Archive for January, 2010
Achieving Permanent Weight Loss
Weight loss is the goal of many millions of people at this very moment. With more and more american’s and people all over the world weighing in at higher and higher numbers each year, weight loss is not only a pass time but an obsession with people who feel they need to slim those bodies in order to be more healthy, live longer and look more attractive. But, the quick fix diets and schemes flooding the internet are not the ones that will give you the permanent weight loss results you want. Weight loss that yo-yo’s is harder on the body than staying overweight and in order to stop the yo-yo effect, you need to focus on weight loss that is slow, very slow and not a shock to the body.
For people who have a lot of weight to lose, losing 1 to 2 pounds per week may seem like torture. But, this slow rate of weight loss means you are making changes in the body that are going to last. IN order to lose weight and keep the weight off, follow these simple steps.
1. Take small steps. Cutting calories is the path to weight loss that many people choose. But, cutting calories too low can have a negative effect on metabolism. The key is to cut 500 calories per week from your current diet. That could be one can of soda (sugared) a day, or as simple as cutting out pastas and rice from your evening meal. This simple change will add up to 1 pound of permanent weight loss per week.
2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. The number one reason for a fluctuating scale and for fluid retention is a lack of water. Simply put, if the body feels like it is not going to get any additional water, it will hold on to the water it has. While this is a natural reaction, it is not one we want to carry around with us every day. Just drink more and lose more.
3. Change the way you look at vegetables. Vegetables are not all created equal and potatoes and corn are not vegetables. The best vegetables to choose in a weigh loss plan are the darkest of greens and trees. That is right, spinach, dark lettuces and broccoli are great for weight loss. These are very low in calories and very high in vitamins that are just plain good for the body.
Weight loss is something that needs to be taken with care. The changes in our diet need not be drastic, just small and things that are not noticed as a diet at all. If we never notice that one less soda, or we do not miss that rice at dinner, we are more apt to lose weight without really thinking about it and that is the weight that stays off. Long term weight loss means living a new life, but that does not mean the life has to be one you are not comfortable living.
Finding It Hard To Lose Weight? Here Are The Best Weight Loss Tips!
Doesn’t it feel like wherever you go, there are always those skinny people who seem to be either completely blessed or just know something you don’t? They eat everything and anything they want but still look great, no weight gain or anything without even having to work at it. Instead, you work your butt off!
Watch what you eat, workout for hours on end and still, you either don’t lose the weight, or worse, you continue to gain weight! Wouldn’t you want to look and feel the way those skinny people do? Wouldn’t you want to be able to strut around with a perfect, lean and sexy body?
I can already tell that your answer is a loud YES! Read on to find the best kept secrets to healthy weight loss:
1. Plan – you should always plan your weeks out with your meals and exercise. It doesn’t have to be extremely detailed. Just make sure you set aside time for both. It will help you greatly when it comes time to do them during the week.
2. Exercise – working out is so important to fat and weight loss! But ignore what those “experts” say. You do NOT need to workout for 1 hour each day, 5 days a week. The key to working out is to make sure you are pushing your body and increasing your heart rate. That might mean jogging on the treadmill for 15 minutes, 3 days a week or weight lifting for 30 minutes, 4 days a week. The goal is to break a sweat by increasing your heart rate.
3. Eat more small meals more often – yes, eat more often but make them small meals. When you are working out, your body will need more nutrients to sustain the extra work. Eating small meals 4-6 times a day will help build your metabolism and curb your cravings. But make sure the foods you eat are high in nutrients!
4. Cut yourself some slack – the occasional not-that-great-for-you snack is okay but make sure it is a rare occasion. It’s important to allow yourself a little room in your workout/nutrition routine because it keeps you away from caving in to your cravings completely. But, again, make sure your occasional snacks are very occasional.
5. Stick to it – your workouts and great eating habits should be daily things, to the point where it is deeply part of your life. But if on the occasional day or holiday, you “forget” about the gym, don’t stress. Get back to everything next time through. It’s important to keep your goals and plan in mind always because you will see those results you want even sooner and it will be easier to stay focused.
