple exercises:

1. The Negative Emotions Daily Dump: Many success coaches advocate writing out your negative thinking on a daily basis. Simply spend approximately 15 minutes writing out all the frustrations, bad feelings, and discouragement. This helps you to process these bad feelings out of your system so that you can make room for positive affirmations. Do not reread the entries and do not keep them. Write it out, and then throw it out. We call this the Negative Emotions Daily Dump.

2. Affirm Your Goals: Prepare a list of affirmations that will help your subconscious work with your conscious brain to make those all important behavioral changes. Then write your affirmations at least twice a day. Write them once after you have written your Negative Emotions Daily Dump. Don?t do the Negative Dump without filling it with the positive affirmations. You should always end with this. Write the second set of affirmations either right before you go to bed or first thing in the morning. Read your affirmations several times a day.

3. Understand your Motivations: In order to stay motivated you must understand your real reasons for losing weight. In other words, understand why YOU want to lose weight. Not why your spouse or friends want you to lose weight but why losing the weight is important to you. Do you really want more energy? Do you just love skinny clothes? Do you want to participate in an activity that would be easier if you were slim and healthy? Write these motivations out in detail so that you can solidify them in your head and they can continue to motivate you through the entire weight loss journey.

4. Accountability: Keep a food diary. Keeping a food diary has been proven time and time again to increase your weight loss success by as much as 50%! A food log is your accountability factor. It keeps you honest with yourself.

5. Visualize: Visualize yourself enjoying the portions of your weight loss program that you are currently struggling to do. For instance if you hate the cardio portion of your day, start seeing yourself loving it. See it as ??your time?. It can be your time to read while you?re on the stationary bike. Or your time to watch all those movies you feel guilty watching any other time. Once you begin to visualize positive feelings about a certain activity the easier that activity will become.

6. The Pat-On-The-Back: Keep a written log of your weight loss success. By writing down your weight loss on a weekly basis you are validating your efforts and giving yourself a pat-on-the-back. This will go a long way to keeping you on track.

Keep in mind that if you are utilizing the assistance of a personal fitness trainer or weight loss professional that they may use techniques to help you face your self-defeating habits. This might feel harsh and negative, however it isn?t. Honesty is necessary to motivate change and this is different than running yourself down! Sometimes we have to hear the hard words to make the hard changes. Keep in mind that these professionals are seeking your ultimate success. Your success is their success. Let?s face it, the weight gain started with you and to change that behavior you may have to deal with some uncomfortable feelings. A good trainer will help you feel cared about while still insisting that you deal with your bad habits. It?s a good thing to be pushed past your comfort zone to becoming a better you!

Writing is the new ?exercise? that can make all the rest of your weight loss efforts including good nutrition, exercise, and resistance training work for you because you will be working with these principles instead of against them. You will start seeing these weight loss techniques as a positive and permanent part of your life, instead of a temporary device. That will result in faster results that last forever!

Dr. Fit, Sidney E. Reeves, CFT is a nationally recognized personal fitness trainer. Dr. Fit has been helping overweight America understand and change their self-defeating habits while learning the important elements of good nutrition, exercise and positive change. He has launched a website to compliment his daily fitness show at http://www.WritingForWeightloss.com where members receive all the tools to lose weight permanently. Join Dr. Fit as your fitness trainer today at http://WritingForWeightLoss.com

Hoodia Gordonii Weight Loss

2008-03-13T04:48:00.001-07:00

Hoodia Gordonii Plus is the Fastest, Most Effective Weight Loss Supplement Available

The discovery of the active ingredient in the Hoodia gordonii plant is proven with clinical research to suppress one's appetite by up to 2000 calories a day. This amazing and all natural and organic ingredient is the result of 30 years of research by the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) in South Africa. So great is the discovery of this weight-loss ingredient that Pfizer, a large pharmaceutical company, is developing a pill, known as P57, based on the hoodia gordonii plant. Why does Pfizer need to synthesize a product that already works you may ask? In America you cannot patent a natural product so the drug companies need to turn it into a drug by making an un-natural and un-healthy substance so they can patent the product and make billions of dollars. We are delighted to report that WIMSA contested and recently won their case against multinational pharmaceutical companies seeking to develop a drug from South African Hoodia.

What will Hoodia do for you? Hoodia will curb your appetite almost immediately, after taking only a few milligrams Hoodia gives you control over your appetite being the most effective natural appetite suppressant ever found Hoodia will make you feel great- its a natural mood enhancer Hoodia will help you to lose weight by not over-eating Hoodia is 100% Natural with Proven results that will work for you What Hoodia won't do. Hoodia will not give you the shakes like so many other appetite suppressants Hoodia will not make your heart race and will not keep you awake all night long Hoodia will definitely not give you that 'Wired" feeling like so many other appetite suppressants Hoodia will not raise your body temperature and make you feel uncomfortable all day Hoodia is so safe that it is classified as a dietary supplement and not a medicine, it works gently on your system, so gently that you will hardly notice a difference - except that you don't feel hungry!

Learn More About Hoodia Gordonii Plus.

J. Ratliff is author of http://www.askwellness.com

weight loss program: Lose weight the smarter and easier way "diet free"

2008-03-12T04:38:00.000-07:00

What is diet free weight loss? Diet free weight loss is an all natural, all safe way program design To help anyone at any level lose weight quickly and easily.

Loosing weight nowadays can be one of the hardest thing to do.

Who can benefit from diet free weight loss? Anyone who interested in losing weight and getting in shape, it doesn't matter your age, size or shape anyone can get involved and succeed in this program.

One has to make a serious and final decision on his/her in loosing weight

How can diet free weight loss help you? Diet free weight loss will give you all the necessary steps and instructions for you to do in order to reach your goals quickly and easily. Diet free weight loss don't require that you take any drugs, pills, or to go on any crazy starvation diet.

When will you begin to see results? Individuals using the diet free weight loss program results vary, because we all do not have the same body type or the same genetic make up.

Why you must try the diet free weight loss program? Because you have nothing to lose, except for the weight...... (laugh)

If you are very serious in looking better, getting into shape and feeling great, then it's up to you to take action now it's up to you to take that first step to success and begin your diet free weight loss program Today!

Go visit now!

Richard Lindo
Internet Marketer
Ceo,LRM
http://www.best-internet-home-business.com
http://www.lindo-internet-success-center.com

Aerobic Cross Training for Weight Loss

2008-03-12T04:37:00.000-07:00

Aerobic Cross Training for Weight Loss

Do you sometimes get bored with your aerobic exercise? Do You sometimes feel like you're not getting the results you should from your aerobic exercise? If so, then aerobic cross-training is for you.

Aerobic cross-training refers to using two to three different types of aerobic exercise during an exercise session. For example, if you plan to exercise for 60 minutes, you might start with 20 minutes of walking or jogging, followed by 20 minutes of biking, and finish with 20 minutes of rowing.

Now, please don't get the impression that you have to be in great shape to do this or that it has to be 60 minutes long. You can start with something as simple as a ten minute walk followed by ten minutes with an exercise video. This is cross-training too. You can gradually build up from there.

Here are some of the exercises you can use in your cross-training program; walking, jogging, biking, rowing, stair climbing, swimming, exercise videos, etc. Any combination of aerobic exercises will do. You simply go from one to the next with very little time between them.

Aerobic cross-training is beneficial to you in several ways:

1. It provides variety which eliminates the monotony often associated with doing the same exercise for a long period of time.

2. If your exercise sessions are less monotonous and more enjoyable, you are much more likely to exercise more often and for longer periods of time.

3. You are less prone to over-use injuries that sometimes occur from doing the same exercise movements over and over again.

4. You tone more muscles because you are using more muscles. For example, walking tones mostly the lower body muscles and rowing tones upper body muscles also. Even exercises like walking and biking that both tone lower body muscles, tone them at different angles and each tones some small muscles that the other doesn't.

5. Aerobic conditioning is very specific to the muscles being worked. For example, you can walk ten miles a day and still be somewhat breathless after climbing stairs because you haven't trained the muscles for that specific movement. Aerobic cross-training allows you to develop more comprehensive aerobic training.

6. Aerobic cross-training is effective for weight loss because your are toning and training the fat-burning systems of more of your muscles. It turns more of your muscles into 24-hour fat-burning machines! You are also more likely to exercise on a regular basis and for longer periods of time. this also promotes weight loss and fitness.

For more information on cross trainning, keith Londrie II has put up a web site for further information. Please visit http://cardioaerobics.info/ for more information NOW.

Keith E. Londrie II infoserve @ mchsi.com http://cardioaerobics.info/

Keith Londrie II is a renowned specialist in aerobic trainning. He provides information on the subject matter at his web site at http://cardioaerobics.info/ - Visit to get your questions answered now

A Successful Weight-Loss System Researched By Harvard University.

2008-03-11T04:02:00.000-07:00

You may have heard of the 'Mediterranean Diet'. It is well known to be one of the healthiest eating regimes known to man as well as an effective and powerful deterrent against heart disease, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

What you might not know is that if applied in the correct way this type of diet can also be used as an extremely effective means of losing weight - and a lot of it!!

Losing weight AND improving your health at the same time? Unheard of - until now!

Unlike 'fad' diets which are primarily designed for extreme weight-loss, the Mediterranean Diet actually works WITH your metabolism to achieve long-term and permanent results. The speed that you lose weight could be slightly slower but the end result is MUCH better.

Diets such as the 'Atkins' or the 'Cabbage Soup', apart from being dangerously unhealthy, have been shown to make the dieter lose water rather than actual fat - this can be extremely counter-productive.

If weight is lost too quickly there can be up to a 6% loss of muscle tissue as well as any fat or water lost. As a result, when the weight eventually returns - and it always does - more fat actually replaces the lost muscle which means the dieter will end up being fatter than he was before!!

To lose weight effectively, the method has to be realistic and according to research carried out by Harvard University, the Mediterranean Diet is the solution.

To learn exactly how to achieve permanent and healthy weight-loss visit:

www.mediterraneandietsecrets.com

Anthony Glassman - co-author of Mediterranean Diet Secrets

co-author of Mediterranean Diet Secrets

Eat More Pectin For Successful Weight Loss

2008-03-10T04:56:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to not feel so hungry all the time when you are trying to lose weight? Well there is a way and it's not some new fad either, it's something that's natural, has no adverse side effects and might be sitting right in your fridge - fiber.

One type of fiber that you probably already have been eating is called pectin. Pectin is found in fruits, such as apples, strawberries, and peaches, along with vegetables including carrots, sweet potatoes and beans. Pectin is a carbohydrate that has no calories.

Pectin is a great source of fiber, which we all know is important for a healthy diet. Aside from helping you feel full longer, pectin can help to cut cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It may even aid in the prevention of colon cancer.

Pectin can help you lose and maintain your weight because it causes the stomach to empty more slowly. As a result, after eating pectin, you feel satisfied longer. This means that you will eat less, which will lead to weight loss. And if you think you'll have to be gobbling down hundreds of apples or guzzling pectin drinks, think again - research has shown that as little as a single teaspoon can help you to feel satisfied.