6. Water is your friend – keep yourself hydrated! During and after your workouts, make sure to drink lots of water. Make sure to drink lots of water throughout a regular day. Water is a great “filter” for your body because it whisks away the toxins in your body. It is a crucial part of healthy eating habits.
Now you know the secrets to weight loss. Pretty simple, right? Make sure to stick to your goals and keep your end result in sight. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to strut around just like those skinny people who also know the secret to fat loss!
Beneficial Weight Loss Program
Any body reading this article most probably is overweight and planning to start a successful weight loss program. There are a number of weight loss programs, some of these programs are beneficial and some caused more problems then benefits. Starting any weight loss program, it’s necessary to consult experts and make sure that the program will suit your body or not.
In most of the weight loss programs the best part is that you will most certainly lose weight if you follow the program. However it’s difficult to maintain the weight, as most of the people get overweight fast after discontinuing the weight loss program.
It is advised to consult a health expert before starting a weight loss program. If a program of losing weight is beneficial for one person may not suitable for another person. The metabolism of each person is different. You should not use programs that promise fast weight loss as it could prove to be harmful. The right program is the one which lose 2 to 3 pounds a week. Losing 2 pounds per week consistently, you will not only be a lot thinner and fit after some weeks but also most certainly stay that way.
Acomplia a weight loss drug is popular almost all over the world. A little dieting and exercise with Acomplia not only lose your weight consistently but also cure obesity. Acomplia is also used for combating smoking. Acomplia also has the benefits to combat alcohol. It also helps in balancing cholesterol. Acomplia also reduces extra fat and get you in to shape. For a successful weight loss program I personally recommend a little exercise, a little dieting and Acomplia as a weight loss drug.
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Does A Weight Loss Journal Work ?
If you are in the early stages of a weight loss program, you may find a weight loss journal helpful. It can help you track your weight loss from day to day and week to week, along with other information that you may want to note as you move toward your weight loss goal.
Use your weight loss journal to keep yourself focused on your goal. Record your weight in the journal each time you weigh yourself and use it to keep track of your daily or weekly exercise.
Keeping a weight loss journal has been a valuable asset for some people in their quest to lose weight. At a glance, you can see where you may have slacked off one day so that you can make improvements the next day. This provides a great overview of your progress, allowing you to track your weight from the beginning of your weight loss journey to the end.
Its a big advantage to have your target and your progress written in black and white in your weight loss journal. This serves as an inspiration at times when your determination may falter. Just look through your journal to see how far you have already come and you may find the will to continue toward your goal.
The weight loss journal can be a positive tool in the battle to lose pounds. You can document the steps you want to take to lose weight and the progress you have made. A journal can provide a way for you to focus on your goals and lower your stress level by reinforcing your accomplishments along the way.
Your weight loss journal can be used to record your daily thoughts and/or how you feel after eating a snack or performing a work out. You may even want to start a second journal for this purpose. This exercise can give you valuable insight into your triggers for overeating, and thereby help you make better choices. You are, after all, attempting to lose weight to improve your health.
If you need help figuring out your trouble spots and finding solutions to your weigh loss problems, try finding an online service or website with journaling capabilities to maintain your weight loss journal. Some websites have communities that offer support, pointers and feedback on what you might need to change. This can be a great way to pace your own progress along with others who have the same goals as you.
The Core Fast Weight Loss Principles May Be The Secret To Fat Loss
Every weight loss program has its minor differences here and there so it is easy for people to find one that works the best for them. But with all of these different programs, there are some principles that should be present as the foundation for all of these weight loss programs, especially since the majority, if not all, of the weight loss programs available keep advertising that you can lose weight super quick.
My personal belief is based in natural health so I believe that any changes you make, weight loss or anything else, should be done safely, no matter how fast or slow you go about it. So here are the core fast weight loss principles that I believe every weight loss program out there should believe:
Fast Weight Loss Principle #1: Goals are extremely important. Without goals, you will not know where you’re going with your weight loss program. Take the time to plan out on paper (or at least jot down a general idea) the goals you have for losing weight: number of pounds you want to lose, number of inches you want to shed, number of months you feel you can achieve it in.