Where Can You Get Pectin?

Thankfully, you won't have to drive miles out of your way to get your supply of pectin because it is sold right in your local grocery store. It comes in a powder, which may be known as Sure-Jel, or a liquid, known as Certo. Derived from grapefruit and apples, pectin is usually found with the baking supplies in most supermarkets.

How To Take Pectin

You can mix pectin with orange juice, water, or soft drinks. It has no taste so shouldn't affect the taste of the beverage you mix it in. It is best to increase your intake gradually to let your system adjust to the added fiber. Start off with a teaspoon a day and then gradually add more in to a max of 3 teaspoons a day. You can also add pectin to broth or soups, applesauce and even baked potatoes.

Lee Dobbins writes about Low Carb and Low GI eating as well as other weight loss issues. Visit www.lowcarb-resource.com for more articles on healthy dieting.

Getting Enough Fiber Is Important For Weight Loss

2008-03-10T04:55:00.000-07:00

Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet, but did you know it can help you in your weight loss efforts? Filling up on fiber can help you to feel full for longer, therefore causing you to eat less overall which will result in healthy weight loss.

In addition to helping you lose weight, fiber also has many positive health effects. Fiber has been linked to managing diabetes, cutting cholesterol, and limiting heart damage. One Swiss study found that eating a high-fiber meal reduced hunger more than a meal which was low in fiber.

How Much Fiber Do You Need?

You should consume between 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day. While that might not sound like a lot, most Americans only get about 15 grams and many much less. Fiber can be found in most fruits and vegetables including carrots, peas, broccoli, spinach, and cauliflower.

In addition, there are many cereals and breads that have a good amount of fiber, but you must read the labels to determine which ones. Typically anything made with whole wheat or whole oats or bran will have fiber - plus these cereals tend to be natural and low in fat and sugar which also help with your weight loss and are better for you overall.

How Can You Eat More Fiber? There are some easy ways that you can increase your fiber intake. Think about adding garbanzo beans to a salad or soup, or add a tablespoon of bran to your cereal. Leaving the skins on fruits and vegetables will also increase your fiber intake. The actual fiber content of each individual food isn't that much so it is best if you simply eat more types or servings of fiber rich foods each day.

Consider eliminating meat from some of your meals. Meat has no fiber, and it doesn't give you the benefit that you get with fiber-rich food. Instead, try eating more grains, fruits, and vegetables. In this way, you can be sure your meal has a healthy concentration of fiber.

Add Fiber Gradually

It might be difficult for your body to become accustomed to a diet that is rich in fiber. It is indeed counter-cultural, since many families grew up consuming a great deal of meat. However, if you're really want to lose weight and be healthy, you'll give fiber-rich meals a try. Fiber rich foods, combined with sensible eating, can help you lose weight and keep it off.

Don't try to totally change to a high fiber overnight. It may require a great deal of trial-and-error before you hit upon the right amount of fiber. However, in the end, you may be amazed at the positive role that fiber plays in your diet. And it may inspire you to encourage your loved ones to add more fiber to their own diets as well. A diet high fiber diet can help you to manage the amount of food you eat and has many health benefits. So load up on fiber--and watch your waistline shrink as a result!

Lee Dobbins writes about Low Carb and Low GI eating as well as other weight loss issues. Visit www.lowcarb-resource.com for more articles on healthy dieting.

Do the weight loss experts actually agree?

2008-03-08T02:45:00.000-08:00

Today, many well-known diet gurus, weight loss experts, and nutritional researchers have stepped up to the plate to declare that the high carbohydrate, low fat diet regimens recommended by such institutions as the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and the United States Department of Agriculture are misinformed, and frankly unhealthy.

Can this be true? Should you actually follow a weight loss program that goes against these acclaimed institutions?

These weight loss experts now tell us that our diets should, instead, include lots of high quality protein, fat should not concern us, and carbohydrates are the enemy. This has set the stage for battles between the health industry and the weight loss industry with the only agreement between them seeming to be the need to lose weight.

The problem is - both approaches to weight loss are wrong. And, both approaches to weight loss are both right. The most regularly leveled criticisms of each weight loss program seem legitimate - until you examine the recommended diets in depth. Sit down and look at the recommended menus. Take them to the calorie calculators and compare ingredients and nutrients. I did, and what I found was quite interesting.

In the most practical sense, all of these weight loss programs are talking about the same diet.

Oh, there are minor variations that have been grossly blown out of proportion by the advertising hype created by the weight loss industry. And, of course, there are misinterpretations that?have been stated as fact. However, the bottom line of each and every one of the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, the Zone Diet, the American Diabetes Association diet, and the American Heart Association's Heart Healthy Diet -- all of them - is to derive the greatest portion of your caloric intake for the day from low carbohydrate vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, summer squash, and fruits with high calorie and antioxidant counts. It is when it comes to whole grains that the controversy seems to arise.

Almost without exception, proponents of the low carb diets for weight loss and maintenance have condemned the recommended diets for suggesting that adults should derive the greater portion of their diets from carbohydrates. What they fail to note is that also without exception, each of those 'healthy' diets strongly suggest avoiding white breads, starchy, processed foods, sweet snacks high in sugar and preservatives, and white rice.

On the other hand, the medical community has condemned the low carb diets for encouraging the consumption of a diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol. But there is also a strong suggestion in each of those diets along the lines of "eat only until you are no longer hungry". .. and a minimum consumption of vegetables. Dinner's minimum suggested amount of vegetables is 2 1/2 cups. How hungry will you be after consuming two and a half cups of vegetables?

In the end, the bottom line of every weight loss program advertised is the same: * Eat fewer calories than you expend. * Eat a well-balanced diet where most of the calories are derived from whole grains, vegetables and fruits. * Exercise moderately every day. * Make your diet a "lifestyle diet" so you will lose weight--and keep it off! ?

Adam Waxler publishes a series of weight loss information products including his new weight loss resource filled with with FREE weight loss articles and tips @ http://www.1-800-Weight-Loss.com

Diabetes and weight loss surgery

2008-03-06T03:44:00.000-08:00

Weight loss surgery can be highly beneficial in preventing the occurrence of diabetes. The long-lasting weight reduction procedure attained with the help of laparoscopic gastric banding can play a key role in the prevention and remission of type 2 diabetes in over weight people. It's a good news for millions of obese people who're on the verge of getting afflicted with the life threatening disease. Weight loss surgery is getting immensely popular nowadays due to their efficacy and weight loss benefits. The laparoscopic gastric banding surgery is a minimally invasive type of weight loss surgery which is also a wonderful option for preventing high blood pressure apart from diabetes. This form of weight loss surgery is a big blessing for millions of obese people.

These findings on the benefits of weight loss surgery are based on a study conducted on severely obese patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB) and those who refused the surgery. Separate studies were conducted to assess the effect on diabetes prevention and remission. It was found at the end of the study that those treated with LGB didn't develop type 2 diabetes.

The study also pointed towards the beneficial effect of LGB on high blood pressure. Thus weight loss achieved by the means of weight loss surgery can be useful in preventing diabetes and high blood pressure apart from curtailing excessive weight. Apart from surgeries, weight loss can be attained through a variety of means such as diet pills, dieting, fad diets, and exercise and by following a healthy and nutritious diet plan.

For making weight loss a long term affair, amalgamation of a proper diet plan and exercise is the best procedure. But in case you're looking for short term weight loss then diet pills will prove most suitable for you. Diet pills such as phentermine can help you shed those extra baggages within a short stint of time.

Charles Jones is the author of the slimtalk.com, a website on weight loss drugs. For more information on weight drugs visit http://www.slimtalk.com

How weight loss enhances sexual life

2008-03-06T03:40:00.000-08:00

Weight loss can be big boon for our sexual life. Recent findings suggests that high blood pressure associated with obesity can cause a lowered libido or lower sexual drive in men and women and in some cases it can cause bouts with impotence. A recent study done by a psychologist at Duke University suggests that a healthy weight can improve intimacy both physiologically and psychologically.

It certainly helps in bed to have less of a stomach, because simple physics says that if you've got a big belly sticking out, you're not going to give your partner the full effect or satisfaction in some positions. Losing weight can improve a person's sex life to a great extent. Apart from improving performance or confidence in the bedroom, a healthy weight decreases stress on major joints including ankles, hips and knees, and lowers the chance of diabetes and heart disease.

Most women would prefer a tighter body to a sloppier one, thus increasing physical attraction leads to increased sexual drive. Therefore weight loss can play a big role in bringing romance back into your life. It helps in enhancing the libido in both men and women and helps to sustain the rigorous activity involved in sexual intercourse for a longer period. Libido is the medical word for sexual desire. Research suggests that weight loss also helps in achieving more satisfying or more frequent orgasm and helps to get rid off impotence and erectile dysfunction.

A healthy body can only boost of a healthy sex life. To keep your body in a perfect shape, always try to indulge in a healthy lifestyle and proper exercise. In case of initiating weight loss process, you can opt for diet pills as well. The new breed of diet pills such as phentermine, adipex and xenical can help you realize your weight loss desire within a short span of time. So, control your weight and enhance your sexual life.

Rianpeter is a contributing author to the Phenterminehome.com for distinct article sites/journals. Visit the website http://www.phenterminehome.com for more information on Phentermine Diet Pills

Weight loss is synonymous to good health

2008-03-05T04:15:00.000-08:00

Weight loss is synonymous to good health. Our health is a big asset which requires proper care and nurturing. A healthy diet pattern with a mix of regular exercise leads to a fit and trim body. Possessing a good physique gives us inner and outer confidence whereas an obese physique makes us dull and pessimistic. Apart from this, obesity or overweight breeds other diseases and makes our existence uncomfortable and unpleasant. Apart from causing physical torture, it often results in emotional suffering which is one of the most painful aspects of this ailment. Most of us have this notion that obesity is just a cosmetic problem but in reality, it's a health hazard. A person with excessive weight is twice as likely to die prematurely as compared to an average-weight person. This is because obesity has been linked to several serious medical conditions such as diabetes and strokes. A weight increase of 11-18 pounds doubles the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in comparison to individuals with normal weight.

Diabetes and overweight is interrelated and due to this factor a term diabesity has been coined to signify the close association between obesity and diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is one of most prominent ailment found in obese people. This form of diabetes reduces body's ability to control blood sugar. The most alarming factor about this disease is that it is a major cause of early death, heart disease, stroke, and blindness. Overweight people are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to normal weight people.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to use sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. The chances of its occurrence can be reduced by losing weight and exercising more.

If you have type 2 diabetes, losing weight and becoming more physically active can help control your blood sugar levels. Increasing your physical activity may also allow you to reduce the amount of diabetes medication intake. Losing a small amount of weight can also reduce your chances of developing heart disease or a stroke and make your body ailment free. One of the easiest methods of weight loss is diet pills. Diet pills such as phentermine have helped millions of people in overcoming obesity so make it a part of your life for the benefit of your health.

Rianpeter is a contributing author to the Phenterminehome.com for distinct article sites/journals. Visit the websitehttp://www.phenterminehome.com for more information on Phentermine Diet Pills. For questions, please send an email to rianpeter@gmail.com

The Link between Yoga, Mindfulness, and Weight Loss - Part 2

2008-03-04T04:13:00.000-08:00

Some of you may still do this, but remember when most people gave thanks, prayed, or said grace at the table? We can still be thankful to our family members or their company, the cook for his or her skill, to those who brought the food home, and to God, or your concept of a higher being, for your existence.

Meals should be for nutrition, bonding, and thanks. Meals should not be "wolfed down," while watching television or while driving in the car.

One of the aspects of Yoga, which is covered in a typical Yoga class, is that of mindfulness in every part of life. You become more conscious of your breathing, posture, speech, what you eat, and much more. Through steady Yoga practice, you learn to live life in the present moment and to appreciate what you have.

Some of us are rich in love, but have little money. Some of us are rich with money and have no one who really loves us. When you look at love or money both can be turned into good or bad situations. It is really up to us, whether we want to make the most of what we have.

Making the most out of simple pleasures is living life to its fullest potential. So, instead of "shoveling" your food away, Yoga students should take the time to enjoy the finer things in life. This is not to say that we should engage in gluttony, but instead to connect with your inner being at mealtime and be mindful of everything. Eat with your family, when possible, and make it a pleasant experience, together, at the kitchen table.

Your inner self or self is sometimes called "atman" or "jiva." This is the "creature" imprisoned within all of us. We all enjoy eating and want to savor every earthly pleasure to its fullest, but mindfulness makes us aware of much more than consumption of food and earthly pleasures. Therefore, mindfulness can be a natural dieting tool at mealtime.

How is this possible? When you see food - give thanks and tune into your senses. You do not have to give thanks verbally, if it makes you feel uncomfortable, but you should make it a mental exercise, before every meal. This will help your spiritual health and slow the pace of eating down.

The senses of sight, and smell, come into play long before your first bite, so take the time to be mindful of them after you have given thanks. Eat for the right reasons. Those reasons should be: your health and your life.

Eating should be nutritionally dense, in moderation, and in the best possible frame of mind. Be mindful of every bite, your digestive process, and all your senses. This pace will slow you down.

Thoroughly chew each bite and sip water during your meal. Yogis, and Yoginis, learn to pace their breath in Pranayama practice. Therefore, you should pace yourself in regard to eating and breathing at mealtime. You should not be short of breath while eating. If you are, you make eating into a stressful situation. You learn to breathe in Yoga class, and you should continue proper breath control at every possible moment.

If you work in a company that doesn't allow time for eating, eat small nutritionally dense snacks, and look for another job. Companies that function, in this way, are killing their employees with stress. This is not a harmonious atmosphere, and the stress will get you too.

Lastly, remember that weight control is not a mathematical formula. There are many intangibles that "fly under the radar." Science cannot yet accurately measure the power of your mind, commitment, and spiritual health.

Yoga is much more than an exercise class. At present, Yoga is the most complete health system known to humankind. Yoga encompasses mental, physical and spiritual health.

There are some Chinese internal martial arts systems that come close, but Yoga is the Mother of most Asian martial arts systems. How is this possible?

Bodidharma, an Indian Buddhist monk, taught a form of Yoga to the monks at the Shaolin temple for health maintenance. Due to his visit, the Shaolin temple became the birthplace of Ch'an Buddhism. Also resulting from this encounter, Chinese Kung Fu was born, and many styles of martial arts have continued to evolve to this day.

There is so much to learn about Yoga that none of us will be able to learn everything in one lifetime. The results of regular Yoga practice, and the lessons in mindfulness taught by a competent Yoga teacher, will help you control your weight and so much more.

Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is the director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He's a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students wanting to be a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Hoodia..Mysterious Legend or Weight Loss Breakthrough

2008-03-04T04:12:00.001-08:00

Every two to three years a new "weight Loss" product that promises a fast and easy result arrives on the scene. 99% of which only work for 1% of the population or, as in some products don't work for anyone.

This year's biggest star appears to be Hoodia Gordonii. By now you have seen Hoodia on the news, read about Hoodia in popular magazines and more-then-likely have been reading up on Hoodia.

But exactly what is Hoodia and why all the hoopla?

Hoodia, although not actually a cactus, is part of the cactus like family, the succlents. Hoodia in the wild, is found in the arid, southwestern part of Africa and grows from only 2-3 feet tall. It has prickly spikes which must be scraped off to reveal the inner flesh. Hoodia or Xhoba, as it is called by the San people, contains a molecule called P57 that actually tricks the brain into believing that you are full.

Originally used by the San People to help quench thirst and stave off hunger during lean times and food gathering trips, Hoodia now is being used by thousands worldwide to help control their weight by reducing hunger and cravings.

So why is Hoodia so different from previous weight control products?

Other then suppressing hunger, Hoodia currently has no other known side effects. No racing heart, no nausea, no diarrhea, no keeping you up late at night.

Many Hoodia users find that they consume an average of 1,000 calories less per day. That's an average daily calorie savings of 50%. With a pound of fat being 3,500 calories you can see that it only takes approximately 30 days to lose 10 pounds.

No counting carbs, calories or purchasing special foods. You eat the foods you like, only less of them.

Hoodia, is relatively inexpensive. Unlike previous products, Hoodia is affordable.

Hoodia comes in several forms. There are pills, liquids, Coffee with Hoodia, Tea with Hoodia, chewy candy-like products and the list goes on. There is a Hoodia product to fit everyone's personality.

Are all Hoodia products alike? Absolutely not! Absolutely not! Absolutely not! I can't stress that enough.

Here is what you should look for in your Hoodia product.

The Hoodia plant has many cousins, which although can be called Hoodia they do not have the appetite suppressant power of Hoodia Gordonii. Only choose a Hoodia product that is made from Hoodia Gordonii.

Hoodia is now farmed in other areas of the world like China or Mexico. Only South African Hoodia Gordonii is premium Hoodia Gordonii.

Read your product label. Does your Hoodia product contain binders and fillers? If so, you are paying for added ingredients and are getting less Hoodia.

For maximum benefits you should be taking between 1,000 mgs - 3,000 mgs of Hoodia daily (1-3 grams). Check your product label to see how much Hoodia is in your product. If it's only 300 mgs per capsule you will need approximately 10 capsules per day for its full effect. If you choose a capsule, liquid or tea product that has 1,000 mgs per serving you will only need 3 servings per day. Although this product may appear on the surface to be more expensive it is actually less expensive per day.

Most people will feel Hoodia's appetite suppressant qualities the first day but it may take 3-5 days to feel the maximum effect, so give your product time to work.

In closing remember to choose a product that is pure South African Hoodia Gordonii, with no binders or fillers and take 1-3 grams per day for maximum effect. And always check first with your physician or health care practitioner before taking Hoodia or any appetite suppressant product as you may have an underlying health condition or prescription medication that would prohibit its use. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Follow the product label instructions and don't use more then the recommended dosage. Also know that Hoodia products have not been evaluated by the FDA and therefore they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Since Hoodia can drastically curb your appetite be sure to use your calories wisely. Choose fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, drink plenty of water and take a good vitamin-mineral product.

As a Hoodia fan, so far I have lost 28 pounds without being hungry or feeling deprived. For me, Hoodia is a weightloss breakthrough.

If you are interested in the latest weight loss products (including free samples)visit http://www.the-weightloss-guide.com

Is there such thing as the "magic" weight loss pill?

2008-03-03T03:17:00.000-08:00

Is there such thing as the "magic" weight loss pill?

Modern medicine has given us a number of miracles in a bottle. We have pills for arthritis, pills for heartburn, pills for heart trouble. We have pills that will help us wake up in the morning, pills that will help us digest our afternoon meal, and pills that will enable us to sleep at night. We live in a pill-popping society.

Because of the number of medications available, we often turn to pills to cure what ails us--no matter what our trouble might be. Whether it's physical or emotional, we may believe that medication will take care of the problem. As a result, it's not surprising that a number of us also turn to diet pills in an effort to control our weight.

There are a number of advantages to using diet pills when trying to fight fat. To begin with, diet pills are quick-acting--we may see results after only a little bit of time has elapsed. As a result, we may gain confidence and lose even more weight as a result of our success with diet pills. Other people--friends, relatives, co-workers--may notice our weight loss and may compliment us as a result. Consequently, we may be motivated to work even harder at our weight loss.

Diet pills are also convenient. We can keep them in our medicine cabinet or kitchen cupboard. We can take a pill in the morning and not have to worry about our weight for the rest of the day. We don't have to do a great deal of research, as is required when we are trying to determine which diet to try. In addition, taking a diet pill is hardly as strenuous as running five miles or swimming ten laps.

Moreover, diet pills can help us to shift some of the responsibility for losing weight to another entity. No longer is it simply up to us to control our weight. We look to the pill to resolve our weight problem, once and for all. This can help to lower our anxiety, reducing our stress level.

But there are also serious disadvantages to using diet pills. For instance, there is the possibility that we will become addicted to the medication. This can take a toll on not only our physical health, but our emotional health as well. We may become too dependent on the pills, expecting them to solve our weight problems.

Diet pills also teach us nothing about good nutrition. You do not have to learn about proper diet if you are depending on a pill to take your excess weight away. As a result, an individual may never discover the importance of healthy eating, and his or her overall health could suffer as a result.

In addition, there is no such thing as a quick fix when it comes to weight loss. While you might lose weight for a time after taking diet pills, you could quickly regain the weight, once you go off the pills. As a result, diet pills fail to provide a life-long approach to healthy weight maintenance.

Given the pros and cons of diet pills, you might be wondering whether they would be right for you. Check with your family physician. He or she is in the best position to assess your overall health and determine whether diet pills would be appropriate in your particular case. Secondly, consider consulting with a nutritionist. He or she can help advise you about whether to take diet pills.

Diet pills are a huge industry within the U.S. So, there is a great deal of marketing, urging you to purchase these so-called wonder drugs. But, before you buy, you have to seriously consider whether these pills could jeopardize your health. While it may be important for you to lose weight, it is even more important for you to shield your body from harm.

Weight loss is not miraculous. It takes a great deal of dedication and perseverance. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will find the secret to weight loss in a bottle. By changing your diet and exercising, you might notice only incremental changes in your weight. However, over the long term, you might be better able to maintain healthy weight loss by sticking with the tried-and-true formula of diet and exercise.

Arnel Ricafranca is the President and Founder of Fitness VIP. He is the creator of "The Ultimate Weight Loss Success Strategies For Busy Men and Women Over 40." He is available for fitness seminars, personal training, and online personal training. Visit his website to claim your fitness gift ($50 real value) http://www.officialfitnessguide.com http://www.fitness-vip.com http://www.elitefitnessexperts.com

The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution For Women Over 40

2008-03-01T03:28:00.000-08:00

The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution For Women Over 40

If you are a fan of TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey, you probably knew about Dr. Phil McGraw some time ago. The advice guru is a favorite of Oprah's because of his uncanny ability to "tell it like it is." Dr. Phil has used the same no-nonsense approach on his own television program and has also introduced millions to a new perspective on dieting with his ultimate weight loss solution.