By doing this and looking at your goals everyday, you will be able to focus so well on your end goal, that your weight loss program will speed by with fantastic results. During any down moments, by focusing daily on your weight loss goal, you will be able to motivate yourself into success!
Fast Weight Loss Principle #2: Monitor your progress. Keep a weight loss journal (or call it what you want) with you everyday. Don’t think of it as a tedious task but instead, focus on the improvements you will be able to see yourself making. Think of it as you are currently writing your weight loss success story that you can look back on and say, “Yes, I did it!”
The things you will want to monitor are the types of foods you eat as well as a rough estimate of the daily calorie intake, which is important for weight loss but not in a “You need to count calories” idea. By making yourself familiar with your daily calorie intake as well as the types of foods you eat, weight loss will become easier as you go on because you will learn what you need to do to lose weight (the specifics can change day by day).
Fast Weight Loss Principle #3: Picture your progress. It may seem silly but simple things like taking note of how your pants fit on day 1 versus day 20 or even taking a picture of yourself at regular intervals can really do wonders to motivate you and keep you going with your weight loss.
If you opt for the picture idea, your weight loss will be very clear to you in those pictures each week or month (go with week instead). So to keep yourself going, ham it up for the camera!
Fast Weight Loss Principle #4: Bottom line, cardio plus strength training are key. Beyond that, just find exercises in both cardio and strength training that fit your liking. If you’re not much for running, then go for swimming or bicycling.
For strength training, it is best to consult a personal trainer to find out the best exercises as well as a variety of exercises for you to use to achieve your weight loss and sculpting goals. With both cardio and strength training, it is important to consult your physician before beginning the physical portion of your weight loss program.
Fast Weight Loss Principle #5: Eat right. Yes, you’ve probably heard that phrase everywhere and there’s a reason why it’s absolutely essential that you make sure you eat right.
Now, each weight loss program will tell you certain things to avoid and certain things to “highlight” but make sure that the weight loss program you choose definitely includes plenty of meats and vegetables. (I can’t imagine that any program would advise you against eating meat and vegetables but you never know.)
The quantities and types of each will, as I said, differ depending on the specific weight loss program you choose but make sure the one you choose does include those two food groups.
As there are many people with different likings, there are also very different weight loss programs that will fit each person’s individual preferences. But it’s wise to make sure that the weight loss program you choose has a balanced foundation with principles that will really help you lose weight quickly and safely.
Fast and Healthy Weight Loss
Fast and Healthy Weight Loss
Is Fast and Healthy Weight Loss Possible?
Unfortunately healthy weight loss is usually put on the back burner when people search for weight loss techniques. This is because often times people will finally crack down and decide that they want to try a diet and it is really easy to become discouraged if results are not seen right away. If you are suffering through a diet, shouldn’t you get the benefits at least somewhat quickly?The truth of the matter is that you probably did not put on 14 pounds in two weeks, so should you really put yourself through the physical strain to try and take that much weight off so fast? Also there is the fact that there is almost no way short of surgery that so much body fat will come off so quickly. It is very likely that part of that extremely fast weight loss is water weight, which is weight that you need and weight that will come back and not stay off permanently.
How Fast is Too Fast?
The answer to the original questions is that yes, it is possible to lose weight quickly under the right conditions. However, there are differing opinions as to how much weight is quick weight loss. The healthy way to achieve quick weight loss is 2 pounds per week. It sounds like a low number but it really is not. Two pounds per week means that in two short months you could weigh a whole sixteen pounds lighter and you would not have to go through any grueling program. Also with a healthy weight loss technique you will lose pounds of fat, and as long as you maintain healthy eating habits the weight will not come right back as it would with some of the more unhealthy diets out there.
Unhealthy diets include those that involve diet pills, severe calorie restriction, and diets that involve avoiding any of the major food groups (including fat!).
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Postnatal Weight Loss â the Power of Having 1 Reward Day
The changes a women’s body will experience after carrying a baby for nine months can be alarming. This is a time in a women’s life where she often sets out to make changes to improve her appearance and health. Confronting postnatal weight loss can be high on the list.