Dr. Phil's approach may not be revolutionary, but it is instructive. He preaches the gospel of healthy choices. This means understanding the emotions that cause you to overeat in the first place. He also offers tests to help you assess your own eating patterns. Once you understand how your mind works, you can begin the daunting task of changing your environment.

Dr. Phil argues that, while you may not be able to control circumstances, you can control your reaction to the difficulties that come your way. This means taking ownership of your responses and leaving little to chance. Such a stance can be quite empowering and can give you the confidence you need to succeed at weight loss.

Another aspect of Dr. Phil's plan is to resolve to quit complaining. You need to realize that your situation will never get better if you simply complain about it. Rather, you need to take decisive action. You also have to realize that you can have an impact on your own weight--that your weight problems are not the other guy's fault.

Your primary task is to rid your own personal world of the temptations that cause you to binge. After that, you need to devote your attention to nutritional concerns. Dr. Phil also believes in establishing a healthy system of exercise that can help you lose weight over the long term.

Dr. Phil also believes that it is important for you to establish a support network that will enable you to reach your weight loss goals. The importance of support cannot be overemphasized. It is difficult to accomplish anything in life without someone in your corner, cheering you on. The same is certainly true when it comes to weight reduction. You'll want a partner, someone you can turn to when the desire to overeat becomes overwhelming.

An interesting part of Dr. Phil's plan is the self-assessment. During his practice, Dr. Phil has found that some individuals sabotage their own diet success. They may actually feel uncomfortable about losing weight; therefore, they lose weight only to gain it back again. They may not be comfortable with the compliments they get from the opposite sex when they lose weight, so they hold onto their weight as a buffer against the outside world. As a result, Dr. Phil recommends that individuals slow down and take stock of themselves before going onto a weight loss program. During this slow-down period, they may identify those behaviors that keep them from having weight loss success.

Dr. Phil also recommends conducting a reality check from time to time. Challenge your own beliefs and pre-conceived ideas. See if they stand up to scrutiny. If not, it may be time to change your perspective about life in general and about weight loss in particular. Dr. Phil also suggests that you seek closure for the emotional issues in your life. This might mean attacking your own anger, or forgiving someone who has hurt you. With this closure, you can ready yourself to handle the challenge of losing weight.

Supporters of Dr. Phil's plan say that it is a common sense approach to weight loss. They applaud Dr. Phil for tackling the emotional issues surrounding weight gain. However, critics contend that there is nothing new or all that interesting in Dr. Phil's approach, that it covers ground that has been covered time and time again. In the end, you'll probably have to do your own research to determine if Dr. Phil's approach will work for you, or if another method would be better. The one positive aspect of Dr. Phil's prescription is that it is unlikely to harm you, and could actually do you a world of good.

The Vegetarian Diet: The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution or Not?

2008-03-01T03:27:00.001-08:00

The Vegetarian Diet: The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution or Not?

If you've been to any large banquets recently, you may have noticed people passing up the prime rib and baked chicken in order to feast on a vegetarian meal. Vegetarianism seems to be gaining in popularity each year, spurred on by health concerns, weight difficulties, and celebrity endorsements. You may find that a vegetarian diet is the key to weight loss in your particular case.

First of all, it is important to define the vegetarian diet. You may be surprised to learn that there are actually a variety of vegetarian diets in use today. In some cases, vegetarians eat only fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. In other cases, they may also eat cheese and drink milk, while in still other cases, they may eat eggs.

One of the advantages to the vegetarian diet is that it tends to be low in fat and cholesterol. As a result, a vegetarian diet can help you avoid heart problems and even cancer. However, you may also find that you are missing some important vitamins and minerals on a strictly vegetarian diet.

It has been said that the key to a successful vegetarian diet is planning. You must decide what you will be eating for every meal in order to ensure that you receive the proper nutrients. Otherwise, you may end up starving your body of the nutrients you need in order to be healthy.

A major benefit of the vegetarian diet is that it tends to involve a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains. However, getting enough protein can be a challenge. Therefore, you might consider adding soy to your diet, which is high in protein content. Another important consideration is iron. You'll need to make sure that you eat spinach and beans in order to guarantee that you receive enough iron, since you will not be consuming customary sources of iron such as liver and roast beef.

You may need to supplement your diet with vitamins in order to ensure that you receive the appropriate amount of B-12, Vitamin D, calcium, and zinc. Otherwise, you'll have to load up on cereals, soy milk, spinach, and broccoli. Also, eating a vegetarian diet does not mean you have a license to eat as many sugary foods as you want. You'll still have to restrict high-calorie foods.

Variety has been called the spice of life and it is also the key to an effective vegetarian diet. You'll need to eat an array of fruits and vegetables. Also, if you do use dairy, be sure that you choose non-fat or low-fat milk and cheese. Since eggs are rich in cholesterol, you should eat them only in moderation.

Studies have shown that vegetarians tend to consume fewer calories each day than meat-eaters. Also, the body mass index--a tool used to measure obesity--is generally lower for vegetarians than for the population at large. However, as a vegetarian, you will still need to pay attention to portion control and calorie counts. Therefore, while vegetarianism may not be a panacea for weight loss, it can certainly help in the battle against the bulge.

However, it should be noted here that some people mistakenly look upon vegetarianism as a quick fix. They figure that if they give up meat for a couple of weeks, they'll lose weight. Then, after their trial period is over, they go back to their old eating habits. This is a bad pattern because it encourages yo-yo dieting. If you decide to go on a vegetarian diet, it is very important that you stick with it. Otherwise, you may be greatly disappointed in your weight loss progress.

Vegetarianism is not for everyone. However, if you enjoy fruits and vegetables, are non-committal about meat, and are good at planning meals, you may want to go vegan. But if you do not fall into that category, another diet plan may be preferable. Which diet program you ultimately choose may depend greatly upon your personal preferences and what kind of diet regimen you are prepared to follow over the long run. The key to any successful diet is commitment; you must be determined to succeed.

Take a Step Towards Weight Loss

2008-02-29T02:40:00.000-08:00

Take a Step Towards Weight Loss

As children, one of the first exercises we learned how to do was walking. While it may seem like an elementary form of exercise, walking can do wonders for the heart, the circulatory system, and our legs. Walking can also be instrumental in helping individuals to lose weight.

Medical experts say the important thing to keep in mind when starting a walking program is distance rather than time. In essence, it doesn't matter how long it takes you to complete a mile--the important thing is to do it. If you hope to burn off two pounds a week, you will need to walk enough to burn about 3500 calories. If you weigh 160 pounds and you are walking at a rate of two miles per hour, you can burn as many as 105 calories.

A helpful technique when beginning a walking program is to build up your leg muscles so that you are able to burn additional calories. If you can, try to race-walk. Your goal should be to finish a mile in 13 minutes. Another technique you can use is by adding weights to your walking routine. For instance, you can pack eight pound weights into a backpack and wear it as you walk.

Ultimately, you might want to work up to the point where you are walking at least six hours a week. In addition to helping you to shed pounds, this will enable you to combat such diseases as diabetes and cancer. You should feel healthier--and perhaps happier--as a result of your walking.

At this point, you might be wondering whether to do your walking outdoors or on a treadmill at a gym. The choice is really up to you. It depends largely on what makes you more comfortable. Some people enjoy being out of doors--they like looking at the trees and the flowers as they move along. Others find that the traffic and animals found outdoors can be too distracting. Also, many people find it difficult to walk in the rain or snow. Some individuals like the discipline offered by a treadmill, while others find it boring and confining. One advantage to a treadmill is that it allows you to keep track of the number of miles you logged, as well as your speed. That can be valuable information when you're attempting to chart your progress.

Of course, it's best if you couple walking with a sound diet plan. You should attempt to consume at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of high-fat foods and sweets. Sensible eating will also enable you to maintain your weight over the long term.

When you set out to walk, make sure that you begin with some stretching exercises. These can help prepare your muscles for your workout. In addition, begin your walk with a five or ten-minute warm up period. The rest of your walk should be brisk--you should be walking at a pace similar to what you would use if you were late getting to work. You should continue this pace for approximately 30 minutes, then begin a cool-down period where you walk at a more moderate pace. Following this regimen should ensure that you get the most out of your walking.

One of the best aspects of walking is that it is an activity that nearly any able-bodied person can do. It does not require special equipment or special training. It is important, however, that you remain committed to walking. Doing it for just one or two days a week is probably not enough to make an appreciable difference in your weight. Rather, you should aim to do a brisk walk at least six days a week. Once you get into the habit of walking, you should find it relatively easy to continue. It's something that can quickly become part of your morning routine. In fact, some experts recommend that you do your walking in the morning to ensure that your metabolism is elevated throughout your day. Walking late at night will not have the same effect; it will do little to raise your daily metabolism.

Simple Weight Loss

2008-02-27T02:46:00.001-08:00

Active weight watchers consistently ask what foods can I eat and what foods should I avoid. This is a genuine thing because if you have set a goal to lose weight you want to be sure that you are eating the right things. The good news is that there are very few foods that you should avoid such as:

- Any type of fast food. (Pizza?s, burgers etc.)
- All soft drinks that fizz.
- Never drink beer when you eat, or eat when you drink beer. Beer will stop your body from breaking down fats.

What is more important is how much you eat. The excess weight that you put on is the difference between calories digested and calories burnt off through exercise. Therefore if you lead an active life you are able to consume more calories and your activity will burn them off. If your lifestyle lacks physical activity you must consume less calories and search for ways to become more active. Therefore the size of the serving depends upon your lifestyle. The wife of a physical worker needs to serve him larger portions because he needs it to create the energy required to get through a physically exhausting day. The risk that she takes is that by serving large meals to him she tends to serves similarly large meals to herself; often using the excuse that she is only eating two-thirds the amount he consumes. If her activity level is only half of his then two-thirds could be over-eating.

In the developed world adults consume on average 3,500 calories each day. Adults actually require 2,000 calories to function properly. Now imagine lowering your calorie intake to 3,000 per day. The 500 calories less consumed each day equates to 3,500 calories per week less or six days food every seven days. It just happens that 3,500 calories equals one pound in weight and if you can lose one pound (450 grams) each week you are at the optimum weight loss level. As a general rule diets that reduce weight by greater than one pound per week are short term and 99% of people put that weight back on. One-pound weight loss per week is the most sustainable amount.

How can you achieve this reduction in calories consumed? Easy, at the start of each day decide what you are not going to consume that day. Say Monday becomes no bread day. That means that you do not eat any bread on Monday. More importantly you don?t eat more of something else to compensate. Tuesday may be no potato day. Wednesday no cakes or cookies etc. etc. At the same time as you do this you increase your exercise level. Park the car at the furthest point from the supermarket door. Use the stairs rather than an escalator. Take a walk after dinner. Just do things that you?ve been avoiding and see how quickly you lose weight and keep it off.

This article is copyright ? David McCarthy 2006 and may only be re-produced without alteration or addition.

David McCarthy is a prolific writer of articles on food, health and diet. His website is http://www.recipesmania.com and it contains all of his article in the news blogs section and hundreds of recipes for all occasions from banqueting to dieting.