When setting out to tackle your postnatal weight loss your thoughts will be occupied with “calories” and “carbohydrates” and the like. Adopting correct eating habits or improving the habits you currently have can range from a couple of tweaks to a whole new lifestyle.
It is your current eating habits which have lead you to where you are today. When it comes to postnatal weight loss and beyond, the degree of success you will have is determined by the strength of your desire for change. It’s important to keep in mind that once you practice anything with regularity it becomes habit and ceases to be viewed as work or sacrifice.
The greatest difficulty you will encounter when confronting your postnatal weight loss is the initial transition from old eating habits to new eating habits. This of course will depend on your starting point, but this doesn’t have to be as difficult a period when you have a few strategies in place to help you through.
For those women requiring a substantial change to their daily eating habits, having a “reward day” can be of immense help in sticking to their goals through the majority of the week. Postnatal weight loss will become much more manageable with this powerful strategy in place.
Those requiring the greatest changes to their eating habits are likely going to be altering food choices if they hope to experience success. The trick is to make these changes permanent with a minimum of relapses. Designating a particular day of the week as a “reward day” can help you remain faithful to correct eating habits long enough for the changes to become permanentYou may even designate two “reward days”, like the weekend, if you feel you have the discipline to make them more conservative. Make sure they are the same day/days chosen of each and every week. This technique alone can have a powerful effect on your postnatal weight loss goals. When you begin to crave poor choices it is much easier to deny yourself when you know it is only two or three days away.
If you practice this strategy with regularity, you can even use the reward day for measuring your body’s caloric needs. By paying attention to your calorie/carbohydrate intake through the week and playing it against your reward day you can become master of your body fat. Employ this strategy while improving your eating habits and postnatal weight loss or any other will be a problem of the past.
Dieting and Quick Weight Loss
Developing tummy fat has a way of motivating people — oftentimes our waistlines “develop” as we get older, much like our bodies grow and develop during puberty. However, unlike adolescent and teenage growth spurts, gaining unhealthy weight and even becoming obese are not requirements of getting older, though these trends certainly fit the current norms. When you’re ready to take on the challenge of getting into better shape, and burning off excess fat, using quick weight loss diets may come to mind. In these times, two questions oftentimes come to mind, “Do they work”, and “are they safe?” — these are the questions we seek to answer today.Quick weight loss diets – do they work?The short and long of this question is yes and no. Fast weight loss diets can work, but when you are dealing with quick weight loss, the “instant” results that you see are not conducive to long-term gains, or rather losses in this case, in the grand scheme of things. When you lose weight quickly, it is most often due to the loss of excess water in your system, not due to the burning of fat. So, if your weight loss diet helps you to lose weight very fast, there’s a good chance that the results will be temporary, at least unless your diet program of choice has a way of combating the real problem — the accumulation of body fat.Quick weight loss diets – are the safe?The answer to this question depends on how you’re reaching your weight loss goals. If you’re trying to lose five to seven pounds for an event coming up in a week or so, the dangers of irreparable harm to an otherwise healthy individual are not all that likely. To lose this kind of weight in a week, chances are you are going to be removing some of the water buildup in your system, not burning off fat. To lose five pounds this quickly through fat loss, as opposed to water weight loss, you would absolutely need to incorporate an extreme exercise routine into your daily regimen, unless you’re a 6′3″, 25 year old man weighing in at 400 pounds and want to take part in a starvation diet for six-to-seven days. And at this size and weight — five pounds won’t make a lot of difference, anyway.To lose five pounds of fat in a week, while possible, a 200 pound man would have to play 20 hours of full-contact football, and a 135 pound woman would have to endure around 30 hours of vigorous bike riding or 10″-12″ step aerobics while keeping your caloric intake pretty close to your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). To sum things up, though, quick weight loss diets, if they help you to take off excess water, may be safe for generally healthy individuals, but in terms of fast fat burning — not only is it not safe, this option is not really feasible for individuals who currently maintain a less-than-active lifestyle.While your excess tummy fat may have, in fact, given you the motivation you need to get started with a weight loss diet or program, just know that not all quick weight loss diets produce long-term results, and unless there is a clear and concise plan laid out on how you can continue to lose weight — look into something else.