How To Lose Weight Easily, Quickly And Naturally Program - Natural Weight Loss

2008-02-27T02:45:00.000-08:00

It is easy to lose weight quickly and naturally if you have a systematic weight loss program. Many people failed to lose weight successfully because of the natural tendency to choose easy quick fix programs such as going on drastic diets, popping diet pills or persuaded to buy some exercise gadgets that simply do not work. In my other articles, I have addressed these issues and why such easy quick fix programs simply do not work in the long term and will not repeat them here.

To lose weight quickly, naturally and easily, you have to combine a healthy eating habit, correct cardio and strengthening exercises. We shall touch on the subject of how to lose weight quickly and naturally through a healthy eating program in this article.

? Increase Your Metabolism ? Eat 5-6 small meals daily. It has been scientifically proven that by eating frequently, you will raise your body?s natural metabolism. That means your body will burn more fat naturally. You become a fat burning machine all day long.

? Eat Less Calories ? Although you need to increase meal frequency to lose weight naturally, you must be mindful of your caloric consumption. Calories consumed must not exceed calories expanded for your daily energy. So keep your meals small and cut down on dietary fats as each gram of fat contains 9 calories whereas each gram of protein and carbohydrate contains only 4 calories.

? Avoid Starchy And Processed Flour Foodstuffs ? These foodstuffs are easy to digest and turn into sugar rapidly and in turn get converted to body fat if these sugar calories are not used up as energy quickly. So ditch your cakes, cookies, pizzas, pastas, white rice etc Replace them with high fiber bread, legumes, brown rice, grains and nuts instead. So stay away from fast food restaurants as most fast food menus offer such foodstuff.

? Avoid All Sugary and Soft Drinks ? Reason is obvious. Most if not all of these kind of drinks are heavily laced with sugar and sugar gets converted to body fat very quickly. You have to run on the treadmill for 20-30 minutes just to burn away a can?s worth of calories in a soft drink. Just imagine how much body fat you will accumulate if you drink just three cans of soft drinks a day along with 2 cups of sugar added coffee?

? Avoid All Forms Of Alcohol ? There are about 7 calories in a gram of alcohol. Alcohol calories have zero nutritional value. They are just mere empty calories. Indulging in regular alcohol consumption not only wrecks your health, it will set back your weight loss program completely.

Oh?.so you think this eating habit is difficult to implement or that you will miss your sugary foodstuffs and soft drinks? Not to worry. You may experience some withdrawal symptoms at first but after a week or two, you will be weaned off your sugar and simple carbohydrate cravings. Once your addictions to these foods are curbed, you will no longer have your sweet tooth and will naturally avoid such foodstuff.

Just by following these healthy eating habits, you will start to lose weight easily, quickly and naturally. Include cardio and weight lifting exercises into your weight loss program and your weight loss will be permanent.

Chris Chew is a fitness personal trainer of fashion models, actors and male pageant titleholders. His websites Male Pageant Winners and Personal Trainer courses

The Subway Approach to Weight Loss

2008-02-26T03:57:00.000-08:00

The Subway Approach to Weight Loss

For many of us, fast food is the only food at lunchtime. We're in a tremendous hurry to get back to our workday, so we choose food based on convenience rather than nutritional value. In recent years, a number of fast food outlets have attempted to add more health-conscious selections to their menu; for the most part, these consist of salads and fruit cups. While they may have fewer calories than standard fast food, they may not be as tasty.

Yet, in many cities, there is an alternative to the regular burger-and-salad fare: Subway, a restaurant which specializes in six inch and foot-long submarine sandwiches. At first glance, you wouldn't think of Subway as being a dieter's delight--there is all that carbohydrate-rich bread and fat-filled cheeses. However, to Jared Fogle, Subway is like diet Nirvana. That's because Jared lost 245 pounds through what he calls the Subway diet. His routine consisted of a six-inch turkey sub, sans mayonnaise and cheese, potato chips, and a diet drink for lunch. Dinner consisted of a foot-long veggie sub, also without condiments, and more diet cola. As a result of his experience, Jared has become a spokesman for Subway.

As far as exercise is concerned, Jared avoided it at the beginning. Weighing more than 400 pounds, he found it difficult to move. However, as he began losing weight, he started walking to his college classes instead of taking the bus. Eventually, he began walking 1.5 miles each day.

One of the key ingredients of Jared's Subway diet is convenience. It is relatively simple to walk to a Subway restaurant and order subs twice a day. You don't have to spend time shopping for food and preparing meals. If you enjoy sub sandwiches, you may find the diet easy to maintain. Since you will be consuming only about 1,000 calories, weight reduction is also guaranteed. Thus, it might be one of the most effective diets in existence today.

Of course, there are disadvantages to the Subway diet. For instance, eating the same type of subs each day can be repetitive and difficult to stomach. Also, you may lose out on vital vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D and zinc. In addition, the diet offers nothing in the way of breakfast, so you will be sacrificing the nutrients that a healthy breakfast can provide. In addition, the Subway diet can be an expensive one to follow, since you'll have to purchase all those sub sandwiches.

However, it's possible that you can vary Jared's diet and still lose weight. Subway offers a number of sandwiches with six grams of fat or less. These include the six inch ham (290 calories), the six-inch chicken breast (330 calories), the six-inch roast beef (290 calories), the six-inch club (320 calories), the sweet onion chicken teriyaki (380 calories), the turkey breast (280 calories), turkey breast and ham (290 calories), and veggie delite (230 calories). Subway also offers carb-conscious wraps as an alternative to sub buns. These include the chicken bacon ranch wrap, tuna wrap, turkey and bacon melt, and turkey breast wrap. In addition, the restaurant chain now offers a number of salads which are also a healthy alternative to normal fast food fare.

One of the great advantages to Subway is the large amount of fresh vegetables which you can add to your sandwich. You can choose such items as spinach, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, green peppers, and sweet peppers. You can change the types of vegetables you use each day in order to add variety to your meal.

The critical problem with any Subway-based diet is the discipline required. Day after day, you have to limit your food intake to what is available at the Subway counter. This can be quite a challenge. While you can choose from different lunch meats, and you can combine subs with salads, you are still quite limited in your menu choices.

Is the Subway diet right for you? If you really love subs and hate to cook, Subway may offer just the meal plan you're looking for. However, if you are not fond of subs and you want a lot of variety in your diet, you'll have to pass up the Subway plan for another diet.

Why Fast Weight Loss is Unhealthy

2008-02-20T00:33:00.000-08:00

Why Fast Weight Loss is Unhealthy

You've made the decision to lose weight as quickly as possible. You have your diet in place and you expect to follow it religiously. At this point, you may be wondering how much weight you can lose in a given week and whether fast weight loss can be dangerous for your body. There are a number of things that can affect your weight loss. For instance, family history, or genetics, can play a significant role. Also, your weight loss may depend upon how much exercise you're engaging in, as well as how much stress you are under. Your metabolism, or how quickly you burn calories, can also have a major effect. Theoretically, you could lose as much as 20 pounds a week. However, much of that weight could be water weight. That means that, once you go off your diet, you are likely to gain much of that weight back. Also, unless you engage in strength training, you will be losing muscle as well as fat, since about ? of the body's weight consists of muscle. It is interesting to note that, at most, you can probably lose four pounds of fat in a given week. Nature has a way of protecting the body against excessive weight loss. If, for instance, your calorie count suddenly drops, your body will compensate for the fact by reducing your metabolic rate. As a result, you'll need fewer calories to maintain your weight. This explains why some people lose weight up to a point and then cannot lose any additional weight, no matter how hard they try. If you lose weight quickly, there's a good chance that your health will be jeopardized. For instance, fast weight loss has been linked to the appearance of gall stones. Also, you may experience loose skin as your weight goes into free fall. Perhaps most distressing of all, if you experience rapid weight loss, there's a good chance that you will gain the weight back again. This is because it is very difficult to maintain a healthy diet regimen. You may find yourself falling back into your bad eating habits after a period of deprivation. Fast weight loss also places you at greater risk for an eating disorder. You may be tempted to starve yourself, leading to anorexia. Or, because your food cravings are so great, you may want to binge and purge, leading to a case of bulimia. This is why it is so critically important to lose weight under a physician's care. Otherwise, you could be doing more harm to your body than good. Although the body has the capability of shedding a great deal of weight over a period of time, most medical experts agree that one should not expect to lose more than one or two pounds a week in order to remain healthy. This can be disappointing to a dieter, especially one that needs to lose about 50 pounds. However, doctors believe that the go-slow approach is best for long-term weight loss. Otherwise, you could end up with a number of health problems you weren't anticipating. There are a number of approaches you can use to lose weight. For instance, you might follow the Atkins plan, the Zone, or the diabetic diet. You might try Sugar Busters or the Carb Addict's prescription for losing weight. However, it is vitally important that you accompany your diet plan with an effective exercise routine. One of the best exercises you can do, in fact, is the easiest--walking. It has been said that you can lose as many as two pounds a week, just by walking alone. As has been demonstrated here, rapid weight loss should be approached with caution. It is far better to lose a few pounds each week and maintain that weight loss over the long term. In essence, all good things take time, and that is particularly true when it comes to weight loss. Perhaps the best advice is to be patient. Follow a reasonable diet, get plenty of exercise, and drink a good amount of water. That way, you should be able to slowly lose weight--without jeopardizing your health in the process.

Surgery: The Last Weight Loss Alternative for the Toughest Cases

2008-02-20T00:31:00.000-08:00

Surgery: The Last Weight Loss Alternative for the Toughest Cases

Recently, a number of high-profile celebrities, from TV weatherman Al Roker to American Idol's Randy Jackson, have made headlines as a result of undergoing weight loss surgery. Supporters of such surgery say that it offers hope for people who seem unable to lose weight any other way. They maintain that it is difficult to lose 50 or more pounds without surgical intervention. Critics, however, maintain that surgery--especially stomach surgery--is risky business and should be approached with the utmost caution. They worry that surgery is a quick fix which does not help to resolve an individual's problem dealing with food.

You might wonder under what conditions surgery would be recommended. Generally speaking, surgery is only an option for those who have suffered from obesity for a protracted period of time (meaning years), have a body mass index or BMI of more than 40, and whose lives could be cut short because of their excessive weight gain. Also, stomach stapling surgery is usually limited to those who have already reached adulthood.

Conversely, you would not be a candidate for stomach reduction surgery if you have been severely overweight for a short period of time; if you suffer from drug or alcohol addiction; or you have been diagnosed with mental illness. In other words, you need to be fully cognizant and have a detailed understanding of the reasons for your obesity.

You should know that stomach reduction surgery is a proven weight-reducer. You could lose nearly all of your extra weight by undergoing the procedure. Thus, surgery may negate the need for a diet plan, although there is the slim possibility that you could end up putting on additional pounds after your operation.

There are a myriad of reasons why you might consider stomach stapling surgery. For instance, if you are suffering from adult onset diabetes or heart trouble, you might want to undergo the operation. If you are so obese that you can barely walk, surgery might be for you. If your weight has gotten to the point where you literally find it difficult to get out of bed, an operation might be appropriate.

Of course, stomach stapling surgery is not without its risks. In less than two percent of the cases, death may occur. Also, there is the possibility that after surgery you may experience vomiting if you attempt to eat too much. And then there's the psychological fallout. If you've been a heavy person all your life, you may have trouble adjusting to your new thin status. You may even find that your relationships with relatives and friends change after you have undergone surgery. As a result of this, some physicians recommend that candidates for stomach stapling surgery meet with a psychotherapist who can help them develop coping mechanisms before and after the surgery.

Obviously, undergoing surgery is a serious step--one that should not be undertaken lightly. As a result, you might want to ask yourself some questions before going under the knife: Why do I want to undergo surgery? What if I discover there are unexpected side-effects from surgery? Will I be able to deal with them? What are my options if I do not undergo surgery? Will my family and friends support my decision to undergo an operation? Am I considering surgery out of vanity, or because of a serious health threat? Will years be added to my life after I undergo surgery?

Of course, you cannot make the decision for stomach surgery on your own. You will need to consult your family physician to determine if an operation is right for you. If your doctor gives the O.K., you will then have to meet with the surgeon. Make sure to check the surgeon's credentials and consider having a second opinion. The more preparation you do before your operation, the better off you will be. Obviously, stomach stapling surgery is not for everyone. It carries with it physical and emotional risks. However, the prognosis for those who undergo such surgery is good. And you could end up being in much better health in the long run, if you are able to successfully lose your excess weight.

The Link between Yoga, Mindfulness, and Weight Loss - Part 1

2008-02-14T21:18:00.001-08:00

Across the Globe, nutritional and fitness experts are baffled at the results of a study, conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Dr. Alan R. Kristal, the lead researcher of this study, remarked, "I was very surprised with the results. Considering that people gain about a pound a year during this time, this is pretty substantial."

Shortly afterward, from nutritional and fitness experts in New England, the first question I heard right away was, "How can Yoga burn that many calories?" Soon to be followed by comments from many fitness experts, across the United States, were remarks like, "Most Yoga students don't practice vigorous styles of Yoga."

While this is debatable, my questions to them were as follows, "How many of you practice Yoga?" Have you ever heard of Kundalini Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Hot Yoga, Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga, and more vigorous Hatha Yoga styles?

To make a small comparison, I can't really comment on the game of Cricket, just because I am familiar with baseball. I can appreciate the similarity and skill, but never had the experience of playing the game. Also, just like Yoga, Cricket requires time, practice, and patience, in order to acquire skill.

Now, instead of jumping to conclusions about Yoga from the sidelines, my first suggestion is to join a Yoga class. This would allow the top nutrition and fitness experts to experience the many benefits that Yoga has to offer.

However, this will not be the case with all the experts. The lack of male presence in a typical American Yoga class is visibly apparent and worthy of a study in male insecurity. This is a subject that I promise to address in a future article, but let's get back to the point.

So, female fitness, nutrition, and medical experts will confirm what most of them already know. Yoga is a complete health maintenance system and has been for around 5,000 years.

When a Yoga student becomes serious about practicing on a regular basis, this is a lifestyle change. Burning over 200 calories per hour in a gentle or Restorative Yoga class is not the foundation of weight control. Most Yoga students engage in some form of cross training.

Many of them walk, take other fitness classes, and are conscious of what they eat. Being mindful of what you eat is a point that the masses have lost. Eating nutritionally dense food, in moderation, and being mindful at the dinner table is a recipe for a lifetime of weight control.

Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Fast Weight Loss Tips

2008-02-14T21:15:00.000-08:00

Fast Weight Loss Tips

You are overweight for the most simple of reasons. You are eating the wrong types of food, consuming unhealthy calories and you are also eating at the wrong hours of the day. Lack of exercise does not make you fat; it makes you unhealthy both internally and externally. You must have heard of the famous phrase- a healthy mind resides in a healthy body.

You get fat because you eat the wrong type of food at wrong times. The pattern you choose to eat your meals each day affects you more than any weight loss prescription pills. Our body needs to eat certain types of foods at certain intervals of the day. No dieting does not help.

The reason you cannot lose weight by starving yourself is because your metabolism will detect any major drop in calories and it will then adjust itself by burning fewer calories each day. So now you know the reason why despite all those diet packages you still haven't lost weight. The idea is not to just lose weight temporally only to gain it back but to manage your weight.

The first rule of successful weight management is to accept that there are no short cuts. True, there are tons of fad diets that may cause you to lose weight, but few if any prepare you for the task of maintaining your weight reduction. Long term weight control requires the adoption of long term healthy eating habits. Nothing else suffices.

People gain weight because their calorie intake exceeds their calorie expenditure. They eat too many calorie-dense foods and avoid physical exercise. It is not easy to correct this energy imbalance through short-term dietary solutions.

Successful Weight Management requires a stable diet.
The only guaranteed way of normalizing weight is to follow a diet plan that teaches you the sort of healthy eating habits which you can sustain over the long term. Try eating fruits or fruit salad or even fruit juice instead of the usual craving for ice-cream or chocolate brownie. Eat small portions of meal rather than a large one. Huge meals cause heaviness in the stomach hence slow metabolism rate.

Include more red, yellow and green in your diet.
Drink lots of water. It helps flush out body toxins. Drink water when you feel the need to eat the evening-snacks. Your stomach sends out signals that it needs water which we usually misunderstand as hunger pangs.

Exercise is Crucial for Weight Management
Regular exercises not only act as stress-buster but also keep away those cravings.You feel happy and satisfied after a nice exercise and it also helps keep away those ice-cream sundaes. Adopting healthy eating and exercise habits is guaranteed to help you lose weight and then maintain it over the long term

Saira Simmons is a well known author who has long been writing articles related to health & fitness. Her articles are well known across the web for being quite informative and according to the changing trend in the pharmacy industry. saira.simmons@gmail.com www.checkflu.com

The Big Three in Weight Loss

2008-02-13T21:56:00.001-08:00

Many fad diets have come and gone over the years. Most are forgotten by all but those who might have lost weight, gained weight or been damaged by them. Some of these fad diets were so unhealthy that medical America issued warnings about just how dangerous they actually were.

Weight loss is a national obsession. If you ever watch television, listen to the radio, surf the internet, shop, or do just about anything then you already know this. The obsession with weight loss is characterized by the number of claims that, "this is the only diet you'll ever need!". In fact, as early as the seventies, there were diets claiming just that by recommending eliminating ALL carbohydrates from your diet and consuming only meat and proteins - or the reverse, eliminating all proteins entirely.

Today, the most popular fad diets include: the Atkins Diet, the South Beach diet, and the Zone diet. And, just like in the past, all three "fad diets" have come under fire for their contention that one can eat a healthy diet and lose weight without restricting the intake of protein and fat-rich foods like meats and cheese. This flies in the face of conventional medical advice to restrict fatty foods in the diet.

So do these "fad diets" really work? Can these "fad diets" be harmful to your health? Are they just short-term diets that will simply lead to putting the weight back on? Or, can these "fad diets" actually become the basis for lifelong weight loss plan?

The answers to these questions may surprise you....On the surface, each of the diets makes the claim that carbohydrates are bad, proteins are good, and you can eat all the protein you want and still lose weight.

How does that compare with USDA recommendations that contend a healthy diet is low in proteins and saturated fats, derives 50-60% of its calories from carbohydrates, and emphasizes whole grains and fresh vegetables as the main source of nutrition?

Let's take a closer look at a typical menu recommended on each of the above diets and see.

Typical Meal Using USDA Recommendations: 3 oz lean fish (brushed with olive oil and garlic and broiled) 2 cups of spinach salad with grapefruit 1 tablespoon olive oil vinaigrette dressing 1 oz slice whole grain/whole wheat bread Contains: approx 350 calories 20 g. carbs 15 g. protein 14 g. fat

Atkins Diet Menu: Spring Salad Green Goddess Dressing Maple-Mustard Glazed Baked Ham Baked Artichoke-Parsley Cheese Squares Roasted Asparagus Atkins Coconut Layer Cake Contains approx: 400 calories 18 g. protein 17 g. carbs 8 g. fat

South Beach Diet Menu: Poached salmon with Greek salad. Sugar-free jelly with low-fat topping? Contains: approx: 300 calories 17 g. protein 3 g. carbs 14 g. fat (olive oil in Greek dressing)

The Zone Diet Menu: Baked salmon with Fruit salsa (kiwi, blackberries, apple) Contains approx: 435 calories 17 g. protein 10 g. carbs 5 g. fat

Did you notice anything similar about all of these diets?

No matter how the ingredients are counted, the bottom line is the same. A healthy diet, and weight loss plan, includes a balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats with an emphasis on complex carbohydrates and lean meats.

So pick the diet that seems to make the most sense to you - and make it part of your overall weight loss plan.

Adam Waxler publishes a series of weight loss information products including his new weight loss resource filled with with FREE weight loss articles and tips @ http://www.1-800-Weight-Loss.com

Mind Over Matter: Key Strategies For Weight Loss Success

2008-02-12T04:07:00.000-08:00

Katie, a 33-year-old mother of two, has been on her share of diets over the years. From Weight Watchers to the Zone to Sugar Busters, she feels as if she has tried them all. While she has had moderate success in losing weight from time to time, she has never found a long-term weight loss solution. Her weight is a point of contention in her marriage; her husband?who also happens to be obese?wishes she were thin, but says he loves her anyway. The two have been separated a number of times, and even filed for divorce once. The stress has caused Katie to begin binge eating again.

There is hope for Katie and others like her who feel as if they?re trapped on the diet carousel. The key to long-term weight loss success may not be the body, but the mind. Research indicates that those who have a positive outlook on life are more likely to lose weight?and stay thin. But how can you have a positive outlook when you?ve been burned so many times before? Is it possible to ?will your way? to losing weight?

One technique that has been proven effective in sports training is something called visualization. For instance, a baseball player might visualize his bat connecting with a ball, leading to a homerun. A soccer player might visualize kicking the winning goal in a soccer match. And a golfer might visualize sinking the winning putt in the Masters Tournament.

The same technique can be used by dieters. Visualize yourself as thin. Picture yourself in that dress that is now two sizes too small. Imagine stepping onto the scale and being pleased with the result. Visualize yourself saying ?no? to that piece of chocolate cake or that plate of Fettucini Alfredo. These mind exercises can help to spur you onto weight loss.

When people learn they are suffering from cancer, they are encouraged to imagine their cancer cells being destroyed by healthy cells. You can follow the same technique in order to lose weight. That means imagining your fat cells being destroyed by thin cells. Through such a method, you can ?think your way? to a healthy weight.

In addition, it is critically important that you maintain a positive attitude. Be forgiving of yourself. If you veer off your diet plan, simply get back on course with your next meal. Don?t spend precious time ?beating yourself up? over your failures. Instead, celebrate your successes?in a non-fattening way. For instance, when you reach a milestone?say you?ve lost ten pounds?reward yourself with a trip to an art museum or to your favorite coffee shop (but skip the cream and sugar). Marking milestones will give you a sense of accomplishment, a sense that you are triumphing over food.