Maintaining Weight After Weight Loss
I presume because you are reading this article, that you have managed after hard work and commitment to lose some weight, and you want to keep it that way and you don’t want to slip back and gain it back again.
Congratulations! We both know how much willpower, work and commitment it takes to make it to this point, now the most important thing is to maintain that weight by using a combination of right diet and exercise and good mental attitude.
Maintaining weight is very important because experience shows that most dieters regain a third of what they lost within the first year and two-thirds of it in the second year. It’s important to understand what is needed here; it is really a matter of energy balance! But know also that the hardest part is now over, because maintaining weight is actually easier, not harder, than losing it.
At this point it’s important that your lifestyle is balanced and you want to avoid all unnecessary stress that could cause old habits to surface again. Success in gaining, losing, or maintaining weight is dependent upon a combination of factors; I always used to say that losing, gaining or maintaining weight is a result of the “freedom from the obsession and compulsion to eat,” not the other way around, but there is more to it. You also need to establish some important new routines in your life, because the main thing is to keep exercising and burn calories each day. This is your magic formula from now on:”best approach is to ensure that one’s physical activity level is high enough to balance the number of calories consumed”.
You know those weight charts? I bet you do, where your weight ranges are shown in the chart and people of the same height may have equal amounts of body fat but different amounts of muscle and bone… Don’t look at them too much now, go after your own gut feeling and your good friend; the mirror! There are also many weight loss groups and organizations if you feel you need support, remember that this is an intimate personal and difficult struggle, but it’s not one that anyone needs to go through alone. In this modern world weight loss has become an essential objective for several people, but only a few are succeeding in their task. You have gone through that already, but know that for many, weight gain or regain is embarrassing, and seeking help is delayed. If you join a group and your situation is monitored weekly, the purpose of this assessment is to provide an evaluation and recommendations for maintaining a healthy weight based on your individual needs.
We are all different, groups can be helpful but they are not for everyone.
One of my students recently said; “I’ve struggled with weight issues for most of my life, and aside from the occasional slice of molten chocolate cake, I finally have it under control. Now I basically follow a group point system and strive to keep my dry carb intake to a minimum”.
For her it’s ok to do it alone, but she is using a weight chart every week.
Health
I think everybody agrees nowadays that the key to losing weight is to burn more calories than are consumed, either by increasing physical activity or consuming fewer calories – or preferably both. Health professionals judge a low-calorie sweetener to be of benefit for weight control.
What are the dangers at this point when you are in a situation where the main battle is won, but you look for safe and healthy ways to maintain your situation?
Usually they are psychological issues. How balanced we are emotionally and how we can see ourselves in a new positive light. It’s very important to be aware of the potential purposes of anger, how anger impacts health, and learn assertive methods of dealing with anger. Health and fitness experts all know this and the most recent research related to emotional and physical health has found that there are pitfalls and the old feelings might come back from time to time. Feelings of unworthiness fear of rejection, bad self image etc.
These feelings can be triggers – for bad habits again – so it’s very important to stay alert, that is why I always recommend some kind of group or/and family and friend support.
Now that you have come this far, make it even better! You probably see now that anything is possible, you only need a positive attitude and you are ready to recreate yourself.
Visit also my blog where I give every week new tips and strategies for all kinds of weight loss situations.
Good luck and stay fit!