Another helpful technique can be prayer or meditation. Some support groups even offer Bible-based weight loss programs that use scripture verses to help inspire. Taking stock of your life and handing your weight loss problems over to a higher power can be cathartic and may give you a sense of peace about your weight difficulties. It has been said that a clear head leads to a healthy body. Try praying or meditating ten minutes at the start of your day. Chances are you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the weight challenges that come your way.

Yet another technique you might consider is role-playing. Grab your spouse or a friend and ask him or her to act out a situation in which you might be tempted to overeat. You?ll be forced to come up with strategies to fight temptation. This rehearsal could prove to be quite helpful when a real life diet dilemma comes your way. If role-playing works for job interviews, it should be beneficial for your weight as well.

Mind over matter is not just a clever saying. It can actually be the solution to your weight loss problems. By using your brain power, you can develop the techniques needed to make healthy food choices. When your mind and your body are both healthy, you have the best of both worlds.

Nishanth Reddy is an Author and Publisher of various health related websites. For more articles on Weight Loss Diet Tips visit http://www.weightloss-diettips.com. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your eZine, Blog, Auto responder or on your website as long as the links, and resource box are not altered in any way.

Weight-Loss Surgery: The Psychological Screening Interview

2008-02-12T04:06:00.000-08:00

Obesity is a national health emergency in the United States. Surgical weight reduction is one of the ways many Americans are choosing to deal with the battle of the bulge. Because of the high demand for bariatric surgery (gastric bypass and lap-band are two of these procedures), new protocols are being established to help assure the safety and appropriateness of these medical procedures.

Many medical tests are required before a patient is given the go-ahead for this surgery. The psychologist has become an integral part of the medical team. Both insurance companies and surgeons require a psychological consultation for each patient they are screening for bariatric surgery. Because eating issues are complicated and the emotional stability of the patient is important, the psychologist helps assess the patient's readiness for surgery.

For those patients seeking this pre-surgery consultation, you can expect the psychological consultation to address these important areas of mental health:

1. Details of the patient's personal history such as family background, education, marital status, home situation, work history, and current living situation.

2. A complete and detailed history of the patient's obesity history, from childhood to the present, including any and all efforts the patient has made to lose weight. This would include any history of eating disorders or any issues or problems with weight and eating.

3. Information from the patient about their exploration of bariatric surgery as an option. What do they know about the procedure? Do they understand the risks of the surgery? Does the patient realize that they will be making life-long changes in their eating? Have they thought about the details of the diet, exercise program, and vitamin regimens they will use?

4. A complete and detailed psychiatric history, including any treatment the patient may have received for psychological problems, current psychotropic medications, and current psychological and/or marriage and family problems. Having a psychological or emotional problem does not necessarily keep a patient from having the surgery, as long as they are being adequately treated. This history includes past substance abuse and current alcohol, tobacco, or drug use.

5. An assessment of the patient's personality characteristics and emotional resources which indicate that the patient will be compliant with post-surgery instructions and will be able to deal with the trauma of major surgery and subsequent recovery.

6. What are the current stressors in the patient's life, and what kind of support will the patient have during and after the surgery? What are the patient's expectations and fears? Would the patient consider psychological help if they needed it as they go through their weight loss?

Some psychologists may use objective psychological tests to help with the evaluation of a bariatric patient. Most, however, use their professional skills and training in a clinical interview to make sure the patient is able to understand and make informed choices about his or her health.

The primary focus of the consultation is to assess whether this patient is emotionally stable and psychologically capable of undergoing the surgery. While it is not possible to predict with absolute certainty that an individual will sail through such a procedure with no emotional complications, the psychologist can provide valuable insights that contribute to the overall assessment of a patient for bariatric surgery.

Dr. Jennifer Sowle, PhD., is a Licensed Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist. She is also a certified Sex Educator and Counselor. Dr. Sowle's website, http://here-to-listen.com gives information on psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders. She also provides help for Relationships, such as conflict resolution, family finances, communication techniques, divorce, parenting,and sexuality.

What Is The Best Exercise For Weight Loss?

2008-02-10T22:11:00.000-08:00

It is a common misconception that aerobic exercise tones and firms muscles. Actually it accomplishes very little toning and firming. Resistance exercise (weight training) is where real toning and firming of muscles occurs.

Doing both aerobics and weight training is the optimal way to lose more fat and gain more muscle. If you are trying to lose weight, studies show that weight loss increases by 56 percent with aerobic and strength exercises combined.

Muscle may weigh more, but when you increase your muscle composition, the body is able to burn more fat, even when you are resting, because your metabolism is higher. A pound of muscle will use 350 to 500 calories per week to survive, while a pound of fat only needs about 14 calories per week. New studies have shown that building muscle helps your body fight disease better, too.

Strength training benefits everyone, no matter what age or sex, and is becoming recognized as an important component of fitness. Research is indicating that the muscle loss found in elderly people doesn?t come from age, but lack of activity. Even a young person who doesn?t get enough exercise can lose muscle mass and strength. Strength training, such as lifting weights or performing weight-resistance exercises, as little as twice a week can help maintain or increase muscle mass.

Strength training involving several sets of multiple repetitions using moderate weights will not result in huge muscles. Instead it builds bone mass and increases the metabolism, as well as toning and firming the muscles, giving a leaner look.

It is very important to do both aerobics and strength exercises. The aerobic exercises help your heart and lungs get stronger and help your body utilize oxygen more efficiently, which in turn helps with strength training and overall fitness. The strength exercise helps develop muscle, reduce body fat and maintain bone mass.

Aerobic Exercise is a type of exercise that elevates the heart rate and breathing for a continuous sustained period. This overloads the heart and lungs and causes them to work harder than at rest.

There are many options to choose from today. Bicycling, aerobic dance, swimming, walking, and stepping are all examples of aerobic exercise. Which ones to chose depends on your physical condition, your history, your interests and your goals. Many experts believe it is better to alternate between 2 or more types, to get a better workout.

There are two main types of aerobics- high impact and low impact. It is better to alternate between high impact aerobics (which are harder on the body and may cause more damage) and low impact aerobics, such as walking and swimming. This is called cross-training, and helps reduce the chance or injury and overuse of certain muscles.

You will want to perform aerobic exercises at least 20 minutes a day for at least 3 to 4 days a week. If you are trying to lose body fat, or your physical condition is very good, then you may want to work longer at it. Try exercising up to 40 to 60 minutes 5 to 6 days a week.

Remember there is no real need to go overboard. Moderate intensity is almost always better, and is more enjoyable. Low to moderate intensity is an especially good idea when starting out after a layoff or recovery from illness or injury, or if you are significantly overweight.

Warm-up and cool down is important to reduce discomfort and the chance of injury. Warm up by starting slow and gradually build up to your top speed. Then slow down again at the end of your workout.

The whole idea behind aerobic exercise is to get up and get moving! Find something you enjoy doing that keeps your heart rate elevated for a continuous time period and get moving to a healthier life.

This is an excerpt from the FREE ebook "The Enzyme Health Diet Plan" by Dianne Ronnow. Copyright ? 2005-6 by Mohave Publishing. All rights reserved. http://enzyme-health.com

Dianne Ronnow?s FREE e-book, "Coconut Oil Diet Secrets," reveals how thousands of people are losing weight and getting healthier with coconut oil diets. To find out what the secrets of coconut oil dieting are, go to http://coconut-oil-diet.com now!

UltraMetabolism - The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss

2008-02-10T22:08:00.000-08:00

What's the greatest threat facing our civilization? (No, it's not the Islamic jihad.) It's obesity. Due to its attendant health and economic costs, scientists predict that obesity alone will topple economic and social structures, induce a wide range of dire diseases, and drastically cut short Americans' life spans.

These are more than another set of statistics -- they predict things that can and will affect you, your family, your health, and your pocketbook. If you are among the two thirds of adult Americans struggling to escape escalating weight gain, (or even if you're teetering on the edge with ten persistent pounds you can't seem to lose), as a physician, I recommend that you take action to lose weight and protect your future health.

And I have good news for you. I've developed a simple plan to help you lose weight automatically based on a new scientific breakthrough.

Despite the abysmal failure of conventional medical approaches, this plan is different because it's based on recent, groundbreaking scientific research, research that I predict will totally revolutionize weight loss and change the landscape of medicine as we know it.

Many of the answers to our weight and health problems are buried in thousands of research papers. With the aid of a number of very brilliant thinkers and scientists, I've gathered and synthesized the greatest advances in medical science over the last 20 years -- advances that usually take decades to get incorporated into medical practice. Translated into a simple program that has brought easy, sustainable weight loss to thousands of people, you can access them today.

In the recent past, many pundits theorized that society-wide weight gain was due to our genes. In a sense, they were right, but genes only tell half the story. We share the same genes as our hunter- gatherer forebears who foraged in the woods and hunted wild game 20,000 years ago. What's changed is the environment within which our genes operate.

Up until modern times, man's natural environment supplied the foods we were genetically programmed to eat. But with the advent of industrialized agriculture and food production, we began eating mass-produced and processed foods that genetically program us to add pounds.

Here's how:

Food is information -- not just calories -- and food information speaks to our genes, turning some genes ON and other genes OFF. That's why it's genes, not calories, that count.

Until recently, scientists believed that the critical mechanism for weight loss was caloric intake and expenditure -- you eat little and exercise hard to lose each pound. But that's hard to do and harder to maintain, recent scientific studies reveal (and no doubt not surprising to anyone who has tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to lose weight).

Using the caloric mechanism for weight loss is a bit like manually cranking a lever to open your garage door inch-by-inch and then having to hold the door open. Wouldn't you rather push the button that activates the circuitry to open your garage door automatically?

To do that for weight loss, you have to access the master biological mechanisms controlling weight loss and weight gain. Using those mechanisms opens the door to automatic weight loss. The recent scientific discoveries I've assembled decode the instruction manual of our basic biology. At last, we can control the master mechanisms: our genes themselves.

The new genetic science (called Functional Medicine) teaches that our genes interact intimately with our environment. Every bite of food we eat, every thought we think, every stress we experience, or toxin we inhale carries a specific message to our genes, turning them on (or off), and telling them how to behave.

As a result, our genes are programmed moment-by-moment to actively create either weight loss or weight gain. Scientists have tracked exactly how all the different foods trigger the messages sent to your genes. With that knowledge, you can give your body the foods that work in your favor -- and avoid ones that don't.

For instance, for decades, people were warned to avoid fats at all costs, but now we know that the type of fat you eat is more important than the amount of fat you eat. The new science traces the biological impact of good fats, like the omega-3 fatty acids (contained in fish, fish oils, certain nuts and many other foods) and bad fats like the trans-fats contained in many processed foods.

What researchers found is that good fats turn on your body's fat burning genes and bad fats turn off the fat burning genes. When you consume EPA or DHA, both omega-3 fatty acids, they access a metabolic gateway called the PPAR receptor, to activate genes that increase your metabolism, help you burn fat, and assist you in processing bodily glucose more effectively so that foods won't get stored as fat.

It's as if the EPA and DHA opens up an extra lane on your hormonal superhighway, making for a smooth and easy route towards slimness and health. That's why, for automatic weight loss, I recommend adding EPA and DHA (both found in fish oil) to your diet, beginning today. On the other hand, unhealthy transfats (such as found in many processed and fast foods) act as a metabolic roadblock to weight loss, and if you eat them, you may find yourself crawling along at a snail's pace, going nowhere.

These are just two of the hundreds of ways that you'll learn to awaken the fat-burning code hidden in your DNA. In my new book, UltraMetabolism, due out in March, 2006, you'll discover a wide range of foods that tell your genes to shed pounds, while learning to avoid the many other foods that tell your genes to pack on the pounds. Eating the foods right for your genes allows you to literally program your body to lose weight automatically, even as you sleep!

And that is the key: be simply learning to eat the foods that ignite your body's fat burning engines, and avoiding the foods that snuff out these engines, you finally begin the process of working WITH your body, instead of against it -- something that all fad diets fail to do, which is why they all fail in the long-run.

But, because UltraMetabolism teaches a simple plan to harness your body's own powerful fat burning forces -- ones that have evolved over millions of years -- you are actually programming your body to lose weight, automatically.

Why struggle and suffer with ineffective diets when you can actually teach your body to be slim and healthy? With the simple two-step plan I've developed, you can program your body to lose weight automatically. In the first step, you eliminate all of the bad foods that slow your metabolism, make you feel lethargic and lead to disease; in the second step, you add the good foods that crank up your metabolism, boost your energy and revitalize your health.

Twenty-first century weight loss is easier than you've ever dreamed. And it's something that I am confident about since I've treated over 2,000 patients, many of whom have experienced the very same automatic weight loss that I've described here.

My message to you is simple: If you want to fit into your jeans, you have to learn to fit into your genes!

Mark Hyman, M.D. is a NY Times bestselling author, lecturer, and practicing physician. Discover how you can program your body to automatically lose weight by grabbing an exclusive sneak preview of UltraMetabolism at http://www.ultrametabolism.com/article4

Alcoholic Drinks And Its Effect on Your Weight Loss Program

2008-02-09T00:38:00.001-08:00

Did you know that the alcoholic drinks and cocktails that's being offered to you contain an incredible number of calories? If you are not careful, the party drinks can be an absolute killer for your weight loss plans during this holiday season.

"I'll just have a little..."

If you are not careful, this little phrase can be an absolute killer for your weight loss plans during this holiday season.

And I'm not just talking about the food.

The hidden danger is in all the alcoholic drinks and cocktails that's being offered to you. Yes, those party drinks can do more harm other than just getting you intoxicated and embarassingly uninhibited!

Did you know that these drinks contain an incredible number of calories?

In fact, alcohol is the number two most energy-dense food, losing out only to fat. Fat has 9 calories per gram, and alcohol comes in a close second at a whopping 7 calories per gram.

What this means is that each alcoholic drink you consume will cause you to take in an alarmingly high number of calories.

Here's a sample of some of the more popular drinks, together with their calorie counts...

1 glass of Bailey's lrish Cream - 468 calories
1 glass of Margarita - 453 calories
1 glass of Martini - 413 calories
1 glass of Pina Colada - 297 calories
1 glass of Vodka Cranberry - 250 calories
1 glass of Rum & cola - 240 calories
1 glass of Screwdriver - 200 calories
1 mug of beer - 150 calories
1 glass of white wine - 120 calories
1 tequila shot - 100 calories

To put those calorie counts into perspective, I'd like to just point out that 2 glasses of Margaritas would have given you about _half_ of your daily calories requirements. Yes, 50% from just 2 drinks.

And we have not even included the calories from the food, nuts and snacks yet! Once we add those in, can you see how easy it is for you to go over the daily calorie requirements, and start piling on the pounds?

Now, this doesn't mean that you should stay away from the alcoholic drinks. It's just that when you drink, you should keep in mind the huge amount of calories in the drinks.

I want you to have fun this holiday. So, if you are the sort that enjoys a drink of two at your parties, I want to leave you with a couple of useful tips to help to reduce the "guilt factor".

- Fill up your glass with lots of ice cubes. You'll not only get a nice cold drink, the water from the melted ice has zero calories too.

- Use soda water to dilute your drink. This helps to fill you up quicker, and it means you won't get tipsy too quickly.

- And probably the most important tip... Do not use the alcoholic drinks to quench your thirst. Remember, you should be drinking these party drinks for fun. After the heavy meal or when you had too much salty snacks, go drink a big glass of water first to quench your thirst. Water works better for this, and it has zero calories!

I hope you have loads of fun... and Happy Holidays!

Tracy Lee is the owner of the "Weight Loss for Women Over 40" site. Get the latest news, tips & tricks that can help women over 40 to lose weight safely and permanently, and your complimentary copy of our Special Report "9 Little-Known Insider Weight Loss Secrets To Help Women Over 40 Make Those Extra Pounds Disappear" instantly here: http://www.weight-loss-for-women-over-40.com/insidersecrets/

7 Stupidly Simple Weight Loss Tips That Work Like CRAZY

2008-02-07T21:59:00.001-08:00

Current statistics reveal that 75% of Americans are overweight and 40% are obese. For those who desire to lose weight and obtain optimal health, sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. From the Atkins Diet to the South Beach Diet; from the low fat to low carb diets, there are numerous weight-loss plans to choose from. In addition, given conflicting information as to what works best, it can be difficult deciding what to do.

For those who have tried many diet plans with no success, it becomes more difficult and frustrating. Many people forget that a diet might work wonders for their friend but won't work well for them...not because the diet is "bad", but because each body reacts differently. However, there is a way to lose weight that is easy, fast, and doesn't involve deprivation or calorie counting.

Before the weight loss tips are discussed, it's important to address some background information about body genetics and why weight loss can be difficult.

Before anyone starts a diet, it is important to note that each person has a different body build. Some people are short and stout while others are tall and thin. Some have big hips and shoulders, and others are short and very muscular. Genetics can determine body shape and a person's natural build just as it does eye color, hair color, skin color, and so on. The good news is that genetics do not determine whether or not one will be fat, but will determine one's body shape. This means that not every woman can expect to be tall and thin like a Hollywood actress or supermodel such as Tyra Banks. Not every man can expect to be defined and muscular like The Rock. The goal, really, is to be at a comfortable weight for one's body shape and to feel good about it.

So, why are people overweight? Here are 11 of the most common reasons:

1. Slow metabolism: People who are overweight have a hard time burning off food. As a result, the fat is stored.

2. Emotional eating: Those who struggle with weight often eat when stressed or when other emotional upheavals are happening in their life.

3. Hormonal imbalances.

4. Eating portions that are too large.

5. Eating lots of "diet food" (that is low fat,low carb, and "sugar free" foods). Kevin explains in the book why this is a problem.

6. Build up of toxins in the body.

7. Eating late: Late-night eating can cause food to convert to fat more easily.

8. High susceptibility to growth hormones: These hormones are given to animals to help them grow faster and larger, so meat and dairy have residual growth hormones. In humans, these hormones can result in increased fat storage.

9. Not eating breakfast.

10. Numerous diets: Going from diet to diet has a negative impact on the metabolism and causes weight loss to be much more difficult.

11. Food ingredients: The reasons why are amazing and beyond the scope of this article. Readers are encouraged to read for themselves Kevin's two books.

Simple Tips for Easy Weight Loss:

Now that there is a better understanding of body genetics and why people have a tendency to be overweight, here are the tips for fast, easy weight loss.

Tip #1: Drink water upon arising: First thing in the morning, drink eight ounces of distilled water, bottled water, or filtered water (not tap water).

Tip #2: Eat a big breakfast: This should be done 45 minutes after getting up in the morning. Suggested organic foods to choose from (they must be organic) are apples, bananas, rye bread with no sugar, plain yogurt, tuna, lamb, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, raw honey, wild smoked salmon, and so on.

Tip #3: Drink distilled water throughout the day: Eight glasses is recommended

Tip #4: Walk non-stop one hour each day: This doesn't have to be power walking; just walk at your own pace. Walking outdoors is best.

Tip #5: Stop eating after 6:00 PM: This is hard for some people, but do the best you can.

Tip #6: Do a candida cleanse: Candida is yeast overgrowth in the colon that can cause all kinds of health problems. Check online for "Candida Cleanse" or go to your local health food store.

Tip #7: Do a colon cleanse: This cleanse cleans out the digestive system, which is clogged and sluggish in many overweight people. Once again, check online or go to your local health food store.

More and more Americans are becoming overweight. Extra weight can result in many health issues and negatively impact one's emotional state and self-esteem. However, for those struggling with this problem, there is hope. You can lose it and keep it off. Now that you have a understanding of body genetics and why you might be overweight, take action today! Commit to trying at least a few of the steps.

Author Abby Dominic Highly Recommends: IT'S FREE, IT'S A *MUST READ* --- "The Secret Weight Loss Report" ..A single, life changing report that you'll never forget. Read it now, no catch whatsoever: "The Secret Weight Loss Report!"

Possibly The Best Weight Loss Program In The World

2008-02-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

There is a strong possibility that whoever reads this article is looking into ways of losing weight. In this article I describe how I went about losing my excess weight. I hope you enjoy the read.

I have had many problems with my weight throughout my life. Being overweight had a major negative effect on my confidence and made me feel down and at times depressed. When feeling low, I would comfort eat which merely added to the problem.

A few years ago I decided I had had enough of being fat and that it was time to do something about it. I was now more determined than ever to lose some of my excess weight. I had read about many different types of diet most of which I felt were not suitable for me and others which sounded disgusting.

What I required was my own type of weight loss program. I have never liked the thought of attending a gym, they seem to be full of thin people, however I knew that exercise would need to be a factor. Instead, I started to walk a lot more instead of driving everywhere, I also started to play football and tennis again. The thought of going out jogging did not really appeal to me, however I did buy an exercise bike which I kept in my bedroom.

As well as exercise, I also realised that I had to change my eating habits. I am somebody who likes to eat all the wrong types of food. I love all types of take away including pizzas, a curry, a chinese, and chips. I would always be snacking in between meals, on things like peanuts and crisps. I also was rather partial to alcohol, this is something which helped me to gain confidence.

The thought of cutting all of these things out of my life seemed to harsh, so I decided that I would start to write down everything I ate. This way I could see exactly what I could cut out.

This is what I decided to eat on average per day.

I would eat a healthy breakfast such as toast or cerial. I would try not to eat any snacks in between any meals, this was the thing that would be most difficult to stick to. I did however come up with a plan which you will probably think is daft. Whenever I felt hungry or a desire for food I would eat a polo mint or if I was at home, would clean my teeth. Sounds crazy but it worked for me!

For lunch I would also stick to something healthy like pasta, however for my evening meal, I decided that I could eat anything that I wanted, including curry. On the weekend I would always treat myself to a takeaway and would allow myself some alcohol.

This type of diet needs a lot of discipline and character, however it hs helped me to become a lot more confident and happy with life.

Good luck.

Stephen Hill has a number of websites including:

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