Weight Loss Through Running
Running to lose weight facilitates the loss of weight, remodel the body and improve the sensation of well being. Running to lose weight can be a great way to exercise if you follow certain guidelines. Although you want to make sure that you have the right equipment like the proper running shoes and are eating healthy. Additionally, I strongly advocate that you invest in two to three pairs of high quality running shoes. Then, alternate the shoes each time you go out running to lose weight. The great thing is running shoes do not have to be expensive. In fact, this activity is one of the cheapest cardio workouts that you can engage in.If you’re just starting out, you might want to begin with the suggested pattern, especially if you haven’t been exercising for quite a while:Start walking, gradually add running, and build by no more than 10% per week.Exercise will enhance all areas of your body and improvements will appear as you progress. By recording a log of your exercise routine, you will be able to see a progression of your improved fitness levels over time. Exercise that has the most benefit for minimizing cancer risk is probably that done at moderate to vigorous levels. The benefits of working out are tremendous, but the American lifestyle has become sedentary. Working out need not be an backbreaking or difficult job — it can be fun, exhilarating and provide great moments for families to not only exercise together but to talk and share other significant aspects of their lives. Running can the likeliness of everything from the common cold to cancer. Your toughness will increase. Runners World magazine is a great resource and the online version can be accessed. The Chicago marathon website is one of the best that I have seen provide information, running schedules , information on running shoes and running tips for the beginner runner , route maps with inclines, water stops, energy drink stops, spectator and cheering squad stands and locations, expected weather and other information.However, there are some dangers especially if you have been on extreme diets recently. Runners who attempt to lower their body fat percentages to unhealthy levels run the risk of injury, illness, infertility, and at the very least, decreased performance. You may experience performance problems if you’ve been dieting religiously to lose weight.When you exercise, do it at least five days a week. If you are able to make it 7 days a week, it’s even better. No matter whether you run five days or seven, remember to make it enjoyable. And if you are stressed, aerobic workouts, walking, cycling, swimming, or running can help loosen those tight muscles and produce endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that can help counteract stress. Exercise in moderation may also help you control your blood pressure. Beginner runners especially can get injuries if they set the bar too high. There are numerous books and magazines that give specific information programmes for all levels of running such as Runners World and Running Fitness. Novice runners need speed play to remind them how to run properly; all runners need speed training for running enjoyment and for muscle stimulation-especially during the high mileage training which builds base. Low level aerobic exercise is the safest way to build aerobic endurance for running.When you’ve been running for a while, you’ll realize that running becomes your own work of art. You’ll learn how to manage your pace, your stride length, even the way you land and push off the ground. As a beginner runner, run the designated mileage at an easy, conversational pace. Use your breathing as your guide to manage your running pace.To make your running more pleasurable and less routine, Run/Walk in different places or at different times of the day. The Sacramento area offers some incredible places to run/walk. Run more so long as it’s pain-free. Always stop when you’re experiencing pain. Run to the beat of your favourite music on your next run and concentrate on short strides. If while running you are really tired it just means you are trying to take large strides AND keep up a faster cadence.Take it slow at the beginning, because your target is to build a habit and make running your regular routine. You won’t experience weight loss immediately, except through water loss. However, given a period of weeks to months, you’ll start to experience both weight loss AND improved health levels. If you want to add intensity to your run, hills will obviously drive your heart rate up. But that does not mean you should get rid of hill work outright. As you improve in your health and fitness levels, adding runs up hills are an amazing way to improve your strength and challenge your anaerobic system. The first thing you need to do, however, is find a hill with a fairly steep grade.Additionally, training through extreme weather conditions in the winter or summer can be emotionally exhausting as well as physically challenging. If there’s one in your area, running in the pool provides a change of scenery from familiar running paths or treadmills and training at an indoor pool allows for consistency when weather conditions make outdoor running uncomfortable.Rest days are as important as training days. They give your muscles time to rest so you can run again.To see how far you’ve come since you first started running to lose weight, track your workouts, meals, calories, nutrients, measurements, dieting progress, general health and more. Visualize your progress, judge the effectiveness of diets and workouts, and you’ll be able to reach your goals sooner. If you find maintaining your run routine difficult then use walking as a starting point. Walking during a cool-down is a form of active recovery, which helps clear the lactic acid out of the muscles faster than if you come to a dead stop. Jogging may be more effective after a hard workout, but usually walking is a more comfortable way to cool down especially in the heat.Combined together with a sensible, sound nutrition program, running to lose weight will quicken your advancement towards your weight loss goals. And you’ll be slimmer and healthier sooner than you think!